We wonder where Columba Bush would be on this list, say in 2008 or thereabouts. You can be sure the Bushies are upset that HRC is ranked up there with Martha Washington, way above Babs and Laura.
More seriously, there is a worthwhile editorial in the Orlando Sentinel today about corporate tax-credit funding of private schools: "Florida's cheapest tactic for relieving crowded public schools this year is also its most flawed. It makes planning for growth even harder. The tactic seemed simple: Divert more public money than ever to private schools. Lawmakers expanded the corporate tax-credit voucher program from $50 million a year to $88 million, opening the door for more than 25,000 low-income kids to opt for private schools next month." See "Flawed tactic".
Relatedly, the Palm Beach Post argues that "Charter schools once were the favored innovation of politicians who didn't much like public schools. Grades released last week raise questions about accountability at charter schools and even more serious concerns about the new favored innovation -- corporate vouchers." See "Identify all F schools".
We're Not All Idiots - "Big Sugar may have managed to convince Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature that pushing back cleanup of the Florida Everglades by several years would actually be a good thing for the environment. But many Floridians aren't buying it. A recent poll of 600 likely voters conducted for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel indicated that 49 percent opposed pushing back the deadline for Everglades cleanup."
"That same poll, not surprisingly, showed a 67 percent opposition to a new law that could result in the largest telephone rate increases in Florida's history. The explanation that the law will stimulate more competition for local phone service didn't wash with most participants." See "Thumbs down".
One Man's "Personal Freedom" . . . - "Republicans in Tallahassee never stop boasting about an agenda they say promotes families and 'more personal freedom.' Then they halt Medicaid coverage for circumcision - a surgical procedure that the nation's most respected medical professionals say should be a decision left to families and their doctors." See "A family decision".
Death Penalty - "Florida has freed more inmates from death row than any other state -- a fact death penalty opponents and supporters use to fuel their arguments over whether the state is providing condemned prisoners adequate safeguards or killing innocent people. Death penalty supporters, including Gov. Jeb Bush, say the 24 inmates freed from death row since 1975 shows the system works and executions in Florida will continue."
"Mike Radelet, a University of Colorado sociology professor and death penalty expert, said Florida's system needs to be reviewed by an independent panel. He said claims that Florida is more likely to catch errors is 'preposterous and downright irresponsible.' 'They are in a state of denial,' said Radelet, who worked on the study of Illinois' death penalty which led to the January decision by then-Gov. George Ryan to empty death row in his state." See Death Penalty System Doubted".
Greed - "Only one word comes to mind when reading that President Bush raised $3-million in one day in the state of Florida: obscene. What is wrong with this country when we have homeless, starving families and people who cannot afford necessary medication and health insurance, and money is being spent on a popularity contest?" See "Campaign funds helping the needy would be noticed".
Time To Cancel Your Tampa Trib Subscription - Sure, Tampa Trib's editorials are hard to take, but it is usually a cut above the nutty Florida Times Union editorial page. But you have to wonder when you see editorials in like this: "Enraged Democratic Lefties Are Sabotaging Judicial Nominations". Never fear, the Times Union holds it own today's editoral about how tough it is to be a right wing nut on campus these days.
Jerry Regier Watch - "Oklahoma state Sen. Bernest Cain Jr. told The Palm Beach Post, 'The main thing you'll have to watch out for with Jerry [Regier] is that he'll set up alliances with religious right groups to the exclusion of others.'" See "The Marriage Initiative". 8:14 AM
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