We're Finished, Jeb

By Judith Moriarty

NoahsHouse@adelphia.net

11-24-3

Dear Governor Jeb Bush:

 

I fear we are going to have to end our relationship of these past few months. Yes Jeb--this is a Dear John letter.

 

Given the events of this past week in Miami- Nov 20-03, it is evident Jeb, that you are running with the wrong crowd. Men dressed in helmets, bullet proof vests, with stun guns-pepper spray-clubs-tear gas, is not my idea of the people I wish to associate with.

Jeb, you've grown distant and cold. Gone is the carefree laughter of days at Kennebunkport when you splashed and sang long into the night with your friends at the clambakes you so enjoyed. What fun you had speeding with your father in his boat, ripping up the nets of local lobstermen. Who can forget the strolls into town to shop at the exquisite boutiques, those candlelit dinners and your drives down country Maine roads. It's over Jeb.

You and your new friends epitomize the domestic violence that many have worked long years to eradicate in our country. This beating-herding-terrorizing-gassing-and using stun guns; on the elderly-young-workaday citizens and students marching in this once land of the free: To protect their jobs-the plundering of the environment, and privatizing of services, is beyond the pale Jeb.

While you as Governor, permitted this booted machismo to be perpetuated on visitors to the once fine state of Florida, your brother was in England lauding freedom of speech, and the right for people to protest. Of course, with half the police force in Europe out to see to this freedom the message seemed a little mixed?

Jeb, maybe it's this power thing that has you so hardened of heart, that has so corrupted and blinded you to what leadership is about? It's been said that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Leadership, our relationship Jeb- is not about control, shuffling subservience, blind obedience, violence, disrespect nor paralyzing fear. I fear Jeb that the harm done to the all important "image" of the sunshine state, with its Disney World, orange groves, retirement havens is irrevocable. Leadership Jeb is about courage, valor, trust, encouragement, integrity, truth and compassion. A captain of a ship does not set thugs upon his passengers. He doesn't bring pirates aboard to terrorize them . He doesn't order his crew to gas and club those he's charged to protect.

A man of character or any sense of human values Jeb; does not abuse, threaten, intimidate, or "follow orders", that would bring harm to another. It is simply unacceptable that millions of dollars were misspent in this theater of brute force in a land where millions have died down through the years to protect something called freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Is this the "image" that you want of a state you were elected to lead? Is this the "democracy" that we wish the world to witness and follow?

If so, then we should return the Statue of Liberty to France and replace it with a ominous black booted, helmeted law enforcement officer, standing atop a tank with a club in his hand announcing: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses and I will beat them into submission--disappear them-lock them up."

It's over Jeb. I'll remember the good times. The fourth of July with it's celebration of freedom, the ballpark with our national anthem, the pledge allegiance to the flag, the Constitution with its Bill of Rights, weary soldiers back from war, Miami streets, where people once strolled- free from terror and noxious gas. I'll remember fireflies in the night, city parks with manger scenes, small town parades and child's delight, the scent of lilacs and rainbow picnics. I'll remember women hanging wash, summer puddles, playing jacks, and oh, so many other things--its over Jeb, and now goodnight.

Never Again Visitor to Florida