Just a few weeks ago, The Florida Orchestra surprised the arts world with the announcement that it will conduct a cultural exchange with Cuba over the next several years, with the first visit by its musicians to Havana set for this September. more
Organizers of this year's GaYBOR Days have received a proclamation from Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Even President Barack Obama's office has sent one. But it doesn't look like Hillsborough County Commissioners will send one after five of the commissioners declined to sign a proclamation for this year's 4-day festival. Earlier this month, Terry (#1 Bigot) Kemple, who is a member of the county's Human Relations Board, sent an email to all the commissioners warning them that signing such a proclamation would violate county policy.
Kevin Beckner, along with Commissioner Les Miller, are the only board members to have signed a proclamation for this year's GaYBOR Days.
The five commissioners who did not sign this year's proclamation are Republicans Sandy Murman, Victor Crist, Al Higginbotham, Ken Hagan and Mark Sharpe. more What Happens When You Don't Vote!
Republican county commissioners approved new Hillsborough voting districts tonight that could ensure their continued dominance on the board, while disappointing Hispanics who wanted a district that would increase their chances of winning a commission seat. The disgusting Sandra Murman never spoke a word on behalf of her map. She left that job to her minion Commissioner Mark Sharpe. Blue Dog Democrat Les Miller joined the five Republican commissioners. Kevin Beckner cast the only no vote. here What Happens When You Don't Vote.
Local Events Anna Maria Island - Cape Coral - Cedar Key - Clearwater - Dunedin Ft. Myers Beach - Hudson Beach - Indian Rocks Beach - Sanibel Island Siesta Key Beach - St. Pete Beach - Tampa - Treasure Island - Weeki Wachee info
Thought I'd Seen It All A bait car is a vehicle owned by the police and is intended to be stolen. After a bait car is stolen, the location, speed, and direction of travel of the vehicle is monitored by police dispatchers at E-Comm through GPS tracking. Everything that takes place inside the bait car is caught on audio and video. The dispatcher will coordinate a police response and once officers are in position behind the bait car, the engine will be disabled at the click of a mouse button which allows for the quick arrest of the car thieves. here
Picnic Island Beach Temporarily Closed for Swimming According to the Hillsborough County Health Department, heavy rains cause polluted storm water runoff as well as waste from boats, pets, wildlife and human sewage, which contribute to the rise in harmful bacteria levels. here Via...r/ct
"Peter Schorsch was a multiple winner of the 2010 Florida Netroots awards. Schorsch is a fantastic blogger, but he isn't a progressive. This post could have been written by State of Sunshine blogger Jim Johnson. It was actually written by Schorsch."......Michael Hussey
Rick Scott's Office of Piss Poor Propaganda Has come up with the brilliant idea of sending an email to Scott's supporters, both of them, suggesting that they send a prepared letter to editors of various publications around the state. Zephie, a Democratic Underground contributor, submitted this revised version. here
In an extraordinary new initiative announced earlier this month, the Global Commission on Drug Policy has made some courageous and profoundly important recommendations in a report on how to bring more effective control over the illicit drug trade. The report describes the total failure of the present global antidrug effort, and in particular America’s “war on drugs,” which was declared 40 years ago today. It notes that the global consumption of opiates has increased 34.5 percent, cocaine 27 percent and cannabis 8.5 percent from 1998 to 2008. more
After All These Years Larry Flynt Is Still The Man Anthony Weiner has been offered an Internet job with a raise, moving expenses, health benefits equal to what he has been accustomed to, and a fancy office in Beverly Hills working for an internationally known publishing company.
Flint stressed how serious the offer is, and explained that the company has been involved in politics for over three decades, focusing on "the crucial fight of battling hypocrisy within the federal and state governments." here It's nice to have friends in the right places.
The 2011 Champions of Florida’s Middle Class Sen. Arthenia Joyner (Tampa) Sen. Nan Rich (Sunrise) Rep. Lori Berman (Delray Beach) Rep. Dwight Bullard (Cutler Bay) Rep. Jeff Clemens (Lake Worth) Rep. Janet Cruz (Tampa) Rep. Joe Gibbons (Pembroke Park) Rep. Evan Jenne (Fort Lauderdale) Rep. Martin “Marty” Kiar (Parkland) Rep. Rick Kriseman (St. Petersburg) Rep. Mark Pafford (West Palm Beach) Rep. Ari Porth (Coral Springs) Rep. Scott Randolph (Orlando) Rep. Franklin Sands (Plantation) Rep. Elaine Schwartz (Hollywood) Rep. Irving “Irv” Slosberg (Boca Raton) Rep. Cynthia Stafford (Miami) Rep. Richard Steinberg (Miami Beach) Rep. Geraldine Thompson (Orlando) Rep. Perry Thurston, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale) Rep. Alan Williams (Tallahassee)
Instead Of Your Dryer, Try This. With the sun down here they will dry in 20 mins. Or The Lazy Conservationist recommends a drying rack, they're inexpensive. This one costs $30.