One of the most common complaints about universal health care is that it will turn doctors’ offices into overcrowded, beaurecratic nightmares resembling the DMV. These snide dismissals might be a bit overdramatic, but they aren’t totally out of touch as the number of primary care physicians continues to dwindle. But…
Our corporate cousins out in Lala-land ran their review of Outrage, a new documentary that explores the culture of closeted homosexual politicians and gives special attention to our own Governor Charlie Crist, and made it their cover story this week. Gee, one of the cover boys certainly looks familiar. I…
The Buzz reports that Larry Cretul, the Republican speaker of the state house, will apparently now be humming the Beatles’ “Come Together” all day. He found it on the Internet radio app Pandora. “It’s a Beatles song and it’s called ‘Come Together.’ If you hear me humming it from the podium…
Lt. Gov. Steve Kottkamp has made such a joke out of his job that some people are seriously wondering if we really need a lieutenant governor. Even though he “works” in Tallahassee, he lives in Fort Myers — and billed taxpayers for his transportation between the two places. He ended…
The Republican Party is doing such a good job painting itself as a party slowly collapsing in on itself that Democrats really don’t have to do anything but highlight that fact once in a while. The Republicans are clearly not here to make friends like so many reality show contestants before them,…
So, former Speaker of the House Marco Rubio has decided to officially enter the Senate race, whether or not Charlie Crist runs. He announced his candidacy on YouTube (how charmingly 2005), and if it wasn’t already clear, he’s painting himself as the conservative underdog. He talks about how “famous”…
Here’s a prediction by national Republican political operative Roger Stone via PoHo via the St. Pete Times’ Adam Smith’s Twitter: Roger Stone predicts; Mel Martinez resigns soon; Crist appoints caretaker – Jim Smith – and announces his candidacy for Sen.A prediction by one guy posted on another guy’s Twitter picked up from…
Let’s have a big ol’ laugh at a congressman saying “naughty” words on the House floor. That’s what NBCMiami.com and the Sun-Sentinel did. Hahaha… ha. NBC even called it “worthy of late-night talk show television.”In Fort Lauderale Rep. Alcee Hastings’ comments, he listed a number of words such as “asphyxiphilia,” “zoophilia,” and “toucherism.”…
David Souter was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George Bush Sr in 1990. NOW and the NAACP protested this choice. Making these interest groups that are oft at odds with the Republican party come together was just about the only good thing Souter did for Conservatives. Then a…
Yesterday, the state Senate unanimously voted to make bestiality an official crime in Florida. So, off to the house the bill went, where the Buzz is reporting that it might not make its way out of committee. It’s not that, publicly anyway, anyone opposes making bestiality a crime. It’s just…
Riptide doesn’t take to kindly to someone piggy backing on an important issue by issuing a press release to pimp your wares. In this case the wares in question are the political skills of Republican senate candidate Dr. Marion Thorpe. Thorpe is a real MD and previously served as the…
I kind of hate when I touch on some point in a throw away joke in a blog entry, and then a little bit later someone with the gift of time, experience and editors makes the same point in a really intriguing, well thought out way. Yesterday, while commenting on…
After a string of embarrassing setbacks in his life, Jeb “Elwood” Bush reconnected with his old friend John “Jack” McCain and is set to undertake “a mission from God” to save their childhood home, the GOP, from foreclosure by getting the old band back together. Never mind that Jeb and…
The Democrats are ready to paint Charlie Crist as a political escape artist, even before he officially announces whether he will run for Senate. This ad will begin running in the state capital tomorrow. “The DSCC obviously knows they’re in trouble in Florida, because this reeks of desperation. Too bad…
The state has important issues to deal with. Yet the legislature is spending lots of time grappling with the pressing problem of license plate aesthetics and appropriateness. Jesus plate-gate will apparently soon come to an end, though. Sen. Gary Siplin (D-Orlando) has basically said the plate featuring Christ on a…
Woah, Washington DC! Big news! Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching parties to the Democrats. Once Minnesota gets it together, and they seat Al Franken the Democrats will have their 60 seat super majority, and the Republican party will officially be irrelevant on the national stage. Well, as irrelevant…
Jesus Christ on a cross. That was the image Sen. Gary Siplin (D-Orlando) wanted to see on a proposed license plate. Needless to say, it caused a bit of controversy, so now he’s rethinking the image and might replace it with a pic representing the Holy Trinity. But what about…
Here’s is my personal take on officially lead prayer in public areas like legislative chambers, schools, and other government functions: If I had it my way, it wouldn’t happen. Now, a bit of personal prayer is fine. Back in my school days I prayed to Jesus before many a test,…
Think of America’s foreign relations as an AOL Instant Messenger buddy list. We’ve got roughly 190 buddies, dived up into “BFF,” “Frenemies,” “Casual Acquaintances,” etc. But for about 50 years, the screen name “Fidel4Lyfe” (AKA Cuba) has been blocked. Well, the New York Times reports today that the Obama administration is…
Wednesday will mark the culmination of President Obama’s first 100 days in office, and he’s done a lot: passed a massive stimulus package, ordered the closure of Gitmo, made a momentous change in travel policy to Cuba, had some pirates shot, and got a dog named Bo. Though, one area…
Republican state Rep. Rachel Burgin recently proposed an amendment that took aim at quote-unquote massage parlors in a recent bill dealing with business regulations. The first part of the bill details regulations on advertising these businesses (which would have some implications for New Times and our fellow alt-weeklies). The first provision would require all…
New Times goes to the movies! Between rumors that Michael Bay might be producing a film based on a Miami New Times story, and Outrage, both of your fine, fine South Florida New Times papers are serious movie stars this week. Our Broward/Palm Beach columnist Bob Norman confirmed today what we…
