Florida Today published my letter to the editor. (re: The Slate of Hate) [View all]

[Pacifist Patriot]

It's probably behind a paywall. https://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2023/05/21/gov-desantis-and-slate-of-hate-letters-to-the-editor-may-21-2023/70226210007/

I submitted it yesterday morning and got a call within 20 minutes. I expected it to be the typical, "is this you and did you send it?" verification call. I was in a meeting and had to call back.

When I introduced myself, the editor immediately launched into how much she appreciated the letter, said she squealed when she read it and called her husband over so he could read it too. She's working on a story that will be published next week about the slate of hate leading to a brain drain in our community. She mentioned three families she interviewed for the piece who relocated out of state recently. I knew two of them! We ran in the same circles about 5-10 years ago.

She also said she was getting nervous because the deadline is noon Friday and the editors were worried they wouldn't have enough content to publish in the section.

Don't be shy about submitting a letter to your local paper!

Here's the text:

The “slate of hate” and S.B 300 passed by our GOP held legislature signed into law by presidential hopeful and governor of Florida when it suits his political ambitions, Ron DeSantis, is chilling in its aggregative impact. Elected officials have willingly put the well-being and safety of Floridians in serious jeopardy because of religious ideology and for political currency.

I guarantee that if you do not feel affected by these laws, you care deeply about someone who is. They dramatically impact a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor. They are ill-defined measures designed to sow confusion and breed contempt rather than improve our lives or safeguard our communities. They violate both “love thy neighbor” and our constitutional rights.

These laws don’t just assault the freedoms of the LGBTQ+ and women of childbearing age in our state, they curtail the liberty of healthcare providers, educators, and others. If you don’t think they impact you, someone you love does not feel safe being honest and authentic in your presence. Consider that carefully.

Floridians of good conscience should be appalled by this blatant violation of these lawmakers’ oath of office to support, protect, and defend the Constitutions of the U.S. and Florida. These laws are brazenly undemocratic and shockingly immoral. Taxpayers will be funding their legal defense for months maybe years to come.

I pray Florida voters pledge their loyalty to the state and their country the next time they cast a ballot and cease supporting an agenda of bigotry and discord.

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In retrospect I wish I had ended with the word "oppression" instead of "discord."