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Opinion

Ringing any bells? A dismal 12% of high school seniors have a good grasp of American history. Fewer than one in four attain the minimum basic standard, according to tests from the U.S. Department of Education.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2011
OUR VIEW: The crisis of our founding roots

Despite naysayers in some of the highest offices in the land, the story of America may be the most compelling national story ever told in the history of the world, the story of men who fought and died for a universal desire - freedom - and then embodied that desire in a set of guiding principles that continues to this day.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Merrill
  • By David Merrill
  • June 23, 2011
My View: More money is no answer

Rod Thomson's recent editorial, "Reforms, Not Money, Working," was spot-on. His argument that money hasn't led to increased test scores in our educational system is true both at the international level and at our local level.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Thomson
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 23, 2011
My View: Setting the vote straight

There are some issues that have been so badly reported, where the bias is so entrenched and the media agenda so intertwined in news stories, that it is difficult to unravel things enough to make a cogent argument. Everyone's mind appears already made up with insufficient information.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 23, 2011
Our View: Keep cutting, maintain reserves

As local governments work through their annual budget seasons, they all face the same thing: the fifth year of declining revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 22, 2011
Incorporation to be subject of summer news series

By August, readers should have all the information they need to determine whether to support Lakewood Ranch becoming a city.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
Our View: Safety is the priority

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube made a persuasive case last week for increased spending, and it appears a majority of Manatee County commissioners are inclined to listen. So are we.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 06.23.211

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
An astoundingly expensive $20 million proposal to upgrade the public beach facilities at Siesta Key beach is not only out of touch with fiscal realities, it misses a central point: The draw of Siesta Key beach is the beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 16, 2011
Our View: Siesta Beach plan unreal

Siesta Key Beach is one of Sarasota's jewels and a critical component of the economic pillar of tourism - a major leg of our economy long term. It is part of who we are.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
Our view: Legislation hurts Longboat

The Legislature violated in the past session one basic governing principle but upheld one unfortunately universal law - the law of unintended consequences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 06.16.11

East County readers respond to news and opinions in previous editions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 15, 2011
OUR VIEW: Valid straw poll imperative

The two sides in the debate over Lakewood Ranch incorporation do not agree on much. But one thing they have in common is a tit-for-tat dance that is probably confusing the incorporation debate more than anything else.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 9, 2011
OUR VIEW: Jackson demise for the best

Contrary to prevailing establishment opinion, Sarasota County did not 'lose out' on the Jackson Laboratory deal.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
Our View: Budget needs more cutting

There is nothing easy about running a local government these days. Decisions that should have been made, or reversed, long ago are being forced now as property values keep declining and the economic future remains a general mystery. There is no more road to kick the can down.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
Letters to the editor

To send in your letters, please email them to [email protected], or mail them to the Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 8, 2011
OUR VIEW: Sheriff's request questionable

Manatee County Commissioners have their hands full again creating a balanced budget in the fifth year of declining revenues from falling property values and a struggling economy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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