Tampa Bay Rants and Raves (TBRR) is a weekly chronicle of politics, sports, lifestyle and historical notes from a politically incorrect viewpoint. Some of this content should not be taken literally.

First thing on our mind:

We managed three entities in our lifetime. By far, the worst was being the president of a condominium association. We are happy to report as of this week (which we choose to call Freedom from Hell Week) we are now an ex-president.

Leading off: Clearwater told to stand down

A federal judge in Tampa has given the last word to the city of Clearwater and a Highland Avenue abortion clinic and that is “stand down.” Judge Mary Scriven ordered the city to stop inhibiting free speech at the clinic by allowing pro-life groups to pray and hand out leaflets on the horrors of abortion. The pro-life group’s attorney, Tyler Brooks put it succinctly, “Municipalities across the country have tried to weaponize buffer zone ordinances to silence pro-life speech, and this ruling sends a clear message that it will not stand.” The ruling puts an end to a three year free speech battle between pro-life and pro-abortion factions in Clearwater.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

A follow up to our lead article of last week in regard to automakers cutting back on several models of cars: Sales are flat and companies are wondering what to do next. The bloom is off the rose that was the electric car. Companies are left to ponder whether to go hybrid or all gas and in what ratio?

You’ve probably never heard of Petro Kuqo. He finally made page 7 of the local newspaper last week. He’s from Largo, 87 years old and has been missing since December. But alas, he does not have a daughter in the national media.

The liberals keep chipping at the fringes of the Trump economic performance, nitpicking here and there. But the fact remains that the Trump economical performance, even at 75% laps the field when compared to the four years of economic doldrums under Joe Biden.

Funny how Greenland has slipped off the front page or even page 27.

Business rule of thumb: if you have a format that seems to work and people seem to understand it, by all means change it!

Factoid: New York City, population 8.8 million, has a budget larger than that of Florida, population 21.5 million.

Thirty two years ago this week (3/20/94), humor took a beating when the South’s premier humorist, Lewis Grizzard, passed away at a much too young 47.

Sports and random notes:

Dermatology note from the 5:05 Newsletter: It's not widely known that the Irish invented the world's most effective sun block. It's called the Pub.

Insiders report a lot of the rush to get the Rays stadium deal done has to do with major league baseball pressuring the ownership group to get it done so MLB can turn to expansion plans.

Mike Evans heads west – a huge loss for the Bucs.

A tip of our cap to the bay area’s Declan Farmer who has again distinguished himself in the international Paralympics hockey competition.

Clearwater’s Luke Loucks has nothing to apologize for after his first year as FSU’s head basketball coach. Everyone has commented on how he brought his team along during the season – and that barnburner against Duke – Wow!

The Dolphins handling of the Tua Tagovailoa situation was curious to say the least. Let’s hope he finds a comfort level in Atlanta.

Topping the charts fifty years ago this week was the Four Seasons’ December 1963 (Oh What a Night). Ten years earlier, it was Barry Sadler’s Ballad of the Green Berets.

Idle thought: Pickle ball has become this generation’s shuffleboard.

You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you remember the fun trampoline park on north Clearwater Beach.

One last thing: It’s complicated

We tip our cap to our favorite son-in-law for this piece of somewhat strangled logic. When my Mom asks if I want to join in family dinner tonight, I have to explain how I have to watch a baseball game between American Italians and American Mexicans to determine if American Americans can keep playing baseball.

UP NEXT: Strike ahead; MLB picks; Eagles

031526/392

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