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Today on Context Florida: Prayer & terror, embracing Trump, Smart Justice and the Hour of Code

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Today on Context Florida:

Bob Sparks discusses the importance of thoughts and prayers in the wake of the terror attacks Nov. 13 in Paris and Dec. 2 in San Bernardino. It is a sorry state of affairs, he says, when a terrorist attack causes liberals to forget who did the killing. Wayne LaPierre and those praying for the dead are not responsible for it. That belongs to Farook and Malik, and those who support them.

As Donald Trump’s vote share has increased, Dan Gelber points out that the other candidates have now taken to attacking Trump for what he is – calling him “unworthy” and “idiotic.” Many have said, “Trump doesn’t represent who we are!” The problem is, Gelber says, Trump didn’t just tap into anger and frustration. No, he gives voice to that fairly significant swath of Republican voters who fully embrace his wrongheaded views. Like it or not, Republicans, Trump does represent who you are. Or at least what your party has become.

The Florida Smart Justice Alliance is once again hosting a summit to promote Smart Justice concepts, says Barney Bishop. Now in its fifth consecutive year, Justice Summit V will be held at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota Dec. 14-16. Smart Justice isn’t about coddling criminals. Far from it, Bishop notes. It’s about making sure that people who violate the law are held accountable while understanding and confronting behavioral issues.

It’s computer science education week, says Teresa Barber, who anticipates the largest learning event in history through the Hour of Code this week. While writing her column, she estimates 147,908,891 learners have received a cost-free introduction to coding and computer science around the globe and across 40 different languages. Computer science can easily be pointed to as part of the “T” in STEM (an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math). But that’s not quite the full picture, Barber says.

Visit Context Florida to dig in.

Phil Ammann is a St. Petersburg-based journalist and blogger. With more than three decades of writing, editing and management experience, Phil produced material for both print and online, in addition to founding HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government and culture reviews for Patch.com, technical articles and profiles for BetterRVing Magazine and advice columns for a metaphysical website, among others. Phil has served as a contributor and production manager for SaintPetersBlog since 2013. He lives in St. Pete with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul and can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @PhilAmmann.

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