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.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 31, 2012: Human Rights Court Must Hear Haiti's Victims
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Once again, Haiti's lack of understanding of the rule of law has let down its people and the course of justice.
This time, the fault lies with Investigative Magistrate Carves Jean, who recommended that former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier be tried for corruption, but not for human rights abuses that include murder and torture.
Duvalier ruled from 1971-86, when he was driven from power and into exile in France. In the wake of the chaotic aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that destroyed so much infrastructure and government in Haiti, he returned last year.
The United Nations would like to see a trial for Duvalier. But so far, there has been a disappointing silence from the United States.
While one might suppose the U.S. is interested in Haiti's self-determination on all issues, the matter of the Duvalier regime's murder and abuse of thousands of Haitians transcends that.
If anything, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should be taking the lead in calling for an international tribunal on the atrocities committed by the Duvalier regime. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights should hear this.
The victims of "Baby Doc" Duvalier's thuggery deserve their day in court.
Once again, Haiti's lack of understanding of the rule of law has let down its people and the course of justice.
This time, the fault lies with Investigative Magistrate Carves Jean, who recommended that former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier be tried for corruption, but not for human rights abuses that include murder and torture.
Duvalier ruled from 1971-86, when he was driven from power and into exile in France. In the wake of the chaotic aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that destroyed so much infrastructure and government in Haiti, he returned last year.
The United Nations would like to see a trial for Duvalier. But so far, there has been a disappointing silence from the United States.
While one might suppose the U.S. is interested in Haiti's self-determination on all issues, the matter of the Duvalier regime's murder and abuse of thousands of Haitians transcends that.
If anything, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should be taking the lead in calling for an international tribunal on the atrocities committed by the Duvalier regime. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights should hear this.
The victims of "Baby Doc" Duvalier's thuggery deserve their day in court.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday January 16, 2012: Occupy Folks Should Learn From Dr. King
By Sylvia Gurinsky
They've proved the first points by staying.
Now, the people representing the Occupy movement should try moving - specifically, marching.
All over the country, state legislatures are making moves that could be good - or not - for job and economic situations. That means the people's voice should be heard.
The Florida Legislature can hear those people more clearly if they're standing in front of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee, rather than sitting inside the tents next to the Miami-Dade County Government Center in Downtown Miami.
If the goal is to communicate the need for more jobs, for a more even playing field for American workers, for better opportunities and so forth, it's time to do so at the state level.
It's also time to do so by registering to vote - and by registering to run for office.
Today, the United States honors a man who was instrumental in encouraging both - marches and involvement in the political process - as ways Americans should use to make themselves heard.
"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy," Dr. Martin Luther King said in that famous August, 1963 speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Get out of those tents. Get involved.
They've proved the first points by staying.
Now, the people representing the Occupy movement should try moving - specifically, marching.
All over the country, state legislatures are making moves that could be good - or not - for job and economic situations. That means the people's voice should be heard.
The Florida Legislature can hear those people more clearly if they're standing in front of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee, rather than sitting inside the tents next to the Miami-Dade County Government Center in Downtown Miami.
If the goal is to communicate the need for more jobs, for a more even playing field for American workers, for better opportunities and so forth, it's time to do so at the state level.
It's also time to do so by registering to vote - and by registering to run for office.
Today, the United States honors a man who was instrumental in encouraging both - marches and involvement in the political process - as ways Americans should use to make themselves heard.
"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy," Dr. Martin Luther King said in that famous August, 1963 speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Get out of those tents. Get involved.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday January 10: Get Wise To Florida Legislature's Redistricting Games
By Sylvia Gurinsky
This was a bad time for a recall of Excedrin and Gas-X: The start of the Florida Legislature's 2012 session.
No doubt the Tallahassee gang will cause plenty of headaches and heartburn during the next two months - starting with redistricting.
Lawmakers are already trying to figure out how to get around the will of voters. In 2010, Floridians, of course, decided that the redistricting process should be de-politicized as much as possible, and that districts should be drawn without favor to political parties. It's already led to some pathetic scenes - doubtless the most pathetic being efforts by Republicans to give a "safe seat" to U.S. Rep. Allen West, who doesn't even live in the district he represents now.
Equally pathetic are the various paths Florida residents have to travel in cyberspace to access the proposed maps. The main website is http://www.floridaredistricting.org/ . Once you get there, see if it's possible to find the proposed redistricting maps in less than three steps. You already know the answer.
The real answer is that you have to go to the Florida House website at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Redistricting/Redistricting2012.aspx
and click on the "Bills" section to see proposed maps.
Then go to the "Representatives" section at the top of the page, find your representative and make your voice heard on redistricting.
Because if that's what it takes simply to view a map, think of what the legislature is doing to mess with what the voters asked for in November, 2010.
This was a bad time for a recall of Excedrin and Gas-X: The start of the Florida Legislature's 2012 session.
No doubt the Tallahassee gang will cause plenty of headaches and heartburn during the next two months - starting with redistricting.
Lawmakers are already trying to figure out how to get around the will of voters. In 2010, Floridians, of course, decided that the redistricting process should be de-politicized as much as possible, and that districts should be drawn without favor to political parties. It's already led to some pathetic scenes - doubtless the most pathetic being efforts by Republicans to give a "safe seat" to U.S. Rep. Allen West, who doesn't even live in the district he represents now.
Equally pathetic are the various paths Florida residents have to travel in cyberspace to access the proposed maps. The main website is http://www.floridaredistricting.org/ . Once you get there, see if it's possible to find the proposed redistricting maps in less than three steps. You already know the answer.
The real answer is that you have to go to the Florida House website at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Redistricting/Redistricting2012.aspx
and click on the "Bills" section to see proposed maps.
Then go to the "Representatives" section at the top of the page, find your representative and make your voice heard on redistricting.
Because if that's what it takes simply to view a map, think of what the legislature is doing to mess with what the voters asked for in November, 2010.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday January 5: Israel's Wake-Up Call
By Sylvia Gurinsky
The 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin didn't do it. But perhaps the harassment of an 8-year-old girl - and of various girls and women - has given Israel its wake-up call about the dangers of its extremists - and the complicity of its government in letting this behavior go on.
The level of observance of the thugs responsible for harassment, segregation of women on buses and other wrongdoings is less important than the fact that they're not acting like Jews at all. There is no derech eretz in their behavior.
There's only hypocrisy in the behavior of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Many will never forget the anger of Leah Rabin at Netanyahu for his role in encouraging the atmosphere that led to her husband's murder. This time, in order to keep his seat, Netanyahu has made numerous deals with the devils - the right-wing parties - and allowed them to skip responsibilities to pay taxes, serve in the army and take on many other duties of being an Israeli citizen. Numerous people supported by those parties don't even believe in a state of Israel, and providing any government financial support to them makes no sense.
The Israeli Knesset should end such subsidies and start a true government reform process so prime ministers won't be held hostage by fringe parties.
Other political leaders have simply used the harassment issue for their own gain - most notably former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who blew chances last fall to be on the correct side of the economic inequality protests and the release of Gilad Shalit. She doesn't come off as a true believer, only an opportunistic one.
It's ridiculous that a country whose third prime minister was a woman (Golda Meir) should have moved so far backwards in the 38 years since her tenure ended.
Meir once said, "Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse."
Many Israeli men and women have shown the better with their courage in fighting the extremists. It's up to them to lead their elected government to do the same.
The 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin didn't do it. But perhaps the harassment of an 8-year-old girl - and of various girls and women - has given Israel its wake-up call about the dangers of its extremists - and the complicity of its government in letting this behavior go on.
The level of observance of the thugs responsible for harassment, segregation of women on buses and other wrongdoings is less important than the fact that they're not acting like Jews at all. There is no derech eretz in their behavior.
There's only hypocrisy in the behavior of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Many will never forget the anger of Leah Rabin at Netanyahu for his role in encouraging the atmosphere that led to her husband's murder. This time, in order to keep his seat, Netanyahu has made numerous deals with the devils - the right-wing parties - and allowed them to skip responsibilities to pay taxes, serve in the army and take on many other duties of being an Israeli citizen. Numerous people supported by those parties don't even believe in a state of Israel, and providing any government financial support to them makes no sense.
The Israeli Knesset should end such subsidies and start a true government reform process so prime ministers won't be held hostage by fringe parties.
Other political leaders have simply used the harassment issue for their own gain - most notably former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who blew chances last fall to be on the correct side of the economic inequality protests and the release of Gilad Shalit. She doesn't come off as a true believer, only an opportunistic one.
It's ridiculous that a country whose third prime minister was a woman (Golda Meir) should have moved so far backwards in the 38 years since her tenure ended.
Meir once said, "Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse."
Many Israeli men and women have shown the better with their courage in fighting the extremists. It's up to them to lead their elected government to do the same.
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