The Republicans control 65% of both houses of the state legislature. The governor is a Republican. The legislative session is 60 days in March and April. A special session would have to be called by the governor or the leader of one of the houses, all Republicans.

In her Party Statement on Primary Situation, Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, adds some details on how nasty the Republicans were in this, including doing it with Bill 537. For those not familiar with Florida, that was the “official” number of votes that separated Al Gore and the Shrubbery in the 2000 election.

She notes:

Our Democratic legislators in Tallahassee tried to set the Florida primary on Feb. 5, instead of Jan. 29, but of course, their proposed amendment to House Bill 537 was greeted with laughter and derision from the Republicans who control the state government.

[Read more →]

The BBC announced his death and provides this brief Obituary

Science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died at the age of 90 in Sri Lanka.

Once called “the first dweller in the electronic cottage”, his vision of the future, and its technology – popularised in films like 2001: A Space Odyssey – captured the popular imagination.

Arthur C Clarke’s vivid – and detailed – descriptions of space shuttles, super-computers and rapid communications systems were enjoyed by millions of readers around the world.

His writings gave science fiction – a genre often accused of veering towards the fantastical – a refreshingly human and practical face.

Clarke’s ideas and gadgets engaged his readers because of, not despite, their plausibility. Quite often, his fictional musings formed the basis of what we now see as science fact.

His were among the first books in the genre that I read, and he managed to keep the science in science fiction.

Why don’t Florida progressives adopt a new motto to express their opinion? Something that will fit on a bumper sticker and can be chanted at gatherings, a rallying cry:

No Vote In Denver = No Vote In November

Just a thought, after I learned at Corrente that Kos thinks it’s nice that Florida and Michigan are willing to take one for the team.

I have no idea what “team” he is referring to, unless it’s the one that just cut Florida and Michigan from their “roster” .