* Amid the headlines of continued momentum in Florida job creation–and another month of unemployment under 4 percent–comes this sobering note. The only sector to actually lose jobs in the last year was information, which includes media outlets. The info sector lost another 500 jobs in March. That amounts to 1,700 lost jobs over the year.
* “With all due respect.” “Thoughts and prayers.” How rare is it that either of these phrases actually means what was articulated.
* For once, wouldn’t you like to see a yes-or-no question addressed to a politician be responded to with a yes-or-no answer? More often than not, the first word of the response is: “Look.” That telegraphs that a talking-points-agenda response is on its inevitable way. Again.
* Time was that Pulitzer Prizes meant journalism awards. Of course they did. From breaking news, investigative reporting and editorial cartooning to national and international reporting to editorial and feature writing to commentary and criticism. Non-journalism categories meant fiction, biography and history. Music was later added.
This year’s music winner: rap star Kendrick Lamar, the first nonclassical or nonjazz artist to do so. Still seems out of tune with Pulitzer Prize purpose.
* Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and smartest Bush brother, the one who didn’t become president, was given the honor of prime time eulogist for his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush. And he delivered. Compassionate, loving, respectful and humorous–from his mom’s “benevolent dictatorship” that “wasn’t always benevolent” to feeling her post-life presence advising him to “keep it short.” Well done, Jeb!
* That was one appallingly scary photo of Southwest Airlines passengers wearing their oxygen masks improperly when their lives hung in the balance. A reminder for passengers to actually pay attention to the flight attendant’s instructions. Maybe this will turn out to be a teachable moment. Maybe.