Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJuly 5, 2016

Orlando Imam Muhammad Musri, other American Islam leaders and faith leaders from other religions from throughout the country called over the weekend for a national inter-faith march on Washington D.C. to promote peace and denounce extremist violence. Musri, Orlando-based president of American Islam, said the “March For America” rally will be aimed at both showing Islam […]

Associated PressJune 16, 2016

While his victims texted heartbreaking last words to loved ones from the blood-drenched bathrooms, Omar Mateen apparently went on Facebook to measure the shockwaves his attack on a gay nightclub was generating. He searched for the terms “Pulse Orlando” and “Shooting,” according to a letter released by a Senate committee. The letter detailing Mateen’s Facebook […]

Scott PowersJune 15, 2016

I’m not religious enough to cite scriptural references in normal circumstances, but we all know the story of Job, and how he endured one calamity after another while his so-called friends tried to convince him to disavow his faith — yet he never did. Welcome to Orlando, where the rhetorical question, “What else can happen?” […]

Scott PowersJune 14, 2016

At Tuesday afternoon’s prayer time at the Islamic Center of Central Florida mosque, only four or five Muslims were praying there. This is the holy month of Ramadan and normally there would be a crowd. “The people are very scared,” said Imam Muhammad Musri, president of American Islam and a leader of the Central Florida […]

Diane RobertsJune 14, 2016

It’s back to business as usual: hating Muslims, loving guns. We had just celebrated the life of Muhammad Ali, the most famous, most beloved Muslim in the nation’s history. For a minute, one sweet minute, Americans might have been moved to think more expansively about Islam. And race. And violence. Some of us dared hope […]

Tom JacksonJune 13, 2016

Once again, a great city that rightly prides itself on multicultural tolerance has been shredded by a fanatical hater whose worldview is rooted in 7th Century mysticism and hero worship. London. Madrid. Paris. Brussels. Now, Orlando. America’s getaway destination. Home. And once again, leaders of a political party with roots that trace to the Enlightenment […]

Darryl PaulsonMay 8, 2016

(Second of three parts) The drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution did not trust unfettered democracy. The Founders wanted self-government, but they wanted a government where minorities would be heard and protected from the excesses of the majority. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, described simple democracy as “one […]

Darryl PaulsonMay 6, 2016

(First of three parts) With Donald Trump‘s victory in Indiana and the withdrawal of his last two opponents, he is assured a first-ballot victory at the July convention in Cleveland. The good news is there will be no riots, as Trump threatened with a deadlocked convention. The bad news is Donald Trump is the Republican […]

Darryl PaulsonMay 5, 2016

(First of three parts) With Donald Trump’s victory in Indiana and the withdrawal of his last two opponents, he Is assured a first ballot victory at the July convention in Cleveland. The good news is that there will be no riots as Trump threatened with a deadlocked convention. The bad news is that Donald Trump […]

Jac VerSteegApril 18, 2016

As a preacher’s kid who grew up in the South, I value politeness. Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am. Let me get that door for you. It is a given that, when you encounter a governor in a coffee shop, you do not yell, “You are an a**hole!” Nevertheless, Cara Jennings’ crude outburst in a Gainesville Starbucks […]

Tag: Muslims
Orlando Pride

Muhammad Musri calls peace march on Washington

Orlando gunman apparently searched Facebook during attack

The transformation of Orlando

Orlando Muslims seeking to play positive role but do so in fear

Diane Roberts: Muslims, immigrants aren’t the problem. It’s guns.

Tom Jackson: Jihadi wannabe shoots up Orlando; Obama blames us

Darryl Paulson: Why do democracies create demagogues?

Darryl Paulson: Donald Trump the demagogue: Have you no sense of decency?

Darryl Paulson: Donald the demagogue: Have you no sense of decency?

Jac VerSteeg: GOP devolving into the party of, um, jerks