Jacksonville Jaguars Make History with Largest Scoreboard in the World

The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to a big start to training camp, but the biggest news of the month isn't on the field, it's above it. The Jags flipped on the switch to the world's largest scoreboards on Saturday night.

Hey, that sure is a big video board.

The stats: 60 feet high, 362 feet long, 35.5 million LED bulbs. It sits above the north and south end zone of the field, somewhere near the new cabanas and swimming pools the Jaguars and the city installed as part of a $63 million renovation to the field.

It's all part of an ongoing league-wide effort to keep fans coming to NFL stadiums, rather than sitting in the comfort of their own home, spending a lot less money and watching the Red Zone Channel with their family and friends.

In a pinch, you could probably use the Jags' new boards to signal extraterrestrial visitors. And because this is Florida, we'll assume it's only a matter of time before someone sneaks in and watches a homemade adult video on the new screen.

TODAY IN HISTORY 

In 1921, Canadian researcher Frederick Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, succeeded in isolating the hormone insulin at the University of Toronto.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/07/27/4032610/today-in-history.html?sp=/99/102/111/#storylink=cpy

In 1940, Bugs Bunny made his debut in the cartoon A Wild Hare.

In 1981 Adam Walsh was abducted.

In 1996, terror struck the Atlanta Olympics as a pipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park, directly killing one person and injuring 111. (Anti-government extremist Eric Rudolph later pleaded guilty to the bombing.)

Today In History

In 1775, US Congress establishes the US Postal Service.

In 1778, New York added as the 13th state.

In 1868, the 11th Amendment is adopted.


In 1908, the FBI is founded. 

In 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act, creating the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gay Days Patrons Targeted by ASAP Towing

During the past Gay Days many cars were towed by ASAP Towing in Orange County. The owner of an Orange County towing company has been arrested and is accused of targeting drivers who were parked near Gay Days events in June.

The 45-year-old is accused of predatory towing and grand theft in the parking lot at the Westwood Town Center. That is across the street from the DoubleTree Hotel off International Drive, which served as the host hotel for Gay Days.
 
Investigators believe the visitors were targeted not just because of the large volume of them, but also because of their sexual orientation.

Deputies are looking into the possibility of pursuing hate crime charges as well.

Cpl. Rick Schmeltzer said the towing company also targeted vehicles the year before during Gay Days activities. During weekends with events other than Gay Days the company completed a "minuscule amount of tows," he said.

Jason Combs is accused of grand theft, 29 counts of motor vehicle grand theft and related crimes. He owns ASAP Towing.
According to the sheriff's office: "This arrest stems from numerous complaints that occurred against ASAP Towing for illegally towing vehicles from 6109 Westwood Boulevard (Westwood Town Center) during the time period of June 5th 2014 through June 9th 2014. This time period coincides with the annual Gay Days celebration. The host hotel, Doubletree by Hilton, is located directly across the street at 10100 International Drive.
- See more at: http://www.news965.com/news/news/local/tow-truck-business-owner-charged-targeting-gays/ngnd9/#sthash.fyWWda4f.dpuf

Jason Combs is accused of grand theft, 29 counts of motor vehicle grand theft and related crimes. He owns ASAP Towing.
According to the sheriff's office: "This arrest stems from numerous complaints that occurred against ASAP Towing for illegally towing vehicles from 6109 Westwood Boulevard (Westwood Town Center) during the time period of June 5th 2014 through June 9th 2014. This time period coincides with the annual Gay Days celebration. The host hotel, Doubletree by Hilton, is located directly across the street at 10100 International Drive.
- See more at: http://www.news965.com/news/news/local/tow-truck-business-owner-charged-targeting-gays/ngnd9/#sthash.fyWWda4f.dpuf

Easy Crockpot Potato Soup

 

Ingredients: 

1 30oz. bag of frozen diced hash browns

1 32 oz box of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup (10 oz)

1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz, not fat free)

3 oz bacon bits 

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

Put the potatoes in the crockpot.  Add in the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and half of the bacon bits.  Add a pinch of salt and pepper.  

Cook on low for 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.  

An hour before serving, cut the cream cheese into small cubes.  Place the cubes in the crock pot.  Mix a few times throughout the hour before serving.  

 Once the cream cheese is completely mixed in, it's ready to serve.  

Top with cheddar cheese and some additional bacon bits.  

Enjoy! 

Miami-Dade Judge Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban

By David Vandygriff

Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zabel in Miami-Dade County said Florida’s ban violated the constitutional rights to due process and equal protection, as well as offended “basic human decency.” Florida’s attorney general quickly appealed the ruling.

“It serves only to hurt, to discriminate, to deprive same-sex couples and their families of equal dignity, to label and treat them as second-class citizens, and to deem them unworthy of participation in one of the fundamental institutions of our society,” she wrote.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a notice of appeal of the ruling within an hour of the ruling being issued.


Don Price Johnston, a 44-year-old plaintiff in the Miami lawsuit, said he was thrilled with the ruling and that he did not mind that it had been stayed for now.

“It’s not like we’re going to lose. We just have to wait,” he said. “I have been waiting for more than 25 years for this right. A few more months won’t kill me.”

Pareto and Karla Arguello were one of five gay couples who sued in Miami to overturn Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage. The couples claimed the ban on same-sex marriage violated the equal protection and due process clause, which Judge Zabel agreed with.

Aguello and Pareto didn't know the decision was coming down on Friday.

"We got a text, 'congratulations,' from one of our friends, and we're like, 'congratulations for what? What? What happened? Did we miss something?" Aguello told NBC 6.

"While it was hard to wait for it, it was well worth the wait," Pareto said.

The ruling also said that the Clerk of Courts should not be prosecuted for complying with the order and that the Clerk of Courts should modify marriage licenses to conform to the ruling.

Florida originally enshrined a ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution in 2008. Voters approved an amendment that year banning same-sex marriage. Since then, the Supreme Court has overturned the Defense of Marriage Act at a national level and lower-level courts have repeatedly overturned state laws as appeals over state bans moves towards the U.S. Supreme Court.

Engaging the LGBT Community About Candidates

Many of our community are die hard Democrats others are would jump off a bridge type of Republicans. It just goes to show how diverse and similar the LGBT community is to the heterosexual community. NO difference at all. Full of different opinions, issues, desires but equally the same in politics. Even as I'm writing this article I know some is saying no Gays have always supported Democrats but then I would say Log Cabin Republicans. Neither side is right or wrong, in fact it gives me hope that our community has begun fully assimilate into all the different fabrics of society.Things are EVOLVING on all fronts. Sometimes in smaller doses and at a snails, but in every case we see even small steps within the Republican party that shifts in the grassroots efforts are beginning to happen. No doubt the Democrats are generations ahead of the Republicans.

As the political arena heats up with elections it is not doubt that many of us will disagree with some our friends choices but wish to persuade them in our own point of view. Oh boy that should be fun. LOL We only urge the conversations to remain respectful and full of the passion in our ability to vote and create effective change. The great grounds of democracy of a two party system is one that our country has enjoyed since birth.

It is no doubt that there will be winning sides and loosing sides as one attempts to keep a score card on who picked whom for his/her endorsements. However, we feel that the winner is the LGBT Community no matter the candidates that win or loose. It's simple for us to reach this conclusion. You make ask how, well here is our logical:

1) Republican or Democrat the LGBT are increasingly a voting block to be recognized in Jacksonille
2) Candidates on both sides are beginning to court the LGBT voters in Jacksonville
3) Openly LGBT are running for political office in Jacksonville
4) The LGBT voters have blasted on the scene over the past 2 decades in record numbers
5) 92.5% of men & 91% women of LGBT voted in the 2008 elections with 84% men 78% women respectfully voted in 2006 midterm in a survey conducted (Columbia Research Study 2010)
6) Evolving candidates on both sides will increase more LGBT to vote in local elections with the LGBT national issues being the primary reason for engaging LGBT voters
7) LGBT voters are typically very informed voters on the issues therefore requiring a higher understanding and accountability for political candidates
8) LGBT voters will cross party lines to vote for the candidate that agrees on the major issues and/or prevent a left wing candidate from become elected (Mississippi's Senator Cochran's recent re-election is a prime example)

Therefore, when we look at the levels of engagement by the LGBT on the issues it is par to none when compared to any other voting block. The LGBT are dedicated voters that has been proven time and time again since 2006. From midterm, presidential, state, and local elections the LGBT voters are increasingly a force to be respected by any candidate.

As we wish for more acceptance, tolerance, and rights the LGBT community must respect our differences of politics within our community. It is an historical time for the LGBT community and one that will be viewed kindly by history for our efforts, diversity, and hard work.

$255 Million Economic Impact to Florida with Gay Marriage

We decided after the Williams Institute, an independent think tank at UCLA’s School of Law conducted an economic impact to Texas concerning gay marriage, we would apply the same therotricals to gay marriage in Florida.

The Williams Institute based the results on the number of same sex couples according to the 2010 census. If we use the 65,000 same sex couples in Florida according to the census of 2010 we can say that half of those couples in the first year would marry (32,000 couples), a statistic derived from gay marriage trends in Massachusetts and other states that have legalized gay marriage.

With the first year marriages being an estimated 25,000 and and additional 7,000 over the following two years the first year economic impact to Florida's economy would be $78,000 per wedding, a number derived from the average cost per wedding according to the Williams Institute research for Texas. With 25,000 in the first year the impact would be $195 million and a total of $255 million during the first three years of legalized gay marriage in Florida.

References:
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/07/report-marriage-equality-would-add-181-million-new-jobs-to-texas-economy/
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2011/08/us-census-show-number-of-florida-same-sex-households-on-the-rise.html

Publisher's Note

By David Vandygriff

I just wanted to take a few moments to thank our President today. The decisions he has had to make for equality have not been easy ones in the face of the majority sometimes. These decisions have made our LGBT, Blacks, and Women feel a little more free in our great country.

President Obama's decision to evolve on Gay Marriage in combination with Edith Windsor & Prop 8 US Supreme Court last year has gave way to the largest steps towards equality in my life time.

As a teenager growing up Mississippi it was just understood that come out meant no children and no marriage, with a life spent treated less than others that I fought in military to help protect.

We applaud President Obama in helping our country come just a little bit closer to a more perfect union.

His legacy will one of many. One of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement, one of national healthcare, one of protecting women, and one of improving race relations across the world. Thank you Mr. President from a little boy that grew up in Mississippi believing that he would never be equal to so many others. You have given me a reason to understand that I am equal and that I can be religious person and still gay.

MOTION FILED to VACATE STAY

Today the Huntsmen v Heavilin (aka Gay Marriage Case - Monroe County, Florida Keys) filed a motion with the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate the stay. The step-by-step march towards full equality on marriage continues in Florida and through-out the country.