AMERICA’S SEXUAL RECESSION

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Would you believe…..America in the midst of a sex recession?

It is. Responsibility falls upon teenagers and young adults. Less sex apparently better.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Survey covering 1991-2017 startling. High school students having sex has dropped from 54 percent to 40 percent.

In other words in the space of a generation, sex has gone from something most high school students experienced to something most haven’t.

Oral sex has not been substituted. The rate for oral sex has remained steady.

Teen pregnancies down dramatically, also.  Dropped to a third of its modern high.

Two reasons why sex frequency if falling. One, the internet. Porn is being substituted by both sexes for sex with a partner. The other, young people are partnering less.

The pendulum has swung. The modern libido is down.

I am not a happy camper this morning. Two reasons. Syracuse lost and I did not sleep all night. The two unrelated.

Syracuse went down to Connecticut 83-76. It was Connecticut’s game all the way.

I don’t understand. Syracuse’s starting 5 has returned. New recruits terrific. The bench deep for the first time in years. Four players supposedly excellent 3 point shooters. Syracuse’s defense supposedly great.

Nothing helped last night.

Syracuse attempted few 3 pointers. Second game  a row. When the team did, the ball rarely went in. Connecticut could hardly miss a 3 pointer. If my recollection is correct, they made 12.

I fell asleep around 10. Woke just after midnight. No television. Comcast was down all the way. No internet e-mail, television or land line. The internet came back on at 6 this morning. TV at 8:30.

I need TV to sleep. I substituted it for book reading at bed time years ago. I leave the TV on all night. Sleep poorly. When I wake, I watch whatever is on for a while and fall back to sleep.

My crutch, the TV set, was not there.

In recent months, Comcast’s service has been sporadic. Pisses me off. We depend on its services. It should be reliable.

Comcast owns NBC. I do not see NBC suffering from glitches. Only we poor peasants who depend on Comcast for internet e-mail, TV and land lines.

I have vented!

My yesterday simple. Haircut with Lori and lunch at Sandy’s Cafe. Spent the afternoon home researching. My excitement level rising as the day reached 7 in the evening when the Syracuse/Connecticut game would begin.

Those of you who live up north laugh not. A cold spell is upon us today. The high will only be 75. That’s cold in Key West. Tonight, the temperature is expected to drop to 71. Really cold! Quilt time.

Key West has many pleasant experiences. One, its sunsets. Always a canvas. Different strokes each evening.

Water surrounds the Keys. Those living here develop a love and respect for those who live in the ocean.

Twin one year old manatees were in trouble. Their mother accidentally killed by a boat strike. Manatee calves stay with their mothers one to two years. The twins were not yet able to do well on their own.

They were found stressed out more than a year ago in waters off Key Largo. Weighed about 100 pounds each. Rescued by the Dolphin Research Center. Named Millennium and Falcon.

Transferred to the Miami Sea Aquarium. Subsequently sent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio for rehabilitation.

All better, they were recently released back into the waters off Key Largo.

The musical Sound of Music opened this day in 1959 on Broadway. An instantaneous hit!

I saw the show the following July. Actually, July 4. My first musical.

I was in New York studying for the bar exam. Six weeks. I already had put 4 in. Seven hours a day of lecture, the rest of the time studying. Seven days a week.

We had 2 days off . The 4th and one day adjoining it.

My wife and I had not seen each other in 4 weeks. She came down for the 2 days. Our blood was boiling. Except for seeing Sound of Music, we basically stayed in bed.

Our daughter Beth was conceived over those 2 days.

Florida is one screwed up State when it comes to ballot counting. This year no different. Broward County handed in its recount numbers 2 minutes late. Election officials refused to accept them. Thousands of votes will not count if a court does not reverse the decision.

Recall 2000. Bush/Gore. It all came down to a recount in Florida. Chads!

Not the first time Florida was in such a position. The 1876 Rutherford Hayes and Samuel Tilden Presidential election ended in a mess. Tilden won the popular vote. Four States had election day problems. Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon.

Hayes Republican, Tilden Democrat.

Tilden was short one electoral vote.

The war was on!

Several months of bitter partisan wrangling. Finally, a special electoral commission was appointed to resolve the issue. Partisan politics here, also. Republicans picked the members. The commission ended up with one more Republican member than the Democrats.

Florida’s contested votes, together with those of the other three States, were awarded to Hayes.

The Democrats lost the first time. They lost again in the Bush/Gore dispute. It appears they will lose this time in the Governor and Senate races which are in dispute.

Trump an unhappy camper also today. The media tells us he has been so for several days. Deep anxiety has set in. The Democratic blue wave disheartens him. The Mueller investigation appears to be winding down. He has concern for not only himself, but also his family and friends.

He returned to tweeting about Mueller and his investigation yesterday. Trump says the Mueller investigation is a mess, there is no collusion, absolutely no collusion, Mueller and his people are shouting at each other. All a disgrace to the Nation.

Who truly is the disgrace?

Enjoy your day! Dress warm!

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOONING

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Is it mooning or the finger that best expresses one’s feelings on occasion? I must confess I have extended my finger a few times. Never mooned, however.

Twenty three year old Peter Kehoe mooned last thursday in Dublin, Ireland. A strange set of circumstances led to the mooning.

Peter and his girl friend hurried to the Dublin Airport to catch a 7 am flight to Amsterdam. They were late. The plane was already moving.

Peter broke down the airport door and ran toward the Ryanair plane.

He shouted “Wait!”

Ryanair personnel caught Peter and held him for the police. He was arrested.

The charge was damage to a door lock. He was released pending trial.

As he left court, reporters and a crowd awaited him. Peter turned, dropped his pants and mooned them. Then departed.

Mooning Constitutionally protected free speech had the matter occurred in the U.S.? I don’t know. The finger is.

Mooning probably indecent exposure.

I avoided politics yesterday. Today a bit also. So much on the airways it loses its bang. I have decided to take a rest from that which has been consuming our minds for 2-3 days.

Last night, we celebrated Lisa’s birthday. Dinner at Chico’s, a Mexican restaurant on Stock Island. It was fun.

I shared a story about Lisa’s birth with the family. One they did not know.

We had a boy and then 2 girls before Lisa was born. We were sure the fourth would be a boy. We would name him Louis. The wife and I never considered it would be a girl.

Took 3 days for us to come up with a name. Our baby lay in the hospital unnamed. Finally, Lisa Marie.

After dinner, we returned to Lisa’s. Birthday cake! Robert and Ally had baked the cake. Great tasting! Even Jake enjoyed a piece. A small one.

A political comment. I question the value of the FBI report in the Kavanaugh matter. If the White House limited the questions and persons to be interviewed, the investigation is a sham. This additional FBI review is a strange one. Not aware of any done in a similar fashion in the past.

Trump says the investigation is unencumbered. I do not believe him. The American people are entitled to one free from Presidential control.

The tariff war with Mexico and China appears to have been resolved. Not completely, however. Aluminum and steel not a part of the Canadian portion of the agreement.

The big tariff war is with China. In the billions. The British Foreign Office issued a report this past week that the U.S. is currently winning the war. I wrote/spoke to that effect last week. China’s economy in rough condition prior to the tariffs. However, I believe things will balance out and within 6 months both the U.S. and China will be mutually hurting.

My concern goes beyond the economic war. I fear a military one. Something I have been alluding to frequently. China’s military is new and strong. The U.S. not yet capable of stopping new Chinese missiles heading to our shores. There is more.

Asians are a proud people. Some countries will take Trump defecating on them. China will not. At some point they will say enough is enough. Then the economic war will turn into a military one.

Recall the time before World War II. Japan had invaded Manchuria. President Roosevelt told Japan to get out. They refused. Roosevelt blocked passage of oil vessels from various Asian islands to Japan. Japan could not survive without the oil. Pearl Harbor the result.

Ah, the credit card! Now usable for Sunday collections at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. Called “tap and go.” Don’t even have to swipe. Merely tap the card on a small metal box at the Church entrance. It records donations $10 at a time.

One tap, $10. Expensive Church going for most.

Tonight Terri sings at Aqua. Dueling Bartenders. Hope she is well enough. They refused her chemo thursday because she had a fever, cold and congestion.

I will be at Dueling Bartenders.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

KEY WEST CITIZEN SOLD

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Rumor has it the Key West Citizen has been sold. Formal announcement of the sale is expected tuesday.

The purported purchaser is the Adams Publishing Group. A family business headed by 80 year old Steve Adams and his four sons.

They got into the small town newspaper business only three years ago. Already own some 100 small town dailies.

The Adams family is one of substance. Their wealth estimated in the billions. Generous to certain causes. The father Steve and his wife donated $100 million to the Yale School of Music in 2015.

The Adams Group generally retain staff and operations of newspapers purchased.

It is almost noon and I am no where close to finishing today’s blog. I have been watching John McCain’s service. It is hard to think and compose with tears in one’s eyes.

The man deserves all the tribute being accorded him this morning. Makes one proud to watch the service. Proud to be an American.

McCain’s mother Roberta is still alive. One hundred six yeas old. God bless her!

The Chart Room first last night. Few people. I was surprised. I thought the holiday weekend would fill the place.

Chatted with John and David, as well as a few tourists.

One of the tourists had just arrived from Saratoga Springs. She was attending the races. We shared some thoughts. I visited Saratoga during the racing season often. Not for the races. The parties at night! I also maintained an office in Saratoga for years.

We got into iguanas, lizards,and pythons. Especially lizards and pythons.

I read recently that the iguana food business is on the rise. In Central and South America, iguana is commonly eaten. Tastes like chicken. Never achieved any degree of popularity in the U.S. Till now.

A California based meat company used to import iguanas from Puerto Rico. Now from Florida. Ten thousand pounds a month. Makes the meat into sausage, hot dogs and burgers.

Purchase price wholesale expensive. The company sells to people and restaurants across the U.S. One pound boneless $59.99. One pound whole with skin on $49.99.

The California facility is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Then to the Blue Macaw. Many friends. A good time. Met Rebecca. Just arrived in Key West. Here for the holiday weekend. She has a PhD. in History. Now wants to go to medical school.

Elections in the air! Primaries and then the mid-terms in November. Early voting commonplace. Early voting on college campuses receiving attention. In July, a federal court ruled that a ban placed on early voting sites on Florida campuses was unconstitutional and placed an unfair burden on college students.

Smaller counties and colleges are moving swiftly to provide early campus voting. The bigger counties and universities not.

Miami-Dade, Duval and Escambia examples of counties slow to respond to the court directive. Universities slow include Florida A&M, Florida International, and Miami Dade.

Just so happens that the slower universities are those with the greatest number of non-whites.

Locally, I do not know what our community college is or has been doing. I plan on checking it out and letting you know.

Syracuse football back!

Beat West Virginia yesterday 55-42. A strange result. Syracuse was winning 34-7 at half time.

Next week tiny Wagner. A warm up. Syracuse should win.

The following week Syracuse plays Florida State at Syracuse. Florida State a ranked team. The game will tell how good Syracuse is.

World War II began this day in 1939. Germany invaded Poland.

What I am about to relate disturbs me greatly.

A new movie regarding man on the moon is scheduled for release October 12. Called First Man. Includes the story of John Glenn, the first man to step on the moon. Ryan Gosling plays Armstrong.

Armstrong planted the American flag on the moon. Recorded, filmed. A proud moment in itself.

The flag incident is omitted in the film. Gosling said because what Armstrong accomplished in going to the moon was a “human achievement,” not an American one. He forgets the years and thousands of people required to put Armstrong on the moon.

He claims Armstrong did not consider himself an American hero. Armstrong was a humble man, he claims.

All heroes are humble. They are not aware at the time of their unusual deeds that they have achieved hero status. Think Sgt. York and John McCain.

The omission of the American flag and the reasons therefore a distortion of history. A manipulation.

Disgraceful!

I was alive, a family man, a practicing attorney at the time. I assure you everyone including me considered the moon landing an American achievement. We were “American proud.”

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

BIKINI BORN

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This day in 1946 a significant one regarding female beach attire. The bikini was born. A two piece bathing suit. Skimpy. Exposed the navel and much of the buttocks.

Available female bathing attire even more skimpy today. The thong bottom leaves little to the imagination. The top piece lucky to cover the areolas

Prior to World War II, female bathing suits were generally one piece and skirted. The War changed that in the United States. Fabric was rationed. As a result, the skirt panel and other superfluous material were removed.

Not as dramatic as the bikini which would come later.

The navel was considered sacred. Always covered. The two piece bathing suit born in the U.S. covered the navel. The bottom panty would be described as granny panties by today’s standards. The top a full bra.

I recall the Virginia Slims cigarette advertising of the 1970’s: You’ve come a long way ladies! As to today’s bikinis the saying applies also. No question. The next step in the progression, if there is to be one,  total nudity.

I have decided on next week’s KONK Life column. ICE. Began my research yesterday afternoon.

We hear the term, but know little about it. It has become a forceful police agency. People should be aware. My column will tell the story of its rapid growth since just after 9/11 when it was born.

This week’s KONK Life is available. My column this week: Hurricanes and Key West Cemeteries. Not boring.

The Chart Room, Hot Tin Roof and then the Chart Room again last night. I was to meet Fran and Tom Dixon and their daughter at 6 at Hot Tin Roof. I was early. Hot Tin Roof does not open till 6. Ergo, a Chart Room stop first.

John bartending. Good friend Ollie at the bar. Met John. I will refer to him as New John so as not to confuse him with the two John bartenders.

New John had lived in Key West years ago. He returned the day before. He assumes he will remain for at least 5 years this time. He is a liquor distributor. We enjoyed an interesting conversation re Key West.

Then to the Hot Tin roof.

I love Tom’s wife Fran. She is the absolute best. Cooks for me in Buffalo and brings the goodies with her each time she visits. About 4 times a year. Last night, 4 jars of sauce with meatball, sausage and pork. Home made fudge and another type candy.

Always good to meet with them. Tom and I reviewed Syracuse football for the coming season. He is a die hard Syracuse fan, also. He reported the season is not anticipated to be a good one. It has been years since we have had a good team!

Their daughter with them. Her name escapes me. I apologize. Old age.

A smart woman. Retired from the Army a major. Recently received her MBA from Harvard. Has a job already in Boston with a big time company. She starts monday.

She and her husband recently purchased a home in Wellesley.

We ate, drank and had a good time.

They left at 8. Tom had made reservations to be on the FURY to watch the fireworks.

I am not into fireworks. Seen one, seen them all. I stopped back at the Chart Room, enjoyed one drink, and headed home.

BOB tired. Stayed up late watching the fireworks. Taking today off. Tomorrow will be the finish of the Bum Farto trial and saga.

The tariff war with China begins tomorrow. Midnight July 6. China and the U.S. in different time zones. Our July 6 is midnight. China 12 hours ahead. Their July 6 midnight noon today.

Tariff wars are devastating. Everyone seems to know it, except for Trump. There are no winners. A world wide depression probable.

China advised it will not start the tariff war with the U.S. So it will wait till midnight our time to see if Trump backs off. If not, bad shit will follow over the next several months.

Key West has one industry that will definitely be hit. Florida lobsters. Referred to also as spiny lobsters. South Florida ships millions of dollars worth each year to China. A major Key West business will take a big hit.

Yesterday, July 4th. America’s birthday. Two hundred forty two years old. The Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Most of us recall the beginning words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…..” The document obviously contained other passages of equal importance and significance. One dealt with the right and duty of citizens to raise up and abolish governments that “becomes destructive.”

The paragraph written from a long time ago. However, its words may have special relevance today. I leave such to your judgment: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to their ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…..when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is the right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security…..Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.”

Thank you, Thomas Jefferson.

Enjoy your day!

TARIFF WAR WITH CHINA BAD FOR U.S.

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Respectfully, most things started by Trump end up being disasters. The immigrant children the most recent. Soon to come, a tariff war with China.

If the war proceeds as presently described, a disaster for the U.S.

Nine States each exported more than $1 billion worth of tariff eligible goods to China in 2017. Five of the States red politically.

All nine States will take a big time beating.

By some time in 2019 (next year), unemployed will increase to 6 million. In 2020, unemployed will be at 8.6 percent.

If the numbers are correct, the U.S. will be plunged into a recession. The world will soon follow.

My yesterday, a lazy one. I did not feel that great. Did some research for next week’s KONK Life column, watched some TV, and napped. Did not go out last night.

The KONK column will be about sand. Sand, today. As with water, failing supplies. Sand has become gold.

Hard to believe. True, however.

BOB reported that in the 1990’s, a live mine was found floating in the Marquesas. The Marquesas a few miles west of the Keys. The mine was a model MK6 left over from World War II. Three feet in diameter and covered in barnacles.

During World War II, German U-boats were regularly in the waters off the Keys. The U.S. Navy set out 4,328 MK6 mines.

Following the War, 2,316 were accounted for.

BOB wanted to know what happened to the rest.

The mine discovered was live. The remaining 2,000 plus unaccounted for would still be alive, even today. There were no “off” switches after a period of time on mines then as there are today.

Again, BOB curious. What happened to the other 2,000 mines?

BOB also reported a Duval Street robbery. From an adult store. A full sized anatomically correct female blow up doll with a built in vibrator. Obviously, a straight guy.

This blog goes out over at least a dozen sites. One is WordPress. Comments are fiery. My blog provides many with a place to vent.

Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria still discussed. Patrick against several others. The issue concerning help/no help for Puerto Rico to this day. I mentioned months ago Patrick was wrong. He persists in his position. Repeatedly gets knocked down.

Months after Maria and still arguing.

My undergrad school was Manhattan College. The Jasper Jottings blog recently shared a story how some present day Manhattan students did their small part in helping Puerto Rico.

Worthy of sharing with you.

A small group of engineering students and a professor went to Puerto Rico 3/9-3/12. To Colegio De La Salle in Anasco. A La Sallian grade school, kindergarten through 12th grade. With only intermittent power. Without clean water.

The students designed a Water and Solar Power Project. Cheap and easy to construct. The next step, someone has to build it. Puerto Ricans themselves or perhaps the students will return.

The purpose of the story. Puerto Rico still in desperate need of assistance. Even a little help is a lot. Helping hands required to fill in where Trump/the U.S. have failed our fellow citizens.

The confinement/detention centers for the immigrant children receiving continual discussion. One person recently said, “A prison is a prison is a prison, whether we want to call them nice euphemisms…..If people aren’t allowed to leave, then its imprisonment, and so we need to be clear about that.”

My concern about the babies grows with each passing day. Why no photos of them or visits to them? I pray this is not a further tragedy in the making.

A side point of interest. The CEO of the largest private non-profit caring for the children is paid $1.5 million a year.

Dinner with my lesbian wives Donna and Terri tonight at Hurricane Hole. I have not seen the ladies in two weeks. They are packing day and night preparatory to moving by the end of the month.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD WAR II RATIONING…..PUBLIC’S PART IN WAR EFFORT

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The U.S. has had boots on the ground in 17 different countries since 9/11. Military involvement. Too much by any measure.

One of the reasons our country easily goes into these different countries to war is that most American people are not involved on a personal basis.

We have a volunteer military. No draft. Only those that want to go, go. We are not meeting the the military’s goals number wise. The quality of those volunteering is less than desirable mentally, drug wise and in other respects.

If there was a draft, Congress would be reluctant to vote monies for more and more wars. The people back home would be on their asses if they were committing their husbands, children and grandchildren to go in harm’s way.

During World War II because of the draft, everyone was involved on the home front as well as the war front.

Another method existed for citizen participation. Rationing. Painful in its own way.

Coffee one of the items rationed. Coffee came from Latin America. Military needed coffee more than the folks back home. Also, demands placed on shipping a contributing factor to the rationing of coffee.

Then there was gasoline. Imagine, each car owner got only 3 gallons a week. Butter, also. The boys at the front required it more.

Rationing gave those on the home front a hand in the war. A way to sacrifice, to participate personally.

The way things work today without a draft  or rationing, the home front is not a front. Those at home rarely feel the consequences of the wars. Unless a volunteer returns home dead or maimed.

Lunch yesterday at Five Guys. Second day in a row. A cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce leafs. Followed by minimal grocery shopping for the diet at Publix.

Ran into Giorgio at Publix. His Key West home for sale. He and Sharon are moving to central Florida. Irma evacuation got to him. Also, he needs to be close to good hospitals. The helicopter ride to Miami might get him there too late.

Giorgio is President of the Sons and Daughters of Italy. We have become good friends since I joined. I will miss  him.

Giorgio and I are having a farewell dinner together friday night. Drinks at the Chart Room and diner at Hot Tin Roof.

Last night my podcast show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. One of the better ones. Got into Muslims yesterday and today, the Catholic Church’s involvement in the First Crusade, the new Islamic Coalition comparable to NATO, etc.

Tragedy and pleasure struck yesterday. No hot water. Showered in the cold.

Tenancy has it advantages. Telephoned the rental manager. He came over and checked things. Unable to fix. He will have a repair man here today.

When I owned, it would have been my headache to arrange and pay for repair. Like it better this way.

Trump has enough on his hands. What with North Korea and the tax bill. Never the less, he seems to find time to return to the foolish. Yesterday, it was revealed he is back into the birther issue. He has returned to his original position: Obama was not born in the U.S.

When the sexual harassment issue hit the news several weeks ago, I said on my Facebook live video show Key West Lou Live that to a smaller degree women bore some responsibility. The was they dressed. Sexually. An invitation to wrongdoing by man.

No one else took a similar position till yesterday. Angela Lansbury. Now 92, a British Dame, former star of Broadway and Hollywood.

Lansbury said women’s efforts at beautifying themselves had “backfired.” Left them at risk of sexual harassment, encouraged sexual harassment. Women in some instances take the blame.

Lansbury added however that here was no excuse for men who prey on women.

Enjoy your day!

 

A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT

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One thing about Trump, he is consistent. His every move screws up America!

The most recent was yesterday. He removed the United States from the Paris Accord. The climate control agreement involving 199 nations of the world. The only two not signatories were Nicaragua and Syria. Great partners!

I said what I had to say yesterday on my Facebook video. Upset, I was. Upset, I still am.

My comment today is a reference to Macbeth. I speak of Trump in recalling the lines: A tale told by an idiot / full of sound and fury. / Signifying nothing.

Santina is retired somewhere in Florida. She views my video every day. Her comment following yesterday’s regarding Trump was right on: He is a self indulgent pompous, egotistical, nut job.

I asked for help, recommendations, re my feet which are causing me distress. The balls hurt. Received many comments. Interesting and helpful. Thank you.

When I get the medical results, I will let you know the diagnosis. I have a feeling I have already been told it in the comments. Lower back and poor shoes.

Yesterday began with a haircut and Lori. Fifteen plus years she has been cutting my hair.

Then to Publix for groceries. Cupboard bare again.

Ally 12 years old yesterday! Like she was born yesterday. Twelve now. Robert turned 13 two weeks ago.

Lisa cooked a birthday dinner and cake. Ally blew out the candles as we sang happy birthday. Ally controlled the scene. Lights out, start singing when I tell you, etc.

Ally is no longer a girl. She is a young lady. On her way to becoming a woman.

Ally showed me a project re Greece that she had completed for school. I told her about Acropolis. Told her to check it out on the computer.

She took out her cell phone and immediately was viewing 21 pictures of Acropolis and Parthenon. I told her Poppa had been there and walked through the ruins.

She was impressed. I enjoyed her reaction.

Robert told me that in 2 years he can get a learner’s permit to drive. Fifteen the age in Florida.

Time does not move on. It flies!

Bocce last night. The team finally had a winning evening. Won 2, lost 1.

My MTV neighbor Andrew watching. He is in for a few days from his home in Switzerland. Jim and his wife were with him.

My comments re the croc living on the golf course drew some street comments. Several were to the effect that crocodiles are now breeding in Boca Chica. The result will be more crocs in the area.

Boca Chica a beach about a mile in through the woods. Mostly a gay hang out. I suggest no bare ass meandering through the woods. Chop and it’s gone!

Roy Cohen was one of the most able attorneys of his time. Known to be tough and brutal. A good lawyer to be represented by.

He was Senator Joe Mc Carthy’s lawyer in the 1950s during Mc Carthy’s Communists in government witch hunt.

He was Donald Trump’s lawyer in the early to mid 1980s. Trump purportedly one of his favorite clients. A friendship existed between them. They talked several times a day by telephone, did Studio 54 by night, etc.

A professional and personal relationship existed.

Nineteen eighty six found Cohen on his deathbed. AIDS. It is reported Trump was the last one Cohen talked with before he died. By telephone.

Strange.

It is also reported Trump pulled all his files but one from Cohen when he heard Cohen was H.I.V.

Some claim Trump acquired his bully nature from Cohen.

Monday is the 75th anniversary of World War II’s Battle of Midway. June 3-7, 1942. The United States whipped Japan’s ass big time. It was the United States’ first major victory against the Japanese.

The good guys destroyed 4 Japanese carriers and 1 heavy destroyer.

Japanese sea power was extremely limited by the loss of the 4 carriers.

Monday morning, June 5th, at 9 am, there will be a ceremony at Bayview Park commemorating the Battle of Midway.

Key West is an extremely patriotic community. It never forgets the military.

The Trump family costs the U.S. big dollars to protect. The Secret Service is required to be with the family at all times and in all places.

Eric and Donald Jr. travel the world promoting Trump hotels and golf courses. They are not engaged in government work. The Secret Service is with them at all times.

Taxpayer dollars paying for the protection. Take the President out of the equation. It still costs millions of dollars to protect the rest of the family. Every step of the way. Even at multiple residences.

No problem. Cut 23 million off the healthcare rolls in the next ten years.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

MOLASSES FLOODS BOSTON STREETS

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Key West is accustomed to street flooding.

If a rain fall is heavy and it is high tide, the sewers cannot take the rain water. Intersections become lakes. Some as deep as two to three feet.

Hurricanes are no stranger to street flooding. Wilma comes to mind. Six and a half feet of water. Not just pouring over the streets. Into homes. Level six and a half feet, also.

On this date in 1919, Boston experienced a significant flooding. Twenty one killed. Dozens of horses, also.

Not water, however. Molasses.

The U.S. Industrial Alcohol Building contained a 58 foot high tank. The tank holding 2.5 million gallons of crude molasses. The tank exploded. Flowed  into and flooded the streets.

Took two weeks to clean the streets. Not bad. It took one to two years to clean up the Wilma mess. I refer specifically to home damage.

Spent yesterday afternoon quietly reading. Stories involving U.S. forces in Europe during World War II.

Then at 4, the Syracuse/Boston college game. Syracuse won 96-81. Interesting since Boston College decisively defeated Syracuse in a game New Year’s Day.

Syracuse’s fabled zone defense was working yesterday. Made Boston College look terrible.

As Boeheim continues to say, Syracuse wins if it plays its special defense hard. If not, Syracuse loses.

What Syracuse needs is consistency. The big post season tournament is slipping away.

Dinner last night at Berlin’s. Decided on beef. A filet mignon. As good as any I have enjoyed at a New York City steak house.

The local community college has steadily grown during my many Key West years. First, a two year community school. Now a four year institution. Presently offering a bachelor’s degree in a certain business area. This summer, a four year nursing degree.

No more a community college. The Florida Keys Community College needed a new name consistent with its movement to four year degrees.

The front page of this morning’s Key West Citizen announces such. Beginning this summer, the name will change. To The College of the Florida Keys.

Congratulations to The College of the Florida Keys. Congratulations to the administrators and faculty who worked hard to make it so.

I have many times criticized the Key West City Commission. Bunglers. Know not what they do. Inept.

Today’s Key West Citizen editorial takes on the Commission and its many shortcomings. Its sins itemized.

The editorial titled: Why Doesn’t the Commission Listen?

The editorial one of the best written in the many years I have read the Citizen. It publicly admonishes the Commission to shape up.

I doubt it will help. Commission members are hard headed. Several times I have engaged one or another with a question, complaint, etc. In each instance, the reason for the particular Commission action was supported by a non-nonsensical reason.

They cannot see. Thinkers they are not.

William Healey continues to suggest a concern re a Florida Indian uprising in 1856.

He mentions several travelers came down to Key West from the Miami River and corroborated the news he had received one day earlier that the Indians might wage war again. He mentions ten Indians also arrived.

Ernest Hemingway’s grandson will appear at the San Carlos on January 26. John Hemingway will discuss Pamplona and running with the bulls. The setting of his grandfather’s The Sun Also Rises.

Ernest Hemingway never ran. His World War I leg injuries prevented his participation. His grandson John not so affected. John has made the run 16 times. Never gored!

John’s appearance is sponsored by the very active Key West Art and Historical Society.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

THE THORNTONS…..HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

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Jean and Joe Thornton…..Happy Anniversary! Forty years!

The event was celebrated with a small group of friends last night at Berlin’s. Janyne one of the party.

Bria payed Jean and Joe lovely compliments and then invited them to dance as she sang.

A lovely couple. A Key West loved couple.

I was at Berlin’s last night with Jenna for dinner.

At least two months since I’ve seen Jenna. She is always working, on the road or running.

She spent Christmas in Indiana with the family. Followed by a week in New York City as Reuben’s guest.

Jenna…..Always beautiful, always striving.

I think Anna and Everett were at Berlin’s also. Shamefully, I did not recognize them. Realized as I was leaving they were new found friends from Aqua and the Chart Room this past week.

My apologies.

Exciting days coming at the end of the month. Exciting to me.

From 1/30 to 2/2, three World War II planes will be on exhibit in Key West. Three planes that helped win the War. Three planes I played with during the War years. Making models.

The B-24 bomber, B-25 bomber, and the P-51 Mustang fighter.

The place, the Key West Airport.

The planes are on a 110 city tour.

Syracuse/Pitt at noon today. Syracuse a 3 point favorite. The game not available on TV. I had wanted to watch the game with Dan Reardon. When your team sucks, TV ignores your team.

On this day in 1789, George Washington was elected the first President of the United states. Only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. Voting restrictions existed even back then. Its purpose then and now to protect the turf of those who are part of the so called establishment.

More re the robot invasion.

IBM Watson has designed and produced robots to replace insurance claim workers at a Japanese insurance company. Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance.

Thirty four human insurance claim workers will be replaced. Beginning this month. Replaced by the IBM Explorer AI robot.

The robots will scan hospital records and other documents to determine insurance payouts, factoring injuries, patient medical histories, and procedures administered.

The robot cost $1.7 million. Plus maintenance of $128,000 a year.

Fukokou will realize a savings of $1.1 million per year on employee salaries. Providing a return on its investment in less than two years.

In addition, productivity is expected to increase by 30 percent.

Just the beginning! Time is now to worry about how human employees replaced by robots will be transitioned. Actually, yesterday was the time. We are always late.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

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We are lucky this year. Two Christmas days. Yesterday, the actual holiday. Today the day after, a legal holiday providing workers with a day off.

For me, today will be a screw off day. Not sure at this point what I will do. Dueling Bartenders tonight a good shot.

I planned on starting a walking regimen today. I knock off ten pounds and then gain it back. Know full well exercise is half the battle.

My plan was to get up at six and get out! Good luck! Time not the problem. I wake at 5. Did get out of bed. Looked out the window. Dark and uninviting. My body was talking to me. Go back to bed! Screw the walking! At least for today. That is what I did. Listened to my body.

Maybe tomorrow the walking begins.

I have shared America’s Christmas with you the past few days. From the Puritans in the 1600s to the concluding portion today which will bring us to present times.

President Ulysses Grant is credited with making Christmas a national holiday. He did not. In 1870, Grant signed a bill into law which said Christmas “…..shall be a holiday within the District of Columbia.”

The District of Columbia, not the United States.

The States however began legalizing December 25 as a holiday. Oklahoma was the last to do so in 1907.

It is felt Christmas Day became a national holiday as a result of Grant’s District of Columbia bill signing and the States legalizing December 25 as a holiday.

Christmas received a further boost in 1897. The now famous editorial in the Sun of New York. The significant line, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

Christmas was practiced and recognized as a holiday through World War II. For whatever reason, it received its most gigantic step forward recognition wise and celebration wise following World War II. Everyone got into the act after the war. Maybe because people were happy and grateful to have won.

Fini to An American Christmas.

Christmas Day at Lisa’s is a morning brunch. Much too much food. All good, all tasty.

Ally is developing culinary talents. She made waffles from scratch. No box. Impressive! Enjoyed a couple of thick pieces.

Robert and Ally met me at the door as I arrived. Both telling me at the same time what Santa Claus brought them. Each a laptop.

Amazing how our young ones are trained to use computers. They are already experts to a degree. Their own means they will no longer use their parents’ computers.

Liz’s for an open house in the afternoon. Good food and good company. Liz’s friends local and out of towners.

Liz’s food exceptional. The ham delicious! Egg nog, also.

I like Liz. A cooking expert and talented entertainer. An interesting personality and sharp mind.

Key West loves Harry Truman and Harry Truman loved Key West. I cannot make the statement too many times.

On this date in 1972, Truman died. Simply of old age. Pneumonia brought him into the hospital where his body organs began failing one at a time.

A question. Perhaps one of you may know the answer. My recollection is that I read somewhere Truman was in a nursing home prior to his death. I tried to corroborate my recollection. Could not find the answer.

Did he spend time before his death in a nursing home prior to being delivered to the hospital?

My concern is why this great man was not cared for at home rather than a nursing home. If the nursing home is a fact, Truman deserved better.

Enjoy your day!