By Sylvia Gurinsky
In 1983, the city of Miami built the James L. Knight Center and the Hyatt Regency in downtown in order to lure top conventions and speakers - even from across the bay, in Miami Beach.
That decision paid off big time last April, when President Barack Obama delivered a commencement address for Miami-Dade College graduates at the Knight Center.
In different circumstances, Obama might have delivered that speech at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which hosted three presidential nominating conventions from 1968-72. The facility originally designed by Morris Lapidus was once the gold standard. But even after a major 1980s expansion, it stopped attracting many top-drawer events.
That's why the city of Miami Beach is interested in another renovation of the convention center - with this one including a luxury hotel. The initial idea would have a new complex built on the land that currently includes the convention center, the Jackie Gleason Theater and Miami Beach City Hall.
Already, there are stirrings of concern from across a city where voters are often wary of major developments. Anything that is proposed will have to be put on the ballot.
At the very least, a new convention center/hotel complex should be of a design that complements the New World Symphony's facility across the street. Care should also be taken to pay tribute to the past of both the Convention Center and the Gleason Theater.
The best way that can be done: Make sure Beach residents are fully engaged in the process, from design to funding to voting.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
March 6: Support Daniela? Support the DREAM Act
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Darn right Daniela Pelaez should be able to stay in the United States, finish her education and do the work she wants.
So should every other young person in her shoes.
Daniela, this year's valedictorian at North Miami Senior High School, faces deportation to Colombia, from where she came at age 4, because she does not have proper papers. She dreams of going to medical school and becoming a heart surgeon.
Many are supporting her cause - including her classmates, teachers, Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and numerous local politicians.
Among those politicians are needle-threaders such as U.S. Rep. David Rivera and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, both of Miami. They support Daniela, but won't support the DREAM Act, which would let thousands like Daniela stay in this country.
Like Daniela, those thousands of others whose parents brought them from the countries where they were born have no recollection of those countries, and no memories of anything other than growing up as Americans. They are certainly not to blame for their immigration status.
In fact, also like Daniela, most of those young adults are trying to make productive lives for themselves in this country. They should have that right in every way.
Amnesty for immigrants of long standing has been supported across party lines by figures ranging from former President George W. Bush to current President Barack Obama.
Everyone who supports Daniela Pelaez should also support the DREAM Act. Rivera and Rubio, the children of immigrants, should top that list.
Darn right Daniela Pelaez should be able to stay in the United States, finish her education and do the work she wants.
So should every other young person in her shoes.
Daniela, this year's valedictorian at North Miami Senior High School, faces deportation to Colombia, from where she came at age 4, because she does not have proper papers. She dreams of going to medical school and becoming a heart surgeon.
Many are supporting her cause - including her classmates, teachers, Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and numerous local politicians.
Among those politicians are needle-threaders such as U.S. Rep. David Rivera and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, both of Miami. They support Daniela, but won't support the DREAM Act, which would let thousands like Daniela stay in this country.
Like Daniela, those thousands of others whose parents brought them from the countries where they were born have no recollection of those countries, and no memories of anything other than growing up as Americans. They are certainly not to blame for their immigration status.
In fact, also like Daniela, most of those young adults are trying to make productive lives for themselves in this country. They should have that right in every way.
Amnesty for immigrants of long standing has been supported across party lines by figures ranging from former President George W. Bush to current President Barack Obama.
Everyone who supports Daniela Pelaez should also support the DREAM Act. Rivera and Rubio, the children of immigrants, should top that list.
Monday, March 5, 2012
March 5: On Iran, Israel Can't Afford To Miss
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Even a fly in the room would likely want to escape the tension in today's meeting between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is as adamant about Israel's need to attack Iran's nuclear facilities to defend itself as Obama is about the need for more time for sanctions and diplomacy.
Israel has another factor to consider: Its chance for success.
Israel no longer has its previous reputation as the underdog country able to overcome the big armies of its neighbors. Another previous reputation for success - most notably with the July 4, 1976 rescue of airplane passengers held hostage in Entebbe Airport in Uganda - has also taken a beating in recent years.
Israel's battles with Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas in 2009 showed that the Jewish state was found wanting in the protection of its soldiers and the communications and skills of its military leadership.
What Israel has to do in Iran is much more difficult, and even tougher than its successful mission destroying a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981. It doesn't help that, unlike with the Iraq mission and others, Netanyahu and others in the Israeli government can't seem to keep their mouths shut about what they want to do.
Publicity doesn't make for successful missions. Discretion and smart decisions do. In recent years, Israel hasn't shown enough of either in its politics or its military leadership.
Israel may ultimately decide to launch a military strike on Iran. If it does, it better not miss. Doing so will be catastrophic to Israel most of all - for many reasons.
Netanyahu should try actually listening to Obama, who knows something about successful military operations.
Even a fly in the room would likely want to escape the tension in today's meeting between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is as adamant about Israel's need to attack Iran's nuclear facilities to defend itself as Obama is about the need for more time for sanctions and diplomacy.
Israel has another factor to consider: Its chance for success.
Israel no longer has its previous reputation as the underdog country able to overcome the big armies of its neighbors. Another previous reputation for success - most notably with the July 4, 1976 rescue of airplane passengers held hostage in Entebbe Airport in Uganda - has also taken a beating in recent years.
Israel's battles with Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas in 2009 showed that the Jewish state was found wanting in the protection of its soldiers and the communications and skills of its military leadership.
What Israel has to do in Iran is much more difficult, and even tougher than its successful mission destroying a nuclear reactor in Iraq in 1981. It doesn't help that, unlike with the Iraq mission and others, Netanyahu and others in the Israeli government can't seem to keep their mouths shut about what they want to do.
Publicity doesn't make for successful missions. Discretion and smart decisions do. In recent years, Israel hasn't shown enough of either in its politics or its military leadership.
Israel may ultimately decide to launch a military strike on Iran. If it does, it better not miss. Doing so will be catastrophic to Israel most of all - for many reasons.
Netanyahu should try actually listening to Obama, who knows something about successful military operations.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
March 1: Remember Tallahassee Hypocrites In November
By Sylvia Gurinsky
This is addressed to the people of Florida.
That's because it's pretty obvious - judging by this year's session of the Florida Legislature - that addressing anything to their elected representatives in Tallahassee is a futile effort.
Not only have many lawmakers tried to interfere with everything from how Floridians choose to pray - or not pray - to what happens between patients and doctors, but they're also hypocrites.
How else to explain requiring drug testing for other state employees and exempting themselves? How else to explain their criticisms and legal challenges of the health insurance plan President Barack Obama signed in 2010 - and keeping their own insurance premiums low while they let the premiums of most of their constituents skyrocket?
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2012/03/01/237661.htm
Because the legislature is having trouble coming to a budget agreement, they may be in Tallahassee beyond next week's scheduled end of the session - which means more time for them to do damage and mischief, such as gutting child care for Florida's poorest families:
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/child-care-under-fire-in-legislature/1217744
Lest we forget, there's an election this year.
If the lawmakers responsible for this hypocrisy are running for re-election, throw them out. If they're running for anything else, don't vote for them.
Don't forget, Florida. Remember in November.
This is addressed to the people of Florida.
That's because it's pretty obvious - judging by this year's session of the Florida Legislature - that addressing anything to their elected representatives in Tallahassee is a futile effort.
Not only have many lawmakers tried to interfere with everything from how Floridians choose to pray - or not pray - to what happens between patients and doctors, but they're also hypocrites.
How else to explain requiring drug testing for other state employees and exempting themselves? How else to explain their criticisms and legal challenges of the health insurance plan President Barack Obama signed in 2010 - and keeping their own insurance premiums low while they let the premiums of most of their constituents skyrocket?
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2012/03/01/237661.htm
Because the legislature is having trouble coming to a budget agreement, they may be in Tallahassee beyond next week's scheduled end of the session - which means more time for them to do damage and mischief, such as gutting child care for Florida's poorest families:
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/child-care-under-fire-in-legislature/1217744
Lest we forget, there's an election this year.
If the lawmakers responsible for this hypocrisy are running for re-election, throw them out. If they're running for anything else, don't vote for them.
Don't forget, Florida. Remember in November.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, February 14: Bureaucracy In Healthy Eating Dollars Hard To Digest
By Sylvia Gurinsky
A few days ago, first lady Michelle Obama was in South Florida celebrating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative that promotes healthy eating and lifestyles.
But the way federal money meant for healthy lifestyles has been spent is giving plenty of people indigestion.
Miami New Times has published an article and a chart detailing how federal stimulus money intended for healthy programs has been spent:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/02/obamas_stimulus_bill_brings_lo.php
From feds to county to cities, not enough has been spent on nuts and bolts - or nuts, fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods - and too much has been spent on planning and aspects that are very loosely defined as support systems.
Dollars were allocated to the Miami Police Department for training school crossing guards "to promote child physical activity by providing safe routes to and from school"; to Miami-Dade County's Parks and Recreation for accessibility to park land and street planning changes and to the city of North Miami for "Share the Road" signage, among others.
Too few dollars were allocated to farmers' markets and community gardens. New Times mentions the delays to some farmers markets.
Among those shut out entirely were Roots of the City in Overtown, which could have used the dollars to expand - and perhaps avoid the political whims of former Miami City Commissioner Richard Dunn, whose posturing caused the Roots garden to be closed for a while.
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Miami-Dade Health Department needed better organization for the allocation of money. The first key to a healthy diet is changing eating habits - which includes making healthy foods more accessible. That should have come first.
A few days ago, first lady Michelle Obama was in South Florida celebrating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move" initiative that promotes healthy eating and lifestyles.
But the way federal money meant for healthy lifestyles has been spent is giving plenty of people indigestion.
Miami New Times has published an article and a chart detailing how federal stimulus money intended for healthy programs has been spent:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/02/obamas_stimulus_bill_brings_lo.php
From feds to county to cities, not enough has been spent on nuts and bolts - or nuts, fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods - and too much has been spent on planning and aspects that are very loosely defined as support systems.
Dollars were allocated to the Miami Police Department for training school crossing guards "to promote child physical activity by providing safe routes to and from school"; to Miami-Dade County's Parks and Recreation for accessibility to park land and street planning changes and to the city of North Miami for "Share the Road" signage, among others.
Too few dollars were allocated to farmers' markets and community gardens. New Times mentions the delays to some farmers markets.
Among those shut out entirely were Roots of the City in Overtown, which could have used the dollars to expand - and perhaps avoid the political whims of former Miami City Commissioner Richard Dunn, whose posturing caused the Roots garden to be closed for a while.
Both the Centers for Disease Control and Miami-Dade Health Department needed better organization for the allocation of money. The first key to a healthy diet is changing eating habits - which includes making healthy foods more accessible. That should have come first.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday February 8, 2012: Syria Crisis Needs NATO Intervention
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Some would say that a new Cold War has developed between Russia and the West over Syria. But there's nothing remotely cold about the increasing number of casualties from the crackdowns dictator Bashar al-Assad has inflicted on the Syrian people.
Last Saturday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice reflected perfectly the world's frustration over Russia and China blocking international efforts to improve the situation in Syria. Both countries keep saying No to the UN.
That leaves NATO. Russia is a partner country to NATO, but not a member, and thus couldn't block the international organization if it decided to take action in Syria.
There's certainly precedent for NATO to act - in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s, and in Libya just last year.
The civil conflict in Syria has been going on for almost a year, and gets bloodier by the day. How many more lives will be spent before something is done?
Some would say that a new Cold War has developed between Russia and the West over Syria. But there's nothing remotely cold about the increasing number of casualties from the crackdowns dictator Bashar al-Assad has inflicted on the Syrian people.
Last Saturday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice reflected perfectly the world's frustration over Russia and China blocking international efforts to improve the situation in Syria. Both countries keep saying No to the UN.
That leaves NATO. Russia is a partner country to NATO, but not a member, and thus couldn't block the international organization if it decided to take action in Syria.
There's certainly precedent for NATO to act - in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s, and in Libya just last year.
The civil conflict in Syria has been going on for almost a year, and gets bloodier by the day. How many more lives will be spent before something is done?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday February 6: Improved Exercise & Diet the Answers In Sugar Battle
By Sylvia Gurinsky
How does this country solve its obesity/poor health crisis? Some are saying it's time to regulate sugar, much as alcohol and tobacco are regulated.
No.
The problem is not that sugar isn't regulated. Sugar was around long before Americans started having serious health problems. But fast foods and processed foods weren't around, for the most part, until the 1950s. And an increased emphasis on both is where many of the problems lie - along with a decreased emphasis for children on physical education and recess in schools.
Unfortunately, school administrators have been looking for places to cut budgets and increase student preparations for tests. Phys Ed and recess have been among the first programs cut in many places.
That means numerous children don't get the exercise they need. Combine that with the many hours kids spend in front of televisions or computer screens, and you have most of the reasons they grow up into adults who are in bad shape.
And for most adults, the lack of time is a problem. That leads to more fast food meals and frozen dinners at the expense of naturally prepared meals - and health.
Almost 60 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the organization that is known today as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. With such programs as First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign and former President Bill Clinton's efforts to get healthy foods into schools, there's no question of continued efforts to lead Americans to healthier lifestyles.
But regulation, in this case, is no answer. Sugar doesn't need to be regulated - just managed.
How does this country solve its obesity/poor health crisis? Some are saying it's time to regulate sugar, much as alcohol and tobacco are regulated.
No.
The problem is not that sugar isn't regulated. Sugar was around long before Americans started having serious health problems. But fast foods and processed foods weren't around, for the most part, until the 1950s. And an increased emphasis on both is where many of the problems lie - along with a decreased emphasis for children on physical education and recess in schools.
Unfortunately, school administrators have been looking for places to cut budgets and increase student preparations for tests. Phys Ed and recess have been among the first programs cut in many places.
That means numerous children don't get the exercise they need. Combine that with the many hours kids spend in front of televisions or computer screens, and you have most of the reasons they grow up into adults who are in bad shape.
And for most adults, the lack of time is a problem. That leads to more fast food meals and frozen dinners at the expense of naturally prepared meals - and health.
Almost 60 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the organization that is known today as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. With such programs as First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign and former President Bill Clinton's efforts to get healthy foods into schools, there's no question of continued efforts to lead Americans to healthier lifestyles.
But regulation, in this case, is no answer. Sugar doesn't need to be regulated - just managed.
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