Watch where you are walking in my state

Raising Children in Florida is a bit different than raising kids in the real world. Kids find things such as high humidity, bugs and snakes on the sidewalk normal. The beach is a conventional activity which excites less than the playground, while mountains, snow and culture are the stuff of legend. You slather on bug spray and sunscreen to go outside and dare not venture to the back yard in the summer, lest you are attacked by mosquitoes and other assorted flying creatures.

Amusement parks, golf, tennis and every dialect of Spanish are part of your every day experience (my kids think Amusement Parks are average experiences of every day life. But, if you live 3 miles from one it is stupid to not buy season passes), as are monster trucks, hurricane watches, predators and palm trees. You think the odd is unexceptional, while you miss the beauty surrounding you every day.Crazy people are everywhere and you need to pay attention to where you walk, since old people do not pay attention on the roads or in parking lots. It was the way I grew up. Heck, I thought it was commonplace to have a dog bitten by rattlesnakes every year, explore sinkholes/ underwater caves and ski/ swim in alligator or shark infested waters.

In fact, when we go to the zoo, aquarium or any other "natural" place, my kids are unimpressed with alligators. They are like snowbirds and drunk spring breakers, just part of the scenery and more common than someone graduating from a Florida school with a good education. That said, apparently I need to teach my kids to watch where they are walking in parking lots for a reason besides idiotic drivers.

This guy was found car shopping one block from my parents' house yesterday.

This one was found trying to deliver pizza at some Tampa lady's doorstep last week.

This guy trying to raid someone's fridge last year.

Jesus Died for Your License Plate

Floridians have more license plate options than you can imagine. We have licenses with panthers, dogs and cats, clown fish, manatee, bass, spoonbills and cave divers. They include licenses to support breast cancer research, pro-life causes, tennis, organ donation and home ownership. You name a sports team in our state and you can have a license to support that team. To see a list, click here. But, we don't have anything that says, I am a Christian, beyond fish symbols, bumper stickers and rosaries from the rear view mirror. Many Christians have noticed that it is unfair to be excluded from trumpeting faith from the back of an SUV, because nothing says "I love Jesus" like a license place while cutting people off in traffic.

While I will only say this is about as useless as an expression of faith could be, even moreso than T-shirts, pens and mudflaps, St Pete Times' columnist shares his insight in What Would Jesus Say About His License Plate, noting that not only does it potentially break the 2nd Commandment, but it is quite tacky. Did Jesus die so we could depict "the Son of God, the Lamb, the Savior …On an official state of Florida automobile tag. An auto tag?" according to Troxler (thank the Lord for "Secular" journalism).

other Money quotes:

Jesus is to be mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money. His crown of thorns will lie just beneath the "FLORIDA" across the top of the plate; his outstretched arms will be truncated to the left and right by the tag numbers, so that one does not actually see the cross, the nails, the wounds — no, we would not have that! The words "SUNSHINE STATE" will be stamped across his unscathed, unlashed torso.

Instead, my first thoughts were more about the stories of Christ in the Bible, angrily throwing the money changers out of the temple, and instructing his followers to pray privately in their closets rather than displaying prideful piety on the public streets like the "hypocrites" (which is exactly what he said. Look it up.).

just in case you are offended by an image of Christ on the back of your automobile, here is a quite class and snazzy opther option, all of which still await votes from a Florida legislature with nothing better to do with their time.

remembering the forgotten

As we move towards Martin Luther King Day, January 19 (the day before the inauguration), I am reminded of the lost stories of the struggle for Civil Rights in America. Sadly, before MLK and Emmit Till there were a number of martyrs, victims of unspeakable violence that go unremembered. Before Rosa Parks there were brave African Americans standing for rights those of my race have taken for granted for a millennium whose stories go untold.

Yesterday was the 85th Anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre in North Florida. It is, sadly, one of the dark stains on the racial history of my home state, as well as the nation. Somehow, it has not gotten much press throughout the years, even the film version made little cultural impact.

Over the course of a week or so many blacks were killed or injured by a mob of whites from the region surrounding Cedar Key. In fact, the historically black village of Rosewood was destroyed, never to become more than a marker on the side of the road. It is a story that needs to be remembered, especially by those of us from Florida.

Yet another story I was reminded of yesterday upon hearing it was the anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre was the death of Willie James Howard, which also happened in early January. I first heard of this tragic story a couple of years ago while reading about it in the Tampa paper. Very seldom do I see stories about my home town 3 hours from Tampa in the bend of Florida as the Panhandle begins in the big city paper.

The story I read about a young black man whose only crime was sending a Christmas card to the daughter of an influential white man in Live Oak in 1944. He was kidnapped, along with his dad, tied up and taken to the Suwanee River, which I grew up on. He was killed in front of his father, who was driven back to work to finish his shift. 

As I read the story, I became aware of names that I knew. Those 3 white men involved in death of this young man were prominent in my community. In fact, I was friends with grandchildren or nephews of 2 of the names. According to mom, one of the families is related to us (but everyone is related in my home town). They were on the list of deacons from my home church and their names still carry weight around Live Oak.

I called my mom, who was born there in 1930 and she confirmed the story. She had long heard the rumors and stories, seen the men at church and knew their past. She told me that people used to talk about it quietly, but the gossip had ended decades before. In fact, she had forgotten about the story of the murder of a young man her age until I reminded her of it.

For days I, as a big city guy with Liberal tendencies was aghast at how close such violence was to me and my heritage. I was sure that people I had grown up in the homes of, celebrated holidays with, been taught Sunday School by and respected were involved in such atrocities. However, I realized that I would never know. I would not go home and ask people about their connections, knowing they would not be honest and those my age had never been told the truth. I was (and still am) haunted by this.

As we think about our first black President and the heritage of MLK and the Civil Rights struggle, we should investigate our own towns, whether South Boston, Queens, North Georgia or Virginia. Sadly, I am sure there are people in every place that need to be remembered and celebrated, their stories told and retold at this time of year.

follow the links from the blog title, along with those in the story to find out more about these 2 events.

you know it is pretty bad at your Alma Mater when the best news to hit your campus is the departure of the coach of your biggest rivals.

But, Yeah!

In a move I predicted 2 weeks ago, Billy Donovan will leave the defending champion Florida Gators (who FSU defeated) for the NBA's Orlando Magic. They are paying him $6 million per year. Money well spent.

Thanks Magic. I will root for you occasionally for making this move (unless you draft Joakim Noah). link

a few pics from Sanibel

at the beach and Schnapper's

on vacation

I may blog a couple of times, especially to send photos of the kids on the beach. But, we are on vacation for a week starting today on Sanibel Island, FL. Sanibel is among the better vacation spots in Florida (if you like it quiet). It is a premier shelling spot (top 3 in world) which the kids will love.

Next Sunday we should be attending a Sacred Harp singing at a small Primitive Baptist Church in the middle of nowhere. I will give a report on it (it is an amazing form of Gospel singing somewhat like medieval chanting meets old time Gospel singing). Should be a blast.

Flaming Lips Show retrospective

If I had not been so tired upon arriving home after the Flaming Lips show, I would have attempted to document the strange wonder that audiences experience when the lips are in town. However, this reviewer does a wonderful job capturing the essence of the show here.

If you have not seen the Flaming Lips in concert, make sure you do it at least once. The audacious mix of Electric Light Orchestra and Radiohead at a children's circus (directed by Wierd Al) must be experienced to be fully appreciated (and it is well worth the price).

In case you do not read the review I will say this...

confetti, giant yellow balloons, giant hands (like the film Science of Sleep), spinning flashlights, streamer shooting guns, q beam toting Santa Clauses, go go dancing aliens, skeleton suits, roadies dressed as Super Heroes, green laser lights, taps playing electronic bugle (poignant moment), smoke machines (of course), gong, Japanese anime videos, Japanese television, fake doves, requests to hug each other, video camera in singers mic, smoke and flame shooting megaphones and scenes from Jon Stewart's ill-fated MTV show form the early 90s and 90210 on the screen (introducing them playing She Don't Use Jelly and Do You Realize?) .. oh, and great musicianship and song selection.*

*sadly there was no fake blood, giant hamster wheel or animal costumes at our show (I guess they have been played out)

** the posted pictures are linked to the originals on Flickr taken by Phil Bardi of Creative Loafing.

Aedan's birthday/ Holy Week

It is not exactly the somber Good Friday experience we are supposed to participate in. however, Easter Weekend happens to coincide with our son Aedan's 4th birthday (it is also our 3rd anniversary in Florida).

We have been discussing many activities Aedan could decide upon for his birthday. We could head down to a U-Pick Farm and pick our own strawberries or blueberries. We could also watch Manatees at the Manatee viewing area of a local power plant (they hang out there for the warm water). Another possibility was my favorite, the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa (hundreds of rescued cats, including jags, cougars, lions, tigers, lynx, etc.). However, Aedan has made his decision.

Today we are heading to Dinosaur World in Plant City, home to 150 dinosaurs, including statues and skeletons, along with a boneyard, fossil dig, museum and caves. It should be perfect for 4 and 5 year old kids, if not their parents.

Tomorrow we are traveling to Homosassa Springs, a cool state park, to see all the animals from Over the Hedge in their natural habitat, plus alligators, manatee and a hippo (native to Florida?).

Aedan should be pleased (and we don't have to take him to Chuck E Cheese).

pictures promised

The Latest Craziness from Florida

Oh how I love living in Florida.

There is no craziness we are not a magnet for.

Our latest national story is the ousting of a City Manager in Largo, FL (large suburban town close to St. Pete) for making the decision to become transsexual. According to all sources, as a man, he has been a great city manager with glowing reviews. However, as a man attempting to become a woman, he is a miserable failure that deserves to be fired.

Since Florida is a Right-to-Work state the Largo City Commission has the right to hire or fire anyone they want, whenever they want and for any reason they want. Also, I don't feel terribly sorry for the City Manager because the Commission did the "right" thing by giving him a full year's severance ($140K +) and his 500 hours of accrued vacation time. I would take that for my troubles and move to California. I am sure they have a city or two not caring about his sexuality (as long as he is good at his job).

The thing that causes me to make this public for my 10 readers is the reaction of the church community of Largo (not only the church community, but the Evangelical community- more specifically, Southern Baptists, my former family). Following are actual quotes from members of a large local church and the Pastor of a small SBC church (if this pastor wonders why he has only 30 members, he should look at his statements of hate and unBiblical theology- thank God only a few people want to follow him). Why the pastor of such a small church spewing hatred and misquoting Jesus (I think this may actually qualify as "taking the Lord's name in vain") actually gets quoted in two separate articles proves that loudness and meanness gets you in print.*

Quote 1
"He's not going to be a man, and he's not going to be a female," said Lighthouse Baptist Church Pastor Ron Sanders, who leads a 30-member congregation. "He's going to be an 'it.' It's going to be the most sorrowful decision he has ever made." Really, I guess this Pastor is actually clairvoyant

Quote 2
"Mr. Stanton is not a role model. He's proven that. I think for the sake of our young people today, you need to do what's right, and that's terminate him. ... If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated. Make no mistake about it." Actually if Jesus were here tonight, he would remind you of the fact you are a "white washed tomb"

- Ron Sanders, pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Largo

Quote 3
Peggy Schaefer was one of about 60 members of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks who turned out for the meeting.

"I don't want that man in office," she said. "I don't think we should be paying him $150,000 a year when he's not been truthful. We have to speak up. Of course, we don't believe in sex changes or lesbianism. They have their rights, but we do, too."- WHAT???????? Please only quote people that actually make a bit of sense

link to the ousting story
link to original story
link to St. Pete Times' columnist deriding the decision and Pastor's comments

Remember, I do not live in the Bible Belt or the deep south. This is a metropolitan area of 3 million persons in a cosmopolitan state.

* This reminds me of the situation with Westboro Baptist Church's anti-gay rhetoric. If you are inarticulate, hateful and have no influence in the real world, you can always get a journalist to encourage you to make a fool of yourself.

upcoming postings

• The real reason I don't like Tampa
• Celiac's Disease and why I am paying attention to it
• Movie review of the Departed, including my belief it has one of the best music moments EVER in a major motion picture.
• Why Flags of our Fathers is vastly superior to Saving Private Ryan (and it is not just because the Pacific Theatre stories are undertold and more interesting- not that I am biased).
• A tribute to Christian Community and Friendship (naming of names of those who would "take a bullet for me").
• Why I hope Ted Haggard is innocent of all the accusations.
• Hope in the midst of a storm.
• Election Thoughts

I am sure I can waste all of our time with other topics, but these are the most pressing.

irony

After our Tampa Bay Cohort meeting this evening (our first in many months thanks to Warren who has taken over the leadership from me and will actually do something), Kristi and I will head over to the Orpheum with a few friends to attend the French Kicks show.

The French Kicks could be misconstrued as yet another NYC Indy Rock band. However, they are a very quirky and experimental pop band at their core. It should a good show.

The ironic thing about the show is that is is part of a season of great music finally coming through Tampa after a year long dryspell. Interestingly, the dry-spell corresponded to the time our friend Dustin lived in town. Dustin is a pantheon Indy Rock guy (knows everything since the late 90's- has no knowledge of seminal influencers, but who is perfect in his rock knowledge that has a job outside of a record store) who saw everyone while living in NYC. While in Tampa we had 3 good shows (Son Volt, rogue Wave, BMRC) to attend.

Right before he arrived bands like Okkervil River and The Decemberists were coming through town. Since he left, The Format and The Walkmen have played and Jenny Lewis, Album Leaf, Broken Social Scene and others are just around the corner.

I hope he hasn't cursed the Portland music scene.

my burden as an Independent

Well I could not vote today in Florida's Primary Election.

And not because of my numerous felony convictions- okay, I have no felony convictions (but, don't get me started on that). No, I am registered as an Independent. In Florida, if you register as an Independent you are not allowed to vote until the General Election in early November.

The backwardness of the election laws of our fair state continue to amaze me. In the other states I have had the pleasure of registering to vote in (Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas), I have always been able to cast a vote in the primaries. Many states allow voters to register "undeclared" and only declare their party desires on the day of the election (so I could vote in 2002 in the Republican primaries and 2004 in the Democratic primary, as long as I did not try to register or vote in 2 different primaries or run-offs in the same year). Other states allow Independents to choose in advance the election they want to vote in.

However, in Florida they discourage Independence. In fact, when we registered in 2004 we were encouraged to "pick a party" since we would have little say otherwise.

This causes me much frustration due to my Anabaptist leanings (definitely historically Baptist). It is my belief that I must not affiliate strongly with either party because of my affiliation with Christ and call to be a prophet. It is difficult to be a prophet within a party (relatively impossible actually)- I can not imagine Amos or Isaiah picking dedicating themselves to one party over the other. If I am a Democrat and dedicate myself to their advancement, it is difficult to be prophetic to them or Republicans. I am not interested in that.

Also, they are both inherently corrupt and care much more about their own advancement and power than about serving the nation and bettering it- this reason stands in opposition to my Christian faith.

So, common Florida, throw me a bone. Step into the 21st Century (on many voting issues).

In case you were wondering, I wanted to vote in the Republican primary today. Why? I wanted to have the distinct pleasure of voting against Katherine Harris twice this fall in the Senatorial race.

Irony

Irony...

I live in Florida and Ernesto missed us.

I am flying to D.C. today for a meeting.

Ernesto will be dumping rain over D.C. all day.

I fly home today at 7:15 P.M.

Oops.

Tampa woos Republicans for 2008 Convention

While I am not a Republican, I would usually support its convention in my city. I think the idea of either party holding its useless self- gratifying pep rally in my town would add to the comedic value of the event. I like the idea of watching protesters and partisans colliding.

Plus, I think it could highlight Tampa and bring more tourism.

However, there are a number of reasons to say no to such an event starting with a high price tag of approximately $22 million for the city. Also, there are not enough hotels downtown so rich Republicans will become angry at our fair city, or they will tie up traffic for hours traveling to our outlying hotels.

This said, there is one simple reason it would be absolutely inconceivable for them to hold the convention in Tampa. It is at the height of Hurricane Season and we are on the Gulf Coast. If they do not believe in Global Warming and think this is a cycle, don't they think it could cycle here?

The event will be from September 1-4, 2008. Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on August 29. Of course, the idea of such a major event canceled because of a weather related event warms the dark and depraved inner being of my cold, black heart (as long as the hurricane does not hit here).

I will play prophet here...

if the Republicans choose Tampa for their Convention in 2008, they will lose the presidency by proving their incompetence. I can only hope the Democrats pick Miami, Charleston or New Orleans (since they would never leave Bourbon Street) to complete the high comedy.

lighting up the arts

The most hopeful thing I have seen for the local arts scene since we have lived in Tampa.
link

My wife is a Diversity Monger

Kristi (my wife for those of you I do not know) was quoted in a front page article for the Tampa Tribune last week on the fact that "White children Now in the Minority" in Tampa's schools. While picking up the kids from their half day at preschool, she was asked by a reporter what she thought of sending our kids to a school that is 75% non-white Anglo (since we do have Aryan kids that look soooo white).

The last line of the article is this (yes they misspelled our son's name):

Kristi Bennett's two children, Gillian, 4, and Aedean, 3, are among the minority Anglo children at St. John's. Bennett doesn't mind.
"I love it," she said. "I think it's healthy to be around children who don't look like them. It teaches them tolerance and diversity really early on."

Now she has been called a Diversity Monger by an anti-immigration writer to the editor. Well, at least others called my Diversity Mongering wife some nice things (by the way the writer of the letter is from the Bronx- so he probably searches the internet all day for such articles so he can write letters to the editor- how sad).

Protest Music

I am on a never-ending journey for good protest music. It is among my favorite genres. Although I was a military child, I was raised on country and folk, which allowed me the opportunity to hear Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and others on my dad's record player. Now, although my tastes are more eclectic and I grow bored by the folk genre, I have a special place in my heart for purveyors of such music. However, I have a caveat I need to share...

To be a good protest song, a song must first be "Good." Sadly, this has been the Achilles heal of this genre. There is too much earnest crap out there, whether from the normally reliable Beastie Boys trying to rhyme Bush and Hussein or the anonymous coffee houser reeking of patchuli and hoping to sleep with some hippy chick because he wrote a song about peace and love.

The other important factor in good protest music is that resonates with its listeners by engaging them in a story or argument instead of beating them over the head with a message (see Loudon Wainwright's Pretty Good Day). Lately artists have figured out a way around the accusations of terrorist harboring and anti-Americanism. They have chosen to let us know they support the troops by singing songs to them or (better yet) from their perspective. They have said the things to the powers that be that the troops are not allowed to say. They have stood for and by the troops, unlike the leaders in Washington that sit in plush offices offering soldiers nothing but tired platitudes and rhetoric based upon getting re-elected.

Blow Up Hollywood, a collective of musicians fighting against consumerism from New York give us the moody Diaries of Private Henry Hill which was inspired by the journals of a soldier who died in Iraq. Songs such as WMD, The Pledge and Charge are personal accounts of a young man's idealism, training, loss of innocence, growing dissolution and death. This is hauntingly sad music, inspired by Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Sigur Ros. The power of this album is in its subtlety and beauty. While not as epic as Green Day's American Idiot, its scope as a concept album is equal.

The CD can be listened to in its entirety on the BUH website or their myspace account. Shots Fired is a must listen!

Last week Michael Franti and Spearhead dropped Yell Fire, which is accompanied by a documentary (I know I'm not Alone) which follows Michael throughout the Middle East attempting to understand the conflict from all angles. Once more an artist is smart enough to share his sentiment against this fiasco in Iraq through the eyes of the young men and women stuck defending the grand scheme of career politicians.

Musically it is a hodgepodge. Franti began as a rapper and his recent albums have veered towards a rock/ soul/ reggae fusion. The lyrics are vaguely Christian and very "One World." They can be simplistic at times, but I appreciate his honesty and attempt to positively give alternatives to America's lack of diplomacy. My wife and children love it.

You can watch the video for I Know I'm Not Alone by checking their website out. Watch a film clip here.

Lastly, British sensation and the missing link between Radiohead and Coldplay, MUSE give us Black Holes and Revelations. While not as instantly accessible as Absolution, it follows a similar template of sonically large, beautiful music (like Coldplay could have been or a poppier and more grandiose Radiohead). If you don't like your music symphonic- don't get this album.

Lyrically it follows the same path as albums 1 and 2 (or I would not be blogging about it). It is less overtly spiritual than previous albums and lays down its agenda quite harshly on the opening track, Take a Bow, which I assume is an open letter to Tony Blair (or W). Corrupt/ you corrupt and bring corruption to all that you touch/ hold/ you'll behold/ and beholden for all you've done/ spell/ cast a spell/ cast a spell on the country you run/ and risk/ you will risk/ you will risk their lives and their souls/ and burn/ you will burn in hell/ you will burn in hell for your sins.

I think you get the picture, which is even more stark later in the song (which is quite good). Later songs such as Soldier's Poem learn from the past mistakes of protest songs and "support the troops" like all the protest music I have included.

Listen to MUSE here.

I know some of my readers will not be interested in hearing music which questions the assumed American response to the War(s) in the Middle East. However, good music is good music. And art that proceeds positively out of suffering and anger, but attempts to create when it is easier to destroy is by definition good art (especially when it has a good beat you can dance to).

The hospitality spectrum

Hospitality is a trait I take seriously for those who follow Jesus. From my study of Scripture, it is my belief that hospitality is not a spiritual gift or merely good idea.

In fact it is one of the most important characteristics of the individual Christian or Christian community. However, the details of hospitality can get quite sticky.

Case in point. We have 2 Florida churches at the opposite end of the hospitality continuum, each doing it in the name of preaching the "gospel."

First of all we have Tampa's own megachurch Without Walls Church, the fastest growing church in America and "the perfect church for people who aren't" according to its press clippings. The controversial church is always stretching the boundaries of decorum, but is never predictable or boring. In fact, on Sunday this conservative church invited the Gay Atheist Strip Club owner and County Commission candidate Joe Redner to speak to their congregation about his platform.
Read about it here

While at the other end of the spectrum we have former NFL player and current pastor O'Neal Dozier in Pompano Beach leading protests and attempting to stop the construction of a new mosque in the vicinity of his church. He states "people in the neighborhood feel less safe knowing Muslims are invading." Read Here

blogging in Minneapolis (real time)

yes my razor takes crappy pictures so you may not be able to tell that is a much hairier Ryan Sharpe and his wonderful wife Holly leading us this morning at Solomon's Porch in Minneapolis while my family is inundated with a tropical storm's heavy rains at home.

Where are Michael Toy and Will Samson?

Tampa Bay's depressing numbers

I forgot to blog about this when it came out, but I have figured out why I have had a hard time learning to love my new home (2+ years). Concerned it has been my Yankee Snobbery or Cultural Elitism, I have attempted to make a home in this place, finding a church, good friends, an organic store, an indy record store, good food, a zoo and a few other essentials.

However, last month Creative Tampa Bay released its commissioned study comparing Tampa to other top metropolitan areas. You can read it here. It is quite depressing, so the organization tried to put on a brave face here. This area needs some culture, not just Yankee culture, but its own. I wish I were smart enough to figure it out. But I would not start a business with my new found knowledge (Tampa ranks in the bottom 5 for entrepreneurship).

Anyway, here are a few of the things we learned (eloquently summarized by the St. Pete Times on May 29)...

45 rank of Tampa Bay are in number of people recently participating in volunteer work (I have a difficult job)
47 rank of Tampa Bay's number of citizens who frequent libraries (that is why I always get good books quickly)
5 rank of TB in number of tattoo and body piercing establishments (when did the tipping point occur from alternative to redneck?)
3 rank of TB in number of adult business establishments
1 are in which parents feel their kids cannot get a good education (AMEN)
39 size of Tampa's "Creative Class"
1 number of homebodies
10 number of people needing a drink or 2 to unwind at the end of the day
14 citizens who believe in God
5 people who feel they have better taste than most people (blind, huh?)
16 couch potatoes
42 people who can play musical instrument

*most of these are per capita in the top 50 most populous metro areas