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."

[Dog Gone]

I know how VERY POPULAR YOU ARE on this forum!!!!

LOL, I need to show you some threads where I've been told to get out of this forum RFN!

[aruanan]

You mentioned that the teachers in Florida teach the kids about the environment. While I appreciate the reasons why, I'm having a real problem with what's happening as a result of this, and other pushes to "heal" and "save" the environment.

The Florida geography/geology is unique. It isn't a big chunk of grassland (Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, etc.) or rolling hills and low mountains (Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, etc.). It's essentially a giant, water-laden, limestone sponge with a north to south water flow. Much of what happens to the state depends on what happens to the flow of water through the state (and under ground). If you pull too much fresh water out, you'll get saltwater intrusion and some extremely long lasting damage (you can also exacerbate tendencies for sinkhole formation). It's just a matter of being prudent to make sure that the quality of life in Florida (and it's tourism industry) isn't undermined by damaging the environment that makes Florida a place that people want to move to or to continue to visit. There's nothing wrong with intelligent care of the environment. The problem comes from two directions: from earth-worshipping wackos who believe man to be the essence of evil and define the ultimate good as an environment free from man and from people reacting against such wackos and defining the ultimate good as the opposite of whatever the environmentalist wackos want. This makes it difficult for people to see another kind of environmentalism which is to make crappy places nice and keep beautiful and productive places beautiful and productive. We'd be a lot farther along in repairing damage done to south Florida had it not been for price supports for the domestic sugar industry which couldn't compete with cheaper Caribbean imports. Because of this, it has continued to use up land which could be used to grow other vegetable crops. Why didn't the sugar producers just grow these other crops? They'd have to compete with other domestic growers. Besides, why actually have to compete when you can continue to live off government largesse?

Also, Gaia is the earth goddess or the name for the idea of the living earth. Ghia is the last name of a car. ;-}

[summer]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[summer]

aruanan, Thanks so much for adding your thoughtful comments and worthwhile questions to this thread! :)

[mrustow]

Thanks for the heads-up. I wasn't at all aware of this angle, which surely did cost Algore crucial votes. Not that black Florida voters will admit that. It is, indeed, of the greatest importance, that no one forget what REALLY happened in 2000.

[katherineisgreat]

Thanks. BUMP. Maybe you should write letters to the editors. Otherwise besides that and our recent plans, the truth on Jeb will never get out!

[Angelwood]

Thanks for the flag, summer. Good article.

[summer]

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this essay and share your thoughts, mrustow. I appreciate it! :)

[summer]

Thanks for your kind words, Angelwood. I appreciate you took the time to read it. :)

[summer]

I agree with you, katherineisgreat -- we have a fabulous governor and few people know his real record! :)

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Bumpity Bumps all the way Home

[okie01]

Be-bumpa-lula

Bump for Gene Vincent...

[Ben Bolt]

As usual , You give knowledge . It is alway's a must read , when you post !

[summer]

dorben, Thank you so much for the compliment! Speaking as a FL certified teacher, I am thrilled you feel that way! :)

[summer]

WOW!!! Atomic Punk, THANK YOU for pinging all those folks!!!! :)

[summer]

LOL! Love that musical bump there! :)

[Wphile]

BTTT!

[summer]

Very informative post! And, thanks for that link, Black Jade. You may also want to check out post #71 on this thread. :)

[summer]

Thanks, Wphile! :)