Category: Uncategorized

* “Nikki Haley (51) isn’t in her prime, sorry.” That was CNN’s Don Lemon, who is among those at the network who are sorry he made that stupid ageism comment. After “formal training,” Lemon, 56, is now back on the air while he’s still in his male prime.

* Sometimes having free movie tickets isn’t enough. Case in point: “80 For Brady.” It gives silly a bad name. One consolation: Rita Moreno, at 90, still impresses.

* “Journalism’s first rule: Never overlook the obvious. … Journalism’s second rule: Be wary of information that seems to confirm what you have been wishing for.”–Retired CBS News journalist Bob Schieffer.

* “Fox is not a news channel. It is the Right’s Pravda.”–Mona Charen, The Bulwark.

* Will Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit make any difference to Fox? Likely not. It would have to change its business model. But Dominion’s legal filings further underscore that Fox is much more unfair and unhinged than “fair and balanced.”

* Because recent SNL host Woody Harrelson was hammered by the media for embarrassingly winging it in his opening monologue, little attention was given to the cold opening. It was Trump in East Palestine, Ohio. Unfunny is not unfamiliar at SNL, but what poor taste to try and find humor in a traumatic, toxic train derailment.

* Movie biographies and histories are either “based” on real events or “inspired” by them. You can tell the difference.

* Marketing bonus: Time magazine has ranked Tampa, “Florida’s city du jour,” among 50 of the “world’s greatest places.” Highlights include the Water Street development, a five-star (Tampa Edition) hotel and Sparkman Wharf. Also noted: a world-class airport and proximity to St. Petersburg and Pinellas beaches.

* In addition, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park was among USA Today’s Top 10 zoos in the U.S. Zoo Tampa is now recognized as a leader in conservation, animal care and education.

* “Rithm at Uptown”: the rebranded name for University Mall.

* “Demand for tech talent remains at an all-time high in Tampa.”--Angel Gonzalez, chairman of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council.

* Ron DeSantis: “Woke ideology is a form of cultural Marxism.”–What would Karl say? Hell, what would Groucho say?

* DeSantis in Iowa: “We will never surrender to the woke mob,” but, yeah, we’ll yield to the “freedumb” crazies any time.

* Desantis in his State of the State speech: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” True. We ain’t seen nothing worth seeing yet.

* “I’ve never seen a governor in my lifetime with this much absolute control of the agenda in Tallahassee as Ron DeSantis.” Lobbyist–and DeSantis supporter–Brian Ballard.

* Too bad New College’s pass-fail grading doesn’t apply to its board or its president.

* Florida’s cruise industry handles about 60 percent of all U.S. passenger traffic. The state recorded 10.77 million passengers in 2022–41 percent fewer than 2019, the last full year before the pandemic. “I think we’ll beat ‘19 this year,” predicts Florida Ports Council President and CEO Michael Rubin.

* “He who hesitates, loses.” Lightning founder and Hall of Famer Phil Esposito.

* “Reggie,” a revealing documentary on baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, is due out this week. Among the details that it might not mention: Jackson graduated from the same high school, suburban Philadelphia’s Cheltenham H.S., as Benjamin Netanyahu. The future Israeli prime minister was living with his family while his father taught at a local college.

* “(I would) clean house of all the (Ukrainian) warmongers and AMERICA-LAST globalists.”—Donald Trump projecting his foreign policy priorities should he reclaim the presidency.

* In expectation of his Manhattan arrest, Trump issued a “TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” protest call for his supporters. Alas, there’s a frightful precedent.

* According to former VP Mike Pence, the Trump Administration’s “greatest accomplishment” was installing three Republican Justices on the Supreme Court and overturning Roe v. Wade. And that’s how a philandering, amoral cad gets the hypocritical, evangelical vote.

* At the CPAC gathering, Kari Lake, 53, the Arizona Republican who lost her recent gubernatorial race, won the straw poll for vice president—over Ron DeSantis. Donald Trump won the presidential straw poll. Now speculation is ratcheting up as to whom Trump would really like as a running mate. Reportedly under consideration besides Lake: former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley; Arkansas Gov. Sarah *uckabee Sanders; and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

* “Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis or Tim Scott will be the Republican nominee for president.” Republican political consultant Alfredo Rodriguez. South Carolina Sen. Scott–from “cotton to Congress”– is the only black Republican in the Senate.

* “With public trust, all things are possible, and without it, nothing is possible.”–Abraham Lincoln.

* “Vladimir Putin will forever be marked as a pariah globally. He has lost all his political credibility around the world.”–Former international prosecutor David Crane, in the aftermath of the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes.

* “He’s not a hero. He’s an anti-hero” who has done his best to “get your sons to Ukraine to die on behalf of his country.”–Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, in criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

* “The consequences of Ukraine in the European Union will be complicated, even explosive. But it will be politically impossible to reject it.”–Thomas Gomart, director of the French Institute of International Relations.

* “China must now help us to put pressure on Russia.”–French President Emmanuel Macron, who will travel to China next month.

* “Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community.”–EPA Administrator Michael Regan, in reference to the train derailment and chemical burn in East Palestine, Ohio.

* “Democracy requires more of its citizens than any other form of government.”–Former CBS News commentator Eric Sevareid.

* “It’s heart-breaking to see politicians trying to prevent students from learning about history, arts and culture, contributions and experiences of African Americans—especially when Black history is a vital part of our shared American story.”–U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

* “I know I hurt a lot of people when I was young. I really messed up. But I know Ron DeSantis has done a lot worse. … He’s put his foot on our necks.”–Among the last words of executed killer Donald Dillbeck.

* “As far as I can see, it’s euthanasia. … Everybody has a death sentence.”–Steven Lorenzo, after being sentenced to death in Tampa.

Former President Jimmy Carter, 98, has entered hospice care. The end is near, but his legacy—highlighted by his post-presidential work–will live on. Given where we are and how we got here, we’re not likely to see his kind again. Performance art was not his modus operandi.

I saw it up close when I did volunteer work for Habit For Humanity. On a project in Houston, I saw that—unlike other politicians who used HFH as a prop—he was all work. I was with a Secret Service guy trying to coax Carter down from a roof–where he was hammering away in hellish humidity–for some rest and hydration. He finally descended—once he had finished the job.

I also remember going to a nearby junior high for lunch. Carter was in line with everybody else, holding his tray, waiting his turn. “Would you like fries with that, Mr. President?” He was like everyone else, although he wasn’t. He will be missed.

* America’s commitment to Ukraine has been underscored by more than weaponry. President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Kyiv–amid air raid sirens–spoke volumes for continued U.S. support.

* “Watch me.” That’s octogenarian President Joe Biden’s familiar response when asked if he’s still up to the job at his age.

* “Generational arguments can be powerful.” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 41.

* President Biden’s approval ratings remain frustratingly low. He likely wouldn’t run for re-election if the Dems had a stronger-option bench, including his vice president.

* The January employment report showed an unemployment rate that had fallen to 3.4 percent.

* Consumer prices rose 6.4 percent in January. In December it was 6.5 percent. Last June it was 9.1 percent.

* “Too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines.”–Former Florida commissioner of agriculture Nikki Fried, in announcing that she’ll run for chairperson of the beleaguered Florida Democratic Party.

* Tampa’s Democratic Representative Kathy Castor is now the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight & Investigations Committee.

* The 37-story Pendry tower—with completion planned for 2024—is now under construction. Yet another reminder of what could have been built there: Trump Tower Tampa.

* Inflation in Tampa Bay rose 8.9 percent in 2022.

* “I’m a big supporter of Ron (DeSantis) and his policies, and as you can see from the donations (more than $200,000) I fully support him.” That was Tampa City Council candidate Blake Casper in a recent interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Even in a “nonpartisan” race, it’s relevant for what it says about values and ideology.

* Casper—who jumped in at the last minute—has self-funded $105,000 for his campaign. BTW, District 4 is the only one in Tampa where GOPsters outnumber Dems. Yes, it’s a “nonpartisan” race, but, yes, everybody knows who’s a “D” and who’s an “R”.

* Black history is embedded in American history. What is, and has long been, needed is the teaching of comprehensive, inclusive history that reflects racial reality—not race theory–from 1619 to 2023.

* Permitless carry of concealed guns? There’s no concealing this low-caliber, “freedumb” agenda.

* Sobering reality check: Florida students are better protected against books than bullets.

* “I don’t think it says in the United States Constitution that you have training to carry a gun.” State Rep. Chuck Brennan, R-Macclenny.

* If DeSantis’ budget–the one that includes helping to fund the relocating of migrants around the country–holds, state spending will have increased by more than 25 percent since he took office.

* “Ready for Ron”: a federal political committee with an online petition to “draft DeSantis for president.”

* “Sorry, Ron, you’re number two.” That was New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, in claiming that his state is ranked number 1 in “personal freedom.” Yes, Sununu has ambition, however a long, long shot, beyond New Hampshire.

* “The new racism is denying that racism exists.”–Among the signage at a Tallahassee protest rally over Gov. DeSantis’ policies.

* “Some Republicans warn that DeSantis could fizzle like (former Wisconsin Gov. Scott) Walker because of his charisma deficit. He’s awkward and standoffish.”–Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch.

* “The biomedical security state”: The term applied by DeSantis to the federal government for favoring masks or COVID vaccine mandates.

* “An apparent pattern of politically and racially motivated attacks on higher education.”–The American Association of University Professors, in announcing its Florida investigation.

* What other changes could possibly be coming for Gnu College?

* Death penalty: Florida has the most death row exonerations of any state in the U.S.–with 30 people who were set to be executed later found to be wrongfully convicted. DeSantis: Jury unanimity for capital punishment isn’t needed; more often than not, the convicted suspect is really guilty. Close enough.

* If DeSantis were to really get his way, a 6-6 jury vote would probably suffice—if he gets the tie-breaker.