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[Re:
“Devilish Details,” by Rebecca Wakefield, published Feb. 28.]
Wakefield’s column, “Devilish Details,” was missing only one thing
and that’s a punch line. In free democratic societies, the people
have the right to demonstrate. Whether it could have been a riot,
a burning in effigy, a recall petition or a peaceful march, the
majority of the people stood by as if it was another day in
another week with “do nothing Miami-Dade folks.”
A lot of “blah” has been reported from
Southwest Eighth Street
regarding the resignation of Fidel Castro. It was nothing but
wasted words by a very few exiles. Nothing will change in Cuba
because the exiles in
Miami
can do nothing about the situation, except pray. Why throw stones
at the Cuban people and its exiles, when in the most free
democracy in the world, its commoners have been trained to do
nothing when government is being trashed by a few elected
representatives who think they “have all the power to do as they
just as well please.”
Perhaps our citizens have not forgotten the martial law situation
that existed in downtown Miami only a few years ago when the chief
of
Miami
police took action against demonstrators and, regardless of his
actions, got rewarded with a performance raise minimizing all the
boneheaded things he has accomplished in public.
When will Miami-Dade residents have their “tea party” and the
consequential revolution that it will take to restore freedom?
Never! Those who play the hope game and trust change will come
with new elections are fools at heart. Forget the old-fashioned
tea party; let’s have a “pretend run” some Friday morning and
then, perhaps, we could have 100,000 or more runners storm City
Hall.
Robert Fournier
Miami
Stop It With the Candidates and Write About the War
[Re: Make Me
the President, “Episode 10: Shhh! If we keep quiet, they won’t
notice a thing,” by Lee Molloy, published March 13.]
I saw the Real Time with Bill Maher show with Joe
Scarborough as guest, and you misquoted his remark about backroom
threats from the main network moguls. (That would be Rupert
Murdock, and about two others). He said that people could be fired
for divulging views contrary to what these people in power wanted
NOT to be aired.
Joe Scarborough wasn't talking specifically about Sen. Obama, as
you implied. This is disingenuous journalism at it's worst,
because once you put the misinformation out there, it becomes a
truth for the nondiscerning public. Lee, you and others in the
media are intent on zeroing in on whatever flaws in any of the
candidates you can find for the purpose of selling your stuff at
the expense of selling your best candidates and your country down
the river. Freedom of speech, yes. Abuse of freedom of speech,
disastrous. Obama has admitted he made mistakes in a friendship
with Rezko. I am still waiting to hear President Bush admit to one
of the gravest mistakes his administration has ever perpetrated on
the American people. Why aren't you screaming for justification in
this regard? It has thrown our country into a debacle and now cost
us, along with the spiraling-down economy, the most terrible price
of almost 4,000 lives of our brave soldiers, not to mention the
shattered bodies and lives of those who come home to struggle with
the aftermath. That seems to on the back burner with you guys now.
Sure, don't worry about the destroyed infrastructure of Iraq, or
thousands of innocent dead Iraqi civilians, or 2 million displaced
Iraqis who have left their country, or our poor, brave soldiers,
or the way we are viewed by the rest of the world — it’s more
important that you write articles about whatever trash you can
drag up about the human flaws of our candidates. If it were truly
going to impact the politics of coping with what we are confronted
with, it would be justified. However, there is hardly anybody in
the world who is that squeaky-clean. Just name anyone you think
who might be beyond reproach, then stand back and watch the press
have at them.
Pamela Jarvis
Miami Shores
Thanks for the Archive
[Re: Make Me
the President, “Episode 11: Sen. Obama does the Wright thing and
throws his pastor under the bus,” by Lee Molloy, published March
20.]
I continue to enjoy this column and am so pleased that you've
included a link to past ones I missed. The
depth of research that goes into Molloy's writing is as impressive
this week as it was in Episode 9, a comparison I was able to make
because of the archives feature. Nice.
Valerie Greenfield
West Kendall
You’re Comparing Actors to Shrimp?
[Re: “Footloose:
More Like Footloser,” by Mary Damiano, published March 13.]
Was Mary Damiano’s review about Footloose at Actors’
Playhouse a restaurant review or a theatre review? I’ve
experienced some negative reviews about shows in which I’ve
appeared in other cities, but never negatively compared to
shrimp! Not worthy of Mary’s usual incisive theatrical writing.
Jerry Jensen
Hallandale
Beach
Great Choice for City Attorney
[Re: “Human
Capital,” by Angie Hargot, published March 20.]
The city of
Miami
is most fortunate in having a totally professional new city
attorney. Kudos to the city for a fine choice.
Laurence Feingold
Miami Beach
You Go, Girl!
[Re: “Human
Capital,” by Angie Hargot, published March 20.]
What a nice article Angie Hargot wrote. I am sure [Julie Bru] will
do a great, great job.
Hilarion “Lari”
Martinez
Miami
Miami Beach
Leaders Must Appoint
[Re: “Dermer
Redux,” by Ben Torter, published March 20.]
Miami Beach Commissioner Richard Steinberg is running for state
office. Under the state's “resign to run” law, he must submit a
letter of resignation from his city commission seat in order to
qualify as a state candidate. His resignation must be effective no
later than the Nov. 4 state election. Under our city charter, the
vacancy is filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of
the city commission.
There is a misconception that an appointment is optional with the
city commission. It isn’t. The city charter requires that the
remainder of the unexpired term until the next general city
election,
Nov. 3, 2009,
shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the
commission. In the event they deadlock, the charter has an escape
clause providing for a special election.
Frank Del Vecchio
Miami Beach
Come On, Matti, Roll Some Heads
[Re:
“Operation Renovation,” by Ben Torter, published March 20.]
In regards to your well-written article about Operation
Renovation, I would just like to add my two cents to it. The fact
remains that people avoid going to the city of
Miami Beach permit department simply because, no matter what, they
diligently force you to waste your time and energy. I've heard
people say that pregnancy is less painful! Can you blame them?
They have forced homeowners to redo their spaces after approving
plans, saying, “Oh, those are the old plans, they are no longer up
to code.” Of course they are not up to code; they haven't been
since we were all in kindergarten, yet they just do what they
want. So why the hell did they approve and say to do it the old
way? Money, money, money — under the table, in a roll of toilet
paper, any way they can get their greedy hands on it. And now who
bears the cost of fixing things approved by the city that are now
not approved by the city because of a change of heart or no cash
slapped in hand?
It would save homeowners time and money if the city would be doing
their job right, but it’s true — they really are just dogs waiting
for food (hungry, corrupt inspectors waiting for bribes). I'm glad
this investigation has shown to all the people who have been going
through this horrible, timely, expensive and, frankly, unnecessary
process that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The light
at the end is that the department gets completely overhauled and
those homeowners who have been harassed and/or have been put
through needless bull crap can sue the city for the time and money
the city has robbed them. The city needs to speed up the process
with lightning force and give credit to those homeowners who have
been put through the mill by the city’s own fraudulent Permit and
Inspection Department. Otherwise, I would suggest that a bunch of
homeowners start a huge class-action lawsuit. No one deserves it
more than this city. I ask that our new mayor step in, roll some
heads and straighten it out. Get rid of the dogs and replace them
with qualified people who have common sense and realize now that,
whatever they do, it needs to be done in a timely fashion and can
help this city shine, not tarnish it!
Jason Morgan
Miami Beach
Bring on the Baseball Stadium
[Re: Letters, “Let the Marlins Build
Their Own Stadium” and “Go, Braman, Go,” published March 20.]
I had to write to inform Veronika and Gay-Lynne that taxpayer
contribution is a very normal occurrence when building baseball
stadiums all over our country. The Marlins’ contribution is
actually the fourth largest for a new stadium. I plan on being
here when the stadium opens in 2011, but I'm not sure about these
Euro babes. What the hell do they know about our great American
pastime? So, please, keep your whining to yourself and go watch
some soccer.
Paul
Miami Beach
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