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Friday, September 11, 2020
Sarasota Environmentalist Katherine Norman's Campaign Launch!
Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 9 AM
Bayfront Park, Sarasota INFO
Walk the John Ringling bridge with us to demand transparency in local government while raising awareness about environmental issues!
School Board Madness
Hello and salutations!
As I watch my former home unravel in political tension and chaos, I shake my head in disappointment. The Hillsborough County School Board is a hotbed for political disaster, terrible candidates, and occasional greatness.
Take the election in District 3 for example. There we have a bonafide progressive, Jessica Vaughn, running to fill the seat against an openly conservative gentleman by the name of Mitch Thrower. It would seem that the obvious choice in this election is Jessica; she supports public education, progressive values, and ending the school to prison pipeline. Mitch, on the other hand, does not support any of these things, and represents the mediocre status quo of the Hillsborough School Board — which, in turn, represents the pungent toxicity of Tampa Bay politics. To continue supporting the diversion of public funds to private interests and accept monies from private prison groups is a bad message.
It is a shame to see former candidates endorse this kind of message. I do not know Ms. Gilmore, though I wish I understood her rationale in supporting more of the same mediocre politics for the School Board. I support Jessica Vaughn and advise you to do the same. Granted, Jessica Vaughn (a friend of mine) has been known to not get along with certain people from the more conservative corners (not necessarily, always “conservative”) of the local Democratic Party. Knowing that, and wanting to elect Democrats (or people who at least support better ideas), why would someone who is a Democrat decide to support the right wing status quo?
I have asked myself this question as it pertains to endorsements. I, for instance, endorsed Sally Harris for the District 7 primaries, even though I no longer vote or live in Tampa Bay. While I personally get along with Sally, and will always respect her decision to oust corrupt former Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia, I am not convinced that I should endorse her again for the general election. She is a Republican, true enough, though she has been engaged with some more than questionable campaign tactics, and was too lenient with a former Superintendent. Lynn Gray has been an ally of public schools, fitness in education, and (my least favorite) has been known to be friendly with the anti-trans Melissa Snively. I am not sure if I should endorse either candidate this go around; based on what would be better for the School Board, I am not certain.
District 1 is an easy one. While I do not know as much about Nadia Combs, I do know that she represents positive change on the School Board more so than Steve Cona, an anti-public school conservative. Why would Democrats support Cona over Combs? Shady business, petty rivalry, some other reason. I am curious to know. I support Nadia Combs and advise you to do the same.
District 5 is a bit tougher. While I like and respect Shake Washington, as well as many of his surrogates, I am more keen to support Tammy Shamburger. While Tammy has a history of not getting along with certain teachers, she also has a remarkable history of getting positive results! Take school lunch as an example, wherein she passed an ordinance to ensure no child would be denied a hot meal due to their financial background. She has championed racial equity in schools, financial discipline, and getting more kids in lower income areas to graduate. She is a true fighter and has done well for the School Board; she, Karen Perez, and (to an extent) Lynn Gray are the only School Board Members who represent positive growth. While I wish Shake well, I do support Tammy Shamburger for re-election and advise you to do the same.
What a mess Tampa politics has become. It has some bright sides, make no mistake. I will post more in the near future, and I apologize for my recent absence on the Stogie. I love this blog and progressive politics, in Tampa as well as my home in Bennington, Vermont. I will have news regarding my political life up here in due time. Until next time...
Stay groovy,
Asher
Florida Dems Beware
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Ericka Leigh Changing The World
I am raising money for The Sewist Society because this is how I'm trying to change the world. Climate change, racial and gender inequalities are all issues inherent in the sewing and textile worlds.
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Our Textile Composting experiment addresses climate change by seeking alternative solutions to landfilling unwanted fabric or shipping it overseas; all while uplifting the skill of sewing, which is most often done by women and women of color.
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Our Textile Composting experiment addresses climate change by seeking alternative solutions to landfilling unwanted fabric or shipping it overseas; all while uplifting the skill of sewing, which is most often done by women and women of color.
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HELP HER HERE
Another Tampa DINO
First they got a big shot with the party donating to him, now they have a looser in the primary endorsing him.
Those wild and crazy Dems
NO WONDER THEY CAN'T WIN ELECTIONS
Jessica Vaughn: Let's talk about my opponent
Let's talk about some of the people who are funding my opponent Mitch Thrower. On 6/25/20 the Florida Leadership Committee donated $1,000 to Mitch Thrower's Campaign. For those who don't know, the Florida Leadership Committee. Florida Leadership Committee is a PAC started by disgraced former state Sen. Jack Latvala who has kept a low public profile since resigning from the Legislature in December of 2018 after investigators revealed a history of sexual harassment and allegations of
public corruption.
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In November 2017, six women accused Latvala of sexually harassing them. These accusations came from female staffers from both parties, as well as lobbyists. Photos also surfaced from a private investigator of Latvala kissing a lobbyist on the lips. The women's complaints describe repeated encroachment by Latvala onto their bodies. One of the women, a legislative staffer, filed a complaint with the Senate. In December 2017, a special master found probable cause that Latvala had inappropriate physical contact with the staffer. The report also found that Latvala may have violated public corruption laws by demanding physical intimacy in exchange for support for lobbyists' legislative initiatives. A separate report by a different investigator found evidence for similar allegations. This is just one example of who is supporting my opponent.
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Please check out my campaign finance report to see who is funding me. On November 3rd, vote for change. Vote for Jessica Vaughn for Hillsborough County School Board 3.
public corruption.
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In November 2017, six women accused Latvala of sexually harassing them. These accusations came from female staffers from both parties, as well as lobbyists. Photos also surfaced from a private investigator of Latvala kissing a lobbyist on the lips. The women's complaints describe repeated encroachment by Latvala onto their bodies. One of the women, a legislative staffer, filed a complaint with the Senate. In December 2017, a special master found probable cause that Latvala had inappropriate physical contact with the staffer. The report also found that Latvala may have violated public corruption laws by demanding physical intimacy in exchange for support for lobbyists' legislative initiatives. A separate report by a different investigator found evidence for similar allegations. This is just one example of who is supporting my opponent.
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Please check out my campaign finance report to see who is funding me. On November 3rd, vote for change. Vote for Jessica Vaughn for Hillsborough County School Board 3.
HELP HER HERE
Ron DeSantis Has Turned Florida Into 1 of the Most Conservative Courts in America
Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, an ardent fan of Trump, may have outdone his hero by assembling a high court more conservative than the U.S. Supreme Court. HERE
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Congratulations Florida Representative Adam Hattersley
Jennifer Webb is up for re-election
Rep. Webb has been an amazing champion for
St. Pete and equality statewide Rep. Webb has been fighting for equality since her first day in office, and we need her to continue that fight for the next two years!
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HELP HER HERE
Tampa DSA
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#1 Finland
#2 Denmark
#3 Norway
#4 Iceland
#5 Netherlands
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Comprises the economic and social policies as well as typical cultural practices common to
the Nordic countries
Denmark
Finland
Iceland
Norway
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
We can do this Charlotte and Sarasota Counties!
Everyday I meet more wonderful people of all party affiliations that are excited to vote
for me November 3rd.
I am so proud of our momentum.
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You can get involved with my campaign
by volunteering and donating.
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From now until November 3rd we will continue to spread our message for compassionate, accountable government!
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HELP HER HERE
FHP clears biker accused of leaving woman to die
Florida Highway Patrol has cleared the man accused of leaving a woman to die along Interstate 95 after she fell off his motorcycle in Pompano Beach. HERE
Monday, September 7, 2020
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