#which is Rick D. Wasserman

[brightredflamesworks]

This guy stole the show.

[usagirotten]

Review: Watchmen Chapter One as an animated adaptation leaves us with the media

Comics have been around for many decades. Some take them seriously as literary material, and for others, they are just simple entertainment. The truth is that behind this, there is a lot of work to do. Hollywood from the beginning saw in this ninth art an opportunity to bring adaptations of these characters to the big and small screen, to make them more real with completely new and different stories to represent their adventures. In this medium it has stood out for having great writers and cartoonists, over the years this has been evolving and changing, they have adapted to each era reflecting in some cases the social and global problems that we have had, it is undeniable that one of the artists who has stood out in the medium is Alan Moore, outside of any controversy that may cause his contribution to the medium has been invaluable. One of the most representative contributions during 1986 and 1987 was giving a radical turn to the superhero genre. Watchmen marked a before and after. Moore used this story as a means to reflect contemporary anxieties, deconstructing and satirizing the concept by making political comments that bothered more than one. Watchmen as a comic explores the multiverse and its variants early on. This is an alternative story in which superheroes emerged between the 1940s and 1960s and their activity in society changed history so that the United States as a country and world power won the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal was never exposed. Such power of these beings was abused and reached a very critical point in which the consequences could be devastating. There have been several reissues in the form of trade paperbacks, single issues, an animated film based on these characters, a movie, and a live-action series along with their respective sequels that have not been as good or recognized as their original. In 2024, the story is presented again in animated form by Warner Animation in 2 parts that explore in detail what has happened in each of its dialogues and vignettes. It is now the turn of director Brandon Vietti and writer J. Michael Straczynski to take us to this dystopian world where unexpectedly anything can happen.

What is Watchmen Chapter One about?

Watchmen Chapter One faithfully tells the story of the first 6 issues of the original 12-issue miniseries published by DC Comics between 1986 and 1987. A complex alternate world history set in 1985, the government-sponsored murder of the Comedian (Rick D. Wasserman) draws his outlawed colleagues out of retirement and into a mystery that threatens to upend their personal lives and the world they inhabit. If the right solution is not found, all of humanity is in danger. This fundamental story returns now in a 2-part animated film in animated form, 1986 Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore created one of the most innovative and shocking stories of that time, Watchmen in its 12 issues radically changed the panorama in comic book narration for generations to come and served as a starting point to develop this medium as something more serious and profound, with elements that addressed political issues, the superheroic irony of whether these beings deserved to have that place before everything and everyone, set in an alternative 1985 with the world on the brink of World War III, a more complex and mysterious conspiracy than we could all believe is slowly developing, reflecting the Cold War and the nuclear conflict that can put the entire planet at risk. Following this in 2008, a motion comic was presented with an impeccable production directed by Jake Strider Hughes, in 2009 a live-action film directed by Zack Snyder, and a sequel in 2019 as a television series, its story has been adapted again into an animated format and the question we ask ourselves now is: was this film necessary? The answer may be controversial and polarizing for some it will be a yes, for others it will be a no and for others, it will be an I don't care. Retelling this story is extremely risky, we are in a time where the lack of creativity of the studios in presenting new things is evident and this may or may not be a comfort zone in which once again they go for the easy way of telling us something that already had and still has its success, one of the aspects to highlight about the original material has always been the relevance of its story, what Watchmen Chapter One intends is to divide this story into 2 parts, first the 6 issues and in the next part the other 6 that concludes with everything. Retelling the same story from another perspective can be shocking and boring, but what enriches this work is its perspective and its animation, the cast of voices and the music, the fact that the important subplots are explored in more depth and detail, that of the boy reading a comic and Rorschach's diary, which are fundamental to complement the main story, what Warner Animation has done is not risk anything and is based on something that already exists but now with a more mature detail. The film itself does not risk much, neither in politics nor in its graphic violence, nor its sexual situations, it seems that it is for adults who are not very mature and who understand the important issues less, they are guilty of being purists in an era in which a whole generation dedicated more to the fast and the simple can result in a nostalgic work only for fans and connoisseurs, some of comics and others of animation.

We can question several things about this last point. Although the animation is good and impeccable, at times it doesn't seem to be as spectacular as we expected for a material of this quality. From a visual perspective, its animated work is very lacking in this first part, which leads us to an inevitable comparison with Marvel Animation in its series What If…? Although they have similarities in their strokes and backgrounds, what they present here is a pseudo-mature work for adults and it doesn't turn out to be a good decision. The fact that both look alike is undeniable, the use and abuse of its CGI have obvious flaws in the symmetry of its characters, its color palette, and the backgrounds, and even with this against it, it manages to capture the emotions and development of each character more effectively. Its CGI at times helps to understand this world by giving it a more elegant dark appearance that approaches the realistic in its environment and surroundings, the vehicles in the background are timeless and remain between something classic and modern justifying it with the fact that it is a different world than ours, the symmetry of its characters as human figures look rigid in some action sequences, its highest point is that they tried to emulate the colors that appear in its original material pretending that this is a comic that complies with the rule of animation. On this point, the studio has not understood that its creator Alan Moore, and its writer Dave Gibbons have insisted together and separately that their story in a 12-issue comic series has been impossible to take to another medium due to the complexity of its atmosphere that was created and designed to be presented in a format of Nite Owl, Nite Owl II, Silk Spectre, Silk Spectre II, Rorschach, Ozymandias, Comedian, and Dr. Manhattan as well-established and concrete characters achieve their narrative objective, their adaptations have failed when not respecting this rule and making freer versions that break the scheme and the essence of what it is. For example, the film directed by Snyder was not perfect. It does not faithfully adapt its story and much less respect the established rules by imposing its own rules of cinema. If the production design does a great job in its framing, costumes, and cast, in terms of story it falls far short of what was expected. Possibly one of the most difficult parts of adapting Watchmen to other media is the way of telling its story, as is the case of Tales of the Black Freighter, which acts as a moderator of the main plot and simply does not exist in this film.

This subplot is presented here in a not-so-successful way and refers to a few moments in which a few panels are shown leaving its narrative unfinished, the action is summarized in something too fast for the length of the film and its screen time that tries to cover a lot by telling everything and assuming that the viewers who have not read the original material understand what is happening and this hinders its main story and leaves us hanging, this is the reflection of poor planning and execution of what they have. This first part, in general, is a very dry and simple adaptation of the comic with an animation that could have given more, its opening scene has a different approach to the comic but captures its essence, two detectives investigating the death of a Comedian and try too hard to try and only try to recreate what its vignettes have been, another of its flaws is the duration, it's 84 minutes of duration are not enough to properly develop what it has, it goes very quickly from one sequence to another which makes the story too rushed which as viewers does not allow us to appreciate the greatness of what this could have been. Although the dialogue is a very important and essential point when telling this story, it is the voice talent that fails to live up to expectations and does what it can with what they have. Here, no one stands out with a bad performance that could have been much better if director Brandon Vietti knew and understood his source material and managed to convey the emotion of its essence and its message. Nothing justifies a bad job in a work that is complete and rounded in itself, that also does not need sequels or to be told anything more about what happens in this world. Some things should stay as they are, but we are facing a very uncreative and unoriginal industry. The voice cast includes Kelly Hu, Katee Sackhoff, Adrienne Barbeau, Gray Griffin, Titus Welliver, Matthew Rhys, Troy Baker, Jeffrey Combs, Yuri Lowenthal, Kari Wahlgren, Phil LaMarr, Dwight Schultz, Geoff Pierson, Michael Cerveris, Corey Burton, Jason Spisak, John Marshall Jones, Rick D. Wasserman and Max Koch. The music composed by Tim Kelly is an element that manages to frame this work very well, which does not emulate or try to imitate what Lennie Moore has done in the Motion Comic, Tyler Bates in the film, and what Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross did for the television series, composers with completely different styles who have a common harmony and who have given their personality to their works. This still does not have a conclusion and remains pending like the second part, this story will continue... Watchmen Chapter One is now available in a home format and on the Prime Video streaming platform. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-s-cxTnH2Q Read the full article

[dinoalexander]

Your Moment of Zen: The Gourmet Academy’s Semi-Quotable 2020 Quotedown Quotetacular

The following blog entry are intended only for mature audiences. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Although it goes without saying about three quotes in, this is neither an incendiary nor defamatory tribute to the year past, although if someone were to put together such a “tribute”, I’d completely understand. Thank you. And enjoy the show. Because you helped make it.  Ladies and gentlemen and non-binary conforming life forms across seven star systems... the Gourmet Academy’s World Famous Get Down Like a Hound Party ‘til You Puke Semi-Quotable 2020 Quotedown Quotetacular begins in five... ... four... ... three... ... two... NOW. === “This video is dedicated to touching.” -Harry Styles “Welcome to America's last public gathering.” -Jenna Riedi, the host of Geek Bowl XIV “Daniel’s New Year’s Resolutions 1) say something so brilliant, so irrefutably mind-bogglingly wowful that it makes the Quote Wall 2) organize the basement.” -Daniel “Didn’t you used to be Bill Simmons?” -Greg channeling Justin Lollie “Something new? Shouldn’t be trying it but I’m d-e-d today.” -Carl “This could devolve into something amazing.” -Jeremy “Good feeling: a Patriots loss. Better feeling: a Patriots loss in the playoffs. Best feeling: a Patriots loss in the playoffs in Foxboro.” -Travis “You are the master of the swerve.” -Klaussie “There once was a man from Nantucket.” -Ethan “Neighbor and I both have our windows open, and I refuse to do one more thing tonight until I figure out which episode of “Cheers” she’s watching.” -Adam Nedeff “Is there anyway we can CGI Matt Lauer out and replace him with Christopher Plummer?” -Greg on Matt Lauer on SNL “What’s the favorite network of the 2017 Houston Astros? BUZZR!” -Klauss “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Lost her virginity to Tom Jones.” -Sara “That’s not unusual.” -Megan “Oh look, goats! (Whiff) Oh god, goats.” -Q “The Whiteface on the Joker poster is a pretty good representation on the Academy Award nominees this year.” -Gordon “If you spend your life with a paper bag over your head, do you also need to wear a mask?” -Kevin, on the Unknown Comic "He Gay - He Christmas in Macy's Window Gay" - Mercedeze - The Circle. “Spock is gonna slap your ass.” -Greg on Zach Quinto in “The Slap” “Smeargle!” -C “I’m at the Battle of Atlanta, usually I’M the one on fire.” -Greg as Time Traveling Rip Taylor “Sexual Game Show Chocolate.” -Cyndi’s nickname for Chico “He has exact change! What was I supposed to say.. No?!” -Q “WLTI has been brought to by the Tom Brady Laundry Service - when you need stuff to be washed and blown....you know where to go.” -JB “It’s like shitting in my hand and clapping.” -Q “Let’s do that GOAT.” -C “Does Q know you’re into bestiality?” -Chris • the subject: Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time “In 2020 I’d like to set more things on fire.” -Megan “Tonight, William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, the sun god Ra, Archimedes, Rip Taylor, and Rudolph Valentino on the Loooooooove TARDIS.” -Greg as Ernie Anderson (hat tips to Mike & Chico). “Christmas Day: Email notifying me I don't need to come to the courthouse on Monday. Monday: Phone message notifying me not to come to the courthouse on Tuesday. Tuesday: Phone message notifying me not to come to the courthouse on Wednesday. Wednesday: Phone message notifying me not to come to the courthouse, period, because my week of service includes two holidays. For anyone who's never been called in for jury duty during a pandemic, I highly recommend the experience.” -Adam “This version of 2020 has a virus in it. Can I get it reinstalled?” -Catherine “Take care of y’all chicken.” -Marshawn Lynch“ No link, because (EXPLETIVE DELETED) that (EXPLETIVE DELETED).” -Joe “There’s the Wendy’s.” -C “Where where where where where?” -Q “There there there there there.” -C “The Houston Astros scandal has spilled into the world of game shows...evidence has surfaced that “Jeopardy!” contestants had wired buzzers at their podiums.” -Adam Nedeff “ "Having an English Accent in America is like having a 12" dick” -David, a contestant on Too Hot To Handle. “We are all Disney... and Disney is all of us.” -Kevin “Here comes this Donny Osmond-looking motherfucker.” -C “The coronavirus is the least dirty thing I’ve had in my hand. There’s not enough hand sanitizer in the world. That’s why I drink vodka.” -Michael "That bird just straight up moonwalked and died!" -Neumann “You think Jimmy Kimmel would buy the Walgreens brand?” -Q “I don’t make Jimmy Kimmel money!” -C “President Trump sent me a letter. I respond with fire.” -Kyle “Sense AND Sensibility? In this economy?!” -Liz “He committed the ultimate sin. He insulted the WWE in his promotion!” -Cyndi “Today was draggin’. It was very draggy. It was an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It was so draggin’ that Wink Martindale encourages me to avoid it. I was watching Dragon Ball Z in the cockpit of the Dragonzord while playing Double Dragon with Don “The Dragon” Wilson and listening to Sisqo’s Unleash The Dragon. Somebody better call Emilia Clarke, because, uh.... dragon .... joke.” -C “Name a people that animals breed.” -Bressler “Put your Facebook balls away, Karen. It’s unbecoming.” -Cindy “Pizza is yes.” -Drago, Animal Crossing New Horizons “Prahstitute.” -Klauss • the password was “hookah” “It was a one-eyed one-horned flying purple Power Ranger.” -Gordon “I'm gonna start painting people yellow and send their asses to Springfield because I'm seeing a LOT of Simps, SON!” -Katie “Bill Belichick took the box on the display floor and got a couple of plush dolphins...would’ve had a new car behind curtain #2.” -Carl “Twenty-one seasons of winners and not one of those faces looked like mine. So when I walked through those doors, I had that desire, that determination to be that very first face to give hope to those behind me who have the desire to come in here and play this game. Not seeing a face that looks like mine is very discouraging, it’s hurtful and it does make me feel like maybe it’s impossible. But I’m wrong about that because it’s definitively possible. We can do it. It just hasn’t been done yet… I want to acknowledge every African American who has walked through those doors with the same desire to be that face that I have. I see you, I salute you and I appreciate you. You came in here, you knew the odds were against you, you knew it was going to be an uphill battle and you still fought and you fought like hell. For that, I love you, I admire you and I acknowledge you all today.” -Da’vonne, Big Brother “Waldo should find himself. I don’t have that kind of time.” -@FunnyOrDie “What we wanted was Cam Newton. What we got was Wayne Newton.” -Gordon, right before everyone broke out into “Danke Schön” “You can go ahead and put "Nuh-uh! Don't eat Jesus, you monster!" on the list of things I didn't think I'd have to yell today.” -Wingo “Not only is he a chicken magnate, he’s also a chick... magnet. Amirite?” -Klauss“ Please excuse me if I don't participate in the Dolly Parton Challenge, but I'd rather my wife didn't know that I have a Tinder account.” -Prof. O “The table has had enough of your shit.” -Brian “If you work hard enough I’m sure someday you’ll reach the top of the intelligence bell curve.” -Jess’ insult “Any squirrel can find a nut once. Let’s see you do it again.” -Q “This is the kind of chaotic horniness I’m here for.” -Megan “Behold the power of the fat guy touchdown.” -Cyndi “It’s the kind of peppermint candy that can give me natural 20s.” -Jenni “The wonders.... of weed.” -Mary “Metallic testicles.” -Jimmy Kimmel “Well, it's 65° again today. I ran 3.5 miles yesterday so I chose to walk 4 today. If next year it is not 65° on this day in February, I'm quitting Ohio.” -Wingo “I see the Incelabteilung spent a productive weekend.” -Rick Wilson “You know why the RTF head writer is now hosting? Because he's now eligible to join the Actors Guild, which means he'll have potential work when 1. RTF goes down in flames, 2. The WGA agreement goes down in flames. 3.A combination of 1. 2. and RTF keeps trying to convince us that King Kong should be worth 1,250 points per ticket.” -Gordon “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?” -Jessica “Of course any team could have had 14 players test positive for COVID three games into the season, but the fact that it’s an entire roster of Florida Man is just so obvious.” -Arianna “Anna Roisman is very much in love with her butt.” -C Phleb: Are you following me? Q: As if you’re cool enough to have a stalker. As IF you’re cool enough for that stalker to be me. “I’ve seen enough.” -JD “Okay Dave Wasserman.” -C -subject: NLCS “Curse your sudden but inevitable colonization!” -Blue from episode 2 of the Overly Sarcastic Podcast “I haven't watched the Super Bowl halftime show, but from the online conversation today it is clear that people do not know just how many layers of costumage it takes to look "naked" onstage. #Showbiz” -Shannon “Adolf Titler and Areola Braun.” -Kim “I don't follow sports at all, but "And then Florida screwed it up for everyone" is the least surprising thing I could have seen in the news.” -Adam “If you think 2020 has been wild so far, wait until the dragons are released in the finale!” -Bruce Q: “I need a lighter.” Clerk: “Which one?” Q: “I don’t care. As long as it produces fire.” “Today we say a not fond farewell to Adobe Flash....we will NOT miss you very much." -Carl “It’s ridicarus. It’s so ridiculous, it flies in the face of normality until it melts on the wings of its own ridiculousness.” -C “I’d like to be proven wrong 99 times out of 100,000.” -Cyndi “The wenches of Watson.” -G’s nickname for the Chasers “Paula Deen. I don’t give a toss about the woman’s politics. But there’s one thing that we both agree on. MORE BUTTER!” -Q “Do you think you could be my Korean food mule?” -Jenni, to Chico re: Korean restaurants  “This is what I told you about Travis. You’ve got to stop eating buffalo wings before you go to bed this is going to keep happening!” -Brian “The NFL Draft Takes way too long. If I wanted to watch 32 picks in 3 hours, I’d watch Jameis Winston play.” -TyFo “I think I’d win this easily.” -Greg, on “Too Hot To Handle.” “Hit me daddy, I’ve been bad.” -Q “I haven’t been bad, but hit me anyway.” -C “I hope a million Dodger babies are made tonight and their mamas name them all MOOKIE.” -Arianna “That’s tackier than a Louis Vuitton purse from downtown LA.” -Kimberly “Defense wins championships, but offense sells soap.” -Nikki “It’s like there’s nothing good on Netflix anymore.” -Alex Alvarez (Marcel Ruiz) on the Pop premiere of One Day at a Time “Let’s see what this bitch can do.” -C

“Man we have now been quarantined for 60 full days. Stuck inside with nothing but our families and our devices, filled with fear and anxiety. And we still don’t want to watch Quibi.” - Mike Shields (@digitalshields) “I love Peanut Butter. I love Africa.” - Bill Walton "So in the last 3 days Tom Brady has violated social distancing guidelines and broken into somebody's house. The media laughs it off. It pays to be white." - Barry McCockiner “BREAKING: I have decided to follow @James_Holzhauer on Twitter, since he’s been following me on Jeopardy all week.” - Ken Jennings “I was debating who had a worse night in Vegas — Mike Bloomberg or Deontay Wilder. I thought it was Wilder but it wasn’t. He didn’t have to show up a week later and get his ass kicked all over again. #DemDebate2020” - Jelani Cobb “What in the name of God’s ass is on Linda Dano’s head?” - Quisla “My 13 year-old self with my hero in Nov '83, Boston, MA. According to local legend Mr. (Tom) Baker toured the  sites at Lexington, and then Concord, site of the “shot heard round the world;" he strode up to the first American he saw and said “Sorry about all that you know!”” - @petervintonjr​ “At long last, our 4-year national nightmare is over & @SteveKornacki can finally get some sleep.” - Mark Hamill “I think I just saw The Greatest American Hero be a complete and utter perv.” - Chico “Not gonna lie. I kinda wished they'd filmed the Chicago production of Hamilton so I could see Wayne Brady kill Lin-Manuel instead of Leslie.” - @RealLordDalek “Thanks Jon, when we come back Denise is gonna go for $30,000 and I want to find out, really, if you take half of my ass and you put it on my bald head, if it’s going to create new hair. We’ll find out about that after this. ……. more after this.” - Mike Francesa’s evil Earth 47 Half Brother Louie Francesa played by Klaussie before the MG-HSH Super Match “Rebooting The Santa Clause where instead of Tim Allen killing Santa Claus and becoming Santa Claus, Santa Claus kills Tim Allen and becomes Tim Allen” - Bridger Winegar “Ted Cruz is in another Twitter war with Mark Cuban. As a coach I was always looking for mismatches. If I could ever find a mismatch as great as Cuban over Cruz the game would be easy.” - Stan Van Gundy “Just turned on the XFL.Kicker missed a field goal and they immediately interviewed him on the sideline asking what happened haha. That’s tough.” - JJ Watt “Jeffrey Toobin gave a whole new meaning to the word “laptop.” - Gerard Mulligan “No matter how gloom things things get, there's always the future, even the United States of America used to have a future. They tried to us Americans the sky’s the limit, so we destroyed the sky. Where’s your limit now? Oh! burning with toxic poison? Suck that limit!” - Xavier: Renegade Angel “Everything good espn ever did was copied from the George Michael Sports Machine.” - @mattamatic@allpro.social “How is the @WWE not calling this #Wrestlemania36 In Your House?!?!” - Marty DeRosa “When people complain about "cancel culture," they very often mean: I want to live in a world in which there are abundant social and economic rewards for saying and doing certain (but not all!) controversial things, and no social and economic penalties for those same things.” - David Frum “Herb Abrams left this world doing what he loved. Cocaine and hookers." - Brian Blair “Rats.. and I was looking forward to the empty arena NBA Team Challenge Series.” - Lollie “Wow breaking: Jay Glazer is reporting that cleatus the FOX NFL robot has been arressted for double murder outside a Houston strip club. Details to come” - PFTCommenter “Michael Moore is the Michael Avenatti of Anthony Scaramuccis.” - @blackbeltbirder “Will you accept this ass?” -Jason “The Bears are two tight ends away from a firefighter calendar.” -Cyndi “Come on, Quis. Plating is 5 points.” -C “They say you should spend three months income on your wife’s engagement ring. I spent June July and August from the summer that I turned 13… But in my defense it was a wet summer and I mowed a lotta grass, that should count for something.” -Brian (ladies....) “You can’t fuck with Ed Lover.” -Greg “You thought that it was bad now? Wait 25 years. Today's children are tomorrow's leaders; and they will have been have been homeschooled by day drinkers. Let that sink in.” -Q “Doo wah didn’t didn’t, dumb didn’t do.” -Ian “So we were talking about why cereal was invented.” -C “Y’all stop showing me The Needle. I have a visceral reaction to The Needle.” -Anne “Five dollars on a Daily Double? What are you doing, buying a sandwich?” -Q “Sometimes I wonder... what made you think that style of facial hair works for you?” -Mary Jane “Everyone’s a critic.” -C after someone closed the blood bank door after blowing his nose “You raise your kids, you will spoil your grandchildren. You spoil your kids, you will raise your grandchildren.” -Nikki “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” -Joe’s son “Ctrl-F, am I right?” -Klauss “Mmm, mmm-mmm-mmm...” -Kim “I’ve been around enough mothers to know what THAT means.” -C “This is now the 5th straight night I've heard one man complain about another man's holes and balls. No one needs sloppy disorganized holes or balls. #pause.” -Gordon “You know... We grew up watching Kamen Rider & Super Sentai wanting to be masked heroes. Pretty sure this isn’t what I had in mind.” -D “Some of y’all have not been chased around the house by your sibling with a knife and it shows.” -Jenna “At least it wasn't real maple syrup. Based on the bottle and consistency it appears to be maple-flavoured sugar liquid spread.” -Dane, on Gritty drinking breakfast syrup “And who decides Lacey Chabert should be the voice of love? She was hardly the voice of Meg Griffin!” -C “That is one UGLY ASS FISH!” -Cat "CBD infused deep dish pizza now available at White Sox games." -Carl “Gordon Pepper You're a psychotic Macaulay Culkin? I fear and respect you.” -Dom “Now I don’t even have to leave my home to not watch a movie.” -Kevin, on HBOMax “Fuck your widgets.” -Klauss “I told Galileo to stop working on his telescope. He’s not fooling anyone!” -Greg as Time Traveling Rip Taylor “Chris Wallace failed so badly that Mike Wallace also failed, and he’s been dead eight years.” -Kevin “Yay for fat shaming.” -Amberlee “Philip Rivers: Miami Dolphin?” -Carl “I don’t have enough black leggings for this shit.” -Shannon “You ever have shrunken beef?” -G “Phrasing.” -Aaron “You put the brain in Vibranium.” -Matt Richards “Several flaws in his argument, most notably that while he is correct that the meat in boneless chicken wings doesn’t come from the wings, neither does it come from the “tender”. And chicken nuggets aren’t made from a chicken’s... um... nuggets. That said, it is Nebraska, and this is what happens in that God forsaken state when they cancel football.” -Kevin “I never got spanked. We were very good kids growing up. Dad threatened us a different way. He reminded us as he was a famous person if we screwed up we would see it on page 6 of the ny post.” -G “God’s perfect idiot.” -Ryan Reynolds “You can’t clean house with a filthy mop.” -Kevin "Four." -Course Manager Joe translating Sir Goph to the crowd at Holey Moley. “May (Tim Tebow’s) marriage last longer than Million Dollar Mile.” -C “They were so offended, they weren’t.” -G “Meanwhile I can't choose a fuck fish...” -Kimberly “I have questions.” -Bressler “Do not insult the good name of Bowzer, damn it!” -Greg “Hiya Barbie! No Ken. He’s sold separately and I’m cutting unnecessary spending.” -Eden as Barbie “I’ll be at the bench if you need me. Please don’t need me.” -C as David Tennant as Scrooge McDuck “Fayetteville gonna Fayetteville.” -Jordan “Why you gotta go make good employees angry? You think another decent phleb is just gonna pop out of nowhere like a State Farm agent? ... 🎵 Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there! 🎵 POOF!” -C “I like my men like I like my commuter car: silent.” -Robin “The fact that I had to put "Real Email -- Not Wingo SPAM" in an email subject line tells you a lot about how I comport myself with my colleagues.” -Wingo “Savage Question Song! Y’all fucking FUCKED UP! YOU FUCKED UP! YOU GOT IT WRONG! YOU ARE DUMB! No, I’m kidding, you’re not dumb. You fucked up, it happens. That’s life.” -Matt Richards “You know, bucatini. It’s like spaghetti... with goals.” -C “Love like you’re Jesus Christ. Wash your hands like you’re Pontius Pilate.” -Brian “Show me on the tackling dummy where the illegal touching happened.” -Nikki “Get cable. Discover Disney Junior. Muppet Babies. Weird. So weird. #NotMyMuppetBabies.” -Paul  “Take the swabs. Leave the cannoli.” -C “Facetyfacetyfacetyfaaaaaaaace!” -Nikki “If you win, you may smoke it. WHEN you lose, you must eat it. I don’t make the rules.” -Erskine “The internet discovers that Wendy Williams is a terrible person once a week.” -Adam ���¡Carajo! Errbahurr!” -me, upon looking at a full parking lot “In these increasingly uncertain times, I want to be absolutely clear on something. I never *don't* want pizza. It is never a bad or inappropriate time for pizza. I will never, in any way, be displeased by receiving pizza. And, at no time in my life, will I ever say "no, that's fine, personally I don't want any pizza." I hope I have made myself clear.” -Brian “That’s a terrifying prospect. Goddamnit, I’m in.” -Kimberly “My dream from December 2020 involved a previous neighbor and his two-mouthed dog. Not two-headed, but two mouthed. Imagine a Doberman crossed with a Big Mac.” -Evil Travis “Sounds like SOMEONE is jealous of the awesome sex her witch friends are having, just saying. #StellaImmanuelOnlyDoesMissionary” -Shannon “Why does Ken Jennings get applause for his use of a buzzer during championship rounds but the Astros are vilified? That’s Double Jeopardy in more ways than one!” -Jess “That's Roman's new move...the Bowel Movement" -JB After Roman tips Corbin over in the potty during Royal Rumble “Smoke my weed.” -Kyle “Tomorrow on Personal Injury Court: "You destroyed my vagina!" Me: "Continue."” -Klauss “Vernon Valley/Action Park on line one.” -Gordon’s one-line review of “Cannonball” “There’s no substitute for good old fashioned know-how.” -Prof. O “So a coworker says she’s pro-gun, pro-God, pro-LEO, pro-Trump, pro-life and that all lives matter. I say to her, quoting Colin Firth, ‘I’m a Catholic whore who is currently enjoying congress out of wedlock with my black Jewish boyfriend who works at a military abortion clinic. So hail Satan, and have a lovely afternoon, madam.’ See? I can flex for rubes on social media, too.” -C “Boy. Smoke really let himself go.” -Caleb “SUPER MATCH on tonight’s MGHSH: ______ LOVER $1000: Red Hot $500: Lousy $250: Latin.... I’ve been called all these things. At the same time.” -C “BREAKING: Massachusetts Lottery names Tom Brady its spokesman for its new lotto game -- Pick 6.” -Doug “If music be the food of love, then umami is the food of food!” -Heather “We already have artificial intelligence in the announcers booth… His name is Joe Buck.” -Brian “I don’t have the time or the crayons to show you how you did that wrong.” -Q “Okay so about Herve Villechaize’s dick.” -Klauss “Sharon after two Proseccos is the funniest motherfucker alive.” -Matt Richards “There’s tired, and then there’s Disney tired. He’s worn out!” -Terrie “Who the fuck is Mickey Rooney?” -Greg’s older brother when he was 8 “Remember, exercise causes endorphins. Endorphins make you happy....” -Michael “And happy people don’t kill their husbands.” -everyone  “Peace, love, dope! Now get the hell out of my house!” -Evil Travis “My sister is being disgusted!” -Shannon’s sister “I already have my picks to replace Condfederacy monuments/statues and other members of the slave trade/colonialism. 1. Spock 2, Any Pokemon 3. Columbo (Specifically for Christopher Columbus) 4. The lead singer of GWAR 5. Dolly Parton” -Dane “Having said that, KEEP STAYING INSIDE. Let’s put this in easy terms: did you ever have a teacher say “If you’re good the entire week, we’ll watch a movie in class on Friday”? And when you made it to Thursday, everybody kind of had an eye on the dipshit in the class who was probably going to screw it up for everybody? Okay, right now, as far as COVID goes, it’s Thursday. Keep an eye on Adam. Or...I mean, whatever the kid’s name was in your class.” -Adam “I'm at the level of drunk where everything is HILARIOUS and I'm very pleased with myself... now I’m having a second drink and wearing this VERY NECESSARY hat.” -Arianna “May your 2020 be like ABC’s, shaky at first, but getting stronger.” -BB “A bunch of Goofuses and nary a Gallant.” -Ian “Hard and Stormy - the next pornhub film from Michael Avenatti.” -JB after Chico tried mistakenly to say “Dark and stormy” “With a name like Joe Exotic, expect more fingers than teeth.” -Chico re: Tiger King “I’d rather offend someone by showing up, by trying to understand and trying to care, than offend someone by not showing up, by refusing to understand and for appearing indifferent.” -Christina “If you feel the need to throw shade from behind an anonymous Twitter account... Don’t. Say it to my face or don’t say it at all. Don’t waste my time. It’s 2020. We’re not on here wasting people’s time. Stop it.” -Anne “His shake brings nobody to the yard.” -Jess re: HQreeper “Did Bill Cullen do Blockheads?” -Q “OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!!!” -C "I do normally have energy, but I did just win the Space Jam, so..." -Neumann “So watching the NFL Playoff game and my first thought is that I wonder how the Houston Astros were able to show the Texans how to steal all of the KC Chiefs' signals from their playbook.” -Gordon “Does anybody here have a dollar?” -C “No but I have a chicken!” -Q “You know what borders on insanity? Canada and Mexico.” -Chelsea’s friend Cathie “A 1 followed by 100 zeroes is known as a Googol. A 1 followed by 1,000 zeroes is known as the number of e-mails you will receive from 1-800-FLOWERS in the week leading up to Valentine's Day if you've ever bought even one bouquet in your life.” -Adam “I think I hate everything and everybody, so I’m going to get drunk on beer that’s been brewed in an old sheep carcass and then I’m going to stick my tiny penis in a dead dog I found in a ditch to make hate-babies or something because I am actually more stupid than mud.” -Alucard, impersonating Trevor Belmont, Castlevania “10/10 for entertainment and entry level gaming abilities. Gratuitous gore and endless ammunition. You will literally cry from laughing. Especially if you're as good at being bad at it as I am.” -Becca “I’m trying to eat better. After work today I’m going to have myself a nice salad. That’s right a nice Caprese salad with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, and croutons… Well OK one crouton… One very large round crouton. Pizza. I’m going to order a pizza.” -Brian “Coming to theaters in January 2021: 2Jeopardy 2 GOAT.” -Evil Travis “You overthought it!” -Michael “You know me, Michael. Overthinking is kinda my thing.” -C “I had a baby.... in my king cake.” -Kathryn “hear me out: a cross between a heating pad AND a weighted blanket. *become* the hot pocket.” -Chelsea “Guessing both Foxes (New Fox & Disney) are catching onto the reality that Seth (MacFarlane) only has one idea, which he keeps trotting out in different disguises.” -Kevin “How’s your Wednesday?” -Wingo “Oh you know, places to go, people to see, lives to save, asses to cover. You know, a Wednesday!” -C “That’s why I don’t hold grudges, because I can’t remember shit.” -Joey “Brainvision has been brought to you by the Fire Me Please Sporting Division Showdown! Who will win? The Cleveland Browns? The Houston Astros? The NJ Devils? The NY KNicks? It will be fun to find out! That's the Fire Me Please Sporting Division SHowdown!” -Gordon  "I have sent a dick pic. I didnt mean to do it. Mom, I'm sorry.” -contestant on The Circle “You can make excuses or you can make game moves. Pick one!” -C “He who hesitates is sacked.” -Nikki on Tua “Merry Crimbo!... I mean, Merry Chrysler!... I mean...” -Statboy “Welcome to this edition of “Faith in Humanity”, brought to yo by Bleagh. 🤮” -Gordon “Ass trumps feet, count it.” -VRM “On the Season Finale of St. Patswhere, Chief Surgeon Brady suddenly realizes that time has caught up to him and can't accurately perform like he as done in years past. Director of Medicine Belichick talks to his staff and is irate that instead of researching Vrabel-Tannehillitis, they brought him documents on Bunglaria. He punishes them by making them work on back cases and organizing them by bacteria count. In the operating room, time is not on the side of the staff as the patient is also suffering from Henry Syndrome where he rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. To further accentuate the problems, Belichick finds out that Vrabel-Tennehillitis eats up the time left in the patient, despite his efforts to make time stand still. With time running out, Brady tries to push through his decline and makes a dangerous surgical operation. Sadly, the operation would turn to be fatal for the patient as Brady slips and cuts through vital organs and the scalpal is intercepted by the heart. The patient dies on the table and leaving both Brady and Belichick wondering if they still have what it takes in this new era of medicine. Will our dynamic duo return? find out next season...on St. Patswhere.” -Cyndi “That looks nothing like Tom Villard.” -Mike, anytime someone mentions Chris “Captain America” Evans as “America’s ass” “Okay, no no no no stop halt quit it cease desist. I will sign off on an Anglicized live-action remake of Ranma 1/2 before I approve of this.” -me reacting to a Fresh Prince reboot “Welcome to the Absolutely Fucking Crazy Championship game! With your analysts Tom Brady and Lamar Jackson. Tom: “Hey Lamar, how come we’re not playing in this game?” Lamar: “Cause we suck, man!” • Carl “Politicians are temporary. Wu-Tang is forever.” -@PressedNC “Coffee is not meaningless. Coffee is everything.” -LiyaZee “in the grand scheme of things, aren't we ALL between a sex store and a crematorium?” -Chelsea “You can cancel the show. You can not. Cancel. The culture.” -Chico “Go be bitter elsewhere.” -Hannah “Happy holidays ... and you’re welcome.” -Wayne Brady.... after telling us he’s not wearing underwear. === May our collective 2021 not suck as much as this year did. Seriously, I tried to burn my calendar and it wouldn’t burn.  Anyway, here’s to 2021... Come together, just think of tomorrow. 

[hammondcast]

Jon Hammond Show Public Access TV Broadcast 02 11 NAMM Show Wrap Up At The Rainiest NAMM Show Since 1992!

#WATCHMOVIE HERE: Jon Hammond Show Public Access TV Broadcast 02 11 NAMM Show Wrap Up At The Rainiest NAMM Show Since 1992! Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/JonHammondShowPublicAccessTVBroadcast0211NAMMShowWrapUpAtTheRainiestNAMMShowSince1992 Anaheim California -- Wrapped up now at the rainiest NAMM Show I can remember since 1992, when Katella Avenue turned in to a little river - in those days we stayed 5 guys to a room in a 'suite' at the Heidi Inn motel which was located directly across the street from the original round Anaheim Convention Center before the posh new digs were built - good times and of course we had the best parking spot, all we had to do was cross Katella and we were there! - Jon Hammond https://vimeo.com/202617378 Jon Hammond Show Public Access TV Broadcast 02 11 NAMM Show Wrap Up Photo by Lawrence Gay - Drummer Heinz Lichius from Hamburg Germany and Jon Hammond seated on the rained out CenterStage presented by Pioneer DJ Jon Hammond reminiscing about past NAMM Shows in the NAMM Oral History Program Anaheim Caifornia -- Jon Hammond Show Public Access TV Broadcast 02 11 NAMM Show Wrap Up at the rainiest NAMM Show since 1992! - This week's show for MNN TV opens up with the annual NAMM Industry Tribute 2017 Memoriam Event from Jon Hammond's camera - annual event and archive from NAMM Show​ Historian Dan Del Fiorentino​ - this year many personal friends honored - this clip includes additional music from Jon Hammond​ "Jennifer's Song" for rights reasons, keep the Spirit! R.I.P. Lutz Büchner, Gregg Gregory Gronowski​, Keith Emerson, Dan Hicks, Paul Kantner, Toots Thielemans, Rob Wasserman, Prince​, Maurice White, Buckwheat Zydeco and many more "The NAMM Community will never forget you." *actual clip LINK: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/namm-memoriam-industry-tribute-2017 *Note: This always happens on the first evening of the Winter NAMM Show - this year it was on Thursday January 19th at 5:30PM - moved inside due to heavy weather! LIST ACCORDING TO JON HAMMOND: John Bellone, Leo Beranek, Bruce Bergh, Paul Bierley, Bobby Blackford, Dick Bridgeman, Ernie Briefel, Jim Broadus, Don Buchla, Lutz Büchner, Prince Buster, Al Caiola, Toby Capalbo, Nicki Carano, Rob Carey, Phil Chess, Gary Christensen, Buddy Church, Barrett Clark, Guy Clark, Tim Coffman, Leonard Cohen, Rosemarie and Ed Coles, Bob Cranshaw, Johnny Craviotto, William Dettman, Dick DiCenso, John Edmondson, Sam Eisenman, Keith Emerson, Frank Fendorf, Chuck Flores, Orrin Foslien, Peter Fountain, Cassie Frantz, Carla Frederick, Glenn Frey, Bob Furst, Juan Gabriel, Ben Germain, James Glanville, Roberta Gottschalk, Buddy Greco, Christina Grimmie, Gregg Gronowski, Merle Haggard, Joe Halloran, Bill Harris, Nicholas Harris, Yasuji Hayashi, Glenn Hefner, Mary Henkin, Mark Herman, Hoot Hester, Randy Hewiston, Joe Hibbs, Dan Hicks, Charles Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Bill Irwin, Wayne Jackson, James Jamerson Jr., OJB Jezreel, Steven Johnson, Luke Johnston, Ziggy Kanstul, Paul Kantner, Dick Knaub, Gladys Krenek, Rick Kylan, Greg Lake, Larry Larson, Francois LeDuc, William Locke, John D. Loudermilk, George Lukas, Lonnie Mack, Sir George Martin, Jack Maxson, John McCrea, Henry Cullough, Owen McPeek, Mo Meloy-Pameteer, Nick Menza, Al Moffatt, Chips Woman, Paul Monachino, Scotty Moore, Alphonse Mouzon, Jerry Muenchow, Robert Nagel, Richard Norris, Milt Okun, Pauline Oliveros, Harvey Olsen, George Opperman, John O’Sullivan, John Otte, Robert Paiste, Bob Parker, Sylvia Perry, Csaba Petocz, Richie Pidanick, Bill Price, Prince, Anthony Pulcini, Curtis Purdy, Cora Rather, Al Realo, Jack Ripperger, Vale Robinson, Leon Russell, Helen Saied, Stanley Schireson, Zenon Schoepe, Hugo Schreiber, Dorothy Schwartz, William Scotti, Dan Sheehan, Shinichi Shimada, Rose Shure, Tom Size, Dan Smith, Vern Smith, Sid Smither, Jerry Snyder, Ralph Stanley, Chris Stone, Rod Temperton, Toots Thielemans, Victor Tibaldeo Sr., Isao Tomita, Dana Tracy, Martin Travis, Ed Uribe, Rudy Van Gelder, Vincent van Haaff, Bobby Vee, Maxine Volley, Cathy Wagner, Saul Walker, Nannette Ward, Rob Wasserman, Christopher Waters, Bob Wegher, Bobby Wellins, Maurice White, Monty Lee Wilkes, Tom Wilson, Duane “Pudgy” Wong, James Woolley, Bernie Worrell, Dolores Yaeger, Don Young, Buckwheat Zydeco (156) - according to Jon Hammond Producer Jon Hammond Audio/Visual sound, color Language English -- Next segment, the traditional NAMM Show Sunday Blues and Jazz Session with Jon Hammond and Friends in Hammond Organs stand 5104 and Suzuki Musical Instruments 5100 "Lydia's Tune" and Jon's Theme Song: "Late Rent" Musicians: Koei Tanaka chromatic harmonica, Joe Berger guitar, Chuggy Carter percussion, Jon Hammond at the Sk1 Hammond organ + bass - camera credit: Jesse Gay -- 3rd segment, very special Jon Hammond with the late great Joe Franklin at the microphone - Joe Franklin the legendary broadcaster wraps up this show from his offices on West 43rd Street kown as "Memory Lane" with Jon Hammond's long time theme song "Late Rent" - Jon Hammond Show is now in it's 34th year broadcasting on Manhattan Neighborhood Network MNN TV Community Channel 1, air time: 01:30 AM every late Friday night or early Saturday mornings EST and streaming worldwide aka HammondCast ©JON HAMMOND International http://www.HammondCast.com Photo by Lawrence Gay: John Riddle NAMM Trade Show Floor Manager and Jon Hammond LINK: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/john-riddle "John Riddle plays a vital role in the NAMM Trade Show and has for decades. His strong relationships with exhibiting companies is proof of his dedication for customer service when providing care for NAMM members, all the while ensuring that they adhere to the rules and regulations. Walking the show floor with John is an education of its own. He has been dedicated to the core values of NAMM in such a way and for so long it is hard to know which services NAMM always had and which ones John created for us to follow. " Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Jon Hammond Show, Public Access TV, NAMM Show Wrap Up, Anaheim California, Jazz, Blues, Soft News, Hammond Organ, Chromatic Harmonica, #NAMMShow #HammondOrgan

[maxwellyjordan]

Tuesday round-up

Yesterday the justices continued to chip away at their merits docket for this term, issuing four opinions; they will return to the bench on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to hand down rulings in some of the eight cases remaining. In Iancu v. Brunetti, the court held 6-3 that a federal ban on the registration of “immoral” or “scandalous” trademarks violated the First Amendment. Megan Carpenter has this blog’s opinion analysis. Andrew Chung reports at Reuters that “[a]ll nine justices agreed in the decision written by liberal Justice Elena Kagan that the prohibition on ‘immoral’ trademarks ran afoul of the … First Amendment right to free expression,” but “three justices wrote dissents to say the bar on ‘scandalous’ trademarks should have been upheld.” At The Daily Caller, Kevin Daley reports that “Monday’s decision was the second time the Supreme Court struck down a Lanham Act provision on free speech grounds since 2017.” Jess Bravin reports for The Wall Street Journal that “the court left open an opportunity for Congress to write a less sweeping restriction on trademark registration.” Additional coverage comes from Tony Mauro for The National Law Journal and David Savage for the Los Angeles Times, who reports that “[d]espite Monday’s ruling, it is not clear how the court will judge a trademark that uses profanity.” Commentary comes from Ruthann Robson at the Constitutional Law Prof Blog, Howard Wasserman in two posts at PrawfsBlawg, here and here, and Erica Goldberg at In a Crowded Theater.

The justices held 5-4 in United States v. Davis that the definition of “crime of violence” in the context of federal criminal prosecutions involving firearms is unconstitutionally vague. Leah Litman analyzes the opinion for this blog. Ann Marimow reports for The Washington Post that the court ruled that “[a]s written, the statute provides no reliable way to determine which offenses qualify as ‘crimes of violence.’” For the Los Angeles Times, David Savage reports that “[t]he dispute highlights a sharp difference between President Trump’s two appointees[:] Gorsuch is a libertarian who is skeptical of the government, and Kavanaugh is a more traditional law-and-order conservative.” Kevin Daley notes for The Daily Caller that “Gorsuch has joined his liberal colleagues to strike down vague statutes before.” At Take Care, Litman identifies some “procedural obstacles” that defendants seeking to benefit from the decision might face. At Balkinization, Rick Pildes maintains that “Justice Gorsuch’s majority opinion … in Davis, striking down a federal criminal statute as unconstitutionally vague, bears a close relationship, which is likely to be missed, to his dissenting opinion last week on the delegation doctrine in the Gundy case.”

In Food Marketing Institute v. Argus Leader Media, the court held 6-3 that, when commercial or financial information is treated as private by its owner and given to the government with an assurance of privacy, that information is “confidential” under Exemption 4 to the Freedom of Information Act. This blog’s opinion analysis comes from Mark Fenster. At CNN, Ariane de Vogue and Steve Vladeck report that the court’s broad reading of the exemption “came in a case concerning food stamps, in which a South Dakota newspaper had sought data from the Department of Agriculture on the number of stores participating in the federal food stamp program, and store-by-store data on the amount of purchases made using food stamps.” Tony Mauro reports for The National Law Journal that the case is a “win for business advocates, [making]  it easier for the federal government to prevent companies’ financial information from being released to the public under the federal Freedom of Information Act.”

And in The Dutra Group v. Batterton, the justices ruled 6-3 that punitive damages are not available in a case alleging breach of the general maritime duty to provide a seaworthy vessel. Joel Goldstein has this blog’s opinion analysis. Mark Walsh has a “view” from the courtroom for this blog. At Reason’s Volokh Conspiracy blog, Jonathan Adler remarks on the “startling degree of agreement between Justices Gorsuch and Kagan” in today’s opinions.

The justices also issued orders from last week’s conference, adding eight cases to their merits docket for next term, for a total of five hours of oral argument, and asking for the views of the solicitor general in two cases. Amy Howe covers the order list for this blog, in a post that first appeared at Howe on the Court. For The New York Times, Adam Liptak reports that the court agreed to decide next term “whether the federal government was entitled to break a promise to shield insurance companies from some of the risks they took in participating in the exchanges established by President Barack Obama’s health care law, the Affordable Care Act.” At NPR, Domenico Montanaro and Nina Totenberg report that the court also “ordered documents unsealed Monday in a death penalty case out of Alabama after a motion was filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and NPR.”

In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, David Rivkin and Lee Casey welcome “Justice Samuel Alito’s lone concurrence” in Gundy v. United States, in which the court upheld the federal sex-offender registration act against a nondelegation challenge, which they say “suggested that a major break with precedent—and a return to the Constitution’s original meaning—will soon be in the offing.” At PrawfsBlawg, Rick Hills follows up on a previous post on Gundy, explaining why he thinks the nondelegation doctrine “will never have real bite.”

Briefly:

At Howe on the Court, Amy Howe updates her increasingly educated guesses about which justices may be writing which majority opinions in the remaining cases.

For The New York Times, Adam Liptak and Jason Kao highlight “some of the term’s most important cases, ones that will help chart the future of a court in transition.”

At Take Care, Robert Tuttle and Ira Lupu expand on a previous post for this blog on The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, in which the court held that a 40-foot cross honoring World War I veterans on public land in Maryland does not the violate Constitution’s bar on establishing religion; they argue that the majority “opinion appears to be sheer rationalization, in the worst meaning of that word.” [Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is counsel on an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in this case.]

At Reason’s Volokh Conspiracy blog, Jonathan Adler observes that “[i]t is certainly possible that the Roberts Court, with what appears to be a firm conservative majority, may be willing to overturn precedents at a rapid clip, but that has not been the Court’s record thus far.”

For The New York Times, Evan Thomas reviews “Confirmation Bias,” a new book about recent Supreme Court confirmations.

At the Brennan Center, Andrew Cohen writes that the Supreme Court’s decision last week in Flowers v. Mississippi, in which the justices held that a prosecutor’s repeated use of peremptory challenges to remove black people from the jury pool violated the Constitution, “says less about the seven justices who did the right thing than it does about the broken justice system that brought the case to them in the first place.”

The editorial board of The Wall Street Journal suggests that last week’s decision in Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania, in which the justices overruled a precedent that required property owners to follow state compensation procedures before bringing federal takings claim under the Constitution, shows that “[t]he Supreme Court’s first term with a new majority is proving to be far more consequential than many Court-watchers anticipated, and in a good way.”

We rely on our readers to send us links for our round-up. If you have or know of a recent (published in the last two or three days) article, post, podcast, or op-ed relating to the Supreme Court that you’d like us to consider for inclusion in the round-up, please send it to roundup [at] scotusblog.com. Thank you!

The post Tuesday round-up appeared first on SCOTUSblog.

from Law https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/06/tuesday-round-up-484/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[nicolesrollins]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on RE issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami & Real Estate News News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[walterfrodriguez]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on RE issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami & Real Estate News News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[juditmiltz]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on RE issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[pcwpolwrestling]

Matches Announced for Extreme Political TV/Les Miserables Announcement Tomorrow Night

3/28-PCW Newsline: Matches Announced for Friday Night’s Extreme Political TV / Les Miserables Special Announcement Tomorrow Night / PCW Rewind: Loose Cannons Unleashed 8

This Friday night’s PCW Extreme Political TV will feature two matches.

STEEL CAGE MATCH The Les Miserables: ‘Red Solo Plastic Cup’ Ray McAvay and PCW Heartland Champion Charlie Blackwell vs. The Green World Order: ‘Radishing’ Rick Rube and ‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee

This battle has been building up the past couple weeks as McAvay, Blackwell, PCW Champion William Daniels Bryan and the Les Miserables have warred with Professor McCarthy and his Flock, the GWO, and the Young Jerks. On Friday night’s show, McAvay and Blackwell get the GWO’s Rube and Lee inside a steel cage. No outside interference. No shenanigans. Two on two.

MAIN EVENT-SIX MAN TAG MATCH Progressive Alliance: Ultimate Social Justice Warrior, James the Jeep Worker, and ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism vs. American Patriots: Magnum P.O.’d, Starz N. Stripes, and Kirk Walstreit

-and speaking of war, the ascension of Donald Trump when they were certain that Hillary Clinton would be the next PCW CEO has left the Progressive Alliance in a surly frame of mind. From every indication, backstage dealings with the Progressive Alliance has been difficult…which would be an understatement.

As for the American Patriots, the Trump era has been…confusing? To say that they have not embraced Trump would be- again – an understatement.

Both sides are struggling to find their feet in the new era of PCW where the champion resides with the independent Les Miserables and not the Progressive Alliance or the American Patriots. Which team will survive this six man battle royale? We will find out Friday night on Extreme Political TV.

Special Announcement Forthcoming

And speaking of the Les Miserables, there will be some sort of event tomorrow night at Mullet John’s Strip Club and Beer, Bait, and Ammo Store. No word on what exactly is going on there but some sort of special announcement will be made. Stay tuned.

PCW Rewind- Loose Cannons Unleashed 8

Five years ago. PCW was splintering fast. A Red show for the Republicans. A Blue show for the Democrats. An independent show. Loose Cannons Unleashed 8 became a watershed event for a PCW in transition. Featuring current PCW stars: ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism, James the Jeep Worker, Yamamoto Tanaka, RINO– The Wonk Machine, Big Oil, Kirk Walstreit, Daniel-San, Green World Order (‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee, GreenPete, ‘Radishing’ Rick Rube- Agronomist, and PeaceNick w/Peta from PETA.

===================

PCW Loose Cannons Unleashed 8 Recap Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI Tuesday June 5th, 2012

Political Championship Wrestling rocked the Bradley Center in Milwaukee with their 8th edition of their signature political wrestling event- Loose Cannons Unleashed.

‘The Voice of PCW’ Johnny Suave ran down the card:

-PCW Television Title Match: ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D) (c) vs. Valora Salinas-PCW Tag Team Title Match: Big Union: ‘The Self Proclaimed Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker (D) (c) vs. Scott Walker’s Rangers: Ronnie and John Walker (R)-PCW Women’s Title Match: Miss USA (c) vs. Kathryn Randall Collins (D) -Red Title Match: TBD -Blue Title Match: TBD -PCW Title Match: The Sanderman (D) (c) vs. Yamamoto Tanaka (R)

Kicking the show off was the unexpected return of The Goatbusters to PCW…

*Spooky music begins followed by a funky beat*

*Spooky music begins followed by a funky beat*

(sung to ‘Ghostbusters’)If there’s something grazing In your neighborhood Who you gonna call (Goatbusters) If you see a herd And it don’t look good Who you gonna call (Goatbusters)

I ain’t afraid of no Goat I ain’t afraid of no Goat

If you’re seeing horns Running through your yard Who can you call (Goatbusters) If you have a goat Sleeping in your bed Oh, who you gonna call (Goatbusters)

I ain’t afraid of no Goat I ain’t afraid of no Goat

Who you gonna call (Goatbusters) If you’re all alone Pick up the phone And call (Goatbusters)

I ain’t afraid of no Goat I hear it likes the girls I ain’t afraid of no Goat Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Who you gonna call (Goatbusters) If you’ve had a dose Of a freaky Goat Maybe you’d better call (Goatbusters)

Let me tell you something Bustin’ makes me feel good

I ain’t afraid of no Goat I ain’t afraid of no Goat

The Goatbusters were being interviewed by PCW Investigative Reporter Woodward Bernstein about the induction of ‘No Frills’ Chris Escondido (I) and Starz N. Stripes (also known as ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott) (R) into the PCW Hall of Fame.  Goatbusters Ray Scantz and Peter Jenkman (I) are both drinking Big Gulps full of soft drinks when New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I) charges out.

Bloomberg tells the Goatbusters that they are setting a terrible example by sucking down 52 ounce cups of soft drinks at a time where the nation’s health is going to hell. Sodas should only be available for purchase from behind the counter, like cigarettes and cough medicine. Everyone purchasing a soda should have to provide proof that they are not obese by submitting to a BMI calculation or a body fat caliper test.

Scantz fires back at Bloomberg,

Ray Scantz: “It’s funny, but if you analyze the practical application of your ‘collective where we look out for each other’ as it’s being rolled out by fascists like Bloomberg, it looks less like looking out for each other, and more like using the boot of government to make sure the stupid people don’t overload on the freebies the politicians promised ‘em to get their votes.”

Peter Jenkman: “Hey, I have an idea- let’s treat adults like children! No soft drinks for you until you swallow your plate of government propaganda! Salt is off the table, and the good cooking oil is reserved for those whose service to the collective is unquestioned. And sorry, you’re too ignorant to weigh the risks of unpasteurized cheese flown in today from France! In fact, you’re too stupid to decide for yourself about the raw milk the Amish guy is selling. And no foie gras. It offends the delicate sensibilities of the geese.”

Bloomberg is offended and sics the NY Health Department on the Goatbusters and we have an impromptu match.

Match #1 The Goatbusters def. the NY Health Department @ 5:54

Much to everyone’s delight, the Goatbusters win when they “Cross the Streams” on Walter and Peck of the NY Health Department and then pour large quanities of Pepsi over them after the match.

Big Union (‘The Self Described Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker) storm the office of leader of the PCW Executive Committee Harry Reid (D-NV) and demand that their match against Scott Walker’s Rangers be moved to the Main Event of the show.

Reid, momentarily caught off-guard, quickly acquiesces and agrees to their demand.

Suave makes the formal announcement that the new Main Event will be indeed- The PCW Tag Team Title Match with Big Union (D) vs. Scott Walker’s Rangers (R)

Match #2 PCW Television TV Title Match: TV Champion ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D) vs. Valora Salinas

Chism reluctantly gets into the ring and Valora races right over and attacks him.  She chases Chism all over the ring before the TV Champ slides out.  Chism runs around the ring with Valora in pursuit and the challengers runs right into the right arm of Tom Tebow- Tim Tebow’s Long Lost Obscure Black Sheep Brother No One Knew He Had.

Tebow then blasts Valora with left hands while suspended St. Louis Ram defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and suspended New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton collect their ‘bounty’ from Chism. Valora then turns it around and then destroys Tebow with chair shots.  Then she blasts both Williams and Payton with the chair and rolls back into the ring. Chism jumps out of the ring and grabs the microphone- he says ‘**** this, I’ve bigger fish to fry’ and throws the TV belt down.  Chism tries to leave but Valora runs him down and literally drags him back ringside.

Valora then filets Chism’s back with a kendo stick and then wraps an electrical cord around his neck and chokes him out.  The Skanky Rich Bimbos (Kim and Chloe) try to come to his rescue but they take one look at Valora and run to the back.  Chism passes out before the Democrats can send down help and Valora wins the PCW Television Title.

Valora def. Chism for the TV Title @ 10:44

Democratic Leader Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) leads Women for Women (Code Pink and Emily S. List) and former PCW Women’s Champion Kathryn Randall Collins to the ring and they attack Valora.

Suave: Wait a minute.  I thought it was the Republicans waging a ’War on Women?’

KRC and List hold Valora as Code Pink prepares to give her a Glitter Bomb. Then the crowd roars when the Mercenaries (Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski) race to the ring.  McGill ducks Code Pink’s Glitter Bomb and whips her through the ropes to the outside.  List gets a standing dropkick from Kovalevski and Valora Border Tosses her out of the ring.  Valora starts after KRC but then the PCW Women’s Champion Miss USA runs in and tells her that she wants to get her hands on the challenger.

The referee slides into the ring and the third match is on…

Match #3 PCW Women’s Title Match: Miss USA (c) w/the Mercenaries (Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski) vs. Kathryn Randall Collins (D) w/Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

Wasserman Schultz demands that McGill and Kovalevski be sent to the back and raises enough of a stink that the referee finally gives in.  He directs McGill and Kovalevski to the back and the match finally starts.

KRC bails and dares Miss USA to come after her- which she does.  Wasserman Schultz misses a weak clothesline attempt and Miss USA takes KRC down.  Both women brawl around the ring before KRC gains the upper hand and drives the champion into the steel ring steps and then into the steel security barrier. Miss USA then reversed KRC into the timekeeper’s chair and then blasted her with the ring bell.

Miss USA then climbs to the ring apron for a Patriot Missile drop kick but Wasserman Schultz sneaks around and pushes her off the edge.  KRC taunts Miss USA’s family at ringside and then Larry Flynt slithers down in his wheelchair leaving a trail of slime behind him.

Flynt has some embarrassing old photos of Miss USA that he starts parading around to distract the champion.  KRC takes advantage and spends the next few minutes pummelling Miss USA all over the ring.  KRC keeps going for the pin but somehow Miss USA kicks out.  After Miss USA kicks out at 2.999999, she tries to roll out of the ring but Flynt blocks her way.

This brings out conservative commentator and Flynt target S.E. Cupp (R). Cupp tackles Flynt causing his wheelchair to flip backwards.  Cupp rains down blows on Flynt before taking a huge submarine sandwich and jamming it in Flynt’s piehole.

Suave: It’s just satire, Larry.

KRC tries to Pearl Harbor Miss USA but the champion reverses and whips KRC towards the barricade.  She trips over Flynt’s body and lands head first against the steel barricade.  Miss USA drags her back into the ring and climbs to the top turnbuckle.  Wasserman-Schultz starts over towards her but Miss USA turns and hits a Patriot Missile on her.  Then she rolls over and covers KRC…1…2…3.

WINNER and still PCW Women’s Champion Miss USA @ 8:54

Hall of Fame InductionFirst, it’s the ‘American Screamer’ Howard Dean (D-VT) and ‘The Mastermind’ Karl Rove (R) who gets inducted.

Dean gives his trademark “WRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHH!” at the end of his speech.

Rove points to his head to remind everyone that he’s a freakin’ genius after he’s done with his.

Then it’s ‘No Frills’ Chris Escondido and ’The Rookie Sensation’ Starz N. Stripes (Kevin Scott) turn.

PCW Owner Bubba Jackson recited Escondido’s achievements in PCW: PCW Champion in 2006, 3 time Television Champion in 2008 and 2009, and Tag Team Champion in 2009 with Starz N. Stripes.

Then Starz N. Stripes (Kevin Scott): PCW Champion in 2008- lost belt in what is the greatest PCW match ever against O’Beck Bahama at PCW Extreme Election Night 2008.  Became two time PCW Champion in 2011.  Tag Team Title holder with Escondido in 2009.  PCW Television Champion in 2011.

Match #4 Red Belt Title Match: ‘The Japanese Superdestroyer’ Yamamoto Tanaka (R) vs. RINO– The Wonk Machine (R) vs. Big Oil (R) vs. Kirk Walstreit (R)

Tanaka comes to the ring with the Republican establishment, including Republican Leader Reince Priebus, while Big Oil and Walstreit are led to the ring by Gordon Guyko and his briefcase stuffed full of cash.  RINO walks alone to the ring.

Before the bell sounds, Charlie Blackwell and Mike the Mechanic of the American Heartland Coalition, The Tea Party (Average Joe and ‘Tin Cup‘ Ray McAvay) and Blackwell’s Les Miserables come to the ring.  Blackwell, effectively cut out of the title equation since he doesn’t belong to either party, Mike, and the Tea Party attack and there’s a full scale brawl outside the ring.

Republican security rush to ringside and separate the two sides.  Blackwell and company are dragged towards the back…

Blackwell (yelling): …our ‘representatives’ have become nothing more than glorified lobbyists w/voting power and big money special interest groups are pulling the strings.  Meanwhile, PCW is hurdling out of control towards a cliff and no one is lifting a finger to stop it. This is no longer just a partisan thing- PCW is corrupt at its core…

The match finally gets under way and we quickly find out that the Republican Establishment has made it clear who they want to win.  Both Big Oil and Walstreit don’t even bother and head to the back leaving Tanaka vs. RINO.  Tanaka clotheslines RINO and covers.  The referee quick counts the Wonk Machine out and that’s that.

Reince Preibus climbs into the ring and hands the Red belt to the Japanese SuperDestroyer and Tanaka puts it around his waist.  Mitt Romney (R-MA) walks out and claps in approval.

WINNER and Red Champion: Yamamoto Tanaka @ 4:05

Backstage, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) complains to PCW Investigative Reporter Woodward Bernstein about the Republican’s War on Women being responsible for KRC’s loss.  When asked how the Republicans could be responsible for Miss USA’s win when it was the Democrats who demanded that the Mercenaries Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski be ejected from ringside and then interfered in the match- Wasserman Schultz said “It’s doesn’t matter.  They’re Republicans and they hate women.”

Suave: Makes total sense to me.

Meanwhile, Blackwell and the American Heartland Coalition are kicked out of the building.

Democrats Occupy Wall Street demostrate in front of Scott Walker‘s Rangers’ locker room spray painting graffiti on the wall and pounding on the door.

MATCH #5 Blue Belt Title Match: Daniel-San (D), Big Labor (D), Extreme Plaintiff Attorneys Felcher and Felcher (D), Green World Order (‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee, GreenPete, ‘Radishing’ Rick Rube- Agronomist, and PeaceNick w/Peta from PETA (D), ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D)

Union referee in charge of the match.

Extreme Attorneys Felcher and Felcher are eliminated early but file an injunction to get back into the match.

PeaceNick of the Green World Order protests the match’s brutality from outside the ring by lugging a picket sign back and forth.

Daniel-San has Big Labor tapping out to the LaBell Lock but the referee is somehow not looking in his direction.

Felcher and Felcher again get eliminated.  Again, they sue their way back into the match.

‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism pins Big Labor.  But again, the union referee is looking elsewhere.

This goes on and on for the next 45 minutes before finally Democratic Leader Debbie Wasserman-Schultz says enough.  Felcher and Felcher- eliminated.  Then Brock Cole Lee of the GWO.  GreenPete from the GWO.  Radishing Rick Rube of the GWO.  Big Labor.

Down to Chism vs. Daniel-San.  Chism uses his Hollywood connections to get Tom Hanks and George Clooney to do a run-in on Daniel-San.  Daniel-San fights both actors off.  Then the Skanky Rich Bimbos make their way to the ring.  Kim and Chloe climb onto the ring apron and whip off their tops.

Suave: WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!  WARDROBE MALFUNCTION!

Chism hits the distracted Daniel-San with the Hollywood Blockbuster and gets the quick count on the pin to mercifully end the match and win the belt.

WINNER and Blue Belt Champion: ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism @ 51:23

Backstage, Corporate Might (Big Oil and Kirk Walstreit) arrive in front of Scott Walker’s Rangers’ dressing room with an army of hired bodyguards and crush Occupy Wall Street.  Then they stand guard in front of the dressing room.

MATCH #6 PCW Title Match: The Sanderman (D) (c) vs. ‘The Japanese SuperDestroyer’ Yamamoto Tanaka (R)

Can Tanaka pick up a second belt and become a four time PCW champion?

Not tonight.  Wasserman-Schultz, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi come to the ring and order The Sanderman back to the dressing room.  The crowd goes nuts as the referee counts him out and awards the match to Tanaka.

Suave: But The Sanderman keeps the title belt because Tanaka didn’t pin him.

John Boehner (R-OH) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fly down the aisle to the ring to argue with the referee.

Finally, PCW Legal Counsel Eric Holder is called to the ring to mediate the controversy.  He listens to Boehner and McConnell and then rules in favor of the PCW Champion The Sanderman (D).  Boehner and McConnell can’t believe it and Holder makes a…fast and furious…exit.

Then Scott Walker’s Rangers (John and Ronnie Walker) appear on the ramp slugging it out with the PCW Tag Team Champions Big Union (Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker).

MATCH #7 PCW Tag Team Title Match: Big Union: ‘The Self Described Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker (D) (c) vs. Scott Walker’s Rangers: John and Ronnie Walker (R)

Both teams brawl outside the ring.  Finally, the Walkers gain the upper hand and toss Big Labor and James into the ring.

Back in PCW CEO Barack Obama’s office, Obama is watching the match on the monitor with David Axelrod and PCW Legal Counsel Eric Holder.  Ronnie Walker nearly gets a pin and Holder wants to know if Obama is going to help Big Union win the match?

Obama thinks for a second.  Then he tweets his support for Big Union.

Suave: Say what?

Holder concurs.  Axelrod can’t believe it.  He goes off on Holder in front of everyone and finally the PCW Legal Counsel goes chest to chest with Axelrod.  Staffers separate the two just in time to see former PCW CEO Bill Clinton saunter down to the ring to offer his support.

Both Republican and Democratic rosters empty out of the locker rooms to ringside and a huge brawl erupts.  Somehow, the referee manages to keep control in the ring and Ronnie Walker hits the Black Velvet Shot on James the Jeep Worker.  By the time everyone realizes what’s happening, the referee counts to three and we have brand new PCW Tag Team Champions.

WINNER and NEW PCW Tag Team Champions: Scott Walker’s Rangers- John and Ronnie Walker (R)

Republicans in the crowd rejoice.  Democrats are disgusted.  The partisan brawl ringside continues.

Suave: Some things may never change.

[hammondcast]

NAMM Industry Tribute 2017 Memoriam Event (from Jon Hammond's Camera)

NAMM Industry Tribute 2017 Memoriam Event (from Jon Hammond's Camera) #WATCHMOVIE HERE: NAMM Industry Tribute 2017 Memoriam Event (from Jon Hammond's Camera) Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/NAMMIndustryTribute2017MemoriamEventfromJonHammondsCamera NAMM Industry Tribute 2017 Memoriam Event (from Jon Hammond's camera) - annual event and archive from NAMM Show​ Historian Dan Del Fiorentino​ - this year many personal friends honored - this clip includes additional music from Jon Hammond​ "Jennifer's Song" for rights reasons, keep the Spirit! R.I.P. Lutz Büchner, Gregg Gregory Gronowski​, Keith Emerson, Dan Hicks, Paul Kantner, Toots Thielemans, Rob Wasserman, Prince​, Maurice White, Buckwheat Zydeco and many more "The NAMM Community will never forget you." *actual clip LINK: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/namm-memoriam-industry-tribute-2017 *Note: This always happens on the first evening of the Winter NAMM Show - this year it was on Thursday January 19th at 5:30PM - moved inside due to heavy weather! Pictures by Jon Hammond: "The NAMM Community will never forget you.", Dan Del Fiorentino NAMM Historian still with hat on! NAMM Chairman Mark Goff giving benediction, Greg Herreman NAMM Production Manager about to move a microphone, Dick Bridgeman - Hammond Organ Co., Lutz Büchner - ndr big band / Jon Hammond Band, Leonard Cohen, Bob Cranshaw, Keith Emerson - Emerson Lake and Palmer, Glenn Frey - The Eagles, Buddy Greco, 'Gregg' Gregory Gronowski - Hammond Organ USA, Merle Haggard, Hoot Hester, Dan Hicks, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Jackson, James Jamerson Jr., Paul Kantner, Greg Lake, Lonnie Mack, Sir George Martin, Scotty Moore, Alphonse Mouzon, Harvey Olsen, Robert Paiste, Prince, Jack Ripperger - Hammond organ co., Leon Russell, LA Scots Pipe Band played, Rose Shure - Shure microphone co., Ralph Stanley, Toots Thielemans, Martin Travis, Bobby Vee, Rob Wasserman, Maurice White - Earth Wind and Fire, Duane "Pudgy" Wong, Bernie Worrell, Buckwheat Zydeco, "The NAMM Community will never forget you.", "In Memoriam A Tribute to our Industry Friends Thursday January 19, 2017 - Winter NAMM Show LIST ACCORDING TO JON HAMMOND: John Bellone, Leo Beranek, Bruce Bergh, Paul Bierley, Bobby Blackford, Dick Bridgeman, Ernie Briefel, Jim Broadus, Don Buchla, Lutz Büchner, Prince Buster, Al Caiola, Toby Capalbo, Nicki Carano, Rob Carey, Phil Chess, Gary Christensen, Buddy Church, Barrett Clark, Guy Clark, Tim Coffman, Leonard Cohen, Rosemarie and Ed Coles, Bob Cranshaw, Johnny Craviotto, William Dettman, Dick DiCenso, John Edmondson, Sam Eisenman, Keith Emerson, Frank Fendorf, Chuck Flores, Orrin Foslien, Peter Fountain, Cassie Frantz, Carla Frederick, Glenn Frey, Bob Furst, Juan Gabriel, Ben Germain, James Glanville, Roberta Gottschalk, Buddy Greco, Christina Grimmie, Gregg Gronowski, Merle Haggard, Joe Halloran, Bill Harris, Nicholas Harris, Yasuji Hayashi, Glenn Hefner, Mary Henkin, Mark Herman, Hoot Hester, Randy Hewiston, Joe Hibbs, Dan Hicks, Charles Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Bill Irwin, Wayne Jackson, James Jamerson Jr., OJB Jezreel, Steven Johnson, Luke Johnston, Ziggy Kanstul, Paul Kantner, Dick Knaub, Gladys Krenek, Rick Kylan, Greg Lake, Larry Larson, Francois LeDuc, William Locke, John D. Loudermilk, George Lukas, Lonnie Mack, Sir George Martin, Jack Maxson, John McCrea, Henry Cullough, Owen McPeek, Mo Meloy-Pameteer, Nick Menza, Al Moffatt, Chips Woman, Paul Monachino, Scotty Moore, Alphonse Mouzon, Jerry Muenchow, Robert Nagel, Richard Norris, Milt Okun, Pauline Oliveros, Harvey Olsen, George Opperman, John O’Sullivan, John Otte, Robert Paiste, Bob Parker, Sylvia Perry, Csaba Petocz, Richie Pidanick, Bill Price, Prince, Anthony Pulcini, Curtis Purdy, Cora Rather, Al Realo, Jack Ripperger, Vale Robinson, Leon Russell, Helen Saied, Stanley Schireson, Zenon Schoepe, Hugo Schreiber, Dorothy Schwartz, William Scotti, Dan Sheehan, Shinichi Shimada, Rose Shure, Tom Size, Dan Smith, Vern Smith, Sid Smither, Jerry Snyder, Ralph Stanley, Chris Stone, Rod Temperton, Toots Thielemans, Victor Tibaldeo Sr., Isao Tomita, Dana Tracy, Martin Travis, Ed Uribe, Rudy Van Gelder, Vincent van Haaff, Bobby Vee, Maxine Volley, Cathy Wagner, Saul Walker, Nannette Ward, Rob Wasserman, Christopher Waters, Bob Wegher, Bobby Wellins, Maurice White, Monty Lee Wilkes, Tom Wilson, Duane “Pudgy” Wong, James Woolley, Bernie Worrell, Dolores Yaeger, Don Young, Buckwheat Zydeco (156) - according to Jon Hammond Producer Jon Hammond Audio/Visual sound, color Language English **List from Elizabeth Dale and Dan Del Fiorentino - NAMM History Department - Just In: As follows: (Unfortunately / Sadly all are deceased - dates, names 2017 NAMM Industry Tribute - JH: Allison Mose 1927 2016 Baker Dave 1931 2016 Belli Remo 1927 2016 Bellone John 1928 2016 Beranek Leo 1914 2016 Bergh Bruce 1955 2016 Bierley Paul 1926 2016 Blackford Bobby 1950 2016 Bridgeman Dick 1932 2016 Briefel Ernie 1919 2016 Broadus Jim 1939 2016 Buchla Don 1937 2016 Büchner Lutz 1968 2016 Buss Skip 1926 2016 Buster Prince 1938 2016 Caiola Al 1920 2016 Capalbo Toby 1930 2016 Carano Nicki 1967 2016 Carey Rob 1972 2016 Chess Phil 1921 2016 Christensen Gary 1954 2016 Church Buddy 1952 2016 Clark Barrett 1981 2016 Clark Guy 1941 2016 Coffman Tim 1946 2015 Cohen Leonard 1934 2016 Coles Ed & Rosemarie R- 1961 E-1958 2016 Cranshaw Bob 1932 2016 Craviotto Johnny 1946 2016 Dettman William 1950 2016 DiCenso Dick 1941 2016 Edmondson John 1933 2016 Eisenman Sam 1930 2016 Emerson Keith 1944 2016 Fendorf Frank 1925 2016 Flores Chuck 1935 2016 Foslien Orrin 1942 2016 Fountain Pete 1930 2016 Frantz Cassie 1943 2017 Frederick Carla 1950 2016 Frey Glenn 1948 2016 Furst Bob 1933 2016 Gabriel Juan 1950 2016 Germain Ben 1927 2016 1 Glanville James 1925 2016 Gottschalk Roberta 1941 2016 Greco Buddy 1926 2017 Grimmie Christina 1994 2016 Gronowski Gregg 1951 2016 Haggard Merle 1937 2016 Halloran Joe 1967 2016 Harris Bill 1934 2016 Harris Nicholas 1978 2016 Hayashi Yasuji 1923 2016 Heffner Glen 1953 2016 Henkin Mary 1928 2016 Herman Mark 1956 2016 Hester Hoot 1951 2016 Hewitson Randy 1955 2016 Hibbs Joe 1953 2016 Hicks Dan 1941 2016 Hill Charles 1935 2016 Hutcherson Bobby 1941 2016 Irwin Bill 1923 2016 Jackson Wayne 1941 2016 Jamerson Jr James 1958 2016 Jezreel OJB 1966 2016 Johnson Steven 1955 2016 Johnston Luke 1966 2016 Kanstul Ziggy 1929 2016 Kantner Paul 1941 2016 Knaub Dick 1936 2016 Krenek Gladys 1924 2016 Kylan Rick 1946 2016 Lake Greg 1947 2016 Larson Larry 1933 2016 LeDuc Francois 1939 2016 Locke William 1944 2016 Loudermilk John D. 1934 2016 Lukas George 1927 2016 Mack Lonnie 1941 2016 Martin Sir George 1926 2016 Maxson Jack 1940 2016 McCrea John 1927 2016 McCullough Henry 1943 2016 McPeek Owen 1927 2016 Meloy-Palmateer Mo 1943 2016 Menza Nick 1964 2016 Miller Larry 1966 2016 2 Moffatt Al 1947 2016 Moman Chips 1937 2016 Monachino Paul 1924 2016 Moore Scotty 1931 2016 Mouzon Alphonse 1948 2016 Muenchow Jerry 1943 2016 Nagel Robert 1924 2016 Norris Richard 1936 2016 Okun Milt 1923 2016 Oliveros Pauline 1932 2016 Olsen Harvey 1937 2016 Opperman George 1918 2016 O'Sullivan John 1936 2016 Otte John 1926 2016 Paiste Robert 1932 2016 Parker Bob 1944 2015 Perry Sylvia 1919 2016 Petocz Csaba 1960 2015 Pidanick Richie 1952 2016 Price Bill 1944 2016 Prince 1958 2016 Pulcini Anthony 1993 2016 Purdy Curtis 1947 2016 Racher Cora 1948 2016 Realo Al 1943 2016 Ripperger Jack 1929 2016 Robinson Vale 1935 2016 Russell Leon 1946 2016 Saied Helen 1924 2016 Schireson Stanley 1917 2016 Schoepe Zenon 1960 2016 Schreiber Hugo 1927 2016 Schwartz Dorothy 1927 2016 Scotti William 1924 2016 Seaver Larry 1943 2016 Sheeran Dan 1925 2016 Shimada Shinichi 1932 2016 Shure Rose 1921 2016 Size Tom 1959 2016 Smith Dan 1946 2016 Smith Vern 1961 2016 Smither Sid Snyder Jerry 1925 2016 Stanley Ralph 1927 2016 Stone Chris 1935 2016 3 Temperton Rob 1924 2016 Thielemans Toots 1922 2016 Tibaldeo Sr. Victor 1923 2016 Tomita Isao 1932 2016 Tracy Dana 1952 2016 Travis Martin 1916 2016 Uribe Ed 1957 2015 Van Gelder Rudy 1924 2016 van Haaff Vincent 1952 2016 Vee Bobby 1943 2016 Volley Maxine 1959 2017 Wagner Cathy 1954 2016 Walker Saul 1927 2016 Ward Nannette 1953 2016 Wasserman Rob 1952 2016 Waters Christopher 1986 2016 Wegher Bob 1927 2016 Wellins Bobby 1936 2016 White Maurice 1941 2016 Wilkes Monty Lee 1962 2016 Wilson Tom 1933 2016 Wong Duane "Pudgy" 1953 2016 Woolley James 1966 2016 Worrell Bernie 1944 2016 Yeager Dolores 1928 2016 Young Don 1953 2016 Zydeco Buckwheat 1947 2016 Remembering the great Joe Sample in absentia on his Birthday February 1 - born 1939, passed at the age of 75 on September 12, 2014. Joe's manager for many years was the legendary manager/impresario George Greif, Diane Greif-Sheppard's Dad - I knew George, I can't think of Joe Sample without remembering George Greif...also that's James Jamerson Jr. playing bass in back of Joe, very sadly James (son of James Jamerson of Motown Records) has passed as well - I shot this photo back in the year 1981 on my first trip to Europe - R.I.P. Joe, George, James - sincerely, Jon Hammond Joe's wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Sample Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (February 1, 1939 – September 12, 2014) was an American pianist, keyboard player, and composer. He was one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, the band which became simply the Crusaders in 1971, and remained a part of the group until its final album in 1991 (not including the 2003 reunion album Rural Renewal). Beginning in the 1970s, he enjoyed a successful solo career and guested on many recordings by other performers and groups, including Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, B. B. King, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, and the Supremes. Sample incorporated jazz, gospel, blues, Latin, and classical forms into his music. On September 12, 2014, Sample died in Houston, Texas, of mesothelioma at age 75. Birth name Joseph Leslie Sample Born February 1, 1939 Houston, Texas, U.S. Died September 12, 2014 (aged 75) Houston Genres Jazz Occupation(s) Musician, composer Instruments Piano, keyboards Years active 1950s–2014 Labels Blue Thumb, MCA, GRP, Warner Bros., Verve, ABC Associated acts Jazz Crusaders Joe Sample's Bio: "Sample was born in Houston, Texas on February 1, 1939. Sample began to play the piano at age 5. He was a student of the organist and pianist Curtis Mayo. In high school in the 1950s, Sample teamed up with friends saxophonist Wilton Felder and drummer "Stix" Hooper to form a group called the Swingsters. While studying piano at Texas Southern University, Sample met and added trombonist Wayne Henderson and several other players to the Swingsters, which became the Modern Jazz Sextet and then the Jazz Crusaders,[1] in emulation of one of the leading progressive jazz bands of the day, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Sample never took a degree from the university; instead, in 1960, he and the Jazz Crusaders made the move from Houston to Los Angeles. The group quickly found opportunities on the West Coast, making its first recording, Freedom Sounds in 1961 and releasing up to four albums a year over much of the 1960s. The Jazz Crusaders played at first in the dominant hard bop style of the day, standing out by virtue of their unusual front-line combination of saxophone (played by Wilton Felder) and Henderson's trombone. Another distinctive quality was the funky, rhythmically appealing acoustic piano playing of Sample, who helped steer the group's sound into a fusion between jazz and soul[2] in the late 1960s. The Jazz Crusaders became a strong concert draw during those years. While Sample and his band mates continued to work together, he and the other band members pursued individual work as well. In 1969 Sample made his first recording under his own name; Fancy Dance featured the pianist as part of a jazz trio.[1] In the 1970s, as the Jazz Crusaders became simply the Crusaders and branched out into popular sounds, Sample became known as a Los Angeles studio musician, appearing on recordings by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, B. B. King, Joe Cocker, Minnie Riperton and Anita Baker. In 1975 he went into the studios with jazz legends Ray Brown on bass, and drummer Shelly Manne to produce a then state-of-the-art recording direct to disc entitled The Three. About this time Blue Note Records reissued some of the early work by the Jazz Crusaders as "The Young Rabbits". This was a compilation of their recordings done between 1962 and 1968. The electric keyboard was fairly new in the sixties, and Sample became one of the instrument's pioneers. He began to use the electric piano while the group retained their original name, and the group hit a commercial high-water mark with the hit single "Street Life" and the album of the same name in 1979. In 1978 he recorded Swing Street Café with guitarist David T. Walker. The Crusaders, after losing several key members, broke up after recording Life in the Modern World for the GRP label in 1987. Despite the disbanding of the Crusaders, the members would join each other to record periodically over the years, releasing Healing the Wounds in the early 1990s. Felder, Hooper, and Sample recorded their first album, called Rural Renewal, as the reunited Crusaders group in 2003 and played a concert in Japan in 2004. Since Sample's Fancy Dance (1969), he has recorded several solo albums, including the George Duke produced Sample This. GRP also released Joe Sample Collection, and a three-disc Crusaders Collection, as testament to Sample's enduring legacy. Some of the pianist's recent recordings are The Song Lives On (1999), featuring duets with singer Lalah Hathaway, and The Pecan Tree (2002), a tribute to his hometown of Houston, where he relocated in 1994. His 2004 album on Verve, Soul Shadows, paid tribute to Duke Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton, and pre-jazz bandleader James Reese Europe. In 2007 he recorded Feeling Good with vocalist Randy Crawford. In 1983, MCA released Joe Sample's The Hunter LP. The Hunter sessions had taken place during the previous year at Hollywood Sound Recorders and Salty Dog Studios in Los Angeles, producing a fine body of recordings of which six were brought forward. Fans believe there maybe other recordings from the sessions yet to be released. Amongst the six tracks was the nine-minute Night Flight. UK Jazz Funk and Soul DJ Robbie Vincent premiered Night Flight in its entirety in the spring of 1983 on his Radio London "Saturday Show" prompting a surge of jazz fusion enthusiasts and Sample fans to buy up all the import copies from London stores. For Sample, The Hunter album featured a number of leading musicians of the day including Marcus Miller on bass and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion. Sample was also joined on the album by Phil Upchurch on lead guitar, Dean Parks (also on guitar), Steve Gadd and Bob Wilson on drums, John Phillips on bass clarinet, and Abraham Laboriel on bass. For production, Joe Sample called on his Crusaders' stable mate Wilton Felder. The Hunter album came at a very important juncture in Sample's solo push. Night Flight remains the great achievement from these sessions, although fans were extremely disappointed when an edited version appeared on the compilation Joe Sample Collection.[citation needed] The Hunter album has been transferred to CD from the original tapes but fans are still awaiting a remastered expanded edition with previously unreleased material and demos. Sample appeared on stage at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 28 May 2000, playing keyboard solo on George Benson's Deeper Than You Think. This concert was recorded and a DVD entitled George Benson: Absolutely Live was subsequently released. A studio version of Deeper Than You Think was recorded featuring Joe Sample in New York in May 1999 during sessions for a Benson collection which took the title Absolutely Benson. Fans again believe there may have been other collaborations of Sample - Benson which remain in the vaults unreleased. Some of his works were featured on The Weather Channel's "Local on the 8s" segments and his song "Rainbow Seeker" is included in their 2008 compilation release, The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II. Nicole Kidman sang his song "One Day I'll Fly Away" in the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge! The very popular "In All My Wildest Dreams", also from the 1978 album Rainbow Seeker, was sampled on Tupac's "Dear Mama", De la Soul's "WRMS's Dedication to the Bitty", Toni Braxton's "What's Good" and Arrested Development's "Africa's Inside Me". Sample had a bassist son named Nicklas Sample (with ex-wife Marianne), who is a member of the Coryell Auger Sample Trio featuring Julian Coryell and Karma Auger. On September 12, 2014, Sample died in Houston, Texas from complications from mesothelioma lung disease.[3] He was 75 years old.[4] Sample had also suffered two heart attacks — the most recent in 2009. According to the Los Angeles Times he had also suffered illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which produces chronic fatigue.[5] In 2013, Sample was hospitalized with pneumonia, according to Variety, the Hollywood and music industry trade paper." Sending up prayers for my good friend Rudy Sheriff Lawless aka The Sheriff - jazz drummer extraordinaire!! Honored by Jazz Foundation of America - special thanks Gina Reder - Rudy photos from Jon Hammond: Oh wow...there goes the Apple Maps Van! https://www.apple.com/ios/maps/ - Jon Hammond Frankfurt, Germany -- Power Shot! My good friend Yu Beniya on another very important international mission for Suzuki Musical Instruments! Congress Frankfurt, Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH - "Suzuki was founded in 1953, as a harmonica manufacturer.[1] Suzuki's western U.S. distribution center located in San Diego, California. It has expanded to include a variety of instruments including pianos and band instruments,[2] and purely electronic instruments such as the Tronichord, Omnichord, and QChord Digital Soundcard Guitar." In 1991 Suzuki bought the Hammond Organ Co., which is now known as Hammond Suzuki USA http://kernelpanichammondcast.blogspot.com/2016/08/concert-in-suzuki-musical-instruments.html — with Yu Beniya, Suzuki Musical Instruments and Congress Center Messe Frankfurt Most Famous Concert We Never Played, NAMM Show Center Stage Presented by Pioneer DJ Rained Out! IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scheduled Appearance Jon Hammond Funk Unit - Rained Out in Anaheim CA! Musical Instrument Trade Show, International Artists Koei Tanaka from Tokyo Japan representing Suzuki Musical Instruments, chromatic harmonica virtuoso Heinz Lichius from Hamburg Germany drums endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals Alex Budman tenor saxophonist from Los Angeles CA Joe Berger from New York City playing for JJ Guitars UK Chuggy Carter from New Jersey endorsed by GON BOPS Jon Hammond the leader playing Hammond organ + bass just back from Tokyo Japan where he played for Suzuki Musical Instruments Torrential Rains forced cancelation - Rain Date will be made up in January 2018 folks! NAMM Believe in Music https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017/events/jon-hammond-funk-unit Photos Credit Lawrence Gay Heinz Lichius at Canopus Drums Stand Chuggy Carter was on Jon Hammond's original band with Bernard Purdie back in 1989 Koei Tanaka the great chromatic harmonica phenom Joe Berger aka Berger-Meister - here with Jon Hammond and Lee Oskar Alex Budman tenor saxophonist on Jon Hammond's Band at a NAMM Showcase Jon Hammond getting the bad news from Greg Herreman NAMM Production Manager on his trusty Blackberry monitoring the situation on well traveled MacBook Pro Rain! Heinz Lichius and Jon Hammond sitting up on the rained out plastic wrapped Pioneer DJ Stage, as scheduled! Friday, January 20, 2017 - 4:00pm to 4:40pm NAMM CenterStage Presented by Pioneer DJ (BC Patio) Jon Hammond Show 01 28 Broadcast MNN TV Jazz Blues and Soft News Winter NAMM Episode Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/JonHammondShow0128BroadcastMNNTVJazzBluesAndSoftNewsWinterNAMMEpisode Youtube https://youtu.be/QjERNl-5_BU Vimeo https://vimeo.com/201233695 Facebook video https://www.facebook.com/hammondcast/videos/10154087971052102/ Jon Hammond Show 01 28 Broadcast MNN TV Jazz Blues and Soft News Winter NAMM Episode First segment: Anaheim CA -- 2017 NAMM Show Sunday Blues and Jazz Session with Jon Hammond and Friends "White Onions" - Koei Tanaka on Suzuki Harmonica - Official Facebook Page chromatic harmonica, Chuggy Carter (GON BOPS) percussion, Joe Berger guitar (TV Jones), Jon Hammond at the Sk1 Hammond organ - camera: Jesse Gay, Special thanks Steve Simmons, Ray Gerlich, Scott May, Suzuki Musical Instruments Team - in memory of Gregg Gregory Gronowski Second segment: NAMM Show 2017, Camera Credit: Jesse Gay, thanks Jesse! -- Thanks to our good friends at Canopus Drums for the Organ Trio Session today with Heinz Lichius drums, Arno Haas tenor saxophone, Jon Hammond Sk1 organ - powered by TecAmp USA neo bass cabinet - and beautiful Italian designer Keyboard Stand by Bespeco Professional, Alex Mingmann Hsieh / P. Mauriat 保爾‧莫莉亞 Taiwan #NAMMShow #CanopusDrums #Bespeco #TecAmpUSA #HammondOrgan #Pmauriat 3rd segment: NAMM Show Sunday Blues and Jazz Session with Jon Hammond and Friends in Hammond Organs stand 5104 and Suzuki Musical Instruments 5100 "Lydia's Tune" and Jon's Theme Song: "Late Rent" Musicians: Koei Tanaka chromatic harmonica, Joe Berger guitar, Chuggy Carter percussion, Jon Hammond at the Sk1 Hammond organ + bass #NAMMShow #PioneerDJ #HammondOrgan #CenterStage #Blackberry #Funk #Jazz #CableAccessTV #MNNTV #ManhattanNeighborhoodNetwork http://www.HammondCast.com NAMM LINK for Jon Hammond Funk Unit https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017/events/jon-hammond-funk-unit Producer Jon Hammond Language English NAMM Show Canopus Drums Session by Jon Hammond Jon's archive https://archive.org/details/NAMMShowCanopusDrumsSession Youtube https://youtu.be/noZRV3WW7OQ Vimeo https://vimeo.com/200553239 NAMM Show 2017, Camera Credit: Jesse Gay, thanks Jesse! -- Thanks to our good friends at Canopus Drums for the Organ Trio Session today with Heinz Lichius drums, Arno Haas tenor saxophone, Jon Hammond organ - powered by TecAmp USA neo bass cabinet - and beautiful Italian designer Keyboard Stand by Bespeco Professional, Alex Mingmann Hsieh / P. Mauriat 保爾‧莫莉亞 Taiwan Thanks to Shinichi Usuda President Canopus Co., Ltd. and Canopus Team: Taxi Okuyama, Joey Klaparda, Taka Matsumoto TecAmp USA Glenn Kawamoto, Bespeco Professional S.r.l. Team, Silvia, Ettore, Francesco, Alessandro, Corrado - P.Mauriat Saxophones Alex Hsieh "Go For The Sound", Thomas Pistone NAMM Security, Joe Lamond NAMM President CEO Feel The Weight - Jon Hammond NAMM Show, Musicians, Retailers, Luthiers, Musical Instruments, Memoriam, Documentary, Historian, #NAMMShow #HammondOrgan #Memorial

[nicolesrollins]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on RE issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami & Real Estate News News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

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Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on RE issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami & Real Estate News News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[nicolesrollins]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on real estate issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami & Real Estate News News | & Curbed Miami - All https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[juditmiltz]

Election Day showdown: Where the candidates stand on real estate issues and who received big donations from the industry

(Click to enlarge)

As South Florida voters head to the polls this November, they’ll be met with an array of candidates from both sides of the aisle with platforms impacting a variety of real estate issues. Industry professionals are watching closely, opening up their wallets to candidates like former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R), who’s running against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D) in the race for governor.

Gillum pulled off a stunning upset in the August primary when he beat out Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Jeff Greene and Chris King (now Gillum’s running mate), surprising those in South Florida’s real estate community who thought Graham and Levine, who both have strong industry ties, would battle it out for the nomination.

Across the state, candidates drew donations from big names in real estate like Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Vector Group CEO Howard Lorber, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections and the Federal Election Commission. TRD dug into those databases to learn who South Florida’s most prominent figures in real estate are supporting, considering only contributions of $1,000 or more from figures known in the local industry.

The Real Deal’s list of donors and donations is not comprehensive and includes donations to political action committees and political party committees, which explains why some totals exceed the limits that individuals can contribute. Individuals are maxed out at $2,700 per election to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee. But they can also give up to $5,000 to a political action committee. In Florida, individuals are capped at $3,000 to a candidate for statewide office, according to the Division of Elections.

In addition to candidates, voters will also decide on the fates of three major real estate projects, which TRD also reviews here.

  U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Democrat Lives in: Orlando Net worth: Nelson was reportedly worth between $1.3 million and $6 million as of 2015, according to Opensecrets.org. In a financial disclosure report filed in mid-2017, he reported about $51,000 in annual retirement income from the state of Florida and about $23,000 from a Regions Bank IRA. He makes about $174,000 as a senator. Campaign war chest: Nelson had received contributions totaling $18.2 million as of Aug. 8, according to the most recent information available from the Federal Election Commission. He’s spent more than $5.3 million. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

American Hotel and Lodging Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

American Senior Housing Association, $5,000

National Apartment Association Political Action Committee, $10,000

Christopher Asaro, president of Holt Construction Corp., $5,400

Climis Lascaris, president of Lascaris Design Group, $5,400

Wyndham Destinations Inc. Political Action Committee, $5,000

Cemex Inc. Employees PAC, $5,000

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Political Action Committee, $3,500

Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels, $2,700

David M. Solomon, president of Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Ram Sundaram, partner at Goldman Sachs, $2,700

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

National Elevator Constructors PAC/International Union of Elevator Constructors, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Nelson supported increasing spending on affordable housing after tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans evacuated to Florida following Hurricane Maria last year. The Florida Realtors Association pushed lawmakers to fund the effort using real estate sales taxes that are supposed to be set aside for affordable housing but often get used for general costs. 

The U.S. senator also claims he’s working to make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar installations, helping renewable energy companies grow in Florida and supporting infrastructure investment to create “more resilient coastlines,” according to his campaign. 

Nelson has attacked Gov. Rick Scott for not doing enough to address the toxic blue-green algal blooms along the state’s east coast and red tide along the west coast, which he said hurt business and kept some homeowners away. 

U.S. Senator Rick Scott Republican Lives in: Tallahassee and Naples, plus a home in Montana Net worth: $255 million Campaign War Chest: Scott’s campaign had raised $31.2 million and spent nearly $28 million as of Aug. 8. He’s the biggest donor to his own campaign, spending tens of millions of dollars. Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Leo Wells III, founder and CEO of Wells Real Estate Funds Inc., $13,500

Stephen Ross, chairman of the Related Companies, $13,500

Metro Development GrouP, a Tampa development firm, $12,700

Phillip and Patricia Frost, Philip is chairman and CEO of Opko Health and Vector Group’s largest shareholder, $10,800

Steven Witkoff, chairman and CEO of the Witkoff Group, $8,100

David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group, $8,100

Arthur Falcone, chairman and CEO of Falcone Group, $5,400

Falcone & Associates, $5,400

Donald Soffer, founder and chairman of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Jeffrey Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, retail owner at the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, $5,400

Howard Lorber, chairman of Vector Group, $5,400

John Moriarty, owner of John Moriarty & Associates, $5,400

Bob Moss, chairman and CEO of Moss & Associates, $5,400

Richard LeFrak, chairman and CEO of LeFrak, $5,400

James LeFrak, vice chairman at LeFrak, $5,400

Harrison LeFrak, managing director at LeFrak, $5,400

Andrew Beal, real estate investor and founder and chairman of Beal Bank, $5,400

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: This year, Scott signed into law a business rent tax reduction to 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent, effective next Jan. 1. The cut reduces the sales tax that tenants pay for their commercial leases. 

The 2018-2019 state budget, which Scott signed in March, included nearly $124 million for affordable housing, according to the Florida Realtors. The budget also set aside up to $500,000 for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to combat unlicensed real estate activity. Additionally, the budget included more than $400 million for Everglades restoration, beach renourishment and springs protection, among other natural resources.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz Democrat Lives in: Weston Net worth: $107,000 as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $1.7 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Alan Lieberman, owner of South Beach Hotel Group, $10,400

Sheryl Tishman, wife of Daniel Tishman, $5,400

Alan Ginsburg of the CED Companies, $5,400

Paul Kukuruza, managing director of Paloma Partners, $5,400

Charles Abele, chairman and CEO of Gold Coast Florida Regional Center, $5,000

Chris Korge, partner at the Americas Group, $2,700

Daniel Tishman, principal and vice chairman of Tishman, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Wasserman Schultz, a moderate Democrat in Congress, voted against the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, legislation that exempts some banks from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. She also voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017.

U.S. House of Representatives District 23 Joe Kaufman Republican Lives in: Tamarac Net worth: Not available Campaign war chest: He’s raised $36,000, but he’s spent about $38,000. He had $387,000 in cash in his campaign account, plus debts of $89,900, primarily from his unsuccessful 2012, 2014 and 2016 campaigns for Congress. Biggest Donors in Real Estate: No real estate donors Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Kaufman’s platform includes his endorsement of downsizing or eliminating the IRS and lowering the corporate tax rate significantly. He supports using federal funding to create new bays and living shorelines and to bolster sea walls.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Democrat Lives in: Pinecrest Net worth: Nearly $661,000 as of 2016 Campaign war chest: $1.88 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Mary Wilkie-Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Farhad Ebrahimi, First Solar shareholder, $5,400

Donald Sussman, founder at Paloma Partners, $2,700

Kammy Moalemzadeh, founder and managing partner of Arcadia Investment Partners, $2,700

Joshua Easterly, CEO of TPG Specialty Lending, $2,700

Nicholas Pritzker, co-founder and principal of Tao Capital Management, $2,700

Isaac Pritzker, director of venture equities at Tao Capital Management, $2,700

James Attwood Jr., managing director of the Carlyle Group, $2,700

Jeffrey Sussman, president of Property Group Partners, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $2,000

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,000

Lyle Stern, president of Koniver Stern Group, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign touches on combating sea level rise through investing in infrastructure.

U.S. House of Representatives District 26 Carlos Curbelo Republican Lives in: Miami Net worth: $1.5 million as of 2015 Campaign war chest: $3.76 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Armando Codina, executive chairman of Codina Partners, $10,400

Real Estate Roundtable Political Action Committee, $8,500

Jose Mas, CEO of MasTec, $8,100

Jorge Mas Canosa, chairman of MasTec, $8,100

Matthew Rieger, president and CEO, Housing Trust Group, $5,400

Daniel Loeb, founder and CEO of Third Point Management, $5,400

Florida East Coast Industries LLC/Good Government Committee, $5,000

Jose Ferreira de Melo, president of the Melo Group, $2,700

Martin Ferreira de Melo, principal at the Melo Group, $2,700

Pedro Munilla, principal at MCM, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Curbelo calls himself a “positive voice on the issues of climate change … even when I have to break from my party to do so,” according to his website. He supports protecting the Everglades and water quality, especially in the Florida Keys. Curbelo has also advocated for alleviating the affordable housing crisis in the Keys.

U.S. House of Representatives District 27 Donna Shalala Democrat Lives in: Coral Gables Net worth: Between $4.6 million and $13.5 million Campaign war chest: $2.08 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Jeffrey Krasnoff, founder and CEO of Rialto Capital Management, $5,400

Jackie Soffer, co-CEO of Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Louise Sunshine, real estate consultant, $5,400

Carol Soffer, art consultant at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Rita Soffer, $5,400

Marsha Soffer, manager at Turnberry Associates, $5,400

Brooke Soffer, Realtor, $5,400

Craig Robins, president and CEO of Dacra, $5,400

Ed Easton, chairman and CEO of the Easton Group, $5,400

Stuart Miller, executive chairman of Lennar Corporation, $5,400

Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, $2,700

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner of Pinnacle Housing Group, $5,400

Arnaud Karsenti, managing principal at 13th Floor Investments, $2,700

Jill Soffer, interior designer, $2,700

Todd Glaser, developer, $2,700

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: The former University of Miami president has ties to housing. She was assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and before that was on the board of Lennar Corporation. On the environment, her platform includes investing in clean energy infrastructure, encouraging the installation of solar panels in homes and tightening efficiency standards.

Attorney General Sean Shaw Democrat Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $745,000 Campaign war chest: $1.49 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Philip Levine, developer and CEO of Royal Media Partners, $1,000

247 Miracle Mile LLC, a Terranova Corp. entity led by Stephen Bittel and Mindy McIlroy, $1,000

Better Future LLC, a company led by Terranova’s Bittel and Scott Fitzgerard, $1,000

Blue Sky Communities, a multifamily firm based in Tampa, $500

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: At the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach in September, Shaw vowed to look into whether Russians used Trump properties to launder money. Shaw compared his competition to “an extension of Pam Bondi” — a reference to the current attorney general’s decision to not investigate Trump University.

Attorney General Ashley Moody Republican Lives in: Tampa Net worth: $3 million Campaign war chest: $3.72 million Biggest Donors in Real Estate:

Companies tied to Tampa developer Stephen Dibbs, $10,000

Companies tied to Cargor Partners, a Bradenton homebuilder, $9,000

Continental Pacific, a commercial real estate firm, $3,000

Brent Sembler, vice chairman of the Sembler Company, $4,000

James Terlizzi, CEO of Peachtree Settlement Funding, $3,000

Third Lake Capital, $3,000

Barrow Realty, $3,000

The St. Joe Company of Watersound, Florida, $3,000

Patrick Neal, founder of Neal Communities, $3,000

Marta Batsmanian, Palm Beach commercial investor, $3,000

Jimmy Tate’s Tate Development Corporation, $3,000

Rayonier, timberland real estate investment trust, $3,000

Louis Wolfson III, founding partner at Pinnacle Housing Group, $3,000

Ron Bergeron, CEO of the Bergeron Family of Companies, $3,000

Michael Belisle, office manager of Linda A. Gary Real Estate, $3,000

The Celebration Company, $2,500

Mel Sembler, founder of the Sembler Company, $2,000

Rodney Barreto’s Coral Gables Title and Escrow, $1,000

Michael Adler, chairman and CEO of Adler Group, $1,000

Real Estate Issues on the Campaign Trail: Moody won the endorsements of the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtors PACs and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. The construction trade group cited her “support of reducing barriers to increase innovation and promote job creation.” Moody also picked up Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s endorsement.

from The Real Deal Miami https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/election-day-showdown/#new_tab via IFTTT

[maxwellyjordan]

Monday round-up

At CNN, Ariane de Vogue reports that as the justices take the bench this morning for what is likely the last Monday of the term, “[s]ix opinions remain, including on the travel ban, public sector unions and redistricting, and one looming question that could change the future direction of the court: Will there be a retirement?” Steven Mazie takes a quick look at the remaining cases for The Economist’s Espresso blog. Additional coverage of the final lap of the term comes from Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung at Reuters.

OnFriday the Supreme Court decided four cases, including a closely watched Fourth Amendment case, Carpenter v. United States, in which the justices held 5-4 that the government ordinarily needs a warrant to access historical cell-site location information. At Good Judgment, Ryan Adler assesses the crowd’s forecast in the case. At NPR, Nina Totenberg reports that “until now, the prevailing legal theory was that if an individual voluntarily shares his information with a third party — for instance, by signing up for cellphone service — police can get that information without a search warrant,” but that “[o]n Friday, the Supreme Court blew a hole in that theory.” Additional coverage comes from Louise Matsakis at Wired and from Lyle Denniston at Constitution Daily, who reports that “[e]ven as it insisted it was acting narrowly, and spoke of some limits on the reach of the ruling, the Court definitely gave a modern cast to the Fourth Amendment, now 227 years old.” Commentary and analysis come from Curt Levey in an op-ed for Fox News, Krebs on Security, Jon Schuppe at NBC News, Erica Goldberg at PrawfsBlawg, and Garrett Epps at The Atlantic.

The justices also held 5-4 on Friday in Currier v. Virginia that a defendant who consents to sequential trials for multiple, overlapping offenses waives his right to make an issue-preclusion claim under the Constitution’s double jeopardy clause after an acquittal in the first trial. Lissa Griffin analyzes the opinion for this blog, and Subscript Law has a graphic explainer. At Constitution Daily, Scott Bomboy reports that the case involved “the legal idea that a defendant can’t be tried for the same issue in more than one criminal trial.” Kent Scheidegger discusses the ruling at Crime and Consequences.

In Ortiz v. United States, the justices held 7-2 that a judge’s simultaneous service on two military courts does not violate the dual-officeholder ban. This blog’s opinion analysis comes from Amy Howe and was first published at Howe on the Court. At PrawfsBlawg, Howard Wasserman notes that “[t]he dispute leaves open whether SCOTUS could review decisions by modern administrative agencies (something Congress has never purported to do).”

Friday’s final opinion was in WesternGeco LLC v. ION Geophysical Corp., in which the justices ruled 7-2 that damages for overseas infringement of a domestic patent include lost profits for overseas contracts the patentholder would have obtained if the infringement had not occurred. Ronald Mann analyzes the opinion for this blog. Subscript Law’s graphic explainer is here. At PrawfsBlawg, Cassandra Robertson calls the decision “an interesting departure from its recent trend toward limiting litigation with foreign dimensions.”

At Governing, Liz Farmer reports that South Dakota v. Wayfair, in which the justices voted last week to overrule two prior cases that prohibited states from requiring out-of-state retailers who don’t have a store or warehouse in the state to collect tax on sales to state residents, “is one of the most significant state and local finance rulings in the modern era and comes at a time when sales tax revenues have been steadily shrinking thanks in part to more purchases being made online.” Law360 (subscription required) offers comprehensive coverage of the decision. For The Wall Street Journal, Jess Bravin reports that the decision “culminated a yearslong campaign by state governments and big-box stores determined to close a loophole they argued was draining state treasuries and disadvantaging brick-and-mortar shops,” “underscor[ing] that Supreme Court cases don’t always arise by happenstance.” At The Economist’s Democracy in America blog, Steven Mazie remarks that in Chief Justice John Roberts’ dissent, “[t]he point of contention was not whether the 50-year-old physical presence rule was the right one, constitutionally—all nine justices seem to agree it wasn’t—but whether the court in 2018 should overrule a decision that has been standing since 1967.” Commentary comes from Will Baude at PrawfsBlawg, who wonders what the debate between the majority and the dissent about the principles governing the application of stare decisis in the case “implies about other judge-made doctrines that might hit the Court’s docket in the future.”  [Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is among the counsel to the petitioner in this case.]

At Slate, Mark Joseph Stern suggests that Justice Elena Kagan’s majority opinion in Lucia v. Securities and Exchange Commission, in which the court held last week that SEC administrative law judges are “officers of the United States” within the meaning of the appointments clause, who have to be appointed by the president, a court or a department head, is an example of the justice’s “wrestling the court’s far-right justices to a draw in order to forestall disaster.” Commentary comes from Arthur Sapper at Ogletree Deakins, Coates Lear at The National Law Review, and Carlton Smith at Procedurally Taxing. Counting to 5 (podcast) looks at the decisions in Lucia and Wayfair.

For this blog, Jennifer Chacon analyzes last week’s decision in Pereira v. Sessions, in which the court held that a notice ordering a noncitizen to appear for deportation proceedings without specifying a time or place does not stop the clock on the noncitizen’s accrual of continuous presence in the U.S. Subscript has a graphic explainer for the decision. At PrawfsBlawg, Chris Walker looks at Justice Anthony Kennedy’s “solo concurrence, in which he added his voice to the judicial chorus for reconsidering Chevron deference.” [Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is among the counsel on an amicus brief in support of the petitioner in this case.]

At The George Washington Law Review’s On the Docket blog, Alan Morrison finds “more good news than bad in [last] week’s redistricting decisions”  in two partisan-gerrymandering cases, Gill v. Whitford and Benisek v. Lamone, both of which the justices sent back to the lower courts without reaching the merits, “even though they are a temporary setback in ending the practice.” Additional commentary comes from Kenneth Jost at Jost on Justice. Counting to 5 (podcast) features a discussion of the case.

At The National Law Review, Kim Rinehart and others discuss Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, in which the justices revived a First Amendment retaliatory-arrest claim and “remanded his case for consideration of whether retaliation was in fact a but-for cause of [Lozman’s] arrest and whether the arrest constituted an official act on the part of the City.” At The Scoop News, Francesco Abbruzzino hopes the ruling “will be an eye opener for the local government institutions, when it comes to conducting meetings.” At First Mondays (podcast), Dan Epps and Ian Samuel interview “two-time Supreme Court winner Fane Lozman” – “the man, the myth, the legend.”

Briefly:

At Cleveland.com, Sabrina Eaton reports that “[d]ays after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Ohio’s process for removing inactive voters from its rolls [in Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute], U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make that process illegal.”

The Heritage Foundation’s SCOTUS 101 podcast features discussions of “the decisions in Carpenter, Lucia, and Wayfair and whether Justice Kennedy is dropping hints that he won’t retire,” as well as a “chat with the newest addition to the D.C. Circuit, Judge Greg Katsas.”

At Ogletree Deakins, Matthew Wholey and Hanna Raanen look at China Agritech v. Resh, in which the court held that the rule suspending the statute of limitations for individual claims filed after a failed class action does not apply to subsequent class actions. [Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is among the counsel on an amicus brief in support of the respondents in this case.]

At News, Joel Dodge argues that the court’s decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, in which the court held that, because it did not exhibit religious neutrality, the commission violated the free-exercise rights of a baker who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, “could actually make it harderfor President Donald Trump’s administration to carry out its assault on access to contraception.”

At the Election Law Blog, Rick Hasen suggests that Abbott v. Perez, two complex redistricting cases from Texas, “could well … end[] not with a major decision, but with a punt (as in Benisek) on the standards for issuing injunctions.”

At The George Washington Law Review’s On the Docket blog, Naomi Cahn looks at Sveen v. Melin, in which the court that retroactive application of a state law providing that divorce automatically nullifies the designation of a former spouse as a life-insurance beneficiary does not violate the Constitution’s contracts clause.

Commentary on WesternGeco LLC v. ION Geophysical Corp., in which the justices ruled last week that damages for overseas infringement of a domestic patent include lost profits for overseas contracts the patentholder would have obtained if the infringement had not occurred. comes from Michael Renaud at The National Law Review.

At Slate, Steve Vladeck writes that the Supreme Court has been asked to review a decision by “the 5thS. Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal appeals court with jurisdiction over Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) [holding] that, even if a CBP agent at the U.S.-Mexico border commits what one judge described as a ‘cold-blooded murder,’ the victim’s family cannot sue him for damages.”

We rely on our readers to send us links for our round-up.  If you have or know of a recent (published in the last two or three days) article, post, podcast, or op-ed relating to the Supreme Court that you’d like us to consider for inclusion in the round-up, please send it to roundup [at] scotusblog.com. Thank you!

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[pcwpolwrestling]

PCW Rewind: 5/3/2012 PCW Politics is War on P-SPAN- Democratic Battle Royale

Blackwell, Others, Suspended for White House Correspondent’s Dinner Attack PCW NEWSLINE – May 1st, 2012

PCW Spokesperson Jay Carney announced earlier today that Charlie Blackwell and Mike the Mechanic from the American Heartland Coalition have been suspended from PCW for their actions last Saturday night at the White House Correspondent‘s Dinner.

Blackwell and Mike led a charge of unaffiliated wrestlers into the hall after Jimmy Kimmel‘s routine and all hell broke loose as the group attacked the Republican and Democrat wrestlers as well as some of the honored guests.

Said Carney:

We simply can’t have this type of unruly behavior on one of Washington D.C‘s grandest traditions- politicos hobnobbing with and showcasing rich elite celebrities and other people with overly inflated visions of self importance.

Carney also noted that this is the second time the American Heartland Coalition has attacked the dinner- harking back to last year’s PCW show where the American Heartland Coalition ripped the event saying things such as:  “While the haves dance at their ‘Nerd Prom’, the have nots have to dance around their deteriorating economic situation and try to make ends meet.”

Also suspended, PCW’s Queen of Extreme Valora Salinas and the Mercenaries (Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski) for their ‘despicable attack’ on the Hollywood guests.

Valora Salinas and the Mercenaries: Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski

Said Carney:

No one goes to the dinner to see what kind of ridiculous get up Maureen Dowd of the New York Times is dressed in.  They go to see the stars and we simply can’t have loose cannons like Valora and the Mercenaries driving our Hollywood friends away.

Carney also announced that any wrestler not affiliated with the Republicans or Democrats would be ‘excused’ from this Thursday’s PCW Politics is War on P-SPAN show.  The special two hour show will be split up with the Republicans taking the first hour and the Democrats taking the second hour to begin tournaments to determine who the Red (Republican) and Blue (Democrat) title holders will be.

Carney noted that the Red and Blue titles will be awarded at next month’s PCW Loose Cannons Unleashed 8 pay per view show.

MATCHES SIGNED FOR JUNE’S PCW LOOSE CANNONS UNLEASHED 8 PPV:-PCW Television Title Match: ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D) (c) vs. Valora Salinas-PCW Tag Team Title Match: Big Union: ‘The Self Proclaimed Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker (D) (c) vs. Scott Walker’s Rangers: Ronnie and John Walker (R)-PCW Women’s Title Match: Miss USA (c) vs. Kathryn Randall Collins (D) -Red Title Match: TBD -Blue Title Match: TBD -PCW Title Match: The Sanderman (D) (c) vs. Yamamoto Tanaka (R)

Plus, PCW Hall of Fame Inductions of: Wrestlers: ‘No Frills’ Chris Escondido (I) and Starz N. Stripes (also known as ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott) (R) Politicians: ‘The American Screamer’ Howard Dean (D-VT) and ‘The Mastermind’ Karl Rove (R)

PCW Politics is War on P-SPAN Viking Hall Bristol, TN Thursday May 3rd, 2012 Host: Johnny Suave

It was the first show after the big announcement on PCW Extreme Political TV that Republicans and Democrats will be competing separately for the Red and Blue title belts.  Plus, the arena was still buzzing over what went down at the White House Correspondent‘s Dinner aka “the Nerdprom” and subsequent suspensions of ringleaders Charlie Blackwell and Mike the Mechanic of the American Heartland Coalition along with PCW’s Queen of Extreme Valora Salinas and The Mercenaries (Dawn McGill and Svetlana Kovalevski).

Suave welcomes everyone to the pre Star Wars Day edition of PCW Politics is War on P-SPAN.

Backstage Fun Democratic Leader Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Republican Leader Rance Priebus argue back and forth about who will start the show- the Democrats or the Republicans.

PCW Television Champion ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D) barges in and pushes Priebus away.  Chism demands to know why he wasn’t chosen higher in the draft?  Wasserman-Schultz tries to answer but Chism interrupts her and says it’s not fair to put a talent of his stature in that type of position.  Chism reminds her that he represents the Hollywood Left contingent and that’s an important Democratic constituent.

Wasserman-Schultz apologizes and Chism he’ll have a ’preferred’ entry into the tournament to determine the ’Blue’ champion.  The words barely leave her mouth when Big Union (‘The Self Proclaimed Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker) (D) walk up.  Big Labor shoves Chism out of the way and informs Wasserman-Schultz that Big Union is a big supporter of Democrats and if anyone should have a preferred path to the Blue title it’s either him or James the Jeep Worker.

Wasserman-Schultz tries to sooth things over with Big Labor when Extreme Plaintiff Attorneys Felcher and Felcher walk out with a legal letter they say gives them a preferred entry into the Blue belt title match.

Then it’s the Green World Order (‘Extreme Vegan’ Brock Cole Lee, GreenPete, ‘Radishing’ Rick Rube- Agronomist, and PeaceNick w/Peta from PETA) who come out and claim their preferred spot.

Finally, PCW CEO Barack Obama’s (D-IL) second in command Joe Biden (D-DE) walks out to mediate the dispute.

Biden: As you all know, CEO Obama has a big stick that he uses to keep order here in PCW.  I know that none of you are red state country bumpkins.  You’re shrewd politicos but I am here to tell you that you are not getting what you want.  We want you all to have a fair shot at the Blue title. We think you all deserve a chance at the Blue title.  Democrats want you all to have a title shot.  So tonight, we’re going to have a battle royale…and it’s going to be the main event of the show!

Outside the Arena The American Heartland Coalition’s Charlie Blackwell, Mike the Mechanic, Tequila Sheila, and Kenzie Blackwell huddle outside.  Suave reminds everyone that Blackwell and Mike are banned from the arena because what went down at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

(1) ‘The Japanese SuperDestroyer’ Yamamoto Tanaka (R) def. Rev. Oral Hinnrich (R) of the God Squad

Tanaka hit a powerbomb early on and then finished Rev. Hinnrich with the Japanese SuperDestroyer @ :58.

Post match, Tanaka does a commercial for a big corporation who then lavish the former three time PCW champion with cash.

Texas Jack (R) hits the ring and breaks up Tanaka’s party.  He thanks the Republican Establishment for being short sighted corporate jackasses.  He tries to goad Tanaka into a extreme hardcore brawl but Priebus comes out and puts a stop to it.

Priebus says the days of the ‘old’ PCW without rules are over.  The Republican says he’s enacted a series of new rules designed to make the PCW Red belt more corporate friendly.  No more hardcore, out of control brawls.  No more weapons. Only good ol’ fashioned all-American wrestling.    Priebus then books Texas Jack in a match against RINO- The Wonk Machine.

(2) RINO- The Wonk Machine (R) def. Texas Jack (R) by DQ

Good match into Texas Jack got pissed off at RINO and tossed him out of the ring.  Jack grabbed a chair and clobbered the Wonk Machine with it to get disqualified @ 6:03.

Post match, Texas Jack drills the referee with the chair and chases Priebus to the back.

“The Life of Julia”The Obama campaign released a web slideshow that takes the viewer through the life stages of a fictional woman named Julia. At age three, a slide says Julia is enrolled in the government Head Start program, which says presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney would slash. Later in life, the web tool says Julia received cheaper student loans, a Pell Grant and a tax credit. She benefited from the health care law and in her older years, Julia received Medicare and Social Security.

Backstage PCW Investigative Reporter Woodward Bernstein talks with ‘the Massachusetts Redblood’ Mitt Romney (R-MA).  Romney notes that with the disappointing job numbers out there that the thing Julia needs the most is a job.

(3) Big Oil (R) w/Kirk Walstreit def. ‘The Right Reverend’ Randy Richardson (R)

In a wild match that saw both men nearly get counted out, Big Oil hit the Oklahoma Driller to defeat Triple R @ 11:28 and move on in the tournament.

After the match, Big Oil got on the microphone and announced that the naming rights to his finisher, the Oklahoma Driller, had been sold for over two million dollars to Chevron.  So now, Big Oil says the finisher is to be called the ‘Chevron Oklahoma Driller.’

Suave: Swell.

JuliaThe latest political sensation Julia walks out with Democratic strategist Karen Finney.  Finney calls Julia the epitomy of ‘what women want’ and says if Mitt Romney had his way, she’d be dead in her mid-30′s.

Suave: Huh?

Finney says Julia will now be the Democrats standard barrier to win the PCW Women’s title back from Miss USA.

(4) Kirk Walstreit (R) w/Big Oil def. Magnum PO’d w/ Robyn Masters

Walstreit wins with the Stock Market Plunge @ 7:19 to advance.  Then he got on the microphone.

Walstreit: It’s about time the adults took back PCW and stopped all this hardcore, extreme crap.  It’s over, people.  Go back to your computers and download pictures of Megan Fox to amuse yourselves while the big boys take care of business.  Go back to your Star Wars conventions along with the rest of the job challenged adult adolescents and–

Suave: Indeed.  May the Fourth be with you.

Joe Biden‘s OfficePriebus and Wasserman-Schultz are joined by John Boehner (R-OH) and Harry Reid (D-NV) as they bicker back and forth about the format of the shows.  Then…

Two men come out and unroll a white carpet. Dancers then dance. Ballet dancers…ballet? Little children walk up the white carpet and drop rose petals. Someone lets loose some pigeons…not sure just how they’ll get out of the building.  PCW CEO Barack Obama appears.

Obama: I also find your lack of faith disturbing.  Here’s my proposition.  The Red show will get a half hour a week at a venue of their choosing.  The Blue show will get a half hour a week at their venue.  PCW Extreme Political TV will be the home show for the independents/non-affiliated.

(5) Julia (D) def. Kacie Myers

Julia wins but with help from Women for Women (Code Pink and Emily S. List) and then from the referee who ’assists’ Julia in defeating Independent Myers.

MATCHES SIGNED FOR JUNE’S PCW LOOSE CANNONS UNLEASHED 8 PPV:-PCW Television Title Match: ‘The One Man Hollywood A-List’ Stone Chism (D) (c) vs. Valora Salinas-PCW Tag Team Title Match: Big Union: ‘The Self Proclaimed Savior of the Middle Class’ Big Labor and James the Jeep Worker (D) (c) vs. Scott Walker’s Rangers: Ronnie and John Walker (R)-PCW Women’s Title Match: Miss USA (c) vs. Kathryn Randall Collins (D) -Red Title Match: TBD -Blue Title Match: TBD -PCW Title Match: The Sanderman (D) (c) vs. Yamamoto Tanaka (R)

Plus, PCW Hall of Fame Inductions of: Wrestlers: ‘No Frills’ Chris Escondido (I) and Starz N. Stripes (also known as ‘American Citizen’ Kevin Scott) (R) Politicians: ‘The American Screamer’ Howard Dean (D-VT) and ‘The Mastermind’ Karl Rove (R)

Main Event: Democratic Battle Royale

No one wants to fight- they all believe they should get an automatic pass to the title match.  Then newcomer and former PCW Champion Daniel-San (D) runs down and takes out each wrestler one by one.  He tosses Big Labor out to claim the win at 24:41

Immediately after the match, the entire group raced to the back towards CEO Obama’s office as the show ends…