Landfill Impact ...more

August 28, 2008

I was thinking about the effect of bias in thinking and decision making. It came up in the context of some people indicating they could not vote for Obama for president because he was black, no matter what; a predictable and unfortunate attitude with some in the American South. But it started me thinking about bias in general, where and how much weight it is given in all kinds of thinking, in the process of decision making. Firstly, I was concerned with whether it becomes a factor in evaluation, whether it is included, inappropriately, in a list of concerns which lead to a decision. That would be bad enough but what if it serves as a filter, to block the receipt of otherwise relevant information never let into the process of weighing facts and making choices on a rational basis? I was watching a TV show, book reviewing, and I decided I didn't like the necktie worn by the lecturer. It was a skimpy, pale, stripy bow tie, an utterly silly looking thing and as I looked at it, the words of the lecturer seemed to fade. Was this merely an absurd fashion bias on my part or perhaps my questioning why anyone would wear such a tie and whether the choice of wearing such a tie reflected on the quality of the judgment-making ability of the wearer, and shouldn't I take that into consideration in weighing, or even accepting the quality of his opinion, downgrade his believability or even reject everything he has to say out of hand because of his flawed judgment in necktie selection? ...more

August 11, 2008

Florida's voluntary prekindergarten program begins its fourth year in 2008-09. It operates as a taxpayer-funded voucher program for 4-year-olds and is mostly in private and faith-based schools. ...more

August 1, 2008

Few events in our community are endearing in their quaint traditions as the Florida Strawberry Festival, and the crowning of its queen and court in a scholarship pageant is one of its high points. ...more

July 26, 2008

PORT RICHEY -- Look at the entrances of just about any neighborhood these days. Look at all the signs - "Garage sale," "Yard sale," "Moving sale" - not to mention all the signs desperately hawking homes for sale or rent. ...more

July 26, 2008

President Bush intends to try to block a bill protecting doctors from a cut in their Medicare pay, even though Congress seemingly has enough votes to override his veto, a White House spokesman indicated Thursday. ...more

July 11, 2008

The hurricane season just kicked in for Highlands County. The "big blow" is the news that Publix has decided to limit our area's already sparse shopping choices even more in purchasing Albertson's. It is no wonder that Publix could afford to make this transaction due to their exorbitant prices. Albertson's was one of the most economic places to shop in the area and had a different variety of meats and brands to choose from. Now we will be limited to the "big boys" and what they think we should eat. ...more

June 13, 2008

Bush is a great president. In fact he's the greatest we have had in my lifetime and I am 74 years old, says Connie Perdue of New Port Richey. ...more

May 31, 2008

GIRLS SOCCER Shark senior Brittany Allen signs scholarship with Spartanburg, South Carolina program. ...more

May 9, 2008

At the beginning of this year, Nature Coast Technical senior soccer player Brittany Allen had three choices on which school to go to and play soccer next fall. ...more

May 9, 2008