Saturday September 30, 20006

Readers Digest did a survey and found that travelers thought New York City was the most courteous city in the world?

Dude! Where's My Boat?

Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 band return to Mangrove Mama’s on Sugarloaf Key, Saturday October 7th at 7:30 for a musical evening under the stars. One of Howard’s most popular songs talks about this little secret in the Florida Keys.

They should rename the holy land. Maybe something like hell.

ILC comment that iguanas are social.  I can verify that iguanas are social and like to gather in groups.  I picked off four of them sunning together on a dock yesterday morning.

Moderate opinion was largely silent as the right wing slashed and distorted Clinton's record on terrorism. It largely stood by as the Bush administration tried to intimidate its own critics into silence. As a result, the day-to-day political conversation was tilted toward a distorted view of the past. All the sins of omission and commission were piled onto Clinton while Bush was cast as the nation's angelic avenger. And as conservatives understand, our view of the past greatly influences what we do in the present.

A genuinely sober and moderate view would recognize that it's time the scales of history were righted. Propagandistic accounts need to be challenged, systematically and consistently. The debate needed a very hard shove. Clinton delivered it.

I know it’s early, but let me be the first to wish you a Happy Halloween.

Harry Luge & Haywire will be playing the Hogs Breath Oct 2-8.  Come say hi.  Paul Deakin (Drums) and Robert Reynolds (Bass) of The Mavericks will be playing with us.  Get on our mySpace link to hear our music. Hope to see some of you. Lets Go Fishing!  http://www.myspace.com/harrylugeandhaywire

[Iguana Lovers Club writer]  You go girl! (or guy) Thank you for saying everything I have wanted to say, but didn't because I figured the miniscule brains of the IKC jerks wouldn't be able to take it in anyway.  Ditto on all your good words.  I was beginning to despair there was anyone who still cared about wildlife and the way the Keys used to be and still are in many ways.  These anti-environment peeps (creeps) need to go back to the concrete jungles whence they came. Thank you again!

Depression can be caused by insomnia and insomnia can lead to depression and weight gain.  None the less, there are many depressed people down here who turn to alcohol and, or hard drugs.  I dare you to try to go clean for 72 hours and work-in 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, a healthy diet with fresh fruits / veggies and do not pollute your body or mind.  Try doing this for three days in a row.  Instead of doing more lines or taking another drink / pill why don't you take yourself outside for a bike ride, a dog / cat / iguana walk or a boat ride?  Maybe if you start with baby steps and break the pattern of abuse you will, in time, feel and sleep better.  You could be a happier and active person who actually smiles!  That's why this website has so many meanies writing in - because they're depressed and self-medicating with all the wrong junk.

I really hate the political season; all those campaign signs make it hard to spot the yard sale signs!

It would appear that God's Candidate has a personal beef against Ed Swift and instead of taking up his problems with Ed in person, prefers to make all sorts of inferences in his ramblings.  Why doesn't he just get to the point?

Hey Ed, Your screen size Friday was a little big for my 1024 x 768 15 inch screen.  The ads, which I know are near and dear to your heart, were about 1/4 off on the right side.  You might want to check things. (Ed; thanks for the info. Friday our server had a denial of service attack and everything was totally screwed up for several hours. I think it’s all right now. We checked it on our test monitors. [15”, 17” and 19”] and everything looked good.)

We've had some fine looking sunsets lately for sure.

May George Rockett Jr. rest in peace.  God Bless to all and hang in.

Cheers to Maci, Oliver and  Mackenzie. May we all have the energy these guys have! Cheers to Cliff and all the neighbors who took time to help with the sunken boat situation. Kudos to those people who try to make this a better place.

It feels like autumn in the Keys. I’m so glad that the oppressive heat is leaving. Yesterday was a pleasure working around the house without having to take showers every few hours.

For those people who feel we don't have a thing to do with Iraq. I don't agree.  I am allowed to decent by  my vote.   The media only has one side of the story to show.   Let's just let them take over; right? All the softies would like that.  It's war and war is not pleasant. It's not nice and definitely not civilized. Again, it’s too many cooks getting involved. Let the government do its job.   I do care about our young people who do or don't make it home after their bout of service. If someone can't cut a second tour of duty, don't force them. One tour is enough!

[The ILC] All things feel pain, and all things feel joy.  Just like you and me (except, of course, for anti-loving, anti-social "creatures"). Feral cats are victims. Spading and neutering is so needed and so under-educated.

Techno music is cool for about five minutes; after that it’s repetitive.

[Waste Mgt. Someone mentioned: “They've gotten better] That's good to hear, just scary. Recently I dealt with someone (no names) there.  We know if anyone spoke like this person did, they would've surely been looking for work. That was only one person maybe, but weird to think if they talk like that how do they treat customers, fellow employees and others?

Sorry about the loss of $100 dollar bill. Did that happen here? Up Northwest someone might've needed a good dinner, hence: "that's counterfeit" when it really was a good bill.

I find it so ignorant that when someone complains about something here some fool says, “Leave if you don’t like it.” That’s like those rednecks who say, “My country, love it or leave it.”

How's the DUI's or have "they" been decent lately?  It seems like every 4th or 5th car on the road's Law enforcement in mornings and evenings.

Not all Big Pine gossipers are into talking about such things as the Marathon Winn-Dixie manager. I’m sorry to hear such trivial talk exists. 

[Crossbones] I went there one time for a meal after a day's work and had a burger, fries  (coleslaw was an additional charge),  2 beers and a decent tip. I wound up paying too much.  I won't be back.

My vote: more dance music at the Ramrod's Tiki! 

"All you folks that do not like the Keys…" I agree with whoever said that. I’m tired of private beaches strewn with broken beer bottle glass from (what do you call 'em) who can't pick up after themselves. If you drink it--take it with you when you leave. How hard is that?

Iguanas like cats and dogs are loving animals! I know we've been invaded with ants and ticks here, but cannot say they are loving animals.

Saturday September 30, 20006

Friday September 29, 2006

For those people who feel we should pull out of Iraq,  my sister was on the Embassy Bombing trials for 9 months.  Although she is obligated by law not to discuss what she heard, she can verify that the terrorist threat was and is real and alive and runs deeper then our shallow American minds can conceive. On the day they were to sentence the second embassy bomber two planes flew into the World Trade Center and killed 3,000 innocent people. Ask the young men that come back from Iraq if the people there are glad we are there. 

Our news organizations will not print that side of the story.  There may have been 280,000 deaths in Iraq since the war, but remember Saddam himself did in 180,000 in almost one city alone.   Freedom does not come freely, it has a price.  To allow Iraq to become more of a democratic government will take time, and unfortunately lives.   We must support the new government there and pray that they will become united as one unit, to be able to govern their country and control the terrorist issue.  These people have not been able to think for themselves for a long time, therefore it takes even longer for them to undo the single mindedness that they have been forced to live by.   The enemy is not a bold face attacker, but a coward who uses the innocent to destroy the innocent with suicide bombers.   If it was just an American issue why are so many other nations in there with forces too?   To pull out now will only hurt more innocent lives and allow the terrorists to think we are weak and they have won.   Then nowhere, or no one will be safe in this world.

I see these ads that say “No hard core drinkers or druggies” I wonder if the person placing the ad knows that hardcores will never admit that they’re hardcore?

I agree we are in a world war, win or die. But there’s still no reason to be in Iraq. Westerners  were in the Mid East before the first World Trade Center and Embassies bombings. Westerners’ presence there has fueled their fanaticism long before the Gulf War. This conflict didn’t just pop up.

Florida Insurance Commissioner McCarty issues order, confirmed by the Florida Cabinet, to disapprove the proposed Citizens Property Insurance Company's “Plan of Operation” and prevent Citizens from hiring outside counsel to sue the Office of Insurance Regulation when the Office disapproves a Citizens request to raise rates.

Kelly is the founder and director of the Marathon Wild Bird Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and has been for the past 10 years. Other Florida Keys rehabers call on her for assistance because her success rate is phenomenal (more than 50 percent of the birds are returned to the wild)

Go to:?http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/poll/poll.html and vote for Kelly Grinter for Hero of the Year.

[hitting your father] It is only ok if he is hitting your mother. To hit your father any other time would result in lightening striking your body; not to mention eternal damnation. Even if your dad is an a**hole you need to duck and cover and just let him burn himself out.

Good techno music. http://www.bordergatewayprotocol.net/jon/humor/web_animations/28805_workit.swf

Which is your favorite Reef?  We have snorkeled all of them except the Marquesas.  Are they for snorkel people or just the dive people?  Sand Key Lighthouse in Key West and Marathon Lighthouse both have an amazing array of fish.  Where are the most angle fish?  Wind is kicking up for the weekend and I have a swimming-with-the-fishies-addiction. 

Kudos:  It's nice out there at our reefs and was only ten knots yesterday. http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/research_monitoring/map.html

The party of FDR and the party of Harry Truman has become the party of cut and run --George W Bush. I guess he forgot about the National Guard unit he was in (sign up and run).

The Venezuela government is sole owner of CITGO gasoline company. Venezuela Dictator Hugo Chavez has vowed to bring down the U.S. government. Chavez said, "Enough of imperialist aggression; we must tell the world: down with the U.S. empire. We have to bury imperialism this century."

The guest on his television program, beamed across Venezuela, was Cindy Sheehan, the antiwar activist. Chavez recently had as his guest Harry Belafonte, who called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world."

Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

Regardless of your feelings about the war in Iraq, the issue here is that we have a socialist dictator vowing to bring down the government of the U.S. And he is using our money to achieve his goal!

To the veterinarian, dog and cat lover, and the self-proclaimed scientist and Herpetologist with "inside scientific facts" on why you can't take iguanas for rides to move them, and to the canine and feline savior, please keep in mind that all things feel.  All things feel pain, and all things feel joy.  Just like you and me.

Iguanas and other lizards have no problems riding in vehicles, and often enjoy riding on the dashboard looking out the windshield and getting the sun.  Iguanas also, when kept in captivity with other animals, often enjoy the company of cats and dogs and can be seen eating from their dishes with them and sleeping with them as they take great comfort in the animals socialism and body heat.  Iguanas also love to be petted as any dog or cat and will often come to their owners for it.  Iguanas contrary to your idiotic remarks, are completely social animals who love to be in groups, both for safety in numbers and also because like dog packs and cat packs and gorilla families and elephant herds they all like the social interaction of one another, as well as the hierarchy of each other.  Just like people.  Except of course, for anti-loving, anti-social, "creatures" like you.

So tell us with your scientific facts about why iguanas don't like to ride in cars, and can't!  Please, we are waiting?  How do you think they got to the Keys in the first place?  Do you think they walked?

And as for their neurotransmitters freezing and shutting down their pain, that too would apply to just about any living creature you froze to death.

Get yourself a book on lizards and God and try and figure out why it is you have such a hair across your butt when it comes to being kind.  After you have destroyed the world, and all like you are gone from the face of it, the lizards will rise again from the oceans and retake what was theirs long before you arrived. Green iguanas are a part of that green.  Funny, it is you that does not belong in the Keys which is full of wildlife and those who love it and respect it, but instead, you belong in New York City surrounded by concrete, fast food restaurants, bar rooms, strip clubs, and smog (Oh yes, and the McDonald’s wrappers you always throw on the ground).  I got my eye on you and we iguana lovers are going to be looking at all the ways we can exterminate all the haters like you.  Hmmmmm, how about if we start with freezing?  It works well for burgers.

The ILC (Iguana Lovers Club).

PS.  Our next club meeting will be voting on making Green iguanas the official friendly ambassador of the Florida Keys.   Move over Mickey Mouse.

This is pretty cool Kung Fu excitement. http://www.bordergatewayprotocol.net/jon/humor/web_animations/I_Know_Where_Bruce_Lee_Lives.swf

To the "misguided" person who wrote about Forgotten Felines and TNR. Feral cats are the result of human irresponsibility, just as are abandoned and neglected dogs and other animals.  These victims deserve as much caring and respect as any human being, probably more.  It's not their fault that they exist.  Furthermore, TNR does work to reduce a feral population.  Why don't we just "humanely euthanize" all of the abandoned and neglected children in the world?  At least the neutered feral cat just lives out its life; abandoned and neglected children too often become the criminals in our society.

Regarding donating to other organizations, check to see where your money goes.  High salaries and administrative costs?  How much really goes to do good for wildlife?

[Counterfeit $100’s] Get your Benjamins from a bank in the first place. You wont have a problem.

To Oliver. Hugs and Kisses, Maci and Mackenzie

Friday September 29, 2006

Thursday September 28, 2006

We just wanted to send out a great big heartfelt thank you to Cliff and our other neighbors who took the time and effort out of their busy day to let us know that our boat sunk last week in our canal.  We are especially grateful to Cliff, who spent the entire day helping us lift our boat out of the water and lent both his supplies and effort to aid us in salvaging our poor boat.  We feel extremely blessed to have such kindhearted wonderful neighbors here in Big Pine.  We stick to ourselves most of the time and had never had the fortune of meeting Cliff or our other neighbors before, which makes them that much more great Samaritans!

Thank you all so very much, and please do let us know if there is anything that we can ever do for you.  Your help that day meant the world to us.

How come I can’t afford to eat vegetarian anymore? Damn, we live in Florida and they grow produce all year long.

[The truth hurts] Citing a conversation between as 14th century Christian Byzantine emperor and an Islamic Persian, Pope Benedict quoted Manuel II: “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

It appears that critical discussion or thinking is not allowed in modern Islam either.    

[The US leaving the Middle East will remove Moslem rallying point] Are you crazy? We weren’t in the Middle East on the first or second world trade center bombings, or when the embassy were bombed. The Muslims would probably settle for us cutting our own heads off (and that’s hard to do) or they would be happy to kill all of us if we don’t become Muslims. If you think the Christians are right wing nuts you ought to see what the mullahs would do. We are in a world war. Win or die.

Let’s give credit where credit is due.  How fast we forgot how awful the Waste Management service was, but all of a sudden they did a 360.  They bought small residential trucks, they do not seem to come so early, they dropped all the stupid rules they had about yard debris can only be so high and you can only put so many coconuts in a trash can.  Now they are picking up everything with no complaint.  But best of all they got rid of that idiot that came on Biz-Baz twice a week to tell us how stupid we were that we could not even follow simple directions about filling trash cans.   Obviously that got a new manager there that is customer friendly, and about time. Great job whomever you are!  I am not in waste mgmt, I am in landscaping, and they have made my job a whole lot easier.

Can there be anything more disrespectful than being drunk and wanting to have a fist fight with your own father? Pathetic is the word I come up with.

[what happened to the Pet Psychic] She read the mind of a 250 pound Great Dane and they are living happily together in Oregon.

[Allow logging in more of our national forests]  I am not an environmental whacko, but I sure like breathing fresh air from those woods, instead of fresh farts from places like Levittown, and other urban disasters.

[Movie stars have moles] Steve McQueen, Jean Harlow have moles.

[New York Times proven wrong]  How about the time they put so much pressure on that Jason Blair, that he fabricated articles; even making up sources.  They printed those stories, because he said what they wanted to hear.

Be careful with $100 dollar bills.  I just went to cash a few in for smaller bills and the bank said one of them was counterfeit!  They took it from me and said they were sending it away to the Secret Service to be checked.  Now I am out $100.  I wish I had gone out for a steak and lobster dinner with it instead of wanting smaller bills.  I will never keep a $100 bill in my possession again.  Beware.

The Muslims were blowing up stuff and killing our people long before we went into Iraq.  Can’t you people figure it out?  If they have no excuse, they’ll make one up!  To assume these people act on the basis of logic is delusional.

Post-it-notes--a must for one night stands.

What is the difference between terrorism and tourism? Terrorists destroy their enemies. Tourists destroy everything.

[Why spend 2 million dollars to clean the Vandenberg] I hope a bilge oil slick washes up on your property someday.

[Forgotten Felines] Isn't that one of those misguided TNR ( trap/neuter/release) organizations that actually release feral cats back into the environment instead of bringing them to Monroe County animal control so they can be humanely euthanized? If so, I wouldn't give then a dime and would instead join the Audubon Society or Defenders of Wildlife.

[Conspiracy theory V] This global warming alarmist crap is really getting old. It is now at the same stage as the old saying "when did you stop beating your wife?"  Why some people like to feel guilty about thinking they caused this is beyond me. And I am sure that driving a hybrid will really have an impact on the Earth. I suggest you guilt hounds get a cause you can actually do something about. And quit preaching to the rest of us.  

I like old money, too, but would rather see World Money, like a $1, a $10, and a $100. No pictures of anything, only the numbers all over it. Keep it simple. Some $1000 bills would be nice for the drug dealers too.

[When has the NY Times has ever been proven wrong] Jason Blair is that you.

Keep defending Crossbones all you want.  I am now home from work caring for my violently ill best friend who ate the meat loaf and a baked potato there last night.  The doctor said it was either the meat loaf or sour cream that sat out too long.  Enough said.

[I haven't seen the Skunk Ape since Wilma.] Keep quit you ninny, people have almost forgotten about her. Now it’ll come back from NJ to haunt us again. Oh God, no!

[Question] I have 2 turtle shells and 2 sawfish bills. I have had these for over 30 years, way before it was a no-no. I understand I cannot sell them (not unlike ivory). My question is: can I trade them without breaking any law?

[What do I mean by “fester up again”]  Meaning as an organization they will get healthy again and in time be back in the United States and kill more of my neighbors.  I do pay attention to what the Muslims are saying and the letter found earlier this week by Coalition officials believed to have been written by terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi to al Qaeda operatives; the following are some quotes from the letter:

There is no doubt that our field of movement is shrinking and the grip around the throat of the Mujahidin has begun to tighten. With the spread of the army and police, our future is becoming frightening. We can pack up and leave and look for another land, just like it has happened in so many lands of jihad. Our enemy is growing stronger day after day, and its intelligence information increases. By god, this is suffocation! We will be on the roads again. People follow their leaders, their hearts may be with you, but their swords are with their kings. So I say again, the only solution is to strike the religious, military, and other cadres of the Shi'a so that they revolt against the Sunnis. Some people will say, that this will be a reckless and irresponsible action that will bring the Islamic nation to a battle for which the Islamic nation is unprepared. Souls will perish and blood will be spilled. This is, however, exactly what we want, as there is nothing to win or lose in our situation. The Shi'a destroyed the balance, and the religion of god is worth more than lives. Until the majority stands up for the truth, we have to make sacrifices for this religion, and blood has to be spilled. For those who are good, we will speed up their trip to paradise, and the others, we will get rid of them

If you find the whole thing on the Internet is very interesting how he says their numbers are shrinking and the Americans will never leave no matter how bloody it gets. How it is getting harder to find Iraqis that will harbor them. That letter was from the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq and it sounded to me that he wanted to continue the fight but, was losing in Iraq and wondered aloud if he should pull out.  This would leave Iraq to bolster up its fledgling democracy and become a valuable ally in the war on terror. 

[Iguana Facts] As for neurotransmitters, do you even know what those are? And as for Iggy neurology being deactivated?  What are they, battery operated toys?  And worse yet, by heat or cold?  Do you even know what "cold blooded" means?  And yes, Iguanas are reptiles, cold blooded reptiles. 

And as for saving cats and dogs at the pound, the cats and dogs at the pound are excess animals, throw-aways.  Just like the Iguanas who were once someone's loving pet. 

There are many Keys without boats or imported flower gardens which you do not live on, and already have lizards on them.  So, the Iguanas would do fine there.  And as for them infesting it, they, like us, and their environment can only maintain a certain sustainable numbers and eventually will acclimate into normal sustainable populations that neatly exist along side us without being a burden.   Simply, don’t plant the kinds of flowers that attract them, and they will not come to eat them.  For that, you will actually need to go read a book and learn about their diet and why you keep attracting them to your garden. 

Iguanas, like cats and dogs are loving animals that make great pets. They feel and interact just like cats and dogs.

George Rockett Jr. was an interesting person.  He was always fair in his dealings with me and I just loved the dive system I got from him 20 years ago that allowed me to explore the ocean for hours.  I looked forward to going to his shop and seeing the motorcycles that he was rebuilding.  I could imagine him fearlessly ripping around the racetrack on a vintage bike (it’s hard enough on a new one).  I did not know him well at all, but I really respected him, because he did what he said he would.  May he rest in peace.

[Haven’t you been paying attention to what the Muslims have been demanding] Yeah, yesterday they came out with a demand for campaign finance reform in the US. No joke.

This story will stop all the complainers who don't like our local restaurants. Of course, I'll never eat in this type place again, or eat a hot dog. These restaurants put a whole new twist on the hot dog. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5371500.stm

That’s a fine looking sunset and a nice mess of fish. The Mutton Snapper looks a little small.

[report that no one in the Bush White House has denied] Now that President Bush has released more of the report.  We can see for ourselves that what he released is a very different story from what the Times wanted you to see.  What I think is so typical is that the Democrats are screaming that President Bush is cherry picking the report.  Now the one line that was printed in the Times (leaked not declassified) was not cherry picking. Oh, sorry, I forgot if the Times or the liberals cherry pick its OK!

I don't usually write in to complain but I have to. Who is booking the bands for the Tiki? None of the dancing bands are there anymore. I live across the street and frequented the place on weekends for about ten years and live close enough to hear them loud and clear every night. However, sitting on my porch to smoke lately I have noticed the decline in good bands. What gives? I love that bar, however, the last 6 times we have gone the band was too loud or (sorry) sounded horrible. To owners: please bring back the bands that make our weekends fun, I can honestly say I will not be back until some descent acts return.

To readers: There is always Coconuts.

Is it just me and my neighborhood or has everybody been invaded with weeds? Ever since Wilma I've seen weeds I have never seen before. It's just out of control. Any suggestions? Ants. I have those spastic crazy whacked out ants.  Cannot get rid of them. I've tried everything. I even have the little bit bigger black crazy ants in the car!  I'm just baffled.  And yes, we are a clean family!  Where are they coming from?  Has someone put a satellite of ants and weeds on Little Torch Key?

[Simple solution] All you folks that don't like the Keys are allowed to leave. Nobody has shackled you here. You have to ties, binds, restraints or anything else keeping you here. These fabulous islands were here before you, will be here long after you and have no room for anybody that doesn't like the way things are here. Very Simple.  All you that have moved here knowing how things should be here can join that same caravan leaving the Keys. Let’s throw all the petty gripers in as well and we will be back to the original paradise we had. I understand this is a sounding board but negativity breeds negativity, and the negativity is getting out of control. Big Piners have a history of letting petty things slide off our shoulders with the understanding that we are paradise here. All of you filled with negative dissent could benefit from dwelling on that for a while.

[facts Clinton laid out in his rant]   Yes, but he seems a bit foggy on the facts. See the following clips showing where he is wagging that finger and telling bloopers again. Do you think the finger thing is kind of like Pinocchio's nose?

 "But in a press conference in 2002, Richard Clark, whom Clinton cites as someone who knew he was serious about fighting terrorism, told reporters that there was never any strategy transfer from Clinton to Bush." Oops!

"Also, the Director of the FBI under Clinton, Louis Freeh, maintains that Clinton's dealings with the Saudi's -- dealings that should have been about terrorists -- were more about garnering donations for the Clinton Library." Oops!
 

Also, much to my surprise, the Washington Post listed today some discrepancies between what Clinton said when he ranted and the truth.  Oops again!

KayDee is now at Crossbones. Good luck baby girl. Call me soon. Tell Solo that Oliver said, “Hi.”  I miss you.

[Tara and Zeak] You are missed and if you feel okay about it post some pictures on this site so I can see those babies. Oliver misses them too. Glad you’re happy and I may join you some day.

Thursday September 28, 2006

Wednesday September 27, 2006

[Old money] I’m more likely to accept a counterfeit new bill because they all look like funny money to me. I wish that they’d put the security thread and whatever other security features they need in the old money without drastically changing the look.

[cut and run out of Iraq and Afghanistan and let the whole Muslim thing fester up again] What do you mean by “fester up again”? The longer we stay there the worst they will get. Leaving will remove their rallying point which is to get westerners out of the Middle East. Haven’t you been paying attention to what the Muslims have been demanding?

I had one of those pest control guys come out because I had carpenter ants. He said not only are they in my house, but in a super secret "satellite" nest in my yard so he has to treat both house and yard for a mere $600. I asked him what would stop them from being in a satellite location in my neighbor's yard, and he said don't worry about it. I didn't hire him. I bought that Terro stuff and haven't seen once since.

[Believe nothing in the NY Times] Just because you’re stubborn, doesn’t mean that you can’t believe a report that no one in the Bush White House has denied. Don’t you think that if it wasn’t the absolute truth the White House would have said something instead of admitting the truth of it on the Sunday morning talk shows and in Bush's Tuesday speech? blind loyalty is just that--blind.

If you're not angry, then you are not paying attention!  Bill Clinton was simply defending himself from the lying ABC fabrication anti-Clinton television show that was backed by the extremist right wingers.  Good for Bill, finally someone with balls enough to get angry (he never lost his temper)!  He tells it like it is with intelligent, common sense.  More common sense, watch Keith Olberman on MSNBC, finally a newscaster who is fed up with this lying, criminal current administration.

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. --Japanese Proverb

I think when a new owner opens a previously owned and successful business or restaurant, they should just let things be the same for awhile until they get "the lay of the land", so to speak. I know it is their right to change things; after all they have purchased it, but it always seems to backfire for them. A good example is the Tiki and Galley Grill (aka Captain Crossbones). The Keys can be a "Tough Room" when you first arrive, only the strong survive.

President Bush’s ratings have gone up to 42% approval rating from 32%.

[NY Times] I’d like to ask the doubting Thomas when has the NY Times has ever been proven wrong?

Found: Orange cat, declawed in Ships Way area.  Very sweet cat. Please call me at 872-5057.

[Least Competent Criminals] The guy in the Ronald Reagan mask who robbed a Bank of America in San Diego in August got away, but all his money was dye-stained, in a caper that went wrong from the start. The mask covered his eyes; he wore a cape that tangled with his gun, causing him to drop it; his getaway car got blocked in by a delivery truck; he rammed the truck to get away, provoking an argument with the driver; the dye pack exploded; and the mask and gun got left behind.

The Bush administration has blocked another report they disagree with. The report suggests global warming is contributing to the frequency and strength of hurricanes. The report came from NOAA and was reported in the journal Nature and reported by the Associated Press. (I wonder what one of these organizations the guy who doesn’t believe the NY Times will disavow?) The Bush administration continues to have their heads in the sand to the detriment of us all; and they continue to censor scientists who have documented the current impacts of global warming.

An elephant never forgets! Video

[get rid of carpenter ants] Are you suggesting that the neighbor's fat wife ate the carpenter ants? Maybe if you coated them in chocolate (the ants, not the neighbors).

[Bill Clinton] I never liked him before, but finally a politician who was sick of all the BS and told off an interviewer. Good thing it was televised because if it wasn’t the interviewer would probably have sued Clinton for assault for repeatedly jabbing his thigh with his finger.

Mad Cow Disease is not, in any way, prevented by cooking the meat.

Far more enlightening was the list of facts (yes, facts) Clinton laid out in his rant.  His Administration took action and W’s has not.  I have to agree with Keith Olbermann’s assessment:  Clinton is crazed?  Our tone should be crazed. The nation’s freedoms are under assault by an administration whose policies can do us as much damage as al Qaeda.

I have an ad running in the Classifieds here for a car for sale.  Please be advised that I have had three separate emails from people wanting to pay with “cashiers checks or money orders” and want the vehicle shipped overseas by “their shipping company”.  Please warn people that these are scams that involve fake money orders.  They send you a money order for more than your selling price and ask that you “refund the difference”.  Please don’t fall for this.  I don’t even want to imagine the legal ramifications.

I haven't seen the Skunk Ape since Wilma.

The Keys will be losing another fine young lady this week, she's headed out and will be greatly missed.  Take your time as you drive out, and take in the beautiful ocean water and clear blue sky. I won't forget my drive out of paradise, and I long to come back.  Bye April.

Aaawww. Bill Clinton exposed again. I'm sure more will come. And yet some idiots still believe him.

I'm not the owner of Crossbones. We have more than one set of dishes.  We have lots of them.  And we wash them too.  With soap. And with water (hot water).  We're supposed to be pirates.  Stop making fun of us.

And to the person who waited 45 minutes for poached eggs, we're very sorry, but we had a heck of a time getting that chicken into the boiling water.  They don't take so long now.  We pre-cook them in our new patented "Chicken Sauna". Come in and give them a try.

Uh, and those two tables that walked out?  That was Dr. Howard and Dr. Fine and Dr. Howard.  They got called away for emergency brain surgery so they don't really count as disgruntled customers.  They were just in here drinking anyway.

Save the date folks.  It's going to be a party!  November 8th we will be having a party at Tranquility Bay to raise funds for Big Pine Key Wild Bird Rescue and Forgotten Felines.  Mark your calendar now and a future post will be made of where to buy tickets.  Free flowing wine (really great wines!), wonderful food and fun.  See you there! 

[Sad to see the ex-president exposed like that on national TV]  Most of us knew it all along, but it is good to see even the liberals run like rats from a sinking ship.  Legacy of doing nothing for 8 years against mounting terrorism and gutting the guidelines and the workforce of our intelligence system.  Oh!  Never forget, all the while, what was happening in the oval office and the fact that he not only lied to all of us wagging his finger (just like he did to poor young Wallace) but, he also lied under oath--That is his biggest legacy.  Now, if the liberals could just pick someone else, than his wife in name only, to carry the flag of the ass (donkey) to the White House.  Since Chavez is doing so well with socialism; possibly they can give him a fake passport and let him carry the flag; he does it so well.

Glen Reber on Avenue E please call your mother and sister in Ohio.

Wednesday September 27, 2006

Tuesday September 26, 2006

Billions of dollars, and a few years after the sewer system is in place, we will find that the water quality around the Keys will not have improved. We are going to get this lie shoved down our throats because of the fantastic amount of  money that will funnel into the pockets of new bureaucratic agencies. It is the next great boondoggle, and residents are made to feel the need for a common sewer system is a forgone conclusion, and should not be questioned. We're just a bunch of incompetent taxpayers after all, and they're scientists; intellectuals to be revered as gods.

There is a study that was funded by the South Florida Water Management that has been buried by the crooks and deluded "do-gooders", that show that the nutrient rich water is coming down from the west coast of the state. Aside from high density residences (such as condos), the septic tank - drain field system is by far the best, most efficient, and cleanest system available. Contaminants from surface runoff will always have some effect, and much of a local contributing factor is from bird nurseries, mangrove islands thickly laden in bird crap.  Mark these words, the sewer system will not change water quality at all. (Except when a pipe breaks and it runs into the sea). Like Captain Redlegs says, "Doin' good ain't got no end." Jerks.

[Indian Bashing] My family is mixed. My wife is Indian, I am European decent. The kids are 50/50.  We both complain about the government there as often as here in India. Getting any permit is the same. Find someone willing to help, buy them lunch--you get what you need.  How is that different than waiting 7 years to get a house built when developers can throw down cash and wait a month to rebuild anything?  About Indians being a problem at your business, I am sorry your instructions don’t sit well with them.  I don’t think Indians generally are disagreeable, but rather they choose to ignore people they don’t respect and do whatever they think would be best for themselves.

I just found out that I am leaving this world. And I am stuck in VA instead of being home. I will miss you all.

Has anyone seen the boats that have just shown up at the old Mariner, future home of the filled in boat basin/waterfront park?  Are they going to put them in for extra fill?  Amazing how things happen around here, keep filling in. What gives?

Cool piss orange…

"This is a great day for France!" --Richard Nixon, while attending Charles De Gaulle's funeral

Did everybody see the adulterer, censored former President Clinton make a fool out of himself on TV. Wow, I really felt bad for him being exposed for the liar and buffoon us liberals knew he really was.

The reason all the new cars are ugly (and all look pretty much the same) can be summed up in one acronym, CAFE.  That stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy and it’s the standard that the Feds instituted that requires every automobile manufacturer to reach a certain average level of fuel economy across their entire line of vehicles.  Bottom line is that cars nowadays are being designed by the wind tunnel, not a stylist.

Kelly Grinter, who runs the Marathon Wildbird Rescue, has been nominated for Animal Plant's Hero of the Year, and she made it as one of the 10 finalists.  Everyone please go to this link and vote for her, as many times as you can, every day.  I think the voting ends Sunday, October 8.  Let's send a Florida Keys local, who gives her all for the welfare of injured wildlife, to the winners circle!http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/hero_of_the_year/poll/poll.html

[Bill Clinton’s Sunday interview] The factual documentary has really tarnished whatever legacy he  had left. Sad to see the ex-president exposed like that on national TV.

[Is it true that bee's shit is honey] Alcohol is yeast shit. There’s a lot of shit eaters around here.

This is why the United States of America is great place to live. You have the right to shop where they make you happy. So, if you are not happy with Winn-Dixie don't shop there. It’s call freedom. You are free to drive to Publix, but they are not going to pay for your gas.

[Just curious] How did the person who had all of that fall foliage information obtain it? Did he do a search in a search engine or something like that?

It was one year ago today (09-26-05) I left Big Pine Key, for better and brighter days.  I can honestly say that things are better and brighter, but I do miss my family (Hi, my Mommy), my friends and my customers.  I now have a beautiful house on five acres which we all love.  My four legged son loves to run now (down there we could barely get him of the couch and out of the a/c).  My oldest daughter (now 15) is getting awesome grades (looks like honor roll this semester), which I knew she could. The "babies" (Mackenzie,4 - Maci, 3) go to school in the morning and play all afternoon.  Their Great Grandparents live next door and they love to ride their little John Deer Tractor over to their house almost every day.

You wouldn't believe how many people we see up here that moved here from Big Pine. It's almost like a Big Pine reunion in central Florida. I am working at an Air Conditioning business which I love. The people are wonderful. We try to get back down there every couple of months, but it looks like we won't be able to until after the new year. So everyone bug and harass my parents to come here for Christmas. Their granddaughters miss them. They have an open invitation, but anyone who knows them knows it's hard to get them away from Big Pine Key. If you haven't figured out yet who this is, it’s Tara from Paradise PetroI. I hope all is well and this past year has treated you as well as us. Thank you BigPineKey.com for allowing me to keep informed of the daily hustle of life there. I do appreciate it.  To everyone: Hope to see you all soon!  Hugs and Kisses.

There is a fairly new product, two years or so, for carpenter ants. It is called Maxforce carpenter ant gel, and can be obtained by using a pest control company or by ordering it from their web site (probably maxforce.com). I bought some, but can't say that I have seen the ants flocking to it as pharaoh ants and crazy ants sometimes do with Terro. If you try it, keep us posted as to the results.   A couple of years ago I found a big ant nest under the insulation in the attic. It wasn't until I had to have my house tented for termites that I finally got rid of them. After a year or so the carpenter ants are coming back slowly and I am trying Maxforce.

[Air Force training squadron] Come on man, can't you tell that's a fake image. You people will fall for any propaganda they throw at you. Get real and quit dreaming!

[I think Bush just might be the devil.] If it takes somebody like the Devil to straighten out this war and the military industrial complex, so be it. But Bush sure as hell isn’t him. Bush and his cronies are the problem!

[Cost two million to clean ship enough so it's not a hazard environmentally] Gee, how many farm tractors could have been built for Africa or South America with that metal? Or for us, for that matter?

Well, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water: There is a new reality show called The House of Carters.   It is being eagerly anticipated by Tom Osterhoot.

Kudos to the person yesterday that said, "I agree that the Keys are not perfect, but they still rate number 1 in my book."  You are so right; it's amazing the ridiculous things that people gripe about on this message board.  Almost every person I know that has moved out of the Keys wishes they could move back here.  It's sad that the cost of living has run, and continues to run, so many people out.  I'm enjoying it as long as I can.

[get rid of carpenter ants] Use pancake syrup and lay a thin trail over to that neighbor with the fat wife and the yapping mutts. It worked for me.

[Sloan's Slot] I find myself wondering if this task force, or any Keys housing task force or committee, has on it what I call "line worker" employees. That is, the workers who, for example, drive, do mechanic work, take tickets or do secretarial work for the Key West Conch Train and Trolley, or do office, maintenance or construction work for Ed Swift's other enterprises? Aren't these people the affordable housing experts who need to be making input into what they need?

I also find myself wondering how many drivers, mechanics, ticket takers and secretaries for Key West Conch Train or Trolley, or any of Ed Swift's other business ventures, can afford any of the new affordable housing units he wishes to build in the Keys? Or how many of the thousands of other Keys line workers can afford Mr. Swift's new dwellings or any other Keys developer's proposed dwellings? I find myself wondering if anyone other than developers and real estate agents and brokers, and the county tax collector (insert laughter here), will benefit from the 4,000 or so new affordable units now being proposed for the Keys?

And I find myself wondering how any of the rest of us, but for line workers, could even live in the Keys, much less enjoy them?

To Sloan: In regards to how many of Ed's (Swift) people can afford his apartments, I believe there are actually quite a few.  Many of his employees make more than you would think.  You may want to simply ask Ed, he is an extremely approachable man and is the probably the most knowledgeable person in the Keys regarding housing issues.

From Sloan: To be honest, I am reluctant to approach Ed (Swift) about anything, unless I'm told by the Boss to do it. I was immersed in the Duck Tours case as a way of learning what Ed is really made of, and, to be candid, if I were a Key West City Commissioner, or a Monroe County Commissioner, I wouldn't want to have any dealings with Ed about anything, just based on that one case.

As for Ed's knowledge of housing, I have yet to hear of him proposing anything that addresses the real housing crunch in the Keys: rank-and-file Keys workers do not have affordable housing. Nor are they represented on any affordable housing or work force housing task forces, according to an email I received yesterday from a high-placed office worker in the Monroe County government, whose job duties enables this person to know this. I have had several covert email exchanges with this person over the past few months, whose county salary makes a $225,000 apartment far out of reach, given all the other things this person also has to pay for just to get by in the Keys.

I'm fine with your sharing this email with Ed (Swift), if you wish, and I will respond to anything he might wish to say to me by email, or in person, on his initiative. However, because he is a public figure and this is a public issue, his and my dialogue would be brought into the public domain.

Clinton loser tried and failed. At least he tried, yah, he tried real hard. What a friggin moron. Throwing a few cruise missiles into the middle of the desert is hardly a try. If they could have found Clinton, he was probably at McD's getting Big Mac's or circling LA getting a haircut, or getting a hummer from a fat chick..

Maybe the military could have been more effective rather than 3 hours after they knew where Bin Laden was. That scum bag was and remains a worthless gutless piece of crap.

[flood claim losses in a post-firm storage enclosure under the flood plain / Pre-firm before 1/1/1975.] Grand Fathering is the term used to Catch 22 the BS of "He who has it verses those who want it, but can't have it!" This is an idiots way of claming the seas of taxation and greed. If I have a 100 foot dock, an in ground pool, a boat ramp, under set backs, and it was before the junta passed the new laws, that's ok, but the next guy who wants those things cannot have them. Well, if I'm the next guy, I would take the issue to court, and win. Why? Because I wouldn't sue for technical defaults, I'd sue for pure prejudice. What's good for that gander, is good for this gander!

I’ve never seen anyone try to pee on an electrical socket so I'll take your word that you won't get shocked, but don't let anyone convince you to try it on an electrified fence.

[Conspiracy Theory] It would be interesting to find out what connection the folks that advocate sinking the ship have to the environmental groups hired to clean it up. Can you say kick-back? Nah, couldn't happen down here.

I heard from a fellow at the Tiki that Islamorada is actually a slang word used in the southern part of Cuba which translates into "Your mother has sex with donkeys." He said when Flagler was building his railroad; donkeys and women were bought in to entertain the workers.

It’s amazing that after all the years that have gone by since sewering of the Keys was deemed necessary, our government has still not developed the detailed blueprint of how to accomplish this in all of the areas to be affected.

Warning! Some of the hairier New Jersey women are trying to hitchhike down here in order to save money. My friend shot this picture of one asking for a ride.

Try Combat for carpenter ants.  If that doesn't work you might have to get a professional.

I recently had a bleeding encounter.  I was surprised to learn that it takes my body three months to grow a new blood cell to maturity.  Who knew? 

How much do you want to bet that the dude slaying the Jersey girls and their appetites at the Cow Palace is a wannabe, but he can't slim down to their size?  Be at the Tiki Wed around, oh, lets say, 5:30 or so and show your stuff Mr. Beefcakes, or is it Mr Budweiser?  Friends are dying to know!

[In regard to brain cell loss] I always knew I was above average.

I like old money.  I mean to say, the old printing plated that I remember in my youth.  The new ones and diverse coin designs only add to confusion.  Why did they have to go and do that?

[The Vandenberg] Why spend 2 million dollars to clean it? Don't we sink refugee boats and cars and whatever? That's pollution, and that f***ing whale too. That was a real brainer.

We like Winn Dixie, If you don't go north or south.

All of Clinton’s supporters smoke cigars (watch out wives).

This is funny:  Click on the link and then try put your cursor on the man's nose (not dirty or scary or anything, just funny) http://fun.from.berdyczow.org/2004-05-26/posmeraj-goscia-w-nos.swf

Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. –Dave Berry

[Allow logging in more of our national forests]  Yeah!  The awesome environmental whacko’s on the left coast would rather see all that wood burn instead of someone, or even worse a corporation (really a bad word to the whacko’s) getting a buck out of it and giving good decent people work to do out in the boonies.  Hey? maybe the environmental greenies could fork over the money to teach the loggers how to fly the helicopters and DC10s used to put out the fires?  Naw, they would rather see it burn; that way they will not have anyone to be jealous of anymore.  Logging is sustainable, you log, you plant and you keep on logging till old growth is gone. Then you start over again and we all have plenty of wood for all our needs. 

[the UN is a joke] That, my friend, is an understatement.  I wish, if we are going to keep up the charade of belonging to this stupid group of wanna-bes that Bolton would be confirmed. He is at least tough talking and tells it like it is to their face. Look for us giving tons more money to the UN if the democrats get control of the House or Senate.  If we are so lucky and get a Democrat, or worse a socialist like Ms. Clinton, for a President in 2008, we will probably cut and run out of Iraq and Afghanistan and let the whole Muslim thing fester up again. 

Taxes will be raised on those paying over 60% of the taxes now so we will just have to pull in our horns, stop hiring and buying and the recession will really take hold.  Iran and all radical countries will develop the nuclear weapon and look out New York City.  The world will be far different but, no worries, the strong Democrats like Clinton and Pelosi will protect us.  As for me, I'm going to pack up the boat and go to Cuba and live at the beach and let the socialists take care of me and then if I ever come back, I will have first hand knowledge on how a socialist system will work here.

Does anyone know what happened to the Pet Psychic?  She was on Animal Planet channel.   

Big Pine Key, Florida FL, profile (Monroe County) - hotels, festivals, genealogy, newspapers - ePodunk  (Ed: Island Information is better.)

[leaked to the NY Times] Lord, please tell me you do not believe anything they print.  I mean the paper just sits there and they write anything on it to further Moveon.org, socialism, ACLU and any other left wing, crackpot group.  I for one trust what I read on BigPineKey.com before I trust anything in the New York Times.

Product review. The Impulsive Buy » Archive » Phillips Norelco Bodygroom.

[Torture is good] A little water down some captured combatant’s nose making them choke and pass out and tell us where the next attacks on America is going to be is OK by me.  Of course it’s ok to you that they play videos on Islamic TV showing American bodies being dragged  thru the streets and killed.  And their wonderful humane treatment of media types, our forces and nuns by cutting off their heads.  Yeah, you just keep rooting for the other side!  Remember to get a nice prayer rug 'cause all that kneeling they are going to make us do when they take over is hard on the old body. 

My friend told me he read someone was looking for a pet sitter in Big Pine.  I’m available at joespetsitting@yahoo.com.

See how many bad eggs you can hit. Official UK Chicken Run web site

Tuesday September 26, 2006

Monday September 25, 2006

I agree that the Keys are not perfect, but considering the alternatives, they still rate number 1 in my book. I am temporarily living elsewhere much to my dismay, and cannot wait to return to my home in the Keys. Yes, the cost of living and housing is less here, but there is no laid back island atmosphere, no balmy breezes, no geckos or iguanas to complain about, no sunsets over the ocean. I miss the day to day beauty of the Keys and the clean air. I miss being able to grocery shop in bathing suit and flip flops, running into so many friends in Winn-Dixie that your shopping takes longer, sitting in outside bars year round, the music, the roosters, and St. Peter's church. 

Stay put, quit complaining, and fight to make the Keys the paradise that it can be. Run for office. I'd rather work two jobs to live in the Keys than live anywhere else. If you still think the grass is greener elsewhere--try it for a few months before uprooting permanently.

A belated happy Jewish New Year to all my good friends.

A National intelligence assessment from April was just leaked to the NY Times. It shows that the war in Iraq has increased the threat of terrorism.

It’s time for us to pull out. We are not there to fight terrorism; we’re there trying to build democracy. I don’t care if Iraq is democratic or not and the Iraqis obviously don’t care either. Let’s not stay there only to save face. It is only helping terrorism according to the report

This is a great photo of an Air Force training squadron flying in a never-done-before "USA" formation over the control tower "Taj Mahal" (HQ building) of Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The USA used the Geneva Conventions to prosecute Japanese after WWII for water boarding (an inhumane process where the victim is repeatedly drowned and revived) a process that Bush wants to include in his version of the Conventions. I think Bush just might be the devil.

It doesn't cost two million to sink the ship. It cost two million to clean it enough so it's not a hazard environmentally.

You must have missed the Mythbusters episode where they proved that you won't be shocked if you pee on an electrical outlet.

Between now and 2010 all the seemingly discretionary government (public) funds should go to what ought to be seen as the most important issue in the Keys, and the one that we can actually do something about, until it is finished:  The sewer system.

I find it ironic that the same people who supported the persecution of Bill Clinton because of a private sexual matter which had no world-wide consequence are the same people who embrace Bush and his phony war that has the world in turmoil. These Bush supporters believe lying to Congress about a non-consequential personal matter is worse than taking our country to war and mismanaging everything from the cause of it, its execution and to the devastating effects of that war.

[Is it true that bee's shit is honey?] Actually it is Bee Barf. They eat nectar from flowers and bring it back to the hive. During the trip the nectar is stored in a special organ that produces enzymes which break the nectar down into simple sugars, which we call honey. When the bees return to the hive, they place (barf) the honey into cells in their hive for storage.

The amount of time it takes for a woman to kill a man is in direct proportion to the amount of money he possesses, once the money is gone he is merely a carcass.

[Prejudice against India] I, for one, will never do business with any one who even sounds Indian. In over 22 years in the fishing and dive business, I have only had trouble with clients from that region of the world; and one hundred percent of the Indians I have dealt with have been big problems.  

A new government report says the war in Iraq is fueling terrorism.

Honey is actually bee barf. Kind of like the floor at the Tiki, all sticky and gummy. The Truth About Honey

Want a local's discount at restaurants? 10% discount = No Utensils. A 20% discount = No Plate or Napkin! Welcome to the Keys!

[Everything you’ve ever wanted to now about fall foliage] Most states have a special hotline with up-to-the-minute information on where to see the fall color. Toll free 1 800/888 numbers can only be accessed in North America.
    • Connecticut: 1 888 282 4748, www.ctvisit.org
    • Maine: 1 888 624 6345, www.mainefoliage.com
    • Massachusetts: 1 800 227 6277 / 1 617 973 8500, www.massvacation.com
    • New Hampshire: 1 800 258 3608, www.visitnh.com
    • Rhode Island: 1 800 556 2484 / 1 401 226 6046, www.visitrhodeisland.com
    • Vermont: 1 802 828 3239, www.vermontvacation.com

United States Peak Foliage Map by Intellicast.com

weather.com - Northeast US Normal Fall Peaks

[leaf changing season in New England]  http://www.yankeefoliage.com/ and http://www.foliagenetwork.com/reports/

[India bashing] There was no India bashing by someone talking about being a hippie and reminiscing about Hare Krishna. The second thing you complained about, you even agreed with: India’s famous bureaucracy. I think you just wanted to tell us you were in India and didn’t know how. Where was the bashing? Namaste.

If you file a flood claim for losses in a post-firm storage enclosure under the flood plain, in a Legal Enclosure you will be denied. The only flood claims paid for enclosures under the flood plain are for those in pre-firm enclosures.  Pre-firm being before 1/1/1975.

My darling I, I can't get enough of your love, baby! No?  Guess I'll settle for them crocs again.

[laptop with all the bells and whistles for $400.] If you want to see what a computer is worth, stick one in your oven for few hours, and all you will find are a few tablespoons of gooky plastic, and a gold tooth. The mark-up on computers was over 10,000% from the start.

Islamorada means Purple Island in Spanish!

About Rowell's Cay Club's: http://www.cayclubs.com/   These guys will own all the world's waterfront properties in 20 years! Dangerous people or what?

Canadian navy patrols the border

After having an initial poor dining experience at Capt. Crossbones for lunch. No problem with service, I just found the food to bland for my taste, and no I don't like spicy.  I went for breakfast this morning and the food was excellent, and the service prompt.  By the way Katy from fish cutters is there now.  So breakfast at Cross Bones and lunch or dinner at Fish Cutters for me from now on.

It's: Is-lam-a door

Whatever happened to that guy on TV, John Edward, who could talk to dead people? For a few months he had one of the hottest shows on television, but then he just sort of disappeared. South Park did a show about him entitled "Biggest Douche in the Universe", so maybe he took that personally or something. 

Let's sink the ship for 2 million dollars. Just what we need is more tourists. We can't take care of the ones we have now. Another Monroe County screw up.

I know everyone is unhappy with Winn Dixie. Send your comments to this address: http://www.winn-dixie.com/comments/main.asp Send as many complaints as you can and maybe they will get the idea.

Sloan said it right regarding W/D and Publix.

[good granite countertop company] Call Floor Specialist  289-8763. They are great with granite countertops.  They did my kitchen and I love it. Plus they are great people.

It's a fact: the average person loses 50,000 brain cells a day. Look out!

I hope that "1000" on the NJ license plate shown yesterday wasn't an indication of the weight of the occupants. If it was I know which bar they will frequent down here.

[Bill Clinton’s Sunday interview]Give ‘em hell Bill!  You did a far better job than Dum Dum is doing.

A few weeks ago, I saw a little sign in front of Takara in Marathon that announced Thai food. I was a little leery about trying it because Takara, the sushi oriented Japanese restaurant, was extremely inconsistent - often excellent, but just as often, medicore, and occasionally even bad. It turned out, though, that it changed hands and is now completely a Thai restaurant and the food is outstanding! It's still the same plain looking, tiny building, but this is true to form since the best Thai restaurants are usually very small, unpretentious mom and pop places. The pork and ginger salad (nam sod) is the best I've had in a long time, and the two main dishes were also excellent. I'm so glad that there is finally a great Thai restaurant in the Keys.

Winn Dixie has absolutely no interest in being an asset to this community. Do you get that? To defend it is to be content with slovenly service, products, and business practices, and likely out of laziness and fear of inconvenience. If one has to wait in line to self serve checkout while six other self serves are turned off, the company is telling you that they could not care less about your time or convenience. It says that their convenience is paramount over that of their customers. To reward that kind of disrespect is to disrespect yourself. Get them the hell out of here, and bring in a company that gives a care about us. When I arrive home from work, it's usually 9:00 or later, and I just go to CVS for food. If I have the time, I make the effort to patronize Publix in Marathon, and guess what? I'm home at the same time I would have been from W.D., only a hell of a lot happier.

Come join in the fun party this Friday at the Looe Key Tiki Bar, as Injade, with the help of music writer Dick Conklin, and videographer Pete Kouris, lay the groundwork for an upcoming DVD of the band.  

Does anybody out there know how to get rid of carpenter ants in there house? I’ve had Orkin spray, used Raid and tried Terro. I can’t find where there coming from.

B.J. The stimulating coffee

All Cannoks can stay the hell gone and I would never notice. It’s them and damn Yankees that ruined the Keys.

Monday September 25, 2006

Sunday September 24, 2006

Today, the Sun rises due east at the Equinox, a geocentric astronomical event that occurs twice a year. They say you can balance an egg on its end today.

I hate how fast time flies now that I’m retired. The days and weeks seem to whiz by. I finally found out why. I read that it’s because retirees have daily routines. These routines are the cause of the illusion of speeded up time. So I’m going to put off my nap until 4pm today and eat lunch earlier, but I still won’t be able to stay up later than ten pm.

In response to the person who said about Captain Crossbones, “If I wanted mediocre food and bad service I would stay at home and let my husband cook.”

I think it is interesting that other people have had the same experience at Captain Crossbones that we had.  I checked to see if they had a website because I would tell the owner the same thing I mentioned here, but they don't.  I want to see them succeed as I really would like to have another option for going out to dinner without having to drive to Marathon or Key West.  But I'm not going to wait nearly 90 minutes for food that shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to deep fry or warm up.  Add bad service to boot; our waitress never came back to our table to ask if we wanted more drinks or let us know what was up with our order. 

And since I am on a rant, to the person that said they were at Captain Crossbones about the same time we were and had quick service and a fine meal, they must have seen the two tables of people that came in, sat down and ended up leaving because their orders weren't taken.  Or the couple who had their food served but asked for to-go containers because they had waited so long and had to leave.  I think it is good that folks share their impressions of businesses: that's how I find the dentist I like here on Big Pine, or a dog groomer or whatever. 

[Sloan’s slot] When I tuned into US 1 Radio this morning over breakfast, it was playing "Sweet Home Alabama." I darn near fell out. Just as I darn near fell out yesterday around noon at Good Food Conspiracy on Big Pine Key, where I went for lunch, when I asked its owner, Marney Brown, if she had heard anything lately about the Publix project on Big Pine. She beamed a big smile and gave me a copy of the just-out News-Barometer. On the front page was a story about the apparent demise of that project. Marney's and my smiles were marred by a fellow in the store blasting Winn-Dixie and saying he wished Publix would buy it, a refrain I've often heard on Big Pine. Yes, this Winn-Dixie store is now old. Yes, it does not carry a lot of specialty and high-end and exotic items offered by Publix. But what the heck? This is island living, not the mainland!

Beyond that, I used to have intimate dealings with grocery chains, because they carried a lot of the snack food products my family's business headquartered in Alabama produced. Publix doesn't buy and move into existing grocery stores, but builds its own stores from scratch. As does Winn-Dixie, and Albertsons. And Winn-Dixie would not sell its Big Pine store in any event, because week in and week out it is the top-or-second-producing store in its Winn-Dixie division. Many years ago, Winn-Dixie took a risk in putting a store on remote Big Pine Key. Publix did not take that risk, but it knows how well this Winn-Dixie store is doing, and it understandably wanted a part of that action. But Big Pine Key apparently felt otherwise.

I was moved yesterday afternoon to again share with my email list the "candidate's statement" (4-tped pages) that fell out of me this past June 1, just as I realized I was going to be entering the campaign for the District 2 seat on the Monroe County Commission. I re-read it yesterday and found one grammatical mistake, which I corrected. Otherwise, it's still as good an expression of my long-evolving love affair with the Keys and eventual and reluctant entry into its politics as I can write.

Some fool wants us to capture iguanas and drive them to another remote place to infest? Have you ever tried to catch an iguana? And spreading their infestation is purely ridiculous. Just what Key did they have in mind?

[let the navy pilots use it for target practice] You have never dived on a WWII wreck and got all ripped up on sharp metal and shrapnel. Our tourist diving industry would get the bends if that ship were blown apart.

[Corian does not look “just like granite”.] Stone counter tops are a royal pain to maintain. They scratch, crack, and leak! Stone is porous, and if it is a low grade cut, it can be as hard to keep clean as wood. Marble is very porous and is tested by putting a small container of dye on top to see how long it takes to seep through. The longer it takes the better the grade. This should tell you dirty water, and food stuffs can also hide in those pours. I will not use any top material but a solid surface, like Corian or similar products. Coral is the worst and most dangerous, even if sealed. It's your choice and health.

We need a fire station more than a bridge to nowhere and a sunken ship.  Non of these things benefit BPK,  but a new fire house will benefit all.

[Bush loses, again] Bush was trying to build roads and allow logging in more of our national forests, but a federal judge ruled otherwise this week. Thank God for environmental groups without which this country would be all Publix shopping centers.

Office Depot has a laptop with all the bells and whistles for $400. It even has a DVD burner. I never thought prices would fall this low. My desktop PC costs three times that much and doesn’t even have a DVD burner.

The Colorado killer who dragged the girl by a rope behind his car for over a mile was caught. It seems he left a photo of himself at the crime scene. They should have a crook’s school or something because most of these guys are just plain stupid; too stupid even to work.

I just realized this: Islamorada:  "Islam-or-ada" Does this mean anything to anyone or is it just one of their training bases?

The developer buying up the Keys and developing Rowell’s is Cay Clubs.  Recently, they purchased the land behind the barricade on Sugarloaf Blvd as part of a deal to develop in the upper Keys, on the contingent they don't develop behind the barricade.  That's our money grubbing commissioners at work again.  That land behind the barricade was already unsuitable for development, and the county never would have given a permit to anyone to begin with.  Only money talks to these commissioners.

"I use to be afraid of bears. Then I realized a bear will kill you quickly, were as a woman will take her time."--Overheard in a bar.

Ask about our pick of the day.

On Saturday, one post suggested catching iguanas, taking them for a ride, and releasing them. Can you believe such an asinine suggestion? I'm sure such an ignorant person would never believe the rational and scientific explanations why one should not do this, so I won't even try.

With all the problems with County government, just do like the PTA does and have all positions donate their time for free.  Don't pay any of them.  When their time is donated, it's not hard to see where their priorities are.

You can find any artist from an indexed list. Artists on artnet Oh, yes it's Ladies' night!

[passing time in an office cubicle] Aren't you supposed to be working to pass the time?

The Port Largo fire department is a mess with the chief’s political wrangling to try to have a paid fire dept. The chief said only four fireman showed up for a recent fire and the other fireman said there were 14 certified fireman at that fire.

[Canada is a paradise] Why does anyone migrate south? Human beings gravitate towards the sun. I visited your area last month, you cannot pay me and our 3 friends enough to return. All we encountered was an overpriced dirty dingy hotel, (5 star, hah, more like 1 star) drunks, old ugly men and tourist traps. I’d rather vacation in Mexico or Costa Rica. The same cold culture as yours, but they are a little bit more refined and transparent. Stay and enjoy your cesspit.

[County will need to raise taxes yet again to provide basic services]  Which county are you talking about?  Monroe county taxes have been progressively lower for the last 5 years.  Of course, you wouldn’t know that unless you were a full time resident and can't homestead (or a renter).  Maybe your post was just a campaign ad for Nugent? 

[Conchs] My friend used to be with a Conch. According to her he left her with a bitter taste in her mouth. She is now engaged to a Canadian. What difference in morals, values and characteristics.

[Iguana facts] As much as I appreciate the cool theme parks he created, I think Disney did the world a great disservice "humanizing" creatures and things that cannot possess human qualities.  Flowers don't have faces or feelings and iguanas (reptiles) do not feel love, sadness, happiness or any other mammal emotion.  They can't.  They have a very primitive brain that controls the body's vital functions and that's about all.  As far as killing them by freezing, their neurotransmitters are deactivated by heat or cold. So if they don't squirm, they don't feel it. 

If you want save an animal that does have feelings, go to the humane society and adopt a cat or dog.  If you don't, they will be killed.

Now that most of us feel that the UN is a joke, what shall we do about the nut running Iran? Are we to let him have a nuke? What will be our next move? Are we done asking Iran to be nice? The November elections will be over soon and Tony Blair will be stepping down soon. What will the new year bring? any thoughts? This is a little on the grown-up side.

What is all the India bashing all of the sudden? (Hare Krishna and bureaucracy in India.) You have someone lose a job to India?  I've lived in India for 3 years now, I'm born in the US of European descent. I also own in Islamorada and Colorado. You petty whiners in the Keys could learn a great deal from the Hindus about tolerance, patience, and being laid-back. Bureaucracy in India? Yes, of course. But not about putting sides on a tin roof building. If you're going make comparisons, get it right. 

Does anyone know of a website that tracks and projects the leaf changing season in New England on a map?

Wouldn't you think that after having 3 feet of water in my downstairs from Wilma and not filing a flood claim I would get an exemption from having to have a Monroe County inspector come look at my house because it believed to be "in violation".  If there was anything in there to get damaged I would have filed a damn claim!  3 feet of water flowed in, it all flowed out, and now I'll probably have to put in flood vents to "protect" me or else I'll lose my mortgage.

I just noticed all the Florida tags are leaving Jersey. We're finally getting our beaches and barstools back. At least until the rest of us head to the Keys for the winter!

Do you know Zoe Brewer?

Sunday September 24, 2006

Saturday September 23, 2006

Due to the closing of the Key West Wild Bird Rescue Maya, here on Big Pine, has taken on many of their birds and is now handling any Key West cases.  She desperately needs volunteers.  You could assist with feeding, transporting, cleaning, whatever.  Please help.  It doesn't matter how much, even if you have just a couple of extra hours a week.  You may contact Maya at 305.872.1982 or go see her across the street from the Habitat for Humanity houses, Crane and Watson.  As always she could use any unwanted towels, sheets, bait fish (whole) and financial donations.  Thank you so much for your help. 

[Countertop] I ordered a Corian countertop by mistake; I took it for “granite”.

Every time a new owner takes over a place the barflies groan and moan and vow never to return. I’ve seen it in just about everyplace in the area. Normal customers usually don’t even notice any negative changes. It happened at Boondocks and at the Dockside in Marathon. Both are doing well minus the dozen vocal barflies.

It looks like the Publix deal is dead for the time being. People would have been complaining about them anyway once they were here because they are more expensive than W/D.

What's with you guys, Pining for Pine's? You got a sticky sap fetish or something? Enough with the wood pecker input!

Corian does not look “just like granite”. It looks like a cheaper imitation of granite. Nothing looks as classy as real stone. A good stone an marble man can repair almost any damage just like new. Granite countertops going out of style is not going to happen. Stone countertops have been popular for centuries and always will be.

The Cow Palace is undergoing innovative changes to accommodate the coming herd of New Jersey-ites. The new floor is now "beefed up" to hold loads up to 500 pounds per square foot. That should be sufficient, unless they start playing piggyback with each other. I also heard that extra-wide commode seats originally designed for Sumo wrestlers were ordered for the ladies room. And double doors on the stalls.

[United Nations is absolutely useless.] It is not useless; it pays the freight for pseudo-politico's who can't get elected to a real world position anywhere else. Just like Embassies, and other "Government Supported Gold Fleece Jobs".  It is really a high level welfare system for 3rd and 4th world execs! If you study the UN you will be called a Bumologist!

[Counter tops] The only reasonably price material for counter tops is high pressure laminate. Stone, like Marble, Granite, and Slate are beautiful but require sealing and careful usage, they scratch easily. Stainless Steel is the best, but looks like a hard restaurant kitchen. The White Poly Cutting Board makes a good top but is ugly. Forget glass. Molded concrete works well, but it takes skill to create a nice looking top. It can be shaped to any design. Tile tops are nice, but the grout has to be taken care of and be epoxy based. All tops must be cleaned, especially any seams or cracks, to prevent bacterial build up. Montezuma is alive and very well in the Keys. Stone and Tile tops are heavy, so check the strength of you flooring and beams before you wind up with a neat booze bar under the house!

Having lived in Canada for a short time I can tell you that nearly all Canadians are great people.  (Imagine the plight of the poor Canadians who encounter a Jerseyite)  They have also been our staunch allies through many wars and conflicts.  The people in and around Quebec, the French Canadians who want to secede from the country and have their own state are the ones who have the “I’m better than you” attitude much like the French from France. (Who always hate us until they are invaded and need the Americans to go over and kick some German ass and bail them out.)  Don’t let one person pale your opinion of all Canadians.  If we want to get rid of some garbage we might consider the illegal aliens (from whatever rat hole country they crawled in from) the Islamists, Muslims and anyone who has nothing to contribute but a hand out for the welfare system.  Maybe a few years of kicking some foreign ass here in our own country and we won’t have to “Press 1” for English anymore. 

I just took a look at the  Nissan Versa, realized that all new cars from 2000 to present, are designed by a Key West proctologist. Why are cars so ugly? The only decent looking vehicles are over $100 grand.

Go George! The vote was 3 to 1 in favor of the County spending $2 million to sink the Vandenburg.  Another $2 million hijacked from the taxpayers’ pockets that will benefit no one except dive shops.  George Neugent was the only one to vote against this waste of money.

[$2 mil of our taxes to sink a damned ship!] It will yield many time that in tourist income, condo sales, property sales and travel sales. If you want decent sewage, pay for it yourselves, you use it. And to the guy who shipped his "waste" in a box to the Mayor's office, We know who you are!

[airport overreaction] It's called the "Badge Syndrome". You give a demented, halfwit a badge and gun, and they become Gods. Arguing with such a person is like arguing with a cross-eyed bull. It is useless and very dangerous!

[$33,000,000.00 on the bridge to nowhere island] Check into it, I'll bet either some politico's brother-in-law lives there, or they plan to build condos there. We the People will have to shell out a fortune for over priced sewage and pay a monthly poop fee that's is more costly than UPSing the stuff to my cousin in NJ. Why? Because the politicians want sewage so then can pass new laws for new development projects. Follow the Money!

[gas prices are falling just before the election] As long as the prices keep going down they get my vote; and to think before I was going to vote Democrat.

The Key West Bitch and Moan page is the worst web site layout I have ever seen. It's all about advertising. Freedom of Speech my ass! Does its owner work at the Citizen Voice?

[Dumb asses in the Keys] Get real!  Back in the old days there wasn't the luxury of a gossip column on the Internet to comment on.  There was just as much bitching and gossip back then as there is now. It just didn't get around as fast, but it was still the same.  In the Keys and any other place in the world people are analogous.  Every community is eclectic these days. 

Bush is not the Devil. Because if Bush were the Devil. Evil would not be doing as well as it is.

“If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.” - George Carlin

Rebuilding the bridge to Pigeon Key is a foolish waste of our money (not to mention $2,000,000 for that damned ship) A ferry would have been more practical and a lot more fun for the few people who even bother to go to Pigeon Key.

The problem at Crossbones is that they only have one set of dishes.  Whichever customer is using them has to finish before the next one can be served.

I understand that we have to let psychos who are the heads of countries that are UN members into the U.S. when they are making speeches to the General Assembly.  What I don’t understand is why we let them wander around New York City afterwards spouting their venom about our country.  It should be airport to U.N building back to airport.  Other than when they’re in transit, they should never leave the block on which the U.N. building sits.

I just moved from the Keys to central Florida. I have been here 3 weeks and boy do I miss the Keys, the Tiki bars and the beautiful water. I hope you appreciate what you guy's have there.

Isn’t it interesting that when a drug store wants to move into the Keys our so called leaders have endless “community input” meetings.  And if it’s a park, more “community input.”  Fire stations, road improvements, bike lanes and every other conceivable project large or small, require more “community input”.  Every project that is, except, the $2 million waste of money being thrown at the Vandenberg sinking. 

Obviously in this case the money spenders don’t give a damn what we think.  Only a few dive shops will benefit while the taxpayers, once again, get the finger and the shaft from County officials.  Of course County Administrator and head pencil pusher Tom Willie supported the big give away as did the County Commission with the exception of George Neugent who had the guts to look out for the little guy taxpayer.  And we know that come next budget cycle we will hear all about the big shortfall and why the County will need to raise taxes yet again to provide basic services.  This is nothing more than disgusting malfeasance by irresponsible people who are paid handsomely to conduct responsible government business and have once again failed miserably to do so.

Ex-patriot is someone who used to be patriotic. Expatriate is someone who has moved abroad. From the Latin patria, literally 'father's land" ("dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" "how sweet and proper it is to die for one's country"). I guess I'm pretty nerdy but I do enjoy reading illiterate anti-UN stuff from someone who happily labels himself as "unpatriotic" and I just want to share irony.

About Crossbones, no I am not the owner, just a customer. I don’t know why you are all so negative. I really don’t see anything wrong with the place. You know that old saying "If you don't have anything nice to say, Don't say anything." That's all I have to say.

Two million to sink a ship, yet the county commission doesn't have enough money in their budget to build the fire station on Big Pine Key.

Read the Barometer’s article about the new fire station and weep. The County’s attitude is: build unnecessary bridges and sink unnecessary ships.

[TSA overreaction] BWI stands for Baltimore Washington International Airport

[Granite going out of style]  Ha!  I've had granite countertops for 35 years or more and mother nature never goes out of style. The Formica and Corian that melt and warp just have to be replaced more often.  The salesmen that try to cram style down a neuvos' throat is making something out of nothing.  Style; bah humbug!  Get what you want and enjoy and let the style setters go with the latest plastic wonder top.  Granite is so silky smooth and easy to clean and is just so solid!  Look at it this way, when your roof blows off the bottom cabinets will be saved if they are solid wood because the rain cannot get to them thru the granite and tile and caulking. The little bit that blows on the face doesn't hurt a thing. Trust me, after Wilma I know!

This is a good game if you’ve ever worked in an office cubicle and needed something to pass the time. I can relate! Throw Paper!

Eh? Canada is a paradise if you love to freeze your huevos off most of the year. Why would anybody want to live there except for cheap prescription drugs? Think for a moment--why do Canadians migrate down here? Even the Canadian Geese get the hell out of there for most of the year, and some of them don't go back. I'd rather live in Tierra Del Fuego; at least they sort of speak English.

More southern pine talk: About the Southern Pine species. | Answers provided by the Southern Pine Council™ | 1-504-443-4464

If chefs don't cook, how do you think they learned to be half-ass whining cooks?

[Bridge to nowhere] If you give a care, that island is where the workers lived and some died so we could have a bridge.

[Overreaction] I can't understand how someone can pack a bag and not notice boat flares.

Is Crossbones still for sale?  I noticed the were advertising (?)FSBO in the Citizen.

[$2 mil of our taxes on sinking a damned ship] I wonder why they just didn't let the navy pilots use it for target practice, kill two birds with one stone.

Book price:  U.S $8.99 / CANADA $12.99. I’m not going to say I’m Canadian.

[Key West gossip page] That site sucks.  Not only is it censored more than this site, but the last update is several days old.  Free speech my ass.  If you want only your opinions represented, create a blog.  Don't advertise it as a gossip column representing the views of the community when it doesn't.  Same goes for this site.

[you jackasses that write into this site]  That's going to be tough to accomplish since anyone, where ever they live, can post to this sight.  I'd like to know where one can go to completely avoid jackasses.  I've traveled all over the country and I've yet to find such a place.  If you have, by all means, stay there.

[When I visited Canada, they didn't bash me like some of you folks are doing to them]  Were you buying stuff from them, like say a tourist might do on vacation?  People don't normally bash you when you're giving them money.  That would just be stupid.  They blame America for all their problems, just like all other socialist countries do.  I consider that bashing us.

I have to think that there is a little more to the story Re: Paul Trotman. If a little boy, or girl for that matter, wee-weed on an outlet and made contact with the hot side, as you said, "just to see sparks fly" they would in fact be shocked. Their little feet would be the ground and  shocked big time. Whoever you are, you must not care for Paul or Vickie or your think setting a trap that could kill a small child is funny.

[Hard on Canadians] Dear Ed, I've noticed you got some help in editing my post to enhance your likes and dislikes. I was wondering if most of this Canadian hating is also coming from the editor. I do suspect it, however keep on hating, old man, I'll keep on loving. I guess you hated it because you could not drink and smoke 24/7 in the cleanest city you've ever been to. You all need a life or maybe a Tsunami or hurricane to really give you all something to gripe about. On the other hand, why don’t you all clean up that cesspit in which you all live?

[Iguanas feel pain just like you and I] For those who are curious, try putting your drunken beer can hand in a bucket of Hot Ice the next time you are curious, and see what it feels like after it is crystallized?  If that feels good to you, then have your wife store your little wee wee there till she actually has a use for it again!

Now, back to these beautiful and harmless creatures you love to squish beneath the wheels of your big gas guzzling SUV's on your way to get a bucket of KFC or Mickey D's.  If you are big enough to make the effort to kill, catch, or torture a non-predatory vegetarian, then why can't you be big enough to just let love decide, and do what God might do for you when you have to stand before him. Not send you to the fire room, but instead, maybe he would be kind enough to send you back as an iguana. Instead of freezing you to death he may just simply catch you, and move you to another Key that is less populated and without big gas guzzling boats and imported plants.

Seriously skinny, why can't you reinforce what is good in you, and take the little lizards for a drive the next time you head to Burger King and simply drop them off where they will not bother your boat or imported plants again? The reason iguanas exist near you is because someone put them there. Probably someone with a boat like you, who happened to like both.  And someone else who liked how cute they looked in their imported garden, next to their boat. Simply moving them will take care of the ones located near you as they do not travel much and often live their entire lives in very small areas.  They are simple creatures, who simply like to live around the same things you do. They do not like being tortured and frozen to death.

So take your hand out of that ice bucket now, put the beer down in the other hand, and let love warm you like your wife won't.  It'll be alright, and when God has his day with you, he just might forgive you for what you have already done

Iguana facts: Iguanas love the sun and hate the cold. Ice is completely out of the question.

[Rowell's deal returns] If a last-minute agenda item fired people up last week, today's County Commission meeting should be a scorcher.

Monroe County Administrator Tom Willi is asking the commission to approve a controversial development agreement with Boca Developers that would create affordable housing on Big Pine Key while allowing a Key Largo marina to be turned into high-end condos.

Willi added the so-called Seahorse-Rowell's Marina item to the agenda Tuesday.

Since April, the County Commission has been deflecting the so-called 380 agreement that would bypass the usual development process. The statute for which the agreement is named requires the Department of Community Affairs, the county and developer to come up with a deal that meets each of their needs.

In this newest incarnation, Boca is offering to donate the entire parcel of land on Big Pine known as the Seahorse Trailer Park to the county, a donation of some $8 million, according to the agreement. In addition, Boca is willing to absorb the cost of building 39 affordable units on the land.

Another 20 building permits would be donated to the county and Boca would retain 110 vested permits.

In return, according to the agreement, Boca would transfer 80 permits to its Key Largo property formerly known as Rowell's Marina and retain 40 more “for future use.”

In past drafts of the agreement, Boca has suggested the county pay the $8 million for the Seahorse land and in turn the developer would pay to build the affordable housing.

And missing from the latest draft is a Boca proposal from August that had the developer offering to build the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center in Key Largo at cost - which the county says would be in the neighborhood of $8 million.

County Planning Director Ty Symroski says the current version of the agreement is being introduced by the administrator, not growth management.

The last time the item was on the agenda, commissioners admonished the developer to proceed through the usual channels - seeking approval of the county Development Review Committee and the Planning Commission - before bringing it before the County Commission.

“We still have a moratorium on redeveloping marinas,” Symroski said. “The fact that it's closed doesn't mean it isn't subject to it.”

Upper Keys residents have been particularly opposed to the concept of changing the commercially zoned marina to high-end homes. Boca is offering, in this version of the agreement, to make 5 percent of the docks available for rent to the general public as well as including a public pump-out station.

In July, the Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations sent letters to the County Commission and DCA strongly opposing the 380 agreement. The federation represents most of Key Largo's neighborhood associations

“At this point we do not have a mechanism to transfer residential units unless the person converts them into affordable housing,” Symroski said. “Or they can transfer hotel to hotel. But those are the only two we have.”

Many Upper Keys residents say that allowing the transfer from one community to another has the potential to damage community character on both Big Pine and in Key Largo.

Seahorse currently houses lower-income families. Boca, in the new agreement, is offering to pay for the relocation or demolition of the existing trailers on a case-by-case basis.

Tiki Bar George's birthday is Sunday at Picnic Island. Come join the fun.

Saturday September 23, 2006

Friday September 22, 2006

Manley deBoer Lumber took two years to put sides on that tin roof building on their industrial zoned property on Industrial road. Why is our bureaucracy so much like India’s?

[Should we stay in the UN] Yesterday’s writer has a point, but at least, the UN is a place where countries can still talk to one another, unless they walk out of each other’s speeches. Oh, maybe you’re right; we don’t even stay for each other’s speeches. So, I guess we’re not communicating. Maybe we don’t need the UN.

Dade County pine. Yes, it is exactly the same species as the pines in the Keys, Pinus elliottii var. densa ( as opposed to Pinus elliottii var. elliottii ). These days it is most commonly called slash pine. Slashing was a way the turpentine workers of old scored the bark to extract the resin.

Dade County pine never came from Dade County. It came from Pensacola and other places in the Florida panhandle that was transported to the Keys via ships from "Dade County", hence the name.

Can we all wake up now and realize that the United Nations is absolutely useless.  "They" sit at their fine big tables and discuss the world's ills as you and I would in our kitchen.  We discuss it and wonder why do these people around the world keep trying to wipe each out?  We cannot do anything and neither can the UN.  The United States taxpayers pay 22% of the entire budget of the UN so most of the higher up crooks (Kofie being the biggest) can feather their nests and get the heck out of the mud hole they emerged from and live in the US like Kings.  France is such a great world power and they have all the answers (Look back at the latest Lebanon crises)  I suggest we get the heck out of the United Nations and give the whole mess to France and turn the building in New York into a Museum of futility.

[Hugo Chavez] Typical liberal left Democrat spewing socialism in the hood.

That Key West gossip page can be found at  http://kwroger616.googlepages.com/home   Spread the word so we read all their juicy stuff instead of them reading ours.

[Best granite in the Keys] Floor Specialist Tile/Marble in Marathon, Fl  305- 289-8763.  I just could not face the trip to Miami to go pick out granite and tile so I really searched in the Keys and found these people in Marathon.  They are so great.  The showroom is not plush and polished but, you have a good selection and the owners are just wonderful if you will let them make suggestions after they see the colors and types you like.  They were also able with their own machinery to put a Ogee edge on my granite and the tile work and grouting and caulking were far superior to the two other jobs I have had done in VA.  They gave me a price and got the granite in stock 2 months before I was ready for it just so they were sure to have it.  Also I could not find a 3 section sink anywhere in the Keys, that would fit my cabinet, and was lamenting that I had to buy another old type 2 section and he found me one and got it at a super price because he had outlets on the mainland.  I guess I'm gushing about these folks, but never in the Keys have I ever seen people who do what they say as well as this company and I guess when it comes to the tile work, they are just artists.  Good Luck 'cause I sure had it when I found this Company!

Chefs don't cook. Chefs make up menus, dietary plans, and invent recipes. Cooks cook. Cooks actually take food out of prepared storage and cook it, plate it, and give it to someone that serves it to you. Chefs sit in ivory towers and like to yell at people they claim ruin "their" food. In fifteen years of working as a 'cook' I have yet to see a "chef" make an appetizer, salad or portion a dessert, much less change a fryer, clean a grill or take out the trash. And the next time you thank a server for a wonderful meal, remember that she didn't cook it. She didn't order the raw ingredients, store them properly, prepare them, cook them and then clean up the mess afterwards. In fairness, the most celebrated position in the kitchen should be that of dishwasher, without whom nothing, and I mean nothing, gets done. I'm not making this up.

I have a problem with you dumbasses in the Keys who have absolutely no clue as to how to live there as human beings. As a displaced ex-patriot no longer living in the Keys, after 35 years, I have never heard such bitching and moaning. I want to come home so bad, but I'm not sure if I want to be around all of you jackasses that write into this site. Can't you just get along? I know what it's like to be around a completely eclectic community and there's going to be friction, but in the old days we relished in it. Grow up! Get a life! Drink beer! Go fishing! Do something! I'm becoming embarrassed to tell people where I'm from! Enough!

Sure, Dade Pine and Big Pine lumber share the same Latin name, but after 30 years of  working with both woods; the Dade pine is a world apart and far superior.

Geez, one asks a simple question about where to look for the meteors (and I asked before the link was posted) and a few nasty people have to get all sarcastic and hateful. It is a big sky where I live. Is your underwear too tight?

Kudos to Charlie Rangel of NYC for telling Hugo Chavez not to come into his neighbor and criticize his President (Bush).

[Canadians] I live here and work here permanently. When I visited Canada, they didn't bash me like some of you folks are doing to them. It's a Paradise there too.

I have another suggestion; let the UN move forward, hopefully far offshore.  Didn't Saddam leave a lot of big empty buildings?

Boo on the County Commission. They should have used that $2 million to help us with our sewer hook-ups instead of blowing it on sinking a ship off Key West. They should let the dive shops pay for the sinking not us landlubbers.

To all who are speaking ill of Canadians, we are a cultured country, doing just perfectly fine. Get a life will you?

Electrician Paul Trotman, 51, was arrested in Clay County, Fla., in August after allegedly rigging an electrical device to shock a 3 1/2-year-old boy who lived with Trotman and his wife, after Trotman got fed up that the boy was constantly urinating on electrical outlets just to see sparks fly.

[Conchz] Well, I have to say they have been working hard at that building.  I’m not sure what they are doing making all that noise, but I, for one, have witnessed it while waiting for someone to finish my building across the street.

[Canoes tip more than Canadians] I hate to say it, but that's so true.  You can be the worst or the best waitress and they just do not tip! They must think we make $20 an hour or something.

Was the reason your food came out in a reasonable amount of time at Crossbones because you own the place?  I don't see any reason anyone would eat in that cesspit unless they had to. There's more flies in that place than an Iraqi morgue.  And who is that old, extremely unpleasant, Cuban man who's always yelling?  Crossbones himself?

Pirate keyboard.

“That married couples can live together day after day is a miracle that the Vatican has overlooked.”  --Bill Cosby

I also hate to be negative about a place.  I went to Crossbones for breakfast, and that will be the last time.  Our food was cold and the gravy tasted rotten.  Good bye forever. 

If you own one of those claustrophobic cars check out the commercial for the Nissan Versa. I think they're really going for the fat broads from Jersey or any fat folks that can no longer fit behind the wheel of the regular cars and trucks. The marketing crew sure had to get creative to come up with this one. 144571.html

Arrrrrgh! Our un-wise county commissioners just went and did it. They spent $2 mil of our hard-earned taxes on sinking a damned ship! Didn't we all just vote in some new folks to stop this kind of nonsense? Can't we trust anyone anymore?

Local authorities, concerned that a pre-season sighting of a Jersey woman might indicate a significant increase in the seasonal migration will made signs available for local business owners.  The signs are designed to limit the spread of what has become known as Jerseyosis.  The behavioral equivalent of the plague, Jerseyosis can cause extreme nausea, hearing loss, nervous tics, anxiety, an uncontrolled desire to flee, a lingering rash and olfactory overload from direct contact.  Signs will be available by October 1.  Contact you local pest control office for further information.

I think it's pretty humorous to hear everyone vow to boycott the Tiki bar, but still every night I drive by there and it's still pretty busy. I guess we'll keep hearing everyone bitch about that place until another restaurant/bar is open or taken over by new management and can give the people in the keys something new to talk about. We should be so lucky are problems are so small and petty.

[Good granite countertop company.]  I would highly suggest you consider Corian rather than granite for your countertops.  Granite looks great but is very heavy and will chip if something heavy is dropped on it (like a large can) and more difficult to work with. Any damage to the surface of granite is hard to correct.  Corian is much easier to work with, looks just like granite, comes in dozens of colors and can easily be repaired if there is surface damage (which is rare).  There is a countertop fabricator on Big Pine on Quail Roost Rd.  Check with them.

I went to Captain Crossbones for breakfast and it took 45 minutes to get 2 poached eggs and toast.  Only 2 other tables were occupied.

[No bugs] That’s not been my experience this year.  This has been the worst bug year (mosquitoes and no-see-um’s) I can ever remember. 

[the sanctity of the Geneva Conventions] It works this way, if we civilized Americans start cutting off their heads and hands, we are just as barbaric as they are. So I propose we all hold hands, light candles, pray for divine help, give our country away freely, stand by to serve, and die with dignity. Ooommmmmmmmmm.

When I was in Japan a few years ago I got to know this cute little Japanese woman name Sudoku. She could do a trick with ping-pong balls that was simply amazing. I should have married her instead of that behemoth I wound up with. Every time I hear someone talking about the Sudoko game I smile. It always reminds me of ping pong balls and good times. 

[Should we stay in the UN] Doesn't the U.N. have some sort of college fund?

[Overreaction] This morning they shut down two concourses at BWI airport (wherever that is) because they found a gun in someone’s baggage. Do they think that the gun would spread? They’re treating it like a disease that is contaminated the airport.

Recently I was flying and noticed that I still had my boat flares in my carry-on bag. I wanted to turn them in, but knew what would happen if I did. They would go into hysterical meltdown and close the airport so they can all do their hysterical thing. I’d be on CNN, miss my flight, be detained and interrogated by the cops and be totally embarrassed for trying to do the right thing.

[Being awfully hard-on Canadians] This is the way it should be written: I have lived in Canada and in Quebec, and I hated every minute of it. I never met such ill-mannered, self-involved assholes in my life, except for NYC.  Most of Canada is very nice, but the French Canadians are really horrible. I learned not to trust any of them.

What an outrage!  The governments are going waste $33,000,000.00  on the bridge to nowhere island that hardly anybody uses instead of putting it into the badly needed sewers that they have been goofing around with for years.  If they have that much money laying around couldn't they apply it in such a way that we won't have to pay as much to hook up to the sewer lines when, and if, they are ever finished?   This goes for the airport rebuild and sinking that ship too.

So they got rid of "The Gang" at the Tiki bar and everything's going to be OK now? Wrong. Marathon Pizza and Pasta was sold and look at it now. That place had the most efficient, friendliest wait staff and the owners would circulate around the dining area to make sure everything was OK. The food was the best, and it was a fun place to go to. So some new owners took over and fired "The Gang" of people who made the place special, replacing them with bused-in workers from Miami. Have you been there lately? Not fun. Not good food. Not a good place.

[Sloan’s slot] Some of you know I was in Birmingham, Alabama recently, which is my hometown. I left the Keys for there on September 5, the day of our local primary elections, after having dreams that morning advising me to make the trip, about which I'd been dreaming off and on for about two weeks. Reflections on 9/11...Long Winded Tomes

[Granite countertops] The best is to call the people from Stone International (Info available at the Chinese Rest). They did my entire kitchen solid wood cabinets, granite counters and full granite backsplash:  $8000 total. They were in and out in a few days and the work was awesome!

Is it a coincidence that gas prices are falling this fast just before the election? Not a chance! If Republicans were doing fine in the polls we would still be looking at $3/gal gas.

[Not your average pedicure]  Best Nails in the Winn Dixie Plaza gives the best pedicure I have ever had!  First off, the big, vibrating chair and then Kim gave me a foot rub, which I haven't had for years at all the other places.  That's why I stopped getting pedicures - they stopped with the foot rub and wow that's the best part of it.  This normally high-strung person was able to completely relax without a prescription or a cocktail.  It was so good, I want a sickarette and I don't even smoke. 

When I see men with clear-shiny, pedicured nails it looks so classy and there is nothing gay about men having their nails done too!  In fact, I dumped a local guy because he had funky yellow, unkempt toe nails.  Maybe he will read this and get himself a nice pedicure in the big vibrating chair from Kim.  I love my perfect French pedicure / manicure and it's just like getting a new outfit and now I want to take myself out somewhere.  Maybe I'll get lucky with a guy who has nice feet!

What a waste of my money sinking that ship off KW. Let the tourist industry pay for it; not my taxes.

When granite counter tops go out of style, and they will someday, what the heck will they do with all those heavy granite slabs? Build a mausoleum?

(Ed: Link only played on our hand-cranked computer for ten seconds, maybe you’ll have better luck.)  http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/1JwtmHDE933261Tnb

[Newly planted trees] Yea, it's going to be a park with a boat ramp and grills, etc., and the county is doing it. Its scheduled to be finished in 2020.

Friday September 22, 2006

Thursday September 21, 2006

[Canadian business owners, Jersey, New York, etc]  The "locals" bemoaning the house cleaning at the Tiki and related businesses were amusing in their naïveté’ at first but I doubt any poster knows an actual Conch up close and personal nor their opinion. The new owner, key word “owner”, hired a long time trusted Conch friend to find the problem areas and correct them. The "gang" was the problem so the gang is gone.

In the time this new owner has owned the Tiki, the former owner would have fired everyone from the dive shop through the office, the motel and the Tiki three times already. Some of the best and most talented employees were fired regularly and were asked to work for a competitor within days.  I guess only a "local" would know that though. Really good locals still work there and they also have bills to pay. It's not a Canadian issue so get over it and get a job or go away! 

Conchs get along with everyone and actually have a particular distinct quality of total disregard for a person’s origin. This attitude is what makes us, that learn and treasure it, unable to live elsewhere. Every Northern state comment only exposes one more southerner with 141 years of baggage.

What was that address for the KW gossip page again? 

I read here where someone had said that the last time the United States was united was during and right after the Second World War. Us boomers grew up after that time and realized that there was a profound gap in the world that out parents described to us and the world as it really was. That was the beginning of the counter culture. We questioned everything, took drugs, searched for self, etc. we’re no longer interested in trying to tear apart society. That seems to be doing it on its own.

hare Krishna-hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna-Hare Hare
hare Rama- hare Rama
Rama Rama-hare hare

[Canadian Night at the Tiki] What is the difference between a Canadian and a canoe?  A canoe tips.

“My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance.” - Tim Allen

[where sign language classes are offered]  A good place to start is the library.  You can get a book on ASL (American Sign Language) and learn the sign alphabet and other basic signs as a very good start.  Also, call FKCC in Key West and inquire about classes available in the lower keys.

I have been reading so much about Conchz on this site, the new food spot opening. Who is opening it, when do they plan to open, what is there plan for food, music and booze? I have not seen much work and the place looks like it could use a bunch of it. Well,  anyway, best of luck to the new owner.

After three years the UN is thinking about doing something to stop the genocide in Darfur. If I didn’t know better I’d think they were intentionally letting them die.

The Transportation Security Administration's ban on carry-on liquids, gels and ointments apparently does not apply to small quantities of "personal lubricants," such as the gels popular as sex aids.

I love the sudden heartfelt concern for the sanctity of the Geneva Conventions. I reckon they must be printed only in English anyway since no one except we and the Brits have paid any attention to them since World War II.  The Chinese in Korea, the North Vietnamese, and the Soviets (who held German POW’s until the late 50’s) could care less.

Besides, the idea that if we’re not nice to our prisoners, they won’t be nice to ours is laughable.  For Pete’s sake, they mutilate them and cut their heads off while we ring our hands about not letting them sleep and playing loud music.

These people will not be satisfied until the world is moved back into the 12th century.  They intend to pour acid on every principle that binds our society together.  Nothing should be off limits when dealing with them.

Don’t be too put off by the Canadian bashing. This site will slam another group within a week or two as soon as they exhaust every Canadian slur and joke they know, eh?

I have installed new kitchen cabinets in my home on Big Pine. I am looking for any feedback from anyone on a good Granite countertop company. I know I can use Home Depot, but would rather give the business to a local craftsman. Any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated. I'll be down next week to enjoy some sunshine and blue skies.

[There’s something seriously wrong going on]  Consider: Accounts Receivable Tax, Building Permit Tax, CDL license Tax, Cigarette Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Dog License Tax, Federal Income Tax, Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA), Fishing License Tax, Food License Tax, Fuel permit tax, Gasoline Tax (50+ cents per gallon), Hunting License Tax, Inheritance Tax, Interest expense, Inventory tax, IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax), Liquor Tax, Luxury Taxes, Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax, Property Tax, Real Estate Tax, Service charge taxes, Social Security Tax, Road usage taxes, Sales Tax, Recreational Vehicle Tax, School Tax, State Income Tax, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Telephone federal excise tax, Telephone federal universal service fee tax, Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes, Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax, Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax, Telephone state and local tax, Telephone usage charge tax, Utility Taxes, Vehicle License Registration Tax, Vehicle Sales Tax, Watercraft registration Tax, Well Permit Tax, Workers Compensation Tax

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago.  Our nation had been the most prosperous in the world.  We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, you could walk the streets in safety, people didn’t bomb public places and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.  What happened? And now I have to “Press 1” for English!

The proposed 700 mile immigration wall on our southern border is being compared to the Berlin Wall. The difference is that the Berlin wall was erected to keep people in.

[Evacuation of spinach from stores] It's a government conspiracy.  They want us weak and helpless so they can have complete control.  The spy towers were just the beginning.

[Dolphin Marina]  Can someone tell me about the contaminated fuel at Dolphin Marina?  Was it just diesel, just gasoline or both that had water in the tanks?  And does anyone know if they have fixed the problem?

To those of you who are offended by the recent bashing of Canadians you can be assured that we will soon move towards the seasonal bashing of the Jerseyites who most justly deserve all of it we can dish out.

I really liked your Ariel Photos. I used to know a chick named Ariel, I was hoping it was her, but they're damn aerial photos! Check your link on your right panel. (Ed: Oops. It's corrected now.)

Coming soon to BPK. You’re going to need a bigger BB gun!

I found this to be a cute analogy on our current illegal alien situation: Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done  all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house)." According to the protesters, not only  must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan and  provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest (except for that  breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will  call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim  my right to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest. (Um, except for well, you know.) And what a deal it is for me! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker. Oh, yeah, and I want  you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.

Both Pres Bush and Pres Ahmadinejad ruined all the odds makers in Vegas by not getting into a fist fight at the UN yesterday. I had 50 cents on Bush and I usually do gamble.

[Americans walked out before his (Iran's president) speech]  Did you even watch the speeches before making this ignorant comment?  If you had, you might have noticed that in typical arrogant Iranian style, Ahmadinejad was not present for Bush's speech either.  I am really at a loss in understanding how you liberals can hate Bush so much that you would make a hero out of a terrorist.  You know, when the Muslims say they hate American infidels, they mean you.

Hey guys and girls, do any of you have a TempurPedic mattress? My wife and I got one about eight months ago and it’s all most paid for. They are expensive so we took the company up on their no interest plan and made payment for 12 months. The best money we have ever spent. No tossing, no back pain and we sleep thru the night. I just can’t say enough. I know this is not about any of the bars, or New Jersey-ites or heavy girls  or toothless bums, but I feel so darn good I just had to share it--no kidding.

Isn't Dade County pine the same species of pine as our local slash pine? I was informed that the only difference is that the old Dade pines hade a higher resin content than younger trees in the rest of the state. Because of their maturity our pines should be of a similar quality even like everything else in the Keys, they are stunted. 

Two Onion headlines today of interest to Floridians:
Florida State University To Phase Out Academic Operations By 2010.
Jimmy Buffett Pays For Own Drink For First Time In 17 Years.

[Being awfully hard on Canadians] Your business trip up there for the summer afforded you the knowledge in the difference between the French and the regular Canucks? What you failed to learn is each and everyone who enters the educational system must learn French. Now, whether they retain the language is based on locale.  I guess someone was smoking way too much crap to learn this. Instead of dumping on Canadians, why don’t you focus on cleaning up and preparing for the next few months ahead of you.

The next time you visit up there, try to absorb some of the real culture of Canada.

After hearing Pres Chavez describe Pres Bush as being the devil. Cheney, Rumsfeld, Condi and all the other Washington insiders can now say, “The devil mad me do it.”

Iran's leader didn't upstage anyone.  The U.S. was not the only country to walk out before his speech.  Afterwards, the majority of the free world regarded the speech as propaganda and lies.  Like it or not, he is a threat.  Bash Bush all you want.  But the fact remains this guy wants to destroy us, Israel, and our way of life, regardless of who our President is.  If you fail to see that, you are a real fool.

[Your wait at Captain Crossbones Tuesday night] I was there also at about the same time and our dinner came out in a reasonable amount of time.  And the price was right. We had the meatloaf and it was pretty good. I also liked the Sunday breakfast we had.  So maybe it was just a one time thing for you.  You should try again. 

Sorry folks, but you ought to say thanks every day that George Bush is President.

[Citizens Insurance looks at appeal]  It’s going to go on as long as the courts, lawyers, and Citizens can drag it out.  This mess affects Monroe County more than any other area covered by Citizens.  Like everything else in Monroe County it will turn into a gigantic morass of finger pointing, lies, bubbaism and endless court battles with we, the-good-for-nothing-insurance-premium-paying-taxpaying-home-owners getting the big shaft rammed up our backsides once again.  This county can’t get a fire station built with years of delays costing millions more in construction costs and marred by infighting among neighboring agencies (to hell with public safety), can’t build a park without years of delays and bureaucratic nonsense, can’t manage an airport project (Marathon and Key West are County airports, both of which have been mismanaged for years) without ridiculous delays, cost overruns, and now a contractor who obviously has taken County management for a ride costing more millions, can’t get through a much needed road improvement project with more of the same,  and on and on ad nauseum.  The only thing that is going to make a big difference is that FIRM has taken on the fight and maybe, just maybe, this time the little guy might have some hope of winning.

A snowbird wave, much like a weather front has been sited over central Michigan and has been moving in a southerly direction. These weather wimps are once again vacating the best places in the world to live (just ask them) for the Keys. Once down here they will repeatedly tell you how great it is where they are from, and how hot, humid, expensive, awful, redneck, uncultured, dirty, etc. it is down here. They will continue this ranting until they return to their beloved northern abodes in May or June. Wouldn't it be better and more economical for them just to buy some better winter clothes and a good home heating system rather than having them (and us) endure this torture and hardship year after year?

To the folks that want to know the band that played at the FIRM fund raiser. They are called More Than 4 and they will be at the Tiki Bat Oct 14th. Thanks for your interest.

It sounds as if the Canadian defender has a Canadian girlfriend. How else could he respond without endangering his love life?

I just wanted to let you know I'm back to cyberspace today. (is that bad or good?) I hope no more hospitals for long time. Love and hugs and kisses and good stuff to all. Deepest thanks for the many good thoughts and vibes. They really do make a very big difference. Thanks again, Royboy.

[What does that say of us Conchz]  Us Conchz?  Are you claiming to be a Conch?  You sound more like a Canadian to me.  And if you Canadians don't want to be the source of ridicule, stop being such arrogant jerks when you visit the States. No wonder everyone hates the Canadians.  You should hear what they say about you in Mexico.

[It's all the same Pine] South Florida Slash Pine (pinus elliottii var. densa) is a distinct botanical variety of pinus elliottii, or slash pine. It is known to grow only in Florida, with a range extending from the Lower Florida Keys to central Florida. South Florida Pine is also known as Dade County Pine. It was used widely in the construction of many historic buildings in the Miami and Key West areas of Dade County, Florida

Sudoku takes a lot of intellectual capacity to solve it.  It takes more than glancing at it to solve.  You have to actually pick up a pencil.  You might ask your clever wife to explain it to you.  True, this is not for anyone who is a little dense, slow or obtuse.  You can start out with “easy”, and then perhaps one day you just may find it quite thought provoking and fun. 

Kudos to the Mosquito people. We have been so free of the little buggers that I almost forgot about them until I heard the Skeetercopter overhead. Keep up the good work. They’re especially deserving of a Kudos after all this rain we’ve been having.

[Americans are becoming more despised. “Keep Mexicans out and dump on Canadians." What a moronic nation we have become!] I think we are finally waking up to the screwing we have been getting from foreign countries who invade us for free, ship killer drugs in, and buy properties and skip with the profits after selling, without paying taxes. No, we are not moronic, we are growing up!

After watching and listening to the nuts at the UN, the question arises: Should we stay in the UN? Has it ever worked? If we drop out is that like throwing the baby out with the bath water? I feel its time has passed and we should move forward without it.

[It's almost season] The post from the Virginian who can't wait to come down has got me excited as well.  It's almost season down here, and personally I can't wait. 

Summer is just too dang hot, too dang deserted and too dang long.  Even though many of the locals gripe about people coming down (as I'm sure it is for every tourist destination), I welcome our visitors.  Not just as someone who benefits from increased spending dollars, but from someone who gets to share the beauty of the islands when leaves start falling from trees everywhere up north.

So, to all our readers from the north, I say get down here, let's have a margarita, do some fishing, and kick back.  Life's too short!

What’s up with the newly planted trees just north of the first Key deer overpass?  Just past St Peters, ocean side. Who planted them?  Is someone going to re-fence and make it a park?

[The weather] What’s happening with the weather?  I thought we were to have thunderstorms yesterday. I got nothing. Weirdo weather people.

Thursday September 21, 2006

Wednesday September 20, 2006

[Boating accident] I was having diner at Parrotdise Sunday night at 7:00 pm when the speedboat, wave runner accident occurred.  My back was to the area it happened in.  I had noticed the black speedboat racing around at high speed bouncing well out of the water at times.   Somebody was riding in the very front of the bow and I think I saw a third person in it also.  I saw it pass by a couple of other boats at high speed and remember thinking of his level of courtesy in hitting them with his high speed wake.   At one time I did turn around and look behind me and do remember seeing a wave runner in the distance near the Big Pine side.  I didn't see what happened, but about 20 minutes later I remember turning around again and saw all the flashing lights on the Big Pine side.  As I was driving back to Big Pine I saw somebody with flashing blue lights cruising that area of the channel.

Considering all this happened at that late hour, I think the Citizen did a remarkable job getting what information they did onto the front page of the Monday morning paper. I'm sure more details will become available in due time. Condolences to the families involved.

Last night the Animal Planet channel televised a memorial service for Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, whom we all know died on Labor Day, in such a bizarre, freak accident.  Wow, what an awesome tribute to this man and his family.  If you didn't get a chance to watch it, catch the reruns, if there are any.  It made me cry for sure; but what a beautiful send off.  RIP, Steve Irwin. 

Wow, I can't wait--only 34 days to the Keys.  Yippee!  I guess the older I get the more childish I get, but it has been a long  summer even in Virginia and as soon as the last farm chore is done we are headed south!

I hate to be negative about a place, but holy cow, we went to Captain Crossbones tonight and we had to wait 65 minutes for our fish sandwich and rib dinners!   And when we showed up a little before 6:00 PM, there was nobody else inside the restaurant and only 3 tables being used on the front porch.  Next time I'll stay on Big Pine and give the Key Deer Bar and Grill a try.

Hurrah, Prime Minister Howard of Australia. PC Crowd down 20.  Normal people who just want to live without terrorism up 20.  Terrorists can cut off fingers and heads, but God forbid if an American interrogator plays loud music in a cold room to soften up a terrorist.  Get real!

[Don't you people have anything better to do than bash Canadians?]  What could be better than bashing Canadians?  Consider it practice. We're getting in shape for bashing Jerseyites, New Yorkers and various insidious other forms of Yankees.

September 19 was Talk Like A Pirate Day, matey!

[Citizens Insurance looks at appeal]  How long will this go on before a final decision is made about Hurricane Insurance?

Most Canadians are good; just not the French Canadians.  The French in general suck!

[Dade vs Slash pine] I didn’t expect a dumb carpenter to be able to read a post and understand what the all the little words meant. I said Dade County pine was far superior to Slash pine. Of coarse there are better woods in the world, but that wasn’t the point of my correcting your misimpression of Dade pine. Any Dade pine will last longer than any Slash pine.

“In the last couple of weeks I have seen the ads for the Wonder Bra…Is that really a problem in this country? Men not paying enough attention to women's breasts?” - Jay Leno

How do you get rid of two million tires that are on the ocean floor? That’s the problem Fort Lauderdale has from an artificial reef they tried to create in the 70s. the bundles broke apart and spread all over the ocean floor.

I have just one thing to say. You are all full of it.

Does anyone know if it is safe now to purchase diesel fuel from Dolphin Marina? Has anyone else bought and used a tank recently?  I'm scared to go in and ruin my injectors with water?   I'm glad to hear that they paid you for your damages.  It is always nice to win one.

I don’t think the postings reflects on you  Ed, one way or the other, I do believe its a representation or reflection of the local community, no doubt about that!

Canadian keyboard.

Thanks for the info on Dolphin Marina update. I have repair records too.

Sudoku is the stupidest number game I have ever seen! But it does keep my wife busy.

Hey Ed, you edited out the two most important points made by the Australian P.M.  One, where he said the spoken language is English and all needed to speak it.  And two, where he said immigrants who have a problem with their way should exercise their right to leave.

[Aggressive Questioning] Torture is old hat and usually only works on people that already gave it up. The military has "stuff" that will make you a babbling information web site, but it tends to cook whatever synapse you have. It's up to the integrator to know what is true and what it BS!

Does Nancy Grace "torture" or "aggressively interrogate"?

[Prisoners treated fairly have been shown to reveal just as much information]  You're worrying that barbarians who have no qualms about beheading their captives with a dull knife might not be treated "fairly"?  Doesn't that seem just a little twisted?  You also must be listening to the news with your head up your can.  Bush asked congress to clarify the rules regarding interrogation.  As they are now, they are too vague.

Dump a broken computer off a bridge? Please stop thinking of water as a place to dump things.

Coca-Cola truck in Iraq camouflage.

No wonder, as Americans, we are becoming more despised. “Keep the Mexicans out and stay out” and now you’re dumping on Canadians. What a moronic nation we have become!

Muslims rally in Gaza to protest the Pope’s suggestion that Islam is susceptible to violence. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

[Canadian bashing is appalling.] We are not bashing Canadians, we are bashing someone who fired our friends who have mortgages, bills to pay and kids to raise, and who is trying to drive out the locals so tourists can spend more money in a weekend than he pays in a month. You would understand if you depended on a job here, and all businesses dumped us for mainlanders.

On behalf on the Spinach Development Council, I want to know the name of the Official who called for the premature and irresponsible evacuation of spinach from the stores. This call was probably made from incomplete and un-verified information. Do these people not understand that I and several of my friends (actually 12 Ukrainians living in my cousin’s downstairs enclosure) depend on spinach to pay our rent. It is not right. Someone should do something!

It looks like the Conchz all don’t like one Canadian and all Canadians are under attack. What does that say of us Conchz and what breathes in our community? Pretty soon we will be like roaches, just don’t run to Canada. Go to Costa Rica, fewer hurricanes there, no bacon, only lizard brains. Oh, yeah, they speak English. For crying our loud, this is all so disgusting. It shows the true Conchz persona.

(?)Looks like that redneck with the 70s glasses and teenie-tiny nose found other things to do in the mornings.  Maybe getting his truck repaired with his redneck wife or playing with the IKC, who, by the way, is going out of town tomorrow.  

Hard on Canadians? (?)LMAO A few summers back says it all.

Wednesday September 20, 2006

Tuesday September 19,  2006

[Constitution Day]  Just where exactly is such said Constitution these days?  I thought our rights as Americans were burned somewhere along the way as more rights are taken away daily by our governing people.  Our fore-fathers must be either laughing their asses off, or crying themselves to sleep at night watching how that piece of government got blown to hell.  Oh, I forgot, it got taken to Afghanistan!

Popeye eats canned spinach. The E. coli is in the fresh stuff.

The prime minister of Hungary admitted he’s been lying about their economy for years just to get elected. The comments were caught on a lapel mike that was left on. You’ve got to love those mikes.

[Chef vs Cook] I call a cook a chef if he won’t allow any canned or processed foods in his kitchen. A cook uses mostly store bought food and dressings. A chef uses only freshly  prepared food and no bottles salad dressings. It’s all about integrity and giving the customer something he doesn’t get a home.

Where’s my Deer Abby? I need her. I hope she gets her computer fixed soon. I need a fix too.

Kudos to Captain Aaron Neurath you turned a dream into a reality, your family is very proud of you.

[Canadian night at the Tiki.]  Another suggestion: allow no tipping on Canadian night. No tipping whatsoever. That is strictly a non-Canadian custom.

Dear Ed,  I don't think the postings reflect on you one way or the other.  I also don't think they're representative of the local population.  They're entertaining and sometimes a little scary, but usually worth a chuckle.

Apparently getting an early start on the season, a Jersey woman was sighted in Key West yesterday.  She was positively identified by mode of dress and size as well as the offensive behavior, rudeness, obnoxious accent and foul lilac perfume.  She was also spotted later at a local eatery demanding a local discount and loudly ranting to a frightened waiter that her order of fried clam strips were two strips short. Authorities are concerned that this early, pre-season sighting may mean an increase in the numbers of the migratory species this year.

[It looks like Sloan Bashinsky is in full support of George’s reelection]  I'm not sure that helps Georgie boy’s cause, but it is a little suspicious.

I think some of you guys are being awfully hard on Canadians, because of one guy you don't like at the Tiki. You know I went up there on business a few summers back and they were all nice and laid back. The food was great and the pot was even better. I went to a concert with some of the people in our company and we enjoyed some killer bud and nobody was getting arrested.

I learned there is a big difference between the French and the regular Canucks. In a country that large about  1/16th of the population speak French. Not the rest of them nor do they care too. As far as the tipping thing, my girlfriend says they give more than the Midwesterners and the bible-belters do and they are pleasant as well.  The French Canadians can be another story. But my point is what if we were all judged by Dubya or Jeffrey Dalmer or need I go on?

[The Pope says that Islam is violent] They do seem to have an unusual amount of pent up frustration.  Perhaps if they unwrapped their women and got laid occasionally, they would be a little more relaxed and easy going. Holding out for the mythical 72 virgins seems to be taking its toll.

[My brand new Sony VAIO laptop absolutely puked on me today]  Deer Kaput, Take your Sony (rhymes with baloney for a reason) with you on your next trip to Marathon and throw it from the crest on the 7 mile bridge.  Upon your arrival in Marathon go to Office Depot and buy either a Dell or a Toshiba notebook computer.  No problem.

[Key Deer’s biggest critic says something nice, almost] I agree that the food and service at Key Deer Bar has improved dramatically and now serves good food with their new cooks in the kitchen.  You may still have to rub elbows with the unwashed of the mangroves staggering around but the food is worth a try.

ASL, American Sign Language was taught at the Center of Hope on College Rd years ago and then at the Mental Health Clinic behind Burger King about 8 years ago. The picture you saw on BPK.com was from www.lifeprint.com and is a great source of learning.

As an American, a former New Yorker (ya wanna make sumthin' of it?) and Big Pine resident, I find all of this Canadian bashing going on lately appalling. For crying out loud, don't you people have anything better to do? Canadians are dying in Iraq and Afganistan, right along side of Americans, Brits, Aussies and whoever else is unfortunate enough to be fighting in Bush's stupid war. A lot of talented people come from Canada too, and, yes, Anne Murray is one of them. So is Martin Short, Gino Vannelli, Dan Akroyd and the late Gildna Radner among many others. You're probably the same people who go around bashing Jerseyites as well. Get a life already.

“… a woman scorned…”

[The Saga of Poor Abby and the faulty laptop, continued] I'll have you know I demanded that Sony give free laptops to all full-time residents of the Lower Keys to rectify the situation.  They refused but did agree to send out a technician from Miami to my house later this week.  I told him it would be quicker to send somebody from Cuba.  He laughed nervously from his office in New Jersey (or was it India?). Anyhow, Deer Abby has failed you this week but keep the burning questions rolling in. I hope I don't get fired--what would I do without this paycheck? (Ed: Ouch!)

Today, three retired joint chiefs of staff came out against Bush's proposal to rewrite the third article of the Geneva Conventions because it would put our service men and women at risk should they be captured by an enemy force.  Can't you Bushies admit that this guy is a rogue and you totally f****d up when you voted for him.  This guy goes from bad to worse every time he opens his mouth.

[Eat at Joe’s better name than Conchz] I only said “Joe's Place” because I don't know the name of the current owner of the HoM. I have no aversion to a place because of its name; and come on, why would you make yourself look grammatically stupid by slapping a Z on the end of anything?

By no definition are breasts part of the genitals. Yesterday’s writer was totally wrong.

Whoever was downgrading the local pine on the island for wood working obviously knows nothing about timber, and has also never worked with it. Dade County Pine is hyped junk. For real heart pine try this: http://www.heartpine.com just bring a big knot of Franklins to buy it though.

Dolphin Marina update:  They finally cut us a cheque for $850 for damages caused from pumping water in our fuel tank.

Know before you go.  Airport Wireless Internet Access Guide

“I love being married. I was single for a long time, and I just got so sick of finishing my own sentences.” - Brian Kiley

Does anyone know what really happened in yesterday's boat versus watercraft accident? A kid got killed, but the KW Citizen isn't saying much.

What happens when a CD spins too fast. I know you've all been waiting for the results. Jorgen Stadje, Nonsens Page: The Case of the Exploding CD-ROM

This is part of a speech from Prime Minister Howard of Australia.  I love when a politician has the stones to tell it like it is.  Take note liberals, you could learn a lesson here. 

Take It Or Leave it. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."

"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.  As Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."

All purpose daily headline for nearly every newspaper: Muslims Riot and Protest (Place today's outrage here)

[share the love] Does anyone know where we can buy the T shirts that say "Infidels unite--kill a Muslim" or the one that says "Remember 9-11--bomb a mosque" if so please post the location.

Sudoku Portable | PortableApps.com

Tuesday September 19,  2006

Monday September 18, 2006

I’m against any group that encourages violence against anyone who says anything bad about them, or for that matter, to kill you if you draw a picture of their leader. Islam is against everything America stands for except the belief in God/Allah. Now, isn’t that absurd?

Except for laughs, I don't read either the Times or Reuters -- a case in point: "Pope Benedict's comments about Islam could hurt global religious harmony" The Good Lord knows we don't want to disrupt all of this “religious harmony” we have going on.

With so few places left to eat on Big Pine, give the Key Deer Bar and Grill a try again. They have a new chef and he is cooking up some fine food.  We ate there the last two Fridays, our meals, their presentation, and the service was excellent.  We have no affiliation with this establishment, we're just patrons sharing the good news.

[Bush certainly has proven that the picture of his dumb mug is appropriate.] Not as dumb as the Clintonistas crying over there failed legacy docudrama

The violence continues because of the Pope saying that Islam is violent. They bombed two churches and killed a nun so far.

[Deer Abby Kaput!] My brand new Sony VAIO laptop absolutely puked on me today.  What's worse is that I'm starting a class tomorrow morning (I teach online).  I am on a borrowed computer (my ex-husband's, no less...) but all my Deer Abby info is lost on my Sony. My priority is to get everything set for my class by midnight (or I don't get paid). I'm on the phone with faculty tech support right now--been waiting twenty minutes.  Deer Abby will have to be a few hours late--if not a full day.  I'm really sorry.  It's out of my control right now. I'll do what I can, as soon as I can.  This is not my e-mail address--I can't access GMAIL from this effing computer for some reason, but my real e-mail address is LowKeyAdvice@gmail.com

I don't know about anyone else, but I stopped thinking loud cars and loud motorcycles were cool right after high school. It seems that some Keys folks are stuck in high school, never to graduate. Grease is the word.

You would think that Pakistan parliament had more issues on their plate and better things to worry about than what the Pope said about Muslims.

[playing the sophisticated music that the Canadians prefer]  Local bands could play Anne Murray songs, they just prefer not too.

Popeye the sailor is in deep spinach do-do! He's either going to die of E. coli or is going to get his can beat by Bluto. Maybe Whimpy will back him up for a hamburger today. Bluto finally gets to have Olive with no worries. You go Bluto!

If watching a show about how beads are made interest you, then you probably find Nancy Grace fascinating. Party on, Garth.

It looks like Sloan Bashinsky, George Neugent’s opponent is in full support of George’s reelection. I’m so confused.

[Blame the Canadians for all the ills of BPK, including the Tiki]  Examine yourselves and get a grip. The Tiki is here to stay!

[The predominance of belly-achers on sites like this] Support this site. The truth hurts, I guess. (Ed is doing a fine job) knowledge or not, freedom of speech. So loose that heavy load of yours, Geezer.

[about the beads thrown at Mardi Gras and Fantasy Fest]  Beads for boobs is what it’s about and if you don’t care to participate, don’t.  Besides $52 bucks buys all the rice and fish heads they can eat so what’s the complaint?

[some liberal renamed the Jewfish after Goliath] Who you callin' whitefish?

[What’s the father’s name, Needle Dick] To the editor: You embarrass yourself with your ignorance when you let a posting like this onto your site.

I would much rather have a Costa Rica Tica than a Canadian porker any day of the week. Besides, the Costa Ricans speak English, eh?

[Most conchs are equal opportunity rip-off artist] We rip off tourist and every other newcomer (not born here). Hell, it’s called Conch Tax and is a part of business down here since the 40s or longer. That's why the only under $700 rents are filled with Conchs. We got Bubbas!

Grandma was late for her eye doctor's appointment and hit the wrong pedal as she was parking. Her license was revoked after this mishap.

[Sloan’s Slot] Just below is an email I received yesterday from Kay Thacker about the recent events involving Monroe County Commissioners Sonny McCoy and Mario DeGennero. I emailed Kay that I would share her email with you, and I sent her a copy of the email exchange between George Neugent and myself, which you received yesterday. I also sent a copy of that email exchange to State Attorney Mark Kohl and Florida Attorney General Charles Crist.

The radio interview mentioned in yesterday's email is scheduled on US 1 Radio (104.1) next Sunday (Sept. 24) starting at 9 a.m. and running through the hour. It can be heard online all over the world. Besides George Neugent and myself, Todd German of Hometown PAC also will participate.

Hello Everyone,
I am enclosing the email addresses of our State Attorney Mark E. Kohl mkohl@keyssao.org and our candidate for Governor, but still our Attorney General Charles Crist his email address is ag@oag.state.fl.us

I am asking that each and everyone write an email requesting an investigation of our (Mayor) Sonny McCoy; County Commissioner and our newly appointed (not elected) County Commissioner Mario DiGennaro because they broke the Sunshine Law. Crist needs an email too. I have sent the tapes to his office yesterday 9-15-06, and made sure Mark E. Kohl was cc'd the email to Attorney Generals office.  From my understanding and coconut telegraph State Attorney office has requested a copy of said tapes.  I have a copy of both of the tapes if anyone has not gotten it, let me know.  Any help you can offer...please cc copies of your e-mails to me so I can share them with the group, with your permission of course. This was so blatant, we need to flood his office and we need to send cc up to Crist since he is running for the Gov it might make him work a little harder for the Monroe County Vote. And get Kohl on the stick to investigate McCoy and DiGennaro. Please help with this email campaign.

Does anyone know where sign language classes are offered or know of anyone who may give private lessons? 

Where is the famous (or should I say infamous) Tiki Bar Restaurant located on Big Pine Key? Yes, I am a tourist, but not from New Jersey. (Gin Mill Reviewer: It’s a nice place with dollar draft beer and good entertainment on Ramrod Key--two Keys down from BPK.)

[Energy can be measured and I’m from the former planet Pluto]  You're absolutely right, karma (note the lower case "k") can be measured.  It involves the use of a "karmameter".  It's a device that combines a simple volt meter with an orifice probe.  Some find it uncomfortable to use, but I think it's quite pleasurable.  By the way, I'm from Uranus.

Whatever happened to the "19 year old punk"? Steeve misses him.

Kudos to the (?)chopper. Fantastic job

Monday September 18, 2006

Sunday September 17, 2006

[Today’s Gossip] Publix's is not coming to BPK flea market. The deal went sour.

[Jewfish received its name from the Star of David-like marking visible on the foreheads of its young] I thought it was because they hung around the banks and were hard to skin?

[super ugly modular homes] If you mean those trailers without wheels, yes!  The Keys are being trashed into a lower living standard and over taxed like crazy.

You’ve got to expect the predominance of belly-achers on sites like this, because peaceful happy people just read them and smile with nothing to add.

A nice neighbor of ours took out their windows and completely filled them in on one side.  The entire side of their house is windowless because of the jerks next door to them.  The people on the other side of the jerks abandoned ship.  Both homes are empty due to one cursed family.  Happy that most Big Piners are not this miserable and that we don't live near them and their garbage.    

Karma may not need to be capitalized, but it is part of the value system beliefs of Buddhism and Hinduism, both major religions of the world.  In Hinduism, "the philosophy of Karma lays forth the results of free-willed actions, which leave their imprint on the soul or the self, called âtman."  Sorry guys, but there is much similarity between belief in God and belief in karma.

[Tax assessment] This was a long winded tome that was worth reading.  Having sat through VAB hearings in other parts of the country, I was appalled at the treatment by the (?)VAB towards the citizens, when I appeared last year in Key West.  The VAB took every opportunity to be rude, dismissive and even threatening to the poor folks who came before them that day. 

Having some knowledge in the field, I was not easily frightened or dissuaded by their tactics, that often were not even logical or following standard real estate appraising practices.  It was shameful.  

I assume since full time residents do not have to pay the full tax load, there may not be much of a backlash, but I believe when the property changes hands the full assessment is taxed.  Still the treatment and lack of consistency in setting assessments is outrageous and should not go uncontested. 

I think it is funny that some PC liberal renamed the Jewfish after Goliath, one of the Jew's hated enemies. Maybe this wasn't just an oversight. Maybe the PC person really wasn't all that PC and subversively slipped in that name. Now that would be funny. Also, does this mean that we have to rename all fish with names that might be offensive to someone?  What would they now call a Spadefish? And I am sure there are one or two Richards offended by the Slippery Dick moniker? (http://www.nearlygood.com/picture/slipperydickfish.html). There must be more offensive fish names out there, but that is all I can think of at the moment.

Dear Editor, To think that you pretty much know who is writing in to your site! You certainly are more aware of whether someone is bent on the negative, or the positive, huh? I guess it's good that you can filter out some of the negative tendencies of some people. By the way, I am bent on telling the current owner of the Tiki Bar to start putting money back into advertising; at least your site and the Barometer like they have done for so many years. They're paying the entertainment a lot of money. Does he not want to let people know who is playing there? How dumb is that? (Ed: we know all, but tell nothing. We are like a priest and the confessional. Amen.)

The majority of the high property taxes in the Keys are for the snowbirds. That is the price of paradise, I guess. I homestead and my taxes are going down.

Someone has an axe to grind with the Canadians and their bacon.

[Not Safe For Work (NSFW) pictures]  Quote: “I am not a prude.”  Yes you are.  Grow up or stick to the Bambi and Thumper site.  Editor, Keep those pictures coming.

[genetically engineered food] Just about all the food we eat has been genetically engineered, corn, wheat, all the cereals, bean, cow, apples and our great Florida orange. I could go on for ever. That part about the pee pee is spooky.

Has anyone heard the song Blame Canada from the South Park movie? It would be a great theme song for the Tiki.

As you put it, Canadians are good for Bacon. What are the Conchz good for? Ripping of tourist?

I watched an interesting show about the beads thrown at Mardi Gras and Fantasy Fest and probably a hundred other yearly parties around the world.  They are made in China, by girls 14-18 that make $52 a month, or 12 cents an hour, most of which has to be sent back home to the parents.  The documentary was filmed by an art student. He went around and interviewed 4 girls.  These girls work 14-16 hours a day, 6 days a week, with 2 weeks off for the New Year Holiday.   The owner of the business makes $2.5 million a year.  These beads are made of styrene, which when heated; make a gas that is a very toxic substance. 

These young girls had no idea what the beads were used for, that women (and men) show their genitals (yes, breasts are part of the genitals) for a string of beads.  When he was filming their reaction it was a mix of disbelief and embarrassment.   They were embarrassed for the US who think so little of ourselves that we go out, get drunk and lift our shirts for a string of beads.  After the filming was done, the 4 girls he interviewed quit and went to work in a Nike factory.  Think about that next time you bring a bunch of beads home to your kids after Fantasy Fest.

I too am ready for Canadian night at the Tiki. The only question I have is where are they going to get the music for this festive event? The local bands couldn't come close to playing the sophisticated music that the Canadians prefer. The Tiki will either have to import a band or just play CDs.

[Sloan’s Slot] Just below is an email exchange between County Commissioner George Neugent and myself.

Hi, George. I'm also looking forward to our radio interview next Sunday. Not surprised to hear Ed Swift is wanting even higher air space. As for the "Swift Towers" idea, maybe a great project somewhere on the mainland, but I'm still of the view that the Keys can safely stand no more new development.

Word has it on the street that "affordable" housing in the Keys is mainly a developers' public relations and marketing ploy, to persuade the County Commission to give them "affordable" housing building permits.

Word also has it on the street that the County is letting developers piggyback each 10 affordable housing permits into 3 luxury building permits, and this was the method used by Ed Swift to obtain 23 estate-priced permits (the number I heard) on the property near Key Haven. The many more units he will construct elsewhere under this piggyback arrangement will be priced in the area of $225,000 (I heard), and will be sold to middle-income buyers (I heard).

I can't see how any of this will do anything to solve the rental-housing woes of thousands of low-income Keys citizens and residents, which problem you and I both have been addressing throughout this campaign. And I seriously doubt Mother Nature is going to sit idly by, either.
Sloan

Word has it that you and me are going to be on the radio on Sunday-next together - I look forward to it.

 Actually Ed "Swifty" Swift is looking for 44 feet. And yes he is looking at developing those 25 acres for market rate housing - the question begs if so, why not a portion of that for affordable? In fact why doesn't the county take that through eminent domain for affordable and build the 5000 ROGO permits from DCA he's asking for and build all of them, in a series of 44' high town homes, there and he could take full credit for solving the workforce dilemma in one fell swoop for Key West - we could call it the "Swiftest of the Swift Towers." If you want to use that, you're welcome. I think it's doable.
George

[Lost Puppy His dad misses him] I know I shouldn’t get so upset when people sodomize animals, but it is against Gods plan. What’s the father’s name, Needle Dick?

In an extreme measure to protect the medieval city of Baghdad the Americans are digging a medieval moat around the city. And you’re trying to tell me we’re winning?

How about putting that stupid picture of Bush back on your gossip column home page.  After this week’s speeches and news conferences he certainly has proven that the picture of his dumb mug is appropriate.

Has anyone heard of a group called www.hurricanefriends.com ? Supposedly, they can hook you up with people who are willing to allow you to evacuate to their homes, or you can provide a place for them if they need to evacuate.  I may need to line up someone to help me evacuate sometime, to drive a vehicle while towing a boat. Anyway, when I went to sign up and pay the $10 for the background check, I would have had to give my credit card number. They don't take checks, so I opted not to join. Does anyone know someone who has joined this group, and is it legit?

Sunday September 17, 2006

Saturday September 16, 2006

Canadian night at the Tiki could feature Canadian bacon, the only food that Canada is famous for.

Yes, we are interested in a rock-n-roll band for a FantasyFest float. We need a three-piece, no more than four for the space we have, and want rockers. If that fits your bill, please call 305-923-5370.

For years scientists were telling us that genetically engineered food was ok. That all changed when the Genome Project figured out how many genes we really had. They thought we had a whole bunch, but we have far less than anyone ever thought; which led them to realize that each gene serves multiple functions. They had previously thought: one gene, one function.

With this new knowledge they are rethinking genetic engineering altogether. The gene they modified in rice to make it more resistant to rot probably has more functions than rot resistance; and they have no idea what those other functions are. It could make your wee-wee fall off for all they know right now. So before you eat any genetically engineered food--beware.

[Big Pine pines better than Dade County pine] What an uninformed statement. There is no comparison to this modern soft pine (Slash Pine) to the extinct resinous hard pine of Dade County.

Congressman Ney pleaded guilty to taking tens of thousands of dollars from lobbyist Jack Abhramov. He’s a Republican, but corruption has no politics. Of course Ney has signed himself into some Gucci detox resort. That’s what they all do. Either they get born again or they seek professional help just like their lawyers would advise them to do. How about the last crook they got about a month ago? He was a black Congressman who kept his ill gotten gains in packages in his freezer. He was a Democrat. His defense was the race card. They all have an angle and they all are corrupt. Party affiliation or race has nothing to do with it.

When speaking to a small child, why do peoples’ voices raise an octave?

Now Bush wants to write his own Geneva Convention that only the US has to abide by. What if Korea writes it’s own version of the Geneva convention? Bush is the most belligerent president I can remember. He doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.

[stones on path]  I wish you would ride in front of my house so I could put rocks or stones in your way and then watch you try to prove they were mine.

[Switching signals on Feb. 17, 2009] Yes, this is true. The only TV communications company that is way ahead of everyone else is DirecTV. DirecTV went full 100% digital in 1995. Everything you see on DTV is 100% digital. Comcast's digital receiver is not 100%, yet you pay so much for it, and only about 70 channels are digital.

Again DirecTV is ahead of the game. Beginning next year DirecTV will be transmitting every one of their channels in high definition. DTV just installed 2 extra satellites next to EchoStar’s 101, 110, and 119. They are already installing the new 5 LNB dishes to customers getting ready for this.

The air waves, cable or dish network are no where ready for this yet. In 2012 all TV's that are not High Def, will need an adapter in order for this change. If not throw it out. High Def TV's is the best selling item in all electronic stores today. 

E. coli lives in the intestines of cattle and other animals and typically is spread through contamination by fecal material. Brackett said the use of manure as a fertilizer for produce typically consumed raw, such as spinach, is not in keeping with good agricultural practices. Is there a farm with cattle on Big Pine Key? Is that why the beaches are closed?

[Lobster Condos] I used to hit them. Screw that, go out by Johnson Keys and look in the rocks.

To the man that built a table out of Big Pine pine, please contact me.  Hal  872-3328  brgcooper@aol.com

JMO means " just my opinion." You may want to try http://www.acronymfinder.com/

That picture Friday sort of looked like my northern neighbor's fat wife, but she is a little bigger and has a tattoo of New Jersey on her back. As for leaving a six pack next to her to entice aliens, she would suck those brewskis down in a heartbeat leaving nothing but crushed cans and wet burps.

Attention lower Keys property owners unfair property taxes must be stopped. Many of you are experiencing the same unfair property tax assessments as I am.This year my proposed tax increase is 371%. Yes...Long Winded Tomes

Mixed bag: I read BPK faithfully everyday. I loved the post about the difference between Kharma and God. kharma not needing a capital. I have to agree with the next post about the viciousness and the personal attacks lately. I agree a public forum is no place for personal riffs. Big Coppitt dweller, it's not everyone on Big Pine that's unhappy and nasty just a small group of malcontents that post this garbage.

I love it!  The guy says that karma has nothing to do with the supernatural, that it’s just good and bad energy flowing in and out.  I wonder what planet he’s from?

[Big Pine pine] What a beautiful wood table!  Great to see some good use for those dead trees!

I remember Anne Richards saying she would never sign concealed weapon carrying laws. The next election GW was the governor and Texans got the right to defend themselves!  You’ve got to love it. All my money donated to the NRA was money well spent. Just like the Nov elections. Lower gas prices. The market at the highest levels ever. And a slew of anti-American gun grabbers running on the left. It looks like I’m going to enjoy our majority for a while  longer.

Big Coppitt? We shot over 50 big lizards this year. My Yankee neighbor has had code enforcement at my place 4 times this year because they find my natural native yard unsightly! Have you noticed all those super ugly modular homes going up everywhere? Just wait till they are full of  ignorant Yankees. The last little charm we have left on the Big Carpet will be gone too!

Our pine trees are Pinus elliottii, var. densa commonly called Southern slash pine or South Fla. slash pine.

[Conchz or House of Music] No matter what you call it the place will always be known as the n****r duck. Stock plenty of Busch beer.

Click on the F for Flash viewer and drag your mouse to zoom out. This is some serious zooming! www.zoomquilt.org

I just read, in a local newspaper, something I didn't know.  The jewfish received its name from the Star of David-like marking visible on the foreheads of its young.  To call the jewfish, as the scientists now recommend, a "goliath grouper" is to name it after the guy who cursed King David by the names of all the Philistine gods.  All too often we jump on the negative bandwagon and listen to people who will complain about anything.  Let the jewfish keep its honorable original name.

[Lost Puppy] He's a male all white with some big brown spots. His name is Coco. He was lost yesterday around the avenues or Ave G. His dad and I miss him very much. If you have any info on Coco please call 872-7697. If we don't answer please leave a message. Or e-mail me at solenaje18@yahoo.com

Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.

I went to CVS  3 weeks ago and bought 60 Slow-Mag tablets, This a magnesium supplement, they about 8 bucks each. Last night the cost had gone up to 14 beannies. I asked if they were mis-marked?  Nope. Hey, CVS, I don’t think there is a magnesium shortage. I know there is a money shortage. I will try my hardest to shop elsewhere and look forward to Walgreens. I think CVS will be a great place to shop after Walgreens opens. As sure as Winn/Dixie will be a fine place to shop after Publix opens. All right, I am done. I fell better now.

[Sloan’s Slot] Word has it on the street that freshman County Commissioner Mario DeGennero is being pushed by Ed Swift for Mayor of the Monroe County Commission, and that private meetings with Commissioner Sonny McCoy have occurred about this.

Word has it on the street that Ed Swift recently pushed the Monroe County Commission to approve a 2-foot increase in the building height limits, so Mr. Swift and other developers can move forward with developing and building affordable housing throughout the Keys.

Word has it on the street that Ed Swift recently pushed the Monroe County Planning Board to approve his taking over about 25 acres near Key Haven, just above Key West, and building high-end homes there.

Word has it on the street that Ed Swift is running Monroe County behind the scenes.

Is this word true?

How come there are no farmers on Big Pine Key?  I want to go to a farmers’ market.

[Asshole alert II] You need to grow a sac and stop being controlled by your mom. If she was smart she would leave this alone, instead she uses her own son. Again, great parenting. Peace be with you, your life must be rough living with her.

Saturday September 16, 2006

Friday September 15, 2006

[God vs Karma] Karma is based on physical energy not mysticism. It’s as simple as good energy out and good energy returns. The same goes for bad energy. There is nothing supernatural about karma and does not require a capital K to spell it.

You know something I don't understand about this site? I don't know any of these folks that were arrested and I don't know any of these business owners, but why are people so vicious towards them? There seem to be a lot of people with real axes to grind. Why sweat the small stuff?  Why are people in Big Pine so unhappy?  I'm glad I live in Big Coppitt where we happily coexist with iguanas and chickens, homeless folks and drunks, bikers and runners, gays and straights, kids and old folks, and hell, even a tourist or two. Live and let live is my motto. Lighten up people.

This is our first cold front. It was so cold last night that I had to turn the fan down to medium.

There's nothing like your doctor telling you that you have cancer to make everything bitched, pissed and moaned about on this site trivial.

The F.W.C. says the mini season is not hurting the lobster. Its killing the locals. We hate it.

Our water would be better if all the crap weren't dumped from the boats in Pine Channel. Sorry boaters, but we all have to deal with progress.

What was up with that 6.0 quake off Tampa? I’m glad it didn't make a wave because if it did, it would have definitely messed up my lobster condos out back.

US law requires all over-the-air broadcasting to switch from analog to digital signals on February 17, 2009. After that date, analog products will require a converter device in order for it to receive/record over-the-air broadcasts via an antenna from your local TV stations. If you are a pay TV subscriber, your cable or satellite box should provide this functionality without additional equipment. Playback of recorded media (e.g. DVD or VHS movies) should remain unaffected. This also includes all forms of hand held communicating equipment, such as CB radios, walkie-talkies, most analog cell phones, short wave instruments, ham radios, and anything based on analog.

“All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner.” - Red Skelton

Yes, Canadian night would be good. But it’s hard to make a living when no one tips.

Before you cancel your wind and just get flood insurance, find out how deep the water has to be to be considered a flood. Georges flooded me, but the water wasn’t up to the 100 year flood plain, which would be about ten feet deep; so I got nothing even though I had lots of damage. For the water to get that deep, I would think the wind would be so strong that nothing would be left anyway.

[Conchz Seafood Café]  A café implies an intimate little bistro with outdoor tables and umbrellas along the walkway.  If it’s a restaurant call it a restaurant because it sure isn’t going to be a ‘café.  Just what we need is another seafood joint.  Every place on every Key serves fish.  Another bad idea doomed to fail.

The Tiki Bar isn’t making any friends among the locals.  And, at the rate they’re pissing the locals off they won’t have a shred of business during the off season and will struggle along with the transient residents of the roach motel out back. (A note to the owner:  Try replacing those miserably uncomfortable bar chairs)  Leave it to some schmuck Canadian to blow into town and screw up a good thing.  They have lost my business also.

Did anyone watch Path to 9/11 on ABC the other night(s)?  It was well done and very interesting although historically incorrect.  They failed to show Bush planting the bombs in the World Trade Center towers. 

A threat was made to the person bad mouthing the woman that was arrested for DUI, so much so that the badmouther that was threatened took back everything they said against the family. What is up with that?  Like we don't have enough violence in the world right now that we have to cause our own?

If you have a personal problem with someone it should not be put on this site. We are not interested in other people’s fights. At least don't name the person. However, business reviews are welcomed as we can sort out, for ourselves, the good from the bad.

The Jews have it right, They won't let anyone forget the holocaust. And, likewise, we should never forget 9/11.

Apologizing to Dawn and her family was a nice touch, but I think I'd categorize it as "too little, too late".  Throwing mud in a public forum for no reason but revenge is pretty low.  If the apology was accepted they have proven themselves better Christians than I could ever claim to be.

[Asshole alert II]  Yesterday I recanted what I said about the Kawzinsky family because I was told I was going to get my ass beat by them. My Mom says I should tell the truth without fear, so yes, they introduced me to drugs and drinking. I was also involved in some of the gang style beatings. So if anything happens to me at least I told the truth. Sorry for the re-recantation.

To the person that states the war is not about freedom, try going to an airport and not being allowed to carry anything on. Is that not a right we have--aka--freedom?  Until the war is over, you have lost most of your given freedoms as an American!  

What was once an accommodation, free air at the gas station now cost 75 cents.

About Insurance: My agent would not sell me Homeowners insurance unless I also bought Wind and Flood, and I own the house.  She said it was the wave of the future.

[Don’t care about stones on bike path] If I fall down and break my leg in front of your place from your stones, I’m going to break every window you have with your stones! Then I’m going to sue you.

Two funny guys doing their shtick. Click here and sit back and enjoy   http://www.nationx.dk/coats/

This morning Howard, Alan, Bobby and Jayson from MileMarker24 Band will be live on US1 Radio 104.1 FM at 10:00 AM Eastern time. Also listen world wide at www.us1radio.com

I don't think I'd buy flood insurance unless my house was an older house that is not elevated on columns. Flood insurance doesn't really cover much of anything. At least it didn't for me.

To the person who said bananas and tomatoes are probably the most popular fruits, you are too smart for most of the people reading this. You and I and not too many other people know that tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable like those eating them.

[Anne Richards] I remember her once being described as having hair “the color of radioactive snow.”

Good Lord, just for fun I read the Deer Abby column and what incredible answers to complicated questions. Sounds like the Abby has really been out here in the real world and is giving some darn good answers.  Kudos!

I resisted watching Everybody Loves Raymond for four or five years, but after I saw my first episode (the PMS episode), I realized that that show was really something special. I would easily rank it in the ten best sitcoms of all time, maybe even tied with The Andy Griffith Show for top spot. (?)JMO, of course.

Thank you Joe and Mari-Lynn for a great time and good food at the FIRM fundraiser.

Us locals (that's Native born Conchs, not transplanted Yankees) love escargot.  Were did you think the extinct Stock Island tree snails went, huh? It’s a great dish served with Key Deer and loggerhead soup.

I think "Canadian Night" at the Tiki is a great idea. They could make it into a fern bar with white linen tablecloths, subdued lighting and French cuisine. Bilingual waitpersons speaking both English and French would be a must. As a preventive measure, a chain line fence topped with concertina wire should be installed to prevent any of those disgusting Harley-riding, chain smoking locals from crashing this gala event. 

How can freezing be inhumane? I think that freezing iguanas probably is a humane way of euthanasia. By the time any ice crystals formed on the skin and tissues, the iguana would be so immobilized and unresponsive that it would not feel any pain.

70 dead and tortured victims tossed around Baghdad just in one day, Thursday. I guess Rumsfeld’s redeployment of troops to Baghdad isn’t working. Why am I not surprised that Rumsfeld did something that hasn’t worked?

What happened to the short brown haired girl that was working at Fishcutters? They need to get her back there. She was great.

How about this for a FantasyFest float?  A 40 foot flatbed, with everybody dressed like tourists, throwing money and McDonalds wrappers and trash, with fat chicks yelling: "Here Locals, Fetch Locals, Here Boys, Here's a penny for you!"

Tribute to those who served in Viet Nam video. https://secure.gcsdistributing.com/index.cfm?pv=tr&tf=TDP&DT=TOP

I want to know who is responsible for keeping the Bike Path clean? Is it considered part of the adjacent property, like any side-walk, or is the state liable for damages when someone is hurt on it? What is the law? 

Is the Tiki Bar still there or did the locals eat it?

Be careful about dropping windstorm insurance, we collected $80,000 after Georges. if your roof goes bad things happen

[Tofu from genetically engineered soybeans] So what? After what Americans have been raised on, this might be a blessing. Talk about genetically engineered mutants!

Spinach in not good for you like your mother said. Bagged fresh spinach has E. Coli and has already killed one and caused serious illness in scores of others. They recommend throwing out any fresh bagged spinach. Do not cook it, throw it out, they say.

Arial photographs of the USA. This page is of the Keys. http://www.skypic.com/flkeys.htm

Fat Sam the crack head is in jail again. There is hope for Big Pine! --hidizzy@hotmail.com

The Monroe County GOP recently held a post-primary Unity Dinner for all Republican candidates, including several winners, two involved in a runoff race, and two who have already been appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to their new posts. The event rallied Keys officeholders, candidates, campaigners and their supporters to work together for victory in the General Election on November 7.

Officeholders and candidates included Dick Rudell, Mosquito Control Board member from District 2, Steve Pribramsky, runoff candidate for School Board District 1, Mario DiGennaro, County Commissioner for District 4 (who ran unopposed and was appointed to complete the term of David Rice), David Rice, candidate for Florida House of Representatives, District 120, who will face Democrat Ron Saunders on November 7), Lydia Estenoz, runoff candidate for School Board, District 1, Sonny McCoy, current Mayor of Monroe County, Duncan Mathewson, current School Board member, District 3, Sylvia Murphy, new County Commissioner, District 5, Clyde Burnett, Mayor of Key Colony Beach, John Dick, new School Board member, District 4, who won and was appointed to complete the term vacated by Anne Cohan, George Neugent, current County Commissioner, District 2, Chris Bull, Mayor of Marathon, and Mark Kohl, State Attorney.

Stones on the bike path are one problem. Also there problems with vegetation, trash containers, vehicles, and other blockages. There was a lot of money, work, time and effort applied to get this path completed. Have some decency and allow people to use it safely, cleanly and honorably.

[My Northern neighbor's fat wife is at it again]  If you want the aliens to take her, just place a six pack next to her when she's sunbathing.  It works great for garbage pick up.

[It’s not a war against terrorism, it’s a war against Islam] According to the terrorists, they are at war with anyone not Muslim.  They call it "Jihad" and they will not stop until everyone is either dead or converts to Islam.  Not much choice.  Think of them as Jehovah's Witnesses on steroids. And if we're not successful in Iraq, they'll be knocking on your door.

Lost Cargo Trading Post, soon to open on Big Pine Key in the old Classic Carpet building is setting up a booth today (Friday) for the Poker Run at Boondocks. Come on down and see part of the selection of products we will be selling.

To the person who wrote that the Tiki Bar should be for the Canadians and not the locals. Go back to Canada where you belong and take the owner of the Tiki with you! The locals are the ones that keep that place going year around. The owner of the Tiki thinks he's running a five star place. The rooms in the hotel are worse than the Big Pine Cockroach hotel. In fact I had to stay at the Looe Key "Resort" and it was disgusting. There were roaches running around, the floor was like walking in a sand box, towels and sheets are all stained and the comforter smelled like it hadn't been washed in months. I could go on forever. Anyway, the owner is a foreigner and he needs to pack up and go back to where he came from too.  

I also heard he was going to hire a bunch of illegals to come work for him because he can pay them less than minimum wage under the table. Talk about a cheap skate.

Now that we have 66 new Diebold voting machines in Monroe County, I'd suggest that everyone avoid using them. Here’s the proof that the machines are easily hacked and therefore not secure enough for voting. Furthermore, call your supervisor of elections, Harry Sawyer Jr. and demand they be removed from election precincts. http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3467&print=1 

[NSFW (not suitable for work) pictures] Do your job, and quit playing with the computer at work; and if your children have no sense of boundaries, that's your problem...not ours.

Karma vs God Explained: Karma is happening because you created the thought, reaction, progress and circumstances; God just does what he feels like. Peace to you and yours.

I built this dining room table out of some of the dead pines on the island. The quality of the wood in most of these dead pine trees (pinus caribeae) on the island is unmatched. It is much better than any Dade County pine. Don't throw them in the chipper. Renegade Wood at mm 88 will saw them into boards for you for a reasonable fee. You can't buy the wood as cheap as he'll saw it for you. The wood is just sitting there waiting for good use. The refuge should sell it as it is a fire hazard. Most of the trees are hundreds of years old and should not be wasted. I plan on doing my entire floor in tongue-and-groove Big Pine (or maybe some No Name too) for about $5 a foot.

I think the name Conchz adds a little Latin sizzle to the whole situation. Face it, you people that complain about the name are basically insecure about your restaurant destination. You’re probably the kind of people that look for someone with a sign on the front and back that says Eat at Joe’s and feel warm and secure knowing that you saw the same sign in New Jersey except the person there had more teeth. Hail to the crazy taco lady in Pawling, NY, who’s only claim to fame for a name was Just Damn Good Tacos. Long live the hamburger!

Friday September 15, 2006

Thursday September 14, 2006

 [Sloan’s Slot] It has been my impression that the Monroe County Commission has adopted a policy of not adding new items to commission meetings at the last minute. I believe this is a very wise policy, for many reasons, and only should be deviated from in extreme situations, such as someone's life is at risk and the County Commission needs to step in immediately and try to do something about it, etc. Below is a letter to the Governor I am passing on.

Governor Bush:
The County commission meets today at 5:05 p.m. today originally as a scheduled budget Meeting.

However, the County Attorney's Office wants the commission to approve advertising a notice to adopt changes to the county land-use plan. These changes would add 2 feet to unincorporated Monroe County’s 35 foot height restriction for affordable housing and increase the number of units allowed in the development of affordable housing.

Our newly elected District 5 commissioner Sylvia Murphy will not be sworn in until November 15.  Glenn Patton, your appointed commissioner to the recently deceased commissioner’s seat should not be allowed to vote on these pro-development inspired changes to the county's land-use program.

This is an end run to by-pass the will of the Monroe County's Voter's to have some control over the over-development issues in the Keys before Sylvia Murphy is allowed to take her seat.

I am asking you to Remove interim County Commissioner Glenn Patton now, and install Sylvia Murphy in his seat.  I see no reason why this and other important issues should be voted on by the lame duck commissioner who was soundly defeated by Sylvia Murphy.

John Oeler
A very concerned citizen on Big Pine Key

Is the person who wrote sometime last week still interested in a band for a FantasyFest float? We need a contact number for additional information.

[Asshole alert] I take back every thing I said about Dawn Kawzinsky and her kids it was all over an old fight that is over now and I apologize to them. --Sspriest13@aol.com

I don’t care about the stones on the bike path in front of my place. I will say that they are the absolute last things on my list of things to think about. If they’re so important for you to write in here for the last year or so, buy a push broom and take care of it yourself or start a bike path club or something. We’ve got enough to worry about with polluted water and iguanas, etc. Stones? Give me a break.

[People we continue to lose for our freedom] They are not dying for our freedom. Iraq isn’t World War II it is nation building and has nothing to do with preserving our freedom. And Bush has it all wrong; it’s not a war against terrorism, it’s a war against Islam. read almost any page of the Quran and see for yourself.

"This (polluted water) is a result of over development and overpopulation"  It's more likely the result of tourism--too many hotels/motels, campgrounds and cruise ships.  The Keys are sparsely populated compared to the rest of Florida and most of the homes are empty at least half of the year.

In addition to the new dress code, I think the Tiki should have one evening designated "Canadian Night."  They could serve fine wine and escargot to all these fine folks. Of course no locals would be allowed.

[Windstorm Insurance] I never thought about it too much until I read yesterdays posting saying they cancelled their  windstorm when the house was paid for. We’ve been here for over thirty years and through all the hurricanes and the only real damage here has been from flood. Wind is the least of our worries. We’re now considering canceling wind and buying flood. The major damage wind does is removing your roof like in Andrew, but most damage in Karina was from flood. We can’t afford both so we’re in a dilemma.

[most popular fruits in the States are bananas and tomatoes.]  True.  However in Key West it’s Kyle and Roger.

[19 year old conversation] A poet friend of mine has a great poem on this subject.
http://www.taylormali.com/index.cfm?webid=15

Why is it so hard for the people down here to mind their own business? Was it anyone in your family who got arrested? Yeah, that's good, now stay out of it! Keep you comments to yourself because it’s pretty clear they are not welcomed. Why cause such a stir when you can simply keep your mouth shut and move on with your own life? Really, get a hobby or something beyond this website and the sheriffs one. Hate really does make you grow older a lot quicker.

I heard that one of the local watering holes tried to upscale their customer base by requiring all patrons to wear clean clothes and have more than 6 teeth.  All the place had left were three tourists and a sleepy Labrador snoozing in the corner.

You should stop talking about Dawn Kawzinsky and her wonderful children. None of them have done anything wrong to you. They are not thieves. I see Dawn and her family almost everyday and I would catch on if they were truly terrible people but they’re not. Sure Dawn was arrested for a DUI but was so did George Bush. The Kawzinsky family members are good people who should be treated with respect. You should stop posting terrible things about them not because someone is going to hurt you but because they are disrespectful lies and you are making yourself look stupid. Anyone who actually knows the Kawzinsky family knows that they are good people. And no, I am not a family member. I am a friend of the family and I wouldn’t be if they are as bad as you say they are. So I would appreciate it if you stopped posting lies about them but mostly I just want to let the people who read these comments know that they are good people and that I see them almost everyday so I would know much more about them then these liars who are just upset because Kawzinskys are better then them.

I’m sick and tied of the talking heads tell the American public that oil prices are determined by supply and demand. I am glad that the oil speculators are taking a hit. Our government needs to but a hold on the spot market now.

People introduced the iguanas in Florida; Yes and the same people introduced chickens, pit bulls, and over population too! Thanks for nothing.

I think the guy's last name was Papshmear and I believe he was in one of those Naked Gun movies. Funny stuff. Beats the socks off that stupid Friends or Everybody Loves Raymond. Lousy stuff on TV nowadays.

[are you roinin] I think the billboard should read "Are you Ruminating?" in honor of the NJ heifers soon to be gathering at the Cow Palace. Bring your bag of corn.

My Northern neighbor's fat wife is at it again. She has taken up nude sunbathing in her yard. I think she is trying to entice the aliens into taking her away. All the iguanas have now moved into my yard. I guess they have some sense of decency.

smack,
slap,
swat,
mosquito

To Mr. Johnson, The Iguana Trapper. Kudos to you for commenting about the IKC and their distasteful posts.   I won't get into a debate over what you are doing, but I do want to comment on one thing I noticed on your website that is wrong.  You mentioned freezing as an acceptable method of euthanasia.  It is not. I don't care what the FWC says. 

To quote one of many sources on this subject, "Cooling—It has been suggested that, when using physical methods of euthanasia in exothermic species, cooling to 4 C will decrease metabolism and facilitate handling, but there is no evidence that whole body cooling reduces pain or is clinically efficacious.  Immobilization of reptiles by cooling is considered inappropriate and inhumane even if combined with other physical or chemical methods of euthanasia. Snakes and turtles, immobi­lized by cooling, have been killed by subsequent freez­ing. This method is not recommended. Formation of ice crystals on the skin and in tissues of an animal may cause pain or distress. Quick freezing of deeply anes­thetized animals is acceptable."  http://www.fau.edu/research/rcs/files/P10EUTHANASIA.doc

I've noticed that people that don't believe in God, do believe in Karma.  I fail to see the difference.  Neither can be seen or proved to exist.  If someone who believes in God prays and good things happen to them, they credit God.  If someone who believes in Karma does a good deed and good things happen to them, they think it was Karma.  Can someone explain this, because I don't get it?  I look to this web page for all the answers in life and now I find myself confused. 

How does the BSer cover his butt? He says he has a "target date" for opening his restaurant. This way he doesn't have to pull any permits, get any licenses, hire any people or buy any product. It's a wonderful restaurant? He's a wonderful restaurant proprietor? The septic tanks are in the kitchen and he wants to serve you food until he gets someone to pay for his business plan.

[National health insurance program] What we need is a national malpractice liability insurance program to offset the ridiculous cost of lawsuits.  If we want to continue to make lawyers rich at the expense of reasonable health care costs, then everyone can pitch in and pay for it.  Of course, another solution would be to cap malpractice settlements and either suspend or revoke the license of health care providers that truly are guilty of malpractice.  But then all we would have left is the lottery or Vegas.

Conchz Seafood? Just how do you pronounce that? Like Sanchez?

Lookie,  lookie  a Key West gossip page!  http://kwroger616.googlepages.com/home

Ever since I heard of the Pirate Wellness Center opening in Cudjoe I have been super excited!  I have been counting down the days ‘till their opening in anticipation.  Thanks to whomever posted their website address yesterday because the moment I saw the link I had to click on it and check it out.  Good thing I did.  The owners “have decided” to impose a ‘one-time’ fee of $200 to all new members so that they can recoup their investment in all the new equipment. 

Hmmmm, I think I am going to open a new convenience store.  And I am going to charge $200 to everyone who walks in the door for the first few months to make my money back so that way, from then on, all income will just be profit!  Makes sense right?  Umm, no.  Well, let’s see, your $200 fee just cost you my $900 for the year.  I will keep going to the nice peaceful all women’s gym down on stock island.  They have everything I need, a relaxing atmosphere and don’t rape me on fees.   Good luck to you on your venture.

Dear Editor, could you please, please, please stop posting Not Safe For Work (NSFW) pictures on the site? Some of us really do not want to be greeted by upside down breasts as they hang from a Harley or an overweight woman naked in the front seat of a car. Sometimes I am at work on break and sometimes I am at home, (even at home kids can be over your shoulder), all I ask is that you post a link to the picture and the NSFW notation so that we can choose to look or not. I have tried to not say anything but today there was another picture that I would have avoided if I would have been given the chance to. I am not a prude, but consider this more of a news site than anything else, I would just like to make sure I can view it and still keep my employer, friends and family happy.   Thank you for providing our community with this way to express ourselves in writing, it is appreciated.

I'm always encouraged to continue with my art when people give a "Hoot". My paintings are done in water color and fluid acrylics and depict the beauty of this wonderful state.   From seascapes to country farm, it's all here.

Conchz Seafood Cafe?  I agree, bad name. Is it owned by Conchz? Do Conchz work there? Is it made of a Conchz? What is a Conchz?  Thats right up there Parrotdise, ha,ha--gag. And 86 cafe as well. It’s completely misleading and, again, cutesy. Ick. Simplify. Just call it Conchs, or the The Conch.  or “Joe's place” or “Avenue...” How about “The never ending restaurant?” “The determined dish” “Never say die” This is kind of fun, but cut it with the kitschy Keysey stuff.

(?)Nope, not part of her family, guess again, no wait we are "friends" So it is OK for you to maliciously attack and slander ones name without even revealing yours?  We do live on an island? Don't think I won't post yours. Really, it does not say much for you if you have "done drugs with them".  Sounds like you are a bad role model too.

The noseeums ate all the mosquitoes.

To former House of Music owners: this is not a former co-worker or the victim, but why sell your equipment if delivering pizzas is paying the bills? And next time you move to a new town, if you are trying to fit in, try avoiding beating locals’ asses then sending them to jail for what you did; not to mention running an illegal gambling night. Next time pay your employees and your rent.

(?)[Mystery Diatribe] What heart? You don’t have a heart. You need to find one.

Thursday September 14, 2006

Wednesday September 13, 2006

[Video professor] I bought a free lesson about six years ago for the $6.95 shipping, liked it, but the next lesson was $70.

[9/11 from Jersey] What did you want us to do? Every radio station paid tribute, Ever newspaper paid tribute. Bigpinekey.com paid tribute for two days. Flags flew half mast. What did you want? Self-flagellation? How come Jersey people never “get it”?

Separation of church and state is nowhere to be found in the Constitution. That phrase first appeared in a subsequent letter penned by Thomas Jefferson. But it should be in the constitution to avoid any future possibility of a Taliban type situation here in centuries to come. This country should never be run by a mythical deity politic no matter whose mythical deity it is.

[19 year old conversation] You should see their writing. It’s mostly incomprehensible with made up abbreviations and multiple punctuation marks where only one is needed. I also think that they’re social skills are lacking because of the computer. They just don’t have any experience interacting with a live person. Not only is the written word in danger, but social interaction is too.

I’ll wager that the most popular fruits in the States are bananas and tomatoes.

[9/11 from Jersey] Quit your whining. Do you really think we’ve forgotten about 9/11 because there was no moment of silence in Marathon? There ware 48 hours of non-stop tributes in all the media. Why do think that’s not enough? Get a grip, lady. We'll never forget!

Quality Screening and Enclosures. That wasn't a free ad. This is a real customer that is smack-dab-floored over the good job I got. So don't slight my posting with a smear like [Free Ad] - it makes people question the validity of it.

Karma follows cold, malicious, manipulative hearts, minds and souls. Not a truthful heart. Get it straight. Unveil yourself.

Things you don’t see everyday. Click here: Not Your Average Photos

The apple doesn't fall far from the trees.  And no, Big Pine is not full of Skinheads. I went swimming in our local waters every day since the pollution notices were lifted.  We're golden down here.  The person with the tree in the middle of the canal could get in the water with a rope and move it out of the way.  Get some of your boating neighbors to help if necessary.  You guys need to chill out and try not to be so mean.  It looks ugly and is bad for your health  Peace, Love, Milk and Cookies.

[I hope "Conchz" was a misprint because it's a confusing name and turns people off right from the start.] Tell that to Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts, Chucky Cheese, Cabbage Patch Dolls or Yahoo!. It really depends on what you are selling. I would not be to sure about an investment bank named "Little Piggies Bank" but you do want something that's memorable and distinctive. Odd spellings can spell problems with web searches if your webmaster doesn't know what they are doing. An example is the many mis-spellings of Islamorada. Search islandmorada, isle marada or islamadora and you will see it doesn't hurt Keys Treasures Islamorada page. http://keystreasures.com/

Why does nobody clear the stones from in front of their property on the bike path? It is their stones on our bike path. The stones in front of Breeze stumps are a danger! These stones are your stones not our stones are you stoned or just to lazy? Maybe you should get stoned and do it. Maybe we should stone you to do it.

[MileMarker24] This coming weekend we’re looking forward to entertaining at the Sugarloaf  KOA campground (MM 20 in the Keys) on Friday and Saturday Sept. 15-16 (7-10 pm both nights). Rumor has it that lots of campers have made advance reservations and are taking advantage of a discount offer – campers who book in advance and simply mention our event will receive special discount pricing during Mile Marker 24 Weekend! Even if you’re not planning on camping, if you get anyplace close to the neighborhood, please come on down and party with us at our free concert.

Here’s something new we’re going to do. If you play any kind of musical instrument, bring it along and jam with us at a sing along after the concert both nights around the campfire.

I have to say the Blood Heroes video did me in for a good two hour cry!  Thank you, I think, for that link.  It is sad that life goes on even when so much has been lost.  God bless the people we have lost and continue to lose on a daily basis for our freedom.

[Former House of Music will be Conchz Seafood Café…] Hold on just a sec.  Have I missed something?  What wonderful restaurant?  What proprietor?  There is nothing there but an abandoned building with nothing going on except the late night termite and rodent line dances.  I think you should hold your glowing culinary reviews until there is actually something to comment about.  Wishful thinking doesn’t make it so.  And the way things look it’s going to be a long, long time before there is anything at that location that resembles an operating place of business let alone a successful restaurant.    

[Listen to any 19 year old twit] If you want to generalize like that then you are the twit.

My house is paid for, but I have kept Windstorm insurance so far. If my house was CBS block construction, I might drop it, but I only have a modular home, built in 1990. I did drop flood as soon as I could, though.

[Mammogram] Lower Keys hospital usually has mammogram's for $100 in October. That's a good deal for people who do not have the insurance or don’t make too much money.

Bumper sticker I saw yesterday “This Country needs a Buddhist President”

If you want to know what is going on with the Sandman cases, here you go. I have to search the public records all the time. Go to www.clerk-of-the-court.com and click on Official Records and then click on the small underlined online records.  The next page will be the disclaimer page and you have to click on Agree to go to the next page.

On the next page click on the Search button next to Criminal/Traffic Cases and then enter the defendants name (for better results enter only the last name unless it is a very common name) and click Submit.  Pages of listed people will pop up with the last name of the person you searched.

You can then look for the person’s full name and offense date you are trying to find and then click on that persons View Details sheet located to the left of their name. It will show you everything including upcoming court dates for each case. I hope this helps.

F.I.R.M. Cruise Drawing Winners were drawn last Sat at the Coconuts Fundraiser on Big  Pine Key. Congratulations to Trich Worthington of Marathon  and  John Norris of Key West.  They each won a cruise for 2 for 5 days and 4 nights to either the Western Caribbean or The Bahamas.  FIRM would like to thank the more than 200 people who bought tickets for the drawing. It's been a great success.

A special thanks goes out to Joe and Meri-Lynn Britz and the staff of Coconuts Lounge, and all the other hard workers who volunteered their time and helped make the fundraiser last Sat a success. The food was superb, the music great, and lots of prizes were won. We thank all who attended and showed their support for FIRM.

The struggle is far from over and we must keep up the fight to make our insurance rates affordable for all. We are still working on the rate reduction that was ordered by Citizen's and another major problem facing us - Florida Peninsula  Insurance. We will not quit until we've proven our case.

Please go to our website and become a supporter  www.FIRMkeys.org

The most popular guy in prison.

[Conchz Seafood Café] What a stupid spelling of a very difficult word to begin with. All but locals pronounce conch as “con-sh”. Why burden your customers with an odd spelling of an odd word?

[The water is not fine] Unfortunately, this is a result of over development and overpopulation, for the most part.

[Video Professor free lesson scam]  Ever hear of the old saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?”  How about, “Buyer beware?”  Anytime you hear the word “Free” in an advertisement you can be quite sure that you’re going to get ripped off.

Wasn't Pap Smear a character in some movie? My friends think I am making this up, but I know I heard that name somewhere.

I agree, it’s a silly spelling and you’re correct, cutesy sucks.  Since they won’t be opening anytime in the near future they have plenty of time to come up with something that makes a little sense.   

I agree wholeheartedly. If our nation's lawmakers had their free health insurance taken away they would be motivated to figure out a national health insurance program.  But the problem is: they are the lawmakers and they will never make a law to take their own benefits away. They are too greedy and self-centered.  It is a sad commentary on our nation that our lawmakers cannot be motivated to figure this out. Some individual states are managing to figure it out. Look at Hawaii. 

[Rotund, obnoxious, female from Jersey] Are the majority of women in NJ like this, or just the ones who migrate down here? I have a bet with a friend she was grazing at the Cow Palace.

[Sea lice]  They are not lice at all but the larva of the thimble jellyfish. The many nematocysts (stinging cells) surrounding each larva can be triggered to fire by mechanical pressure, such as in the friction areas of a bathing suit or in body creases. A bather's individual activities may also increase the amount of firing, such as contact with a surfboard/kayak, lying on the beach, wearing a body glove or wet suit when diving or sitting on a car seat in a wet bathing suit during the trip home.  Some years are worse than others in terms of the numbers (in the billions) of the larva in near shore waters.  What results are actually jellyfish stings.  Most dive shops carry a “sea lice” lotion that can ease the itch and rash or see your physician for a prescription cream.  There are also numerous home and folk remedies including rinsing the skin with plain white vinegar and then applying a cream like Cortaid 0.5%.  Try not to scratch. 

“God don't make no mistakes - that's how he got to be God” --Archie Bunker

[9/11 victim Michael Carlo] What were the words found in his desk?

[19 year old trying to have a conversation] Start taking notice of the word “actually.” In my part of the world it has replaced “like” and “you know.”

Has anyone figured out what the "Are you Ronin?" sign means?  While we were on vacation we saw a sign that said "Are you Jonesin?"

I can see how typing in http://piratewellnesscenter.com/ could be hard.  Maybe this will help.

A dress code for a Tiki bar?  Now I've heard it all. The mere fact that someone could even mention such a thing is a sure sign that the Keys have gone to hell and are probably beyond repair. Thank God that I saw the good times or I wouldn't believe it now.

Yesterday I went into a local eatery to have lunch.  After I sat down at the bar an employee started to clean and wrap some silverware.  She continually threw (not placed, but threw) the utensils into a tray making enough noise so as to be distracting and annoying.  I should have said something, but instead held my thoughts and just decided to wait it out.  My point is that I think that if the help don’t have enough sense to know when they are annoying customers the managers should.  Next time I will speak up.   

To House of Music Kathleen,  How about giving the web site address for those of us that have forgotten it and maybe a brief description of the equipment you want to sell or a number that interested persons can call for more information.  Thanks and good luck.

People introduced the iguanas in Florida.  The iguanas do not know they do not belong here.  I do my best to keep that in mind.  Yes, people always come first, but that does not mean that the iguanas cannot be treated humanely in the process (which, of course, is the law—even in the Keys).

I searched your site for “IKC” and found most of the posts distasteful.  In my opinion, your goal is respectful but the way you are going about it leaves a lot to be desired.

What purpose is served by offending iguana lovers?  You are just making your effort and my job more difficult.  Many times I am confronted with animal lovers and I work hard to explain the facts to them; only one person thus far still has disdain for me because of my trapping.

Why not consider taking the high road?

Respectfully,
David F. Johnson
The Iguana Trapper
www.IguanaTrapper.com

Get a load of this kookaboo!  http://www.warriorsfortruth.com/neutron-bomb.html Our crackpots are as bad as their crackpots. Beware, they're out there.

Whoever keeps saying crap about Dawn really needs to get a life.

The canals in Big Pine are alive and should be declared a new life form on the Discovery Channel.

(?)Tsk, tsk, tsk there Chipper. I hear B.F. is looking for a new personal manager. This certainly qualifies for the "whiners" portion of this lovely web site.

(?)Kudos to Sspriest13 for speaking the truth, though harm may come to him now. Bless you son. I hope their gang beatings aren't too bad. If so I will visit you in the hospital. Respecting you always and good Karma to you.

Wednesday September 13, 2006

Tuesday September 12, 2006

Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys is opening the application process for a new neighborhood of homes on Big Coppitt Key. In order to apply for this home ownership opportunity, attendance at one of Habitat’s two community meetings is required. The meeting schedule is:

Tuesday, September 19th 7:00 PM at Peace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2610 Flagler St., Key West.

Saturday, September 23rd 10 AM at United Pentecostal Church of the Keys, 311 Us Hwy. 1, Big Coppitt Key.

During the community meetings the work of Habitat for Humanity will be explained, the opportunities available on Big Coppitt described, and the qualifications and application process of Habitat for Humanity will be detailed. If interested, you must attend one of these meetings and applications will only be distributed to those who have attended. If you need additional information, call 872-4456. Bulletin Board

Between that rock and the hard place.

[What’s all the surprise about water being polluted] If I had known I would not have spent my vacation money to come to the Keys and visit. Don't you worry I will never visit the Keys again along with many others I know. I spent roughly $1500 on my vacation in the Keys to be very disappointed with the polluted water and garbage everywhere and feeling a little ripped off. More people should make a big deal out of how filthy and polluted the Keys are so that tourist do not get sick and feel terrible about a wasted vacation.

WomanKind, Inc. is an affordable healthcare for all women organization in Key West. Call 305-294-4004 for an appointment. Business Directory>medical

[Conchz Seafood Café] I hope “Conchz” was a misprint because it’s a confusing name and turns people off right from the start. The new owners of the House of Music should really rethink that spelling. Cutesy sucks. It’s hard to look up in directories and it’s hard to spell on 411. When spoken, cutesy spelling isn’t even noticed. So what’s the point?

Why are almost all the public rest rooms on BPK out of order or closed. Aren't they supposed to be for the public to use without having to buy something? Is there a law that requires a business to have facilities open for the public?

A site dedicated to removing iguanas peacefully. For those of you that are opposed to the IKC.  Click here: Resolving Problems with Feral Iguanas in South Florida

After someone is arrested, it is pointless to ask law enforcement because it is out of their hands.  If you want to know what is going on with the Sandman cases, call the State's Attorneys Office in Key West.  Last I heard, the State's Attorney's were trying to settle for two years in prison.  If you think this is an outrage, like me, call them and let them know.  Law enforcement did their job and got him off the streets.  Now, it's time for the attorneys to do their jobs.  However, if public interest goes away, these clowns will settle for an easy deal.

Has anyone else out there fallen for the Video Professor free lesson scam? These folks will charge your credit card $70 for your "free lesson." And the kindly professor will give you back $10 if you are not happy. Such a deal! He should be selling T-shirts on Duval Street.

[HoM has equipment to sell] What are you trying to sell?  islandgirllisa@aol.com

[It’s only a left wing news conspiracy if you don’t agree with the story.] That's really a dumb statement. Agreeing or disagreeing with the story is irrelevant. It's knowing what the truth is, that is important, and being able to tell the difference between that and propaganda. Too many lies.

If anyone has any question about where our country and society is heading just listen to any 19 year old twit trying to have a conversation or express a complete thought to another person.  Yesterday, I overhead two servers in a local restaurant having a “conversation.”  At one point one of them started a statement with: “Like, I was like totally, like wow.  It was, like awesome, it was like, etc.  With mentality and verbal skills like that they will never get through an interview for a decent job and will be slinging other peoples food forever.  Apparently they either are too stupid to know or think it’s great to sound like the uneducated, mentally dull persons they are.

Save America for only $29.95, plus S&H http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0911/p13s01-wmgn.html

Dumb idea # 69: That stupid looking gambling boat is still there at MM 13, rotting away and screwing up the sunset. Why not get the Fed to use a whole bunch of heavy lift blimps to lift that piece of junk out of the bay?  They use such lifting blimps to move bridges, and other heavies. A dozen should do the trick.  Oh, I forgot, the boat will be gone, rust wise, before the politico's get the deal done. We could ask for donations to turn it into a Tiki Brothel. Right?

[Another One Bites The Dust] I too have been bitten by the Tiki Bar. I moved five states away after leaving a good paying job and family, thinking that I finally could afford to return to the Florida Keys; after leaving a year and one-half earlier.  After thirteen days of work I was not given any reason for my termination and kicked out of my home provided by them.  But I’m not going to bite the dust because I am a good person and know many people locally. The locals are the ones that have assisted me in finding a new home and given me a great job.  I’ll prevail and I’ve just been sitting back and watching. What goes around, comes around!

[No Tiki Bar boycott will work]  Who ever wrote this is not a local. Probably, you know who?   I say, love the locals or leave! Oui?

Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Someone is sadly mistaken if she does not think proud white American skinheads do not live on Big Pine. We are on every island and in every walk of life from your fire rescue to your cops to the guys that build the keys and repair your houses. Remember we were the first to tell you 20 years ago just how bad immigration was for this country. Now look!

[Commercials on TV seem moronic] They are moronic, and what is worse is that they are run through focus groups made up of "typical" American viewers. In other words the average people watching TV like these types of commercials. These people also vote. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[What happens to these homes that don't have wind insurance] Being one of those morons, I will be the first to rebuild because I have the money. The wind insurance companies don't pay anything anyway. Of course there's always a hand out from the Fed, like New Orleans got.

Since the new bankruptcy law went into effect (weeding out most scammers) almost half of all new filings are due to the aftermath of a medical crisis. We need National health insurance. Remove the legislatures’ free health insurance and we will have National Insurance within the year.

Trust me the water is not fine. I am the one who wasted good earned money on a vacation to the Keys only to find the water filthy and polluted. I developed a rash after snorkeling at Bahia Honda. I would hope many take the news of polluted water serious.

"With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" - Jay Leno

So the Tiki Bar doesn’t want local folks and your feeling are hurt because they won’t run there business the way you would like them to. So your going to boycott them. They don’t care. No Name Pub does just fine without your business and my support. There are several local bar/clubs that have very good entertainment and very good drink prices and they would love your business. Give your business to them. I am sure they will do whatever is in their power to make and keep a new customer. Spend your hard earned money in a place that will work hard to keep you happy and your bunch of folks happy. Support the clubs that support you and your Island. I am sure they would love the new blood. Yep, I am sure.

Help! I need 4 big, strong guys to get a couch out of my living room and a table off my porch in Coral Shores Estates. It will take about 20 minutes start to finish, and I’m able to pay $20 a person to “git ‘er dunn”. I have to move them out on Saturday a.m. and I’m pretty desperate. If you will, please call 304-8814 Thanks folks.

Why I love my sister:  Drowning my cell phone in crocodile tears of self-pity, I rhetorically texted "What could be more humiliating than getting dumped by the rebound guy?"  To which she replied, "Peeing every time you use a preposition would be more humiliating."  I've never cried so hard and laughed so hard within a three second time period. 

Tell your friend who needs a pap test to go to Womankind in Key West. They work on a sliding scale based on your pay stubs.

[Looe Key Tiki boycott] What an excellent idea! I've only been there 3 times since I was fired from the place.  An owner who dislikes the local clientele so much that he doesn't even care if the business fails.  What does that tell you?  If you really want to voice your outrage for a once very happening and fun place to be, contact the owner at J&J Homes in Venice Beach, FL.  Oh yeah, that new GM (took my place, now you may know who I am) has been a local for many years, doesn't drink and could care less about anyone who does.  So long to the good ol' Tiki Bar. I, for one, am very sad to see what took me so long to build up, go down in such short period of time.

[Pot calling the kettle black] I must agree Dawn Kawzinsky is a drunk and I have hung out with her kids and they’re no better than her. I have drank with them and done drugs with them so I know how they are. --Sspriest13@aol.com

I moved here 3 years ago and I really thought that I was staying within the United States of America, but there are some days now and then that I wonder to myself. "Am I still in the U.S.A.?"

Here it is September 11th, 2006, five years since the senseless murder of over 3,000 of our fellow Americans and I see almost no mention of that tragedy.

I applaud "Hobee in the Morning" and his morning crew for his minute of silence at 8:46 AM. This was a National moment of silence! What happened to you people? Have you all so little pride in our Nation? Do you not feel for those thousands who lost on that day?

Yes, I am from New Jersey and damn proud of it, and I watched those Towers fall and I saw the "Pile" smolder for months and I cried for those who lost on that day. But sometimes I think that, here in the Keys, we are so removed that we feel that it will never happen here and it does not affect us. That is so very wrong!

Has anyone encountered sea lice this year? I haven’t heard of any instances so far. They’re usually at their worst by now.

[knowledgably info on HoM] Yes, that can include delivering pizzas if that makes one happy, pays the rent or simply allows more time to focus on other pursuits.  I believe that, in this particular case, all three are being accomplished. (And thanks for the reminder Ed, you will not be forgotten.)

I have no comment for the self-promoting BSer, or should I say self-proclaimed "wonderful restaurant proprietor?"   Ooops, I guess that might qualify as a comment after all, my mistake.

I want to thank (sarcastic) the "Ed" for editing my submission to kudos and whiners. We all know that reading about the Tiki bar and the bickering of the former owners of the House of Music, was much more important than my memorial statement about 9-11 and Michael Carlo. I did not think it was too long, but if you felt it was, you could have added it to long winded tomes. Thank you (sarcastic) also for changing the picture I sent with the letter. A picture of a man I was trying to honor. I am happy that the Cinemax Special that aired tonight called Brothers Lost, ended with the words found at Michael's desk, the same words that you cut out of my letter.

I am sincerely happy to see that at least one other person wrote about 9-11 and a memory of one who was lost.

[most commercials on TV seem moronic]  Yes.  What would make the writers think that seeing a VW bashing into a pickup truck would encourage me to buy one?  Why does Vonage think that showing a white male doing something stupid, unusually stupid, would convince me to sign up for over priced Internet phone service?  Thank goodness for Tivo.

[Free ad] Quality Screening & Enclosures is the finest business I have ever dealt with in the Keys.  They meet their deadlines, perform above expectations and have a well supervised crew.  Nothing beats honesty and experience.

[Mystery diatribe] The  vicious diabade of malicious slanderous drivel posted yesterday rolls off our shoulders. Those who think they live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones lest they richoret and crush their glass palace.  I know in my heart that the vicious post you sent will bring the Karma you sent, back to you.

I'm sitting on my stool enjoying my long neck when this rotund, obnoxious, female sits near bitching way too loud on her cell phone. Talk about a buzz killer! Anyway, she's not happy about the heat, the lack of shopping, and she'd give her first born for a cannoli (whatever that is). Finally she hangs up and I say, "If you’re not happy here in paradise, why don't you go back to wherever it is that your from?" she replies, "It's Jersey you f---ing drunk." Then I said, "For a fat, ugly bitch, you’re very observant, but you know what? When I wake up tomorrow, I'm gonna be sober, and your still gonna be fat and ugly." With that I finished my brewski and departed. By the way, it was not the Tiki. I refuse to go back there until there is a new owner. If more of you follow suit it will happen sooner. Cheers!

To the poor excuse of a person who made comment about Dawn Kawzinsky.  You obviously do not have a soul.  Dawn is a nice person and her kids are good kids whom she loves and they love back.  Just because your kid doesn't want to have anything to do with you, don't blame others. I think you need to redirect your anger towards the real problem--yourself.

My son came home today from Marathon High School, and said, "Mom, it is like we live in another country." No moment of silence at 8:46. No discussion about it at school. Thank you Bill Hoebee for including one on your morning show.

A dress code at the Tiki might be OK, except for the 80% teeth part.

[cannot afford to get a yearly pap and mammogram] Free clinic next to Fishermen's Hospital is totally free. I'm not sure about the mammogram, but pap testing for sure. The nurses are totally sweet. Take the bus if you have too. It'll drop you right in front.

Tuesday September 12, 2006

9/11

[Boycott Tiki Bar] Alcohol is a drug, albeit a legal one, so no boycott will work. We have to have our fix. And it is a cool open air bar.

Coconuts would like to thank all the Piners that worked so very hard to help us with the F.I.R.M. Fundraiser on Saturday.   For fear of leaving someone out, we will just say thank you to all those businesses who donated items. Thank you to all those who donated their time and energies; and thank you to our very special community.  Thanks for coming out and spending your hard earned money to support an organization that is working to help us.  We, with your help, were able to raise $5,500 to help with the legal fees to not only lower, but to seek a rebate/credit on excessive insurance rates in Monroe County. I can't say it enough. Thank you all. --Joe and the Coconuts Crew.    

[Left wing news conspiracy] It’s only a conspiracy if you don’t agree with the story. In reality right wing radio is much more popular than left wing radio. And Fox News TV isn’t hurting for viewers either.

[Conservative faction seems to be extremely venomous] Most all war hawks are conservatives.

I tried a new fee based tech support company from India:  iYogi. I liked them right away because the Indian didn’t tell me his name was Henry or Jeff he said it was Anu and when I hung up the guy wished me, “…a wonderful day and good Karma.” I liked that. I had cut the call sort because I figured a way out of my problem. About an hour later Anu called me back and wanted to know if my problem was solved and if there was anything he could do.

There is only one God.  He has power over life and death.  He can stop time.  He heals Himself.  He entertains Himself.  If He stops, all existence ends.  He exists only because of Himself.  He is Me!

[Mole as a sigh of stardom] Dirty Harry, Cindy Crawford and Liz Taylor have a moles. These are in addition to Madonna and Marylyn Monroe which I’ve already mentioned.

I had one call from a lady on Big Pine who directed me to John, the Lawnmower guy who quickly fixed my mower on Saturday by 1PM.  It would be nice, if you could place a note of big thanks out there so all will know John did a wonderful job on this.

[Go Aussies!] Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on a recent Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the
government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

I haven’t set foot in the Tiki since he fired everyone then closed for his so called repairs. If he wants a tourist trap let him have one.

The word is Anti-Semitic not anti-symmetric. I guess if you can't spell it you don't know if you are one. When you ask Ed if he is a Jew in the context of your post. That is Anti Semitic.

In the midst of religious revival, three scholars argue that atheism is smarter. Organized Religion is for Organ Players!http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14638243/site/newsweek/?GT1=8506&GT1=8535

It really scares me to see the two major political parties going at each other the way they have been lately. It is dividing the country. Remember the old saying about Divide and Conquer? Sometimes I wonder who is really running this chunk of land, We the People, or Them the Money Grabbers. With organized religion at each others throats, politicos doing the same, and the rest of the world starting to treat us with total contempt, or ignore us completely, I just wonder how long we are going to last, unless we get some sanity back and take care of ourselves.

What’s all the surprise about our water being polluted all of a sudden? The Citizen has been reporting beach closings in the Keys for about ten years.

I don't get it. How do you start a business, treat your employees like crap, badmouth your customers, and then make a success out of your business?  That's called a “front” in most places.

[Mr. Port Pine Heights] Every one of those reasons you gave for living there was perfectly valid and certainly makes sense. So why not count your blessings and stop whining about the speed limit?  Relax and enjoy the ride. I commute into KW every day for work and I could speed (everyone else sure does on the Rockland Dragway) but I cruise along and think how lucky I am to be living in such a beautiful place with such a wonderful view on my way to work everyday. Go check out any commute in the real world and you'll never complain about any Keys road again. Be happy you live in the Florida Keys.

[Don't jump in, the water's not fine]  I hope this is sort of true, because it might keep some of the poopbirds from destroying our islands. It might also be a power play to force Monroe County to push for faster sewage installation. It might be a developer’s ploy to reduce the property values (who wants to live here in a septic tank?). It might be a property move to get water front real estate for the hotel builders to go along with the proposed grand sewage schemes.  Paranoid, who me...damn right, when it come to my home and lifestyle. How about you?

In Memory of Michael Carlo and for all of those who lost theirs lives 5 years ago today. It takes about 3 minutes to play and turn on your sound. http://www.fdnylodd.com/BloodofHeroes.html

From an interview with Michael Carlo's mother. "Don't take life for granted. You know he went out to work in the morning and he didn't come home. Make every day precious and don't take your children for granted."

"I never expected not to have Michael in my life." Neither did Robert, who lost his best friend and brother. The two had planned to take off Sept. 11, gearing up for their vacation with six other firefighters in Key West. Michael, with a catamaran waiting on the beach, was preparing to get his captain's license. They pushed back their vacation to Sept. 12.

[Anti-Symmetric?] I had to pick myself off the floor I was laughing so hard. Hey, Editor, sometime just for fun you should do a poll on how many people here have graduated high school.  Anyway, thanks for the laugh on a Sunday morning and I do enjoy reading this site. Heck, comments like that make it worthwhile.

Is it just me or does it seem like most commercials on TV seem moronic.

We had dinner at an old restaurant in KW last night. It was good until a couple came in with three young kids, who were totally out of control. They ran amok instantly. One even stopped at our table and stared at our food. I looked at the bartender, and he knew I was pissed. He called the owner, and the owner asked the brat raisers to leave. They were mad, but with a bunch of also pissed locals sitting at the bar, they got the idea. It's about time owners got the guts to control their establishments. Yeah!

What is the latest info regarding canal cleanup? My canal still has a big sunken tree in the middle, making boating kind of tricky.

[only time of the year bars are cleaned] Sounds like this poster needs to do some outside things and not just live in a bar.

[Jerry Springer is coming to BPK] Anyone who reads or posts on this site qualifies. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot--ha, ha.

[Don't jump in, the water's not fine] Maybe the parks should fix there plumbing problems.  I do not believe it's from a storm; especially when we have not had a storm, but I do believe it's human sewage from the toilets. As far as “pet & wildlife” are they talking about the Key deer?

[We're being told how to think and scientific advancements are being halted]  Actually, we're being told not to think.  We're just supposed to "feel".  No one says, "what do you think about this or that".  It's, "how does that make you feel?"  I feel that this lack of thinking has a lot to do with a lack of scientific advancements.  But it could just be the mood I'm in right now.  I might feel differently tomorrow.

Does any one have any info on Andy McClain? I can see that he is being held on 350 thousand dollars bond and on one “No bond” What I would like to know is what are his court dates? I am one of the folks that he robbed and I want to make sure that he stays in jail—forever. If you can help thanks and please don’t bring the law into it. They are not sure what’s going on and, boy, do I get a run-a-round.

Tiki Bar will do good when the tourist come down. It will take them a while to figure the off season. By next year at this time they probably won't be here.

Does anyone think the dead sperm whale rotting off of the seven mile bridge might have something to do with all the funk in the water?  After all it has been fermenting there for several weeks now.  I am afraid to eat anything I catch in the waters around the Keys these days, given all the reports of infestation of e-coli, etc.

[Reduced prescription card] Try the pharmacy, health department, or the local library.

Perhaps the new owner of the Tiki should enact a dress code to keep the dirty clientele out of the place: no T-shirts, tank tops or shorts allowed. Also, have valet parking and absolutely prohibit motorcycles. Finally, require patrons to have at least 80% of their teeth. That should fix all the "local" problems and make the place a bit more civilized.

Dear Editor, Thanks for editing the skin heads.  Your advertisers and readers thank you very much.  Plus it does not show the Big Pine Key true colors as those kinds are not lucky enough to live here, thankfully.

[County reduced medicine cards] I got one at CVS Pharmacy in Key West.

[Have you noticed that the conservative faction seems to be extremely venomous]  Not really.  Both sides seem equally "passionate" about their views.  Maybe I missed the "venomous" stuff or maybe it just went over my head?  Something I did hear/read that has me bothered is that some Senators threatened to pull the FCC license of ABC and its affiliates if it aired that 2 day 9/11 docudrama that started last night.  That's just scary.  It's one thing to monitor what is being watched, but to censor it just because they don't like the content, that's going too far

[Least believable criminal] A Subway restaurant employee in North Platte, Neb., who was allegedly caught on surveillance video pocketing the $502 he was supposed to drop into the restaurant's safe, tried to tell police and a judge not to worry, that he is not a thief but an undercover CIA operative and that the agency would reimburse the money. He had lost his CIA badge, he said, which is why he was working at the Subway, waiting for the agency to send him a new one.

What's going to happen to all of these moron’s homes who don't have wind Insurance and another storm hits us?  Do we have to look at their dilapidated properties for years until they're demolished?  Who pays for that?  Just the facts, Ma'am.

Amy Jarret was a vivacious life affirming 23 year old.  She loved to travel and her job as a flight attendant gave her the opportunity.  She was engaged to be married in the spring.  Her fiancé quit his job in Philadelphia and moved to Boston to marry her.  They were going to buy a house in October.  She traveled extensively with her mother, father and brothers and dotted on her brothers children and dreamed of her own family.  Amy never hurt anyone in her life.  She died on September 11, 2001.  She was a flight attendant on the United flight that slammed into the World Trade Center.  It was a horrific end to a beautiful kind girl.

Anybody who doesn't believe those islamofacist want to kill innocent Americans and anyone else who doesn't believe exactly as they do is just plain stupid.  They declared war on us without justification or provocation.  The only way to defeat these scumbags is kill all of them, every last one.  Like Grant took Vicksburg and Sherman's drive through Georgia, merciless slaughter of every single one, total war.  It is war and anyone who does not support their own country in this war regardless of politics is giving aid and comfort to someone who would kill them or their wife, son or daughter, sister or brother at the drop of a hat.  That is called Treason, and it is plain wrong. It is exactly like supporting Hitler in WW II.  There is no basis for argument until it is over.  Then you can point fingers and assign blame and tell everybody what they did wrong and who's fault it is, until then we are at War support your country or die trying. 

Now where did I leave that damn jack?

[I guess we should put “Ha, ha” at the end of funny things]  I don't think that's very funny.  Or is it?  I don't get it.

[County issued reduced Medicine Cards] I called the CVS in Big Pine and they indicated to me that the cards were available there--worth checking into for the 20% discount!

Here’s the latest poop on...well, poop. Sewage, MSDs, and Pumpout :: Take Me Fishing

The County prescription cards are available to anyone living in Monroe County. They can be obtained at the Gato Building in Key West, upstairs on the second floor.

I find myself looking forward to Monday’s because I find myself eagerly awaiting Deer Abby. Kudos to her.

[get off the couch and go apply to Pirate Wellness center] I did get up and go out to the recycle bin and got the newspaper that had the announcement of their logo contest and their web address. It’s still not a site.

As for anyone who knows this "BSer", knows that this is an untrue statement.  He is a good man and loyal to his word. At least he is faithful to his marriage, unlike someone who we will not name. The old House of Music is no more. That is true, but why? They were evicted for not paying their rent. The new restaurant is going to be amazing. It will be called Conchz Seafood Cafe. I am so excited for Big Pine to have such a wonderful restaurant and a wonderful restaurant proprietor. It is going to succeed and it will leave the old HoM name in the trash with the past.

I grew up with 3 older brothers.  In our bathroom was hung: If you sprinkle when you tinkle, Please be neat and wipe the seat.

My friend cannot afford to get a yearly pap and mammogram. Where can she go, here, in the Lower Keys?  I'm tired of hollering at her. She's a grown woman.  This is an important life or death situation. 

[Port Pine Heights 50 weeks in a year] Since people are being picky, don't forget the 10 holidays a lot of people get.  Granted, some get more; and a lot, especially around here, get less.

I couldn’t watch any news stations today because of the 9/11 anniversary saturation. I watched enough yesterday. Thank goodness for satellite.

It was good to see Dawn Kawzinsky finally arrested for DUI. She’s been driving drunk for years, thank God she hasn't killed anybody. The only damage she has caused has been to her lawless kids. Who are now thieves, drug dealers and drunks themselves. 
--Wldfire5@aol.com

[Qualification for being on the Jerry Springer show] You just need to be a regular Whiner on this board.

Kathleen: bigger and brighter? Does that mean delivering pizza?

(?)Glad to see the Fog finally rolled in.

Monday September 11, 2006

Sunday September 10, 2006

The House of Music will never be again.  Angus & I (Kathleen) have both moved on to bigger and brighter things and just about everyone knows is was the two of us that stuck it out and tried our best to make the place into a fun music venue with decent food even a local could afford.  The ups and downs are not worth rehashing.  If you liked our place, thanks for your support, if not, that's o.k., too.

The website is still up for those of you who might want to know where Angus or I are performing, etc. I'll try to keep it up-to-date.

We have some equipment we'd like to sell in order to finalize a few left-over debts (including $320 to Bigpinekey.com for advertising).   That’s pretty much it. A done deal.

As far as the “BSer” some of you have been talking about for the past couple of days, we all know who he is.  For the record:  He has nothing to do with us.  Do be careful of him. 

Kyushu on Truman used to be the Orchid Garden a fine health food restaurant. Before that it was some stupid gourmet Italian restaurant that had all the windows covered up and was depressing. Before that it was the Drum Bar. That was the best one. It had all these big arches that opened out to the street like Sloppy’s. Thay had a bar and pool tables and the bubbas drank there, but not many of us newcomers.

Today is Grandparents Day for the 56,000,00 grandparents out there. Happy Day!

If anyone doubts the insanity of the Muslims, read this about their suicide bombers, then read other articles. http://www.meforum.org/article/1003

I cannot wait until the Snowbirds get here, because it's the only time of the year bars are cleaned. All summer long, we stick to the seats, the bar rails, the foot rails, the floors, and are afraid to pick up a bar stool because of what might be under the seat. I shudder every time I see some one pick a bit of food off a bar and eat it. My elbows are barely bendable when it gets close to October. Take the hint.

Does anyone have information on the County issued reduced Medicine Cards and where to get one?

We men will be glad to leave the toilet seat down, but we don't want to hear anything about sprinkles all over it.

Gee wiz Ed; It seems the Jewish readers can gripe and reply to anything they perceive as anti-symmetric, but when we Christians do the same, we are either edited out or our statements are changed, or we are pictured as the bad guys. What gives? Are you Jewish? (Ed: We only publish hate relating to Islam.)

I was sitting on my back porch last night, when a bunch of bright lights started hovering over my neighbor's yard. I thought it may have been a helicopter, but on closer inspection it looked like a large disk-shaped object. My neighbor and his immensely obese wife stormed out of their house and started yelling at it. A white light shot down from the disk, enveloped my neighbor's wife and started lifting her towards the ship. I think her weight may have been a problem, because the disk started listing to one side and started making noises like rocks thrown in a blender. After about five minutes the aliens or whatever it was gave up, dropped her lard butt in the yard and then flew off. She was begging them to come back, but I guess they declined. I think this happened, but then again I had a few beers.

I agree with the Tiki owner: there are a lot of scummy uncivilized dirty drunks down here, but soon we will be enjoying the charming company of the folks from New York, New Jersey and Canada. We all know how much these superior, yet humble, people enhance the cultural scene down here. We also have the opportunity to observe their superb driving abilities and interaction skills.

[aerobic system for a single family home] I put one in my old home in NJ in 1998, and the parts and labor were a lot cheaper there then they are in the Keys. Then it costs me over $20,000 to process my poop legally. I should have UPSd it to my political friends.

To the person who unbelievably took the time and energy to write in about assuming that the reason the 2BR trailer ad was removed was because it was already rented:  I got 2 phone calls from that message including the person who had posted the ad.  I guess the person who took the ad down was banking on me being an assumer like you.  

Does it scratch some odd itch for you to see your words (however inappropriate) in print online?  I am not an assumer but if I was, I would assume that you need to get a life.  As the wise woman who raised me used to say:  "Sweep your own doorstep first".  I say, save your not so astute assumptions for your own life which translates in my language to "Mind your own business".   

The democrats think that the Ten Commandments are just suggestions and offensive, while the republicans believe that the Ten Commandments are the way to live.

[Weather Channel] The falsification of news about hurricanes is common in the Keys. They must do something for the pittance they are paid, to build up their reporter egos and maybe become a star. It's the American way.

[new fitness center in Cudjoe] Not everyone has a web site. You might actually have to get out of your chair and go apply in person.

I’m always dismayed how people can take a funny or witty comment as being serious. Things that I find so funny and obviously meant as a joke get taken seriously by others who are outraged and don’t even know that it was humor. I guess we should put “Ha, ha” at the end of funny things.

I’m sure am glad to see that Kim Foggs finely get caught. What a rip-off, crack pig. --AGK542@aol.com

[Looe Key Tiki] I hate to tell you, “I told you so, but...”

No Name Pub. A nice place...if you don't fall asleep on the picnic table.  The mad barmaid will have you arrested after serving you all that beer.

[The housing market is in a process of stabilizing] We'll see what happens when the Snowbirds get back down here and stick For Sale signs all over the place. Remember the (?)Boca's are coming, the Boca's are coming!

[Don't jump in, the water's not fine] Recent water-quality testing by the Monroe County Health Department indicated elevated levels of enteric bacteria (fecal coliform and/or enterococci bacteria) in the near shore waters at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, South and Higgs beaches in Key West; Bahia Honda Oceanside and Bahia Honda Sandspur at Mile Marker 37; Coco Plum Beach and Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon; Anne's, Islamorada Public Library and Founders Park beaches in Islamorada; Harry Harris County Park Beach in Tavernier; and John Pennekamp in Key Largo.

The presence of bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage. The bacteria may cause human disease, infections or rashes.

The public is advised not to swim or engage in other water-related activities in the near shore waters until further notice. For more information, call 877-892-9585 or 305-293-1653 or visit www.doh.state.fl.us.

Somebody at the Tiki Bar told me Jerry is coming to BPK to interview people for his show. Is this true, and if so what are the qualifications?

[Another One Bites the Dust--theme song for the Tiki Bar.] If what you say is true, we should all boycott that damn place for a month or so to show the new owners how locals feel about them. I suspected that they were up to something, because they never looked you straight in the eye, and have always been bitching about something ever since they landed in town. I don't get it at all, how do you buy a place, treat your employees like crap, badmouth your customers, and then make a success out of your business? I say we spread the word to everyone to stay the hell out of that place as a sign of solidarity with our local Tiki bar workers and the customers who keep the place in business. Are you with me?

Talk about a sweatbox, pop into Bobalus some time. Those poor waitresses look like they are going to faint.

[Tiki's Last Hope]  Kudos to the individual for speaking their truthful mind about the unfortunate departure of Chef Frank. I concur and we all know that the new owner is a selfish joke and that the GM we hardly know has no clue, but our only hope now is in the new bar manager. She is our last chance to keep the Tiki alive with these "new" people running the place. She is an import. I as well as others have warmed up to her and she seems to be on our side and doing the best she can to keep the Tiki going with the help of the other wonderful bartenders. Hopefully we don't lose her, our last chance, because if we do, the Tiki could be in serious trouble with this "new owner" situation.  

If we're not careful, we could repeat history! We are considered the modern Rome. By the way, the guy who wrote that the Roman Empire lasted 3000 years is absolutely incorrect. No empire has ever lasted that long, Rome's length as an empire was just under 1000 years.

When  the Roman empire fell in 546 A.D. the Christian church powered by the Pope in Rome, was the supreme commander of what was left of the former Roman empire. The Pope had so much power that if he felt that it was necessary to remove a King from what ever Country for what ever reason being personal or business. He would send his armies and dethrone that King and every other Country would not get involved fearing the power of the Pope.

Christianity was the Government of the time. The church controlled your lifestyle, way of thinking and even put a halt to all scientific advancements. Scientists like Galileo were silenced, because the church made the law, and that law was that the Earth was the center of the Solar system. The Sun revolved around the Earth. The Church humiliated scientist and even went as far as executing them in public. This period was known as the Dark Ages, and it lasted 1000 years.

If we don't separate Church and State, we'll repeat history. It's all ready happening. We're being told how to think and scientific advancements are being halted. We need to be careful what to say, spy on your neighbor and if you see something suspicious report it. Particular groups of people are the enemy or are some kind of a threat. Just like the Roman Catholic Church was doing 1500 years ago.

Another thing that is absolutely ridiculous is, that this Government has brainwashed the majority of us white folk into believing that we are in danger of being the minority. That may be true. The reality is that the white man will always have the control of this country. We haven't elected a white woman President yet. So how the hell is a black, brown or yellow person ever going to be President? Not in our life time. Another thing, is anyone today affected in any way, shape or form as to anything that happened 300 or 100 years ago? No!.

So why is there so much importance as to the future of the white man? We're not going to see it. Let's live today and worry about today's situations and advancements, and end this backwards way of thinking that is being imposed on all humanity. Remember 70 years ago Hitler convinced Germany to think his way, and look what happened. It was too late when Germans opened their eyes and saw reality. Let's not repeat all these errors, let's learn from mans’ mistakes.   

[Swastika] Now, I have something to say.  This is what’s wrong with the world: Once one person or group finds something offensive the rest of the world has to agree or quit using what ever (symbol) it is.  BS! If it’s good luck for some people, let it be. Same with the Ten Commandments; let it be (and I’m not religious).

[You Ed’s are really losing it]  This web page was at it's best when it truly was "what the Keys are thinking on any given day".  It seems we now have an editor that believes he/she is the reason people read this page. It appears that some of the postings are just "Ed-atorials". No offense "Ed", but it's not the editor that makes this web site fun to read, it's the unedited postings submitted by the colorful people that inhabit the Keys.  Bring on the religious nuts, politicos, and BS.  It's much more interesting reading that, than canned editorials and one sided postings.

“Sitting down to pee is great, if ..."  This guy doesn't seem to mind.

[Corporations gouge us at the gas pump so that they can get richer]  If the corporation is publicly traded, as most are, and you own stock in that corporation, when they get richer, you get richer.  That's usually why they try to increase profits--so people will buy their stock.  That and just to piss you off, of course.

[The press all can’t be conspiring to print just bad news (about Iraq)]  Ohmygawd, I think you're right!  Everything else in the news is always so positive and upbeat.  They hardly ever report bad news, except for the Iraq coverage.  It must all be bad.

[Tiki Bar: “Don't talk to the locals or become friends with them because they are scummy uncivilized dirty drunks] I resent that.  I'm not really that dirty most of the time.

Have you noticed that the conservative faction seems to be extremely venomous?  Their choice for president never does anything wrong and anyone that does not agree is a moron.  Please continue to call names and refer to any opposing view as unpatriotic. What the heck, blame the previous administration? It worked in Germany once; maybe you've got a shot.

[45 hours lost to slow drivers] I know neither the “go fast” or “go slow” guys in Port Pine Heights, but, ahhh, if you account for holidays off from work, the guy citing 50 hours is more accurate. Well, whatever. its going to be a big mess and damage when the fast guy hits a deer, or a person. the drive to PPH is gorgeous, enjoy it. When I lived there it definitely curbed by need to go get that pint of ice cream I didn't need anyway.

[driving time to Port Pine Heights]  The original poster allowed for 50 weeks in his calculations because he was allowing for 2 weeks vacation yearly.

Sunday September 10, 2006

Saturday September 9, 2006

The Herb Garden was the name of that 1970s groovy store where Mangia, Mangia is now. Timmy Wegman ran it. Timmy now owns the music store on Caroline St near the Parking garage. Go Timmy!

[sign for 2 bed room trailer] I would assume the sign was removed because someone rented the trailer.

The day after President Bush admitted to secret CIA prisons. The President announced prisoners would be released by the US Navy. Each would be given $25.00 and a used American car as a sign of no hard feelings.   

[House of Music opening] There is some truth to what the guy has said.  They are in the process of getting permitting for a new septic system; but I will be surprised if the place opens any time this year.

Again the Clintonistas are trying to hide history from the world. Fortunately the world knows Clinton was at fault for 9/11. Hiding the truth will not work this time. All this BS and phony indignation just reminded the American people (with brains) just what a bunch of liars Clintonistas really are! Please, for the sake of our country do not vote Democrat.

You can send them to school, but you can’t make them think. A University of Central Florida student was arrested and charged with starting a fire in his dormitory just so he could meet women during the evacuation.

Yahoo! Video NASA TV live!  Space shuttle preparations.

Another One Bites the Dust--theme song for the Tiki Bar. You guys think that they would only fire the locals—wrong. They brought us 340 miles and after 3 weeks told us they couldn't afford us and said,  “Money was no object”. He didn't want any locals working there because they were stealing.  A friend of 4 years. What a jack off and cold-hearted. Nothing like throwing my family out into the streets with no jobs and no money. His actual words to us were, “Don't talk to the locals or become friends with them because they are scummy uncivilized dirty drunks.” He begged us to come down and jump into the water together. It was more like he left us drowning and took off on his luxury yacht. What a coward. He couldn't even face up to us. Hey, Jason, tell them f**k the Captain’s deluxe. We love the keys!

[Boondocks is too hot]  I've done a little research on the body temperature of cows, and it comes out to about 40 degrees C, or 104 degrees F. They are going to need very large fans to handle that heat load.  Check out http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/PeiJunChen.shtml

[Why did I move to Port Pine] Let me see, 20 years ago, as a working guy, I needed something affordable and I wanted something on the water; and I wanted something that would appreciate in value.   I paid 80K and it’s now worth over 700K. It's still kind of quiet out here. I raised two kids and kept a good eye on them; they’ve both got master degrees.  Now I'm looking at retirement in a couple of years and then I might slow down. Also, now my wife and I each make around 100K.  I can afford the gas prices.  Why not stay? I love my house.

Welcome! | Pearl Harbor Survivors Project

Hark! I had a dream. Sell the Flea Market and Habitat to developers for a Publix supermarket. Then purchase True Value for the Habitat building. Then have the developers set aside ten acres for a park. Then sell the old Mariner’s resort to my developer friend.  Sound like a dream?

[use less gas by deporting 12 million illegal immigrants] First we have to get it right. There are 54 million of them, not 12. Yes, folks, they out number our Army 10 to 1. Eat tacos and like it.

That ain’t chicken in the chicken chow mein. http://jflores.com/jokes/chowmein.htm

Better late than never, I guess.  I thought last week’s description of hurricane season was hilarious.  Kudos to whoever wrote it.

Also, a big congratulation to Sylvia Murphy. The people have spoken.

It is really weird, how this Kudos and Whiners changes weekly. Sometimes it's full of reality, and other times it seems like it's been edited by religious nuts, politicos, or even G.W., himself.  I've lost faith in its postings because I know when I'm being conned by propaganda or bull shit. You Ed’s are really losing it.

[Pirate wellness center] I tried to access the website and it says it doesn’t exist. Has anyone else tried it? I was hoping to apply for a job.

The Herb Garden was where Mangia Mangia stands now. Do you remember the free box out front? And Las Palmas Del Mundo? Oh, yum!

There was a letter in the Citizen from the Weather Channel complaining about all the people on Duval St that were heckling and harassing them while they were “trying to do their job”. If doing their job is trying to sensationalize a non-hurricane then the hecklers were ok. I saw a female standing in the middle of the road all battened down with her hurricane gear on; and there wasn’t even any rain or wind and none was coming. All those fools accomplished was to get people all worked up for nothing. The hecklers were ok by me.

To hell with Mr. Cantore, or whoever, telling people not to go outside because it’s unsafe; all the while standing in the middle of knee high water in a hurricane. I think they confuse stupidity with heroism.

[45 hour none working guy]  I work 6 days a week and believe it or not I have to make a few other trips per week to and from my house. There are 52 week in a year. Even when not working I still have to make trips to the highway. Also, I’m a college grad from ’72, but I never went to school in Florida. .  It's so nice to know how smart other people are.

I’m not sure that we in the County should pay for the sinking of the Vandenberg. The dive shops are just about the only ones who’ll profit from it. Let the dive shops, restaurants and hotels pay for its sinking. Better yet, I’ll do it for free. I couldn’t screw it up more than the professionals did with the sinking of the Spiegel Grove in Pennekamp a few years ago.

I live in Big Pine and they are now telling us that we’ll have to put in our own aerobic sewer systems either in group plants or individual systems. Does anyone know how much an aerobic system would be for a single family home?

The birth flower for September is the Aster. The birth stone for September is the Sapphire.

Has anyone ever heard of any good news from Iraq? The press all can’t be conspiring to print just bad news (as some have suggested).

When are they going to dump Rumsfeld? What decision has he ever made that has helped fight this war? Almost every decision he’s made so far has been in error.

The only reason we’re still there is for pride. Most of us knew about a year ago that this war couldn’t be won, so why are we still there? We screwed up and should admit it. Fighting for honor is BS. That is the same reason President Johnson kept the troops in Vietnam over a year after he knew that we couldn’t win that war. He knew we couldn’t win, but didn’t know how to get out without Americans losing face. So he let another hundred thousand of our sons stay and get killed for honor. We tucked our tails and left in the end anyway—without honor. Its time to leave Iraq now. Our military always cuts and runs. Unless we can win let’s leave Iraq now; we've already lost our honor there. They hate us. I’m sick of seeing our sons and daughters coming home in body bags for a war we can’t possibly win.

The housing market is in a process of stabilizing with little change in overall sales volume expected over the balance of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is running nearly a percentage point higher than a year ago but is likely to rise very slowly in the months ahead, reaching 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter.

[Dolphin Marina] New gas tanks, or new pumps? A new pump still pumps the contaminated stuff out, just faster.

A report says that Southern woman are abandoning Bush and his war. I’m surprised because they’re so religious and conservative.

[Pee Expert] Sitting down to pee is great , if you don’t mind your willie getting wet. Most guys don’t like their pee-pee in all that yellow water.

My family is really into mailing empty junk mail envelopes back to the junk mailers for them to pay again for the empty envelopes. I do believe that if more people do this it will have an adverse effect on junk mailers’ bottom line and will force them to be more selective in their mailings. My kids fill up the envelopes with all kinds of junk. They think it’s a riot! Watch out Citi Bank, we’ve got your number.

[Already in jail]  The cops were out lobstering, give them a break. When they get back to work maybe they can figure out who's in jail. But in all realty, what is the source of this is the problem?

[Health food store at Mangia mangia] That was the Herb Garden run by Tim Wegman who still lives in town. They had the greatest free box out front. There was also the Orchid Garden where Kyushu is now. They had great food, run by Winnie. And there was Las Palmos del Mundo on the corner of Francis and Southard, Gail Brockway’s first restaurant. That breadfruit tree in the back was wonderful. Wonderful food and music.

This is for the guy who thinks 12 million illegal aliens should fight in Iraq! Did you serve your country in a war as an American? Have you made any meaningful or important contributions as an American citizen for our Country?

When you say illegal aliens, are you including; the Irish illegal aliens (IRA connected) & the Russian & western / Eastern European illegal aliens that arrive to N.Y. everyday? Are we including all the Asians that come to this country illegally on the west coast of the USA. Why send troops to the south of the border? When every terrorist threat to this country has either come from our Northern border or from our own Sunshine State. That includes all those Chinese immigrants that entered this Country via the American Embassy in Honduras. When Hong Kong was to be taken over in 1999 and our Embassy was giving them US visas with the name Jose Gonzalez, when in reality their names were Yit Chung, and they neither spoke English or Spanish.

Our dear President offered citizenship to every non citizen Hispanic if they fight for us in Iraq, and the only boys coming back Citizens from Iraq, arrive in the US in body bags. The only reason why Mexicans are being profiled is because there isn't any Governmental black market money being made. They're getting into this country free! Not like the above mentioned Asians, Eastern and Western Europeans. There are financial negotiations between the black market of those countries and our Government. That is not the case with Mexicans.

I've proudly served my country, and I agree; let's make all illegal aliens fight for us. Let's put all these American street boys (selling dope, and dangerous gangstas shooting innocent people in drive bys, who are not contributing any type of productiveness for their lives) to fight too. Let's leave the kids in school alone.

The only reason why we're paying so much for gas is because we are running out of fossil fuel. The well is getting dry, and the corporations know this is happening, and they want to make us pay as much as they feel they can get away with, so that they can get richer.

[45 hours lost] Dude, there are 52 weeks in a year!  Hopefully you don't work at a bank or a print shop making calendars.

[Why not blame the Jews for every problem] Clearly I am outmatched by your wit and your literary sense.  Maybe you can convince some drunken idiot sitting on a bar stool at Coconuts at 2 am with your poetic verbal diarrhea, but obviously you don't have the IQ to respond to any point in my post, so I will give up now. I humbly apologize;  I'll try to stick to the comic section from now on.

Why don't all the women accosted at CVS get together, form a posse, and take the ass out?  If he is an older "gentleman" someone should be able to catch him, tackle him, and hold him until the problem is solved in the best way possible--without police and the paperwork and the time off of work to go to court.  After you are done, throw his ass into the shrubs.

Yea, Boondocks is a sweltering sweat house. Its always been hot. Want to feel a cool breeze anytime of the year, and see a variety of bands? Go to the Tiki Bar.

The new building next to Kickin’ Back on Cudjoe is going to be a fitness center and the top floor is going to be the new Monroe County Building, Planning, and those lovable Code Inspectors' Departments.

[Your other example of separation of church and state was lost on me]  It seems that most of what I said was lost on you.  The point I was making is that what one person views as a benign symbol, another sees as offensive.  For example, the Ten Commandments has been viewed as a positive symbol by people for thousands of years.  Plaques depicting the Ten Commandments were commonplace on public and government buildings for years in this country and no one was bothered by it. Only recently has it been viewed as offensive by some.  And because of that, they can no longer be displayed in such places.  Same goes for the swastika.  It may have been a good luck symbol, but now it's a Nazi symbol and therefore offensive.  What goes for the Ten Commandments also goes for the swastika.  Offensive symbols are offensive symbols, no exceptions, no excuses. You can't have it both ways. Nice try though.

Saturday September 9, 2006

Friday September 8, 2006

Help. Coconuts sure could use some strong backs Saturday at noon to help with the FIRM fundraiser. We have to move tables and chairs from the Chamber of Commerce building to the Nut and setup and teardown later on. Please call 872-3795 or show up around noon. The more people the easier it will be. Piners; Coconuts wants you! Thanks.