the 941

Vern Buchanan wasn’t in his downtown Sarasota office today, but Greenpeace activists symbolically picketed outside his office, directing their attention toward passing drivers.

Afterward, they left the republican congressman a banner made with 369 postcards from Sarasota County constituents demanding Buchanan’s support for clean energy. The previous day, they had presented a similar banner to his Bradenton office, with 369 messages from Manatee County residents.

Greenpeace global warming organizer Joe Smyth, pictured below with his hands clasped as he addresses the activists, said he’s collected thousands of similar postcards. He displays them in increments of 369 because that’s the number that decided Buchanan’s victory over democrat Christine Jennings in the 2006 election.

See below for a photo gallery. (more…)

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First things first: Somebody’s getting it…

David Beckham, The Musical. Tee hee, they said “Goldenballs.”

Phelps’ pop culture domination begins/continues.

Kellogg’s trumps Wheaties for Phelps promo gold: Ahhh, snap!

Phelps’ backlash begins/continues.

“Fierce, flawless and fabulous” mommas-to-be: Christian Siriano to design for the preggers set. Next up, haute baby messes.

Just in time for the first week back: The economy cuts class.

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Wind energy may have a nominal carbon footprint, but the proliferation of windmills has its own problems. That the giant turbines have been killing loads of birds is well-documented, but just appearing in the radar screen are the hazards to human health.

• Do we want a dangerous and unstable person in charge during stressful foreign relations events like last week’s invasion of Georgia by Russia? I don’t think so.

• Where are the WMD? Of course, if we can’t find them, we’ll have to plant them. As every cop will tell you, you have to have a throwaway.

• Martial law expands in Arkansas.

• New robot has biological brain. Have we learned nothing from science fiction movies?

•  Get ready for the flu pandemic lockdown.

• Again, best listened to loud:

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John McCain’s mantra of “drill here, drill now” is getting quite shrill.

• Meanwhile, President Bush just classified another $200 million intelligence program.

• Is your organic food really organic?

• How desperate is the airline industry? So desperate that it’s barely giving pilots enough fuel to complete flights.

• Oil prices are down 25 percent. By my calculations, gas prices are barely down 10 percent. And the oil companies swear they’re not screwing us.

• What does Hillary want?

• Massive U.S. naval armada heads for Iran.

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Christine Jennings Challenges Vern Buchanan to Debates

Jennings Running Open and Honest Campaign, Calls On Buchanan to Do the Same

Christine Jennings, Democratic candidate for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, today challenged Representative Vern Buchanan to a series of public debates before the November election, so that Floridians can see where both candidates stand on the issues.

“The voters of the 13th Congressional District deserve every possible opportunity to hear the substantial differences between Christine Jennings and Vern Buchanan from the candidates themselves,” said Jennings spokesperson Melissa Smith. “Candidate debates are one of the cornerstones of our democratic system, but so far during this campaign Vern Buchanan has tried to hide from any real debate on the issues and his record.”

Rep. Buchanan has avoided appearing at any public candidate forums, including one on global warming hosted by Greenpeace in April. On August 6th, Buchanan refused to appear at a well-attended candidate event hosted by The Meadows Community Association in Sarasota. Buchanan has also declined invitations to appear at a Tiger Bay Club meeting in Sarasota with other Congressional candidates.

“Christine Jennings has made a commitment to openness and transparency in her campaign,” continued Smith. “Unfortunately, Vern Buchanan has chosen a different route. The voters deserve to hear from Buchanan, and Christine Jennings is ready and willing to debate him repeatedly until November’s election. We look forward to hearing from his campaign on whether he believes, as Christine does, that the voters of the 13th District deserve a series of debates to hear from the candidates directly on the critical issues facing our district and our country.”

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The one guaranteed sanctuary from interwebs-related work is gone.

There’s no such thing as confidential medical records at UCLA.

The Batman passes $400 million.

Can we really call anything Tyra does only “vaguely unsettling” at this point in time?

Somebody punch this DJ in the face. Now.

While you’re at it, knock this tool out, too — with a footlong or otherwise.

Post face punch, we have the technology to build/make you all better. Just ask Madge.

Kelsey Grammer out of the hospital — again. Doc’s orders: More tossed salads, fewer scrambled eggs. C’mon, we had to use it — again.

Gawker does a fine color commentary on political family portraits.

Lord of the Dweebs Shires one on in Oregon. At least, until the Hobbitat met with foreclosure.

As we stare at the erroneously deemed “emerald” Rizpoc structure outside our office, 15 examples of truly “green” buildings.

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Sarasota Bay: Celebrating Our Water Heritage

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Invites the Public to See New Documentary

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) invites the public to a free viewing of its new documentary Sarasota Bay: Celebrating Our Water Heritage.  Produced by local award-winning filmmaker, Florida Journey Communications, the 28-minute documentary makes a compelling case for what’s been achieved — and still needs to happen — to sustain the health of Sarasota Bay.

The featured theme is Sarasota Bay as the economic engine of our area and why healthy ecosystems make economic contributions that transcend conventional accounting.

The film features:
•    On-camera interviews with area leaders, including Jack Merriam (Environmental Manager, Sarasota County), Ernie Estevez, Ph.D. (MOTE), Jono Miller (New College), Pat Glass (Southwest Florida Water Management District), Jon Thaxton (Sarasota Commissioner) and Charlie Hunsicker (Manatee County Conversation Lands Management)

Plus discusssions of:
•    Habitat restorations—20 years of progress
•    Indications that the estuarine system has improved substantially
•    Why continued nutrient reduction is a top priority
•    Low-impact development—high-impact issue for the future
•    The “Water Connection”—why citizen participation matters so much
•    Gulf Coast Heritage Trail and ecotourism
•    SBEP’s vision for a sustainable future

There will be two showings at each of the following locations.  Each showing will be followed by a question and answer session.

Saturday August 9 – Manatee County Extension Service offices, Kendrick Auditorium.  1303 17th Street West, Palmetto.  First showing 10 a.m.  Second showing 11 a.m.

Saturday August 16 – FTB Jacaranda Library meeting room.  4143 Woodmere Park Boulevard, Venice.  First showing noon.  Second showing 1 p.m.

Saturday August 23 – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in the Cooley Theater.  811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota.  First showing 1 p.m.  Second showing 2 p.m.

To RSVP for this event or for more information on the video, please contact the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program at 941-955-8085 or visit info@sarasotabay.org.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is dedicated to restoring the area’s greatest natural asset—Sarasota Bay. Its unique program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public.  Sarasota Bay is one of 28 estuaries in the United States that have been named by the U.S. Congress as an “estuary of national significance.”

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Numbers are in, and the Batman still rules. (But why did that many people go to see the new Mummy movie, anyway?)

Not even gunfire disrupts a Diddy, et al. shindig.

American Idol’s Archuleta drops his single, “Crush.” Speaking of which…

Ow, LaBeouf’s hand.

Thirty pages of baby photos? A bit of Brangelina overkill, isn’t it? Ohhh, riiiigggght, we get it.

Laptops: Not as portable as you think.

Lohan livid at LAPD.

Ashes to ashes… How to green your funeral.

Slate reviews Pammy’s new series, Girl on the Loose. ‘Nuff said.

A Hilton utters intelligence. Film at 11.

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It was only a changeover from Hancock to The Batman movie, but…

Defamer offers a fine point-counterpoint regarding the GOP.

Also courtesy of Defamer: The Audible Laugh Inducing Headline of the Day. (This runs a close second. And, this one, too. Em, here too. Yeah. And this one. Aw Christ, we give up.)

Um kay, Pammy. You go right on ahead there and “build” you a hotel. An eco-friendly one. In Abu Dhabi. It totally took you long enough.

Xenu’s real pissed, and Tom’s lawyers have already been retained.

Separating the sexes, one pet at a time. That oughta take care of it. Boneheads.

Boneheads, part two (Hint: Wal-Mart is involved.)

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With Bennigans gone, here’s a real bombshell.

“My genes made me not do it, wah wah wah!” Another excuse to not get off your lazy ass.

Forthwith, ergo, and such as. Defamer sentences George Lucas.

Where have all the trainwrecks gone? Don’t you fret, paparazzi skeezeballs, there’s always Winehouse (though, with airline prices these days…)

Is nothing sacred? Dunkin’ Donuts goes healthy.

We repeat: Is nothing sacred?

Fatness starts young. And with Pop Tarts. So, we’ll just market them to adults. Genius!

Starbucks going under Down Under. (We’d say “g’day, mate,” but… ooooh.)

We really don’t know what to make of this, save one word: Goot! Goot! Goot!

Today in Biting the Hand. Biting. The Hand.

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