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:

Getting into the better elementary and secondary schools is so competitive these days that we would have probably been left out on the playground.

Leading off: Graduation rates, Florida in Top 10

Despite the mandated breaks during COVID, the emphasis on “proper gender” pronouns rather than grammar and other issues, America’s graduation rate actually has increased over the past five years. The state of Florida with a graduation rate of 90 per cent is near the top of the list. Only six states have higher rates – including two at 92 per cent, Iowa and West Virginia, who lead the way. The lowest, not surprisingly, is D.C. (73%) just ahead of Arizona and New Mexico. The overall graduation rate (public schools only) is just shy of 87 per cent.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

The surgeon who delivered one of the most famous lines of the 1980s has died. It was Dr. Joseph Giordano who was the lead surgeon trying to remove a bullet just inches from President Ronald Reagan’s heart. Just before being put under, the Gipper said, “I hope you are all Republicans.” Giordano, a lifelong liberal, replied, “Today, Mr. President, we are all Republicans.” The noted surgeon was 84.

Nationwide, Democrats seem to be happy with special election results. They are still losing most of them, but losing by less.

And radical Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat nomineefor mayor of New York, is finding that his “defund the police” rhetoric is not playing, and is doing a fast two step away from his previous such comments.

They are relatively new to our area, but have some instant cred. Restaurant chain Raising Cane’s founder, Todd Graves, has made a million dollar donation to help the families affected by last week’s devastating floods in Texas.

Number of the week: 8.9 million. That’s the number of Americans “polyworking” – having more than one part or full time job – what we used to call moonlighting or a side hustle.

This has to be one of the toughest assignments in the world – carrying out the Taliban-led government’s effort to attract tourists to Afghanistan.

A belated Happy Birthday to the Goodyear blimp. The initial airship launched 100 years ago last month. The fleet numbers four - three in the U.S., including Pompano Beach, and one in Europe.

This week in 1989 (July 17) The Clearwater Sun ceased to be a daily newspaper and converted to a tabloid weekly.

Sports, media and other notes:.

Sports/Financial news from the 5:05 Newsletter: The Buss family sold the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion. Iran’s decision to go nuclear is now the world’s second stupidest decision behind Phil Jackson's decision to break up with Jeannie Buss.

Another restaurant closing: the first area Marco’s Pizza on Missouri Avenue in Clearwater. The chain has since added locations in Dunedin and Largo.

Other restaurant news, despite Waffle House recently dropping its fifty cent per egg surcharge, most breakfast restaurants had just built in the increase and diners won’t see it coming off the menu prices.

Former Ray Davy Martinez let go by the Nationals. He’s a good baseball man and won’t be unemployed for long. Expect at least one more managerial head to roll by season’s end.

Lee Elia, a springtime presence in Clearwater as both a player and manager of the Phillies, passed away last week. Elia, who also skippered the Cubs, was 87.

One last thing: Way too much Big Bang

We consider ourselves a fan of The Big Bang Theory. Watched the series, watched the spinoff and are currently watching its spinoff. Have the entire series on DVD. We were even gifted with a “You’re in my spot” t-shirt. But, Jessica Radloff’s book of the same name is more than we wanted to know. For instance, the show had not one, but two pilots – the first being rejected. That Johnny Galecki (Leonard) and Kaley Cucco’s (Penny) romance carried over into their personal lives for two years. That Kevin Sussman (Stuart, the comic book store owner) was the leading candidate for the role of Howard Wolowitz. That the original five cast members willingly or unwillingly (depending on who you believe) took a $100,000 per episode pay cut to boost the salaries of Season Four additions Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch. That Sheldon’s mother in BBT and his mother in Young Sheldon are mother and daughter. That Ringo Starr was pitched the role of Howard Wolowitz’s long absent father (he declined and the role was never cast). And Howard’s mother, never seen on camera, played by the late Carol Ann Susi rode the bus to the lot every day with an occasional lift home from Kunal Nayyer (Raj). Like we said, unless you are really, really into BBT, this 496 page tome might be more than you want to tackle.

NEXT UP: The Last Manager; The great 138; Football rivalries

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