Top Three Takeaways – April 21st, 2021
- Justice was served. For all the things that are wrong in this country and for all the bad behavior, first by Derek Chauvin and then by rioters in the wake of the death of George Floyd... Justice was served. That’s something we can all feel good about. Even in troubled times our system worked, and our system works. That’s why it’s important to appreciate it and to protect it. There’s also a broader lesson to be learned here. The narrative that the system doesn’t work is false. Also, the narrative regarding police being part of the problem isn’t broadly true. Derek Chauvin is an awful outlier. That’s why this was such a big deal. With over 800,000 law enforcement professionals going to work daily combating over 20 crimes which are committed every minute of every day in this country, they’re generally the heroes, not the problem. There’s an effort to make this something it generally isn’t. Justice was served.
- Cue the Aerosmith. Dudes who look like ladies, or at least decide to compete as them, will still be able to play competitive sports against girls in Florida for the foreseeable. This after SB 2012, the companion bill to the version which cleared the Florida House, has died in committee. The NCAA, which threatened to pull events from Florida if the law were to pass, must be so proud. The greatest irony regarding the debate remains science and was articulated by the sponsor of the legislation in the House, Kaylee Tuck. As she articulated, it’s scientific fact that there are genetic gender differences at birth. It’s scientific fact that males retain biological advantages over females from lung capacity to muscle development, bone structure, etc. And yet the same crowd that is quick to suggest those who question climate politics are science deniers are choosing to deny both God and science in the name of woke political correctness. Either that or they feel it’s fine for females to have to compete at a natural disadvantage. On one hand I’m not sure passing a law regarding this stuff is a good practice, so I’m not lamenting this not having passed. On the other hand, hypocrisy abounds and it’s yet again revealing of what the priorities are for institutions like the NCAA. Also, for what it’s worth. God doesn’t make mistakes. Our society on the other hand...
- Florida’s legislative firehose is here. Already this week the “anti-riot” bill and sales tax collection legislation were signed into law. Key issues like voter integrity measures, expanded school choice, auto insurance reforms and limitations on executive authority are key movers right now. The final two weeks of the state legislative session are always legislative firehoses, but rarely are there so many measures which directly impact so many aspects of just about every Floridian’s life moving simultaneously. That’s in part due to last year’s session starting in January and ending about the time the pandemic impacted Florida and in part due to all of us being more than 13 months into a pandemic in which forever changed our lives. A lot of what’s moving in Tallahassee right now will permanently shape our state. The includes how much influence our local governments can have during times of declared emergencies. Get ready for the legislative firehose. It’s coming and it’s likely to have the biggest impact on South Floridians.
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