FLORIDA DIGEST - October 12, 2008

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~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Amendment 2: Frivolous distraction should be rejected
Our economy is in the tank. Floridians are losing homes and jobs in record numbers. Our standing in the world is kaput. So what choice will Florida voters be given on Nov. 4 to solve our mountain of problems? Nada! No plan for universal health care, no equivalent of a domestic Marshall Plan to revive our economic fortunes, no guarantees that seniors can live out their lives in dignity. No improvement for ailing public education.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/sfl-sgcol12sboct12,0,7701452.column


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
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-Delete gay, marriage
The headline Gay-marriage ban (Metro section, Oct. 9) is misleading and biased because it leads people to believe that Amendment 2 is just a gay issue, which it is not. The amendment would take away from all committed relationships the same rights and privileges that are given to married couples. Couples who will lose these constitutionally guaranteed rights may be gay, heterosexual or senior citizens who wish to live out their lives in the companionship of another. They just wish to visit one another when they are sick in the hospital and share in the joys as well as the sorrows of life -- the same as any married couple. All compassionate people who understand the law and who read this amendment in full -- not just The Miami Herald headlines -- should vote No on Amendment 2.
BILL SILVER, Coral Gables
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/721462.html


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South Florida Blade
http://www.floridablade.com/
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-Erotic Art Exhibit-served with martinis straight up
Art goes sexy tonight, at Matty's On The Drive
What happens when you mix "erotic art" and a round of martinis? You get the ArtsUnited's annual Erotic Art Exhibit and reception, at Matty's On The Drive (2426 Wilton Drive). Dozens of male and female erotic art pieces will be on display and for sale during the one-night- only exhibit. A $10 donation at the door benefits ArtsUnited and its many programs. And there will be delicious nibbles for everyone, provided by Galanga! From 6-8 p.m.
http://www.floridablade.com/blog/index.cfm#21663


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AFL-CIO Endorses Justin Flippen for Wilton Manors City Commission
Wilton Manors City Commission candidate Justin Flippen has been endorsed by the Broward County AFL-CIO. The AFL-CIO's endorsement of Justin adds to that of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz; State Representatives Kelly Skidmore, Martin Kiar, and Ari Porth; County Commissioners Ken Keechl, Stacy Ritter, Diana Wasserman-Rubin, and Sue Gunzburger; County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish; School Board Members Robin Bartleman, Jennifer Gottlieb, and Beverly Gallagher; Former Wilton Manors Mayors Jim Stork and Tracy Stafford; Former Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Sue Olson; Former Wilton Manors City Commissioner Joe Angelo; and many other Broward County city officials. Come celebrate the ongoing success of Justin's city commission campaign TODAY [Sunday] from 4 to 6 PM at George's Alibi located at 2266 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.
www.JustinFlippen.com


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Gary Resnick candidate for Wilton Manors Mayor
You are invited! Wednesday, October 15th
GOTV Office - 2040 Dixie Hwy., Suite B
Wilton Manors, FL
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For more information about Gary's campaign, please contact Gary at home at 954-566-0054, or via email, garyresnick@aol.com, or visit his website, www.garyresnick.com


~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-It's party vs. power in Broward County sheriff's race
Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti exploits the advantages of incumbency. He holds news conferences seemingly every other day. His name has been plastered on billboards and gas pumps for public service campaigns. He appears in uniform, leaning on a Broward Sheriff's Office cruiser, in a political advertisement that hit the airwaves last week.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-flbmayocol1012sboct12,0,7589833.column


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Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-The Miami Herald recommends
On state constitutional amendments
The annual ritual of adding amendments to Florida's Constitution is fraught
with danger. It has been used for good and ill, from mandating education standards for schools to requiring pens for pregnant pigs. State lawmakers often resort to amendments as a way to duck politically sensitive issues, passing the buck to the voters instead of using the legislative process. Fewer amendments would be better. Herewith, we offer our recommendations for amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot.
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/721468.html=

-Florida Republicans cast blame as McCain trails in polls
John McCain's plunging poll numbers in Florida have top Republicans second-guessing and starting to distance themselves from the campaign.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/campaign-2008/story/722731.html


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Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, FADP
http://www.fadp.org/
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-Next Florida Execution Stayed Until November 18, 2008
Florida is preparing for the killing of another prisoner. Gov. Charlie Crist scheduled the execution of Wayne Tompkins for October 28, but the Florida Supreme Court issued a stay until November 18. Tompkins is to be put to death for the killing of Lisa DeCarr, twenty five years ago. Gov. Crist appears to be making good on his threat to send more condemned prisoners into the Death Chamber. At the current rate, Florida will soon be second only to Texas as the nation's busiest executioner. With 387 people awaiting execution, Florida has the second largest Death Row in the Western Hemisphere. Please TAKE ACTION! Write or call Gov. Crist and ask him to STOP signing Death Warrants and order a thorough review and assessment of Florida's Death Penalty program. He has the authority to make this decision.
ADDRESS:
Gov. Charlie Crist
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
PHONE:
850-488-7146


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Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
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-In Democratic stronghold, a reluctant tilt to Obama
This may be a Democratic stronghold, but folks aren't shy about ticking off what bugs them about Barack Obama. ¶ He seems a bit smug. He was never in the same league as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, then added insult to injury by passing her over for VP. And there's the rumors, false, that Obama is a Muslim. Plus his earlier refusal to wear an American flag pin. "He said it was a fashion statement, wearing the flag," Trish Votaw , a 40-something divorcee, said as she smoked Marlboros on her front porch while waiting for her teenage boys to get home from school. "But who cares if it is a fashion statement? It's the American way. Especially with our troops over there. He should have the flag on."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article848558.ece

-Gay-rights wedge issue fading away?
For more than four years, the Bush White House has run against any changes in the law that would allow gay Americans -- even his vice president's daughter -- to marry. Under the guidance of political maestro Karl Rove, George W. Bush even ran against gay rights in his 2004 re-election bid. The strategy: push a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and thereby stir the base of evangelicals to the polls. It worked.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/gayrights_wedge_issue_fading_a.html

-Time to evict Jim Crow
We like to fool ourselves that Florida is this progressive, modern state showing Americans the way into the new millennium. But we all know better. About the time Floridians start thinking they are taking a great stride forward, something ridiculous happens to remind the entire world that this is a state staggering into the future like a drunken spring-breaker.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/10/12/a16a_moffettcol_1012.html

-State ban on gay marriage? You decide
Proposed amendment on next month's ballot causing controversy
For better or for worse. For richer or poorer. For man and . . . husband? Florida's proposed constitutional Amendment 2 is probably the most talked-about initiative you'll find on a busy ballot this fall. Five other amendments ask voters to weigh in on ineligible aliens' property rights, tax breaks and conserving sensitive lands, but none is as controversial as the proposed ban on gay marriage.
http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/story/948360.html


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