I was taken aback while reading the Opinion section this morning. Your paper prints the column of Leonard Pitts, who I admittedly am unfamiliar with as I am currently stationed in South Korea and am just home for 30 days of leave to be with my family. However, in the opening paragraph, Mr. Pitts references his previous column and that he would like to question Sarah Palin about her attempts to ban books at the library in Wasilla, Alaska. This would not be so disturbing a statement if it came from a 12 year old. But coming from a columnist it is appalling. If Mr. Pitts were but to research his information rather than reporting as fact every bit of e-mail spam that comes across his desk, he would know that the story is entirely fictitious and that some of the books on her "list" were not even printed at the time she supposedly called for their being banned. I am providing the link dispelling the rumor for your readers: http://www.snopes.com/politics/palin/bannedbooks.asp ...more

October 4, 2008

Dale Earnhardt passed his love of the Talladega Superspeedway to his race team, which took a must-win mentality into every event at NASCAR's biggest track. ...more

October 4, 2008

After reaching the round of 16 in last year's NCAA Division II Tournament, the University of Tampa men's soccer team has opened the season with a 5-1-1 record and is back in the national rankings. With the Division II Final Four being held in Tampa in December, the Spartans could have the opportunity to add to their three national titles on their home field. ...more

September 24, 2008

Almost every day, we hear about more budget cuts and price increases. The county is freaking out because the river of money has become a trickling stream. They are like kids who can't save their Christmas or birthday money. Then when they need it, it's not there and they cry. ...more

September 12, 2008

Did anyone in Hillsborough County want change? I don't think so. We had a perfect opportunity to change the way things were going in Hillsborough County during this past election, and only 10 percent of the voting public even bothered to vote. ...more

September 9, 2008

University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said it would take a "minor miracle" for sophomore RB Mike Ford to play Saturday at UCF. ...more

September 5, 2008

When the Armwood coaching staff decided to change its offensive scheme in the spring to the spread option, it was hoping it would lead to a more explosive unit. That has certainly been the case through the Hawks' first two go-rounds in the new formation. ...more

September 2, 2008

With hurricanes flanking the state and confusing the political season, your letters and e-mails ranged across the spectrum this week. Here are some samplings: ...more

September 1, 2008

A Hillsborough County deputy's actions during a fire in a garage this morning helped protect at least one person from harm, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesman Ray Yeakley said. ...more

August 11, 2008

Zach Thomas understands the perception some people have after his abbreviated final season in Miami, though he doesn't agree with it. ...more

August 11, 2008