City of Orlando to Homeless People: No Soup For You!

Apparently the city of Orlando, Florida hates homeless people. At least that's the only reason I can think of for arresting a man for serving "30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilizing a ladle". Apparently the man broke a controversial law barring charities from serving food to more than 25 people within two miles of Orlando City Hall without a permit (of which groups are limited to two per year).

Police even collected a sample of the soup the man had been serving to use as evidence.

Where I live we tend to call things like that "community service" and the person behind acts of "community service" sometimes even get their picture in the paper because they are what we call a "good Samaritan". Sadly Orlando has abandoned such concepts because they think that homeless people should stay out of sight of rich tourists. I can understand their reasons behind the law but there are better ways to achieve their goals.

And just for the record you can reach the Orlando City Commissioners using the following information.

City of Orlando
400 South Orange Avenue
P.O. Box 4990
Orlando, FL 32802-4990

City operator: 407-246-2121

Or find the phone number for a specific office here.

Read More: Florida police arrest activist for feeding homeless | U.S. | Reuters

Bush Swift Boats America

The man behind "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", Sam Fox, is getting his ambassador post in Belgium after all. In an ironic twist he's getting the post through a move worthy of the sleazy tactics that he's famous for.

Bush had dropped Fox's nomination once it became clear that it would never be approved by the Senate. Today though Bush took advantage of the congressional recess to appoint Fox without requiring Senate approval (John Bolton anyone?). The appointment last until the end of next year, effectively making it permanent.

Sure it might be legal but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Read More: Bush names Fox to Belgium post despite criticism | Politics | Reuters

Update: Okay, maybe (key word) it wasn't exactly legal. Bush also appointed two other people that probably wouldn't have made it through the confirmation process. Expect all out war when Congress comes back after Easter.

Barack's Also Got Money

I'm glad to hear Hillary isn't the only person with fundraising power. Barack's camp announced today that they have raised $25 million (from an amazing 100,000 donors) in the first quarter, just $1 million shy of Hillary's fundraising total.

You can find out more about Obama's fundraising here.

Coming Soon: The End Of The World!

I seriously hate people. Earlier today I read this article about 2 people in Sweden who should never have been allowed to be parents that are fighting to name their child "Metallica". The mother claims that "It suits her. She's decisive and she knows what she wants". You know what she wants? New parents.

Next I read somewhere that Keith Richards has admitted to mixing his fathers ashes with cocaine and snorted them. (can't find the link) Update: Here it is.

And of course there is also the story about John McCain's rumored attempt to be Kerry's VP during his '04 run.

Oh and just for kicks there's a bunch of people fired up about an artists rendering of Barack Obama as Jesus. I wonder how these people feel about Jesus being crucified on a cell phone tower?

I should also mention that I'm still ticked about how much slower Windows Vista is on my laptop. I may seriously have to buy some RAM soon. I can't even get iTunes to open (of course iTunes has been complete crap on both of my computers since version 7 was released).

Update: Turned of transparency (which is really just eye candy) which fixed most of the problems. Turns out iTunes is just crap (and not really Vista friendly). Hopefully they'll fix it soon.

Update #2: But Wait, There's More...

One of the former Spice Girls claims she gave birth to Eddie Murphy's child.

Supreme Court Rebukes Bush On Global Warming

The Supreme Court today issued a 5-4 ruling that the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gasses and that by not doing so it was failing to fulfill its duties.

Al Gore chimed in on the ruling by posting the following to his blog.

Although solving the climate crisis clearly demands that Congress pass bold legislation, today's Supreme Court decision makes it clear that the Bush administration could act right away to cut global warming pollution. The court, in their 5-4 decision, made it very clear that the current Clean Air Act allows the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon dioxide -- the principle gas that causes global warming.

It's a shame the Bush administration sought to limit its own authority to cut global warming pollution by fighting against this case.

If you want to learn more, there are two excellent stories in today's New York Times and LA Times that I would recommend.

You can read the courts full 66 page opinion here (PDF).

Read More: Justices Rule Against Bush Administration on Emissions - New York Times (the article Al mentions)

Brunner Takes Charge

Brunner has taken control of the one member Cuyahoga County Board of Elections according to the Plain Dealer.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner took control of the Cuyahoga County elections board Monday. Brunner notified the board's interim director and its lone remaining board member that she was exercising her authority to place the board under administrative oversight.

The move allows Brunner to act in place of the board, which as of Monday didn't have enough members to muster a quorum required to conduct business.

"She can review and approve any changes in policy and procedures," said Brunner spokesman Jeff Ortega.

Cuyahoga is not the first county election board to come under state control. Lucas and Auglaize counties were temporarily under the direction of former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell until 2006.

Personally I'm loving this (except for the potential waste of money) because Ken Blackwell the same things during his term. Where was Bennett back then?

Source: OPENERS: Brunner takes over elections board

Hillary In Ohio?!? Can't We Close The Borders Or Something?

What's wrong with you people? First you give her money and then you invite her here to Ohio? Come on people, get with the program.

Just kidding Hillary fans. I may be rooting against her in the primary but that doesn't mean I hate the woman completely (I save the hate for Lieberman). Anyway's Hillary is delivering the keynote at the Ohio Democratic Party's annual dinner. You can find all the info on the event at it's listing on Left of Ohio's political calendar.

The Democratic presidential front-runner will deliver the keynote address at this year's Ohio Democratic Party state dinner.

Clinton was the first candidate to commit to speaking at the event, though the invitation remains open to the others, said party spokesman Randy Borntrager.

Barack Obama spoke at the party's annual dinner last year.

Source: OPENERS: Clinton to visit Ohio (h/t to Buckeye State Blog)

*Disclaimer- If Hillary does win the nomination I'll throw my support behind her 100%. Don't believe me? I did it for Kerry (and the for the record I loved the "Dean Scream").

Why Are You Giving This Woman Money?!?

(The Vista installation seems to be a success but don't throw that back in my face when I screw something up.)

Seriously people, why are you giving Hillary money? Why not give it to Obama or Edwards or even Biden?

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton raised $26 million and transferred an additional $10 million from her Senate war chest to post $36 million in the first quarter of the 2008 fundraising cycle, the New York Democrat's presidential campaign announced Sunday.

"We are completely overwhelmed and gratified by the historic support," Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle told reporters in a conference call Sunday afternoon.

Source: Record millions roll in for Clinton White House bid - CNN.com