Our fragile industry that is tourism

We’re on the cusp of March which means long lines to the beaches – a sure sign that all is well with our tourism industry. But it is a fragile industry that can head downward in a hurry. We’re not talking about hurricanes, red tide, another economic slump or what Cuba might pull away that can damage our local economy. We’re talking about things we can control like the ever increasing bed taxes, insane legislation to allow folks to strut around with firearms out in the open, less than friendly cops and assorted rental car rip-offs to name just four. Trust us, there are plenty of other places tourists can spend their dollars – and they will unless we all become more cognizant of just how precious those tourists are.

Around Tampa Bay

1. It’s finally here. Phils versus Blue Jays in Clearwater on Tuesday, the 1^st. Same teams in Dunedin on the 2^nd. Braves come to Clearwater on Friday. See you there!

2. On a related note, could not resist this one from a recent 5:05 Newsletter: Spring Training News: poachers and cashiers mistakenly report.

3. Neil McMullen, who traces his roots back to Largo’s first Mayor, has entered the race for Largo city commission against incumbent Curtis Holmes. Not to take anything away from McMullen, but given Commissioner Holmes’ missteps (RANTS – Sept. 28, 2014), you could probably run Curly or Moe against him and win. But then again, never give too much credit to the electorate. St. Pete voters recently elected a candidate with a rap sheet.

4. Sometime back (RANTS – May 4, 2014), we named three positions that often turn a nobody into a Nazi. They were entertainment venue ticket takers, crosswalk guards and homeowner association board members. Based on a scene we observed recently, add local parking meter readers to that group.

5. You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you ever dined at the elegant Seaspire Restaurant on Island Estates.

The diamond, the media and other stuff

6. Quote of the Week: Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson in a recent piece on Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a strict Constitutionalist, “Progressive judges have an interest in making their private moral intuitions the law of land, without the inconvenience of having to persuade their fellow citizens.” Well said.

7. Have a suspicion that some of these folks pounding the desk about privacy rights in the Apple debacle are the same folks we hear going blah, blah, blah on their cellphones on the sidewalks and in the aisles of the supermarket for everyone to hear.

8. The new MLB rule that eliminates the so-called neighborhood play at second base will last just as long as it takes for the first middle infielder to go out with a leg or ankle injury. Then a quiet note will be circulated to the men in blue to call it as they have called for the last quarter century or more.

9. Here are a few music acts from the 50s, 60s and 70s: The Fleetwoods, The Marcels, Barry Manilow, Little Peggy March and the Marvelettes. Their common bond is their very first song on the record charts went to Number One. The songs were Come Softly to Me, Blue Moon, Mandy, I Will Follow Him and Please Mr. Postman. The Fleetwoods and Barry Manilow were not just “one hit wonders”. Both acts later returned to the top spot – Manilow twice. And all the acts charted more songs in the Top 40 after their original success.

 10. Our Rants and Raves focus group (comprised of three old, cranky people) upon first reading of a serious crime at a hookah bar thought hookah was just street talk for a similar word. When they found out what it really means, they found it no less disgusting.

The second plank in our winning national platform

Last year (RANTS – July 19, 2015), we suggested a winning stratagem for a candidate pursuing the White House. It was to pledge, with Congressional cooperation, to completely disassemble the Internal Revenue Service and its corruption and loopholes. We now offer a second plank for our winning platform – make Daylight Savings Time year round. Nothing does more to disrupt schedules and sleep patterns than the twice yearly ritual of falling back and springing ahead. This is not without precedent – several countries around the world already have DST year-round and the U.S. has used it during war time and other national crises. Anyone who promises to simplify our lives by eliminating the mumbo jumbo of the IRS and time changing will get a ton of votes. By the way, the date on which you start screwing up your sleep patterns this year is Sunday, March 13^th.