Psst! Live chat Tuesday, noon - 1 p.m.

[Tuesday morning update: There's still time to "pre-file" topics or comments for today's live chat. A couple of folks have made interesting observations about the Rachel Hoffman case, for example. File a comment to this post, or come join the live chat at noon today!]

I hope you can stop by TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for our regular weekly live chat. I'll be here live and (more or less) in person, taking questions and comments about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

To observe or take part in the chat, come back to TroxBlog at or just after noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The May 13 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item, and you'll be taken to a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a form for you to add your own questions or comments.

As always, if you can't be here live, you can "pre-file" a question or suggested topic in the comments link of THIS post, just a few lines below. And you can come back after the chat to read a transcript of what was said. Otherwise, I hope to see you at the chat!

Psst! Want to talk about the Legislature? Live chat Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

I hope you'll join me from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the latest edition of our weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be live and more or less in person, taking comments and questions about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. I figured a good Topic A would be the just-concluded session of the Florida Legislature, which debated everything from budget cuts to.... uh.... truck decorations.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at or after noon and look for a new post with the headline, "The May 6 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that announcement and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a space for you to jump in with your own question or comment.b

As always, if you can't be here live, feel free to "pre-file" a question or comment to THIS announcement by clicking the "Comments" link a few lines below. Also, remember you can always stop by TroxBlog afterward to read a transcript of what was said in the chat.

I hope to see you Tuesday!

Son of the live chat, Tuesday noon - 1 p.m.!

I don't know if we can rival the turnout for last week's live chat about the proposed baseball stadium, but what say we give it a go from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday? I'll be here live taking comments and questions about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. There's plenty to talk about -- heck, the Legislature is enough to keep us busy all by itself! So let's use the Legislature's last week as our starting point and go from there.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat: Come back here to TroxBlog at or just after noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The April 29 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item, and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a box for you to add your own question or observation. Just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

If you can't be here live Tuesday, feel free to "pre-file" a question to the comments of THIS item, just a few lines below -- I'll work it into the live chat. And remember, you can always come back afterward to read a transcript of what was said.

Hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

The mother of all live chats -- let's talk about the stadium, 11:30 -- 1:30 p.m. Tuesday

Without question, the dominant topic here on TroxBlog these days is the proposed baseball stadium on St. Petersburg's waterfront -- if you doubt it, just check out the comments to almost every stadium-related baseball post.

So, let's get together here for a special-edition, two-hour live chat on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m. I'll be here in person, taking comments and questions about all matters related to the stadium proposal, financial, environmental, aesthetic. I don't claim to have all or even most of the answers, but I promise to do my best, and to be the fairest moderator I can, while confessing my own prejudices at every step.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at or after 11:30 a.m. and look for a new blog post with the headline, "The April 22 chat is OPEN!" Click on the "Comments" link and you'll see a page with everything that's been said so far, and a box for you to enter your own question or comment. You're welcome to take part, or just to hang out and see what people are saying.

If you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment that I can work up a little advance material on, feel free to add it to the comments link of this post just a few lines below.

Lastly, a personal request, if you will indulge me -- some of the comments on this issue have gotten pretty emotional and sometimes insulting, and I'm not interested in a Jerry Springer-style knockdown. Let's get together in the spirit of inquiry, and of honest disagreement and agreement. (In other words, anybody who calls anybody else a $#$% is gonna get blipped by me.) (Insert beatific smile icon here.)

Live chat Tuesday; new blog category

Two things:

(1) Let's have a weekly live chat on Tuesday at noon. Topic A will probably be the baseball stadium, but let's keep the floor open for anything else folks want to bring up. After all, the Legislature will be doing who-knows-what... just come by TroxBlog at or after noon and look for a new post with the headline, "The April 22 chat is OPEN." I'll also post a pre-chat announcement for folks to suggest topics.

(2) I've gotten into the habit some days of commenting on several different things in the news. So I've gathered those posts from recent months into a new category over in the left-hand column titled, "Daily Roundups." They might be an interesting reminder of some of the things that have happened in recent months.

Happy Friday to all, and have a good weekend. My Sunday column will be about the "energy bill" in the Legislature, a mix of "green" ideas and stuff the electric utilities want...

Revenge of the live chat, noon Tuesday!

I hope you'll consider stopping by TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for our weekly live chat on current events. I'll be here live, taking questions and comments about goings-on in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Feel free to jump in, or just to hang out and see what other folks have to say.

To observe or take part in the chat: Come back to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The April 1 Chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item and you'll be taken to a page with everything that's been said so far, and a space for you to add your own comment or question.

Can't be here live Tuesday? You can always "pre-file" a question or comment to the comments link of THIS item, just a few lines below. I'll work it in during the live chat. And you can always come back after the fact to read a transcript of what was said.

I hope to see you at noon Tuesday.

The live chat lives! Tuesday noon - 1 p.m.

I hope you'll join me at noon Tuesday for our weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. For an hour or so I'll be taking live questions and comments on current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

Look for a new announcement here at noon Tuesday with the headline, "The March 25 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that post, and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a space for you to add your own question or comment.

What would you like to talk about? We missed last week's discussion of the Obama speech about race. Those wacky Democrats still  haven't figured out their presidential primary. The Legislature is in session doing all kinds of interesting things. And if you insist, we can talk more stadium, although I'd just as soon talk baseball.

Lastly, if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment in advance of Tuesday's chat, add it to the comments of THIS announcement a few lines below, and I'll work it in. And if you can't be here live, you can always check back later to read a transcript.

Otherwise, I hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

Attack of the live chat, Tuesday noon - 1 p.m!

What's on your mind concerning the news these days? Worried about Wall Street? Looking forward to Tuesday's bid opening for the fate of Tropicana Field? Why not stop by TroxBlog around noon Tuesday to talk about it in our weekly live chat? I'll be here for an hour or so taking questions and comments about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at or just after noon and look for a new item with the headline, "The March 18 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a space at the bottom for you to join in.

If you can't be here live Tuesday, feel free to "pre-file" a comment or question in the comments field of THIS post, by clicking the link a few lines below. And be sure to stop by TroxBlog afterward to read the transcript and see what folks had on their minds.

Otherwise, I hope to see you at noon Tuesday...

Return of the live chat, Tuesday noon

I hope you'll join me at noon Tuesday for the return of our weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be here in person for an hour or so, taking reader comments and questions about current events in the Tampa Bay area, Florida at beyond.

To take part in or just to observe Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon Tuesday and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The March 11 chat is OPEN!" Click on the "Comments" link of that item to see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a space for you to add your own question or comment.

As always, if you can't be here live, you can "pre-file" a question or comment to the Comments link of THIS item, just a few lines below. And you can always come back to TroxBlog later to read a transcript of the chat.

Otherwise, I hope you'll stop by on Tuesday.

No live chat Tuesday, March 4

I've mentioned this earlier, but wanted to say it once more -- I have a long-planned obligation that makes it impossible to have a weekly live chat on Tuesday. So let's do the next one on Tuesday, March 11. By then our Legislature will have been in session for a week and who knows what we'll have to talk about...

Return of the TroxBlog live chat, Tuesday noon - 1 p.m.!

Here's hoping you can stop by TroxBlog between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday for a live chat about current events in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Feel free to join in the conversation with your own topic, comment or question, or just hang out to see what folks are talking about.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at noon Tuesday and look for a NEW ITEM with the headline, "The Feb. 26 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement and you'll see a page with what's been said so far, and a space for you to join in.

There'll be plenty of stuff to kick around in our chat, from the presidential race (is Charlie the running mate>?) to state-level issues (taxes, insurance) to the stuff going on around here.

If you can't be here live on Tuesday, feel free to file an advance comment or question by clicking on the "Comments" link of this item, just a few lines below. And as always, you can stop by afterward to read a transcript of what was said.

I hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

Revenge of the live chat, noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday

Check out the two posts below on whether Charlie Crist's new love of gambling will come back to bite him, and whether I am part of a Times effort to protect the baseball stadium. And if that doesn't get the conversation started, be sure to check out my print column coming Tuesday morning on the same-sex marriage amendment.

I hope that you'll be fired up and ready to join me at noon Tuesday for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. For an hour or so I'll be taking comments and questions about current events or any other topic folks feel like bringing up.

Here's how it will work: Come back to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new post with the headline, "The Feb. 5 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that post and you'll see everything that's been said in the chat so far, along with a place for you to enter your own comment.

As always, if you can't come by during the live portion of the chat but want me to throw something in for you, feel free to "pre-file" a question or comment to the comments link of THIS post, just a few lines below. And you can always stop by later to check out a transcript of the chat.

Tuesday's chat will be the last one for at least three weeks -- got an obligation for the next two Tuesdays... so let's make this one a good one!

Another plug for Tuesday's live election chat

Don't forget that the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog will be a special Election Day edition, two hours long, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. I hope you'll stop by to take part or to see what folks are saying. I'll be taking comments and questions about the election, of course, but also anything else that's on your mind.

To take part or observe the chat, come back to TroxBlog and look for a new post at 11:30 with the headline, "The Election Day chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement and you'll be taken to a page showing everything that's been said so far, with a form for you to add your own question or comment. Keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

If you can't be here live on Tuesday, feel free to "pre-file" a question or comment to THIS announcement by clicking on the "Comments" link a few lines below. I'll work it into the live chat on Tuesday. Also, don't forget that you can always come by afterwards to read a transcript of what folks had to say.

Happy Election Day, and I hope to see you at the chat.

ch

Election Day live chat!

Tuesday is Election Day and it seemed like a good time to have a special-edition, two-hour live chat here on TroxBlog, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come hang out and let's talk about the presidential primary, the Amendment 1 race and how the voting seems to be going.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog and look for a new item with the headline, "The Election Day chat is OPEN!" Click on the "Comments" link of that item and you'll see a page with everything that's been said in the chat so far, and a chance to add your own thoughts or questions.

As we say here in Florida, vote early and vote often! See you Tuesday.

Attack of the live chat, noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday

I hope you'll join me Tuesday between noon and 1 p.m. for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. For an hour or so I'll be taking reader questions and comments on current events I figured since next Tuesday is election day, we might kick around the presidential primary and the property-tax amendment for starters, but feel free to bring up any topic you'd like.

To observe or take part in the live chat, come to TroxBlog between noon and 1 p.m. and look for a new item with the headline, "The Jan. 22 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that announcement and you'll be taken to a page with everything that's been said so far, and a place for you to add your own question or comment. Keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

As always, if you can't be here live and would like to "pre-file" a question or comment, use the "comments" link of THIS announcement just a few lines below. I'll try to work it in with a response during the live chat. And remember that after the chat is over, you can always come back later to read a transcript and see what folks had to say.

I hope to see you in the chat!

Attack of the live chat, noon Tuesday!

I hope you can stop by Tuesday for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. From noon to 1 p.m. or so I'll be taking comments and questions from readers about current events. The hot topics lately have been baseball stadiums and property taxes, but I'm way game for some fresh material.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon today and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Jan. 15 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that item and you'll see a page with everything that's been said so far, and with a place for you to add your own comment or question.

As always, you're welcome to "pre-file" a question or remark to the "comments" link of THIS item, just a few lines below, and I'll try to work it into the chat. And if you can't be here live on Tuesday, you can always come back and read a transcript afterward.

Hope to see you at this week's chat!

Return of the TroxBlog weekly live chat, noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday

I hope you'll join me here on TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the return of our weekly live chat. I'll be here live, taking reader questions and comments about current events in the Tampa Bay area and across Florida. Bring your thoughts about taxes, baseball, elections, or whatever's on your mind...

To take part in or observe Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Jan. 8 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link and you'll see a page with everything folks have said so far, and a space for you to add your own question or comment. Just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

As always, there will be a transcript of the chat available afterward for those who couldn't be here live. And if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment, click on the comments link of THIS item, just a few lines below... I'll try to work in your pre-filed input during the live portion of the chat.

I hope to see you Tuesday!

Day of the live chat, noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday

I hope you can come by from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I realize that I'll just be a warmup act for the Tampa Bay Rays live chat from 2-3 p.m., but hey, that's life. I'll be taking reader comments and questions about current events in Florida and here in the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new item with the headline, "The Dec. 11 chat is open." Click on the comments link of that item to see what people have said so far, and for a form to add your own question or comment.

As always, you can "pre-file" a question or comment to the comments link of this item, a few lines below. I'll try to work your question in during the live hour. And if you can't be here for the live chat, you can always come back later to read a transcript (check out the link labeled "chat transcripts" in the left-hand column).

Hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

Psst! How about a live chat?

It's been a few weeks since we had a live chat here on TroxBlog, so what say we try one starting at noon Tuesday? There's plenty to talk about, from the baseball stadium in St. Petersburg to the Seminole gambling and property tax fights... not to mention anything else you'd like to bring up!

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Dec. 4 chat is OPEN." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have said so far, and to add your own question or thoughts.

As always, feel free to "pre-file" a question or comment to the Comments link of this item, just a few lines below. I'll try to work them into the "live" portion of the chat (or use them as a standby in case nobody shows up....). Also as always, if you can't make it live, there'll be a transcript of the chat available afterwards.

Hope to see you from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday!

No chat Tuesday, OK?

No weekly live chat on Tuesday... let's pick them up again next week, maybe focusing on the stadium deal (we should know more details by then)...

Revenge of the live chat, Tuesday noon - 1 p.m.

After missing last week's live chat, I'm ready to catch up, but I fear that that the layoff will be bad for business. Take pity on me and come by with a question or comment for Tuesday's live chat between noon and 1 p.m. here on TroxBlog.

To take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at or after noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Oct. 30 chat is OPEN." Click on the "comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have had to say, or to add your own question or comment.

If you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment in advance, use the comments link of THIS item, just a few lines ago, and I'll try to work it in to the live chat. As always, if you can't be here live, you can come back afterward to read the transcript.

I hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

Live chat on taxes, 11:30 -- 1:30 Tuesday

Got a question or comment about the property tax plan being debated this week by our Legislature? I hope you'll consider dropping by TroxBlog on Tuesday for a two-hour live chat to talk about it.

I'll be here live from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. answering questions and hearing what folks have to say. There's a lot to this plan, ranging from the new tax breaks for homeowners (homestead, portability, first-time buyers) to some interesting side issues.

To take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog and look for a new announcement at 11:30 with the headline, "The Oct. 16 chat is open." Click on the "comments" link of that announcement, and you'll see what's been said in the chat so far, along with a space for you to enter your own question or comment. No registration required!

If you can't be here for the live chat but would like to ask a question, feel free to post it in advance to the comments of THIS announcement a few lines below. I'll try to work the question and an answer into Tuesday's live chat. And as always, you can come back afterward to read a transcript of what folks had to say.

See you at 11:30 Tuesday, I hope!

Attack of the live chat, noon -- 1 p.m. Tuesday

Whatever's on your mind, I hope you'll think about stopping by TroxBlog from noon to 1 pm. Tuesday for our weekly live chat. I'll be here live, talking with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Oct. 9 chat is open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have had to say so far, and for a form to add your own comment or question.

As always, if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or thought, add it to the comments of THIS announcement. I'll try to work it in during the live portion of Tuesday's chat. And also just like always, if you can't be here live, you can always come back later to check out a transcript.

Invasion of the live chat, noon Tuesday

Want to talk about the Legislature, local matters, the change in the weather, or everybody's favorite governor? Whatever your topic, I hope you'll think about stopping by TroxBlog from noon to 1 pm. Tuesday for our weekly live chat. I'll be here live, talking with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Oct. 2 chat is open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have had to say so far, and for a form to add your own comment or question.

As always, if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or thought, add it to the comments of THIS announcement. I'll try to work it in during the live portion of Tuesday's chat. And also just like always, if you can't be here live, you can always come back later to check out a transcript.

Revenge of the weekly live chat, noon Tuesday

Okay, so there's no real reason to run a picture of Godzilla, but I just felt like it. I hope you can join me for our weekly live chat here on TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. Feel free to bring up any topic you'd like about current events in Florida or the Tampa Bay area, or beyond.

I plan on chatting live from the offices of the Pinellas Supervisor of Elections, Deborah Clark, who's having an open house Tuesday for anybody who wants to watch the sales pitches for new optical-scan voting machines to replace Florida's touch-screen machines. Check out the details at www.votepinellas.com.

Let's hope that we can buy something we won't be throwing out in a few years...

To watch or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon Tuesday and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Sept. 25 Chat Is Open." Click on the "comments" link of that item to see what's been said so far or to add your own comments.

As always, you can "pre-file" a question or comment to the comments of this item, and I'll work them in to tomorrow's chat. And if you can't be here live Tuesday, you can always come back after to read a transcript.

Hope to see you!

Pssst! Live Chat Tuesday, Noon - 1 P.M.

I hope you'll come by between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. For an hour or so I'll be trading questions and comments with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in the chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon Tuesday and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Sept. 18 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement and you'll see everything that's been said so far, and a box for you to enter your own thoughts.

As always, if you can't be here live, you can click on the comments link afterward to read the transcript of the chat. If you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment, add it to the comments of THIS item, and I'll move it over during the live chat thread.

There's plenty to talk about...

A Note To Tuesday's Chat Participants

In Tuesday's weekly live online chat, we talked a lot about Sept. 11 and the war in Iraq. I made reference to reading a recent article by a group of sergeants writing about the war from a first-hand perspective. The article was an op-ed piece that appeared in the New York Times on Aug. 19.

Here is a news story that appeared in the Times yesterday and in our newspaper today:

By DAVID STOUT
Published: September 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 — “Engaging in the banalties of life has become a death-defying act,” the seven soldiers wrote of the war they had seen in Iraq.

They were referring to the ordeals of Iraqi citizens, trying to go about their lives with death and suffering all around them. They did not know it at the time, but they might almost have been referring to themselves.

Two of the soldiers who wrote of their pessimism about the war, in an Op-Ed article that appeared in The New York Times on Aug. 19, were killed in Baghdad on Monday. They were not killed in combat, nor on a daring mission. They died when the five-ton cargo truck they were riding in overturned.

The victims, Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, 26, and Sgt. Omar Mora, 28, were among the authors of “The War as We Saw It,” in which they expressed doubts about reports of progress....

Reminder: Live Chat Tuesday, Noon - 1 P.M.

[TUESDAY UPDATE: The live chat is under way. I've made a new post above with the headline, "The Sept. 11 Chat Is OPEN." Go there and click on the "Comments" link to see what folks are saying. I've closed commens on this pre-chat announcement.]

I hope you can stop by during Tuesday's weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. From noon to 1 p.m. or so, I'll be here live, responding to reader comments and questions about current events in the Tampa Bay area and across Florida.

To take part or observe Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon. I'll post a new item with the headline, "The Sept. 11 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that item to see what folks are saying or to add your own thoughts. Keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

As always, if you can't be here during the live chat, you can come back later to check out a transcript of the chat. And if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment, feel free to use the Comments link of THIS announcement. I hope to see you at noon Tuesday!

Happy Labor Day, And Remember Tuesday's Weekly Live Chat

In the Age of the Corporation, it seems almost anachronistic to have a holiday celebrating "labor." But if it weren't for the organized labor movement of the 20th century, would we have workplace safety, child-labor laws, vacation and leave, five-day work weeks, decent working conditions and protection against discrimination?

Oh, right, the "free market" would have taken care of it all.

But I am thinking of the plus side of the labor ledger. On the minus side there's corruption and a trail of destroyed businesses and industries as labor locked many U.S. employers into a doomed spiral of benefits and labor costs. No wonder even today, opinions about union membership are so divided in the U.S. I wonder, if hard times come again (a $9-trillion national debt, credit crunch, mortgage collapse, lack of personal savings, etc.) whether there will be a labor resurgence... maybe not, since so many of the manufacturing and industry jobs of the classical labor movement no longer exist...

Oh, well. Really, I just wanted to say, Happy Labor Day and I hope you enjoy the day off. I hope you'll consider coming by Tuesday's weekly live chat here on TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. -- it'll FEEL like Monday, so I thought I'd put in an extra pitch.

To observe or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon and look for a new item with the headline, "The Sept. 4 Chat Is Open." Just click on the "Comments" link of that item to see what folks are saying or to add your own comments.

If you can't be here live, feel free to "pre-file'' a comment or question by adding a comment to this post. And you can always come back afterwards to check out the transcript of what people had to say.

Pssst! Live Chat Tuesday, Noon - 1 P.M.

I hope you'll join me from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be here taking questions and comments about current events in our state of Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in the chat, look for a new announcement here at noon Tuesday with the headline, "The Aug. 28 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what folks have had to say so far, or to add your own thoughts.

As always, if you can't be here live, you can always come back later to read a transcript of the chat. And if you'd like to "pre-file" a question or comment right now, use the "Comments" link of this item, a few lines below, and I'll try to work it in. But I hope you can stop by!

Want To Talk About It? Good Thing There's A Live Chat Here On Tuesday, Noon - 1 P.M

I hope you'll think about stopping by TroxBlog between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday for this week's live online chat. I'll be here responding in real time (or at least, as close as this computer setup lets us) to comments and questions about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To watch or take part in Tuesday's chat, come back to TroxBlog at noon, look for a new announcement with the headline, "The Aug. 21 Chat Is Open," and click on the "Comments" link. You'll see a page showing what people have had to say so far, along with a form for you to add your own question or remark. Keep refreshing the Comments page to see the latest.

I hope to see you live, but as always, you also can come by later to read a transcript of what folks had to say.

Return Of The Live Chat, Noon - 1 P.M. Tuesday

I hope you'll stop by from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for this week's live online chat here on TroxBlog. For an hour or so I'll be talking with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

To observe or take part in the chat, look for a new announcement at noon Tuesday with the headline, "The Aug. 14 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that item to see what folks are saying, or to add your own comments.

As always, if you can't stop by live, you can always come by afterward to see the transcript of what we talked about. Also, check out the "Chat Transcripts" link over in the left-hand column to see what we've talked about in past chats.

No Tuesday 8/7 Chat; Back Wednesday

Got an out-of-town family birthday and a few days' mini-trip planned, so the Pinellas grand jury and the Devil Rays will just have to soldier on without me. This means, unfortunately, no weekly online chat on Tuesday, Aug. 7, but I'll be back on TroxBlog making fresh posts the following day and chats will resume the following Tuesday as usual.

Best wishes for a good weekend...

Weekly Live Chat, Noon - 1 P.M. Tuesday

Heck's a poppin', and folks have had plenty to say the past few days about the Jim Smith scandal in Pinellas County, public access television and various other skulduggeries. Meanwhile, the Bucs have 234 quarterbacks, which approximately matches the number of runs the Yankees scored over the weekend versus the Devil Rays.

In short, there's a lot to talk about, so I hope you can stop by TroxBlog by from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for this week's live chat. I'll be taking comments and questions about current events in Florida and here in the Tampa Bay area.

To take part in the chat, look for a new announcement here with the headline, "The July 24 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link to see what others are saying or to add your own question or comment.

If you can't be here live, feel free to "pre-post" a question or remark in the "Comments" option of this announcement. As always, you can come back later to check out a transcript of the chat.

Live Chat Today, Noon - 1 P.M.

I hope you can stop by from noon to 1 p.m. today for this week's live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be taking comments and questions about current events in Florida and here in the Tampa Bay area.

To take part in the chat, come back at noon and look for a new announcement here with the headline, "The July 17 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link to see what others are saying or to add your own question or comment.

If you can't be here live, feel free to "pre-post" a question or remark in the "Comments" option of this announcement. As always, you can come back later to check out a transcript of the chat.

Live Online Chat, Noon - 1 P.M. Tuesday

I hope you can stop by from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday for this week's live chat here on TroxBlog. Whether the subject is state-level hijinks, property taxes, local news or the Devil Rays' bullpen, I'll be answering comments and questions about current events in Florida and here in the Tampa Bay area.

To take part in the chat, come back at noon Tuesday and look for a new announcement here with the headline, "The July 17 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link to see what others are saying or to add your own question or comment.

And if you can't be here live, please stop by later to read the transcript. Otherwise, see you at noon Tuesday!

Return Of The Live Chat, Noon - 1 P.M. Tuesday

I'm back from a week off and looking forward to Tuesday's weekly live chat with readers here on TroxBlog about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. If you have a comment about anything from property taxes to the Devil Rays' sorry bullpen, stop by and chime in!

You don't have to register or do anything special -- just come back here at noon and look for a new announcement under the headline, "The July 10 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that announcement to see what people are saying, or to add your own thoughts.

If you can't be here live, you can always check back later to read the transcript. Transcripts of past chats are available over in the left-hand column under the link saying, naturally enough, "Chat Transcripts."

Reminder: Live Chat Here Today, Noon - 1 P.M.

If it's Tuesday, it must be live chat day here on TroxBlog. From noon to 1 p.m. today I'll be here responding to reader questions and comments about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. There's plenty to talk about, too, even if you didn't like my Sunday column about hexagons on Saturn -- which, I admit, was a little bit off the usual beat.

To take part in or observe today's chat, just come back here at noon and look for a new announcement with the headline, "The June 26 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that item to read what folks are saying or to post your own comment or question. Keep updating the comments page to see the latest.

If you can't be here for the live chat, feel free to "pre-file" a comment or question in the comments to THIS item. And you can always come back later to read what folks had to say. Otherwise, I hope to see you here at noon...

Live Chat Today, Noon - 1 P.M.

Want to talk about Britney, big honkin' alligators, Lou Pearlman, the Devil Rays -- or that big tax reform just passed by our Legislature? Stop by TroxBlog from noon to 1 p.m. today for our weekly live chat on current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. You can make comments, ask questions or just see what other folks are saying.

No need to register or sign in -- just come back to TroxBlog and look for the  announcement that I'll post at noon with the headline, "The June 19 Chat Is Open." Click on the "Comments" link of that item to see the chat. Just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

If you can't be here live, you can always stop by later to read a transcript of the chat. Past chats are available under the "Chat Transcripts" link over in the left-hand column. If you'd like to post a comment or question for today's chat in advance, use the "Comments" link of this announcement.

Live Chat Today, Noon - 1 P.M.

Stop by if you can from noon to 1 p.m. today for the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog. I'll be talking with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

Come with your own topics, comments or questions, or just to see what other folks are talking about. For example, so far nobody likes my column today. Lots of folks are still talking about that shark. Nobody knows what the heck our Legislature is doing about taxes. So there's plenty to talk about.

At noon I'll put up a new item here with the headline, "The June 5 Chat Is Open." We'll use the "Comments" link of that item to hold our chat -- just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest additions to the chat.

As always, if you can't be here live, you can post a question in advance to the "Comments" page of this announcement. You can always come back later to check out today's transcript, which will stay posted. If you'd like to see what folks have talked about in past chats, click on the "Chat Transcripts" link over in the left-hand column.

See you at noon! [Noon update: Pre-filed comments to this post are now closed. Please join the live chat in progress by clicking on the comments of the post headlined, "The June 5 Chat Is Open."]

Three Upcoming Things

Coming Saturday: The first (and maybe the only, maybe not) installment of The TroxBlog Weekly News Quiz.

Coming Sunday: My print column will probably focus on Pinellas County's controversial plans to carve out part of the Brooker Creek Preserve for water-treatment plants, other utility uses, and sports fields. I'll post extra photos and other material here on the blog.

Coming Tuesday: Don't forget the weekly live chat here on TroxBlog from noon-1 p.m. about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Last week's chat kicking around the session of the Florida Legislature set a record for page views and comments -- check out a transcript here.

The May 8 Chat Is Closed: See The Transcript

We just finished a two-hour live chat on TroxBlog about the 2007 session of the Florida Legislature. One thing that I learned was that supporters of getting rid of touch-screen voting machines are willing to accept all the other election stuff the Legislature stuck in there (see my column this morning suggesting the governor should veto it).

To read a transcript of the chat, go to the next item down on this page, headlined "The May 8 Chat Is Open,'' and click on the "Comments" link. I've left the comments function open so people can continue to make follow-up remarks.

Join me next Tuesday for a return to a regular one-hour format to talk about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Thanks to all who took part today or who just dropped in to take a peek.

Psst! Want To Talk About The Legislature?

Tuesday's weekly live chat on TroxBlog will be a special two-hour edition to discuss the just-concluded annual session of the Florida Legislature. We'll talk about what our lawmakers did and didn't accomplish. There are a lot of issues out there besides the 800-pound gorilla of tax reform, which will be the subject of a special session in June.

The chat will be from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come armed with opinions, comments and questions, and feel free to bring up any topics you think have been overlooked -- after all, there were hundreds of bills passed, and a couple thousand of them defeated.

Pre-Chat Reminder

Be here at noon today for a one-hour live chat about current events and issues in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. I'll put up a post with the headline, "The May 1 Chat Is Open," and we'll use the "Comments" link of that post to hold our talk -- just keep refreshing the comments page to see the latest.

Until noon, if you want to pre-post any questions or comments, use the comments link of this item.

UPDATE: The chat opened at noon -- please post comments and questions to the first post on this blog, headlined "The May 1 Chat Is Open." Thanks.

One small difference today from  previous chats is that I'll post the questions and comments (in the order that I receive them) with my answer immediately following. There were complaints from the first two chats that they were a little hard to follow, since my answer to a question might not come until several comments after the original question... if this displeases, we can go back to the old way.

Let's Make It A Standing Date

Check out the bold-faced announcement at the top of the right-hand column on this page: Starting Tuesday, May 1, I'll hold a regular weekly online chat here on TroxBlog to talk with readers about current events in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. At noon each Tuesday I'll put up a new post with the headline, "The Chat Is Open," and we'll use the "Comments" link of that post to do our talking. Just keep refreshing the comments page for the latest.

Here are the transcripts of the two chats we've had so far:

April 24 chat

March 27 chat

The April 24 Chat Is Over

The April 24 chat is over, but I'll leave comments open for a little while... to read the transcript, go to the following post on this blog -- the one headlined, "The April 24 Chat Is Open" --  and follow the comments.

We talked a lot about the pending plans in our Legislature for property and sales taxes. A high-school student had several good questions about juvenile justice. We also talked about gun laws, developers, media polls and even the merits of a national presidential primary.

The April 24 Chat Is Open

Okay, happy Tuesday and hello from fashionable downtown St. Petersburg. The April 24 chat is open -- post questions and comments to the "Comments" link of this post and I'll do my best to respond to them. Just keep refreshing the comments page to keep up with the latest.

So, is anybody there?

April 24: Chat At 11:30 Today

Here's how today's chat will work. At 11:30 a.m. I'll put up a new post here with the headline, "The April 24 Chat Is Open." We'll use the "Comments" link of that announcement to post questions, comments and answers. Just keep refreshing th