# I Pit Rick Scott and I Pit Florida **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 18, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041 "2015-02-18T22:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/1 "2015-02-18T22:41:42Z")
Scott, because of these [new corruption scandals](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/18/rick_scotts_corruption_spiral_scandal_swirls_around_another_gop_governor/) (evading the Sunshine Law; lying about the firing of FDLE executive director Gerald Bailey after the latter resisted Scott’s attempts to politicize the department; understating his net worth on required financial disclosures). Florida, not just because we elected him governor twice, but because: > [@](#): > > In any normal political environment, the charges would lead to calls for resignation or impeachment proceedings. But Scott appears insulated by the very expectation of his corruption. In idealistic Oregon, Democrats controlled every level of government, and forced out a member of their own party. In Florida, the governor is supposed to be a scoundrel. But even if Scott survives, Republicans seeking the White House in 2016 might have a problem associating themselves with the leader of the biggest swing state, especially if more of his Nixonian tactics are revealed. > > \ > > Scott came to office with a reputation for chicanery. As CEO of Columbia/HCA, he presided over the largest Medicare fraud in history. His job approval rating is just 42 percent, months after his reelection. But there’s a sense that Scott gets graded on a curve, that corruption that would be shocking elsewhere is seen in Florida as normal. _sigh_[Only In Florida.](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OnlyInFlorida) WTF is wrong with us?! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/2 "2015-02-19T01:35:13Z")
Has Scott Walker been indicted yet? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/3 "2015-02-19T01:55:08Z")
I know it’s hard even for us to keep track of idiotic Republicans named Scott, but the OP was about Rick Scott. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/4 "2015-02-19T01:55:45Z")
“Just”? ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/5 "2015-02-19T02:33:57Z")
Didn’t Floridians know that §Rick Scott was corrupt when they elected him? The HCA Medicare fraud scandal wasn’t exactly secret. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/6 "2015-02-19T03:05:17Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I know it’s hard even for us to keep track of idiotic Republicans named Scott, but the OP was about Rick Scott. I know. I also know that, in similar fashion to this thread, several threads were started to opine on the supposedly criminal conduct of Scott Walker, and suggesting to the reader that indictments were imminent and spelled doom for any future political ambitions Walker might hold. This thread struck me as similar. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/7 "2015-02-19T03:25:12Z")
Nice to see that **Bricker** approves of detestable behavior. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/8 "2015-02-19T03:30:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I know. > > I also know that, in similar fashion to this thread, several threads were started to opine on the supposedly criminal conduct of Scott Walker, and suggesting to the reader that indictments were imminent and spelled doom for any future political ambitions Walker might hold. > > This thread struck me as similar. Are you posting because you’re happy a Republican got away with crimes or are you posting because you don’t think those crimes merit punishment? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/9 "2015-02-19T03:37:53Z")
Is a reason necessary for pitting Rick Scott and Florida? Couldn’t this just be a sticky thread? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/10 "2015-02-19T04:08:40Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I know. Then you should have made your intentions clear. Otherwise we are forced to conclude you are an idiot. I know this because I get called an idiot when I say things that go over people’s heads, too. Keep it low and slow and while your jokes may not be as funny, people will get them. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/11 "2015-02-19T05:07:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I know. > > I also know that, in similar fashion to this thread, several threads were started to opine on the supposedly criminal conduct of Scott Walker, and suggesting to the reader that indictments were imminent and spelled doom for any future political ambitions Walker might hold. > > This thread struck me as similar. I don’t imagine Rick Scott has any future political ambitions anyway. Term-limited as governor, not a presidential prospect, can’t see him running for Senate or anything. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/12 "2015-02-19T09:04:38Z")
What are his political ambitions, anyway? What did the gentleman want out of his time as governor? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/13 "2015-02-19T09:16:30Z")
The simple pleasures. A rocking chair, an old dog, rising at night to feed on the blood of the living… ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/14 "2015-02-19T14:19:52Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Are you posting because you’re happy a Republican got away with crimes or are you posting because you don’t think those crimes merit punishment? An excellent question, and a chance to highlight an important similarity between the soi-distant Scott Walker threads and this current one about Rick Scott: in each case, the thread attempts to assume, as a given, that crimes were committed. I don’t agree that either “got away” with crimes. I don’t agree that crimes have been proven. In Scott Walker’s case, of course, the attacks started by wondering how long it would be until he was indicted, and then fizzled away when no such indictment was handed down. Here, of course, we’re at the beginning of the cycle. Rick Scott is being sued for supposed civil violations of various Florida laws; the thread assumes that these suits’ allegations are correct, despite the notable lack of any trial or admission on the part of Gov. Scott. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/15 "2015-02-19T16:52:55Z")
So, they are essentially the same because liberal hypocrisy? Therefore, conflating one with the other is not only not wrong, it makes an incisive point? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/16 "2015-02-19T18:01:56Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > An excellent question, and a chance to highlight an important similarity between the soi-distant Scott Walker threads and this current one about Rick Scott: in each case, the thread attempts to assume, as a given, that crimes were committed. > > I don’t agree that either “got away” with crimes. I don’t agree that crimes have been proven. In Scott Walker’s case, of course, the attacks started by wondering how long it would be until he was indicted, and then fizzled away when no such indictment was handed down. > > Here, of course, we’re at the beginning of the cycle. Rick Scott is being sued for supposed civil violations of various Florida laws; the thread assumes that these suits’ allegations are correct, despite the notable lack of any trial or admission on the part of Gov. Scott. Do you believe an act is only a crime if the correct perpetrator has been caught and punished or do you suppose crimes can happen without anyone ever being tried and sentenced for it? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/17 "2015-02-19T18:33:34Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Do you believe an act is only a crime if the correct perpetrator has been caught and punished or do you suppose crimes can happen without anyone ever being tried and sentenced for it? The second: a crime can happen without anyone being tried and sentenced for it. BUT – it’s always for the proponent of a claim to provide proof of his claim. Without a trial and conviction, the rhetor who claims a crime happened has an uphill battle, because he needs to show some other equally strong evidence of the crime, and of the guilt of the accused. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/18 "2015-02-19T18:39:45Z")
Wouldn’t it be fun to see \*\*Bricker \*\*someday pull his pro bono counsel act in defense of a Democrat? Or at least to recognize that this board isn’t a courtroom? Well, one can dream. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/19 "2015-02-19T18:45:29Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > …Well, one can dream. Have you any case law to support such a conclusion? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041/20 "2015-02-19T19:31:54Z")
I got a bunch of Latin words I can copy and paste; will that do? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-rick-scott-and-i-pit-florida/713041.md?page=2)