FR EXCLUSIVE: FL Gov Jeb Bush comments on FL Vet's Flag Flap

Jeb's email to FR poster, summer; FR thread ^ | May 18, 2002 | Jeb Bush on email; and news article writer

[summer]

Note to FR, from summer:

Folks, there are three parts to this editorial:

Part 1- The Flag Flap
Part 2- Jeb's Comments (exclusively published here on FR)
Part 3-The New FL Law.

Enjoy!

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PART 1: THE FLAG FLAP

Below is an excerpt from a news article posted on this FR thread: Jupiter resident continues battle over flag

Even though the homeowners association that has battled Jupiter resident George Andres for 18 months over his flag and flagpole has filed foreclosure proceedings against the former Marine, Andres' attorney said a new state law should help protect him.

Andres' attorney, Barry Silver, called the Indian Creek Phase III-B association unreasonable and mean-spirited" for its effort to collect more than $30,000 in fines.[…]

"We had to have a law passed to get this ridiculous association off the Andreses' back. But they disregard the governor and relentlessly pursue this nonsense."

Andres, 64, has attracted international attention with his fight against the association over a 12-foot flagpole and American flag he erected in his front yard in 2000.

This week, the association filed a lawsuit to foreclose on the Andreses' one-story home for payment of fines and penalties assessed by Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Catherine Brunson.

Brunson has ruled twice against Andres.

The association's action was taken in spite of passage in March by Florida's Legislature of a law that prohibits homeowners associations from restricting the display of the American flag by property owners.

The law stipulates the flag must be displayed in a "respectful" manner and that the pole be "portable." According to Andres, his flag and pole meet both standards.[...]

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PART 2: JEB'S COMMENTS [Also: Two photos, posted by me for your enjoyment.]

Gov Jeb Bush leads FL students in The Pledge of Allegiance.

-----Original Message-----

From: [summer's name and email address, deleted here]
To: Jeb Bush jeb@jeb.org
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2002 9:12 AM
Subject: THANK YOU.

Dear Gov. Bush:

Thank you for your email below. I will post it on that thread, just as I said I would do in my email to you.

I greatly appreciate your response, and I am certain others will appreciate hearing from you as well.

Sincerely,
[summer]

-----Original Message-----

From: Jeb Bush jeb@jeb.org
To: [summer's name and email address, deleted here]
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2002 7:56 AM
Subject: RE: FYI

[summer], I have spoken to George and told him that I support his efforts.

For the life of me, I can't understand why Old Glory can't be flown. I signed a bill into law to try to help. Common sense dictates that an American flag should be allowed to be flown within some constraints like size, etc.

The fact that we have to pass a law to deal with this shows that we need to get back to the basics which starts with self governance.

I will continue to support George.

Jeb Bush

Gov Jeb Bush, FL's most accessible governor, brings a cabinet meeting
to the citizens of Kissimmee, FL for a Capitol for a Day event.


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PART 3: THE NEW FL LAW

From the media center available online to all, at www.myflorida.com, the state's official web site:

Governor Bush Signs Bill Guaranteeing Right to Fly U.S. Flag

For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 18, 2002
Contact:
Elizabeth Hirst
(850) 488-5394

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Jeb Bush signed into law today a bill guaranteeing Floridians' right to fly the United States flag at their homes, regardless of rules set by a homeowners' association. Senate Bill 148, an act relating to the Display of the United States Flag, was filed to address arbitrary rules enacted by homeowner associations to prevent flying of the American flag.

It also allows homeowners to file a suit if prevented from flying the flag in a reasonable, respectful manner.

Senate Bill 148 was sponsored by Senator Steven Geller and Representative Eleanor Sobel and was co-sponsored by Senators Tom Lee, Daryl Jones, Ginny Brown-Waite, Al Lawson, Les Miller Jr., Ron Klein, Ron Silver, Rod Smith, Richard Mitchell, Skip Cambell, Kendrick Meek, and Representatives Eleanor Sobel, Matt Meadows, Dennis Baxley, Nancy Detert, Don Brown, Mike Fasano, Mike Hogan, Paula Dockery, Will Kendrick, Roger Wishner.

"Since September 11, American flags have flown proudly from store fronts, office buildings, dorm rooms and car windows. There's absolutely no reason they shouldn't grace the fronts of Floridians' homes," said Governor Bush said. "This bill will ensure that all Floridians can show their patriotism, no matter where they live."

[summer]

Sounds to me like this homeowner, Geroge, should have his lawyer counter-sue this homeowner's association, since the new law signed by Gov. Bush allows for such a lawsuit.

Also, I am really glad Gov. Bush took the time to respond here. I think it helps his supporters to quickly know where he stands on an issue. And, not only did he sign a new LAW here in this matter, he has also personally spoken with this FL homeowner, which is something I did not know from the FR post (below) on this issue.

BTW, below is my original email to Gov. Bush about the FR thread. Again -- I think it's just great he took the time to let people here know he cares. THANKS, JEB!

-----Original Message-----
From: [summer's name and email address]
To: Jeb Bush jeb@jeb.org
Date: Friday, May 17, 2002 4:50 PM
Subject: FYI

FYI -- Any comment you'd like to add to this thread?

Jupiter resident continues to battle over flag (Korean War Vet may lose >home)



Posted by LarryLied to oc-flyfish; RightlySo; Angelique; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; Clemenza; ppaul; Alamo-Girl...
On News/Activism ^ May 17 1:31 PM #122 of 128 ^

Received from George's lawyer via email:

Thanks for your concern. We've been asking the Governor for months to give us some statement that we can use, but so far have received nothing. If the Governor can pardon a murderer, why can't he issue a pardon for a veteran flying the flag?He could do so in the form of a letter, an official proclamation etc. In addition, the Governor's office has told us that he signed the new flag law to help George and Ann and others like them. Such expression of Legislative intent would be invaluable in Court, yet this has not been forthcoming either despite our repeated pleas. Perhaps after George and Ann are thrown out of their home, we may get a reply. Best Regards and thank-you. Barry

This is something we can fix. Not only will we help a Korean War vet out but we will demonstate to politicians the power of Free Republic and of freepers.

Any suggestions on how to handle this? Someone care to post another thread on just freeping the governor? Anyone know people in the media we can contact? Any freepers involved in the Jeb Bush 2002 campaign? O'Reilly has been down on Jeb recently, should we bring this to his attention?

The Jupiter Courier has an archive on this matter. I have an old computer and their website freezes me up. The paper comes out Wednesday and Sunday (don't know when it is on the net, a few days later, I believe). If anyone can get more info from the Courier, that would help.

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[summer]

Larry, Maybe you could post the email or snail mail or both addresses of the Jupiter Courier on this thread, so that people can write a Letter to the Editor if they feel strongly about this matter. Thanks! :)

[Jean S]

Good job summer!

[summer]

I know Gov. Bush has written to a number of posters on Free Republic, so: If anyone else wrote to him and received a thank you or whatever on this matter, and you want to share it, please feel free to post it on this thread. Thanks! :)

[summer]

Thank you, JeanS! I so appreciate your supportive bump here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[summer]

FYI! :)

[summer]

Hi, If you have a moment, please BUMP this thread so that others will see it too. Thanks! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[miamimark]

Bump for JEB!

[ClancyJ]

Great job. FR can be really effective when utilized.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Well done, summer! Thank you, Governor Bush! We knew he'd respond this way, of course. (^:

[coloradomom]

Summer, Jeb Bush is so lucky to have an advocate like you. Thank you so much for your continued postings!

[backhoe]

Bump, added to the Dark Underbelly update, and if I remember to do it, I'll send in a separate mass email to editors, too.

[IoCaster]

Bump

[KevinDavis]

Nothing against George W, but I think Jeb is better. Had Jeb won in 94 he would have been President now.

[Angelique]

Wonderful...I have not received a reply. I would like a link to the paper, and will write.

[davidosborne]

Bump for Old Glory

David

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush bump!

[coloradomom]

Are you a Floridian? I remember watching Jeb Bush debate before the 1994 election, and at that time I was definitely even more impressed with him than with George W. I was terribly disappointed that he lost. As much as I admire Jeb, though, he seems more sensitive than his brother. I think maybe George W. can come up with a tougher edge when he needs to, and to survive the hideous Washington D.C. scandal-seeking environment, that is important. I admire Jeb and George W. tremendously, and I sincerely hope that both will be re-elected!

[pt17]

Keep turning up the heat down there, summer. Great job and, yes, JB is fortunate to have you as FR advocate!