Always Positive, Sometimes Right

A neighborhood success in North Tampa, Marchello’s is a treat

It is only fitting that Marchello’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, at the corner of North Dale Mabry and Van Dyke Road, is in the same strip center as the gym to which Joan and I had belonged and had visited nearly every day before I fell and fractured my kneecap.. Our first visit to this restaurant was just after they had opened; we were resigned to an establishment leaning its way and an inexperienced wait staff. What (more. . .)

The search for the best breakfast continues.

I think my favorite meal of the day, whenever I’m away from home or when I feel like treating myself to an inexpensive but luxurious meal is breakfast. There are in Tampa a number of places that serve elegant brunches; Oystercatchers springs to mind. But that is for, on my budget, a very special occasion.

I had been urged by my granddaughter, Jessica, to have breakfast at Mom’s Place on North Dale Mabry Highway, in Tampa, a bit north (more. . .)

Those familiar with my restaurant comments are aware of several basics. I truly love Italian food, am a sucker for a bowl of pasta and personally prefer a small independent “Mom and Pop” establishment over a chain, the latter often scaling down taste and variety in order to appeal to a larger number of patrons. Apparently, no one has bothered to tell that to the corporate owners of the Carrabba’s chain because its tastes are vibrant and exciting!

A couple of months ago, we, along with (more. . .)

Let me tell you about a Republican whose positions are diametrically opposed to those in which I believe. For example, my subject

has been a military prosecutor and has little sympathy for persons accused of a crime and, indeed, often considers accusation and conviction as a unit;

is a proponent of the death penalty and limits on appeals by convicted criminals;

has voted for and advocated wiretaps without prior judicial authorization and warrant;
is an advocate and supporter of prayer in schools;

opposes same sex marriage and supports (more. . .)

But they cannot be totally ignored!

If I have, finally, learned anything by writing political blogs it is that it is impossible to engage in rational discussions with those on the rabid right fringe. Fortunately, all the evidence seems to point to the impotency of their rants. Glenn and Rush and the stalwarts at Fox News spew irrational and inconsistent garbage, but garner only a miniscule proportion of voters and have no real influence in elections.
David Brooks, in a brilliant essay in the New York Times, (more. . .)