Howard Dean: John McCain Is Simply Making Stuff Up

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean lashed out at John McCain Tuesday for “simply making stuff up” about Barack Obama and his Democratic colleagues. “At this point his campaign has sort of deteriorated into just a really dishonorable campaign,” Dean said on MSNBC. “He says we’re opposed to clean coal. That’s not true. He says Obama’s going to have huge tax increases. That’s not true.”........here

Joe Garcia: Ask Him A Question, And Take A Seat

Over the weekend Real Clear Politics ranked Joe Garcia as the South Florida candidate most likely to defeat an incumbent and the Miami Herald's Naked Politics Blog was quick to pick it up..........here

What is the Cuban Mafia?

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bill Nelson, Mel Martinez
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.........here

Latinos in Tampa Make the Difference

We Will Be Hosting Two Events

1. Tampa Hispanics for Obama Kick-Off and Phone Banking for Change, which will take place this Tuesday, September 23 at 5pm. · It is the occasion to rally our supporters and reach out to those who still have to hear our message and connect to it.

2. Debate Watching House Parties, September 26 at 9pm ET · On the 26th of this month, Barack Obama will square off against John McCain on National Security and Foreign Policy..........here

It's Your Time, Don't Blow It.........Howard Dean

Local 10 Debunks Mario Diaz-Balart's False Ad

St. Lucie County Students To Lend Food Bank A Hand

Treasure Coast Food Bank's inaugural "Kids Feeding Kids Student Food Drive" begins today and runs through Nov. 1. Selected as one of six food banks in the nation, Treasure Coast Food Bank received a grant award from Tyson Foods to support youth volunteerism and launch a student-led food drive to help lessen hunger in the community........here

Florida Voter Suppression Makes a Dangerous Comeback

There are dark clouds on the horizon of the battleground state of Florida. New laws and tales of voter suppression efforts already have many voters nervous and confused. Florida, which was recently named

“The Most Hostile State In The Nation To New Voters”

by three national voting-rights groups, has significantly tightened voter identification laws and made it easier for voter’s rights to be challenged..........here

Wayne Garcia's Moral Courage Award

I got the OK from the higher-ups here to give Moral Courage Awards annually, starting this December, for people in Tampa Bay who demonstrate, in the words of the county’s award, “exceptional ethical behavior and the moral courage to challenge the actions of government.”........here

To make a nomination, send an e-mail to wayne.garcia@creativeloafing.com

Gay-Marriage Ban On Florida Ballot Generates National Attention

Proposed bans on same-sex marriage are on the ballot in Florida and two other important states this fall, rousing passions on both sides, yet neither John McCain nor Barack Obama seems eager to push the issue high on their campaign agendas..........here

The Florida Botanical Gardens

With 120 acres to explore, the Florida Botanical Gardens provides a day full of adventure. Meander down paths and walkways to beautiful courtyards, sculptured and succulent gardens, seasonal displays, tropical, native and palm gardens............here

"Top Chef: The Tour" Comes To Tampa

Witch's Masquerade Ball

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Holds its fourth annual Witch's Masquerade Ball at 6 p.m. to midnight, 11400 Morris Bridge Road. There will be food, drink, shopping, tarot reading, face painting, dancing, a costume contest and a fun house. For more information, call (813) 988-8188 or go to uutampa.org.

Lady Lake, Florida

The McCain-Palin campaign is making a lot of noise about the large crowd that came to cheer Sarah Palin at her appearance in Lady Lake, Florida, last week. Local fire officials estimated the crowd at 25,000 to 30,000, while the McCain-Palin campaign claims an audience twice that size...........here

Obama 2008
It's Your Time, Don't Blow It.........Howard Dean

Barack Obama in Dunedin

This Wednesday, September 24th, please join Barack Obama in Dunedin, where he will talk about his vision for creating the kind of change we need.......here

Cry foul: Lincoln Diaz-Balart won't debate Raul Martinez

Sorry, little mistake in the headline. Replace the word foul with fowl, for chicken. That should be the modifier for Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who's not up to the challenge of meeting his challenger in the debate arena..........here

Was the McCain Camp Engaged in “Vote Caging” in Florida

That title got your attention, didn’t it? Good. Before we get to the potential voter suppression going on in Florida, however, a bit of stage-setting is in order. Context is everything, after all.........here

Saving Tampa

Saving Tampa , a romantic suspense is about an FBI Agent and a psychic forced to work together to prevent a terrorist attack on Tampa Bay.......here

New Hillsborough County Logo

Based on the decision by the Board of County Commissioners to rename the Moral Courage award, to the Ralph Hughes award, it is time to unveil the new Hillsborough County logo.........here

Christians Rally Around Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. Several Christian groups are attributing the team's success to the fact that this year they changed their name from "Devil Rays" to simply "Rays."...........here

Call for Joe on September 25th!

Big Cats Find Sanctuary In Tampa

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, you don’t often get lions called Cameron. Savage as Cameron is capable of being, he’s never seen nature red in tooth and claw. He was liberated from a roadside zoo and lives now at Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit sanctuary for exotic cats that have been abused or abandoned. It’s not a zoo. Visitors are offered two or three 90-minute guided tours a day and that’s it. Big Cat Rescue depends on the $25 admission fee to help meet its $1 million animal budget.......here

Howard Dean To Young Voters: It's Your Time, Don't Blow It

Howard Dean was the headliner at a voter registration rally hosted by College Democrats at Temple University. A crowd of a couple hundred heard the former Vermont governor and former presidential candidate call for young people to lead the way in taking the White House from the G.O.P.......here

An Open Letter to All Republicans

Dear Republicans: This election all Republicans who love America must vote for Obama. A vote for business-as-usual and a continuation of the Neoconservative/Religious Right/ party of corporate American alienation is a vote against America. As a former Republican activist, I appeal to your patriotism and honor..........here

Tampa Bay Bar and Restaurant Examiner

Locals and Limey's Pub; A St. Petersburg Tradition
Limey's Pub is the quintessential local watering hole for St. Petersburg residents. With about 13 mostly British beers and one Cider on tap, served in true 20 oz. English pints, the pub has become a staple for business men, musicians, sorority girls and lesbians alike........here

Limey's Pub

Lacking Income, Sex Offender Lives Under Crosstown

Zackery Hicks, 42, needed a place to live after serving 14 years in prison on a robbery conviction. As a registered sex offender, however, Hicks wasn't allowed to live within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, public park, playground or bus stop........here

Obama To Prep In Tampa For 1st Presidential Debate

Officials within Obama's campaign confirmed the democratic presidential nominee will be in town to prepare for next Friday's presidential debate with republican candidate John McCain.........here

Puppets Pay Tribute To Their Master

I’m sure you’ve already heard that your Hillsborough County BOCC voted 5-2 to rename the county’s Moral Courage Award after long-time local activist and money man Ralph Hughes........here

He was a major contributor to commissioners Brian Blair and Jim Norman and state Sen. Ronda Storms.

"He was the father of conservatism in Hillsborough County,"...........Joe Chillura

Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator

If you were born to Sarah Palin, your name would be

here