97 Comments

Thank you for covering this story. I hope you will keep covering it and that the mainstream media continue to pick up and report your coverage. DeSantis is running for re-election and Floridians need to know what a monster he is and just how dangerous he is to the state and the country. He has no respect for the rule of law; has shredded the US Constitution and the Florida Constitution; without due process he is removing elected officials who oppose his diktats; he is promoting Christian Nationalism; and has cast himself in the image of authoritarian, racist politicians like trump, orban, bolsonaro, and mussolini.

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DeSantis is and always was a louse. I really hope this lawsuit is going somewhere.

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I subscribed so I could like this comment. Can I quote you on twitter?

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Rick, That’s spot on.

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Well said my man. Indeed.

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Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

De Santis deserves to get hung out to dry for this. Yesterday, he defended himself to a reporter from the Tampa tv station, saying that other states should bear the burden. He did NOT deny what occurred, but defended it. Good, that will be part of the trial.

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No mention made of why more immigrants come to Florida as opposed to, let's say, Maine. Florida's agricultural industry would cease to function w/o immigrants. Also the hospitality industry & healthcare workers....good luck replacing those workers with 'real Americans'. Maybe the Villages residents will pick up the slack?

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That is what makes DeSantis' stand that much more baffling. Why would he not engage in "good governance" for the benefit of the state he represents and make proper use of the willing work force that comes to America for opportunity. And for the ones who bleat, "why can't they stay and fix their own country?"

A brief look at fairly recent US history reveals that WE, the US of A have a lot to answer for in the reduction of their countries to authoritarian nations, failed economies, military juntas and the like. We (collectively) did these things to them in pursuit of the all mighty dollar. And now, here's payback! How about that?

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Each day that passes further reveals that Ron DeSantis is an actual, clinical psychopath, with an ugly mix of grave personality disorders. It's all unfolding in front of us. He needs to be out of any public office. He is NOT any species of actual patriot. Quite the opposite.

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I like the Zola allusion.

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Unfortunately he is adopting the Trumpian way, which is to appeal to grievance instead of what is good for his state. He thinks he will get the MAGA crowd. I thought he was smarter than Trump until he pulled this bullying stunt. He’s in a heap of trouble, although somebody else will take the blame

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Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

Indeed Lynn. Indeed. Meanwhile he has his defenders in this forum, such as Frank Lee. What a tiresome yet amusing personage he is. Espousing freedom while defending fascism.

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He actually used Covid money to pull this stunt. Can you believe it?

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Yes, the Covid money all Republicans voted against.

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Irony in action my friend!

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Go, Judd, go!

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founding

Poetic Justice should this heinous act backfire on Desantis causing the loss of his bid for a second term as Governor. Vote this fascist OUT!

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DeStuntis

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"InDescentis"

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Another WINNER!!!

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Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

Clever, verrrry clever my dear Mr. Martin.

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Given that the wheels of justice are covered in molasses, I hope there’s enough time for this to spoil his re-election.

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Yes, DeSantis is a cowardly monster who is now riding the tail of a tiger that he himself released. Ah, the phrase "to be hoist by his own petard" comes to mind.

Yes, he has his supporters. But we have the so many more people who are actual, thinking, true human beings to counter these cut-rate sociopaths that keep cropping up. Oh for a scythe and a keen blade eh?

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The partially translated consent form is perfect for political advertising in bilingual Florida. These migrants are fleeing a communist dictatorship in Venezuela. Show the Venezuelan-American and Cuban-American communities in Florida how much respect Desantis has for people seeking asylum from a communist dictator.

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Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

Yes, a thousand times yes! Hopefully the local dems won't let this marvelous opportunity go to waste!

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Hopefully, this time the performative BS that DeSantis, Abbott and their ilk seem to love so much will result in them feeling some serious (legal) pain. I'm not overly confident, but at least there's s a chance this time.

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So if our legal system is in working condition, there should be a swift and effective remedy that will send a clear message to any perpetrators of egregious and wholly illegal acts against helpless individuals?

Just like in "my make believe world"...In which "Mr. T---p's" case, (individual 1), now having been indicted, arrested, prosecuted, incarcerated and having had all his assets seized in the penalty phase of his last trail, for all his crimes against humanity, companies he swindled, bank fraud, women he assaulted, US, State, and International tax laws he violated, coupes he organized, theft of top secret documents, persons he caused bodily harm to directly and indirectly resulting in death and/or bodily injury, States election laws that he violated in collusion with assorted cohorts via racketeering, collusion, conspiracy, countries he attempted to blackmail, threatened, and colluded with for his own personal gain, all of this beginning around the time he left college back in the late 60's early 70's, or am I mistaken? More than 50 years, people.

T---p and his businesses have been involved in more than 3,999 state and federal legal actions, including six or so official bankruptcies having caused many more among his business associated and non paid contractors . Seriously though...Where does/did he find the time? Maybe he had some help?

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founding

Such as the smart lawyers he finds, such as Allen Weisselberg who work for money not for righteousness.

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I think money is the key but there is also the support and maintenance of a political and legal system that they know they can take advantage of in order to maintain their behavior with less risk of being jailed as they know how to "work the system". This immoral unethical system is threatened by those who want to end it and the loop holes that allow for continued unethical and illegal behavior.

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Help from willing (and perhaps unwilling?) sycophants no less?

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The republiCons have no shame because they have been allowed t get away with crimes for so long. We don’t need a 2 year investigation. The evidence is there, they commit their crimes in broad daylight. These are asylum seekers who were made false promises by a politician who behaves like a derelict smuggler! LOCK HIM UP. Get him removed from office now!

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Agreed. It becomes worse than tiresome to see the various low budget RW sociopaths call for and claim to stand for "law and order," while they are the ones who deserve (and have earned) harsh punishments for breaking those self same laws.

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Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!

Reading the terms of the liability waiver, it doesn't seem to cover actions taken prior to, or after the flight, which is the gravamen of the suit. The language is limited to damages arising "during' the flight. Bad lawyering!!

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The lawsuit goes after DeSantis in his professional and personal capacities. If it somehow succeeds, it would be quite the embarrassment for him.

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Sep 21, 2022·edited Sep 21, 2022

Massachusetts is not a sanctuary state which is what is presented in that document DeSantis shared

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Fancy that. These guys do display a certain level of incompetence. One more example right here. And now there is a great chance that the tiger DeSantis is riding will turn and bite him on the a**!

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

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Not only is the document only partially translated into Spanish, but it appears that the translation says, "I understand that the benefactor and his representatives are responsible...." The word before "sus" is hard to make out (it appears to be "nd" rather than "y") and the word "no" is missing before "son." If the word before "sus" is "no", the statement appears to say, "i understand the benefactor not his representatives are responsible...." Someone who knows Spanish really well needs to look at this on a good copy of the waiver document. The question is whether DeSantis unwittingly accepted responsibility, with or without his representatives.

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