POLENTA

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Enjoyed a light meal last night at Roostica. Meatballs and polenta. Sounds heavy. Mine was not. I ordered the appetizer portion.

Polenta is an Italian dish. Cornmeal. Generally, boiled. Can be fried or baked.

Never enjoyed polenta while living in Utica. Tried it a couple of times. Did not like it.

Now, I love it!

I have been to Courmayeur in northern Italy several times. God’s country. Sits 4,000 feet up Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc being the tallest peak in Europe. Four thousand feet sounds like a lot till you look up and see Mont Blanc’s snow covered peak at 16,000 feet.

Courmayeur beautiful. Swiss chalets abound. Residential and commercial buildings alike.

Polenta is the traditional food of Courmayeur. Courmayeur world known for its polenta. Prepared every which way.

Every restaurant serves polenta. Regardless of what else is ordered. A large bowl is deposited in the center of the table at the beginning of each meal.

I got to like polenta during my Courmayeur stays.

Courmayeur is situated close to the French border. Less than an hour’s drive. Opposite Courmayeur on the French side is Chamonix. Another famous Alpine resort.

Connecting Italy and France is the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The only way to get to Chamonix from Courmayeur. The tunnel is 7.15 miles. Through the mountain, not over.

I found it strange. You drive through the tunnel with the windows closed and the air conditioning/heat off. Less you be asphyxiated from carbon monoxide fumes.

Trump makes it sound like borders are protected everywhere. Not among the democratic countries of Europe. I was impressed I could drive through the tunnel without showing a passport or stopping. Like driving from Florida to Georgia or New York to New Jersey.

I highly recommend a Courmayeur vacation. Summer or winter. The buildings magnificent, Mont Blanc overwhelming, the people nice.

Before Roostica, I stopped at the Chart Room.

John introduced me right away to Lana and Gary. I was thrilled to meet them. They are daily blog readers and had bought and read Irma and Me.

Presently live in Crystal River, Florida. Manatee country. You can even swim with the manatees in Crystal River!

Both originally from New York State. Lana, Rochester and Gary, Catskill. Lana a school teacher. Gary a retired fireman who now works as a ticket broker. Both in their late 40’s.

They are in Key West celebrating their third wedding anniversary. Today the day. They were married three years ago in Key West.

Gary asked Lana to marry him three plus years ago on the stage at Irish Kevin’s. In front of the world! He needed a ring. Stopped at a souvenir store on Duval and bought a 10 cent multi colored plastic one.

Enjoyed my time with Lana and Gary. Good people!

Sloan and I have not been together in weeks. We have reached a point where I e-mail a need and she performs. However every now and then, we have to sit together. Mechanical things to be done. Tonight at 5:30.

Something new was started last year in Key West. The Key Lime Festival. This year sponsored by KWAHS.

The event takes place at the Key West Lighthouse on Whitehead. From 11 to 2:30 next saturday, June 30.

The reason to attend is to view or participate in the Key Lime Pie Drop from the top of the Lighthouse. Seventy three feet. The idea is to place a key lime pie in some contraption invented by the dropper and let it fly. The winner is the one whose pie lands without damage.

A difficult feat.

I have written several times that while Trump goes around demeaning other nations, those nations are slowing moving off the dollar to the Chinese yuan. Each time this happens, the dollar is devalued. It is occurring frequently since Trump took office.

Some nations, especially small ones, are moving off the dollar or yuan to gold. They believe the world is too volatile to remain with the dollar or yuan.

Back in the 1990’s, the Keys were declared a National Marine Sanctuary. Took several years and much work to attain the designation.

BOB got upset at a time thereafter. The federal government decided it wanted to build a missile launching pad at Cudjoe Key. To test antiballistic missiles launched from Cudjoe to Panama city.

The National Marine Sanctuary and a missile launching site seemed inconsistent to BOB and he vented re the situation.

I am unaware of the missile site ever being established at Cudjoe Key. Bob Smith’s opposition must have helped.

In recent years, we have been told that in a 100 years, non-whites will outnumber whites in the U.S. A recent study indicates an acceleration. The study now indicates that by 2045, there will be more non-whites than whites.

A major contributing factor is that whites are dying faster than white babies are being born. The study indicated increased white births would not help. The whites are too far behind.

Such is life.

Enjoy your day!

 

THE LADIES CELEBRATE

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Womenfest has arrived. An international meeting of lesbians and their friends. An annual Key West event.

The weekend will be busy. The ladies take over. Their numbers huge. All kind of fun activities.

Kelly McGillis will be here. She was one of the orangizers of the event back when. You may recall her as the lovely lady in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise. For several years during her acting career, Kelly lived in Key West. She was an owner of two restaurants with her then husband.

Dancing, singing, pool parties, naked cruises, setting sun cruises, tag football, etc. Go for it ladies! Key West is yours!

Went to bocce last night. To watch. No bocce. The courts were still wet from the morning’s rain. Stopped at Don’s Place. Only Keith from the team there. Talked to him a bit.

Then to the Chart Room. Business good. Chatted with John a while. He is off to Puerto Rico and other points next week. A ten day vacation.

Some Key West from the past.

The Beatles were in Key West for two days years ago. They were flying to Jacksonville to do a show. Hurricane Dora prevented the trip from being completed. They landed in Key West.

The Beatles stayed at the Key Wester Motel. Frolicked in the pool.

After they left, an enterprising young man filled small bottles with water from the pool. Sold them as water the Beatles had swum in.

Bum Farto was a famous Key West Fire Chief. Also a cocaine dealer. He had strong connections with Columbia. He was indicted and headed for jail.

On this day in 1975, he disappeared. Never to be seen again. Many believe he went the way of Jimmy Hoffa.

1855 and William Hackley. Baby better. Expects her to grow soon. Present problem is Baby has thrush. William has a leg problem. Ankle to knee swollen on one leg. No pain. He walks on it.

On this date in 1975, Elvis Presley made his big time TV debut. On the Ed Sullivan Show. The whole world watched. Even me.

Elvis’ moving hips were considered immoral. The TV camera only framed him in from his chest up.

That’s the way it was back then!

I periodically speak of Courmayeur and Chamonix. Places I have visited many times. Places I mention in this blog. Where Anna has been the past week.

Both communities sit on the side of Mont Blanc. The tallest mountain in Europe. Part of the Alps. Awesome appearing!

Anna e-mailed me twice yesterday and the news is talking about the almost disaster on Mont Blanc between the two towns.

Cable cars run up and down the mountain. Go 11,000 feet high.

I did it once about five years ago. From the time the cable car started moving, I was convinced I had made a mistake. As it moved up and I looked down, I knew I had made a mistake. A never ending fall. I was uncomfortable.

Tragedy almost occurred yesterday. Several of the cars stopped half way up. The cables got screwed up. More than 100 people involved. One a 10 year old.

The cable cars are covered gondolas. Helicopters were able to get some out. About 100 were stuck overnight. Blankets, food and water were gotten to them together with a rescue person to keep them calm. All from helicopters.

In  the morning, the remaining 100 were able to get down via the cable cars. Things got fixed.

I was right five years ago. You had to be crazy to get on one!

Look at the photos on the internet. The view below the cable cars is like looking into a never ending deep hole in the earth.

This week’s KONK Life column the Star Spangled Banner…..Birth To Today appears in this morning’s E-Blast and has also been linked to my Key West Lou web page.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER

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The 99L tropical wave was supposed to dump rain and wind on Key West sunday. Nothing happened. Not one drop of rain.

Yesterday, an 80 percent chance of rain. Wind from the south. I thought also we would have rain. Not a drop.

Today, an 80 percent chance of rain. I give up. I don’t know. Neither do the weather professionals.

Did my podcast broadcast last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Interesting. I covered happenings in Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Indonesia, Russia and China. Plus, occurrences in four States. A fast moving half hour.

Revealing material. Some sad, some humorous.

A busy day ahead. An early business luncheon at Salute’s. I am looking forward to it. Salute’s has great mussels at lunch. Martin’s Happy Hour with Joseph from Hot Tin Roof. Then, Donna and Terri at Back Door.

No laying around today.

Anna, where are you?

Anna reports this week she is in three different villages hanging off the side of Mont Blanc. Traveling with friends. They presently are at her chalet in Courmayeur. Tomorrow, they cross the border into France. they will be visiting Chamonix and Megeve.

What a life!

Everywhere they go,   there will be chic chalets and cobbled medieval streets.

An historic morning! At 9:45, the first commercial flight between the U.S. and Cuba takes off. Fort Lauderdale to Santa Clara. Santa Clara in central Cuba. A Jet Blue flight. The last commercial flight was 50 years ago at the time of the Cuban missile crisis.

Trump knows how to get publicity. He lets little slip through his fingers in that regard.

This afternoon, he will be in Mexico City for a meeting with the Mexican President. Tonight, Trump is in Phoenix giving his much awaited immigration speech. I am curious what this version will be.

The Mexican President is as foxy as Trump. I wonder who comes out ahead. He could make Trump look bad. Not that Trump needs help.

Hillary was in California last night at a fund raiser. At Jimmy Buffetts’ home. Hillary and the Beatles’ Paul McCartney danced.

Enjoy your day!

BUBBA SYSTEM

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Bubba system. A term used mainly in the Florida keys. Means friends taking care of friends. In Key West, Conchs taking care of each other as well.

Almost a year ago on July 14, 2015, my blog was titled Bubba System At Work. Concerned the Key West City Commission and its treatment of Uber. Uber drivers were being arrested.

Key West is still with out Uber. Many want it. Tourists and locals alike. Thus far, their requests ignored. The City Commission finally discussed the issue last night. Passed the buck.

The City Commission entertained allowing Uber to operate on the island. Fifty persons present. Many spoke. The City Commission decoded to delay a decision. The excuse was that the Florida legislature was studying the issue and Key West should take a wait and see attitude till a State decision was forthcoming. It was contemplated the decision would take one to two years.

A bubba decision! There is no reason why Key West could not take a position at the present time. No State law prohibiting Uber. No assurance the State will take a position at any time.

What the City Commission did was take care of their local friends. The people who own the cab companies.

Money was not involved. Perhaps if it was, a swifter decision could have been made. Like the $12.5 million Peary Court decision. A bubba action if there ever was one. Key Westers are still waiting to find out who the principals are who will benefit from the decision.

Vote those City Commissioners not acting in the best interests of Key West out next election! Replace them! How many times do the people of Key West have to be screwed before they act/react?

Yesterday was cholesterol blood work and an echo test. See my heart doctor next thursday for the results.

Following the blood letting, I went to the Creperie for breakfast. Second tine I have been there. Should go more often. Terrific food! Great coffee!

The Creperie is in K-Mart Plaza.

Started my night on the town with a visit with Mark Watson at the Back Door Bar. Zoey joined us. First time I met Zoey. Charming company. Zoey works at Havana on Duval. The old Camille’s.

Orlando and American medical treatment discussed at length. Good conversation.

Then to Duffy’s for another Maine lobster. I’m hooked!

This week’s KONK Life hit the stands yesterday. My column this week is The Rape of Social Security. Read it. Revealing.

The column was posted thus morning to my Key west Lou website. It can be read there also.

One of the Orlando victims is Patience Carter. She survived. Shot in her legs.

A 20ish Afro-American. Lovely.

Yesterday morning, I came across a video of her reading a poem she had written while in the hospital concerning the shooting. Tears sliding down her cheeks.

I noted she was an intern at FOX in Philadelphia.

Read the Wall Street Journal yesterday at breakfast. Patience’s picture on the front page. Large. The by line stated she got out of the Pulse Club ok. However went back in to find her friends. That is when she was shot.

Rudolph Murdoch owns FOX. He also owns the Wall Street Journal. Patience has a great career ahead of her. A jewel inadvertently discovered. A star rising out of tragedy.

I am considering a trip to Europe. Italy. Greece too dangerous. Italy has some safe spots. If I go, it will be to two places. One is Courmayeur. I have visited before. Chalet living half way up Mont Blanc. The other, Camogli on the Italian Riviera.

We shall see.

In 1858, Abraham Lincoln was running for the U.S. Senate. A race he lost. He said on this date that a house divided could not stand. He was paraphrasing a passage from the New Testament: “…..a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

We are a divided nation once again. The issues different. Yet we are divided. Divided for many years.

How long can we survive so divided? The division is like a cancer eating away at a body. Will it be cured before it is too late?

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

POLENTA

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Enjoyed a quiet dinner last night at Roostica. Not very hungry. Ordered meatballs and polenta.

Polenta is cornmeal. Used by some with Italian cooking.

I rarely saw polenta back home in Utica. Definitely not a dish my family cooked.

I was confronted with polenta big time during my several trips to Courmayeur. One of the most beautiful places in the world. Courmayeur is a small village consisting of Swiss type chalets. Striking!

Courmayeur is located in northern Italy. A handful of miles from France and Switzerland. In the Aosta Valley. The village sits at the foot of Mont Blanc. Part of the Alps. The highest peak in Europe.

The area is the home of polenta. Every meal in every restaurant was accompanied with a large bowl of polenta. I tasted. Did not like. In fact, hated it.

Bobby Mongelli opens Roostica. He serves polenta. Generally comes with three meatballs in sauce. Resting on a bed of polenta.

I love it! Don’t know why in one place and not the other.

Did my blog talk radio show last night. Saudi Arabia prominent in my comments.

One of the Saudi issues began with the 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission Report that have never been released. Purported to deal with Saudi Arabia’s involvement in financing and otherwise being involved with the attack.

Victims and families have brought law suits against those deemed to be responsible for 9/11. U.S. law prohibits Saudi Arabia from being named in the lawsuits.

Recently, Congress announced it intended to pass a bill permitting law suits against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia went crazy. Such lawsuits would involve prying into their involvement. It would also result in Saudi assets in the U.S. being frozen.

The Saudis are not our friends.They have always used us.

The Saudis retaliated to the news by announcing that if such occurred, it would dump all U.S. securities it holds immediately on the open market. U.S. Treasuries. Saudi Arabia is the third largest holder of the securities world wide.

Such would result in economic chaos. For the United States. Destruction of our financial systems.

I was disappointed to learn this morning that the President’s office announced late yesterday that Obama would veto any such bill were it to come before him.

I am disappointed in Obama. He blinked. The Saudis will squeeze us even harder the next time. They have our number!

Looks like Trump and Clinton. Disgraceful!

The Mosquito Control District has gone a step further in an attempt to calm Key Haven residents. It was announced a yes/no vote will take place on August 30 as part of primary elections the same day.

A report indicates gas prices have gone up almost 25 percent since mid February. The biggest short term rise since 2009. My Shell station has gone from $1.99 to $2.37 a gallon during that time.

Why?

The Saudis? They gave us $4 a gallon gasoline.

This day or April 21 in 1898, President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain. The primary reason the sinking of the Battleship Maine February 15. Congress declared war on April 25.

Historians mention either the 20th or 21st as the date for the request.

A question. Why did it take two months for McKinley to ask for the declaration of war following the sinking of the Maine?

Today, wednesday. Screw off day for me! Nothing to research or write today, except for this blog.

Enjoy your day! I will mine.

PLAYFUL KEY WEST RETIREES RETURN TO COLLEGE

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A haircut first yesterday. With the lovely and interesting Lori. She has been cutting my hair for 15 years in Key West. We have become good friends.

Just about everyone was wearing green tee shirts. St. Patrick’s Day. I decided to go down Duval to Sloppy Joe’s and Irish Kevin’s to observe the festivities. It was after noon so beer was being consumed by many walking along.

I stopped at Irish Kevin’s. Never made it to Sloppy Joe’s which was just a few doors further.

Love Irish Kevin’s! Get there once a year. Not more often. A young crowd and I don’t fit. I can see, however. The young ladies baring their breasts draws me to Irish Kevin’s that one time a year.

About five years ago, another local couple and I enjoyed dinner together St. Patrick’s evening at La Te Da. My friends were in the mid 70s as I at the time. We decided to go down to Irish Kevin’s to see what was going on.

It was Spring Break. As yesterday. Irish Kevin’s was packed with college kids.

We were near the bar and had been able to get drinks. One of the students asked what we were doing there. My mind operates swiftly. I said we were on Spring Break. He looked at me strangely. I explained we were three retirees who had returned to college. We attended Syracuse University. We had decided age should not be a barrier to enjoying Spring Break.

We never bought another drink. Word spread quickly. The students loved us. A good time was had by all!

I have corned beef and cabbage once a year. St. Patrick’s Day. The Sloppy Joe area is for drinkers, not eaters. I decided to drive over to Shanna Key on Flagler. Assumed there would not be too many at the bar. It is out of the way. Shanna Key serves corn beefed and cabbage every day. Part of its regular menu.

I was wrong re the number of people. Shanna Key was crowded. They were on the sidewalks. I could not get into the parking lot. Decided to go home.

Spent the afternoon and evening relaxing. My body was telling me to rest. Watched NCAA basketball all afternoon and evening.

Syracuse/Dayton today. 12:15 on CBS. Dayton a 1 1/2 point favorite. Not sure whether I will be watching the game at Don’s Place or Jack Flats.

Received an e-mail from my friend Anna yesterday. She is in Courmayeur skiing on Mont Blanc. The highest peak in the Alps. Courmayeur is in the far north region of Italy.

I envy her. I do not ski. However loved Coumayeur during my European travels. A quaint lovely village. The best was sitting in the village square at an outside cafe and enjoying a drink or two.

Anna said she will be leaving for Chamonix today. Chamonix is just over the border in France. Beautiful.

Remember the tune Alexander’s Ragtime Band? Catchy. A song for the ages.

Irving Berlin copyrighted the tune this day in 1911. No records or CDs back then. Sheet music. People bought sheet music and played tunes on their home pianos.

Alexander’s Ragtime Band initially was copyrighted in lyric form. The words came later.

Alexander’s was the biggest sheet music seller up to that time. 1.5 million copies in 18 months.

Times have changed!

Enjoy your day!

 

MONT LA PIANA

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The Alps. The tallest mountain range in Europe. I was fortunate on recent European trips to see and enjoy Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is part of the Alps. It is the tallest mountain in Europe. Part of Mont Blanc sits in northern Italy.

I have visited Courmayeur often. Courmayeur is a little town half way up Mont Blanc. The homes are Swiss chalets. The people welcoming.

My friend Anna spent Easter weekend on Mont La Piana. Mont La Piana is relatively small. A little more than a mile high. Part of the Alps, it sits next to Mont Rosa. Mont Rosa is the second highest peak in the Alps.

Anna’s son Antonio has a second home on the top of Mont La Piana. Anna was the guest of her son Antonio and his wife Miriam. Antonio and I are good friends. I love his wife Miriam. Three years ago, I was in Novara on my birthday. Miriam is a chef by profession. She cooked a birthday meal for me. Outstanding! Dom Perigon included.

Miriam is a Moroccan. She is 21st century New York City! Miriam told me Morocco is not like the rest of the Muslim world. The women are respected, dress today (mini skirts), drive, etc.

It is impossible to drive to the top of Mont La Piana where Antonio’s chalet is located. You park the car at the base and take a cable car to the top. It is winter there. Pics were sent me. Snow everywhere. Covering the Swiss chalets half way to their roofs.

I wish every one could see the Alps up close. Awesome! Magnificent!

My tuesday nights are devoted to my blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Ergo, I do not leave home on tuesday nights. I am able to do the show from my home. Tuesday by day is stay at home, also. I am busy with final preparations for the show.

Last night’s show was special. I covered Duke/Wisconsin, how money corrupts politicians, California water and Nestles, South Carolina and Chicago police killings of blacks, and Iceland.

Post show comments indicate the police shootings hit a tender chord.

I had intended to solely speak of the 14 year old Chicago boy killed and the strange conflicting police reports which followed. I was watching the news on TV about an hour before my show. The South Carolina shooting was being reported.

By this time you are familiar with that shooting. All the networks are carrying the story. The police officer involved has been arrested and charged with murder. A video is involved. Follow the story, as well as that of the 14 year old Chicago boy. Eye openers!

A police story appeared on the front page of the Key West Citizen this morning. Involved a 2011 incident. The officer tasered a man who fell striking his head. He suffered brain damage. To this day, he lies motionless in a hospital bed.

The Key West story is one to follow, also. It appears the police officer was innocent of wrongdoing and the individual suffered a stroke of bad luck. Further investigation may prove otherwise.

Whatever, there are too many police brutality happenings these days. When will they stop? How will they stop?

On April 8, 1928, Ernest Hemingway and his wife Pauline landed in Key West via a steam ship from Havana. Hemingway intended to stay only a few days. He stayed ten years. Good for him and good for Key West!

Enjoy your day!

TUESDAY TALK WITH KEY WEST LOU

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My blog talk radio show tonight at 9. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

A quick moving half hour of hot topics. Like police insubordination, Pope Francis packing the Cardinals group, police using a battery ram and tasers while entering a home celebrating a son’s 21st birthday, the Philadelphia Fed burning bills to make electricity, a Ferguson grand juror saying the prosecutor misrepresented certain things in his report, and more.

Not a boring show!

My diet continues. 26 pounds! I went a week losing nothing. It was discouraging. However, I could tell I was losing inches. A great diet! If it continues to work, I may write a book. The Key West Diet!

Key West was the scene of happiness last evening at midnight. The first same sex couple married in Florida took place at midnight. It had to be in Key West. One of the couples leading the court fight and making it possible were Key West residents. Lee Jones and Aaron Huntsman. Good for them, good for Key West, good for loving couples every where!

A wedding reception was held afterwards at Aqua. One in the morning. I did not go. Too late for me. Very much too late!

Friend Anna wrote yesterday. She is at her home in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is in northern Italy. Sits on the side of Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Europe. It is part of the Alps.

A ski resort. Anna say snow, snow, snow. People, people, people.

I love Courmayeur. A ski village composed of Swiss chalets. Nothing more beautiful!

Staying with Italy a moment longer, today is the Feast of Behana. Actually it was last night, though celebrated today also. Behana is a witch appearing old woman. Beak nose. Black cape. Sinister. January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany. On the evening before, Behana brings gifts and candy to children. Just as Santa Claus. Older Italians share candies today.

Behana may look scary. In reality, a  nice person.

Greece. New elections January 25. It is going to be out with the old and in with the new. The new have already said Greece will be leaving the euro and Common Market. The Eurounion going crazy. Germany especially upset. It  is primarily their money that will probably never get paid back. Germany cannot afford such a loss. A recession very possible.

I saw this coming. In several blogs I wrote while in Greece three years ago and also in my book The World Upside Down, I discussed the scenario. I was not a genius. It was predictable. You can only defecate on a people so long. Then they will rebel. Here, peacefully.

A story typifying Mario Cuomo.

Back in my Utica days, Senator Donovan represented our area in the State Senate. Twenty years plus. He died. The church was packed for his funeral mass. From where I was seated, I could see the Donovan family clearly.

In the fifth row was an empty seat on the aisle. I thought it strange. Just before the Senator’s casket was rolled down, Mario Cuomo walked into the church. Neither looking to his right or left, he walked down the aisle to that seat.

After mass and when the family was leaving, the Governor quietly moved into the aisle and embraced the Donovan family. A quick few seconds. Then back to his seat. Cuomo walked out of the church with everyone else. His eyes straight ahead all the time. No conversation with those around him.

As the Governor left the Church, he walked over to a black car , got in, and was driven away. I assume to a plane waiting to fly him back to Albany. No handshaking with anyone. No stopping to converse with anyone.

I thought his conduct a class act. He was in Utica and at the mass solely for one purpose. To show respect for a political colleague. He did not pander.

Few politicians would have conducted themselves as he did.

Enjoy your day!