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: Path to the White House: housing

The election season is now in full swing as candidates try to convince voters they are a better fit for the White House. In the succeeding months, we’ll look at the issues leading off with America’s miserable housing situation. This is strictly a case of the haves and have-nots. For those of us lucky enough – or old enough to own our homes, the past three years have been tough, but manageable. For younger folks, with interest rates near or over seven percent and inflation-driven costs of homes, the near term chances of home ownership are slim. And the rental market currently commands average monthly rates of over $2000. Whoever lands in the White House next January must get interest rates down and severely retard inflation to provide some hope for housing for our younger generation.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Quote of the week: “There are reasonable questions about whether the DA and…SADA testified untruthfully,” – Judge Scott McAfee whose ruling amounted to a slap on the wrist for Fulton County’s two perjurers.

Re: that Haiti rescue plan, Gov. Ron. Do whatever you feel best; if you try to rescue Floridians, the liberal media will label it too risky. Forgo it, and they will jump all over you for doing nothing. Reasonable people are behind you.

From the minds that bring you the 5:05 Newsletter: It is now almost certain that our choice in November will be either Donald Trump or Joe Biden. This is the perfect time for Mel Brooks to star King George III in a new Broadway musical called "Miss Me Yet?"

If you want to see Biden out of the White House, pray that the Don and Nikki hug and make up. That would be one strong ticket.

The Robert Kennedy, Jr. effort took on an even more gimmicky feel last week when Aaron Rodgers and Jesse Ventura were mentioned as possible running mates.

Correcting an omission in our TBRR 10^th anniversary piece last week, we need to thank James Foster and Robert Brucker for their technical assistance now – and ten years ago. Their help means all we need to do is write and not worry about a bunch of stuff we don’t begin to understand.

By the way, we occasionally get questions in the comment area about our site design and operations. You can reach James at Right Click Computer Consultants.

Sign on the wall at a pub: “The Irish Way: Now, don’t be talking about yourself while you’re here. We’ll surely be doing that after you leave.”

From TBRR ten years ago and still relevant: Our focus group (which then consisted of three old, cranky people) suggested a cash register that automatically shuts off at ten items for those in Publix’ ten item aisle who cannot seem to be able to count. One stronger suggestion from the group was a trap door that opens on the 11th item.

Sports, media and other notes:

With just a few weeks left in Lent, a reporter for the always reliable Washington Post decided to rank fish sandwiches at the nation’s fast food outlets. Incredibly, the original, McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, did not make the top five which was topped by Popeye’s sandwich. If we want to set our mouth on fire, maybe, but we’ll go with the tried and true golden arches offering.  

How many of us, then or now, knew the guy who played the lovable hood in Happy Days, Arthur Fonzarelli, was a Yale graduate? A fascinating tidbit from Henry Winkler’s current bestselling autobiography, Being Henry, The Fonz…and Beyond.

Russell Wilson makes the blog two weeks in a row! He’s scheduled to join the Steelers, a team that prides themselves in the lack of locker room drama. That could change.

Answer: Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews. Question: Who was the only player to suit up for the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves? Bonus piece of trivia, he was on the cover of the very first Sports Illustrated.

You’ve lived in Pinellas County a long time if you ever dined at the delightful Olde Schoolhouse Restaurant on Alternate 19 in Palm Harbor.

…one last thing: the season starts, our AL picks

First, a safe prediction, despite having probably the best manager in baseball, the Texas Rangers will not repeat as World Champs. Too much had to go right last year, including talking Bruce Bochey out of retirement. This year, too much has already gone wrong. We like the Astros in the West, same great lineup and two solid closers. The AL Central is much like the NL Central, loaded with flawed teams, but somebody has to win and the least flawed are the Twins. The AL East is again a powerhouse with our Rays, the Orioles and the always dangerous Yanks. We were going to pick the high powered offense of the Yanks until Gerrit Cole went down. We instead give the nod to Orioles. We are oh so tempted to predict all three wild card teams will come from the East, but they still play too many games against each other, allowing the Rangers to join the Rays and Yankees in the playoffs. And the dark horse team to keep an eye on – the Kansas City Royals. Our NL picks were contained in last week’s (3/10/24) TBRR. Play Ball!

NEXT WEEK: Mount Rushmore II; Election recap; Thanks, Kate

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!