Key West Lou / PERHAPS GOD RAINED ON THE PARIS OLYMPIC PARADE INTENTIONALLY

Perhaps God rained on the Paris Olympic Parade intentionally.

Sometimes people carry things too far. Good taste goes out the window.

It occurred during the Opening Parade at the Paris Olympics. A parody of the Last Supper by drag queens.

As I report the event, I cannot understand why it was done. Understand what I write now: I sense it to be ANTI-LGBTQ. Could not have been the brain child of true drag queens. I view it as a ploy by the far right in an attempt to discredit a group it constantly condemns.

Donald Trump spoke before a Christian audience in West Palm Beach Friday evening. His concluding words implied if he were President a second term, he would end elections. His words: “Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore…..You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote.”

Friday’s comment was not Trump’s first such this election season. Before a different Christian audience last month, he made a similar suggestion about Christians not needing to vote after this year’s election.

Don’t be fooled my friends. Your basic freedoms are at stake in this election.

Socrates’ wisdom unbelievable. He knew so much, was so aware, at a time centuries ago. Too early to have developed such abilities. He did, however.

A Socrates quote I just came across. So true: “My advice to you is get married: If you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.”

The quote compelled me to research if Socrates was happily married. After all, he was a philosopher. A great one.

My research revealed Socrates had two wives. One was an “argumentative, troublesome wife who was the source of many headaches for the philosopher.” Her name Xanthippe. She and Socrates not the best of friends. She was a “shrew.” Described as the “bad tempered wife” of Socrates.

Watching Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon on TV an historical event most people would like to have seen. It was 1969. Being 89 has its advantages. I was married, a father and a practicing lawyer at the time. I watched it. The most memorable event viewed by me in my lifetime.

Car repossessions are skyrocketing. A signal the economy may be at a tipping point.

Data indicates car repossessions have spiked by 50 percent from 2 years ago and 23 percent from just last year.

The English people were not aware of potatoes before the 16th century. Amazing! Spuds were foreign to them.

What happened was their sea faring men discovered potatoes growing in the mountains of South America. They found them tastey and brought them back to England. Men like Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Thomas Harriot, and Sir John Hawkins.

At the beginning, only the rich partook of potatoes. They were considered a delicacy. Eventually however all strata of society came to enjoy them. Many came to learn that potatoes were cheap to grow and helped sustain life.

Today is a doubleheader so to speak in nailing the French. Earlier the drag Last Supper. Now an event which occurred this day in Paris in 1794. Revolutionary figure Maximillian Robespierre and 22 leaders of “The Terror” were guillotined to the cheers of thousands.

Entertainment for the masses. Sickening.

On this day in 1917, the Silent Parade took place in New York City. Ten thousand African Americans marched on 5th Avenue to protest lynching.

Anti-black and lynchings were not uncommon back then and in later years. Even in Key West. In the 1920’s, most community leaders were members of the Ku Klux Klan. The  Florida State President of the Klan was a Key West resident and ran the Florida Klan from Key West. Key West also experienced some lynchings.

Shipping was a major Key West activity in the 1920’s. In 1924 for example, Key West shipped more goods from its port than any other city in Florida. In May 1924 alone, Key West shipping totaled $3,319,876. Exports from the rest of Florida totaled $2,217, 949.

Those days are long gone. The Florida shipping world has changed dramatically.

I close with Key West’s beloved Tropic Cinema.

Tropic Cinema kicks off its Local Appreciation Month Thursday August 1. Locals will be admitted free thereafter on Tuesdays and Sundays through August 27. One ticket per ID holder. Children under 12 admitted free with a holder of an appropriate ID.

Enjoy your day!

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