Sunday March 30, 2006

The Rolling Stones', sixty-something year old guitarist, Keith Richard, is in the hospital with a concussion after falling out of a palm tree in Fiji. Man, that boy sure knows how to party.

Get your accusations/facts correct: the County does not regulate food stores i.e. Dunkin Donuts. The Department of Professional & Business Regulation, a state agency does!

Can anyone provide some information on any of the local air conditioning contractors regarding installation and service?

Pucker up.  Those weird lights in the sky are in fact aliens.  They've established a base in Key West due to the large pool of civilians willing and eager to assist them with their anal probes. No man is safe!

[Charter School Principal] The truth of the matter is that the School Board has consistently attacked Christine Geary at Board meetings. She was trying along with the teachers, staff, community members and parents of the school to make improvements. She made the mistake of having an opinion that differed from the Board and that unfortunately put her head on a chopping block.

She did in fact put in her resignation but I believe she was left no choice. The next time you see one of our Board Members I urge you to ask their views, but don't expect to hear the truth.

Those teenagers from Key West, that were caught throwing rocks at the big male alligator Saturday morning, were cited, but not arrested, which is wrong.  One of them hit the alligator in the head with a very large rock, and he now has a gash on the side of his head.  This has got to stop.

By the way, the locals that killed this alligator's mate on March 24, posted 3 pictures of their kill on the Internet, bragging about what they did.  This is a picture of Cola, the 6-7' female alligator from the Blue Hole, that they admitted they lured over to the observation deck, with birds that they had killed earlier, then they shot her eyes out with a high-powered pellet gun, and then clubbed her to death with a baseball bat.  They then took her back to Milo's home on Big Pine and took these pictures and posted on Myspace.com.  The district attorney had better go for the maximum on these low life scum, which is only a 3-5 year jail sentence with up to $5,000 in fines.  It should be so much more than this.  They definitely need to get psychological counseling, along with jail time.

The National Arbor Day Foundation Join for $10 and they send you 10 trees.  Tiny, bareroot twiglings, but I have several good size flowering trees now from joining 10 years ago.

[City Electric to give two trees] I can't wait to see these free trees being sold at the Flee Market or at one of the many plant places for $29.95.

I have been reading the postings about delivery tipping.  The one that made me laugh is the guy who "took a poll" among his friends. Well I deliver for a local establishment and I will give you the real facts. I only drive a couple of days a week. In the last week I have spent over $100 in gas. Most people that understand this are fair but this is not the same scenario as a sit-down restaurant. There is no 20% rule of thumb. Most people will tip $5, even on an order of $10. There are some that will tip more and they are balanced out by the cheapos that give you $2 for a 20 mile round trip. My vehicle gets 19 miles to the gallon. A gallon of gas is now $3.20, so when you give me $2, I am actually losing money.  Does that make any sense to you?

To the person that said he or she paid $11 for a sandwich that is $6 anywhere else, you either need to leave the Keys or get your frying pan out and make your own damn sandwich. You have to pay to play. The other day I stopped at a Dion's and they were closed at 8pm, the sign in the door said, "closed--no employees". This should alert you to the fact that the working class is getting priced out of living here in paradise. So keep tipping $2 and don't be surprised, if the gas trend continues; that the person who answers the phone says: "Sorry, we have pickup only...we can't find anyone dumb enough to drive and lose money."  And no one even considers wear and tear on their vehicle and upkeep. People who cannot empathize are not decent humans period.

You tip for late food? That's just dumb. I bring your food late stiff me! I forget crap stiff me. Most of our drivers make on average $40-55 in tips in 4 hrs. I, on the other hand, clear almost $80-100 every night. The difference is that I am not Euro trash or a Burnout,  know the area and I get the food there on time and never forget anything that is on the ticket. Screw the drivers that cannot think and do there job poorly. Save the big tips for the good drivers. But if you screw me with a crappy tip when the order is fast and correct, the next time it's on the floor under the A/C vents while I deliver 3-4 other orders.

[To my Brother in Big Pine Key]  Damn!  Good story.  What a sucky brother.  Sounds like a big, fat spoiled brat.  Don't waste your time on him because he'll never change. I have an uncle just like that.  You go girl!

[Hooters on Duval Street] Something over priced in Key West? What isn't over priced in the Keys?

Cat missing by Ships Way. Please, if you've seen her, call me  at 305-896-3485.

I have a few comments I would like to make. I about lost it with the posts for Ritalin (easier than parenting) and, "Is there such a thing as beer coffee?" You guys crack me up! I read this site every day, I'm addicted. I love the funny posts and skip over the ragging on local businesses and iguanas or no. This week it's trailer parks.

I think everyone should have to live in a trailer at least once in their life. It's quite humbling, especially on a hot, humid July afternoon, with no A/C. Been there. Sure makes you grateful for what you've got now. I also find the intensity of hate and hostility toward others on this site disturbing. Makes you sleep with one eye open at night and wonder who your neighbors are. Come on Big Pine, show the love. Keep up the good work Ed. Thanks for the laughs.

Have you ever noticed when a person starts out a statement with, "let me get this straight", they are ultimately a condescending jackass?

Can you use an occasional table every day?

I would like to address the people that seem to have nothing better to do than complain about the BPK shopping center. Grow up! Just like the Television, and radio, if you don’t like what’s playing you change the station.  The same applies to shopping, that’s why Developers built other shopping centers.

Also, in the future, please use spell check, misspelled words take away from the message that was intended. It also makes the author appear to be a moron. (Ed: The truth should be known: I can't spell or punctuate correctly. I wish I could, but I was sick that school year.)

We got a 15% tip crammed down our gullet by who knows who and when. 20% is fine for a timely delivery. If that isn't good enough tell the people paying you chicken feed to give you a raise.

Reality check. I'll bet the economists on the radio make a lot of money. As for the rest of us, how many of you have doubled your salary in three years? I'm sure laying out way more of my cash for gas at over $3 per gallon than I was a few years ago at $1.49.

I know that the flea market is a popular attraction on weekends but to me it looks like a third world slum from the highway.  Most of the stuff is just a lot of junk anyway and I would guess most of the vendors are from out of the area.  No great loss to me should it close and blow away to make room for a nice commercial plaza and perhaps a community center.  And, by the way, in case you haven’t noticed lately, Big Pine is already has a dying, future ghost town look.

[Bush says the National Anthem should be in English.]  I agree. And so should everything else.  It’s not bad enough that we have tens of thousands of illegal immigrants pouring across our borders every year demanding all sorts of “rights.”  The unwashed, uneducated, unskilled, and unqualified for anything but the most menial labor already get plenty of entitlements, welfare, aid to dependant children, food stamps, medical and god only knows how much else they manage suck out of the economic teat that you and I pay for with our hard earned tax dollars while Julio, his wife and 14 kids pay nothing. 

I’m sick of seeing these illegal criminals bring their filth, third world culture and their demands that we service them in their native language to my homeland and then continue to demand more and more.  Now they have translated our National Anthem to Spanish, how viscerally disgusting.  I, as a younger person prided myself on not being biased or prejudiced, but I now find myself looking at these individuals with not only contempt but seething dislike.  I don’t care what anyone thinks of my view anymore than an illegal immigrant thinks of yours, the taxpayer.

Tip the pizza delivery person big. He or she may be living in a mobile home park due to be bulldozed soon and they will either have to leave or cough up an extra grand or more per month for housing. 

[No Global warming] is yet another example of how the media and the politicians use sensationalism to sell a product and pander for votes.  What the media and the political hacks like Al “I invented the internet” Gore won’t tell you is that for every so called scientific expert who says global warming is a real threat (usually receiving grant money for their efforts) there is another scientific expert (usually an independent researcher) who says this is just part of a cycle of cooling (into an ice age) and warming (coming out of an ice age).  These cycles take millions of years to occur.  We happen to be on the warming side of the last cycle. 

Last year a team of global warming doomsday criers were to go to the arctic to study the effects of global warming on the polar bear.  (No doubt subsidized using our tax dollars)  Isn’t it amazing that they had to cancel their expedition because it was so cold, and there was so much snow and ice last year, that they were unable to make the journey.  When questioned about why, if the polar ice was melting so quickly because of global warming, they had to cancel because of snow and ice, they refused any substantial comment. 

And to the person that commented that the sea level will rise 3 feet in fifty years I can only say this.  Apparently you will believe anything you are told by the media.  The actual sea level rise since about 1900 has been about 1.0 – 3.0 MM/year.  That’s one to three millimeters!  You do the math, Mr. Wizard and come back when you have something really dangerous to worry about like Hillary.

You hit the nail right on the head when you said the liberal media was responsible for bashing Bush over the price of gasoline.  Think back a little.  Who else remembers the last time we had ridiculously high gas prices?  That's right, one of the biggest Bush Bashers of all, Jimmy Carter, was president.  And, if my recollection of American History is correct, President Carter also made a speech along the lines of being "addicted to oil."  I believe he said we were "dependent on oil."    

[True Arts Bakery] I believe in supporting our local business owners but filthy little kids and adults around the store, old bread, cup cakes made by children and the smell in that store need to change.  We do need a bakery, but please try to improve your baking and get rid of the old food.  If someone gets sick remember that people sometimes are sue-happy.  We want you here; just improve and those babies with runny nose should not be there.

What don't people like about downtown BPK? Is it the dirt parking lots or the rural look? I like those things.

Why is the BPK webcam Conch flag green?  Plus the link to the larger view is broken.  You have: mms://bigpinekey.tzo.com:1009. (Ed: Green is a nice color. The link to the larger Windows Media Player is correct and working. [The link you suggested is incorrect. Only the prefix "mms" will open WMP] Do you have the latest version of Media Player? Tip: in Media player click View Size> 200% for a nice big view of the green flag.)

To those who think "we" (stupid tax payers?) need to provide workforce housing, I have a better idea.  Why don't all of "you" make a room available, free of charge of course, for a worker.  We won't have to build any housing, saving the tax payers money and we'll have plenty of room for a Publix, Outback or whatever is really needed on BPK.

I thought Hooters was a tribute to the endangered spotted owl.  From reading the postings here, it sounds like it is a reference to a female body part.  I'm aghast!

Sunday March 30, 2006

Saturday April 29, 2006

[Coast Guard Aux] I say come on pal, lighten up a little bit. Most of these guys are really donating there time and trying to so something constructive. So one guys bugs you; don't get all jarred up. Remember the one finger salute usually tells someone your proper I.Q.

I think we should be careful about having employers build workforce housing for their workers.  What happens if there is a disagreement between employer and employee.  The employee, thinking about where he would live if he got fired and had to move out of the employer supplied housing, might very well feel he had no choice but to acquiesce to the employer.  What if the employee is offered a better paying job, but with no housing?  All kinds of abuse of the employee could arise.  This comes awfully close to slavery, and we fought our bloodiest war to do away with that.  Maybe we should say that employers that build workforce housing could not have any of their employees live there.  But that doesn't make sense either.  Additional thought is required before we put people in a real bind.

[Vermin] We live in the woods!  You are the vermin, not the Iguanas and other animals which reside in the woods.  It is ridiculous to hear you complain about non-native trees and animals that you wish to destroy. Perhaps you could move up to the mainland and get the Hell out of Big Pine. 
Many of us moved here for the nature buzz and 75% of you Piners are evil to the core. I truly hope your homes sell and we never hear from you again.  Ironic is the fact that they are no buyers and you poor, white-trashers and vermin-haters cannot afford to turn on the AC at ninety degrees or enjoy some fine dining down in the other friendlier Keys. Karma is spectacular.  Sometimes one has to ask what would Jesus not do? Pick up your scuzzy yards and your trash as it could injure our Key Deer, vermin and become projectiles for the upcoming Hurricane Season.

Thank God for low tide. Without it I would have a difficult time explaining to my date where the occasional  bad odor in my car was coming from. Blaming low tide for disagreeable odors in your car is almost as good as blaming your dog at home.   

With the high price of gas, maybe ethanol production is more feasible now. It's not very efficient fuel, but neither is buying oil from the mid-east. Fuel independence now!

[The plaza has a derelict look]  Yes, it does.  Partly because it’s not very well maintained on the exterior and the parking lot is usually a mess.  The derelict look is further contributed to by the vacant storefront where Edie’s Hallmark was previously located.  The occupancy would not be vacant, however, if Dunkin Donuts or Wendy’s had not been chased away by the County’s obscene restrictions.  Dunkin was told they could sell donuts but not cook them there.  What ridiculous bulls**t.  There used to be a donut shop at the plaza until the guy retired.  What could a new donut shop possibly do to cause anyone any grief.  The County Gestapo strike again.

[Astute observation] "People seemed to be asleep here." Quote the female tourist last evening at a local watering hole. (And we move slower too!)

I'm looking for a smoke detector with a reset switch. The ones I've bought in the past didn't have a reset so I'd have to remove and crush them or pull the battery which is just as bad.

Do they make coffee beer?

The ball field parking scheme is finally finished. Would I be wrong in saying that it took the County a year to do such a small job?

Castaways Trailer Park is located on Ave B and Father Tony Way. Yes, it is a trailer park,  but it houses some very hard working families. Yes there are some drugs in trailer parks, but I bet there are drugs on your street too. You shouldn't condemn all trailer parks because of the actions of a few lost souls.

Thank you Lora and Eric for the prompt response in regards to a windsurfer. Thought I might try my luck now, wondering if anyone might have a windsurf harness they'd care to part with? I can be reached at changel@direct.ca

I listened to an economist on the radio yesterday being interviewed about the price of gas. He said that the oil companies make about 9 cents profit on a gallon of gas.  (Most of their profits on a barrel of oil come from the various other products that the oil yields)  Remember, 9 cents per gallon profit.  The government, on the other hand makes anywhere from 50 cents to 63 cents in taxes on every gallon. 

Once again, people are always ready to jump on the wrong bandwagon because the liberal media misinforms them with sensationalism in order to sell their product.  The economist went on to say all but a small fraction of the heavy taxes on gasoline were levied over the years by a Democratic Congress in order to reap more tax money for their big spending agendas. 

One other interesting point he made was that we have the ability to use methanol as an alternative fuel right now.  However, once again Congress got into the act and put so many rules, restrictions, demands and productions quotas on the production of corn based methanol production it became impossible to make a profit on its production. No profit, no production.  If you want answers to the high price of gas look to your Congress, don’t just keep bashing Bush on the head.  The most interesting thing he said was that using various mathematical models and adjusting for inflation over the years, gas takes about the same bite out of the overall household budget as it did in 1980. 

And all of those who want free health care, free transportation, free prescriptions, free lunches for your kids, free child care, free college, more welfare, more food stamps, more entitlement programs, free or subsidized housing, and more this and more that, never stop to think where the money comes from.  Well, it comes from me and all of the rest of the hard working middle and upper class stiffs who pay more and more in taxes every year so a bunch of lazy, welfare sucking freeloaders can get all of their free stuff from all of the government programs while paying little if any tax themselves. 

Happiest place on earth.

[Hooters on Duval Street]  That particular Hooters location failed for a variety of reasons.  It had too much competition from the established Hard Rock nearby, it was very poorly managed from the beginning, it somehow offended the local prim and proper ladies group (apparently they have never been to the 800 block of Duval or Atlantic Shores) who lobbied the city against them, they were overpriced and had quality and service problems.  All of this led to their demise.  Almost all new Hooters locations are immediately successful.  (And by the way, a BPK Hooters is only a joke.  You know, humor, sarcasm.  Cheeesh, try to get a grip!)

[Ethanol is ethanol] How effectively you produce it is the real issue. Brazil uses sugar cane, which is ten times more economical in ethanol production than corn. Guess what they are promoting to produce ethanol within the good old USA?

Corn! Lots of voters out there in boring, corn-laden Nebraska, and they are drooling at the government subsidies being promised. The real question is why our Everglades-polluting sugar kings aren't producing ethanol? I fear the answer is that they are already being subsidized enough for producing sugar.  

I think I got Bird Flu, cause it burns like hell after a few beers.

[Food Delivery] I ordered a sandwich for 10 or 11 dollars (any other place on earth the same sandwich cost 5 or 6 dollars) It took and hour to an hour and a half to get here--soggy. Now you want a 5 dollar tip? That's about 50%. What the hell are you smoking, hodgey(?)? Instead of picking it up myself which means you make nothing now (duh!). Maybe we all should just cook ourselves. Now how much do you think you will get then? 

No driver would ever complain about the tip they get from my address. I always tip good, even when the food comes late, but this driver is now leaving a bad taste (not the food). If you move to N.Y. you can deliver on a bike and pay no gas. Stop making it harder for the other drivers that might feel the backlash from your greedy remarks.

I agree everyone should be paid fairly, but you know where we live is expensive and every one needs more. I know $5 won't make you rich, but it sure makes you sound greedy.

I intend to boycott illegal aliens May 1.  I just hope I don't need anything from Winn-Dixie or cleanup/landscaping and roofing services after next hurricane.

[Does anyone remember how to make a smoker]  The tobacco companies sure do. Take young kids, show them hip people in movies smoking. Bombard them with messages that smoking is cool and a privilege.  Downplay the aging effects and cancer risks. Don't mention the yellow teeth, trench breath and adverse health consequences. And then act like you don't want kids to smoke. This method is guaranteed to produce a lot of smokers. 

I believe that Clinton having sex in the oval office is no big deal.  I also believe that Congress should not have delved into the matter.  But once they did, and he lied under oath, I believe he should have had the book thrown at him.  Perjury is a criminal offense and I believe he should have gone to jail for that.  If the most powerful man in the world doesn't have the balls to say "Yes, If it is any business of yours, I did have my way with another consenting adult in my office" then I have no respect for him.

Why is it that Leah (Biz Baz) always has to put her two cents in on the way people price their merchandise? She sometimes hurts them instead of help them. She just thinks she knows it all.

They are going to sing the National Anthem in Spanish!  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12521196/

More bad information from the media liberals, car companies and the government. It seems that ethanol reduces mileage by 25-40%, and increases smog production. Check this out before you jump on the latest bandwagon: http://autos.aol.com/article/hybrid/v2/_a/is-ethanol-the-answer/20060427121009990001

[How come only BPK is screaming for more shopping centers] Because it's big, with lots of lots to build on and sell for profit, after they over tax us and push us out. Wake up!

Bush says the National Anthem should be in English. Just remember him running for election as one of them? Brothers forever?   And what does this even mean:  "take people from all walks of life bound as one nation under God."    I swear, he opens his mouth and crap just falls out. Another issue to drive a wedge between the Bushies and the growing Latino electorate.  Good.  Keep talking, Mr Bush.

I was going to go to the Tiki Bar and celebrate Friday with my husband, but after reading yesterday's post regarding the end of the world, I think I'll just shoot myself in the head instead. 

[Global warming raising sea level] Sky is Falling. Hope you're here in fifty years to worry about it.

[Delivery tip survey] I spoke to quite a few people who have there take out delivered to there home. Some said if it was a large order they give a $3 tip and for just a pizza  $2.50. I work hard for my money as most of us do here in the Keys and we are all underpaid. So please be thankful that you get a tip.

About that cryptic shout-out for the principal at the Charter School--enlighten us, please!

Miss Iraq is the number 5 contestant in line as the winner. The other 4 winners withdrew after facing death threats. Our young men and women are dying for this freedom? Things were better under Saddam.

Most people don't like crappy trailer parks including those who have to live in them. However a little old trailer in a funky trailer park is a great alternative to sleeping homeless under a fallen tree or in an abandoned car. Get real. Working people aren't paid enough to afford a $2K per month house plus utilities, yet their skills and labor are needed in the Keys just like everywhere else.

The wealthy whine that taking responsibility for workers would make us like Cuba. Nonsense! Its part of our civic obligation to ensure decent housing for the working class. Milton Hershey, candy tycoon, built the entire town bearing his name for the express purpose of housing his factory workers. He didn't build it to hog down millions of dollars selling the homes to the highest bidder and to heck with the working people. Visit Hershey Pa. and look at the decent comfortable homes built for the workers. It looks nothing like Cuba. While you're there have a look at Hershey's home. It wouldn't be nearly fancy enough for the spoiled easy-come rich of today.

Its time to realize we have a duty to working people to make it possible for them to live decently. The ridiculous thing is it even has to be talked about. Housing your workers is part of the cost of doing business, whether with vouchers or company housing. This arrogant attitude of treating poor people like peons has to be, as Barney says, nipped in the bud.  http://miltonhershey.com/milton.html

Mark Your Calendars. http://www.battleinthebay.com/ Help our Community and Make New Friends! All single people wear Red and maybe make a love connection.

But George Bush is up front with screwing us, Bill Clinton was not.

Hooters probably would have succeeded in Key West had they not used drag queens for waitresses. Their outfits revealed just a little too much baggage and patrons would too often find an eyelash or falsie in their entrée.  We won't have that problem on Big Pine, all our babes are natural.

The back of pick up truck makes a good redneck hot tub too.

Saturday April 29, 2006

Friday April 28, 2006

[The sky is falling] What if we have disastrous hurricanes every year, like they predict? Nothing will grow. Our pines and palmettos will continue to die off. The Keys will look like Vietnam! Our property values will continue to decline. Look what one such storm has done to the real estate market. Property values are going down. Everyone knows someone who is; or has moved.

Global warming is here. The sea level is supposed to rise three feet within fifty years. Our property is just two feet above sea level. We always wanted waterfront property, but not like this.

I've been using bay leaves in cooking for years and I can't taste the difference in my food if I include them or not. If the recipe calls for one I use two or three and I still can't discern their flavor. Is this one of the mysteries of life or are my taste buds broken?

Just curious, I received a letter in the mail, addressed to Our Neighbor at: with my address, no return address, the letter is a Community Alert about a convicted house burglar in the community; it lists the persons name, address, telephone number, etc. Has anyone else received this letter?

A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise

Let me get this straight. Neo-cons are people who want to dominate the world, space, and internet? Now the internet wasn’t around until relatively recently, but didn’t Roosevelt and Truman fall into this category because of WWII especially since we still have troops in Japan, Germany, and various Pacific islands? Eisenhower, because of the Korean War with troops still being there. Kennedy and Johnson because of the Bay of Pigs and Vietnam?  Carter because of his aborted desert attack to get the hostages back. Regan because of Granada. The first Bush because of Kuwait. Clinton in Kosovo with troops still there and now Bush the second with Iraq.

It seems we live in a neo-con country and the honorable thing to do is leave and go to a non-neo-con country as soon as we find one. Every country seems to act the same way and maybe even more hostilely.

Winn Dixie. Not getting better at all. 9 out of the last 10 weeks they haven't had most of the free stuff you're supposed to get with your 25 dollar purchase; and forget the sale on any meat--if its a good buy they don't have it. Thanks, I needed to get that off my chest.

I think Big Pine needs a pool.

What kind of Doctors should Politicians see on a regular basis? A proc-nuero-chiatrist of course. Who else would know how to pull their heads out of their asses?

[Castaway Park maybe sold] Which ones Castaways? I hope that it's true. I hate crappie trailer parks.

After the USS Cole bombing, Clinton did send missiles into a few countries. I don't think Iraq was one of them, but I know Afghanistan was; and I think the Sudan got a piece.

[White House is Sacred Ground]  Do you read the papers, watch TV or listen to the radio? Have you not seen and heard what Bush has done and is still doing to this country? Everything from the total disgrace of the government’s handling of Katrina, outrageous gas prices, our young men and women dying everyday in Iraq, how we are fast becoming the most hated country in the world and finally the stupid look on his face and the fact that he continued to read a book to school children when the Twin Towers were going down.
 

This has to show you what a total waste of a human being we have as our leader. I would much rather have a competent person in charge whose only sin in not being faithful to his wife than someone who is devastating our once great nation.

[Protest the W/D plaza management by ignoring the stores]  All this would accomplish would be to drive the local owned and operated businesses out of business. Except for Winn-Dickme, the optical shop and the library, the businesses are all owned and operated by locals who try hard to keep local people for employees.  Even our wonderful librarians are Big Piners.  Wizards who come up with idiot ideas like this without giving any thought to the consequence to the small business owner contribute nothing but pollution to the gene pool.

The biggest beneficiary of oil company profits is not the company, not the high paid company officials, it's the IRS.  Check the numbers on how much of that price you're paying is actual profit margin versus how much goes to the government.

[I suggest Beavers] Need anyone to interview potential employees?  I'm near sighted and have a sinuous problem!

As someone who worked in the Oil Industry and pumped many a barrel of cement for a Halliburton type business for well over 20 years, the industry recognizes a barrel at 42 gallons.

I sent the UFO image to the Pentagon and they enhanced it to show what was really there. With all those weird light in the sky being reported, I have a fear that a rash of anal probes will be forthcoming. I hope they will be gentle.

Tip #21:  To reduce gas mileage: lose weight. Your car gets better mileage by hauling a 150 pound person around than a 250 pound Beefalo.

Every trailer park in coastal Florida and especially the Keys is for sale, whether it's listed or not.  Everybody living in one should be making alternate plans now!

About 6 years ago Hooters opened in Duval Street in Key West, they didn't last even a year. What makes you think it will survive in B.P? Where will they get the foxy ladies?

We need another park like a hole in the head. If the flea market gets sold and closes, Big Pine will be a ghost town commercially. It already looks like a town that got passed up by the interstate.

The way I've heard it is that the illegal aliens plan to boycott anything gringo on May Day, May 1.

Coincidentally(?) May Day is the traditional communist holiday for parades of military power.

I want to know who would staff the "new chain stores" on Big Pine Key and am directing that comment at the current owners wishing to sell.  For one it's not their problem how the new owners' staff those stores.  Second, they'll probably bus them in like they do at Winn-Dixie.  Third, if those new businesses fail like the nay-sayers think they will, wouldn't those nice new buildings look a whole lot better than the current buildings when they're sitting there vacant?  I'm not trying to be funny here, but you who wish for the status-quo need to lighten up.  This island needs a serious facelift.

To rise money for disease cures is hopeless unless you first start with birth control.

Exxon/Mobile reported a quarterly profit of 9.4 Billion dollars yesterday.  Diesel fuel at the Mobile station on Flagler in Key West is $3.19.  Diesel fuel at the Mobile station in Big Coppitt is $3.19.  Diesel fuel at the Mobile station in Summerland  is $3.19.  Diesel fuel at the Mobile (Paradise Petroleum) in Big Pine is $3.36.  I guess instead of going along with their company's highest quarterly profit in history is not enough for Paradise.  I only have one vote as to where I buy, but it will not be at Paradise.

If parents want to know how bad Keys schools are, just ask your kids. Some are so frustrated, they need professional help.

[CrumbCast] When are you going to broadcast decent programming that's above a fourth grade level? I'm paying through the nose for commercials, news propaganda, and junk shows my dog won't watch. I'd pay $5.00 a month each, for just the channels I want to watch. All three!

According to a study done by the Univ. of N. Carolina the illegal aliens working for cash in this country are not paying 35 billion dollars in income tax they would owe if they were legal. 

Gas is so expensive in Europe because of the taxes they levy. We have the least taxes on gas in the developed world. Our gas is expensive because of greed--not tax.

I am a college graduate chemist and Ethanol is ethanol is ethanol whether distilled from sugar cane, corn, potatoes, or any starch or carbohydrate.

A chemical analysis couldn’t tell where the alcohol was derived from. The yeast cells that produce the alcohol make the same thing. You might say that alcohol is yeast-shit. When the concentration of alcohol goes much above 12% the yeast become inactive or dies. The difference may be how well the distillation process is done so the purity of the alcohol is close to 100% alcohol. Alcohol always contains a little water. Water is it’s molecule and it’s tough to get to 100%, sometimes concentrated sulfuric acid is used to wash the alcohol but that cost is prohibitive for alcohol that is to used as a fuel additive.

[Cheapest Gas] I didn't have to go the that web site. I already know who has the most expensive gas on BPK.

[Coast guard sticker] It didn't do a lot for me. I got stopped 3 times in the first 6 months it was on my boat. Needless to say it's off now. I haven't been stopped since. Does that mean that I was an easy stop for the Game Commission?

The beef that the fast food burger joints serve comes from South America, Australia, and China. Those people raise it, but won't eat it. I wonder why?

Hooters:  Key West already had a Hooters years ago. So I doubt they will bring it back if it didn't work out back then.  

I do not understand the democrats wanting to break up the big oil companies. The dems broke up Ma Bell and phone service overnight went up 4 times.  Great idea, let's repeat that mistake.  The other idea is to boycott Exxon, Mobile, etc--the Big 5 and buy your gas from an independent (Guess who his wholesaler is? Yes, one of the big 5 in all cases.)

The oil companies have tried to build more refineries and everyone said NIMBY.  Bush tried to drill our huge reserves in Anwar 5 years ago and last year and the environmental whackos and the Dems (Same thing) said "no". We would be getting that oil now if we had started back then. They want to build wind power off Mass but no, can't do it, Teddy Kennedy can see them out his back door.

This is America and the oil companies have been plowing back profits into new oil fields and tankers (double lined) Finally the price gets up there because of demand (and the heebie-jeebies in Iran).  You could have made a heap on oil stocks and commodity prices, all you had to do is buy the stock two years ago and enjoy the ride.  Quit wining and adjust to $4 gas if it can hold there; and get ready to join the rest of the world at $6 a gallon and learn to carpool.

[No shopping] You knew this before you moved here.  We don't need a park; we live in one. We could use some extra sport fields. 

Does anyone remember how to make a Smoker? In the old days, we dripped oil into the exhaust manifold to make tons of smoke, for laughs. It killed the mosquitoes and bugs too.

May Day has long been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist communist and anarchist groups. In some circles, bonfires are lit in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot usually right as the first day of may begins. In the 20th century May Day received the official endorsement of the Soviet Union; celebrations in communist countries during the cold war era often consisted of large military parades and shows of common people in support of the government.

Yes, it is true, we need workers in the USA, but we need legal workers. This country was built by immigrants like my father who became a citizen as soon as he could; not like the system players we now have. I'm glad I don't live in California, I would have to vote out the State Senate.

Bill Clinton had sex in the Oral Office, so what? George Bush is having sex with us all!

If you're too cheap to tip and consider it a rip off to give a decent tip, there is always DiGiorno. Better yet, get your lazy butt off the couch, waste your own gas and pick it up yourself.

[Foreign gas prices higher] Just recently the cost of gas at the pump in Venezuela was 12 cents per gallon, (or liter equivalent). I'm not sure what it is now, but before our invasion of Iraq they were paying 10 cents.  

I could not agree more with the person who said that he always tips no less than $5 when getting pizza, etc. delivered.  The biggest factor is these people are out busting their respective humps trying to make a living with gas at $3.25 a gallon. Some of us are fortunate enough to help these people. The workforce is disappearing because of the cost of living here in the Keys. To the guy that either tips $2.50 or complains that he cannot understand this thinking. The drivers would prefer, I'm sure, that you just pick your order up because there will be no drivers if we don't support them.

You can tell which restaurant is serving almost decent food in the Keys by bringing home a treat for your dog. If the dog bits you, then don't eat there any more!

[Who will staff the new big chain stores?] Most anyone that comes to Big Pine Key will have to deal with staff housing. Walgreens is building staff housing. You will see a lot more of this. Of course the county will have to relax some zoning regulations to make this happen, but this is all doable. If they want to be on Big Pine Key they will deal with it.

Does Mosquito Control do anything about rats, roaches, ticks, and other vermin which are getting out of hand in the Keys?

Can somebody please explain to me how to go about replacing an existing School Board?

[Another Long-winded tome] To my Brother in Big Pine Key. I would have written you this letter, and sent it via more conventional means, but I would rather the content be read by all, not just repeated and twisted by word of mouth.

Would you please accept my apologies for anything that I might have done in the past to offend your strict moral code? Would you please ask me if there is anything you want to know, instead of assuming that that your version of truth is the actual truth. Would you please not condemn others for having anything to do with me, including, but not limited to those people who adopted me 35 years ago. Our parents are great people, they do the things parents should do, if you don’t like something, just remember that they are the ones who have made many sacrifices for us, you being their natural born, and me being theirs by the miracle of adoption.

Our Parents have done so much for all of us, including our spouses and children, why do you insist on being jealous of things that are given to not just you and yours? You have received love, caring, and parents who love you, not to mention, homes, vehicles, boats, medical care, tracts of land, and even financial assistance on occasion. They deserve your respect, love, honor, and help with the things that are becoming more and more difficult for them with their advancing age. But do not do these things with the intention of getting paid; do them because it is the right thing to do.

I have lived my entire life trying to figure out how to make myself the kind of Sister that you would like. I have finally figured out that there is no way because you will not accept me under any circumstances, and that is okay by me. I have worked for, and with you many times, doing things that were not for a girl to do, lifting too much weight over and over, year after year, thinking that I would fit in with you and your wife, not knowing that I could have done anything in the world and still be treated the same. You devoted much of the 80’s spreading vicious and untrue rumors about me, not even giving me the opportunity to defend myself, but guess what? You didn’t ruin me, the people who have taken the time to get to know me, really like me for who I am.

I do believe that is what burns you the most! I would like us to come to some sort of truce. There is nothing I want from you, but it would be wonderful to see you act like a man for once, not the whining baby you have been for all of the time I have known you. To see you do what is right, just because it is right, would be great, but if not, that’s okay too. You are who you are, and I’ll be who I am, okay? Just leave me out of your daily “something to talk about list”. Nobody likes a whiner. Be a man!

Bird flu hits Florida!

We love you Christine!

Friday April 28, 2006

Thursday April 27, 2006

Wait a minute! You say that Clinton having sex in the Oval Office is no big deal? As a taxpayer, I consider the White House to be "sacred ground", and I don't want my president having oral sex with a bimbo in that office while he is supposed to be conducting the nation's business! Once I had a boss who got caught banging the office secretary. He was fired so fast that he didn't have time to clean out his desk. That's the way Clinton should have been handled.

[New gossip] I heard through the coconut telegraph that the Castaways trailer park has been sold.

[Floating Island store]  The owners moved to Gainesville and re-opened their business there.

[Christine Geary] I want to you know that you were an excellent Principal. You were treated very poorly and I hope in some small way that justice will be served.

[Ethanol/Sugar Cane based fuel] Wow, after reading the article about what Brazil has done, it makes us look a little foolish here.  With all the farm land, and small farmers having troubles, wouldn't it make sense to have a self supporting fuel option?  I for one, would not have near the indigestion with gas pricing, if the money was coming back home instead of over to the Saudi's. 

If the price per barrel of crude is a supply and demand issue, cut our demand by using our own product. This quote, "Brazil's ethanol yields nearly eight times as much energy as corn-based options, according to scientific data"  leads you also to believe that if done correctly, this option would not only be practical, but would save us money at the pump.  It's time for a change. Unfortunately, I think we are going to have to demand it, otherwise it will never happen.

[Lights in the Sky] I thought I was the only one that saw those lights. I just got the film back from CVS. I'm not advanced enough to have a digital camera. Here's the only picture that came out clearly.

How to Save the Keys: With all the rich land grabbers driving us out, all we have to do is double, triple or quadruple our asking sale price. If they buy then, it might be worth moving out!

Let me get this straight...Big Oil is bending us over the barrel, reaping record profits, paying $400 million pensions for their CEO's and all the while illegal immigrants (soon to be guest workers and eventually citizens) are holding down wages. It sounds like the beginning of the end of our society and culture as we know it. And how in the hell is the DOW still above 10,000?

[Moving because there's no shopping here] I agree.  I have just now finished repairs on my house from last hurricane season and flood.  I’m praying for a storm free season this year so I can sell and move somewhere where I don’t have to drive 50 miles round trip to do some needed shopping and somewhere where I can get a nice dinner out on a Sunday night.  All we have here is Parrotdise and as much as I like Parrotdise (and I like it a lot), Big Pine needs a nice restaurant open on weekends with excellent food and a nice, pleasing atmosphere.  Too bad it’s not going to happen.

[Calvary, Cavalry] It seems our gentle Editor may be getting a little bit testy. Maybe we should chip in and get him a full body massage at Teasers.

Ed, I love your site and read it everyday. I grew up in the Keys and my family still lives there. I just wanted to say thanks for keeping me abreast of the local gossip.

[Racist references censored] Do not fret Grandma. Some of us are as worried about our country as you are. We do not stop speaking out just because some call us racist. We do not feel wrong for doing whatever we can to turn back the invading hoards. Forever a proud American. More people need to get mad and help keep this country for us Americans.

I like the flea market but let's face it, it is for sale. Publix has not bought it but someone eventually will.  I don't care if we get a Publix or an Outback or whatever silly thing you want to come up with. We do need a park. Go by Watson field any day of the week; after school there's always kids out there. Go by Blue Heron Monday through Friday every day after school; there's always kids there. 

Every time the community has gotten together (comuni-keys meetings, incorporation meetings, etc.) it has been commonly agreed that we need a park.  There will always be a small group that have their own interest in mind and don't want to see anything but what they want. It's time to look at the big picture. What is the best use for the flea market land ?  The best use for the community is to turn it into a park.     

Ass family bumper sticker.

The Flea Market is for sale and no, Publix has not purchased it. If the person who wants the park should put their money where their mouth is and buy it, if not then shut up. I can not imagine why the county would buy it and put a park on it. First of all it is prime real estate and what money could they possibly make from a park? Not when they could turn it into a prime commercial area. Then you wannabe locals could cry about not having the Flea Market and whine about the traffic it has brought to the island. Just like you always do when it is season and the Market is in full swing.

I say put up or shut up. If you are still griping about the traffic then you should go back to where you came from and leave well enough alone. Maybe you think New York or New Jersey is better. If they were then you would be there, wouldn't you?

I hate garage sales, so why don't we use the Flea Market only for the locals to sell their debris in one location?  No fees no charges, just free use of the area.

I didn't personally see the lights in the sky, but my neighbor claimed to have seen them.  Here's a picture that she took.  I guess I should get the old telescope out.  I thought she was crazy till I saw the posting on here yesterday about the same thing.

Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening. http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

Wikipedia is an open source encyclopedia, so anyone can input or edit anything there. You must take all its data with a grain of salt or as pure propaganda.

I agree that Hooters would be good, but Hooters is a chain and we all know what misery, havoc and devastation a chain outlet would bring. Instead I suggest “Beavers.” Modeled after Hooters, (but not a nasty chain), with a simple menu.  Items like Clam Strips would be a hit.  And, you could get your Big Beaver Burger just the way you want It; pink in the middle or big and juicy with lots of cheese.  Don’t forget the popular Box Lunch and seafood lovers will really like the Red Snapper.  Happy hour features the Bouncing Beavers Babes serving their signature combo, the Stuffed Oyster with a Beaver Brew.  For big burger eaters you could get the Bigger Beaver Burger, (just say “I want a big one!”). Open for your pleasure 26 days a month.  It would be a hot spot right here in little ol’ Big Pine.  

[10% tip for dinner] Nah, 10% is too much for some of the bimbos who don't know what soap is for, and the crap foods we get served in the Keys. I say a set fee, like $2.50 is fine for any service.  Don't tip for booze.

Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.

At least Clinton didn't attack Iraq for the USS Cole bombing.  Maybe Bush should have kept his gun in the holster as well.  As for Elian Gonzales, he's right where he needs to be.  Too bad those jerks in Miami who tried to defy the feds didn't get the book thrown at them.  I guess all politicians are afraid of the Miami Cuban cartel voting block.

[Illegal Immigration] Take a look at the gangs in L.A. and other big cities. They are composed of illegal aliens, who are mostly escaped soldiers from war ravaged countries. Are we being invaded or what?

Someone told me that "string job" is also called the seven silken knots. She also said the going rate was around $50 or $7 a knot. Weird stuff.

I would like to second the motion to have a Hooters built here. The only question I have is where would they get the staff? If they recruited locals a better name would be Pooters.

No one know what's going on with the classifieds? I emailed an ad twice and it still hasn't been posted. (Ed: We apologize, but did you write Classified Ad in the subject line of your email? Our spam filters out all messages without a recognizable department in the subject line.)

[Tipping for delivery] I think if I'm going to pay $20 for a pizza and then I'm supposed to tip $5 for delivery that I'll go to a sit down restaurant where I can get ripped off good and proper. 

I don't know why they are making such a fuss over finding that human head floating in the Gulfstream.  I see them all the time out there.  The last time I went fishing there was a whole school of them and one was  singing. "I-i-i-i-i-i  ain't got noooo-bod-y..." 

Does anyone know where I can find a new School Board? I thought the Charter School had one but it seems some of the members only have themselves and their best interests at heart. Guess it may be time to enroll in Sugarloaf.

Is it true that on May 4^th all illegal immigrants won’t be working or buying in order to show us how much we need them?

Someone told me that Ant (is that what he goes by?) was going to host HoM jam night Wednesday. What happened with that? I am a musician and I know that if you are a musician and there is an open jam night you go there to let it happen; good or not so good. Someone else told me that Ant will let you play if you sign the list and play in order.  Did he have a good Idea? Yes, but it did not happen. I've seen Ant play. Good stuff. HoM what's up with that? Ant,  what's up, dude?

Exxon/Mobil just reported profits of 9.3 billion for the past quarter. Twice as much as the nearest competitor and one of the highest quarterly earnings in history.  Take this problem into your own hands.  Several people are boycotting Exxon/Mobil gas stations because, as the world's largest gas company, they control gas prices.  It's foolish to rely on government to control free enterprise (especially when there is an oilman for president).  We, the people, are the ones with the power.  A town in Texas is boycotting Exxon/Mobil until the prices drop to $1.30.  Let's join them.  Boycott Exxon/Mobil today!

I've got a little gripe about the U.S. Coast Guard and the Auxiliary.  I understand the Auxiliary is mostly made up of retirees who are trying to do a good thing.  But, in some cases they are too old to actually help, and sometimes they do overstep their boundaries.  The fact is they do not have any law enforcement authority.  They do not fly helicopters.  And, that sticker they give you when your boat gets inspected doesn't mean crap. 

Another interesting tidbit:  The actual U.S. Coast Guard has no authority to enforce state and local laws. If you are recreational fishing in state waters, they can't make you show them your lobsters, crabs, or any other fish.

But most importantly, if you are pulling a boat down the highway, get stopped by a legitimate law enforcement agency, and a Coast Guard member shows up, that person is nothing more than a civilian on the highway.  Don't let them push you around because they have no authority on land.  And, they can't make you take your boat to their station.  Unfortunately, I've seen this infringement of civil rights a few times in Marathon. 

Record profits, $400 million CEO pensions, $3+/gas and do you know what the President and Congress have done? A $26 billion tax credit for (get this now) Research and Development of Alternative Energy Sources for Oil Companies! That's right. And when they develop this new energy resource at taxpayers' expense do you think they are going to hold down profits and sell it back to us at a reasonable price? Hell no. It just goes to show what having friends in your industry in power does to the bottom line. Can you say "Mission Accomplished?"

[Long Winded Tome] More on The Floating Island store. Troyed and her husband, while visiting children in Gainesville, found a perfect space in the village that unlike their store in W/D Plaza, actually could provide electricity and AC. All this and no extension cords from behind the soda machine. "Gains"ville gains what Big Pine looses, again.

When did our Paradise require us to accept living in a third world? Don't worry about the big box stores ruining this place, do shutter every time another long-term resident leaves because of what the lowlife scum moving in are making everyone else accept. It's time the people I've known so long stop waiting for something to happen and make something happen. Yell and scream quietly with your dollars. Remember this from your protesting past. Change is not easy nor is it quick.

Do your food shopping in KW or Marathon and avoid W/D in Big Pine like the plague. Every thought about how great China Garden, Coco's, or any other shop there causes trepidation or fear of loss, just remember that you're making they're lives better by getting them better management. 

How can any management company force a powerless space on the Floating Island for so long (even for free) just after they made the Office Store "live" in an unfinished space while making them wait way too long for their space to be finished? These owners are not here and they just don't care what you think as long as the rent money is there every month.

My answer to those that say "so what" can't be printed here but it kind of sounds like "chuck you!", go back to your summer residence where heads up butts are apparently commonplace. Everyone leaving will forever wish they didn't when their $150,000 house with 4 acres in north central Florida makes them aware every day of what they gave up when they left the Keys!

It's up to us still here and planning to stay to do the following. Protest the W/D plaza management by ignoring the stores there. (very hard to do but most important). Do your business in cash and let them know why. Any business that doesn't understand deserves to die with the management.

So keep writing about all the threats Big Pine is facing and I'll tell you nothing threatens Big Pine nearly as much as all the long-termers leaving for greener grass turning brown.

I don't care how people spell other words, but to some of us Calvary is way more than just a typo.

Paradise Petroleum, with luck, will not be able to pump gas when the power goes out. We all know that after a hurricane work is rough and we don't need the extra gouging by them.

I believe that "String Job" does refer to a "package", but it has nothing to do with wrapping it.

Someone made the comment that taxing oil profits would cause oil prices to fall.  Does that mean that profits from oil stocks are not currently taxed?  If so, I know where I'll be investing every penny I have.  But I still don't see how taxing profits on any commodity would cause the price to fall.  Usually, the opposite is true.  Maybe you could provide an explanation of this anomaly since you obviously have a superior understanding of economics.

[New Orleans Tragedy] I just got to add my two cents here to the person who said they had it as bad as those in New Orleans without the CNN coverage. I assume you are gossiping on the internet from your home here in BPK? If so, then I dare say you didn't have it quite so rough as the thousands, that have no homes to go back to. Perhaps you should watch something besides CNN.

Does anyone out there have an old wind surfer kickin' around I could buy, or borrow? I'm here (on BPK) for a month helping my dad with his roof and the old one I bought from the Salvation Army just busted in half. It lasted a few years (not bad for $50). I have a mast, boom and sail. I need a board, or the whole rig, whatever have you. Drop me a line at changel@direct.ca

Sorry my Mommy, nothing to bitch at.  Hugs and kisses.  Bye. Love you. Call me. 

Thursday April 27, 2006

Wednesday April 26, 2006

[Floating Island store] The owner relocated to Gainesville, Florida.

If Brazil is free of fossil fuel usage, what are they using for their cars, ethanol?

Brazil has also gotten rid of Microsoft Windows operating systems on all their computers. They use the free open source Linux OS and save millions of dollars every year since they no longer have to pay licensing fees to Microsoft.

Well, at least everyone is off the "I hate the tourist" bit for a while.  Why does anyone want the flea market turned into a park?  We have more parks now than anyone goes to.  I don't want the flea market to go anywhere.

Foreign gas prices are not higher in all other countries. In Central and South America they are cheaper. European gas is higher due to the taxes (Holland: over $4 tax/gal) levied on oil in those countries not the greed of Exxon.

Many years ago as beginning boaters, my wife and I purchased a decent used cabin cruiser which we ended up living on for awhile. I met one of these old coots at a marine supply store who tried every way to talk us into letting him captain our boat to its' new berthing spot which was about 100 miles away. I asked him several questions and all he seemed to know concerning piloting a boat was when to blow the horn.

We ended up moving the boat ourselves and it turns out we didn't have to blow the horn at all. I guess when your back goes out more often than you do; and what doesn't hurt doesn't work anymore; there are still two things you can be sure of. How to break gas and when to blow the horn.

That stuff about private owners of gas stations having to charge more is a load. We have a guy who is a private owner and he consistently keeps his price ten to fifteen cents per gallon less than everyone else. The guys with the chains have to follow guidelines of their brand. The owner-operators can set their own prices.

One of my first jobs was pumping Sunoco gas back in the days when as soon as a car pulled in you wiped the windshield and checked the tires even if they bought ten cents worth of gas. The station got their gas wholesale at 22 cents. We would suggest premium, or ethyl, because the station made four cents profit per gallon on ethyl and three cents on regular. You can figure the profit percentage on that.

For the last 25 years since the demise of full service for everyone, the stations have been making 50 to 75 percent profit on every gallon. Since the gas is now over three dollars per gallon you can also figure somebody's making one heck of a killing off working folks. It all boils down to greed.

[Tipping for delivery] Gas was an average $1.60 a gallon just more than a year ago. It has doubled so don't be cheap. $2.50 is not enough. $5.00 for most deliveries is adequate, but not always. (When you say timely manor, is that like stately Wayne Manor where Batman was hanging out?)  Many times it is not the driver's fault if it is not there in a timely manner, but the customer will punish them regardless. Empathy is a huge word, perhaps you should take a delivery job for a few weeks to see that what I am saying is true.

[I wonder where] Acoustic open mike night Wednesday nights at 9:00 pm, hosted by Philo. Come out and show us what you have even if you have never played in front of people before, everyone is welcome.

A scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain and sexual activity read their email with their hand on the mouse.  Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.

I know there has been some complaining about Big Pine Restaurant and them closing a lot. Has anyone stopped to look at the hours of operation that are posted on the front of the restaurant?  I know the place closed a time or two because of health reasons, help reasons or whatever, but the hours of operation changed over a year ago. To those of you who think things are just  "open at will" here is some information for you. 

Tuesday through Saturday 8am to 9pm,  Sunday 8am to 2pm,  Monday--Closed.  Maybe you're looking at the wrong times? Get informed before getting upset.

Does anyone know if the lady selling the Coconut Planters at the Flea Market is local ?  I went by this last weekend to get one but she was gone. Does she have them at any local shops?  i would like to get one no later than Thursday to take to my mom on Friday. 

[feels so ignorant not knowing all the answers like everyone else does] You obviously have not had the benefit of our stellar public education system. Otherwise you would know the politically correct answers to all those questions and more.  And, you would feel completely confident in your knowledge (although you would score far below other  industrialized nations.

Awful Plastic Surgery celebrity bloopers?

Bush's answer to the gas problem: Divert oil from our reserves to the pumps. If I didn't know it was true I'd think it was a joke. I guess that's what you get with an oilman running the White House--$3 gas! Cause and effect. Hey, George, how about doing something real like taxing oil profits and see how fast oil prices fall?

[California 156 years ago]  Do you know what happened this week back in 1850, in California?  California became a state.  The State had no electricity.  The State had no money.  Almost everyone spoke Spanish.  There were gun fights in the streets.  So basically, it was just like California today except the women had real breasts and men didn't hold hands.

[Moving so I can shop] Using the center of Big Pine's future commercial  property for another park that's not used. Big Pine is already dying commercially. For the first time I'm thinking of moving. Not so drastic a place as mid-northern Fla, like half the Keys do, but Key West or Marathon where there's some shopping, entertainment and different dining that are open on Sunday or Monday.

[Paradise Petroleum] Quit going or quit complaining.

Isn't it ironic that with gas so high Ted Kennedy is fighting not to have wind energy (mills) because he could see them from his mansion? Imagine, if he was a republican, the coverage this would get? Keep paying at the pump and think of Teddy.

[Where's Bill Clinton when we need him] I didn’t know we had any ships that need bombing by terrorists; or embassies  that need bombing, but wait, the world trade center is already destroyed and can’t be bombed again. All without any discernable consequences to the perpetrators.  Elian Gonzales is already kidnapped in the night and the 65 Branch Dividian children and their parents are dead. All of this courtesy of Bill Clinton and his administration. Oh, for the good old days.

[$2.50 tip for delivery] You probably think a 10% tip for dinner is all right too. Tipping is not a city in China!

[Feeding chickens and cats is illegal] Per Florida State Statute the only wildlife it is illegal to feed is black bears, foxes, raccoons or sandhill cranes.  The statue that it is illegal to feed alligators and Key Deer is a Federal Statute.  Neither agency regulates the feeding of chickens or feral cats.  And the same goes for the killing of raccoons and iguanas.

Mea culpa, I stated that Brazil was fossil-fuel free. In fact they are using sugar cane to produce ethanol and as a source of renewable energy.  There's a great article here: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/10/business/ethanol.php   I still maintain that we could do the same if not more, given the arable land and idle farmers we have in this country. In Brazil, 70% of their cars are adapted for "flex-fuel" and best of all, the auto prices haven't increased to accommodate the upgrade. When we get rid of the dinosaurs running this country into the ground maybe we can get rid of the dinosaur fossil fuels as well.

[People who tip less than $3 for delivery] Where I work they'll find out quickly they screwed up. The next time they call I drive there food around under the A/C for 30-40 minutes before delivering it! Plus those drivers have your food in their control without any supervision. Do you really want to piss them off?  We are paying for gas out of pockets. So screw your cheap ass. Go get your own food. You think $2.50 is a tip $5 is about right.

[Flea Market] I heard Publix bought that land some time ago. Where can we find out if this is true?

A $5 tip for delivery is more than appropriate. $2.50 is just plain cheap.

[What is a Neo-con] Answer: Neo conservatives, as in Bush et al, have an agenda to dominate the world, space and the internet. Refer to "The Project for a New American Century" this is their written manifesto.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNAC

My anal-probed neighbor's dog is shooting flames out his backside. Can I used him to clear brush from my property, or is this a code violation? 

[Paradise Petroleum] Price Evidence was certainly damning yesterday for the Mobil gas prices along US-1.  Bush is going to investigate price gouging in the current gas crisis.  When do they decide its gouging time?  Only during natural disasters?  Like if there is no power and people start selling ice off trucks for 20 bucks a bag?  Well, there is no supply issue crisis, so what Paradise is doing is not gouging, it's making money on poor bastards that decide to pull into their pumping station.  So no matter how inconvenient it may be to drive a little farther and go to Tom Thumb or True Value, you may have to.  It's just that I'll miss those large white gleaming pumps.

Ed, thanks for your suggestion on how to approach my neighbor's alleged hooker wife. I did as you said and she actually gave me a price list detailing her services and costs. I was, however, perplexed about the term "string job." Does this have something to do with wrapping packages?

I wonder why the United States Government is allowing Illegal Immigration to happen. The cost of these non-tax payers and the cost of their support is bankrupting our economy.  The fact of a mass invasion of peoples from Mexico, Cuba, China, Vietnam, and other countries, scares me to no end. We are being diluted into nothingness. I cannot go shopping without an interpreter any more.  Respect for America, our flag, our way of life has diminished to the point of no return.

I guess I am lucky in that I am 65 years old, and will not see the fall of the American empire and the take over by a two class system of rulers and workers. Just lucky I guess. America is dieing and nobody cares.

It appears the engineering geniuses who designed and located those spy towers so close to US 1 are now going to put in guard rails that will deflect an impaired motorist away from the poles and into the oncoming traffic. Nice job DOT! I would bet money your design engineers don't even have their EIT (Engineer in Training certificates) let alone common sense.

Those Coast Guard Aux guys have served their time. You'll never know when you might need them.

[Calvary, Cavalry]  Darn, you’re right.  Would the writer please submit your address so that I may send you my submissions first for proofreading and spell checking?  You could then forward them to bpk.com.  Obviously, you have more time on your hands than I do.  Sometimes the importance of the message exceeds minor errors.  Thanks in advance.

[New rumor] Just what we need, another park that we will never get. The flea market is not for sale. The owner is building a housing project there for Conch seniors.

But the news did tell everybody that cared to look what gas prices were in the rest of the world.  MSNBC.com had a story detailing this very thing (unfortunately, except for Iran and Iraq where it's less hat 50 cents per gallon, we are by far the lowest.)  The article was on the Business Section front page and is still there Tuesday. Very depressing.

[S for stupid] I think this blog needs a Code Letter at the beginning of each post to tell people if it is Political, Hate, Reply (include the point of the post replied to), EdN. (note to be posted), Advertisement, RN for religious nut case, Joke, etc.   It would sure be a Posting For Dummies aid.

[More anal probe stuff] Did anyone else see the lights over the ocean last night at about 8:30?  They were in a huge triangle formation and moving at a slow pace.  I got photos but they didn't come out that great.

One thing I'm getting tired of is folks who keep whining about fuel costs and crying you're being gouged and taken advantage of. You have nothing to offer, save for the unrelenting drone of how hard you have it, and  are bereft of ideas, save for blaming everyone else. Why don't you make a pitch to a bank, get your investment capitol, go out and  drill, discover oil, take less on your return, and get us all some cheap  gasoline? Oh, and let your customers figure out what fair price you will receive. Really show those big oil gouging bastards how to compete.  You know you'll show them you won't be led down the slippery path of  corporate profits. Sounds good to me! Good luck on lining up your investors.

[What we really need is a park]  Oh yeah, that's what we need alright.  Next time I'm hungry, instead of going to Publix or a decent restaurant (one that's open), I can go to the park!  Brilliant. I think I have a better idea.  What we need on the flea market site is a Hooters.  It provides food, will lower your blood pressure (according to the German study) and it could become the focal point of the island.

Hey, KV Damn! Wow!

Wednesday April 26, 2006

Tuesday April 25, 2006

This is not supply and demand. It is not about drilling in Alaska. That will not reduce the price of gas. It’s about corporate profits. I can assure you all of the capped wells (that are being uncapped as we speak) that were not being produced, are being re-opened because they’ve got oil prices where they want them.

The supply, just as it was in the Carter days, will now be flowing. The oil companies will get exactly what they want and the public will get screwed. And many idiots will, not knowing of which they speak, want to drill in Alaska. How bout $400 million in retirement for the EXXON CEO? Over a billion dollars since '93 in salary. Don’t you understand manipulation?

What happened to Floating Island store in the Winn Dixie center?

[Barbeque saga continued] Thanks so much for the barbeque grill Mike.  It was so very, very nice of you.  You are a special person. Its great that we have so many nice people here with only a few bad apples. Whoever stole mine out of Coconuts should take a lesson from you.

If the flea market is for sale the county should buy it and turn it into a park.  If someone else buys it you can bet that they are not going to keep the flea market going. Some may want it to be a Publix or an Outback, but what we really need is a park. It could become the focal point of the island.

[Where's Bill Clinton when you need him]  I agree with the feeling that Congress had no business prying into his sex life. You implied a President of the United States of America lying under oath about it in a court of law is apparently understandable; not that big a deal?  Wow, and we wonder why our country is coming apart at the seams.

I have just started up a website and have been reading "Websites For Dummies" and "Blogging For Dummies."  Can anyone explain in non technical terms what an RSS Feed is and how they will help promote a website?  How do I get them?  I guess I am too much of a Dummy to even understand the Dummies book. (Ed; try this link.
http://www.xml.com/pub/a/2002/12/18/dive-into-xml.html )

[Coast Guard Auxiliary]  I agree that these old farts are morons.  Every time they go through the canal, either going out or coming in, they blow that stupid air horn of theirs!  I know they are saying “hello” to my neighbor, but she is usually inside, and is so hard of hearing that she never hears them.  All they seem to succeed at is pissing me off.

I have a great idea to solve the oil problem. "They" can just invent another form of energy.  It wouldn't use any natural resources or cause any pollution and it would stop global warming.  It would also cure AIDS and stop famine.  It might even cause world peace.  If only those greedy conservative oil people would stop raping the earth and start inventing.  The problem would be solved. It's that simple.

Shirley McLain and Warren Beatty are brother and sister.

Does anyone here think that maybe Tom Thumb, being a big chain and all, might have more buying power than a one store local like Paradise Petroleum? All the money that is spent at that store goes directly out of the community.

Pet Peeve: It's not the 1st US Calvary regiment. Calvary is where Jesus was crucified for our sins and also a town in Utah. It's Cavalry. US Cavalry Regiment. The spell-check recognizes both.

Get over the gas prices. America has been on a holiday for many years with the lowest prices. Leave the good ole USA and buy gas and it will cost you double. That's a fact the news will not tell you.

[Ed, I keep trying to click on "Key Deer Recipes" but they don't come up!]  Now that is a funny post!

[need chain stores] I don't think big corporate chain stores will bale you out when the economy goes down the tubes. It's a fact that 50% of corporations are owned by foreign companies, some even control our natural resources including coal, timber, water and oil. With the help of our government big corporations are selling us down the river to the highest bidder to the point of economic collapse. Don't expect Uncle Sam to bale you out because he's broke too.

If we in the Keys encounter a recession (which is inevitable) we will weather the storm much better if we have a home based local economy that keeps locals working and money here, not in Atlanta, New York or Hong Kong.

In all the controversy over Paradise Petroleum's high prices, last week's post about what they have done to the environment has apparently been overlooked.  Everyone please take a look at the two lots (one of which is zoned residential) behind the station and look what can happen to two native wooded lots on nights and weekends when code enforcement is not around.  We now have a junkyard out of which several businesses are operating illegally.  Code enforcement has been informed but so far they have not been able to stop this mess.  The folks who say Paradise can charge what they want are right.  We can easily go somewhere else for our gas.  But what Paradise has done to Big Pine's environment cannot be so easily overlooked.  Please folks, take a look behind the high price sign and then let our officials know what you think.  And respectfully to our officials, please make Paradise get rid of this mess and put the trees back.

[Brazil is completely free of fossil fuel usage] I don't want to pollute that statement with fact, but Brazil drills offshore and they are producing as much oil as they consume.  In a few years (with a few more wells) they will be producing enough to export.  If you're asking why we can't be like them, it's because we aren't allowed to drill offshore (or on shore). We also failed to build enough nuclear power plants (like France uses) to meet our needs and must continue to burn fossil f