Happy Monday!

We just returned from a long weekend visiting my daughter and son-in-law at their beach bungalow in Panymaw (that's Panama City Beach for our northern readers). It was great to get away from the Oracle for a few days and not even think about how screwed up our political system has become.

The Belle of Ballast Point and I enjoyed a weekend of fun and sun on a sandy beach, not to mention many dozens of juicy, salty and delicious Apalachicola oysters on the half shell - perfectly shucked and served. To clarify; I enjoyed the oysters. The B of B-P has eschewed raw oysters ever since she learned that they are served while still alive.

We started our oyster orgy at Ouzts Too at the St. Marks River Bridge. If you have never been to Ouzts Too you don't know what you are missing. They've got an oyster shuckin' woman there who can shuck'em better than any man can.

From there we headed for Shuckum's on the beach in Panymaw where we stuffed ourselves with more of those tasty Apalachicola treats. We are always treated like royalty at Shuckum's. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Mack, the owner, is married to my stunningly beautiful daughter Terri.

After a really pleasant three day break, we get back to Tampa and discover (to our great surprise) that the Florida Republican dominated legislature is still ethically challenged. I am kidding, of course, about the surprised part, not about the Republican legislature being ethically challenged.

For instance:

"Have you heard about Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ shady book deal? Haridopolos received an unprecedented $152,000 in taxpayer money from Brevard Community College (BCC) for a 175-page, double-spaced manuscript that critics have called "sophomoric and unsophisticated."

Now, through an investigation from Progress Florida, it's been revealed that the book has sold only 70 copies, providing total revenue of just $487.90 to BCC."

Progress Florida has an on-line petition demanding Sen. Haridopolos return the $152,000 – wasted taxpayer dollars that he should return to our underfunded colleges.

Representing the Oracle, I have signed that petition. If you would like to join the cause, then click on the Progress Florida link above. Unless we are willing to allow these self-serving scumbags in Tallahassee free rein to continue destroying Florida we need to keep their feet in the fire. The Republican dominated legislature all the way down to that slime ball Scott needs to know that we have had enough and we are out to oust them.

"This deal is clear taxpayer abuse by a public official – and not just any public official. Mike Haridopolos is the Florida Senate President, one of the most powerful politicians in the state, and someone who has touted himself as a champion against government waste – unless he personally benefits from it."

Haridopolos needs to return the $152,000 he bilked from taxpayers.

That's the way the Oracle sees it.