Bob McKnight

"With the Sunshine State having nationally recognized visionaries, with integrity, like Governors Collins, Askew, Graham, Chiles and Bush, the last 8 years of Rick Scott have been a real wasted opportunity for Florida." In the 8 years of service to the people of Florida, to his credit, Governor Scott kept a very visible and measurable goal---jobs, jobs, jobs. He was ironically aided by the recession he inherited, so there was little movement expected but up. Scott promised

With the swirling events in the World, I am often asked by friends and readers to help sift through the noise to establish an opinion of a new development. The surprise attack against Syria by President Donald Trump Friday night is one such example. Although the President indicated in advance his shock at the pictures of "beautiful Syrian babies" being gassed by their own President, his decision to strike Syria was still a surprise to most. As a matter of fact, even thoug

After I was elected to the Florida Senate in 1978, the presiding officer in that body was one of it's most respected members, Senator Phil Lewis (D., West Palm Beach). Deep in his Catholic faith, the Senator was known for his kindness and consideration of the needs of members on both sides of the aisle. I often remind readers of his extraordinary request that funding for a school in his name in his Palm Beach County District, be removed since it had not gone through the pai

After I was elected to the Florida Senate in 1978, the presiding officer in that body was one of it's most respected members, Senator Phil Lewis (D., West Palm Beach). Deep in his Catholic faith, the Senator was known for his kindness and consideration of the needs of members on both sides of the aisle. I often remind readers of his extraordinary request that funding for a school in his name in his Palm Beach County District, be removed since it had not gone through the pai

In previous posts, I discussed the serious problems we have had with the War in Syria. As with all wars, it has been very deadly, often affecting innocent citizens in Syria. Reportedly, Syrian President Assad had previously even resorted to gassing his own people in the war. It appeared the United States was going to stand up to Assad under President Obama, saying the United States was drawing a 'red line' in the sand if chemical weapons were planned to be used by Assad ag

I was betting that President Trump would have opted for a 'healing' Inaugural Message. Boy was I wrong. It was the darkest most vindicate speech I ever heard by a United States President. It was reported that the speech belittled every President present that came to support the first time elective official. Why did it happen? Here is what I think: In spite of President Obama's strong recommendation that Donald Trump learn how to grow a thick skin to field criticism, Trum

I believe many clear thinking Americans are beginning to understand how and why Donald Trump won the Presidential Election. They had a hard time digesting Trump's many flaws, some of which I have outlined in previous Commentary. Other than a fascination with a one of a kind candidate, the difference in the election was the 'Never Hillary' voters. I truly believe for that 5-10% of the voters, they would vote for a 2X4 before voting for Clinton. I really mean it. You add t

As readers of this Commentary are aware, during the 2016 Presidential Campaign, I like most Americans, was very dissatisfied with the 2 major candidates. In my last post, I shared a negative assessment of President Obama's two terms in office, along with an acknowledgement of his extraordinary talents. Here I would like to do the same for our new President. For personal talents and attributes, I can find very few for Donald Trump, other than perhaps avarice. In our capital

Everyone seems to have opinions on our two Presidents--the one outgoing and the one incoming. Most are intense and unwavering. I have always tried, after an initial assessment, to reverse my position and analyze the subject from the other side. Sometimes it affects my final assessment and sometimes it does not. After having done that on President Obama, here is my assessment of him, with the emphasis on four failures.. I have largely applauded President Obama. He is unqu

As readers of this Commentary are aware, I was very disappointed with the two major candidates for President this year. I was probably more critical of Donald Trump, primarily because so many of his actions bordered on being over the top. I felt his behavior threatened the dignity of the office, especially in world affairs. But Trump won, and as he has requested, Americans need to come together in support of him. So, in that vein, I would like to play Devil's Advocate and

It seems almost daily that Republican Candidate Donald Trump casts another insult at someone or something previously held in high regard in this country. Think about it--women, the disabled, Honored Prisoner of War Senator John McCain, His Holiness The Pope, Mexicans, Muslims, Gold Star Military Families, President Obama, and African Americans, among others. Each time, the national media speculates that Trump's campaign for President will flame out, as others have done in

All of us need to pay particular attention to politics in this country. I am not just talking about the Presidential election--which could be the most important in our lives. As important as the election of a new President is, the balance of power in the Congress may be more important, long term.. As I have opined many times, the framers of our Government clairvoyantly built into our Constitution checks and balances among the three branches of government, for matters like

Monday's Washington Post reported that the FBI now has another 15,000 undisclosed emails of Secretary Clinton. This is after the FBI made their full report to Congress saying her actions did not rise to a chargeable offense, but did violate Department Protocols--a serious charge, especially for a candidate for the highest office in this country. Apparently there was some reference by FBI Director Comey during his presentation to Congress about additional emails, but nothing

A major part of President Obama's final press conference at the Pentagon was centered on our alleged payment of $400 million for the release of American Hostages from Iran. I found this allegation particularly troubling because of our long stated policy of not paying for the release of hostages to avoid the precedent it creates in future cases. From researching the issue, I found the following: 1. The money was Iran's, not the U.S. and was part of the assets we (and other