1/31/2005
Agitprop in school
How to use public schools to advance the right-wing agenda: Technique 24 -- Turn middle-school career days into an opportunity to present in-your-face anti-abortion propaganda.
Just OK on job growth
S.V. Date of the Palm Beach Post compares Jeb's job-creation numbers to past governors' and finds Gov. Bush's jobs record falls short of predessors'.
Bush - 1.9 % average annual job growth during term.
Chiles - 2.7 %
Martinez - 4%
Graham - 4.7%
Askew - 5.1%
(Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation/Palm Beach Post.)
(Via Sayfie)
Bush - 1.9 % average annual job growth during term.
Chiles - 2.7 %
Martinez - 4%
Graham - 4.7%
Askew - 5.1%
(Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation/Palm Beach Post.)
(Via Sayfie)
1/30/2005
Somebody Smith, I think he's a Dem
1/28/2005
Who's there?
So who's behind Social Security mystery calls? The LA Times calls the number, but still isn't sure. No matter, they're making the Republicans nervous.
USA TODAY's Version here.
Both parties view Florida as a central battleground in the Social Security debate. Republicans want to defeat Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in 2006, an effort that begins late next week, when the president is expected to visit Tampa on a campaign-style swing promoting his Social Security plan.
Bush's visit could also offer political cover for anxious Republicans. Brown-Waite and Young represent districts in the Tampa media market.
Bush's two-day swing is scheduled to begin the morning after his Wednesday State of the Union address, in which some Republicans hope he reveals details of his Social Security proposal. The trip is designed to apply pressure on moderate Democrats who represent states that the president won in 2004.
USA TODAY's Version here.
1/27/2005
Lege, FSU out of alignment
The FSU Board of Governors actually says 'no' to the Legislature and votes to kill chiropractic school plans.
See FSUblius for the background.
See FSUblius for the background.
Just being mean
Here we are trying to turn dismantle privatize reform Social Security, and the Dems some shadowy organization is calling people and telling them this is a bad thing. This is just mean -- so says Republican U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite.
(You may remember Rep. Brown-Waite for her 2003 bill to exhume and "bring home to 'patriotic soil" the remains of soldiers buried in France and Belgium. )
Josh Marshall's Talking Points says she's already launched a counter-campaign.
(You may remember Rep. Brown-Waite for her 2003 bill to exhume and "bring home to 'patriotic soil" the remains of soldiers buried in France and Belgium. )
Josh Marshall's Talking Points says she's already launched a counter-campaign.
Getting out the big eraser
Members of the Fla. House and Senate judiciary committees don't even attempt to mask their contempt for the voters as they move to erase three decades of voter initiatives and make new ones harder to pass.
"My desire would be not to add things, only to remove things based on the Constitution,'' said Webster, an Orlando Republican.
Oh well, that's different. What harm in removing separation of church of state, open records requirements, the privacy amendment and of course that horrid minimum wage amendment? It's just an erasure. Not like we're actively rewriting the Constitution to eliminate voter input or anything. Right?
(Via Florida Politics.)
"My desire would be not to add things, only to remove things based on the Constitution,'' said Webster, an Orlando Republican.
Oh well, that's different. What harm in removing separation of church of state, open records requirements, the privacy amendment and of course that horrid minimum wage amendment? It's just an erasure. Not like we're actively rewriting the Constitution to eliminate voter input or anything. Right?
(Via Florida Politics.)
1/26/2005
The $17,000 crawl-back
A guy named Larry takes out a full-page ad to plead with his wife to take him back and becomes something of local Jacksonville celebrity in the process. Don't fall for the cheesy clip-art, Marianne; you've got your whole life ahead of you!
1/23/2005
Headed out of town
After 40 years of grapefruit league play, the Cleveland Indians will do their last spring training in Winter Haven.
I love spring training. But you gotta respect a town that can say "no" when Big Sports thinks they can shake down the rubes for new handouts.
See the post at Interstate4Jammin' for more.
Are the Marlins next? It's not like they're terrorists, and it's not quite blackmail, but nobody's much in the mood for handing them $60 million.
"It's clear to me that the Indians prefer to be in another community and have a new, modern, state-of-the-art facility that does not require them to make any financial contribution in the construction and development of that facility.
- City Manager David Greene
I love spring training. But you gotta respect a town that can say "no" when Big Sports thinks they can shake down the rubes for new handouts.
See the post at Interstate4Jammin' for more.
Are the Marlins next? It's not like they're terrorists, and it's not quite blackmail, but nobody's much in the mood for handing them $60 million.
1/20/2005
Manny for Dems?
Gov. Manny? Defede says don't laugh.
He makes an Interesting case, but I dunno. It is impossible to overestimated the effect of the Cuban vote in South Florida. It is possible to overestimate the effect of the Cuban vote statewide. And he's not, you know, actually a Democrat. So I guess I'm at least giggling a little.
He makes an Interesting case, but I dunno. It is impossible to overestimated the effect of the Cuban vote in South Florida. It is possible to overestimate the effect of the Cuban vote statewide. And he's not, you know, actually a Democrat. So I guess I'm at least giggling a little.
1/19/2005
Where the Social Security recipients are
Josh Marshall looks up the 10 congressional districts with the largest number of Social Security recipients. Yup, six are in Florida. Yup, five of the six are in Republican hands. Are they getting nervous yet?
Mutual aid society (cont.)
A reliable Republican editorial writer got into trouble at work but was rescued by the taxpayers. (Previous Flablog post here.) But after a few weeks of criticism about the arrangement, he decides to resign.
(Via Romenesko.)
(Via Romenesko.)
1/18/2005
Not that there's anything wrong with that (cont.)
Charley Crist goes on the radio to say he likes women just fine.
The host asks him if he's, like, gettin' any action:
Too much information, Mr. Attorney General.
The host asks him if he's, like, gettin' any action:
"Yeah, well, fortunately I have, uh, I'm very blessed,'" Crist said.
Too much information, Mr. Attorney General.
Fla. DNCers for Dean
The Florida delegation to the DNC unanimously backs Dean for chairman.
Scott Maddox puts on his best Dukes of Hazzard voice for the guy from the NY Times:
The Deaniacs tout this as proof of his broader appeal.
Scott Maddox puts on his best Dukes of Hazzard voice for the guy from the NY Times:
"The only knock against Howard Dean is that he's seen as too liberal," Mr. Maddox said. "I'm a gun-owning pickup-truck driver and I have a bulldog named Lockjaw. I am a Southern chairman of a Southern state, and I am perfectly comfortable with Howard Dean as D.N.C. chair."
The Deaniacs tout this as proof of his broader appeal.
1/15/2005
Not that there's anything wrong with that
Charley Christ is asked The Big Unasked Question: Are you gay?
"I'm not," Crist replied.
Will that bury the issue or will it only make things worse? Don't know. The psychology of conservative Republican Christians is mysterious to me and they're the ones who have to be convinced.
"I'm not," Crist replied.
Will that bury the issue or will it only make things worse? Don't know. The psychology of conservative Republican Christians is mysterious to me and they're the ones who have to be convinced.
1/13/2005
Why wait for repeal?
You thought the state minimum wage amendment is law just because it passed overwhelmingly? No so fast, buck-o, lobbyists and lawyers are already fighting the minimum-wage law in the Legislature.
You say you'll change the constitution
This is the scariest story of the new year in Florida Politics -- a move by GOP conservatives to do a top-to-bottom rewrite of Florida's constitution.
They lost issue-by-issue at the polls, so now they'll just do a mass repeal of initiatives that had won over the years. And while they're at it, maybe throw in a little anti-abortion language, weaken the Sunshine law so legislators can meet in secret without having to sneak around, remove separation of church and state language and, heck, why not add some novel Patriot-Act-style state police powers? This is a time o' war, people!
And let's make it harder for people to vote on any changes to our handiwork, too. And be sure to weaken the courts so those judges won't get in our way all the time. And some property-rights language so tree-huggers can't take us to court! And that dreadful minimum wage amendment, can you beleive it passed?
Yessiree, this could be a real Ashcroftian, Christian-Coalition-pleasing grab-bag of top-down, hard-right, we-don't-need-no-separation-of-powers-'round-here document. A model Christian Security-State Constitution with some goodies thrown in at the last minute for select contributors.
They lost issue-by-issue at the polls, so now they'll just do a mass repeal of initiatives that had won over the years. And while they're at it, maybe throw in a little anti-abortion language, weaken the Sunshine law so legislators can meet in secret without having to sneak around, remove separation of church and state language and, heck, why not add some novel Patriot-Act-style state police powers? This is a time o' war, people!
And let's make it harder for people to vote on any changes to our handiwork, too. And be sure to weaken the courts so those judges won't get in our way all the time. And some property-rights language so tree-huggers can't take us to court! And that dreadful minimum wage amendment, can you beleive it passed?
Yessiree, this could be a real Ashcroftian, Christian-Coalition-pleasing grab-bag of top-down, hard-right, we-don't-need-no-separation-of-powers-'round-here document. A model Christian Security-State Constitution with some goodies thrown in at the last minute for select contributors.
1/12/2005
Not a problem
Jeb defends the former editorial writer hired for state government despite a controversy involving charges of plagiarism and sexual harassment. Says the allegations "were not quite accurate."
(Via Romenesko.)
(Via Romenesko.)
LC3
It looks like Lawton Chiles III will run. Note the headline in the Tallahassee Democrat: Chiles' son to run in 2006. Doesn't even use his name. And there is the problem. Nobody knows LC3 as anything other than his daddy's son.
For those who think homespun Florida-boy style, centrist instincts and general smarts make up for political inexperience, I have two words -- Bill McBride.
I'm sure LC3 is a good person, but he's a nostalgia candidate from a party that should at least go through the motions of looking forward. Personally, I think political dynasties are symptomatic of a democracy that's ailing.
For those who think homespun Florida-boy style, centrist instincts and general smarts make up for political inexperience, I have two words -- Bill McBride.
I'm sure LC3 is a good person, but he's a nostalgia candidate from a party that should at least go through the motions of looking forward. Personally, I think political dynasties are symptomatic of a democracy that's ailing.
Great mentioning
Washington Monthly presents a tongue-in-cheek list of Democratic presidential candidate. Some are jokier than others. Florida angle: Bill Nelson is on the list. Yeah, right above Queen Noor, but he's still there.
Of course, he has to get reelected first and voters of both parties, while not negative, are pretty underwhelmed so far.
Of course, he has to get reelected first and voters of both parties, while not negative, are pretty underwhelmed so far.
1/11/2005
New blog: Bayciti
Bayciti - Tampa Bay Urban is a blog on Tampa Bay urban planning, history and land-use politics.
"This site attempts to tell the urban history of the Tampa Bay area, along with information about completed and upcoming urban and infrastructure projects." And just like its subject "it's heavily under construction, and will be for a long time - so some links may not work properly."
"This site attempts to tell the urban history of the Tampa Bay area, along with information about completed and upcoming urban and infrastructure projects." And just like its subject "it's heavily under construction, and will be for a long time - so some links may not work properly."
1/09/2005
Rush job
The St. Pete Times' Steve Bousquet has an outstanding piece on how the state chiropractic school bill got rushed past the Legislature with no debate. Dem. Sen. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Republican Sen. Ron Klein barely manage to ask a few uncomfortable and never-answered procedural questions. (The Times Web site posts audio of the nondebate.)
The third 'graph says it all:
The third 'graph says it all:
Largely because of the influence of the chiropractors' lobby and lawmakers with FSU connections, the school got $9-million a year in public money with virtually no public scrutiny or debate.
1/08/2005
Mutual aid society
The conservative agit-prop machine seldom takes the crude form of paying bucks for commentary like the case of Armstrong Williams. Usually it's far cozier than that. Like, say, handing out state jobs to reliable media supporters.
Flabloggers will remember the sad story of the T-U editorial writer who resigned amid accusations (aired in the local alt weekly) of plagiarism, sexism and porn-culling in the office. Well, after the editorial writer resigned, he landed a $80,000-a-year job writing for the governor's office. The righties do look after their own and the taxpayers often pick up the tab. (The Herald-Trib seems to have been first with this story. [Via Florida News.])
Added to these controversies, is the writer's authorship of an editorial telling its readers, in effect, that in the big-picture long view, slavery was no big deal and not restricted to the U.S. so the negroes should stop whining. "Thoughtful answers, not knee-jerk responses, are needed" it concluded in high-minded passive voice, as though anticipating the reaction. You can get a flavor of the reaction: here and here and here.
Flabloggers will remember the sad story of the T-U editorial writer who resigned amid accusations (aired in the local alt weekly) of plagiarism, sexism and porn-culling in the office. Well, after the editorial writer resigned, he landed a $80,000-a-year job writing for the governor's office. The righties do look after their own and the taxpayers often pick up the tab. (The Herald-Trib seems to have been first with this story. [Via Florida News.])
Added to these controversies, is the writer's authorship of an editorial telling its readers, in effect, that in the big-picture long view, slavery was no big deal and not restricted to the U.S. so the negroes should stop whining. "Thoughtful answers, not knee-jerk responses, are needed" it concluded in high-minded passive voice, as though anticipating the reaction. You can get a flavor of the reaction: here and here and here.
1/04/2005
Another blog
FSUblius is a blog following the controversy over a proposed FSU chiropractic school. "Perspectives on Academic and Research Programs at Florida State University" it says below the title.
(Via Dred.)
(Via Dred.)
Minority rules
Florida went to a winner-take-all primary system in 2002 to help Jeb Bush cruise to reelection. Election supervisors went along because it would be cheaper and less work not to have set up the equipment again just for luxury making people get 50 percent of the vote to win.
We're supposed to go back to the old system but elections chiefs are objecting Allowing people to take office with 40 percent of the vote is just fine with them. Determining the will of the majority is too time consuming and expensive, they argue.
And, as it works out, winner-take-all primaries work excellently with the Rovian strategy of division and wedge-issue. The combination of gerrymandered districts and winner take-all-primaries means moderates, swing voters and independents don't need to count for squat.
We're supposed to go back to the old system but elections chiefs are objecting Allowing people to take office with 40 percent of the vote is just fine with them. Determining the will of the majority is too time consuming and expensive, they argue.
And, as it works out, winner-take-all primaries work excellently with the Rovian strategy of division and wedge-issue. The combination of gerrymandered districts and winner take-all-primaries means moderates, swing voters and independents don't need to count for squat.
1/01/2005
Happy New Year
Light posting still. It's too nice outside.
Church of Jesus the Republican
James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, says he'll target Sen. Bill Nelson and five other Democratic senators for defeat unless they toe the line on voting for conservative judges.
Many of them will be in the 'bull's-eye' the next time they seek re-election he said in a letter to more than one million of his supporters.
Many of them will be in the 'bull's-eye' the next time they seek re-election he said in a letter to more than one million of his supporters.
