Take a Walk on The Wild Side

Hey! Sorry about not posting for awhile...I fell off the map for about a month and a half. It's true, beyond that there be dragons...however, a reputable source said it was National "It's O.K. If I Don't Blog Today" Month, so....

Long story short, near record snowfall last winter and a really wet spring, and the sump pump in my basement is spitting out hundreds of gallons of water a day, everyday, since last year.The basement has stayed dry, though. Thank you 1950s poured concrete foundation! I'm thinking of bottling the water and selling it as Natural Iowa Spring Water.

I spent a considerable amount of time digging water drainage channels in the yard, a couple of small retention ponds for the sump pump water, and moving mud and dirt from high points that didn't need to be so high to low points that needed to be higher. No Bobcat backhoe for this poor boy, just a shovel and a wheelbarrow. No time even for No Time For Blogging Today posts.

The good news is the aqueducts are just about finished, I'm watering my crops with the water I collect in the ponds, and next Wednesday the comix go back into overdrive. Watch out, you fuckers, I've got some time on my hands this summer to crank out some cartoons!

So, What did I miss? How many Islamofascist Donuts did John McCain and his Liberal Media Pals eat on The Straight Talk Express before Malkin rained on their parade?

Has anybody asked Scottie MaC how Jeff Gannon got into the White House press room?

George Bush, John McCain (watch out, you fucker!), and Charlie Cheswick walk into a bar...







UPDATE: For you folks who don't know your Green Room from your Blue Room


political, cartoons,political cartoons, parody, satire, Republicans, GOP, Iraq, War, Theocracy, Bush, Cheney, comics, comic strips, McCain,

Zencomix

Nominations Now Open for Florida Netroots Awards

Kenneth Quinnel sent out an email that nominations for the Florida Netroots Awards are now open. Kenneth explains the rules and the categories. Email your votes to quinnelk@hotmail.com.

We are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Netroots Awards, sponsored by the Florida Democratic Party Netroots Coalition. The purpose of our second annual awards is to recognize the best and brightest of the progressive/liberal/Democratic Netroots and blogs. Between now and Sunday, May 25, please nominate your favorites in the categories below. You can nominate one person in one category or multiple people in every category, that's up to you. In the end, we will narrow the lists down to the top people in each category and offer a final voting period to determine the winners. The final winners will be announced at the Netroots Conference at the Florida Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Weekend in Hollywood on June 14 (and then announced online). Before voting, please observe the following rules:

1. No one can win the same award two years in a row. Last year's winners will be excluded from the category they won last year.
2. The nominees in each category must be based in Florida and they shouldn't be Republicans.
3. Anyone can nominate anyone (you can nominate yourself) and you don't have to be a Floridian to nominate anyone.

If you have questions, send me and e-mail at quinnelk@hotmail.com. Here are the categories (with a brief description and last year's winner, who, again, is ineligible to win this year):

1. Best National Blog (Last year: Blast Off!): Blogs written by Floridians that covers primarily national politics.

2. Best State Blog (Last year: FLA Politics): Blogs about statewide politics in Florida.

3. Best Local Blog (Last year: Tampa Bay Blue): Blogs about city/county/regional politics in the state of Florida.

4. Best Media Blog (Last year: The Buzz): Blogs written by professional journalists at Florida publications.

5. Best Professional Blog (Last year: Miami-Dade Dems): Blogs written by state or local political parties, candidates or party operatives in Florida.

6. Best Party Website (Last year: Draft Katherine Harris): Best Florida-wide website associated with a political party or political party unit (such as a caucus or coalition).

7. Best Candidate Website (Last year: Chris Chiari): Anyone running for statewide or local office in Florida can win this one.

8. Best Local Party Website (Last year: Nassau Democratic Party): This one is for Florida DECs, clubs or local chapters of statewide caucuses or coalitions.

9. Best Interest Group Website (Amateur) (Last year: Space Coast Progressive Alliance): Any Florida-based nonparty activist, charitable or grassroots group with an annual budget under $100,000 is eligible for this one.

10. Best Interest Group Website (Professional) (Last year: New category): Any Florida-based nonparty activist, charitable or grassroots group with an annual budget over $100,000 is eligible for this one.

11. Best Writer (Last year: Litbrit): Anyone whose writings is published at any of the above websites is eligible for this one. Winners should have one or more of the following qualities: good grammar and presentation, provides original reporting, has a good sense of humor, shows creativity, has a strong personal touch, or has an affect on the real world because of their writing

12. Netroots Candidate of the Year (Last year: Michael Calderin): The Florida candidate at any level who has best incorporated the Netroots into her/his campaign and done the best job of treating Netroots activists as valid constituents and not just another group of people to exploit.

13. Netroots Activist of the Year (Last year: Susan Smith): The individual who has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

14. Netroots Organization of the Year (Last year: Florida Progressive Coalition): The organization that has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

15. Best New Blogger (Last year: New category): This one should go to the best blogger who has been blogging about Florida politics for no more than a year and a half.

16. Best Online Campaign (Last year: New category): This is an award for the best use of the web and related technologies to achieve some kind of goal, such as fundraising, fighting legislation or other activism.

17. Best Post (Last year: New Category): The best-written post since last year's awards.

18. Best Ongoing Series (Last year: New Category): The best regular feature that incorporates at least five posts since last year's awards.

19. Best Grassroots Website (Last year: New Category): The best website devoted to supporting a candidate, organization or issue that is created by amateur supporters for little to no money and without official connection to a party, candidate or interest group (at least initially).

20. Florida Progressive Coalition Progressive Hall of Fame (Last year: New Category): FPC is sponsoring a virtual "Progressive Hall of Fame" that should be awarded as sort of a lifetime achievement award to a person or organization (amateur or professional) that has made a significant contribution towards making Florida a bluer, more progressive state. This award may have more than one recipient.

Obama Letter to Supporters on Edwards Endorsement

The Obama campaign released the news to supporter in the evening. My guess is they had to get ahead of the leaks.

Here is the letter Obama's people sent out to supporters.

***

I have some very exciting news.

My good friend John Edwards is endorsing our campaign and joining our movement for change.

We're here in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- and if you receive this message in time, you can probably turn on your TV and be part of the moment.

I'm deeply honored by John's support. He is a true leader who dedicated his career to improving the lives of ordinary Americans.

John ran a strong, principled campaign for president, focusing on a number of important issues where we share common ground -- universal health care, bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating poverty in America.

The way he ran his campaign was also important. He ran in a way that reflected our shared conviction that we need to fundamentally change politics.

Like our campaign, John's campaign never accepted donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs.

Let's welcome John Edwards to the campaign with an outpouring of the kind of grassroots support that is bringing our political process back to the people.

Make a donation of whatever you can afford now, and if you choose, include your own note to Senator Edwards. I'll make sure he gets them:

https://donate.barackobama.com/fbedwards

Thank you for all that you're doing,

Barack

John Conyers, Bush, Iran & Impeachment

Congressman John Conyers, wrote to George W. Bush, that invading Iran is off the table. Conyers will move to impeach the President, if Bush attacks Iran without congressional approval.

Late last year, Senator Joseph Biden stated unequivocally that “the president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach” the president. 8

We agree with Senator Biden, and it is our view that if you do not obtain the constitutionally required congressional authorization before launching preemptive military strikes against Iran or any other nation, impeachment proceedings should be pursued. Because of these concerns, we request the opportunity to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss these matters. As we have recently marked the fifth year since the invasion of Iraq, and the grim milestone of 4,000 U.S. deaths in Iraq, your Administration should not unilaterally involve this country in yet another military conflict that promises high costs to American blood and treasure.

There is no way to be more rystal clear than that.

The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate made clear that Iran's nuclear weapons program is dead. The Bush administration ignored the intelligence and publicly overstated the Iran threat. These clowns continue to use the same playbook that got them into trouble with Iraq.

We assess with moderate confidence Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007, but we do not know whether it currently intends to develop nuclear weapons.

We continue to assess with moderate-to-high confidence that Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon.

Tehran’s decision to halt its nuclear weapons program suggests it is less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005.

The Vice-President won't let facts get in the way of his Iraq narrative. This year, Dick Cheney told blogger Hugh Hewitt, "And I (Israel) they perceive the possibility of an Iran armed with nuclear weapons as a fundamental threat to the very survival of the state of Israel."

The neoconservatives are convinced they can spread democracy by force; which isn't a very democratic way to spread freedom. The neoconservatives can't come and and say overthrowing Iraq and Iran is part of their grand egghead experiment. Instead, they use scare tactics. When that doesn't work they make shit up.

Why Hillary Should Be the Nominee

This Amy Poehler skit on Saturday Nite Live is the best parody of Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy.

Bye Bye David Broder

In news that will make many progressive bloggers happy; the Washington Post has bought out David Broder's contract. For now, Broder will continue writing for The Post.

"The column you have been running will not change at all, and you will continue to receive it from The Washington Post Writers Group. I will continue to write from the same office in the Post newsroom and will continue to travel the country to wherever politics is happening. You will find me at the Democratic and Republican conventions this summer and on the campaign trail this fall, just as I have been this winter and spring."

The Post is attempting to give Broder a graceful exit. But an exit nonetheless.

No journalist is as unworthy of his praise as Broder. The so-called Dean of Journalism called the devasting aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a grand political opportunity for President Bush.

We cannot yet calculate the political fallout from Hurricane Katrina and its devastating human and economic consequences, but one thing seems certain: It makes the previous signs of political weakness for Bush, measured in record-low job approval ratings, instantly irrelevant and opens new opportunities for him to regain his standing with the public.

The stupid quotes from Broder are endless. Broder is a columnist more worthy of the third tier Tampa Tribune than The Post. Broder's political no sight would be fitting next to Steve Otto columns about chili cook offs.

John Edwards to Endorse Barack Obama

I expect Democratic bigwigs will line up behind Barack Obama. Now that John Edwards is set to give his official endorsement. Obama's campaign staff have been leaking the news of Edwards support to the media. Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki publicly confirmed the endorsement.

Blogger Taegan Goddard thinks that Edwards would be a good running mate. The move makes sense on many levels. Edwards is popular with the progressives that views Obama as too moderate. White working class voters respond to the "Two Americas" message. Edwards is charismatic and a battle-tested as a VP candidate.

Todd J. Gillman of the Dallas Morning New correctly pointed out that Edwards couldn't hide his disdain for Hillary Clinton, during the debates. In this clip, Bill Richardson joked, "Ive been in hostage negotiations that are a lot more civil than this."



I wonder how long will it take for the Clinton campaign to send the attack dogs on Edwards. How I love hearing the sweet musical whines of Paul Begala and James Carville.

Black Caucas of Florida Convention

The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida Convention will be held this weekend in Sarasota. The meet and greet is free. The brunch and bar and other perks are $150.00.

DATE: Thursday, May 15th

TIME: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Palm Terrace at the Hayatt Regency,
1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota

Hillary Clinton West Virginia Victory Speech

Live blogging Hillary Clinton's victory speech. C-SPAN has the video.

Hillary: Like the song says, "It's almost heaven."

What song would that be.

Hillary talks a lot about moving mountains and gives a shout out to the Mountain State.

Hillary needs your help. Hillary also needs needs you to go to your website and donate money. Now!

Hillary mentions the Florida and Michigan delegates. Especially since Hillary won ALL THE MICHIGAN DELEGATES!

Hillary says superdelegates should vote for her because she won West Virginia. The nominee can't beat John McCain without the Robert Byrd Democrats.

Hillary mentions she won Arkansas. Did anyone believe Barack Obama was going to take the state?

What does Hillary mean by ending the Iraq war responsibly. It sounds like Nixon's peace with honor.

Hillary gives a shout out to people that brings their homemade signs to campaign rallies. I'm not making that up.

Hillary: You will never quit and I won't, either.

Hillary's voice is filled with confidence. This is the best speech I have heard her give.

Crowd starts chanting, "Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!"

Hillary: You should have a President that's on your side again.

Hillary: There is an excitement about politics that is good for our Democracy.

Hillary: I will work hard for our nominee.

Hillary is throwing an olive branch at Obama. At least for public perception.

Hillary: It has been a long campaign.

That is the understatement of the year.

Hillary gives a shout out to "Senator Byrd." Did Hillary talk to Byrd about his love of pork legislation?

Hillary thanks a 11 year-old Kentucky boy whom sold his bike to support her campaign. Did Terry McAuliffe shake the kid down?

Barack Obama West Virginia Concession Speech

C-SPAN has the video of Barack Obama's concession speech. Hillary Clinton decisively won the West Virginia primary.

West Virginia gives Hillary and her supporters take the contest into June. I have a hard time seeing Hillary go this far and not taking it to the convention floor.

When Nixon Met Elvis

An informative interactive website on Elvis Presley meeting Richard Nixon. The King wanted to meet Nixon because the evil Beatles and Communists were destroying America. Elvis volunteered his services to help fight drugs. The White House was game and planned to have the King make an anti-drug musical.

Cooperate with and encourage the creation of an hour Television Special in which Presley narrates as stars such as himself sing popular songs and interpret them for parents in order to show drug and other anti-establishment themes in rock music.

Encourage fellow artists to develop a new rock musical theme, “Get High on Life.”

Record an album with the theme "Get High on Life" at the federal narcotic rehabilitation and research facility at Lexington, Kentucky.

The meeting notes by White House staffer Bud Krogh are hysterical. Elvis really hated the Beatles.

Presley indicated that he thought the Beatles had been a real force for anti-American spirit. He said that the Beatles came to this country, made their money, and then returned to England where they promoted an anti-American theme. The President nodded in agreement and expressed some surprise. The President then indicated that those who use drugs are also those in the vanguard of anti-American protest. Violence, drug usage, dissent, protest all seem to merge in generally the same group of young people.

Presley indicated to the President in a very emotional manner that he was “on your side.” Presley kept repeating that he wanted to be helpful, that he wanted to restore some respect for the flag which was being lost. He mentioned that he was just a poor boy from Tennessee who had gotten a lot from his country, which in some way he wanted to repay. He also mentioned that he is studying Communist brainwashing and the drug culture for over ten years. He mentioned that he knew a lot about this and was accepted by the hippies. He said he could go right into a group of young people or hippies and be accepted which he felt could be helpful to him in his drug drive.

The Nixon White House was disappointed that they never had the opportunity to use Presley to spread the "High on Life" message. The King was probably too busy getting high on other things.

Condi and Dick Are Shy

Dubya's two favorite people don't want to appear on the news talk shows. With approval ratings so high, I can't imagine why.

THE HARDEST TO GET

Leading vote-getter: Vice President Dick Cheney. “He doesn’t give a s***. He’s checked out,” said one respondent. “I don’t know what he does all day,” said another.

DOESN’T MAKE THE NEWS THEY PROBABLY SHOULD

Leading vote-getter: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice “never says anything.” “Everybody got really tired of the spin.”

"She’s under the rug in the living room," said an anonymous source. Too bad. I love to hear Condi's latest spin on the "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US" PDB.

Update:





Former Bush administration Douglas Feith foolishly appears on The Daily Show. Jon Stewarts asks Feith who was responsible for post-war Iraq. Feith didn't answer that question. Feith was in charge of post-war planning.

It was also his office that was in charge of post-war planning, and rejected the product of months of work by dozens of Iraqi exiles and Mideast experts in the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency who anticipated many of the problems that have wrong-footed the occupation.

This is why current administration officials are laying low.

Nixonland

Ross Douthat interviews Nixonland author Rick Perlstein. Douthat's review of the book is online.

Lieberman vs Democratic Party

Joe Lieberman's support for John McCain has forced Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to give him a verbal slap on the wrist.

“I think it’s wrong what he’s done, and I told him that,” Reid said.

But, as he has done before, Reid praised Lieberman as being “very good on issues,” except for the war.

In the same interview, Keith Olbermann asked Reid if Joementum could lose the Homeland Security chair. Reid said yes, but would not elaborate.

I doubt Lieberman cares. He is pinning his hopes on a cabinet position in the McCain White House. (The thought of Lieberman as Sec. of Defense is terrifying.) Lieberman knows he is a backbencher, if Democrats win more seats. He might as well stump for McCain.

Let's Hear it For Tax Free Yachts

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

Than goodness the California Republican Party voted for tax free yachts. Schools really don't need those 20,000 laid off teachers.

The Helmet

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board blasted Hillsborough Couty Supervisor of Elections as "a poor public servant." The Times Jeff Testerman wrote two stories about how Johnson spent 18 days avoiding a subpoena. When it came time to testify, Johnson wore a football helmet in court. Perhaps Johnson is modeling himself after another famous conservative.



Johnson couldn't answer simple questions about voting registration. He protested to the NAACP lawyer, "I don't like these (questions)." Perhaps because he doesn't know the answers. Buddy was the kid in school that didn't study for the test and then complained about his grade.

Buddy used to conservative excuse about why he doesn't know a damn thing about election policy and office management. He is a big picture guy.

"My responsibility is the direction, the vision, and not the absolute minutia" handled by elections staffers, he testified.

It is hard for Buddy to convince people he understands the big picture, when he doesn't know where his office keeps the coffee maker.

Johnson refused to answer where he lives. John Poindexter's Iran-Contra testimony comes off as forthcoming compared to this shit. Ofcourse, Johnson may not want to declare where he lives because of his because of his tax problems. Johnson owns properties in Sarasota and Hillsbough counties. Johnson still owes $1,736.45 for his Thonotosassa Road property.

Not since Alberto Gonzales has a Republican come so unprepared to testify. Johnson's testimony illustrates he has been faking it. Buddy's level of incompetence gives would make Michael Brown cringe.

Johnson did not know how the county's database of registrations was sent to the state. He could not identify the most common registration verification problems at his office. He did not know if letters notifying voters of registration errors were sent in English and Spanish. He could not say whether a nickname, like "Buddy," would result in a failed match on a registration.

Is The Times editorial board serious about Buddy giving Jeb Bush a black eye? Bush appointed Buddy because he was a partisan hack that would disenfranchise voters. Johnson hired the pro-Republican law firm Broad & Cassel to work in the Elections office. Partner C. David Brown II worked on Jeb Bush's campaign. The Governor that made 95 calls to his brother's campaign team, during the recount, loves the work Buddy is during. The Times should not think otherwise.

Bill O'Reilly Goes Bonkers On Inside Edition

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

This must be the kind of muckraking journalism that won Bill O'Reilly and Inside Edition a Peabody award.

Quote of the Day

"If Hillary's the nominee, Barack will be the running mate. If Barack's the nominee, Hillary will be the running mate. That's my answer."

Bill Nelson

What is Nelson smoking? Hillary is not going to be the nominee. Despite John Amato's hissy fit that pundits shouldn't declare Barack Obama the nominee. Obama is going to be the nominee. Hillary is not going to get enough delegates to secure the nomination. Apparently, Amato shares the same disdain with mathematics that he vents on Tim Russert.

Nelson has used to Florida primary controversy to position himself as Hillary Clinton's VP pick. It is the worst secret in politics. Nelson knows his only way to the White House is on Hillary's coat tails. Nelson does not have the name recognition and charisma to mount his own dark horse presidential campaign.

Nancy Pelosi scoffed at the suggestion of a Hillary-Obama ticket.

Pelosi: I think the Clinton administration has fairly ruled that out, by claiming that Senator McCain would be a better Commander in Chief than Obama.

I think so, too.

Write A Caption: Hillary's Base

Photo by Elise Amendola

Mother's Day GOP Style

More evidence that House Minority Leader John Boehner is politically tone deaf. Republicans vote against celebating mothers.

On Wednesday afternoon, the House had just voted, 412 to 0, to pass H. Res. 1113, "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day," when Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), rose in protest.

"Mr. Speaker, I move to reconsider the vote," he announced.

Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), who has two young daughters, moved to table Tiahrt's request, setting up a revote. This time, 178 Republicans cast their votes against mothers.

It was a smart move on Kathy Castor's part to set up a revote. Republicans will politically commit suicide just to frustrate Democrats. Florida Republicans Tom Feeney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Jeff Miller voted against "supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day." Way to go champs.

Obama Picks Up Another Florida Endorsement

Jim Davis has officially endored Barack Obama.

Lost (IS Sexist) Open Thread

Which "Lost" character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Kate You are Kate! Even with your spotty past of bank robbery and trouble you are a known as a nice girl who loves adventure. You are one of the guys and will always volunteer to go exploring. Kate 81% Locke 56% Sawyer 50% Jack 50% Michael 44% Shannon 44% Sayid 44% Boone 44% Claire 25% Sun 6% Charlie 6%

This must be some poetic karmic justice for professing my hatred for all things Kate. The show's writers only purpose for Kate is use as the resident damsel in distress. That is a sexist excuse to create dramatic tension. God forbid the writers would make a woman the hero. Battlestar Galactica has women in action roles. Why can't the more popular Lost be more imaginative?

The problem might be Evangeline Lilly doesn't have the dramatic power or physicality as an actor to be an action heroine. Katee Sackhoff can overpower other actors just by showing up. Entertainment Weekly critic Gillian Flynn noted how how Sackhoff overpowered Michelle Ryan on updated Bionic Woman. Kate was originally envisioned by the creator to be the leader. ABC wanted the Jack character to live and be the show's protagonist. The network feared

Lost isn't about great acting. In fact, most of the actors are so bad that they unintentionally play their scenes for laugh. Every actor does the infamous Lost cry. The actors squint their eyes and open their mouth and start sobbing hysterically. The highlight of bad Lost is Harold Perrineau's work. I love it when Perrineau screams "WAAAAAAAAAAAALT!" in full overacting glory.



The appeal of Lost is that the show is so outlandish. John Loche's plan to move the entire island is ludicrous. Lost jumped the shark in credibilty (even by fantasy show standards) a long time ago. Analysis of plot points and clues is pointless. The best way to appreciate the show is for it's campiness.



Character's like Jack can only exist in cheesy television shows. No rationale human being would sit on the beach, tell the other survivors after a dead body washes up on the beach and the freighter have lied to them that they are going to get rescued. The characters actions are only meant to move the plot forward. Don't believe the producers bullshit that Lost is a character-driven show. The producers kill off characters callously. Charlie's death was pointless and avoidable. The no-name survivors gunned down at the barracks with as much thought as the red shirt crew members of the original Star Trek.



Trained mercenaries were able to gun down three no-name Losties. Sawyer runs into the open and doesn't get knicked. No character has deftly avoided bullets since Bruce Willis in the Die Hard franchise. Josh Holloway is also the Lost actor most-likely to become a movie star. (Don't kid yourselves about Matthew Fox.) The popular Lost characters can't die. Locke proved that by magically healing from a gunshot wound.

Blame Melissa McEwan for getting me hooked on the show.

Two thoughts on the tragedy in Myanmar

First off, I'm not sure what's more tragic: the damage caused by the cyclone or the paranoid Myanmar government's refusal to let in outside aid workers -- letting their own citizens die. As an American citizen, this especially pisses me off because it's not too often that I agree with the decisions of my president. I fully support Bush in his offer to give aid to the suffering Myanmar people, so please, for the love of the flying spaghetti monster, take it. I assure you want we treat your country like Iraq, OK?

Secondly, given the destruction this cyclone has caused, I think we should all know its name and what it looked like.

Meet Cyclone Nargis. It's shown here about to smack into Myanmar. At full strength,the category 4 storm had winds humming at 135 mph, but its power decreased slightly before landfall. To put this into perspective, Hurricane Katrina made landfall with 125 mph winds. So as storms go, Nargis and Katrina are roughly the same beast.

But Katrina was formed in August, at the height of summer; Nargis formed in the spring. Spring is not the usual time for powerful cyclones to form. Sure, the waters surrounding Myanmar will be warmer because it's closer to the equator than New Orleans, but not by much -- the capitol Rangoon is at the same level of latitude as Puerto Rico, yet we never hear about such strong tropical storms ravaging our hemisphere this early in storm season. So what gives? Maybe the Indian Ocean is different. Maybe they have early storms like this all the time..?

This is unlikely, as Cyclone Nargis is the first storm of the North Indian Ocean cyclone season. But I decided to do some more poking around on Wikipedia to see if I could find a powerful Asian cyclone like Nargis that had formed early in May -- and came up empty handed. The closest notable storm I could find was Typhoon Chataan of 2002, which was akin to Nargis's strength but formed at the end of June. The other storms I clicked on formed in July, August, October, and even November... But May was absent.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many speculated that global warming played a role in such a strong storm like it being formed. Which is possible, though many strong storms have formed at the end of summer. Cyclone Nargis is remarkable for its strength and how early in the season it formed. This there something wrong here? Is Nargis just a freak of nature or is something being overlooked?

Buddy Johnson AWOL

It took the NAACP 18 days to deliver a subpoena to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson. The NAACP did not file a personal lawsuit against Johnson. Nor was Johnson a witness in a criminal case. The NAACP simply wanted to know how Johnson's office handled voter registrations. Republican election officials aren't known for their professed loved for civil or voting rights. But there was no reason for Johnson to duck the subpoena.

Subpoena server Dan Neatherly concluded that Johnson was avoiding him. Neatherly could not find Johnson at either of his two offices. There is good indication that Johnson ordered his staff to stonewall Neatherly. Johnson's Mercedes Benz was parked in his space. The St. Petersburg Times's Jeff Testerman attempting ask Johnson about how his car can be at work, but not him. Johnson stonewalled Testerman by refusing to comment on stonewalling Neatherly.

If we are to give Johnson the benefit of the doubt, The Supervisor of Election just can be bothered to go to the job. That is a horrible PR spin campaign. Voters can ask themselves why they should continue to pay Johnson's salary. It is troubling when legal council Kathy Harris (love the name for an election official) is brought forth to issue a denial. Why is Johnson acting like he is about to be indicted?

"Mr. Johnson did not evade service and was a willing participant in the proceedings,'' Harris wrote. If the NAACP lawyers thought he was evading service, they could have sought court sanctions against him.

Harris wrote that it's wrong to assume that because Johnson's car was in his parking space, he was in the building. "Often, he is out of the office educating the community about voter registration and voter participation and leaves his personal car at the office.''

Harris wouldn't make that statement under oath. Johnson was asked in court if he attempted to avoid the subpoena. Harris told Johnson three times not to answer the question.

Exactly who was driving Buddy to these education seminars? Someone in the Elections office needs to leak Buddy's schedule? Details from Neatherly's report indicate that Johnson's lackeys were instructed to stonewall for their boss.

Oct. 17: Neatherly found a silver Mercedes Benz in the parking space reserved for the elections supervisor at the Falkenburg office. He spoke with Kevin Connell, a former New York police officer working as a receptionist there. Connell said Johnson wasn't in.

Neatherly went back outside, verified the registration as Johnson's and returned to Connell. "I know that is Mr. Johnson's vehicle and need to see him." Neatherly wrote that Connell said he couldn't help, that he was "just following directions."

(Connell declined to comment to the Times.)

There is something about the NAACP case that scares the hell out of Johnson. Republicans were against the County Mayor petition. Johnson's office miscounted the petitions. Now there are questions about black voters being disinfranchised. Johnson's behavior would make Richard Nixon cringe.

WTF Journalism

Another great moment in journalism from the Tampa Tribune. The first paragraph by writer Josh Poltilove shows a clueless understanding.

TAMPA - A Tampa man had consensual sex with a 12-year-old girl several times in recent months, Tampa police say.

A 12 year-old girl can not give sexual consent to a 18 year-old adult. That is why Mizraim Abiel Rivera-Ramos is being charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious batter. If Rivera-Ramos was 25 he would be charged with statutory rape.

Poltilove and the Tribune editors should ask themselves if a fifth-grader has the capacity and emotional maturity to consent to sex with an adult. Were they trying to make the story more titillating for sales? This piece boggles my mind.

Mike Gravel Sings

Someone stop Mike Gravel before he makes another Youtube video. Earth to Senator Gravel: your campaign is over. Deal with it.

Gravel's singing was bad. But the lowpoint has to be Gravel doing the Soulja Boy dance with the Obama Girl.

Super Delegates Scorecard

Politico has a rundown of super delegates that have committed to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The New York Senator is leading 268.5 to 259. 219.5 delegates are uncommitted. Don't you just love how Democracy is settled by political insiders. Boss Tweed would be so proud.

TPM on Indiana and North Carolina

Josh Marshall provides his analysis on the Indiana and North Carolina primaries. Short answer; it is over for Hillary.

Quote of the Day

"Well you would have thought I was high a few weeks ago when I announced my run for Congress District 11. I have a very unscientific poll on my site that has me leading Kathy Castor by 60%-40%. That is about the margin of victory that Paul and I are expecting."

Tim Fasano, on how he will beat Castor in the 2008 election. Fasano's website is down and no longer linked on Fasano's blog. I wonder what are the latest internal Fasano polling numbers.

No Democrat or Republican is going to beat Castor for her seat. It's her's for as long as she wants it. Castor has the backing of Pelosi, her mother Betty's political connections and is in one of the safest Democratic districts in the country. Fasano publicly touting his polling numbers showed that he was either seeking publicity or is utterly clueless about how formable a candidate Castor is?

Castor could be the next Mayor of Tampa, if she decided to run. No other Tampa resident has the name-recognition and fundraising ability. It is not a stretch to imagine Castor running for the Senate or Governor. What does Fasano have besides racist blog posts and a politically killing side job as a pornographer? Fasano could at least have the decency to announce he was dropping out after reitterating that he was in to stay and would beat Castor.

John Gibson Has Foot In Mouth Disease

John Gibson mocked Heath Ledger's death on his radio show. The reason seemed to be that Ledger played a gay man in the movie Brokeback Mountain. Gibson defended his remarks by saying, "There's no point in passing up a good joke."

GIBSON: OK, anyway, Heath Ledger died, and I'm sure people will be upset. All you Brokeback Mountain fans, you want to give Christine a call, she'll be happy to talk to you.

John Gibson now targets Rachel Maddow of Air America and MSNBC. Gibson aired the audio track "Ooh, lesbians! Yummy!" when talking about Maddow. Gibson joked, "Have I told told you about the people on the island of Lezbos? Nevermind."

This clown never learns. Something tells me his public apology for his Ledger comments weren't sincere.

Feel That McCain & Bush Love

Arianna Huffington recounts a conversation she had with John and Cindy McCain.

At a dinner party in Los Angeles not long after the 2000 election, I was talking to a man and his wife, both prominent Republicans. The conversation soon turned to the new president. "I didn't vote for George Bush" the man confessed. "I didn't either," his wife added. Their names: John and Cindy McCain (Cindy told me she had cast a write-in vote for her husband).

McCain's campaign staff denies the conversation. Huffington defends herself by going throgh the Straight Talkers history of denying things he actually said.

Bush Swift-boated McCain in 2000, with the infamous black baby mailers sent out in South Carolina. Conspiracy theorist and Vietnam veteran went onstage with Bush to claim that John McCain knowingly left POWs in Vietnam. So I say McCain had good reason for not voting for Bush.

The 2008 McCain model has embraced Bush and will not talk about the attacks used by the Bush campaign. The maverick told Amy Goodman has has a "good, friendly relationship" with Bush. The Maverick wants to be President so badly that he will align himself with a man he loathes.

Charlie Crist Signs Marissa Amora Bill

It is nice to finally report good news on the blog.

Governor Charlie Crist signed the bill awarding Marissa Amorra $18.2 million over the next 11 years. In a classy move, Crist welcomed Marissa's mother Dawn and her brothers and sisters to the Governor's mansion.

Crist's office sent out a press release.

"Today, we give to Marissa and we honor her loving family for the unselfish commitment they have made, not only to Marissa, but also to other foster children," Crist said, according to a news release. "I applaud Senator Al Lawson and Representative Marti Coley for sponsoring this legislation and for recognizing that compensating Marissa is the right thing to do."

Related posts: More DCF FUBARS, Agency for Persons with Disabilities FUBAR, Marissa Amora Update, FastTrack Marissa Amora Settlement, Marissa Amora Gets Short Changed

Worst Porn Movie Ever (I Am Not Kidding)

WARNING: LINKS NSFW

Bat Pussy is truly an Ed Wood experience. How many porn films have the single male actor never get a stiffy in the entire film? The introduction even has an opening narrator talking to the camera. Just as the Amazing Criswell did in Ed Wood movies.

Bat Pussy waits for her secret hideout for her "twat to twitch." She leaves her headquarters on a hoppity hop, declaring in a Southern drawl, "I’m gonna get me some of that dick if they’re gonna fuck in my city." Bat Pussy doesn't get fucked in this movie. Since the only male actor can't get bat wood.



Buddy and his wife Sam get into on-camera fights because of Little Buddy's performance problem. There is nothing more unerotic than seeing a real life failed marriage onscreen.

Any other porno would stop the camera and attempt to get some wood going But BAT PUSSY leaves that sucker filming to capture B and D improv some of the most spiteful and hilarious dialogue ever captured. "You don't know how to fuck!!" " I come home and you got beans and taters for dinner when all I want is hot pussy on the grill!" This goes on for about 10 minutes straight.

This is probably the first porno movie with actors less sexually experienced than the audience. Ladies, Buddy is a real catch.

“Darlin’, yer gonna have to move your sweet leg.” Buddy tells Sam as he hoists her freckled, hairy cankle over his shoulder. “Fantastic, huh? Wouldn’t you say?” he asks her after a few seconds of a sloppy, sideways 69. Buddy has had an epiphany and, seeing the error of his ways, begins to apologize to Sam for his unwillingness to try oral sex earlier in their 9 (or 11) year marriage. “I never knew darlin’. I never knew! Is there any way I can rectify it?”

Something Weird has the movie for sale. Does anyone know if this movie has been uploaded on the internet? I have to see this disaster. I love me classic bad movies.

Bad Bills

Alex Pickett spotlights the worst bills from this session of the Florida legislature. Sen. Gary Siplin has two bills make the list. The Baggy Pants bill is well-known. Siplin now wants churches to get into the act of policing pornography.

An act relating to the commercial distribution of pornographic materials; providing a short title; providing legislative findings; defining terms relating to the commercial distribution of pornographic materials; prohibiting a person from willfully and knowingly distributing pornographic materials for commercial purposes; providing a civil penalty; providing that any person, including a church, religious organization, or other representative group or organization, may bring an action to enforce the act; providing certain exemptions; providing procedures for enforcing the act; providing for attorney's fees and costs; requiring that any civil penalty collected be deposited into the General Revenue Fund; providing for declaratory and injunctive relief; authorizing a person to recover actual damages and attorney's fees if the person suffers a loss as a result of commercial distribution of pornographic materials; providing an effective date.

The Florida Commercial Anti-Pornography Act is so vaguely worded that the bill could be used to make all pornographic material illegal. It would never stand up to legal challenges and is dead in the Florida Senate. That doesn't stop Siplin. The Artist formerly known as an indicted State Senator is more interested in publicity.