TERRI WHITE PERFORMED

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Big crowd at Blue Heaven last night. Terri White was singing. Everyone wanted to hear her perform.

She was her usual outstanding self.

It was ladies night for me. Unexpected. Jean Thornton and I had agreed to meet at Blue Heaven and make a night of it. My friend forever!

Jean arrived first. When I got there, she was seated with several lady friends. Two I knew. Stephanie Kaple, my newly discovered comedian acquaintance, and Debbie.

Debbie does not reside in Key West. Visiting with Sharon. Debbie’s monumental claim to fame is she discovered gold and emeralds with Jean back when. She too is a Key West Golden Girl.

The group also included Mary from Connecticut and Megan. Megan is a Key West local. She has been a pharmacist at Winn-Dixie for 15 years.

Spent some time with the ladies. Then moved to Donna and Terri’s table. Two of Donna’s concierge coworkers at the table. Karen and Maria.

Karen is concierge at the Hilton and Maria at the Fairfield. Karen’s husband Dan operates Salty Goat at the Galleon.

Karen showed me a picture of her dog. A cute little thing. He was lost for 3 weeks. If he could talk, what a story he would have to tell!

A third concierge arrived as I was leaving. Never caught her name.

Women are from Venus and men are from Mars. I found the conversation at both tables different. I must talk to men most of the time. Recall I was the only male at both tables. Women are different. They converse differently. I felt out of place. Awkward.

Jean and I headed over to Blue McCaw for a bite to eat. Sat at the bar. Blue McCaw a comfortable place. Many locals. Food and drink cheap.

John was enjoying a late night dinner at the bar. Paul and Ron holding down their usual corner.

A Joe Phillips came up to talk with me. He has been in Key west only since June 2. From Orlando.

Joe expressed a concern about the Post Office. He was aware I had in the past few months written 3 times re the Post Office. Congress screwed up the U.S. Postal System and have made it difficult for postal workers and people (us).

Love Irish Kevin’s! One of the best bars in town. Always packed. A night does not go by where a number of women get up on the small stage and flash their breasts. The place is made for an old guy like me!

Unfortunately, I rarely go. Irish Kevin’s is for young people. Really young. I am way too old and feel out of place.

That is twice today I have mentioned feeling out of place. Strange.

Today, Irish Kevin is having a special event. A Christmas in July celebration. From 2:30-5:30. Go and enjoy! I might. The exposed breasts an 83rd birthday present to me.

I already did my Key West Lou Live video on Facebook this morning. You may want to take a look. Titled Return of the Caesars. About what I perceive to be a return by people to strong leaders that they will obey. Not necessarily a change for the good. The leaders not necessarily good.

I have wondered why the Thai soccer team and coach got 2 1/2 miles into the cavern. Read an article this morning that explained it. While exploring the cave, water levels began to rise. As the tunnels flooded, the group was forced further and further inside.

The U.S./China tariff war I fear. All tariff wars need be feared. China could be the one to cause international monetary havoc. For which we will have Donald Trump to thank.

China has the big card to play. Turn the tariff war into a currency war. Cause the U.S. dollar to devalue.

China holds $1.2 trillion of U.S. Treasury bonds. All China has to do is stop buying new bonds as the old ones mature. The dollar will fall. Major panic in world markets will occur.

If China wishes to retaliate swiftly against the U.S., it merely has to begin selling some of the $1.2 trillion in bonds it holds.

Another great Key West day in the making. Time to forget about Trump, Putin, China, tariff/currency wars, etc. Merely enjoy the day.

Join me. Lets all enjoy Sunday!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERNEST HEMINGWAY

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July 21, 1899. Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. A great day for literature, a great day for Key West.

Hemingway is part and parcel of the fabric of Key West. Visible in many ways 365 days a year. At the moment, Hemingway Days. Today, the famous Running With The Bulls. Get down to Sloppy Joe’s around one. Watch the Hemingway Look a Likes assemble and then run with the bulls.

Dinner last night at Donna and Terri’s. Good drink, fantastic meal and their special company as always.

I learned last night I too have to adjust to Terri’s blindness. There are occasions where two persons can communicate merely by looking at each other. Realized I cannot do it any longer with Terri. She can’t see me. I must speak to engage her.

How awful it must be for Terri.

Terri is not permitting the problem to keep her down. She sings tonight at Blue Heaven. From 6:30-9:30. Jean Thornton and I are having dinner tonight at Blue Heaven. Specifically to enjoy Terri.

The present Key West Cemetery has been in existence since 1847. Many of the graves are unmarked. The Cemetery is attempting to identify the occupant of each grave. A tedious almost impossible function.

When identification is complete, the Cemetery will establish a search engine on the City’s website.

Give a helping hand to the Cemetery. If you know someone who is buried in an unmarked grave, contact the Cemetery and let them know.

The Key West Citizen’s weather person continues to amuse me. Today, partly sunny and mild. Described as “…..nice day to hit the beach.” Tomorrow’s verbiage the winner. Partly cloudy and humid. Described as “…..think Saturday with a little sweat.”

Two quotes have caught my attention.

A Mark Twain one in the Comment section to this blog: “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”

The other, I cannot recall where I came upon it. Wrote it down to share with you, however: “The House and Senate are ostriches burying their heads in the sand.”

Both quotes related to Trump in some fashion.

I did my Key West Lou Live show on Facebook earlier this morning. Titled: God Is A Republican?” Religion and politics. The harm religion can cause when involved with government. The Evangelical influence today.

Take a look. You might enjoy. You also might not agree with me.

Rome burned this month in 64 AD. Much of Rome destroyed. Nero rebuilt it.

Some claim Nero started the fire because he wanted a new and more modern Rome. Most historians disagree. Though Nero did want a new modern Rome.

A false story also exists that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. He did not. The fiddle had not yet been invented in 64 AD. Nero was 35 miles away at the time of the fire.

Nero did use the fire to his advantage, however. He disliked Christians. Considered them a danger. He used the fire as an excuse to arrest, torture and execute hundreds of Christians. Most were fed to the lions or burned to death.

Nero used as an excuse that the Christians had caused the fire.

BOB still tired. Working, however. Fantasy Fest next.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNDA FRECHETTE

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Happy Birthday Lynda Frechette! Twenty nine and still going strong. Key West is never the same when you are gone.

Two other noteworthy items for today.

Mel Fisher found the Atocha mother lode! This day in 1985. Four hundred million dollars. He had a dream. Stuck with it. Bore fruit 15 years later.

Neil Armstrong walked on the moon! First man to do so. This day 1969.

I recall watching the event on TV. It was 11 at night. My children all asleep. All grammar school age. Woke them up and brought them to the family room to watch the event.

I considered Armstrong’s descent onto the moon’s surface to be sufficiently important for them to see. They would remember it for years.

They were tired. Could not understand why I was all excited, etc.

None of them remember.

My day yesterday began with doing the Key West Lou Live video on Facebook. I spent a few minutes chatting about being a senior citizen. A change of pace show. Finished today’s show before I started the blog this morning. Topic: Putin’s White House Invitation. Would you believe!

Visited Tammy at 1 for a manicure. Always good company.

Then to Sandy’s Cafe for a late lunch.

The Chart Room first last night. Had new friend Casey meet me there. He’s the fellow I met three weeks ago at Hogfish. The one with the 77 foot catamaran. Casey lives on the boat. I offered to pick him up. No, he wanted to dingy in.

Neal and Connie at the bar. Met Neal the night before. Connie, last night. Nice people.

My love Jean Thornton arrived. She has been in Key West a week. First time we have seen each other. A big hug and kiss. Jean, Casey and I chatted a while. Jean and I are having dinner together saturday evening at Blue Heaven. Terri is singing.

Speaking of Terri, I am having dinner with Donna and Terri tonight at their new condo. Donna cooking. Always a treat! Enjoying a Donna prepared meal is like listening to Terri sing.

A fireman and his wife from outside Chicago were also at the bar. I failed to get their names. They had an interesting story.

They lived in Homestead in 1998 when Andrew hit. Evacuated. When they returned 3 days after Andrew, pure carnage. It looked like Hiroshima after the atom bomb fell. Everything flat. Nothing left standing. Andrew was a 5.

The destruction was so bad they could not locate their home. Nothing defined. A flat level mess.

Stopped at Blue McCaw for a bite to eat on the way home. Ran into Paul and Ron again. Real nice guys. Enjoyed chicken wings and their company over a couple of drinks.

Blue McCaw a winner! Happy Hour 4-9. A fun place! I recommend it.

The Key West Citizen’s weather person an excellent writer. Comes up with little tidbits to describe the weather.

Today the temperature will be 92. A morning thunder shower predicted. Wrong, thus far. 10:30, sun shining bright. No sign of rain. Means nothing, however. Rain comes to Key West in a split second without prior warning.

The excellent writing has to do with the fine print under the rain warning. It read: “Sun, what sun?”

The weather report may be wrong. The sun reference however reads well with or without the rain.

Key West still into Hemingway Days. The Running of the Bulls tomorrow. Go down to Sloppy Joe’s around 1 to watch the Look a Likes get ready. The race itself probably at 2.

Enjoy your day!

 

HOWIE MANDEL LEAVES KEY WEST LAUGHING

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Non-stop laughing last night. Howie Mandel performed in Key West. Glad I went. A long time since I laughed that much.

Almost missed the show. I had purchased my ticket last week. Intended to go with Kevin and Holly, Art, and John. Forgot. Was getting ready to go to Dueling Bartenders when Kevin called to say lets meet at La Concha first for a drink.

Glad he called!

I did a little research on Mandel this morning. Apparently born a comedian. He was expelled from high school for impersonating a school official and hiring a construction company to build an addition to the school.

Stephanie Kaple opened for Mandel. I have known Stephanie for years. She is now CEO of a large Key West company dealing with the homeless. Never knew her to be a comedian. In fact, to the contrary. A rather serious individual.

Last night her first time before an audience. I was overwhelmed! Shocked! She was fantastic! Her material outstanding!

Perhaps a new career in the making. I saw her briefly after the show. Pointed to her and said “Martha Raye.” Stephanie exhibited that degree of talent last night.

My group met at La Concha for a drink before the show. Then to the relatively new bar Roost on Fleming after the show. A nice place. Small. Well done. Annette from Ireland the bartender. Brogue and all.

Some Trump comments. To be expected after his disgraceful performance yesterday at the press conference with Putin.

Trump likes to keep people waiting. He is always late. Even kept Queen Elizabeth waiting 12 minutes last week. Guess it makes him feel important.

Yesterday, he waited for Putin. Trump was on time. Putin late. Trump apparently did not mind. Putin his hero.

Trump campaigned that it was time to Stand Up for America. He did not stand up for America yesterday. He bowed.

The meeting was a Putin success and Trump failure. Domestic reactions in their countries reflect the same.

Trump was especially offensive when he described America as having exhibited “foolishness and stupidity” over the years              causing the rift between Russia and the U.S. Would you believe!

“America First!” Trump’s slogan. I would reword it to “Me First!”

Trump was very much off base. His staff had given him 100 pages of material so he could confront Putin in a tough fashion re the election hacking. Trump ignored the material. Instead took the position he believed Putin when he said Russia was not complicit in any way.

Why is Trump always up Putin’s ass? Either Putin has sexually explicit photos of Trump taken on a Moscow trip several years ago or Russia has arranged for billions in loans to Trump over the years after U.S. banks would no longer loan him money. Could be both. Time will tell.

Recall following the NATO meeting last week, Trump said he was a “very stable genius.” He fools himself!

Trump bugged me when he said the U.S. and Russia should be close friends since the two countries are super nuclear powers. What a basis for a marriage!

Trump does not realize Russia is not a first rate nation. In deep trouble economically. If I recall correctly, ranks 30th economically. Its military pre and World War II.

Putin has Trump bullshitted all the way!

Trump has a propensity to label everything stupid. Only he is smart. Forrest Gump was correct when he said…..Stupid is as stupid does.

Some stupids labeled such by Trump include people, laws, other countries, White House staffers, FBI, National Football League, Democrats, filibuster, journalists. I probably missed a few dozen more.

Trump promised to “drain the swamp.” Get rid of all corrupt Washingtonites.

He was not the first to so promise. Many politicians preceding him used the same words. Examples being Ronald Reagan, Pat Buchanan, and Nancy Pelosi.

I am back on Facebook with Key West Lou Live. A 3-4 minute video each day where I talk about whatever motivates me at the moment. Take a look. You may enjoy it.

Today, tuesday. My podcast every tuesday night at 9. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. I rant and rave about everything. Similar to Key West Lou Live, except I have 30 minutes to do so. Enough time to get a lot off my chest.

Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

PIG HUMPS A HARLEY-DAVIDSON

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On this day of international significance, I opt to open with levity.

I am sick of Trump and the worldwide aggravations he has caused. Wake up America. Trump is destroying our country. He and his party must be voted out. Hopefully, it will not be too late.

Levity a BOB story. Involves Chi Chi. A Vietnamese pot bellied pig living in Key West in the mid 1990’s.

Chi Chi became enamored with the next door neighbor’s Harley-Davidson. Began humping the Harley’s front tire. In the process, scratched the Harley’s paint.

The damage more than $100.

The Monroe County Animal Control took Chi Chi to the pen. An animal pen.

In effect, Chi Chi had been arrested. Technically, his owner charged.

Chi Chi could have been turned into bacon. Several weeks elapsed while Chi Chi’s owner, the Harley-Davidson’s owner, judges and attorneys argued over what should be done with Chi Chi.

Consumed the community. A matter of importance. Imagine, an animal sex act with a Harley causing such furor. The judge intended to sentence Chi Chi to death.

A judgment of execution was stayed.

A decision finally arrived at. Chi Chi was to be neutered.

How cruel!

Chi Chi would no longer be looking for love in all the wrong places. He would not be looking for love anywhere!

BOB had one further comment re the summer doldrums discussed yesterday. The end of the summer found Key Westers looking to the horizon. Hurricane conversations consumed the populace.

Later this morning, I return with Key West Lou Live. My 3-4 minute video on Facebook. Ranting and raving. Hope you will join me. As MacArthur said, “I have returned!”

Sunday purportedly a day of rest. I recall when younger, sundays were respected as such. Practically and legally. Blue laws kept stores closed on sundays.

Yesterday was a day of rest for me. Remained in all day and night. Did my blog. researched a bit. Read. Watched TV. Napped.

A very good day! I needed it.

The Helsinki summit/meeting today. Not sure what it is at this point. I probably will comment on its results, if any, tomorrow.

What goes around comes around. Trump generally keeps persons of importance waiting. He did it with the Queen a few days ago. Boosts his ego. Makes him feel important.

TV news just announced Putin will be late.

Ho ho!

Dueling Bartenders tonight. Shopping for groceries earlier. I am out of food again!

Enjoy your day!

DON’T BRING SHEEP IN THE BACK DOOR

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BOB wrote of September in Key West. Remember, BOB is writing as it was in the mid 1990’s. The doldrums. Tourist industry flat. Heat oppressive.

The saying back then was you could throw a bowling ball down Duval and hit no one.

BOB wrote “…..we are thrown on our meager resources, bar tabs rise, hurricanes are tracked, and the mood becomes introspective.” Further, living in Key West under these conditions is “…..not good for a terminally weird population.”

An overheard comment illustrates the point: “You know what’s interesting about this place? / No, what? / Well, if you like to screw sheep, and you bring ’em in your front door, your neighbor could care less and think none the less of you. But if you bring them in the back door, people get really suspicious about what’s going on. / Dead on.”

I intended to take part in Mel Fisher Days last night at Schooner Wharf. Jean Thornton scheduled as a celebrity bartender. Got side tracked, never made it.

Guy de Boer called. Stop over for a drink. I had never seen his home on Flagler. Was curious. It is one of those multi million dollar places just off South Roosevelt Drive.

Magnificent!

We sat in the back by the pool overlooking a wide canal. One drink led to a few more.

Hunger arrived. Guy suggested Moe’s on White Street. I have not been to Moe’s in 15 years. Food good back then. New owners today. The food just as good.

An enjoyable evening.

Tomorrow, I bring Key West Lou Live back to Facebook. Three to four minutes of current commentary. Guaranteed you will enjoy my ranting and raving. Join me. Any time of the day.

Jim Jordan is a bull in a China shop. Worse than Trump. Tasteless, classless.

He may be receiving his comeuppance.

Jordan was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University back when. It is now claimed that team Doctor Strauss was perpetrating some sort of sexual abuse on team members. It is further claimed Jordan was aware and did nothing about it.

The issue involves awareness. Jordan denies awareness.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Penn State’s revered Joe Paterno died in shame because of a similar situation. His campus statue taken down. If what was true concerning Paterno is true with Jordan, then Jordan deserves public rebuke also.

I have been against the use of mercenary soldiers since day one. Also the privatization of governmental agencies. In due course, no good rears its ugly head.

Blackwater was the first major mercenary providing corporation. Eric Prince its founder. Some questionable conduct resulted in Blackwater ceasing to exist. A new company was formed. Frontier Services Group.

Both organizations headed by Eric Prince.

Prince has been working with the CIA on a plan to withdraw active U.S. troops from Afghanistan and replace them with a force solely comprised of mercenaries. Six thousand of them.

It could sell. Big money involved.

Always follow the money. Money paid for mercenaries significant. Prince’s sister a member of Trump’s cabinet. Contributions to the Trump campaign huge.

Corruption generally follows.

Another concern from my end is that mercenaries could easily become the private army of a despot. A cause for concern with a President who would like to be President for life.

Madeleine Alright’s Fascism continues to intrigue me. Deals obviously with authoritarian figures. I have just completed my review of Mussolini. Next, Hitler.

Re Mussolini, I set forth two significant quotes from the book.

Twentieth century Fascism began “with a magnetic leader exploiting widespread dissatisfaction by promising all things.”

The other, “He sought to govern well, but to do that, he felt the need to rule absolutely. He had full trust in his own judgment, and there was no satiating his hunger for power.”

Familiar? Characteristics of a today person?

Trump failed to impress the English. Two hundred fifty thousand UK’s marched in opposition to his visit.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

TRUMP WILL DISAPPOINT

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Some people cannot win for losing. Donald Trump is one. He started off big. Many believed in him. The second coming. He is beginning to fail in the eyes of some who initially supported him.

I am plodding through Madeleine Albright’s Fascism. In one part she writes of Benito Mussolini. Reminds me to a degree of how some thought/think of Trump.

She wrote: Thomas Edison hailed him as the “genius of the modern age”; Gandhi as a “superman.” Winston Churchill pledged to stand by him in his “struggle against the bestial appetites of Leninism.” Newspapers in Rome, host to the Vatican, referred to him as “the incarnation of God.” In the end, people who had worshiped his every move hung his corpse upside down next to his mistress’s near a gas station in Milan.

Albright wrote elsewhere re Mussolini’s speaking prowess: He knew the value of the popular touch and usually succeeded in eliciting whoops of approval from his audience. Before long, he had come to consider himself a man of destiny…..

Last night, the Blue MacCaw again. Guest of Donna and Terri.

My opinion remains the same. A winner! Food and drink reasonable. People cheerful. Entertainment excellent.

Blue MacCaw has been added to my list of watering holes.

Ran into Paul and Ron again. Second night in a row. We have become instantaneous friends. They knew Donna and Terri when Terri was performing in Washington.

Less I forget, Happy Hour is 4-9. A big one!

From Key West to Paris. Today is Bastille Day. On this day in 1789, the Bastille was stormed. The turning point of the French Revolution. France celebrates its Revolution on this day. A Revolution that lasted 10 years.

Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities. A book that reflected conditions leading to the French Revolution and Reign of Terror: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….. it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

BOB reflects on Bum Farto’s trial and its aftermath.

Farto was convicted. Sentenced to 30 years. Most of the other 29 defendants fared better. After an unbelievable series of delays, mistrials, bribes, jury tampering, and legal chicanery, most walked free.

Farto appealed. He was out on bail pending the appeal. In that interim, Farto worked to get a lesser sentence. His choices two fold. Turn on and testify against those not convicted. Or, the Golden Parachute. Bribe someone.

Neither option worked. A third option presented itself. If he could, disappear. Forever.

He disappeared.

The story at this point a bit murky. He backed out of his driveway one day, only to be surrounded by two black cars and a tractor trailer. Or, he backed out and simply drove away.

Farto’s car was found in Miami two weeks later.

Farto was never found.

Had he gone the way of Jimmy Hoffa? Perhaps buried in the concrete below I-95? Or, had he made it to Bali, the Fiji Islands or somewhere in Europe or Asia?

Farto’s wife waited 2 1/2 weeks before she reported his disappearance to the police. She told them she was so upset that she could not call them earlier. Truth be told, she and Bum had not been getting along and she could have cared less.

T-shirts began coming out with various inscriptions. The first was El Jefe. Then one with a B-25 dropping bombs with writing below: Bum’s Away. The next was Where Is Bum Farto? The final and still available one is Bum Farto, Where Are You?

And so the saga of Bum Farto ends. Tomorrow, another BOB begins.

Obviously, the English people do not like Trump. So many planned to demonstrate in London that the authorities called off the reception initially planned for him.

Trump and Melania were to be driven through London in a horse drawn open carriage. Normally, thousands would have been on the curbs cheering them. However, this time jeering.

That evening a white tie black tail event. Canceled for the same reason as the parade.

Trump experienced a bummer. He was relegated to tea with the Queen at Windsor castle. The event took 17 minutes. Before, he and the Queen inspected a line of troops in front of the castle.

The public not at either event.

If I were one here in America who had been involved in the Russian hacking, I would be concerned. The indictment revealed yesterday which involved 12 Russians was sufficiently detailed to convince the Russians hacked the election.

There will be at least one more set of indictments. Maybe more. Whatever, I would expect the next set to identify those in the United States who were involved in some fashion.

Key West Lou Live returns monday on Facebook. I missed doing it. Loved being able to rant and rave 3-4 minutes on a topic. Take a look.

Enjoy your day!

 

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SUB-HUMAN…..ANIMALS TO BE KILLED

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Monday was a disgrace. A shame.

Israel killed 59 Palestinians, eight of them children. Injured 2,700. So many that the hospitals could not handle them all. Medical personnel, medicines, dressings, etc. were insufficient.

Palestinians were protesting. On their side of the fence. The power and might of war machinery on the other side of the fence. Israel sending drones and missiles,  in addition to shooting over the fence.

Ian Welsh is a noted blogger and editor. He wrote, “The simple fact is that too many Israelis now think of Palestinians as sub-human: animals to be killed if they are inconvenient.”

I recall when Israelis were abused. Those who abuse tend to become abusers. Such has happened to Israel.

Finally got my car back yesterday. The brake light problem was not a simple one involving a new fuse. Needed a brake switch. Had to come from Miami. First one that arrived the wrong one. Returned to get another. The order got lost in Miami. Finally, the correct brake switch arrived.

Lights worked. Voila!

Problem: Brakes were locked. Could not drive. Car had to remain at garage overnight.

Whatever, I was happy to have my car back yesterday. Decided I was entitled to a feast of sorts.  Lunch at Sandy’s Cafe. Cuban cheese toast with tomato and a large Cuban coffee. Always delicious!

Then home. I still had to finalize, revise my podcast to be delivered last night. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Dinner before the show at Lisa’s. Robert’s birthday. Fourteen years old. Blew out the candles and sang Happy Birthday!

Robert and Ally had to leave the table immediately following the cake. They begin final exams today.

I enjoyed delivering the podcast last night. So many exciting, interesting, and disgusting events occurring worldwide. Kim Jung Un threatening to call off his summit with Trump, American Embassy opening in Jerusalem resulting in 59 dead and 2,700 injured, and American designated evangelist Pastor Robert Jeffress offering a prayer at the Embassy opening, among the topics. Jeffress especially interesting. He has repeatedly said over the years that “Jews will go to Hell.”

The best of the best however was the China/ZTE/Trump story. A quid pro quo. Three days before Trump announced we have to help China retain jobs, a Chinese bank loaned $500,000 million to an Indonesia theme park in the making. Trump’s company is part of the theme park. A Trump hotel, golf course, and condominiums.

A recent study re States and healthcare has Florida in poor standing. It ranked Florida 48th among all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Two great white sharks traced near Florida Keys. Hilton and Savannah. Yes, they have names. They were tagged several months ago and are being followed.

Hilton a male, 12’5″, 1,300 pounds. Savannah a 8’6″ female.

They are moving north. Will travel up the Atlantic coast line. Expected to move closer to Key West the next few days.

Beware!

Enjoy your day!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT

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My grandson is 14 years old. Robert, Happy Birthday! Poppa loves you!

I remember the day he was born. With cancer of the liver. Within two hours, he was on a helicopter to Miami Children’s Hospital.

Two major surgeries the first 8 days of his life. Frequent check up visits the next 10 years.

Today, a typical 14 year old. Graduates from Montessori soon. High school next.

A smart young man academically. A gentleman all the time. He is his father.

Tonight, Happy Birthday cake and blowing out the candles.

God is good!

Hurricane season is here. June 1. Seems like yesterday we were escaping Irma. Irma hit September 10.

Recent weather and weather reports suggest tropical storms may be around the corner. Too much rain lately. Every day. Big! Strong winds!

Sunday, Key West got 3.25 inches of rain. The intersection of Eaton and White Streets flooded. I have seen it in previous years. Twice saw people swimming in the intersection.

Weather reports indicate rain through next sunday.

Things can be different in Key West. A bit funky.

Page 2 of the Key West Citizen carries the weather report. The report for the next 5 days amusing. Small printed verbiage beneath each day. Rain of course predicted for each day.

Today, “ark flooded.” Tonight, “life preserver needed.” Wednesday, “thunderstorms; float feet first.” Thursday, “who’ll stop the rain?” Friday, “rain drops keep falling.” Saturday, “nothing worrying me.”

Another storm of consequence this early in the season would be devastating. The lower Keys are still recovering from Irma.

I wrote about Irma. My personal experience. Irma and Me.

If you have not read it, this may be the time to acquire it. It is a history of the before, during and after a hurricane. Available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

I have known Lee Ann Holland for 15 years. More beautiful each year.

Her picture on the front page of this morning’s Key West Citizen. She is being recognized as a Familiar Face.

Lee Ann has become an integral part of Key West Ambassadors. A lecturer at the program. Recently completed addressing her 16th group.

Lee Ann, congratulations!

Two things are constant in life. Death and change.

The U.S. Supreme Court presented us with “change” yesterday. The decision Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association.

A federal law was passed in 1992 prohibiting sports gambling. Nevada excepted. Congress was recognized as having the sole authority to regulate sports gambling directly.

No more. The Supreme Court decision recognized Congress had the right to regulate. However if Congress failed to exercise that right, then each State was free to act on its own.

Means two things in the offing. First, goodbye bookies. Second, a new area for State taxation.

We have all experienced the fish that got away. Always a big one.

Happens other than in fishing, also.

On January 1, 1962, the Beatles performed for Decca Records in London. The Beatles were looking for a recording contract. Decca turned them down. The person responsible thought guitar groups were on the way out.

Later in 1962, the Beatles signed with London’s Parlophone label. Still unknown. A struggling rock band.

Parlophone liked them.

Parlophone worked out deals with Apple and Capitol. The rest is history.

Trump does it again! An action difficult to understand. Unless something in the background that should not be.

During the campaign, Trump knocked the hell out of China for stealing jobs from the U.S. He pledged to stop it! To get jobs back from China!

ZTE is a Chinese smart phone business. In trouble financially. U.S. imposed sanctions on other countries killing Smartphone’s business.

Yesterday, Trump announced the U.S. was going to help the Company “get back into business fast.” He directed Secretary Wilbur Ross to do everything expeditiously to help.

Did not make sense to me. Did it have something to do with the China/U.S. talks scheduled this week in Washington?

Turns out remotely so, if at all.

Last night, the news reported that three days earlier, China had agreed to a $500,000 million loan for a new theme park in Indonesia which would contain Trump hotels and golf courses.

I assume the Indonesia deal was Trump’s motivation.

When will he learn he is not supposed to do these things?

By  the way, ZTE has a record of cyber crimes, espionage and hacking. Was ZTE involved with our 2016 election?

Tonight, my podcast show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. A quick moving interesting half hour.

Topics tonight have to include Trump. However, I open with other items of interest. Like the hurricane season, Chinese hog hotels, Germans invading Belgium and Holland in 1940, the eloquence of leaders in time of war,  and House Chaplain Father Conroy.

Then, Donald.

Enjoy your day!

TRUMP MACHIAVELLIAN

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On this day in 1469, the Italian political philosopher and writer Nicolo Machiavelli was born. Friend and foe at different times of Cesare Borgia and the Medici family.

Machiavelli most famous effort is The Prince. The book’s hero an amoral calculating tyrant for whom the end justified the means. A man who believed diabolical expediency was proper activity in the world of politics.

“Machiavellian” has come to be recognized as an action undertaken for gain without regard for right or wrong.

Is Trump Machiavellian? If the shoe fits, he should wear it.

I think it does.

A busy yesterday. Sandy’s Cafe for lunch. Ran some errands. Picked up some groceries at Publix.

In my old age, grocery shopping has become an event. Run into friends, make new ones. I become increasingly knowledgeable regarding the increasing excessive cost for food. Some without sufficient means, cut back on their drugs. Others I am sure, food.

Spent a couple of hours last night at the Chart Room. My place! Good friends!

Last night John, Sheila, David, Holly and Kevin.

Kevin steadily recovering from his terrible scooter accident. Looks better. Extensive plastic surgery was required to his face. His skin smooth like a baby’s skin. His mental acuity better. A lucky man.

Kevin complimented his wife Holly extensively. His strength. How she was there for him all the time. I was happy for him.

In my lifetime, I have found many spouses are not helpful or do not stay around when the other is be felled by some adversity. I recall one wife who told me when her husband was into a long term non recoverable illness that she had not contracted for “this” when she married him. She divorced her husband.

This morning’s Citizens’ Voice contained an interesting comment. Reflecting that things change with time.

There was an era when Key Westers wanted ships wrecked on a reef so they could profit from the ship’s cargo recovery. No mention at that time of reef damage.

Today, the profit in such an occurrence arises out of the damage to the reef, not its cargo.

I mentioned last week in this blog and on my podcast that Rudy Giuliani was over the hill as far as representing Trump was concerned. No insult intended to a once a distinguished professional. However, he had not seen the inside of a court room in 20 years.

I was correct. Look at the mess he made on Fox News last night.

On this day in 1946, Japanese War Crimes Trials began in Tokyo. Twenty eight military and governmental officials.

Tokyo was not the only place where Japanese war criminals were tried. The Japanese had committed heinous crimes through out most of Asia. Outside Japan itself, more than 5,000 were tried and found guilty of war crimes. Nine hundred executed.

The 5,000 needed defense counsel. Many U.S. attorneys heeded the call for assistance. One was Robert Miller.

I was fortunate in later years to have Miller as a Professor in  law school. I studied criminal law and evidence under him.

A sharp guy. Extremely intelligent. Benefited his students even more by tying his lectures occasionally into one of the war crime trials he had defended.

Busy day again. Haircut, lunch and a manicure. Who knows what tonight will bring.

Such a life!

Enjoy your day!