The damages portion of the civil case brought against Trump by the New York’s Attorney General begins today. Last week, the Judge found there was sufficient evidence to render a summary judgment decision that Trump was guilty of outright fraud. Such leaves only the damages portion of the case to be decided. That is the part of the case that began today.

Trump is appearing. A picture has already been on the internet showing him sitting at counsel table between his attorneys waiting for the trial to begin. The visitor portion behind him shows a packed courtroom.

The case is non jury which means  the Judge will decide how much it will cost Trump for his many business wrongdoings where he inflated the value of his assets to secure favorable loans and insurance terms.

The Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava conflict on the green of the 18th hole. The facts are well known and need not be repeated here. My feelings concerning the issue are that LaCava was wrong. 

McIlroy still had to putt. A birdie putt if made would split the match rather than award a whole point to the U.S. LaCava interfered with McIlroy’s lining up the putt. LaCava continued to wave his hat even following McIlroy asking him to move.

The green belongs to players first, caddies second. LaCava was out of hand. Justifiably excited. Nevertheless, he overstepped his bounds.

LaCava’s “sin” had to be an extreme one. McIlroy said LaCava’s actions made him the maddest he has ever been in his golfing career.

There are good policemen. An Alabama experience proves the point.

The “thief” Kate Johnson. She receives monthly pay of Ghc720 per month. She cares for herself, 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and a niece. She lost her paycheck the week before the incident to be described.

The children/dependents she cares for had not eaten for 2 days. She went to buy eggs. Only had 50 cents. Stole 5 eggs instead. One for each of those she was supporting.

She got caught. The police were called. Told her story to Officer William Stacy and a store staff person. They decided not to press charges.

Officer Stacy bought her a dozen eggs.

Later that week Officer Stacy, along with a few others, came to Johnson and gifted her with 2 trucks of food to feed her family.

Proving some policemen are good. God is good.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar writes a blog also. He has been doing so for years.

One of his comments in today’s blog involves Trump. He spells out Trump wants to murder shoplifters. In so doing, the U.S. would be following the policies of Iran, China and North Korea where thieves are executed.

Trump stated his position at a GOP luncheon friday in California: “Very simply, if you rob a store, you can fully expect to be shot as you are leaving the store. Shot.”

My thought: Trump’s position justifies “murder” by police officers. imagine Kate Johnson in Alabama and her theft of 5 eggs. If a police officer had been in the store at he time of the theft, she could have been shot with impunity.

Her death would have been a punishment far greater than the crime committed. And don’t say it could not happen. We live in crazy times. Deaths by police officers have occurred with little or no justification in recent years all over our country.

Additionally assume Johnson was shot and killed in her theft of 5 eggs, who would take care of her 5 dependents? The State in the final analysis. The tab being paid with taxpayer dollars.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will forever be remembered for his January 6 actions. He was videoed climbing the steps of the Capitol as the insurrection was forming, turning to face them with a raised fist and smile in support of them.

He has a history of being anti-union. Nevertheless last monday, he visited striking auto workers in Wentzville where he called himself “pro-worker” and encouraged higher pay for auto workers. 

The auto workers did not “buy” his Johnny come lately “recent support.” They let him know they were aware of his anti-union positions and that he took contributions from auto companies.

Hawley has a 0% agreement rating with the UAW and an 11 % approval rating with the AFL-CIO.

Hawley’s lies did not fly.

Enjoy your day!

The Dome was packed. Forty thousand strong. Excitement running high. Syracuse prepared to beat Clemson.

Never happened. Clemson destroyed Syracuse 31-14.

Such is life!

The handwriting was on the wall early in the first quarter. Syracuse turned over the ball twice leading to early Clemson touchdowns.

Clemson was ready for Garrett Schrader. Its defensive line was on top of him constantly. Forced most of his long passes to go long or be out of bounds when caught. Schrader never got his personal running game going. Again, Clemson on top of him constantly.

Some of Coach Dino Babers decisions were lacking. He seems to be learning on the job. The most outlandish, on a Syracuse 4th and 10 he had Denaburg attempt a 57 yard field goal. No way Jose! He had never made one that long or tried one that long before. He came up short.

Clemson was the better team. Yesterday. The Syracuse coaches have to figure out how to work around a fast moving defensive line in future games. Everyone is going to do it.

The Ryder Cup. Play began at 5:30 this morning. No problem for me. I generally rise 5-5:30 to begin work on the blog. Got a got night’s sleep beforehand to make up for the night before.

The U.S. down 11 1/2 – 5 1/2 to start on this final day. Fourteen and one half points needed to win. It’s 11 am at the moment. Score Europe 14, US 10. Our guys are trying hard. Can they make it? Would be the miracle of miracles!

I am adding this at 11:15. Europe just won 15-11. Two matches still ongoing. They play till everyone is done. However, the conclusion is clear. Europe the winner. Europe played fantastic the first day and a half. Made the US look inept. The US finished well nevertheless.  Wait till next year!

Halloween is coming! With a surprise this year. A big one. Pumpkins will be bigger than normal. The reason: The wet summer preceded by a hot June. Perfect conditions for growing larger than normal squashes of every variety.

France has the Olympics next summer. Higher than normal tourists this past summer. And…..An increase in bed bugs! Even on trains and in movie theaters.

Paris is particularly affected. The problem is so bad the government has advised insurance companies to add eradication costs to coverages.

So many things Congress has to deal with and fails to do so. Especially the House of Representatives.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is leader of the small mad MAGA group who take their marching orders from Trump. Gaetz vows he will move to vacate Speaker McCarthy this week. He’s upset McCarthy backed the measure to prevent a government shut down last night.

The kook wants to be governor of Florida. He’s worse than DeSantis!

My home town is Utica, NY. This time of the year, it experiences “Indian Summer.” An example is this mid week when it will be in the 80’s (Indian Summer) and by the end of the week in the 50’s (closer to normal this time of the year).

The way it has been, is, and always will be.

The government shut down has been averted. For 45 days. Hopefully it will be resolved by then. 

My immediate concern now is Ukraine. Let’s get the necessary done re Ukraine. It was left out of the package that averted the shut down. We are protecting our asses when we help Ukraine in its war with Putin.

A suggestion has been made to name A1A as the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”

Forget it! Buffett stands for smiles and joy. Most of A1A is horrible to drive. It runs through many cities along the Atlantic seaboard in Florida. Where traffic is heavy, slow moving and carbon monoxide infested.

Never a joy to travel!

Exception: US 1 from Key West to Florida City. Part of A1A or A1A part of US 1. Whatever.

Got my COVID and flu shots at CVS on US 1 on Stock Island Friday. Took all of 10 minutes for paperwork and shots. No appointment required. CVS staff pleasant and courteous.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Carter! Ninety nine years old! 

An amazing person! God bless him!

A progressive Democrat was caught on video pulling a fire alarm in order to delay the government shut down vote in the House. Speaker McCarthy had handed out a 70 odd page bill covering what he claimed “everyone” would find amenable. He refused however to provide time to read it. Just vote! his declaration.

Who could trust him?

Now some Republicans want the Democrat who pulled the fire alarm to be arrested. McCarthy should be the one arrested for trying to force a piece of important legislation down the throats of the House without members having an opportunity to read it. 

I find the Democrat Congressman’s action by pulling the alarm no different than Lincoln’s when he was in the Illinois State Legislature. The opposition had locked all the legislators in the Chamber. No one could get out. The purpose was to have a quorum so a certain bill could be passed. Lincoln jumped out a second story window to avoid remaining.

Good going, Mr. Lincoln!

Enjoy your Sunday!

I need sleep! My ass is dragging!

Another night of watching the Ryder Cup. Been up since 1:30 am. I’m destroying myself! And for what? The USA team sucks!

We are into the second half of the second day at the moment. The USA team has started well. Hope they keep it up. 

Dinner at Brady’s last night. Sat with Richard at the bar. An old friend from Don’s Place. Chef at Half Shell Raw Bar. Good company.

Enjoyed perogies. Amazing…..An Irish pub that serves great Polish perogies and Italian lasagna and chicken parmigan!

Hope I can stay awake for the Syracuse/Clemson game which begins at noon.

That’s all for today. I’m beat. Have nothing more to give.

Enjoy your day!

Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) died. Ninety years old.

A dedicated public servant for 50 years going back to her time in local public office in California. Her Senate reputation that of a work horse as opposed to a show horse.

Yes, she did out spend her years in the Senate by a year or so. However, she earned that time.

May she rest in peace.

Syracuse/Clemson tomorrow. Syracuse a 7 point favorite. Available on ABC at 12 noon.

Ted Williams is one of America’s greatest baseball players. A legend. It was September 1960 and the last day of the season. He played in a doubleheader. Went 6 for 8. Drove his batting average to .406. The last player to hit .400 since Bill Terry in 1930. No one has done so since Williams did in 1960.

Williams finished his career with a .344 batting average. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame immediately upon eligibility in 1966.

What is most interesting is that Williams achieved his baseball distinctions while having spent time serving in World War II and the Korean War as a Marine fighter pilot. For certain of those years, he was wingman for John Glenn.

I write about Williams for a second and more important reason. He lived a significant number of years in the Florida Keys. In his later years as a player and in retirement. In Islamorada at mile marker 82. 

Williams was a fisherman. Not sure what he loved more. Fishing or playing baseball. He selected Islamorada for his home as Islamorada was and still is known as the Fishing Capital of the World.

He finally sold his home in Islamorada for an understandable reason. He said he sold it when he had to wait to cross U.S. 1 because of the traffic.

Greta Thunberg is a force in the modern climate change revolution. She was a mere 16 year old when in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit she chastised world leaders for their inaction in the face of threatening climate change. She warned: “Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up, and change is coming whether you like it or not.”

Note her words: “…..change is coming.” Spoken only 4 years ago. Right she was!

Today is National Coffee Day. There is a second coffee day also – International Coffee Day in 2 days on October 1. Coffee consumption is so powerful it deserves two days for celebratory purposes.

Americans drink 517 million cups of coffee a day. That’s more than any other beverage including water.

The Ryder Cup.

Europe has a commanding 4-0 lead after initial four ball matches which began at 1:30 am ET time. The Europeans looked far superior to the Americans.

The handwriting was on the wall and obvious with Hovland’s play on the first 2 holes. He chipped in on the first and sunk a long putt on the second. His team had an early 2-0 lead and won 4-3.

I woke at 2:30 am and watched on TV. It turned out not to be worth losing sleep over.

An interesting story in this morning’s Key West Citizen occurred this day in 1847. A “ship boy” was rescued from the schooner St. Mary’s which had been wrecked at the Dry Tortugas. “He” was discovered to be a girl, surprising crewmates and rescuers.

The girl, Johanna, was taken to Key West and placed with a family. The community was divided over her “donning attire not belonging to her, some admired her pluck, others found it offensive.”

There had to be a story here. I researched it briefly on the internet. Found nothing.

Neville Chamberlain: “Peace for our time.” I have always believed Chamberlain simply stated got bullshitted by Hitler.

His words those of appeasement. Detrimental. Their failure a warning for all time not to try to appease a dictator. Millions subsequently died when Hitler voided the agreement.

On this day in 1938, British, French, German and Italian leaders concluded the Munich Agreement by allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.

On this day in 1978, I was godfather to a newly baptized niece. I had not been to Confession, Mass or Communion in 20 years. I did it all preparatory to my godfather function.

Mass, Communion and Baptism were in the morning. Later that day, I was lying on a chaise lounge in my brother in law’s back yard enjoying a party honoring the Baptism when the news was announced that Pope John Paul I had died. He had only been Pope just over one month.

I laughed. Thought it funny. I go to Mass and Communion, and the Pope dies. Not funny, though at the time it struck me as such.

It was 15 years more before I did  Confession, Mass and Communion again. No relationship between John Paul’s death and the time involved in my failing to adhere to the rules of my Catholic faith. Merely part of my being a fallen away Catholic.

Government shut down possible this weekend. Hope it gets averted. Nothing good can come of it.

Wake up America! Start voting for people who are not power crazy MAGA nuts.

Enjoy your day!

Tell me why?

I go to Walgreens for COVID and flu shots and have to make an appointment. I go to CVS and they will take me immediately without an appointment. Doesn’t make sense. 

I take 17 pills a day. Walgreens lost me as a customer several years ago because I got sick and tired of putting up with their bullshit and waiting in non moving lines for my prescription drugs.. There have to be others like me who went elsewhere.

I did not get my shots yesterday at CVS. I planned on going out in the evening and wanted to enjoy a few drinks. Today or tomorrow I will get the shots.

It was the Thai Island Bar in the early evening. Enjoyed a California roll and Kim.

Kim a beautiful 35 year old who looks like she’s going on 25. Works with Island Dental as a receptionist. A terrific conversationalist. Enjoyed my time with her. 

Forgetful me. I left my credit card on the bar. Kim ran after me to return it.

I may make appointment for dental work at Island Dental so I can run into Kim again.

Home and in bed at 8. Got comfortable to watch the Republican debate at 9. Never saw it. Fell asleep. Woke at midnight.

From what I saw of the reruns and heard on the talk shows this morning, the debate sucked. I missed nothing.

Two most important issues were in the news yesterday. A judge in New York having found Trump guilty of business fraud and Trump’s text that General Milley deserved execution. Not even covered during the debate. Moderators’ fault. They should have raised both. FOX was sponsoring the event. Guess that explains it.

We are a screwed up Nation. Republicans love Trump by a wide margin and he does not even debate. Democrats worry about Biden’s age. They forget Trump is only 3 years younger. More especially, I consider Biden to be one of the best Presidents we have had. He saved us from the debacle Trump left us in.

Actress Bridget Bardot is 89. She was the hottest thing going in movie films in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Introduced the bikini. I remember her well.

Carl Hiaasen is a successful author. He writes for adults and middle grade readers.

I never heard of him. Till yesterday. Morning Joe gave him a full 20 minutes interview with everyone questioning him. Each excited about his new book Wrecker which was published two days ago on 9/26.

Wrecker sounds specially interesting. It is Key West based.

Its “hero” is 15 year old Valdez Jones who calls himself Wrecker because his great, great, great, great, great grandfather salvaged ships for a living. Is it destiny, irony, or just bad luck when Wrecker comes across a speedboat that has run aground on a sand flat? The boat people do not want Wrecker to call for help. In fact, they’ll pay him to forget he even saw them.

Wrecker would be happy to forget, but he keeps seeing these men all over Key West. At the marina, even in the cemetery. And now they want more than his silence. They want a lookout.

The story involves Wrecker’s deep dive into their shady dealings. 

The story takes place during the pandemic. Key West’s mask wearing history is briefly referred to. As a result, cries are already being emitted demanding the book be banned from libraries. Such bullshit. Wreckers is good enough for 20 minutes on a top talk show and not enough for some local nut(s).

Wrecker has significant Key West value. Covers Key West’s history of the vaccine, the environmental impact of cruise tourism, and the effects of COVID 19 on both people’s lives and criminal activities.

A must read.

Today another “shame” by House Republicans. They will hold their first hearing on the Biden “impeachment inquiry.”

 Within hours, certain House Republicans will have closed the government down. That is where their attention should be directed. Not at Biden. The charges are not new. Old! They have been debunked over and over again for years.

Enough for today. Ryder Cup on TV!

Enjoy your day!

Busy day yesterday. Too much running around. More than normal. Right hip and leg gave out. The pain! Residue still felt this morning.

One stop was Walgreens for COVID and flu shot. Couldn’t get it. Need an appointment. One which has to be made on the internet. First time I have run into this. Normally walk in, give them ID and insurance cards, fill in a form, get the shots. 

Why the extra steps?

Typical Walgreens. I got my prescription drugs from them for 15 years. Always a problem. Finally gave up. Now deal with Walmart and Publix. Both provide great service. Always cooperative and concerned.

Why can’t Walgreens be the same?

Did happy hour at The Grand. First time in 2 weeks. Got there a bit late. Bar packed. One empty seat. Turned out to be next to Christina. We had an enjoyable time. She works at the airport in security checking luggage and people as they are on their way to their planes. Interesting work.

Some people were impolite near the end of the evening. Tourists.

My heart doctor visit went well. No doctor. Saw nurse practitioner April. The hear doctor problem persists.

Loved my blood pressure, 106/65. Other arm, 110/69. I recall days long ago when the numbers were spiraling and took a long time to get under control.

Enjoyed my manicure and pedicure. Tammy always good company. She recalled I was one of her first customers 18 years ago. Amazing how time moves on.

We chatted about her son. I recall him 3 years old and running around the salon. Now in high school and driving. We both agreed – Time moves on too rapidly.

Trump continues to do well. His lifetime conduct is catching up with him. The judge in the New York civil case brought by the New York Attorney General did not even wait  for the trial scheduled to begin next week. The judge issued  a summary judgment decision yesterday saying no trial needed, the facts were clear. Declared Trump and his two sons guilty of business fraud. A trial will be required however to assess damages. 

The issue involved in the litigation is Trump having over evaluated his holdings by as much as $2.2 billion.

The judge found Trump’s actions “persistent.” The judge stripped Trump, his two sons and companies of control over some of Trump’s sensitive New York properties.

Trump exaggerated the value of his holdings in order to secure favorable terms on loans and insurance deals.

Trump’s comments following the decision included the judge was a Democrat and referred to him as “deranged.”

Trump’s wrongdoings piling up on him. They do not make him look good. Less than honorable. Such being the case, how can half the county still support him for President?

The second Republican primary debate is tonight. Will be held at the Reagan Library in California. Trump will not attend again. In addition to other reasons well known, it is claimed he also is upset with Reagan and the Reagan family. Whatever the Reagans did, Trump has a memory like an elephant. At some point, he will have a dislike and need for retribution against everyone.

I believe Trump’s primary reason for not appearing in the debate is he does not want to face the wrath of Chris Christie who would denut Trump in their first exchange.

The debate is 9 pm ET on FOX News.

Biden did a first ever for a President yesterday. He was on the picket line in Michigan with UAW strikers. Pro-union all the way. 

Trump is doing his thing with the strike today. He will appear in Michigan. Definitely will be interesting. Will he appear with the strikers? If so, how many? The union President has been openly anti-Trump. Additionally, Trump does not have a reputation for being pro labor.

My beloved Greece is suffering the effects of Climate Change. As is most of the world. Heatwaves, wildfires and extensive floods. Areas of farmlands destroyed. Livestock struggling to find anything to eat.

Storm Daniel beat up Thessaly. A herd of sheep were left searching for fresh grass as food. They found a greenhouse producing cannabis. The crop had already been badly damaged by heatwave and Storm Daniel. The sheep finished “what was left.”

The sheep ate around 100 kg of cannabis. A sheepherder noticed the sheep were acting strangely. They were stoned!

Enjoy your day!

How women’s rights were viewed 100 years ago. An editorial in the Key West Citizen this day in 1918. Note an “editorial.” Took on more importance back then: “When the women take over the county offices, the cuspidors will go out of the courthouses. With a woman judge on the bench, the lawyers will have to quit smoking. And with women councilmen we may expect ordinances making it a misdemeanor to wear a dirty shirt or come downtown unshaven. There is considerably more to this woman suffrage question beyond what appears on the surface.”

The editorial was born of fear and ignorance. Nothing really changed as women’s rights were recognized.

Matthew 11:29: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

I started driving in 1953. One gallon of unleaded gas cost $ .28. Those were the days!

I recall being on a date with a girl friend. Looked like we were going to run out of gas. All we had was some change between us. Totaled $ .25. Not enough for even one gallon. Even got our windows washed for the money. Bought us enough gas to drive to our favorite parking spot. Necking time. Dating back then.

The new Florida cross-state Brightline train service opened from Miami to Orlando friday. The Miami/West Palm Beach portion had opened in 2018. Tampa to Orlando still in the planning stage.

Basically, a high speed local. Took a while to complete construction. Tampa/Orlando will make it almost perfect. Hopefully at some point in time, Brightline will be extended to Tallahassee.

Sophia Loren is 89. Still going strong. Typical of 80 year olds (as I well know), she fell in her home in Switzerland yesterday morning and fractured her hip and thigh bone. She underwent surgery in the afternoon. Everything is reported to have gone well.

Sabrina Peckham, the women found in the jaws of an alligator, was a homeless person. It has been reported she was walking back to her homeless site in the dark when the attack occurred. The path took her along a canal in Largo, Florida.

Doug Bennett publishes “This Week on the Island.” I recommend reading it.

A favorite Bennett admonition re Key West: “Close to Perfect, Far from Normal.”

Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter are beyond amazing!

The former Presidnet will be 99 in one week. He was diagnosed close to death several months ago. Placed in Hospice in February. Wife Rosalyn was diagnosed with dementia in May.

Yesterday, both made an appearance at the Plains Peanut Festival in their hometown. They rode through the Festival in a black SUV.

The couple has been married 77 years.

Will the gun war ever be won?

California banned magazines holding over 10 rounds. A federal court judge declared the law unconstitutional writing: “The state’s ‘sweeping ban’ of the detachable magazines – something referred to as high capacity magazines – violates the Second Amendment rights of firearms owners because it bars people from using such magazines for lawful reasons, including self-defense.”

Who needs a 10 plus round magazine for self-defense?

What about killing school children , religious worshipers, and the like?

What is needed is a judge with “balls” to do the right thing!

Army’s defensive tackle Andre Miller is out of the hospital and back at West Point after a scary collision saturday during play. I reported on the collision of helmets in yesterday’s blog.

An amazing and dramatic move. On this day in 1926, Henry Ford announced an 8 hour, 5 day work week for workers at the Ford Motor Company.

Christopher Reeves was born this day in 1952. Best known for his portrayal of Superman in movies.

I saw a rerun of his on TV the other night: Somewhere In Time. One of my all time favorite Reeves’ films. A sensitive love story.

I met the star and his wife Dana at a fund raising function in Utica. This was after his horse fall which left him a quadriplegic. We chatted briefly. It was sad to see this handsome hulk of a man confined to a wheel chair with no body movement possible, yet able to communicate a bit.

There will be no blog tomorrow. I have a heart doctor office visit in the morning and a manicure and pedicure with Tammy in the afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

Alligators are in the news this year. Deathly so.

Forty one year old Sabrina Peckham’s body was found in the jaws of a 13 foot alligator in waters off Largo, Florida. Her body was recovered.

No further details are available.

Key West weather. Heavy rainfall and thunder during the night. Lightening flashing through the blinds. Rain continues to pour as I write. Thunderstorms predicted to end around 9 am.

Usual Key West streets are probably flooded this morning.

Thunderstorms are predicted everyday for the next week.

This day in 1789, the first Supreme Court was established  by the Judiciary Act of 1789. Six justices to serve till death or retirement.

Since that time, the number of justices has fluctuated. Such possible because the original number of six was set by an act of Congress.

Ergo, it is legally proper to change the number again. If adverse conservative decisions continue which are contrary to the will of the people, I am all for increasing the number to eliminate the problem.

Mahatma Gandhi: “All through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail. Think of it – always.”

The Associated Press reported this morning Speaker McCarthy is giving hard right Republicans what they want, but it never seems to be enough. The MAGA far right has but one goal. To disrupt life for millions of Americans by hurling the country into a shutdown.

Then, what?

Hospital malpractice more than tripled over 3 years in Maryland hospitals. The years 2019-2022. Staffing shortages and the pandemic blamed. 

Examples of missteps included a premature baby being given four times the safe daily dosage of a steroid for 13 days, a patient being operated on one leg who ended up losing his good leg, and 3 people who died after a maintenance worker inadvertently shut off an unlabeled oxygen line.

I believe the numbers would be roughly the same if hospital wrongdoing in other states were revealed. I also believe there is another reason for the increase in malpractice. Most hospitals are owned and run by outside corporations who are more concerned with number of patients treated, number of tests given, and speed at which patients are tested.

Forced speed care ends up in mistakes being made. Can’t be helped. A fact of life. Latitude in care is required to avoid such happenings. Means the “outside corporation” making a few million less a year.

Syracuse/Army one of the oddest football games I have watched. A terrific game. Different, however.

Syracuse won 29-16. I did not think it would end that way at the end of the first half, however.

Army was leading 10-7. Army had dominated the first. Syracuse could do nothing correctly. Schrader didn’t have it.

Army scored the first time it had the ball. Impressively. Mostly on runs. Army’s offensive line was like a stone wall. Moved forward on each play protecting the runner. Syracuse totally inept. Could not stop Army.

Army also plays some strange football. Rather than kick on 4th down, it would run a play. Made 3 or 4 4th down plays in the first half. Wow!

I sat thinking at half time no way was Syracuse going to win.

The second half was totally different. As Army had dominated the first half, Syracuse dominated the second. Even more so. In the third quarter alone, Syracuse gained 222 yards while the Syracuse defense held Army to 4 yards. The improbable had occurred. Syracuse had come alive. Schrader’s throwing arm and running legs began working. Receivers catching.

What a game!

Clemson next Saturday. Will also be “what a game!”

Army’s defensive lineman Dre Miller was injured during the game. He and another Army tackler struck helmets while making a tackle.

The game was delayed quite a while. Miller’s injury serious. Total silence in the Dome.  Fear and concern evident.

Eventually even both teams surrounded the many giving care to Miller as he lay unmoving on the ground. He was finally removed from the field on a stretcher. The fear of paralysis though unspoken was evident.

Report this morning is Miller has feeling in his extremities. Let’s pray he fully recovers with no permanent disability.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Enjoyed lunch at Hogfish thursday after Lori cut my hair. An opportunity to chat with Julia again who was bartending.

The day was sort of double duty. Twenty five years ago when Lori started cutting my hair, it was at the Casa Marina Salon. Julia worked there also. Doing nails as I recall. Now I get to see both ladies on certain thursdays. Lori does my hair and Julia feeds me.

Lunch was unusual. I went for fish and chips. Changed my mind when I saw on the special menu lasagna! No way at Hogfish. But, there it was.

I ordered it. The size way too large. Took more than half home. Enjoyed pat of it for dinner last night. Like many foods, even better when reheated and eaten the second time around. What a meal!

The House has very few days left to avoid a government shutdown.

So why did Speaker McCarthy send the House home ? Gave them 4 days off.

Disaster in the making. House MAGA Republicans and their behind the scenes leader Donald Trump should be proud they are driving the Nation to a disaster. They may celebrate their success next week. They will fail in many respects come November 2024.

Senator Bob Menendez is going to have a hard time beating the new charges filed against him. Just under $500,000 in cash found stuffed in jacket pockets in his closet openly and in envelopes.. Gold bars in other places. Plus a new Mercedes and an apartment, both of which he did not pay for.

He’s in trouble!

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has not looked good on TV the past few days. I fear for him.

It was announced Biden will be in Michigan tuesday and will walk in the picket line with UAW strikers.

Cassidy Hutchinson says Trump is “dangerous for the country.” She should know, she worked in the White House.

Zelensky is a man under extreme pressure. He has been so since day one of the war.

He stepped on Poland in his UN speech this past week. Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecui took Zelensky’s words to heart. He said afterwards: “I want to tell Presidnet Zelensky never to insult Poland again, as he did recently during his speech at the UN.”

Poland has been a major supporter of Ukraine in many respects. Morawiecui  said Warsaw would no longer arm Ukraines and instead focus on its own defenses.

It is thought the problem will resolve itself within a month.

A sick horrific tale. A woman was sentenced for murdering her 3 year old stepdaughter because the girl was conceived from an affair her husband had.

Bella Seachrist died died due to starvation and neglect. Investigators reported Bella also had bruises on her face and body, a broken nose, burnt cigarette marks on her body, sores on her feet, sores on her back, and bruises in her pelvic area.

The stepmother Laura Ramirez was sentenced to life in prison. Death would have been better. Death slowly and painfully. She should have been made to suffer as her stepdaughter did.

Sounds cruel on my part. Nevertheless, fitting.

Ray Charles: “You better live every day like your last because one day you’re going to be right.”

Clarence Thomas’ ethics violations never ending. Now revealed he participated in at least two Koch donor events. Some participants had multiple cases before the Supreme Court.

Thomas became over the years a tool of the rich. The man had no shame.

United Way puts out a report titled ALICE Survival Budget. Its newest report shows Monroe County continuing to be one of the most difficult and expensive places to live in Florida, if not the country. Makes clear why people of all ages are finding it necessary to leave.

Syracuse/Army at noon today on ESPN.

Enjoy your day!

The Lower Keys Medical Center is a money maker. Typical of many hospitals today, it is owned by an outside corporation Community Health Systems of Brentwood, Tennessee.

Lower Keys Medical Center sent $31 million in profit to its owner for 2022. Terrific for Community Health Systems, no value to Key West. The Key Werst area does not have enough doctors, no cancer center, or a top shelf cardiac care center. Brentwood should do something with a piece of the $31 million to correct these shortcomings.

The Lower Keys are not a place to need ongoing cancer treatments or needful attention re heart care. I have a special concern. I have a heart problem. I have required care for 20 years. At my age, the problem is suddenly progressing. In the past two years, I have had 3 heart doctors. One died after 20 years, the second retired and I just learned this morning my third is leaving Key West. Most of my heart care has been from nurse practitioners the past two years. Definitely the past year. 

My understanding is Key West has only 3 heart physicians left.

There is another medical disparity. Primary care physicians. They are the first line of medical attention. More are needed.

Key West is a paradise. However even doctors cannot afford to live here and that is a reason why many leave or do not want to locate here. Increased living expense is also a reason why many locals are opting to move away. And to the elderly especially, lack of sufficient medical care.

The medical assistance problem is only getting worse. I don’t know the answer. I can only suggest one may be for Community Health Systems to spend a portion of that $31 million profit to attract and keep the medical care the community needs.

Possible court consolidation is being responded to in volumes by Monroe County residents. Persons directly and adversely affected by the proposed change.

The people of Monroe County are speaking. A public survey resulted in 2,087 responses. Of that number, 1,490 or 71 percent came from Monroe County residents.

Hooray for us!

Monroe County must keep up the pressure. This is one battle Tallahassee cannot be permitted to win.

Retired Monroe County Judge Defoor said it effectively: “Delivery to justice closest to the people is more just, and more respected by all concerned, and suspect more economical with less waste. We should be looking at the idea of more, not fewer circuits.”

Yesterday, I wrote about the number of yellow fever cases, new and total, in Key West on September 21, 1899. Part of my today COVID the yellow fever of the 1890’s.

Today, one day later, the number of new yellow fever cases for September 22, 1899, was up 47. Two resulting in death.

Locals so concerned with the epidemic instituted a “shotgun quarantine” against all Key Westers by patrolling and placing signs on the water’s edge warning sponge boats and other Key West vessels not to land.

For years up to and including World War II, the U.S. Navy had what might be described as an abnormal interest in the “moral condition” of Key West. The need to protect its sailors “abnormal.”

In 1917, the U.S. Navy reported the moral condition of Key West had improved. Though gambling and illegal liquor sales had not been fully eradicated, Key West was given “an almost clean bill of health.”

Wonder what the U.S. Navy’s concern was with the Key West of the 1970’s?

Three to four inches of rain fell yesterday morning. It was intense. Flooded many Old Town streets. I had to change course several times on my way to a haircut with Lori.

Learned by me and other American students early in grammar school. Nathan Hale’s words at the age of 21 when he was hung as a spy by the British during the Revolutionary War: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

With so many changes in what is taught in schools today, is it still part of the teaching curriculum? Has anyone seen fit to ban his words in teaching or library books?

My inquiry not so crazy in view of the many changes being sought and made.

Zelensky has a problem with funding. Yesterday Poland, next week perhaps the U.S.

Why so many crazies re the issue? If Ukraine falls, expect Putin to invade Poland in the next 5 years and China Taiwan whenever.

Why can’t House politicians leave well enough alone? Biden did a great job bringing the U.S. and Europe together on the issue.

Rome was not built in a day nor can the Ukraine/Russia war be resolved in 1 or 2 years. Especially when Zelensky is forced to fight with one arm tied behind his back. He needs planes yesterday and approval to attack Russia more than he has been permitted. The Russian people will force Putin to end the war if they suffer a few months of death, injuries and damages as the Ukraines have.

“If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war.” Zelensky’s words yesterday following a meeting with certain Congressional members.

Tomorrow Syracuse/Army football. Syracuse 3-0, Army 2-1. Syracuse a 13.5 point favorite.

Enjoy your day!