Editorials
Cold reminds us of what's great about state
TBO.com
Published: January 4, 2012
Look on the bright side as you step outside this morning to chilling temperatures that make your teeth chatter. We don't get many of these days around these parts and it quickly reminds us just how sweet our weather normally is this time of year.Published: January 4, 2012
Our first winter blast has been around a few dozen hours and many folks already can hardly take it. It's true that when you live down here long enough, our bodies can't adapt to the cold like we did up north.
Is it because we buy clothes better suited for Florida's warm and sweltering heat and not chilly weather? Or is there an actual chemical change in our bodies.
People here like to say our blood thins living down here. While we don't necessarily believe that, there is no doubt that cold weather hits us hard.
When northerners first move here the summer seems unbearable. It's like breathing through a hot, wet towel for about five months.
After spending a few years here, though, we somehow come to accept the hot weather a little better. We may as well, there's nothing we can do about it.
The good news for our fair-weather friends is that this isn't supposed to last long. We'll be back in the high 70s in no time flat. For those of us who don't appreciate these cold snaps, that's great. For the folks who love a cold blast this time of year, well, enjoy.
Our political process just kicked into high gear
The Iowa caucuses are in the book, now, and not much really was learned. Iowa and New Hampshire are probably the last two states in the country where the true pulse of the nation can be felt. But it's our tradition to start there and the candidates have poured a lot of effort into winning.
This is the official start of what, no doubt, will be a long, painful election process. Through the beginning of next November we're going to hear all kinds of baseless baloney sold as fact, blame being pointed every which way and special interests paying huge sums of money to lie to us about who should be our next president. Somehow we always manage through the process, but it doesn't mean we have to like it. It's shocking how much money is poured into campaigns to get someone elected. The only reason so much money is raised is because so many people think they will gain something out of a particular candidate. That's not necessarily a bad thing as long as the reason is betterment of our nation as a whole, rather than for greedy purposes.
We hope through it all that voters can find some clarity on the best candidate for the highest office in the land. We've made mistakes before and certainly will again. Let's hope we make the right choice this November. A lot's riding on it.