Alan Farago's Great Idea

If you voted, you get a tax credit. If you register a car, you pay a penalty if you fail to vote. Shut down the stores. Turn off the traffic lights. Declared voting days a national holiday.

I'd favor turning off everyone's electricity on election day UNTIL people vote.  Tie it to the phone number on your electric bill. 
No Vote, No Light.

here

Run Bernie Run

here

Tampa: Then and Now

Becky For Mayor: Raise The Minimum Wage In Tampa

       This simple and elegant answer to income inequality must be used if we want to see real economic growth in our city. here

Move Florida’s gubernatorial elections to presidential years

That’s how it used to be in Florida—until segregationists in the 1960’s grew worried that increased voter turnout would threaten their grip on state politics. So they amended the state constitution to move gubernatorial elections to midterm years, Sign the petition

Don't Buy Koch

List of familiar Koch products and brands:

-American Greetings

-Angel Soft

-Angel Soft Ultra

-Brawny paper towels

-Dixie products

-Insulair cups

-Mardis Gras napkins

-Perfect Touch cups, paper products

-Quilted Northern

-Sparkle paper towels

-Vanity Fair napkins & paper towels

-Zee Napkins

-Georgia-Pacific Office products

-Spectrum paper

-Georgia-Pacific's enMotion paper towel dispenser

-Georgia-Pacific's engineered lumber

INVISTA Brands

-INVISTA’s PET polymer is used in oxygen-sensitive packaging for food and beverages.

-ADI-PURE® Adipic Acid

-ANTRON® Carpet Fiber

-C12™ Intermediates

-COMFOREL® Fiber

-COOLMAX® Fabric

-CORDURA® Fabric

-DACRON® Fiberfill

-DYTEK® Idea Intermediates

-FLEXISOLV® Solvent Solutions

-LYCRA® Fiber

-LYCRA HyFit® Fiber

-OXYCLEAR® Barrier Resin

-POLYCLEAR® PET

-POLYSHIELD® Resin

-SENZAA™ Additive

-STAINMASTER® Carpet

-SUPPLEX® Fabric

-SUPRIVA™ Fiber

-TACTEL® Fiber

-TECGEN® Garments

-TERATE® Polyols

-TERATHANE® Polyether Glycol

-TERRIN™ Polyols

-THERMOLITE® Fabric

-TORZEN® PA66 Resin
info

Michael Brown’s Father Message to Ferguson and the Nation

El Centro Español De Tampa

Was the most affluent of the city’s social clubs — those organizations that provided immigrants with social services ranging from medical care to banking to entertainment from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. Centro Español had almost 10,000 members of Spanish descent, two cemeteries and two large clubhouses that measured over half a city block — one each in Ybor City and West Tampa. here

American's Priorities And GOP Lawmakers' Priorities: Not Quite The Same

American's Priorities
1.   Access to lower cost student loans--80% support.

2.   Increase spending on infrastructure--75%

3.   Raising the minimum wage--65%
4.   Emergency funding for fighting Ebola in Africa--60%
5.   Climate change/reducing carbon emissions--59%
6.   Building Keystone Pipeline--54%

GOP Lawmakers' Priorities
1.   Authorize Keystone Pipeline.

2.   Repeal ACA ("Obamacare")
3.   Pass the "Hire More Heroes" (veterans) Act.
4.   Pass Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement 

5.   Lower corporate taxes.
6.   Thwarting Obama on Immigration Executive Action.
7.   Reign in the EPA and roll back environmental regulations.

here

Tampa Under Surveillance

Florida gives Bill Cosby standing ovation

GOP Propaganda

GOP Propaganda>Guess What Americans Thought About Obama's Speech here

Fact>Poll: Americans Broadly Back Obama’s Immigration Executive Action

Voters overwhelmingly backed President Obama’s move: 67 percent viewed it favorably, while just 28 percent viewed it unfavorably. The support was fairly bipartisan, with 91 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Independents, and 41 percent of Republicans viewing the executive action favorably. Among Tea Party Republicans, however, 64 percent opposed the policy while just 30 percent viewed it favorably. here

Protests Expected In St. Pete

When the decision of whether to indict Ferguson Cop Darren Wilson comes down, there are plans for protests and civil disobedience in St. Petersburg. On Friday WMNF interviewed Omali Yeshitela about those plans. He’s chair of the African People’s Socialist Party. here

Dean/Warren 2016

Democracy for America (DFA), a progressive group that grew out of former Vermont governor Howard Dean’s unsuccessful presidential campaign, just released an unscientific survey of their roughly one million members asking for their preferences in a hypothetical race for the Democratic nomination in two years. Elizabeth Warren, the former Harvard Law professor and consumer advocate was the clear favorite, garnering 42 percent of the respondents, while Clinton trailed a distant third with only 23 percent. We voted for Howard Dean. here 

The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest: New Film Captures Florida Prisoner's Shocking Ordeal Behind Bars

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Orange Chicken

With fried rice

At IAsia in North Port

Visit them here

The President Speaks on Fixing America's Broken Immigration System

Why the majority  voted for him, (twice).

The Blue Wall: Midterm Elections “was a dark week for Republicans

GOP strategist and

Columnist at the Houston Chronicle who goes by the handle GOPLifer, Chris Ladd, has declared that the week of the Midterm Elections “was a dark week for Republicans here 

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Teriyaki Steak

With soup and salad

  Kumo Japanese Steakhouse

Visit them here, Coming to New Port Richey soon.

What a wonderful place. Atmosphere is awesome and 

the food is great.

Hongkong Willies, Tampa home of Rick Scott's Ark

Tampa home of "Rick Scott's Ark"

Stop in and check it out. See Joe, tell him Stogie sent you.

Fletcher Ave  and I75 Tampa. more

"If He'd Ever Look Up" Caroline Kole

Illegal Trucks In Ybor City

Southbound 21th St. at 8th Ave.

Clinton Party At Emilio and Gloria Estefan's House In Miami Beach

Benefitting the Clinton Foundation

Thursday, December 11, 2014, 8:00 PM

The home of Emilio and Gloria Estefan

Miami Beach, Florida
Attend the Dinner, $5,000 per person

Includes Clinton Foundation Ambassador membership
Event Co-Chair |$25,000 per person or $50,000 per couple
Includes Chairs' Reception with the Clintons
Event Chair | $100,000
Includes Chairs' Reception with the Clintons and invitation to
the 2015 Clinton Foundation Annual Retreat info

Hail to our Great Esteem Leader! Barack Obama

In a broad test of his executive powers, President Barack Obama declared Wednesday he will sidestep Congress and order his own federal action on immigration here 

Walmart Black Friday Protest In Tampa Bay

Walmart 1505 N Dale Mabry Hwy,Tampa

Walmart 4381 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota

info

Call/Text: 470-223-2014 to see how you can get involved. 

Or email: support@changewalmart.org

University of Tampa bans Uber and Lyft

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson only Democrat to vote with Republicans

A law bill to reform some of the NSA's mass surveillance of innocent Americans died in the US Senate. Democrats pushing through the proposed overhaul were two votes short of the 60 needed to break a Republican filibuster.here 

Democratic(?) Senator Bill Nelson of Florida voted against his party to side with the Republicans. Nelson was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans.

Operation: Reveille, a Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative

A total of 53 veterans were granted rent-free housing for up to a year in various living facilities throughout the county. Thanks to Ashley Furniture for the new furnishings and other household essentials, including food. here

What Pilar Had For Lunch

Sushi Combo

At IAsia in North Port

Visit them here

Brave New Films • The Activist Collection

Call out Pam Bondi for selling out our justice system!

As Florida’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi has a duty to uphold our laws and justice system with integrity.

But she could not care less. She’s been selling out Florida’s justice system to Washington lobbyists, socializing with attorneys who have corporate clients under state investigation.This behavior is wildly inappropriate – and a clear violation of Florida law.

Add your name: Call on Rick Scott to set up an independent investigation into Bondi’s blatant disregard for the law!

here

Democrats Who Voted For Keystone XL Pipeline

11 Democrats who crossed party lines to support the amendment were Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, 
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, 
Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Jon Tester of Montana and Jim Webb of Virginia. here

Thank you Florida Sen. Bill Nelson for 
not being on this list. 

Fight for 15 Florida

Enough is enough; communities and workers in FL, it's time to end the fast-food struggle by joining the movement to improve the quality of life for thousands of exploited workers in the fast-food industry in Florida.

here

Right Wing Venezuelan Plotted Coup in Florida in 2013

A new YouTube video was released this month showing Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez detailing destabilization plans against President Nicolas Maduro in a meeting with a right-wing exile group in Florida. The meeting between Lopez, leader and founder of the right-wing Popular Will party, and members of the group Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (VEPPEX), took place October 31, 2013, just three months before opposition members began violent protests in Caracas. here

Lopez is currently facing a trial in Venezuela for inciting violence during the riots in Caracas that left dozens of people dead.

Congratulations Sen. Arthenia Joyner

State Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa became the first African-American woman to lead the Senate Democratic caucus. Her mission will be to help rebuild the Democratic Party 
one day at a time

here 

Rick Scott's Ark Tour At Hongkong Willies In Tampa

Stop by and take your pic with the famous ark.

Interstate 75 at Fletcher Avenue in Tampa

here

Florida 2016: Marijuana Legalization For Everybody

Amendment 2 got more votes than any candidate on the ballot (Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater or 
Agriculture Commissioners 
Adam Putnam).

John Morgan said he might try again, and he might also put a second amendment on the 2016 ballot that calls for outright marijuana legalization. here

Medical marijuana was favored by voters in 52 of 
Florida’s 67 counties.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/marc-caputo/article3971118.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/marc-caputo/article3971118.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/marc-caputo/article3971118.html#storylink=cpy

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Spaghetti and Meatballs

With salad

At Zio's Pizzeria in North Port, Visit them here
Great food. We want to try everything on their menu!

Florida's Culture Of Corruption: Pam Bondi

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is the new chairman of the Republican organization that has given her thousands of dollars in free trips over the last four years. here

How we 
"git ur done" 
in Rick Scott's Florida

We're Standing Out For Freedom. Are You?

Protect Our Privacy: Support the USA Freedom Act

Call Senator Nelson: (202) 224-5274 and Senator Rubio: (202)-224-3041 today and tell them to support the USA Freedom Act, which will be voted on Tuesday night. Remember to call during regular business hours of 9AM-6PM EST so that you can be sure to speak with someone in the office. info

Gov. Dean Do Something About Allison Tant

 Florida Democratic Party Chair Allison Tant and her allies want you to forget all about those losses nine days ago and focus on the leadership race for the Democratic House Caucus. But is this really a true concern, or a diversion to keep the attention off of the failures of the Florida Democratic Party? here

Save Florida's Briger Forest

Community activists with Everglades Earth First! have halted what they call Kolter Development’s “illegal” construction in Palm Beach Gardens’ Briger Forest. A disabled vehicle is sitting in the road at the construction entrance to the site and two people have locked their bodies to it. here

Ybor City Stogie Hoodie

                                                                         

 $44.50
Ybor City Stogie Hoodie 

Petitioning Ft. Lauderdale City Officials

Drop the charges against 90-year-old Arnold Abbott for feeding the homeless. here 

Tell the Senate to Stop Keystone XL Now

You can reach your senators here:

Sen. Bill Nelson

(202) 224-5274

Sen. Marco Rubio

(202) 224-3041

You can also use the capitol switchboard at 
(202) 224-3121

Our Oligarchic Form Of Society

The recent Supreme Court decisions in 

McCutcheon and Citizens United 

have been disastrous for our democracy.  

They are allowing the billionaire class to spend unlimited amounts in elections, and to elect candidates who protect the interests of the 1% while opposing the needs of everyone else. here

Today’s conservative court, in 5-4 votes, embraces corruption.  That has to stop or this country will rapidly evolve into an oligarchic form of society where virtually all power rests in a handful of wealthy hands.  

Pam Bondi In Pay-To-Look-Away Scandal

The investigation found Bondi flitting around the globe — at posh resorts in Hawaii, California and all sorts of places other than the state she was elected to serve. Gift records examined by The Associated Press found that Bondi had taken more than $51,000 worth of free trips, meals and hotel stays — much of it thanks to corporations that funneled money through the Republican Attorneys General Association. here

The lobbyists got their way. One of the attorneys lobbying Bondi represented online travel companies that were trying to avoid paying certain taxes in Florida. Bondi's predecessor, Bill McCollum, had sued the companies, trying to get the money. But Bondi dropped the matter, saying it wasn't something her office needed to pursue.

Florida GOP voters are you feeling it yet. We know you guys like to take it deep. Order our free tube of lube, it will make the experience more memorable.

freelube@yborcitystogie.com

South Florida and Sea Level Rise

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Pasta and Sausage

At Oregano's Pizza And Bakery in North Port

more

St. Petersburg named top Florida city for LGBT equality

Florida DINO Patrick Murphy joins Republicans

Rep. Patrick Murphy of Jupiter was the lone Florida Democrat to join this afternoon with Republicans in approving the Keystone pipeline. here

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet Kevin

He is from Texas, been homeless 10 years.

Parents furious after unannounced shooter drill at Polk middle school