LIGHT POSTING DAY

Not a great deal going on today on this end. There may be something this afternoon/evening, but please feel free to look through the posts of the past several days to see if there's anything interesting for you.

GRISHAM MAKIN' ME PROUD!

John Grisham has been one of my favourite authors from the first time I picked up A Time To Kill. He has now gained a lot more of my respect than he already had in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The former attorney and member of the Mississippi House of Representatives still owns a home in Oxford and cares deeply for the state where he made his mark. He has now shown just how deeply by starting, with his wife Renee, the Rebuild The Coast Fund with $5 million of their own money. A Hattiesburg businessman, Warren Hood, has added $3 million to the effort after meeting the author on the Gulf Coast. They are hoping to raise another two million dollars before they begin using the money.

The Rebuild The Coast Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, so all donations are tax deductible. Here are some detail about how the funds will be used. And if you are interested in donating to this effort, here is the page to do it. If you're one of those who aren't comfortable with doing the online thing, you can mail your gift to:

Rebuild The Coast Fund, Inc.
Post Office Box 4500
Tupelo, Mississippi 38803

Mr. Grisham promises that no donations will be used for administrative costs; those are being handled through another gift.

TELL THE "DIRTY DOZEN" TO GIVE BACK THE DIRTY MONEY!

Twelve Florida Republican congressional representatives accepted money from now-indicted and ethically challenged Tom DeLay, who was indicted Wednesday for conspiring to use his Washington, DC-based ARMPAC to funnel corporate money to Texas state candidates, a big no-no under Lone Star election law.

A BIG thanks to Mike at Florida News for providing the dirty details of the dirty money. I've taken the liberty of copying the information here in the hope that everyone reading this will contact these individuals who are mandated with doing "the will of the people" and ask them to give back any money received from ARMPAC as it should be considered "dirty money".

KATHERINE HARRIS (R - Longboat Key):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $20,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 95% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-5015

CLAY E. SHAW, JR. (R - Fort Lauderdale):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $30,020.00
Voted with DeLay: 95% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $5,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-3026

RIC KELLER (R - Orlando):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $20,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 95% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-2176

GINNY BROWN-WAITE (R - Brooksville):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $20,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 93% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $1,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-1002

TOM FEENEY (R - Oviedo):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $10,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 94% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $5,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-2706

CONNIE MACK, IV (R - Fort Myers):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $10,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 96% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-2536

ADAM PUTNAM (R - Bartow):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $15,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 97% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 3 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-1252

DAVID WELDON (R - Indialantic):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $13,569.00
Voted with DeLay: 95% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 4 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $6,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-3671

MARIO DIAZ-BALART (R - Miami):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $10,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 93% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $5,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-2778

MARK FOLEY (R - West Palm Beach):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $8,531.00
Voted with DeLay: 94% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-5792

JOHN MICA (R - Winter Park):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $5,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 94% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 3 times
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-4035

JEFF MILLER (R - Chumuckla):
Amount accepted from DeLay: $10,000.00
Voted with DeLay: 91% of the time
Voted for weaker ethics rules for DeLay: at least 2 times
Contributions to DeLay's Legal Defense Fund: $5,000.00
DC Office Phone: (202) 225-4136

TOTAL FLORIDA DIRTY MONEY: $172,120.00

HOW FAR ONE WILL GO FOR AN EDUCATION

An interesting story in today's St. Petersburg Times of an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who wanted an education so bad that he enrolled in a Pasco County high school and passed himself off as being 17...even though he was actually ten years older.

Jouse Oswaldo Ramierz-Mejia helped his brother run a tiling business, attending classes at J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey during the day and working with the business afternoons and evenings. He had apparantly enrolled over a month earlier, only being discovered when he lost his wallet and it was turned in by another student. The transcript he used to enroll was a forgery, as was his birth certificate.

Ramierz-Mejia is now in the Pasco County Jail pending $5,000 bond for uttering a forged insturment, but his troubles are not over yet. Federal immigration authorities have begun deportation proceedings.

The truly sad fact is that...he didn't have to lie to get his education. Ramierz-Mejia could have done it legally through the school district's adult education programme which would have allowed him to eventually get a high school equivalency diploma.

PLAYING ALL SIDES OF THE PRIMARY BATTLE

According to Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is taking no chances when it comes to the Democratic gubernatorial primary race. He's hosting two fundraising events Wednesday in downtown Orlando --- at the same time, no less --- for two of the major candidates, Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa and State Senator Rod Smith of Alachua. Hizzoner has not endorsed any of the three major contenders at this point, so he is agreeing to host any who ask.

The thing is, the mayor won't be at either event. He will be in Mexico for a trade mission.

B R E A K I N G . N E W S - 12:47 PM ET: HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER TOM DELAY HAS BEEN INDICTED IN A CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROBE

DeLay and two political associates have been indicted in Austin, Texas with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme. The indictment could force the Texas Republican to step aside as Senate majority leader per House GOP rules.

Also indicted on one count of criminal conspiracy were John Colyandro, formerly executive director of DeLay's Texans for a Republican Majority PAC, and Jim Ellis, executive director of his national PAC.

The grand jury in Austin charged the trio with using corporate donations to the Texans for a Republican Majority PAC for supporting state candidates...a big no-no in Texas law.

U P D A T E 1:30 PM ET: DeLay has notified Speaker of the House Dennis Hastart (R - IL) that he would temporairly step aside as Senate Majority Leader per GOP House rules.

A STATE EMPLOYEE THAT VERY LIKELY SAVED A LIFE

Many of us tend to slam state employees for regularly doing what many of us tend to do...not show enough compassion or do enough to help those who we serve. But Bill Cottrell's column in the Tallahassee Democrat Monday proves that, at least sometimes, that criticism can be misplaced.

He tells the story of Division of Forestry ranger Jason Long, who was part of a group of state employees who went to assist in the Mississippi coastal city of Waveland. He ended up saving a woman, the mother of one son who had recently been killed in action in Iraq and another seriously hurt in an automobile accident, who was seriously considering suicide. Mr. Long's background in emergency services told him that she was not just another scared victim, and made sure that she received counseling.

For his efforts, Long received a commendation from the department and words of praise from Agricultrual Commissioner Charles Bronson:

"We're awfully proud of Jason and believe his action underscores the commitment to public service that characterizes our employees."

Way to go!

LAURA BUSH GOES THE REALITY SHOW ROUTE

First Lady Laura Bush apparantly got her wish granted. She will make an appearance on the feel-good ABC Television reality show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" this season.

The highly rated programme usually selects a hard pressed but deserving family each week, sends them on a seven day vacation, and while they are gone the design team, along with contractors and volunteer labourers work frantically to tear down their former home and build a new one in it's place.

In the episode on which Mrs. Bush will appear, the show will visit an underserved shelter near the heavily damaged coastal city of Biloxi, Mississippi, bringing along a convoy of trucks stocked with items from kitchen appliances to clothing to mattresses provided by the show's main sponsor, Sears.

The First Lady's exact role in the episode, which was filmed Tuesday at the Biloxi Community Center and reported by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, was to be shown with design team member Preston Sharp greeting victims, listening to their stories, and handing out items from large plastic bins. According to the AP story, Mrs. Bush sought to be on the program because she shares the "same principles" that the producers hold, her press secretary said.
Whatever the first lady's role, the idea is to convey that people — in this case, a major television network and the White House — care about the thousands of hurricane victims who remain homeless.

"This is why it is so great the first lady is coming along, just to talk and hear stories and share tears and give hugs and remind everyone we are there for a long time and we are going to keep coming back and nobody has forgotten about them, including their government," [Executive Producer Tom] Forman said. He said the episode will air in November.

The show has been likened to a modern-day "Queen for a Day." But it could be difficult to discern whose fortunes will be lifted higher — the displaced victims of two hurricanes or the White House, which was widely perceived as slow to understand their pain.

Many in the crowd were unaware that the filming of a popular national television show was involved, believing that Sears was simply offering a drawing for free appliances.

MY CALENDER IS BOOKED IN DECEMBER

I was elected as a delegate to the Florida Democratic Party conference to be held in December at the Disney Contemporary Resort near Orlando, and knew that the folks in Tallahassee were planning some good speakers for the weekend. Now we know who.

Former North Carolina Senator and vice presidential running mate John Edwards, considered by many to be a potential 2008 candidate for the top job, will be one of the featured speakers at the event. Also scheduled will be congressmen Barney Frank of Massachusetts and John Lewis of Georgia. Frank is known almost as much for the fact that he is the first openly gay congressional representative as he is for his outspokenness on the left side of the political spectrum. Lewis has been a champion in the area of civil rights for years.

There are a number of big-name Democratic officeholders who have been invited. It should be an interesting weekend

WHEN GOVERNMENT REALLY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING...

The Mississippi Legislature goes into special session today to decide several issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Primary of these is a bill which would allow land-based casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast...as long as 1) they are located within 1,500 feet of the water, and 2) owners must have a casino, hotel, or other facility on the beach.

When the Magnolia State allowed casino gambling, it was with the condition that the casinos must be floating on the water...a comprimise with church organizations, most notably the Mississippi Baptist Convention, which opposed gambling. When Katrina struck nearly a month ago, the industry was nearly wiped out with casinos and the barges they were on being swept upon the shore, in a case or two a half mile inland! The gaming industry has been seeking this legislation.

The Mississippi Tax Commission predicts a loss of between $213 million and $272 million dollars in revenue just from September to the end of the year.

I HATE TO BRING THIS UP, BUT...

From the National Hurricane Center's Tropical Weather Outlook as of 5:30AM:
A TROPICAL WAVE IS PRODUCING CLOUDINESS AND SHOWERS OVER THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SEA AS IT MOVES TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST AT 10 TO 15 MPH. THIS SYSTEM REMAINS BROAD AND DISORGANIZED. WHILE UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE CURRENTLY NOT VERY CONDUCIVE FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION...THEY COULD BECOME SOMEWHAT MORE FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS THE WAVE MOVES INTO THE NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA.

U P D A T E (12:27PM): Here is the update from 11:30 PM ET:

A VIGOROUS TROPICAL WAVE CENTERED A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES SOUTHEAST OF JAMAICA IS PRODUCING CLOUDINESS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SEA. THIS SYSTEM HAS BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED TODAY... AND UPPER-LEVEL WINDS HAVE ALSO BECOME MORE FAVORABLE FOR A TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO DEVELOP DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM TOMORROW...IF NECESSARY. INTERESTS IN JAMAICA...THE CAYMAN ISLANDS...AND IN THE NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS IT MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT ABOUT 10 MPH.

This is something we'll have to keep an eye on, as the Caribbean is traditionally a hotbed for tropical storm/hurricane development during this part of the season.

IS MADDOX STAYING IN, OR...

You really don't hear a great deal from Scott Maddox's gubenoratorial campaign, and there have been some rumblings heard that he may not be long for the race.

He missed a political conference over the weekend in Tampa by the Florida Education Association while his two main Democratic rivals were there working the crowds. He told the St. Petersburg Times that he had planned to attend, but caught a stomach bug. Maddox was campaigning in Broward County Monday; he and members of his fundraising team say the former Tallahassee mayor and state Democratic Party chairman is not planning to drop out.

Maddox's campaign has been behind in raising money, and it seems that from reading this piece in The Buzz, the Times' political bug, that the Maddox campaign is preparing everyone for another soft quarter by noting that he has been encouraging everyone to help the hurricane relief effort instead.

I get the feeling that once the quarterly financials are released soon, the rumblings will get louder, and Maddox will be out of the race by year's end.

GALLAGHER PULLING CHOICE CARD FOR HIS CAMPAIGN

"It's wrong to play politics with women's lives...Tom was prochoice 10 years ago, and now he's self-proclaimed anti-choice? I'm not sure what he'll do should he be elected."

Those words from Stephanie Grutman, executive director of the Florida Alliance for Planned Parenthood, in reaction to state Chief Financial Officer and GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Gallagher's announcement Monday that he would lead the way for a 24 hour waiting period for women seeking an abortion.

His main Republican challenger, Attorney General Charlie Crist, is anti-choice but voted against such a waiting period as a state senator ten years ago. All three of the major Democratic contenders --- former Tallahassee mayor and state Democratic Party chairman Scott Maddox, State Senator Rod Smith of Alachua, and Congressman Jim Davis of Tampa --- support a woman's right to choose.

When Gallagher ran for governor previously, in 1994, he said the issue of abortion should be between a woman and her physician. He even told the Florida Federation of Republican Women during a debate then that "Government should stay out of that particular relationship."

For good reading, I suggest this piece from Mike over at his Florida News blog. Tom Gallagher is nothing more than a hack for the Liberty Council, Family Research Council, and other right-wing groups. He simply has no core beliefs/principles, and this move proves it.

HOW YOU CAN HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS

Hurricane Katrina was nothing less than catastrophic in the amount of death and destruction it caused. From it's inital landfall in South Florida to the Catagory 4 monster that struck the Gulf South, the largest domestic relief effort in American history is now underway.

I feel this personally, because I have family and friends in the area near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It's my home, and it is heartbreaking to see and hear that places where I spent time and grew up are no longer there. While I am thankful that my family members have reported in safe and that their homes were not severely damaged, I know several people who were not as fortunate.

The people throughout the Gulf South region have been struck incredibly hard, and let's please not forget those in Texas and Louisiana affected last week by Hurricane Rita. So it's imperative that all of us who can PLEASE give generously as humanly possible to one or more of a number of established, reliable organizations who have a tradition of providing services to those in need.

One concern I should address here. Sadly, in situations such as this, there will always be scam artists who attempt to take advantage of the situation for their own benefit. PLEASE be cautious in your giving, and donate only to organizations who are established and experienced in disaster relief. And don't be afraid to request the organization's financial information to insure that much of the money you give goes to the intended purpose and not top-heavy with "administrative" costs.

I realize that many are unable or simply unconfortable about the idea of providing your personal information, such as your credit/debit card number, online. So below I've included their telephone and mailing contact information. I have placed all their online links in the sidebar, where they will remain for awhile.

ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES
(877) 227-2702

Adventist Community Services
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
ATTN: Disaster Response

AMERICAN RED CROSS:
If you give online, in the "Gift Information" section near the top of the page, please select National Disaster Relief Fund.
(800) HELP-NOW (435-7669)
En Espanol (800) 257-7575.

American Red Cross
Post Office Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013-7243

AMERICARES
(800) 486-HELP (4357)

AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Avenue
Stanford, CT 06902

AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST
(800) 771-2303

America's Second Harvest
35 East Wacker, #2000
Chicago, IL 00601

B'NAI B'RITH DISASTER RELIEF FUND
(202) 857-6600

B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund
2020 K Street, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20006

BRETT FAVRE FORWARD FOUNDATION:

Brett Favre Forward Foundation
Beth Seymour, Executive Director
One Willow Bend
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
or
Nicolet Bank
111 North Washington Street
Green Bay, WI 54301
Attn: Brett Favre Forward Mississippi Relief Fund

CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA:
(800) 919-9338

Catholic Charities USA
Attn: Hurricane Katrina Relief
Post Office Box 25168
Alexandria, VA 22313-9788

LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE
(800) 638-3522

ELCA Disaster Response
Post Office Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764

MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICES
(717) 859-2210

Mennonite Disaster Services
1018 Main Street
Akron, PA 17501

OPERATION BLESSING
(800) 730-2537

Operation Blessing International
977 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, VA 23463


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA
(800) 872-3283

Presbyternian Church USA
Individual Remittance Processing
Post Office Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION DISASTER RELIEF:
(770) 410-6133

Southern Baptist Convention - North American Mission Board
Attn: Disaster Relief
Post Office Box 116543
Atlanta, GA 30368
or
Florida Baptist Convention
Hurricane Disaster Relief
Attn: Baptist Men's Department
1230 Hendricks Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32207

THE SALVATION ARMY:
If you give online, in the "Donation Options" section, please select Hurricane Relief.
(800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

The Salvation Army
Post Office Box 4857
Jackson, MS 39296-4857

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:
If you attend a United Church of Christ congregation, you may also give payable to the local church marked Emergency USA. All gifts should include that in the memo portion of the check.

United Church of Christ
Wider Church Ministries
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
or
United Church of Christ - Florida Conference
924 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 250
Orlando, FL 32803

UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
(800) 554-8583
If you attend a United Methodist congregation, you may also place your donation into any collection plate, marked for UMCOR Hurricanes 2005 Global.

United Methodist Committee On Relief
Post Office Box 9068
New York, NY 10087-9068

CENTRAL FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS: NO SOCIAL SECURITY BILL THIS YEAR

Other important business, including hurricane relief and filling the two vacant seats on the United States Supreme Court, will prevent legislation to make major changes in the Social Security program this year, according to the two Republican members of Congress whose districts cover much of Polk County.

Lakeland Ledger political columnist Bill Rufty spoke recently to Representatives Ginny Brown-Waite (R - Crystal River) and Adam Putnam (R - Bartow).

Putnam, who supports the proposed changes in Social Security including the idea of using some of the Social Security taxes paid by workers to begin "personal investment" accounts, admits "It is a monumental lift even if it were only thing on the agenda."

Putnam said Congress has other pressing business for much of the rest of this year, including the Senate confirmations of Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts, Jr. and whoever is nominated by Bush for the other open seat on the court.

"The Senate has proven that when it is on a confirmation everything else grinds to a halt. And Katrina funding is at the top of the agenda in addition to the fact that while the House is finished with the budget, the Senate has passed only two budget bills," he said.

Brown-Waite has some trepidation on the issue, but for those "on the bubble":

"Personal investment accounts, while maybe good for younger workers as an option, don't by themselves do anything for the stability of Social Security," she said. "I do believe in the recently proposed growth accounts where they take the (Social Security) surplus away from the general budget and use those for voluntary investments. But what about those between 55 and 65? Where is their share of the surplus?"

Brown-Waite and Putnam agree that the issue will likely not be back until after next year's midterm congressional elections, but that has it's own share of drama. Social Security "reform", coming up to the Congress in 2007 when voters and potential candidates alike are beginning to seriously look at the next year's presidential race and Bush's lame duck status becoming more profound.

"I have always said that to take up a bill as complex and sensitive as Social Security in an election year would be like climbing Mount Everest in a windbreaker," Putnam said

That should make the quote of the day!

GIVING UP ON THE IDEA OF "BEING NICE BOYS"

Last Wednesday I mentioned here that state GOP chair Carole Jean Jordan had sent a written pledge for both of the major gubernatorial candidates, Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, to sign agreeing to abide by former president Ronald Reagan's "11th Commandment": Not to speak ill of each other.

That pledge has now been rescinded, according to the Orlando Sentinel columnists Kennedy and Garcia. Apparantly the Crist campaign had provided a copy of the oath to a reporter, which caused Gallagher to compare the action to "...somebody working for Ronald Reagan leaking documents to the Soviets in 1983."

I mentioned in my original post on this that the pledge wouldn't last very long. Seems as though it didn't even get off the drawing board.

SUNDAY FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

I'm certain that many of us, after the havoc and destruction caused by Katrina and Rita this month, feel the lyric from the pop band Green Day's latest hit ring true:

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends

We can only hope that October is much less eventful.

Checking out the editorial pages from Florida newspapers today, we begin with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, who makes their endorsements for two mayoral races. It recommends current city commissioner Darlene Yordon in the Daytona Beach race, and city commissioner Doug Horn in Deltona.

The Lakeland Ledger doesn't give an obvious opinion this morning, but it's editorial looks at efforts in Tallahassee to modify the class-size amendment, which Governor Bush says he would support if approved by the Legislature.

The editorial in today's Orlando Sentinel suggests that others in the Central Florida community should step up and match Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty's pledge to support a proposed medical school at the University of Central Florida.

Today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune is concerned that while the Save Our Homes constitutional amendment has worked and provided a public benefit, there are disparities that need to be addressed.

Today's opinion in the St. Petersburg Times is hopeful that Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., likely to be confirmed as the new Chief Justice of the United States, will guide the Supreme Court toward guarding individual liberties protected by the Constitution, especially in the case of Jose Padilla, an American citizen held without charges for over three years as an "enemy combatant".

Across the Bay, the Tampa Tribune says the state should be accountable and release individual test answers from the FCAT for parents to see what areas their children need help in, something it declines to do citing expense.

The Florida Times Union laments the fact that Jacksonville/Duval County has the highest murder rate among Florida counties again, the sixth year in a row it has held that dubious spot and 12 of the past 17 years.

Florida Today calls on continued teamwork between local and state officials to have Kennedy Space Centre selected for the work to build/assemble the new moonship, known as the Crew Exploration Vehicle.

The Fort Myers News-Press praises Dependency Court Judge James Seals for going farther than required in releasing confidential files of the Florida Department of Children and Families' handling of the case of a 14 year old human trafficking victim held as a domestic and sex slave in a Cape Coral home.

This morning's Gainesville Sun slams what it calls "fiscally irresponsible" President Bush and Congress for paying for Iraq/Afghanistan/hurricane relief and recovery while preparing to approve more tax cuts for the wealthy and failing to make other moves to offset the additional funding. The Miami Herald says that Americans are willing to sacrifice, as long as the burden is shared fairly.

The hurricanes' effects are also the concern in the editorial in today's Naples Daily News. As Lee County school officials are concerned about shortages caused by Katrina (and now Rita), the newspaper reminds us that neglected needs have a way of catching up with us.

The Ocala Star-Banner welcomes the selection of Robin Muse McClea as the new director of the Appleton Museum of Art at Central Florida Community College, a newcomer experienced with the Big City art world but not entangled with it's recent political and legal woes.

Today's Palm Beach Post opinion criticizes the Commission on Federal Election Reform for focusing on what it considers an unnecessary requirment for photo ID instead of other, more pressing, issues such as tightening the rules for absentee voting as well as same day and early voting.

The Pensacola News Journal editorial suggests that any official who has anything to do with hurricane rebuilding in the Pensacola Bay area should take a personal tour of the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Katrina, that they would realize just how vunerable their own area is. It would change their view of beach development.

Airline safety is the subject of the opinion in today's South Florida Sun Sentinel, supporting a new Federal Aviation Administration proposal to place cameras in airplane cabins so that pilots can look out for suspicious activity or potential threats.

And the Tallahassee Democrat endorses the petition drive sponsored by Common Cause and the Committee for Fair Elections to put a proposal on the ballot for a constitutional amendment which would form an independent, nonpartisan commission to redraw congressional and legislative district boundries.

WHO'S IN CHARGE WHEN THE HURRICANE COMES? MAYBE THE FEDS CAN LOOK THIS WAY

I have never been a Jeb Bush fan, but I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. Mike Thomas of the Orlando Sentinel and I are in agreement that at least we in Florida have our stuff straight when it comes to hurricane prepardness and response.

Jeb was able to handle things here effectively during last year's four hurricane events, mainly because he was surrounded by staff seasonsed in emergency management...and because we learned not to rely on the federal government thanks to the debacle that occured after Andrew smashed into South Florida in 1992.

We've learned not to take any tropical system --- not even a Catagory 1 hurricane, which Rita was when it came near the Keys earlier in the week --- for granted. The state and local emergency management personnel were ready and knew what to do.

Maybe some folks in DC could learn from Dubya's little brother and the crew here.

KEEP THE TAX BREAK...EVEN AFTER YOU MOVE!

Several legislators are working on approval next session to put on the ballot a constitutional amendment which would allow homeowners to keep the Save Our Homes property tax break, even after they move.

The proposal attaches the tax break to owners, rather than property, thus preventing the owner from being hit with a huge tax hike when he/she relocates to a new residence within Florida.

Save Our Homes limits increases in a home's taxable value to three percent annually, regardless of how much the property appreciates.

The portability idea has failed twice previously in Tallahassee. State Representative Fred Brummer (R - Apopka), chairman of the House Finance and Tax Committee who has blocked the measure previously, does not like the idea.

"The bill would just hose new homebuyers, renters and business owners. That's where the burden moves to, and it's not fair," Brummer said.

In addition, it would handcuff the state's poorer counties, many of which can only tax a fraction of property value due to Save Our Homes and other exemptions.

HARRIS' NUMBERS SLIPPING LIKE DUBYA'S

Sarasota Herald-Tribune political reporter Jeremy Wallace posted on his Political Insider blog Friday evening the latest numbers on the U.S. Senate race from the GOP-leaning Strategic Visions poll, released Thursday.

The 1,200 likely voters were asked who they would support if the race were between Democratic incumbant Bill Nelson and Republican congresswoman Katherine Harris. Nelson was favoured among 48 percent with 36 percent for Harris and 16 percent undecided. The 12 percent margin is greater than the eight percent difference noted two months ago.

That's also interesting, considering when asked if they approved of Nelson's job performance he only received a 47 percent favourable rating compared to 40 percent unfavourable. In comparision, freshman GOP senator Mel Martinez received a 41 percent favourable rating, with 34 percent unfavourable and 25 percent undecided.

In the governor's race, among Republicans Attorney General Charlie Crist came out on top, favoured by 48 percent of the registered Republicans asked, with Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher receiving 38 percent. Among Democrats asked about their candidates, Congressman Jim Davis is preferred by 26 percent, State Senator Rod Smith receiving 15 percent, and former state Democratic chairman Scott Maddox 12 percent. Many Democrats --- 47 percent --- remain undecided.

The interesting question asked among Democrats only is: Are you satisfied with the three Democratic candidates running for Governor or would you prefer to see someone else run?

The majority --- 58 percent --- answered they would prefer another candidate. Only 32 percent say they are satisfied with the choice of Davis, Smith, and Maddox.

SOMETHING TO REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO

I like the headline for Bill Cotterell's column Thursday in the Tallahassee Democrat:

Eventually, state Democrats will be back in power

Even Jeb! himself has admitted this.

The only question is when.

Cotterell believes that the first real step toward that eventuality comes next year in Broward County, considered the biggest Democratic stronghold in Florida.

Five of the seven Democrats who are term-limited out of the House next year represent parts of Broward. So do both term-limited Democratic senators running for higher office - Fort Lauderdale's Walter "Skip" Campbell, who's going for chief financial officer, and Ron Klein of Boca Raton, trying for Congress.

Two non-term-limited House members, both Democrats, are running for Campbell's and Klein's Senate seats.

All of this means a big turnout in the Democratic primaries in Broward. For all practical purposes, the winners of those races will be chosen in the September primaries.

That might be good for Scott Maddox's campaign for governor. The former Tallahassee mayor ran surprisingly well in the 2002 primary for attorney general, leading a four-man ticket in Broward by nearly 10,000 votes.

BETTER FILL'ER UP NOW BEFORE PRICES JUMP

Looking at the prices for regular unleaded gas at the stations along U.S. 98 in north Lakeland yesterday, I noticed that the prices had dropped a bit from the $3.099/gallon that were common in the aftermath of Katrina. They were generally in the neighbourhood of $2.699/gallon, so you had better get that tank filled quickly before prices break the $3.00/gallon barrier once again.

I say that because approximately one-quarter of America's gas is refined in Texas and Louisiana, and Hurricane Rita has the area in it's sights. A number of refineries in the area will definately be affected, and several have already closed in anticipation of the storm.

It may be awhile before you see "cheaper" prices again, so get ready!

NELSON SAYS HE WILL VOTE FOR ROBERTS

A spokesman for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson says that Florida's senior senator will vote to approve Judge John G. Roberts, Jr. as the next Chief Justice of the United States.

Dan McLaughlin said Thursday that Nelson was impressed with Roberts' answers on several issues, including privacy and eminent domain, and described him as a man who "clearly had a reverence for both the courts and the rule of law."

Nelson is joining a growing number of Democrats who have stated they would vote in favour of Roberts. While some may not approve of the decision, it's really the smart move. Roberts and the man he's replacing, the late William Rhenquist, are cut from the same cloth in idelogical terms.

Democrats should work together and prepare themselves for the real battle ahead, replacing retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. While she is basically conservative, O'Connor was by no means an ideologue and often was the swing vote for moderates. If President Bush tries to nominate another right winger to the Supreme Court, which he likely will, we need to be ready.

POLK SCHOOL CHIEF SAYS LEGISLATURE WANTS A "TRAIN WRECK"

Since she was hired as Polk County's first appointed school superintendent, we haven't heard a great deal publicly from Dr. Gail McKinzie, but she had some words to say Thursday during a "State of the School District" address at the Lakeland Yacht Club which was reported by the Lakeland Ledger.

Dr. McKinzie believes, as I do, that the Florida Legislature is basically hanging school districts out to dry when it comes to funding mandated requirments such as the federal "No Child Left Behind" act and the class size reduction amendment, passed by the electorate nearly three years ago.

"The state's answer to this class-size reduction is, `No, we're not going to change our minds, you can just rezone or go to double sessions. . . So that's a challenge because I think they want the train wreck. And they'll get it."

The Ledger reports:

While McKinzie said that class-size reduction poses a facilities and teacher-recruitment challenge, she said the federal No Child Left Behind law is even more complex and problematic. No Child Left Behind demands improvement among schools in several areas, including teacher quality and student achievement among all demographics.

She said No Child Left Behind really requires districts to change the way they function, not simply build more schools or hire more teachers.

She said that's what makes No Child Left Behind the most significant challenge. "I think that the No Child Left Behind is really an educational challenge," she said.

And while fielding a few questions from the audience, Dr. McKinzie noted a couple of other challenged that the local district faced, among them the increasing number of Hatian students.

She said these students pose a challenge because some have never been in school before, and many do not speak English.

"There are not a lot of people in the county that can translate Haitian Creole," she said.

Dr. McKinzie came to Polk County last November after 17 years leading school districts in Missouri and suburban Chicago.

HOUSTON IS DODGING A HUGE BULLET

The way things look now, Houston is going to miss the brunt of Hurricane Rita. Three days ago, many of us were predicting gloom and doom for the Space City, and Houston's freeway system --- which people complain about even in the best of times --- looks like one giant parking lot.

However, Rita's centre is generally expected to make landfall early tomorrow morning somewhere between Port Arthur, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. That is, unless she wobbles one way or the other, not unusual for these storms. That means that the Houston/Galveston metro will miss the traditionally roughest northeast quadrant of the hurricane. Of course, they will still have to deal with dangerous conditions, but it won't be quite of the severity as feared earlier.

Also, Rita has weakened slightly since it ballooned to a Catagory 5 level Wednesday. After passing through a "loop current" of much warmer water in the Gulf of Mexico, the slightly cooler temperatures west of that were not sufficient to maintain the hurricane at that level

Here are some media links if you want to keep up with what's happening in real time from local reporters on the scene:

KPLC-TV 7 (Lake Charles, Louisiana / NBC affiliate)
KFDM-TV6 (Port Arthur, Texas / CBS affiliate)
KBTV-TV 4, the NBC affiliate in Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas, has evacuated it's facilities and is broadcasting out of Nexstar sister station KTAL in Shreveport, Louisiana. It's Web site is not being updated in the meantime.
KHOU-TV11 (Houston / CBS affiliate)
KPRC-TV2 (Houston / NBC affiliate)
KTRK-TV 13 (Houston / ABC affiliate)
Beaumont Enterprise
Port Arthur News
Lake Charles American Press
Houston Chronicle

LIGHT BLOGGING FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO

Please feel free to look through at some of the posts you may have missed over the past several days.

I really do appreciate your visiting the site, so don't be a stranger!

FLORIDA'S VERSION OF MICHAEL D. BROWN

The Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell looked Tuesday at the resume of Florida's top Federal Emergency Management Agency official, Scott R. Morris. He recently took over the fed's long-term disaster relief aid in the Sunshine State, based in Orlando.

Michael D. Brown, as everyone knows by now, was the director of FEMA before he stepped aside following the debacle that was the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. There were questions about his qualifications for the job and his connections which got him such a high position.

Morris' resume on the FEMA site include:

"...media strategist for the George W. Bush for President primary campaign and the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign."

"...managed grass-roots activities and media strategies for the Dole for President campaign."

"...assisted the executive director of the Republican National Committee."

BTW: The executive director of the Republican National Committee was Haley Barbour, now Governor of Mississippi.

Morris had no hands-on experience in emergency management until President Bush appointed him FEMA's deputy chief of staff nearly two years ago.

Maxwell notes, correctly: But if you were going to hire someone to build you a house, would you get someone with a lot of experience building homes or someone with a lot of experience leading?

A long pause from Morris.

Finally: "That's a good question."

THE READERS SPEAK! THE BEST OF THE BAY BLOGS!

The Weekly Planet has published the list of Tampa Bay's best read bloggers. They are all great, and I4J's congratulations go to the seven bloggers who receive recognition in the feature:

Sarah In Tampa
Midnight Culmination
Seminole Heights
Tampa Film Fan - Great spot if you're interested in movies and film festivals. Some really good info here.
Sticks Of Fire - "Possibly the favorite, most-linked-to blogger in Tampa Bay." Not a bad pic, either, at the top of the page!
DRays Bay - A Devil Rays Blog, in case the title doesn't catch ya.
StPetersblog

They do us all proud.

STILL WATCHING RITA

Early this morning, I posted a sentence from the 5:00 AM Discussion on the National Hurricane Centre site regarding the possible intensification of Hurricane Rita. It read:

IT WOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE IF RITA BECAME A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE IN THE NEXT 24 HRS BEFORE WEAKENING SOMEWHAT DUE TO A CONCENTRIC EYEWALL CYCLE OR THE LOWER OCEAN HEAT CONTENT WEST OF THE LOOP CURRENT.

It seems rather prophetic now, as Rita has grown into a Catagory 5 storm, the fifth strongest hurricane in the Atlantic Basin on record. Many of the computer models are coming into agreement that this dangerous hurricane will eventually make landfall early Saturday along the central Texas coast, as a Catagory 4 or 5 storm.

The Houston/Galveston metro area would be in the northeast quadrant, traditionally the strongest and most dangerous area of a tropical system to be in. A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Galveston and areas of the Houston area near Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel.

If you're interested in keeping up first hand with Rita's approach and affect on the Space City, here are a few media sites you may want to check out:

The Houston Chronicle Rita Blog
KPRC-TV 2 (NBC affiliate)
KHOU-TV 11 (CBS affiliate)
KTRK-TV 12 (ABC affiliate)
KTRH-AM 780 (News/Talk radio)
KSEV-AM 700 (News/Talk Radio)

LET'S BE NICE BOYS, PLEASE? YEAH, THINK AGAIN!

According to the St. Petersburg Times' political blog The Buzz, Florida Republican Party chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan was concerned enough about the possibility of the GOP gubernatorial race between Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher becoming nasty that she sent a written agreement on September 6 asking the candidates to pledge not to resort to personal attacks against each other or their families.

The memo reads, in part:

"I expect each of you to conduct your campaigns with the integrity and character that would befit a Republican nominee for statewide office in Florida...Simply pointing out differences in policy positions or differences in votes is one matter. Slandering another Republican candidate (or their family) and their personal reputation is another.''

Crist reportedly signed the agreement, which is now "off the table" while state GOP officials revise it.

Yeah, sure. Remember that in last year's GOP U.S. Senate primary race, now-Senator Mel Martinez signed a similar pledge, but attacked his rival, former congressman Bill McCollum, as the "darling of the homosexual extremists." We'll see just how long THIS lasts.

MISTAKING RETREAT FOR A STRONG DEFENSE

This morning's editorial in the St. Petersburg Times slams three Florida congressional representatives, Mike Bilirakis (R - Tarpon Springs), Cliff Stearns (R - Ocala), and Jeff Miller (R - Chumuckla) for supporting a proposal which would allow oil drilling within 100 to 120 miles off Florida's coast in what is known as "Area 181" (sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, eh?). Another collegue, C.W. "Bill" Young (R - Indian Shores), has said he may join the effort depending on the details of the measure.

Currently there is a moratorium on any drilling within 200 miles of the Florida Gulf Coast, so the idea which these three congressmen are favouring would cut the distance in half.

In the biggest snow job since the Great Blizzard of 1888, Bilirakis says his intent is "to give states long-term permanent control over their waters." But he would shrink Florida waters.

If anyone doubts the magnitude of the threat, look no further than Louisiana's experience with Hurricane Katrina. The storm sank or destroyed about 50 of the 4,000 oil rigs off the Louisiana coast, and pipelines on the gulf bottom were so badly damaged a full assessment has yet to be done. If such an event were to happen off Florida, a 100-mile buffer would be inadequate protection.

The L-shaped "Area 181" actually begins only 30 miles south of Pensacola. Last time I read a map, Pensacola was a part of Florida; so much for the 100 mile buffer.

While there is certainly additional pressure to begin oil exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the threat to Florida is substantial. Now is not the time to give up the fight.

WATCHING RITA - DAY 2

AT 5 AM EDT...0900Z...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS DISCONTINUEDALL WARNINGS FOR THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS...AND DOWNGRADED THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR ANDROS ISLAND TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS...INCLUDING THE ABACOS...ANDROS ISLAND...BERRY ISLANDS...BIMINI...ELEUTHERA...GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND...AND NEW PROVIDENCE.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF THE FLORIDA KEYS...AND FROM GOLDEN BEACH ON THE FLORIDA SOUTHEAST COAST SOUTHWARD TO EAST CAPE SABLE...THEN NORTHWARD TO CHOKOLOSKEE ON THE SOUTHWEST COAST.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF VILLA CLARA...MATANZAS...CIUDAD DE HABANA...AND LA HABANA.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM DEERFIELD BEACH FLORIDA SOUTHWARD TO NORTH OF GOLDEN BEACH.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE FLORIDA WEST COAST NORTH OF CHOKOLOSKEE TO ENGLEWOOD.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE FLORIDA EAST COAST FROM NORTH OF DEERFIELD BEACH NORTHWARD TO JUPITER INLET...AS WELL AS FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCESOF CIEGO DE AVILA...SANCTI SPIRITUS...CIENFUEGOS...AND PINAR DELRIO.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CENTRAL AND NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS.

It looks as though when Rita passes through the Keys, it will be a Catagory 1 hurricane instead of the Catagory 2 storm some had predicted. The long term forecast has it becoming a Catagory 3 (read: major) hurricane before it slaps the Texas Gulf Coast around Port Lavaca/Victoria. However, the steering currents are still weak, and the "bubble of probability" could see Rita making landfall anywhere from south of Brownsville in northern Mexico to west of New Orleans.

COULD LEE BE LOOKING AHEAD PAST CFO RACE?

This morning's column by Lakeland Ledger political writer Bill Rufty focuses on Florida Senate President Tom Lee, who is one of seven candidates --- five Republicans and two Democrats --- seeking the job of state Chief Financial Officer.

Rufty notes that while the CFO job may seem dull to many folks, it has traditionally become a springboard for those seeking higher office. Among those who have done exactly that: Current CFO Tom Gallagher is running for governor, and current U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (then the job was known as State Treasurer/Insurance Commissioner).

Lee recently got a nice boost from senate collegue Paula Dockery and millionaire hubby/insurance investor C.C. "Doc" Dockery, who hosted a "small" fundraiser for him raising around $90,000.

Mr. Dockery, best known as the primary supporter of a high speed rail system across Florida, seems to believe that Lee could be in a prime position to achieve the governor's office if he wins the CFO job next November.

MICHAEL SCHIAVO READY FOR A BOOK DEAL

It was only natrual this would occur. The husband of Terri Schiavo, over whose right-to-life case became such a controversial issue and argued even in the halls of Congress, has come together with veteran author Michael Hirsh to co-author a work telling his side of the story.

Dutton Publishing confirmed that it would publish the 280 page work, to be known as "Terri: The Truth", in March. Apparantly Mr. Schiavo has been shopping for a book deal awhile; The Book Standard reported in June --- days after his wife's autopsy was released --- that Michael Schiavo was in New York seeking a deal.

WATCHING RITA

Rita has become a tropical storm, and is expected to grow further. Therefore, a hurricane warning has been issued for the Lower Keys, Jeb! has issued a state of emergency, and non-residents/tourists are being ordered to evacuate.

The storm is not expected to cause any real effect on us here in Central Florida, but we've learned over time to always watch these tropical systems. As you can see by the forecast path map above, by week's end Rita is expected to become a major (Catagory 3) hurricane and strike somewhere along the middle/south Texas coast. However, remember that the bubble also covers part of northern Mexico and most of the Louisiana coast...something those poor folks certainly DON'T need.

HURRICANE AID...FROM LITERALLY THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

It is simply amazing the outpouring of support and aid that has been offered to the victims of Hurricane Katrina from not only within our own borders, but around the world. From the Canadian Navy sending ships of supplies and manpower to the Mexican Army's convoy --- the first time since the Mexican-American War over a century ago that active Mexican soldiers have stepped foot on U.S. soil --- to German technology through a water purification system flown to a central Mississippi community to help provide drinking water for residents, it is simply amazing!

Here is one more example I learned about on a radio message board: KKHJ-FM (a/k/a 93KHJ), the pop music powerhouse in the U.S. South Pacific territory of American Samoa, held a radiothon on September 8, raising over $32,000 for the relief effort. Among those taking part in the event was Territorial Governor Togiola Tulafono. What is amazing about this event was 1) the island population is only approximately 60,000, and 2) the average household income there is much less than that on the mainland. But they know what it's like, having suffered through four cyclones (the Pacific equivilent of hurricanes) in the past two years.

MORE LATINOS SPURNING POLITICAL STATUS QUO

Today's Tampa Tribune looks at the changing political climate among many in Tampa/Central Florida's Hispanic population, especially Cubans. Of course, Tampa holds a substantial historical significance when it comes to Cuban immigration and politics. Jose Marti founded his Cuban Revolutionary Party in Tampa in 1891, and received much support from the community and beyond for overthrowing the Spanish rulers on the island.

The story sees a growing trend among Cuban-Americans back to the Democratic Party, as younger people who may not remember the 1961 Bay or Pigs coup attempt and are not as staunch on the issue of continuing the embargo look more at practical issues such as health and day care and education.

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE TROPICS...AGAIN!

Yesterday, I was looking at what was then Tropical Depression 17, now Tropical Storm Philippe, and was thinking that this was a system we would have to watch. As it turns out, Philippe is expected to become a hurricane...but kick to the north and threaten Bermuda before heading into the cooler waters of the North Atlantic.

But since then ANOTHER Tropical Depression (#18) has formed north of Haiti, and this bears watching. It also is expected to become a hurricane by midweek --- this one would be named Rita; no "Q" names are used --- crossing the Florida Straits and entering the central Gulf of Mexico. As the National Hurricane Centre suggests, INTERESTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA...THE FLORIDA KEYS...AS WELL AS CENTRAL AND WESTERN CUBA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM.

U P D A T E (11:55 AM): The National Hurricane Centre has issued a Hurricane Watch for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef southward, and a hurricane watch remains in effect for the northwest Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as for the southeast and central Bahamas.

The latest five day track eventually bring what will likely become Rita nearing the South Texas coast (read: Corpus Christi to Brownsville) or into northern Mexico, but we know these things usually have a mind of their own, and that conditions can change over such a period of time. So everyone along the Gulf needs to be very watchful of this system, as by Friday morning it should have highest sustained winds of near 100 MPH.

BRONSON KICKS OFF REELECTION, SAYS HE'S THROUGH AFTER NEXT TERM

He's the senior member of the Florida Cabinet and so far faces no opposition. Secretary of Agriculture and Consumer Services Charles Bronson kicked off his reelection campaign last week with a 56th birthday party thrown for him at the Gadsen County farm of Walt and Carol Dover, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

"We're going to kick this thing off in a slow mode," said Bronson, who is so far unopposed for a second full term on the Cabinet. "Our campaign this year will be pretty much based on what we've done for the past four years."

But Bronson also said that he is not interested in higher office or looking to be anyone's running mate, a reference to a possible lieutenant governor's spot.

"After this term," he said, "I can guarantee you - I'm through."

SUNDAY FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

We begin our weekly look at newspaper opinion across the Sunshine State in South Florida, where today's Miami Herald editorial advocates that Congress needs to seriously consider a catastrophic-event insurance programme modeled after the current one for flood insurance.

Just up I-95 in Fort Lauderdale, the South Florida Sun Sentinel looks at the case of Jose Padilla, an American citizen who authorities claim fought for Al-Qiada in Afghanistan whose detention without charges was upheld last week by an appellate court. The editorial says that the Constitution is clear on the issue of due process of law, and that while Padilla is by means no angel, he should be charged with a crime or released.

Today's Palm Beach Post editorial notes the decline in African-American enrollment at Florida's 11 public universities, and that while Governor Jeb Bush can try to highlight certain numbers, the overall drop is evidence that his "One Florida" initiative is a failure.

Jumping across to Southwest Florida, the Naples Daily News offers criticism of the Collier County School Board for failing to include a "no gifts" component for school board members into it's ethics policy.

Just up I-75, the Fort Myers News-Press reminds readers that massive, disruptive projects such as the current widening of Summerlin Road is the price an area pays for growth.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune opines that United States Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John G. Roberts, Jr. has the technical qualifications for the job, but what kind of heart and soul he would bring remains an engima. It's impression is that while America could do worse for a Chief Justice, the Bush administration was unlikely to do better.

Also on the issue of Judge Roberts, the St. Petersburg Times advocates that Senate Democrats vote to confirm him as Chief Justice, saving their firepower for the next nominee who would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Today's Orlando Sentinel also endorses his confirmation, saying he is "highly qualified".

Across the bay, today's Tampa Tribune editorial calls on Congress to begin seriously looking at real solutions to the high costs of gas, noting that the spotlight belongs on the big oil companies, who are reaping record profits, and that alternative sources, conservation, and a policy of new laws and reserves that prevent oil companies to manipulating prices should be considered.

Heading along I-4 back home, the Lakeland Ledger talks about saving gas...or children. It slams a recent decision brought to light Thursday in the Miami Herald that the Florida Department of Children and Families has suspended requiring monthly personal visits by caseworkers to children in foster case as a means of saving money on fuel. BTW: Jeb! ordered DCF to scrap that idea after being questioned about it by a reporter.

Speaking on saving money on fuel, the Daytona Beach News-Journal does not advocate cutting prices through tampering with the fuel tax through a "tax holiday" or other means.

On the Space Coast, Florida Today is supportive of Brevard County School Superintendent Dr. Richard DiPatri's plans to overhaul it's high schools.

Costs of road building and improvement, and how much of that to charge developers, is the concern or the Ocala Star-Banner editorial today, noting that Ocala and Marion County need a written, calculated formula for how much to charge developers...something it doesn't have now.

Although it's nowhere near the Gulf of Mexico, the Gainesville Sun is concerned about red tide that has been plaguing the coast, saying one big step to helping the situation would be for the state Department of Enviromential Protection to do a better job of cleaning up what goes into the Gulf.

Heading into North Florida, we start in Jacksonville, where the Florida Times-Union editorial notes the increasing problem in the state's hot real estate market of fraudulent deeds transferring vacant property. It reminds consumers to pay your taxes and do your homework on the ownership histories of any land you buy.

The Tallahassee Democrat salutes and calls on the community and state to support Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell's ambition for the school to earn membership in the Association of American Universities, a goal which the University of Florida reached in 1985. The organization seeks to advance the international standing of U.S. research universities.

And this morning's editorial in this morning's Pensacola News Journal calls on the Legislature to step up where the U.S. Supreme Court erred in weakening private property rights by a 5-4 vote and restrict such abuses.

Enjoy your Sunday!

THE TAILGATERS AREN'T HAPPY

One of the most entertaining things about attending an NFL or college football game is the tailgating. Plenty of food, beverage, and friends, usually beginning several hours before kickoff.

However, this NFL season is leaving many tailgaters at Raymond James Stadium with a bad taste in their mouths. That is because all of the Buccaneers' home games are 1:00 PM starts...not really conducive to prep times for food and real camaderie.

One of the main criteria in forming the season's schedule is how successful (read: winning record) a particular team is. The Bucs went 4-11 last season, so the feeling is that since higher television ratings go to later games, and more people want to watch the "elite" teams of the league, those teams which did poorly would have their home games early in the day.

Today's Tampa Tribune looks at the pain some fans are feeling.

IF YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AIN'T DOIN' THE JOB, SUPPORT ONE THAT IS!

The Fort Myers/Lee County area is generally considered a Republican hotbed, so some Democratic/progressive fundraisers got together recently to support Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D - Fort Lauderdale), although her district does not include Southwest Florida.

According to Betty Parker's political column in today's Fort Myers News-Press, between $20,000 and $25,000 was raised. One of the sponsors of the event, Fort Myers attorney Bruce Strayhorn, explains why they decided to support the Broward County congresswoman:

"She tackles a lot of issues that are extremely important to Southwest Florida but may not be the highest priority of some of our other representatives...It's well and good for us to be the world's policeman, but somebody's got to be sure we're taking care of folks at home," Strayhorn said. "Debbie's shown she's a very effective advocate for that."

Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is known as a champion of the elderly, children, and working families.

Ms. Parker notes that about 25-30 attended, with others sending checks. And please excuse me for my sexism, but the Congresswoman is a rather attractive woman.

JEB'S SON...BUSTED!

John Ellis Bush, the 21-year-old son of Governor Jeb, was arrested early Friday in Austin, Texas and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, the President's nephew was apprehended by officers of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in the Texas capitol's Sixth Street bar district at about 2:30 AM Friday morning. He had approached a group of law enforcement officers and asked about an earlier arrest of people he knew and was observed to be drunk. They were not aware of who he was until after he had been arrested, and viewed his Florida drivers license.

Bush allegedly pushed a TABC officer who was trying to handcuff him, and continued to push against the officer as he was being restrained at the Austin Police van. During the arrest, Bush suffered a cut on the chin and was treated at a local hospital before being taken to the Travis County Jail. Although bail was set at $2,500, he was released on his own recognizance about 10:30 AM.

Jeb! said his son was "doing fine". According to the St. Petersburg Times:

"It's a private matter. We will support him. We're sad for him. But I'm not going to discuss it on the public square."

It's not the first time Florida's first family has experienced legal problems with a child.

Noelle Bush, the governor's daughter, was arrested in January 2002 and accused of trying to pass a fraudulent prescription at a Tallahassee pharmacy to obtain the antianxiety drug Xanax. She completed a drug rehabilitation program in August 2003 and a judge dismissed the charges.

She was sent to jail twice for violating rules during her rehabilitation.

Actually, Norwood asks an excellent question:

What’s this healthy 21 year old son of a war supporter doing drinking himself silly in Austin when he could be leading a platoon in Iraq or, at the very least, helping out some people in a real jam?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, B.B....THE THRILL STILL AIN'T GONE!

A great piece in USA Today Friday celebrating the birthday of one of the great bluesmen, Riley B. "B.B." King, as he turns 80.

The man has had so much recognition for his remarkable talent: 13 Grammy awards, hall of fame inductions (Rock and Roll HOF, Blues Foundation HOF), honourary doctorates, among many others. But the one that meant most to B.B. King...being honoured in February by having a B.B. King Day designated by the Mississippi Legislature including a ceremony during a joint session of the body.

"In my early years I was afraid to even go across the grounds of the state Capitol," King says. "I believe being there did more for me than anything else, anywhere else. One of the reasons was it hadn't happened to any black person that I know about. To be this sharecropper from a plantation and to be there was a great honor for me. ... And I cried."

What's amazing is that King still keeps a full schedule, a diabetic at age 80, averaging over 250 nights on the road a year during his six decade career.

I had the chance to meet B.B. King once, when I was working an afternoon drive gig at a radio station in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was doing a show that evening at a local club, and had been brought to our station to promote it. While he was waiting to go on-air across the hall at the Top 40/Rock FM, I spoke to him briefly and found the man to be truly humble and outgoing. I also made sure I got his autograph, although I could only find one of the ledger pages of my checkbook for him to sign in the rush...still have it, too!

A couple of my favourite quotes from the story:

"I love the ladies, and I don't like nobody talking bad about them. I think that they are God's greatest creation." This from a man who has 15 children by as many mothers!

And he talks about how the blues is often misunderstood by people:

"To me, blues is a tonic for whatever ails you. I could play blues and then not be blue anymore. Most people, when they think of blues, they think about the real slow droopy-drawers type of music. But all blues is not like that, just like jazz is not all fast.
"Blues to me has to do with things we like or dislike. There were times on the plantation that you wished the boss's house would catch on fire. You couldn't tell him that, because you'd get in trouble. So you would say a woman or my baby did so and so and so."

The man from Itta Bena, Mississippi will always be the King of the Blues!

POLITICIZING CHARITABLE GIVING

For the past two-plus weeks, I have kept a personal appeal on the top of this blog in the hope that those who visit will contribute to one or more of the charitable organizations who are on the ground doing work to help Hurricane Katrina victims. It will stay there a little bit longer as many of them will likely also be assisting those residents along the mid-Atlantic coast who are being affected by Hurricane Ophelia.

I have received a couple of messages questioning my inclusion of Operation Blessing International on the list, because it was founded and continues to be led by the televangelist and former Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson. Like many of the organizations that I included, it was culled from several lists of groups doing work in the region.

By no means am I a Pat Robertson fan; I personally despise his politics and believe that he sullies the meaning of "Christian" to advance his own goals. He is no better than the Muslim extremists who murder innocent civilians toward their end of a theocracy.

That said, I don't believe in using politics to include what organizations to include in this list. If a group is in the region and is helping the victims, they deserve to be recognized and supported. I may not personally contribute to Operation Blessing, but it is each individual's choice. The intention of the list is simply to provide readers with a number of choices from the major groups that are working in the area. Friends, it doesn't matter who you give to, as long as you GIVE and GIVE GENEROUSLY...but please be sure to follow the caution mentioned in the original post.