Established in 2014, Tampa Bay Rants and Raves is a weekly airing of local and national politics, sports and Tampa Bay memories from a politically incorrect viewpoint.

First thing on our mind:

When we think of mothers, one of the first words that comes to mind is sacrifice. When the kids needed new clothes, she was the one who made the old coat or dress last one more year – always.

Leading off: behind the curtain at AARP

AARP is very much in the news lately with all of its paid endorsements being questioned. Personally, we’re way beyond the eligible age for AARP and have lived nicely without it all these years. All their so-called discounts are available through AAA, being a vet or a member of any number of professional organizations. Their endorsed healthcare plan, United Healthcare is (a pause while we think of a nice word for lacking in integrity). And candidly, AARP is very anti-business except for those companies who pay them for some sort of Good Housekeeping seal that is meaningless.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Grasping for every straw, the radical left is hoping Florida’s ill advised pro-abortion amendment proposal will get fellow lefties to the polls in November to save Joe Biden. It is incumbent on pro-life advocates that more of us show up.

The radical thought that only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, what a novel idea.

Biz note: UPS to shutter 20% of its 1000 operation centers across the country. No word yet on what that will mean in job losses.

Electric vehicle maker Rivian reported an unsustainable $1.4 billion first quarter loss. If non-internal combustion vehicles are going to be successful, they will need the staying power of already established car companies.

Is it necessarily a good thing when a health insurance company reports record profits? You can easily guess who is not benefiting in that scenario.

We might give our mentally challenged Mr. Biden a break on rising food costs, but when Hershey announces record prices for the Hershey Bar due to inflation, that just goes beyond the pale.

From the 5:05 Newsletter: Teach a man to fish and he will eat for life. Give him someone else’s fish and he will vote for you.

Seventy years ago, you could only get Coca Cola in a 6.5 ounce bottle. It was 1955 before the “large” 10 ounce bottle was introduced.

Sports, media and other notes:

We note the passing of Basil Scaglione who operated the University Restaurant near USF for 35 years, providing a hearty meal and nice surroundings for many a USF student. Mr. Scaglione was 99.

The Times is in the midst of its annual begging for dollars campaign. If they made even a marginal try at balanced journalism, they might not be in the financial straits they find themselves.

Answer: Orioles and Phillies. Question which of the original 16 major league baseball teams have the worst record in each league? The best record in the two leagues – teams that originally called New York home – the Giants and the still present in Gotham Yankees.

You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you remember the fire that destroyed Clearwater Ten Pin Lanes on Coachman Road. Our friend and former firefighter, State Senator Ed Hooper, said it was the hottest fire he can remember because of the lacquer used on the lanes.

…One last thing: Indy, it ain’t

It had to happen. In Europe, they are testing Formula E – races for electric cars. There isn’t exactly a crush of ticket buyers yet. U-Tube podcasts of the events are drawing less than 50,000. There are, of course, no pit stops. No noise except a sort of whish, oddly reminiscent of the turbo era at Indy in the late sixties. The races are typically under 30 laps – about the same length of feature races at local bullrings. We guess Joe Biden and his crowd might like it, but it will never replace the event two weeks hence in Indianapolis.  

UP NEXT: Joyland; Back to the Future; Westshore Plaza

Happy Mother’s Day!

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