Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Happy Festivus

A Festivus pole at the Florida state capital,
and there’s nothing about it at all that doesn’t scream “Florida!”, including the material the pole’s made out of.A nearly 6-foot-tall pole made from emptied beer cans… will be put up in the Florida Capitol this week as a not-so-subtle protest to the recent placement of
a Christian nativity scene…..more
"A Festivus For The Rest Of Us." Frank Costanza

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet George
He was born and raised in Tampa. He has been homeless 12 years. 

Diaz-Balart Becomes an Immigration Fabulist

 That is the sad case of Diaz-Balart, once an acknowledged leader in the immigration reform movement. His devotion to internal Republican Party politics has converted him into a suspect figure with declining popularity in his GOP-safe seat. He has become the Latino mask of the GOP’s “NO”
on immigration reform — and the voters in his district are not happy.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

The Stogie Party

Tampa Growing Up

Hillsborough County residents predictably ranked traffic congestion, job creation and availability of bus or rail as top-priority planning issues in an interactive survey conducted over three months that planners have begun to analyze......more

Change Becomes Your Unwanted Friend

 Tampa Taxi Shots
was headed back to a life where so much had changed. Just eight years ago when I started the original "Tampa Taxi Shots" it was full of images of friends. Now, most of them are dead. I guess saying goodbye is a natural part of life. Security is not found in repeat motions of your ordered life. It is in knowing that is not possible and change will always be there. Smell the roses before there are no more to smell......more>

ALEC Wants To Tax Our Sunshine

If you dare to put solar panels on your home or business
to save energy and the environment at the same time,
ALEC (The American Legislative Exchange Council)
is coming for you. You see, by getting your energy from the sun
You are deemed a
"Free Rider"
 and will be taxed as such
These very policies are being discussed at the ALEC two day meeting
in Washington this week.......more

They of course have been branded.

 Florida Blue Revolution 2014

Monday, December 9, 2013

Wal-Wart Coming To Seminole Heights

On Hillsborough Ave between 15th St and 19th St
There is a meeting on Tuesday, December 10th at Ragan Park, 1200 E Lake Ave if you want to be heard.......more

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Chopped steak with rice, salad, bread and a Pepsi $10.00.
2200 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte

Rick Scott's Florida

According to the Times and the Miami Herald
Only a fraction of the jobs Scott can truly influence have actually come about. After pledging $266 million in Corporate Welfare (tax relief) for more than 45,000 jobs,
96 percent of the jobs Scott promised have not been created.
According to state records, 46 of the Scott’s deals — almost 14 percent — have failed, with more projects going undeveloped. Many with committed financial incentives are tied up in red tape, while other companies either closed or went bankrupt.

Rep. Alan Grayson Under Attack

The Republicans and their corporate backers spent over $5 million in sewer money to defeat me in 2010. Thanks to people like you, we won back my seat in Congress in 2012. Yet I'm sure the Republicans will try to repeat their success in 2014. But they're underestimating me, and they're underestimating you. When they attack me, they attack you. My secret weapon is you, it's us, it's everyone who is willing to stand up for justice, equality and peace. And together, we will not be cowed,
and we will not be beaten.....more>

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Florida Blue Revolution 2014

Join the revolution, turn Florida blue Nov. 4 2014 
Click here and pick a Candidate

Join The Party
Party Central Ybor City, Florida

GOP 101. How To Talk To Women

This week Politico reported that the National Republican Congressional Committee is trying to teach Republican candidates and their aides what not to say to their female opponents and constituents
We need to elect progressive champions who will stand strong for women's rights, not just rehearse soundbites. For nearly 10 years, Democracy for America has helped elect strong, progressive women -- like Elizabeth Warren -- to offices up and down the ballot. Now we need your support to elect amazing women candidates like Wendy Davis in 2014.
here And don't forget Ruth's List Florida

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Pepper Steak
With Fried Rice
$4.99 at #1 Wok in Punta Gorda

America's Best Christian Betty Bowers Explains Traditional Marriage


Saturday, December 7, 2013

international Embarrassment For Florida

Bring Voting Rights in Florida Up to International Standards
The United Nations is set to review U.S. voting rights, and Florida's disenfranchisement of people with past felony convictions is certain to stick out like a sore thumb, unless something changes next week. Those restrictions are now under international scrutiny and could lead to international embarrassment for Florida.
But the state has one last chance to get it right. 
tell Gov. Scott and the Clemency Board to restore voting rights in Florida and avoid international embarrassment for our state. Here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Shrimp in Garlic Sauce
With fried rice.
$4.99 at #1 Wok in Punta Gorda.

Corporate Welfare

In Tampa

Shop local for your Christmas Tree

Friday, December 6, 2013

Bill Nelson Wants Feds To Look At Ken Detzner's Voter Suppression Efforts

Accusing Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner of trying to “suppress the vote” in an upcoming special congressional election in Pinellas County, Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson said Wednesday he wants the U.S. Department of Justice to look into whether Florida is violating federal law......more

Sad State Of The Florida Democratic Party

Less than a year until the general elections, it appears the Florida Senate will feature more of the same after November 2014. Not a single senator faces term limits in 2014 and only one of the current incumbents has drawn a major challenger. With Republicans controlling the Senate, it appears Democrats will be hard-pressed to flip the chamber next year. So far, most Republican incumbents in the Senate are cruising to victory in 2014 with next to no Democratic opposition......more
Why isn't Allison Tant doing her job, why isn't Debbie Wasserman Schultz doing hers?

Nelson Mandela RIP


1918 - 2013

Bondi Argues For Her Political Career

The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments today on a medical marijuana ballot initiative proposed for the upcoming 2014 election. Backers of the proposed amendment, People United For Medical Marijuana,
say the politicians arguing against it are twisting the truth in the amendment's wording to prevent the ill and suffering from legally benefiting from relief that medical marijuana provides. But that's not the only reason they oppose it.
Over 80% of Floridians favor legalizing medical marijuana, as does Democrat Charlie Crist. For years, legislators in Tallahassee have blocked laws for it, but as other states legalize it, it's only become more popular. Yet
 
Pam Bondi, House Speaker Will Weatherford, Rick Scott,
and others are actively opposing it. Why? Do they believe, as they claim, that it could lead to de facto "unfettered" marijuana legalization under the guise of compassionate medicine?
"The proposal hides the fact that the Amendment would make Florida one of the most lenient medical-marijuana states," says Bondi's initial court brief.
Hardly. Bondi's public reasoning against it hides the fact that those opposed to the amendment are Republicans who back Rick Scott and Pam Bondi. That is the actual driving force behind their opposition. Those who favor it tend to vote for Democrats, which could translate to larger Democratic turnout......more 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Tampa Fast Food Worker Protest

 


 


 At the KFC on Busch Blvd. in front of Busch Gardens.

Operation Gimme Shelter


Whales Stranded In Florida Waters

Rescuers worked feverishly Friday to save some of the pilot whales who stranded themselves in shallow waters near the Florida Keys. At least 21 pilot whales were found in an area about 20 miles north of Key West, 13 whales are dead and the count might climb.......more>

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Prime Rib Sandwich
With fries at 
The Burnt Store Grille 3941 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

The Citrus Taliban: Florida Christian Education

Atheists Don’t Understand Gravity Because God Did It
A Reddit user, Dtootho, posted his daughter’s third grade worksheet from a private religious school in Florida. Would you believe that his daughter missed question four? The parent was so ashamed that he posted it on Reddit for the world to see. Of course, the shame was not with the child, but with the school itself!......more>

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Shrimp with lobster sauce 
and fried rice $5.70 at  King House, 27680 Bermont Rd, Punta Gorda

Rick Scott Is Against Florida

Fast Food Workers Tampa Rally

Against all odds, Fast Food Workers are organizing. In one lunch hour,
you could create a tipping point for their campaign.
Yum! Brands, 3509 E Busch Blvd,   
Dec 5 at 4:30 PM
info 

tampa bay homeless

Meet Sheila she is from Boston. She has been homeless 30 years.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Stogie's Smoke Shop

Florida's Father Of The Year

Haider Darwash of Waterford Lakes left his 2-month-old infant alone in his car Thanksgiving night while he and the wife went shopping at Wal-Mart........more> 

Gay Thugs In Fort Lauderdale

Danita Kilcullen, the co-founder of the Fort Lauderdale Tea Party,
voiced her sentiments in an email about Republicans in Broward County specifically the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay conservative group. She likened the pro-gay Republican group to “gay thugs” who have taken over the local Republican party.......more>