Monday, August 31, 2009
My so-called pregnancy: an abortion story (part one)
Posted by Miss Ginger Millay on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Most of what is said about abortion comes from politicians and religious leaders, but it's everyday women who actually have to make the difficult decision of what to do about an unplanned pregnancy - women like me.
1 in 3 American women will have an abortion in her lifetime. This is a huge number which likely includes many women close to you, yet few ever talk about their experiences. Where are the personal accounts?
Even with the anonymity of the internet, these stories are hard to find. Women facing unplanned pregnancies have a right to know about the experiences of other women and why some chose to terminate their pregnancy.
Mitch Perry - News & Politics Editor
Posted by Web Editor on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Mitch Perry is the Assistant News Director for WMNF radio in Tampa. For the past six years, he's been the anchor and managing editor for the station's 6 p.m. Evening News. He previously worked as a reporter/anchor at KFPA radio in Berkeley, California. And he also worked in the national office of the Sierra Clu.
Lesbian sex: A guide for douchebags
Posted by Courtney Bishop on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 6:41 PM
"So, what is 'sex' for lesbians, anyway? I mean, neither of you have a dick, so it's not like you can really fuck.
You know, you're right, guy who still high-fives and wears Ed Hardy shirts. Obviously we dykes can't have "real" sex. "Real" sex requires use of your giant cock. You describe "sex" as the act of penetration. And even though I can penetrate a woman using other methods, and probably find her G-spot more quickly and efficiently than you can, I'm not having real sex with her. It's ‘cause I can't cum in her butt crack, isn't it? Don't be shy...you know that's your jizz-catching area of choice...usually ‘cause you're fucking her doggy-style...or you just have it in her asshole...I'm not insinuating you're a closet homo or anything. Your protein shake is ready.
Summer Jam 5 review, Part I: Blind Man's Colour, Shunda K, Mogul Street Reserve, and Alexander & the Grapes
Posted by Leilani Polk on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Mogul Street Reserve pictured at right; all photos by Phil Bardi.
Despite being bone-weary and mentally exhausted, I slagged my tired ass down to Ybor City and made it to Summer Jam 5 just before sunset to enjoy the mini-fest's variety of musical offerings, which featured a huge roster of quality local acts as well as the few necessary nationals (The Honorary Title, Cory Branan, Carter Hulsey) to round things out.
We cruised into Crowbar just in time to see Blind Man's Colour (pictured after the jump), a new experimental outfit made up of some young and green but super skilled musicians who are so hot that Kanye West gave the little known St. Petersburg outfit some love to with a "Some Dope Shit for My Apartment" post on his blog this past January, and Grizzly Bear's Edward Droste followed suit with a tweet about the band around the same time. BMC was also featured recently on NPR's on All Things Considered for a "Music from the Sublime to the Old Time" artist spotlight a few weeks ago, so it appears like they're on the upswing.
Richard Blais on Top Chef: Simple v. Contrived
Posted by Richard Blais on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 4:28 PM
You’ll all be glad that I’m not going to discuss those issues in this column. OK, well, for the record, I think people should be able to wed whomever they want.
But, what I felt was the biggest controversy of the episode was the comment made that the boys’ food was “contrived” and that mass appeal is as important as the judges’ opinion.
These are both issues I take pretty seriously. The former is an issue we battle every day in my kitchens.
I’ll be honest, I’m fed up with the whole
Sex surveys: can that be right?
Posted by Sex and Love editor on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Online surveys are all the rage. CL is even busy running our own for Best of the Bay. Particularly with sex surveys, you can't help but wonder how accurate the findings are. For the most part, the sample group is composed of the same people who sign up for enter-to-win-contests on pop-up ads or who repost annoying Facebook surveys that describe what A-Team member or Golden Girl you would be. Still, sex surveys are interesting because they reassure us that we're not alone in our deviant addictions.
After reviewing several online sex surveys, I've included the results of two below. The first is shocking because of how tame it is. The other will make your sex life seem about as adventurous as that of an Amish widow.
Best of the Bay readers' poll voting extended until Wednesday, Sept. 2
Posted by Stephen Hammill on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Do to a surge in voting over the weekend, we've decided to keep the Best of the Bay polls open an extra two days -- that means you have until Wednesday, Sept. 2 at noon to submit any and all ballots.
With some hotly-contested races like Best Local Chef, Best Local Band, Best Neighborhood and Best New Restaurant still undecided, your vote can make the difference.
Stay tuned for updates after the polls close by visiting cltampa.com/botb for updates on our Loafies awards party, to be held at our offices on Sept. 15, to be followed by our Best of the Bay issue Sept. 16.
You can also catch all updates on Best of the Bay on Twitter by looking for the tag #botb.
VOTE HERE.
Why the Scott Kazmir trade was the right move for the Rays — and Scott Kazmir
Posted by Ryan Schreiber on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 1:40 PM
(Photo by Googie Man via Wikipedia)
In pretty much every pitching category tracked by baseball, Scott Kazmir is the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays' career leader. Starts, innings pitched, K's, wins. Kazmir was the face of hope. Sure, there was Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli to show the speed and athleticism that the farm system had but, with all respect to them, Kazmir was on a different level. Baseball people know that you can't really get anywhere without pitching. So even though you have horses at other positions, you need some guys on the bump to take care of you.
Kazmir was that guy from that fateful August day in 2004 when the skinny childlike sprout took the mound for the Rays for the first time. So understandably people were a little shocked to hear his name in the rumors surrounding the MLB trade deadline earlier this year. "Sure, he isn't pitching too well," you would hear, "but he'll straighten it out." Now he's out the door and people are shocked yet again. This time, though, there were some signs that Kaz still had "it" that we'd all come to love.
But such is life for a "small market" club. The circle of life, if you will. Kazmir came to the (Devil) Rays in a trade that saw fan-fave-who-just-couldn't-figure-it-all-out-or-stay-healthy Victor Zambrano head to the New York Metropolitans. Now Kazmir is gone and two young pups enter the (Devil) Rays farm system. If you'll allow me, I'd like to quote you the immortal words of Sir Elton John:
Cone Ranch needs protection, all right — protection from the Hillsborough County Commission
Posted by Kelly Cornelius on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 1:19 PM
By Kelly Cornelius
PoHo contributor &
Photo credits: MariellaSmith at Flickr.com
With scandals galore in Hillsborough County, I am a little late on updating you on the most recent Cone Ranch meetings. Recall the Cone Ranch deal was our County Commission bending over backwards at a questionable proposal to buy the publicly owned land by private investors. The idea was pitched to County Commissioners by their Chairman, Commissioner Ken Half-truth Hagan, R -Ridiculous, in order to "preserve" Cone Ranch. The brokers pushing the deal are big time Republican donors. Uh-huh.
After many months and several meetings I think they have finally established that a) The land is publicly owned, and b) It is already preserved, and c) It wasn't even for sale! I wonder how much that cost you in staff time from county employees? Here is a quick recap of what you missed at the August 14th meeting; I will cover the August 24th meeting in another post.
Ted Kennedy: A progressive green champion
Posted by Linda Taylor on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM
In the week that Senator Ted Kennedy's death closed a major political chapter in US history a Treehugger.com looks at his influential role in the environmental movement. Being called a "progressive green champion" the "liberal lion" was known for his commitment to clean energy and wildlife protection.
Here are some of the highlights from Climate Progress:
Holding Oil Companies AccountableDuring consideration of a 1975 tax cut proposal, Kennedy introduced a provision targeting the oil depletion allowance, which since 1926 had enabled oil producers to exclude 22 percent of their revenues from any taxes. Kennedy’s initiative passed overwhelmingly, trimming the allowance for independent producers and ending it for the major oil companies.
Raising Fuel Economy Standards
Senator Kennedy has a long and distinguished record supporting clean renewable sources of energy and reducing the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. More than 30 years ago he cosponsored the first law to establish fuel economy standards. And in 2007, he supported a law which increased fuel economy standards, which is essential to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Senator Kennedy was a strong proponent of increasing energy efficiency, which is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He was a long time supporter of programs like the weatherization assistance program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that helps those most in need reduce their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency.
Ted Kennedy did much more in his six terms as senator. The United States is a greener place thanks to his efforts. Ted Kennedy was one of the most powerful, respected, and influential senators in US history—it is my hope that his progressive view towards our environment and the beings that share it will be carried on within our government.
