Charlie Crist cancels inaugural ball

[TSIAS]

Guess Charlie couldn't take the heat that he was taking in the press about the costly celebration for his Republican cronies. While Charlie is raking in the dough, most Floridians' finances are going to hell in a handbasket.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/12/09/1209crist.html

TALLAHASSEE — Gov.-elect Charlie Crist canceled his inaugural ball today, claiming he didn't feel right having the $100-per-ticket fete while homeowners and businesses struggle with escalating insurance premiums and property taxes.

Crist and his inaugural team have been lambasted for tapping supporters for up to $500,000 to sponsor the inaugural festivities, expected to cost up to $3.5 million for a series of events around the state.

Crist's spokeswoman e-mailed an unusual, tongue-in-cheek news release to reporters announcing the decision today.

"Today former quarterback Governor-Elect Charlie Crist called an audible and canceled the long-standing tradition of the Governor's Ball citing that he didn't feel right having a Ball while Floridians are struggling with a property tax and insurance crisis," the release begins.

[flordehinojos]

1. pardon my cynicism ... me thinks this cancellation has nothing to do with

floridians struggling with property taxes and insurance crisis. me thinks it has more to do with the fact that he is a single man who reportedly might go out with other men, who may not have a lady companion to ask as his first lady of the ball, and who may just feel plain and utterly uncomfortable not following protocol, i.e., man/woman etc. that is what me thinks. though i could be wrong, of course.

[William769]

2. Of course you could be wrong.

But I doubt it.

[flordehinojos]

3. O:-)

:hi: O8)

[bear425]

4. methinks you are correct!

:hi:

[flordehinojos]

5. hi bear!

it is good to hear from you ... this is some wintry weather we are having here in south florida.
hope you are keeping warm here in south florida, or out in the carolinas ! the intracoastal from santa barbara lake to south of the deerfield bridge is preparing itself for the boat parade on the 17th and in the latest news from jeb buttinsky bush's state and his DCF head honcho and their FEMA connections one can only say, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?

"Three out of four Project H.O.P.E. supervisors do not meet FEMA guidelines" is one of the headlined articles in the Sun-Sentinel today:

"One managed a bowling alley. Another was a cook. Another, a convicted felon who spent time in prison.
"They are among the people the state of Florida relied on as supervisors in a FEMA-funded, $23 million counseling program for hurricane victims." (snip)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-hope10dec10,0,1727286.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

(in case you'd like to read the article if you haven't already ...)

:hi:

[bear425]

7. Aww, you're so sweet to update me on the headlines.

I may call on you in the future to do so again. Actually, though, we haven't left yet. We are set to head up this Tuesday! At least NC is in a warming trend this coming week! Don't know if I can handle the cold, but I will find out soon. ;) Thanks again and you take care!

:hug:

[iamjoy]

6. Here's A Better Idea

Have the ball, but something scaled back. Why do they need millions of dollars?