CRAZY TEXANS

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Maybe its the smoke from the weed drifting over the border from Mexico to Texas. Whatever, our southern brethren are afflicted with the crazies.

The place,  Bastrop, Texas. They believe Obama is going to invade Texas. On July 15. There is a U.S. Army field maneuver planned for that day. Near Bastrop. One of the biggest military training exercises ever.

Bastrop believes the maneuver is really a plot to spy on Texans, confiscate their guns, and establish martial law.

Crazy!!!!!

I am not surprised. After all, former Texas Governor Perry said three years ago that Texas was considering seceding from the Union. The same Perry seeking the Republican Presidential nomination today.

I am going to address this Texas craziness in more detail on my blog talk radio show tonight. Join me. Guaranteed interesting. The details shocking.

My yesterday went as I thought, with one addition.

Started with the anti-gravity treadmill. Love it! My new friend!

Then Tammy for a manicure and pedicure. Tammy looked tired. Very. Asked her if she got to bed late last night. Yes. The family drove to Sea World in Orlando for the weekend. Left friday night after work, returned late sunday night.

They had fun! I could see it in Tammy’s eyes as she told me. The 6.5 hour drive each way was worth it. The one negative were the fireworks on the Fourth. Did not begin till 11. The parents tired. The children not.

The most interesting item re the trip is that Tammy and her husband took two days off for the trip. They generally only close on sunday. They closed saturday and sunday. First time ever. An example of success be falling Tammy and family. Good for them!

It was 1:30. I was heading to Publix. My stomach growling. Was I hungry! I decided I would stop somewhere for lunch first. The somewhere turned out to be 5 Guys. I figured what the hell, it was my birthday and I was entitled. A large cheeseburger with lots of extras on it and fries. Filling. Better described as bloating. Felt good, however.

Then to Publix. Glad I was delayed in arriving because of lunch. Saw a wonder of wonders! Maybe a special present?

Walking down the aisle before me was what had to be a lovely lady. I could not tell initially. Her back was to me. She was wearing pink shorts. Could have been undies. Did little to cover her butt. Only about the top two thirds. Forgive me friends, but I have to say it. Lovely cheeks hanging out!

I stayed behind her a couple of aisles. Why give up a good thing! Eventually, I was not the only one. The line behind me got long.

Got to see all of her. Clothed, of course. A lovely young lady. Late 20s perhaps. Very little food in her basket. All I could think was she had to be a performer at Bare Assets or one of the other Key West gentlemen’s clubs.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Spent the balance of yesterday afternoon fine tuning the show.

Topics include the crazy Texans story described briefly before, Eric Holder and the banks, a Greece update, Congress and GMOs, and a further example of China not sitting on its ass.

Should be a good show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Last night was Happy Birthday dinner with Lisa and the family. Always fun. Robert and Ally gave me home made cards. Ally wrote on hers….You are the best Poppa ever! Anything better?

I thank one and all for the many birthday greetings received. From four continents. Amazing!

Tropic Cinema announced it is not going to be part of the 2015 Key West Film Festival. Too bad. The Festival was getting off the ground. Primarily due to the efforts of the many who support Tropic Cinema. Apparently a money issue. A contract could not be agreed to with the outside organizers.

Anna reports. Greeks happy with the vote. Though the moneyed ones still concerned. Anna is on Santorini. Town of Oia. Oia top of the line. She says most of the cave hotels redone. As was the one she normally stays in. And is staying at this season also. Tons of money spent over the winter remodeling hotel lodgings. Her cave apartment cost 220 euro a night last year. Five hundred fifty euros this summer. What a jump! Restaurant prices way up also.

She reports many Japanese visiting. Younger. 20s-40s. Spending money.

Anna needed money. She brought several hundred euros with her. She went to an ATM yesterday. Took out 500 euros. No problem. She was using a foreign credit card.

Greece is winning the battle with the Eurounion. The Eurounion will blink first. Perhaps today when they meet. If Greece were to depart the Eurounion, all of Europe could face a deep recession. Including the prosperous Germany.

Enjoy your day!

ANNA GOING TO GREECE

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Today’s blog will be short. I developed a dental problem last night. I have a very early appointment this morning.

I told Anna not to go to Greece. She is going. Leaves today.

She spoke with friends yesterday in Athens and Santorini. They all said come. Everything normal, except for the demonstrations. No one will bother you. Life normal.

We shall see. I hope she received good advice.

I would love to be in Greece these days. Has to be exciting. History in the making! The demonstrations should not be a problem if they are similar to those I experienced. Yesterday, 10,000 were protesting in front of Parliament. Where I stood with 4,000-5,000 demonstrators on three occasions several years ago.

I have been watching news reports re Greece on TV. I question if we are being provided with the true picture. We see the protests. We do not see lives outside the protests. Lives going on as usual.

A warning. A Louis one. The Eurounion/Greece problem is opening the door for a Greece, Russia, China deal. Watch. Putin at work again.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. An interesting show. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics include the President’s eulogy, the two Supreme Court decisions of import last week, the U.S. Navy short of ships, a new way to sneak cocaine out of Columbia, and a Greece update.

I will have heard from Anna by show time tonight with her first impressions of Athens. I will share them.

Enjoy your day!

MICHAEL HOEFLICH

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Received an e-mail from Mike Hoeflich yesterday. A voice from the past. We had not communicated in more than 25 years. Mike found me via this blog.

In the late 1980s, I was Chairman of the Syracuse University College of Law Board of Visitors. The Dean at the time resigned. A five person search committee was formed to select a new Dean. I was a member of the search committee.

We spent a year looking, interviewing, reading, etc. in our quest for a new Dean. I sometimes felt as if I was picking the next President of the United States. A trip! We wanted the best of the best. We got it in Mike Hoeflich.

As Board Chairman, I worked closely with the Dean. We were working for the good of the Law School. Mike turned out to be one of the finest people I have met. Intelligent, hard working, articulate, a leader, genuine, etc. It was an honor and pleasure to have worked with him.

Mike left Syracuse after six years as Dean. He moved on to Kansas University where he served as Dean for six years. Since 2000, Mike has taught law at Kansas. A big time professor. Chaired.

I recall Mike’s position clearly re law professors having to write and be published. He pushed the law faculty in this regard. He was a do as I do guy. Mike has published 15 books and 115 articles.

A good man in every respect!

I worked several hours yesterday fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. I decided to do a black America show. Stressed three areas.

The first was Charleston and the forgiveness thing. I believe forgiveness accomplishes nothing in solving our racial problems. I am not Jesus and could not turn the other cheek. Said why and what I thought should be done.

The next item involved the Confederate flag. Easy. Take it down! I fear the South Carolina legislature is going to delay. The legislature voted yesterday to debate the issue. Resolution could take forever, if at all.

The final item involved Josephine Baker. Traced her life. The discrimination heaped upon her. Her fight back.

Ran over to Roostica for dinner. Sat at the bar. Looked like a bum. Had not shaved in four days. I was hopeful of not running into anyone. Impossible.

Michelle joined me at the bar. Michelle and husband own Roostica. As well as Hogfish and Geiger Key. Enjoyed an interesting conversation. A I was leaving, Bobby arrived to join his wife.

Ran into Alex and Mary the other day at Publix. Alex, my horn blowing friend. A retired New York fireman, he is into his other life in Key West. He blows his horn at affairs. Many times accompanying Larry Smith. He has made several CDs and videos. He lives in Key West time.

Alex had read last week’s KONK Life column The Petticoat Affair. He was taken by it.

This week’s column publishes today. America, Land of the Free. The title selected with tongue in cheek. We are not the land of the free untill all people are equally treated.

Big day ahead! Anti-gravity treadmill at 11. Manicure at 12 with Tammy. Dinner tonight at Salute’s on the beach with friends. A typical Key West day!

Body Owners has brought me together with a new and different group of friends. All into physiotherapy. The sick, sore, lame and disabled. All ages. I am anxious to make my three times a week workouts. I want to see how my new found friends are doing, share tidbits with them.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

HOUSEBOAT ROW

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I am late getting started this morning. Had to be at the hospital early. Heart CAT scan. Part of annual check up.

The Keys History Section  in this morning’s Key West Citizen made mention of houseboat row. A part of yesterday’s Key West. A series of houseboats were tied off South Roosevelt Boulevard. In the area now fronted by an expensive condo complex.

The boats were of all sizes and shapes. Young and old. Some tied in a line. Others, helter skelter. A beautiful sight! A slice of the real Key West.

The houseboats were parked illegally. The State told them to get out. It took more than 25 years before the State succeeded. Most of the houseboats moved to Garrison Bight.

I loved the houseboat scene! I was disappointed when they were finally forced to move. A real Key West site forever lost.

I like the condos. The pristine water view where the houseboats once stood. However, it is Naples to me. I did not move to Key West to live in a Naples environment. I wanted to live in Key West time as my friend Howard Livingston would say.

Watched Jeb Bush yesterday. His Presidential announcement great show. Well orchestrated. One of the best I can recall.

I do not think Jeb Jush has it to win. The Bush family argument does fly. His comments from another time. He is out of today’s loop.

Bush lacks charisma. A necessary ingredient in a national and TV campaign. John Kennedy would not have won without it. Bush does not have it.

Judy Blume still on the road. She is touring introducing her latest book In the Unlikely Event. She is presently on the west coast. Every where she speaks, she is well received. a respected woman. a woman with a talent.

We await Judy’s return to her Key West home.

I started yesterday on the anti-gravity treadmill. I took it slow because of my recent sciatica problems.

Drove over to the Cuban Coffee Queen afterwards for Cuban cheese toast and coffee. I parked behind the new fire station on Simonton.

Key West has crazy parking machines. One gets a ticket out of the machine which is then placed on the dashboard of the car. There are two machines in the parking lot. Next to each other.

Both were broke. A City employee was trying to fix them. Success was not coming easy.

I stood around five minutes so I could get a ticket. No ticket on the dashboard and I would get a ticket! The gentleman from the City saw me standing there. He asked how much time I needed. I told him 1.5 hours. He said, ok. Be back by 1:30. I am calling in so no tickets will be given out till 1:30.

I asked…..Are you sure? No problem he retorted.

When I returned at the specified time, he was still working on the machines. I gave him a thumbs up and smile. He returned the same with a wave and smile.

A nice guy.

Big basketball tonight! Cavs and Warriors. Cavs have to win. Otherwise, it is all over for them.

My blog talk radio show tonight, also. Nine my time. Join me for some interesting comment. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight include getting drunk on the front steps of your home not public intoxication, another police assault involving a 13 year old boy, why big company and government computers are being hacked, banks involved with FIFA scandal being investigated for failing to report money laundering activities, some Jeb Bush, an Austrian brothel owner who is protesting high taxes on his business by offering free sex in the afternoons, a Greece update, and more.

Enjoy your day!

I FELL ASLEEP

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My blog talk radio show Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou was scheduled for 9 last night. I was set to go at 8:30. I cannot connect with the internet radio station via computer and telephone till 8:45. Fifteen minutes to kill.

I sat down to watch a few minutes of an old movie.

The next thing I recall is the telephone ringing. It was Anna from Novara, Italy. Three in the morning her time. She could not sleep. Decided to listen to the show live.

Her call woke me. Where are you?….. what happened?…..she asked. I looked at the clock. It was 9:03. Holy shit! I moved fast. Did in two minutes what normally takes ten minutes to connect with blog talk radio. I went on air 5-6 minutes late.

At the end of the show, I explained why I was late. I fell asleep! I figured why not share. I am human. Falling asleep at the wrong time a human experience.

Do not think it strange that Anna telephoned me from Italy. Her cell phone has international usage.

The show, though perhaps hurried, went well. I discussed the McKinney, Texas situation. Added another Texas police problem that got buried because of McKinney. Austin, Texas.

A bystander was across the street from a demonstration watching. He started videoing the demonstration and how the police were handling it. A mounted police officer saw him. Mounted on horse, the police officer rode across the street, bumped the bystander, caused him to drop his cell phone. When the bystander went to pick it up, the officer maced him and the phone.

Not surprising. We have to remember that police officers today consider citizens the enemy. How far we have come!

This morning’s Key West Citizen History Section makes mention of Sally Rand. A popular fan dancer for many years. A controversial figure.

I met her once in 1964 at a cocktail party at Grossinger’s in the Catskills. We engaged in a 10 minute uninterrupted conversation.

The History Section mentioned the IRS grabbing Rand’s Key West properties for back taxes. I recalled she once owned a Key West home. Located at 916 Eisenhower Drive.

I googled Rand to update my knowledge concerning her. The fourth item on the first page was SALLY RAND – KEY WEST LOU. I forgot I had mentioned her in a blog I did January 14, 2015.

The two New York escapees, Dannemora Prison. The media have been hyping the escape, telling us how afraid the residents in upstate New York are. I thought it was just that. Hype. I telephoned some of my Utica and upstate New York friends. Not hype. Everyone genuinely concerned.

Dannemora is a town of about 5,000. Located 25 miles from the Canadian border. You do not know cold till you have wintered there. Dannemora sits in the Adirondack Mountains.

It is 135 miles as the crow flies from Utica to Dannemora. Note, as the crow flies. Actual driving takes 200 miles on winding two lane State and County roads. I know. Several major clients had problems in the Dannemora/Plattsburg area. A difficult drive, especially in winter.

Though I have not a specific recollection, I am sure some of my firm attorneys had depositions inside Dannemora Prison itself.

The prison is 170 years old. First time for an escape. One of the jail’s prominent guests for a time was Lucky Luciano.

I have to move fast. I do the anti-gravity treadmill this morning. I promise not to fall asleep between now and then.

Enjoy your day!

HAVE YOU NO SHAME?

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I had a 9 o’clock appointment with my heart doctor this morning. I did not recall why. Was on time. Turned out the appointment was for fasting blood work and an echo test. I did not fast. Had breakfast. Have to go back thursday to do what was supposed to be done today.

I am keenly aware that as I grow older, I see doctors more often. Very much so. It does not bother me. If you have  a car and take care of it, the car will provide many more miles. I see doctors frequently because I want those miles.

Today is the anniversary of the 1954 McCarthy hearings. Senator Joe McCarthy  was a combination of today’s Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton. Meaner, however. A thug in the clothing of a gentleman.

McCarthy was chairman of some sub committee. He got the committee involved in searching out Communists. Many lives destroyed in the process.

Joseph Welch was an able Boston attorney representing the Army at the hearings. McCarthy berated a witness represented by Welch. Badly. Welch looked up and said…..Senator, have you no shame?

It was downhill for Mc Carthy after that.

I have a clear recollection of having watched the event life on TV. My first year in college had concluded . I was home. An exciting moment.

Cupboard was bare again. Shopped at Publix. Always a pleasure. Ran into several friends.

Last night, it was Hogfish for dinner. I went early. The place was next to empty. I had the whole bar to myself. Ate hogfish. What else!

In between everything, worked on tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine, my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. I always say…..my time. The reason is some listeners live in other time zones. Every time zone in the United States. Italy, Thailand and South Africa also.

Topics tonight include how Portugal is beating the drug problem, why I think the Asian pact is not good for the United States, the 15 year old girl in McKinney, Texas improperly roused by a cop who lost it, Bush 2 working the speaking circuit to the tune of $10 million – in most instances paid for by corporate America, a police officer in Austin who went after a bystander who was videoing police activity and literally abused the bystander for videoing the event, and more.

Watched a great old movie yesterday. Night and Day starring Cary Grant and Alexis Smith. Outstanding music and lyrics by  Cole Porter. His life story. The producers took much liberty in telling Porter’s story. Not factual. Not the way it was.

I did not care. It was entertaining and occasionally brought a tear to my eye.

Key West Pride starts tomorrow and runs through sunday. Many events. All entertaining. A parade, street fair, film festival, drag shows, etc.

Enjoy your day!

 

I AM OK

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There is a saying that events occur in threes. I hope I have had my threes re health concerns.

The past several weeks have had their downside. First, my falling and balance problems. Then diverticulitis. Yesterday morning, surprise minor surgery.

Lord, I give up! No more please!

I am fine today. So far.

I will be 80 years old in 33 days. Yesterday morning, I was wondering if I will make it.

Time and energy prevented me doing the blog yesterday morning. My apologies.

I felt ok by evening. Like nothing had happened. Ergo, I did my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. My preparation was lacking. I did the show by merely sitting back and pontificating. I liked the show. Those of you who listened, I hope you did also.

Ally’s birthday was monday. Ten years old. Big! I told Ally she was entering womanhood. She was a young lady. She beamed! We did dinner and Happy Birthday cake.

I screwed up. Robert’s birthday was May 15. I forgot. Did not realize it till I was talking with Lisa about Ally’s birthday. I asked when Robert’s was. Two weeks earlier.

I brought a present for Robert monday night. I apologized to him several times. It was no problem from his perspective. He hugged me tight and kissed me. Robert is now 11 years old.

KONK Life hits the stands today. My column is Corruption Of Politics And Banks. Money, of course, the cause. I suggested two Louis solutions. Read the column, if you can. Guaranteed you will enjoy.

Yesterday, a light rain all day. Today, rain again. Heavier. Another rainy day. A nice break. Cools things off.

I returned to the anti-gravity treadmill monday. It had been two weeks. I took it easy at the beginning. No problem.

The NFL, Roger Goodell, and Tom Brady. Commissioner Goodell insists he is going to hear Brady’s appeal. Bad! It has been consistent law for more than 25 years that a hearing officer cannot be judge, jury and prosecutor at the same time. If Goodell rules against Brady, Brady has a sure win in a court room thereafter.

Since Goodell made the initial decision to find Brady guilty and punish him, it appears the handwriting is on the wall as to what the appeals decision will be.

Enjoy your day

THANK YOU

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I am close to the end of the healing process. I think I have recovered. No more pain. However, I have to continue antibiotics through friday.

Today, I shave. Did not get around to it yesterday. I have decided no beard. Another time, perhaps. I want to see my face clean.

I plan on going out today. A walk. Hopefully out tonight, also. No drinking yet. Just to see people and talk. I am a social person.

I have been deluged with e mails and telephone calls concerning my health, wishing me well, etc. The number overwhelming. Humbling. From as far away as Thailand, Italy and South Africa. All over the U.S. And of course, Key West.

We speak of Key West as being One Family. The world can be One Family.

Thank you.

Recall the gang that could not shot straight. We have two such groups in the Keys. The Monroe County Commission and the Key West City Commission. They know not what they do.

The County Commission gave in by vote the extra money Waste Management was seeking. An amount in excess of the contract price.

I sometimes think our elected officials forget they are not spending their own money. They are taxpayer dollars!

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

I came across a comment yesterday that “…..the greatest disappointment of his Presidency was his failure to pass comprehensive health reform.” He should not have been disappointed. He achieved in so many other areas. Like the decision to drop the atomic bomb, the Marshall Plan, and his decision re Korea.

I consider Truman to have been one of our greatest Presidents. No President gets the whole job done.

A most interesting blog talk radio show last night. Two issues appear to have garnered the most interest.

The first, Saudi Arabia and its want ad advertisement for swordsmen/beheaders. They need to hire eight more. The job was listed under the Religious Jobs section.

The other about prostitution being legal in Germany. It has made Berlin the sex capital of the world. Germany taxes the ladies of the night. Taking in a ton of money. Always on the look out for another tax gimmick, Germany now has made bestiality in brothels legal.

Anything for a dollar! Morality and image meaning nothing.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

TONIGHT…..BLOG TALK RADIO

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My health problem surfaced last tuesday. Other than the emergency room that night, I have not been out of the house for a week. Perhaps tomorrow. I want to experience one day without pain first.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. The show is done from home so no problem.

Interesting show tonight. Very interesting. Topics like Saudi Arabia and hypocrisy, German government making money off bestiality brothels, 40 year old woman who just delivered her 13th son, 65 year old woman who already has 13 children delivering quadruplets, Milwaukee man pronounced dead not dead, new DEA chief will no longer focus on marijuana, trailer park owners getting rich, and more.

Join me at 9 my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

KONK Life hit the stands yesterday. My article this week Saudi Arabia And The Hypocrisy Of It All. A detailed expose.

The last time I was out of the house (last tuesday), gasoline was $3.99 a gallon. This morning, I read the national average is $2.74. Why so much more for we Key West natives? Don’t tell me the drive from Miami for delivery adds $1.25 on to the average price!

Enjoy your day!

 

STACY

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An exceptional evening last night! I met Stacy!

Stacy found me. She has been a loyal blog reader for years. A frequent Key West visitor, our paths did not cross till last night. At the Chart Room, of course.

Stacy was with her husband Steve and friends Sue and Ron.

Stacy and Steve live in Erie, Pennsylvania. Parents of two. Steve is in IT with GE. Stacy a stay at home Mom. Parents of two.

I do not mean to lessen the pleasure of meeting Sue. Sue also a blog follower. However, it was Sue who went out of her way to be sure I knew Stacy was the one who really wanted to meet me.

Sue and Ron live in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Ron is in marketing. Sue a stay at home Mom like Stacy.

I was impressed that Stacy and Sue were stay at home Moms. And proud of it! A dying breed today.

We had a good time. Especially the ladies and I.

Along the way the discussion centered on  my book The World Upside Down. I chastised Stacy for not having read it. She promised she would order a copy.

My book led to a book Stacy helped author. Laura’s Gem. My recollection is Stacy wrote the last three chapters. The book was a joint effort. Several ladies involved.

May I be fortunate to meet up with Stacy and Sue and husbands on their next visit.

Sheila, Frankie and Jean Thornton at the bar.

Jean suggested we have dinner together. I begged off. She was into Hot Tin Roof and I not. I was not sure at the time we talked where I would eat.

I missed dining with a celebrity! This morning’s Key West Citizen front page has a major article on Jean. Key West’s Golden Girl. The story of Jean diving with Mel Fisher some 20 years ago and discovering a 21 link gold chain, a silver coin and an emerald.

Jean’s life changed. The Indiana school teacher quit her job. Soon she and husband Joe bought a second home in Key West. Jean is here 6 plus months a year. Joe much less. He still works for a living and travels often.

Jean leaves today. She will return July 8. I can’t wait to have dinner with her. A celebrity! (Though true, said in a joking fashion. Love Jean and always enjoy being in her company.)

Dinner was the outside bar at La Te Da. Monday night. I was alone with the newspaper. Duck the meal. Always outstanding!

My morning began on the anti-gravity treadmill. A wonderful invention! I never tire when on it. I feel like I could walk forever. As soon as I finish, I am dead! It takes me several hours to recover. I spend the time in bed.

I visited T.J. Maxx. I was not impressed.

Today is Ho Chi Minh’s birthday. He died in 1969. He was Vietnam’s leader during the Vietnam War.

Minh was initially our friend. He fought with our troops in Asian jungles during World War II.

Following the War, he made a personal request to Truman to support he and his followers in their fight for freedom from France. Truman declined. He said Minh and his people were of the wrong political party. They were Communists.

Sixty thousand dead Americans could have been avoided had some sort of relationship been possible.

My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou. Join me for a fast moving half hour of interesting topics. Many eye opening.

Tonight’s list includes Iraq and what are we doing there?, Obama yesterday advising certain military equipment would no longer be shared with local police departments, my concern–what about the equipment already in their hands?, Australia raining spiders, IRS employees who do not pay their taxes, and more.

Enjoy your day!