Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr.

LeRoy Collins, Jr.
September 3, 1934 – July 29, 2010

Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr., USNR (Ret.), 75, died Thursday, July 29, 2010, in Tampa, Fla.  A native of Tallahassee, Collins was born on September 3, 1934 to Mary Call Darby Collins and former Florida Governor LeRoy Collins.  He graduated from Leon High School where he was an Eagle Scout and served as president of the student body.  He then accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in the class of 1956, embarking upon a 34-year military career and retiring as a two-star Rear Admiral in 1990. Read the rest of this entry »

Never content to be outdone by Kevin White, Jim Norman is equally disgraceful.

A satirical look at Norman’s latest plea for help

By Chris Ingram

Dear sycophant Kool-aid drinking Republicans:
 
As you know, it’s tough being an elected official when the darned media starts asking questions about where you got your lakefront resort home in Arkansas and a pair of nice boats to go with it. What they don’t realize is it is tough being a county commissioner; and I need those boats for recreation – especially fishing for some big Bass! I have done my best to keep who paid for my wife’s house from you and the media because I don’t like to see people get upset. And that’s what you would be if you really knew where the coin came from. You would say: “that smells like something Kevin White dragged in.” Read the rest of this entry »

Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr.

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I pass along the news that Admiral LeRoy Collins died in a tragic bicycle accident this morning in Tampa as he was on his way to row at the University of Tampa.

Admiral Collins had an outstanding Naval career, was a distinguished gentleman and family man, and one-time candidate for the United States Senate. He currently was serving the people of Florida as the Director of Florida Veteran’s Affairs having been appointed to the post by Governor Charlie Crist.

Admiral Collins had a passion for helping people, speaking the unvarnished truth — though in a very gentlemanly way, and giving back to his community. Though in his mid-seventies, he lived an active and healthy lifestyle — frequently biking and rowing before sunrise. Read the rest of this entry »

“The Diner”

A political satire about the antics of Sam and Josh

By Chris Ingram

(7:01 a.m. In the heart of Brandon at “Sam’s Café” in walks Josh, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission)

(Josh sits down and a lovely waitress hands him a menu)

Waitress: Good morning. Can I get you something to drink?

Josh: Yes. I would like some Hi-C.

Waitress: We don’t have Hi-C. How about some orange juice?

Josh: Okay. With a straw please.  And I’d like to go ahead and order.

Waitress: Okay. What would you like?

Josh: I’ll have a Pop-tart and a bowl of Captain Crunch. Read the rest of this entry »

Broward County State Committeeman compares Rick Scott to Obama

By Chris Ingram

Broward County blowhard Ed Kennedy who serves on the Republican Party of Florida’s State Executive Committee was recently videotaped questioning Rick Scott’s Republican credentials and went on to compare Scott to Obama with no further explanation.

Kennedy states, “I’ve been here over 50 years. I’ve never seen him, never heard of him, never worked with him or understood what he did. I’m sure he’s a competent individual but he’s never participated in the politics until this last election.”

Kennedy went on to say Read the rest of this entry »

Rumors are swirling that Rick Scott will ask State Senator Paula Dockery to be his running mate

By Chris Ingram

Sources close to the Rick Scott campaign have suggested Scott is considering asking State Senator Paula Dockery to be his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Dockery, who ended her own longshot race for governor several months ago was campaigning with Scott last week in the critical I-4 corridor.

The two apparently have hit it off, and no doubt Dockery’s usual anti-establishment stance in Tallahassee would fit in with Scott’s. However, that stance may also add to Scott’s Read the rest of this entry »

Poor Ben Kelly is just trying to keep the boss happy

By Chris Ingram

Ever wonder what the appointed bureaucrats of career politicians do all day? You know, the kind of little twerps who work for a guy like Jim Norman who after twenty years of screwing things up in Hillsborough County (think traffic congestion) now finds himself term-limited so he seeks the state legislature so he can go screw things up in Tallahassee. Little minions who work for people like Norman are sycophants, so they of course will Read the rest of this entry »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bay News 9 welcomes two new political analysts
Chris Ingram and Betty Castor join Bay News 9

ST. PETERSBURG, FL— Two distinguished political figures are joining Bay News 9 as analysts.  Christopher (Chris) Ingram and Betty Castor will provide their political insight and analysis for election night coverage and general political coverage of local, state, and national issues throughout the year. Read the rest of this entry »

What people are talking about in politics

By Chris Ingram

Campaign Finance Wars

In Round 1 of GOP Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott’s challenge to the state’s campaign finance laws, fellow candidate Bill McCollum has prevailed. A judge sided with McCollum that the state’s law providing matching funds to candidates facing a wealthy challenger who is self-funded passes the smell test.

Scott plans to appeal and McCollum will have his hand out for millions of dollars from the state. It should come as no surprise that career politician McCollum is happy to accept candidate welfare – afterall, Read the rest of this entry »