A rant.
Excuses abound as Florida Keys democratic leaders - our Monroe County Mayor and Florida State Congressional Rep - are shown on the front page of the local paper bestowing an HONOR on Gov. Rick Scott.
W.T.F.??
Amidst morning coffee fortification, I search for a way to show my displeasure (read: hatred) for this action.
Background below the fold, with scary pictures.
This is what I woke up to Tuesday morning as I looked at the front page of the Key West Citizen.
It is a tradition, I suppose to offer an Honorary Conch Certificate to the governor during Florida Keys Days. Is it required? I don't think so.
Perhaps I should let Mayor Carruthers, a loud and proud LGBT County Mayor, tell us why she was such a hypocrite by bestowing this honor on our criminal governor:
(Under her letterhead, seal of the County of Monroe)
STATEMENT from Mayor Heather Carruthers
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Mayor Carruthers is not here today as she is meeting with the Governor's Legislative Director to educate his office on issues of importance to the Keys, primarily related to windstorm insurance proposals the governor currently supports which would be devastating to our economy. It is highly doubtful these meetingw with the Governor or staff would be occuring if we did not show his office respect.
As a method of introduction and gesture of welcome to the new administration, Representative Saunders and his office requested that Honorary Conch Certificates be issued to memebers of the Florida Cabinet including the Governor. Doing so not only opens doors for meetings, but makes it more likely that Tallahassee officals will meet us with an open mind, a willingness to hear our concerns and help us address them.
Governor Scott was elected, and barring any unforeseen circumstances will be in this position for at least the next three and a half years. It is to our advantage to do what we can to engage his office and remind him of the qualities that make the Keys so unique and so significant to the state as a whole.
In this position, it is vital to keep the greater interest in mind. It is important to build bridges rather than burn them in order to ultimately do what is best for Monroe County in the long run.
Mayor Heather Carruthers
Oh, dear. Where do I start? To work.
It is highly doubtful these meetingw with the Governor or staff would be occuring if we did not show his office respect.
Showing respect is not the same as bestowing an honor on the Governor and his Cabinet. Saying "please" and "thank you," with the occasional "sir" thrown in is how one could show respect, Heather.
As a method of introduction and gesture of welcome to the new administration, Representative Saunders and his office requested that Honorary Conch Certificates be issued to memebers of the Florida Cabinet including the Governor.
I think Ron's office threw you under the bus on this. That, or you are throwing Ron's staff under the bus. Either way, I reject this as a way to
open[s] doors for meetings, but makes it more likely that Tallahassee officals will meet us with an open mind, a willingness to hear our concerns and help us address them.
Really? If you or Rep. Saunders think that by engaging Gov Scott with an Honorary Conch Certificate will help bend him to cooperating with Florida Keys officials who aspire to better things for the Keys, you are suffering from terrible and serious delusions. Have you not been paying attention?
They. Do. Not. Compromise.
They. Do. Not. Bend.
They. Are. Idealogues. Who. Hate. YOU!
They hate the LGTB community. They hate us Dirty Fucking Hippies. They hate everything that progressive people stand for.
OK. So back to the point of this.
I decided that the best way to demonstrate my loathing of this act, would be to take the Honorary Conch Certificate I received back in the mid 70's, and return it. Yes. I decided to go to Heather's office and give back my coveted certificate. I was joined by one other person, John Gish, who returned his too, and a few supporters.
SOMEONE DECIDED THAT THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND KEY WEST POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE ON HAND TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WIERD OR VIOLENT.
Yes, I am nearing 60. My cohorts share my haircolor. Yet, someone - and I can't wait to find out who - decided that the cops should be standing by. There were more of them than us. For the Love of Mike, people. We made a simple statement of protest. What a bunch of WATB's.
So, we handed in our certificates, and were handed back the above statement.
I can't tell you how disappointed I am in my elected Democratic officials. That they could conceive that our Governor would be interested in anything they had to say is ludicrous and seriously problematic. That they felt it necessary to deploy law enforcement for my little protestation is just laughable.
Speaking for myself: FUCK IT.
More and better Democrats, please.
Thanks for allowing my rant.
Will post photos should they come my way.
(I submit this diary speaking only for myself.)
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