>> WHEN YOU FEEL STUPID, READ THIS!
>>
>>
>>
>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
>>
>>
>>
>> (On September 17, 1994, Alabama's Heather Whitestone was selected as Miss America 1995.)
>>
>> Question: If you could live forever, would you and why?
>>
>> Answer: "I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever,"
>>
>> --Miss Alabama in the 1994 Miss USA contest.
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>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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>>
>>
>> "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."
>>
>> --Mariah Carey
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>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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>>
>>
>> "Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"
>>
>> -- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign
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>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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>>
>>
>> "I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"
>>
>> --Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.
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>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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>>
>>
>> "Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,"
>>
>> --Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC . ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
>>
>>
>>
>> "That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it,"
>>
>> --A congressional candidate in Texas ..
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>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Guns Save Lives


[Video] AL Homeowner Shoots and Kills Suspected Burglar Using Shotgun
MO Homeowner Shoots Drunken Intruder, Who Attacked Him, In the Leg
BREAKING: First Arrest is Made in NY for SAFE Act
[Video] AL Homeowner Shoots and Kills Suspected Burglar Using Shotgun
Posted: 15 Mar 2013 12:34 PM PDT
A homeowner in Alabama shot and killed a suspected burglar with a single shot from a shotgun. The details of the incident are not clear from the report, but police ar confident the homeowner acted in self defense. The assistant police chief interviewed in the video below appears to be very pro Second Amendment and [...]
MO Homeowner Shoots Drunken Intruder, Who Attacked Him, In the Leg
Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:59 AM PDT
A MO homeowner was woken up by his teenage daughter who heard sounds of someone trying to break into their home. When the homeowner went to investigate, he opened the front door and a man entered the home. A brief struggle ensued and ended when the homeowner fired a single shot from a handgun at [...]
BREAKING: First Arrest is Made in NY for SAFE Act
Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:55 AM PDT
Apparently the first person has been arrested in NY under the state’s new SAFE gun control act. According to the AP, Local media outlets report that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says 32-year-old Benjamin Wassell of Silver Creek was charged Thursday with felonies related to the sale of illegal weapons. Schneiderman says he twice sold [...]

This week, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio addressed...

This week, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference 2013 (CPAC 2013), stopped in Orlando to highlight a major entrepreneurship education initiative, praised the House GOP budget and supported the Senate effort to defund ObamaCare. Marco also introduced legislation to determine the costs of federal regulations on small businesses and a measure to block key aid to Egypt unless significant reforms are made.

For more ways to stay connected with Marco’s office, be sure to “like” his Facebook page, follow the office Twitter account, check out his mobile apps, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Rubio Speaks at CPAC 2013

Yesterday, Marco addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference 2013. Watch here.



Rubio Highlights Entrepreneurship Education Initiative In Orlando

On Monday, Marco delivered remarks at the Blackstone Charitable Foundation’s LaunchPad Central Florida announcement in Orlando. Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education, which Rubio has made a central pillar of his agenda for building a strong and vibrant 21 st century middle class. Watch News 13’s coverage of the event here.

Rubio Praises House Republican Budget

On Tuesday, Marco praised the House Republican budget as a serious plan to grow the economy and solve America’s debt problem.

Rubio: “Paul Ryan and House Republicans have once again offered serious solutions to our nation’s growing debt and challenging job market. We need to save our Medicare and Social Security programs, and this is a way to do it without affecting current retirees like my mom or those who are close to retiring. This plan is also right to call for the end of ObamaCare, which will only become a bigger job-destroying and debt-busting nightmare as it is implemented. To accept that ObamaCare is here to stay is to accept another anchor that threatens to sink our kids’ dreams.”

Keep reading here.

Rubio Introduces Legislation To Expose Costs Of Federal Regulations For Small Businesses

This week, Marco introduced two bills to help alleviate the crushing burden of regulations on small businesses. The “Regulation Costs to Small Business Act” requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to conduct an annual study determining the total cost of federal regulations specifically to small businesses. The “Regulation Costs to America Act” requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an annual study determining the total cost of all federal regulations.

Rubio: “Currently there is no up-to-date assessment by the government showing what its federal regulations are costing small businesses and the American taxpayer. By requiring annual reports, we will have a sense of the cost of all the hurdles small businesses have to jump over and can determine just how excessive current regulations are on business owners.”

Read more about these legislative efforts here.

Rubio Calls For Defunding of ObamaCare

On Wednesday, Marco spoke on the Senate floor in favor of defunding of ObamaCare.

Rubio: “When they start to fully implement this over the next 12-18 months, it is going to be an epic disaster. An epic disaster. Not because it was ill-intentioned, per se. I think the goal of providing an environment where everybody can buy affordable health insurance is something we should take very seriously and we have to work on. You can’t have a strong, stable middle class if people can’t afford the cost of living. You can’t have a strong and stable middle class if people don’t have access to quality health care at an affordable price. And we should work on that. We should work on that really hard.”

Watch his full speech here.

Rubio Introduces Measure To Block Key Aid To Egypt Absent Reforms

Marco introduced an amendment to the Continuing Resolution that would block two key forms of U.S. assistance to Egypt unless economic reforms and human rights safeguards are adopted, while also initiating a more thorough, longer term reevaluation of U.S. military assistance to Egypt. Among other measures, The Egypt Accountability and Democracy Amendment would block the disbursement of additional economic support funds and new foreign military financing (FMF) contracts until Egypt begins to enact economic reforms and the Obama administration certifies that Egypt is protecting basic freedoms and human rights.

Rubio: “Our foreign policy programs must make clear that the era of blank checks in exchange for little or nothing that advances America’s interests is over.”

On Tuesday, Marco spoke on the Senate floor regarding this amendment. Watch here.

Constituent Corner

This week, Rubio’s staff assisted Ms. Brown, a resident of the Treasure Coast who has stage IV cancer and had recently applied for Social Security disability benefits. Ms. Brown contacted our office for assistance expediting her case. As a result of our Congressional inquiry, we discovered that Ms. Brown’s claim was not yet entered for processing. Our staff worked diligently with the Social Security Administration and Ms. Brown’s claim was immediately processed with a favorable outcome.

Mobile Office Hours

Our staff will be hosting “ Mobile Office Hours” to meet with constituents and assist them with federal issues in their own communities. For constituents who cannot visit the regional offices, these Mobile Office Hours offer a more convenient way to seek federal casework assistance. All times listed below are local:

Tuesday - March 19, 2013
Miami-Dade County
10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street
Lobby Area
Miami, FL 33128

Thursday - March 21, 2013
Miami-Dade County
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Miami-Dade County Public Library
West Flagler Branch
5050 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33134

Monday - March 25, 2013
Dixie County
11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Dixie County Public Library
16328 SE Highway 19
Cross City, FL 32628

Levy County
2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Tommy Usher Community Center
506 SW 4th Ave
Chiefland, FL 32626

Gilchrist County
4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Trenton Public Library
105 Northeast 11th Avenue
Trenton, FL 32693

Tuesday - March 26, 2013
Alachua County
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Alachua City Hall
15100 NW 142nd Terrace
Alachua, FL 32615

Union County
12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Union County Library
250 Southeast 5th Avenue
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Bradford County
2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Bradford County Public Library
456 West Pratt Street
Starke, FL 32091

Osceola County
9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Poinciana Community Center
395 Marigold Ave.
Kissimmee, FL 34759

Wednesday - March 27, 2013
Orange County
10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Renaissance Senior Community Center
Orange County Parks & Recreation
3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, FL 32829


Senator Marco Rubio
United States Senate Washington DC, 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3041
Fax: n/a

DEP AND EPA CRAFT SOLUTION FOR SAFER, CLEANER WATER FOR FLORIDA

MEDIA ADVISORY: March 15, 2013
CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

~ Florida's numeric nutrient criteria will cover the vast majority of Florida waterbodies ~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an agreement to continue the protection of Florida’s waterways from excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. These pollutants cause algal blooms and are among the largest contributors to water quality problems in Florida. This agreement marks a significant step forward in protecting and restoring water quality across the state.

The agreement builds off of momentum from November, when EPA approved the state's numeric nutrient criteria to cover all lakes, rivers, streams and springs, as well as estuaries from Clearwater Harbor to Biscayne Bay. The Department will move forward with rulemaking and legislation in 2013 to finish the job of setting numeric nutrient criteria for Florida's waterways.




"As a result of continued cooperation, the Department and EPA have developed a joint commitment to clean up Florida’s waterways,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “We can now move forward to implementing nutrient reduction criteria, rather than delaying environmental improvements due to endless litigation. We all should recognize the dedication of EPA and Department scientists to protecting our waterways. We appreciate their commitment to a sound, long term plan to protect Florida waters.”

The plan includes proposing state legislation and adopting additional state rules that, when combined, will eliminate the need for continued dual rulemaking and secure the foundation for a singular, state-led solution for the state of Florida. Currently, state and federal rules are in place for some Florida waterbodies.

The proposed legislation would require the Department to complete its nutrient criteria rulemaking for remaining coastal and estuarine waters by Dec. 1, 2014, and establish interim nutrient standards until then. The legislation would further codify requirements for nutrient conditions in all managed conveyances and canals, and makes it clear that all state criteria will go into effect when EPA removes the federal criteria and ceases future rulemaking.

“Clean water is vital to Florida’s future. The health and growth of Florida’s economy, and the jobs that go with it, depend on high quality and sustainable sources of water,” said Sen. Charlie Dean. “We expect this legislation to be part a strong, effective framework for protecting and restoring waters which are vital to the economic and environmental health of Florida. Secretary Vinyard’s leadership is instrumental in getting the water right.”

“There is not a bigger challenge or more important issue to address than nutrients, if we are to restore and protect the health of our rivers, lakes, springs and estuaries,” said Rep. Matt Caldwell. “Measurable nutrient criteria will result in cleaner, safer water for all Floridians.”

In addition, the Department has adopted a clear implementation plan for the criteria so application of the new rules can occur immediately. This agreement, once implemented and completed, will be coupled with EPA’s prior approval in November of the Department’s adopted water quality standards. The result will be Florida having numeric nutrient standards for lakes, streams springs, estuaries and coastal waters, and all but nearly 1 percent of these waterways in the state.

Supplemental Information:

NNC Agreement

Path Forward Document

Implementation Plan

Proposed Legislation

Florida Numeric Nutrient Criteria Coverage Map

Numeric Nutrient Criteria State-by-State


About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/FLDEP-7148e6

This Week's Analysis 5 Things the El Salvador Gang Truce Has Taught Us

Weekly InSight | 15 March 2013



One year on from a secretly negotiated truce between El Salvador’s two biggest gangs, discerning the facts is almost as difficult as it was when gang leaders were shuttled to lower security prisons in the dead of night, kicking off the deal.

How to Find Mexico's Disappeared

Skepticism is the mother's milk of Mexican politics, but under pressure from human rights groups and victims’ relatives, the government may at last be ready to search for the more than 26,000 people missing in the gangland wars.


Guatemalan Foreign Minister Calls for "Historic Dialogue" on Alternative Strategies in War on Drugs
Peña Nieto's Tangled Security Reforms
Neo-Paramilitary Groups Consolidating in Colombia: Report

News
Central America Plans to Share Criminal Records Across Borders
'FARC Selling Off Colombia Drug Franchises to Sinaloa Cartel'
Mexico City Launches Crime-Fighting Smartphone App
Bolivia Struggles Against Rising Tide of Crime
Mexican Authorities Accuse Vigilantes of Drug Cartel Ties
'Zetas' Network Trafficked Drugs from Nicaragua to Europe, Russia
More News

Multimedia
Undercover cops in Lima, Peru, film a downtown ketamine deal.


An InSight Crime map shows where Brazil's gun violence has grown most dramatically in the past 10 years.




InSight is Sponsored by:

American University
Open Society Foundations

Black Smoke from the WH?

Guns Save Lives


Manhattan Millionaire Faces 3 Years in Jail For Using “Unregistered” Gun To Defend Home From Intruder
Gun Posters and Images for March 14 (7 Images)
[Video] Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Dianne Feinstein Have Heated Exchange During AWB Debate
BREAKING: Feinstein Assault Weapons Ban Passes Senate Judiciary Committee
Hey Mark Kelly, That .45 You Bought Is a “Weapon of War”; That AR-15 Is Not
NRA WILL Oppose Universal Background Check Bill; Despite Mainstream Media Reports Otherwise
Manhattan Millionaire Faces 3 Years in Jail For Using “Unregistered” Gun To Defend Home From Intruder
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 07:23 PM PDT
According to the Washington Times, a millionaire business owner in Manhattan faces up to three years in jail after he drew a gun on an intruder who was in his home. The gun was registered to the homeowner’s bodyguard, not him. While there is a good chance this man won’t see jail time it makes [...]
Gun Posters and Images for March 14 (7 Images)
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 10:24 AM PDT
Just go buy a shotgun! OK. Is this cool with you Joe?
[Video] Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Dianne Feinstein Have Heated Exchange During AWB Debate
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 09:47 AM PDT
Senator Cruz seems to be keeping emotion out of the arguments pretty well and it seems that DiFi gets flustered far too easily. Between Senator Cruz and Senator Paul I have to say that my hope for the GOP is every so slightly returning. Cruz: The question that I would pose to the senior senator [...]
BREAKING: Feinstein Assault Weapons Ban Passes Senate Judiciary Committee
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 08:40 AM PDT
According to Fox News, The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a renewed assault-weapons ban, advancing the measure to the Senate floor where it will face intense resistance from Republicans and other gun-rights supporters. The bill was approved by the committee on a party-line, 10-8 vote. Chief sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she knows [...]
Hey Mark Kelly, That .45 You Bought Is a “Weapon of War”; That AR-15 Is Not
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 08:22 AM PDT
Mark Kelly has found himself at the heart of a media firestorm after being caught buying an AR-15 rifle at the same time he bought a 1911 style .45 pistol. Kelly and other anti gunners repeatedly say that the AR-15 is a weapon of war, designed for the battle field and has no business in [...]
NRA WILL Oppose Universal Background Check Bill; Despite Mainstream Media Reports Otherwise
Posted: 14 Mar 2013 06:57 AM PDT
The following is an official statement from the NRA’s Chris Cox. An article appearing today on NBCNews.com is falsely reporting that NRA will not oppose legislation being negotiated in the U.S. Senate that would mandate background checks for all gun purchasers. The story posted on NBCNews.com alleges that NRA will not oppose expanding the background [...]
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