Sunday, July 12, 2015

Florida GOP Ron DeSantis Is Already Running Scared

Check out his post on Facebook 

Florida INC. - Liesa Priddy

The state pays nearly $1 million a year to biologists to study the Florida panther. Yet when the state's top wildlife official decided to rewrite Florida's panther policy to overhaul how the state manages the endangered cats, he didn't consult them until the document was done. Instead, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission executive director Nick Wiley brainstormed almost exclusively with Immokalee ranch owner Liesa Priddy who was appointed to the wildlife commission in 2012 by Gov. Rick Scott. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Baked Fish
With Black Beans and Yellow Rice
At Havana House Cafe in Lecanto
Visit them here
Stop in and say hello to Megan and Frank

Raven's Bowtique

Custom made bows
here 

Stop Oil Drilling In The Big Cypress National Preserve

A newly proposed project from a Texas oil company, threatens to irreversibly alter the character of the protected area and turn essential habitat into just another oil field crisscrossed with roads and dotted with drill pads. The company has asked for permission to begin seismic surveying -- which itself will require the removal of trees and destruction of habitat on 70,000 acres. Limited drilling is already permitted in the preserve, but this project is unprecedented in its scale and must be stopped. If oil and gas is found, all risks will mushroom. here

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Florida Banana Republicans

37% or 10 of 27 Congressional House seats are held by Dems. 47% of FL 2014 votes were for Dems

The Florida Supreme Court just ruled against the gerrymandering that makes this corruption possible. Those legislators who voted for maps that are deemed unconstitutional should be treated and punished as traitors. The legislators elected by gerrymandering constitute a Banana Republic; they and the laws they pass are illegitimate.

July Solidarity Sunday

July 12th 6pm
It's time for Tampa's monthly worker meetup at Lee's
Lee's Grocery - Tampa

The Sierra Club, Tea Party Love Fest

Kevin Thurman of Connect Tampa Bay, a transit advocacy group, said he hopes the Sierra Club executive committee members who voted on the statement consulted their membership before advocating for a gas tax for road maintenance.
"I find it very concerning and upsetting that the Sierra Club would require a tax for more money for roads before getting more money for transit," Thurman said he was also surprised to see the Sierra Club moving away from partnerships with transit groups and aligning itself with the tea party.

Florida GOP Corruption In 4 Cool Visuals

How the Florida GOP’s gerrymander went too far. here

Florida GOP voters don't forget we got your back!

“John should lay off the scotch … at least until noon.”

Local Hero Diane McKee

A Hillsborough County teacher has been named Florida's Teacher of the Year.
Diane McKee, is an English teacher at Williams Middle Magnet School. She has been a teacher for 14 years, 11 of those in Florida. McKee received the award at a banquet Thursday night in Orlando. here

Friday, July 10, 2015

Deborah Newell Tornello: So much awesome!

"Bernie running for prez, and now Alan Grayson is running for senate. So much awesome!"

Florida's Culture Of Corruption: Wheelbarrows of cash utility companies dump in Tallahassee

Pam Bondi and 
Florida's Chamber of Commerce

Have both joined with mega utility companies to fight a constitutional amendment on solar power that embraces a competitive marketplace.

 The simple truth is Florida's leaders are a bunch of lemmings running in unison in whichever direction the power companies tell them. Utility companies have donated $12 million to the campaigns of state lawmakers since 2010. Seven members of the chamber's board of directors are employed by the electric industry. Power companies are forever trying to gouge consumers — to the tune of billions — for nuclear plant construction and fracking operations.

The bottom line is this wouldn't be a problem if the Public (Corporate) Service Commission did its job and actually regulated electric monopolies. Or if state legislators showed more interest in reining in their sugar daddies. here

FBI Is Now Investigating The Broward County Sheriff's Office

A beloved computer engineer who had never been in trouble a day in his life, Jermaine McBean was shot and killed in the apartment complex where he lived in Broward County, more than two years ago. To this day, the sheriff's office has kept the case in limbo and still not taken the case to a grand jury. It was just announced that the FBI is launching its own probe into McBean's killing. here

Kenny Stabler RIP

The Snake is dead at 69!
Been a Raiders fan since I was 10. He was always my favorite. 

Ken Stabler belongs in Hall of Fame here

So Sad, I will miss him.

Florida GOP Culture Of Corruption

 The Florida Supreme Court took a wrecking ball to Florida’s political landscape Thursday, throwing out the state’s carefully-crafted congressional districts drawn by the GOP-led Legislature and ordered a new map within 100 days. here

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article26860765.html#storylink=cpy

Alan Grayson For U.S. Senate (Video)

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Cruises to Cuba coming to Florida

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Half Slab of Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwich
At Rons Roadside Grille in Garden Grove

I pass this place all the time on my way to Brooksville. It is always packed. My friend and I stopped in for lunch. He had the Pulled Pork and I had the Ribs. I can see why it is a local favorite. The Ribs were perfectly cooked, best Baby Back Ribs I have ever had  and the service was great. Thank you Katherine, we will be back. Visit them on Facebook and like their page. here 

Jeb Bush: People Need to Work Longer Hours

A 2014 Gallup poll found that already many Americans employed full-time report working, on average, 47 hours a week, while nearly 4 in 10 say they work at least 50 hours a week.
US workers work more hours than workers in any other large, industrialized country, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. here

Urbanism On Tap In Tampa

July 14th @ 5pm
Independent Bar and Cafe, Tampa

Marco Rubio: Lower Corporate Tax Rates

Rubio jabbed at Democrats, for policies that he said stifle job growth and "snuff out innovation"  namely, their push for a higher minimum wage and for tax increases on the wealthy. here

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Miami Cuban Mafia Trying To Stop Obama's Cuba Normalization

President Obama’s announcement last week that the U.S. will restore diplomatic relations with communist Cuba on July 20 – and will open an embassy there a few days after – is angering the MCM. Their options to stop the Administration are limited. But they’re moving against Obama’s new engagement policy nonetheless, and it’s shaping up as one of the summer’s big political battles. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch


Chicken Kabobs
With Yellow Rice and Salad
At La Pita Lebanese Taverna in Tampa

How Much Did Pam Bondi Spend Fighting Gay Marriage?

State Rep. David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) wants to know what the Sunshine State spent fighting equal marriage rights for the past several years. here 

Heights Unites Benefit Bonanza 2015

September 26 - 2pm
To benefit the The Centre for Girls - Tampa!

C4G is safe space in Seminole Heights where girls can play, learn, create,  and grow in a nurturing and fun environment. Then, after you complete your hunt, you'll get to party down at MF Arts Ybor with free beer, live music and art, local vendors, food trucks and lots more!

No Love For Rubio In Cuba

"He wants to kill us!"
 Alain Marcelo

"If Marco Rubio becomes president, we're done for. He's against Cuba in every possible way. Hillary Clinton understands much more the case of Cuba. Rubio and these Republicans, they are
still stuck in 1959." 
Héctor Montiel


Miami Cuban Mafia Ezposed

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Christopher Cano Speaks Out

Selfishness, Sellouts, and Insulting Sacrifice

A recent wave of flag burning protest have become viral across the nation. These protestors represent various groups that are protesting racism in America. They say that the American Flag represents oppression and bondage to them, and they are utilizing their First Amendment Rights to burn it in protest. Clearly there is nothing more infuriating and disrespectful to the patriots of this nation than burning the American Flag. As a former member of the United States Air Force, this author finds these so called activists’ actions reprehensible.

Sadly, many of these activists had credibility at one point because they fought for just causes: immigration reform, equal rights, and ending institutionalized racism in America. These are all causes that this author has supported and continues to support, but it is the organizers of these protest that one can no longer support. It is quite ironic that these protestors claim the flag is one of oppression and bondage, yet demand the protection of the First Amendment to protect their right to burn it. They call patriots who condemn them sellouts and Uncle Tom’s. They speak so low of this nation with little regard for the sacrifices made for their Freedom of Speech. America is far from perfect and there are clear inequalities that have been institutionalized in this nation, yet there are men and women from every walk of life that have put on the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Each of these veterans chose to be one color, one voice, and one heart so they could make us a more perfect union.

American Freedom is not some abstract ideal. It is a living concept that is constantly evolving. It has widened its arms to immigrants from every nation, who upon their naturalization swear to defend its Constitution. Yes, American Freedom has its hands stained in the blood of slavery. Yet, it also has its hands stained with the blood of those soldiers who died defending it. Soldiers like the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the 92nd Infantry Division, 332nd Fighter Group, the 65th Infantry Division, Colonel Virgilio Cordero, Lt. Colonel Ray Perez and countless others. So the question must be posed to these organizers who have such disdain for America, are these brave servicemen and women of color who have bled for the stars and stripes, Uncle Tom’s and sellouts in their eyes? Men like General Colin Powell or women like General Marcia Anderson?

Currently there American veterans in Tijuana who have been deported. Men who have bled for the stars and stripes. These brave men have been done a great injustice and this author would gladly trade these organizers in exchange for these brave men. The irony of hiding behind the First Amendment’s guarantee of Free Speech, for burning the same Flag that has real blood shed to protect it, must be lost on these unpatriotic protestors. All one can really take away from their message is they have never been of service to their country.

By Christopher Cano, Community Organizer

Florida Medical Marijuana 2016

Volunteer collecting signatures for petition at the 
Jan Platt Library in Tampa
Have you signed yet?
Pic Thanks to Mayra Figueroa

US - Cuba Friendshipment Caravan

Today - 7pm in St. Pete

Tampa Bay Homeless

Meet Jeff
He is a local, homeless 5 years.

Huge Joint On A Boat In Temple Terrace

The Temple Terrace July 4th parade had a float with a "blunt" message, a giant marijuana joint on a boat. The folks at the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, Ellen Snelling and Amy Ronshausen were not happy. They might as well get use to it. They are on the wrong side of history and they know it.
 Thanks Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, 
you guys are awesome! here

Monday, July 6, 2015

Hang Out With Tampa Bay's Leading Activists

Want to hang out with some of Tampa Bay's leading activists? Then come to Lee's Grocery on Central Ave in Tampa for Norwood Orrick's monthly worker meetup.
GREAT CRAFT BEERS AND THE BEST PIZZA IN TOWN!

Sunday July 12th @ 6pm
RSVP here

Beware: Florida GOP Posing As Dems

Besides Patrick Murphy,
Milagro Canizares
is the latest Democrat (DINO).
She is seeking the District 9 seat on the Broward County Commission.
She is actually a registered Republican living in Palm Beach County.  

Canizares gave an Boynton Beach address. Voter databases show Canizares is a registered Republican in Miami-Dade County. Despite signing a legal document on June 25, 2015 claiming to be a Democrat, Canizares admitted she is still a registered Republican. “I will take care of it next week, I am looking for a job right now.” Canizares said. here

The Infestation Continues!

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Mongolian Beef
With Fried Rice
At Tung Tung 2 in Land O Lakes
Visit them here

Florida's Culture Of Corruption Pam Bondi: No Solar In Florida

Pam Bondi's office is asking the Florida Supreme Court to not allow a proposed constitutional amendment to promote solar energy on next year's ballot. here

Floridians for Solar Choice

Florida's Citrus Taliban Pastor Protection' Bill

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Florida Teacher Gets 22 Years For Making Teenage Boys Dreams Come True

Hot For Teacher -  Florida Overkill
Jennifer Fichter, a 30-year-old former Florida teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with teenage students was sentenced Thursday to 22 years in prison. We have real live child rapist and molesters out there. Here we are giving a concensual relationship the same amount of merit as a child rapist. 

One mother spoke in court about how her son and her family are still negatively affected by the inappropriate relationship. What BULL-SHIT! here
What a miscarriage of justice, only in Florida!

American Exceptionalism Report Card


The myth of American Awesomeness

Local Artist Christine Eckerfield



Her exhibition at the The Centre for Girls in Tampa.
Visit her here, like her page on Facebook

St Pete's Courageous 12

In 1965, a dozen black St. Petersburg 
police officers known as the Courageous 12 sued for discrimination – and won.

Ybor Radical Cinema Club: The Working Class Goes to Heaven

July 6 - 7pm
Ybor Daily Market