Big Decisions In Clearwater - In 2007 Clearwater leaders must try to persuade voters to support a downtown Clearwater marina (boat slips.) This downtown Clearwater public referendum issue will require voter support from Countryside and places like Morningside in greater Clearwater in order to pass.
Do the folks in Countryside and Morningside care about spending city funds to build boat slips in downtown Clearwater?
The way I see it, the addition of downtown boat slips is a better development idea than some other city development ideas (Clearwater Beach roundabout, etc.)
In March, Clearwater voters will decide on this important downtown Clearwater issue. On the other hand, there are other important Clearwater issues that would require a city referendum.
Clearwater City Marina redevelopment project could become another city referendum issue. Would Clearwater voters support a private developer taking control of some city marina property that is currently taxpayer owned? A so-called public/private development project? Folks who know the city marina area realize that the city marina needs to be redeveloped. The question is whether the city should do the redevelopment or shop it out to a private developer. Money is the driving issue.
Have there been discussions about the city marina with private developers? Let's just say people are interested in the city marina property. Who wouldn't? I imagine many of us could guess a few names of likely interested local developers.
How About Those Gators! - They really are #1.
Senator Obama And The Presidency - Funny thing about politics, opponents tend to encourage the media to highlight any bad decisions made by public figures (politicians.)
We often ask why some people avoid politics. The answer is simple: They don't want the ever-waiting media to pry into their past and print some things that had been dead and buried. Of course, any sordid news can be discretely sent to ambitious media types for publication. The Gazette has gotten that stuff by so-called "tipsters" regarding local political candidates. This is one reason why you do not see some of our local people run for political office - most people have stuff they would rather keep quiet.
Back to Senator Obama.
He once said he was a "pothead" and abused many drugs. He regrets those days.
In fact, he said he had issues about his race (he is of a mixed marriage.)
Yet, the popular Chicago politician is perhaps the frontrunner for the Democrat Party in 2008. Yes, he is more popular than Hillary Clinton or John Edwards . . . and he inhaled!
Will Obama's past cause him to quit a presidential candidacy?
He was honest about making some bad decisions and has moved on to become a U.S. Senator. However, Obama has admitted making mistakes that will likely be used against him by his opponents within the Democrat Party. Obama's own party will ignore him when he is attacked.
Of course, the same liberal media attacked George W. Bush as a "fiery" young man who might have skipped some National Guard duty. Was that big news? Of course, not, but he was attacked simply due to politics.
All of this stinks and that is why many good people avoid running for political office. Some of America's best business minds could never serve in elected office just to avoid personal attacks due to a few bad decisions.
Romney Garners Prominent Florida Supporters - Mel Sembler, former Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, former state GOP Chairman A. Cardenas and former House Speaker Allen Bense are just a few of the prominent Republicans to jump on the band wagon of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's bid for the 2008 presidential bid.
Biggest Cash Crop - It's a sad day for sure when government data shows that marijuana has become the largest cash crop in the U.S. The pot crop accounts for more than wheat and corn combined. California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii and Washington are largest producing states.
CNN Gets It Wrong - No surprise to some people who had been incorrectly identified by CNN reports, Senator Barack Obama's name was incorrectly reported by CNN. CNN referred to Usama bin Laden as "Obama" bin Laden. Big difference, as Obama's family would know.
How could production editors at CNN be so careless? "We apologize to Sen. Obama," stated CNN.
Perhaps that is why more people have been watching FOX NEWS.
So Help Me, Allah, The first Muslim U.S. Congressman took his oath of office last week in Washington.
As he swore to uphold the laws of America, he had his hand on the Koran (and not the traditional Bible.)
Yes, America broke new ground with the swearing-in of new elected officials in Congress. The first Muslim in the U.S. Congress was sworn-in and used the Koran.
This fact came as a surprise to many people. Most people had thought that there was already a Muslim in Congress. America represents diversity and freedom. This is just another example of why America is the best form of government in all of history..
So help me God, Allah, Yahweh . . . and the Great Spirit of native Americans.
Fools Say They Will Reform Tomorrow - the wise did so yesterday.