To all those who want to Boycott Florida

[DonCoquixote]

Let me ask you two questions?

1) what would you say to the Florida liberals that have been pounding away for years trying to change this state? The tooth Fairy did not vote for Obama in 2008 and 2012, we did.

2) Outside of boycotting, do you actually plan any support or aid to those of us down here trying to change the state?

Or are we just collateral damage?

[hollysmom]

1. you can work hard

but I still think most elections are stolen now. I don't know how you will ever win.

[RobertEarl]

5. Glad to see someone else is wise

Really, it doesn't matter who votes, it matters only what counts the votes. Computers counted the votes in Florida and nearly everywhere. There is proof the counts are hacked. The hackers have the means, the motive and the opportunity.

People who don't get that are in favor of miscounts, or at the least are too chicken to admit the vote count is not accurate.

[roguevalley]

34. i remember the beating alaska got over palin

It stings doesn't it

[woolldog]

2. Obama wouldve won the Presidency without Florida.

There needs to be a Florida boycott. I'm sure there were decent people in South Africa who suffered under the sanctions. Doesn't mean it was the wrong thing to do.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. Hey DonCoquixote looky here! A hearty FUCK YOU, FLORIDIANS!

See, Florida is ONLY important if it's needed to elect a Democratic candidate for President.

Ain't that sweet?

[woolldog]

21. The important thing is to get the European tourists on board with the boycott.

Get them to choose California instead. That'll hurt.

[HooptieWagon]

47. Look how effective the Rodney King boycott was.

[DonCoquixote]

51. Or the prop 8 boycott

Oh wait, no one did that. But what else to you expect from the state that elected Ahhnold the Gropinator?

[NCTraveler]

99. You couldn't even begin to count all of the fucked up things that happen in Cali.

Politically, judicially, legislatively, the people.

Why aren't you boycotting CA? Is it a blinders thing? Why would you want European tourists to go to Cali and not Florida? That really is hard to grasp. It is clear that it is hate. You even use the word "hurt". Even with all of the fucked up things in Cali, there are also many wonderful things about the state. Just like in Florida.

How long did you boycott Cali after Rodney King?

[Pisces]

128. You are too obvious sometimes

[Sheepshank]

3. I can only speak for myself

Its about the safety of my family/children.

20 years for a woman who fires a warning shot...Zimmie was acquitted on a determination of self defense. Cops who decide they are judge and jury and don't investigate a murder until there is public outrage. not sure it''s the safest palce for us. Vacation is calling and why not Hawaii instead?

[Bette Noir]

65. Zimmerman's loose, and he has a gun.

That's enough reason for me to stay away.

[pipi_k]

115. He's not

just in Florida.

George Zimmerman is everywhere.

Different name...different face.

But he's potentially around any corner.

[Punkingal]

4. I've been boycotting Florida since 2000 anyway..

When they stole the election from Al Gore.

[kelliekat44]

20. Ditto. Had an argument with my daughter for taking the kids there.

Florida has been dead to me since 2000. I get much pleasure rooting against any FL sports team and i don't even like sports that much.. I root against everything Texas and everything Florida. I know it doesn't do anything ...but I sure as hell feel better doing it.

[Ms. Toad]

38. Really?

I thought the people of Florida voted for Al Gore, but the Supreme Court stopped the recount which would have proved it.

Punishing Florida residents for the sins of the Supreme Court?

[HooptieWagon]

52. You are quite correct.

However, it is quite useless to interject facts with someone who's poutraged.

To the people that don't want to come to Florida...please stay away. It'll be that much more enjoyable for the rest of us.

[Art_from_Ark]

69. The people of Florida voted for Al Gore

But Florida officials, including the governor, secretary of state, and various judges and county clerks, soiled the election process, and the Republican-controlled legislature vowed to give the state's electoral votes to bu$h, no matter what the actual popular vote count was.

[Ms. Toad]

91. So you intend to punish the people of Florida

for things you have just said they had no control over.

Nice.

[Art_from_Ark]

92. I said nothing of the sort.

I merely pointed out that the state voted for Al Gore, but lots of people in charge of the state were corrupt to the core.

[Ms. Toad]

93. Sorry - you jumped into the middle of the conversation

and I didn't check to make sure you were the person I had responded to.

[PsychGrad]

53. I've boycotted Florida since I was 10 years old.

My step-dad took us to Disney World - I loved Disney World, but HATED Florida. All I saw was swamp and white trash. I know that's not ALL that is there, but it blurred my view of anything else. I have always preferred SoCal and Hawaii when I want to see palm trees and beaches. Haven't spent a penny there in my entire life, never will. Nor will I in Texas or Arizona - won't even drive through them, I literally go around them.

[cordelia]

89. "White trash"? Really.

[PsychGrad]

104. Yes, really.

Like I said, I know that not everyone there is that way, but even as a kid, I could tell there was more than a majority of it. Sorry. I have a right to have an opinion, no? And look around, ask around - this opinion is based on some pretty damning statistics. Sorry again.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

121. I agree with your estimation of those 3 states

[PsychGrad]

125. Thank you...

I tend to avoid states (and other places, like really small backwards towns around where I live) because I don't feel safe in them. As a single woman, usually driving alone, I just don't chance it. Honestly, it's sad to me that I even have to think like that, but I've had my fair share of bad experiences and incompetent/unfair cops/judges/etc.... and I just won't chance it. Safety first.

[HockeyMom]

6. Oh, Floridians stop begging people

to not boycott your state. People can go where they want to go, or NOT, and for whatever reason.

[Incitatus]

11. As a Floridian, I agree.

We have enough tourists as it is.

[Archae]

7. This is just another example of boycotts being made worthless.

Boycott a whole state?

Because of 6 people on a jury?

We have a horribly corrupt governor (republican, natch,) here in Wisconsin, as is our state legislature, run by a GOP majority.

They just passed another of those patronizing bills against abortion, that assumes "the little lady don't know what she's doing."

Should all of Wisconsin be boycotted?

Our vacation spots?

Our cheese?

The Packers?

[DonCoquixote]

18. Thank you

Wisconsin was hard blue once, and will be again.

[davidpdx]

19. Boycotts are rarely effective

It takes a pretty concerted effort to actually cause harm to the target being boycotted (whether we are talking about Florida or Rush Limbaugh).

Now I would boycott Wisconsin over the Packers. *just kidding*

[Major Hogwash]

35. One of my cousins lived in Florida.

After she moved out of state, she boycotted Florida ever since.
The Dolphins have always sucked.

[davidpdx]

36. They aren't as bad as the Jacksonville

apparently they really f'up in the draft.

[TM99]

103. Tell that to the Arizona

Tourism Industry after SB1070 passed here.

Boycotts definitely work.

[davidpdx]

116. That might be a rare exception

the immigration law was a strong reason to avoid the state.

[TM99]

120. Some may argue that

the Stand Your Ground law is an equally strong reason to avoid Florida.

[rdking647]

56. personally im boycotting the packers

i hope they never win another game

go bears

[Archae]

64. Oh?

[rdking647]

67. no,this is what i mean

[pipi_k]

106. I would boycott

the Jets, but they have enough problems as it is...

cracks me up every time

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. Well, I understand the sentiment - but since my brother and mother live there,

and I do want to visit them (my mom is in assisted living and can't wait to see me), and since I love my family, I can only say I have no great love of Florida - but that also goes for my own state, NC - and any place in the country - and world - where bad things happen. So boycott - not me. Working for positive change as best I can, where I can - that's what I can do.

[Blackford]

9. There's no wanting to it

I'm boycotting Florida.

The only thing in Florida that gets any money from me will be Democratic candidates.

[DonCoquixote]

10. at least you offer to help the candidates

which is better than many here.

[99Forever]

12. Answers:

1) Move.

2) Nope.

[DonCoquixote]

13. cheap

I would like to see an explanation of your Nope. As far as move, do you think everyone of us can? Some of us are on social security, where we cannot move anywhere, much less the blue states where rent is out the roof.

[99Forever]

24. How much did you contribute to Jim Graves campaign?

How about Tarryl Clark's?

Al Franken's?

[DonCoquixote]

26. as i said earlier, I am broke

though I did give what i could to the national democrats, and my local ones where we got Obama to win. I also gave to defeat Rick Scott, Then again, Minnesota is not as under assualt by the GOP (yet)

Tell ya what, you folks elect Bachmann again, and I will send money to whoever runs against her, even if it is a dead dog.

[99Forever]

27. Like fuck it isn't under assault by Teaturds.

Bachmann isn't running again, how very fucking generous of you.


And you have the nerve to call me cheap.

Clean up your own mess.

[DonCoquixote]

28. we are down here with a bucket and mop

While some people up north just throw shit at us and say "you are dirty.." And I am sure that the GOP has someone ready to replace her.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. Democratic candidates, particularly at the state level, will get my money.

Other than that, no Florida for me.

It worked, to a certain extent, in South Carolina.

[NaturalHigh]

15. I wouldn't sweat it.

I'll bet that the majority of those screaming the loudest for a boycott weren't going to Florida in the first place. It's just venting steam.

To put it another way: I'm not planning to go to Florida any time soon. Then again, I was never planning to go to Florida any time soon. Nothing to do with a boycott, just not on my list of places to go. We're saving for Alaska.

[giftedgirl77]

17. My parents live in FL

mom's in Sarasota & dad's in Miami which is why we have chosen to stay stationed in GA as painful as it is. I love Miami but with all of my heart, we stay below Tampa for everything in FL, anything north of there & you're officially in the South.

So bottom line is no I'm not boycotting it but if I could convince my parents to move to Portland I would be thrilled.

[petronius]

22. I expect to be in Tampa for a meeting next Spring - I'll be making a determined

effort to not spend my pennies in any 'bagger-owned or -supporting establishments. But I agree that it's really misguided to call for boycotts and punishment of the state overall.

(And not to threadjack, but I certainly hope that none of my fellow Californians - the state that actually voted for Prop h8 and needed an assist from the courts - are jumping on this screw-Florida bandwagon...)

[DonCoquixote]

23. you may glady threadjack

since no one talked of boycotting California.

[woolldog]

25. Difference is California elected a governor who wouldn't defend the law

and the proposition was seen as a one off.

This Florida thing is part of a larger pattern and history of discrimination down there.

[DonCoquixote]

29. we can play games like that all day

especially from the state that produced Reagan and Nixon, but that would not help, would it? Bottom line is, no one called for the Boycott of CA.

If they did, would you have supported it?

[woolldog]

33. Would be tough for me to do

since I live in California.

[DonCoquixote]

46. Funny, so we can assume

that you would have told everyone to not buy stuff in CA, good >

[woolldog]

59. Actually if I thought California

The kind of deep, persistent problems Florida has w respect to race and gun culture then I'd be ok with a boycott. In fact if California had those problems I wouldn't want to live in the state. I wouldn't feel comfortable here. Like I said, this isnt a one off thing with Florida.

[Katashi_itto]

55. I sail often over from NOLA. Up until now I ignored the fact

the marinas were bastions of right wing assholes, course they are like that in New Orleans too, although to a much lesser extent weirdly enough.
Maybe it's because New Orleans is so liberal.

I like the diving in Florida. However I can find other places easily.

Cut and dry. I will be damned if I give willingly another cent to any Republican.

[petronius]

61. well, if you want to come diving in CA let me know - you'll want

a 7mm wetsuit with hood, gloves, boots though, and a nice bright light...

[Katashi_itto]

66. Very cool, will keep that in mind!

[DonCoquixote]

73. check out wmnf

as the folks that are mentioned by them are hard left (green) or at the very worst, left libertarian types.

[petronius]

119. Thanks! I'll make a note of that... (nt)

[whopis01]

102. I make an effort to not spend in any 'bagger-owner or -supporting establishments' whereever I am.

Not just in Florida.

[Anansi1171]

30. You make excellent points! In Florida, NC, Texas and many other places...

...(Wisconsin); we should as progressives give support, aid and comfort wherever its needed.

Boycotting red states may be a bad idea when its a blunt instrument. It's a great strategy; using consumerism to punish social malfeasance and hopefully reward progress. But our tactics are poor, unimaginative, disparate and ill-conceived. So, I would proffer:

* Boycott Disney in every incarnation, all theme parks, The Avengers, Star Wars, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Tweet the actors and actresses who they employ until they quit and quit all funding of ALEC. Period If McDonalds can quit ALEC, its high-time Disney quits Alec.

* Boycott and drop all pledges to PBS, NPR and their local affiliates until they cease accepting sponsorships from any Koch Family Foundations. A PBS/NPR and Disney boycott campaigns will stop us from "burning the village to save it" while very visibly pointing to the organs of SYG and laws and tea party advocacy. And, I think both boycotts would work, they would be a cause to rally around and will help us use social media and other platforms to redouble efforts on increasing and sustaining boycotts against Koch Industries(Georgia-Pacific products most readily) and all corporations supporting ALEC.

*Mass-mobilize the Mid-term vote! Vote for Trayvon's Justice! Freedom Ride! Lets meet the progressives in Florida and these other states and help them get the vote out in 2014 - make it a 2008 and a 2012 - not a 2010. Mass mobilize to overcome all imposed voting restrictions until we can pass a constitutional amendment. Nothing will make more of a difference. Nothing gives Tea-bagging gun-humpers the middle finger like us continuing to vote!

* Demand this Senate employ the Nuclear Option. Immediately. Don't worry, the Republicans will never take the Senate again and will strain to hold the Gerry-rigged House for another cycle.

* Reject immigration reform immediately! While hyperventilating about the NSA, Progressives are lulled asleep into allowing the physical apparatus of a police state to be realized in a billions of dollar of give-away to Geo Group, Centene and other stalwarts of the Prison-Industrial Complex, Drone Manufacturers, Gun Manufacturers, Iraq and Afpak regulars like Halliburton, Pols such as Jan Brewer, Joe Aripaio, Louise Gohmert and 20,000 rednecks spanned across the southwest. In short, a massive welfare bill for a who's who of ALEC and Tea Party interest that will allow these funds to find their way right back into supporting conservative causes. It cannot happen, especially for the watered-down immigration reform they seek which supports their racist precepts(i.e. Heritage Foundation IQ bullshit) and further undermines American workers anyway. Call bullshit, and get Democrats out of this Rubio Ruse.

* Start seriously considering impeachment of CJ John Roberts.

* Work towards passing a Voting Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

* Work towards passing an Amendment which abolishes Corporate Personhood.

* Work towards passing an Amendment defining a right to privacy in the digital age.


So from this tragedy and many others we have all suffered since America went south(pun intended) in November of 2000, we can define a governing coalition that would last a generation. It means disciplined, concerted and sustained action in the face of laziness and apathy.

I can see it!

John could see it!

And Woodie could see it!

Can you see it?

[DonCoquixote]

31. I do

and I wish others would too.

[sadbear]

39. Keep your money out of Texas. Seriously.

Don't visit. You're only giving your money to republicans. If you want to donate to Texas progressive groups and candidates, fine. But beyond that, please don't. Visiting anywhere other than Austin implies support or indifference to what's going on here. Of course, even in Austin, there's a good chance you'll be giving your money to republicans. Just sayin'.

[Anansi1171]

42. I really do agree, and I don't visit Texas ever. I only visit Florida on Business and live like...

...a hermit when I'm there. I'm sorry to say, but Florida is really, really a f'ed up place on this Earth.

That's how this all started. In November of 2000.

[donco]

32. Why not boycott

all of the red states then?thatta show the six that voted for acquittal.

[sadbear]

37. I wish people would stop feeding the beast here in Texas.

I'm totally sympathetic to any boycott of any ass-backwards state, including mine.

Please, stop giving Texas your money. Chances are it will go to a republican who will help get more teabaggers elected in Austin.

[Egalitarian Thug]

43. OMG, a voice of sanity.

[Paladin]

94. OMG, a voice of capitulation. (nt)

[sadbear]

95. How so?

[Arcanetrance]

40. Here's a thought as a person who lives in a blue state

How but we think about our states and how imperfect they are instead of piling on the Democrats in Florida. Take my state of New York for example of NYC didn't exist NY would be a red state sorry but it's basically the truth. Let's take my state of birth and that "holy" blue state New Jersey what's his political party again. Let's not even talk about the accepted racism here in the tri state area

[Egalitarian Thug]

41. Answer #1. You've failed for generation after generation.

Answer #2. What's you new plan to be, you know, effective?

I have a terrier that has tried for his whole life to clean tile floors, the problem is that he just doesn't have the capacity to do it. Am I required to invent some kind of little-doggie-operable mopping system, or does he just have to live with the fact that he will most likely never get the floor clean?

[DonCoquixote]

45. compating us to dogs, classy

how about recognizing that, unlike your dog, we voted for Obama, and are voting more blue pols every day, like Alan grayson..Unlike dogs,people do learn, and we liberals are trying to teach them, unless you would just write us all off, which would make the GOP here happy.

Why did MLK even bother trying to reform things, we was in a Southern state too, ya know?

[Egalitarian Thug]

48. I didn't, but of course you knew that. That's what I love about your clique here,

the idea you all seem to share that focusing on the misplaced comma is a valid argument.

Oh wait, did you also attend school there?

[DonCoquixote]

50. Cheap as usual

Then again, unlike you, I actually worked to bring out the vote against Rubio, even when this place fell for the idea it was ok to support Charlie Crist.

And last I checked, I did not sign up for any clique. I am independent enough to vote Democratic in a state like Florida, I do not need anyone to think for me, especially someone throwing grenades from another state that probably has it's own share of GOP monsters.

[Egalitarian Thug]

62. Oh, we've got monsters galore and half of them wear a 'D' after their name.

But I'm not the one whining about people being mean to the cesspool I live in.

Were people wrong to boycott AZ when they refused to institute a day for MLK and consequently lost the Super Bowl and dozens of conventions? Were we all wrong to stop buying grapes for years in support farm workers when it cost CA billions? I suppose you went out of your way to buy gas at Exxon after the Exxon Valdez 'cause you're an independent guy.

I can't help but notice that you never responded to the answers to the questions you asked.

[DonCoquixote]

71. you mean the plan to be , in your words "you know, effective?"

the same plan that got Obama wins, and Alan Grayson back, the door knocking letter writing, donating and speaking out we have been doing to get the three wins I mentioned. Oh yeah, and kicking out Rick Scott.

[Egalitarian Thug]

74. Still whining and non-responsive. Alan Grayson is great, that's one out

of 27(?), but he still has nothing to do with boycotting your state.

[DonCoquixote]

75. non responsive?

I suppose Florida winning one for Obama in 2008 and 2012 was a non response? You asked what our way of being "you know, effective:" was, and I gave three ways where I knew our plan WORKED.

[Shankapotomus]

44. I support liberals in Florida

And I support Alan Grayson.

[Aristus]

49. Sorry. I visited Florida. It's a sewer.

I know there are some good, nice people there. But I'm not going to waste any of my money on that festering abscess of a state.

The sooner the bath-salt zombies take over, the better...

[HooptieWagon]

54. Yes, we had to flush twice when you left.

[PsychGrad]

57. That's how I felt about it at 10.

Of course, I was spoiled, and a bit of a world traveler by then, and had experienced Hawaii and California by then too. I just have never seen the draw to Florida. It's swampy and trashy and just cheap. The atmosphere is just - ew. I wanted to stay in Kentucky in the hills with the kids and not even go to Florida, not even for Disney World, lol. And once we went - I was just like, "wtf". It has beaches, sure - but so do a LOT of other places without all of the white trash hillbillies (and I say that as a direct descendant of the Hatfields - but these are a different kind of folk, not hill folk, but hill trashy people that think they are better than hill folk bc they live near a swampy ass dirty beach)

[Scootaloo]

58. What about the busdriver who wasn't a racist douche, you ask?

it staggers me how much whining gets done when the privileged realize that they might not get a pat on the ass for the hard, hard work of standing around metabolizing glucose.

This simpering, whimpering "b-b-b-b-but wh-wh-what about meeeeeeeeee?! that you're doing right now simply demonstrates a pathological sort of self-absorption. My advice to you is don't worry, Good Guy Bus Driver. Much like Montgomery busses got a sales boom from White Citizens councils, just as Sodastream got increased sales from anti-Arab dickbags, so too will you be floated by a bunch of redneck fucks. History shows that boycotts have political, rather than economic impacts.

If you're on the side of justice, pick up those politics. Use it as a fulcrum. Even though your wallet is stoing fine, the state would still have the embarassment of a standing boycott. What YOU can do is put pressure on this from within. "The policies of the assholes in charge have brought us to this, help me heave them out."

[DonCoquixote]

72. glucose

it staggers me how much whining gets done when the privileged realize that they might not get a pat on the ass for the hard, hard work of standing around metabolizing glucose.

Well, it was hard to metabolize glucose while we were standing in long lines aimed at keeping us from voting in Florida, or metabolizing when we had to deal with would be Zimmermans threatening us because we had democratic signs on our lawns.

And we are not only on the side of justice, we have been doing the work of getting it done, ask Alan Grayson, ask Bill Nelson, even ask Debbie Wasserman Schulz. And we have been putting pressure from within for the longest time, long before 2000, but that does not fit the narrative of "Yankees Good, Dixie Bad" despite the fact I got called a "spic" just as much in my home state of New Jersey as when my family dragged me down here as a teenager.

and as far as privileged, privileged is being a liberal up north where you know you will not have a dozen eyes hating you for what you are, and knowing they can fuck with you.

[Scootaloo]

77. Yes yes, them evil yankees

We nawthunners just don't unnastayund how hawd it must be fuh yew. You po', po' thing yew. D'you need a hug?

I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. With the exception of myself and my mother, the entire family is spread between Biloxi and Pensacola. Spare me your whimpering about the damn yankees, unless you're talking about the band. What, you're a liberal in the south, do you want a fucking medal for that? You must, like so many other southern DU'ers who think their geographic location makes them special fucking snowflakes in this world.

Your state - as in the government of your state, the one the people of your state elected, just helped the defense make a case that resulted in a guilty verdict for the victim of a murder. And what, you think that because some simpering Scarlett O'Hara wannabe is a liberal in the same state, we should keep throwing our money at the place, our tourism and whatever else? We should just go "Oh! well, the entire state's system of governance is fucked beyond belief and it's basically the middle ground between 'Waterworld' and 'Beyond Thunderdome,' but you know, DonCoquixote lives there so let's just ignore all that because he's a liberal and that makes it all better!"

No, sorry. It doesn't work that way. If people boycott, guess what, you'll live. That's more than can be said for the actual victim, the boy who was shot, whose murderer was defended as much by the state of Florida as by his own defense team. Again I suggest using such an occurrence as a tool for change from within.

As for Alan Grayson? Great guy who was voted out of office by your fellow Floridians. I'd love to see him back in office, but I wonder what happened between his election and then his getting hoisted out of office? I'm sure you did what you could, got out the vote and cast your ballot and all, but since the rest of your state threw the man under a bus - and backed up a few times just to be sure, it's not much of a defense. A few good apples doesn't make the rest of the sludge in the barrel edible, to reverse a common saying.

[DonCoquixote]

80. not because don coquxiote lives there

But because the same people that won the state in 2008 and 2012 live there, and are working to win it in 2014 and 2016. They are much more than any one person, including me or you.

And no, we never claimed to be snowflakes,just people who had to deal with a lot more than people in some places from whom being a liberal was not so much of a fight.

[olddots]

60. haven't you felt the boycott yet ?

it's aimed at you personally .

[No Vested Interest]

63. How about boycotting only Seminole County, FL?

That's where the deed was done, where GZ and the jurors live.

My son lives in Sarasota which is dependably Republican, but the Tampa area is Democratic, I believe, and the southeast portion of the state.

Alan Grayson is from the Orlando area, I believe, and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz from the Southeast part of FL.
It must be very frustrating to have some true right-wingers running the state. I know the problem, as it's happening now in my state - Ohio.
Good luck to all the Dems in FL. Keep fighting.

[quaker bill]

88. nothing to see there

People without relatives there do not vacation in Seminole Co. No beach, no art scene, no discernible nightlife, no theme parks, a few nice natural areas, but in a State that has more than 2 million acres of natural areas, there is nothing special about Seminole Co.

[No Vested Interest]

98. Agreed. All the more reason to

personally boycott Seminole county. - It will never be missed.

I'm speaking of personal boycotts, not official, sanctioned-by-a-group boycotts.

I have a few places, products, and companies on my personal boycott list.
Place - Arizona, as long as Jan Brewer is governor.
Products - any made by Koch Bros.-owned companies, especially their paper products - paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, etc.
Companies - Georgia-Pacific - Koch Bros.- owned.

As for FL, I'll travel their as a jumping off place for cruises, and to visit my son when winter snow & ice disrupt my living in Jan & Feb.

[quaker bill]

107. I live a small handful of miles from Seminole Co.

and very rarely go there as it is.

[jb5150]

68. Lets boycott ....

.. Everybody

[ecstatic]

70. Are you asking people to risk getting shot and killed in your state?

Florida has the most conceal carry license holders in the nation, combined with ridiculous Stand Your Ground laws. Maybe people don't want to visit a place where they know they could be murdered and the killer would go free with very few questions asked?

But thanks for 2008, and 2012.

[pgr]

76. All the trash from the Northeast and Midwest

Goes to Florida. I could never see any attraction other than warmish weather in January and February.

Florida truly is a cesspool of losers, crooks and scam artists and most gravitated there from other places. Shit attracts shit!

I would most certainly put Florida (and Texas) at the top of my do not ever visit again list (most of the South, for that matter).

[Hekate]

78. As long as my best friend lives in Jacksonville Beach, I'll come back to Florida

It's not like we don't have palm trees and beaches on the California coast, and it's a long inconvenient trip for me, but when you love someone like a sister you travel if you are able to.

I religiously avoid talking about Florida politics, or any politics at all, while there. In truth, I wouldn't go to Florida if she were not there. I deplore a great deal that I read about the place. The only fun reading is Carl Hiaassen.

But support a boycott? That would indeed be counterproductive and make our Democratic friends into collateral damage. Support Florida Democrats? Yessiree, DonCoquixote, when I finally get my email inbox cleared of all the political begging letters I will selectively send money to our national party organizations that support the 50-state strategy.

Best of luck to you and yours, DonCoquixote.

[DonCoquixote]

81. Thanks

I do appreciate it.

[Summer Hathaway]

79. There is a certain contingent here

who don't care if you're collateral damage.

And they're not Democrats - which is why they don't care.

[DonCoquixote]

82. actually, many are

They are the sort of democrats the GOP loves, because they know we shoot our own before we even aim at them.

[Summer Hathaway]

84. And many are not

Many, many are not.

The RW trolls are plentiful here - and there are many who are more than happy to embrace those trolls as being one of their own, because they truly believe that the enemy of their enemy is their friend.

[DonCoquixote]

85. point made

I agree about the Troll invasion. I have felt that here for a long, long time. Every time an issue comes that can divide people, be it (insert issue here), etc, you can see the folks that are doing their best to ensure we are at each others throats. meanwhile , they will get the same surprise many got back in 2000, where so many "friends" turned out to be people who had it in for the left all along.

[Politicalboi]

83. Florida needs a new motto

Come to Florida, Rest, Relax, Reload.

[olddots]

111. the best post so far

[AgingAmerican]

86. 1. Leave while you can

2. Never go there again

I think the whole south should secede.

[Orsino]

96. You are already collateral damage.

1. Work harder if you don't want anyone to boycott your state, ever.

2. Yes.

One sad truth is that your state is slightly more corrupt than the national average. Your worst government officials bow to only one god: money. That is the only language we out-of-staters have left with which to speak to them.

Those of us who boycott will do so not because boycotting will accomplish much, but because it might accomplish a little bit more than just talk would.

[DonCoquixote]

112. work harder

like we did in 2008 and 2012.

[Orsino]

123. Harder than that, even...

...if you want no one to have any reason to boycott.

[DonCoquixote]

126. well well

then heaven help the people whose states, unlike Florida, turn red in the election.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

97. if a black person said they were boycotting NYC because of stop and frisk, i would not take offense

i would realize that the injustice to them is greater than any perceived insult to nyc/me

fix your laws to make sure minorities are safer in your state

[Sheldon Cooper]

100. It doesn't have to be either/or. Why are you making it so?

We can exert economic pressure on the complete dumbasses who make the laws down there, while still supporting progressives in that state.

[DonCoquixote]

110. You can

but many of the replies here indicate that many think there are no progressives here to support.

[TheLion]

101. What do you think would help? A few more billion in tourism dollars?

1: Try harder. So far, you've acheived nothing.

2: It's your state, your problem.

[DonCoquixote]

109. 2008 and 2012 is nothing?

1) We are, as of now, technically a Blue state, unlike the rest of the South. It's not like we can use hynotism to control people, though we do door knock, send mail, stand in protest, raise money, and do everything that everyone else does.

2) Nice bit of solidarity with others. Not that we will still working on things just because you do not think we are worthy.

[burnodo]

105. I have family members in Florida and Texas

I'm not one to "boycott" the states. Still, Florida has a troubled history when it comes to blacks. 2000 (s)Election? Katharine Harris? Jeb Bush? It just proves the States aren't so United.

[Blue_In_AK]

108. People wanted to boycott Alaska for far less...

...the mere fact that Sarah Palin live(d) here.

[noiretextatique]

113. two words for you: Anita Bryant

any comments about liberals or changing the state?

[taterguy]

114. Question for you

Can you do something about that DB Trumad?

As long as he's associated with your state I want no dealings with it.

Good thing I don't like orange juice.

[DonCoquixote]

118. sarcasm flag I hope

I cannot police people any more than you could, and all 50 states have a**holes.

[taterguy]

124. Do you think Trumad is an asshole?

Really?

I think he's a DB, not an asshole.

[Deuce]

117. "For the record, it's my call! Dump everything you've got left on my pos!"

[Shankapotomus]

122. Aha!

So you admit you're from Florida?

He's from Florida, guys. Let's just get away from him.

[backscatter712]

127. 1. Yes, you're collateral damage. 2. No we're not stopping the boycott.

The people of Florida can end the economic pain any time they want. Until they act by throwing the RW ass clowns out and repealing shit like SYG, the pain will continue.

[DonCoquixote]

129. Nice to see you speak for the people

When there are several million ofn us that hate the "RW ass clowns" even more than you ever could, because we have to deal with them directly.

If voting people out was magic, than what you say would work, but it is not. I can see some work in a boycott against the Disneys and big fish, but attacking all, including the small businesses, is frankly only going to help make sure that those who would do your bidding have no weapons to do it with.

This is the same wonderful strategy that worked with the Iraqis you know.

[bluestate10]

130. People from solid blue states like mine should be helping good people in Florida change

that state. Boycotts in the modern era accomplish nothing more than balkanization. Florida can rightfully be considered a purple-blue state having voted for the democrat is four of the last six election cycles and may have voted for the democrat in 8 of 8 if not for 97,000 people in that state being deluded by Ralph Nader.