Last week, a full-bore effort commenced in the Florida blogosphere to introduce that state's Democratic politicians and candidates to the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. As most of you know, this comprehensive plan was spearheaded by Darcy Burner, Democratic candidate for Washington State's 8th District, and has gained national praise and attention, as well as a large number of additional endorsees.

See also: FL Dems scrub inconvenient FAQ from "Make It Count" website by jethropalerobber.

There have been numerous diaries discussing the Florida primary debacle but I've yet to see one that includes video and audio of what actually transpired during this time. Florida's Democrats, supported by the Florida Democratic Party leadership, have consistently maintained they were steamrollered by the Florida GOP into setting the primary date on January 29, 2008, violating the primary schedule created by the DNC and resulting in the loss of Convention delegates. I've commented in several of these diaries that my state's Democratic legislators, rather than make an honest - albeit sure to fail, given they're in the minority - attempt to keep the primary date at Feb. 5, were instead equally complicit in creating this mess.

Take Your Money Ball and Go Home!

I've created a $28,500 fundraising page at the DNC's website to replace the amount Miami businessman and big-money DNC donor Paul Cejas donated in 2007, and which he says he'll demand back from the DNC if the Florida delegates aren't seated. Never mind that the Florida legislators, both Democrats and Republicans alike, as well the the Florida Democratic Party, were all complicit in the loss of Florida's (my home state, btw) delegates by moving the primary date up ahead of the four designated early states that the DNC members had previously agreed to.

Emerald Renewable Energy, a Cargill subsidiary, announced today that it's suspending the construction of an ethanol plant just outside Topeka, Kansas. In an interview with the Topeka Capital-Journal, company spokesman Bill Brady said, "The economics are not at a point where we see fit to move forward... the economics are not where they were a year and a half ago."

Vague, much?

Friday morning at approximately 9:00 a.m., I'll be posting a diary for Clint Curtis, the election integrity whistleblower who challenged Congressman Tom Feeney (R-Abramoff) for the FL-24 seat in 2006, and is doing so again in 2008. (Tom knows a great deal about challenges - ethical challenges, that is!) There will be some important news about Clint's campaign in Friday's diary, and Clint will be checking in throughout the day to respond to your comments, so please stop by for a chat and to get the latest campaign news.

There's more!

Democracy for America's 2008 Grassroots All-Stars vote is underway, and I was thrilled to find nine candidates from Florida in the running, including my personal favorite, Clint Curtis! You may already know Clint as the election integrity advocate who challenged Tom Feeney (R-Abramoff) for the FL-24 seat in 2006. And there's great news - Clint just received the endorsement of the local Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) regularly honors Mr. Feeney as one of the 22 most corrupt members of Congress.

A major explosion just occurred at T2 Laboratories, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, located in an industrial area on the waterfront in the northern part of the city. So far, at least two people have been reported killed, five injured, and three missing. The plant manufactures a product called ecotane, a gasoline additive that reduces tailpipe emissions. In addition, the plant also makes "chemical solvents," but the nature of these have not been specified in any news reports I've seen.

I've linked a few news stories linked below the fold, but you're certain to find more on the Web.

Al Gore gets gold on Tennessee digs

What a great thing to read, particularly on the heels of this diary earlier today. The "gold" refers to the second-highest rating available from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, and the Gores' home is one of only fourteen in the country to achieve it.

Please read on....

I don't have much time to flesh this out, so I'm just going to post an action alert I received from The Vote Solar Initiative this morning. To summarize, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are planning to strip the Renewable Electricity Standard and the $32 billion tax package for renewable energy from the Energy Bill in order to try to keep increased fuel economy standards in the bill. In other words, they're caving to Republican demands AGAIN.

I've posted the text of Vote Solar's action alert below the fold.

For at least a month, CNN has been proudly touting its Planet in Peril documentary (a two-part series airing this Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. EDT), on both its news channel and website. I've been very much looking forward to it, since it seems to be shaping up as the first serious look at the climate change crisis by a traditional media outlet. Its hosts are journalist Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and wildlife biologist/conservationist Jeff Corwin, a group I consider to be able to present this information in a reasonably honest and objective manner (despite Gupta's misguided criticism of Michael Moore and SiCKO earlier this year).

[This post is part of Blog Action Day's "Blog for the Environment" campaign; crossposted from my blog, spacebawl.]

Earlier this week, a construction crew working on a main thoroughfare in Daytona Beach broke open a water main, resulting in the city issuing the standard "boil water" notice. Luckily I live one town south, so my home water wasn't affected. I do, however, work in the greater Daytona area, and we couldn't use our water fountains, get some fountain drinks or coffee, and were generally advised to avoid ingesting any tap water without boiling it for at least three minutes beforehand. It wasn't a big deal for me since I usually only use tap water to make hot tea and I rarely drink sodas, fountain or otherwise.

While I certainly don't enjoy hearing from Tom Feeney in any medium, the sad fact is, he's my Congressman and I need to keep track of what he's up to. I've been subscribed to his email list for a couple years, and when I see his name in my inbox, can always count on being amused, annoyed, disgusted, angered, confused, or some combination of those emotions. Not to mention, he's been known to make factual errors and misrepresentations in these emails (shocking, I know), and I've even been compelled to write back to him with corrections on a couple of occasions. The most recent one was earlier this year when ol' Tom perpetuated the childish misnomer "Democrat Party." I gently informed him that the correct phrase is "Democratic Party" and suggested he have his staff more carefully proofread these emails before they get sent, because otherwise his constituents just might think he's ignorant.

In other words, join me, A Siegel, and a few other Kossacks in the Climate Emergency Fast on September 4.

The U.S. Climate Emergency Council is organizing this fast to send a message to Congress as it returns from summer recess on Tuesday, Sept. 4. If we continue to delay real action on mitigating the effects of climate change, we face increased risk of drought, fires, flooding, and other conditions that will severely impact food production across the spectrum. The goal is at least 1,000 fasters by Sept. 4 - we're up to 935 now. Will you join us?

EDIT: I've updated this diary at the end to include info regarding a USCEC press conference to be held on Capitol Hill regarding the Climate Fast.

A recent plethora of stories have appeared in the traditional news media and the blogosphere about the FBI finally having a chat with Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) regarding his relationship with Jack Abramoff. Here's a tiny sampling in case anyone needs to catch up:

DailyKos diaries containing the tag "Tom Feeney"
TPMmuckraker: Feeney: Jack Who?
The Hotline: Romney's Deputy Campaign Manager Resigns
McClatchy News Service: Congressman queried on Abramoff ties
St. Petersburg (FL) Times: Feeney trip's costs were hidden

I can think of no better time to reintroduce Clint Curtis to the DailyKos community. Please read on....

Please excuse this quick and dirty diary regarding a live online event via Conservation International. I'm sorry I can't flesh this out more, but I'm at work and need to be quick. They are taking questions now for the online chat scheduled at 1:00 EDT. I'm sorry for the short notice, but I only just joined CI and got the email today. Click on the title link below to go to the question submission form, or just to learn more.

The Galapagos: A Laboratory for Studying Climate Change?
10 April 2007, 1:00 PM EDT

Every two to seven years, El Niño warms ocean waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands and prevents crucial nutrients from supplying the food chain. The phenomenon has prompted the loss of an estimated 95 percent of coral reefs around the islands. The Galapagos Damsel fish is now believed to be extinct, and countless sea lions and marine iguanas have been lost.

With climate change threatening to ignite more frequent and intense El Niño patterns, the Galapagos region is ideal for studying how Earth’s biodiversity responds to changing conditions.

[This diary is something I wrote for my own blog, spacebawl. I realize Kossacks will probably see my writing in this case as painfully simplistic and obvious, but since I "market" my blog to less politically and globally aware folks, it's written with the goal of having a positive influence regarding climate change on people still straddling the proverbial fence. I'm crossposting here because I appreciate comments from and dialogue with all of you. :-)]

You're invited to an elegant dinner party at a good friend's home. The table is set with your host's finest china and crystal glassware, passed down through a couple of generations. Delicious food is in abundance and bottle after bottle of expensive wine is consumed. Everyone's talking, laughing, flirting... no one can recall having a more enjoyable evening.

Like probably all Kossacks, I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking of ways to influence the people within my circle to change their mindsets and behaviors regarding the various pressing issues of the day. In my case, it's usually how to get them to make a habit of conserving energy, reducing waste, and being more conscientious consumers, without my coming across as pushy, righteous, or condescending.

First, I try to lead by example:

This is the last reminder diary I'll be posting about the Great Howard Dean Birthday Card Project of Ought'6, although I'll post reminders in Open Threads and Dean-related diaries until Wednesday. If you want to participate, I strongly suggest you mail the cards by Wednesday at the latest.

To recap, the goal of this particular project is to heap mounds of thanks on Dr. Dean and the DNC in the form of birthday cards and contributions by Friday, November 17 (Dean's birthday). Although if they get there by Saturday, that's kewl. We want his desk covered with cards! Just like in the original "Miracle on 34th Street" (accept no remakes) when the postal workers dumped bags and bags of letters to Santa on the judge's bench. I don't actually expect us to do that well, but you get the idea. Birthday donations to Dean was first suggested by Cherisse. If you can send a contribution, make it for any amount you like, and tack 50 cents on, to show our appreciation for the 50-State Strategy, which despite being a long-term project, already showed signs of success in the 2006 elections.