Thanks to Bob May, Commander Dixie Camp#1861, 4th Lt. Commander - Florida Sons of Confederate Veterans, for sending this information:

Sunday January 19th was Gen. Robert E. Lee's Birthday

As we Honor his Memory, Let us remember some of his most famous quotes:
 "What a Glorious World Almighty God has Given us.  How Thankless and Ungrateful we are and how we Labor to mar His Gifts'' .

 ''May any Grandson who fails to honor these Men who sacrificed everything and lost, may he meet a different hereafter, for he would not be worthy of their Welcome'' !

 ''Any Man who fails to Honor his Ancestors does not deserve to be remembered by his Descendants''.

 ''Let us set aside our Animosities and let your Children grow up to be Great Americans''.

 "Do your Duty in all things, no more and no less, and nothing more can be expected of you''.

 "Always do what your Heart tells you to be right and Honorable, and our Lord will be most pleased with your conduct. ''

GOVERNOR'S BUDGET INFORMATION
I was in Tallahassee on business Monday and had an opportunity to hear the Governor deliver his budget message to the press.  It's going to be heard for "anyone" to be satisfied this year because there will be no surplus money floating around to fight over.  We're extremely fortunate in Florida that our state is not permitted to do deficit funding.   In other words, there must be a balanced budget each year.  Unfortunately bonding has been a way of extending payments that will some day have to be faced.  For now, though, Florida is in a much better position financially than most any other state in the Nation.

The Governor is proposing a budget for 2003-2004 of $61,662,972,824 compared to the present year budget of $57,714,584,010.  This year's budget represents a decrease in personnel from 117,669 to 114,971 for 2003-2004.

Education goes from $23,244,732,726 to $25,587,343,939, in view of the constitutional amendment passed by electors requiring class size reductions.

Let me suggest that since the Florida Teacher Union is the organization that pushed for and campaigned for the new amendments, salaries of all union members should be reduced by enough to make up for the cost difference.   Those teachers that are not members of the union would not have their salaries and benefits cut.  As you remember, the union even mortgaged their office building near the capitol to help finance the campaign to unseat Governor Bush.  Seems fair to me that they should foot the bill.   Also we could throw in Congressman Kendrick Meek of Dade County who was a big pusher for the amendment.

Glad top see that the Governor has listed his priorities for the coming session:  Education, Tax Relief, Smaller, More Efficient Government, Health and Human Services. Economic Opportunities, and Public Protection.

Of course, the final budget will be written by the Legislature (House and Senate) so we'll have to wait to see what they pass and whether or not the Governor will sign their finished project. My concern with the Governor's budget is the cut of day care programs for Juvenile Justice. These programs are the ones that turn youngsters around before the reach the prison stages.  I'd rather see some cuts in unnecessary education programs so these Juvenile Justice programs can continue.

If you're interested in more about the Governor's budget and his priorities, go to: www.myflorida.com and then click on government.  Then under Governor, click on Governor's budget and you'll have access to a lot of information including his explanations for his priorities and what he hopes to accomplish.

I welcome your comments on any part of the budget proposals.

THANKS TO MORGAN LAND FOR SENDING THE FOLLOWING:
Subject: Just Sue Me
I love this, someone finally hit the nail on the head.......

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.

I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So, what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. And we are in the Bible Belt. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect--somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer.

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations. Nor do I believe that not praying will result in more serious injuries on the field or more fatal car crashes after the game. In fact, I'm not so sure God would even be at all these games if he didn't have to be. That's just one of the downsides of omnipresence.

If God really liked sports, the Russians would never have won a single gold medal, New York would never play in a World Series and Deion Sanders' toe would be healed by now.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights! Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us just to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us.

And if that last sentence offends you-well..........just sue me.

Boy, do I agree with this one, Morgan!  I welcome all comments.

NAME SELECTED
I want to thank those of you who took the time to send along suggestions for naming the column and for helping me make the decision.  The overwhelming vote was to continue the name "Fourth Dimension" because it IS already known and associated with me.  So, I'll do that and add 2003 in the title.  Coming in second was "Online With Jerry", and in third place was "The Melvin Factor", followed by "Jerry's Journal", and "Jerry's Topics".

Who knows, maybe I'll start another column or two and use some of these suggestions.  Please keep writing and I hope you will suggest issues and topics and will feed me information that I may use from time to time.

THANKS FOR SAYING SOMETHING NICE ABOUT MY SON
I received the following from Judy Koerber and I do appreciate having someone say something about my children. "Mr. Melvin:  Thank you for including the note about Jarrett and his business moving into our area in one of your recent newsletters.  I have been looking for a talented, reputable, and affordable company to help with a website for my small craft business.   I emailed back and forth with him, met with him over the holidays and have signed a contract for my site.   He is a jewel and has a genuine understanding of the struggles and concerns of the small home-based business owner.   He stands head and shoulders above the dozens of people with whom I have discussed this project over the past 2 years.  Give us a few weeks and check out heartprintagifts.com. Thanks again!"

For those that missed it, Jarrett can be reached at
Jarrett@sitedesignplus.com or by calling him at
850-376-5717.

I LOVE TO RECEIVE RESPONSES - HERE'S A SMAPLING
I really enjoy receiving responses to articles in the column and from time to time will print some so you can have the benefit of the thinking of the readers.  I usually ask permission to use the information, so it will help if you'll include such permission with your response.

In response to Merlin's article January18 article, Lee Archer said:  "I cannot remember just when I ever enjoyed reading anything as much as I did your email I received on Sat. 01/18.  I have re-read and re-read the part Merlin sent to you.  I relate to everything said because you see I've lived through it.   I'm 78 years old.   I tell my children and grandchildren, you'll never be able to tell your children the exciting things that happened back in the 30's, 40's and 50's.  These were the years before we had the "stuff" you have today.  God bless you and yours.  You have been one of my favorite people since I got to know you. Never stop being just you.   You are special."  Thanks a million, Lee, you made my day..... And night....... and weeks!!   Jerry

Bruce and Connie Rova had this to say about Merlin's article:  "By the way, this week's musings were especially enjoyable.  I think the cream was the inclusion of the retrospective on our lives in the late 40's and the 50's. It and your added notes on a few of them were 'right on"..

In the animal control service business I am now part of (in my 9th year in after retiring from a 23-1/2 year pleasure cruise with the US Navy) one of our biggest problems in providing the service to Escambia County residents is the one you spoke to Fort Walton folks about - so few people, even the businesses, have taken the precaution of putting their house number somewhere easily and clearly visible from the road so someone can locate them quickly when there is an urgent need.   I know the firefighters are constantly urging EVERYONE to 'label' their residences to help them find them quickly.  I want an ambulance for5 instance to be able to come directly and immediately to our home if we need them. I DON'T want them to have to stop to ask someone up the street where a certain number is and then find out they were two minutes too late when they get here!.  Keep on keepin' on.  (Bruce and others..  Get to your respective City Council meetings and County Commission meetings urging that enforcement of numbering me strengthened.  Jerry)

 Got the following from Rod Taylor with reference to street numbers:  "I really get upset when trying to find non-existent business street numbers while driving.  A business person who does not PLAINLY place his street numbers and the HOURS open for business offends me.   It seem to me that the vast majority of businesses fail to clearly display numbers, which creates hostility and contributes to traffic accidents as drivers search for locations.

Along with the slovenly business owner, other culprits exist; the licensing and permitting agencies that impose business licenses.  There are not many reasons for cities, counties and states to require businesses to buy a license and renew annually.  I regard licensing as an attempt by bureaucrats to create, perpetuate and expand the related bureaucracies and to protect the populace from possible harm arising from the business.

If the need to license businesses does exist, the first order of the licensing agency should require clear marking of locations (large street numbers) and posting business hours.

Offended citizens such as your readers and myself need to take these matters to city and county commission meetings and champion the cause.  I doubt that we will find very much resistance."

In reference to the cost of education, I received the following from Bob Rettie:  "Jerry, since the tax payers spend about $6,000 per year for each student in public schools, and private schools cost about $3,000, why don't we give each parent a $3,000 tax credit per child and let the parents pay to send their children to any school they choose?  If the parents want to send their children to public schools, let them pay the additional $3,000 per student."  (Note:  I did not check Bob's figures for costs per child, but I think you get his point.  Jerry)

In response to the problem of too many constitutional amendments, Desmond Austin sent the following:  "I recommend a 'Ratification' process akin to the procedure for amending the US Constitution whereby the Legislature passes an amendment and sends it to the counties for ratification.

The people could still utilize the petition process, but do so without weakening our Representative form of Government."

Mary Strider of Bonita Springs provided the following:
"this appeared in today's paper under the title of 'Well Professor?'  Editor, Naples Daily News:

My father showed me a letter (NDN, Dec. 22) regarding 'Taxing gas' by Professor Hobbs of FGCU (Florida Gulf Coast University) who teaches ECON 101.  The professor pointed out that the gasoline tax in our counties is about 22 cents a gallon higher than in Georgia and that 'the economic burden of the tax is shared between the local gas station owner and the end customer.'

My father did not know the number for a more advanced ECON class that might explain that one of the reasons for Florida's higher taxes on gasoline (one of the 'burdens' that we lucky people in Florida have) is that we don't have a state income tax that penalizes people for working instead of for spending.

My father did explain to me, however, that if I asked these questions, that they should be known as rhetorical: does FGCU teach this in a more advanced ECON class?  Why does Georgia want to tax people for working instead of for spending? Besides carrying taxing to the Federal level, what's the difference between the IRS and Georgia?  And is it true that a tax on working is socialism and that a tax on spending is more like free enterprise?"

CAREER EDUCATION WEEK - FEBRUARY 9 - 15
Judy Koerber passes along the fact that February 9 - 15 is known as Career and Technical Education Week.  I'll provide more information in next week's column and hope you will make a point to be more famikoar with what is taking place in such education programs throughout Okaloosa County and the State of Florida.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Most black families in the United States today have been here longer than most white families.   No one except the American Indians can claim to have been on American soil longer.   Why then call blacks in the United States 'African Americans', when not even their great-great-great-grandparents ever laid eyes on Africa? It is certainly understandable that activists, politicians and other who wish to divide Americans for their own purposes would push the notion of 'African Americans'.  They also push such things as the 'African' holiday Kwanzaa - which originated in Los Angeles - and 'black English' or 'ebonics', which originated centuries ago in particular localities in Britain and is wholly unknown in Africa.. Names are just part of the process of creating wholesale frauds about the past, in order to advance special agendas in the present.  Personal names are also part of that fraud
(Thomas Sowell)

(I agree and have stated in my columns over the years that you are either American or you are not.   You cannot be a  hyphenated American.  In other words, there is no such thing as an African-American, German-American. French-American, Chinese-American, etc. Let's all quit being Politically Correct and call things for what they really are.  Jerry)

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
 Is Governor Bush's budget request too high, too low, about right?   What are your thoughts?

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com