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Opinion

Richard Dorfman is a former District 1 City Commission candidate.
  • By Richard Dorfman
  • February 16, 2012
My View: Keep your hands off downtown, dummies!

Downtown is a little bit funky, a bit old school and a little bit frayed. But all of these characteristics spell 'personality.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Chris Waters was raised in Sarasota.
  • By Chris Waters
  • February 16, 2012
My View: Without a long-range vision, cities perish

Sarasota needs a community-wide consensus and vision, to help it navigate over the next 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • February 16, 2012
My View: Mortgage settlement for politicians

So the nation's five largest banks will pay $25 billion as a "settlement," and some homeowners who are upside down on their mortgages will get relief.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Our View: This is America?

Most weeks, we prefer to devote this space to matters directly affecting Longboat Key. Now and again, though, as many of our readers know, our comments will go beyond the Key's island borders.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
George Rauch, Longboat Key, is chief executive officer of Bradenton-based General Propeller and a former Wall Street investment banker.
  • By George Rauch
  • February 15, 2012
Market Watch: 'Thou shalt not covet'

The Decalogue's 10th precept is "thou shalt not covet (another man's wife or property)."

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Our View: This is America?

Most weeks, our preference is to devote this space to matters directly affecting the East County. Now and again, though, events beyond our region's interests are so alarming, bizarre or compelling they cannot be ignored.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Our View: This is America?

Most weeks, our preference is to devote this space to matters directly affecting the East County. Now and again, though, events beyond our region's interests are so alarming, bizarre or compelling they cannot be ignored.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 15, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Julie Aranibar, a Lakewood Ranch resident, represents District 3 on the Manatee County School Board.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
My View: Board tackles health care

Education is a topic that spans young pre-kindergarten little ones to adults walking across a graduation platform.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 15, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Don't bite the hand that feeds you; Anglers must supply own bait at tourney

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • February 9, 2012
My View: 'Homeless' don't have right to harm property

Advocates who demand non-judgmental public policies out of a sense of guilt only lead vagrants into dependence.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Don't let us down; keep Southwest Airlines

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Our View: Obama's assault on religion

No ideas are more fundamental to our nation's heritage and moral principles than those expressed in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Letters to the Editor

'The Iron Lady' movie missed the mark; Library and historical society could join forces; Thank you to family for cleaning up; All Longboat taxpayers should not pay for center

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 8, 2012
Observed: Opa! St. Barbara preps for festival

When you're a minority, many folks are curious about your heritage, but they don't quite know how to inquire. They don't want to say anything that could be construed as offensive, so they skirt around, delicate as a doily.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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