Santorum wows the crowd ... by gimleteye

Miami Tunnel Gets New Advertisers! ... by gimleteye

Thanks to Harry Emilio Gottlieb for pointing out the obvious: that it is only a matter of time.

Coming soon to the skies near you: drones ... by gimleteye

"Drones over U.S. get OK by Congress". The adoption of drones as a proven technology seems to be the single concrete result of military strategy and political gambling in Iraq and Afghanistan. Put another way, for all our blood and sacrifice -- incalculable at a time of economic uncertainty-- what will remain is a military technology that can be turned against US citizens at the flick of a political or law enforcement switch.

Our Congress-- the one we elect-- has buried in the FAA Reauthorization Act a measuring ordering the FAA to develop regulations for the testing and licensing of commercial drones by 2015. It is understandable why defense contractors have skin in the game, but if this measure is approved the American people might as well agree to being flayed alive as corporal punishment.

Even today, military drones are producing far more information than analysts can sift through, giving rise to whole new data mining enterprises. In civilian application, it is easy to see the next step are massive supercomputers to sort through data and, even, to make decisions on interpreting the movement of people. Hollywood was there first, and George Orwell was even earlier.

Let's say you were a campaign contributor who violated federal or state law and, as a result of a criminal proceeding, you had a chip implant with a GPS or maybe just a court order to carry your cell phone with you at all times. The drone could track your every movement in video just like the mujahadeen running through the underbrush in Kandahar province.

My advice is simple: call the White House and ask President Obama to veto the FAA Reauthorization Act until the drones provision is stripped out by Congress. 

I Support Philip Stoddard for Mayor of South Miami. By Geniusofdespair

There is a mean-spirited campaign going on in South Miami, with former Mayor Horace Feliu calling the current Mayor a liar:

Former Mayor Horace Feliu, whom Stoddard decisively defeated in 2010, wrote that Stoddard, “illicitly recruited his impressionable FIU students to work on his campaign. With an alleged wink and a nod assuring a good grade, they went knocking on the doors of unsuspecting South Miamians, innocently spreading their teacher’s lies and deceptions.”

Damn, that is mean...and also makes no sense.

I like Julio Robaina but for this election: I am going with Philip Stoddard, like I did in 2010. Julio had his stint as Mayor.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/09/2633835/mud-flies-in-south-miami-commission.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Commissioner Lynda Bell Tries an End-run on City of Homestead. By Geniusofdespair

I don't like Homestead's government much, but why did District 8 County Commissioner Lynda Bell go to Tallahassee trying to make an end-run around the local government on the CRA? She wants to change the playing field and give the County power over the CRA instead of the City. That doesn't sound like a good Republican move does it, sending power to a bigger government instead of keeping it local? The League of Cities is against it.

 First she tried with her pal Erik Fresen in the State House. That failed. Now she is working with her former foe, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla trying to get the Senate to do her bidding.

Yes I know about the corrupt CRA. I had a copy of the audit by Kathy Jackson that was done years ago and reported on it in 2010.

The reason why this deserves a report, Lynda Bell is not doing this unholy alliance with these two State Legislators for good, it is out of vindictiveness against a City Government that doesn't acknowledge her at all. This isn't her first vindictive end-run. She also did it to the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM). When she couldn't get her way with them, she created a Wetlands' Task Force to punish DERM and help Rock Mining -- her biggest contributor. Dennis Moss saw through her charade telling her not to throw DERM under the bus.

Here is the Bill she was pushing with Fresen that died and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla's bill that is still alive:

From Bangalore to Tallahassee: legislators open themselves to exposure ... by gimleteye

In The Times of India, top of the fold, front page yesterday: three top ministers of the ruling political party in Bangalore quit after TV cameras caught them in the middle of an assembly debate watching porn on their cellphones.

The editorial page had plenty to say about one minister in particular, CC Patil, minister for women and child development, "who hit the headlines earlier when he linked rape to how women dress." Patil tried to explain his porn viewing in the assembly as "research" on rape.

For reference, The Times of India had a special pull out noting the porn-viewing tendencies of Florida's own state senator Mike Bennett who not so long ago was caught by cameras "merrily feasting his eyes on the picture of several topless women posing together, in the midst of a debate on abortion."Yes, THAT Mike Bennet, whose legislative jihad destroyed growth management, first knee-capping then de-capitating the Florida Department of Community Affairs. But Bennett and his pro-porn, pro-life, pro-sprawl legislators might take heart.

One of the ministers who resigned, Laxman Savadi, had electricity cut off in his district "so that the people ... could not see the news of his viewing pornographic clips in the assembly. He also issued orders to block entry of newspapers. The orders were issued even as local TV channels were telecasting news of his actions... After power was restored late at night, the cable feed was withdrawn by the local operator. On Wednesday no newspapers of any language could reach (the district) as most bundles were booked and purchased en route." Sounds like Savadi could serve the Florida senate as special minister with portfolio. 

I Guess You Can Tell the Dems from the Pubs on the Environmental Scorecard. By Geniusofdespair

Shame on Marco Rubio!

The Florida Conservation Alliance joined the National League of Conservation Voters in released the 2011 National Environmental Scorecard for the Florida delegation in the first session of the 112th Congress. The 2011 Scorecard reflects the most anti-environmental session of the U.S. House of Representatives in history, featuring unparalleled assaults on our nation’s bedrock environmental and public health safeguards.

“We applaud those members of the Florida delegation who opposed the countless attacks on vital public health and environmental protections in 2011, such as Senator Bill Nelson, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (20th Dist.) and Rep. Kathy Castor (11th Dist.),” said FCA’s Executive Director Mary Munson. “Among proposals successfully fought off was an attempt to weaken Florida water quality standards that prevent toxic green slime in our lakes, rivers and streams.

The 2011 Scorecard includes 11 Senate votes and a record 35 House votes on issues ranging from public health protections to clean energy to land and wildlife conservation. The House votes included in the 2011 Scorecard are the most significant votes taken in a year where the House voted more than 200 times on the environment and public health. In Florida, one House member and one senator earned a perfect 100 percent score in 2011, while seven House members and one senator earned a score less than 10%.

Scores for Florida’s U.S. Representatives (by District):

1. Jeff Miller, 6%
2. Steve Southerland, 6%
3. Corrine Brown, 91%
4. Ander Crenshaw , 11%
5. Richard Nugent, 9%
6. Cliff Stearns, 11%
7. John Mica, 11%
8. Daniel Webster, 14%
9. Gus Bilirakis, 17%
10. C.W. “Bill” Young, 23%
11. Kathy Castor, 97%
12. Dennis Ross, 6%
13. Vern Buchanan, 20%
14. Connie Mack, 6%
15. Bill Posey, 6%
16. Tom Rooney, 11%
17. Frederica Wilson, 80%
18. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, 20%
19. Ted Deutch, 89%
20. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, 100%
21. Mario Diaz-Balart, 11%
22. Allen West, 11%
23. Alcee Hastings, 94%
24. Sandy Adams, 9%
25. David Rivera, 14%

Scores for Florida’s U.S. Senators:

Bill Nelson, 100%
Marco Rubio, 9%

The average House score in 2011 for Florida was 31 percent and the average Senate score was 55 percent.

The good news is that while the House voted against the environment a shocking number of times, both the U.S. Senate and the Obama administration stood fast against the vast majority of these attacks. Indeed, not only did our cornerstone environmental protections emerge from 2011 largely unscathed, the Obama administration also made major progress through administrative actions to protect our air and water.

Term Limits for County Commissioners, Let the Fun Begin! By Geniusofdespair

Vanessa Brito's "Miami Voice" is preparing for a citizen petition drive to impose two four year terms on County Commissioners. There will be no salary increase so it should pass. Vanessa Brito was the same person who ran the successful recall of County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, so she knows how to mount a petition drive.

This one is in the bag in my opinion.

Extremely India ... by gimleteye

In New Delhi at the hotel, this children's party was on par with any B'at Mitzvah or Quinceanera in Miami. Then, on the way to Jaipur where "Green Jaipur, Clean Jaipur" signs are posted; a different end of the spectrum.

A Lefty Blog. By Geniusofdespair

I don't think it will come as a surprise to most of you that we are a left leaning blog even though I am a registered Republican. We are both award-winning environmentalists well known in the State of Florida. Most environmentalists are Democrats. There are exceptions, Nathaniel Reed for one.

I have said this before but I will say it again so we are clear, this is an editorial blog not a news blog. We have opinions on most subjects although sometimes we post news or research for you to know -- without opinion.

I am telling you this because I am not going to let you trash President Obama on any of my posts (attempts have started already). Gimleteye will do what he wants. With super PACS soon in full swing, the Pubs will have enough money to get their message out. They don't need my help. I am not letting the blog trolls in. If I can get Obama one extra vote, I will be happy. So, if your comment disses my President, only I will read it and maybe that is okay with you but with so many right-leaning blogs, may I suggest you leave your comments there.

My computer is still in the shop...since Sunday.

What was the pig doing there? by gimleteye

"Miami police find 10 grenades and a pig in a home", the Miami Herald reports. "A fight between neighbors led to the discovery of 10 grenades in the bedroom of a Miami home, where police arrested a man and woman Tuesday." Drugs were discovered at the scene. "... Police also found a pig inside the home." What was the pig doing there?

Dennis Moss And Audrey Edmonson...Looking Good. By Geniusofdespair

We got some good actions by County Commissioners Dennis Moss and Audrey Edmonson because of some good reporting at Miami New Times.

I read about the grant award that Jean Monestime wanted for his landlord Yoram Izhak and thought it sounded pretty fishy. Apparently Dennis Moss thought so too. New Times reported:

At the commission's regular meeting, Commissioner Dennis Moss requested his colleagues reconsider a vote to help pay for the upgrade of Northside Shopping Center at NW 79th Street and 27th Avenue. He cited Izhak's convictions for tax evasion and attempting to board an airplane with a loaded gun. Izhak paid $75 in penalties and served probation for the crimes.

And Audrey who was sponsoring it because of Monestime's conflict of interest (his landlord), withdrew her support so the Grant died. Good. What a waste of our hard earned money.

Thank you for saving us money Dennis Moss. I am getting happier and happier with Moss and Edmonson. I attribute Edmonson's turnaround to the departure of Natacha Seijas who had her claws embedded deep into Audrey. this is not to say Moss and Edmonson are perfect but they are getting better. Moss is great on land-use issues and that is my number one issue. Audrey is changing for the better. Both of you, take Jean Monestime under your wing. He truly is going down a slippery slope. What is with District 2? Does leadership only spring from a bad gene pool?

Another Day: Waiting for my computer to get fixed. By Geniusofdespair

Was told Lynda Bell is up to no good with Erik Fresen. Something about the CRA. Can't do any research from my IPhone. Anyone got a story to report?

The non-story from yesterday about baby changing tables just turned into a story. The police union is objecting to the $45,000 price tag for these germ-laden shelves because of pay cuts. City of Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo wants them. Use your desk Frank, wrong time for this legislation.

Jaipur observations ... by gimleteye

It's a Dickensian world where the British empire collapsed half a century ago. Nothing about India resembles the way things work at home, and yet this morning with Skype on my iPhone I could talk to my son and see him, half a world away as clear as day though it was night on the east coast.

How to cut the power of Lobbyists. By Geniusofdespair

Recently out of jail, lobbyist Jack Abramoff (once with the law firm of Greenberg Traurig) offered some suggestions for curtailing lobbyist activities. I like the first one:

"Abramoff's drastic prescription for setting things straight: no campaign donations from lobbyists or anyone receiving federal contracts, term limits and a life-time lobbying ban on lawmakers and congressional staff.

Another much-needed change: Congress should widen the definition of lobbyist to include the kind of work that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich did for Freddie Mac, said Abramoff.

"Clearly people who are involved in strategic planning for lobbying campaigns, public affairs campaigns, any activity designed to impact legislation" should register as lobbyists, said Abramoff."

Actually, if the county followed Miami Beach's example, it would go a long way towards curing what ails the county. How about a reform of the county lobbyist rules in your campaign promises Mayor Gimenez? Promise to adopt the Miami Beach model.

Can someone post the Miami Beach rules on campaign contributions and disclosing compensation in comments? My computer is in the hospital. This is all I can muster on my IPhone. However, when the news of the day is whether there should be a baby changing station in the men's room at Miami City Hall - you know there isn't much going on locally.

What kind of organization is Sierra Club? ... by gimleteye

"Sierra Club is no longer a grassroots organization," December McSherry tells Politico in response to the controversy over the nation's oldest environmental group taking $26 million in money from gas interests tied to Chesapeake Energy. To others, according to former Palm Beach Post writer Bob King, it is "a symptom of what's gone wrong in recent years with the nation's largest grassroots environmental group."

Posting, from India ... by gimleteye

I am en route from Miami to New Delhi. Somewhere the ribbon of a border between Pakistan and India unspools across mountains and deserts, patrolled by American drones.


Do I want some more coffee? Tea? Chocolates? If I miss my silverware, it will be replaced by flight attendants who live in Paris suburbs. The drones, beneath the jet flight path, are operated by pilots from joyless complexes in Pensacola or Tampa.



Technology has either knocked down the barriers protecting Americans from barbarism or brought us closer. At the hotel in New Delhi, a security cordon uses mirrors to examine under the taxi and our bags are screened. No more Mumbais.

Who is Ron Book Lobbying for in 2012? By Geniusofdespair

State of Florida (alphabetical order):

   Advocate Program, The
     1901 SW First St 3rd Floor    Miami,  FL  33135

Industry Code: 624190

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Anchor Towing, Inc
     12555 Biscayne Blvd PMB 455    North Miami,  FL  33138

Industry Code: 488410

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Ashbritt
     408 S Andrews Ave Ste 103    Pompano Beach,  FL  33069

Industry Code: 562111

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Assurance Financial Partners, LLC
     2901 SW 149th Ave Ste 140    Miramar,  FL  33027

Industry Code: 561900

Effective: 01/09/2012

   AT&T
     150 S Monroe St Ste 400    Tallahassee,  FL  32301

Industry Code: 517110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   AutoNation, Inc
     450 E Las Olas Blvd 12th Floor    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 522220

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Bail Agents Independent League of Florida
     424 S Congress Ave    West Palm Beach,  FL

Industry Code: 525990

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Best Buddies International
     100 SE 2nd St Ste 2200    Miami,  FL  33131

Industry Code: 624110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Biscayne Bay Pilots
     2911 Port Blvd    Miami,  FL  33132

Industry Code: 485991

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Brevard County
     2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way C301    Viera,  FL  32940

Industry Code: 921120

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Broward County
     115 S Andrews Ave    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 921110

Effective: 01/09/2012

   Broward County Clerk of Courts
     201 SE 6th St    Ft Lauderdale,  FL  33301

Industry Code: 922110

Effective: 01/09/2012

Commissioner Barbara Jordan's Campaign Report. By Geniusofdespair

As you can see in this January 4th Eye On Miami post, Barbara Jordan voted to approve a rock mining application for 411.85 acres by Santa Fe Haciendas. Shoma Homes' Masoud Shojaee owns Santa Fe Haciendas.

Here is a portion of County Commissioner Barbara Jordan's campaign report with $2,500 coming from Shojaee a couple of months BEFORE the vote. County Commissioner Bruno Barreiro also got $2,500 from Shojaee and he voted the same way as Jordan: In Favor.

I found Jordan's donations from the Shoma Czar more egregious as she only collected $17,650 so Shoma's money was a very big chunk of her donations.

The good old days...by Geniusofdespair

Harry Emilio Gottlieb submitted this graphic. It reminded me of the good old days...when we actually had a few secrets we wanted to keep.

What is wrong with people? I have too much information on everyone.

For all you duds out there, 1984 was a cautionary book written by George Orwell, published in 1949, about giving up privacy and personal freedom for the 'collective good'. Orwell would be turning over in his grave if he saw red light cameras, and knew that people were freely supplying private details of their lives to a global database. Article from New York Times yesterday - Facebook is Using You...Another good article on 1984 + Facebook.