RNC is delayed until Tuesday because of Isaac.  The Convention will be called to order on Monday and immediately recess until Tuesday. 

Well if you thought the mixture of Republicans and protestors of all stripes was as combustible as it could get - think again.

Guess who’s coming to Tampa!

The loving folks from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas - that’s who!

By the way, what is wrong with Kansas?

Well known for their protests at the funerals of military KIAs, carrying signs that "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers", the group has received a permit to speak on the stage set up by the city outside the convention hall.

The city is allowing groups to sign up for 30-minute turns on the platform, which comes with a microphone, a sound system and a location at a designated city protest area just north of Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Westboro's Shirley Phelps-Roper told the city the group would be "speaking on the policies of disobedience" of convention attendees. Presumably disobedience to "God’s Law".

On its website, the church says it also plans to picket the media outside the Tampa Convention Center before it takes the stage and will return Wednesday to picket the convention outside the Times Forum. Then it's off to Charlotte, N.C., for a similar appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

Anyone for a counter- demonstration?

Weather Update

A tropical storm watch has been issued for Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa.  Heavy rain and winds of up to 74 miles per hour can be expected beginning Sunday night and continuing for the next 48 hours.

 Isaac is predicted to strengthen to a Cat 2 hurricane after it enters the Gulf, scraping southwest Florida and the Keys which are under a Hurricane Warning issued this morning.

 As the hurricane passes Tampa Bay winds will shift on shore bringing local flooding to low lying areas.  Winds will be higher than tropical force if the hurricane passes closer to shore than currently forecast.

The heavy rain may put a damper on demonstrators, although groups planning protest vow to be out rain or shine.  At least they won't have to worry about the heat!

6 PM - Gov. Scott has declared a state of emergency throughout Florida and cancelled his activities related to the RNC, including his speech.  There is still concern that Issac will move closer to Tampa Bay than current models indicate and that the storm will come ashore in the panhandle.  About half of the GOP delegates are housed in beach front hotels in Pinellas County, across the causeway from the convention center.  If the storm passes too close, flooding could be a problem.

 Schools will be closed on Monday in Sarasota and Manatee Counties to our south. 

Politics! 

Ron Paul will not be permitted to speak at the RNC.  A "tribute" video will be shown instead.  His son will be allowed make a speech, though not in prime time.   I want to see the RP delegates during the nomination process!

The three major networks will carry only one hour each night of the RNC next week  essentially declaring it a bore.  Ann Romney was scheduled to speak on Monday but she has been moved to Tuesday in order to appear on all the networks in prime time.

Donald Trump is also scheduled to speak and everyone is worried about that one!!

Stay tuned.

New Obama button - out today after Mitt's birther comment!