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."

[antienvironmentalist]

Oh yeah, I'm against (most) environmentalists, not the environment (can anyone be against the environment?)

[buffyt]

Excellent article. I wish we had more certified teachers like you in US schools these days!
BTTT

[summer]

Excellent article. I wish we had more certified teachers like you in US schools these days! BTTT

Wow! Thank you, buffyt. I am honored by your compliments. Truly honored. :)

[summer]

Thanks for your posts #340 and #341! I am so glad you took the time to read this - - and to hear you came out on the side of Gov. Bush! :)

[homeschool mama]

Thank you for the ping, summer. This article deserves a big bump!

[StopGlobalWhining]

One more bump for tonight.

[TLBSHOW]

no one cares

[summer]

Thank you for the ping, summer. This article deserves a big bump!

Thank YOU, homeschool mama. I really appreciate your supportive comments! :)

[summer]

One more bump for tonight.

Thanks so much, SGW! :)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

never forget

Society of Environmental Journalists "The source for journalists reporting on the environment."---They're having a contest (you don't have to be an environmental expert-surprise, surprise!!) and the "Award-winning stories will be archived on SEJ's website as a permanent resource for reporters, journalism teachers and students."

TEACHERS BACK GORE WITH MONEY, MUSCLE--Teachers' unions and the Democrats are joined at the hip. A partnership that fights against your interests and involves your children in their propaganda campaign.

NEA To Support Non-Testing Measures, gay education, partnership with AFT --Unions work for teachers and democratic party issues.

And it doesn't get any better when they enter college. I doubt a general survey of all U.S. Universities would be much different. Poll Confirms Ivy League's Leftist Slant--"All that this survey shows is what we already know, that the elite universities are subsidiaries of the Democratic Party and political left," said David Horowitz, president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, which commissioned the poll. The profs' goose-stepping conformity "disappointed" Frank Luntz, the Republican pollster whose firm conducted the survey.

We MUST question War dissent on campus: A problem or not?

If you agree we have a crisis in education in the U.S., don't throw more money at the problem read this: Defending Civilization: How Our Universities Are Failing America and What Can Be Done About It---"At a time of national crisis, I think it is particularly apparent that we need to encourage the study of our past. Our children and grandchildren-indeed, all of us-need to know the idea and ideals on which our nation has been built. We need to understand that living in liberty is such a precious thing that generations of men and women have been willing to sacrifice everything for it. We need to know, in a war, exactly what is at stake."… Lynn Cheney, October 5, 2001

[glory]

Summer, I don't know a whole lot about this river(despite living in Fl. for several years:-), so it's hard for me to comment. I do share Doughtyone's opinion of the extremism that is the environmentalism taught in many schools.

Like another said, I'd be leary of the environmental vote. As with any extremists, they usually use people to get something done and then discard them. While they be whooping it up for Jeb now, that does not equate to them voting for him in the election so this pandering could prove dangerous if that is what it is. Either way, I think he will be your governor again:-)

Karen

[summer]

I think he will be your governor again :-)

Karen, I think so too. Thanks for taking the time to read my editorial and reply. :)

[summer]

CW, thank you for taking the time to post all those links and to bump the thread. :)

[Knitebane]

And another BTTT from an ex-Conch Republican.

Knitebane

[Redbob]

Bump!

Good post. I think a major step towards restoring the Everglades would involve doing away with the federal sugar subsidy, or at least cutting back substantially, so that marginal sugar plantations would no longer be cost-effective.

[summer]

Redbob, Thanks so much for taking the time to read my essay and to post a supportive bump. Also, I think you brought up very worthwhile topics of further discussion in your points about subsidized sugar. Thanks again. :)

[summer]

And another BTTT from an ex-Conch Republican.

Thanks, Knitebane! Nice to hear from you, and I so appreciate your post. I haven't spend much time in your former neck of the woods in FL, but it's sure fun down there! :)

[InvisibleChurch]

thanksandabump

[summer]

mypleasure. :)