Early next month (Nov. 9) will mark the 20th anniversary of the crumbling of the Berlin Wall. East Germany, East Berlin, the Potsdam Agreement and the Soviet orbit were effectively sledge-hammered into history. The dramatic, emotional, Cold War-shattering event will be well chronicled in the media. Personally, it will transport me back in time. Back [...]
Give the city, most notably the Tampa Police Department, credit for its recently announced plans to make the 2010 Gasparilla parade a safer and saner event. More police, an extended parade route and the elimination of some waterside bleachers will help. And more Port-O-Lets could also be a factor – if besotted revelers deign to [...]
Sure, USF, by virtue of that win over Florida State, can stake a legitimate claim to membership in this state’s “Big Four” football schools. But of much more significance is its number two status among the state’s research universities. With $380 million in research grants, USF is second only to the University of Florida.
* “The notion that North Korea is no longer designated a state sponsor of terrorism, while Cuba remains on the (United States’) list, is absurd.” –The Council on Hemispheric Affairs, a liberal think tank focusing on Latin America. * “I’d be interested in helping the dialogue between Cuban-Americans and the Cuban government, but I’m [...]
The city and the Tampa Police Department deserve credit — if not the benefit of the doubt — on those announced changes in the Gasparilla parade. More police, fewer waterside bleachers and an extended parade route that now includes Ashley Drive should help. As could more Port-O-Lets, if those in need, indeed, deign to use [...]
Dick Greco for mayor. For a number of those not excited by a Rose Ferlita vs. the field scenario in 2011, the prospect of Dick Greco making another brass-ring run is manna from the hustings gods. Call it hizzoner alchemy: nostalgia turns into political viability for the popular, undefeated, former four-term mayor. But let’s [...]
Wal-Mart incurs its share of criticism over labor policies and sweat-shop imports, but it’s usually pretty savvy about relating to its customers. So, it was shocking to see the insensitivity shown by the retail giant in its Hernando County supercenter. According to the manager, a recent major remodeling project just wouldn’t be able to [...]
In a fit of constitutional pique, U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, the Brooksville Republican, has fired off a letter to President Obama reminding him of his “obligation to obtain Congressional consent” before accepting his Nobel Peace Prize. Her blog-based research yielded a provision that restricts a president, while in office, from accepting a gift from a [...]
Sure, Tampa has taken its lumps over the last decade or so when its downtown — and use of the waterfront — were compared to St. Petersburg’s. Tampa was trying to make up for lost time and squandered opportunity, while St. Pete, once mired in a Bay Plaza identity crisis, was sailing along on a [...]
* “Emily’s List is perceived as a liberal women’s group, and she’s trying to run a moderate campaign.” –Ric Sisser, Miami political consultant on Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s less-than-transparent approach to revealing how much money she has raised from Emily’s List members. * “The decision is not an easy one, nor will it [...]
