"Bush And His Amen Chorus of Goose-Stepping Legislators", We Couldn't Have Said It Better Ourselves - Kudos to the Daytona Beach News Journal: " Gov. Jeb Bush and his amen chorus of goose-stepping legislators don't like teachers. Teachers remind them daily of the responsibility to education state government keeps neglecting. Teachers are among the few political forces in the state Bush and his chorus have failed to control. And teachers bankrolled Bill McBride's campaign, Bush's Democratic challenger last year. Bush and his goose-steppers are used to making their opponents pay. They smeared the reputation of Florida's judiciary and nearly succeeded in subordinating it to the Legislature when the state Supreme Court showed up Republican bills' ignorance regarding the death penalty, and when the court sided on the "wrong" side in the Bush-Gore debacle of 2000. Republican bands of drubbers have been smearing teachers in various ways over the years, blaming their unions for the teacher shortage, blaming teachers for standing in the way of 'accountability,' blaming them for the state's history of low-achievement. Now, a few of Bush's legislative choir boys are orchestrating a direct attack on the Florida Education Association, the teachers' union." Please read the entire editorial.
What's Cynthia Been Up To? "Ever since she appeared in the state Capitol four years ago, Cynthia Henderson has been a lightning rod for trouble. After heading two state agencies amid buckets of controversy, Henderson left the government payroll in January to lobby. It didn't take long for trouble to follow." Lucy Morgan.
Graham Takes Heat- Graham is being criticized for his courageous position on Estrada. "Democracy Denied" roars the usual suspects up in Jax. "Graham risks Hispanic anger" warns the Orlando Sentinel.
And I'm sure Bob Graham is shaking in his boots about this: "Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez issued a statement urging Graham to reconsider his position. Martinez is weighing whether to run for Graham's seat next year, according to published reports. 'The senator's vote today is not in keeping with his long tradition of being supportive of the interest of Hispanics,' said Martinez, a Republican. 'The action he took is not representative of his Florida constituents.'"
As to this latter assertion by Martinez, we're sure that the right wing Hondouran elites who are registered Dems will be outraged at Graham's decision, and will punish him in the Dem primary. The fact is, Hispanic voters - ouside Cuban Repubs - could care less about Estrada.
Martinez, a true lightweight, really ought to focus on his (gratuitously awarded) job as HUD Secretary.
In the meantime, the Rehnquist - Bush scandal has dropped off the media's radar screen.. Perhaps there will be something tomorrow.
Bad News - The citizens of Florida will have to wait a while longer before driving a stake into the heart of Martinez' political career. To no one's chagrin, we learn that "HUD Secretary Martinez tries to dispel Senate rumors"
This Will Make You Smile - Check out FlaBlog's entertaining post about the media coverage of Ginny Brown-Waite's embarassing foray into foreign affairs.
It's Hardly a Secret: Malpractice Caps Will Not Reduce Insurance Rates - "Lawmakers need to admit there is no proof caps will cut insurance rates", says the Orlando Sentinel editorial board.
War Budget - " Florida's tourism industry said Thursday the state could stand to lose $3.9 billion in business from a war in Iraq and thousands of workers could lose their jobs." Associated Press story. In the meantime, our Governor wraps himself in the flag at Gitmo.