Random thoughts on the passing scene: The reason so many people misunderstand so many issues is not that these issues are so complex, but that people do not want a factual or analytical explanation that leaves them emotionally unsatisfied. They want villains to hate and heroes to cheer - and they don't want explanations that do not give them that. ...more

September 2, 2008

Trim Notice Nightmare Having received my shell game/smoke and mirrors notice, known by some as the Trim Notice, I assume that I am as disgusted and enraged as many property owners in Florida. Allowing for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption and the whopping less than 5 percent loss in value according to the appraiser's office (another travesty), it's actually possible that my property taxes may drop by less than $10. ...more

August 23, 2008

NASA's ability to send its astronauts to the $100 billion International Space Station is in danger of becoming a costly casualty of the Russia-Georgia war. ...more

August 15, 2008

On blistering days in Los Angeles, drive northwest on the 110, exit at Highland Park and pull into a roadside grocery called Galco's. Then walk in and say, "I'm thirsty. Can you point me to the soda-pop aisle?" ...more

August 10, 2008

The local Democrats and Republicans ready their new headquarters. ...more

August 8, 2008

The two poles of Hernando County's political universe have shifted in recent months. ...more

August 8, 2008

When state-mandated property-tax cuts forced Pasco County to cut spending by $16 million last summer, Sheriff Bob White came in asking for a budget increase of $11 million. ...more

August 8, 2008

Your editorial last week supporting the Florida's congressional delegation's concerns with Governor Crist regarding the land purchase with U.S. Sugar was inappropriate and possibly harmful to the effort to restore the Everglades. ...more

August 6, 2008

Random thoughts on the passing scene: Government bailouts are like potato chips: You can't stop with just one. ...more

August 5, 2008

Congressional leaders and regulators have to be feeling a little like the superhero Batman, as depicted in the stunning blockbuster "The Dark Knight." ...more

August 5, 2008