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Via JMG: FLORIDA: Former GOP Chair Accuses Party Of "Scheming" To Suppress Black Voters

The former chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Jim Greer, is claiming that other leaders of the state GOP strategized on ways that they could suppress the votes of black citizens. Today's revelation comes from Greer's deposition in his lawsuit to be paid back salary from the state GOP.

Greer's animosity was evident on almost every page of the deposition as he described the inner workings of a party that has controlled Florida since 1998. On voter suppression, Greer said he had just completed a December 2009 meeting with party general counsel Jason Gonzalez, political consultant Jim Rimes and Eric Eikenberg, Crist's chief of staff, when questions arose about fundraising. "I was upset because the political consultants and staff were talking about voter suppression and keeping blacks from voting. It had been one of those days,'' he said. Rimes said he recalls no discussion of suppressing votes at any meeting. Eikenberg did not return phone calls.

Two months ago Florida Gov. Rick Scott launched an attempt to purge the state's voter rolls of alleged non-citizens, a move widely seen as a transparent attack on the state's minorities. Scott is now suing the federal government for thwarting that plan.

RELATED: Two years ago Greer was arrested on charges of six felony charges of embezzling campaign money. His trial date on those charges has just been moved back until November, "sparing Florida Republicans the embarrassment of intense scrutiny of the party's inner-workings just weeks before Tampa hosts the Republican National Convention."

Labels: Florida, GOP, racism, voting problems

Reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report:

• Chick-fil-A controversy grows as politicians weigh in
   
• The national political fight over marriage equality is set to move to Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country next week, as LGBT advocates are planning boycotts and a “kiss-in,” and anti-gay politicians such as Rick Santorum are urging support for an “Appreciation Day” at the chain’s locations. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wrote to the company urging it not to open a restaurant in his city, and one Chicago city councilman has vowed to block the chain’s expansion. The company’s COO recently said it opposes marriage rights for same-sex couples, and organizations associated with Chick-fil-A have donated millions to anti-gay groups. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (7/25), The Huffington Post/Gay Voices (7/25), USA TODAY/The Associated Press (7/25)     

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 27, 2012

Pursuing Happiness

It’s our nature to want happiness and not want suffering. Thus, Buddhists do not ask that one give up the pursuit of happiness, but merely suggest that one become more intelligent about how happiness is pursued.

- Jeffrey Hopkins, "Equality"

Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection through July 29th, 2012
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