2/28/2003
Under evolution / Flablog 2.01
Tweaked and cleaned the coding here because it looked weird in some browsers. And the type was too small for easy reading on some monitors. It should be bigger and less fussy now.
An omen
FCAT Fever
It's FCAT time again. The Bradenton Herald runs a good editorial on high-stakes testing -- I suspect written by a parent.
"Symptoms of FCAT Fever include upset stomachs, headaches, nail-biting, crying jags, furrowed brows and resistance to go to school. It's usually accompanied by fretful parents."
Here, the Volusia County school system, to its credit, is going all out to grant a diploma to a dyslexic honor student despite the FCAT. (I wrote about this awhile back and so did Martin Dykeman of the St. Pete Times.) He's a very smart kid. He can do the work, he just can't do the test. The SAT and even state bar exam would accommodate him. The FCAT still can't. (Sentinel reports this with other FCAT complaints -- (perishable link) )
In Pinellas Co. a school board member refuses to go along with it. (Earlier story here.)
"Symptoms of FCAT Fever include upset stomachs, headaches, nail-biting, crying jags, furrowed brows and resistance to go to school. It's usually accompanied by fretful parents."
Here, the Volusia County school system, to its credit, is going all out to grant a diploma to a dyslexic honor student despite the FCAT. (I wrote about this awhile back and so did Martin Dykeman of the St. Pete Times.) He's a very smart kid. He can do the work, he just can't do the test. The SAT and even state bar exam would accommodate him. The FCAT still can't. (Sentinel reports this with other FCAT complaints -- (perishable link) )
In Pinellas Co. a school board member refuses to go along with it. (Earlier story here.)
More library editorials
The Gainesville Sun ridicules the governor's assertion that Saddam made him break up the state library. It notes that giving away the library as part of the war effort at least shows more imagination than blaming the class-size amendment. The Palm Beach Post makes a less light-hearted argument for the library.
2/27/2003
Librarians, historians consider suit
Historians and librarians and genealogists from across Florida might band together to seek a court order to protect the State Library.
Yup, as Christopher Hayes noted in The American Prospect last week on other issues, it's librarians who are looking after our rights, liberties and access to information.
The Fla. Historical Society's petition to save the library now was more than 12,000 verified names. Tomorrow is the last day to sign.
The Whose Florida? library page also has Florida Library links.
Library Planet runs an open letter from Jeb Bush. He begins it by lying about having considered eliminating the library and archives. How hard would it have been to say, "We listened to all the objections and changed our minds about that"? It would have looked reasonable, moderate. But no. He flat-out said his earlier announced plan never existed. Sheesh.
Yup, as Christopher Hayes noted in The American Prospect last week on other issues, it's librarians who are looking after our rights, liberties and access to information.
The Fla. Historical Society's petition to save the library now was more than 12,000 verified names. Tomorrow is the last day to sign.
The Whose Florida? library page also has Florida Library links.
Library Planet runs an open letter from Jeb Bush. He begins it by lying about having considered eliminating the library and archives. How hard would it have been to say, "We listened to all the objections and changed our minds about that"? It would have looked reasonable, moderate. But no. He flat-out said his earlier announced plan never existed. Sheesh.
2/26/2003
Just gas
The Lakeland Ledger had the only comment I could find anywhere on the totally bogus nature of Crist's "inquiry" into gas prices.
Take this, O'Reilly! And this. And this. And this!
Daniel Ruth at the Tampa Trib works up almost O'Reillyesque outrage over the idea that Bill O'Reilly, "the Piltdown Man of Rupert Murdoch's media empire," would have the gall to claim he broke the story of Sami Al-Arian's alleged terror ties. "O'Reilly, the Joe Isuzu of journalism, has essentially ripped off eight years of reporting by The Tampa Tribune's Michael Fechter while claiming to be some sort of moralist arbiter of professional ethics."
You go, Ruth!
(Thanks to Fla. Politics)
You go, Ruth!
(Thanks to Fla. Politics)
Jeb puts best face on library breakup
Jeb annnounces plan to give away the Florida State Library's circulating collection to private college Nova Univ. and give it $5 million. (Oddly, a comparable deal was never offered to FSU.)
Sometimes in a news story the really important information can be in the very last sentence. Here's the very last sentence in the St. Pete Times' story:
Nova pays eight lobbyists, including Brian Ballard, chief of staff to former Gov. Bob Martinez, and Van Poole, the former chairman of the state Republican Party.
Oh-h-h-h.
Weirdest library headline so far is in the Tampa Trib -- Iraq Shares Blame For Plan To Shrink Library, Bush Says
Right.
The Stuart News editorial, Brogan's last duty, notes:
Oh, yes, the removal of the library will not leave empty space in the R.A. Gray Building, because the incoming appointed secretary of state will be given larger and more splendid quarters there. Saving money?
Times editorial: Shelve the state library move. Meanwhile lawmakers are showing uncharacteristic skepticism and library supporters are angry. Librarians express concern.
There's still time -- two days - to sign the on-line petition. It has more than 15,000 names.
Sometimes in a news story the really important information can be in the very last sentence. Here's the very last sentence in the St. Pete Times' story:
Nova pays eight lobbyists, including Brian Ballard, chief of staff to former Gov. Bob Martinez, and Van Poole, the former chairman of the state Republican Party.
Oh-h-h-h.
Weirdest library headline so far is in the Tampa Trib -- Iraq Shares Blame For Plan To Shrink Library, Bush Says
Right.
The Stuart News editorial, Brogan's last duty, notes:
Oh, yes, the removal of the library will not leave empty space in the R.A. Gray Building, because the incoming appointed secretary of state will be given larger and more splendid quarters there. Saving money?
Times editorial: Shelve the state library move. Meanwhile lawmakers are showing uncharacteristic skepticism and library supporters are angry. Librarians express concern.
There's still time -- two days - to sign the on-line petition. It has more than 15,000 names.
2/25/2003
Votes at 16
Here's a state constitutional amendment that flew right under my radar. A proposal to Lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years old. (The Sun-Sentinel seems to have this story to itself. It also runs a good-humored editorial (and column) about it.) I mean, it's not like it would make our state electorate any dumber, and here's a group that would have a little motivation to oppose over-emphasis on the FCATs. They're even thinking about doing this in the UK.
Miranda had an interesting question, according to her dad: "If pregnant pigs can get constitutional rights, why can't I?" True enough.
Miranda had an interesting question, according to her dad: "If pregnant pigs can get constitutional rights, why can't I?" True enough.
Drafting
A Slate article by Charles�Duhigg has sparked new interest in a fascinating game-theory article, "Social Science at 190 mph" comparing NASCAR to politics, business and everything. (It's 15th place in Blogdex last I looked and 30th in Daypop.) As it happens, I wrote about this seven months ago. And it's old news, too, to Flablog readers . See how ahead of the curve you are for being here?
State library break-up moves ahead
The governor's baffling, secretly hatched plan to destroy Florida's archives and state library continues to move forward. The administration is preparing to announce that it is giving the circulating part of the library to Nova University. The Florida Library Association opposes the idea, worrying the collection would "wither away" if dispersed.
2/24/2003
Media profiling
Although I thought the portrait of Jeb that emerged in this weekend's Washington Post profile made him look self-isolated, moralistic, emotionally brittle and more than a little creepy, others saw it as a total puff-piece. Particularly the Rittenhouse Review which sees it as evidence of "a new low" and "a disgrace" by a subservient media.
Surely not a new low.
Surely not a new low.
2/23/2003
Why so sneaky about library closing?
The notebooks again
2/22/2003
Washington Post runs long, long Jeb profile
The Washington Post runs a long, long Jeb profile, the kind they do when think somebody might run for president. It is lightly sourced, personal rather than political and has little new, but it does put things in context. Although generally very positive, it does reinforce my impression that Jeb Bush is the most isolated person I've ever encountered in state politics.
2/21/2003
"Scarlet Letter" law has no defenders
How outrageous is Florida's "Scarlet Letter" law? It's so bad the state won't even try defend it in court.
Another columnist outraged by library closing
Tampa Trib metro columnist Steve Otto doesn't mince words about the plan for closing the state library in today's column. (His previous piece about his exchange with the company bean-counters over expense-account long johns was a classic but I don't expect they'll let him leave town again any time soon.)
Meanwhile, as part of a charm offensive, House Speaker Byrd tells group he doubts the state library will close. "What I can report to you is there is support for the Florida library. There's huge support for that," Byrd said.
Meanwhile, as part of a charm offensive, House Speaker Byrd tells group he doubts the state library will close. "What I can report to you is there is support for the Florida library. There's huge support for that," Byrd said.
2/20/2003
Forget duct tape
Get your alerts from the T h e S u b v e r s i v e I n t e l l e c t u a l S o c i e t y . I'm rather partial to khaki myself. More than 20 designer colors for every mood.
State library update
State library defenders look at their options including a court challenge.
And an overview from the Miami Herald which has been late getting around to this story.
And an overview from the Miami Herald which has been late getting around to this story.
Contributor passes the test
Stop by the www.FCATexplorer and see the kind of Web site a $7.5 million no-bid contract can buy. It's a little slow loading so be patient. State auditors found that the "Bush administration gave a multimillion-dollar job to a campaign supporter without putting the contract out to bid." And yes, the head of the company, Infinity Software, says he's saving a job for Noelle Bush once she's out of rehab. (Palm Beach Post editorializes.)
2/19/2003
Library negotiations ongoing
Sun-Sentinel does a catch-up story about a deal to break up the state library. (So does Florida Today.) It seems the circulating part will go to the private Nova University.
The Democrat's story has more details on the possible future of the state archives.
The Vero Press Journal talks to the genealogist behind the on-line petition drive. The petition is up to 10,562 names.
The Sentinel runs an editorial saying: Breaking up the State Library would show a disregard for preserving Florida history.
And why is the Stuart News the only publication to complain about the secrecy surrounding this deal?
The Democrat's story has more details on the possible future of the state archives.
The Vero Press Journal talks to the genealogist behind the on-line petition drive. The petition is up to 10,562 names.
The Sentinel runs an editorial saying: Breaking up the State Library would show a disregard for preserving Florida history.
And why is the Stuart News the only publication to complain about the secrecy surrounding this deal?
The first step is denial
2/18/2003
Duct tape on the cutting room floor
Florida broadcasters were all set to air public service announcements telling Americans to get a on a wartime footing and buy more duct tape. But after wise-guy columnists (myself, for instance) and commentators and comedians mined duct-tape defense for cheap laughs, the state Division of Emergency Management and Florida Broadcasters Association decided to edit duct tape from the public service announcements. (Thanks, Dragonleg.)
"I just hope no one dies because they listened to these small-minded fools saying it was stupid to buy duct tape," fretted Rush Limbaugh last week. It's a risk Floridians are willing to face.
"I just hope no one dies because they listened to these small-minded fools saying it was stupid to buy duct tape," fretted Rush Limbaugh last week. It's a risk Floridians are willing to face.
Library compromise?
The usually well-connected Lucy Morgan writes that "an informal agreement to save the state library, archives and the Florida State Museum has been reached by Gov. Jeb Bush and interim Secretary of State Ken Detzner."
The Orlando Sentinel, meanwhile, says says collection will be broken up and the circulating part of it will be packed off to Nova University. Nova, a private university, claims the collection will be accessible. (I doubt it. Reporter assignment: try to park nearby and walk into the library without a student ID.)
Florida Today runs an editorial arguing for the value -- including economic value -- of the archives and library.
As Florida history professor and author Jerrell Shofner sees it, "If Gov. Bush doesn't value the history of the state, he doesn't value the state."
If he does, let him show it by killing this proposal right now. If he doesn't, the Legislature must, for the state's economy and more basically, to show a decent respect for its own past.
Meanwhile the on-line petition supporting the library has more than 9,000 names.
The Orlando Sentinel, meanwhile, says says collection will be broken up and the circulating part of it will be packed off to Nova University. Nova, a private university, claims the collection will be accessible. (I doubt it. Reporter assignment: try to park nearby and walk into the library without a student ID.)
Florida Today runs an editorial arguing for the value -- including economic value -- of the archives and library.
As Florida history professor and author Jerrell Shofner sees it, "If Gov. Bush doesn't value the history of the state, he doesn't value the state."
If he does, let him show it by killing this proposal right now. If he doesn't, the Legislature must, for the state's economy and more basically, to show a decent respect for its own past.
Meanwhile the on-line petition supporting the library has more than 9,000 names.
Scarlet Letter Law to be dead-letter law?
Last summer it became obvious that Florida's so-called Scarlet Letter Law was stupid, counterproductive and Puritanical. (Sample opinion from the vaults of Flablog.) The Sun-Sentinel today holds out hope it might get fixed this session. Oh, maybe. (Perishable link)
2/17/2003
Dioscorea bulbifera -- threat or menace?
Every February I delude myself into thinking I've defeated those damn air-potatoes. The freeze kills them off, then you gather their unearthly, sci-fi movielike pods and by June they are threatening to choke off the bushes and oaks.
This is an official invasive exotic species yet newcomers show up and grow them on purpose because they cover a chain-link fence nicely. Folks: these plants are bent on world domination. We are mankind's first line of defense.
This is an official invasive exotic species yet newcomers show up and grow them on purpose because they cover a chain-link fence nicely. Folks: these plants are bent on world domination. We are mankind's first line of defense.
even more state library stuff . . .
The dispersal of the state's archives and the closing of the library continues to gather comment. Bill Cotterell talks about it in a column today and the Tampa Trib does a story. The Trib story states what everyone assumes -- that this is a way to fire staff, close exhibits and end public access to materials. Then there's the troubling notion of giving away the state's library to a private university.
2/16/2003
How warm was it this morning?
Outrage at Library closing isn't going away
Ron Littlepage, a rare independent voice in that Republican Party talking-points sheet called The Florida Times-Union, declares that closing the Florida State Library is a wacky idea (via Fla. Politics.)
Meanwhile, the electronic petition in support of the library set up by the Florida Historical Society is up to 6,809 signatures! (And these are all verified names; you have to e-mail them back to be included. But you gotta act soon: petition deadline is Feb 28.)
And the Florida Genealogical Society has set up an informative page protesting the protesting the proposed closure. (via Library Planet)
For the genealogical community, the planned closing of the 150-year-old State Library of Florida and moving of its historical resources elsewhere would be essentially taking away our heritage. We are family researchers, and the library is part of our family!
And this from a self-professed "family values" governor.
Oh, and there's another Marlette cartoon. (Don't know how long it will be on this particular page, but it will be somewhere close. Look around if you don't see it.)
The Palm Beach Post finds angry librarians there.
Meanwhile, the electronic petition in support of the library set up by the Florida Historical Society is up to 6,809 signatures! (And these are all verified names; you have to e-mail them back to be included. But you gotta act soon: petition deadline is Feb 28.)
And the Florida Genealogical Society has set up an informative page protesting the protesting the proposed closure. (via Library Planet)
For the genealogical community, the planned closing of the 150-year-old State Library of Florida and moving of its historical resources elsewhere would be essentially taking away our heritage. We are family researchers, and the library is part of our family!
And this from a self-professed "family values" governor.
Oh, and there's another Marlette cartoon. (Don't know how long it will be on this particular page, but it will be somewhere close. Look around if you don't see it.)
The Palm Beach Post finds angry librarians there.
2/15/2003
Florida Politics ahead of me today
Florida Politics today beats me to everything I thought was a good read. The Steve Bousquet "A 'Pork Chop Gang' kind of idea." The bitter Stebbins Jefferson column in the Post. The Sun-Sentinel editorial about yet another budgetary time-bomb. So you might as well go there, nothing to see here.
And it's a good thing somebody's doing this work for me because I gotta go to work and write about duct tape. Things have just gotten way out of hand.
"I just hope no one dies because they listened to these small-minded fools saying it was stupid to buy duct tape," frets Rush Limbaugh. Well sir, that's just a risk we'll have to take. Nobody ever said that writing humor didn't entail serious risks.
And it's a good thing somebody's doing this work for me because I gotta go to work and write about duct tape. Things have just gotten way out of hand.
"I just hope no one dies because they listened to these small-minded fools saying it was stupid to buy duct tape," frets Rush Limbaugh. Well sir, that's just a risk we'll have to take. Nobody ever said that writing humor didn't entail serious risks.
2/14/2003
Rumblings in the ranks
This is an intriguing bit of pre-session analysis: A Herald article saying In a move to quell a 'soft coup,' House speaker delegates some duties. If done for that reason, this isn't much of a concession, but taking himself out of consideration for next year's Senate race would certainly help matters a great deal. It's becoming clear that Byrd has a tin-ear for issues, is comically overbearing and the Republicans are stuck with him for two years.
2/13/2003
Byrd hangs up on telemarketing
It was getting just too easy to beat up Johhnie Byrd for his Gingrichesque talk about "bypassing the media filter" and spending still-unstated amounts of state money on a plan to call Floridians at home with recordings about his greatness and accomplishments. Citing "constructive feedback," Byrd drops telemarketing plan.
"A lot of folks just don't want to get phone calls at home," said Byrd spokeswoman Nicole deLara. Yup, a lot of folks sure don't.
Now how about the spam plan?
"A lot of folks just don't want to get phone calls at home," said Byrd spokeswoman Nicole deLara. Yup, a lot of folks sure don't.
Now how about the spam plan?
2/12/2003
Petition for the state library
The nice folks at the Fla. Historical Society have created an electronic petition to save the State Library of Florida. Hope it does some good.
More on Byrd
At some point before the Legislative session, Florida's editorial page editors are going to have to declare a moratorium on Byrd/Bird puns. It's getting old fast.
Latest entry from the St. Pete Times: Byrd's preening -- House Speaker Johnnie Byrd is not the first Florida politician to preach fiscal austerity while shoveling tax dollars into self-promotion. He's just the first to make such an extreme sport of it.
And although the emphasis in news reports has been on his telemarketing plans. Let's not forget his plans to spam Florida voters. (Byrd) has hired a 13-member communications staff and is planning to launch an interactive House Web site that has the capability of sending up to 60,000 flash e-mails a minute.
Latest entry from the St. Pete Times: Byrd's preening -- House Speaker Johnnie Byrd is not the first Florida politician to preach fiscal austerity while shoveling tax dollars into self-promotion. He's just the first to make such an extreme sport of it.
And although the emphasis in news reports has been on his telemarketing plans. Let's not forget his plans to spam Florida voters. (Byrd) has hired a 13-member communications staff and is planning to launch an interactive House Web site that has the capability of sending up to 60,000 flash e-mails a minute.
Bill Maxwell names names
Bill Maxwell of the St. Pete Times defies easy characterization. He's an academic-turned-journalist Unitarian African-American who grew up in rural Florida. When he writes about race he doesn't fall back on the usual rhetoric but writes from the heart and takes unexpected stands. (Earlier this month, for instance, he criticized creation of a FAMU law school "Fancy language aside, everyone knows that the FAMU law school -- a second-tier institution -- will become a virtual ghetto, while UF's law school will become whiter.")
This week he asks: Why do parents burden their children with made-up Afrocentric names? Oh, there's going to be mail.
This week he asks: Why do parents burden their children with made-up Afrocentric names? Oh, there's going to be mail.
2/11/2003
He-e-e-e-res Johnnie!
The Tallahassee Democrat pans The Johnnie Byrd Show,
And in Gainesville, a political cartoonist depicts Byrd's PR offensive. (Link is to several grouped cartoons, today it's on top.)
And in Gainesville, a political cartoonist depicts Byrd's PR offensive. (Link is to several grouped cartoons, today it's on top.)
2/10/2003
Modern Ruins @ Cape Canaveral
Phillip Buehler's Modern Ruins site captures the melancholy grandeur of great projects abandoned. That includes old Cape Canaveral launch sites in Brevard County. (Via the always-engaging Boing-Boing)
2/09/2003
Book Police nab Huck ... again
The Book Police caught up again with the oldest repeat-offender on their BOLO list -- Huck Finn.
Every year some school system in Florida discovers anew the deep subversiveness of the Mark Twain classic. This time it's in Escambia County. Fortunately, at least one member of the School Board decideds to stand up for the book, reminding folks yet again why Huck should be in school.
Some poor deluded soul complicates the politics further by writing to the paper to equate poor Huck with the Confederate Flag and its heritage (Scroll down) apparently unaware of Mr. Clemens' rather, uh, complex attitudes toward the southern breakaway republic.
Every year some school system in Florida discovers anew the deep subversiveness of the Mark Twain classic. This time it's in Escambia County. Fortunately, at least one member of the School Board decideds to stand up for the book, reminding folks yet again why Huck should be in school.
Some poor deluded soul complicates the politics further by writing to the paper to equate poor Huck with the Confederate Flag and its heritage (Scroll down) apparently unaware of Mr. Clemens' rather, uh, complex attitudes toward the southern breakaway republic.
2/08/2003
George Kirkpatrick
Political obits are hard to write. Consider George Kirkpatrick who died this week. He was somehting of an asshole and a bully who liked exercising power for its own sake. He loved the outdoors and hated environmentalists. He loved UF and hated academics. He could be stubborn and petty but also helped create far-sighted, useful legislation. His is a mixed legacy to be sure. The Gainesville Sun does a good job of writing about both sides of his record.
More outrage at library closing
It took 150 years to build the collection in the State Library. Jeb Bush, the self-styled "Education Governor," may destroy it in a few weeks Diane Roberts writes in the St. Pete Times.
The attack on the library would be absurd if it weren't so crass. At first, Bush apparatchiks said the library would be transferred to Florida State University. Not that there would be any extra money, or staff, or a building. It sounded like they just figured to grab a bunch of boxes at the liquor store, gather up the books and papers, throw them in the back of the SUV and leave them on the steps of Robert Manning Strozier Library for FSU to care for.
Meanwhile, The Stuart News notes: Bushes differ in vision: President seeks to upgrade D.C. library as his brother prepares to ax Florida's
Barbara Peters Smith writing the Sarasota Herald-Tribune writes: LIBRARIES ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK: One of Gov. Bush's worst ideas. (Thanks to Florida Politics blog.)
The attack on the library would be absurd if it weren't so crass. At first, Bush apparatchiks said the library would be transferred to Florida State University. Not that there would be any extra money, or staff, or a building. It sounded like they just figured to grab a bunch of boxes at the liquor store, gather up the books and papers, throw them in the back of the SUV and leave them on the steps of Robert Manning Strozier Library for FSU to care for.
Meanwhile, The Stuart News notes: Bushes differ in vision: President seeks to upgrade D.C. library as his brother prepares to ax Florida's
Barbara Peters Smith writing the Sarasota Herald-Tribune writes: LIBRARIES ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK: One of Gov. Bush's worst ideas. (Thanks to Florida Politics blog.)
2/07/2003
Johnnie Byrd wants to call you, mail you, spam you
Whenever a public official talks about giving the people "unfiltered information," my bullshit meter goes off. But then, a lot of what Johnnie Byrd says has that effect. "Unfiltered information" is Fidel Castro giving a two-hour speech on every channel on the radio. It's consultant-speak for "propaganda."
A story by Gary Fineout, running in New York Times-owned papers, says Byrd has contacted spammers and telemarketing groups to promote himself and Florida House members. Oh, of course, the taxpayers will pay for this. Did you really need to ask? So far, he's keeping the cost a secret. (The Herald, as usual, come in with a story a little later but well-reported.)
Editorial pages take dim view:
Press Journal -- Byrd's idea to use public money to send pre-recorded telephone messages deserves a resounding 'nay.'
Stuart News -- Calling all Florida taxpayers? On their dime? Byrd can forget it.
Daniel Ruth, Tampa Trib columnist -- Since assuming office, Byrd, R- Rosebud, has blown more than $500,000 hiring various flacks, minions and gofers to round out an entourage dedicated to polishing his image. Yet this Speaker of the Louse keeps coming off as a dim bulb more interested in furthering his own ambitions than he is in mature governance or even party loyalty. (Scroll to bottom.)
Palm Beach Post -- Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, says the state must "live within our means" during the coming tight budget year. "We plan to live within our means in the Florida House."
Apparently, Rep. Byrd applies that frugality to everyone but himself. His office will spend $500,000 this year just to get out the word on what the House is doing and, not coincidentally, what possible 2004 U.S. Senate candidate Johnnie Byrd is doing. Previous speakers got along without the spinmeisters.
Jan Glidewell, St. Pete Times columnist -- If Florida House Speaker Johnny Byrd gets his way, taxpayers in the state that can't find its dependent children, can't pay its school teachers a living wage and thinks mass transit is a minibus service connecting malls and a few nursing homes will start spending money on telemarketing calls to tell us all what a great job the legislature is doing.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal -- , the man who doesn't trust state agencies to spend wisely has no qualms about spending on himself. The ambitious politician who wants to be governor or a U.S. senator has increased the Speaker's public-relations staff from one person at a cost of $50,000 to 10 people at a total cost of $500,000. He also sent out 40,000 letters (thanks, taxpayers, for the $15,000 cost) to increase his name recognition -- oh, and also ask Floridians for opinions on state issues.
A story by Gary Fineout, running in New York Times-owned papers, says Byrd has contacted spammers and telemarketing groups to promote himself and Florida House members. Oh, of course, the taxpayers will pay for this. Did you really need to ask? So far, he's keeping the cost a secret. (The Herald, as usual, come in with a story a little later but well-reported.)
Editorial pages take dim view:
Press Journal -- Byrd's idea to use public money to send pre-recorded telephone messages deserves a resounding 'nay.'
Stuart News -- Calling all Florida taxpayers? On their dime? Byrd can forget it.
Daniel Ruth, Tampa Trib columnist -- Since assuming office, Byrd, R- Rosebud, has blown more than $500,000 hiring various flacks, minions and gofers to round out an entourage dedicated to polishing his image. Yet this Speaker of the Louse keeps coming off as a dim bulb more interested in furthering his own ambitions than he is in mature governance or even party loyalty. (Scroll to bottom.)
Palm Beach Post -- Florida House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, says the state must "live within our means" during the coming tight budget year. "We plan to live within our means in the Florida House."
Apparently, Rep. Byrd applies that frugality to everyone but himself. His office will spend $500,000 this year just to get out the word on what the House is doing and, not coincidentally, what possible 2004 U.S. Senate candidate Johnnie Byrd is doing. Previous speakers got along without the spinmeisters.
Jan Glidewell, St. Pete Times columnist -- If Florida House Speaker Johnny Byrd gets his way, taxpayers in the state that can't find its dependent children, can't pay its school teachers a living wage and thinks mass transit is a minibus service connecting malls and a few nursing homes will start spending money on telemarketing calls to tell us all what a great job the legislature is doing.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal -- , the man who doesn't trust state agencies to spend wisely has no qualms about spending on himself. The ambitious politician who wants to be governor or a U.S. senator has increased the Speaker's public-relations staff from one person at a cost of $50,000 to 10 people at a total cost of $500,000. He also sent out 40,000 letters (thanks, taxpayers, for the $15,000 cost) to increase his name recognition -- oh, and also ask Floridians for opinions on state issues.
Save the Loop
The Save the Loop folks are having a motorcade and picnic Saturday. I hope it doesn't rain. I'll be at the picnic part of it.
While the new County Council is not made up of the same bunch of evil land rapists as in December, what they intend to do about this project is still very far from clear.
The Loop (photo M.Lane)
While the new County Council is not made up of the same bunch of evil land rapists as in December, what they intend to do about this project is still very far from clear.
The Loop (photo M.Lane)
2/06/2003
Nom de spam
Hidden City culls names from spam. A very cool list. (Minnie Mook?)
But, as I've said before I prefer the exotic flavor of a good Nigerian scam e-mail: Omor Kunte (son of Chief Bature Kunte), Mr.Ezeugo Precious, Chief Tom Ikimi, Hajia Mariam Abacha, Solo Garba, Lauren Ntobo, Joseph Alibaba, Idris Usman, M. Masebe, Davis Masinga and Hastings Ndlovu. Great names all.
But, as I've said before I prefer the exotic flavor of a good Nigerian scam e-mail: Omor Kunte (son of Chief Bature Kunte), Mr.Ezeugo Precious, Chief Tom Ikimi, Hajia Mariam Abacha, Solo Garba, Lauren Ntobo, Joseph Alibaba, Idris Usman, M. Masebe, Davis Masinga and Hastings Ndlovu. Great names all.
Call security! Call the lawyers! Someone is handing out information at a newspaper!
I hate to sound like I'm always on The Herald's case. It is, not counting the editorial page, the second-best paper in a very competitive state and has the most outstanding columnists of any paper in the South. I hate, too, to keep copping stuff from Romenesko (Not Romenesko MediaNews!) because it's a source everyone knows and you don't need me to tell you to look there. But this really is outrageous. A Miami New Times story documents The Herald acting in a manner that might accurately be described as chickenshit. And to Cathy Wilson! You may not recognize the name, but you have read her many, many times. I would guess that hers is the most-read by-line in Florida. More than two decades with AP.
The suits at Knight Ridder are sin verguenza!
The suits at Knight Ridder are sin verguenza!
2/05/2003
25th anniversary of the Blizzard of '78
I didn't live out of Florida very long but long enough to be grateful to be back. This week marks the 25th anniversary of the blizzard of '78. (David Farrell collects some memories. So does Michael Dukakis who doesn't live there any more. No sir.) Your correspondent is pictured below next to a car parked on Massachusetts Avenue, Boston.
Harsh, dude.
Highs today in the mid70s.
Harsh, dude.
Highs today in the mid70s.
Florida Library Association protests shutdown
The Fla. Library Association puts up an excellent information page about plans to shut down the state library. And they've issued a statement.
(Via Library Planet, Libraryblog, Central Florida)
(Via Library Planet, Libraryblog, Central Florida)
2/04/2003
Florida foodblog
I can't cook much. And what I can cook my kids can't eat because they're vegan. We consume a lot of soy-based frozen food. So why am I linking to a the Keys-based food blog, A Foodie By Nature? I dunno. I just like the idea that somebody can cook and is doing a cool site like this from Keys. (via Behind the News).
The ribs look good, but I don't know, it seems like a lot of work.
The ribs look good, but I don't know, it seems like a lot of work.
'turf war!
You may remember a couple weeks back when I noted that some Florida papers fell prey to computer-generated GOP propaganda. A lot of other papers around the country did, too. (Sheesh, 92.) The story leaped from the bloggerverse to the print media.
Well, the Republicans shouldn't have all the fun! The folks at the Subversive Intellectual Society (They're subversive. They're a society. And dammit, they're smart as whips!) have created their own spam-generator that will make you the toast to the letters to the editor page!
Well, the Republicans shouldn't have all the fun! The folks at the Subversive Intellectual Society (They're subversive. They're a society. And dammit, they're smart as whips!) have created their own spam-generator that will make you the toast to the letters to the editor page!
what's with The Herald?
Jim DeFede is the most fearless columnist in Florida. This week he asks what everyone in Florida journalism has asked at one time or another the past couple years -- What happened to The Herald? (Romenesko reads miami.com so I don't have to.) Everyone knew to expect fireworks when he got there but this is serious biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you territory. And all too true. (As a former Heraldista attests.)
"I'm amazed he's still at The Herald" a South Florida reporter told me over the holidays. "I never thought he'd get away with it."
The Herald, sadly, has been hemorrhaging talent. Its editorial page is almost comically deferential to Jeb and is as predictable as an anti-Castro editorial on a slow news day.
"I'm amazed he's still at The Herald" a South Florida reporter told me over the holidays. "I never thought he'd get away with it."
The Herald, sadly, has been hemorrhaging talent. Its editorial page is almost comically deferential to Jeb and is as predictable as an anti-Castro editorial on a slow news day.
2/03/2003
killing the library (v)
In a short item in the Orlando Sentinel, John Kennedy notes the persistence of the library closure controversy
Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush answered, "So, stop writing about it."
Told last week that the flap doesn't seem to be going away, Bush answered, "So, stop writing about it."
is the Sunshine Law really what everyone says it is?
This might sound like legal arcana, but bear with me.
In Florida, all discussions by councils, boards, commissions and the like have to take place in open meetings. No huddling in a back room before hand and then voting in public just for show. The rule: two people on the same board flat-out can't talk to each other about anything that could come before the board.
This stuns people who move here from places like New York where you can wheel and deal beforehand, call executive sessions at the drop of a hat, and generally exclude the public from public business.
One person surprised at the strictness of the law was Allen Seed, an elected trustee of the Indian River County Hospital district. He was indicted for perjury and violating the Sunshine Law (scroll down) and pleaded no-contest to a noncriminal violation. All criminal charges were dropped.
His brother, Peter Seed, has written a frontal attack on the foundation of the Sunshine Law that appeared in University of Florida's Journal of Law & Public Policy. (I'd link to the law journal's site, but why bother? It is virtually content-free.) John Higgs, who helped with the article, outlined its main points in the Vero Beach Press Journal. (Prompting a more-intelligent-than-usual exchange of letters to the editors.)
If Seed's analysis is embraced by the courts and the Legislature, the Sunshine Law is dead letter. It would be "the mother of all loopholes" says Jon Kaney, my newspaper's attorney, prominent Sunshine Law expert and a rather awesome legal mind. He says the law is "without a loophole."
I'm no lawyer, so I can't tell you who is right. Former Attorney General Bob Butterworth certainly believed in what Seed calls "the two-director rule" and it has been in the Sunshine Law Manual for a long time. Whether Seed's analysis is bogus or well-founded, it will come up again. It is only a matter of time before this article is used as part of a legal a defense by some official charged with breaking the law. And the Legislature, which has time and again proved itself no friend to open government, certainly would be happy to find a new tool by which to weaken the law. This just might be used to close the public out of government decision-making.
In Florida, all discussions by councils, boards, commissions and the like have to take place in open meetings. No huddling in a back room before hand and then voting in public just for show. The rule: two people on the same board flat-out can't talk to each other about anything that could come before the board.
This stuns people who move here from places like New York where you can wheel and deal beforehand, call executive sessions at the drop of a hat, and generally exclude the public from public business.
One person surprised at the strictness of the law was Allen Seed, an elected trustee of the Indian River County Hospital district. He was indicted for perjury and violating the Sunshine Law (scroll down) and pleaded no-contest to a noncriminal violation. All criminal charges were dropped.
His brother, Peter Seed, has written a frontal attack on the foundation of the Sunshine Law that appeared in University of Florida's Journal of Law & Public Policy. (I'd link to the law journal's site, but why bother? It is virtually content-free.) John Higgs, who helped with the article, outlined its main points in the Vero Beach Press Journal. (Prompting a more-intelligent-than-usual exchange of letters to the editors.)
If Seed's analysis is embraced by the courts and the Legislature, the Sunshine Law is dead letter. It would be "the mother of all loopholes" says Jon Kaney, my newspaper's attorney, prominent Sunshine Law expert and a rather awesome legal mind. He says the law is "without a loophole."
I'm no lawyer, so I can't tell you who is right. Former Attorney General Bob Butterworth certainly believed in what Seed calls "the two-director rule" and it has been in the Sunshine Law Manual for a long time. Whether Seed's analysis is bogus or well-founded, it will come up again. It is only a matter of time before this article is used as part of a legal a defense by some official charged with breaking the law. And the Legislature, which has time and again proved itself no friend to open government, certainly would be happy to find a new tool by which to weaken the law. This just might be used to close the public out of government decision-making.
2/01/2003
the wine-bet problem
The coverage of the Super Bowl bet between Gray Davis and Jeb has been a hoot. Davis bet a case of a fine cabernet sauvignon on his team except that delivering it would be a felony under Florida's goofy alcohol-distribution laws.
Wine.com is making cheap PR hay out of this because it has taken elaborate counter-measures to get around the prohibition.
I've written before about this dumb situation.
My take: never trust a guy with interchangeable first and last names. Davis knew the Raiders were doomed so he used the bet to help a $13 billion--a-year state industry and embarrass Florida into changing its anti-free market wine-import laws.
What he didn't count on is that this is Florida, dammit, and we don't embarrass easy.
Wine.com is making cheap PR hay out of this because it has taken elaborate counter-measures to get around the prohibition.
I've written before about this dumb situation.
My take: never trust a guy with interchangeable first and last names. Davis knew the Raiders were doomed so he used the bet to help a $13 billion--a-year state industry and embarrass Florida into changing its anti-free market wine-import laws.
What he didn't count on is that this is Florida, dammit, and we don't embarrass easy.
