You often hear about “The Golden Rule.” “The Golden Rule” is the principle of treating others as you would want to be treated. We often think of this personally or even think the application of the rule only applies locally. However, I often find myself thinking of this rule in most everything that I wager. Especially in politics on a local, state, and national level. “The Golden Rule” also goes hand in hand with one of the many teachings from my childhood which is to love and help your neighbor. As I reflect today, these are two lessons that have greatly influenced my life and compassion for people and have helped me make even the toughest decisions in life. I also saw both life lessons just recently play out on a national political level. Both lessons were on display when Florida provided means to assist Floridians and Americans to return safely home and to provide much-needed supplies to help Israel in their war. Both lessons have brought peace to many Floridians, Americans, and Israelis.
When the early morning attack on Israel began on October 7, 2023, Floridians stranded in Israel began requesting help from the Executive Office of the Governor and from Florida’s congressional delegation members. More than 20,000 Americans including Floridians were stranded in the war-torn region due to commercial flight cancellations and disruptions of the supply chains for goods and services due to the strategically planned war on Israel.
There are 2 Florida Statutes that protect Floridians from danger and authorize Florida’s governing delegation to declare an emergency to protect and secure Floridians. Florida Statue 252.34(4) reads “any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural, technological, or manmade, in war or in peace, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population of Florida is an emergency.” Also, Florida Statue 252.36(a) reads, “the Governor is responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by any emergency.” With those two statutes, Florida began working on a strategic plan to not only support Israel but to bring Floridians and Americans home to the safety of their homeland. The plan also allowed for protective measures here in Florida for the Jewish Community.
On October 12, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order Number 23-208, Emergency Management – Impacts of War in Israel. This order “allows the State of Florida to carry out logistical, rescue, and evacuation operations to keep its residents safe. Specifically, this order enables the Florida Division of Emergency Management to bring Floridians home and transport necessary supplies to Israel.” Upon execution of the order, Florida went to work to immediately activate the resources and agreements to provide flights from Israel to Florida and to provide needed supplies to Israel. On October 15, 2023, the first mission from Israel arrived in Florida. Bringing more than 270 Americans to Tampa, Florida, and 7 Americans to Orlando, FL. All were stranded and unable to return home due to commercial flight cancellation.
Consul General of Israel to Florida, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky stated, “Israel mourns its more than 1400 murdered and 150 hostages in the devastating unprovoked terror attack perpetrated by Hamas. “We have gone to war to eradicate Hamas and its allies and to uphold our values of freedom, humanity, and the sanctity of life. The support we are receiving from Governor DeSantis, the First Lady, FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly, FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, and his entire administration and the state is overwhelming. We are very grateful for the special flights and supplies.”
If you know of a Florida citizen who is unable to leave Israel due to the current situation, please visit FloridaDisaster.Org/Israel and complete the form. You just might be bringing your neighbor safely home. I encourage you to vote at the local, state, and national levels for those individuals who are very well versed in “The Golden Rule” and the life lesson of love and help your neighbor. They both provide a base for sound decision-making and will create unity within your community. I will leave you with those thoughts and that concludes this week’s edition of The Straight Truth With Mary Ann Hutton.