The Bush/Ros-Lehtinen Approach

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is focused on the wrong things. As usual. Now she wants to indict Fidel Castro. While there is no doubt that Castro has done a lot of horrible things over the years and should be brought to justice, but, really, is this the type of thing our representatives should be focused on?.......here
When Can We Indict Her And Bush?

Laura Dern as Katherine Harris

Supreme Court Justice Antonin "get over it" Scalia likely won't be watching it, but HBO will be re-living the election that launched a thousand legal briefs -- and tens of thousands of touch-screen voting machines -- when it airs the new film Recount beginning May 25th........here

Florida Democrats DNC Protest

Tampa Electric's Growth Falls Sharply

Weighed down by the sagging housing market, Tampa Electric expects its lowest customer growth in nearly a decade, company executives said Tuesday afternoon......here

This might explain the letter i received from TECO today letting me know that if i don't pay my bill in full each month before the due date it will be necessary to increase my security deposit.

Antiquated

Tampa, Florida

Millions Of State Dollars Earmarked For Tampa Bay

Despite deep cuts in spending, the state budget the Florida Legislature is expected to approve this week includes funding for some projects around the Tampa Bay area. A quick look at some of them.......here

Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority

Commissioner José ''Pepe'' Diaz

The Miami-Dade County Commission is seriously considering allowing skank developers to destroy more of the Everglades because, apparently, they can't see any reason not to........here

Slavery In Florida

here
"We used to own our slaves but now we just rent them,".........Edward R Murrow

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Picadillo

With Red Beans And Rice And Yuca
$5.95 At.......Rosa's Market 4209 W.Martin Luther King Blvd Tampa

Tampa Locavore

Democrats Registering In Record Numbers

A New Sense Of Political Urgency

The line of newcomers that snaked across the checkered tile floor was emblematic of those that have formed across the country this year: black voters, young voters, lifelong Republicans switching parties -- all registering in record numbers, and all aligning as Democrats.........here

Pets On The Patio In Ybor City

Florida College Student Invents Reusable Alternative to Styrofoam

Proving that simple solutions are often better than complicated high-tech ones, Eckerd College student Audrey Copeland has invented an alternative to Styrofoam take-out containers that you don’t even have to wash yourself. The EcoClamshell......here

Florida’s First Earthship

I am a Florida Certified General Contractor who is building Florida’s first true Earthship. This home is to be completely off the grid using solar for power and capturing rainwater for all of the home’s water needs........here

Dean: Clinton Or Obama Must Drop Out In June

Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday that either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama must drop out of the Democratic presidential race after the June primaries in order to unify the party by the convention and win the election in November.........here

New Revenue In Sarasota

A new law, up for a final vote next month, would grant police in Sarasota the authority to impound vehicles found playing their stereos too loud and charge up to $650 in fines for repeat violators........here

Eat Local

The Beautiful City Of Williston, Florida
Billy-Jack's Restaurant‎

Pinellas Hope

With $200,000 from private donors, Pinellas Hope will stay open through Sept. 30. Staff will be reduced to accommodate about 75 residents at a time instead of the 250 who have lived there in the past five months. Since Pinellas Hope opened in December, more than 450 homeless people have found temporary shelter in tents, a safe place to keep their belongings, hot showers and laundry services........here

What a Whopper

There is a human rights crisis in Florida's fields. Farm laborers are being paid poverty wages while working long hours without overtime pay. There is even physical abuse and wage fraud by crew leaders, supervisors, and growers.........here

The Bush-McCain Challenge In Tampa

Kennedy Boulevard and Pierce Street in downtown Tampa
601 EAST KENNEDY BLVD. 29 Apr, 8:00 AM......info

Sewage Outfalls to the Ocean — No More in Florida

Six wastewater treatment facilities (Publicly Owned Treatment Works) in South Florida have been discharging an average of about 360 million gallons per day of treated wastewater to the ocean for decades. The outfall pipes discharge from one to three miles offshore........here

Dean says unity's key to White House

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean says the key to Democrats winning the White House lies is unity - whichever candidate ends up winning the nomination........here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Papo's Plato

Steak, Rice And Other Stuff
$5.95 At............El Taconazo (Taco Bus) 913 E. Hillsborough Ave Tampa, Florida

No Serious Problems In The State Of Florida

It's Nice To Know

There are no serious problems in the state of Florida. Evidently they have eliminated poverty, covered all their citizens with health insurance, created jobs for the unemployed, eliminated gas and food inflation, assured all workers a decent wage, made sure

All students will graduate high school and provided funding for everyone who wants to go to college........here

Joe Garcia "Manufactures Issues"

Fellowship, Florida

Welcome To Tampa, Expect Delays

Tobacco Cash Used For Social Services

About 40,000 of Florida's most seriously sick and poor people won't have their state-paid health coverage cut -- at least for now -- after state budget negotiators agreed Wednesday to siphon $300 million from a tobacco-settlement savings account..........here

The legacy of Chiles, a Democratic governor, has become the salvation for today's Republican-led Legislature.

Jay Wheeler: Alcohol And Cigarettes

A Florida school board member is drawing fire from some parents for saying they should spend money on school clothes for their children instead of buying alcohol and cigarettes.......here

HitchHiker's Guide to Tampa, Florida

here

My Dinner with Joe Garcia

So Proud

Joe is the former Executive Director of the Cuban American National Foundation and is a well known figure in South Florida and a leader within Florida's Cubano community........here

No New Waterfront $tadium

http://www.stpetepoww.com/

TECO: Power at Any Cost?

Jeb Is "Light Green" On The Environment

As governor, Bush, a Republican, was largely silent on global warming. His successor, Charlie Crist _ who is often mentioned as a possible GOP running mate for McCain _ has said Florida should become a leader in addressing climate change because its low elevation makes it vulnerable if ocean levels rise. Bush said those who advocate action to limit climate change are acting out of something like religious zeal..........here

Kevin Beckner Officially on the Ballot

Candidate Kevin Beckner garnered the 7,400 signatures need to get on the ballot. Beckner is running for district 6 of the Hillsborough County Commission. The Democrat will be facing off against Republican Brian Blair.......here

I’d Rip His Arm Off And Beat Him With The Wet End

Tomorrow, April 25, is the National Day of Silence, when students around the country will take a vow of silence to draw attention to anti-GLBT harassment, discrimination, and name-calling in our nation’s schools.......here

Pastor Ken Hutcherson

Kate Can Help You Sound Smart

Catherine Durkin Robinson puts words in people's mouths. For a price. The 38-year-old speechwriter charges 50 cents a word for toasts and wedding vows. Her rate for politicking Democrats is $1 a word. No such deal for the GOP. "Five dollars for Republicans,".........here........Via...tld

Out In Left Field

30 Seconds Is Impossible

Local Legends

Showtown USA

10902 US Hwy. 41 South, Gibsonton, Florida

Miami Caliente vs. The Tampa Bay Breeze

Lingerie Football League

I'm speechless!

Tampa's Busy Downtown

Tampa History On A Roll

here

Tampa Bay's Media Talk: Eric Deggans

Photography Legal In Manatee County, Florida

Even a “known drug dealer” is legally allowed to photograph undercover cops as they serve a search warrant, if he takes the photos from a public space, according to a Florida prosecutor.
The photographer was 20-year-old Randy Sievert of Bradenton, who was arrested in February after he stood on a public road and photographed Manatee County sheriff’s officials conducting a search warrant on a private home.........here

See 'Anna in the Tropics' For Free In Ybor

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play Anna in the Tropics, written by Nilo Cruz, and directed by Dr. Sybil Barnes-Johnson, is being performed this weekend and next by Hillsborough Community College's Ybor Campus Theater Department.........here

Local Legends

El Cap........ 3500 4th St. N. St. Petersburg, Florida
Great Burgers And Cold Beer

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Bacalao With Moro And Platanos
$5.95 At.......Rosa's Market 4209 W.Martin Luther King Blvd Tampa
Tampa Locavore

Pastor Hayes Wicker of Naples, Florida

This is a tremendous social crisis, greater even than the issue of slavery.

For those who don’t know, fundamentalist right-wingers in Florida are attempting to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida this year that would ban gay marriage in the Sunshine State. The same gay marriage that is already illegal under four separate parts of state law. What this nutjob is actually saying is that the fact that they haven’t yet enshrined hatred in the Florida Constitution.........here

Tampa Getting A New Neighbor

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that that President Bush will nominate Army Gen. David Petraeus as the new commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.......here

Our Darwinian Society

Today, the USA is a synonym for corruption, greed, homelessness, hopelessness, high crime and never-ending financial speculation. People are loosing their homes and are faced with ever increasing gasoline prices..........here

Vietnam Wall - Wickham Park, Melbourne Florida

Half A Billion To Move 16 Blocks

MLK And Himes, Tampa

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Ropa Vieja With White Rice And Yuca

$5.95 At.........40th Street Restaurant, 3206 N 40th St Tampa

Tampa Locavore

Florida Bans Truck Nutz

Seems that paragon of jurisprudence and rational thought, Florida, thinks that having a pair of these on the hitch of your truck is a bad idea. As a matter of fact, if you scoff at this law, and continue to display your Truck Nutz, the state now sees fit to ticket you for $60.........here

Barbershop Patrol Ybor City Cuts

Run Monkeys Run

"I guess these guys living in Puerto Rico learned how to swim."
A dozen monkeys that escaped from a wildlife preserve during the weekend have all the ingredients to start a successful colony in the wild, including mature males, reproducing females and a dominant troop leader. The people-shy patas monkeys have thousands of acres of sod and ranch land to roam in northern Polk County, even the sprawling 870 square miles of the Green Swamp........here

Diaz-Balart a One-Trick Pony

Libre Air

Rob Lorei's Interview With Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio

Pam Iorio was re-elected to her second term as Tampa mayor last year. Previously she served as Hillsborough supervisor of elections and was a Hillsborough County commissioner.
Iorio is a strong advocate of the environment, neighborhoods and mass transit. But her tenure has been marked by budget cuts, tension between her and the City Council and problems getting major projects such as the new art museum and the Riverwalk under way..........here

Meet The Diaz-Balarts: A Couple of Castro's 'Nephews'

In the past, Castro has liked to say to visiting U.S. congressmen,
"Give my best to my nephew, would you?
He's in Congress, you know." Now he has two "nephews" in Congress. Lincoln says, "Castro likes to toy with us in that way. It's totally cynical. It's just part of his game. His visitors say, 'You've got a nephew in Congress?!' They're so impressed.".......here
The United Fruit Company

Hillary Clinton And The Activists

Simon Rosenberg said the coming clash in the party will be between the "activist" class and the "governing" class for the heart and soul of the party. This was from a Time article from 2004 the day after the election........here

Matthew Yglesias On Joe Garcia

For a few cycles now, I keep hearing talk that South Florida may be ready for a somewhat more enlightened approach to Cuba than the "starve them until they give us back our confiscated property" model that's done so very little to drive Castro from power over the past 50 years.......here via.....flablog

Barack Obama in Philadelphia

Alligator Alley For Sale

The fastest route through the Everglades could lead drivers straight through a private company's toll booths by this time next year.The Florida Department of Transportation plans to talk to contractors this week about leasing out Alligator Alley, which could put the 78-mile toll highway into the hands of private interests........here

My Beautiful Mommy

A plastic surgeon in Florida has come out with a picture book for young children called, "My Beautiful Mommy". It helps kids to cope with what happens when mummy gets a tummy tuck, a nose job, breast implants, and becomes unrecognisable.......here

Tampa Bay’s Cartoonists

Check out Pen and Brush Promoting emerging and established cartoonists in the Tampa Bay area........here

Jimmy Carter - Man From Plains

Wednesday, April 23, 8:00pm

Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Florida Department Of Agriculture Shuts Down Microgreen Seller

A sixty-two year old woman who earns half her income from the sale of sprouts and microgreens at the downtown Sarasota Farmer’s Market was shut down today by the Florida Department of Agriculture.......here

Debbie Wasserman Schultz May Be In Violation Of Loyalty Oath

I came across a very interesting form among the Bylaws of Polk County's DEC, Democratic Executive Committee. It is a Loyalty Oath that supposedly all Democrats who are elected to public office are supposed to sign under oath.......here

The Florida House Learning Center

Sarasota’s premiere demonstration education facility for resource-conserving sustainable living, is undergoing a transformation.........here

Faye Armitage - The Better Choice for Florida’s Environment

On April 22nd, 2008, we will celebrate Earth Day. Faye Armitage, who is running for Congress against John Mica in District 7, is the smart choice to help protect Florida and the Nation’s natural resources........here

http://www.fayeforcongress.com/

GOP Women: Pro-Lifers Can't Forget Abused Kids

This is not a partisan issue, yet we belong to the party whose members often advocate for pro-life issues. I cannot imagine a more pro-life stance than advocating for state funding for living children who have been abused or abandoned by their parents.......here

Clearwater Beach Opens Piece Of Beach Walk Project

When the summer beach season arrives in May, locals and visitors will see a Clearwater Beach vastly different from last year's version, at least at the southern end........here

UF Strikers Feeling Effects Of Protest

Six of 11 student protesters are still fasting until they can talk about UF's investment policy with UF President Bernie Machen, but they're dropping fast. Two have already fainted after nearly a week, protesters said.......here

Florida Lawmakers Busy With Menus

Troubled by restaurants that don't disclose the price of their specials, Aventura Commissioner Bob Diamond is pushing the county to adopt a law requiring eateries to, at the very least, tell diners how much each special costs.......here

War Inc

Howard Dean April 17, 2003

When Congress approved the President’s authorization to go to war in Iraq – no matter how well-intentioned – it was giving the green light to the President to set his Doctrine of preemptive war in motion. It now appears that Iraq was just the first step. Already, the Bush Administration is apparently eyeing Syria and Iran as the next countries on its target list.........here

Florida Doesn't Like Bush Rubberstamps

"That kind of divisive language is part of the reason why Mario Diaz-Balart was recently ranked 406th in Congress and last in bringing Florida taxpayers their fair share of benefits. The Diaz-Balarts are like the Sixth Sense -- they are dead, they just don't know it."........Joe Garcia

Glenis Redmon In Tampa Bay

Monday, May 5th, 2008

here

Florida Legislators Busy With Testicles

A discussion in the Florida Legislature on Thursday turned a bit awkward Thursday.
The subject? Replicas of bull testicles hanging from vehicles. In some parts of Florida, it has become fashionable to attach the reproductions to the back of pickup trucks........here

Florida Unveils Champmobile

It’s big, purple and coming to the state of Florida. AARP and Divided We Fail unveil the “Champmobile,” an interactive educational vehicle traversing the state in the months leading up to the November elections........here

Ronda Storms: Arranged Marriage Taking Place

Sen. Ronda Storms attempted unsuccessfully Wednesday to eliminate the Byrd Alzheimer's center's state earmark, arguing that doing so would reveal whether the University of South Florida really wants the center, or only wants its money.........here

Campaign Finance Reform In City Of Tampa Elections

The idea is the brainchild of two-term city council member John Dingfelder. He wants to bar corporate and PAC donations, reduce the individual contribution from the current $500 to $200, and create more transparency of campaign contributions........here

Annette Taddeo on Sunday Morning

Blue America Welcomes Joe Garcia

50's style red-baiting has become as salient as... hula hoops -- except in Florida where McCarthyite tactics are frequently on full display. Extreme right politicians are never shy about tarring their opponents as "Communists" and "commie-dupes." If you check over at ActBlue, you'll notice that Blue America's latest endorsee, Joe Garcia, has more contributions than all the other candidates in the entire state -- combined........here

Ybor City in Black and White

here

Barack Obama 2008

What Florida Republicans Want

Now the Republican politicians in Tallahassee want to squeeze the people of Florida even more - including the most vulnerable among us. I'm always amazed by how heartless and self-serving Republicans in power are, but the proposed state budgets from the House and Senate mark a new low........here

Florida's Mystery Earmark

The Senate may seek a federal investigation into a 2005 earmark on a highway funding bill that was mysteriously altered after Congress approved the measure but before President Bush signed it.......here

Manatee Migration Draws Families To Florida Coast

Florida has been long-known as a metropolis for family vacations, complete with saltwater, sunshine and animals that frolic with children. However, a seismic shift in tourism is leading families away from the dazzling Magic Kingdom to the quiet waters of Citrus County........here

Anti-Tolerance T-Shirts At Wesley Chapel High

Wesley Chapel High students approved their Wildcat Gay-Straight Alliance statement of understanding and acceptance more than three years ago. The school, principal Andy Frelick says, is "preaching tolerance all year." That said.........here

The Conch Republic Independence Celebration

APRIL 18-27, 2008 - KEY WEST, FLORIDA
The annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration commemorates the day the republic seceded from the United States to form a fifth-world nation recognized by international public law as "a sovereign state of mind."........here

Florida Grouper with Peri Peri Beurre Blanc

I bought about a pound of grouper (which has been scarce lately). I made a quick dusting of flour, kosher salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and a bit of peri peri powder and lightly coated the fillet..........here

"Taxi to the Dark Side" Premiere In Ybor City

7:30pm Friday, April 18, 2008
Winner of the 2008 Academy Awards "Best Documentary Feature"
here

Streets Of St. Petersburg, Florida

"The Land" Pulled From Tampa School’s Shelves

An award-winning young-adult book was pulled from the shelves of an elementary school after a review committee determined it was inappropriate for the grade level. “The Land,” by Mildred Taylor, will be collected and put on library shelves in middle schools instead........here

Sax Player Arrested In Ybor City

"There should be something in the Constitution that protects someone with little or no power," he said. "This country was built on capitalism. What I do is one of the purest forms of capitalism there is.".........here

Tampa's Free Speech Zone

Florida Ave In Downtown Tampa

Hillary Lost It

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."...........here

If Hillary Clinton somehow manages to lie and divide and hate her way to the top of the Democratic ticket, she can forget about my vote.

Obama 2008

Going Native in Florida

As a trying-to-reform black-thumb gardener in Florida, I’ve learned to appreciate the benefits and advantages of native plants. They’re the smartest way to go for anyone who loves greenery but hates the constant battle against bugs, drought, heat and the region’s other environmental challenges..........here

My Greener Tampa

SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE

The Seven Mile Bridge, longest of 43 spans that help comprise the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, is to close to vehicular traffic early Saturday morning for an annual footrace over the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.......here

Burger King Espionage In The Sunshine State

In Florida, groups organizing for tomato pickers’ rights say they might have been spied on and vilified online by the fast-food conglomerate Burger King. The Fort Myers News-Press traced threatening emails directed at the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Student/Farmworker Alliance to Burger King’s corporate headquarters in Miami, Florida.........here

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Half Of Florida’s Pirate Fleet Sinks

The replica pirate ship The Treasure Seeker went down in rough seas as it attempted a voyage to the Virgin Islands. Its owners had decided to leave Florida permanently for (supposedly) greener pastures in the tropics, and were lucky to escape with their lives..........here

Elitist And Divisive

Obama 2008

Homeland Security Fan In Land O' Lakes, Florida

US 41 And State Road 54

Florida's Conserve Wildlife License Plate

The Wildlife Foundation of Florida has awarded $414,034 in grants to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to support the agency’s research, management and promotion of Florida’s natural resources. A total of $358,034 came from funds raised by sales of the Conserve Wildlife specialty license plate............here

US Veterans Benefits

Wesley Chapel, Florida

Living Near Alligators

About 2 1/2 million alligators inhabit more than 90 percent of the lakes and streams in Florida.And, with warmer weather, all those reptiles are beginning to rouse from their winter slumber with two things on their peanut-sized brains -- finding another alligator to breed with and catching up on a few missed meals...........here

Bay County Is Serious About Marijuana

Mosley High School Assistant Principal Brian Barnes was arrested April 1 for allegedly purchasing more than 20 grams of marijuana. Police said he told investigators he wanted the illegal herb for stress relief and recreational use.
Under Florida law, Barnes faces up to five years behind bars if found guilty as charged...........here

Governor Honors Renee Blaney

Renee Blaney, president of the Ocala Mountain Bike Association, was recognized by Gov. Charlie Crist last week with a Point of Light award for volunteer work. (Here she is with her family at a bike event in 2006.)............here

Citrus Taliban Official License Tag

Even though Florida now has more than 100 specialized license tags, the Republican-controlled Legislature may soon add one more: a colorful license plate that features the words ''I Believe'' set among a resplendent sunrise and the image of a cross in front of stained-glass window........here

Anonymous In Clearwater

Clearwater's petite downtown district was primed for the perfect storm on Saturday.
On one end of downtown, 135 masked members of the group Anonymous began gathering at about 10 a.m. to protest the Church of Scientology..........here

Palm River Icon

Palm River Road And 50th St. Tampa

Things They Do In Tallahassee, Florida

Since our elected officials seem to be having a problem understanding what their priorities should be, I thought I'd put together a list for them to refer to. So here they are, in order of importance...........here

Ritz Theatre Of Ybor City

Patrick Lindsay: MySpace Is The Anti-Christ

Mr. Lindsay … is it possible that your estranged daughter, against whom your wife has a restraining order and who you do not parent, nor live with, might have some problems that don’t have anything to do with social networks? Is it possible that the eight teenagers who kidnapped and beat her suffer from similar lack of parenting, upbringing, education and suitable supervision?............here

Experts: YouTube not to blame for attack video

Florida Passes Bills Promoting Space Industry

"SB 2526 supports the development of an initiative to diversify the state’s space industry.........here

Support NASA

Why Stogie Likes Tampa Bay

Clearwater, Florida

Killer Bees In Okeechobee

So-called killer bees may have claimed their first human victim in Florida, state officials said Friday in announcing a fatal attack earlier this week in remote Okeechobee County.......here

Tampa Ruff Ryders Charity

Antibiotic Alligator

Researchers hunting for new antibiotics might get some aid from gator blood. Scientists are zeroing in on snippets of proteins found in American alligator blood that kill a wide range of disease-causing microbes and bacteria.......here

One-Woman Zoo In Florida

It would be easy to miss. About 9 miles east of Crestview on Highway 90 is Sasquatch Zoo. It’s a small operation that is kept open by the determination of one woman.......here

Sell Florida's Tresure

With the state desperate for cash to balance its budget, one lawmaker has come up with a solution worthy of Blackbeard or Captain Kidd. Rep. Juan Zapata wants to plunder Florida's booty. One of the world's largest publicly owned collections of Spanish treasure — doubloons and other coins, some gold and silver ingots and chains — belongs to the state..........here

Florida, The New Wild, Wild, West

The Florida Legislature has bowed to the wishes of the National Rifle Association and approved legislation that bars employers from banning guns on their property. Employees and customers can now bring guns just about anywhere as long as they have a concealed-weapons permit and leave the gun locked in their car..........here

The Shiftless Kid

A moment I've been dreading. George brought his n'er-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida ; the one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless..........here

Mario Diaz-Balart Called Me A Left-Wing Extremists

''Joe Garcia continues to align himself with left-wing extremists. The latest to join the ranks is Congressman Charlie Rangel,'' reads a statement from Diaz-Balart's campaign. ``He has a long and well-known history of supporting a radical left-wing agenda including supporting higher taxes on working families and appeasing our nation's enemies. Left-wing birds of a feather, tax and spend together.''............here

Victor Dimaio Claims DNC Is Racist

South Carolina and Nevada were allowed to hold their primaries before February 5th because the high percentage of blacks and Hispanics in those states helped compensate for the pasty complexion of Iowa and New Hampshire. That's the basis for an amended legal filing planned by Tampa Democratic activist, Victor Dimaio.........here

Tampa Bay, I Love This Town!

United States of Florida

Regular citizens have finally cried No More! and awakened from their hibernation to reinvent Florida, threatening to ouster a Republican majority focused on causing its citizenry pain, worry and grief........here

I feel Barack Obama believes in the Constitution and innately understands this grand document could lead us back toward the people we are, not the people we have become.....Sunny

Florida's Hate Amendment

This so-called gay marriage ban would not only ban gay marriage, which is already illegal in Florida, it would prevent cities and companies from providing benefits of any sort to gay couples and would also affect many straight couples and just plain roommates in a very negative way..........here

Florida’s Endangered Species

Florida is the home of over 100 endangered and threatened species.......list

An Old Florida Pearl

Perched where river meets sea just around the bend in Florida’s panhandle, Apalachicola is a gem of a town. No, in honor of the oysters that are plucked from the Gulf of Mexico here, and whose shells fall off a conveyor belt into a giant seagull-surrounded pile down the street from the nautical store, let’s call it a pearl.........here

UF Students Go On Hunger Strike

Eleven members of a student-protest group urging UF to make its investments transparent dug into a vegetarian meal they said could be their last of the semester outside Tigert Hall on Wednesday.......here

Earth Day Tampa Bay 2008

Earth Day is April 22 and Tampa Bay will be busting out with lots of events to get you on the green bandwagon. In Tampa, the annual Earth Day Tampa Bay festival will take place at the Lowry Park Bandshell from 11 to 4 on Sunday, April 20.......here

Downtown Tampa Sign

here

Call a Doctor! Florida has Fidel-o-phobia

Even in retirement, Fidel Castro exerts outsized influence over our country’s political life. Even now, he may affect the access Floridians have to health care. How can this be? To teach Castro a lesson, a state legislator is fighting to ban American doctors, educated in Cuba, from practicing medicine in Florida, and already a committee has acted to move this proposal forward..........here

Parents of Beaten Teen, Blame YouTube And MySpace

Tampa Bay Zip Codes

Durant, Florida

Camp Equality In Orlando And Ft. Lauderdale

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, announced today that it is launching a national program to help elect fair-minded candidates and defeat discriminatory ballot measures. The program – called Camp Equality – will train nearly 1,500 people in 14 cities to work on political campaigns.........here

Winter Soldier At University of Florida

The Gainesville panel, organized by the Iraq Veterans Against the War, Gainesville Veterans for Peace, and a few student groups, was inspired by the Vietnam War-era protest of the same name........here

Dogfighting In Florida

Earlier this year, I was in a dog training class with Ella and had the privilege of watching another dog conquer his fears. Harry looked like a miniature black and white sheepdog with soft black eyes that peered out at the world with uncertainty. He was under the care of the Big Hearts rescue group. Harry had been found dumped by the side of the road with multiple injuries. He had been used as bait in a dogfighting operation and was barely alive........here

Florida As Intellectual Ghetto

Depending on who is reporting the story, the Orwellianly-named "Academic Freedom Bill" sponsored by members of Florida's increasingly influential First Baptist Church has cleared the state legislature's equally Orwellianly-named Judiciary Committee by a vote of either 6-3 or 7-3 and will now go on to a vote by the full senate.........here

WE THE PEOPLE PROJECT - TAMPA

This is your project; you organize it in your own way! This is an INVITATION for your participation in this project. This is not an event listing that you show up to on April 21st, it is a nationwide project. Read more.......here

Samm Simpson: Questions for General Petraeus

Help me to help you stop this loss of blood and treasure and end this occupation. Will you contribute your time, your energy and your dollars?...........here

How Things Were In Cuba Before Fidel

The Miami Cuban Mafia

They're at it again: "Miami-Dade's Cuban- American legislators once again are pushing for laws regulating travel and business between the United States and Cuba."...........here

Brian Blair Plays Intolerance Card

Hillsborough County commissioner Brian Blair has picked up Ronda Storm's gay-bashing mantle. The The Former Bubble Bee is venting mock outrage that Tampa high school students will protest violence against LGBT...........here

Joe Garcia - A Different Kind Of Campaign

Orlando International Airport Going Green

The airport is testing four Ford shuttle vans equipped with internal combustion engines modified to run on hydrogen instead of gasoline.......here

Tampa Pets Adoption Expo

A fun day for the whole family! Be sure to mark your calendars for the Tampa Pets Spring Adoption Expo, April 12, 2008 from 10am-4pm at the State Fairgrounds, Tampa!.......here

Abortion And The Florida Legislature

With all the serious problems this state has, the Republican-dominated legislature always manages to find the time to address this subject in an election year.......here

Florida Republican Culture of Corruption

It just isn't surprising that we find Republican corruption in Florida. It's a Republican hotbed, after all, the home of the President's brother Jeb. I'm sure, since I lived there until three years ago, that Republicans, especially on the state level, feel they can get away with anything........here

Fighting for the Everglades

According to the Audubon Society, if the Florida House’s proposal — backed by Speaker Marco Rubio and House Policy and Budget Chairman Ray Sansom — passes, it would mark the first time in 30 years that the state has set aside no funds for land conservation, as well as the first time in eight years in which there’s been no money for the Everglades.........here

Paul McCartney Live In Tampa, Florida 2002

here

Democratic Surrogates Mix It Up In Tampa

It’s two more weeks before Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton compete in another primary, but today in Tampa, surrogates for the candidates battled it out among fellow Democrats. Frank Sanchez was named just last week as the National Latino Fundraiser for the Barack Obama campaign........here

Tampa Bay: A Photographic Portrait

Robert La Follette

Shame on China

Several hundred supporters of Tibet marched through the streets of San Francisco to criticise China before the Olympic torch is run through the city the next day.......here
freetibet.org

Way of The Brush Grand Opening - Ybor City

Oakland Water Raiders

A small town in Central Florida is considering forcing a 100-gallon-per-person daily limit on water for its residents. Some residents in Oakland, which is located south of Apopka, are outraged over the proposed limit on water and said the rapid growth in the area must stop until there is no longer a shortage........here

Governor Christ And The Explore Adoption Initiative

Throughout Florida, more than 1,000 children from varied backgrounds, circumstances, races and ethnicities are looking for a forever family and a permanent place to call home. Florida Governor, Charlie Christ, recently created the Explore Adoption Initiative which promotes public adoption services........here

Warrick Dunn Given Top Honors

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was presented with the 42nd annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award, the NFL Players Association’s highest honor. The event, which recognized NFL players for their individual contributions to their communities..........here
Warrick Dunn Foundation

Bill Nelson: There Could Be “Blood On The Floor” In Denver

In an interview with WPTV news Senator Bill Nelson says Florida folks do not react well to having their votes taken away. He says the National Democratic party just does not understand. He says he tried to "settle this thing" nine months ago. He said Howard Dean and the rest of the committee...........here

Tampa Heights Looking For Juicy Gossip

We don't mean what Jane Doe said about the souffle John Doe brought to the porch party; rather we're looking for good things (confirmed or otherwise) happening in our Urban Corridor neighborhoods............here
New Heights

Smokin Dad In Tampa

Police pulled over Jeremy Chapman Sunday as he was driving with an unrestrained child near Linebaugh. Chapman didn't hang around to argue his case.......here

Chapman told police he is addicted to marijuana.

Jonathan Rivera Loses Lifelong Battle With Cancer

Jonathan Rivera, the 5-year-old whose brief presence in a Head Start class inspired his schoolmates to mount a project to help his family, has lost his nearly lifelong battle with cancer. Jonathan died Wednesday night with his mother next to him. "He passed away as I was singing him his favorite song about a butterfly," his mother Mary Beltran said from her Town 'N Country home this afternoon..........here

Tampa: A Brave New (Low-Cost) World

I’m from Massachusetts, which is located in New England, so by default I have this inexplicable disdain for all things southern. We northerners think of ourselves as superior to our neighbors to the south, and we also fear southerners for their guns and confederate flags and pickup trucks. To a Yankee like me, the South is truly a terrifying and exotic place........here

In Florida, Get Busy With A Bear

Here are two proposals under consideration during the ongoing session of the Florida Legislature.
Proposed Law A: Bringing a gun to work is legal. Proposed Law B: Having sex with an animal is illegal.
One of these proposed laws is sailing through the legislature, and the other is stalled and heading nowhere. Can you guess which is which?

I'll give you a very big hint: This is Florida.......here

Many Say Goodbye To Fallen Soldier

Tara Nelson stands by the flag drapped coffin of her fiance PFC Patrick Joseph "PJ" Miller Sunday after his funeral at the Frist United Methodist Church of Hudson.........here

Joan Baez At Tampa Theatre

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 7:30PM

here

What Is The Miami Cuban Mafia?

The Cuban Mafia is not an established organization per se; it is a state of mind of certain American politicians who are vociferously anti-Cuba, and who are primarily based in the state of Florida. But this Mafia is also an equal-opportunity group; they also welcome as members those who belong to the Democratic Party...........here

Joe Garcia Or More Of The Same

Clearwater Retirees Resort to Firepower to Take Out Pesky Ducks

A Florida retirement community did a little more than shoo, choosing instead to shoot at the Muscovy ducks that had fouled the pool and become a general nuisance for residents.......here

Rate Your Local Cops

Armed with a laptop and the names of tens of thousands of police officers across the country, a Southland entrepreneur is raising the ire of law enforcement with an online, five-star rating system similar to those used for teachers.......here

Florida May See More Nuclear Plants

Florida's energy future, as envisioned by Gov. Charlie Crist and put forward in sweeping House and Senate energy bills, means more nuclear power plants and more power lines across state conservation lands. For environmental advocates it represents a trade-off. The earth-friendly ends are important enough that some are willing to swallow hard and accept the means to get there........here

Florida's Water Wars

Opening a new front in Florida's water wars, Orange County and St. Cloud are fighting with state officials over proposals to draw water from a trio of lakes in the ecologically sensitive Kissimmee River basin. The lakes that the two Central Florida governments are seeking to tap into help make up the headwaters for Florida's Everglades........here

Florida Rapper Riskay

Bartow, Fl rapper Riskay wrote one of the raunchiest, and funniest cheating songs of 2007. The tune is called, "Let Me Smell Yo Dick" and everybody from the New York Times to Perez Hilton caught wind of the song and wrote about it.........here

Freaky Florida

Flamingoes and giant plastic alligators, pirates and underwater dancing mermaids: Jo Roberts finds an intriguing, idiosyncratic patch of America. American crime novelist and poet James W. Hall calls Florida "the weirdest state in the union" in his book Hot Damn!, inspired by the state. After two visits to this most curious part of America, it's hard to disagree..........here

Florida Native Patrols Iraqi Capital

1st Lt. Sam Rosenberg, a native of Fort Myers, Fla., patrols through the now quiet western Baghdad neighborhood of Kadhamiyah April 2. Rosenberg serves as the platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division..........here

New Tampa Museum of Art

The contract for the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Tampa Museum of Art was approved by Tampa City Council on Thursday, April 3. Construction will begin soon on the projects and completion is scheduled for June 2009...........more

State Farm To Tampa Bay - No Thanks

State Farm Florida Insurance Company just sent a clear message to City of Tampa residents- “We will not write you a new Florida homeowners insurance policy, but we want to keep your auto policy and all your other Florida insurance business.”.......here

Madfloridian: Debbie Wasserman Schultz

You know what, Debbie? I had sort of figured I would back off writing about you Florida Democratic leaders for a while. I figured that since the meeting with Dean yesterday, you guys would shut your mouths for a while.......here

Walk With A Swagger

Met with my children's principal and teachers yesterday. My demand to these educators - stop Tyler* yourselves or stop punishing my children when they stop him.The principal is a nice guy. He means well. My children's teachers seem kind and patient as well. They assured me that bullying has no place in their school......more

Darcy's Plan

Thank You

Larry Byrnes - Alan Grayson - Joe Garcia - Faye Armitage - Timothy Cunha - Clint Curtis - Stephen Blythe - Samm Simpson

http://www.responsibleplan.com

Barge Stuck On Sandbar Near Egmont Key

A barge and its tug that had been stuck on a sandbar near Egmont Key since Wednesday evening are free. The 138-foot tug Yankee was transporting a 441-foot barge, both owned by K-Sea, from Houston to Tampa when it ran aground on a sand bar about 5:45 p.m. on April 2. The double-hulled barge was carrying 119,000 barrels fuel oil.......here

Justice For Alan Crotzer

The Florida Senate voted moments ago to pay Alan Crotzer $1.25-million for the 24 years he spent in prison on a bum rape charge. The House acted last week, meaning the ordeal is over for the former St. Petersburg man, who erupted in tears following the vote........here

Kevin Brown, The Jamaican Guy

Held a couple days ago, accused of trying to take bomb-making parts into Montego Bay on an Air Jamaica flight from Orlando, Florida. Brown survives and heads back home to Jamaica. The sad part is that he could probably end up in jail and could be sent away for a long time. For all intents and purposes, Brown is now regarded as a Jamaican terrorist. The sadder part is that many of us Jamaicans, who just love to fly into 'the States' are now going to find our trips a little less pleasant. The saddest part is that if the American authorities understood just how much we love their country, they would know that we wouldn't want to blow anything up there. It is our Promised Land.......here

Smokin Em Charters Of Ft. Pierce, Florida

Smokin' Em Charters was told to leave the city marina for violating its family-friendly atmosphere. The husband-wife team of Kathi and Harold Coombes has run the company for eight years and started offering charters with bikini-clad or topless women in January. In addition to regular boating duties, the women also prepare food and drinks.........here

Bounce In Tampa

Starting Friday, Tampa will become a national epicenter for gay women, thousands of whom are coming to town for the Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament. Most of the activities will center on Ybor City, where clubs are hosting all-girl bands and an event called Bounce, promoted as the largest women's party in the Tampa Bay area. The National Center for Lesbian Rights is holding a mega party at club Underground.......here

Cigar Heritage Festival In Ybor City

Annette Taddeo Please Endorse The Plan

http://www.responsibleplan.com

Thank you from Joe Garcia

Where Is Mel Martinez On The Environment?

Martinez cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while legislation so critical to Florida's future is hashed out. Too many in Florida's delegation say they support reducing greenhouse gases and want to see a fair cap-and-trade system, yet they have benched themselves in what is arguably the most important debate this nation may ever have on an environmental issue.
Certainly, it has immense importance to Florida, especially to the coastal cities of Key West, Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa, to name just a few. Does it get any more important?........here

Mountain Dew And Marijuana - Florida's Birth Control

Frightening survey results from the University of Florida reveal the necessity of comprehensive sex education in schools. The Associated Press reports that the survey shows some Florida teens believe that drinking Mountain Dew or smoking marijuana will prevent pregnancy. According to the University of Florida, most Florida schools teach from abstinence-only curricula,

if they teach any sex education programs at all..........here

Bill Clinton and Oprah are Candidates to Save Florida Jazz Festival

Refusing to let the music die, the North East Florida Jazz Association (NEFJA) extended the auction of the Title Sponsorship to the 3rd Annual Legacy Jazz Festival for one more round of bids when there were no takers on the first round. We just need a superhero who is passionate about jazz and understands the importance of passing on this legacy." By using eBay to market the Title Sponsorship, NEFJA was hoping to catch the eye of a cultural icon like Oprah Winfrey or former President Bill Clinton who's a major fan of the endangered genre........here

Why Faculty Leave Florida

In the parking lot this morning, I met an assistant professor I know well who told me that he’s leaving USF. He’s going to a public university in another state where he’ll be paid a good chunk more than what he’s paid here.......here

Howard Dean Gets Motivated

After huddling yesterday among themselves, Florida's congressional delecation and state chair Karen Thurman met with DNC chair Howard Dean, and emerged making positive noises. In attendance at the meeting from Florida were Sen. Bill Nelson, Reps. Alcee Hastings, Corrine Brown, Bob Wexler, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Ron Klein, Tim Mahoney, Kathy Castor, Allan Boyd, Kendrick Meek and Karen Thurman.........here

If King Had Lived?

"God didn't call America to engage in a senseless, unjust war," King said of the fighting in Vietnam. "And we are criminals in that war. We've committed more war crimes almost than any nation in the world, and I'm going to continue to say it."..........here

Annette Taddeo On Fox 7 In Miami

Predator Drones Coming To Florida's Gulf Coast

Four Predator B drones have become fixtures over Arizona since October 2006, and two more will join them soon, Juan Munoz-Torres, a Customs and Border Protection spokesman, said Wednesday. Once those six are in place, the agency wants Congress to fund six drones along the Canadian border and six more on Florida's Gulf Coast and the Caribbean..........here

Catherine Durkin Robinson: Olivia's Kiss

Chapter 5

Florida Sues Former Tampa Mayor

The state said today it has filed suit against the officers and directors of the failed Poe Financial Group, charging that they fraudulently diverted more than $100 million in dividends to themselves in 2004 and 2005, even though they knew their businesses were insolvent.......here

I Never Liked This Mayor

Going Green Tampa Bay Expo at USF

St. Patrick's Day may fall in March, but beginning April 7, everything will be coming up green at the University of South Florida. USF will be hosting Sustain-A-Bull, a week-long series of events dedicated to promoting a greener lifestyle in the Tampa Bay area.......here

www.goinggreentampabay.com

The ABCs of the Florida Legislature Funding of Education

I apologize the title was meant to be used on "FOOL's Day" But given the Educational Policies of the Florida Republican Legislature everyday is FOOLS DAY!......here

Australian Cockroach In Florida

They were introduced to southern U.S. presumably from Australia, and now appear to have become naturalized at least in Florida..........here

Florida Sues BlueHippo For Deceptive Ads

The Florida Attorney General’s office has filed a lawsuit against a company which advertises it can help consumers who have poor credit purchase computers.........here

11th Circuit Rules In Favor Of Wildlife In The Florida Keys

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that will impact wildlife in the Florida Keys. Specifically, the court ruled in favor of a number of endangered and threatened species.......here

Joe Garcia On The War In Iraq

Florida's First Black Governor

Although Charlie Crist has genuinely earned the affection of the state's African-American legislators, it's quite a stretch to call him, as some do, "Florida's first black governor." The second, perhaps, but not the first. That distinction, were he to claim it, would belong to Reubin Askew, who served from 1971 through 1978.........here

U. South Florida Protesters Grill Burger King

Chanting slogans such as "freedom for farmworkers" and "down with the king," a group of University of South Florida students gathered outside a Burger King on Monday to protest against the low wages paid to the farmworkers who pick tomatoes for the multinational corporation..........more

Joe Garcia Takes On The Miami Cuban Mafia

Joe Garcia has been fighting this corrupt Cuban mafia for years. This corrupt group is a major source of funding for the Florida Republican Party, and it flexes its political muscle via the three south Florida Cuban Republicans -- Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -- and Democrat Debbie Wasserman-Schultz........here

Darcy Burner: A Responsible Plan to End the War

Endorse the plan: Stand with Congressional candidates like Darcy Burner and Donna Edwards, and military leaders like Major General Paul Eaton and Captain Larry Seaquist.......here

Fred Taylor for Florida Senate

If you are a registered voter in State Senate District 11, please take a moment to fill out this form......here