DeSantis "Super Authority" agenda passed by Central FL Tourism Oversight Bureau of Fascist Quislings

[Shipwack]

20. Supposedly the Navy did this in Norfolk, Virginia...

WARNING - Sea-story ahead. Though I haven't verified it, I've heard it from several different sources. Any facts disclosed are probably coincidental.

Back in the 60s/early 70s the US Navy had an image problem. Even in cities with major ports sailors in uniform were rarely welcome past the cluster of bars, tattoo parlors, and pawnshops that planted themselves just outside the main gate. Some stores even had signs that said "Dogs and Sailors Not Allowed".

Norfolk Naval Base got a new commanding officer. He reached out to the city council in a friendly gesture and asked what could be done to improve relations.

He was basically told to pound sand. Not only did the council not care about improving relations, they told the CO that the Navy was lucky that the city of Norfolk even allowed the base to be there, since all it did was duck up resources that could be better deployed elsewhere.

The officer politely thanked them for their time and went back to his office. He then drafted a new standing order: for the next 30 days, the base would be on lockdown. No military personnel could go into town. If someone lived off-base, they were allowed to travel there and back as long as they didn't make any stops along the way.

Within two weeks the town council was begging the CO to lift the lockdown. Businesses were having trouble making ends meet without all of the dollars the sailors would usually spend in town.

They were more than willing to discuss ways to make the Navy feel more welcome in Norfolk.