The best term to describe Key West weather these days is consistency.

Great weather!

My sunday yesterday started with Meet the Press and the other news talk shows. I sometimes wonder whether many of our problems are created by these talk shows. They sometimes pick at things creating problems where none exist.

Then it was off to the Coffee House to read the sunday New York Times. I refuse to buy a newspaper. Especially pay close to $5 for a Sunday Times. Don’t know why. Just one of my quirks.

I never got past the editorial page. The humidity was heavy. I was becoming uncomfortable. I left.

It was lunch time so I went over to the Lucky Day Cafe. Which I knew was air conditioned.

Cuban toast and coffee and read the Key West Citizen. The newspaper being freely provided.

The campers were at my house when I returned home. Robert and Ally. I cannot get rid of them.

Ally was going to an all girls birthday party. I was to watch Robert.

Robert was all excited. Not because I was watching him. Lisa had stopped at Ross’ and there was a metal golf set for sale. $10.99. Four clubs with metal shafts, 3 balls, tees and a bag. The stuff looked for real. Robert thought they were for real. He was shouting…..I’ve got real golf clubs, Poppa!

This is his second set. I bought him plastic ones a couple of years ago.

Robert is going to take lessons in a couple of weeks at the golf course. They have a program for young ones. $60 for a week of group lessons. 9-1 for 5 days. Real clubs for kids provided. Robert is signed up. We have been talking about it. He now watches golf on tv with me. He understands get the ball in the hole in 4!

Robert had yet to visit the golf course. I took him yesterday afternoon.

To a six year old, it was a spectacular first time experience!

He was both excited and in awe. The vastness of the fairways. The flags flying. The carts running around.

I took him in the shack where my bag was stored. We were only going to putt and I needed to get my putter and some balls. Robert was carrying his own putter, of course.

The bag storage shed impressed him. But then, everything did!

We putted on the practice green for about an hour. I tried to instruct him. Line your feet with the hole, ball in the middle of your stance, club shaft also, hit the ball. I finally made him understand that the ball and club head location lined up off his pecker. That locked the concept in.

After a while, I just left him alone. He hit the ball around. He was having fun. So was I.

A friend of his from school class went by on a cart with his father. They waved at each other. A proud moment for both.

Robert is anxious to ride in a cart. He asked me about a car seat and car belt. It was difficult for him to understand why neither exist on a golf cart when he must always wear and sit in one otherwise.

After our putting experience, I took him into the pro shop. Golf clubs galore! Overwhelming for a six year old. I had him hold a new driver. One with a huge head. The club was significantly taller than Robert.

Then to the bar. We shared a diet Pepsi. Another big deal! His mother does not permit the grandkids to drink any kind of soda.

Such was my afternoon.

Last night I wandered over to La Trattoria for dinner.

Kathy bartending. Where have you been? You have not been in for a while!

Correct she was. I told her I did not love her anymore.

Becha came over to give me a hug and kiss. I thought…..Louis, how stupid you are! Becha’s hug and kiss alone are worth the visit!

I had an enjoyable evening. Great Events Louis’ parents were there. Gail, also. And many others.

Then home to bed to watch the Tony awards.

Great show! However I was disappointed that my good friend Terri White had not been nominated.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning world!

Hello Sunday!

Another great Key West day in the making!

The sun is shining. Very few clouds in the sky. Little breeze. No humidity yet.

Quiet. Church quiet.

It rained big time after dinner last night. It will soon start raining a bit more each day. We are entering the rainy season. Once it arives, it becomes routine. It rains about 1 every afternoon for 5 minutes. For real. That’s it.

I have the urge to pontificate a bit this morning. Sort of like church sermon time. Bear with me.

BP.

My sense is we are forgetting the Rule of Law. Mass hysteria seems to be growing. The voice of the crowd is getting loud.

Is mob rule ultimately to prevail?

We are all concerned. Rightfully so. A problem out of control is upon is.

I see two things about to happen. First, the U.S. government will declare the spill a national disaster. It is. The government will then take over from the git go. Second, BP will eventually file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. It will be the only way for BP and those hurt to effectively manage the claims situation.

The system will work if invoked, as I believe it will be. BP is not doing the job on its own at the present time. And BP cannot be trusted to be honest and forthright. BP is purely economically driven. Its words of compassion for people and nature are hollow and not sincere.

And…..in the next year we have to go back to regulating corporate America. It cannot be trusted to go it alone.

An observation. Some people are pigs.

BP opened a claims office in Marathon a couple of weeks ago. Marathon is 45 miles north of Key West. The spill has not reached the Florida keys as yet.

Last week it was announced that BP had already paid in excess of $3 million in claims out of the Marathon claims office.

How?

Legitimacy, honesty is required on both sides. Lets not have one or more rotten apples in the barrel that will spoil it for everyone.

Enough for sermonizing.

Yesterday was so so.

I spent the afternoon alone at Smather’s Beach. Soaking up the sun. I sat down at the quiet end. No one around. One lonely palm tree. Quietly refreshing.

When I returned home, the grandkids were here and in the pool. I returned to shouts of Poppa! My good days as Club Poppa director were still being rewarded!

Lisa and I and the grandkids had an early dinner at Hogfish.

Robert and Ally were given crayons and coloring sheets. Robert did not want to color. Ally did. I did.

Ally colors well. Meticulously. Good color interchange. Stayed within the lines.

My coloring skills left much to be desired. Outside the lines and messy. I had not done it in years! I was appropriately chastised by both my grandchildren.

Hogfish had a fried oyster special last night. I have never had fried oysters at Hogfish. They were so good! Great!

We all returned to my home for ice cream. I have to get rid of all the goodies I bought for our camp week.

I have cones that are already trimmed with chocolate syrup. Ho ho!

Our choices were chocolate and vanila ice cream. And sprinkles! Rainbow ones! I could open my own ice cream store!

I feel energized this morning. I may walk or ride my bike. Watch the talk shows. Read the Sunday papers. Generally screw off. That is what Sundays are for!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Up late. My apologies for writing so late.

A beautiful day. Sun shining. No clouds. Very little breeze. Nature’s colors all bright and exciting.

Yesteray was Day 5 of Club Poppa and its last day!

Hooray!

It was enough. My grandkids loved it. I loved it. Except, I am dead! So tired. That is why I slept late.

It was a mixed day.

Robert and Ally showed up at 7. Full of vim and vigor. Ready for another day of fun activities with their grandfather.

I fed them breakfast. Cheerios. No milk. That is the way they wanted it. Robert wanted an orange cut up. I cut one up. Ally wanted an apple cut up. I cut one up.

It is amazing! I did not do this for my own children. Of course, I never had the time to be with them as I do these grandchildren.

My radio show The Key West Lou Legal Hour was at 10. Lisa had arranged for a sitter while I was away.

A good radio show yesterday! Everything went well. The post show comments were best for the walk back in history with Theodore Roosevelt and my thoughts regarding the Gulf oil spill.

I hurried home after the show. The grandkids were awaiting.

We did a camp lunch. I cleaned out the refrigerator. We ate a little bit of everything.

Then a swim. The big black inflatable whale I bought earlier in the week is still a big hit. They fight over who is going to ride him. I asume the whale is male. I cannot tell.

I tried to plan activities for Robert and Ally during the week. To make them happy of course. But more importantly to keep them involved and make my life easier.

I was a kid a long time ago. The only kid games I recall are from a long time ago.

Last week I saw these washable chalks at K Mart. For writing on the sidewalk. Different colors. When done, hose off. I decided to try them.

Hopefully they would be better than the washable crayons that still mark my white tiki bar.

Anyhow, I had this recollection of me as a kid. We would take white chalk (colored chalk did not exist) and draw different games on the sidewalk. Of course, I lived in a tenement and they live in a house.

I took them out to the driveway. My intent was to have them draw blocks. Like a long vertical tic, tac, toe. Then I would teach them to play hop scotch or whatever it was called back when I did it.

We got through the drawing part and started. Throw a stone, then skip on one foot to wherever it landed.

That is as far as we got. It was brutually hot. The sun was beating off the concrete. All three of us were sweating profusely.

So much for the game. We came in. I was so hot I did not even try to hose down the driveway. I will find out later this morning if it comes off. If not, there will be a million dollar house with a large multi colored hop scotch drawing as one enters the house.

Who cares!

I had to leave again. A guest appearaance on Stephanie Kaple’s Fashion radio show.

The baby sitter returned.

Stephanie and I did a 20 minute bit on the woman who was fired from Citibank for being too sexy. The issue was her clothes. How she dressed. It was a fun filled exchange. Stephanie thought the woman should hve dressed more professionally. I thought she dressed fine. A bit of a female/male exchange. Good thought. Good humor.

I returned home to find Lisa waiting for me. Everyone was happy. Although the grandkids were a bit sad that Club Poppa was ending. At least for a while.

I decided to do a Camper of the Week bit. I made a dramatic speech. One of them was to be camper of the week! Both were looking on anxiously. Each hopeful to be the winner.

Lisa started to panic. I could see it in her eyes. Whoever lost would be destroyed. My darling daughter forgot her father for a moment. I declared the competition a tie. Each won! Each was deleriously happy!

I went out last night. Althought tired, I had to get out. Had a need for adult conversation and entertainment.

My evening stated at the Chart Room. Marty, Sean, Captain Peter and Michael at the bar. Made a new friend. John Fairweather. A Navy officer. Port operations Officer for the Naval Air Station at Key West. He was there with a bunch of other navy personnel.

I enjoyed John’s company. Last night was his first time at the Chart Room. I suspect he will frequent the Chart Room more often and we will get to know each other better.

Marty and I had dinner at the bar at Marquesa. We had a terrific time!

Local dentist Sandra Pepe was sitting next to me. I run into her very infrequently. Sad. Her office building is on Truman across the street from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. It is where Jack Baron started his antique and art business. Jack sold the building to Sandra.

As we were talking about Jack, who should come into Marquesa but Bob Burton. Bob was Jack’s partner for 52 years. I had not seen Bob in ages.

Jack and Bob were the perfect pair. Two old maried gays. I had the privilege of attending their 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 anniversay parties. Could they throw a party! I recall at the 50th, they put out 5 pound tins of beluga caviar. Later, Jack told me they went through 15 tins.

I miss Jack. He has been dead about 4 years now. He was a good friend. Extremely perceptive. Uncannyingly so. He could see what was to be before it happened.

Marquesa was packed. Probably because this is Pridefest weekend. I wanted to go out after dinner. However I was tired. The week had caught up with me.

I said my good nights. I suspect Marty headed out to La Te Da. The place would have been jumping last night.

I have nothing to do today. Isn’s that wonderful!

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

The weather had been great!

Except for the humidity. It is no longer creeping in. It has creeped in!

Today is my radio show! 10 am. KONK 1500 AM. Or watch and hear it on the internet at http://www.konkam.com/ worldwide.

A lot of challanging issues today. From the Gulf oil spill to the locked doors of the Key West Police Station. Listen in and enjoy!

Today is the last day for Club Poppa. Wonderful! Marvelous! I love my grandkids, but WOW! This has been a tiring experience.

Yesterday was an easy one at Club Poppa.

We swam in the morning and played games. I bought a large black inflatable whale. A hit! Robert and Ally loved it. Plus I got some terrific pics of them riding the whale.

It was Shrek day!

Lunch was at McDonald’s. We each had a Shrek bag with chicken nuggets, fries and chocolate milk. I let the grandkids do the ordering.

I planned the movie trip poorly time wise. After lunch, there was still an hour to kill before the movie. So it was off to Dairy Queen. We each had a different cone of ice cream. Too much. None of us finished our treat.

Finally the movies!

They took to the theater and the movie like pros. I think this was only their third time.

We did 2 bags of pop corn. One with butter and one without. And diet Pepsi for me. Lisa had required that I bring special kids lemonade for them.

Robert and Ally fell into their seats. The seats were bigger than them. I feared they could not see. No problem.

Their eyes were glued to the screen from start to finish. In awe.

It was after 3 when the movie was over. Lisa was home. I took Robert and Ally home.

I said to my lovely daughter…..They’re all yours, Lisa!

Lisa arranged for a sitter while I am doing my radio show this morning. The grandkids will watch for the first time on the internet. I promised to say hello.

This afternoon I have a guest appearance on Stephanie Kaple’s Fashion Show at 3. Only about 10 minutes. Listen in. Stephanie is terrific. I am going to comment on a recent employee discrimination case involving a bank. The woman was reubenesque and her employer did not approve of the clothing that covered her.

Enjoy your day!

Radio show tomorrow morning!

The Key West Lou Legal Hour!

10 am.

KONK 1500 AM. Better yet, see and hear the show on the internt at http://www.konkam.com/.

Interesting topics! Like the Gulf oil spill. And my views on contingency lawyers and what I perceive as the inevitable Chapter 11 bankruptcy by BP. The proposed Monroe County lobbying law and my opposition to it, Portugal and same sex marriage, Pakistan and Facebook, Lithuania and rising anti semitism, work place discrimination at Citibank, Oklahoma weird dumb laws, the King of Ghana, the weird dumb lawsuit of the week, a step into history with Theodore Roosevelt, and more.

Today is Day 4 of Club Poppa. My two attendees have already arrived. They burst through the door yelling Poppa!

Robert was helping with breakfast. The box of Cheerios fell. I just finished cleaning the mess up.

Today is going to be easy. Lunch at noon at McDonald’s. Then the movies. A special day! A Shrek day! We are doing the Shrek lunch at McDonald’s followd by the Shrek movie at 1:30 at the Regal.

Robert and Ally are all excited. The lunch I can handle. The movie I doubt. This is Shrek 4. I never saw the first 3 nor had any desire to do so.

Yesterday went well.

I played golf in the morning. Lisa arranged for a sitter till I returned.

I was the big winner in golf! $12! Hit the ball well sometimes. Still have those long shots. However my short game and putting which were ok are now falling apart.

That is golf!

I played with Tom, Don and Yankee Jack. We had another foursome out there which included Larry, Kurt and Emmett.

It was a crazy group. Every one had a good time.

The humidity has arrived. It was a killer yesterday!

I was totally exhausted at the end of 18 holes. Went home. But could not go to bed. Had to baby sit.

Swam a bit with the grandkids. Then Lisa showed up at 3:30. Club Poppa closed for the day!

They left. And I went to bed. For the balance of the day and evening.

Almost forgot! I am doing a guest appearance on Stephanie Kaple’s Fashion radio show friday at 3. Same Konk station and same internet site. Tune in. Listen in. Watch. Should be interesting. We are going to talk about work place dress and the Citibank situation.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am waiting for Robert and Ally to arrive. For Day 3 at Club Poppa.

Day 2 yesterday was busy. Tiring from my perspective. I am shot! God made mothers young for a reason.

The three of us swam for 4 hours. And I mean swam!

Lunch was under the tiki hut. I prepared it. Something different.

Sliced bananas, peanut butter and whipped cream on whole wheat bread. Healthy and easy. They went crazy! Washed it down with some kind of kiddies lemonade.

Robert and Ally were tired at this point. They fell asleep for 2 hours on the couch. I covered them. And then fell asleep myself.

My home is in total disarray. I am a neat freak.

The screen door to the deck is off the runner and I can’t seem to fix it. I had them color with washable crayons outside on the tiki bar top. It is white. Well, was white. Now multi colored. The washable crayons won’t wash off.

I went out last night. After Lisa took them home, of course.

I went to Grunt’s. First time. It is a bar located in a little old house on Caroline. Between Duval and Whitehead. Surrounded by mahogany trees.

A Key West tradition. What a beautiful place!

Larry Smith had a meeting of our group that is trying to put together a radio/internet show. We talked much. Progress is being made. Grunt’s is one of the sites under consideration to house the event.

Urbancowgirl wrote a couple of comments to my blog yesterday. She is a new found friend/reader

She thought it great that I was going to talk about same sex marriage on the radio show friday. She is apparently unaware that I speak about the topic just about every other week.

Urbancowgirl is partnered and heading for Key West this weekend. Today is the start of Pridefest 2010. Opening parties all around town tonight. She will be visiting for the event. Hope we run into each other.

I googled her name. Came up with some interesting things about Urbancowgirl. One is most worthy of mention.

She set forth a quote attributed to John Ray. Made about 1670. Ray is considered the father of English natural history. Botany, zooloogy and natural history were his specialties.

“They who would be young when they are old, must be old when they are young.”

Fits me to a T! I was always old when I was young. People used to suggest I was old before my time. In my actions and thoughts. Now I am young! At 74! I think young. I act young.

John Ray was right!

Golf this morning. I am going! No question! My time away from the grandkids. Lisa has the situation covered. She has someone coming to watch them while I am gone.

They just came through the door. All excited. Want to know what we are having for breakfast. We have agreed on waffles, cream of wheat and a cut up apple. Thank God for instant and frozen foods!

One last tidbit.

Ally and I were talking yesterday afternoon. We were telling each other stories. She has quite an imagination.

She told me that when she was a baby she was in her mother’s stomach. She was always kicking her mother. She told the story laughing. She thought it was funny that she was kicking her Mommy.

I have a picture of my Mother hanging in the bedroom. I pointed to it and asked Ally if she knew who she was. Yes, your Mommy! So I told her when I was a little baby I was in my Mommy’s belly and kicked her. Ally looked at me strangely. Then blurted out…..No! You are too big!

Enjoy your day!

We completed day 1 of Club Poppa yesterday.

A success!

Robert and Ally thrilled! Poppa dead tired!

I figured out what I have accomplished. A Club Med for kids!

We started the day with a swim. At 8 in the morning!

Then we ate. We ate all day off and on. Lisa brought snacks and I had bought some. They are sharks when it comes to eating. Ever consuming.

Late morning I drove them up to Boondocks. Miniature golf time.

They loved it!

Robert has improved. I was impressed. Ally still fumbling around. That one year makes a difference. However…..Ally got a hole in one on the last hole!

Lunch was at Boondocks. Macaroni and cheese for both. Plus a large side order of french fries.

Robert ate all his macaroni and cheese. Ally only a little. She devoured the french fries.

They love eating out with me. I permit them to cheat a bit on their mother’s rules. Lisa does not like soda for them. Will occasionally permit a diet soda. However she cuts it with water.

I let each of them have a whole glass of diet Pepsi! They loved the thought of what they were doing as well as the soda.

Of course, they both slept on the drive back.

I had to keep them occupied. So it was back into the pool.

They both swim like fish. I had them racing the length of the pool. Ally seems to be the stronger swimmer.

Time to rest. I was dead! I had them follow me upstairs. Told them Poppa was tired. They laid on the bed with me and we watched tv.

Lisa finally arrived. Just in time. My butt was dragging. This baby sitting all day is hard work.

They are back here already this morning. Seven o’clock sharp. Came through the door yelling Club Poppa!

Lisa told me they went to sleep early last night. No wonder. They were on the go all day. She also said they ate little for dinner. I fed them too much during the day.

I have nothing special planned for today. We shall take it as it comes.

Tonight is a biggie however! They are sleeping over! Me and the grandkids! It will be an experience! They have never done it before.

Neither have I.

Frankly, I think they will probably back out before it is time.

Oh…..I slept well also last night. I was exhausted!

I did sneak in a little prep time for friday’s radio show. Came up with some interesting items to discuss. Like same sex marriage, Facebook and Pakistan, and Lithuania and anti semitism.

Enjoy your day!

It is just before 7 in the morning.

The sun just came up. Still a bit gray. No clouds. Humid. Sticky kind.

I am waiting for a volcano to come through the front door. Any minute!

The grandkids are betweeen school and summer camp. This week they have nothing. So I am baby sitting. It has been decided it would be better if I did it here at my home. I have the pool.

It is going to be an interesting week. Me and them. Today I think I am going to drive up to Boondocks and play miniature golf with them. Then the three of us will have lunch there.

In between, the pool and play games. Robert and Ally have a new monopoly game for kids. They are bringing it over. They have already told me they will be teaching me the game.

The Gulf oil spill continues to be the major item of discussion and concern. If it is to come to the keys, it is still at least 10 days away. It is just hitting the Panhandle in north Florida.

This is a new experience. We do not know what to expect. We are ready for the worst, if it is so. Like the pictures on tv have been showing. On the other hand, many think the major problem will be tar balls. Hard oil balls.

The wait is a killer. You know something bad is going to happen. The when is the uncertain part.

And now we are into hurricane season. Hurricane talk is beginning. When is the issue here also. The hurricanes generally start off the west coast of Africa. There are none formulating as yet.

Someone wrote and asked if it was ok to visit Key West a week from now. Who knows. I am not the expert. But I will share my personal thoughts with the writer.

Come.

If the oil spill hits soon, it is at least 10 days away. Maybe 2 weeks. Maybe longer. We are dealing with an unknown.

You state you are staying at the Casa Marina. One of the most magnificent hotels in Key West! So you may not swim in the ocean. The Casa has two large beautiful pools! And everyting else in Key West is still here. The bars and restaurants. The tourist sights. The night life.

Finally, when again will you have the opportunity to experience an event of this magnitude. Dependiong on the severity of whatever hits, the birds may require cleaning. The bigger fish care. You could spend your vacation helping! A unique once in a life time experience!

Robert and Ally have arrived! They came through the door yelling Camp Poppa! I am in for it!

I set them up outside at the tiki hut for breakfast. I am writing this blog now at the tiki hut also. They are eating loops and chatting. Waking my neighbors. But I don’t care. Many a night they keep me up partying with their guests. This is my pay back time.

Marty is back.

We went to the movies last night. Sex and the City 2.

I was not impressed. Save your money.

I was disappointed, also. I was a fan through out the tv series. I thought the movie two years ago was terrific. The powers to be did not know when to stop and say enough!

Godfather 3 was one movie too many. So too was Sex and the City last night.

It just did not have it.

They also made the 4 women look too old. Three are in their 40s and one in her 50s. Still good looking women in today’s society. Not in the movie. Lines and wrinkles were added. Not realisitic.

I have to explain now to the grandkids the necessity of cleaning up whatever they drop on the deck. There are a few milk soaked loops. If not picked up, the bugs will invade. One of the concerns of living on a tropic island.

Enjoy your day!

I am lazy today. Just got up. Almost 9.

I laid in bed watching Errol Flynn as Lord Essex making love to Betty Davis’ Queen Elizabeth in a 1939 movie.

Yesterday started with me being a good neighbor. Took some friends to the airport.

I was up early. Too early. What to do?

I bought some newspapers and drove to the Atlantic. All of 300 feet away from the airport.

Along the beach runs a sidewalk. At certain points on the sidewalk are benches. I picked one sitting right on the edge of the wall butting the ocean. Feet resting on the wall. And read.

I could hear the water. I could smell the salt. I felt the breeze. The sun warmed me.

Lunch was a high point for me. With Tom and Chris at Hogfish. Their first time.

Hogfish is an open air restaurant. A throwback to the 1950s. It sits on the water in what is known as downtown Stock Island. A joke! One you can only appreciate if you visit the place.

I like Tom and Chris. They are from the Syracuse area and visit Key West 3-4 times a year. We have become friends.

We had good conversation.

Chris wrote me this morning. Said I kept referring to her as Cindy yesrerday and in a recent blog. Sorry Cindy! Oops, Chris! I screw up occasinally.

My apologies.

Lisa and the grandkids came over. For the whole afternoon. we did pool time a long time. I got a tan on top of my tan!

It amazes me how well Robert and Ally swim. Of course, they are in the water almost every day. Good they are!

I am a neat freak. Especially my bed. You would not know any one even slept in it.

I was watching the golf tournament after swimming. Laying on my bed, of course. Robert and Ally joined me. My bed will never be the same!

I finally sent them all home. The Belmont was coming up and I wanted to watch it quietly. Out! was the command!

I did a quiet night last night. Outback. At the bar. I have come to enjoy their steaks. Together with a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables. The sin I commit in eating the steak is off set by the sweet potato and vegetables. At least in my mind.

Things are quieting down. Especially for a Saturday night. Outback’s was basically empty. Not many people at Hogfish for lunch. I think it is a combination of out of season and people starting to worry about the Gulf oil spill. Once it hits the Florida keys, many are going to be out of work.

The weather continues to be outstanding. Except the humidity is starting to creep in. Not bad yet. But a little heavier each day. It also has rained the past 3 nights. We are slowly moving into the rainy season.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

I am writing today’s blog late. Sorry!

Got up late. Then had to drive some friends to the airport.

Yesterday’s radio show was a hit! A lot of favorable reaction afterward. From as far as South Africa. Wow!

Better than half the show was devoted to the new Arizona immigration law. …..Show me your papers! I was fortunate to have Don Riggs join me. Don lives here in Key West and is a life long radio and television newsman. He is just finishing up a one month vacation in Arizona.

Don’s observations were revealing!

Don claims from what he has seen, bigotry is not the issue. More than half of the Arizonians are Latinos who are already citizens. Don says the primary problem is an economic one. School and medical costs being at the forefront. Increased taxes another.

Arizonians are taking what appear to be drastic steps because the federal government has failed in its responsibility to protect the borders. So the people of Arizona have resorted to what might be described as self help.

Interesting.

After the radio show, I stopped at the Coffee House for some brew and the New York Times.

Then I was off to lunch at Harpoon Harry’s. Where I read the Miami paper.

I am hooked on reading newspapers. The reason is I did not do so for almost 50 years. A busy practicing lawyer only has time to read legal papers and briefs. I am now making up for a lot of lost years.

The Gulf oil spill is coming. Sure as day turns to night. It is now in the Panhandle of Florida. Starting to affect the beaches up there.

The winds have turned and the oil is starting to get into the loop current stream.

Eventually everyone from Louisiana on the west through the Carolinas on the east are going to have the same problem. Massive unemployment! The hotel and restaurant industries are tourist driven. Tourists are not going to spend their vacations where they cannot use the beaches and water. The fishing industry is doomed. Everyone in Key West will feel the impact.

What to do?

People have to think outside the box to find a solution.

I would like to make claim to a solution about to be proposed. But I cannot. It came from one smarter than me in this regard.

His name is Kurt. Kurt is a bartender at Don’s Place. Some days a scratch golfer. Lives on the water near me in Key Haven. 50ish. Street smart. Otherwise smart.

Kurt gave me a call yesterday. His solution is brilliant! Think about it for a moment before you say no.

Kurt’s solution keeps all local businesses going and helps to get the oil damaged ones cleaned up. And brings immediate income into the community.

Kurt says there is massive unemployment throughout the country. He is correct. Yesterday’s figures revealed food stamps were being given for the first time to over 40 million people.The numbers further showed that the jobless rate is at a 26 year high.

Kurt says import the unemployed from other parts of the United States to the keys. Put them to work cleaning up the mess. Cleaning the birds, the water. And whatever else has to be done. They would be payed by BP. They would stay at our hotels and eat in our restaurants. And of course do their drinking in our bars.

Kurt’s idea is not so far fetched. After 9/11, security became big time at airports. Key West did not have enough people to do the work. The federal government imported security people from all over the United States to work at the Key West airport. And payed their hotel and food bills. For several years.

The same type program is workable here. And it keeps two groups employed instead of one. The locals and people who would be imported to help.

Good idea, Kurt! Good thinking!

It turns a lemon into a lemonade!

Hopefully someone in authority will read or be sent this blog and take heed. At least consider the solution presented.

Enjoy your day!