The new civil asset forfeiture - fines for not wearing a mask

Commissioners in Miami Dade County, Florida unanimously voted to turn residents and tourists into walking ATM's yesterday when they made violation of the county mayors' mask order a civil infraction.

If you're now caught indoors or out without wearing a mask in Miami Dade County, you can be fined $100.00. The Miami Dade County Board of Commissioners voted for the civil fine during yesterdays meeting and goes into effect immediately. Miami Dade police and code enforcement officers will issue violations to residents and tourists who don't comply.

Miami Dade county mayor Carlos Gimenez lauded the commission's decision on Twitter:

I applaud @MiamiDadeBCC's unanimous decision to make the violation of our masks order a civil infraction. This allows code enforcement officers to issue citations to those who don't comply with the emergency order in @MiamiDadeCounty, helping police with this task. (1/2)

— Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez (@MayorGimenez) July 16, 2020

Individuals who are unable to pay the fine will be subject to community service.

Amid a deepening divide over the health aspects of wearing a mask we've already reported has the effect of suppressing expression and speech, cities and counties across the country for years have generated millions, if not billions of dollars from fines and fees in order to maximize revenues.

And in the age of coronavirus, prioritizing law enforcement efforts towards treating residents and tourists like walking ATMs sends a horrible message to the public about true public safety concerns.

On July 16th, the same day Miami Dade commissioners met and according to public records there were more than 30 bookings into Miami Dade county jail. The reasons for arrest ranged from battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, retail theft and battery to first degree murder.

I bet residents and tourists to Miami Dade would prefer law enforcement spend their time focused on real public safety threats such as homicides and murder as opposed to treating tourists and residents like cash cows to pad their budgets.

UPDATE: Page 2 of this memorandum backs me up:

"..a positive fiscal impact is anticipated but is undeterminable at this time as revenues are based on the number of civil citations issued."

We have to fine you for not wearing a mask because we've got serious budget issues

County commissioners and city councils across the state of Florida have passed (and voted against) mandatory mask ordinances over the past few weeks, but in doing so they' re finding themselves in the rather awkward position of explaining their votes to constituents. 

Peel away the onion layer and you get to the bottom line motive: cash--strapped cities who deflect from the budget shortfalls they're facing.

Take the City of Sanibel.

The fraught-with-exceptions mask ordinance they passed by a vote of 3-1 was opposed by member Jason Maughan, a candidate to succeed State Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero who is running for State Senator. 

Maughan argued that a mask rule would put police in an "untenable position" in enforcing the rule, resulting in public mask-shaming. Per the Sanibel order:

"Violations are subject to fines of $50 per violation. Businesses or other places of public accomodation are encouraged to post signage of this Proclamation and adopt a "no mask, no service" policy to facilitate enforcement. are encouraged" 

The City of Sanibel faces a budget deficit in the millions and a reported $600,000 shortfall in beach revenues.

Then there's Martin County. 

They too have a fraught-with-exceptions mask mandate that passed unanimously 5-0. Their ordinance shall be enforced by county law enforcement agencies, who are now being placed in situation of not stopping or preventing REAL crimes but serving as revenue agents.

"The ordinance will be a noncriminal infraction but "shall be enforced by county law enforcement agencies." A person cannot be arrested for violating the proposed mandate.

Offenders could be fined $50 on the first offense, $100 for a second offense and $250 on a third offense."

Martin County commissioners will hold their budget workshop July 20-21.

But it was Miami Mayor Suarez equating the wearing of a mask to that of the mandatory wearing of seat-belts in automobiles.

Wearing a mask is no different than being forced to wear a seat-belt!! The headline read.

Well the purpose of states passing mandatory seat-belt laws was so they would be eligible for Federal funds.And to be eligible for Federal funds law enforcement needs the authority to issue citations.

So there you have it. The mandatory mask ordinances have ZIP, ZERO, ZILCH to do with illnesses, viruses and everything to do with using your tax dollars against you in an effort to compensate for the revenue shortfalls their local governments are facing.

Houston lobbyist for Qatar files supplement, reveals campaign cash donated and more

A Houston, Texas-based lobbyist for Qatar filed an updated disclosure with the United States Justice Department on June 29, 2020, a search of public records revealed. 

The foreign lobbying disclosure document required under FARA, the Foreign Agent Registration Act submitted by Chase Untermeyer brings to light additional campaign cash donations he made to Texas elected officials, candidates for elected office in Texas and activities undertaken in conjunction with his consulting agreement with the State of Qatar.

Required under FARA a registrant such as Untermeyer must disclose campaign cash donations or any thing of value made from his own funds to candidates for elected office. 

In amounts ranging from a high of $1000.00 to Pierce Bush, candidate for Congress to $150.00 to Michael Kubosh, Houston city council member, campaign contributions were made to:

• Raj Salhotra: candidate for Houston city council
• Edward Pollard: candidate for Houston city council (two contributions)
• Matt Barnes, candidate for Houston ISD school board
• Rodney Ellis: Harris County commissioner
• Brenda Stardig: candidate for Harris County commissioner
• Dan Crenshaw: United States Congressman
• Justin Ray: candidate for Texas State Representative

FARA also requires registrants to disclose any activities for or rendered any services to the State of Qatar. Those activities included:

1. Preliminary planning on a trip to North Texas by Ambassador Meshal al-Thani.
2. Preliminary planning on a Texas trip by Mohammed al-Sowaidi, head of the US office of the Qatar Investment Authority. 
3. Advice to Rashid al-Dehaimi, consul general of Qatar in Houston, on charitable contributions. 
4. Proposed names of persons to be invited to Qatar-sponsored events. 
5. Liaison to the staff the Qatar Harvey Fund. 

Detail of phone calls, office visits, fundraisers and meetings on behalf of the State of Qatar included:

• Meeting staff of Texas Congressional members to support funding for the National Endowment on the Humanities
• Breakfast meetings with Ed Pollard, Houston city council candidate to discuss Pollards' campaign and plans once on council and facilitate introductions to Houston auto dealer Alan Helfman
• Remarks givien to the West Houston Teen Summit to support event sponsor State Rep. Jim Murphy
• A call from Rodney Ellis to discuss Qatari aid to Houston
• Discussion over voting methods with State Rep. Sarah Davis
• A conference call with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee about vaccines
• A December 2019 meeting with Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush
• An office visit with Congressman Michael McCaul

For these and other activities on behalf of the State of Qatar, Mr. Untermeyer received $90,000.00 in fees between December 5, 2019 and May 15, 2020.

Read the entire Supplemental Statement here.

Miami Dade mask ordinance is about suppressing freedom of expression

On June 29th Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed an amendment to a previously issued order about controlling residents of and visitors to Miami-Dade County, all while the feckless, lazy Florida media outlets regurgitate talking points about supposed "health" benefits instead of actually reading the order, analyzing the implications and reporting accordingly.

Of course, the insufferable Florida media would never do that.

Described as necessary to "limit the spread of COVID-19, to preserve hospital capacity and prevent unnecessary loss of life and health" the language of one "whereas" clause reveals the entire principle upon which Gimenez' has based his kingly edict.

"WHEREAS, COVID-19 is transmitted by infected person expelling respiratory droplets containing virus particles when they...or RAISE THEIR VOICE, which are then ingested or inhaled by persons around them."

Is that true? Is COVID-19 transmitted by infected persons when they raise the level of their voice ??? to SPEAK? What if you're not sick? 

Put another way, this order was written to be subject to misinterpretation.

Here's my interpretation--the order was written to tell everyone---sick or not--- to cover their smiles, hide their facial expressions and be quiet. All while the lazy, detestable Florida media tell us to shut up and follow the rules. Rules they say are "good" for us and support changing on a never-ending basis to divide us and pit neighbor against neighbor as we debate and discuss it.

How about we demand government officials like Gimenez follow rules that were ratified over 230 years and guarantee an individuals freedom of expression?

We suggest Miami Dade County Mayor Gimenez follow THOSE rules.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! President Trump supporting the safe re-opening of America's schools

The next phase of the Great American Comeback requires the safe re-opening of America's elementary, middle and high schools, both public and private. Many American parents cannot get back to full-time work if the brick and mortar schools host only on-line classes or a mix of online and in-person. 

Earlier today the White House Press Office made this announcement (emphasis mine):

.@FLOTUS: "When children are out of school, they are missing more than just time in the classroom—they are missing the laughter of their friends, learning from their teachers, and the joy of recess and play." pic.twitter.com/ft7DvVJH6A

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 7, 2020

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 7, 2020

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP IS SUPPORTING THE SAFE REOPENING OF AMERICA’S SCHOOLS “Our country has got to get back, and it’s got to get back as soon as possible.  And I don’t consider our country coming back if the schools are closed.” – President Donald J. Trump SAFELY REOPENING SCHOOLS: President Donald J. Trump and his Administration are working to support the safe reopening of schools for the fall. Today, President Trump is hosting a national dialogue with State, local, and tribal leaders, educators, and families to discuss the importance of reopening all of America’s schools in a safe way, starting from the premise of what is best for the children of America. President Trump knows that, for the wellbeing of our children and country, students must begin safely learning again and receiving supportive services from schools. As the American Academy of Pediatrics has said, “all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” PROMOTING SAFE AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING: The importance of in-person learning is well documented, and continued closures stand to negatively impact the welfare of America’s youth. Through educational advancement and the many supportive services they provide, our Nation’s schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development. Continued school closures could have serious consequences for the holistic health of children and communities, especially those who are most underserved, for generations. Research has shown that school closures disproportionately affect the most vulnerable students, widening disparities in achievement and harming economic potential. Lengthy time away from schools – and associated interruptions in supportive services – make it difficult for schools to best serve their students’ wellbeing. While children are away from schools, educators are unable to effectively address important learning deficits, child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. School closures also limit the availability of reliable, healthy meals for some students and take away physical activity options for children and families. SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS: The Trump Administration is providing strong support to ensure K-12 students continue to learn while mitigating the spread of the virus. The President has made more than $13 billion available to support continued education for K-12 students enrolled in public, charter, and private schools affected by the coronavirus. Through the Treasury Department’s $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund, State and local governments can access funding to help school districts affected by the coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released detailed guidance to ensure school officials understand how to prepare for, prevent transmission of, and react quickly to coronavirus cases within an education system. The CDC has offered schools supplemental considerations on how to assess risks of in-person classes, class sizes, behaviors, and cleaning techniques and provided guidance to help schools determine the necessity of conducting screenings, testing, and contact tracing. The Trump Administration has provided flexibility for school breakfast and lunch programs, helping children access nutritious meals in a safe manner for the entire school-year.

RESIDENTS WIN! Cape Coral residents win their battle, defeating the mask-mandate mob, for now

Cape Coral residents burst into rounds of applause during public comment, defying the Southwest Florida mask-mandate mob and their push for a mandatory mask ordinance on the agenda for yesterdays' city council special meeting.

You won't read this level of reporting in the Snooze section of local Southwest Florida Snooze outlets.

A round of applause to shouts of "We Are Winning!" exploded in chambers as one resident told council to read the disclaimer on the side of a standard face mask box ---this product is an ear loop mask, this product is not a respirator and will not provide any protection from COVID-19 or any other viruses or contaminates." 

Another Cape resident told council "you want to say this is all about public safety--let's examine what the government has considered SAFE for us. 

So far the idea of safety (in the view of the government) has been to lock us away, scare us to death , shutter all non-essential businesses, keep us from family, friends & loved ones, highly suggest we subject ourselves to obstruct our breathing, keep us from sunshine and fresh air, close our parks & beaches, close schools, divide us on race, class, culture, ideas and tell us the ONLY way back to normal is to comply with measures that their experts change on a near daily basis..."

One local Southwest Florida news station refused to link to a memo issued to Mayor Coviello and council members by Unified Command, essentially hiding it from their readership; County Examiner has it here.

The coalition, comprised of the city manager, chief of police, fire chief and public works director signed onto a memo strongly recommending the use of face coverings per CDC guidelines rather than imposing civil penalties and/or criminal charges for individual violators.

The memo further explained any ordinance mandating masks would place law enforcement in the untenable situation of escalated distrust in the police at a time when law and order must prevail.

From the memo:

"The enforcement of the mandate would potentially place our Police Department, as well as Code Compliance, in precarious situations at a time when our nation's expectations of law enforcement are being challenged. These potentially adverse encounters could escalate into arrest situations and reflect negatively on our positive relationship with our community."

One Southwest Florida news outlet couldn't even be bothered to report the Cape Coral city council vote count. When the official meeting minutes are posted, County Examiner will report the vote details.

UPDATED: Vote count - motion to approve failed 5-3

Welsh: No
Williams: No
Cosden: No
Gunter: No
Stout: No

Coviello: Yes
Nelson: Yes
Carioscia: Yes