May 29 was my scheduled six-month CT scan at the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital, under whose care I have been since flying home from Amsterdam last year. The five-hour drive seemed less daunting as my strength and confidence returned, and the appointment appeared poised to be the maiden voyage for the new car we…
Walt Disney World opened last week. Just who do they think is coming?
American diplomats who are the global face of the United States are struggling with how to demand human rights, democracy and rule of law abroad amid concerns overseas and criticism at home over the Trump administration’s strong arm response to the protests across the country. Lara Jakes and Edward Wong, The New York Times My…
The governor of my state of Florida, Ron DeSantis, is “counting on people to do the right thing” about social distancing and wearing masks to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. In the next breath, he shrugs off the young crowds at the bars, saying “people are going to do what they’re going to do.”…
There are no problems, only opportunities.Old budget analyst adage I spent my working years as an analyst in the New York State Division of the Budget. Making a solid case for a position was highly valued. When I spoke about our work with other State government managers, I’d say that if you could argue successfully…
Friday evenings we go to church for ten minutes. That’s when the duo of Mark Shields and David Brooks speak with PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff about the events of the prior week. Almost every week we are buoyed by the thoughtful analysis. Last night, on the topic of national leadership, Shields commented that a…
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefing, usually set in the State Capitol in Albany, took place today in Brooklyn, where his message was to encourage New Yorkers to wear a mask and to get tested at one of the 700 sites now available throughout New York State. But, he said, he could not get this message…
I last spoke with Don more than two years ago, but his voice —brimming with life, bubbling with energy — resonates still in my head.
My father's career was spent in upholding the structures that define our democracy -- checks and balances, open elections, a free press. I believe these structures will continue to protect my country.
Now, it's personal. When this immoral president makes scathing remarks about moral career government employees, he's aiming at my home turf. I was a state government civil servant for nearly 30 years before retiring to Florida. My BA in Urban Affairs and Masters in Public Administration qualified me to enter the ranks of the Budget…
