Storm Enterprise

To:The Florida Democratic Party Re: My Letter of Resignation

2012-01-23T22:16:00.004-05:00

To:The Florida Democratic Party

Re: My Letter of Resignation

Dear Rod Smith and the Florida Democratic Party,

My name is Scott R. Goodlin & I am a Registered Democrat in Jefferson County Florida. I am writing to tell you that under your predecessor the Honorable Karen Thurman I worked my fingers to the bone & fought alongside many other Democrats that felt our way of life is the correct way to govern the Country. During your time, there have been many minuet things that have bugged me about the way you have ran your administration and I have let them go by. My families roots are very deep in the both the State & National Democratic Party with Senator Bob Graham even citing my Grandmother as a major reason he was elected to office the first time, sling-shotting him to his second office.

However I will get straight to the point of this post. I made a promise to myself last year as Chairwoman Thurman was stepping down that should Jon Ausman, after the lies and swindling he indulged in with Jeff Greene & his campaign AS WELL AS the race baiting he was involved in with the Leon County Democratic party that I would renounce my standing within the Florida Democratic Party. This day, I am coming to terms with that statement and am prepared to stand by it.

I am tired of people within YOUR Democratic party believing that attending a rally will change the world and leadership in your administration allowing them to think that. As a former student of Tallahassee Community College who was one of the only people to hold all 4 positions from Sergeant at Arms to President and then going on to become the youngest Vice Chair in the Jefferson County party history, my passion cannot be challenged as to who side I believe is right. My enthusiasm was beyond measure & I followed without exception to try to further our cause. I will no longer organize or attend rallys, Attempt to be a "Neighborhood Leader", or work for any campaign.

As most people know, my heart and soul was with Hillary Clinton and her campaign and as asked when Secretary of State Clinton instructed that leading Barack Obama into office was what was the best for the party, I did it. I will no longer attempt to be an activist giving of my body & soul everything I have for the ultimate goal. I ended up physically ill from it in 2008, asking no recognition or wanting no personal reward other than the right people leading this country.

While I thank the chosen few with whom I would have never been involved, I wish more people within the party had their type of welcoming personality and not out for themselves. Kenneth Quinnell, Alison Morano, Dave Arronberg, Millie Smith, Karen Thurman & Rep. Scott & Ms. Susannah Randolph are the main people who are involved with my initiation and continued involvement and I forever thank them.

I will continue to write, and express what I believe is right from a political standpoint. I was lucky enough many moons ago to be eligible to write for the Florida Progressive Coalition and will continue to associate with friends I have made during my time. However as I stated The Florida Democratic Party's decision to protect the cowardice, the lying and the disgracefulness of the decisions that Jon Ausman has made is disgusting. You write that "you remain convinced that he engaged in conduct that was detrimental to the Leon County DEC" however you believe that in not so many words he has learned his lesson. I will not go into the logistics of how I personally feel about slapping somebody on the hands who deals within race baiting but know that I find it completely offensive & find no place within the Democratic Party moreover, the world. The fact that that you have made it seem that he is beyond reproach is unacceptable and I am sorry that it has come to this.

In closing I quote one of the greatest Americans, John F. Kennedy:

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

I live by what I believe the Democratic Party has the ability to be, the bullet proof shield that will always protect the American People. Unfortunately, I do not believe that is what you bring to the table.

Scott R "Storm" Goodlin

It's Been Awhile

2011-08-25T19:46:00.002-04:00

Evening all,

It's been awhile eh? I have decided hat I am going to try to keep this up again. However I doubt its going to be a straight up political blog and more about the journey of my life. Things I like and things I dont. Politics may come up every now and again, plus I may show some awesome links like Jason Sauer's brainchild Baller's on Budget's where you can find great tips to live financially like it's 1995 in 2011. You should really check it out.

Well since I have talked to you last, I have gotten engaged, Kenneth Quinnell has moved in with me and things are looking up. Still though, I'm the same guy which is pretty cool. Defiantly thought changes were coming but nope

I Have Sex

2011-03-09T23:38:00.001-05:00

Hey America, I got some News for you.......

Reaction to Wisconsin

2011-03-09T23:35:00.000-05:00

Awake the State - Cartoon

2011-03-07T17:13:00.001-05:00

MRV @ The Pro Union Rally

2011-03-02T23:20:00.003-05:00

MRV @ The Pro Union Rally

2011-03-02T23:20:00.001-05:00

Ozzy Grants a Wish

2011-02-16T18:43:00.001-05:00

Just a Heartfelt show of Kindness

Legicamp 2011

2011-02-13T15:56:00.001-05:00

After spending the day with Ray Seaman from Progress Florida, Kenneth Quinnell from FPC, & Mario Piscatella from DFA, we accomplished a ton of high quality educating here in Orange County. Classes on Social Media to Messaging in alot of different subjects. If you were not here, you missed a great opportunity to gain helpful knowledge. I am leaving here feeling much more informed than when I came. Met some great candidates that I can't wait to work with. Ray is setting up a great protest for March 8th that I have been assigned to lead the Tallahassee branch for. If you have never been to an unconference, you really should try it.

My Favorite SuperBowl Ad

2011-02-07T19:44:00.001-05:00

Welcome Back

Rick Scott Buys the State of Florida

2011-02-03T19:06:00.001-05:00

Just because there is an opportunity to get a Million Dollar Man Reference in Here, Here you go.

I'M STILL ALIVE!

2011-02-01T21:06:00.003-05:00

Kinda Scary

2011-01-12T21:52:00.001-05:00

So A Scarry Upsetting Tweet. Be prepared:

We Can Do Better

2011-01-12T21:27:00.001-05:00

By Barack Obama

Courtesy of MSNBC.COM

TUCSON, Ariz. — Remarks of President Barack Obama, as delivered Wednesday at the "Together We Thrive" memorial service for the victims of the Jan. 8 attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords that killed six and wounded 13, including the congresswoman:

"To the families of those we've lost; to all who called them friends; to the students of this university, the public servants gathered tonight, and the people of Tucson and Arizona: I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow.

"There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts. But know this: the hopes of a nation are here tonight. We mourn with you for the fallen. We join you in your grief. And we add our faith to yours that Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the other living victims of this tragedy pull through.

"As Scripture tells us:

'There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.'

"On Saturday morning, Gabby, her staff, and many of her constituents gathered outside a supermarket to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and free speech. They were fulfilling a central tenet of the democracy envisioned by our founders — representatives of the people answering to their constituents, so as to carry their concerns to our nation's capital. Gabby called it "Congress on Your Corner" — just an updated version of government of and by and for the people.

"That is the quintessentially American scene that was shattered by a gunman's bullets. And the six people who lost their lives on Saturday — they too represented what is best in America.

"Judge John Roll served our legal system for nearly 40 years. A graduate of this university and its law school, Judge Roll was recommended for the federal bench by John McCain 20 years ago, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, and rose to become Arizona's chief federal judge. His colleagues described him as the hardest-working judge within the Ninth Circuit. He was on his way back from attending Mass, as he did every day, when he decided to stop by and say hi to his representative. John is survived by his loving wife, Maureen, his three sons, and his five grandchildren.

"George and Dorothy Morris — "Dot" to her friends — were high school sweethearts who got married and had two daughters. They did everything together, traveling the open road in their RV, enjoying what their friends called a 50-year honeymoon. Saturday morning, they went by the Safeway to hear what their congresswoman had to say. When gunfire rang out, George, a former Marine, instinctively tried to shield his wife. Both were shot. Dot passed away.

"A New Jersey native, Phyllis Schneck retired to Tucson to beat the snow. But in the summer, she would return East, where her world revolved around her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 year-old great-granddaughter. A gifted quilter, she'd often work under her favorite tree, or sometimes sew aprons with the logos of the Jets and the Giants to give out at the church where she volunteered. A Republican, she took a liking to Gabby, and wanted to get to know her better.

"Dorwan and Mavy Stoddard grew up in Tucson together — about seventy years ago. They moved apart and started their own respective families, but after both were widowed they found their way back here, to, as one of Mavy's daughters put it, "be boyfriend and girlfriend again." When they weren't out on the road in their motor home, you could find them just up the road, helping folks in need at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ. A retired construction worker, Dorwan spent his spare time fixing up the church along with their dog, Tux. His final act of selflessness was to dive on top of his wife, sacrificing his life for hers.

"Everything Gabe Zimmerman did, he did with passion — but his true passion was people. As Gabby's outreach director, he made the cares of thousands of her constituents his own, seeing to it that seniors got the Medicare benefits they had earned, that veterans got the medals and care they deserved, that government was working for ordinary folks. He died doing what he loved — talking with people and seeing how he could help. Gabe is survived by his parents, Ross and Emily, his brother, Ben, and his fiancée, Kelly, who he planned to marry next year.

"And then there is nine year-old Christina Taylor Green. Christina was an A student, a dancer, a gymnast, and a swimmer. She often proclaimed that she wanted to be the first woman to play in the major leagues, and as the only girl on her Little League team, no one put it past her. She showed an appreciation for life uncommon for a girl her age, and she would remind her mother, "We are so blessed. We have the best life." And she'd pay those blessings back by participating in a charity that helped children who were less fortunate.

"Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing. Our hearts are broken — and yet, our hearts also have reason for fullness.

"Our hearts are full of hope and thanks for the 13 Americans who survived the shooting, including the congresswoman many of them went to see on Saturday. I have just come from the University Medical Center, just a mile from here, where our friend Gabby courageously fights to recover even as we speak. And I want to tell you this, a few minutes after we left her room, Gabby opened her eyes for the first time... She opened her eyes for the first time. She knows we're here and she knows we love her and she knows that we will be rooting for her throughout what undoubtedly will be a difficult journey.

"And our hearts are full of gratitude for those who saved others. We are grateful for Daniel Hernandez, who is a hero, a volunteer in Gabby's office who ran through the chaos to minister to his boss, tending to her wounds to keep her alive. We are grateful for the men who tackled the gunman as he stopped to reload. We are grateful for a petite 61 year-old, Patricia Maisch, who wrestled away the killer's ammunition, undoubtedly saving some lives. And we are grateful for the doctors and nurses and first responders who worked wonders to heal those who'd been hurt. We are grateful to them.

"These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, all around us, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, just waiting to be summoned — as it was on Saturday morning.

"Their actions, their selflessness, also pose a challenge to each of us. It raises the question of what, beyond the prayers and expressions of concern, is required of us going forward. How can we honor the fallen? How can we be true to their memory?

"You see, when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations — to try to impose some order on the chaos, and make sense out of that which seems senseless. Already we've seen a national conversation commence, not only about the motivations behind these killings, but about everything from the merits of gun safety laws to the adequacy of our mental health systems. Much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self-government.
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"But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals.

"Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world, and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding. In the words of Job, "when I looked for light, then came darkness." Bad things happen, and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath.

"For the truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man's mind.

"Yes, we have to examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of such violence in the future.

"But what we can't do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. That we cannot do. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.

"After all, that's what most of us do when we lose somebody in our family — especially if the loss is unexpected. We're shaken out of our routines, and forced to look inward. We reflect on the past. Did we spend enough time with an aging parent, we wonder. Did we express our gratitude for all the sacrifices they made for us? Did we tell a spouse just how desperately we loved them, not just once in a while but every single day?

"So sudden loss causes us to look backward — but it also forces us to look forward, to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us. We may ask ourselves if we've shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame — but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.

"That process of reflection, of making sure we align our values with our actions — that, I believe, is what a tragedy like this requires. For those who were harmed, those who were killed — they are part of our family, an American family 300 million strong. We may not have known them personally, but we surely see ourselves in them. In George and Dot, in Dorwan and Mavy, we sense the abiding love we have for our own husbands, our own wives, our own life partners. Phyllis - she's our mom or grandma; Gabe, our brother or son. In Judge Roll, we recognize not only a man who prized his family and doing his job well, but also a man who embodied America's fidelity to the law. In Gabby, we see a reflection of our public spiritedness, and that desire to participate in that sometimes frustrating, sometimes contentious, but always necessary and never-ending process to form a more perfect union.

"And in Christina … in Christina we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic and full of magic.

"So deserving of our love.

"And so deserving of our good example. If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost. Let's make sure it's not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and pettiness that drifts away in the next news cycle.

"The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives — to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let us remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, it did not, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud. It should be because we want to live up to the example of public servants like John Roll and Gabby Giffords, who knew first and foremost that we are all Americans, and that we can question each other's ideas without questioning each other's love of country, and that our task, working together, is to constantly widen the circle of our concern so that we bequeath the American dream to future generations.
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"They believe and I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved lives here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.

""That's what I believe, in part because that's what a child like Christina Taylor Green believed. Imagine, imagine for a moment: here was a young girl who was just becoming aware of our democracy; just beginning to understand the obligations of citizenship; just starting to glimpse the fact that someday she too might play a part in shaping her nation's future. She had been elected to her student council; she saw public service as something exciting, something hopeful. She was off to meet her congresswoman, someone she was sure was good and important and might be a role model. She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted.

"I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us — we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations.

"Christina was given to us on September 11th, 2001, one of 50 babies born that day to be pictured in a book called "Faces of Hope." On either side of her photo in that book were simple wishes for a child's life. 'I hope you help those in need,' read one. 'I hope you know all of the words to the National Anthem and sing it with your hand over your heart. I hope you jump in rain puddles.'

"If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today. And here on Earth, we place our hands over our hearts, as we commit ourselves as Americans to forging a country that is forever worthy of her gentle, happy spirit.

"May God bless and keep those we've lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America."

"So sudden loss causes us to look backward — but it also forces us to look forward, to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us. We may ask ourselves if we've shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame — but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.

"That process of reflection, of making sure we align our values with our actions — that, I believe, is what a tragedy like this requires. For those who were harmed, those who were killed — they are part of our family, an American family 300 million strong. We may not have known them personally, but we surely see ourselves in them. In George and Dot, in Dorwan and Mavy, we sense the abiding love we have for our own husbands, our own wives, our own life partners. Phyllis - she's our mom or grandma; Gabe, our brother or son. In Judge Roll, we recognize not only a man who prized his family and doing his job well, but also a man who embodied America's fidelity to the law. In Gabby, we see a reflection of our public spiritedness, and that desire to participate in that sometimes frustrating, sometimes contentious, but always necessary and never-ending process to form a more perfect union.

"And in Christina … in Christina we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic and full of magic.

"So deserving of our love.

"And so deserving of our good example. If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let's make sure it's worthy of those we have lost. Let's make sure it's not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and pettiness that drifts away in the next news cycle.

"The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives — to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let us remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, it did not, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud. It should be because we want to live up to the example of public servants like John Roll and Gabby Giffords, who knew first and foremost that we are all Americans, and that we can question each other's ideas without questioning each other's love of country, and that our task, working together, is to constantly widen the circle of our concern so that we bequeath the American dream to future generations.

It's Just a Game

2011-01-11T22:18:00.000-05:00

by Leaflet

Our thoughts on the Arizona Shooting

2011-01-09T09:49:00.002-05:00

A joint Vlog from the FPC'S Kenneth Quinnell & Storm from Storm Enterprise

Rick Scott's First Day

2011-01-06T13:10:00.001-05:00

by Leaflet
Here is the inspiration

Not Sure If Serious : RNC CHAIRMANS RACE.

2011-01-04T23:12:00.004-05:00

Saw this on Stewart. This Video is priceless. You will never hear me say this again but Mad Props to Tucker Carlson for keeping it together.

Interview with Protester

2011-01-04T20:54:00.001-05:00

Protester at Rick Scott Rally

"I Don't Care" - The Rick Scott Inauguration (video)

2011-01-04T19:43:00.001-05:00

by Leaflet

Inauguration Coverage

2011-01-04T18:29:00.003-05:00

For those of you not "Lucky" enough to be in Tallahassee at the Inauguration, Here is what you missed.....

Lee Greenwood singing "God Bless the USA"

Adam Putnam New AG. Commissioner

Jeff Atwater New CFO

Pam Bondi New AG

Jennifer Carroll New LT Gov.

Rick Scott New Fl Gov followed by Inaugural Speech

The even more updated Rick Scott Inauguration Donors list

2011-01-04T01:24:00.000-05:00

By Leaflet

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, $25,000

(You know this is for Rick Scott, right?)

Liberty Partners, $25,000

(It turns out they don't like liberty very much)

United Automobile Insurance Co., $25,000

(Insuring cars before people since 1922)

FL Optometrists Association*, $25,000

(We don't care if you're blind, unless you mean literally)

The Villages, $25,000

(I knew this was an M.Night Shyamalan movie)

Sun Corn, Inc., $25,000

(Great to know an ingredient that's in everything doesn't want to be bothered by "big government standards")

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25,000

(I prefer Dunder Mifflin)

Progress Energy, $25,000

(Doesn't Scott use the word progress as double-speak for "socialism?")

Florida Transportation Builders’ Association, Inc., $25,000

(Now we can build a bridge to nowhere in FL - I can see Cuba from my house!)

21st Century Oncology, LLC, $25,000

(By next year they can call themselves 12th Century Alchemy LLC)

Office Depot, $25,000

(Rick Scott didn't remember that Staples carries the "easy" button)

USAA, $25,000

("Real" Americans say America twice)

Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, $15,000

(...Too easy)

Guarantee Insurance Company, $10,000

(I guarantee that we can't guarantee anything)

Keiser University, $10,000

(Keiser is the top 12! ... for online universities)

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., $10,000

(Who did Scott appoint for Emergency Management? Bryan Koon, who works for Walmart. Maybe we can union-bust storms for trying to happen simultaneously)

Preferred Medical Plan, $10,000

(You'll prefer us because we tell you to)

Richard Beard, $5,000

(What are you, a lumberjack?)

Hoe Brown, $5,000

(Just like wasting the cash, don't you Hoe? I just couldn't help myself)

ABC Liquors, Inc., $5,000

(If there's one thing Florida will collectively need after Scott is in office, it's whiskey)

More stuff from Leaflet blog

Full list of donors here
Sources:
FPC
Scott Carroll Inaugural

My Bad.

2011-01-03T22:53:00.003-05:00

Wanted to say sorry about the lack of blogging lately. Have a huge Charity Wrestling tournament that I am organizing in Memory of my sister and it is taking up a ton of my time. I am going to be covering the Inauguration tomorrow and it is obvious that we will not have a lack of things to write about with this inauguration with full video and such.

Florida Action Alert - Fight the Racial Profiling Bill

2011-01-03T15:26:00.002-05:00

The proposed immigration bill is an Orwellian reality minus the tantalizing dystopian sci-fi setting. A personal example is when I crossed Arizona from Las Vegas; the patrols that stop you look through the windows of your car. If you're white, they leave you alone. If you're anything else, they don't. Go ahead and label having a conscience as "un-American" but I find it a moral imperative to see that doesn't keep happening. Can you bring the ruckus to the upcoming Town Hall meetings?

Tallahassee:

Senate Judiciary Chair Anitere Flores of Miami will host the 3 p.m. Jan. 10 hearing "designed to provide senators with a factual framework (lulz) for evaluating and debating immigration policy proposals during the 2011 Regular Session,” a press release says.

City Hall
300 South Adams Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-891-0000

Palm City

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
CUMMINGS LIBRARY
2551 SW Matheson Ave., Palm City, Florida

Deadline to sign up to speak at this town hall meeting is this Wednesday January 5 (Contact Representative Snyder’s district office at (772) 221-4904 or kimberly.brown@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative William Snyder will hold a town hall meeting to solicit public input for his proposed immigration legislation. Due to the anticipated number of speakers, three (3) minutes will be allotted per speaker.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation or an interpreter to participate in the proceedings should notify Kimberly Brown at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Use of the library meeting rooms does not imply library endorsement of the aims, policies, or activities of any group using the room.

Click here to "Like" the facebook page

More sources:

Haridopolos announces first immigration-reform hearing
http://www.talgov.com/

Could lowering the age of retirement also aid the concerns of the G.O.P?

2011-01-02T19:09:00.000-05:00

by Leaflet

Senate candidates like Florida-elected Marco Rubio partly campaigned on the issue of raising the age of retirement to 70 from it's current age of 65-67. Another complaint reverberating from his supporters, though, is that state workers jobs are overly protected and held by under-qualified employees due to seniority. What if there were a way to make jobs more available, tighten the labor market and increase Social Security income?

It's speculated that lowering the retirement age could be a more powerful stimulus. Current baby boomers (including state employees) would be dismissed, while work will open up for college and high school graduates that can't find jobs. Graduates can pay off their student loans sooner and if fewer people are searching for jobs the labor market tightens, which creates higher wages. Higher wages rakes in higher tax revenues; income which would pay for Social Security. The incentive for retirement is to increase benefits by 10-20%, equating benefits with America's inflation rate.

A reasonable explanation, so why is it the GOP continues to tout the opposite?

Nicholas Ruiz on lowering the retirement age in this 2010 debate

Not sure if Serious: Senate Republicans Hate First Responders

2010-12-16T23:21:00.003-05:00

CHURCH AND STATE ASSHOLE! SENATORS CHOSE STATE! YOU KEEP YOUR ASS IN THAT DAMN CHAIR AND GET THOSE BRAVE PEOPLE WHO RAN TO THOSE BUILDINGS WHEN EVEN THE FUcKING RATS WERE RUNNING AWAY AND YOU GET THEM SOME DAMN MEDICAL HELP! THEY ARE PAYING OUT THE ASS AND DYING FROM BULLSHIT WE ELECTED & PAID YOU TO PREVENT. DO YOU THINK IT DISRESPECTS THE FIREFIGHTERS AND COPS TO WORK ON CHRISTMAS? HELL NO! HOW DARE YOU REPUBLICANS EVEN THINK OF FILIBUSTERING THE 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS BILL. DEATH IS DEFINED AS THE END OF THE HUMAN DISEASE. AS IN THE END OF EVERYTHING YOU CARE ABOUT. IF YOU STAND AGAINST THIS BILL, I HOPE THEY BUILD THE DEEPEST DARKEST MOST PAINFUL LEVEL OF HELL AND YOU ARE SENT THERE WITHOUT PASSING GO AND NOT COLLECTING $200.

AND I'M OUT!

Man Shoots up School Board Meeting because Wife fired from Budget Cuts

2010-12-14T23:41:00.000-05:00

So yes, I blame the Republicans on this for the lack of funding and continuing cuts of Public Education.

Meet David

2010-12-12T18:29:00.003-05:00

By Leaflet

David is a Veteran of the Vietnam war

While I was doing some holiday browsing I had just left a gaming store parallel to a Walmart parking lot, where David asked me for change. He said that he was hungry and like most people, I wasn't carrying any cash with me. I told him I didn't have any loose bills and that it's a grim place where people don't carry cash on them anymore. Instead I asked if he would like me to drive him to the Taco Bell nearby to get him some food. He was set back when I offered, seemingly hopeful but apprehensive.

"Are you sure? Maybe I shouldn't ride in your car," He said.

I could see that he thought it would be conspicuous on his part to get in a young woman's vehicle. I convinced him I was perfectly ok taking him not a single minute up the street to get him some food and he agreed, noting that he wasn't dangerous because he was a veteran. He probably thanked me half a dozen times before we started walking.

On the way to my car I realized he wasn't keeping up; Looking back I saw that he was limping with a hand pressed to his knee. He told me that his leg wasn't very reliable and we took a good five minute walk to my car which might have been less than a hundred feet away. I couldn't imagine how he got around anywhere.

Once he sat down in the passengers seat he apologized for being drunk and said that he promised me he wasn't diseased or anything. I was shocked he had to assure me he wasn't some kind of infectious vessel; Diseased - is that how homeless people are made to feel? I replied that he wasn't the only person that would be drinking that evening. Most people drink with less reason to, anyway.

On the drive he told me how difficult it was for him to find a job and that he cleaned up better but all he had right now were the clothes on his back. By the time we pulled up to the restaurant he had begun sobbing and when I said he could order anything he wanted, he cried even harder. He didn't ask for anything in particular, he said whatever I ordered would be more than enough. When someone is that grateful to eat what could be described as a food-like meal, it makes you wonder what went wrong.

David said that a friend stole $10k from him, he was recently divorced and that his favorite hobby is riding motorcycles although he no longer has one anymore. He apologized again, this time for venting his life's story. Few people probably talk to David and even fewer probably want to know about his life's events, given that he was homeless. It didn't bother me, it was good for him to talk about what was on his mind. I offered David a ride into town but he said he would rather stay in his spot for the evening and when I left he incessantly thanked me for the help.

David was grateful for a favor which we wouldn't even think twice about had a friend picked up the check for us. A small act of humanity can give someone just enough hope to make it through the day or at least remind them what its like not to feel alienated, dangerous or "diseased." People need to see they have worth and that they're not alone. Instead of passively observing, try reaching out - what you might dismiss as a small courtesy might make someone else's day.

More from leaflet here

Sarah Palin: Less a rogue, more a thief

2010-12-05T16:51:00.003-05:00

By Leaflet

Just because something is time-tested doesn't mean the test wasn't a failure. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin claims in her blog post that all tax cuts should be extended because conservatives have "articulated" that said cuts for the wealthiest of Americans have spurred economic growth. Is it a coincidence that I remember even conservatives "articulating" the very opposite?

It's easy to persuade that progressives, Democrats and liberals likely contemplate the possibility that Palin is a Stepford wife droid bot created in Matell's basement, however - conservative figures that Palin has before referenced have also admitted tax deductions don't boost revenues.

Palin was a guest speaker at this past RNC rally in Orlando, which I hesitantly attended to make these interviews. If I drank every time I heard her say, "Reagan" I would have probably ralphed on the nearest "LISTEN TO ME!" picket sign. She used the same "time-tested" argument for Reagan's trickle down economic policy as she does in her blog post - So, surely that means that Reagan's right hand men would agree, am I right?

As it turns out David Stockman, director of OMB for President Reagan says otherwise. Stockman explains in a recent NY Times Op-Ed:

"The second unhappy change in the American economy has been the extraordinary growth of our public debt. In 1970 it was just 40 percent of gross domestic product, or about $425 billion. When it reaches $18 trillion, it will be 40 times greater than in 1970. This debt explosion has resulted not from big spending by the Democrats, but instead the Republican Party’s embrace, about three decades ago, of the insidious doctrine that deficits don’t matter if they result from tax cuts." Read more

In the same Orlando speech Palin tagged senate Republican candidate Marco Rubio as a maverick-y rogue character such as herself. In this ThinkProgress article Marco Rubio admits a similar but brief comment, saying that “The tax cuts don’t pay for themselves..." It's evidently too good to be true that they would.

TPM covered Republican House minority whip Eric Cantor on his reluctant statement following the support of the Bush tax cuts, who said:

"[I]f you have less revenues coming into the federal government, and more expenditures, what does that add up to? Certainly you're gonna dig the hole deeper. But you also have to understand, if the priority is to get people back to work, is to start growing this economy again, uh, then you don't wanna make it more expensive for job creators."

Democrats aren't entirely against tax cuts, they want everyone to pay proportionate taxes; Progressives and myself just don't find it economically viable to give the wealthiest two percent of Americans a tax break which they will indefinitely lob into their bank accounts. It seems that when this Moody's study came out (a must read), the US must have thought it was national opposite day; instead of noting objective data congress cut taxes and nixed unemployment extensions.

Haven't corporations reached their highest quarter of profits yet? The GOP are Jedi mind tricking the collective you to portray that giving CEO's more money, they will create jobs rather then add to their bottom line. Near the end of the post, Sarah Palin then went to label her view as "common sense."

Maybe she meant the sixth sense

Storm Enterprise on Location!

2010-12-04T11:57:00.004-05:00

Quick Hit:

So It would seem that I am going to be in Jacksonville on Saturday Dec 11th, helping the Jacksonville needy. "Storm Enterprise" is a sponsor so come on out, we will talk politics &/or Wrestling!

HERE IS YOUR OFFICIAL INVITE

"The Ache" as reposted from Cogent Concepts

2010-12-03T00:11:00.004-05:00

Mint Medley tea steeps as I bundle in bed sheets with propped pillows perching me, a humming laptop lightly illuminating my cheeks, and Mos Def whispering to my soul. Vicks Vapor Rub sits on the night-stand next to an unlit candle.

Had a sobering day relearning old life lessons: Don't take things personal.

Let a couple of people get me heated. Noses turned up. Under the breath comments. Thinking they know me. Thinking they know my situation better than I do. Judgmental, arrogant simple-minded surface dwellers who know nothing about me - they barely know themselves. Honestly. Those who concentrate on them and theirs - do they have time, energy, or interest to concern themselves with you and yours?

So, I had to take a step back. Press the rewind button on life. I've been here before. Who hasn't? Kind of hard not to. The mentality is so common place. The co-worker who shoots down your ideas because they didn't think of it. The cashier that got an attitude because they got your order wrong. The cousin who likes to argue at family get-togethers.

Life lesson revisited: Everybody has their own mountain to climb, their own road to travel, their own battles to pick and choose, and sometimes the battle they pick is you. Right or wrong. Big or small. Makes it easy to forget that the reality of the situation is beyond the surface. Past the surface is misinformation, confusion - sometimes, insecurities based on a deep abyss of fears. So, who am I to judge though I may be judged? Who am I that I should take things personally and be afflicted with the same aliment that infects their spirits? Should I be one to let my soul be consumed?

So, here I am. Curled up with a low-grade fever, runny nose, and aching body. Mint Medley tea still steeping. Vick's salve soothing me softly. Nursing myself. Concentrating on me. Letting this flu run its course. Letting this ache leave my system.

(No words fit this subject line)

2010-12-02T17:50:00.002-05:00

Seems certain people don't know what the term "Hot Mic" means. By "Certain People" I mean Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.,& by "Hot Mic" I mean HOT MIC!

When you are a Senator and don't have 100% fact on something, please don't blow off steam on the Senate floor, MAKES THE ENTIRE PARTY LOOK BAD. KTHXBYE

Rick Scott "EPA!" (Comic)

2010-11-24T14:18:00.000-05:00

Here is the inspiration.
More from leaflet

Not Sure if Serious: Rush Limbaugh

2010-11-23T21:32:00.004-05:00

Kids,

Not quite sure how to make this guy seem more like an asshole so Ill just post the video and let you read along.

Credit to Media Matters

“How about, you remember when Obama went swimming in the Gulf with his daughter to show everybody it was safe during the oil spill? How about Obama take his daughter to the airport, and have a TSA groper go through the exact routine for Obama’s daughter that everybody else’s daughter goes through? Just to show it safe for everybody, like he did in the Gulf for the oil spill, hmmm?”

"The Body" Layth the Smackdown on TSA's Candy Ass!

2010-11-20T12:25:00.001-05:00

When Palin Bears Attack!

2010-11-16T20:25:00.002-05:00

It would seem the Baby bears are trying to protect the Mama Grizzly. Bristol & Willow Palin took to Facebook to verbally attack anybody who taked shit about the epically low rated "Sarah Palin's Alaska". Even using Homophobic tones in their attack!
(P.S., Just for the record, She quit. It's not hers anymore)

CHECK IT OUT!

Ignorance Runs Rampant

2010-11-16T10:45:00.002-05:00

*Parental Warning*

Citizens,

Had a very unpleasant experience this morning at a gas station where there was a conversation going on between two people, unaware if they worked there or not. The conversation entailed their hatred for the "Fucking Faggots" in this world and why they wouldn't "Stop Bitching" about the way they are treated, because they are not treated any different in any way. Staring at the freezer I was at when this was going on, I had a "Sherlock Holmes" moment picturing how I was going to react to this IIP (Ignorance In Progress). Walking by, I shoulder brushed the bigger one, spilling his drink onto himself, to which he was-let's say- offended. "Watch where you're going" was what was snarled my way.

As I walked back to his friend to make sure nothing spilled on him, completely ignoring the other entirely who was drenched, I then started to make my way to the counter. "You Got a problem?!?!" He started walking toward the counter. "I SAID DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?!?!?"

"I'm sorry, considering your lack of respect for other people, You are not my equal" I began. "You are in fact a second class citizen in my book and the fact that you are standing in a "Choke n Puke" attacking a class of people that I can almost guarantee have not harmed you or your way of life in any form makes you a second class citizen. Its people like you that holds this country back from progressing in a forward manner because thought you do not like to admit it in public, You sit down and talk about how you wish that slavery still exists so you wouldn't have to work at The Klan meetings you attend every other Thursday. Are you a Veteran?"

"No"

"So now you are attacking Soldiers of this Nation that according to the Bumper Sticker on the back of you car, You love. Since you have never served and are attacking the soldiers of this country who are not allowed to express themselves & live their lives the way that you do ALL THE WHILE getting shot at the same way a straight soldiers does, you are openly not supporting the troops which means you would like our enemy who assisted in the attacking of our on multiple levels to succeed and we conform to their way of life."

"So, now that we cover the fact that you hate America and everything She stands for, one of which is equality, because you don't have the balls to strap on a rifle and go risk your life even though the people you are attacking do, I would really like it if you would either swing on me so that officer that just pulled up can arrest you for battery or let me be on my way because I have better things to do than stand around a gas station all day and listen to you hate on the American way of life."

Me and my Cheeto's walked out of the door, holding it for the Cop.

Thank a Soldier and show some love to somebody.

Storm

1001 Tea Bagger Jokes

2010-11-15T18:38:00.001-05:00

You know you are a teabagger when:

1. Your dog rides in your truck, but your wife stays home and mixes ammonium nitrate.
2. You can remember the fertilizer, pellets and ammonium nitrate mixture ratios, but cannot recall your wife’s birthday.
3. You have stolen gravel from the county road to cover your AK -47 ground stash.
4. You shout down someone who is talking, because you believe they are trying to limit your freedom of speech.
5. You’ve used the same knife to whittle a shiv, and threaten your Congressman.
6. You have been asked to leave a yard sale.
7. You put the beatdown on your tattoo artist for spelling “MOM” backwards.
8. You hate government health care, and don’t want them to touch your Medicare.
9. The Rush Limbaugh show ended and you cried like John Boehner.

Courtesy of Viral Grape Vine

The More You Know

2010-11-09T21:11:00.006-05:00

Citizens,

Allow me to inform you on the Tax Break differences between Republicans and Democrats.Just in case you are a visual learner, here is the graph. They all seem to be about equal until.......

Storm

Argue Amongst Yourselves

2010-11-08T18:13:00.002-05:00

Citizens,

Ever notice when somebody loses a race in politics, the second its official the fingers start flying? Boy did I notice it, and it was on a STATE level. I was extremely surprised to see how soon the ankles were getting chopped off of some grassroots people, the dog fight amongst bloggers & the massacre occurring between State and Federal associations. That's cool, It was only the last election we will ever have & there is no need to work together so we can overcome this infestation next go round.

People that are fighting out of anger blaming each other to hide the shortcomings of their own campaign & causes obviously didn't understand the uphill climb we had this election. Face the Facts, We didn't have the greatest group of candidates this go round but we ran with it. They were defiantly a group of "Cracker Jack" candidates but they were a million times better than the other side of the tracks. I honestly think that we shouldn't be pointing the blame at each other,the blame has already been laid upon the Piss Poor campaigns and the directors running them. We need to prepare for the next elections. In my eyes this came down to 3 major points. Since I miss Baseball, we are using terminology:

Strike One: Any Political Science student, (Well, I don't want to say any) will tell you that voter turn out in a Gubernatorial year is no where near the turnout of a Presidential Year.

Strike Two:

Vote in GOP primary for governor: 806,123 total votes cast.

Vote in Democratic primary for governor: 469,230 total votes cast.

In the GOP primary in Florida, a foregone conclusion for Rubio, 787,122 total votes cast.

In the Democratic primary, an actual competitive race between Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene, 489,384 total votes cast.

This alone should have told you that we were in trouble so you better specify who you talk to and you talk to them

Strike 3: Don't End with money. If you're going for Broke, don't be greedy.
Democrat Kendrick Meek raised more than $1 million in the quarter and held more than $4 million at the end.

Alex Sink's Contributions $17,390,389.04 <- FL SUP OF ELECTIONS INFO
Alex Sink's Expenditures - $10,415,343.33
--------------
$6,975,045.71 Left in the Bank
(Going against a Self Made Millionaire)

The Defense Rests

& now the Basketball reference

Storm

Orlando RNC Tea Party Interviews

2010-11-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

If you're wondering what I have been doing all this time...
Stay tuned for footage from Jon Stewart's rally to restore sanity

more from leaflet at leafletd.com

Not Sure if Serious: Alex Sink

2010-11-06T17:50:00.005-04:00

So, For those of you who refuse to be apart of Politics post election, Something incredibly Batshit crazy happened. Alex Sink, the Democratic nominee for Governor who lost by an average 10 votes per precinct, Decided she wanted to be a sore Loser and blame Barack Obama and his White House for her lose. In an interview with Politico on Saturday, Sink called the White House "tone-deaf" saying Obama's aides were never interested in hearing her concerns about Washington's handling of the oil spill in the Gulf or people in understanding the new Health Care overhaul. Sink also claims "They just need to be better listeners and be better at reaching out to people who are on the ground to hear about the realities of their policies as well as politics."

I however would have to agree with what a Senior West Wing official claimed “The DNC and OFA kept that campaign afloat,”

In the Politico interview, White House aides and Democratic National Committee officials say that without the involvement of the national party and Obama’s political arm, Organizing for America, Sink would have fared worse.

Here's my take on it:

Personally I was never crazy about Alex Sink being our Nominee. With the Exception of Kendrick Meek, after the primary I lost an incredible amount of enthusiasm. I looked at our Nominee's & said "Well, they are a shit sandwich but their 1000000% better than the GOP on any day!"

Point is, this is probably the last time we will see Alex Sink. She will take her Bank of America/Former CFO Millions & ride off into the sunset. However instead of being that player that walks out of the dugout after a heroic loss tipping their hat to the crowd as they leave the field for the last time, She decided to take the Low Road, blaming everybody else except the horrible ass campaign, agreeing to stupid rules like "No talking to people in the campaign during the debate"

Allow me to ask you one question:

What circumstance would a sitting Governor not be able to advise somebody in their office and consult over an issue?

When come up with an answer let me know. Long Story short, here is pretty much what Alex Sink told The Dems

Storm

Roots Camp Florida

2010-11-05T22:52:00.005-04:00

Great News Citizens

The Storm is proud to be a Main sponsor along with The Florida Progressive Coalition, Democracia U.S.A. for Roots Camp Fl. According to the Website, "Florida has made strides in recent years, such as going blue in the 2008 presidential election, but progressives in the state still have significant challenges if we want the Sunshine State to become an important place in the progressive map. RootsCamp is a big first step in moving in that direction.

Since 2006, NOI has hosted RootsCamp, an "unconference" where organizers set the agenda, share lessons learned and drive the conversation about best practices in organizing. Rather than panels and powerpoints, people have real live conversations about valuable organizing lessons taken from the field, both online and offline.

The RootsCamp “unconference” model allows organizers to meet and debrief in a way that promotes shared learning and engagement. Instead of the traditional panel discussion, the participants are the presenters! Participants not only take away lessons to apply to their own work, they establish lasting new partnerships with organizers from all over the nation.

On November 13th and 14th, 25 RootsCamps will take place all over the country, and right here we have an opportunity to discuss the successes and challenges facing progressive organizers! Join us, and let's plot the course forward.

RootsCamp Florida will be a place for progressive activists, campaign staffers and organizers can get together and talk about the challenges we faced in the 2010 cycle and what we need to do to move forward in the 2012 cycle."

If you can join us in Tampa, It is only $10! Alot of the biggest minds in the Democratic & Progressive Movement will be in attendance so it is an event not to be missed!

Storm

Quickie! Not Sure if Serious: Tucker Carlson

2010-10-29T23:52:00.002-04:00

Seems that Tucker Carlson has his head buried in Meghan McCain's Boobs........No, Im Serious, just not sure if he is. Apparently Mr. Carlson touts on his Blog that he interviewed the fake impersonator and such interview went as follows:

The Daily Caller was lucky enough to sit down with @McCainBoobette for an interview:

TheDC: Hi Meghan! Thanks for chatting with me!

MM: hi, Im only chatting w/U because your hot, so your welcome

TheDC: I really do appreciate you taking some time off from your book tour to talk with me for a few minutes. How’s the tour been so far?

MM: Tttly awesome. My book is realy important becasue Im a young Republican woman and its been great to meet young ppl at signings who look up to me as a Leader

its really tiring though

TheDC: It was reported that you canceled one stop on the tour saying you were sick and then wound up tweeting from Las Vegas. What happened?

MM: whatEVER, thats just sexist DC reporters talking. No one knows what its like 2 be a young person, so what I played hookey. I love Vegas, you should go

TheDC: Is that the right kind of message to send to all the young people out there who look up to you?

MM: like their ever going to get a book deal LOL. but yeah, you dont understand how tough it is to stay in hotels and order room service on a book tour, and you have 2 travel and stuff, and its like alot of hardships. young people know about hardships & how ya just have to rock it out sometimes to deal with stress.

TheDC: It’s no secret that you have a lot of critics. What do you have to say to people who charge that you aren’t conservative enough?

MM: I say to that BRING IT. I know there really only saying it bcause of how I look, theres so much discrimination and h8 in the world. I represent Conservative values as a rebel, and critics just cant get those conundrums. Until they realize they are loosing all the cool, young voters, they wont get that they need to be like hipper. my critics also need to have more sex

TheDC: What about people who say you only have a platform because of your last name?

MM: Whatever, I know that Im out there being a voice for the unrepresented, and my mom & dad say Im great. It has nothing to do with names and labels. I hate labels except cool ones like Betsy Johnson and Chanel

She may not be on the same team, but it's still sexist.
To read the entire article if you want, it is here

WSJ story on Meek Crist ongoings

2010-10-29T20:54:00.002-04:00

Found this today courtesy of Eric Jotkoff. All Rights to the author & Wall Street Journal.

Meek: I Turned Down Crist Cross
By Peter Wallsten

Florida independent Senate candidate Charlie Crist personally lobbied Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek to exit the race this week, offering him a cross that had been a gift from his sister, Mr. Meek said Friday.

The gesture occurred Monday as Mr. Crist and Mr. Meek were surrounded by local Jewish leaders at a Hollywood, Fla., meeting of the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

“I was shocked when he did it,” Mr. Meek said in an interview late Friday. “I told him to keep the cross and that I carry my Christianity in my heart.”

Crist spokesman Danny Kanner said he would not comment on a private conversation.

Mr. Meek’s account is the latest turn in an increasingly twisted tale of political intrigue.

Mr. Crist, the Florida governor, had called Mr. Meek, a Miami congressman, earlier that morning, about 4:50 a.m., leaving a voice mail asking if they could meet up at the AIPAC gathering. “I’ll call you later this morning and see if we can work out a time to get together just you and me,” Mr. Crist said in the voice mail, which was played for Washington Wire by Mr. Meek. “Take care, buddy.”

Mr. Meek was scheduled to speak at AIPAC about 8:30 and Mr. Crist at 10, but the governor showed up an hour early in hopes of catching the congressman.

Mr. Meek said he tried to avoid Mr. Crist, but as he left the stage, “there he was, right in front of me.”

“He said, ‘If you were to drop out and work with me and help me we together can beat Marco Rubio,’” Mr. Meek recalled. “I said, ‘Governor, that’s a non-starter.’

“Then he dug down into his pocket and pulled a small cross out,” Mr. Meek continued. “He said his sister gave it to him and he wanted to give it to me so I would think about it.”

Mr. Meek said Mr. Crist had been calling him repeatedly all weekend, and that he blames Mr. Crist for spreading rumors in recent weeks that he was going to drop out of the three–way race against Mr. Rubio, the GOP nominee.

Mr. Crist’s camp had been in contact with aides to former President Bill Clinton, who last week tried to convince Mr. Meek he could not win the race and that exiting might help Mr. Crist defeat Mr. Rubio.

Mr. Crist, on the early-morning voice mail, described himself as a “night owl.” Mr. Meek said he was asleep when the call came in.

“For him to call me at four something in the morning, you know something’s not right,” Mr. Meek said.

Superstars Stand Up for WWE

2010-10-29T20:40:00.000-04:00

UPDATE Not Sure if Serious: Clinton to Meek

2010-10-28T21:09:00.004-04:00

*UPDATE* "Kendrick Meek Press Conference "I look forward to being the Next US Senator from Florida. The Story that Politico and CNN are running are False. The President and I are good Friends and he never asked me to drop out. Nobody from the DNC did either I am always been a person of integrity and I stand by my word. Again, I look forward to being the next US Senator from Florida. Bill Clinton has done 11 events for my campaign. I count on his council. Again let me reinstate I look forward to being the Next US Senator from Florida."

Accusations are flying tonight as Politico claims that Former President & Decider Bill Clinton supposedly forcefully asked Senate Hopeful Kendrick Meek to drop out of the Race and endorse Gov. Charlie Crist. An Email released by the Meek Campaign shortly after the Politico story dropped claims "The article is not true. Kendrick Meek was never dropping out of this race, is never dropping out of this race, and will never drop out of this race. Kendrick Meek will always stand up for the middle class and will not leave Floridians a choice between two lifelong conservative Republicans who only stand with the special interests. Kendrick is the Democratic nominee so if anyone should drop out, it's Charlie Crist."

My Homie Obeeze on The Daily Show

2010-10-28T09:55:00.001-04:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 1

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 2

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Barack Obama Pt. 3

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Rally to Restore Sanity

It's Hot in Florida Doncha know

2010-10-25T17:56:00.002-04:00

Academic Scholar and friend of the Storm Kenneth Quinnell had the "Honor & Pleasure" of going to see Former 1/2 term Governor of Alaska & Avid Moose Expert Sarah Palin this past weekend in Orlando. Let's see what he reports in this non-exclusive report.

This is the Change I voted for.

2010-10-20T16:03:00.002-04:00

I witnessed Lt. Choi give his West Point ring and Discharge papers to Harry Ried and tell him they ment nothing to him if Reid couldn't overturn "Don't Ask Don't Tell". I am excited to see this article. This is the change I voted for.

This article was written on thenewcivilrightsmovement.com

"Lt. Dan Choi, You’re In The Army Now!

Lt. Dan Choi, the Iraq war veteran, Arab linguist, and West Point grad turned “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal activist, today got what he had said he wanted from day one: the opportunity to serve his country in the armed forces again. This afternoon, amid dozens of reporters, and thousands of passersby — most totally unaware they were seeing history in the making — Lt. Dan Choi, the former Army infantry officer, re-enlisted in the military, this time, as an out gay man.

Lt. Choi, who has become the poster child for repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law barring gays from serving openly in the military, had said from the start of his battle to force the government to accept openly gay and lesbian service members into the military, and keep them from discharging them under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” that he would be the first to re-enlist as soon as it was legal for him to do so.

Today, the military announced that it had instructed its recruiters to accept all applications even from those “who admit they are gay or lesbian.” (Sadly, the military is still using the term “admit,” rather than “acknowledge.”)

So, in a two-hour process that began at 3:58 PM, Choi got his wish. Sort of.

The twenty-nine year old had announced his intention to re-enlist, (technically, to be re-instated,) this afternoon, via Twitter. “I’m gonna try to enlist in the Marines today,” he tweeted. That brought throngs of news media and bloggers (yours, truly, had received word as well,) to Times Square.

Military recruiters, busy with another young man enlisting, kept the former Lieutenant waiting at the door for fourteen minutes. Upon seeing Choi, one recruiter picked up the phone, and many of us assumed he was calling his superiors for direction on what to do, given the special circumstances. I confess, we were surprised they weren’t prepared.

Choi had intended to enlist in the Marines, but tweeted at about 5:00 PM, “In the recruiting station. Apparently I’m too old for the Marines! Just filled out the Army application.”

Just before 6:00 PM, amid dozens of reporters, Choi pushed open the door — and had to push aside the media — and waved his enlistment papers in the air.

After the media left, Dan told a few friends, “Looks like I’ve got a job now.”

But, perhaps like millions of Americans, Choi is uncertain how long he will be employed. Right now, the military is allowing openly gay men and women to serve, but only under duress. Judge Virginia Phillips yesterday indicated she was reluctant to lift the injunction she imposed on the military one week ago, forcing them to immediately end all discharges and investigations related to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.

The government’s appeal, while not going well, could easily lead to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is perceived as being far more friendly to the military than Judge Phillips. The injunction that prohibits discharges and investigations could soon end, leaving Choi, and any other openly gay and lesbian recruits and service members hanging out to dry.

Just two hours earlier, Dan had said as he walked into Times Square, “It’s a day of celebration!”

And indeed it was."

SOMEBODY'S BACKTRACKING

2010-10-19T16:17:00.002-04:00

Seems that Disgraced DNC member Jon Ausman is trying to save face. He sent out the following email a few minutes ago:

"Jon M. Ausman, Member
Democratic National Committee
2202 Woodlawn Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-3915
Email: Ausman@embarqmail.com
Cell: 850-321-7799

Greetings,

I support Kendrick Meek for the United States Senate and I also plan to vote the straight Democratic ticket. For the area I live in Leon County I plan to vote for:

· Kendrick Meek for the United States Senate;

· Allen Boyd for the United States House, District 2;

· Alex Sink for Governor;

· Dan Gelber for Attorney General;

· Loranne Ausley for Chief Financial Officer;

· Scott Maddox for Agriculture Commissioner;

· Bill Montford for State Senate, District 6; and,

· Michelle Rehwinkel Vaslinda for State House, District 9.

Last week I noted 55% of Florida’s voters did not want Marco Rubio to be elected as one of Florida’s United States Senators. I further observed with the anti-Rubio vote divided between two opposing candidates Rubio could win while not receiving a majority vote.

I then proposed Governor Charlie Crist end his United States Senate campaign so Member of Congress Kendrick Meek could face off against Rubio one-on-one. If this happened I believe Meek would be elected to the United States Senate.

Last week I suggested the two candidates meet with former US Senator Bob Graham (who also served two terms as Governor) and have him mediate a solution to the split opposition against Rubio.

Now, a reporter who was not at the press availability I gave is suggesting I want Meek to dropout. This assertion is exactly the opposite of my position. I support Meek and wish it was just Meek versus Rubio.

This is the second time words have been attributed to me which were never spoken. Earlier in the US Senate campaign I sold access to a list of 35,000 email addresses for $4,000 to then US Senate candidate Jeff Greene. Afterwards, I decided to endorse him and worked for him in north Florida.

Despite losing heavily in the statewide primary Greene did carry 25 of 34 counties in north Florida.

The innuendo made by one reporter was that I had sold my endorsement. This has been repeated endlessly by other reporters without anyone verifying that the innuendo was true or not. It was not true.

I enjoyed working with Greene when I sold him the list and felt he had a shot at winning. I still like him. I was wrong about his chance of winning statewide and now I support our Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek.

If you have any questions or comments please call me at 850-321-7799.

With respect, I am,

Jon M. Ausman, Member

Democratic National Committee"

Doesn't change the fact that his endorsement can still be sold to the highest bidder

Storm

Not Sure if Serious- Michael Hussey

2010-10-18T20:56:00.004-04:00

Seems that Michael Hussey, a contributor to Pushing Rope is still sore at losing at life. He still has nothing better to do than attack the same team he claims to be on. Please allow me to take a second and point out something. Sunshine State news could be the most conservative paper on the face of the planet for all I care. This time they got the story right on Ausman.Let me explain something to everybody, A good friend of mine once said "I'm an asshole, I know I'm and asshole and if you don't like it, there's the fucking door." Anybody who knows me knows that there is no filter between me and the keyboard so I thought I would start by warning you this isn't going to be pretty, or politically correct. You throw statements at a friend of mine, especially if they are inaccurate, you better be willing to back that shit up.

Little bit ago, I noticed a friend and mentor of mine, Kenneth Quinnell was being attacked by false statements. Usually I would let things go because I understand I don't have the best way of dealing with drama. Seeing how many times this accuser had to jump on twitter and his blog to attack Quinnell was really starting to get to me. Where I come from you drink a cup of concrete and harden up before you step to the person you have an issue with, whether that be on the phone or in person NOT in 140 characters or less, WHEN THE DAMN MESSAGE ISN'T EVEN SENT TO HIM.

I AM PRETTY SURE THAT'S THE NEW DEFINITION OF A BITCH MOVE

(Kinda like how I am going to post this and not send it to his blog or their emails or their twitters)

Earlier today, Hussey came up with a post that can only be defined as mind numbing. He decided to out in out say that Kenneth Quinnell, The creator of the Florida Progressive Coalition, The former New Media Director for Kendrick Meek, (Who was released because he has kids in elementary school and cares more about them then this temporary job. I.E., HE IS A FAMILY MAN)

Now as far as you talking shit about Quinnell Let me make this an ordered list:

1)You want to make it seem as if the campaign fired him for doing something wrong. Well considering that he hasn't said that AND If you ever see the site, You would see that the campaign that fired him has apparently bought an advertisement that you can see occasionally on the right side of this page.
IF YOU FIRE SOMEBODY ON BAD TERMS, WHY WOULD YOU GIVE THEM MONEY? YOU SIR ARE THE ASS CLOWN!

2) Yea, he lost to Jon Ausman, the same dude who is now caught in scandal for taking money for endorsing ......HA funny story, Kendrick Meek's former opponent Jeff Greene who was SLAUGHTERED in the Primary. NEXT TIME YOU CHOOSE A FUCKING TEAM, CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE ASS CLOWN!

3)As far as "sucking at outreach" as you said in a previous attack, You are firmly aware that there were articles written about how much outreach and Social Networking the Kendrick Meek campaign was doing right? Naw you must have missed them being too busy knocking your own parties candidate and all. It's cool I understand.

4)Personally, I can give a shit less about what your little posts says because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't me jack shit. You want to sit there and say how "OH KENDRICKS GONNA LOSE BY A LANDSLIDE AND HERE'S THE MUSIC VIDEO FROM FLEETWOOD MAC DEE DEE DA DEE" Apparently we have a fucking comedian on the internet. Lets ask a realy one what he thinks.......

It's Douchbags like you that are going to be bitching about Crist or Rubio running shit when you didn't do ONE FUCKING POSITIVE THING TO HELP THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE!

POINT IS: LEARN WHAT OUR CANDIDATE STANDS FOR AND START KNOCKING ON SOME GOD DAMN DOORS OR STFU FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS!

Stand Up for WWE

2010-10-18T17:45:00.001-04:00

Please believe that within a matter of days, I will have my video up showing my support for WWE.

Lets set some things straight:

Accusation:
“…the company…has been criticized for violent and sexually suggestive programming.”
Peter Wallsten – The Wall Street Journal – July 2, 2010

Truth:

* All of WWE’s programming has been TV-PG since June 2008.
* Friday Night SmackDown, which made its network debut in 1999 has always been rated TV-PG.
* 87 percent of WWE fans say WWE content is appropriate for families.
* Of the 14 million weekly viewers in the United States that watch WWE programming, six million are women.

Accusation:
“Putting profits before people.”
Richard Blumenthal Ads – 2010

Truth:

* World Wrestling Entertainment first opened its office in 1983 with 13 employees. Today it employees approximately 600 people and pays out $60 million in salaries for those based in Connecticut alone.
* WWE provides a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and employee stock purchase plans.
* 110 employees have been with WWE for more than 10 years.
* WWE has 140 Superstars and Divas currently under contract as independent contractors.
* The average active roster WWE Talent earns more than $550,000 annually, with WWE covering 100 percent of all costs associated with any in-ring related injuries and rehabilitation.
* In 2011, WWE plans to hire between 100-140 employees in anticipation of the launch of the WWE cable network.
* WWE has a longstanding commitment to give back to communities through literacy programs, support of the military and their families, and a more than 25 year relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Accusation:
“…the state Democratic Party has criticized…other business practices, particularly its classifying performers as independent contractors who do not receive health benefits from WWE.”
- Ed Stannard – New Haven Register – Sept. 5, 2010

Truth:

* WWE covers 100 percent of all costs associated with any in-ring related injuries and rehabilitation.
* The Talent Wellness Program, fully funded by WWE, calls for regular cardiovascular testing and monitoring, ImPACT™ testing for brain function, annual physicals, medical referrals and blood screening of WWE Talent, as well as substance abuse and random drug testing.
* WWE offers current and former talent who may have substance abuse problems complete drug rehabilitation at no cost to them. WWE is the only entertainment company that provides this type of assistance and ongoing support to its former performers.
* WWE invests nearly $3.5 million annually in the talents’ health and wellness programs.

Accusation:
“The company also has been accused of looking the other way as wrestlers, feeling pressured to maintain the pumped-up bodies showcased in the W.W.E., turned to steroids.”
- Ray Hernandez & Joshua Brustein – The New York Times – July 15, 2010

Truth:

* WWE’s Talent Wellness Policy strictly prohibits the use of steroids, the abuse of prescription medications, performance enhancing drugs and the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs.
* WWE’s entire substance abuse and drug testing policy is independently administered by third party leading medical experts.
* The Talent Wellness Program is designed to result in all WWE Talent being tested at a minimum four times a year, but may result in more frequent testing due to the random selection process.

Accusation:
“Lack of athletic-board scrutiny also ensured that the WWE’s wrestlers would not be subject to drug tests.”
– Andy Barr – Politico – Aug. 10, 2010

Truth:

* WWE is still regulated in 21 states and the District of Columbia, where rules and regulations can differ. The company's Talent Wellness Program is far stricter than any medical or drug testing required by the states.
* Much like Ringling Bros. Circus and Harlem Globetrotters, WWE is sheer entertainment and therefore should not be under the purview of the antiquated rules and regulations of State Athletic Commissions.
* WWE pays gross admissions taxes on ticket sales similar to concerts or other live entertainment events in states that we are not regulated.

Accusation:
“The allegations against WWE seem to be criminal in nature…because allegations about independent contractors are investigated by the Department of Labor and the Department of Revenue Services...”
Richard Blumenthal – Oct. 4, 2010

Truth:

* WWE has always complied with the law, and constantly reviews its internal practices and procedures to comply with ever-changing employee laws.
* For the entirety of WWE’s existence, WWE talent have been classified as independent contractors and not employees.
* There is not now, nor has there ever been, any criminal investigation into WWE’s treatment of its Superstars as independent contractors.
* WWE’s treatment and reporting of its talent as independent contractors has never been challenged or questioned by any federal or state regulatory body during the entirety of WWE’s existence.
* Up until this election, WWE has not been investigated in the past for independent contractor classification.

Reverse Racism is Like American Socialism - It Doesn't Exist

2010-10-15T12:10:00.000-04:00

Reverse Racism: Where did it come from?

Whether it's the Tea Party , Bill O'Reilly calling for Shirley Sherrod's resignation, Rush Limbaugh in disapproval of Sonia Sotomayor's commission, Glenn Beck and Michelle Bachmann's misrepresentations of the President - They all have one thing in common; They're the same sheep who take words like Socialism away from their meaning to spark emotions that can help them win elections and get sponsored. Now, they're just making up new ones: Reverse racism.

What it doesn't mean:

We hear about the benign examples of "reverse racism" that infer majorities are being singled out (really) and are being limited from opportunities; The job that could have benefited the more qualified candidate or the scholarship that could have went to the other student with higher SAT scores. Except someone didn't just wake up on the left side of the bed one morning to say, "Oh gee, how do I kill off this guilty white symbiote living inside of my innately racist Caucasian shell?" In order to state affirmative action as racist (or reverse racist), you would have to leave reality and reside in a funnel vacuum where context is null. There's that tiny thing, you know from American History, that resolves why judicial review replaced nullification.

According to a 1978 ruling by the Supreme Court:

An admissions department may then attempt to "redress" these findings of past discrimination by considering an applicant's race as a "plus" factor among many in its admissions decisions. Such a race-conscious consideration, however, may only be one of many factors used in assessing each applicant, and the race of each applicant may never be a preclusive factor in granting admission.

This applies to education, hiring and contracting: Affirmative action isn't bequeathing people jobs who aren't qualified to interview for them - it's a plus factor among many different considerations after the hiring process is at an end. After being qualified. After being interviewed. After Richard Pryor calls you a dead honkey. Only when a company has a proven history of discrimination, then does affirmative action apply. This discrimination is defined by current and past effects. The state "has a legitimate and substantial interest in eliminating the disabling effects of identified discrimination."

It is from those very reasons, affirmative action isn't illegal. Quotas, however, are; In the same 1978 hearing by an apparently liberal Supreme Court, California vs Bakke held that quotas based on race or gender were unconstitutional. So if someone says that a business or group is interviewing or reviewing based on race or gender quotas, particularly in circumstances of education, hiring and contracting - it's either who they're talking about is doing it illegally or the person who makes the claim is, well, lying to you.

It's racism. In reverse. No, literally.

Let's go further to say that even if people were getting hired by terms of race or gender, then wouldn't that in itself be ...racism? In other words, isn't any behavior or attitude held on the single pillar of race alone defined as racist? What makes it reverse racist?

Merriam Webster

One explanation in an attempt to answer this question was that reverse racism or discrimination is differentiated because the group being disadvantaged is labeled a majority. There is not validity in that argument because racism isn't based on the size of the target or whether the action is positive or negative; it's based on race. So what's the reverse part for?

Well, in a grammatical sense reverse racism would be the opposite of racism (or racism, in reverse). By the standards of semantics that would be the behavior of upholding the equality of all races - which, in illustrations of reverse racism, doesn't happen. The only consistency about reverse racism I can find is that it applies to, and is prevalently used by, white people. Since that alone doesn't define the word, maybe we should accept it for what it really is - a grammatical error.

In accords to #1 definition on Urban Dictionary (The only dictionary website that had the word...and don't get a wiki-fit because we all know to have critical credibility you can't source Wikipedia in it's unreliable lonesome):

I'm going out on a limb here people, but bear with me... Reverse racism, in actuality, shouldn't even be a term... It's described as the act of racism against a majority (typically used in context of whites). But...isn't that just plain old regular racism? Last time I checked, Caucasian WAS a race. And I'm willing to bet that any other majority suffering from "reverse racism" is a race too. So why isn't it just racism? Why give it a fancy new term? If you wanted to take the literal definition, reverse racism would actually be the opposite: supporting a race as equal to another. Just a thought.
by Atticus Apr 23, 2005

more from Leaflet at Leaflet Descending

FCKH8

2010-10-14T20:32:00.000-04:00

Pt. 2

2010-10-13T21:33:00.001-04:00

G.A.Y.S. (Guys Against You Serving) from Thomas Lennon

G.A.Y.S. (Gays against you serving)

2010-10-13T21:29:00.000-04:00

Just go with it

G.A.Y.S. (Guys Against You Serving) Part 2 from Thomas Lennon

Not sure if Serious: Attacks on Linda McMahon

2010-10-11T18:53:00.004-04:00

*First and Foremost, under no circumstances am I a Linda McMahon Supporter, so I don't want to hear shit about that.This is coming from the eyes of a spectator & supporter of the WWE Product and a performer of Independent Wrestling.
However as I have stated in previous blogs, people are not telling the whole story. On the popular show "Morning Joe", The entire crew decided it was time to jump on the WWE product yet again and specifically choose one angle to consistently run on.

Joe, weren't you a Republican at one point? How bout I harp on that for the next century eh? Linda McMahon was not in charge of Creative Control. In fact, I would be surprised if she knows what has ever gone on in the Creative Dept. However, Here is my point.

You're gonna talk about the Trish/Vince angle but not the work done with:

Make-A-Wish

Or Every Christmas we have been in Combat in Iraq when Vince and Linda pack the entire show up and go to Iraq for their Annual "Tribute to the Troops"

All I am asking for citizens is to tell the *WHOLE* *STORY*.
No Business has ever been 100% on the up and up. Somebody has always been fired for a profit, Somebody has been undercut and deals have been made. In The "Attitude Era" alot of things were done that defined the business. Yes some were regrettable but none the less part of the business. I have done some things that I I am not to happy about in this business but it was for the good of the show. As far as " I don't want this crap available for anybody to watch" comment,learn to be a responsible parent & change the damn channel. How's that taste. If I want to take my child or whoever to a show, I have instilled the fact that these are actors and performers. If something Batshit crazy happens, I have the ability to explain to the child that this is not how we act in proper society, but it's ok to dislike the person for doing this action. THAT IS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THE SHOW, THE BATTLE OF GOOD AND EVIL!

How bout you go jump on Brett Farve for Sexting Jen Sterger some more or Ben Roethlisberger for sexually assaulting that chick in Georgia and getting away with it.
AssClowns

Stay Safe Citizens,

Storm

Reconsider Columbus Day

2010-10-11T10:45:00.000-04:00

Quiz says it all

2010-10-08T21:48:00.000-04:00

Kinda saw how this was going to go.

My Liberal Identity

You are a New Left Hipster, also known as a MoveOn.org liberal, a Netroots activist, or a Daily Show fanatic. You believe that if we really want to defend American values, conservative hatriots must be exposed and mocked for every fanatical, puritanical, paranoid, fact-allergic, reality-challenged, obstructionist ideal for which they stand.

Take the quiz at
About.com Political Humor

Rick Scott cant be trusted

2010-10-05T19:49:00.001-04:00

WWE Fan Appreciation Day

2010-09-30T21:42:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

Just wanted to point out the fact the Connecticut Senate race is about to get Hardcore for Dem. hopeful Richard Blumenthal, & it's all fair game.

On October 30th, World Wrestling Entertainment will be holding their "Fan Appreciation Day" with a LOADED card that will attract people from all over the state. The card will feature almost all titles being defended with the industries top competitors today. Both the Flagship show RAW, and the subsidiary Smackdown! will have a "Supercard" that includes:

John Cena vs. Sheamus

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett for the WWE Championship

A Fatal Four Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship featuring Undertaker, Kane, Edge and Big Show

Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio.

According to WWE.COM, “With its headquarters located in Connecticut since 1983, WWE has a strong history and a large and loyal fan base throughout the state and specifically in the city of Hartford, which hosted WrestleMania XI as well as countless sold-out Raw and SmackDown events,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “We look forward to thanking our fans for their continued support and loyalty on October 30.”

Also want to point out that the Election is the following week.

Well Dick, Just want to say that as much as I hope you win looks like you got.......

Storm

Rick Scott Cited in Business Ethics Textbook for Fraud

2010-09-30T12:27:00.000-04:00

Rick Scott says he wasn't responsible as CEO of Hospital Corporation of America for the $1.7 billion in Medicare, Medicaid and Tricaid upcoding fraud. This college Business Ethics book says otherwise.

Tampa bay released an article this morning of a Rick (Richard) Scott textbook citing under the title Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. Rick Scott is featured specifically in Case #13: The Healthcare Company: Learning From Past Mistakes.

More on Rick Scott

More from Leaflet

Jefferson County 2010 General Election Endorsements

2010-09-29T23:12:00.002-04:00

Governor
Alex Sink

United States Senator
Kendrick Meek

Representative in Congress, District 2
Steve Southerland is batshit crazy and the race
is close so I have to vote for Boyd

Attorney General
Dan Gelber

Chief Financial Officer
Loranne Ausley

Commissioner of Agriculture
Scott Maddox

State Senator, District 6
Bill Montford

State Representative, District 9
Damned if you do, Damned if you don't

State Representative, District 10
Leonard L. Bembry

Justice of the Supreme Court
Charles T. Canady- No
Jorge Labarga- Yes
James E. C. Perry-Yes
Ricky L. Polston- No

Circuit Judge, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Group 9
Karen Gievers

Jefferson County

County Commissioner
District 4- Betsy Barfield

City Council
Group 1- Gerrold Austin

The True Conservative

2010-09-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

Grayson's New Ad

2010-09-28T19:59:00.000-04:00

It's Gold like this that makes me love this man:

We don't like yer kind 'round hea!

2010-09-28T19:11:00.008-04:00

Hey Kids,

In a recent ad that the Scott campaign ran, alot of controversy has come out of it due to the fact that it is completely and utterly false. Even worse, Scott drug the St. Pete Times into it.

AND GUESS WHO IS COMING TO THE RESCUE?

Seems that Bill McCollum isn't going away that easy. Seems McCollum is proverbially "Taking a Bullet" for Dem. Gov. hopeful Alex Sink. In an article written by Michael Peltier of The News Service of Florida "Days after Scott unleashed allegations that Sink was at fault for an investment freefall, Scott’s former Republican rival McCollum appeared to go out of his way Tuesday to steer the state’s top investment official to provide cover for the State Board of Administration’s investment oversight during the tumultuous years following the 2007 market crash."

Seems that McCollum took the State Board of Administration’s director Ash Williams through some questions that completely proves a recent newspaper report & a million dollar Scott ad campaign assaulting that paper losses in the state’s retirement & local investment funds were preventable and resulted in actual losses to retirees and local governments.

Yet again Rick Scott Proves:

Pretty sure this is how the next Scott/McCollum conversation will go.

Strong Language so Parental Advisory:

Storm

Wexler Backs Crist

2010-09-27T21:59:00.004-04:00

We saw this coming. In other News, The Sky is Blue, Grass is green and

So what I am taking from this is :

1) Wexler doesn't know what the Principles of the Democratic Party are. At least at my local DEC, when I became a member, I signed a paper that said "I will support Democratic Candidates"

2) You're Son's either a racist or an Idiot if he said your only choice was Charlie Crist

3)He has not stood firm at times in his political career. He has done whats best for his career to keep him in office and flip flopped on almost everything.

4) By dodging that question, You obviously Voted for Jim Davis and believe that Kendrick can't win.

5)This obviously was a bad move. Answer me this, What favor did you owe Charlie Crist?

Storm

Terror of Tallahassee - Now even Scarier than Before!

2010-09-25T11:33:00.002-04:00

West Gaines Street could be the epicenter of Tallahassee's indie scene, so much that I am surprised it hasn't shown up yet in the look at this f*cking hipster photo series. Independent stores sell vintage clothing and alternative music in old school LP and cassette tape format. There's a tattoo shop, a Quonset hut bookstore, a couple of active venues and the railroad art park (the new home to Cosmic Cat comic books), buzzing most during First Friday art show events. Open annually in October, the Terror of Tallahassee haunted house is on Gaines Street too - and this year it's scarier than ever.

Herein is the most frightening addition to this years festivities. Although now 2 or more Rick Scott signs are missing from last week, two of them still remain - this one near the entrance flimsily sulking below a human skull. When I contacted the haunted house they claimed no part in the decision of these signs to be put up, adding

"You can't pay attention to anything politically because it's right at the same time as the haunted house."

Sources have led though that the owner of 826 West Gaines Street gave strict permission to the Rick Scott campaign to have the signs placed on the building walls. Property owner Brian S. Webb is listed as a Republican Party contributor under the Florida Division of Elections campaign finance database.

But just being a Republican doesn't completely herd you in as a Scott supporter - Bill McCollum after the primary wouldn't endorse Scott for the main election and he on the subject said,

"I still have serious questions ... about issues with his character, his integrity, his honestly, things that go back to Columbia/HCA ..."

No, you would have to be more daft to support Scott - a candidate who is backed by the tea party regiment and repeats that we should lessen government interference generally and when it comes to health care regulation in particular. Rick Scott has reason to be worried about government regulation; He was the CEO of the Hospital Corporation of America.

Tax Payers Against Fraud released the HCA ranking 3rd under a list of 100 of the most notable cases of exploiting tax payer funds - in this instance the Medicare, Tricaid and Medicaid fraud amounted to 1.7 billion dollars, one of the largest government fraud settlements in history. Rick Scott was with the company when this happened and even though he was informed, he ignored it, even pocketing $10 million after the settlement was made. Too bad for Scott, maybe lessening government interference would have let him get away with it.

Scott's hospitals are accused of upcoding - treating patients with minor remedies than filing the procedure for something more expensive than what the patient was given. His employees complain that he was buying cheaper than standard medical supplies. Scott has also been denounced for buying up several nearby medical facilities to then close all but one to create a single Hospital with backed up waiting rooms and understaffed personnel and nurses.

So how will the Republican party or even the Tea Party willingly back Rick Scott, partly funding his own campaign on stolen tax payer money from the same social services his constituents are picketing against, to be a spokesperson for healthcare reform? How is Brian Webb, who is also also owner of the Patients First clinic building on North Monroe street, able to ignore Scott's healthcare mismanagement? It's like having BP as the spokesman for oceanography.

At least we're going to be entertained at the haunted house this year - they may be including gruesome silent-hill-style nurses armed with whipping stethoscopes, a spiffy zombie death panel and yes, even Rick Scott himself.

Courtesy of the Reid Report

Not Sure if Serious

2010-09-20T19:20:00.006-04:00

Evening Citizens,

Seems the State GOP has officially blamed the fiddling cat for the dealings of the Fork and the Spoon. ( Just go with it )What I mean by that is it seems that according to the Fl Republican party, the Big Bad Democratic candidate for Governor Alex Sink is at fault for the state pension fund loss.

An Article printed by the Miami Herald says otherwise. According to the article CFO Sink only has one vote on the states State Board of Administration. Anybody want to guess who the other two are? If the culprits are on the page, Would they pleas raise their hands at least?!?!?! Don't Worry, I'll Wait.....:

Well, at least you admitted to that. Mr. Governor, You sure you don't want to flip flop on your answer to try to sway voters for your race?

Get back to me on that.

Point is that yes, Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum are the other two votes on this Board, in a Republican controlled State. So when all hell started to break loose in the Stock Market back in '07 this too took a financial loss, a $24 billion loss. Republicans are spending more than a cool $1 mil on the statewide ad that points the finger at Sink for the losses. Seeing an opportunity to benefit from a possible cause of death, Republican Gov. Nominee Rick Scott approved the message without hesitation. Want to know what makes this better? According to the article, McCollum and Crist later rejected Sink's idea of expanding the board to include outside financial experts.

Try Again GOP,

Storm

BC Rave Rape - What Now?

2010-09-18T18:00:00.002-04:00

The rape of a 16 year old girl in Pitt Meadows BC is yet another story to embed an uneasy chill in all of us, at best. Some will be raged, somber and maybe even feel nothing at all. In a perfect world we aught to be motivated.

Preventing rape has to be pro-active, we can't ignore the circumstances and be passive observers to our surroundings. Once at the ends of a fraternity party, a girl was laying on a couch after passing out from inebriation. Someone tried to lift her and take her into her bedroom but a friend of his made the right decision. He told him his car was being towed. When he put the girl down in rushed panic, his friend expressed to some girlfriends of the potential victim to get her out of there. This is definitively courageous for someone who was able to put bravado aside and find that compromising his ego was less important than the life altering affect of rape.

We can't tolerate the justification of masculinity to objectify others - men, women or transgendered. In this case particularly there was a party of dozens - people who could have noticed, called the police or took note of their own intuitions. No, I am not blaming the entire party for what happened but just because it's "too late" for this victim doesn't mean it couldn't happen to someone else - or even the same girl, again. The people involved are more than still liable..

We have to watch out for each other. There was a time when I attended a many local punk shows and would take pride that if someone were to fall down when they were dancing, they would instantly get picked back up again. They wouldn't go ignored or stepped on, everyone would notice and there was always more than one outreached hand to help.

Want Proof Fox News Doesn't Tell the Truth?

2010-09-13T20:32:00.001-04:00

Not Sure if Serious: Rick Scott

2010-09-13T19:19:00.002-04:00

According to What is Rick Scott Hiding.com Things you should know about Rick Scott:

1) Pleaded the Fifth 75 times in a single deposition

2)Scott refuses to disclose said deposition, on fraudulent business practices at his company Solantic, that he gave just 6 days before he announced his candidacy for Governor.

3)Scott is trying to hide his true net worth & hypocritical investments through misleading financial disclosure reports & won’t release his tax returns despite saying he would. (All Gubernatorial Candidates from BOTH parties have released their & their Spouses tax records for the past 5 years from the time of running.)

4) Scott Rarely gave interviews as CEO of Columbia/HCA. In April, 1997 Modern Healthcare reported that, “Many journalists who cover Columbia, particularly those in Nashville media circles, view [Lindy] Richardson [Columbia/HCA’s executive director of media relations] as Scott’s primary protector. Richardson, 50, is considered very loyal to Scott. On the rare occasions Scott does interviews, they often are in a controlled environment with Richardson at his side.” [Modern Healthcare, 4/14/97]

5) At Columbia/HCA’s Annual Meeting In 1997, Two Months After FBI Agents Raided Columbia Offices In El Paso, Scott Would Not Comment On The Federal Investigation, Saying, “We’re Not In A Position To Have Any Public Comment.” In May, 1997 the AP reported Rick Scott’s comments at the annual meeting with shareholders regarding the federal investigations of Columbia hospitals : “Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. chief Richard Scott didn’t answer the question on everyone’s mind: why federal regulators are investigating the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain. ‘As you know, we’re involved in an investigation and litigation. We’re not in a position to have any public comment,’ the company’s president and chief executive repeatedly told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting Thursday in Nashville. ‘We don’t know anything,’ Scott told reporters at a luncheon before the meeting. ‘We don’t know what the allegations are’” [Associated Press, 5/15/97]

6) Scott Also Refused To Respond To Questions From Shareholders, And Ordered One Questioner To Sit Down. In May, 1997 the St. Petersburg Times reported: “Rick Scott, chairman and chief executive officer, refused to respond to numerous questions about the performance of three directors up for re-election to the board. He even ordered one persistent questioner to sit down.” [St. Petersburg Times, 5/16/97]

7)Columbia/HCA Cancelled Advertising In The St. Petersburg Times, And Stopped Selling The Papers In Local Hospitals After The Paper Published Stories That Were Critical Of Columbia/HCA. In November 1995, the St. Petersburg Times reported that, “Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., the nation’s and region’s largest hospital chain, has canceled its advertising in the Times and stopped sales of the newspaper at three of its local hospitals. …The Times has reported extensively on the growth of Columbia in the Tampa Bay area, particularly its attempts to buy Tampa General Hospital last year. Last week, a Times editorial called for regulators to examine the antitrust aspects of Columbia’s growth in Tampa Bay and criticized some of its business practices.” [St. Petersburg Times, 11/8/95]

Florida Newspapers Have a say as well :

St. Petersburg Times: “Scott Has Steadfastly Refused To Expound On His Candidacy Unless He’s Paying To Produce The Sound Bite.” In August 2010, the St. Petersburg Times opined: “Scott has steadfastly refused to expound on his candidacy unless he’s paying to produce the sound bite.” [St. Petersburg Times, 8/8/10]

Tampa Tribune: Scott “Has Avoided Media Interviews And Has Been Secretive About His Checkered Career.” In August 2010, the Tampa Tribune opined: “Scott, who has avoided media interviews and has been secretive about his checkered career, would not be able to carefully control events as he has during the campaign.” [Tampa Tribune, 8/1/10]

Orlando Sentinel: Scott Ducked Debates And Interviews. In August 2010, Orlando Sentinel Columnist Mike Thomas wrote that Rick Scott has “ducked debates and interviews, hoping his catchphrases would be enough to catapult him to victory.” [Orlando Sentinel, 8/25/10]

* Orlando Sentinel: Scott “A Risk Florida Can’t Afford To Take.” In August 2010, the Orlando Sentinel opined: “Mr. Scott says his business experience makes him the outsider that Tallahassee needs to hold government accountable. But he’s a risk Florida can’t afford to take.” [Orlando Sentinel, 8/8/10]

Florida Times-Union: Scott Has Avoided Give-And-Take Public Sessions. The Florida Times-Union opined: “Scott’s temperament remains a bit of a mystery, as does his grasp of policy issues. That’s because scripted commercials don’t reveal those things like the give-and-take public sessions that Scott has often avoided.” [Florida Times-Union, 8/11/10]

Florida Times-Union: Scott “Turned A Deaf Ear” To The Florida Times Union Editorial Board. In August 2010, the Florida Times-Union opined: “The Times-Union has repeatedly asked the Scott campaign for an interview before its editorial board. Despite frequent trips to Jacksonville, the campaign has turned a deaf ear to these requests.” [Florida Times-Union, 8/11/10]

Miami Herald: Scott Showed An Unwillingness To Submit To Tough Questions By Shunning Editorial Boards And Balking At A Live Debate To Be Televised Statewide. According to the Miami Herald, in August 2010, “Scott has showed an unwillingness to submit to tough questions by shunning meetings with newspaper editorial boards and balking at a live debate co-sponsored by the Florida Press Association that would have been televised statewide.” [Miami Herald, 8/14/2010]

The Bradenton Herald: “Scott Has Left Too Many Questions Unanswered, Offering Platitudes And Smiles Instead.” In August 2010, The Bradenton Herald opined that “Scott has left too many questions unanswered, offering platitudes and smiles instead. Voters should ask themselves: Is the governor’s mansion up for sale?” [The Bradenton Herald, 8/7/10]

The Bradenton Herald: Scott’s Dodging Of Specific Questions About His Role At Columbia/HCA Was “A Troubling Sign For A Gubernatorial Candidate Asking Voters For Their Trust.” Regarding fraud at Columbia/HCA, in August 2010, The Bradenton Herald opined that Rick Scott “dodges specific questions about his role, a troubling sign for a gubernatorial candidate asking voters for their trust.” [The Bradenton Herald, 8/7/10]

Sun-Sentinel: Scott ‘Bailed’ On A Joint Appearance With Bill McCollum, Sending His Mother Instead. In August 2010, the Sun-Sentinel reported that, “Governor candidate Rick Scott ducked the joint appearance with primary rival Bill McCollum, bailing out just two hours before the event, surprising organizers and many of the 400 attendees. Scott sent his mother instead. [South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 8/20/10]

Stay Safe
Storm

Fox creates "9/11 body parts map"

2010-09-10T18:19:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

The warmongering crew at Fox News Lead by the lead Ass-Clown Rupert Murdoch has sunk to a new low to try & convince you that all Muslims hate America and her way of life. Seems that the New York Post had a very descriptive way of playing 6 degrees of separation. Said the New York Post:

"Here's the chilling proof that Ground Zero stretches well beyond the boundaries of the World Trade Center site, The map was obtained by The Post from sources after the Fire Department did not respond to requests to review it. It shows that remains were found just 348 feet to the south of the mosque site at 45 Park Place."

Seems SOMEBODY got creative with the blood and the dark background Friday morning on Fox and Friends as well:

Check that Video out here

Stay Safe Citizens,

Storm

Why a Mass Quran burning is Bad.

2010-09-09T16:18:00.001-04:00

Anybody on this planet not living under a rock has heard the plans of the Minister Terry Jones to have a "Mass Quran Burning" on the ninth anniversary of the Sept 11th attacks. Many people on the left side of the aisle including President Obama have shown concern that with the uprising over this in the Middle East, These deplorable actions will put American Forces world wide in further danger. The President said Thursday ""If he's listening, I hope he understands that what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans," the president said "This country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance and as a very practical matter, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women who are in uniform."

We were taught in US history that one of this reason our forefathers fled England was for religious tolerance. When we start judging people on their religions beliefs because of the actions of 19 radicals, we become no better than the places we fled from over 200 years ago. Nobody brings up the Crusades when the Catholic's have a disagreement over something, there is no reason to believe that burning what the Muslim believers consider the "Holy Documents" will make anything better in out current foreign affairs situations.

Charlie Crist works for only one person

2010-09-08T22:12:00.000-04:00

9/11 Showdown FSU vs. Oklahoma

2010-09-03T22:09:00.000-04:00

I know I’m a week early, but FSU plays lowly Samford tomorrow, so not really much analysis needed for that game. As you might’ve noticed, I’m an FSU homer. I grew up in Tallahassee, I graduated from FSU twice, they have more money of mine than any other single source I’m not related to and I’m a lifelong fan.

So I want to examine the chances of FSU upsetting Oklahoma in Norman on September 11. Now I’ll say right up front, I don’t think it’ll happen. FSU is on the right track finally, I think, but they aren’t quite there yet, and they probably aren’t ready for No. 7 on the road, particularly defensively.

That being said, I want to talk about how FSU might win. Again, not likely, but still probably more possible than most people think. Here are the reasons they might win:

1. FSU dominated BYU last year on the road and BYU managed to beat Oklahoma. FSU should be a significantly better team this year (although Oklahoma should be better, too). This one is a stretch, logically speaking, but it means that an upset should at least be thought about.

2. FSU’s offense has the possibility of being one of the best, if not the best, in the nation. Christian Ponder is the best quarterback FSU has had in a decade and one of the best in the nation. He should have little problem picking apart Oklahoma’s zone, particularly when their CBs are their weakest link defensively. Ponder’s back to full health and he has a strong returning cast around him — 19 of 22 of the two-deep chart are back — that performed very well last season. There is experience and depth everywhere except receiver and if the talented, but inexperienced, receivers develop quickly, then this team will average over 40 points per game easily.

3. FSU’s defense will be much improved. The uncertainty of who was in charge is gone. The lack of discipline is gone. The injuries are, for the most part, over. The scheme is improved and the talent was always there. Performance in practice has been superb, which means something since they are lining up against a top-tier offense. The D won’t stop the Sooners, but it could slow them down enough to allow Ponder to do his thing.

4. New defensive coordinator Mark Stoops brings insider knowledge of his brother Bob’s game plans. FSU should know more about what Oklahoma’s going to do than any other team they play because of this connection, which could help FSU overcome some talent mismatches by being able to counter the Oklahoma schemes.

5. The element of surprise is with FSU. No one is expecting too much from FSU and Oklahoma might overlook FSU looking down the road towards bigger things. Add to that the fact that there isn’t really any existing footage of FSU’s new schemes for Oklahoma to learn from and they really won’t have a great idea of what FSU is going to do.

That being said, here’s why FSU probably won’t win.

1. New head coach, new coordinators, new schemes on both sides of the ball. Very difficult to execute all of this well in such a short period of time.

2. The defense has a LOT of improvement to do. They will improve a lot this year, but will it be enough and quickly enough. Probably not this early.

3. Oklahoma’s Stoops is also familiar with FSU’s Stoops. Which brother can best figure out what the other will do is a key, Oklahoma’s Stoops has been doing it longer and better.

4. Oklahoma just has more talent, experience and depth across the board.

5. The game is in Norman.

I never pick against my home team, though, so I’ll predict a slight victory for FSU, 35-31, knowing that it’s an unrealistic prediction. As for tomorrow against Samford, I’m predicting a 52-17 blowout for FSU.

Democrats for Crist? Stick with party, not polls.

2010-09-03T21:08:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

Friend of "THE STORM",Progressive Strategist and Blogger Justin Snyder will be featured in the Palm beach post this Sunday talking about the Democrats that aren't sold on Kendrick Meek as our nominee, & planning on voting for Charlie Crist.

Democrats for Crist? Stick with party, not polls.

"Be as religious as you want when you're not in your official role as a teacher. Your official role as a teacher starts anytime you're involved with students. Please check with me or your attorney if you need clarification so I can avoid termination proceedings for those of you that don't believe me or wish to test this concept.'

DON CURTIS, the principal of Wilson Middle School in Fishersville, Va., warning staff about participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club at the school.

Some in the Florida Democratic Party have gone missing. In the middle of one of the most important election cycles in Florida and U.S. history, some Democrats have run from policies to play politics instead of sticking to the principles that make us Democrats.

The people of Florida have been ignored by our Republican-controlled Legislature and the Governor's Mansion for far too long. However, instead of putting the needs of the Floridians first, some Democrats are more concerned with what is polling well and what will bring the next big-money endorsement.

Florida's unemployment rate is at its highest level in history, and it is time for all elected officials and candidates to risk their jobs in order to save those of Floridians. We like to think of ourselves as better than the Republicans, but over the past year we've seen mudslinging primaries, Democrats endorsing lifelong Republicans, all while Floridians are suffering due to the Republican-controlled Legislature. And it's time for that to change.

We have always been Democrats not because we simply are against Republicans but because we know what being a Democrat stood for. This is the party of Truman, FDR, Kennedy and Clinton, who knew that in times of difficulty, domestic or foreign, you must stand for the people and not just use it as your campaign slogan.

Recently, new state Sen. Maria Sachs endorsed Charlie Crist for the Senate over U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami. Gov. Crist is a Republican with a long list of Republican values. I question where some want to take our party. Sen. Sachs is not alone. We have members of our party who are more interested in the next election than in securing the future of Florida's next generation. People like Sen. Sachs and Eric Johnson, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, have forgotten who they are supposed to be working for and have put their own ambition and futures ahead of the people of Florida. They are like Gov. Crist - opportunists, and should be treated as such. Consider: It was Charlie Crist who claimed that Sarah Palin was more qualified to be president than Barack Obama.

PTA members and unions have been the ones leading the charge to improve public education in Florida. With them were Sens. Dan Gelber, Dave Aronberg and Ted Deutch, who is now in Congress. One might ask if we should give half-credit to Gov. Crist for vetoing the merit pay bill. No. We should be working hard for the real leaders of our party - people like Kendrick Meek, Sen. Gelber, Rep. Mark Pafford and Sen. Nan Rich - not reacting to polls.

Gov. Crist has been hanging around in Tallahassee for more than a decade as a state senator, commissioner of education, attorney general and governor, trying to decide where his political career will go next. All the while, true leaders like former state Reps. Anne Gannon and Susan Bucher stood up for Democratic values. People like Sen. Arthenia Joyner and former Sen. Gwen Margolis, not Maria Sachs, stood up for women's equality.

It was U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, who as a state senator got the public school system to teach about genocide as part of a mandate in our public school system. It is Ron Klein who has brought back more services for our troops in Palm Beach County than any other Democratic elected official. Rep. Kelly Skidmore, now running for Senate District 25, has been a champion on the issue of a woman's right to choose. We need more leaders like this, but it seems like they are an endangered species in our party.

If we are going take back the Legislature and the Governor's Mansion, we must reconstitute the principles that we have abandoned - equality, social justice, prosperity for all, not just the wealthy elite who donate the most to our campaigns. Some Democrats in Florida might be going through an identity crisis, and hopefully our party leaders in the long run will decide to stand side by side with the people of Florida rather than their own ambition.

Our state has been run into the ground by the Republican Party of Florida, and now some members of our party are joining them. I choose to stand on policy and not on politics. I hope Sen. Sachs and the others will join the rest of the Democrats."

Here is the official Link.

Stay Safe Citizens,
Storm

Looking back at what we've done.

2010-09-01T23:45:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

With the end of combat in Iraq, Lets not forget the pain we burned through ignorance, for example:

The same people that attack Democrats & Progressives over their "Their God Given Rights" Attack others for using it in was that don't support their own cause.

Be Safe Citizens,
Storm

President Palin

2010-09-01T18:30:00.005-04:00

Citizens,

First and foremost, Gonna try to get back on the ball. Had to take some time to lick my wounds cause kids let me tell you, This is how it ended for me:

Overkill: Always a Good Decision

Not gonna lie, That kinda stings.

On a different topic, Now that Jeff Greene knows his Role and can proceed to shut his mouth, The adults can continue the conversation they started a few months ago. Which one of the trifecta is going to represent Florida come November 5th.

Seems though that now we are onto a bigger battle.

Seems our Governor Mr. TanTastic himself, has been doing nothing but back tracking since he decided he wanted to run for Senate. Allow me to quote:
"She'd do a great job." That's what Charlie Crist said about Sarah Palin as President of the United States. If that doesn't tell you where he stands, then I don't know what does."- Alan Grayson

Charlie Crist does what's best for Charlie Crist. Anybody of logical thought should know this by know. It was popular to hug Obama, so he did it. It was popular to go to the Gulf when the oil disaster struck, so he did it(Because let's face it, He wasn't gonna do it any other way) It was popular to jump into the Senate race as an independent because it automatically got him to the Big Dance in November.

"Chralie Crist is not a moderate nor an independent\. He is a Republican with Conservative tendencies. He is anti gay rights and abortion. Simply put he is an opportunist that cannot be trusted and I have no doubts that Democratic voters will see past he opportunism and vote in the only progressive, pro-choice, and true environmentalist in the race- Congressman Kendrick Meek" explains Progressive Strategist and Blogger Justin Snyder

Friend of the STORM & CEO of the blog WONKTHISWAY had this to say on the topic. "Charlie Crist is more chameleon than conservative or liberal. He changes his tone depending on who's listening at the time. He is in favor of the ban on gay adoption and against marriage equality...that sounds pretty conservative to me..."

Any Democrat considering voting for Charlie Crist for any reason needs to look at Kendrick Meek's Issues page because I guarantee you they are making a monumental mistake. Kendrick Meek is the only TRUE BLUE Democrat in this race. His election to the Senate will guarantee another voter for President Obama and the Progressive movement.

Long story short, Charlie Crist does nothing unless something is in it for Charlie

Stay Safe Citizens,

Storm

An Inside Job

2010-09-01T18:19:00.000-04:00

Biggest Primary Surprise?

2010-08-31T14:16:00.001-04:00

And....I'm back. Took a short break, but I'm back to dish out more opinions and questions on some interesting races taking place in the Panhandle from the Governor's race on down.

There are always surprises when it comes to election results, but Rick Scott's defeat of Bill McCollum was probably the biggest one in recent memory. Rick Scott...he certainly has made the Governor's race a bit more interesting hasn't he? He went from "outsider" to "insider" so fast it made my head spin! My question is why is he running free (not in jail), much less running for Governor? At least Jeff Greene went down in flames so we don't have to hear any more enlightening quotes from Mike Tyson or fend off mental images of a vomit- covered yacht (seriously that's disgusting!). I have to say (insert sarcasm here heh heh) that I am just really touched by what big hearts exist in Florida's Republican party. I mean they were ready to roast Scott alive before the primary, but now? Sharing stages, talking about unity, calls for support (yes, we know we said he was the devil, but that was soooo last week!)...what's next? Roses? Wine? Carriage rides in the park?

At this rate the RPOF and associates look like they're aiming to snatch an Emmy from the Real Housewives of DC next year instead of being serious about addressing Florida's very real problems that need serious solutions. I say thank goodness for Alex Sink - a level-headed, incredibly smart woman who is ready to tackle all of Florida's issues!

Meek in the News

2010-08-27T13:38:00.001-04:00

RECAP!

2010-08-27T12:43:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

I LOST!

In other news, Congrats to Tallahassee Mayor Marks,

The next U.S. Senator from Florida Kendrick Meek

and the Next/ First Woman Gov. of Fl. Alex Sink.

In other news, People who should have won and didn't (Like Doug Tudor, Rick Minor, & Dave Aronberg) SHOULD NOT fall back into line but be at the forefront of the fight and run again because these are the leaders we need to help lead Florida to the Progressive State it should be! I am very proud to be associated with these leaders. So proud in fact that I am getting a tour started. "A Better Class of Losers Tour 2010, You never lose when you fight for whats right!" Coming soon to a City near you! More info to come. At any rate, More analysis coming later.

Stay Safe Citizens,

Storm

GOTV Primary

2010-08-23T22:08:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

Just wanted to shoot out a reminder to "Get out your Vote" tomorrow for the Primary Election!

Or as one of my favorites groups say:

Looking for some recommendations?

Here are the State Races we endorsed:

Governor: Alex Sink (No Contest/ Not on Tomorrow's Ballot)
US Senate: Kendrick Meek
Attorney General: Dave Aronberg
CFO: Loranne Ausley
Ag Commissioner: Scott Maddox
State Senate Dis 6: Curtis Richardson
House District 9: Rick Minor
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jefferson County (Monticello) Local:
County Commission District 2: Gene Hall
County Commission District 4: Recuse due to personal involvement.
School Board District 3: Shirley Washington
City Council District 2: Tom Vogelesang
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leon County(Tallahassee)

Mayor- John Marks
City Commission 3 - Nancy Miller
City Commission 5 - Gil Ziffer
County at Large - Cliff Thaell
County Commission 5: Bob Rackleff (Incum) or Kristin Dozier.(Both Very Progressive)

*THESE ARE ONLY THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING THIS BLOG.*

Stay Safe Citizens,
Storm

Southerland Speaks in Support of Mosque

2010-08-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

I've spent a bit of time in the past few weeks asking "Who Is Steve Southerland?" Some of what I've found has been confusing at best, but I'm surprised and happy to let you know that someone in the Florida Congressional District 2 Republican Primary has some sense when it comes to building the mosque near Ground Zero. Last night at a forum in Bay County, Steve Southerland expressed his support for building the mosque. Glad to see Southerland come out in support, especially following Ron McNeil’s comments, which I wrote about yesterday.

In case you missed it here’s the McNeil position:
“I’m totally against it. If I had my way, it would pretty much be over my dead body,” said Ron McNeil, a candidate for the U.S. House District 2 seat, who was referring to a controversial plan to build an Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero in New York City. “That religion is against everything America stands for. If we have to let them build it, make them build it nine stories underground, so we can walk above it as citizens and Christians.”

You can view Southerland’s comments in the video below:

Looks like Southerland is the only Republican in the race who supports the mosque. Finally some tolerance and support from a Republican candidate on this issue. Good job Steve Southerland!

McNeil and the Mosque - FL CD 2

2010-08-19T17:45:00.000-04:00

By now people all over Florida have heard about Ron McNeil's (McNeil) comments about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in NYC. McNeil is one of several Republicans vying for a chance to run against Rep. Allen Boyd or Sen. Al Lawson in November. Fortunately, we only have to wait until Tuesday to see who that lucky person will be, but since he's still a candidate for a few more days, let's talk for a minute about McNeil's comments.

The following is McNeil's Mission Statement taken directly from his campaign website (my emphasis):
I intend to lead the transformation of the American Republic back to the US Constitution and Bill of Rights in order to promote Free Enterprise, to require the Federal Government to be limited in size and power, and to make it function under balanced budget limitations. Individual freedom and liberty must be preserved, while personal responsibility is expected from every citizen. The primary goal is to return to being the People’s Government instead of the Government’s people.

Now, with that in mind, consider the comments he made yesterday in response to questions about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in NYC:

"I'm totally against it. If I had my way it'd be pretty much over my dead body to build a mosque there. The Muslims will have that place to gloat about for years if they get their way and it was the Muslim religion that caused the problems we had on 911. It was extremist. It probably didn't represent their exact religion but the very fact they want to build something right there in the shadows of ground zero is ridiculous,"
“That religion is against everything America stands for. If we have to let them build it, make them build it nine stories underground, so we can walk above it as citizens and Christians.”
“This religion’s plan is to destroy our way of life.”
“It’s our place as Christians to stand up for the word of God and what the Bible says.”

Mr. McNeil - I'd like to introduce you to the 1st Amendment of that document you mentioned in your mission statement - you know, the Bill of Rights? You claim to want to take America back to the Bill of Rights, whatever that means, and yet your statements yesterday are in direct conflict with that supposed mission. Here, just so you know what I'm talking about, is the text of the 1st Amendment:

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Anyone who's read some of my previous posts won't be surprised to see I have a few questions...
Did you know there is already another mosque five blocks from there? Did you know there is no proof whatsoever that those wanting to build have any ties to extremist Muslims, such as the ones who took part in 9/11? Did you know there are Muslim services held in the Pentagon? Do you understand that there are different sects of Islam, just as there are different sects of Christians and Jews, etc.? Do you realize there are at least 2 million Muslims (some say as many as 10 million or more) who are citizens of this country?

Do you understand that you are running for an office which, if elected to, would have you representing people of numerous religious faiths and ethnic backgrounds? No, I don't think you do. I don't think you have any concept of what you're talking about. The students asking you the questions and challenging you had far more insight than you appear to have.

So, here's a thought. Until you're ready to accept and grasp the fact that the district you want to represent is not fully comprised of lily white Christians, I suggest you go back to your ranch and oh, I don't know...jump on your round trampoline because you are sure not ready for this.

GOING GOING GONE!

2010-08-18T19:14:00.006-04:00

GUESS WHAT CITIZENS!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For more, we go to on the Scene Reporter Willie Nelson, WILLIE

This $HIT IS Bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

2010-08-16T17:48:00.003-04:00

Citizens,

For Christ Sake! They are even arguing through Road Signs! This is what it looks like over about 80% of Tallahassee. Win or Lose, I guarantee you they aren't planning on picking up ONE of them!

For more on this, We go to the next Gov. of Florida, Current Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink

Stay Safe Citizens

Storm

Alex Sink's first ad

2010-08-16T14:26:00.001-04:00

Do Whats Right Right Now!

2010-08-12T18:58:00.001-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Welcome Home Soldier

2010-08-12T18:44:00.000-04:00

GO DAVE GO!

2010-08-12T18:25:00.001-04:00

Something Stinks in the FL Comm of Ag Race

2010-08-12T11:24:00.000-04:00

Up until now I've been focusing a lot on FL's 2nd Congressional race, but being a Wonk means following all the races...so I have google alerts set up on the different statewide candidates.

Yesterday an interesting endorsement came up for Congressman Adam Putnam who is running for Agriculture Commissioner. The Florida Feedstock Growers Association endorsed him - here is the first paragraph from their announcement:

"Today, at the Florida Feedstock Growers Association’s (FFGA) Inaugural Meeting, held prior to the Fifth Annual Farm to Fuel Summit, the organization announced its official endorsement of Adam Putnam for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. FFGA is a group of veteran farmers who provide education and real-world experience to farmers and landowners about the principles and practices of growing renewable crops and their respective revenue streams and incentive programs."

It was the "inaugural meeting" that caught my attention. It is the first time these 'farmers' are getting together and they are already endorsing candidates? So I started digging...

My first google search was for their organization and the only thing that came up was this linkedin link: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steven-webster/16/5ba/baafor Steven Webster who is listed as FFGA President. Mr. Webster is a Tallahassee Consultant with MW Consulting (he is the W of the MW) whose website is http://www.mwconsult.us/ and whose company slogan is "Our mission is to help our clients achieve profitability quickly and consistently". Nice!

So I start to explore MW Consulting further. They are a lobbying firm that specializes in having the state and federal government provide grant money to whomever hires them - currently they are bragging on their home page that "Mathews Wins $9 Million in Florida Grants for Agri-Source Fuels" (Mathews is the M in the MW). Hmmmm, think they might care about who ends up as the next Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner?

Also on their website I found this paragraph on FFGA:

"MW Consulting has filed the papers to launch the Florida Feedstock Growers Association. South Florida farmer Bill Vasden (http://www.uscjo.com/) is founding chair; farmer John Paul of Two Cars Citrus is vice chair. MW President Steven Webster is president and registered agent, while MW CEO Peggy Mathews is secretary-treasurer of the new association."

So of their four founding members, who Congressman Putnam's press release today called "a group of veteran farmers" only two have anything to do with farming! The other two are lobbyists for agribusiness. MW Consulting’s Bio Page for Mathews and Webster has nothing about farming.

This doesn't pass the smell test. This appears to be big business lobbyists who make a living off the taxpayers working to grease the wheels of the candidate they think is going to win and give them more money. These lobbyists got smart and created a group with a fancy name and are getting free press for their candidate off of it.

Do you know what Feedstock is? It's raw materials like crude oil or iron ore, or in this example biomass. These aren't working farmers at all.

This just stinks.

The Truth about Republicans

2010-08-11T20:57:00.001-04:00

By the Immortal George Carlin

What Has Obama Done?

2010-08-11T19:28:00.001-04:00

How Republican Is Steve Southerland?

2010-08-10T22:41:00.002-04:00

Has anyone else noticed that Steve Southerland spends a lot of time telling us what a "conservative" he is? In case you haven't visited his campaign website, the top banner literally says he is a Conservative Republican. This made me wonder why he is trying soooooooo hard to make sure everyone knows he's a conservative Republican. And if he's cornering the market on being the conservative candidate, where does that leave the other Republicans vying to run against Rep. Allen Boyd? I think there's a tiny little possibility that Mr. Southerland feels like he has something to prove, what with being a registered Democrat as recently as 2002. I wonder...did he vote for Clinton? Did he vote for Al Gore in 2000? I can't, of course, say who he voted for because I don't know. I can, however, tell you that he donated to Rep. Allen Boyd's campaign in the past...you know back when he was a Democrat - before he morphed into this uber conservative candidate. Come to think of it...if he registered to vote in 1984 as a Democrat and didn't become a Republican until 2002...yeah, it's now 2010...so that means he spent WAY more of his voting years as a Democrat than as a Republican! Yep, 18 years as a Democrat and only 8 years as a Republican...I can see why he feels like he has something to prove.

Entire Rick Scott Interview

2010-08-10T22:02:00.002-04:00

Rick Scott Comes Unglued.

Stay Safe Citizens,
Storm

Rick Scott just got Served!

2010-08-10T21:19:00.002-04:00

Citizens,

Steve Andrews, a Tallahassee Attorney filed suit Monday to force disclosure of GOP Gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott's deposition that is sealed under a confidentiality agreement. When asked what he said, Scott said the settlement “is a private matter” and he will not willingly disclose what he said in the deposition.

WELL GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?

Stay Safe Citizens,
Storm

Early Voting Starts Today!

2010-08-09T11:14:00.002-04:00

Just a friendly reminder that early voting starts today! If you live in Leon County, here's the link for all the info you need to go vote! http://www.leonvotes.com/

Stay tuned for ongoing commentary on local races. I wish I could cover them all, but not possible since I do have a day job :-) I'll do my best though! Remind everyone to vote!! Look at the ballot and research the names that aren't familiar to you and decide whose views match yours. This is important!

Storm Enterprise

To:The Florida Democratic Party Re: My Letter of Resignation

To:The Florida Democratic Party

Re: My Letter of Resignation

It's Been Awhile

I Have Sex

Reaction to Wisconsin

Awake the State - Cartoon

MRV @ The Pro Union Rally

MRV @ The Pro Union Rally

Ozzy Grants a Wish

Legicamp 2011

My Favorite SuperBowl Ad

Rick Scott Buys the State of Florida

I'M STILL ALIVE!

Kinda Scary

We Can Do Better

It's Just a Game

Our thoughts on the Arizona Shooting

Rick Scott's First Day

Not Sure If Serious : RNC CHAIRMANS RACE.

Interview with Protester

"I Don't Care" - The Rick Scott Inauguration (video)

Inauguration Coverage

The even more updated Rick Scott Inauguration Donors list

My Bad.

Florida Action Alert - Fight the Racial Profiling Bill

Could lowering the age of retirement also aid the concerns of the G.O.P?

Not sure if Serious: Senate Republicans Hate First Responders

Man Shoots up School Board Meeting because Wife fired from Budget Cuts

Meet David

Sarah Palin: Less a rogue, more a thief

Storm Enterprise on Location!

"The Ache" as reposted from Cogent Concepts

(No words fit this subject line)

Rick Scott "EPA!" (Comic)

Not Sure if Serious: Rush Limbaugh

"The Body" Layth the Smackdown on TSA's Candy Ass!

When Palin Bears Attack!

Ignorance Runs Rampant

1001 Tea Bagger Jokes

The More You Know

Argue Amongst Yourselves

Orlando RNC Tea Party Interviews

Not Sure if Serious: Alex Sink

Roots Camp Florida

*Quickie!* Not Sure if Serious: Tucker Carlson

WSJ story on Meek Crist ongoings

Superstars Stand Up for WWE

*UPDATE* Not Sure if Serious: Clinton to Meek

My Homie Obeeze on The Daily Show

It's Hot in Florida Doncha know

This is the Change I voted for.

SOMEBODY'S BACKTRACKING

Not Sure if Serious- Michael Hussey

Stand Up for WWE

Reverse Racism is Like American Socialism - It Doesn't Exist

FCKH8

Pt. 2

G.A.Y.S. (Gays against you serving)

Not sure if Serious: Attacks on Linda McMahon

Reconsider Columbus Day

Quiz says it all

My Liberal Identity

Rick Scott cant be trusted

WWE Fan Appreciation Day

Rick Scott Cited in Business Ethics Textbook for Fraud

Jefferson County 2010 General Election Endorsements

The True Conservative

Grayson's New Ad

We don't like yer kind 'round hea!

Wexler Backs Crist

Terror of Tallahassee - Now even Scarier than Before!

Not Sure if Serious

BC Rave Rape - What Now?

Want Proof Fox News Doesn't Tell the Truth?

Not Sure if Serious: Rick Scott

Fox creates "9/11 body parts map"

Why a Mass Quran burning is Bad.

Charlie Crist works for only one person

Quickie! Not Sure if Serious: Tucker Carlson

UPDATE Not Sure if Serious: Clinton to Meek