Torture Yourself - Go read the Florida Times Union's hard hitting analysis in "Baffling butterfly".
You Don't Think - "A Republican legislator is proposing a pilot program that would allow eight states to take control of the 38-year-old program, a move that some Florida Head Start agencies believe could lead to the dissolution of any non-education components of the program. Laura Stacell, who runs Collier County's prekindergarten programs including Head Start, said Florida should not be given the keys to Head Start after setting a bad precedent by reducing funding for other early education programs." See "As Congress readies action on Head Start program, debate simmers". See also "Head Start backers fear doom in shift".
"Bush vs. Bush" - "The Florida Department of Education has created confusion among local school districts by tacking onto the governor's FCAT-driven A+ Plan federal rules that contradict it." See "Bush vs. Bush on schools: State should sort it out".
Hey, The Election Is Over . . . Who Cares - "More than a year after a report revealed 66 severely disabled people in private-care facilities had died as a result of negligent care, the state's social-services agency has not responded to it, sparking criticism from an advocacy group that conducted the study." See "DCF, group wrangling over report on deaths".
Nuts Coming Out Of The Woodwork - "Ken Connor, said Sunday he's intrigued by the possibility of getting into an increasingly crowded Republican field for the party's U.S. Senate nomination. 'It's something I'm willing to ponder,' said Connor, who stepped down earlier this month as president of the Family Research Council, a conservative Washington-based think tank. . . . Connor, 56, said he's been encouraged by many, including one White House staffer, to consider the Senate race. The seat is now held by U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president. However, Connor said three leading conservatives he described as good friends have already indicated their interest in the race - House Speaker Johnnie Byrd of Plant City, U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon of Palm Bay and state Sen. Daniel Webster of Orlando."
"U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of West Palm Beach, Gwyndolyn McClellan of Sarasota, perennial candidate Andy Martin of West Palm Beach, and former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum of Altamonte Springs - the party's unsuccessful nominee in 2000 - are the other Republican hopefuls. Former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor of Tampa, Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas and U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd of Monticello, Peter Deutsch of Pembroke Pines and Alcee Hastings are seeking the Democratic nomination - all hinged on Graham staying in the presidential race and not seeking a fourth Senate term."
"Connor ran for governor in 1994 [on what was essentially a right-to-life ticket] with his college roommate, present Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, as his running mate in a large GOP field that produced Jeb Bush as its unsuccessful candidate that year." See "Conservative spokesman looking at Senate race" 7:39 AM
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