- Field Day |
- Buildings Alive |
- Visions |
- CLGBT |
- Green Community |
- Fun & Free S#!T |
- Crossword |
- CL Space |
Politics
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Donald Trump officially endorses Mitt Romney: Who gives a…
Posted by Rebecca Forman on Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Originally I was going to blog about Showtime’s Shameless getting picked up for a third season (Team Gallagher, FTW — if you aren’t watching this show, you should remedy this STAT) but my phone has been blowing up in the last hour and I’ve therefore changed my mind.
Breaking? This is breaking news? Seriously, AP? Did you forget to tag this tweet with the sponsored label? Is there a new season of The Apprentice coming up that I don’t know about?
(Do a simple Google News search and you'll find nearly 1,400 articles about it.)
Monday, January 30, 2012
In Dunedin, Romney sounds confident of a win
But not everyone in the crowd was a fan.
Posted by Josh Holton on Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 11:23 PM
The final feud for Florida wraps up with today's GOP primary, a race Mitt Romney is confident he's going to win. Yesterday afternoon, flanked by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and Congressman Connie Mack, Romney looked out to a crowd of hundreds of his supporters gathered at Pioneer Park in Dunedin and asked, “With a turnout like this I'm beginning to feel like we might be able to win tomorrow, what do you think?”
Most of the crowd was there to cheer on the front-runner, but not everyone was a supporter. Fans of Ron Paul and protesters from the Occupy movement were also on hand to hear the candidate and have their say.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Even Newt admits if Romney wins SC, Florida is irrelevant
Posted by Mitch Perry on Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Despite the fact that many of the early states are awarding delegates proportionately (except for Florida's 49 delegates, which will be winner-take-all), if Mitt Romney takes South Carolina on Saturday — and there's not a single poll that's been published that doesn't show him in the lead — it's game, set and match in terms of this nomination race.
A desperate Newt Gingrich, who appears to be the only conservative standing who might be able to bring a coalition of voters together to seriously challenge Romney, admits this is the case, saying in the Palmetto state on Tuesday that, "If I don't win the primary Saturday, we will probably nominate a moderate."
Sarah Palin feels the same way, as she told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Tuesday night:
Monday, January 16, 2012
Irony of ironies — Law enforcement gives suspected ethics violator Jim Norman an award
Posted by George Niemann on Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 10:46 AM
George Niemann is a Daily Loaf contributor and a UCAN, RLAND, FSP activist. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily the same as the organizations to which he belongs.
This could turn out to be the ultimate political paradox of 2012. On Thursday, January 12, 2012, the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) bestowed their Legislator of the Year Award on state Senator Jim Norman. If they bothered to check his rap sheet they would have seen that Norman must face ethics charges on February 3, 2012 in Tallahassee for accepting $500,000 from a Tampa businessman and mysteriously forgetting to report it, as required by law.
The decision to give him this award boggles the mind, considering the charges he’s facing. Maybe this law enforcement group has a beat on a street in Superman’s Bizarro World.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sen Jim Norman faces ethics charges at a scheduled hearing on Feb 3, 2012
Posted by George Niemann on Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 8:15 PM
The views expressed are my own and not necessarily the same as the organizations to which I belong.
State Senator Jim Norman will have to face the Ethics Commission at a Probable Cause Hearing in Tallahassee on February 3, 2012. Numerous ethics complaints were filed by citizens following the discovery that Norman’s wife purchased a vacation home in Arkansas using money given to her by the late Ralph Hughes, a politically connected business owner tied to land development in Hillsborough County.
Previously the Feds looked carefully at the details of the $500,000 that changed hands in 2006 for possible criminal violations. In November of 2011, the feds decided not to indict Norman. As is often the case, prosecutors factor in their chances of winning a conviction when making a decision to charge criminally. Hughes’ son claimed that the money his father gave Norman’s wife, Mearline, was a loan. Hmmmm…a loan made six years ago with no arrangements for paying it back??? Oops, I think I just saw a pig fly by!!! The fact that there were no friendly witnesses probably factored heavily into US Attorney O’Neill’s decision not to indict.
Friday, December 23, 2011
The fugliest political happenings of 2011
A Hillsborough government watchdog looks back at a year of bad politics and bad decisions.
Posted by George Niemann on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 7:10 AM
Daily Loaf contributor and R-LAND, UCAN, FSP activist
The ideas expressed are my own and not necessarily those of the organizations to which I belong
This was a tough year, both economically and politically. We’ve had some bad decision-making locally, as well as around the state. I’ve compiled a 2011 Fugliest List: Hillsborough and Beyond, with the help of my community advocate colleagues at UCAN (United Citizens’ Action Network-Hillsborough) and other diligent county watchers.
Here's a list of things that we wished never happened:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
VIDEO: Thousands march at UN Climate Talks in South Africa
Posted by Kelly Benjamin on Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 2:15 AM
Thousands of Africans fed up with a lack of international action on the climate change crisis marched, sang, and danced today outside the UN climate talks at COP 17 in Durban today. Negotiators from 192 countries are struggling at the summit to come to agreements on how to lower global greenhouse gas emissions and help the most vulnerable countries of the world adapt to runaway climate change that is already occurring. Greenpeace International's Executive Director Kumi Naidoo lashed out at the United States, until recently the world's top polluter (the honor now goes to China), for refusing ever to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the only legally binding instrument to cut carbon emissions. "Those who are not interested in saving lives, economies, and environments, like the US, must now stand aside and let those with the political will move forward," Naidoo said.
The UN Climate Talks in Durban continue this week with activists and NGOs hoping for action on securing a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol and creating a Green Climate Fund to aid poor countries adapt to climate change.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Debate over tax policy continues, income disparity grows
Posted by Ben Luongo on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 12:28 PM
The Congressional Budget Office released its October report last week titled Trends in the Distribution of Household Income Between 1979 and 2007. The report cites a growing, and startling, divide of income inequality between the top income earners and everyone else. Income for the top one percent grew by 275% while income for all other groups rose only 65% or lower. The report also notes that business income and capital gains grew faster than labor income. To the right is a graph from the report illustrating wage growth per income distribution.
The CBO releases this report as the tax policy debate in Washington grows more contentious. The two parties aggressively oppose each's plans as Democrats want to raise taxes on top income earners while Republicans want to lower taxes. Democrats reference the CBO's report to defend increasing the tax burden for the wealthy. Republicans, however, argue that targeting any income distribution hurts the economy and, furthermore, sensationalize the Democrat's plans as class warfare.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Beyond Sustainability Conference at Hillsborough Community College: Nov. 3-4
Panels on green jobs, socially responsible investing and social justice, showcasing the latest in research, policy and grassroots actions.
Posted by Sean Nordquist on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 2:30 PM
This is an event for eco-preneurs who want to learn about green opportunities as well as those looking to invest or find a job with an eye on a sustainable future. With over 70 presenters, panels on green jobs, socially responsible investing and social justice, it will showcase the latest in research, policy and grassroots actions throughout the two days. With exceptional keynotes and deep dialogue, Beyond Sustainability will be one of the most diverse networking opportunities in 2011, as well as a place to meet others to plan actions into 2012.
Demonstrators criticize Rick Perry's stance on Social Security outside heavily-guarded Saint Pete Beach fundraiser
Posted by Kate Bradshaw on Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Chances are, you'll get a warning at first. A police officer will take down your information. The officer and security personnel will tell you that if you so much set foot on a blade of grass belonging to the swank resort, they'll haul you in for trespassing.
Chances are, as GOP contenders shower their affections on the I-4 corridor in the lead-up to Florida's Republican primary (and, of course, next August's Republican National Convention), opportunities for press and other interested parties to get arrested will abound.
The handful of protesters outside a large resort in St. Pete Beach clearly weren't interested in jail.
