Key West Lou / WAR!

Evil! The war and Putin.

It takes me back to September 1, 1939 and Hitler. Putin should be proud. He has proven to the world he is as great a despot as Hitler.

Yesterday was a dark day for the Ukraine. An even darker day for the world if the war moves beyond Ukraine’s borders.

The Washington Post’s editorial this morning made some pertinent observations: An aggressor’s bombs and tanks are wreaking horror and havoc on a weaker neighbor…..Civilized life is being overwhelmed by blood and fire…..Threatens to spread, the U.S. is once again called upon to respond.

It is fortunate NATO exists. Its value will unquestionably be reflected with regard to the Ukraine situation. NATO is together, trained, and ready to go.

Excuse the repetition, what Putin is doing is evil. Putin is evil. His words evil. Especially when he subtly threatens nuclear reaction to those who interfere.

Things happen that have the smell of dead fish. Happens in all walks of life. The law no exception.

A three year investigation has been ongoing into Trump by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Authorized by Cyrus Vance who after many years in the job, did not run for reelection in November.

Vance a well known and respected prosecutor.

He appointed two top prosecutors to lead the Trump probe. Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz. The Trump prosecution staff consists of the two plus 25 other attorneys, paralegals and analysts.

The new DA elected to replace Vance is Alvin Bragg. A Democrat as Vance was. Alvin Bragg not a Cyrus Vance. Bragg appears to have abandoned the investigation into the former President.

Vance had authorized a grand jury. Witnesses have been presented before the grand jury through this past December.

Bragg took office January 1. He has prohibited any further witnesses to be called before the grand jury. The grand jury’s “life” expires April 1.

It is believed the grand jury has sufficient evidence to indict and a trial thereafter to convict Trump.

Dunne and Pomerantz’s hands have been tied by Bragg. He apparently has prohibited any further witness to testify nor the grand jury to vote. It appears he is waiting for the grand jury’s legal life to expire.

Dunne and Pomerantz resigned this week in protest. When two top respected attorneys do that, it is a clear indication something is amiss.

An investigation into the matter is warranted.

For lovers of art, Key West’s annual Old Art Days Festival is an event not to be missed. It is this weekend – saturday and sunday – from 10-5 each day. It will be held at the Truman Waterfront Park.

One hundred ten artists will be exhibiting their works.

Jack Baron was an artist and dear friend. For many years. He passed away some 10 years ago.

His work unique. His specialty was painting black women.

I have been a collector most of my adult life. I purchased my first Jack Baron at the Old Island Art Festival 27 years ago. A Black Madonna and Child. A magnificent piece!

It hangs with pride in my home to this day. It also is my favorite Baron piece.

I have 14 Baron works. I was not aware I had purchased the greatest number of his works till Jack died. A reporter called Jack’s lifetime partner Bob Burton and interviewed him re Jack, his works, etc.

Bob told him he should call me also as I was the person who had the largest collection of Jack’s works.

Jack also did tapestries. If he especially liked a painting he had done, he would take a year sitting on his couch watching TV at night doing something I believe called crewling. Whatever.

When done, he sold them. He did very few. I purchased 2. $10,000 a piece. One is Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise. The other his mother. He did her as a black woman wearing a long red gown.

One reason I had so many of Jack’s paintings is I had purchased a large home on the ocean in Key Haven. I did my dining room solely in Jack Baron’s works. The room was a joy. Three walls of Jack Baron and the fourth a huge window.

He had many friends. A group of us would meet early every morning at his studio which also served as his gallery. We would sit around drinking coffee and solve the world’s problems.

They were good times.

Enjoy your day!

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