Rubio is so busy with Venezuela/Cuba policy, no time for U.S. Domestic Issues. By Geniusofdespair

Andrew Oppenheimer wrote in the Miami Herald that Trump is letting Rubio rule on Venezuela Policy:

There is nothing wrong with Trump receiving advice from Rubio, a fluent Spanish-speaker who heads the Senate Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, except for the fact that the U.S. President seems to be totally side-stepping the State Department.

That prevents Trump from getting other important points of view from U.S. diplomats who may see things from a different perspective.

For instance, Rubio has suggested that the United States impose an oil embargo on Venezuela if Maduro goes ahead with his plans to re-write the constitution. But Rubio's view may be influenced by his desire to please his Florida constituents and make sure that the growing group of Venezuelan exiles vote for him in future elections.

Leading Venezuelan opposition figures tell me that a U.S. oil embargo would be a terrible idea. Much like what happened in Cuba, it would help energize Maduro's base by allowing him to claim that he is a victim of "U.S. imperialism." And it would fracture the bloc of more than a dozen major Latin American countries that are demanding that Maduro restore democracy in Venezuela.

Too bad the know nothing Senator doesn't care to meet with his citizens on other issues like healthcare. He's absent to the rest of us, avoiding any other issues at all cost.

I Voted for Donald Trump. By Geniusofdespair

Not an alternate fact, I did vote for Donald Trump. I was a RINO and I voted for the worst candidate in the primary, the one I thought would lose against the flawed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Heck, I had a hard time voting for her in the General Election. The rise of Bernie Sanders should have been a clue but Democrats are clueless. Even the worst candidate in the history of bad candidates couldn't be beaten by the Democratic choice.

I never imagined the breadth of Xenophobia in this country until Donald Trump won. It is not REALLY fear of Islamic Extremists. It is about all those reproducing Hispanics. I have many Hispanic friends who I love dearly, but I have to admit that I have been treated extremely rude by some Hispanics. Two examples out of many: I asked a man to lower his blasting radio on his boat. He yelled at me and made it louder. I  was once standing in a hospital minding my own business, in my usual fog of "what am I doing here." A woman came over and started rattling off a long speech with lots of questions in Spanish. When she was finished, I said: "I don't speak Spanish." In perfect English she started yelling at me for not telling her sooner I didn't speak Spanish.  She could have asked. Very seldom am I asked "Do you speak Spanish?" I am expected to speak Spanish. That kind of attitude does not foster friendship it seeds animosity. It is not to keep out bad Hispanic people that the Mexican wall is being built, it is  to stop Hispanic people, good and bad.  Let's get real on that.

To combat the Hispanic Xenophobia I was seeing, I started my abrazame campaign, hugging 100's of strangers, hoping it would catch on. It was a great experience for me. I realized how loving our Hispanic population is.

When we have demonstrations now, there is always a Cuban for Trump that shows up. That galls me to no end. Why should I stand up for Hispanic immigrants if many Cubans won't? When I went to Westchester during the election there were Trump supporters everywhere. Why do they hate their own kind? Why can't they want the same opportunities they had for their fellow man? Why do they  want these Hispanics deported?

All of a sudden all our Cuban representatives to  congress are mute on the change in Cuban policy. They used to yell to the rooftops, what happened? Cuban Senator Marco Rubio has gone on a crusade against Hispanics entering the country. The White Supremacist publication the Daily Stormer calls Marco Rubio a Scumbag and a Spic. Exactly what is he doing? Where is his motivation coming from? Not his soul. I feel like he has sold his soul to the devil.

Here is what I don't understand, I get an email every day from a Democrat telling me to ask Marco Rubio for something. That's a fools errand. He has never done a vote I ever agreed with. Do they think he will change now? He is not even playing to his base. He has jumped on the Xenophobic Trump Train and is not getting off until some other Republican stand up to the crazy president. If you want something from Marco Rubio write to Norman Braman.

Anyway, the United States is fucked.

The Saga of Lauren Book and Senate District 38 is up for grabs without Gwen Margolis in the race. By Geniusofdespair

State Senate District 38 - Senator Margolis recently resigned from running.

State Senators Races in our area:

Bullard is in trouble...

CHARLIE CRIST RUNNING RUNNING FOR U.S. REP IN DISTRICT 13. I must live under a rock since he has been registered since January and I didn't even know.

FINALLY,  FLORIDA U.S. SENATE RACE HAS TURNED INTO A FREE-FOR-ALL WITH 32 PEOPLE ON THE LIST: (And Marco Rubio said today he wants to add his name to the list because of the mass shooting in Orlando? Doesn't compute. He favors no gun control and Florida's law: shoot first, say you were threatened later. And ask around about his history on gays. How is this tragedy his inspiration to run?)

I looked at one Florida Senate campaign report. Ron's daughter, Lauren Book has raised $553,159 for a State Senate race, or should I say Ron raised the money. Too bad Ron Book is so incompetent at raising private money for Lauren's charity, he goes after PUBLIC DOLLARS for that. Why are we financing Lauren's Kids? I have my own charities I like to fund, I don't like my charities chosen for me by a stupid lobbyist. Still working out of Ron's Office, Lauren spent $5,000 for Claire Vansusteren, also in Ron's Office for "campaign support". She works as communications director for Lauren's Kids. Why do they keep mixing funds in that office? She also spent $500 for hair and make-up. She is a pretty young woman, $500? What in the world did they do to her? I think that is a bit excessive.

As to the $5,000 paid to Claire from the campaign, in an article Written in May Vansusteren describes herself as a VOLUNTEER for Lauren's campaign. Hey the 3 of you: WAKE UP! Volunteers don't get paid!

Eye on Miami Compares Marco Rubio and Donald Trump and Rubio is Worse. By Geniusofdespair

Donald Trump might have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but Marco Rubio sports another utensil. Forked Tongue: hypocritical (for you stupid people)

I don't like Donald Trump because of what he did to the people of Doral. He bought the Doral golf course and then immediately planted big trees blocking everyone's view. He does slapp suits. He had that university that ripped off students. Although I think he got paid to put his name on it and had little to do with running it. You didn't actually think he made those ties and suits and built anything in Sunny Isles, did you? People bought his brand. Donald Trump is about making money, he sells his name.

Rubio is just like Donald Trump in many ways, like being power hungry, but Rubio has to suck up to bad people and industry giants like the Koch Brothers. He has to trade his soul because he doesn't have the money to acquire the power he seeks. Gimleteye has done a fine job of telling you how he has been sucking up to big sugar, selling out our environment, our water supply and the health of our estuaries.

To get to be the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2008, he sold out our Miami Dade County school district. Why is Marco Rubio the one blasting Donald Trump on his university when he sold out our school district depriving it of millions of dollars? Put the school issue on a scale: Donald Trump impacted a couple of dozen, Rubio's lust for power impacted nearly half a million students In our district alone. Rubio made a deal with the devil for his personal lust for power.

How did Marco Rubio sell out the tots of Miami Dade County? He changed the way schools are funded.  He gave up the Miami Dade County District Cost Differential in exchange for the Speakership. The subsidy for the Dade County school district was given because the cost of living was higher here then the rest of the State:

The New York Times reported Oct. 21 that then-State Rep. Rubio bargained for political support to become speaker of the Florida House in exchange for not opposing measures that diverted funds from large school districts like his home county of Miami-Dade to smaller districts upstate.

Once Speaker, he was able to appoint the heads of all the Committees. He had to step over Rep. Alex Villalobos to become speaker. Villalobos said that Rivera and Rubio raised $8 Million Dollars to take him out because he didn't vote the way they wanted him to. Rubio made his BFF, Sleazy David Rivera the Chairman of the Rules Committee - in my opinion the most powerful committee. Remember Rivera, he is the one who listed on his financial disclosure that he worked for USAID but they never heard of him. He was Rubio's roommate in Tallahassee and they bought a house together that had a foreclosure on it. To get some idea of their friendship watch this video of Rivera introducing Rubio. Note they are at a group headed by Anthony Verdugo, a known gay basher. Most politicians with brains boycott this group with the phony Christian name. Verdugo was named as the top homophobe by New Times.



Here is a video where RUBIO LIES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. He said he is the son of Cuban Exiles. He is not. His parents came here on there own in 1956 before there were exiles. Rubio has now stopped the claim. But geez, you lie while at the podium in the Florida House during your Speaker Inauguration?




Many Floridians are enjoying seeing Marco Rubio shredded by Cruz and Trump. We really don't like him.  Just don't let Marco Rubio fool you. When Rubio points a finger at Trump he has 4 more toxic fingers pointing at himself.

Miami Herald Calls Last Night's Debate "Fiery". Hah! By Geniusofdespair

I watched the whole debate so you, my readers, wouldn't have to. It wasn't entertaining at all. Torture yes, but not on the level of water-boarding.

The fighting amounted to surly attacks by Rubio presenting lines word-for-word from his fact checker on Donald Trump. At least Ted Cruz didn't do the attacks in such a winy rehearsed way.

Donald Trump, when talking about Obamacare said the one thing that made sense, he was not going to repeal the part on pre-existing conditions. In a rare moment of compassion, he said "I am not going to let people die in the streets." I don't think the other candidates thought that far ahead. Even Ben didn't offer any medical solutions. He just kept complaining no one was asking him any questions. For the first time John Kasich scared me. I guess his poll numbers will go up.

The debate had no substance, but what did we expect, we were watching Republicans and this lot of them is pretty pathetic. It makes you yearn for John McCain. If you didn't pick Sarah Palin, John, you might have been....

Trump is about 20% ahead of Rubio in Rubio's home State. If Trump wins here, that is it for Rubio. Thank God for all the racist people in Florida. They will reject HISPANIC Rubio in a heartbeat. I don't think he is a citizen, do you?

BTW, Rubio and other Republicans brush off sea level rise. Was it even asked about in ANY debate?  ETCH THIS ELEVATION GRAPHIC IN YOUR MIND PLEASE. LOOK AT ALL THAT PURPLE, GREEN AND YELLOW...WE WILL FLOOD FROM THE EAST AND WEST...

MARCO RUBIO SAYS "MITIGATION" WHEN FACED WITH FLORIDA'S SEA LEVEL RISE...

Republican State Senator Anitere Flores AGAINST FRACKING IN FLORIDA While Rubio signs Fraking Guru to be his Energy Advisor. By Geniusofdespair

Archive photo

Republican hard liner Anitere Flores seen with her former colleague, in the Republican controlled Florida House of Representatives, Marco Rubio. She is now a State Senator in the Republican controlled State Senate.

I guess because her district will be more to the left, she has toned down her rhetoric on the environment, and has become green-washed. Good if it stops Fracking.

Marco Rubio on Fracking:

And he vowed to reverse Environmental Protection Agency regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, to allow the extraction of gas buried deep in the ground near places like Salem.

Taking issue with what he described as a Democratic “fear campaign” against fracking, he said that the hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of natural gas and oil underneath the ground “are doing the people of Ohio no good pent-up in shale rock.”

Don't forget all the Earthquakes fracking is causing Marco. Studies tie 77 Ohio Earthquakes to two fracking wells. And, even worse:

Fracking Pioneer: "The co-founder and former chief executive officer of Devon Energy Corp. has signed on to shape energy policy for Florida Senator Marco Rubio." - Feb. 22, 2016


Anitere Flores against Fracking because:

The Donald Trump Blizzard of 2016, Rubio, Bush and Climate Change ... by gimleteye

Marco Rubio is joking about climate change. Jeb Bush says it's not on the list of things that keep him awake at night. They say climate change is "a distant threat". Both candidates,  raising hundreds of millions from corporate America, presumably have the needs of business foremost in mind.

A recent report by the UK Guardian casts that presumption in doubt. The World Economic Forum, about to meet in Davos Switzerland, puts climate change in first place among threats to the world economy in 2016. The first time that happened. Apparently, Rubio and Bush haven't gotten the news in their daily clippings file.

The GOP candidates for president are too busy chasing Donald Trump for whom climate change is a problem to solve like walling off Mexico. Climate change is like that wall Mexico will pay for when he is elected president because that's what tough negotiators do.

More accurately, they are chasing the supporters of Donald Trump. As David Frum recently discussed in his provocative essay for The Atlantic, "The Great Republican Revolt", those supporters are primarily angry, white males without a college education who have trended to vote Republican even though the historical record is clear: Republican priorities -- favoring large corporations and corporate power -- have put the lower middle class in the greatest jeopardy since the Great Depression.

The US economy may be doing OK, Frum writes, but those male Republican voters are decidedly not. They want their country back. They want their status back. That's what Donald Trump is promising with a Tweet-based campaign for the hearts and minds of the greatest country on earth whose national and state politics are in deep, deep denial how climate change could quickly unravel safety and security of all Americans.

Donald Trump has overtaken the Republican Party's plan to insert another anodyne candidate like George W. Bush into the White House. Trump is channeling the Tea Party revolt of 2008, that was itself effectively usurped by mainstream Koch-backed American Crossroads and other conservative political accounts. This year the revolt of angry, white males is like a river overflowing its banks. Trump supporters will not be placated by the GOP's corporate boosterism, in part because they do see the impacts of climate change all around them. They see, but they don't see.

After all, the deepest of the Red States are most affected by severe weather. This is not, as Ted Cruz imagines, the effect of being "beaten into submission by the progressive left". Climate chaos is the deepest threat to the stability that Donald Trump supporters crave, and it is the one being pushed hardest and furthest away. If the World Economic Forum is right -- and this is where the world's largest corporations go for intelligence -- climate change impacts are at the doorstep in 2016.

The Washington Post reported this morning on mass die-offs of species, being observed around the world: "Mass Mortality Events (MMEs) are “rarely placed in a broader context,” the study’s authors reported. But they seem to be happening at an increased rate for birds, marine invertebrates and fish since the 1940s — even when researchers took into account that such events are more likely to be reported now than they were 75 years ago. These die-offs matter not just because of the inherent value of the creatures involved, the authors said, but because whole ecosystems may depend on that species to survive. MMEs, they wrote, “can reshape the ecological and evolutionary trajectories of life on Earth."

This is clearly not news that Donald Trump supporters care to hear; and so, the Trump blizzard of 2016.

Sentient Republicans should carefully weigh the benefits of control of Congress and the White House, not to mention state legislatures and executive offices, against the threat of mass extinction. Because there is no evidence of that happening, judged by the quality of the GOP presidential primary debates, the rest of American voters -- that includes Democrats -- are going to have to get out to vote in 2016.

Corporate America is not in denial about climate change. It is just furiously at work locking down prerogatives before being overtaken by the exceedingly long winter of climate change.

(For the UK Guardian article, click "read more")

Eye On Miami Saturday Editorial Page June 13th: Rubio, Homestead and TAXES. By Geniusofdespair

We dare to go where the Miami Herald goes no more...Saturday!!

TV REVIEW

I have to recommend my favorite show. You can binge watch it on HBO. You only missed two short seasons: Silicon Valley (a half hour show).

I like the posture of the star of Penny Dreadful but the plot is stupid and you have seen it before.  Enough of TV, I have to get out more. Back to local news...

SEEN ON THE STREET (ACTUALLY IN THE OFFICE)

Mayor Carlos Gimenez and chief county Sycophant Lester Sola in a man hug. Why is the Water and Sewer head going to Paris with Carlos. Reward for good behavior?

Here he is with David Rivera when in the Florida Legislature.

OMG IS RUBIO's CAMPAIGN DONE, AT LEAST  FOR WOMEN?

I need details people so far touched by rumor:  I heard on Chris Matthews that Jeb supported a very stupid law in 2001that made it mandatory for a woman who wanted to put a child up for adoption to put a notice in the newspaper for a week and name her partners etc. to do the adoption. Very embarrassing stuff for a woman to do before she let her child be adopted. On the show they slammed Jeb on it. But I heard Marco Rubio sponsored it. Woof, worse!!! Whatever he said at the time (2001) is gold to end his campaign and display his war against women...Marco Rubio was in the State House at the time and voted for it. Did he sponsor the Scarlet Letter Bill? Details readers, I need details.

HOMESTEAD:

What is a week without news from beloved Homestead? They want to approve a mail in ballot on their stupid idea to skirt term limits.

Will Porter, Burgess, Shelley and Waldman will recuse themselves since they have already served in the capacity of Vice-Mayor and this ballot initiative will allow each of them to serve another four year term with annual benefits of at least $40,000.

In essence it is a council vote worthy of $160,000 for possibly four council members for a grand total of $640,000. Plus another $70,000 in unbudgeted costs for the County to run this election.  It is scheduled for a vote on June 17th (was deferred). Isn't this a 3 subject vote all in one --- in violation of State Law?

Oh well, it's HUDstead they are lawless.    

(Note: scroll below this, a County TAX discussion follows)

Special Election Homestead Florida

YOUR TAXES ARE BEING RAISED BY THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE MAYOR TRIED TO HIDE INCREASED COSTS THAT HE CAN NO LONGER ABSORB IN THE BUDGET:

Thousands of you, maybe tens of thousands (enough to swing the 2016 vote to Raquel Regalado for Mayor) of you are getting your taxes raised. Your special taxing district cost will almost double.

Your community might have had lighting done through the county or you have a guard gate supported by the county.  The costs have held steady artificially (at Mayor Gimenez's bequest - he is the strong mayor) since 2011 now there is going to be a substantial raise to all of you in a special taxing district.  The hearing is on June 30th.  There have been pages of notices in the Newspaper. So, if you think that Mayor Gimenez has held your taxes at bay, he might have been robbing Peter to pay Paul these last few years and now the shit is hitting the fan. Read the 2  blogs about this subject and don't blame Tok. He is only a rejected Words with Friends word  -- not an actual person that should be blamed -- (here are the two articles on it) we have a strong mayor to blame, the man at the top:

Norman Braman and Marco Rubio. By Geniusofdespair

Marco Rubio must have done some serious ass kissing when he was in Israel with  Norman Braman a few years back. Although on local issues Braman usually is on the right side, on National issues he doesn't have a clue especially if he is going to fund Marco. Give Me the money Norman, I will spend it right.

RUBIO LYING:

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US Business leaders shifting on climate change; the GOP won't be far behind … by gimleteye

It's been 20 years since I started clamoring on climate change. Miami hasn't been a friendly environment on the topic. The failure of the Miami Herald to even report the issue in the early years helped drive me in the direction of writing this blog.

One of the common sense issues -- not requiring anyone to be a scientist -- is that our industrial supply chain related to food production and distribution -- is the weakest link although it appears today, durable as Fort Knox.

Along this line, it is major news to read that the CEO of the nation's largest agribusiness, Cargill, is willing to state on the record for the New York Times that he is preparing his corporation for climate change.

There is a difference between businesses, whose leaders are mostly Republican, making adjustments for climate change and governments. For governments to "adapt" means doing something -- regulations -- and that is exactly what the GOP is sworn to fight to the bitter end.

In the past year, a number of leading Republicans have begun to softly pivot from outright denial. Florida Senator Marco Rubio for example, who still has not met with prominent Florida climate scientists, now says, "I'm not a scientist"; in other words, climate change may be happening but there is nothing we can do about it.

It's hubris that got us into this massive mess, and it's hubris that continues to believe that US business can "make adjustments" to business models without major contractions. Although US business -- represented by the US Chamber of Commerce or in state, its kin, Associated Industries of Florida -- don't calculate social costs, when climate change gathers momentum, you can count on those who have built their own hardened silos to run for them, lickety split.

The Democrats have a chance to pin the costs of climate change denial on the GOP in the next election cycle. Let's see if they are smart enough to do it effectively, or if a candidate like Jeb Bush emerges to convince Americans that he is very compassionate about the costs of climate change, in which case the nation will continue chugging along toward the climate change cliff.

And by the way, for a terrific symbol of the failure of US business to drive climate change adaptation in time to be effective; consider the MacArthur Foundation, whose fortune was gathered from huge holdings in Florida real estate, now helping fund the Risky Business Project (read the full NY Times story, below) but never gave a cent to environmental protection groups in Florida. That just about says it all …

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Climate Change’s Bottom Line
By BURT HELMJAN. 31, 2015


The members of the Risky Business Project are presenting research to business groups that highlights how the effects of climate change, like increased flooding, as in the streets of Queens, N.Y., could hurt business and the economy.

It was 8 degrees in Minneapolis on a recent January day, and out on Interstate 394, snow whipped against the windshields of drivers on their morning commutes. But inside the offices of Cargill, the food conglomerate, Greg Page, the company’s executive chairman, felt compelled to talk about global warming.

“It would be irresponsible not to contemplate it,” Mr. Page said, bundled up in a wool sport coat layered over a zip-up sweater. “I’m 63 years old, and I’ve grown up in the upper latitudes. I’ve seen too much change to presume we might not get more.”

Is Marco Rubio Going to Do the Heavy Lifting for Governor Scott's Campaign? By Geniusofdespair

If you read about the impromptu visit that Senator Rubio and Governor Rick Scott made to Doral to rag on Obama and Hilary Clinton over Venezuela, it is hard not to conclude that Rubio is going to do the heavy lifting in Scott's campaign.  With Scotts campaign underwater   (I am so literal aren't I?) he needs the help of the Senator. More popular (not by much) Marco Rubio might be Scott's only chance to gain favor with the lamest of voters. Rubio's presence surely wouldn't impress me. 

I think we are going to see more of the T-Party duo together during the coming months.

That is, if we know where Scott's goes. A disturbing article was in the Miami Herald today that make me hate Rick Scott all the more:

By using his personal jet for public business, Florida Gov. Rick Scott can shield his itinerary from websites that track flights, and when his plane lands, he uses a public records exemption to tighten the cloak of secrecy.

Wherever Scott goes, he is shadowed by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents. In citing a records exemption that protects FDLE “surveillance techniques” from publication, he withholds the members of his traveling party, restaurants and homes he visits, and people at meetings — all in the name of security. AND the Miami Herald states further:

Barbara Petersen of the First Amendment Foundation, a statewide watchdog group supported by Florida newspapers, said the exemption that Scott and FDLE are using should not apply to his travel schedule.

“Clearly, the main purpose of the exemption is to protect surveillance techniques or procedures,” Petersen said. “If you look at the definition of surveillance, I don’t see how it would apply to the governor’s schedule. . . . I think they’re stretching the law in an unacceptable manner to reach the agency’s desired result.”

What a complete dork this guy is, not that I really care where he goes when you know where he lives. I can just go and knock on his door.

He is the worst Governor we have had in Florida and I hope that more people start agreeing with me on the man who pleaded the 5th amendment 75 times (that must be a record): Anybody but Scott.

Watch the deposition.  He says: "I don't know what a market is." It would be pretty funny if he wasn't our Governor.

My Beef With County Commission Chair Rebeca Sosa. By Geniuisofdespair

This is why I like and respect Rebeca Sosa (From Miami Today)

Okay I have two beef's with Rebeca Sosa. One is her odd favoritism of the back-stabbing Lynda Bell. That I settled long ago. I guess we have to agree to disagree, it will bite her in the ass someday like it bit Natacha Seijas.

The second is, why can't you get your protege, Marco Rubio to meet with Scientists about sea level rise concerns in Florida? Rubio has yet to take the invitation. Maybe you can persuade him. Sing him a song or something (Rebeca Sosa has a beautiful voice). You can get him to do it. We can make it a fun tea party for him.

Why I like County Commissioner Sosa: Read the article from Miami Today above. Isn't this what we want in an elected official? It is what I want. We are in the midst of bidding a $1.6 billion dollar sewer contract at Virginia Key. I was concerned that sea level rise would not be part of it since Virginia Key was once under water it should be a concern. I am glad Rebeca is on top of it and wants to: "include the possibility of sea level rise in every detail of the infrastructure."

I also like her concern with favoritism. If I were a more palatable candidate I would love to be on the committee. I need some extra Christmas presents and Heat Tickets. I am sure I could weasel a lot from the bevy of lobbyists. Still waiting for my David Beckhan's signed shirt to not write about Soccer Stadiums anymore.

Thank you Rebeca for the good things you do, like turning off Jeffrey Bercow's microphone. That was priceless. With you, I take the good with the bad because it is mostly good. BTW, look into why Johanna Faddis moved out of Lynda's office. You might be very surprised to see what is going on with Eddie under Lynda's nose. Bell knew about it from the start. I have witnesses. It is against County regulations if it is true and I believe the stories. Talk to Faddis. And, yes I know she is a convicted liar, but I have those pesky witnesses I can produce for you.

The Sea Level Rise Task Force is holding their 3rd meeting. They are looking for community advice. I have some advice: Stop building in South Florida before Flood Insurance is more expensive than the house. (This is why I am never put on any committees, besides my propensity to be easily bribed).

Quote of the Day on Marco Rubio by Carl Hiaasen. By Geniusofdespair

The losing contingent included Sen. Marco Rubio, who has cemented his status as a prancing lapdog for the Tea Party crazies. He is cleverly positioning himself to fill the intellectual void left by Michelle Bachmann, who’s retiring from the House. - Carl Hiaasen

Tea Party Favorite Marco Rubio

Read The whole column, Hiaasen compares congress to toenail fungus among other things:

The same poll showed that 53 percent of those surveyed held hemorrhoids in higher esteem than Congress, although there was a partisan gap. Democrats and independents overwhelmingly said Congress was worse than hemorrhoids, while GOP voters gave Congress a slight edge.

How the Senate voted yesterday. By Geniusofdespair

The Senate vote was 81 to 18 on an act making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.  Here are the 18 that voted Nay:

1. Marco Rubio FL
2. Richard Shelby AL
3. Mike Lee UT
4. Chuck Grassley, IA
5. Rand Paul KY
6. Toomey PA
   Vitter LA
7. Roberts KS
8. Coburn OK
9. Cornyn TX
10. Crapo ID
11. Cruz TX
12. Heller NV
13. Johnson WI
14. Risch ID
15. Roberts KS
16. Scott SC
17. Sessions AL
18. Enzi WY

Aren't you proud of Marco Rubio?

This is the House roll call.

Rubio and David Rivera: Watch the Damn Videos! By Geniusofdespair

This is a very interesting video, when Rubio was running for Senator. Listen to what he says, staunchly anti-abortion.  If there is ever any question that Rubio and Rivera are good friends - you have to watch this. Rivera says he was there for the birth of Rubio's 4 children. Remember the two owned a house together in Tallahassee.

Then listen to Charlie Crist at the same affair: He says nothing offensive trying to avoid what this group wanted to hear (their charge): something anti gay and anti abortion.  Actually he says nothing at all. He says TRUST about 100 times. Two good videos. I get despondent when you don't bother to watch the videos I make. I have hundreds and they take a lot of time to make.



On another note, Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) is trailing former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist by 10 points in his 2014 bid for reelection, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.

Marco Rubio Opening a Can of Worms? By Geniusofdespair

Do you really want to go there Marco...

According to the Miami Herald:

Rubio said he had issues with the way some Cubans are abusing the system.

“I don’t criticize anyone who wants to go visit their mom or dad or their dying brother or sister in Cuba,” he said. “But I am telling you it gets very difficult to justify someone’s status as an exile and refugee when a year and a half after they get here they are flying back to that country over and over again.”

More than 1 million Cubans have received U.S. residency since the law was enacted in 1966. But in recent years, it has come under increasing scrutiny, over questions of whether Cubans are leaving for economic reasons rather than political.

Immigrant-rights groups say it unfairly grants special status to Cubans, who get access to federal benefits the immigration overhaul would deny to millions of others.

Marco Rubio Photo of the Week. By Geniusofdespair

This photo (left) was in the Miami Herald yesterday.

Miami Herald photo

Eye on Miami Photo

I have been accused of printing unflattering photos of Marco Rubio. I can say, without a doubt, that is totally accurate.  I have a shitload of unflattering photos. But I do think this photo in the Miami Herald is right up there with mine, maybe exceeding it.

The U.S. Senators That Voted No on Background Checks for Gun Buyers. By Geniusofdespair

Marco Rubio Voted NO

Also see From Slate: Why do Republicans love Background Checks for Immigrants, But Not For Gun Buyers?

Report from Themoderatevoice: Here are the 46 Senators who voted against the bill. As noted here at TMV, Harry Reid’s “no” vote was pro forma/procedural allowing for bringing the bill forward again with mods/ or very close to original.

I wanted to see how the regions played out, and so grouped them here for you by my sights re regions of the USA, said Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes Managing Editor of TMV:

SOUTH
Bob Corker R TN
Lamar Alexander R TN
***Mark Begich D AK
John Boozman R AR
Richard M. Burr R NC
Saxby Chambliss R GA
Tom Coburn R OK
Thad Cochran R MS
John Cornyn R TX
Ted Cruz R TX
Lindsey Graham R SC
David Vitter R LA
Roger Wicker R MS
Mitch McConnell R KY
Lisa Murkowski R AK
Rand Paul R KY
Johnny Isakson R GA
Lisa Murkowski R AK
Rand Paul R KY
Marco Rubio R FL
Tim Scott R SC
Jeff Sessions R AL
Richard Shelby R AL
James M. Inhofe R OK
Mitch McConnell R KY
*** Mark Pryor D AR

Rubio's PAC: Reclaim America. By Geniusofdespair

 Are Powerful Americans sending, private and personal databases overseas

 for processing?

Media whores are throwing Marco Rubio's name in the ring for President since his water boring incident. There was even a misguided OpEd in the Miami Herald this morning by a Cuban born Journalist called "Marco Rubio's march to the White House".  Looks like I will have to revive my Stop-o-Marco, Rubio Sucks Campaign.

I had a chance this weekend to view Marco Rubio's PAC Reclaim America briefly.  I saw some money fly out to American Caging for 'Caging'. Whatever that is.

Just some of the disbursements to American Caging from Rubio's Pac Reclaim America.

From American Caging, website. They do database management and credit card processing, etc.
For the real story on the President Maureen E. Otis

American Caging is in Texas, so they say. I looked at all the pictures on their website:

Just look at all that data...and who else is looking at it?

Either America Caging, 1. only hires Oriental looking females from Texas and make them dress in uniforms, 2. uses stock photos of Oriental women for their website or, 3. THEY ARE OUT-SOURCING, SENDING PERSONAL DATA from Republican donors and others overseas.

I hope to God it is number 3. Would serve Rubio right.

However, I hope they are not sending personal voter information of voters they wish to challenge (Democrats) overseas, opening them up to identity theft and more. Let them do that to their own party.

Some entries I found  on the internet on American Caging:

Marco Rubio's Modest Home? Not Quite. By Geniusofdespair

Rubio lives on a cul de sac, on a tree-lined street.

Marco Rubio's State of the Union response Tuesday, emphasized his middle class creds over and over. He said he lives in the "same working class neighborhood he grew up in." The neighborhood might be the same, but certainly not the home.  He neglected to tell the nation that he paid over half a million dollars for his 2,700 square foot, 4 bedroom home (on the market now for $675,000 according to Huffington Post). The average price for a home in Miami in 2005, when he bought his home, was about $225,000 to $250,000 (see graph below from Trulia). His home cost is about twice the average.

Marco, the purchase of a half million dollar house -- now for sale for $675,000 -- is not middle class. You neglected to mention that you also owned a second house with your BFF David Rivera.

The average home price in the South is $161,100. In April 2011 Robert D. Cruz, PhD. wrote in 2011 that the median price for a single family home sold in March was $159,800.

A middle class median income of $49,445 can hardly afford a half million dollar home. Rubio made over $200,000 in 2010, not even close to the median middle class income.

From OpenSecrets.org:



Marco Rubio is not rich by a long shot, but he ain't in a league with the middle class he was preaching to.

See more on Rubio's finances at Huffington Post.