DemocracyForAmerica.com » Democracy for Florida

Story of the Day

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 10:42 PM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The most talked about story on the Florida blogs today was Jeb! dropping out of the 2010 Senate race. Here's what people said...

The Spencerian: Jeb Out for Senate in 2010

Incertus (Brian): Well, that's one out of the way

MyDD: FL-Sen: Jeb Won't Run

Down With Tyranny: Can Jeb Bush Shed Enough Pounds Fast Enough To Make A Run For The Senate?

Pushing Rope: Jeb Bush Not Running For Senate

Progressive Pensacola: Rubio jumps in

Bark Bark Woof Woof: Jeb! 2010

AMERICAblog: Jeb Bush isn't running for Senate in Florida

Progressive Pensacola: Jeb won’t run for Senate

Eschaton: No Senator Jeb in '10

Discuss

Important Reading

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 9:41 PM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Good stuff you all should read from bloggers in other states...

Bob Herbert: The Afghan Quagmire

AMERICAblog: Pelosi’s power move leaves House Republicans fuming

The Democratic Strategist: Can the GOP Expand Its Demographic Base While Moving Right?

Open Left: Being Pro-Israel, When Israel Itself Is Not

African American Political Pundit: The Drop Out Crisis In America

Open Left: A Half Century of Rejection - Or Why Dems Shouldn't Appoint Aristocrats/Insiders to Senate Seats

Open Left: Democrats Won Big This Year But How Big?

Open Left: Solving the Rootsgap

Discuss

Action Alerts

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 9:36 PM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Sign the petition: Protect the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund (CC)

Send an e-mail: Ask Obama to Adopt the Clean Slate Agenda (Sierra)

Send an e-mail: Vote YES on Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and Paycheck Fairness Act (IAP)

Send an e-mail: Pass the Obama jobs and recovery plan NOW! (TM)

Sign the petition: Tell Congress: Support equal pay for women (Credo)

Sign the petition: Food Democracy Now! (FD)

Sign the petition: Make Worldwide Hunger a Priority (FFH)

Discuss

Florida Senate 2010

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 5:33 PM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The news earlier today that Jeb Bush is not running for Senate was good news and somewhat unexpected. So where does that leave us? Who will be running for this seat? A quick rundown of where others stand as far as running prior to Jeb's announcement:

Story of the Day

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 12:26 AM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The most talked about story on the Florida blogs yesterday was Ray Sansom's resignation from Northwest Florida State College. Here's what people said...

Re/Creating Tampa: Sansomwatch - Can this really be the end?

Sherman Dorn: Sansom watch, January 4 edition

Interstate4Jamming2: It Should Never Have Been A Difficult Decision To Make

Why Now?: Kept The Wrong Job

Pushing Rope: Sansom Quits Northwest Florida State College

Progressive Pensacola: Sansom resigns college job

Flablog: Silent Ray speaks!

Discuss

10 Stories to Read

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 12:23 AM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

This is our regular feature where every day I do a post with the top 10 blog posts that I think people should read from the previous day. Posts are included here and ranked based on a combination of originality, focus on Florida, length (longer, more thorough analysis is better), quality of writing and impact of the story.

1. madfloridian - Political caving-in and other stuff since 2000 that has angered me the most: "No, I am not simply being negative. I am looking ahead by looking back. They say that is how you keep history from repeating itself. I have made no secret of the fact that I think Democrats need to bravely stand up and say who they are."

2. FLA Politics - The problem with Florida's traditional media: "When alleged journalists like Lindley describe people like Jim Smith as an individual who 'remains a calm, reasoned, honorable thinker', we see what is wrong with the traditional media."

3. FLA Politics - "Lapdogs": "The Orlando Sentinel editorial board, starts today by calling the kettle black, asking 'Who doesn't like a lapdog?'"

4. Eye on Miami (Genius of Despair) - The Worst Thing I Have Ever Seen Happen in Florida: "Yes, this woman is shouting at Jews: 'Go back to the oven!'"

5. FLA Politics (Tally) - More Meek: "And a Democratic slate that contained Meek, Sink running for re-election, and Garcia, would be a real-life counterpoint to Jeb's remark that the Republican Party can't afford to be 'The Old White Guy Party.'"

6. BeThink - "I'm Dying;" Please Ponder My Plea: "I did not know of him or of his condition until today. When he first approached me, he assured me, I did not need to assist him. He was well taken care of. kwickkick wanted to help me help myself. Indeed, he hoped to lend a hand to all who reside in America. He had only his story, a reminder of what is most important to a person when they learn they are about to pass. Kwickkick offered his plea, to you, and to me, and asked us to ponder."

7. FLA Politics (Tally) - Jeb's view of Property Insurance: "I was cleaning out some old files on my computer when I came across a copy I had made of an op-ed piece former Rep. Don Brown, (R), HD-5, wrote for an obscure panhandle paper (at least that's where I found it on-line back in January of 2007). What's interesting about that is Don Brown was an important member of the committee set up in the waning days of the Jeb Bush administration to reform property insurance. The committee was headed by Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings and produced a report with several suggestions (none of which was "have prices drop like a rock")."

8. The Spencerian - Off the Radar: McKone Challenges Nehr: "Tom McKone is going to challenge bankrupt Republican Peter Nehr in Florida House District 48. Peter Nehr is pretty weak. This should be a pick-up for Democrats in 2010. Put this one on the priority list, House Victory."

9. Radio or Not - Back to school, back to work...: "So, the fact that all three kids started a new school today is where the similarity ends. The Obama girls are going to a very exclusive private school in DC, and Alison is going to a better school than the one I originally lied about my address to keep her out of."

10. Shepherding Truth - An Open Letter to the American Bishops: "Enough! Enough of your distortions of Scripture. You continue to claim that a loving homosexual act in a committed relationship is condemned in Scripture, when competent scholars are nearly unanimous in acknowledging that nowhere in Scripture is the problem of sexual acts between two gay men or lesbian women who love each other, ever dealt with, never mind condemned. You must listen to biblical scholars to find out what Scripture truly has to say about homosexual relationships."

Discuss

Ammunition

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 12:21 AM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

The latest links to the information you need to counter right-wing spin...

Reports suggest Israeli forces using cluster bombs in Gaza

Wallace uses right-wing buzzwords to fearmonger on EFCA, says it ‘eliminates the right to a secret ballot.’

Gay Rights Threaten Freedom of Belief, Conservative myth 2.0

A Final Report Card on the Reagan Years?

New Deal gets a raw deal when conservatives rap FDR

Liberals and the KKK

Global Warming's One Percent Doctrine--A Bit More Than One Percent

Guilty: Coulter's latest book filled with falsehoods

Wash. Times echoed opponents' distortion of EFCA in asserting it would "eliminat[e] the secret ballot"

IBD cited 1930s America, 1990s Japan as evidence that stimulus spending doesn't work, but economists disagree on both counts

Your Liberal Media

Discuss

Important Reading

Written by: Kenneth Quinnell on Jan 6, 2009 12:19 AM EST

Linked to groups: Florida DFA, Democracy for Florida, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), DFA Tallahassee, Training Academy Alumni, Class of 2007, DFA at Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos) July 17-20, DFA Campaign Academy Alumni

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Good stuff you all should read from bloggers in other states...

Pam's House Blend: Why blacks should support gay marriage

Open Left: Northern Racism--Yes, I Know It Exists

The Democratic Strategist: Let’s face it. All too often Democrats end up just yelling at each other when they try to discuss long-term political strategy – with the challenges that confront us, it’s urgent that we figure out how to do better

AMERICAblog: More from Josh on the tax cuts

Down With Tyranny: Does Obama Have What It Takes To Rescue America From The Bush Economic Miracle?

Daily Kos: Why the Employee Free Choice Act Is So Important: The Power of Organization

Open Left: A Bit Of Deep Background On Israel And Palestine From Robert Fisk

Discuss

Can you spare 30 seconds of your time to help save abandoned pets?

Written by: Richard Renner on Jan 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST

As our economic crisis continues to worsen, some of the most vulnerable among us can not speak for themselves - Unwanted and abandoned pets. Missaukee Humane Society (MHS) is a small shelter in rural Northern Michigan, dependent on contributions to continue their mission of mercy. MHS is one of the only no-kill animal shelters left in Michigan. They are currently running on a deficit, and at full capacity. Many mornings, the staff arrives to find abandoned pets, left overnight by owners who can no longer afford to feed or care for them.

Right now, MHS is attempting to win a $10,000 prize from Adopt-a-Pet.com. Please, can you spare 30 seconds of your time to vote for MHS, by clicking on...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

$10,000 could save literally hundreds of abandoned pets - Pets that give us nothing but unconditional love in exchange for an occasional pat on the head, game of fetch, and a couple of bowls filled with food and fresh water.

Because MHS is in a rural, sparsely populated area, they need as many votes as possible from all across the state, and all across the country. Please vote now at...

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/70962/?refer=26290.12.1229816824.4762

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog…a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that had no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

- George Graham Vest, American lawyer and politician, 1830-1904