Name: Democrats call Gov. DeSantis’ order to lower flags in honor of Rush Limbaugh ‘an embarrassment to Florida’
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Democrats call Gov. DeSantis’ order to lower flags in honor of Rush Limbaugh ‘an embarrassment to Florida’

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AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 3:24 pmFlags will be flown at half staff in Florida to mark the death of polarizing conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday.Democratic leaders swiftly lashed out at the decision, saying DeSantis has politicized an honor for the death of prominent government officials, police officers or firefighters who die in the line of duty, members of the armed forces or tragic events such as the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.AdvertisementBut special requests for specific events or people that don’t fall under those categories can be made to the governor’s office. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Florida lawmaker representing Lake County, had asked the governor to lower the flags in honor of Limbaugh, calling him a “relentless champion of America and of civic engagement.”DeSantis, who made the announcement before starting a press conference in West Palm Beach about election reform, said he is making the order because of the “magnitude” of the death of Limbaugh.AdvertisementSen. Gary Farmer, Democratic leader of the Florida Senate, criticized the move, calling on DeSantis to rescind his decision to honor someone who “helped drive hatred and inflamed the prejudices” against marginalized groups in America.“Lowering the flag of the United States is a high honor reserved for those who have honorably and bravely served our state and our nation,” Farmer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Governor DeSantis has now transformed this distinction into a partisan political tool to salute a man who served no other interests than his own and did his best to deeply divide a country along political fault lines.”Any move to lower our flag in deference to a man who helped drive the hatred and inflame the prejudices against marginalized groups, people of color, women, and anyone who did not look like him or think like him is wrong, and should be rescinded. — Senator Gary Farmer (@FarmerForFLSen)Other Democratic leaders also criticized the order, including Nikki Fried, the state’s secretary of agriculture, who questioned the governor’s priorities.. is lowering Florida's flags to half-staff for Rush Limbaugh.But he had no words for Congressman John Lewis.Priorities. — Nikki Fried (@nikkifried)Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz called the move an “embarrassment” to Florida. “Rush Limbaugh weaponized his platform to spread racism, xenophobia and homophobia across the nation,” Wasserman-Schultz wrote on Twitter. “His constant hateful rhetoric caused untold damage to our political landscape.”Rush Limbaugh weaponized his platform to spread racism, xenophobia and homophobia across the nation. His constant hateful rhetoric caused untold damage to our political landscape. DeSantis' decision to honor him is an embarrassment to Florida.— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets)As it happensGet updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts. &gt; A political commentator, Limbaugh dominated radio for years as one of the most powerful and polarizing voices for American conservatives and broadcast his talk show from his home in Palm Beach for years. from complications due to lung cancer, his wife announced during his show that morning.“We had one of our own, Rush Limbaugh, pass away a few days ago. What we do for something of this magnitude, when they announce the dates of internment for Rush, we are going to be lowering the flags to half staff,” DeSantis said to applause from the crowd. Bo Snerdley, producer and longtime friend of Limbaugh’s, joined DeSantis for the announcement.The timing for the lowering of the flags depends on funeral arrangements being made by Limbaugh’s family.At news of Limbaugh’s passing, DeSantis released a statement praising Limbaugh for being a “warm person” and a good friend.Advertisement“Casey and I are truly saddened to learn of the passing of fellow Floridian and our friend Rush Limbaugh,” DeSantis said in a statement after Limbaugh’s death. “Rush is the GOAT-of radio, of conservative media and of inspiring a loyal army of American patriots.”Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a Florida lawmaker representing Lake County, previously asked the governor to lower the flags in honor of Limbaugh, calling him a “relentless champion of America and of civic engagement.”Today I sent a letter to Governor DeSantis requesting the lowering of Florida’s flags to half-staff in honor of the passing of a great Floridian—Rush Limbaugh.Rush was a relentless champion of America and of civic engagement. May his memory live on forever. — Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini)The state of Florida lowers the flags to half staff on major remembrance holidays through the year: Advertisement

AdvertisementBy South Florida Sun-SentinelFeb 19, 2021 at 3:24 pmFlags will be flown at half staff in Florida to mark the death of polarizing conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday.Democratic leaders swiftly lashed out at the decision, saying DeSantis has politicized an honor for the death of prominent government officials, police officers or firefighters who die in the line of duty, members of the armed forces or tragic events such as the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and Pulse Nightclub in...

Democrats call Gov. DeSantis’ order to lower flags in honor of Rush Limbaugh ‘an embarrassment to Florida’

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