Tag Archives: Ron DeSantis

Bring On Da Snarky Snippets

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Rants, Social commentary

It doesn’t take much to raise my hackles these days and start the snark rolling!  A number of things that crossed my radar in the past week qualify as snark-makers, so I thought to share just a few of them with you …

I’ll start with an excerpt from Robert Hubbell’s newsletter of 7/12/2023:

And so it begins . . . the damage wrought by 303 Creative.

          Some commentators claimed that progressives were overstating the holding in 303 Creative v. Elenis, in which the reactionary majority ruled that free speech rights allowed a hypothetical business owner to discriminate against a hypothetical same-sex couple who might request a hypothetical website advertising a hypothetical marriage. We were told “Don’t worry, the holding only relates to businesses involving free speech and creative expression, not general public services.”

          Well, the next “303 Creative” case has emerged in Michigan. A hair salon owner has refused to serve transgender people, telling them they should instead go to a pet grooming service. See Slate, Citing “Free Speech,” a Michigan Hair Salon Refuses to Serve Transgender People. The salon owner wrote, in part,

  • “If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon.”
  • “ I am not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal this probably isn’t the best option for that type of client.”
  • “There are over 800 licensed stylists in the County. There are plenty of salons/stylists willing to cater to what I will not. This is a free country and I am not a slave to any narrative.”

          Apart from the insulting, dehumanizing comments by the salon owner, she relied on the same arguments advanced by the hypothetical business owner in 303 Creative—that there are “plenty of other web designers / salons” that transgender people can patronize. That argument misses the nature of the injury: Refusing to service people at any establishment because of their gender or sexual orientation stigmatizes everyone included in the targeted group. It was no answer in Greensboro, North Carolina that Black customers could find a different lunch counter when Woolworths refused to serve them.

          The case of the salon owner in Michigan drives home the point that every instance of discrimination against LGBTQ must be taken seriously. Conservatives are picking on LGBTQ people because they understand that society (wrongly) believes that it is still acceptable to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Let’s hope that the salon owner in Michigan loses her clientele who choose to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ friends, family, colleagues, and complete strangers who deserve our support.

Ron and Ronald?

I have to laugh out loud when I hear Ron DeSantis claim that he’s going to be the next Ronald Reagan … ha hah ha ha ho ho whoo … right, Ron.

First off, Reagan had something that you are sorely lacking – the Three ‘C’s:  conscience, character, and charisma.  Second, Reagan wasn’t a bigot, he understood that all people mattered, understood the concept of treating all people fairly, while you are more akin to the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, crying “Off with their heads!!!”.  Third, while Reagan’s ‘trickle down’ theory of economics is dead wrong, he at least tried … you, on the other hand, are doing everything in your power to destroy the economy of your state, Florida!  You’ve alienated the state’s largest employer and tourist attraction, and just this week you declined to accept $377 million in federal energy funds that would have meant the people in your state would have had lower utility bills and healthier and more comfortable homes as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions.  Tour groups are cancelling their trips to your state, and at least 5 major insurance companies have pulled out of Florida in the past week or so.  Nope, Ron, you are never going to be on an equal plane with former President Ronald Reagan, and in fact you are barely fit to be considered in the same category as Jim Ballyhoo.  Don’t remember Jim?  Point made.

Taking a stand … oops … never mind!

So, Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina was really incensed about the defense bill that passed in the House on Thursday.  She said, “We should not be taking this fucking vote, man. Fuck, it’s an asshole move, an asshole amendment.”  But, come time to vote, she swallowed her values, put her conscience back under the bed, and voted along with her party to pass the bill.

Doesn’t anybody in the Republican Party have the courage and the conscience to stand up to the bullies, to stand for what they believe in rather than what they are told to do?  COWARDS!  Nancy Mace, Lindsey Graham, and all the rest who put their own fortunes ahead of the 330 million people in this nation who they are supposed to represent are COWARDS!  I seriously hope the people of South Carolina open their eyes before November 2024 and vote this coward out of office and into obscurity!

Promises, Promises!!!

Posted on by under Election 2024, History, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary, voting rights

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed something about candidates’ campaign promises … they sound more like threats than promises!  Take, for example, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy who says he will shut down the Department of Education and replace the FBI, IRS, and other agencies, though he doesn’t specify what he will replace them with.  Shut down the Department of Education???  That’s a threat, not a promise!

Ramaswamy also claims he will raise the voting age from 18 to 25 … how is that a promise?  The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the 26th Constitutional Amendment in 1971, in part because it was seen as wrong that young men as young as 18 could be forced to risk their lives serving their country in the Vietnam War, but did not have a voice in the government they served.  Ramaswamy shows his ignorance in saying he would simply erase a constitutional amendment … not possible!  He also promises that he would pardon Donald Trump on day #1 … I’m sure that will earn him kudos among some.

Then there’s former vice-president Mike Pence, now a candidate for the top job, who promises to “oppose any effort to recognize homosexuals as a discrete and insular minority entitled to the protection of anti-discrimination laws.”  There’s something very dark in that “promise”.  I see it as a threat.

The worst two of the current lot, of course, are Trump and DeSantis.  DeSantis’ campaign promises sound as if he’s taken a page out of a manual for how to be a successful dictator!

  • “… my justices will be along the lines of a Sam Alito and a Clarence Thomas.” A ‘promise’ to nominate justices that are even more far-right than the three Trump appointed who set women’s rights back a century or more.  He claims Alito and Thomas are the “gold standard.”  Um … remember the corruption that has recently come to light about Clarence Thomas?  If that’s the gold standard, give me copper!
  • “I also look forward to, as president, restoring the name of Fort Bragg. It’s an iconic name and an iconic base, and we’re not going to let political correctness run amok in North Carolina.”  Iconic?  Oh yeah, but not in any positive way.  Braxton Bragg, for whom the base was originally named, was a famously inept Confederate general who, per historians, “wantonly shot his own soldiers,” and who personally owned over 100 slaves.

And perhaps DeSantis’ biggest threat of all …

  • “I will be able to destroy leftism in this country and leave woke ideology in the dustbin of history.” He is essentially saying that he will destroy humanitarianism, compassion, equality … and replace it with what?  That straight, white, Christian, male-dominated society he has tried to create in Florida?  That’s no promise … that’s a threat … a threat to the very foundations of this nation, a threat to democracy, a threat to humanity.

Then there are Trump’s ‘promises’.  He promises to issue an executive order ending the practice of offering citizenship to almost all U.S.-born people.  He promises to issue pardons and a government apology to the rioters who participated in the January 6th attempted coup/insurrection.  He promises to call on Congress to pass legislation to punish doctors who provide gender-affirming care.  He promises to implement a nationwide “stop and frisk” program similar to the one that was declared unconstitutional in New York in 2013.  He promises to prosecute President Biden, his entire family & ‘others’.  That’s not a promise … it’s a threat to blindly retaliate simply because Trump lost in 2020.  There’s much, much more along the same lines.  It all points up to a promise to shred the U.S. Constitution and our hard-earned civil rights along with it.  Can we say “Dictator Trump”?  I keep expecting to hear his lackeys say to him, “Yessir, Herr Trump.”

I remember back in the day, when candidates promised such things as lower taxes, better schools, a better economy, civil rights protections, or even Herbert Hoover’s promise of “a chicken in every pot.”  How things have changed.

Da ‘Toons, Da ‘Toons …

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, cartoons, education, Election 2024, Environmental Issues, Humour, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

It seems to me that the political cartoonists just keep getting better … perhaps it’s because they have so much material to work with!  I imagine they get up in the morning, troll the news, and wonder where to even start.  I’ve been collecting a few since last time I did a political ‘toon post, and it’s time to clean out the file just a bit, so here you go … enjoy!!!

Rethinking 2024

Posted on by under education, Election 2024, History, Political commentary, Social commentary

I’ve read and heard many a commentator say that they hope Trump wins the Republican nomination in 2024 because they believe he’s the candidate least likely to be able to beat President Biden.  Hmmmmm … I wondered.  I made the mistake in 2016 of underestimating the fools who would fall under Trump’s spell, and I’m trying hard not to make the same mistake again, but … with all Trump’s baggage — not the least of which is having the distinction of being the only president to be impeached twice — it does seem as if he would be the least likely Republican to pose a serious threat to Biden.  And then I came across Frank Bruni’s column in the New York Times from Thursday and admittedly there are some things I haven’t been considering.  Take a look … see if you agree with him …

Do not underestimate Trump’s chances — or the damage he’d do with a second term

By Frank Bruni

01 June 2023

Did we learn nothing from 2016?

That, you may recall, was when Donald Trump’s emergence as the Republican presidential nominee seemed like some cosmic joke. Some cosmic gift. Oh, how Democrats exulted and chortled.

Donald Trump?!?

Hillary Clinton could start working on her inauguration remarks early.

Or so many of us thought. We got “American carnage,” two impeachments and a deadly breach of the U.S. Capitol instead.

And yet some Democrats are again rejoicing at the prospect of Trump as his party’s pick. They reason that he was an unproven entity before but is a proven catastrophe now and that his troubles with the law, troubles with reality, egomania and megalomania make him an easier opponent for President Biden, who beat him once already, than Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott or another Republican aspirant would be. Perhaps they’re right.

But if they’re wrong? The stakes of a second Trump term are much, much too high to wager on his weakness and hope for his nomination. The way I size up the situation, any Republican nominee has a decent shot at the presidency: There are enough Americans who faithfully vote Republican, lean Republican or are open to a Republican that under sufficiently favorable circumstances, the party’s candidate wins. And the circumstances in November 2024 are neither predictable nor controllable — just as they weren’t in November 2016. If Trump is in the running, Trump is in the running.

So I flinch at thoughts and remarks like those of Senator Debbie Stabenow, the Michigan Democrat, who told Politico in late April: “Trump’s obviously an extremely dangerous person who would be very dangerous for the country. But I’m confident that President Biden could beat him.” She added that “politically, for us, it’s helpful if former President Trump is front and center.” The headline on that article, by Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris, was “Dems Relish Trump-Biden Rematch.”

The headlines on other reports that month: “Why a Trump-Biden Rematch Is What Many Democrats Want in 2024” (The Wall Street Journal) and “Trump or DeSantis? Democrats Aren’t Sure Who They’d Rather See Biden Face in 2024” (NBC News).

Granted, those three articles appeared before the Washington Post/ABC News poll that shook the world. Published on May 7, the survey gave Trump a six-point lead over Biden in a hypothetical matchup and showed that voters regard Trump, 76, as more physically fit and mentally sharp than Biden, 80.

Over the weeks since, I’ve noticed a muting of Democrats’ confidence that Biden can roll over Trump. But I still hear some of Biden’s supporters say that they’d prefer Trump to, say, DeSantis, who can define himself afresh to many voters, or to Scott, whose optimism might be a tonic in toxic times.

And I worry that many Democrats still haven’t fully accepted and seriously grappled with what the past seven years taught us:

There is profound discontent in this country, and for all Trump’s lawlessness and ludicrousness, he has a real and enduring knack for articulating, channeling and exploiting it. “I am your retribution,” he told Republicans at the Conservative Political Action Conference this year. Those words were chilling not only for their bluntness but also for their keenness. Trump understands that in the MAGA milieu, a fist raised for him is a middle finger flipped at his critics. DeSantis, Scott, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley — none of them offer their supporters the same magnitude of wicked rebellion, the same amplitude of vengeful payback, the same red-hot fury.

Trump’s basic political orientation and the broad strokes of his priorities and policies may lump him together with his Republican competitors, but those rivals aren’t equally unappealing or equally scary because they’re not equally depraved.

He’s the one who speaks of Jan. 6, 2021, as a “beautiful day.” He’s the one who ordered Georgia’s secretary of state to find him more votes. He’s the one who commanded Pence, then his vice president, to subvert the electoral process and then vilified him for refusing to do so and was reportedly pleased or at least untroubled when a mob called for Pence’s execution. He’s the one who expends hour upon hour and rant after rant on the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him — a fiction that’s a wrecking ball aimed at the very foundations of our democracy. His challengers tiptoe around all of that with shameful timidity. He’s the one who wallows happily and flamboyantly in this civic muck.

There are grave differences between the kind of threat that Trump poses and the kind that his Republican rivals do, and to theorize a strategic advantage to his nomination is to minimize those distinctions, misremember recent history and misunderstand what the American electorate might do on a given day, in a given frame of mind.

I suspect I’d be distraught during a DeSantis presidency and depressed during a Pence one. But at least I might recognize the America on the far side of it.

Obstructionist, Not Conservative!

Posted on by under Economic issues, Election 2024, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Rants

On the first day the members of the 118th Congress walked into the Capitol to vote on a Speaker of the House, there was no doubt that it would end up being Kevin McCarthy.  Oh sure … they made him beg and sweat for it, forced concessions knowing that his fragile ego would not allow him to accept defeat at any cost, but there was no viable competition within the Republican House members for the job.  It’s a sad statement that Kevin McCarthy is actually the best they had to offer, for on a scale of 1-to-10, I’d give him a 2.

Now, I want to talk a bit about the House Freedom Caucus, for they are the worst of what the Republican Party has to offer.

The House Freedom Caucus (HFC) got its start in mid-January, 2015, when the most radical right-wing members of the Party joined forces with the sole goal of pushing the Party further to the right.  I will always believe that two things prompted this:  the election not once, but twice, of a Black man to the presidency, and the passage of the Affordable Care Act that, at least in theory, would enable all people in this country to have healthcare when they need it.

The HFC was founded by nine right-wing men calling themselves ultra-conservatives, including Jim (Gym) Jordan, Mick Mulvaney, Mark Meadows, and Ron DeSantis … yes, THAT Ron DeSantis!  They call themselves ‘conservatives’ but by definition they are obstructionists.  Their interest has absolutely nothing to do with the best interests of the nation or of its people and they will use any means at their disposal to obstruct good governance and throw the nation into turmoil.  Why?  Because they crave power, because they do not adhere to democratic principles but would much prefer an autocracy, and at the moment, their goal is to set the stage for President Biden’s defeat in 2024.  There is no Republican – not Trump or DeSantis, not Haley or Pence, and certainly not Hutchinson or Ramaswamy, who can win the general election as things stand now.  But, if the HFC can destroy the economy, destroy the trust of our allies abroad, then blame it all on Joe Biden, they might just stand a chance … at least that’s what they’re banking on.

The HFC has only 46 seats in the House of Representatives, but if you think about it, that’s more than 10% of the full House, so while they don’t hold a majority, they do make a difference … and certainly not one that is positive for the nation.  Historically they have been against anything and everything that promotes equality or helps people, such as the aforementioned Affordable Care Act, the Respect for Marriage Act that codified the right of same-sex couples to marry, and they almost unanimously voted to overturn President Biden’s electoral win in January 2021.  I sense they would relish a civil war of sorts in this nation.

Why are they on my radar today?  Because they are making empty threats right and left, saying they will refuse to vote for the deal worked out between the President and McCarthy to avoid a default on our debt that would send shockwaves around the globe, not to mention crash the economy here in the U.S.  They are threatening McCarthy with an ouster from his seat as Speaker of the House.  Now, with only 46 members, their threats can be passed off as idle … except they are screeching at the top of their lungs from their highest perches.  Except that we PAY these bastards and in exchange we expect them to put our interests ahead of their egos, yet they are unwilling to do so.  You could lose your job tomorrow, become homeless next month, and die of starvation by August and not a single member of the HFC would give a royal damn!  Only one thing matters to them:  next year’s election.

Here is a list of the members of the HFC.  Is your representative listed?  If so, call him/her, write him/her, and tell them that they are NOT doing the job you pay them to do and to either work for the people, else get the hell out of Congress!

118th Congress House Freedom Caucus members and allies

State District Representative
AZ 5 Andy Biggs
NC 8 Dan Bishop
CO 3 Lauren Boebert
OK 2 Josh Brecheen
CO 4 Ken Buck
MO 7 Eric Burlison
VA 6 Ben Cline
TX 27 Michael Cloud
GA 9 Andrew Clyde
GA 10 Mike Collins
AZ 2 Eli Crane
OH 8 Warren Davidson
TN 4 Scott DesJarlais
FL 19 Byron Donalds
SC 3 Jeff Duncan
ID 1 Russ Fulcher
FL 1 Matt Gaetz
VA 5 Bob Good
AZ 9 Paul Gosar
TN 7 Mark Green
GA 14 Marjorie Taylor Greene
VA 9 Morgan Griffith
WY At large Harriet Hageman
MD 1 Andy Harris
TN 1 Diana Harshbarger
LA 3 Clay Higgins
TX 13 Ronny Jackson
LA 4 Mike Johnson
OH 4 Jim Jordan
AZ 8 Debbie Lesko
FL 13 Anna Paulina Luna
IL 15 Mary Miller
OH 7 Max Miller
WV 2 Alex Mooney
AL 2 Barry Moore
NC 3 Greg Murphy
TX 22 Troy Nehls
SC 5 Ralph Norman
TN 5 Andy Ogles
AL 6 Gary Palmer
PA 10 Scott Perry
FL 8 Bill Posey
MT 2 Matt Rosendale
TX 21 Chip Roy
AZ 1 David Schweikert
TX 3 Keith Self
FL 17 Greg Steube
WI 7 Tom Tiffany
TX 14 Randy Weber

No Pony In This Show

Posted on by under Economic issues, Election 2024, Environmental Issues, Free Press Issues, Political commentary

I don’t care what Donald Trump has to say about the tentative debt ceiling agreement reached between President Biden and Kevin McCarthy, nor do I give a rat’s arse what Ron DeSantis thinks of it.  Neither of them are the president, neither are sitting in Congress, nor are they likely to be either.  They are, therefore, irrelevant to the discussion!  The unfortunate truth is that at this point, the only people whose opinions are relevant are the 535 members of Congress whose majority approval is required to pass this bill and save the nation from an extremely consequential default on its debt.

Is this a good bill?  Hell no!  The debt ceiling should have been lifted without consequence, without conditions.  The debt ceiling is simply the device that allows us to pay the debts we have already incurred through the years. Period. Budget negotiations are intended to be separate from paying the debt, but in this day of political polarization and obstructionism on one side of the aisle, that was not to be.  I am frustrated over the concessions that President Biden had to make, especially in three areas:  the environment, food stamp work requirements, and taxes/IRS funding. But, I realize that given the time frame and the crucial importance of raising the debt ceiling, there was no other viable option.  I would, if I were a member of Congress, voice my disgust, my protest, but I would vote for this bill, because the alternative would be so much worse … for everyone.

People like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are what I think of as pseudo-politicos because their actual understanding of governance, of how government is intended to operate, is nil.  Furthermore, they don’t care … they are politicians, not governors nor leaders in any sense of the word.  Their only focus is on winning the next election, on pulling the wool over the eyes of enough people with their lies and loud voices to gain or maintain a high-level office with its built-in power, privileges, and potential for greater wealth.  They need to shut up, but since they won’t, then the media needs to refuse to give them a voice.

I’ve said it so many times that I think I say it in my sleep: ‘Rights’ like the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, are always accompanied by responsibilities.  The responsibility of the press is to tell the truth, not to tell people what they want to hear, or what the politicians want them to hear, but instead to tell them what they need to hear:  the truth.  Nobody … NOBODY needs to hear what a twice-impeached former president posts on his private social media outlet.  And if Trump or DeSantis wish to campaign for next year’s election, then fine, but they need to keep their message one of what they plan if they should win, not weigh in on what is happening now that really is none of their business beyond the extent to which it is the business of us all. They have no pony in this show.

The Pick O’ The ‘Toons!!!

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, cartoons, Economic issues, education, Election 2024, Humour, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

Well, the news as I write this tonight is that Kevin McCarthy and President Biden have reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling until after next year’s elections, each side doing a bit of give-and-take.  Don’t get too excited, though … the bill isn’t completely written yet, then it goes to the House, possibly as early as this morning, and they will have until probably Wednesday to peruse it and decide whether to vote ‘yea’ or ‘nay’.  Since the House members are on leave due to the holiday, it may take them longer.  Then, if it passes the House, it goes to the Senate and must pass there, too … not as easy a task as you might think.  And then, it goes back to President Biden for signature.  All of this must happen prior to June 5th, a week from Monday, in order to avoid defaulting on our debt.  Will it?  I have doubts that it will go smoothly, but I suspect that like the annual budget negotiations, it will be resolved at the 11th hour.  We shall see.  Meanwhile, I have a few political cartoons that I need to share, and now seems as good a time as any!  Be sure to check out the very last one about Josh Hawley — it’s a hoot!!!

I was curious about that last one … I had no idea he had written a book, so I did some digging.  Josh Hawley has, indeed, written a book titled … wait for it … Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs

Josh Hawley, the ‘man’ who fist-pumped the rioters from behind a safe fence, then ran for his life once they breached the Capitol!  🤣🤣🤣🤣

Per a former Republican Governor and EPA Administrator GOP response to climate change is “mindless” (a repeat post)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Economic issues, education, Environmental Issues, History, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Re-blogs, Social commentary

Ron DeSantis, governor of the state of Florida, is not a very smart man. Florida is the single most vulnerable state in these times of climate change and rising ocean waters. And yet … DeSantis doesn’t focus on that at all, he’s too busy focusing on what he refers to as “wokeness”. And then, there’s his battle with Disney World, the single largest employer and single largest tourist attraction in the state. The economy of Florida is dependent on its tourist industry … namely its beaches and Disney World. Instead of protecting these, DeSantis is demeaning them. Smart move … not. Our good friend Keith has more on this …

musingsofanoldfart

I wrote this post nine years ago. And, yet we have some elected officials who are still touting a fossil fuel funded PR campaign that denies or diminishes climate change. We have some Republicans who are purposefully focusing on things like wokeness, book language and themes, critical race theory rather than real threats right in front of us. It is telling that four leaders in the GOP are in Florida (former president, governor and two US senators) where the fact the state is surrounded on three sides by water, is under consistent hurricane threat and has the city with the most risk in the world to sea level rise seems not to matter as long as we pound on Disneyworld for trying to be open-minded.

The above quoted phrase is from an interview with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman who was the keynote speaker at the Charlotte Chamber’s…

View original post 405 more words

And The World Moves On … Until Next Time

Posted on by under education, guns, History, Law and justice, Political commentary, Social commentary

Let’s see … it was Monday that six people were massacred in a school in Nashville, Tennessee, and I predicted the outrage would last for all of three days … yep, looks like I hit the mark.  Oh sure, many of us are still fuming over the senseless deaths of three children and three adults trying to protect the children, but … for most, it’s back to business … gun business, that is.

I felt like I had literally been slapped in the face when I read yesterday that a high school here in Ohio will be holding a raffle to raise money … selling … you guessed it … guns, including an AR-15 of the same sort the Nashville school shooter used.  The gun raffle has been so popular that this week the organizers announced all 500 $10 tickets have been sold.

While some residents were angered by the raffle, there seems to be no concerted attempts to halt it.  One resident of the community said …

“For most people around here, the optics and the real-life consequences are simply beyond their scope of reckoning. There are a small minority who are appalled, but as you saw with the Nazis, we end up being seen as the troublemakers.”

And then down in Florida there’s ol’ Ron DeSantis who is holding a stop in his book tour at a gun store in Cobb County, Georgia.  What better venue for a book promotion/campaign rally, eh?  Georgia … remember when Brian Kemp was running for governor and his campaign posted pictures of him pointing a rifle at his daughter’s boyfriend?

Yep, folks, the three-day news cycle has closed on the Nashville school shooting and life is back to normal … until the next time.  And make no mistake … there WILL BE a next time.

The Future Of Teaching U.S. History???

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Black History Month, education, History, Humour, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

Alexandra Petri is a satirical columnist for The Washington Post.  This week, she opines on the re-writing of history to suit the racists in Florida, led by none other than Governor DeSantis, and it is both appalling and yet at the same time humorous.  Remember, this is tongue-in-cheek, satire … until it becomes reality.

Excerpts from a civics textbook I assume would be welcome in Florida

By Alexandra Petri

20 March 2023

“Rosa Parks showed courage. One day, she rode the bus. She was told to move to a different seat because of the color of her skin. She did not. She did what she believed was right.”

“Rosa Parks showed courage. One day, she rode the bus. She was told to move to a different seat. She did not. She did what she believed was right.”

— Two versions of a first-grade lesson from Studies Weekly, a publisher whose social studies curriculums are currently used in Florida elementary schools. Studies Weekly revised the lesson more than once, omitting any mention of racism or segregation, to submit for a state review of social studies materials.

American history is full of many heroes, whose accomplishments we will have no problem telling you about in the state of Florida! They fought for justice, which was brave of them, if a little redundant, because there was no specific injustice to fight against. Here are just a few of their stories!

Harriet Tubman is considered an inspiring figure by many because she made many trips on foot, often with other people. She specifically led trips from the South to the North, often at night. At night, you can see the stars! It is great to lead trips. She was a hero.

Frederick Douglass was famous, too! We celebrated him during the Trump administration for being someone “who’s done an amazing job” and whose contributions are still being “recognized more and more.” He also gave a noteworthy speech about the Fourth of July. Who doesn’t love the Fourth of July?

John Brown is regarded by some as a heroic figure. Famously, he went to what is now West Virginia (Wild and Wonderful!). He also grew a luxurious beard. Once, he was very excited to visit a weapons arsenal. We support West Virginia tourism!

Abraham Lincoln was a tall man who did something that was a very important thing to do, and especially at that time. He was president during the Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865 between a group of people whom it was universally agreed would make wonderful, handsome statues and some other people who may have had reasons. He even made a proclamation, probably unnecessarily! He famously went to the same play as John Wilkes Booth, a very talented actor who also loved to exercise his Second Amendment rights! It is nice when actors support the Second Amendment. Too often, woke Hollywood doesn’t.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and some of her friends went to Seneca Falls, N.Y., and had a conference there. At the conference, she talked about things related to ladies. Seneca Falls is a nice place to visit, especially in the summer!

Jonas Salk was a famous doctor. He invented a vaccine against polio, which was good because it made not being vaccinated against polio a choice, which it had not been before. Giving people choices is wonderful!

Rosa Parks was asked to move to a different seat, but she didn’t. People who sit are heroes! For instance, Thurgood Marshall famously sat on a bench. He was a hero, too.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933. She spent 71 years of her life on the planet at the same time as Ronald Reagan! This was a big achievement. She also famously sat on a bench. We love it when people sit!

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and told people about it! King made some people upset, probably because it is annoying when people recount their dreams to you at length, but possibly for other reasons. He is no longer with us, but he is still celebrated today because his works provided so many out-of-context quotations for White people to use to explain why it is not important to fight racism any more. (Which was never important to do, because it did not exist.)

John Lewis was a hero! He famously marched across a bridge. This upset some people. People have strong feelings about infrastructure. Have you ever walked across a bridge? He was such a hero that they named a whole road after him and then some people wanted to rename a little piece of it after Donald Trump!

The Little Rock Nine went to school! Some people did not want them to go to school, and there were protests and guards were called in. It is sad: Even today, some people just don’t want other people to learn! They went anyway. It is good to go to school, where you can learn so much about history!