Happy Independence Day.
This is "Mooning Jesse," a basswood work I have on a guest room wall. Folk artist Ned Cartledge carved and painted it in 1991 to protest Sen. Jesse Helms's attempts to cut National Endowment for the Arts funds for controversial projects. Now I can call it "Mooning Ron."📷 1/7
2/7 Gov. DeSantis, every bit as vicious and backward as Helms — no small achievement — vetoed $32 million in grants for ALL arts and groups in Florida. His reason? Some Fringe Festivals stage "sexual stuff," apparently referring to a few events that include drag, though he gave no examples.
3/7 The 600 affected groups, large and small, from symphonies and museums to children's reading programs, are in crisis. Some organizations may lay off employees or close altogether. Big mistake. Vibrant arts and culture are proven magnets for businesses and people thinking of relocating.
4/7 As the Orlando Sentinel reported, "The state’s own economists and agencies say Florida’s arts and cultural sectors generate nearly $6 billion in annual economic activity and support more than 90,000 full-time jobs." Measure that against Ronnie getting the vapors and pandering to his own fringe.
5/7 It's not as if the state usually throws cash out the door. Groups submit detailed requests a year in advance. A state panel studies them and sends a list to the legislature, which sets the final amount. This year it would be just 47% of the requests — bad enough, but now it's zero.
6/7 And here's some real perspective: Florida's total annual budget is $116 billion, with a B. The grants in question, supported by every previous governor since the program started, account for 0.03 percent of that total.
7/7 Nanny DeSantis's obsession with "sexual stuff" was arguably one factor in his limp attempt at the presidency. And from Tallahassee to Key West, we have until January of 2027 to be damaged, and embarrassed, by his twisted vision of "The Free State of Florida."
He can kiss that flag.
