What follows, from John DeGroot, needs no introduction. The man knows how to find interesting statistics and they tend to indicate Florida is on the highway to hell. Happy Memorial Day Weekend! ________________________________________________
We need to stop blog-flogging the Sun-Sentinel for its tragic fall into the depths of Journalism Lite aka mediocrity.
If for no other reason than the simple human compassion and charity we would extend to the dying on life support, or lost souls trapped on a sinking ship.
True, the captain and officers aboard the Good Sip Sun-Sentinel, are busy tossing the passengers overboard first in a desperate effort to save their hides.
But still…
We would not heap ridicule and scorn on the victims of Darfur just because their government sucks--- so how then can we take shameless delight in the terminal victims of Mother Tribune and her evil stock hustlers?
Thus, in the sweet spirit of mercy and charity, I call upon all men and women of good will to offer up a weekly collection of decent story ideas* for the beleaguered pod souls struggling to survive the current famine of hope at the Sun-Sentinel. (*Ideally with stuff the graphic department can play with ala the Factoids of Editor Earl
Maucker’s Gannett-poisoned roots.)
Call it alms for the poor in spirit and a basic tenet of very major faith.
Here then is the first of my offerings which I hope to provide my brothers and sisters in print during the coming weeks – God and Brother Norman willing. FLORIDA’S BASTARD SURGE (The Jebster’s Moral Legacy?)
....………………..1998…….2005.....% increase
FLORIDA
Pregnancies…277,899...319,032....15%
Abortions…….82,335…..92,813…..13%
Births………...195,564…226,219…16%
Unwed……….71,602…..96,985…...35%
BROWARD
Pregnancies...30,973…..37,752…...22%
Abortions……10,326…..14,623……42%
Births………...20,647…..23,127…...12%
Unwed……….6,927…….8,986……..30%
MIAMI-DADE
Pregnancies...53,794…..55,304……3%
Abortions…….22,163….22,939…...4%
Births………...31,631…..32,365…...2%
Unwed……….12,613…..14,691…...17%
PALM BEACH
Pregnancies...19,206…..20,494…...7%
Abortions…….6,153……5,334……(13%)
Births………...13,053…..15,160…...16%
Unwed……….4,483…….6,154…….37%
SE FLORIDA
Pregnancies...103,973…113,550….9%
Abortions…….38,642…..42,896…...11%
Births………...65,331…..70,652……8%
Unwed……….24,023…..29,831……24%
REST OF STATE
Pregnancies…173,926….205,482….18%
Abortions……..43,693…...49,917…...14%
Births………….130,233….155,567….19%
Unwed………...47,579…...67,154…...41%
