Opinion - OrlandoSentinel.com

Private space industry can't get to Mars without NASA

By Charles D. Walker, Guest columnist — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

While the Mars rover Curiosity is discovering the building blocks of life on the Red Planet, many are equally excited about another development: Commercial companies have finally discovered profit in space.

My Word: A time to speak and a time to be silent

By Bryan Fulwider — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

As I watched the early TV reports about Monday's devastating tornado in Moore, Okla., I responded in two ways — in rapid succession.

Front & Center: Ethanol critic: End state mandate

sage — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Florida legislators passed a bill this year to repeal the state law that requires most gasoline sold in the state to include 10 percent ethanol. The bill, awaiting action from Gov. Rick Scott, would be largely symbolic, because federal law still requires that gasoline be mixed with ethanol or other biofuels.

Letters to the editor: Oklahoma tornado, public school chiefs, and assault rifles

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Once again, teachers protected their students. It happened at Sandy Hook Elementary in December, and it happened in Monroe, Okla., this week.

Parking is key to downtown Orlando's future

Scott Maxwell — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:23:03 GMT

When my son and I have a guys' night out, we like to watch things blow up.

Our Take: Damaging detour

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Damaging detour

What we think: Rein in pay and perks for Florida college presidents

shrimp — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start with a six-figure base salary for state college presidents. Add five figures for their retirement, another five for deferred compensation and another five for housing.

Letters to the editor: Bars, term limits, and obesity

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Orlando Sentinel has published several articles and editorials regarding the proposal to increase both the volume and the hours for Orlando's downtown bars.

My Word: Bad choices can change lives forever

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In April 2007, Amanda left a prom after-party with a friend who had been drinking.

Winter Park right to be snobby about counter service

Beth Kassab — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:13:00 GMT

Winter Park didn't become Winter Park by putting up with bourgeois counter service.

It's news, not espionage

Eugene Robinson — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:44:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has no business rummaging through journalists' phone records, perusing their emails and tracking their movements in an attempt to keep them from gathering news. This heavy-handed business isn't chilling, it's just plain cold.

My Word: Deseret Ranches supports rail, big picture

By Erik Jacobsen — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

For more than 60 years, Deseret Ranches of Florida has been a dedicated steward of the land and an important part of Florida's agricultural industry. As long-time landowners in Central Florida, we care deeply about protecting the region's rich agricultural history and extraordinary natural beauty.

Letters to the editor: Rubio, firetrucks, and guns

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Wednesday letter-writer Rick Gonzalez should be advised that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is for whatever he thinks will advance his political hopes.

Wayne Brady takes on Bill Maher's definition of blackness

Darryl E. Owens — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:10:00 GMT

Comedy — as Steve Martin once observed — is not pretty. Nor are racial stereotypes.

What we think: Central Florida needs to break the obesity cycle

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Not so long ago, about one in every 10 adult Floridians was obese.

Letters to the editor: compassionate cruise line, student debt, and Kiera Wilmot

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

At a time when so many cruise lines are being villified — some deservedly — I would like to voice my experience with the Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines.

Zero-tolerance policies are needlessly criminalizing kids

By Adora Obi Nweze, Guest columnists — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

When Kiera Wilmot curiously mixed toilet-bowl cleaner with aluminum foil near her school gazebo last month, she did not imagine the experiment would end in adult felony charges.

My Word: A to-do list for WMFE's new manager

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to LaFontaine Oliver, hired by the WMFE board to become the public-radio station's third general manager. His arrival offers a new beginning for the station.

Readers take on guns, taxes, 'sex camp' and more

Scott Maxwell — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:14:00 GMT

Time to let you guys sound off about taxes, guns, my weekend at sex camp and more.

Letters to the editor: Drunken driving, Ramirez, and conspiracy theories

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board proposed lowering the legal limit for a driver's blood alcohol from .08 percent to .05 percent. This is about two beers in an hour for a 155-pound woman.

New Voices: Parents' job: Helping their kids learn to love learning

Alex Carames Special to the Sentinel — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

As students around the nation this month walk across the stage in their caps and gowns, receive their diplomas, and flash a bright smile to the cameras, most parents can't help but beam with pride at the accomplishments of their child. Graduation is a meaningful day for both students and their parents, who of course feel that they deserve some credit for helping their son or daughter get to where they are.

What we think: Florida pays price for Scott's anti-tax zealotry

sage — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In recent years, state and local governments in Florida have lost billions of dollars in unpaid sales taxes — dollars that might have been invested in priorities like schools, health care and public safety, or allowed other taxes to be reduced.

5/18

30-Word Rant — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

President Obama says the Syrian regime is more interested in holding on to power than in the welfare of its people. Funny, I think the same thing about Obama and the Democrats.

Champ & Chump: Corrine Brown & Eric Holder

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Corrine Brown: The lack of curiosity about why sheriff's deputies fired 137 shots — inside an occupied apartment complex — to stop an unarmed car-theft suspect has been remarkable. Fortunately, U.S. Rep. Brown, reacting to a damning federal court order in a related civil case, isn't satisfied. Brown is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene, something the DOJ has done numerous times when cops kill under questionable circumstances. Plenty of observers think Breedlove is an unsympathetic character who deserved to die — end of story. We think the final chapter hasn't been written.

Even Belvin Perry can't escape pull of Casey Anthony case

Beth Kassab — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:57:00 GMT

Judge Belvin Perry is in a rare class of jurists.