SUNDAY FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

With a Happy Mothers' Day to all, we begin this morning here at home, where the Lakeland Ledger editorial page reminds us of the national debt's continual growth. The opinion has some stark quotes by David M. Walker, Comptroller General and head of the Government Accountability Office of the consequences of continuing on the present path.

Intolerance. That's what the Orlando Sentinel calls a planned boycott by faculty and students at New York's New School of a commencement address by U.S. Senator John McCain (R - AZ). The question it raises is how does one expect to make the impact they want in life by simply steering clear of people with whom they disagree.

Today's Daytona Beach News Journal calls American options in Iraq today as simply "Intractable". And while it says the idea is not a good option, it does note that partitioning Iraq is about the only solution on the horizon, as it is taking place in everyday lives across the country. At present, it says the best that can be hoped for is that the Iraqis themselves, aided by the Arab League, to find their way to the negotiating table.

Across the state along I-4, the Tampa Tribune laments today that while the U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than most nations in the industrialized world, Hillsborough County's is even higher than the national average...and the racial disparity is worse. While there are a number of programmes available locally, dealing with the problem starts with education.

The St. Petersburg Times editorial focuses on President Bush's unprecedented use of signing statements to declare that he would not enforce laws passed by Congress as written or interpet them differently than as intended. It says that such statements clearly demonstrates the chief executive's contempt for our system of checks and balances, and calls on Congress to stand up to this assult on that system.

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, today is Mother's Day, and the Sarasota Herald Tribune notes it by using two differing messages about the subject, and closes the editorial piece this way: "Yes, there are times when only a mother's love will do -- whether it is expressed by cleaning and comforting her children, or by rising up and reminding them, and the world, about charity, mercy and patience."

The Gainesville Sun wisely notes today that the it was appropriate for the U.S. Postal Service to choose the week before Mother's Day to issue it's Breast Cancer Research stamp. Four cents of the 45-cent stamp goes to the National Institutes of Health, with two cents to the Department of Defense, to help fund research into breast cancer. To date the USPS has said that the stamp sales have raised more than $50 million for the cause.

Down the road a piece, the Ocala Star Banner has the future of Silver Springs on it's editorial mind. It's a beloved natrual asset and tourist attraction for Marion County, and it fears that a planned development of nearly 11,000 homes nearby would make the enviromental damage irreversable. It calls on the state to purchase the 5,200 acres owned by Avatar Holdings, Inc. through it's Florida Forever land preservation programme.

Over on the Space Coast, Florida Today calls on the Brevard County Commission to rescind their decision to award $2.24 million in impact fees --- nearly half the total amount collected from the Palm Bay area --- to the Odyssey Elementary charter school and approve a compromise approved by the school board that would give it only $108,000 this year. After all, the school only has 35 students from the Bayside Lakes subdivision.

This morning's Pensacola News Journal asks what is going on at the Escambia County Jail when teenage boys are being held with adults. The questions comes up following the rape of a 15-year old by a fellow inmate charged with eight counts of sexual assult. The teen was awaiting transfer to a state prison --- where he would be seperated from the adult population --- for a house arrest violation following a conviction for arson. The opinion calls on legislators to work on requiring counties to keep juveniles seperate from the rest of the jail population, and to keep violent and non-violent juveniles apart as well.

Heading east along I-10, the Tallahassee Democrat editorial touts one of the area's little known assets, Innovation Park. It's a university related research park which draws on the resources of Tallahassee's three public schools of higher learning to attract private industry. There is a lot of important work being done there, and the Democrat opinion describes what is happening.

As Jacksonville's huge share of population within it's five county region continues to shrink from 86 percent in 1990 to a projected 63 percent in 2030, the Florida Times-Union notes that the challenge for city leaders is to protect and enhance the assets which make Jacksonville unique and benefits not only the city but the region as a whole.

Jumping down into South Florida, the Fort Myers News Press editorial calls on area residents and government officials to stand up to developers and to push for counter studies to oppose special interests and conserve lands which are vital to the area's water resources.

The whole plan nearly crashed and burned, but Scripps Florida could still come to Jupiter, as the deal faces a crucial Cabinet vote in Tallahassee this week. The Palm Beach Post is concerned that Palm Beach County Commission Vice Chairperson Addie Greene and Abacoa developer George de Guardiola have not identified contributors to a $5 million fund intended to help minorities benefit from the project. Governor Bush's support is important, and he wants to know. The Post says that making the donors public would bring focus back on the important issue: land availability.

Down in Fort Lauderdale, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reminds us that during the past two hurricane seasons, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursed thousands of Floridians, including doctors, lawyers, and other professionals, for storm recovery related purchases without determining if they really needed the help. Now, with the agency saying it will reform the programme, the question is asked as to when, and why not now.

The Naples Daily News looks at the gas price issue with a couple of op-ed pieces while showing that prices now are similar to those just after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

And the Miami Herald is concerned about the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA's authority over it and 12 other national marine sanctuaries is currently being threatened by a bill pending in Congress which would supersede the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and benefit commercial fishing interests.

Make it a great Sunday, and if you mother is around...treat her right!