While the “newspaper” may attempt to pretend to be objective and it’s noted that the article is under the “Opinion” section: the Tampa Bay Times has released a Charlie Crist attack piece against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Crist, who previously served as governor of the Sunshine State, is running against DeSantis and pens a series of lies under the banner of the Times’ legitimacy.
Crist begins, “The damage Gov. Ron DeSantis is inflicting upon Florida continues to impact us all as he keeps consolidating power and punishing anyone who disagrees with him. And the repercussions of the governor’s extremism are just beginning to play out.”
What damaged is asserted?
CRIST: DeSantis is set to BAN Abortions
Crist ignores the legislative process in Florida, asserting Gov. DeSantis is set “to completely strip them of their right to choose.”
FACT CHECK: DeSantis and “Republican legislative leaders had previously signaled a willingness to pursue more prohibitions during next year’s legislative session.”
“Florida will continue to defend its recently enacted pro-life reforms against state court challenges, will work to expand pro-life protections, and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care and child welfare,” DeSantis posted on Twitter.
Florida’s 15-week ban on abortions, which was modeled after the Mississippi law upheld Friday by the Supreme Court. (Source: Politico)
Crist adds later in his article: “A Tallahassee circuit judge thankfully blocked against the governor’s cruel ban on abortions after 15 weeks that offers no exceptions in the case of rape or incest.”
CRIST: DeSantis’ discriminates against LGBTQ students and attacks Civil Rights
Crist says DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay’ law discriminates against LGBTQ students and his “Stop WOKE Act’’ that could stifle civil rights teaching and training at schools, universities and businesses.”
FACT CHECK:
There is NO language in House Bill 1557, which supporters call the “Parental Rights in Education” bill directed at the LGBTQ, but at sexual education for young children and a requirement for some parental notifications.
Via NY TIMES:
Here are key passages in the bill:
- Instruction on gender and sexuality would be constrained in all grades.
- Schools would be required to notify parents when children receive mental, emotional or physical health services, unless educators believe there is a risk of “abuse, abandonment, or neglect.”
- Parents would have the right to opt their children out of counseling and health services.
- Parents could sue schools for violating the vaguely written bill, and districts would have to cover the costs.
- Florida would rewrite school counseling standards.
Key Verbiage in the bill: “Lines 97-101: Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
The bill (HB 7) prohibits any teaching that could make students feel they bear personal responsibility for historic wrongs because of their race, color, sex or national origin — this has been labeled the “Stop Woke Act.”
“We believe an important component of freedom in the state of Florida is the freedom from having oppressive ideologies imposed upon you without your consent,” DeSantis said. “Whether it be in the classroom or in the workplace. And we decided to do something about it.”
HB 7 protects civil rights in employment and K-20 education by specifying that subjecting an employee or student to a required activity that promotes, advances, or compels individuals to believe discriminatory concepts, constitutes unlawful discrimination.
Concepts constituting unlawful discrimination include:
- That members of one race, color, national origin or sex are morally superior to members of another race, color, national origin or sex.
- A person by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.
- A person’s moral character or status as privileged or oppressed is determined by race, color, national origin or sex.
- A person, by virtue of their race, color, national origin or sex should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity or inclusion.
The bill also requires instruction, instructional materials, and professional development in public schools to adhere to principles of individual freedom outlined in the bill. Those principles include that no person is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive just by virtue of his or her race or sex and meritocracy or hard work ethic are not racist but fundamental to the right to pursue success.
The bill authorizes discussion of topics such as sexism, slavery, racial oppression, racial segregation, and racial discrimination, in an age-appropriate manner, and in such a way that does not indoctrinate or persuade students to a certain point of view that is inconsistent with the principles of individual freedom.
CRIST Compares DeSantis to a Dictator
Other bold “assertions” made in the post:
- DeSantis is seeking to take over local school boards by coaching and electing like-minded supporters.
- He also is trying to take control of the state Senate by endorsing candidates in Republican primaries who are not backed by Senate Republican leaders — a tactic out of the Trump playbook that no other Florida governor has so brazenly pursued.
- …he’s recruiting members for an elections police force and a state militia only he will control.
- The judicial branch is stacked with his right-wing ideologues, the news media has been demonized and shut out of his press conferences, and local governments have been stripped of their powers to act.
Crist closes with “This regime is not a Florida I recognize, but it is one imagined by the likes of dictators. They seek total control, tolerate no dissent and silence those who disagree.”
