Wanna bet?

January 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Orlando Sentinel reported today that the federal government has approved the deal between the Seminole Indians and Governor Crist to expand gambling at Florida’s Seminole Casinos:
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the gambling compact between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe that would allow blackjack, baccarat and Las Vegas-style slot machines […]

Aug

27

Hometown Democracy is a bad idea - but why fight it?

August 27, 2007 | 5 Comments

Okay, I’m not asking why businesses should oppose the plan by Hometown Democracy to require a referendum for any and all amendments to local government comprehensive land use plan. It’s obvious. It is a bad idea. It will kill Florida’s economy. I know, I grew up in Rochester, New York. […]

Aug

22

Barack Obama is Wrong. The Embargo Needs to Stay.

August 22, 2007 | 8 Comments

UPDATE: After reading Henry’s comments below - I have changed my mind. I am keeping the rest of this post, though, so my readers can see my thought processes.

Okay, I won’t say this very often — and I know the folks at Babalu won’t like this — but I agree with Barack Obama. […]

Aug

17

How Recall Elections Work…

August 17, 2007 | 3 Comments

I have stayed out of the whole EPC-wetlands mess with the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. (Wayne Garcia’s posts on the subject can be found under his “environment” tag here. You can also find some on Sticks of Fire’s “environment” tag here.)
In general, I understand both sides — we need […]

Aug

13

How to “Write your Congressman”

August 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I read a post today on Firedoglake from a link on Discourse.net, written by University of Miami law professor Michael Froomkin. The Firedoglake post was entitled “Correspondence School“ - a quick lesson on effectively communicating with your Representative and Senator in Washington DC.
It’s a decent article, and comes from a former Congressional staffer’s perspective, […]

Aug

3

“Way Down Upon the Swanee River….”

August 3, 2007 | 2 Comments

The State of Florida is looking for a new song. The existing official song, “Old Folks at Home” is a bit dated. It was written by Stephen Foster in 1851, when slavery was the norm in our state, and the words imitate the way slaves talked in the 1850s. In contemporary Florida, […]

Aug

2

Is State Rep. Frank Atkisson a Socialist?

August 2, 2007 | 1 Comment

No. I’m quite sure he’s not and I’m not trying to be McCarthy-esque…
Just consider these two quotes:
“I have real disdain for the way we tax people right now. People should be taxed on their ability to pay.”
– Frank Atkisson, Quoted in the St. Petersburg Times (Aug 1 2007)
“In a higher phase of communist society … […]

Aug

1

Oh, for the days of punch cards…

August 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Ever since the 2000 elections, there has been an ongoing debate about the way we conducti elections. The election prompted Congress to pass the Help America Vote Act to help states modernize their election administration.
Good bye punch cards.
In Florida, smaller counties opted to use optical scan readers, where a voter colors in a bubble […]

May

26

Power to the People

May 26, 2007 | 3 Comments

The power to propose the revision or amendment of any portion or portions of this constitution by initiative is reserved to the people, provided that, any such revision or amendment, except for those limiting the power of government to raise revenue, shall embrace but one subject and matter directly connected therewith. It may be invoked […]

May

1

Edwards’ Gimmick: Virtual Postcards

May 1, 2007 | 1 Comment

Okay, so I get the following email today from Senator Edwards’ campaign

Dear Friend,
Four years ago today, George Bush landed an S-3B Viking jet on the USS Lincoln and told America that major combat operations were over—mission accomplished. It wasn’t. The troops have done everything they were asked. They deserve a hero’s welcome. They deserve to […]

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