In the aftermath of the Beijing Olympics, much was made of China’s powerhouse sports status. In the medal count, China topped the field with 51 gold (to the runner-up USA’s 36) and 100 overall (second only to the USA’s 110. Russia was a distant third with 72 medals. But the medal haul of Russia plus [...]
As president of USF, Dr. Judy Genshaft presides over the 9th largest public university (45,000 students) in the country. One with 12,000 employees, $300 million in sponsored research, a $1.8 billion budget and an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion in the Tampa Bay area. She’s one of the pre-eminent executives in the region, including [...]
Every time I see the “black power” photo of 200-meter sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the victory stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, two things come readily to mind. First, I recall hearing the unprecedented whistling and jeering that rained down on the flag-raising part of the ceremony. Second, what the impact [...]
Call it the locusts of social issues. And here it comes again: the movement to lower the drinking age. To 18. It’s been 21 across the country since 1984 – when a federal highway law, in effect, left no state behind. If I were 18, 19 or 20, I’d be in favor of lowering the [...]
Off of last year’s break-out season, USF won’t be sneaking up on anybody in 2008. And that includes the nationally ranked Kansas Jayhawks, who visit the Bulls for a national TV game Sept. 12. For what it’s worth, ESPN loves USF’s chances to win its first Big East title this year. So say Kirk Herbstreit, [...]
Even though a Leon County Circuit judge has tossed the proposed “tax swap” off the November ballot for being misleading, there is one key aspect to the proposed amendment that remains abundantly clear. Arguably, it was the only way to resurrect one of this state’s “third rail” political issues: special interest tax exemptions, including services. [...]
Here’s a suggestion for local candidates – especially incumbents: Try a lot harder to make prominent political forums. The prospects for good government – if that is not to become an oxymoron – demand no less. Tampa’s Tiger Bay Club is a prime example. Its candidate forums – from school board to governor — are [...]
Although Tropical Storm Fay skirted the Tampa Bay area, the implications in her Florida wake should have missed no one. It doesn’t totally excuse former Gov. Jeb Bush’s indifferent effort on the part of Tampa, but a GOP presidential convention here in September would have had to come with evacuation scenarios and a back-up venue. [...]
In 2003, Plant High School won all of one football game. The once-proud Panthers had fallen on the hardest of times; they were now Friday Night Lightweights. Dad’s Stadium orphans. Enter new head coach Robert J. Weiner, who seemed almost oblivious to the riches-to-rags challenge. The whispers had grown deafening that the iconic, 82-year-old South [...]
Should the Rays make the playoffs, don’t look for the team to increase capacity at the Trop. It is now 36,048; used to be 43,700. According to a Rays’ spokesman, the team has no plans to unwrap that light blue tarp from those top-tier seats. “We would not remove the tarp,” states Rays’ Vice President [...]
