Today marks the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Zelensky is the Winston Churchill of the 21st century. He said earlier this morning: “We will defeat everyone…..the longest day of the war lives…..we woke up early and haven’t slept since…..we will do everything to win this year.”

All types of natural disasters worldwide. The canals of Venice one of the most recent.

The canals are running dry. The smaller ones already bone dry.

Recall Venice is carless. The canals ae everything when it comes to moving about.

Drought the cause. A severe drought. Of historic proportions.

It has become a challenge to move around. In many cases impossible. Emergency boats, water taxis and delivery persons cannot get about.

A new study reveals shocking information. In 2020, there were 287,000 maternal deaths globally. That is equivalent to a woman dying every 2 minutes. Nearly 800 deaths a day.

There has been no progress in reducing the number of deaths in years. Health officials call the numbers “unacceptable” and encourage new studies as to causes be initiated.

Massive winter storms continue to batter much of the U.S. Nearly 950,000 households nationwide were without power last night.

A Citizens’ Voice comment this morning re Key West and change: “I, too, wish we could remember the past while promoting it to the next generation, but that is only a pipe dream. The island is changing fast.”

Too fast! Speed kills.

Enjoy your day!

I love Key West. That love gives me the right to share my observation that Key West has become greedy. Exceptionally so. From the cost of homes and rents to hotel and restaurant charges.

An example. high end restaurants now charge for ice cubes. Anywhere from $3 to $4 per drink. And they are not ashamed to let you know. Menus specifically show the “rocks” charge next to the mixed drink.

I have written and otherwise commented on the greed that has over taken Key West in the past. It cannot keep up! It will not continue!

However the time frame between now and when it ceases even I cannot say. It has to reach a point where locals and tourists alike say no more! Such is a built in self destruct mechanism.

It has happened in the past. Key West was once a significant gay community. No longer. Things got expensive. The gays turned to Miami and Fort Lauderdale where everything was 50 percent cheaper.

A comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice addressed the issue: “For the love of God, please stop the slow, painful death of Key West! Greed is hell bent on running the town. Government officials where are you? Do something to stop the carnage before it’s too late.”

Another comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice provides food for thought: “If guns don’t kill people, then drugs don’t kill people.”

The Georgia grand jury foreperson has been on a “full blown” media tear. I am concerned. Discussing grand jury minutes has always been a no no.

Bess Levin succinctly discussed the situation in her 2/22 Vanity Fair article: What The Hell Is The Trump Grand Jury Forewoman Thinking?

She described Emily Kohrs’ “media” as “bizarre.”

I agree. Kohrs’ conduct not responsible citizenship.

Since Trump’s visit to East Palestine yesterday, many media persons have “mocked” his gift of “Trump Water.”

By so doing, Trump played into concerns about the local water. Trump said the bottles were mostly of his own brand, plus some of lesser quality.

Pictures showed pallets of bottled water labeled “Trump” on their face. Trump standing beside the pallets of water, of course.

I found his delivery generous. In any amount.  Yet concerning. Eighteen thousand bottles of water not that much. I was unaware Trump has been selling “Trump” bottled water. Researched a bit to find out more about it. Found nothing! Which raises the question in my mind whether Trump had the 18,000 bottles specially put together to make a Trump type impression on the people of East Palestine.

The other thought that occurred was something I recall from Trump’s past when he was President. Trump’s administration repealed safety rules for “high hazard cargo trains.”

On this day in 1861, President-Elect Abraham Lincoln arrived “secretly” in Washington to take office, following word of a possible assassination plot in Baltimore.

“Secretly” is the key word.

I mentioned the other day Biden’s trip to Kyiv. “Secret” and involved a 10 hour train ride.

The word was out of a possible assassination on his life. Lincoln dressed not in his usual attire. Also wore a strange hat. All so he would not be recognized. His trip of course was by train.

Two great Presidents!

Turkey has 900,000 persons living in tents. Nowhere near enough.

The tents are set up in orderly fashion. Food, water and clothing still in dire need.

Total deaths in Turkey/Syria combined now in excess of 49,000 and growing each day.

Clemson decimated Syracuse last night 91-73.

Two observations.

The season can’t be over too soon for me. And, Biden has to come up with a way for his sacred zone defense to stop 3 pointers.

Enjoy your day!

Key West mourned saturday at the funeral service for 21 year old Garrett Hughes at The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

Garrett had been shot in a parking lot incident last week behind a building on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

Garrett was much loved. Such was obvious by the crowd at St. Mary’s. More than 700 attended the service. The huge overflow crowd extended outside and onto Truman Avenue.

Former school administrator Amber Acevedo said, “There are some that bring a light so bright to the world that even after they are gone, the light remains…..Garrett was one of those special people.”

Georgia grand jury revelations by a chairwoman confuse me. Grand jury proceedings are “secret.” No disclosures, except as provided by law. What the chairwoman of the Trump grand jury did, definitely outside legal boundaries.

The Georgia grand jury system appears to be different from that of other states. The grand jury in question merely recommends who should be indicted, if anyone. Then it is up to the District Attorney to decide if indictment(s) should be sought. If so, another grand jury is convened for that purpose.

Fulton County is where the purported crime was committed. The District Attorney of that county Fani Willis would take the grand jury inquiries to the next step. She has done a good job so far with the first grand jury. Now time to move swiftly and indict. Trump’s indictment long overdue. Trump is no different than anyone else. He must be treated as all persons are under the law. No special consideration.

There is an old saying in the law to the effect that justice delayed is justice denied. I fear time works in Trump’s favor. Willis should nail him without further delay.

The East Palestine train derailment/toxic contamination matter continues to cause me grave concern. I am not impressed with government follow up to date. The EPA Director visits and offers words of condolences. Even had himself photographed drinking local water. Keeps advising responsible parties will be held responsible.

All does no good. The immediate concern to the East Palestine residents is safety. They feel insecure. They are afraid. All properly so.

I am disappointed for the first time with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He is doing a lousy job on this problem. It is obvious he does not understand the nature of the problem. Just as the EPA Director does not.

This is a different environmental problem. The government is lucky it has been involved since day one, not years later. Therein lies the problem. Environmental  agencies are unaccustomed to handling a problem of huge proportions from day one.

New investigative approaches are required. What, I don’t know. The government does not either. What the government must do is begin thinking outside the box and put on board persons who can think that way.

Some economic insights.

U.S. home sales have fallen for the 12th consecutive month. Down 37 percent over January 2022.

The average American tenant is rent-burdened. Now pays more than 30 percent of income. Wages have failed to keep up with rent hikes. Affordable units remain scarce.

Real estate property taxes dramatically different when states compared one to the other. Cheapest state is Hawaii. Most expensive, New Jersey. Florida in the middle. Ranked #24.

January found grocery prices creeping back up. Rose 0.7 percent as compared to December.

Step back 5 years to when Trump first became President. He wanted the U.S. out of NATO. He spoke of Putin in the most friendly terms. He knocked U.S. intelligence for decrying Putin and Russia.

Syracuse/Clemson tonight at 7. Clemson a 4.5 point favorite.

I had a most enjoyable 2 hour luncheon with Don Manaher yesterday. At Harpoon Harry’s.

The first time in years we have been together. It was wonderful for the both of us!

Don has survived two cancers, both affecting him at he same time. A brain tumor now gone and lung cancr which is now in remission. He  now lives in Chicago to be near family and all the doctors he has needed and continues to need.

We talked about everything. We laughed about most.

His one month visit ends next week. We both assured each other we would have lunch together next year at this time.

I have said it before and repeat it again. Don is one of the nicest guys I have known in my lifetime.

Enjoy your day!

Anti-war protesters met at the Washington Monument and marched to the White House sunday. Waving Russian and red Soviet flags. Putin being praised as a “Russian patriot.”

The rally was promoted by FOX News’ Tucker Carlson.

Tolerated because of Freedom of Speech. So too my feelings: Sick and disgraceful!

Biden’s secret trip to Kyiv. Unbelievable. The Lord watched over him.

Biden snuck out of Washington to Kyiv. In the middle of the night. Not even Air Force One used. Instead an Air Force C-32 to Poland. Then a 10 hour train ride from Poland to Kyiv.

Hours before beginning the journey, U.S. officials had given notice  to Moscow of Biden’s trip. Moscow was advised for “deconfliction purposes.”

Rare for a U.S. leader to travel to a conflict zone where the U.S. or its allies do not control the airspace.

A black cloud continues to hang over Turkey and Syria. They were hit by a second earthquake. Another big one. A 6.3.

The people were panicked. Properly so. How much of a beating can a people take? Additional dead bodies will be found above and below the rubble. Dead from first quake two weeks ago exceeds 47,000 and was still growing.

Historically, artists do not get paid to perform at a Super Bowl. Rihanna was not paid for her half time performance.

It is the custom.

Only “expenses and production costs are covered.” The NFL additionally offers  a “union scale,” which is a fraction of the six or seven figure sums performers usually earn.

There is a reason behind the practice. The half time show is considered a Super Bowl commercial for an artist’s work.

Rihanna’s post show sales are not yet available. However, sales by past performers clearly indicate sales “soar” after their performances. For example, Lady Gaga’s album and song sales increased by 1,000 percent following her 2017 performance. J. Lo’s by 335 percent after her 2020 show.

A live and learn tidbit for today from British history.

There was a time when British boys wore pink and young girls blue.

Red was considered a strong, virile, masculine shade while blue was dainty, delicate and feminine. So young boys were frequently seen in pink, young girls blue.

It wasn’t till the early 20th century – quite possibly as late as the 1940’s – that pink began to be universally assigned to girls and blue to boys.

I shall be enjoying lunch to day with a special person. Don Manaher.

Don and I have not seen each other in years. He is in town. We are lunching together at Harpoon Harry’s. The tuesday lasagna special motivated the selection of Harpoon Harry’s.

Enjoy your day!

An early morning surprise wakeup! Biden in Kyiv!

A great show of support for Ukraine and NATO. An act of bravery. Though I do not believe it was necessary. If Putin had wind of it, he would have taken all steps necessary to take Biden out. Ergo from my perspective, an act of foolishness on Biden’s part.

The media says Biden crossed over into the Ukraine and traveled to Kyiv by train. An extra secret move. Reminded me of the train trip(s) Lincoln had to take to be inaugurated. History tells us Lincoln had to camouflage himself by wearing a strange cap.

Today is President’s Day. Among the oldest federal holidays. Originally signed into law in 1879 to honor George Washington’s birthday February 22. Today recognizes all Presidents, past and present.

A Presidential live and learn tidbit.

John Tyler was the Nation’s tenth President. “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”

The live and learn item: Tyler was our most prolific President. He fathered 15 children. Eight by his first wife, seven by his second.

The Civil War began in his last year on Earth. A Virginian, Tyler went with the Confederacy. He was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives. However died before the Confederacy’s first Congress could be assembled.

Spain thursday approved a law allowing women to take medical leave for “period pain.”

“Menstrual leave” is not common by law in the U.S. Some companies do offer it however as part of their benefits package.

This day in 1967 a momentous occasion in Key West. The beginning of something big by a big man. The man one of the most important in Key West history. Among other things, he had the vision to see what the Gulf end of Duval Street could be.

The man David Wolkowsky. It was on this day in 1967 that he began construction of the Pier House Motel.

Brittney Griner, the American woman basketball star who was imprisoned for nearly one year in Russia, has signed a 1 year contract with the Phoenix Mercury. Salary $165,100.

Her salary shows why she and other female stars go to foreign countries in the off season to play. They need the money. Professional women’s basketball should be ashamed to pay such paltry monies to its players.

I was critical yesterday of sportswriters who do not recognize the greatness of Jon Rahm. They say he has yet to make it in the world of golf.

They can’t be serious! His statistics already are historic.

Rahm won again yesterday. The Genesis Invitational. His 3rd win this season. The season only a few months old. The win his 5th in his last 9 starts. The win also made it possible for him to return to the #1 ranking as the best golfer in the world.

All this and he is only 28 years old.

Tiger Woods was able to play all 4 rounds, though his pain in walking was recognizable yesterday. He did well overall. He ended one under par. Woods considered this “progress” on his part.

He played poorly yesterday. Shot 73. The day before 67.

Enjoy your day!

Jimmy Carter is in hospice. He is 98 years old. He entered home hospice care Friday. His choice. The former President opted to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention.

The former President’s decision was preceded by a series of short hospital stays. His decision has the full support of his family and medical team.

His grandson Jason Carter said in a tweet that he “saw both of his grandparents…..they are at peace and – as always – their home is full of love.”

A Turkey/Syria quake update.

Friday 3 more persons were rescued. They had been buried 11 days. Their survival a miracle. Water is key to survival. The human body generally cannot live more than 3 days without water. In some instances, there are those known to have survived as long as a week. Longer, God’s will.

The quake obviously horrific. Rescue teams have only been able to work 5 percent of the affected area. Which means those buried in the other 95 percent never had a chance. The devastation covered too large an expanse. There were simply not enough rescue teams available.

Rescue work has ceased in all except two areas.

Yesterday was a sports day all day. From early morning till just after 8 in the evening.

It began with the Genesis Invitational. Third round.

Tiger Woods is playing. His first tournament in months. He just made the cut. You never would have known by the way he played in the third round yesterday. He shot a 67, four under par round. One of the best rounds shot yesterday.

Tiger’s not in the running to win unless he shots a 60 today and the leaders fail dramatically. What he dd yesterday however was dramatic in itself.

I hope he plays as well today.

He hit a once in the lifetime shot on the 13th. The jacket of one of the spectators was wrapped around his waist. Tiger’s shot ended up in the pocket of the jacket.

Jon Rahm leads the tournament by 3 shots.

It upsets me how the man is consistently criticized by sportscasters. Rahm a top player for several years. Big money winner. Many fail to give him the credit he is due. Always saying he’s not there yet.

Rahm’s problem is his drives do not always land on fairways. They have a habit of finding the rough. Nevertheless his shots from the rough find the greens. And so he wins!

Syracuse/Duke in the early evening. A disaster for Syracuse! Duke won 77-55. Syracuse looked terrible. So bad, I would not even place them in the NIT post season. However, that is where they will go.

Dick Vitale was one of the announcers. I can’t warm up to the guy. For years, he has never spoken well of Boeheim or the Syracuse team. Actually, he just plain never speaks of them. Even when they play poorly.

Several times he mentioned Duke had a young team and next year they would be even better. Syracuse’s team is young! Boeheim starts 3-4 freshmen each game.

Dave Bing was in the audience. One of basketball’s greats. A Hall of Famer. Former Mayor of Detroit. Played in the backcourt with Boeheim. They had a great year together in 1976.

Also in the audience was Buffalo Bill’s Damar Hamlin. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Thirty thousand were in attendance. College basketball does not attract that number of spectators. Syracuse does and has in the past. Generally so when Syracuse’s team is a top one in the country that season.

I attended many home games over the years. Some games were in excess of 34,000.

Attendance has been poor this year. Averaging 17,000 a game. Makes sense. If a team does not play well, loyalty is not 100 percent. What is humorous is that few universities even have the capacity to hold 17,000 for a basketball game. Ergo Syracuse’s attendance even at its worst is better than most.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Greed! A big time motivating factor for many! Leads some to do secret things. Not necessarily proper. Believing their wrongs will never be discovered.

So it has been with FOX News.

News releases yesterday re FOX shocking!

Dominion Voting Systems filed a summary judgment motion in its defamation case against FOX News. The contents of Dominion’s paperwork buries FOX. FOX will never dig its way out of this one.

The motion papers clearly show via texts and emails that Rupert Murdoch and FOX’s 3 top newscasters, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, and others at FOX, knowingly lied about Dominion and Trump having won the election.

Dominion claims FOX so acted for ratings and share which were going down following FOX’s reporting of Arizona results election night.

The reason for a long series of falsehoods thereafter was money. Murdoch and his stars make a ton of money. As FOX’s stock values fell, so would there in pocket monies. The newscasters were making millions in salaries. Significant millions.

Dominion is a sure winner in the lawsuit based on the credible information in their papers. The facts are clear. FOX is going to take a big dollar hit when the case is finally concluded. Could be a billion dollar figure.

A Turkey/Syria quake update.

One million are homeless. The government is doing its best. Not enough, however.

Three persons were rescued after spending 13 days/296 hours buried under apartment rubble. A man, woman, and child.

Death toll exceeds 43,000.

A recent Bess Levin article was titled: Mitch McConnell One Day Away From Saying He’d Back Mussolini For President If The Italian Dictator Won The GOP Nomination.

Levin’s message to the effect McConnell would back any Republican nominated, even Trump, despite Trump’s recent attacks on McConnell’s wife.

Levin’s thrust included Republicans in general. Her position being party loyalty is fine. Not applicable however when a person of Trump’s background is the candidate. She believes it is time for McConnell and a ton of other Republicans to recognize what Trump is and do the right thing.

Drought accelerated by climate change has pushed the cost of cotton products higher than inflation.

Texas a big cotton growing state. Last year was a disaster for Texas cotton. Farmers abandoned 74 percent of their planted crops because of heat and parched soil. Cost of tampons, cotton diapers and cotton balls spiked. Tampons 13 percent, cloth diapers 21 percent, and cotton balls 9 percent.

Some local news.

The Key West Police Department horse Lou died.

Lou has been part of the Police team since 2018. He performed his horse service well.

The Department considers his passing “a true loss.”

Few are aware that 100 years ago in the early 1920’s Key West was a bastion of Klu Klux Klan power.

On this day in 1924, a gathering took place in Bayview Park: After a parade through Key West, the Key West chapter of the Klu Klux Klan held an induction ceremony at Bayview Park. General Nathan B. Forrest, grandson of the Confederate General, swore in 151 new inductee’s in the ritual. To this date, the local chapter had received 600 applications for membership.”

Cuban refugees seeking Keys shores are almost a daily occurrence. The problem not a recent one. As far back as 1869 a perfect example. At that time, 137 refugees fleeing Spanish oppression arrived in Key West.

Today’s Citizens’ Voice provides a food for thought item: “If voting is a fundamental right and owning a gun is a fundamental right, why do we have to jump through so many hoops just to vote and yet owning a killing machine comes with no strings attached?”

Syracuse/Duke tonight at 6. The teams evenly matched. Syracuse has won its last 3 games. Hope tonight is #4.

Enjoy your day!

Thirteen days ago on February 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Fearing an explosion naturally occurring from the contaminants, a decision was made to have a “controlled burn.” Contaminants have now filled the air and covered surface waters and soil with chemicals.

I am not suggesting the “controlled burn” caused problems. What will be may be even if there was no decision to burn.

Already dead fish are floating in nearby creeks and an uncommon aroma lingers in the air. Dead fish and cattle have been reported as far as 100 miles away.

The people living in East Palestine and nearby are scared. Furiously so. Properly so.

The EPA says air quality has returned to safe levels. The head of the EPA has said worry not. We’ll make sure those responsible will be held responsible. People could care less at the moment who is responsible. They want to live safely now and have the assurances that everything is normal.

The people have been told the water is ok. Why then are they being told to drink bottled water?

I know that of which I write today. It was my specialty as an environmental attorney. Major environmental contamination cases. Superfund cases.

The East Palestine case involves one difference, however. The problem is obvious at its beginnings. Not 20 or 50 years from now. Death and sickness is down the road. In most instances, years from now. However the opportunity exists for the government to get in on the ground floor and do something. Now! What, I do not know. But this is the time.

EPA and the Department of Transportation will say all tests indicate nary a problem. Of course. Problems do not rear their sick ugly heads for years. The odd taste in the water, the smell in the air — will all disappear. The danger not.

The contaminants will lie smoldering beneath the earth, in the water and in the air. Breeding and growing. Silently poisoning everything. Making people sick. Leukemia generally associated with such matters. Some next generation babies will be born without arms or legs.

I kid you not.

Today is the time for the EPA and Department of  Transportation  to get deeply involved. Most, if not all, of the tests they have run were created to discover problems that long existed.  Not new ones as in East Palestine.

Buttigieg  and the EPA must form a special group to deal with East Palestine. New everything required. Engineers must be able to think outside the box. East Palestine is a new day. Preventive everything required. Especially to prevent the ultimate consequences that normally follow years later.

The media says this is another Chernobyl. It’s not. It is Love Canal, with one difference. Hooker Chemicals wrongdoing in dumping chemicals into a landfill near a Niagara Falls neighborhood was not discovered till years later. After a whole neighborhood of homes had been abandoned, people died, got sick, etc.

I was not involved in Love Canal. It was the first major Superfund case. My case was the second largest. Involved a landfill. On behalf of my two clients, I sued 603 other potentially responsible parties. I exclusively handled such cases for the next 20 years. I share this information only to make you aware I know what I am talking about. I also had a distant peripheral matter involving Chernobyl. A baby girl born with half of one arm gone. From the elbow down.

I briefly share the facts of the Chernobyl matter to show how a toxic contaminant does its dirty deed years later. The mother came to me with the child. Her husband worked within 10 miles of Chernobyl. They later met and married. Came to the U.S. Fourteen years later, the wife became pregnant and gave birth to the one armed baby. The cause was the husband’s semen. It had been affected  by the contaminants in the water and/or air at Chernobyl. His semen making equipment became defective and 14 years later their malformed child born.

See how long it can take for a toxic contaminant to be reflected in a person’s life!

The government got into Love Canal too late. The EPA ended up demolishing a whole neighborhood. Took to 2004. The contamination took place in the 1970’s.

Bottom line, the EPA and Department of Transportation must get involved now. Actually, yesterday. Understanding that East Palestine is different because it is new. Current. Otherwise people will get sick, some terribly sick, die, babies born malformed, etc.

In conclusion, permit me to make another point. I could be completely wrong. However my gut tells me I am right. I am sure there are others who did or do the work I did who would agree.

It never ceases to amaze me. I read something and suddenly it triggers an event/happening that occurred years ago. Something that has not been in my mind all those years.

Today it is the bookstore Borders and God the Father who was a fat black female.

I read this morning in the Citizen History Section that on this day in 2011, the bookstore chain Borders filed for Chapter XI bankruptcy protection. It was little help. By September of the same year, all Borders stores were closed.

For many years leading up to 2011, the Key West Borders was was a frequent hangout for me. Almost daily. It became my personal library. The chairs comfortable. Books obviously many. I can’t tell you how many books I read over the years just sitting there a couple of hours each afternoon.

I do not feel I contributed to Borders going out of business by my freeloading. I did occasionally buy a book.

One book so moved me that I purchased 25 paperback copies which I distributed to friends. The novel was The Shack. It was published in 2007.

One year later, The Shack was #1 on the The New York Times Paperback Best Seller List. Where it remained for 70 weeks. In excess of 10 million copies were sold.

The story takes place in a shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Three residents. The three those that compose the Holt Trinity. God was a fat black woman called Papa, Jesus a Middle eastern carpenter with a large hooked nose, and the Holy Ghost an Asian woman named Sanyu.

The author William P. Young. No one wanted to publish his novel. He was forced to self publish it. It obviously took hold, however.

The Shack moved me emotionally. So much so that I wanted to share it with everyone. The everyone as indicated earlier were 25 friends.

I recommend its reading to you.

There is no question Key West is out of the way when it comes to certain medical attention. Serious injuries and illnesses require the specialties Miami hospitals make available.

In many instances, time is of the essence. The difference between life and death. The Keys use air ambulance helicopters to get those in need swiftly to Miami. Money is not an issue. The helicopters are for the protection of the lives of Monroe County residents and property owners. No cost to either group for the service.

Presently, three helicopters are available. Two in Key West and one in Marathon.

Certain of the helicopters are reaching 22 years of age. Life span is 25 years.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay is in charge of the operation. He is right on top of it. He recently said the helicopters have to be replaced. Age. The planes themselves are no longer manufactured, parts are difficult to get.

He has already been working on the problem. He has found what he believes is the best replacement. The total cost for 3 new helicopters is in the area of $52 million. The County has authorized Sheriff Ramsay to commence negotiations.

Use is frequent. Last year, crews made 1,386 flights to Miami carrying 1,458 patients. The numbers are expected to be higher this year.

Actress Raquel Welch died yesterday. She was 82.

She was a big star in the 1960’s and 1970’s. A noted sex symbol.

Playboy ranked her #3 on the “100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century” list.

Hugh Hefner wanted to feature her on the cover and centerfold of Playboy. Any woman so featured did so totally nude. Welch was happy to pose, but refused to do so nude. She explained her position calmly to Hefner. She was so convincing he agreed to featuring her on the cover and centerfold in some form of attire. She was the one and only who ever did so.

On this day in 1908, the Rodef Shalom Synagogue was dedicated on the corner of Southard and Simonton Streets. Today, it is the home of Sarabeth’s Restaurant, one of Key West’s finest eateries.

The Synagogue moved to its new building on United Street where it was renamed Congregation B’nai Zion.

Some local color concerning the new Congregation B’Nai Zion building. Its architect was Key West resident Sonny McCoy. McCoy was Key West’s Mayor for 5 terms. A highly respected and liked person. He did 6 years of college in 3. Obtained 2 degrees. One in architecture, the other in engineering.

McCoy was a sportsman of sorts, also. He waterskied from Key West to Cuba. On one ski.

McCoy long gone. His memory remains.

Enjoy your day!

Pence is fighting Justice’s Grand Jury subpoena. I am shocked and surprised!

I have always considered Pence a maladjusted Christian and weak sister. He was a loyal Trump supporter for 4 years till January 6. That day he stood tall by refusing to accede to Trump’s desire to have him lie. He stood honest and forthright. I thought my opinion of him was wrong. This was a good man.

No more.

Trump set him up on January 6. He rabble roused the mob to get Pence if he failed to come through for him. The mob had blood in their eyes as they yelled to get Pence, hang Pence. The rope stood tall outside ready to hang him. A lynch mob coming after him.

Pence is lucky he survived the day.

Pence’s conduct January 6 gave me a new admiration for the man.

Now he wants to be President. Maybe, I thought, he is qualified. I was wrong. He lacks something. The correct thing to do is testify. Instead, he is claiming a legal reason not to that will not hold up in court. In the end, Pence will be before that Grand Jury.

Many Americans must recognize as I do that Pence’s colors did not change. They remain the same. He is a weak sister. A true political hack.

Key West has a habit of passing asinine laws. Never complete. Something generally lacking.

One of the most recent was a local law prohibiting smoking cigarettes on Key West beaches. Hand guns are also prohibited.

A Citizens’ Voice comment this morning bears out my position: “Can’t smoke at the beach, but you can bring your rifle you haven’t been trained to use and smoke your cigar.”

Early sunday morning a shooting occurred in Key West. One which resulted in a death.

Lloyd Brewer III’s family own the Conch Liquor and Lounge on North Roosevelt Boulevard. They also own the building it is located in.

Garrett Hughes was outside in the back of the building. Its parking lot. He was urinating on the building.

Brewer shot Hughes one or more times. He died at the hospital.

Brewer called the police and reported the shooting.

Videos all over the place indicate both men were possibly drunk. The police claim the videos reflect Hughes’ actions did not justify lethal force and murder.

Brewer was arrested and charged with second degree murder. He was arraigned yesterday. The judge denied him bail. He must remain in jail pending trial.

Background affects a judge’s mind in arriving at a no bail decision. Brewer has a history of some violence. He was arrested 2 years ago for allegedly punching a girl friend in the face with his fist after drinking at the Stock Island Yacht Club. There is a 1985 gun incident. One or two other items.

On this day in 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor. Two hundred sixty American seamen were killed.

The sinking of the Maine has become a significant part of Key West history.

The Custom House had recently been completed. The U.S. Court of Naval Inquiry held its hearing to determine the cause of the Maine’s explosion at the Custom House.

The Maine’s sinking eventually led to the Spanish-American War breaking out in April 1898. Within 3 months, the U.S. had decisively defeated Spain.

A number of Maine seaman are buried at the Key West Cemetery. Their graves surrounding a USS Maine Memorial.

The tragedy of the Turkey/Syria earthquake continues. As it will for years.

A 77 year old woman was rescued yesterday. She had been buried 9 days/212 hours. Experts indicate it is highly unusual to survive under such conditions more than 100 hours.

Cinderella one of Disney’s greatest movies. It opened in theaters this day in 1950. The film is frequently reshown permitting generations of Americans to enjoy Disney’s marvel.

How times have changed.

President-elect Franklin Roosevelt escaped assassination on February 15, 1933 in Miami. Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was with him at the time. He was killed.

The gunman Giuseppe Zangara was executed some 4 weeks later. Not 20 years later as most U.S. executions take today.

Syracuse won a big one last night! Beat #23 ranked North Carolina State 75-72. It was Syracuse’s first win over a ranked team since 2021.

A sportswriter described Jesse Edwards and Judah Mintz’s play as Batman and Robin.

Edwards even sunk a 3 pointer.

Enjoy your day!