Come Dancing for WMNF- Swing Music at the Mermaid!

The Mermaid Tavern hosts swing dancing the last Tuesday of every month, and you can partake or observe to benefit WMNF! The Mermaid Tavern, this Seminole Heights hot spot, is a valued WMNF Community Partner, and is donating proceeds and offering drink discounts as you swing the night away!

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The Stogie Is Ten Years Old

Happy Birthday Stogie
On This Date Back In 2003 The Ybor City Stogie Was Born.
The idea for the name came to me from a movie filmed in Ybor City about a minor league baseball team naned The Tampico Stogies. It was called Long Gone and started William Petersen,Virginia Madsen and the late great Henry Gibson. I was actually there and watched some of it being filmed. And of couse Ybor City being the stogie capital of the world.  It started out as a website ( you can see what it looked like here) and it became a blog in May of 2006.
Thanks to my awesome sister for the cake.

Stop Florida Parent Trigger Legislation

Florida's Culture Of Corruption Ccorporate Power Grab

To the dismay of parents, the Florida PTA, other parents groups and their supporters, the Parent Empowerment in Education Bill, a.k.a Florida’s “Parent Trigger” bill, has once again been introduced into the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. After failing last year due to the concerted efforts of parents and parent groups, legislators saw fit to reintroduce the bill once again to see if Florida parents and their supporters had changed their minds regarding this issue. Such insistence on a “parent trigger” bill in Florida can only be described in the manner that Diane Ravitch, the former Secretary of Education, describes “parent trigger” policy in general:

"It is the quintessence of a corporate power grab.”

Florida Legislators: I urge you to deny the passing of the Parent Empowerment in Education bill (HB 867 or SB 862) so that the public education system remains a corporation-free, public institution in the hands and power of the parents, educators, community groups, and taxpayers that support and nurture it.
Sign The Petition - Parents Across America

 Why would legislators reintroduce a bill that was vehemently opposed by
a significant number of parent groups?.....Florida PTA

Tapper Pub

What Stogie Had For Lunch
Corned beef sandwich
With Potato Salad and Drink
$7.00 at Tapper Pub, 3832 Britton Plaza  Tampa

Downgrading Ed Schultz

Did Obama Administration Have Something To Do With It?
Ed Schultz is telling everyone that it was his idea to be reassigned from his prime-time 8 p.m. show during the week on MSNBC to a two-hour time slot late Saturday and Sunday. After telling listeners about the change last Wednesday, Schultz said he’s happy about it because now he’ll have the time to do more in-depth stories on issues, which he couldn’t do before. maybe he really means it. But I’m not sure. Schultz had been getting increasingly agitated over the possibility of President Obama and the Democrats caving in to the GOP to allow cuts in social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as part of a “grand bargain” for reducing the deficit. One week before the change was announced, Schultz said he had always supported Obama, but now was wavering. One night before he announced his change, Schultz said
"President Obama may really be the president who starts the undooing of the New Deal."
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I do not like Chris Hayes. I guess i will watch the crazy guy on FAUX..

Democrats Share the Blame for Tragedy of Iraq War

Not Howard Dean
The Democrats who voted to support the war and rationalized that vote by making false claims about Iraq's WMD programs - a minority of Democrats, but much over-represented in Democratic leadership councils - were responsible for allowing the Bush administration to get away with lying about
Iraq's alleged threat.
Here on the tenth anniversary of the Iraq War, it is important to remember that it was not just those in the Bush White House who were responsible for the tragedy, but leading members of Congress as well, some of whom are now in senior positions in the Obama administration.
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Read what Mr. Dean had to say back on April 17, 2003.

family-Resources Of Tampa Bay

Pinellas Park Charity Helps Homeless Do Laundry
It takes 16 quarters to wash a bundle of clothes at Quick Way Laundry and another six to dry it. Multiply that by the number of homeless teenagers who come to Kay Tillinghast with backpacks full of dirty laundry and you have an expensive charitable habit. Every week for the past few years, Tillinghast, who works for the nonprofit Family Resources, has been helping runaways and shelter kids do laundry.
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Donations can be sent to Family Resources, 5180 62nd Ave. N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781,
or go to its website at family-resources.org and click the donate button

Tampa Bay Homeless

Homeless Living In Tampa

Raise The Minimum Wage

Once again the message to America from the Republican party is, "Please go phuck yourselves!
SOG City Oracle

HB 7065: Florida's Culture Of Corruption

An Outright Sellout
One of the broadest assaults on the Everglades cleanup effort is speeding toward passage in the Florida House. The measure would put the state's taxpayers on the hook for pollution caused by the agriculture industry — and open an avenue for even more environmental damage down the road. Shifting cleanup costs from Big Sugar to those who are downstream from its dirty fields is Robin Hood in reverse and undermines the intent of a voters' mandate to have polluters pay.

 Gov. Rick Scott and the Senate need to stop it.

here

Remembering Joyce

The Irish Belle

I've had the honor of knowing Eva for almost 20 years. I only got to know her mom Joyce for a short time before she was taken from us. She was a beautiful Irish Belle whose door to her home was always open to friends.  She loved to travel and her wanderlust has led her to many different parts of the world.
 Today on St. Patrick's Day i miss her terribly!

The Paul Ryan of Florida

Will Weatherford
This post is not about cronyism, $2,005 monthly mortgages, his troubles in Ybor City, his beautiful family or his parents giving him a fundamentalist education steeped in Scripture. 
(See How Can You Love Jesus And Be A Republican?)
This post is about Democrats. When i said the other day that the reason people like Mr.Weatherford get elected is becouse people don't get out and vote, i was wrong. According to the Times
When he first ran in 2006 Weatherford faced someone his own age: 26-year-old Donovan Brown, a Zephyrhills insurance agent who, during the home stretch of the campaign, was hospitalized for a bipolar disorder. While Democrats didn't give Brown any money, Republicans contributed $70,000 to Weatherford. He outraised Brown 575-to-1. His campaign mailers highlighted Brown's opposition to jail time for people caught possessing small amounts of marijuana."Don't let our values go to pot," the mailer stated, with Brown's face printed on a marijuana leaf.
Democrats didn't oppose Weatherford's re-election in 2008, and he still raised $214,000. When he did face opposition in 2010, he raised nearly $1 million. Weatherford won 66 percent of the vote.
Last year, he was re-elected without opposition while sitting on a war chest of $427,000.
"I've never been ashamed to ask people for big checks," he said
My point is where are the Democratic candidates, where are Libertarians, the Greens. Having a two party system is bad enough but when it becomes one well we have a
problem.Don't you think?
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Morgan and Morgan For The People

John Morgan, a major President Obama fundraiser and the boss of former Gov. Charlie Crist, is taking the reins of a Florida medical marijuana initiative, (Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act) promising to pump major money and political muscle into the popular issue.

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Great News!We should have this in the bag.

Morgan and Morgan

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

No Strip Clubs, Casinos or Liquor, Guns ok.

Florida lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban those receiving government assistance from using their electronic benefits (EBT) cards at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores. The provision banning EBT use in gun shops was stripped out in committee.

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Pic Thanks To World Of Wonder

The Weather Kids on TBCN

Bring your children to TBCN to give their own version of the weather report.
Call us at (813) 977-5200 or visit us at tbcn.org.

Illegal Ggambling's Fat Checks

Allied and affiliates pumped $2M into political campaigns.
Threatened with being shut down, the owners and operators flooded lawmakers with campaign cash and hired a stable of lobbyists with money that police now say was illegally obtained. Among the biggest contributors was Allied Veterans, the purported charity that authorities this week said illegally operated electronic slot machines at 49 Internet cafes across Florida. Allied and related companies donated $2 million to the lawmakers' campaigns and committees over at least three years, police say.
here

Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg $40,000
Joe Negron, R-Palm City $25,000
Both voted against  Medicaid Expansion.
Republican Party of Florida $52,000
And even the Dems were in on it.
Florida Democratic Party $75,000

Corporate Welfare: $3,796 Per Job In Florida

 For the past 16 years, more than $80 million in state incentives backed by taxpayer money helped recruit and subsidize companies creating nearly 20,000 jobs around Tampa Bay. In more than 200 deals since 1996 by Enterprise Florida in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties, the largest sum handed over to a firm is $19.6 million to California research firm SRI International. In 2009 SRI opened a marine research facility in St. Pe t e r s b u r g . The number of SRI jobs documented by the state so far: 86.

here

Bikes On Buses

 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit
Go Hart

The Beer Flows Left And Right

The difference between a Conservative and a Liberal 
And the way they drink their beers.  The Conservative likes cans or bottles, it's all my you can't have any. ie When a group of diehard conservatives gathers at Keegan's on Thursdays, they pay their own tabs. And they drink Guinness or an expensive import. The Liberal likes pitchers, so he can share and when its time to buy another one everyone can chip in. ie When a group of diehard liberals gathers on Wednesday nights at the 331 Club, they all throw money into a kitty and share pitchers of beer.

I must say after drinking many beers with my Right and Left Wing friends over the years that theory is  probably true.

here

Hugo's Spanish Restaurant

What Stogie Had For Lunch
Boliche
With Yellow Rice and Platanos
$8.49 at Hugo's Spanish Restaurant, 31 S Howard Ave in Tampa
This place has been on S. Howard for along time. I remember coming here back in the 80's when i lived on Davis Islands. I am sorry i stayed away so long. The food  is delicious and the price and portions are just right.

Marco Rubio: Liberal Freeloaders

Hey Rubio I Got Your Liberal Freeloader Right Here.
here
Pic thanks to A Ghost in El Salvador

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet Chris
He is from Chicago, he has only been homeless for a short time.

The Culture Of Corruption In Florida

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll
The legislature is working to pass "ethics reform" that will do little to stop the culture of corruption that's consuming Florida. Now more than ever, we need real ethics reform that will stop the worst abuses of the public trust that pervade our government.
Sign our petition
To the Florida Legislature demanding real ethics reform.

The March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food reaches Tampa!

The march completed its northward leg yesterday by reaching the city of Tampa, where the marchers were received from start to finish like conquering heroes, a reception that included a massive -- and remarkably creative -- candlelight vigil at a Publix store in Temple Terrace.
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"Don't let making a profit stand in the way of doing the right thing.".....George Jenkins
Do The Right Thing Publix

Celebrate Sunshine Week

As we celebrate Sunshine Week, I encourage readers to get involved in their local communities and promote the importance of open government and access to information. Anyone can play an active role in government and help keep public officials honest, make government more efficient and act as a check against waste, fraud and abuse of power.

Freedom of information isn't just an issue for the press; it's a cornerstone of our democracy. Join us and help make a difference in the battle against unnecessary government secrecy and waste.

You can find out more here

Stogie's Hate Mail

I don't usually post my hate mail but i thought i would share this one with everyone. I got a message in my inbox the other day that suggest i should get a Chemical castration. He/She said that me and all of my Commie Socialist loving friends should get one so as not to make any more of our kind. I didn't know what that was, so i looked it up. According to Wikipedia:

Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and sexual activity. Unlike surgical castration, where the testicles or ovaries are removed through an incision in the body,[1] chemical castration does not actually castrate the person, nor is it a form of sterilization.

The key words here is "nor is it a form of sterilization". One would think if you were going to take the time to write something like this to someone you would find out what it is frirst.

St. Pete Police Threatened By Pair Of Scissors

The mother of 43-year-old Arthur Dixon Jr. called St. Petersburg police on Sunday evening because he doused himself with gasoline and threatened to take his own life. At around 7:30 p.m., the suicidal man allegedly ran at Officers Devin Jones and Curtis Wright with scissors while they were stationed at the back of the house. Both officers opened fire, hitting Dixon in the torso multiple times. He was transported to Bayfront Medical Center and pronounced dead at around 10 p.m.
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“The police assured me that they weren’t going to hurt him, that they were concerned for his safety. He has no weapons, he’s never hurt anyone ever. So, they forced him out the back of the house and they shot him three times. I want to know why they shot him, he had no weapons and he’s drunk. He has a traumatic brain injury, he’s blind in one eye, can’t see well out of the other. Why did they shoot him?”.......Lydia Andrews, Dixon’s mother.
“Scissors are a deadly weapon, they can cause great harm. They can be just as dangerous as a knife.”.......St. Petersburg police spokesperson Mike Puetz
Poor Guy!

Corporate Welfare In Florida

Stop Rick Scott's Massive Corporate Giveaway
Governor Rick Scott has spent the past two years making devastating cuts to critical services for middle class families. Now he plans to go even further by pushing through a bill this legislative session that will give big corporations another $141 million in tax breaks.
Please sign the petition from Daily Kos and our partners at Florida Watch Action as we demand that the Florida legislature reject this $141 million corporate tax break. Florida Watch Action will deliver the signatures to Florida legislators.
here

You Can Beat City Hall

Great Job Dana Shores
When Dana Shores residents wanted to keep 23 acres separating their neighborhood from Tampa International Airport's runways as a scenic reserve, they did things by the book: They attended meetings and spoke to airport officials.
here

Will Weatherford: What A Funny Guy

"You're just funny, y'know, the story. It's funny. You're a funny guy." Henry Hill
I read with great amusement this morning

Will Weatherford piece in The Tampa Bay Times. He is trying to explain why he and his Republican cohorts in Tallahassee voted against Medicaid expansion in Florida. He states that he is not confident in the feds given the track record of the federal government, which hasn't balanced a budget in years.
(I have smoked a lot of weed in my life but my memory is still sharp) if i remember correctly bill Clinton not only left a balanced budget but a surplus. if it wasn't for the Republicans reckless spending ( Wars on credit, Tax breaks for the rich and corporations) we would not be in the mess we are in. Then he mentions future funding for our schools, public safety, and protection of our beaches and springs. When the hell did his party ever care about teachers or the environment. He keeps trying to dig himself out of the hole he is in and it is not working. Wesley Chapel is just up the road, i will make it my goal to send this man home after his term is up.
here

The Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act, SB 1250

The Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act now in the Senate’s Health Policy Committee.
Florida residents are urged to contact committee members and tell them the importance of passing this legislation. A recent poll found 70% of Florida voters, including 56% of Republicans, support medical marijuana legislation in the Sunshine State.
More info here
Senator Aaron Bean (R) bean.aaron.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Eleanor Sobel (D) sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Brandes (R) brandes.jeff.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Oscar Braynon,II(D) braynon.oscar.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Anitere Flores (R) flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Bill Galvano (R) galvano.bill.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Rene Garcia (R) garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Denise Grimsley(R)grimsley.denise.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Arthenia Joyner(D) joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov

Community Conversations

Saw this on the side of a Hartline bus in Tampa.
Community Conversations is a show that explores key topics that matter in our community. "Edu-taining" conversations revolve around the physical, mental, educational, and economic health of our community.
On-Air-Schedule: Saturdays 2pm-4pm
Stations : WHNZ AM 1250
more info

Florida Republican Rejects Medicaid Expansion

A Florida Senate committee voted Monday against Medicaid expansion, joining the House in rejecting Gov. Rick Scott's proposal for a three-year trial covered entirely by federal funding. The Senate select committee on the Affordable Care Act voted along party lines, 7-4. Democrats said they were willing to explore alternatives but unsuccessfully pleaded with colleagues to embrace expansion as a backup.
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Yet they are very good at doing this. Governor Rick Scott has spent the past two years slashing services for the middle class, such as education cuts that led to massive teacher layoffs, while dishing out millions of dollars to major corporations. Now he plans to go even further by pushing through a bill this legislative session that will give big corporations another $141 million in tax breaks.
here
Remember these people come election time.
Will Weatherford of Land o' Lakes,Joe Negron of Stuart, Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Richard Corcoran, of Trinity,Nancy C. Detert of Sarasota,
Bill Galvano of Hillsborough County, Denise Grimsley Polk County,
Jack Latvala of Pinellas County.
Come on Florida let's not let what happened in 2010 happen again, that is how these people get elected. 

Get Involved in 2014. Let's turn Florida Blue.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Palomilla Steak
With Moro and Yuca
$10.95 At Reo at the Grayhound bus station in Tampa.
So Good!

The Rodney Dangerfield Blog

I am not a writer, my thing is in photography. my mom gave me a Kodak Brownie for Christmas when i was 6 years old and after many Nikon's later i am still at it. The nest few paragraphs were a struggle, so please be kind. I read with great sadness the other day Ben Kirby's post about putting his great blog The Spencerian on hiatus, possibly forever. he mention in his post the disappointment he felt when he wasn't listed on the Washington Post's The Fix blog.
  By the way, they just updated their list of best state blogs, and The Spencerian didn't make the cut.  I'm not particularly pleased with their Florida list, but I don't want you to think this is about being bitter.
Peter Schorsch of St.Peters Blog mention that he hopes this wasn't the staw that broke the camels back. I don't want to sound bitter myself but if that was the case with the Stogie my camel would of been on the ground along time ago. I started this effort  back on March 19, 2003. First as a website thanks to Wayback Machine you can see what it looked like here) and then as a blog in May of 2006. For some reason, (maybe i wasn't someones idea of what a blog should look like). it took the Stogie along time to get accepted. Some bloggers did help me out and put my link on their blogrolls (Litbrit, Out In Left Field, Tampa Do-Gooder, Finding Tampa, Pushing Rope stc.) I remember how proud i was when Ken put me on the old Florida Progressive Coalition blogroll.
 Let me not forget madfloridian who gave me a link and who now also writes for Daily Kos where she also gave me a link. (How cool is that?) I never get mentioned in any Best Of Blogs list. including the one Mr. Kirby is talking about. And as far as awards go, I  finally won the Netroots Award for Best Local Blog of 2011 and that was only becouse Mr. Kirby and especially Mr. Schorsch sent their support my way. If not i would still be Award-less (Is that a word?). So for me it has never been about lists or awards and i hope that is the case with the talented Mr Kirby. 
My daughter has Instructions to post my obituary, when you see it, that will be it for me.

Kevin Beckner Community Event

Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 10 am-12 pm
SouthShore Regional Library 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin
More Info At Pushing Rope

Republican Stacy White

Beware of this man in 2014

He is a Right-Wing extremist  who is a strong supporter of local bigots Terry Kemple, David Caton and former Republican state Sen. Ronda Storms, He is planning to run for the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat.  Commissioner Al Higginbotham cannot seek re-election in that district due to term limits. We cannot replace one right-winger with another. We need folks who will epresent all the people of Hillsborough County not just the ones they like.

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Please Consider April Griffin who is also running.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Picadillo
With Red Beans and Rice
$5.99 at Reo. at the Grayhound Bus Station in Tampa.