Sunday, April 8, 2018

Clean up the FL Dem mess: Jettison Graham and Rizzo

Former Democratic state party chairman Stephen Bittel made disparaging remarks about black legislators at a major party fundraiser last June 17.  There were no repercussions.
He apologized for his racially derogatory tirade and then it was business as usual for the Florida Democratic Party.
Five months later Bittel resigned in the face of sexual harrassment allegations by six women.  So insulting the Black Legislative Caucus was not sufficient to replace him; “inappropriate behavior” sparked his resignation.  Apparently the Florida Democratic Party does not believe spewing racial slurs constitutes inappropriate behavior.
On Jan. 22, John Parker, a national Democratic committeeman from Duval County, referred to African-Americans as “colored people” at a party meeting.  Casting racial aspersions was pro forma for Parker, according to people who knew him.
Terrie Rizzo, the state party chairman who succeeded Bittel, was informed of the incident—at the latest—in early February. Calls by Afro-Americans for Parker to resign were ignored—by Parker, by Rizzo, and by Lisa King, Parker’s wife and chairwoman of the Duval County Democratic Executive Committee.
Parker resigned Wednesday after a Florida Politico article about the incident and the state party’s inaction went viral.  Instead of acting quickly and declaring him melba months ago, the Democratic party did nothing about Parker—-until the racist remarks became public. Parker had no option
 but to quit.
Lies about the repugnant episode rolled out fast and furiously.  Parker says he meant to say “people of color” but the context and his history suggest otherwise.  King stated that in 23 years of marriage “I have never before heard him refer to African-Americans as anything other than black or African-American.”
A stunning statement in light of Parker’s reputation among Duval Democrats.
Then there’s Rizzo.  She didn’t reply to a letter from Duval Democrats complaining about Parker’s racism.  She wasn’t quoted in the Politico story.  Tampa Bay Beat reached out to Rizzo in the days leading up to the Politico revelation.
No response.  Harpo Marx without the horn.
Gwen Graham, a year ago considered the favorite to capture the Democratic nomination for governor but now polling a puny 9 percent in third place, touted Parker on her list of supporters.
Late to the party on the most substantive political issues, Graham kept mum until after the incident surfaced nationwide Wednesday.  She then joined the suddenly swelling chorus calling for Parker to quit.
It’s inconceivable Graham had no knowledge of Parker’s remarks prior to the national brouhaha.  Two weeks ago, Graham tried to buoy her failing campaign by declaring she is the only Democratic candidate that can 
win the governorship.
Chutzpah to the max.
If anyone asked me a month ago about the four Democrats and three Republicans in the race, I would have said Gwen Graham was the only candidate that had zero chance of winning.  Parker didn’t put the final nail in her coffin; he threw dirt on it.
African-Americans comprise around 30 percent of Democrat registrants.  Progressives all told number at least 50 percent but have always been marginalized by the state power brokers.
This year progressives have promised to flex their muscles. They are instrumental in the NextGen America effort to register Millennials and the Reform Generation.  Many have promised not to “fall into line” and support candidates who do not subscribe to traditional Democratic 
ideals and values.
Their tolerance for Rizzo has stretched beyond the breaking point.  They won’t support Graham who obsequiously caved to oil, banking, and coal interests during her brief tenure in Congress.
Propaganda from her father’s buddy Howard Dean that Graham is “most progressive” is insulting to young people who are well versed on her voting record.  They will never place an “X” by her name.
Tampa Bay Beat reported on Mar. 20 about the state Democratic party’s historic failure to embrace statewide Afro-American candidates. This year there are two excellent ones: Andrew Gillum for governor and Sean Shaw for attorney general.
While most states around the country are expecting to ride that heretofore elusive “blue wave,” the Florida Democratic party is succumbing to 
self-inflicted headwinds.
The divisive Rizzo should resign—progressive Stacey Patel would be an excellent replacement—and the equivocating and philosophically-bereft Graham should withdraw her candidacy.  Those moves would catapult the party back into the thick of the November battle.
It would mean the difference between winning three statewide races and getting bageled.
 Writer’s note:  My mother, Florine Bleyer, who passed in 2003, was acquainted with one of the personages mentioned in this blog piece.

Rick Scott Can't Tell The Truth

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Parrillada
With Black Beans and Rice
At El Puerto in Ybor

Saturday, April 7, 2018

TAMPA COALITION SET TO REJECT RICK SCOTT US SENATE RUN


Monday, April 9th - 4:30 PM
Curtis Hixon Park, Downtown Tampa
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Community Organizations are ready to respond to Gov. Rick Scott’s announcement Monday that he would be running for the US Senate. Organize Florida, Center for American Islamic Relations, Service Employees International Union of Florida, and others allies to be named later will rally and speak out against the numerous policies of his administration that have adversely impacted their communities and constituencies.
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“Rick Scott has been no friend to the disability community,” said Karen Clay, a member of Organize Florida whose son is disabled. “In his 8 years as governor, the waiting list for Medicaid supports and services through u the Home and Community Based Services Waiver, the Long Term Care Waiver, etc., has ballooned to over 25,000 many waiting for not just months or years, but decades.  The rates providers are paid has NOT received an increase resulting in a shortage of caregivers. Without EXPANDING MEDICAID the lives of those with disabilities has been impacted greatly.
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Speakers include:
Organize Florida Climate Justice - Zulema Ramos
Center for American Islamic Relations - Adnan Mackic
and many more
info
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TRUMPS CHOICE!

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Tacos
With Rice and Beans
At The Taco Bus - Downtown Tampa

Andrew Gillum: Bondi, Rick Scott on “Wrong Side of History”

“Attorney General Pam Bondi and Governor Rick Scott are on the wrong side of history with their request to stay Judge Walker’s decision on our rights restoration system. This is an utterly transparent attempt to marginalize and disenfranchise millions of Floridians. 
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It should be lost on no one that they filed this appeal on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic assassination. We still have much work to do in this state.” Andrew Gillum

Movement for a People's Party

We're building a coalition of working people, unions, community groups, students, academics, parties and organizations for a nationally viable people’s party. Because together, we can change everything!
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During our Draft Bernie phase, we built a great movement for a people’s party. With a coalition coming together, our dream is now in reach. Help us finish what we started by volunteering and donating. 
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Movement For a People's Party is a nonprofit launched by former Bernie campaign staff, delegates and super volunteers. We are an all-volunteer, people-powered initiative that will never accept large donations from billionaires and corporations.

Tampa Hoods

Downtown

Friday, April 6, 2018

Our Revolution Membership Call

Tampa Dems Party At The Attic


Possible future Tampa city Councilman John Godwin
with Lisa Young

Florida House of Representatives candidate Heather Stahl
with local Progressive leader Beth Eriksen Shoup

Ione Townsend and Tim Heberlein

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Downtown Tampa
Images by Jim Bleyer

Rick Scott Makes Millions While Floridians Lose

Sandy Murman smells the stench of defeat

She has unveiled a proposal to change the board’s makeup. She wants to eliminate  at-large seats. Some see it as a naked political move to shore up her future on the board.
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The motion by Murman to study the idea was 
rejected by commissioners.
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"Blatant political move by a Republican running for a countywide seat in a Democratic year. #FlipTheCommission and send Murman into political retirement!" Dave Cutler President at Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus

Florida GOP Federal Judge Does Not Play Games

Florida GOP challenged a federal judge’s order that Florida must change the process used to restore voting rights to former prisoners.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi, acting on behalf of  Rick Scott and the state’s clemency board, appealed the judge’s decision to block the state’s current system of forcing ex-felons to wait at least five years before they can ask for the right to vote. U.S. District Mark Walker had given Scott and state officials until April 26 to create a new process, but attorneys working for Bondi asked that Walker’s order be placed on hold while the case moves to a federal appeals court in Atlanta.
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Hours after the appeal was made, Walker turned down Florida’s request to put the case on hold and said this “court does 
not play games.
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“Rather than comply with the requirements of the United States Constitution, defendants continue to insist they can do whatever they want with hundreds of thousands of Floridians’ voting rights and absolutely zero standards,” Walker wrote. “They ask this Court to stay its prior orders. No.” here
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They can see the ass whooping coming!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Las Vegas Rays?

After decades of being shaken down by sports franchises, their billionaire owners, and professional sports leagues, sensible cities are refusing to pay subsidies to keep or lure a professional sports team.
There is one exception: Las Vegas.  It appears to be the most likely destination for a Tampa Bay Rays franchise desperate to feed at some public trough. here
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They can join my favorite team 
since childhood
The Oakland Raiders!

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet Tim

Manatee County Dreamer Looks Forward To a Future In Politics

Florida’s Rick Scott Busted In Corporate Welfare Scheme

His administration’s Department of Economic Opportunity in 2014 violated federal law to make a deal to provide financial incentives to a U.S. company with ties to the Russian maker of the Kalashnikov semi-automatic assault rifle, which at the time was subject to sanctions put in place by the U.S. government.
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it offered $162,000 in tax refund incentives to Kalashnikov USA for 54 jobs. It is located in a non-descript 40,000 square foot facility in 
Pompano Beach. here

Words From Asher Edelson

"We have two more opportunities to advocate for term limits and police body cameras in the City of Tampa. I appreciate Charter Commissioners Michael Stephens and Bill Carlson motioning for bias training to ensure accountability among city officials." Asher Edelson
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The Tampa Charter Review Commission meets again from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 11 and April 25 in City Council chambers at 
315 E Kennedy Blvd. here
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info

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Sex Workers Rally In Tampa


Syd

Z

Mikayla

D'Angelo


Thank you Tim Canova

He’s leaving the Democratic Party and abandoning his primary challenge of Wasserman Schultz. He hopes to appear on the November ballot as a no party affiliation candidate against her.
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It's about time someone told the truth
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“I am not screwing the Democratic Party. It has screwed over too many ordinary Americans and it has screwed over too many progressive candidates.”
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Debbie Wasserman Schultz, is a “corporate, robot politician;” She “is the kiss of death. She is the albatross around this party.” He called her a “menace” to Florida, the nation and the world.
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 "The party beats us up, robs us, violates our trust, lies, cheats and steals, and then it says you’ve got nowhere to go. It’s the Republicans or us.”
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Rally at the School Board in Tampa

Chris, Kara, Justin and John










Downtown Tampa

Sky at the Fly Bar


4.25 - 5:30 PM
The Fly Bar - Downtown Tampa

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Hang Out with Andrew Learned In Plant City

4.7 - 3 PM
FL-15 Town Hall for Our Lives
Plant City Public Library
info
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Endorsed by Our Revolution!

Ybor Paparazzi

Devan Cheaves

Andrew Gillum: They Underestimated You

But they underestimated you, and the power of people coming together to support a progressive movement.
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Over 4,000 people just like you came together to fuel our campaign and help us hit our first end-of-quarter goal of 2018 -- and I just want you to know how incredibly grateful and humbled I am for your support. Thank you.
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Thank you for believing in the possibility of building a better Florida, for investing in a brighter future for all of us no matter where we may fall on the economic ladder, and for being a dedicated member of 
Team Gillum. 
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Together, we’re going to keep on moving forward to victory in August and then November. Let’s bring it home, Andrew
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Help him out here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Bacon Cheeseburger
With Onion Strings
At Game Works in Ybor

Tampa Hoods

Forest Hill

Monday, April 2, 2018

Florida Dems: Silence Of The Lambs Part 2

It has been over a week 
since we posted this
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Still not a word by any Progressive groups or individual on Florida Dem Bill Nelson's vote to continue the genocide in Yemen. here
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All we see are comments.
"If we don't support him 
we get Rick Scott."
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FYI. Scott is beating Nelson in most polls. You got to be pretty bad to be losing to Scott in anything, 
don't you think? 
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I am about to become a Democrat so 
I can vote for Andrew Gillum


And Tamika Lyles
A Democrat who is running against Nelson


It can be done, 
ask those Tea Party guys above.
more
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 "The party beats us up, robs us, violates our trust, lies, cheats and steals, and then it says you’ve got nowhere to go. It’s the Republicans or us.” 
Tim Canova

Ybor Paparazzi

Sean Shaw at The Bunker

Florida Right Wing Infestation: Hillsborough County Chapter

This November we can end it!
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Sandy Murman?
Check out Kimberly Overman
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Ken Hagan?
Check out Angela Birdsong
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Victor Crist?
Check out Mariella Smith

Tampa Hoods

Downtown