Photo credit: the Superstar@Flickr.com

1. Looks like the Pimpin Commish stepped in it again, this time with a late claim regarding some Bucs luxury suite tickets that he accepted as a gift. White told the St. Pete Times that there was no price on the tickets ( I wonder if Norman ever saw a price on his wife's vacation house?)  Lets just hope he didn't harass any women while he was there because we can't afford another $500,000!

2. Obama supports a Muslim mosque near ground zero. I wonder if he would be just as tolerant of Hillsborough's big ass confederate flag on 1-4? Even Dems like Alex Sink can't seem to swallow this lack of sensitivity by Obama. Sometimes a little common sense and respect for the 9/11 families that are against this should trump political correctness but following Obama's lead is the former Republican, Governor Charlie Crist. Crist seems to be the Prince of self preservation when an election is nearing so this move must be meant to make sure he earns more liberal support. Hey, lets ask Crist what he thinks of gay marriage this week? And while the media is busy covering Obama's remarks and then backpedaling remarks about the mosque and the country's recent confusion about his religion (who could forget Reverend Wright?) it leaves them little time to dwell on the continued disaster in the gulf, dismal economy or massive unemployment numbers.

3. Looks like Obama  is also quickly becoming the kiss of death as even members of his own party are avoiding him as elections get closer. Leaves him plenty of time to vacation though, this week in Florida and according to this article that was only one of many vacations this year so far.

The White House scheduled the trip after facing criticism that the president wasn't heeding his own advice that Americans vacation in the Gulf. Obama vacationed in North Carolina this spring, Maine earlier this summer, and will head to Martha's Vineyard, off the Massachusetts coast, later in August. Mrs. Obama also traveled to Spain this month with Sasha.

4. A judge ruled last Friday that County Commission candidate Linda Saul-Sena can stay on the ballot against incumbent Ken Hagan.  According to this article in the St. Pete Times the judge certainly seemed to be looking out for voters. Maybe he pays close attention to our local circus act County Commission and knows we need a new ringmaster!

"The voters of Hillsborough County are entitled to decide which candidate for the District 5 seat will best serve them," Circuit Judge Herbert Baumann Jr. wrote

Thank You Judge Baumann!

Full Disclosure: After watching Half-Truth Hagan continually promote sprawl, developer welfare and try to destroy environmental protections, I am in full support of Ms. Saul-Sena trouncing Hagan in this race, her record on smart growth and environmental protection speaks for itself.  I  attended the Balm Candidate Forum recently and similar to his attendance on some of the boards he sits on, Hagan was absent. So was Josh Burgin………….I wonder if they were  having dinner with Rashid?

5. Speaking of former power-broker Sam Rashid, it looks like the Sultan of sleazy politicians got his undies in a wad according to this piece in the Tampa Tribune. Evidently he thinks he knows best for the people of Hillsborough County and doesn't seem to get that Commissioner Mark Sharpe isn't imposing a  transit tax on us he is asking us to vote on it. Citizen activist Marcella O'Steen replied to his whining with this letter of the day.

6. Earlier this month government scientists said most of the oil from the massive disaster in the Gulf was almost gone (did anybody actually believe this?) So far a USF team and another research group from Georgia are both proving otherwise. Same government that wants to make decisions on your health care. Great news, your cancer is almost gone Mr. Smith so we are going to stop your treatments. Think about it.

7. Looks like  everybody is as sick as I am of the co-winners of the Whiny Bitch of the week award (Rick Scott and Bill McCollum) as a new poll has Alex Sink beating both of them .

8. And finally, why can't every official be as good as Polk County's Sheriff Grady Judd? From making sure cop-killers reach room temperature, cutting out peanut butter and jelly in the jails because it was too expensive to taking down sex offenders, Judd never disappoints. Grady for EVERYTHING!

This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2010.