RED BARN

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Key West is replete with live theater. One of the more notable is the Red Barn. It has been in existence more than 30 years. It sits in a small building in the back of the Key West Woman’s Club.

The Red Barn has done some upgrading this past summer. New chairs! Plush comfortable ones. The Red Barn claims the chairs are the most comfortable in Key West.

I look forward to trying one.

I spent considerable time yesterday researching this week’s KONK Life column. No title yet. I will write the column this afternoon.

The column concerns college loans. Loans that bury graduates for years. Loans they have difficulty paying. Some which graduates cannot pay in full.

The article covers many facets. One concerns the government making $40 billion plus dollars a year in pure profit off the loans. The graduates can’t pay, yet the government eats.

The government duns for payment in the event of delinquency. The loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Collection agencies are used. One is a wholly owned subsidiary of JP Morgan.

Some things are simply too hard to understand.

I watched Syracuse/Louisville early in the afternoon. Louisville won 41-17. I thought we had a chance. I give up! I can wait till next year and the year thereafter for a good team.

I am at the point where I feel sorry for the Syracuse players. I can understand and sympathize.. When I was 13 and in the 8th grade, I captained the basketball team. The season was 18 games. We lost all 18 games.

Sq.1 first last night. Early. A few people at the bar. A new bartender. Jason. Dave went over to Rum Barrel where he is a daytime bartender.

Overheard some bar comments.

One discussion involved Fantasy Fest. Too much nudity. I was surprised. The other and more shocking was that the tourists were rude. A first.

The new Waterfront restaurant discussed also. Great food. Poor service.

I have not been to the Waterfront since it opened. I was there before its formal opening for the bocce party. I will have to stop by this week and see for myself.

Big parade today. On Duval. The power Boat Races Parade. Starts at 4. Go watch. Take the kiddies. Impressive.

Jeremy Madris, the six year old buckled in a car seat and shot by police officers. Two who have been charged with murder. I am not aware of all the details. They are still coming out.

Regardless of what occurred, there is no reason why Jeremy was shot in the head and chest several times killing him. No justification under any circumstances.

Joe Liszka. The best of Key West. Joe died October 14. His full obituary appears in today’s Key West Citizen. You might want to read it. He was a contributor to and maker of what Key West is today. Includes Fantasy Fest. He and his partner Frank Romano began and developed Key West Aloe into a world wide enterprise.

Joe was also a nice guy.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

 

PRE-SEASON BASKETBALL POLL…..AN INSUILT

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Yes, my blood does flow orange! I am furious this morning. The Associated Press pre-season poll came out. Nowhere is Syracuse listed. Not in the top 25 or at the bottom re those teams that received even one vote.

I am not going to dwell on the NCAA findings and judgment. Syracuse will survive and excel. This year’s team is as talented as prior teams. With or without Boeheim for the fist nine ACC games, Syracuse’s coaching staff is experienced and deep.

Screw the numbers, Syracuse will be in the mix at the end of the season.

Spent yesterday afternoon working on tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Interesting topics. Highlight’s of my Looting of Social Security article, a tea party Congressman retiring after only five years because he wants more time spent with family even though Congress only works one week on and two off, religion and politics, Saudi Arabia afraid U.S. becoming anti Saudi Arabia, a Monsanto update, and more.

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

Dinner with Don and Chris at Marquesa last night. Good people. Return to Key West several times a year. Don is presently spending a lot of time working in South Korea.

Fantasy Fest is over. It was obvious last night on Duval. Quiet like a cemetery.

Parrot Heads arrive wednesday. Convention time. Jimmy Buffett people. Strange as it may sound, Howard Livingston has been asked to entertain the group saturday evening at the Casa Marina.

Seaking of Howard, the front page of today’s Key West Citizen carries a photo of Howard. A detailed complimentary article. Tells Howard’s story yesterday and today. A terrific human being!

An interesting news bit in the Citizen, also. Keys Energy has a large abandoned building in Bahama Village. It has not been used for over 50 years. Keys Energy wants to give it to Key West. The facility was formerly a diesel generator plant.

Louis says, beware of Greeks bearing gifts. The building is an economic disaster waiting to hit.

Keys Energy admits there are some environmental problems. The some are gigantic. I have not seen the paperwork nor the facility. However, I spent my legal career as an environmental attorney. my work included facilities such as this one. the contamination has to be fantastic It will run down into the soil itself. Contaminated soil is one of the most expensive things to remove.

A point to be considered also is that the law generally requires the owner at the time of a cleanup to be responsible for the cost.

The building is no bargain.

The last play of the Miami/Duke game will not be forgotten. Ever. What bothers me is that post-game, the ACC suspended the referees for two games. The ACC determined post-game that the refs had not made calls it should have made during the play.

Wrong on the part of the ACC. The determination on the field is the last call. In all sports, collegiate and professional. Confusion the only guaranteed outcome of the ACC’s decision and what will follow.

Enjoy your day!

FANTASY FEST PARADE

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Tonight is the big night as far as Fantasy Fest is concerned. The Parade! Fifty to seventy floats. Seventy thousand people. Duval jam packed with people yelling and screaming for beads.

Two observations.

I did the parade once on a float. Howard Livingston’s. I think it was the first time he had a float. The parade begins down Whitehead. Then a couple of blocks of Front Street. Followed by the turn onto Duval.

There is nothing to compare to the thrill involved as you hit Duval. Thousands of people. As far as the eye can see. Yelling and screaming. A high!

Seventy thousand people. No joke. No exaggeration. I have always wondered where they sleep? Not enough rooms in Key West. Actually, not enough rooms in all of the Keys.

Some sleep on the beach. If you rise early tomorrow morning, drive down along Smathers Beach. You will see.

I will not be there to watch the festivities. I live three islands up from Key West in Key Haven. I have to drive into Key West. Where to park? No where to be found. People, including me,  stick there cars anywhere. And then walk a great distance to the place from which they will watch the parade.

Twice my car has been towed. $200 plus to get it back in the middle of the night. In addition to which you have to find a friend to get out of bed and drive you to Stock Island where the car has been delivered.

Today is Halloween, also. Robert and Ally attend Montessori. Yesterday, the students were required to dress as a recent historical figure. Robert went as Walt Disney, Ally as Susan B. Anthony. Ally even carried a sign…..Let Women Vote.

Halloween night is another reason I will be staying home this year. A tradition has developed. Key West parents drive their children to Key Haven to trick or treat. Some come in the back of pick up trucks. Parking will be at a premium the first half mile into Key Haven.

The kids come to Key Haven to trick or treat because the goodies are better and the homes are waiting for them. Key West for some strange reason does not work that way. Most homes are darkened for the evening. I suspect because the residents are working or playing. Key Haven residents are waiting for the ghosts and goblins. Their homes are all lite. Many sit on their front lawns with tables of candy for the visitors.

This continues down Key Haven Road to Cypress. It ends about half way down Cypress. The streets are overflowing with young ones. I live at the very end of Cypress. They never get down to me.

My concern is driving home. I have done it at various hours. It is difficult to weave through the mass of children covering the streets. An accident waiting to happen some year. I do not want to be the one. Ergo, better I stay home.

Did my bit on KONK News radio yesterday. Interviewing me was Don Riggs who was talking with me from Phoenix. A great interview. Don a hell of a guy. Once lived and worked in Key West. Worked for KONK Life radio while here.

Syracuse/Florida State at noon. Syracuse 3-4. Florida State 6-1 and ranked 17th nationally. We are going to get killed! However there is always next year and the year after. Not wishful thinking. Many Syracuse players are freshmen, including our terrific quarterback Eric Dungey.

Don and Chris coming in Sunday night. After Fantasy Fest. They prefer the island quiet and to themselves.

Enjoy your day! Drive carefully! Watch out for the kids!

MASQUERADE MARCH

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Fantasy Fest continues!

Two biggies today. The Masquerade March and the Bourbon Street Pub Tea Dance.

The Masquerade March has grown over the years. Initially, it was a bunch of locals and tourists dressed in costumes who walked from the cemetery to Duval. Now numbers in the thousands. A second route had to be added several years ago.

Both groups will leave from the cemetery. One takes the old route up Fleming. The other, the new way. People party in front of their homes and on porches. The marchers are cheered on.

I have never marched. However, I have enjoyed several great porch parties over the years.

Key West’s gay intersection is Duval and Petronia. Two popular gay bars are cross cornered from each other. 801 and the Bourbon St. Pub. A big event starting at 1 this afternoon at the intersection. The event is called the Bourbon Street Pub Tea Dance.

A scaffold is erected in the center of the intersection. Two levels plus the street. The two levels have music makers.

There is a guy in black leather with his butt exposed playing a guitar on top every year. Ladies climb the scaffolding to dance. People dance in the street. Where room can be found. The intersection is packed throughout the event.

Bocce last night. Missed the toga party for it.

We played Larry’s team. We were tied with them for third. I am happy to announce we won all three games! Everyone on our team played well. We had to if we were to beat the opposition.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill at Body Owners. Then grocery shopping at Publix. I enjoy grocery shopping. I meet old friends and make new ones.

An attractive woman and I kept running into each other. Finally, she jokingly said…..I’m stalking you. I responded…..Please do!

I will be on the radio for 15 minutes at 12:30. 104.9. KONK News. Guy deBoer will be interviewing me re this week’s KONK Life column Boudicca, Warrior Woman.

It was announced yesterday that China is changing its policy from one child per family to two. Some news persons said it was because China needed added workers for its developing manufacturing industry.

Not correct. I did a TV show on the topic four years ago and wrote about the issue one year ago.

Four years ago, China announced it was studying whether to go from one to two children per couple. It took till now for China to make the decision.

The reason four years ago was who was to take care of the elderly. In China, the young always had taken care of the old. By limiting the number of children, China had limited the number available to care for elderly parents.

Last year, China discussed another problem. Under the one child rule, more girls than boys had been born. A significant number. The boys are now young men. There were not enough ladies to go around for marriage or sex.

Single Chinese men are traveling to the Korean border to engage in sex with Korean prostitutes.

In addition, a new business was born. The men wanted wives. The prostitutes sold themselves for an entire year agreeing to live as a man’s wife.

Such did not solve the problem entirely. Still not enough ladies. Multiple partners were born. Two to four men contract with one prostitute who would be the common wife of all of them for one year.

Enjoy your day!

 

TOGA TOGA TOGA

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This is the night! Perhaps the best of Fantasy Fest! Toga Party!

The place Sloppy Joe’s. Inside and out. The street packed.

Men and women wearing white togas. More women than men. Togas skimpy.

It is negotiation time. The key for the ladies is to get as many beads as possible. The men want to see and the women are willing to show. First, the breasts. Then a move downward, front and back. Each a separate transaction. The lower the body part exhibited, the more expensive. Breasts go for one ring of beads. The southern exhibits, two or more.

Ain’t nothing under the toga or covering the privates.

I suspect I enjoy Toga Party best for three reasons. First, I am a voyeur. What a bad boy am I! Second, I am a man. Men are visual. We enjoy looking at naked women. Third, I never got to a toga party while in college. Remember the movie Animal House? I went to a Catholic college and we did not do those things.

Years ago, I would not have missed the Toga Party. In recent years, they are not as important any more. Tonight, I have bocce. Bocce supersedes toga. An age thing, I suspect.

I watched the Republican debates last night. Each Republican debate is worse than the previous one. I don’t understand. There is much talent on the stage. The moderators are a major problem. Last night’s were the worst. The questions stupid, no respect for the candidates, not fair with follow ups.

Mike Huckabee got into something close to my heart. Social Security. He talked about the $3 trillion the government in effect stole from the Social Security Fund.

My day yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. The power went out while I was on the machine. About 10 minutes into my workout. Power failure common in the Keys. Some people left. Never know how long these things last. I waited it out. Locked into the treadmill. Power returned in fifteen minutes. I was glad I waited.

My next  chore was to get the flat fixed. The tire was sitting on my back seat. With a rim in it, the tire would not fit in the Volkswagen Beetle trunk.

Got to Sears at noon. Told it would take to 4 or 5 before car was done. I suspected it would take that long. I was like 88th in line!

I left the car. Walked over to Regal Movies. I figured I would have lunch and then go to the movies. That would kill the 4-5 hours.

No afternoon movie available at the theater.

Enjoyed a two hour lunch at Outback. Read the newspapers. Left at 2. How long could I sit there? I even ordered a dessert to kill time.

Then to T.J. Max and Sears. Looked over men’s clothes. Not much time killed. Looked at everything else, except ladies’ underwear.

It was now three o’clock. Where was I to go? I was at the Sears Shopping Center without a car. I opted to return to the tire facility. My car was still in the lot. Had not been touched yet. Asked the guy about when. He said many still ahead of you. About five o’clock.

Went into Sears’ waiting room. Air conditioning not working well. Slept off and on.

Finally, the car was finished at 5:30. They could not find a hole. Did not know why tire went flat. Cost, $24.

I am concerned it will go flat again. We shall see. The tire is only six months old.

I hurried home to watch the debates which began at 6. First thing I did was pour myself a gin. Then blended into the recliner chair to watch.

I was tired.

Never got to watch the Royals/Mets game. Mets down 2. Next two games in New York should be interesting. The Royals almost won the World Series last year. I think they are committed this year and will be difficult to deny.

This week’s KONK Life column Boudicca, Warrior Queen linked to my Key West Lou website this morning. keywestlou.com.

Syracuse plays Florida State saturday. Syracuse a 20.5 underdog at the moment.

Bocce tonight. Play Larry’s team. We are tied with his team in third place. Serious business tonight.

Enjoy your day! If you are in Key West, add to it. Visit Toga tonight at Sloppy Joe’s!

FANTASY FEST NUDITY

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The issue comes up every year. Nudity at Fantasy Fest. It is an issue because a handful of locals who believe nudity is terrible, not God like, bad for children, etc. Key West fathers unfortunately to some degree pay attention to the squeaky wheel.

My recollection two years ago is that the leader of the dissenting pack admitted he had never attended Fantasy Fest. The blind shall lead you…..

The issue is at the forefront once again. The police have warned that violation of the local nudity laws will not be tolerated. No showing of genitalia. What happens to those that do not know what genitalia means?

The genitalia thing applies even if painted.

Plus, no exposed female nipples. Nor pubic hair. I was under the impression pubic hair was a yesterday thing. Of course, no public sex.

Finally, no fun.

There is a full moon. During Fantasy Fest week. A contributing factor to the nudity problem. Those arrested  can claim they were temporarily deranged because of the full moon.

You may have noticed I do not do all ten days of Fantasy Fest. Twenty years ago, I did. Too much for this old body now. Even my eyes are bad. I have difficulty seeing the bare bodies. Ergo, no sense in going.

I do one to three nights. Goombay is one. Sedate. Quiet. Everyone clothed. I have one to two nights left, or perhaps none at all. Depends on how I feel.

Tonight definitely no Fantasy Fest. The Republican debates. I will enjoy watching the debates more than some ladies running around with their breasts exposed. The old age factor could be affecting my judgment.

I spent a part of yesterday fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou at 9.

Immigration the big topic. Well received based on comments. Germany’s hospitals overrun with immigrants. A bad situation. Worse than anything Arizona ever experienced. Shocking what is happening.

The show is archived on Blog Talk Radio and You Tube. It will be linked to my Key West Lou website tomorrow morning. keywestlou.com. Listen to it. The Germany/immigrant thing an eye opener. Especially since most of the media is not running with the story.

Snuck in two chapters of Growing Up Italian. Wrote, edited and polished each chapter. I thought I would have the book out by Christmas. Not this Christmas. Definitely/hopefully next year’s.

I did not catch much of the Royals/Mets game last night. Missed the early part of the game because of my show. Started watching around the sixth inning. Fell asleep at some point. I was not aware the game went 14 innings. Missed the fun parts.

Accidents happen in war. Innocents are killed. Recently, the U.S. bombed a Doctors Without Borders hospital. Yesterday, the Saudi coalition bombed a Doctors Without Borders facility in Yemen.

It happens. The solution is not criminally trying the guilty country for a war crime. The more appropriate solution is to stop wars entirely. Only then will the problem go away.

My ribs and chest still ache. Though less. I am going to try the anti-gravity treadmill this morning.

Enjoy your day!

 

FANTASY FEST OBSERVATIONS

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It’s only just begun. Fantasy Fest. I want to share a few observations. Not necessarily what you might expect.

Key West is a tiny island. Not enough room for homes, people, cars, bicycles, and dogs. Less room during Fantasy Fest.

Event planning is scatter brain. At 5;30 last night, I drove into town on the Atlantic side. There was a 5K race on Simonton and Duval. Police and police cars moving traffic slowly. As I crossed Simonton and Truman, Truman blocked off to the north. A police officer and police car in addition. I looked down Truman. Road construction way down the street.

This morning’s Key West Citizen in the Comments section: Simple rule for Fantasy Fest nudity. Cover everything below the waist, including breasts!

I was in the Chart Room. Met an interesting couple. They have visited Key West many times. Especially for Fantasy Fest.

Mid 60s. He a retired oil company executive. They now live in Houston. Originally from Illinois. They are going home this coming weekend for some event. Returning for the power boat races next week. Well traveled. Well heeled. They have a 61 foot Viking that sits in a slip in St. Augustine.

They were planning on attending the BD/SM party last night at Kelley’s. I did one time. Ten years ago. Bad ladies Donna and Terri took me. A voyeur experience. You must dress appropriately for the event or no admission.

As they were leaving, I noticed the woman was dressed in a rather skimpy black outfit. Nipples 1/8th inch from falling out. Tummy and body areas exposed. Nothing bad. On the edge, however.

I said…..Oh, you’re already dressed. No, she said. I have to change first.

Her next outfit had to be something!

Why do I mention this couple and their planned evening? I have always maintained that one of the large groups attending Fantasy Fest are seniors from conservative middle America. They are here for a brief foray into exciting decadence.

Good for them!

So much for Fantasy Fest.

My morning was determined by the fall the day before. My doctor first. No bruising. Sore in chest and rib area. I take a blood thinner every day. My doctor was concerned with internal bleeding and blood accumulation. I was not aware this could be a problem.

So it was x-rays of chest and ribs. Plus, a cat scan of my head as I hit it hard when I came down.

I get the results sometime today. I doubt anything wrong. I feel good.

After the medical procedures, I was tired. I also spent an hour as part of my annual physical. I decided to go out for breakfast. Someone mentioned last week that the Creperie in the K-Mart Plaza was excellent and I should try it. I did.

Go! Outstanding!

While at the Chart Room last night, I also met The Pig Man. As I am Key West Lou, he is The Pig Man. He is David Williamson. Lives in Big Pine. Travels the lower keys. He barbecues pigs for parties. Good company.

Dinner was at the bar at Hot Tin Roof. Chatted with Joseph a bit.

Someone at the bar was from Rhode Island. The bartender Matais started talking about Block Island. I have rented homes on and sailed into Block Island many times. Turns out Matais was born and raised on Block Island.

I mentioned Mike Shields who I recently discovered owned a coffee house for years on Block Island. Matais was aware of the Michael Shields story.

It’s a small world.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Interesting topics tonight. Like Muslim immigrant takeover of German hospitals resulting in big time chaos. The media not reporting the disaster. It was getting out via social media. Merkel asked FB’s Zuckerberg to block the comments.

Ben Carson’s inconsistent position on abortion.

Also, 65 million Social Security recipients will not get a cost of living increase next year. Something I do not understand as the U.S. government owes Social Security $3 trillion it borrowed and never paid back.

Boudicca in 60 AD and the brutality she subjected captured Romans to. Makes ISIS look like kids.

A couple of GMO updates.

Enjoy your day!

 

ZOMBIE BIKE RIDE

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Today’s blog will be short and to the point. It is just after 11 as I start. I had dinner with Jenna last night at Tavern ‘n Town. Had a flat tire when I left.

Keith pick me up this morning and drioe me back to the Marriott. Called AAA. Took a couple of hours for them to arrive. Tire changed. Spare a for real tire. New. Low on air. Stopped at the gas station to fill it.

Got home. Fell! First time in a long time. Tripped going up the stairs. Left shoulder and ribs sore. I was hurrying and forgot to pay attention.

Zombie Bike Ride today. A part of Fantasy Fest. Began three years ago. People dress in a scary fashion ride their decorated bikes on a 4 mile trip.

Three years ago when started, there were 40 bike riders. Today, over 1,000 are already registered. A party afterwards, of course. All the therapists at Body Owners were excited friday. They are all participating as a unit.

On top of everything else, I could not sleep last night. Time not wasted. Worked from 1 to 6 researching this week’s KONK Life column.

I decided to write about a woman. Strong women are very much in the news these days. I wrote of a woman whose exploits began in 60 AD. Her name, Boudicca. Also known as the Warrior Queen. An interesting story. I will write the article this afternoon.

Syracuse lost to Pitt yesterday 23-20. Pitt scored a field goal with 3 seconds left. Syracuse played well in the first half. Sucked in the second. Pitt a good team. Ranked.

No question, good things next year. No way this year.

I was supposed to be at Don’s Place at 9:30 this morning. The Buffalo Bills are playing the Jaguars in London. The reason for the early starting time. Clara was bringing breakfast. I was going to bring two dozen bagels. Never made it to Don’s.

The Marquesa is a fine restaurant. Top shelf dining. It is part if a hotel complex. The rooms are beautiful. The pool area gorgeous. A block off Duval.

Marquesa announced it is expanding. Construction to begin in January. Marquesa has bought the William Kerr House on Simonton and the Pilot House next door. The acquisitions will add 14 new rooms, a swimming pool and additional parking.

I am sorry if I offend some. However, I think Chairman Gowdy of the Benghazi sub-committee is an asshole. Inept. Some writers have been making fun of him. He has been referred to as Gowdy Doody. Also a most interesting observation: He led the Republicans into a Russian winter.

Theatrical people are passing on. The great Maureen O’Hara. A wonderful actress. Her career began in the 1940s. Also, Fenster. Remember Fenster? He was a part of the Adams Family TV show. His real name, Marty Ingles.

As Porky Pig was wont to say…..That’s all folks!

Enjoy your Sunday!

GREAT GOOMBAY

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Last night, one of the best Goombays ever!

Droves of people. The beginnings of Fantasy Fest in the air.

We started at Don’s Place. About 15 of us. Then 2 big cabs to 801. We were at 801 a long time. It had started to rain.

Once the rain stopped, we were off. Everyone going their own way. The plan to meet later at Blue Heaven.

I ran with Don and David. First stop was the outside back area of Bourbon Street. For the unaware, 801 and Bourbon Street are Key West’s most famous gay bars.  The three of us get to 801 once as year. Bourbon Street was a first.

Don and David know Blue. A local singer/musician. I had never heard of him. He was playing in the backyard at Bourbon Street.

Let me say first, I was very impressed with the back outside of Bourbon Street. A great layout! Two pools, an attractive bar, stage, tons of tables and chairs.

Blue was good! Don and David correct. We stayed quite a while. Friends joining us and leaving.

Finally, we had our full of Blue and Bourbon Street. It was off to Blue Heaven. I left first. I had not had dinner and was drinking. Needed food. Enjoyed a large sausage sandwich I bought at one of the food stands. Walked to Blue Heaven eating the sandwich.

Blue Heaven packed as usual for Goombay.  I found a chair at the bar and settled in. Everyone showed up at some point. A lot of drinking.

I ran into many friends last night. Some I have not seen in a while. Added to the pleasure of the evening.

David and I folded first. We both agreed we were tired. We walked back to Don’s Place. A bit of a hike. Good for us, however. Burned some of the alcohol up.

I was home in bed asleep before 10. The evening ran from 5-10.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. I pushed myself farther than ever. A bit too far. I was exhausted at the end. Took me the afternoon to recover.

I never got to be interviewed on 104.9. Technical difficulties at the other end.

Fantasy Fest King and Queen announced last night. My fried Mark Watson won. He is King. A big deal!

Syracuse/Pitt at noon. Syracuse a 6 point underdog. I suspect Syracuse will lose. I plan on watching the game.

Dinner tonight with Jenna.

Enjoy your day!

REPUBLICANS KICK THEMSELVES

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I fear we may be seeing the disintegration of a great political party. The Republican Party. Though a Democrat, I respect and see the need for an opposition party. It keeps everything in balance.

The sub-committee hearing of Hillary Clinton yesterday was a disgrace. I could say Hillary blew them out. The more accurate observation is the Republicans blew it. Beat themselves. A scary thing is the Republicans think they were doing the right thing. They delude themselves. This group would have voted to burn Joan of Arc at the stake.

A few nuts on the Republican side. Gowdy the chairman, or whatever his name is, was nothing more than a side show. He gives the impression he is doing God’s work. Several commentators said what a great prosecutor he must have been in his other life. No way. He would have been a piece of cake for defense counsel.

Jim Jordan impressed me as the outstanding mental case. He is Chairman of Freedom Cause, the group that is screwing things up in the House of Representatives. He is the #1 obstacle person in Congress.

Let me share some additional thoughts by Mike Lofgren. I quoted him also yesterday. A retired 28 year Republican Congressional staff person. He said, “…..the Republican Party is becoming less and less like a traditional political party in a representative democracy and becoming more like an apocalyptic cult.” Also, “By sabotaging the reputation of an institution of government, the party that is programmatically against government would come out the relative winner.”

The Hillary hearing took 11 hours, including breaks. I watched all of it, except for 1 1/2 hours. The political junkie in me ate it up.

I called David in the afternoon. We had bocce last night. Told David I would not be there. I wanted to watch the hearing till it’s bloody end.

I have received the bocce results. We lost 2 games last night, won only 1. We are on a downslide the past three weeks. The number one spot is no longer possible. We may end up fighting to make the playoffs.

I forgot Fantasy Fest starts today. I thought it was next week. Lori reminded me as she was cutting my hair yesterday. Tonight, Goombay. With Don and friends. It has become a tradition. We will meet at 801, do Goombay and end up at Blue Heaven.

I will be on the radio at 12:10 on the KONK New Hour. 104.9. Guy deBoer will interview me about this week’s KONK column Lincoln The Man. Ten to fifteen minutes.

Enjoy your day!