With apologies to William Shakespeare, the truncated special legislative session called by the newly independent Gov. Charlie Crist was a tragedy, not a comedy. First, that it was called at all. Second, that it was summarily dismissed only hours after being convened. (The House gaveled to a close in 49 minutes; the Senate followed less than 90 minutes later.) What a colossal waste of time, energy, and money, especially at a time when we can spare none of them.

I said as much in my June editorial after Crist floated his idea: "I see no need for a special session to craft a constitutional amendment banning oil drilling in Florida waters. It may be good political theater for candidate Charlie Crist to call everyone back to Tallahassee, but in reality, oil rigs are not going to suddenly emerge out of the Gulf like Botticelli's 'Venus.' Instead of treating a proposed constitutional amendment like a legislative form of speed dating, lawmakers should use these intervening months to fully assess the damage from the spill and to solicit legal advice and public opinion in preparation for conducting measured discussions in 2011."

Despite similar cautionary words from other media outlets, Crist forged ahead, demanding that lawmakers reconvene in July. He exacerbated his already tense relationship with the Legislature by rejecting suggestions to at least broaden the session's scope to include related issues, such as the economic impact of the current spill.