Island Issues

Losers’ Sour Grapes, Poll Manipulation & Illegals Locally

Losers’ Sour Grapes, Poll Manipulation & Illegals Locally

Illegal immigrants in Nassau County enrolling their kids in Nassau County public schools can do so without worry or cost says Biden’s U.S. Department of  Education.

In fact, the Nassau county School System says it has no idea how many illegals may be enrolled in its school system and it has no way of finding out it says. Oh, and local taxpayers are on the hook for their education and there’s not a darn thing tax-paying residents or the school system can do about it.

It’s not the Nassau County School Board’s fault. It’s the Biden administration’s intent. Here’s word-for-word what Biden’s Department of Education has to say to American tax-paying folks distressed by this situation:

“Here’s what you need to know about the right to a public education for students who are not U.S. citizens:

  • A State may not deny access to public education to any child residing in the State, including children who are not citizens and do not have immigration documentation. The Supreme Court made this clear nearly forty years ago in a case called Plyler v. Doe.
  • School districts may not bar students from enrolling in public elementary and secondary schools based on the citizenship or immigration status of the student or their parent or guardian.
  • School districts may not request information about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their families with the purpose or result of denying them access to educational opportunities.
  • Students who are English learners have a right to appropriate language assistance services, and parents and guardians have a right to receive communications from their children’s school in a language they can understand.”

I’m not making any of this up, really. To see the entire document, go here https://blog.ed.gov/2021/07/students-immigration-status-and-the-right-to-public-education/

I’ve been a property owner in Fernandina Beach for more than 20 years and don’t resent paying school taxes despite never having a child in the school system. Nassau County schools are excellent. Good schools add value to property. However, I do resent paying taxes for people who are here illegally and are receiving benefits many American citizens don’t and can’t receive.

For example, anyone who has seen the images of busloads of illegal immigrants arriving in New York City can testify that something has gone terribly wrong. Illegals fresh from a swim across the Rio Grande River are greeted by city officials with gift bags, hugs, handshakes, atta boy’s, etc. in what looks like a receiving line at an official government welcoming reception. Despite his welcoming committees, even Democrat New York Mayor Eric Adams said he has had enough. He’s been to the border, saw the uncontrolled flow of illegals, and pleaded in vain for Biden to enforce the country’s immigration laws. The city can’t handle anymore he says.

Biden’s response has been: “Screw you, the illegal aliens have priority, and your tax money will pay for their housing, transportation, food, education and more.”

I spoke to Mark Durham, who is listed on the Nassau County School Board website as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and he told me in so many words that local authorities hands are tied, and they have no way of telling how many “illegals” are enrolled here. Even if they did there’s nothing they can do about it. “We’re not even allowed to ask,” he said.

He did admit that there has been an increase in enrollment for students listed as  “homeless,” a  category that could possibly include illegals, however there is no way to verify that as the schools aren’t permitted to ask.

There has also been an increase in the number of teachers and bilingual teaching assistants the system has to employ to assist kids who don’t speak English. Since English is commonly spoken hereabouts that may be another indication that our school system is being populated by illegal aliens, but the feds warn: “Don’t ask”.

I’ve been contacted by parents and teachers telling me their schools are seeing more and more illegals and it is becoming a burden. One parent said her daughter and her friends are convinced that an alleged 14-year-old Spanish speaker is at least 20 and the girls are frightened of him. Teachers complain that the non-English speakers take valuable teaching time away from their English-speaking students. None of them want to be identified for fear of retaliation.

The economic and social costs of Biden’s open border policy are tearing the country apart. The social costs of deadly drugs, violent criminals, terrorists, and Covid spreaders are the worst public safety issue since World War II. The unchecked avalanche of Biden’s illegals is overwhelming the economic resources of local communities. More than five million have poured across the southern border since he was inaugurated with more than 250,000 last December alone. Biden’s lies about it continue unabated.

The new Republican controlled House of Representatives is taking action to put an end to this with The House Oversight committee scheduling its first hearing to probe the Biden administration over the border crisis.

The committee announced Thursday, January 19, that it had called upon several southern Border Patrol sector chiefs and requested documents directly from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the administration’s “role in undermining” border security efforts.

Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed the Biden administration over its abject failure to address illegal immigration, especially in the Florida Keys. He  has signed an executive order activating the Florida National Guard and is directing state law enforcement agencies to respond to “the alarming influx of migrants landing in the Florida Keys.”

In the meantime, local folks can help by not voting for Democrats at any level as they are the ones who perpetuate this illegal, expensive and dangerous open border.

***

Wait! What? While I was navigating the Nassau County School System site an all caps item in red jumped out at me. It reads: “WARNING,  OBSCENE OR HARASSING PHONE CALLS ARE IN VIOLATION OF FLORIDA STATUTE 365.16.”  Why is that there? Have people been making threats to local schools, board members or teachers? If so let’s publicly identify and prosecute them?

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Things I Wish I’d Asked: “Does anyone know on which page of the Bible it explains how to turn water into wine?” – Anonymous.

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Poll Pollution: The last poll posted here was skewed by more than 346 suspicious “no” votes.

The poll asked readers: “Do you want the newly aligned Fernandina Beach City Commission to embark on a series of budgetary restraints, property tax reductions, budget restrictions, hiring freezes etc. – Yes or No? Some 389 “No” votes were registered with 189 voting “Yes” for a total vote count of 578. The most total votes for any previous poll was 256 in April 2021.

In the early stages poll results were some 75% “Yes”, the rest “No”. Then it suddenly and mysteriously flipped overnight.

We investigated and discovered the poll results were manipulated in the “No” category by three people with access to large numbers of email addresses, possibly within a local company or organization. We have identified those sources and IP addresses and blocked them. We are adding additional security measures and will pursue and reveal the identities and sources of the hackers as soon as they are confirmed.

Since the poll became meaningless following the manipulations it was discontinued and a new one added today.

Unable to utilize logic or a rationale thought process to express and debate their views these people resort to the left’s standard strategy of flagrant dishonesty and cheating. By falsely manipulating a poll they expose themselves as deceitful extremists filled with radicalized fury and hysteria.

It’s amusing that these perpetrators find the commentaries and poll results here so threatening to their distorted beliefs that they resort to fraud and deceit in an attempt to pervert them.

***

Speaking Of Losers: Genece Minshew may be one of the sorest losers in the history of Fernandina Beach politics. Following the December election this two-time failure for a City Commission seat whined publicly that she was personally maligned in the last election, thereby leading to her defeat.

More recently she used the city’s unofficial public relations agency, the inappropriately named “Fernandina Observer” an online sight-impaired pretend news outlet to share another lengthy whine, complaining that the elections are NOT nonpartisan and changes need to be made.

She was joined by another whining lefty, Arlene Filkoff, a former Commissioner and Mayor, who at one time appeared to be in full control of her reasoning faculties but has apparently fallen into the same vat of sour grapes as Minshew.

Both are against the current city Commission suggestion to changes the date of the City’s general and runoff elections to coincide with the state primary and general election dates, a move that would save money (Up to $30,000) and generate more voter turnout.

These gals say moving the election would be confusing to voters who may mistake it for a Republican primary, closed to other parties. Well, they are Democrats, so naturally any simple productive change would tend to confuse them.

Minshew and Filkoff say it would only generate more Republican turnout. In a community where the majority of registered voters are Republican that seems logical no matter when the election is held. But logic doesn’t enter into the equation with these two.

Minshew, who was actually endorsed by the local Democrat Club that also distributed her campaign materials, complained immediately following the election that her opponent boasted that the local Republican party endorsed him. He didn’t and it didn’t. A Tallahassee-based Republican political action committee (PAC) sent campaign literature out locally urging voters to cast their ballot for Darron Ayscue (Minshew’s opponent) and James Antun (who defeated former Mayor and the other whiney loser, Mike Lednovich). Neither of the winning candidates created, issued, or paid for the PAC’s mailings. Minshew has never explained her Democrat party endorsement.

In the Observer’s comment section following her suggestion Minshew takes it even a step further  saying, “Move elections to the spring and make them ALL vote by mail.”  WOW!

Says Minshew in her comment: “If you want a true nonpartisan election, move the city elections back to the spring and keep the 4-year cycle. Then make city elections all vote by mail. Will save $$ and give city voters a clear picture. This was already done successfully for the charter amendments in 2020.”

What Minshew and Filkoff really want to do is suspend the First Amendment rights for certain folks. If you’re a Republican and voice your support for a candidate in a nonpartisan election “SHUT UP” they scream. Minshew carries it even further requesting an unprecedented “force ‘em to vote by mail”, a procedure notorious for its problems and cheating.

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Gas Emissions: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) proved this week that yes, she really is as dumb as she sounds, in fact, even dumber, when she railed against gas stoves saying that they cause cognitive issues.

Former White House physician and now Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX), responded saying: “@aoc says gas stoves cause ‘reduced cognitive performance’ – yet she uses a gas stove?” Jackson wrote. “Is this a self-diagnosis? AOC, as a medical doctor, I can tell you this: what’s wrong with your head IS NOT caused by stoves. Something WAY BIGGER is causing your decreased cognitive function!”

***

Drinking, Dining  & Dancing: The past two Thursdays I accompanied a couple of pals to the recently opened 3rd Street South Hofbrau Amelia German Pub & Biergarten, across the street from the Green Turtle and Florida House. We weren’t disappointed with the beers and the attentive service by personable buxom bardame Bella, in an appropriate form-fitting dirndl. We haven’t sampled the entire menu, but did try the large $10 tasty Bavarian pretzel, which came with mustard and melted cheese. We also ordered the $17 “Charcuterie Board”, a plate we will probably not try again as it contained bland rubbery cheese cubes that tasted like something the Chamber of Commerce ordered from Publix and would serve to their unsuspecting members and one of the meats had the consistency of a jackboot. However, we did observe a number of folks ordering a variety of sausages including bratwurst, knackwurst, and weisswurst, and enjoying them with enthusiasm. The next time we may try the three-sausage ($16) German sausage plate. There are also sides of sauerkraut, red cabbage, German potato salad, cucumber salad and more. Schnitzel ($21) and Sauerbraten ($23) are also listed. Customers can sit inside or out. The only thing missing was an oom-pah band. I hope they do well as it’s an inviting fun atmosphere with friendly service, that should succeed with a few minor tweaks. As far as I know it is the only place in town with German food and authentic German beers ranging from Hecker-Pschorr and Warsteiner to Konig Ludwig and Schofferhofer and more, most on tap and others in bottles. A variety of non-German brews and wines are also available. Prost!

31 Comments

Joe Blanchard - 22. Jan, 2023 -

As far as illegal immigration, the mass migration from europe has when we were not a welfare state. There is no comparison. Also, I wonder how Mexico would react if a few hundred thousand U.S. citizens would head into Mexico without permission.

Edgar - 22. Jan, 2023 -

The current melting pot event is by definition not “illegal” as the government, a sovreign entity, is allowing it.
Indeed, the one big difference is that immigrants receive more help–not a bad thing, I think.
Relevance of Mexico unclear–US is the melting pot, no one else.

Edgar - 23. Jan, 2023 -

Indeed, Mexico wants US citizens to move south–the borders are wide open and the welcome wagons are waiting.

Fred - 24. Jan, 2023 -

I don’t think so… ask the Americans sitting in Mexican jails. ?

Edgar - 24. Jan, 2023 -

Ask Mexico–they actively seek US transplants.

Fred - 25. Jan, 2023 -

Not illegal ones… smdh

Fred - 25. Jan, 2023 -

I mean, you could try to move to Mexico without a passport and an income, but I doubt seriously they would allow you do so and especially without being vetted, should you chose to change citizenship.

Joe Blanchard - 22. Jan, 2023 -

If you check, I think you will find out that illegals attending school are not required to be immunized like Nassau Students. Also, If you attend school in Nassau County and you are a US Citizen, you are required to have a local address or be from a family on Active Duty in the military. It appears some people are special and don’t have to follow the rules.

Edgar - 22. Jan, 2023 -

Does making this point in any way help? People are here, how do we accept that and deal with it in a constructive way? For the moment they are “special”–that will pass.

Harrison Waller - 22. Jan, 2023 -

There’s definitely a double/triple/quadruple and on and on standard.

If you are NOT a legal resident, you are required to provide nada (nothing for the English speakers).

If you ARE a legal resident, you are required to provide:
*birth certificate
*Health examination certificate by a private physician or the County Health Department
*Certificate of immunization
*Social Security card
*Proof of residency

Edgar - 23. Jan, 2023 -

Why are you discussing “standards” when the issue is people–who are here now.
“Standards” is not the problem, they will work out in time, as immigrants are assimilated into the social/political order.

Fred - 24. Jan, 2023 -

What are you a Borg? Assimilate? More like accommodate. This is where you don’t seem to get the BIG picture. They are not assimilating or even attempting to do so. We are changing our standards and safety protocols to benefit them.

Edgar - 24. Jan, 2023 -

Fred, why is accommodation a bad thing. Again, the issue is, we have new people here on the ground in large numbers (tens of millions). How, as open-minded Americans, do we integrate them into the social fabric?

Fred - 25. Jan, 2023 -

Why not just let the entire World come on in? I mean if one group of immigrants is great, wouldn’t all of them be better? And while we’re at it, why don’t we give them all FREE everything? You answered your own question Edgar. Why are those who cross our Southern border given special privileges? What about the Canadians? The Africans, Europeans, Asians, etc… The answer is quite simple, we can’t, unless you want to sacrifice your entire earnings and safety to support them. Or do you have earnings? Perhaps it is a case of you not having to earn your income and therefore you place no value on other’s? Do you support anyone other than yourself? Perhaps it is a case of you not having to ensure the safety of others? We each have a responsibility to safeguard and protect the United States and this is just one component of that responsibility. Apparently, you do not regard that as a priority?

Harrison Waller - 26. Jan, 2023 -

I did my own unscientific poll: Who’s views do you support? Fred’s or Edgar’s. Fred won in a landslide by a unanimous vote: 1 for Fred, ZERO for Edgar.

Fred - 26. Jan, 2023 -

I’ll take it Harrison… Best poll results I’ve seen in a while. LOL

Troy Walker - 21. Jan, 2023 -

Edgar hit the nail on the head. America needs workers. Too many whiny little social media influencers now days. Where did your people come from?

George Miller - 21. Jan, 2023 -

It’s interesting that major politicians on both sides were opposed to illegal immigration 10-15 years ago, or at least they said so. Since then, virtually all of the big name Democrats have flipped on that and many Republicans have softened. This has opened the door for the Biden administrations to virtually open the borders. The 5 million mentioned in the article don’t include the undetected, or those who fly in or come across the northern border.

The Biden admin is openly flouting federal immigration law and Republicans are not holding his feet to the fire. It’s only one of many damaging things being done to our nation- DELIBERATELY and mostly ILLEGALLY.

Edgar - 21. Jan, 2023 -

We are experiencing the second major “melting pot” event in our history. The first occurred in the late nineteenth-early twentieth centuries and was a sea-based arrival-from Western Europe, mostly. This present event is land-based from the Americas, mostly. Entry rules for this event are different largely because of the mode of arrival–from sea much more formalized, from land less structured.
The first event created a nation that won two world wars, created the middle class, and the only world superpower.
What will the second event produce? Beyond the conflict, confusion, and politics of this grand infusion, will the nation again emerge more powerful and more prosperous? History says yes.

Fred - 21. Jan, 2023 -

While I admire your optimism, the first “melting pot” event was well monitored and regulated. This one, not at all. You say history says yes, but the parameters are vastly different and I would not say one event compared to a singular event is historically the same.

Edgar - 21. Jan, 2023 -

Only America (USA) can absorb this infusion and become better as a result.
Neither political party is capable of dealing with this issue, so the melting pot will do it’s will.
Regardless, the die is cast, the merge is happening independently of either party’s action.
History still says the nation will grow–remember the attempt to split failed.

Moderate Majority - 21. Jan, 2023 -

Dave says, “…local folks can help by not voting for Democrats at any level..”. You are right Edgar when you state that neither political party is capable of dealing with the immigration issue. Democrats can’t get enough Senate Republicans to cross the aisle to agree to House-passed immigration bills and House Republicans can’t agree among themselves to pass any immigration bills. With their new majority in 2023 the House Republicans, in order to create the illusion of unity, have decided to craft an immigration bill with such vague wording that members will have little reason to oppose it. Meanwhile, people on both sides enable this gridlock by choosing candidates whose appeal lies in their loathing rather than a desire to compromise with the other side. As the saying goes, “stupid is as stupid does.”

Fred - 24. Jan, 2023 -

It is happening because we have a failure of leadership in the White House. Immigration was under control under the previous administration. It’s not a political party’s role to enforce the Constitution, uphold laws already in place or their oath of office. If you think what is happening is better, then there is no opposing facts or opinions will make you change your mind. And Mod Marjory is useless as a “non-partisan” opinion.

Fred - 24. Jan, 2023 -

And the Civil War, regardless of the outcome, wasn’t fought over immigration. Unless you consider the integration of Africans a form of immigration? When you bring up some divisive issue that has nothing to do with the current topic, you are going to catch the ire of others and I guess that is what you want anyway?

CoCoNUT Harry - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Schools are not the only public entities being used by the illegals – so are hospitals, roads, police, and all other services funded by tax-paying US citizens. I travel a lot – NO OTHER COUNTRY allows its borders to be abused as have ours by the Biden Administration. #FJB

Vince cavallo - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Harry I agree with the acronym. On the classified document issue China joe said it is a non issue. BTW I recall CJ saying during the election and afterward he never met with any one about business dealings with his son. If CJ had a grain of sand for every lie he has told he would be Coney Island. So I guess he is now trying to become the Sahara desert.

On the issue of supporting illegal aliens, I cannot find that clause in the constitution that says I must do that. That is akin to someone breaking into your home and the Supreme Court making you house feed and clothes them.

DAVID LOTT - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Just to add some detail after the White House labeled Governor DeSantis’ activation of the FL National Guard as a “political stunt”, it was documented that DeSantis acted AFTER a request by the U.S. Coast Guard since their resources were being overwhelmed by the boatloads of immigrants arriving in the Dry Tortugas and Keys.

Tom Yankus - 20. Jan, 2023 -

I cannot speak for our local school teachers/administrators and other officials about harassment in the Nassau County School Sysrem but I can add that, as a retired school Principal from N. Atlanta, Iin my past (retired 2004) I was cursed at and harassed many times by parents after disciplining a student. David, it’ is a daily happening in schools across America and words are difficult to prosecute. It comes with the territory. In an educational conference in the ’90’s then Georgia Governor Zell Miller (NEVER short on words/opinions) stated, and I quote…”Just remember that when dealing with some parents when disciplining the student, that ‘everyone has an a**. Some are just bigger a**es then others!” I miss Zell.

Fred - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Aren’t schools required to have birth certificates and shot records on the students? Sounds like we are becoming an incubator for various diseases and paying for it to happen. Isn’t there a provision to keep our kids safe as well?

Charles Brown - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Just one of many reasons Genece Minshew should never be elected to any public office nor have any ability to corrupt our children with her queer lifestyle. I am beyond thrilled she went down in flames.

Bill Shaffer - 20. Jan, 2023 -

Illegal immigrant kids in CRT or transgender classes soon learn America is terrible and they’ll go back home.