The Ybor City Stogie

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Israel's West Bank settlers hope Trump's return will pave the way for major land theft

One of more than 200 illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, part of Palestine. (IMAGE: Montecruz Foto, Flickr)

As Donald Trump’s victory became apparent in last week's U.S. elections, Jewish West Bank settlement advocates popped bottles of champagne and danced to the Bee Gees at a winery in the heart of the occupied territory, according to a post on Instagram. The winery said it was rolling out a special edition red named for the president-elect.....MORE

Trump would like to bring back mental institutions, but experts are skeptical

Donald Trump has promised a law-and-order approach to policy of all kinds — including the question of how to help people struggling with mental illness, substance use disorder and homelessness.....MORE

Welcome to China’s underground raves, from street techno to quotes from Chairman Mao

Rave attendees dance in an abandoned air raid shelter in Guangzhou, China on Aug. 20, 2023. (Fang Qi via AP)

Crouch through the small metal door and walk down the dark tunnel, and even before you step into the abandoned air raid shelter, the air reverberates with pounding techno beats. Young Chinese holding booze and cigarettes shake and sway in a red-lit passageway, below a big screen rolling through quotations from Chairman Mao.

This is an underground rave in China, part of a subculture growing in hidden corners of the nation’s cities, even as its political and cultural mainstream grow increasingly controlled, staid and predictable.

MORE

You will pay for Donald Trump’s tariffs. Here’s proof

If you don’t want to heed the many, many economists’ warnings about former President Trump’s fringe economic plans, take it from the people running the companies that make the stuff you buy: Prices will go up. How much and how fast is hard to know, but you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll be needing more dollars to pay for everyday goods if Trump’s sweeping tariffs are put in place.....MORE

Humpback Whale Breaching Near Fishing Boat

A huge humpback whale suddenly leaped out of the water near a boat, shocking the fishermen on board. The incident took place in the waters off the coast of California, USA.

The whale was estimated to be 40 feet long and weighed around 80,000 pounds. The fishermen were amazed by the sight and managed to capture the moment on camera.

According to a photographer named Douglas Croft, who captured a humpback whale breaching next to a fishing boat, the memorable moment occurred on April 27th, 2019 in California’s Monterey Bay.

Is Trump Preparing To Build His Own Private Military?

Trump draft executive order would set up board to oust generals en masse: Report

The transition team for President-elect Trump is working on an executive order that would speed up the firing of top military brass if signed, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The draft executive order would set up a “warrior board” of retired generals and noncommissioned officers given power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend anyone “lacking in requisite leadership qualities,” according to the document, reviewed by the Journal.

MORE

Spain denied port of call to ship carrying arms to Israel

Spain has refused permission for an Israel-bound ship carrying arms to call at the southeastern port of Cartagena, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said on Thursday.....MORE

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Mike Huckabee, Trump's pick for ambassador to Israel, has long called himself a Zionist

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be ambassador to Israel, has long rejected a Palestinian state in territory previously seized by Israel and has repeatedly signaled his staunch support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.....MORE

Federal appeal court to consider Florida’s Medicaid ban on gender-affirming care

Nearly 17 months after a federal judge struck down Florida’s ban on Medicaid reimbursements for gender-affirming care, the case is going to be heard by a federal appeals court.....MORE

Vlogger Cruise Nuts at Rick's on the River in West Tampa

This could set a precedent

A pregnant woman sues for the right to an abortion in challenge to Kentucky's near-total ban

A pregnant woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking the right to an abortion in Kentucky in the latest challenge to the state's near-total ban on the procedure.....MORE

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Acropolis Salad

At Acropolis - Riverview

Drag racers busted by Florida troopers in North Tampa

This Is Absolute BullS**t

State: Israel not in violation of US law on humanitarian aid to Gaza

The State Department on Tuesday said that Israel is not in violation of U.S. law related to the delivery and access of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, despite pushback from aid groups and the United Nations.....MORE

This is absolute bullshit. According to U.S. Code 2378–1 "No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter or the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.] to any country when it is made known to the President that the government of such country prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance." The U.S. has alloted hundreds of millions of dollars for humanitian aid for Gaza.

US House to vote on anti-NGO bill that could target pro-Palestinian groups

United States legislators are set to vote on a bill that would grant the US Department of the Treasury broad authority to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organisations it deems to be supporting “terrorism”, raising fears that the legislation will be used against pro-Palestinian and other rights groups.

The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, or HR 9495, will be voted on in the US House of Representatives later on Tuesday.

MORE

Bernie Doubles Down On RIPPING Dem Party

The Indie Flea Holiday Festival

12.15.2024 - Noon INFO

What could US foreign policy look like with Marco Rubio as secretary of state?

Elon Musk's transgender daughter, in first interview, says he berated her for being queer as a child

“He was cold,” she said. “He’s very quick to anger. He is uncaring and narcissistic.”

Wilson said that, when she was a child, Musk would harass her for exhibiting feminine traits and pressure her to appear more masculine, including by pushing her to deepen her voice as early as elementary school.

MORE

Peaceful Left-Wing Groups Antogonized By Authorities Recruiting Ahead Of Inauguration

Pro-Palestinian protesters form a barricade as law enforcement shoots tear gas towards their direction at the USF MLK Plaza Fountain on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Tampa. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, flyers began cropping up around the largest college campus in Washington, D.C., recruiting for groups with a history of participating in violent or otherwise unlawful protests after being antagonized by authorities and arrested on fabricated charges.

MORE