I’ve lived in Florida for almost 30 years.
Sometimes when I write a statement like that, I imagine a reader at the other end: “Are you nuts?” or “Are you some kind of right-wing wacko?”
Nope. And again, nope.
Florida in the 1990s was a different animal, though. More specifically, the Tampa Bay area was a different animal then.
I’m sure there have always been pinheads here who go up north for vacations and say things like, “Oh, so much for global warming. I got a snowball in my hand!”
And yes, I still wonder, are they really that stupid? Or are they just in thrall to some sort of corporate interests, secretly knowing better but not caring?
I’ll admit it: I don’t know either.
The Wrong Stuff
But Florida isn’t what some people think it is. We voted for President Obama—twice. And then we (emphasis not me) voted for the orange monster—twice.
It’s a conundrum, I know.
On the other hand, at least we have a history of consistently choosing the victors. Up yours, New Hampshire!
Anyway, when Hurricane Ian came barreling at us last week, part of me thought, That figures. We picked a great time for a staycation. And another part thought, We probably deserve it. After all, look who our state voted for in 2016 and 2020.
I know none of this is rational or even thoughtful. Hey, these are the kinds of things that run through your head at the end of a week where you loaded up a grocery cart with nonperishables you hoped you wouldn’t have to use.
Tampa Bay dodged the bullet called Hurricane Ian, and I’m grateful for that. Of course, a majority of our county, Hillsborough, did vote in favor of President Biden. Not trying to be mean here…just saying. Maybe Florida as a whole needs to be more careful about who we vote for in 2024.
Whatever the case, my heart goes out to anyone who lost a family member or home during this terrible storm. For information on the Hurricane Ian relief effort, check out the American Red Cross.
