BRENT BATTENhttp://www.marconews.com/staff/brent-batten/Brent Batten is a columnist for the Naples Daily News. His irreverent views of Southwest Florida have earned him awards from the Florida Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors and "Best of Southwest Florida" recognition from Gulfshore Life Magazine. "In my column I attempt to mix wry, some might say sarcastic, humor with the news of the day. Topics I've written about recently include the high cost of solar power and the paltry savings to be realized through President Barack Obama's plan to cut $100 million from the federal budget. I am also a member of the paper's editorial board, which formulates editorial positions on national state and local issues." E-mail Brent Batten at bebatten@naplesnews.com. Follow him at twitter.com/ndn_bbatten and on Facebook at facebook.com/brent.batten. Read his blog at http://www.naplesnews.com/blogs/brentbatten/) His book, "Batten 100" is available for $9.95 at the Naples Daily News lobby. en-usRon Paul supporters spilled into the concourse of the Tampa Bay Times Forum Wednesday night as Mainehttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/paul-protest-at-rncRon Paul supporters spilled into the concourse of the Tampa Bay Times Forum Wednesday night as MaineThu, 30 Aug 2012 03:29:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/paul-protest-at-rncThe GOP convention house band performs with G.E. Smith at the Republican National Convention inhttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/ge-smith-performs-at-rncThe GOP convention house band performs with G.E. Smith at the Republican National Convention inFri, 31 Aug 2012 01:19:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/ge-smith-performs-at-rncBalloons are dropped into the crowd after Mitt Romney's speech Thursday at the Republican Nationalhttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/balloons-drop-after-romneys-speechBalloons are dropped into the crowd after Mitt Romney's speech Thursday at the Republican NationalFri, 31 Aug 2012 03:42:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/balloons-drop-after-romneys-speechCorey Booker fires up the base at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/corey-booker-speaks-at-the-democratic-national-conCorey Booker fires up the base at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:25:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/corey-booker-speaks-at-the-democratic-national-conFormer Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's reception on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention.http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/charlie-crist-speaks-at-dncFormer Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's reception on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention.Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:36:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/charlie-crist-speaks-at-dnc