Leaflet Descending | Tallahassee, Florida

A Tribute to Trayvon - Vector Graphic

2013-07-29T18:54:00.001-04:00

Laws defined in Florida's books let Zimmerman slip through the cracks. This case will be talked of and archived into our history for years to come, along with Emmet Till's.
Sources below.

Free to use by anyone. Created in Illustrator.

Sources:

Free Jeff Olson Flyer - The Man Who Faces 13 Years for Writing Anti-Big Bank Messages in Sidewalk Chalk

2013-07-01T17:12:00.006-04:00

A 40-year-old man from San Diego, California faces 13 years of prison time for writing anti-big bank messages in water-soluble sidewalk chalk.

Jeff Olson could get up to 13 years in prison and $13,000 in fines after being charged with separate counts of vandalism for writing anti-big bank messages outside of Bank of America branches in 2011.

"Oh my gosh," said Olson on his way out of court on Tuesday. "I can't believe this is happening."

The San Diego Reader reported that the judge is forbidding Olson and his attorney from mentioning anything about freedom of speech or freedom of expression in the court room because the stars are aligned this time of year and doing so may evoke Cthulu from his slumber. Or something to that degree of nonesense.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office may have been pressured to press charges against Olson by
Darell Freeman, vice president of Bank of America's Global Corporate Security.

The image in this article is a Leaflet original - click the thumbnail for a hi-resolution version. Share if you care.

(VIDEO) Wasn't the nemesis corp from Tank Girl called Water and Power?

2013-06-26T20:07:00.000-04:00

Breaking the Set's Abby Martin receives a bizarre sci-fi-esque video response from Nestlé for criticizing their corporate takeover of water.

Personally, my favorite part is from 4:37-5:39. Zing.

D.C. Living Wage Bill Moves Without Objection (VIDEO)

2013-06-22T22:45:00.002-04:00

The Large Retailer Accountability Act, which will have the biggest names in retail pay their employees a super-minimum wage of $12.50 an hour, was approached without objection Tuesday during the D.C. Council's Committee of the Whole meeting. The bill is being placed on the non-consent agenda for the additional legislative meeting on June 26th.

Councilmember At-Large, Vincent B. Orange :

Disenfranchisement: An Anecdote

2013-06-22T18:13:00.002-04:00

Washington, D.C. - Early summer evenings at the Wonderland Ballroom on 11th and Kenyon lure patrons of all varieties to sip cold beer on the outdoor patio and watch pedestrians walk by. Called to by the breeze of a cloudless Friday afternoon, they filled up to the perimeter of the bar's short ornamental fence. Few picnic tables were vacant and a mature broad-leaved tree entwined with LED rope glowed in hues of blue and green...

A 20-something-year-old with dark curly hair zipped through the adjacent intersection driving a flower-patterned scooter past dogs of all sizes and their walkers promenading with them. Beside the soccer field a block away, Habeebs and I watched a woman donning a sundress and a bobbing antennae headpiece ("Habeebs" is the result of a reinvention for the Arabic word habibi, which means "my beloved"). We watched a second woman in the distance soon after, wearing the same antennae.

Habeebs and I agreed the pair must have come from the same place all the while taking note of two African American boys who'd stopped to climb on a bike share station across the street. One was maybe 10, the other possibly 15. A few moments passed and they were soon bored with playing on the bright red frames. They hopped off and continued on 11th street. While passing the patio area their pace slowed and they observed us. The youngest of the two shouted, "Don't have too much fun!"

We laughed briefly but something felt off.

"It's disenfranchising if you think about it," Habeebs said. "They climb the bike share, which they can't use, and pretend to ride them. Then, they walk past us... Conservatives leave the city because they're afraid of being mugged. Liberals leave because of the guilt."

A Make-Or-Break Vote for D.C. Mayoral Candidates?

2013-06-17T19:01:00.000-04:00

Washington, D.C. - Three D.C. Council members in the upcoming mayoral race are to vote on a living wage bill tomorrow which would have the biggest names in retail pay their employees a super-minimum wage of $12.50 an hour.

Muriel Bowser, Tommy Wells and more recently Jack Evans, who announced his candidacy a little over last week on June 8th, are to vote on the Large Retailer Accountability Act during a Committee of the Whole meeting at 10am tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow's vote could be a deciding factor for D.C. voters who have been considering the high costs of living in the District where the average one-bedroom apartment is more than $1,000 a month and a typical annual salary for retail workers — under $25,000 a year — makes it hard to pay for basic necessities such as housing, transportation, and expenses for food.

About the bill:
The Large Retailer Accountability Act was passed by the council’s Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee on a 4-0 vote in late May. The version passed by the committee would require all retailers whose parent companies do at least $1 billion in sales to be subject to the new wage requirement.

D.C. Council Legislative Schedule

What I think:
Wages ought to be proportionate to cost of living, relative to your location. According to the WOW Family Security a single person would need to earn $14.99 an hour to afford the cost of living in the District while the current hourly minimum wage is only $8.25.

Consumer spending drives more than 70% of the economy and livable income for D.C. workers would equate to more disposable income. Those on minimum wage aren't likely to nurse a savings account - case in point is that a number of middle class families also live from one paycheck to the next.

Production increases would mean companies can, or should, hire more employees. Contrary to right-wing push back, raising the minimum wage would benefit the private sector and those who deserve it alike. Could be a win-win no matter what ideology you hold to.

Superman is an Immigrant

2013-06-12T20:33:00.003-04:00

Many have a history of immigration with the promise of hope. And so did Superman.

Impeccable timing for the new movie, too. Well played.

No More Hurting People

2013-04-16T15:01:00.000-04:00

The Boston Marathon travesty could have been orchestrated by a single maniac or an ideologically driven faction - although we don't yet know, we soon will. Whoever's endeavor it was, they came to the conclusion that violence was the means to a "better" end and it is our responsibility to ask why.

I want to share this simple, beautiful image. This is Martin Richard, 8, who was killed in yesterday's attack. His sister and mother are critically injured. His message, "No more hurting people--Peace" is something we should all seek to honor, and remember him by. - George Takei

The Wingman

2013-03-25T16:49:00.001-04:00

Dim lighting, an oval bar surrounded by white pillars, gaudy carpeting; Recessions could be mistaken for a hotel lounge rather than a bar - because it is one. The place was crowded more than usual, which is a far-reaching assumption on my part having been there maybe thrice in the handful of months I have resided in D.C. Rarely do I make absolute statements (you know, with that whole Sith saying) but I always get hit on at Recessions.

Friday night was no different.

Considering a barfly series for my photography final, I have been taking my Pentax out on the town. I had just shot the last few frames of the roll in my camera by the karaoke "stage"; a birthday celebrator and her guy friend, who kept trying to have a toast while she was still singing. The two walked away from the mic stand and I decided that the clientele were not all that interesting for my last three shots. I lowered my camera down, noticing two guys in blazers and crispy collared shirts getting closer from either side of me.

Allow me to preface that I have never looked this approachable in my lifetime. My blondish red mane was once a blue mohawk and hasn't been this length a single time before. My tattoos were not visible beneath my jacket. I have been eating healthier and working out, losing weight to where I haven't been this fit since high school tennis. One hair straightening and I might even pass for a sorority inductee; I am playing the game solid-snake-style now, tactical espionage.

"Hi, I am Chris and this is Jonah."

Jonah somewhat shrugged, his hands deep in his pockets.

"Have you met my friend, Jonah?" Chris said.

I covered my mouth reflexively although it looked like they could already tell I was grinning. Probably because I paused a little too long or maybe because the expression caused my eyes to get squinty.

"Do you realize how cliche this is? 'Hi have you met my friend, Jonah? And by the way I am his wingman, Chris.'"

"Okay, we get it, you're smart. But you see, Jonah here is a great guy. Great enough that someone like myself would be nice enough to wingman for him," Chris said.

"Well, I am in a serious relationship."

"How long have you been together?"

"About four months."

"And how many times have you had sex?"

Overdressed white guy at a lounge-y bar dive? Arrogant confidence? Sexual repression displayed by potentially counting the number of times he's had sex four months into a relationship? This guy just might be a conservative. Not unheard of at Recessions, either.

"How do you both know each other, exactly?" I asked.

Jonah said nothing and left. I smiled ironically, partly in disbelief and partly in condescension.

"Yeah, I don't think this is going to work out."

"Funny, because I came to that conclusion a long time ago. How many times have I had sex? By four months I would hope to lose count by then. So, what is it exactly that you both do?"

He doesn't seem as confident and looks to be forcing himself to seem unfazed.

"I can tell you this much - we're better for you than your boyfriend."

Oh yeah, conservative double rainbow all the way. Would I be going out on a limb here to say that it's a disproportionate response to suggest you know what's best for a person you met only moments ago? My laughter is audible now, making Chris visibly uncomfortable. I am loving every minute of it.

"Not even close."

"Okay, BYE."

He's figured out that I have pegged him for a moron. I happily take a step backward, dismissing the conversation. Chris glances back.

"You're sure you don't want to stick around?"

"Nooo."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye," I said, laughing.

Ladies - tell me that you don't actually fall for this and that guys don't get positive reinforcement to continue attempting such adolescent behavior.

The new metaphor for inequality: It's like getting dealt a cucumber instead of a grape (video)

2013-03-19T23:21:00.004-04:00

Fairness experiment dealing with two Capuchin monkeys.

From @upworthy

Video: Internet Access as a Right

2013-03-10T20:22:00.001-04:00

This is an original video project produced for my media class on the subject of internet access as a right. Lookout for references to Community and Reservoir Dogs.

Sources

BBC Internet Poll
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/08_03_10_BBC_internet_poll.pdf

Tampa Bay Times: Unemployment in Florida
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/getting-an-unemployment-check-in-florida-is-frustrating-ordeal-for-many/1247024

The Global Post: UN Deems Internet a Basic Human Right
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/diplomacy/120706/un-deems-internet-access-basic-human-right-0

UNESCO Oxford Institute: Publication
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/publications-and-communication-materials/publications/full-list/freedom-of-connection-freedom-of-expression-the-changing-legal-and-regulatory-ecology-shaping-the-internet/

TED Talks: Let’s take back the internet!
http://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_mackinnon_let_s_take_back_the_internet.html

TED Talks: How the Internet will Transform Government
http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_the_internet_will_one_day_transform_government.html

Paul Krugman on the Sequester: 'Austerity Policy Has Failed'

2013-03-06T17:36:00.000-05:00

Nobel-Prize laureate Paul Krugman

Approaching noon on Tuesday, a few in the full-house crowd hesitated to unfold their lunches and pop open their sodas at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in D.C. New York Times columnist and Nobel Prize laureate Paul Krugman was just about to speak, and no one wanted to miss a word due to crinkling wrappers.

Krugman's central argument: "Austerity policy has failed." He cited the slow-moving economic recovery, long-term unemployment, and the sequester, estimated to cost Americans 1 million jobs.

His curative for paying down debt calls for more public investment instead of cutting back government programs, whereas if investments are delayed, everyone spends less and the economy suffers from a decrease in demand. Krugman illustrated, "A family in debt wouldn't ask the breadwinner to quit their job."

He described the recession as a result of lost signals and gratuitous mismanagement. The private sector fought hard for deregulation, and won, and regulations which should have been extended were allowed to stagnate. And the sequester, he reminded the crowd, is a product of GOP blackmail in the fight over the debt ceiling.

Obama/Spock Presidents' Day Facebook Banner

2013-02-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

Throw down some consideration to Mr. Obama this Presidents' Day with a banner that says, "I just utilized the holodeck to become part of Washington's Continental Army!" Right click (or control-click for mac users) to save to your PC. The file is in the correct dimensions of your cover photo so adjustments are not necessary - unlike Vulcan references. Maintaining VIP nerd status may occur.

Meaning in the Mainstream: Gotye, Eyes Wide Open

2013-02-14T15:46:00.001-05:00

So this is the end of the story, Everything we had, everything we did, Is buried in dust, And this dust is all that's left of us. But only a few ever worried.

Well the signs were clear, they had no idea. You just get used to living in fear, Or give up when you can't even picture your future.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we... (Walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...) Yeah, we walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we... (Walk the plank with our eyes wide open.)

Some people offered up answers. We made out like we heard, they were only words. They didn't add up to a change in the way we were living, And the saddest thing is all of it could have been avoided.

But it was like to stop consuming's to stop being human, And why would I make a change if you won't? We're all in the same boat, staying afloat for the moment.

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open, we...

That was the end of the story.

Why Congress is Going Postal

2013-02-07T22:19:00.002-05:00

Via Sam Seder on the Majority Report

Text summary:

The US Postal Service will discontinue regular mail deliveries on Saturdays albeit P.O. box and package drop-offs will remain active. The post office doesn't have the statutory authority to make this change so we can expect more controversy for these actions to come.

The Postal Service has lost $15.9 billion in the last budget year, a majority of that amount being a function of a 2006 law passed by congress. Unlike any other government entity or business in the private sector, the Postal Service is responsible for fully funding its pension program on a 75 year horizon, requiring a $55 billion requirement over a ten year period. No taxpayer money goes to the post office or to their pensions - all of which are paid for by stamps. However, the prices of stamps can't be raised without congressional approval. So the question is - will FedEx deliver mail for 45 cents? Not likely.

"They took our jeeerbs!"

2013-01-12T19:55:00.002-05:00

Leaned against yellow wallpaper, the black woman with bottle cap glasses nodded emphatically. Every now and then I heard her say, "Yes, that's true. That's exactly right." Something the older black veteran was contending persuaded the woman with glasses to sit down and continue their conversation. The assistant in front of me looked up from her desk - it was almost my turn. The veteran was on a roll now and from the waiting line I could almost make out what he was saying.

"Do you have an appointment?" the nurse asked.

I did have an appointment. To meet University requirements this semester I needed to undergo a Hepatitis B vaccination. I am your typical college student without health insurance so paying a visit to one of the income-based health centers looked like my best option. After handing in my paperwork I asked an elderly black gentleman beside me if my seat was already taken. He said no but several glances later I think he seemed astonished that I spoke to him. I became aware of being the only white girl in the waiting room but quickly dismissed the thought. I took out my copy of World War Z and read.

"They're taking jobs away from us! All their money goes to Mexico and then what are we left with?!" The veteran was becoming louder now, visibly irritated.

"That's true," said the woman with glasses.

Across from the discussing couple an Asian man turned to their direction with an air of discomfort.

"I went to college, you know? I have had plenty of time to think about this shit. We shouldn't call it the United States of America - it should be the United Nations of America!"

So that's the big ordeal, then... Inevitably, my mind raced.

Half black/half Hispanic Miles Morales as Spider-Man.

...Don't you know that you're making the same arguments that racist southerners used to degrade African Americans? Still, undocumented immigrants pay out (source) state, federal and local taxes. Those taxes create jobs in the public sector, funding services that undocumented immigrants themselves can't even take advantage of. Like this health clinic your currently sitting in...

I bit my tongue. At least for a little while.

Earlier in the week Eric Foner spoke about the abolitionist movement in setting the standard for social change in the U.S. Abolitionists didn't act within in the confines of the political arena but they rather aimed at being conversational agitators and subversive activists. What difference does it make if I kept these thoughts to myself? Inspired by Foner's speech it became a personal quest to say something. My roommate explained this phenomenon as a "Foner Boner."

I realized I had closed the pages of my book. The veteran was called into the doctor's office, leaving his chair vacant. The nurse's timing was impeccable.

Alright then, get it over with.

I leaned across the aisle toward the woman with glasses. "Excuse me, I overheard your discussion. Can I sit here?" She agreed to talk with me albeit with apprehension; she didn't seem to know what to expect.

"The man you were talking with is frustrated and there are probably a lot of reasons for that. He's an under-appreciated veteran, for one. And he's probably subjugated to a suffering economy. He's old, which might explain why he might have more traditional values..."

Then I laid it all down. Sometimes she would say, "wow," and sometimes she wouldn't say anything.

We were on the topic of taking information for face value when a nurse called out my name. I turned back as I walked into triage. She seemed warmer than when I introduced myself. She was waving.

Leaflet's ARTSTRIKE: Social Media Superheroes

2012-12-22T12:10:00.002-05:00

My submission to ARTSTRIKE for #nomorecuts, a project that addresses the "fiscal cliff" bluff and how we should let the bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire as originally intended. Check out the artstrike website to see more art, music and videos.

McConnell Memes

2012-12-06T20:12:00.000-05:00

Florida Election 2012: How I Will be Voting

2012-10-31T08:33:00.000-04:00

What if I told you that when a candidate sways from your ideology by an angstrom, you don't have to give the proverbial finger to the elections process? A vote doesn't mean you're personally endorsing everything a candidate chooses to do. You, myself or anyone else will probably never agree with a politician 100% of the time and pragmatically I have to exercise the right to elect a candidate who won't increase the rate of suck.

If you're familiar to voting in Florida, the current Governor is a nominal example.

Don't even start with the apathetic bullshite that voting is about who is the best of two evils so you can feel better about not taking your lazy ass to the polls, either. In the words of Patton Oswalt, take a dump in the voting booth afterward if it makes you feel better, but vote. Or even better, vote early. If you so choose not to, you don't become part of some liberating protest in the name of idealism. Instead, it means your choices are about to be determined for you and the people who represent you will be picked by, well not you.

Also voting for Barack ...because geography.

President: Barack Obama double rainbow all the way.

Obama has been moderately successful, especially considering the inheritance of the economic depression from the prior administration. He adheres to the remarkably significant idea that when the private sector abuses their power or fails to take responsibility for their actions, there's some justice to be had. Or to the least degree, a form of intervention. His track record isn't one to scoff at, either. Does that mean I am batshit crazy about the guy? Not entirely - he's arguably a moderate in that he has made some decisions which were too compromising. That doesn't mean voting for Obama won't be a step forward (or if Romney wins, a backwards fumble). Romney is pursuing more extreme economic policies than Bush Jr., who evidently got us into this fiscal cluster~~fuck~~ in the first place. I also can't ignore that if Obama is re-elected we could have a liberal majority in the supreme court for the first time in years, then lasting 15-20 years once the appointments have been ratified.

U.S. Senate: Bill Nelson
Nelson's Republican contender Connie Mack was one of Florida's congressman who supported the Iraq surge alongside president Bush. Bill Nelson isn't as hard pressing as some of our Senate democrats but he still votes progressively 85% of the time. It's highly understated how consequential it is to lose seats in the Senate and we could really use a Democratic super majority to support the President instead of partisan spoon-feeding.

U.S. Representative: Al Lawson
Al is only slightly more progressively leaning than Alan Boyd was and Boyd was the worst acting Democrat in the House during his term. So, the choices here aren't too spectacular. Al is running against Steve Southerland, a co-owner of a funeral parlor and right-wing guy who attacked Lawson on the same Medicare legislation he himself had voted for to pander to his party's decries against the healthcare mandate.

State Attorney: Pete Williams
I am about to vote for a Republican in this race and here's why. 1, party affiliation isn't everything. Steve Stewart, for instance, is running under the guise of a democratic ticket and you will see more about him below. And 2, "Slick" Willie Meggs, along with Larry Campbell, are probably two of the least publicly trusted candidates on the ballot. Megg's cover-ups and allegations are all over the interwebs, so check him out.

State Senator: Bill Montford
...because I had to. Way ahead of his opponent but a horrible senator in terms of my own left-leaning ethics. Primaries are crucial. Just saying.

Sheriff: Lisa Sprague
I have worked with Lisa before. I think she has a great background for the job and let's face it, how long has Larry been Sheriff? 16 years, since 1996. Commonly referred to as Larry "corrupt" Campbell, he hasn't been doing too well under the public eye. Even the Florida Department of Law Enforcement filed a complaint against him. And oh yeah - he made a cut-out of Lisa to use for target practice in a press release with the media. Classy.

Superintendent of Schools: Jackie Pons
I was iffy about this because Pons and Jon Ausman are close. Ausman is our state committee man who endorsed Jeff Green over Kendrick Meek in the Democratic primary - and accepted a large sum of money for it despite the conflict of interest. However, Pons seems to be doing his job right so far and I can't think of a significant reason why he shouldn't be superintendent.

Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation

Supreme Court Justices: I won't be inclined to vote out a justice of the supreme court unless they have done something outlandish. It is of grave importance though that you note one of them is named Ron Swanson :)

County Commission: Akin Akinyemi
Akin has been doing a great job and I am more than happy to re-elect him. Nothing against Mary.

City Commission: Scott Maddox
From the inbox: highly entertaining evidence as to why Steve Stewart should not be elected (click). And he has had some issues with his business' taxes, too:

The Florida Department of Revenue filed a lien against the business Feb. 21 totaling $2,664 and a second lien March 19 totaling $10,481, according to state records. Both amounts include unpaid taxes, penalties, interest and fees. - Tallahassee Democrat

In the beginning of his career, Maddox had some sponsorship issues I wasn't elated about but his work in local politics, like expanding state parks and aiding small businesses, are an improvement for Florida and for that I will be voting for him.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Ryan Terrell, Tabitha Frazier
*This one is anecdotal plain and simple so here's your fair warning.
Just to give you an idea of how much I like Tabitha, I last ran into her when I went to see Henry Rollins speak at ruby diamond just this month. She is an acquaintance from when I was active with the democratic party last year and Ruby Diamond was the first instance I ever saw her without a clip board. Her husband is also a lawyer who happened to play drums for my best friends band. Second, my impression of Ryan Terrell is that he's intelligent, politically well rounded - and the same friend sings karaoke with him on occasion. Anecdotal, boom.

Leon County, Circuit Judge Of Circuit 2, Group 2: Barbara Hobbs
If you're in Leon county, I would recommend Barbara Hobbs hands down. She's been working with juveniles and children as a criminal attorney for over 30 years and has practiced in almost every area of law.

Amendments:

The legislature's long-lived right leaning majority have approved all of the amendments in place for the upcoming election, which means the potential implementation of these laws immediately tripped my wire. But I still looked into them to make sure and as I suspected, the majority of them (all but one in fact) are a No.

Constitutional Amendment 1:

Another ploy against the individual mandate. Federal law guarantees this won't hold up in court if it passes but healthcare reforms could become stifled in the future. If businesses are not providing healthcare for their employees and the same advocates of this law are saying that government shouldn't step in either, than who will? A definite No

Constitutional Amendment 2:

This sounds peachy at first but there's no pay-for and in my opinion that just undermines government spending. Other programs and services will be cut instead to make up for this and the state constitution shouldn't be used for tax policy. No

Constitutional Amendment 3:

The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, are unanimously against this (I mean really non-partisan, Republican Florida State Senator Evelyn Lynn who wanted to cut the pre-paid college program spoke at their Gala). They explain that Colorado tried similar TABOR legislation and it failed miserably. In fact they had to repeal it, while small business, schools and middle class families had to pay for the damage. I personally don't think we should close a window on revenue when the economy is lagging. For instance, shouldn't we be investing in job creation? From a nerdier perspective you don't overclock a computer with a limited span of MHz - instead, you set a high and a low variable for flexibility so you get efficiency when you need it most. No

Constitutional Amendment 4:

Out of state residents are going to qualify for the homestead tax exemption which is disagreeable because local taxes should be giving back to the local economy. Florida Trend estimates the amendment could cost our local government $600 million mula. No

Constitutional Amendment 5:

The appeals court would be split in two - civil and criminal, allocated by the legislature and potentially immutable since a 2/3rds Democratic majority could only change this, which is nigh impossible thanks to Florida's slathering of urbanism. The Florida Bar Association among several judges are also in opposition of this amendment. No

Constitutional Amendment 6:

If abortion is a legal medical procedure, who's to say what source of funding is more unacceptable than another? Unprecedented infringement on women, likely instigated by a male majority. No

Constitutional Amendment 7: Removed by the Florida Supreme Court

Constitutional Amendment 8:

Orwell would give props for their wording of this. They want you to think this amendment is about religious freedom but what the law enacts is taxpayer funding of religious institutions, like churches and schools, particularly conservative ones and without proper oversight. The problem is religious institutions don't pay taxes, even though they are active with government and influence policies - not the opposite. So I'll be taking hell-to-the-nizzay on this one (No). And pun intended.

Constitutional Amendment 9:

Amendment 9 allows property tax discounts for the surviving spouses of military members or first responders killed on the job. The question is, since pay-for isn't specified once again, what will be compromised to makeup for this? Anyone else notice how these are new proposals alongside limits to revenue spending? No

Constitutional Amendment 10:

According to progress Florida, "Amendment 10 prevents counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local governments from taxing “tangible personal property” with a total assessed value more than $25,000 but less than $50,000." Personal property should be taxed, hands down and this amendment could become costly if achieved. No

Constitutional Amendment 11:

Might sound appealing then again amendment 11 won't really grant much help to anyone on a significant scale and would instead deprive local governments of much needed revenue. Once again, anyone else notice how these are new proposals alongside limits to revenue spending? No

Constitutional Amendment 12:

Unelected bureaucrats appointed by the governor get to take over at the expense of the Florida Student Association. Eff that. No

YES on Local Referendum to Maintain .5 cent sales tax to fund education. Worth every penny.

Texas Battles Zombie Voter Fraud

2012-10-12T20:02:00.000-04:00

Nope. Are you sure you're filed under Z?

ugh...

In preparation for the unfounded yet highly prolific epidemic known as zombie voter fraud, Texas prepares to battle an undead army upwards of 80,000 during the upcoming election.

In a just act of fair warning, the Secretary of State notified the deceased that they would be purged from the voting rolls, that is unless the curse is somehow lifted. When asked to volunteer his services, Bruce Campbell replied, "I decided not to mess with Texas on this one. Zombies and understaffed state employees? I wouldn't know which ones were really dead!"

Rich Parsons, a spokesman for the Texas Secretary of State, says they're not targeting anyone but dead voters however hundreds of testimonies from humans have been surfacing that the very same cautionary letter had been sent to them.

A high school nurse named Terry Collins received one of these very letters informing her that after 34 years of voting she was declared off the voting roll in Harris County.

"Friday of last week, I got a letter saying that my voting registration would be revoked because I'm deceased, I'm dead. I was like, 'Oh, no I'm not!' " Collins says. - Source

The purge was mandated last session; Texas collected the names from the Social Security Administration's death list although Social Security warned the information was unreliable for such a purpose.

"And then a quick check of some of the information on that database led us to believe that there was a big probability that even a majority of the names on the list were people that were still alive," - Don Sumners, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector

Due to the backlash in Houston, there would be no purge of voters until after the election. A second mandate was also ratfied; implementation of Zombielands' rule #11: Use your foot.

Sierra Club's Epic Voter Guide

2012-10-01T11:37:00.000-04:00

On the brink of the upcoming election you might be wondering, which candidates are the least likely to increase the rate of suck? The Sierra Club might have an answer for you.

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots organization dedicated to the exploration, enjoyment and protection of the environment via outings, socials and activist campaigns (they'll even hook peeps up with free solar evaluations). The latest addition to their website is a nation-wide guide dedicated to letting you in on who's been speaking up for matters you might have been thinking about, like health and the environment.

Achievement unlocked, Billy Mays!

But...
Is it demonstratable? Is it easy to use? Is it priced right? Does it have that wow factor?

First of all it isn't a flash based application, which is fuggin' awesome. If you have access to the web but don't have a smart phone, you can probably still access the site without seeing broken graphics lagging all over your screen like an epileptic .gif image.

Click your state to see which of your Reps address clean energy jobs, clean air and water, wilderness protection, women's health and global climate disruption. You can also look up candidates based on these matters individually or choose your own. If you want to just skip to who the Sierra Club is sponsoring nationwide this year, here's a list.

Check it out here and DFTBA.

I am making a note here...

2012-09-13T12:08:00.000-04:00

On that rare occasion I find myself near a fast food joint, it seems like some new form of technology that wasn't there before has been tacked onto the infrastructure - like the conspicuous cameras installed beside drive-thru windows that allude to GLaDOS from Portal, for instance.

Aand it's a minivan.

2012-08-17T20:07:00.000-04:00

Contentious bumper stickers.

Wait for it...

Maybe they're delivering cans of whoop-ass.

League of Women Voters of Florida Offers Voting Tips Before Jan. 31 Presidential Primary

2012-01-18T13:58:00.001-05:00

League Reminds Voters to Be Ready for 2012 Elections
by Checking Their Voter Status

Tallahassee, FL -- The League of Women Voters of Florida encourages all citizens to vote with confidence during this year's three elections. The first election date is the Florida GOP Presidential Preference Primary on Jan. 31. Early voting runs Jan. 21 to Jan. 28 in all Florida counties except Hillsborough, Collier, Hardee, Hendry and Monroe, where early voting will feature extended dates.

To make sure voters are as informed as possible about the process, the League offers these voting tips:

What happens on Election Day if my residential address is out-of-date?

Voters who have moved from one county to another, and who have not updated their address with their Supervisor of Elections, could be handed a provisional ballot at the polls under Florida's new election law. You can change your address by simply calling your Supervisor of Elections before you get to the polls.

I have heard that vote-by-mail ballots are not counted unless the election is close. Is that true?

FALSE! Vote-by-mail ballots are actually the first ballots to be counted. By Florida law, Supervisors can begin tablulating vote-by-mail ballots 15 days before Election Day. Vote-by-mail results are not actually counted until after 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Where do I vote if I have been forced out of my home due to foreclosure?

The law states that you must vote in the precinct where you live on Election Day. Voters in a foreclosure situation have several options: Any voter can vote early at one of several designated early voting sites in their county. There are no assigned precincts for early voting. In addition, you may request a vote-by-mail ballot by calling your local Supervisor. The most practical option is to contact your Supervisor and update your residential address before Election Day so that is current and accurate. You can do this by phone. Then go to your assigned precinct for your new address on Election Day.

Scan and be connected! Update your voter status!

The League encourages Florida voters to be ready for all three elections in 2012. The League has made it easy. Voters with smartphones can scan the "Be Ready to Vote" Microsoft Tag and be connected to their local Supervisor of Elections, no matter where they live in Florida. Voters have three options to be connected: phone, email or website.

The League encourages voters to take action: Update your voter record for address changes, name changes, and updates to vote-by-mail ballot requests.

For non-smartphone users, visit www.BeReadyToVote.org or www.VamosAVotar.org.

It's democracy made easy!

For more information or to request an interview, please contact the individuals listed above.

TIME's person of the year - The Protestor

2011-12-14T16:30:00.002-05:00