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February 13, 2002
Editorials
A rich mayoral field in Tampa
Dennis Alvarez's withdrawal from next year's Tampa mayoral race removes what promised to be a campaign sideshow. As the chief judge during Hillsborough's courthouse scandals, Alvarez would have been a target of nonstop negative ads. His presence would have hurt other Latins in the race and distracted voters from the serious issues facing the city.
Silencing opposition to developers
As though the rules weren't already stacked in favor of developers, some Florida legislators want to make it even more difficult for residents to oppose projects that could harm the environment. Two bills filed in the state Senate and two in the House would put limits on those who can speak against a construction project based on environmental concerns and scare others away with the threat of heavy financial penalties.
Citrus canker threat
Now that the harsh measures to eradicate citrus canker have scientific support, lawmakers should put them in writing to allay the emotional response of citrus tree owners.
Letters
Judicial system unfairly limits jury's powers
Re: Jury as decisionmaker, Feb. 7.
Bill Maxwell
The blacker-than-thou paradox divides
When I entered college in 1963, the term "black power" was becoming popular on campuses with black students.
Perspective
Taking jobs, alienating customers
For weeks Americans have been told that the outsourcing of high-tech jobs is good for our economy. So said Greg Mankiw, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers in a recent report signed by President Bush. So, too, writes Thomas Friedman of the New York Times in articles praising the rise of call centers in India used for everything from making airline reservations and reading medical X-ray films to providing tech support for American computer firms.
Philip Gailey: Democrats fall off campaign finance reform wagon
Well, what do you know. Soft money is back, and it's making hypocrites of all those Democrats who fervently championed the McCain-Feingold campaign reform law, not to mention those Republicans who objected to the law's restrictions on issue advocacy.
Bill Maxwell: Who is for the farm worker?
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is touting legislation to improve the lives of Florida's 300,000-plus farm workers, who endure institutional and systemic injustices each day in our fields and groves and their personal lives.
Robyn E. Blumner: For some defendants, an American gulag
In Bernard Malamud's masterpiece The Fixer, inmate Yakov Bok was subjected to psychological torture in a Soviet gulag through the humiliations of constant shackling and repeated strip searches.
© Copyright 2001 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.
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