KEY WEST LOU / MIKHAIL GORBACHEV…..A MODERN DAY BIBLICAL LEADER

Jesus was rejected in his hometown Nazareth. Which lead Him to say: “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” Luke 4:24.

Mikhail Gorbachev died yesterday at 91. The last leader of the Soviet Union.

It was 1991. The two great powers were the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviet Union the recognized bad guy world wide. Possessor of nuclear and other weapons of destruction in large supply. The world had constantly been on the threshold of nuclear conflict since the end of World War II.

Gorbachev’s vision of the world was different from that of his predecessors. He had a concern for what would occur in the event of a nuclear conflict. His aim was to lessen the confrontation…..for every nation’s good.

The Soviet Union consisted of 15 separate nations. Except for Russia itself, all were quietly supportive of Gorbachev’s peaceful approach.

Gorbachev unleashed a breathtaking series of changes which led to the collapse of Communism, break up of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

The Soviet Union’s collapse was swift. Humiliating, also. A coup against Gorbachev occurred in August 1991. It failed. Simultaneously, the 15 nation Soviet bloc began to break up. Republic after republic withdrew. Four months following the coup attempt, Gorbachev resigned on December 25, 1991. The next day, the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

The Soviet nuclear and military arsenal ended up primarily in the hands of the republic of Russia.

Gorbachev’s primary motivation in how he handled things was to save the Soviet nation members, Europe, and the world from nuclear devastation. He succeeded.

Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize for his successful effort.

Again, Gorbachev achieved hero status worldwide, except for Russia where he was despised and continued to be so till his death yesterday.

It took a long time of persons for color to achieve success in the U.S. modeling field. Nigeria had a similar problem.

Nigeria is an African nation with a primary black population. Whites however have been successful as models. Every white model took the place of what could have been a black one. A growing unhappiness by black models grew.

The situation recently reached its apex. Reverse discrimination. Nigeria banned white models from appearing in commercials in the name of “developing local talent” and supporting “inclusive growth.”

Artemis I’s launch has been rescheduled to saturday. Hopefully it will be able to be successfully launched at that time.

The Chart Room group of which I was a part had a good 20 year run. One of its members was Peter, aka English Peter, British Peter, Captain Peter. Peter was British born and raised. Came to the U.S. as a young man. Joined the U.S. Army and fought in Korea. Became a U.S. citizen.

Peter looked British. White hair, white mustache. Clearly spoken, his British accent obvious.

Steve Thompson wrote of Perter.

English Peter was a good friend to everyone. He sold sailboat rides and any waterfront fun.

His home was a classic Herreshoff and he lived there for years. We used to worry about him after too many beers so he sold the boat and moved into his van. Hung out at Fort Zach and just sat on his can.

He now lives in Melbourne. We saw him last week. He bought a nice little house and keeps it neat. He said tell everybody at the Chart Room to come. I have a guest room and they’re all welcome.

I normally get a pedicure every 2-3 weeks. Due to the right foot swelling, it has been well over 2 months since my last pedicure. I decided the swelling was down sufficiently so I could get one yesterday. My ankle was down to a size equivalent to 3/4s of a softball. Great progress! At the beginning, it was larger than 2 softballs.

So it was a pedicure and manicure with Tammy.

A foot and lower leg massage included in the process. When the pedicure was complete, I notice the croc slipped on easily. The massage had reduced the swelling about 1/4 of an inch. The quarter inch still gone this morning.

A big deal!

Treated myself to lunch at Harpoon Harry’s afterwards. Enjoyed the lasagna special. First time. Absolutely fantastic! I know good from bad. My Italian nature. So good I recommend it. The special every tuesday.

A special breakfast later this morning. At 11. With Cheryl Keast.

A 20 year friend. Cheryl and her husband Roger originally from Kankakee, Illinois. Roger an electrical contractor. Roger died several months ago.

They were snowbirds. Traveled the world in between Key West visits.

Due to Covid, I have not seen them for 3-4 years.

Cheryl is on a trip visiting places that she and Roger did. She carries with her his ashes.

She is only in Key West for 4 days. She has been stopping at all their haunts and leaving Roger’s ashes. Some in the ocean, some on land where water not available. She has already made the distribution in at least a dozen places.

We are breakfasting at Harpoon Harry’s. Her choice. One of Roger’s favorite places.

Enjoy your day!

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