Why are we surprised?

I’m amazed at the continued reaction to state Sen. John Thrasher, the new de facto president of Florida State University.

Not by the vitriol. That’s a given between a liberal faculty, a conservative president-to-be and current state politics.

No. What amazes me is the very idea that it goes on, year after year after year — where powerful political appointees worm their way into the alma mater and lucrative state university system through political spoils.

It’s how it works and has worked in Florida since Ponce de Leon, but we act as if we’re somehow caught off guard — as if this was something entirely new.

If we want to solve it, the answer is simple:

Simply pass a law or constitutional referendum prohibiting any political office holder from assuming any position at a state university for eight years.

The question isn’t whether Thrasher can run the university. He can.

The question is:

Do we want a permanent spoils system?


Appointment feels unethical

In an obvious effort to thwart the will of the citizens’ upcoming referendum regarding an independent ethics officer, the city has appointed our very first one.

An attorney, not an ethicist, she has accepted a position that is not independent but reports instead to the city attorney and the city auditor. Further, she should know the intent of the City Commission here.

In my view taking this position somehow seems unethical.

But, I’m not an ethicist.


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