Living in the Sunshine State as I do means adapting to things that most people might recoil from when encountered. Hurricanes arriving do not develop interest until they approach Cat-3 status. Florida Man stories elicit a simple nod. And the sophomoric nature of our state-based media requires a response on par with addressing a hysterical toddler, who you need to first calm down to learn what has them wound up.
As an example, the once-respected Miami Herald during the Ron DeSantis years has devolved into an outlet similar to another publication further up our East Coast - The National Enquirer. I recently tabulated the Herald’s coverage of Alligator Alcatraz; maybe, when delivering about nine stories a day on the facility, you may be in line for an intervention.
Which brings us to one of our lesser news outlets, The Floridian. A recent item from them caught my attention, as there was a clear effort to expose Ron DeSantis on… something…while in the commission of a mundane practice. It is a prime example of how our press is just like a Double-A minor league baseball club while covering a big league governor.
The issue was that DeSantis was releasing a commemorative coin. Embossed on the front is a relief of the Tallahassee Capitol building with the outline of the state looming above, its field filled in with the flag of Florida. It is a straightforward and innocuous release – or is it a representation of the hubris of our state’s leader, indicating a rapacity for higher office!!!
That The Floridian displays an ignorance about the very state that it is named after is rather blatant. It seems clear that writer Michael Costienes is unfamiliar with a few details, as he starts by alleging that Governor DeSantis has “anointed himself as the Commander In Chief.” This is because the outer border ringing the coin is embossed with his office and that title.
What is evident is that Mr. Costienes is unfamiliar with the practice of handing out challenge coins, a rather common practice in politics. Not just office holders, but many government agencies at all levels, hand these out to people who are thought to be supportive of the office or the body that they govern.
The amusement grows as we see at the end of his piece a notably disqualifying segment, one that feels like a tagged-on, late arrival that undermines his entire premise.
Oh, and DeSantis isn't the only current or past governor of Florida to use the challenge coin. Former Govs. Jeb Bush and Rick Scott also passed out challenge coins with "COMMANDER IN CHIEF" inscribed on it.
This is the only time Michael refers to this being a challenge coin, and it not only contradicts his claim of DeSantis “anointing himself,” but clearly he is unaware of the common practice of these coins being mementos handed out: “The coin's inscription, not usually seen in the political sphere…”
Uh…sure. But not only is this unfamiliarity with a common political item, it completely displays ignorance of the state Constitution. In it, the governor is declared, like most other states, as the Commander In Chief because he is in charge of the state National Guard or any other state-based LEOs.
What is most striking about this entry is not the puerile need to lash out at anything the governor does; it is the abject lack of effort put into this alleged hit piece. If you are going to operate with this level of unfamiliarity with state operations, you should just change the name of your outlet from The Floridian.
Or - as a suggestion - maybe have your reporters and editors commit to a modicum of curiosity and conduct the barest amount of research. It will go far in avoiding this level of shame coming down on your outlet.
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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