One professor called it spiteful. Another said it was far-fetched. Those were the reactions Wednesday to U.S Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's request that President Barack Obama get the permission of Congress before he accepts the Nobel Peace Prize. ...more

October 29, 2009

Alexis Marie Ashby wanted a teddy bear with flowers or a heart. The 9-year-old patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa got a black bear with a red heart sweater and quickly named it Valentine. ...more

July 1, 2009

While Barack Obama puts the finishing touches on his presidential cabinet, a 9-year-old South Tampa boy is busy filling his cabinet with presidential memorabilia. Third grader Houston Britain is a presidential history buff. In a corner of his family's Hyde Park dining room, a cherry curio no taller than Houston himself is loaded with stuffed JFK dolls, miniature Ronald Reagans, and even a bobble-headed Barack Obama. ...more

January 19, 2009

Graciously conceding as vice president in 1980, Walter Mondale spoke of voters wielding "their staggering power." This year's energized electorate did that, thereby proving, among other things, that bad governance is good for turnout, a fact that should give pause to people who think high rates of voting are unambiguous indicators of civic health. ...more

November 8, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Before Julia Child became known to the world as a leading chef, she admitted at least one failing when applying for a job as a spy: impulsiveness. Details about Child's background as a government agent come into the public spotlight Thursday with the National Archives' release of more than 35,000 top-secret personnel files of World War II-era spies. The CIA held this information for decades. ...more

August 14, 2008

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Law Day, this year's theme is: "The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity." ...more

May 8, 2008

In recognition of the 50{+t}{+h} anniversary of Law Day, which was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 to celebrate and honor our American system of justice, this year's theme is: "The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity." ...more

May 8, 2008

Things To Do is a list of some of the most interesting upcoming events. For a complete list of Tampa Bay area events, see this week's Friday Extra. ...more

February 13, 2008

After three high-ranking retired U.S. generals visited Florida last month to discuss National Security and Human Rights, it reminded me of a cable sent by the president to the Commanding General of American forces. The cable reads: ...more

February 6, 2008