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November 1, 2019 - 6:00am
Politics
Columns
WASHINGTON -- It is easy to understand how everyone in the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case feels.If I were Martin's mother, I'd want his killer's heart on a platter. If I were Zimmerman's mother, I'd be grateful my son escaped greater injury, however he managed. If I were African-American, I would fear for my sons and be furious at a system that condones vigilantism, and then acts as though naming a teen's death a "tragedy" ends the discussion.
There are no winners in the trial of George Zimmerman. The only question is whether the damage that has been done has been transient or irreparable.
WASHINGTON -- When Houston was competing with a Brazilian city to be the site of a Japanese-owned plant, Houston could provide the Japanese with pertinent information about the educational attainments and other qualities of its workforce and the number of Japanese speakers in the area. The plant is in Texas partly because Houston had superior statistics, thanks to an inexpensive federal program currently under attack from some conservatives. They may not know that its pedigree traces to the Constitution's framers.
On Obamacare, as on immigration enforcement and welfare requirements, Barack Obama is following the course that cost King James II his throne. He is dispensing with the law.
If there are any doubts that former Gov. Charlie Crist intends to run for governor in 2014, the announcement this week that he is releasing a book -- "The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat" -- should end them.
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By Kevin Derby
Former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced on Wednesday that she is backing Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., in Congress.
By Kevin Derby
A poll from St. Leo University released on Wednesday finds strong support for legalizing medical marijuana in the Sunshine State. Floridians will vote on a proposed state Constitution amendment in November to legalize medical marijuana. If it garners 60 percent, the proposed amendment will pass.
The poll finds 75 percent of those surveyed favor legalizing medical marijuana with 30 percent of the total surveyed backing across-the-board legalization. Only 19 percent say they think marijuana should remain illegal under all circumstances.
By Kevin Derby
A poll from St. Leo University released on Wednesday shows President Barack Obama sinking in Florida with only 39 percent of likely voters approving of him while 50 percent disapprove of him. Obama carried Florida in both 2008 and 2012.
By Kevin Derby
A poll from St. Leo University released on Wednesday shows former Gov. Charlie Crists lead over Gov. Rick Scott shrinking. Back in December, a St. Leo poll had Crist with 46 percent while Scott took 34 percent. The new poll has Crist with 43 percent while Scott takes 39 percent. Scott does much better when matched against former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. The Republican takes 40 percent while Rich garners 32 percent.
By Kevin Derby
A University of North Florida (UNF) poll released on Wednesday shows Florida backs efforts to give veterans in-state tuition for colleges and universities across the Sunshine State. As part of the Florida GI Bill, giving veterans in-state tuition was a chief legislative priority for both Florida Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
By Kevin Derby
A University of North Florida (UNF) poll released on Wednesday finds half of Floridians support giving undocumented immigrants in-state tuition but the poll also finds the proposal generates passionate opposition.
The survey shows 33 percent strongly support the proposal to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition while 17 percent say they somewhat support it. But 29 percent strongly oppose the idea and 11 percent somewhat oppose it.
The poll of 565 Floridians was taken from March 6-16 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.12 percent.
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A bill to prohibit minors from using tanning beds passed through theSenate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday with a 6-2 vote.
SB 572, sponsored by Sen. Eleanor Sobel,D-Hollywood, would bar minors from using tanning beds at tanning salons. Sobel, whose husband is a dermatologist, pointed to the increased risk of skin cancer as the primary concern behind the legislation.
By Kevin Derby
Gov. Rick Scott plans to take the gloves off on Wednesday at an event in Tampa where he will talk about higher education costs. According to his campaign team, Scott will hit former Gov. Charlie Crist for raising tuition during his term in office. Despite spending most of his political career as a Republican, Crist is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Scott in November.
By Kevin Derby
Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., continued pounding President Barack Obama on Tuesday, labeling him a disaster of a president and promising to continue his political activism despite losing his seat to Democrat Patrick Murphy in 2012.
I've never been afraid to lead from the front when it comes to defending America, West emailed supporters on Tuesday afternoon. Barack Obama is a disaster of a president and his ultra-liberal leadership is destroying our country.
By Kevin Derby
From his perch on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., asked Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert about what the Obama administration plans to do with the Navy budget.
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