Letters to the editor with pictures since 0202. Published on Big Pine Key’s garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
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 [Workforce Housing] I’ve always felt bad that the BOCC accepted FEMA’s refusal to allow downstairs enclosure to be rented as efficiency apartments like we did in the 1970s and 80s. There was no affordable housing problem then and homeowners were making money that probably helped with their mortgage payments. That took the pressure off living down here.
I can’t think of any argument of FEMA’s that we can’t acquiesce to. Evacuation, break-away walls, escape plans, etc. There’s a solution to all their objections — “The art of the deal”. Instead of more development for so-called affordable housing, which is merely a few hundred off market rates, lets use our downstairs enclosures. And let’s build some new efficiency apartments under stilt homes. ‘ We’re already allowed, I think, 300 square feet of enclosed space. What’s the problem with adding plumbing and renting it to our workers? Our County commissioners would rather build on our limited land than fight FEMA. We want to rent our 300 square feet downstairs apartments. The County should hire a lobbyist if necessary. They’ve done it before on matters not so important as workforce housing. I hope the real problem isn’t that there’s no big money to be made by developers and their enablers. Renting out our 300 square foot downstairs enclosures would solve a lot of our problems. I like the idea of spreading out the housing throughout the Keys instead of having them all in a few congested places. It’s an instant solution to workforce housing and wouldn’t cost the County a dime. Get off your collective asses, Commissioners, and fight FEMA. Don’t take no for an answer. |
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| [Housing] Those of us who have our hands in the renovation and rehabbing of the Keys know that there are ways to put up cheap, yet safe housing, but the land is what we need the developers purchase because, of course, the self-employed small business owner cannot purchase it because we can’t afford to purchase a dry lot for $100,000 and then work through the maze of permitting while trying to keep our businesses afloat. Get with it, developers. Invest in the Keys. |
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| I really don’t mind getting older, but my body is taking it badly. |
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| [Bottom of the Barrel] I went to Key West McDonalds and I swear I saw that crazy woman that was screaming about her boyfriend going to be a mayor working there! I would not want to own a business in the lower Keys if that’s the kind of help I was forced to hire. Business is desperate for help. |
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| [Don’t Vote. Kill Instead] If you want this to happen here in America, go ahead and ban guns so we cannot defend ourselves. Stupid are that do stupid things!
Sweden’s feminist party: “Completely opening borders and keeping terrorists in the country leads to a better world.” Link |
 I’m a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). Lashing out with toxic and violently laced political rhetoric against an individual because they’re a member of an association that promotes “gun safety”, responsible “firearm ownership and training”; while protecting the 2nd Amendment “constitutional guarantees” in our Bill of Rights; is irrational and illogical. It circumvents the scientific inquiry necessary to arrive at authentic solutions that can save and protect the lives of our children.
Name calling, casting politically charged insults and promoting censorship against another’s beliefs, is an evil unto itself. Drowning out competing thoughts and ideas, refusing to embrace the wealth of wisdom available concerning the development of solutions regarding this tragedy, has become standard operating procedure for partisans, sycophants and ideologues. Unfortunately, this type of dialogue has become an acceptable form of media and political discourse. The National Rifle Association of America has been providing solutions to gun violence since its inception, approximately 148 years ago. During my tenure as a teacher, because of the NRA’s Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program, I was able to bring a modicum of peace, safety and well-being into the lives of at-risk children. Demonizing and condemning the NRA, so as to justify their exclusion from a discussion on “gun safety”, is dangerous and radically insane.
This picture is a commissioned sculpture presented to me recognizing my achievements as an “Outstanding Educator” in South Florida. ~John Donnelly |
| [Sports] It is amazing how the world sees sports as being more important than stopping wars or growing good food or controlling over population. We are not going to make it! |
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| [Weapon Nomenclature] For the person who wants to remove my weapons, my legal weapons, you and whoever taught you to think this way frighten me. And you need to know precisely what it is that you want banned and confiscated. Assault weapons have been banned since the 1930’s. An AR 15 is nothing more than a modern semiautomatic rifle-not a military weapon that’s only place is on a battlefield as you so ignorantly stated. No military on this planet would adopt this rifle for use in combat, or for anything. It is not fully automatic. It looks like a military rifle. That means nothing. You don’t even know what it is you want to ban. This only muddles up your argument. |
 [Help Wanted] Big Pine Storage. Full time maintenance & grounds manager. We are looking for a reliable, self-motivated, organized person to complete our team. Must have valid driver’s license, phone, transportation, and pass background screening. No evenings or Sundays. Apply at Big Pine Storage 30677 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key 305-872-2590. |
| The wife said it was warmer outside than it was in the house. I said it was that way since we got married. Then the fight started. |
[The Zika Virus] This one’s for you FTR Guy! Millions of which could fit in the period at the end of this sentence. |
| [Japanese Ingenuity] Plastic back into oil. Why aren’t we doing this now? I think we should all do what we can to save what we are destroying! What is more important would be the marketing and very low cost to make it mandatory to have one of these in every home. What a great discovery if the energy to produce it is more than the energy gained from the oil. Video |
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| [Dying Reef] Marine biologist and film-maker, Ellen Husain studied the Great Barrier Reef for her Masters degree thirteen years ago. Today she’s back to dive with her old supervisor. The picture is grim. Audio |
[Salt] Why does my 250-million-year-old Pink Himalayan Salt have an expiration date? I’m not trying to be ironic, but I really want to know. |
| [Contractors] I would like to add the fact that 2 local contractors, Rudy K and Torino both quoted demolition work at rates that would have required a loan to afford. These locals are not looking out for any one of us residents. Believe me. I am here to say that an out-of-town contractor did an awesome job and completed it for literally a fraction of the quote from the locals. Watch who you are loyal to, my friends. ~lifeinthekeys@aol.com |
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| [Killing Kids] I don’t know about this arming teachers’ thing. I reckon if they had done that when I was in school, the person shot by my 5th grade teacher would have been me. |
 [Help Wanted] DRN Moving.~CDL DRIVERS: Local & Long Distance drivers. Heavy lifting required. Stay fit and get paid for it! ~MOVERS: Full time & Part time positions available. Valid driver’s license a plus. ~OFFICE ASSISTANT: Part time. Weekdays only. Join our team of exceptional, hard working, reliable movers. Must have phone, transportation, and pass background screening. Apply at DRN Moving 30677 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key 305-872-2575 |
| [Conquistadores 1518 Mexico] “We lost 850 of our men, these horrible caged beasts were fed for many successive days with the bodies of our unfortunate countrymen. Indeed, when all the tigers and lions roared together, with the howlings of the jackals and foxes, and hissing of the serpents, it was quite fearful, and you could not suppose otherwise than that you were in hell.” |
| [Seventy-Two Killed Resisting Gun Confiscation In Maryland] National Guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned assault weapons …were ambushed by elements of a Para-military extremist faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to withdraw.
Gage blamed the extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal revenue offices. The governor, who described the group’s organizers as “criminals,” issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of any individual who has interfered with the government’s efforts to secure law and order. The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed wide-spread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed assault weapons. Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting in early this month between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized the forcible confiscation of illegal arms. One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out that “none of these people would have been killed had the extremists obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily.” Government troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed weapons and ammunition. However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met with resistance from heavily-armed extremists who had been tipped off regarding the government’s plans. During a tense standoff in the Lexington town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly fired by one of the right-wing extremists. Eight civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange. Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces over matched by the armed mob, ordered a retreat. Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor also demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the attack against the government troops. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, who have been identified as “ringleaders” of the extremist faction, remain at large. And this, fellow Americans, is how the American Revolution began, April 20, 1775. History. Study it, or repeat it |
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| Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. ~John Lennon |
[Let There Be Light] Electricity illuminated the City of Key West for the first time with the new fangled electric lights on March 4, 1857. |
| [“Armed teachers”] Will school librarians be required to use silencer? And what about all the janitors too? Throw a gun rack on top of that mop bucket. And don’t forget the lunch ladies. Grenades under their hair nets and whatnot? |
[Naked Oranges] If only nature would find a way to cover these oranges so we didn’t need to waste so much plastic on them. |
| Pizza Hut’s Pie Tops sneakers will order you a pizza, pause your TV. Video |
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Don’t they have any other pictures of Mueller than the ones they use on TV over and over again? Damn! |
| [Bill Maher] “Also on her resume, Hope Hicks used to date Corey Lewandowski, who was Trump’s campaign manager and married at the time, and then she dated Rob Porter, who had to leave the White House earlier in the month in a wife-beating scandal. You know, I’m not that familiar with soap operas, but I think in the next episode Trump gets amnesia and Mike Pence reveals he’s a woman. I think that’s what happens.” |
[Hurt Worker] What happens if I hire an illegal to do some work on my property, but don’t know it? What if he/she gets hurt? |
| Is the Knok Life write, Roger C. Kostmayer, a anti-American or Commie? The way he writes everything against our freedoms seems to point that way. It is scary to think anyone like him can sway the thoughts of logical people |
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| DEF: Redneck n, A person of any race who bends over all day picking up fruits and veggies. DEF: Redneck KW, n, A person of any race who bends over all day picking up fruits and vegans on Duval St |
 [Want To Rent] I am looking to rent the month of July for Big Pine. Our friend’s home we have always rented unfortunately took a very hard hit from Irma and we no longer have a place to stay. If anyone has a place that would be available to house 7 people (4 adults, 3 rugrats ages 7, 13, 16) please contact me at 251-209-3076. We need room for the boat and would like to keep it below $4500 for the month and more than likely will not be there but the first 2 weeks. It’s probably a long shot, but Bogie Channel is preferred but we understand that none of this may be available. Thank you. |
| [More Hate] Friday’s CT had lots of hate feedback. Hate guns, hate Yankees, hate this and that. Must be one or two fat chicks from NJ who are not allowed to return north. This is good, we need the chum for the fishes. |
Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean |
| [More Hate] If a parent or parents cannot control their offspring why allow them to keep having kids? They should be sterilized. |
| Submit anything but National Politics to island@bigpinekey.com For National Politics go directly to that page, log in, and post your comment. NATIONAL POLITICS |
Speaking after the clash, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement.
