Comments by Mayor_McCheese

Written on Never too old, never too young: Two unique Ave Maria law school students among 165 graduates:

I get why the old guy went to Ave Maria since it seems like law for him is a long term interest and perhaps a bit of a hobby, but for the young woman, I'm afraid she likely wasted her time and money.

Ave Maria is among the worst law schools in the US and isn't likely to climb in the ranking anytime soon. US News has it squarely in the 4th tier (its lowest) and doesn't even rank it numerically. It is well known that there are far more law graduates than the market can absorb so most of the Ave Maria graduates will either become sole practitioners in small towns or will end up working in non-legal fields. These graduates are unlikely to be selected for prestigious judicial clerkships or top firm summer associate position. It is hard enough for graduates of top law schools to find good jobs. For these graduates, it will be near impossible.

The worst part is that many if not most of these graduates will have great difficulty paying back the loans they took out to attend.

Large firms, even in Florida are very unlikely to hire one of these graduates in the near future. After it becomes a bit more established, that may change, but it will take decades for that to happen.

Really, the world didn't need another law school.

Written on Capt. Brien’s Off the Hook Comedy Club relocating to Bonita Springs:

A real loss for Marco. Now there is going to be even less to do at night.

Written on AH, TO BE FROM CONNECTICUT! (The Residents' Corner by Dave Trecker):

I too am from Connecticut, but a different part of the state than I assume you are from.

Connecticut is really like two completely different states In the part I am from (Fairfield Country), most people could care less about UCONN or its sports teams. We have two professional teams in each sport from New York - which is a lot closer to us than Hartford or Storrs (a place no one I know has ever visited). Our focus is toward New York City and that is where many of us make our living.

I am glad you are a happy follower of UCONN sports. I am not. In my - and many of my neighbor's opinions,- Our tax dollars (the greatest percentage of which come from our end of the state) are being spent to support what are essentially professional athletics at our state university. We would all be much happier if UCONN spent our many improving the academic quality of the school rather than continuing to pour money into sports. The reason most of the people in my end of the state don't care about UCONN is because most of us wouldn't send our kids there if we could afford to send them to a better college. UCONN's academic ranking is very low compared to so many others (it ranks 63rd among national universities).

So, go enjoy rooting for our state college team. I will go back to work now so I can pay more taxes to pay for the scholarships of the great UCONN athletes.

Written on Letter to the Editor: Sad welcome?:

I think the sign is a bit silly and also in bad taste.

The real question I have is why on Earth would a college student on Spring Break even want to come to Marco Island? There are no night clubs, few hotels, and most importantly, few other college students. The sort of college student who would come to Marco for Spring Break is a completely different sort than the type one would find in Daytona for example. I think its great if some college students want to spend a week here. Give them a bit of credit. If you read this paper often, you will read about plenty of "local" people misbehaving also.

Written on Impeachment (Council for Constitutional Principles):

What a stupid idea.

That's just what the country needs. Another witch hunt to impeach the president for absolutely nothing the way they did for Bill Clinton. What a waste of time and reputation that was for those "House Managers" involved. Asa Hutchenson, one of the leaders of that pack is such a has been today that the NRA rolled him out to spear head their ill conceived plan to investigate placing "good guy with a gun" in all of our schools.

the fastest and most sure fire way for the Republican's to seal their irrelevancy would be to pull a stunt like this. If they did that, they would be out of office for eight more years - guaranteed.

Written on November 6, 2012. A new day of infamy. (Council for Constitutional Principles):

I agree with Willburgolf. Get out. Go back to where you came from. Obviously you have no idea what being a real American means. You have no idea what the Constitution really says or in what spirit it was written.

You also know very little of early American history. The vast majority of the founding fathers were secularists. Christmas was not even a holiday for the first 80 years of the republic. You are a no-nothing loudmouth. Fortunately for you, we do have freedom of speech which allows you to pollute the Internet with your ignorant, closed minded drivel.

Written on Hideaway Beach renourishment uncertain as county reconsiders funding :

Provide public access to the beach and the money would flow - and should. Otherwise, take care of it yourselves.

Written on Letter to the Editor: Hideaway Beach is public:

Complete nonsense.

There is no such public walkway. The fact is that all beaches in Florida are public from the high water mark to the water's edge.

In order for Hideaway Beach to be truly a public beach, there would have to be public access from the land - not just for boats to approach.

Since there is no public access from the land, it is constructively a private beach and should not rely on public tax dollars to pay for its upkeep. Either the residents of the private community pay for the restoration or let nature take its course.

Since our public money is now paying for the restoration, I would like to know how I can walk over to Hidewway beach so I can spend the day at the new "PUBLIC" beach.

Perhaps this former Marine can use his orienteering skills to let us in on the long lost walkway.

Written on Could Connecticut school shooting be impetus for change in gun-control laws?:

in response to 26yearsonmarco:

Obama needs to read this story and ban all knives as well because once he bans all guns, the knike will become the weapon of choice:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/sp...

It's hard to kill 27 people with a knife.

Written on The mainstrem press is he enemy of America (Council for Constitutional Principles):

Why do you see conspiracies everywhere you look? You are like Chicken Little. The Sky is falling, The Sky is falling.

Well, it is not falling. Get used to it.

Why do you make such a stink about what you perceive as lies by the administration in order to deflect criticism about a terrorist attack?

Regardless of what you think in your conspiracy-laden mind, but Obama would have been re-elected regardless of whether most people believed Lybia was terrorists or whether it was caused by protests gone too far. It doesn't matter. That's not why most Americans voted for him. Most Americans voted for him because they agree with his perspectives on several issues.

Anyway, why don't you save the same zeal for Condi Rice and the entire Bush Administration for their statements about WMDs? That bit of untruth actually caused us to go to war for several years killing and maiming thousands of Americans and driving us into a huge amount of debt for absolutely no reason. Why no outrage there?

You are very transparent.

Written on Former Marco police lieutenant receives final warning after sending inappropriate photos :

Beucler retired to a civilian role, Goetz retired to a civilian role. They are training on sexual harassment. . .

You have got to be kidding. In what organization in the world other than the MPD would these people not get fired?? Why so many second chances? Why even one?

Are there so few people available to be a MPD officer that we have to allow these people to stay on? On top of that, the presence of these people working for the city greatly increases the chance that the city will be sued for their future conduct. Is anyone accountable at all?

Written on Collier commissioner makes move to assure Hideaway Beach erosion money remains :

Everyone reading this should walk over or take their boat over to Hideaway and start hanging out there since our county tax dollars are now going to support this nice beach. I might even do some surf casting.

Written on Hideaway Beach renourishment approved – for now :

STOP THIS WASTE OF TAX MONEY!

If they want their beach saved, they should pay for it out of their own common charges or they should have a special assessment to cover the cost. I think most people who live on Marco - and in Collier County since this is County money - would not want their tax dollars paying for this since the beach is essentially non-public. Why should everyone else bail them out with this sort of welfare?

Those Hideaway residents who vote for Romney because they think Obama is all about welfare and redistribution are hypocrites if they accept any public money for their private beach. This is a taxpayer funded bailout of a private beach community. That smells like welfare to me.

Take care of your own problem. If you want us to fix it, make it a public access beach. Public money should be spent for the public good.

Written on THE CHOICE HAS NEVER BEEN CLEARER (The Residents' Corner by Dave Trecker):

I'm not sure why you believe that Romney = lower taxes. He might say that, but if you look at the issue critically at all, you will see that that is simply impossible. It is not a partisan thing, but an mathematical thing. Vote for whomever you want, but if you seriously believe that Romney will lead to lower taxes, you only have to look at the last two Republican administrations for your answer.

Written on Collier OKs spending $1 million to fight beach erosion on Marco Island :

Why is this being paid for with public funds if Hideaway Beach is essentially private - unless you walk to it or swim to it.

Since we are now paying for it, the City ought to run a shuttle bus to the Hideaway gate from a parking lot off the island so more people can enjoy Hideaway Beach.

Written on It's Your Business: Green Bay flights begin today from Fort Myers :

Wow! These new flights from Wisconsin will be great for the local bowling alley business.

Written on Hideaway Tax District Board strategizes on how to get beach built up :

in response to ajm3s:

Is Hideaway Beach a county beach?????

http://www.colliergov.net/Index.aspx?...

All Florida beaches are public. This has to do with access. The public can use it if they can get there - either by boat of by walking all the was from Tigertale.

Written on Black bear killed, hit by vehicle, on Alligator Alley :

How does any wildlife get on to the highway on Alligator Alley? I've driven it many times and it seems completely fenced in from the Everglades.

Written on Polls show Obama moving ahead of Romney in most competitive states:

in response to MrBreeze:

The problem is we are all trying to find another Ronald Regan. Romney is not that guy. As hard as he might try he comes across as phoney.

The country is divided between the "haves" and the "havenots" and a new group the "haveless" which is the middle class. This recession has made many well off people broke. Many have been forced onto goverment programs and do not want to take the chance with Romney to risk total loss. So they will vote Obama in hope things will get better in the next 4 years.

Wealth has been divided in this country. People with true wealth have survived but people who thought they were wealthy found out they were not.

I agree with most of what you said, although I would rather replace your Reagan and Romney with Clinton and Obama, but I agree with the general tone of your comment.

You are spot on when you say that there are many people who are a lot less affluent than they thought there were and this will take many years to rectify. If they are still working, then they may be able to make up some of it over time, but if they are already retired or near retirement, then the fear of eliminating or substantially curtailing SS or Medicaid is very real. Particularly after the turmoil of the last four years since the economy tanked, the certainty of SS and Medicare is viscerally important to most Americans over the age of 40.

Since the trend of the US economy is positive - although anemically so - and stock markets are up and housing prices are beginning to rise, there is legitimate reason for many people to feel that things will continue to improve over the next four years.

Written on Polls show Obama moving ahead of Romney in most competitive states:

in response to 1Paradiselost:

Zoo..

Told you so! Instead of being angry at Me your anger should be pointed at your party.

If you could have supported John Huntsman the election would have been over. Keep supporting the far right and you will keep loosing every major election.

Let me quoit one of your comments from September 22, 2012
1:38 p.m...... You said...

"Insanity.... doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome."

Your right, next time pick better leaders!

I think you are generally correct in your analysis.

Most people are moderate - regardless of party affiliation. The problem, as it has been for a long time, is that in order to secure the nomination each candidate has to pander to the most radical elements of their respective party. In the general election, their job is to then claw their way back to the strategic center. That is what you normally see happening.

What is interesting to me from a political science perspective is the fact that Romney does not seem to be trying to get to the center by election day. Instead, he continues to seem to be concerned with placating the Far Right, even though they have no choice but to vote for Romney.

I find this surprising and a bit troubling because although I don't support him, I always sort of felt that in his heart he was more moderate than he pretended to be during the Republican debates - particularly since he had been governor of Massachusetts. I fully expected him to shake his Etch-a-Sketch and reinvent himself as a moderate Republican after the convention. I always believed that that would be the most difficult problem for Obama. I am just amazed that it didn't happen. This is the primary reason he will loose in November.

Written on Romney releases 2011 tax returns; paid $1.9 million, 14.1% rate:

in response to Our_world_according_to_zookeeper:

Paradise, I can not get over how smart you are regarding what Romney may do in the future. Usually when people are so sure what some else will do they themselves have done it themselves.

Since you know so much about the future why are you not so stinking rich that you do not have to worry about your 91 year old mother who is on welfare and take care of her yourself?

You must also be an accountant who seems to "know" all of the tricks on avoiding taxes under the law.

You ademently requested Romney's returns in other posts. Look at his returns again. He gave 30% to charity which he can not get back, not like our V.P. who gave less than 1%.

Where are the OBAMA's college transcripts, their writings, who they associated themselves with at that time. I am more worried about that then what someone else may do in the future. That is far more important to America than what Romney may do with his tax returns later on.

We know Obama is a Socialist, has been a Socialist and MAY, notice I say MAY, be a Socialist for the rest of his life.

First, its not a "trick" to ammend your tax return. Any accountant will tell you exactly what Paradise said and no one would consider it a tax trick or loop hole of some sort.

Second, it is absolutely irrelevant how much charity someone gives when they are running for President. It is great that Romney gives so much to charity, but it has nothing to do with his fitness to be President or his ethics when it comes to his taxes.

Third, your attack on Paradise regarding his 91 year old mother are way out of bounds. She is an American and has EARNED her social security and medicare. She is not a victim or a moocher. I'm sure that Romney and Mrs. Romneys elderly parents are also receiving Social Security and Medicare.

Fourth, why would anyone care about Obama's college transcripts. I'm not sure why you are so concerned about what classes he took or grades he received 25 years ago but your are not concerned about what the other guy did with his taxes (as an adult) three years ago which is far more relevant. The PResident has been in his office for over three years. He has been fully vetted several times by both the liberal and conservative media. With all of the Obama haters out there desparately trying to delegitimize our President by claiming he is somehow unqualified to legally serve or that if we analyze his writings as a 19 year old that will somehow tell us what kind of President he will be is beyond stupid and actually quite unpatriotic. You might care about it, but it is clear from ALL of the polling that America does not care at all.

Fifth, Obama is not a Socialist. You obviously have no idea what a socialist is if you are calling Obama one. The silly "redistribution" scare is so mindless as to be humerous. In America, we have always redistributed wealth to some degree. That is why we have taxes. If you don't like the concept of redistribution, then don't pay taxes. Regan, Bush 1 and Bush 2 all redistributed, as did Clinton, Nixon, Ford, Eisenhower and evey other President we have had since the federal income tax was instituted.

Following you logic, if Obama was really such a socialist he would have tried to institute all sorts of radical programs since as you believe his days are numbered. If he were as scary as you seem to think, he would use his last days as President to get all of the things done that all good socialists want. But, alas, that has not happened. You must be very disappointed.

Stop looking at the world through FOX colored glasses.

Written on NCH $2,000 fine for mishandled call a 'hand slap,' victim's family member says :

At $2,000 that will just look at this as a cost of doing business. Why should they change anything if the worst that will happen to them if this happens again is a $2,000 fine.

Hopefully, Mr. Anderson's family will sue them for wrongful death and will get a large recover. If the regulating agency won't properly police the regulated entities, then the court system will have to take care of it. If they get a million dollar recovery, then I suspect that NCH's insurance company will require them to run a more professional service - or drop them.

Written on Has U.S. economy bottomed out? Census suggests yes:

Romney is an empty suit who believes in NOTHING. He will do or say whatever he thinks is necessary to win. He wants to be president just so that he can say that he did that too (Well, I was governor of Mass, ran the Olympics and a PE firm, I guess I will try to be president now. . .).

That is why he changes his opinions depending on whose support he believes he needs. When he needed liberal Massachusetts voters, he was pro choice, pro RomneyCare and pro gay rights. When he needed the conservatives to get him nominated, he completely disavowed everything he used to say he believed in. When he needed to raise money, he told the uber-wealthy contributors what he thought they wanted to hear. Just shake the Etch-a-sketch again.

Now ironically, he would do best in this election if he reverted once again to his former opinions from when he was Massachusetts governor - but unfortunately for Romney, he is too afraid of his big money donors to do that.

He believes in nothing.
He stands for nothing.
He will do nothing.

Written on Who are Mitt Romney's 47 percent? A breakdown:

Also in the "Non-Federal Income Taxpayer" category are US soldiers who are in combat. Under federal Law and most state laws, US soldiers in combat are exempt from paying tax on the income they earned while in combat.

I wonder how many of our combat soldiers are pleased that they are portrayed by Romney as moochers and victims.

"Inelegant" is one word for it. "Stupid" is another.

Written on Romney: Nearly half 'believe they are victims' :

I wonder how the US troops in combat zones who are therefore exempt from paying income taxes feel about Romney's statement? If I were in combat and a guy running for president basically said he does not care about me, I might think hard about voting for him.

Written on Frustration (Council for Constitutional Principles):

Its not a faux pas if it is what you really mean - which it is.

You might be interested to know that a fair amount of the 47 percent who don't pay federal income taxes may in fact be Romney supporters. There are a lot of seniors as well as US military personnel who are in active combat zones who don't pay federal income tax.

Further, if he really cared about any of those people, he would say what a true conservative would have said which is that they should care about the tax structure since according to Romney, it is the change in that structure that will improve the economy for all.

Once again, you make no sense. What a joke.

Written on African American Speaks Up (Council for Constitutional Principles):

"I have a saying, that "the only reason a person hides things, is because they have something to hide."

Like tax returns??

What a hypocrite you are. Keep writing your childish screeds and republishing your copy & paste nonsense. To paraphrase Louis Brandeis, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Written on Guest Commentary: Larry Magel on city prep for Isaac; 'we should be proud':

in response to marcofriend:

The mayor is Magel, not you.....

No, it is I.

Written on Marcophiles: Marco Movies has its own digital drama :

Now if they could only find a way to improve their food.

Written on Guest Commentary: Larry Magel on city prep for Isaac; 'we should be proud':

It's a good thing we also didn't have the 24 hour doctors office to protect. If that boondoggle had passed, we would have been taxed another 5% to cover the costs of the generator and sandbags to protect it.

Written on Romney says he has paid taxes every year:

in response to RayPray:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

While the other half -- the greedy 1% ???

Check you math.

Written on Paul Ryan: Obama has 'record of failure':

in response to August8:

Paradiselost---It's in there if you can't find it go on line and ask, it's there

This is complete nonsense. It is not in there. There is no such law and no such tax. If there were a tax as you claim, it would have had to have been voted on by Congress which it has not. You are either making this up or you are repeating something that someone else made up. You should really just believe facts, not what some right wing nut claims the law says or what some radical website claims. There is a lot of nonsense on the Internet. You have to be smart enough to be able select truth from fiction.

Written on Paul Ryan: Obama has 'record of failure':

Now we learn that Ryan, while dismissing the bailout as a complete waste, actually asked for and secured $20 million for one of his constituents. He claims it was handled by his "constituent services" people. Fir a guy who is suopposed to be fiscally conservative and trustworth with our money, I find it odd that he "forgot" about the $20 million he got for his constituent while claiming he never requested or supported it.

More Etch-a-Sketch I guess.

Written on Paul Ryan: Obama has 'record of failure':

in response to 26yearsonmarco:

Hey Folks, I'm getting tired of waiting for the KLAUS explanation of how Obamee's net worth grew from $400K in 2002 to $11M today.

Can anybody help Klaus out???

He wrote some books and he earns royalties - just like most national office holders. Sorry, no conspiracy here for you the feast on.

Written on A kingfish caught by Veronica Sandoval of Bonita Springs.:

And the luckiest of all of these fish . . . . that would be the Kingfish.

Written on Marco Island voters oppose overnight walk-in clinic tax, subsidy:

Finally, some common sense.

If it were a 24 hour emergency room, then people would have supported it. But to subsidize a private doctors office makes no sense - unless you are the doctor or the company who employs him or her.

Written on Hideaway Tax District Board passes on emergency wall, focuses on longer term :

If its not a public beach - meaning the public can drive and walk there from a road, not a boat - then no public money. If it is a public beach, then the public will support it. Something tells me that they will find the money and keep it private.

Written on Romney-Ryan 2012: That's the ticket:

in response to MarcoBiker:

I guess you're right, Obama would claim that the athletes didn't deserve their medals ... they only got them because of Him. Doesn't the narcissism make you just a little ill?? He's an AA nothing, right place, right time. That's it. Oh, and like NOT singlehandedly stopping the BP spill, he obviously flew that craft to Mars and landed it. Thank goodness we've got the anointed one, or we'd obviously have reverted back to the Stone Age.

You can give the President credit for all good things that happen and for all of the bad things too. The truth is that the President has very little if any effect of most things, including the economy. As a result, change really happens very slowly - regardless of who is President. If you can accept that, then it really comes down to whom you feel more comfortable with.

My point was only that the world has not come to an end, Americans are still exceptional, we are climbing OUT of a very deep fiscal hole, we are still achieving great scientific feats, we are still the dominant power and culture in the world, the Dollar is stronger against the Euro than it has been in years, bad as it is, the US economy is still the safest place for foreigners to invest, etc, etc, etc.

Even if you think he is a Socialist, Kenyan-born Islamist with a secret agenda to undermine the United States, you would have to admit that he has been woefully unsuccessful in his goal to destroy America.

It sounds to me like you don't like his style. That the media plays him up, that he seems smug. I can understand that. He doesn't seem that way to me or to most Americans (according to all current polls). There are many people who feel the same way about Romney and Ryan.

Written on Romney-Ryan 2012: That's the ticket:

in response to MarcoBiker:

Mayor ... good comments, a little misplaced since it seems like we're slowly sliding into the dustbin of history.

The country is broken ... need a little race war lesson ... just look up the street at Zimmerman, you know, the poor "white" hispanic who Sharpton, Jackson, and all the brothers condemned (even Odumbo waded in with the "my son" comment) -- yet, in large cities across this nation they senselessly "pop" one another over drugs or "gettin' dissed".

Obama is a socialist at heart, in deed and thought ... he, you, and Klaus can deny it all you want. Doesn't change reality.

Anyone thinking Obama should be reelected is either of color or has bought into the class warfare being shoved down our throats. This country IS exceptional ..... we got lucky with size and geography, but it's the people that have made it great. Look at the Olympics, go stand in the middle of a really big supermarket, freely travel to San Diego by air, car, boat, bus, or bicycle and take a tour of the Midway.

It is US capitalism that has enabled US citizens and much of the rest of the world to thrive. Who doesn't thrive under capitalism? Dictators, theocracies, and socialist states. Obama, idiot-in-chief, doesn't get it and never will. Out the door in November!!!!!

I guess I just see things a bit more optimistically than you. The fact that there was no race war as a result of the Zimmerman event proves my point. Yes, some people vented and groused a bit - and it continues - but there were no riots like after the Rodney King event or others. If anything, Obama and Rick Scott calmed the situation.

How exactly has there been an erosion of capitalism in the US since Obama was elected? Even under the president you hate, the US Olympic teams have won a record number of gold medals and medals overall. We just landed the most sophisticated probe ever on Mars and the economy is recovering - although more slowly than we would all like. We have successfully privatized space travel (something all good conservatives should applaud,)gas is up a bit this week but still down from W and no where near the $5 - $8 Republicans promised us with Obama. The Stock market has recovered and the housing market is finally showing signs of life. Oh, and we got Bin Laden, but still no WMDs

It doesn't sound like the sky is falling to me. Don't let them try to scare you. Open your eyes and see what is really going on around you. Its really not so bad.

Written on Romney-Ryan 2012: That's the ticket:

in response to Genuine:

It should be no secret that the Liberals in this country can’t compete with the raw brain power of the Conservative party (even though there isn’t one). They (libs) have been heard crying for networks such as Fox and other non-Liberal media sources to be shut down, stopped dead in their tracks for some time now. Conservatives tend to worship God, not government. Conservatives tend to be Christians.

This pisses off the Libs to no end. How dare they not worship us and submit to our deity!! With this in mind, why should Fox or other right-wing media sources be closed down for good when they spread truths, not lies as does the liberal main stream media, which is completely controlled by the Obama Administration?

The American main stream media is nothing less than the slave of a federal government and a guy who calls himself president who thirsts for the blood of more and more power. I am sick of watching this administration dismantle my country brick by brick, while continually tossing fuel on the fire of racial tensions that are already burning out of control. Racial tensions and race wars fueled by the presidential puppets called the main stream media and those like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and others who feed upon it like a three course meal. Just a passing thought….

You seem to express a very narrow point of view. Fortunately, most Americans do not share your perspective. Even most of those who will vote for Romney don't share your warped world view. Most voters are thoughtful people who have one opinion or another. People like you are political drama queens. Comments like "a guy who call himself president" and "Conservatives tend to be Christian" make you sound rediculous.

For starters, Obama was ELECTED President of the United States. He calls himself President because that is in fact who he is. You may not like it, but not accepting it is absolutely un-American. After Bush v. Gore, Democrats accepted the USSC's opeinion even if they didn't agree with it. You and other un-American's can't seem to accept what American's have accepted for over 200 years when their candidate lost an election. Your comments are treasonous and completely un-American. You probobly worship at the alter of Tim McVey. Next, to say that oOnservatives tend to be Christian suggest that you believe that being a Christian is in some way what clear thinking "real" Americans are. Well, if you know anything about US history, you would know that most of the founding fathers DID NOT consider themselve to be Christians the way that term is currently understood. Christmas was not even a National Holiday until almost 90 years after the founding of the republic. It was a regular work day in 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, etc. . .

You may not like it, but America in 2012 is a far diferent place than it was when you were a kid and it will continue to evolve long past our days. That is one of the great things and strengths about America. The dustbin of history is litered with people like you who can't accept and adjust to changing times. You sound like a dinoseur holding a buggy whip.

Oh, I'm sorry. I must have also missed all of the race wars you speak of fueled by the presidential puppets - such drama. Racial tensions are far better today than any time in the last 50 years. I'm also unaware of any efforts to shut down conservative media outlets. Where do you come up with this stuff?

Open your eyes, grow up, and drop all of the drama. The sky is not going to fall - even when the President wins his second term.

Written on Letter to the Editor: How insulting:

Rick,

I'm not sure I would say it is insulting to Americans that Romney didn't visit troops in the field. Such a visit might also be distracting to their mission. I don't think it is a good idea to mix politics with the military.

I will say however that it is generally insulting to all of us the way Romney avoids discussing anything substantively for fear of offending one of his donors. He goes from one safe event to another. He takes no risks. He seems to have no confidence in his own message - whatever it is - and seems afraid to articulate anything. What I find offensive as an American is the way this candidate dismisses my legitimate concerns and questions. Why is is improper to show more than a couple of years of tax returns? Why is it offensive for the press to ask questions? Why won't he spend a few minutes and discuss what being a Mormon means to him and how it has helped shape him? Why are we not entitled to straight answers directly from the candidate's mouth? If we like them, then he will win. If we don't then he will loose. I am offended that I am not accorded enough respect from this candidate for him to answer some very basic questions that ALL presidential candidates answer.

It is like the Republican marketing machine is afraid of what their candidates actually believe and don't want them to speak. They did it with Palin. They were afraid if she spoke, most Americans would be horrified by her answers displaying her ignorance of all issues relating to national governance. They are now doing it with Romney, afraid that if he talks he will either seem too liberal for the conservative base (they don't even seem to like to call him Gov. Romney because they don't want to remind people that he was Governor of Massachusetts and what his liberal/moderate record there was) or else he will sound too out of touch with average Americans. Either way, it is offensive that we are not shown the respect to allow us to learn about these people and judge them for what they actually believe and say.

Written on Mango's Dockside Bistro rocks the rock :

Didn't this happen a couple of years ago?

Written on Guest Commentary: Nuisance, swale parking in Olde Marco :

Very well articulated. You are absolutely right.

Written on The end of our Constitution (Council for Constitutional Principles):

In America, fortunately for you, you are also free to be a closed minded bigot.

You obviously have no real idea of the provisions of the Constitution or why it was adopted and amended over time.

Your comments are offensive to almost all Americans. Your claim of running out of space to write is all that has kept you from offending ALL Americans.

"Gays and homosexuals want to co-opt the religious tradition of marriage. African-Americans want preferential treatment in hiring, feminists want to force a religion to abandon their religious doctrine, Latinos wanted to be legal to cross the border so they may invite their relatives to jump the legitimate immigration laws. Senior citizens want their grandchildren to pay for the Social Security and Medicare if and when they go broke. Students want their loans excused.

The religious tradition of marriage? Where in the Constitution does that exist? I must have been absent that day when I was in law school. Feminists want to force a religion to abandon its doctrine? Really? I guess I missed that one too. Latinos want to be legal. . .Really? What about the millions of Latinos who are legal - many of whom have lived in this country for generations - long before most of the white people arrived. What does Medicare, Social Security and Student loans have to do with the Constitution?

What exactly do you mean by American People with :Legitimate" voting power? Do you some how believe that there are millions of illegal immigerants sneaking in to polling places to vote for progressive causes? Seriously? I would imagine most illegal aliens would want to stay far away from a place where there are government officials checking documentation.

You should put your tin foil hat back on and turn up the volume one Rush's radio show. Fortunately for the rest of us, your opinions are so extreme and offensive that sane people will never take you seriously.

Written on 'Lots' of parking discussion – Marco Island City Council and Planning Board hold joint discussion during workshop session :

Councilor Frank Recker called the fines "a big bluff," warning, "you will be called constantly by a condo commando or two, watching with binoculars" for violators.

Maybe Councilor Recker ought to realize that those "Condo Commandos" who he is making fun of are his constituents. Talk about arrogance. If I lived in one of those condos, I would be very offended by that comment.

Since we have a city police force, the least we can do is give them something to do.

Written on Hideaway Tax District Board considers stopgap solutions to curb beach erosion :

in response to ed34145:

On the one hand, it is difficult to support a private beach, but on the other hand the county approved building in such a fragile area, so they have some responsibility here. Unfortunately, the county didn't care about anything here on Marco and that is why they approved such inappropriate building all over the island and now residents are left to struggle with their lack of concern.

I really don't see how the County approving building in a particular waterfront location in any way implies that the county therefore has signed on as insurer of the beach.

These are not unsophisticated people. They knew exactly where they were building and buying. They understood why they could not get insurance for this sort of risk. The concept of beach erosion is not new or unknown in Florida. It is 100% their responsibility and fault for not reserving enough money from their common charges or assessments for this purpose. Once they realized they had an erosion problem and that they had been underfunding their fund for this purpose, they should have addressed this with either voting to take on debt, a special assessment, or some other remedy, but they didn't. The thing about beach erosion is that in most cases it happens in slow motion.

They can assess their members the same way they would if they were renovating the golf course or the club house.

Written on Do Marco residents want 24/7 health care? Question to be answered Aug. 14 :

Why do we need a 24/7 walk in clinic? If it were an emergency facility, I'd be all for it. But, since its just a regular Drs. office that is open 24/7, it really serve no purpose other than being available for tourists at the hotels when their children need a prescription they left at home and the Marriott has no one else to call after hours.

Let the hotels pay for it. Add $1 to each night room rate.

Written on Marco city leader: Tax for 24/7 walk-in clinic could be in place by Jan. 1 :

Two points:

1. Since it is not an emergency clinic, what is really the point? If you have an emergency, you would either drive/be driven to an emergency room off the island or else you would call 911/ambulance.

2. Since this is not an emergency facility, it is just a Drs. office that is open 24 hours. Since it is really just a business and not a true public service filling a void, why on Earth would the public pay for it? If it can't survive on its own business plan, then it does not need to be created.

I can see having the public pay for a second ambulance stationed on the island or an emergency facility, but simply a primary care Dr. who is available 24hrs does nothing for anyone - except the Dr. getting paid to sit there all night reading a book.

Don't waste our money so that some realtor can tell some prospective buyer that Marco has 24 hr medical care - which if you have an emergency, it does not.

Written on Hideaway Tax District Board considers stopgap solutions to curb beach erosion :

If you let the public park and use your beach, then the public money will flow to protect it. Otherwise, sell some stock.

Written on Massachusetts health care law inspires federal overhaul:

A very clear recitation of the facts as they apply to Massachusetts. A worthy read.

Features