Thursday August 31, 2006

I really think if someone is going to mention a name of a local business and say anything negative, they should probably state their name and mention some specific details supporting the claim, or it's probably a bunch of bologna!

[Price Gouging gas stations] Dear blind person who said gas stations were in a price war on Big Pine and Marathon and that the prices got down to near $2.80 a gallon and then raised it up almost $.10 upon Ernesto’s arrival, (that means both Big Pine and Marathon stations were fighting with each other over prices).

 I have one thing to say to you, and that is you better get your eyes checked because Big Pine's stations never got below $2.93 a gallon until Tues afternoon when Tom Thumb lowered to $2.92.  Now just how is that close to $2.80 a gallon?  Oh, that's right, almost $.10 cents. I forgot.

My apologies to Allan Church.  I am new to these 2 programs and simply got my days messed up as to which one I was listening to. When I heard White Knight with the Brown Sound, I was immediately asked, “What does it mean” prompting me to send that email. We all make mistakes, even George Bush. Don’t get yourself in a tiff, and please don’t blow a fuse.

Again my Apologies and obviously I was not paying attention to which one of the shows I heard it on. I better stick to my homeland arena. (Ed: You sure got ol’ Allen in a tizzy, all right. He’s actually been reviewing tapes and CD’s to get to the bottom of it. He’s such a nice dude that I’m sure he’ll appreciate your mea cupla.)

[Hillary the great polarizer] Either you love her or hate her, there are very few people straddling the fence. And those that hate her can’t really put a finger on why, or site an example of anything she’s done wrong. The haters speak in generalities like, “Oh, she’s this…” or, “She’s that…” , but no concrete issues of what she’s done wrong. The only group of people who love her are the NY voters. She’s a shoe-in for reelection.

I, for one, think it's a good thing that they are running these shows about Katrina a year later.  It was a catastrophic storm and it is going to take a long time for a lot of people to put their lives back together.  It's a reminder to the country that they still need help.  If it was us I bet you would welcome the coverage.   

This is Gen. S. George Patton. Yesterday’s “Patton” was George C. Scott.

Phil who?  And where did he go?

[Spare the rod, spoil the child] I would have to agree with the whole discipline issue with children.  I got my ass beat if I was out of line; nowadays Social Service's would be called.  No wonder why the kids today are so messed up and unruly.  I don't have kids yet, but I when I do I will raise them very similar to the way I was raised.  A good smack now and then keeps them in line. 

Anyone planning on going to the free concert on Sat at Mallory Square remember to bring your lawn chair and your ear plugs.

[left boat in Cudjoe Bay during a potential hurricane] Pour 2 gallons of gas in it and hit it with a flare gun.

Know how do you get a drummer off your porch? Pay him for the pizza!

How do you stop a guitar player in the Keys? Throw a cheeseburger and fries down in front of him. Some of those boys need to diet.

[You edited my email] I wrote a name specifically spelled a certain way so that person would know it was me that wrote the message. You changed the spelling and now this person will never know it was me that bid him farewell. Don't correct spelling, sometimes it is intentional.

Unfortunately the media and many of the big picture guys in Washington treat this religious war as a mere nuisance with the thought it can be negotiated away, or will soon go away of its own volition.  It will get worse before it gets better. The longer it is viewed as a nuisance instead of as war, the worse it will be when we have had enough and our self-centered politicos are forced to take drastic measures to assure our own freedom.

[Whatever happened to Ronald McDonald]  After the scandal involving Mayor McCheese and corporate’s decision to let him go, Ronald's life has taken a turn for the worse. 

[believes in beating his kids] My mom and dad never had to hit me. They just looked at me and I knew to behave! I was raised in a loving, fun, family of  5 children and we just knew to behave.  Both of my parents were hard working people and raised us to appreciate the little things in life.  We were raised with faith, morals and taught right from wrong. We were raised to respect our parents.  Maybe that’s what's missing in your family.  Don't take your anger out on your children.  Learn to manage it.  Go punch a hole in your wall instead.

What’s wrong with Cactus trees?  Someone tried to axe and then halfway pull a big cactus out of the ground on Tuesday night.  This individual really hates trees and needs to get on some kind of medication, because "cookoo" is written all over his face. 

Why is it that in jail you get time off for good behavior; and at work you just get more work for good behavior?

[Accidentally discharging a pellet gun and hitting the iguana killer’s wife's big behind] I mean, she is a stinky fatty and he loves torturing these little critters.  Better yet, when they leave, do some damage to their flowers they covet so much over the lives of natures animals. You should know that what you've been doing is working but he still kills them.  We need to give the old codger a lot more busy work.     

Coconuts. Sept 9th. FIRM  Fundraiser!

A friend of mine from Atlanta called this morning freaking out cause CNN said Key West got hammered from Ernesto and they should be up and running again by Labor Day weekend. What the…?

Ronald McDonald started doing rap-style ads for McD's, then they seem to have gradually gone more 'adult'.  I doubt he's retired, but he seems to be taking a break.

I saw Ant the drummer playing at Looe Key the other night with Moose. Ant is the best drummer in the Keys, by far! As for the rest of the show, it was ok.

I enjoyed the 'hurricane preparedness' suggestions and forwarded them around to family and friends, including those in Nebraska.

Hey, Ed, it’s Wed the 30th. (Lousy Tech Support: All right, all right, I've fixed it. It won't happen again. I downloaded a tiny program called TClockEx to always display the day, date and year. When opened, this little plug-in replaces the clock in the bottom right of your taskbar. It's free and infinitely customizable at http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,6122-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html )

Thank you Big Piners for bringing in your trash before the storm. It's nice to see our streets and canals ship-shape.  Keep up the good work and don't forget to Vote on Tuesday! 

While the County might have it's act together by asking visitors to evacuate early, the airlines are not helping.  I had a young houseguest here who was supposed to leave Wednesday.  When I tried to change her airline reservations to an earlier flight, Continental wanted $50 to change the reservation (which I expected), and an additional $400+ to move her reservation up by one day (same flights, times, etc).  This is on top of the $550 already paid for her ticket.  Buying a new one way ticket would cost less.   We found another way out, but it still cost $150, plus $80 for the airport shuttle to Ft. Lauderdale.  So much for being able to evacuate all the tourists early.

From this great website you can find out dirty little secrets about people who live in the Keys.  Simply go to the left and click Arrest Records, then click Today, click Monroe County Clerk of the Courts, click on Public Online Records Search, read Disclaimer and scroll down to Accept, click Official Records, then type in the persons Last Name and click Submit.  There, you will discover the persons financials or in some cases, lack thereof.  

Q: How do you know if a drummer's platform is level? A: The drool comes out of both sides of his mouth.

(?)Dear Mister Considerate, Mister Over-User-Of-Peoples-Names-While-You're-Talking-To-Them, Instead of your personal messages here on our website, Mr. Considerate, perhaps you could call your little friend on the telephone, Mr. Considerate, and then you could speak directly with them, Mr. Considerate, as we're all sure they'd love to hear from you, Mr. Considerate.

[How come no one has something to say to Deer Abby?] Because we don't want any feedback on our sexual problems, and we're still waiting for the Deer Mercenary link for the important stuff.

[Iguanas] Has anyone else noticed that when you shoot the dam things they don’t seem to even jump? Its like they have no nerves. I shot one six times the other day and thought I must have been missing until he started spitting up blood. After it quit moving I found all six holes in it. What type of round should I use to get a good squirming quivering death throw effect?

[Speeding on Key Deer Blvd] Come on locals, that’s us. Why do 45-50 mph? Let's set a little bit of an example and give the deer a chance too. How about your help on this…the grey jeep off Kyle blvd?

Hillary’s new world order.

Thursday August 31, 2006

Wednesday August 30, 2006

About the MCSO vehicles at the bridge.  Think about it for just a second.  First of all, the MCSO uses the Boy Scout building as a shelter.  The parking area at the Kemp Channel Bridge was reserved for MCSO vehicles only.  That's right, the cars our tax dollars paid for.  In Hurricane Wilma, the MCSO lost about 60 patrol cars.  A fully outfitted car runs around $50,000.  You do the math.  Now tell me, how many personal vehicles did you see parked there?  I sure didn't see any.  Please explain how it is an abuse of power to tape off one end of one bridge to protect county vehicles and out tax dollars?

Fighting the war against iguanas taking over our gardens is the purpose of the Iguanas Killer Club (IKC). Iguanas serve no natural purpose in the Keys except to eat our native and non-native flowers. Our members will always plant those flowers because we love flowers more than we like iguanas. This is war! Without us the island would be totally over run with those beasts. As it is they are out of control. I figure, from talking to other members, that we kill about a hundred a week. Can you imagine what these islands would be like if we weren't killing them? I say put a bounty on their carcass. Bounty's usually work.

Compared to war; all other human endeavors pale by comparison. –General George Patton

Interim County Commissioner Glenn Patton, District 5, I think you owe me (Kay Thacker) an apology.  I am neither dirty, nor mean spirited politically.  I just  happen to read the newspapers, keep the articles, attend meeting; also I have a pretty good memory.  I am one of your constituency and feel this was way out of line and irresponsible of you as our Interim County Commissioner to attack and accuse me publicly of such behavior.  I do not feel that this is the behavior becoming to an elected office, or someone I would want to vote for.  Your letter to the (KW Citizen) editor seemed vindictive, spiteful and malicious.    After all, these were your exact words verbatim, not mine that I quoted. An apology is in order.

The media's only purpose is to get more viewers. That is why they have continuous coverage of storms. They try to build fear and excitement so we will all stay tuned. They cover and recover the some old story over and over again all day and you fools watch it and work yourselves into a tizzy, playing into the media's plan.

I only check the tube at the scheduled times when the National Hurricane Center gives its periodic updates. That's the only information we need. All the rest is just rehashing of these facts. All the other spew from the TV is rehashed facts to keep you on edge. What a waste of emotion.

Will the webcam be up soon? I miss checking the weather. It’s like looking out the window. (Ed: I tried to get it running on my interim computer, but it didn’t have enough horsepower for a live camera. Coincidentally, the computer repairman came to fix our main computer yesterday. I had high hopes of running Big Pine TV, but the new mother board Dell sent him wouldn’t recognize my memory. So he sent for another one. That’s a total of two motherboards that don’t work.)

[Speaking of Tony the Tiger] Whatever happened to Ronald McDonald? I have not seen his face around in a long time.

Parking cars on high ground for a tropical storm may be a little paranoid.  But, that's to be expected after Wilma.  Kudos to the Sheriffs for protecting the cars I helped pay for.  Patrol cars are too expensive to sacrifice for a crybaby. 

[Beer is good for you] Too funny. That made my day.

[Big ugly brown creature that keeps crapping on my dock and eating my neighbors' plants] I sure hope you are not talking about my neighbor's fat wife. Shooting her with your piss-ant pellet gun would just make her mad.

Do we really have to hear about Katrina any more? And I'm really getting sick of seeing pictures of that creepy JonBenet pervert, Carr. I would dump the TV tomorrow, but my wife won't let me. She has her "shows."  Maybe I'll dump her and hang out at the library.

I smell a rat!  Someone else edited BPK.com Tuesday.  I can just tell.  It's pretty funny though.

[Free Concert] This Saturday evening, Sept 2, as the sun sinks down into the ocean (7:30ish) MileMarker 24 Band is having another free concert at Mallory Square in Key West. We’ve got the whole band back on the stage including the Banana Man Horn Section and some special guests.  So grab your lawn chairs and consider yourself invited to our Labor Day weekend party.

Dremel makes a real nice kit for sharpening chainsaw blades.  You can buy it in at the home Depot in Marathon. 

Cashing your pay check costs you gas and time. Have your employer do an auto deposit into your checking or savings account straight from his company account. It doesn't matter which banks have the accounts. I do this and it saves me gas, travel, and time. Also there's no "float" time between your earnings and your account interest.

[Ending sentences with, You know what I mean] Why does Hillary Clinton do that?

What do you suggest Americans do to stop this war and end this war racket; become French?

[The guy with the $5 at Bank of America] Duh, do you think they might have been trying to have you open an account; in which case you would have had $5 for doing nothing?  Let us say 500 local doofusses came in and cashed that check. How long do you think they would continue to be a bank doing good business like that? “Duh, I don't know boss, but it wuz enough for a pack of smokes and a draft.”

[Roofing companies] I wanted to tell everyone about Keys Roofing. The crew was unbelievably professional. I have been waiting for quite a few months for them to put my roof on. I got a metal roof and months ago, the metal roofing material was delivered. I though, “Oh, boy, they will be here soon”, but unfortunately mother nature is in control and it started raining and of course companies get behind. So finally, last Thursday they arrived. It had been sunny for weeks and on that day it rained all morning long and they waited for hours for it to stop and it didn’t. In the mean time, here comes Hurricane Ernesto. Well, here came Keys Roofing also. They showed up bright and early Friday morning and worked on my roof all day. They said they would be back on Monday. Unbelievably, they were at my house again, bright and early on Monday morning during a hurricane watch and put my roof on. They stayed until it was finished. I kind of felt bad that they were at my house and not at there house with their family getting ready for a hurricane. When they left, they cleaned up so good that I couldn't find anything on the ground that would make you think a roofing company had been there. Their number is 305-451-5678. I want to thank them for taking care of my home. I would recommend them highly! 

[Saturday in the Islands] Actually you were listening to "A Soulful Sunday" with Alan Church.," The White Knight with The Brown Sound".  Pay attention.

How do you stop a guitar player?  Throw down some sheet music in front of him!

As expected, that inconsiderate schmuck has left his boat in Cudjoe Bay during a potential hurricane. This boat has broken loose three times already, and if we get strong enough winds will break loose again. What an idiot!  

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give more than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%?

Here it is again; beer is good for you. http://www.brackenspub.com/beer.swf

Paying employees in cash is only done when the employer has hired people off the books. My comment was made because people here have a hard time cashing their pay checks. If you are a good business person why can't the bank you are dealing with extend a courtesy and cash your check for your employee?

I blew over a plastic bag display at the Winn Dixie in Big Pine Key today. I never saw the employees come to the aisle and move so fast to set the thing back up into the way again!  I wondered as I stood in lines about five deep in every "open" register, “Why, oh, why do they not have that employee running a register to be able to get people out of the store faster?”  I mean to tell you I have never seen someone work so fast at that store in my entire life!

[Regarding the new listener to BPK.com]  Ed, are you holding out on the audio locally?

[Peak of Hurricane Season] That was just hysterical, unfortunately very true!  Thanks for the laughs.

Thank you for reading (Kay Thacker). Show me the way to say less; you know I am blonde and female. How do you get the full content if you say it in fewer words? Help.

[Monroe County Law Enforcement Vehicles Parked At Kemp Channel Bridge]  The only cars I saw parked there were the ones I paid for with my tax dollars.  Good thinking Sheriff Roth. Thanks for protecting our neighborhoods and our assets.  The person complaining is a selfish, self centered person who is obviously only thinking of himself.

[Price gouging during weather alerts] Last week gas finally went down then it was like a mini-price war every day until BPK and Marathon were close to $2.80 for regular. Then Ernesto became a factor and gas was immediately raised in anticipation of everyone filling up.

If a business sells $1000 generators for $1800 or more because people are desperate for power--that's called price gouging and is illegal; like $5 bags of ice.

So if gas stations raise rates by 10 cents a gallon during a storm event, how much extra money is that and why hasn't it been questioned?

The media made a big deal of price gouging after Andrew, Katrina and Wilma. “Authorities are looking for price gougers” and it’s right in front of their eyes!

[Long winded hurricane tome]  I'm not sure what the point of that was.  If there's any place on the planet where people are self sufficient enough to deal with natural disasters, it's the Keys.  Maybe it would help the folks in New Orleans?  No wait, they don't prepare or evacuate for hurricanes.  They just sit around and wait for the government to do it all for them.  By the way, when is Ed coming back?

Thanks to the poster of the Kemp bridge fiasco (Cop cars). I noticed and made a note to write that I believe that move is illegal.  Time did not allow me to write, but great minds think alike.  I hope those cars are safe from a surge.

You got out in the nick of time. Good luck Phil, you'll be missed.

I have to agree that children today are just plain rotten. Since I am 55, I grew up when you could discipline your children. I have two; ages 35 and 30 and they got their ass whipped as needed. Guess what? It only happened a couple of times in their adolescence because they were raised right in the beginning. They were raised with rules of our house and that has gone on to rules and laws of our country.  I believe that it goes back to how you are raised. I am a proud mother of two very capable adults with their own families.

Wednesday August 30, 2006

Tuesday August 29, 2006

To: former Floridians, current Floridians, future Floridians, and/or those who know a Floridian. We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Gulf of Mexico and making two basic meteorological points: There is no need to panic; and we could all be killed!
 
Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one." Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan: 1.Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days. 2. Put these supplies into your car. 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Thanksgiving.
 
Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Florida. So we'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items: Homeowners insurance. If you own a home, you must have hurricane  insurance.  Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements: It is reasonably well-built, and it is located in Nebraska.

Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area that  might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance because then they might be required to pay you money and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place.
 
So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane Andrew I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies. This week I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys.
 
Shutters: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and if it's a major hurricane, all the toilets. There are several types of shutters with advantages and disadvantages.

Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off.
 
Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.
 
Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection. They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds. You can be sure of this because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.
 
Hurricane proofing your property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc.  You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.
 
Evacuation route: If you live in a low-lying area you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Florida" you live in a low-lying area.) The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees.  So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.
 
Hurricane supplies: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies.  Do not buy them now.  Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of Spam.
 
In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies: 23 flashlights, at least $167 worth of batteries that turn out to be the wrong size for the flashlights. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. Nobody knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so get some!). A 55 gallon drum of underarm deodorant. A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.) A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (ask anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane, there will be irate alligators.) $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on
 your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers standing right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is
 for everybody to stay away from the ocean. Good luck and remember: its great living in paradise. Those of you who aren't here yet you should come. Really! See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis and only enough blood to run one at a time."

A special thanks to all the people, my friends and family; that make me feel loved.  I will miss you but I'll be back, rest assured. I love you man!  --Philo

Hello US1 radio. I was listening to one of your Saturday music programs, namely Jammin’ Jim: Saturday in the Islands. He mentioned that he is the "white knight with the brown songs.” Is there white songs too? I had to chuckle at his comment. I’m not sure what to make of it. Where I am from music is music. Who sang or wrote it is irrelevant as long as all of society enjoys it. Music has no color you know, or does it?

[heavily censored IKC critic]  Your post was too much.  I laughed the whole time I was reading it.  Any IKC wannabes or potential recruits should check out www.pyramydair.com for the best selection of air guns and scopes available anywhere.  I ordered mine last week and they shipped the same day UPS ground.  I can't wait to eliminate the big ugly brown creature that keeps crapping on my dock and eating my neighbors' plants.  He's toast the next time he trespasses and I've already had requests from the neighbors to let them try out their marksmanship. 

Let's hope that we can all read BigPineKey.com tomorrow. This website is just as entertaining as a great magazine.

I quit fooling around with one of those iguana killers and I have to tell you that he had a very large appendage and wasn't a drunk at all.  Just a creepy iguana killer who was very mis-informed. 

Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet.  NASA has launched a probe that will arrive there in about 9 1/2 years.  I wonder if the images it sends back will show Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy and Dopey aka "Dubya".

A new listener to your program. I Hope Ernesto passes you all by and heads into the Atlantic.

Oh goodie we’re bashing drummers. Q: How do you know if there’s a drummer knocking at your door? A: He speeds up and doesn’t know when to come in.

Has anyone else noticed that MC Sheriff's Office has roped off the east side of the Kemp channel bridge for their exclusive use as a parking lot should a storm surge become a factor when Ernesto passes the Keys?  I wonder if we'll see their personal vehicles parked there as well.  This reeks of abuse of power to commandeer a public right of way for exclusive use by public employees.

While watching ESPN I have seen ads for Frosted Flakes. Now is it just me or is Tony the Tiger more muscular. Actually he is down right huge. Do you think that he has taken steroids to keep up with other breakfast cereal icons? Maybe he has the same trainer as Barry Bonds.

[Classified ad mail] This is not a classified ad, I just wanted to get your attention!

It's hard to be nice to some paranoid schizophrenic just because she lives in your body!

How come everyone today is too much of a pussy to smack their kids around? That's what I want to know: why are parents afraid to beat their kids? When I was a kid and I screwed up, my parents beat my ass. We didn't have a conversation about it. I didn't have a "time out." In fact, I've never even once been grounded in my life. What's the point? Send your kid to his room and make him play video games and read comic books all day? Great idea, why don't you take him to a psychiatrist while you're at it so she can pull some disorder out of her ass to hide the fact that you're a bad parent?

Kids today need a good beating every now and then. If you don't beat your kids when they fall out of line, the next thing you know your son will go off and torch his school teacher, just out of spite. You tell them to clean their room, they say "no," you smack them. It's simple; it works. Don't listen to these assholes on TV with their bullshit hippy psycho babble; if they had it their way, every child would be raised in a pastel colored room with Philip Glass pumped through the speakers 24 hours a day.

The problem is that kids today think their opinions matter. Until they're old enough, it's only the parents' opinion that should matter.

I really like reading Kay Thacker’s opinions. I wish that there were a few more civic minded people who would watch our local political issues. My only complaint is that she’s too long winded. I’m a member of the MTV generation and only have a short attention span, kind of like a goldfish.

[Blue wall of silence] I can say first-hand the "Code of Blue" still remains.  Internal Affairs is only there to cover-up for their "brothers" mistakes.  I went to IA…it didn't work. 

War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious activity of man. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of the war a few people make huge fortunes. New millionaires and billionaires are created in a war. How many of these war millionaires shouldered a rifle? How many of them dug a trench? How many of them were wounded or killed in battle? Out of war, if nations acquire additional territory, they just take it. This newly acquired territory is exploited by the few-- the self-same few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill. And what is this bill? This bill renders a horrible accounting. Newly placed grave stones. Mangled bodies. Shattered minds. Broken hearts and homes. Economic instability. Depression and all its attendant miseries. Back-breaking taxation for generations and generations. Truly, war is a racket.

[Bank of America.] Revenge is sweet. Open an account, for $100. The next day withdraw all but $1 and never use it again. You can do this many times, and they will have to carry the accounts for a year, minimum. They screw-a-you, you-a-screw-a them.

[“Well…”] At least all of Ray Nagin's answers didn’t end with "You know what I mean?"

[You can’t fight city hall] The hell you can't, you pay them; they work for you! They have it set up so it makes for a real pain in the ass to impeach or fire a bum in office. Why? Get real, they are on their side, not yours. A lot of bad publicity in the papers works well (if the paper isn't bought out by the politicos). Simple pole signs from your printer work.

How come no one has something to say to Deer Abby?

Tropical storm Ernesto is coming. Quick, everybody to Schooner's Warf for the first hurricane party of the year!

Before I opened an account with Bank of America I asked them why I must pay the $5 fee and the teller informed me that when employers sign up for a business account they have the option of waving the $5 fee or having them charge for it. I’m not sure if this is true or not. I now have an account with Bank of America and I’m very happy with the services provided as well as convenience. Did you know that you can go anywhere in America and find a Bank of America.

You’re right! I have never seen any pictures of KKK lynching without the KKK members wearing a hood. But have you noticed that the terrorist also mask their faces? Also interestingly enough, the police wear masks when they’re making raids and breaking down doors?

This is for all who have believed in our community.  Price gouging after a hurricane is not to be limited to water and generators alone.  Shortly after hurricane Wilma, my husband and I traded in our vehicle to Niles Sales and Service trusting in their honesty toward locals pitch.  Six months later we discovered that they pulled the wool over our eyes with their "Honest" deal.  Our one year old vehicle is now worth over $10,000 less than what we were told it was worth the day of purchase.  Even our bank told us that we got hosed. My advice on any purchase of a vehicle from Niles is: buyer beware.

[Employers should pay in cash] That’s one of the most stupid comments I’ve heard on this site. As a contractor I’d love to get paid is cash, or gold. Yeah, gold would be better! I could just break off small chunks of the gold bar to pay my employees. The theory of capitalism is that companies operate for a profit. You go to work for profit, why shouldn’t banks make a profit? Wake up and join the human race you barnacle.   

Lisa, Kathy and Carla as well as Andy and Chris make Bank of America a real local bank. Don't be fooled by Bubba. Don't even try to tell me your horror stories. I'll just remind you of these people.

(?)Gossip is a real killer of egomaniac politicians, especially around erection (yes) time! Sour jokes go around super fast. Email is perfect to down a dope. Get the bums out and get people in those maintenance offices to work for you!

(?)What's so hard about putting it back up if you're so considerate?

Tuesday August 29, 2006

Monday August 28, 2006

[Ernesto] Trash pick-up will not happen on Wednesday, so store your cans accordingly along with your recycles so they don't toss all over the neighborhood.  For those of you who have still have heavy trash pick-up, they may come out and get it before the storm if you call Waste Management at 296-8297.  We haven't enjoyed looking at your unsightly garbage for a month and now it could fly through your home, or someone else's as punishment.  If you see your neighbor has vacated and has left trash cans out or possible dangerous projectiles it would be smart to store them somewhere secure.  Hope this one fizzles out.  Good luck everybody! 

CNN was on Duval St this morning showing how empty the streets were due to the tourist evacuation. For cripes sake, don’t they realize that it’s only 8am and the streets are always empty until the stores and bars open. TV sensationalism is alive and well. Where’s Jim Cantore to show CNN how sensationalism is really done?

I had a $5 check that was from Bank of America. I was at that bank with a friend so I tried to cash it. Because I didn’t have an account they charged me $5. I let them keep the $5 and I will never darken their doorway again. It cost me $5 to do business with them for nothing. Because Bank of America is so large they can charge more fees than any other bank and give you less then any other bank. My accounts are with small local banks that give you many freebees that the big guys won’t.

Someone suggests going to internal affairs if you have a problem with a cop and you won’t be target for retribution. Ha. Cops are some of the most vengeful people around, they have guns and they have all the power which we all know corrupts. The writer also suggested that you can sue them while the cops ruin your life. Ha, some satisfaction?

How about lettuce in a can for the latest dumb idea? I had my mind set on a salad. I had feta cheese, red onion, ripe avocado and some Italian spiced ham (I can’t spell capacola.) I went to the crisper for the lettuce and, Bam! No lettuce. So in closing, committee, I’d like you to put lettuce on you canned wish list. They could use sardine cans for the lettuce leafs, Hell, why not spinach leafs too?

[The aisles at WD] I shopped at WD on Saturday and went up and down all but one isle and didn't have any problem getting thru. Maybe you ought to drop a few pounds off your lard ass and you could make it thru.

How to tell if there’s a terrorist at the airport.

To the guy who is whizzing in the bathroom sink.  What a scary thought.  I wonder if other men do this?  What a disgusting thing to do. Thoughtless of others not only your wife but also yourself, and guests who use your bathroom sink.  What is so hard about putting a toilet set down just to be considerate?

Once again I woke up to the Cone of Confusion and this time it's due to a tropical storm

To the guy whose boss makes payroll checks drawn on the Bank of America. Open an account, put some money in and you won't be able to complain. That’s their plan.

[A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds] Still longer than most Politicians!

A drummer has an attention span of two seconds.

You can’t beat city hall. On top of that, rats (squealers) are one of the lowest people on the planet and nobody hates a rat more than a police officer.

This board serves a good purpose. It brings ideas to light that would have otherwise not been heard. The way police officers drive will now be more scrutinized by local citizens which seemed to be the whole point. What’s wrong with anonymously criticizing organizations it seems to be kind of fun and democratic? 

[Nothings Safe] I agree. Here's what I got at the Hilton in KW.

Get geared up and pray Ernesto keeps turning north. I just saw the Weather Channel (2:30 Sunday) and had the center of the possible area just about over Big Pine! Gosh, I hope those old mountains of Cuba break it up like they usually do.  Good Luck down there and we'll be praying for you. 

[George Hamilton with a mole] He's over 100 I think. He was a high priced gigolo for most of his career. "Big" George was his name.

[Winn Dixie has new wheels on their shopping carts] So you can weave in and out of those freaking isle blocking displays of junk food.

Sunday, August 27, 2006.  It is Sunday. (Ed: Oops, it felt like Saturday.)

Banks, bread in a can, wd aisles. what about cats in a hat?

[The International Astronomical Union recently downgraded Pluto] How much was the government grant for this comedy act? These guys must use Pluto-nium Vaseline, for sure! 

It looks as if Al Gore is right again. We humans have caused global warming and we are going to pay for our sins again with Ernesto. You can be sure Al is a happy camper now that we have a full blown hurricane. It gives him more ammunition for his crusade.

Ray Nagin, New Orleans’ mayor, was interview Sunday and every answer he gave began with, “Well…”

[afraid the cops will target you.  In this day and age of lawsuits, those excuses don't fly.] Yeah, right. We live in Payton Place where everybody knows everything about everybody. Try living in the Keys with a cop that you just red flagged with Internal Affairs. Your ass is his.

What the heck is a "soul-puss?" Is this like a soul patch only lower? I gots to know. 

I think the employers ought to pay in cash, or reimburse the employee fees if they have to pay to get their pay check cashed at the boss’s bank. If I were a business person I would only deal with a bank that will cash the employee’s checks for free. Some states have a law that an employer must provide a system to cash your pay check. That rule may apply here. Check with the labor board.

[Palmettos] If they are Silver thatched ones you will get 30 days in the electric chair on low, they will keep an EMT on the site in case your heart stops, they will re-start it and lower the volts. If not, try rapping a chain around the base and using your truck or car to pull them out. Remember, now, they are old and dead.

[Heavily censored] Dear IKC, We are looking to become a loyal member of the KKK and IKC. As we, unfortunately, were unable to join the KFC as Colonel Sanders wouldn’t have us.

Please let us know where and when your small group meets next? We believe we saw your group recently dressed in pink at the pansy bar in Key West last weekend. It's too bad tough guy red necks in pink dresses who have small penises have nothing better to do than to spew ridiculous stories about how you supposedly hunt, track, and ambush, defenseless vegetarian lizards, who have absolutely no defense mechanisms what so ever, other than to run and hide and hope your childishly cruel hoaxes end simply with you falling as you drunkenly stumble in hot pursuit.

See you later cutie pie, and remember, we got our eye on you, and most of all, on that big fat honey of yours you left at home in your trailer while you and your supposed boyfriends go out hunting. And if you want to talk tough, you chump, try doing it with your hood off.

If you do not know how to sharpen a chainsaw blade, do your self a favor put down the saw.  Home Depot or Sears should sell the proper  sharpening set and files. But, again, you really should know something that basic before you use one.

What is BPTV?

[$5 to cash a check at Bank of America] First, I agree they’re a rip off. However, instead of whining you can fix your problem. One option is to see if your employer will direct deposit. BOA offers free checking if you have direct deposit. Then get an ATM card. Check it out. Secondly, figure a way you don’t have to be so desperate that you need the money immediately. It’s called a cushion. There are so many whiners that don’t understand that life’s not fair, it isn’t, but if you use your noggin there are many ways to beat the fee mongers.  Of course, if you have a civil judgment against you and need to live under the radar, that’s the type of fees, you will live with forever. I hope that isn’t your case.

I had this dream last night. The Big Pine House of Music was open again in all of its former glory. Pure white light shown down from heavenly spotlights on the roof and everyone in the audience was transformed and transfixed by the scene. And then Elvis and Angus Bangus himself descended from a cloud down into the back yard and began to play on the stage. Kathleen looked like an angel and sang like one too. Even the Local Drunks backup chorus sang like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was a moment I'll never forget.

[Candidates are two faced] Are you having real problems with candidates who have been on record doing one thing then while running for election are saying and doing another?  I have been conversing with voters and they are sharing some of the same apprehensions; and questions that I have.  Just for instance Glenn Patton on Feb. 18, 2006 in an email to Governor Bush, DCA and others stated that he being chairman of the Key Largo Waste Water Board supported (de-) designation from Area of Critical State Concern, as was reported in the newspapers; now he is saying and I quote from a forum in Big Pine Key “The designation of critical concern has done well and I do support it”. Which is it, Glenn (?) (Are you) for or against ACSC?  Murphy (stated, “Peer reviewed the Carrying Capacity Study produced by Army Corp of Engineers, at the cost of 6 million dollars said “has hit maximum capacity for the islands infrastructure five years ago” George Neugent agrees “the capacity of the Keys according to the CCS has exceeded its upland habitat capacity.”. Glenn Patton said “he did not believe the county was at its carrying capacity in reality, that there is room for more growth, and the science of the carrying capacity study was flawed”.  Who is telling us the truth?

 Glenn Patton made a motion at the Commission meeting of July 7, 2006; “that all of the $18 million of the state wastewater funding to Monroe County should come to Key Largo” then the next BOCC meeting of August 16, 2006; he votes for a Tom Willi proposed split of the money, while saying at least 9 million dollars should go to Key Largo”. Which is it Glenn? I know Neugent has wanted a Tom Willi proposed split at both meetings?  Why would you vote one way at one meeting then flip to the complete opposite at the next meeting?  I find this very confusing, but I am blonde. He also supports spending 8 million plus on the Murray Nelson Government Building in Key Largo, that will require $500,000 annually in operations and maintenances costs.  Then votes at that same meeting to fire the contractors who were going to build the government center?   Non homesteaded properties and businesses beware you’ll be picking up the tab for all of this. I have just identified; a few of the distressing discretions of Mr. Patton that fellow voters and I have been experiencing in trying to determine  the right candidate to vote for.  Are there others out there feeling the same confusion and uncertainties that I am; before going to the polls to vote for these candidates?

“They've been cutting back on real actors for a long time,”--Leslie Nielsen

Deer Editor, Thank you for having two Saturdays this week. I woke up and said, "Gee, I do not have to go to church!"

FEMA's Blueprint for Martial Law in America. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=ROL20060820&articleId=3010

Head On, apply directly to the forehead (repeat two more times). Have you got a headache yet? Don't they understand if they annoy me I just won't buy it?  Another one that gives me the willies is the guy that sells Oxyclean.  He makes me stand up and mute the TV without using my knees. All I can hear is, "Hi I'm Billy M,,,,,"  This stuff is frightening. Is there a 12 step program?

[Don't shoot the messenger] But you might as well leave BPTV on for a while.

How can people vote early when at any time news might appear that ruins a candidate? I want to wait until the last minute to vote just in case of breaking news. I can see voting early if you’ll be out of town on Election Day, but voting to avoid a line at the polls is not a good reason. Plus how many times have you had to wait longer than a few minutes to vote?

Chain link will break your heart every time.

Monday August 28, 2006

(Saturday, corrected on Monday 8/28) Saturday August 27, 2006

Philo's Heading for Georgia! Hey everyone, there will be a "Philo going away party" at the Tiki on Sunday (today) the 27th anytime after 6pm. He is leaving for Georgia at the end of the month and his last gig with Jason is Tuesday at the Tiki from 7-11pm. So, Party on at the Tiki, stop by and say your goodbyes. I am sure he will be back to visit, but we, unfortunately, don't know when. Better be there!

[Nothings Safe] When I’m on a road trip and need to connect my laptop to the internet I pull into a motel parking lot and use their wireless network. If its password protected I go to the next motel’s parking lot.

Will Hurricane Ernesto prompt Ed to turn Big Pine TV back on?

I’ve been trying to cut down some of the dead palmettos and the chain saw blade dulls up right away. The same thing happens with my sawzall blades. What’s the trick to cutting palms? I know the reason they dull blades so much. It’s because palms are in the grass family. They are a fibrous plant where a tree is made of wood and generally easy to cut. Does anyone sharpen chainsaw blades in the Keys?

Oh, no! There are only eight planets in our solar system. There used to be nine. The International Astronomical Union recently downgraded Pluto to a cartoon dog saying it was too small to be a planet. Woof! They called it a lesser planet.

I don’t see anything wrong with that old Good Housekeeping article. That was when wives were “housewives” now they’re “homemakers”. They still don’t know their place.

George Hamilton is the only male star who has a mold on his kisser. So many famous woman have moles that I almost think that it’s a prerequisite to being a star. Now George Hamilton comes along with a mole. Is he some sort of a sissy?

Why, oh, why does it cost me $ 5.00 to cash a check that the money is already in the Bank of America bank? My employer already has put my wages in this stupid bank and now they charge me to get my own money! This I don’t get at all. Is this a crime or what? And always after they ask, “ Do you want to open an account with us, sir?” Now, after being treated like this, what bank thinks I would give them my money unless I had to?

Now it all makes sense!  Some men simply cannot get it up and then they walk around with "that look" on their face and they do and say mean things.  I feel sorry for the wives, because that's the main purpose of keeping a man around the house.  My suggestion is Viagra or show Mister soul-puss the door.

Shipping pallets are 48 x 40 inches. The size was standardized in the 1930s to facilitate shipping throughout the world. Bet you didn’t now that. Also, did you know that, until his death in the 80’s, the man who invented the 55 gallon drum lived in Key West?

Under the jihadists' code of vigilante justice, local informants suspected of supplying tips to Westerners are almost instantly and publicly executed. We, on the other hand, flay ourselves over targeted wiretaps.

Good news! Winn  Dixie has new wheels on their shopping carts, please no speeding in the store.

[Let's talk about banks for the next ten days] Well, its not as important as bread in a can, but ok.

Making anonymous insults is cowardly.  If you have a problem with an organization, go to the root of the problem or nothing will be done.  You are complaining about cops.  Have you tried going to their Internal Affairs and filing a complaint on the specific officer?  Let me guess, you did and nothing was done.  Or, you're afraid the cops will target you.  In this day and age of lawsuits, those excuses don't fly.

The aisles at WD are the same; still blocking so you can't shop.  They are loosing business because they are so insistent about keeping those displays. No wonder people are going to other stores.

[Boogyman] I have a Bogie Monster CD.

Maybe it’s time to crank up BPTV or are you still using the abacus-like antique computer?

Thank you Steve, Holly, Katherine, and our good luck girl Mary!

To the person commenting about the bad service received at Keys Federal Credit Union.  I had a bad time with them also.  I applied for a loan with them and not only did they turn me down, but their agent insulted my husband and I in our home with an uncalled for remark after notifying us that our loan was turned down. We ended getting the loan elsewhere with no problem.  I couldn't believe what arrogance they had.  

[Logging in park turned down] How do you log into the Sequoia National park?

Did you ever notice how many mug shots are for violation of probation? These kids, as you call them, are there because they chose to be. If you don't break the law chances are you won't get a record.

[child size doll] Step away from the pipe.

[Sofa King low price] Man, I got it the first time. Now I just feel like a lowlife.

If you lost a tool out of your car Saturday afternoon around 2 pm on Little Torch, please call 872-1857. I am holding it for you.

[Brazilian pepper problem] All the time I have lived in the Keys I haven't been bothered by this problem at all. It's never panhandled me, bit me, asked me to buy it a drink, or kept me up all night barking; so what's the big problem?

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

Not all grass is indigenous to the Keys, but some are.  Grass has been down here before you were.  Humans are the ones who are not indigenous.

Happily, not many of us in The Keys will be buying the horrific furs which are "fashionable" this Fall: http://www.furisdead.com/index.asp

Saturday August 27, 2006

Saturday August 26, 2006

Thursday I saw an announcement here for jazz at the senior center at 11 am. I thought it odd, but I live close by, so I went. Well, I must say that it was the most fun I’ve ever had at 11 in the morning. Mike Gillis, one of my favorite jazz guitarist played and was accompanied by Gordy Michaels on piano. They weren’t good, they were great! I hadn’t heard a live jazz guitarist in years. It was nourishment for my soul. Gordy Michaels can sure play the keyboards; and oh, what a voice. He did a swell job on Somewhere Over the Rainbow and an old Nat King Cole song, There Was a Boy (I think).  I wonder why they hadn’t advertised that these guys were going to give a one hour free concert except for the notice on Kudos which only appeared one hour before they played. There was only me and the secretary and the two cooks there. It was like having a cool jazz duo in your living room. The crowd increased latter when the gas man made a delivery. Mike Gillis will be playing at the Tiki Bar soon. I forget when.

An Actual 1955 Good Housekeeping article.

The stuff I’ve read about cops on this site are from experiences and not “opinions or beliefs”. Where else but here can you say something about what cops do without them finding out who you are and making it their mission to get you for anything they can or just hassle you because they can?  I don’t think it is coward-like to remain anonymous while informing others when you consider the consequences.  Who cares what the names of the people speaking out are? They aren’t acting tough, they’re just disgusted.

[Bread in a can] Since, as I'm sure you know, you are one in a million and your needs are one in ten million, you won't see this until your needs are one in a thousand. I'd like to see pie in a can. Any pie, blueberry, pumpkin, key lime, etc.

[What has Bush done] He tried to log in the Giant Sequoia National Park is what he’s done, but a judge ruled this week that he can’t log there because his management plan for the forest was scientifically suspect. The liberals have won one.

A good name for a rap guy would be Boogieman.

I've been reading Deer Abby for forever, well since it started last month and I love it!    When it first started it was true to the "advanced reviews."  Now it seems to have diminished sarcasm and wit.  While the advice is good, I liked Abby much better as a smart ass. (Ed: Will the troubled souls still send in their problems if they know they are going to be ridiculed?)

I threw some chocolate into my neighbor's yard for the yip-yap dogs per a reader's comment yesterday, but the guy's fat wife knocked the crap out of the two mutts getting to the candy before they could. I am not sure if this is what was supposed to happen, but the end result was the same. The only problem is that I now have his wife whining for me to throw more candy into the yard. Maybe I will toss a Thighmaster over the fence and hope for the best.

The aisles at W/D are still blocked and annoying as hell to shop there. Wake up W/D. You say you are getting better.  Stop telling us. Show us. 

Okay, so I compacted my Outlook Express, where in the hell do I find the archives?  Yes, I am someone who should not have purchased a computer, however, here I am. (Lousy tech support: File>Archive)

Regarding Rob's Island Grill. It is not closed down, or wasn't last week when I ate there. Enjoyed a nice prime rib. Rob is on vacation as is Rachel but the staff is doing just fine and the place was open as usual for business.

World War II was when America peaked. We’ve never been so together. It was awesome. It’ll never happen again, but what a time it was!

How can anyone take the position that all we have to do is bring our troops home from Iraq, sit back, reset the snooze alarm, go back to sleep, and no one will ever bother us again?

Is Bank of America located on Big Pine Key?  Business Directory >Banks

[Nothings Safe]  This is new news to you?  When I am working on my wireless in KW, I normally connect thru someone else computer.  If there is not a WEP key open for anyone to get into.

If a Muslim sees a naked woman, they're supposed to kill themselves.  You’ve got to love the Marines!

[The barker collar is humane.]  BS! I've seen the ripped open wounds on dogs, so don't tell me those collars are none destructive. Just like screaming kids, if you can't control your "pets" you shouldn't have them.

[Tipping when flowers are delivered]  Whoever sent you those flowers should have paid the gratuity when the flowers were purchased.  I usually ask the delivery person if that was done, if not I'll tip them. 

[Another reason for Sirius satellite radio] You can listen from any computer too. Commercial free music, uncut, unedited and something for everybody. Hell, you can even hear Mustang Sally or Hotel California 25 times in a day if you want too. Or not!. Best money I ever spent, but then, I am in my car hours on end every day.

[There are several kinds of grass indigenous to the Keys and they don’t harbor mosquitoes.] What Keys do you live on? Must be around Haiti, eh? Grass is not indigenous to the Keys; and as far as not harboring mosquitoes, take a nap on your lawn at dusk.

[The Sloan Report] Last night was The Keynoter's Candidates Forum in the Marathon Government Center. First tossed into the big iron skillet were...Long Winded Tomes

Coffee purveyors take note. After years of putting up with crap that gets passed off as coffee, I can't believe I can finally get an excellent café con leche. A little cute place called Summerland Foods or Sugarloaf food or something. Why can't you get a decent coffee like that everywhere?

I agree with the comment about employees at First State Bank in the Big Pine Winn Dixie always talking and gossiping while you are waiting in line. The Key West branches are much more efficient.

[Pitbull lover] This is from an animal lover of all, but the pitbull breed should be eradicated.  I was attacked and chewed up by one just by walking out my door. They were bred to kill, so watch your back.  That dumb comment you made just let us all know your an idiot.

 Yeah, I have to agree that Bank of America is best.  TIB is the worst.

I had to read it 3 times before I got it right. Only in New York City.

[Degrading PMS song] To all the woman out there. This sounds like Dolly Parton singing:  http://www.badgirl1.com/PMS.htm   Sound on!

[Good Bank] I stepped into the new Keys Federal the other day and thought I would open an account and get a free cooler. They have a lot of free services that I was not getting at my other local bank. .But the two employees were too busy gossiping among themselves. The young man was shoveling peanut butter cups in his mouth and drinking cola, the lady was spread out like a day at the beach. No one made eye contact or acknowledged I was there, so I left. That was a little too laid-back, even for the Keys, for me. I went to my bank and I mentioned what happened and guess what? They gave me all the free services I was looking for. A bird in the hand is better then one in the bush. Is that what they say?

Brazilian pepper is a giant problem in the Keys. There is as much Brazilian pepper on Big Pine Key now as there was twenty years ago. Because of the intense hurricane activity last year and the storm surge from Wilma, Brazilian pepper has taken a large leap forward in colonizing natural areas, home sites, rights of way, and disturbed areas.

USFWS has spent over $ 700,000 in our area on invasive exotic control in the last decade. Much of this money was spent on large tracts of Australian pine along  US1. USFWS has had a few great exotic techs working hard out in field in the last few years doing a good job. The USFWS program has been incoherent and ineffective in dealing with Brazilian pepper overall. Drive around Sands Subdivision or even Eden Pines and it looks a lot like those areas in Sarasota or Martin county. At this stage of the game we should be just about Brazilian pepper free on Big Pine Key. After all its only a 6000 acre island, 65% of which is a National Wildlife Refuge , 90% of which never had Brazilian Pepper. 

The Nature Conservancy has received enormous sums of public money to do invasive exotic plant removal on Big Pine Key. It would be very interesting to know how this money is being spent. I am sure they are being well paid for their efforts.  

[There have been some truly hateful comments] This is true, because most of us see things clearly and not through a fog bank, like most dreamers do. Reality is a tough act, so if there is something we see that isn't right, we bitch about it to inform others. If people cannot grasp the point, shame on you!

[Winn Dix