A NEW CONCH REPUBLIC IN THE MAKING?

The Conch Republic was born in 1982. On a day when the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded U.S. 1 just outside the Keys and before Florida City. Vehicles searched. Drugs the problem. The government wanted to stop drug trafficking from Key West and the lower keys into the Florida mainland.

Another blockade of sorts has been established recently. Near Key Largo. Mile marker 106. A check point.

Drugs not involved. Screwworms the problem. Been fifty years since last a problem. They have returned. Screwworms are deadly parasitic fly larvae. Prey on all type animals.

Screwworms are dangerous. Animals infected are euthanized. Whole animal kingdoms could be wiped out other wise. Forty Big Pine little deer have already been euthanized.

The purpose of the check point is to inspect all animals. Federal and State officials involved. It is expected the check point will remain till year’s end.

Does the activity call for another Conch Republic?

Staying with the Keys and non-human invasion, the birds have arrived. Hawks, eagles and falcons. A yearly event. They are migrating south. In the Key West area every September and October. Hundreds a day. Swooping around.

Yesterday afternoon was spent fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

The show went on at 9. Probably had zero listeners. The same time as the Vice Presidential debate began. Fortunately, the show is archived.

An interesting observation involving the New York Times’ recent story re Trump’s $916 million loss carryover on his taxes.

The pot calling the kettle black.

In 2014, the Times had a $29.9 million before tax profit. The Times never paid a penny. Received a $3.5 million refund instead.

More than one person/group/company has good tax lawyers.

Hurricane Matthew is going to miss Key West and the Florida keys. Thank God! Matthew is now a 3. The mountains of Cuba broke it up. However, Matthew has now turned north and it is expected will increase back to a 4 soon.

Some part of mid to northern Florida could be hit. Definitely damage to some parts of the Atlantic coast all the away up to New York.

Key West has already been designated a safe harbor. Vessels already moving in. Some from as far north as Jacksonville. Others from the Caribbean to the south.

Vessels include those of the U.S. Coast Guard and 9 Royal Bahamian Defense Force Ships. Cruise ships will come at their discretion.

Power/electricity is expensive. I consistently wonder why solar panels are not more in use. My Greek isle travels revealed everyone using solar panels. From the smallest house to larger buildings. An average size home was powered by a 4′ x 3′ rooftop panel.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman. An undying love.

On this day in 1947, Truman made the first ever televised Presidential address from the White House.

Another on this day item. The year 1953. The New York Yankees won their fifth consecutive World Series. My team. Everyone’s team from upstate New York. Baseball big at the time. Bigger than pro football and basketball. Baseball was the All American sport.

New York Yankee players on the team included Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, and Whitey Ford.

Washington Post columnist George Will titled a recent article: Donald Trump’s Rise Reflects America’s Recent Decay.

Mull that around.

Enjoy your day!

NATHAN HALE

Nathan Hale. An American Revolutionary War hero.

Hale was 21. A Yale graduate. Then school teacher. Joined the Connecticut regiment to fight in the War. Appointed a captain.

New York City was occupied by the British. The colonists needed a spy to enter New York City ascertain British troop size and location. Hale volunteered.

He spent several days in New York carrying out his responsibility. The British were not stupid. They knew there was a spy in their midst. They were closing in on Hale. Finally, captured him.

British General Howe himself said to Hale that he would be hung in the morning. No trial. Not that one would have helped much.

As Hale was being led to the gallows, it is claimed he uttered the famous words…..”I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

Historians question whether Hale uttered the words. Written documentation lacking.

Another reason is that there is an early 1700’s poem containing similar wording.

Whatever, it is good for us to believe Hale so spoke.

Harpoon Harry’s for lunch yesterday. My usual. Ham and eggs and fries. Then a walk along the waterfront.

A mid afternoon visit to the dentist. Dr. George Linder. Nothing wrong. A routine yearly visit to check my implants. A thorough examination of the entire mouth. Well worth the visit.

Last night for cocktails at Aqua’s Back Door. Mark Watson bartending. He bartends every wednesday night. That is why I go.

I was there quite a while. A number of people I knew came in. Good company all! Donna and Terri. Zoey. Zoey’s real name is Zorica. She is a native of Macedonia. Manages Aqua’s liquor and cigarette store attached to Aqua.

Jimmy Olson and Jimmy back from New Hampshire.

A lady named Lisa.

Big day for Donna! A bit tired also. First day at work. She can be found three days a week at the Butterfly Conservatory.

The cosmetic stores on Duval continue to be involved in fraud and chicanery. I do not understand why the City/Codes does not close them down.

The most recent incident involves a 70 year old tourist. She purchased a few items. Not much. When she received her credit card statement in the mail, the charge was in excess of $5,000. The matter has been reported and the police are investigating.

Citizen activity is growing in Key West. A vigilante approach in some instances.

Re the cosmetic shops, The Key West Rip Off Response Team. They have picketed some of these establishments in the past. They too are looking into the $5,000 over billing.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice tells the story of a Georgia free range chicken farm where bald eagles are eating up the profits.

Some 15 years ago, I was sitting outside the old Paradise Cafe enjoying Cuban toast and coffee. A mother hen with 5 little chicks were walking by. The chicks in an orderly line.

All of a sudden, I heard a loud swoosh. I looked up. There were two hawks carrying off two of the chicks. The mother hen and three remaining chicks moved on as if nothing happened.

I do not know the difference between a bald eagle or hawk or any similar bird. The two I saw might very well have been bald eagles.

Homeschooling is big in Florida. The Key West Art & Historical Society has announced a new program to support homeschoolers. Two hours a month. To add/supplement to what  is being taught at home.

If anyone is interested, the Custom House’s Director of Education Adele Williams should be contacted.

Syracuse/Connecticut saturday. Connecticut a 5 point favorite. Time to win another one!

Enjoy your day!

DEM DEBATE KUMBAYA

If the quality of the debate was the deciding factor between the Republicans and Democrats, the Democrats would win going away.

Last night was a for real political debate. Not dominated by showman Donald Trump. Issues actually discussed. Everyone at ease and kumbaya.

Hillary was great! I was impressed! She handled the debate well. Sounded and appeared Presidential.

Bernie Sanders likewise impressive. Bernie has a problem, however. Revolution. He speaks of it too much. Actual and political become mixed. His thoughts generally appealing. However, he is not Presidential timber from my perspective. Not even Vice-Presidential. His place is in the Senate where he would be capable of carrying on the fight.

Friend Howard Livingston and his Mile Marker 24 band out with a new CD. Sell Your Stuff Keep The Dog Live On An Island. I look forward to listening to it. Howard is the greatest! Personally and professionally.

Spent a bit of time yesterday afternoon fine tuning last night’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Confusion and chaos my opening theme. Confusion and chaos in the Republican Party and at the Synod in Rome.

Did some reading. Re the Catholic Church Bishops Synod and the issues and pressures involved. Interesting. Pope Francis has his hands full with the dogmatic old timers.

Per my usual tuesday custom, dinner at Roostica. Olga waited on me. Lovely. From one of the former Soviet Union countries.

Everyone going south! Not just people. Hawks and Monarch butterflies. In recent days, both have been seen over Key West in large numbers. The hawks going south, the butterflies to Mexico.

Beer is big money! Anheuser Busch and Miller #s 1 and 2 in beer sales. Two giants. They merged in effect. A friendly takeover. Anheuser Busch bought Miller for $106 billion.

Enjoy your day!