It's been a hell of a week, and it's almost over. Just a few more hours and I'll be right home to you, tub of Heath Bar frozen yogurt and copy of Joe Hill's The Fireman. But first, the old news!
For the second time in less than two months, the Hillsborough County Commission voted not to take the option for a half-cent sales tax hike for transportation improvements to the people in the form of a ballot referendum. To be clear (once again), the commission didn't vote against a tax hike — it voted against giving the citizens it represents an opportunity to vote for or against a tax hike themselves. Nice representin' there, folks. Thanks for not bothering the public you serve with the burden of choice.
A federal appeals court ruled that the Second Amendment to the Constitution does not grant or protect the right to openly carry firearms in public. Because derf. I'm sorry, but trying to get away with saying open carry is protected by the Second Amendment is like trying to get away with walking into a restaurant with your dong hanging out by saying that shit wasn't mentioned on the "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" sign.
And finally, President Barack Obama officially endorsed candidate and presumptive Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton. Don't expire from surprise. And please, try not violently expel a bunch of sour-grapes outrage in the direction of Clinton fans or the public in general (looking at you, conservatives and BernieBros) — it's not a shock, it's not a disgrace, and it's not too early.
Photo by Michael E. Cumpston via Creative Commons license.
