Established in 2014, Tampa Bay Rants and Raves is a weekly airing of local and national politics, sports, lifestyles and Tampa Bay memories from a politically incorrect viewpoint.

Leading off: Biden’s border mess

We’re growing increasingly weary with the machinations on Capitol Hill regarding our nation’s southern border. Tying the crisis to this war or that war doesn’t serve our nation’s interests. Had the current occupant of the White House not gone all crazy with his pen upon arrival (on this and a dozen other issues), we wouldn’t be in crisis mode on our southern flank. During the Biden era, five million illegal immigrants remain in the U.S. That’s two million more than the entire Tampa Bay metro population. The previous administration had the situation well in hand (the lowest illegal counts in nearly a half century) until Biden started signing a bunch of border-related changes without thinking. Now it most likely will be up to the next administration to untangle the border mess at the cost of time and money that should be devoted to solving some other smoldering issues that Biden will leave behind.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Related legal news from the 5:05 Newsletter: The Justice Department has sued Texas over its new law outlawing illegal immigration, alleging that it is against the law to pass a law requiring enforcement of the law.

This Friday is National Caregiver’s Day. In our bloated list of this day or this month, this Friday should be at the top of the list. In the words of inspirational writer Edward Grinnan, “These dedicated professionals, often overworked and underpaid, deserve our applause, our gratitude, and our prayers.” Well said.

Our friend TL reminds us the last time the U.S. was debt free was during Andy Jackson’s presidency in 1835. We need him back. Today, under Biden, the debt is $34 trillion – up one trillion in the last three months.

The EV industry is taking another hit as the resale value of the vehicles is plummeting. A further dip is expected this year as the biggest crop of EVs ever comes off lease and will flood used car lots, making them, in dealer parlance “risk inventory” – a term usually attached to vehicles that will not sell in 90 days.

St. Pete’s fire chief, James Large, retires next month after nearly 50 years of service to the city – the last 18 as chief. So what does our left wing bi-weekly lead with – the fact that he was accused of maintaining a hostile workplace – a bogus charge refuted in a nanosecond by Mayor Ken Welch? Geez.

This week in 1955 (Feb. 14): WFLA, Channel 8, signs on as an NBC affiliate. It is the only bay area station to retain its original network affiliation. Its first telecast was the Gasparilla Parade. Channel 8 was originally owned by the Tampa Tribune which also owned WFLA AM-FM radio.

Sports, media and other notes:

As we get ready for the weekend’s Daytona 500, this factoid, three NASCAR Hall of Famers who never won the Daytona 500 in their storied careers: Mark Martin,Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace.

Ah, not so fast there Oakland A’s. There is a huge pushback in Arizona over the public dollars being spent on a proposed stadium. Oakland’s mayor wants to broker a sale to ownership that would buy into that city’s stadium proposal. Stay tuned.

As pitchers and catchers report, the first MLB power rankings are out with the hometown team ranked seventh. Not surprisingly, the Atlanta Braves are ranked #1, just ahead of the free spending Dodgers.

With the NFL coaching carousel spinning to a close, a full one-quarter of the league’s teams will line up with a new coach this fall.

NFL note: We sure enjoy Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. The CBS duo might just be the best in the league.

Related to our historical note above, you’ve lived in the bay area a long time if you remember Gayle Sierens, Bill Henry, Bob Hite, Guy Bagli, John Winter, Chris Thomas and the many other distinguished alums of Channel 8.

…one last thing: Clearwater council seats

Clearwater will be electing two council members along with a mayor (see TBRR 2/4) next month. They will join holdover council members David Allbritton and Lina Teixeria. The race features one incumbent, Mark Bunker. In Clearwater, incumbency usually means re-election with some notable exceptions – and this should be one of those. Bunker, unfortunately, is a one-trick pony thumping the Anti-Scientology drum. That might get him re-elected, but both Ryan Cotton and Michael Mastruserio bring more rounded resumes to the table. With Clearwater badly needing some youth for future roles, we go with the 35-year-old fire captain Cotton, remembering the last time we elected a fire official (Ed Hooper) how well that worked out not only for Clearwater, but the state of Florida. The second race for an open seat is clearer cut. Michael Mannino’s experience as a business owner greatly overshadows the resumes of free-lance journalist Jared Leone and a 22-year-old city employee Javante Scott. Cotton and Mannino should pair well with the incumbents to form a solid city council.

NEXT UP: Modifying the DH; Runoff elections; Four way stops

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