Monthly Archives: July 2013
Did Florida Democrats pass on challenging “Stand Your Ground” last year thanks to Rod Smith?
Both Florida and national Democrats have been aggressive this week in making “Stand Your Ground” an issue forcing Governor Scott into a position where he has had to address protests and reaffirm his support for an indefensible law. Consider when “Stand Your Ground” passed the Florida Legislature it was pushed actively by the NRA , […]
Zest of the Day: Politico, Marco Rubio Stumbles
Cover story in today’s Politico written by two of the most experienced political writers inside the beltway.
The Voting Rights Act in Florida 1982-2006 and language minorities
In 2006 before the Congressional re-authorization of the Voting Rights Act (which US Chief Justice John Roberts thinks is unnecessary) Civil Rights.org produced a report regarding Florida and the Voting Rights Act’s implementation since the 1982 redistricting process. An interesting observation was found here regarding language minorities: A recent and ongoing history of discrimination against […]
Zest of the Day: Deal could lead to Miami-Orlando train, extended Osceola toll road
From the Orlando Sentinel.
George Wallace and Florida Democrats: Race Based Politics from 1968 to 1976
Wallace on the eve of the 1972 Florida Democratic Presidential Primary; Race and Rage were his calling cards and he won the primary by 23 points. Florida has a sad history of racism in its politics. In 1968, Alabama’s Democratic former Governor George Wallace who had become a national figure with his “stand in the […]
Zest of the Day: With dramatic rise of part-time jobs, an imperiled middle class
From Robert Trigaux in the Tampa Bay Times.
A History of Race and Florida Politics
Over the next week, the Florida Squeeze will be publishing a series of articles looking at the history of African-Americans in Florida politics in the wake of the Trayvon Martin verdict. The series will not be in chronological order and will discuss different events and eras in Florida Political History regarding race. Look for the […]
Throwback Tuesday: History of the Florida Turnpike System in Central Florida (Part II)
When the Turnpike was originally proposed the road was supposed to travel thirty five miles east of Orlando. Thomas B. Manual, a Broward County Commissioner and chair of the Turnpike Commission sought to link southeast Florida with the First Coast. Ferris Bryant, an influential legislator from Ocala, pushed Governor LeRoy Collins. Bryant, using his considerable […]
Zest of the Day – Zimmerman Verdict: A Green Light for Racist Vigilantes
Worth a read, from Reader Supported News.
On Trayvon Martin, Guns and Race in America
The Trayvon Martin verdict was a tragedy for the young boys family and African-Americans throughout the nation. I see rhetoric on both sides of the debate that worry me, from the right and even from my political soul-mates on the left. George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin, but lest we forget he is a single person […]
The Florida Squeeze 