It's not his thing.His agenda is property taxes, property insurance, global warming, civil rights for ex-felons and openness in government.

Crist had a few stumbles in his first year, but many governors would trade places with him.

His trouble is that he may live for the moment too recklessly. He dramatically escalated the state's exposure in a catastrophic hurricane, but benefited from the quietest hurricane season in a long time.

History tells you that kind of luck won't last forever.

As Crist struggles with widespread public anger over taxes and insurance, and faces the prospect of another bleak budget year, he is to many simply a nice guy, with a smile and a pleasant outlook that has a way of keeping trouble at bay.

Cooking the books

"Florida's high-school graduation rate is still on the rise" Sounds good? Not if they sate keeps cooking its numbers:

The state's four-year graduation rate for public high schools was 72.4 percent in 2007, up from 71 percent in 2006 and a significant jump from the 60.2 percent rate posted in 1999, when the state started using its current formula for measuring graduation success. Its annual dropout rate for the 2006-07 school year decreased slightly, to 3.3 percent from 3.5 percent the previous year. ...

Nationally, Florida usually ranks poorly when it comes to graduation rates.

A study by the National Education Association, for example, ranked Florida last among 50 states in 2006. That study estimated the state's graduation rate at 52.3 percent, with the national average at 69.8 percent.

The state, however, pegged its 2006 graduation rate at 71 percent. In Friday's release, the state defended its calculations, saying it is the only state in the country to provide a "true, four-year graduation rate."

The report also claimed a dropout rate of 3.3 percent, which is vastly different than national figures showing nearly half of Florida's high schools fail to graduate more than 60 percent of their students.

"Nothing I've heard before was anything like 3 percent or 4 percent," said Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers' union. "I don't know how they measure that."

Education Week magazine in June reported that Florida's graduation rate was 60.5 percent in 2003-04, which ranked 45th among the 50 states and District of Columbia.

"Teetering on disaster"

"Local government officials statewide pressed the state Friday to guarantee protection for any potential losses in a state-run investment pool that appears to be teetering on disaster." "Local governments seek guarantee of investments". See also "Municipal investors trying to salvage $27 billion frozen investment fund" and "Depositors look for answers from SBA" (" Florida's local governments are struggling with a difficult choice — pull their billions out of a troubled state investment pool that could trigger losses or cross their fingers that the nation's mortgage crisis works itself out.")

'Ya reckon?

"Everglades Won't Be Saved If Scientists Are Muzzled".

That's the ticket ...

Ever wonder what's wrong with Florida schools? It sure ain't this: "Acknowledging extensive problems with how Florida regulates abusive teachers, the state Senate's education committee will consider sweeping new laws aimed at better protecting students." "Senate panel targets abusive teachers".

Boycott? What boycott?

"A group of Tampa Democratic stalwarts has formed a local grass-roots effort to organize for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, independent of her national campaign." "Local Dems Evade Boycott".

Top trooper

"The Florida Highway Patrol has a new director. Lieutenant Colonel John T. Czernis will take over Saturday. Czernis currently serves as the interim director for FHP. He previously served as the Deputy Director of Special Operations and has been with the agency for 30 years." "New FHP director named".

"'Exploitation King'"

"Farmworkers, union members and activists marched through city streets to Burger King headquarters Friday to protest low wages for tomato pickers and alleged exploitation of field workers. About 300 to 400 protesters gathered under the skyscrapers of Miami's downtown, many wearing yellow T-shirts reading 'Exploitation King' and 'Burger King Exploits Farmworkers,' others holding signs saying 'Dignity' or 'Justice for Tomato Pickers.'" "Farmworkers protest Burger King over penny-a-pound tomato deal".

"Clash of wills"

"A clash of wills is intensifying between Florida's top prison official and a St. Petersburg-based firm that provides jobs for inmates, with the state demanding that the firm turn over $1.3-million it says belong to taxpayers." "State prison chief wants major changes in inmate work program".

Stripped

"Former DNC Chairman Don Fowler, a member of the rules panel, said stripping the delegates from Michigan and Florida — and prohibiting candidates from campaigning there during the primaries — will hurt party-building efforts in those states. Fowler also said that stripping the delegates was unnecessary, since many party insiders believe that the eventual nominee will have them restored at the convention." "Giuliani works to keep his lead in Florida".

Stepping "gingerly"

"The state Senate stepped gingerly Friday into the legal battle over Gov. Charlie Crist's gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe saying he acted in good faith but asking the Supreme Court to declare he overstepped his authority. The six-page Senate filing took a more measured tone than that of the House, which two weeks ago filed a petition accusing Crist of usurping the state constitution. But it reached the same conclusion: No governor can enter into a contract without Legislative approval." "Florida senators weigh in on Gov. Charlie Crist's gambling compact".

Whoopee! Florida recognizes "evolution" as a "'big idea.'"

"Two years ago, an influential national think tank concluded in a scathing report that Florida's science standards that outline what students need to know to be well-grounded in the subject were sprawling, superficial and deserving of a big, fat F."

Amazingly, the Fordham Institute noted, the standards didn't even mention the word "evolution.''

Fast-forward to now.

Proposed standards are more focused and better organized. They not only mention evolution, they dub it a ''big idea.'' And this time, they get a thumbs-up from the chief author of the Fordham report.

Drought

The St. Pete Times editors: "Conservation alone will not solve the drought-related problems facing Florida and the rest of the Southeast. " "Planning for a thirsty future".

The dead hand of Marco Rubio

"The tax swap is back."

A plan to replace some property taxes with a temporary increase in the sales tax is under review by the panel that has the power to put such an amendment directly on the November 2008 ballot -- the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.

The idea by panel member Carlos Lacasa, a Miami attorney and former state legislator, is to give every homeowner a tax exemption worth half of their property's market value. To cover the $12 billion that public schools would lose from the exemption, the state's six-cent sales tax would increase by a penny.

If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the tax exemption would be phased in over two years and the one-cent tax would sunset after three years, forcing the state Legislature to find a way to come up with the money.

Freezing assets

In a decision that could disrupt the finances of dozens of cities and counties across the state, Gov. Charlie Crist and other top officials on Thursday froze the assets of a $15 billion investment fund used by local governments."Florida freezes $15B state investment fund". "Crist and other state leaders Thursday temporarily halted all further withdrawals from a state-run investment pool in hopes of keeping the fund from becoming the latest casualty of the ever-expanding maw of the subprime mortgage meltdown."

At the emergency meeting Thursday, state board Director Coleman Stipanovich tried to offer a five-point plan that he said could reverse the run on withdrawals.

His first point was to use the Florida Retirement System to guarantee the riskiest debt in the local government pool. In return, the pool would pay an insurance premium to guarantee against any losses by the retirement system, which administers the pension fund used by state employees, including teachers, and many county officers and employees.

"If we don't do something quickly, we're not going to have a local government investment pool," Stipanovich said.

But Sink immediately rejected the proposal, saying it would leave the pension fund with the bad notes.

"We would be bailing out one fund, to which we have no legal obligation, with the star fund of Florida, which is our pension fund," Sink said. "I'm highly skeptical of it." ...

In an increasingly tense meeting, Stipanovich was never able to detail his other four points.

McCollum initially praised Stipanovich's proposal, calling it a "good investment deal for the pension fund." But he ultimately voted with Sink and Crist to halt withdrawals until an expert could study the risks and legal questions of such a move.

Missing the boat

The merits of immigration reform aside, it is disappointing to read George Diaz repeat this misleading claim: "Thank illegal immigrants for doing jobs no one wants".

Bushco's 'Glades legacy

The Palm Beach Post editors: "President Bush was there for the grip-and-grin photos when brother Jeb was running for governor, promising full federal cooperation. But from the start, the federal government has failed to do its part in what was supposed to be a 50-50 restoration partnership. The president's staff and then-Gov. Bush dealt harshly with both champions and critics of the restoration." "Everglades stagnation".

Sorry 'bout that

"More than 30,000 property owners with out-of-state addresses may find it more difficult to continue getting a tax break intended for Floridians." "Non-residents of Florida may be out of luck on homestead exemption".

"'The more the merrier'"

The Tampa Trib editorial board:

Far more Cubans are making the risky crossing to the Florida Keys this year than the Coast Guard can hope to stop. They're also landing on other beaches and finding new routes here.

According to one estimate, 3,437 more Cubans made it here than during the previous 12 months - another record.

Interdictions at sea are at a 10-year high, but the lure of a certain welcome makes a mockery of attempts to safeguard our shores. Under the bizarre "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy, those caught at sea are sent home while those who reach shore are invited to stay.

During an interview with the Tribune editorial board on Tuesday, Mitt Romney found himself unable to clearly explain how his open-border attitude toward Cuban migrants squares with his call for tighter border security for everyone else.

As for the Cubans, he said "the more the merrier."

Whatever

The Tampa Trib editors: "They Came, They Sparred And Now Florida Republicans Get To Choose". More: "A scuffle, a star and the spin". Bill Cotterell yeaterday: "Online debates promote the trivial".

On a related note, the Miami Herald editorial board gives us this today: "Immigration and the politics of hysteria".

Misspending?

"For five years, government regulators have been aware of misspending of gambling profits by Seminole tribal leaders in violation of federal law but have taken no enforcement action." "Tribal leaders spend, but federal oversight is lacking".

How Green is our Charlie?

"Crist heads back to his old school today to burnishes his environmental credentials." "Crist takes solar movement back to school".

"This is just a lull"

Luck-eee: "The state won a bet today."

Back in January, the Florida Legislature wagered against the 2007 hurricane season, taking on more risk than ever before in hopes of a big payoff - drastic property insurance rate cuts.

With the close of the hurricane season today, that sound you hear is state leaders sighing in relief that hurricanes steered clear of the state, meaning Florida didn't lose any money on its gamble. In fact, reserves in the state catastrophe fund and state-backed Citizens Property Insurance had time to reach record levels.

But this is just a lull.

"Struggle between state, local school boards at flash point"

"Who has the right to approve the creation of charter schools, make sure their students learn and their bills get paid? And how much taxpayer money should go to the privately run schools? Until recently, the answers were clear: Local school boards authorized and then monitored charter schools, which receive state dollars based on the number of students in attendance. That has changed, prompting two potentially significant legal challenges. Today, school boards are forced to share control of charter schools with the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, a new state agency. The new arrangement has prompted the Florida School Boards Association to file suit, challenging the authority of the commission." "Lawsuits may decide future of Florida charter schools".

"Florida is expected to be the most closely contested in 2008"

"In its 162-year history, Florida has never had one of its own on a presidential ticket."

Could Gov. Charlie Crist be the first? Crist, who sat in the front row at Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, is the subject of growing speculation that he will be considered as a vice presidential pick in 2008.

Such speculation reflects not only Crist's popularity but also Florida's emergence as a political force.

Al Cardenas, a former Florida GOP chairman who now works for Mitt Romney's campaign, said Crist is probably on every candidate's wish list.

"Gov. Crist is a young, attractive, popular governor in the largest purple state," Cardenas said. "There's no doubt that Governor Romney and certainly others will have him as a candidate for the job."

Florida is the fourth-most-populous state, behind California, Texas and New York. Among those Big Four, Florida is expected to be the most closely contested in 2008. And no candidate needs reminding of 2000, when Florida's disputed result decided the election.

Running government like a business

"The nation's subprime-mortgage crisis is prompting Florida cities, counties and agencies to pull billions of dollars out of a state-run investment fund. They fear they could have lost their money because a state agency invested it in funds backed by loans to homeowners with questionable credit -- the same loans that have triggered an international credit crunch." "Orlando, Orange County yank millions from state fund".

And, who is responsible for this mess? Why, the State Board of Administration. And who might the executive director of said entity be?: "Coleman Stipanovich serves as the Chief Investment Officer of the fifth largest pension fund in the United States." "Stipanovich"? Where have I heard that name before? And doesn't he have a brother that favors red suspenders?.

From the "values" crowd

"Even if voters fail to approve a constitutional amendment to lower their property tax bills, Florida school districts can expect their budgets to be slashed during next spring's legislative session." "State legislators warn of more cuts in education budget".

Query Mr. Legislator? Which "value" do you hold dearest: (1) elimination of the intangibles tax, or (2) funding public education?

Debate frenzy

"With time and tempers in the presidential primary running short, the Republican candidates clashed in a bare-knuckled debate that knocked front-runner Rudy Giuliani off stride and showcased underdog Mike Huckabee" "Gloves come off in GOP debate". See also "GOP rivals throw elbows in Florida debate", "Debate attracts 'vloggers,' homeless", "In stretch run, rivals go on attack", "GOP Rivals Clash on Immigration, Torture", "Huckabee outshines Giuliani in Republican debate", "Chuck Norris, that's it", "Huckabee's Record Haunts Him" and "Republicans not afraid to take shots at each other".

McCain became desperate at one point, resorting to mentioning the "M"-word":

John McCain, as he has been through the campaign, was the odd man out in the crowd of mostly hard-line candidates on the immigration issue. McCain, talking through boos from Ron Paul supporters in the crowd, defended his attempts over the last year - along with Florida Sen. Mel Martinez - to reform U.S. immigration policy and allow earned citizenship for illegals now in the country.

"This whole debate saddens me a little bit because we do have a serious situation in America," McCain said.

Mentioning Martinez, he said, "We thought the status quo was unacceptable ... we tried to get something done.

No

Maxwell: "So, Central Florida, do we have any endorsers with Oprah-quality star power?".

Go 'Noles!

"Federal grants continue to subsidize the Seminole Tribe of Florida, despite a gambling empire that brings in more than $1 billion a year. Even as tribal affluence increased, the Seminoles have received government grants for health care, education, law enforcement, housing and more." "Despite its wealth, the tribe continues to get lots of federal help".

What a deal
A creative resolution to a tricky case: "Izquierdo would have no parental restrictions and could eventually return to Cuba". He

would get sole custody of his 5-year-old daughter under a settlement reached Wednesday in a lengthy court battle involving the girl's U.S. foster parents and state officials, according to a person familiar with the deal.

Under the settlement, Rafael Izquierdo and his daughter would remain in the United States for several years and the foster parents - former baseball players' agent Joe Cubas and his wife, Maria - would get regular visits from the girl, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality rules.

CD 13

"Democrat Christine Jennings has withdrawn a lawsuit over her 369-vote loss in a 2006 congressional race because a federal investigation will meet the same goals as the court case, her lawyers said." "Democrat drops lawsuit over vote loss".

I gave at the office ...

"Businesses offer a lukewarm reaction for donations for a property tax blitz."

Inside the cozy, wood-paneled confines of the private Governor's Club, Gov. Charlie Crist made a personal pitch for money - big money - to bankroll passage of a plan to cut property taxes.

In one-on-one meetings last week with lobbyists for major business trade groups, Crist sought donations ranging from $500,000 to $1-million to Vote Yes On 1, the political committee running the campaign.

A well-financed advertising campaign is vital to passage of the constitutional amendment on Jan. 29. Polls show support below the required 60 percent, though many voters remain undecided.

But the reaction to Crist's pitch seems lukewarm at a time when the economy is slowing and the business lobby is girding to defeat another ballot measure, the slow-growth Hometown Democracy initiative.

Poll: Clinton 9 points up on Giuliani

A CNN poll, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation shows that "Hillary Clinton would beat Giuliani 51 percent to 42 percent. ... The general election question was asked of 945 registered voters in Florida." "New poll shows Clinton beating Giuliani in Fla.".

Media debate frenzy

You'd think the GOPer debate was the Second Coming of Christ (pun intended) as opposed to a bunch of tired old white men trying to resuscitate and emulate an individual many recognize to be little more than a bamboozling racist. See also here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

In any event, Adam Smith has some debate tid bits here. See also "Who's Mr. Right?", "Republican candidates face video questioners" and "Peek inside CNN's inner sanctum".

Another brilliant mistake

"With the controversial 'The Rules are Different Here' campaign only a distant, painful memory, Florida tourism officials are about to take another risk as they reach out to minority travelers."

A national television campaign, set to launch in a few months, targets Hispanic and black vacationers with the one-word slogan, "Shine."

Charles Evans of Tallahassee, the 62-year-old president of the local chapter of the NAACP, knows the term all too well.

"For many persons in the African-American community, that term definitely has a negative connotation," Evans said. "The younger people, younger than 30, might not be familiar with it, but we will educate them about it."

Webster hearts Huckabee

"GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee picked up the endorsement of one of Florida's most prominent conservative politicians Tuesday as he made his pitch to about 50 potential supporters on the eve of tonight's CNN/YouTube debate in St. Petersburg. State Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster [a conservative Baptist whose six children were home-schooled], known himself in Tallahassee for being a skilled negotiator, praised Huckabee's ability to bring together politicians on both sides of the aisle." "State GOP leader endorses Huckabee for president".

Straw poll

"At least 1,500 tickets have been sold for tonight's "Have Your Say in Tampa Bay" GOP straw poll and debate watch party at St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park. The buzz is that two campaigns are working hardest to rack up a victory at that straw poll of Republicans in the biggest battleground region in America's biggest battleground state - Ron Paul and Mitt Romney." "Straw poll is shunned, embraced".

Disaster

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday declared 58 Florida counties - including Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River - to be primary natural disaster areas because of the continued drought." "Drought disaster declared in Fla.".

Hometown Democracy takes a hit

"A circuit judge in Tallahassee upheld a new law that gives voters 150 days to revoke their signatures from the petition - a tool opponents are eagerly employing. Lawmakers, urged by business interests, said the change was to protect people who feel pressure to sign petitions." "Judge's decision deals a blow to Hometown Democracy". See also "Anti-sprawl petition loses court fight over signature".

"'Full of praise'" - not a good choice of words

"On the eve of Wednesday's CNN/YouTube Republican presidential debate here, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused GOP rival Rudy Giuliani of making up facts about Romney's record and said the former New York mayor was 'full of praise' for Hillary Clinton's health care plan in 1994." "Romney rips Giuliani during Florida campaign stop". See also "Giuliani, Romney bicker over record".

More on ... the horror: "Romney: GOP rival Giuliani praised Clinton's health care plan".

As long as they vote GOPer ...

"Romney's desire for tougher immigration enforcement doesn't apply to Cubans, who he says should be welcomed with open arms." "Romney Supports Letting All Cubans Migrate To U.S.".

Seminoles

"Members of the Seminole Tribal Council have been involved in companies that received millions of dollars from the tribe and voted on business deals benefiting themselves and their immediate families, a South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found." "Seminole Jackpot: Votes enrich some Tribal Council members and their relatives".

Another deep thinker

"Saying it is a 'frivolous' use of taxpayer money, a GOP legislator wants to end Florida's public financing of campaigns."

Florida taxpayers paid more than $11 million in 2006 to the campaigns of Gov. Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, Attorney General Bill McCollum and other candidates seeking statewide office.

But Rep. Alan Hays, a retired dentist from Umatilla, says during a time of budget shortfalls the state should be spending money on education, public safety and helping take care of children instead of bankrolling political campaigns.

''As far as I am concerned, we have no business using taxpayer dollars,'' said Hays, who wants the Legislature to place an amendment on the 2008 ballot that would repeal the current public financing system. ``Just think how much more good that $11 million could be used for if it was spent on education or rehabilitating prisoners or on foster care for children.''

Republicans, including former Gov. Jeb Bush, have derided Florida's public financing of campaigns as ''welfare for politicians.'' The proposal was first authorized in 1986, but it was rarely used because there wasn't enough money available.

"Democrats were all but invisible"

"The Republican political imprint was all over Florida on Tuesday. Candidate Mitt Romney touted health care plans in St. Petersburg. Gov. Charlie Crist was unveiling his YouTube question for tonight's Republican presidential candidate debate. And Florida GOP Party Chairman Jim Greer was fielding media inquiries from around the nation about the state's role in the election. The Democrats were all but invisible." "In Florida, GOP gets primary head start".

"To replace negotiation with intimidation"

The Palm Beach Post editors: "It took years for tomato pickers to negotiate a deal with Taco Bell and McDonald's for higher wages. Now, a growers group wants to replace negotiation with intimidation."

The Florida Tomato Growers Exchange is threatening members with $100,000 fines if they participate in the wage deals with pickers. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has agreements with McDonald's Corp. and Taco Bell parent company YUM Brands Inc. to pay a penny more per pound for Florida tomatoes, with suppliers passing on the extra cent to the farmworkers. Pickers can earn about 45 cents per 32-pound bucket.

The growers exchange says the deals may violate antitrust laws but won't say why or how. Exchange spokesman Reggie Brown says that it's "un-American" to have wages influenced by a third party, such as the Immokalee coalition.

Consumers who take their business to Taco Bell and McDonald's are contributing to fair treatment of Florida's farmworkers. At Burger King, consumers are buying into intimidation and the continued exploitation of cheap labor.

Consumers who take their business to [insert name of employer paying "area standard" wages and benefits] are contributing to fair treatment of Florida's farmworkers. At [insert name of employer with subpar wages, and no health insurance or retirement benefits], consumers are buying into intimidation and the continued exploitation of cheap labor.

Off-topic: just when you thought things couldn't get nuttier ...

"The departure of Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott will cost Congress one of its premiere deal makers and opens the door to a further shift to the right by Senate Republicans." "Lott exit spurs GOP shift rightward".

Privatization follies

Michael Mayo: "Here's the only way I'd be for a privatized Alligator Alley with $10 tolls each direction: If the ride came with a double-latte from Starbucks, a slots voucher for the Big Cypress Seminole gambling tent and a 90 mph speed limit. Otherwise, this sounds like a really bad idea." "Private Alligator Alley would be paved with fool's gold".

Mayo asks " asks about "if all it does is raise tolls and line private pockets for decades, what's the point?" Mr. Mayo, may we suggest you read this: "Jeb Bush ... has been an aggressive privatizer, and as The Miami Herald put it after a careful study of state records, 'his bold experiment has been a success — at least for him and the Republican Party, records show. The policy has spawned a network of contractors who have given him, other Republican politicians and the Florida G.O.P. millions of dollars in campaign donations.'". Uh ... that's the point.

Lake O

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "The scientists evaluating the district were correct in calling the lake and the Everglades ecosystem "a national, international treasure." Unfortunately, all signs point to a disturbing reality: It's being left to the state of Florida to figure out how to preserve it" "Peer review analysis of Lake O's cleanup helps, but federal dollars needed".

"Florida can't fix what it won't 'fess up to."

The Tampa Trib editorial board:""

Some Florida school officials have taken offense at a new report from Johns Hopkins University which slammed the state for the high number of high schools it calls "dropout factories," schools where no more than 60 percent of those who start as freshmen complete their senior years and graduate.

The Florida school administrators blamed students moving from school to school for the state's dismal showing. Not unexpectedly, they failed to take any responsibility for the dismal state of Florida's high schools. They pointed to the state's own calculation of a high school graduation rate of 71 percent that things are better than they seem.

But Florida has been fooling itself, and it's time for the state to confront the dismal state of its high schools.

"How many angels could dance on the head of a pin"

Retired Sun-Sentinel Editorial Page Editor Kingsley Guy: "If people of a county want it, they should have it, with roulette, craps and other games, regardless of whether the casino is owned by the Seminoles or somebody else." He argues:

In the Middle Ages, learned men at great universities like those in Paris and Padua debated a vital question of the day: How many angels could dance on the head of a pin. In the current age, the debate over the angels seems ridiculous, but in the 13th century, the subject warranted the undivided attention of the doyens of ecclesiastical power.

Today in Florida, the doyens of political power are engaged in a debate less metaphysical, but no less silly. To wit, where, how, and under what circumstances should a person be allowed to bet his or her hard earned money.

The debate even includes the linguistic issue of whether betting constitutes "gambling" or "gaming." Those who oppose casinos for Florida call it gambling, while those in the betting industry and their political allies insist on calling it gaming.

Attorney General Bill McCollum is troubled by the agreement. McCollum believes an expansion of casino gambling will tarnish Florida's family-friendly tourist image. McCollum spent two decades as a congressman representing the Orlando area, home of squeaky-clean Disney World, one of the biggest opponents of casino gambling.

But South Florida never has had a clean-cut image. In fact, both Al Capone and Meyer Lansky, no strangers to gambling, conducted business down here. Full-fledged casinos in South Florida could draw tourists, and dollars, from the middle of the state, which no doubt concerns Disney.

In doing so, she won an exemption from public disclosure of her address, allowed by law for victims of stalkers or harassment.

Coulter, 45, has called Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards a ''faggot'' and said she wished he would be killed by terrorists. She once said President Clinton ''could be a lunatic'' and wrote of a group of widows of men killed in the World Trade Center that she had 'never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths so much.''

So maybe it came as no surprise when somebody delivered a greeting card to her home in March with this salutation: ``You self-aggrandizing -- sociopath!! The only thing left after a nuclear war are you and cockroaches.''

And, batting in the 7th spot ...

"With the Michigan Supreme Court last week reinstating the state's Jan. 15 primary and New Hampshire setting its primary on Jan. 8, the critical first 34 days of the 2008 presidential election season appear to be finalized. Barring any further jockeying, Florida's Jan. 29 primary will be the seventh contest for Republicans and the sixth for Democrats. It will be followed a week later by the mega primary of Feb. 5."

Here is the primary calendar, as published by the National Association of Secretaries of State:

Jan. 3: Iowa.

Jan. 5: Wyoming (R).

Jan. 8: New Hampshire.

Jan. 15: Michigan.

Jan. 19: South Carolina (R), Nevada.

Jan. 26: South Carolina (D).

Jan. 29: Florida.

CD 13

"It is still not over. More than a year after the disputed 13th District Congressional election, government investigators returned to Sarasota County on Monday, looking for clues to why 18,000 voters had no choice recorded in the race between Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Christine Jennings."

For at least two weeks, a team of about eight investigators from the U.S. Government Accountability Office will put the touch-screen voting machines used in 2006 through the most extensive testing yet, said GAO researcher Nabajyoti Barkakati.

The GAO will provide the testing that Jennings herself legally sought -- but was denied in court -- following the election.

Charlie flops (again)

Mike Thomas: "Charlie tried to make good on his promise. He expanded a state catastrophe fund to $28 billion, lowering the risk of private insurers. The idea was for them to pass on the savings to us. They did not. Instead of cutting rates by a predicted 24 percent, many filed for rate increases." "Insurance rates will keeping going up no matter what the governor says".

GOTV, RPOF style

Scott Maxwell reminds us that the GOPers "are feverishly fighting to ban something that's already banned: gay marriage."

At first, this would seem silly. But if you start to think about how Republican lawmakers have failed at fixing big things like insurance and taxes, it makes more sense. Fighting to outlaw something that's already outlawed is harder to screw up.
What they really want is a constitutional ban, which requires an amendment.

But for some politicos, this issue is more of a devious trick than it is a genuine concern. It's about hyping up a spectacularly divisive issue so that the most conservative voters will come to the polls and theoretically boost the chances of conservative candidates everywhere.

Now technically, this isn't an official GOP issue. It's a petition effort. But the group pushing this constitutional amendment, The Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage, says it has snagged endorsements from everyone from the Republican governor of the state, Charlie Crist, to GOP state legislators aplenty, including locals such as Orlando's Andy Gardiner, Eustis' Carey Baker and Kissimmee's Frank Attkisson.

And don't forget the chairman of the whole state party, Jim Greer, who had barely gotten acclimated to his new office before he started talking about how eager he was to make sure gays can't get hitched.

Florida for sale - what's next, the 'Glades?

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Leasing highways, roads and bridges is on the front burner because of a misguided bill the Legislature approved last spring. The measure permits the leasing of state roads and highways, minus those operated by Florida's Turnpike." Plainly another dumb idea:

For starters, no one gives you money for nothing. The private companies that would lease the roads and bridges would have the ability to jack up tolls and fees. That's how they would recover their investment and earn their profit.

Much higher tolls are no small consideration. Florida depends on cheap transportation costs, for both tourism and to keep the cost of goods down.

It's also troubling that we could be signing away major transportation road networks for decades. Just think how much the state has changed in the past 25 years. What changes lie ahead in the next quarter century? We may well regret leases of 50 years or more very quickly.

"Up for grabs?"

Scott Maxwell: "Up for grabs? Congressional Quarterly released a report on a handful of seats in the U.S. House that the publication says are no longer sure bets for Republicans. And three of them are right here in Central Florida. The GOP incumbents that CQ says are favored to win, but still vulnerable to a strong challenge: Oviedo's Tom Feeney, Orlando's Ric Keller and Indialantic's Dave Weldon."

"The forces for and against growth in Florida"

Joel Engelhardt: "Balancing the forces for and against growth in Florida is an enormously complex task. While residents list rapid growth among their greatest concerns, and drought reveals the delicate nature of water supplies, the development pressure that transformed Florida from 20th-most-populous state in 1950 to fourth-largest today remains. ... Where Gov. Bush looked for ways to relieve the state of its watchdog role, [secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs Tom] Pelham understands the need for state oversight to keep local politicians from giving developers anything they want. Fed-up residents are circulating the Florida Hometown Democracy petition to require public votes on every change to city and county comprehensive plans. Last year, there were 12,000 changes, which Mr. Pelham agrees is far too many. But planning by popular vote, he argued, is not the solution." "Can state grow better, or just grow?".

'Ya think?

The Palm Beach Post editors:"There is reason to hope that embryonic stem cells won't be needed to achieve medical marvels, but there is no reason yet to abandon research using embryonic stem cells." "Stem-cell competition, not stem-cell exclusion". But see the Miami Herald editors', "Promising new path for stem-cell research".

Out here in the fields ...

This kinda says it all, doesn't it:

The hands of a farmworker in Florida must pick 2 tons of tomatoes in a day to earn $50. At a rate of about 1.3 cents per pound, farmworkers fill 32-pound buckets, run to the truck, hoist the buckets above their shoulders into the truck, and receive a token worth about 45 cents. To make the minimum wage they must do that 15 times per hour, or one bucket every four minutes.

Gettin' fat

"An ongoing federal inquiry into the finances of the Seminole Tribe won't affect its compact with the state to expand gambling, officials said." "Federal probe won't affect Seminole deal". See also "Special Report: Tribal leaders are living in luxury".

Good luck

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "The South Florida Water Management District has caught on to the potential danger of rock mining in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Why can't Palm Beach County?" "Toughen mining rules".

Whoopee!

"The new generation of campaign communication is aimed at the next generation of hard-to-impress voters, as eight Republican presidential contenders lay bare their platforms in the CNN/YouTube candidate debate Wednesday night." "YouTube debates attempt to attract young voters". See also "Viewers' questions are key".

Grubbing for the Cuban vote

"After state lawyers [apparently at the behest of RPOF] objected to a Miami-Dade judge's attempt to hold a hearing on the welfare of a 5-year-old girl at the center of an international custody battle on Monday, the judge blasted the state Department of Children & Families for setting what she called 'a dangerous, dangerous precedent.'" "Cuban custody judge halts hearing".

Too bad we can't get ever'one to pay to vote

"1,200 pay to vote at GOP rally".

Shush your mouth ...

The St Pete Times editors: "Records obtained by Times reporter Craig Pittman are not in dispute."

Harvey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's leading water quality expert in South Florida, was removed from the $10-billion Everglades cleanup project because he was skeptical and blunt. Most notably, he spoke his mind in a conference call last year that he didn't know was joined by a newspaper reporter.

In that call, Harvey said of a plan to pipe dirty Lake Okeechobee water into canals that flow into Biscayne National Park: "Once again we're routing dirty water. We are extremely concerned because the track record when the district and the corps move dirty water around is some resource gets trashed."

In January, Harvey's boss responded by removing him from the project with an e-mailed explanation: "I believe that your remarks compromise our ability to have an effective voice on critically important matters with regard to Everglades restoration."

Kidcare

"Florida KidCare enrollment numbers spiked in October, an increase officials attribute to an ongoing outreach campaign and additional dollars given by the Legislature." "Enrollment numbers for KidCare rising".

Hill

"Former Tampa City Council member Bob Buckhorn, a savvy political strategist, fundraiser and former backer of Sen. Evan Bayh for president, is embracing Hillary Clinton. On Dec. 4 he's helping host a $250-per-person Clinton fundraiser at the home of Pat Frank. The headliner is Clinton campaign chairman and former Democratic national chairman Terry McAuliffe." "Buckhorn throws his support to Clinton".

Daily Marco

The Palm Beach Post editorial board gives Saint Marco a well deserved slam: "Having done so little as one of Florida's leading politicians to produce constructive tax reform, House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, still is doing little to produce constructive tax reform." Read it all: "Rubio still wrong on taxes". The News-Journal editors keep up the sales tax exemption drumbeat: "Toward tax reform" ("Repeal state's special-interest exemptions").

The St Pete Times editors: "As House Speaker Marco Rubio asks lobbyists to open their wallets for his political causes, he is treading a well-worn and treacherous path. "

The fact that he did not create either of the groups he wants to enrich does not necessarily improve the aroma, and his public position demands that his private fundraising be as transparent as possible.

One of the groups, 100 Ideas.Org Inc., uses the phrase that is essentially Rubio's political calling card. He spent a year traveling Florida to advance his "100 Ideas" approach to governing, compiled it into a book and Web site, and has been credited by other states that copied his initiative. Yet Rubio, in a letter to House general counsel Jeremiah Hawkes, makes the newly created corporation sound like a foreign government.

"I will not participate in the activities of the corporation as they relate to its mission," he wrote, "nor will I lend my likeness or name to any informational, educational, promotional or any other such material produced by the corporation."

But Rubio likely will raise bundles of money for it. He also intends to do the same for Floridians for Property Tax Reform Inc., and in each case he has conveniently received the legal blessing of his general counsel. As with 100 Ideas.Org, Rubio has invested much of his time as speaker in high-profile advocacy of property tax relief. And, as with 100 Ideas, he says he will have no formal role in the group. ...

Rubio is playing the kind of money game that has tainted previous presiding officers. If he is trying to finance a vehicle to sustain his political viability upon leaving office next year, he may find that the effort will backfire. It can hardly be described as in character with his "100 ideas," which he once described as "a catalyst for solving the day-to-day problems of our people."

"A fundamental question"

Adam Smith: "A fundamental question: Will Florida Republicans follow the lead of Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina?" "Go ahead, try to pick winner in GOP race".

That's our Mel

"Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, a Republican, joined Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat, asking the Senate to adopt a new standard deduction on income taxes for homeowners who don't itemize taxes. The letter to the Senate Finance and Tax Committee was signed by several senators, including Florida Democratic Bill Nelson and New York Democrat Hillary Clinton." "Martinez seeks homeowners tax deduction".

"Until it knows which way the wind is blowing"

The Tampa Trib editorial board observes that "TECO is seeking government grants to build a giant wind turbine somewhere near Tampa."

Wind power is clean, but it has a few downsides. For one, to replace the capacity of the coal plant that TECO has postponed indefinitely, it would have to erect 250 windmills, each taller than the Statue of Liberty. And on the hottest days, when electric demand is high, winds tend to be calm, so TECO would need backup sources for power. ...

The bigger challenge is that Florida is classified as a low-wind state, with the best breezes generally found near the beaches. But public opposition to coastal wind farms would be fierce. A plan announced in 2001 to put windmills offshore in Nantucket Sound has so far been stopped by complaints from area residents, including Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. ...

TECO doesn't disagree, which is why it is wise to plan only one turbine until it knows which way the wind is blowing.

Privatization follies

"Faced with a $2.5 billion budget shortfall over the next two years, Florida leaders are considering selling 50-year leases on some state toll roads and bridges in exchange for large sums of cash from private investors." "Florida considers leasing toll roads, bridges to private investors".

"Tribal spending"

"In the past seven years, Seminole Tribal Council members have spent more than $280 million from accounts they control. That spending has included paying tribal members' bills, financing their vacations and buying them cars, motorcycles, furniture, televisions and computers. A majority on the council has maintained power for more than a decade in part by spending on tribal members, especially before elections, a South Florida Sun-Sentinel investigation found." "Members say tribal spending rises near elections".

It could get messy

"If the Legislature's property tax fix is passed by Florida voters in January, it could quickly face another hurdle — the courts. That could put the plan in limbo for years. If the plan is implemented, a successful legal challenge could even force homeowners to pay back some of the benefits they received." "Even if voters approve, lawsuit could sink property tax reform".

Florida's "know nothings", Part Deux

Yesterday the Orlando Sentinel advised of the "middle-aged, politically conservative, strongly pro-military -- and predominantly non-Hispanic white" vigilantes from Florida. "Patriots or vigilantes? Florida's Minutemen on lookout for illegals". Today we get Part 2 of the story: "Patriots or vigilantes? Florida's Minutemen on lookout for illegals" "Sentinel staff writer scouts Arizona border with Florida Minutemen".

A Palm Beach thing

The Palm Beach Post editorial board updates us on the latest Palm Beach County election imbroglio:

Supervisor of Elections Arthur Anderson is "very comfortable" that Sequoia Voting Systems will meet the state standard for disabled voting by the 2012 deadline. But Dr. Anderson, in making the state-ordered switch from touch-screen to optical-scan balloting, is locking the county into a system that cannot meet the standard today.

Last week, Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning expressed doubts about such a commitment. He told county commissioners: "We have contacted Sequoia, and we have asked them point-blank 'What are you doing about a ballot-marking device?' And there is no discussion at Sequoia now as to how they're going to accommodate the Florida change beginning in 2012. As a secretary, that concerns me."

It's a legitimate concern. Dr. Anderson has done everything he can to avoid competitive bidding, and commissioners have let him. The state wants Dr. Anderson to have the new equipment by February, but the law gives him until July. So, there's time to hear from all suppliers to make sure that the county gets the best system for its $8 million to $12 million.

"'Biological control'"

"The predators: armies of beneficial insects. The prey: noxious weeds that clog waterways and choke native plants or destructive bugs that threaten sago palms, bromeliads or citrus. The tactic, increasingly used in Florida's sensitive ecosystems, is known as 'biological control.'" "Scientists use bugs to battle Florida's invasive species".

Reno on board

Yesterday we read that "Janet Reno, the former U.S. attorney general and a 2002 Democratic candidate for governor, has signed onto the campaign fighting a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida.".

I'll take the stairs

One supposes that Florida's GOPers - always complaining about government regulation as a restriction on "freedom" - think this is a good thing: "Florida's elevator inspection program has had its ups and downs lately." "Florida elevator licenses past due".

Jebbie's "callous and self-defeating strategy of ignoring court orders"

The Palm Beach Post editorial board: "Florida must fix its backward way of handling the mentally ill."

How did Florida reach this point? By repeating past mistakes.

Because there was no network of community-based mental-health services to replace state institutions that were phased out in the '60s and '70s, "jails and prisons once again function as de facto mental-health institutions for people with severe and disabling mental illnesses." ...

Under Jeb Bush, the state ignored court orders to get the mentally ill out of jail. Mr. Bush insulted the judges who issued the orders. Gov. Crist moved quickly after taking office to reverse the state's callous and self-defeating strategy of ignoring court orders to treat - and not simply warehouse - mentally ill inmates. Likewise, the Legislature must act quickly on the court's recommendations. Florida cannot afford to keep ignoring and repeating this history.

It "takes a tragedy"

The Sun-Sentinel editors: "Too often it takes a tragedy to get meaningful legislation passed. Such is the case with a watercraft-related bill proposal in Florida, which would raise the minimum age to drive a personal watercraft from 14 to 16." "Here's a law that makes perfect sense".

Life's a beach

"Retirees zip around in personalized golf carts from polo matches to the basket-weaving club to Wal-Mart. Days of the week are denoted by tee times. Sunset is washed down with a cold beer or margarita at outdoor happy hour. The backdrop is a town square, where a faux-rustic facade and classic oldies pumping from speakers festooned on street lamp posts make visitors wonder whether Gene Kelly might emerge for an encore of "Singin' in the Rain.""

This 26,000-acre enclave set in Central Florida is one of the largest retirement communities in the United States.

It is also a GOP oasis. As Republicans survey the state, looking for optimism in the 2008 presidential election, it is no wonder their gaze falls hopefully on The Villages.

The developer of the retirement community, Gary Morse, is one of Florida's top Republican donors. His community spares no red-carpet treatment or local media coverage when candidates come to town. Most of The Villages' 67,000 residents are Republicans - and some of the most reliable voters in the state, with a turnout rate of nearly 80 percent.

"Anything not involving moats and trapdoors is better"

Bill Cotterell: "Crist's "Open Government Bill of Rights" is a bold, imaginative and historically significant change in how state government works. If he means it. They all say it. Crist doesn't exactly have a hard act to follow. After Gov. Jeb Bush, anything not involving moats and trapdoors is better." "Governor can shift the public access paradigm".

Expect more cuts

The Tampa Trib editors warn that "Local Governments Can Expect More Funding Cuts By State".

Campbell looks east

"Brace yourselves for what could be one of the costliest races in Florida next year. Former Democratic state Sen. Skip Campbell of Coral Springs says he's "very seriously looking" at moving east and challenging presumptive Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach." "Post: Heavyweights may square off for Senate seat".

One adjustment that won't happen is a personal income tax. The Florida Constitution prohibits it, so 60 percent of voters would have to allow it. No chance.

So Florida will continue to rely on the sales tax. The best adjustment, therefore, would be the Streamlined Sales Tax. It's a multistate effort to collect taxes on "remote" sales - online, mail and telephone. In most states, including Florida, you're supposed to pay the tax on such orders. But only retailers that have a physical presence in Florida have to put the tax on the bill. Otherwise, the Department of Revenue relies on the buyer, so almost no one pays.

Florida may be losing $2 billion a year in uncollected taxes. Florida also is only a halfhearted participant in the effort to make the collection nationwide. Anti-tax demagogues might call this a "tax increase" or "new tax," but it would be neither. Among other things, it would end the illegal tax break that penalizes Florida Chamber of Commerce members who employ Floridians, pay taxes and sponsor youth sports teams.

It also makes no sense for Florida, with a service-oriented economy, to exempt so many billions in services from taxes. The Legislature instituted a services tax in 1987, then panicked and repealed it. As one final, stupid gesture, the Legislature raised the sales tax to 6''percent, but closed no loopholes.

Direction needed

The Tampa Trib editors: "Major electric companies suddenly are refusing to bet their profits on coal. Trouble is, they aren't sure what option is better."

The national mood clearly favors a reduction in greenhouse gases. But a lack of direction from Congress on what the regulatory rules will be is leading companies like TECO to postpone major investments.

For a growing state like Florida, the congressional indecision and lack of clear standards at the state level could lead to higher electric bills with little environmental benefit.

Plans for two new coal-burning power plants featuring state-of-the-art technology have recently been canceled - one by TECO and the other by The Orlando Utilities Commission.

Gambling

"They rose from abject poverty to running one of the most lucrative Indian gambling enterprises in the country, capped in March with the $965 million purchase of the Hard Rock International hotel and cafe chain." "Gambling gives Seminole Tribe access to millions". See Mark Lane: "Seminoles and slots, continued".

On a related subject: ""The Seminole Tribe of Florida's leaders have spent millions on lavish homes, boxing rings, basketball courts and other gifts for themselves and relatives as the tribe's gambling enterprise have expanded into one of the nation's largest, a newspaper's investigation shows." "Newspaper: Seminole Tribe of Florida leaders spend lavishly".

"Political ruckus not new for Florida"

Bill Cotterell writes today about some of Florida's colorful political history, reminds us that "the state's history of picking partisan nominees for president is replete with earlier versions of wrangling and intrigue, going back at least four decades and many political generations." "State has history of primary skirmishes".

Florida's "know nothings"

Did you know that there are "about 300 Floridians who have joined the controversial Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, the national group that seeks to end illegal immigration. Recently, he and three other Florida members spent from a few days to a full month in the Arizona desert, looking for Mexicans and other foreign nationals crossing illegally into the U.S. There are Minuteman chapters in Central Florida, South Florida and North Florida. Members tend to be middle-aged, politically conservative, strongly pro-military -- and predominantly non-Hispanic white." "Patriots or vigilantes? Florida's Minutemen on lookout for illegals".

But it's okay for for 75 year olds?

"Bill would ban drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones while driving".

Rebuilding a river

"A 13-year project looks to restore the stream of water to its original ecosystem of species." "Kissimmee River flows toward its restoration".

Good luck

"Check out the Republican hopefuls Wednesday night in St. Petersburg for the CNN/YouTube debate and you'll see four or five candidates with plausible paths to the nomination." "Go ahead, try to pick a winner".

"Soldiers of fortune"

"Call them tax consultants, agents, brokers or representatives (tax reps for short). By whatever name, they share a goal: shave their clients' property assessments - and city and county property taxes - as much as possible." "Tax wars' soldiers of fortune".

One Penny

Robyn Blumner asks: "Would you pay an extra penny per pound of tomatoes if you knew it meant farmworkers who make an average $10,000 to $12,500 a year would nearly double their wages?" "At a penny per pound, a little adds up".

Name that school ...

The St Pete Times editors observe that

Drawing the line on what names are appropriate for schools gets down to what values the school system hopes to instill in the community. Hillsborough's 206 schools are named after many of the usual suspects - presidents, governors, generals. But they also honor pioneers, developers, growers, even a dairy farmer. Schools named after parts of town give those areas an identity - some good, some bad.

The district needs to make the naming process less arbitrary. It needs to honor civic leaders like Iorio and figure out how to recognize institutions like MOSI without going commercial. Schools serve a unique public purpose and their names should reflect not only what a community has to offer but the values it wants to endure.

And he drives a red corvette

"Watch out, bad guys of Tampa Bay. Chuck Norris the actor and martial arts pro who is said to have two speeds, walk and kill - is planning to come to St. Petersburg this week to lend his support to Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at the CNN/YouTube debate." "Huckabee enlists a persuasive backer". There's more: "Huckabee Stumps With Ex-Wrestler Flair".

Those icky "unions"

In an otherwise interesting column this morning, Randy Schultz penned this: "Who said that? The head of the teachers union? Some government bureaucrat who wants a fat raise? A senior citizen who wants her Meals on Wheels from The Breakers?"

It's a little thing, but it is worthing recalling that on the rare occasion the word "union" is uttered in Florida's corporate media - even by pseudo-"liberals" like Schultz - it is virtually always in a derogatory way. No wonder Floridians have a less than informed view of the labor movement - they certainly didn't (and don't) learn about the role of unions in a democratic society in school; don't look to the traditional media to fill the ignorance gap: the ink stained wretches are equally uninformed, willfully ignorant and/or outright hostile to the union movement.

For example, wouldn't it have been refreshing to read something like this in Florida's traditional media at the outset of one of the most significant labor dispute in Florida that began in the mid-1990s, and continues to this day (all underscoring supplied):

Grosvenor Resort Owes Workers Substantial Backpay

Following a long and contentious struggle that spanned several years, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has ordered the Grosvenor Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to pay 41 workers over $700,000 as compensation for lost wages and benefits that resulted from their improper termination. Concluding that the Resort had been less than diligent and forthcoming during proceedings to determine the amount of its liability, the ALJ rejected almost all of its arguments while finding that most of the non-English-speaking workers’ testimony to be credible. This caused anything but a happy ending for the Grosvenor, which is part of the Walt Disney World complex.

The controversy began in 1996, when the Grosvenor prematurely declared that it had reached an impasse in negotiations with the union representing its housekeeping, service and maintenance employees. An impasse is a technical term meaning neither side can make any further concessions, and more bargaining is useless. The legality of the impasse depends upon whether the negotiations leading up to it were in “good faith.”

The resort then unilaterally implemented new terms and conditions of employment; the union promptly struck and set up a picket line. The resort responded by sending letters to the strikers, stating that might be replaced if they did not return to work immediately. Three days later, the Grosvenor sent another letter telling the workers that they had been permanently replaced. About six weeks later, the strikers, almost all of whom had several years of service with the resort, unconditionally offered to return to work. The hotel refused, saying the strikers would only be considered only for a few new positions.

NLRB and 11th Circuit Affirm Grosvenor’s Bad Faith

In 2001, the National Labor Relations Board agreed with an ALJ that the Grosvenor had bargained in bad faith. The Board also agreed that the walkout represented an unfair labor practices strike and that the resort had interfered with workers’ exercise of their rights under the law and discriminated against them by refusing reinstatement after the workers unconditionally offered to return to work.

Accordingly, the Board ordered immediate and full reinstatement, requiring the resort to displace subsequently hired workers if necessary, and to make the strikers whole for wages and other benefits lost as a result of the resort’s unfair labor practices.

In December 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit enforced the Board’s decision. The only remaining issue was how much backpay the strikers were entitled to.

Consider the Bush [NLRB] appointees' Sept. 11 ruling in the case of 44 longtime employees whom a Florida resort illegally fired -- the illegality of the firings was not in question -- while they were on strike over Grosvenor of Orlando's failure to bargain in good faith with their union. At issue was the amount of back pay the resort had to pay its workers.

The employees had been picketing for just four days when they were canned, and the picket line continued for several weeks.

Forty-three of the 44 workers found new employment within three months of being fired. In the view of Bush's commissars, however, the picketers should have abandoned their picketing as soon as they were pink-slipped -- surrendering instantly on their efforts to compel the resort to bargain, to recover their jobs, and to retain their seniority and benefits. The board denied full back pay to workers who hadn't sought employment within two weeks of being discharged because to do so, the Bush appointees wrote in unconscious homage to Dickens, "would be to reward idleness."

The work records of the discharged employees who stayed on the picket line too long are those of maids, waiters, kitchen and laundry workers in their 50s and 60s, all of whom resumed more or less the same work at other resorts within a few months. Reading their work histories, I doubt the idea of idleness even occurred to them. Some of them did obtain new jobs within two weeks, but their new employers didn't want them to report to work quite so soon. No matter: The board docked them for not landing what member Dennis Walsh, in an angry dissent, called "interim interim" jobs (since most of them believed they'd eventually return to Grosvenor) before their next job started.

To help promote its new look and name following a $25 million renovation, the Regal Sun Resort at Walt Disney World is offering discounts to Florida residents for stays at the hotel and for its MurderWatch Mystery Theatre dinner show.

Formerly known as the Grosvenor Resort, the lakefront resort in Lake Buena Vista is offering a 2-for-1 offer for dinner-theater tickets and a resident rate for overnight stays.

The hotel, the closest to the Downtown Disney entertainment complex, changed its name to Regal Sun Resort on Sept. 1, marking the completion of its property-wide renovation, including work on 626 guest rooms, seven suites, meeting space, lobby, restaurants and lounges. The project is complete except for some pool enhancements; at least one pool is remaining open as that work progresses.

"Bob-and-weave"

"To understand why Gov. Crist and insurance regulators want to put Allstate executives under oath, consider what happened this month when regulators questioned Allstate about the company's request for a 42 percent property insurance rate increase." "Not 'good hands people'; bob-and-weave people". On a related note: "Insurers, state pad coffers in calm year".

White people

Beth Reinhard gives us the perspective of a deep thinking cosmopolitan Miamian: "To many Florida voters, New Hampshire is a strange, faraway state, where flannel outstrips flip-flops, cows outnumber condos, and the people are as white as the foam that tops our cortaditos at La Carreta and lattes at Starbucks." "Politicking's vastly different in Granite State".

Now that the mouth breather is gone ...

"Talk of tinkering with school grades has grown since the departure of former Gov. Jeb Bush, for whom school accountability was a hallmark legacy, said Sherman Dorn, an education professor at the University of South Florida. ... 'When Jeb Bush was governor, most of those concerns were dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant. But at this point ... a broad variety of criticism has become acceptable.'" "Lawmakers Decry FCAT Rewards".

"Ineffective, counterproductive and wasteful"

The Miami Herald editorial board: "Florida's approach to treating people who are mentally ill is criminal. We don't mean this in an accusatory way, even though such an accusation would be literally true. This is what we mean: In Florida, most people with serious mental illnesses are in jails and prisons -- not in psychiatric hospitals. Jail not only is the wrong place for the mentally ill, it also is ineffective, counterproductive and wasteful." "Jail is no place for the mentally ill".

"How Florida politics works"

Scott Maxwell: "Hometown Democracy is a story of how Florida politics works -- how politicians refuse to deal with problems until we make them." "Proposal to limit growth scares some pols".

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"Romney's candidacy has emboldened many members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, instilling hope that he will play a role similar to John F. Kennedy, who convinced the nation to vote for a Catholic in 1960 despite fears that he would be controlled by church leadership. The co-chairman of the Romney campaign in Sarasota is a member of the local Mormon church, and members have eagerly signed up to volunteer at phone banks or campaign door to door." "Some local Mormons see Romney's bid as a way to tell the nation about their religion".

"At least in the red states"

We know Mike Thomas is ... well, just being Mike Thomas, but we couldn't resist bit 'o tripe:

Did you see that outrageous letter to the editor a British woman wrote about our pork bellies?

Having just wound up her Disney vacation, Dee Mills wondered why Americans were "so grossly overweight."

Here is an excerpt:

"It was quite a disgusting spectacle to see so many fat adults wobbling around Walt Disney World with their fat kids. Mealtimes were equally disgusting, having to watch these people pack away as much food as possible without stopping to draw a breath."

Dee then noted it was a good thing most Americans don't travel overseas because "they wouldn't fit in a normal aircraft seat anyway and are totally ill-educated, arrogant and unaware of anything outside the United States."

None of this is technically incorrect, at least in the red states.