Robo-potties in South FL?

OK, this is actually a non-partisan (though definitely a political) post that I just had to pass on. From South Florida, via WND:

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle says his city has a problem with “homosexual activity” in public restrooms and he has a plan to stop it – robotic toilets that allow occupants to stay inside for only a short time before the door automatically opens. ...

Fort Lauderdale police officials said male sex in public restrooms is no longer a problem, but Naugle insists the practice persists and has used recent public meetings and e-mails to constituents to raise the issue. ...

Naugle said the proposed location for the city’s first experimental unit is “the rainbow parking lot” at a local beach considered by some to be the area’s “gay beach.”

“The homosexual newspaper said it’s the ‘gay parking lot.’ That’s not me saying that,” Naugle told the Sun-Sentinel, “that’s what they said. I don’t use the word ‘gay.’ I use the word ‘homosexual.’ Most of them aren’t gay. They’re unhappy.”

OK, I don't care to debate whether gays are happy or not (but if you guys want to do so, I shan't interfere). I just have two points to ponder:

1. Exactly how much time is "enough time" to lay cable? You definitely get an idea of how heavy-handed Big Guvmint is getting when it determines what an appropriate amount of time to pinch a loaf would be. Guys, don't take that newspaper or magazine into the stall, lest ye have the doors fling open for all the world to see (and, presumably, to smell)!

2. The Fort Lauderdale cops who actually work the beat say that male sex in public restrooms is no longer a problem. Mayor Naugle insists the practice persists. Intemperate question...how would he know?

Cops: "It's not going on!"

Naugle: "Yes, it is! (pauses) Uh...I have 'sources' that tell me it does. I mean, it's not like I've been around it! Just, uh, trust me already, OK???"

UPDATE: Why do Democrats hate people in hurricane zones?

UPDATES at the bottom of this post.

Yet another shining example of how the left "feels" instead of "thinks", even when it comes to an otherwise nonpartisan subject like hurricane news and help. From the South Florida Sun Slant-inel:

Rush Limbaugh has long been a thorn in the side of liberals, but now, because of him, some Democratic politicians don't even want to join with a local radio station to broadcast hurricane information.

Radio station WIOD, AM 610, has been the official channel for emergency information from Broward County government for the past year. The County Commission, all Democrats, balked at renewing the deal Tuesday, unable to stomach the station also being home to Limbaugh's talk show.

Commissioner Stacy Ritter said she did not want to support a station that's out of step with area politics. Ritter, a Democratic stalwart in the state Legislature before being elected to county office, cited talk shows hosted by Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and WIOD's partnership with Fox News.

"They have every right to speak, but we don't have to do business with them," she said.

Limbaugh has long been a fixture on WIOD, but no county official raised an issue about him or the other shows when the deal was approved for the first time a year ago.

The deal with WIOD would ensure that news conferences are broadcast start to finish live from the county Emergency Operations Center in Plantation. Emergency managers became concerned during hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 that radio and television stations preempted their announcements in favor of news out of Miami.

Limbaugh, who lives in Palm Beach, could not be reached for comment. Ken Charles, WIOD's director of AM programming, said the station's talk show lineup has no relationship with its news coverage and that the county should focus on the benefits of teaming with the station.

"It's a shame that people would let politics get in the way of saving lives in a hurricane," Charles said.

The contract with WIOD was on the verge of being rejected when commissioners instead delayed a decision until next week. They told their communications staff they want more information on why WIOD was recommended and what their options are.

Ritter's concerns were echoed by Commissioners Ken Keechl, a former president of the Dolphins gay Democratic club, and Suzanne Gunzburger, who served on the vote-tallying board that recounted the 2000 presidential election. (So gays and "Gore got more" moonbats are driving the decision. Freakin' wonderful. - Ed.)

But Commissioner John Rodstrom, a one-time young Republican leader who later became a Democrat, said the county should not politicize emergency management.

"If we are going to start censoring what people write in the paper or speak on the radio or television, that's a slippery slope," Rodstrom said. "This is necessary. It's something we need to do for emergency response."

A county task force that looked into the response to Hurricane Wilma listed finding a radio partner among its recommendations last year.

Judy Sarver, the county's public communications director, said WFTL and WLRN also offered to take on the role, but that she and other emergency planners preferred WIOD because of its signal strength, numerous FM sister stations and willingness to give Broward top play.

Let's see: When dealing with a life-or-death subject like hurricanes, you can either go with a local station that has a strong signal and far-reaching presence, or go with an out-of-town station with a weaker presence and that gives YOUR area short shrift. Decisions, decisions.

It's bad enough that the Dems' presidential candidates are more afraid of Fox News than Al Qaeda. But it's just flat-out disgusting that these morons would politicize something as apolitical as hurricance coverage!

UPDATE (06/14/2007 - 8:11 P.M. EST): Apparently, after being bombarded with angry phone calls, the Broward County boobs have decided that it's be a good idea to broadcast emergency info to the broadest group on the strongest signal, even if that station carries the "evil" Rush Limbaugh. Every once in a while, by hook or by crook, common sense wins out.

Florida legislator calls illegal aliens...“illegal aliens”!

If dude's not careful, he's gonna get the Imus treatment! From Jacksonville.com:

At least one member of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus has demanded a public apology over an e-mail that a fellow Republican lawmaker thought was a funny way to remind people to pay their taxes.

Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, recently forwarded a cartoon from his state e-mail account to his colleagues that read: "Don't forget to pay your taxes ... 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!"

Brown said Friday he meant the message as a joke, but it was met with a fierce reaction from many other lawmakers. He later sent a follow-up e-mail to apologize.

Brown still needs to make a public apology, said Rep. Juan Carlos "J.C." Planas, a Miami Republican and member of the Hispanic caucus.

"I think he has to specifically state that he understands now that that term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals, and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," Planas said.

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals"...such as illegal aliens! Yessiree, if I were an illegal alien, I'd sure as hell hate for someone to remind me of that! If I were Brown, I would have responded to Planas' galling demand for more contrition thusly:

"I represent the good people of DeFuniak Springs, none of whom are, to my knowledge, illegal aliens. Those who are illegal aliens in DeFuniak Springs can simply forget to ask me for their representation. I am disheartened to see my esteemed colleague, J.C. Planas, taking up the cause for illegal aliens in his district and volunteering his services of representation for them. I would like to encourage him to represent his legal constituents as his oath of office compels him to do."

Here's how Imus should have handled the "nappy-headed" flap:

Brown said he's finished with the issue.

"People were offended by it and I have apologized to those who were offended by it," Brown said. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm done. Now if they want to elevate it to an entire new debate about illegal aliens, then we can have that debate."

Well done, Brown. Personally, I wouldn't have apologized for it at all, and I'd tell people to go pound sand before getting an apology out of me for stating the obvious (a fact that pro-illegal immigration apologists frequently tune out): illegal aliens impose a cost on society. However, if he is determined to bow at the altar of political correctness, he did so the right way: say it, and be done with it. After all, groveling and perpetual apologies didn't Imus anywhere, now did it?

Republicans correct educrats' snub of Jeb

From the Orlando Slant-inel:

Just a few weeks after the University of Florida's faculty Senate voted against awarding Jeb Bush an honorary degree, a Republican-controlled House council decided this morning to make the university name its entire college of education after the former governor.

The University of Florida's education school would be renamed the "Jeb Bush College of Education," under an amendment approved this morning by the House Schools & Learning Council. What's more, UF would also have to erect "suitable markers" noting the college's new name and include the revised name in all university documents, including catalogues and brochures.

The provision, which was inserted into a broader bill (HB 621) renaming buildings at various state universities, was offered by Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami. Rivera's a top lieutenant to House Speaker Marco Rubio, who has long admired Bush and regularly seeks counsel from the former governor.

Personally, I object to the actions of the legislature. Why? Because I like Jeb too much to ever associate him with UF!