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 fuels to produce power.

[Oil Barrels] Last week someone wrote in that you should read 10,000 words before you write one.  I think he was trying to help some people stop making fools out of themselves.  A barrel of oil is indeed 42 gallons and with some additives it can produce slightly more than 42 gallons of products after refinement (as the dynamic illustration of MR. OPEC shows).  So if the erroneous writer will do his homework next time, perhaps he will have better results.  Now about that arithmetic problem you have...

It looks like this should be the last of the Cuban rafters to come across.

[Boycott By Illegal Immigrants] May 1st is the planned "Day Without an Immigrant" boycott by illegal immigrants here in the United States. They plan on boycotting work, thus showing how many menial jobs they provide cheap labor for. They plan on boycotting our stores, thus showing how much money they provide for the economy.

I am fine with this tactic. I have one suggestion: Please boycott our hospitals, schools, jails, and highways. Let us see what our health care system would be like without an overcrowded emergency room full of illegal immigrants using it as a free clinic to treat non-emergent ailments. Let us see what it would be like to have people who the hospital actually expects to pay for treatment.

[They sell the Michelob of gas] How naive can you get? There's no difference in gas! All companies make batches for other companies and pipe it wherever it's needed. The only difference is a color, to tell whose batch it is. Additives are added at the out depots. We are getting the gas nozzle shoved up our giggies, wake up!

Drilling for oil in Alaska and the Gulf is another con job for sure. When Americans paid for the Alaskan pipe line to feed us oil, they sold 78% of it to Japan for more profit than they got here. Taxpayers paid for that line, and will pay for the Gulf line as well. All we have to do is use our own oil, and watch middle east oil dry up and blow away.

[I know this bird owner that got an aquarium. He clipped the fishes fins so they wouldn't swim away.] Hey, knock off the Polish Jokes Dude, how was I supposed to know?

I agree fossil fuels are killing the planet. The only thing we need oil for is lube. There's no other oil, except whale oil, that works as well. Gas sucks, solar and sail work.

Here is a chart to help remind you where the main cuts are made when field dressing your Key Deer. I just did mine and almost forgot the basics.

[Hate] Hey Ed., I see you don't publish stuff about Cubans, Mexicans, Jews, Arabs, or any other group that's ruining America. Why? Somebody talk to you?

I was in Key West Monday and needed diesel fuel for my truck. Big Coppitt Mobile $3.199, Summerland Mobile $3.199,  Paradise Petroleum $3.369.  Not in my truck again if I can buy anywhere else.  With "locally owned" stores like them, who needs a chain store to get screwed?

[I started my own Online Gripe page]  What is the URL of your web page?  If it's a Yahoo group, you can set it up so that it's open to the public (don't need to join the group) and they can hide their email address if they want.  The only requirement is that they create a Yahoo ID.  If it's just a web page like Kudos and Whiners, people wishing to contribute and remain anonymous can easily create an email address on Yahoo that is only used for posting to your site. Good luck with it. I think there have been times when it would have been nice to have an  alternate site to post to.

[Paradise Petroleum] Come on, they pay the same as all the other gas stations do. You get what's delivered weather its Shell or Tom Thumb.

Dear Piney, I think my neighbor's wife may be a hooker. She has guys coming and going out of her house all day until hubby gets home, then all is quiet. I am attracted to her and really want to find out how much she charges, but don't know the proper etiquette for asking. Should I use the direct approach or just beat around the bush until she tells me?  --Inquiring mind.

Dear Inquiring, The next time you are around her, shoot the breeze a while and then ask her if she's heard of any classy ladies who make extra money for spending time with gentlemen. Good luck. 

A very big thank you to the F.I.R.M. organization for doing more for the people of the Keys than all the county and incorporated board of commissioners have done about insurance rates. Perhaps some of these people should run for a commissioner seat several are open this year. 

I don't believe that the Coast Guard Auxiliary have many helicopters.

$5 is a bit much for a delivery tip. $2.50 is more like it, if you receive your delivery in a timely manor.

I have a few questions:

1. What is a Neo con? I don I know if I am one?
2. How does anyone know how much oil is in Alaska? How does anyone know with certainly that there will be a disaster and who knows it? The government? The committee that designed the windstorm cost reduction plan?
3. If there isn’t much oil in the Gulf why do the Mexicans brag that they found the world’s largest reserves? We haven’t had an environmental disaster in the Gulf, even with the hurricanes. How can anyone predict with certainty we will have one in the future?
4. Why are the environmentalist able to afford big black SUV’s and the money to run them? Why do they want everyone else in unsafe tinfoil cars while they drive SUVs?
5. Hydrogen powered cars sounds great, but where do we get the energy to process the air or water to get the hydrogen and since water vapor is the by-product where does it go ? Isn’t water vapor the number one green-house gas?

I just feel so ignorant not knowing all the answers like everyone else does. And they seem so sure of themselves. It must be great to be so clever.

[DEA expert who shot himself] Small wonder why we are losing the war on drugs.

Paradise Petro screwed me. I've quit my whining, and I'm going somewhere else.

That wasn't Barney playing bass, it was Goober.

Tuesday April 25, 2006

Monday April 24, 2006

Where's Bill Clinton when we need him. It's such a shame that he had sex. I know some of you readers think that his lying to Congress was worse than Bush's starting an un-winnable war. You must remember that Clinton lied about a personal thing in order to save his marriage, not the nation. Congress had no business prying into his sex life.

How do you define a great nation? Can we just say that we're a great nation or does the rest of the world have to see us as a great nation? we used to be great, but not any more.

After 108 years Trooper Frank B. Booth of the 1^st U.S. Volunteer Calvary Regiment Rough Riders under the command of Theodore Roosevelt finally has a headstone in Key West cemetery.

Floyd's City Barber Shop in Mount Airy, NC dates back before Andy Griffith had his hair cut there as a teenager. Russell Hiatt, 82, on the job for 60 years, still performs up to 30 haircuts a day, at $8 each.

[How do you identify a bald eagle?] All of his feathers are combed to one side.

While it is true that Paradise Petroleum can charge what they want, consumers can chose to not support the "house of gouge". No one should support them. This is a prime example of why we need chain stores and why the retail ordinance will just drive up the cost of living down here. Tom thumb is making plenty of profit at thirty cents cheaper per gallon. A McDonalds where the Coconut Farm is would have increased traffic on Big Pine--we were told. Were the people from marathon and Key West going to travel to Big Pine to eat at our newer McDonalds? Of course not. Locals would have gone there and tourists who were already on the highway en route to key west.

Lies and more lies from our county officials. One of the ugliest stretches of road in all the Keys is the business district of Big Pine Key. A Publix, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Walgreens, Blockbuster and a Home Depot will not only beautify Big Pine but will serve to lower a very, very high cost of living in the lower Florida Keys. That is what happened everywhere else in the Keys when evil chain stores arrived.

Ed, I keep trying to click on "Key Deer Recipes" but they don't come up!

[Paradise Petroleum] They charge what they have to.  It's based on the rate they pay their supplier.  They are stuck with an expensive brand.  They sell the Michelob of gas!  Leave those poor people alone.

[Coast Guard Auxiliary bunch of old goofs have absolutely no enforcement authority] Not true, these are mostly retired Brass, from Admirals and Generals on down to top enlisted men. With their knowledge and connections they have lots of pull with high ranking politicos and military. Mess with them and find out! "Knowledge: Waste Not, Want Not!"

Although some may argue that karaoke is Japanese for "drunken and tone-deaf", the word actually means "empty orchestra". I think it really means extraverts who can't take a hint to shut the freak up and let me enjoy my beer!

[tap our own oil reserves in Alaska and the Gulf.] Why is it that you neo-cons always think in black and white? Why can't we begin aggressively pursuing alternative energy sources rather than destroy the damn planet because you kool-aid sippers can't think beyond your damn noses? Brazil is completely free of fossil fuel usage, if they can do it, why can't we? The Netherlands will be oil free by 2009....where will we be?

I started my own Online Gripe page which allowed anyone to say anything about anything. The only rule was to include your email address. No one signed up so far! Tells you something about the Brave New World.

I know this bird owner that got an aquarium. He clipped the fishes fins so they wouldn't swim away.

[Paradise Petroleum just a small family run op] Yeah, right. Exxon-Mobil made $36 Billion profit last year. I'll bet they laugh like hell when they hear about suckers who open their pockets and say they are going to keep paying more. They don't need any of my money and they're not going to get it, either.

We can play the license tag number deal or we can all give a little more respect to the speed limit. The dark blue SUV on Donna  Rd. can slow down just a little, than we'll all be happy.

New Orleans...Continued from Saturday

After touring the devastation, we returned to the bar, (a very local joint) our friend owns with her fiancé and continued my birthday on a lighter note. There was a New Orleans custom I was unaware of--pinning money to the birthday boy, (or girl). In all my time spent in the French Quarter, I have never observed this before. I was informed by one of the patrons that after Katrina, many traditions were dusted off. I could understand that. Holding close that which floodwaters could not affect. Damn, I love that place.
Not just New Orleans. The bar we were in holds a special place in our hearts. Its character is simply soaked into the walls. I've had some of my favorite conversations in there. Some of the best jokes I've ever heard. Some of the best political discourse I've ever taken part in. And, some of the best philosophical conversations I've ever felt bold enough to tangle with. (Do I hear strains of Toby Keith's ode to great watering holes?)
When my wife and I are ambling about, it's usually until the wee hours. We decided to take a late night visit upon one of our other favorite taverns. It was 2:30 am. There were only three people in the bar at the time. The bartender, one of the regulars, and...

...Harry Anderson. Yup. Night Court's judge, Cheers' Harry the Hat, and altogether ace sleight-of-hand man. He was sipping a cocktail and chatting with the lone regular. I think he was pleased to see some new faces as he removed a fresh deck of cards from his pocket, (for just such an occasion). He proceeded to wow us with some of the most amazing card tricks, (some he claimed were actually noted as the best ). Encouraging him to stay I offered to buy a round for the house, (mind you... patrons in total= 4). He accepted and he continued on with the prestidigitation and some small talk. He didn't have far to go anyhow. We learned from the bartender that Harry lives directly across from the bar. After he departed, the bartender told us that Harry comes in there quite often and hardly ever does card tricks for other patrons. We would have taken this for B.S. if we did not already know the barman. Have to chalk that night up as one of my top twenty.
(Harry Anderson owns a bar in the French Quarter called "Oswald's Speakeasy". Also a magic shop called, "SideShow". Stop in if you get yourself to N.O.)

Our last night there was at Arnaud's– a cigar bar and restaurant. I was firing up a Fuente as I was informed that Mayor Ray Nagin was in the dining portion of the establishment. I decided to peek my beak in there and sure enough, he was chowing down with his family. He must have stopped there directly after the televised mayoral debate. My wife and I were not terribly impressed with the guy after the whole fiasco, so we didn't exactly rave when he came in the smoking area to glad-hand.

To sum up– the heart of New Orleans is still beating, but the extremities took a brutal lashing. Some suffered more than others, but all were affected to some degree or another. They have unwavering resilience, much like most of us. The Crescent City is forever changed but its strong-willed inhabitants will go on and rebuild. It will never be the same, but it will never be like anything else anywhere.




P.S. Thanks a bunch to whoever made the kind comment on the previous installment. And, Funny Fridays will return this week.
~Humor Editor, Dan Schwab

Sure Batista was worse. He couldn't even play a blues harp like we see Castro doing in the picture yesterday. 

[Missing waitress] I'm sure wherever Ginny Girl is she's riding hell out of that lowered Sportster of hers.

Come On. Paradise is a para-dice. They screw us all. Don't tell me they are going by the  guide lines.  Look at their other prices.

Drilling in the Arctic National Refuge would produce about three months of gasoline and take ten years to get to market. The big oil companies will bend you over the barrel, so you can drive your car and run your air conditioner until we get Bush/Cheney Inc out of Washington. We need to get serious about conservation and alternative fuels. The environmental whackos have been trying to do this since the 60's.

Drilling in the Gulf around Florida is another dumb idea. If a spill the size of the Exxon-Valdez occurred it would encompass half the state's waters.

It's a shame some people are brain-washed into believing that people interested in protecting our air, water and wildlife for future generations are being blamed for the cost of gasoline.

[the rich taking over the lower Keys] I believe I have a solution to the problem. Elect more Democrats and exterminate the rich, voila, we will create another Paradise just like Cuba. Like your comment, it's really all so simple.

[benefit of busty beauties Study] And those that didn't enjoy looking were already dead?

[New Orleans tragedy]  Gee, it sounds like they had it almost as bad as we did with Wilma.  The only difference is we didn't get much CNN coverage or help from FEMA (or any other government agency).  It's a good thing the people in the Keys are so self-sufficient, resourceful and willing to help  their neighbor or someone might be compelled to write a very eloquent  narrative about us.

A barrel of oil is 32 gallons not 42.

Price gouging can not take place in a free and open market. You just go down the street and get what you want at a better price. Now if Paradise Petro. was the only gas on the Island, lets say after a hurricane, and they sold the gas all ready in their storage tanks for 5 bucks a gallon--that's price gouging. The same would hold true pre-storm and a lumber yard tripled the sale price of there plywood--that's a no-no. Today they can charge what they want. So stop your whining and go somewhere else.

[Drilling in Alaska and the Gulf] There's not enough oil there to end our problems. It's not worth the danger.

Please take a moment to consider the people who are delivering take-out food to you these days.  Gas is now at $3.25 a gallon for regular and these nice people are trying to make a living. So when you get a pizza etc. try to remember that they rely on your generosity to get by. I always tip $5 regardless of how small the order is.

[Coast Guard Auxiliary] I bet the folks in New Orleans didn't feel the same way about the Coast Guard when they were being plucked off their roofs after Katrina.

The person in the SUV is doing 45 or 50 on Kyle Blvd. I just want you to do the speed limit. When I moved here it was hard to get used to the speed limits. There are deer, children and us older people on the roads at any given time; so please slow down! Thanks.

Jo Beth Stewart Magazine.

Monday April 24, 2006

Sunday April 23, 2006

I was at a dinner last night with a group of liberal nature freaks. To stir things up, I told them that I killed about three iguanas a week. To my surprise, one man said he shoots four or five a day! Another man said he also shoots about three a week. Will wonders never cease.

[Man arrested for giving free breast exams... She only became suspicious after she saw he wasn't wearing gloves] Man, if he just had on gloves.

I paid $3.34 for regular in Marathon yesterday.  Hang on folks, it’s going to go higher.  Maybe after gas goes to $5 or $6 a gallon the environmental whackos will shut up long enough for us to tap our own oil reserves in Alaska and the Gulf.

The first male engineer.

[Do male and female eagles always look the same?]  No, they don’t.  The male has the white, feathered head, the strong piercing eyes and the strong beak with a large muscled chest.  The female is the frumpy one behind, nagging him.

[What is up with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Guy…..?]  Sure.  The guy’s a friggin’ nut case.  The Coast Guard Aux idiots are just a bunch of old goofs who get their jollies by putting on a silly looking uniform and playing "Real Coast Guard" on weekends.  They get off on trying to harass boaters with voluntary safety checks and handing out fliers like door-to-door religion peddlers.  They have absolutely no enforcement authority whatsoever.  The next time your old coot starts yelling, give him the one finger salute, a big moon and tell him to shut the f**k up!

Let’s get off the back of Paradise Petroleum about their price of gas.  I paid the same price for regular in Marathon Friday that Paradise charges.  Paradise is a family run operation that has no control over what they are charged for gas.  They make a small profit on their sales and are not ripping anyone off.  If you want someone to be pissed off at, try the environmental lobbyists that obstruct drilling in our huge reserves.  I’m not a Paradise employee, just a customer, and I’ll continue to do my business there. 

I saw Barneys double, he plays bass in on the local bands.

[Stage at the Tiki keeps moving.] Sure, it's because the building inspector is stuck under the damn thing and hasn't died off yet.

No one has written about the return of citrus plants to Monroe County. I have purchased two key lime at our local nursery Octopuses Garden. They had the best prices and largest variety between Marathon and Key West. Kudos Octopus.

[I have your tag number] Well, miffed or not, doing 45 in a 25 mph zone pisses some people off; especially if it's through their neighborhood. But don't expect the cops help, they can't see through the sugar glaze high.

Final word (hah!) on iguana law:  I know the haters will have a field day here, but I ashamedly admit I'm a lawyer.  I even practiced for a while long ago. This is the law in Florida and most other places:
1) Iguanas fall into the category of  "unprotected animals" under state law.  Unprotected animals may be killed anywhere, anytime, by anyone, in the state  by any legal means (see 2 and 3 below.)
 2)  Any animal killed under any circumstances, whether protected during a legal season or unprotected at any time, must be killed in a "humane" manner.  "Humane" is a question of fact in each case and probably for each species, though with some legal precedents.  If there is no precedent (which I don't think there is for lizards in Florida) it is up to the Judge or jury, if there is one, to decide. As an example, to shoot an alligator (a protected species) is a "humane" way of killing it; beating it to death may be, but shooting out its eyes and beating it slowly probably is not.
3)  Discharge of gunpowder firearms is illegal in Monroe County except for peace officers and lawful necessity-self defense cases.
4)  I do not know if discharge of  pellet guns is legal in Monroe and on Big Pine Key.  I have heard conflicting reports, and don't give enough of a damn to look it up.  Perhaps some deputy reads here and can enlighten us.
5) While unprotected animals may be killed legally wherever/whenever found, you may not trespass on the private property of another, or shoot or otherwise trespass (bow & arrow, for example) onto such property from a non-trespassing location, to accomplish the killing.
6)  With iguanas, then, it's perfectly legal to kill them but you have to find both a humane and legal way to do it.  I do think a sharp, disabling, blow with a blunt instrument, and then finishing them however while they are stunned, is legal.

End of tome. I'm not even going to get into whether or not they should be killed, whether  they are indigenous, what they eat, etc., etc.  I will only say that since getting my new dog two years ago, I have been able to quit shooting (pellet) them on my land and canal front.  The dog makes sure there aren't any hanging around. Please let's let this go!

Yes, it is illegal to feed the chickens as you will be fined as if you had fed a deer.  And to the person that thinks the gas stations can charge whatever they want. It is called price gouging and it is illegal.

To the person that has my tag number for doing 45 on Key Deer. I'm not too worried. The speed signs say "30" not "25". I'm sure you got my tag number wrong too!

To the person who posted the New Orleans trip item. A very eloquent narrative.  I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Miami Cubans hate Castro is because they lived there and experienced him firsthand] Actually, the "Miami Cubans" the original writer was talking about, the real rich, professional, early emigrants, never lived there and experienced Castro. They all left before he finally came to power; or just as he was taking over.

I think it's pretty much 50/50 between him and Batista as to who was the worst, but I'd go with Batista as the worst.

The correct volume for a barrel of crude oil is 42 gallons.  Of this approximately 51.4%, or 21.6 gallons, is refined into gasoline.  Some additives and ethanol (in California) make the figure slightly higher at the pump.

A barrel of oil is 42 gallons, a drum is 55 gallons.

[Feeding W/D chickens] Don’t get too upset.  It may have been poisoned seed being sewn to rid ourselves of those filthy, vermin infested fowl.

If you look closely at yesterday's picture of the 3 "Wild Dogs" killing a gator, you will notice a small tag on the gator that says "Eyes may come loose causing a choking hazard. Recommended only for ages 5 and up." This person should be turned in to the proper authorities.

[There is no penalty for killing iguanas] That is not the point that other posters are trying to make.  Yes, iguanas are not a protected species, but that still doesn't make it right to just go out and kill them.  Let's see, what else is not protected?  Most of the snakes, box turtles, raccoons, etc., that are native here, are not protected, but that doesn't mean that you can just go out and kill them.  Hunting is not allowed in the Keys. Going out and seeking any of these animals and killing them is illegal.  If you kill any of these critters, and it can be construed as cruel and inhumane treatment, then it is illegal. I have hunted (in my past life), but I hunted for the meat, in times when we needed the meat just to survive (I'm giving my age away here).  I would never just go out and kill something for the thrill of it, or because I considered it a "pest", eating flowers in my yard.  That is just totally wrong.

Kudos to the two posts about the bald eagles in Haines, Alaska.  I love what the one said that "When there among the eagles you feel welcomed into the Grace of God."  Beautiful words.  Thanks.  I hope I get to go there sometime.

Paradise was $.34 higher than Tom Thumb. How can you defend that? Everything that people have said is true. There were no lies spreading on this page. The proof is on the signs when we all pass by. Listen to the people. Take care of your locals. Don't get mad. Just fix the problem.

I can't come up with a ringer for Barney Fife yet, but I sure know where there's one for Ernest T. Bass. He's mayor of Key West, only Ernest T. is smarter and has better manners.

[Big Pine Cafe. Ginny and Cherie] I don't know about Ginny, but Cherie retired. It was totally voluntary, she wanted to spend more time at home, do some volunteer work, and generally kick back.

I've noticed that the PETA types claim that killing an iguana or alligator brings bad Karma to the perp. If that's true, then what kind of Karma must people that have abortions, perform them or condone them have? I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.

When are they going to fix the live web cam? I miss Big Pine Key. (Ed: It's back!) 

It's Billary!

[Bitter reader] The only reason some people are still breathing is because it's against the law to kill them.

A five year German study of 200 men found that those who enjoyed a longing look at busty beauties had lower blood pressure, less heart disease and slower pulse rates.

[Bitter employee] The boss is not stupid. The boss is a drunk(?)

Sunday April 23, 2006

Saturday April 22, 2006

Unbelievable!  FIRM is fighting for all of us to have affordable insurance. They only have 2000 members. Every home owner should join this organization.  It doesn't cost a dime. Please go to www.FIRM keys.org and sign on.

[I have your tag number] I've always been miffed by retirees getting tag numbers when they perceive you've done something wrong. What do they think they are going to do with the tag number? Hire a hit man? Give it to the police? The police can't do anything unless they see the "crime" themselves.

I haven't seen anything official saying the developers are going to give, free, the new houses that they build at Seahorse in exchange for building permits in Key Largo.

Mature Bald Eagles, males and females, do look alike except for size, however they do not get their white feathers, yellow beaks and eyes until they are 4 to 5 years old.  What you may have seen is considered an “Immature”.   Please remember that Eagles mate for life and to harm one is to harm both, as well as our natural environment.  They may have a “nesting tree” nearby since they are territorial creatures.  There are only two places in the world where territorial inclinations are put aside, twice a year, Haines Alaska and Kamchatka Island Russia.

It just tickles the heck out of me that some of you think that Paradise Petroleum has to charge what you think they should charge. They can charge whatever they want. They are breaking no law. Winn/Dixie can charge whatever they want. Get it? Don't shop there. The Seahorse campground can just build Spec-homes and charge whatever the market will allow. The market, not you. You can buy a house in Mississippi and buy gas in Venezuela, but you can't make a business charge what you think is fare. The good news is, as long as there are people like you, the ones that bitch about everything, there will always be a spot for people like me and ones who fill your needs because you'll never open a gas station, a coffee shop or build a spec house. The only thing you'll ever open is a beer. Oh, by the way, it's about 1200 bucks a month to put a camper at Big Pine Fishing Lodge; is that ok with you?

If you would like to see a Gathering of Eagles go to the Chilkat River Eagle Preserve in Haines Alaska in early November, where you will see up to 3000 eagles gathered at one time.  To learn more about Eagles and Haines, go to www.haines.ak.us/ and click on the eagle festival or eagle preserve link.  It’s a beautiful place, one which my son and I will never forget. When there among the eagles you feel welcomed into the Grace of God. It was truly amazing, a once in a life time trip well worth taking.

Sunday April 23 is the Women of the Moose monthly brunch and bingo. Brunch is from 11:00 - 2:00 and bingo from 1:00 -4:00. Hope to see you there, Mooser. Business Directory

Note that the Alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the gator preventing it from breathing, while the remainder of the pack prevents the beast from rolling.

[Does anyone know how many gallons of gas a barrel of oil yields?] Yes, a 30 gallon barrel (28.9 true gallons) yields 7 to 9.4 gallons of gasoline, depending how they crack it. BUT the real profit is in the cracked chemicals they get. For example: one barrel yields a chemical that is used in Polystyrene manufacturing and sells for $378.00 per 1/2 ounce. That sell price was back in 1987 ! All other cracked products yield more the $1260.00 (1987) gross profit per barrel. Eat your heart out consumer!

Rounding up the chickens isn't the final solution to protecting us from avian flu. All cats should be rounded up and kept in cages, lest they kill a bird and bring the virus into ones home. Also all windows should be boarded up so no birds fly into them, scattering the virus. We need to act now!

Here is a partial list of people to e-mail concerning transfer of building rights issues Seahorse trailer park. shaun.martin@dca.state.fl.us  
shaun.martin@dca.state.fl.us ttuell@keysnews.com  
info@newsbarometer.com   [Edit] nuegent, george  
boccdis2@monroecounty-fl.gov info@bigpinekey.com  
boccdis1@monroecounty-fl.gov  

I may have had a few too many, but I swear the stage at the Tiki keeps moving. Anybody else notice this?

I too have noticed that some people down here resemble the cast of the Andy Griffith show. I saw a woman who looked like Aunt Bea at Boondocks the other night, except she had tattoos, was chain smoking and was a weathered thirty years old. The guys there were all hitting on her, of course. Now if I could only find Barney's double.

[Seahorse RV Park] For the reader that said that a poster was misinformed when they posted that Bocca Developers said that they would give the development to the county.  No we were not misinformed.  We attended the meeting on April 13th at the Seahorse Park and that is what we were told.  The other thing that we were told was hearing the word "rental units" batted around when in fact there is not wording regarding renting of anything anywhere in the documents that are online to read. I am not a plant by any developer, I live in the park and am one that is going to lose my home.

[...same person (probably a Fish and Wildlife employee) that keeps going over and over and over about those "poor" alligators that had their eyes shot out before they were killed]  You obviously don't read the papers.  It was only one of the two alligators that was killed.  The two guys that did this admitted they shot the eyes out and then clubbed her to death.  All of this was done during the night, and the alligator's body was taken back to their house and butchered, with only a small portion of the meat taken to a barbecue.  Turkey vultures (not called buzzards) never got a chance to get at the body, as what was left was dumped in the ocean.  What has this got to do with the Terri Schivo tragedy--you are an idiot.  There are a lot of people really upset over what happened to this Blue Hole resident.  I am not a Fish and Wildlife employee.

To all the people expressing their views on the transfer of building rights concerning Seahorse trailer park. I hope we are all e-mailing our concerns to the people that can actually do something. (governors office, all commissioners. newspaper editors, attorney general, DCA, etc.) Contrary to popular belief, the bubba system will listen to what the people have to say. I strongly suggest that we the people of Monroe county unite our forces and financial resources to retain an attorney to represent us in these upcoming battles.

We have returned from New Orleans. Calling it a changed city would be a  monolithic understatement. You see it on CNN but you don't get the  feel. We landed at a nearly empty airport. Hung around there for a  while until there were enough people to fill a shuttle bus. The driver  told us about her house being destroyed. Our route carried us through  some of the devastation. This was only our first taste of the city's  pain, but certainly not our last.

We met up with our friends and heard bizarre tales. Too many to go into  right now. They had sold their house and were about to close on a new  place on Lake Pontchartrain. After that was laid to waste, they spent 5  weeks in tents, roasting in the Louisiana heat.

On my birthday, one of those friends wanted to take us on a tour of the  devastation. At first, we refused. It seemed morbid. But she told us that it was important that we saw it; important that people truly know what happened. Reluctantly, we agreed and went along. Now mind you, this girl grew up in New Orleans. Generations of her family as well. We  could see how hard this was on her as she repeatedly wept while we rolled through the broken city. We wept as well. It was so much to take in. Like I had mentioned before, CNN could not do it justice. She took us to all three levee breaches. It was hard for us to wrap our minds around. The watermarks on the houses and the ones without watermarks;  meaning that the water was above the roof. The houses off the slab and in the street--all crushed into each other looking like some demolition derby. The houses were reduced to rubble. The acrid smell in the air that our friend told us was 20 times worse in previous months.  Homeowners trying to salvage what they could from the wreckage. People still searching for bodies. Boats washed up on land. And us, attempting to see it through our friend's eyes. Her pained countenance and steady stream of tears told the story as well as her words. She had grown up there. Places where she visited relatives and friends as a child. Where she played and dined and generally enjoyed life. What had crafted the bulk of her memories--all decimated.

The tour took it's toll on us. After seeing such powerful, tragic  images, and trying to imagine the despair, it left us pretty weak. By the time we stepped out of the vehicle we were shaking like newborn fawns. A birthday I will always carry with me.

Tomorrow's installment: The strength of the Crescent City and a  late-night drink with Harry Anderson.

To the person who says do not teach the person to fish just throw him one. Where do you think that fish will come from the sky?

[Letter to the Governor] Am I missing something? No one is giving our waterfront or trailer parks to anyone. They are being sold at market rates. Am I to understand that you would take this land from the owner or make him or her or them sell it at less than market rates. 20, 30 and 40 years ago no one wanted most of the land down here and the folks that did bought it and now they want sell it...simple. You buy it and build whatever you want within the rules that have been imposed on the Florida Keys and most of all Pine Key.

If you want to build low-cost rental housing for low-income folks, that's a very nice thing to do. I am sure there are some rules and tax breaks that you will enjoy. Government has not done a good job with most everything they touch; why would you want to put them in charge of housing with my money. Why not just give every one that is low-income more money, you know, just write them a check. How do you think that will work.? Marathon and Key West have some big government owned slums that's nice because you can have all your dope and thugs in one spot. And its great for the folks that have homes next to them. Their kids can learn so much street stuff and mothers and dads can spend all there free time looking for there BBQ grill or bike or lawn chair. Yes, what a great thing, a good new slum.

One more thing, I may be next. I am a life-long Keys boy and I don't know if I can stay here anymore, but I sure don't want any more government in my life. I can't afford it.

[Missing grill from Coconuts] Mike, our handyman, was kind enough to give Chris a grill. I believe Chris is happy. I think that's the best that can be done. So let it go. It's done. Over. Let's move on. It was a nice party. Thank you Mike.

Why doesn’t the IKC capture the iguanas and sell them to alligator farms as food for the alligators? That way everybody is happy. No iguanas, money in the pocket and helping a local species survive. And then grow big enough to eat white trash rednecks that shoot and club them.

To the disgruntled PETA yesterday. I say Kudos to you!  I agree with you totally.  These people need to get out of our Keys, and let us live with our critters the way we like it.  Thank you.  You are right, Karma will get these a'holes one way or another.

After talking with FWC and the sheriff, there is no penalty for killing iguanas. I guess if termites invade your home you let them live. By the way, fruits scream when they are picked off the tree.

[Marine bank Friday morning] I closed my account at this bank. And I urge everyone to do the same. What kind of person would make such a remark about a business because of the price of their gas? Blame Exxon you stupid idiot. You think a little station like that could have any control over the high gas prices? Just drive farther and spend less, but why slander anyone like that? All it shows is what a low life you are and if your boss was stupid enough to hire you then I'll take my banking elsewhere. And by the way why do you charge me more to borrow than you give me to save? Should I speculate?

[This is not a Kingfish] Capt. Joe. 67"-47lb Wahoo caught out of Brinton Environmental Center, Summerland Key.

I saw someone last week from Walton's Pet shop at Winn-Dixie Plaza actually feeding the chickens!  Some people just cannot be dissuaded from feeding "wildlife."  Isn't it illegal to feed things like feral cats and chickens? If not, it definitely should be.

Saturday April 22, 2006

Friday April 21, 2006

Do male and female eagles always look the same. I had two flying above our house last week and one was mottled. Was that an eagle too?

I had three iguanas in my garden yesterday (One down and two to go.) I had two bougainvillea next to each other; a red one and a peach colored one. They only ate the peach colored bush. How odd?

Who ever wrote about Cuba ending with they had a "great time and are looking forward to going back next year." That was very well written, you said every thing I felt and saw, who ever you are you hit the nail right on the head. What a fine job.

April Showers: Lyrids Peak Saturday Morning. The annual Lyrid meteor shower should reach its peak activity late Friday night and early Saturday morning when a maximum of 10-20 "shooting stars" may appear.

[Letter to Governor] First I want to extend my sympathies to the Family of Murray Nelson, many thanks for all his hard work, and for all the good things that he has brought to us here in Monroe County.

My problem is with affordable housing and how he had tried to ram down our throats his way or the highway and his unwillingness to compromise as was quoted by one of our County Commissioner who had worked with him. If Glenn Patton is appointed by our Governor Jeb Bush, (Commissioner Nelson has recommended Patton as his successor) I feel very strongly that we will have the” Gang of Three” again. I have worked with Glenn Patton through the Island Key Largo Federation Homeowner Associations (IKLFHA), myself being an Executive Committee Member while he was President. I have spoken to some of our Waste Water Board Members who also share some of my concerns; he is the Chairman of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (KLWTD) Board. There was a petition with 77 signatures that voted against a salary increase for the District manager’s salary. Our Chairman (Glenn Patton) and the KLWTD board all voted to increase the salary except one; they gave little or no consideration to the 77 signatures against the increase. The increase cost us taxpayers $1.63 each. He has publicly stated that a majority rule (51%) is better than a 2/3 rule (66%) when deciding important civic issues. From where I attended school, that doesn’t figure true, but I am blonde.

We have a full plate concerning affordable housing ahead of us. Since when is throwing out 128 families into the street, putting up affordable house that these working class folks can not afford to live in as an alternative or good sense? We have to compromise, come up with some solutions that work for all of us. We cannot give the deep pocket builders our waterfronts, affordable trailer parks and purge our work force people, retired people who are on fixed incomes. Who will be next?

If the Governor selects a new face, not one that emulates the very thought patterns and mentalities of Murray Nelson, we can start anew and fresh. We will have a more evenhandedly, balanced and without prejudiced County Commission.

[Cuba] Was just wondering why the people don't stay and fight for their country  the way Castro did.

Paradise Petroleum: When all the tourist leave we will see if they can make it from the locals. I don't think so. They are screwing us now, screw them.

[Disgruntled PETA] To the person that said "Can I join the IKC now?  Here's my dues."  Don't try to justify your killing of innocent animals because they are eating your f**king tomatoes, which, as you even admitted, aren't native.  You are as low life as the scum that tortured that female alligator in the Blue Hole a few weeks ago.  Yeah, right, you're repulsed to have to kill something, but then you post the picture of the two iguanas you obviously killed.  I hope the authorities subpoena this web site and prosecute you a**holes.  I hope you go to h**l for what you have done.

[Genetics has a lot to do with peoples' success]  Are you saying that some people are "genetically" disposed to being lazy, seeking instant gratification and making poor life choices?  If so, then I guess there's no point in trying.  If you're genetically unsuccessful, just sit back, wallow  in self-pity and enjoy the ride.

[Alligator] I live in upstate NY and come to the Keys every year to see my mother who lives on Big Pine Key.  I was very sad to hear about what happened to Cola at the Blue Hole.  I loved going and seeing Cola and Bacardi when ever I came down; it was one of my favorite thinks to do.  I think we should take those jerks and shoot out their eyes, beat them with a base ball bat and see how they like it.  For all you out there who think some of us are making a big deal out of this; you have no compassion.  Cola was part of the Big Pine Key family and now she is gone.  She will be greatly missed.

[...Blue Hole your kid could see like turtles for one?]  If only all the world's children could see like turtles.

Why is everyone so upset with Paradise petroleum? They can charge whatever they want for anything they sell. It's America. There are many other gas stations you can go to that are much cheaper. Just go to those and be happy.

[Can I join the IKC]  Good kill shot!

Paradise Petro posts their prices on a huge sign. There are 2 other places on BP to get gas. You do not need to get law enforcement involved; just buy your gas somewhere else.

I agree with the writer who applauds the Big Pine Coffee Shop.  John is a good person and I wish him a speedy recovery. My wife and I do miss the waitress’s that used to work there; Ginny and Cherie where our favorites.  We wonder where they went? The Coffee Shop does give an “at home” atmosphere.

I'm beginning to think it's the same person (probably a Fish and Wildlife employee) that keeps going over and over and over about those "poor"  alligators that had their eyes shot out before they were killed.  First off, how to you know the eyes were shot out and not just eaten by buzzards? In any case, they died a more human death than Terri Schivo.  At least they didn't suffer for 2 weeks.

Howard Livingston and The Mile Marker 24 Band will be performing at the Looe Key Tiki Bar on Ramrod Key, Florida Saturday April 22, 2006 (That is this Saturday!) If you are in the area please stop by and join us. As always, have a free margarita on the band and let’s celebrate the wonderful Florida Keys. We will be playing all the songs from our new CD Meet Me in the Keys as well as all of your favorites. A portion of the proceeds from our merchandise sales with be donated to the Wesley House. Let’s have a party!

Unfortunately the similarity of Julio Avael to Floyd the barber ends with appearance. The character portrayed by Howard McNear on the old Andy Griffith show of an honest businessman who was kind and friendly to his neighbors bears little resemblance to Avael. 

[Naïveté] If you want to see the price of oil, gas and diesel go down. Then all we have to do is vote out politicians that have major stock portfolios in the oil business (Bush-Cheney) Politicians will not help if it means losing money.

Good posts about the problem of worker housing. Back in the day people who were well-off had carriage-houses and later garages with apartments above for their chauffeur and family. They also had cottages with rooms for their hired help. Though not displayed at exclusive parties the rich folks often struck up close friendship with their help, and respected them for their talent and craft. The movie Driving Miss Daisy is based on a true story and is a good example of this.

The difference now is the spoiled modern rich think of honest workmen, craftsmen and laborers as "worker ants" and therefore below them on the evolutionary scale. Any honest wealthy individual will attest to the fact that unless wealth was inherited, it takes hard work, but also a modicum of luck and being in the right place at the right time.

The working class is what keeps the world moving along. If several CEO's stepped off the coil at once they may be missed but not to the extent that a large portion of the labor force would. Our workers are making life so easy for some they take them almost entirely for granted. Its time to restore respect for the working craftsmen and women and laborers. Its also time to reward them with more than crumbs from the table.  

Has anyone noticed that almost all of the descriptions of other-world aliens suggest that they are gray, ugly and don't have any teeth? Let me get this straight: bad appearance, no teeth and a fondness for anal probing. I have a bad feeling those guys from Deliverance or W VA are pulling a cruel hoax on us. "Drop 'em boy."

At the Tiki Bar, Saturday night Lady A Band was there and they usually pull in a big crowd, but no one was there maybe ten people. The stink of change is in the air and it always has some effect on business in some way.

[BP TV] I've gotten "ready" for a couple days now.  Off again? (Ed: Thanks for letting us know. We'll work on it this weekend.)

[Tacos]  Please come out and support your little neighborhood Charter School’s Taco Dinner Fiesta Friday this Friday night, April 21^st, from 5:30-7:30 in the Charter School cafeteria.  Bulletin Board

[Give Cuba back to the Cubans] Why not give the Cubans back to Cuba?

What are you talking about? There is a Ben and Jerry's right in Key West on Front Street. But I do love Cold Stone too! Bulletin Board

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he strips the ocean clean. It is better in the long run to throw him a fish.

[Free pick up cars after Wilma] Call Buddy at 305.849.3431. He’s fully licensed and knows what he’s doing.

How would you feel if you were swimming one day and some idiots came up and shot you in the eyes and beat you to a pulp, then ate you? I wouldn't cut them any slack.

Florida Man Jailed For Offering Free Breast Exams. A Florida man has been arrested for posing as a doctor and offering to give free breast exams.  Police said Philip Winikoff, who is not a doctor, was going door to door in a Fort Lauderdale suburb offering to give free breast exams to women. Winikoff was arrested after one of the women became suspicious that he was not using gloves during the exam.  Winikoff has been jailed on a $12,000 bond.

The Castro haters forget that in order to have a revolution in a country, something has to be terribly wrong the that would cause citizens to actually arm themselves and go out and start killing people in order to remove Batista. In Florida we've been listening to a one-sided argument for far too long. The embargo is hurting the people of Cuba and denying us the right to visit one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Redneck car alarm

Kyle blvd. is 25 mph. This is the 2nd time I have been passed by the black SUV that turns onto Donna Rd. 45 mph is a little much. I have your tag number. Third time's a charm.

Floyd the barber was one of the funniest things I have seen on this site yet!  Brilliant!

If somebody has seen a black Prada wallet as well as another wallet lost at tom thumb please return it to Dions. I need my life back!

One thing that stuck in my mind when I was in school (that place you go when $10 an hour is not enough) was in a journalism lecture.  The professor said that if you were going to be a responsible and respected writer you needed to read 10,000 words for every one you wrote.

[Old man] Does anyone know what is up with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Guy on the canal and his one mph sign in Eden pines?  We go past his house at idle speed and he always yells at us.

[The plot thickens] If the Moose had a permit why did they get red-tagged? What was the red-tag for?

Those idiots that killed (as my daughter calls her) Mama Gator are a product of their parents.  Scary isn't it? 

And for the low life scum bag that stole Chris's BBQ at Coconuts bring it back the way you found it. 

Not today!

(?)Just because someone happens to be rich doesn't make them helpless.

Friday April 21, 2006

Thursday April 20, 2006

[Cuba] Yes, I have spent time in Cuba and I agree it is a mess, but it was much worse under the former dictator. That is all I was trying to point out. It's better now for the poor under Castro than it was under Batista. I don't like any dictator, Castro included. I'm sorry you write from the gut and try to read things into the written word that are not there. I formed my opinion from witnessing events during this time, reading about and visiting Cuba, and talking to many people here and there. One writer critized me for getting my information that way. I wonder where he formed his opinion. Was it from the unbiased rich Miami Cuban's literature?

The same writer accused me of being brain washed because I saw proof of Batista's torture when I was there. Where did you get your information? Can you spell "narrow minded?"

[Seahorse deal] I read everything I could on the proposal to build 100 affordable condos in return for swapping building rights with the upper Keys and couldn't find any mention of the developers giving the County the property. I think whoever posted that the developers would give those condos to the County was planted by the developers or by an uninformed reader.

Can I join the IKC now? Here's my dues. I got these critters yesterday eating my tomatoes. (I know I shouldn't grow anything that's not native so please don't bother me with that argument.)

Contrary to popular belief, I didn't enjoy killing them at all. I'm repulsed by having to kill something, but that isn't going to stop me from doing what needs to be done. After the wasteland of a large garden that we were left with after Wilma; we started planting a few flowering things around the house. We badly needed some color and it looked like it was never going to rain so we planted some color and life. The lizards have been eating them since we started planting. I've tried every other way to get rid of them. Nothing worked. I won't take it any more. I need flowers in my life. A man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do. Bang.

Now it's just the gang of two. Go Neugent, your on!

Just because folks aren't rich doesn't mean they are drunks or druggies. There are worker ants in this world. Genetics has a lot to do with peoples' success

For the awakening of the person who was upset about Seahorse but now "fully understands it". The transferable units are not going to Ocean Reef.

[Warning] To the kids that have been breaking the equipment windows on No Name Key.  The police know who you are, they are watching the area closely and it is under surveillance.  I would hate to see a few kids innocently going to No Name to have a few beers, etc., get arrested.  We understand kids party, leave beer cans, bottles etc.  There is no reason to continually keep breaking expensive equipment and windows.  Anyone seen in the vicinity of the No Name quarries on private property will be arrested and charges will be pressed.  Do you want to be charged for each and every time the equipment has been destroyed over the years?  That is what is going to happen to anyone caught on the properties.

On the plus side, an iguana does not make any noise and does not perch on the handles of the shopping carts in the Wynn-Dixie parking lot.

Big Pine, lets get off the Alligator. Enough already. We got bigger fish to fry. 380 back door deals, retail restrictions, building moratoriums, real estate insurance  and tax shock. Big Pine is changing, but the retail scene seems to be stagnant or dying. Look at US1 and Winn Dixie plaza.  PS there is not a good pizza on the island.

Breakfast is where the money is. How much does an egg cost? And they don't go bad.

Please note that the alligator in the picture was in Palm Villa sub right after hurricane Wilma blew through. It did not regularly walk the streets. To those of you that say it was only an alligator or at least they ate it. Come on, what is up with that? It was a part of our community. If you want to eat an alligator order off the many local menus as I do.

Don't make excuses for what these kids did. It was cruel and wrong. Shot it's eyes out, beat with a baseball bat, killed birds to lure it. Cold, calculating, despicable! I definitely agree that the young men that did this need a thorough psychological exam.

Is Julio Avael still sleeping with Pritim Singh?

[“Castro overthrew Batista and did away with the Mafia, hunger, integrated the races, made everyone go to school and gave them some of the best health care in the world.”]  I don’t know what part of Cuba you visited but when I was there for a week hunger was a very real problem in the City of Havana.  People with access only to Pesos were greeted with empty shelves at the Peso stores (where only Pesos were accepted), little if any meat, almost no milk and few dry goods.  If they were lucky enough to have access to U.S. dollars (tourist industry workers mostly) they could go to the dollar store (where only U.S. currency was accepted) and get whatever they wanted.  Only the lucky minority had dollars.  Most had pesos and many did without.

As far as medical care, they do have a lot of well trained doctors.  However, in nearly all clinics, medicine and basic medical supplies are always in short supply, often unavailable, and diagnostic equipment might go unused for lack of supplies.  Of the people I talked with most cited food shortage and lack of basic freedom under a dictatorship as reasons for wanting to leave for better opportunity.  Many fear to talk about it at all.  They do, however, have a distorted view of America as a place where everyone is rich.  Hence, the flow of rafters and boaters trying to cross.

Also, the so called embargo on U.S. goods is a load of bull.  If you had the money (dollars) you could buy anything form Hunt’s catsup to an RCA television, a can of Libby’s green beans or many dozens of other U.S. goods.  They just bring the stuff in through Mexico or Europe.  It’s time to open up Cuba and allow U.S. citizens the freedom to travel there and see for themselves.  I had a great time, met wonderful people and am planning to go back next year.

Canada strikes back (but they still don't tip.)

Bagel Island is now offering Bold Roast which should satisfy your thirst if not please let us know. Were working on perfecting everything Thanks for the feedback.

Enough whining about those two cretins who killed the gator. I have no doubt they will wind up in prison one day, hopefully before they breed.

I was appalled by the photo of the girl bent over passing Easter eggs out her pee hole. Our underage children should know that females give live birth!

As a Native American, I have also added to the diversity at the Tiki Bar. I do believe, however, that the Samoan people may not have been properly represented there. And before you jump on my case, women who look like Sumo wrestlers are not necessarily Samoans.

We went to the Rum Barrel a couple of weeks after it opened.  We’ll never return either.  The food wasn’t that great and they refused to give us a locals discount because we didn’t live in Key West. 

There's a market now on Big Pine for a coffee shop, home cooking cafe, counter service or cafeteria style (no need for wait staff) that will be open when it says it is, especially Sunday and Monday.

I've been to Cuba, and it is now controlled by Europe and other Mid-Eastern countries. Only Americans are not allowed to go there, because our politicians haven't made a kick back deal yet.  Also, Cuba is a swill hole, with lazy good for nothings who like being screwed by Castro. They deserve what they get!

There was a company from Miami that was picking up cars after Wilma for free. Does anyone have that number.

Everybody needs to call the State Attorney General’s Office and report Paradise Petroleum for price gouging.  They have been doing this for way too long.  Stop feeding their drug habits!

Effective immediately, my email address has changed to rbarrows@marinebankmail.com

I just tried to take back a defective tool to Sears, and was shocked at the discourteousness of the counter clerk and the department manager. They could have cared less about replacing the tool or repairing it. They also spoke in Spanish, and laughed at me, thinking I did understand their insults. Sears is going to pay heavily for this, I promise!

Scott McClellan resigns from the Bush administration.  I'll never understand how he could stand there with a straight face and lie and spin the truth for sleaze bag Bush all these months.  I hope he writes a book someday.  It's amazing how most Bushies think sex in the White house is a more important issue than all the disasters the axis of evil ( Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld) have instigated.

I have a summer cold and my mouth is like cotton.  If this is non-drying sinus medication it must have been labeled by the same person who labeled my nighttime cold remedy. Waaaaa.

Commissioner Bill Verge proposed bull crap. That Chicken Ordnance is part of the Monroe County Farm Animal Ordnance which has been on the books for years. Typical of politicians taking credit for something they didn't do.

What's up with HOM not paying their crew. I have a close friend moving on to greener pastures because she was not getting paid. You can't screw your employees and expect to stay open. Sooner or later it will catch up to you. Also will everyone lay off Key Deer Bar. All people deserve a place to hang out and have a beer.

[Stone Crab] I agree. I only take the largest claw. Peace brother.

[Stone crabs]  The law was changed over twenty years ago following a study where the following was learned: A stone crab with one claw is actually as defenseless as one with no claws, but just doesn't know it. They one claw crab falls prey to the octopus out in the open while trying to feed while the clawless crab filter feeds in a hole. The one-clawed survivors will grow another legal claw in two years. The clawless crab grows two legal size claws within months.

After this information changed the law, the stone crab population soared in Florida and continues very strong.

I am continually amazed at the ignorance expressed here.

If you think Paradise Petroleum is bad for price gouging, turn down Newfound Blvd. and look at the lot behind the station that they own. Look at what they are doing to the environment.  They have created a junkyard out of which several business are operating illegally. Just months ago it was a native wooded lot. Code enforcement says, "they are researching the issue."  All the mess that you see was done on evenings and weekends to avoid code enforcement.  Paradise Petroleum is blight on Big Pine and should be closed.

It's oil, not gas that is $70 a barrel. Does anyone know how many gallons of gas a barrel of oil yields? 

Oh Happy Day my arse, there is no Ben & Jerry's in the Keys.  And no I don't want one either.  I'd rather see a Cold Stone.

[The Blue Hole Alligator] These 2 adults (both over 18) planned the whole thing out.  They had been in the area looking around for days.  First they kill the birds to attract the gator.  Then shot his eyes out and beat it to death with a baseball bat.  The 2 adults brag about their killing and pose pictures on the internet showing it off as a trophy and brag about it in the comments section. 

The night they got arrested they were planning to kill the female alligator at the Blue Hole. These guys are adults, planned out the killings and then posed and bragged about there killing.  If you are going to be dumb, you better be tough when the book get thrown at you.

I will never by gas from Paradise Petro. Even for the company vehicle that I don't pay for.

[Mystery] Who cleans the yard sale pole?

[Stone Crab] Get Over it. Removing both claws doesn't hurt the crab at all. Have you actually pulled a trap with a crab with two new claws? 

BPK is no longer a fun place to live. I lived on Big Pine for eight years, about five years ago. I knew this day would come (Seahorse) and that is the main reason I left. I couldn't afford it. I now live in sunny AZ and love it. For about $500, a person can rent a  beautiful 1 bed apt, in some cases a 2 bed with pool, gym, ect. And no snow. A small price to pay for no ocean. Good luck to all my friends I made in Seahorse Sands sub.

Somebody stole Billy's motor scooter from Pine Channel Estates. There is a $500 reward for info to get this scooter back.  Call Jack 224-3439. 

Last meeting for the season for the Big Pine Key Botanical Society. Today, Thurs April 20 at  7;30pm. Lord Of The Seas Lutheran Church, Key Deer Blvd. Guest speaker Kim Gabel will do a presentation on Palm Reading 101 How to maintain lush, green, healthy palms.

[Batista vs Castro] How about the US takes Cuba and offers all Cubans anywhere to have an equal opportunity to own property, etc. I'd bet the Miami "Batista" Cubans wouldn't think much of that deal. They only want to be the land owners once again and would care as little about the rest as they did back in the day!

Castro sucks, Batista sucked and the Miami Batista Cubans suck. Give Cuba back to the Cubans!

Has anyone noticed that Julio Avael, the current City Manager, sort of looks like Floyd the barber on the Andy Griffith show?

Ask me to choose between eating the incredible food at the Big Pine Restaurant when John is able to cook while waiting for back surgery; or deal with everyone else on Big Pine with the oxy-junkies who are open no matter what and I'll pick John and Sam every time! If you drive by and don't look, it's just because there's no drugs for sale there, you idiot, nothing else.

Stone crabs with one claw are no better off than with no claws. With no claws they will not be as aggressive and therefore not be killed by other crabs and believe me they can eat very effectively with no claws.

For all you concerned individuals the Big Pine Moose Lodge did have a permit. It is located on a tree right next to where they cleared the land at the back of the building. It was properly displayed. Get your facts straight before you go accusing an organization that does so much for the community.  Thanks Ed, keep up the awesome web page.

[Bad boys, bad boys]  Checking to see if your workman has a criminal record? Better off to check it at the reputable agencies for $14.95 as the free one here in town actively manipulates the prior arrests while their singing jay bird is on the street looking for buyers.  The sub-contactor who was in our house was recently arrested and I immediately did a search on him to find 5-7 arrests against this bad boy.  A week later, his records are non-existent, like he was a law abiding citizen and safe to have in the house.  Whatcha gonna do? 

Looe Key Tiki's diversity was in reference to the music.  I do support local musicians all the time, but there are many from which to choose. I used to go there every night but I have tired of the same act playing the same songs. So I speak for myself as is proper. The racial diversity is not an issue, we even have the most popular pacific islander in the form of George the bartender. But back to the subject at hand. I suppose I would get sick of Neil Young if he was there three nights a week (but it would take me decidedly a whole lot longer). 

On Wednesday April 19 the price of regular gas at Tom Thumb was $2.999 a gallon. Paradise Petroleum's price was 3.249 a gallon. Now if I pump 18 gallons in my car at Tom Thumb I save $4.50. If I filled my boat the savings would be more. Is Paradise price gouging? You be the judge.

Bye, bye Ace.

Thursday April 20, 2006

Wednesday April 19, 2006

[Capt. Dan] I am sorry to see you go. Hope you sell the place to someone who will cater to the locals not the almighty dollar. May your travels in life be a blast. Thanks for the good times.

Come on Bagel Island let's have some real coffee in those pots; just a few more spoonfuls. That's all folks.

The taking of one stone crab claw is recommended because then the crab can be put back in the water and defend himself, thus allowing additional claws in the future. Remember give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for ever.

[big pine coffee shop] This opened or closed problem has been going on a long time. If you have ongoing back pain, get ongoing help. It seems simple enough to me. It's been at least a year since I even looked that way when I drive by. To me they no longer exist. The food was ok, not great; but it is not worth rolling the dice to see if they are open today. I don't even know the owners and have nothing against them, so I have no agenda. But work it or sell it.

Who is the "well known biologist of high reputation on Big Pine"?

My condolences to the Murray Nelson family. God bless you in your time of sorrow.

If your dog sits down holding up his rear legs and starts scooting around on his front legs, chances are he's seen an alien lately.

[Mister Castro-Lover] You say you were "reading an article about the Bay of Pigs fiasco"? In what paper, the Citizen? New York Times? Washington Post? Batista was no hero, but he was far better than Fidel. 

You say you "visited the museum in Havana that proved that fact only too graphically"? Can you say b-r-a-i-n-w-a-s-h-e-d? The reason the Miami Cubans hate Castro is because they lived there and experienced him firsthand.

And you sit in your ivory tower reading left-wing crap and believe it like it was the gospel. I could suggest that you take a few minutes to learn both sides of the story, seeking out what actually happened and is still happening in Cuba. But you already know everything, right? After all, you read it in the newspaper and you visited Cuba to learn what the government wants you to believe.

[Gas is $70 a barrel]  You can get all the free gas you want, just eat anywhere on Big Pine!

I cannot believe people still go to Paradise Petrol. You cannot tell me that they are not ripping us off. How in God's name can you be that much higher than anyone else? I get it. I've heard your song and dance before. You people are going to do it anyway. What I can't understand is driving by and still seeing people at your pumps. It amazes me. Are these people that can't read? Are they dyslexic? I just can't figure it out.

I used to be very religious but I got it fixed.

Don't forget FIRM's fundraiser this Sunday at Marathon Park (across from Annette's) this group is fight the fight to gain control of our hurricane insurance for us. The event will take be from noon to 6. Bulletin Board

Congratulations to Paradise Petroleum for winning the most expensive gas in all of the Keys.   At $3.24 for Regular Unleaded you single handedly have done what even those in Key West don't have the nerve to do--screw all your neighbors and friends that patronize your locally run business.  With you as an example the people trying to keep out chain stores don't have a prayer. 

[What if the alligator killed a child?]  That is a slippery slope you're on.  Your dogs have the potential to kill my kids, too, but I can't torture and kill them for that potential (as much as I despise them running all over the place).  Come to think of it, there is a creepy teenager in my neighborhood who may have the potential to kill a child.  I think we should shoot his eyes out and beat him to death before he can get to any kids.  And how about those seedy minorities?  Everybody knows they're prone to crime and violence.  Better wipe them out, too, before it's too late.  What happened to the good old days when we slaughtered every dangerous shark in the oceans and for fun on weekends we went out lynching?

Maybe the Big Pine Coffee Shop should just do lunch and dinner since there are health issues and good help is so hard to find here. You only go around once and there's no need for all that stress. They have a good lunch and dinner and that's where the money is.

To the person saying they walked to the Blue Hole every day I have something to say.  You just set yourself and your kid up for any predator to know your habits and stalk you.  Nothing was stolen from you. As well as explaining to your kid about the two idiots, try telling them a story, its a kid! 

I have never heard anyone talk of an alligator as being beautiful, but if you and your kid thinks so its ok. Are there not other creatures in the Blue Hole your kid could see like turtles for one?  Your drift is pretty cold.  Walk the kid to see the raccoons in that area, but don't feed them. You shouldn't let it be known your daily habits.

To the person complaining about the Tiki Bar. For one it's Sunday and Monday. Where are all the people between Big Pine and Ramrod? Key Deer, Rob's, House of Pain. No, like anywhere else in Any Town U.S.A. it's called down time. I am so sick and tired of the people that whine about stupid things.

Support your local musicians. Bring a friend or two. I know Brad and Michelle, they like nothing more than to have people come up and have fun with them. Whether it's jammin' with them or singing along with them. These people have bills and kids to provide for just like you and me. All the musicians down here are my friends. I can honestly say that I love them all. It's a variety down here. I know you think you mean well, and I can appreciate that, but please support our friends.

Interesting to read the posts of the wealthy who just take for granted the working class can buy affordable (sic) housing at $245,000. Last I checked regular working folks make around $10 per hour. That's $400 per week before taxes, maybe $300 after. Now wouldn't the monthly mortgage payment on a $245K home be at least $1500? Shows just how far into dreamland some people are drifting on their luxury magic carpets.

That's a revealing comment about people who aren't rich enough to afford $200K being "drunks" and "druggies". Soothes any hint of a guilty conscience to just think of less fortunate people as being low-lifes and criminals. Same as Hitler did with the Jews. "We don't like they way they look or their lifestyle doesn't agree with ours, so lets get rid of them." Yep, its America alright, where people follow the Golden Rule. He who has the gold makes the rules. Hog down while you can, but God save your miserable arse on Judgment Day. 

"Look at all this great stuff I found at the marina. It was just sitting in some guy's boat. --Homer Simpson

"Rough Rider" Soldier To Be Honored this Saturday at Key West Cemetery

Private Frank B. Booth, a former cavalryman of the 1st Volunteer  Cavalry Regiment, the "Rough Riders" will be honored in a special  ceremony Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. at the Key West Cemetery.

Private Booth, a 22-year-old bookkeeper from Madison, Wisconsin, was shot in the shoulder during the Spanish American War, Battle of Las Guasimas, on June 24, 1898.  Wounded, Booth was evacuated to Key West where he received care from Catholic nuns at the U.S. Army Convent Hospital.  Later on he was transferred to the Army's Post Hospital where he.  He was buried in an unmarked grave.

With the draw down of Army troops in Key West following the Spanish American War, Booth's grave remained unmarked and largely forgotten until researchers recently rediscovered his grave.       Saturday's ceremony is organized by The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment "Rough Riders," Inc. of Tampa, Florida, a military reenactment group and non-profit organization formed to perpetuate a living memorial to the memory of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment known as the "Rough Riders" and President Theodore Roosevelt who commanded the regiment.  

The ceremony will feature a gun salute conducted by the reenactment group using weapons from the Spanish American War era.  Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Monroe County Sheriff Rick Roth and city of Madison, Wisconsin Councilman Tim Bruer have been invited to speak.  A reception will follow at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Elizabeth Street. For more information, call Carlos Spicola at 800-282-7294. Bulletin Board

[Removing both stone crab claws] It's a dumb law. The feeder claw should be left at least.

[Alligators torture prey] To the folks who think the gator was tortured maybe should find out gator's kill there prey. Then maybe you can lock them up for cruelty to animals.

I have tried to see things from President Bush's point of view, but I just can't seem to get my head that far up my butt.

You get a grip and go home. That alligator was at his/her home. Those two creeps should be put in chains and put in the blue hole to deal with the gator that lost its mate due to their cruelty.

[Paradise Petroleum] Lower your gas prices at least a few cents; and they will come.

[Cuba] I would like to keep this very simple. To the Person who "read an article" Have you been to Cuba, spent any time in Cuba? I have. It is a mess.

With regard to the cruel killing of the alligator at the Blue Hole, there is another aspect which I have not yet seen mentioned anywhere. Statistical evidence shows that young people who torture and kill animals have an above average probability of eventually graduating to torturing and killing human beings! These two young men should not be let off lightly. I think a thorough psychiatric evaluation of these offenders is in order. Perhaps next time it will be someone's child!

Why is our free time so costly to enjoy?

To any and all that are disgusted by what they read here and won't be back to read anything else: See you!  You won't be missed.

[Was the alligator the same one that killed someone's dog] Quite possibly it may be, but I'm quite certain it didn't shoot out the dogs eyes first. That it was just animals being animals. If the dog was fenced or on a leash it may not have happened either.

Who owns the house in Marathon where the gator was barbequed? I think that should be investigated. If my son came home with gator he would not be allowed to cook it at my house.

Oh Happy Day! Tuesday, April 25th is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's, and you know what that means... free ice cream for you! As a way to thank our customers for their support and to celebrate 28 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Participating Ben & Jerry's scoop shops are giving it away between noon and 8:00pm! So head on down and have a scoop of an old favorite flavor, or maybe even find a new one.
Like we said...Oh Happy Day! Bulletin Board

Is there anyone out there that thinks American Idol totally sucks? I cannot believe the number of people that watch that idiotic program. I'll take Leave it to Beaver over that show any day.

[diversity at the Tiki Bar] I have seen men, women, gays, Mexicans, blacks, Cubans, whites, Asians, Canadians, midgets, rednecks and perverts in there. How diverse to you want it? What are we missing?

We were invited to four parties this Saturday. We haven't been invited anywhere in nearly a year; partly because we always refuse invitations. Is this the biggest party weekend of the spring or what?

[….buy Captain Dan's old place and make it a brothel]  It should be an easy transition.  Most of your talent is already there.  Just look for the ladies with the missing teeth and dirty feet.  The place is like their employment office.

[At least the savages ate their kill. There was no waste]  Wrong.  Most of the carcass and meat wound up being thrown into the waters on Big Pine close to the 20 year olds home; and other parts were found in the waters around Grassy Key.  They didn't kill that alligator for the food, it was a thrill kill.  Throw the book at them.

Key West City's Manager is due for contract renewal.  Now, I don’t live in Key West and I’m not really affected too much by what goes on there but I do have an idea.  Since Julio Avael, the current City Manager, has been in his position long enough to line his pockets and do his damage, it’s time for Key West to look elsewhere.  

I suggest they hire the parking meter crook to fill the position.  He seems to have all the qualifications for public office.  He’s a thief, he’s a Bubba, he has plenty of money (from looting the parking meters), he’s obviously well connected to the system (some ignorant prosecutor and a moronic judge let him off with a slap on the hand and a naughty boy lecture) he knows the City layout from making the rounds of all those meters and he shows no remorse for his blatant dishonesty.  What more could Key West ask for.  Of course, if he doesn’t want to be a city manager he is also qualified to replace Spehar, McCoy or Nelson on the County Commission.

To the person asking what the poster would say about the Blue Hole alligator if it killed a child?  Exactly what does that have to do with evil people going in and first killing some birds (just to lure the alligator over to the deck) and then shooting the reptile in both eyes and then clubbing it to death with a baseball bat? 

The two alligators that are the residents of the Blue Hole have been in there for several years.  They estimate that over 80,000 people visit the Blue Hole annually, and I have seen some really dumb people allow their children to do some stupid things.  And in all those years, neither of those gators has hurt anyone, and they've had plenty of chances.  Some of those really dumb people allow their children to feed the gators illegally, and that could cause the gator to eventually hurt someone; and it's their fault for it's behavioral change.  You get a grip.  She and the birds were animals in a protected area.  You sound like one of those people that shouldn't be allowed to breed.

[I have class, even though I live on Big Pine] What's up with that?  You holy rollers are all the same, "holier than thou" By the way Ed, I had two twins convinced there.  That's where Easter Eggs come from. You are the coolest, Ed.

Wednesday April 19, 2006

Tuesday Tuesday April 18, 2006

A little clarification on the pricing structure of the units that may be for sale at Seahorse Trailer Park.  The studio units of 700 square feet has a preliminary price tag of $245,000. The two bedroom, 1000 square foot units, have a preliminary price tag of $290,000.  That is if it passes as a "for sale" building and not as rentals. 

Does anyone know which day the Rotary Club is planning the Summerland fireworks this year?  (4th of July is on a Tuesday this year.)

At first, I was upset about the Seahorse campground plan. That was when I didn't know what the plan was.

The plan is to build 100 affordable housing apartment units and then GIVE THEM TO MONROE COUNTY while taking the other 31 or so permits and using them in Ocean Reef.

According to the purchasers, that housing will go to those living in Seahorse first. The drudges and druggie drunks hopefully will find a bridge to live under, or maybe find a more affordable place to live than Big Pine Key. Many of the people who live there spend much of their time in jail. The police are always settling disagreements of some sort there. That part of Big Pine Key is better sent on a bus elsewhere. They are not the real working class of Big Pine Key. Think about it, 100 affordable housing units for the working class on Big Pine Key. That is quite a bit. Free. Affordable housing. And the ones that don't pay their rent and spend all their time falling over stoned/drunk will have to find a new home. Wake up Big Pine Key. It's not a bad plan.

Seahorse Trailer Park:  You said: "the County would have to explain how this policy protects the people instead of sweeping it under the rug"

This is America.  We own property and we sell property.  If you rent property it might be sold out from under you.  This is normal, this is the American way. What you should do is work hard and buy property and then you can fight for your property rights from a stance of power--ownership.

The people at Seahorse had the right to work hard and band together and buy the property if they wanted.  The government, whether local or federal is not your mother.  They are not going to take care of you besides keeping the roads passable and trying to protect us from suicide bombers; that is unless you want to live in Cuba, France or Russia where the government tells you when you can go to the bathroom (just about)

Our government should not go down the slippery slope of welfare again. They ruined several generations of very good people and turned them into illiterate thugs and ne'er-do-wells.

I was reading an article about the Bay of Pigs fiasco. What most people don't realize is that Batista was a terrible dictator who imprisoned, tortured and killed those who disagreed with him. I visited the museum in Havana that proved that fact only too graphically. He turned the island over to the American Mafia and was only concerned with enriching his offshore bank accounts. He had little concern for the welfare of his countrymen.

Castro overthrew Batista and did away with the Mafia, hunger, integrated the races, made everyone go to school and gave them some of the best health care in the world.

The Miami Cubans who are crazy-nuts over Castro are so crazy because they were the wealthy supporters of Batista and they lost all that wealth. The Cuban people are a lot better off now than under the tyrant Batista. Don't listen to the Miami Cubans. They paint a different picture.

NPR is back on the air in KW at 100.5 FM. Yeah!

[Moose Lodge clearing without a permit] Yesterday's writer thinks that it's ok to flaunt our conservation ordinances as long as you do good things otherwise.

A pillory locked the arms and head of a person between two wooden boards. Another device, the stocks, held a person's legs. The pillory and stocks were used in the American Colonies to punish people who committed minor offenses.  It was a wooden framework with holes cut in it for the arms and head of the victims. They were locked into these holes for a certain length of time. The pillory stood in the public square. Prisoners suffered both because of their uncomfortable position and because passers-by jeered and often threw stones and rotten eggs at them. Often the prisoners' heads were shaved to increase their shame.

BPK wants to preserve it's old world charm.  A pillory by the Flea Mkt. would fit right in.  The senseless and cruel killing of the alligator seems to be a minor offense, by law. So this punishment should be appropriate.  Think the gator killers would make it thru the Saturday crowd?  They'd be stoned to death before Sunday morning, if the fire ants didn't do them in.

According to a well known biologist of high reputation on Big Pine Key, the iguana's are finally finding themselves prey to other animals like the red winged hawk. It took a few years but hasn't anybody else noticed the diminishing numbers of iguanas where the IKC isn't performing their "community service"? I live in an area that has an abundance of natural wildlife and have seen many less iguanas in the past few months.

I am appalled.  That graphic with the nude gal and Easter eggs was extremely inappropriate for this site.  I am not religious, so it had nothing to do with the Easter reference, but I do think I have class, even though I do live on Big Pine.  That was beyond poor taste, it was pure smut.  I have read this site for the last couple of years. I can't say that I will again.

[National IDs] The war on our civil liberties has begun. http://zdnet.com.com/1606-2_2-6061594.html?tag=nl.e622 (there is a short commercial before the video)

Happy trails to you, Tax Man!

[Things that make you go hmmm] The Tiki bar is very empty on Sunday and Monday nights. Is there a reason for this? Do you think maybe it is a lack of diversity that the local crowd has simply spoken their collective minds? Is there a manger in the house? It might be time.

Is the alligator that was killed at Blue Hole the same one that killed someone's dog a few years ago?

[Alligator killings] Crocodile killers commit a much more serious crime/assault on our environment. Other gators will surely find their way into the Blue Hole, but to lose 2 of the handful of crocodiles that we were privileged to have in the Keys is truly a shame.

There's supposed to be eleven million illegal immigrants, but in reality there's over 23 million illegal people sucking the blood out of the rest of us taxpaying, country defending, hard working, birth controlling, trying-to-make-it, Americans.  These invaders can't run their own country, so they come here to turn America into the trash dump they came from. Throw the bums out. I wonder what would happen if there were 23 million escaped convicts protesting their recapture? Sameo, sameo.

[Stone Crab] You can take both claws. They changed the law about ten years ago.

Let's hear it for those new Japanese bathing suits.

[idea to lower gas prices] Are you crazy? Look out your window. See those black 4x4's watching your house? They are either Big Bro, the gas companies, or the Pope's People. They are watching you!

Cut no slack for the Gator Killers.

With regard to the cruel killing of the alligator at the Blue Hole, there is another aspect which I have not yet seen mentioned anywhere. Statistical evidence shows that young people who torture and kill animals have an above average probability of eventually graduating to torturing and killing human beings! These two young men should not be let off lightly.  I think a thorough physiological examination is in order. Perhaps next time it will be someone's child!

Has anyone else noticed those iguanas on Little Torch that have the red tags around their necks? It seems like someone wants to keep track of those little critters. I think the County should do the same thing with rednecks. Only the rednecks would probably chew their collars off.

The only way to get lower gas prices at Paradise Petroleum is not to buy gas from them. Then they will get reasonable. They pay less than $2.50 for Diesel, so if you pump 100 gal they do pretty well. Too well.

[Alligator Killers] At least the savages ate their kill. There was no waste.

Bird flu fear has some people in Key West wanting to lock up the chickens. Is this true? This was on our front page in one of our TV stations here in Baltimore? We will be coming to Key West in a couple days?

Learn the law before you make comments. You are allowed to take any legal sized claw from a legally caught stone crab. 

In my neighborhood one neighbor feeds Iguanas out of “kindness”. Another neighbor shoots them with a pellet gun. If you've got to shoot the damn things, get a bigger gun. The pellets wound them and they suffer. What kind of crap is that?

I think aliens took my dog Sparky and did one of those anal probe deals on him; he keeps rubbing his rear across my carpet. At times I can hear the Biz Baz broadcast coming from his hindquarters. The sound quality is actually better than my pricey Bose radio.

[Regarding our beloved Alligators] My son and I walk down to see them everyday. It is a part of our day that had been stolen from us. How do I explain to him that two idiots went into our "forest" and shot and beat to death one of those beautiful creatures? I hope they are used appropriately in jail - if you get my drift.

Oh Great!  You got rid of all your snow birds and now they are starting to infest the marina we live.

I am so sick of the iguana/chicken complainers. There is one species here that kills everything, ruins the environment, and leaves a big mess everywhere it goes. Yes, the human species is the most useless thing we have here. All you humans suck!   --Larry the Lizard

The only difference between Martyrdom and suicide is press coverage.

Boycotting Mobil Exxon won't work. http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/gasout.asp

We went to the Key Deer on Wednesday. Great new group: Mike and Possum. Check them out.

I would love to know what the poster would say about this beloved "pet", the Blue Hole Alligator, if it killed a child.  Would it then be OK to kill it?  Would they want to stuff it and put it in their back yard maybe?  Get a grip...it's an alligator!

I want to buy Captain Dan's old place and make it a brothel. It should fit right in with the rest of the places, because I learned if you go to any of the joints around here to drink, you do get screwed!

[LOGO CENSORED] Oh Gosh!  The PRIK thing was just too funny!  Whoever you are you should be on stage with that sense of humor.

And some of the cops get the crabs out of season too.  And that's a fact.

The Charter School is having a taco dinner on Friday night. Take out is available. Read all the details on the Bulletin Board or call the school at 305-872-1266. Bulletin Board

A boycott of Mobil Exxon won't result in lower overall prices. Prices at all the non-boycotted outlets would rise due to the temporarily limited supply and increased demand, making the original prices look cheap by comparison. The shunned outlets could then make a killing by offering gasoline at its "normal" (i.e., pre-boycott) price or by selling off their output to the non-boycotted companies, who will need the extra supply to meet demand. The only person who really gets hurt in this proposed scheme is the service station operator, who has almost no control over the price of gasoline.

(?)Damn there is a god! One down two to go. I cannot wait to see who replaces the capo di tutti capo.

Tuesday Tuesday April 18, 2006

Monday April 17, 2006

[Alligator running the streets at Palm Villa sub] Hubby took some pictures, reported it and later heard it was Cola the female alligator from the Blue Hole. Safely caught and returned.  We are so sad to hear of her death. We always took our kids and nieces and nephews to Blue Hole to visit her every Easter Sunday after mass. We will surely miss her.  I am appalled that anyone would do this. 

People like this do not belong on Big Pine Key.  Really! If you are not here to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings and protect our wildlife from harm why pick Big Pine Key as your place of residence?  I vote all those who do not respect what we have here, get out. Go away! Live somewhere or anywhere USA. Leave us in peace and our wildlife in one piece.  I hope this does not turn out to be locally raised kids that did this.  I truly hope those who have kids and live here are teaching them to truly appreciate and respect what we have here.  I remember a baby deer beat to death years ago, that in itself was awful, and now Cola is dead.  It is a sad day.  Peace.

Does anyone know if Florida gives any form of help, such as a grants, loans, tax deductions, or discounts, to help replace non-indigenous plants with indigenous plants, to get the Keys back to normal? I think this would be a great idea!

[Here's the idea to lower gas prices] For the rest of this year, don't purchase any gasoline from EXXON and MOBIL. If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit. But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers. Email everyone you now.

[more disturbing that people are wanting to ruin two young peoples' lives than the fact that they killed an alligator]  I believe these "young people" have possibly ruined their own lives.  As we all grow up, we make decisions, and sometimes those decisions are really bad, and we have to live with the consequences.  Killing 4 animals in a protected area (federal refuge) is much different that the senseless slaughter of animals raised on farms and fished out of the sea for market.  Don't try to lessen what they did by comparing to a process that has been, unfortunately, accepted by the public for many years.  Their act was not "juvenile"; it was well thought out.  The two younger ones that helped them go to Marathon High School, and my child says they have been bragging around school as to what they did.

[Regarding the alligator killings] The people who killed the alligator have ruined their own lives. Everyone has to be responsible for their own actions. As the old saying goes "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."

You want us to cut the alligator killers a little slack?  Okay, we'll cut them as much slack as they cut the alligator.  You say you did some pretty stupid things when you were that age?  Did you torture an animal that was in a protected refuge?  Did you kill three other innocent creatures, also protected, just so you could use their bodies to lure the protected animal to you?  I've got news for you, killing an alligator in the Florida Keys is not legal...ever!  There are areas up in the state that you can get a permit to kill, under pretty strict guidelines, and only in certain seasons, but not in the Keys. 

It has been proven that killing animals by torturing them is a precursor for worse things when they get older.  Most serial killers tortured animals when they were young.  Oh, and it's okay that they ate it?  They didn't eat very much, as most of the carcass was dumped into the area around Big Pine and over in Marathon where they had the party.  This was a premeditated, senseless killing, with no remorse, and it should not go unpunished (to the maximum allowed by law).  And, by the way, the oldest one that lives on Big Pine, is 20 years old, not 19, and is in the army.  That doesn't sound like a kid to me.

[smooth mouse] First of all, all mice are not created equal. Some have software to allow finer adjustments of the parts. Also, sometimes the mouse software gets contaminated with a bug, and will make it work weird. I suggest you buy an optical mouse, and uninstalling the old software before installing the new software. Don't forget, the smother the table top is, the smother the mouse will work with optical mice!

To the person complaining about what is happening to the Seahorse Park and that the permits should be used to build affordable housing "not the $100,000 that no one can afford".  What closet have you been living in?  $100,000 for any home in the state of Florida (and for that matter the entire USA) is extremely affordable.  While I don't necessarily agree that being able to move the permits north or that what is going on at the Seahorse park is appropriate I also just can't believe some of the folks down here who think they should get some type of special treatment which is different than the rest of the state, or for that matter the county.

Times have changed and a $100,000 residence in BP, Lakeland, Arcadia, Quincy or anywhere in Florida is flat out low cost housing. Posts like that one are why we have such a difficult time controlling the developers. They figure there is no way that they will ever satisfy folks like that so why even try.

We need to be reasonable, oppose what can reasonably be opposed and support reasonable alternatives. Otherwise we will all lose. If there is no way one party will ever please the other party they won't even try and will do whatever they wanted to do in the first place. Sorry for the rant but sometimes the lack of common sense or lack of touch with reality really needs to be addressed.

[IKC] You say you only kill varmints and pests. Please let me inform you that most readers see you as a pest. So the solution is obvious and it would put an end to your stupid comments. At least find something that you love and then be a fanatic about that.

Does Marathon and Key West have a column like this one? If so what are the URLs?

[Potpourri] As a proud Commie, pervert, atheist bastard...thank you for the "Happy Easter". For the two folks who commented about the Alligator killers ("cut them some slack" and "two otherwise good kids"), you're kidding, right? That Honda spot is a classic. To the person who complained about Denise's coffee at the Bagel shop, actually, she makes a good cup of coffee. Let the new people run their business the way they see fit. If you're such a coffee connoisseur, why didn't you buy the Bagel shop? Ok, I'm done.

[Happy Birthday to the most Beautiful Woman in the world.]  Thank you, sweetie, but it's not my birthday.

I knew it was only a matter of time before a few bleeding hearts came out of the closet to the defense of the two alligator killers.  It’s people like them who think that maiming and killing a protected creature is to be forgiven because “two otherwise good kids” did the deed. It’s attitudes like that, that sends signals to others that it’s O.K. to be violent.  

Most serial killers started out young, maiming and killing animals. You don’t know whether they’re good or bad and they sure aren’t kids.  “Good kids” don’t do what they did nor would it even occur to a good kid to shoot the eyes out of a living creature before beating it to death with a ball bat.  

These two great white hunters are adults and knew full well that the gator was protected and was living in a protected habitat. My wish is for them to be fined to the maximum, face a long probation after they serve a few years in prison bunked in with a muscle bound, life long con with a taste for young booty.  These two morons have already ruined their lives but the message would be loud and clear.  Do the crime and you’ll do the time!

Vote for the ugliest dog. http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org/uglydogvote.shtml

[Moose Lodge Clearing]  Come on folks. Get a life. The Moose Lodge does an awful lot of good in this community. Maybe you should consider getting a sponsor and joining and helping instead of calling Code Enforcement.  Good Grief.

[All you pot smokers] Maybe we should take the example of the illegal immigrants and ban together and march in big numbers in many major cities tying up traffic, hurting businesses and costing local governments money for extra security and maybe they will change our status from felons to misdemeanors and cater to our votes and... (Wow, what a buzz that last hit gave me!) I must have been on some kind of good high to think a bunch of stoners could accomplish anything together for the common good.

Can someone explain why some people on BP will pay 35 cents a gallon more for gas? (Paradise Petroleum=$3.24 Tom Thumb=$2.89)

[Regarding the alligator killings] First of all their not juveniles, second it sounds like you might be one of their parents. As far as stone crabs are concerned anyone that knows the law says you're not supposed to take both claws and I've never seen anyone shoot out their eyes before taking their claw. I also have never seen any fishermen shoot out the eyes of their catch either. There is a difference in harvesting animals and torturing them. Their not kids, it wasn't a kid prank; it was a crime, plain and simple. If you can't see the difference you're as bad as them. I hope they get the full extent of the law.

I am a resident who is leaving the Keys one day this week.  I cannot “do” another hurricane, having experienced too many these past 20 years.  I listed my mobile, waterfront real estate for one month, and when I reduced my asking price, received an offer the next day and my closing is scheduled this week.  Praise the Lord!  I am out of here.  My prayers are for your safety this coming hurricane season.  Vayo con dios, au revoir, sayonara, auf wiederschen, until we meet again!

A drunk killed a young women the other day in a head on collision.  If he's charged with DUI/Manslaughter it's only a Second Degree Felony (not more than a $10,000 fine and/or 15 years imprisonment).  If they charge those two kids that killed the alligators with 2 counts of Third Degree Felony, their  fine and/or imprisonment will be about the same.  Now, what I would like to know is what genius decided that an alligator's life is even close to the value of a human?  You can kill someone's pet, which in many cases is like a member of the family and nothing will happen to you.  But hit a Key deer with your car and watch what happens.  If I remember correctly, a few years ago Fish and Wildlife enacted an "emergency" fine of $50,000 for killing a certain butterfly. A butterfly!  It's a bug! Am I the only one that thinks the logic behind some of these laws is a little bass-ackwards?  

And some of the cops also get lobster out of season. That's a fact.

I got a Logitech optical mouse at Sam's Club for around $20.  It works smooth until the batteries are low or the mouse pad is dirty.  Regular mouse pads don't work very well for optical mice, they need the smooth reflective surface on a harder "works for Optical Mice" pad.  They costs a wee bit more, but necessary.

[Alligator killers] OK, so what if they're kids. Put their young ass in jail. The gaiters were Big Pine Key gators, they were long time residents till some jerks killed them. Prosecute the parents too, they taught the kids to do this.

Let's see, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars by a "trusted" public servant is only worth some 15 points which equals probation; that means about 6 points for the gator (3 for each of them) and these idiots will have, probation, adjudication withheld and be released back into the public to continue their violent acts of stupidity. Our judges down here certainly need to be aware of how stupid some of these sentences are that are being handed out. Why have respect for the law?

[As for going easy on the two thugs] You're right, killing is killing.  I catch and eat my share of innocent fish; and venison (from Michigan) is one of my other favorite meats.  But, I think people are outraged because some gators have more social value than others.  It's a bit like coaxing your neighbor's puppy into your yard with Snausages then pelting its eyes out with a pellet gun.  While it bleeds and cries you finish it off by bludgeoning it with a baseball bat before eating part of it and throwing the rest into your neighbor's swimming pool. 

That gator was one of our community's symbols.  More like a pet loved by all (and I have no pets and despise animals in houses).  It just seemed extra selfish and vicious, that's all.  In a way it makes me scared about the future.  I'm only about a decade older than those twits but their actions require an unscrupulous kind of inner emptiness or something. Something I don't have. I don't know.  It just creeps me out, but your point it well taken and I retract my "let mama gator choose a limb from each coward" statement. 

[Big Pine Coffee Shop and Cracked Egg, when are they open?] Let's cut the Big Pine a little slack.  To the person who talked about the food taking a dive 'cause the cute waitresses left, the food has never been better.  Does anybody remember food under the old owner (I forget her name, Emily?)  So much better now.

Waitresses are (most of them) friendly and efficient.  I can get "cute" elsewhere, if I need it.

About hours: John, the co-owner, has ongoing back problems which may require surgery and he's the main morning/day cook.  I was there that day last week when they had to close @ 12:30.  He had to get to the doctor.  If you think they like closing right in the middle of a busy noon-hour, you're nuts.

They still have the consistently best food on BPK right now

It's true that alligators are not in the least endangered and permits are routinely given to harvest them. But, in the case of the Blue Hole poachers what is so disturbing is the manner in which birds were killed for no other purpose that to bait a semi-tame alligator which was long since use to human kindness. There is not a trace of sportsmanship, only the equivalent of catching fish in a barrel.

The thing that gives me pause is that in the case of serial killers of the last 50 years, all had a history on animal cruelty and animal torture. Is this pair our next generation of David Berkowitzs, Ted Bundys or Jeffrey Dahmers? A link to serial killers: http://karisable.com/crserial.htm

The Japanese who make all of the weaving machines for the world’s textile industry have finally screwed up. If their new line of bathing suits catch on there’ll be no world textile market.

[Illegal for dog to be on a lead in yard] I read that in the newspapers. Barometer and others.

I cannot believe the animation at the bottom of the column on Easter.  Especially with all the whoop-la over your censorship of words.  Opinions expressed, even in colorful vernacular, are a hoot.  Leave the damn words in and dispense with the porn!

Monday April 17, 2006

Sunday April 16, 2006

Happy Easter Today is the Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.

[Sit-in revisited] It would seem to me that the people at the Seahorse Trailer Park should get together and go to the County Building Dept on a weekday en mass and set up tents, etc. and demand that their elected officials protect them.  Then the County wouldn't be able to ignore them until they go away. They would be in their face; especially when the press and TV news take pictures. Then the County would have to explain how this policy protects the people instead of sweeping it under the rug. Please let me know what you think.

[From Capt. Dan at the Key Deer Bar and Grill] Yes, the bar is for sale. It's been a fun, hard working 4 years, and I love it, but it's too much for one 71 year old guy. It's a great place for a family to run and enjoy.

We have 15 employees, a good manager, and everything in the place works.  We intended this to be a father and son business, but it didn't work out.  Now a tragedy in my family has caused my decision to sell. If anyone is interested, before I list it, call for an appointment and meet with me to discuss the bossiness. Please call 872-1017.
Thank you, Capt. Dan
Danny McLaughlin

The 360 arrangement makes it ok to circumvent the land use plan if it is in the "best interest of the public." Taking away affordable housing to build a marina complex for wealthy snowbirds one hundred miles away is not in the best interest of the public; or did they really mean the best interest of the rich?

I had a small iguana eating my flowers last week and then there was a broad wing hawk hanging around my garden. I haven't had any more damage since the hawk was here. Coincidence?

[Regarding the alligator killings] I find it more disturbing that people are wanting to ruin two young peoples' lives than the fact that they killed an alligator.  Millions of pounds of beef are killed daily to supply the demand for meat.  Winn Dixie has the back wall lined with body parts from pigs, lambs, chickens and cows on a 365 day a year basis.  Fishermen land tons of fish daily and fillet large numbers of them while they are still alive.  Millions of Stone Crabs have their claws ripped off and then are returned to the ocean defenseless.  I find what the kids did gruesome, but no worse than what I described above. 

What is so palatable about killing some animals?  Is this the same idiotic people that killed their animals "humanely" and then proceeded to eat them?  I think some people are just part of a giant herd that have no thoughts or logic of their own.

I think we have too much government if two otherwise good kids will have felony convictions, criminal records, jail time, employment restrictions, no voting rights, etc. for an act that is, well, juvenile.  If you substitute the word dolphin or shark for alligator in the incident, no one would have even cared. 

Who's the slime bag that stole my barbecue grill out of Coconuts Thursday night?  I let them borrow it for their Chamber of Commerce social.  Joe and Meri-Lynn are really pissed off about this.  What is this world coming to?  I can't believe we have sunk to this new low.  Who would steal from their friends; or from anyone for that matter?  I guess BPK really is changing.  That's so sad.

It's Easter.  Why don't you do the right thing and bring it back?

Would you people give the iguana issue a rest?  You keep bringing up the same lies over and over and most of us are very tired of it.  If you get your kicks killing animals then that's your business--unless you're caught.  Just spare us the ridiculous comments about how you are saving our Keys from these "invasive exotics" that actually aren't invasive and probably aren't exotics to begin with.  I never have liked the iguanas personally, but they were here long before I was, and I'm tired of your ravings.  It's actually making me start to like them.  As far as I'm concerned, those of you (probably one person) that keeps bragging about your IKC, you are as low as those 2 persons that killed that female alligator in the Blue Hole 3 weeks ago.  It's the same thing; killing animals for the fun of it.

[Bagel Island]  Your coffee is too weak.  Don't use Denise's method she was not a coffee drinker and most cofee drinkers can't make a good cup of java.  This also includes your flavors. Good Luck.

Regarding the horrible, murdering non-rehabilitable (is that a word?) villains who killed the alligator. Cut them a little slack.  wanting to let the gators get their revenge on these kids (and they are only kids, 18 and 19. Maybe adults by law, but think back to when you were that age) is way more evil than anything the kids have probably ever done.  I did some pretty stupid things back when I was that age, but I turned out ok.  Killing an alligator is legal if you have a permit.  They did eat it.  It wasn't just for the heck of it.  What's the difference between what they did and catching a lobster or snook without a permit?  Personally, I would rather be beaten to death with a club than thrown in a cooler full of ice to slowly freeze to death. 

Hopefully, the kids' parents can accept that they screwed up and that they learned a lesson from the experience.  Hopefully, the court system will let these kids live life without making their lives worse by institutionalizing them.  Hopefully the kids learn a life lesson here.

Happy birthday to the most Beautiful Woman in the world.

I consider myself to be a person accepting of all people, till they prove me wrong. Sometimes that happens.

I just got a look at one of the idiots that killed the alligator on the arrest page.  He looks like an idiot.  He just looks like he'd do something despicable like that.  I'm ashamed to live on the same island with him.  I think they should really make an example of him and his little friend and send them up for the max time.  What jail will they send him to?  I have some friends in various 'joints' and could make a few calls about them.  I'm sure they would love to make them their bitches.  Heck, they're a generous bunch and would even share with the others.  They should be afraid...very afraid.  There are a lot of people pissed about this.

[smooth mouse]   I use a Belkin optical mouse which is just excellent. It cost  about $20.  I bought it through Tigerdirect.com (computer store )  800-888-4437 for a catalog.  You probably could find it online.

I love the IKC, they will save me tax dollars in the future. The Monroe Co. commission will do nothing till they hire a consulting firm to make a study and tell them it will take tax dollars to eradicate the problem; instead of doing something now and saving the tax payers the expense.

Someone steals over $500,000 in cash and gets probation and only has to pay back $11,000.  Two kids kill a gator and what will they get?  Where are the minds of the people in the Keys?

I wish I could have seen those scumbags that killed the alligator in the process, I would be in jail and they would be in the hospital.

[New civic organization formed] I hope all of the people who want to Protect Reptiles and Iguanas in the Keys (PRIK) read about the extra taxation and problems encountered in Boca Grande.  All of you PRIK people will be wanting to become IKC members once there is a $10 bounty per iguana.  Of course you PRIK's will have to get an iguana stamp on your fishing license if you are going to land them by rod and reel.  Please remember to kill them humanely so they won't mind.  Good luck to you and remember the best thing that can happen to you is that you can stop being a PRIK. 

One shot. Real time. 605 takes to make this video. No CGI. $6 million. 3 months. They used 2 of only 6 hand-made accords.
Albino Blacksheep - Flash / Honda Accord Ad

I think I saw a couple of those IKC guys. They were wearing pink and purple camouflage and holding hands singing Village people songs. By the way I loved the rainbow decals on there pellet gun stocks

Has any one heard of The Durr and Otis Show. Some one told me it was two real guys on couch like Wayne’s World. Its said to be very funny and hip. I found the clowns at http://www.durrandotis.com Looks like it has a hurricane Podcast or what ever you call them shows.

To the person who thinks it is too restrictive in Big Pine Key to build, just call Murray (Nelson) and he will help you out, but it better be for million dollar condos or cay clubs.

Who's leaving the Keys?  Tell us your story.

Has anyone noticed as soon as the Snowbirds leave the cops start with the speed traps, nailing locals for parking, and all other kinds of slimy tricks to get money. Hey guys, you are supposed to be on our side! Go get the drug lords, the illegals, and other nasties. Leave the locals alone!

All the pissing and moaning about Taxes, Code Laws, Building Permits, Gas Prices, Insurance Costs, and whatever else is driving us out of the Keys, is nobodies fault but ours. We put these pirates into office and now we are have to live with them. Are we dumb or what? We pay them, why can't we fire them?

[Big Pine Coffee shop] Same as the Cracked Egg, when are they open?

What a pleasant surprise,  the Chamber Social was put on by Coconuts and the T.I.B. Bank this time and it was so nice.  The bank ladies decorated the Nut, Joe put out a keg and bottles of wine, and Pig Man Dave put on a great spread.  They even had a band "More Than 4" played. It was fabulous!

P.S.  It seems as though someone may have taken one of the ladies bar-b-que grills by mistake. A mistake easily corrected by returning it to Chris at the T.I.B. bank.

The killing of the alligator is an example of the kind of low rent rednecks that live on Big Pine Key; and you want more fast food dumps to feed the rest of the Darwinians. Is that it? 

When is the new dance floor at the Tiki Bar going to be done?

For the hundredth time, the Boca Grande iguana problem is because the iguanas there are eating bird eggs and gopher tortoise eggs, thus making them an invasive species.  They are Mexican Spiny-tailed iguanas, which are carnivorous.  The iguanas we have here are not the same kind.  Ours are green iguanas and are 100% vegetarians.  You just won't give up, will you?

[What's up with an American not having medical coverage, but the immigrant's get set up when they hit land.]  It seems like there's a simple solution.  If it really bothers you that much, denounce your citizenship and become an immigrant. Problem solved. No need to thank me, I'm happy to help. Oh yeah, welcome to America!

[boycott Rum Barrel] If you're not going back to the Rum Barrel ever again, can I have your wooden drink token?  That's one wooden nickel I'll take!

[Who the hell is going to make the machines that make those suites and ties?] The same people that are already making them, the Japanese and Chinese.  That's where most sergers(?) are made.  I don't think any sewing machines are made in the USA anymore either.  As for the clothes, most of those are made overseas as well.  I seriously doubt it was the deletion of shop and home economics classes that contributed to that.  More likely it was the greedy unions with their unrealistic salary demands that forced most factory job overseas.

Happy Easter to you commie pervert atheists bastards too.

Sunday April 16, 2006

Saturday April 15, 2006

Boca Grande, Florida is about to impose an iguana tax to support research to control the estimated 30,000 pest that island had plagued that island. Maybe the IKC isn't such a bad idea after all.

The only way to get rid of any invasive species is to put a bounty on it. It always works. They could use the new tax money to pay the bounty instead of wasting it on studies that are usually just BS.

[Moose Lodge] All week I have been reading but no response to the Moose clearing of 1 acre of land last Saturday. That's right and 911 was called in and from what I heard dispatch was very negative (why you calling us on this, no county office open on the week-end) but a fine female officer was sent out to check on the clearing.  She spoke with the Moose workers and they said they had a permit to clear the acre. The officer spoke with the caller of 911 and said, "Don't worry about it." The workers couldn't produce this fine piece of paper or publicly displayed permit anywhere. Monday morning, they were red tagged.  This is how non-profit business works? Most of the members are land owners or long time residents and well aware of our restrictive rules.

Replacement of these large native trees is a most. I hope that the Moose isn't fixing it up for next winters parties and, or motor homes visiting, to pay not rent but make a donation to the building fund for future development. Sometimes it looks like a little Wal-Mart in Homestead. Maybe Tim from Organic Landscape can be hired to replace these large natives to their original existence.  It's bad enough that 1/3 of the vegetation on BP will die from salt (The Moose had a little but not enough to clear cut like this.)

Dog gone good flower arranging. Can Big Pine Florists do that?

Just one Question about the 380° "law" who enacted it? well, maybe more than one question. Did our BOCC vote on it? Were they aware it was in effect?  If so, why didn't they fix it long before it came back to bite there and our butts? Gee, come to think of it I have so many questions that you'll have to move me with long winded Tomes. Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse is gone; we have so many commissions acting on everything from your dogs' balls to wild cats, what to plant, what not to plant, where to build, how to build, what to build , how to build it. Now we have a 380° something. You, in power, should be ashamed of yourselves or at least making  big bucks on kickbacks. Vote everyone out.  Start fresh. All new everything every couple of years will help stop all the boys and girls from jumping in bed with each other. 380° my butt.

I was driving through BP at sunset yesterday and thought how nice and rural it was here, and I felt happy. The only run down place was the pool supply and the abandoned Conch & Stein. The west end of the island is the nicest area with those large setbacks from the highway.

[BP Coffee Shop] Are they open? No they are closed. Oh, no wait, they are open today, but it's 12:30 lunch time and you just locked the doors as we walked up. What is up with these people?  We love the food, but come on its getting ridiculous.

This lady is in puppy heaven. She's a happy camper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMnf9fFiQE

Do they make a computer mouse that scrolls smoothly? The usual scroll wheel in the middle of the mouse is jerky; making it hard for my eyes to follow.

[Boycott the Rum Barrel] I went to the new bar in Key West yesterday at happy hour. The draft beer was $3.50 for a nice big glass. They even gave me a wooden chip for a free beer. After I drank my beer I tried to use the chip to get the second beer, but the girl said that happy hour just ended and I would have to come back again during another happy hour to use the chip. How cheap of them. I left a large tip for the cheerful service and then vowed never to return. I hate "cheap."

This link tells it all, folks.  The IKC is once again ahead of their time.  Everyone should read this, and pay particular attention to the facts about disease, and depletion of other "native habitat". These folks also thought they were cute 10 years ago; and now have a major problem.  Click here: AOL News - Florida Island Besieged by Iguanas

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell happened to your bra and panties. Drink Sensabily

I have lived on Big Pine for many years and have loved it here.  The water, fishing, diving, great friends, a watering hole to slake my afternoon thirst and lots of sunshine provides most of what I require.  I never thought I would move from here but I’ve started to look elsewhere.  It’s not because I can’t afford to live here, because I can, even as a retired person. 

It’s because of the oppressive restrictions placed on us by the County and all of the enforcement agencies and environmental zealots.  Hell, I can’t even paint my house without a permit let alone any additions or improvements.  Gone are the carefree days of live-and-let-live in the Keys.  I am also disgusted by the deteriorated condition of U.S. 1 and all of the opposition to any type of controlled change or improvements.   The highway will look like a run down slum in a couple more years.  Even my last out of town house guests commented that Big Pine didn’t look like much of the tropical oasis they expected.  They said it just looked old. Well, I’m getting to look old too and I want to enjoy things in a pretty place without big brother squeezing my cajones every time I turn around.  Too bad the deer huggers, the NIMBY’s and the bureaucrats have taken over!  Paradise to Purgatory is not such a long journey if you let it get away from you!

This is still a Great Country! Where else could I be at work, getting paid and still sending goof ball E-mails to Kudos and Whiners?

[eager teaching prospect]  I was a teacher for 34 years, and I took retirement because it wasn't worth my dignity to teach kids BS! The worst thing school systems did was delete shop, home economics, and social awareness classes. This action has created a "My child is going to be the next President" syndrome, which makes people think all will be wearing suites and ties. Ask yourself who the hell is going to make the machines that make those suites and ties? Let's get back to reality in this country before it's too late.

[Illegal to have your dog tied on a lead in your yard] Can I ask where you got your information?

Those jerks who killed the alligator shot out it's eyes and then clubbed it to death. Brave.

Does anyone know how Cap't Dan is doing?

My kids are sad about the alligator.  They wanted to show it to their cousins when they come to visit.  Was it the one always sunning itself on the big rock at the Blue Hole?  I am generally partial to humans, but that was really vicious and unnecessary.  Too bad we can't find the alligator's mama and let her choose one limb from each coward. 

For all of you lizard lovers out there I would suggest that you find out what’s happening in Boca Grande.  They have been overrun with iguanas to the point that it is estimated that there are 10 lizards for every person in the community.  They are not only posing a health hazard from salmonella and lizard crap all over everywhere, but are also are eating everything in sight including turtle eggs.  Officials are at a loss as to how to handle the out of control situation.  One simple solution is a bounty, paid by the community. The method of taking is not considered, just 50 cents or a dollar for each tail turned in.  It has worked elsewhere for other pest creatures, it will work in Boca and it would work here.

Another certified arborist on Big Pine is Russ Costa 305-395-1573. Business Directory>Tree Service

That "mausoleum" is the foundation for MCSO's spy cam to control the north end of the island.

The new owners of the Seahorse Park should be made to use all their permits on the same land and not up in Key Largo. Build some very affordable homes for those that live there now, not the $100,000 that no one can afford.  

Please, please, please let those who are in charge of administering justice do the right thing with the 2 horrible men who murdered the alligator at Blue Hole. Send them to jail.  I'm only sorry that it will be at the expense of taxpayers.  Honestly, people who commit such acts of atrocity are beyond rehabilitation in my opinion and should be used for medical research experiments.  Unfortunately, that will not happen, so I can only implore those in judicial power to put them behind bars for as long as possible.  I'm so sorry for the loss of the animal in such a cruel manner, as well as the loss of 2 more human souls who will probably never understand the horrible nature of their own crimes.

In case you haven't heard, HOB Middle School will be phased out over the next three years.  All schools will be K-8 now.  The Trumbo property will be sold, along with some other changes in the district.  We all know how Bubba loves change, so this should go over really well.  35 of 85 teachers are leaving HOB next year anyway.  Yikes! 

[Victor's Roofing] I was sorry to hear about Victor's personal tragedy. Unfortunately, that occurred after he should have pulled the permit. His crews are still out working and he has yet to make contact with us in one form or another. We also are having hardships to deal with. Mounting debt from repairing our house and the mortgage company is holding up our check for what? Oh, yeah, our roof to be finished. No permits and no contact, I don't care if he is a good family man, all I want is a good businessman when you're holding my money and holding up my money!

Those alligator killers should be hanged.  They have been charged with a third degree felony, which can carry up to $5000 in fines and up to 5 years in prison.  It should be much worse.  My children love going to the Blue Hole to see Bacardi and Cola, the two resident gators that have been there for years.  These low lifes shot several birds first, and then lured Cola, the 6-7' female gator, over to the deck with the dead birds, and then shot her eyes out with a high-powered pellet gun.  Then they beat her to death with a baseball bat.  My kids won't quit crying over this.  I hope they both rot in hell for what they did to that poor female alligator and those beautiful birds. 

Wake up Big Pine! The Seahorse is history. We all my be next. I assure you it won't be the last. The big developers and chain stores have there crosshairs on Big Pine.  Get off your ass and get active or the local big shots will sell you down the river in a heartbeat to line there own pockets. Look what's happened to Marathon.

You don't need DSL or high speed internet to get on this site. Better yet, go to public meetings and voice your opinions on issues that affect you and your community and stop whining on this website about stuff you can do something about.

Free internet at the Senior Center behind the Fire Station. There are seven computers for the public to use. This is a community service presented by Monroe county and the Big Pine Computer Club. The only thing is they keep funny hours so it's best to call first.   The library also has free internet for all to use. Business Directory>Senior Center

This is a real test. I flunked.  Discovery Channel :: Perfect Disaster :: Hazard Quiz (Ed: We want to thank our Link Editor for all the great links he/she has sent in over the years. They certainly liven things up.)

The IKC had nothing to do with the Alligator killers.  Those little punks are not members nor would they ever be.  The IKC properly dispose of dead Iguanas and you would never find the bodies.  Although we consider Alligators to be a nuisance they are not on our Hit List.  We only Kill varmints and pests. 

We are all animal lovers who believe that in order to protect our family and pets it is necessary to eliminate invasive species on our Islands.  We do not condone or approve of any actions that harm non-invasive species or household pets.  Iguanas are a nuisance and are destroying our natural habitat and prohibiting the expansion of natural plants and animals. 

The best way to Kill the rodents is shooting but the law does not condone this method.  Machetes, sling shots and knives do a good job.  Running them over with your car can be messy, (be sure to clean the car immediately).  Clubbing works well. Do not use poison this hurts our environment and can harm other animals.    

However you do it just keep killing as many as you can and one day we will eliminate all these pests.  IKC Forever   Die iguanas die!

Saturday April 15, 2006

Friday April 14, 2006

Key Deer Bar & Grill is for sale! The Captain has paid his dues and is getting out of the business.

Does anyone know how to trap iguanas? I'm a former IKC member who's seen the light, but I still have to get rid of those pesky critters before they ruin all my new spring plantings.

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Two members of the IKC allegedly beat an American alligator to death in the Florida Keys, then served the carcass at a backyard barbecue a few days later, authorities said. Timothy B. Goll, 18, of Marathon, and Jordan T. Milo, 20, of Big Pine Key, have been charged with killing the reptile last month, a third degree felony. "They apparently used a pellet gun to disable it and then used a baseball bat to kill it," Lt. Steve Acton, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told The Miami Herald. The alligator had lived in a freshwater pond on Big Pine Key. Some of its body parts were later recovered in area canals, investigators said. Investigators said the March 24 incident was the latest in a series of crocodile and alligator killings in the Keys recently.

Who is this new mausoleum for that they built on Key Deer Blvd just before Port Pine Heights?

In response to the individual who was curious as to why there has been little response to the Seahorse R/V issue.  One reason is that those who live there are working on trying to save where we live.  I have lived there for over a year and it is not the vilified park as some Commissioners make it out to be. As a matter of fact there have others working with me to tirelessly canvas the park to get an accurate overview of who lives there.  This R/V Park is in reality work force housing. 

Here are the figures after knocking on doors. 81 trailers surveyed, 67 trailers are owned, 10 trailers are rented, 117 people live in the trailers surveyed, 18 disabled people own their own trailers and live on fixed incomes, and from the breakdown on the job classes it is a blue collar service industry group living here with the majority of people working for contractors in the Keys or working at the local retail stores and restaurants. 

One should go to www.monroecounty-fl.gov view the April 19th BOCC agenda, go to the Bulk approvals and look around the 10:15 am mark and find the line item on the Seahorse R/V and Boca Developers PDF file, down load it. Then you will understand how this will go down and how we will no longer have a home after it is signed. 

Oh, and they did say that by kicking us out of the park they will lessen the Hurricane Evacuation Impact. Hmmm. I wonder how this will be accomplished by building 100 new units with, lets be conservative, 2 people per unit = 200 people. What if they have a downstairs enclosure like the new units going up on Sands Rd at another old trailer park that was sold and now the downstairs units are rented out.  I think we could fit 2 more people in the downstairs which would equal another 200 people. So now we are at 400 people in the old Seahorse; and that is being conservative.  Sounds like a decrease in the Evacuation Impact to me, what about you?

The biggest selling pen holder these days.

Yes, the Bubba system works here. If you have a friend in code you can do whatever you like and they look the other way. Yo, Bubba, pass the Rogo points

[Tax Man] Like I keep saying, lets have all elections the first Tuesday after April 15. And just watch all those stupid taxes and politicians just disappear.

0000 [Silver Orb] I brought bug spray to kill a cocoon that I thought was for a caterpillar, but when I looked closely I saw a Silver Orb spider right next to it. I thought they were extinct since Georges. I'm so happy that they are coming back. They are a beautiful spider because they are such bright silver. Now, if only my trees would come back.

[New Kudos Layout] The trouble with using the address for the gossip column stored in your Favorites is that it’s not the latest. If you go to bigpinekey.com and select “gossip column” and then copy that address into your favorites list--everything will be fine. Ed: your new layout is classy! I’ve been using FireFox for a long time now and like it much better than IE. It’s faster. Enemas may be fun sometimes, but not for browsers.

I live in Seahorse Park and have been there for a little over three years. Most of those who live there do not have access to the Internet unless they walk, ride bikes or drive to the Library and get on a computer there. Most of the neighbors I have are either working in Big Pine, Key West or Marathon. The others that I know are legitimately disabled.  I will be at that meeting tonight at 7pm to hear what the new owners have to say. They are going to give the county "affordable housing" and the current tenants are not going to be able to pay the 800-1500 dollars a month "affordable rent." It should be interesting,  If anyone from the community can go please do and don't be afraid to voice your feelings. It is hard to believe that Lively Inter. Group did not have the decency or the honesty to let us know they were going to sell the property so we, who live there, could make some plans.

I just paid my huge taxes for the year (got to keep helping the immigrants get set up with free medical and money in their pockets when they come over) Sad, we as American's, can't do something about this. What's up with an American not having medical coverage, but the immigrant's get set up when they hit land.

Who killed the alligator at the Blue Hole last week?  The "young men" that killed the alligator (and I use the term "young men" extremely loosely because I'm sure the Editor wouldn't print what I really think they are) are on the sheriff's arrest site for Monday, April 10. It reminds me of a time about 10 years ago when two young men from Marathon were arrested for clubbing a Key Deer to death. They got to go straight from graduation night to a Federal Penitentiary for a year. I hope these young men get treated the same way.

Newly Crowned Miss Iraq Fears for Her Life  Iraq's newly crowned beauty queen has gone into hiding, fearing she will be targeted by Islamic militants who reportedly threatened to kill other women who participated in a Baghdad pageant last week. (Tell me again the reason we are there?)

We had work done by Mark Benson in Marathon and he was excellent. He show's up when he say's and doesn’t have an alcohol problem. Big time kudos to him.

[Double row of Ads] You are probably accessing the site via an old bookmark (Favorites).  Bookmark this URL and delete the old bookmark.  http://bigpinekey.com/Pages/kudos_whiners_frames6.htm The double row of ads will go away.

By the way, Ed, is there some reason why the hurricane shelter people and the lumber company are on the right side?  In my humble opinion it would look nicer if they had a little banner the same size as the other ads on the left side.  They look kind of lost over there. (Ed: We want to move all the ads to the right, but have to wait until the current left hand ads expire because of our agreement with them.)

I'm not an iguana.

Today the residents of Seahorse R/V park get told their fate after more than two months of back door negotiations with public officials. They have been totally in the dark, no letter, no nothing except one rent receipt. 

The company is proposing to float 130 building credits to a Key Largo multi-million dollar condo project and pull 100 more out of a magic hat on an island that you can't even build a porch without a long permit process in a county with only 200 building permits allowed a year!

You cant buy a hardware store on Big Pine unless it's going to be a hardware related store. You can't sell an automotive  store unless its going to be auto related. But you can buy an R/V park, kick poor people out with no compensation and make it "affordable" housing they cant afford. All while transforming the poor peoples' building credits which are worth about $100,000 each to use in a million dollar condo. 

This 380 degree deal that lets you bypass the local permitting process sucks. Real estate is worth so much that developers are bribing counties to get what they want. What will they 380 next?  You wont know till its done. This company will see over 100 million dollars in sales of condos. Other parks are not taking year round reservations even if your trailer can be moved.   The sellers and buyers could have bought out the residents who have older trailers that can't be moved even if they had a spot to move it to for 1/2 to 1 million dollars and the good publicity wouldn't be hurt. That would really help residents who most likely will use this little bit to move to north Florida, like everyone else.

I'm glad that someone has bought Bagel Island. Denise was awful. She didn't give you enough cream cheese on your bagels and you didn't get your money's worth. Good luck New People, have a good cup of coffee and we'll be happy.

I want to congratulate the Snowbird with the New York tag, who this morning, took a new $1.79 Crab Box Float from underneath my house for your souvenir hunt. I have your tag number, but it isn't worth the hassle of doing anything about it. Enjoy your trophy, but be warned, the rest of the Keys now know what you Birds are up to. If someone breaks your fingers, remember, you've been warned!

I used Tony's roofing for my new metal roof. It took me three hours to clean up the yard of screws, nails, cut offs, and other debris. I now have a really great looking million dollar chicken coup.  Thanks for the workmanship(?)

As of last week, it is illegal to have your dog tied on a lead in your yard. If you have an unaltered dog, it will cost you $500 a year for your dog to be "intact". Our county commissioners voted this law in without any public comment or input. This was enacted to curtail the feral cats on Big Pine Key. (Will somebody please explain how these two are related?) The commissioners are revisiting these issues next Wednesday. Please, please everybody write to, email and call all 5 commissioners and help us fight this ridiculous new ordinance. We will have to kennel our dogs in order to have them in our yards or fence our yards. Fencing is very restricted by laws. There are better ways to curtail feral cats than by altering dogs. This just doesn't make any sense.

Transferring building rights to Key Largo from Big Pine Key stinks of the Gang of Three. The State needs to investigate this awful deal. This is just a sample of what will happen when the area of Critical State Concern is removed.

"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right.

If you know that the House of Music is buying their beer from W/D and booze from liquor stores, you call ATF or Crime Stoppers, the TIP line will send the Complaint to ATF. If you call ATF get the name of the Person you spoke to. They will check bar codes and invoices. If they find booze from anywhere but a licensed wholesaler, they will close House of Music.  You must call and stop your whining. As for the dumpster, call the health dept. Get off your butt and stop your whining. If  House of Music is doing these things they may not be paying true numbers on sales tax or keeping up with there workman's comp. insurance. All  no, nos. Any one of those will get you closed and maybe put in jail. How mad are you? If you are that mad get off your can and get on the phone and get the names of the people you speak to. Call back in a week and see what is being done. That's the way it works.

The Key West parking meter thief may have gotten a slap on the wrist by a local judge but where are the Feds who could prosecute him for tax evasion on his stolen money?  The IRS should take his house and other assets and put him away for a long time in a federal prison.

[self discipline] good idea, another one is common courtesy.

Dear Ed, thanks for the response to my question about the double row of ads on my “Kudos & Whiners”. I tried clearing the browser’s cache (didn’t help), and viewing using Firefox (no joy there, either). So, I deleted the old address from my favorites list, went to the home page, and saved that address. When I went from there to “Today’s Gossip”, everything was peachy. Not the most elegant of solutions, but it worked. Keep up the good work. Long live bigpinekey.com!

The Golden Age of Skyscrapers

Only use an ISA certified Arborist to work on your trees and Seagrapes. You get what you pay for. You can try the Leaping Lizard at 296-5331. With almost 40 yrs experience in the Keys and an ISA certificate I would think he could get the job done right for you.

[Stop bashing Victor's roofing.  He is a very reliable person we used him in Georges and he did an excellent job]
Thank you to who ever you are.  I totally agree with you.  He did my roof and I am very happy with it and he is a very nice person and a family man.

Finally a solution from North Dakota.

[IKC] I also feel sorry for your dog, most animal lovers love all animals and abusers are abusers period.

Two men were arrested for killing the gator at the Blue hole. Timothy Goll of Marathon and our very own Jordan Milo of Big Pine. These two brave men have made their families very proud.

Does the person who shows up once in a while to bash the House of Music have a hidden agenda?  You are a little obvious. 

[To the "eager teaching prospect"]  As a parent, I'd be happy if you'd just teach the basics (reading, writing and math), stop undermining parental authority and let me worry about the other stuff.

Tianna you are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Friday April 14, 2006

Thursday April 13, 2006

Shalom to a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover)  Passover is the 8 day observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. This observance began last evening.

I've seen very little feedback on the Seahorse deal. Could it be that most of us believe that the county should not stick its nose in everything? Maybe Piners are ready for some change. I wonder how the county will feel if someone wanted to buy Big Pine Fishing Lodge? What a site for an up-scale complex. Not that Joann and Brenda are selling today. What a spot. Maybe most of Piners want a Publix, Walgreens, Mickey Ds. Just maybe the big box nut cakes have overdone it. I feel very good about were Big Pine Key is going--most of all I am happy that is going anywhere!

[Move to BPK] Big Pine is not a place for normal people.  You have to love the water more than anything since there really is nothing else to come here for.

Happy Anniversary, Space Shuttle. April 12 marks the 25th anniversary of the first NASA space shuttle launch and the 45th anniversary of the first person in space.    

We already have an estimated 12-13 million illegal aliens in the USA. Of course since that's a US Gov estimate, it's probably double that and more every day. Just walk across the border into the southwestern states. What part of illegal don't they understand? We have been accepting aliens for many decades, but they all had to follow the legal established procedures for entry and citizenship. I personally don't have a problem with that. There is no other country in the world that has as loose (non-existent) border policy as the good ole US of A.

[straighten a sea grape tree] Call Jesse’s Tree & Lawn Care at 509-2000.

Who killed the alligator at the Blue Hole last week?

[Affordable Housing for More Affluent People] Boca Development Company, the acquisition company that bought the Seahorse R/V park on Big Pine plans to transfer building rights to Key Largo to build million dollar plus condos and build 100 affordable dwellings is meeting with nervous tenants for the first time Thursday at 7:00 pm at the office.

This will be the first time residents will  know their fate as a result of this back door deal. They have had no official word of how this deal will affect over 500 of the working class that enjoy these islands and climate too. Maybe they will explain how they bypassed the local government. Maybe they will offer compensation to residents after all the newspaper articles.  Who knows?  It might be an interesting meeting at Seahorse office.  

I can remember my father grabbing me once (several times in fact) when I was very young and shaking the hell out of me while yelling in my face, "When are you going to wake up and listen to me?" We are all controlled, or should be controlled by only two little words. No other words mean more, they are: self discipline.

[The latest Skunk Ape/Swamp Ape picture]  After much research I determined it was not a Skunk ape. It’s the back of Howard Livingston’s head!

[Moving to Big Pine Key questions]
1. [“Can I get insurance?”]  Yes. But you will pay for it with every last penny you have.  When the rate increase takes place you may have to quite driving, start enjoying Spam loaf, sign over your first born to servitude and put yo’ mama on the street!

2.  [“I would like to put a wrap-around deck on whatever house I decide to buy. Are there any restrictions?”]  There are more restrictions in Monroe country than there are in a Muslim holy book.  The permitting process for home improvement and additions have driven many homeowners to drink (something most are thankful for).  If you don’t mind slogging through the paperwork, paying the extortive fees and tolerating the inspections (by at least three different inspectors, none of whom agree with each other) you will be able to enjoy your new deck in about 12 years.  Provided, of course, your contractor shows up more than three days a month and works more than three hours a day.  Don’t count on it if the fish are running.

3. [“Are there any restrictions on swimming pools?]  See answer to number 2 above.  You may want to add a few years to the estimated time of completion after the pool contractor screws you to the wall on price for sub-standard goods and delays completion due to “unforeseen events.”

4.  [“Are swim able canals really swim able?”] Yes.  Just watch out for the occasional alligator, a lost, drunk tourist with a rental boat and that justifiably cranky homeowner with a spear gun that thinks you’re poaching lobster from under his dock.  

5.  [“Last of all, how's the dating scene for a single man looking for women?”]  Excellent if you don’t mind a dentally challenged alcoholic with a crack and odor problem and dirty feet.  If you are looking for an educated woman with good moral values who is attractive and well groomed you may want to bring one of your own.  We have the occasional exception but they go fast and eventually turn mean.  Remember, no matter how great you think she is some other guy already got tired of her crap.

I sincerely hope this helps you make your decision about whether or not to relocate here.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get ready for another hurricane season.

Fewer calories than regular water.

Stop bashing Victor's roofing.  He is a very reliable person we used him in Georges and he did an excellent job.

You really want to move to the Keys, eh? There are 29.5 ugly guys for every chick, and 90% of those checks don't walk up-right, have all their teeth and look grainy! Getting some down here is a tough act, unless you have other preferences! Good luck, Dude!

[Seahorse Campground] I suspect the reason that there isn't much furor over transferring building rights from Big Pine to Key Largo is because the people that are effected most are poor people who don't have fast computers and DSL to write into this site. Poor people don't have an extra forty dollars a month for a high speed connection. Poor people are generally less involved in government and politics (except, maybe, Bicycle Joanie, God bless her).

Why do I have a double row of ads on the left-hand side when I pull up “Kudos & Whiners” off my favorites list? Is there anything that I can do to correct this? (Ed: As suggested yesterday, I viewed the page through the Firefox Browser and it looked all right. May I suggest that you clear your browser's cache? You might be viewing an old page that we put up during the transition. Please let us know how that works after the enema? Thanks.)

[Sea Grape tree] What I did to all mine was to cut off everything above six or seven feet and simply stand it up and brace it with two 2x4s. It works. They all live.

How can the House of Music continue to operate like they are? Buying beer from Winn-Dixie, buying booze from the liquor store, no dumpster to put their garbage in (instead, just piling it outside). Aren’t these things illegal for a bar?

Does anyone have any info on moving companies they have used down here? I would like good and bad info.

Try Russ Costa 305-395-1573 to straighten your sea grape tree.

[Teacher interview] After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: "Let me see if I've got this right."

You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T- shirt messages and dress habits
 
"You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.
 
"I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments.

Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with disabilities get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical disability. And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps, miserable insurance coverage, no over time, and work weekends doing paperwork at home?" 

OK! I'll do it because I am a teacher!

[estimate from Dot Palm but it's way too much.] So I guess you want someone without experience, insurance or a license and you won't complain if they accidentally wreck you house. Try: Anything For a Buck Landscaping.

[straighten a sea grape tree]  Organic Accents did the work at Boondocks including the golf course.  Lanny and John received a beautification award from the chamber of commerce (second one in a few years) for the lower Keys. Organic accent's number is (305) 872-9185.  Tim is the owner.  Great guy, give him a call.

Dear President Bush, I'm about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I'm going to walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this. I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I'm on my way over?

Please let him know that I will be expecting the following: 1. Free medical care for my entire family. 2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not. 3. All government forms need to be printed in English. 4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers. 5. Schools need to include classes on American culture and history. 6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down. 7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch. 8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services. 9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won't make any effort to learn local traffic laws. 10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English. 11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my house top, put flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals. 12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don't enforce any labor laws or tax laws. 13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, or about the strain I might place on the economy. I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S. from Mexico. I am sure that Pres. Fox won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely. However, if he gives you any trouble, just invite him to go quail hunting with your V.P.

Humor Editor takes Cadbury Eggs to the Crescent City. No Funny Fridays this week. The wife and I are going to New Orleans tomorrow morning for my birthday on Friday, (I used to spend it at an establishment in Key West that's now closed.) We need to check up on a couple of friends who could use the company. They told us there's no sense of time down there lately. That people can't tell if they saw you last month, last week, or yesterday. That's one repercussion I never heard on CNN. Anyway, I'll come back from the Crescent City with some photos (no devastation pictures, though, that's a bit tasteless).

Enjoy your Easter, Piners! (And for those not celebrating Easter stop by a Catholic neighbor's house and scam some candy off them anyhow. You don't need to believe in Jesus to chow on a chocolate bunny).

"A guy comes down to earth, takes your sins, dies, and comes back three days later. You believe in him and go to heaven forever. How do you go from that to "Hide-the-Eggs?" Did Jesus have a problem with eggs? Did he go, "When I come back, if I see any eggs, the whole salvation  thing is off." ~Jon Stewart

Can you tell me what happened on the Avenues Wednesday?

Habitat for Humanity seems like a good thing. Many snowbird retirees brought their motor homes here and camped for free all winter to help us. I ask everyone the one big question before they all get to come back and stay the winter for free again in the new habitat campground at Habitat Landing: Is there anyone that knows of anyone that they actually helped?  All I know of is that their land was used for FEMA and they allowed free camping and worked on new trailer lots at Habitat Landing running incorrect wiring that got them red tagged. Who did they help?

We used Victor roofing and he was very slow but eventually finished. Does anybody have any info on Mark Benson out of Marathon? He's a tile contractor?

[The problem with these IKC posts is that there are idiots out there that  think they are real] Do you think that maybe it's the "idiots" that are the problem and not the posters?  How do you know that your postings aren't causing problems?  Just reading some of the stupid crap that's been posted lately makes me want to kick the dog, but I don't.

I just want to throw my two cents in, the new layout is great! And you should believe me because I know what I'm talking about.

[Tax Man] The big day is almost here! And then you can relax...for a night anyway.

Thursday April 13, 2006

Wednesday April 12, 2006

[Bubba System] Officials estimate that Bubba Gilbert Suarez, the parking meter guy in Key West, stole about two thousand dollars a week for five years and laundered the coins with the help from his bubba mother and bubba wife. A low estimation is that Bubba stole over half a million dollars. Bubba went to Bubba court and only has to pay $11,379 plus probation and rehab. The bubba system is alive and well in Key West.

[It appears the IKC has ruffled a few feathers.  I for one find their posts rather humorous and clever] I actually already have a wonderful life, thank you, and have been over myself for a long time. 

The problem with these IKC posts is that there are idiots out there that think they are real.  There is a teenager in my neighborhood that was recently arrested for cruelly killing an animal, and he bragged about wanting to join this "imaginary" club.  There is nothing humorous about bragging about killing and torturing animals, whether it is true or not.  You are one sick mother to think of this as a joke.

[Skunk Ape/Swamp Ape] Ok, whatever ya'll what to call it; we finally cornered it the other night. It got away though.  We did get one good picture during the escapade.

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world, had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world and only one parent had to work to support the family. What the heck happened?

“Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that.” --Homer Simpson

I sure do miss the coffee shop as it was last year when I was down here. They had a couple of good looking girls in short shorts and the food was great. The last few months there help disappeared and the food took a plunge. Get the pretty girls back to straighten the place out.

[Thinking about moving to Big Pine] Some answers to your questions. The answer to your first three questions is, "How big is your bank roll?" Insurance is expensive and porches and pools and stuff like that will require the political wheels to be greased; if you know what I mean. The answer to your last 2 questions about canals and women, well try and bribe someone.

Redneck tornado shelter.

[New layout] Maybe you should try looking at the new layout using Firefox. I see double frames of ads down the left side.

[Move to BPK]  First off, the dating scene in the Keys is real weak. Unless you're into salty old drunks with a fishing problem. There are a few pretty girls around, but they don’t stay single for long. You’d be better off trying to lure sweeties from the north to visit you and the warm weather. Home improvements are very difficult if not impossible. Building codes are very restrictive. Good contractors are very hard to find and the prices are steep. You would be better to find a home presently built with the things you are looking for. Contact a real estate agent (you couldn’t swing a dead iguana with out hitting several) they cost the buyer nothing. Let them do your ground work to find what you are looking for. My liability insurance is $1,200, flood $2,000, wind $4,300 Taxes $6,000 annually. Good luck.

I'm really angry. The Fed is giving my (your) freaking tax money to Spanish speaking radio stations for their development. This is America! We the People speak English.  Enough is enough of this invasion BS! I will never buy any products from those who sponsor such media.

It would be great to hear from the new owners of Cross Bones (Galley Grill) about their plans for the business.  Are things going to change and if so, in what way?  All of us regulars want to know.  It would also be a great way to introduce themselves to the community.  How about it Mr. and Mrs. Bones?

A Hurricane Safe shelter is almost imposable to create in the Keys, simply because the water can cover anything, if high enough. The winds at 150 mph, will rip anything apart.  Want a shelter, buy a submarine, if you can find waters deep enough for it.

Ever seen a butterfly with transparent wings? It is rare and beautiful.   

[IKC] So you're the one. There can't more than one person immature and stupid enough to laugh or write this nonsense. I know a joke when I hear one but my sense of humor get's bored after a 100+ times of the same old comment. I assure you that you're the only one laughing.

[Duncan Auto] Yeah they suck, but Morrison's sold me a lemon and never did anything about it.  The sticker was right there in the door and by law they are supposed to show it to you and they never did.  I didn't look, why should I?  I trusted the bastards.  I'm still stuck with the car. Don't trust anybody here in the Keys to buy a car from.  I have lived here in the Keys for 15 years.

[Making the move to Big Pine Key]  Is this guy serious? Come on, your joking with us. You might get lucky with the canal thing, Oh, you're too funny.  Unless Your rich don't waste your time here, man.

[Victor's Roofing]  I was surprised to read the recommendation for Victors Roofing a few months back. All I know is that a few days after hurricane Georges in 1998 I stopped them ( I kind of got the impression that it was Victor and his wife) driving down my road on Fern Ave. and asked them to give me an estimate for a complete shingle job. I gave them my business card and the wife said they would be in touch with me soon, but I never heard from them again.  Of course, I never called them back.

[Thinking about making the move to Big Pine Key]  I strongly suggest seeing a head doc, before your dreams are shattered. The answers to your questions are: No. No. No. No. And, "Are you nuts?"

[Rottweiler] You bought your house, but couldn't bring your dog? Why not?

[Victors Roofing] I am sorry to hear you are having trouble contacting  Victor. He is a good man, and been a stand-up guy in all my dealings with him. Please give him a little time; his 16 year son died a couple of weeks ago. I assume you will be hearing from him as soon as he is able to direct his attention back to roofing.

[Moving here to the Keys]  You have to have a permit to breath down here.  There are single woman here; and good looking.  Hope you are too.

Can anyone make a recommendation for a reliable landscaper who can straighten a sea grape tree blown over by Wilma?  I probably need someone with a backhoe to do the job since my Explorer isn't big enough to pull it up.  Got an estimate from Dot Palm but it's way too much.

Lady A, the wonderful singer we haven't heard from for a while, will be making a special appearance at the Looe Key Tiki this Saturday the 15th, with her blues band and husband, Rick (Moose's lead guitarist).  We hope to see all her friends show up to say hello and wish her well.

Wednesday April 12, 2006

Tuesday April 11, 2006

[family hurricane shelter looks like a death trap] I feel I should comment about this very important statement this person made without sounding like an advertisement.

Of course there will never be a truly safe answer or solution to safely staying in harms way during any storm. Evacuation should be the first action by all. History tells us, that here in south Florida, people must have been born with a will to do the unthinkable. After all, over fifty thousand people stayed for the last storm. (The actual number is very hard to find) Even after a whole week of waiting for the storm, most didn’t leave.

The shelter is only as safe as its owner makes it by following the defined instructions of its use along with all of the safety precautions.  Using it is kind of like hiding behind a tree or post when someone is shooting at you and thinking how did I get here? But it’s still better than taking your chances with no protection at all...a lot better! After all, changing the odds is all any of us can do.

Please go to the web site, www.storm-safe.com  and check it out, then decide. Maybe the other 49,999K that stayed can come up with a better answer for the next storm.

My additional advice would be: Everyone should fasten their seat belts while driving, it saves lives. Another Sensible Alterative.

Hello from the Mile Marker 24 gang again. Our new CD Meet Me In The Keys has been selling like crazy and we are almost out and have had to reorder. Thanks to everyone for your support. We think it is time to have another party! It’s going to happen at Mangrove Mama’s on Sugarloaf Key, Florida on Saturday April 15^th 2006.  We would like to invite everyone to join us in the fun. The party starts 7:30 PM. There will be door prizes, raffles, lots of music and you will hear all the new tunes from the new CD.

Proceeds from the raffle will go to benefit the Wesley House. 

[Fire hazard] I have already gotten a call from a concerned citizen. I forgot to direct everybody to a national website www.firewise.org  or to look at the poster we put posted in the Winn-Dixie by the indoor newspaper racks, and if they hate the WD, they can look at it in the library or the key deer visitor center. It has a list of things that homeowners can do to help make their home more wild fire resistant.  I have attached a word document from the County listing the pruning do's and don'ts that require permits from the County.

[Today's top rumor] I heard from a very reliable source that Publix DID buy the land that the flea market sits on!  Wouldn't that be public record?  I haven't researched it yet.

[Roofer from Hell] A couple of months ago a poster recommended Victor's Roofing as a company to deal with that was good and reliable. I called Victor's, and like the poster stated if you get the answering machine, just leave a message and someone will get back to you. Well that worked the first time. Now that they have my money and have started the work, they have ignored more than two weeks of messages without any contact. A county inspector was inquiring where our permit was for the work, but we could not produce it. When we contacted the building department to see if a permit was pulled, guess what? It hadn't.

We are now suing Victor's Roofing and are seeking another contractor to finish the rest of the work with the proper permits. Be warned, this is not a company to do business with. How good is their warranty if they won't call you back or no one answers the phone, ever?

Isn't the Blue Hole part of the sanctuary?  Book'em Danno!

I just ignore the IKC posts, they only do it to rile you up and get a response. 

Gosh, I'm sorry to hear about your kids with the staph infection.  Nasty stuff.  It's not the first I have heard of it though.  I know some fisherman and people using locker rooms that have gotten it as well.  I'm sure the doctors loading us up on antibiotics all these years have not helped any.  Hope they get better soon.

This is the best site to search for homes for sale.  
http://www.flkeysmls.com/  Business Directory>Realtors

[New format] Site looks good and I am looking at it on a Mac OS X Tiger/Safari Browser.

The new layout is frustrating.

Latest layout is great.  It gives the links at the top which are kind of handy and cuts down the amount of scrolling.   Makes it much easier to shoot off a comment on something I'm  reading (but maybe that's not the best thing.) Good work. Thanks.

[New layout] Yes, all better today. It looks great. I didn't look over the weekend, and today, bingo.  I'm the guy with the Mac who had problems on Friday.  Whatever you did is working for me, and the look is fine.

[Fire Danger] Things not to do.

1. Wait for government to help.
2. Run in circles yell and shout.
3. Have a “controlled burn”

Laying out hoses to wet down your house and brush may be prudent.

I hate to sound negative, like so many other posters on this otherwise wonderful site, but I have no choice. The new format sucks!  I know you are trying hard to make the best you can with what you have to work with, but this change makes reading Kudos and Whiners very difficult. Please keep up the otherwise fantastic job you are doing.  Xoxo to all my Piner friends.

[New layout] Yes Ed, thanks for the clean up. Us Mac users are back in alignment with the screen issue.

Website layout is good today, but I think the Skunkape was chasing iguanas and ran into BP TV. Now we need a webcam shot of the webcam. Don't fall off the roof. (Ed: Damn, the wind must have blown it askew. I adjusted it yesterday so someone could see their house. I'll go on the roof now and adjust it. If you don't hear from me again...I've gone over the side.)

[7 Mile Bridge Run] If anyone is signed up for the 7 mile bridge run and can’t make it, I want to run and didn’t get in! I’ll pay you back your $35, too!  Please email me at:              wingardt@monroe.k12.fl.us  Thanks!

It appears the IKC has ruffled a few feathers.  I for one find their posts rather humorous and clever.  It also appears that some people have no sense of humor.  Do you not know a joke when you hear one? These people are the ones who truly need to get a life.  Get over yourselves already.

Don't worry folks, the problems will all work themselves out like affordable housing. When only the ultra-rich can afford to live here the prices will be so high that even they will need second jobs to afford it. Good help is just another Republican lead recession away.

Rising interest rates and the ever growing deficit are about to stall our economy. Housing won't be able to keep propping us up for much longer. And before all you Bush backers start touting all the new jobs created, I dare you to compare the average salary and benefits packages of the jobs lost with the new ones Mr. Bush takes credit for.

GM, Ford and the entire Airline industry are in financial trouble, but our fearless leader tells us everything is fine and the economy is strong. Most likely because Exxon-Mobil is posting record profits (and sucking up all those tax breaks). We have all been "Bushwhacked" and will be paying for it for years.

BPTV looks funky, I see a big chunk of roof or something filling up a large part of the screen.  Windy down there or something?

[Living Wage?] $10 dollars an hour x 160 hours a month= $1600 x 35%=$560 dollars a month for rent.  Dream on.

All this talk about low income housing from a private developer is BS. Don't you realize this is a developer con to get the land? In a few years when they drive us out with the sky taxes, sky insurance, and other sky high prices, the rich will inherent these islands and build their castles. They have the patience and the money to wait.

I am overwhelmed with the kindness of the people of this area.  I have been here for 5 years and I love it.  This probably sounds funny coming from a Marine whose career spanned 30 years, but here is the rest of the story. 

In at least 6 occasions down here, people have observed my USMC tattoo or my USMC license tag and come up to me and shook my hand and thanked me.  You have no idea how that feels to servicemen regardless of what service they were in, particularly those of us who were in Vietnam and came back to here that we were baby killers, and were spit on. 

Most of us have integrity now as we did then and would never stoop that low, however American people, at that time, as always listen to a couple of news stories about bad marines and all of a sudden we are all bad.  Anyway, to those of you that know the truth, thank you so much for making an old mans' day every time you say thank you. 

P.S. after 30 years in the USMC I work 40 hours a week outdoors to survive down here. The retirement pay of the services is not what it should be, however I am not complaining. The USMC took me around the world several times and I will never regret my decision to be a career marine. Thank you. OoooH RaaahhhhhH. 

Vicious Dog? When we moved here, we could not bring our old friendly Rottweiler. We had already purchased our house and sadly had to leave Munchi (no pun intended) behind. We miss him.

Using the Lemon law for my car. I wanted to do that but in the rules about lemon law, the problem has to be a safety or a performance issue. The problem with my car was just annoying and I wanted it fixed. And how are you supposed to get you car labeled a lemon when Duncan refuses to work on it? I was told to take my car to Miami. That is BS. Duncan sold the car, they should work on it as well. As far as I'm concerned Duncan is the worst dealership. They know they are the only dealership down here selling Chrysler's and they don't care how they treat their customers.

By the way I traded that piece of crap and bought a Nissan form Niles, and they were great. I got a good price and they we very nice. There was  a tiny scratch on the hood and they repainted the whole hood. I don't think Duncan would have done that.

So words of advice, if you want a new car and don't want to drive to Miami go to Niles, otherwise make the drive north. It's worth it.

I'm thinking about making the move to Big Pine Key and I have a couple of questions?  Can I get insurance? I would like to put a wrap-around deck on whatever house I decide to buy. Are there any restrictions? Are there any restrictions on swimming pools? Are swim able canals really swim able? Last of all, how's the dating scene for a single man looking for women?

A big hello to all our friends in BPK, Dalton and Juls will be coming for a visit 6/14-21 and we hope to see all of our favorite people.  We cannot wait to warm up again!  Hugs to all. See You Soon.

Leave it to Monroe County to pass a law saying you can't own a viscous animal in the Keys, (earthworm, amoeba, jellyfish?). Of course it must be perfectly fine to own a vicious animal, as there are plenty of those around.

[Donna in Island Bagel] If you buy one of those rotten Espresso Noise Makers, and run it when I have my usual morning hangover, I'll sue you!

Tuesday April 11, 2006

Monday April 10, 2006

Letter to Commissioner Neugent about transferring building rights at Seahorse Campground.
I’m against it. No one benefits except developers. When are the citizens going to benefit? This erodes affordable housing. I thought we were trying to get more. If they are not going to use those Rogo points they should lose them. They should not be transferable unless the public benefits.

Response
I’m inclined to agree with your position as I perceive it, at this point; however, I think we need to articulate this position very clearly as to why this is the wrong thing to do. For us, the county, to displace--a guesstimate of 400 workers to come into compliance at the park on code issues i.e., elevation above base flood, wind, etc. is not the most efficacious way to deal with this while facilitating the developer and helping them generate, at a minimum, $150 million dollars.

Let them donate the park to us for the 131 market rate development rights – plus, buy the flea market for the community? We, the county, can then appropriately build “truly” affordable rental housing.

If you agree, put your thinking cap on, enlist your constituency and let’s do something for the Lower Keys.

George   
Neugent-George@monroecounty-fl.gov

Thank you.

[Iguana Killer Club] Yes, I'm tired of their childish submissions too.  I vote that they are put on a back page, similar to "long winded tomes".  I also like the idea the other poster said about the editor turning their emails in to the sheriff's department or other law enforcement agencies.  I bet that will shut them up.

To all of you folks at Sea Horse and other endangered mobile home courts; most of us know you are needed. We appreciate your hard work. We just don't know what to do about the CENSORED with the gold who make the rules. Their idea is to get rid of all the working poor and make south Florida and the Keys, and indeed anywhere in this country (except perhaps Appalachia and the desert), a private enclave for the rich.

The Civil War was won by those claiming to oppose slavery, yet the attitude is alive and well in 2006. Look at the hew and cry now that the "Guest Worker Program" was defeated in Congress. I suppose there may have been some who called the Chinese Coolies and African Americans of the 1800s who did all the work in slave conditions "Guest Workers".

There needs to be some legislation passed to help our "Citizen Workers" be able to keep their homes. The Mexicans fit in nicely with the plans of the rich. They live twelve people to a room anywhere they are allowed to squat, and they'll work for $3 per hour with no benefits. It's happening in New Orleans right now. Instead of arranging for decent housing for locals who need the work after hurricane Katrina Halliburton brought in hundreds of Mexicans to clean up and has them living in squalid barracks in old warehouses with one toilet for a hundred people. Of course their wages are ridiculously low.

There are some rich know-it-alls who need to be bent over a barrel and have their arse beat until their nose bleeds. This is not primitive China, Mexico or some backward banana republic. This is the United States where all men are supposed to be created equal. It's like the book "Animal Farm" where the greedy pig who takes over says "Of course all animals are equal. It's just that some animals are more equal than others."   

We had a good time at the 5th annual Lower Keys Jazz Festival on Sunday. Peter Diamond, Mailyn Holderfield, Debra & Patrick and the Mike Emerson group were all great. Adrian from the Root Band did a couple of tunes with Emerson. Great job all. Hope there's a 6th annual festival.

Seahorse Campground is owned by folks not Monroe County. They don't have to do anything  but build whatever it's zoned for. Any deal you may put together that allows one person to get a home there is a good deal. I am not sure how many pre-fabs they can put on that land or what-all they are able to do with it, but they sure can do something without offering anything to Monroe County. Do the best you can George, I am sure you will and I am sure you will make someone very angry. So goes life. And Publix and Walgreens and Micky Ds. Welcome to the 21st Century.

[Reward for turning in the IKC] Hell no, man, why do you think the Snowbirds skipped out so fast? It worked didn't it? Same time next year, Dude!

To the guy with the car problem. There is a law for you. It is called the lemon law. All the paper work comes with every new car. Also try the Better Business Bureau. All auto dealerships are privately owned. You can put them against the wall if you have a real problem with safety. I lemoned a van. It's a lot of work but worth it in the end.

[Cynthia McKinney] has to be a Republican. Democrats, being considerate, enlightened, and of course, compassionate would never act in such an arrogant and hypocritical manner.

[what is to become of Bahama Jacks?] I consider it only rumor at this time, but I have been told that the former owners, having learned their lesson will no longer attempt the food service business, (Rightfully so!) and that there is a prospective buyer for the property that may open a food place under a different name.  The doors were open last week when I drove by and there were some people moving about inside so who knows?

The Key Deer here on Little Torch were yummy, just like the Spotted Owls, and the Manatees that washed up during the storm. After all, we Little Pine's couldn't get to a market, now could we?

[Murray Nelson a great guy and commissioner] I guess if you like concrete and backroom decision making that doesn't reflect the will of the people.

"Thanks for your patients" must be talking to the chiropractor next door to Bagel Island.  I waited twenty-five minutes for a $2 cup of coffee. I have patience.  I do like her though; I can't help it.  She was all by herself trying to figure everything out.  I bet all the bugs will be worked out soon--literally and figuratively. 

Here is the lowdown on the Galley Grill. Yes it sold. The old owners want to retire. They had the place for 21 years. The name, CrossBones, however corny had to change as the "Galley Grill" name was not for sale with the building. Go in there; the new owners are nice and they have an attitude "If it is not broke don't fix it. I don't think you can call them snowbirds as one of them is from Marco Island and the other one is Cuban. All the staff is there except for a few who have moved away for the summer, the same great breakfast served by the same nice, funny morning girls, the same cooks (who show up each morning). All I can see is they are only going to make improvements. I love the big flat screen TV with the news on as I have my breakfast  and I am so tired of all the bitching on this site. Lets here more Kudos to our Keys places. Negativity breeds negativity. However we may not like it, but the only thing constant is change (heavy sigh).

That family hurricane shelter looks like a death trap if I ever saw one.  I rather take my chances outside in the middle of a hurricane than get into that thing!

Everybody posting comments about the trailer park deal are, I hope, passing those comments along to Commissioner Neugent at the address he gave. He did ask here for such comment.  Not that it will do much good. Nelson is part of the gang of three that is out slit all our throats.  It might be worthwhile sending a copy on to the governor's office. This kind of thing is exactly why we were placed under the area of Critical State Concern designation.  I did send something to the governors e-mail address one time and actually got a telephone call from somebody in his office seeking more information a couple of days later. It obviously gets read up there.

McCoy boccdis3@monroecounty-fl.gov (305)-292-3430
Nelson boccdis5@monroecounty-fl.gov (305)852-7175
Neugent boccdis2@monroecounty-fl.gov  (305)872-1678
Rice boccdis4@monroecounty-fl.gov (305)289-6000
Spehar boccdis1@monroecounty-fl.gov (305)292-3440

Since Wilma lowered the vegetation around here I have been mildly obsessed with locating my house on Big Pine TV.  The morning shadows helped me determine from which house the feed was coming.  And looking out my office window, I can see the house.  My next step was to find my house on BP TV.  I have done everything except fall off my roof mounting lights that may point the way.  I apologize to my neighbors for the late night strobes in every window.  Last night, with the help of a spotlight in my car I discovered that I was just off the southern frame of the  picture.  Again, I apologize to my neighbors for the spotlight.  Since the vegetation to the north is still too tall to see over, can you angle  the camera just a little further south?  Because of my obsession, you know I don't live a very exciting life; but if you add up all the  unexciting lives here in South Eden Pines, it may be interesting.  At any rate, now that I know I can get on with life.  Thanks for the minor distraction. (Ed: I moved it for you.)

The animal ordnance says you can't own a viscous animal in Monroe County. You jerks that have to prove your inept manhood by owning such monsters beware, if I or my family get hurt by one, your butt is mine! Chain them up or get rid of them!

[Donna at Island Bagel]   Don't give up but help is hard to find here.  Make a good cup of coffee (not the recipe Denise used. Her coffee was terrible).  Once you get yourself on a routine you should be ok. Good luck with getting help.

Here's my response to Murray Nelson's latest: There should be zero building of anything new except low cost housing throughout the keys. New housing must be cheap enough that people making $10 an hour can actually live in it for less than 35% of their monthly income.

Existing businesses claim they can't substantially raise pay and it's quite obvious they aren't able to get enough workers of any caliber, let alone decent ones. The loss of the various downstairs apartments to Wilma has exacerbated the problem. It won't do anything but get worse unless the politicians get some balls and find ways to ensure the required work force is taken care of rather than millionaire developers.

Will the real Skunk Ape please stand up? Stay tuned for the battle of the century. The Skunk Ape vs. the giant iguana.  Just in: A Skunk Ape has been reported in Youngstown, Ohio.  Rumor has it he had a transistor radio playing the song by the Human Beings called Nobody.  Apes unite!

I utterly despise your new layout.  Please go back to the old way that filled the screen when I scrolled. I know it's BigPineKey.com that I'm looking at. (Ed: Is today's look any better?)

Monday April 10, 2006

Sunday April 9, 2006

Palm Sunday is today. Catholics observe this day in remembrance of Jesus' entrance to Jerusalem. (We all know how that turned out!) The residents laid palm fronds on the road to keep the dust down to honor him.

[Reward] I so agree with the person yesterday that said the IKC posts are boring.  And that was an excellent idea!  The editor should refer those emails, bragging about hunting and killing animals, to the sheriff's department.  I think he/she should also refer them to the FWC and US Fish & Wildlife.  Hell, I'll give you a reward for turning them in, if they are convicted.

My view on transferring building rights.

I guess it doesn't matter that almost 500 (sic) families will be losing their homes. just by transferring development rights. My mother lives in Jolly Rodger and I live in Seahorse. My mother has now lost her home with no compensation. These developers know that most of these trailers can't be moved.

So where are these families supposed to go? Housing is not cheap down here and we need more help; not to be thrown out of our affordable housing. These people are the back bone of the community; teachers, bartenders, servers. Where are we supposed to live, in the mangroves, the wonderful shurbburbs?  Monroe County needs to do something about this.

How are we supposed to live when we don't even know if or homes will still be here next year? It's bad enough we have to worry about hurricanes now we have to worry about developers. They should be trying to help us, not take our homes. That trailer park was the only place affordable for me. Now I don't know where I'm going to go. First, last and a security deposit. That's a lot of money to come with. So thanks a lot from all the families you guys are fixing to make homeless.

[Skunk Ape vs. Swamp ape] You can't just rename a local legend because it suits you. Let's just call The Loch Ness Monster, "Phil" why don't we? Mississippi and Georgia = Swamp Ape. Florida = Skunk Ape. And if you know anything of the legend, it's called the Skunk Ape because of the foul smell that emanates from it. Not from any sort of local skunk population. Let me just quote from an article: "The smell varied in description, but was most commonly reported as being like a cross between a skunk, rotten eggs and even manure. 'It stunk awful, like a dog that hasn't been bathed in a year and suddenly gets rained on'.  Charlie Stoeckman said in an evocative account of his Skunk Ape sighting in the Florida Keys in 1977. Sufficed to say, it was this fact that gave the creature it's name of 'Skunk Ape'."

We use to have Key Deer here on Little Torch, but since Wilma I haven't seen any. People living here on this Key let me know if you have seen any since Wilma. I hope they are Ok.

[Correction] It's Lou Rawls not Lou Rauls.

Geez, please cut the editor some slack. It is a private internet bulletin board, not the ACLU.

Cynthia McKinney--typical. The first response is using the race card. If she was wearing her ID she would not be stopped. Duh. What a moron and an embarrassment to her race and women.

[Headlights] Nothing in life is free. In order for there to be juice in the battery you have to run the alternator which is turned by the motor using, you guessed it--gas.

[two things] I gave up on 2 for 20 pizza a long, long time ago. Even if their pizza was good, (which it is not) their service struggles.  Secondly, the Tiki Bar, I agree with the idea that the one guy that plays there three times a week is way too much. They do have a decent father and son duo on Tuesdays that are very entertaining, but they are only there once a week as it should be.

Spy cam specifically adapted for use on Big Pine. Boy, they sure can jump.

Talking cats very funny and amazing - Google Video well, the first couple are amazing and the next two are just funny

How do I place a help wanted add?  I need one for my wife at Bagel Island. This is her husband Brian. I am in New York and helping her get this going. She has been by herself without training. Diane's (former owner) son is sick and she is supposed to be training her so Donna is doing this solo and is about to come apart.  She needs help.   bagleisland@hotmail.com

I left the Keys, too many people are looking for me now.  But still keeping up with the News. Bye, might be back if enough people miss me. --Skunk Ape

[Cynthia McKinney]  The author of the post about needing more Democrats in congress is a perfect example of uninformed, uneducated, unread, mindless idiot with a computer.  Calling Cynthia McKinney a Republican tells me you have not read and retained a single iota of information about this woman in her embarrassing career as a democratic representative from Georgia. 

[Colon, Panama] It looks like there's not much of that pesky code enforcement in Panama.

[recipe for home-made guacamole.]  The picture accompanying this request was the best recipe for Guacamole that I’ve seen.  The best part is licking the dish when you're done!

Bagel Island is open under new management. Stop by and see Donna. She's trying to learn as fast as she can. Unfortunately for her Diane's son got sick during training and she is learning all on her own. So please be patient. Her aim is to please.  Thanks for your patients.

[Iguana Killer club] I don't know about the rest of you, but this iguana hater (probably one person with obviously no life) has been more of an irritant than any iguana has been in all the years that I have lived here. Please find a life or at least a new agenda. This reader, for one, is sick of these childish submissions. Maybe the Ed can get a back page for these chronic whiners that won't change the subject already. Is anyone else tired of this?

The new owners of Cross Bones (formally Galley Grill) are Florida natives from the south west coast.

Sunday April 9, 2006

Saturday April 8, 2006

A development group, Boca Developers Inc., has bought Seahorse Trailer Park. They have worked up a proposal with Commissioner Nelson that would allow them to transfer 131 market rate development rights to Key Largo. In turn they would build 100 affordable houses on site that sell for $130 – 300K$ keeping the money and then deed the property to Monroe County to manage. The development rights would go to Rowell’s Marina site where million dollar condos would be constructed. This is a first time, precedent setting, deal where development rights would be allowed to transfer out of the development area in which they exist. I would like your thoughts as to whether you support this or not. The details have not been fleshed in the Sunshine with local input and this is being placed on the BOCC agenda for approval in Key West, April 19th. My email Neugent-george@monroecounty-fl.gov   Fax 872-9195

Both of my kids went swimming in Bahia Honda in the last 2 weeks and my step son was in the hospital for 4 days with a nasty staph infection and my daughter has been there for 5 days and is expected to stay for 2 more with the same thing; so be very careful if you let your kids swim there. What looked like a blister turned into a nightmare--overnight. Many of you know my sweet daughter Tianna. Please keep her in your thoughts while she is recovering. Well wishes can be sent to room 244 at the Lower Keys Medical Center.

[Skunk Ape vs Swamp Ape] There are swamps all around us. Haven't you ever bungled thru a mangrove swamp? What we don't have are skunks. So I vote we call it Swamp Ape.

Congressman Cynthia McKinney apologized on the House floor saying only, "There should not have been any physical contact in this episode."  She still won't take responsibility for her actions. What a phony ego. Get rid of her.

National Geographic Magazine - WildCam AFRICA with sound!

I use two computers in my work and have to spend way too much time downloading updates for the many programs that I use. I have many of them set up for downloading in the middle of the night, but when I open a seldom used program I have to waste time updating it. There has to be an improvement for this hassle and time waster.

Why some people hate Creationism. If Creationism is true it means there is a Creator. If this Creator is big and powerful enough to make everything and keep it going then naturally He is the Boss. Bosses make certain rules and conditions. Some people would rather believe everything just evolved on its own. That way anything goes. They have nobody to answer to for their behavior.

This is in regards to all the complaints about 2 for 20  and yes, Winn Dixie. It seems that you people that are complaining have nothing better to do than complain.  Well I happen to think that these two places of business are doing a bang-up job with the staff they have and obviously you do too because you keep going back to them.  The staff at 2 for 20 deserve a big kudos for a job well done because every time I go in there, there is only 2 people working their butts off.  Kudos to Cathy, Leo and the rest of the crew. I do not know how you do it. 

Now, on to the complainers. If you think you can do a much better job why do you not put in an application to work and see if you can deal with people like yourselves and see how you would handle it. 

Kudos also to the staff of Winn Dixie.  Great job guys.

The heck with a Taco Bell, I want red meat.  It would be nice for those of us who are contractors and on the road all day in the area to drive up and get a burger and fries.  We don't have time for a sit down meal. It's hard to park a trailer in some areas, and most of the time we are too dirty and sweaty to go into a sit down place. Give ma a Mac, BK, or Wendys.

Did I read that Galley Grill on Summerland Key is sold? Does anyone know what is to become of Bahama Jacks on Summerland? I love the Keys.

If you're still interested I finally got the scoop on the shark bite from No Name Bridge.  A guy caught a large bull shark, dragged it to shore, reached down to grab its tail and the shark turned and bit his knee cap.  As of last week I heard he was still in critical condition.

Also I saw a small dead red fox on the side of No Name, did anyone know that they were here?

[Dead deer on Cudjoe] They moved the deer a long time ago. I don't know where you have been.

OK folks, I've just about had it up to here with some of your posts, so I've got to get a few things off my chest.

Murray Nelson, contrary to liberal belief, is a good guy. He works real hard to develop low cost housing and other things for the Keys. He doesn't deserve the treatment he gets in the media. He's the best county commissioner we've got.

Captain Dan is another good guy, although he holds no political office. Listen to him when he says Sister Kate has nice ditties.

Whoever desecrated that Choose Life license plate is just an all-round bad person. Did you know that money raised by the sale of those plates goes to pay for adoptions?

Rodger Keller was a great guy and never should have died that way. The low life that killed him is a perfect example of what's rotten in the Key West gay society. The media will never, never write about it, but there is a dark, seedy side of KW life that needs to see the light of day. Too many dangerous perverts are being protected by a wimpy press that refuses to call a spade a spade.

That's enough for now. I feel better.

Somewhere. Something went terribly wrong. 

I have been a practicing Christian all my sixty years, until recently. About five years ago I started to wonder who and why all these wars and political hassles started to get more intense. I researched the web for answers and have come to the conclusion, that most all the problems in this world are caused by organized religions, fighting for power and wealth. No matter which religion, all are doing the same things to control their flocks. I still believe there is a God, but I have withdrawn from any contact with any organized religion. Orwell and Freud were correct. Amen to that!

A long time ago China built a wall, heck its still there. I understand you can see it from outer space, much longer than the 700 hundred miles the U.S. is thinking about building and they had nothing but man power to work with. Mexico has folks that work for less than minimum wage. So lets hire them to build the wall. Now that that is done, lets buy Canada, work thru their stock market and buy controlling interest in their publicly listed companies. We won't need a wall if we own it. Now that will fix the north border. Is there any thing else I can fix before I go fishing?

[Still waiting] I was the one who wrote Wed night complaining about 2 for 20 pizza.  Yes, their delivery stinks. The delivery person passed my house at 7:45 pm while I was standing outside waiting. And delivered to me at 8:30.  When I complained to the so called night manager his brilliant answer was that someone ordered ahead of me. I guess they called at 5 pm since I was waiting from 6:20pm.

If they are in your house they are palmetto bugs.  If they are in your neighbor's house they are cockroaches.

[Missing Cat] Grey Siamese with a blue collar missing from Avenue B.  Her name is Kiki.  Please, if you see her, call the House of Music 872-9000.  She is missed very much!

I, for one, am finding the IKC posts rather boring.  Whomever is posting these really needs to get a life; somewhere besides in the Keys.  You obviously lack one manly trait and have to try to impress us of your "manliness" in another way.  Well, guess what, it's not working.  Editor, I think you should forward those emails to the sheriff's department and let them go knock on this person's door, since they are admitting that they are hunting here, which is totally illegal.  You might get a reward for turning in a criminal.

[Headlights free with gas] I'm no car expert by any means but I think your lights are run off of the battery. To see if I'm right leave your headlights on over night and in the morning check to see if your battery is dead or if you gas tank is empty.

[Cynthia McKinney] I hope the person that thinks the angry black woman that slapped a Cop is a republican does not vote? She is a democrat.

I have been going to the Galley Grill (AKA: Cross Bones) for more than ten years. Now these new owners come along, throw a pile of dead presidents at the old owner, and bingo--screw up the whole works. Cross Bones sure sounds Snowbird to me, like Pirates in Paradise Bar, Grill and Thrill Ride Park. The Keys are dead!

I went to Sombrero today and saw no less than 4 dead huge iguanas on the road. Its an invasion!  I also saw 2 very poor, sick Key Deer crossing Key Deer Blvd this morning.  I saw F&W with a huge (200 gallon) tank behind their truck so they are probably watering the Key Deer or a few endangered trees.  There are way too many Deer on Big Pine, but from the looks of it that won't be long.  Since so many people are getting killed on the highway, when are they going to put up a sign for the people killed next to the Key Deer killed this year sign.  I know they have one in Key West, but it's only proper we have one next to the Key Deer demise sign.  When you are going up or down Key Deer Blvd take a look left and right at all the buzzards. There is a lot of something dying out there.

Key Deer Bar and Grill. I just got a new computer after the surge, so this post really should have been written six or seven weeks ago but the service was so egregious that I feel that I should recount what happened that Saturday night.

The specials that night included pork chops; 5 of the 6 people in our party ordered that. After one and a half hours one of us grabbed the waiter and asked what was happening? He said that they were very busy. 15 min later he came back and said that they had no pork chops!  So we said F***  it, just bring us 2 large cheese pizzas. After they came, I asked for some oregano. The waiter came back with what later turned out to be basil. He later swore that it came from a jar labeled "oregano."  So now here I am starving, with basil (which I hate) all over my pizza.  Both pizzas had almost no tomato sauce.  All 7 of us agreed that those pizzas were the worst pizzas that any of us had ever experienced, not even considering the one sprinkled with basil.  I brought the basil home to compare with the basil and oregano I have at home, and sure enough, it was basil.

I am sure that my party will never again step foot into that establishment, especially after last year's raw Salisbury steak, which I won't even get into at this time.

Please recommend the Best website for searching home sales in the lower keys. Business Directory>Realtors (Ed: The featured realtors all have websites with the latest listings for this area.)

I just can't stand it when someone totally misrepresents what is happening in the news.  The idiot McKinney is not a "This republican woman, Cynthia McKinney" as you stated.  (Yet another idiot democrat who should be voted out and replaced by a well mannered republican.) 

Wow, did you see the latest jobs figures? Wow, the economy is booming.  Wow, republicans and tax cuts are working. 

The latest is McKinney craw(?) fishing on her calls of racism. It seems the police are not amused at being attacked by a Representative who refuses to wear or carry ID.  9/11 what? Good grief this nut has been voting in the House on our laws since 1992.  Thank Goodness republicans can out vote her.

Snowbirds are on their way out, and the gas prices are on the way up. Does that seem the case each year?  Driving up and down route one today I watched the cost go from $2.76 to some over $3.00 and not just one change today but three times the prices went up?

The cat video was great. I don't have a cat, but those videos always crack me up!

Ed. Whatever formatting changes you made to the site today, Friday, have hosed your frame alignment.   The left frame with the ads is fine, but text won't flow in the right frame any more. It requires scrolling to read each line.  I tried several different browsers, etc, but it only works with Internet Explorer.  This little deal makes the site unreadable.  I'm on a Macintosh, but it grabs screen just like Winblowz does. Help! I noticed the different headers, etc., right away, so I knew you were tinkering. (Ed: Thanks for letting us know. I'll be checking it out this morning, after publishing the Kudos column, on different computers. Unfortunately, I don't have access to any Macs to view the changes.)

I grew up in a small farming community and we always waved and nodded our head as we met other drivers. It's courteous.

Saturday April 8, 2006

Friday April 7, 2006

I bought a car from Duncan Autos about 6 months ago and it has had several problems ever since. I have taken the car back for the same problem 3 time and tried since last week to schedule an appointment to take it back (for the same problem). Now Duncan refuses to return my phone calls so I called directly to Chrysler to see what I could do. Chrysler told me that since Duncan is privately owned  they have the right to refuse service if they so choose. I asked if this was legal and Chrysler said it was since I have the choice to go to any dealership for service that I want. Yeah,  that's an option in Key West, isn't it?

Beware that Duncan can do this. Warranty sounds great but if you can't get them to do the work, it sucks.

[Compilations of Whines] Our early forgetfulness on Spy Poles.  I hope they captured the accident last Thursday that took the life of a 20 year old Coast Guardsman.   I shutter to bring the subject up again but I do love not reading about Iguana’s for the last few days.  Me thinks Ed should create a special page like Long Winded Tomes especially for Iguana’s.  The “lady” bragging about the “Hook up Man “should keep those pleasures to herself.  They’ll last longer that way. The weather has been fabulous and every day is a gift. We (anyone reading) have lived in the best time and place in history.  Count your blessings and look for the positives.  Life is short, enjoy.

[mini season] It's obvious that two back-to-back hurricane seasons have severely hurt the commercial lobster fishermen. 2005 left them with no season at all with nearly all traps lost. What the hell does that have to do with the mini season?

Every single business, dive shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. that have depended on the mini season's business to bring them through the approaching dead time after Labor Day have suffered as bad and worse. Their downturn began with the short-term rental ban years ago. Family's that came to the Keys for three and more generations stopped coming when they couldn't rent a house for a week or two. We all ended up with hotel "cowboys" for the majority; and the old-timers that spent their money here the minority. You all got what you asked for; so I love to hear your complaints now.

One or two good commercial seasons will make all this a moot point for the lobstermen. I really do not expect there ever will be a good season for the rest. Leave the mini season out of it.

Key West liberals never cease to amaze. On the front page of this morning's Citizen, they are whining about an exhibit at the Clinton Square Mall that supports creationism. This is the same belief held by Jews, Muslims and Christians of all denominations. So what's the big deal?

We the People have been had.  How's it feel to work all your life for freedom and wealth and have some foreign trash walk in, and demand half of all you busted your hump for? Well your fornicating founding fathers and right wind religious nuts, have revising that Bill allowing all illegal aliens to stay here, and make them citizens. Now you have to support this trash. America is dead.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12174445/   or http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12174445/  Excuse me, I have to go throw up!

[Editing] Great Learned One, I do trust.  But jokes, by definition, are funny.  Then again, I suppose you are cracking yourself up.  Is there a chapter of Mensa on BPK?I think you could use the support.  I'd join you but I don't qualify. This is fun.

A separate note to the general population:  Are palmetto bugs and cockroaches truly the same creature?  I don't have the gut to ask anybody in person.  Also, thank you for the grouper/jewfish lesson.  Since we can't say jewfish anymore, I believe the new debate is whether or not the grouper is goliath--which is also a sensitive choice.  I recommend Super-Duper Big.  It's safe and fun to say. How about super-duper-grouper?

This republican woman, Cynthia McKinney, is just another example of how arrogant and hypocritical Congresspersons can be. She thinks that the world revolves around her. We need more "of the people, for the people" democrats in Congress.

Message from the person w/ the original post about 2 for 20:  Did I not tell you?  Every time I called for delivery it would take 1 ½ to 2 hours to get it.  I even had a delivery take 2 hours to a place that is literally next door to the business, how pathetic is that?  Don’t offer delivery if you can’t deliver. 

When Volvo started their advertising scheme to get people to notice their cars so they might buy one, by turning on their headlights, it started the wave thing, but it got out of hand with nitwits thinking it was for safety. Go ahead, burn that gas to light the lights. The rest is history.

I think it was Bill Gates that said "Garbage in, Garbage Out", or was it Darwin talking about eating junk food?

Is the misogynist waiting for this post from a woman?  Here it is. You can stop now, moron.

We desperately need a new restaurant on Big Pine.  The coffee shop was closed again yesterday and it is said that they will close for weeks due to the owners impending back surgery.  Conch & Stein is forever closed and the food was never that good anyway.  Cracked Egg closes at 2:00 pm after lunch.  Rob’s is, well, Rob’s and is not very consistent with a so-so dinner menu.  I wouldn’t eat at Key Deer Bar and while House of Music has good lunch food it’s not really a great dinner venue.  I really like Parrotdise and Square Grouper but us Piners need something right here. 

[The number of Harley engine heads] I think you may have forgotten the Iron head. I have a 1985 Iron-head XLX1000 Sporty, But then again, who counts Sporty's?

The Cynthia McKinney situation is another great photo op for Jesse Jackson. Even Lou Raul's funeral wasn't sacred enough for Jesse to pass up. This guy and Ms. McKinney have set racial relations back 50 years.

[official name] As the Skunk Ape is the official legendary myth of Florida, and the Swamp Ape is a creature out of Mississippi (and sometimes Georgia) figure it out. And feel free to point me to the nearest swamp down here in the Keys. Someone must have migrated here from the mainland. You can't vote on what a local legend is. That's why they're called "local" legends.

In response to the person asking about bikers waving to each other, it is my opinion that it is a culture thing.  I have been riding since 1965 and feel I am qualified to say that if you need to ask, you would never understand.

Ed, you could just sensor the negative comments. (Ed: See, here's a good example of "what should I do?" Does the thoughtful writer mean censor or are they being witty of novel and trying to use the word sensor? I don't know. I'm not that hip. I'm inclined to change it to censor, but if that's not what the writer intended I'm going to get yelled at again. Damn, it's not easy living in the fast lane on Big Pine.)

Has anyone seen anything in the Keynoter about Galleon Bay? I found this March 17 update from Attorney Mattson. Is Keynoter ignoring this? Or did I just miss seeing it? http://www.mattsonlaw.com/litigation/galleon_bay_2/galleon_bay_2.ht

Looe Key Tiki Bar needs to send the manager to some musical appreciation class.  Three times a week for any musical act is too much-- even if they were good. Come on man get with the program, your regulars are not coming during these nights; haven't you noticed this?  The locals are the ones that keep this place going and you need to pay attention to what they want.

Anybody know what's going on with contractor Mark Benson?

What's with all the whining about Jewfish? I don't see anyone complaining about Alaskan Polock!

Ad no one believes the rumors about the Spy Poles and other "eyeballs" of Big Brother. http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,93417,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl

[Floridiots]  I've never been to the mountains of North Carolina but I promise never to go there if you will stay out of the Keys. Fair enough?  I think you need us a lot more than we need you.

I have reported illegal shorts on a couple of occasions but unless the FWC or their counterparts witness it, it is a waste of time to report. Perhaps pictures would help. Commercial lobstermen are permitted to use "shorts" in their traps as attractants.

[killer klub] Big Pine Key Homeowners Unite.  This weekend is the Great IKC Iguana Slaughter. Join us in the canals on the dark of the moon and Kill all the Iguanas you can see. Remember the key to success is proper disposal of the carcasses.  If the people don't see the dead animals they don't know! Sayles Hill Rod & Gun is sending in a contingent as well as Manville Sportsman Club; and Trail Glades are all sending their elite teams. This should be one exciting hunt come in join the fun. Come one, come all. Join the IKC and eliminate the Iguanas.

Friday April 7, 2006

Thursday April 6, 2006

In the 60's VW Bug drivers always waved to one another.

I vote we call the Skunk Ape the Swamp Ape. I think more people are calling it that. We can't have two bullshit legends on this small island, so let's settle on a name and get on with the myth.

[Offended by anti-Semitic pictures] They should have just let sleeping dogs lie. Most people would have taken the oven photo (that was next to a sad posting about a dead pet) as being irreverent and chuckled at the absurdity of it.

[Hurricane shelter] We had the Big Pine owners stop by to check out my project today. Damn they are a hard sell!

[Where is the IKC clubhouse] We could tell you, but then we'd have to shoot you.

"Twas a woman who drove me to drink. I never had the courtesy to thank her."
--WC Fields

Back in the early 80's Saab drivers in Fairfied County Conn blinked at each other. That was when there were not many on the road. Who wants to admit they drive a Saturn?

Lobstering in the canals is already illegal during mini season.  It is the rest of the lobster season that it is still legal to lobster in the canals.

Troop two's grouper was a Warsaw grouper.  It takes more than a rounded tail to make a grouper a jewfish. 

What happened to the worrying about the Spy Poles? Oh, three day have gone by, so all you Darwin's have forgotten about them already, eh?

Hey, hey, what's all this anti-Semitic talk?  I say enough with the poor jewfish.  Call him a grouper and be done with it!

[While you waited for your wife] Hey Pal, you need glasses, unless you are into 71 year old broads with blue hair and a cane.  Help yourself, Dude!

I agree that the mini-season invasion is not all that controlled.  I think that there should be more conscious people in regard to the amount and proper sizes of the lobster taken.  I do not agree though to let the Commercial fisherman have their say in how everyone's season turns out.  If you have a problem that people are taking small lobster and too many call the Florida Wildlife Commission and report them.  The phone numbers are located on the back of your fishing licenses.  Tell me how places like the fish houses that the commercial lobster guys can sell lobster that are too small?  Are these Commercial guys not also taking lobster that are too small? I have seen it.

A textbook used at schools in the Indian state of Rajasthan compares housewives to donkeys, and suggests the animals make better companions as they complain less and are more loyal to their "masters," The Times of India reported Tuesday. "A donkey is like a housewife ... In fact, the donkey is a shade better, for while the housewife may sometimes complain and walk off to her parents' home, you'll never catch the donkey being disloyal to his master," the newspaper reported, quoting a Hindi-language primer meant for 14-year-olds.

I think we should replace 2 for 20 pizza with a Taco Bell.  I'm infuriated. I called for a delivery at 6:20 pm and was told there was a 45 min delivery time. Ok, I gave them 1 hr  before I called to ask what happen to my delivery. I was told it will be there any min.  Another half hour later--still no delivery.  I called again and was told it was out of the store and there was nothing else to do but wait. Not to bore you all but 2 for 20 does not care to keep a customer. I will never call them again. I tried to speak to the owner but was told no owner was available.

I'm looking for a scooter mechanic on BP.  Lawnmowerman no longer does scooters.

[lightly edited for profanity] So I use to live in Big Pine and it could be paradise, however it seems everyone there is so busy worring about everyone elses shit or if edited s**t that they don't ever actually take the time to enjoy being there which just makes them bitch even more . F**k life could be beautiful if more people had a brain common sence and courtsey. Also it could be beautiful if we just killes all the worthless f***s , most of them post comments on this bulletin. They do it everyday cuz they have no life I do it cuz I'm trashed and can't sleep . It's not that I don't have anything else to do I'm just to drunk and lazy . You People suck

[Cynthia McKinney] Is anyone else sickened by the black congress lady that punched a cop and is now crying that she is the victim of prejudice and racial profiling. She's on every news show yet she won't answer one question, she keeps changing the subject or bring up other unrelated incidents.

She is just plain wrong, she changed her hairdo and looks very different the news showed before and after pictures and she wouldn't even respond and she had no I.D. on her but yet it's "the cops fault."  I can smell O.J. and Rodney King from here. She should see that national security is more important that her personal feelings being hurt. Now realize that this lady is one of the people making the laws in this country. Be scared, be very scared!

Who cares about identifying the grouper after you have already enjoyed a great dinner? We don't catch anything we don't eat. Everything's an inch short, right?

[About the bikers waving]  Why do you care?  You are free to wave or not to wave as you see fit. 

I believe that it is Fred Skomp, Curtis's father that owns the Hurricane; and I do not think they think much of each other.

Reward for info leading to the recovery of missing Guild acoustic guitar in a hard-shell case with a very identifiable scar on the neck from a big repair. It disappeared from the House of Music sometime in late Nov./early Dec. Certain employees there were "keeping an eye on it" for me in exchange for jamming privileges. When I returned to town after a few weeks those employees were no longer there.

I've kept quiet over the past several weeks, hoping it would show up and I wouldn't have to make a big announcement about this.  If anyone took it home for safekeeping, please: It's time to return it. It's a large musical chunk of my heart. Angus at the House of Music knows how to reach me. Come on Big Piners! Let's have some integrity. Where's the Guild? No questions asked upon its return.

To the person who saw what was believed to be a dreaded chupacabra, rest easy.  The dreaded and deadly chupacabra of Mexico is not found in the Keys.  In all likelihood what you saw was the Jersey woman in a two piece thong headed to the beach to wallow.

Question:  Opposite of snowbird? Answer:  If you have Florida plates on your vehicles, and spend the summers in North Carolina, you are not so fondly called Floridiots.

Harley Davidsons come in Shovelheads, Panheads, Knuckleheads, Evos, etc. If you don't know what a Harley Shovelhead is, then you don't know squat about Harley Davidson.

The thing that annoys me most about the editing of this site is the inconsistency and omissions, for no apparent reason. Ed, how could you "get" a picture with a 2 word caption?  Give me a break. If someone goes to the trouble of reading the site and contributing, the least the editor can do is print it. If I don't "get" what someone is saying, so be it.  As long as it's not grossly offensive, I'd rather see it. We don't need to be sheltered from gibberish, we can deal with it.

This site use to be a lot of fun.  Oh well.  Time to find another form of entertainment I guess. (Ed: Some people send in pictures with only a two word comment.)

Does anyone have a good recipe for home-made guacamole.

[Defends Editing] I don't know, I think we need to cut Ed a little slack here.  First of all, this is his hobby as you can see (and as he has said from time to time) the little bit of ad money he gets still leaves the site squarely in the hobby category. He fronts the cash and does the work, he makes the rules, you know.

Maybe more important, I tend to believe him when he says he scans an ungodly amount of really hateful (and/or really illiterate) stuff that we never see. I don't mind not seeing it.