Well, Frances is almost here. My trees are doing some really neat

[FloridaPat]

dancing. The electricity should be going off any time. This is not pretty. A lot more exciting than I wanted to see this week. What a mess it has done to the state. I'm in Lakeland and this is going to hit us harder than Charley did.

[NMDemDist2]

1. stay safe

:hug:

[ezekiel333]

2. Hang in there

Our thoughts are with you as we get ready for it in the Panhandle.

[Renew Deal]

4. See the uptick here...

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604I+GIF/051453I.gif

That's when it hits the water before it hits you guys.

[ezekiel333]

6. Got it! Thanks!

[Misunderestimator]

3. I'm just west of you and we're getting lots of wind this morning...

some of the neighbors have lost electricity, so I think you may be right about that :(. I hope it gets over you quickly and out of here. Stay safe.

[onethatcares]

5. so far here in St. Pete, its' just been the wind

not much more than 40 mph gust but the sustained are about 30-35. Power is still on. Good luck.

[zendik]

7. I'm in Tallahassee ...

... where it's nice and sunny with a bit of a breeze. But we're only 20 minutes from St. Marks, after all, so in 12 hours or so I doubt it'll be so pleasant.

Not to steal your thread, but I don't have enough posts to create one yet, so if someone would be willing to do so with the info below and in the appropriate place, I'd appreciate it.

From The Telegraph:

"In a fresh blow to John Kerry's flagging presidential campaign, the Pentagon has ordered an official investigation into the awards of the Democratic senator's five Vietnam War decorations."

And, here's the really delicious part:

"A navy spokesman confirmed on Friday that the inspector-general's office at the Pentagon had authorised the inquiry. "It is the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records," said the spokesman. Another official said privately: "There's a feeling that it's time to deal with this thoroughly, once and for all.""

When are they going to do an investigation on Bush's record? A THOROUGH investigation of his "service" to clear everything up "once and for all"? People have been asking for that very thing for YEARS.

This turns my stomach. I don't have the words ... at least, not the kind I'd use in public.

It's just disgusting, and will lend official Navy credence to the Swift Boat liars. And, of course, if the investigation finds everything checks out, we won't hear about it til AFTER the election. I doubt that'd be the case if anything was out of place. For the majority of the public, just the fact that there is an official investigation will translate to "he must be crooked".

Also from the article:

"Among other records to be examined is a citation of Mr Kerry for bravery that was apparently signed by the former Navy Secretary, John Lehman, and contributed to the award of his silver star. The glowing citation states: "By his brave actions, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lt Kerry reflected great credit on himself." But Mr Lehman denies all knowledge of the commendation. "It's a total mystery to me," he said last week. "I never saw it, I never signed it and I never approved it." The inquiry will also investigate other reports and citations leading to the award of Mr Kerry's medals."

So this man remembers every citation he ever signed, then. More than three decades ago. Makes perfect sense, huh?

Sorry about the rant, but this makes me so mad I can't stand it. Will this FINALLY get the media to take a serious look at Bush's "service"? What will it take?

Back on topic, I guess in a few hours Frances will take my mind off it ...

[althecat]

9. Cool post do you want me to post it separately..

I am sure everybody will want to see this...

[zendik]

10. If you'd be so kind.

People need to start talking about this -- the outrageous hypocrisy of it -- as soon and as loudly as possible.

[althecat]

11. Just did so... welcome to DU zendik!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2312786

If you want to make some changes I can edit it for a few more minutes... I will add you name to it now...

In order to keep your post in the upper part of the board it needs some regular kicking back to the top of the list. The easiset way to do this is to reply to others comments.. but if it does fall off the FP in General Discussion you can always kick it yourself. I expect this one won't have any trouble staying high up mind.

[Jawja]

8. My thoughts are with you

today. Hang in there.

:hug:

[MaryH]

12. Please be careful!

We have tornadoes. But I'd take them anyday over these hurricanes. And I think there is another one coming in the other side of the Bahamas. This is nuts.

[goddess40]

13. God is punishing Florida for the electoral misconduct 0f 2000

Actually I hope you are safe, and ride out this storm.

But you know if Gore had been given his rightful electoral votes from Florida the right wing would be claiming this with all seriousness.

[FloridaPat]

14. OR - could it be the way the repubs will steal Florida?

They have figured out how to create hurricanes and this is just the test. One will come on Nov 3 and all the repubs votes will be abssentee and no one will be able to get to the polls.

That's assuming there is a state left by that time.

[FloridaPat]

15. Looks like I may get to see the eye today. Headed straight for Lakeland

This is even making politics boring. How do I go back to my boring life after going through TWO hurricanes? And more to come. Someone described this as the hurricane season from hell. I think that would make a great banner, but would probably fly away. We have another 12-18 hours of this crap! Rain I can handle. I have 5 BIG live oaks surrounding my house, 3 slash pines doing some really cook beding exercises near my house, and a big calpalta tree too. They make me real nervous.

[Blue Wally]

16. We caught the south side of the eye.

Yesterday, we had a bit of a storm surge (3 feet) till the wind shifted. The worst winds were about 2AM this morning. All of the palm trees lost fronds and all of the mature nbanana trees are down (we specifically eschewed oak, pine, and banyan trees at our house. Some folks have lost roof tiles. We have been lucky in that our power losses have only been momentary. Cell towers must be down as we have lost signals. Cable TV is out on the entire block as well. Guy across the street had a huge branch of his monster mango tree fall on his garage roof with some damage. Next street over loss a bunch of roof tiles from the ridge course. Still raining and blowing now, but with much less intensity.

[althecat]

17. Looks like everybody is getting something...