Brian Blair's Love Letter To Chris Ingram

Chris Ingram Stars in War of the Bloggers

We all have a lot on our plates lately -- whether it's jobs, the economy, health, business, family, friends and - like you, I could go on and on; so I enjoy what little personal time I get on the computer.

Recently while on the internet I saw Chris Ingram of "The Irreverent View" Blog's name come up in other places here in Cyberspace. I am happy to say that I know Chris personally via face to face lunches, group political lunches that Chris often has at Datz Deli (excellent food) as well as Political Commentary on Bay News 9. As all of you know, I am often at the top of the charts when it comes to getting "half the story press".

Very much like Chris, I'm a "Straight Shooter" and am humbly unabashed to say what’s on my mind without being "Politically Correct", if you will. The point of this message is to share that I have always found Chris Ingram to be an Honest person with the highest Integrity as well as one of those people you enjoy having a soda or beer with. When he hosts the Datz Deli political events; Chris is always humble, makes sure the focus of the lunch is the invited guests and of course the "Guest Speaker". I have found that whether you agree or disagree (which I have) that his character is great, he’s entertaining and Mr. Ingram does what he does with passion.

As the 'Political Blog" wars continue like a soap opera; I would be remised not to share with you my opinion of a fine gentleman whom I'm glad to call a friend. With that said; I wish everyone who reads this - good health, happiness and God's blessings, during these difficult times. Please remember that it's much easier when you look at the glass "half full”!

Kindest regards,
Brian

Meet & Greet with Tampa City Council Candidates

Thursday, January 27 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Streetcar Charlie's Bar & Grille

Ybor City

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Locals Tiffany And Allison

Demonstrate The 2010 Dodge Challenger
Park Auto Mall
Tampa Bay

Friends Of Stogie

Mother And Daughter
Franny And Tina
Streets Of Tampa

Florida Judge Paul Hawkes

If the Judicial Qualifications Commission is looking for one clear moment of conduct unbecoming a judge, it could look at 1st District Court of Appeal Judge Paul Hawkes' inaccurate account to a Senate committee this month of his pursuit of the "Taj Mahal" courthouse.

Hawkes and his colleagues didn't act alone. They had help from Republican legislators — including new
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, new Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist and Bush's hands are not clean, either.

(Yet) 1st District voters returned him to the bench for at least another six years in November, even after
St. Petersburg Times senior correspondent Lucy Morgan
reported how he and other judges pursued the new building.

here
You Should Know Your Judges When It's Time To Vote.

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet "They Call Him Cowboy"
He is from Wisconsin. Has only been in town and homeless for 2 weeks.
Tampa Bay Homeless
We have money to bail out bankers and attack other people's counties but we can't take care of our own.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Baked Chicken
With Yellow Rice And Platanos.
$3.99........At Deli Plus, 4820 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa
How Much Was Your Last Value Meal?
Eat Local!

Ed Turanchik Mayor

Meet Ed Turanchik, candidate for mayor of the City of Tampa, and learn his positions on the major issues confronting the city.
Ed Turanchik For Mayor

Local Blogger John Masters

On The Violence In Tucson
I have taken time in thinking about what I wanted to write about the events a couple of weeks ago in Tucson. I wanted more information as I wanted a reasoned and circumspect response.
here

Stogie Recommends

Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country
Is a 2008 documentary film directed by Anders Østergaard. It follows the September 2007 uprisings against the military regime in Burma. Some of it was filmed on hand-held cameras, and the footage was smuggled out of the country. Other parts of it were reconstructed, which caused controversy.
Great Film

Linda Saul-Sena Endorses Kelly Benjamin For Tampa City Council

Five Term Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena

Endorses Kelly Benjamin for Tampa City Council District 6.
here

"I’ve been acquainted with Kelly Benjamin for a number of years and have always been impressed with his understanding of urban issues, awareness of the challenges facing Tampa and his dedication and determination to solving them in a pragmatic fashion."....Linda Saul-Sena

Vote Kelly

Schorsch On Ingram Vs. Ciftci

Political commentator Chris Ingram was a friend. Tampa City Council candidate Michael Ciftci is a dear friend. I don’t like it when my friends fight.
here

A Trolley Conductor For A Day

On The Teco Line Street Car Trolley In Downtown Tampa And Ybor City.

Inside the Lines

Website Debuts To Track Florida’s Redistricting Process
“Inside the Lines” offers the latest news, commentary and information on Florida’s reapportionment process, which is in the initial stage of a two-year process, culminating in the redrawing of the state’s Congressional and Legislative district boundaries.

The content for “Inside the Lines” will be provided by Peter Schorsch, executive editor of two of Florida’s most-trafficked and influential political websites, SaintPetersblog.com and BattlegroundTampaBay.com.

here

Vixens Against Violence

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JP Puerto - Stupid Old Me

Long Lost Friend

We Support Carrie West

Stogie's Friend Marla With Mr. West
"I am so proud of what you have done for so many people. Let you have a chance to fix this town."......Marla Pellicone
Go West!

Benjamin On Miranda: He’s An “Anachronistic Luddite"

One of my favorite candidates running in Tampa, Kelly Benjamin, offers a very strong reaction to today’s article from Justin George.
here

Vote Kelly

Friends Of Stogie

Tina And Fran

More At

Streets Of Tampa Bay

Hakoda, The White Rat From Wesley Chapel

I went to PetCo in Wesley Chapel last night for snake food. I struck up a conversation with an employee named Paul who, it turns out, had fallen for this rat and didn't want IT to become snake food. He offered to buy the rat if we would take it. This, of course, was after I had told him of my love for rats and how I could only feed frozen/thawed food to my snakes. I called John, my husband, and had the guy talk to him. John heard "snake food," and said we'd take it. The guy was incredibly grateful to us. He was in tears, and even hugged me!

When we got home and I let the rat, by then dubbed Hakoda, out, he immediately went over, laid down by John, and just snuggled there, enjoying the attention and love. This may have been very special timing, as one of my rats, Roku, seems to be deteriorating in health, and I want to try to have 3 rats at all times, as they live in colonies in the wild and do better in small groups. I stopped by again today to update Paul, and he was thrilled that Hakoda has a good home and is being taken care of. He wants us to take him by next weekend for a visit.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Cheeseburger
With Fries
$3.99.......At The Gas Station On The Northwest Corner Of Busch Blvd. And 50th Street
How Much Was Your Last Value Meal?
Eat Local!

Personhood Florida Enlists Pastors

The group sponsoring a ballot initiative that seeks to ban abortion and some forms of birth control says it plans on enlisting the help of Florida pastors this weekend, in an effort at gathering “several thousand” signatures to coincide with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
here

FloridaOrBust Live - Kicked Out Ybor City

Here's a clip from the Florida or Bust REAL TV series filmed of me and fellow, South Carolina music artist Cash Wade. We shot a video while down there and here's some of the outtakes of fun things we did while visiting Ybor City. This Live Show 2 footage was just of us performing on some steps in Ybor City, just because we felt like Jamming. Security came and told us we had to leave and stop playing in that area.

City Of Tampa And It's Kooky Ideas

Dale Mabry Highway And Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa officials moved to enact a St. Petersburg-style ban on panhandling, charity drives and newspaper sales on the city's busiest roads. "It is a good compromise," said Chairman Thomas Scott. Joining Scott in support of the ordinance were council members Gwen Miller, Mary Mulhern and Curtis Stokes.
here

"A ban might be popular but does nothing about unemployment or homelessness. We have a problem. We're not addressing how to solve it. We're addressing how to get rid of it."......Charlie Miranda

Ms. Mulhern I Am Very Disappointed In You.

Tampa Bay Homeless

On The Right Path

The other day i read a great post from the Tampa Do-Gooder and then i ran into this situation. The Stogie was the chauffeur for his nephew Ceasar and his friends Eric and Josh. We were driving on Henderson Road in Tampa at night. We notice a man pushing his car. Ceasar suggestive helping him out, his friends agreed. The results are above.

For that these young men belong on the Stogie, and thank you Tampa Do-Gooder for the inspiration.

Friends Of Stogie

Streets Of Tampa Bay

Buffalo Soldiers

In Honor Of Black History Month

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute presents british actor Cedric Liqueur in his one-man theatrical production depicting the life and bravery of Williamson County African-American Buffalo Soldier George Jordan at The Centro Asturiano in Ybor City. With special guests Tedd Woodard and Richard Thomas of the Florida Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club.