FLORIDA'S POOR, NEEDY SCREWED AGAIN ON JEB'S WATCH:

The Florida Department of Children and Families has decided to make it more difficult for our state's poor and needy to seek services such as food stamps, AFDC, and Medicaid. The state social services agency is closing a number of offices statewide, blaiming the decision on our Legislaure's slash and burn budgetary practice toward DCF.

The idea is that instead of dealing with a local caseworker to apply or requalify for services, Floridians would have to do their business with DCF by phone, online, or through community agencies or churches. In the name of "becoming more efficient", agency clients will now have to deal with a faceless, nameless person only God-knows-where instead of face-to-face with a local caseworker.

While the change may save money in fewer offices and workers, the effect on reciepants and applicants would be profound. Many who truly need food stamps or AFDC funds to help support their families during tough times would be reluctant to seek that assistance, if they are even advised on how to do so. There is simply no comparision to dealing with someone across the desk who can answer questions and provide at least a little support when things happen...like when more information is needed, or if scheduled benefits don't arrive on time.

It has already begun in Polk County, where DCF closed it's outlying offices throughout the county and consolidated it's operations in the district office in south Lakeland. Nearly an hour drive for people in places like Haines City, Davenport, Fort Meade, and Frostproof. Not only that, the office is located in the back of what apparantly had been the extension of a furniture store, with no directions from South Florida Avenue or in the front of the building that the DCF entrance was in the rear. It is simply marked in the front, "Clausson's Office Building". Since the furniture store is also on site, one would unknowingly believe that it was the office furniture part of the business.

It truly seems like the state's real intent is to discourage those who really need assistance to apply. That way, Jeb! and his cronies in the Legislature can point to the reduction of applicants/recieptants as a positive sign that the state's economy is somehow improving.

Get real, Jeb!

ARTEST STILL DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SAY "I'M SORRY"

The Indiana Pacers' suspended Ron Artest appeared on NBC's Today Show this morning. He had the chance to apologize for his actions Friday night in Detroit, when he went into the stands and assulted fans who threw cups and liquid at him during a brawl. But not only did he not apologize (although he did say he regretted the incident) but when he was asked what he would say to children who may have seen the sickening spectacle he only said that "Things happen"....not even looking the least bit contrite for his part in the incident. He then went into a promotion for the rap CD being released on his record label.

At least he got what he wanted, but a a heavy cost. Being suspended for the remainder of the season --- 70+ games without pay --- will cost him several million dollars. Hey, NBA Commissioner David Stern did the right thing, and I hope he doesn't balk under a players' union appeal that is expected.