Tampa Bay Rants and Raves is a weekly airing of national and local politics, sports, lifestyles and historical notes from a very politically incorrect viewpoint. As always, beware - some of what is printed here should not be taken literally.

First thing on our mind:

Of the many things Pope Francis wrote and said, these we hold dearest, “Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.”

Leading off: Costco versus Sam’s Club

Warehouse shoppers have a decision to make moving forward. Sam’s Club has recently announced a move to something called “Scan and Go.” Customers can scan items using a Sam’s Club app and then have the total order scanned again by an AI system as they leave. The system will, no doubt, appeal to the younger, tech savvy shopper while leaving the older crowd in the dust as the wholesale club eliminates checkout lanes. Costco meanwhile says it will continue with traditional checkouts, a slower, but more comfortable experience for an older shopping population like those here in the bay area. The new Sam’s Club experience will probably fly in many markets, but we suspect will get a “thumbs down” in Pinellas, Hillsborough and surrounds.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

More alarmist headlines from our local bi-weekly: “Markets hit retirement savings.” If your retirement savings are truly imperiled by a few weeks of market fluctuations, you need to have a serious talk with the financial advisor who put you in that position.

It is just ridiculous that our neighbors here in Florida as well as Georgia and the Carolinas are still suffering the effects of the twin hurricanes from last year. One of the many reasons people voted for you Mr. President was in hope that you would correct the non-action of the Biden gang. Do it!

Not so idle thought: from noted novelist Frederick Forsyth (Day of the Jackal and others), There are three kinds of money, “Getting by” money, “doing nicely” money and “up yours” money. We’re doing okay on the first two, still working on the third. 

Aaron Fodiman, who with wife Margaret Word piloted Tampa Bay Magazine and was a patron of the arts, passed away last week at age 87.

And another terrific veteran of the Clearwater Police Department has passed away. Ed Desmarais was one of the department’s original Officer Friendlys. Ed was 91.

Forty three years ago this week (5/10/82) was “the day the music died” as the most listened to rock station in the nation, 77 WABC in New York, switched to all news. The last song played by “music radio” was John Lennon’s Imagine.

Sports, media and other notes:

Papal news from the 5:05 Newsletter: The Papal Conclave begins this week. I am rooting for Italian Cardinal Angelo Secola, because I just like the idea of a “Pope Secola”.

Sports factoids: Last week, Eugenio Suarez became only the 19^th player in MLB history to hit four homers in one game. There have been more perfect games thrown (24) than four homer games. Suarez’ Diamondbacks are only the third team in history to lose a game with a team member hitting four out. Six of the 19 men to go deep four times are in the Hall of Fame and the Braves are the only team to be victimized three times (Gil Hodges, Willie Mays and Suarez).

In The Athletic’s poll of major league execs, the top two ranked front offices are the Dodgers and our Rays. Worst two – that would be the Reds and Nationals.

The Gladiator, an epic historical film set in Rome 180 AD, was tops at the box office 25 years ago this week.

One last thing: Mount Rushmore IV

This month we tasked our Focus Group with the question of four men of achievement in the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

Our first response came from our westernmost member. She opted for two giants in science, Albert Einstein and the father of the modern computer, English mathematician Alan Turing plus four-term President FDR and President and humanitarian Jimmy Carter.

Captains of industry filled out another of our members’ ballots. He went with automotive pioneer Henry Ford; the brilliant physicist Albert Einstein; telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell and electrical wizard, Thomas Edison.

Henry Ford also gets mentioned by one of our charter members. He is joined by Apple’s Steve Jobs (she likes her new iPhone). Then she added aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright who invented that contraption she refuses to use for travel.

Another mention for Henry Ford came from our northernmost member. He also listed India’s voice for non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi along with Albert Einstein and the man who probably changed Florida more than any other individual – Walt Disney.

Another of our esteemed group began her list with two great Presidents, Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower. She also mentioned Thomas Edison along with an entertainment giant of the 20^th century Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong.

Another focus member nominated Presidents Reagan and Truman; auto exec Lee Iacocca who changed the industry not once but twice with the iconic Mustang and later the car of the 70s and 80s, the minivan, and lastly medical giant Jonas Salk.

Jonas Salk makes another of our member’s lists. He is joined by Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Edison and her fourth suggestion is one of those “why didn’t I think of this moments” – the American soldier. What a great tribute.

A much lighter task for our elite group comes in July when we ask them to create a four song summer playlist.

UP NEXT: Great 8’s; Funding CPB; Found – 1 carrier, 1 car.

Sorry, time does not permit replies to comments.

05042025/500