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.

Can we give you some free Medicare stuff? 

Now that we have all spent our $1400 checks, the Democratic Party wants to buy our votes with free dental, hearing and vision coverage through Medicare. This one is going to be a little tougher sell. While it plays well to those of us on or on the cusp of Medicare, the American population under 65 (which is almost 85 per cent of the population) will hopefully ask who is going to pay for this? The three letter answer is you. It is an ill-disguised campaign trick for the 2022 midterms which, at this point, are not looking all that great for the party in power – commonly the case. And with more and more advantage programs offering extended coverage in the three areas, even the over 65 crowd should be leery of this latest Democratic ploy. All these machinations while the Medicare (and Social Security) well is running dry.

Great Tampa Bay, politics and stuff: 

First, an addendum to last week’s (TBR&R 9/12/21) lead piece on the city of Clearwater and the Phillies; we should have mentioned the club holds a five year option beyond 2023 to remain in Clearwater. Informed observers say they will surely exercise it as the terms are very club-friendly.

Thursday began the official election season for next March’s Clearwater city election. Incumbent David Allbritton, who has done a fine job in Seat 4, is up for re-election. So far, the only announced candidate for the vacant Seat 5 is anti-Scientology candidate Aaron Smith-Levin, who will have to show he is more than a one-trick pony to win the confidence of Clearwater voters.

Another steady hand at the helm of government quietly retired recently. Mike Meidel spent 17 years as Pinellas County’s Director of Development. Prior to joining Pinellas County, Mike was the President of the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. He will be missed.

It’s a crazy world out there - bunches of morons in denial who will not get vaccinated and will not wear a mask. Parents of children are shopping for quacks to issue a note so their kids don’t have to wear masks in school – after their own doctor says the kids should.

Sign of the times? Our mid-week delivery of “Florida’s Best Newspaper” was missing the usual Publix weekly flyer. But it did contain three copies of the Publix liquor ad.

From the sage observers of human nature at the Unofficial 5:05 Newsletter: “So far it doesn’t seem like changing the name and picture on a pancake box has resulted in racial unity.” 

Sports, media and lighter stuff:

Raise your hand if you had the San Francisco Giants as the first MLB team to clinch a playoff spot or Jacksonville State beating FSU.

Watching this week’s tributes to Pirate great Roberto Clemente reminds us again that the number 21 should join 42 as a number retired across baseball. Clemente was one of baseball’s greatest players and quite possibly its greatest humanitarian.

Answer: Downy laundry softener and Kodak film. Question: what two nationally advertised products have used Paul Anka’s The Times of Your Life in their ads, albeit about 30 years apart?

This week on September 25^th, we celebrate One Hit Wonders Day with a bow to groups like the Silhouettes (Get A Job), the Elegants (Little Star) and Zager and Evans (In The Year 2525) plus single artists like The Singing Nun (Dominque) and Bobby McFerrin (Don’t Worry, Be Happy).

Random thought as summer winds down: Vacations – people want them to start as soon as possible and last as long as possible.

Idle question: how many days a week (or month) does everything you receive in the mail go directly into the trash?

You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you attended North or South Ward Elementary Schools.

Focus Group: Favorite memories of the “mouse” 

With the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World just a couple weeks away, we asked our TBR&R focus group for their favorite attraction and favorite park in the entertainment giant.

Our first two responders have made more trips to Disney than the law probably allows – before children, with children and with grandchild. The female focus group member chose The Haunted Mansion and The Magic Kingdom as her favorites. Her tag team partner of many years also likes the Magic Kingdom best with his favorite attraction being the Skyway that gave you a terrific view of the park from the air. The attraction closed in 1999 after 28 years.

Our newest focus group member, like many of us, had different favorite attractions at various stages of his life, but votes for the American Experience in Epcot by a whisper over Soaring. He too votes for Magic Kingdom for its overall experience.

The pragmatist in our focus group votes for any attraction with air conditioning – two of those being her co-favorites The Muppet Show and Disney’s oldest attraction, Carousel of Progress. Her favorite park is Hollywood Studios.

And our last two responses from the western most and northern most members of our elite task force put the Haunted Mansion over the top with one saying they never visited Disney without a whirl through the attraction. And both voted for the beloved Magic Kingdom as their favorite park.

We all thank Walt and his successors for giving us, our kids and, in some cases, our grandkids a treat seldom duplicated.

NEXT UP: Florida’s economy; Replay; Best groups of the ‘70s

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