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.

Pinellas should revisit term limits

Only a technicality prevented the will of 70 percent of Pinellas voters regarding term limits from becoming law two decades ago. A few weeks ago, County Commission chairman David Eggers proposed putting a referendum to the people again. Predictably, it was swatted down by fellow commissioners and career politicians Pat Gerard, Charlie Justice and Janet Long. Justice presented the weakest argument saying, with a straight face, that voters can change commissioners when they please, completely ignoring the enormous advantages of incumbency. Eggers’ measured plan of three 4-year terms makes sense, but now it’s up to a charter review committee which can be stacked by the commission (and is subject to their veto) or a better option of a voter initiative. And the time for that has come.

Great Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

Number of the Week: 1 in 100 – the number of older Americans who have died from COVID. For persons under 65, the number is 1 in 1,400. It’s hard to find a person who has not been touched in some way by these numbers.

We’re guessing that Joe Biden now wishes he had picked Florida’s Val Demings as his running mate rather than the radioactive Kamala Harris.

Hate to see Chris Wallace leave Fox News and Fox News Sunday. Wallace provided some balance to a network that tilts as far right as CNN and MSNBC lean in the other direction. On the bright side, perhaps he can bring some much needed balance to his new home – CNN.

Another sign of “Florida’s Best Newspaper” circling the drain - the federal agency The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is bailing out the paper’s pension fund, estimated to be $100 million underfunded. The Times doggedly continues to pursue an unworkable business model of a non-profit controlling and bleeding a struggling newspaper.

Some of the best assignments for the Secret Service – that would be Ronald Reagan and, somewhat surprisingly, Dick Cheney. One of the worst – that, again surprisingly, was Jimmy Carter and the absolute worst – Hillary Clinton - her detail was considered a punishment for agents. These notes are from an engaging book The First Family Detail by veteran journalist Ronald Kessler. We’ll have a detailed look at the book right after the holidays.

Did you know there was once a Hooters airline? Fifteen years ago, the restaurant giant shut down its short lived airline – Hooters Air after three years of operation and roughly $40 million in losses.

One of the truly nice people in our community, Chuck Kilbride, passed away last week. Chuck was in the airline industry for many years and later assisted people in job preparation and searches in addition to being very active in his church. He was 87.

Lighter stuff:

This week’s Christmas thought comes from our long suffering bride: “May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve.” 

Seen on a T-shirt: Santa before I explain, how much do you know already?

Lest December 23^rd sneak up on us, let us be one of the first to wish you a Happy Festivus.

While we continue to enjoy another football season in Tampa Bay, the two New York teams are a combined 7-19.

Our favorite bowl – the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl is staged this week with Wyoming playing Kent State.

Taliban News from What Used to Be The 5:05 Newsletter: “The Taliban, plagued by calls concerning the extended warranty on their new Humvees and U.S. military Jeeps, are threatening to invade India if the calls don't stop.”

Top movies from 25 and 50 years ago this month: Mr. Holland’s Opus (1996) and The French Connection (1971).

Factoid: The first Hess toy truck, still a popular Christmas gift, was made in 1964. Several of the 1960s models are now worth upwards of $3000.

Recently there have been some gems in the comic strips like this observation from Peppermint Patty’s friend Marcie in Peanuts, “The world is filled with unmarried marriage counselors.”

You’ve lived in the bay area a long time if you ever attended Maas Brothers’ neat Breakfast with Santa.

Classic Toys

Last holiday season (TBR&R 12/20/20) we highlighted the 11 toys inducted into the charter class of the National Toy Hall of Fame – from Barbie to Tinker Toys. The second class inducted in 1999 honored another six classic toys. They were the Duncan Yo-Yo, the Cadillac of yo-yos; the ubiquitous Hula Hoop; a toy conceived by the son of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright – Lincoln Logs; the smash hit of the 1930s – the Radio Flyer Wagon; a toy that had its roots in the Civil War years – roller skates; and one we remember from our youth, complete with photos of the Eisenhower inauguration and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – the View Master.

NEXT UP: Our annual look back at the people and events of 2021

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Merry Christmas!

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