FLORIDA DIGEST - October 19, 2008

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net
and we'll be happy to send the full article.


=
~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~



~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

=
~~FLORIDA GLBT NEWS~~

Early voting starts tomorrow - Monday!!!!
Avoid the long lines on November 4, Vote early!

=
Dolphin Democrats
www.dolphindems.org
Go to the links for the following articles:

We stand on the brink of history. This applies to more than just our next president. Changes are happening all throughout the world, the country and the state. Here in Florida we have a chance to take part in those changes, whether it is informing people why they should say "No" to Amendment 2 or helping people with transportation to and from the polls so they can vote for their favorite candidates. As Dolphins, we are being offered the opportunity to do more than stand on the sidelines watching history happen. We have the chance to help create it and help create our future. The Get Out the Vote Center is having a number of nights dedicated to local organizations' outreach efforts. Among these are Dolphin Democrats nights. The Dolphin Democrats nights will take place on October 20, 27, and November 4th, 2008. This is an opportunity for each of us individually as concerned citizens, as voters, as Democrats and as Americans to help our candidates and causes. Please RSVP to JD Camp at Campjdftl@gmail.com to reserve your time to get involved, get active and get your voice heard. Thank you and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Sincerely,
Justin S. Flippen, President
Adriane Reesey,Vice President

-There is a new feature on The Broward SOE website now that permits an inquiry from any one to verify if they are registered and at what address. There are two ways to see it. It's on the Home page under the Register To Vote section and in the middle of the Home page with the link Check Your Registration Status. Check it out.
www.browardsoe. org

-Deadline to request an absentee ballot is Wednesday, October 29, 2008
-Voter Information Card is recommended but not required to vote.
-A Broward County voter can vote at any one of our 17 early voting sites.
-Postage for the absentee ballot is $1.17.
-In a general election, a voter can vote for the candidate of their choice, no matter their political party affiliation.

-Campaign season is in full swing and voter turnout is expected to break all records! With early voting and vote-by-mail available, we're trying to help people make sure their votes are counted and educating them on these opportunities. The last thing we want on election day is a surprise that people weren't allowed to vote. We need your help. Please volunteer this weekend for two great events: The first is Bubba's Country Fair at Scandals Saloon in Wilton Manors Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, with shifts between 11 am and 7 pm.


=
Equality Florida
http://www.eqfl.org/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Pick up your FREE Equality Florida Customized Voter's Guide Today!
We've polled over 1,000 candidates.
We've convened statewide and local endorsement committees
We've created customized voter's guides for all 67 counties in Florida
http://www.eqfl.org/ElectionCenter/


=
GLCC - Ft. Lauderdale
http://glccsf.org/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-GLCC Fundraiser!!
Help us raise funds for the GLCC while you shop!
Your participation in our fundraising is critical to help us achieve our finanancial goals. We have now made it easier than ever. Just visit our on-line store at www.shoptoearn.net/glcc. Every purchase you make sends a donation to the GLCC. We have teamed up with over 500 retailers you love! Just purchase items through our site, you get your products and we earn cash. That is it! Everybody wins. The holidays are right around the corner. If you are buying anything on-line, visit our site first.
http://www.shoptoearn.net/cgi-bin/genesis.exe/index.html?p_get_webid=glcc


=
Mark's List
http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/MSFL/2008/052908.htm
Go to the links for the following articles:

-The Gay and Lesbian Business Committee and Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower Invite you to Come Out October 19, 2008 1 PM to 4 PM. Locals and Gay-friendly businesses will unite in Flamingo Park for the kickoff event for Gay Pride, April 18, 2009.


=
Justin Flippen for Wilton Manors City Commission Campaign
Justin@justinflippen.com
954-610-9100
Wilton Manors City Commission candidate Justin Flippen has been endorsed by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and Equality Florida. The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale has also voted to recommend Justin Flippen for Wilton Manors City Commission.


=
Gary Resnick for Wilton Manors Mayor Campaign
RESNICK RECEIVES ENDORSEMENTS FROM BROWARD COUNTY AFL-CIO, QUALITY FLORIDA
AND MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS,
Wilton Manors Florida
Commissioner Gary Resnick, Candidate for Mayor of Wilton Manors, is pleased to announce the endorsements of Broward County AFL-CIO, Equality Florida
http://www.garyresnick.com/


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

-Sexual preference is irrelevant in adoptions
October 17, 2008
I am not sure the writer of the letter, "Gay adoption ban moral must," realizes that in his argument against homosexual adoption, he actually provides the very reasons why it should be allowed. Does he believe there are not heterosexual parents who have sexual preferences that he might consider unacceptable? Yes, what is important is that you are a good parent.
Your sexual preference is irrelevant.
Niki Wilson, Boca Raton
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-pbmail996sboct17,0,2064032.story


=

~~FLORIDA GENERAL NEWS~~

Join Hillary on Monday!
This Monday, October 20th, please join Senator Hillary Clinton in Fort Lauderdale for an Early Vote for Change Rally, where she will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.
Early Vote For Change Rally
with Senator Hillary Clinton
Huizenga Plaza
One East Las Olas Boulevard
(Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue )
Fort Lauderdale , FL 33301
Monday, October 20th
Gates Open: 11:00 a.m.
Program Begins: 12:00 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
http://fl.barackobama.com/FtLauderdaleChange


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

-You'll have six chances to change constitution
Here are the Florida constitutional amendments you'll see on the Nov. 4 ballot. Amendments 5, 7 and 9 were removed by the state Supreme Court. Each amendment must win 60 percent approval to be added to the state constitution.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-floamendments1019sboct19,0,460299.story

-State amendments seem likely to lose
Like five others, gay-marriage ban currently lacks support needed to pass
An effort to rewrite the Florida Constitution to prohibit gay marriage is falling short of the numbers needed for victory in the Nov. 4 election, a Sun Sentinel and Florida Times-Union poll shows.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flbamendpoll1019sboct19,0,1805467.story

-GAY MARRIAGE GREEN TAX BREAK State amendments seem likely to lose
Undecided voters could still determine the outcome of most proposals An effort to rewrite the Florida Constitution to prohibit gay marriage is falling short of the numbers needed for victory in the Nov. 4 election, a Sun Sentinel and Florida Times-Union poll shows. The poll of 600 likely voters shows support for Amendment 2 at 53 percent, less than the 60 percent approval rate required to change the constitution.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-flbamendpoll1019pnoct19,0,5147812.story

-Faith factor in politics creates many blurred lines
Religious beliefs cross political lines in very personal, meaningful ways. Dr. Marc Swerdloff is a proud Jewish Republican. Wendy Bourgault is a Catholic who has no problem with same-sex unions. Marcus Davis, an evangelical Christian, calls himself pro-choice on abortion. Amar Mehta says that if he heard an official at his Hindu temple endorse a candidate, he'd walk out.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-flfaithsboct19,0,60253.story

-Confused about the amendments? Say no to discrimination, yes to the rest
Early voting starts Monday, which means it's time to cram for all those confusing ballot questions. Today, my election cheat sheet covers the six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Thank the Florida Supreme Court for simplifying things. It threw out three amendment proposals for being vague or misleading, including one that would have radically altered public school funding by cutting property taxes and possibly raising sales taxes.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/sfl-flbmayocol1019sboct19,0,3718622.column

-Florida's unemployment remains at 6.6 percent in September, maintaining 14-year high
Palm Beach County has region's highest rate; Broward's also up sharply Unemployment in Florida remained at 6.6 percent in September, but it's still the highest jobless rate in 14 years, the state Agency for Workforce Innovation said Friday.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzjobless1018sboct18,0,5798461.story

-Voter's guide: Build your own ballot
http://z3.thevoterguide.org/a-sun-sentinel/?sfr


=
From Scott Newton for Wilton Mayor Campaign
Wilton Manors Mayor, Scott Newton, has been endorsed by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association(PBA) and recommend by The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale.
VoteNewton.com


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

-Rep. Mahoney admits affairs, says he broke no laws
U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, embroiled in an adultery scandal and a tight race for re-election, admitted Friday to having at least two affairs but insisted he broke no laws and will not resign. The first-term Democrat conceded that one of the affairs began as he was running on a family values platform to replace Mark Foley, a Republican who resigned amid revelations that he sent lurid Internet messages to male pages who had worked on Capitol Hill as teenagers.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/campaign-2008/story/730575.html

-CAMPAIGN 2008 | REPUBLICANS
FIU gives John McCain a hearty welcome
John McCain was cheered by an enthusiastic, predominantly Hispanic audience at Florida International University.
http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/731111.html


=
Fort Report
http://www.fortreport.com/
Go to the links for the following articles:

-Will Sunshine State Sway Red Or Blue?
CBS Evening News: Why Florida Is One Of The Final Battleground States Lifelong republican Jim Piccillo always thought he'd vote for John McCain. But as the Florida housing market crashed, so did the mortgage company he worked for. Two months ago, he lost his job.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/17/eveningnews/main4530305.shtml?source=RSS&attr=HOME_4530305

-CAMPAIGN 2008 |ENVIRONMENT: Obama favors Everglades restoration Candidate Barack Obama promised increased funding for the Everglades, a Tamiami Trail bridge, and cleaner rivers and beaches -- but no money details.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/729592.html

-Broward senator to head biotech panel
State Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, was named today to lead the Task Force for the Study of Biotech Companies.
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2008/10/broward_senator_to_head_biotec.html

-Sheriff's race is the hottest election in Broward
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2008/10/sheriffs_race_is_the_hottest_e_1.html

-Incendiary sign in McCain office links Obama to dictators
Among the images that greeted visitors to the John McCain campaign office in Pompano Beach this week was a sign headlined "Barrack Hussein Obama" that compared the Democratic presidential candidate to Karl Marx, Adolf Hitler and Fidel Castro. Shown a picture of the sign Thursday night, Broward Republican Chairman Chip LaMarca said he was "disgusted" by it and would immediately go to the office and remove it.
http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2008/10/incendiary_sign_in_mccain_offi.html

-Take a good look at the economy, governor
While Gov. Charlie Crist campaigned in Miami with John McCain on Friday, more bad economic news tumbled out of his administration. Florida's unemployment rate remained at 6.6 percent in September for the second month in a row. That's half a percentage point above the national average and 2.4 points higher than a year ago.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article860299.ece

-Wasserman Schultz has earned another Congressional term
Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz would be a highly formidable foe even if she had a solid, well-financed opponent in the U.S House District 20 race.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-editgsushouse20sboct18,0,94743.story

-An update on 'no match' controversy
Fears about "tens of thousands" of voters being disenfranchised by the controversial "no match" law are not adding up, but the number has grown to 9,259, according to new figures released today by the Department of State.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/10/an-update-on-no.html

-ACORN targeted by violent threats
When Civil Rights-hero and congressman John Lewis warned the McCain-Palin campaign over the weekend that their attacks were creating a supercharged climate which raised the threat of violence, we assume these were the sort of threats now aimed by ACORN were among the things he was worried about.
Here's an excerpt from a story by McClatchy Newspapers' Washington bureau: WASHINGTON -- An ACORN community organizer received a death threat and the liberal activist group's Boston and Seattle offices were vandalized Thursday, reflecting mounting tensions over its role in registering 1.3 million mostly poor and minority Americans to vote next month.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/acorn_targeted_by_violent_thre.html

-Mel on Palin, the economy and being a "slow white guy"
Mel Martinez addressed a gathering of newspaper editors from around the country this morning at the Citrus Club, fielding questions about everything from Sarah Palin to his relationship with Barack Obama. Among his comments to leaders of the American Society of Newspaper Editors: * He believes the bailout was necessary but didn't really do anything to address "underlying problems" of declining home values. He also said that, in the meeting with Paulson and Bernanke before the vote, he was left with the message that they believed America was heading towards a "deep and long recession, bordering on the Great Depression."
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/2008/10/mel-on-palin-th.html

-Officials see no signs of voter fraud
Despite the national furor over voter fraud, elections officials in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast said they saw no evidence that people had falsified voter registration forms in hopes of stuffing the ballot box on Nov. 4. Of the roughly 15,000 voter registrations that streamed into the Palm Beach County elections office since mid-September, 503 couldn't be verified, Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman said. By Friday, 183 voters had submitted documentation and were cleared to vote. Information is trickling in and he expects more will be issued voter cards during the next two weeks.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/10/17/1017voterreg.html

-New voter registration law snares mostly minorities
Hispanics and blacks account for more than half of the people in Florida whose voter registration forms were rejected in recent weeks under the state's controversial new voter verification law.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article858377.ece


=

[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]
#####