Around the web: A roundup featuring comments from tampabay.com. The comments included here are occasionally edited for length but otherwise appear as they did on the article or column online.
On an article about how the Tampa Bay Rays could use the Hillsborough College land for a stadium.
It will be really interesting to have two ballparks on one side of the street, especially during the summer when both might be playing at the same time. Obviously, the minor league park won’t draw a lot of people, but it is still a lot of cars in a small area.
I don’t want to even think what might happen when the Bucs have a game the same day as the Rays in September. —A. Young
Socialism triumphant! — H. Mudd
On an article about whether Tampa and Hillsborough can afford to pay for a new Rays baseball stadium.
Meanwhile, the Rays will play in St. Petersburg, where there is already a stadium for them. If Tampa wants to support the Rays, hire a bus to take a group there. That will be less expensive for Tampa fans than building a new stadium. —S. Krause
When are we going stop this nonsense of making sports team owner richer using tax dollars? Cities will never make back the 50% (actually a lot more w/ land utilities, services, etc.) in taxes. If fans want to contribute towards a stadium, be my guest, just don’t tax me for something I have no interest in or will use. — P. Pinol
Every stadium and arena that has been built has “complex issues”, yet cities, counties, and states figure them out, as will Hillsborough and Tampa. If you don’t like living in cities with sports franchises, stadiums, and arenas, then move. This is happening whether you like it or not. — J. Smith
On an article about Clearwater City Council passing a resolution opposing the expansion of offshore drilling near Florida.
Local government gets criticized constantly and usually for good reason. This is one of those times where you have to give credit. — L. Stone
This is exactly what needed to happen. Local leaders are finally standing up to protect Clearwater’s water and beaches. —A. Haley
On a Stephanie Hayes column about Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier earning $100,000 for a side job teaching two hours per week at the University of Florida.
Anyone who thinks this is okay, I can only state, there’s one born every minute! — D. Herzog
Can I take his course on how to use a charity to fund my boss’ political campaigns? — H. Mudd
Yes, it’s Money Laundering 101. Coming soon to UF. — G. Bulls
Thank you again, Stephanie, for a humorous look at our home grown politicians bellying up to the government trough. Somehow I don’t think Uthmeier will garner much sympathy from the vast majority of Floridians trying to make it by on far less than he seems to need to “keep the lights on and keep food on the table.” I would never begrudge a true educator or teacher a much more decent wage, but his casual “poor me” explanation is just too rich. —R. Scoggins
On a column about the ineffectiveness of Florida’s E-Verify system.
Expecting Congress to reform and expand legal pathways to immigration is a fantasy. Illegal immigration would decline dramatically if there were a rational, fair and quick system for applying for the right to work in the United States. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. — T. Lamm
Impose employer sanctions with real teeth and the issue goes away. Say, $10,000 per unlawful hire and 1 year in jail. All of a sudden employers won’t care about e-Verify. They will suddenly figure out how to do it themselves. Attack the cause, not the symptoms. —H. Mudd
On a John Romano column about the death of Times sports writer Joey Knight.
Thanks for that heartfelt and right-on-the-money remembrance of Joey, John. I worked with him a century ago in the Polk section of the Tampa Tribune and have fond memories of his kindness, humor and humanity. He was a helluva good writer, too. You could tell from his ledes that it was a Joey Knight story — without even looking at the byline. He was that good with his words. And his heart. — S. Newborn
I have read Joey’s stories probably since he started. I never met him, but just reading what he wrote, his personality, his genuineness for what he was doing, and what was in his sole came through. He and his thoughts will be greatly missed. Gone way too young. RIP Joey! Peace and love to the family. — D. Time