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Since 2002. Anonymous Letters to the Editor with pictures. Published Monday through Friday by Noon.
Have you ever been to Budd Key? It’s a beautiful tropical island in Kemp Channel that is also a junkyard. Can anyone identify the make and year of this car that is part of one of many tons of metal left from the person who tried to live there. They dug two ponds and used the fill to raise the island so they could live on it. I imagine the State had other ideas when they took over the island in the 70s or 80s. All that’s left from this guy is tons of junk and two ponds. |
[Compost Toilet] I’m looking to buy a compost toilet for a remote cabin I have. A toilet requiring no power would be ideal, solar would be very good and electricity would be too much trouble. Most of them I’ve been looking at have too many down sides for my liking. I was wondering if any of you had experience with compost toilets. |
[Cuba] I’m not defending it, but trying to point out that Cuba is a great place to visit. Who cares what kind of government they have. I’ve been to China and no one got hysterical over it like they do with Cuba. I want Americans to stop being such hypocrites and wake up to the fact that it’s a great island and you’ll have the time of your life only 90 miles away. |
[Gun Nuts] Big Pine Key resident Doug Varrieur — and his neighbors — received an extra Christmas gift this year. Varrieur received a free lifetime membership to an indoor gun range just minutes from his home in exchange for taking down his homemade backyard range. In agreeing to dismantle the range, Varrieur gave his neighbors the gift of quiet. Varrieur and Big Pine Key-based gun range owner Jarvis Osorio broke down Varrieur’s backyard range on Monday. Osorio offered Varrieur the free membership to Big Pine Key/OutBreak Ordnance gun range as way to end the ongoing conflicts Varrieur was having with his neighbors. ~By Timothy O’Hara Citizen Staff |
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The Moose Lodge seems like a good place to join. I’m civic minded and like to meet people but I don’t know any Moose members to sponsor me. I don’t suppose I just walk in and say I want to join; I would think that’s not the way. So what do I do? |
Gas is only $56.31 a barrel and Big Oil still wants the Keystone Pipeline? |
[Cuba] Here’s how I see it. Cuba travel and trade should be wide open. What their government does is none of our business. We’ve been f**king up other countries for as long as I can remember. If the Cuban people hated it so much they’d revolt. They revolted against a far worse dictator in 1959. Cubans don’t hate their government as much as we hate their government. America should treat Cuba as we do all other Socialist or Communist governments. What’s so different about Cuba? Why all the ruckus? |
How did I miss this for the Christmas gift giving? |
That dead guy who was mowed down by that car while riding his bike along the highway most likely would still be alive if he was riding while facing oncoming traffic. At least he would have had chance. |
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The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their TV debut today in 1966 on Britain’s “Top Of The Pops.” Check out this early UK TV appearance doing both “Hey Joe” and Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love.” Video |
[Cuba] You may have spoken to a 40 year old woman. Sweet. I don’t think she shared the whole truth. Cuba is beautiful, Cuba is poor. Cuba is many things. Most of all Cuba is an oppressive Communist country. There is no freedom. You can not do a Google, Bing, Ask.com, or any internet search on topics that the Cuban government feels inappropriate. You are allowed what the government feels is right for you. If you are a Cuban living in Cuba you can be anything the government allows you to be, nothing more. I am not qualified to take about having a child because I’m a male and will never know what having a child is like. If you have not spent some time in the real Cuba, not the one for tourist I don’t think you can comment on how OK Cuba is. As for opening up trade & travel, I’m all for it. Just don’t kid yourself, Cuba like so many countries is far from OK. |
[“Cuba gave up democracy in order to have a safe country”] I hope this guy is either insane or trying just a little too hard to be witty. This is about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. |
[“Haiku –traditional haiku consist of 17 on in three lines of 5, 7 and 5 on respectively. However, translations into other languages as well as modern Japanese haiku frequently do not follow the 3 line, 17 on tradition”] The haiku I have been sharing here are the work of major poets and are presented as translated in scholarly anthologies. Our haiku pedant binds us while disregarding Wikipedia |
Someone asked if FTR had ever been to Cuba? That brings up the larger question of has FTR ever been anywhere? Or is he afraid to leave America? When someone asked that Monday, a bell went off and I’ll bet that FTR never left the USA? Xenophobes seldom travel outside of their countries. If he did it was probably on a cruise ship or in the Army. Neither of which would give him any idea of what a foreign country is like. I’m sure that’s it. He thinks the whole world should be like America. |
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The Summerland Key post office has been designated as the most dangerous spots in the Keys at the present time. First of all you have all the “birds” in a frenzy to get their mail from up north–they park everywhere, but usually close to the front doors to avoid exercise. They are unaware of their surroundings and will turn in front of you, back into you, and run over you. They will never make eye contact so it is up to you to watch their every erratic, unpredictable move. Secondly, the road condition is a nightmare–you have to navigate several four inch bumps where the new concrete has been poured and avoid large construction vehicles pulling on and off of the highway. It is so rough it can actually pull the wheel from you hands. Keep a tight grip and try to approach at a shallow angle. Lastly, the large mail semi trucks park on the road in front of the post office because there is no where else to park. This effectively blocks you from seeing cars coming from the right. Proceed with caution and watch for more public service announcements in the near future. |
Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin! A redneck’s family tree has only one branch. Audio |
[U.S. No Longer An Actual Democracy] A new study from Princeton spells bad news for American democracy—namely, that it no longer exists. Asking “who really rules?” researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page argue that over the past few decades America’s political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy, where wealthy elites wield most power. Using data drawn from over 1,800 different policy initiatives from 1981 to 2002, the two conclude that rich, well-connected individuals on the political scene now steer the direction of the country, regardless of or even against the will of the majority of voters.
“The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy,” they write, “while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence.” As one illustration, Gilens and Page compare the political preferences of Americans at the 50th income percentile to preferences of Americans at the 90th percentile as well as major lobbying or business groups. They find that the government—whether Republican or Democratic—more often follows the preferences of the latter group rather than the first. |
[“Machine Gun America has opened in Orlando”] In 20000 I toured Cambodia and one of the attractions in the “killing fields” was shooting a .50 caliber machine gun at a dollar a pop. Another amusement they had was a torture room with the skeleton of a dead person strapped to a bed frame that was electrified. |
Those kinetic sculptures are amazing. I wish we had one in Marathon Community Park. Link |
[Camp Run-A-Muk 2015] Why should kids have all the fun? Join the National Key Deer Refuge for our 3nd Annual Camp Run-A-Muk, an outdoor adventure/nature camp for adults (+22 yrs. old) who want to get outside and learn more about what your National Wildlife Refuges have to offer. Camp Run-A-Muk is a three-day camp that will run from January 27th-29th, 9am-1pm. This camp is only open to seasonal or permanent residents of the Florida Keys who can attend all three days. Cost is a $30 donation to FAVOR, the Refuge’s friends group. Included in the cost are a kick-off breakfast, t-shirt, and kayak trip. Space is limited to 12 enthusiastic campers. Campers will be selected on a first come-first served basis. To sign up, or for more info, please contact Kristie Killam at Events |
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Cretan Date Palm, healthy and potted. It’s over six feet tall. Produces dates when mature. Little torch Key. $30. Classified Ads > Miscellaneous |
[Cuba] When can we rape, loot, pillage, and plunder? |
Fidel Castro has been considered a dictator based on several factors. – He was not elected to rule, taking power after the revolution left a power vacuum which Castro’s ready made parliament was ready to fill. the chosen Prime Minister then resigned, allowing Castro to take his place – Although elections were run periodically, Castro has won six consecutive times. the question of legitimacy is raised. – Those who were not loyal to Fidel in the early stages of his reign were executed or put in prison, much like anyone who attempts to run against the longest serving President in an election. The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation reported in June that by its count, there are currently at least 114 political prisoners in Cuban jails, up from 102 at the end of 2013. Best estimates by historians put the figure of executions of Cubans under Fidel Castro’s 55 year rein of terror at 16,000. Hardly a friendly environment to live in! . = The 23 Bill Cosby accusations are very questionable and why it is displayed in public like it is boggles the mind. Lawyers want exposure to preempt the judicial system so they have work forever and get paid ridiculous sums to prosecute or defend the accused. I would propos that any prosecuting lawyer and their accusing client be liable for costs and prison if it can be proven the accuser is fraudulent and trying to coerce the accused for financial gain. Lawyers get it from both ends and should be made to also pay costs and do the same imprisonment that the client does because they are the mouthpiece that actually controls the court interactions. The judge only ‘referees’ the bout between the contestants. A jury should also be held accountable if they find the defendant guilty and later it is proven the defendant is not guilty and the accuser has committed perjury for gain. This way people will mind their own business and the media will not preempt the courts. Link |
[Key Deer Hunting Season] I think someone should tell the Refuge folks that accuweather is issuing hunting forecast for Big Pine and our tiny Key Deer! |
[“Hunter Thompson“] There is a story about Johnny Depp staying in the basement of Hunter’s house. He was there a few days and using an ash tray on a nightstand and then found out that the base of the table was a full keg of gunpowder! I have a friend who attended a party at a writers house on Ocean Dive on Summerland Key many years ago and Hunter was there. |
[“Rich folks doing good”] How dumb are you? Where do you think those super rich billionaires got the money in the first place? From everybody else, that’s where! Bet you think a non-profit outfit is really non-profit; and religions need to be tax exempt too? Wake up. |
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The Flying Fortress was an incredible plane, but the 10 member crew were forced to fly 25 missions. They had the highest death rate of all fliers–only 2 out of 10 survived. |
[Cuba] I’m certain that Cubans love their country (except for those who risk their lives to escape in flimsy boats). How many Americans are fleeing to Cuba? |
[Spy Cams] Those cameras are mostly to make sure employees aren’t stealing from the house. |
I was in Cadiz, Spain in the late 60s in a small and ancient bar where the bartender put chalk marks in front of the customers so he could remember how many drinks each had. After I got tuned-up I went to my second-ever whore house just across the street. The old prostitute “Sssst” me through the broken louvered shutters as I walked the deserted cobblestone street. It took her so long to take off all her girdles and restraints, and I was so drunk I told her, “When you get to the good part, wake me.” She didn’t find it funny because I couldn’t speak Spanish. |
[“Cheap non-tippers”] Yes, the help does deserve your money. They have no control over the food prices or food quality, and guess what? That server is working so that they can pay their bills and rent (just imagine how costly rent is, if a “lousy cheeseburger” is $10) If you can’t afford to eat out, then don’t eat out. If you don’t like the prices, try another establishment. If you must complain, do so to the manager. Have a wonderful day in paradise. (No, I am not a server, nor do I work in a restaurant.) |
Hey FTR, Cuba isn’t yours. Go fish in your canal. |
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Paradise is always on the next island. |
[“Hunter Thompson”] Thompson used to stay at the Sugarloaf Lodge in the late 60-early 70s and for many years if you looked up Gonzo in the phone book (remember them?) you’d get Hunter’s phone number at the Sugarloaf Lodge. |
F.T.R. it is time to let up a mite, the lefties on this site as usual are slowly increasing their crescendo , can’t you just start critiquing the constitution a little , think of the peace of mind you could bestow on some of these children, just agree a bit when they tell you America is a joke and the founding fathers were all a bunch of crooks, and those mean cops are all just a hate filled bunch of bigots, you must remember with their present state of ideology and some of the facts you post, their fragile belief system can completely regress, then we will have a segment of our population in dire need of more cradle to the grave care, which just drains more from real hard working Americans. |
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Yesterday’s CT had a couple of criticisms of this Olde Farte which are worth comment.
One critic accused me of being a xenophobe. The poster does not know the meaning of the word. Webster’s defines xenophobe as: “one unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin.” I have no quarrel with or fear of the Cuban people. I do not fear the Cuban government. But I do despise Cuban political leaders and their form of government. I despise them and it because they have enslaved the governed and have robbed them of their freedom, of their possibility of excellence. I despise the Cuban government because of its refusal to free the thousands of persons who are imprisoned. I despise them for harboring murderous fugitive American terrorists. Thousands are imprisoned for speaking out against their government. In Cuba, the Coconut Telegraph could not exist. It is because of communism and the Brothers Castro that Cuba is a backwater state, dependent on the largess of foreign governments to feed their citizens. PART 2) Another critic decried my statement that Obama does not respect the police. That critic offered quotes from Obama in support of the police that he/she believes disproves my statement. Obama’s words that the critic quoted were a part of a carefully crafted written statement issued by his PR team from Hawaii on December 21st, immediately after the assassination of two NYC police officers. The words were carefully crafted, designed to present a false face and narrative to America. Obama had to issue those words to avoid a firestorm of negative feelings from America and a hurricane of bad press. Those words are hollow words and nothing more than craven platitudes. The evidence of Obama’s disdain and distrust of police is abundant and crystal clear. Obama’s unrehearsed and off the cuff statements prove the point. Those statements are spontaneous and without deliberation. Thus they are convincing evidence of his actual beliefs. In one of his early memorable spontaneous utterances on the issue he declared that the police were “stupid” in arresting a Harvard professor who had refused to answer police questions and then created a disturbance. The police had encountered the professor when they suspected that he was a prowler or burglar. In another instance Obama took to the airwaves shortly after the death of Trayvon Martin, and announced that “if I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.” He expanded the thought by saying: “When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids.” He further personalized the death by saying: “that could have been me 35 years ago.” It is obvious that that the president surrendered to his political instincts. He wants disadvantaged Americans to believe that he and his family are one of them — despite their life of unparalleled privilege — and he wanted the prosecutors, judge and jury to believe that this was a case about race and police prejudice where justice demanded a guilty verdict. Obama has decided that Al Sharpton, racist extraordinaire, is qualified to be his advisor on racial matters. Sharpton, early on entered the Martin fray and stoked the fires of racial divide. He said: “We cannot allow a legal precedent to be established in this city that tells us it is legal for a man to kill us, tell any story he wants, and walks out with the murder weapon.” Obama acted true to form, he acted like a “race baiter,” rushing in to politicize the death of a young black man and stoking the fires of race hate. Obama has been curiously silent about any deaths of whites at the hand of the police. He has been curiously silent about criticizing police for any alleged misconduct against any whites, Latinos or Asians. Obama and Sharpton’s efforts have worked. Immediately after Zimmerman was acquitted by a jury of his peers, riots and looting ensured in Sanford and around the nation. Obama’s Justice Department, Attorney General Eric Holder, opened an investigation, of which we have heard nothing for 2 ½ years. Then there was Ferguson Mo., and the death of Michael Brown. Brown was shot by a Ferguson Mo. officer who was attempting to arrest him. Brown assaulted the officer. When the Grand Jury refused to indict the officer, looting and rioting broke out. Obama said: “There are Americans who agree with it (the No True Bill) and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It’s an understandable reaction.” Deer Friends, anger and rioting are not an “understandable reaction” that the officer was not indicted. The facts clearly showed that Brown had assaulted the officer and was in the process of reinitiating assault when the officer shot him. Thereafter, at a black tie dinner Obama validated the looters by saying: “Too many young men of color feel targeted by law enforcement — guilty of walking while black or driving while black, judged by stereotypes that fuel fear and resentment and hopelessness.” He added: “Most Americans” believe America is racist.” He announced that: “…… it is reality that in many communities around the country, a gulf of mistrust exists between local residents and law enforcement.” Again Obama ordered a Justice Department investigation, we have heard nothing further about it. In the NYC death of Eric Garner while resisting arrest, Obama again interjected himself into a local criminal justice matter. Garners death and the subsequent Grand Jury No True Bill against the involved police officers sparked riots and looting in NYC and in many venues across America. Obama remarked that “And right now, unfortunately, we are seeing too many instances where people just do not have confidence that folks are being treated fairly. And in some cases, those may be misperceptions; but in some cases, that’s a reality.” Obama further opined: “….(it) is the concern on the part of too many minority communities that law enforcement is not working with them and dealing with them in a fair way.” Obama failed to comment on the fact that a Grand Jury comprised of fourteen white members and nine non-white members, at least five of whom were black, had decided that the Garner police officers committed no crime. But Sharpton, Obama’s racial advisor, stoked the fires of riot and looting. Rioting and looting ensued. Police officers were assaulted. Obama again ordered a Justice Department investigation. We have heard nothing further. I can find no reports of Mr. Obama specifically condemning the chant “What do we want…..dead cops. When do we want them…..right now.” Perhaps you are not aware that the number of cops murdered while on duty increased by 28% in 2014. Just since October, 16 cops have been murdered. Why have we not heard of any initiative on the part of the Obama administration to convince the black community that the police are there to protect and serve all, black, white, or striped. Why is there no Obama initiative to encourage black youths to partner with police? Why is there no initiative from the administration to shield blacks from the tsunami of black on black crime? What was Obama’s knee jerk reaction to the rash of deaths of offenders? To require cops to wear body cameras. What do you think, do you think that suggestion was to protect the cops or the offenders? |