by Benjamin J. Kirby
There is something wrong, here:
Embattled Congressman Vern Buchanan is an advertiser on Saint PetersBlog, which he is simultaneously using as a blog-based bludgeon to attack his opponents, and those around his opponents.
Why does that matter?
Saint PetersBlog is one of the most widely read blogs in the state, and in identifying and re-publishing the arrest record the lawyer representing the man suing Vern Buchanan -- a real conflict of interest for Peter, I would think, given that the Buchanan Campaign is an advertiser on the site as well -- it is evident that Vern Buchanan will stop at nothing to get re-elected... or silence his critics.
Yes, it appears as though the attorney for the man suing Buchanan was arrested for domestic battery as recently as last week. It also appears that he has several arrests for similar charges (all of which were dismissed).
Nobody likes an abuser. Nobody. But Mr. Stok -- the lawyer in question -- is not Mr. Kazran, the man suing Buchanan. And his current -- and past -- legal troubles have no bearing on the multiple investigations currently facing Congressman Buchanan.
Peter asks the question, not me:
What does this all have to do with Buchanan’s issues? Well, there has been a lot of loose talk coming from Buchanan’s accusers about ethics. Those making these kind of accusations should not live in glass houses if they intend to throw stones.
"...loose talk"? Seriously? Mr. Stok isn't talking loosely -- he's representing a client who is suing Buchanan in a court of law. Buchanan is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee -- and the FBI, and the IRS. That's not "loose talk." Those are real facts.
If Mr. Buchanan wants to avoid "loose talk," maybe he should answer those questions directly and not skip out on depositions regarding his conduct.
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Over in Minnesota, someone needs to nominate Andy Mannix for the damn Pulitzer Prize.
That's how you do it.
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Romney is back on American soil, but the fallout from his disastrous overseas trip continues.
Scientist and author Jared Diamond said that Mitt Romney mischaracterized his book, "Guns, Germs and Steel," to theorize why Israelis and Palestinians have such vastly different levels of economic development at a fundraiser in Jerusalem Sunday.
It's getting hard to take Romney seriously. How does anyone else do it?
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Looks like we might get something from Ernesto.
Something else a little further out in the Atlantic, too.
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Libby Spencer at Balloon-Juice is right -- this is horrifying, and is exploitative... at best.
Only click that link if you want to be kind of depressed.
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You're non-depressing Balloon-Juice update is here.
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Hospital grifter governor Rick Scott remains profoundly unpopular here in Florida... and it's getting worse:
As Lloyd Dunkelberger of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune said, "It’s no wonder that Mitt Romney is keeping his distance from Gov. Rick Scott." Indeed:
Scott’s popularity is upside down among most of the major subgroups, with the exception of Republican voters who approve by 66-21 percent margin. Democrats disapprove by 75-12 percent.
Wonder what role Scott will have the at Republican Convention here in Florida in a few weeks...
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In my old age, I'm starting to enjoy regular sports more than I have in the past. In recent years, I've taken to enjoying coverage of the Olympics in particular. Not any specific sports per se -- almost more the number of sports. There's a lot of stuff, there.
We thought Emmy would really like gymnastics, since she recently went to a birthday party at a gymnastics place. We haven't managed to find that yet in the coverage, but she was mesmerized by beach volleyball, and some of the swimming stuff.
I know there's been a lot of complaining about the coverage. I don't understand it. You turn on the TV, and something is going on. If it's something we know and like, great. If it is a sport we've never heard of, well, then it's a chance to learn.
Give the apathy Duncan and I share for most sports, I don't expect our kids to grow up to be wild sports enthusiasts (though anything could happen). We like the Rays, of course. And I expect we'll keep watching the Olympics -- no matter the quality of the coverage.
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Keepin' you safe and warm.
It's almost Friday.
How was I not informed of the enormous talent of Terry Callier before now?
You're all fired. Every one of you.
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