Protesters can’t complain about overcrowded Krome and ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ | Opinion
Unhappy folks
Protesters who have been demonstrating against alleged overcrowded conditions at the Krome Detention Center are now protesting “Alligator Alcatraz,” which can relieve the conditions they complain about at Krome.
Seems some folks just can’t be satisfied.
Larry Solomon,
West Kendall
Glades gala tour
Re: the July 2 front page story, “At Alligator Alcatraz, contrasting immigration visions clash as Everglades facility opens.” Presidents or governors sometimes attend particularly important openings, such as a new bridge that unites communities or a museum.
Our president and our governor chose to celebrate the opening of a gulag.
Gray Read,
South Miami
Timely parable?
As a practicing Christian, I must speak out against the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. While I do not support illegal immigration, there is, however, a right way and a wrong way to deal with this issue.
The administration’s approach, specifically the establishment of “Alligator Alcatraz,” is the wrong way. Placing this facility in such a hostile, threatening environment makes me question where is our sense of humanity. I am particularly appalled by the sale of T-shirts labeled “Alligator Alcatraz.”
These immigrants, whether here legally or illegally, are human beings. Making light of their situation is disgusting. It is time we reread the parable of the Good Samaritan and take it to heart.
Steve A. Rawlins,
Miami
Ponzi scheme
The concept that Everglades fauna will serve as a deterrent for detainees to escape from “Alligator Alcatraz” is ridiculous. Some of these prisoners have likely crossed the Darien Gap on their way north from South America. The Gap is 60 miles of dense jungle terrain between Colombia and Panama, with truly dangerous animals and predatory bandits.
By comparison, a stroll out of the Everglades is nothing. Ask any of the indigenous people who live there. More than 14,000 pythons have been killed in Everglades hunts. No humans, so far, have been killed by snakes.
Though alligators may attack people, it’s extremely rare. Nature photographer Clyde Butcher had free swamp walk tours at his gallery in the Big Cypress Swamp. There were alligators in the swampland right next to the parking lot. My family and I went several times; even my 70-year-old mother loved it.
This Alcatraz plan seemed ill-conceived from the start. To make the facility really secure will require heavier construction. In turn, that will cause more damage to the environment, not to mention the damage created by the sewage and trash of the construction crews, 1,000 or more detainees and the corrections personnel.
Stop this government swampland scam before it’s too late.
Michael Marmesh,
Miami
Restoring greatness?
Republicans want to gut Medicaid in President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, yet last month, Trump pardoned Lawrence Duran, who in 2011 was convicted of defrauding Medicare of $205 million.
Again, Republican hypocrisy has no bounds.
Glenn Huberman,
Miami
Deep unease
When so few seem willing to shoulder the responsibility of leadership, particularly at the highest levels, it’s a troubling sign of our times. We see brilliant minds dedicating themselves to academic pursuits, dissecting history and analyzing policy, yet hesitant to translate that knowledge into tangible action through public service. There’s a disconnect between intellectual understanding and the willingness to make the sacrifices inherent in political life.
Have we become a society of takers, quick to criticize and benefit from the protections and freedoms provided by others, but reluctant to contribute our own skin to the game?
The contrast is stark between those who enjoy the comforts of intellectual life and those young men and women who, without the same level of understanding, are willing to put their lives on the line for the nation, often facing devastating consequences.
This disparity fuels a sense of frustration and resentment, perhaps explaining the rise of figures like Donald Trump, who, despite their flaws, are perceived as outsiders willing to disrupt the status quo in a system where traditional leadership seems to have faltered.
Michael de Armas,
South Miami
Protecting citizens
In American history, there have been instances in which the president believed he needed to commit troops to defend the rights of citizens. In the mid 1950s, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on integrating public schools, racist mobs prevented Black students from attending an Arkansas high school. The governor refused to enforce the law and protect students. President Eisenhower ordered federal troops to protect them.
During the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama in 1965, Gov. Wallace refused to protect demonstrators from violence. President Johnson sent federal troops to prevent further violence and protect demonstrators.
In June, President Trump federalized thousands of California National Guard soldiers and deployed Marines to Los Angeles to assist during immigration raids and the protests following the raids. California Gov. Newsom viewed this as an unlawful and unconstitutional takeover of state forces.
Trump correctly performed his Constitutionally mandated duties to protect property and stop looting, while Newsome and other Democratic governors failed to protect the rights of American citizens.
Tim Seale,
Miami
Positively medieval
By ensconcing a carceral bastion within the fragile Everglades, an imperious President Donald Trump indulges his hatred for immigrants while simultaneously displaying his indifference to exigent ecological concerns. Perhaps this abysmal place — a remote prison, surrounded by alligators and other creatures inhospitable to human beings — will be equipped with a rack, an oubliette and an ample supply of thumb screws.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis, good Catholic that he is, perhaps can be elevated to preside over a new Inquisition.
Let us go forward into the neo-feudal era, courtesy of the mad MAGA machine. What a lamentable situation.
Joe Martin,
Seattle, WA
Dissing Deen
I realize the Miami Herald often publishes items from other publications, but the July 2 Woman’s World story on Paula Deen, “We are strong — we can do anything,” was a mistake.
Deen is indeed a talented cook, once appearing multiple times on TV and still selling numerous books. However, the 2013 firestorm in the press, cancellation of TV and book contracts and all-around shunning — justified or not — for alleged racism surely deserved mention.
Joan Smith,
Palmetto Bay
Make a difference
Miami isn’t corrupt on its own, it requires corrupt people. In a corrupt government, worthwhile things rarely get done. There are certain people, however, who do step up: volunteers.
One could volunteer for a political candidate, but candidates may be flawed and corrupt. A better choice is to volunteer for something that is infallible and incorruptible: a cause.
By volunteering for a cause, one becomes its advocate, learning to navigate obstacles and seeking what elected officials are doing in support of local issues and which ones are blowing smoke (those are usually the corrupt ones). Even corrupt politicians can be pressured into action because volunteers won’t make their political life easy.
When volunteering for a cause, you meet certain individuals who are as dedicated and selfless as you. These individuals are honest, smart and have a way with people. Eventually, they step up and run for office, or you might be one of these individuals.
When enough of these candidates are elected, they replace the corrupt ones (and bye-bye Miami corruption).
Rob Piper,
Miami