4/30/2004
Oops
This is why Barney Fife was only allowed one bullet.
DEA agent shoots self in leg during gun-safety class for kids. The agent was speaking to the youths about making good life choices . . .
(Via Fark)
DEA agent shoots self in leg during gun-safety class for kids. The agent was speaking to the youths about making good life choices . . .
(Via Fark)
Johnnie B. Gone
Don't trip over anything as you walk into the mists of history! The Herald's story notes that Speaker gets tepid adieu from House.
The Plant City Republican's mercurial rule -- his my-way-or-the-highway style of leadership -- appears to have alienated some of the very people who anointed him leader. No Democrats chipped in to purchase the gifts, and, several legislators suggested, very few Republicans ponied up cash for Byrd's parting gifts, either.
The Palm Beach Post account sees the same lack of enthusiasm -- In a sign of a brutal session that has left bruised feelings, House leaders had trouble passing the hat for traditional going-away presents for Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
St. Pete Times -- Noticeably absent were glowing farewell speeches for Byrd . . . Not one House member rose to praise Byrd. The speaker pro-tem, Rep. Lindsay Harrington of Punta Gorda, and Rep. David Russell of Brooksville handled things.
Michael Mayo of the Sun-Sentinel sums it up -- It's hard to think of a politician who's come so far so fast who messes up so much and so shamelessly. He is his own worst enemy and he keeps making new enemies.
The Plant City Republican's mercurial rule -- his my-way-or-the-highway style of leadership -- appears to have alienated some of the very people who anointed him leader. No Democrats chipped in to purchase the gifts, and, several legislators suggested, very few Republicans ponied up cash for Byrd's parting gifts, either.
The Palm Beach Post account sees the same lack of enthusiasm -- In a sign of a brutal session that has left bruised feelings, House leaders had trouble passing the hat for traditional going-away presents for Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
St. Pete Times -- Noticeably absent were glowing farewell speeches for Byrd . . . Not one House member rose to praise Byrd. The speaker pro-tem, Rep. Lindsay Harrington of Punta Gorda, and Rep. David Russell of Brooksville handled things.
Michael Mayo of the Sun-Sentinel sums it up -- It's hard to think of a politician who's come so far so fast who messes up so much and so shamelessly. He is his own worst enemy and he keeps making new enemies.
Is it real or is it Photoshop?
For the flag, feel-good bills and unfunded mandates
The Carey Baker Freedom Flag USA-USA-USA We're No. 1 Fireworks Free Beer and Protection of Patriotic Little Children Act passes the Legislature.
It requires 2X3, made-in-America flags in every classroom in the state (full text here) But, as usual, the superpatriots in the Legislature refuse to pay for this educational mandate. They don't cough up a single dollar to pay for a single flag. Instead, they urge educators to pass the hat.
You don't expect us to throw money at public schools, do you? That would spoil a perfect good piece of feel-good television-ready legislation.
It requires 2X3, made-in-America flags in every classroom in the state (full text here) But, as usual, the superpatriots in the Legislature refuse to pay for this educational mandate. They don't cough up a single dollar to pay for a single flag. Instead, they urge educators to pass the hat.
You don't expect us to throw money at public schools, do you? That would spoil a perfect good piece of feel-good television-ready legislation.
4/29/2004
Tales of Wal-Mart shoppers
At the Wal-Mart SuperCenter parking lot in Palm Coast they found a woman who may have driven from Oklahoma to Florida -- via Texas and North Carolina -- on a shopping trip to Wal-Mart with her decaying mother's corpse in the passenger seat, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.
'Legislature has failed miserably'
Wow, a Herald editorial that criticizes the Legislature and Republican leadership in unambiguous, decisive terms without making apologies for them. State budget proposal fails all Floridians proves it can happen, at least once in awhile.
The 2004 Legislature has failed miserably in its basic obligation to Florida residents by agreeing to a flawed and unfair budget proposal. Floridians can blame House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who sacrificed equitable school funding and essential state services to fuel his political ambition. Blame, too, South Florida lawmakers who failed to stand up to legislative chicanery when it counted most.
+ Meanwhile The Tallahassee Democrat goes out on limb to declare: Budget could be worse; could be better. Whoa! let's not get all hasty, guys.
+ The St. Pete Times discovers that some "evil genius" tried to use the budget to push Medicare patients in four counties into HMOs.
The 2004 Legislature has failed miserably in its basic obligation to Florida residents by agreeing to a flawed and unfair budget proposal. Floridians can blame House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who sacrificed equitable school funding and essential state services to fuel his political ambition. Blame, too, South Florida lawmakers who failed to stand up to legislative chicanery when it counted most.
+ Meanwhile The Tallahassee Democrat goes out on limb to declare: Budget could be worse; could be better. Whoa! let's not get all hasty, guys.
+ The St. Pete Times discovers that some "evil genius" tried to use the budget to push Medicare patients in four counties into HMOs.
Last week's nonissue
TWO-ALARM DOUBLE-DOG MUST-READ ON KERRY'S FLORIDA OIL-DRILLING PLANS!!!
On the non-issue of Kerry and off-shore oil, The Palm Beach Post notes: Jeb drills, hits dry hole.
On the non-issue of Kerry and off-shore oil, The Palm Beach Post notes: Jeb drills, hits dry hole.
4/28/2004
Our neighbor to the north
Zell's acting goofy again. (Warning: annoying sign-in required.)
WASHINGTON � Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., introduced legislation Wednesday that would repeal the 17th Amendment and return to the era when U.S. senators were chosen by state legislatures rather than by statewide votes. . . .
Where is that subtle line between being a colorful ol' coot and being an embarrassing crank?
WASHINGTON � Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., introduced legislation Wednesday that would repeal the 17th Amendment and return to the era when U.S. senators were chosen by state legislatures rather than by statewide votes. . . .
Where is that subtle line between being a colorful ol' coot and being an embarrassing crank?
Failing the straight-face test
The Orlando Sentinel budget-agreement story has a great quote from Senate President Jim King about winning extra school dollars for his county at the expense of South Florida and parts of Central Florida.
"I had no idea that Duval would be the No. 1 winner," King said Tuesday night. He added, "This is a policy decision that made sense."
Wow! What a happy coincidence! Is this guy lucky or what?
"I had no idea that Duval would be the No. 1 winner," King said Tuesday night. He added, "This is a policy decision that made sense."
Wow! What a happy coincidence! Is this guy lucky or what?
Don't break out the champagne
Legislative leaders act like it's A Huge, Wonderful Accomplishment that they finished a budget on time.
"I am happy to report that the eagle has landed," Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, said in announcing the deal.
. . . "It really is a great day in the state of Florida when we can pull together the House," said Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
Well, big whup. The Legislature is supposed to pass a budget on time. It's the minimum, the starting point, the very least a session Is supposed to get done.
And it's a budget that screws over South Florida schools leaving them wondering whether to sue over a $4 million hole in their budget. It cuts money for Volusia County schools, too, and we're even in King's district.
And, of course, has no provisions for funding critical medical care after the budget year is over. And it increases state college tuition yet again. It's a bad deal done is secret.
If they were looking out for their constituents and their local schools instead of their party, South Florida Republicans would join with Democrats to vote this thing down. It's like a return to the Bad Ol' Pork Chopper Days when a North Florida minority starved South Florida schools because they could.
"I am happy to report that the eagle has landed," Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, said in announcing the deal.
. . . "It really is a great day in the state of Florida when we can pull together the House," said Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
Well, big whup. The Legislature is supposed to pass a budget on time. It's the minimum, the starting point, the very least a session Is supposed to get done.
And it's a budget that screws over South Florida schools leaving them wondering whether to sue over a $4 million hole in their budget. It cuts money for Volusia County schools, too, and we're even in King's district.
And, of course, has no provisions for funding critical medical care after the budget year is over. And it increases state college tuition yet again. It's a bad deal done is secret.
If they were looking out for their constituents and their local schools instead of their party, South Florida Republicans would join with Democrats to vote this thing down. It's like a return to the Bad Ol' Pork Chopper Days when a North Florida minority starved South Florida schools because they could.
Anti-spam bill moves
Senate passes an anti-spam bill that allows the state to fine spammers, including out-of-state spammers. But it still has to pass the House.
(Via the Republicans at Sayfie.)
(Via the Republicans at Sayfie.)
4/27/2004
Kerry in the Sunshine State
Slate tells Kerry not even to try to pander to rightwing Florida Cubans. The only opening is in the left/middle. Sensible advice.
John Kerry looks terrified when he talks about Florida, and not without cause. The state remains firmly in the hands of a Republican governor who happens to be the president's brother, an autocratic Republican legislature, and a new secretary of state who may prove more partisan than Katharine Harris.
John Kerry looks terrified when he talks about Florida, and not without cause. The state remains firmly in the hands of a Republican governor who happens to be the president's brother, an autocratic Republican legislature, and a new secretary of state who may prove more partisan than Katharine Harris.
4/24/2004
Nonissue of the week
Good editorial on Jeb's desperate "Kerry wants to open Florida to oil drilling" theatrics. Or as Sayfie would say, TWO ALARM MUST-READ ON KERRY'S OIL PLANS!
Pensacola News Journal -- Gov. Bush made himself look silly this week in trying to play politics with the issue. The people of Florida deserve better from their governor.
(Via Fla. Politics)
Pensacola News Journal -- Gov. Bush made himself look silly this week in trying to play politics with the issue. The people of Florida deserve better from their governor.
(Via Fla. Politics)
4/23/2004
sin verguenza
In Opinion: Byrd's flight of fancy the St Pete Times' editorialists conclude that the speaker "may not be the most shameless politician in Florida, but it's not for lack of effort."
I dunno. Speaking strictly about active politicians who have actually been elected to something, I'd probably say he is.
I dunno. Speaking strictly about active politicians who have actually been elected to something, I'd probably say he is.
4/22/2004
Jeb08
Yes, somebody already registered www.jeb08.com.
4/20/2004
Out at second
4/19/2004
One down, but a replacement steps up
Jeffrey Saull's school-starving double-your-homestead-exemption constitutional amendment is doing so well that his wife has launched GOP Senate bid.
Meanwhile Bob Smith is out. It must have been the first time in his career that he looked around and discovered he wasn't wackiest candidate in the race.
More editorials on the homestead amendment --
+ St. Pete Times -- A foolhardy voter initiative doubling the homestead tax exemption would imperil Florida's counties and schools.
+ Florida Today -- Doubling the property tax exemption would mean disaster for local budgets.
+ Miami Herald -- Local governments can't absorb a revenue hit of that magnitude without raising regressive fees, adding other taxes or cutting services such as education, policing, fire-rescue, elderly programs, etc.
Meanwhile Bob Smith is out. It must have been the first time in his career that he looked around and discovered he wasn't wackiest candidate in the race.
More editorials on the homestead amendment --
+ St. Pete Times -- A foolhardy voter initiative doubling the homestead tax exemption would imperil Florida's counties and schools.
+ Florida Today -- Doubling the property tax exemption would mean disaster for local budgets.
+ Miami Herald -- Local governments can't absorb a revenue hit of that magnitude without raising regressive fees, adding other taxes or cutting services such as education, policing, fire-rescue, elderly programs, etc.
4/18/2004
Enabling elections fraud
The folks in the Legislature are getting ready to pass an elections bill that should cement Florida's place as a nation laughingstock every election. One provision would make absentee ballot fraud easier another provision contains " a get-out-of-jail-free card for politicians who break the election law." (scroll to the middle.)
No free ride for Katherine Harris
Yes, it's true. Katherine Harris has for-real Democratic opposition. Not that the state Democrats will do much to help.
4/16/2004
Squeezing libraries ... again
Amid some really self-defeating and mean-spirited cuts, other legislative cutbacks have gone unnoticed. Such as cuts to libraries while also requiring them to install Internet filters.
4/15/2004
Did holiday create legal knots?
Dem ask when is an adjournment not an adjournment? Republican Legislative leadership's reply: when we say it isn't.
But what if the courts take a different view? I'm no lawyer, so I can't tell you how likely that would be. But Prof. Froomkin at Discourse.net is. See what he says.
But what if the courts take a different view? I'm no lawyer, so I can't tell you how likely that would be. But Prof. Froomkin at Discourse.net is. See what he says.
Everyone's a senate candidate
The promoters of a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a money-crunch for public schools have let their success at gaining signatures go to their heads. Karen Saull, whose husband heads a popular petition campaign to double Florida's homestead property tax exemption, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate. You know, because there aren't enough right-wing Republicans in the Senate primary.
(Via the Republicans at Sayfie)
(Via the Republicans at Sayfie)
4/12/2004
Mass politics
Florida Politics blog makes a good point about this story and many like it. When pro-choice Catholic politicians take communion it's seen as "a challenge to several Catholic bishops" over church doctrine. But when pro-death penalty Catholic politicians such as Gov. Bush take communion, church doctrine and the bishops somehow are unthreatened and unchallenged. Double standard?
4/11/2004
Book Banners again
Good for Okaloosa County School Board for saying "no" to the book banners. Target: the '70s historical novel "My Brother Sam is Dead."
4/10/2004
Another switch for Byrd?
Polls show Byrd is getting nowhere in the U.S. Senate race even though he's getting wheelbarrows full of money from every special interest that needs a friend in Tallahassee. Lucy Morgan thinks he might try for a U.S. House seat instead. He'd feel right at home in Tom DeLay's House. It would be a face-saving to back out of a hopeless race. (Be sure to read all the way through for the little surprise at the end.)
And New Hampshire wingnut Senate candidate Bob Smith might drop out, too.
And New Hampshire wingnut Senate candidate Bob Smith might drop out, too.
4/09/2004
Daytona Cubs' opener
There is only one holy day of obligation in the church of baseball, and that's the opener. The Daytona Cubs began their 12th season yesterday ... with a loss for something like the third year in a row. Still, the defense looked promising. (You can say things like that in April and not sound stupid.)
Jackie Robinson Ballpark / Photo: Mark Lane
Jackie Robinson Ballpark / Photo: Mark Lane
Quizilla
You are a GRAMMAR GOD!
There are reports of a virus on the above page, so best to stay away until you hear the all-clear.
Those polls
The CJR Campaign Desk has a good entry on the recent Florida Mason-Dixon poll. The CJR folks are puzzled at the way it contradicts other recent statewide polls and takes the Tampa Trib to task for not mentioning that fact . (It unaccountably calls ithe paper the Tampa Bay Tribune.) Bottom line -- nobody can be certain how Florida will go in November. But you knew that before.
4/08/2004
The petty tyranny of homeowners associations, cont.
All flags that are not U.S. flags must come down in Windermere, including a previously approved U.S. Marine Corps flag, the Windermere Garden Villas Home Owners Association unanimously agreed.
The board's decision to make a woman remove her Australian flag has not escaped notice down under. (Also in Brisbane Courier Mail.) A Herald Sun editorial notes: The Land of the Free is not always true to the lyrics in its national anthem.
The board's decision to make a woman remove her Australian flag has not escaped notice down under. (Also in Brisbane Courier Mail.) A Herald Sun editorial notes: The Land of the Free is not always true to the lyrics in its national anthem.
Making sure schools stay bad
Just one more threat to Florida's under-funded public schools -- a constitutional amendment to double the homestead exemption. There's already a cap on increasing assessments, yet proponents claim this is needed because of booming market-value of homes. And what if the housing boom goes bust? Well, then, I suppose that might create a few problems.
Mr. Koppelman at Hatless gives a petition-gatherer an earful.
Mr. Koppelman at Hatless gives a petition-gatherer an earful.
4/07/2004
Friendly advice to an employee
Legislators hate it when lobbyists act like they call the shots and not the The People's Elected Representatives. Well, sure, lobbyists do call the shots, but they're not so supposed so blatant about it.
This week, Eliseo ''Tito'' Gomez, a BellSouth vice president and lobbyist leaned a little too hard on Rep. Julio Robaina, who is, after all, an employee of Southern Bell and might like to remain one. Robaina voted yes, then no, then yes on the phone-rate-freeze bill and was in tears after the exchange.
(Thursday followup -- Lobbyist: No free seats for you.)
(*@&%! Registration required. Via the Republicans at Sayfie.)
This week, Eliseo ''Tito'' Gomez, a BellSouth vice president and lobbyist leaned a little too hard on Rep. Julio Robaina, who is, after all, an employee of Southern Bell and might like to remain one. Robaina voted yes, then no, then yes on the phone-rate-freeze bill and was in tears after the exchange.
(Thursday followup -- Lobbyist: No free seats for you.)
(*@&%! Registration required. Via the Republicans at Sayfie.)
The old banner returns
Flablog is nothing is nothing if not sensitive to its readers' desires. A number of you wrote to say, "Mark, get rid of that artsy-fartsy banner and put back the old flablog emblem that has come to be a trademark for fine blogging." Well, not in those exact words, but sorta like that.
Here you are, then, Flabloggers; the old banner's back.
Be warned, though: this layout may look fine in MS Explorer, but it looks dumb in Mozilla and Firefox, which is what I mostly use these days, and one of these days, I'll redesign the whole thing. Yes, I will.
Here you are, then, Flabloggers; the old banner's back.
Be warned, though: this layout may look fine in MS Explorer, but it looks dumb in Mozilla and Firefox, which is what I mostly use these days, and one of these days, I'll redesign the whole thing. Yes, I will.
First one in the yard this spring
4/01/2004
Strange blue light special
Think about that last time you got stopped by cop -- how do you know he was really a cop?
+ Personal Business: I'm taking a blogging holiday for a few days while I deal with deferred house maintenance.
+ And I'm basking in news that I'm a finalist for a Green Eyeshade Award in humorous commentary, along with Wiseguy Metro Columnist Frank Cerabino of the Palm Beach Post and Dan Ruth at the Tribune. (Floridians dominate most categories of those awards for Southern journalism this year.)
+ Personal Business: I'm taking a blogging holiday for a few days while I deal with deferred house maintenance.
+ And I'm basking in news that I'm a finalist for a Green Eyeshade Award in humorous commentary, along with Wiseguy Metro Columnist Frank Cerabino of the Palm Beach Post and Dan Ruth at the Tribune. (Floridians dominate most categories of those awards for Southern journalism this year.)
