The number of hate crimes in Florida dropped slightly in 2008. ...more

October 22, 2009

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Inc. will hold a recruitment event from 2 - 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at 442 Eucalyptus St. in Sebring. ...more

August 14, 2009

Congratulations on the Fact Check article by Matt Apuzzo in the July 11 edition of your paper. It is refreshing to see an article that presents the facts of both sides of a story. All too often the articles, editorials and letters are tirades about the writer's personal opinions, not backed by anything except possibly his religion, the internet "they said" or simply "since I say it is so, it is." Unfortunately, writing a "fact" article requires a lot of research and an open mind, which is a rare quality. ...more

July 15, 2009

In regards to Deron Mikal's recent letter in which he praises the ACLU; if only I could share Mr. Mikal's enthusiasm. ...more

March 11, 2009

This letter is to Abie, the person who was disgusted with conservatives. I understand the frustration. Conservatives were extremely slow to realize that the Bush Administration was bad for America. In November, the majority finally opened their eyes, but why did it take so long? Because the GOP's leader Karl Rove knew he could "manipulate" conservatives with a constant stream of "fear" about gays, terrorists, immigration, environmentalists, Roe-Wade, religion and taxes. These extremists knew they could create enough smoke to keep the average conservative distracted from what was really going on in Washington. Conservatives failed to see the dismantling of the Bill of Rights, the industrial war machine's take over of our military and the almost daily immoral or illegal activities of their own party members. Yet, about 11 percent of the conservatives are still so extreme in their views that they never will see the truth. So Abie, don't fear the conservative, fear the extreme 11 percent who say "my party right or wrong." They are not good for America. Let's hope that the future proves "we the people" have learned our lesson. ...more

January 20, 2009

A Panama City woman says she was fired from a job booking vacation rentals after she refused to greet callers with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." ...more

December 23, 2008

It took a few years, but Tom Cruise has recanted the tongue-lashing he gave Matt Lauer on NBC's "Today" show. ...more

December 15, 2008

Wow, I just finished the opinion piece by Don Walton, and I would like to say it must be very hard for you to breathe up there on that pedestal you're sitting on. I don't know how you can call yourself a Christian and spout the rubbish you do. ...more

October 19, 2008

Rick Warren hosted an opportunity for both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to respond to the same questions. ...more

August 22, 2008

Leonard Pitts's article on the conservative's having given negative connotations to the words "liberal" and "feminism," also applies to the word "evolution." (A Liberal Defense of the Word Feminist, 2/8/08) Evolution tells us that species must adapt to changing environments if they are to survive. Jesus told us we must change our ways by conquering our fears if we wish to survive. What Jesus proved is that it is possible to change our ways, and non-violence will be our salvation. What science has proven, unknowingly, is what religion has known all along. ...more

February 11, 2008