On April 7, 2026, the Miami Herald and other news outlets reported that President Donald Trump threatened to end Iranian civilization if Tehran did not meet a deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” adding that while he did not want it to happen, it "probably will". And, despite the two week truce, Iran should take Trump seriously. He's doing a pretty good job ending this one.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Miami Herald Endorses Eliott Rodriguez?
The Miami Herald endorsed House District 27 Democratic candidate Eliott Rodriguez over Robin Peguero. Rodriquez told Glenna Milberg, host of WPLG-10’s This Week in South Florida, his stance regarding federal immigration enforcement. Rodriguez stopped short of calling to entirely defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement but advocated for sweeping changes and severe budget oversight.
"We definitely need to take a very strong look at ICE," Rodriguez said questioning why the agency commands such a massive budget. "I would look at their budget very, very, very closely, and I would not — I don't want it to resemble anything of what it looks like now.” Doesn’t this really sidestep the central issue of ICE’s mandate and actions being played out daily causing horror and fear in many of us? He focused on its budget? Is this who we want representing us in Congress when they do not have the same disgusting and appalling reactions most of have toward ICE? Murdering and incarcerating people many without due process? If Rodriguez equivocates on this issue what will his positions be on others which Democrats, progressives, independent voters and even some Republicans see differently from conservatives? The Miami Herald endorsed Rodriguez over Robin Peguero minimizing his fifteen years of congressional experience in Washington, D.C. and his credentials. He is a Harvard lawyer. He was Chief Of Staff for Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), he was Investigative Counsel for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, he was a Communications Specialist for Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and he was a Staff Assistant for Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). He was a homicide prosecutor in Miami-Dade and a federal prosecutor. Knowing how the system works in Congress is essential for being effective and achieving your goals. Eliott Rodriguez has none of this experience and none of these skills. Don’t we want an effective Representative to speak for us and achieve our goals? And someone who’s first reaction to ICE is not about their budget but about its despicable treatment of human beings? Hard to understand the Editorial Board’s choice.
I'm back!
I have not posted here for a while but there does not seem to be anywhere to post my messages and response to what we see and feel in our world today. Not that I believe that the world is waiting for my opinion and comments but if I just sit on them it tears up my kishkas (guts). So I will post them here as a way of venting and catharsis. Cheaper than therapy. And now the the Miami Herald seems be placating the right and putting ethnicity and crowd pleasing over meritocracy they are not publishing my letters anymore so I will post them here.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Economic Suggestions In A Global Economy (8/28/20)
Economic Suggestions In A Global Economy
1) The first world nations are built out and cannot absorbadditional economic production or activity. Any future growth will come in the economic maturation of developing nations. We have moved from a growth to a maintenance economy in the first world. All governmental departments which have the opportunity to do so should be concerned with positioning our nation for a major role in stimulating and participating in the growth of the developing nations.. This cannot be left only to market forces but must become a conscious and planned action of our government not only as a participant but also as an educator and promoter of informed and purposeful economic activity. We must establish a positive global presence as sponsors of measures which will create consumers who favor us. This will include improving living and health conditions, assisting in establishing schools and stimulating economic and business activity at all levels. Using organizations like the Peace Corp and SCORE in some of these efforts might keep them apolitical while clearly branding them as American. This will also offer great opportunities for those who want to volunteer to rebuild our economy.Government and business must work to establish our place in second and third world economies so we can turn them into consumers with a pre-disposition to buy from us. Some would say that this is exploitation; others would say it is common sense and the way of the world. Help the emerging peoples to raise their standard of living; that is intrinsically good. If we reach out to them as friends, they will not forget.American businessmen and governmental planners must look ahead fifty years and begin now to carry the flag into developing second and third world areas so we get our share of these markets as they become purchasers of goods and services. The Department Of Commerce should be leading the way in our recovery, not Commerce. And the State Department should bereaching out to new college graduates who cannot find work and sending them overseas with the Peace Corp to work in second and third world nations, building human ties to future business relationships while helping those nations build their economic and human services infrastructure. Establishing a quality control and good businesses practices performance board would also assure that what we send abroad is of good quality and that we conduct our business professionally. Our current business reputation and performance around the world could be better. I met a foreign businessman who had to stop ordering from the U.S.A. because no orders came in right.Invest in American business and in the economic future of this nation.American businessmen must recognize the patriotism in this. And it must also become patriotic for all managers and workers to perform their jobs to the highest standards of efficiency, courtesy and consideration.
Educate American businessmen so they can participate in the global economy and create a positive reception for them globally.We must teach our entrepreneurs the fundamentals of business management and take aggressive action to position them and our nation to expand our immediate and future share of global markets.We must recognize that the business of this nation is business. Rather thanjust giving handouts we should be investing in business and governmental activity which will pay dividends in jobs, increase our share of global markets and broaden our tax base. We must become America, Inc.(remember Japan Inc.?) Our businesses are not competing with each other but rather with foreign businesses for world markets.
2) The Department Of Commerce must encourage and pay forthe formal study by anyone in business or who is thinking ofbeing in business in the fundamentals of accounting, finance,
marketing, business law, management, and economics.
Just because you come up with an idea or are already in business does notmean that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively and professional manage it. My four years studying Business Management at Washington University in St. Louis prepared was used effectively for thirty years in business. Similarly, a business curriculum should be developed by the government and offered to all high schools, colleges and universities. For those who complete the courses, tax credits could be given for their present or future businesses. Night school, weekend and online classes
could be offered. Advanced curricula for those already in business or
existing courses at colleges and universities should be made available with tuition and fees underwritten by the government. These courses would, for example, teach international finance and marketing or cost accounting, and build on the courses suggested above. The science of business is not intuitive; it must be learned. There is too much at stake to leave the practice of business to chance. We must up our game; others are.
Sunday, April 27, 2025
BARRY'S APHORISMS AND, OSTENSIBLY, PITHY THOUGHTS
After 86 years (01/18/1938) it seems to me that there are three important concerns in life:
Your roof, your tires and your health.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Measure twice, cut once.
Never assume anything. It makes as ASS of U and ME.
Before you leave the house, make sure you can get back in.
Nothing happens unless one person decides it should. A camel is a horse made by a committee.
The Fifth Commandment is the most important:
The Fifth Commandment, as stated in Exodus 20:12, is "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you". This commandment emphasizes the importance of respect, obedience, and care for one's parents. It's also understood as a foundation for healthy family relationships and a reflection of respect for authority in general.
If you want live like a Republican, vote Democratic.
Death Of An Icon - The Coconut Grove Playhouse as publishe May 2, 2025 in the Coconut Grove Spotlight
Death Of An Icon
A cultural tragedy of epic proportions has been playing out in the halls of Miami-Dade County government since 2006 and is about to end with the death of a once world renowned theatrical and cultural icon. The County will destroy most of the Coconut Grove Playhouse leaving a 300 theater in place of one which had 1100 seats in the main theater and 200 seats in a cabaret theater. According to records submitted to the County in 2006 the Playhouse drew about 125,000 patrons generating 40% of the economic activity in the Grove, about $25 million in 2000. Since its closing the
Grove has lost about $250-$350 million in income generated by the Playhouse. The County plan is for a self contained campus with its own shops and restaurants instead of filling those in the area. The County Plan to demolish all but the facade will cause the Playhouse to lose its listing on the Historical Register. In addition to the prestige for the County and the Playhouse which that brings, the Playhouse will lose any related funding or benefits. On April 7, 2021 the 11th District Court ruled the entire Playhouse building was historically designated, not just the facade.
The County restoration plan is not a plan for a regional theater as described by Mayor Carlos Gimenez in his letter of October 1, 2013 to the Board Of County Commissioners included by reference in its Resolution No. R-797-13 of the same date. On Page 2 the Resolution states:” Fiscal Impact/Funding Source: Funding for the eventual capital project to re-establish a regional theater “. A regional theater is a specific type of theater with clearly defined parameters as described in Wikipedia: “Regional theaters often produce new plays and challenging works that do not necessarily have the commercial appeal required of a Broadway production. Many regional theaters operate at least two stages: a main stage for shows requiring larger sets or cast, and one or more other stages (often studio theaters or black box theaters) for smaller, more experimental or avant-garde productions” The County plan does none of this.
The 2019 State Audit of Lease Agreement 4721 states, at 2, “The BusinessPlan outlines an Operation Forecast and plan for Property Management and Development. This includes a preliminary operating forecast for a regional theater…”
The Wikipedia description of a regional theater mentions musicals and Broadway bound shows; the current plan could not accommodate either, The County plan does not allow for a fully functional theater having no orchestra pit, and no wing or fly space and the stage is too small for a full performing theatrical and/or dance company. Also, it would be too small to financially support the presentation of a Broadway national touring company for which 1,000 seats would be the minimum. The County plan will not fulfill the BCC resolution requirement to re-establish a regional theater and will not restore the historic and iconic Coconut Grove Playhouse which reopened a renovated theater on January 3, 1956 with the world premier of Samuel Becket’s Waiting For Godot. staring Bert Lahr and Tom Ewell.
Sadly, a fine and conforming plan for the Playhouse restoration prepared pro bono by Miami theatrical architect Richard Heisenbottle will never be built.
For decades my wife and I were season subscribers to the Playhouse with the excellent casting and direction of Jose Ferrer and enjoying world class theater and dining on Commodore Plaza. So, come on County wrecking ball; leave us with just our memories.
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