Three-year-old Natalie Berg picked up the stuffed doll bearing the likeness of her father and held it close, smiling. ...more

December 31, 2009

Lisa Berg, mother of Natalie, Nathan and Alexander, and wife of Benjamin, is the executive director of OPERATION Hug-A-Hero, which has produced the comforting creations since 2008. The dolls are produced in Michigan. ...more

December 30, 2009

I shook my head in wonder as I read John Padget's column, "Florida must win education competition" (Other Views, Dec. 27). I recognize and embrace his "sense of urgency to get change implemented and student outcomes accelerated." ...more

December 29, 2009

In July of 2009, following the bailout and the TARP passages, the U.S. government either owned or controlled 31 percent of the U.S. economy as a direct result of its dealings with banks, AIG and GM, etc. Now the new health care bill will increase this figure by 17 percent to 48 percent. Next on the agenda are Barney Frank's Financial Services Bill and the Cap and Tax bill, which will increase the percentage to 71 percent. ...more

December 28, 2009

The fact that we've known since the beginning of time that politicians negotiate sweetheart deals to get legislation passed doesn't do anything to lessen the anger we feel over the Senate health care bill. This isn't about disagreeing with needed improvements. It is about "buying" votes by offering special gifts for states. ...more

December 23, 2009

One of the biggest challenges to ending the foreclosure crisis is this: A surprising number of homeowners who get their monthly payments reduced fall behind again within a year. ...more

December 22, 2009

A Tampa mother watched the Nov. 6 massacre at Fort Hood unfold with a particular horror. Her daughter was stationed at the base. Today, the soldier, 26-year-old Dianeya Nodarse, surprised her mother with a homecoming at Tampa International Airport. ...more

December 21, 2009

I was pleased with your recent editorial praising President Obama but dismayed that it was sandwiched between two dogmatic writings by columnists. First, it was heartbreaking to see brilliant young Suzannah Beiner apparently being totally brainwashed by the far right wing. It appears that she has used her remarkable talents to gain a total command of rarely used English words, that very few of her readers will understand but has totally missed learning basic science. ...more

December 20, 2009

James Cameron's 3-D "Avatar" has all the smack of a Film Not To Miss, but it nevertheless feels unsatisfying. ...more

December 18, 2009

We meltdown or wind down at 2009's end. We've hit speed bumps that annoy, even jolt, but lead to needed slowdowns and lifesaving stops in our personal and national lives. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid said: "Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, 'slow down, stop everything, let's start over.'" Reid intended to denounce, but let's ponder his unintended wisdom. ...more

December 17, 2009