IN FLANDERS FIELDS…..

In Flanders fields poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row….. / We are the dead. Short days ago / We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,  / Loved and were loved, and now we lie / In Flanders fields….. / If ye break faith with us who die / We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields.

Veterans Day is tomorrow. However Key West is celebrating it today. A big parade at 5 running from Catherine down Duval to Front Street.

Ergo, I write of Veterans Day today.

The day was first known as Armistice Day. Transitioned over the years to Veterans Day. Whereas initially to honor World War I dead, today to honor veterans of all wars, living and dead.

The poem was written in 1915 on a battlefield in France. By Lt. Col. John Mc Crae, a Canadian physician. He was inspired to write it after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier.

World War I was the war to end all wars. Man fooled himself. History has proven the goal wrong. Man enjoys maiming and killing too much.

I have been home bound since last weekend. Car problem. Required a new starter. Everything must come from Miami. First one, not correct. Finally got the car last night. Everything in order.

Need to get out and communicate with people, enjoy a couple of drinks, etc.

Last night was not to be. Nor will tonight. Syracuse played football last night and plays basketball tonight. For some reason, I prefer watching the games quietly and alone from home.

Syracuse beat Louisville 54-23. Syracuse now 8-2. I suspect the victory will move us into the top 10.

The victory was not consequential in itself. Louisville played like Syracuse had the past 20 years. Even worse most of the game.

Next saturday, a big one! Syracuse plays undefeated and nationally ranked #3 Notre Dame. Syracuse can win. Not wishful thinking. The team is good.

Syracuse basketball tonight at 7. Syracuse v. Morehead State. Syracuse’s second game of the season. Syracuse is expected to dominate the game.

The California fires are horrible! Horrendous! TV showings reveal nothing less than pure unadulterated disaster. Hurricanes bring the same. However, a hurricane comes and goes. A fire hangs around for days.

What has FEMA been doing to help? Not much. A pattern has developed where natural disasters are involved. Government does not seem to care, have enough money, etc.

One FEMA responsibility is to refund 75 percent of firefighting costs. Trump yesterday threatened to pull all federal funding if California does not shape up. He claims the fires being out of control are due to “gross mismanagement.”

The two reasons Trump claims California is not doing the job properly has to do with water and forest thinning. He claims California is dumping water in the Pacific it could use to fight the fires. He further claims the forests are dry and subject to easy fires because of California’s failure to thin them.

Experts galore say Trump is incorrect in both instances and does not know what he is talking about. They claim climate change is the cause. The climate change argument falls on deaf ears since Trump does not believe there is climate change.

Which brings me to Michael. Post Michael, a disaster. FEMA failing. The third biggest hurricane since record keeping instituted in the U.S. and we hear nothing about what is happening in northern Florida and elsewhere that Michael touched.

The reason obvious. FEMA and other governmental agencies failing. Another Puerto Rico.

The reason money and not having learned yet how to handle large disasters.

Money, money, money. At the heart of Trump’s concern, though not openly acknowledged. Recent years have brought one disaster after another. The government failed to have sufficiently funded natural disasters.

My admonition, Trump should stop worrying about $26 billion for a wall and concern himself with mega dollars for disaster relief.

Election day clearly showed people are primarily concerned with health care. Way more than immigration problems. Does not seem to have made a dent in Trump’s thinking.

Yesterday, he signed a proclamation suspending the entry of migrants seeking asylum through our southern border points for 90 days. Normally, migrants are permitted by law to seek asylum at any border point any time. Children traveling alone are excepted from the bar.

Typical of Trump’s mean side. Civil rights groups describe his conduct as immoral and inhumane.

What happens when those seeking asylum cannot even get in to make application? Will confrontation result? Will Trump get his “invasion” and the military be permitted to shoot at the migrants?

Will Rogers was a famous humorist and social commentator. He made fun of the government. Commented on their screw ups. He once said, “Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.

Another way of intimating government would only do worse.

Rogers one smart man.

Enjoy your day!

CINDY LYNCH…..WE MET IN KEY WEST

Cindy Lynch, a love of my life. We met about 12 years ago in Key West.

Cindy and husband Tom are from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Until recently, spent 2 months a year in Key West.

Special. She has had 7 operations for 6 different cancers. Two for brain tumors. Lost one of her legs. All of it to the groin. Cannot be fitted for a prosthetic. Uses a wheelchair or titanium crutches or skips around short distance on one foot.

Cindy falls a lot. She tries to do too much I suspect with one leg. On the other hand, she is living life. A rare personality. Always up. Never complains. Fun to be with.

Her husband Tom a gem. Retired early to care for her. With her most of the time. Occasionally, Cindy goes off on her own.

She did this tuesday. Driving their car. Involved in a three car accident. Saw a picture of the cars. Bad!

She is home recovering in bed. Next week, a parachute jump!

Ernest Hemingway penned many true words. Words reflecting his life experiences. A quote attributable to him is…..”Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”

Makes sense. I know.

I guess I am into quotes today. Winston Churchill said, “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.”

Sounds like some who comment to this column.

The votes still coming in. Being counted for the first time. Simultaneously, some States are already at the legally mandated recount stage. Florida and Georgia examples.

What initially appeared not to be a blue wave has definitely become one.

Another shooting. A college student hangout. Twelve killed.

A physicians’ journal recently carried an article decrying the NRA and its power. The NRA shot back. In effect saying to the doctors not your business, stay out of things you know nothing about.

The doctors hit back. One wrote and said we are involved. Challenged the NRA to stand next to a child coding from a gunshot wound.

Doctors involved in every shooting!

November 9 a day of significance.

On this day in 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. It had been up 30 years.

Two years earlier. Reagan spoke standing before the wall. He said, “Mr. Gorbachev, take down this wall.”

A story little known goes with the statement.

Reagan’s speech was constantly being revised by his speech writers in the weeks preceding his appearance before the wall. Reagan kept adding “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down the wall.” His speech writers kept taking it out. Too harsh, they said.

The day before leaving for Berlin, Reagan was going over the speech again. The words had been omitted. He asked an assistant standing next to him…..I’m the President, aren’t I? The assistant responded….Yes sir. Reagan said…..Then it stays in!

This day in 1938 significant also. Sadly, however.

An event that took place in Germany and Austria. To Nazis the evening was known as Kristallnacht. Also referred to as The Night of Broken Glass.

It was the beginning of mass suppression of persons of the Jewish faith. Occurred prior to the Holocaust. The Nazis launched a campaign of terror against the Jewish people, their homes and businesses. The event marked a dramatic escalation in Hitler’s plan to purge Germany of Jews.

Local police and fire departments were told not to interfere.

Trump held a major press conference wednesday. CNN’s Acosta and he had words. I watched the entire press conference. Acosta asked a couple of questions. The President did not like them. He became extremely abusive to Acosta.

The event was videoed.

Trump took back Acosta’s White House press credentials.

A female intern attempted to take Acosta’s mike away from him while Trump was shouting sit down. The next day when the White House announced the removal of Acosta’s credentials, the video was shown.

Not similar to the original which had been shown the night before and earlier in the day. The White House video appeared to have been doctored. The White House version indicated Acosta had assaulted the intern. Not the case. The White House presented an altered version.

Today, friday. Love going out friday nights. Not tonight. Remaining in. For a better good. Syracuse playing Louisville at 7 in football. Syracuse 7-2 and a 21 point favorite.

Love it! We have not had even close to a decent team in 20 years. Hopefully, we are there.

Enjoy your day!

 

HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS

Nancy Pelosi in all likelihood will be Speaker again. Good and bad.

I admire her governmental skills. She knows how to run her shop. Democrats generally stay in line, follow her direction.

Her shortcoming is one most Democrats seem to have. They are lousy fighters. Lack the killer instinct. Though she and her party may know legislative success is the goal, they are ineffective in getting there.

Democrats want to be “Congresspersons.” Gentlemanly and lady like. Republicans on the other hand, want to “win.” That means playing down and dirty.

The Democrats have to learn how to play down and dirty. The end in this instance does justify the means. Democrats must learn to hit the opposition where it hurts. In the balls to use a common refrain. Clobber the Republicans. Go for the jugular.

I take the time to write this today because Pelosi has already said she will not go after Republicans the way they went after Democrats.

I think it was the famous football coach Vince Lombardi who said…..Winning is everything!

The American people deserve no less.

Key West has a lesbian Mayor. First ever. In fact, first lesbian ever elected Mayor in Florida.

Terri Johnston the lady. I know her. She is experienced government wise. A head on her shoulders. She will do extremely well.

A lesbian Mayor is no big deal in Key West. Many residents gay and lesbian. Terri’s gender preference not even an item of conversation. Whatever a person’s lifestyle an accepted fact in Key West. One human family!

Ladies beware! Watch how you bend over to put groceries in your car. A 32 year old man was arrested for reaching up a woman’s skirt and touching her butt in a Publix parking lot as she was placing her groceries in the car.

The man has been arrested.

Not a first offender. Arrested in 2015 on a somewhat similar charge. He pinched he butt of a girl as she boarded a school bus.

The best thing that may have happened to Beto O’Rourke was losing. Now he is free to consider running for President in 2020. The man is Presidential timber.

Democratic activists in Iowa and New Hampshire have asked him to visit.

Keep in mind, Abraham Lincoln ran for the U.S. Senate from Illinois in 1858. He lost. Two years later, he ran for President and won.

Water and oil do not mix. Nor does Trump and truth.

Trump held a press conference yesterday. A big one. He would have been better off staying in bed.

He was totally discombobulated. Strung out and strained. His composure and demeanor not one reflecting a President of the United States.

An embarrassing situation has evidenced itself concerning Melania and her African trip. Not her fault. I would like to know whose and why.

The Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel is in Cairo. Melania did not stay overnight. However, it appears she used the hotel room during the day for whatever.

The hotel’s regular room is $119 a night. The best accommodation, the Presidential Suite, $699 a night. Melania’s bill $95,050.

Something amiss. The U.S. government paid the bill never the less.

The bill was labeled for an overnight stay. The hotel said the cost was high because the staff spent 6 days preparing for her visit and the hotel also had to deal with Secret Service personnel prior to her arrival.

U.S. official spending records recorded the payment as “[First Lady] visit hotel rooms.”

My suspicious mind makes me wonder if  more than her visit was involved.

A lovely time of the year! Syracuse football and basketball at the same time.

The football team doing exceptionally well this season. First time in 20 years. The team plays Louisville friday night at 7. Syracuse presently 7-2 and a 21 point favorite.

The basketball team played its first game tuesday night. Beat Eastern Washington 66-34.

Syracuse plays Morehead State saturday at 7.

Syracuse preseason ranked #16. Hope it is more than just a good year for the team. All members of last year’s starting five back.

Enjoy your day!

THE AWARD GOES TO…..

I am old school. I enjoy the Academy Awards.

Last night turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Not because of the Academy Awards. Because of Comcast.

My TV screen went dead following the Award for Best Supporting Actress. My computer was non-operational also. Both  services bundled with Comcast.

I was stripped from the world of information. Totally.

Went to sleep at 1. Still no TV. Comcast had a recording advising it might take 24 hours to correct a problem it was experiencing

I woke at 4. Had left the TV on. It was up and running.

Took me till 5 to find out who won the other awards. I missed one of the biggest screw ups in Academy history. The wrong card being opened to announce Best Movie.

It all worked out well in the end. La La Land had a minute of glory. Something they can talk about for years. Moonlight received its just due, though a few minutes late.

Sloan was over at noon. We worked on increasing Go Live’s coverage. Not easy.

Syracuse/Louisville. A disaster. Louisville won 88-68.

Key West will be celebrating Tennessee Williams in March. For the whole month. Williams’ birthday is March 26.

Many events planned. Among others, Tropic Cinema will be showing Williams’ classic screen films on March 6, 13 and 20.

Another weekend of anti-Semetism. More than 100 Jewish tombstones tipped over at the Jewish Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia.

It should be noted that many Muslims helped in lifting the stones to their correct positions.

A 1 pm heart doctor appointment. Get my test results.

Enjoy your day!

 

TRUMPELSTILTSKIN

Trumpelstiltskin applies.

Think about it.

My President is a bully. A bully avoids confrontation. Confrontation in this instance is Trump’s appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He can hand it out. Fears getting it in return.

Go face to face. In a congenial setting. The situation cannot get worse. Something better might come from it.

Chart Room first last night.

Met two former upstate New York neighbors. Mark and Marge Rapport. Formerly of Lowville, New York.

Lowville is the end of the world. Roughly fifty miles north of Utica. Snow like you would not believe!

Mark and Marge spent 7 1/2 years residing in Lowville. Mark was the Administrator of the Lewis County General Hospital. Largest employer in the area. Mark today retired. Marge, also. From nursing.

Lowville is in Lewis County. One of the largest land counties in New York State. Correspondingly, one of the smallest population wise.

The Village of Lowville is the County seat. Its population 3.5 thousand. The Village is part of the Town of Lowville. The Town’s population 5 thousand. Includes the Villages’s 3.5 thousand.

Ain’t much to do nights in Lowville. Marital sex the frequent event. Marriages strong because of it.

Turin is a few miles south of Lowville. Turin also in Lewis County. A big ski area. Chris Rounds is a well known Key West figure. Presently owner of La Te Da and Fantasy Fest king. A good guy overall.

Chris formrly of Turin. Born and raised there.

I mentioned Chris to Mark and Marge. Though they do not know him, I suspect they will be looking him up.

Met three charming ladies. Becky, Michelle, and Donna. All in the financial field. Becky a retired CPA. Michelle an internal auditor for a hospital. Donna a senior financial analyst.

The ladies all originally from Iowa. Becky and Donna still reside there. Michelle now in New Orleans.

Spent some time chatting with Becky. Lovely lady. Charming personality. Would enjoy running into her again before she leaves Key West.

The three were on their way to a drag show at 801 later. Their first.

For me, it was off to La Te Da’s outside bar for dinner. Then a brief stop at Publix to pick up some groceries. What a bachelor does on a saturday night in Key West.

Key West people compatible. Tolerate most things. One happy family. For real.

Sometimes an outsider tests our tolerance.

A sad occurrence one in the morning on 2/23. 1200 block of Duval.

Two Key Westers going home on their bicycles. Some one on a scooter/moped came up behind them and then in front. Hit one of the bikes causing it to overturn.

The trouble maker was calling the bicyclists faggots and other vile names. Shouted at them: “You live in Trump City now!”

Sick bastard. He will be caught. Police arrived. Witnesses.

Another sick incident. Friday morning just before 6 am. Two young girls were waiting for their 6 am school bus pick up. Two men stopped in a pick up truck and offered them a ride. The girls refused. One of the mothers drove up with a bottle of water her daughter had forgotten. The men drove away.

Fortunately a rare occurrence in the lower Keys. My concern is the 6 am pick up time. The schools have to do better. These kids are getting up at 5 am to start their day. Wrong! Time for the school board to rework things.

Big day ahead. Probably will never leave the house.

Sloan at noon. Syracuse/Louisville on TV at 2. The Academy Awards tonight.

Not a bad day!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

HOGFISH WITH DONNA AND TERRI

A Key West evening of old last night. The way it used to be.

Dinner was at Hogfish with Donna and Terri. Except for a new thatched roof, Hogfish has been the same in the 26 years I have known Key West. A taste of old Key West.

Dined with Donna and Terri. I was their guest. Donna is a concierge. She sent enough customers to Hogfish so as to qualify for free meals and drinks for the three of us.

We ate hogfish. When in Rome, etc. Terri and I also enjoyed lobster bisque. To die for!

Conversation good. Terri in between chemo sessions. In happy spirits.

Always a pleasure to be with my lesbian wives.

There was entertainment. On the floor and at our table. Terri joined in singing many of the songs. As only Terri can.

I am having fun doing Facebook’s Go Live. Actually, Go Live with Key West Lou. You can see and hear me expound. Love it!

Yesterday, two segments.

The first concerned the whore of whores. Banks! They caused 2008. 9.3 million foreclosures, 2.5 million people out of work. No one went to jail.

Iceland had the same problem back in 2008. They sent the bankers to jail.

Spain has had a similar experience. However in this instance, bank CEOs and other hierarchy abused bank credit cards. To the tune of millions. The credit card abuse and other problems led to the banks looking to the taxpayers to bail them out. As we did in the U.S.

Spanish people like Icelanders. Said no way! Thirty some odd bankers charged, convicted and sent to jail for from 3-6.5 years.

Where were our balls back in 2008?

Financial institutions and corporations control Washington. They have danced for years to the tunes of financial institutions and corporations.

The other segment involved Sweden and Muslim immigrants.

Swedes are unusually good people. Always ready to help those in need. Whether Swedish or another nationality. Sweden took in many Muslims. The Muslims were not acclimating. Living the Swedish way of life.

Sweden saw the problem. One solution adopted was to take young and teen age Swedes and pay them to play with Muslims of similar age.

An experiment. Young swedes paid $6 an hour American money.

Worked good for about 4 weeks. Then a group of teen age Muslims boys gang raped a Swedish young lady who was part of the program.

End of the program.

Female abuse is part of the Islamic tradition. Questionable whether Muslim ladies will ever achieve equality and freedom from abuse. To be treated as people and not chattels.

Milo Yiannopoulos in Key West for a few days. He’s the one who came out last week condoning sexual relationships between adults and children.

A whack! He lost some good jobs last week. Deservedly so.

I hope Milo does not expect sex with kids in Key West. As open and free as Key West is, child abuse is not a part of our society.

Herman deBoer died yesterday. I did not know him. I do know two of his children, Guy and Dawn. Both whom I like very much and respect.

The father had to be a good man to have such children.

The father deBoer had an interesting life. He was born in Netherlands. Spent World War II in the Netherlands as a young man living under Nazi domination.

My friend Anna lived in Italy as a young child under Nazi occupation. The stories she has told me have to be comparable to those the senior deBoer observed and experienced.

May he rest in peace.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman.

One of Truman’s many visits began this date in 1948. Truman returned from Guantanamo Bay and spent eight days vacationing in key west.

Syracuse/Louisville tomorrow at 2. Should be interesting.

Enjoy your day!

STEPHEN MILLER / JOSEPH GOEBBELS

Stephen Miller appeared on the Sunday talk shows yesterday. His appearances shocking.

Miller is a Senior Advisor to the President. Part of the close to Trump West Wing team. He recently distinguished himself as the preparer of the Executive Order re immigration/banning entry. The order that resulted in a court challenge which Trump has thus far lost.

Miller’s performance on the talk shows shocking. One person commented that Miller was a “talking bag of puss.” Strong language based on strong feelings.

Miller appears to me as one who has perfected lying with a straight face. He reflects a twisted psyche. A propagandist.

I found it interesting when he challenged George Stephanopoulus. Miller told Stephanopoulus that he (Miller) would decide what questions could be asked of him and what not.

A public servant?

Miller is 32. I have recently criticized his youth in holding such a high level post. One which requires experience.

Miller reminds me of Joseph Goebbels. Even looks like him. Google Goebbels and make your own determination. Goebbels was 36 when he became Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda in 1933. He had been a Nazi supporter and influence since 26.

My friends, start getting concerned. We are only at the beginning. Specifically what, I am not sure. Whatever, it definitely will be no good.

Permit a brief thought re immigrants.

The immigrants of today are the Jews of yesterday. A needed scapegoat.

I mentioned this several times five years ago when I visited Greece. Blackshirts instead of Brownshirts. Windows of retail stores owned by immigrants marked with huge Xs. Immigrants openly beaten on the streets while police turned their backs.

We are not there yet. May never be. You never know, however. Our nation is split. People angry. Lead by a person feeding off that anger.

Yesterday was a quiet day at home. Never left. A lazy day. Read, worked on tuesday night’s podcast, sat on the deck and snoozed, watched the Grammys.

Grammys enjoyable! Actually, terrific!

No Aqua Dueling Bartenders tonight.

Syracuse/Louisville. Available locally on ESPN. I may go out to watch the game.

Louisville a 4 point favorite. Louisville ranked #4 nationally.

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim and Louisville coach Rick Pitino best buddies. Close. Pitino was an assistant coach under Boeheim years ago. Both best man for each other. Both godfathers to certain of each’s children.

Kissing is good! No question about it. Tomorrow a big kissing night in Key West. To celebrate Valentine Day. A mass couples’ kissing at 5:30 tomorrow in front of the Custom House.

I will not be there. Unfortunately.

The History Section in this morning’s Key West Citizen has a picture of a trolley car taken in 1904. I remember street cars. We had them in Utica. My time to recall would have been 1937-40. Three to five years old. The trolley ran on Bleecker Street. Took us downtown. One to two miles.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

PARTY TIME!

The Chart Room and Berlin’s walked hand in hand last night.

The Chart Room was packed. Standing was tight. The group in their 60-70s. From the Fort Lauderdale area. Obviously affluent. Celebrating the birthday of one of the group.

The guest of honor was outfitted in a white tuxedo jacket, white shirt, black tie, black shorts and sandals.

I left before the partiers did. Headed for Berlin’s. Dinner at the bar. Emilie bartending. Introduced me to her fellow bartender Sean.

Before you knew it, the Chart Room party group showed up. They had to wait for their table. Ordered drinks. The same for all of them. Key Lime Martinis. Twenty six of them.

Ellie and Shawn lined the 26 martini glasses on the bar. Then proceeded to make the drink and fill the glasses. Done very efficiently. In record time. Not a drop missed.

When things quieted down, Emilie and I chatted a bit. She vacationed in Iceland for two weeks. Loved it! I would like to try it some day.

Sean is an Alabama graduate. A new friend for Jean Thornton.

Everywhere I go lately, I hear people ordering Tito’s vodka. New to me. A relatively new drink. John poured me a very short shot. Tasted good. Did not taste like vodka. Worry not, I shall not be deserting Beefeaters.

I bought the new tire yesterday and had it put on the car. A simple task. Should not take long. Familiar however with how Sears can take forever, people waiting in line, etc, I called and asked if I could make an appointment. Yes. At 8 or 1. I picked 1. Promptly at 1? No, means you are the next car in line. Ok. Better than the other way.

I got there a half hour early. 12:30. Was told it would take 1-1 1/2 hours, in spite of the appointment. Told the counter man I would be in the sitting room reading the newspapers. Ok, I’ll call you.

He forgot me. Two hours later, I went to the counter and asked about my car. Oh, he said. It’s finished. It has been sitting outside quite a while.

You can’t win!

I listened to a Hillary talk mid afternoon. I am getting depressed. She failed to impress me again.

She was speaking quietly and slowly. I have to assume to contrast Trump. Does not come over well.

Her hair was a mess. A real mess. I would assume she has a hair person traveling with her.

I hate to say this, she looked like she was sick.

I saw her in the give and take with reporters an hour later. Hair still a mess. However, it was Hilary talking. Perky! Brightly!

I was home early. Wanted to watch the Syracuse/Louisville game. Caught the second half. A knife in my chest! Syracuse lost 62-28. Defense and offense sucked! Obviously!

This Zika thing is out of control. From Key Haven to Washington to the rest of the world. Out of control as to what to do, allocate money, etc. Not out of control as to number infected in the U.S.. Not yet. Maybe never.

The Oxitec war with Key Haven is turning into Goliath/David situation.

Oxitec is owned by the British company Intrexon. It was recently announced Intrexon had hired a Tallahassee public relations firm to assist Oxitec with the Key Haven and full key votes. The PR firm appears to have raised its ugly head. Jumped into the fray.

There is a lengthy Letter to the Editor in this morning’s KONK E-Blast. Tears apart every argument made by Key Haven residents. Skillfully slices away. Representations not all correct. Some  twisting of the facts. False reasons claimed as to why Key Haven residents are opposed to the testing.

The letter is purportedly by Big Pine’s Walter Lagraves. I question whether he actually wrote the letter. Could it have been the PR people? I do not know Lagraves. If he wrote the letter, I apologize for suspecting he did not. The letter is too long, too knowledgeable and too scientific. A professional opposition paper.

If Lagraves is serious, I suggest he go a step further. He should recommend the testing be done in Big Pine rather than Key Haven.

It’s called put your money where your mouth is!

Enjoy your day!

 

STRANGE WEATHER

It rained yesterday. First time since a week ago sunday. We had rain the days before 99L. Not sure even as a result of 99L. Then the day 99L or a tropical storm was to hit, no rain.

Spent yesterday fine tuning last nights blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

One of the opening topics was Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte calling Obama the “son of a whore.”

I spoke at length about Duterte two weeks ago on the show. Referred to him as the Philippine Trump. Primarily because he was evidencing a foul mouth.

Why Duterte opted to defecate on Obama is difficult to understand. China is pushing the Philippines around. Specifically, the South China Sea. The Philippines have a next to nothing Navy and Air Force. We are their number one protector and arms supplier. Duterte is biting the hand that feeds him.

Poker Run around the corner. September 15-18. Ten thousand bikers will be in town. The roar of the bikes and the roar of the crowds!

Trump never ceases to amaze me. His comment yesterday was that his temperament was his “single greatest asset.”

Syracuse/Louisville friday night. Louisville ranked #13. I look forward to the game. Syracuse has a new coach and new offense.

Louisville a 14 point favorite.

Today is wednesday. Screw off day for me. The first day of my three day weekend. Other than my daily blog, no writing.

I have a manicure scheduled this morning and Back Door at cocktail time. There will be more as the day progresses.

Enjoy your day!

RED BARN

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!