Category: Uncategorized

* “Not just the (Jan. 6 Capitol) rioters, but also the planners should go to jail.”–Eugene Robinson, Washington Post.

* “The (Democratic Party’s) liabilities lie in undemocratic electoral institutions such as the Electoral College, the structure of the Senate (where underpopulated states have an obscene amount of power that should be unacceptable in any democracy), gerrymandered state and federal legislative districts in many states, and recent political demographic trends—the concentration of Democratic votes in cities—that favor Republicans.”–Steven Levitsky, professor of government at Harvard University.

* “We live in a world where students huddle under their desks in active-shooter drills, but conservatives are concerned that learning about race might make them uncomfortable. … A world where kids go to school with bulletproof backpacks, but conservatives think books have gotten out of hand.”–Leonard Pitts, Miami Herald.

* “Climate change is sometimes misunderstood as being about changes in the weather. In reality, it is about changes in our very way of life.”–Former Unilever CEO Paul Polman.

* “How we respond to this (academic freedom) challenge will define our university for years to come.”–University of Florida Faculty Senate Chairman David Bloom.

* “We had a very productive conversation with Mayor Castor and her team about the creation of a neighborhood ballpark in Ybor City.”–Tampa Bay Rays’ statement.

* “Baseball’s a business, and it’s up to the Rays to determine if the split season is a viable business model.”–Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

This week the U.S. is hosting an America-is-back “Summit for Democracy” with 110 other countries. It is, of course, virtual, which has an upside: There wouldn’t be enough space for the elephant in the room—even without Russia and China. While the U.S. is charting a comeback course as the ultimate democracy leader in a world that craves one like never before, the recent pre-Biden iteration and the international lens are not what they used to be.

The U.S. is now seen by too many as a country whose principles seem sadly shy of unassailable, even bordering on hypocritical. It’s what happens when you’ve enabled four years of an unconscionable, existential-threat, authoritarian president, given voice to white nationalism, played the geopolitical isolationist card, disdained climate change, emboldened xenophobia, encouraged voter suppression, prioritized politics over sane gun control and allowed the world to view the awful optics of a democratic insurrection at America’s Capitol. And that cult-figure, Mussolini wannabe–hardly what the Founding Fathers had in mind for a president–still lingers with lethal leverage, still making the case for a fraudulent vote count in America’s manifestly vulnerable electoral system.

The reality, however, is that the U.S. is still the world’s best hope. No one else could credibly host this summit. Wealth, power, impact and ideals matter. The onus is on President Joe Biden to remind and convince the world—and Americans—that America is, indeed, building back better.

The societal response to date of potential shooter red flags has been tantamount to a white flag. From Columbine High to Sandy Hook Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and now Oxford High. After the shock, outrage, finger-pointing and mourning are over, we go back to our gun culture.

What have we learned since Columbine? How about it’s not nearly enough to conduct “active-shooter drills?” That’s PR and damage control—not real pro-active prevention. Why not “If you see something, say something and then, dammit, do something”? Especially if it’s your kid? Had the parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, Adam Lanza, Nikolas Cruz and Ethan Crumbley been something other than clueless, careless, negligent manslaughter enablers and de facto accomplices, horrific tragedies could have been averted. And, yes, we’re still stuck with a Second Amendment somehow equating 21^st century assault weapons with an 18^th century militia-and-muskets era.

* What an appropriate–and well-earned–White House tribute this has been for the late Republican Sen. Bob Dole. From the half-staff flying of the flags from the White House, public buildings, military posts and naval stations to those on naval vessels, embassies and consular offices. Dole hearkened back to a time when being a Republican didn’t mean white nationalism and being a Democrat didn’t mean a demonized, ideological “socialist.”

A wounded World War II hero, Dole, 98, was an avatar of the Greatest Generation. He could put self-serving, pure partisanship aside and credibly advocate for country first. Witty and self-deprecating, he was dedicated to public service. He was an American patriot, back when that term was at its most meaningful. He was an American political leader, back when that meant more than party-first hack.

* Word is that Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has told colleagues and donors that Senate GOPsters won’t be releasing a legislative agenda before next year’s mid-terms. In short, when your party is out of power, the mid-terms are solely a referendum on what the other side has done for the last two years. In other words, it’s not about Republican plans and programs, it’s about Biden & Co., “socialism” and “critical race theories.”

* The House and Senate passed the spending bill. The bar is embarrassingly low when a major Congressional accomplishment is a stop-gap bill that avoids a shut-down of the government.

* “I pull for him every day. I pray for him every night.”–Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. Kentucky and West Virginia still have a lot in common.

* “Build Back Better”? Will its passage be a stocking-stuffer Christmas present? Joe Manchin doesn’t seem well cast as Santa’s helper.

* The Economist forecasts inflation next year at 4.1 percent. That’s lower than the 6.1 percent for 2021—but still twice that (2 percent) targeted by the Fed.

* At least 30 countries, including the U.S., have detected the omicron variant.

* Omicron has more than 50 mutations. Experts stress that the COVID vaccine is still the best defense against severe illness or hospitalization.

* “Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it. But we have really got to be careful.”–Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, on the omicron variant.

* The delta variant: Not pandemically yesterday yet.

*89 percent of Floridians 65 and older have been vaccinated.

* In Hillsborough County, 64 percent of eligible residents—5 and up—have been vaccinated.

* “When there’s an oil spill off of Louisiana, that oil is still going to end up on Florida beaches.”–Valerie Cleveland, spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defense Council, on the literal ripple effects of inadequate enforcement of drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

* State-funded political errand. The taxpayer-funded cost of Gov. Ron DeSantis sending Florida law enforcement officers and equipment to the Texas southern border for seven weeks is $1.6 million—and counting. Yet another example of the price exacted to maintain a national profile until 2024.

* Tampa recently received (again) a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide assessment of cities’ commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in laws, policies and services. “In Tampa, we celebrate Pride every day of the year by being a city that recognizes its diversity as one of its strongest assets.”–Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

* The Read-Out: Tampa is properly recognized for its up-to-date and innovative public library system. It’s savvy in how it keeps up with evolving technology by providing access to movies, magazines, recordings and classes. A recent check-out receipt at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library even underscores its marketing chops. “Total items: 1. Title: ‘Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath.’” Then the bottom line: “You just saved $40.00 by using your library. You have saved $2,248.47 this past year and $4,843.01 since you began using the library.”

* Talk about a perfect storm: Coronavirus, delta, omicron, anti-vaxxers and E-Scooters.

* Facebook has a monthly threat report that underscores how social media is an active battlefield where governments and various parties continue efforts to manipulate public opinion. What else it underscores: There’s no rebottling this genie.

* Billboard Barristers: Two juxtaposed marketing approaches on I-275 in St. Petersburg. “SIZE MATTERS,” according to Morgan & Morgan, and the Berlin Law Firm’s “BIGGER isn’t BETTER—BETTER IS BETTER.” Advantage Berlin.

* I still miss Mad Magazine.

* So why is abbreviation such a long word? Maybe it was invented by the same person who came up with semi-private and jumbo shrimp.

* Inflation update: It’s now, in effect, the Dollar and a Quarter Tree.

* The Bucs own this one. Due diligence is still overdue on Antonio Brown. He’s a big-time talent with a well-chronicled problematic past. There are reasons why other teams have parted ways with him. But he was vetted by Tom Brady and was a major contributor to last year’s Super Bowl championship.

So, where do you draw the line? Temper tantrums, assault charges. Stuff happens, even to elite wideouts. But how about a counterfeit vaccination card? That’s a premeditated deception that puts others at potential risk. It’s lying to your franchise, teammates and coaches. We know that head coach Bruce Arians, a three-time cancer survivor, is “pissed.” So, presumably, is the NFL, which suspended Brown (and teammate, safety Mike Edwards) for three games.

Will the Bucs bring either one back for another playoff run? Right now, they’re not saying, which probably says volumes.

* Perspective: This time last year the Super Bowl-champions-to-be Bucs were 7-5; this year they’re 9-3.

* In 1997 Steve Spurrier was paid $2 million a year by the University of Florida. Game on.

* “A talent-acquisition business.”–How new UF football coach Billy Napier described college coaching.

* “If you equate it to college education, it’s insane. If you equate it to business, it makes sense.”–Jackie Sherrill, retired Texas A&M football coach and athletic director, on the soaring salaries for college football coaches.

* Hispoor Jacksonville start notwithstanding, Urban Meyer says he’s staying put, for now, in the National Football League. Steve Spurrier (Washington), Lou Holtz (New York Jets) and Nick Saban (Miami) faced the same dilemma—and then pivoted back to the college ranks after disappointing NFL experiences.

* Another bowl game could still be added to this season’s lineup. That would make it 42. Remember when a bowl invite symbolized a reward for an especially good season? Now not even a winning record is a requirement. No wonder they have names like the Cheez-It Bowl.

* Yo, Philly. No surprise that late in the Lightning’s 7-1 rout of the Flyers in Philadelphia, the crowd was voicing its disapproval. “What’s left of the crowd is booing,” pointed out Bolt’s play-by-play announcer Dave Randorf. Flyers’ management also voiced its disapproval by firing head coach Alain Vigneault shortly thereafter.