We don't call articles, columns or editorials "must read" unless we think, for some reason or another, they are important. Today we have two "must reads"
First, this lengthy piece in the Los Angeles Times today by Ronald Brownstein about how "Some Florida Democrats Losing Enthusiasm for Rematch With Bush". It is a good summary of where the Forida Dems are as we look forward to 2004. We don't agree with all of its conclusions, but it is thought provoking.
Second, we have Martin Dyckman's informative column, "In Fla., it's Jeb's judiciary". While folks pay attention to Dubya's attempt to pack the courts with incomptetent Federalist Society nutballs, "Jeb!' is engaged in a subterranean strategy to do the same thing in Florida. Dyckman quotes a description of one recent appointee as "a right-wing ideologue who's got a law degree." These are the kinds of (unscrutinezed) appointments that will affect Florida long after "Jeb!"'s doors are waxed in the 2008 preznit race.
Like a gaggle of bridesmaids jostling to catch the bouquet, a diverse group of candidates is waiting to see what the state's top Democrat will do about the race for U.S. Senate.
While the field for the Republican nomination narrowed last week after the exit of U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, five Democratic hopefuls still don't know whether they'll be running at all.
It all depends on whether Sen. Bob Graham decides to pursue his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination - and if he doesn't, whether the most popular Democrat in modern Florida history will seek a fourth Senate term.
"Democrats wait for Graham's next move". In this lengthy article, the Tallahassee Democrat's Nancy Cook Lauer looks at the situations of each of the (potential) Dem candidates for Graham's U.S. Senate seat.
Why Is There Even A Question About This -
In 2001, the Florida Legislature passed a law establishing a two-year deadline for prisoners to file for DNA tests that could be used to exonerate them of crimes. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Now it doesn't. As it turns out, two years isn't enough time for scores of inmates to gather all the data necessary to justify a request for DNA tests. The chance to determine if they have been wrongfully convicted will slip away after the Oct. 1 deadline unless the Legislature or Florida Supreme Court intervenes.
No one should have to serve time for a crime that he or she didn't commit. Nor should there be a time limit on proving one's innocence. State lawmakers, at their earliest opportunity, should extend the deadline, or, better still, eliminate it altogether.
Surely Something Will Be Done -State Education Secretary Jim Horne's former accounting firm performed annual "independent" audits for two troubled charter schools while simultaneously lobbying on their behalf, a possible violation of state accounting regulations. "Horne lobbied for 2 schools while senator".
Shut Up And Do What You Are Told -
A high-ranking but outspoken river scientist this week was demoted and reassigned to another project by the South Florida Water Management District after publicly expressing concerns about delays in the Kissimmee River restoration.
Lou Toth, the district's award-winning Kissimmee River expert, was told Wednesday he had been bumped down a notch from his post as chief environmental scientist and transferred to another job, the Loxahatchee River restoration. Toth was the water district's 2001 Employee of the Year.
Let's face it: The Legislature hardly solved the state's medical malpractice insurance crisis by capping noneconomic damages for victims at $500,000 and temporarily freezing malpractice insurance rates. This weak stab at reform let down just about everyone outside of the insurance industry.
But the Florida Medical Association, which didn't get the $250,000 cap it wanted, isn't helping matters with its ill-advised response: a proposed constitutional amendment limiting the percentage of malpractice awards that trial lawyers could receive. Specifically, the amendment would require that malpractice victims receive 70 percent of the first $250,000 awarded and 90 percent of the rest