IRMA AFTERMATH COSTLY

Key West is located in Monroe County. Monroe County runs from Key West to Miami proper.

Irma has and will continue to be costly for Monroe County.

One of the more expensive items is debris removal. Debris consisting of anything and everything. Up to $40 million already.

How to pay for it?

FEMA will ultimately pay it all. The problem is FEMA moves slowly in this regard. I am not being critical of FEMA. They had there boots on the ground immediately with the necessaries. Things like food, water, a place to sleep, etc.

The bigger and less personal bills apparently go through the bureaucratic process which can take forever.

Vendors have to be paid. The County is concerned. At a County Commission meeting last night it was decided to approach local banks for a loan. Interest would be between 1 and 2 percent. Monthly repayments easy to handle. Repayment certain when FEMA comes through.

Forty million dollars is not the end cost for debris removal. It is anticipated it will take at least four months more at an estimated cost of $5 million per month.

The Key West City Commission met last night, also. Horses’ asses!

They voted to permit building heights to go from 25 feet to 40 feet. Limited to the three City owned lots on College Road. To be used for affordable housing.. A public vote is required approving the change. It is scheduled for March.

Rent is expensive in Key West because the City does not adequately enforce its laws re rentals. Unless a transient license is involved, rentals must be a minimum  of 28 days.

Greed has come into play. Rental owners are renting by the week and getting top dollar. Surprising how much a one week stay can cost. In the thousands.

Rental homeowners disregard the law. If they get caught, the fine levied is minimal to the profit being made.

Lunch at Five Guys yesterday. I began my diet at yesterday, also.

Atkins. Low carb, high protein. I was on it twice before. With significant success. Years ago. Seventy and 50 pounds. Kept the weight off for 2 years thereafter each time. I figured Atkins was better than going on what I describe as a cardboard diet again.

Five Guys sells a cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce. No bread. Nothing but beef and cheese.

Tasty and low in carbs.

Saw my heart physician Dr. Mc Ivor afterwards. He reviewed the catherization results with me. Everything showed no change from my last one. He does not want to see me for 3 months.

My two heart doctors say nothing is wrong. My primary care physician the same thing. All tests normal.

Why then have I been so tired the past few years?

The cath doctor said lose 40-50 pounds. I see it as a last resort. Time will tell. I do not think weight is the problem, though it might contribute. I began being tired when I was 30 pounds lighter.

An enjoyable evening last night. I watched Syracuse play Maryland in basketball. Syracuse won 72-70. A close game all the way.

Syracuse has 2 negatives. No 3 point shooter. The other is that the fabled zone defense was not working effectively. Though Syracuse caused many Maryland turnovers, Maryland was getting the ball in the middle with ease.

Robots have interested me the past two years. They are here and more are coming. Will do just about anything.

A year ago, I mention that a sex robot was on the way. Two months ago, again. This time to advise the sex robot was lovely, had soft skin, murmured sweet nothings, responded to comments, etc.

The Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy has come out with an article on the subject.

The sex robots are called sexbots and digisexuals. Do all the things mentioned two paragraphs earlier. No gender discrimination. Available to men and women. They are specifically designed to fulfill a person’s desires. The article suggests people will bond with their robots.

What happens then?

My podcast show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. An interesting fast moving half hour. Nine my time.

A wide spectrum of topics to be discussed. Like Truman, pythons, Sesame Street, Trump access Hollywood denial, sex robots, an update on Walmart’s use of robots, Irma debris problems.

Also, the Islamic Coalition the Arab world’s NATO, the tax bill, China and Bali, Trump disparages CNN, MIT study re electric cars and pollution, the Consumer Bureau war, and more.

Irma and Me has been available for purchase for three weeks. People are buying it. How many I do not know. However, I am getting e-mails and personal comments advising…..I bought your book!

It excites me!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

ANOTHER WOODSTOCK?

Several day long festivals, weekend festivals, music festivals, etc. Key West has them all!

Are we reaching the point of too many? Especially as to quality?

The amphitheater opens in February. A 4 day music fest scheduled. Mile Zero Fest. Within a week, another music festival. At Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Mile O Fest Key West. A 3 day event.

Who is scheduling these “fests?” Does the City have professional assistance. I doubt it.

My fear is that at least one of the events is going to get out of hand. The one at Fort Zachary Taylor. Sounds like a Woodstock in the making. Mud, drugs, nudity, etc.

Dr. Mc Ivor’s office yesterday. My heart doctor. The best.

I had  been there 9 days earlier. Had water problems. Gained 17 pounds in two weeks. Blood pressure on the top side 187. Ankles swollen. Totally exhausted.

Put me on water pills. Every day till further notice.

I returned yesterday after 9 days on water pills. Weight down 12 pounds. Blood pressure 112/72. Energized.

Amazing!

Wish I knew what caused the water increase. I worry about these things.

Took a slew of blood work. Didn’t think I would have enough blood left to make it home.

Chart Room last night. Tom and Fran Dixon in from Buffalo. As usual, we had a wonderful time! Good people. Fran brought me four containers of sauce and meat. Plus a candy involving small pretzels, chocolate and and M&Ms on top..

Tom and Fran were tired. Returned to Ocean Key House and bed. I was hungry. Decided to stop at Tavern ‘n Town on the way home for the 9-11 Happy Hour.

The frozen sauce in a plastic bag on the front seat with me. Fell over as I made a turn. Top came off one container. Sauce still hard frozen. I could not get the cover back on.

Decided not to take a chance. Went straight home.

My front seat smells of red sauce. Will have to wash it down this morning.

I had nothing that turned me on in  the refrigerator. Took the topless container and poured the frozen rock hard contents into a microwavable bowl. Twenty minutes later, I had chunks of pork floating in a rich sauce.

My late night dinner.

Big afternoon.

Haircut with Lori at noon. Pick up Robert and Ally at 12:30. Lunch and then the new Key West Escape Room at 2:30. Hope the Room is fun. Expensive. $35 for me, $25 each for Robert and Ally.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

DOG TICKS, CROCODILES AND BOEING

What do dog ticks, crocodiles and Boeing have to do with each other? Absolutely nothing. Thought it made for an interesting title.

Dog ticks came to my attention when reading William Hackley’s diary entry for this day in 1856. He took dash for an ocean ride on the steamer Jasper. Dash had ticks.

Salt air cure dog ticks? A quick google told me no. Salt water does cure fleas. Maybe Hackley had ticks and fleas mixed up. Even in 1856, tick removal required tweezers.

This morning’s Citizens’ Comment made mention of the crocodile that now lives at the Key West Golf Course. My recollection, a Nile crocodile.

I was under the impression crocodiles are harmless to humans. Especially, Nile crocs. Not so.

Crocodiles and alligators alike enjoy feeding on humans. Crocs 4 feet are attracted to human babies and children. The size leads the crocodile to believe the baby/child is an animal.

Crocodiles 6.6 feet and over prefer adult humans.

The above info the result of a quick google search, also.

So…..Those that tell us not to worry about the 7-8 foot Nile crocodile living on the Golf Course may be wrong. Could be wrong. Whatever. Be on the safe side and keep a safe distance.

Five months ago at a Boeing plant in South Carolina, Trump and Boeing’s CEO enjoyed a kumbaya meeting. Trump announced he and Boeing had an understanding. No more jobs to go elsewhere. Jobs to remain. Plants to be built in the United States.

Boeing’s CEO was excited. Exclaimed…..We have a seat at the table!

Since that time, it has been announced that Boeing is building or planning to build plants in China, Saudi Arabia and India. It was further announced yesterday that just under 200 employees were going to be let go at a North Carolina plant.

So much for Trump fighting for every last job.

When the plant building became evident in the three foreign countries, the Boeing CEO said he was misunderstood five months ago. His comments were only to the effect that employment rolls would not be diminished . Job numbers would remain the same. No promise was made to increase the numbers.

I did not hear it that way.

New news this morning on Morning Joe. A Washington Post investigative reporter guest appeared. New cyber war information had been released moments earlier in a Post announcement. The information was not in this morning’s paper.

One of the steps taken by Obama was to somehow infiltrate late in December Russia’s cyber sources that provided the means to hack into the Presidential election. The U.S. had the capacity to destroy the technology involved.

Obama left the decision to Trump to decide when or if. Trump has and has had the information and decision making power since his inauguration.

Trump has the ability to pres the button. He has not. Nor has he even mentioned Russia and the election. Why?

My yesterday began with a visit to my heart doctor. Routine.

Late afternoon, I stopped at Louie’s Backyard. Meditation time. Sat looking out over the water thinking about this and that while enjoying a couple of drinks. Louie’s Backyard has one of the most relaxing water views in the Keys. A God is in His Heaven, all is right with the world feeling.

Big day for the ladies June 23, 1972. Title IX was enacted into law. Banned sex discrimination in federally funded educational institutions.

A boon to female college athletes!

No Key West Lou Facebook Video the past two days. Sorry. Back on track this afternoon.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

RUSSIA COPYING U.S. METHODS

Russia was always the bad guy. Made to look bad even when not so. No more. Russia has learned. Primarily due to Putin. With skill. Making the U.S. look bad occasionally. More frequently it seems.

Russia has a Federal Drug Control Service. A recent report blames the U.S. with the increase in opium production in Afghanistan. the increase has caused more than one million to die world wide. It also has caused a transnational increase in crime from drug sales.

The thrust of the report is that Afghan opium production is 40 times higher since the U.S. led NATO invasion in 2001. Remember, Operation Enduring Freedom.

I still do not know why we are in Afghanistan or why we remain. Recall the Afghans took down Russia in the 1980s. No one seems to win against the Afghans. The battles rage year after year with the end never in sight.

I wrote two major articles for KONK Life in the past several years re Afghanistan and opium. The last two years ago.

The point in each concerned the Afghan poppy fields which turned into heroin on American streets.

An interesting observation in each was that in a war that has resulted in huge damage and thousands of lives lost, not one poppy field has been bombed. Nor one poppy farmer killed. Nor has one war lord owning the fields ever complained about damage.

The fields are protected.

I have suggested graft exists. On our side. Militarily and otherwise. If not, why do the poppy fields grow without interference and heroin reaches our shores to continue killing and addicting our people?

Russia does not say what I have directly. It merely says opium production 40 times higher today than 16 years ago when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to save the nation.

We were going to bring democracy to a country that never sought it. We failed. In the meantime, contributed greatly to its destruction.

The Russians are using truth against us as concerns Afghanistan. Amazing! They have learned.

Great evening last night. My friend Ted Kane from Wampsville, NY is in Key West on a fishing trip. He enjoys flat fishing this time of the year. Visits Key West several times a year.

Wampsville sits in Madison County in the middle of New York State. It is next door to what was my home county, Oneida.

Ted a lawyer, also. Finished his legal career with a long stretch as Court Clerk. Actually, the confidential clerk to two Judges.

Clerks are a Judge’s brains. Clerks generally research and write the opinions which the Judge then signs.

I never knew Ted back when. How we failed to trip over each other, I do not know. I met Ted 3 years ago at the Chart Room. We have become good friends.

We had dinner together at Hot Tin Roof, followed by a drink at the Chart Room.

I returned home after my pleasant evening out to discover the upstairs air conditioning was not working. It was Hell! I could not get comfortable downstairs. Ended up sleeping in my bed upstairs with the fan over me going full blast.

This morning’s Citizens’ Comment carried an interesting observation. It takes forever to build any public building or edifice these days. The writer asked…..Why? Flagler built the Seven Mile Bridge in less than a year. At a time when construction equipment was no where as sophisticated as today’s.

Two big things on the agenda this morning. The Senate’s proposed health plan and a visit to my heart doctor. Both can be painful. I will do better with my heart than the American people are going to do with the health plan.

Enjoy your day!

 

GAS MONKEY A WINNER

Gas Monkey a winner!

The place is a year old. My first time last night. In 200 block of Duval. Jam packed. Tourists. Saw only three locals.

Sandwiches, fries, etc. I enjoyed an absolutely delicious grilled cheese with fries.

A group playing half way back off the street. Outstanding. Everyone watching and moving to the beat of the band.

Service excellent.

On top of which I got a 25 percent discount because I was local. In effect, I ate for nothing.

I shall return!

My evening began with a visit to heart Doctor Mc Ivor. The best! A routine visit. Nothing new to report. Thank God!

Then to the Chart Room. David and John. Good conversation. Always so.

I had my fill of Trump yesterday. He monopolizes the news. I decided to do my Go Live bits on Facebook free of Trump. I spoke about IUDs and Pebble Beach. Two interesting topics.

Trump was tiring me out. Today, I will return to him for one or two items.

Weather a bit windy today. Winds about 20 mph. Bending the palm trees. White caps. A small craft advisory has been issued. Temp will be in high 70s.

A pleasant day ahead. A manicure with Tammy at 1. Dinner tonight with Donna and Terri. Donna cooking. One of the best!

You can depend on Key West to come up with odd ball events.

First, a mass kissing event Valentine Day. Everyone at the same time. 5:30. In front of the Custom House. Beside the 25 foot sculpture titled Embracing Peace. A sailor and nurse kissing. Signifying the end of World War II.

The other event is a Domino Tournament. Valentine Day again. At the Southernmost House.

I didn’t think anyone played dominoes any more.

Pythons, iguanas…..What next? Tegu Lizards. We get them all!

Tegu lizards come from South America. They have been moving north. Some have reached areas of Florida. Others  as pets abandoned in Florida.

Presently in the southern part of Miami-Dade County and along the southern margin of the Everglades.

Hides and meat supposedly excellent. Grow to four feet. The economy of some parts of Argentina depend on the Tegu Lizard for economic survival. A big seller for their hides and meat.

Another turtle rescued! Jolly. A 330 pound green seas turtle. Sixteen miles offshore. Several participated in the rescue. Jolly caught up in three trap lines. One of his rear flippers injured.

Latest report has Jolly resting at the Marathon Turtle Hospital preparatory to surgery to repair the flipper.

Trump lost in the appellate court. He wants to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. His case is a loser. Not because of the issue. Because of poor lawyering/preparation in drawing up the executive order.

The appellate decision spells out many of the order’s errors, mistakes. A smart lawyer concerned with efficiency and getting the job done would recommend to Trump that he rescind the order. Replace it with a new executive order drawn by legal professionals complying with the contents of the appellate decision.

No one wins when the discourse between parties to a lawsuit is as follows.

Trump: “See you in court…..The security of our Nation is at stake.”

Washington State Gov. Inslee: “Mr. President, we just saw you in court, and we beat you.”

Enjoy your day!

CLEMSON 54 Syracuse 0…..OH, THE PAIN!

Syracuse had played well the two games before Clemson. Sure, Syracuse was 4-4. Clemson 9-0 and #3 in the country.

Just maybe…..I wrote yesterday. Hope springs eternal.

We took a beating. 54-0.

Syracuse basketball on the roll. An exhibition game played already. Colgate this coming weekend.

Should be a good season. Syracuse has a new 7′ 2″ center. He’s rough. In the learning stage. If Boeheim can bring him around, it could be a spectacular season.

Saw my heart doctor yesterday. Got the results of all the tests I have taken the past two weeks. All negative. Everything ok.

I still tire and gasp, however.

The only thing left is my weight. I have gained 30 pounds over the past 1.5 years. I start the diet tomorrow.

I intended to early vote today. Had a feeling the polls might be closed on Sunday. They are closed. In fact, early voting ended yesterday.

No problem, I will vote Tuesday.

The quality of the man. Trump showed what he is made of again yesterday. Note that I do not say Hillary is without sin.

There was an altercation in the audience at a Trump rally in Reno. Someone shouted “gun!” The secret Service jumped on Trump and pulled him off the stage. Trump returned a few minutes later.

There was no gun. There was yelling between a non Trump person and Trump supporters that appeared could get out of hand. No one was arrested.

At Trump’s next rally, Trump people claimed it was an assassination attempt…..that Trump had survived an assassination attempt.

Pure fantasy.

Trump many times reminds me of Hitler in the 1930s. With regard to the phoney assassination attempt, Joseph Goebbels. Goebbels was Hitler’s Propaganda Minister. Goebbels used to say if you tell a lie enough times, the people will believe it.

Back to the Key West Rotary History. What follows is installment 7.

My retelling of the Rotary’s history is a rendition of Key West history. Rotarians where community persons. Involved. The two histories run parallel.

Still 1925.

At the December 3 weekly Rotary meeting, developer Malcolm Meacham spoke. Meacham had recently purchased a large portion of Key West, including the airport.

Meacham developed Key West’s first airport. Meacham Field. Today, Key West International Airport.

Passenger service between Key West and Havana has been in the news recently. Pan American World Airways began passenger service from Meacham Field to Havana on January 16, 1928.

The next Rotary meeting was a week later on December 10. Guests were the Monroe County High School football team and their coach Peter Christiansen. Floyd “Diz” Roberts was team captain.

The team had only recently been organized. Rotary members George Perpall and Captain John Maher were leaders in organizing the team.

The Christmas Eve day meeting was not special. The regular meeting fell on that date. The smallest attendance ever at a meeting was noted. Understandably.

The primary topic discussed was the opening of the Overseas Highway. What we take for granted opened January 25, 1928.

Recall how the impact of the Overseas Highway was stressed in an earlier installment. The cry was plan for that which the highway would bring.

Florida was experiencing a land boom in the 1920s. The concept of a highway from Miami to Key West introduced. Since its 1928 formal opening, much has occurred. Including the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

Today’s U.S. 1 has been redeveloped and refurbished. Including the wood bridges left after Flagler’s Railroad failed which were replaced in the 1980s with modern bridges. Ferry connections eliminated.

The Christmas Eve meeting ended with the members exchanging Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greetings.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

BRITISH VOTE

The news of the day! The result of the British Euro Union vote. Interesting.

Whether the proper outcome, I don’t know. Beyond my understanding of everything involved.

The result did hit me between the eyes with one factor. Loud and clear. The unhappiness, populist movement, immigration problems, concern and anger of the American people is the same as those of the British. Our problems are common. and seem to be similar to the problems of many other countries.

Which makes a Donald Trump possible.

Even a Bernie Sanders.

I watched Sanders on Morning Joe earlier. He needs as vacation. The man is tired. Aggressive in his responses. He has reached the point where he is taking himself too seriously. He is heart attack material.

Saw Trump land at Turnberry. His new golf course. His only one in Scotland. I was not sure if it was one or two when I wrote yesterday.

Trump is not loved in Turnberry. He had a multitude of fights with local officials during the course’s construction.

My yesterday was a haircut with Lori and a visit to my heart doctor, Dr. Mc Ivor.

No problem with the haircut. May be a problem with the heart. I have been scheduled for a heart catheterization tuesday. All recent test results good. however, I am getting frequent chest pains. Nitroglycerin relieves the pain almost immediately.

Could be stress. Too much sun and good times.

We who live in the lower Keys and read the Key West Citizen every day have acquired a new friend. William Hackley. The Citizen obtained a copy of Hackley’s diary. 1855. He lived in Key West. Rose around 4 each morning, took a walk and then a bath. Gives us the temperature. Then tells us of his daily exploits. He was a prominent citizen, lawyer and public attorney.

Hackley also owned land. Farm land. Grew hemp. He worked the fields some days together with his field hands.

Hemp had value back then. Maybe even now. I came across an article written by Ellen Brown titled: The War on Weed Is Winding Down – But Will Monsanto Be the Winner. Published June 23, 2016.

Lengthy and informative.

An interesting portion…..”In early America, it was considered a farmer’s patriotic duty to grow hemp. Cannabis was legal tender from 1631 until early 1800s. Americans could even pay taxes with it. Benjamin Franklin’s paper mill used cannabis…..Hemp was also an essential resource for any country with a shipping industry, since it was the material from which sails and rope were made.”

I do not sense Hackley was in the cannabis business. 1855 appears to late for the hemp to be used as money. Hackley however did reside in Key West which was a shipping port. A significant shipping industry existed at the time. I suspect Hackley sold his hemp crop to those who manufactured sails and rope.

His diary so far is silent as to what he did with the hemp.

A lot of talk re the black topping of the White Street Pier. Some say it looks lousy. I agree. Supposed to gray with time, however. Some say too hot to walk on. I agree.

End of story. Job complete. It will be many years before it is covered again.

Ninety nine year old Key West icon Edward B. Knight still alive. Active. The White Street Pier is being renamed in his honor. July 2nd at 10 in the morning. A large crowd expected.

Turtle time again. This morning’s KONK E-Blast ask boaters to beware of turtles. They need to come up for air. Boat blades are prone to cut them up.

We are turtle crazy in the Keys!

Two Syracuse players were drafted by NBA teams last night. Freshman Malachi Richardson went 22nd. Senior Michael Gbinije 49th.

I question whether Richardson will make it. He has a temperament problem. Does not listen. Boeheim had to bench him a couple of times causing Malachi to miss whole games.

Gbinije a winner! Talented, level headed and can play different positions. I look for him to bloom.

My KONK Life column this week is Napoleon 2 Xs. Story involves mosquitoes, yellow fever, and hemorrhoids. As Napoleon was impacted by them.

The article hit the stands yesterday. It is featured in this morning’s E-Blast and was also linked to my Key West Lou website this morning.

Enjoy your day!

 

TONIGHT…..SANCHEZ AT CUSTOM HOUSE

Mario Sanchez, one of Key West’s greatest artist! A world wide reputation.

Many of his works will be exhibited for several weeks at the Custom House. The show’s opening this evening.

More than 70 pieces from the collection of David Wolkowsky a part of the exhibit.

I plan on attending.

Prior to the exhibit, I have an appointment with Dr. Mc Ivor to get my test results.

My evening yesterday began at 5 with Tammy. Needed a manicure.

Tammy’s 9 year old son had emergency appendectomy surgery last week. He is doing well.

Then to Don’s Place. cCatted with Don and David. Shane joined us.

I had to pull Don out so we could go to dinner. Don may be able to do without food. I cannot.

We ate at the outside bar at La Te Da. Tonto bartending. A business discussion. We compared the operations of a bar and law office. Interestingly, many similarities. Business is business.

I was home at 9. In time for the Cavaliers/Warriors game. Great basketball. If you are a Cleveland fan. I am. Next, game 7. The world championship on the table. One game for all the marbles.

I did not fall asleep during the game.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will have its officers wearing body cameras beginning monday. A good move. All police departments should require body cameras.

My KONK Life column this week The Rape of Social sScurity. Sounds boring. Not. Extremely interesting and revealing. Everyone should read.

The column was posted on this morning’s KONK E-Blast.

Bernie Sanders ran the good race. The way it is. He should stop his campaigning or whatever he calls it. When you lose, you step back. He does not seem to know how.

He tried to climb Mt. Everest. Failed. The last 100 feet were too much for him. His effort respected.

Enjoy your day!

 

BUBBA SYSTEM

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!

 

 

 

SAD ORLANDO HAPPENINGS

Another sad occurrence in the Orlando area yesterday. A 2 year old boy taken away by an alligator. The place was the Seven Seas Lagoon at a Disney hotel. The boy was running through one foot of water when the alligator attacked.

There were signs nearby No Swimming. The parents were nearby on the beach.

Alligators are a growing problem in Florida. I wrote about their danger several months ago. One or two had shown up in the Florida keys.

The mass shootings the other sadness. Forty nine dead. More than fifty injured. Most, very seriously.

I am not going to bore you with details. We all know them. Some observations, however.

Patience Carter was one of those shot. Her legs. She hid in a bathroom stall while the killer was shooting people on the other side of the stall door.

She wrote a touching poem of the incident. It is all over the internet. I recommend you view it.

One of Patience’s lines: “The guilt of being alive is heavy.”

Religion is taken to the extreme in our country. God is invoked many times tastelessly. Whether correct, immaterial. There is a time to refrain from adverse comments. Especially extreme ones. Regardless of personal beliefs.

There are those of us who believe we are all God’s children.

My observations motivated by the comments of three ministers re the Orlando shootings.

A Baptist minister in California thought the 50 deaths were good. Rid the world of 50 pedophiles.

Another in Tempe, Arizona uttered a similar line. The dead were sodomites. He referred to them as perverts.  Claimed as per the Bible, they should be put to death. Even went so far as to say that a righteous government would execute them.

Then comes Pat Robertson. Purportedly a man of God. Has spewed hatred over the years. He recommended good people sit on the sidelines and let homosexuals be killed. Let the Muslim and homosexual societies fight/kill each other.

With Trump suddenly going down in the polls, some of his followers are taking attacking positions. My blog comments reflect it. This blog. The blog I write every morning. The venom falls from their lips.

A scary situation.

Yesterday was Flag Day. Flags at Bayview Park flown at half mast. Half mast in sorrow for the Orlando attack. I assume flags were at half mast throughout the country.

I was up at 4:30 this morning. Have a very early morning visit with Dr. Mc Ivor. My heart doctor. Fasting blood work and an echo test. I wanted to be sure to get the blog out before leaving.

Enjoy your day!