By Sylvia Gurinsky
Two mothers of students at Ronald Reagan High School in the city of Doral in Miami-Dade County have put a new twist on protesting budget cuts: They're on a hunger strike.
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is quoted as saying that Floridians understand the cuts the Florida Legislature has to make, and that's why there aren't protesters in Tallahassee.
Well, it's time for a long and loud protest in Tallahassee. Bibiana Salmon and Malexys Morales, the hunger-striking women (water only), should lead all parents, teachers and students opposed to the cuts to the land of legislators who go on ritzy retreats and get lucrative college jobs, and a governor who spends six figures on a European trip during an economic downturn.
Looks like Charlie and the G.O.P. boys and girls could use a big dose of reality from their constituents, who actually have to live with their actions.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Jan. 13: "Marlins" Park Also Belongs To the Community
By Sylvia Gurinsky
One issue that hasn't come up much in the debate over a new baseball stadium on Miami's old Orange Bowl site is what it's going to be used for when the Florida Marlins are on the road or in the off-season.
Presumably, the land is going to be available to everyone else to use, as the Orange Bowl was.
Unless the Marlins reach the postseason, they will play 81 games in the park and perhaps need it on the average of a week or two more - sometimes for workouts, sometimes for exhibition games, sometimes for community events. That will leave roughly 275 days, including virtually all of November through March, when the team will not use the park.
That will leave it available to everyone from high school teams to soccer leagues to concert promoters to rally organizers.
Remember - because this includes public money, it's also a public park.
On Sunday, a Miami Herald article indicated that the Orange Bowl rose from one of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal projects during the 1930s. Whoever played, spoke and performed there until its demolition early last year, it ultimately belonged to the community.
That's the sales pitch supporters of a new park need to use to keep the plan in place. So far, they haven't.
It might be a good way to keep the wavering support of Miami-Dade County commissioners. Promote those 275 days - or find the land being used 365 days for something the community doesn't need.
One issue that hasn't come up much in the debate over a new baseball stadium on Miami's old Orange Bowl site is what it's going to be used for when the Florida Marlins are on the road or in the off-season.
Presumably, the land is going to be available to everyone else to use, as the Orange Bowl was.
Unless the Marlins reach the postseason, they will play 81 games in the park and perhaps need it on the average of a week or two more - sometimes for workouts, sometimes for exhibition games, sometimes for community events. That will leave roughly 275 days, including virtually all of November through March, when the team will not use the park.
That will leave it available to everyone from high school teams to soccer leagues to concert promoters to rally organizers.
Remember - because this includes public money, it's also a public park.
On Sunday, a Miami Herald article indicated that the Orange Bowl rose from one of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal projects during the 1930s. Whoever played, spoke and performed there until its demolition early last year, it ultimately belonged to the community.
That's the sales pitch supporters of a new park need to use to keep the plan in place. So far, they haven't.
It might be a good way to keep the wavering support of Miami-Dade County commissioners. Promote those 275 days - or find the land being used 365 days for something the community doesn't need.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jan. 12: Sniglets On Bernie Madoff and the Good and Bad Of WTVJ
By Sylvia Gurinsky
To paraphrase the Monopoly card, Bernie Madoff should go to jail....go directly to jail.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hnkPe640MG8WMCAvAwv5GqtqxsOAD95LOUO00
The many people and charitable organizations who have lost livelihoods certainly won't agree with Judge Ellis. He had a chance to take a paddle to Madoff, but shook a finger instead. Shame on him.
*****************************************************
Note to all reporters covering the local protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict: Watch your words.
Steve Litz of WTVJ-Channel 6 in Miami blew it in his coverage of local Jewish community rallies yesterday. He mentioned he had spoken to local supporters of the Palestinian community who had called Israel terrorists for going into Gaza.
First of all, that's loaded language in this community, which has close to a million Jews. Second, he didn't get anyone on the air from the Palestinian community, for any comments. At the very least, he could have gone to local representatives of Arab-American groups, or to local mosques. And if they wouldn't comment on camera, he should have said so.
******************************************************************
Finally, so long to Tony Segreto after 40 years at WTVJ.
Segreto is a rare breed, a South Florida native who stayed and made good. WTVJ has been his only professional home, first as a sportscaster for so many years and finally as a newscaster.
He excelled at both - who can forget the early morning of Aug. 24, 1992, the day Hurricane Andrew blew into town - but will likely be remembered most for sports because his station's sportscasts were truly "must-see TV" in an era before South Florida had four professional sports teams. Segreto's sportscasts were major league in every way.
Here's a link to a curio: Segreto tossing to pioneer sportscaster Jane Chastain for a story about basketball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPWkLsfumU
Segreto also has a strong involvement in the community, with membership and participation in organizations as diverse as Gilda's Club, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Dan Marino Foundation.
Here's to you, Tony.
To paraphrase the Monopoly card, Bernie Madoff should go to jail....go directly to jail.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hnkPe640MG8WMCAvAwv5GqtqxsOAD95LOUO00
The many people and charitable organizations who have lost livelihoods certainly won't agree with Judge Ellis. He had a chance to take a paddle to Madoff, but shook a finger instead. Shame on him.
*****************************************************
Note to all reporters covering the local protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict: Watch your words.
Steve Litz of WTVJ-Channel 6 in Miami blew it in his coverage of local Jewish community rallies yesterday. He mentioned he had spoken to local supporters of the Palestinian community who had called Israel terrorists for going into Gaza.
First of all, that's loaded language in this community, which has close to a million Jews. Second, he didn't get anyone on the air from the Palestinian community, for any comments. At the very least, he could have gone to local representatives of Arab-American groups, or to local mosques. And if they wouldn't comment on camera, he should have said so.
******************************************************************
Finally, so long to Tony Segreto after 40 years at WTVJ.
Segreto is a rare breed, a South Florida native who stayed and made good. WTVJ has been his only professional home, first as a sportscaster for so many years and finally as a newscaster.
He excelled at both - who can forget the early morning of Aug. 24, 1992, the day Hurricane Andrew blew into town - but will likely be remembered most for sports because his station's sportscasts were truly "must-see TV" in an era before South Florida had four professional sports teams. Segreto's sportscasts were major league in every way.
Here's a link to a curio: Segreto tossing to pioneer sportscaster Jane Chastain for a story about basketball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPWkLsfumU
Segreto also has a strong involvement in the community, with membership and participation in organizations as diverse as Gilda's Club, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Dan Marino Foundation.
Here's to you, Tony.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Jan. 8: High Florida Education Grades Certainly Not Because Of Legislature
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The B-minus grade Florida has received from Education Weekly for its public school system can be attributed to good teachers, good students and involved communities.
There is one entity that doesn't deserve credit: The Florida Legislature. They deserve plenty of blame, however.
Teachers have been performing miracles in their classrooms no thanks to Tallahassee, whose philosophy is "Cut the things that are needed most in the state." That includes health care, social services, the environment and education.
Lawmakers have carried that sorry rationale to the current special session.
State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, pointed out the problems with school spending and higher education in Florida. Those have gotten worse, and so is the budget for Florida's schools.
Yesterday, Broward School Board Chair Maureen Dinnen said that when people come to her, looking for responsibility for budget cuts, she's going to point them toward Tallahasse.
Agreed. The Florida Legislature, once again, gets an F.
The B-minus grade Florida has received from Education Weekly for its public school system can be attributed to good teachers, good students and involved communities.
There is one entity that doesn't deserve credit: The Florida Legislature. They deserve plenty of blame, however.
Teachers have been performing miracles in their classrooms no thanks to Tallahassee, whose philosophy is "Cut the things that are needed most in the state." That includes health care, social services, the environment and education.
Lawmakers have carried that sorry rationale to the current special session.
State Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, pointed out the problems with school spending and higher education in Florida. Those have gotten worse, and so is the budget for Florida's schools.
Yesterday, Broward School Board Chair Maureen Dinnen said that when people come to her, looking for responsibility for budget cuts, she's going to point them toward Tallahasse.
Agreed. The Florida Legislature, once again, gets an F.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jan. 7: Delay Digital TV?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
There's new proof that maybe this mandatory conversion to being able to see Brian Williams' deviated septum more clearly isn't such a good idea.
Nothing against NBC News anchor Williams, who is a true professional. The real gripe is about digital television, and the almost complete turn-off of analog television signals scheduled to take place next month. This country isn't ready.
The latest proof: The federal government has apparently run out of money for its digital converter program. That's the one in which analog television owners can apply for a $40 or so coupon for a converter box so they can see digital broadcasts. For the time being, anyone who applies for such a coupon will be put on a waiting list.
It does no good to say that television stations have been warning people about this for almost a year. Americans are nothing if not last-minute. In a bad economy, they're certainly not going to run out and get a digital television or satellite or cable (two things that would also work on analog TVs).
Come Feb. 17, millions of Americans could be shut out of watching television. That may not be such a bad thing these days when it comes to network prime-time viewing, but it could be very bad when it comes to important news and public affairs.
It gets worse. The Federal Communications Commission still has not completely addressed what will happen in the event of power outages from blizzards, hurricanes, etc., except to say there are more expensive, battery-operated converters. Gee, thanks for telling us, FCC.
Do we need any more proof that the complete conversion to digital needs a delay?
There's new proof that maybe this mandatory conversion to being able to see Brian Williams' deviated septum more clearly isn't such a good idea.
Nothing against NBC News anchor Williams, who is a true professional. The real gripe is about digital television, and the almost complete turn-off of analog television signals scheduled to take place next month. This country isn't ready.
The latest proof: The federal government has apparently run out of money for its digital converter program. That's the one in which analog television owners can apply for a $40 or so coupon for a converter box so they can see digital broadcasts. For the time being, anyone who applies for such a coupon will be put on a waiting list.
It does no good to say that television stations have been warning people about this for almost a year. Americans are nothing if not last-minute. In a bad economy, they're certainly not going to run out and get a digital television or satellite or cable (two things that would also work on analog TVs).
Come Feb. 17, millions of Americans could be shut out of watching television. That may not be such a bad thing these days when it comes to network prime-time viewing, but it could be very bad when it comes to important news and public affairs.
It gets worse. The Federal Communications Commission still has not completely addressed what will happen in the event of power outages from blizzards, hurricanes, etc., except to say there are more expensive, battery-operated converters. Gee, thanks for telling us, FCC.
Do we need any more proof that the complete conversion to digital needs a delay?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jan. 6: Did Blagojevich Make Richardson's Confirmation Impossible?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
In Newsweek's excellent chronicle of the 2008 presidential election, the term "pay for play" is mentioned. Essentially, it's an updated description of the old-time political backroom dealing. The magazine mentioned that Barack Obama wasn't playing in a couple of the states in which the process was known to take place.
When I read it, it reminded me of the line by Captain Renault (Claude Rains) to Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) in the classic film "Casablanca": "There are many exit visas sold in this cafe, but we know you've never sold one. That is why we permit you to remain open."
Perhaps "pay for play" was part of the concept of politics as usual. Naturally, it didn't get the media coverage it might have warranted - until Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich apparently took it to extremes.
Has the Blagojevich matter done collateral damage to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had been Obama's nominee for commerce secretary?
Maybe. Richardson got the green light from Obama not only on the basis of his record, but also on the theory that the "pay for play" investigation of Richardson wasn't that big a deal and would end soon. Recently, the word came that that wasn't the case. Whether the hijinks in Illinois or new discoveries in New Mexico inspired investigators to press on, who knows?
The bottom line is, Richardson, who has had a stellar career as a diplomat and an elected official, is in trouble. Obama may have some temporary egg on his face until a new Commerce nominee is named.
And the first buzzphrase of 2009 is "Pay for play." Hopefully, the Blagojevich mess can end that practice.
In Newsweek's excellent chronicle of the 2008 presidential election, the term "pay for play" is mentioned. Essentially, it's an updated description of the old-time political backroom dealing. The magazine mentioned that Barack Obama wasn't playing in a couple of the states in which the process was known to take place.
When I read it, it reminded me of the line by Captain Renault (Claude Rains) to Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) in the classic film "Casablanca": "There are many exit visas sold in this cafe, but we know you've never sold one. That is why we permit you to remain open."
Perhaps "pay for play" was part of the concept of politics as usual. Naturally, it didn't get the media coverage it might have warranted - until Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich apparently took it to extremes.
Has the Blagojevich matter done collateral damage to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who had been Obama's nominee for commerce secretary?
Maybe. Richardson got the green light from Obama not only on the basis of his record, but also on the theory that the "pay for play" investigation of Richardson wasn't that big a deal and would end soon. Recently, the word came that that wasn't the case. Whether the hijinks in Illinois or new discoveries in New Mexico inspired investigators to press on, who knows?
The bottom line is, Richardson, who has had a stellar career as a diplomat and an elected official, is in trouble. Obama may have some temporary egg on his face until a new Commerce nominee is named.
And the first buzzphrase of 2009 is "Pay for play." Hopefully, the Blagojevich mess can end that practice.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Jan. 5: Sniglets On Protests, Senators, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Late Love 94
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Memo to local police: When one side shows up to protest the Israel-Hamas conflict, assume the other side will be there, too.
Miami police may have not anticipated that the number of people coming to Biscayne Boulevard yesterday was going to be quite so large, particularly since members of the Jewish community had a protest earlier at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.
However, they should have taken a look at what happened in Fort Lauderdale last Tuesday. When a pro-Palestinian crowd showed up, a pro-Israel crowd began to show up as well. Fort Lauderdale police handled it well, but the crowds last Tuesday were relatively small.
Yesterday was a different story. Palestinian supporters were protesting outside the headquarters of the Israeli consulate. It was announced in advance, and logic would have dictated that protesters on the beach would have come to Miami to support Israel.
They did, and as The Miami Herald and local television stations reported, things got heated:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/837802.html
As the Herald story also reported, tourists visiting the area were caught off guard.
This isn't the first time Miami police have had issues with protestors. For all the emotions yesterday, it was a lucky thing that more serious injuries and skirmishes weren't reported.
This conflict has crossed the Atlantic. More vigilance will be needed.
**********************
Some have referred to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich as Gov. Blabbermouth. A better label would be Gov. Chutzpah.
That's what he showed in appointing longtime Illinois politician Roland Burris to that vacant Senate seat. Some have said Blagojevich is being savvy in playing the race card. But he's just being racist (assuming they will seat Burris just because he's black), selfish and uncaring of the interests of his state.
Burris, who has criticized Blagojevich for previous actions, should have said "No" when he was offered the seat. He's being selfish, too - and hypocritical.
***********
For a while last week, it appeared as if common sense might prevail in New York: There was a story that Gov. David Paterson wanted to appoint a "caretaker" senator - someone who would serve until the next election, but not run for the U.S. Senate seat Hillary Clinton will vacate if she is confirmed as secretary of state. It would have avoided the pre-election politics going on in that state.
Alas, Paterson has said no, because it wouldn't allow a senator to build up seniority.
So, more political fights in New York for a couple of weeks.
Remember just a few weeks ago, when Minnesota was the looniest state in the nation because of the recount in the Al Franken-Norm Coleman Senate race?
*********************
I didn't mention Caroline Kennedy, who hasn't exactly wowed the masses with her "campaign" for that New York Senate seat......OK, now I've mentioned her.
As she's done for the last few years, she again hosted the Kennedy Center Honors (A few years ago, she replaced legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, who was sorely missed on PBS' New Year's program from Vienna this year, although Julie Andrews did a fine job as host.).
The Kennedy Center Honors is in need of some change.
Most of the giants, the immortals have already been honored (Those who picked the honorees proved they have a malicious sense of humor by picking Barbra Streisand this year, and having her a few seats down from President George W. Bush, instead of waiting for a new administration.). In recent years, in honoring favorites of the baby boomers, the selectors have made some big blunders, including not picking the great - and probably greatest - American baritone, Robert Merrill.
Meanwhile, with five people being picked each year, here's a frightening thought: Madonna as a Kennedy Center honoree. It may come sooner than you fear.
So here's a suggestion: It's time for the Kennedy Center to come up with a program that can honor people they missed (like Merrill) and people who died before the honors began in 1978, and combine it with a scholarship for promising students in the field of the posthumous honoree.
The Kennedy Center set a precedent this year with its Mark Twain Award for comedy, when George Carlin was honored posthumously (The award had been announced just before his death.). The center can go back...and forward.
************
A brief tip of the football helmet to the Miami Dolphins, who came back from the depths to have a fine season this year.
With all the attention going around, here's another tip of the helmet to Head Coach Tony Sparano, who doesn't seem to get enough credit for the team's success. He certainly deserves it.
***************************************************
Finally: Reason 498 the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was a horrible piece of legislation: The demise of Love 94.
WLVE 93.9 in Miami is owned by that bastion of democracy known as Clear Channel. Before the station started its endless repeats of five Christmas carols in early November, it was a jazz station - not perfect, but at least a solid sponsor for jazz programs in the community.
But after the holiday ended, 93.9 came back as a junk station - otherwise known as a dance music station, which we all know South Florida doesn't have enough of.
Supposedly, Love 94 is headed to something called "HD 2," which isn't available for most radio listeners, particularly those who can't afford it. So, it's effectively dead to most of us.
Wish the Telecommunications Act was, too.
Memo to local police: When one side shows up to protest the Israel-Hamas conflict, assume the other side will be there, too.
Miami police may have not anticipated that the number of people coming to Biscayne Boulevard yesterday was going to be quite so large, particularly since members of the Jewish community had a protest earlier at the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.
However, they should have taken a look at what happened in Fort Lauderdale last Tuesday. When a pro-Palestinian crowd showed up, a pro-Israel crowd began to show up as well. Fort Lauderdale police handled it well, but the crowds last Tuesday were relatively small.
Yesterday was a different story. Palestinian supporters were protesting outside the headquarters of the Israeli consulate. It was announced in advance, and logic would have dictated that protesters on the beach would have come to Miami to support Israel.
They did, and as The Miami Herald and local television stations reported, things got heated:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/837802.html
As the Herald story also reported, tourists visiting the area were caught off guard.
This isn't the first time Miami police have had issues with protestors. For all the emotions yesterday, it was a lucky thing that more serious injuries and skirmishes weren't reported.
This conflict has crossed the Atlantic. More vigilance will be needed.
**********************
Some have referred to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich as Gov. Blabbermouth. A better label would be Gov. Chutzpah.
That's what he showed in appointing longtime Illinois politician Roland Burris to that vacant Senate seat. Some have said Blagojevich is being savvy in playing the race card. But he's just being racist (assuming they will seat Burris just because he's black), selfish and uncaring of the interests of his state.
Burris, who has criticized Blagojevich for previous actions, should have said "No" when he was offered the seat. He's being selfish, too - and hypocritical.
***********
For a while last week, it appeared as if common sense might prevail in New York: There was a story that Gov. David Paterson wanted to appoint a "caretaker" senator - someone who would serve until the next election, but not run for the U.S. Senate seat Hillary Clinton will vacate if she is confirmed as secretary of state. It would have avoided the pre-election politics going on in that state.
Alas, Paterson has said no, because it wouldn't allow a senator to build up seniority.
So, more political fights in New York for a couple of weeks.
Remember just a few weeks ago, when Minnesota was the looniest state in the nation because of the recount in the Al Franken-Norm Coleman Senate race?
*********************
I didn't mention Caroline Kennedy, who hasn't exactly wowed the masses with her "campaign" for that New York Senate seat......OK, now I've mentioned her.
As she's done for the last few years, she again hosted the Kennedy Center Honors (A few years ago, she replaced legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, who was sorely missed on PBS' New Year's program from Vienna this year, although Julie Andrews did a fine job as host.).
The Kennedy Center Honors is in need of some change.
Most of the giants, the immortals have already been honored (Those who picked the honorees proved they have a malicious sense of humor by picking Barbra Streisand this year, and having her a few seats down from President George W. Bush, instead of waiting for a new administration.). In recent years, in honoring favorites of the baby boomers, the selectors have made some big blunders, including not picking the great - and probably greatest - American baritone, Robert Merrill.
Meanwhile, with five people being picked each year, here's a frightening thought: Madonna as a Kennedy Center honoree. It may come sooner than you fear.
So here's a suggestion: It's time for the Kennedy Center to come up with a program that can honor people they missed (like Merrill) and people who died before the honors began in 1978, and combine it with a scholarship for promising students in the field of the posthumous honoree.
The Kennedy Center set a precedent this year with its Mark Twain Award for comedy, when George Carlin was honored posthumously (The award had been announced just before his death.). The center can go back...and forward.
************
A brief tip of the football helmet to the Miami Dolphins, who came back from the depths to have a fine season this year.
With all the attention going around, here's another tip of the helmet to Head Coach Tony Sparano, who doesn't seem to get enough credit for the team's success. He certainly deserves it.
***************************************************
Finally: Reason 498 the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was a horrible piece of legislation: The demise of Love 94.
WLVE 93.9 in Miami is owned by that bastion of democracy known as Clear Channel. Before the station started its endless repeats of five Christmas carols in early November, it was a jazz station - not perfect, but at least a solid sponsor for jazz programs in the community.
But after the holiday ended, 93.9 came back as a junk station - otherwise known as a dance music station, which we all know South Florida doesn't have enough of.
Supposedly, Love 94 is headed to something called "HD 2," which isn't available for most radio listeners, particularly those who can't afford it. So, it's effectively dead to most of us.
Wish the Telecommunications Act was, too.
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