Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 21, 2014

It was one of the wild-cards in what was otherwise in an all too predictable gubernatorial contest that will be remembered more often for the tens of millions of dollars spent on negative television ads. While appearing as a guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” back in February, Charlie Crist announced it was […]

Mitch PerryNovember 21, 2014

It was one of the wild-cards in what was otherwise in an all too predictable gubernatorial contest that will be remembered more often for the tens of millions of dollars spent on negative television ads. While appearing as a guest on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” back in February, Charlie Crist announced it was […]

Peter SchorschNovember 6, 2014

When a candidate loses an election, there’s a tendency to ask what could have been done differently. Coulda, woulda, shoulda is a natural part of the post-election period. But when a candidate loses by a margin as tight as Charlie Crist fell short against Rick Scott — 48.2 to 47.1 percent — there’s an obligation […]

Guest AuthorNovember 4, 2014

In 2013 Congress appointed a bipartisan Over-Criminalization Task Force to scrutinize the 4,500 felonies criminalized by federal law. This group, reappointed in February to continue its work in 2014, is seeking to reform criminal justice policies that make the United States the runaway incarceration leader in the world. Think about that: America imprisons its citizens […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 24, 2014

Sadly, this year, Columbus Day is still a national holiday. It is no longer a state holiday in Florida and 15 other states, though it may still be celebrated in some Florida localities. It should no longer be celebrated anywhere by anyone. Every child knows “in fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” […]

Marc YachtSeptember 22, 2014

Refugees escaping dangerous countries are traditionally welcomed to U.S. shores. Jewish refugees came through Ellis Island circa 1910 to escape Russia. Cuban refugees poured into Florida in 1959. They left family and possessions to escape Castro’s communism. The U.S. welcomed the “Lost Boys of Somalia” and other victims of rape and torture in the 90s. […]

Guest AuthorAugust 6, 2014

No one yelled “go back where you came from.” No one made political speeches. There were no hateful protests in the hot sun. No one even grumbled. Instead, we slipped aside to make room for them for the three-hour trip back to Key West from the Dry Tortugas. Clean clothes, food, water, a promise of […]

Guest AuthorMay 18, 2014

Ralph Waldo Emerson was contemptuous of “foolish consistency,” calling it “the hobgoblin of little minds.” Oh Waldo, if you could see us now! By his eloquent standard, worse than consistent fools, Americans have devolved into intellectual Lilliputians. It wasn’t ever thus. Some of our greatest presidents have been “wisely inconsistent,” sanely changing their minds in […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 2, 2013

While 64-year-old Diana Nyad swam her final 10 miles to Smathers Beach in Key West Monday, I cleaned house. And, did the laundry and scooped the cats. Saturday morning when she left Cuba for the 110-mile swim, I was inspecting slugs in the yard. When she was in the middle of the Florida Straits Sunday, […]

Tag: Cuba

Charlie Crist adviser pressed about Cuba trip that didn’t happen

Charlie Crist adviser pressed about Cuba trip that didn't happen

Peter Schorsch: Here are 16 factors that contributed to Charlie Crist’s loss

Dan McCarthy: We can save lots of money by reducing the prison population

Stephen Goldstein: On Oct. 13 don’t celebrate Columbus Day — anywhere

Marc Yacht: Pasco County should be helping refugee children, not hindering them

Linda Cunningham: The United States should put children before politics

Stephen Goldstein: Charlie Crist on Cuba: Facing facts, not flip-flopping

Linda Cunningham: Diana Nyad brings lessons ashore after historic swim