The Citrus Taliban: Terry Jones

The Rev. Terry Jones was planning on torching nearly 3,000 Qurans on the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at Loyce E. Harpe Park, in Mulberry at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Supporters gathered, but Jones never arrived. That's because Grady Judd's boys saw Jones at a McDonalds in Mulberry and watched as he doused the books with kerosene on his way to the park. He was pulled over  a couple of miles away and arrested on charges of unlawful conveyance of fuel and open display of a firearm........more>

Rick Scott Is Selling Our Public Lands

Have you ever enjoyed a nature trail or stream that was then turned into a strip mall or parking lot? I know I have. Now Gov. Rick Scott wants to sell off up to 4,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands our tax dollars have already purchased and protected so he can kick back more money to his big business buddies. here, Here’s a complete list of all the lands the state is considering putting on the auction block. Take a look and see if any of them are in your backyard.

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Pizza

Anchovies, peppers and onions

At the Firehouse Pub in Temple Terrace.

Tampa Rapper Prophit

Prophit (real name Reginald M. Wilks) a local who grew up in an East Tampa neighborhood near Hillsborough Avenue and 40th Street, and still lives in the Tampa area has scored a spot on the soundtrack for “The Family,” the upcoming film starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

here

Human Rights Forum In Tampa

Monday, September 23, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

University of Tampa, Reeves Theater
401 W Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa

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WMNF Birthday Party

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Dirt Poor Red States

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Meme of the Day: Jeb gives an award to Hillary

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Walking While Black In Florida

Bobby Wingate was cited by an officer for “walking down the wrong side of the road” during the stop, then punched in the face. When the officer pulled out his Tazer, Wingate called 911 to protect himself. “He said do I really want to fight him?” Wingate can be heard telling the emergency dispatcher. “I haven’t done anything wrong.” Wingate was arrested, charged with resisting arrest without violence and walking down the wrong side of the road and brought to trial. But in court, the officer testified he was not sure what side of the road Wingate was on, prompting the judge to dismiss the case. Wingate has since filed a civil suit against the department........more>

Don't Drink And Drive In Tallahassee

Bob Buckhorn’s Shtick Begins To Wear Old

For a guy who lost three races before winning his dream job, Bob Buckhorn sure is worried about a lot of other things than being mayor of Tampa......more>

Conservatives Completely Disconnected From The Consequences Of Their Politics

A couple of months ago, a study was released that showed that conservatives are completely disconnected from the consequences of their politics. It doesn’t matter if banning contraceptives increases the number of abortions, all that matters to them is punishing whores their “religious beliefs.” It doesn’t matter if cutting billions from food stamps will send millions of children to bed hungry every night as long as niggers those people don’t get a free meal........more>

Underground Fashion Connection

Meet Erica and Cathy. They own this cool shop at the Big Top flea market in Tampa.

Stop by and support them. more

You Can Continue Killing Your Own People

"You just can't kill them with chemical gas." Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

The Merchants Of Ybor

 

Awesome New York pizza on 7th ave. They gave the homeless man a slice.

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree

Performed by Cubans Silvio Rodriguez, Amaury Perez, Frank Fernandez, Kiki Corona, Gretell Barreiro, and Luna Manzanares, now claiming for yellow ribbons for the Cuban Five, on the 15th anniversary of their incarceration this September 12th.
Who are the Cuban Five? Fifteen years ago on Sept. 12 they were arrested for infiltrating and monitoring the violent Cuban exile groups in Miami. They deserve medals for their heroic acts -- not long prison terms.

Vigil To Oppose Strikes On Syria In St.Pete

Vigil, Town Hall, And Free Movie - Tonight, Downtown St. Pete 1047 Central Ave,     Hosted by Michael Fox  Join us as we hold vigil against US military intervention in Syria. Then we'll hold a brief town hall at Genaro's Coffee House and enjoy a free showing of John Pilger's film  "The War You Don't See".

Democrats Can Kiss 2016 Goodbye

If they attack Syria that is just what they can do.

 Polls Show Overwhelming US Opposition to Syria War

Kerry Won’t Rule Out Ground Troops in Syria

 Then you got the crop of prospective 2016 GOP presidential candidates, who oppose a strike.  A glance at where the potential GOP presidential hopefuls stand tells you all you need to know. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been arguably the most vocal opponent of military intervention in the Senate. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) does not favor a strike, either, nor does former senator Rick Santorum R-Pa.). Even New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who has demonstrated more hawkish leanings on national security, has been silent and Rubio just voted , no. I thought the Republicans were the warmongers.

Pam Bondi And The NRA

Florida is supporting a National Rifle Association challenge of a federal law restricting young adults from purchasing guns. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi joined 22 other attorneys general in signing onto a brief intended to bolster the NRA's case......more>

A list Steaks And Stuff

Check out these locals. My friends over at A List Steaks. here

Florida Democrats' Infighting Escalates

Chairwoman Allison Tant fired two high-ranking staff members late Thursday, the same day it was reported she discovered the existence of a fundraising committee that could be controlled only by incoming House Minority leader, former Republican Darryl (Bong) Rouson, D-St. Petersburg. Gone are Jeff Ryan and Chris Mitchell, the party's chief staffers behind financing and strategy of House races. The pair helped set up the committee with Rouson without Tant's consent. Many Florida Republicans tweeted in glee over the backbiting. On the quality of Rouson's leadership, Republican strategist Rick Wilson tweeted, "That reminds me I need to send him a check."......more>

The Merchants Of Ybor

Nicahabana Cigars on 7th ave.

Ybor City Chickens

Metro Welcomes You

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Right Wing Love Fest In Tampa

A "hometown campaign kickoff" at a waterfront home in Tampa for Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled for Sept. 10. the same night that Rick Scott had once set as the execution date for Death Row inmate Marshall Lee Gore. The execution was moved to a later date at Bondi's request. Among the members of the event's host committee are republicans Will Weatherford, Wesley Chapel, Jack Latvala, Clearwater, Bill Galvano, Bradenton, Tom Lee, Brandon, Wilton Simpson Trilby, Jeff Brandes, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.......more>
At Pushing Rope.

The Merchants Of Ybor

 

 The Ritz

The Gandy Connector

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) was asked by the City of Tampa and the Florida Department of Transportation to investigate a toll-feasible solution for traffic in the Gandy corridor......more

The Florida Civility Project

Off their website:
The Republican Party of Florida invites all Floridians to join together and work toward common sense solutions through friendly debate and discussion, while avoiding negative attacks and the politics of personal destruction.
On August 22:
The Republican Party of Florida has fired off a bunch of releases recently referring to Democratic Chairwoman Allison Tant as TANT RANT. Yesterday, the state GOP sent releases referring to Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida as "Debbie Dunce."

Florida's Backdoor Tax Increases

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed SB 144 to repeal Florida’s red light traffic laws.

“We have had red light cameras in Florida for over three years. They were initially sold as safety devices, but I have come to firmly believe that they are now being used as backdoor tax increases,” stated Brandes. “We have seen municipalities that have installed these devices shorten yellow light times and set arbitrary standards on right turn on red violations. I believe cities will continue to install these devices if left unchecked.”

Earlier this year, WTSP Channel 10 reporter Noah Pransky reported that the state had quietly reduced the minimum number of seconds for yellow light intervals — specifically for those that were equipped with red light cameras. The result? Citation rates spiked by almost 40 percent in municipalities that have the cameras......more>

Ybor Paparazzi

 Meet Agent Bauer he works at La France in Ybor.

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Firehouse Cultural Center In Ruskin

Local  treasure Mariella Smith has launched a new website for the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin. Their ribbon cutting is on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 10:00 a.m. It looks like a cool place, they offer quality programming with a focus on a full spectrum of the arts, and on education for all ages. Check it out here

Vote No On Military Force In Syria

Call your member of Congress now and tell them to vote 'No' on an Authorization to Use Military Force in Syria? Here are the numbers to call: 
Senator Marco RubioPhone: (202) 224-3041
Senator Bill NelsonPhone: (202) 224-5274
Representative Kathy CastorPhone: (202) 225-3376

Report your call here

A Bad Month For South Florida Mayors

An FBI sting operation on Aug. 6 nabbed the mayors of Sweetwater and Miami Lakes for taking suitcases and envelopes stuffed with cash. the two mayors, Manuel Maroño, of Sweetwater and Michael Pizzi, of Miami Lakes, not only took bribes in exchange for helping businesses apply for federal grants, but they plotted together to siphon off a share of the grant money for themselves. Steven Bateman, mayor of Homestead, was arrested Wednesday on charges that he secretly took a $125 per hour consulting position with a health care company that was doing business with the city.

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Ybor Paparazzi

Local comic Will Ejay with friends at The Improv.

Rubio Raising Money For Right Wing Extremist Ken Cuccinelli

Sen.  Marco Rubio will appear at a fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, according to an invite. Tickets start at $50 for a luncheon and boom to $25,000 for chair status and a table for 10.....more>

Who is Ken Cuccinelli? Check him out here. Nice company Rubio keeps.

Hometown Hero Laci Carnes

Tampa Bay Area Peace GroupsTo Protest

Peace activists plan to gather from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday at S Dale Mabry Highway and Gandy Boulevard in Tampa to protest possible U.S. military intervention in Syria.......more

Hard to believe we are having to do this again so soon.

"Raytheon's stock is up 20% in the last 60 days. It seems that nobody wants US intervention in Syria except the military-industrial complex. I oppose US military intervention in Syria. Join me."....more

Rally At Kathy Castor's Office In Tampa

Bypass Boehner Day of Action

MoveOn and other progressive groups have committed to supporting a discharge petition for comprehensive immigration reform. We hope you will join us in urging FL Representative Kathy Castor to be true to her bipartisan convictions by standing against partisan stalling on immigration reform.

Rep. Kathy Castor's Office, 4144 N Armenia Avenue in Tampa

 Thursday, September 5th, 12:00 PM

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Countryside High Principal Gary Schlereth

A local school district won't let cheerleaders wear their uniforms to class because they're too sexy.  principal Schlereth said "The district instituted a stricter dress code this year and the short skirts and sleeveless tops don't make the cut." Principal Kevin Hendrick at Northeast High added "The skirts were just too short.".......more

Tampa Demands: Hands off Syria

Over 100 protesters gathered Aug. 31, to demand no military attack on Syria by the U.S. Members of the Syrian American community as well as many others assembled at a busy intersection in South Tampa waving signs at motorists who went by......more>

I could not make it!

Tampa Palm Trees Dying From Disease

The Republic Of Ybor

Bench in Ybor City

Tampa Bay's New Leaders Council

Tampa Bay has a new community resource for progressive leaders wanting to play a role in shaping the future — the New Leaders Council.......more>

Tell Congress: Don't Attack Syria

Florida Rep. Alan Grayson says he'll work to convince other House members to vote against the U.S. attacking Syria, and has started an online Petition.

Happy Labor Day

Need a ride in Ybor City?

Local Comic Will Ejay At The Improv Ybor

Justice For Oswaldo: Rosa Maria Paya

This brave young woman daughter of Oswaldo Paya, the Cuban dissident killed in a car accident in Cuba last year has been traveling the U.S. and Europe calling for an independent, international investigation into how her father died. Check her out here.

Florida Intimidation Of Palestine Solidarity

Ybor Paparazzi

 Ybor City Photographer

Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich

Miami New Times is bashing our Cuban because we like them with Salami and mayonnaise.

According to the City of Tampa, it, and not Miami, is the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich. It even went so far as to "officially rename" the sandwich, the "Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich." Considering the fact that in Tampa the sandwich's ingredients include salami and mayonnaise, Tampa can keep the name. That ain't no Cuban sandwich.

 Tampa should call its sandwich the "mixto" as it was originally called, because that is what it is -- a mix of cultural appetites resting between two slices of bread -- and stop trying to steal the title of "birthplace of the Cuban sandwich" from Miami, where it belongs.......more>

Amanda Murphy House District 36

Amanda Murphy in the race to replace Mike Fasano in House District 36. Murphy, a Raymond James financial advisor, is running in a special election on Oct. 15 to replace Fasano. Fasano resigned when he was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to replace county tax collector Mike Olson who died.

Check her out here

Conchs Hunting Mosquitoes With Drones

Local Bartenders: My Last Bloody Mary

 

 Meet Jill

She works at The Oasis Lounge on Dana Shores Drive, once a year I stop by to have the best Bloody Mary in Tampa. She is leaving us, moving away.

We will miss her.