The year was 1956. Dwight D. Eisenhower was re-elected president. Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco. The Yankees beat the (Brooklyn) Dodgers in the World Series. Rocky Marciano retired undefeated. “My Fair Lady” debuted on Broadway. “The King and I” was a box office smash. Elvis Presley recorded “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” [...]
Perhaps you heard about the extended family that is the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, that recently barnstormed through Tampa, rhetorically pillaging as it went. Maybe two dozen in number, they shouted their offensive litany at several sectarian venues, including St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. The Westboro web site, www.godhatesfags.com, pretty much [...]
Perhaps you heard about the extended family that is the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, that recently barnstormed through Tampa, rhetorically pillaging as it went. Maybe two dozen in number, they shouted their offensive litany at several sectarian venues, including St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. The Westboro web site, www.godhatesfags.com, pretty much [...]
As we know all too well, there’s been a recent rash of criminal cases involving sexual relationships between teachers and students. While the dynamics are all different, a common thread is that adults in positions of authority have abused a sacred trust and taken advantage of a child under their tutelage. All are nearly impossible [...]
Could there really be something in the water? Why do we keep having these highly publicized, outlandishly unnecessary issues such as the controversy over the “Welcome To Tampa/ City of Champions” signs? When you say “Champions” and then you note: “Super Bowl,” “Stanley Cup” and “Arena Bowl,” isn’t it obvious what you’re getting at? Three [...]
Aubrey Huff, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ outfielder/first baseman, has been popping off of late about how the organization should either trade him or stop talking about it. Two points. First, not even a team gag order could prevent major media speculation about Huff and several other Rays with market value, substantial salaries and approaching [...]
Now that the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has relented and issued a special license, Cuba will be allowed to play in the 16-team World Baseball Classic. For its part, Cuba said it will donate any profits to Hurricane Katrina victims. End of issue. Not, however, if you’re Cuban-American Florida Sen. Mel [...]
Whenever a movie’s prologue informs you that the film was “inspired” by something, you know that artistic license has been invoked and flat-out fictionalization employed. And then, more often than not, some controversy ensues. The director, it is revealed, has an agenda – only it comes with having been “inspired” in the first place. “Munich” [...]
Whenever a movie’s prologue informs you that the film was “inspired” by something, you know that artistic license has been invoked and flat-out fictionalization employed. And then, more often than not, some controversy ensues. The director, it is revealed, has an agenda – only it comes with having been “inspired” in the first place. “Munich” [...]
Florida’s ongoing challenge to attract black students to its universities – especially from out of state – is being pragmatically addressed by Gov. Jeb Bush. The governor has recommended spending more than $50 million in the 2006-07 budget for more need-based aid and the creation of a first-generation scholarship program. Minorities are disproportionately represented in [...]
