Opinions to go Online

Former President Jimmy Carter, 98, has entered hospice care. The end is near, but his legacy—highlighted by his post-presidential work–will live on. Given where we are and how we got here, we’re not likely to see his kind again. Performance art was not his modus operandi.

I saw it up close when I did volunteer work for Habit For Humanity. On a project in Houston, I saw that—unlike other politicians who used HFH as a prop—he was all work. I was with a Secret Service guy trying to coax Carter down from a roof–where he was hammering away in hellish humidity–for some rest and hydration. He finally descended—once he had finished the job.

I also remember going to a nearby junior high for lunch. Carter was in line with everybody else, holding his tray, waiting his turn. “Would you like fries with that, Mr. President?” He was like everyone else, although he wasn’t. He will be missed.

* America’s commitment to Ukraine has been underscored by more than weaponry. President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Kyiv–amid air raid sirens–spoke volumes for continued U.S. support.

* “Watch me.” That’s octogenarian President Joe Biden’s familiar response when asked if he’s still up to the job at his age.

* “Generational arguments can be powerful.” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, 41.

* President Biden’s approval ratings remain frustratingly low. He likely wouldn’t run for re-election if the Dems had a stronger-option bench, including his vice president.

* The January employment report showed an unemployment rate that had fallen to 3.4 percent.

* Consumer prices rose 6.4 percent in January. In December it was 6.5 percent. Last June it was 9.1 percent.

* “Too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines.”–Former Florida commissioner of agriculture Nikki Fried, in announcing that she’ll run for chairperson of the beleaguered Florida Democratic Party.

* Tampa’s Democratic Representative Kathy Castor is now the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight & Investigations Committee.

* The 37-story Pendry tower—with completion planned for 2024—is now under construction. Yet another reminder of what could have been built there: Trump Tower Tampa.

* Inflation in Tampa Bay rose 8.9 percent in 2022.

* “I’m a big supporter of Ron (DeSantis) and his policies, and as you can see from the donations (more than $200,000) I fully support him.” That was Tampa City Council candidate Blake Casper in a recent interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Even in a “nonpartisan” race, it’s relevant for what it says about values and ideology.

* Casper—who jumped in at the last minute—has self-funded $105,000 for his campaign. BTW, District 4 is the only one in Tampa where GOPsters outnumber Dems. Yes, it’s a “nonpartisan” race, but, yes, everybody knows who’s a “D” and who’s an “R”.

* Black history is embedded in American history. What is, and has long been, needed is the teaching of comprehensive, inclusive history that reflects racial reality—not race theory–from 1619 to 2023.

* Permitless carry of concealed guns? There’s no concealing this low-caliber, “freedumb” agenda.

* Sobering reality check: Florida students are better protected against books than bullets.

* “I don’t think it says in the United States Constitution that you have training to carry a gun.” State Rep. Chuck Brennan, R-Macclenny.

* If DeSantis’ budget–the one that includes helping to fund the relocating of migrants around the country–holds, state spending will have increased by more than 25 percent since he took office.

* “Ready for Ron”: a federal political committee with an online petition to “draft DeSantis for president.”

* “Sorry, Ron, you’re number two.” That was New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, in claiming that his state is ranked number 1 in “personal freedom.” Yes, Sununu has ambition, however a long, long shot, beyond New Hampshire.

* “The new racism is denying that racism exists.”–Among the signage at a Tallahassee protest rally over Gov. DeSantis’ policies.

* “Some Republicans warn that DeSantis could fizzle like (former Wisconsin Gov. Scott) Walker because of his charisma deficit. He’s awkward and standoffish.”–Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch.

* “The biomedical security state”: The term applied by DeSantis to the federal government for favoring masks or COVID vaccine mandates.

* “An apparent pattern of politically and racially motivated attacks on higher education.”–The American Association of University Professors, in announcing its Florida investigation.

* What other changes could possibly be coming for Gnu College?

* Death penalty: Florida has the most death row exonerations of any state in the U.S.–with 30 people who were set to be executed later found to be wrongfully convicted. DeSantis: Jury unanimity for capital punishment isn’t needed; more often than not, the convicted suspect is really guilty. Close enough.

* If DeSantis were to really get his way, a 6-6 jury vote would probably suffice—if he gets the tie-breaker.

* Restaurateurs looking for a niche in an ever-growing market might consider this option: Put a premium on dining without a lot of noise. Where the focus is on diners who enjoy dining while conversing with each other–what a concept–not shouting over a loud, however hip, ambiance.

* China is second–to the U.S.–with more than 32,000 people holding wealth exceeding $50 million. Imagine how many it would have were it not a “communist” country. What would Karl Marx say?

* The older you get, the earlier it gets late.

* Living is engaging—not just existing. That’s why it’s said that “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

* Missed the 2023 Grammys? So did I.

* “J. Edna Hoover”: Robert F. Kennedy’s nickname for J. Edgar Hoover.

* Shiite happens: An Iranian couple was sentenced to 10 years in jail for public dancing.

* Whatever the outcome of plans to build a new Rays ballpark amid the redevelopment of the 86-acre, Tropicana Field site, there is a familiar, sobering reality. This is still an atypical, asymmetrical market with no mass transit. A stadium belongs in Tampa Bay’s hub, not fringe—where the closest market to the west is Galveston. We also have issues about corporate headquarters and fan fealty to other home-town markets. St. Pete is not Atlanta’s Battery area.

* “I think that we see the potential in the Tampa market dramatically different than we see Oakland.” That was Commissioner Rob Manfred; MLB has given Oakland permission to explore a move to Las Vegas.

* When it comes to Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, they’re both GOATs. The “Greatest Of All Time” and the “Greatest of Another Time.” Ultimately, history will make the call.

* It’s now 20 years since an American male (Andy Roddick) won a Grand Slam Men’s singles title (U.S. Open).

* “I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels.” That was Republican Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, in announcing her candidacy for president—and sending an obvious signal to the ultimate—although unnamed–GOP bully.

* “Vichy Republicans.”–GOPsters for Trump.

* Sarah *uckabee Sanders: “The choice is between normal and crazy.” It sure is.

* Trump is reportedly considering bringing back firing squads if he returns to the presidency. In short, gather ‘round and circle up.

* “America First” or “America Cursed”?

* “Trump of the Tropics:” Nickname for Jair Bonsonaro, the former right-wing president of Brazil.

* As for those Mike Pence classified documents found in his Indiana home: Reportedly Pence was surprised and disappointed by such docs, but embarrassed by the discovery of his Trump bobble head collection.

* “We are really closer to that doomsday.”–Former Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia, at the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists’ annual rating announcement of how close the world is to a nuclear “doomsday.” The Russian-Ukrainian war has moved the “Doomsday Clock” to 90 seconds before midnight. The Atomic Scientists had previously projected in minutes, not seconds.

* “Nothing is off the table.”–UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in reference to military help for Ukraine.

* “China wants to see prolonged war in Ukraine, because it will divert the West from China while China is getting energy at low prices from Russia.”–Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

* Being homosexual isn’t a crime.”–Pope Francis.

* “Former Speaker Tip O’Neill famously said, ‘All politics is local.’ That’s no longer true. All politics is national now because Congress no longer plays its role as the arena where political disputes are settled through a robust legislative process.”–Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch.

* “How is it possible that I have fewer classified documents in my house than the last few White House Administrations? Edward Snowden.

* “There’s only one way forward here, and it’s for Congress to raise the debt ceiling … Any deviations from that path would be highly risky.”–Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

* “It will be a difficult year, but it won’t won’t be a year of recession.”–Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.

* “You don’t fight crime by becoming criminals yourself.”–Al Sharpton, on the brutal death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police.

* “America is not past our prime. It’s just that our politicians are past theirs.”–Nikki Haley, in calling for mandatory mental competency tests for pols over 75.

* “(I hope his) courage will serve as an example for others.”–U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, in praising Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who checked himself into a treatment center for clinical depression.

* “Great Caesar’s bust is on the shelf, and I don’t feel so well myself.”–Poet Arthur Guiterman.

* “In Florida, we’ve seen so many people sent to the death penalty that were innocent. It shouldn’t be easy to kill someone.”–Former Democratic state Sen. Randolph Bracy.

* “Nothing says you oppose ideology on college campuses… like pushing your ideology on college campuses.”–State Rep. Ana Eskamani, D-Orlando.

* “This is really the safe bet.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, referring to his choice of the Hines/Rays proposal for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field.

* “Water Street Tampa’s highly sought-after attributes and Tampa’s pro-business climate create an ideal environment for our company to attract and retain talent.”–Kevin Phillips, managing partner of PEI Global Partners, which will open a Water Street Florida headquarters early next year.

Once again we are reminded that we are among the few cities lucky enough to have a big signature parade. In fact, it’s a doubleheader. We just had 6-figure crowds lining Bayshore to watch the Children’s Gasparilla. It’s the largest kids’ event in the U.S. It has a sponsor, Chick-fil-A, and ranges from a bicycle safety rodeo and marching bands to an air invasion and fireworks. More than 100 floats and 50 krewes take part. It’s nothing like the children’s parade used to be: a couple of floats and a handful of parent-monitoring tykes on trikes.

One other thing. This is “Seas the Day” Tampa at its best. It even looks like Tampa–black, brown and white–and sounds like Tampa–English and Spanish–as Tampa bead-bearing kids ride in wagons or on their fathers’ shoulders. It’s an alcohol free celebration of Tampa.

Then there’s the big one, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest this Saturday. Only problem: It’s not alcohol free and thus no longer Tampa at its best. While Tampa police have done a laudable job in reining in some of the worst behaviors, a rite of pissage still prevails for too many who begin drinking before noon.

Maybe we don’t need a doubleheader.

* “We’re true partners, the three of us.”–President Joe Biden in reference to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City.

* Sturm und drang alert: “Now that Democrats no longer have one-party rule in Washington, oversight and accountability are coming.” That was Republican Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee. In other words, they’ll be accountable for putting Hunter Biden back in the news cycle.

* Given the GOP’s control of the House, grass roots commitments, efforts at voter suppression and hardcore Trump fealty, Dems can hardly afford unforced errors. But here we are: President Joe Biden’s White House document security, Hunter Biden’s lap top and coattail-riding in Ukraine, Andrew Gillum’s frought character, Hillary Clinton’s emails and connection to Anthony the Weinermobile. Rick Scott still probably appreciates Alex Sink’s phone call during their gubernatorial debate. Dems have enough issues with party unity, a less-than-stellar bench and continued GOP efforts to make voting more problematic. Unforced errors should be unacceptable.

* “I think Cuba is weaponizing immigration to get Biden to cede on sanctions.”–Orlando Gutierrez, head of the Cuban Resistance Assembly in Miami.