Guest Author
As I stood in the Cabinet Room of the Florida Capitol, delivering the grim details of the delta variant rapidly infecting, sickening and killing Floridians — and what we needed do to stop it — our actual Governor, Ron DeSantis was on a fundraising vacation to Utah, Michigan and who knows where else.
His ambivalence and worse during an emergency of sickness and death, including children, is disqualifying and discrediting. There is just no way to trust someone willing to abandon, evacuate, and retreat from our state during a crisis — all so he could raise another few million dollars for a campaign more than a year away.
What kind of person would do that? Seriously?
It’s unprecedented. We are a state that unites during a crisis. Going back through as many Governors as you can remember, when a hurricane is threatening Florida, Governors throw on the Division of Emergency Management jacket, get all the best experts in the room, and then, most importantly, they communicate clearly to the public. All to save lives, property, jobs, and everything else.
During this crisis, DeSantis has done the opposite.
Instead of using every ounce of his influence to push vaccines, he completely ignored what he called “seasonal” sickness and death. It wasn’t until a political poll showed his approval rating underwater that he lifted a finger, and even then, it was self-serving. Instead of admitting that the Delta Variant is different and barnstorming the state to do the one thing that we know save lives — a vaccine — he’s now learned about a treatment that was already happening in hospitals when people get sick —monoclonal antibodies.
The irony of the Governor pushing this monoclonal antibody treatment — far less efficient than a vaccine and also only approved by emergency authorization — is not lost on anyone.
As our wisest elders remind us, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The prevention is a vaccine. Always has been. But for some reason, our Governor seems to have decided that it’s better for him politically not to tweet, Facebook, or hold vaccine events around the state.
If that wasn’t bad enough, he’s also decided to wage war against anyone in his way. Our children, schools, and school administrators — threatening to defund our schools for protecting children. Suing private businesses, specifically the cruise ship industry, one of the pillars of Florida’s tourism-driven economy.
There is no good reason for any of this. But there is a reason why.
He’s trying to win a presidential primary that’s three years away. So, instead of taking his cues and leading with facts, science, and example, he’s taking direction from his personal saviors at Fox News Channel.
It’s heartbreaking and repugnant.
And so here I am, pushing to do his job for him —to give you the facts every single day, to push for greater transparency, and work with the White House to ensure schools aren’t defunded.
Doing literally everything within and above my power as your statewide elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
___
Nikki Fried is Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
34 comments
Andrew Finn
August 19, 2021 at 11:56 am
Why is Nikki Fried doing the Governor’s job ? The answer is simple. She’s doing the Governor’s job because our Emperor DeSantis has proven that he is incapable of doing it. Somebody has to be responsible in this state.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 8:46 am
Nikki Fraud is a joke, dishonest and to be clear not doing any job. The Tampa Times, Steve Cortano outlines her and Crist’s incompetence and failures. Fraud is a cannabis queen lobbyist. She can’t even honestly tell or report her earnings. Up in smoke is her theme.
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 3:49 pm
You mean Fried is a “cannabis queen?” What is Desantis? “King kill your kids?”
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 4:01 pm
She’s a stalker!
Potted up cannabis queen. Please you disgusting human u need to Get help. Call Alex Manchurian leader.
She had nothing in common with average people. She’s not on the side of the peeps like Gov Ron.
Sylvie
August 25, 2021 at 7:26 am
Buh bye MoRon DeSatan!
Ed
August 19, 2021 at 12:09 pm
So is Nikki leading a coup d’etat or insurrection in Tallahassee? She is as nutty as the Incompetent in Chief that resides in the White House.
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:17 pm
She’s telling the truth.
So you babble about some fictional revolt and then you segue into lying about Biden.
Pathetic.
Ed
August 19, 2021 at 12:26 pm
So what is the plan Alex? Covid is up in all 50 states. It is up worldwide. Do we remove all the Governor’s and a world leaders? By the way Biden IS an incompetent fool.
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:30 pm
EVERYONE get vaccinated, wear a mask when appropriate.
I know that’s so frickin hard for you willfully ignorant babies.
Boo fucking hoo.
Ed
August 19, 2021 at 12:32 pm
I am vaccinated. What else you got Alex?
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:37 pm
Do you wear a mask as appropriate?
Do your kids?
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 3:53 pm
It’s an IQ problem, not a conscious decision to be so aloof. That would require self-awareness and the ability to reflect; Or… they’re just racists that see that they’re losing the demographic battle to minorities and liberals haha. It must really suck to not have an education and be stuck with nothing other than false promises and magical beliefs that just are not true.
Sylvie
August 25, 2021 at 7:27 am
Triggered or just projecting sparky?
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:10 pm
DeSantis’s ambition is a health hazard to the people he’s sworn to protect.
Ed
August 19, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Fried continues to take swipes at DeSantis and his FOX appearances while she is putting on makeup for her next MSNBC appearance. Complete hypocrite. She is probably upset since no one watches MSNBC anyway
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:25 pm
You keep swiping at someone who can clearly do DeSantis’s job far better since he’s too busy spreading disinformation, not telling the straight up truth, and fundraising for his ambition.
He’s NOT doing the job he swore to do.
It’s obvious to anyone who looks at the evidence and can think critically.
Ed
August 19, 2021 at 12:28 pm
How do you know she can do a better job? She is a marijuana lobbyist. Where are those financial records from 2020? We are all waiting.
Alex
August 19, 2021 at 12:35 pm
One primary reason.
She isn’t spreading ignorant, dangerous BS to do what DeSantis swore to do as Governor
Tom
August 19, 2021 at 11:18 pm
Alex, you really need to get some therapy. You have had a Covid breakdown. DeSantis is not evil.
He’s a good man with loving and young family. I don’t care for Fried but she means well. I just don’t agree with
her. You are in deep Anger.
Andrew Finn
August 20, 2021 at 8:47 am
I have a duck standing by at the pond at my house that could do a better job !!!!
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 9:59 am
Demented Finny
Just a moron. Good going.
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Fried’s financial records vs. DeSantis’ job performance:
Unless she is personally profiting from sweat shops overseas and funding Al Qaeda… I’ll take her or door number three over that lying, cold shack of shit DeSantis any day of the week.
We can all play “what about your guy” but if they are not currently sitting at the levers of power or did previously and therefore have a historical record in the same elected office (in this case Governor) … maybe we should just stick with judging DeSantis’ record and we’ll get to judging Fried if she ever ends up Governor of Florida.
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Did you read the article? At least Fried is in Florida and not Flying around running for President like Death-Santis haha. What a joke.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Yes you are!
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Such a valid argument. Momma must be proud of you boy!
Tom
August 19, 2021 at 11:27 pm
Nikki Fraud is not doing the Govs job at all.
She’s in total delusional state of mind.
She has not offered any specific public policy position or substantive position on any topic. She is an embarrassment.
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 6:01 pm
Dude, I think you’re the one that’s in a delusional state of mind haha. DeSantis has us nationally laughing at how stupid his supporters are.
His supporters would be better off taking their $5 contribution to his and Trump’s PACs and wiping their asses with it instead. Poor white’s opinions won’t matter in 10 years once Texas, Arizona, Florida, etc. go from purple to blue. It’s over for white privilege having any say-so in government. It’s like the NRA going bankrupt… the party’s over. They lost the demographic fight. Unless po’ white Americans start humping like the Duggars, there won’t be any catching up to the liberal voting block.
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 6:05 pm
That certainly doesn’t mean liberals are right. They SOOOOOOO often have their heads up their asses to an extreme degree however, The GOP has just totally owned itself with moronic megalomaniacs like Trump and DeSantis.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 6:11 pm
You are a dumb ass liberal
Mental too.
LMAO
DeSantis, America’s Governor!
Compared to hiding Biden!
Stalker Nikki Fraud, mentally deranged. Apparently like you.
You don’t know jack bean.
Alex you have another cocoon liberal Manchurian. I suffer Manchurians gladly! LMAO
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Said the POOR OL’ WHITE TRASH haha. Game over dipshit.
Tom
August 20, 2021 at 9:14 pm
Oh racist! Dumb ass, go wipe and wipe your Manchurians.
Dumb ass liberal, so pathetic.
Andrew Finn
August 20, 2021 at 6:32 pm
“DeSantis and Corcoran” —- That kinda reminds one of an old comedy team —- “Hitler and Mussolini” —– where’s Joe Stalin when you need him ????
Frank Thomnas
August 20, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Stalin wouldn’t get close to DeSantis. Stalin was at least competent after all.
Andrew Finn
August 21, 2021 at 8:32 am
That’s true Frank. At least Stalin had a brain and knew how to use it.
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