Opinion
Developer interest in Hillsborough stirs economic optimism
Headlines about layoffs and business closings in the Tampa Bay area are being outnumbered these days by stories about development plans and openings.
06/17/13
Rare good news in Iran
To Westerners, so weary of the carefully cultivated arrogance and belligerence of Iran's outgoing president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the fact that a genuinely moderate cleric, Hassan Rouhani, will succeed him can only be taken as encouraging news.
06/17/13
Common Core is no threat
Seismic change in an institution as vast as the public education system doesn’t come easy. But the chance to raise the state’s academic proficiency in math and literacy by enacting Common Core standards is worth the turmoil and effort.
06/16/13
Obama shifts course in Syria
President Obama’s decision to supply Syrian rebels with small arms and ammunition won’t satisfy those who want the United States to be actively involved in ousting President Bashar al-Assad.
06/15/13
Grant incentives to land Amazon
What’s not to like about a deal that could bring 1,000 jobs to Hillsborough County, boost the local tax base and move the state closer to collecting sales taxes from the world’s largest online retailer?
06/15/13
Henriquez seeks sinkhole protections
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez understands that the county's lax sinkhole oversight allows fraud and deception.
06/12/13
Data mining is legal, necessary
The 29-year-old security contractor who claims to have leaked the details about the government's widespread surveillance program no doubt expects to be celebrated as a champion of civil liberties.
06/10/13
Chamber takes steady Cuba course
It is characteristic of the high emotions surrounding Cuba that the Greater Tampa of Commerce was attacked by both sides when it scheduled a four-day tour of Cuba.
06/10/13
Be careful with increasing revenues
Relief is widespread now that local property values are steadily increasing and bringing in more tax revenue for cities and counties.
06/10/13
Ease travel restrictions to Cuba to boost freedom
There is a quick way for our nation to help overwhelm Cuba's censorship and propaganda.
06/09/13
A troubling military gap
The American troops who fought in World War II have been called "the greatest generation" (as in the title of a book about them written by television's Tom Brokaw).
06/10/13
Supreme Court is right on DNA searches
The Supreme Court's decision this week to allow police to swab criminal suspects for DNA samples is a natural step in the evolution of fighting violent crime.
06/06/13
County ends hateful and embarrassing gay policy
Hillsborough County commissioners are to be applauded for voting Wednesday to overturn a misguided policy that banned the county from recognizing gay pride events or displays.
06/06/13
A safe path for Ashley Drive
There is much to like about Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Its sloping expanse of grass and proximity to the river make it an appealing venue for organized events and casual strolls alike.
06/03/13
Pressure on North Korea
Distressing distractions are everywhere we look, but we cannot afford to ignore the constant danger — including the threat of nuclear warfare — represented by North Korea, where the military government seems proudly out of step with the rest of the world.
06/01/13