Free Republic

Gov. Charlie Crist’s office is “looking into” the possibility of removing embattled attorney Scott Rothstein from the state’s Judicial Nominating Committee. Rothstein has offered to surrender his license to practice law. But, he may remain a member of JNC unless, or until, he’s charged with a felony crime. Gov. Charlie Crist named Rothstein to the JNC in August 2008. “Typically, the governor would only step in when felony charges are filed against a public official,” said Sterling Ivey, Crist’s spokesman. “Whether we will act before that point in this case is not clear yet. Our legal office is looking into...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- An attorney who was a major fundraiser for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist allegedly conducted an investment scam that cost investors millions, a lawsuit alleges. A group of investors said in a suit filed against Scott Rothstein that the co-partner of the Rothstein, Rosenfeldt and Adler law firm took part in a scheme that cost the plaintiffs more than $100 million, The Miami Herald reported Friday.

A crowd that had to be several thousand strong came out to Borders bookstore on South Dale Mabry in Tampa this morning to meet and greet (quickly) conservative icon Glenn Beck. The radio and cable television personality sandwiched Tampa in between two other Florida stops on Saturday. He began the day in Lee County, came (late) to Tampa, arriving at about 12:15 p.m., and then went to the Villages, where he made his much hyped announcement that he had been teasing his listeners and viewers about in recent days. According to Orlando television station WOFL: He also said he plans...

SHALIMAR, Fla. (AP) -- A Panhandle man has fatally shot a black bear known to roam a neighborhood, leaving behind two cubs. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Stan Kirkland says the man who shot the bear told officers he was afraid the animal would charge him in his yard Thursday night. An investigation into the shooting began Friday. The shooter has not been charged. The female bear had two cubs. Kirkland says the cubs are old enough and can live on their own. He says with acorns in the area now for fall, this is the best time...

As Americans we are facing the most challenging era in the history of our country. Perhaps more challenging than the Great Wars and the Great Depression. The ultimate government intrusion into all of our lives and the loss of human freedoms will be the replacement of the American Medical Association (AMA) by the Obama Medical Association (OMA). This was initiated in the 1990's by Hiliary Clinton with the advent of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) and the other alphabetical nightmares that followed. More and more physicians are employees of hospitals and other large entities whose bottom lines have nothing to do...

The line looked like a conservative's worst socialized-medicine nightmare, a thousand or more people assigned letters of the alphabet and following commands to snake through multiple turns. But the crowd didn't seem to mind. And when the first glimpse of spiky gray hair emerged through a back entrance by the magazine section, a huge cheer erupted. Conservative media star Glenn Beck spent about 90 minutes signing copies of his latest bestseller, Arguing With Idiots, at the Books-A-Million store in Chasewood Plaza this evening. The stop was part of a two-day, seven-city swing through Florida, the kind of tour political candidates...

The movie Pretty Woman is about the fairy tale life of a prostitute who finds who true love with a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gere. In Palm Beach such a saga appeared to be playing out with the marriage of Michael Dippolito to an escort that he met name Dalia. What happened was Dippolito had ordered an escort named Dailia for an evening. After spending the night together the two began to date seriously and after a brief four month of courtship the couple wed. Now a surprising turn of events has taken place with this so called fairy...

Just called my Senators, Lemieux and Bill Nelson Re: healthcare. Lemieux will vote no and Nelson's office says he has not decided. Keep calling.

After arresting a young black man last night in Sara Sims Park, two white Boynton Beach Police officers faced down an angry crowd threatening violence. Cooney, who authored the incident report, noted here that there were some 100 people in the park and the surrounding area. He wrote: The crowd was also yelling loudly and closing in on officers. Kelley was still screaming obscenities. Kelley was then approximately five feet from officers (Connor) Haugh and (Jeffrey) Williams when he was advised again to leave the area or be placed under arrest. Kelley then stated, 'F

TAMPA -- Men who live as women, women living as men, clergy members, mothers and grandparents packed the Tampa City Council chambers Thursday to debate a new ordinance that would protect transgender people from discrimination. Some argued that it was good for business and simply right to approve the law. Others spoke of religion and contended that the rule would give a stamp of approval to sexual deviants. Donna Kuntz read Bible passages about God abandoning people who do "shameful things," and said sexual predators are probably celebrating. "They can have access to whichever gender of children they choose," she...

TAMPA - Business owners in Florida are about to get hit with a big tax hike: starting January 1st, all Florida businesses will have to pay skyrocketing unemployment compensation taxes to replenish the unemployment compensation trust fund.

<p>Contact your Senators and let them know what you think!</p> <p>U.S. veterans or subsidies for United Nations (U.N.) bureaucracy.</p>

Attorneys at Scott Rothstein's firm landed a highly privileged meeting with the executive leadership of the North Broward Hospital District in September 2008, the month after Rothstein was appointed by his friend, Gov. Charlie Crist, to the nominating committee for Florida's 4th District Court of Appeals, according to documents that were part of an internal investigation at the district.

In my interview with Governor Palin yesterday evening, we touched briefly on some current events, including President Obama's trip to Asia and the place of the tea-party movement in the Republican party. Some highlights: 1) I asked Palin about the anti-tax-and-spending tea parties. "I love the tea party movement," she said. "It's beautiful, it's healthy. It's part of that good healthy competition that's needed in a political party." She contrasted the somewhat tumultuous state of the GOP to what's going on in the Democratic party today. "It seems like the Democratic party is filled with more sheep-like individuals, who go...

Supporters of President Obama's Amnesty plans attacked Tea Party Against Amnesty & Illegal Immigration demonstrators in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Sat. November 14, 2009. One of the men attacked is 62 years old. Dave Caulkett of FLIMEN (Floridians for Immigration Enforcement) is assaulted and then kicked in the face while he is down. The other camera man from the Tea Party is hit with several signs. Those attacking the Americans that oppose Amnesty for illegal aliens were organized by ANSWER Florida.

The city council of Tampa, Fla., voted unanimously last week to include "gender identity and expression" as a protected class under the city's human rights ordinance, leading some to fear the council has opened the city's public bathroom doors to sexual predators masquerading as protected transsexuals.

Darwinizing Everything --snip-- The Darwinians, who took over biology in the 19th century, are still busily engaged in mythmaking, comforting the feebleminded who accept their explanations as wisdom, denouncing the heretics who call their bluff. They wear S on their chests: Science, the equivalent of Superman in intellectual circles. They are phonies. Bring out the kryptonite of critical analysis. It scares them to death, even though they never had special powers to begin with...

A big chunk of the money that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger collected last year to finance a political reform ballot measure came from a man now being accused of running a massive Ponzi-style fraud in Florida. When federal investigators raided the offices of Fort Lauderdale, FL, attorney Scott Rothstein, looking for evidence to bolster civil and potentially criminal charges of running a huge Ponzi-style fraud, they found many pictures of Rothstein with prominent politicians. The Wall Street Journal reported that Rothstein appeared to be particularly close to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist but among other political figures in the photos were former...

Dear Mrs. ####### Thank you for contacting me and sharing your thoughts on this issue. Your views are important to me as they play a key role in helping me determine the best direction for our nation and for Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. As you may know, H.R. 3962, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, was recently passed by the House of Representatives by a vote 220-215. I, along with 38 other Democrats, opposed this legislation. While this bill took some positive steps forward, such as increasing coverage and reforming insurance regulations, I felt that it did not do...

(snip) There’s a list of issues being hammered out, but at the top is finding money for South Florida’s cash-strapped Tri-Rail. Republicans are targeting a $2 fee on rental cars as the source and discussing whether to let county commissions approve the charge or require a referendum.“That’s sort of one of the issues we’re dealing with,” Crist said. Florida’s Republican leaders believe they need to settle funding issues for Tri-Rail and a host of insurance and money issues for a proposed Central Florida line known as SunRail before the state has any chance at securing $2.5 billion in federal stimulus...

(snip) Dickinson posted the transcript of that question and answer yesterday at Rolling Stone: Rolling Stone: Just a final question: Had you been in the Senate, would you have voted with the other Republicans for the stimulus package? Crist: Absolutely. (snip)

It was a moment of unintentional comedy earlier this year when newly appointed U.S. Sen. George LeMieux called himself a " Charlie Crist Republican." No doubt LeMieux spoke in earnest about the man who appointed him to the Senate, and who is now running to succeed him in it. But the joke was that nobody knew what he meant. What is a "Charlie Crist Republican" anyway? Honestly, do you know how Charlie Crist would vote on a federal takeover of health care, on a cap-and-trade energy tax, on massive new spending bills, or on another stimulus boondoggle?

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2009/11/rothstein-gave-200k-to-gop-governors/ http://malomanblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/kswp_07.jpg

This news story gets more interesting by the minute. You should be seeing this on the news pretty soon. If not, it may not fit the liberal media’s narrative. What you see in this video is a TEA Party protester holding a video camera on a mono-pod moving in to mingle with the ANSWER amnesty crowd . Within seconds, a bald guy in a black tank-top moves in -- while the guy is leaving -- and starts taking swings to the head. This video is different since it is not at night and the video does not just cover the...

In late July, as Miami-Dade leaders confronted the county's worst budget crisis in decades, Commissioner Natacha Seijas boarded American Airlines Flight 56 for a weeklong trip to Ireland. In September, a day after commissioners voted to lay off more than 500 county workers and cut millions in funding to social service groups, Seijas hopped on a plane for seven days in Brazil. In October, as commissioners imposed steep salary cuts on three unions, Commissioner Audrey Edmonson and her chief of staff embarked on a 12-day journey through Senegal and South Africa. Taxpayers picked up the tab for commissioners and their...

One of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office's combat crosses given out Friday went to an unlikely candidate: a firefighter. It was the first combat cross the agency has given to someone who isn't a law enforcement officer. That's because County Fire-Rescue Capt. Edwin O'Berry helped stop an armed suspect who nearly beat a police officer to death. He stopped suspect Mauricio Cruz by shooting him. But it was also with the help of 13 firefighters that the officer was rescued. Those 12 men and one woman were honored with Samaritan awards at the Sheriff's Office annual awards ceremony.

This video depicts an attack by ANSWER and the SEIU on tea party protesters in Florida protesting the Amnesty bill and Obamacare.

Activists hold 'Rally for Rifqa' outside courthouse Monday, November 16, 2009 1:47 PM By Meredith Heagney The Columbus Dispatch Across the street from the courthouse where Fathima Rifqa Bary's fate is to be decided, about 120 people gathered today to pray for her and rally against Islam. They were bloggers, Christian activists and friends of the 17-year-old Northeast Side girl who said her father would kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity. The girl, who goes by Rifqa, ran away to Florida in July and was returned to the custody of Franklin County Children Services late last month. She...

Charlie Crist has always courted national media attention and lately -- for better or worse -- he's getting it in spades. There was the Wall Street Journal piece on disgraced lawyer/fundraiser Scott Rothstein, featuring a front-page image of Crist with Rothstein, inscribed, "Scott -- you are amazing! -- Charlie Crist."

Blogger Jordan Carmon catches Marco Rubio’s upstart Senate campaign putting together an ad against Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.)–his opponent in the 2010 GOP primary–that looks and sounds exactly like a hard-hitting ad then-presidential candidate Barack Obama ran against Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008. Check out the ads. First, Rubio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hghjqOw3CBs Now, Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reQLzgywzk Notice that the equivalent of the picture with Bush is a picture of Crist with Obama.

Watch live online at: NASA TV

Seems that former WSVN and WPLG reporter Olga Bichachi is sick and tired of the fluff her former employers pass off as news, reports SFLTV. She recently joined a group of protestors outside Local 10, and found time to give an interview that was posted on YouTube.

A Florida Republican Becomes a Right-Wing Target By KATE ZERNIKE November 15, 2009 NEWBERRY, Fla. — In retrospect, even Charlie Crist admits that “the optics” of The Hug are not great. President Barack Obama with Charlie Crist, governor of Florida, at a town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Fla., in February. Chip Litherland for the New York Times Gov. Charlie Crist, with his wife, Carole, drew protests at a Republican barbecue this month. It was in the glow of a new day in politics last February when Mr. Crist, this state’s popular Republican governor, took the stage with President Obama...

BOCA RATON — Confused Palm Beach County voters helped thwart Al Gore's 2000 bid to become president of the United States, but he was introduced as "president of the planet" when he returned here Saturday night to deliver an environmental lecture. The former vice president spoke on climate change at the Mizner Park Amphitheater to a crowd of about 800. More than 200 protesters gathered across the street from the event, and their boos and chants could be heard inside the amphitheater as Gore began his presentation. Gore lost Florida, and the White House, by 537 votes to George W....

No one ever accused Florida attorney Scott Rothstein of being subtle -- or of skimping. Some investors say they were impressed by the ties Scott Rothstein, left, had with Florida luminaries, including Gov. Charlie Crist, right. .At an Eagles concert this year, Don Henley, the band's drummer, singled out Mr. Rothstein and his wife, Kimberly. "I don't normally do this, but this goes out to Scott and Princess Kimmy on their one-year wedding anniversary," Mr. Henley told the audience as the band ripped into "Life in the Fast Lane," its paean to the perils of excess. Mr. Rothstein paid $100,000...

PRESS CONTACT: Levi Russell - levi@FrontLineStrat.com or 509.979.6615 TEA PARTY EXPRESS II GRAND FINALE IN ORLANDO - THURSDAY!National Tour Culminates with Rally in Orlando ORLANDO, FL -- THURSDAY, NOV. 12TH - 6:00 PM - Lake Eola Park (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) - The national, cross-country Tea Party Express II: Countdown to Judgment Day (www.TeaPartyExpress.org) tour has arrived in Orlando, FL for what will be the exciting culmination of a 40-city tour. The Tea Party Express launched from San Diego on October 25th, and has crossed the country holding Tea Party rallies in support of conservative principles. More than 50,000 people have participated in the tea party rallies during this tour...

Regulators close two Florida banks and on in California, costing the FDIC $986.4 million. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Two Florida banks and one in California failed Friday night, bring the 2009 national tally to 123. Regulators closed Century Bank, Federal Savings Bank in Sarasota, Fla., Orion Bank in Naples, Fla., and Pacific Coast National Bank in San Clemente, Calif. Customers of all the failed banks are protected, however. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which has insured bank deposits since the Great Depression, currently covers customer accounts up to $250,000.

Jeffrey H. Sloman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced the filing of an Indictment charging Fitzroy Salesman, 52, of Miramar, Florida, with committing mail fraud by depriving the citizens of his honest services, extortion under color of official right, and bribery in programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1346, 1951, and 666, respectively. Salesman was arrested on September 23, 2009 on a criminal complaint in connection with these charges. He was released...

The newest, biggest cruise ship in the world arrives to its homeport, Port Everglades.

Spence-Jones Flanked by an entourage of clergy and supporters singing We Shall Overcome, a still-defiant Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones swore innocence and vowed to clear her name before surrendering at the county courthouse to face a grand theft charge. ``This charge is about removing me from office and not seeking the truth,'' Spence-Jones said at an impromptu news conference in front of the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building on Friday morning. ``I never forged any letters or stole any money.'' Miami-Dade prosecutors say Spence-Jones forged letters, including one in the name of former Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler, to steer $50,000...

State Farm might not pull out of Florida's homeowners insurance market after all, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said Thursday. McCarty said he's "cautiously optimistic" that State Farm will keep at least some of its homeowners policies in Florida.

A security guard who walked into the Orange County Courthouse with a firearm this morning faces charges of possession of a concealed firearm and possession of a firearm in a restricted area, deputies said. Matthew Gilbert Pennington, 25, told Orange County sheriff's deputies he had forgotten the 9mm Springfield XD in his backpack. The weapon contained 16 rounds of armor piercing ammunition, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report. Pennington works for a private security company. The name of the company was not released. FDLE records show he has no previous criminal history. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings...

A 25-year-old man was shot to death on Orlando's west side while apparently trying to break into a home. WDBO's sister station, Channel 9 Eyewitness News, is identifying the dead suspect as Mark Clark. He was found outside the front door of 5369 Botany Court, near Kirkman Road, around 7:30 Wednesday night. The Orlando Police Department has not provided any details other than that they're working a death investigation. The homeowner's mother said her daughter heard three men trying to break into the house and opened fire. The other two suspects ran away.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Sister Catherine Bitzer slowly opened a file box and carefully removed a brittle page, scarred by years of neglectful storage, mold and insects. At 415 years old, the marriage record written by a Roman Catholic priest is still readable and is one of the oldest known European records from the United States.It's among thousands of artifacts detailing the lives of the Spanish soldiers, missionaries and merchants who settled St. Augustine, the nation's oldest permanent city. The church kept the only official records, a role that today is filled by government.After being scattered from Florida and surviving...

this vidio from you tube of the tea party in holly hill / daytona 11/11/09....i will post pics shortly myself that were taken by us....

The Tea Party Express successfully completes its second cross-country bus tour, tonight, in Orlando, Florida. This second Tea Party Express tour in 2009 included 41 Tea Party rallies in 41 cities covering 17 states in 19 days! Woo hoo! My ears are still ringing and heart still pounding! Thousands of patriotic citizens turned out all across this great land to help us tell Obama & Co that we're fed up and we're not going to take it any longer! We're determined to take our country back from the Marxist usurpers! No more taxes! No more socialism! No more bailouts! No...

Report: 10 States Face Looming Budget Disasters By JUDY LIN, Associated Press Wednesday, November 11, 2009SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In Arizona, the budget has grown so gloomy that lawmakers are considering mortgaging Capitol buildings. In Michigan, state officials dealing with the nation's highest unemployment rate are slashing spending on schools and health care. Drastic financial remedies are no longer limited to California, where a historic budget crisis earlier this year grew so bad that state agencies issued IOUs to pay bills. A study released Wednesday warned that at least nine other big states are also barreling toward economic disaster, raising the...

Deerfield Beach, Florida (CNN) -- It's a call that no firefighter ever wants to have to answer. For firefighter-paramedic Bobby Goss, it was the worst call of his four-year career. And when you hear the screams of 15-year-old Michael Brewer on the 911 calls, you know why this was such a horrific call for help. Michael Brewer had been set on fire. "We saw the bushes on fire ... and we could hear the patient screaming at the pool," Goss said Tuesday.

State Rep. Kurt Kelly says he would "seriously consider" challenging U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, the controversial Orlando Democrat who has lit a fire under liberals and conservatives alike for his provocative rhetoric on health care reform, the wars in the Middle East and even Fox News.Kelly, an Ocala Republican, said in an interview Wednesday that he's waiting to see how the GOP search for a candidate in Grayson's 8th District shakes out before deciding to enter the race.Kelly admitted he is conflicted about the decision. Victory would mean leaving a job he loves - representing Ocala in the state Legislature.Yet...