New York Reader Befuddled Despite her efforts to understand, Miami makes no sense: Rebecca Wakefield’s story about public housing in Opa-locka (“Land Grab,” August 21) was very interesting, well written, and frightening — considering that major public funds are involved. And considering lobbyist Peter Bernal’s documented history of involvement with…
And they’re off! It may be more than a year away, but the 2004 election campaign is in full swing: swanky fundraisers, fist-pumping stump speeches, and that hallmark of American politics, the smoky backroom meeting. We’re not talking about 2004’s presidential aspirants, but instead a contest with just as much…
Of All the Gin Joints in All the Towns in All the World … … Mayor Diaz walks into ours: Good thing Rick’s Place was located in Casablanca and not Miami. Bogart’s establishment was hounded by Nazis. But in Miami, as Steven Dudley reported in “Sandwich and a Hooker” (August…
Celia: Race Does Matter Just look at the history of Cuba’s white elite: Kudos to Celeste Fraser Delgado for her article on Celia Cruz (“Over Her Dead Body,” July 24). I didn’t intend to write but was motivated to do so by the negative responses she received from Angelo Figueras…
I Will Not Be Destroyed Even though white media like you are out to get African-American men like me: I am not surprised that the white media would write a story on April 24 slamming the Miami-Dade Corrections Department’s internal-affairs bureau for alleged corruption in its investigations, then just three…
No Miracles, Just Hard Work Everyone did a great job at the NAACP event, including Rev. Willie Sims: Tristram Korten, in his column regarding the disciplinary action taken against Rev. Willie Sims of my staff (“Big Mouth, Big Trouble,” July 17), incorrectly implied that Reverend Sims was “miraculously” reinstated to…
Way to Plug Those Advertisers And congratulations on setting a new standard for insulting misogyny: A few days ago I had the misfortune to open New Times and read John Lombardi’s “High Anxiety” column headlined “Designa Vagina” (July 10). I’ve seen the ads for labial reduction placed in your paper…
If you’re trying to handicap the 2004 presidential election, forget about the marquee pundits and media analysts. Instead look to Saturday Night Live, whose writers have, if nothing else, at least managed to accurately capture the nation-at-large’s take on George W. Bush. There was the Scrabble-challenged Bush of the 2000…
Squawk: Millions for What? Parrot Jungle is just another scheme with a theme: Judging by other newspaper articles and descriptions from friends who have visited the new Parrot Jungle, Humberto Guida could not be more correct in his appraisal (“For the Birds,” July 10). I am truly sorry to learn…
“Let’s face it, 30 years ago, women didn’t think about their labias as much.” This is Dr. Sam Gershenbaum, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, whose state-of-the-art Aventura facility gleams brilliantly, like a day in Fiesole, Italy, or the engine housing of a new Maserati. Dr. Gershenbaum, in fact, is easily…
Freedom Tower: Fiction as Fact No secret deals, no hidden agendas, no disguises: After reading Kirk Nielsen’s second article on the attempt by Miami-Dade [Community] College to acquire the Freedom Tower, I feel compelled to set the record straight and provide some facts to supplement the two highly misleading pieces…
Don’t get Charlie Herman wrong. He doesn’t miss the gunfire or the backdrop of constant explosions. It’s just that after being a producer for ABC-TV’s World News Tonight in Baghdad, returning to his role as the network’s man in Miami is a bit, well, strange. Not that his prior foreign…
Political Animals I’ve Known and Loved And by the way, I’d be happy to draft a new campaign-finance law: A few comments about Brett Sokol’s “Kulchur” column on the never-ending subject of Don Peebles et al. (“Black and White and Dread All Over,” June 26). First of all, Florida desperately…
Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, or Manhattanites heading for the Hamptons, Miami Beach’s city hall also has a rhythm you can set your watch to. At some point during a lengthy Beach commission meeting, Commissioner Luis Garcia will begin bellowing epithets such as “Dictator!” and “Hugo Chavez!” at his…
Padrón: A Whistleblower’s Courage Adis Vila is a hero, not a disgruntled employee: In response to Kirk Nielsen’s story about Miami-Dade Community College president Eduardo Padrón (“Bad Man on Campus,” June 19), whistleblowers are consistently referred to as “disgruntled employees” here in Miami. Yet it takes so much courage and…
Frank Owen is on his best behavior. “I’m not getting drunk tonight,” he announces firmly, wagging a cautionary finger at Kulchur outside of the Beach’s Books & Books. The 41-year-old British author has a promotional appearance there this evening, and then it’s back to his hotel. “I’m going on CNN…
Daddy Is Right — You’re Ignorant and Uncool Potty-mouth free weekly takes it on the chin: Today, when I was in my parents’ room, I found a copy of New Times, which read on the front page: “Bitch-Slapping Whitey” (June 5). Now, being eleven years old, I know what bitch…
Tooth Fairy: We’re All Aglow Which would have been apparent with a little digging: In “Return of Three Mile Island?” (May 22), Steven Dudley’s inability to “sort out the real risks” of environmental radiation on cancer falls short of the in-depth investigative journalism one seeks in New Times. Had Mr…
Best Sincere Modesty It’s about time my magnificence was acknowledged: Thanks to all the lovely people at New Times for choosing me, Shelley Novak, just a humble actor/comedian/talk-show host/singer/psychic/feng shui advisor/megastar as “Best Drag Queen” (“Best of Miami,” May 15). I had already written my hate letter in preparation for…
Gone But Not Forgotten Thanks for remembering Norberto: I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Norberto Longo. I just came across Enrique Lopetegui’s article that was reprinted in the SF Weekly (“Longo Time Gone,” May 15). Granted I have not watched or read much Spanish-language media lately,…
Even the most elaborate battle plan should always be adapted to the “facts on the ground,” as we’ve been sagely reminded of late by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. One wishes that same proviso would be applied to the ongoing drama that still rages across the Florida Straits. At presstime, President…
Civilized, Intelligent, Thoughtful Three words not normally associated with Miami: Great story by Rebecca Wakefield regarding the debate over breaking up the school district (“Smaller Is Better,” May 8). From reading it one would almost believe we’re living in a civilized city where political leaders, journalists, and activist citizens engage…
