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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Rep. Richard Nugent"s press release on President's speech on Syria

REP NUGENT RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT’S SPEECH ON SYRIA INTERVENTION


(WASHINGTON, DC) Following the President’s speech to the nation regarding a military attack on Syria, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-11) issued the following statement:

“Last night, the President continued his pitch to the American people on why our country should go to war in Syria.  It’s a muddled message to say the least - Congress should authorize him to move forward with an act of war that he’s pretty sure won’t turn into a real war. And Congress should provide him that authorization even though he maintains that he doesn’t actually need it. But Congress should also wait to give him the authorization that he says he doesn’t need because there is a potential peaceful solution on the table. But he also thinks the peaceful solution isn’t realistic and that we definitely have a moral obligation to use our overwhelming military force – to start a war that probably won’t turn into a real war.  That’s the message from our Commander in Chief. I’m skeptical to say the least.

“For the last couple of weeks, the administration has been trying to convince the American people that we’re not going to put boots on the ground. But in the very same breath, the administration also acknowledges that there are “risks” to any military action.  Those risks very clearly involve getting drawn into a full-scale war.  If we are attacked, if our allies are attacked, we will almost certainly end up in a war.  We can’t predict the outcome.  If we strike, American troops are inherently at increased risk.  The administration needs to be honest about that and I don’t appreciate them trying to minimize that or gloss over it – and neither do the American people. 

“The President also seems to think that we can degrade the Assad regime’s ability to use the weapons without affecting their ability to control the weapons and keep them from falling into terrorist hands.  That’s a pretty big leap to ask the American people to make.  The risk of those weapons falling into terrorist hands is a very serious risk and I think the administration needs to be honest with the American people about the seriousness of that risk.  The President can’t guarantee that the stockpile will be more secure after a strike than before it.   In all likelihood, Syria’s chemical weapons will be less secure from falling into the hands of terrorists after a missile strike.

“The Administration hasn’t thought this through.  They are just trying to minimize people’s perception of the risks and clinging to the hope that it all works out in the end.  The President can make all of the promises and proclamations he wants about not getting into a ground war in Syria, but what he fails to grasp is that our enemies have a say in what happens as much as we do.

“This is an act of war, whether you declare it or not, from the Syrians’ perspective, from Iran’s perspective, from Russia’s perspective, a missile strike by one sovereign nation against another is an act of war.  If Congress votes for this resolution, they better be prepared to go all the way. The American people don’t think this is worth another war and they know that war is exactly where this could end up.

“The French are apparently going to move forward with a serious resolution in the UN Security Council that the Chinese, Iran, and others seem to support.  The President is advocating that we wait to move forward with the authorization he is still making the case for to see if the diplomatic solution can work.  And while the Russians appear reluctant to agree to any language involving a military strike, expecting Congress to move forward at this point with a poorly thought-through, overly broad, and completely untimely request for authorization for the use of military force is crazy.  I didn’t support it yesterday because it’s not worth putting our troops in harm’s way, and I certainly am not going to support it today with a potentially viable diplomatic solution on the table.  I think like most people, I’m obviously skeptical of Russia, Iran, and Syria’s sincerity here, but it’s a possibility that’s worth exploring.  Committing America to an unnecessary war is not.”



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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Crystal River Nuke Plant to close


REP NUGENT: “THIS IS GOING TO BE A DEVASTATING BLOW”


(WASHINGTON, DC) Following the announcement by Duke Energy that they will permanently close the Crystal River Nuclear Plant, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-11) issued the following statement:

“For the six hundred families who are directly affected by Duke Energy’s decision, this is going to be a devastating blow.  But the economic impact of the decision goes far beyond just the workers employed at the plant.  The plant has been a key economic engine in this community for thirty years and all of Citrus County will be affected in a very real way.

“Community leaders all over the county have been pushing Progress and then Duke Energy to repair the plant for years now, including myself.  I know all parties involved have worked as hard as possible to find a solution for Citrus County and the focus will now shift to making sure that Citrus will be home to future investments by the company.  In particular, the natural gas-fueled plant being considered by Duke would be a tremendous asset for the state and for the community for years to come and I plan on working with both the leaders in this community and Duke Energy in the coming months to find a viable way forward.  It’s energy and it’s jobs and Central Florida desperately needs both. I know we’re all going to do everything we can. 

“The employees affected by this closure are extremely capable engineers and operators and they are truly an asset to this community and to the industry.  I am extremely hopeful that as the Crystal River facility is taken offline and as the Levy facility is brought online, that these employees will continue to find a home with Duke Energy.  It’s a mighty tough day for Citrus County, but I know we’re all going to turn our eyes now to the future to see what is possible.”

Monday, February 4, 2013

Nobleton

nobleton.mock.web.page

Here's a glimpse of my art work from one of my grad classes...

Set the record straight

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This is an ad I created about negative stereotyping of gun owners.  The ad was for one of my grad classes at USFSP.


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Nugent says Obama can't hide


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              
January 2, 2013                                                                                                                          

REP NUGENT: THE PRESIDENT CAN’T HIDE BEHIND CAMPAIGN SLOGANS ANYMORE.  HE NEEDS TO GET SPECIFIC…

(WASHINGTON, DC.) –  Following House passage of the Fiscal Cliff legislation, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:
“President Obama said he wants a balanced approach, but all taxes and no reform of our out-of-control spending isn't balanced.

“The tax increases that the President asked for won't even cover the increase in our interest payments from this year to next.  He knows that even if he taxed every dollar of taxable income – not just the top bracket - at a 100% rate, it still wouldn't be enough money to cover our $86 trillion in unfunded future obligations.  The President has to get serious about putting this country on a path that we can sustain. 

“With these tax increases, we will still have trillion dollar annual deficits out as far as the eye can see and his tax plan barely makes a dent in that. The President can't hide behind campaign slogans anymore. He needs to get specific about his priorities for spending. The taxpayers can't afford to do it all.”

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Press release/Rep. Nugent's office


                                                                                                                  
 REP NUGENT HATCH ACT REFORM PROPOSAL PASSES THE HOUSE AND SENATE UNANIMOUSLY – HEADED TO THE PRESIDENT

(SPRING HILL, FL.) –  Following unanimous House passage of the Hatch Act Modernization Act, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:

“At a time when it seems like Washington really struggles to come together to get anything done, it is a really encouraging sign that we can still put ideas out there that can find unanimous support.  I was honored to work with the Florida Sheriff’s Association and others to pass long overdue legislation to modernize the Hatch Act.

“The Hatch Act Modernization Act, which includes the entirety of my own legislation, allows qualified local, state, and federal employees to serve their respective communities.  Currently, the Hatch Act is used largely as a political weapon in local elections and it intimidates and bars otherwise qualified local and state employees from seeking higher office simply because their position. This legislation takes an important step toward addressing that problem and I’m proud to see it headed to the President’s desk.  He should sign it into law right away.”

Town Hall Meeting notice


MEDIA RELEASE
December 19, 2012

Eastside Town Hall Meeting Scheduled

Hernando County Administrator Leonard Sossamon has scheduled a second Town Hall Meeting, this one to be held in eastern Hernando County to hear from more residents about what they believe to be priorities in county services and budget matters as County staff begins to develop the budget for FY 2013-14. The meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2013, at Spring Lake United Methodist Church, located at 4191 Spring Lake Highway, Brooksville, Florida. Residents may come and talk to the County Administrator, county staff and other interested citizens any time between 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

“The meeting we held in Spring Hill a few days ago was very well attended and we received some helpful comments. We want to provide the same opportunity to our eastside residents and hope to have another great turnout,” said Mr. Sossamon. The meeting will follow the same format, with no staff presentations and each speaker having 5 minutes to say what’s on their mind.

A Town Hall Citizens’ Survey is posted on the County’s website at www.hernandocounty.us, and copies will be distributed at the meeting for attendees to complete and hand in if they prefer that method rather than the on-line method.
For more information about the meeting, please contact County Administration at (352) 540-6780.

Brenda Frazier
Community Relations Coordinator
Hernando County Government
20 N. Main Street, Room 263
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 540-6780 office