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Hey WF, I know its been awhile since my last e-mail. I, like most
everyone else, have been sitting back waiting for all the smoke to
clear from an incredible year. The Media is comparing the
Enron scandal to Clinton's Whitewater. Personally I believe it is the
Nixon years revisited, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think
that it is going to be more Like Nixon's Watergate.I wonder if this
will wake people up, and see that "Government like a
business" is more like "Government run by business".
Enron was not handing out donations, the contribution list reads more
like a payroll, handing out untaxable paychecks! What should we call
this scandal, Enron's White Water Gate. Just trying to be politically
correct and BI-partisan of coarse! Gee, I wonder how deep their
fingers extend into Florida's political pockets.
The Rebellious Republican
The Agricultural Committee of the Legislature will consider important
decisions January 8.
However certain details are dwarfed the facts, that It was untrue that
8,5 billion dollar economic impact may be the damaging effect of
citrus canker (now 9.3 billion) -more than 8-times of the total value
of the citrus crop in Florida a year. This figure has been provided by
certain representatives of the industry, based on false
calculations.
It was untrue that the entire citrus industry is threatened by the
disease. Most of the industry is processing the crop (for juice etc.,)
are not affected by blemishes on the skin of the fruit: one more proof
that the 9,3 billion dollar economic impact is a lie.
This lie, misleading the legislature (and the public) resulted in
squandering of several million dollars of public money, robbing
private property, causing emotional damages to hundreds of thousands
home owners. This damaging program based on lies should be
stopped.
Sincerely Peter Harsany,D.Sc. (doctor in agricutural economcs).1/5/02
Computerized face recognition is not scary because it works; it's
scary because it doesn't seem to work. It's been tried in Tampa
since last summer The ACLU of Fla. looked at its use there and found
it's
shut down, hasn't nabbed a criminal yet and fingers the wrong
people.
.... Visit Mark
Lane's Florida blog, 1/5/02
(Top)
Disability advocates commend the Tallahassee Democrat and
reporter Nancy Cook Lauer for educating the public on an issue that
we have been screaming about for the past three years. Former Sen.
George Kirkpatrick, state vocational rehabilitation director Carl
Miller and their cronies have been preaching that privatization of
vocational rehabilitation will increase client choice and improve
disabled services.
Nothing can be further from the truth! Their actions have also
caused Florida to become the only state in the union to be
designated a high-risk grantee in the history of the federal
vocational rehabilitation program. Thank you for exposing the real
motivation for privatizing vocational rehabilitation: controlling
the flow of millions of dollars and directing it toward private
providers who are associated with Kirkpatrick, OAOC commissioners
and the Florida Association of Rehabilitation facilities.
Kirkpatrick is just the tip of the iceberg that is going to sink the
USS Vocational Rehabilitation, unless we can change direction fast.
Advocates are confident that Commissioner Charlie Crist and the
Legislature will reverse all engines in order to avoid further
damage to the good ship vocational rehabilitation and the political
careers of those on board when the ship goes down.
Program Director, Hands On Educational Services. Tampa
(letter to the editor Tall.Democrat 1/2/02)
Anyone know what, if anything, the state is doing for employees
who've been laid off due to the legislative cutbacks and
downsizing? Offers for other positions? Any financial
support (severance pay, or unemployment compensation)?
Or job retraining? Counseling? How much notice is being
given?
.... DK, 12/27
(Whoseflorida has received a number of queries --
does anyone have any information to share about this? Is there
anything that could be done through WhoseFlorida to provide more
help? )
(Top)
-
From what I understand, displaced workers will be the only
state employees allowed to use the tuition voucher program (or
whatever it is now) to attend state universities.
Additionally, the displaced workers are to be assisted by the
Agency for Workforce Innovation in finding new jobs.
In this day of outsourcing state government functions, the
displaced workers may or may not be allowed to re-apply for
their jobs. It's a great American tragedy.
A change will come in this election year. It will take a
lot of effort from citizens as a collective body to foster the
change. We have to stand strong and united against the
political forces. Fight fire with fire. We can't
just blow off steam, but must present factual, analytical
information to the legislature. We must show the
lawmakers the errors of their ways.
...Florida Government Insider, 12/28
(Top)
Pardon me, but weren't government and business two separate entities
not that long ago? Not only were they separate, but they were even
frequently at odds, over everything from regulation to tax breaks, in
particular which business should get the least of the former and the
most of the latter.---
But not anymore. Now, all around us are public-private
partnerships. Run government like a business, they say, but most times
they mean by a business. What's conveniently forgotten is that most
businesses fail in their first four years.---
Another often overlooked fact: There's a reason government does the
low-margin work such as helping the state's neediest citizens get a
break in life. Businesses exist to make a profit. Government, at least
at the state level, is merely expected to come out even. The federal
government doesn't even have to do that.... (More)
(Top)
When are you going to publish information on the 7 million shares
of Enron purchased over the last 18 months for the Florida
Retirement fund?
...sdehart, 15/15
(WF - just waiting on you guys to send in some info - We'll start
it off here though - see Pension Fund)
Thank you Governor, will you
ever have to look into these peoples' eyes?
A journal note from a worker at Dep't of Juvenile Justice
today. The firing has begun:
"The day seems endless. Everyone in our unit has been told.
Lots of grieving, even in those who already knew. It is very
quiet, most have just left. We all are shaken anytime anyone
walks by, thinking its our turn. I went downstairs...
If you don't have your security badge, they are very officially
and somewhat aggressively, with no note of explanation, barking
orders that you must "display it" or get a temporary
one. .... I thought it was a joke at first...
Just a very scary experience, totalitarianism.
They need to get this over with, so people can start
processing, making decisions, and not have to drive home at 5pm
having just been told. An office near me is dark, don't know
what that means. The stress is horrible, will we ever really laugh
again here? ... once, we were all such a united unit, and I
actually loved coming to work. Hard to believe...
... from my journal... anonymous, Friday 12/7/01
(Top)
FLORIDA GREENS CALL ON STATE EDUCATION SECRETARY HORNE TO RESIGN
.... JH, 12/6/01
Governor Bush insulted us again. (See the letter
that follows) Not only are we expected to be grateful that
our whopping 2.5% raise was not taken back, we should show
"special appreciation" to the Governor and the other folks in
management earning over $90,000 a year for "sacrificing" their
raises. "Sacrificing"?? Am I reading this letter right?
$90,000 a year and under is what he calls the "modest
salary class?"
That's 3-4 times our average salary, Governor.
And Governor, please stop blaming our shortfall on 9/11 without
admitting your part in mismanaging our surplus and giving it all
away.
You take from the poor to give to rich, and tell us
- how lucky we are and
- what a privilege it is for you to serve us (?), and
- how you value our hard work and dedication
We're losing our jobs, our insurance is costing us more, the services
we have worked hard to provide to the citizens of Florida are falling
apart. You're sabotaging our children's futures. Daycare costs a
fortune. We are so short staffed and overworked we can barely get
through the day. And you have the nerve to tell us you value
our "hard work and dedication"!!
Don't come out here with your sweet words, big smile, and voice
dripping with concern and be thinking that's going to make everything
just fine and dandy.
The Plantation days be gone in Florida, Governor.
... Joe and Bet, 11/30/01
Letter from JEB to State
Employees 11/30/01
To All State Employees:
I am pleased to report that all eligible nontemporary state employees
earning $90,000 a year or less have received a pay increase of 2.5
percent, effective November 1, 2001. I believe it's important to
preserve the pay increase passed by the Legislature in May for those
earning more modest salaries.
However, special appreciation must be extended to those forgoing their
annual pay raise to help balance our state budget. As you know,
a decline in state revenues due in large part to the terrorist attacks
of September 11 and the drop in airline travel has necessitated cuts
in the current year's budget.
Those who join me in making this sacrifice are helping us preserve
essential services to our people, while funding our new initiatives in
domestic security and economic stimulus. Floridians will be
safer, and the coming economic recovery will be accelerated for all
our people, in part because of this sacrifice.
I hope every state employee shares with me a renewed sense of purpose
following the terrorist attacks of September 11. It is a great
privilege to serve the people of the Sunshine State, and an even
greater privilege to serve during times that challenge us. Your
hard work and dedication is valued.
Sincerely,
How convenient it will be for the state and private prison industries
after a large number of the state's probation officers lose their jobs.
The number of offenders in violation of their conditions will increase
because of the inability of officers to manage double caseloads of 130
to 150. Judges will be left with no options for offenders other than
prison, where education and other programs are being reduced or cut.
Florida has the potential to become a giant penal colony, with
taxpayers funding the exorbitant costs and industries getting the tax
breaks. Sadly, it seems our laws are developing to ensure public safety,
which becomes the measure of our humanity rather than our ability to
reach citizens before they get too far down the road.
...JACOB LERNER,11/23
I think that would be a good move, It does seem like the site has lost
its
focus. I understand that Florida is affected by national and
international
events. However, the WhoseFlorida site should be centered around how
Florida
leaders and business are in turn making the decisions that are
affecting our
individual lives. Yes, I agree, lets get back to the original premise
of
this site WHOSE FLORIDA IS IT ANYWAY?
...LB, 11/20/01
(Note: LB's post was in response to an email query that went out
about whether Whose Florida should shift the recent flurry of posts
about the national and international events to another website.
The general consensus has been to do that, so we are. Look for this
information to appear on www.whitecloud.com
within the next week or so and for WhoseFlorida to return to essentially
Florida issues)
(Top)
Using the tragedy of Sept. 11 as an excuse, congressional Republicans
voted to give billions in taxpayers' money to their masters -- large
corporations. Without a single dissenting House Republican vote, and
joined by 10 spineless Democrats, the House passed an "emergency
bill" to help our crumbling economy.
Unable to find money to ensure health insurance for citizens, unable to
find money to lessen the crushing burden of prescription drugs for our
elderly, they found $100 billion in tax refunds for: IBM, Ford, General
Motors, General Electric, Chevron and Kmart.
These companies will receive this bounty while downsizing in the United
States, with little, if any, restrictions on how this huge gift of
taxpayers' money can be used.
The same Republicans want capital gains taxes reduced or repealed. The
profits garnered by the top officials of companies providing low-cost
stock options will be free of taxes -- while earned income for the
ordinary worker will be taxed.
ROBERT H. MONZ, West Palm Beach
(Top)
By Wilbert Hobbs
The Book of Proverbs offers wise advice about what we say and when we say
it. Proverbs 18 and 21 say, "The tongue has the power of life and
death" and, further, Proverbs 25 and 11 tell us that "a word
aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
This wisdom was lost on Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal when, shortly
after Sept. 11, he said that America's foreign policy had something to do
with the terrorists' attacks.
I certainly understand that the Saudi prince spoke what he felt to be
the truth. As a Muslim, he was obliged to follow the Quran's dictate to
"cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth when ye know
(what it is)."
My grandmother used to say that the truth hurts but it does not have to
be brutal. The timing of the Saudi prince's statement was brutal. However,
to many African Americans, his words were truthful.
America must address the root problems that cause human beings to feel
such hate for us as a government, that they would sacrifice their life to
make the point. Mind you, I did not say hate us as a people. It's
our government policies, both domestic and foreign, that must be looked at
in terms of their humaneness.
In "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community," Martin
Luther King Jr. wrote: "Among the moral imperatives of our time, we
are challenged to work all over the world with unshakable determination to
wipe out the last vestiges of racism. As early as 1906, W. E. B. DuBois
prophesied that 'the problem of the twentieth century will be the problem
of the color line.'
"Now we know full well that racism is still that hound of hell
that dogs the tracks of our civilization. Racism is no mere American
phenomenon. Its vicious grasp knows no geographical boundaries," King
said, adding that racism and its perennial ally, economic exploitation,
explain most of the international complications of this generation.
Yet in the year 2001, the key to understanding these complications has
not changed.
Martin wrote these words more than 30 years ago when a second wave of
"terrorism" was being committed on our "soil." The
first had to do with the treatment of people of color, whether Indian or
Negro, from the beginning of this nation.
The second wave came with the response of those who no longer believed
that America respected a nonviolent, peaceful approach to eradicating
racism. In the 1960s, many of us agreed with those who hated our
government's policies. We began to understand why they were willing to
sacrifice their lives to change things.
It's clear that, after grieving, we must re-examine our government
policies as they relate to racism and economic exploitation here and
abroad. I am encouraged that President Bush - whether by providence of God
or the insistence of Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell - was persuaded to
put his gun back in his holster before making America react as the Lone
Ranger. Maybe, just maybe, diplomacy and humaneness with a military
response will help us bring forth a world that understands violence begets
violence.
Maybe, just maybe, we can understand that we cannot wrap ourselves in a
flag or religious ideology that protects us from those who are racially
and economically oppressed and have no options. Maybe, just maybe, our
government and you and I can learn that oppressed people without options
will listen to anyone who gives them options.
God bless America, please.
Wilbert Hobbs, pastor of Saint Paul AME Church in Chaires, is a Tallahassee
Democrat contributing columnist. email- woh19@polaris.net
(Top)
How convenient it will be for the state and private prison industries
after a large number of the state's probation officers lose their jobs
("Cuts in ranks of probation officers to be determined",
Tallahassee >Democrat 11/6/01).
The number of offenders in violation of their conditions will
increase due to the inability of officers to manage doubled case loads
of at least 130 to 150.
Judges will be left with no options for offenders other than
prison, where education and other programs are being reduced or cut.
(This also is true for juveniles who, for less serious crimes, are being
committed in higher numbers to deep-end youth prisons.)
Florida has the potential to become a giant penal colony, with
taxpayers funding the exorbitant costs and industries getting the tax
breaks.
Sadly, the more it seems that our laws are created - and our
resources diverted - to ensure that "public safety" becomes
the measure of our humanity, rather than our ability to meet the needs
of our citizens.
Is this what Floridians (Americans) really want?
Re: "Session becomes political fodder" (Tall.Dem, Nov. 1).
Huh? The story is not that there aren't enough statewide politically
powerful Democrats to challenge Bush. That is old news. The story is not
that Florida GOP Chairman Al Cardenas doesn't think that the Democrats can
take advantage of a flawed special session. I could have told your
reporter that.
If there is a political story here, it is about one party only. How
about the lack of leadership, direction and planning from three leaders
who are all from the same party? How about the irony that a state party
leadership that wants to run government like a business responds to the
current crisis the same way as current failing businesses - with further
layoffs and cuts in services?
How about the contrasting challenges faced by a government during a
peaceful strong economic era versus. a time of national crisis? It appears
that even within a single party, to actually have to build and create
something such as a budget during tough economic times is much harder than
simply hacking away at the budget year after year during times of plenty.
As a longtime Floridian, I was embarrassed by the special session.
Despite Cardenas' rosy political outlook, I am very concerned. I fault the
Florida Republican and Democratic parties alike for not providing us with
politicians who can provide strong leadership.
...MATT,11/7
Obviously John Anderson (“State government should be efficient and
cost-effective,” Letters, Oct. 18) believes Jeb's semantics, though they
confuse "layoffs" with "efficiency and
cost-effectiveness." I challenge Mr. Anderson to find any state
employee who can point to anything that has become more efficient and
cost-effective during Jeb's term.
If it weren't for gullible voters like Anderson, Jeb would not be
slashing state jobs to boost his image before the next election. Jeb and
George W. are bankrupting this state and country by slashing taxes during
a recession. There will be few reserves left to weather hard times like
the economic aftermath of the Sept. 11 attack and the war on
terrorism.
...S. JONES, 10/29 letter to the Tallahassee Democrat
Here's two rhetorical questions that might spur some interest on your
part and result in a column or two.
1) What's the big deal about "secret"
"out-of-the-sunshine" meetings in the legislature? Haven't
they done that increasingly over the last several years anyway? Do
"Service First" and Doug Jamerson's funeral ring a bell?
2) In this time of uncertainty and threat of staff cuts is it
appropriate or ethical for a Department Secretary to forcefully solicit
donations for the September 11th fund while the combined campaign is
happening by repeatedly sending out e-mails listing the names of people
who HAVE donated and "strongly urging" those who names
DO NOT appear on the list to consider donating? It will only take a
little "LABOR" on your part to track down the specific
Department...
Have a Very Special Session!
... Mr.SES,10/27
(Top)
By trying to help a few farmers who grow fresh citrus fruits
(representing only about 10% of the industry, a total output of only
110 million dollars: as estimated approximately 25% of the money spent
for the program) this program is not justified.
The majority of growers who are producing juice are not affected by
the disease.
This activity, besides its political backlash ALSO HURTS FLORIDA'S
MAIN INDUSTRY, THE TOURIST BUSINESS (where just the out of town
visitors spent 46.5 billion dollars in 1999! )
Tourists, many of them staying in places surrounded by private
gardens, choose to be among palm trees, picking oranges and
grapefruits from trees on these private properties. These same
visitors very much enjoy the fragrance of citrus blossoms.
They will miss that ... and Florida will miss them!
....Peter Harsany,10/24
(Top)
For the past month, everybody in America has been a worker wannabe. Hard
hats, sleeveless T-shirts and ball caps emblazoned with "FDNY"
and "NYPD" are hot sellers with adults. Construction worker,
police officer, firefighter and pilot gear are our children's Halloween
costumes of choice. Respect for government workers is up and postal
workers are finally getting some overdue appreciation for their everyday
heroism.
And why not? Even in the face of unspeakable sadness and new anxieties,
it makes us feel good about our country and ourselves to pay homage to
our heroes and the sturdy working family values they live and died for.
And believe me, it makes those workers feel good to get some recognition
for the contributions they make, 24-7-365.
The painful irony is that the homage our nation pays is just lip
service. While we've been singing the praises of workers, Congress is
about the business of severing their lifelines.
Working men and women are the front-line victims of the terrorist
attacks. Many of them lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon, in the planes that crashed and now in postal facilities.
More than 500,000 are losing their jobs in the aftermath, nearly 150,000
in the aviation industry and 120,000 in the hospitality and tourism
industries alone.
Aftershocks are thrusting ferociously through steel, auto and other
manufacturing plants, the bankruptcy of Bethlehem Steel a cruel
indicator.
On the home front, Congress first responded to the attacks by rushing a
$15 billion airline company bailout. But despite a heavy push for $2.5
billion in extended unemployment benefits, job training and health care
for the aviation workers whose livelihoods were obliterated, the bailout
bill provided exactly nothing for them.
The bailout legislation was a bipartisan effort; so too the neglect of
aviation industry workers must be a bipartisan responsibility.
The Senate had a second chance to honor America's working families with
relief legislation. Instead, a bloc of Republican senators, backed by
intensive White House lobbying, went to the extreme of filibustering to
death a relief bill that would have provided help for the tens of
thousands of already-jobless aviation workers and their families.
Now President Bush is offering to pick up the tab for future
terrorism-related insurance company losses and proposing a $75 billion
stimulus plan to jump-start our economy. And again, working families
have been put on notice that they will be served last and least at the
table of economic recovery.
The Bush stimulus plan provides almost no new money for unemployed
workers, includes sharply limited emergency jobless benefits for workers
in only a limited number of states and dips into two wholly inadequate
existing programs -- one of which is supposed to serve poor children --
to give unemployed adults health coverage.
By historical standards, it's a stingy plan. It departs from proven
recession-fighting packages that were based on the understanding that
expanding unemployment benefits -- replacing lost incomes and health
care -- is the fastest way to get money into the economy.
Increasing unemployment benefits is an economic stabilizer because the
benefits go right to the geographic areas of concentration. And expanded
benefits are a crucial psychological stabilizer in uncertain times.
That's why emergency unemployment compensation was a staple of the anti-recessionary
packages signed by former president George H. W. Bush in the early
1990s.
But the current White House proposal -- and the proposal from House
Republicans shamelessly more so -- tilts heavily in favor of corporate
tax cuts and continues the agenda of top-heavy tax cuts for the wealthy.
These tax cuts will have little or no stimulative effect: As Federal
Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has pointed out, only 18 percent of this
year's tax rebates translated into actual spending.
What our economy demands instead is a balanced plan that puts money into
the pockets of large numbers of people who will spend it fast and
supports workers who have been hurt the worst.
That means expanded unemployment benefits that are extended to more
jobless workers (60 percent of unemployed workers don't get benefits
under the current system), help with continuing their health coverage
and full funding for job retraining.
We need aid to struggling state and local governments (if it's good for
airlines and the insurance industry, surely it's good for the fire and
police protection, health care and other services provided by local
governments). And we need solid investments to boost the nation's public
health system, build new schools, repair roads and bridges and expand
mass transit -- solid investments that meet pressing needs and create
jobs.
For America's working-class heroes, praise alone won't pay the rent. And
neither will it revive our nation's economy.
The writer is president of the AFL-CIO.
I was appalled, as lifelong Republican, when I saw
the Governor’s proclamation to convene a special legislative session.
He used the WTC tragedy as the sole reason for this special session.
That was just the bullet in the head, Florida was in a serious economic
downward spiral long before Sept.11th. Legislators from both parties
were calling for a special session prior to this horrible act of
terrorism. This was truly an obscene gesture in an attempt to hide his
poor management of Florida State government .He would have gained my
loyalty and respect by simply saying that he made a mistake and we are
going to fix it, a little humility goes a long way. I would like to
apologize to the family and friends of the victims, for our Governors
morale bankruptcy. For those that care to see the proclamation in his
own words go to MyFlorida.com, Governor’s Office, Laws, Exec. Orders
or see this direct link. http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/eog_new/eog/orders/2001/october
.... larry,10/22
(Top)
For 10+ years the West has been punishing Iraqi people for the crimes of
their government apparently hoping that they, the people of Iraq, would
start seeing that keeping that oppressive regime in power is what causes
them the on-going misery. The same in Cuba for 40+ years (or whatever
that count may now be).
Now our country has been attacked viciously and we do not apply the same
logic, take a moment, and just speculate that perhaps we too are being
told to examine our ways which in so many cases are so oppressive to
"them" and change those ways and our suffering just might end
too.
Our/world's trade symbol has been forcefully and symbolically attacked,
perhaps our ways of trade and acquiring and squandering wealth and
natural resources is just one of those many things that irks so many
people around the world. But, are we listening? We have been talked to
in Seattle and in Genoa and now in NY and DC. But, are we listening or
just blindly continuing our destructive ways, self-righteously thinking
that it is "them" who got it all wrong, it is "them"
who are mean and despicable and are hating us because we have it good
and right? No, we are too busy attacking and preaching where a little
more listening would go much further.
Florida - and Jeb - are Bankrupt
but contemporary wisdom says it's "unpatriotic to challenge his
governorship"
"Some prophets wait a lifetime or longer to be vindicated. For
Larry Fuchs, Florida's former chief tax collector, it took merely
two years. Fuchs said in the summer of 1999 that Florida was
'functionally bankrupt' and that the next inevitable recession would
swiftly prove it. Though some leaders listened, it was mostly to
laugh -- none more raucously than Florida's new governor, Jeb Bush,
who boasted just a few months ago that he and the Legislature were
on track to cutting taxes by a cumulative $6-billion before the end
of his term... Now the Legislature must return to Tallahassee to cut
this year's already lean budget by at least $1-billion, with even
greater reductions looming for fiscal 2003." So writes a
stinging editorial
in the St. Petersburg Times.
Meanwhile, in an editorial in the 10/6/01
Miami Herald:
"...Bob Butterworth, attorney general of Florida, former
sheriff of Broward County, and former mayor of Sunrise. The man with
the silver hair and the solid record.
Thursday evening he attended a fundraiser at -- where else? -- the
Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, for his wannabe successor, Sen.
Buddy Dyer, D-Orlando. Then he hosted a Democratic fundraising
powwow at his Hollywood home...
They strategized about raising soft money for the Florida Democratic
Party, but the usual enthusiasm for going after the green wasn't
quite there.
Here's why:...The Sept. 11 attacks have made politics seem frivolous
and challenging the governor seem unpatriotic..."
...Quixote, 10/6
(Top)
Rapacious banking industry is
conning us into spending
Re: " Shop
till you drop - but buy for others, too" by Bill Berlow (Tallahassee
Democrat column, Oct. 5).
One of the major problems in America is that we have been
conditioned and raised to be conspicuous consumers. Americans, who
comprise a mere 5 percent of the world's population, consume
one-fourth of its oil and cause one-fourth of its pollution. It's no
wonder we are despised in much of the world.
There is currently a new law before Congress - written for the
exclusive benefit of the banking industry - that will make indentured
servants out of most Americans who file for debt relief. Do you
suppose the nice bankruptcy judge will accept the excuse of trying to
spend your way into prosperity for the sake of the country?
I have six credit cards in my wallet. The Fed has reduced interest
rates six times this year. Guess how many of the nice banks have
reduced the interest rates on my credit cards? That's right, none! The
greedy banking industry keeps the profits that should be passed on to
consumers while encouraging us to spend, spend, spend.
It's time to get smart and understand the difference between true
patriotism and sheer stupidity!
GALEN O. BALLARD, Marianna, in Tallahassee
Democrat
(Top)
As Congress considers anti-terrorism legislation, which may grant the
federal government greater rights to detain persons suspected of
assisting terrorists, and the right to monitor Internet use and e-mail
letters without first obtaining a warrant, it needs to reflect upon a
lesson from history.
On Feb. 28, 1933, prior to the National Socialist German Workers'
party taking power, a Dutch Communist, possibly working alone but more
likely working with the assistance of others, set fire to Germany's
capitol building known as the Reichstag, destroying it in the process.
In the following weeks, arsonists began fires in 28 other buildings.
In order to combat domestic terrorism, an "emergency decree
against arson and terrorist acts" was proposed and adopted by the
democratically elected German cabinet, using a constitutional
provision that authorized such measures in cases of emergency.
Under the emergency decree, the federal government suspended
portions of the constitution. Federal law enforcement officials were
granted the power to place suspected terrorists and their sympathizers
in custody and to temporarily restrict the right of "privacy of
postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications."
Those arrested were indefinitely detained by the German federal
police unless they agreed to emigrate to another country. When the
prisons could no longer hold them, internment camps were established
in rural areas. The cost of maintaining those camps soon became an
excessive burden on taxpayers.
The detainees were put to work in prison industries. Since the
camps were a concentration of members of the Communist Party, Jews and
gypsies, the camps became known as concentration camps. Ten years
later, six camps in neighboring Poland were equipped with gas
chambers.
Perhaps it could never happen here. However, the point of the story
is that malevolent governments are sometimes democratically empowered
in times of crisis when well-meaning people voluntarily surrender
their freedoms in the pursuit of security. The lesson from the past is
that those who would surrender their freedom for peace shall have
neither.
ROD SULLIVAN, in Florida Times Union, 10/1
All the reports and stories that have followed the tragic events of
Sept. 11 have been frightening, but none more so than the Sept. 19
article by Thom Smith, "Radio censors decree: Nothing makes waves
-- unless it's the flag."
We haven't begun to fight the war, and already we are surrendering
to the terrorists. If we ban music, as the article says radio
programmers are suggesting, next comes books, speech and ultimately
thought; then, America no longer exists.
Patriotism has been revived after many years of unpopularity. Since
Sept. 11, flying the flag and singing the Star Spangled Banner have
become daily events, even in Grand Central Station during rush hour.
Let's not display our love for this country while we chisel away at
the very core of its greatness. What we need is not censorship, but
the kind of freedom we have always enjoyed: the freedom to disagree,
to think unpopular thoughts, to speak unpopular ideas, and to sing
songs that express our feelings.
...PHYLLIS K. (letter Palm Beach Post 9/27)
(Top)
Why Did Jeb Warn of Terrorism in Florida on September 7?
On September 7 - 4 days before Florida-based terrorists attacked the US - Jeb Bush issued an unusual executive order. "Based on the potential massive damage to life and property that may result from an act of terrorism at a Florida port, the necessity to protect life and property from such acts of terrorism, and inhibiting the smuggling of illegal drugs into the State of Florida, the use of the Florida National Guard to support FDLE in accomplishing port security training and inspections is 'extraordinary support to law enforcement' as used in Section 250.06(4), Florida Statutes." Did Jeb know something the rest of us didn't know then - and still don't know now?
http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/eog_new/eog/orders/ 2001/
... demdailynews, 9/25
WF, here is a letter that I sent to Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor
Fitzgerald, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Jeb Bush, Frank Brogan, John
McKay,Tom Feeney and several newspapers. ... I do not know if you saw
the interview with Howard Lutnick, it was one of many with the WTC
coverage. Larry Busby
As with every tragedy, I try to find the good that can come of it. In
the case of the world trade towers, It came in the form of Howard
Lutnick the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald. His company was literally on top
of the world. They were housed on the top floors of the tallest
building in a city considered to be the center of trade for the world.
He was the apex of the most profitable company in that building.
I watched him being interviewed on world news, as he broke
down in tears. Here was a very wealthy man who had everything a person
could wish for. Numbers were his life, 700 employees were lost in the
blink of an eye. He no longer sat at the top of the world, he no
longer had 700 employees, and all his wealth no longer mattered, the
bottom line seemed so unimportant. He had what some might call an
epiphany.
He made the statement that he and his four surviving employees were
going to rebuild the business. However this time he would do it
differently. He vowed that he was going to put emphasis on taking care
of the people that work for him. Why do you suppose he made this
statement, I believe he had come to realize that a business cannot
function without people, let alone become profitable. I truly hope he
lives up to this noble promise.
In these times of corporate cutbacks and bottom lines I have
watched as companies have forgotten about the human element. It has
been a generation since companies have shown loyalty to their
employees, which in turn as caused employees not to show any loyalty
in return.
There is no such thing as a career employee anymore. By the time an
employee learns how to do their job, they are let go, so that a
company does not have to pay higher wages and benefits. Or the
employee moves on to another company that might offer better wages.
Many companies have gone to using part time employees, why, its
considered more profitable to have two employees that work less than
forty hours a week with low wages and no benefits rather than have one
person earning higher wages and receiving benefits.
Companies have many ways of increasing the bottom line, another
such way is to cut staffing all the while increasing their workload.
If they do not perform, they are simply let go. Hey there are always
some other eager beavers waiting in line to be chewed up and spit out.
As a result of this CEO bottom line thinking, American workers are
perceived as lazy and uncaring. Products and services in this country
have taken a back seat to the bottom line. This typical CEO mentality
has infiltrated into all aspects of our lives.
CEO politicians are starting to do the same in state and federal
governments, who will suffer as the result. Do you suppose the
President may be rethinking some of his cutback thinking now, there
are some Governors that have been doing the same to their states as
well, look at Florida as an example. A Company or a government is only
as good as the people who do the work.
Yes, this was a very tragic event, unfortunately it often
takes tragedies to bring about change. I am one American that prays
that other CEO’s and CEO politicians take stock of the people that
work for them. Thank you Cantor Fitzgerald for realizing the
importance of the people that work for you. With this new found
philosophy I believe that your company will come back stronger than
the steel and concrete that used to house your company.
.... Larry Busby, 9/18/01
(Top)
-
There are doubtless many steps that could be taken to enhance
security in the air. Such steps might include, for example,
enhancing the job status, motivation, training and supervision of
ground personnel who are responsible for passenger and cargo
security. However, even if such steps were effective in
preventing a recurrence of today's disasters, these steps would be
of no benefit against the myriad other potential forms of terrorism,
from the release of chemical and biological agents to attacks on
nuclear reactors.
The following are some steps we could take to reduce the likelihood
of terrorist attacks in general:
1. Begin working now to end our dependence on petroleum.
A considerable portion of oil reserves lies in countries with
unstable and autocratic political regimes. Both the
leaders of those regimes (like Saddam Hussein) and those who rebel
against them (like Osama bin Laden) are likely to engage in
violence, and they have the resources to do significant damage.
Reducing dependence on petroleum- through conservation and the
development of solar energy- will reduce the revenues of these
regimes while reducing global warming and enhancing the quality of
life of everyone from the world's wealthiest to its poorest people.
2. Condition support for Israel on its immediate withdrawal
from the occupied territories and implementation of an effective
right of return (including a right of appeal to an international
tribunal) for those Palestinians who have been forced out of their
homes and off their land. Continuation of the current U.S. policy of
virtually unconditional financial (at least $3 billion per year) and
diplomatic support for Israel will almost inevitably continue to
antagonize large segments of the Arab and Islamic world.
3. Reform the international banking system to eliminate havens
for criminals. The United States recently withdrew its support
for efforts (initiated by the European Community) to eliminate such
havens. The current system makes it too easy for terrorists
and their sponsors to maintain anonymous accounts in limitless
amounts.
4. Osama bin Laden was trained to be a terrorist by the CIA,
as were a number of other well-known terrorists. The Taliban
regime that shelters him is also the product of U.S. intervention in
Afghanistan during the last days of the Cold War. We should
end our training of terrorists and all other unilateral violent
interventions abroad. We should also end arms sales, which
feed violence and drain resources away from basic needs.
5. Most important, we should conduct our foreign policy in
such a way as to reduce the number of people in the world who
are alienated to the point of murder and martyrdom, and who are
likely to see us as a major source of their problems. That
means taking the side of those who are impoverished, subjugated and
exploited, rather than of those who oppress them.
It is commonly assumed that the rules of morality change at the
water's edge, and that our role in the world should be determined by
some version of "national interest" in which violence is
acceptable as long as it is practiced by us, or by those we support.
However, we live in a world in which our borders no longer insulate
us from outside threats, whether those threats take the form of
pollution, climate change, the exhaustion of fisheries and other
natural resources, infectious diseases or terrorist attacks.
In this new world, the traditional approach will not work any
longer.
Our true national interest is in a peaceful world. However, in
the absence of justice, there can be no true or lasting peace, and
no real security. By placing ourselves on the side of justice,
we will slowly make the world a better and safer place for all who
live in it, including ourselves and our children.
...Santiago G. Leon
-
I recall watching films of Daily Life in Germany during the early
stages
of WWII. It was incredible to me to see that the people in quaint
outdoor cafes, conversing, flirting, and smiling politely to one
another, deferring to the children and elderly for right of way as
they
mingled about were part of a society engaged in expansionist warfare
and
genocide. Yet, there they were, sipping their favorite beverages,
enjoying one another's company, walking their pets, winking,
blinking and
nodding.
They had families, friends, loved ones, favorite sports teams, clean
homes, churches to attend. They worked diligently at various trades,
professions, and crafts. They laughed, danced, went to theaters,
made
love and picnicked. They were a virtuous people, by in large, in
their
own eyes.
They were also patriotic. Their brothers and sons and fathers were
off
somewhere doing their duty to serve their country. They cried in
heart-felt grief when news of the death a beloved son, father,
brother
was brought by an apologetic officer. Sometimes they cried tears of
pride and joy at commendations from a grateful government when
welcoming a wounded friend back home.
So do we, modern day Americans.
They bombed! (Think Iraq, Yugoslavia) Enslaved! (Look at the label
on
your clothing.) Tortured! (Think School of the Americas) They saw
themselves as superior to others! (Listen to AM talk radio.)
I should point out that there were Germans from every walk of life
who
refused to succumb to the propaganda of their leaders. So too, there
are
such Americans. Many are on this list. I am more proud today of
being a
party to this new political party than I've ever been. ....
You're also savvy enough to know that I'm not comparing today's
geo-political situation to that of the 40's. What I am pointing out
is
that the face of evil is seldom seen in the cultural mirror. (The
missing question, still, in the face of 24hr analysis is: WHY does
America INSPIRE such HATRED around the world?)
....JH, 9/15
(Top)
-
"At this time, let us in the the pro-democracy movement give
ourselves to the heart of democracy -- by sharing our best selves
with those in pain, in need, in emergencies, and in unfathomable
grief. Let us focus in the immediate on the spirit, the deeper soul
and body of our nation -- to address, with loving hearts, minds and
hands, our physical, moral and spiritual wounds, which wounds are so
deep and many tonight. We are all suffering tonight, but others
suffer more than we do. Let us help them. Let us suspend our
grievances for a brief time, to focus on the well-being of our
fellow human beings." So writes Michael Rectenwald, Founder of
Citizens for Legitimate Government.
-
The Bush energy plan as passed by the House gives away $27 billion in
taxpayer subsidies and tax breaks to the fossil fuel, auto and nuclear
industries. The House bill would open the pristine Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. At the same time, the House
rejected an amendment to increase fuel economy standards for SUVs and
light trucks, which would have conserved more than twice the amount
that could ever be drilled in the Arctic Refuge.
President Bush is also considering repealing a key element of the
Clean Air Act that forces old and dirty power plants to meet modern
pollution standards. In Florida, these old plants produce one-third of
all smog-forming pollution and are responsible for 1,740 premature
deaths. Without strict government standards, polluting power plants
will have no incentive to upgrade their facilities.
Sens. Graham and Nelson should oppose the polluters' wish list
passed by the House and instead support energy policies that promote
clean, renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.
DAPHNE SORENSEN, Field Organizer, Florida PIRG
flpirg@hotmail.com
(Top)
-
Gov. Bush allowed his former Chief Technology Officer, the one
arrested by the Leon County Sheriff's Office, to remain on paid
leave (administrative leave) for a period that exceeded the 20
calendar days allowed by Chapter 60K, Florida Administrative Code.
This violation is all too typical in this administration, where
the apparent belief system allows those in power to accept, or
reject, those laws and rules they choose.
Another example is the recent "laundering" of state
computer equipment offered for sale to select DEP employees.
This equipment was "donated" to the United Way (whose
director later was appointed as director of parks for DEP) and
then the same equipment was "auctioned" off to select
DEP employees, without the public being given an opportunity to
participate in the auction.
Chapter 60L, Florida Administrative Code is supposed to
regulate such improper transfers, but in this current
administration, no one seems to care about laws or rules.
Where's the so-called "investigative reporters" out
there? Are these folks blind? Who enforces the laws when the
Executive Office blatantly violates them?
...TallahasseeLaw, 9/3/01
-
Everyone knew what the Republican agenda was before the election.
No spending for social services of any kind, with everybody on their
own in the myth of the "rugged American individualism,"
and the rejection of any sort of "government interference"
in individual lives, which Americans so naively accept.
Why did we elect Jeb Bush? Was it his cute face? Was it
his political slogans of "JEB!" and "Protect Freedom,
elect Bush!" They must have appealed to the electorate, and
they demonstrate the intellectual and political maturity of the
voters. I know poor people, sick people, and even State
Employees who voted for him! We get the government we deserve! Kaare
B. Host, 8/29/01
-
It appears that the Governor, the Senate President and the House
Speaker will be appointing a committee to evaluate Katherine Harris'
international expenditures. This committee along with the
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
will do this review.
Personally, I question the objectivity of the appointed committee
and OPPAGA in doing this. When looking at the whole picture,
previous news articles have mentioned that Harris is the darling of
republicans across the nation.
To further my point, Governor Jeb Bush, Senate President John McKay
and House Speaker Tom Feeney are all republicans. These three
powerful republicans are personally appointing a committee along
with OPPAGA to do this fiscal evaluation of Katherine Harris's
spending. You do the math.
To make matters even more questionable, OPPAGA is an Office who is
highly influenced (though they would never admit it) by the Florida
Legislature who just so happened to be headed by republicans.
I have even heard them with my own ears refer to members of the
Florida Legislature as the "Legislature and their infinite
wisdom." To me this within itself presents great
questions of biases and unobjective thinking. This is nothing
more than a case of the republicans attempting to evaluate their own
spending. A blind person can clearly see this blatant conflict of
interest. This is unfair to all Florida tax payers. I
end my statement by asking these questions: Why aren't the democrats
more involved in this investigation? Exactly, what economic
impact does Katherine Harris' visits to other countries have on
Florida?
... The Florida Government Watcher, 8/23/01
-
By Abe Schestopol
To paraphrase his own title, Bill Cotterell's Aug. 16 column (“In
politics, style often beats substance") is full of fluff and
contains no substance. He believes that fluff, which he chooses to
call "style," will carry the incumbent governor to
re-election in 2002. "Visual images of a young, vigorous
governor," as he puts it.
But governors in Florida are not elected by either fluff or style.
They are elected by quantitative results as promulgated by the Florida
secretary of state. Nowhere in his article does Cotterell address any
quantitative considerations whatsoever.
Here are some quantitative considerations that he fails to take
into account:
Registered voters: There are thousands more registered
Democrats in Florida than Republicans. If the Democratic officials in
the state do their part, as they did in the recent presidential
election against a "young, vigorous" opponent, the incumbent
will not be elected.
- The presidential election: If all who voted in Florida
during the past presidential election go to the polls and vote the
way they did previously, the incumbent will lose the election,
provided their votes are counted. If you doubt that, ask Chief
Justice William Rehnquist, who voted to stop the counting last
December.
A considerable number of voters, who know from the recent
expose in The New York Times that they were cheated out of
their victory, can't wait to cast their votes again. Add to the
above the many thousands of votes that were thrown out, year after
year, in Central Florida and Duval County, as a result of the
dysfunctional election process. This time around, the dysfunction
will have been eliminated or safeguards will be provided, all to
the benefit of the Democratic Party.
- Education: As pointed out by Phillip Bunnell in his Aug.
17 letter to the editor, most of the people in the teaching
profession are not going to vote for the incumbent, and that also
goes for most of their spouses and adult family members. If you
doubt that, just mention "accountability" and
"vouchers" to any teacher. Not that they are against
being accountable, but both phrases do not imply any positive
contribution, or assistance, to the harried teacher in the
classroom.
- State workers: Again from Bunnell, no state worker is
going to vote for the incumbent, and that also goes for spouses,
adult family members and any friends who will listen. Here is an
e-mail comment that I recently received: "The state workforce
is a dedicated workforce that is being auctioned off to the
highest bidder. . . . People that work with me are afraid to speak
out . . . . It is like living in Russia, and you are afraid to
speak out for retaliation. The functions that have been privatized
. . . are costing Floridians more money than ever before."
- Affirmative action: The minority community, en masse,
will be voting against the incumbent, notwithstanding what
Cotterell tells us about the governor's being surrounded by
ethnically diverse tokens in his photo ops.
- Board of Regents: As Willie Roberts tells us so
eloquently in his Aug. 17 My View column: "I predict that
this (new) system will remove Florida from the forefront of
education in our nation." Although he was speaking directly
to FAMU's situation, there are thousands of Floridians who are
upset over the elimination of the Board of Regents. Florida's
senior senator, Bob Graham, is so upset he is mounting a petition
drive to put retention of the Board of Regents to a vote as a
constitutional amendment. Thousands who sign these petitions are
not going to vote for the incumbent.
Finally, prognosticating elections, as Bill did, is a dangerous
endeavor. In that great graveyard of magazines in the sky are the
remains of The Literary Digest, the publication that
predicted that Alf Landon would win a landslide victory over
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936.
The reasoning was very similar to Cotterell's. Alf Landon, an
agriculturist, spoke like a man of the people. Roosevelt had a
nasal, patrician accent that was so thick every aspiring comic
made fun of it. The Republican platform stressed accountability
and a balanced budget. The Democrats' platform was to help people
fight the Depression. Roosevelt won, and The Literary Digest
went out of business. Thus, looking at the forthcoming election
from the point of view of fluff, or style, is pointless. Only the
numbers count. And if you add them up, they don't look too good
for the incumbent.
- Tallahassee retiree Abe Schestopol, who voted Democrat in the
1936 election, can be reached at abe@schestopol.com
(Top)
-
The
Palm Beach Post
Sunday, August 19, 2001
The acronym is DROP, which is appropriate, because Florida
taxpayers' jaws must drop when they hear about it.
Several years ago, in an attempt to encourage early retirement
among state employees, the Legislature created the Deferred Retirement
Option Program. State workers who had 30 years' experience or were at
least 62 could sign up and receive a lump-sum payout followed by a
monthly pension. The catch was that the employee had to quit five
years after signing up.
Though the public doesn't always think of them that way, elected
officials also are state employees. And this year, the Legislature
changed DROP to eliminate the retire-after-five-years rule -- but the
change applies only to elected officials, not to prison guards,
teachers or health inspectors. The change allows politicians who meet
the requirements to double dip in the most audacious way. They can
collect retirement while still on the job.
As The Post reported last week, Palm Beach County Commissioner
Addie Greene could collect about $350,000 in 2006 if she signs up this
year and wins reelection in 2004. She's been on the state payroll for
more than three decades. Her colleague, Burt Aaronson, also up for
reelection in three years, could get $86,000 in one pop and $1,500
monthly in retirement pay for the job from which he would not have
retired. They are Democrats, but to show just how bipartisan the issue
is, the change was sponsored by Sen. Locke Burt, a Republican who is
running for attorney general.
Commissioner Greene says she would be "stupid" to pass up
such a deal. The public, which is paying for such a deal, might think
it's not only "stupid" but greedy for such a deal to exist.
The state should take it back.
(Top)
- Re:
"In politics, style often beats substance" by Bill
Cotterell (Capital Curmudgeon, Aug. 16).
He says that despite the Republican Party's approach, it will win
because the public doesn't want substance. I think Bill needs to
understand that we, the public, make our decisions about what we want
based on the information we get from the press and TV. And what's fed
to us is Republican propaganda from Republican-big-business-controlled
media.
Bill is right: Mondale, Dukakis and Gore lost the media battle.
They had to because it was so one-sided.
But when George's cocaine days were brought up, the issue was put
away when he refused to talk about it. And his failures in businesses,
including bankruptcies, were hardly mentioned.
So once again, here are our media - in the form of Republican Bill
- telling us not to bother, Jeb's going to win anyway. Bill doesn't
want to mention that most of the black and Hispanics this state are
not going to vote for Jeb. Nor are most of the teachers. Plus, a huge
number of the 600,000 state employees and their families and their
friends.
But it was a nice try, Bill. You should be getting a check from Jeb
any day now.
...PHILLIP BUNNELL, 8/17 (letter to Tallahassee Democrat)
(Top)
-
A story in The Gainesville Sun and other state newspapers (Aug. 1)
noted that Gov. Jeb Bush is "annoyed" at
"liberals" who criticized his tax cuts because they want
expansion of state programs, and just "would have spent" the
money anyway had the cuts not been imposed.
May I urgently remind the governor of three points:
One, some of the most significant increases in the state budget,
especially in education and other social services, in Florida history
took place during the first years of his tenure
Two, conservative Republicans in the House and moderate Republicans
in the Senate, not liberals, have been firmly in control of the
Legislature - the ultimate arbiter of the state budget - since he
assumed office
Three, some of the earliest and most vigorous critics of his tax
cuts during this past legislative session were Republicans, not
liberals; most especially Senate President John McKay.
It appears that Gov. Bush's annoyance is misdirected.
...Richard K. Scher, Gainesville, 8/11/01 (letter
to Gainesville Sun)
(Top)
-
If anyone has the idea that the push for school vouchers represents
some sort of "grass roots" movement, think again. A new
report by the
American Assoc. of School Administrators finds that just three
bigshot donors and 9 foundations (many of them conservative agenda
front groups, like the Scaife Foundation) are behind the movement.
The report concludes: "The public ballot initiatives for
publicly-
supported private school vouchers are financed primarily by a
handful
of very wealthy individual donors." Funds are channeled mostly
into
the foundations, "each of which advocates for the voucher cause
and
spreads its message via the Internet, media campaigns, listserves,
court challenges and action networks. Given the wealth behind each
voucher group, we can expect the voucher movement to continue to
prosper." At the expense, of course, of the average American
child.
(Top)
-
Friday's Tallahassee Democrat should finally put to rest any
thoughts anyone had about the newspaper being part of the typical
liberal media.
On the front page, the Democrat published an article about
President Bush's "victories." The best part is that this
isn't even news, it's analysis. That's right folks, it's
somebody's opinion. But we're trying to help out the Republican
cause here, so it's OK to put it on the front page with all the other
extremely important news such as the unending saga of poor Rudy
Maloy's travails. What, no Condit news?
Then the local section has two great articles favoring the
Republican cause, one about Gov. Bush gaining ground in popularity. At
the end, we read "Overall, Bush's job performance declined
slightly since the last poll in February." But for the people who
just read headlines, you've done your job.
Best of all is the article about the Health agency losing key top
leaders. Nowhere in this article is the truth even hinted at, and
that's where it favors the Republican cause. The truth is that all
these people are leaving because they are either being eliminated by
Service First or they're going to be in the near future.
... Phillip Bunnell, letter to TallahasseeDemocrat 8/4/01
(Top)
-
I'm in the process of doing some updates and text tweaks to make
"Election 2004" more informative and invigorating for
voters, and within a few weeks I should have all of my GOP
alternatives (meaning Repubs other than Dubya) up and profiled. I
wish the Republican Party could scrounge up enough brain cells (I
know, oxymoronic when referring to the GOP ;-P ) to nominate
someone other than Bush, because it would really improve the image
of their party (I know, no direction to go but up) from a strategic
standpoint, plus it would be better for the country as a whole. But
who knows? Maybe the Dems' 2002 congressional sweep will actually
teach them a thing or two about what it means to be a candidate. At
any rate, every little bit helps, so I'm doing my part online. We
may not get an ideal president, but at least we can do better than
the "choices" *cough!* from the last election.
One final thing...I just found out about a new virus wrecking havoc
on the Internet...it’s called w32.sircam.worm@mm
Go here to download the tool that will help you detect it in (and
remove it from, if need be) your computer, if your computer has been
infected.
This is NOT a joke! I used this virus-removal tool to successfully
delete 64 infected files (which I was unaware of) from my computer,
and now my hard-drive is 100% virus-free!!! :) I'm
just glad I caught it before it got any worse - - I had no idea my
hard drive was infected (that's how elusive the nature of this virus
is, as it won't show up on regular virus scans) until a friend told
me so. Anyway, I'm passing the info along to the rest of you, since
from what I understand, this bugger is pretty widespread.
Be sure to install this on your computer...it’s a handy tool to
run to fight against the Worm virus. After you run it the
first time, restart your computer in “Safe” Mode by pressing F5
as soon as you turn your machine back on). Be sure to send
this to everyone you know, so they can arm themselves against the
Worm Menace. :-P
(Top)
-
Hello. I am a lifelong Florida resident(44), and though not
employed by the State of Florida now, have worked as an OPS worker
in the distant past, and I have many friends who are State of
Florida employees. I agree with the statement in the
introductory portion of the site, that questions the validity of
"my florida" as the title for the current state website
and think the title of your website is brilliant! Florida is
currently in the hands of a scary person, one who uses his father's
position and techniques to deal behind the scenes in various shady,
if legal ways. The disenfranchised, aka "powerless"
among us flee the governmental/elections process out of feelings of
frustration and helplessness. It has become a dirty word to be
considered a liberal-thinker in Florida these days.
It is about time for all people who still believe in using whatever
grassroots means are available to us: our hands, our voices, our
talents...to fight the machine that is the current Bush/Republican
conglomerate. They have protected their own in large, taxpayer
financed compounds for far too long.
Best of luck with your website! I will be keeping an eye on
it, surely!! ....MLTM. 8/2/01
(Top)
- Bush has
abandoned ethical and moral common sense
The Jeb Bush administration has abandoned ethical and moral common
sense in order to appease the tobacco industry, and now it brags about
accomplishing a financial coup for the people of Florida.
This is nothing short of high treason against Florida taxpayers. No
amount of income for the state coffers can justify investment in the
tobacco industry.
The people of Florida should soundly condemn this action and Gov.
Bush should stop this woeful affront to our health.
In addition, the Florida Legislature should make it illegal to
smoke in all public places, most importantly in our restaurants.
...THE REV. THOMAS D. MCMULLEN - letter in Tally
Democrat
(Top)
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