By Sylvia Gurinsky
Welcome back, Hialeah Park.
The grand dame of Florida horseracing returned to action last Saturday, and more than 26,000 were on hand for the welcome. Hialeah Park will host quarterhorses and not the thoroughbreds that made it famous. It will also likely rely on the gambling that other pari-mutuels now have. But a fully restored Hialeah Park has a beauty other tracks can't boast and will host more family-friendly events, such as weddings, quinces and other celebrations. The park can also host outdoor concerts.
Speaking of outdoor concerts, Miami Marine Stadium once hosted plenty of them. The facility, which was built in 1964 and also hosted speedboat races and Easter sunrise services, has been closed since Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992. The stadium is structurally sound, but covered with graffiti and in need of various repairs.
Its fate rests in the hands of the City of Miami. There are obvious reasons for the city's slowness to act - the economic crisis of the late 1990s and today - and the underlying rumble that city leaders wanted to raze the Miami Modern facility and put something tall and expensive there.
New Mayor Tomas Regalado is, thankfully, not among those rumblers; he has said he wants to see Miami Marine Stadium brought back to life. So do the National Trust For Historic Preservation and the World Monuments Fund, which have helped raise money to commission an engineering study to determine the cost of renovating the facility. So do many South Floridians, ranging from singer Jimmy Buffett, who performed there, to teenagers Hannah Imberman and Kira Feldman, who have been putting together a book about the stadium called "If Seats Could Talk."
Friends of Miami Marine Stadium has the latest information and ways for the public to get involved:
http://www.marinestadium.org/index.php
With one jewel - Hialeah Park - reopened, South Florida looks forward to another jewel - Miami Marine Stadium - glistening again on Biscayne Bay.
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December 1 update: According to this morning's Miami Herald, it looks like yet another jewel - the Coconut Grove Playhouse - may have a second life, thanks to GableStage:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1359177.html
Forgive me if I still view the Playhouse's board and the Aries Development Group with some wariness. But GableStage has a great reputation in local arts. Here's hoping the organization gets to fully implement its plans for the historic playhouse.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Nov. 24: Give a Bit From That Thanksgiving Feast
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Fifty million Americans - one-sixth of this country's population - worry about being able to feed their families.
That statistic, with the terrible name "food insecurity," was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture just a week before Thanksgiving. Surely, the timing is no coincidence.
A little more than 48 hours from now, millions of Americans will be sitting down to lavish Thanksgiving meals.
It's not hard to give a thought - and some food - to those going without.
Martin Luther King Day and September 11 have already become national days of service. Thanksgiving can and should be counted as one, also.
Be thankful to those who will volunteer at food banks and community centers on Thursday (and beyond), and to those who give to ensure the operation of those facilities. And if you haven't already, please give your support.
*********************************************************************************
Sunshine Statements will return next week. Happy Thanksgiving!
Fifty million Americans - one-sixth of this country's population - worry about being able to feed their families.
That statistic, with the terrible name "food insecurity," was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture just a week before Thanksgiving. Surely, the timing is no coincidence.
A little more than 48 hours from now, millions of Americans will be sitting down to lavish Thanksgiving meals.
It's not hard to give a thought - and some food - to those going without.
Martin Luther King Day and September 11 have already become national days of service. Thanksgiving can and should be counted as one, also.
Be thankful to those who will volunteer at food banks and community centers on Thursday (and beyond), and to those who give to ensure the operation of those facilities. And if you haven't already, please give your support.
*********************************************************************************
Sunshine Statements will return next week. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nov. 19: More Proof That Prescription Drug Ads Should End
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Zetia. Vytorin. Vioxx.
All prescription drugs that were advertised on television, in newspapers and in magazines. All under scrutiny, or in the case of Vioxx, taken off the market because of problems.
All just more proof that there should not be advertisements of prescription drugs.
The drug companies, which have polluted television and print, are now trying to choke the Internet as well.
Not only should the FDA prohibit Web advertisements, it should also eliminate all other prescription drug ads.
Along with the studies on drug safety are other studies - including a new one by UCLA - that the ads do not make for more educated consumers, despite drug companies' bleats to the contrary.
The squeals that eliminating the ads would harm free speech are utter nonsense. This is a public health issue. The ads have done more to hurt consumers' health, not to mention their relationships with doctors.
To coin a phrase from former First Lady Nancy Reagan, the FDA should Just Say No to any prescription drug ads.
Zetia. Vytorin. Vioxx.
All prescription drugs that were advertised on television, in newspapers and in magazines. All under scrutiny, or in the case of Vioxx, taken off the market because of problems.
All just more proof that there should not be advertisements of prescription drugs.
The drug companies, which have polluted television and print, are now trying to choke the Internet as well.
Not only should the FDA prohibit Web advertisements, it should also eliminate all other prescription drug ads.
Along with the studies on drug safety are other studies - including a new one by UCLA - that the ads do not make for more educated consumers, despite drug companies' bleats to the contrary.
The squeals that eliminating the ads would harm free speech are utter nonsense. This is a public health issue. The ads have done more to hurt consumers' health, not to mention their relationships with doctors.
To coin a phrase from former First Lady Nancy Reagan, the FDA should Just Say No to any prescription drug ads.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Nov. 18: Would Newsweek Put Obama In Shorts On Its Cover?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is right: Newsweek's choice to put a picture of her in jogging wear on its cover was sexist. Apparently, it also violated the guidelines of Runner's World, the original publisher of the photo. And the photo was grossly taken out of its original context.
Would Newsweek put a photo of President Barack Obama in his basketball wear on its cover? Doubtful.
Would liberals who back up the magazine over the photo choice, and the showing of Palin's legs on an inside page, be singing the same tune if the face on the cover was that of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? Also doubtful.
(And by the way, Newsweek's executives are men. Tsk, tsk.)
There is a legitimate argument that Palin has tried to use feminine wiles - such as the wink in last year's vice presidential debate - to lure voters. She shouldn't. Looks won't stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb or make a decision on whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan. Looks won't create new jobs. Brains will.
Newsweek doesn't help matters by catering to that very argument. Their photo choices hurt every woman who has chosen a life in public service, and who still faces the challenge of trying to prove herself on the job.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is right: Newsweek's choice to put a picture of her in jogging wear on its cover was sexist. Apparently, it also violated the guidelines of Runner's World, the original publisher of the photo. And the photo was grossly taken out of its original context.
Would Newsweek put a photo of President Barack Obama in his basketball wear on its cover? Doubtful.
Would liberals who back up the magazine over the photo choice, and the showing of Palin's legs on an inside page, be singing the same tune if the face on the cover was that of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? Also doubtful.
(And by the way, Newsweek's executives are men. Tsk, tsk.)
There is a legitimate argument that Palin has tried to use feminine wiles - such as the wink in last year's vice presidential debate - to lure voters. She shouldn't. Looks won't stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb or make a decision on whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan. Looks won't create new jobs. Brains will.
Newsweek doesn't help matters by catering to that very argument. Their photo choices hurt every woman who has chosen a life in public service, and who still faces the challenge of trying to prove herself on the job.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Nov. 16: Corruption Cleanup Requires Engagement At All Levels
By Sylvia Gurinsky
As long as there have been elections and politicians, there has likely been political corruption. But the level can depend on how much is done not only to fight it when it happens, but to prevent it from happening in the first place.
In Florida, it's been persistent. On the heels of the recent arrests of three politicians in Broward County on corruption charges comes the resignation of one Miami city commissioner and the suspension of another. Gov. Charlie Crist is calling for a statewide grand jury to investigate political corruption and ethics issues.
Crist, incidentally, is one of a number of politicians giving back campaign donations from Broward County attorney Scott Rothstein, who is accused of running a Ponzi scheme.
At the same time, former Florida Sen. (and Gov.) Bob Graham has published a book, "America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work For You," encouraging citizens to get involved in the government process. In speaking about the book (including a recent appearance at the Miami Book Fair), Graham, whose first "workdays" were spent as a civics teacher at Cooper City High School in 1974, criticized the reduction in the number of civics classes in public schools.
Low ethics and fewer civics classes. Likely, it's not by coincidence.
Rather than appointing a grand jury on taxpayers' money to repeat what we already know, Crist should tap Graham and other respected leaders in Florida to study and report on how to avoid corruption in the future. Likely at the top of that report will be recommendations for engaging citizens in the process - starting with close attention to whom they vote for and what the ties of those candidates are.
Clean government must begin with those who build it.
As long as there have been elections and politicians, there has likely been political corruption. But the level can depend on how much is done not only to fight it when it happens, but to prevent it from happening in the first place.
In Florida, it's been persistent. On the heels of the recent arrests of three politicians in Broward County on corruption charges comes the resignation of one Miami city commissioner and the suspension of another. Gov. Charlie Crist is calling for a statewide grand jury to investigate political corruption and ethics issues.
Crist, incidentally, is one of a number of politicians giving back campaign donations from Broward County attorney Scott Rothstein, who is accused of running a Ponzi scheme.
At the same time, former Florida Sen. (and Gov.) Bob Graham has published a book, "America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work For You," encouraging citizens to get involved in the government process. In speaking about the book (including a recent appearance at the Miami Book Fair), Graham, whose first "workdays" were spent as a civics teacher at Cooper City High School in 1974, criticized the reduction in the number of civics classes in public schools.
Low ethics and fewer civics classes. Likely, it's not by coincidence.
Rather than appointing a grand jury on taxpayers' money to repeat what we already know, Crist should tap Graham and other respected leaders in Florida to study and report on how to avoid corruption in the future. Likely at the top of that report will be recommendations for engaging citizens in the process - starting with close attention to whom they vote for and what the ties of those candidates are.
Clean government must begin with those who build it.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Nov. 12: Orlando Shootings Show Folly of Reversing Gun Control Laws
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The parking lot of the Orlando building in which one person was killed and five injured last Friday is unguarded.
Not that it necessarily mattered. Even if a parking lot guard had seen Jason Rodriguez, accused of the shootings, with a weapon in his car, that guard would have had a hard time stopping him.
That's because of the ridiculous law the Florida Legislature approved and Gov. Charlie Crist signed last year, allowing guns in cars outside businesses.
Since the tragedy at Virginia Tech University more than two years ago, in which 32 students were killed, there have been 13 mass shootings in the United States, including those last week at Fort Hood and in Orlando. Between the Littleton, Colorado, shootings in 1999 and Virginia Tech, there were eight such shootings.
Meanwhile, politicians in both major parties either stay in the iron grip of the National Rifle Association and its money, or are too timid to speak out in opposition. While they stay in the NRA's grip, they loosen gun control laws and put the public more at risk.
How many more innocents will have to die before all of that is reversed?
The parking lot of the Orlando building in which one person was killed and five injured last Friday is unguarded.
Not that it necessarily mattered. Even if a parking lot guard had seen Jason Rodriguez, accused of the shootings, with a weapon in his car, that guard would have had a hard time stopping him.
That's because of the ridiculous law the Florida Legislature approved and Gov. Charlie Crist signed last year, allowing guns in cars outside businesses.
Since the tragedy at Virginia Tech University more than two years ago, in which 32 students were killed, there have been 13 mass shootings in the United States, including those last week at Fort Hood and in Orlando. Between the Littleton, Colorado, shootings in 1999 and Virginia Tech, there were eight such shootings.
Meanwhile, politicians in both major parties either stay in the iron grip of the National Rifle Association and its money, or are too timid to speak out in opposition. While they stay in the NRA's grip, they loosen gun control laws and put the public more at risk.
How many more innocents will have to die before all of that is reversed?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Nov. 9: A Lot Needs Investigating At Fort Hood
By Sylvia Gurinsky
How?
Congress will ask, and the public - particularly those who have family members at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas - has a right to know how the security system so completely broke down last Thursday.
The biggest question currently being asked is who knew that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was, at the very least, troubled, or quite possibly seeking connections to radical Muslim terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida?
The second biggest question is whether he didn't get the help or discipline he needed either because of overtaxed resources or superiors who feared being hit with accusations of discrimination.
There are other primary questions:
*If people in the area weren't supposed to have weapons, how did Hasan enter with his?
*Why did it take a civilian police officer to stop Hasan? Where were the military police?
*If military doctors are overburdened, why haven't more civilian psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers been recruited to help military members and their families deal with the stresses they face?
There were warning signs years ago about a lack of resources on the homefront. Last Thursday may have been a prime example.
For all Americans, and for the dead and injured at Fort Hood, Congress must get answers.
How?
Congress will ask, and the public - particularly those who have family members at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas - has a right to know how the security system so completely broke down last Thursday.
The biggest question currently being asked is who knew that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was, at the very least, troubled, or quite possibly seeking connections to radical Muslim terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida?
The second biggest question is whether he didn't get the help or discipline he needed either because of overtaxed resources or superiors who feared being hit with accusations of discrimination.
There are other primary questions:
*If people in the area weren't supposed to have weapons, how did Hasan enter with his?
*Why did it take a civilian police officer to stop Hasan? Where were the military police?
*If military doctors are overburdened, why haven't more civilian psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers been recruited to help military members and their families deal with the stresses they face?
There were warning signs years ago about a lack of resources on the homefront. Last Thursday may have been a prime example.
For all Americans, and for the dead and injured at Fort Hood, Congress must get answers.
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