Monday, January 14, 2008

"Demonstrated competence", the last refuge of scoundrels by gimleteye

There is a particularly awful letter in the LTE section of today's Miami Herald, from the PR flak Seth Gordon, business spin master and professional meddler. Mr. Gordon's letter represents the argument of last resort for special interests: "smart people are often wrong when they stray outside their areas of demonstrated competence."

This is the argument that the Associated Industries and Chamber of Commerce will wage against Florida Hometown Democracy: that land use planning requires special "competence" and that the public cannot make such difficult choices. The argument, which pushes common sense into the remainder bin, is the last refuge of scoundrels.

The immediate example of Gordon's letter is to attack Norman Braman, who is spending his own money to oppose the massive infrastructure plan, almost $3 billion, to expand the downtown CRA's in order to fund all manner of expensive infrastructure projects that could otherwise not be funded.

The letter points to the second article in a 4 part series (called "The Megaplan for Miami" that began Sunday) which can be found on A1 of the Miami Herald today "A Path to Possibilities", by Michael Vasquez. What is lacking in Miami's grand plan is common sense. Does Gordon really believe that it takes special competence to evaluate the idiocy that is about to unfold, again, in downtown Miami? It's pure BS.

The Vasquez piece is frustrating on a couple of key points, that don't take a Ph.D. to understand, or any other form of special competence.

Now that the widening of Biscayne Boulevard from downtown to the Performing Arts Center is almost complete, the answer to the question is becoming clear: what pedestrian is going to walk across the six or is it eight lanes from their 30 story condo tower, to the Museum or park? None.

And if you don't walk, how are you going to get there? Where are you going to park? And once you get there, what will the atmosphere be?

The problem with Bicentennial Park has always been access. The fact that city planners and decision makers failed to put access as the first priority instead of the last doesn't require special competence, as Gordon claims, to realize.

In the Herald series, a map of pedestrian flow for downtown and the billions of dollars of construction now in the ground and planned, would serve a public purpose (dontcha think, Miami Herald?).

It's too bad, also, that the article doesn't quote another critic of the plan who is putting his money where his mouth is: Marty Margulies, the developer and art collector.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is my understanding that if Seth is for an issue then it is probably beneficial to his clients, pals and his monthly PR retainers and most likely against the better good of our community!

Geniusofdespair said...

Seth Gordon is not a registered lobbyist for anyone with the city of miami in 2007 or 2008. He is NOT registered in the county for anything. Maybe he is trying to pick up work or he has not registered for 2008 yet. Maybe someone else in his office is doing the lobbying??

Steve ("Klotz" As In "Blood") said...

I read that letter on the throne this morning not knowing anything about its author until this moment, reading this post. I was appalled then, I'm incredulous now. What a slipshod, ad hominem, and churlish generality; the work of a surly adolescent sulking at a put-down. A professional lobbyist should behave better.

The plan the author condemns stands or falls on its own merits, subject to debate and analysis, independent of its advocates and detractors. Duh. Leave the character assassination to the experts in the playground.

Geniusofdespair said...

His firm does indeed list the Florida Marlins on their website as a client.

The Herald should have disclosed that as we all know seth is a lobbyist and the herald knows it too.

http://www.gordonreyes.com/clients.cfm

Anonymous said...

the fact remains. Brahman is out of his 'area of expertise'and frankly, as I've said before on this blog... if he wants to get engaged, why doesn't he weigh in on something more meaningful than an ego twist he's has with someone involved at a high level. He is SO concerned for our community, why doesn't he state his case against the myriad of questionable happenings thoughout this county? throwing money around is tacky.

Anonymous said...

by the way, I'm sure you mean Fla Chamber, not Greater Miami Chamber, yes?

Anonymous said...

PR flak Seth Gordon, business spin master and professional meddler.....

very funny and oh so accurate...

Anonymous said...

Sorry Gimleteye...not correct. The blvd. is getting realigned. There are no additional lanes planned. They are, in fact, adding a tree lined median. It will be much more pedestrian friendly.

out of sight said...

My kid actually went to Bicentennial this past weekend to watch rugby.. He loved it. Good thing he didn't want to play soccer, the field will be buried under the other new much needed Cuban Museum. I wonder if the lobby is soccer field size?

Geniusofdespair said...

There are two separate parcels. One on the waterfront of the AA arena. That is where they want to put the Bay of Pigs museum. Bicentennial proper, where you probably went for the game, is where the art museum and the science museum want to be relocated (along the North end of the park...near the overpass.)

out of sight said...

The museums can't keep staff.... at least MAM has a high turn-over in development staff. I wonder why?

I don't know if this county has enough Angels to keep rescuing our Arts Organizations.

I would rather see some lovely green space and children running around playing soccer,football and flying kites.

Anonymous said...

Seth Gordon should go back to what he knows best...killing his first wife...

Anonymous said...

Seth Gordon never opens his mouth unless he is being paid. Pay Seth Gordon and he will flack for Bin Laden. Pay him and he will promote child molesters.