The blog has been absent for a few days. Sorry. I have been under the weather a bit.

Back, however!

Much to mention. Ergo, no organization. Topics laid out in the order they appear in my notes.

Schumer has been a great Democratic leader in the Senate. His time has come to an end, however. He must move on. Permit someone else to take his place.

My recent concern is the way he handled the Senate bill which if it did not pass could have resulted in a government shutdown. He voted with the Republicans. A bad move!

Our nation is in desperate times. Trump and his cohorts are destroying us. Schumer by voting with the Republicans was playing the typical gentlemanly approach to a problem. Doing what normally would have been the correct thing. Keep the government open.

However, the problem was a Republican one to solve. Republicans control the House, Senate, Presidency and for most purposes the Supreme Court. Let them solve the problem, especially one they created. The bill destroys many people in the U.S. (Medicaid cuts deep) and may for other reasons contribute to a recession.

Democrats must stand and fight Republicans on every issue. No deviation. Beating them into the ground! New and younger blood required. They are already present in both Houses. Let them become the face of the Democratic Party.

Trump appeared before the Justice Department. Not his place. Presidents generally avoid the appearance.

Donald talked about how the Democrats had prosecuted him. He survived, however! Now he is out to get even. Clearly suggested his intent to prosecute those who went after him.

Not the way things have been done from an historical perspective in the U.S. Donald’s way though. The wrong way.

The tariff wars cannot be blamed for everything. Coffee going up. Problem not primarily tariffs. Brazil a major coffee source. Extreme weather has been ravishing Brazil’s coffee harvest.

Medicaid taking a big hit in the new budget bill. A major wound. Almost a killer. Too many people in need of the medical care Medicaid provides will now go without.

Thank you, Donald!

Hats, tee shirts, mugs, all kinds of MAGA and Trump items, that are being sold in large numbers. Trump says we should buy American. It has been revealed that roughly 50 percent of these type items sold are made in foreign countries. The labels/markings on the items not made in America say: Designed in the USA and/or  the state is named. However Made In another story which is conveniently covered with a stick-um.

The stock market has been a disaster the past two weeks. Two weeks more and we could be in a for real recession. Another thank you for Donald.

One of Key West’s power musicians is Larry Smith. He was “big” 30 years ago when I first arrived in Key West. He remains one of Key West’s top singers, pianist and show planners. Larry has put together another “biggie.” The Lady Vocalists of Key West. 

Larry has assembled a stellar cast of talented vocalists with whom he has performed over the years. All headliners.

The show will be co-hosted by Larry’s long time collaborator, the lovely Jenna Stauffer.

The show is this friday evening March 21st at the Key West Theater. Tickets $50-70 available on AXS. Expensive, but sure to be good!

Rumor has it that Don’s Place is being sold. Sad! One of my favorites for years. The favorite of many. 

International banker Jamie Dion is uncomfortable with the economy. He said, “Uncertainty is not a good thing.”

I worry when a guy like Dion worries!

On this day in 1925, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, accompanied by his wife Eleanor, arrived in Key West for several days of fishing. It was their second visit to Key West. They had been pleased with their first experience and wanted to return.

How things change! On March 13, 1925, a Tavernier business applied for a license to sell beer and wine. It was denied by the Monroe County Commission. Area residents signed and submitted a petition evidencing strong opposition to the sale of any intoxicants on the Upper Keys.

No way today!

Washington, D.C. turmoil affects the Keys. Trump and Musk hurting us.

Examples include Canada. Canadian tourists this time of the year are many. Even European tourists. Not this season.

The problem not tourist business alone.  Federal agencies are bracing for hits. Like the National Park Service, National Weather Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Everglades Park and Tortugas have already lost some employees.

The National Marine Sanctuary has already had 748 leases terminated.

Rams Head brought back the Beach Boys. To a packed concert!

Good for Rams Head!

Excuse the vernacular, the Trump/Musk team is not just playing hard ball. It is playing dirty ball also.

Instead of firing some federal workers, the “new game” is to transfer their jobs/places of work to locations hundreds of miles away and give notice to the transferred employees that they are to report to work in the new location in a matter of a few days. Short days.

I have left to last the thing that bothers me the most today. If you recall anything from today’s blog, what follows should insult and piss you off the most. It bothers me no end.

Arlington Cemetery is big. It is being required to scrub links about Blacks, Hispanics and female veterans. As well as topics such as the Civil War. The Defense Department’s purpose is to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its on drive presence.

Examples speak loud. That which is being deleted. Internal links which direct users to webpages listing “Notable Graves” of Black, Hispanic and female veterans and their spouses. On these pages could be read short biographies of persons buried in Arlington Cemetery. Including General Colin Powell, the youngest and first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff; Hector Santa Anna, a World War II B-17 bomber pilot, Berlin Airlift pilot and career military leader; members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S. first Black military airmen whose accomplishments include completing more than 1,800 missions during World War II; and members of the 688th Central Postal Delivery Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps sent to aid overseas during World War II.

Did Donald ever serve in the military defense of his country? Wasn’t there something about spurs in his foot?

Enjoy your day!