JUICE — Florida Politics' Juicy Read — 8.17.2021 — Florida GOP Corruption—DeSantis Party Problem—Afghan Debacle—More...

"Possible Corruption at the Florida GOP Could Threaten DeSantis in 2022," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—The apparent corruption and cronyism at the top of the Florida GOP or the Republican Party of Florida run deep, and it points to one man as being the person ultimately responsible—Chairman Joe Gruters (pictured with Broward Republican officials).

"CNN Reporter Calls Taliban ‘Friendly’ As Kabul Falls" by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Israel and Hamas Exchange Rocket Fire Amid Afghanistan Demise" by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Wasserman Schultz Supports $3Trillion Pathway to Citizenship Effort in Senate" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) shared an NPR, interview segment discussing a plan from Democrats to provide “a path to citizenship in their budget framework.” The interview explored the option of a $3.5 trillion spending bill that would tackle immigration reform, and discussed the effort that includes “permanent residency for qualified immigrants in the bill through a process called budget reconciliation.” The Florida lawmaker praised “reconciliation,” calling it “essential” in the process to move forward.

"Liz Cheney: Trump Bears ‘Very Significant Responsibility’ For ‘Catastrophic’ Afghan Withdrawal" by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) blasted both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump for the “catastrophic real-time” situation unfolding in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the government Sunday, arguing that the bulk of the blame should be towards the former president who bears “significant responsibility” over the current Democrat botched handling of withdrawal of troops.

"Florida Democrats Quiet Over Afghanistan as Taliban Takes Over" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—With President Joe Biden having asserted that he takes full responsibility for the chaos, death, and human rights atrocities being committed by the Taliban after his decision to hastily pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan, very few Florida Democrats are lending their support for the president’s “the buck stops with me” decision.

"Biden ‘Stands Squarely’ Behind Chaotic Withdrawal From Afghanistan" by The Floridian's Mona Salama—President Biden addressed the nation Monday on the Afghanistan crisis for the first time since the rapid collapse of the Afghan government amid the Taliban seizing power in Kabul, staunchly defending his hastily decision to withdraw U.S. troops from the country while blaming everyone besides himself for the chaos that unfolded over the last few days.

"Rick Scott Calls For Probe Into Biden’s Failed Afghanistan Withdrawal" by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"Biden Returning To White House To Speak On Afghanistan Crisis For First Time" by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"CNN Reporter Quickly Adjusts to Taliban Rule" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

"Wasserman Schultz Calls Florida a ‘Do Not Travel’ State" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—As the mainstream media furthers their tirade of bad press on Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), criticisms of his job as governor have not only been tied to COVID-19 but now economics.  US Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) has called Florida under DeSantis a “Do Not Travel” state.

"Rubio Says Biden Ignored His Afghanistan Pullout Warning" by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—The Taliban have taken control of the Afghan government, and both the President and Vice President of the country have fled. Subsequently, video footage showed Taliban members celebrating from inside the presidential palace in Kabul. With a number of people rushing to airports and their cars to flee the country, Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) has taken to Twitter to criticize President Joe Biden (D) and his foreign policy.

"Democrats, World Leaders Turn on Biden for Afghanistan Debacle" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Only 3 weeks after US troops were pulled from Afghanistan to hopefully end a 20-year war, the Taliban have officially seized control over the nation of Afghanistan, even pushing the Afghanistani President out of the country and turning over weapons, prisoners, and land. Now, former President Donald Trump, Democrats, and world leaders are blaming President Biden (D) for the Afganistan debacle.

‘No one should die.’ Tampa Bay doctors, nurses exhausted by COVID surge' by Tampa Bay Times' Christopher O'Donnell—LUTZ — The COVID-19 patients arrive with depressing frequency to the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital North. The sickest have a similar complaint: “I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m drowning.” Everyone is assessed as soon as possible, but the community hospital has only 40 treatment rooms in its ER. Some patients are returned to the waiting room, where, even with an area divided off for those infected, they put others at risk.

"Florida Democrat’s Targeting of Chick-Fil-A Could Be Political Motivated" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—A recent story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel about the traffic back up at the only Chick-Fil-A store in Fort Lauderdale was accurately written about the popular store’s congestion. The congestion in question occurs in the far-right northbound lane on US 1 just south of Oakland Park Blvd.

"White House Praises DeSantis, Says he’s ‘Following the Science” With COVID," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—There isn’t much love loss between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden, but the White House needs to be given credit for putting differences aside and commending Gov. DeSantis for his statewide efforts of “following the Science” as he continues to deploy more Monoclonal antibody treatments to those with COVID-19.

"Biden ‘Hamstringing our own Energy Sector’ by Texas Politics' Daniel Molina—This week, the Biden Administration called on OPEC and others “to increase oil production to alleviate rising gas prices felt across the nation.” In the statement, the Administration also discourages “oil and natural gas production in the United States.” The White House issued a warning that “higher gasoline costs, if left unchecked, risk harming the ongoing global recovery.” In response, Todd Staples, the President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, slammed the Biden Administration, arguing that Biden is “hamstringing our own energy sector.”

"Taliban Now Controls Over Two Thirds of Afghanistan as Biden Pulls Out" by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Senator Simpson Pushes for Transparent Redistricting" by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Everglades Foundation Received $566K PPP Loan After Raising $11 Million in 2020" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarresl

"Biden Must Establish Clear, Decisive US Latin American Policy — Now" OPINION by Luis Fleischman—The recently inaugurated Peruvian president, Pedro Castillo, is a Marxist. Castillo has declared that he will call for a national referendum to approve a constitutional assembly to draft a new constitution.

"DeSantis Dubs President ‘Forgetful Biden’ by The Floridian's Daniel Molina—President Joe Biden (D) and Governor Ron DeSantis (R) have been on opposing sides regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Florida Governor has already vowed that the state will not be locking down, the state will not be requiring a mask mandate, and the state will not be requiring vaccine passports. When asked about the potential problem Governor DeSantis could be encouraging, President Biden questioned, “Governor who?” In response, DeSantis has dubbed the President “Forgetful Biden,” questioning “what else has he forgotten?”

 

"Biden Accused of Siding With Cuban Regime, Turning Back on the Oppressed" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Members of Florida’s Republican congressional delegation, namely Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Maria Elvira Salazar, are calling out President Joe Biden for not doing enough to help the Cuban people after the protests that broke out over a month ago. Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, have called on the Biden administration to send an internet signal into the island so that oppressed Cubans can communicate with the outside world and relay information about the Cuban regime.

"Sen. Rand Paul Endorses Anthony Sabatini for Congress" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres

"Lauren Book ‘Pleased’ with Cuomo Resignation" by The Floridian's Jim McCool—Although Republicans nationwide have celebrated the long-awaited resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), the condemnation of Cuomo by his fellow Democrats was crucial in pushing him out of office. In Florida, state Senator Lauren Book (D-32) has already called for the prosecution of the New York Governor. Now, Book says she is “pleased” with Cuomo’s resignation.

"DeSantis rakes in cash as Florida's Covid wars rage" by POLITICO'S Matt Dixon—TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has built a national political brand. Need proof? Just look at his political committee’s more than $4 million July haul.

DeSantis, who has not yet formally declared his 2022 reelection bid, last month brought in political contributions from every state in the country and several United States territories as well as from members of the military serving overseas, according to campaign finance records. DeSantis’ nearly 400-page July campaign finance report represents a massive expansion of DeSantis’ fundraising footprint, driven by his increased use of email to solicit contributions.

"DeSantis Says RSV More Concerning to Children Than COVID" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Surfside—Shortly after acknowledging a group of First Responders that took part in the rescue effort at the Champlain Tower collapse, Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed reports of increased COVID infections and hospitalizations of children around the state.

Senate Passes $1 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill With 19 Republicans Giving Biden A Win" by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"DeSantis threatens to withhold salaries of education officials as counties find mask workarounds" by POLITICO'S Andrew Atterbury—

TALLAHASSEE — At least two Florida school districts want students to get permission from a health care professional before opting out of wearing masks this fall through new policies that “violate” rules created by the DeSantis administration to thwart mandatory face coverings on K-12 campuses.

"NY Governor Cuomo Resigns In Wake Of Damning Sexual Harassment Scandal" by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"Florida Legislator ‘DENIED’ Confidential Pediatric Records Request" by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D), who is arguably the most flamboyant and Progressive member of the Florida House of Representatives, appears to be exploiting a COVID records request he has made to the Florida Department of Health, stating that Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is “hiding the truth & muzzling county health directors” from giving him “confidential” pediatric health records of Floridians.

Senate Democrats Outline $3.5 Trillion ‘Social Welfare’ Tax Hike and Amnesty Spending Plan," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Senate Democrats released the full text of the $3.5 trillion budget resolution Monday, in their first significant step to boost social spending by overhauling the nation’s climate, child care, health care laws, as well as immigration reform through the process of reconciliation without garnishing any Republican votes.

"DeSantis threatens to withhold salaries of education officials as counties find mask workarounds," by POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury—TALLAHASSEE — At least two Florida school districts want students to get permission from a health care professional before opting out of wearing masks this fall through new policies that “violate” rules created by the DeSantis administration to thwart mandatory face coverings on K-12 campuses.

"U.S. Lawmakers Warn of the Growing Bond Between China, Venezuela, and the Cuban regime," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—After the U.S. imposed more sanctions on elements within the Communist Cuban regime, the Chinese government came out in full support of their ally in the Western Hemisphere, calling for the Biden administration to end the long-standing and decades-long sanctions put in place by past American administrations.

"Florida still breaking records for daily COVID cases. Single-day high reaches 28,317," by the Sun-Sentinel—Florida set more pandemic records for the most cases of COVID in a single day, with 28,317 new cases for Sunday and 28,316 for Saturday, the CDC said Monday.

Wasserman Schultz Says Ron DeSantis is ‘Dumb’ and ‘Deadly’ by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—According to Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Gov. Ron DeSantis is “dumb” and “deadly,” and “death will be his legacy” as a result of the rapid spread and mutation of the COVID-19 virus in Florida.

"Judge Rules in Favor of Vaccine Passports on Cruises," by The Floridian's Jim McCool—After Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) boldly sued the CDC over vaccine passports being mandated by cruise liners, his actions to protect unvaccinated Americans may take a major hit after a recent court ruling. This week, a judge ruled in favor of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings requiring passengers to furnish a vaccine passport before boarding one of their cruise ships.

"Pediatric Wards Filling up With COVID-19 Patients at Major Hospitals," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—It seems like COVID-19 Déjà vu, as the deadly disease continues to spike and with more and more children coming down with the virus and being admitted to hospital pediatric wards, Florida Democrats are once again blaming Gov. Ron DeSantis for the skyrocketing infection rate and are calling him to implement restrictions, measures that many Floridians call ‘Draconian.’

‘Maskless’ Obama Dancing Night Away At ‘Epic’ Birthday Bash Packed With A-List Celebrities," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Former President Obama celebrated his 60th birthday maskless with many celebrities, politicians, and a couple hundred other “close friends and family members” packed in the grounds of his family’s lavish home in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass on Saturday, despite vowing to hold a “scaled-back” swanky soiree amid rising concerns over the Delta variant of COVID-19 resurgence.

"Democrat School Board Member Fails in Dox Ron DeSantis’s Kids," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—In the ugly world of politics, and in the new ‘Woke” and “Cancel Culture” Americans find themselves living in, no one is off-limits to political attacks or “Doxxing,” not even Gov. Ron DeSantis’s kids.

"‘RINO’ Cassidy Criticizes DeSantis For Banning School Mask Mandates," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is speaking out against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) executive order on banning mask mandates in Florida public schools, saying that “the local officials should have control” over the decision.

"Trump Warns GOP Senators Not To Vote On ‘Disgrace’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill," by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"Trump Responds To Wisconsin Purging 205,000 Bad Voter Registrations After Election," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—Former President Donald Trump has responded to the Wisconsin Elections Commissioner’s recent decision to cancel 205,000 voter registrations because according to a recent report, officials “could not find the voters.”

"DeSantis Questions Biden’s Memory: ‘What Else Has He Forgotten?’ by The Floridian's Jim McCool

"Democrat Group Convenes Over VP Harris’ ‘Media Crisis’by The Floridian's Mona Salama

"Cori Bush Defends Having Private Security But Insists ‘Defunding The Police Has To Happen’ by The Floridian's Mona Salama—Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) defended her hypocritical stance Thursday, spending tens of thousands to “make sure” she has personal security as the congresswoman has “too much work to do,” while at the same time telling critics to “suck it up” because the calls to defund the police “has to happen.”

"Trump Skewers ‘Purple Hair’ Megan Rapinoe and ‘Woke’ Soccer Team After Failed Olympics," by The Floridian's Javier Manjarres—After the controversial and “woke” U.S. Women’s National Soccer team humiliated itself by losing first to Sweden 3-0, and then to Canada 1-0, the “woke” group lead by Black Lives Matter supporter Megan Rapinoe, was able to salvage a little bit of dignity by barely winning the Bronze medal by beating Australia 4-3 at the Tokyo Olympics.

"Senate Votes Against Rick Scott’s Amendment Requiring Spending Bills To Show Inflation Analysis," by The Floridian's Mona Salama—