Friday June 30, 2006

It has come to pass. The US Fish and Wildlife has been clearing and disturbing critical endangered species habitat in some of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the National Key Deer Refuge today. What you or I would be arrested and eventually fined for doing, they are doing with not the slightest concern. Did they get their taking permit?  The fire break was cleared behind Coconut Palm Ave. from Key Deer Blvd. in Eden Palms. The machine used was similar to a bobcat, but on heavy tracks with a front end that rips up native vegetation. It creates a lot of debris, but it is too small to clear the giant Brazilian pepper that  the refuge has allowed to grow on their property. Some Brazilian pepper have recently been poisoned with Garlon IV and these dead trees have been  left in place. There are also some live Brazilian pepper left unmolested.  The dead trees are a fire hazard.  The most outrageous and senseless destruction is behind Blue Hole.  At the old fire trail that runs west off the end of Higgs Lane.  The native vegetation on the sides of the trail has been mangled and ripped up . It gets worse as you approach Watson's Hammock.  Although most all the pine trees, including many old giants are dead as the result of Hurricane Wilma's surge, the surviving poison wood, stoppers, and pigeon plum along the trail have been destroyed  or mangled. This is more than a quarter mile from the nearest house,  so they can't pretend they were protecting anything.  The manager was quoted in the Keynoter as saying, "we are taking  residents concerns seriously". She went for a boat ride with three other USFWS employees today and was not reachable.

Captain Dan, I was curious about the fellow who plays music at the Key Deer on Sundays.  When did he pass on?

[Educator]  I wasn't fired.  I quit in good conscience.  I have two children of my own, but thank you for your advice on how to cure my ego.  Something tells me you crack yourself up with your biting wit.  Your simplistic views of education tell me that you may never have been a teacher in this state.  I'm not really inclined to dignify anything else you have to say, but by all means, carry on if it does something for you. 

[Conservative internet comments anyone can write] Congratulations on finally admitting to being a liberal. That's a big first step towards growing up and becoming a conservative. I don't need to defend President Bush; he's doing a great job in spite of all the interference from the liberal media. As for what they're saying about him on the Internet, anyone can create a web site and publish anything they want. The only thing that tells me is that liberals have too much free time and no motivation to use that time to better themselves. I won't list all of the President's accomplishments; it would take up too much space. Instead, I'll just give you a few of my favorites.

Tax cuts. Especially the cap of 15% on capital gains.
Invasion of Iraq and the war on terror. It's the start of democracy in the Middle East and it's gives us a base from which to protect ourselves from Muslim extremists. It also has the additional benefit of being a war on illegal drug trafficking (to the dismay of many liberals).
Banning late term abortion. Allowing such a procedure was definitely a low point in our moral history. The moral climate in general has risen considerably since Bush took office (again to the dismay of many liberals).

By the way, anyone that was paying attention could have made money in oil over the last few years. Same goes for real estate.

I think I got a picture the car that God’s candidate Bashinsky drives to and from dream to dream.

The reason that the fireworks were moved is because the land had been used for the hurricane recovery. After removing the debris they had to re-seed the grass and it is not ready to be walked on let alone have a festival of that magnitude on it.

[Pool store] Their main offensiveness is the torn awning and their lack of concern for the community.

You, sir, did indeed call them slugs. I quote "The slugs are moving out, so why cater to them?" your words not mine! I go to Key Deer on a regular basis and the drunks (as you call them) are not screaming and slobbering all over me. I relax and take in the color. Sometimes it is loud, but hell it's a bar. Plus most are outside where they can smoke. I just wanted to point out that the ones you are referring to are people, not slimy creatures that you referred to them as.

Weed smoker, your little known disease is called Adult Pot Head Disorder (APHD). No pill for it yet, but ask your doctor and he will give you Xanax for those dry spells.

Can anyone tell me where on Sugarloaf the fireworks have been moved to? Is there still going to be the before hand events? What time does everything start?   

To the person complaining about the county not having a permit for the demo at the old Mariner Resort: They'd better look again. The permit for demo has been hanging there for quite some time. The only reason the work hadn't started earlier is because of people like you who complain about everything. You complained so much that we have had to jump through multiple hoops to get this thing off the ground. I grew up here and personally think the park is a much needed addition to the community. 

Do the freaky Dean-iacs and other Liberal ilk really believe the crap they are spewing? Get real. A small handful of republicans are pissed at Bush and some of his less farsighted supporters. But they just help incumbents get reelected when they curry favor by disagreeing with Bush.  We may be a bit pissed over immigration, but we ain't dumb enough to give control of House back to lefty yet, either. Dream on. As for fuel cost; funny thing I'm not bothered by it yet. Both of my SUVs are still a pleasure to drive. I'm making tons of money. I just cannot find all the problems y`all are talking about?

I just wanted to ask Mr. productive member of society what he thinks the Gates Foundation will do with the 27 billion dollars?  If any of it goes to charity isn't that the same thing in your view as having someone unworthy get something for nothing?  As for Warren Buffet's heirs, I doubt if 27 billion with put to much of a dent in their inheritance.  Let me guess, you're a Bushie?

[The Pool Store] Yea, still a crap hole. Would you do business there? And their probably to ignorant to have a computer and read this site.

[Ford assembly plant in Mexico] Chevrolet has one there also.

[New Gossip] 2 for 20 Pizza has been sold. I spoke with the guys that own Boondocks and they told me that they were excited about all the things there doing at Boondocks and that 2 for 20 was a distraction. Let's see what the new people do.

To the proud tree hugging hippy that wants new businesses with Keys décor and Keys landscaping.  I agree with everything you said except for the “no porn” comment.  Not that I want porn either, but give me any of the 3 adult stores (Marathon, Stk Isl, Fairvilla) over the sight of the Conch & Stein, Pool Store and House of Music ANY day of the week!!!

Wow, that must be some really good acid "God's Candidate" is taking.  How does he have that much time on his hands? 

They started work yesterday morning on the road through the refuge. I think it is a good idea, if you walk through and see the piles of dry trees and bushes it is scary to think what would happen if someone threw a match in there. No ones house would make it for sure. So for all the people that are complaining take a walk in there and see. There are always more then one way to look at things. Think what good this will bring and you will surprise yourself. One thing I noticed was when the men were gone the deer were just eating away on the downed bushes and small trees pushed down by the backhoe. You all did say the deer are starving did you not?

Every time a liberal makes a posting, it really shows their ignorance.  I can't believe you used the slave owners as an example of right-wing "rice bowls."  Here's your history lesson for the day.  It was the 15th President, Democrat James Buchanan, who ignored the slave issue and led this nation into Civil War.  The 16th President who freed the slaves, Abraham Lincoln, was not supported by the southern plantation owners.  Did I mention that Honest Abe was a Right-wing Republican? 

[People who were against Walgreens' having a new building because it did not fit the look of BPK]  Well, guy's, the new bank by the post office is way too modern for this community. Take a look on US1--anything goes.   Walgreens will be a welcomed sight.

Lindsey Lumber was in the building where Overseas Lumber is,  which is going to be torn down so they can build a new building.  Then the building held RBC Lumber. Then it became Scotty's.  Then they built the new building were they eventually went out of business.

I can't understand why some people are critizing Warren Buffet's 27 Billion gift to the Gates Foundation. I think that those people are so dishonest themselves that they can't believe any rich person could do anything nice for the poor.

[evil weed smoker] Did you ever think that maybe you do hear voices and you just forget it?  For that matter, how do you know, for sure, that you aren't God's candidate?  Think about it.

Warren Buffet is so rich he' hired Bill Gates to spend his money.

To the person who had 37 noseeums in his drink: be grateful you did not have this happen at the Cow Palace.  They would have charged you extra for them.

Go ahead and publish the ramblings of God's candidate. He sounds exactly like a guy I met down on Key West a few years ago. He was into the Native American stuff too. Of course he had just gotten out of jail for putting on feathers and war-paint and attacking other tenants in his building with a tomahawk.

[Warren Buffet recently donated 27 Billion] I, too, am a great admirer of Warren B. and his many accomplishments, but just in the interests of accuracy, you should have mentioned that he did find a couple of billion left over for the kids.  See any of the AP or Reuters stories about his donation.

Best Restaurant in the Keys.  Shula's at Wyndham Reach Resort in Key West is still open for business and I had the tastiest Australian Lobster Tail with a lovely Split of Champagne.  Just another fabulous way of draining society and adding nothing but a generous tip.  We need more five star restaurants with diversified menus and wine lists.  There's nothing better than fine dining with great food and wine, white table clothes and top-notch service.  Life Is Good.

I think the majority of the money of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation goes to minorities on welfare...oh, and third world nations.  With all his money I can't figure out why Warren Buffet just didn't start his own foundation.

BPK really needs a good pizza place to eat at. I ordered 2 for $20 the other night. Big Mistake! It was disgusting. That was my first and last time ordering anything from there. Big Pine Pizza? Ha, ha, what a joke! The dog wouldn't even eat it. I guess the only other place to eat until the Chinese restaurant opens is Pizzaworks and they have gone downhill too. I hope Papa John's replaces 2 for $20.

[This has to be magic.]  A mathematical trick.  Try to fool it. You can!  Magic trick

No matter how desperately I wanted an in-ground swimming pool I would never do business with the pool store on Big Pine.  A good friend had a very unpleasant experience with them and they took forever to resolve their poor work.  Even more than that, they obviously have no pride in themselves or their community.  The trashy front of the store is perhaps the worst looking business on Big Pine. 

Friday June 30, 2006

Thursday June 29, 2006

General Geof Chapman of the Conch Republic Army passed away last week at the age of 58. He will be sorely missed. His spirit shall reside forever at the Chart Room. http://www.generalgeof.com/

I am wondering how someone who has a bunch of plants in ugly black pots just sitting around on the property has the nerve to complain about other people's landscaping choices.  We all have a small piece of property that we either own or rent on these islands. We should be able to do as we please with those small pieces of properties.  Please don't depend on the adjoining properties to make your individual property more palatable to you.  If your intention is to zone the Keys to death then I suggest you consider a move to a location that is more compatible to your needs - Truman Annex would probably work for you.

Warren Buffet recently donated 27 Billion dollars to the Bill Gates Foundation.  That is one impressive donation.  Mr. Buffet apparently feels that his children do not deserve the bulk of the fortune which he worked hard to make. In fact he feels that children of the wealthy who receive inherited money are no better than welfare recipients; all are a drain on society by adding nothing and taking from those of us who are productive members of society.  Kudos to Mr. Buffett.

[Someone should ask Walgreens about donating the flagpole] Why not, Walgreens has been treated so fairly by the county government and all, maybe if they threw in the big flag they would get an " 'atta boy."

[Bagel Island]  I stopped going there a couple years ago do to the miserable women who owned it. I've been hearing around town how nice the new owner is and decided to give it a shot. Wow what a sweetheart Donna, the new owner, is. For those who have not been there yet since she took over; give it a shot it's a very enjoyable experience. Ding Dong the wicked witch is...!

[Fireworks moved to Sugarloaf]  I believe it had to do with the owner(s) of the private property where the event has previously been held.

To our esteemed Editor.  I believe we have all heard enough from God’s candidate to know his level of stability.  Perhaps we shouldn’t encourage him further by publishing his ramblings. 

Wait I know this; one, three, no wait...four!

I made the picadillo recipe using ground turkey instead of beef (I heard another horrible thing about mad cow disease) and I couldn't tell the difference from the beef picadillo. Recipes>Picadillo

Looks like the HCP is finally going to get approved. If it goes through in the way the  Barometer's article states. I like it. they'll release 10 new building permits a year for next 20 years. Total new buildings allowed will be 200 over 20 a year period. that sounds good to me. 200 new homes in Big Pine over 20 years should not do any catastrophic damage to our delicate ecosystem. I also think the other 44 in limbo should be added to the total and released immediately, but, no more than that please! I also would like to see the kids' park finally started and completed ASAP.
Watson Field parking should be done ASAP. And why not three-lane Big Pine all the way through? Any area on US 1 that already has been built on, let's rebuild something better/cleaner/nicer. No New land cleared but, the places where a business has already existed, let's clean it up.

Add a Publix with a Keys decor, Keys style landscaping. It could be done. Walgreens the same idea. Let's move on already. Let these businessmen sell their places along the highway at fair market price, whatever is put in their place have a Keys style ,decor and landscaping.( No porn, etc) Let's clean up US 1 In Big Pine it looks really bad.

I love Big Pine and am glad they are not going to allow a whole lot more building here. I hope they stick to that for many generations to come. It will preserve this Key for future generations.  --Coming from a proud tree hugging Hippy.

Maybe Bush does have an IQ of 91, which I doubt, but that's still twice the IQ of your average drummer.

[Country radio] Oh, boy a new business to rag on.

"In French, oeuf means egg, cheese is fromage...it’s like those French have a different word for everything."  --Steve Martin

I do not go to any of the bars on Big Pine for refreshments.  I don’t have a problem with any particular class of people, but I really don’t enjoy a room full of late afternoon drunks trying to out-shout each other, slopping beer all over the bar and acting like asses.  It’s not about a class, it about behavior and a pleasant environment.  I take my business to Parrotdise and enjoy a clean, decent place where I can have a pleasant happy hour, a snack and a conversation with the person next to me without having to engage in shouting to be heard.  So, you get to enjoy your place of choice and I get to enjoy mine.  Cheers!

House of Music is going to reopen. Whether are not it’s going to be called the same, is beyond me. As far as them donating the furniture, please do us all a favor and drive it up to the dump in Miami.  Nothing in there is worth saving.

Do you really think your neighbor's yard is a mess?  Take a drive by State Rd 4A and Gato and check out the Sanford and Sons property there.  What a disgrace that some thing like this can be for sale for over 2 million.  They need to bulldoze the property on the corner.  Now the owners don't even bother to mow the grass.  I can only hope that the grass will grow high enough to hide the mess.

Burger Queen

Who say's that liberal's are anti-American? Mr. Conservative step outside your box, typical republican with your hatred comment's and war answers. Liberal's are very proud to be American's and proud of our troop's. We're just sick of angry, greedy, freaks making the decisions for the American people. We'd like a lot more help for our own tax paying American people. How is that anti-American? May I suggest anger management? Even the hard core republican's are over Bush.

[But if I must go to court, won't she have to pay all of the court costs and my attorney's fees, and perhaps money for my time and inconvenience?]  You will have to ask for attorney fees, costs and monetary compensation for your time and it will be up to the judge.  You could get all or part or none.  Probably part.

[Part 2] What are you dense? Why are you even talking about lawyers and punitive damages--it's just a fence. In small claims court (under $50000) there are usually no attorneys and the only cost is less than $50. There are no punitive damages for your bullshit time and inconvenience. It's only a friggin fence.  Just go to the court house, fill out the simple form and get over it.

[Part 3] This is to the person with the neighbor that won't fix the fence. Go to small claims court. It's just like Judge Judy on TV except that Judge Miller isn't funny.

[Part 4] My sixty year old friend, who's been a professional defendant for most of his life, recently tried to compliment retiring KW judge Paine on his exemplary career. In front of the court, he went on about the judge's fine achievements and splendid career; further going on about how he knew most of the lawyers and bailiffs present in that day's courtroom. The judge, having had enough of this criminal's approval, retorted, "And what about your career?" The whole courtroom laughed.

Would someone please post a picture of the Indigo Snake?

I guess if I am not a conservative, I must be a liberal. If you want to get into a battle of wits with me, you had better get some ammunition.  In both of your posts you have made no points whatsoever.  I have asked repeatedly for all you well-meaning right wingers to offer something good that this president has done or accomplished and still there is no reply. As far as your dad beating mine, I am sure he can because mine is dead, but his last words were, "George W is a dubya."   There are web sites dedicated to this man's stupidity. How can you defend him? Hell, he never really even won the election, but you have to admire the divisiveness of the GOP getting him in  not once but twice. Because of the stellar job of this administration, the Democrats  probably could have a mutant  run in the next election and win by a landslide. (No, I am not talking about Hillary. I would never vote for her because she could not even keep her own family in order.) So why don't you show your pride by joining the search for WMD. That is if you get financed to fill your gas tank to take you to the airport. You could spend a night at the Watergate while you wait for your flight. If you get lucky you could have dinner with W and his close friends in the oil business, the Bin Ladens.

For the one who thought God's Candidate was the evil weed smoker. No, that's just little old me. I don't hear voices, I just forget things.

George W makes Dan Quayle look like a member of Mensa. Do you think this may have been the source of confusion for Cheney when he could not distinguish a human from a Quayle? I thank God that term limits are still in force.

The old Mariner's Motel is now being demolished on Sands Road. No permit is posted to do this work! I guess this is no surprise to the citizens. I called code enforcement on Tuesday 3:00pm. the answer I got, "Well it's County property, I'll get them to get one out there." At no time did they suggest to stop work, or even drive out there to issue a stop order. Fair is fair, except the for the County.

If knowing that good parents need to set boundaries, teach morals, enforce rules and provide a good example is arrogant then I guess you're right.  All good parents are arrogant.

[When it rains, it pours] New Orleans is in the midst of the worse drought in one hundred years.

I have not noticed any familiar faces in the last month on the Keys Sheriffs' Office site.  You people are slacking. Come on, let's drive fast and take chances!

To the person telling me to go back to where I came from because I wish we had a nice place to go to for a drink on Big Pine.  Because you are so defensive about what I said you must have taken what I said personally.  I didn't say working class or local people were slugs or low class.  You are saying that. I still wish there was a nice place to go and so do a lot of people here on the island; and that, manly, includes working class people.  Everyday someone makes a post similar to mine.

Why am I weeping?  I had a look at the long winded tome from God’s candidate. Oy vey! It has to be a joke.

The other night while sipping a cool one at Boondocks, I was pleased to see so many people patronizing the golf course. This area really needed something for kids and the families to do besides watching sunsets. Another great idea would be for those guys to open a small ten lane bowling alley with a restaurant upstairs. (Call me I have just the plan.)

[Welcome to summer in paradise] I had 37 Noseeums on my White Russian cocktail last night while sitting on the porch.

Betty Cracker says don't try the baked Bean recipe just yet. I haven't perfected the tenderness part of the recipe. I think they should be baked at a higher temperature than 250° and for a longer time than 4 or 5 hours. Stay tuned for our oven tested recipe update.

A cracker is a Florida or Georgia native whose name was derived from the cracking of the whip, in the old days, when herding free ranging cattle was their livelihood. Upstate Florida was loaded with free range cattle left from the Spanish. The crackers were the first to settle Florida. They would drive the collected cattle to Fort Myers, which was just one or two streets, but had a dock and a couple of stores.

I don't believe in mythical super beings like Superman or God, but I think I believe in something like luck. I think that I think that luck is just bouncing around and is just a hit or miss thing.

When we finally have national health care the two most costly branches of government will be the Military and Medical.

[The disorder (obsessive-compulsive) seem more likely to fit a sane, stable member of society]  I'm not surprised you think that.  Most mentally ill people think they are perfectly normal. 

I actually read the long-winded tome by "God's candidate" yesterday out of curiosity. What comes across is a fellow who desperately needs a mommy. Now the Catholics believe Mary is God's mother, so she could be the candidate's mommy too. If he is dead set on being God's man, then he needs to read about woman, or Eve, and how she was the one who, far from being some holy spirit, brought the curse upon the world through tempting her husband, Adam, to disobey God.

Better not write too much more because the poor soul's own words speak loudly enough. It is an example of a confused individual who has his mind and soul all mixed up with his pee pee. I may just vote for him, though. Can you imagine the Commission meetings? It would be better entertainment than any reality show on TV, simply because of all the un-reality going on. 

To the disgruntled educator that doesn't understand the purpose of education.  It is a parent's job to build their child's "confidence to be a thoughtful, valuable human being, ready to begin the journey of adulthood", not yours. If you want to parent, have kids of your own.  If you what to be adored and worshiped by naive young minds, start a cult.  But, if you want to teach, stick to the basics, reading, writing and math. If you had realized that, you might still have a job.

The reason the fireworks have been moved is the Family Trust that owns the land where the fireworks have been is having some problems with Monroe County. It has to do with the clean-up after the storm. The Trust feels that the site has not been restored as well as it should have been so they moved the fireworks to Sugarloaf. The new site will allow a bigger and better display. Not to worry; it will all work out just fine. Give the new site a shot and I am sure that you will enjoy the display and will be very happy. Things have a way of working out for the better. This will be the best 4th of July fireworks ever.

It looks like Ford is going to build an assembly plant in Mexico. They haven't announced it as yet, but the writing is on the wall. They can no longer compete globally with Americas unions stifling their bottom line.

Good Mexican food is at the corner of Duval and Truman.  I can't remember the name, but it is real authentic Mexican food.  Very good food and reasonable

Luwak Coffee, Animal Coffee, Kopi Luwak from Indonesia How to break the coffee habit.

The fire works were moved to Sugarloaf because of the huge trash pile that was at the old site after hurricane Wilma. I know many of you chose to not pay any attention to what was really going on, but that was a huge heap crap. Honestly, would you really want to have your children sitting on the ground or running around out there where, I am sure, there is some sort of remains squashed into the ground.

I bet the drive off the 7 mile bridge was a trip.

To the person who laughed as the neighbors lost their vehicles in Hurricane Wilma. It is a sad state that someone can see joy in another's misfortune. Just remember what goes around, comes around and when it becomes your time to be in need, don't be surprised if everyone just sits back and laughs. No, that won't happen if you live in the lower Keys, because this is a giving and caring group of people for the most part. Maybe after this happens you may understand the meaning of compassion and neighbor.

One last comment -next time you have problems with someone, you may want to keep it between you and that person and not broadcast it to the community. It reflects on you more than on them.

Do Canadians have a sense of humor or what?

Yo, homies I got way too much time on my hands livin' in the Av's. Checkout this Mentos and Diet Coke video it's absolutely unmatched! http://www.eepybird.com (Ed: I couldn't get it to work, but it did look promising.)

[Hurricane shelters] Its never to late, but unfortunately, by the time the County gets its ass in gear 30 more years will have gone by.

You are so right about the pool store at the traffic light being an eyesore.  To hear that lady on Biz Baz from this store, everyone in the Keys must have a pool or spa.  She's always bragging about how much business they're doing (and do you notice that in almost every sentence she uses God's name in vain?). They need to spend some of that profit and fix their place up.

[Neighbors] Although the unhappy complainant (I'm assuming the one on the left like others) uses the word "neighbor" to describe the people that live next door, I am quite mystified at that usage. I am aware that the official definition of neighbor is one who lives next door but I personally define neighbor as one who behaves "neighborly" or friendly.   If one chooses to move into a "neighborhood" where people live closely next to each other; one needs to develop an attitude of tolerance and friendliness.

Thursday June 29, 2006

Wednesday June 28, 2006

Now they say that 24 ounces of coffee a day is good for you. They say the anti-oxidants it contains helps prevent Parkinson, Alzheimer's and Cancer. I think if I live long enough, they'll say ice cream is good for me. Ooo, I can't wait.

The right wing anti-liberal is so stereotypical. It's obvious he's greedily sitting on top of his pile of toys and cash and hates the thought of sharing anything but his vituperation with others. The dangerous part is there are more than a few of these nowadays, and they readily support fascism in order to protect their own little rice bowl.

America was founded on freedom of speech and expression. Two hundred years ago abolitionists were written about with fear and scorn just like the right- winger did about progressives of today. Back then the idea of freeing slaves was a threat to the plantation owners' little rice bowl, and they howled all the louder any time someone challenged the morality of it.

So just relax, tiger. We're not out to take away your toys. We're not communists, either. Communism always has its wealthy ruling class. I don't consider myself a liberal or conservative because like 90% of Americans truth be told we're all a little of both. If we don't wake up and get together on this thing one morning we're liable to look out and see tanks rolling down the street.

This is the most popular screen saver in the U.S. IF he gets stuck, push him with your cursor. You can also grab him with the cursor & chuck him about, and whizz him round and round. Actually it is really strangely hypnotic. http://www.planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm

[Saddam killed 600,000 Kurds after the Gulf War] Please get the facts straight. Saddam Hussein imprisoned or forced hundreds of thousands of Kurds to flee when their independence movement collapsed in 1975 after being treacherously abandoned by the Shah of Iran and the US. Repression of the four or five million Iraqi Kurds reached a peak of cruelty and violence in the late 1980s: Saddam Hussein's forces slaughtered 182,000 of them and destroyed 3,800 of their villages as he crushed another uprising during the Iran-Iraq war. Human rights groups believe about 300,000 people were killed during Saddam's 24-year rule. Yes, he was a very evil guy, but please don't give him more credit than he deserves. Also, it doesn't matter when the US pulls out because a civil war is imminent no matter when. Most advisors to H.W. Bush at the time of the first Gulf War stated that to remove Saddam would completely destabilize the middle east and strongly cautioned against doing so. I guess they were correct! It's a shame that so many of our kids had to die for the financial gain of Halliburton/Cheney

This has to be magic. For the life of me I can't figure out how this is done.  milaadesign.com :. professional flash designer

[About God’s Candidate]  It makes for interesting reading and makes me wonder if he\she was the one that wrote in recently with the forgotten reason for writing and blamed it on the weed.  It takes all kinds.

There is plenty of affordable (under $800/ mo.) housing in the Keys; you just had to have made a buy (not rent) when it was affordable.

Looks like the Vatican is going for the big Yen again. The last time they were thrown out was in 1951 for corrupting China! Now they want back in to tap the masses of gullible with mucho yen to spend. Lots of young boys there too. Dog, I hate organized banking, er, religion.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13115103/

I don't understand why the fireworks were moved to Sugarloaf either. Won't it be worse to have it there? Where is everyone going to park? Who made this choice to change something that didn't need to be changed?

The live traffic cameras are dead and are not worth a crap.

[A messy house/yard means You may have an obsessive-compulsive personality] Dear Doctor: The definition you gave of the disorder seem more likely to fit a sane, stable member of society, rather than a mental. Were you trying to convince yourself you are like this?

“My Indian name is Running Tab.” Overheard in a bar.

[War stats] Please explain, because I’m not aware of the 600,000 that you are talking about, but from what I can see from this Administration, it really doesn’t pay much attention to Genocide because there is no money in it. Now if Karl Rove and Big Dick Cheney can figure out how to make a buck off of emaciated children as a fuel source, Now were getting somewhere.

As I drove off the 7 mile bridge today and happened to look up at the information sign, it flashed "Don't look up here keep your eyes on the road" What's up with that?

Amazing current photos of North Korea. I'm really glad I live in the Keys. North Korea - Military Photos

[clean up there establishments] Now the working class and lower are slugs? Why don't you buy a bar and make a sign that says "Snobs Only"? Better yet, you could go to Rob's and whine that his is the only place in town. It will boost his ego and the whining will make you feel better. Drunks are not slugs! Working (not middle) class are not slugs. We are, however, people. Take your better-than-us attitude and go back to where you came from because it sure as hell wasn't from here. No I am not a drunk, but I am working class and not afraid of sitting with the local color.

Gotcha!

I tried the Pool Store. You're absolutely right. Their store represents the quality of business. If you work in a dump, you live in a dump, and do business as to what you are used to.

[To the closet liberal] I'm not trying to make you sound uneducated or simple minded, you're doing a fine job of that already.  As far as having a logical discussion with a liberal (you know you are), it's just not possible.  I'd have a better chance of explaining calculus to a 6 year old.  But to bring this discussion down to your level, let me just end it by saying; my dad can beat your dad, so there!

Who is the sheltered person that said America is the only country who thinks Iran and N. Korea should not have nuclear weapons?  The entire free world agrees with America on that issue.  You must be running out of things to blame on Bush.

I'm glad we have a country radio station, but why is it when you call to request a song, they don't play it or they are just down right rude to you on the phone and hang up when you're still speaking. Is that how you should keep listeners? If so, that's new to me.

[Tree huggers are the only people that put the planet and environment ahead of development and shopping convenience]  Really?  Is that why one of your religious icons, FWS, is planning to eradicate a large stretch of pine forest on BPK?  To put the planet and environment first?  I don't think so.  I think you tree huggers are a bunch of self-serving hypocrites using the "save the environment" mantra to get whatever you want.

I just can’t understand why you’d call me a lousy neighbor. Hell I don’t even live in your lousy neighborhood.

[Tree Huggers] You turned my crab traps upside down two years ago. You probably order Stone Crab when you go out for dinner. Go to an Island all your own.

[Giant Flag] How about the flag pole at the old Scotty's on Big Pine? Maybe someone should ask Walgreens about donating it?

Attention:  W/D has American Flags for sale.  Lets do the 4th of July and proudly fly our flag. There are towns across America proudly flying our flag, but sad to say, here in the Keys, not many home owners do.

I know the more you stir shit the worse it stinks, but for the record the lousy neighbor complainer’s house is on the left and the plants they are referring to were beautiful oleanders, which the deer will not eat.  This constant complainer bitched about the foliage hanging on her side of the lot line and called code enforcement so many times the owner on the right chain sawed them to the ground.  Be careful what you ask for.  This neighborhood has not been the same since this person on the left moved here.  There are lights on sensors that are obnoxious to all who walk their dogs at night.  The police have been there so many times for stupid BS it is no wonder our friends are moving.  And, yes, their cars did drown, like most people who stayed.  And, no, they are not unemployed.  These people have enough money to burn a wet mule.  They are simply moving to a closer location to their employment, on acreage in upper Florida to get away from the certified nutcase that has been nothing but a troublemaker from day one.  Hey, friends, everyone that knows you and your “neighbor” knows.  Can’t blame you one iota. You will be missed by all except one; and I believe the other “good riddance” posts all came from the same troubled person.  Damn, get a life would you?  Or get laid.

FEMA's version of a group hurricane shelter; and they do have money to waste.

[Purpose of education] Yes, that is what college and post-secondary training is for.  Primary and secondary education is to equip one with the skills and confidence to be a thoughtful, valuable human being, ready to begin the journey of adulthood.  But what do I know?  I just have one of those touchy feely graduate degrees in Humanities.  I wasn't born having it all figured out like you, so I had to learn a couple of things from the greatest thinkers of human civilization.  Maybe that's why I can't bring myself to teach another year in this fabulously efficient amalgamated education corporation Florida calls its public schools.  (Psst...the rest of the country realizes public education in Florida is a joke--one of those really bad jokes you feel obligated to laugh at because you don't want to insult the person telling it--sort of like telling the emperor he's naked.  If you get that, it's because you didn't go to school in Florida). 

To the person who posted about the worst neighbors, shame on you!  It is frightening to me to see that persons such as you are part of our community.  It is unbelievable that you took pleasure in another's loss during Hurricane Wilma.  I feel nothing but pity for you.

Perfect parent:  I was suggesting that while one raises their children doing the best they know how, one can never know with certainty that their children will always make good choices.  If your children are arrogant like you, I guess that proves my point. 

[Who wants to go into a place (bar) just to get hassled by a stupid drunk] Are you saying that drunks can be found in bars?  When the hell did that happen?  I thought bars, especially those found on Big Pine, were establishments where intellectual elitists gathered for philosophical discussions.

Jeff's Pirates Cove Gift Shop Coolest pirate tanks and Tees I've found so far.  I have to mail order a new one every so often.  Also, its a really good bar and restaurant if you ever get out that way.  Not exactly on the way to anywhere else, but Guam is what Hawaii must have been before the tourists "discovered" it.  It's changing fast, though, because it's becoming Japan's "Hawaii".

You don't have to support the war to support our men and women that are fighting and giving their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others. Politicians have always made the wars, but the troops are the ones who fight them.

[Who ever said to use carpet tack strips to keep cats off a car, thanks.] You're quite welcome. I'm glad it helped you as much as it did me. Sorry to hear you have slow-learning kitties. Since it works so well, I think I'll send the idea to "Hints From Heloise" so she can include it in her next book.

Wednesday June 28, 2006

Tuesday June 27, 2006

Who are Americans to say that a country (Iran) can't have nuclear weapons and long range ballistic missiles (N. Korea)? The rest of the world thinks differently--that's why their French.

The Pool Store at the stop light here on Big Pine is a mess. I can not think of any reason that it should be so damn ugly. Just a few hours spent picking up around the place would make a difference. Boy, oh, boy I wonder if they leave there jobs as messy? Come on guys, get with the program, clean your place up.

I am the Right Wing anti-liberal. I stand proud to call myself a Right Wing Conservative. You think you really pulled one over on me with your leftist fictional ramblings. Ha! All you did was give me Goosebumps. I was so giddy when I read all three of the comments. You think you can just spew out all of your stupid anti-American garbage and we will just back down and quiver. All I read is "poor ol' me". That's all you Liberals do is complain about (boo, hoo) what you don't get or what they take away from you. You poor pitiful breed. Liberals suck! Plain and simple. I don't have to sit here and tell you how great this administration has been because you won't get it anyway. There are people that read this that get it. If you want to threaten me by saying that you wish you had my address, I'll leave that up to the editor. You have my blessing, I have nothing to hide.

[Fix the fence] The poster might have missed this, but you don't need a lawyer. Take her to small claims court in KW for less than $50. You don't need a lawyer. You usually win and the loser has to pay costs too. Its the best legal value there is. All you have to do is fill out a short form in the building next door to the courthouse, go to a preliminary hearing and if it's not settled to your satisfaction at that hearing then you go to trial.

Boy do I feel like an idiot.  All these years, I thought to be a good parent and produce a happy, responsible, non-addicted kid I had to set boundaries, teach morals, enforce rules and provide a good example.  Now I find out it's just a matter of "luck" if the kid turns out OK.  Good thing I'm lucky.

The Two Party System in America is working perfectly! It keeps one group fighting against the other and does not allow any input from third parties at all. Both are totally controlled in their ideals by TV, Radio, Newspapers. It occupies both sides while the real government does what it wants to do, and you Americans call this freedom?

The person who wrote that negative comment about US1 radio is obviously an unhappy ex-employee or a relative.  The bottom line with these auctions is that they surely benefit participating local businesses.  They obviously benefit the radio station as well, but more than anything, they benefit the community enabling them to purchase things they need or want at a seriously reduced price.  Expect more in the future and welcome it. I can't wait for the next one and long live US1 Radio and the Conch Republic!

I have come to believe that the posts from “God’s candidate” are a joke aimed at pulling our collective leg.  There’s no other explanation.  Either that or this guy needs serious help.

I went to a very stuffy cocktail party in Marathon Sunday. I over heard a person bragging about their family coming to America on the Mayflower. I laughed a little too loud, and was asked why. I just asked the person if their Mayflower ancestors were, criminals, plague victims, religious nuts, slaves, or crew !? I was asked to leave and did so, happily!

[In reference to the Bush comment] Thank you for your truth and the truth of our country right now, Bush sucks.

I beg to differ with the person who says "the worst neighbors in the world are moving." I think that they have been very good neighbors-they introduced themselves to us when we moved in and they have always been willing to help us when we needed it. I will miss them immensely. What is really sad is not what you have said, but the words from the people who pretended to be their friends. With friends like that who needs enemies? I think that it is sad that you have had so many problems with them. With houses so close it makes it difficult for everyone when there is so much tension between neighbors.

To my friends who are moving, Good luck.

After almost three years Caitlyn from Now Showing Video is leaving the store to finish her degree at FSU in Tallahassee.  Sunday July 2nd, will be her last day, come say good bye.

[The purpose of education is not to prepare you for a job] That's what's wrong with this country; too many people are into touchy, feely education. That's why our country is going to be crushed by more competitive nations that have teachers that can really teach you how to do something. Like spell, fix your back, design and engineer useful products, litigate, heal the sick and make life safer and cleaner. Whoever wrote this is probably a stay at home spouse (partner whatever), that uses their education to clean the bathroom and make dinner. Or someone with a degree in philosophy or the humanities that makes coffee at Starbucks when they are not high. What a poop!

[About the lousy neighbor’s debate]  These are my neighbors and I find it appalling that grown people can’t just get along.  The truth is the complaining neighbor has only been here a short time. In comparison, the other neighbor has been a good neighbor for a long time and I fully believe this bickery is one of the reasons they are moving.  Life is too short for such nonsense.  The newcomer is not a bad person, just a bad neighbor. I fully believe these departing neighbors have no enemies other than the complainant.  Constant nagging, threats, many calls to police and code enforcement for nonsensical matters.  People in glass houses should not throw stones. (Dear Ed, I know bickery is not a word and chose to use it anyway.  Let’s see how many other editors will jump on that one.)

After reading all the stuff about opening a Bar/Restaurant for under $1 mil, where do I file for a Drive-In Tiki Bar/Dinner permit?

Many people are leaving the keys because there is no affordable housing. How about this; affordable renting? The county could buy Seahorse or one of the other properties for sale and construct a building complex for the working class. Reasonable rent would pay for the complex to be maintained. That would be a win, win situation for the working class locals and for the business in the area. I know the money grabbers won't be happy with this concept. I'm retired and own my own house. Lets take care of the next guy. Karma.

Rush Limbaugh got busted again for possession of illegal pills proving that you have to be on drugs to spout his brand of politics.

I've always felt that tree huggers are the true patriots too. We are the only people that put the planet and environment ahead of development and shopping convenience. On an island with only about five thousand people we don't need a second shopping center. The one we have now can't even fill all the empty stores. What are you guys thinking? Are you just trying to sell your highway property?

To the person suggesting the Kingdom Hall donate land for an American flag pole. Thanks for the hearty laugh, the Jehovah's  Witnesses do not support government, they pay their taxes and that's it, the rest is considered to be "of this world" or "worldly involvement" of which they don't subscribe to. Odd bunch, in my opinion.

[Bush has an IQ of 91] This proves a good point, that it is not necessary to be a superior intellect to become the most powerful human on earth. Just having the right connections and the balls to get there is all that counts! Bush must be a cousin to Oppenheimer, because Bush is also a destroyer of worlds.

[War stats]  By your count almost 17000 lifes lost since the war started.  Big numbers,  but what about the 600,000 that died after we pulled out of the first Gulf War.  Your numbers sound great by themselves and it's so nice of you all to forget of the genocide that took place after we pulled out early the last time.  Lets hear some more American bashing.

True American Tree Huggers, are the greatest bunch of un-Americans there are. They want to keep the Keys and wherever else they live for themselves and will do whatever it takes to keep others out. That doesn't sound like a good neighbors or good American to me.  Talk about greed, just look at your own.  Granted it's a different type of greed, but its greed.  The old pot and kettle.

[House of Music should donate all the furniture to Good Will]  There wasn’t much of anything in the place that was worth donating to anywhere but a bon fire.  Does anyone have an update on their rumored re-opening?

Who ever said to use carpet tack strips to keep cats off a car, thanks. It worked great and the little blood left behind was easily removed at the car wash. But it took 3 nights before the dumb animal got wise or there was more than one.

A messy house/yard means the owner who could be mentally disturbed?  I don't think so.  Messy people are usually easy going and creative.  However, obsession with the condition of your neighbor's place could indicate a problem.  You may have an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. People with this affliction exhibit the following: a preoccupation with orderliness, perfection, as well as mental and interpersonal control. They are often preoccupied with details, perfectionism interferes with their ability to finish tasks, they are excessively devoted to work, and inflexible in matters of morality, ethics, or values.  If this describes you, you may want to seek help.

[House of Music should donate all the furniture for use by the poor] I'm speaking for the poor. We don't want it. It's old and nasty and has probably been there since it was the Gangplank. We want your new leather couch and love seat then you can get the tax break.

Remember cats are just tiny women in cheap fur coats.

The post from the anti-Bush Gulf War vet was somewhat convoluted. But, I did get that he though Bush is the reason there are no jobs in the Keys and prices are too high.  So, since the Pres is a close personal friend of mine, I gave him a call and explained the problem.  Great news!  Being the good guy he is, he signed an executive order to make the following improvements for Keys residents:  Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will be moved from Batavia, IL to Stock Island. So all you physicists out there, jobs are waiting for you to sign up.  You Rocket Scientists are in luck also.  The NASA Johnson Space Center will be relocating to the Big Pine Flea Market. What's that you say?  You still can't afford to live in the Keys?  Not a problem.  Free waterfront houses will be available for all employees (and their families, close friends and drinking buddies).  No need for thanks now. The next election--speak up.

[God's Candidate] I saw this gentleman in a store and I realize he is a little south of reality, to say the least. I think he's just going for the donations for his cause. The guy should be looked into by the authority's before he starts sharpening his sword and hurts someone.

At Last Proof of Global Warming!

[In response to worse neighbors] It is always sad to see people go from our neighborhood.  More than likely after Wilma and losing employment they can no longer afford the cost of living in the Keys, as could be determined by the way the house was kept.  But the part we need to also look at is there could be much worse neighbors.  If this is who I think it is I am sure the couple was always willing to help their neighbors when needed, and were giving people in the community.

[That's why I read this website] I usually read it when I'm feeling bad about myself and by the time I'm done I usually feel pretty good because I'm not the only wacko on here.

Or they could put a really big flag pole and a really big American flag in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

yo shur-nuff put me in ma place bout Jedidiah W. Bush. When ya'll can't come up wiff no answer bout nothin he done good, ya'll trys to make me sound unedumacated. Whilst I ain't no liberal; I sho as hell ain't no cornservative. Hell I gots me a massa's degree and I cain't hep but ax if ya'll even finished hi-skool. I cain't believes sum folks cain't puts up no lodgikal fite. We'uns wood be ashamed to tell folk we done voted for that there Dubya.

There are some of us who think US1 Radio has never been the same since Gene Michaels and Luther left.

I don't understand why the bar owners on Big Pine Key aren't willing to clean up their establishments by unloading all the stinking drooling obnoxious drunks that sit all day at their bars spending little money and are causing both middle and upper class clientele from wanting to go there.  Who wants to go into a place just to get hassled by a stupid drunk.  The smell is bad enough. 

Don't you people want to make money?  Big Pine Key's biggest change is the class of people who live here now.  This island is begging for a decent place to go into and also one with some ambiance as well.  The slugs are either dying or moving out.  Why cater to them?  It blows me away no one is doing it.  Big Pine Key is in such dire need of a nice place what a gold mine opportunity for the right person.

[Sloppy neighbor: The yard next door in that picture doesn't look so bad] Funny, now I'm really confused. I had a hard time telling, but I finally decided the house on the left, with the potted plants, was the complainer's and the one on the right was the sloppy neighbor complained about.  But this new poster obviously thinks the reverse.

Maybe the original poster could help us out?  (And I'm not trying to give the original poster a hard time. I know that sloppy stuff by a neighbor isn't always that easy to show in a single snapshot.)

Tuesday June 27, 2006

Monday June 26, 2006

Kudos to the posters who have spoken out against the anti-liberal raver. Maybe we should all give the poster who wants our name and address exactly that. Then do a reverse IP address look-up. Coordinate it. I'm in. There are spoof addresses and emails, but probably not from this one.

I did 2 deploys to the Gulf, but that does not mean I support this current admin. In fact, I voted against Bush/Cheney twice. I think that this trio has some bad issues. When I was in, of course I respected my Commander-In-Chief. He is the President. Didn't vote for him. Didn't like his policies, but I respected his title.

When 9/11 took place I was already there, and my group moved out of the Gulf and did our biz from the Indian Ocean off Afghanistan. I hope we did some good. It's fire and forget with Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. Unfortunately, we didn't get Osama, but we certainly spent some money that month.

2nd deploy we guarded the oil terminals from rogue terrorists. Keeping the oil flowing to tankers. Protect the money. Now gasoline is $3+ gallon. What the hell did we accomplish? I'm not sure. Except to fatten Exxon's profits. It is a crime perpetuated on every American Citizen, and anyone who has worn a uniform protecting our way of life.

Now in civilian life, I run across people who are signing up for the armed forces, because they want the college, and medical benefits that they don't have here in The Keys. Good for them for wanting to serve. But I look at the 2700+ dead so far, and I wonder if there is a better way. I'm torn between the good and the bad of what we are doing east of The Suez Canal.

When kids can't afford to live in the place they were raised, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan is not going to solve that. We need to concentrate on our home towns. NYC is an expensive place to live, so is California, and the metros of DC and Chicago, but they pay a decent wage there. It is a shame when I see good, intelligent workers joining the military just because of housing costs.

I make less than 50K a year, but we don't seem to matter to our current administration in The White House. Every trailer park that gets demolished is another instance of the elite hurting the middle and lower income residents of the Keys. It is developable land to them. Who cares who lives there? Let's build a Condo and rent it for $1000/week. We have already seen the decline in customer service when we bus in workers from Miami-Dade. Employ Locally!

Kudos to the posters who are speaking up about the Big Dogs in charge, Insurance rates unchecked, Spy cams, and residents getting evicted from the homes they were comfortable in. Do we work two jobs or more down here in Paradise just to educate our kids so they can leave? So call me a liberal. I don't care. Conservative Republicans are ruining our way of life---on all levels. 

It absolutely sickens me that a mobile home in the Keys now costs more than a 4BR house with detached garage in many medium sized cities in the southern states. An Economist might say, "Supply and demand", but there is a limit if the crucial middle class is forced to leave causing the economy to collapse. I don't want to leave. I like it here. The next election--speak up!

[US1 Radio having a radio auction to support themselves.] Have you been paying attention at all in this past year?  US1 Radio (and its sister stations,) are still very much involved in local groups and charities.  They donated an entire day earlier this year for both the Mel Fisher auction (which was moved this last time due to hurricanes) as well as the Lower Keys Chamber auction.  They still, annually, donate tons of airtime to AIDS help and the FantasyFest candidates.  Every year they are still the first of the local media to jump up and support the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life."  They are the first, and sometimes only media to donate their time for the Taste of Key West, which also benefits AIDS Help Inc.  And with hurricane season here, let's see how many of the Clear Channel stations decide to leave town and broadcast crap out of Miami. 

You can rest assured that US1 Radio and it's staff will be right here during every storm, doing everything in their power to keep us safe and up to date on the storms.  So what if US1 holds an auction for no one in particular?  In the end, it was those who stuck around and listened to the auction that made off with the best deals, getting many of the items for well over half off.  They're a local business, just like every other business here, and anyone who owns a local business knows that they have to make money as well in order to survive.  At least they're working with all the local businesses (who's items were on the auction) to help each other, and give the listeners some great deals.

What a disgrace and we wonder why the democrats keep losing elections. They had there chance to pull out of Iraq and 13 democrats voted no (30%). They better learn the old adage because the successful Republicans have "Don't talk about it, be about it." I guess they just support George W and his administration.

[Rental for July for five nights in the Keys]  You can call 1-888-333-5536 for an Ed and Ellen's Lodgings. 

[IQs of each president]  What a load of leftist-liberal crapola.  I haven’t seen that much horse shit since I left the farm.

Please clean up the Pool Store at the light. Wilma was a year ago. It makes BPK look like a third world country.

[Big Surprise] Latino immigrants and those born in the United States are driving the population growth.

[My neighbor refuses to fix her fence] Thanks for Sunday's post. To answer you, no she is not a widow nor poor. She is just a bad neighbor who doesn't want to spend the money, I think. I intend to try one more polite chat. But if I must go to court, won't she have to pay all of the court costs and my attorney's fees, and perhaps money for my time and inconvenience? Thanks for yesterday's advice and for answering my questions that I just posed, if you would be so kind.

Alaska.   More than  half of the coastline of the entire United States is in  Alaska.
Chicago.  Next to  Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.
Rome.  There is a city called Rome on every continent.
Siberia. Siberia contains more than 25% of the world's forests.

[The ranting and raving from obviously marginally educated and ill informed people continues.]  You say that like it's a bad thing.  Heck, that's why I read this website!

[Sloppy neighbor] The yard next door in that picture doesn't look so bad. Sure they have trees in tacky black plastic pots  but at least they fly the flag. Don't be so judgmental.

I think it would be real nice, if who ever owns Kingdom Hall on Little Torch, would donate some land out front, so the Chamber of Commerce  could put up a really  big flag pole, and we could have a really big American flag, flying from it. It would really look nice, going north or south.

Let's try something different with the political translations.  This time, I will translate an anti-Bush post back to its original version, before it was "cleaned up". 

Someone posted:
"I am sick to death of conservatives trying desperately to find some grand achievement by George W. Bush. I am not a liberal or conservative. Like many people I simply vote my mind choosing who I think is the better man. In the last election I will plead guilty to voting against someone rather than for the candidate himself. In the most simple of terms, I have lived through presidents going back to Harry Truman and in my humble opinion; George W. Bush is the worst president I have ever seen. 2600 brave young soldiers have given their lives. (I am a veteran of Viet Nam"

And here's the original:
"ah's sick t'death of cornservatives tryin' desperately t'find some gran' achievement by Jedidiah W. Bush. ah's not a liberal o' cornservative. Like menny varmints ah simply vote mah mind choosin' who ah reckon is th' better man, as enny fool kin plainly see. In th' last eleckshun ah will plead guilty t'votin' aginst someone rather than fo' th' can'idate hisse'f. In the dawgoned-est simple of terms, ah have lived through presidents gwine back t'Harry Truman an' in mah hoomble opinion; Jedidiah W. Bush is th' wo'st president ah have evah see. 2600 brave yo'ng soldiers haf given their lives. (ah's a veteran of Viet Nam"

I'd say this guy is definitely a liberal.  But, I think it's pretty cool that he's ashamed to admit it.

[Dear good parent with rotten choice-making kid]  If you're doing your best, don't worry about harsh judgments by others.  Often, their children have already made it safely to adulthood (employed, reasonably happy, no dangerous addictions) and they're trying to convince themselves and us that somehow they've solved the mystery of good parenting.  All along, though, they were saying, "Jesus Christ, I hope I'm doing this right" just like the rest of us.  They're the very same people that become irritated and roll their eyes when babies cry in restaurants or on airplanes. 

Experience (and parents) prepares one for life.  School is suppose to prepare you for a job/career.  They just don't do it very well.  They've convinced parents that they "owe" their kids a college education, no matter the cost.  Now if they can get the kid to postpone a decision about what career path to take, they can get a couple of extra years of tuition to boot.

And as for the education system preparing you for life, if you consider "dumbing-down" preparation for life, then they are doing an outstanding job.

 I sent you an E-Mail I hope you received it. You have a great sight.

You're not the only ones happy the "worst neighbors in the world" are moving away.  We are too and they think we're friends.  Do me a favor friends...

[Insurance and the County] What do you have to say Commissioner Neugent?

A messy / unkempt yard / house is a sign of a messy brain.  It reflects upon the owner who could be mentally disturbed.  Since the slob probably has no life, hobbies or joy, it gets off on attempting to intimidate people because it is an envious hater, which causes the disorders to become even more toxic and morph in physical aliments.  The messy people usually do not sleep well and are unhealthy inside and out.  The mind, body and spirit are all connected.  When one neglects one aspect, the others suffer deeply.

Apparently, the poster on Saturday who isn't happy with the building department being open during business hours feels they are the only people who deserve to work regular hours. Maybe you don't realize that everybody that walks on two feet ( and even those that aren't able to walk on their feet) have the same rights as you do. The poster complains that the Stock Island satellite office isn't readily found. If that person had taken a moment to read the directory by the elevator door, they would have seen where the office was. I know this because I have found the office without knowing where it was before I went. It takes no more than a 3rd grade education to locate an office. All you have to do is look.

It isn't the building department that requires these flood inspections. They are doing you a service at a cheaper cost than any other inspector available in Monroe County. You could pay between 2 and 5 times as much for the same inspection and find somebody else to bitch at. Your anger should be directed at FEMA and the insurance conglomerates for the flood insurance mess we are in here and the insane building requirements we have, not the building department. They are only trying to meet the requirements forced on Monroe County by this government. If this county didn't comply with the regulations forced on this county by FEMA, we would have no financial help in case of weather disaster. No matter how little it appears that FEMA helped after our recent hurricanes, I wouldn't want to see this county go through a storm without their financial assistance.

Please, direct your anger where it is deserved. You are not the only one here who is upset with the insurance disaster we are in. Why don't you join other locals in the fight against our dilemma?

We had a perfect, yes, perfect, bottom paint job on our boat through the Company which works out of Turnkey Marine in Marathon.  Every year, a different company would slap on a sloppy paint job leaving us unsatisfied.  They did the best work ever and we were happy to give the guy a generous tip for his pride in his work, which is a rarity these days.

Well, hello there! I know who you are, and thank you very much for yesterday's post; and, yes, I do miss the Keys very much, you too.

Why did they move the Fire Works to the Lower Sugarloaf Airport?  Summerland was a great location.

Monday June 26, 2006

Sunday June 25, 2006

 [Somebody likes us] To the Editor(s): I would like to complement you on a website well run! You keep things up to date on a daily basis and only edit what needs to be edited. Everyone has opinions, but you practice good objective journalism and don't interject your own position(s). I have been reading the Gossip Column for some time and have noticed a trending toward the more intellectual side of things. However the ranting and raving from obviously marginally educated and ill informed people continues. Unfortunately this contingent will always be with us. No, I do not live in Big Pine Key, nor am I a "Snow Bird."

[Mortgage 101] Baloney. Don't ever go to a mortgage broker they charge more than any one else (loan plus their commission) Try online and you get all the deals there are--minus commission. Like every contract read everything and you will come out ahead. We did. Mortgage brokers are for people who have credit or some other problem. It is the lender of last resort.

The purpose of education is not to prepare you for a job; that's just shop class. Education is to hone your intelligence and prepare you for life..

Monroe BOCC are going to push a little to hard on this Seahorse deal and find themselves and Big Pine out of any housing. Its there land, they ,the owners, can build a gated site for whatever number of homes that zoning will allow, sell them off and move on? Like it or not the Golden Rule is in place here. The man with the Gold makes the rules. As for Walgreens; get over it. It's a done deal and a very good one. Now for you dummies that keep stalling our park on the old Vista Linda site, your just upping the cost. It was very nice before you-all got here, but you're here so lets get over it. Stop your bitching and hold on. Change is in the wind and you'll be dead soon. This is the real deal and the best one your going to get.

[A message an old friend asked me to post, her PC is down]   I just had to move out of the Keys after 23 years.   The mainland sucks!  Of course if the Earth didn't suck, we would all fall off! 

I think we have heard all we need to hear from “God’s candidate” Bashinsky.  The guy is obviously far around the bend of mental stability. 

Card trick magic  http://members.tripod.com/~andybauch/magic.html 

I want to rent a home/vacation cottage in July for five nights in the Keys, preferably Big Pine Key.  Do you know if anyone may have a home, or cottage, or anything that may be sitting dormant they are trying to rent that would be willing to rent it to my family for a few days.  I live in Palm Coast, FL and it would be myself, my husband and my two children. SOOPCOOPERMAN@wmconnect.com

Another major study just release said that global warming is man made and was the main factor in last years terrible hurricane season. The report also said that natural climate change is a factor too, but is only a minor factor in global warming. How many more scientific studies must Bush see before he turns his back on the oil industry?

[Ronin] actually refers to samurai that were unable to successfully defend the person or people they were chosen to protect. This meant they then wandered the land as hired, master less mercenaries.

If you believe the I.Q. post from yesterday, I have some bay bottom you might be interested in. 

[My neighbor refuses to fix her wooden fence.  Do I need a lawyer?]  Is she a widow and unable to fix the fence?  Is she poor and can’t afford to fix it?  Of course you could, as a neighborly gesture, repair the fence yourself and be done with the whole thing.  Or is she just a bad neighbor.  A lawyer would be the easy way and may get prompt action but it’s going to cost you big time. 

Perhaps a better next step would be to have one more polite chat with the neighbor and request again the she repair the fence.  Then, write her a polite but business-like letter describing each and every attempt you have made to speak with her and further document her reactions (hanging up the phone etc.) and inaction on the part of repairs.  Further state in the letter, in detail, the damage the broken fence is causing to your property.  Stress in closing that you are prepared to seek remedy through legal action and send the letter by registered mail and require her signature and delivery confirmation.  That might compel her to do the repair.  And, you will then have some grounds to seek help from the courts and be able to show that you have taken reasonable steps to resolve the problem if you decide to go that way. Be sure that not even one inch of that fence falls on, or on your side, of the property line.  That would make the fence 50% yours and you would be responsible for half of the repairs.   

Ms Ann Coulter is so on the money. My wife gave me a copy for fathers Day. What a fine gift. Boy she sure has you tree hugging, twig and bark eating, I got miners, and not in my back yard liberal nuts pegged. God Bless you Ann.

The closet fascist wanting to know my name and town so they can find information on me only proves the point, and they have the arrogance to set conditions under which I may still share my opinion. That's exactly the object, to point out that there are elitists who want to limit our free speech if we voice opinions different from their own. Truth is a powerful weapon against these propagandists, and to them any opinion other than their own is un-American.

I and others like me will continue to share our opinions on this site as long as the editor allows. If you believe everything Bush and the government does is right, then prove it. There's an election coming up in a few months and a certain group of politicians are standing hip deep in their own pile of doo-doo and desperately need a quick fix. I wouldn't believe that bunch if they said piss is yellow, and for them to come up with 7 "terrorists" right now 5 years after 9-11 is about par. It probably was somebody's grandma.

I am sick to death of conservatives trying desperately to find some grand achievement by George W. Bush. I am not a liberal or conservative. Like many people I simply vote my mind choosing who I think is the better man. In the last election I will plead guilty to voting against someone rather than for the candidate himself. In the most simple of terms, I have lived through presidents going back to Harry Truman and in my humble opinion; George W. Bush is the worst president I have ever seen. 2600 brave young soldiers have given their lives. (I am a veteran of Viet Nam.)

The clearest evidence of his self-serving administration can be seen daily at any gas station.  $3 plus a gallon! He dropped the ball on September 11th and what a wonderful response the government showed in the wake of Katrina and New Orleans. The two greatest disasters in US history and he botched both of them. Name one good thing this man has done for this country, just one.  What a farce this recent claim of find WMD after the fact. A vein attempt to vilify this ignoramus. I am a patriot and proud to be American. God bless the Dixie Chicks. Cindy Sheehan is also a buffoon just for the record. Conservatives care about one thing--their precious bank accounts and how the Republican party is always willing to give tax breaks to the wealthy.  You can't take it with you my myopic brothers and sisters.

How to spot a crack ho’ in one of our local liquid beverage establishments.

[Bush has an IQ of 91]  What's so revealing about that?  The world has seen him as a dumb ass for almost seven years now.  And the posting yesterday by the Bushie follower who had nothing to say except a rambling vent against liberals confirms my belief that most of these non thinkers drink from the fire hose of right wing propaganda offered by the likes of Fox news, Ann Coulter, Karl Rove, Chicken Hawk (5 deferment) Cheney, Sean Hannety, and others.  If you think things are so peachy in Iraq and Afghanistan, why don't you sign up your kids for duty there?  Or better yet why don't you go yourself?  The Bush administration is offering plenty of high paying civilian jobs over there for driveling patriots like you who seek action and not just bullshit.

If you raise your thermostat when you leave the house in the morning, you are actually wasting energy when your system has to work overtime to try and get the temperature back to a realistic level. You would save money on your energy bill by simply leaving it alone at a preset temperature.

If you ever wanted to visit France, this is your chance.  The Keys are no longer affordable even for the locals.  What's the French outlook towards GW Bush and what's going on War Wise?

People are fed disinformation here as well as everywhere.  Their negative reaction to GW has a lot less to do with personal dislike as it does with US policy toward the Middle East.  Since appeasement is the daily fare of local life, locals can't fathom anyone who actually has the balls to DO something about it.  God help locals if they really had to stand up for their rights.  It's all hot air!  They bitch and they moan but they aren't about to lift a finger and do something.  The days of French revolution are long gone indeed.  If the US was to remove its umbrella of protection, these cookies would get eaten alive, fast.  Just my perspective.

That sounds just like the Keys to me.

I guarantee dogs are smarter than most people I have met here and they do not spend their time gossiping and backstabbing, especially preserving homophobia by spending their time trying to figure who is or is not (which is usually wrong.) When was the last time a dog brought home a thieving druggie friend? Do yourself a favor and read "Dogs never lie about love".

I see that the procedure hasn't changed for the flood insurance in the last year and a half.  They told me they notified me twice by mail.  Not so!  I went through the same thing.  The only thing is what passed inspection once may not pass again.  We had to add an additional, I don't remember how many, vents before it could be passed.  In the meantime I was dealing with the mortgage company too.  After two inspections I finally passed.  I have to admit the insurance company worked hard with me on this.  All this for insurance that covers nothing in that enclosure (except electrical and plumbing and I hope I never have to find out what is covered by that).

Yesterday's liberal-hating post couldn't make less sense... unless we were to translate it in Japanese and then back into English, (works for DVD instructions, right?) Actually, I think the translation makes more sense... you decide.

Yesterday's posting:
You Liberals are the biggest pieces of crap on the planet. We have good news coming out on the war on terror and you just can't be proud of our country so you put it down. It is not a lie about the WMD.  Accept the fact that this war is the right thing to do for our country. What does it take for you godless idiots to realize that Hussein and all of the other non believers in our free system hate us and want us to fall? He had WMD and was going to use them on us. You are all anti-American and I am sick of it! P.S. I love all of my fellow patriots and keep your head up and fight the good fight.

English>Japanese>English translation: It is the part where the junk of the free person planet is largest. As for us good news it possesses the fact that it comes to the war of fear, our countries brags exactly and therefore you lower that, it puts. That is not lie concerning WMD. Accept the fact that it is the correct thing where at this war should make because of our countries. As for that what and does everything of the other non believer of our free systems hates us because of you with time is take the fact that we want being godless foolishly is understood? It had been about there will be WMD in him, to use our those. Entirely, it is counter America, I am that sick person! P.S. Depending upon me everything of my patriot dearly, it rises and maintains the head, and good fight fights.

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt!" --Mark Twain

[Making kids plan for the future in school] It's not because kids don't understand what the future holds for them, it's because their parents don't and can't give them anything to go by. Being born, raised and educated in the Keys is killing them.

[Thursday the 23?] Whew! I was beginning to think the week had eight days and all of them work days! Thanks for catching up with the calendar Ed.

[Mortgages 101] It looks like there's free advertising on BPK.com if you put lots of bull shit with it!

Would some of the owners of the new aerobic sewage systems please let me know how much their electric bill has gone up since having this thing?

[Some responses to some statements made here] We have good news coming out on the war on terror and you just can't be proud of our country so you put it down.: 2500 plus US soldiers dead 60,000 injured 100,000 plus Iraqi civilians dead, not to mention $300 Billion of Tax payer dollars pissed away to private contractors like Halliburton, so please Einstein spread the good news to the rest of us, we could use some cheering up.

It is not a lie about the WMD: Sorry bone head, but it is, Sean Hannity is an Idiot. What they found is old ordinance dating back to the Iran /Iraq war pre 1991 and they knew about it 3 years ago, and wouldn’t you think if they did find something that there would be a picture of George Dubya sitting on top of the pile wearing his little cowboy hat with a look on his face that said: Look at me daddy, look at me, Georgie found some bombs.

Accept the fact that this war is the right thing to do for our country: Going to Afghanistan was the right thing to do. Iraq? Not so much. Here’s a clue for you. Iraq was not involved in 9/11, Iraq was contained and they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon, Hussein was a paper tiger, and a- hole to his on people, yes, but they did have electricity. Now it’s a perfect training center for the terrorist because after all, practice does makes perfect and by the way, where is that Bin Laden feller? George Dubya doesn’t spend much time on him anymore.

What does it take for you godless idiots to realize that Hussein and all of the other non believers in our free system hate us and want us to fall?: First off, What does God have to do with any of this? The USA is not a Theocracy, ever here of Separation of church and state? I know these are big scary words but take it slow and do the best you can. Second, as far as all of “them” being non believers, you are completely bassakwards with that statement, let me see you scooch you fat butt off the barstool to pray to Mecca 5 times a day

He had WMD and was going to use them on us: Nope, wrong again Skippy. Where are they? And don’t you think he would have used them if he had them before he moved in to the spider hole?

You are all anti-American and I am sick of it: This is just a guess, but I doubt if you ever served a day of your life in the Military and if you’re wondering, yes I did. And, I’m actually happy you are not feeling well.

P.S. I love all of my fellow patriots and keep your head up and fight the good fight. : Yup, keep up with those Bumper stickers and yellow ribbons and hoist an icy cold beer in the name of the troops wherever the hell they are over there in the Far East or is it the upper east? Ah, screw it, Rush will tell us where it is.

[Bars and restaurants should have mandatory recycling] I used to manage the bar at the local cow palace.  Even when I started working there, they were keeping bottles in separate trash cans so the actual trash cans would not get too heavy and could be put in the dumpster at the end of the night.  I called the recycling company and they wanted some ridiculous amount of money to rent the recycle bin.  I forget exactly what the amount was, but it was like $600 to $1000 per month.  After that, I have pretty much given up on recycling (my wife forces me to anyway).  It makes no sense that they pick up residential at no charge, but businesses (we went through at least a couple commercial trash cans of bottles a day) have to pay for it.

[Presidential IQ's]  If the democrats are so smart, then why do they screw up everything they touch?  I think that study is a tad flawed. 

To the Conservative; your true color's just busted out with your "War is the answer to everything". God save our world.

The new owner of the House of Music should donate all the furniture and parts to Good Will for use by the poor and get a tax write off.

Environmentalist and tree huggers are the only true American patriots:  Amen to that.  It's just about Tea Time again, too!

[Insurance and the County] Many people have had the same experience with the County Building Department. The only people who get anything done are the high end developers and contractors because they pay in cash! It's not that the CBD employees are incompetent, it's because we voters are incompetent.

Recycling is just a way to make air-heads feel good about themselves without actually doing anything.  All the crap ends up at the same place at the dump.  If you want to really be green, just get off the grid (electrical) and stop driving your car.  If you're not willing to make that much of a sacrifice (and I have it on good authority that tree huggers are selfless), stop preaching.

We have the worse neighbors in the world as you can see from clicking on this photo. This was after they ripped-up 17 tall, flowery trees which lined the properties and several calls to the Monroe County Sheriff and Code Enforcement.  Karmic consequences ruled as we watched their cars drown (ours didn't) and their generator burn-up during Wilma.  More Karma followed as the job market mysteriously dried-up and left the rotten folks unemployed and on Cobra.  It's a Blessing they are moving and I hope their new trailer park neighbors extend the same treatment and their Karma continues.

Ed: previously you posted some freeware virus programs, could you repost them. (Lousy Tech Support near the bottom)

Jay, thank you for your back-up!  You're the best. I am no longer "cock-eyed" and can take you out for a steak.  Let's see your skills by calling me.

Hi Carol!  You are missed in the Keys! 

Sunday June 25, 2006

Saturday June 24, 2006

[Insurance an the County] Recently, in preparation for the 2006 hurricane season, I started double-checking that I had all necessary documents in place. I discovered that I had not received a flood declarations page. I called Mobil USA and asked for a copy to be faxed. They told me that my old policy had expired and that a new one was established. I then told them to fax me a copy of the new one. I was told that they had not yet received a flood inspection report on my house. I asked them if my policy is currently in effect. They told me, “no”. However, they wasted no time in cashing my check two months ago. I then asked what my check applied to and was told-- toward my new policy. So, I pay $405 for a flood insurance policy that is not effective. Something is wrong with this picture. 

It gets better. As a working person, I arrive at the County building department to apply for the inspection at 8:20am and discovered that they do not open until 8:30. (By the way, their office is conveniently located at the end of a hall on the second floor of the Juvenile Justice Center on Stock Island with no signage or directions and their hours are 8:30am to 3pm, also inconvenient for the working person) As of 8:45, no one is there, so I leave and return at 1:30pm. No one is there. I go back the next day at 2pm and someone is there. I stand in the lobby for ten minutes until the lady behind the computer acknowledges me. I am now told that the inspection will cost $50 payable by cash or check only, (no credit or debit card) and they do not know how long it will take before the inspection is done.

Monroe County’s government is far from user friendly and is a shining example of red tape and bureaucracy. No wonder people are leaving the county. To sum it up, In order to get my paid for $405 flood insurance activated, I need to pay the county $50 to inspect my property, get the inspection report to the insurance company so they can issue a policy to me that in turn I can issue to the mortgage company so they will not foreclose on my property or take out additional insurance. All of this for a policy in which I will never have a claim due to the fact that my home is very high on stilts and nothing below base flood will ever be covered anyway. Way to go, Monroe County, keep up the good work.

Environmentalist and tree huggers are the only true American patriots. We are more interested in the planet than our own personal comforts and profit. Everyone else who wants development are not good Americans because they only think of their pocketbooks and convenience not the planet or their neighborhoods.

You Liberals are the biggest pieces of crap on the planet. We have good news coming out on the war on terror and you just can't be proud of our country so you put it down. It is not a lie about the WMD.  Accept the fact that this war is the right thing to do for our country. What does it take for you godless idiots to realize that Hussein and all of the other non believers in our free system hate us and want us to fall? He had WMD and was going to use them on us. You are all anti-American and I am sick of it! P.S. I love all of my fellow patriots and keep your head up and fight the good fight.

[Good fences make good neighbors] I would call County code enforcement first and see what they can tell you. You can also take her to small claims court in KW if the damages are less than $5,000. It's real easy and cheap. You don't need a lawyer either.

[Monroe County Dog Show with a Dress Up Theme.] There is.  Stop in any of the local bars in the evening and you’ll see some real dogs who think they’re all dressed up.  Some of them will even do a trick if you feed them.  Woof!

Tell us how you really feel.

Good work on the recycling Big Piners!  Bars and restaurants should have mandatory recycling.  From the Film "An Inconvenient Truth" here are Five Easy Ways to Live a Greener Life:  1) Deliver clothes to the cleaner in a garment bag and ask that they be returned the same way. 2) Turn off your engine while waiting longer than ten seconds. 3) Unplug, unplug, unplug. They waste energy even when not being used.  4) Pump up your tires. 5) Do not touch that thermostat dial.  Why aren't any organizations trying to save the Polar Bears from extinction?  They could be air-lifted out of there so they won't drown. Hello, PETA?

I had something to say...I forgot what it was. It must be the evil weed.

The owners of 2 for 20 and fed up with trying to get decent help and rather than sit there during each and every minute to keep an eye on things they are selling out (maybe to Papa John’s, but not likely) 

The new owners at House of Music says they are going to reopen under a new name soon (perhaps by July 1)  I notice that they have taken huge dumpsters of trash, furniture and all sorts of stuff out of there.  Maybe they really can turn it around and run a decent place.  It all remains to be seen.

[Are you Ronin] Ronin refers to a lower-class of samurai, one who was tossed about with the waves--not unlike being caught up in Wilma's wrath (or homeless) I suppose.

About two weeks ago, was there a young man from Big Pine Key who tried to kill himself?  Was he airlifted to Miami with a gunshot through his head?  Did he live?  (I saw a snippet on the national news.)

Hey its Friday, June 23rd. (Ed: Oops.)

[So let's get angry at our government and start taking action] What action? What do you think you can do against the Federal Government and their Armies? Wake up, they have the Gold and Make the Rules, and can back them up. Ask any Conch Republic member. We are invaded, so smell the garbage and try to live with it!

I think the guy you are looking for is Steven McClelland.  He used to work at the Big Pine Coffee Shop.  He is about that age too.  Tall, short/buzzed dark hair.

[Making kids plan for the future in school] When I was in little school on Vocation Day, the nuns used to make us pray for a vocation. None of us ever knew what she was talking about. The same applies with children today. They have no idea what the future means and they couldn't care less.

I believe they are going to have a shooting range.  It may possibly be called Publix--just aim and shoot!

A ronin (Japanese: rōnin: literally, wave man - one who is tossed about, like a wave in the sea) was a masterless samurai during the feudal period of Japan.

I got an aerobic system right after Georges hit, it has been really expensive.  I have a yearly contract with 3rd Generation Plumbing and as soon as the contract for the pump expires it breaks and I have got to buy a new one, it has to be pumped at least once a year and the contract with the county to have it inspected, whether they do it or not,  is a pain in the butt.  But I had to do it.  Plus I have a big mound that takes up my whole yard.

“No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.” --Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

Life is great. People suck!

[Fix fence] Fix it yourself. Just get some old boards and nail them up. Nail the old broad to.

The whole purpose of the education experience is to prepare you for a job so you can support yourself and become a happy, productive, fulfilled young adult.  I think that is what parents and the education system have lost sight of.  Asking kids to start thinking about their future while still in grade school is not dangerous; it's the responsible thing to do.  Failure to plan is planning to fail.

Oh paranoid one, I believe there is more information available on you, in fact on everyone, than you care to think.  What keeps it from being a problem is that you and most of the other "sheep" are just not that important.  However, piss off the wrong person and no matter how much you've protected your backside, they will find you.  Just ask Randy Weaver (Ruby Ridge).  But, if you're so sure you're different, just post your Name and Town (name and town, name and town) and let's see what we can find out about you.  If there's nothing, you may continue to o-pine.  Otherwise, please change the subject.  Deal?

After reading so many posts about Ann Coulter's new book on this message board, I decided to go out and buy a copy. What a read! This woman may be accused of many things, but not for avoiding "telling it like it is." She really lays it on the line and exposes liberals and liberal "logic" for what it is. Ann Coulter may be the world's most perfect female specimen: smart, beautiful, charming, and unafraid. The book should be titled "Goddess," not "Godless!"

If anyone thinks prices at the Tiki will be cheaper after the remodeling, your just dreaming. No one pours money into something with the intent of not making a profit from their efforts. If you want cheap beer, cheap women and a reasonable sandwich, try Atlanta, happy hour is still alive and well there.

If you weren't watching Fox News (aka Faux News) last night, how do you know what "Little Ricky" said about WMD's?  Admit it.  It's mesmerizing, isn't it?  You can't tear yourself away, can you?  Before you know it, you'll be voting Republican--and liking it!

[Mortgages 101] Never go to a bank for a mortgage.  Use a mortgage broker.  Banks offer only 2 or 3 mortgage programs.  If you go to a mortgage broker, they have access to hundreds of lenders that offer hundreds and hundreds of mortgage programs.  I recently needed to refinance my house which has been on the market for quite a while.  Most lenders won't even talk to you if your house has been for sale in the past year.  So after talking to three other mortgage brokers, I called Century Home Mortgage.  Maya, who is the broker on Big Pine, searched through long lists of lenders for me and then negotiated with the right one to get the loan program that I wanted.  She kept me updated every step of the way.  I can't praise her enough.  She went way above and beyond. She didn't string me along or pull the old bait and switch that some lenders do.  If you're looking for a refinance or a mortgage to purchase a home, you need to call Maya on Big Pine at 872-4158

A study determined the following IQs of each president as accurate to within five percentage points:

147 Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) 132 Harry Truman (D) 122 Dwight D. Eisenhower (R) 174 John F. Kennedy (D) 126 Lyndon B. Johnson (D) 155 Richard M. Nixon (R) 121 Gerald Ford (R) 175 James E. Carter (D) 105 Ronald Reagan (R) 098 George HW Bush (R) 182 William J. Clinton (D) 091 George W. Bush (R)

The study determined the following IQs of each president as accurate to within five percentage points:

The six Republican presidents of the past 50 years had an average IQ of 115.5, with President Nixon having the highest IQ, at 155.

President G. W. Bush was rated the lowest of all the Republicans with an IQ of 91.

The six Democrat presidents had IQs with an average of 156, with President Clinton having the highest IQ, at 182. President Lyndon B. Johnson was rated the lowest of all the Democrats with an IQ of 126.

The last samurai in the movie Last Samurai was not Tom Cruise. It was the bald headed dude. Cruse was just the tool to allow the government to dispose of the Samurai.

[Lousy fence] You do not have to take her to court over the leaning fence.  If she doesn't want to be neighborly and you don't want to help her fix it, you can just cut it off. Any thing hanging over your air space is yours to cut off, trim, or otherwise remove.

Look low in the west-northwest sky on June 27 and 28 to see Mars, Saturn and Mercury form a diagonal line near the crescent moon. This rare Grand Conjunction is best viewed at dusk before Mercury sets.

[Commingling yard waste with trash] I called regarding the flyer issued by Waste Management. It means that they are not going to be mulching most of the yard waste as they used to do, supposedly because of citrus canker. So as of July 1, simply throw your yard waste out with the garbage.

7 terrorists caught in Miami. Let's give a word of thanks to President Bush, his administration and the FBI for a job well done.

What has happened at US1 Radio? They have really gone downhill. Today they are having another Radio Auction. Back in the good old days, the radio auctions were to benefit a charity, like the Lower Keys Chamber or Mel Fishers Kids Education Programs. Now it seems like the only charity they are supporting are their own bank accounts. Are their sales that bad, that they have to have a stunt? I am sure there are plenty of charities that need help right now! The local news is the only good thing left. All that talk about nothing will change when those new owners took over was a big lie, now it's just another generic, radio station. Luther must be crying tears in heaven. Bring back the old crew. At least you knew those people cared for our community and were not just out for the most bucks.

To prepare all for the upcoming Superman movie. Remember when global terror could be battled with snack cakes? Bush should take a tip from Supes.

(?)To all locals: Please send a message in Ramrod. At least in memory of Sadie and Frannie.

Saturday June 24, 2006

(corrected) Friday June 23, 2006

[Septic Tank Letter] How much did it cost when all was said and done? Just what did they have to do? I want to know because I'm expecting my letter any day.

[Grammar and spelling] I think both are important as it's the only way you can be absolutely clear in communicating your thoughts. That is one of the reason I like the format of this website. Most other blogs are hard to read because of all the abbreviations, slang, poor punctuation and other more modern internet shortcuts. English is the best language used to communicate because, unlike most other languages, English has a word for everything. Kudos to the editor for trying to keep the written language real English.

You are talking about the average sheep that just bend over, grab their ankles and take it from Big Brother. They can't put any more on your records than they are allowed to by you, and who says you have to apply for any credit cards? We don't use them. Back when I was working full time I always signed up as a private contractor so the only info they got about my job was what I was paid. We always pay cash for our needs and don't even use checks. The Feds get their tax money from us once a year by money order and that's that; even though there's no law saying they have any right to tax our labor. The only taxes actually allowed by the Constitution are those on goods, services and imports. 

Don't just assume everyone lets the system take them up the backside like you do. If you looked up my SS number there is very little you would find. I know because I check it periodically to make sure. Remember, Benito Mussolini said, "Fascism could also be called Corporatism, because it's big business working together with government."   You may have been letting the little pitchers with big ears know all about you for a long time, but lots of us haven't, and don't intend to. 

It will probably take another civil war to root out the criminal thugs from our government, courts and corporations because they won't give up their comfy little rice-bowls without a fight. It doesn't have to be a shooting war, however, just a war on lies, corruption and hypocrisy by informed citizens outraged and fed up with elitist hogs living off the cheap labor of others.

"You are a den of vipers and thieves. I intend to rout you out, and by the Eternal God I will rout you out." -president Andrew Jackson speaking to the banking system. http://www.freedomtofascism.com

The Noseeums ate all the Mosquitos.

Another Open Letter to Interim County Commissioner Patton: Don't listen to your constituents, they're all idiots.  Listen to me instead. I have a nice place here, but it could be a lot nicer with your help.  The vacant lots on one side of the property are nice, so let's keep it that way.  But the two houses on the other side need to go.  I'm certain there are mangroves and other endangered things on the property.  Besides, the residents are annoying (and they're locals).  If they were moved to government funded affordable housing, elsewhere, and the homes bulldozed, it would save the environment and make me really happy.

Thank you for your time, I know I can count on you to do the right thing.

The individual is slowly (or not so slowly, in some cases) being sucked out of the education experience.  I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I was 12, or even 17.  It seems like a great idea unless it's your child who is forced to pretend they have a clue what they'd like to do with their lives when they're barely half way through adolescence.  In the name of efficiency, I think we'll screw up a lot of otherwise potentially happy, productive, fulfilled young adults.  I normally try to side with teachers and administrators (even when I know they're acting like morons) but I will not require my children to even pretend to play this absurd game with their lives.  It scares me that any parent could think this is healthy. 

[Be responsible for your own actions] Are you serious?  Why would I want to do that?  I didn't ask to be born, but now that I'm here, I deserve a decent life.  The least the government can do is provide that for me.  I tried working once, but it's just not my thing. I'm still waiting for that HD plasma TV that the folks in New Orleans got.

This was the pool where my mom teaches aquarobics two mornings a week! Her class was scheduled to start at 8am, 4 hours after the collapse. Mom and many others in her class, all seniors, mostly ladies, would have been in the water in left foreground, and many would have been directly under the collapsed section. The cause of the collapse is still unknown as of today, 22 June06. It must have been a bunch of angels at work, as no one was injured.

The Cuban immigrants also get a Medicaid card. We can't however take this frustration out on them, Coming from a poor country like Cuba you'd be foolish not to take this deal. So let's get angry at our government and start taking action, instead of complaining about it because that doesn't seem to be doing anything.

[Alligator poop] The Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, golfers and tourist in general to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in : Alachua, Marion, Lake, Collier, Lee, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Putnam and Orange counties

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their shoes or clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly. They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator.

It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity. People should learn to recognize the difference between small young alligator and large adult alligator droppings. 

Young alligator droppings are smaller and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers. Adult alligator droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

Do you think the National ID card isn't a big deal? Ever hear of the frog-in-water principal? If you drop a frog in a pan of boiling water he jumps right out, but if you put him in warm water and slowly turn up the heat he will sit there until he boils to death.

It's the same with this ID stuff, and it is federal law now that you are required to present ID to any law enforcement officer at any time for any or no reason, or you can be charged and locked up, probable cause or not. The card is only the beginning

That probable cause is a hoot. What probable cause did those jokers have when they shook us three old guys down trying to fish at Tarpon Creek? They saw us from their satellite, or from Fat Albert, and the whole circus rushed down there like Gort had just arrived from Mars.

It's an officer's own arbitrary discretion what constitutes probable cause, and that includes shooting someone down in cold blood. Sometimes they end up getting a reprimand, or a week's suspension, but usually no trial or jail time for taking a human life, even an innocent one.  

When in the world will people stop watching FAUX News? Them WMDs must be here somewhere! By now, you all know that Little Ricky  said last night on Fox News that they'd finally found those elusive WMDs, the existence of which was put forward by the administration as the first of many reasons we invaded Iraq.  Of course, Santorum was lying - the WMDs they found (over a 3 year time period) were not only degraded, they were not the WMDs we went to war to get rid of - this according to the Pentagon.  But you guessed it - the paste-eaters are latching on to this story as proof of the Dear Leader's righteousness. 

[What ever happened to H]  I heard that he had to return to Miami for more cancer treatments and also was told that he had to go to Hospice care for his last days.  I used his cab service many times and he was a true Big Pine personality.

How does one go about taking a next door neighbor to court? Do I need a lawyer? My neighbor refuses to fix her wooden fence that is leaning (or it would be if I didn't prop up her fence with a board) on a small rare native palm tree, causing it to lean. The fence has come down four times on my tree this past winter during north winds that accompanied cold fronts, even though it was propped up. I have been very patient, since this fence has been leaning since H. Georges and has been broken since H. Wilma. She has ignored a phone call message, then when I did talk to her to find out what her plans were to fix the problem, she copped an attitude, would not tell me anything but, " it will be fixed when it's fixed." She wound up hanging up on me.  I have waited two weeks now and she has done nothing. I feel that I have no alternative but to take her to court. Where do I start?

[Indoor Pistol Range] Hell, I wouldn't even mind an outdoor range.

There should be a Monroe County Dog Show with a Dress Up Theme. We could get the churches and the government to sponsor it. Have it during "Season" to make the Snowbirds feel at home. Oh, I'm so excited, excuse me, I have to go into my closet, now!

Win with them in 2008 or take it the hard way with Hillary or?

If the Tiki doesn't start up soon I will be forced to go to the Cow Palace. Please don't make me go there; the music is too loud and the women are too big.

If you are worried about the upcoming national ID card, you should check this out. http://www.license.shorturl.com 

Does anyone else find it a little strange that the last samurai in the movie Last Samurai was played by a height-challenged white boy with perfect teeth? What's next, the Martin Luther King Jr. story staring Brad Pitt?

[Spelling police] "...both use 21 ton tricks." That be some big ho's.

Calling anyone a traitor because they have a different opinion than you do is dangerous. In actuality, you are the traitor because you are taking away my right to freedom of speech.

[How do you know they are crack whores] It’s really easy to spot one of our local working girls.  When I see some skinny, ugly broad hustling for free beer in the bar, hanging on one guy after another until she finds her "mark" then disappears for 30 minutes and returns flying higher than ten kites without the John and with cash to start buying her own booze I can be reasonably sure what her game is.  

My God, I can’t believe the FOX News (Bush network) would report something that was false. Who’s in charge here?

Personally I like cats and dogs about equally as most animals. Its people I don't care much for.

The Homeless can't help the way they are, so I propose we all get together and help them become our chums and take them fishing with us!

A distant relative passed away recently and left me $50,000.  When I read the letter I rushed home and told my wife and told her to start packing.  She asked what kind of clothes to pack and I told her, “I don’t care, just get out!”

Let's get something straight, drunk drivers are not all male, in fact most are female. They must be, else why do they temp death while driving with a cell phone, a smoke, doing make-up, adjusting everything, and steering with whatever's. Besides that, it is Driving Under the Influence, which means anything (catch 22) the cop thinks impaired your driving. If drunk driver guys had boobs, we wouldn't get half the tickets! 

I thought a Nat was a baseball player in DC

[People who don't like cats] We dog lovers don't play with our pussies like cat lovers do. Dogs are proven to be many millions of years more evolved than cats. Look it up.

With all of the changes going on at the Tiki Bar I hope that new bar stools are on the agenda.  Next to Rob’s they had the most uncomfortable bar seating in the Keys.

Does anyone know the meaning of the bright green billboards that read “Are you Ronin?”

[Pistol range] What a great idea. There's no place you can go to target practice around here. I wanted to have a pellet gun Iguana Shoot, you know, like they have turkey shoots? There's just no where legal that we could have it. I can outshoot most anyone. (I sound like the guy who said he's a better guitar player than Santana.)

[parent of a Teenager]  I agree that 60% of the parents here drink and do drugs, however,  this is not the reason for drug abuse in our children. I am not a drinker and I am always home after work and have good communication with my son and he still got caught up in it. Look at the child in Ft. Lauderdale whose father was a cop and had a drug dog in his home and drug tested every week and his son overdosed and died on canned air!

Don’t blame the parents because there are good parents out there that also deal with this problem. In the end it is the child’s decision to make not the parents. As the saying goes; if we jumped off a bridge would you?

Bruce Springsteen has a new album that is touted as a "New Sound for the Boss" I heard it. It's completely interchangeable with any of his other albums--they all sound the same only the words have changed.

[Internet no longer free] http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-6086437.html?tag=nl.e589 My stomach just flipped!

I wish they'd finish the damn Tiki Bar, I'm dying here. My capital assets are dwindling to nothing because of the prices at the other Tiki Bars. Hurry up and open, and keep it cheap!

Five persons killed in a shoot out Police said was apparently motivated by drugs and revenge.  Also, a man was stabbed to death Sunday night in an argument over beer.  The killings brought this year's murder toll to 53. 

Yep, things are back to normal in New Orleans.

(corrected) Friday June 23, 2006

Thursday June 22, 2006

I agree the Noseeums are getting bigger. I thought it was just me. It used to be that you couldn't see them, now they are visible like a Nat.

You said you would fight it to the end if unfit immigrants get your tax dollars.  Well, start fighting because ever since Clinton's wet foot/dry foot policy went into effect, Cuban migrants have been receiving your federal tax dollars.  The latest figure is close to $10,000 per head.  That's only the tip of the iceberg.  Millions are spent annually to fund Coast Guard and Border Patrol presence in the Straights.  Then, the benefits the migrants are offered are far greater than what the average citizen could ever get.  Your local taxes go to jail costs because when they start dealing crack, smuggling other migrants, or other felonies, they can't be deported because the U.S. does not deport Cubans.  And what thanks do you get?  They spit in your face by waiving Cuban flags and not learning the English language.  Our own military veterans don't even get treated that well.

Last night on FOX TV they said that 500 chemical WMD were found a month ago in Iraq vindicating Bush. They showed photos and had the Spin Masters spinning. It was so exciting. Today on the news there was nothing about it. My question is should I start drinking less or was I hallucinating?

Drunk driver missed an S-turn at 7:00 in the morning, veered off the road and slammed through the front door of this house. Witnesses rushed into the house to see if everyone was okay only to discover the driver smoking a cigarette in the kitchen. The drunk driver said: "Watch out now, I'm gunna try to back this sucka out"! Police arrived shortly and hauled the man away.

[What’s wrong with spraying your own lot] Properly used weed killer does not kill grasses as shown in the pictures just weeds!. That’s not weed killer! The health impacts of misusing defoliants are well documented. Ask the Vietnam Vets about their experience with Agent Orange. There is a kid living next door. As the product leaches into the water via rain it will negatively impact marine life and the reef. Although the lot is fenced the deer hop it and eat there regularly. What impacts will that defoliants have on them? There were small Mangroves, Buttonwoods several large Legacy Gumbo Limbos on the lot 5 years ago, all supposedly protected and now all are gone forever; either cut down or sprayed dead. The lot is for sale and the owner is hoping if there’s nothing growing on the lot, he’ll get a Building Permit. No one will ever be able to build on that lot, it’s on Big Pine and the neighbors are ready to fight it. The Charley Manson look-a-like driving an old custom painted Saturn owns 10 other lots in he Keys. Keep your eyes open and call Code Enforcement when you see him around spraying and we’ll see. By the way the lot was sprayed again today at 11:45 A.M.

Good Lord I am having Tiki-bar withdrawal. How long can this go on? I was dreaming about the song "White-trash beautiful" and I began to weep which turned into sobbing. Help me!  It looks like they are trying to give the place a face lift, but the silk purse concept may not be feasible.  They have shown they care little for the natives in various ways which would give credence to the coconut telegraph rumor that they are just trying to turn it over. Who knows? 

The rumor mill also has 2 for 20 closing and the House of Music resurrected by June 1st.  Join us next week for the next episode of "As the Tiki Turns" when employees, after having lost two weeks wages with no notice, turn to a life of street crime; one of whom reverts to his past and makes his home in a tree. Locals aimlessly gather in the Tiki parking lot in search of adult refreshment.  Episode sponsored by Brad and Red Stripe Beer and  Jason and Philo for Jaegermeister. Hey, I love you man! (Ed: The Tiki people notified BigPineKey.com that they are waiting for new equipment to arrive before they can reopen. Yeah!)

[Developers always win in the Keys] Big Pine building moratorium is over! They will issue building permits for 200 buildings in the next 10 years. They will only be allowed in areas that are already built up. Bravo!

[no-see-ums protection] I’m one of the "lucky" that gets bit 100 times to everyone else’s one or two. What does work for me, including yesterday at dusk – when the swarms were in full force, is OFF Skintastic lotion with aloe. Most stores here sell it. Keep in mind, you have to cover open flesh thoroughly (except face), as they tend to find any forgotten spots. This lotion has a pleasant smell, also. They make several types, including a spray bottle form as well, but I prefer the lotion.  Good luck!

On the other hand, a judge threw out the agreement between the County and Walgreens allowing them to build what they want. The judge said that Walgreens must comply with County regulations.

[National ID card has a chip with all your personal info] I can't believe you have access to the Internet and don't know how much info is available to anyone with just your name, let alone your SS number.  If you don't think all your personal information is easily accessible, just apply for a credit card next time you're shopping and are offered a discount on your purchase for doing so.  It takes all of 2 minutes or less for them to approve your credit.  Why?  Well it's not because the clerk is a good judge of character.  You're worrying about something that happened back when they issued social security numbers.  I'd leave now before it really is too late.

The auto industry has gone to the rednecks for sure, with the Lincoln 4x4 and its electric running boards. What next, an electric Port-A-Potty with seat belts?

Does anyone know what ever happened to H? He was a cab driver for some time and a local personality on Big Pine for many years. He was a good friend of mine and the last I saw of him he was sick with cancer and admitted to the VA hospital in Miami. His real name was Herbert and he was a regular at the Key Deer Bar & Grill.

[Avoid poverty in the Keys] Dude, those Keysbums in the parking lot of Winn Dixie are employees.  Watch your mouth.

[Aerobic maintenance agreement] No biggie. They do that to scare you and get you to call them. Once you do they will probably  give you more time to get an agreement in place. 3rd Generation Plumbing is a good one to call.

[Basic insurance principle--include people that aren't likely to make a claim with those that most likely will] This sucks! "If you live in a ditch, don't bitch" was the slogan for New Orleans after they got flooded. It's their fault as it is ours for living 125 miles out to sea and expecting no damage. The people in safe areas take it up the giggi; paying for what they will never need. It's the American way; make the other guy support your dumb ass. Be responsible for your own actions!

[Evil weed (marijuana) and a big money maker for our oppressive government]  So all this "the government is oppressive and run by fascist trying to take away our rights" talk really means that illegal drugs are harder to come by than they were under Clinton.  I kind of thought that, but thanks for clarifying.

How to save the Keys: All it would take is dirt. Yes, Dirt, then we wouldn't need the tourist industry, we could all have gardens and grow our own food. Import what we need, and keep Keys over population to a minimum. Work would be for the Keys only. Sounds like the Amish, but it works for them, except the religion crap. The Conch Republic had it right--burn the bridges!

God does give some people an inclination to run for office. Sometimes they are so off-the-wall goofy it makes voters rush over to support the other candidate. Personally I think the poet He wants to win would be interesting as a commissioner. The county meetings would become much shorter and more precise so everyone could get the heck out of there. Can you imagine having to sit and listen to that? Oh by the way, you didn't really read this, you only dreamt it.

An Open Letter to Interim County Commissioner Patton:

Please hear and really listen to your constituents.  Thanks to your invitation, we have told you in your Town Hall Meeting June 12, 2006, that the community of Key Largo does not want 135 condos on the Rowell's Property. We have already told you and the Planning Commission. Our Land Development Regulations do not allow for this. There is a Moratorium on Marinas also.

Now we see your picture in the public press, walking the waterfront property adjacent to the future Nelson Government Center captioned that you want to get Rowell's new owner, Boca Developers, to buy the property for the County for a public access marina.

Mr. Patton, this property is upland old native hammock, the shallow water depth only suitable for canoes or kayaks (as is the future Nelson Government Center (Quay) property; manatees are present; our bottom sea grass struggling to stay alive, what with all the boat traffic and fresh water released during Hurricane Wilma.  There is mangrove wetland on the Property.

We the citizens have to abide by the building and zoning regulations of Monroe County, but if the County owns the property, anything goes?

From your Town Hall Meeting, it seems you want to try to come up with some possible answers to quell the opposition to the Rowell's deal. The Toucan Property just doesn't cut the mustard.

The locals that used to frequent the Tiki on Looe Key are suffering big-time withdrawal symptoms now that the place has been closed for "renovations". Some have been seen hanging out in the parking lot in their trucks drinking Old Milwaukee during the former happy hour. Very sad indeed.

I watched the Last Samurai the other night, and woke up in a cold sweat. My wife asked, what's wrong? I told her I had a nightmare about running through Big Pine Key, being chased by a Redneck Samurai with a beer can sword!

[Neugent is trying] That post sounds like it was written by his wife. But you're right; I should do something for my community. I'll start with some campaign slogans.  How about, "If you love TNC, you'll really love Neugent"?  Or, "Anyone but George".  And then there's, "A vote for Neugent is a vote for eliminating property rights except, of course, for the members of the environ-mental groups that support him".  OK, the last one is a bit long, but it's catchy.

[Talk about price gouging] I just priced P-rock at Rockland Key and Homestead. Both deliver, both use 21 ton tricks, both are about the same price per ton, except Homestead is 5% cheaper delivered all the way down to Sugarloaf Key. Why? You figure it out.

The people writing in who don't like cats are the same ones that let the family dog lick their face after the dog just finished licking it's rear. How cute!  And what's with dogs that bark the entire day? Let's face it, dogs are dumb as posts and emotionally very shallow creatures.

The only true reason there are no good builders, contractors, and workers is because they took trade classes out of our schools. Not all kids are geared to be doctors, lawyers and chiefs!

[Commissioners take money. Is there anyone who knows how to change it?]  Yes, just let the religious-right control us all, and God will bring His sword unto those who take kick backs and bribes. Amen!  Either that, or make me King.

It looks like old Jeb Bush is thinking of making kids in school pick a major so they can be more useful to our society. The Russians do this too, and their kids know exactly what they are going to do the rest of their lives even before they get to middle school. It's called Prime Selection or How to Deal with the Idiots and make them Useful. It works great!

I had a dream. And in that dream I heard a calling. Through the foggy miasma of my deep and peaceful slumber I wandered in search of the meaning.  And again the voice called out to me, “Run, Run for District 2.  Run my son.”  And, as I awoke, shaking off the wispy haze of sleep, I realized the true meaning of the dream and the voice that called to me within,  "No more beans, sausage, sauerkraut and Ovaltine before bed time."

[Fill in mosquito ditches] A friend in Ohio used common dish washing liquid to keep mosquitoes at bay. He took one tablespoon full and put it on his private lake, about a quarter mile square, and you could see it travel over the entire surface. One tablespoon gave the water's surface enough stickiness so the larva could not get through it at birth. Why not try this in the Keys? It won't hurt anything but mosquitoes.

[no-see-ums] A very small insect, able to bit to the bone. An extinct species of the Florida Keys. Replaced by Super-See-Ums: a larger version and capable of flying off with new born infant children, or small deer.

To hell with paving in the Avenues.  What about some improvements and re-paving Key Deer Blvd. From U.S.1 to at least Watson?  The road bed is badly cracked, the shoulders are crumbling, there are numerous sunken spots, the pavement has been cross cut in many places from utility work and the whole stretch is a deteriorating mess.  There are places that are so rough some drivers actually veer into the opposing lane to avoid them.  If anything needs to be re-paved it’s Key Deer Blvd.  Oh, but what am I thinking.  The road work might inconvenience the dear deers.  We certainly can’t have that.

I'm still wondering what happened to the Indoor Pistol Range idea for Big Pine Key? Haven't heard a darn thing about it! It would be a money maker.

[New Yorker’s have no patience for idiots] It must drive you crazy living there then.

Why does the TNC want to fill in the ditches? It seems to me that they will do more harm than good. Can anybody explain this?

Did anyone watch the PBS special Tuesday night "The Dark Side"? This confirms that Cheney is an evil bastard that should be impeached and/or charged with treason. If you missed it, watch it here  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darkside/  on-line starting Thursday at 5:00

Here's the real low-down on the future National ID card which someone posted a complaint about. Bush and Co. slipped it surreptitiously into a military spending appropriations bill. It basically requires states to be stricter about verifying your identity and citizenship before issuing you a driver's license; and make licenses more tamper-proof. Current driver's licenses will be replaced with a new type known as a "Real ID". You will be required to show this in situations where you must now show your driver's license (boarding a plane, opening a bank account, etc.)

As far as the chip containing all your personal info, said info will be the basics (description, address, digitized photo, etc) all of which is on the front anyway, PA driver's licenses have had a magnetic strip on the back containing this info for years because it makes alterations more difficult.

You are not (nor will you be) required to carry ID at all times. Nor, contrary to popular belief, are you under any general obligation to identify yourself to law enforcement. You do, of course, have to show your license if you are stopped while driving, but not while walking down the street for example. They can, however, detain you until they can establish your identity without your cooperation if they have probable cause.

Home of the Chalupa-ccino.

[Septic system letter]  I also received one.  I got mine about four months ago.  The only business that I could find to even take on a new jobs was 3rd Generation plumbing in Marathon.  They came down to Cudjoe and did their stuff.  They are a pretty good company to deal with.  I did all my paperwork and stuff up until the actual inspections and stuff via phone and fax. 

This septic system thing went into effect a while back and the county has such a backlog of systems that have not complied that they are way behind.  I called and talked with the guy that signed the letter and he said he would not start charging the penalty right away because I had things set up and going but would be checking back in a few weeks that he has received some of the paperwork that the septic guys have to send them and if things were in the process the fee would not be assessed. 

Good luck!  Been there and done that with them!

What was the name of the septic tank cleaning company that reported you to the county? I may need to have my septic tank cleaned some time, and it would be useful to know who not to call.

For you dreamers in non-reality land, who see the world through rose colored asses, here's a point of no return. Very soon there will only be the Super Rich Rulers, the Military to guard them, and the rest of us peasants, and there's nothing you are going to do about it, right?   Read between the lines and you might understand the truth!   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13447899/

The Nature Conservancy couldn't find their butt's with both hands.

It looks like the Tiki Bar is gunna be too ritzy for us locals. They is fixin it up too nice with all new bar stuff and a kitchen without the bugs. Sure gunna miss them bugs, man. I wonder what the draft beer's gunna sell for?

[Fill mosquito ditches] I agree 100% with the person who wrote is about the ditches. Obviously they serve a purpose since they were dug. We sure can screw things up.

Call 305-289-2540 to find out if your land is on the federal government's list of properties it wants to purchase. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/verobeach and click on the Big Pine/No Name keys Habitat Conservation Plan.

Is this a taking for the Key Deer and our empty lots have to be sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife? For property owners, the plan means the agency will purchase about 2,000 lots on 504 acres of prime habitat.  I went to the web site and have yet to find which lots the FWS want to buy. I'm still looking and hoping I do not have to sell what I have worked so hard to keep.

Square Grouper is on Cudjoe Key.  Coming from Marathon towards key west on your left hand side.  Should you pass up E-Fish you have gone too far.  Take the same road that you would to Spindriff, the second grouping of commercial buildings.  Great restaurant...hurry in before they close for vacation which usually starts right before mini season.

I've notice lately, there is a tendency for a few to be picky, picky as far as grammar and spelling are concerned.  Who cares why or for what reason there is a typo, a miss-chosen word, or bad grammar? The whole point of this forum is to convey a point of information and to get comments from other thinkers. Quit being wave makers, and read the words!

I was ready to call FEMA and get mine.  Then I noticed the fine print (sigh).

I left the Keys about 1 1/2 years ago.  I knew a guy name Steven who worked at Big Pine Coffee Shop.  Does anyone know his last name?  I'm just wondering if it's the Steven I knew.  He would be around 24 or 25 now?

Thursday June 22, 2006

Wednesday June 21, 2006

Has anyone else received a letter from the health department threatening a $500 per day fine for not having a current maintenance plan for their aerobic system? The maintenance plan costs $900 plus $200 for a County permit required to operate the damned thing!

The sad thing is that ever since I've had this thing (since hurricane Georges) I've never seen anyone around inspecting or taking water samples on my "poop plant". On top of all this injustice, it costs about $78 a month in electricity to operate it. This whole sorry tale began when I needed my septic tank emptied after Georges flooded the property. The septic cleaner reported me to county health for having an illegal system. I was given 30 days to sign up with an aerobic company or face heavy fines. I hired a private engineer who proved that I did indeed have a septic system which the County had me install in 1985 to accommodate a new addition to the house. Unfortunately, County health couldn't find their paper work confirming this; even though my blueprints showed inspection stamps for sewer and water. So I was told to sign up or else. Unfortunately for me, I was scheduled to begin radiation treatment for cancer at an out of state hospital in one week. The County's reply, "Well you better pick a system real soon before you leave".  Can anyone top that for your County at work?

The only high paying jobs in the Keys are in the construction industries. If you're real good you can make about $25-30 an hour, but it's real hard work.

Commissioners take money from either of the two sides in the Keys; the rich developers or the rich environmentalists. That's how government works. Each side lobbies for their interests. It stinks, but that's how American politics works on all levels of government. Is there anyone who knows how to change it? I didn't think so.

Why dogs bite their owners part two.

All the black looking snakes of the Keys are non-poisonous. Black racers and Indigos are real mellow as are the black mangrove variety.  

It's not the brain dead snowbird that's in favor of short term vacation rental, its all of us working people who thrived on their business and for the past 7 years have had a loss of income because of the County commissioners at that time.

Bicycle Joanie may run for district 2

To believe in miracles, plant a garden.

Black snakes, eh? http://www.snakesonaplane.com You think you've got a snake problem?

"Neugent has the very best interests at heart for District 2" If that's true, we really are screwed.  I think the guy that hears voices is a better choice.  I'd rather have a commissioner that takes his orders from God than the wealthy environmental groups.

For the upscale clientele that "go elsewhere and pay more so we don’t have to sit in a dark, dirty dump ..."  I guess your Realtor failed to mention that BPK is not the high rent district of the Keys?  Why subject yourself to riffraff?  Key West is probably more your speed anyway.  The homes there are a tad more pricey, but you know you're worth it. 

Go ahead and laugh. I like a joke as well as anyone, but this is for real. In May 2008 the National ID card law takes effect. The card has a chip in which all of your personal info is stored.

Say you won't get it? Well, it will be your driver's license, so be prepared to drive without one. Have you ever read the draconian powers granted the feds in the event of an "emergency" by the Patriot Act?

The idea of legislating secession is mostly symbolic but would give the state some legal precedent to disallow fascist troops from either the fed or United Nations on its territory, (Something like Rick Roth sending his officers to arrest the National Guard folks if they prevented people from entering the Keys after the hurricane).

It has gone so far that there is not much citizens can do. My senator, Robert Byrd of WV, stood alone against the Iraq war. He stood virtually alone in opposition to the Patriot Act. He's only one guy, but does his best for the shape he's in. Our family is already making plans to leave the U.S. when the fascists take over, even though we've been here since 1663. Wake up. This is not a drill or a TV drama. First the ID card, then the implanted RFID chips.   http://www.freedomtofascism.com 

Long winded tome from God's candidate. This morning I dreamt ... 

I was recently informed that The Nature Conservancy claims to have acquired a permit by DEP and USC of Engineers to fill in mosquito ditches on their property on Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key. These ditches were cut into the rock in the 1960's to help with mosquito control. These ditches are cut across the entire island and contain fresh water, a much needed, rare resource here, especially in the past 8 months of drought since hurricane Wilma.

Many aquatic animals have come to depend on these ditches as a way to travel from one place to another as well as a shelter, food and water source. Over 40 years of regeneration have taken place making these ditches an important part of the native habitat. The edges of the ditches are full of rare and state threatened flora such as the Joewood and Rachoma. The water and underlying silt is home to the State Endangered Key Mud Turtle which I photographed in these very ditches last week. Many other fauna share this ditch, such as several species of mosquito eating fish, alligators, snakes, turtles and frogs. The Key Deer also use these ditches for water.

You see, an entire ecosystem thrives in these ditches and if they are filled by The Nature Conservancy we will not only lose an important habitat but everything living in it. There is no mitigation that will replace such a loss of habitat. TNC claims they are restoring a wetland when in fact they will be eliminating one.

What is happening to the paving in the Avenues?  Is there a plan to widen Sands Ave?  I am curious Yellow!

What’s up with the moronic County trying to impose heavy cash penalties on dog owners who haven’t had their pooches pouches snipped.  I never see packs of wild dogs running around, ever.  But, I do see, everyday feral cats running everywhere.  Yo', Monroe County.  Leave the dogs and their owners alone and try to come up with a solution to the wild cats and chickens problem.

Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher, both candidates for governor, admit to having smoked marijuana. But it's still the evil weed and a big money maker for our oppressive government. What's wrong with this picture?

Everyone should adopt a cat for their very own.  You know, one of those cute, hairy creatures that claws the furniture then scratches around in the smelly litter box after taking a nice dump and whiz, then jumps up and walks across the kitchen counter where you’re going to make your sandwich while on the way to gag up a hairball on the living room carpet.  Yep, there’s nothing like having a cat in the house.

Has anyone else noticed the no-see-ums (Noseeums?) are getting larger by the year?  Does anyone know of a spray or lotion you can use to keep them from biting?  They are really bothering me this year.

Let me explain the toll booth photo a couple of days ago. In NYC  we have EZ Pass. This allows you to zip through the tool booth at speed. The problem is some idiots try to go through the EZ Pass lane without an EZ Pass then stop to pay the toll booth attendant, who doesn’t exist. I have often had to lock 'em up to avoid rear ending these idiots. And, yes, we New Yorker’s have no patience for idiots.

Our presence does not contribute to Iraqi security.

I think I found Rob's house.

[Salsa Loca, not Casa Loca] You are absolutely correct.  Salsa Loca in Key West is excellent.  Casa Loca was a place I enjoyed in Tucson, Arizona.

[The person slamming George Neugent]  At least he's trying.  What are you doing for your community?  You may not agree with everything that Neugent has done but you have to admit that he has done more for our district than any other commissioner. It's pretty easy to sit back and criticize.  It's a different matter when you actually get out and try. I'm sure that this won't stop you from further criticism, but I won't listen to you until you shut up and do something to make things better.  

Please don’t dump your litters of kittens on the roadside or in our neighborhoods.  Buy the little guys a nice collar and attach it to a wire leader and, using 50# mono, troll them at about 5 knots.  You’re sure to hook-up.

The snake on the extension ladder is a southern black racer (Coluber constricter priapus), despite the name it does not constrict.  It is 100% harmless. Tell your wife, it was a lot more scared then  she was. This is the most common diurnal (daylight) snake in all of the Keys. It's called a racer because of its quick movements.  The only venomous snake that has ever been found in the lower Keys is the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus).  This is venomous and big, but a very mellow fellow unless you hurt it.  The largest record for the Keys is 72 inches long. They are the natural predator of our native rice rats and marsh rabbits. They eat exotic black rats these days.  All of our snakes belong here and don't bother anything that doesn't bother them first. Black racers and red rat snakes also are eating small iguanas.

While reading the posts from District 2 County Commission candidate Bashinsky I too began to hear things.  It was the music theme from the Twilight Zone.  I think it’s safe to say that Mr. Neugent can relax and look forward to another term. 

I finally realized why BPK'ers don't talk about the world's problems on this blog,  It's simply because you never leave BPK. Most of you don't even know where Key West is, and some have never been to any other bar except the ones on BPK. The only input you get is TV and bar talk. What's that tell you?

[To Homelessness runs Rampant] It's the Federal Government doing these things and they are not going to stop. They want a one world Government. Just look at Homeland Security, they are not protecting us. Anyone and everyone walks right in. It's all about taking your constitutional rights away in the name of protecting you.

[Candidate] Dear Sloan, I'll Vote for you when God tells me to.

(Cue eerie background music)  To satisfy my curiosity I e-mailed County Commission candidate Mr. Bashinsky and asked for his so called “Candidates Statement.”  What I received was a couple of rambling paragraphs about more “dreams” and a long, mostly senseless poem.  Very odd to say the least.  I have blocked his e-mail address so I won’t get any more of the “hearing from God” and “dream” descriptions.  (Fade-out eerie background music)

[Homelessness runs rampant] I am unsympathetic to foreigners looking for a better life, because they don't care about fixing their own country. What do you think they will do here, besides tear down what we have? The new immigrants are not like the immigrants of our fathers. The new invaders are the rejected trash of their fatherland. When my paid elected officials give my hard earned money to some unfit immigrant, I will fight it to the end.

That is 1.1million for K.D.'s not 11 million.

I understand there is going to be a Minutemen March sometime during this year's FantasyFest. If this is true, where can I sign up? At the VFW?

Can anyone tell me where the Square Grouper restaurant is located? I would like to try it but don't know where it is. (Ed: Cudjoe Key at about the 20-22MM. There's a red awning on a tin building.)

Could the last person floating on Big Pine please remove the moderate fire danger sign. Maybe you could use it as a life preserver.

A quick note about the Bush putting himself in harms way post. Your post does more to further the conservative agenda in this country than anything a conservative could possibly say. It is hard to imagine anyone over the age of 10 putting together such a litany of pure nonsense and drivel. If you are unable to read try to watch some other T.V. channel besides PBS as you truly are giving your fellow liberals a bad name. Then again you do make a lot of us feel very superior, at least regarding your post.

[US1 closed Tuesday AM] It seems Homestead Gas employee's were not on the scene yet, I wonder just who that leaves that could have left a valve open?

Just in case you might be wondering why and who did it; and of course who to send your thank you letters to.

I've been out of town and was reading up but couldn't find out: What happen to Steven? (Ed: He got hit on US1 and is recovering)

Be very careful about advocating a Monroe County only windstorm agency. The smaller the area the higher the rates.  That's why some are advocating National Disaster Coverage.  You want people in Montana paying into the insurance fund (they sure aren't likely to ever have a hurricane claim).

That's the basic insurance principle--include people that aren't likely to make a claim with those that most likely will, thus lowering the rates for those that will.  If you make that area to small, like only Monroe County, everybody will have to pay a lot more.  The money has to come from somewhere.

Wednesday June 21, 2006

Tuesday June 20, 2006

Long winded tome from God's candidate for County Commissioner...

[Great, the weekly vacation rental issue is back] Almost all those who fought for the ban moved within a year or two after they got there way. This happens all the time down here. A group gets together makes all sorts of changes then moves.  This whole mess we owe to Jack London and cronies.

[Killer bees] What happened to them? Growing up, that was the big fear--Killer Bees! Now it's global warming. It was fire ants for a few years too. So what happened to the killer bees? Is their bark worse than their sting? I thought we wouldn't even be able to go outside on a picnic by now. Bzzzzzz

[Windstorm Insurance] Has anyone kicked it around to form a County windstorm insurance agency? All it requires is a state charter I believe. If I'm going to spend $8000 for windstorm I would rather keep my money local.

The new truth.

[Chain stores, vacation rentals, developers] There's no way we can fight them all off. What a sad place when we're constantly fighting one battle after another just to enjoy our way of life in the Keys. We're doomed.

I kind of doubt that states can secede from the union through local legislation.  The South tried that a few years ago and it didn't work out so well.  But, if the "blue" states want to secede from the union, I think the rest of the country would support them. 

I'm willing to bet that brain-dead snowbird doesn't have a weekly rental next to his actual home.  It's him and people who think like him that are ruining the Keys.  Selfishness and greed seem to be overcoming people at an alarming rate.  Part of living in a neighborhood is being a good neighbor.  No home owner wants to live next to a rental where careless and loud people are coming and going every weekend with multiple cars, trucks, boats, etc., partying all night long, and disrespecting the neighbors.  I don't agree with some of the County's laws, but I applaud them for the rental laws.  They are protecting year-round locals. 

I just wanted to let all you underpaid whiners know that I saw a notice at the Summerland post office offering $16.45/ hour for rural delivery carriers.  Oh, you say that you don't have a valid driver's license, or you can't pass a drug test?  Sorry dude.  I guess you reap what you sow.

[If you're not outraged you're not paying attention] You're the one that's not paying attention.  You're worrying about stupid, insignificant crap while the country, no, the whole world is in serious danger!  I suppose you don't care that dinosauroid-like alien reptiles are dominating the world?  Or that bar codes were really designed to control people?  I'm not making this stuff up. I read it on the Internet, so I know it's true. http://www.2spare.com/item_43133.aspx

The recent litter dumped in Eden Pines are all healthy kittens, ready to get low-cost spay / neutered at Stand Up For Animals for about $20.  There's no excuse to not "fix" kitty!  I found a friendly little guy and he came-up clean at the Vet.  This litter appears to be very friendly and about 3 months old.  So please pick-up the stray cat, give it a nice home or take it to the animal shelter.  By ignoring them, they will multiply and lead miserable lives. Do the right thing Eden Pines!  Shame on the people for dumping them. I'm glad that you don't live here and / or moving far away back to the trailer park with your fat spouse.

Richard Gere and Jodi Foster were in the stupid 1993 Civil War movie Sommersby where the war changed the husband so much, from the youth he was, to where his wife isn't sure that's him or not.

They didn't say it like that thought in the advertisements. They said something like, "A farmers wife suspects the man in her bed, back from the civil war, is not the husband who left many years ago for the war." They never say anything about him having changed so much? They make you think that this lady is stupid where she can't even recognize her husband. I mean, doesn't he have a mole on his pecker or something? What do you mean she doesn't know if it's her husband whom she vowed, before God, that they would spend the rest of their lives together? Yea, that husband!

[People who have their head out of their arse and are aware of what the feds are doing are on white rocks] I suppose you mean cocaine but I've never actually seen any, never taken a drink of liquor or a toke on any kind of cigarette, and don't use any sort of drugs, prescription or otherwise.

The reason these thugs continue to get away with their crimes against the American citizenry is that sheep like you refuse to believe it. I have my own true story about black helicopters. This actually happened one afternoon about a year before 9-11, (Clinton administration). Some friends of mine from PA were visiting and wanted to find a secluded fishing spot. I took them down to the old Tarpon Creek bridge, (locals know where that is) which is down an over grown sand path.

We had barely got our fishing gear unloaded when a black helicopter buzzed us directly overhead. Within ten minutes a border patrol truck pulled up, then a DNR truck, and finally two sheriff cars. All the little pitchers except the deputies got out, (we figured Rick Roth's guys actually knew and respected the law) and started to shake us down. We were obviously old American men, had no drugs or even alcohol. We had no illegal fish. They talked on their radios about another half-hour and then the whole dog and pony show pulled out and left.

I know some of you fascist cop wannabes think this is fine, but harassment of law abiding citizens is not supposed to happen in the country I was born in and my forefathers fought for. You people with your heads in the sand are the sky pilots on dope. Wake up! If we haven't lost America we're damned close to it.  http://www.freedomtofascism.com   

One reason there are no reliable contractors in the area is that there is no construction, plumbing, electric, motor, etc. vocational classes in Key West High School or FKCC.  Who is going to fill those jobs?  Look at the classifieds in The Citizen.  There are plenty of jobs for people in the construction trades.  Too bad there is no where in the Lower Keys to learn any of that stuff.  If you take vocational classes in KWHS you can take hospitality, cooking, nails & hair.  That’s it! 

[Re-elect George Neugent]  I agree 100 percent.  Of course there will be some people who disagree because they don’t like Mr Neugent for one reason or another, but that is the nature of politics.  I have watched and paid attention; and of all the Commissioners Mr. Neugent has the very best interests at heart for District 2.  I also support him for re-election.  Go George!

How do you know they are crack whores? Did you give them crack for sex? Huh, did you? As for unkempt bums, some people have to work in the sun all day and go for a beer before they go home. That does not make them bums. Some people  are bums, but do odd jobs that no one else wants to do. They also deserve a cold beer. When did Piners become such snobs?

I asked my wife if she wanted to have a three-way. She said yes, but wanted to know who the other two people would be. 

[Maybe if some of you upscale clientele weren't so cheap and frequented the local establishments more often, the atmosphere would change to your liking.]  We “upscale clientele” aren’t exactly “cheap” because we spend considerably more to frequent nicer restaurants. We don’t frequent the local places because  The atmosphere on BPK will change to our liking when the places are cleaned more than once a year, the décor doesn’t look like a homeless shelter, the menu and food preparation reflect quality and the service is good.  We go elsewhere and pay more so we don’t have to sit in a dark, dirty dump that slings lousy, inconsistent food with marginal service.  And the dumps aren’t going to change until the owners do.  So we continue to make the drive to Parrotdise or the Grouper, pay more, tip well and enjoy dining in a pleasant atmosphere with others who shower daily and put on a clean shirt.   

And for a moment, they forgot why they were fighting...

I have a real concern about the method of thinking in this country lately.  In a typical organization, employees tend to let things slip after a period of time and the employer needs to step in and set things straight.  Things are slowly slipping out of control and we need the Federal Government to put its foot down and deal with domestic issues.  This is not a Republican or Democrat bashing.  It's a people bashing.

Here's one example.  Homelessness runs rampant in our cities.  Just look at the Keys.  The homeless are everywhere.  Our government gives about $10,000 to a Cuban migrant who just showed up illegally, which usually ends up in the smuggler's hands.  Then, they are offered benefits like a 2% mortgage to buy a home.  Ever wonder why a recent migrant is driving a Hummer with a twin-engine boat behind it?  Thank Uncle Sam for that.  How about taking those benefits away from migrants and giving them to our own homeless, who are American citizens!  Not just homeless, but offer the 2% to all first time home owners - who are American citizens!  I'm not unsympathetic to foreigners looking for a better life, but if a poor American moved to another country, would they get those benefits?  Hell no!  They would have to work for it.  Why should we be different? 

One thing that sickens me more and more every year is the "politically correct" Christmas.  What the hell is that all about?  People are actually suing their employers for putting up Christmas Trees.  Now, the Pledge of Allegiance is getting banned in schools for the word "God."  Books are also getting banned.  And to make things worse, diversity and ethnic classes are taking priority over the "Three R's."  How is it that this stuff was never a problem in the past?  The ACLU tried to stop the Marine Corps from group prayers because they said "church and state need to be separated."  Thank God the Marine Corps had the stones to tell them where to stick it.  There is no way in hell that the majority of American citizens sympathize with this crap.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.  We need to stop giving way to the Cindy Sheehans of this country, or other people who hide behind the Constitution to annoy us all.  We need the Federal Government to put people in their place and not back down because they fear an ACLU lawsuit, or uprising from illegal residents.  

[Put your $1.5 mil in CD's instead of investing in a decent cocktail lounge] People are borrowing money to open businesses. They don't already have the $1.5 mil. That's why they are opening a business, to make more than they have.

[It is very possible to make money in the food and beverage business even with a sizeable investment]  This is evidenced by successful restaurants/lounges in any city or community.  And, then there are those who just struggle along and eventually fail, (and it’s always for the same reason).  Never mind Key West with any number of high end places; locally we have Parrotdise and Square Grouper.  Both were, no doubt, huge investments yet they are highly successful because they provide a quality product and good service and are well managed.  Then you have the few places locally who barely make it from week to week and are on the edge of failure (or have recently failed) because they are inconsistent, have poor food quality with bad service by incompetent help, offer a dingy, cheap setting, fire the staff every other week and mismanage the whole operation on a daily basis. A previous post was correct.  It’s all about owners with class that run a class operation and know how to train, treat, and keep good help and manage their business.

[crack whores and unwashed bums can afford to eat out every night] Because they take in a minimum $300 nightly. Talk to some of the street people, they have bucu bucks. They're just nuts.

Thank You Mr. George Neugent for endorsing yourself for re-election on this web page June 19th. What exactly have you done for your constituents for them to re-elect you? All I have seen you do is stand in the way of progress. It's a shame we don't have anyone worthy to represent us other than you and the one that God talks to; or does God talk to you too? Or is it just little voices that tell you how to vote on issues? How do you stand on the animal neutering issue?

Maybe you better form a committee to see how you stand on it. Watch out for stacking it with the vocal minorities that want to screw the locals every chance they get as they have in the past. This web page is a good forum for you to tell us how you really stand on issues and why we should vote for you again. You can even take the time to form a committee on what you should say. What have you done for us lately? I guess you will say nothing and do nothing as in the past and hope no real challengers appear. So far, so good. (Ed: The post on the 19th was not from Mr Nugent.)

Being called “by God” to run for County Commission.  Hmmm.  And some people think Bicycle Joanie is nutty!

To the individual calling the person a brain dead snowbird who wrote in about being able to do with your house what you want (within reason) such as renting it by the week. Apparently you don't know how to read. I specifically said I was a full time resident and that I have never rented out my house. I stated that my dogs are snowbirds (joke) meaning that they should not come under the neutering laws of this fine county.

I would also like to know how they are going to enforce this law? Are they going to try to collect a hundred dollars from the snow birds each year who also have visiting pets which are not neutered and not licensed from this  fine county? Are they going to check the tax rolls to see if one is homesteading to see if you have a full time resident pet? Also, if the politicians want neutering they should really start with people like you who can't read. Then the politicians who voted for this law should be next in line. It would at least be a step in the right direction to help the gene pool here.

A lot of folks can't understand how we come to have an oil shortage in our country. Well there is a simple answer; Nobody bothered to check the oil. We just didn't know we were getting low. The reason for that is purely geographical. Our oil is located in Alaska, California, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and our dipsticks are located in Washington D. C.

Amazingly I have been a non-smoker for 13 days!  And the most incredible part is that it has been easy.  This site really helped me a lot.  Please share it with anyone you know who would like to quit, but is afraid. Quit Smoking| Stop smoking.Free Online course. 100,000 users

[Spraying empty lot with weed killer photo] It looks like it worked.

[No audit of US gold reserve since Eisenhower] That's right, since we went on the Wood Standard. You know, need money, just chop down a tree, make paper, print dead presidents on it and stick it...er...give it to the people!  It should come on a cardboard roll too.

The reason you had a good time at Rob's is because he has been out of town and his loyal "servants" have been taking care of you.  The place has some class but Rob and his "big guns" attitude keep people who have experienced his temper away from there. I'm not saying Rob's is a bad place to eat, it's just a personal "thing" of mine not to give money to a person in business who chooses to raise his voice to make a personal point.

You're wrong on the economics of contraband. We have friends who in the '80s brought in 150 kilos of toot and sold them as grams and 8 balls (no middleman). They were smart enough not to have been caught and now are kicking back running their bar and laughing all the way to the bank. It just takes good ol' American know-how and some good connections.

I always thought if a neighborhood was zoned non-business/industrial, that renting your house was prohibited because in renting it, you have created a business. Anything that brings in profit is considered a business and has to be licensed, taxed and permitted! Gee, maybe I'll start a pig farm on Little Torch, Ocean Side!

Fun new sport for the Keys. Hunting feral cats with a cannon. http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm

[In talking about the cost of opening a restaurant] The reason I said I'd be in Australia, was for a fact, to get the hell out of the Keys before you "Business Persons / Politicos ", take every cent I have left, my house, car, land and my rights! I came to the Keys many years ago for one reason, to get away from people like you, but you followed as I knew you would and are destroying the paradise I had the God given privilege to live in before it is gone forever.

I think that the old K.D.'s is for sale for closer to $11mil. It has indoor and outdoor bars, dining and a liquor license.

Kudos to the 16 year old defending where he/she lives.  It's a farce to believe just because a person "accidentally wanders" into the Avenues they get involved with drugs.  The money for the drugs comes from the kids who have money to buy them (or maybe not in all cases).  So, my personal suggestion is keep the kids from the so-called "class acts" out of the Avenues or get real and understand it's not the geographical location, it's where you live in your head.  The Vineyard is close to the Avenues and believe me, that place is home every Sunday to all, no matter where you are living.  Try it one Sunday just for the heck of it.  8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 am.

There are more families living in the Avenues (aka BPK ghetto) who have been able to live along the lines of the golden rule where you treat people as you would like to be treated.  Many people living there are more on top of how to stay away from drugs and violence that don't have a big daddy to get them out of trouble.  We always have the number one father and his son who loves you and me and everyone unconditionally.  Maybe you should take time to understand who is sitting next to you after a hard day's work stinking of hard work and realize it's not their outside appearance. Peace comes from within and not from claiming you are above such disgusting behavior.  If you want a pleasant cocktail, stop by the local retail stores and keep your disappointments in those who you feel you can judge to yourself.  Just go home, think about the nature that surrounds you, and relax. 

Yes, I've lived here on BPK for 30 some years; if you are the one who may be referring to me as an "import" I guess I can fend off your ridiculous antics of trying to be better than me just because you can.  Talk about stink, can you ever tell someone that you have taken yourself out of the gutter?  Do you know what that's like?  No.  I've never quite been in the mangroves, but, baby I know what's it's like to live in a trailer, work 3 jobs, and hang my laundry for the love of drugs and alcohol.

Not me today, because I was lucky enough to realize I'm not that girl and today I stand proud because of the people (and Jesus) who picked me up and carried me when I needed help and believe it or not, most of them came from the Avenues too.

Wow, that bitch session felt good! 

[Spraying empty lot with weed killer] It kind of reminds me of agent orange.

Does anyone know when the Looe Key Tiki Bar is going to reopen?

[Cost of opening a restaurant/ Take Risks/ Never have anything if you just work by the hour] Well thanks a hell-of-a-lot, Mr. Business owner. Now we, the working class, realize how you really see us and why you pay us crap.

[Automatically secede from the Union] I think there are thirteen states, including this one, which have had some experience with that "solution."  I believe it caused a five-year war which killed several hundred thousand Americans and failed to really solve anything, at least at that time. So we should do it again?

[Weed Killer] So what's wrong with spraying your own lot?

[Blacksnake on extension ladder] Try to encourage your wife to not only tolerate but appreciate these snakes.  They are very, very valuable because of the pests they eat.  We have some on our grounds and we try everything we can to not molest them, encourage them, etc.  They eat an unbelievable amount and variety of larger insects and small rodents, etc.  Plus they are really beautiful if you take a good look at them. And they are totally harmless, as are most Keys snakes except a few (three?) species which are easily identified, fairly rare and look nothing like the blacksnake.

A great guide to identifying our few harmful snakes is the University of Florida's, at: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm

Take a look. All the dangerous ones except the Coral snake are so-called pit vipers, not because they live in pits but because they have a large easily visible pit between their eyes.  If you just avoid snakes with a pit between the eyes you will avoid all the common dangerous snakes in the lower Keys. The Coral snake is very rare below Matecumbe, and in fact is pretty rare anywhere in the Keys any more.

I have taken a look at raving loony Ann Coulter's "Godless" and wondered how it could make less sense. Most of it actually makes more sense than Ann Coulter's ramblings. If she were a grizzled granny and not a right-wing hottie, she wouldn't get so much play. And there you go. In true Dutch fashion, try to teneergeslagen any liberalen in sky, y'all!

The reason there are two senators for each state is so that one can be the designated driver.

[Weed killer. What do you think] I think that unless he's a Vietnam vet having a flashback and going for the Agent Orange look, the poor bastard screwed up big time.

Tuesday June 20, 2006

Tuesday June 20, 2006

Long winded tome from God's candidate for County Commissioner...

[Great, the weekly vacation rental issue is back] Almost all those who fought for the ban moved within a year or two after they got there way. This happens all the time down here. A group gets together makes all sorts of changes then moves.  This whole mess we owe to Jack London and cronies.

[Killer bees] What happened to them? Growing up, that was the big fear--Killer Bees! Now it's global warming. It was fire ants for a few years too. So what happened to the killer bees? Is their bark worse than their sting? I thought we wouldn't even be able to go outside on a picnic by now. Bzzzzzz

[Windstorm Insurance] Has anyone kicked it around to form a County windstorm insurance agency? All it requires is a state charter I believe. If I'm going to spend $8000 for windstorm I would rather keep my money local.

The new truth.

[Chain stores, vacation rentals, developers] There's no way we can fight them all off. What a sad place when we're constantly fighting one battle after another just to enjoy our way of life in the Keys. We're doomed.

I kind of doubt that states can secede from the union through local legislation.  The South tried that a few years ago and it didn't work out so well.  But, if the "blue" states want to secede from the union, I think the rest of the country would support them. 

I'm willing to bet that brain-dead snowbird doesn't have a weekly rental next to his actual home.  It's him and people who think like him that are ruining the Keys.  Selfishness and greed seem to be overcoming people at an alarming rate.  Part of living in a neighborhood is being a good neighbor.  No home owner wants to live next to a rental where careless and loud people are coming and going every weekend with multiple cars, trucks, boats, etc., partying all night long, and disrespecting the neighbors.  I don't agree with some of the County's laws, but I applaud them for the rental laws.  They are protecting year-round locals. 

I just wanted to let all you underpaid whiners know that I saw a notice at the Summerland post office offering $16.45/ hour for rural delivery carriers.  Oh, you say that you don't have a valid driver's license, or you can't pass a drug test?  Sorry dude.  I guess you reap what you sow.

[If you're not outraged you're not paying attention] You're the one that's not paying attention.  You're worrying about stupid, insignificant crap while the country, no, the whole world is in serious danger!  I suppose you don't care that dinosauroid-like alien reptiles are dominating the world?  Or that bar codes were really designed to control people?  I'm not making this stuff up. I read it on the Internet, so I know it's true. http://www.2spare.com/item_43133.aspx

The recent litter dumped in Eden Pines are all healthy kittens, ready to get low-cost spay / neutered at Stand Up For Animals for about $20.  There's no excuse to not "fix" kitty!  I found a friendly little guy and he came-up clean at the Vet.  This litter appears to be very friendly and about 3 months old.  So please pick-up the stray cat, give it a nice home or take it to the animal shelter.  By ignoring them, they will multiply and lead miserable lives. Do the right thing Eden Pines!  Shame on the people for dumping them. I'm glad that you don't live here and / or moving far away back to the trailer park with your fat spouse.

Richard Gere and Jodi Foster were in the stupid 1993 Civil War movie Sommersby where the war changed the husband so much, from the youth he was, to where his wife isn't sure that's him or not.

They didn't say it like that thought in the advertisements. They said something like, "A farmers wife suspects the man in her bed, back from the civil war, is not the husband who left many years ago for the war." They never say anything about him having changed so much? They make you think that this lady is stupid where she can't even recognize her husband. I mean, doesn't he have a mole on his pecker or something? What do you mean she doesn't know if it's her husband whom she vowed, before God, that they would spend the rest of their lives together? Yea, that husband!

[People who have their head out of their arse and are aware of what the feds are doing are on white rocks] I suppose you mean cocaine but I've never actually seen any, never taken a drink of liquor or a toke on any kind of cigarette, and don't use any sort of drugs, prescription or otherwise.

The reason these thugs continue to get away with their crimes against the American citizenry is that sheep like you refuse to believe it. I have my own true story about black helicopters. This actually happened one afternoon about a year before 9-11, (Clinton administration). Some friends of mine from PA were visiting and wanted to find a secluded fishing spot. I took them down to the old Tarpon Creek bridge, (locals know where that is) which is down an over grown sand path.

We had barely got our fishing gear unloaded when a black helicopter buzzed us directly overhead. Within ten minutes a border patrol truck pulled up, then a DNR truck, and finally two sheriff cars. All the little pitchers except the deputies got out, (we figured Rick Roth's guys actually knew and respected the law) and started to shake us down. We were obviously old American men, had no drugs or even alcohol. We had no illegal fish. They talked on their radios about another half-hour and then the whole dog and pony show pulled out and left.

I know some of you fascist cop wannabes think this is fine, but harassment of law abiding citizens is not supposed to happen in the country I was born in and my forefathers fought for. You people with your heads in the sand are the sky pilots on dope. Wake up! If we haven't lost America we're damned close to it.  http://www.freedomtofascism.com   

One reason there are no reliable contractors in the area is that there is no construction, plumbing, electric, motor, etc. vocational classes in Key West High School or FKCC.  Who is going to fill those jobs?  Look at the classifieds in The Citizen.  There are plenty of jobs for people in the construction trades.  Too bad there is no where in the Lower Keys to learn any of that stuff.  If you take vocational classes in KWHS you can take hospitality, cooking, nails & hair.  That’s it! 

[Re-elect George Neugent]  I agree 100 percent.  Of course there will be some people who disagree because they don’t like Mr Neugent for one reason or another, but that is the nature of politics.  I have watched and paid attention; and of all the Commissioners Mr. Neugent has the very best interests at heart for District 2.  I also support him for re-election.  Go George!

How do you know they are crack whores? Did you give them crack for sex? Huh, did you? As for unkempt bums, some people have to work in the sun all day and go for a beer before they go home. That does not make them bums. Some people  are bums, but do odd jobs that no one else wants to do. They also deserve a cold beer. When did Piners become such snobs?

I asked my wife if she wanted to have a three-way. She said yes, but wanted to know who the other two people would be. 

[Maybe if some of you upscale clientele weren't so cheap and frequented the local establishments more often, the atmosphere would change to your liking.]  We “upscale clientele” aren’t exactly “cheap” because we spend considerably more to frequent nicer restaurants. We don’t frequent the local places because  The atmosphere on BPK will change to our liking when the places are cleaned more than once a year, the décor doesn’t look like a homeless shelter, the menu and food preparation reflect quality and the service is good.  We go elsewhere and pay more so we don’t have to sit in a dark, dirty dump that slings lousy, inconsistent food with marginal service.  And the dumps aren’t going to change until the owners do.  So we continue to make the drive to Parrotdise or the Grouper, pay more, tip well and enjoy dining in a pleasant atmosphere with others who shower daily and put on a clean shirt.   

And for a moment, they forgot why they were fighting...

I have a real concern about the method of thinking in this country lately.  In a typical organization, employees tend to let things slip after a period of time and the employer needs to step in and set things straight.  Things are slowly slipping out of control and we need the Federal Government to put its foot down and deal with domestic issues.  This is not a Republican or Democrat bashing.  It's a people bashing.

Here's one example.  Homelessness runs rampant in our cities.  Just look at the Keys.  The homeless are everywhere.  Our government gives about $10,000 to a Cuban migrant who just showed up illegally, which usually ends up in the smuggler's hands.  Then, they are offered benefits like a 2% mortgage to buy a home.  Ever wonder why a recent migrant is driving a Hummer with a twin-engine boat behind it?  Thank Uncle Sam for that.  How about taking those benefits away from migrants and giving them to our own homeless, who are American citizens!  Not just homeless, but offer the 2% to all first time home owners - who are American citizens!  I'm not unsympathetic to foreigners looking for a better life, but if a poor American moved to another country, would they get those benefits?  Hell no!  They would have to work for it.  Why should we be different? 

One thing that sickens me more and more every year is the "politically correct" Christmas.  What the hell is that all about?  People are actually suing their employers for putting up Christmas Trees.  Now, the Pledge of Allegiance is getting banned in schools for the word "God."  Books are also getting banned.  And to make things worse, diversity and ethnic classes are taking priority over the "Three R's."  How is it that this stuff was never a problem in the past?  The ACLU tried to stop the Marine Corps from group prayers because they said "church and state need to be separated."  Thank God the Marine Corps had the stones to tell them where to stick it.  There is no way in hell that the majority of American citizens sympathize with this crap.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.  We need to stop giving way to the Cindy Sheehans of this country, or other people who hide behind the Constitution to annoy us all.  We need the Federal Government to put people in their place and not back down because they fear an ACLU lawsuit, or uprising from illegal residents.  

[Put your $1.5 mil in CD's instead of investing in a decent cocktail lounge] People are borrowing money to open businesses. They don't already have the $1.5 mil. That's why they are opening a business, to make more than they have.

[It is very possible to make money in the food and beverage business even with a sizeable investment]  This is evidenced by successful restaurants/lounges in any city or community.  And, then there are those who just struggle along and eventually fail, (and it’s always for the same reason).  Never mind Key West with any number of high end places; locally we have Parrotdise and Square Grouper.  Both were, no doubt, huge investments yet they are highly successful because they provide a quality product and good service and are well managed.  Then you have the few places locally who barely make it from week to week and are on the edge of failure (or have recently failed) because they are inconsistent, have poor food quality with bad service by incompetent help, offer a dingy, cheap setting, fire the staff every other week and mismanage the whole operation on a daily basis. A previous post was correct.  It’s all about owners with class that run a class operation and know how to train, treat, and keep good help and manage their business.

[crack whores and unwashed bums can afford to eat out every night] Because they take in a minimum $300 nightly. Talk to some of the street people, they have bucu bucks. They're just nuts.

Thank You Mr. George Neugent for endorsing yourself for re-election on this web page June 19th. What exactly have you done for your constituents for them to re-elect you? All I have seen you do is stand in the way of progress. It's a shame we don't have anyone worthy to represent us other than you and the one that God talks to; or does God talk to you too? Or is it just little voices that tell you how to vote on issues? How do you stand on the animal neutering issue?

Maybe you better form a committee to see how you stand on it. Watch out for stacking it with the vocal minorities that want to screw the locals every chance they get as they have in the past. This web page is a good forum for you to tell us how you really stand on issues and why we should vote for you again. You can even take the time to form a committee on what you should say. What have you done for us lately? I guess you will say nothing and do nothing as in the past and hope no real challengers appear. So far, so good. (Ed: The post on the 19th was not from Mr Nugent.)

Being called “by God” to run for County Commission.  Hmmm.  And some people think Bicycle Joanie is nutty!

To the individual calling the person a brain dead snowbird who wrote in about being able to do with your house what you want (within reason) such as renting it by the week. Apparently you don't know how to read. I specifically said I was a full time resident and that I have never rented out my house. I stated that my dogs are snowbirds (joke) meaning that they should not come under the neutering laws of this fine county.

I would also like to know how they are going to enforce this law? Are they going to try to collect a hundred dollars from the snow birds each year who also have visiting pets which are not neutered and not licensed from this  fine county? Are they going to check the tax rolls to see if one is homesteading to see if you have a full time resident pet? Also, if the politicians want neutering they should really start with people like you who can't read. Then the politicians who voted for this law should be next in line. It would at least be a step in the right direction to help the gene pool here.

A lot of folks can't understand how we come to have an oil shortage in our country. Well there is a simple answer; Nobody bothered to check the oil. We just didn't know we were getting low. The reason for that is purely geographical. Our oil is located in Alaska, California, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and our dipsticks are located in Washington D. C.

Amazingly I have been a non-smoker for 13 days!  And the most incredible part is that it has been easy.  This site really helped me a lot.  Please share it with anyone you know who would like to quit, but is afraid. Quit Smoking| Stop smoking.Free Online course. 100,000 users

[Spraying empty lot with weed killer photo] It looks like it worked.

[No audit of US gold reserve since Eisenhower] That's right, since we went on the Wood Standard. You know, need money, just chop down a tree, make paper, print dead presidents on it and stick it...er...give it to the people!  It should come on a cardboard roll too.

The reason you had a good time at Rob's is because he has been out of town and his loyal "servants" have been taking care of you.  The place has some class but Rob and his "big guns" attitude keep people who have experienced his temper away from there. I'm not saying Rob's is a bad place to eat, it's just a personal "thing" of mine not to give money to a person in business who chooses to raise his voice to make a personal point.

You're wrong on the economics of contraband. We have friends who in the '80s brought in 150 kilos of toot and sold them as grams and 8 balls (no middleman). They were smart enough not to have been caught and now are kicking back running their bar and laughing all the way to the bank. It just takes good ol' American know-how and some good connections.

I always thought if a neighborhood was zoned non-business/industrial, that renting your house was prohibited because in renting it, you have created a business. Anything that brings in profit is considered a business and has to be licensed, taxed and permitted! Gee, maybe I'll start a pig farm on Little Torch, Ocean Side!

Fun new sport for the Keys. Hunting feral cats with a cannon. http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm

[In talking about the cost of opening a restaurant] The reason I said I'd be in Australia, was for a fact, to get the hell out of the Keys before you "Business Persons / Politicos ", take every cent I have left, my house, car, land and my rights! I came to the Keys many years ago for one reason, to get away from people like you, but you followed as I knew you would and are destroying the paradise I had the God given privilege to live in before it is gone forever.

I think that the old K.D.'s is for sale for closer to $11mil. It has indoor and outdoor bars, dining and a liquor license.

Kudos to the 16 year old defending where he/she lives.  It's a farce to believe just because a person "accidentally wanders" into the Avenues they get involved with drugs.  The money for the drugs comes from the kids who have money to buy them (or maybe not in all cases).  So, my personal suggestion is keep the kids from the so-called "class acts" out of the Avenues or get real and understand it's not the geographical location, it's where you live in your head.  The Vineyard is close to the Avenues and believe me, that place is home every Sunday to all, no matter where you are living.  Try it one Sunday just for the heck of it.  8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 am.

There are more families living in the Avenues (aka BPK ghetto) who have been able to live along the lines of the golden rule where you treat people as you would like to be treated.  Many people living there are more on top of how to stay away from drugs and violence that don't have a big daddy to get them out of trouble.  We always have the number one father and his son who loves you and me and everyone unconditionally.  Maybe you should take time to understand who is sitting next to you after a hard day's work stinking of hard work and realize it's not their outside appearance. Peace comes from within and not from claiming you are above such disgusting behavior.  If you want a pleasant cocktail, stop by the local retail stores and keep your disappointments in those who you feel you can judge to yourself.  Just go home, think about the nature that surrounds you, and relax. 

Yes, I've lived here on BPK for 30 some years; if you are the one who may be referring to me as an "import" I guess I can fend off your ridiculous antics of trying to be better than me just because you can.  Talk about stink, can you ever tell someone that you have taken yourself out of the gutter?  Do you know what that's like?  No.  I've never quite been in the mangroves, but, baby I know what's it's like to live in a trailer, work 3 jobs, and hang my laundry for the love of drugs and alcohol.

Not me today, because I was lucky enough to realize I'm not that girl and today I stand proud because of the people (and Jesus) who picked me up and carried me when I needed help and believe it or not, most of them came from the Avenues too.

Wow, that bitch session felt good! 

[Spraying empty lot with weed killer] It kind of reminds me of agent orange.

Does anyone know when the Looe Key Tiki Bar is going to reopen?

[Cost of opening a restaurant/ Take Risks/ Never have anything if you just work by the hour] Well thanks a hell-of-a-lot, Mr. Business owner. Now we, the working class, realize how you really see us and why you pay us crap.

[Automatically secede from the Union] I think there are thirteen states, including this one, which have had some experience with that "solution."  I believe it caused a five-year war which killed several hundred thousand Americans and failed to really solve anything, at least at that time. So we should do it again?

[Weed Killer] So what's wrong with spraying your own lot?

[Blacksnake on extension ladder] Try to encourage your wife to not only tolerate but appreciate these snakes.  They are very, very valuable because of the pests they eat.  We have some on our grounds and we try everything we can to not molest them, encourage them, etc.  They eat an unbelievable amount and variety of larger insects and small rodents, etc.  Plus they are really beautiful if you take a good look at them. And they are totally harmless, as are most Keys snakes except a few (three?) species which are easily identified, fairly rare and look nothing like the blacksnake.

A great guide to identifying our few harmful snakes is the University of Florida's, at: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm

Take a look. All the dangerous ones except the Coral snake are so-called pit vipers, not because they live in pits but because they have a large easily visible pit between their eyes.  If you just avoid snakes with a pit between the eyes you will avoid all the common dangerous snakes in the lower Keys. The Coral snake is very rare below Matecumbe, and in fact is pretty rare anywhere in the Keys any more.

I have taken a look at raving loony Ann Coulter's "Godless" and wondered how it could make less sense. Most of it actually makes more sense than Ann Coulter's ramblings. If she were a grizzled granny and not a right-wing hottie, she wouldn't get so much play. And there you go. In true Dutch fashion, try to teneergeslagen any liberalen in sky, y'all!

The reason there are two senators for each state is so that one can be the designated driver.

[Weed killer. What do you think] I think that unless he's a Vietnam vet having a flashback and going for the Agent Orange look, the poor bastard screwed up big time.

Tuesday June 20, 2006

Monday June 19, 2006

[kids in the Avenues] A damn good post from an informed 16 year old. Kudos.

[Hearing Voices] I read the interesting and somewhat rambling post by Mr. Sloan Bashinsky.  Most interesting was his statement saying that the reason he was running for a County Commission seat was because he was “being called by God to do this.”  Just what need on the Commission is someone who is ‘Hearing the voice of god” and has a  “dream” about having to amend his “statement.”   With all due respect, Mr. Bashinsky, I think your time would be put to better use finding a good therapist who can help you deal with the voices and dreams.  And, by the way, “1031 Little Torch Key 33042” is not a valid address.  Whew!

[Even bad publicity is good publicity] After reading all of the horror stories about Rob’s on Big Pine for many months, a friend and I went to dinner there Saturday night for the first time. We really enjoyed our dinner.  We had everything from appetizer to dessert and the food was great.  There were a lot of families there and the atmosphere was very nice.  We had a great waitress who was very helpful in helping us with our selections.  We plan on visiting again in the near future!

To all keys locals. The best choice that we all can make this upcoming election is to re-elect George Neugent. 

Did you read the one yesterday by the brain-dead snowbird who wants to allow short-term rentals so his property will go up and he can sell for more and get out of "Paradise?"

In talking about the cost of opening a restaurant a writer said that if he had that kid of money he'd move to Australia. Maybe he doesn't have that kind of money because he's not willing to take risks. That is the definition of an entrepreneur. One who assumes the risk of business. You'll never have anything if you just work by the hour. You have to take on responsibility and a lot of risks.

This email is way over due. I wanted to wish the guys from US1radio.com 11:00-2:00pm show Chuck Thomas and Jammin' Jim 2:00-6:00pm and all the fathers at the station a very Happy Fathers Day, your Saturday show rocks. Chuck and Jamming Jim, keep up the good works. A die hard Toronto, Canada listener.

[Why should I get a minimum wage job when I make $500 per night for a few hours selling cocaine]  So, at that rate this kid is going to make about $182,000 for the year.  And, dealing that kind of quantity he’s going to get caught.  And, dealing that kind of quantity he’s going to get about ten years.  So, for the next ten years his income is about 60 cents a day or about $2190 for his ten years hard time (not to mention the wear and tear on his booty).  If the same kid worked at a fast food joint at $6.50 an hour for the 11 years he would have made $155,870 without having to spend 10 of those years locked up.  Of course the schools no longer teach basic reading, writing and arithmetic so the kid can’t figure this out.  He has, however, had the required classes in ‘Minority Studies’ and ‘Gender Equality in the 21 Century.”

Three states, Arizona, New Hampshire and Vermont have passed legislation stating if the Feds declare martial law they will automatically secede from the Union. That's the spirit! If enough citizens in enough states take hold of their rights we can nullify the big bloated cesspool of fascism up there in DC.  http://www.prisonplanet.com

I rest my case. 1.5 million and you can be in the food business with some booze. Now if you want a decent cocktail lounge, as you stated, the liquor license is 500 to 650 thousand bucks. So let's forget the silliness. You can open your well managed food joint for 1.5 million and you must serve food with that license, but you can have your decant cocktail lounge. Buy it, run it. What's the big deal it's just 1.5 million to be in the business?

[arrested but released on account of his age] This is one thing that pisses me off. A kid can kill, maim, steal, sell drugs, destroy you and the environment, and he gets his hand slapped. If I were in charge, that brat and his parents would pay the same price as any adult doing the crime. Legal responsible age should start at puberty.

Just how does anybody know the dead Arab guy was in fact Zarqawi? Bush needed a boost in the polls so how easy was it to photograph one of the thousands of dead over there and say it was Zarqawi? Even if they tested the dead guy's DNA, what did they compare it with? Did they capture Iraq's DNA bank along with all those WMD's?

Open a new lounge, open a Mexican, open this, open that. Folks get a grip. Who wants to do business in Monroe county? Who wants to take their hard earned saving and invest here. Are you nuts? I have been doing business here for 30 years. I have never in all my business dealing seen or been part of a more painful place to do business. The ones that try are doomed. At best most business fail in the first year (about 8 out of 10) That's in a place were there is a local government that likes new business. I guess you just don't understand. So you get some money, time and you start the business that will make you rich; then we will have a talk. Or keep your money, if you have any, and bitch about all the things we should have here on Big Pine Key.

Keys got sprites?  Way cool.

[Instant Reverend license ain’t going to fly for long.]  That's because he went nuts with it. If you play the game right, they can't bother you. I know lots of tent screamers and "donation collectors" who are rich and pay nothing. They just do the normal kick back stuff and they get along fine.

[Released on account of his age] How about that female pedophile that was released after being convicted because she was too pretty to go to jail? I thought justice was blind.

If you're not outraged you're not paying attention:  There has not been an audit of the US gold reserve supposedly held at Fort Knox, KY since the Eisenhower administration. Evidence suggests that all of the pure gold has been secretly stolen by the Central Bank, (Federal Reserve, which is no more "federal" than Federal Express) and sold to the Bank of London, which is part of the World Bank.

Officials refuse to do such an audit and are making a mad dash to cover their a--. It's high time for the American people to rise up and throw these thieves and thugs who pretend to be politicians and public servants into prison where they belong before our entire country is completely trashed and looted.   http://www.fgmr.com/right2know.htm 

[You should be able to do with your house what you want as far as rentals]  You can't do what you want with your house or your yard in this county, so why should renting be treated any differently?  Everyone (OK, just city people) wants rules to "protect" them from their neighbors, but when those rules bite them in the ass, they become indignant.  Be careful what you wish for (and who you vote for).

How is that so many crack whores and unwashed bums can afford to eat out every night?  Maybe if some of you upscale clientele weren't so cheap and frequented the local establishments more often, the atmosphere would change to your liking.

[a reliable, experienced contractor working in the area] Mmwhahahahaha. A reliable contractor in the area. Har har de har har. Guffaw, snort. Ha ha ha ha ha.  A reliable contractor.  Lordy, you’re killing me.  Chortle, snort, har har har har.

[Where is the Senior Center is located] Behind the fire station.

[government thugs brought down the WTC towers] Another whacked out nut case who sees a double naught secret government agent around every corner, subscribes to every screwball conspiracy theory that comes along, knows that the black helicopters are hovering over his house and hears strange clicks on his phone line proving that “they” are listening.  I guess everybody has to believe in something.  I believe these guys need to get off the white rocks for awhile!

[tractor trailer with large bombs]  They were empty wing tanks.  Bombs are not trucked openly down the highway.

The dumbest posting of the day was, "There are good paying jobs on BPK."

[Does anyone know of a reliable, experienced contractor working in the area?]  Man, you don't want much, do ya? Who you wanna have hit?

[you have to charge $3.75 for a bottle of Bud] You would be surprised how many people would pay a premium at a nice local lounge where they could go and not be subjected to some laborer who smells like a goat because he didn’t have enough class to shower after working or being approached by some crack whore who is hustling you for a free beer. Why?  Because we can afford it and would rather leave the rest to their lower class loud, unwashed life style and beer joints.

On May 30th our neighbor started spraying his empty lot on Big Pine with what he said was “weed killer.”  What do you think?

[9/11 being an inside job] Go to www.loosechange.ord/911  Watch the video, it will change your perspective on a lot of things. America is a great idea, lets get the people corrupting it out of power!

[fair market value is always lower than true value.] This is true only if you are a real estate agent looking for the quick buck, percentage wise. If you have a dozen homes, and 11 are worth $1 million each, and one that is worth $10 million, that computes to a FMV of averaging $1.75 million. This is why your house is worth a True Value not the FMV average that R/S's work with. In the end you take it in the end!

To the "fairly new" candidate for District 2 whose said, "The Keys are living treasures and can stand no further development."  So, exactly what is the difference between you and Neugent because I'm not seeing it?

Under the Republicans, man exploits man. Under the Democrats, it's just the opposite.

To Sloan,  We are happy that you are running for a county commissioner seat, however some of your comments made us wonder if you are serious or maybe a little bit of a fruitcake. Here in America we have to separate religion  and politics, Many Muslims had their god tell them to commit suicide and kill others to be rewarded in heaven .Rev Jim Jones did worse with his Kool-aid. Please explain your views here more clearly for us so that we understand you better. The last time I heard the words I had a dream from anyone in politics was over 35 years ago from Martin Luther King. Tell us why we should vote for you and if you can, we will support you.

[Mexican restaurant on Duval St] It is called Salsa Loca, not Casa Loca.  And you are right, the food is excellent!

Those photos of the gentleman attempting to have sex with that fawn were appalling. 

What did they do to the First State Bank on North Roosevelt Blvd in KW? The bank looked better before they tried to fix it or paint it.

Monday June 19, 2006

Fathers Day 2006

Hello. I'm a fairly new candidate for the District 2 seat on the Monroe County Commission, now held by George Neugent. The core of the campaign is that the Keys are living treasures and can stand no further development. I seek and will accept no campaign contributions, and will do no political advertising, other than by word of mouth and distributing a 4-page biographical "Candidate's statement," which I was moved to write just as I realized I was going to be doing this. Electronic copies of the Candidate's statement can be requested from keysmyhome@hotmail.com, and I welcome and will answer any and all other inquiries. Thanks. Sloan Bashinsky, 1031 Little Torch Key 33042.

I dreamt last night that I need to add something to the email submission previously sent. The corrected copy is below. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Thanks. Sloan Bashinsky

Revised submission:
Hello. I'm a farily new candiate for the District 2 seat on the Monroe  County Commission, now held by George Neugent. The core of the campaign is  that the Keys are living treasures and can stand no further development. I  belong to no political party and seek and will accept no campaign  contributions, and will do no political advertising other than by word of  mouth and distributing a 4-page biographical "Candidate's statement," which  I was moved to write just as I realized I was being called by God to do  this, even though I really do not like politics and belong to no church or  religion. All of this and my evolving love affair with the Keys is further  explained in the Candate's statement,  electronic copies of which can be  requested from keysmyhome@hotmail.com. I welcome and will reply to any and  all other inquiries, as well. Thanks. Sloan Bashinsky, 1031 Little Torch Key  33042.

Fair market value is just that. A writer incorrectly said that fair market value is always lower than true value.

Sloppy José's.

Here we go again. Our brain-dead politicians will now make you pay $100 a year for not spaying or neutering your dog. The minority of radicals got their ear. It was going to be $500 till they realized the backlash.  Why don't they do something about the overpopulated iguanas? Because they can't get in you pocket with that idea and they are brain dead.  So in the meantime my few neighbors shoot them by the dozen to control them. The politicians can go screw themselves as far as I am concerned.  My dogs are snowbirds too and have dog licenses to prove it. They are not permanent residents.

This county is far from paradise and it is getting worse. The crooked brain-dead politicians pass stupid laws and then we have to pay the consequences by paying higher taxes to cover the damage awards when they lose their cases in court, just like the case pending now over weekly rentals which they deserve to lose.

You should be able to do with your house what you want as far as rentals; especially considering the taxes and insurance we have to pay. At least renters would add to the local economy. I have never rented my house but if I wanted to I should be able to rent it by the week. The value of the houses would also go up in value due to being able to rent them to help defray the costs of owning a house in the Keys. Your politicians are actually keeping the value of your homes down due to their rental policy. We could use the boost in values due to the real estate market which is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Your house is depreciating each day. Just think what another bad hurricane season will do to the market here. Whenever the glut of houses for sale on the market ever goes away I will also be getting out of "Paradise". The house will probably sell to someone who will live here a few months a year rather than full time and will not add as much money to the local economy as a full time retired resident who has a good income.

At the rate we are going this place will be mainly a ghost town except for the snowbirds coming in a few months. I know my neighborhood is about 80% vacant right now.  There are houses here that stay vacant for years. It can only get worse and not better. Maybe a few more businesses will go under because they can't make it. Then the brain-dead politicians can continue to raise taxes to cover the lost money to the economy plus the costs of losing lawsuits. We must be a pretty stupid constituency since it is said the population gets the government they deserve. Do we deserve this crooked inept government?

To the person posting the evidence of 9/11 being an inside government job and the federal reserve banks power creating fascism....I totally agree with your assessments, but you'll never convince the complacent sheeple of this country, that their government could be so evil. That's why they have been able to easily accomplish their mission without any outcry from the masses. The Nazi's would be green with envy at the ease with which this was pulled off. Seig heil, mien Fuerer Bush

That stuff about the kids in the Avenues is absolutely ridiculous. I am certain that a gang of kids in the Avenues did not kidnapped your children and tie them up and blow weed smoke in their face, pour a couple shots of Bacardi down their throats, and blow coke up their nose. Anything your child does is their own decision and if they chose to do drugs and mess up their lives--that's their problem. You can't put it on the kids that they hang out with.

People who feel the need to stereotype people because of where they live are ignorant. I'm 16, never been in rehab, never been arrested, had a scholarship since the 7th grade, and still have yet to be caught by these Avenue kids (who will lead me to a life of rehab) , that I actually call my neighbors. I've never lived anywhere but this neighborhood, but I bet if half the people on this site would say I'm bad seed, if you knew my name because I was raised in the Avenues. You can't judge a whole neighborhood because of what a few kids do. That would be like me saying all the Kids in Eden pines are alligator killers.

We locals would like to thank the new owner of the Tiki Bar for not hiring any of us to work there. It's not like we need the income to pay our rents, our mortgages, feed out kids, and buy food. We just like to watch outsiders from the main land do the work and take the money away from us. Thanks a hell-of-a-lot. We will never go back there again!

You can also by the Wilma DVD at Walgreen’s in Key West.

[Just send away for an "Instant Reverend" license and Bingo we don't have to pay income taxes any longer.]  I worked with a person who did just that.  He would actually have “services” in his garage that had been converted into a game room.  His flock (pals) would gather on Sundays for “services” that included beer worship and B-B-Q sacrament (in accordance with their religious beliefs).  He got away with it for about five or six years before the IRS came down on him like a duck on a June bug.  He lost his home and paid tens of thousands in fines and back taxes.  So, I’m sure if you were serious or not but believe me, it ain’t going to fly for long.

My neighbor stopped me mid-walk this morning.  His daughter had brought a fawn home.  Some friends had picked it up along the roadside a couple of days ago; its mother was dead after being hit by some vehicle and they couldn't get it to eat.  I took the baby in to the vet who has contacts with wildlife rehabilitators....right after getting some pics!

[To have a good bar or restaurant it all starts with excellent management.]  I agree that the only good restaurant on Big Pine is the Big Pine Restaurant (coffee shop).  I eat there often for breakfast or lunch.  However it’s also nice to go to a place with a more up-scale look and menu in the evening. I go to Parrotdise frequently and also to Square Grouper. I will not eat at any of the other places on Big Pine because management (owners) have let the places deteriorate in terms of quality and service and are now reduced to catering to the bums sitting outside drinking from a paper bag.  (And like many other locals, I will not patronize Rob’s).  When I go out in the afternoon for a cocktail or an evening dinner I don’t want to sit next to someone who hasn’t had a bath in three days, a crack whore or some bum who just came from his mangrove hooch. 

So, I agree with the person who posted that it’s too bad Big Pine doesn’t have a decent place like Parrotdise or Square Grouper for those of us who might want something a little nicer. (And for those of you that think that Key Deer or the now closed House of Music is fine dining, I’m sure that they will welcome your business.)

I want to thank the SOB in the black Ford F150 pick up, for cleaning out his truck bed of all the trash, while doing 70 MPH from Blue Water to Key West Friday afternoon. The highway now looks like the city dump. The word is out, and you'll never get any masonry work from my friends.

"Guest" workers explained: Since hearing the plan for treating illegal immigrants as "guest" workers, I now have undergone a complete reversal in my understanding of the proper meaning of words. I stupidly used to believe that the definition of "guest" is one who is invited. Now I'm told this is no longer correct. For instance, if a burglar breaks into my home, he really becomes a guest who is only looking for a better life. Because he broke in for that reason, I must accept the obligation to provide health care, education, transportation and living quarters.

[Bush put himself in harms way to visit the troops?] That's telling it like it is. I wish the rest of the Vietnam, Afghan and Iraq Vets would speak out and tell the public the truths! We need a good slap on the cheek to wake us up.

[Go Carts]  I think the kids live where Extreme colors park all their vehicles.

This is the refrigerator I wanted for Father's Day.

Maybe we should start a new petition and urge the prosecutor to file cruelty charges against FWS for destroying Key deer habitat while so many of them are starving.  While we're at it, maybe we can sue them for the 11 million they wasted building an overpass that obviously wasn't needed.

I work with our local utility company.  Yesterday, with our work trucks parked in plain view,  this guy starts shooting his neighbor's house his bb gun!  My partner wanted to confront him, but instead I convinced him to let the cops handle it.  The Hatfield's and the McCoys are alive and well and living on Big Pine Key.

[Let's lease because buying would cost millions. Liquor license are about 500,000 bucks] You, Mr. real estate wizard, can buy an existing bar/restaurant today with an active license for $1.5 million, including the land, (and it will no doubt sell for less)   A 5COP liquor license is less than $10,000 (and is dependent on a percentage of food sales).  And you call someone clueless? It’s not about the building it’s about how the place is managed and run.  If you want a class act restaurant and lounge you can’t cater to the bums. You have to run it like a class act and let someone else sell dollar cans of Busch beer to the unwashed and druggies.  You get the clientele you cater to.

[Any good Mexican restaurants]  Casa Loca on Duval in Key West is excellent.  I lived in the Southwest for many years where there was a Mexican joint on every other corner and have spent a lot of time in Mexico.  Casa Loca is as close to going to Mexico as you can get.  Very authentic Sonoran Mexican cusine.  Their food is Muy Excelente!

[Decent cocktail lounge]  Anyone who opens a bar/restaurant and puts that kind of money into it, with a customer base nowhere near big enough to support the business, then has to charge obnoxious prices, deserves to fail. If I had the kind of money, or could con the bank into such a loan, I'd be in Aussie land as soon as they gave me the check.

[High paying jobs right here on Big Pine] Ha, ha, ha!  I have the ability to do them...but!  Years ago I got paid $5.00 an hr. for the same job I did back home for $13.00 an hr. Now $10.00 an hr. and people think they are doing you a favor. Damn, I made $10.00 an hr. 30 years ago.  Take your job and shove it up your poop vent.

Most rational people look at an alligator and see a dangerous animal, instinct driven with a tiny brain only capable of the most primitive functions. They know there is no such thing as a "nice" alligator and when hungry it will kill anything that comes into its range.  Tree huggers, on the other hand, see a warm smiling face looking at them longingly with love in its heart.  Unless someone has just killed its mate.  Then it's sad, morning the loss just like a human. Of course an unborn human fetus is still just a lump of cells. 

[More evidence that government thugs brought down the WTC towers]  Gee, Bobby that's just swell.  What else did you learn in school this year?  Math?  Science?  What's that you say?  You learned to re-cycle?  Well, you are definitely on the fast track to a very successful life courtesy of our stellar public education system. 

[It's a nice change and captures the Keys sprite] What is a Keys “sprite?”  Is it one of those tiny, angelic, mystic like fairies with the gossamer wings?

I’m glad that you enjoy the Big Pine culinary scene and all we have to offer.  My neighbor thinks that a load of chicken and some Cole slaw from Dion’s is gourmet dining too.

A few miles south of Big Pine, but a burning question. Does anyone know why there was a tractor trailer with large bombs on them Friday  parked at Sugarloaf lodge? (Ed: I saw them too and think they were wing fuel tanks)

Spy poles: Another Keys blunder?

[FWC] Unfortunately they are crooked too. We all can check backgrounds.  How about the one who's wife just was arrested for drug charges?  I wonder where she got the drugs from?

Good Mexican food is at the old Harbor Lights in Garrison bight.

[Mo Bay] I drive a truck that brings me thru BPK around 1.30 am heading home to KW. I would be cut off by idiots that were leaving Mo Bay and have to follow behind while they weaved and ran off the road! I still drop a dime on every damn drunk driver I encounter. Drunk drivers are the worse kind of scumbags.

[captures the Keys sprite] I haven't seen any Keys sprites is some time. Did you get any pictures?

The High-Pitched Ring Tone. After forty, most older people lose certain tones in the high range of hearing This is latest thing kids are exploiting to text message each other in class so the teacher can't hear it provided the teacher isn't young enough to be able to hear it, too.

Talking to a nattily dressed teen on Big Pine a couple years ago he said proudly, "Thirteen families depend on the income from my cocaine business. Why should I get a minimum wage job when I make $500 per night for a few hours selling?" I heard he was arrested later but released after a few months on account of his age. That's what parents have to deal with; no moral scruples against drug use and tons of easy money.

The Moose Lodge on Big Pine Key had a good showing yesterday for their Splash Party. Great music and great food, the potato salad especially.  Keep up the good work Moose members and keep those water guns loaded. I'll be back!

Can someone please tell me where the Senior Center is located?  I would like to volunteer some of my time there.
Business Directory>Senior Center

To those in Eden Pines who ignore the fact that there cats are spitting kittens out all over the neighborhood. I just found kitten number 5 walking around at 5 weeks; lost and confused, ready to get hit by a car. I rescued it and I hope all you cruel people have the most miserable lives ever. Spaying is free if you can't afford it and you won't even get up off your lazy butts and do it. Shame on you all.

Does anyone know of a reliable, experienced contractor working in the area?

Bob Weaver died. He was the weatherman on WTVJ 6 for over two hundred years.

Sunday June 18, 2006

Saturday June 17, 2006

[New recipe] Our test chefs have improved on a traditional recipe. Baked pork and beans. Slow cooking them prevents them from falling apart and also enables them to soak up the sweet liquids. Recipes>Baked Pork & Beans

I thought that was a class act from Ms Morkill, the mgr of the deer refuge, to post her contact info on Kudos & Winers yesterday. If more leaders would exercise such outreach to the public there wouldn't be so much mistrust by the governed.

Bush putting himself in harms way to visit the troops?  Ha! He didn't even tell his own staff about the visit ahead of time and only gave the Iraqi prime minister, or whatever lackey title the Bush administration gave him, a two minute notice of his arrival.  And then hiding in the green zone with beefed up security for a couple of hours before high-tailing it out of the country should hardly be classifies as risky.  You Bushies sure can drink the Kool-aid.  Why can't you guys admit that the whole Iraq mess was a lie perpetrated by Bush and his cronies and so far 2500 troops have wasted their lives for a civil war that will continue long after we finally wise up and leave?  Whew!  Yes, I did my duty in Viet Nam for a similar bunch of clueless politicians who couldn't leave other people alone to solve their own internal problems.

Patience! This is what happens when you're too impatient to wait for the tollbooth. Funniest part is that the guy in the Honda is literally stuck in his car.

The latest street gossip is the Tiki Bar is just being fixed up to "Flip" to someone else. Things Change, but in the Keys it usually for the worse!

[The Nature Conservancy and the cactus] Why should the TNC replant the cactus when they had three volunteers to do it for them (free labor)?

Why don't the Lower Keys have any good Mexican restaurants? The only places here are in Key West and they are marginal at best. Almost every other city in this country has at least one place where you can go to get good burritos and beer. Is there a reason Mexicans don't open up a place here? Come to think of it, are there any Mexicans here? That may be the problem. And that would explain the lack of a work force too. Never mind.

Here's the way they work it. Eminent Domain: The taking or buying of property for use by the state for the betterment of the public. They buy you out for a "fair Market Value" which is always lower than true value. They use the property as they see fit. If they don't want it any longer, they (by the new law) have to offer it back to the original owner at the price they bought it for. Catch 22: They revalue the property to today's value, tax it that way, then offer it back at the correct price, plus all the back taxes on the new value. There is usually no way the owner can afford to buy back, so the state keeps the property and of course sells it to any large corporation "in need". It's an old con, and there's nothing you can do about it. They make the rules.

As a parent of a teenager who does not live in the Avenues but who's kid grew up with the kids of the Avenues my kid has seen the bad and the ugly of the Avenues. Thank god that we have good communication between us or he would be one of the bad/ugly of the Avenues. Maybe I am lucky that I can watch over my kid and his friends, harass his butt about where he is or what he is doing; or even talk to my kid about how to overcome the negative crap that exist here, not just in the Avenues. My advice to parents whose kids are getting out of control is to stay home from happy hour, be sober when they come home from school (because they know where your stash is and they know no limits) One day they might be gone and we would wish that we had one more chance. This is your chance! I have lost way to many children of my friends due to suicide. Listen to the young people of the world they are speaking out. Help them any way you can. Listen, just listen. Listen to them.

More evidence that government thugs brought down the WTC towers with pre-set explosives in order to terrorize the American public into accepting fascism: http://www.explosive911analysis.com/

How come there are no Kudos and Whiners in foreign languages? 

[Mo-bay.  I used to have to call the cops at least three or four times a week about some idiot trying to drive home wasted]  “Three or four times a week” eh?  How would you know where anyone was heading or their condition?  Were you there?  If you were there I guess you were having a Shirley Temple (Don’t get carried away, hold the cherry).  Nothing better to do with your time, maybe you were hiding in the bushes playing I Spy?  I’ll bet the cops just loved hearing from a real crime buster like you every other day.  Or maybe your life is so lonely and miserable you can’t enjoy anything but peeking out your window and being a snitch. 

I think I'll sneak up the Spy Poles some night and paste pictures on the lens of some old accidents just to see it the cams are working.

My wife and I have been eating at Crossbones on Summerland twice a week for the past three weeks. Everything is great. The night specials are to die for. Hats off to the new owners, you seem to be making it work without the dinner image that the Galley Grill had for years.

It's a nice change and captures the Keys sprite without being a tourist trap.

[donkey show]  Try any one of the bars on Big Pine during the afternoon or evenings.  At any given time it is quite likely that one or more people will be acting like a real ass.  As others have posted, we don’t have one decent place on BPK to get a few cocktails without being surrounded by loud, unwashed dirt bags.  (Don’t bother to suggest Rob’s)  Thank the big Kahuna for Parrotdise. 

Kudos to the person who put Steven's address on the site.  I'm sending bucks from VA and I don't mean more white tails!   I hope he gets well soon.  This is what makes sites like this great because even snowbirds can stay in touch and do some local good with some of our snowbird dollars. Over the years this fellow has worked in a lot of places and all ways gives his all it seems. I hope he has insurance and is recovering super fast.

The Booger Board isn't new, your just a female who's never been in a men's room stall.

[2 for 20 Pizza sold to Papa John’s?]  If true, it would sure be an improvement, but what about that horrible “chain” thing?  If the rumor is true we should be hearing about all of the gloom, doom and ruination of our “rural lifestyle” from the Civic Association and the Citizens Coalition quite soon.  I’m sure that they will want to start “The sky is falling” panic mill to try and convince everyone that one pizza joint replacing another will create havoc, increase traffic to gridlock levels, destroy our island, endanger the deer and degrade our way of life by simply changing the name on the sign.

[Decent cocktail lounge] Well, there Mr, let's chat. Let's lease because buying would cost millions. No joke, millions. Liquor license are about 500,000 bucks and that would be a deal, it's more like 650.000 bucks. Now lets build the "lounge" in our rented building. a bunch of Eq(?) cooling, tables, the bar itself can cost many thousands of bucks. Don't  forget 1st, last and security deposit.  Stock , all kinds of stock. Insurance, that's a biggie. I could go on and on, but with very little work you could put a million bucks in a "decent cocktail lounge" in a rented building.. Yes the cost of doing business here in Big Pine Key. Priceless. Then there would always be someone who would bitch because you have to charge $3.75 for a bottle of Bud. You, sir, are clueless as to what you speak.

Look at the following link from the Animal Legal Defense Fund http://www.aldf.org/content.asp?sect=action&sectionid=2  and click on the second one down, titled "Urge Prosecutor to File Cruelty Charges (Big Pine Key, FL)".  We've gone national on our alligator killing at the Blue Hole on March 24, and they even posted the petition!  They said they also sent a letter to Mark Kohn concerning this.

[Experienced cook wanting to work in BPK]  Try the Big Pine Restaurant (coffee shop) or Parrotdise Bar and Grille on Little Torch.  Don’t bother with any of the other dumps on Big Pine.

Does anyone know which houses the kids belong to that are riding that tiny go-cart and scooter up and down County Road? They are insane and are going to get themselves hurt.

I just realized how stupid most of us are in the Keys! All we had to do is start a church. Just send away for a "Instant Reverend" license and Bingo we don't have to pay income taxes any longer. We'd also be getting all kinds of benefits fro Uncle Bush! There's a license Store in Oregon, I'll look up their web address for all of us! The Church of the Devine Keys - No Trespassing.

[Open a cocktail lounge on big pine key] Are you kidding? You have 4 bars on Big Pine, each one different from the other. If the place you went to was the only place open it must have been after 10pm and that's what left. Try happy hour at any of the others. Meet fun, working class people just off work.

[Drugs in the Avenues] Geography doesn't control drug problems, choice does.

On the whole toilet seat thing: As a guy, especially after drinking, when the light is out in the bathroom, I have a tendency to piss on the toilet seat. Women, you need to make a choice. Look where your sitting and since you need the seat to do anything, get used to putting it down. (Of course some of you have a big enough "toilet seat hugger butt" that you don't really need the seat); or sit on your man's pee. It is all up to you which chance you take. Just remember, "Anyone can piss on the floor, but it takes a real man to crap on the ceiling." We men could really care less, we will use the sink in a pinch, and have.

Isn't it interesting that FWS is monitoring this site and soliciting feedback from it's posters?  Unfortunately, I doubt that the manager of the local tourist info center has the authority to change anything.  If you want anything to get done (or not done), it would be more productive to go to the director of FWS, Dale Hall.

I live on Big Pine Key and enjoy all the places there are to eat. I also venture from Key Largo to Key West to eat when I have time. There are so many different style places to eat. It's what makes the Keys. Big Pine has Rob's, good food and service; a little on the up side and a good menu.
No Name Pub. Good service and an excellent tourist place.
Key Deer Bar & Grill, an old but solid building. Good chefs, servers, etc. Nice menu, 4 daily specials and a friendly atmosphere.
Big Pine restaurant has good menu, good food , nice owners. The mid-afternoon folks that went to the Square Grouper are not from the currant work force. I still work so if I'm out, its an evening adventure. I go to the Square Grouper and enjoy it,  but , the Big Pine restaurants are more for the working man (prices ,etc) They all do a good job of taking care of their customers or they wouldn't survive. Only one has a brand new building, but the building doesn't make the restaurant.  Clean, no odor, neat, clean rest rooms, to mention a few important things. Check these places out. These Big Pine places are owned by hard working people attempting to please the Big Piners. If you have suggestions tell them about them. I have and it works; or purchase or build your own place and see how easy it is to please everyone. I wouldn't, but good luck.

[Who are the people being sued besides the county (No Name property suit)]  No one.  The county has been told by the courts to issue building permits for those lots and it refuses to do so.  They do this to appease the TNC, FAVOR and other environmental groups (one of whom, by the way, lives next door to said lots) that help get them elected. But, by doing this, they make the property useless to the owner, without compensating them.  That is a direct violation of the 5th amendment of the constitution "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation". If you want to get back at the people responsible for making this decision and raising your taxes, stop electing environmentalist's puppets to the county commission.

[Bush deserves a round of applause]   Maybe when he rides a patrol through the streets of Iraq in an unarmored vehicle! Applause?

Deer don't use the bridge, they swim.

[Good restaurants on Big Pine] To have a good bar or restaurant it all starts with excellent management. That is the hardest part, finding a good manager. The closest good place is Parrotdise, then Square Grouper. Both have cocktails. The only good restaurant on BPK is the Coffee Shop, but their hours confuse me, so I don't include them in my desires.

Breaking news: "U.S. drug czar John Walters said Monday that federal agents, working in cooperation with the Mexican government, have closed down a lab in Mexico that might be the main source of the powerful painkiller fentanyl, which has killed heroin users in eight states." 

I thought the purpose of having a "drug czar" was to eliminate illegal drugs, not keep them "safe".  Your tax dollars hard at work again.

[Experienced cook] Go to Robs and apply because Rob is one he most well liked people on BPK.

Here's a link that will surely put the fear of God back in your life! http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7777/MSR2.htm

There are many high paying jobs right here on Big Pine. All one has to do is have the ability to do them. Maybe a little foresight and planning in life would be a good thing to think about instead of bitching and telling more people to leave the Keys.

I just love reading all the hard core rhetoric from the republicans and democrats. It makes me realize that if it wasn’t for Al Franken and Rush Limbaugh, these people couldn’t form an opinion if their life depended on it.

“I’ve been married so long I no longer look both ways when I cross the street” --Overheard in a Keys bar.

No one or law can stop development.

Wheww, that heat has been intense! Are you feeling it?

Has anyone told Steve that so many people are writing about him on the web? Someone should let him know that so many are rooting for his recovery.

Saturday June 17, 2006

Friday June 16, 2006

AIDS is taking care of the over population of this world. 25 million are dead from AIDS. 50 million are dead from abortion. (Imagine 50 million babies, but at least they died before birth versus our AIDS victims). How can you equate that with the justification of terminating any human life that one initiated with consensual sex.

Army soldier in Iraq with his tiny plot of grass in front of his tent. Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, stationed in a big sand box. He asked his

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Friday June 16, 2006

Thursday June 15, 2006

Seems to me the majority of deer on BPK are doing just fine. There are many healthy young; and most are looking good.  The Key West newspaper found the shoddiest looking deer and wrote an article around it.  It did not tell the whole story. There is little habitat left on No Name Key.  The deer are struggling out there.  They always have had it hard out there.  They always will.  We can slam the refuge all we want, but without their presence here on BPK we would look like Marathon and I personally love our island like it is.

Over three months ago, The Nature Conservancy misidentified our protected, native cactus for an exotic species. They ripped it out by the roots in the entire hammock on West Summerland, which was one of the best cactus hammocks left. The cactus sat in a giant heap and cooked in the hot sun for three months before being discovered. In the Keynoter, The Nature Conservancy explained it was a mistake and that the group of volunteers from AmeriCorps that did the work, were not aware of the differences between the two cactus species.

First of all, I wonder why volunteers were doing the work the Nature Conservancy gets hundreds of thousands in grant money to do and why were volunteers the ones deciding which cactus was exotic, where were the TNC employees? Also, where were The Nature Conservancy employees when all the cactus that was still alive, was being replanted by three local residents? It took approximately 36 hours combined between them to do this nasty job of restoring the cactus hammock, yet not once did any TNC employee show up on the site.

A large pile of dead cactus that could not be saved still remains as a reminder of the greed, arrogance and total disregard for habitat preservation by The Nature Conservancy. Hats of to those three local residents for taking time out of their own busy lives to restore one of the last surviving cactus hammocks in the Keys! Shame on The Nature Conservancy.

I saw something about Louisiana wanting to drill 25 miles off the Florida coast so they, Louisiana, could rake in 2 billion a year.  The Cubans are planning to start drilling 45 miles off the other coast and keep all the money for themselves.  Why don't we wake up, license our own drilling and put that 2 billion into Citizens so insurance rates would be lower.

My teenager has been hanging out with kids in The Avenues and has been coming home whacked. The experiments started with (really bad) weed, then booze and now the teenager isn't sleeping and has under eye circles.  Watch your kids and keep them busy and out of trouble this summer. Mine may be going to rehab. Stay tuned.

[Christians hear voices, think its God and start killing people] You are reading too many novels or watching too many propaganda shows. The three great mass-murderers of the last century, Hitler, Stalin and Mao were as opposed to Christianity as you get. Together they killed hundreds of millions of innocent people. We hear about the 6 million Jews who went to the Nazi gas ovens but there were also at least that many Christians who died there. You never hear about them. 

The county takes in 26 billion in taxes and yours are going up. That's how we are going to pay for the No Name Key building permit screw up.

It's not the high cost of living in the Keys. It's the low pay. I love busting my ass all day and sleeping in my car!

Mid afternoon, Tuesday:  Friends and I wanted a mid-afternoon lunch. There being nothing on Big Pine that even remotely resembles a nice restaurant we made the drive to the Square Grouper.  We enjoyed pleasant dining area and tables, a great menu with two very good daily specials, excellent food quality and presentation, generous portions, attentive service and an excellent wine selection.  It’s really a shame Big Pine doesn’t have something similar to offer.  But, we certainly wouldn’t want to spoil our rural ambiance.

The wildlife refuge employees are scared to death of loosing their jobs.  They are power hungry young abusive children.  Public servants--no way.

No short term rentals!

I had a few belly laughs watching this one. Babies and Dads Video.

In this con, someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for  jury duty. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator.

If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer  asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can  verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Sometimes they even ask  for credit card numbers. Give out any of this information and bingo! Your  identity just got stolen.

The scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado, Texas and California.

Well, it is Home DePOT. This would pay for some home repairs. Ganja 'bricks' found in Home Depot vanities. A couple of Massachusetts construction types picked up some bathroom cabinetry and discovered that more than $300,000 worth of marijuana and cocaine came with their purchases. All of the packaging for the vanities started out in a Southwestern state, and police are investigating.

Not satisfied with the huge electronic highway signs the Florida Dept. of Transportation will also install additional warnings every few miles along US 1.  A spokesperson said, “We have to inform motorists about hazards they might otherwise not be aware of.”

Skunk Ape spotted at the Looe Key Tiki Bar. She likes cuddling and long walks in the park. 

House lawmakers give themselves $3,300 raise. Congressional cost-of-living pay hike legislation passes for 7th straight year. Despite record low approval ratings, House lawmakers Tuesday embraced a $3,300 pay raise that will increase their salaries to $168,500.

The 2 percent cost-of-living raise would be the seventh straight for members of the House and Senate.

Free screensaver direct from Microsoft. Download details: 3-D American Flag

I heard a rumor there is a place in Key West that actually has a good old Mexican-style donkey show. The only problem is, no one seems to know where it is being held. Anybody out there with where and when information, please share. 

Aside from a few mentally deranged religious nuts that get lots of news coverage Christians are, as a whole, meek and loving toward their fellow men and even their enemies. Don't lump us all in with the Bushies. Lots of us followers of Christ are totally against the Iraq war. We are against killing as a remedy for anything, including capital punishment and abortion. Whether its conscience or spirit, when I feel anger, impatience or frustration what I hear is urging peace, patience and love. We can't do whatever we want and blame it on the voice of God any more than we can say "The devil made me do it!" 

Will someone please open a decent cocktail lounge on Big Pine? Yesterday, after a productive day, I wanted to have a nice cold beer and relax.  I went to the only place open on BPK and couldn’t even finish my brew.  Surrounded by the most sleazy, unwashed, loud, obnoxious people I have ever seen trying to out shout each other, staggering, spilling and slobbering with one musty smelling old guy all but passed out and drooling at the bar.  I admit, I’m no saint myself, but I do have some pride in myself, my conduct and appearance.  Most of the people in this joint looked like they just crawled out of a cesspool.  Where is Mo-Bay when we need it?

Wow.  I just finally got around to reading the link someone had sent in about how bad The Nature Conservancy is.  If you haven't taken the time to read it, please do (http://www.undueinfluence.com/nature_conservancy.htm).  Here is part of the first paragraph: 

"The most controversial environmental group that claims to be "non-controversial." As detailed below, TNC was involved in a lobbying scam using front groups to stop a dam project; threatened to have the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service take a landowner's property if he refused to sell to The Nature Conservancy; used undue influence to get property from an elderly victim and lost the court case brought by the proper heirs; and continues to sell private land to the government despite the wishes of those who sold it to the Nature Conservancy." 

This is the same group (along with USFWS, and that's another post in itself) that is pushing widening of firebreaks and prescribed burns on a habitat that is so damaged already.

Dear friends, it is with the saddest heart that I have to pass on the following. The Pillsbury Doughboy died Monday of a severe yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, Betty Crocker, and Captain Crunch. The graveside was piled high with flours as longtime friend Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as a man who "never knew how much he was kneaded". 

Doughboy rose quickly in show business but his later life was filled with many turnovers. Despite being a little flaky at times, even as a crusty old man, he was considered a roll model for millions. 

Toward the end it was thought he'd rise once again, but he was no tart. Doughboy is survived by his second wife, Play Dough. They have two children, and one in the oven. 

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

What do you guys think about that man that works for BellSouth named Denies?

Hey Ed, I'm sure I'm not the only smart ass on the island who's noticed, but when I read the left menu on your kudos and whiners page, about halfway down I see Key Deer and then Recipes. Is there something you're keeping from the rest of us?

"The most controversial environmental group that claims to be "non-controversial." As detailed below, TNC was involved in a lobbying scam using front groups to stop a dam project; threatened to have the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service take a landowner's property if he refused to sell to The Nature Conservancy; used undue influence to get property from an elderly victim and lost the court case brought by the proper heirs; and continues to sell private land to the government despite the wishes of those who sold it to the Nature Conservancy." 

This is the same group (along with USFWS, and that's another post in itself) that is pushing widening of firebreaks and prescribed burns on a habitat that is so damaged already.

[Public meeting with the head of the Key Deer Refuge]  Great idea.  Where do I sign up?

I think the mosquito plane dumped a load of mosquitos on us.

Why is the Looe Key Tiki bar closed?  Rumor has it the place is going condo. The regulars must be going into withdrawal.

Lobbyist and the religious right run it (the country) now] The people have never run this country.  This country, in fact, most of the world, is run by the Freemasons.  That's right. And they're not religious, at least not in the "Christian" sense.  That's all I'm going to say about that.  They're watching.  They're always watching.

[not publishing your stuff in the Citizen's Voice because your posts are boring] I have to agree.  I've read the Voice and find it to be intellectually stimulating and wildly entertaining, but never boring, mundane or just plain stupid.  And now that schools out for the summer, mom says I can read it everyday.

Where would we send money/card for Steven?

The mosquito control plane only sprays adulticide which by name kills the adult mosquitos.

The mosquito plane sprays regular mosquito poison, just like the trucks. The helicopter sprays the larvicide.  That's the small helicopter with the boom extending off the left side not the big ones we've seen recently, which I think are FWC's.  I have seen this small helicopter lately.

Sorry to hear about Steve. Perhaps someone could set up a collection jug at Paradise and Big Pine Coffee Shop. Get well soon Steve.

“I’m Loving It”

Any info on the painted Conch Cruisers? So far all I have is Capt Outrageous, but Rick Worth moved so if you have a painted car yourself, homemade or whatever, please reply. Thanks for your help. The right email is oceanelle@gmail.com

Why don't the new owners of the Ramrod Tiki Bar give advance notice to their customers that they're closing for a month? They sure don't give a damn to layoff local employees that are just left without a job at the last minute.

It's just another sample of the work ethics of the Keys and why there is no supportive workforce here.

If this doesn't sum up the essence of New Orleans, I don't know what would.  One of our good friends "down yonder" snapped this last night as they were going to dinner.

The No Name Development lawsuit is not settled. True, the trial is over. The judge still has to make a determination of punitive damage which will be in addition to the 3 million.  Both sides plan to appeal. The county is asking for less and the landowners are asking for more.  Meanwhile, the legal fees continue to rack up.  I even think the county owes the property owners reimbursement for their legal fees as well.  Or so the Citizen said.

They're sending National Guard troops to the Mexican border today to help stop immigrants.  A better idea: The Texas governor is spending millions to install cameras on private land to observe immigrant activities. A web link will be made public to these cameras.  He's hoping to use the millions of computer users from all over to monitor these cameras and report the illegal crossings while they're happening..

Thursday June 15, 2006

Flag Day 2006

Long May it Wave!

And the fact that a former (and really mucked up) Supreme Court agreed with you thirty or so years ago doesn't mean the present one will much longer...and doesn't mean crap to me, as far as what's right and what's wrong.

Wednesday June 14, 2005

Tuesday June 13, 2006

KILLER IGUANA! Thought I would relate a strange happening.  Saturday I lifted one of my boats up on the davits in order to pressure wash a neglected layer of growth from the bottom.  I had the five horse gas motor of the washer running and was lying on the ground blasting away.  Without warning I felt a sharp pain on my big toe.  I looked over and there latched onto my toe was about a four foot iguana.  In the end the only damage done was a bruise to my toe and my acceptance of iguanas in the "don't worry about them they are never aggressive" category. The most surprising thing was that an iguana even approached with all of the noise and commotion. 

Hot news from BPK.  Wal-Mart purchased the Big Pine flea market, but due to the county rejecting their request to build a store on the site, they have come up with a work around.  "There's nothing in the county regulations that prevents us from a floating a store above this location", said the Wal-Mart spokesperson.  "We feel this may be the start of an exciting new way to shop!"  The blimp store, affectionately named "Wally", is expected to have its grand opening in the Winn Dixie parking lot.  Shoppers from as far away as Cudjoe Key camped out overnight anxiously awaiting the event.  To appease local tree huggers the Wal-Mart manager has agreed to have the alligator petition available for signing on the lower deck.

Are the Moondogs going to be at picnic isle on the 4th?

As the "pro choice" people say and say and say, it's only a choice and it's everybody's right to choose, after all, it's their body...yadda, yadda, yadda.

OK, I'm not just against "abortion," I'm also against "choice."  Just like: Even though it's your body, you don't have a right to "choose" to have your body assault, rob or shoot me and mine; or have your body drive its car into my living room, or choose to have your body murder someone else. You also don't have the right to choose to murder a (your) fetus.

And the fact that a former (and really mucked up) Supreme Court agreed with you thirty or so years ago doesn't mean the present one will much longer. And it doesn't mean crap to me as far as what's right and what's wrong.

It's a good idea in theory to plant some corn fields, but I don't think it would work logistically.  I have a hard time getting my herbs and veggie plants to grow to a decent size because the critters are always in them.  I don't think we could get the corn to ever stay alive.

[About that meteor] the Discovery Channel says Yellowstone is going to blow and kill us all anyway.

I was watching the storm flags on Big Pine TV and noticed that once in awhile, one flag will be blowing in the opposite direction as the other. Wow, only on Big Pine! 

Symantec Sucks! Try www.F-Prot.com a commercial virus software that all the big corps use. I haven't had a bug in four+ years. At only $25 a year, it's the best!  Don't keep any Spy or Adware in your system full time, it will slow your system down to a crawl. Only use that stuff once a month, then uninstall it. Keep all up-dated as soon as you get their notices. Don't go to "dirty sites"!!!  AVG and Avast are ok too, but don't have that F-Prot has! (Lousy tech support: We haven't had a bug in four plus years either with the free software and we saved the $100.)

Our deer are not just miniature white tailed deer. There is actually genetic differences. Even though the white tailed deer are rumored to have been brought down to breed with the Key Deer to make a more viable hunting stock long before the bridges were built, That doesn't mean that cracked corn is good for the Key Deer. I hear from somebody who knows, that the cracked corn causes swelling in the deer's abdomen. How about going to Coconut farms and buying some Deer Chow from them. That's a much more deer friendly food and will help the deer recover from their hunger-caused diseases. Maybe Fish and Wildlife feels we should let the little fellows die, but those of us who love our island green and want it to stay that way, feel differently about the deer.

Everyone hears voices; it's called conscience. Christian fanatics think its God and do whatever their voices tell them to do. Scary.

Talk about Home Land Insecurity, http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,100684,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl  Why are we so stupid?

Kudos to the County for finally widening the bike path, and getting the Avenues re-paved (especially Avenue B). Of course, when they put in the sewer system, they’ll just have to tear it all up again.

[More Minuteman info] www.minutemanhq.com/hq/   and   http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=%22Minuteman+Civil+Defense+Corps%22&Form=MSNH

In Philadelphia an English-only ordering policy at one of the city’s most famous cheesesteak joints drew a warning Monday from officials who threatened to file a discrimination complaint.

The city’s Commission on Human Relations planned to argue that the policy at Geno’s Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.

Geno’s owner Joseph Vento posted two small signs at his shop in south Philadelphia proclaiming: “This is America: When ordering please speak English."

[Wilma DVD]  http://www.wilmathewitch.com/  Proceeds go to Stand Up for Animals and Forgotten Felines.  Or, to avoid the shipping costs, call the office of attorney Richard Warner, who produced the film with the help of his son-in-law. Check out the interview at http://www.keysweekly.com/funnies.pdf .

I figured it out, when signing In to the Citizens Voice, if anything else but 33040 zip, female, 1960 (or younger), Subscribe:Yes is checked off, the incoming will automatically go to the Junk Mail file.

“Communism doesn't work because people like to own stuff.”-- Frank Zappa

It was more than two dozen ducks, there was a total of 54 ducks that were dropped off in the middle of the night Tuesday to fend for themselves.  Maya from Wild Bird Rescue immediately tended to them.  I personally believe they dropped the ducks in that spot because whoever did it knows that Maya is right down the street.  They are not a wild species that can survive on their own.  As of Friday she found homes for 7 of them and they were only 6 left in sight.  She believes the remainder scattered deeper into the woods out of fear and confusion.  They are most likely dead by now.  It makes me so sick that someone would do this to animals.  I haven't looked yet but there should be an article in the Keynoter today.  Such a shame humanity can be.

A few summers ago my squeeze and I were coming back from Party Island in Newfound harbor. It was glass calm. As we approached the Spanish Harbor Channel we observed thousands of tiny wakes heading out to sea. They looked like little pink fish, but when scooped up a bait net they were worms.  They looked just like little earthworms.  Mololo worms not pololo worms.

I was just wondering what is going on down there for the Fourth of July.  Will there be a band at the island again?

See that the Picadillo recipe has been improved, man, I don’t know how it can get any better but I’ll give it a try. Anyone got any new recipes out there they want to share? (Martha Stupit: Yes, the Picadillo is improved. I make it a lot. Coming soon will be an easy recipe for baked beans with meat.) Recipes>Picadillo

[What's the latest scoop on Publix in Big Pine]  Publix has made an offer on the Flea Market eyesore.  They have months yet before the transaction would be complete and they can still back out at any time.  I wouldn’t look for a Publix anytime in the near future.  By the time the County bureaucrats, the Planning Commission, the Army Corps, the Key Deer huggers, the Civic Association, the Citizens Coalition, the environmental zealots and all the rest of the NIMBY howlers the year will be 2035.  By that time Publix may have been completed but you won’t need them.  All of your needs will be taken care of by the government.  Any individual thought or effort will have been banned, and swiftly punished by the sitting Socialist party.  Any needed nourishment will be provided to you by your once a day food tablet brought to you by the cradle to grave policies and President Chelsea Clinton. 

The solution to over grazing and overpopulation of the deer is to raise the speed limit or have a hunting season. The refuge people would rather have the deer die a slow death from starvation then a quick death from Chevrolet.

They built that stupid fenced-in highway and deer overpass and left the speed limit at 35mph. After all these years of supporting the Refuge I finally realized that they are all clueless about the real world.

The BP TV is exhibiting storm flags. It must be serious, look closer!

About the front page article in the Key West Citizen concerning the Key Deer:  I am ashamed of our government, and it is the Federal Government.  When I saw a dead adult deer on Key Deer Blvd either Thursday or Friday morning, very early, I felt sorrow, but after reading that article and (seeing the picture with it of an emaciated deer),  I feel a quick kill by an auto is more humane than starvation.

Iraqi carjacking.

I bought the DVD Hurricane Wilma the untold story. It was 25 minutes mostly shaky unedited video of new town and a house on Rockland Key. I heard that the Wilma the witch DVD was more middle Keys.

[Adoption agencies]  Are you kidding? They are the biggest rip offs in the world. My wife and I tried several and they not only want an arm and a leg, but everything in between. They are nothing but profiteering brothels; out for mega bucks and could care less about the kids. Human trafficker's is what they should be called, religious or not.

I hate all the abortion talk and name calling. No one will ever change their minds. Give it up. The pro-choicers have to keep the Supreme Court from changing the law and the pro-lifers have to get the Supreme Court to change the law. Realistically that is all either side can do. Name calling is boring.

If you have to adopt children, maybe God is trying to tell you, you shouldn't have kids in the first place. Maybe He sees you as unfit? Ask Him!

No need to sign the alligator petition, the judge has already ruled and pronounced a sentence for the scoundrels that violated the Blue Hole alligator.  It's mate has been recruited to execute the sentence.  Members of FAVOR witnessed the event.  "Thank goodness these two will be eliminated from the gene pool"  shouted one elderly member.

The deer corn plots would have to be planted on private property or some group will remove it as invasive. Even if you plant it on private property some group will critized you for planting exotics. Lose-lose situation.

For those that can't figure it out, the Locals Card is just a lost leader that suckers you into places that can't get people in by running their business correctly. They have to resort to conning you in and then zapping you with over priced stuff.

[There is no such thing as Pro-abortion!] Oh really? Then why do you support abortion clinics and the sale of abortion drugs? Why do you oppose laws that would define human life during the nine months in the womb? Why do you support partial birth abortions, where full term babies are killed? Why do you support laws making it easy for women to kill their unborn?

You call it "pro-choice", but the rest of us call it what it really is: pro-abortion. If you were anti-abortion, you would get off your butt and join the fight to protect all human life.

We can feed deer forever, but their natural habitat is devastated due to storm damage and over-browsing by the deer.  The numbers are too big for the habitat.  There are no natural predators.  Nature will thin the herd as needed if we let it.  Its tough love but the strongest will survive and produce strong stock. 

The refuge does have an onsite manager.  Her name is Anne.  I'm not sure of her last name. 

The Venture Out gate lady is hot! I love dominant women with an attitude. I think I will hang out over there and see if I can get her number. If not, maybe I can meet up with her at the Cow Palace. One can always dream. 

[English the National Language] Just do as they do, stare at anyone who doesn't speak English and they will get so frustrated not accomplishing anything, they will either go back to where they came from or learn to speak American English. It works both ways, Señor. It's also funny how they understand English only on payday.

[The alligator petition] People are in a very nasty mood.

We are looking for a place to rent on August first for one week. We are 10 people. It could be a larger house up to 12 (Ed: bedrooms?) or 2 smaller places. A boat dock would be great.

I don't recall reading anything about Angus Bangus in any of Nostradamus' predictions, but I do know that the first time I saw/heard Kathleen sing a meteor hit the keys.  Do we really have to wait until 2028?  What do you say, girl?

O Lord, please protect me from your followers.

Is Florida the Felon Capital of the US?  The people on the Arrest Pages are psycho.  Why would anybody want to be a Law Enforcement Officer and  deal with this riff-raff? They don't make much money. Maybe they get tips. It makes me happy to have a healthy arsenal spread-out all over the house,  upstairs, downstairs, cars, boats and cycles.  What's scary is that I see a good number of these criminals all over the place.

Even scarier: While we evacuated several times last year, we noticed a few too many vehicles driving South during Mandatory Evacuation and no Police were stopping these people who were probably going to loot our homes. We need better Police who are in tip-top shape and have Detective Skills.

Here are some new babies.

I need help finding the artist who paints cars. Conch Cruisers. What have you, Key Largo to KW? I need to talk to the artist. I am interested in their craft (not for personal gain).  If you, yourself have a painted car, maybe that you did yourself, that's cool. Please also reply. elle.ocean@gmail.com  (Keys Locator: Rick Worth and Capt Outrageous in Key West)

AlbertOOOOOOOO not AAAAAAA (Ed: Yea, I know. I have trouble with dates too.)

Tuesday June 13, 2006

Monday June 12, 2006

Thank you, everyone that came out for the Martha Becker Benefit at Coconuts on Sat.  Thanks especially to, in no particular order, Hector, Perry, John, James, Mark Stump, the Pillor boys, Martha and Buddy’s three boys, Yvonne, Luanne, Steve Miller, Joe and Meri-Lynn, Don, J.C. and Colleen, Robin and Bambi, Chuck and on and on and on and all the other workers, cooks, clean up crews and the people that donated to a very worthy cause.  What a wonderful place to call home.

No need to worry about global warming, Barbara Streisand is on top of it.  She has declared a "global warming emergency" and is having another "farewell tour" to fix the problem. A recent study by Swiss and German scientists contradicted Miss Streisand's statement by suggesting any heat-up on Earth was being caused not by and man-made activity, but by the sun itself. "The sun has been at its strongest over the past 60 years and may now be affecting global temperatures," said Dr. Sami Solanki, director of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany. When confronted with this information, Streisand replied "Poppycock!  The show must go on!"

[Are you willing to step forward and adopt all unwanted children] No, but there are many organizations that will, both religious based and not.  Most will even pay all expenses.  If you're interested, I can provide links to those sites or you can just Yahoo "adoption agencies".  So, I guess you need a better retort cause I ain't shutting up.  By the way, if you're so sure abortion is OK, why do anti-abortion discussions bother you so much?

[Fishing misinformation] All of these fishing TV shows and newspaper articles talk about tarpon and the Palolo worm hatch, which happened about two weeks ago.  First of all, the phenomenon is a spawn of sexually mature worms, not a hatch of baby worms. And secondly, these worms are not Palolo worms. Our worms are in a completely different family than the Palolo. It is in the same genus as the bloodworms that many northerners use for striped bass bait, Neries. Some scientists, I sent samples to years ago, told me that they were definitely not the Palolo (Eunice schemacephala aka eunice viridens) but a Neried, probably Nerius reisii. 

Years ago Stu Apte, noted fisherman and magazine article author, needed to come up with an article for Field and Stream so he went to the library and copied down a bunch of info on the real Palolo worm and published it under the title, "The secret of the Palolo worm" and said that our tarpon worms were the same worms. Never mind that our tarpon worm does not do any of the spawning behavior of the worm that he wrote about; and he actually knew that he was passing on misinformation, but I guess a paycheck is a paycheck.

Anyway, the idea that we have a Palolo worm hatch has been mentioned every year for the last twenty years by every local fishing show and fishing article, so I guess it will be a long time, if ever, until the truth is widely known.

[A giant meteor is going to hit the earth in 2028] Wrong again, oh Prophet of Doom. According to NASA, the meteor will be nearly 600,000 miles away, so relax. http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/1997xf11.html

On the other hand, Nostradamus predicted that in the same year, Angus Bangus will return to Big Pine Key and resurrect the House of Music. Be forewarned!

[Question for anti-child abuse people:] Are you willing to step forward an