Books about the history of Harlem have long fascinated me -- my favorite being "When Harlem Was in Vogue" by David Levering Lewis.

Despite media speculation that he was being shunted to the sidelines for the sake of the presidential contest, Florida Gov. Rick Scott will take the stage during the Republican National Convention in Tampa, along with a former presidential candidate and two dark horse prospects for vice president.

There are reported instances of retired public employees being paid more than those still working 40 hours per week, and if current trends persist, there will be more.

As he seeks a second term in the Florida House, Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, gets to wait while two Democrats battle in the primary to see who will take him on. But Nancy Argenziano, who served in both chambers of the Legislature and on the Public Service Commission, is also waitingfor the results as she looks to return to Tallahassee as the candidate of the Independent Party of Florida.

This weekend Dan Gelber, former state senator and failed candidate in 2010 for attorney general, wrote to invite Charlie Crist to become aDemocrat. It is very fitting.

WASHINGTON -- Not surprisingly, Barbara Bush said it most succinctly: "The first lady is going to be criticized no matter what she does."

Americans keep behaving in ways that baffle the liberal mainstream media. Two examples figured prominently -- or should have -- in last week's news.