Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Larry Cretul Meets Protesters

Progress Florida organized protesters to show up at Larry Cretal's house.


Cretul left his home and as of 4:30 p.m., was outside talking with the group, according to an aide in his office.

"Florida is next to last in the nation for education spending," the petition reads. "In this time of economic uncertainty, it is paramount that our public education system be adequately funded and equipped to provide Marion County children with the education they deserve and need for the 21st century economy."


I agree that Florida's lack of spending is disgraceful. However, I would be pissed if protesters show up at my door. I voiced my displeasure at Progress Florida's publicity stunts. I don't even think they do protests very well. Many voters will look at protesters coming to a lawmaker's house as intrusive. This helps the GOP and does nothing to change policy. The 60s is over. Change comes from hard work. Not silly gags.

Progress Florida tagline is "progressive solutions for Florida." What solution was achieved by having a fake Bush and McCain hold a sign.

Progress Florida is a poor man's MoveOn that will affect no policy change.

University of Florida professors mobilized students to call and write lawmakers. That is more constructive and productive way to affect change.


University of Florida students and faculty rallied Tuesday to mobilize the campus against state budget cuts and their effect on academic programs.

The event was billed as a "teach-in" but served mainly as a call to action. Surrounded by signs listing the phone numbers of UF officials and state lawmakers, speakers asked students to make calls, send letters and sign petitions stating their opposition to cuts.

"If we don't continue after we leave here, it doesn't mean much," said Deeb Kitchen, co-president of UF's graduate student union.

Several hundred students ambled through the UF's Plaza of the Americas for the event, dozens of whom called lawmakers at a table where their office numbers were listed. Kitchen called the office of House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, while on stage, holding up the phone while the crowd chanted "No more cuts!"


Organizing and lobbying lawmakers to support a paticular position is good. Showing up at person's house is a good way to piss people off. If I was a conservative political advisor, I would demonize the Progress Florida protesters and send out talking points to conservative talk radio shows. I would talk to the media about how Cretul felt his privacy was invaded and worried about his family's safety. See where I am going with this. There is no reason to give the Right a free bullseye. Progress Florida does exactly that.

Clowns dress up in costumes. So does Progress Florida.

Photo at Flickr


Update: the protesters showed up at Cretul's office. Not home. I made a mistake in my post.

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3 Comments:

At April 08, 2009 9:09 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

You might want to get your facts right before trashing a group.

The Marions United and Progress Florida rally and petition delivery was held at Speaker Cretul's district office. The groups even called ahead as a courtesy to let the Speaker's staff know they would be coming by to drop of hundreds of petitions from the Speaker's constituents demanding an end to cuts in education.

The Speaker came from his home to meet them at his office. At that time, both parties met and had a substantive discussion about the issue of education funding.

 
At April 08, 2009 9:32 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice comment! The media report begins as follows: "Scores of teachers and parents waving "Save our Schools" signs are outside House Speaker Larry Cretul's Ocala office this afternoon..."

Pretty clear to me. Doh!

 
At April 09, 2009 1:18 PM , Blogger Michael Hussey said...

I can't be the new Mickey Kaus if I'm worried about pesky things like facts. Facts are things that only matter when they agree with my world view. What are facts but opinions people can verify.

There are billions of people in the world. I'm sure I can find at least one whom will agree with my post. That will then make my opinion fact. That person may have an imaginary pink elephant as a friend. That doesn't mean his (opinion) fact is any less valid. If you disagree with his support of of my fact then you just have a prejudice against people with imaginary pink elephants as friend.

How dare you hate pink elephant friend people! How dare you Sir.

 

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