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

“Changing Charlie” back in the hunt

It can be said of Charlie Crist that he never saw a political race (or a political party) he didn’t like. Since his graduation from St. Pete High in 1974, Charlie has run for the Florida Senate, Education Commissioner (when it was an elective office), Attorney General, Governor and the U.S. House. Crist’s election to the U.S. House over incumbent David Jolly was more a product of district gerrymandering than anything else. Charlie has lost nearly as many as he’s won, and the Democratic nomination for Governor will not be a cakewalk either. Two strong female Democratic candidates are eying the race although one of them, most likely Val Demings of Orlando, could decide to challenge Marco Rubio or just hold on to her relatively safe seat in the U.S. House. But the road to the Governor’s Mansion will be tough for the former Republican, Independent and Morgan and Morgan associate.

Great Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

Clearwater native Joseph Hatchett died last week at age 88. The noted jurist was the first Black member of the Florida Supreme Court.

Keep an eye on Tallahassee next week when our legislature schemes with gambling laws for the state. This was a responsibility given to our voters some years back and three-quarters of our voters don’t want that right usurped.

Quote of the Week: “A shopping spree by someone with a new credit card.” Wyoming Senator John Barrasso describing the Biden $2 trillion infrastructure plans.

News item: Biden reportedly is looking into granting clemency to people jailed on drug offenses, and sick and elderly people who pose no danger to society. We can buy the second part, but drug pushers present a clear and present danger to society and should not get a “get of jail” card from our misguided leader.

Congratulations to the new head of NASA, Bill Nelson, on finding employment. The post, fortunately, is almost entirely honorary given to loyal members of the party in power.

This week marks the 25^th anniversary of the tragic crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Florida Everglades killing all 110 on board – a crash caused by illegally shipped cargo. Remarkably, no one went to jail for this preventable disaster.

Sports, media and other stuff:

Factoid: the five most popular candy bars in America are (5) Kit Kat Bar; (4) Twix; (3) Snickers; (2) Hershey Bar and (1) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Three of the top five are produced by Hershey while Twix and Snickers are both made by Mars, whose namesake bar is now hard to find in stores as it competes with its more successful cousin, Snickers.

Another classic from the 5:05 Newsletter: Mexico celebrated Cinco de Mayo last week. It commemorates the date of the Mexican army's victory over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Ah, the French Army... everybody's favorite homecoming game!

Idle thought before next week’s Miss Universe Pageant – why is Miss Universe always from Earth?

The answer: The University of North Texas. The question what school was attended at the same time by superstars Pat Boone and Roy Orbison? They must have had some great talent shows!

You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you dined at the Houllis family’s Island House Restaurant on Clearwater Beach.

Of perfect games and no-hitters

Let us try to understand this. Last month, Arizona’s Madison Bumgarner threw a no-hitter against the hapless Atlanta Braves. Major League baseball does not recognize that as a no-hitter because he threw it in the 7 inning game of a doubleheader – the 7 inning length being mandated by the Major Leagues. Years and years ago, the Pirates’ Harvey Haddix threw 12 perfect innings against the then Milwaukee Braves, but did not get credit for a perfect game because Braves got a hit (and the victory) in the 13^th inning. Something is wrong here. But then, there is a whole lot wrong with Major League Baseball right now.

NEXT WEEK: Eliot and Al; Scrollers; Minneapolis

Happy Mother’s Day!

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