TampaBLAB

Dear Emma,

I’ll admit I have no idea who you are. I think you are an actress or something, although I am so far behind in my movies I’m still trying to find time to watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and A Beautiful Mind.

Anyway, I was at the barber shop today reading the August issue of GQ (Yes, I was reading GQ, just to show you what kind of guy I am.) and I saw a picture of you that caught my eye.

It seems we have something in common.

Just to let you know, I’m quite the catch. I can cook, as long as you don’t mind fish sticks and cheese and mac; clean, as long you don’t mind the house smelling like Febreeze; and I have many other redeeming qualities, like …

(Sorry, I’m kinda drawing a blank. But if you leave your name, number, and a brief message in the comments, I promise I will tell you 1,001 other great things about me.)

Friday July 31, at 7:30pm
Paddy Burke's Irish Pub
100 Fourth St. S
Saint Petersburg
info

Nice graphic from Good clearly demonstrating where the money we spend in Iraq goes.

I’m guessing hookers.

Thank goodness we’re sending more money over there. Maybe they can afford to buy those hookers some blow.

Keith Fitzgerald, Democrat, for State House District 69.
here

Kendick Meek is touring Florida in the "Real Dems Express" bus The media is so overwhelmed by Meek's dazzling new campaign strategy that they are asking him if he will endorse Jeff Greene if he wins. Meek uses a lot of words, including "Hypothetically" several times. Apparently, the "Real Dems Express" has about as much straight talk as John McCain's campaign bus.

“I don’t like to live in the world of hypotheticals and I really, I’m not even prepared to answer that question. I do see Mr. Greene as a Republican versus a Democrat.

“Hypothetically — and I do mean hypothetically in a big way — if he was to advance from the Democratic primary then Floridians would be looking at three Republicans debating one another. Because that’s the reason why Mr. Greene is running a Republican-style attack against me in the primary because that’s who he is. I don’t see Floridians really having a dog in the fight if I don’t make it to — hypothetically speaking, very hypothetically speaking — if I don’t make it to the general election. But I believe that’s the reason why Democrats are going to come out and vote for me…”

Hypothetically, Meek sounds like another career politician by not giving an answer to a question.

Hypothetically, it is not a good sign when the media thinks Meek as a very good chance of losing.

Hypothetically speaking, Meek is a horrible public speaker who repeats the same word Ad nauseam.

Hypothetically, Meek will have a hard time having a career in Democratic politics if he does not endorse the party nominee.

Hypothetically, Meek's political career will be over after this campaign cycle. If Meek makes it through the primary poll numbers show him getting crushed by Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio.

Of course, this is all hypothetical. Meek's campaign is going to catch on fire any day now. Get your fire extinguisher ready.

Hillsborough County Commission candidate will have a Lit Drop this Saturday. The cxampaign is looking for volunteers. Check the Facebook event page for contact information.

Date: July 31, 2010

Time Saturday · 9:30am - 6:00pm

Location: MEETING SPOT AT 9:30 AM: Three Coins Diner in District 3
7410 North Nebraska Avenue
Tampa, FL

The House on Tuesday sent President Barack Obama a major war-funding increase of $33 billion to pay for his troop surge in Afghanistan......here

Thank You, Florida Reps. Kathy Castor, Alcee Hastings and Corrine Brown who voted against the measure.
Billions of Dollars Unaccounted For in Iraq

"Study: lack of social interaction reduces lifespan. See? I *told* you all these Tea Party rallies were good for us."

Fred Thompson, actor and Republican presidential candidate.

Judging by the amount of misspelled signs, I don't think too much studying is the Tea Party's problem.



Sen. Lindsay Graham summed up what is wrong with the Tea Party.

"The problem with the Tea Party, I think it’s just unsustainable because they can never come up with a coherent vision for governing the country. It will die out."

The Tea Party cannot govern because they have no understanding of policy. That would require studying. Spell-checking also would not hurt.

Reader Jim (aka Prup), a friend and frequent commenter at Cogitamus--and someone who does have a few differences with me about Sarah Palin's motivations as well as those of the mainstream media journalists who to this day have not investigated the ex-governor's strange, inconsistency and lie-filled stories* surrounding what has come to be known as Babygate--has written a terrific set of questions designed to get Palin supporters thinking.**

Thank you, Jim. Take it away...

Ten Questions for Sarah Palin's supporters who are also mothers:

1. If you were a state governor who was eight months pregnant--and remember, Sarah Palin already knew hers was a high-risk pregnancy because of her age (44) and, according to her book, her baby having been diagnosed via amniocentesis as having Down syndrome--and you were scheduled to fly some 4,000 miles from home to give a speech at a conference, would you (a) give your speech from home via teleconferencing, using modern real-time technology, and explain to your hosts that the high-risk nature and advanced stage of your pregnancy made you reluctant to fly; or, alternatively, send the deputy governor to give your speech or (b) dismiss any staff or security slated to fly with you and insist on flying 4,000 miles to the conference yourself?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

2. If, while attending this conference, you experienced leaking amniotic fluid and felt early contractions on the morning before you were scheduled to speak, would you (a) hand the speech to someone else, ask him or her to give it on your behalf, and go straight to the nearest hospital--one that was equipped for handling high-risk mothers, premature births, and special-needs infants--and get yourself checked out by a doctor or (b) continue with your day and give the speech anyway?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

3. After giving the speech, would you then, immediately afterward, (a) go directly to the nearest suitably-equipped hospital or (b) insist on going to the airport and proceed to get on the first of two several-hours-long commercial flights--airplanes on board which there would be no lifesaving equipment or stored blood should you go into hard labor and experience pre-eclampsia or hemorrhage, no sterile environment, and no high-risk obstetrician attending you--in order to be able to say the baby was born in your home state?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

4. At the conclusion of that first flight, would you then, upon landing and deplaning, (a) go directly to the nearest hospital in the connecting city as fast as possible, even commandeering MediVac transport if necessary or (b) take another flight lasting several hours, in order to continue heading home?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

5. At the conclusion of the second flight, would you (a) go immediately to either of two nearby hospitals with fully equipped NICU's (neonatal intensive care units), or (b) embark on a one-hour drive through dark, snowy, and winding roads in order to get to your hometown regional hospital--a facility that is not equipped to handle high-risk pregnancies, special needs or premature babies, or even twins?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

6. If you were the governor of a state and the mother of two teenage daughters--and you were well-known and widely regarded for your espousing of conservative Christian family values--would you (a) make a special effort to impress upon your daughters the responsibilities they had as members of the state's "First Family" or (b) allow one of your underage daughters to have her boyfriend "practically living in the house", fully aware they were having sexual relations, which fact would eventually be established in no uncertain terms when the two teens conceived a pregnancy?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

7. If, in addition to your to your seventeen-year-old and thirteen-year-old daughters, your household also included a seven-year-old daughter, and both girls would certainly be aware of their older sister's boyfriend's routine overnight stays--the elder one undoubtedly knowing the reason for same--would your answer to the last question (a) change or (b) remain the same.

Sarah Palin chose (b).

8. Upon your return to the office, when your premature infant is three days old, would you (a) keep him at home in the care of a baby nurse, where he can receive UV light treatment for his jaundice along with careful monitoring, should he develop any complications due his congenital heart defect; and as your staff will be excited for you, take some family baby pictures to work, thus avoiding the dangers of exposing such a vulnerable baby to the germ-filled environment of your office or (b) bring him with you to the office so you can show him off for photo opportunities?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

9. If, when your infant with special needs was a few months old, you were to be offered a high-ranking position--say, the vice presidential slot on the Republican ticket--which would entail your being away from home for a few months and place you squarely in the limelight of a high-profile campaign; and at approximately the same time as this offer was made, you were to discover that your minor daughter was pregnant, would you (a) politely decline the position, citing 'family reasons', and set about protecting your daughter's privacy as your family worked through the situation and planned the best course of action for your child and future grandchild, doing your best to deflect unwanted press attention all the while or (b) accept the position "without blinking", and then parade your entire family--including your obviouly pregnant minor daughter and her boyfriend--into the bright lights and onto the international stage of the Republican Convention?

Sarah Palin chose (b).

10. Does Sarah Palin embody your definition of "Family Values?"

(a) yes or (b) no. And you choose..?

* All particulars reflect on-the-record occurrences, ages, timelines, and events, and specific details as reported by Sarah Palin herself are taken from her own autobiography and/or interviews.

** You are welcome to copy-paste or otherwise forward the contents of this post.--Ed.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is taking the fight to the Tea Party. She will be campaigning across the country for Congressional candidates.

“I’m running for re-election in my own district, and I’m going to spend plenty of time there,” she said after the announcement. “But I’m also going to spend time around the country trying to help my colleagues who are in tough races get re-elected and also Democratic candidates who want to bring about the change that Americans asked for in 2008.”

Wasserman-Schultz has unveiled a mock Republican Tea Party of America contract. The sad thing is all of these policies have actually been proposed by Republicans. Republican congressional candidates Vaughn Ward and Raul Labrador voiced their support for repealing the 17th amendment. So much for the right to vote for your U.S. Senator.

1. Repeal the Affordable Care Act (Health Insurance Reform)
Put insurance companies back in charge, repeal tax credits for small businesses, allow insurance companies to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions and to drop coverage when a person gets too sick and make prescription drugs for seniors less affordable.

2. Privatize Social Security or phase it out altogether
Turn the guaranteed retirement benefits of America's seniors over to Wall Street CEOs by putting Social Security at risk in the stock market or, as some Republicans have called for, phase out Social Security altogether and end a program millions of American seniors rely on for their survival.

3. End Medicare as it presently exists
Phase out and end Medicare as it presently exists for future generations of seniors -- ending Medicare's guaranteed healthcare benefits for more than 40 million American seniors -- and replace it with a voucher system which will result in higher premiums and fewer services for seniors.

4. Extend the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy and big oil
At a cost of nearly $700 billion, extend the Bush tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and big oil, which are set to expire and which have and will continue to explode the federal budget deficit.

5. Repeal Wall Street Reform
Roll back the toughest consumer protections ever enacted, allow banks to continue to grow too big to fail, and ensure that predatory lenders continue to utilize their most abusive practices.

6. Protect those responsible for the oil spill and future environmental catastrophes
Cap liabilities for those responsible for environmental disasters like the Gulf oil spill and let companies like BP decide which victims deserve compensation for the disaster and what the timeline for relief should be.

7. Abolish the Department of Education
Put the big banks back in charge of student loans and put an end to federal assistance for public schools.

8. Abolish the Department of Energy
End America's investments in a clean-energy future and disband the organization responsible for oversight of nuclear materials.

9. Abolish the Environmental Protection Agency
Gut the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act -- which together protect our kids from air pollution and keep drinking water safe -- and disband the watchdog that holds polluters accountable.

10. Repeal the 17th Amendment
Take away your right to pick your U.S. Senator.

I collect odd things. Not like a hoarder. At least I don’t think so. Hoarders never think they’re hoarders.

I have a chunk of Berlin Wall concrete. I have bits of tire and lug nuts I scooped from the Daytona 500 infield. I have an oil glop from the Exxon…

LOS ANGELES -- She's something of a pioneer already; a gay woman who assembled a daytime talk show featuring six famous moms which will slide into a timeslot once held by the oldest soap opera on television.

But Roseanne alum Sara Gilbert downplayed any such notions while speaking with TV critics here about The Talk, her new show which drew a pointed question from one critic because early press materials for the program discussed all the heterosexual panelists' husbands but omitted her partner, TV producer/writer Allison Adler.

"The first place I wanted to (talk about my partner) was not a CBS press release," said Gilbert, who later shrugged off questions about whether Ellen DeGeneres' experience proved it was easier to be open about being gay in daytime TV.

"I really don't feel like I'm a poster child for anything," she said, after the show's press session concluded. "We'll be inclusive and it's not going to be an issue. I think when something's not an issue that does more for our cause than making it an issue, sometimes."

Gilbert assembled Leah Remini (King of Queens), Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray), Julie Chen (The Early Show), Sharon Osbourne (America's Got Talent) and Holly Robinson Peete (Celebrity Apprentice) for her cast, focusing the show on moms discussing issues -- like a maternal-centered version of ABC's The View.

She raved about the group's "electric chemistry," but it wasn't obvious during the press session, where the hosts seemed a bit tentative, with Remini admitting "sometimes I'm very unlikeable as a person," and insisting her views as a member of the Church of Scientology won't surface in all the personal talk on the program. "That other thing (Scientology), is not even part of my discussion."

Osbourne cracked up the room by saying her husband, legendarily addled rock star Ozzy Osbourne "doesn't even know I'm doing the show. He thinks I've gone to America's Got Talent." After the press conference, Osbourne would admit "I get bored by the baby stuff," saying current events and political topics excite her more.

The show itself seems a tribute to Hollywood networking; Gilbert, who was managed by CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler about 25 years ago, got the idea for her show during classes for new moms (she and Adler have two kids).

Gilbert, who now serves as an executive producer on the show,  took the idea to Tassler a year ago and the first co-host she suggested was Chen -- wife of CBS CEO Les Moonves. Still Chen and Tassler resisted suggestions that the marital status of one host might have helped the show get picked up.

"I made the decision (to air the show)," Tassler said during an earlier session with the press. "I don't think Leslie's unhappy with the decision, but we're thrilled to have her."

As more well-known names agreed to participate, CBS cancelled As the World Turns and they had a shot at airing in the network's daytime lineup.

Now they just have to get past all the critics' sniping about who's married to who and how it surfaces on the show. 

"Given the choice between a Republican and someone who acts like a Republican," President Harry Truman said. "People will vote for the real Republican all the time." Rep. Suzanne Kosmos has not learned that lesson. Kosmos voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act. An internal poll of potential Republican opponent Craig Miller finds 66 percent of Republicans undecided. The best way for Kosmos to differentiate herself is not parrot Miller's position on the Bush tax cuts.

Kosmos wrote a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to extend the Bush tax cuts. Kosmos writes tax cuts for dividends and capital gains. These are taxes on profitable stocks. Wall Street is hiring again. Increased earnings in the financial industry have not produced jobs. The Bush tax cuts decreased the size of the middle class by 4.2 percent. What Kosmos is proposing is nonsense and an act of political cowardness.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer and Chairman Levin:

As you are aware, without action, the tax rates established under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 are set to expire at the end of the 2010. As I have discussed with my colleagues and with economists, we must extend these tax rates in order to give our fragile economy the time it needs to recover from the ongoing crisis. Working families and small businesses in our communities are doing everything they can to make ends meet during these difficult times, and we need to make sure that they continue to have the tools they need to succeed.

Continuing this tax-relief is a common-sense measure that will ease the burden for middle-class families and provide tax certainty for small business owners looking to invest and create jobs. Extending the 2001 and 2003 tax rates will provide continuing stability to the millions of families who have benefited from reduced taxes. In addition, the 2001/2003 tax cuts lowered rates not only for ordinary income, but also for dividends and capital gains, which create incentives that are crucial to private sector investment and give our small business owners the opportunities and financial security they deserve. If we allow these tax rates to expire we run the serious risk of weakening job growth and economic expansion at a time when our economy has begun to recover.

The best way to reduce our deficit is to grow our economy. Allowing the 2001 and 2003 tax rates to expire before our economy fully recovers may reduce our ability to support our small businesses, stimulate the economy, and bring our deficit under control in the future. Given our fragile recovery, I urge you to support extending the 2001 and 2003 rates in order to allow our economy to fully strengthen and grow.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Kosmas

Member of Congress

Kosmos is promoting trickle down economics. I find it hard to believe any economist told her extending the Bush tax cuts would create a surplus. Conservative economist Bruce Bartlett has a list of quotes from Bush administration economists saying the opposite.

Alan Viard, senior economist at Council of Economic Advisers during Bush’s first term.

“Federal revenue is lower today than it would have been without the tax cuts. There’s really no dispute among economists about that.”

Robert Carroll, deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis at the U.S. Treasury Department during Bush’s second term.

“As a matter of principle, we do not think tax cuts pay for themselves.”

Former Treasury Sec. Henry Paulson.

“As a general rule, I do not believe that tax cuts pay for themselves.”

I challenge the Kosmos campaign to provide me with the economists who told her the Bush tax cuts would reduce the deficit. I will be waiting for a response.

Postcards From the Hedge is a book written by Jill Appenzeller. Read about Jill’s family, friends, neighborhood and society through the days spent in her garden. The book is actually short essays which are formed into chapters based on the seasons of the year.

Each essay is based on gardening, but there is a deeper meaning behind them. For example, you’ll learn about Jill’s childhood through a story of petunias, the importance of friendship through the story of a fallen tree, and the enjoyment of simplicity through the story of falling leaves.

Postcards From the Hedge wasn’t easy for me to read though. I am not a gardener in any sense of the word. The book’s main topic is gardening and uses gardening terminology, which made it somewhat difficult to keep my attention. I was able to find the deeper levels of the essays, but read the book a few essays at a time. It did bring back some memories from my childhood of helping my father in our vegetable garden. The descriptions allowed me to imagine what Jill’s garden must look like also and helped me to relax.

I’d recommend Postcards From the Hedge to avid gardeners or to those who enjoy a descriptive read with profound meanings.

Disclaimer: I was provided with the book Postcards From the Hedge in conjunction with Parent Reviewers for this review. All opinions are my own.

The St. Petersburg Times has partial transcripts of indicted former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer's phone conversations. A box Delmar Johnson dropped off at the house is mentioned in Greer's conversation with his wife Lisa.

"Are the agents still there?" Greer asked.

"Yeah," said his wife, who repeatedly noted their calls were being recorded and that their bank accounts were searched.

"You should show 'em where everything is," Greer said. "There's nothing to hide there. There's that box that Delmar dropped that's in the garage."

I am curious about what is in the box. Johnson helped Greer set up Victory Strategies. Greer and Johnson owned the company and set up bogus billing accounts with the RPOF. The one little problem is they got caught and Johnson has been granted immunity to testify against Greer. One outside of jail recording has Greer talking to Johnson.

“I was hearing all last week that you were throwing me under the bus and you were saying a lot of things that I was finding very hard to believe that you would say,” Greer said.

“Yeah, no and I’m not doing that at all,” Johnson replied.

Johnson did throw Greer under the bus. Greer is facing a possible 77 years in prison.

Apalachicola, Florida

In Tampa

I always thought Sarah Palin and her family was a walking reality show. It turns out that I was closer to the truth than I imagined. Palin recently went camping with fellow TLC reality star Kate Gosselin. The episode of Palin's show will feature Miss Shakespalin with Gosselin and her kids in the Alaska wilderness.

Conservatives, explain to me why you want this woman as your spokesperson. The Right would flip out if Barack Obama appeared on Jersey Shores. Why is the standard different for Palin?

Teddy Roosevelt was very important in Tampa history. During the Spanish American War he was the officer in charge of command and control. All supplies for the war effort came out of Tampa straight for Cuba. He was also the...

The Rayovac Summer Photo Contest begins August 2, 2010 and ends August 29, 2010.  Each week  features a different photo theme.  All you need to do is complete the entry form, upload your photo and choose a theme.  You can upload one photo each week (maximum of 3 photos).

Once photos are posted, viewers can vote for 1 photo a day and add an unlimited number of comments.  Contestants and viewers can share the contest with their friends (18 years old or older) by using the “Invite Friends” button or by sending them an email.  The photos with the most votes for each theme will win the following prizes:

PRIZES:
For each of the three themes there will be:

• Grand Prize- a Digital Camera Package, complete with a Photo Printer and Rayovac Rechargeables and a Digital Photo Frame for three of the Grand Prize Winner’s friends.

• Second Place Prize- Photo Printer

• Runner Up Prize- Digital Photo Frame Keychain.

PHASE ONE: Submit photo entry August 2, 2010- August 22, 2010.
(Week 1: Fun with Water Photo. Week 2: Fun Pet Photo. Week 3: Summer Fun Photo)

PHASE TWO: Public Vote August 2, 2010- August 29, 2010.

PHASE THREE: Winners Announced September 8, 2010

To learn more, visit the Rayovac Facebook page. Share this info and widget with your friends so they can enter to win. Why not give this a try? All levels of photography are accepted.

The first 50 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Summer Photo Contest won a prize from Rayovac.

Deadline Is July 30, 2010
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LOS ANGELES -- One great thing about having a competitor implode just before you take the stage at the TV Critics' Tour -- it can take the pressure way off your own performance.

So CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler had a relatively easy time facing critics this morning, the day after ABC announced the resignation of its entertainment president Stephen McPherson.

"As far as (McPherson's resignation) goes, I said 'Damn, he got out of doing press tour," cracked Tassler, sidestepping any deeper speculation about what his lost might mean for CBS or the competition among all the networks. Later, she said she'd be happy to buy a show from McPherson if he ever turned to developing new shows, as TV executives often do after a big fall.

Instead, Tassler was free to tout the different ways they wound up with new shows -- Jim Belushi's The Defenders started as a reality show pitched to Fox and (Bleep) My Dad Says began as a Twitter tweet (love the critic who suggest the show might be called Feces My Dad Says). She also called their revival of classic cop Hawaii Five-0 a risk, despite the longstanding value of its name.

Other tidbits: after announcing the next four companies to participate in its Undercover Boss reality series, Tassler confirmed that participating companies do not pay to be featured on the show.

The don't expect to have problems with the production of Two and Half Men from Charlie Sheen's legal troubles.

And in the wake of getting a failing grade from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, at least two CBS series will be getting gay characters; The Good Wife's Alicia Florio will have a gay brother, while the couple at the center of Rules of Engagement will use a lesbian friend as a surrogate.

And the new View-style daytime show featuring five mothers will be called The Talk. When I asked about the propriety of including Julie Chen, who is the wife of CBS CEO Les Moonves and now will appear in three different shows on the network, Tassler said executive producer Sara Gilbert asked for her.

Of course, I noted, if I was an executive producer who wanted to get my show on the network, including the CEO'sa wife in the cast might something I'd suggest.

"It really did test the best of all the pilots we had," Tassler said later. "Besides (Chen) has her own career, why should she be penalized for being the CEO's wife?"

Much as I respect Tassler, that seems Hollywood logic at its finest.

I wish I had a dime for every photo like this that I have over two decades... Happy anniversary, Rosie....

If you’re looking for old fashioned cooking in a fun 50s car themed environment Pop N Sons (4812 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614-6510, (813) 875-9005) may be the perfect mix of nostalgia and home cooking. The food is your typical greasy spoon menu, complete with a robust breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and home cooked [...] Related posts:

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5. Restaurant Review: The Brunchery
6. Restaurant Review: Gold Ring Cafe
7. Restaurant Review: Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine
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If you've ever set foot in a pointe class, you'll immediately recognize the intricate choreography from Giselle, a ballet that tells the story of a peasant girl named Giselle whose betrayal by her aristocratic lover causes her to go mad before dying and returning as a ghost. She protects her lover from the vengeance of a group of evil female spirits called the Wilis, Slavonic supernatural creatures who danced so beautifully, they lured young men to their deaths.

A number of extraordinary ballerinas, including Anna Pavlova and Dame Margot Fonteyn, have danced the part of Giselle, widely recognized as one of the most technically difficult roles ever conceived. Watch the brilliant Alessandra Ferri, and you'll see why.

In this scene, Giselle's flirtatious dance includes an incredible series of hops en pointe, diagonally across the stage. As one commenter at this video notes of Ferri, "I can't stop watching her feet! They are too gorgeous to look away."