Marco Rubio Votes Against Net Neutrality

Senators voted 52 to 47, mostly along party lines, to stop the Federal Communications Commission from repealing the rules that were put in place three years ago under former President Barack Obama. The repeal is scheduled to take effect on June 11. Three Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – joined all 49 Democrats in voting to keep the regulations in place. here

Coffee with Elvis Piggott

First-time candidate Elvis Piggott is finding out just how nasty politics can be. The 30 year-old pastor from Hillsborough County has been in the crosshairs of the political blogosphere multiple times this cycle. Most recently, reports surfaced of a lawsuit filed against the millennial pastor for misrepresenting himself as the booking agent for gospel recording artist Vickie Winans. 

With the Democratic primary just over three months away, Piggott has a lot of damage control to do if he plans on winning the party’s nomination for Hagan’s coveted District 5 seat. For now, the pastor is not worried about the civil proceedings being brought against him, but is rather focusing on the court of public opinion. Piggott says, “These allegations are 100 percent false and erroneous, and this is a political hit job.” Piggott believes this particular hit job was orchestrated by his opponent Mark Nash and it has no legitimacy. The pastor couldn’t go in depth regarding specifics of the lawsuit since it is ongoing, but he says that his innocence will be proven in the coming weeks. 

While Piggott may be trying to be avoid “dirty politics,” it’s clear that a fight may be necessary albeit not desired. “Our campaign is focused on our message and our platform. That’s what the people want to hear. The people are tired of dirty politics as usual and don’t want to see two grown men fighting.” Despite whether or not the public is tired of politics as usual, Piggott’s reaction in the coming days will determine where this fight may be headed.   

Andrew Gillum on 7th Ave

Ybor City
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www.andrewgillum.com

Florida Republicans and Dems on Jerusalem

Here is what these bastards had to say

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Republican Sen. Marco Rubio: “Today is truly a historic day for America’s unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel."

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Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson: “Today we celebrate the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to its appropriate place in Jerusalem."

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U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City: “Like every other sovereign nation, Israel has the right to determine its own capital. The United States is finally recognizing the truth by moving our embassy to the center of freedom in the Middle East and the capital of Israel, Jerusalem.

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U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach: “Opening the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, symbolizes the enduring friendship between our nations.

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U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Delray Beach: “Jerusalem is, and always will be, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. 

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One Democratic supporter of the move — U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton — said he wanted to attend the ceremony but wasn’t invited by the White House.
 Aww poor baby!

here

Ybor City Homeless

15th St.

RUTH’S LIST FLORIDA ENDORSES MARIELLA SMITH

Ruth’s List Florida, the state’s only resource dedicated to recruiting and aiding Democratic women candidates, announced their endorsement of Mariella Smith in the Hillsborough County Commission race, lauding her ongoing commitment to stand up for Florida women and families.

 “Mariella Smith is a small business owner and a dynamic leader who supports equal opportunity for all and stands up to powerful special interests” said Pam Goodman, Ruth’s List Florida Executive Director. “The Ruth’s List community – now tens of thousands members strong – is excited to support her candidacy.” 

"I am grateful for the grassroots help Ruth’s List Florida provides Democratic women in Florida," said Mariella Smith. "I’m proud to accept their endorsement and the endorsement of the tens of thousands of Ruth’s List members and supporters who believe, like I do, that Florida leaders should advocate for improvements to transportation and transit, support smart growth management, protect our environment, and make sure our government works for all citizens.”

Visit her here

Florida's Culture Of Corruption: Brenda Snipes

Brenda Snipes  elections supervisor in Florida’s second-most populous county broke state and federal law by unlawfully destroying ballots cast in Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s 2016 Democratic primary, a judge ruled Friday in a case brought by the congresswoman’s challenger who wanted to check for voting irregularities.

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After Tim Canova lost his Aug. 30, 2016 primary to Wasserman Schultz, Canova began voicing doubts when documentary filmmaker Lulu Friesdat posted a blog item calling the results of the primary race between Canova and Wasserman Schultz “improbable.” here

Progressives Fume at Buesing Betrayal; Cruz Cabal in Full Panic Mode

The Florida Democratic Party is begging for “unity” after its meddling transformed a very flippable Florida Senate race into an utter longshot.
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An email,  sent by Buesing, asks recipients to attend an “Evening of Democratic Unity”  next week at a local Tampa eatery.  The invitation says the event will “feature” Buesing’s replacement and corporatist puppet State Rep. Janet Cruz with Buesing as “special guest.”
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The aggrieved progressives in the party are having none of the blatant rescue attempt. The meddlers, FDC chairman Terrie Rizzo and corporatist Alex Sink, who caused this potential election disaster are in full panic mode realizing they alienated progressives who comprise at least a third of their base and who are reliable voters.
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Those who supported Bob Buesing’s 2018 effort to unseat incumbent Republican Dana Young and provided a volunteer army are rightfully livid. Buessing withdrew his candidacy after pressure and a promise from Rizzo and Sink.
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By Jim Bleyer
more

Chillum - Ybor City

Ybor City, Florida

Grand opening

Friday 12 PM 

Across the street from The Bad Monkey

Central Florida NORML

Only candidate  for full Marijuana legalization

Jane Castor: Horse in Ybor City Bar - Good Public Relations Or Intimidation?

2013: Police horse goes bar hopping through Ybor City

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A Tampa Police officer was caught on tape walking his horse through Habibi's Hookah Bar on 7th Avenue. A crowded Ybor City bar, and the police chief said 
she approves of it.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said, 

"It's good public relations." Source 

Award Winning Children's Author Cathy Finch White Coming To Tampa

5.17 - 5:30 PM

Embassy Suites - Brandon

Visit her here

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She will be hosting

Sky U. White

Campaign Kickoff

info

Jane Castor’s Deception

Rick Baker’s 2017 makeover was a fashion fail and earned him ridicule.  The original favorite according to polls, Baker got waxed in the St. Pete’s mayoral race. Could Jane Castor’s new softer look make voters forget her awful tenure as Tampa police chief?

 By Tom Rask, Tampa Bay Guardian with Jim Bleyer

more

Rick Scott Funded by Mitch McConnell

Ybor Paparazzi

Ericka

Vern Buchanan: Bought by the Gun Lobby

Happy Mother's Day Deanna Hardy-Joseph

Help her seek justice for her son!

here

Rick Scott's Culture Of Corruption

Reclaiming My Mind: Pat Kemp

Episode 06: Shining a Light on Democracy 

and the Hillsborough County Commission

Ybor Paparazzi

Joe Kotvas

Circle of Mothers Tampa Bay

"Oftentimes, I question and wonder about the the tragedy and death of my 14 year old son Andrew Joseph, III and the grand scheme of things that compromise and destroy many of our children's lives, I wonder how do we smile when we live in pain, How we are expected to say we are okay but really we are not." 
Deanna Hardy-Joseph

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Visit them here

Voices For Palestine In Temple Terrace

Fowler Ave and 56th St. - Temple Terrace

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Rally for Al Nakba

here
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Video credit: Glen Eich

Coffee with Joe Kotvas

In the early eighties, Joe Kotvas was a well-respected County Commissioner with dreams of political grandeur. The former Tampa Police Officer and City Council Member had envisioned a future that led him to the White House. However, his ambitions were quickly shattered on February 1, 1983 when Kotvas was arrested by the FBI in what is perhaps one of the most infamous cases of corruption in local government.

Kotvas served 5 years of a 12-year sentence in federal prison for his part in taking bribes to secure favorable zoning votes. He has continuously maintained his innocence. The former County Commissioner has repeatedly declared that he was set up and framed on bribery and corruption charges as part of a witch hunt designed to put dozens of prominent people who did business with the government in prison.

Now at 75 years old, Kotvas is chasing his political dreams again. He hopes this time around that Hillsborough County residents will read his book and give him the chance to finish the job the FBI cut short 35 years ago.