#Florida National Guard

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

The recently revived Florida State Guard would more than triple in size and add aviation and maritime equipment, with funding going from $10 million to more than $95 million, under Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposed budget.

DeSantis last year pushed to reactivate the volunteer state guard to assist the Florida National Guard during emergencies. The state guard was set up during World War II to replace Florida National Guard members who were deployed abroad. It went inactive in 1947 but remained in state law.

Chris Spencer, DeSantis' director of policy and budget, told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that an expanded state guard is needed to help an overtaxed Florida National Guard.

"Our national guardsmen have a much longer, much more frequent schedule of activations because of our emergencies than other states that have more national guardsmen," Spencer said while giving a budget overview, "That's a big burden on the families of national guardsmen and it's a big burden on the national guardsmen themselves. It's a factor in the challenges that we're having in recruiting national guardsmen in Florida."

With approximately 12,000 Florida soldiers and airmen, Spencer added some members of the National Guard are deployed in non-emergencies, with about 400 working in state prisons. Meanwhile, the DeSantis administration is proposing to increase the size of the state guard from 400 to 1,500 members. Spencer said the goal is to have the state guard fully operational by the July 1 start of the upcoming fiscal year.

Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat who questioned Spencer on the state guard's proposed funding, said after the meeting he would like more information on the plans.

"I'm just interested to know, is there something we don't know about, as regular people, that we're missing, that we need to add from 400 to 1,500 (with the) state guard," Powell said. "There is a lot of conversation centered on what is happening in Washington, D.C. Is Florida, are we a part of the nation?"

The budget for the current fiscal year included $10 million to reactivate the state guard and cover the costs of six positions.

As part of an overall $114.8 billion budget he proposed last week for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, DeSantis is asking lawmakers for $1.3 million to expand the salaried positions to 10; $50 million for aviation equipment; $3 million for maritime equipment; $22 million for storage facilities; and $19 million for training and protective equipment.

Last June, DeSantis said more than 1,200 people applied for the guard's 400 positions.

As part of recruitment efforts for the Florida National Guard, DeSantis has proposed $1,000 bonuses for new recruits and guardsmen who renew contracts.

Spencer said similar recruitment bonus incentives are not on the table for the state guard.

"If we don't hit our 400 and if we think it's going to be a challenge to hit our 1,500, we may come back and ask for support from the Legislature for an incentive plan next year," Spencer said. "But as of right now, we feel pretty strong there's going to be a lot of interest in joining, and hitting that number should not be a challenge."

[lizardtheacorn]

thanks to the four people who left ideas!

[aceasadhd]

Maryland to The National Guard

[daily-table21]

Video: Weekly News Recap 5-8

Status: Public

Link: Weekly News Recap 5-8 - YouTube

Date Posted: May 8th 2020

[amalgamasreal]

Why a land invasion of the US would never work.

[rabbitcruiser]

U.S. Coast Guard Birthday 

Show your support for the brave men and women of the US Coast Guard who put their lives on the line to save ours, from fishing boats accidents to hurricanes.

US Coast Guard Birthday honors the courageous work of coast guards. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Atlantic coast of the United States in 2005, the US Coast Guards saved over 33,500 lives, an estimated 24,000 of these were rescued from peril in severely dangerous conditions. And that just scratches the surface of the important work that these brave men and women do. So get excited, because it is time to celebrate the US Coast Guard Birthday!

History of US Coast Guard Birthday

The history of the coast guard in the United States can be traced back to the year 1790 when it was established by the first Congress who allowed Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton to combat smuggling and tariff evaders with his fleet of ten ships. Originally called the Revenue Marine Service, or Revenue Cutter Service, the service was combined in 1915 with the US Lifesaving Service to become the Coast Guard.

During times of peace, the US Coast Guard acts as part of the Department of Homeland Security and then becomes part of the Department of Defense in times of war. Now, with more than 230 years of history, this important entity offers a great deal of support through navigation, port security, environmental protection and wartime readiness.

In the United States, there are thousands of events nation-wide for people to get involved in and show their support. In the UK, although not directly associated with HM Coast Guard, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is a charity organization with the sole aim of rescuing those in distress at sea. They launch over 6500 times a year, and have saved over 134,000 lives since their founding. Pakistan Coast Guard Day is celebrated on September 8.

So bake a cake, throw a party and get appropriately excited about celebrating and enjoying the US Coast Guard Birthday this summer!

How to Celebrate US Coast Guard Birthday

Have a blast with the observance of celebration of this important day. Join in on a wide variety of activities for the US Coast Guard Birthday, including some of these:

Throw a US Coast Guard Birthday Party

Those who have been members of the coast guard, who have benefited from the work of the coast guard, or even those who just appreciate it can celebrate by doing what people often do for birthdays – throw a party! Just like any party, the US Coast Guard Birthday deserves festive decorations such as balloons and streamers, some good music, a gathering of friends and, of course, a big cake!

Make it a coast guard themed party by decorating with boats, anchors and all sorts of sea-themed ideas, as well as employing the American flag and the US Coast Guard flag. The snacks can also be of a maritime theme, with a cake made in the shape of a ship, cookies decorated like life preservers, and even a bowl full of individually wrapped Life Savers candies! Don’t forget to play the US Coast Guard Theme Song in the background, “Semper Paratus”.

Learn More About the US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard Birthday celebration is a great motivation to learn a bit more about this important service. Do a bit of online research, check out some books from the local library, or head on over to the National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut.

Make a US Coast Guard Birthday Playlist

Have loads of fun celebrating the US Coast Guard Birthday with music! Create a playlist that includes maritime and coastal themed songs, getting started with some of these tunes:

Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin (1959)

(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (1967)

If I Had a Boat by Lyle Lovett (1987)

Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte (1956)

Source

[sassyandclassy94]

Yall know my writer friend who I often mention and reference, and credit my writing growth to? Red? Well he lives in Florida and I can’t help but be really concerned for him through this hurricane😭 I don’t know where exactly in Florida he lives but he always told me inland but Milton is so big that I hope he and his little family evacuated🥺 I know he said Florida is always well-equipped and prepared for these storms and the weather stations do a lot of fear-mongering but I do still hope he stays safe.

Wherever you are, Red I hope you’re heeding the evacuation and safety precautions. Be safe out there, Dude!

[renarots]

The ability to evacuate is a privilege and I’m sick of people applying Florida logic to the Appalachians right now. Yes it is horrible for those who couldn’t in Florida but the people in the Appalachian’s had no warning. People still have “dial up” there, 55.9% of the population is under the poverty line. “I’ve been seeing warnings for a week” no you haven’t the warnings were for Florida and Georgia, even then it wasn’t supposed to hit the apps like this at most flooding but they would recover. When hurricane helene took that turn it was too late to even warn others before dams broke. The infrastructure is not meant to take this beating especially given the storm they had the week before causing all of the waterways to be full already. Towns are wiped out, towns that relied on tourism and coal mining to bring in revenue are gone. My great aunt and uncle lived in a trailer off a plot of land and were so happy they finally got a clean running water system hooked up two years ago. They have one tiny little old android that they have to travel about an hour in town to use so they can call us up. They lived off a fixed income because any sort of job was two hours away at least and they’re getting older they can’t just travel that much anymore. My great uncle can’t walk without his cane and my great aunt is getting there too. They always joked about taking me home with them and I would always say when I got older they would come live with me because I knew how rough it was for them but they couldn’t just leave. I haven’t been able to contact them in over 48 hours and the highways leading out after the one hour evacuation notice was given was shut down. Most places are air rescues only because there is no other way for them to be rescued. To add on as well that they deployed FEMA in many of the places affected but yet there is barely any coverage and radio silence from our government. No national guards are here to rescue them they are left to fend for themselves. People are drowning, being electrocuted, some didn’t even stand a chance. These are human beings who have been prayed on for generations the least you can do is show some fucking sympathy. I don’t care what you have to say family’s are being devastated. I wouldn’t wish anything like this to happen to anyone so if you find yourself in your bed at night I hope you know that out there, there are families who are grieving all they have lost and you are cozy at home with running water, electricity and a warm bed and you feel an ounce of guilt for even thinking that.

A link to ways that you can help. Keep Appalachia in your minds do not look away.

[nomadbones]

Damn, just like 1977-78

Indiana was freezing over but just Indiana, every other state was fine. This was due to a weird physics thing that I learned about in class.

[madamlaydebug]

HOW MANY OF YOU KNEW THIS ABOUT BROTHER WESLEY?!

Snipes formed a production company, Amen-Ra Films, in 1991 and a subsidiary, Black Dot Media, to develop projects for film and television.

AMEN RA PRODUCTIONS PRODUCED ALL OF THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL (AND LUCRATIVE) BLADE MOVIES

Snipes has been training in martial arts since age 12, earning a 5th dan black belt in Shotokan Karate and 2nd dan black belt in Hapkido.

In the late 1990s, Snipes and his brother started a security firm called the Royal Guard of Amen-Ra, dedicated to providing VIPs with bodyguards trained in law enforcement and martial arts. In 1996, the first film produced by Amen Ra productions was A Great And Mighty Walk – Dr. John Henrik Clarke, in which Snipes narrated.

In 2000, the business was investigated for alleged ties to the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors. It emerged that Snipes had spotted 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land with the intention to buy and use for his business academy, which were close to the compound in Putnam County, Georgia. Both Snipes' business and the groups used Egyptian motifs as their symbols. Ultimately, Snipes and his brother did not buy the land, instead establishing their company in Florida, Antigua, and Africa.

Snipes, who was raised a Christian, converted to Islam in 1978, but left Islam in 1988. During a 1991 interview, Snipes said "[Islam made] me more conscious of what African people have accomplished, of my self-worth, [and gave] me some self-dignity."

[zinniajones]

Text of thread at https://kolektiva.social/@zinnia/110418489814171631:

Yes - this is what is happening in Florida due to SB 254, which was signed into law on Tuesday 5/17/2023, taking immediate effect. This immediately cut off 80%+ of adult trans people in Florida from having their HRT refilled, because SB 254 uniquely prohibits only nurse practitioners from prescribing only gender-affirming medications.

This has already been in effect for 7 days now.

Trans adults in Florida have already been cut off from their HRT refills for a week now, including those of us who have been stable on these medications for years or decades.

This is VERY different from the general situation of trans youth care bans in 19 states, many still working their way through the courts.

This has *already* happened, to *all* of us: all trans adults in the third most populous state in the US.

The number of trans adults on HRT massively exceeds the sliver of the population that are under 18 and are prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy.

These laws, advanced under the pretext of 'protecting children', are now directly impacting a far larger group of people who are not children and are not subject to those pretextual concerns.

Other arguments about withholding public Medicaid funding for transition treatment also do not apply here: SB 254 does not even allow receiving this care through private insurance or paying cash out of pocket. The care isn't simply not covered - the care itself cannot be provided regardless.

What is happening in Florida requires special attention above the situation of trans youth care bans nationally. This is having a vastly larger impact quantifiably.

It will have worse impacts qualitatively as well: adults are responsible for taking care of and protecting trans kids and making sure they do not hurt themselves.

Whereas as a trans adult, we have no one standing guard at the brink but our own self and the void to which we are accountable.

These are the facts as they stand right now. These are the facts as they have stood for a WEEK and NO ONE nationally is putting any attention on this because there are 19 trans youth care bans all across the country going on, along with everything else targeting trans people and the LGBT community broadly.

This is a specific harm that is happening now and has been happening for 168 hours.

It is not a hypothetical issue to raise awareness of, as if it were at the stage of some proposal that needs to be fought back. This has already happened and is happening right now. Active harm is happening until this law is rolled back.

For all of Florida's history since the inception of the applicable regulatory and licensing bodies, nurse practitioners have been allowed to prescribe hormone therapy, testosterone blockers and other relevant gender-affirming medications.

That has been the case since I moved here in 2011. There was no reason why this wouldn't be the case. It's also the case in every other state.

This new law is a carveout of prescriptions when used for one purpose, gender-affirming care, from nurse practitioners specifically, in a way that has never been done before. It affects all ages.

It has immediately obstructed access to HRT prescription refills for more than 80% of TRANS ADULTS in Florida.

It has also prohibited first appointments for HRT via telehealth with in-state or out-of-state MDs or DOs - first appointments must be in person. This will require expensive and time-consuming travel that is beyond most trans people's means: driving to Georgia from Florida can take 8 hours.

This was an intentional targeting of almost all trans adults in Florida, and the means by which we have received our generic, FDA-approved medications for years. And it included closing every possible door that would let us find another way to keep taking the medications we have taken for...

Well, for me it was 3,891 days when the clock stopped

[nocternalrandomness]

National Naval Aviation Museum - Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

The National Naval Aviation Museum is the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum and one of the most-visited museums in the state of Florida. It features more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum’s over 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds.

[odinsblog]

Nazis, openly waving Swastikas and doing the Sieg Heil salute in Orlando, Florida

Not a single uniformed police officer in sight. I say “uniformed” because the odds are that some of the people doing the Nazi salute are probably in law enforcement.

Now, contrast that to how overly militarized police have routinely shown up at peaceful Black Lives Matter protests

Or how the police treat peaceful college students protesting for free higher education

Or how the authorities treated Black people simply walking in our own communities, after the murder of Mike Brown

Oh, and how about six months before the January 6, 2021 white supremacist riots, when National Guard troops were deployed to the Lincoln Memorial on June 2, 2020, during George Floyd protests held in Washington, DC? Where was this overwhelming presence on January 6, 2021??

And finally, Ron DeSantis, a leading Republican candidate for President of The United States(!), has a large following of Neo-Nazis, but he has yet to explicitly denounce them. I guess maybe he’s too busy banning books, or making sure drag queens aren’t reading books to children, or making sure that accurate Black history—aka American history—isn’t being taught in schools.

I could go on and on and on, but the police never seem to have that same energy for actual fucking Nazis, or the Proud Boys, or Oath Keepers, etc etc etc

Domestic terrorism by white nationalists is the biggest threat to social stability, justice, democracy and to America itself.

👉🏿 https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/04/orlando-florida-nazis-march-blood-tribe/

👉🏿 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna103186