Kevin’s asked me to stop over from myFDL to create a liveblog of direct action and protest at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida today. Despite the weather & heavy police presence, actions have already begun there with banner drops, marches, and a late night dance party for freedom in the streets in the first days of protest. Two Occupy-style encampments are in place on private land to support occupiers and other activists, including the original unevicted Occupy Tampa camp and a new one called Camp Romneyville.

Fatster’s news roundup features stories from around the globe, including links and articles about the war on Syrian children, violence in Lebanon, US vs Iran, Pakistani militants, Germany vs. Greece, banks’ Iran laundering, Obama backs Shell, Republican convention, Republican crazies, Charlie Christ endorses Obama, US unemployment, Occupy the Midwest, and more.

David Ferguson reports that security rules around the Republican convention may preclude you from carrying a toy water squirt gun near the convention site, but Florida laws will prevent police from interfering with the state’s laws giving anyone the right to carry live guns and ammo. What could possibly go wrong?