Bullying: DeSantis should be embarrassed by behavior
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Should we need any more evidence those who have made protective masks a political issue are far more interested in controlling personal decision-making than in "freedom," we need look only to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' behavior last week at the University of South Florida.
DeSantis was speaking at an event attended by high school students, some of whom were standing behind the podium when he walked up to speak. Those students are wearing masks, which appear to trigger DeSantis. He instantly turns into a bully.
He can be heard harshly saying to the teens, "You do not have to wear those masks. I mean, please take them off." The poor kids begin nervously laughing. Did the governor just ask them to take OFF their masks? This makes him angrier.
"Honestly, it's not doing anything, and we gotta' stop with this COVID theater," he says, in a tone that makes a few of the students sheepishly take off their masks.
Perhaps he caught the uncomfortable look on the face of the other adult near the podium, because DeSantis then hastily adds "So, if you wanna wear it, fine. But this is, this is ridiculous." He dismissively huffs, as bullies do, shakes his head in apparent irritation and begins his speech.
Bravo to the two students who kept on their masks amid this childish display from an authority figure. But DeSantis, who is among those elected officials who has chosen to call himself a Republican despite being so very far away from the values of the party, should be embarrassed at having proven HE is the one engaging in "COVID theater."
For goodness sake, what does it matter to him whether students choose to wear masks? Why is he so eager to infringe upon their right to make decisions about what is best for their own health? Their wearing of masks had no affect on him. But he felt the need to try to bully them into changing their behavior to match his own.
That's not freedom. That's tyranny.