A Summary of Florida's Cruelty - Letter From the Chair

Letters from the Chair
Written By Helen Dodderidge

Good morning Citizens of DeSantistan!

I am going to let others do the talking this morning.

“We’re heading into the final days of this year’s legislative session. And as the GOP forces through a few last-minute bills, I wanted to take a moment to check in with you.

We all knew this session would be a difficult one, with the GOP’s overwhelming majority and Ron DeSantis’ determination to run his presidential campaign at the expense of everyday Floridians.

And we were right. So far this session, the GOP has passed:

❌ A despicable abortion ban, putting women’s lives at risk

❌ Permitless concealed carry, making our neighborhoods less safe

❌ An expansion of the infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill, attacking our free speech and our LGBTQ community

❌ Book bans and attacks on teachers and parents’ rights, making it harder to make sure children receive a quality education

There’s a theme to these bills — if your story doesn’t match the one they’ve written for you, they’ll gladly punish you for being different.” Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D) – Fla House Dist. 67

On the international front, a few thoughts from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

“Now, here’s what I can’t get my head around: Russia is attacking democracy everywhere, especially right here, by enflaming discontent and pushing candidates that they think they can more easily manipulate, like GOP candidates Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, both of whom have cowered under the disapproving Russian stare the same way the world cowered when Hitler invaded Poland. They rationalized that it’s not our problem.

Republicans are divided about whether to support the dictatorship of Putin or the democracy of Ukraine. These are the same Republicans who are constantly shaking their fists at domestic socialism and communism, wanting to ban books, TV shows, and songs that they label as socialist or communist. But when it comes to actual real-life, real-time communists—thumbs up, comrade!

Russian media has even celebrated disgraced Tucker Carlson as one of their own, wailing and rending their clothing over Carlson being fired by Fox. Russian state TV has lamented, “Our beloved Tucker Carlson has been fired, it’s a disgrace!” and “It’s a total outrage!” and “Tucker, come work with us! Solovyov Live is waiting for you, Tucker!” The BFF of communist Russia has been influencing US elections and social policy for years. Who needs a Cold War when you’ve got Tucker, Taylor Greene, Trump, and DeSantis acting as celebrity spokespersons pimping the Russia brand like Steph Curry endorsing Subway. Come to Russia for the ballet, stay for the political assassinations and human rights violations. Selfies optional.”

Agreed – WAKE UP AMERICA!

So where do we start? We start by being involved with our local politicians/elected officials. THIS is where WE can have the biggest impact! Observing the way things get done and talking to our elected officials, one on one about them.

Check it out!

Government Meetings this Week

  • Tuesday May 2

  • Wednesday May 3

    • The City of Key West Code Compliance Dept. will meet at 2pm, in the Commission Chambers, to hold the first of 3 community meetings to discuss the “noise” ordinance. The Residential Community is invited to this meeting. (2pm is a challenging time for working folks – just sayin’)

  • Thursday May 4

    • The Islamorada Village Council will meet at 5:30pm in the Community Center at Founders Park, 87000 Overseas Hwy., Plantation Key, Fl.

NEWS FLASH!

Remember those two giant developments under consideration at MM 92 and MM 98? Both have been denied at this point. It is because you have been doing what we all should be doing, attending those meetings, and raising HELL! Bravo!!! Is it over? Probably not, but we are watching!!!

Activist groups meeting this week.

  • Wednesday May 3

    • Key West Chapter of Drinking Liberally will meet at 5:30pm in the back room of VFW POST 3911, 2200 N Roosevelt Blvd. NEW LOCATION!

    • Keys Dems Meetings for May

  • Monday May 8

    • Lower Keys/Key West Dems will meet at 5:30pm in the back room of VFW POST 3911, 2200 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Speaker TBA

  • Wednesday May 17

    • The Upper Keys Dems will meet at 5:30pm in the sidebar area of Denny’s, MM76 in the median. Speaker TBA

  • Tuesday May 23

    • The Middle Keys/Marathon Dems will meet at 5:30pm in the Community Roon of the Marathon Public Library, 3499 Overseas Hwy., Marathon. This will be a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. Speaker TBA

Here is another way to get more involved with your local government. Apply for an appointment on an advisory board.

Right now, the Village of Islamorada is looking for folks interested in serving on the following boards:

Get involved! Be a part of the process or get run over by the advance of Tyranny and fascism in our state and Country. (I wish I were exaggerating.)

I hope you got to see the Washington Correspondents Dinner Saturday night. Roy Wood Jr. of the Daily Show was using humor to make some sharp points. Like the ability of Billionaires to buy anything, even a Supreme Court Justice!

President Biden was pretty sharp as well. Watch it!

Is there hope! YES, because we will not stop or let the crazy win. That is our challenge!

Can you spare some time to volunteer for our texting team, or do some data analysis, or Register Voters at Pride Fest and help get some petitions signed?

Key West Pride Street Fair is June 10, and we need folks to help set up and tear down the booth or talk to folks during the day. It is great fun! Email me. We need you!

If you cannot volunteer time, perhaps you can help us with a donation. Click on this link and do what you can and thank you! https://keysdems.com/join/

Thanks to our precinct team for showing up and finding new ways to get things done.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Bert Sise/Chair

Keys Dems

Website – www.keysdems.com

Facebook – Florida Keys Democrats

Instagram - @keysdems

Twitter - @DemsKeys

Video from Correspondents Dinner - https://youtu.be/C5m5dIiJMD0

Helen Dodderidge
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