When questioned about his ban on "climate change," you would think Scott would simply respond by using THE words to show there is no such ban. But NO - Gov. Scott has his own little phrases to refer to "climate change": "this issue" or "talk about" and thus he also refuses to use THE words.
AROUND MARCH 11 AND 12:
Quote from Chris Hayes video, surprised he did not notice Governor's word avoidance!
REPORTER: Governor, were you aware that scientists were being told not to speak about climate change? And will scientists in the future be able to speak about climate change in their studies?
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT: First of all. That's untrue. At our Department of Environmental Protection - look, there's lots of conversations about this issue.
Scott had a second chance for clarity during a visit to Port Manatee this week. Again, he evaded.
"As you know there's a lot of discussion on this issue," he told reporters, "and I've talked to people on both sides of the issue. What I've focused on is how do we get things done."
Asked if state employees should avoid using the terms, he said only, "Thanks, guys," and walked away.
THIS WEEK - he tests "talk about":
Scott reiterated his denials Friday during an event at Full Sail University in Winter Park.
"Of course it’s not true. People can talk what they want to talk about in state government,” Scott said.
Governor Scott denied the allegations at a press conference today in Orlando.
"People come to Tallahassee and they express their views", said Scott. "Of course it’s not true that people can’t talk about what they want to talk about in state government.”
THIS WEEK - back to THIS ISSUE:
Scott said, “There’s always a debate about this issue, but the truth is what we care about is, we care about solutions. We’ve invested in beach renourishment, flood mitigation, record funding for springs all because we care about environment.”
We laughed with the Florida Senators of both parties who could not get the state's emergency management director to say THE words.
But this is a serious issue too. We've read the reports of employees being suspended from work or directed to obtain medical assistance. This gives "taking the issue off the table" a whole new meaning.
Scott needs to be FOIA'd (Freedom of Information Act for Florida)!