Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Washington Post reports:
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Monday that she will direct her department not to lower its flags in honor of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died of complications from lung cancer last week.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said last week that he would order the state’s flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Limbaugh’s funeral, which has yet to be announced.
“I will not lower the flags at my Department’s state offices for Rush Limbaugh,” Fried said Monday in a tweet. “Lowering our flag should reflect unity, not division — and raising our standards, not lowering them.”
Her full statement:
“Lowering to half-staff the flag of the United States of America is a sacred honor that pays respect to fallen heroes and patriots. It is not a partisan political tool.
“Therefore, I will notify all state offices under my direction to disregard the Governor’s forthcoming order to lower flags for Mr. Limbaugh – because we will not celebrate hate speech, bigotry, and division.
“Lowering the flag should always reflect unity, not division, and raising our standards, not lowering them. Our flags will remain flying high to celebrate the American values of diversity, inclusion, and respect for all.”
.@GovRonDeSantis is lowering Florida’s flags to half-staff for Rush Limbaugh.
But he had no words for Congressman John Lewis.
Priorities. https://t.co/ZdYsCkaorP
— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) February 19, 2021
I will not lower the flags at my Department’s state offices for Rush Limbaugh. Lowering our flag should reflect unity, not division — and raising our standards, not lowering them. https://t.co/HqtzeoUHkr
— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) February 22, 2021