FlashpointFlashpointBrendan McLaughlin expounds on life, politics and the state of Tampa Bay Articles
Things that make you say, "you don't say!"
2007-11-05 23:22:00 Debate over why Jews are smarter than the rest of us. Why- not whether. Why anybody who eats should care about a farm bill working it?s way through the intestines of Congress. Executive Chef of Bern?s Restaurant is hitting the haute cuisine highway. Woman hunter who shot rare albino deer says it was thrilling to see it, even more thrilling to shoot it. The swiftboating of Hillary. More About: Make , Things
Flashpoint this week: Don't like "Gaybor"? How about "Lesbor
2007-11-02 20:44:00 This Sunday morning on Flashpoint, we find out more about the effort to market Ybor City as a gay and lesbian friendly destination. Over thirty gay and straight businesses and organizations have signed on to the plan and so far, no one's screaming bloody murder. My guests include Ybor Chamber of Commerce President, Tom Keating and Gaybor District Coalition co-founder, Carrie West. West insists that the term "Gaybor" will refer to a small section within the west side of Ybor and is not an attempt to re-name our venerable historic district. I think he's going to spend the rest of his life explaining that to people who are otherwise O.K. with a lively gay scene in Tampa. You'll also hear from former Buccaneer linebacker, Shelton Quarles talking about his new position as chairman of the newly formed Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. See you Sunday Morning at 11:00 on ABC Action News. Have a great weekend. More About: Week
A Deputy by any other name....
2007-11-02 20:40:00 By Don Germaise The beauty about my job is I never know what I?m going to come across. This week, I had to interview an undercover sheriff?s deputy. Usually that means hiding the man?s face with a mask or dark lighting. Then we use chyron to display the guy?s name on the bottom of the screen to identify him as he talks. I couldn?t do it this week. The deputy?s name is John Couey. That?s right, John Couey, the same name as the man who killed Jessie Lunsford. We decided putting that name with the face of a masked man would be so confusing, viewers would forget about the interview. So, our undercover cop went nameless. Oh, by the way, he did have some very funny stories to tell about what it was like working as a deputy while Couey was making big news. One national TV show tracked down his mom in a different state and asked for an exclusive interview about her son. She agreed, not knowing her son?s namesake was a notorious killer. She thought the interview was about her son the c...
Freak your friends on Halloween
2007-10-31 16:06:00 There's not much time left to spook your friends, but follow the instructions here if you want to freak someone out. It's a shameless plug for Criss Angel's A & E show, but I nearly jumped out the window when a friend pranked me with this earlier today. More About: Friends , Freak , Halloween , Allo
My way or the highway
2007-10-30 22:22:00 By Brendan McLaughlin When I lived in San Francisco, I knew it was going to be a good day when the fog burned off before noon to reveal the blue Pacific framed by the rust-orange spans of the Golden Gate Bridge. A good day in Seattle was when Magnolia Coffee fired up their roasters and the sharp, nutty aroma of toasted beans wafted into the kitchen even before I brewed my own coffee. Now I live in Tampa, and a good day is when I can't hear the freeway. The fact that I live a block and a half from the intersection of I-4 and I-275 is my own damn fault. I scouted the lot, build the house and moved in- all of my own volition. I knew the regions's busiest roadway was a five-iron from the front door, but there I am. From my home near downtown, the freeway is essentially invisible, shielded from view by an enormous white concrete wall. The noise seems to come from nowhere and everywhere. And like ... More About: Highway
Hatin' on the Bay Area
2007-10-29 23:43:00 Nobody likes to see their hometown slagged in the press, but if anyplace needs to engage in a little self critical soul searching, it's Tampa Bay. So it's good to hear that Portland economist Joe Cortright drew an attentive crowd to a discussion of "green" urban living last week. Portland Oregon is often cast as model of civic enlightenment. Portland has light rail. Portland has conquered urban sprawl. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! How far have we fallen that Tampa area business leaders had to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to see how it's done? The Queen City is nice enough, but it's distinction as a headquarters for giant banks doesn't exactly stir the soul. Even so, the Tampa delegation apparently marveled at their ultra low office vacancy rate and a Dean and Deluca store. Charlotte's Mayor even crowed about reducing the sort of strip mall sprawl lorida specializes in, calling it "corridors o... More About: Bay Area , Area
This Sunday on Flashpoint
2007-10-26 05:25:00 By Brendan McLaughlin A mixed bag for you this Sunday morning on Flashpoint. We start off with author Larry Biddle a political and non-profit consultant and fundraiser who helped pioneer the now indespensible "net roots" campaign techniques. As a former campaign finance director for Howard Dean, Mr. Biddle has some interesting insights into the now infamous "I Have a Scream" speech that derailed Dean's presidential aspirations in 2004. In segment two, you'll meet the onboard archaeologist for Tampa based, Odyssey Marine Exploration. Scotsman, Neil Cunningham Dobson. This is the guy who takes a toothbrush to the gold and silver coins recovered from the mysterious Black Swan shipwreck. We close with an update on the Republican presidential race in Florida with the amazing shrinking, Wayne Garcia of Creative Loafing. That's Sunday Morning at 11:00 on ABC Action News. See you then.
Florida's Governor simply Crist-acular!
2007-10-24 22:05:00 During the 6:00 pm newscast Monday, we aired the obligatory interview of our Governor at Kennedy Space Center after the successful launch of Shuttle Discovery. But something Charlie Cris t said made my head tilt sideways like Lassie hearing Timmy cry from the bottom of a well. Here's the verbatim: "It's fantastic. I mean the importance of this program to the Sunshine State is... ginormous! There's no way to really estimate how important it is." Did the Governor of the nation's 4th largest state say, "ginormous"? Did he eat his lunch with a spork? Did he mean to say "hugondous"? I can only guesstimate. To my ear, the intertwingling of "gigantic" and "enormous" has the ring of adolescence, though I may be misunderestimating Charlie. A quick google search reveals that "ginormous" is not only recognized by Merriam Webster Dictionary it has a usage history dating back to 1948. So even if "ginormous" doesn't sound gubernatorial (or... More About: Simply , Crist
Housing woes: Is the media too negative, or "Don't talk to me, I'm not
2007-10-23 19:42:00 The Tampa Bay Business Journal has an interesting article about their readers perceptions regarding media coverage of the housing decline. The news media is being too negative in its coverage of the challenges facing the housing market. That's the consensus of 65 percent, or 279, of the 427 readers who responded to the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Business Pulse Survey question assessing the media's current reporting on the housing industry. A little less than a third - 31 percent, or 133 people - said the coverage hasn't been too negative, while just 3 percent, or 15 people, said they were undecided. Don't take it from me that the situation is bad bad bad. Take it from someone who knows. You know, like the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson. "The housing decline is still unfolding," the Secretary said, "and I view it as the most significant current risk to our economy. The longer housing prices remain stagnant or fall, the greater the penalty to our future e... More About: Media , The Media , Talk , Housing , Negative
Presidential race as good as over
2007-10-23 03:19:00 Chuck Norris (who has counted to infinity- twice) has made his presidential pick and it's a roundhouse kick to the jaws of the frontrunners. More About: Presidential , Race , Good , Resident
News from the Garden
2007-10-22 22:42:00 By Brendan McLaughlin With 10 consecutive days off last week, I thought it might be nice to take a total break from the news. Not possible. Gyms all have TV's screens mounted for maximum visibility. News headlines are as close as your pager or cell phone. Banner planes over Clearwater Beach alert you to half-price Cosmo-ritas's at Salty's Shad Shack. That's technically news. The best way for me to avoid the news was to stay busy in the backyard planting an assortment of species I hope can withstand drought, neglect and Airedale urine. I purchased some shrubs, trees and flowers at a huge plant show at USF. The event was held at the Botanical Garde n s and featured local experts on everything from Asparagus to Zinnias. And even though these enthusiasts spent decades studying the complexities of cycad reproduction, they invariably insist that growing their plants at ho... More About: The G , Arden
Paula White's encore presentation on Flashpoint this Sunday Morning at 11:0
2007-10-19 15:09:00 Due to my luxuriously long vacation stretch, you'll get a repeat airing of my interview with Pastor, life coach and motivational speaker, Paula White this Sunday morning on Flashpoint. Meanwhile, (and totally off the subject) I'd like to share this little column written by our former WFTS sports director, Drew Soicher. Remember the guy with the day-glo white teeth and sports comedy franchises like "Drew or False" and "Drew's Clues"? He's in Denver now covering the storybook ascent of the Rockies. Who knew the guy could write? I'll be strapped back into the anchor chair on Monday. Have a great weekend.Brendan McLaughlin More About: Morning , Sunday morning , Presentation
Making us remember
2007-10-17 22:10:00 By Bill Logan It?s not everyday that you?re assigned to a story that we all hope won?t happen? but such was the case back on Friday, October 12, when I was dispatched along with photographer Eugene Perry to the fortified front gate of the Bayou Club in Pinellas Park. You see, the President was to have a luncheon with some big-time benefactors of the G.O.P. ? folks who?d paid 25K a plate to dine with Dubya. We were supposed to be there ?in case? something happened. Well, it was an uneventful morning? with Secret Service. County Cops and other assorted local law enforcement types securing the route and making sure we didn?t get our ?in case? story? Instead, we found another. Robyn Staffan and her mother-in-law Luanne Ream were there along with Robyn?s son, 10-month-old Ashtin? so they could see Robyn?s husband?s boss. As Commander-in-Chief, President Bush was in fact Staff Sergeant Kris Staffan?s BIG boss. The trio had found out about the route because Lu...
Flashbreak this week
2007-10-15 15:18:00 By Brendan McLaughlinThank you all for the lively feedback on Sunday's interview with Pastor Paula White. Considering the size of her congregation and the popularity of her books, tapes and seminars I was surprised more people didn't come to her defense. If you missed the interview, we will run it against next Sunday morning at 11:00 AM on Flashpoint. or you can watch it right here, right now.Just 8 hours after Flashpoint aired, it was fascinating to watch Byron Pitts interview with Houston based televangelist, Joel Osteen on 60 Minutes . Pitts' questioning covered much of the same ground as the Paula White interview, but said almost nothing about how he spends the millions of dollars in tithes and offerings. The resulting portrait of Osteen was actually quite flattering. I'm burning some vacation time this week and will try to keep away from the keyboard as much as possible. My colleagues at ABC Action News may be posting some items, so check in once in ... More About: Week , Brea
Pastor Paula White on Flashpoint this Sunday
2007-10-11 22:36:00 In person, Paula White is disarmingly petite and polite. It's not until you see her strutting across the stage of a packed arena belting out a call and response sermon that you begin to grasp her powers. White is just as convincing speaking in tongues as she is delivering gentle, new-age sounding relationship advice. It makes you wonder if she's the love child of Dr. Joyce Brothers and James Brown. As Pastor of the 22,000 member mega-church, Without Walls International, Paula White qualifies as a genuine Bay Area celebrity. Her personal story of abuse, poverty, redemption and riches inspire her local congregation and the millions who watch her television ministry around the world. That's why White's recently announced separation with husband and co-Pastor, Randy White made big news. It also revived concerns about the million dollar homes, luxury cars and other trappings of wealth both Paula and Randy display so openly. Among th... More About: Sunday
Every picture tells a partial story
2007-10-09 23:01:00 A remarkable piece of videotape in the news this week reminded me how pictures can simultaneously communicate and confuse. Take a moment to look at this disturbing dashcam video that shows a Fort Pierce police officer restraining a 15 year old girl arrested for curfew violation and suspicion of other crimes. How would you write the headline or lead sentence for the newscast? A) Officer Punches and Pepper Sprays 15 Year Old Girl. ; &nbs p; or B) Teenager Resisting Arrest Bites Officer on the Arm. Most television stations that carried the story leaned toward version "A" emphasizing the brutality of the officer and the vulnerability of the teen. One version of the story described the suspect as "a 15 year old girl crying for her mother." My problem with this approach is that it doesn't even hint at the motive behind the officer's actions suggesting ... More About: Story , Picture , Tells
Charlie Crist: Regular Guy
2007-10-09 03:24:00 By Don Germaise Covering the State House is certainly different now that Char lie Cris t is Governor. I always had great rapport with Jeb Bush, and when reporters crowded Jeb for an interview, he always stopped in front of me, so we got a great camera angle. With Crist in office, it?s a little different. With Crist, I need to work on time management skills! Last Thursday morning, while I was covering the special session in Tallahassee, my cell phone rang. It was Crist?s aide offering me a one-on-one interview with the Governor at 9:45. I was already committed to another interview then, and told the aide I couldn?t make it. He responded, ?Don?t worry. Whenever you get here is fine.? I showed up at the Governor?s Capitol Office around 10:30 and watched as a group of six or seven capitol beat reporters left. They had spoken to Crist at an impromptu Press Conference. All of a sudden I hear someone shout, ?GERMAISE!? It was our Governor. He greeted me warmly and then walked me back t... More About: Regular
This Sunday on Flashpoint: Harvest of Shame Redux
2007-10-05 21:54:00 By Brendan McLaughlin The title of the book is disturbing enough, "Nobodies" Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy. It's even worse to see that the first chapter is entitled "Florida". Author John Bowe makes a convincing argument that slavery is part of our present, not just our past. From Saipan to Immokalee, men, women and children are forced to work punishing hours for little or no net pay and threatened with deportation or death if they complain. Bowe's uses the word, "slavery" a little too liberally, considering our country's 300 year history of institutionalized, multi-generational, whip and chain bondage of African slavery in America. It's deplorable that indentured servitude persists in American, but it's not the law of the land. "Nobodies" also points the finger of blame at the reader. Our consumer culture puts enormous pressure on companies to sell fast food, toys, ... More About: Sunday , Harvest , Sham , Shame
Service with a shrug
2007-10-04 22:28:00 By Brendan McLaughlin Not long ago, my wife and I dined with another couple at a highly regarded South Tampa restaurant. I ordered a bowl of the lobster bisque to share. My wife ordered the Sea Bass with lobster sauce as her entrée. The bisque was a little gummy, but tasty. When the fish came, the ?sauce? glopped on top looked exactly like the soup I?d just finished. One taste confirmed that it was the same stuff. It?s a soup! It?s a sauce! It?s a dessert topping! It?s a soothing ointment for scrapes and burns! That?s the kind of thing that happens far too often in a metropolis the size of Tampa Bay. Yes, we have some well run and reliable chains and a few wonderful independents, but too often, the dining scene in the Bay Area is a gauntlet of expensive disappointments. The problem is as often the service as the food. When I asked one server her preference between two choices of wine, she informed me she didn?t drink. That?s a legitimate lifestyle choice, but maybe... More About: Service
First degree meter murder and other marvels
2007-10-03 03:40:00 ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; & nbsp; ; &nbs p; ---------- I don't condone the theft and mutilation of 123 parking meters, but this is one criminal who won't likely get shanked in prison. ; &nbs p; &nb sp; &n bsp; & nbsp; ; &nbs p; ---------- To me, the most amazing thing about the New York Times' admiring article on the success... More About: Murder , Degree , Meter
It's hard out there for a Republican
2007-10-02 04:50:00 By Brendan McLaughlin Within days of requesting $190 billion dollars to fund the Iraq war, President Bush has promised to veto an expansion of children's health insurance. President Bush neither loves war nor hates children, but he's sure delivering a gift to Democrats who suspect he does. George Bush's opposition to a $35 billion dollar bump in children's health insurance contrasts oddly with his support for a massive prescription drug program for seniors. If the voting age were 7, might he champion both programs? His position also runs counter to popular opinion and will prove to be a pebble in the shoe of Republic an Presidential candidates who will have justify their support of the George Bush on this issue or defend a program many conservatives consider to be a stalking horse for socialized medicine. More About: Hard
Flashpoint this Sunday: Is tax relief DOA?
2007-09-28 03:56:00 The 9 % spending rollback mandated by the legislature was supposed to be a warm up act. The main event would be a "super" homestead exemption, enacted by voters in January that would cut many people's property tax bills in half. Alas, that happy ending will very likely end up on the cutting room floor. A Leon County Judge ruled the amendment language is misleading so he knocked it off the ballot. Even if the legislature successfully appeals or draws up another ballot measure, polls show public support falls way short of the 60 percent approval required for passage.This Sunday on Flashpoint, I talk to Tampa City Council member Linda Saul-Sena and State Senator, Mike Fasano about the prospects of further tax cuts and the price local government will pay if they ever come to pass. Wayne Garcia of Creative Loafing has the last word on the subject and also briefs us on this week's cover story on "Athletic Supporter", Jim Norman and his determination to build a 40 ... More About: Relief
Looking for your dream candidate? Take the quiz!
2007-09-26 22:29:00 I can't vouch for the research behind it (here's the source material), but this quiz purports to cross- check your stand on the issues against those of the presidential candidates. It's sort of like e-Harmony for voters looking for a candidate to love. http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259 460 More About: Quiz , Dream , Candidate
Gay district planned for Ybor City- Castro East?
2007-09-26 21:30:00 It'll be called "GaYbor City " of course. Read all about it in this press release from Ybor Historic District Civic Association president, Tony LaColla: Tampa, FL (September 19, 2007) - Businesses and residents have united to create a gay district called the GaYbor District in the west end of the Ybor City National Landmark Historic District in Tampa, Florida. In the past year, several gay and gay friendly businesses have sprung up in Ybor City and now several other business owners and residents in the gay community are looking to Ybor as a potential new home. With excitement growing, Historic Ybor City is developing into a popular gay and *** destination. Since July over 35 businesses and organizations have come together into the GaYbor District Coalition with a mission to ?form a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of GLBT owned and friendly businesses, property owners, and residents for the purpose of promoting economic g... More About: East , Castro , Strict
Important Movie Alert
2007-09-26 04:00:00 By Brendan McLaughlin Yeah, I know. It's another thing to worry about, but maybe you can actually do something about this. Out of fear, ignorance and a love of soup, we are steadily wiping out the world's sharks. They're not as lovable as panda bears, but sharks may be more important to our survival than almost any other creature on earth. The new film, Sharkwater opens this week in Bay Area theaters. As coastal dwellers I think we should know more about possible extinction of one of our neighbors below the water line. Aside from being a stunningly beautiful nature flick, Sharkwater points the fin of blame at those responsible for the wholesale slaughter of a creature that is so perfectly evolved, it has remained unchanged over millions of years. Hint: China and Costa Rica don't come off looking too good. More About: Movie , Alert , Import
Mr. Natural's looking for a better deal
2007-09-25 23:45:00 By Brendan McLaughlin One of the first things I do whenever I'm out of town is look for a Whole Foods market. I window shop the fresh fish, the grass-fed beef and the exotic plates of paella and squid ink pasta. On the flight home, my carry on luggage usually reeks of Basque sheep milk cheese. Since Whole Foods has deigned to open just a handful of stores in Florida- none of them in the immediate Bay Area, I'm forced to forage from a dozen different grocers- Fish from Land and Sea, produce from Fresh Market, flowers from Whaley's. That's a waste of gas. Now the Publix supermarket chain is stepping up to challenge Whole Foods. You've probably seen the natural and organic "GreenWise" products segregated in their own aisles in your local Publix, but next year, several prototype GreenWise stores are scheduled to open in Boca, Vero Beach and Tampa. If the selection and service match Whole Foods, they may be... More About: Deal , Natura , Ural
The not-so-great Satan
2007-09-24 18:22:00 The headlines read: ?The Evil Has Landed? and ?Iranian Madman Walks Among Us?. I?m surprised the banks and malls were open today, what with the embodiment of evil visiting New York. Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad probably does drink out of a ?Death to America? coffee cup every morning, but shouldn?t you have to do something truly horrible on a global scale to be called the embodiment of pure evil? Maybe not, especially if unless somebody wants you to stop thinking about a truly nasty fellow who?s still on the loose. Or they want to make the American public more accepting of a military strike against another country. Make no mistake, Iran represents an enormous threat to the democracies of the west. Iran?s support of terror groups and it?s blatant campaign to join the nuclear club requires engagement and possibly action, but let?s not give a tool like Ahmadinejad the starring role in this drama before he earns it. Even within Iran,&n... More About: Satan , Great
"Don't Tase me, bro"- a current affair
2007-09-19 06:01:00 I had an unexpected reaction to watching the rambling outburst and consequent Tasering of the University of Florida student who disrupted an address by Senator John Kerry. I grinned, and then felt bad about it. Maybe it was the sense that this kid was not only playing to the cameras, but playing himself off as a free speech martyr. I make my living under the protection of the first amendment and don?t need this escapee from the Alltell Wireless commercials giving free speech a bad name. Then I consulted a current U.F. classmate of 21 year old, Andrew Meyer, who also happens to be my son. Most of Patrick's friends thought the kid deserved to be ejected after commandeering the microphone and refusing to step off. They also saw a clear case of resisting arrest. My son (wise and compassionate young man that he is) saw no justification for the use of electric shock. ?They had one cuff on him and had enough manpower to cuff the other arm. They cou... More About: Current , Affair
Does a gun show count as a cultural event?
2007-09-18 23:19:00 The Tampa Museum of Art commissioned a market research study to figure out how to best "brand" the museum when it opens in it's new, larger building. Only 36 % of respondents said they'd attended a cultural event in the last year. And since people tend to answer poll questions in a way the reflects favorably on themselves, I'm guessing the real number is even lower. Of course it's possible Hillsborough residents are crowding into Kabuki performances and signing up for poetry slams in record numbers, but don't want to admit to such effete diversions. The definition of a cultural event is hard to pin down. After all, the Florida State Fair this year had ballroom dancing and Ronnie Milsap. More About: Event , Show , Count , Cultural , Ural
Look Ma! No gay agenda!
More articles from this author:2007-09-16 16:33:00 Is Hillsborough County ready for an openly gay member of the board of county commissioners? We'll find out when financial planner, Kevin Beckner runs against tough talking family guy, Brian Blair. In this case the incumbent is more "colorful" than the challenger. Formerly a wrestler who dressed up like a honeybee, Blair has become known for intemperate comments and pointed outburts at official meeings. Beckner has the upright posture and low key politeness of a Morman missionary. His priorities are growth, transportation and environmental protection. Even Ronda Storms could support this guy. Brian Blair declined my invitation to appear on Flashpoint, but you'll meet Mr. Beckner. We also discuss the critical importance of the latino vote in the presidential campaign with Maura Barrios and La Gaceta publisher, Patrick Manteiga. Let me know what you think. More About: Agenda 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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