Today's important headlines and my takes on them.
Let's start with this headline from the Palm Beach Post, What killed this baby manatee? Manatee mortality highest since 2013.
It is worth noting that manatee populations have been on the rise from just over 3,000 twenty years ago to over 6,000 today. Therefore, there are simply going to be more that are going to die due to sheer numbers, however, that doesn't really address the bigger issue here.
While we're worried about the toxic blue-green algae they've got the worst of both worlds going along the west coast of Florida. The blue-green algae concern from Lake O' discharges and the red algae known as red tide. The difference is that red tide is a natural phenomenon, blue-green algae is the result of our manipulation of nature. Put the two together and it's no surprise that they're experiencing the worst outcomes for wildlife in years.
Two years ago, we were in the mist of the worst toxic algae crisis on record. Today's problems are guaranteed to continue to happen unless we vastly changed the way we handle "water management". That's probably the biggest problem of all. The more we try to "manage" nature, the more problems that seem to persist. We tend to do our best when we're protected but otherwise, don't have the government in the way.
Next headline is from the Sun Sentinel, Democrats endorse School Board incumbent over Stoneman Douglas parent.
I'm not surprised that Donna Korn is being endorsed over Ryan Petty by the Broward's Democrats based on what we know of each of them. I do however question how appropriate it is for a political party to endorse candidates in non-partisan races. The entire point of having non-partisan elections is to keep traditional party politics out of the race. That seems about as wrong to me as a news organization endorsing candidates which right on cue.
Lastly, Election endorsements from the Sun Sentinel's Editorial Board.
Yes, it's the editorial board, not the theoretically objective reporters but who do they all answer to? Who does the hiring, makes final decisions, etc. How can you truly suggest there's objective coverage when your organization has publicly taken sides?
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