1/30/2002
CNN picks-up a two-month-old story about a goofy little Florida town that casts out Satan.
As the Mayor of Inglis, duly elected by the citizens of this town, and appointed by God to this position of leadership, I proclaim victory over Satan -- Carolyn Risher, Mayor/ Sally McCranie, Town Clerk
It's on official city letterhead; he must obey.
As the Mayor of Inglis, duly elected by the citizens of this town, and appointed by God to this position of leadership, I proclaim victory over Satan -- Carolyn Risher, Mayor/ Sally McCranie, Town Clerk
It's on official city letterhead; he must obey.
Redistricting is ugly and boring. But like any car wreck, it's hard to look away. Presented for your consideration: what happens when local politics, partisan politics and personal ambitions all clash?
1/29/2002
In a world of poetic log-rolling, William Logan at U of F puts bad poetry in a headlock and gives it nuggies.
Reading the poems of C.K. Williams, Logan writes, is "like watching a dog eat its own vomit."
Yow! Tell us what you really think!
Reading the poems of C.K. Williams, Logan writes, is "like watching a dog eat its own vomit."
Yow! Tell us what you really think!
1/28/2002
Hello! You can't afford not to take advantage of this incredible offer. I know you don't like these calls, but in Florida, we can call you and just about everybody else as many times as we like. That's because it takes $10 and a lot of effort to get on the state no-call list and once you do, there are so many exceptions you'll get calls anyway. Have a nice day!
1/24/2002
Lobbyist fight! Lobbyist fight! Call the hall monitor! There's a fight in the bathroom!
If you believe George Bush's assertion that stopping a projected tax cut from going into place is the same thing as "raising your taxes" then his brother Jeb raised your taxes.
1/22/2002
What did these Apalachees do for the Republican Party that they should have a boulevard? One columnist stands up for Apalachees as they face the threat of having their boulevard re-named for Ronald Reagan over community objections.
It is easy to suspect that Katherine Harris will prove a bigger problem for Republicans than Democrats. Her plan to raise $2 million to run for a safe Republican seat against only token opposition will suck Republican dollars from races where they might be useful. It seems reasonable to assume that she's already getting the bucks together for her next step after getting elected.
In typical Harrisonian style she talks about "knocking on a lot of doors." You don't raise $2 million for a door-to-door campaign. That would be a lot of yard signs.
In typical Harrisonian style she talks about "knocking on a lot of doors." You don't raise $2 million for a door-to-door campaign. That would be a lot of yard signs.
1/21/2002
Today's reasons for Democrats to be depressed about the Reno campaign.
I lost my message and I can't get up! Dantzler wimps out.
Pity the moderate Republicans in the Fla. House.
1/18/2002
While we're amending Florida's constitution, maybe we should consider this idea from a group of Washington state educators.
How your electric payments help support cutbacks to public education. $10 million dollars less for Florida, thanks to Florida Power, a big developer and Jeb Bush.
The Florida Supremes allow the pregnant-pig amendment on the ballot. "its merits or the wisdom of the proposal is irrelevant," correctly noted Justice Barbara Pariente.
The state constitutional amendment process is clearly getting goofy. Is this more Californiaization of Florida?
The state constitutional amendment process is clearly getting goofy. Is this more Californiaization of Florida?
1/17/2002
Oh dear. The education budget Gov. Jeb touts as a huge increase in education not only hands the bills to the locals but is actually a slight decrease in state education funding.
For cheap laughs, read another one of the The Florida Times-Union's unabashedly party-line editorials. This one argues that Republicans have the better record for education but can't marshall a single number (except regarding the much-criticized school "grades") to support its point. It manages to argue both that money doesn't matter and that the Republicans deserve credit for providing more money. A sad and silly piece of work.
For cheap laughs, read another one of the The Florida Times-Union's unabashedly party-line editorials. This one argues that Republicans have the better record for education but can't marshall a single number (except regarding the much-criticized school "grades") to support its point. It manages to argue both that money doesn't matter and that the Republicans deserve credit for providing more money. A sad and silly piece of work.
1/16/2002
The Detroit Lions actually won a game this season. So the Tampa Buc's record for not winning a single game in an entire season (0-14) is safe for another year. Whew!
1/15/2002
Are you one of those the few Democrats who isn't thoroughly depressed by Janet Reno's campaign? Then it's time to read this.
I don't know why I'm still amused at the hypnotic industrious clock.
The education cutbacks that led to student protests in Volusia County are not the school board's fault. But the result of state cutbacks and a Legislature that governs by fad.
Shut the Fuck Up and Dance! Comment on how a classical music station in South Florida was destroyed.
1/12/2002
Ad in Florida Today: "Would you pay $10,000,000 for a piece of a UFO drive mechanism? (It may contain the secret of microgravity)"
OK, how about $9 million -- firm.
OK, how about $9 million -- firm.
1/11/2002
The first round of deceptive scare ads from Florida's broadcasters. Income tax? Huh?
1/09/2002
Gov. Jeb proposes big increase in school funding but it will do little more than make up for past rounds of cuts. 
(Yes, he's still saying education was never cut in the first place -- "If that is a cut, I am living in a Kafka novel" and " 'I'm . . . annoyed a little bit about this,' he said about the bickering over how the numbers are calculated.")
Meanwhile local school boards know cuts when they see them (also look at this and in Miami-Dade, where school officials cut 197 administrative jobs and forced workers making more than $20,000 to take 2-5 days of unpaid leave, they feel their budget has been cut.
(Yes, he's still saying education was never cut in the first place -- "If that is a cut, I am living in a Kafka novel" and " 'I'm . . . annoyed a little bit about this,' he said about the bickering over how the numbers are calculated.")
Meanwhile local school boards know cuts when they see them (also look at this and in Miami-Dade, where school officials cut 197 administrative jobs and forced workers making more than $20,000 to take 2-5 days of unpaid leave, they feel their budget has been cut.
1/08/2002
Tampa face-recognition controversy continues. "Maybe there was no criminal present in Ybor City at the time the system was turned on," suggested a Visionics spokeswoman, wanly putting the best face on ACLU criticisms.
1/06/2002
Gov. Jeb and state leaders continue to deny that education has been cut in Florida. (Gov. Jeb: If that is a cut, I am living in a Kafka novel" and "That's an increase, not a cut")
Who you gonna believe the Republican leadership or your lying eyes? These overcrowded classrooms are an illusion.
"It's really hard to keep Santa hats on the gators" -- Oh, if I had a dime for every time I heard somebody say that.
This and other notable private-sector quotes from 2001 courtesy of the Orlando Business Journal
This and other notable private-sector quotes from 2001 courtesy of the Orlando Business Journal
1/05/2002
What's the #1 travel destination in the US. for Saudis and their slaves ... er, I mean, and their employees? They're going to Disney World!
The NY Times story, U.S. Looks at Whether Saudi Princess Enslaved Maid has this:
Orlando is the No. 1 destination in the United States for Saudis, according to the State Department. They are attracted by the city's many amusement parks, which provide safe and highly organized recreation, said Abraham Pizam, professor of tourism management at the University of Central Florida.
The NY Times story, U.S. Looks at Whether Saudi Princess Enslaved Maid has this:
Orlando is the No. 1 destination in the United States for Saudis, according to the State Department. They are attracted by the city's many amusement parks, which provide safe and highly organized recreation, said Abraham Pizam, professor of tourism management at the University of Central Florida.
This is off-topic, but when I happen to notice the Grammys, each year it's for something more obscure and deeper down on their list. Last year, the only thing I rooted for was nominated for "Best Boxed Set" and whatever Emmylou Harris, a goddess who walks among us, was nominated for. This year, it's category #43 Best Jazz Vocal Album, Karrin Allyson's Ballads -- Remembering John Coltrane. A wonderful, touching album, even if Miss Allyson must spell her name like that. Oh yeah, and Charlie Haden's haunting Nocture.
1/04/2002
Computerized face recognition is not scary because it works; it's scary because it doesn't seem to work. It's been tried in Tampa since last summer The ACLU of Fla. looked at its use there and found it's shut down, hasn't nabbed a criminal yet and fingers the wrong people.
Police brass and city officials didn't know it was shut down. ``It's a very embarrassing situation to find ourselves in,'' police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.
Police brass and city officials didn't know it was shut down. ``It's a very embarrassing situation to find ourselves in,'' police spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.
1/02/2002
Sky-writer sends subversive message in 3/4-mile-high letters. He writes God is great. Populance freaks out. What would they have done if he had written: Surrender Dorothy?
1/01/2002
From Britten to Britney -- After 30 years of playing classical music in Miami WMTI changes format to dance music.
The last classical piece WTMI played:
Beethoven's Nineth Symphony
First piece the new WTMI played:
Adrenaline's Shut the Fuck Up and Dance.
One comment:
"It comes under the general topic of the dumbing down of America."
The last classical piece WTMI played:
Beethoven's Nineth Symphony
First piece the new WTMI played:
Adrenaline's Shut the Fuck Up and Dance.
One comment:
"It comes under the general topic of the dumbing down of America."
