Nobody asked me, but --
. . .It’s a shame Clearwater politicos or civic bigwigs could not come up with a plan to save the beautiful Calvary Baptist Church Chapel, a truly stunning building. Maybe the city needs a preservation ordinance like Belleair is putting together. For sure, a group is needed to save the chapel, a la the “Save the Belleview Biltmore” crowd that seems to be succeeding.
. . .The young think they will live forever; the old know they won’t and with that knowledge some are sad, others glad, depending. . .
. . .You read it here first, dep’t. – Jim Coats has built an estimable record for almost a year now as sheriff (similar to the sterling record he had for about 30 years in the Sheriff’s Office) and has no fear of challenge. But – if and when he decides to step down Largo’s police chief, Lester Aradi, is waiting in the wings. Aradi says, “I won’t run against Jim Coats whom I respect and believe is doing a good job - but when Jim decides he is done - I may enter the race to be the next sheriff.”
. . .One local official, a hired hand, gets protection from up above when problems are created, demonstrating that feet of clay are not necessarily attached to the one who is in jeopardy.
. . .The implication of the latest nonsense of political correctness with the NCAA taking away team nicknames is that, among others, there is something wrong with being an Indian. To use the _expression “Native American” is an absurdity. Everyone born here is a native American. The very idea of changing the wording implies that there is something wrong with being an Indian. Hey, there is nothing wrong with Indians and the NCAA fools should stop denigrating them.
. . .If I were the king, only American citizens would be able to play organized baseball (minor and major leagues).
. . .I don’t get it. Alan Greenspan, the crafty cosmopolitan, beat on Democrats to cut spending and eliminate budget deficits. They did, and there was a multi-trillion surplus. But Dr. Greenspan has encouraged out of control spending and huge deficits in the current regime. How come?
. . .The mantra is that Largo elected officials are not “in the job for the money.” Don’t fool yourself, the income is vital and significant in some cases, I reckon.
. . .Whatever became of Marie Windsor, she of the big round eyes?
. . .Speaking of Largo, because it has been well publicized now (not by the Big Paper certainly, har har dee har har) that the mayor and commissioners have no power and all power is in the hands of the city manager (by his own testimony), aggrieved Largo residents with problems should call the city manager.
. . .Bristol is a city in two states. Really. On one side of Main Street is Tennessee; on the other, Virginia. It is distinguished by the fact that Jimmie Rodgers did some great recording there, and by the fact that Mary Black (who is shaping up the aforesaid Largo City Commission ) originated there. She claims Virginia as a birthplace, because that is where the hospital was, but grew up on the other side of town in Tennessee.
. . .Phil Mickelson comes across as looking like the talented kid trying to win the Junior Tournament at the Country Club.
. . .Patriotism is great and wars are glorious when someone else is doing all the heavy lifting. So easy to “support our troops” when it is just a sticker on the car.
. . .Can you believe the absurdity of this? A $10 million-plus deal to benefit the city of St. Petersburg went into the toilet because a benefactor was found to be in constructive possession in Greece of an ounce of marijuana. Incredible! I never used the stuff, but c’mon on, marijuana? It probably causes less damage than beer for those who use it.
. . .On that subject, the most dangerous drug of all is freely available to all adults, is totally legal and does more damage, economically, criminally, socially and physically than any other drug. What is it? Alcohol.
. . .If you don’t know what “spin” means, here is a good example of it -- Largo City Manager Steve Stanton told the Charter Review Committee that he has to “keep seven people (mayor and commission members) happy.” Wrong. He needs to keep three people happy because it takes five votes to fire him.
. . .It seems like poor ole Zell Miller and that guy with the invention (in the commercial on TV) are one and the same guy (no two people could sound so much alike as these two do).
. . .How would you like to be stuck on a long elevator ride with Charles Krauthammer? Scaaaaary!! Krauthammer should have stuck with his original occupation (physician) instead of becoming a propagandist.