Stung

United States v. Gaqliardi is not a court decision that has burned up the blogosphere.

And why not?

Because this judgment pretty much ascertains that the law enforcement tool called the "sting" ain't going anywhere too soon.

As a very good friend summarized so well:

Turning it around, imprisoning someone for doing nothing to no one - when nothing occurred - when no victim was harmed - is morally wrong. Moreover, using the word "victim" waters down the very definition OF a victim. How can one BE a victim, when one isn't even living?

Isn't even a person? The very fact that the courts cite this is proof positive that they've gone overboard in their power - that they have taken themselves too seriously.

The legal system has crafted a lucrative, MAJOR life-altering scenario for those swept up through use of the sting operation.

Consider yourselves forewarned. Trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. And speaking of "rights", forget about those--

The current legal system will strip you of those in one blink of an eye.

Be careful out there.

Last chance to vote for Sunny and Smashed Frog!

If YOU feel blogs like Smashed Frog are important and provide a voice for the Florida powerless, this is your chance to speak up!

Voting will be open from now until Friday at noon. Votes are by secret ballot.

E-mail votes at quinnelk@hotmail.com.

Winners will be posted next week.

Happy Voting!

1. Best National Blog

Blast Off! (http://flprogressive.blogspot.com/)

Bark Bark Woof Woof (http://barkbarkwoofwoof.blogspot.com/)

Pushing Rope (http://pushingrope.blogspot.com/)


2. Best State Blog

FLA Politics (http://www.flapolitics.com/)

Smashed Frog
(http://smashedfrog.blogspot.com/)

Florida Progressive Coalition (http://flaprogressives.org)

Florida Netroots (http://floridanetroots.blogspot.com/)

Change in Tallahassee (http://changeintallahassee.blogspot.com/)

3. Best Local Blog

Eye on Miami (http://www.eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/)

Tampa Bay Blue (http://tbdem.blogspot.com/)

GusWatch (http://www.guswatch.blogspot.com/)

Stuck on the Palmetto (http://stuckonthepalmetto.blogspot.com/)

Talk To Me (http://www.floridatoday.com/blogs/talktome/)

4. Best Media Blog

Naked Politics (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/)

The Buzz (http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/)

The Daily Pulp


5. Best Professional Blog

Miami-Dade Dems

Samm Simpson's Blog

Marion County Democratic Party Blog
(http://www.mariondems.org/blog)


6. Best Party Website

Draft Katherine Harris (http://www.draftkatherineharris.com)

Florida Democratic Party (http://www.fladems.com)

Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus (http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/)


7. Best Candidate Website

Lee Nelson (http://www.electleenelson.com/)

Chris Chiari (http://www.chiari08.com)

Jack Killingsworth (http://www.jackkillingsworth.com)

8. Best Local Party Website
Nassau Democratic Party (http://www.nassaudems.org)

East Hillsborough Democratic Club (http://www.easthillsboroughdemocrats.org)

Marion County (http://mariondems.org/)


9. Best Interest Group Website

Progressive Democrats of America (http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=FL)

St. Johns Riverkeeper (http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/)

Space Coast Progressive Alliance (http://www.spacecoastprogressivealliance.org/)

10. Best Writer

Sunny (http://smashedfrog.blogspot.com/)

Litbrit (http://litbrit.blogspot.com/)

Kenneth Quinnell (http://flaprogressives.org and http://quinnell.us)

11. Netroots Candidate of the Year

Michael Calderin, Florida House 119

Mary Mulhern, Hillsborough County Commission

Lee Nelson, Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections


12. Netroots Activist of the Year

Jennifer Killingsworth, Florida Netroots and Florida Democratic Party
Netroots Coalition

Alison Berke Morano, Pasco DEC, Democratic County Chairs Association and Florida Progressive Coalition

Susan Smith, Democracy for America, Florida Progressive Coalition


13. Netroots Organization of the Year

Florida Progressive Coalition (http://flaprogressives.org)

Progressive Democrats of America (http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=FL)

Florida Netroots (http://floridanetroots.blogspot.com/)