Today on Context Florida:
Everybody has a perception about what the image of art should say – or not say. Few have a truly informed opinion, writes Anthony Major. That power is in film, television, newspapers, radio, art, magazines, music, theatre and the new social media network as a means of influencing and shaping attitudes by providing images and opinions. Negative images of African-Americans perpetrated by some of the media caused a lot of the unrest across our nation and around the world.
Every time Sal Nuzzio hears someone discuss Medicaid expansion in Florida, he thinks back to a promise to his parents made at age 11 for a dog, which eventually became disingenuous. No matter how much the federal government aims to make good on its promise to “pick up the tab,” the reality of the immense burden of $18 trillion of debt and countless trillions in unfunded liabilities will smack good intentions in the face.
As a way to remove political cronyism from the Florida court system, Gov. Reubin Askew established the nine-member nominating councils – later renamed commissions – to determine appointments. Since 2001, Martin Dyckman says the Legislature gave Gov. Jeb Bush power to appoint all nine members of each commission. Now Rick Scott has taken it a step further, wanting no dissents on the commissions, nor caring much about diversity on the bench, which resulted in minority appointments dwindling sharply.
As a New Year’s wish, Catherine Durkin Robinson says a more peaceful world begins at home. If a family member’s rudeness is over the line, they will have her undying love and positive thoughts, but not her company. If someone cannot summon up the decency to be kind, do not reward him or her with your presence.
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