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

Leading off: 75 or 80? – Either one

We and our friend TL have a minor disagreement. We side with former U.S. Rep Gary Franks’ position that all federal offices, including Supreme Court justices have a mandatory retirement age of 80. TL thinks it should be 75. We could be persuaded either way, but just as the U.S Constitution mandates a minimum age for certain office holders, it should also lay out a mandatory retirement age – just like virtually all segments of our nation’s commerce. Much as we don’t want to fly the friendly skies with an 80-year-old pilot; the same should apply to our decision makers. There comes a time to step aside. We all witnessed Justice Ginsberg, virtually on life support, making critical decisions for our nation. We’re watching the daily mental lapses of our 80-year-old president. If Biden, Trump, McConnell Pelosi and company aren’t willing to retire voluntarily, a Constitution amendment as proposed by Rep. Franks needs to come into play. Yes, it will take a while to do it, and yes, the above mentioned group will fight it with all their waning strength, but it is something the nation needs to do, sooner rather than later.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

A couple of notes on the Biden classified documents. The story appeared on Page 5 of the local paper as opposed to the Pearl Harbor headline Trump’s similar indiscretions generated. In the article, written by a Washington Post writer was a subhead “How do the Biden and Trump cases differ?” followed by a few hundred words of spin doctoring when the simple answer is: they don’t.

Well, Matt Gaetz had his day in the limelight during the torturous House Speaker votes. Now, we wonder if he will even survive his Republican primary in 2024.

Tax season is upon us and we repeat this sound advice from CPA Rick Commons – the IRS never initiates contact via email. So avoid anything that appears to come from the IRS unless you have an ongoing dialogue with them. And if you do, may God have mercy on your soul.

Reflecting on a recent 5:05 Newsletter on the inevitable fall of CTX plus what’s happening to your retirement plan under Biden; it seems the safest spot for your money is under your mattress.

Say goodbye to Sierra Mist and hello to Pepsi’s new citrus drink – Starry. Think of how much Pepsi paid a bunch of people to come up with that name as they continue to try to surpass Coca-Cola’s Sprite.

On this date in 1929 (January 18) legendary gossip columnist Walter Winchell makes his radio debut on WABC radio in New York.

Sports, media and other stuff:

Sports commentary from the 5:05 Newsletter: Congratulations to the Georgia Bulldogs for winning the 2022 Championship of Professional College Football and especially to their coach George Santos.

Related - Stetson Bennett doesn’t win Heisman Trophies, just national championships.

Also related, don’t want to hang around our friend Joe B. right now. His school finished number one in the country while our alma mater was 127^th out of 131 Division 1 schools.

Born 100 years ago this week (Jan. 19) was the long suffering Edith Bunker on All in the Family – Jean Stapleton.

The great Bob Newhart, early in his sitcom career, was instructed to not stutter so much as it was making a scene run too long. Newhart deadpanned, “That stutter bought me a home in Beverly Hills.”

Lovie Smith fired by the Houston Texans after one season. Honestly, we didn’t know (or forgot) that the well-traveled Lovie was their head coach.

Put us down for the Bills over the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

You’ve lived in the bay area a long time if you remember WQXM signing on in 1967 as the region’s classical music station. It later morphed into 98 Rock and the bay area hasn’t enjoyed on air classical music for over five years since WUSF dropped it.

…and another thing: Hall of Fame ballot

Seems our baseball Hall of Fame ballot got lost in the mail again this year. But here are our votes, all returnees to the ballot – post season star Andy Pettitte (will be the first inductee with four t’s in his last name); baseball’s all-time best left handed reliever, Billy Wagner; sweet swinging Todd Helton; consistent, but not spectacular Scott Rolen; the guy who ranks 1-2 with Mays as the best center fielder of all time – Andruw Jones and, knowing it’s a lost cause because of domestic issues, a guy who like Jones, ranks 1-2 at his position – Omar Vizquel. The newbies on the ballot are a somewhat weak crop. If we had to vote for one, it would be another stellar reliever, six time All-Star Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez. But we’ll hold that vote for next year.

NEXT UP: Empty offices; Best bank ad ever; Focus Group

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