The Daily News Editor

My Blog has moved!!!

2007-08-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

Folks,

Some of you may think that I've quit blogging.

Not true!!! But I have moved.

A couple of weeks ago, the Northwest Florida Daily News moved our blogs so that our page views could be counted directly on our Web site.

But...I miss some of you fellow bloggers. Here's a new link to my blog. I hope you'll click on it, and continue to offer your insightful comments. Or, you can reach my blog by going to our homepage, nwfdailynews.com.

Cheers!

click here for my new blog site

A speed limit challenge

2007-07-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Some courageous anonymous person sent the following comment to my blog that speed limits on a few roads in the area are set too low:

"Pat Rice is 100% correct and I fully concur with his suggestion. We should raise speed limits by 10 MPH on a trial basis for one year. The first streets we should do the one year study are the streets where Pat Rice, Charley Morris, the Mayor, the FWB police Chief and all city Commissioners reside. After one year lets get thier feelings on raising the speed limits on thier streets. If they're happy with the new increases then I'll be happy too. I'm sure we'll get positive feedback from our public servants and I personally look forward to this one year study. Let's go for it, what's one year of increased speeds on the roads in front of thier homes for starters. Good idea Pat, way to set the example."

Thank you, courageous anonymous person, for the email. I think you miss my point, but I'm glad so many others got it. My point is that some speed limits on some MAIN roads are too slow. The one I specifically pointed out is Hurlburt Field Road, which was recently expanded to five lanes -- two in each direction with a turn lane in the middle -- but still carries a 25 mph speed limit. That speed limit on that road is ridiculous. By the way, just this morning as I was traveling on Hurlburt Field Road at about 33 mph, an Okaloosa County deputy passed me. I sped up to 40 mph in an effort to keep up with him, but he was still pulling away. The deputy proves my point; it's nearly impossible to stay within the speed limit on that stretch or road.

As for my street -- I live at 1003 Sandra Drive in the Parrish Point subdivision -- it would be fine with me if to raise the speed limit. I don't think it would matter much. The street's only about 100 yards long, with a stop sign on each end.

But really, courageous anonymous person, thanks for writing, and please keep the comments coming. And by the way, "thier" is actually spelled "their."

Ridiculous speed limits!

2007-07-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Time to share some Daily News associate complaints about speed limits we find to be ridiculous for one reason or another.

My current worst speed limit is on the newly expanded stretch of Hurlburt Field Road between Beal Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Taxpayers just spent a few million dollars expanding this stretch into four very smooth lanes with a turn lane in the middle. But for some reason, the speed limit is 25 mph. Which no one obeys. Which, I suppose, is why I see deputies and even state patrol pulling people over on this stretch.

The problem isn't the speeding drivers. It's a speed limit that is way too low!

When I mentioned this in the newsroom this morning, reporter Wendy Victora immediately pointed out the 45 mph stretch of State Road 85 near Okaloosa Regional Airport. The speed limit there was decreased from 55 mph after the road was repaved with asphalt that can't safely handle higher speeds when the pavement is wet. Presto, another speed trap for motorists.

And Entertainment Editor Brenda Shoffner pointed out that a section of Beal that used to be 45 mph, but is now 35 mph. Anyone that drives this stretch knows that it's almost impossible to keep to that speed limit.

I say, let's adjust speed limits so that they're reasonable. Do you agree or disagree? And do you know of other stretches that are unfairly slow, or perhaps need adjusting downward. Share your knowledge.

Best way to die...

2007-07-15T05:59:00.001-07:00

Death -- and how we die here on the Emerald Coast -- was the subject of a fascinating story on the front page of today's (Sunday's) edition of the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Reporter Rachel Kyler pretty much covered all the bases. She even took video of people talking about their fears of death. If you haven't read the story, or seen the videos, I encourage you to do so.

Rachel did miss one angle. That is, what would be the BEST way to go? I mean, if you could choose what killed you, what would it be?

I recently saw a bumper sticker that said: "I want to die in my sleep like Grandpa. Not screaming in terror like the people in the back seat of his car!"

Ok, a bad joke. Still, I think I would prefer to die in my sleep. Quickly and without warning.

How would you like to go, fellow bloggers? Share if you dare.

Is anonymity necessary?

2007-07-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

I enjoy writing this blog, and greatly appreciate readers' comments to it.

And I love The Breeze and our online polls. And I DEFINITELY love Spout Off. And I love the comments many readers place at the end of articles we publish on this Web site.

All of these efforts have greatly increased our interaction with our audience, and they have greatly increased the degree of ownership the audience has of this Web site and the Northwest Florida Daily News.

But here's what bugs me. Why do so many people who leave comments choose to remain anonymous?

I understand that some features, such as Spout Off, publish anonymously, so it hardly makes sense for those who write Spout Offs to give their names. I get that.

But I don't understand why so many people who post comments at the end of stories, or who post comments on my blog, choose to remain anonymous.

Do people really have that much fear that their comments will lead to retribution of some sort? Are many of you simply shy? Or what?

The ones who bother me the most are those who post mean-spirited anonymous comments. To me, those people lose a good amount of credibility. If you're going to take a shot at someone, you should be willing to put your name to it.

What's everybody else think about anonymity?

Let me know. And yes, it's fine with me if you wish to remain anonymous in responding to this request. And no, I don't plan to stop people from posting anonymous comments.

County spinmeisters follo

2007-07-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

I just spoke on the telephone with Cragin Mosteller, a spokesperson for the Florida Association of Counties.

Mosteller said she is also the writer of the 22-page document I posted on a previous blog. The document is essentially a guide for county officials to use to argue against the state Legislature's efforts at property tax reform, which have forced cuts to county and other local government budgets.

The document I received from a source is clearly marked "NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE." But Mosteller said the association never labeled the document as such, and she pointed out that it has been posted on the association of counties Web site for weeks sans the "NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE" label.

"We try to be very transparent," Mosteller told me. "Our position is clear. I'm upset that someone would alter the document. We wrote it in the sunshine."

The source who sent it to me said he received it from the Web site of the Walton County Association of Taxpayers. The document is still posted on that association's Web site, exactly as I received it and posted it myself.

I spoke with Bob Hudson, who handles the association's Web site. Hudson said he received it some weeks ago via email exactly as it is posted from another taxpayers association in another county.

That's as far as I've unraveled the mystery so far. I'll keep digging, and tell you more when I know more.

However it's labeled, the contents of the document are still newsworthy.

County spinmeisters

2007-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

A source has shared with me a document from the Florida Association of Counties. The document, clearly marked "Not for Public Release,"is a blow-by-blow strategy they asked county officials to use to sway the public -- and the media -- against the state Legislature's efforts to lower property taxes and at the same time get local governments to tighten their budgets.

There's nothing wrong with such a document, and I'm not sure why the association wouldn't want it to be made public. I mean, surely they believe that John and Jane Q. Public should know how PR campaigns attempt to shape/manipulate taxpayers' opinions! Don't they?

Anyway, below is a link to the document. Let me know what you think of it.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/blogs/FAC_Playbook_1.pdf

About the Emerald Grande...

2007-07-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

A year or so ago, Peter Bos said people shouldn't judge the Emerald Grande until contruction was complete. He likened it to waiting until a woman has put on her makeup.

Well, contruction is now largely completed. The 13-story twin-tower condo development towers over the east end of the Destin Bridge. It is by far the largest building on the harbor.

So, what do you think of Emeralde Grande? Do you think it's spectacular? Or, do you think it's something other than that?

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Bush commutes Libby...

2007-07-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

So, what do you think of Bush's decision to commute Scooter Libby's sentence so he won't face a couple years in the big house?

In an unprecedented but not surprising maneuver, President Bush on Monday commuted former vice presidential chief of staff Libby's prison sentence for obstruction of justice.

Bush said he respected the jury's finding against Libby, but thought a prison sentence was too harsh. LIbby will still pay a fine and face probation, but he'll avoid a cell with a roommate not of his choosing.

Some people -- including most Democrats and a fair number of Republicans -- immediately suggested that Bush has a bizarre way of showing respect for America's system of justice. Rather, they believe Bush has shown a disregard for the rule of law.

Still, it was a politically shrewd move. The commutation shores up Bush's conservative base. As for the majority already opposed to Bush, well, let 'em stew.

But enough from me. What do you all think about it?

Trimming local government

2007-06-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Not surprisingly, county and city governments are painting worst-case scenarios about the cuts they will need to make as a result of statewide property tax reform.

But in Okaloosa County, the potential cuts do not appear to be that big. Maybe still more should be trimmed.

On Tuesday, Okaloosa County Administrator Jim Curry estimated $5.4 million will need to be trimmed from this year's budget. But that amounts to just 1.8 percent of this year's current $292.3 million budget. In the world of private enterprise -- where budgets are often adjusted to meet performance expectations -- 1.8 percent is nothing.

The county ought to give taxpayers even more of their money back.

You can help cities and counties. Blog your ideas for trimming local government. I'm confident some officials read this blog. They'll see your ideas and perhaps put them to use.

Free the chickens!

2007-06-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

You go, Jim Tucker!

Tucker, a former Fort Walton Beach city councilman, has run a-fowl (sorry, couldn't resist) of city law because he has a few chickens wandering around at his business, The Boat marina.

So, Tucker's planning to ask the city of a change in its land development code, which he hopes will allow the city to grant him an exception to the no-chicken rule.

Everyone should get behind Tucker on this one. The city ordinance is antiquated, unnecessary and an intrusion on Tucker's property rights. It's what happens when the bureaucrats get to make the rules. Yes, we don't want a chicken farm to spring up in downtown Fort Walton Beach. But a few pet chickens pecking around a businessman's lot won't hurt anyone.

The number at City Hall for the mayor and city council is 833-9510.

Attending "Freedom School"

2007-06-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm blogging this week from Tempe, Ariz., where I'm attending a gathering of editors and publishers from Freedom Communications, the parent company of the Northwest Florida Daily News.

The latter part of the week is our annual editors conference. But the first part of the week is "Freedom School." No, it's not indoctrination. Rather, it's a chance for us to discuss and debate the libertarian philosophy that guides the opinions on the editorial pages of our newspapers.

I like libertarianism. We're not Democrats and we're not Republicans. We're not liberals, and we're not conservatives. Instead, Freedom's libertarian philosophy champions:

-- Repect for individual rights.
-- Community service.
-- Lifelong learning.
-- Integrity.
-- Individual responsibility.

If something particularly interesting comes up this week, I'll post it on my blog, get your feedback, and report it back to my fellow editors and publishers. Cheers.

Expand Spout Off?

2007-06-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

Folks, I need your thoughts about one of our most popular features -- Spout Off.

We began Spout Off about 15 months ago, and it has been a great hit with our readers. So great that I'm thinking about expanding it.

Right now, we sometimes receive up to 100 Spout Offs a day. Those Spout Offs are edited down to a dozen or so that we publish in the next day's edition of the Northwest Florida Daily News.

I should mention here that not all of the Spout Offs are publishable. Some of them, frankly, are crude, or bigoted, or inappropriately criticize people. Those kinds of Spout Offs go into the trash.

That stated, many Spout Offs are worth sharing, but aren't published for lack of space.

So here's my question: Would readers be interested in having the Daily News publish any extra Spout Offs online?

Let me know what you think about expanding Spout Off.

And by the way, for those of you who who blogged to me a month or so ago about comics, stay tuned for my column in in the Daily News in a couple of weeks, in which I will let you know whether "Cathy" stays or goes.

Greatest album: Sgt. Pepper

2007-06-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

It was 40 years ago today...

Actually, it was 40 years ago this week that The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band.

I don't always agree with the critics, but in this case I do. Sgt. Pepper is the greatest album of all time. From the opening guitar chord of the album's theme song, to the final explosion of sound at the end of "A Day in the Life," Sgt. Pepper is non-stop brilliance. It also probably influenced pop music more than any album before or since.

Or perhaps you disagree. Perhaps you think another Beatles album is better. Or maybe you think some other band -- or even Elvis -- produced an album better than Sgt. Pepper. If so, tell me what's better than Sgt. Pepper and why.

While I'm wating for you to prove me wrong, I think I'll listen to "With a Little Help from My Friends" for about the millionth time.

Monster pig is hogwash

2007-06-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

This just in from the Associated Press.

The 1,000-plus lb. monster "wild" hog an 11-year-old boy killed a few weeks ago in Alabama was actually a domesticated pig named "Fred" that was released onto a hunting plantation just four days before it was shot. As it turns out, Fred was raised from piglet-hood in a nearby neighbor's pen.

This proves a common journalism rule: When a story sounds too good to be true, it usually isn't true.

I wonder what other "too good to be true" stories have made their way into print -- or more likely these days, onto the internet -- that later turn out to be hogwash. Anybody have a good Northwest Florida urban legend story to tell? You may share it here.

Your thoughts on Iraq

2007-05-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

"So, what do you think about the war in Iraq?"

People frequently ask me that question, or a variation of it. It's not an easy one to answer.

I feel that our pre-war intelligence was terribly flawed. I believe that our efforts during the first months of occupation after the initial fighting were badly planned. I think we misunderstood the depth of hatred between the Shiites and the Sunnis. And I don't see any real effort on the part of the Iraqis to develop a workable democratic government that will stem the violence the al Qaida terrorists and others are bent on creating.

I also feel our soldiers have performed valiently and brilliantly in Iraq. They have gone above and beyond. Based on the stories I've heard from soldiers, I believe most Iraqis want a country that is peaceful and prosperous, and that might occur if the terrorists leave. And I believe that if America pulls out of Iraq, it will be a catastrophe even worse than the current situation.

So those are some of my personal views.

Now, what do you think about the war in Iraq? My goal here is to create civil dialogue about the issue that will likely dominate the 2008 presidential election. It's also an issue critical to the lives of thousands of members of the military and their families on the Emerald Coast.

McGuire's 1, Bureaucrats 0!

2007-05-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

The state bureaucrats backed off Sunday and said it's OK for McGuire's Pub in Destin to put up its creative bathroom signs again.

In a press conference, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation secretary Holly Benson said a compromise had been reached allowing the signs to go back up.

More to the point, the regulators realized they looked like petty tax-wasting bureaucrats, which in this case is what they are. It turns out that the complaint that started this fiasco in the first place is apparently bogus. The person whose name is on the ccomplaint never actually filed it, and doesn't know who did. I wonder how much tax money was spent hassling McGuire's for nothing.

Oh well, the bathroom signs are back, and that's what matters most. I'm going to tip a cold one tonight in McGuire's honor!

McGuire's sign fiasco

2007-05-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today we learned that you apparently can file a fabricated complaint to the state about the bathroom signs at a reputable local restaurant, and a state regulator will then order the business to change the signs or face closure.

The fact that the complaint was fabricated in the first place -- the man whose name appears on it says he never filed it -- doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is the regulator's feelings about the bathroom signs.

This would be laughable if it hadn't actually occurred to McGuire's Pub in Destin.

The state Department of Business and Professional Regulation's action against McGuire's is ludicrous. They're using our tax dollars to harrass a private business about a regulation that shouldn't exist in the first place, based on a complaint the regulators apparently never verified.

Worse, the DBPR's position is based solely on a regulator's interpretation that a bathroom sign isn't as clear as it needs to be. That strikes as a violation of McGuire's First Amendment rights.

Here's the main number for the DBPR: 850-413-0755. Their e-mail address is Call.Center@dbpr.state.fl.us. Call them or write them today and tell them what you think about their bathroom sign regulation.

Let McGuire's be McGuire's!

Fuming about gas prices!

2007-05-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just in time for summer, gasoline prices have jumped to more than $3 a gallon across Northwest Florida. The price is even higher in other parts of the country.

I know the price of gasoline is already impacting my household. It's causing me to drive less, and to use my wife's more fuel-efficient car more often.

No doubt, gasoline costs are affecting you, too. Blog to me, and tell me your answers to the following questions:

Will gasoline prices make you re-think your vacation plans?

Will it keep tourists from visiting the Emerald Coast?

Will it increase the costs for your business?

Is it causing you to spend less money on other things?

Is it causing you to drive less?

Write me what you think. And if you want the The Daily News to use your comments in a story later this week about rising gasoline prices, please leave your name and hometown. Thanks.

Let's debate immigration!

2007-05-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

It appears that an immigration deal has been struck in Washington, D.C. -- the result of an unlikely alliance between President George W. Bush, conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats.

The deal -- which the Senate will debate beginning Monday -- would grant legal status to millions of people who currently are in this country unlawfully. They would be able to obtain a "Z" visa after paying a $5,000 fine and fees, which would put them on track to gain permanent residency in 8-to-13 years. The deal would also increase border security and create a hi-tech employment verification system.

My guess is that lots of people on the Emerald Coast have opinions about this proposal. So, let's share our viewpoints on this blog. I hope people with opinions on all sides of the immigration issue will join in the discussion.

One note: I know this is an emotional issue for many people. That's fine, but please be civil on my blog.

Leave McGuire's Alone!

2007-05-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

It's bad enough that Fort Walton Beach officials are harrassing former city councilman Jim Tucker for a few stray chickens on his property.

Now, today's edition of the Northwest Florida Daily News reports that the state has ordered McGuire's Irish Pub in Destin to remove the creative signs on its bathrooms.

A father complained to the state after a college-age man walked into the women's bathroom while his 15-year-old daughter was in there. The man apparently misread the sign on the door. The father said his daughter was embarrassed and left crying over the incident.

As a result the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has threatened McGuire's with closure for "Lack of signage properly designating bathrooms."

I've personally seen the signs on McGuire's bathroom doors up close, and they are a little confusing the first time you see them. But to order their removal is a ridiculous waste of taxpayers' money. Gimmee a break!

I don't doubt that the father's word that his daughter was embarrassed by the incident. But if the man and his family don't like the bathroom signs at McGuire's, wouldn't a better solution be to simply not go into the pub anymore?

Let's get rid of the state bathroom sign police brigade immediately. Petitions to fight back are on the pub's doors. Let McGuire's be McGuire's!

DeFuniak Springs' true patriotism

2007-05-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

I've always admired small towns, and I especially admire DeFuniak Springs this week as its residents collectively paid respect to Tim Padgett, the homewtown soldier killed last week in Afghanistan.

On Monday, Padgett's body was returned to DeFuniak Springs. Residents lined the street from the airport to show their appreciation of Padgett's ultimate sacrifice. Today, many of them will do the same for Padgett's funeral and burial.

I'm sure the town's response means a great deal to Padgett's family. DeFuniak Springs also is an example for every community in Northwest Florida, large or small. When a soldier dies on our behalf, it's a loss we all should acknowledge.

Hughes drops Republican link

2007-05-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

I spoke at the Okaloosa County Democrats meeting Monday night. More about that in my column this Sunday, May 20.

However, I did pick up an interesting news tidbit that's worth sharing.

Like all county officials, Republican Okaloosa County Tax Collector Chris Hughes has a taxpayer-financed Web site. The Web site is part informational, and part promotion of Chris Hughes. For example, on the main page of the site, in large type, is a link to Hughes' biography.

Until Monday, if viewers clicked to Hughes' biography, they also were offered a link to the Republican National Committee.

Toni Craig, executive director of the Okaloosa County Democrats, found that link to be odd, given that all taxpayers are picking up the tab for Hughes' office and Web site. She mentioned her concern to an attorney who does work for Hughes' office, and the attorney mentioned it to Hughes. On Monday, Hughes removed the Republican link from his biography.

"To be honest with you, I didn't even know it was there," Hughes told me this morning. Asked who put it up, Hughes said he didn't know, but conceded, "It probably was put up by someone in here (the tax collector's office). As soon as I found out I removed it."

And there you have it.

Al Sharpton and Romney

2007-05-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Just lately, more than a couple folks have asked me to comment about the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Sharpton has been in the news even more than usual in recent weeks.

First, he led the charge against Radio/TV personality Don Imus after Imus made his insensitive, sexist and racist comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Imus lost his job over the comments.

More recently, in a debate with an atheist, Sharpton more or less stated that people who believe in God will defeat Massachusetts Republican Gov. Mitt Romney's bid to become president.

Romney has fought back, accusing Sharpton of a bigoted comment. Sharpton in turn has accused Romney of misconstruing his comment in an effort to breath life into his flagging campaign.

Here's exactly what Sharpton said: "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation."

Here's what I think. I think Sharpton is an opportunist who looks for ways to appear morally superior and to incite debate about race issues. He probably costs the Democrats more votes than he gets them.

But I defend Sharpton's comment about Mormons was intentionally bigoted. And I defend his right to stir things up, in the same way that I defend everyone's right to free speech, and in the same way that I defend Romney's right to practice any religion he chooses.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Free Jim Tucker's chickens!

2007-05-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

If anyone ever needs a handy example of unnecessary government intrusion, they should clip and save the story in today's Northwest Florida Daily News about former city councilman Jim Tucker's chickens.

The city's Code Enforcement Board is after Tucker to get rid of three chickens roaming on his property that are apparently in violation of a city code.

"I don't want to be imposed on by government." Tucker told reporter Wendy Victora. "I want government to help me in times of need."

Here's an idea: Why don't we get rid of the Code Enforcement Board? At the least, why don't we get rid of petty city ordinances? Or, let's at least stop wasting taxpayer's money investigating and enforcing this sort of silliness. Tucker's not raising a hundred head of cattle; it's three chickens for cripe's sake!

Tucker's chickens should remain free! Is anyone with me on this?