Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

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Diane Roberts - page 3

Diane Roberts has 33 articles published.

Diane Roberts teaches at Florida State University. Her latest book, “Tribal: College Football and the Secret Heart of America,” will be out in paperback in the fall.

Diane Roberts: Moving Andrew Jackson to the back of the bill was a no-brainer

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

That Barack Obama. He’s at it again, dividing the country, fostering racial strife. What is it this time, you ask? Why, only the most sacred of things, our best beloved, our central obsession — money. The double sawbuck, to be precise, the one currently sporting Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States. Obama’s Treasury Secretary is sending him to the back of the $20 bill, while ex-slave Harriet Tubman gets to go on the front. Planet Fox (that lightless…

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Diane Roberts: Yale tells Rick Scott it’s not ready to swap ivy for kudzu

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

It’s springtime! and idiocy is in full Florida bloom. The state Supreme Court just ruled that a disingenuous and dissembling solar energy initiative is good to go on this November’s ballot. The proposed amendment, “masquerading as pro-solar” (in the words of dissenting justice Barbara Pariente), is sponsored by utility companies. Yes, utility companies, those nice people who charge the taxpayers for power plants they may not even build, those great environmentalists who want solar about as much as you want…

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Diane Roberts: Legislators celebrated Valentine’s Day by working to limit women’s options

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Sunday was Valentine’s Day. And what did those sweethearts in the Legislature give to the ladies of Florida? A swift kick in the ovaries. Rep. Charles Van Zant’s HB 865 would shut down all abortion clinics, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and make abortion a felony. Zygotes are citizens, too. Normally (if that word can be used with regard to Florida government), his pet project would languish unheard and unloved. But this is an election…

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Diane Roberts: ‘Morning (hangover) in Iowa’ with Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio

in 2017/Top Headlines by

It was a bad hair day for Donald Trump. The whitest people in America voted for a Canadian anchor baby instead of him. Incredible. Flanked by what appeared to be a militia of blond Kardashians, Trump was almost gracious in concession Monday night, saying he was “honored,” even congratulating the winner. Of course, it didn’t last. By Tuesday morning, the medication had worn off. Trump tweeted: “The media has not covered my long-shot great finish in Iowa fairly. Brought in…

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Diane Roberts: Legislature following El Salvador’s lead on abortion

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – The Legislature’s Banana Republicans will not rest until Florida starts to be like El Salvador, minus the delicious pupusas. Abortion is illegal in El Salvador — no exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. Anyone who has an abortion, anyone who performs an abortion, can be jailed for murder. Uber-Baptist Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Misogyny Heights, figures El Salvador’s got it about right. His HB 865 aims to re-criminalize a procedure that has helped…

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Diane Roberts: Hey, football fans! How’s Donald Trump gonna do?

in 2017/Top Headlines by

Greeting sportsfans, I’m Brent Toast of ESPN, along with former Heisman winner Johnny Twitt. Welcome to the most important event of 2016, the college football national championship! Who will prevail? Will it be the Clemson University Tigers, led by evangelical whackjob Dabo Swinney, or the Crimson Tide of Alabama, coached by gazillionaire and part-time Bond villain Nick Saban? But first, let’s look at the second-most important event of 2016, the race for the White House. Who’s playing with his hand…

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Diane Roberts: Charm and grace again flow downhill from Capitol

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Another Special Session! Why, it’s just like Christmas – minus the joy. Minus the presents, too. While the members of the Florida Legislature rake in lobbyist largesse during committee weeks and every other hour that God sends, trawling for dollars during a Session is verboten. This makes them surly. Surlier. They aren’t exactly enjoying being forced to revisit redistricting for about the 400th time since the spring. No one expects the Special Session, which is supposed to…

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