... thanks to the magic of high speed Internet service. I've been importing cash from the Californian job market to Key West for 7 years now, with no apparent end in sight. I'm not interested in convincing you to live here, though, particularly since so many appear to already have their minds made up, and besides, this place is about as full as it needs to be. I would urge you however, to seriously consider living in a free state (Washington perhaps?) in an area with reasonable-enough rent that you may consider putting the bulk of that wonderful California salary away for retirement. Your call.

... now you know you in trouble. Seriously though, how do you even get these two to talk to each other, let alone be co-plaintiffs?

Even though I do agree that our sea level is rising here in the Keys, this is a bit alarmist. Most of the Keys is 1 meter or less above sea level. My yard is about 4 feet, in fact. This means that we often disappear from the map for a few days in any appreciable storm surge. This isn't novel, and certainly isn't once-in-a-generation. In fact, it's already every 5-10 years, and we're overdue. I furthermore fail to see what hydrological difference will be made by an additional, say, 5 inches of water, vis-a-vis storm surge.

I do, however, agree that we're all sinking. That's why I rent here, and won't buy a house that doesn't float.

You don't say which flats you're specifically talking about. The Lower Keys, and the bayside area north of the Middle and Upper Keys, are full of tidal flats, that are generally covered, or nearly so, at high tide. But 'covered' in the sense that you can cross them with anything bigger than a kayak, no. Or perhaps you're referring to Florida Bay, which itself receives a lot of input from The Everglades, and yes, would definitely be lower now.

The Everglades hasn't received its natural supply of fresh water ever since Alligator Alley was built and the 'river of grass' was more or less dammed up.

Crystal Springs isn't even on an ocean, it's fed by the Floridan Aquifer; The unceasing withdrawals from same are linked to those wonderful sinkholes, and of course lower springwater levels.

For what it's worth, my home, Big Pine Key, may as well be the Mississippi of the Florida Keys, there aren't any liberals around here. But you don't know what you're talking about.

Lower Keys dweller here!

I appreciate the sentiment and all, but I am not going to move. I promise not to make any insurance claims or anything else that would upset the mainlanders and drag them away from their shopping malls, tv shows, and whatever else they do for fun. Also, my boat stays pretty dry and has two working bilge pumps. I do not seem to be in danger of sinking.

... the first time someone commented re: PRISM and other NSA directives, along the lines of, "Whatever, as long as it prevents another 9/11!" Now that it's been a few more days, I'm starting to break the habit of facepalming. We as a nation are affirming our commitment to the implementation of a police state, in the name of preventing something that was already about as statistically impossible as getting hit by lightning while claiming your Powerball jackpot.

Inasmuch as this is the will of the majority and of the representatives in our Republic, you can bet I'll be claiming my winnings from within the safe confines of an OSHA-approved rubber suit.

As a citizen of the Florida Keys, let me say: Fuck our evil occupiers. Let freedom ring.

http://thepiratebay.sx/search/defcad/0/99/0

I realize I'm about the 20th commenter to say this, but the popular negativity means naught. And here's my "look at me" data point: I went professional when I was 15. Nobody wanted to hire me because I was unschooled, and a smelly longhair to boot, but I made my own way. I'm 35 now, haven't changed careers (working in private practice now), have encountered absolutely zero age-related discrimination, and don't see any on the horizon.

Do you like it? Good. Do it. See you on github, and welcome to the party.

... if the traffic and bath salts don't kill you, the sinkholes will. Please do not consider visiting or moving here. If you're already here, save yourself by heading north, preferably taking at least two vehicles with you. I hear California is wonderful. Tell all your friends. Thank you.

Your case does not nullify the numerous other examples. I respectfully submit that I am therefore not spreading a lie, unless Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan, and others also undertook unprovoked attacks.

... and I was just voting my conscience (last Sunday, during early voting, as it happened). The two 'major' parties both want to send your children to die in countries that did not attack us in 2001, and both parties enjoy ordering record numbers of wiretaps, both with and without warrants, every single year. Both 'major' parties are also huge, huge fans of welfare, as long as the recipients are banks. I know one of them will win (and given their similarities, it doesn't matter which). But I'll sleep better knowing I had no part in endorsing their sociopathy.

It's only okay for Goldman Sachs to do this.

Meh. I own property in Orange County, Florida (although I no longer live there, I can't exactly get out of it unless it burns down or I get foreclosed), which means I subsidize EA. I worked there once. You're probably aware that they hire college/highschool greenhorns who either burn out or decide an asexual life is the life for them. While I do not exactly begrudge them that, I do question the need to subsidize it. End the tax breaks for these people, please. Thanks, from a guy in the Florida Keys whose life no longer even remotely includes software development or the mainland or gunfire. My first name is Christopher.