Author: opinionstogo

* Any non-MAGA economist would affirm that Trump’s war of choice in Iran is already amounting to another—in addition to the tariff-related—tax on America’s working class. That and a pattern of notable political flipping should bode well for the mid-terms. However, pre-election data, we should know by now, doesn’t win elections. Grass-roots efforts, turn-out, no unforced errors and appealing, notably strong populist candidates still do. Let’s not forget: In 2012, Barack Obama won voters making less than $50,000 a year by 22 points. It wasn’t a referendum on woke pronouns. In 2024, Trump won those voters by 2 points.

* Getting older: When was the last time you watched Saturday Night Live live?

* Remembering that there is something that you have forgotten. Just doesn’t seem fair.

* For the pun of it:

>The first nudist convention received little coverage.

>The person who invented rope built a huge hempire.

* In cases of emergency–warfare or pandemic, for example–non-essential personnel are often excused. It’s surely appreciated. But is that “non-essential” categorization otherwise demoralizing?

* I love Andy Borowitz’s acerbic humor, but was taken aback by a recent piece on Pete Hegseth, the offensive, hard-drinking punk running aground the Department of Defense. It was, surprisingly, all detailed criticism sans satire. It was, ironically, sobering.

* “Blessed are the peacemakers.” That was then. And now more than ever.

 

 

* The Governor went through with his redistricting plan by sending it to the Legislature for red rubber-stamping. But he added personal insult to partisan injury by first giving a head’s up to Fox News.

* We remember the Fair Districts Amendment. Didn’t Florida voters ban partisan gerrymandering? Yes, that’s a rhetorical question.

But there’s still a viable response to such heavy-handed attempts at intimidation regardless of red-lined demographics. The best way to counter such gerrymandering is via an objectively informed electorate that votes in its own ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST.

* Lakeland-based Avelo Airlines recently celebrated its 5^th anniversary. When it debuted, it became the first new airline in the U.S. in nearly 15 years. It serves eight U.S. destinations plus San Juan, PR.

* “If the election were tonight,” we’d win.”—Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly.

 

* Yes, the cross-Bay, Tampa-to-St. Pete ferry service is returning—and will be daily. Yes, overland mess transit is still with us. Thanks again, Rick Scott.

* Look who’s coming back to the news cycle: Tampa’s Pam Bondi, the disgraced former Attorney General who morphed from sycophant to scapegoat. She will be testifying later this month before the House Oversight Committee about her role in releasing, so to speak, the Epstein files. She likely has her cue cards ready.

 

 

 

* Yes, the cross-Bay, Tampa-to-St. Pete ferry service is returning—and will be daily. Yes, overland mess transit is still with us. Thanks again, Rick Scott.

* Look who’s coming back to the news cycle: Tampa’s Pam Bondi, the disgraced former Attorney General who morphed from sycophant to scapegoat. She will be testifying later this month before the House Oversight Committee about her role in releasing, so to speak, the Epstein files. She likely has her cue cards ready.

 

* PBS’ drama series of Alexander Dumas’ “Count of Monte Cristo” has been entertaining and engaging. It’s also an ironic reminder that it can feel good to root for retribution.

* “As we mark America’s 250^th birthday, our choice to gather as journalists, newsmakers and the president in the same room is a reminder of what a free press means to this country and why it must endure. Not for the media or the president, but for the people who depend on it.”—Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents Association and a CBS News reporter.

* As for that chaotic WHCA dinner, it was tempting to stop watching and wait until there was some calm and clarity. Instead, it was like watching sausage being made on C-SPAN. At moments like that, I miss Brian Williams.

* No one outside MAGA would appreciate either the punkish Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or the clueless FBI Director Kash Patel. One likely exception: Those scripting cold openings for SNL. Colin Jost as Hegseth and Aziz Ansari as Patel are hilariously spot on.

* “I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people.”—Tucker Carlson. Yeah.

* European echoes: The defeat of Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orban and a government that had institutionalized authoritarianism has given encouragement to Western liberalism and global democrats, including the U.S., that popular movements can still prevail.

* A downtown Orlando building now has a prominent “Orlando Baseball” sign. No surprise. That’s still Rays’ Plan B.

* Consensus top three cities for MLB expansion: Nashville, Portland, Ore., Charlotte.

* The World Cup starts next month in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Iran is among the qualifiers. And it will play in the U.S.

* For the first time, Tampa will host—in 2027 and 2028—the SEC gymnastics championships.

* According to acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III, the ongoing war with Iran, “Operation Epic Fury,” has already cost a (low-balled) estimated $25 billion so far. This war of choice isn’t cheap. “Epic Fury” should actually be the response of Congress and the general public to the spiraling costs, weapons-stockpile depletion, alliance discord and humanitarian tragedies caused by this chaotic war where narcissistic, wishful thinking substituted for strategy.

* “We have the best negotiator in the world driving a great deal.”—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, on President Trump’s leadership over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Imagine, if we didn’t.

* “We live in a crazy world.”—President Donald Trump. Truth be told.

* Revelations update: The Pentagon is releasing UFO files before the Trump Administration releases the Epstein files.

* It has caught the attention of 2028 political speculators that VP JD Vance is the first vice president to serve as the finance chair of the RNC. It’s the stairway to big-time GOPster financiers. Vance is known to regularly give out his cell phone number to major donors.

* When King Charles spoke to Congress, it surprised many viewers to see some bi-partisan, standing ovations–including responses on references to alliances and “checks and balances.” It was actually performance protocol for a real royal. As Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters pointed out, this was also another example of “elevator courage.” In short, GOPsters won’t risk going public with Trump criticism. In private conversations on Congressional elevators, however, they often express deep frustration and disagreement with Trump.

* That voters typically don’t make foreign policy a priority is probably a given with Trump, Hegseth & Co. but it does come with a political caveat. Voters can still sense when the country’s in trouble in the world.

* Melania Trump: Let’s just call her America First Lady.

* Pope Leo/Dope Nero Exchange:

^Holy Father: “Enough with the idolatry of self and money. Enough with the display of force. Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life.”

^Wholly Fodder: “Leo should get his act together as Pope. I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess.”

^BTW, if Leo were actually trying to lure Trump into more bombastically stupid tweets, would that be a Robe-a-Dope strategy?

* Another day at the orifice: Trump has an Oval Office button to push for a Diet Coke order on the spot. Why not? It kills cancer cells.

* “CRAZYTOWN”: That was how John Kelly, former Trump chief-of-staff, labeled the Trump White House. That was then—as well as now.

* “President Trump hates women he can’t control.”—Marjorie Taylor Greene.

* How much of an authoritarian, right-wing culture warrior was former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban? He was, according to Steve Bannon, “Trump before Trump.”

* Low-caliber update: the DOJ will now be allowing firing squads for federal executions. Tar & feathering is still banned.

* Comey & “86 47.” Trump still thinks the seashell numbers that former FBI Director James Comey spotted on a beach and briefly posted were a threat worthy of DOJ prosecution. Trump said “86” is a “mob term” for “kill him.” Merriam-Webster characterizes it as slang for “throw out” or “get rid of” that’s often associated with restaurant kitchens. In short, the defense plans to file a motion to “86” the case like spoiled tuna because the prosecution was vindictive and selective.

* It’s a global reality that countries needing American support will resort to Trump vanity appeals. One example: Ukraine wants to hold on to a western chunk of the Donbas region occupied by Russia. Ukrainian officials have been referring to such a free economic zone as “Donnyland.”

* Timing is everything: Too bad the U.S. visit of UK’s King Charles and Queen Camilla didn’t include attendance at a “No Kings” Rally.