1/31/2004
Another blog heard from
The always helpful Infomaniac tells us of yet another Florida blog by a journalist. First-n-Main by Joe Newman of the Sentinel.
It's devoted to "growth, the environment and urban design." Yes, there is no such thing as urban design but the other two topics should leave him busy enough that it won't matter. Has a very cool view of 1884 Key West in the upper left and a whole lotta linkage. Nice design. Content rich.
It's devoted to "growth, the environment and urban design." Yes, there is no such thing as urban design but the other two topics should leave him busy enough that it won't matter. Has a very cool view of 1884 Key West in the upper left and a whole lotta linkage. Nice design. Content rich.
1/30/2004
science vs. religion vs. Southern PC
From north of the border: Ga. Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said she removed references to evolution from the proposed biology curriculum because it is "a buzzword that causes a lot of negative reaction."
AP version here, via CNN.
(Later: NYT Version.)
AP version here, via CNN.
(Later: NYT Version.)
Don't let the screendoor hit you! (Cont.)
Gov. Bush defends Struhs. Bush says Struhs' new job with a big-time polluter was not a pay-off. Says he was not an unconvincing front man for an anti-environmental agenda. "I'm just sad he left," he said.
I'm sure he is.
(From the Republicans at Sayfie.)
I'm sure he is.
(From the Republicans at Sayfie.)
Voucher fraud arrest
James Isenhour, head of an Ocala correspondence school, was arrested and charged with stealing $268,125 through a state voucher program.
Isenhour, through his Silver Archer Foundation, collected a $268,125 contribution from Pulte Homes Inc., but instead of using the money to provide students with vouchers, Isenhour paid it to his companies, himself and others, including his lawyer, said Mark Simpson, the assistant state attorney in Marion County who is handling the case.
"Not one dime of the money was used for scholarships at all," Simpson said.
St. Pete Times version here. Orlando Sentinel here.
The widespread abuses of Florida's voucher program first came to light last summer in a number of excellent Palm Beach Post articles by S.V. Date. (Something that has not made him Mr. Popularity with the governor's office. )The Post has posted the whole series.
Isenhour, through his Silver Archer Foundation, collected a $268,125 contribution from Pulte Homes Inc., but instead of using the money to provide students with vouchers, Isenhour paid it to his companies, himself and others, including his lawyer, said Mark Simpson, the assistant state attorney in Marion County who is handling the case.
"Not one dime of the money was used for scholarships at all," Simpson said.
St. Pete Times version here. Orlando Sentinel here.
The widespread abuses of Florida's voucher program first came to light last summer in a number of excellent Palm Beach Post articles by S.V. Date. (Something that has not made him Mr. Popularity with the governor's office. )The Post has posted the whole series.
1/29/2004
Yeah, well he's not exactly Johnny Depp, either
Circuit judge apologizes after wondering aloud why anyone would want to rape a 57-year-old victim. (Why would he want to rape her? She doesn't look like a day at the beach.)
Why do so many politicians and judges think they're Howard Stern?
Why do so many politicians and judges think they're Howard Stern?
Cut that man off
Don't let the screen door hit you!
The St. Pete Times headline says it all -- State: DEP chief will join company he helped.
David Struhs to leave the state Dept. of Environmental Protection to take a job with a paper company he once regulated with a light hand. But this isn't a pay-off, uh-uh. (Tallahassee Dem version here. The Pensalcola News Journal story, with details on his helpfulness to International Paper, here.)
Most Florida Environmentalists say "good riddance" with the exception of the go-along/get-along Florida Audubon Society. Florida Sierra has posted the case against David Struhs in handy PDF form. This was put that together back when Struh was rumored to be in the running to head the federal EPA.
He will be mainly remembered for weakening Everglades clean-up and for allowing a cement plant near the Ichetucknee River.
"My goal is to now take many of the lessons you have provided me here and apply them in a global context," Struhs said in an e-mail to DEP employees.
Many fear that he will.
David Struhs to leave the state Dept. of Environmental Protection to take a job with a paper company he once regulated with a light hand. But this isn't a pay-off, uh-uh. (Tallahassee Dem version here. The Pensalcola News Journal story, with details on his helpfulness to International Paper, here.)
Most Florida Environmentalists say "good riddance" with the exception of the go-along/get-along Florida Audubon Society. Florida Sierra has posted the case against David Struhs in handy PDF form. This was put that together back when Struh was rumored to be in the running to head the federal EPA.
He will be mainly remembered for weakening Everglades clean-up and for allowing a cement plant near the Ichetucknee River.
"My goal is to now take many of the lessons you have provided me here and apply them in a global context," Struhs said in an e-mail to DEP employees.
Many fear that he will.
1/28/2004
Let's make a deal
The Herald's outstanding series on abuse of the pretrial intervention system continues with the not-expected finding that Sexual abusers of children often get deals, not convictions. Although prosecutors blame state law, I suspect part of the problem is that these are messy cases and underage victims aren't good on the witness stand, so prosecutors are tempted to offer withholding of adjudication deals to dispose of the cases.
An earlier story documented found the not-at-all-surprising fact that whites are more likely to get withholding-of-adjudication deals than blacks.
The whole series is here.
An earlier story documented found the not-at-all-surprising fact that whites are more likely to get withholding-of-adjudication deals than blacks.
The whole series is here.
Shock jock shocked
Clear Channel fined $755,000 over Florida "Bubba the Love Sponge" broadcasts.
There are no good guys here.
First, there is a cynical radio monopoly so mendacious its executives can say things like this: "None of us defend or encourage indecent content - it's simply not part of our corporate culture."
This is too rich. Not part of their corporate culture? It's part of their corporate formula.
Then, there is the loathsome Bubba the Love Sponge Clem who shifts from vulgarian in-your-face sleazemaster to self-pitying victim. "Nobody gives me a fair shake," he says.
And there's the FCC, which has no trouble at all with consolidation of radio broadcasting into the hands of a few corporations and sees its real challenge as fighting "indecency." It wants Congress to increase the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 per incident to $275,000.
There are no good guys here.
First, there is a cynical radio monopoly so mendacious its executives can say things like this: "None of us defend or encourage indecent content - it's simply not part of our corporate culture."
This is too rich. Not part of their corporate culture? It's part of their corporate formula.
Then, there is the loathsome Bubba the Love Sponge Clem who shifts from vulgarian in-your-face sleazemaster to self-pitying victim. "Nobody gives me a fair shake," he says.
And there's the FCC, which has no trouble at all with consolidation of radio broadcasting into the hands of a few corporations and sees its real challenge as fighting "indecency." It wants Congress to increase the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 per incident to $275,000.
Rush the Victim (cont.)
A Palm Beach Post defends the State Attorney's Office for for following the law in the Limbaugh case.
(Via Fla. Politics.)
(Via Fla. Politics.)
1/27/2004
Rush the Victim
Rush Limbaugh's lawyer says, again, that his client is a victim, a victim of a prosecutor unscrupulous enough to obey Florida's public records law and release embarrassing documents.
1/26/2004
One-party politics
There is an alarming amount of evidence that U.S. is moving toward a Mexican-style one-party state. An important tool in accomplishing this is manipulation of the redistricting process. And Florida is a prime example.
Even after a session in which lawmakers increased phone rates, raised college tuition and delayed an Everglades cleanup, voters likely will be able to count on one hand the number of legislative races with clear-cut choices.
With control of the Legislature a foregone conclusion, Republicans and their business allies are naturally moving to restrict the last remaining outlet for voter discontent, the amendment process.
Just what you'd expect in a one-party state.
Even after a session in which lawmakers increased phone rates, raised college tuition and delayed an Everglades cleanup, voters likely will be able to count on one hand the number of legislative races with clear-cut choices.
With control of the Legislature a foregone conclusion, Republicans and their business allies are naturally moving to restrict the last remaining outlet for voter discontent, the amendment process.
Just what you'd expect in a one-party state.
1/24/2004
Weekend Polaroid
Scrimping on schools
Well, I can't add anything to what South of the Suwannee already said. Good for Ron Littlepage, too.
More testing mania
1/23/2004
Rush rehab deal rebuffed
Looks like the Sun-Sentinel beat everyone with news that Rush Limabuagh's attorney offered a rehab-instead-charges to the State Attorney's Office but was turned down.
Apparently they got the scoop by making the right public records request and the law was the on the side of making the records public.
The story says: Prosecutors say they think they have evidence that Limbaugh committed at least 10 felonies by illegally obtaining overlapping drug prescriptions, according to documents released to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Thursday.
Apparently they got the scoop by making the right public records request and the law was the on the side of making the records public.
The story says: Prosecutors say they think they have evidence that Limbaugh committed at least 10 felonies by illegally obtaining overlapping drug prescriptions, according to documents released to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Thursday.
1/22/2004
Water plan a nonstarter
Looks like the pump-north/build-south water plan is dead, dead, dead.
1/21/2004
Pants on fire
Look what came to our neighborhood! The PantsOnFire-mobile! It's been to Orlando, too.
Yes, that PantsOnFire-Mobile.
Yes, that PantsOnFire-Mobile.
1/20/2004
Finding theocrats for the bench (cont.)
Discourse.net finds the Judicial Nominating Commission story that the Miami Herald buried. (You can find it here, if you scroll to the bottom.)
(Dozier) said an applicant's sexual orientation would not influence his vote on the judicial nominating commission.
''Let the world know,'' he said, ``the Rev. O'Neal Dozier loves the homosexuals the same way he loves the fornicators, the adulterers, the thieves and the liars.''
Well, that should certainly take care of public concerns about bias.
(Dozier) said an applicant's sexual orientation would not influence his vote on the judicial nominating commission.
''Let the world know,'' he said, ``the Rev. O'Neal Dozier loves the homosexuals the same way he loves the fornicators, the adulterers, the thieves and the liars.''
Well, that should certainly take care of public concerns about bias.
Bad ideas never die
Remember Jeb's plan to dismantle the Flrida State Library and the archives? Well, it might not be as dead as you think.
(Via Fla. Politics, again)
(Via Fla. Politics, again)
1/19/2004
State won't rein-in homeowners associations
Stories about control-freak homeowners associations hauling granny into court have become a journalistic genre. Whether foreclosing on vets for flying the flag, suing people for yard flamingoes or fining people for invisible violations of unposted rules by boards that meet in secret, Florida homeowners associations are private governments
governments accountable to nobody. And it's looking like they're going to stay that way.
(Via Florida politics.)
governments accountable to nobody. And it's looking like they're going to stay that way.
(Via Florida politics.)
1/16/2004
Harris decides
Selling out the celebrants
I have to admit that I personally find Disney's Celebration more than a little creepy. Too much private government and an exposure of the sterility and cutesy backward-looking Pleasantvillesque regimentation implicit in a lot of New Urbanism planning. But some people, bless their hearts, paid top dollar to participate in this vision and they are about to be sold out as Disney gets ready to bail out on Celebration. (N.Y. Times R.R.)
(Via Boing-Boing)
(Via Boing-Boing)
Looking for theocrats for the bench (cont.)
A follow-up on Miami Daily Biz Review's story on inappropriate questioning of judicial candidates. (Posted on Law.com, so you don't have to register.)
A Florida Bar panel will consider this morning whether members of a judicial nominating commission appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush asked judicial candidates in Broward County questions that were sexually discriminatory or were political or religious litmus tests.
A Jeb appointee was clearly looking for a theocrat and dubious of women in the workplace. He asked if candidates could balance maternal and judicial duties and whether they are "God-fearing" and active in their church.
A Florida Bar panel will consider this morning whether members of a judicial nominating commission appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush asked judicial candidates in Broward County questions that were sexually discriminatory or were political or religious litmus tests.
A Jeb appointee was clearly looking for a theocrat and dubious of women in the workplace. He asked if candidates could balance maternal and judicial duties and whether they are "God-fearing" and active in their church.
Will she/won't she?
Katherine Harris will she?/won't she? watch
Herald Trib -- She'll be in.
Sentinel -- She'll sit it out.
Herald Trib -- She'll be in.
Sentinel -- She'll sit it out.
1/15/2004
More voucher trouble
More trouble with the voucher program as the biggest distributor of vouchers quits. This comes amid a general decline voucher students.
Facing investigation by the state's chief financial officer, Miami-based FloridaChild, the state's largest distributor of corporate tax credit school vouchers, is quietly getting out of the voucher business.
Once again, The Palm Beach Post has this story to itself.
Facing investigation by the state's chief financial officer, Miami-based FloridaChild, the state's largest distributor of corporate tax credit school vouchers, is quietly getting out of the voucher business.
Once again, The Palm Beach Post has this story to itself.
Reacting to the courts
A Palm Beach Post editorial talks about two court decisions that rightly went against the governor.
Gov. Bush, who claims to support limited government, got two lessons from the courts last week in what limited government really is.
(And it mentions the breathtakingly extremist minority opinion in the J.D.S. case).
And even the reliably Republican Orlando Sentinel frets about effect of the governor's right-to-life crusading on the upcoming legislative session.
Gov. Bush, who claims to support limited government, got two lessons from the courts last week in what limited government really is.
(And it mentions the breathtakingly extremist minority opinion in the J.D.S. case).
And even the reliably Republican Orlando Sentinel frets about effect of the governor's right-to-life crusading on the upcoming legislative session.
1/14/2004
My big, fat Greek backlash
Readers get mad at that nice Mary Jo Malone of the St. Pete Times for making a rather obvious point about the annual cross-dive in Tarpon Springs.
1/13/2004
Finding theocrats for the bench
TalkLeft posts questions asked of prospective judges by Jeb-appointed judicial nominating commissions.
(Via CalPundit)
Discourse.com has more.
Law.com reprints the original article.
(Via CalPundit)
Discourse.com has more.
Law.com reprints the original article.
1/12/2004
Bob Herbert on KidCare
NYT's Herbert column -- Op-Ed What Ails Florida?
The State of Florida really knows how to hurt a kid. It has money for sports stadiums. It lavishes billions of dollars' worth of tax breaks and other goodies on private corporations. It even has money for a substantial reserve fund. But, in an episode of embarrassing and unnecessary tightfistedness, it has frozen enrollment in a badly needed state health insurance program for low-income children.
The State of Florida really knows how to hurt a kid. It has money for sports stadiums. It lavishes billions of dollars' worth of tax breaks and other goodies on private corporations. It even has money for a substantial reserve fund. But, in an episode of embarrassing and unnecessary tightfistedness, it has frozen enrollment in a badly needed state health insurance program for low-income children.
Judicial radicalism
For a scary peek at the kind of right-wing, on-a-mission-from-God activist judiciary Jeb Bush is appointing look no further than the fetal guardian case. JDS is an autistic, severely disabled person who operates on the level of a four or five year old. She was raped and became pregnant. The theocrats at DCF wanted to appoint a guardian for her fetus to ensure it would be brought to term.
The trial court said there was no legal precedent or legislative authorization for a fetal guardian and rejected the request. (The judge's order (PDF) )
The state of Florida appealed and Friday the 5DCA upheld the trial judge.
(Herald version)
But in a minority opinion, Bush appointee Judge Robert Pleus advocates banning abortion and some forms of birth control from the bench by declaring the life begins at conception. (Quotes toward the end.)
"The better view would be for the legislature to adopt a bright line point in time, and that point in time must be the moment of conception." He predicted Roe v. Wade would be overturned. Fascinating idea: ruling on the basis of anticipated future case law.
Talk about activist judges wanting the legislate from the bench!
The case is likely to go the Fla. Supreme Court.
5th DCA Opinion and dissent is here. (PDF) (The emotional anti-abortion sermon is at the end of the dissent.)
See ACLU's appellate brief (PDF).
The trial court said there was no legal precedent or legislative authorization for a fetal guardian and rejected the request. (The judge's order (PDF) )
The state of Florida appealed and Friday the 5DCA upheld the trial judge.
(Herald version)
But in a minority opinion, Bush appointee Judge Robert Pleus advocates banning abortion and some forms of birth control from the bench by declaring the life begins at conception. (Quotes toward the end.)
"The better view would be for the legislature to adopt a bright line point in time, and that point in time must be the moment of conception." He predicted Roe v. Wade would be overturned. Fascinating idea: ruling on the basis of anticipated future case law.
Talk about activist judges wanting the legislate from the bench!
The case is likely to go the Fla. Supreme Court.
5th DCA Opinion and dissent is here. (PDF) (The emotional anti-abortion sermon is at the end of the dissent.)
See ACLU's appellate brief (PDF).
1/11/2004
Lost and found poem
Workbench posts a nearly lost poem and another. As for the latter, I once worked evenings at a newsstand; this has the ring of truth.
1/09/2004
Lowbrow Pop Art Gallery
My gosh, right in my own back yard -- "Lowbrow Psycho Mod Pop Undersground Artwork!
(Via MetaFilter)
(Via MetaFilter)
For sale on eBay
Silencing the people
After witnessing a parade of special-interest speakers and the arrogance of antidemocratic attitudes of legislators, Troxler comes around to thinking constitutional amendments aren't so bad after all.
1/08/2004
Just another $1.1 million
Woops. The Department of Education illegally added ineligible kids to a virtual school program that now will cost $1.1-million.
At issue are two new privately run K-8 "virtual schools" Florida lawmakers approved last summer at the prodding of lobbyists working for former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett. Over the objections of Democrats and public school officials, Republican legislative leaders agreed as part of last-minute budget negotiations to a 1,000-student pilot program limited to students who "were enrolled and in attendance at a Florida public school ... during the prior school year."
This is amazing on so many levels. No problem, though, nothing cuts for public schools can't make up for.
At issue are two new privately run K-8 "virtual schools" Florida lawmakers approved last summer at the prodding of lobbyists working for former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett. Over the objections of Democrats and public school officials, Republican legislative leaders agreed as part of last-minute budget negotiations to a 1,000-student pilot program limited to students who "were enrolled and in attendance at a Florida public school ... during the prior school year."
This is amazing on so many levels. No problem, though, nothing cuts for public schools can't make up for.
Will she? Won't she?
CNN guys say Harris is too much a team-player to run for Senate in the face of White House opposition.
Drudge thinks she will.
AP says says her friends say she will.
But what would she call her Web site?
Drudge thinks she will.
AP says says her friends say she will.
But what would she call her Web site?
A for testing, the rest is Cs and Ds
Education Week gives Florda an A in testing and a D+ in adequacy.
Find grades and details here.
Average annual rate of change in expenditures per pupil, adjusted for inflation (1991-2001) -- Minus 0.4%
Find grades and details here.
Average annual rate of change in expenditures per pupil, adjusted for inflation (1991-2001) -- Minus 0.4%
Science theater
Saw a preview performance of Copenhagen among the bloggers invited by the proprietoress of Blissfully Bitter. (Who seems shorter but less bitter in person.) Sentinel gave a suprisingly good play to an advance.
War, physics, heartbreak and epistemology! A remarkable work well performed.
War, physics, heartbreak and epistemology! A remarkable work well performed.
1/07/2004
Maxwell on Dean
Bill Maxwell of the St. Pete Times makes the commonsense observation that Support flows to the guy with a backbone. Therefore, Dean is enjoying the almost reflexive support of Democrats.
Meanwhile, because they do not stand for anything or stand up for anything, the other Democrats are trying to bring down the one person who does. If they had the courage of their convictions - a little backbone and loyalty - they would have no need to trash their best chance to win back the White House.
Meanwhile, because they do not stand for anything or stand up for anything, the other Democrats are trying to bring down the one person who does. If they had the courage of their convictions - a little backbone and loyalty - they would have no need to trash their best chance to win back the White House.
Will she, won't she
Harris is making up her mind about running. But in a way calculated to draw attention.
Meanwhile, McCollum is doing what he does best. No, I don't mean winning over voters, I mean raising wheelbarrows full of cash. Just like last time he ran. Lots of interest from donors; little interest from voters. Right behind him is Johnny Byrd who will need to tie the Legislature in knots in a few months to boost his name recognition among Republican primary voters.
Meanwhile, McCollum is doing what he does best. No, I don't mean winning over voters, I mean raising wheelbarrows full of cash. Just like last time he ran. Lots of interest from donors; little interest from voters. Right behind him is Johnny Byrd who will need to tie the Legislature in knots in a few months to boost his name recognition among Republican primary voters.
1/05/2004
Stop us before we approve more tags
Threat to press freedom
Finally, somebody takes note of the disturbing verdict in the Pensacola News Journal "false light" court case. The St. Pete Times notes A Pensacola jury's decision to award a businessman $18-million over bad publicity from a true newspaper article is a blow to journalism.
Expect many more cases like this in which truth is not a defense. The editorial concludes: If this verdict is allowed to stand, freedom of the press in Florida will have been dealt a serious blow.
Expect many more cases like this in which truth is not a defense. The editorial concludes: If this verdict is allowed to stand, freedom of the press in Florida will have been dealt a serious blow.
1/03/2004
Weekend Polaroid
Chemical imagemaking refuses to die!
(Photo: Rachel Lane)
1/02/2004
Imperfect democracy
When computer-assisted partisan gerrymandering combines with winner-take-all primaries and poorly timed special election dates election like this one. There are 95,000 voters in the district. One of the seven candidates guesses that whoever gets 2,000 votes will win.
(Thanks to Fla. politics.)
(Thanks to Fla. politics.)
A little perspective
A friend sent me the URL for a 1992 article in the conservative magazine "The World and I." Titled Can Clinton Save his Candidacy? it answers its own question in the first graphs: there is no way this small-state governor can win against an experienced incumbent. It describes Democrats as demoralized over their gaffe-prone front-runner and quotes old pros who see certain disaster and fantasize about a brokered convention.
My, this sounds familiar.
Rarely, in contemporary American politics, has a prospective Democratic presidential standard-bearer emerged successfully from his early primaries burdened by so many deep public doubts about his character within his own party.
My, this sounds familiar.
Rarely, in contemporary American politics, has a prospective Democratic presidential standard-bearer emerged successfully from his early primaries burdened by so many deep public doubts about his character within his own party.
