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Summary for Public Discussion — IRC Commissioner Meeting, June 23, 2015 <br /> Definitions: <br /> Fearmongering: "the action of deliberately arousing public fear or alarm about <br /> a particular issue." <br /> Specious: "superficially plausible, but actually wrong" <br /> Many, if not all, objectors to All Aboard Florida (AAF) may truly believe the many claims we have <br /> heard over the past several years since the project was announced. Such claims as: <br /> 1. It will physically divide our county or city. <br /> 2. It will create major public safety problems. <br /> 3. It will spawn unprecedented traffic congestion. <br /> 4. It will more than triple all the train horn noise. <br /> 5. It will severely diminish the quality of life. <br /> And so on... the list goes on and on. <br /> Just as the kitten looking in the mirror sees a lion, objectors look at AAF and see a monster. <br /> The information I will present reflects a reasoned, dispassionate view of AAF based on a series of <br /> summary analyses I've performed to examine the more serious objector claims. These analyses <br /> guided my own decision to support AAF as highly beneficial to our county. <br /> I have no reason to believe that objectors don't honestly believe the claims they repeat — or, for that <br /> matter, that Commissioners aren't convinced they are doing the right thing to prevent a "catastrophe" <br /> by standing in the way, metaphorically we hope, of what has been described as "an existential threat" <br /> to our community. <br /> Nevertheless, that doesn't mean objectors and our Commissioners are pursing the correct course, <br /> nor does it confer any legitimacy to the underlying claims that may be at the heart of their motivation. <br /> Good motivations and intentions are one thing. Good information is something quite different. <br /> While I will question the integrity of objector claims, please keep in mind that I do not question the <br /> integrity of those who believe them. <br /> In the interests of time I will present a summary of just six of the analyses of objector claims that <br /> revealed their specious nature. <br /> I've prepared a separate handout that includes a more detailed look at a all of the claims and issues <br /> relating to AAF that I've analyzed. Each Commissioner should have a copy and I have some for <br /> others who may be interested in their content. <br /> June 23, 2015 Page 1 of 12 <br /> /.s2•/ <br />