I have been staying out of the controversy of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz' recent autobiography; a spin job according to those with the time and interest to read it.
I haven't read the Diaz book, because I was never a supporter of the former Miami mayor. As a civic activist who paid attention to the massive damage Diaz helped proliferate through the housing and building boom, I am disinclined to what I believe to be a self-serving effort to re-write history: approximately the point of reviews.
I am a left-leaning, liberal voice who has never shied from leveling broadsides against Democrats. Yes, the Democrats can win in Florida by running an Hispanic candidate. Manny Diaz is the wrong candidate to raise the flag for the Dems.
Like many other politicians of the 2000's, Diaz coasted on the fuel then the fumes of the building boom. He was like a Marlin's hitter who raced to third base, celebrating a triple when he hit a pop fly. To the extent that the city of Miami contributed to massive -- multi-billion dollar! -- infrastructure deficits that are now plaguing the county, Diaz was right in the middle of the mess. Taxpayers and voters will have something to say about a Diaz primary campaign.
Diaz and his consultants may be counting on the mainstream press to stay to the glossy top stuff, reinforced by "a book": Cuban American makes good. But the opposition reads this blog, and Eye on Miami will have more ... and our readers, more still ... to say.
I haven't read the Diaz book, because I was never a supporter of the former Miami mayor. As a civic activist who paid attention to the massive damage Diaz helped proliferate through the housing and building boom, I am disinclined to what I believe to be a self-serving effort to re-write history: approximately the point of reviews.
I am a left-leaning, liberal voice who has never shied from leveling broadsides against Democrats. Yes, the Democrats can win in Florida by running an Hispanic candidate. Manny Diaz is the wrong candidate to raise the flag for the Dems.
Like many other politicians of the 2000's, Diaz coasted on the fuel then the fumes of the building boom. He was like a Marlin's hitter who raced to third base, celebrating a triple when he hit a pop fly. To the extent that the city of Miami contributed to massive -- multi-billion dollar! -- infrastructure deficits that are now plaguing the county, Diaz was right in the middle of the mess. Taxpayers and voters will have something to say about a Diaz primary campaign.
Diaz and his consultants may be counting on the mainstream press to stay to the glossy top stuff, reinforced by "a book": Cuban American makes good. But the opposition reads this blog, and Eye on Miami will have more ... and our readers, more still ... to say.
14 comments:
What's the deal with India? Getting kind of old.
Miami New Times's Frank Alvarado wrote a well researched piece refuting Manny Diaz's self-serving puff piece rewriting history book. The review is available online. Manny Diaz was horrible for Miami and he would be horrible for Florida. Diaz should be happy with his six figure pension taken from the taxpayers of Miami.
Manny Diaz and recalled Mayor (the bodybuilder) Carlos Alvarez are responsible for the $3+ BILLION Marlins "deal". Two mental lightweights screwed us.
Compared to Miami, India is kind of old. But the post was about a Democrat. So no apologies for the image.
Wow, I am shocked that one can have an opinion about a book without reading it.
Frank Alvarado's hit piece was filled with lies itself such that Joe Arriola got the New Times to publish a correction!
Plus, I know that Charlie Crist and Rick Scott really understand the civic activist's plight.
Anyone wonder how Manny Diaz could write a biography and leave out the Marlins "deal"? Perhaps Manny did not want to explain how he prevented a public referendum? Perhaps Manny did not want to explain how the taxpayers are paying over 99% of the cost of the stadium and garage and the Marlins will pay less than 1%? (Cannot leave out interest costs.) Oh, how about those Marlins getting 100% of all revenues?
I haven't read the book, but I have an opinion on it.
Classy!
Seriously? Usually I enjoy your articles. . . but how can one have an opinion on a book that they have not read? I might expect that from an 8th grader trying to pass a test, but from you? Shame on you, Mr. EOM.
Do people have to read a fake book written by a former Manny Diaz pr guy? Isn't that like eating a Twinkie for the nutritional value?
I agree with Manny Diaz wasn't a saint, but compared with what we have right now, I prefer him!, I don't like politicians like a gift ( Regalados)
Please!, We don't need a book writer, we don't need a body builder neither, Just somebody we can trust!,
We need a real POLITICIAN!!, who play the game for us!
Maybe somebody like Francis Suarez
Mr. Alvarado’s “review” is based on the premise that if you disagree with him, then you must be a liar. Nowhere does Mr. Alvarado make any factual assertions to contradict any of the facts in the book. This is perhaps because he did not read it in full, a practice that seems all too commonplace. When attacking someone, why read what he has to say?
Alvarado accuses Diaz of not covering topics that Alvarado is interested in, so this transgression makes Diaz a liar. This accusatory practice is alive and well in totalitarian regimes, the Republican Party, and now the New Times.
By all accounts, Diaz was a successful mayor and has become the object of national acclaim. This makes him a target of lesser men. It is nothing new for the unsuccessful to attack those who succeed; jealousy is a bad thing. Perhaps Mr. Alvarado should ask why he was not invited to interview Mr. Tom Wolfe? Or why the current mayor (also a purported journalist) was not given that honor?
The reason Manny Diaz interviewed Tom Wolfe had absolutely nothing to do with journalism. Diaz interviewed Wolfe because they knew each other. Diaz met Wolfe through his $350,000+ per year former Police Chief, John Timoney. Diaz hired Timoney and then Timoney got caught driving a Lexus SUV given him for patronage. Timoney also got caught cussing out several little old lady protesters in downtown Miami. Timoney eventually quit as Police Chief ahead of being fired. Another ethics challenged executive in the Diaz Administration...
Isn't Manny Diaz dishonest for writing a white washed Bio? Diaz left out his decision to give over $3 Bil to the Marlins, for example. Diaz did not discuss the many incompetent and corrupt managers in his administration. Diaz did not discuss his using taxpayer money to pay for 3-4 personal publicists. Daily Press Releases praising Diaz for one manufactured ribbon cutting ceremony after another. All show...no substance.
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