First thing on our mind:

We are a couple days late with this edition. You would think a major media platform like this would have a backup generator but sadly no. Our editor is busy with other things, so excuse this week’s misspellings, lack of commas, etc.

Leading off: Look in the mirror, Kamala

How dare the shallow, career politician Kamala Harris take a shot at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, accusing him of “politicizing” the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton? DeSantis, who grew up here in Pinellas County, knows this state like the back of his hand. He’s been through many of these storms and has what it takes. Other states have turned to him for advice and help on managing their situations involving Helene. Meanwhile SCPK (see top line for definition) is busy fielding softball questions from third rate media outlets – way too busy to be bothered with storm victims in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. Our Governor said it best, “Look in the mirror, Kamala.”

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Related from the 5:05 Newsletter: In an effort to get federal disaster relief money headed their way faster, North Carolina has seceded from the Union and annexed itself into Ukraine.

Also related – Despite their vaunted pre-storm PR campaign saying they were up to the challenge, Duke Power graded out as “D” at best in their efforts to restore power. Only Spectrum with their extremely fragile infrastructure fared worse.

A couple nuggets from a University of South Carolina civics professor: (1) a third of American adults can’t name the three branches of government (2) ten percent of college graduates think Judge Judy Sheindlin is a member of the Supreme Court. Is it any wonder why nearly half of America favors Kamala for president?

Borrowed from a friend - Dancing around an issue without answering the question should be named “The Harris Walz.”

Sorry, we cannot see ourselves voting for somebody named “Cookie.” Plus her record of public service is mediocre at best.

Idle thought: We bet cops get plenty tired of hearing “do you know who I am?” during traffic stops.

Southwest Airlines to end their free for all seating system beginning late next year adopting assigned seats like all other major airlines.

This week in 1958 (10/17) - WEDU Channel 3 signs on. Over the years, it has been rated as high as the third most watched PBS station in the nation. Back in the days of analog TV, a proposed swap of channels between WEDU and WTOG, Channel 44 was denied by the FCC. WEDU was one of two PBS outlets in the bay area until WUSF Channel 16 left the airwaves in 2017.

Sports, media and other notes:

We never had two brothers-in-law; they were brothers. The second of those two, Paul Crisp Jr. passed away last week in Tavares. Paul had a distinguished career in the military followed by another as an educator. Our Saintly Wife’s brother will be sorely missed.

If you never saw the six-part HBO series McMillion$ (and we hadn’t), grab the 2024 book by the series’ producers James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte. It’s a fast-paced story of how the popular McDonald’s Monopoly contest was hijacked by a group of con artists.

In the ever changing Athletic 134, Texas is on top and Miami (7) is the only Florida school in the top 50. The others: UF (53); UCF (60); FSU (84); USF (90) and FAU and FIU still joined at the hip at 109-110. Kent State, for the fourth straight week, anchors the Top 134.

A mere five games into the season, the Jets pull the plug on head coach Robert Saleh (2-3 this year and 20-36 over three plus seasons).

Luis Tiant, one of the great pitchers of the 60s and 70s, died last week at age 83. The colorful right hander won 229 games in his 19-year career.

MLB will pick up the broadcasts of Cleveland, Milwaukee and Minnesota next year after they were dropped by Bally. That brings to six the number of teams MLB will carry.

Larry Vanover is a name you may not be familiar with. This is despite umpiring in the bigs for 30 years. He simply did his job with little flair and very few missed calls - happy retirement, Larry.

Thought from a friend: Idecided to stop calling thebathroom “John” and renamed it “Jim.” I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.

One last thing: A Clearwater institution

We like many others celebrated so much there. For us, Little League championships and near misses; learning we were about to become grandparents; mini CHS reunions; our 50^th wedding anniversary and just a lot of good times with good friends. Now, with a shadow of a tear we bid goodbye to Capogna’s Dugout and Al and Stefani and their family. Founded by patriarch Art Capogna, for 52 years two generations made you feel at home and served up great pizza and the best damned tuna melt on earth. To all the Capognas and their extended family (staff) we say a heartfelt thanks.

UP NEXT: Hillbilly Elegy; Better off? Local boy makes good

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