¶ We need to think about climate this election
As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer — they’re all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis.
This issue deserves more attention than it’s received so far this election cycle. During the presidential debate, only one brief question was asked about climate at the very end.
The fact is, the climate crisis impacts us all, no matter where we live or how much money we make. Americans are being told to flee their homes and risk losing everything. Meanwhile, Big Oil continues to put profits over people by prioritizing fossil fuels that continue to destroy our environment.
We cannot afford to lose any more time in the fight against the climate crisis. We need leaders — at the federal, state, and local level — who believe in the science of climate change and are willing or can be convinced to take bold action before it’s too late. So I urge everyone: When you cast your ballot this November, think of our planet and the people that call it home.
— Brenda Rollins, Orlando
¶ Thanks from afar
I have visited Orlando for past conferences. Recently, I have shared this article from Orlando Weekly widely (“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to bar state from considering climate change in investments,” July 29, 2022).
If you ever might do “looking back” pieces, it could be a good one to include as the climate change hoax is about to hit again. Those who say “it’s not the time” are the same ones who say it is not the time to bring up efforts to prevent carnage after the latest mass shooting.
I supported and corresponded with Progress Florida because of it, and recently red an article on the Center for Media and Democracy about [Florida CFO] Jimmy Patronis and the State Financial Officers Foundation. [The article lists many pro-Israel and anti-ESG financial actions Patronis has undertaken in Florida’s name.]
I am mystified by the support for these and other MAGA policies that sure seem to be saying, “Hurricanes aren’t bad enough yet, let’s drill baby drill and make them worse! We may have lost our homes, but gee, we saved a few bucks at the pump for a while … and hmm, why are those people getting free energy for their cars and homes from the sun so happy?
— Bob Palais, Utah
¶ When Florida goes blue your MAGA uncle will turn red with rage
Florida has more voters who lean Democrat than those who lean Republican. The ace in the hole is NPA (No Party Affiliation) and especially those under 25, who choose the standard Democrat values. [Candidate for HD 37] Nate Douglas can help break the supermajority in Tallahassee that brought you all the most horrendous laws in the country, including discriminatory voter suppression. NPA breaks Democrat, with at least 60 to 40 advantage Democrat. Florida has 3.5 million NPA, with most trending younger.
Why haven’t we heard this? That supermajority in Tally used sleight of hand to move mostly Democrats to a special file where they still can vote, they just aren’t recorded as registered voters. It is called “inactive.” This is then part of the false propaganda that Florida has a red wave. But that advantage still depends on Democrat voting.
We win Florida and that is a landslide for the country.
Can you imagine what your MAGA uncle will do? When Florida goes blue he’ll turn red with rage.
— Catherine Hettinger, Winter Park
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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.