The Readers On Ronda

My Sunday column was about a sidelight of the cable-TV bill passed by the Legislature this year –- the fate of so-called ‘PEG’ cable channels (public, educational and government access). I pointed out that Sen. Ronda Storms had a hand in this aspect of the new bill, and that in the past she had been critical of such channels, especially indecency on public access. Interestingly, folks thought I was either slamming her or giving her credit. Here’s one excerpt:

I really did not get your point… I do myself like oblique references that allows the reader to complete some vague circle of inferential logic or whatever, but it would be good if you categorically lambasted Ms. Storms for some hypocrisy perhaps. I can forgive and tolerate stupidity but not hypocrisy -- the former is due to lack of knowledge and thinking but the later to me is biased thinking that politicians seem to excel in. – Rama Iyer, Plant City

My reply: Thank you for the note. I don't really think Sen. Storms was being hypocritical on this -- in fact, she has been consistent on it. The point of the column was not to make a strongly critical point but just provide the background on how we got to this point.

On the other hand, this fan mail for the senator:

I am not pro-cloning, but what I have seen of her positions and accomplishments as a Hillsborough commissioner make me wish there were 5 of her to replace the 'fumbling five' here in Citrus County…at least as a state senator the voting boobs of Citrus will now receive some trickle down of her abilities at the state level. – Ol’ Miller