Israel's public security minister warned Saturday that a U.S. intelligence report that said Iran is no longer developing nuclear arms could lead to a regional war that would threaten the Jewish state. ...more

December 16, 2007

More Concern For Others Regarding "Ex-CIA Officer Says Torture Tactics Used" (front page, Dec. 12): ...more

December 15, 2007

In response to Mr. Streeter's recent letter, I do not believe that Halliburton sets the price of oil. I believe the oil cartel does that. The reason that Halliburton pumps the oil is that they are the most qualified company in the Mideast to do so. If President Bush had not sent our troops to Iraq, Saddam would still be in power, raping and killing his own people, as he had done for many years. In addition, he would be ever more dangerous. I say "Good riddance!" ...more

December 12, 2007

The starkly different view of Iran's nuclear program that emerged from U.S. spy agencies this week was the product of a surge in clandestine intelligence-gathering in Iran as well as radical changes in the way the intelligence community analyzes information. ...more

December 5, 2007

Thanksgiving is a special day for giving thanks for the blessings we have received all year long. It is arguably one of the very few that has not gone completely commercial and a day that most will, after not praying or talking to God on a regular basis, at least thank Him for the the meal and blessings He has bestowed upon us. I am thankful for being able to get up this morning and walk outside and pick up this morning's Tampa Tribune and Highlands Today and read my column. And to the hundreds and hundreds who enjoy reading what I have written, I give you my thanks. I give thanks to God for giving me the good fortune to have such a wonderful wife for the past 25 years and five months. I'm thankful for our children and grandchildren and pray for their good health and happiness. I, and so should you, give Him thanks for our wonderful nation. We should pray that the United States will survive and win the war against terrorism, and regardless of who is going to be the presidential nominees, we will still have the best country on earth. ...more

November 22, 2007

WAUCHULA — Jury selection for the trial of former Zolfo Springs Police Chief David Scheid will begin on Feb. 11, 2008 at the Hardee County Courthouse. Scheid is facing charges of grand theft, tampering with a witness, fabricating physical evidence and petty theft. Scheid had a trial scheduled in October that was delayed because of medical issues with defense attorney Gil Colon Jr. ...more

November 22, 2007

Hillary Clinton stood on a stage for two hours Tuesday night, being yelled at by six men. Now this is what they mean by pressure. ...more

November 2, 2007

The Bush administration plans to roll out an unprecedented package of unilateral sanctions against Iran today, including the long-awaited designations of its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction and of the elite Quds Force for supporting terrorism, according to senior administration officials. ...more

October 25, 2007

WAUCHULA — A trial for former Zolfo Springs Police Chief David Scheid will be pushed back at least another month because of medical issues with defense attorney Gil Colon Jr. Jury selection was scheduled to begin on Monday morning at the Hardee County Courthouse for Scheid, who is facing charges of official misconduct, grand theft, tampering with a witness, fabricating physical evidence and petty theft. However, Colon failed to appear at the courthouse, and an associate with Colon's firm said that the attorney suffered a medical injury to his back while in-line skating this weekend. A jury pool of approximately 80 people was dismissed following the announcement, and a Nov. 20 status conference was set for the case, which will probably lead to another trial date. ...more

October 16, 2007

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: greed has taken control of our government. ...more

October 3, 2007