Not Smack Talk, Just Some Facts

[AURex 2,031]

Florida is the 3rd largest state in the U.S. In the 130 years since it became a state, there has never been a President elected from this state. Never a President even born in Florida who lived elsewhere. Plenty of Floridians have run. Some with national cred. Askew, for example. Graham was the best national candidate until he was eliminated due to health issues.

Does DeSantis have an tiny inkling of a chance? IMO (and it is just my opinion), Nope! Not a chance. Is Trump a Floridian now? No matter. Does does Trump have a chance? Nope! Not a chance.

Florida Man. I love all those Florida Man posts. Such fun.

Not Presidential material.

JMO.

 

 

[SLAG-91 1,483]

If you're going to post some facts, make sure they're actually, y'know, facts.

Florida was admitted to the Union 178 years ago...took about 5 seconds to verify that.

Bob Graham being the "best national candidate" for 2004 is an opinion, and not a particularly valid one. He didn't even make it to 2004 before withdrawing, and polled pretty much near the bottom.

You got 3rd most populous state right.

 

[AU9377 5,025]

DeSantis is an intelligent guy, which makes his song and dance even more bothersome to me.  He ran commercials in Florida claiming " You don't get more Trump than me"  with his kids and the whole 9 yards.  Now he has adopted this anti-woke BS because he has no issues to run on.  He wants people to fight and argue and will always find something to transform into an issue to promote some sort of culture war wherein he can rise from the ashes as the champion of something.  That isn't leadership.  That is the filthy underbelly of politics being adopted as the norm.

[homersapien 11,428]

3 hours ago, AU9377 said:

DeSantis is an intelligent guy, which makes his song and dance even more bothersome to me.  He ran commercials in Florida claiming " You don't get more Trump than me"  with his kids and the whole 9 yards.  Now he has adopted this anti-woke BS because he has no issues to run on.  He wants people to fight and argue and will always find something to transform into an issue to promote some sort of culture war wherein he can rise from the ashes as the champion of something.  That isn't leadership.  That is the filthy underbelly of politics being adopted as the norm.

Well, you just described the majority of the Republican party, so he fits right in.

[aubiefifty 16,889]

On 5/27/2023 at 6:23 AM, SLAG-91 said:

If you're going to post some facts, make sure they're actually, y'know, facts.

Florida was admitted to the Union 178 years ago...took about 5 seconds to verify that.

Bob Graham being the "best national candidate" for 2004 is an opinion, and not a particularly valid one. He didn't even make it to 2004 before withdrawing, and polled pretty much near the bottom.

You got 3rd most populous state right.

 

i want a cookie. i will be doing a gummie soon..................

[GoAU 1,600]

On 5/28/2023 at 4:36 PM, AU9377 said:

 Now he has adopted this anti-woke BS because he has no issues to run on. 

You do realize that for many people, standing against the "woke BS" IS an issue?

[homersapien 11,428]

14 hours ago, GoAU said:

You do realize that for many people, standing against the "woke BS" IS an issue?

Those are sad and pathetic people. 

[homersapien 11,428]

In a deep red Florida county, a student-teacher revolt shames the right

By Greg Sargent  and  Paul Waldman

June 1, 2023

 

By now, it’s obvious that the reactionary culture warriors who want to reshape American education are inspiring a serious liberal counter-mobilization in response. Remarkably, this backlash to the backlash is gaining momentum in some of the reddest parts of the country.

A raucous school board meeting in Hernando County, Fla., on Tuesday night captured what’s striking about this new phenomenon. The scene featured teachers pointedly declaring that right-wing attacks are driving them to quit, even as parents and students forcefully stood up on their behalf, demanding a halt to the hysteria.

“I have never seen such fear from my colleagues as I have seen in the last two months,” social studies teacher Victoria Hunt told the board.

The whole affair really put the culture-war-mongers to shame. Not that they’ll see it that way; as the meeting also showed, scenes like this — with maximum rage, fear, tension and suspicion surging between parents and educators — are precisely the outcome they want.

This county, north of Tampa, voted for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 by a 41-point margin. It’s where fifth-grade teacher Jenna Barbee recently enraged local enforcers of right-wing orthodoxy by showing her class “Strange World,” a Disney movie with an openly gay character. The Florida Department of Education is investigating whether she violated DeSantis’s “don’t say gay” law restricting classroom discussion of sex and gender.

Barbee is resigning, but she’s hardly the only one. At Tuesday’s meeting, local teacher Daniel Scott gave a moving speech, declaring that the climate of rage is driving him out of the profession.

“I don’t feel that I can adequately provide a safe environment for my students anymore,” Scott said, denouncing the “draconian working conditions that are causing many such as myself to abandon this honored career.”

Meanwhile, Alyssa Marano, a math teacher who has resigned, rejected the oft-heard charge of LGBTQ indoctrination of students. “No one is teaching your kids to be gay,” she told the room. “Sometimes, they just are gay. I have math to teach. I literally don’t have time to teach your kids to be gay.”

Nearly 50 teachers are reportedly planning to resign in this school district. Lisa Masserio, president of the teachers union in Hernando County, says state laws and directives restricting educators are a key reason. She told us: “There is increased pressure and scrutiny on an already difficult job.”

At the meeting, right-wing parents and a minority of the school board amplified the usual attacks: Pornography in classrooms, indoctrination, wokeness. Watching them, it was impossible to avoid the sense that they were relishing every second of the tumult they’ve unleashed.

At the meeting, Shannon Rodriguez — a favorite of the right wing Moms for Liberty that led the attack on the Disney movie episode — kept robotically repeating phrases like “woke ideologies” and “woke agenda,” not even slightly disturbed by any sense of obligation to define their meaning. She proudly brandished her solidarity with boycotts of Bud Light and Disney as a badge of anti-woke heroism. Another conservative parent practically shouted, “You have awakened the entire alpha male blood of this country!”

But the real story of the night was the response. Again and again, parents and students forcefully defended teachers. They cast the right’s attacks, the censoring of educators and the removal of books as the real threats to education.

“War on woke?” one student said pointedly. “More like war on your children’s future.”

“It’s me and my fellow students who are feeling the effects of this,” said a second student. A third said the removal of books from classrooms is what’s really “indoctrinating students.”

Things like this are happening all over. As Sarah Jones of New York magazine reports, liberal parents in states as far-flung as New York, North Carolina and Montana are organizing local groups, pressuring school boards and running for office to challenge the right’s education takeover.

Democratic politicians are stepping up. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will soon sign a bill that requires schools and libraries to adopt a prohibition on book removals for political reasons to qualify for state funding.

We have also learned that nine Democratic governors representing nearly 9 million students have sent a letter to leading textbook companies decrying “the negative impact that censorship and book-banning has on this nation’s students.” The letter indicates that the governors are watching closely to see if attacks on the companies by right-wing governors — such as DeSantis — are producing books that are “inappropriately censored.”

Edited June 1, 2023 by homersapien

[arein0 977]

36 minutes ago, homersapien said:

In a deep red Florida county, a student-teacher revolt shames the right

By Greg Sargent  and  Paul Waldman

June 1, 2023

 

By now, it’s obvious that the reactionary culture warriors who want to reshape American education are inspiring a serious liberal counter-mobilization in response. Remarkably, this backlash to the backlash is gaining momentum in some of the reddest parts of the country.

A raucous school board meeting in Hernando County, Fla., on Tuesday night captured what’s striking about this new phenomenon. The scene featured teachers pointedly declaring that right-wing attacks are driving them to quit, even as parents and students forcefully stood up on their behalf, demanding a halt to the hysteria.

“I have never seen such fear from my colleagues as I have seen in the last two months,” social studies teacher Victoria Hunt told the board.

The whole affair really put the culture-war-mongers to shame. Not that they’ll see it that way; as the meeting also showed, scenes like this — with maximum rage, fear, tension and suspicion surging between parents and educators — are precisely the outcome they want.

This county, north of Tampa, voted for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 by a 41-point margin. It’s where fifth-grade teacher Jenna Barbee recently enraged local enforcers of right-wing orthodoxy by showing her class “Strange World,” a Disney movie with an openly gay character. The Florida Department of Education is investigating whether she violated DeSantis’s “don’t say gay” law restricting classroom discussion of sex and gender.

Barbee is resigning, but she’s hardly the only one. At Tuesday’s meeting, local teacher Daniel Scott gave a moving speech, declaring that the climate of rage is driving him out of the profession.

“I don’t feel that I can adequately provide a safe environment for my students anymore,” Scott said, denouncing the “draconian working conditions that are causing many such as myself to abandon this honored career.”

Meanwhile, Alyssa Marano, a math teacher who has resigned, rejected the oft-heard charge of LGBTQ indoctrination of students. “No one is teaching your kids to be gay,” she told the room. “Sometimes, they just are gay. I have math to teach. I literally don’t have time to teach your kids to be gay.”

Nearly 50 teachers are reportedly planning to resign in this school district. Lisa Masserio, president of the teachers union in Hernando County, says state laws and directives restricting educators are a key reason. She told us: “There is increased pressure and scrutiny on an already difficult job.”

At the meeting, right-wing parents and a minority of the school board amplified the usual attacks: Pornography in classrooms, indoctrination, wokeness. Watching them, it was impossible to avoid the sense that they were relishing every second of the tumult they’ve unleashed.

At the meeting, Shannon Rodriguez — a favorite of the right wing Moms for Liberty that led the attack on the Disney movie episode — kept robotically repeating phrases like “woke ideologies” and “woke agenda,” not even slightly disturbed by any sense of obligation to define their meaning. She proudly brandished her solidarity with boycotts of Bud Light and Disney as a badge of anti-woke heroism. Another conservative parent practically shouted, “You have awakened the entire alpha male blood of this country!”

But the real story of the night was the response. Again and again, parents and students forcefully defended teachers. They cast the right’s attacks, the censoring of educators and the removal of books as the real threats to education.

“War on woke?” one student said pointedly. “More like war on your children’s future.”

“It’s me and my fellow students who are feeling the effects of this,” said a second student. A third said the removal of books from classrooms is what’s really “indoctrinating students.”

Things like this are happening all over. As Sarah Jones of New York magazine reports, liberal parents in states as far-flung as New York, North Carolina and Montana are organizing local groups, pressuring school boards and running for office to challenge the right’s education takeover.

Democratic politicians are stepping up. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will soon sign a bill that requires schools and libraries to adopt a prohibition on book removals for political reasons to qualify for state funding.

We have also learned that nine Democratic governors representing nearly 9 million students have sent a letter to leading textbook companies decrying “the negative impact that censorship and book-banning has on this nation’s students.” The letter indicates that the governors are watching closely to see if attacks on the companies by right-wing governors — such as DeSantis — are producing books that are “inappropriately censored.”

Democratic politicians are stepping up. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will soon sign a bill that requires schools and libraries to adopt a prohibition on book removals for political reasons to qualify for state funding.

We have also learned that nine Democratic governors representing nearly 9 million students have sent a letter to leading textbook companies decrying “the negative impact that censorship and book-banning has on this nation’s students.” The letter indicates that the governors are watching closely to see if attacks on the companies by right-wing governors — such as DeSantis — are producing books that are “inappropriately censored.”

So, we already had a shortage of teachers, Florida enacted policies that are pushing teachers to quit, and we are refusing to increase teachers pay? Sounds like a winning recipe for fixing our education system. 🤔 

[homersapien 11,428]

8 minutes ago, arein0 said:

So, we already had a shortage of teachers, Florida enacted policies that are pushing teachers to quit, and we are refusing to increase teachers pay? Sounds like a winning recipe for fixing our education system. 🤔 

This culture war BS is just another re-hash of authoritarian populism. Nothing good can possibly come from it. 

It's modern day McCarthyism being conducted for the same old reasons - instill fear and hate for political gain. Never mind that we all wind up losing.

It's shameful.  

[GoAU 1,600]

4 hours ago, homersapien said:

Those are sad and pathetic people. 

They’re just people that disagree with you on very subjective issues.  You’re sounding very intolerant.   

[homersapien 11,428]

51 minutes ago, GoAU said:

They’re just people that disagree with you on very subjective issues.  You’re sounding very intolerant.   

People who are seriously concerned about "woke" issues (however they define it) are sad and pathetic.

And no, I don't want to associate with them if I can avoid it - feel the same way about MAGAs.

If you think that's "intolerant" I don't care. 

Edited June 1, 2023 by homersapien

[GoAU 1,600]

2 hours ago, homersapien said:

People who are seriously concerned about "woke" issues (however they define it) are sad and pathetic.

And no, I don't want to associate with them if I can avoid it - feel the same way about MAGAs.

If you think that's "intolerant" I don't care. 

It’s ironic that when they have a similar attitude about people they don’t agree with you are critical of them, no?

[homersapien 11,428]

16 hours ago, GoAU said:

It’s ironic that when they have a similar attitude about people they don’t agree with you are critical of them, no?

The difference is I am not trying to impose my beliefs politically (legislation) onto everyone, whereas they are.

Meanwhile, if you want to tolerate everyone regardless of their beliefs (white nationalists come to mind), that's your prerogative.  I have different standards.

[GoAU 1,600]

7 hours ago, homersapien said:

The difference is I am not trying to impose my beliefs politically (legislation) onto everyone, whereas they are.

Meanwhile, if you want to tolerate everyone regardless of their beliefs (white nationalists come to mind), that's your prerogative.  I have different standards.

I completely disagree - you are absolutely trying to force your beliefs on others.  
 

The “anti woke” as you cal it, agenda is about people not having that view crammed down their throat.   
 

Trying to force girls to compete with biological boys is just one example about how the “woke” crowd is trying to force its will on others.   There are numerous other examples   

 

[AU9377 5,025]

On 5/31/2023 at 7:36 PM, GoAU said:

You do realize that for many people, standing against the "woke BS" IS an issue?

Sure it is. The problem is defining what actually belongs in that category and what doesn’t.  For example….I am absolutely against individuals born males playing women’s inter-collegiate sports. However, there is no need for passing unconstitutional laws that criminalize drag shows on a public street.  There is also no need to pass laws addressing overblown issues like the Florida education laws that target teachers for playing Disney movies with a gay character.  When the anti this and anti that groups seem to lack respect for when to stop, it is a problem in my opinion.

[AU9377 5,025]

On 6/1/2023 at 6:51 PM, GoAU said:

It’s ironic that when they have a similar attitude about people they don’t agree with you are critical of them, no?

You can’t use tolerance in the same manner when comparing people that have no choice in who they are, in other words a gay man or woman and someone’s “beliefs”.  Gay men and women have a constitutional right to marry etc. They aren’t harmful to society. 

[GoAU 1,600]

1 hour ago, AU9377 said:

Sure it is. The problem is defining what actually belongs in that category and what doesn’t.  For example….I am absolutely against individuals born males playing women’s inter-collegiate sports. However, there is no need for passing unconstitutional laws that criminalize drag shows on a public street.  There is also no need to pass laws addressing overblown issues like the Florida education laws that target teachers for playing Disney movies with a gay character.  When the anti this and anti that groups seem to lack respect for when to stop, it is a problem in my opinion.

I agree, in many ways, with what you are saying.  I have no issue with drag shows, but don’t think holding them on public streets, building or schools is appropriate either.  However, I would also disagree with hetero lingerie shows either.  In private establishments- no issue whatsoever.  
 

The FL “Don’t say gay” law is one of the most overblown, misrepresented law in a long time.  All it says is that sexuality, in any form (to include “straight”), shouldn’t be discussed in grades K-3.  Who really things it’s appropriate for a non family member to discuss sexuality with children this young??

[GoAU 1,600]

1 hour ago, AU9377 said:

You can’t use tolerance in the same manner when comparing people that have no choice in who they are, in other words a gay man or woman and someone’s “beliefs”.  Gay men and women have a constitutional right to marry etc. They aren’t harmful to society. 

I have absolutely no issue with homosexuals nor their ability to marry.  
 

I do think trying to force people to participate in homosexual weddings that don’t believe in them really isn’t any different from prohibiting homosexuals from marrying though.   Don’t know how hard “live and let live” is for some people….

[NolaAuTiger 3,295]

On 5/26/2023 at 9:44 PM, AURex said:

Plenty of Floridians have run. Some with national cred.

Facts?

 

On 5/26/2023 at 9:44 PM, AURex said:

Graham was the best national candidate

Facts?

 

On 5/26/2023 at 9:44 PM, AURex said:

Does DeSantis have a tiny inkling of a chance? IMO (and it is just my opinion)

You just sh** the bed.

 

On 5/26/2023 at 9:44 PM, AURex said:

Does does Trump have a chance? Nope! Not a chance.

Facts?

 

On 5/26/2023 at 9:44 PM, AURex said:

Not Presidential material.

Facts?

[NolaAuTiger 3,295]

For now on, when @AURexreferences “facts” . . .

[AURex 2,031]

17 minutes ago, NolaAuTiger said:

Facts?

Yep. Those be the facts.

 

[homersapien 11,428]

17 hours ago, GoAU said:

I completely disagree - you are absolutely trying to force your beliefs on others.  
 

The “anti woke” as you cal it, agenda is about people not having that view crammed down their throat.   
 

Trying to force girls to compete with biological boys is just one example about how the “woke” crowd is trying to force its will on others.   There are numerous other examples   

 

I advocate for treating everyone as you would want to be treated yourself, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality or gender identification.  Live and let live.

I oppose bigots, racists, fascists and a**holes like yourself (since you apparently want to get personal).   But I have no illusions about "forcing my beliefs" on them. I don't think I can change them.  I have no illusions that I can persuade a person like yourself to change for the better.

Having said that, I will oppose any attempts by people - such as yourself - to legislate their bigotry into our common government.  We've seen the results of that all too often.

(And fwiw, I oppose "forcing girls to compete with biological boys".  But I don't think it's a major problem and I am content with it being handled at the lowest level possible by school and sports administrators.  It's an issue that is being used by people like yourself to attack transsexuals - just as you are doing. )

 

 

[homersapien 11,428]

16 hours ago, GoAU said:

The FL “Don’t say gay” law is one of the most overblown, misrepresented law in a long time.  All it says is that sexuality, in any form (to include “straight”), shouldn’t be discussed in grades K-3.  Who really things it’s appropriate for a non family member to discuss sexuality with children this young??

What about the kids in K-3 who are homosexual?  What about kids in K-3 who are the children of homosexual parents? 

If these children - or their classmates - want to bring it up because they are curious, or perhaps worried they are different and don't fit it, or even because they are being bullied or ridiculed, it's appropriate to have a state law that prevents teachers for dealing with it at all?

Are you so naive to think such situations don't exist or is it you just don't care?

 

[GoAU 1,600]

7 minutes ago, homersapien said:

I advocate for treating everyone as you would want to be treated yourself, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality or gender identification.  Live and let live.

I oppose bigots, racists, fascists and a**holes like yourself (since you apparently want to get personal).   But I have no illusions about "forcing my beliefs" on them. I don't think I can change them.  I have no illusions that I can persuade a person like yourself to change for the better.

Having said that, I will oppose any attempts by people - such as yourself - to legislate their bigotry into our common government.  We've seen the results of that all too often.

(And fwiw, I oppose "forcing girls to compete with biological boys".  But I don't think it's a major problem and I am content with it being handled at the lowest level possible by school and sports administrators.  It's an issue that is being used by people like yourself to attack transsexuals - just as you are doing. )

 

 

You don’t think it’s a big problem probably because you don’t have daughters impacted by it.  Daughters who bust their butts trying to be the best athletes they can only to have to unwillingly compete against males.  
 

Your post amuses me.  You talk about live and let live and respecting people and then go on a little tirade full of personal insults, but your probably just insecure - don’t worry, I’m not offended   
 

I have no bigotry at all, but don’t let your ignorance stop you, you’re on a roll….