Editor’s Note: Every Saturday morning, we take a break from hard news to let Hermina Hermelinda Obregon, a.k.a. Miss Mingo, share her insights with readers. She’s a recovering newspaper reporter living in a bungalow off Duval Street in Key West. At least that’s what her official biography says, if you can believe that. She answers the day’s pressing questions about life, the news, and the best happy hour prices.
Dear Readers:
Last week, we discussed the horror some feel when confronted with red-hat-wearing MAGA cultists. In response, I received this video from Debbie P., who turned me onto this country protest anthem by musician Jack Nelson entitled Red Hat.
It tells the story of a small-town guy who has finally had it with Trump’s division and deceit, and decides to burn his red hat to set himself free.
And, yes, it is perfectly legal to burn those red hats. Be sure to tell your Republican friends. It’s the least we can do to save democracy.
Here’s the video:
DEAR MISS MINGO:
Cool video. Thanks. But do you think asking Republicans we know to burn their stupid red hats will do any good?
Hopeful in Hialeah
Dear Hopeful:
Who knows? Might be worth a try. You can always just forward this video to them via email or post it on your own social media accounts. The more cultists who see things like this, the more comfortable they might be in abandoning Trump’s sinking ship.
One more thought on that: A lot of people who have voted for Trump in the past did so because they have been lifelong Republicans and just couldn’t see their way clear to voting for a Democrat. Old habits die hard and all that.
They really don’t have to. Tell them that. Just urge them to stay home on election day. If enough Republicans sit this out, maybe the G.O.P. will come to its senses. Maybe.
DEAR MISS MINGO:
I dig your vibe and live for your column. Please continue.
Young and Broke in Tampa
I shall continue. Thank you. And let me add that I, too, at one point in my life, was in your boat — young and broke in Tampa.
I had a job, thankfully, but my car wouldn’t start, and I couldn’t afford to repair it, so I bicycled four miles to and from work every day, leaving home at 4 a.m., wheeling along Bayshore Boulevard, rain or shine (well, there was no sun that time of morning).
I couldn’t afford to pay my electric bill, so I ran an extension cord over to my neighbor’s unit at the duplex where I was living. Was always behind on my rent. But what I never lost was confidence that things would improve.
I was also blessed with having a job I really loved at a newspaper that no longer exists. I outlived the Tampa Times, and I’m still pecking away at my keyboard.
Stay strong. Don’t give up. You’re not alone. You can do this!
DEAR MISS MINGO:
Whoa! That must have been some sight—a flamingo on a bicycle!
Laughing Leonard in Lakeland
Dear Laughing:
Which reminds me of that joke, Leonard: Women need men, like fish need bicycles. But, just for the record because Truth and Accuracy are my middle names, I AM NOT ACTUALLY A BIRD. Okay?
DEAR MISS MINGO:
Miss Truth and Accuracy Mingo? Hahahaha.
Still Laughing in Lakeland
Dear Still Laughing:
You need help. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest mental health facility. Or bicycle, if you know how to pedal. Please.
DEAR MISS MINGO:
I’ll bet you were tempted to write: Women need Leonards like fish need bicycles, weren’t you?
Snickering in Sarasota
Dear Snickering:
I’ll be honest, yes, it crossed my mind. But only for a moment because I instantly realized how unfair that would be to all the decent Leonards out there. We must always take care not to overgeneralize. One bad Leonard does not mean all are bad.
In fact, through my friend Alexander Strange, I've met a very nice Leonard. He’s a judge and lives in Phoenix (and is Alex’s uncle). He’s actually been featured in several of the books in the Strange Files series. He’s quite a character.
DEAR MISS MINGO:
Whoa! Was that a cheap commercial message disguised as an actual comment from a reader?
Disturbed in Dunedin
Dear Disturbed:
That is a horrible thing to accuse an innocent flamingo of! You should be ashamed. But, yes.
Got a question for Miss Mingo? About life, the news, or clever ways to avoid paying bar tabs? Write to her at MissMingo@Tropic.Press
Want to know more about Miss Mingo? How she got her start? And whether she really lives with two cats—Deadline and Dateline—and a pet iguana named Skippy? You can find her official biography, such as it is, here. If you’re bar hopping on Duval Street in Key West and spot an intriguing woman in a pink hat that you suspect might be Miss Mingo, you can always offer to buy her a Cuba Libre. Will it actually be her? Is there an actual her? Life’s a mystery.
And now, some more shameless advertising…
The official Tropic Press Store is now open and ready for business. You can order your very own Miss Mingo merch online. All sales are final. Check out the store here:
Editor’s Note:
Congratulations to Miss Mingo, who recently won the Florida Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine State Award for Best Blog and Newsletter.
You can support her work by subscribing to the Tropic Press newsletter (and, honestly, we need the help if you choose to become a paid subscriber, because her bar tab is killing us).