Category: Uncategorized

#AloneTogether

* The very first vaccine—for smallpox—was administered in 1796.

* Louisiana Republican Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, is the highest-ranking politician to die of COVID-19.

* COVID reality: Protocols notwithstanding, how often passengers with COVID-19 board planes is impossible to know. Perhaps enforcing mask mandates with steep fines and/or reckless endangerment arrests would help.

* The Florida weekly case average: approximately 12,700 per day—including the recent recording of 17,000 cases, the largest, single-day increase for Florida.

* Women continue to outpace men in receiving the vaccination.

* December was the deadliest month of the 2020 pandemic in the U.S.: 77,000 died. The second deadliest month was April: 58,000.

* TIA received $81.2 million from the initial Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Act. It spent more than half of that to offset losses and debt. TIA now awaits details of the new $900 million coronavirus relief and stimulus package. Airports nationwide will receive $2 billion in U.S. Department of Treasury grants—to be used for anything from staffing to sanitation to paying down debt.

* COVID-19: Now the leading killer of law enforcement officers in Florida.

Tampa Bay

* No need to check out neighborhood apps to confirm that New Year’s Eve was unnecessarily loud. And if you have a family with a PTSD-scarred veteran or a vulnerable pet that “celebrates” by cowering under couches and beds, you know that noisome noisemaking into the wee hours should no longer get a holiday pass. For context: Aesthetic, colorful, fireworks displays can be cool and a galvanizing community celebration. Thoughtless and inconsiderate noisemaking, however, has nothing to do with that. Our vets and pets—and the rest of us—deserve better.

* Holiday oxymoron: New Year’s Eve and code enforcement.

* “The test for the mainstream media is our ability to turn away from Trump even if he remains a potent audience draw.”–Frank Bruni, New York Times.

* That annus horribilis is now behind us. But pandemic memories will live on. But for all those who understandably would like to forget it, this ironic footnote: At 12:01 a.m. on January 1, for the first time ever, hindsight was actually 2020.

* Seven of the 10 top-rated TV programs of 2020 were NFL telecasts. The three non-NFL programs: episodes of “The Masked Singer,” a reality singing-competition series.

* Not that the Bucs need reminding, but nine wild-card teams have won Super Bowls. And having to play on the post-season road has never mattered less with stadiums of socially-distanced home fans. But, yes, Green Bay can still be brutal in January.

* The decision to bring in 43-year-old Tom Brady—40 TD passes and a resultant 11-5 record—was, as we’ve now seen, spot on. The Bucs are back in the playoffs with the highest scoring offense in team history.

* Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes $9.3 million a year. That’s the kind of number that reminds us that network-enriched NCAA football and basketball has morphed into the collegiate sports industrial complex. And it adds credence to the argument of those who advocate compensating players beyond scholarships, room and board.

* Canada, of course, is still the country with the most NHL players. The country with the second most: Sweden.

* Even without Nikita Kucherov, the Bolts should make the NHL playoffs in defense of their Stanley Cup. Without Charlie Morton and Blake Snell, the Rays won’t make the MLB playoffs in defense of their American League pennant.

* “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”–Rays General Manager Erik Neander.

* “The U.S. would not be a society divided into insulated winners and angry losers had it not believed its own rhetoric about the unimpeachable virtues of its liberal capitalist system after the collapse of the Soviet Union.”–Pankaj Mishra, author of “Age of Anger: A History of the Present.”

* “The United States has become a values-free international actor under a president who has led a values-free life.”–Roger Cohen, New York Times.

* “We accept the results of the Electoral College and ask that you bless President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.”–Senate chaplain Barry Black.

* “Further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election are contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people and only serve to undermine Americans’ confidence in the already determined election results.”–Statement from a bipartisan group of 10 senators, including Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mitt Romney of Utah.

* “(Trump’s) so unspooled—and so unable to come to terms with losing—that he’s willing to try torching democracy to soothe himself.”--Timothy O’Brien, author of “TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald.”

* “The scheme by members of Congress to reject the certification of the presidential election makes a mockery of our system and who we are as Americans.”–Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

* “These Republicans in the Senate seem to have an endless tolerance for other people’s sadness.”–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

* “She is reduced to hollering about socialism. Perhaps with an eye on 2024, Nikki Haley figures nonsensical accusations are the way to gain favor in her intellectually vacant party.”–Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post.

* “I think it’s very hard to get back to to the way things were. … But if any president can make headway in this era of gall and grievance, it’s Biden. He was elected to soothe rather than stir, plod rather than strut, and by all appearances so far, he understands that.”–Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney.

* “President-elect Biden is a legislator by avocation, by training, by instinct, by experience in a way that former President Obama was not.”–Republican consultant Michael Steel, former adviser to GOP House Speaker John Boehner.

* “In March, we asked you to stay home to help us save lives. Now we are asking you to get vaccinated. … When you are called, please say yes.”–Dr. Joan Bregstein, attending physician in the department of emergency medicine at Columbia University.

* “COVID-19 restrictions are not like a diet. We can’t skip a day of following the plan and make up for it the next.”–Connie Schultz, Creators.Com.

* “I see promise in the year ahead, and not just on COVID-19. I think we also have a chance to make concrete progress on another major global challenge: climate change. There are a number of reasons—including a United Nations summit hosted by the U.K.–to believe that 2021 can be an important year in the effort to avoid a climate disaster.”–Bill Gates.

* “David Jolly may never be in office because the system is set up to block independent runs. But it’s an indictment of our system if an independent isn’t viable. Florida is exactly the forum where an independent candidate should be viable.”–Former Florida Republican Congressman David Jolly, who left the GOP in a public split over allegiance to Donald Trump.

* “Leadership rises to the top when you’re in trouble, and in Florida we’re in trouble. I’ll continue to listen to the people, and I’ll see where it takes me. I’m excited about the future in Florida.”–Florida Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings, who was vetted for vice president and is a target for speculation about a U.S. Senate or gubernatorial run next year.

* “If you are 65 and older, you are going to get access to this (vaccine)). It may not be today for everyone, may not be next week. But over the next many weeks, as long as we continue getting the supply, you’re going to have the opportunity to get this.”–Gov. Ron DeSantis.

* “For the arts, I see a steady return of our audiences as comfort level grows. There will be an appreciation for gathering as a community for live performance that hasn’t been seen since before the digital age.”–Susan Crockett, president and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall.

* “In this Tampa Bay market region, it’s going to be a continuation of peak demand. I think you’re going to see home values increase—from what I’m reading, it could be upwards of 20 percent.”–Jennifer Motsinger, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

* “I don’t see any layoffs coming in Tampa, but every local government will have to deal with revenue cuts.”–Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder.

“A Republic, if you can keep it.”

* We’ve all heard the scenarios for Trump’s post-Inauguration agenda. They unsurprisingly center on his “brand.” From a Trump Moscow hotel and media empire to a political monarchy and a 2024 campaign reboot.

His classless, temper-tantrum exit is, in part, a narcissistic knee-jerk response to losing. The other part is orchestration. In whatever manifestation, Trump will be lurking–and looking to undermine the Biden Administration on everything from a COVID-ambushed economy and “socialism” to “exoneration” on Russian election help and the need for environmental deregulation, immigration limits, a completed border wall, as well as law-and-order edicts, racist dog whistles and “America First” unilateralism. Plus, Hunter Biden slander, “fake news” excoriations, more money advocated for stimulus checks, and credit for his pardons—from unscrupulous felons of fealty and the sleazy father of his son in law to murdering mercenaries. It’s the Trump version of: “If you support me and our great country, I’ve got your back. And, BTW, I’m the one who wanted $2,000 stimulus checks for our great Americans—not that disgraceful $600.”

And it hardly hurts that the Trump/GOP blitz of fund-raising raked in serious 9 figures since Election Day. More than $60 million of that has gone to a new PAC that Trump will control after he, finally, leaves office.

* “Fabulous” is how Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin described the bipartisan $900 billion stimulus deal. President Trump called it a “disgrace.” Speaking of disgraces, Mnuchin’s belittlement and blindsiding are nothing new or shocking. Ask Rex Tillerson or Mark Esper or Jeff Sessions or … .

* Imagine, in the tragic and convoluted context of a pandemic, “government shutdown” is still part of the conversation.

* New Year’s resolutions we’ll never see:

^“Country first.”–Republican Party.

^“Let’s put aside partisan politics and help the new administration help all Americans. We’re all in this together.”–Former President Donald Trump.

^“Here’s hoping the new administration does more in the Middle East than make weapons sales to Arab autocrats with under-the-radar ties to Israel. But please remember, I’m still available to help out in actually advancing peace and actually helping the Palestinians; remember them?”–Jared Kushner.

* Historic tandem:Kamala Harris will make history as the first female (and notably of color) vice president. Moreover, by leaving her California senate seat, she opened up an opportunity for her successor, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. A child of Mexican immigrants, Padilla has been appointed Harris’ successor by Gov. Gavin Newsom. He will become California’s first Latino senator—still somewhat surprising in a state with a population that is 40 percent Hispanic.

* Obviously there’s a lot riding on the Georgia senatorial run-off races. It’s encouraging that the two Democratic candidates, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnook, have raised more than $100 million apiece over the last two months, according to the Federal Election Commission. Their GOPster counterparts, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, have raised about a third less. Yes, money and politics is not exactly a democratic ideal. But in this pragmatic, political universe, fund-raising means credibility and support—and often the difference between winning and losing. Go, Jon and Rev. Ralph.

* “If the president is serious about the $2,000 direct payments, he must call on House Republicans to end their obstruction.”–House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

#AloneTogether

* More than 800,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week—roughly quadruple the pre-pandemic level.

* “There are no risk-free choices. A choice not to get a vaccine is not a risk-free choice—it’s a choice to take a different and more serious risk of getting infected from the virus itself.”–Tampa physician Minal Ahson, one of the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

* The national debt: $27.5 trillion.

* “A surge upon a surge.”–Dr. Anthony Fauci’s warning to Americans about a potential jump in COVID cases after the holidays.

* Needle phobia update: According to a study by the University of Michigan, roughly 16 percent of adult patients avoided the flu vaccine because of a fear of needles. And nearly 27 percent of hospital employees passed on the vaccinations for the same reason.

* “It’s time to move on.”–That was sycophantic televangelist Pat Robertson’s belated advice to Trump. He had previously backed Trump’s claims of voter fraud. And lest we forget, Robertson declared before the election that God had told him Trump would win. Either Robertson lied or God needs serious PR help.

* Ultimate holiday gift: “For newspaper editors, cable TV produces and reporters, a moratorium on coverage of the 45^th president—unless he is indicted.”–Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post.

* Sports Illustrated’s “Game of the Year” is the Rays’ dramatic comeback, 8-7 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series. The one where Randy Arozarena slid home for the stunning win. Moreover, SI’s “Play of the Year” went to the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos for his highlight goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Dallas. It was Stamkos’ first—and only—post-season appearance.

* USF women’s basketball: Now ranked in AP’s Top 20. Go, Bulls.

* The NHL will allow advertising on players’ helmets this season, as teams cope with lost revenue. That’s understandable. But, no, it won’t look like NASCAR.

* Bad news that Nikita Kucherov, the leading scorer and a key offensive catalyst in the Lightning’s success, will miss the 2021 regular season. It could be worse. The Bolts should make the playoffs, and Kuch should be ready by then. That could be very energizing. Plus, it’s a lot easier to deal with such a potentially devastating injury when you’re still celebrating the Stanley Cup.

* It wouldn’t be Christmas, arguably, without a full slate—noon to 10:30 p.m.) of (five) NBA games. Don’t players, if not networks and sponsors, deserve better? Speaking of priorities, it’s a reminder that during non-pandemic seasons, the NHL has a policy of no games on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Priorities, such as players and their families, still matter.

* The Associated Press’ male athlete of the year is—for the fourth time—LeBron James. Well-earned—again. Moreover, the honor also honors, more importantly, his high-profile impact off the basketball court. He’s spoken out effectively on behalf of “Black Lives Matter” and his “More Than A Vote” organization brought in more than 42,000 volunteers to work at polling stations in November–and helped some former felons earn back their voting rights.

* “Joe Biden, it seems to me, knows Ukraine better than the previous president.”–Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine.

* “China is definitely an adversary, but it isn’t really an ideological competitor the way the Soviet Union was. … China’s ruling ideology is much better understood as nationalistic, with bits of oligarchy, aristocracy, racism and imperialism thrown in.”–Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch.

* We are all in the same boat.”–Pope Francis, in emphasizing unity among people during his Christmas message.

* “This is exciting for Mike Pence, getting vaccinated is the only time mother ever does shots with him.”–Late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel.

* “(Trump) will be astounded at how irrelevant a president becomes after losing re-election. Ask Jimmy Carter. Ask George H.W. Bush.”–Presidential historian Michael Beschloss.

* “The head of the student council in your middle school was elected by a popular vote. I know it’s an old-fashioned notion, but the most fundamental democratic value is that all votes would count equally.”–Harvard historian Alexander Keyssar, the author of “Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College?”

* “This wall is the largest impediment to wildlife movement we’ve ever seen in this part of the world. It’s altering the evolutionary history of North America.”–Biologist Myles Traphagen of the Wildlands Network, in reference to crews working on a border wall section in San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge near Guadalupe Canyon in Arizona.

* “What I know now is that I will not allow the world to make a big difference in me. That’s what’s incredibly important. I’m not going to let the fact that I live in a nation with a bunch of fools make a fool out of me.”–Author and poet Nikki Giovanni.

* “While Republicans have made the political calculation that they must cough up some money while control of the Senate is still in doubt, they’re clearly getting ready to invoke fear of budget deficits as a reason to block anything and everything Biden proposes once he’s finally sworn in.”–Nobel economist Paul Krugman.

* “Trumpism is a specifically American iteration of generic fascism. … ‘America First’ is actually a retread of an isolationist, pro-Nazi slogan from the 1930s. … The truth is fascists are passing as patriots, and they must be challenged.”–Veteran Republican strategist Mac Stipanovich, now a NPA.

* “I think it’s very hard to get back to the way things were. … If you have 70 percent of Republicans thinking that Biden stole the election, that’s a hard hole to dig out of.”–Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney.

* “(Mike Pence) is clearly continuing to try to stay in Trump’s good graces as well as court the GOP’s wing nut base in order to keep his political future alive.”–Joan Walsh, The Nation.

* “The truth is, members of Congress are getting the vaccine because it’s the law. … The very folks who downplayed the virus, partied maskless at the White House and called the coronavirus a hoax created to hurt President Donald Trump are getting the vaccine ahead of front-line and essential workers, and even vulnerable residents in long-term care facilities.”–Petula Dvorak, Washington Post.

* “Leaders eat last; it’s one of the first lessons a soldier learns as early as basic training.”–Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, in criticizing members of Congress for cutting in line to get vaccinated.

* “Walmart knew that its distribution centers were using an inadequate system for detecting and reporting suspicious orders.”–Jason Dunn, the U.S. attorney in Colorado, on the Justice Department’s suit against Walmart that accuses it of fueling the nation’s opioid crisis by pressuring its pharmacies to fill even potentially suspicious prescriptions for the powerful pain-killers.

* “The Confederacy is a symbol of Virginia’s racist and divisive history, and it is past time we tell our story with images of perseverance, diversity and inclusion.”–Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, in announcing the removal of a state of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington.

* “The 2020 (hurricane) season (June 1 to Nov. 30) was the busiest on record, and I’ve urged the federal government to lengthen the season to better capture the increase in activity.”–Florida Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy.

* “The vaccines are going to be targeted where the risk is going to be greatest, and that’s in our elderly population. We are not going to put young, healthy workers ahead of our elderly, vulnerable population.”–Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

* “The few businesses in the community who aren’t good citizens have to be addressed.”–Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, as Tampa code enforcement officers began enforcing the county’s orders on mask use and bans of dance floor crowds.

* “Really? Are we really going to have that discussion? It’s amazing to me.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, in response to those who say they have a right to go dancing.

* I think the history-making nature of this appointment, combined with his 41-year career in the military, makes him the perfect choice for this.”–Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, on President-elect Biden’s choice of retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III, the former commander of the U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, as secretary of defense. Austin, the first black commander of Central Command, would also be the first black defense secretary.

* “I loved every minute of it. I could do it 24 hours a day. … I had an appointment every 15 to 20 minutes with whoever wanted to come. We got so much done.”–Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, reflecting on his City Hall years.