Sarasota police situation normal … all F’d up

Color me surprisingly unsurprised.

This report was posted on the Sarasota Herald Tribune website earlier today:

Sarasota Police investigation finds no wrongdoing

By Todd Ruger

A law enforcement department’s six-week review of the Sarasota Police Department into a mishandled excessive force investigation found nothing wrong. (more…)

No Noble Prize for America’s Top Pundits

A few weeks back, at the height of the Nobel Peace Prize brouhaha, I wrote a short column for a Washington Post (yes, that Washington Post) “America’s Next Great Pundit” contest. I wasn’t selected as one of top ten finalists … think it had anything to do with my slamming one of the Post’s own top columnists? Nah, me either. Just better writers out there! Anyway — here’s the column I submitted to them; know it’s no longer timely, but … take a gander anyway and comment if you like (or don’t like!).
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The Washington Post received nearly 5,000 submissions to America's Next Great Pundit contest.

Less than Noble-Prize Behavior from America’s Top Pundits

If the Norwegians gave an award for miserly-hearted writers – the Nobel Prize for Petty Punditry, perhaps? — they’d have an abundance of Americans from which to choose, awash as we are with self-righteous columnists outraged over the news that their president, Barack Obama, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. (more…)

Cloudy days for Sarasota’s sunshine

Well, I did it … I appeared again on the WEDU/PBS (Channel 3) political television program Florida This Week. Whew! I’m serious — it’s a major deal for me each time. I’ve only been on three times so far and of course, I’m trying to improve in both style and substance … but the girl has a long way to go.

Anyway, I griped about Sarasota government operating in the dark — as I’m wont to do. I think I say “the sun just isn’t shining in Sarasota government,” and um, I might say a little something about the local gov being “dysfunctional” at best. Um, yes, I know … I flunked “how to win friends and influence people” …

Try to ignore how I flubbed my answer on “the keys” — oh, good grief, I stumble around that answer like a fish out of water — key water that is.

Anyway, if you want to catch the show — just click here: MC on Florida This Week October 9. Look for the program that says October 10 (they got the date wrong there) and just hit play. You can fast forward to about 25:00 if you want to just hear me yakking about Sarasota.

Any comments, quips, queries, questions — post a blog comment here.

Big news story in Sarasota this week?

Hey — what do you think the burning issue is in Sarasota City/County this week? Sunshine shenanigans? The gazillion big-name locals who want to serve on the police advisory council? The fact that Abbott still hasn’t been kicked to the curb by Bartolotta (and why is that, do you think?)? Or is it the Martina Navratilova love triangle story (with money playing the third wheel). Or something else?

I’m looking for a “big story this week in Sarasota” hot topic for my Florida This Week television appearance tomorrow and thought my readers might want to weigh in … . So, if you have an idea or just want to give me food for thought — post something here by midnight tonight!

Yup– WEDU/PBS (Channel 3) has invited me back on to the political roundtable television show — Florida This Week. I’ll be taping the show up at the WEDU station tomorrow afternoon and then it airs on Friday night (October 9) at 8:30 p.m., and again on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

The other guests panelists tomorrow night will be Scott Farrell, Host, The Farrell Files; Linda Saul-Sena (D), Tampa City Council; David Hurley (R) State Leadership Chairman, NFIB. And, um, me — cat-lover/cougar-debunker/writer-for-hire!

Bravo, Obama!

Jiminy Cricket. I was moved to tears by Obama’s speech. He nailed it. I’m proud to call him my president. I believe in health care reform. I support it. People close to me — people with families, young children, serious medical problems — are going without insurance because of cost. I’m considering letting my own health insurance go because I simply can’t afford the rising costs. It was affordable five years ago — but no more.

I’m so glad, so grateful, that he is America’s President.

Gulliver reports on Sarasota doctors leading the push against health reform bill

Very interesting column by Health Reporter, David Gulliver on Sarasota Health News —

http://www.sarasotahealthnews.org/articles/2009/08_11_Sarasota_docs_revolt.htm

And then blogs about health care … and makes it personal. Pretty powerful stuff.

http://www.sarasotahealthnews.org/articles/2009/08_14_Editor_Note.htm

Here’s to your health! Chin, chin. Salut! — but you better have healthcare first!

Tim Sukits, staff writer at Creative Loafing, sent some good info on the health care issue …. I’m a strong proponent of health care reform — in a way that insures that all citizens have access to good, regular, and affordable health care, so I thought I’d share Tim’s message with my reality readers as well. Your comments — pro or con — are welcome at this post! (more…)

MC in today’s Creative Loafing newspaper

Hey, my article on Chief Abbott (Cop-out in Copland) appears in print today on page 10 of Creative Loafing newspaper. I’d love to hear any and all comments (pro and con) about my suggestion of firing or requesting the resignation of Chief Abbott — so feel free to post your comments here.

If you want to read the story on this blog, just click here: Cop-out in Copland

Cop-out in copland

In cop-land, cops make a huge deal about “having” someone’s back. “I’ve got your back” means “I’m with you; I’m not going anywhere; you can count on me,” and cops use it everywhere – whether it’s on a sweat-drenched basketball court on their day off or in a busted-up alley chasing down a jacked-up and possibly armed suspect in the middle of the night.

Having the back of a cheater or a buddy who’s robbing a convenience store, um, not so impressive. But having the back of your best friend who’s going through a divorce, or having the back of a fellow cop who’s busting through the front door of a crack house, yeah, that’s giving good back.

Sometimes people do things that make you realize, “Hey, I shouldn’t have this guy’s back.” Like if your coworker is stealing or your husband knocks the crap out of you – those are no-brainers; you don’t stay loyal to people who aren’t loyal to you or the company you work for.

Sometimes, with a Police Chief, for example, you’ve got to have the backs of a lot of people. So many people, in fact, that it must be a tough job sometimes to tell whose back you should be protecting when. But that’s precisely the job of a chief of police – to know how, when, and who to protect for the greater good of all.

Photo from City website.

MC’s bailout blues from way back

In 1991, I wrote a college essay railing against the bail out of the failed savings and loans. Sheesh, I think it’s more apropos than ever and share some excerpts of that essay here, just excuse my college-age ramblings.

MC doing the college thang.