Tampa Politics Examiner: GOP attacks unwritten plan

The Grand Old Obstructionist Party discusses and objects to specific language in the Democrat's legislation before it is written.

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Tampa Politics Examiner: UK bars entry of an American bigot.

The United Kingdom has barred Michael Savage from entry into that country, giving this bigot and blowhard publicity and validity. He deserves neither,

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Tampa Politics Examiner: Souter's replacement

A false dichotomy: judicial activist or strict constructionist. What we should look forward to. Really.

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Tampa Politics Examiner: Flu welcomed by some critics.

Always looking for a reason to hate and unwilling to admit bigotry, the flu is perfect a choice to blame the new president,

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They hate the Obamas, man and wife; consistent if irrational

Obama gets blame for allowing pirates to attack American ship, gets blamed for not taking action to free the Captain and is blamed when the Navy accomplishes an exceptional rescue at Obama's order. Overwhelming hate by the Right blinds them to reality. Bigotry is also in play.

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Tampa Politics Examiner: An 8 year old will miss the prom

Assault weapons are not for hunting or self defense or anything but slaughtering people and a young child is dead.

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Tampa Politics Examiner: An 8 year old will miss the prom

Assault weapons are not for hunting or self defense or anything but slaughtering people and a young child is dead.

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Drug reform comes of age

The time has arrived for a new approach to drug enforcement and prohibition. The current way hasn't worked.

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Tampa Politics Examiner: Criminal prosecution of torture

There are cogent reasons to criminally prosecute Bush Administratioin officials who authorized and directed torture; there are even more compelling reasons not to do so.

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The delivery of US healthcare

The United States must reform, for once and for all, the delivery of healthcare. The present system is a drain on the economy, will prevent recovery and doesn't work anyway. Before suggesting specific reforms, we have to acknowledge the problems and issues.

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Tampa Bay Politics Examiner: The disdain for the intelligent

The far Right made a conscious choice to ignore and mock intellectuals and those who think, imagine and read. Including their fellow Conservatives. It is now coming home to roost.

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The Vice Presidency; Gov. Palin does not measure up.

The duties and responsibilities of the US Vice President are set by the Constitution, statutes and custom. Under any criteria, Governor Palin does not measure up. And John McCain's own judgment is now in question.

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Really great kids

I’m allowed to brag about grandchildren.

I have, in the past, written about four of my grandchildren, Josh, Stephanie, Jake and Aidan. These are all individuals in their own rights and all are very unusual, each smarter than the next older sibling and, Josh, after graduating high school in Sarasota, Florida, is adapting well at the University of Florida. Joshua gave us a great compliment last week; he drove to our home just to visit! He also bowled a perfect “300” on our Wii game, but that’s another story.

Another pair of grandchildren, Adam and Aaron, lives nearby. I haven’t really bragged about those young men, although each us certainly due the spotlight.

Adam will be 17 in a few months and a junior at a Brandon, Florida, senior high school. His school, Bloomingdale, has a reputation of having a terrific marching band, lovely and athletic cheerleaders and a football team that doesn’t win very often. (This year seems to the exception that proves the Rule.) Adam is a part of that band but so much more; he plans on a music career and when he plays his clarinet, it makes one smile or weep or be happy, all depending on the tones he elicits from the instrument. Adam has been invited to play with orchestras throughout the area and my one complaint is that he prefers Mozart to Artie Shaw.

The younger sibling, Aaron, will be 13 in January and studying for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Aaron is also a musician, albeit of the percussion persuasion! Several years ago, Aaron’s parents bought him a set of drums which allowed him to make a whole lot of noise. (Aaron is a mighty fine athlete, too. His early soccer games consisted of many little people kicking a ball in all directions, falling down and having the game stopped so that a player could receive a parental hug. He now is a treat to watch on the field, determined, focused and graceful.)
In any event, years ago, Aaron banged on his drums, creating a racket that could be heard throughout the neighborhood. About a month ago, I listened to the music coming from the drums, and it was tonal and musical. In addition to the drums, as a “percussionist”, Aaron is becoming extremely proficient on the xylophone.

Most important, they are great kids, we love them dearly and they make it a pleasure to be a grandparent.

An informal survey of presidential debate opinions

Following the first presidential debate, a survey and discussion group resulted in a number of opinions as to who "won", who "lost" and "who cares/"

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Chutzpah and the McCain-Palin campaign

The McCain-Palin campaign is based on the presumption that everyone will have forgotten that President Bush is Republican and that McCain is also.

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Tampa Bay Politics Examiner: President Bush, we need help

My wife and her friend started a new business -- which promptly failed. We are even more worthy than Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch; we were equally inept. We need federal help and promise not to go into business again.

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Our Anniversary Cruise � Part II

My wife and I celebrated our 50th anniversary with 16 family members on a Carnival cruise from Tampa. The best part of the occasion was the way that all of the cousins bonded and made us feel young. That and having beer in foreign locales.

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Paying the bill for Iraq

We were assured by our government that Iraqi oil would pay for the war and the rebuilding of that country. Instead, the US is paying the tab while Iraq puts its surplus in the bank and "loans" us the money. We pay for the re-building and pay Iraq interest, too.

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Our Anniversary Cruise � The Beginning

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, we took our 4 children and 3 spouses and 9 grandchildren on a Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean. For 8 days we bonded as a family; this is the start of the journey joining fun, learning and family love.

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Bush's Secret Iraq Deal

The president appears to be forging head on a multi-year security agreement with the Iraqi government.

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