Category Archives: Florida

What he said:

South of the Suwannee:
Say what you will about the Florida Democratic Party, but you can’t argue with the logo it is using for its annual party conference.

Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which lets people use guns or other deadly force to defend themselves in public places without first trying to escape, is now in force, and anti-gun campaigners are gearing up to warn tourists about it.

“Dangerous” says the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Pathetic,” responds Gov. Jeb Bush to the mock scare campaign that is really designed to protest the law.

Full text of statute.
New York Times: Tourists to Florida Get a Warning as Greeting.

Jeb Bush has called for an “investigation” into something unknowable in an attempt to rehabilitate his ultra-right-wing credentials. It can only mean he hopes to be the vice-presidential nominee in the next election. (I believe him and his father when they say he won't be the presidential candidate…this time.)

Schiavo's 1990 Injury to Be Investigated in Fla.:

Gov. Jeb Bush (R) said Friday that a prosecutor has agreed to investigate why Terri Schiavo collapsed 15 years ago, citing an alleged time gap between when her husband found her and when he called 911.

In a letter faxed to Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney Bernie McCabe, the governor said Schiavo testified in a 1992 medical malpractice trial that he found his wife collapsed at 5 a.m. on Feb. 25, 1990, and he said in a 2003 television interview that he found her about 4:30 a.m. He called 911 at 5:40 a.m.

“Between 40 and 70 minutes elapsed before the call was made, and I am aware of no explanation for the delay,” Bush wrote. “In light of this new information, I urge you to take a fresh look at this case without any preconceptions as to the outcome.”

On Wednesday, Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, has said his client did not wait to call for help and has conceded that he confuses dates and times. Felos has said that if Michael Schiavo had not called 911 immediately, Terri Schiavo would have died that day. “There is no hour gap or other gap to the point Michael heard Terri fall and called 911,” Felos said. He called this a “baseless claim to perpetuate a controversy that in fact doesn't exist.”

It's highly [likely] that this craven act will produce a result the base will be able to brag is “inconclusive” since there is no relevant evidence to be found now. The major effects will be to further torment Michael Schiavo — HASN'T HE SUFFERED ENOUGH? — and throw a sop to the red-meat crowd.

Experts agree: Jeb Bush is a ghoul.

Excellent roundup of the coverage by Mark Lane at FLablog.

Can the GOP find a would-be Senate candidate who would be even worse if elected than the hapless Sen. Martinez? Oh yes it can: Harris to challenge Nelson for Senate seat.