From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 5, 2023 – FLI OPINION –
Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
• VIDEO – Gov. Ron DeSantis & protestor at Cradle of Aviation Museum:
On April Fools Day, the Nassau County Republican Committee hosted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
DeSantis pitched his Florida Blueprint – politics to the right of Trump – to Long Island.
Tickets were free, and the first 300 attendees received a free copy of DeSantis’ new book ‘The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.’
Garden City, N.Y. USA. April 1, 2023. Trump supporters protest outside the Cradle of Aviation Museum before the event the Nassau County GOP hosts at CAM for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Before the event started, a few dozen protestors were waving colorful pro-Trump flags at cars passing near CAM’s entrance on Charles Lindberg Blvd.
For though the Long Island event was nominally a stop on the governor’s book tour, it was more importantly an unofficial campaign stop for his undeclared presidential candidacy.
So it was clear Nassau GOP was no longer acting all in for Trump.
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At entrance to Cradle of Aviation Museum grounds, Trump supporters hold flags by large ‘Chinese Americans… for Trump’ banner during protest before start of event the Nassau County GOP hosts for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. CAM buildings are seen in background. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Early in the event, Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO introduced several GOP leaders sitting in the VIP section.
At right, former Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford) waves to audience when The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Other GOP notables include, at front far left, former U.S. Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY) and, left of King & wearing red tie, Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park.) (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Prominent Republicans politicians who stood up included Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford), who attended with his wife Rosemary Weidl; former Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY)), who sat with his ex-wife Katuria D’Amato and their two children; and Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park).
Cairo then introduced each speaker, including Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, former Rep. LEE ZELDIN (R-N.Y.), and, finally, FLA Gov. RON DESANTIS.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman:
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN speaks energetically at podium, as Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO looks on, during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
former Rep. Lee Zeldin:
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Former Rep. LEE ZELDIN(R-Shirley), the 2022 Republican candidate for N.Y. governor, speaks during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Gov. DeSantis Event
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Woman in audience holds ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Gov. Ron DeSantis:
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTISspeaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
While speaking at the podium, Gov. DeSantis commented about the U.S. Navy F11A Tiger jet suspended overhead and how he had served in the Navy.
While earning his law degree from Harvard University, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, and from then to 2010 was a naval officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. JAGS are attorneys with knowledge of civilian and military law.
• NAVY jet above former NAVY JAG DeSantis:
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. A Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended in the Cradle of Aviation Museum atrium, where Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Nose of jet was over stage. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
DeSantis made many comparisons between Florida and New York, and between Florida and the U.S. government.
An aside: DeSantis said so much he meant as unflattering about New York that I wondered how it struck his hosts.
NO STATE INCOME TAX – The governor said how Florida, unlike New York, has no state income tax, and how his state has the warmer weather, though no mention was made of his state’s growing hurricane season. And he stressed in how [once COVID increased workers’ opportunity to work from home] the biggest increase in U.S. migration to Florida has come from New York recently.
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
CULTURE WARS – Abortion, Education, COVID 19, LGBTQ Rights, Gun Safety….
But it was Opposite Day when Gov. DeSantis presented ways his Trumpian conservative brand of CULTURE WARS supposedly is making Florida free. For example:
• ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
The governor portrayed his authoritarian approach to what Florida’s schools aren’t allowed to say and do as somehow increasing freedom.
• Florida is where folk go to die… from guns cdc.gov states map
DeSantis continued to claim Florida has lax gun safety regulations because largely unfettered gun rights are constitutionally guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
And those regulations are getting even laxer.
On April 3rd, in a non-public event two days after he spoke on Long Island, DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit anywhere in the state.
Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left, ALEX KRAEMER, from NEWSMAX, interviews young man holding ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump supporter is at far right. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)–
Second Amendment, ratified in 1791:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
DeSantis’ approach to gun safety makes solid sense, as long as one ignores a few things:
1) The first half of the amendment, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” states the reason for giving the rights is in order to maintain a well regulated Militia. How is that related to a person owning assault rifles, carrying concealed weapons without permits…?
2) In 1791 “Arms” referred to handguns or long guns that could hold one shot at a time.
3) Florida’s rate of deaths due to gunfire is about 3X that of New York, which has significantly stronger gun safety regulation. cdc.gov states map
the courage to be free
Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump won’t be the only options, Republican or otherwise, for presidential candidates in 2024.
And we certainly deserve better than the Florida Blueprint and the MAGA coup-coup.
Yes?
FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts his program on The Florida Blueprint, at the Cradle of Aviation on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Gov. Ron DeSantis event on Long Island: my PHOTO GALLERY
Everytown for Gun Safety
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
