At the moment, I measure Trump’s government to be by the prospective Cabinet members he has designated. I base today’s comments on three of them. My comments arrived at with a significant degree of certainty based on their testimony before Senate committees the past two days.

Hegseth was a disaster. His problem one of pure incompetence. Not even close to being qualified to run a military of 3.4 million persons. His experience derived from womanizing, alcohol, and ineptness in running two small entities. A loser. If he is a loser, then the U.S. is a loser also.

Pam Bondi really worries me. I spent much of yesterday listening to her testimony. She is a fortyish good looking blond. Knows how to throw her hair back, twinkle her eyes, and otherwise be charming when responding to those that agree with her or she thinks she is hoodwinking with her responses. A smart woman unquestionably from an intellectual perspective, also.

A Trump supporter all the way. Though she understands her responsibility is to support the Constitution, she left me believing there is no question she will be “Trump’s lawyer” which is legally improper. Woe is we!

The Democrats on the Committee were ready for her. It was a battle. Only because she was reluctant to speak truth re her positions. Sometimes her temper got to her and she slipped a bit and revealed her true self.

I was ashamed of the Republican members of the Committee. They were true diehards all. Trumpies. Republicans have forgotten how to speak to truth. If just occasionally, it would be refreshing.

I was very impressed with Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. She took no guff from Bondi and did a good job of bringing out some of Bondi’s true positions.

I only got a brief look at Marco Rubio. He has been a Senator for 18 years. I have not always agreed with him philosophically. However, I believe he knows the role he faces as Secretary of State and overall will do a good job. He impressed me in his responses. We will be in good hands internationally with him, assuming Trump listens to him occasionally.

There was joy yesterday everywhere that Israel and Hamas had finally arrived at a deal. The war was over. Technically, sunday.

I was concerned the peace document was too long and had too many ifs and this’s. Anything could go wrong. With a multi-faceted agreement, going wrong is absolutely certain to occur

I woke to this morning’s news that Hamas has said: Wait, there is something else we want. Ergo, something has already gone wrong.

It bothers me that the agreement fails to release all the hostages at once. Apparently there are only three Americans remaining. Two of the three are to be released immediately. The third later on.

Biden delivered his Farewell Address last night. He warned of the rise of a new American “oligarchy.” He compared today’s tech moguls to 19th century “robber barons.”

Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush will not attend the Inaugural. They join Michelle Obama in declining to appear.

My congrats to all of them!

A person who does not respect others is not entitled to respect.

Many fast food chains have either closed down completely or reduced the number of its restaurants over the past few years. Now comes one that is expanding. Big time! Shake Shack, a burger chain. Plans on opening 1,500 new locations. Presently has 329 company operated restaurants in the U.S. and 200 plus internationally.

On this day in 2009, the “Miracle on the Hudson” occurred. U.S. Airways Captain Sullenberger safely landed the plane he was flying on the Hudson River. All 150 passengers and 5 crew members were saved as a result.

The “Phantom of the Opera” ran 13,981 times on Broadway. Over the years, I saw it three times. It was like rereading a good book.

Starbucks has a new policy! Buy something or leave.

I stopped doing Starbucks in Key West several years ago. Too many teenagers doing nothing but taking up space and making a lot of noise. Generally buying nothing. I also found seats unavailable because adults were seated and sleeping. Consuming nothing.

There was no room for me or a chair in a comfortable location. Stopped going!

Sexual abuse cases involving priests are now some 40 years old. Still ongoing. Cases still pending.

Parishes appear to be paying  all or a significant portion of pay outs to victims. An example is New York’s Rockville Centre Diocese. Located on Long Island, its 136 parishes have thus far paid out $53 million of the approximately $323 million payments to victims. Insurance has also contributed.

It has not been easy. Each parish filed for bankruptcy and contributed. Even those not sued. 

Involved were 600 victims.

I close with the weather. Key West will be cool again today. High 70 degrees. Most of the day in the high 60’s. Sweatshirt weather.

Enjoy your day!