The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 8: Why Some FL Dem Voters May "Never Forget" -- and, vote for Jeb

Various information throughout article, including newest announcement here ^ | Jan. 9, 2001 | summer

[summer]

The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 8: Why Some FL Dem Voters May "Never Forget" -- and, vote for Jeb

Written by summer - a former Dem, now an independent, and a FL-certified teacher



One of FL's many beautiful rivers

A subject usually taught by elementary teachers throughout this country is state history. And, here in FL, teachers also spend time teaching their students about FL's unique and beautiful natural environment.

I was thinking about this recently, after someone tried to convince me to vote for a Dem candidate for FL governor this year. It seems to me that person's reasoning can be summed up as follows:

Something happened in FL during Election 2000 -- and FL voters should "never forget."

I would like to tell this person something truly did happen only in FL during Election 2000. And, FL voters most concerned about FL's environment may in fact remember such events.

Election 2000 was the year Gov. Jeb Bush announced his controversial decision to restore FL's Ocklawaha River. His announcement followed 25 years of FL voters fighting to remove a dam to restore this river's natural run. As soon as he publicly took a stand, FL environmentalists loudly praised him, according to this Jacksonville newspaper article:

…Environmentalists cheered Bush's recent announcement and said it should speed up their 25-year effort to remove the dam and restore the natural run of the Ocklawaha, a tributary of the St. Johns River.

"With this governor's leadership, we think that will make all the difference," said David White, an attorney with the Center for Marine Conservation….

The aforementioned article also discusses how some members of the FL governor's own political party were against the FL environmentalists on this issue - and, against Gov. Jeb Bush's decision.

But, as is often the case, sometimes an individual has to take a stand. Even if he stands alone.

Meanwhile during 2000, these same FL environmentalists were waiting -- and waiting -- for Al Gore to speak out.

They wanted to hear what Gore had to say about the following controversial environment question: Should the old USA Homestead Airforce Base near Miami be developed into a commercial airport - and, thereby, potentially threaten the Everglades? What was Al Gore's public position?

To the shock and disappointment of FL environmentalists, Al Gore would not take a stand. He offered them nothing but silence. These stunned FL voters realized they could not count on Dem leadership to support FL's environment in this highly publicized battle they'd fought since 1994 against developers and Dade County.

Then came November 2000. And -- big surprise in FL! Why?

Well, according to National Public Radio, some of these FL environmentalists remembered Gore's silence. And, once again, these FL voters took a stand --- and, took their vote elsewhere. Here's how one FL voter interviewed by NPR explained her vote in Election 2000:

"I think that if Al Gore had taken a stand on (the Homestead Airport), I might have considered being part of that 50 percent margin that left Nader at the last minute and went and voted for Gore."

Hillary Gerber
Ralph Nader supporter

This FL voter's comments were originally broadcast on Nov. 24, 2000, as part of NPR's "Living on Earth" series The title of this radio news documentary was:

"Did Al Gore's silence on the controversy over plans to build a major airport near the Everglades cost him crucial votes in Florida?"

According to a FL environmental activist website known as "no airport"you can listen to this archived broadcast by visiting the Living on Earth website.

The longtime controversy over future use of the Homestead Airforce Base came to a close as the legal battles were dropped in 2001. Shortly thereafter, a federal report sided with FL environmentalists, and found the proposed commercial airport would indeed threaten the Everglades. According to this subsequent Dec. 2001 Miami editorial, FL voters can thank the US AirForce for putting the "nail in the coffin" of the Homestead airport proposal. Dade County will now develop the Homestead Airforce base in a different manner-- one that is environmentally sound.

As we move into a new election in 2002, FL voters devoted to preserving FL's natural environment will no doubt take into account Gov. Jeb Bush's on-going, outstanding record on environmental issues. To review his environmental record , click here.

I can't help but wonder if the person who tried to influence my vote will ever realize that some FL voters may also recall Election 2000 in terms of the Dem's non-existent leadership.

By contrast, in another part of FL during that same year, FL's current GOP governor decided to let a river run.
He took a stand.

Perhaps Dem Party leaders should be careful what they wish for in this upcoming 2002 election, as they call on FL voters to remember 2000.

Some FL voters - including environmentalists and educators -- may again take their vote elsewhere if, in fact, they "never forget."

[SoDak]

You got it.

[Sal]

But, I would like to tell you most teachers I know are not that way. Seriously.

Thanks, Summer. I'm very glad to hear that, but I suspect some of it seeps in just by osmosis.

I'd appreciate it if you'd just take note of how often some of these New-Agey scripts work their way into some conversations. My point is that in a place (school, office, church***) where we spend time on a regular basis, little things creep in a little at a time and we don't even notice them. Next time you hear a bland but New-Agey comment, imagine how it would have sounded to you 5 or 10 years ago. The person making such a comment will probably NOT be a whacko fanatic, but somebody put that thought into circulation and reinforced it...

***Church. I admit I don't go there very often, and I was stunned recently at a Catholic wedding to hear the priest's speech generously seasoned with such references (not to Gaia I have to say). My guess is that I wouldn't have noticed it if I'd been going there every week for the last several years.

[2Trievers]

BTTT ... you go girl friend!

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you. I appreciate you comments. All the best. Ron

[JohnHuang2]

Mega Ping

[JohnHuang2]

;^)

[YaYa123]

I'm not that familiar with Florida political fights on the environment, but I do know Republicans get a bad rap everywhere on "earth matters". We don't poison the air and water, and we don't wantonly destroy natural habitats, but that spin has reached cultural legend status.

Newt wasn't "playing with fire" when he worked to save the Chattahoochee, or when he turned out to be a huge supporter of Zoo Atlanta, he genuinely cared about environmental issues. From Summer's information, I gather Jeb is another of the many Republican office holders who care about the environment. We need to help despel those untrue cultural legends..and getting the word out on Jeb Bush seems a good starting point. (Before Janet Reno wrestles her first campaign gator.)

[Real Cynic No More]

you're most certainly welcome. We need to do whatever it takes to defeat the Reno-cerous here in Florida!

[Liz]

Gotcha........

[Angelique]

Wow! What a great job in your presentation. I have not seen parts 1-7, but this is excellent.

I have no clue about the environmental issues in FL, but at least you have provided sufficient information to understand that Jeb's positions make sense. It is surprising that Mr. Global Warming Gore did not comment.

When I started reading, I was immmediately skeptical because I am from the West, and the environ mentals are nuts, placing snail darters, suckerfish, etc. above people. They swoop through, shutting down entire towns. It has become a nightmare. It appears our issues are different.

[summer]

Thanks, SoDak! :)

[summer]

Re your post #102 -- Sal, thank you for your reply. Another true point it is this: you are aware of the movie DoughtyOne mentioned, but in all honesty, I have never heard of it! I guess you two are more attuned to these matters than I am. Although, I will admit much of music classified in stores as "New Age" is music I often like very much. But as to a whole religious type of worship with respect to New Age, well, no, I just don't bother with that.

Thanks again for writing. I enjoy reading your posts on this thread! :)

[summer]

LOL...thanks so much for your enthusiastic support, 2Trievers! :)

[summer]

Re your post #104 -- My pleasure. And, Ron, thank YOU! :)

[summer]

Re your post #105 -- JH2, THANK YOU! That is a huge help on a thread like this, concerning a major factor such as Gov. Bush's environmental record. I so appreciate your help in spreading the word here. Sincerely, summer :)

[summer]

Re your post #106: :)!

[summer]

Thanks for checking out this thread, Liz! :)

[summer]

I meant to type: Another true point here is this...

[summer]

Wow! What a great job in your presentation. I have not seen parts 1-7, but this is excellent.

Angelique, thank you so very much for taking the time to read my editorial here! And thank you for your kinid words.

The rest of your reply, which I did not post above, brings up some very good points, and I will post back to you again. Sincerely, summer :)

[summer]

kinid = kind