Now it makes sense… political contributions over human rights.
My mind has been racing since watching the webcast of the Miami-Dade Public Safety Committee meeting this week.
How is it that Ron Book, the same guy who has publicly vilified registered sex offenders, called them monsters, lied in testimony about recidivism rates (in fact, stating absurdly that 100% re-offend) and who orchestrated a recent eviction of registrants from stable housing (see: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1953953.html), is the same guy Miami-Dade County appoints to help the sex offenders?
Come on, I thought. These commissioners are not stupid people. Even if they gave Book the benefit of the doubt that he can be objective, this lesson has been learned repeatedly! Wouldn’t anyone with an ounce of common sense and responsibility think it’s time to set Ron Book aside and let someone else work on a solution to this problem?
But as I watched the usual theatrics and parade of lies in his presentation, I expected to hear a tongue lashing from the commissioners. After all, they were there to address a problem, the problem was created by this guy and after more than a decade, this guy was unable to find a solution to the problem.
I was nearly floored when, instead of a reprimand, came a blatant stream of ass-kissing from Jose “Pepe” Diaz! There had to be more to this and in speaking to people who know the ins and outs of Miami-Dade politics, it was explained to me.
You see; Pepe Diaz is running for re-election in 2018 and he needs Ron Book’s campaign contributions. He needs Book’s clients contributions and he needs the contributions of the Political Action Committees and Electioneering Communication Organizations that Book funds. It’s not about public safety or human rights it’s about contributions. Pepe is not stupid, he’s chasing the money! And that’s the way it works.
Even Sally Heyman, who I could have sworn seemed to “get it”, miraculously abandoned all integrity and put the legislation through. What’s with that?
Oh… wait a minute… here’s Commissioner Heyman’s campaign contribution disclosure: https://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/24253/sally-heyman. Right there, up on the top donor list is Ron Book and alongside him are his clients, such as AT&T and FPL!
Now does it make sense?
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To the naysayers…
“All politicians are corrupt” is just about as ignorant as “all sex offenders will re-offend”. Ok, well maybe not that close, but it’s heading down the same path. Plenty of politicians get into the gig for the wrong reasons, and end up corrupt. Some get into it for the right reasons, and end up corrupt. Some get into it for whatever reason, and end up actually doing the right thing. No one can expect any of them to be perfect. Even the ones generally doing the right thing have some tough calls to make and sometimes make mistakes. And sometimes they have to sacrifice a little integrity to stay in office, to eventually contribute to the greater good. And even the generally corrupt ones can end up doing good things, even if only out of selfish motivations.
While it is probably wise to be skeptical of politicians and constantly verifying what they say is true when it matters, it is unwise to assume the absolute worst at all times. Some of them can be allies, we just haven’t figured out how to consistently turn them into allies. Even if they align with our position despite showing hate toward us (think fiscal responsibilities, or acceptance of studies that show how the registries put their constituents in more harm), we should accept that. Not to say we should re-allocate resources from efforts that are showing promise (courts), but if we have special opportunities to form agreements on some issues with legislators, we should take that opportunity.
It is hypocritical and ironic for us to paint a group of people as “bad” for their act of painting us as a group of people who are “bad”. Better to lead by example and find strategies that work in getting them to see the light on our issues than to completely cast them away without ever giving a chance. As crazy as it sounds, even Ron Book could change. If you don’t believe people can change, well, that’s beyond me at this time…
There has to be a grievance that can be filed with the state or federally over this. These actions basically amount to evicting all sex offenders from the city limits. That’s unconstitutional.
Lol, great commentary!! Great information!!!
There is not ONE politician or bureaucrat with an ounce of integrity. They are ALL after MONEY and/or POWER.
Ass-kissing is the means to an end. And who suffers?
The public sheep who believe the lies the politicians push.
It is desperate deflection. There is something insidious lurking in Ron Book’s past: something so bad hiding in his closet that the thought of it cominf into the public’s light terrifies him, so he is working at mach speed to keep attention off of himself by villifying and harassing one group of society. Problem. Reaction. Solution. Was the caretaker who allegedly sexually abused his daughter an RSO? Was it really the caretaker who abused his daughter; perhaps there is something even more sinister to the story that has yet to be disclosed? We’ve been watching the house of cards called Washington, D.C. (District of Criminals) come crashing down as of late…perhaps the foundation under Ron Book’s feet will start shaking soon. God made it clear…everyrhing hidden will be made known.
Yes JD you hit it on the nail I have been saying the same thing Now for awhile now. We need somehow to get a reporter in the jail where the nanny is to ask questions. I bet she will sing like a Canary! What she got to loose. I bet we would learn a lot about mr Book!!! He is hiding just like his ex wife is hiding a lot of there past about what really happened. I watched this video 2 times and it just made me sick all political bullshit kissing his ass. Yea you got that right follow the money…..
Any idea which jail that is….?
…and that is just a microcosm of the BIGGER corruption that is going on in Florida and in the Dept of Corrections. We are the pawns. But the more we just sit back and do nothing about this and just go along with their stupid little laws, then it’s never going to change.