Nonsense in Miami Beach: Praise for water taxi but opposition to Metromover link | Opinion
Link the Beach
Much praise has been heaped on the new water taxi from Miami to Miami Beach, including endorsements by the Beach’s mayor and city officials. Meanwhile, they oppose the Metromover extension from the mainland to the Beach.
Not only would the extension connect into the Metrorail and Metromover downtown network, but most Beach residents have favored it. While some worry about the impact of more people coming over, well, they already do — by car, ride-sharing, bus, etc. I frequently take the bus to the Beach but with traffic, it takes much longer and sometimes the bus is packed.
A water taxi takes much longer and may be impacted at times by inclement weather. Establishing a rail link to the Beach should be a no-brainer. Further, because it is a county project, Miami-Dade does not need the Beach’s approval.
Beach officials should listen to their residents and get behind the idea. A rail link will make it easier for locals, tourists and business people to contribute to the Beach’s economy and appeal.
Paul E. Czekanski,
Miami
That’s Miami!
I wrote this at night, while tolerating the nonstop music from last Thursday’s Corporate Run, having endured the day with traffic disruptions and no access to Bayfront Park for the better part of a week, all of this for a one-day event that pays nothing for its use of city facilities.
Perhaps we should sue the organizers and drive them away. Next, we can move out the Heat with their 40 afternoons and nights a year of nonmoving downtown traffic.
Silly, isn’t it?
That’s what’s happening to Ultra, a world-famous music event generating millions in real dollars and free advertising. If you don’t like all the tumult, don’t live near it. Otherwise, enjoy it for what it is.
Lawrence Snetman,
Miami
Sound investment
As senior citizens who have frequently complained about waiting times at Department of Motor Vehicle offices, we had concerns when renewing our drivers’ licenses. Age limitations required us to personally appear.
We went to the Biscayne Boulevard office in North Miami. We were triaged, went through security and then helped to register at a terminal assisted by an agent. From there, we were sent to the testing station, were processed, paid our bill and were done.
The personnel we encountered were cheerful, professional and helpful at every step. The facility was clean, well lit and not too noisy. Surprisingly, it was a pleasant experience largely due to the staff. Our taxes were well spent here.
Linda and Frederic Friedman,
Miami
Avoid plastic
Miami offers its residents beautiful beaches and diverse marine life. While these resources seem abundant and accessible, they are now at the mercy of climate change. As a coastal city, Miami greatly feels the effects of rising ocean levels and temperatures and pollution, which affect marine life and its citizens in coastal communities. The effects of climate change are already being seen on a global and regional scale. About 10 million tons of plastic enter the world’s oceans annually, most from coastal communities such as Miami.
Ocean pollution is a global problem, but it especially affects coastal areas. Humans are also greatly affected by the reliance on the marine economy, coastal communities and fishing. If pollution continues increasing and no changes are made, we will lose our most valuable and abundant resource.
Reduction of single-use plastics is no longer a choice but a necessity to preserve the ocean and the resources it provides for us. Plastic food and bag products are the most common pollutants found on beaches and in waterways. Grocery stores must be called out for continuing to provide customers with plastic bags that are killing marine ecosystems.
William Stratton,
Miami
Military involvement
The April 19 Miami Herald story, “Cuban Americans support U.S. military attack on Cuba, reject economic deal, poll shows,” sends a clear message to the Trump administration: unleash American military might against the island and establish a new democratic government. According to the article, if negotiation props up a communist government, “most… would rather see no negotiation at all.” Apparently, history and current events matter little to Cuban Americans.
How is the war with Iran fairing?
The Bay of Pigs invasion by Brigade 2506, composed of Cubans from Miami, was a military action for regime change in Cuba that did not go well. It was one of the great U.S. foreign policy fiascos. The prestigious Council of Foreign Relations published an analysis of the historical event in its April 17 issue, stating that, “No Cubans came to the aid of the invasion force,” meaning the island nation’s people did not rise up against Fidel Castro as the U.S. had predicted.
In Iran, the people also have not risen against the regime as Trump had seriously expected. I would hope the administration would disregard this poll about Cuba and pursue economic negotiations first.
Why repeat the mistakes of the past?
Edward Blanco,
Cutler Bay
America’s beauty
From our earliest days as a country and a place of diverse people and ideas, these United States have aspired to “E Pluribus Unum,” or “out of many, one.”
The 250th year of our nation’s founding is a time to remember that the founders emphasized unity as vital for the new nation to survive. This enduring optimistic American ideal has at times been tested. As Martin Luther King Jr. observed, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Recently, I attended the theatrical production “A Beautiful Noise,” an autobiographical musical about singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, the son of immigrants. The play depicts his struggles with fame, depression, antisemitism, generational trauma and illness.
The performers in “A Beautiful Noise” are a diverse cast of all ages, shapes, sizes, races and ethnicities. Together, they create a “beautiful noise” emblematic of what makes America great.
Karen Adler,
Hollywood Beach
Right intentions
There are those who have formed their own opinions about what constitutes a “just war.” Most importantly, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have taken the Pope to task for questioning whether our war with Iran is just. Vance even said that the Pope is on shaky theological grounds in questioning the war’s justness.
Anyone who actually reads Catholic theology would find very specific actions which define a just war. One would probably have to conclude that — within the terms of that theology — the Iran war (as Trump has engaged us in it) does not qualify as a just war. Theology is obviously not a strong point with either Trump or Vance.
Of course, one is free to disagree with Catholic theology. But then, in effect, one should take issue with the message rather than the messenger.
Edward Mast,
Miami
Cuba polling
According to recent polls, Cubans in Miami favor military action against Cuba. When one digs into those poll numbers, it is the older Cubans — who dream of Cuba’s glory days, with fancy clubs, casinos and bustling tourism — who favor military action.
In reality, those days will never return. What we’ll get, really, is a crumbling country with terrible infrastructure and perhaps no way to rebuild it. Furthermore, no one, beyond those elder Cubans, cares about Cuba nor what happens there.
Sol Yanowitz,
Miami
Always on target
President Trump and his associates bragging about their victory in Iran reminds me of the story of the young boy who shot a bunch of arrows into a fence and then painted bullseyes around them.
Henry Marks,
West Kendall