I agree with your column today. [“Accessible parking wasn’t created for pregnant moms.”] Three kids here. I didn’t need an ADA parking space when pregnant. I wasn’t disabled. My son, however, had a traumatic brain injury that left him on a walker. He can’t walk long distances and has no balance. He deserves that spot. Sheila
Well put, Sheila. And I’m so sorry for his injury — and that families like yours have to state what strikes me as such an obvious point. Unfortunately, we had one pregnant lawmaker who said “I just want to be able to park upfront,” and the majority of Tallahassee lawmakers agreed to grant her wish.
Who pays you to spew BULLSH*#? Mary
Well, the Orlando Sentinel pays me to spew in general. The decision to spew BULLSH*# is completely my own.
Scott, Just a question: If legislators voted 107-1 for reforms to crack down on failing nursing schools [“Florida needs to clean up failing, for-profit nursing schools“], why didn’t they override Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto last year? They definitely had the votes to do it. Thanks, Charlie
That, sir, is an excellent question. The short answer is that they’re weenies. Hopefully, they’ll muster up some fortitude if the governor decides to again side with the shoddy, for-profit schools and veto the bill again this year. Because nobody benefits from schools where a majority of the “graduates” can’t pass the national exam.
Maxwell, I always thought you were an abysmal food critic. You are an even worse beat writer! D.T.
I believe you’re thinking of our former food critic, Scott Joseph. To be clear, I’ve never been an abysmal food critic, just an abysmal columnist.
I did, in fact, write about a lot of abysmal food. Thanks for remembering. Scott Joseph
Nice to hear from you again, Scott. You know, if the two of us teamed up, we could be known as the Abysmal Scotts — which also sounds like the name of a bad bagpipe band.
Great column on Uthmeier’s dangerous hypocrisy [“Florida’s attorney general chooses which laws to enforce … when it comes to minorities“]. Thank you for this outline of facts backed up by quotes from actual experts in the law. Karen
Thanks, Karen. It’s pretty clear the attorney general’s office knows it’s on shaky legal and logical ground here based on how the office has reacted to people who merely pointed out the facts and the law.
Scott is just a partisan clown who is mad we won’t let Florida decent (sic) into a communist hellscape, and he is particularly mad that @AGJamesUthmeier said its (sic) unconstitutional to discriminate against people on the basis of race. Jeremy Redfern, spokesman for Attorney General James Uthmeier
Considering the taxpayers spend $162,000 a year paying your salary so you can post tweets like this, you could at least spring for spellcheck. Also, eloquently argued.
Maxwell: Florida’s attorney general chooses which laws to enforce … when it comes to minorities
I agree with you completely on the “Black Juliet” issue. [“When Orlando theater was hit with racism, it took a stand“] This is hateful, but also just plain stupid. I watched a British performance of “Anthony and Cleopatra” with a white Anthony and black Cleopatra. Also a film version of “Macbeth” with Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington. Both riveting. Don’t we have more important things to complain about? Mary
I sure think so, Mary. This seems like an antiquated debate from ugly days gone by. Sadly, there are a disturbing number of people — and leaders — who seem eager to bring those days back.
Scott, what if the play “Raisin in the Sun” is put on locally, and either the role of Walter or Ruth Younger is played by a white person? Would that be okay, or would it be confusing? That is just the same as the selection of the actress for the role of Juliet, a white Italian girl of Shakespeare’s time. Robert
I don’t think those two things are the same for quite a few reasons, including the fact that “Raisin” is specifically about the lives and plights of Black Americans. Also, let’s be honest: I don’t believe any of the ugliness directed at the talented Black actress at the Orlando Shakes stemmed from plot “confusion.”
Your newspaper is not even worthy of being bird cage liner. It should be printed on two-ply rolls of toilet paper. A.J.
That would make cashing coupons very awkward.
Read your piece today. [“Go f*** yourself’ email from Florida legislator could be state’s new motto“] These legislators forget that they’re supposed to be serving the public’s interests, not the other way around. Charles
Well, virtually all of them get re-elected in this state. So I think many have concluded it doesn’t really matter what they do. Voters will send them back.
I’m appalled by the language used by politicians. My mom used to wash our mouths out with soap (now abuse) for using far less strong cuss words. Jan
Jan, we could probably use your mom in Tallahassee.
Maxwell: ‘Go f*** yourself’ email from Florida legislator could be state’s new motto
Scott, a lovely tribute to your father. [“My father’s illness was ugly. His life was beautiful.”] My father also suffered from dementia. He endured for many years, and it was an expensive and emotionally taxing experience, as you pointed out. I don’t think this country has any notion of what it’s in for when the baby boomer generation presents in numbers that dwarf our parents generation. Heaven help us. S.J.
I’m sorry your family had to travel that same, dark path. And you are absolutely right about the tsunami of need — and costs — awaiting this country. The lack of attention paid to that issue, compared to the energy spent on nonsense and division, is a sad reflection of priorities.
Dear Scott, I read your beautiful and touching tribute to your father. His was indeed a sad story we see too much of in medicine. But bigger still was his story before dementia set in — a truly inspiring life of accomplishments everyone should admire, and most importantly, emulate. The world needs many more Jim Maxwells. I want you to know that I made a donation in his honor to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. Mike
Thanks, Mike. That means a lot.
Are you really this stupid to believe the bulls*** you put out every day, or are you just so biased that you just suck at your job? G.G.
OK, that means a lot less. Also, it stinks that those are my only two choices.
Scott Maxwell: My father’s illness was ugly. His life was beautiful.
