Author Archives: Brook Hines
Audio: TFS writers discuss the Florida Democratic Party
Florida Democrats continue to fascinate – a discussion of the latest internal party developments below: Some background here from our Brook Hines. Also a reminder that this is a party that has lost 17 of the last 18 elections for Governor and Cabinet and we are entering a state election cycle, so broadening the tent […]
Audio: TFS writers discuss President Trump’s Syria attack
In the near future here at TFS we’ll be bringing you a regular podcast that is downloadable on iTunes and Google Play. In the meantime, Brook Hines and Kartik Krishnaiyer are recording audio discussions on various topics of interest. Below we have a spirited discussion on Syria and in the coming days we will release […]
AN OPEN LETTER to FL Dem Party Chair Stephen Bittel from SCM Sanjay Patel
The Florida Democratic Party’s state committee appointments came out this weekend, raising eyebrows, and in some cases, raising questions. I had a few myself. Most notably, given the controversy over the means by which Bret Berlin helped Stephen Bittel ascend to chairmanship, it’s remarkable Berlin was appointed a State Vice Chair and a member of the Rules Committee. The SVC role might be overlooked as typical—but Rules […]
What we’re listening to: Russia expert Mark Ames on Unauthorized Disclosure
Mark Ames is uniquely qualified to discuss the “unending baffling frenzy over Trump, Putin, and Russia.” Along with Matt Taibbi, Ames published a satirical magazine in Russia that was shut down by Putin. Their publication, The Exile, provided satire and investigative journalism throughout the fall of the Soviet Union. In this podcast he shares his insight on our complicated relationship […]
Liberal elites believe class hatred is less ugly than racism. They’re wrong.
The elite liberal id has been let out of its posh little box, and boy is it on a rampage. First there was Markos “dailykos” Moulitsas hoping that West Virginia voters died from lack of healthcare under the Trump administration, because apparently West Virginia voters (and Susan Sarandon) are solely responsible for Trump’s electoral victory. Now […]
Take a deep dive into Tallahassee politics with Kartik on PNN
LISTEN TO KARTIK’S INTERVIEW: This week Kartik joined me on Progressive News Network to discuss all things Tallahassee, as I ran the show for Rick Spisak. Get the whole podcast here at the PNN portal. First up: What is populism? Many elites in the Democratic Party would like us to believe that populism, by definition, is a right-wing […]
What we’re reading: “Liberals and diversity,” by Matt Bruenig
Interesting article where poverty and law expert Matt Bruenig observes inconsistencies in the liberal view of diversity. Liberals believe that diversity is social good. But they also take action that shows they believe diversity is incompatible with justice, and that justice must be sacrificed to win against right-wing populism. CLICK HERE to read the whole […]
Democratic Progressive Caucus elections just boiled over
The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida holds their election and conference tomorrow, and if the debate leading into it is any indication, it will be bellwether for how clubs and caucuses operate under the FDP’s new leader, Stephen Bittel. Since Bittel took the helm of the party there’s been speculation about how much autonomy an organization like […]
Greyhound racing has run its course | PART ONE
Despite the fact that almost everyone knows greyhound racing is archaic and inhumane, this Monday, national morning cable show “Fox and Friends” will promote the old-style live gambling performance by featuring Janice Dean, “The Weather Machine,” a racing greyhound named after their on-air meteorologist. The racer will be flown from the Palm Beach Kennel Club to appear […]
GUEST COLUMN: Punching Nazis threatens free speech for everyone
GUEST COLUMN by Page Landrum When it comes to online discourse, I believe in a “Free Market of Ideas.” We have the freedom to offer and hear new ideas, both good and bad. When we meet people promoting bad ideas we have choices. We don’t have to buy into them. We can offer a competing good idea, […]
The Florida Squeeze 