Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. Published on Big Pine Key’s garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Jamies – Summertime, Summertime |
[NOAA Hurricane Hunters Sick] The outbreak has spread to the team that operates the nation’s hurricane hunter planes, with five employees at the Lakeland base testing positive, forcing others into quarantine, officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday. Spokesman Jonathan Shannon said the three planes are still flying with minimum crews. There are no tropical storms in the Atlantic or Caribbean and none are likely in the next several days |
 [Frankenskeeters] The Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board must reject the genetically engineered mosquito field trial proposal. This experimental technology has failed to reduce mosquito populations elsewhere in the world and presents significant health and environmental risks. Oxitec has not been transparent about the data. Not only has it not had an independent review from third party scientists not paid by Oxitec, but we, the community, haven’t seen the data yet. This experimental field trial, one of the first in the U.S., will put people at risk, and even though I do not consent to being part of this trial, there is no option to opt-out. This may also negatively affect our economy. The scientific community and press follow this technology closely. Adding a half billion mosquitoes to our environment will be reported worldwide. Do we want to be known as the home of the genetically engineered mosquito?We should not be subject to this unassessed, poorly regulated ineffective field trial. |
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| [Protests Big and Small] The hypocrisy is not for the faint of heart. Recently in California two employees of the DA and sheriff were cited for vandalizing a Bureau of Land Management sign. At the same time historic statues have been vandalized and destroyed and nobody has been arrested. The “cancel” cultural seems comfortable destroying history because it offends their sensitivities. Who appointed them as god of the planet. When are our leaders going to grow a pair and say enough is enough and start throwing the miscreants in the old hoosegow? |
[Keys Are Sinking] Ocean levels are not rising everywhere. Perhaps the ground is sinking in some places. Many claim that the ocean is rising. Specifically, those living in the Indian Mound section of Upper Sugarloaf Key. Yet, residents of Sugarloaf Shores see no difference in the waterlines on their canal walls. Limestone deteriorates over time. It seems logical that some of the ground is sinking. Could it be that rather than the ocean rising, the earth is sinking? Link |
| [Achy Breaky] You don’t really realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up. |
[Tele-medicine] A visit to the gynecologist, summer 2020/Covid-19. |
| America is founded on White supremacy. That is why there still exists so much discrimination in every facet of society. Remember, by law, slaves weren’t people, they were property to be dispensed with as their owners saw fit. White people, especially old White men, grew up when the races were separated. They have never experienced discrimination because of their skin color or the slant of their eyes. It’s very difficult for them to understand the fear that those of color have when encountering law enforcement. |
If animals don’t go to heaven I want to go where they go when I die. |
| [Global Warming] 100 degrees in Siberia? Link |
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| [Bad Statues] All those people worried about erasing history when the confederate statues come down will be thrilled to learn about the existence of books. |
[Statues] It’s a shame they are destroying art when they topple offensive statues. Instead, why don’t they change the plaque to reflect currant thinking and mores; or move the statue to a less prominent location. |
| Isn’t mass shooting season coming soon? The season has been delayed due to COVID-19. |
[Kwanzaa] They should get rid of Kwanzaa because no one knows what it is or why. They should make Junteenth a holiday. Everyone can understand Junteenth celebrating the end of slavery. If there are too many holidays already, trade both Kwanzaa and Martin Luther King Day for one Juneteenth. We can otherwise honor the great man, MLK by building a statue or two of him. |
| [Government] While watching Saturday cartoons, particularly the Roadrunner and the Coyote, and couldn’t help but notice the similarities with how our government has been operating over the past 15 years, more or less. It seems like everything that is tried ends up with egg on its face. I guess that’s what you get when you bring want-to-be politicians into the mix. Particularly lawyers who spend most of the time debating the definitions of law and order. |
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| [Black Lives Matter] “Not to old white men they don’t.” Geeeeze Ed, a couple of weeks ago it was a KluKlucker playing chess against a gang member, this week it’s some crap line like Black Lives Matter. All lives matter to this old white man – who hasn’t dated a “whiney white woman” in 28 years. What happened to BPK.com? It’s not what it was, bro. Be American, people! Stand for the country that was good to you – not for political rhetoric that sounds good to you. Vote. |
Uncontained wildfires burn more than 280,000 acres in Arizona. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Phoenix, the Bush Fire’s sudden growth moved up its burnt acreage total to the fifth largest wildfire in state history. Over Father’s Day weekend firefighters continued battling the Bush Fire, Mangum Fire and Bighorn Fire. Link |
| [Today’s Youth] What the youth of today have never learned is the lessons of manners, morals, respect, character, class, responsibility and integrity. Boy Scout Oath |
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Does this Revelations bible passage sound familiar with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic? “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” |
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 [Symbols of Hate] Kudos to those Americans of conscience for removing symbols of repression and traitors to America. If you don’t think the Confederates were traitors think what you would if the redneck militias tried to secede from the USA and started killing the rest of us. Would they be traitors? You betcha. Why honor traitors? White supremacists say the Civil War wasn’t about slavery, but the fact is the opposite. Alexander Stephens, vice president of the Confederacy, proclaimed that the right to keep slaves was why they were seceding. He said the enslavement of African Americans was the “immediate cause” of secession. |
| [Dirty Politics] Twitter users claiming teens on TikTok and K-pop fans sabotaged Trump’s Tulsa rally and left seats empty by reserving thousands of tickets with no intention of showing up. Link |
One Blood Drive at Beall’s Outlet Big Pine Key on Monday, June 29 from 11-4 . One Blood is now doing antibody test as authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results available within approximately 48–96 hours*. The antibody test will indicate if your immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether you ever showed symptoms. This is not a COVID-19 diagnostic test. Positive test results do not confirm infection or immunity. As a thank you for saving lives, all blood donors will receive a free t-shirt! Plus, all donors will receive a free wellness checkup, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening. |
| Coronavirus: Guidance for Better Mental Health. Link |
(Editor: The internet was out at staff headquarters, so the Coconut Telegraph is late today. Blame Comcast.) |
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| [Bad Cops] With the state of things in major cities across the country, it is unsurprising that calling for emergency assistance is difficult. Now police in the Windy City have been caught in radio chatter, indicating that they may have no desire to take any action, even if they expect violent crime to occur. In an uncovered audio cut, unidentified officers are informed of a shootout between “gangbangers.” Instead of requesting more information, at least two officers respond, the first saying “let ‘em do it,” and the other saying “let it be.” I can fully understand why a couple of cops in a patrol car are reluctant to drive into a shootout between criminal gangs–the job doesn’t pay nearly enough. But this type of situation puts to a point why our Second Amendment right is so essential. When we can’t depend on the state to protect us, we have to depend on someone. Like everything else in life, when those we count on fail, the buck stops with us. A thug with a weapon, even if it is just his overwhelming brawn, is likely to lose his hostile resolve if facing a loaded gun barrel. No predator wants to risk his own safety in spite of strong aggressive intent. But a defenseless victim is ideal prey. So far, you are free to choose to be defenseless. Even assuming you have the opportunity to place a call, remember that after the 911 operator obtains all your information and calls for dispatch of police, it will still take several minutes to get someone to the scene. You will already be a victim. |
[For Rent] 2 bedrooms. One bath. Unfurnished Duplex on clean boating canal w/seawall going to Pine Channel and coral reef. Tiled floors throughout. Stainless steel appliances. Ceiling fans in living room, kitchen and bath. Laundry room. Small screened porch. Very clean. A/C., large brick patio. Parking for 2 vehicles. Ground level. Port Pine heights subdivision. Quiet neighborhood. 750 square feet. No smokers or dogs. $1800 a month. First, last and $1000 security ($4600 total to move in) Utilities not included. 3970 No Name Road. Port Pine Heights sub-division. Email for further info. b33043@outlook.com More pictures on Craigslist. Link |
| Publix Super Markets Charities’ recent gift of $291,790 for Collier and $71,070 for Monroe Counties dramatically impacts United Way’s work providing access to health, education, and financial stability. United Way of Collier and the Keys tackles complex issues and drives sustainable, positive change to help our communities thrive. All efforts collectively support thousands of paycheck to paycheck ALICE residents across Collier and Monroe Counties. These individuals and families work hard but, due to circumstances beyond their control, often need a hand up to empower them towards a brighter future. UWCK is able to serve these residents’ needs thanks in part to the generosity of Publix associates and Publix Super Markets Charities. |
[Mandatory Masks] I just read that Monroe County passed a resolution that states masks must be worn until June 2021. The good news is now the really ugly men and women have a chance to get picked up in the bars. |
| [Political Correctness] Going along with the current trend, Quaker Oats will be renamed Shaquille Oatmeal. |
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