How's this for an angle?
Ron DeSantis is under fire for turning against his fellow service members and letting executioners slaughter five veterans this year alone.https://t.co/aIalUPYhyM
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 13, 2025
Under fire from whom? Letting executioners "slaughter" five veterans?
This one earned The Daily Beast a Community Note:
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
The @thedailybeast defends Bobby Joe Long, executed in 2019, but omits why: Long was a serial killer who raped and murdered at least 10 women in Tampa Bay in 1984. He confessed and was convicted of eight homicides, plus additional rapes and abductions.
But he was a veteran!
How about that headline: "Veterans Beg Ron DeSantis to Stop Killing Them."
Breaking news intern Kenneal Patterson writes:
The governor, who served in the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer from 2004 to 2010, has called Florida “the most veteran-friendly state” in the nation. But during his reign, nine people have been executed—including five veterans.
…
Veterans statewide are now pleading with DeSantis to stop the executions of fellow former service members, all of whom devoted part of their life to protecting the country.
“We can never be a veteran friendly state when our leader is signing off on their deaths at the hands of the State,” more than 130 vets wrote in a letter to DeSantis. “We urge you now to lead from a place of bravery, to return to the honor code from your service, and to stop setting the executions of our fellow soldiers.”
Nearly 30 veterans are sitting on death row, waiting for execution, including 67-year-old Kayle Bates who is set to be killed on Aug. 19. The letter implores DeSantis to prevent Bates’ death.
“We write to you today as fellow veterans. We write to you to highlight a disturbing trend, and one that only you have the power to correct,” the letter begins.
And suddenly, The Daily Beast cares about how veterans are treated.
[Jeffrey] Hutchinson, a 62-year-old veteran with severe mental problems, was executed in May for the murders of his girlfriend and her three children. His lawyer said during his trial that he suffered from serious health problems from the war in Iraq, post-traumatic stress disorder, and paranoia. He long claimed that he was innocent and pointed to conspiracy theories to explain the murders.
That's the only mention in the entire story of the crime committed by the veteran. Again, no mention of serial killer Bobby Joe Long.
Who are these 130 veterans? Are they like the 51 former intelligence officials? Does their group have a name?
"The Daily Beast has reached out to DeSantis for comment." I hope DeSantis' press office does provide a comment, in the form of a meme reading, "Your clown shoes, madam."
I did some Google searching to find the name of this group, and found that the letter presentation was organized by the Center for Veteran Criminal Advocacy.
"Executing our nation's warriors should call for deep soul searching," said Center Director and Retired Navy Captain Art Cody. "We owe veterans better than what they are now receiving in Florida."
Dude, the guy raped and killed 10 women. I thank him for his service and hope he burns in hell.
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