KEY WEST LOU / EVERYONE IS IRISH TODAY

It’s the same every year. Come March 17 and everyone is Irish!

A festive occasion.

I spent many a St. Patrick’s Day in Key West with Donna and Terri. Been years since the last time. We drank, partied, and enjoyed corned beef and cabbage. Problem was where to get corned beef and cabbage. At some point, everyone wanted the meal. Whether you had a reservation was immaterial. There was still a 1-2 hour wait for a table.

I finally gave up on St. Patty’s Day. Have not celebrated one in years.

Still have the desire for the corned beef and cabbage, however. My system to beat reality was to visit Sally O’Brien’s predecessor and now Sally O’Brien’s Irish Pub for the meal sometime a week later. Each had and has corned beef and cabbage on the menu every day.

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762. Based on experience, I can attest that New York City is the best place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. They come from all over to party. The town goes crazy!

I learned this fact my freshman year in college. I attended Manhattan College in New York City. Was a member of the Air Force ROTC. Required marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I did it for 4 years in uniform. Always made a sharp eyes right as we passed the Cardinal sitting on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The partying afterwards beyond belief. None appropriate for the blog.

I was in college 1953-1957. The memory fresh in my mind every St. Patrick’s Day since.

A long lunch with Robert at Roostica yesterday. He returns to Florida State today. He’s doing ok. He has a good head on his shoulders. I am proud of him.

Ally was supposed to join us. Her school schedule screwed up so she was not able. She will join Robert at Florida State in the Fall.

I learned from Robert she has amassed a full semester of college credits already while in high school. Means a degree in 3 1/2 years rather than 4. A major dollar savings.

March Madness hit hard last night! Two major upsets. Number 15 seed Princeton knocked off #2 Arizona. Number 13 seed Furman stunned #4 Virginia.

Ho ho, Yogi Bear! What it’s all about!

A number of Republicans think low income Americans aren’t working hard enough to deserve food.

An example is a Republican Minnesota State Senator who voted against a bill providing free breakfast and lunch to all school children in Minnesota. He argued he never “personally met anyone who doesn’t have enough food to eat.” Ergo, “they must not exist.”

Federally, Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson introduced legislation to expand “work requirements” for eligibility for SNAP food stamps. He believes “work is the best pathway out of poverty.”

Obviously, he has never missed or gone without a meal because there was no money to purchase food.

Ronald Reagan spoke many words of wisdom. One comment to mull considering today’s conditions: “If we ever forget we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

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

I cannot say nor write it enough.

Today in 1952 marks a day during one of Truman’s 11 Presidential visits to Key West. He made a surprise visit to the Key West Aquarium. He was the 51,199th visitor for the year. The President arrived  before the doors were open to the public and was the first guest to see 30 newly born seahorses.

Yesterday’s blog was titled Bankers Thieves As Well As Whores. It contained a mistake I want to correct.

I wrote “tax dollars will protect depositors even beyond the normal $250,000 limit.” The statement is not correct. I was wrong.

Depositors are protected beyond $25o,000. Not by tax dollars, however. The monies will come from a special fund that banks have been paying into in the event what has occurred with SVB and other banks did happen. This time around banks in general will pay for the screw up of one or more of their brethren. Not American taxpayers.

Enjoy your day!

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