I have been going through hell since sunday. Pain like you would not believe. Seemed to be gout. I had an attack several yeas ago. In the last 48 hours I have gone through gout, not gout, blood problem, not blood problem, back to gout, now not sure. In spite of it all, I presently have pain like you would not believe Walking next to impossible. Cane of no assistance. Stairs dangerous. I am heading for a fall!

I went on gout pills yesterday at noon. By dinner time, I was considerably better. This morning, worse. Woke to a totally enlarged foot starting to work its way into my ankle. My 7 month problem recently resolved.

God bless Dr. Norris. He is working closely with me. Even came to my home sunday night. Could I ask for more! He wanted to see if gout or a blood problem. Diagnosis goes back and forth.

We have examined any new foods I may recently have begun eating. I tried to eliminate sugar from my diet a few weeks ago. Discovered a cranberry juice brand with only 1 gram of sugar in a 64 ounce bottle. I have literally been drinking cranberry juice by the gallons. Order it from Amazon 4-6 64 ounce bottles at a time.

Guess what? Norris checked the labels on the bottle and ran them through his sources to see if the juice can be a gout problem. Yes, it can.

Problem is my body is not reacting properly to the gout pills. Norris says it may take a few more days to get the juice out of my body.

Note I did not do a blog yesterday. The pain was too much. I could not concentrate. Was not going to write this morning. However, the blog is part of my life and I missed doing it yesterday and did not want to miss again today.

Another Norfolk Southern Train has derailed in Ohio. Near Springfield. Fortunately, no hazardous waste materials on board.

I recall Johns-Manville and the asbestos deluge of cases back in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

I was intimately involved in the second and third waves of asbestos cases on a nationwide basis.

For much of the 20th century, Johns-Manville was the global leader in manufacturing products containing asbestos.

In 1982 facing unprecedented liability for asbestos injury claims, it voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Manville Trust was born as a result and is still operating. The monies used to pay asbestos injury claims.

I have taken the time to weave Johns-Manville history into the East Palestine personal injury claims which will follow. People should not want to put Norfolk Southern out of business. Need their monies and any other available funds to meet the serious injury damage claims that will be made.

Note railroad train derailment accidents are common. Very much so. The U.S. averages more that 1,700 a year. Works out to 4.8 derailments a day.

Tomorrow March 8 marks the beginning of Catholic Sisters Week. The celebration of Catholic women in religious orders.

Nuns were part of my upbringing and adult life.

From the second to the eighth grade, I attended Blessed Sacrament School. Run by Brown Franciscan nuns. Called Brown Franciscans because of the color of their habit and to distinguish them from Black Franciscan nuns who wore black habits and were later part of my adult life. The Brown Franciscans were kindly to those of us of Italian and Syrian extraction. We were few in the school.

High school was Utica Catholic Academy. Run by the Sisters of Charity. These good ladies wore tall white bonnets. Like wings.

For whatever reason, they were all older than my grammar school nuns.

Tough women.

One befriended me. Why, I have never been sure. My sense is she noticed my interest in history. She taught history. We got into things together not taught in the classroom. She expanded my thought process.

Whether I was going to college depended on money. My parents did not have money. Sister Gertrude made it her business to make sure I got to college.

Student wise, I was not bad. I was fifth in my class.

Sister Gertrude’s cousin was a Christian Brother. He was Athletic Director at Manhattan College in New York City. She arranged for him to sponsor me in effect and also got me a small scholarship along the way.

The things we never know. At least not my family or people. The McGinty family owned and operated a major Utica bank. The McGinty’s all attended Manhattan College. At one point, a McGinty was President of Manhattan College. Another small scholarship appeared through the bank.

Nuns were not an integral part of my life again till I was an established lawyer in Utica. Black Franciscans that I mentioned earlier.

One involvement was St. Elizabeth Hospital. Utica’s largest. Fourteen hundred employees. Operated by Black Franciscans. Sister Rose Vincent was the CEO. A top business woman. I met Sister Rose through my wife who annually co-chaired a major fund raising dance for the hospital. We became friends.

She and another nun Sister Johanna used to have dinner at our home occasionally. Certain of the nuns were fanatical Syracuse fans. Many the football and basketball game these ladies enjoyed in my box.

Sister Rose also would call me for advice when certain matters arose where she needed help.

Our relationship was close. An example involving two trips.

Sister Rose always was on my back that I worked too hard and needed to take more time off. One day, I received a telephone from her. She said next week you and your family (my wife, four children and parents) are leaving for Italy for a month. I have arranged for your tickets, a villa on the Mediterranean near Rome, two rented cars, etc. Of course, I had to repay her.

She had to convince me to go. A whole month! Never had I taken that much time off. Not even close to it.

Everyone involved, the family and office staff, knew.

I went. Why not!

That was telephone call number one. The second was the day I returned from Italy. Hello Louis, how are you, etc. Don’t unpack. You and I are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow for one week. I have an important business conference involving big dollars and want you there.

I forgot to mention. Sister Rose was number 3 in her Order world wide. A heavy hitter.

The trip was torture. Three different time zones my body had been through.

I have another story involving Sister Rose’s order that I will save for another day. I have gone too far already with today’s blog.

Syracuse plays Wake Forest tonight in their opening game of the ACC end of season tournament.

Enjoy your day!

New York’s Pennsylvania Hotel was once the world’s largest. A city within a city. Twenty two stories tall. Two thousand two hundred rooms.

Today, it is down to ten stories. This morning’s New York Times described the demolition of The Pennsylvania as “poof.” It has been going, going, soon to be gone.

Glenn Miller’s “Pennsylvania 6-5,000” reflective of the hotel and its former days of majesty.

I began practicing law in 1960. In the early years when a client’s business took me to New York City, I stayed at The Pennsylvania. By that time, it was affordable. Within my budget. Also it was directly across the street from Madison Square Garden. Made it conveniently possible for me to get in a game of some sort.

Late yesterday afternoon was absorbed by me with the Syracuse/Wake Forest game and Trump’s CPAC address. Caught me switching channels periodically.

Syracuse played well. Finally. Defeated Wake Forest 72-63.

The Syracuse zone defense tightened. Prevented Wake Forest from making a 3 pointer in the first 10 minutes. The defense eased up a bit thereafter and Wake Forest ended up making 10 or a bit more 3 point shots.

The ACC season is over. Tomorrow begins the League’s season playoff.  Syracuse plays its first game tuesday. Ironically, it plays Wake Forest again. Syracuse and Wake Forest are seeded 8th and 9th respectively. Therein is why they will be meeting again.

I was interested in how Trump would come across at the CPAC gathering. He was terrific! Must give the devil his due. If and when he meets DeSantis in debate, he will destroy DeSantis. No competition.

“Cutie” is the most common slang word for boyfriend/girlfriend in 9 states. More than any other.

I would suspect “cutie” was similarly popular, if not more, 50 years ago.

Two great men delivered equally great speeches almost on the same day, though years apart.

On March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated President of the United States. The country was at the height of the depression. Roosevelt’s ever to be remembered words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Exactly 13 years and 1 day later on March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech. Considered one of the most famous orations of the Cold War period: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.”

Chilling.

On this day in 1952, Ernest Hemingway finished “The Old Man and the Sea.”

The movie soon followed starring Spencer Tracy.

I watched the movie for the first time yesterday. More than 60 years after the film was released.

Watching Spencer Tracy spend 3 days and nights capturing the large fish made me tired. His bleeding hands made mine ache. Great dialogue!

One more significant day. This day in 1963. The Hoola Hoop was patented.

The hip swiveling toy was first marketed in 1958 when 25 million were sold in the first 4 months of production alone. My 3 daughters and many granddaughters tried to teach me how to hoola hoop. I wanted to learn. Great exercise, I thought.

Ally was the last one who tried.

I was a dismal failure in each instance. I could not get my hips and body to coordinate.

I have been on a good health kick for a couple of months. Lost 18 pounds!

I attribute the success to the stationery bicycle and watching what I eat. Even eliminating some evening dinners.

The stationery bike not only has helped with the weight. It resolved my ankle swelling problems which 3 doctors could not. The bike is located next to my bed. First thing every morning, I go from the bed to the bike. I am up to 50 minutes a day. Taking it slow.

My physical success has thrilled me. Did not last long, however. At 87, something always goes wrong. I woke this morning with a return of the gout. Painful! Last time 2 years ago.

I am not complaining. Merely sharing. My fear is the next malady will be a real bad one. The way the mind works at my age.

Enjoy your Sunday!

This is Key West!

As reported in a Citizens’ Voice comment this morning: “A big thank you to Scott, a bus driver for Key West. My wife fell on College Road and hit her head. Scott stopped, helped her up and onto the bus along with myself and two dogs. He then transported us to the hospital and escorted my wife inside.”

Key West is embarking on a new plan to make its streets safer. Hopefully for more than pedestrians.

E-bikes and electric scooters the motivation.

Bicyclists a problem that should be given renewed consideration. Dedicated areas, pathways, have helped only minimally.

The actual solution an impossible one: Wider streets. Key West streets were not intended for all that use them: Cars, bicycles, electric scooters, etc.

Bicycles must be accommodated. They are an integral part of the Key West transportation system. A way of life for many. Their sole means of transportation.

Many the day I drive my car with my heart in my throat. On Duval and Simonton, especially. Fearful of striking a bike rider. Even on the streets where special lanes were marked several years ago for bicycle riders. For some reason, most wobble in and out.

The federal government is giving $13 million to the Key West International Airport project. The money is coming from President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law passed last year.

On this day in 1976, drug convicted Fire Chief Bum Farto was reported missing by his wife. The situation gave rise to “Where are you Bum Farto?”

The year 1941 in the Key West area contained a Naval Base with a huge contingency of sailors. The fishing industry was booming with its sailors.

A need developed. One common to any area with many men and few women. Sex. Prostitution arose to satisfy the need.

The Navy was constantly upset. On the back of local authorities to rid the area of what they considered an evil. Morality became an issue. Health, another.

Alice Reid was a madam with a thriving house of ill repute business. She and her girls were constantly arrested by local gendarmes.

On this day in 1941, two ladies were arrested and charged with vagrancy at Alice Reid’s house at 1016 Howe Street.

Another Florida legislative bill has been filed that reeks of authoritarianism and Gestapo type tactics. The bill would require bloggers who write about the governor, his cabinet and legislators to register with the State.

The bill is titled “Information Dissemination.”

The bill also requires the blogger, if paid, to identify by whom and how much. Financial penalties are involved.

What happened to Free Speech?

My admonition to Florida political leaders: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Enjoy your day!

The East Palestine clean up will take years. And even then may not be totally cleaned up.

Expect 30 years or more.

So far in the one month since the spill, more than 200 tons of contaminated soil and nearly 2 million gallons of liquid have been collected from the derailment site.

A drop in the bucket.

Extent of the contamination will not be known for years, It takes time for the contamination to seep into the soil and into water streams.

My admonition continues: Remove the residents to a new city. Create one, if necessary. It will be far cheaper and healthier if done this way instead of letting residents stay, get severely sick, some dying.

Another problem: Where to dump the contaminants of the cleanup? The EPA has specified sites in various states for certain of the toxins. The problem is many states will refuse to accept the contaminants. The situation becomes a political as well as legal one.

COVID’s labeling being crystalized. Some referring to it as the “false epidemic.”

If so, why did so many die?

The claim is as valid as the “election fraud” theory.

Two new items re the Catholic Church.

The first involves San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy. In a recent address at Notre Dame University, he said the Church must “redesign” its “just war” theory to favoring “non-violent action.”

The second is a concern of the FBI. The FBI is worried that violent extremists will exploit and recruit radical traditionalist Catholics.

Query: What has happened to the simple teachings of the Bible?

The Catholic Church began getting sucked into politics by the conservative right now turned radical right more than half a century ago. As a result, the Church has become politically contaminated.

Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to run a sub 4 minute mile, died this day in 2018.

He exercised the great feat on May 6, 1954. The whole world was excited in anticipation that he might. I and my friends were glued to the TV. He did it! In 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.

Syracuse plays the last game of its ACC season tomorrow at 5. The team plays Wake Forest.

The season has been less than spectacular. A mild statement. It stunk! Glad it’s over!

Enjoy your day!

BEWARE!

DeSantis is capable of anything.

Recent Bess Levin 3/1 Vanity Fair article explains it: Democrats Could Literally Be Banned From Elections Thanks To New, Batshit Florida Bill.

“Disenfranchising voters has long been one of the Republican Party’s many pet projects…..one Florida lawmaker has decided it’s high time the GOP drops the charade and just…..bans the Democratic Party from elections.”

“A new proposed bill…..titled SB 1248, calls for the State Division of Elections to cancel the ‘filings’ of a political party…..if that party’s platform had previously advocated for slavery, or involuntary servitude.”

“Although not explicitly listed, the Democratic Party, which were popular in the South during Reconstruction, would fit the description.”

Recall Lincoln was a Republican. The Republican Party was considered a northern one. The Democratic Party southern favored and supported slavery, etc.

Again, my admonition: Beware! Republicans control the Florida governorship and legislature.

Home sales have plummeted to the lowest levels in a year in South Florida. New data shows buyers and sellers growing wary of the housing market.

Completed home sales fell 30 percent in the tri-county area covering Broward Palm Beaches and St. Lucie areas.

What about Key West and the lower Keys? Silence re the issue. Something for the Key West Citizen to investigate and report concerning.

Key West and the lower Keys are unique. Things may be different, though I doubt it. Let’s hear what it is!

Spent a couple of delightful hours at the Chart Room last night. Drank diet Pepsi. My companions Fran and Tom Dixon. Their last night in Key West. Return to Buffalo this morning.

Willie Nelson came up in our discussions. They had seen a sign advertising Willie Nelson was in Key West and appearing at the Amphitheater last night. I was surprised. I had heard nothing about it.

Checked the news out on the internet. Willie Nelson and his family appeared last night at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Tickets first time around cheap, $69-$150. What they were after the promoters got a hold of them, I do not know. I am also unaware of the crowd size, etc. Nothing in this morning’s Citizen.

I am a long time old time fan of Willie Nelson. We are contemporaries. Nelson is 2 years older than me.

Another example of the Klu Klux Klan influence in Key West 100 years ago. On this day in 1923, United Daughters of the Confederacy representative Mrs. M.E. Bonds of Macon, Georgia, visited the Harris School in hope of establishing a chapter of the Children of the Confederacy there. I am unaware if she was successful.

A basketball record!

On this day in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the New York Knicks. An NBA record that still stands.

Busy day ahead. Haircut and pedicure followed by lunch somewhere.

Enjoy your day!

All the bad acts committed by FOX continue to come out. Yet Rupert Murdoch makes no noises/offers to settle.

This is a case FOX has t0 get behind it. The publicity will only get worse. Liability dollars will continue to grow.

One reason the case is not yet settled is it may not be Murdoch’s money that is going to change hands. It’s insurance money. FOX may have a policy to cover the wrongdoing alleged.

A couple of items come into play. The insurance company may need FOX’s permission to settle. Murdoch may believe any publicity is good so he is withholding permission till the last possible moment. Or, FOX’s insurance company may have filed a disclaimer refusing to pay because Fox’s actions were intentional. Intentional acts void coverage.

The insurance company may be providing a defense, at the same that it advises will not pay any monies. Such is customary and ordinary practice in cases of this nature. In the meantime, negotiations are ongoing on the side between FOX and its insurance company to see if a package can be put together to resolve Dominion’s claim. Again, the way the game is played in cases of this nature.

A big money war from all sides!

A bipartisan group of six Senators will introduce a bill today – The Railway Safety Act of 2023 – aimed at preventing a repeat of the toxic firestorm in East Palestine.

Typical government action. After the horse is out of the barn, after a tragedy has occurred.

The legislation is probably required. Too late however to help the residents of East Palestine. Their suffering not yet appreciated. Their fears today and tomorrow not yet understood.

The federal government must move its ass to limit the illnesses and deaths that can occur. Which probably will occur. Including plans to move a whole town if the same becomes necessary.

Today is Harry Belafonte’s birthday. The actor-singer is 96 years old.

Happy birthday, Mr. Belafonte! He is deserving of the “Mr.”

Pope Francis is marking his tenth year as Pope. Sitting in St. Peter’s chair has not been easy. His time has been marked by tenacious resistance from the conservative wing of the Church.

Even the Catholic Church has it Trump style/MAGA type group. They have lashed out at Francis in ways once thought unthinkable.

Beside those opposing him in the Vatican itself, half of American bishops are opposed to his teachings. Not really on religious grounds. Rather from a power perspective. They want to be in positions to run the Church themselves. Recall the many times I have written that persons like Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich support and actively encourage them.

A study was released today re the price of gas for the past year. From 2/22-2/23.

One year ago, the average price of gas was $3.50 a gallon. At some point, rose to just under $5. Now, $3.40.

The numbers break down to 6 percent cheaper since last year at this time. However, note there has been a 2 percent increase just since January.

I always find these numbers amusing. They never apply to Key West. We are always $.30 to $.50 more expensive.

The Citizens’ Voice this morning: “Now that we are at record room rates that are so high visitors are cutting back on attractions, shopping and dining out, will we finally do something abut the TDC? Are we going to wait till businesses go broke since visitors spend their entire budget on hotel rooms? Enough advertising!”

An accurate observation. My personal observations support it.

From the Chart Room, I see Pier House guests returning to their rooms at dinner time carrying a pizza and six pack. Restaurant tables rarely turn over. The La Te Da inside bar is one of the finest such attractions on the island. Generally, music and entertainment. Dancing available. The room used to be crowded. A fun place to greet and meet. One of the hottest places in town. Now rarely crowded. Been a long time since I have seen a ton of people.

Syracuse beaten again last night. Decisively! By Georgia Tech 96-76.

The 3 pointers fell like flakes in a major snow storm. Georgia Tech made 18 out of 4o shots taken.

Things were so bad, Boeheim switched the team to man to man defense with 14 minutes to go in the second half. Made no difference.

The zone not working. Syracuse has lost its last 4 games. Winning teams in each instance hit 90 points. Boeheim understands. Assumes responsibility: “We have not been able to stop anybody four games in a row. And that’s on me. It’s my defense. We’re not able to stop anybody with it. That’s where we are.”

I meet Fran and Tom Dixon at 5 at the Chart Room.

Enjoy your day!

Tucker Carlson has come up with a new conspiracy theory. The train coming off the tracks in an area with a lot of white people was probably on purpose: “East Palestine is overwhelmingly white and it’s politically conservative and that shouldn’t be relevant, but it very much is.”

The people of East Palestine must be heard. Tests coming up negative at this time meaningless where environmental problems involving escaping toxins are involved. The bad stuff is fermenting, germinating. Valid results not available for years.

In the meantime, people exposed and suffering.

Most East Palestinians believe they are “dying slowly.” Sudden bizarre health issues affecting some.

A man whose voice has dramatically changed. He now speaks in a high pitched tone making him sound like Mickey Mouse. Sore throats developing. Temporary loss of smell and taste by some. Eye infections. Out of breath.

People believe they are being “poisoned slowly.”

Recall “Love Canal.” I referred to Love Canal and compared it to East Palestine early on when no one else was so doing. Early persons were comparing East Palestine to Chernobyl. I said not Chernobyl, but Love Canal. East Palestine now being referred to as the “new Love Canal.”

A new love and learn. Involves movie actor Steven Seagal. Surprising!

Yesterday, Hollywood actor Steven Seagal had bestowed on him the Russian Order of Friendship by Putin.

Turns out Seagal has been a long time Kremlin apologist. He cheered Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. He became a Russian citizen 2 years later. Also, a Siberian citizen. He maintains “triple citizenship.”

He visited eastern Ukraine in August 2022.

He is close to Putin and considers him a special person: “One of the great living leaders.”

Now 70, he was prominent in U.S. films in the late 1980’s and through the 1990’s. Always portrayed as a protector of the poor and downtrodden. Always on the side of and working in some fashion for the U.S. government. In the 2000’s, he has continued in film and TV to a lesser degree.

How long can Putin put boots on the ground in Ukraine?

He is losing 600-1,000 troops a day. He is getting “troops” from any source. Russian jails an example.

How long can he continue in this fashion? He has to run out of troops and sources at some point.

When will the Russian people say no more to the war?

Syracuse plays Georgia Tech at 7 this evening. My recollection is Syracuse has lost 4 in a row. Only 3 games left in the season. May Syracuse win this one. May it win all 3!

Enjoy your day!

Majoring in the arts in a free fall in college since COVID. One reason, a significant one for students and the high cost of education, is which major will produce a decent paying job upon graduation.

Technical studies produce the most dollars. Those that develop a free for all thinking mind significantly less. The loss is more than in dollars. Art/humanities studies are sensitive and thoughtful in nature and produce similar conditions in the student. An arts major broadens a person’s soul as well as mind.

Man has to appreciate smelling the flowers as well as knowing how to grow them.

In the last six months, residential rents have fallen. The reason being the crush of a newly constructed supply of rentals has hit the market.

At one point during the COVID pandemic and following, rents increased 25 percent over a 2 year period.

I question whether the news will affect the Key West rental market. Remodeled residential properties are renting for $10,000 to $25,000 a month. Key West is a tourist community. The market is different. Key West’s ever increasing rents have dramatically affected seasonal and long term renters who cannot afford the present high rates – whether a house or apartment.

Such is one reason the bottom has fallen out of Key West’s labor force. Workers continue to leave Key West because they cannot afford the higher rents.

Home telephones have come a long way.

I can recall when no one had a telephone. The neighborhood grocer did and calls were filtered through him. Such was before and during World War II. Then came home phones. Party lines. Began with 4 parties (homes) each having a phone line they shared. Not always pleasant or convenient. Recall the movie Pillow Talk.

Four line phones went to two. Then homes were able to get their own line. No waiting for a neighbor to get done with their call.

The phones described to this point were dial ones.

Yes, we’ve graduated. Now most have a cell phone and use that for home and everything else. A home phone alone today is referred to as a land line. Most have done away with land lines. I still keep mine. Need it for certain things I do with the blog.

Which brings me to Key West and the dial phone. On this day in 1952, South Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company began installing a new dial telephone system in Key West. A big deal at the time!

Pence’s refusal to testify before a grand jury is doing him more harm than good. America will definitely never elect him President under the circumstances. Doubt the Republicans will even nominate him.

His pompous goody two shoes attitude is backfiring on him.

Frank Pavone once chaired Catholics for Trump. He is a defrocked Catholic priest. Now, women are coming forward accusing him of sexual misconduct.

The sex scandal is rocking the anti-abortion movement. Pavone is presently director of Priests for Life, a non profit that funnels millions of dollars a year into the anti-abortion movement.

I close with a comment by Ernest Hemingway that I came across. Words of wisdom: “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”

Enjoy your day!

What a night! A champagne reunion at La Te Da. Fran and Tom Dixon and Louis.

The champagne was Tom’s idea. The three of us have been dear friends for 15 years. Tom and Fran from Buffalo. Visit Key West at least 4 times a year. For a number of reasons, Fran and Tom missed a visit or two recently. It has been months since their last visit. We were celebrating getting together again, especially after the long time between recent visits.

The meal excellent. The fourth I have enjoyed at La Te Da in the past several weeks. Last night, snapper. The other three meatloaf, crispy duck and a pasta dish. Each superior.

A long fun evening among old friends. We meet again wednesday evening at the Chart Room. Fran and Tom leaving thursday. However, this time they plan to return in April.

Christopher and Tom Luna walking around chatting with their guests during the course of the evening. The personal touch nice.

One thing I have noticed everywhere I have enjoyed fine dining the past several months is that the tables are not turning over. Prior to COVID, turned over 1 or 2 times. Now, one seating. Strange since Key West itself is packed this season.

Spoke with Steve Thompson last night on the phone while I was waiting for Fran and Tom to arrive. Told  Steve I was at La Te Da.

He leaves for the mainland today. He is scheduled for hernia surgery tuesday. Ouch!

Steve told me that when he and Cindy married in 1981, they spent their first night at La Te Da. Larry Formica owned it back then. Steve says La Te Da had the same charm then that it does now.

Long time Key West resident Tennessee Williams was found dead this week in 1983 in a hotel room in Manhattan. His death was ruled accidental.

On this day in 1852, St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church was dedicated. St. Mary’s was located on Duval Street at the time.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

On February 25, 1948, Truman arrived in Key West from Guantanamo Bay. He spent 8 days in Key West before returning to Washington. It was one of 11 visits Truman made to Key West. He enjoyed a total of 175 days visiting Key West.

South California has been hit hard with a storm bringing rain, snow and cold. Thousands without power. Eighty five thousand in Los Angeles alone.

Disaster befell Syracuse again last night. Purdue beat the hell out of Syracuse 99-82.

The Orange defense collapsed in the second half. The zone failed Syracuse. Purdue made 3 point shots with ease.

This was Syracuse’s third straight loss. The team’s next opponent Georgia Tech tuesday at 7 o’clock.

I cannot wait for the season to end!

Boeheim will have to devise a zone that stops 3 pointers. Otherwise, next season will be as this one and last year’s also.

Enjoy your Sunday!

What makes a Vladimir Putin? His childhood. It gave birth to the man of today.

Putin’s childhood adversities created the man intent on destroying present day Ukraine.

Putin was born in 1952 in Leningrad. He was a street kid in a city devastated by a horrific three year siege by Nazis during World War II. Three million died, one million starving to death. His father badly injured in the war, his mother nearly dying of starvation.

He lived in a rat infested apartment with two other families, No hot water, no bathtub, a broken down toilet, little or no heat.

Small in size. Left to fend for himself, severely bullied by other children.

From his parents, he inherited their wartime trauma. Personified by Nazi forces that had threatened his parent’s’ existence. The Nazis affected his parents in every respect. They had little time to be attentive to their son. Grandparents and other close relatives were non-existent. Kindness and affection were not part of young Putin’s world.

He was a troublemaker in school. A sixth grade teacher befriended him. Her attention made some changes in his life. He became an excellent student in high school. Learned judo to defend himself, got a law degree, and was elected to the KGB.

Nevertheless, the damage to his psyche had been done by his earlier years. The man that developed was machismo, distrustful and unpredictable. An individual who cultivated disinformation to advance his own agenda at any cost.

History tells us that abused people without love in their childhood, are capable of severe damage. Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong all suffered years of merciless beatings and other unconscionable abuses in childhood and went on to be responsible for the deaths of millions of people.

A childhood similar to Putin’s, with abuse and/or neglect and not enough love, were ingredients to becoming the abusive dictator and autocrat he is.

Putin’s statements following 2/22 one year ago reveal his childhood influence affecting his thought operation. Phony, of course. Putin was out to save Ukraine from the humiliation and genocide being perpetrated by the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian Nazis. Also, his goal was to bring to justice those Ukrainians who had committed bloody crimes on upon the Ukrainian people.

What Nazis? What bloody crimes? The experiences of his youth had radically warped his judgment.