Category: Uncategorized

* “We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.”–President Donald Trump, on ordering a drone strike that killed Iran’s top military leader, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

* “He doesn’t crave war, nor do I.”–Rep. Matt Goetz, R-Fla.

* “The message to all those who mean harm to America is loud and clear.”–Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

* “First step toward regime change in Iran.”–Former national security adviser John Bolton.

* “Harsh retaliation is waiting.”–Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

* “The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations.”–Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in announcing that Iran will no longer abide by the limits contained in the 2015 nuclear deal.

“As reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?”–Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn.

* “The world cannot afford another war.”–U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

* “A further escalation that sets the whole region on fire needs to be prevented.”–German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

* “What always kept both Democratic and Republican presidents from targeting Suleimani himself was the simple question: Was the strike worth the likely retaliation, and the potential to pull us into protracted conflict?”–Rep. Elissa Slottkin, D-Mich., a former CIA and Defense Department official.

* “Beijing’s dilemma is that ‘one country, two systems,’ always an exercise in creative ambiguity, is broken.”–Roger Cohen, New York Times.

* “Stay tuned, there will be more actions aimed at restricting their sources of income. We’re looking for ways to restrict, restrict, restrict their freedom of action until they change their ways, which is a hard thing to foresee given their history, 61 years of nothing but repression and decline.”–Michael Kozak, acting assistant secretary of state for Latin America, on the current U.S. policy of maintaining “maximum pressure” on Cuba.

* “I have been in some kind of fight–for freedom, equality, basic human rights–for nearly my entire life. I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now.”–U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., in announcing that he has advanced pancreatic cancer.

* “In an era of data overload and short attention spans, it’s not the most reliable, trustworthy material that goes viral–it’s the loudest voices, the angriest, most outrageous posts that get clicked and shared.”–Michiko Kakutani, author of “The Death of Truth.”

* “It’s a strategy that we have to expose because they insist on these politics of fear. It’s a return to McCarthyism.”–Leopoldo Martinez, the first Venezuelan-born member of the DNC, on the Republican strategy of playing the “socialism” card.

* “Developed economies that are maturing that have demographic headwinds are going to face many of the same things Japan has been facing over decades. It’s almost inevitable.”–Joseph Amato, president and chief investment officer of equities at Newberger Berman.

* “We have to say unapologetically that we believe in capitalism, except we believe in a more compassionate form of it.”–Former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum.

* “Teamed with a resilient job market, low mortgage rates have helped boost home buyer demand.”–Matthew Speakman, economist at (real estate data provider) Zillow, on the impact of mortgage rates falling from 4.6 percent to 3.7 percent in the past year.

* “Overall, consumer sentiment among Floridians remains high.”–Hector Sandoval, director of the economic analysis program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the nation’s economic output.

* “We definitely think it ought to be Florida.”–Dale Ketcham, Space Florida’s vice president of government and external relations, on where the command center for Space Force, the nation’s newest military branch, should be located.

* “I made a promise during my campaign that the NRA would have no influence over me or our department. I stand behind that promise.”–Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

* I hope I’m wrong, but I think that ultimately Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who’s been critically outspoken about the impeachment proceedings and is hardly a Trump sycophant, will vote to acquit. For the record, Murkowski has said she is “disturbed” by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s pledge to collude with the White House. She doesn’t want to “pre-judge.” She doesn’t want to work “hand in glove with the defense.”

But will she paint herself into a non-fealty, Democratic-siding corner?

She could pull a Marco Rubio, known to occasionally differ with Trump to affirm that he’s still his own person, and then vote to support the big priorities. Murkowski could say, in effect: “I am nobody’s rubber stamp. I won’t rush to judgment because that’s what my party and this president want. I won’t support a sham trial with a pre-ordained verdict. That’s not who I am or what the American people want–or need.

“But having objectively looked at all the evidence, I honestly don’t find it so compelling that it reaches the level of impeachment. Deeply disturbing, to be sure. I get the uproar, but it’s shy of why we should remove a president elected by the people. I can live with my vote because I’ve done my due diligence, not because I slavishly follow party and presidential dictates.”

I hope I’m wrong. And that goes for the equivocating Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Mitt Romney (Utah), who might still want to be secretary of state–and maybe long shots Cory Gardner (Colorado) and Rob Portman (Ohio) too.

* Trump was impeached over abuse of power involving the strong-arming of Ukraine, a vulnerable ally, for personal political gain. Why should anyone be surprised? It’s the geopolitical extension of the Trump MO. Not unlike using overwhelming leverage against Queens sub-contractors.

* So look who spent Christmas Eve with the Trumps at Mar-a-Lago: The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin and his wife. BTW, Ovechkin is a close friend of Vlad Putin. At least Andrei Vasilevskiy and Nikita Kucherov weren’t there.

* We now know that Trump retweeted, then deleted a post that included the alleged name of the anonymous whistleblower whose revelation ultimately led to the president’s impeachment. If nothing else, this is at serious odds with federal protection laws that exist to protect the identity, careers and, possibly, lives of those who bring forward accusations of wrongdoing by government officials. Unfortunately, we can’t delete the reality that Trump tweets to 68 million followers.

* “… Foster a culture of deeper understanding and respect, traits that exemplify the teachings of Christ.”–That’s what Donald Trump urged Americans to do in his Christmas message. Maybe Mike Pence fell for it.

* It’s weird that England, a critical geopolitical and trade partner of the U.S.–especially in the post-Brexit era–still hasn’t appointed an ambassador to the U.S. The previous ambassador, Kim Darroch, was basically run out of town this summer after his cables disparaging the Trump White House as “dysfunctional” leaked to the media. Can only imagine how Darroch couched his comments when not observing diplomatic protocols.

* The stock market, as we’ve been seeing, continues to climb to historic heights. Overall, that’s very good, of course, even if doesn’t directly impact the bootstraps demographic. But at some point, one of the immutable laws of economics could kick in: Uncertainty is always unwelcome. That ominously remains an ever-present reality, if not certainty, in an era when the most powerful and influential person in the world remains unhinged, unpredictable and dangerously unfit.

* Cory Booker hasn’t qualified for upcoming debates, but he still has, ironically, a forum that some of his rivals don’t. He’ll be part of the Senate’s impeachment jury. No, it’s not the same as sharing the candidate stage with your competition, but it’s a reminder that he remains a player in this beyond-bizarre, multi-faceted process. And Booker, as we’ve seen, is not reluctant to take advantage of such an opportunity.

* “This is about making markets work.”–That was Elizabeth Warren recently in a pragmatic pivot to get some separation from Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist who is closest to her on the progressive spectrum. Hard-core Democrat Warren has ardent supporters; the politically ambiguous Sanders has a rabid, zero-sum fan base and the endorsement of media-courting Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Separation isn’t that hard.

* Sanders remains the elephant in the room. He will not be the nominee, but not unlike 2016, enough of his “Bernie or Bust” zealots could sit out the election and help enable Trump to triumph AGAIN. America loses when stubborn ideals morph into stupid self-destruction. Maybe Larry David can hit the hustings and help make the case for what’s at stake if we’re saddled with another four years of this un-democratic, non-Democrat alternative.

* “No Malarkey”: Joe Biden’s campaign bus.

* It’s not consolation enough, but what happened at the Moffitt Cancer Center is not unique to Moffitt. It’s part of a manifest international pattern: China continues to play out its authoritarian, hybrid, loopholier-than-thou brand of capitalism. From Maoist command economy to one that pragmatically reconciles billionaires and a gambling mecca with communist governance. Rather than the old communist-capitalist standoffs, modern China wants to beat capitalists at their own game and then some–using whatever expedient means necessary, ethics and legalities be damned. 

* R.I. P., Newseum.

Sad, but hardly surprising, to see that Washington’s Newseum, a private museum dedicated toexploring modern history through the eyes of journalists, has closed. It was always a challenge from its recession-era 2008 debut as a private institution–and the Pennsylvania Avenue real estate was too prime. But the timing couldn’t be worse. In the epoch of social media manipulation and mainstream media demonization as “fake news” and “enemy of the people,” the need for highlighting journalism as an indispensible bulwark of democratic society has never been more acute. 

* CNN’s Sunday “State of the Union” featured the identically surnamed Republican senator from Louisiana, John Kennedy, and the Democratic representative from Massachusetts, Joe Kennedy III. Too bad they don’t have more in common.

* “I talk to millions of people every day. I just like it when they can’t talk back.”–The late disc jockey/radio personality Don Imus.

* Remember when movies were escape? And has there ever been a more compelling time for doing just that? But “Bombshell” is not escape; it’s a reminder of what we’re trying to escape from. And Foxy anchors are not exactly “Me Too” avatars. And then there’s “The Hidden Life.” Anything with a Nazi theme and group think can’t help but carry contemporary overtones. But both are worth seeing, if not sanctuaries from you know what.

* Speaking of movies, “The Two Popes,” regardless of your religion, is also worth catching. It’s  dialogue centric, which means it would also play well as a play. As opposed to “The Irishman,” which could have addressed its editing issues by eliminating tedious dialogue among mobsters.  

* Sports is an integral part of our society, our culture and our economy. It’s also part of our value system, which can be sobering. To wit: The minimum–MINIMUM–salary of NFL players is $495,000. And that’s the lowest–LOWEST–among the major sports. MLB: $555,000; NBA: $582,000; NHL: $650,000. And, BTW, the annual salary for POTUS is $400,000.

*We’re all aware of the Rays continuing status as a franchise that struggles with attendance. Such that it foments ongoing speculation about its status in this market. Last year it ranked 31st in attendance out of 32 franchises. The Bucs, on the other hand, have seen the focus on underperformance on the playing field, inconsistency in front office player assessment and Jameis Winston for all the obvious reasons. However, attendance has also become an issue. Increasingly so. This season, the Bucs ranked 30th in the league in attendance. But they have a first-class facility in the right part of the market in a sport that is an American media magnet–and are not going anywhere except, hopefully, upward toward playoff eligibility for the first time in more than a decade. Hopefully.

* A pick-six in overtime to end this roller coaster season and maybe Winston’s Buccaneer career. Perversely appropriate.

* Aren’t the New England Patriots too good to be so conniving? Or maybe having a Trump-supporting owner with a fondness for the wrong day spas speaks volumes.

* “The will of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is as firm as a rock. We will never allow any external forces to interfere in Hong Kong and Macau affairs.”–Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

* “China unfairly uses the American research and expertise it obtains for its own economic and military gain.”–Excerpt from the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs report on Chinese threats to U.S. Research.

* “I hope Japan and other nations in the world make an effort toward the maintenance of the agreement.”–Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, referencing the multi-nation nuclear agreement the U.S. withdrew from during Rouhani’s recent meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

* “During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats have afforded this president in this process.”–Rep. Barry Laudermilk, R-Ga.

* “Why should crazy Nancy Pelosi be allowed to impeach the president of the United States?”–President Donald Trump.

* “I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing. I also could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting president must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.”–Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, in defending her controversial “present” vote on impeachment.

* “If he’d take it, yes.”–Joe Biden’s response to a question about whether, if nominated and elected, he would nominate Barack Obama to the Supreme Court.

* “The disregard for expertise in the federal government is worse than it’s ever been. It’s pervasive.”–Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

* “In the past, when we had an administration that was not very pro-environment, we could still just lay low and do our work. Now we feel like the E.P.A. is being run by the fossil fuel industry. It feels like a wholesale attack.”–Betsy Smith, a climate scientist who resigned from the E.P.A.

* “It’s a wonderful thing for science.”–U.S. astronaut Christina Koch, who recently broke the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 289 days in space aboard the International Space Station.

* “The guy is freaking evil.”–Navy SEAL Special Operator First Class Craig Miller, in describing Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher during the latter’s prosecution on war crimes charges. President Trump later pardoned Gallagher.

* “Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.”–Aldous Huxley.

* “In Tampa Bay alone, studies have shown more than $15 billion in real estate and 17,000 jobs are at risk due to rising seas and extreme weather threats. … (However), the positive momentum to address these challenges has never been greater. Sea level rise legislation is gaining political support from both Republicans and Democrats, as they recognize the economic threat of doing nothing. … What we are doing now is not for us, but to ensure our children, grandchildren and future generations can enjoy the beauty of our region for years to come.”–Former Pinellas County Commissioner–and likely 2021 St. Petersburg mayoral candidate–Janet Long.

* “The provision of high quality water to the entire Tampa Bay region is one of the most critical issues we will face moving into the future. In order to meet this growing demand for water we must explore all environmentally friendly and scientifically proven alternative sources, while focusing on conservation.”–Mayor Jane Castor.

* “I continue to be deeply impressed. The impact of USF’s achievements during the past 10 years is a key reason why the world’s top talent chooses to live and work in the Tampa Bay region.”–USF President Steve Currall, on what drew him to the USF presidency.

* “It’s complicated to build in Florida, and it’s particularly complicated to build in a growing urban city like Tampa. We respect that it’s complicated, but it should not necessarily be a mystery.”–Carole Post, Tampa’s incoming economic development officer, underscoring priorities such as transparency and the streamlining of rules and operations.

* “It smells as bad as it could possibly smell.” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, after the Bucs frustrating, 28-22 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons.  

Iowa. Call it the “Hawkeye State.” Or the “Soybean State.” Or the “Silo State.” Or even the “Caucus State.” But, alas, we have to call it the first state to vote during primary season. That, along with the obsolete electoral college, has to change. The road to the White House shouldn’t be jumpstarted in the “Caucasian State.”

It’s simply not appropriate that a small, largely rural, demographically-skewed state with a quirky process that results in low turnout can have so much influence and impact on something so important as the U.S. presidency. The results of the Feb. 3 caucus will provide outsized momentum for the winner and could undermine candidacies that play better amid more diverse electorates, which is virtually all of them.

* Trump wants a show trial (for “exoneration”). Of course he does–but on his terms, which includes subpoena defiance. Whether it was firing contestants on “The Apprentice” or descending a Trump Tower escalator–as Deus Ex Machina Man–it’s always been about the show and accompanying, Trump-lionizing optics. But, yes, he will have to accept that Chief Justice John Roberts–not Judge Judy–will be presiding.

* It’s likely that Trump, however full of bluster and buffoonery, is not just irate over impeachment–but embarrassed. Tantamount to a pathological narcissist’s worst nightmare. For all his name recognition and MAGA branding, his obit lead will reference America’s third presidential impeachment, and he knows it.

* “Monica Zelenskiy.” That’s how a number of Ukrainians are expressing their disapproval and frustration over the way their president is handling the relationship with President Trump.

* Speculation persists that Mike Pompeo might resign to run for the Senate from Kansas. That was ratcheted up recently when the well-regarded Stephen Biegun, the American special envoy for Korean nuclear affairs, was nominated to become deputy secretary of state. Biegun could ease into an acting role if Pompeo decides to move on. As for Pompeo, maybe he doesn’t like what he foresees from the upcoming election. Or maybe he doesn’t like being trolled by Rudy Giuliani, who still wants to be secretary of state. Or maybe he’s approaching an epiphany and is actually embarrassed by foreign-policy chaos and yearns to return to his West Point ideals.

* Not that long ago–in2008–on CNN Trump said of Nancy Pelosi: “I like her a lot.” But he was “surprised” that she hadn’t pushed to impeach President George W. Bush for “lying about the Iraq war.” Impeachment, he said–as only he can phrase it–“would have been a wonderful thing.” And for the record, he thought–at least back then–that President Bill Clinton’s impeachment was “nonsense.”

* Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., says he will be playing a role in the Trump Administration after announcing that he won’t be running for re-election. Last year he was rumored to be a candidate for chief of staff. That could still be in play and incumbent Mick Mulvaney–of “get used to it” fame–knows it.

* It’s still shocking to hear Trump-opposition sentiment that seemingly dreads Vice President Mike Pence more than Trump. As in, “If we impeach and convict Trump, we get Pence for president! No!” Pence, to be clear, is a sycophantic opportunist, an evangelical hypocrite and made-to-order material for “Saturday Night Live.” But he is not an unhinged, immoral existential threat to the world around him. Moreover, he’s nobody the Republican Party, now cult leader-enamored, could rally around in the next election.

POLITIFACT’s choice for “Silence of the Year” is Hunter Biden. Well chosen. Here’s how he should have broken that silence, a break we’ll never see. “Upon reflection–and I should have reflected a helluva lot sooner–serving on that Burisma board was beyond inappropriate; it was blatantly self-serving. I was born on third base, thanks to my dad, and I kept thinking I had hit a triple. There’s ample precedent, as we all know.

“What I did by taking hefty compensation for doing little beyond lending my high-profile family name to a Ukrainian energy-company board was to insert myself into a geopolitical hotspot that put the United States and lot of people of earned authority and power in an awkward position, to say the least. Yeah, while I did nothing criminal, I regret the whole thing and now wish those who mattered most had said–in effect–‘WTF! The sheer ethics–and the political optics–are awful! You’re not THIS entitled.’

“And, yeah, one more thing. How ironic that I became Kid Pro Quo, the catalyst for Trump calling President Zelenskiy to get dirt on my dad. Absent that, there’s no formal impeachment. I shouldn’t be this important.

“And, oh yeah, one other thing. If my father is the nominee and the president brings this up in a debate, my dad will remind, as only he can, the electorate of the self-aggrandizing and influence peddling–including within the White House–that this president’s kids continue to traffic in.”