Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Florida Inc. on Adams Street

In Tallahassee, a spree of fundraising events toke place Monday next door to the Capitol, as special interests race to pad lawmakers’ political committees with cash before the start of the legislative session the next day. HERE

What Stogie had for lunch

Thai Boat Noodle
At  Asiatic in Ybor
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EAT LOCAL!

THE POVERTY SCHOLARS TOUR COMING TO ST. PETE

MARCH 13TH, THE POVERTY SCHOLARS TOUR PRESENTED BY POOR PEOPLES ECONOMIC HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, REFUGE MINISTRIES, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD RADIO SHOW, MISSIO DEI COMMUNITY, AND REVOLUTIONARY CAUCUS OF TAMPA BAY. 

STARTS AT 3PM, DINNER AT 6PM WITH MUSIC PERFORMANCES AND 7PM PROGRAM. 
CALL BRUCE 727 278 1547 

Topher Morrison for Mayor

Monday, March 4, 2019

Vote tomorrow! Our City needs it!

Hello Tampa friends! I hope that you will vote if you have not already!

I recommend Vibha Shevade for District 3, who is a progressive running to help build Tampa strong! She is gaining traction online with her videos which detail her platform, and commitment to the environment. Ms. V’s videos online have garnered an incredible 30,000 views! She is a part of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Advisory Council which promotes public safety in Tampa.She is committed to earning your vote and needs your support at the polls!

I recommend Orlando Gudes for District 5! He is dedicated to public transit, has been a youth mentor for years, and has been a smal business owner. Orlando will be the best choice in ensuring that District 5 is looked after, and that disenfranchised constituents are provided a level playing field to find work and vote. Orlando is a personable individual who will be a voice for disadvantaged  communities such as youth, seniors, and those who struggle for public transit options like the free Intowner Bus, which Orlando stood by to support the people. He walks the walk and would be an excellent City Councilor!

I recommend Bill Carlson for District 4! Bill will be an avid proponent for the South Tampa area, and  voted to approve a plan for sensitivity training within the City, as a Charter Review Commissioner. He will ensure that our City moves forward from the mistakes of the Buckhorn years.

I recommend John Godwin for District 2! He is the right person for the job, with a sincere political message to change Tampa for the better and pay attention to criminal justice and other issues. He has a pro disability platform which is a fantastic testament to his candidacy!

I recommend Joe Citro for District 1! He has been a longtime advocate for helping to grow Tampa, and he is someone who will listen to others regardless of agreement or disagreement.

Definitely vote for Guido Maniscalco, who championed the ban on conversion therapy, and Luis Viera, a staunch ally to the disability community, for their reelection bids in (D6)West and (D7)New Tampa, respectively!

Vote Harry Cohen for Mayor of Tampa!

I hope to see you on the barricades!

— Asher

Ybor Paparazzi

Asher at Chillum

The People's Forum on TECO in Brandon

TECO is proposing the largest fossil fuel expansion in county history. This hearing is your chance to stand up to TECO’s plans for nearly $1 Billion to pay for a fracked gas expansion. HERE

Right Wing "Florida Citizens Alliance"

Keith Flaugh (Founding Director of FLCA) points out the fact that Florida narrowly escaped electing a socialist governor in the 2018 elections (a mere 33,000 votes out of the 8 million who voted made the difference in the gubernatorial race).

The 4 million who did not vote for Governor DeSantis voted for socialism, sanctuary cities, abortion on demand, and a 40% tax increase on small businesses.
source

Justin Nozuka USA tour in Ybor

Tampa Tea Party recommends Ed Turanchik

Nice company he keeps. Chasing votes you will never get is never a good idea. If there is a runoff, he probably won't be in it.

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay Noise at Clearwater Beach

Wednesday March 6th

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay will gather at The Sandpearl Resort & Spa in Clearwater Beach to protest the Spring Coal Forum, organized by the American Coal Council. The forum is an elite 3-day networking event for senior executives of coal suppliers, utilities, transport and trading companies, designed to examine markets and public policies and strengthen the position of coal as an 
energy source. 

At a time of catastrophic climate breakdown, when science urges us to halt all fossil fuel burning as soon as possible, the coal industry cannot be allowed to continue to push its agenda unchallenged.“The American Coal Council intends to meet quietly here in Tampa Bay, so we thought we’d bring some noise,” said Extinction Rebellion coordinator 
James Lamont. 

“When our region could be uninhabitable within a few decades due to extreme weather it is an insult for them to come and enjoy our beaches and an
afternoon of golf.”

The static noise demonstration will be an attempt to inform locals of the presence of the forum, as well as tell those inside that their event is not welcome. The demo will begin at 6 pm outside the hotel while the forum hosts an evening reception. Participants are encouraged to bring their noisiest instruments, sports appliances, children and kitchen ware. HERE

Extinction Rebellion Tampa Bay is a chapter of a new international movement demanding an emergency mobilization to combat climate change. 

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Ybor City Homeless

Meet Tabitha 

Reclaiming My Mind: Nicholas Glover

Who I like for mayor of Tampa

MAYOR
Ed Turanchik
Best résumé of all candidates.
---
Topher Morrison
Not a politician. Smart, nice guy!
---
Harry Cohen
Cannabis decriminalization.


DISCLAIMER: I am a photographer and blogger. I do not work for any candidate or management company.
 I was not paid for this endorsement.

Florida Late Voting

Temple Terrace to Largo: 2 Weeks

Tampa Welcomes the CIW

March 5, 2019 at 6 PM
Waters Avenue Church - Tampa

Friday, March 1, 2019

STANDOUT for PEACE

STANDOUT FOR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA

I'm sure many of our readers have learned of the recent escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan that is causing our sisters and brothers in Kashmir great suffering. This is another of the many unjust wars being waged between greedy and power hungry governments at the deadly expense of the innocent.
 
As part of the GLOBAL STANDOUT FOR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA, an event has been organized for March 4 on the USF campus. Two young, passionate women who are students at USF have organized this event and they are asking for help from the activist community here in Tampa. This is an ideal opportunity to connect with activists at USF while lending your support to a just and noble cause. Please, if you can, join us Monday afternoon and help amplify the voices of these comrades for peace and justice.


Ybor Paparazzi

Johana Reynolds

Day in life of Tampa Mayoral Candidate Topher Morrison

Florids GOP wants to make It harder for the poor to access Medicaid

While the Democratic party's left flank is pushing lawmakers to extend Medicare to all citizens and/or create a "single-payer" healthcare system similar to those in every other developed nation on earth, many Florida Republicans are still coming up with new ways to chip away at healthcare access in the Sunshine State. HERE

Matt Gaetz Grovels To Nancy Pelosi

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Vote for Harry Cohen, a Practical Progressive!

I stand with Harry Cohen for multiple reasons. Among those are a few different points: a solid record, a bold platform, and genuine character. Please take the time to review if you are still undecided in the Tampa mayoral election, or do not know much about City Councilor Cohen!

A progressive record:

While on the Tampa City Council, Harry has accomplished some relatively impressive feats. His most notable accomplishment, in my opinion, was propelling the cannabis decriminalization ordinance into law. This is an often overlooked and underrated accomplishment, which some of us on the left have conveniently disregarded, while over 2,500 people in Tampa have avoided unnecessary persecution and arrest. I, for one, owe Harry my freedom, as I would have been arrested in late 2016 had it not been for his hallmark ordinance. That some in our leftist community would underate such an action is well beyond me. It should go without saying that this is a truly progressive accomplishment.

Harry was one of three on the City Council to join a delegation to Cuba during the Obama years wherein he called for open travel between Tampa and the island. That was a progressive action in support of good policy. Cohen was the driving force behind a comprehensive stormwater  ordinance which will be crucial in preventing major floods and protecting the citizens of Tampa. With those three points in mind, it is clear that Harry’s record on the City Council has been proactive and progressive!

A fantastic platform:

Aside from his stellar job on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, we in the leftist community greatly admire strong platforms, like those of Senator Bernie Sanders. I will equate Bernie to Harry here with some insight to his progressive platform. Harry has outlined plans for affordable, equitable housing and climate action. He supports the legalization of cannabis (this is important as State Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith has introduced legislation to do just that statewide), and is one of only two mayoral candidates to do so! Harry has a plan for a Grand Metro Center to bolster public transit options in Tampa while supporting rail and bus expansion. He has the endorsements of Emgage, Indivisible Action Tampa Bay, The Tampa Bay Progressive Caucus, and several distinguished figures, including former City Councilor Mary Mulhern who has first hand experience dealing with Buckhorn as Mayor (and thus has an eye for those who are quite different from Bob). Harry’s platform is bold and progressive!

A sincere approach:

While Harry is a progressive, he is also a practical person with his own ideas and strategies. I did not agree with his vote on TBX (which I am greatly opposed to) and I made this clear to Cohen during our one on one meeting. Rather than obnoxiously argue with me, or whitewash his past actions,!he looked me in the eye and shared his reasoning. He explained his desire to alleviate traffic in the Westshore area while opposing the toll roads—while we didn’t agree, still, he did not waver and gave a genuine response. I also spoke to Harry about the bathhouse ordinance and had a candid discussion about decriminalizing sex work; while we did not agree on the issue, he did not avoid the question or attempt to drown my concerns with his own, instead opting to respectfully disagree on the position, while sharing his willingness to listen. We need elected officials who will engage in a genuine dialogue with us, who will champion decent character, and listen to constituents. That is arguably more critical than electing the purity test, especially in a day when those we elect sometimes deviate from their platform while maintaining a proud ego. Still, I look for those with progressive records and platforms, who balance their politics with sincerity. That’s Harry!

If Harry’s vote on TBX or the bathhouse ordinance is disqualifying to you, consider how each candidate in the mayoral election has some sort of baggage. We cannot install a purity test with politicians and expect 100% cleanliness. We can, however, aim for the most progressive, leftist candidate who will listen to our concerns regardless of their personal taste. I know there are three other great candidates in the race whom I respect, and I won’t hold it against anyone to support their bids. I am, however, supporting Harry Cohen for Mayor due to his work, impact, message, and character. I hope you will, too! The election is March 5th!

Legal Florida Marijuana

Two Florida lawmakers have filed bills that would legalize recreational marijuana.

Allow those over 21 to purchase or possess of 2.5 ounces, and smoke 
it in private.

"People are going to be doing it anyway. They have for decades, centuries, and they will continue to," said Merri Newman ,who works at Chillum CBD Dispensary in Ybor City. HERE

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, said that full legalization is a recipe for disaster.

Tampa Hoods

Ybor City

Florida GOP making schools separate and unequal again


Ybor Paparazzi

 Glen Eich

Florida GOP Matt Gaetz threatens Michael Cohen in tweet

The Florida Bar has opened an investigation into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz for a menacing social media post Tuesday aimed at Michael Cohen just as the former lawyer for President Donald Trump was set to testify before Congress. here