Elizabeth Anderson deserves support, not attacks

[Tacachale]

Mayor Deegan has nominated esteemed educator and community leader Elizabeth Anderson for a volunteer position on the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees. She's exactly the kind of leader the board calls for, but the nomination has drawn politically-motivated attacks and outright slander from far right politicians and activists. City Council should rise above the partisan fray and confirm the nomination.

Read more: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/elizabeth-anderson-deserves-support-not-attacks/

[jaxlongtimer]

It's the volunteer Library Board, for goodness sakes.  How do they manage to make that political?  And, I doubt the LB is responsible for approving every book in the library... these are volunteers not paid employees.

If they are worried about book selection, most of this library is for adults.  We don't need other adults (being kind here) telling us what books we can have access to.

And, if we are talking parental rights, if a parent has a "right" to restrict their kids from accessing something the parent objects to (good luck with that... don't you know your kid can access anything on the internet... despite Florida's porn age restriction that offshore companies aren't going to follow... just like offshore gambling sites), other parents should have the "right" to demand their kids have access to the wider literary base at a more "mature" level (not all kids mature emotionally and academically at the same rate) or other experiences without such interference.

To add, the below statement by a Moms For Liberty aligned school board member is both hypocritical and comical given her crew does exactly what she accuses.  I am guessing any ideologies she doesn't agree with are deemed "divisive and harmful."  Thanks for deciding for all of us what that is.

....One of those opposing her nomination is a current School Board member, Melody Bolduc, who told Rules members she was speaking as a private citizen and that Andersen "has a history of promoting divisive and harmful ideologies."....

....Criticism by Bolduc and others included references to circumventing parental rights and making sexually explicit reading material available to children, remarks that Andersen said don't reflect who she is....

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ex-school-board-member-elizabeth-223747357.html

....Bolduc, a 24-year teacher turned homeschool advocate, runs a company that provides consulting and Christian-based curriculum for homeschooling parents. She has said she's running to hold a failing public school system accountable. She's aligned herself with Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that has pushed to restrict curricula and the availability of books in schools, and she's received Gov. DeSantis' endorsement....

https://jaxtrib.org/2024/08/20/melody-bolduc-wins-race-for-duval-school-board-district-7-seat/

Despite all this silliness, you can count on petty and partisan City Council members to oppose her, just like they are inclined to do for any action by Deegan, nowadays.  Where were these Council members when Curry made his appointments to head JEA and the Children's Hope Alliance, that were forced out in disgrace.  No questions about their total lack of experience or skills for the paid jobs responsible for millions and billions of dollars they were appointed to?  But, a volunteer job, they suddenly think it is worth such scrutiny?

[jaxlongtimer]

More over-the-top partisan and petty politicking on the City Council over a volunteer position on a minor board.  Opponent Harper says "not about politics" and then opponent Councilman Freeman says she is "politically problematic."  The latter proves, indeed, it is political and the two-faced positioning shines through, once again.  No matter in our City is too small for select council members to be partisan over.

And, "civility" would include allowing views that don't necessarily comport with your own.  But, not in the GOP's world of today.

GOP wants to protect the children of Jacksonville from "liberal activists."  How about those who want to protect the children of Jacksonville from right-wing extremists?

Kudos to Republican council members Boylan and M. Carlucci for voting citizen interests over partisanship.  Once again, if Deegan is for it, a core group of council members are against it, regardless of the merits or benefit to the citizens they serve.

City Council panel rejects ex-Duval School Board chair Elizabeth Andersen for library board

A Jacksonville City Council committee rejected former School Board member Elizabeth Andersen's nomination to the city's library board May 19 after hearing public comments that heavily supported her.

The 3-5 vote by the Rules Committee ― with Council President Randy White joining to cast his vote nay ― means Andersen's advocates would face a significant struggle to persuade the full council to approve her selection when it meets May 27....

....But she drew the animosity of the Duval County GOP, which tweeted that the council "must protect the children of Jacksonville from liberal activists" like Andersen and was criticized by several speakers as well.

"This is not about politics. It's about civility," resident Blake Harper told the committee....

....Katie Hathaway, a Duval County schools parent and activist, told the committee Andersen had displayed "principled leadership" on the board and was the target of a "smear campaign." She also pointed to an online petition that listed about 400 people supporting Andersen...

....Among Rules members, Republicans Michael Boylan and Matt Carlucci as well as Democrat Rahman Johnson praised Andersen. Mayor's Office spokesman Phillip Perry said it was "encouraging to see a bipartisan vote in favor of Elizabeth's nomination today, along with widespread community support for her experience and qualifications. ... It's our hope that Elizabeth's nomination will be considered on the merits without undue political pressure and preconceived notions."

Committee Vice Chair Terrance Freeman referred to Andersen as one among an "unfortunate" number of mayoral nominees he considered as having baggage that made them politically problematic.

Freeman said the number seemed almost deliberate but Garrett Dennis, the Mayor's Office director of boards, said the suggestion "is just not true.

"Mayor Deegan or this administration isn't intentionally putting people out who are going to be controversial," Dennis said, saying the picks were meant to be "the best, the brightest" available.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/05/19/panel-opposes-ex-school-board-member-for-jacksonville-library-board/83722395007/?utm_source=jacksonville-newsalert-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_term=hero&utm_content=nftu-jacksonville-nletter01

[Tacachale]

This has definitely been one of the most disheartening things to witness in my time with the City. Final vote is at City Council on Tuesday, so make your voices heard.

[jaxlongtimer]

This has definitely been one of the most disheartening things to witness in my time with the City. Final vote is at City Council on Tuesday, so make your voices heard.

The GOP has become the party of hate, vengeance, cruelty, persecution, name calling, insults, lies, false accusations, character assassination, put-downs, self-enrichment, monied corruption, winning-at-any-cost, stepping on others to elevate themselves, favoritism - having moved far away from the Judeo-Christian values they claim to embrace.  Trump and DeSantis fit the new GOP bill perfectly, knowing no bounds or limits to the nastiness they impose on others.

Dissing, disrespecting and attacking vets, minorities, immigrants, the opposition, government workers, the handicapped, the down and out, foreigners, women, gays, educators, lawyers and judges, scientists and researchers, environmentalists... the only clear pass is to white males of means.  I just can't understand why 30% to 40% of people still think they are worthy of our support.

[vicupstate]

This has definitely been one of the most disheartening things to witness in my time with the City. Final vote is at City Council on Tuesday, so make your voices heard.

The GOP has become the party of hate, vengeance, cruelty, persecution, name calling, insults, lies, false accusations, character assassination, put-downs, self-enrichment, monied corruption, winning-at-any-cost, stepping on others to elevate themselves, favoritism - having moved far away from the Judeo-Christian values they claim to embrace.  Trump and DeSantis fit the new GOP bill perfectly, knowing no bounds or limits to the nastiness they impose on others.

Dissing, disrespecting and attacking vets, minorities, immigrants, the opposition, government workers, the handicapped, the down and out, foreigners, women, gays, educators, lawyers and judges, scientists and researchers, environmentalists... the only clear pass is to white males of means.  I just can't understand why 30% to 40% of people still think they are worthy of our support.

Preach it, brother. The discouraging thing is how much support they are getting from the younger generations. This toxic poison is going to destroy us.

[Jax_Developer]

This has definitely been one of the most disheartening things to witness in my time with the City. Final vote is at City Council on Tuesday, so make your voices heard.

The GOP has become the party of hate, vengeance, cruelty, persecution, name calling, insults, lies, false accusations, character assassination, put-downs, self-enrichment, monied corruption, winning-at-any-cost, stepping on others to elevate themselves, favoritism - having moved far away from the Judeo-Christian values they claim to embrace.  Trump and DeSantis fit the new GOP bill perfectly, knowing no bounds or limits to the nastiness they impose on others.

Dissing, disrespecting and attacking vets, minorities, immigrants, the opposition, government workers, the handicapped, the down and out, foreigners, women, gays, educators, lawyers and judges, scientists and researchers, environmentalists... the only clear pass is to white males of means.  I just can't understand why 30% to 40% of people still think they are worthy of our support.

I don't disagree but this is the result of an entire generation of young white men being told that they were responsible for the problems of the world. Countless times I was told growing up blatant lies that made white men appear as the spawn of all evil in the world. Words have power sure, but what really has power is checkbook. In 2021, Bloomberg reported 94% of new Fortune 500 hires were not white men. The fact of the situation is that white men are being affected quite severely in a country with a large quantity of white men.

Thus, you have unjustified attacks on people who look/act a certain way or who they believe to be taking their opportunity. This exact reason is why there aren't many historical examples of a group in power giving that up & being treated well after the fact... we just happen to be living through one of those very few examples but it hasn't fully played out yet.

[urban_]

Hoping for a respectful discussion!

[Jax_Developer]

If you take issue with what I said, then respectfully some research is needed to be done. Young men today have a suicide rate that eclipses any prior generations with white men being the vast majority in this country per the CDC. The current situation is not good for anyone & it doesn't take politics to realize that.

The fact it has spilled into politics, hence the issue at hand here, is the fundamental issue. I'd say to the dissenters to get active in politics themselves instead of sitting on the sidelines!

[Tacachale]

Shot down 5-13. Expected but still disappointing.

[urban_]

If you take issue with what I said, then respectfully some research is needed to be done.

I don't take issue at all, I was just trying to get ahead of a possible argument. No offense intended!

[jaxlongtimer]

I don't disagree but this is the result of an entire generation of young white men being told that they were responsible for the problems of the world. Countless times I was told growing up blatant lies that made white men appear as the spawn of all evil in the world. Words have power sure, but what really has power is checkbook. In 2021, Bloomberg reported 94% of new Fortune 500 hires were not white men. The fact of the situation is that white men are being affected quite severely in a country with a large quantity of white men.

Thus, you have unjustified attacks on people who look/act a certain way or who they believe to be taking their opportunity. This exact reason is why there aren't many historical examples of a group in power giving that up & being treated well after the fact... we just happen to be living through one of those very few examples but it hasn't fully played out yet.

I am a white male and never felt the way you did growing up.  What I saw and experienced was just the opposite... minorities being told they were second class or worse, clearly discriminated against in so many ways.  And, women were not far behind.  In my formative years, mostly what I saw running the world were white males so, I suppose, this is why so many think the buck stopped there in most cases.

I am not saying that there hasn't been overcompensation to right past wrongs in select cases.  That said, I do think many white males were also raised with unrealistic expectations that the world is their oyster and anything less represents disrespect or worse, creating a certain complacency and entitlement.  Many of those who find this is not how the world works, likely get depressed leading to the sad outcomes you describe.

I note that many of that alleged 94% (would like a source cite on that) are hard working immigrants that were not raised to take things for granted and women who now make up over 50% of degree candidates.  When I went through college, probably 60% to 70% of students were male and very few were minorities.  So, in many ways the last few decades have represented a "catching up" to rebalance the workforce to represent more the makeup of the population at-large.

This rebalancing is what affirmative action was supposed to be about.  Unfortunately, it has been both misunderstood and misapplied in many cases giving it a negative connotation.  The idea was simply to spread a wider net to invite a more diverse populace into the workforce that had not previously been recruited or felt welcome to apply.  It was not supposed to be about quotas as long as reasonable efforts were made to be inclusive in job recruiting.

The other need for corrective action has to do with access to capital and educational opportunities.  Those suffering generational poverty and under-education have lacked the "launching pad" for two major ingredients to move ahead in our capitalist society.  Providing economic advancement opportunities and educational financial aid are efforts to break this repeating cycle of being in the underclass.  Keep in mind, a rising tide lifts all boats so it should be a societal goal to lift up those at the bottom.  Not going to work for everyone, but for many.  History has taught that failure to do so is also a threat to the stability of society at some point.

Today, many jobs are going begging due to a lack of applicants or applicants willing to responsibly work to meet job requirements.  Ask most any employer and you will find they are begging for good workers from anywhere.  So, I don't understand anyone today that says they can't find a decent job and keep it, if they are honest, reliable, educate themselves to standards, collaborative, reasonable and manage their expectations that they aren't going to go from the mail room to CEO in 5 years or less.

Many disillusioned white males also seem to have failed to adapt to changing times and advancing technology.  Today, an autoworker maybe the one who operates or maintains robots, not one that welds or bolts cars together.  Likewise, coal miners, steel workers, lumberjacks, etc.  Car mechanics today must know software as much, or more, than gears and bearings. Failing to adapt is going to marginalize these workers.   You get the idea.

P.S. Donald Trump is amplifying the very concern you have in that he is showing the "white male is boss" in the most explicit way possible.  If you wanted to deflect evil doings being attributed to white men, someone needs to reign him in.  Good luck with that.

[jaxlongtimer]

Shot down 5-13. Expected but still disappointing.

For the record...

....Carlucci joined Peluso and Democrats Tyrona Clark-Murray, Reggie Gaffney Jr. and Rahman Johnson in supporting Andersen, with Carlucci cautioning members that years in the future, they too might want to sit on an unpaid board and face old grudges. Except for Democrat Ju'Coby Pittman, all the nay votes came from Republicans....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/05/27/jacksonville-city-council-rejects-elizabeth-andersen-for-library-board/83880304007/

Two surprises... Ju'Coby Pittman and Joe Carlucci.  The latter is clearly not his father's son in the world of politics.

The partisanship on the City Council today exceeds that under Alvin Brown.  Curry's efforts sailed through the City Council with rarely a defeat but Brown and Deegan hardly get anything through.  It is clear that the interests of the voters are not top of mind for over half the Council.

[Jax_Developer]

Appreciate the dialogue Jaxlongtimer. I do think we have lived two very different life experiences which I don't think is surprising but the environment I grew up in is widely different to the culture in Jacksonville. I went to school with kids of H1-B visa holders and was in a high school that was not majority white.

In my parents lifetime, the US went from a society that was 85%+ white to being less than 50% by 2030-2040 or so. I'm not opposed to immigration or diversity. However, western society might not exist as we know it in a generation or two if the trend is allowed to continue without checks & balances. China or India is certainly at no threat to losing their culture, but the US won't even mandate english to obtain citizenship.

I think the older generations tried to amend for obvious errors... that same example with my parents can be used for MLK & the civil rights movement & I am totally aware of that. While I totally agree with fixing the errors of our forefathers, this same principle can't be applied to immigrants/visa holders as they have simply not earned the 'spot' more than a White or Black American that have been here for generations.

Sadly, good opportunities have become globally competitive in the US & our politicians have not looked out for the best interests of it's own people. That's why you are seeing so much pushback as of recent with the progressive movement because the progressive movement is synonymous with the decline of the American way of life. Off-shoring, corporate taxation & regulatory commissions etc. have all contributed to the decline of the working class in ways nobody originally intended. A drive around the rust belt will change whatever you were thinking before.

Anyway, this all explains why young men are one of the biggest bases to the modern-day GOP - which by the way was a literally pipe dream of the GOP as recently as 2018-2019. Things sure do change quick.

Fortune 100 New Hire Data: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-black-lives-matter-equal-opportunity-corporate-diversity/
CDC Suicide Rates: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/disparities/index.html

(Bloomberg data demonstrates a very obvious sample. Older white men dominate senior leadership disproportionally to 2025 demographics, but when you look at entry-level roles that narrative completely flips. This also somewhat explains the 'gap' many older white men have to younger white men politically. My generation is the first to really feel the flip.)

[vicupstate]

Progressives, particularly unions were the only ones to oppose off-shoring and the massive REDUCTION in corporate taxation. I'm not sure what you are referring to with regulation. More regulation led to more off-shoring?? Less regulation overseas lead to more off-shoring??

The world has evolved into a more and more global economy, so opposing off-shoring is a losing battle IMO. It's my experience that many white men, of which I am one, tend to take any criticism or acknowledgement of past wrongs or injustices as an affront to them personally, when that wasn't intended nor should they attempt to wear a shoe that doesn't fit them in the first place. Acknowledging and adjusting for those wrongs that occurred does not imply guilt on the sons and grandsons of those that committed them.

A similar narrative seems to prevail with the term 'toxic masculinity'.  Anyone with a brain can see that there is no shortage of toxic men out there, but that is not to indict all men as toxic. The men that aren't toxic should be most offended by the ones that are.