On our return flight through Dallas to Fort Lauderdale, a middle-aged gentleman and his wife in front of us at the security gate had a three-inch pocket knife and was allowed to take it onboard. It seems the guards did not feel that he was a threat to anything or anyone. They were Anglo-American. Both my wife, who is an Anglo-American, and I, a Cuban-American, agree that if I had brought that weapon on board, we would have been stopped and searched incessantly.
We are in the process of contacting the Las Vegas authorities and informing them of this issue. It just seems that the law is for some and not for others. Ever since the 9/11 madness, this country has not been the same, and it seems it never will be.
Gilbert Borrero
via the Internet
... or a cop: In "Security Collars," Chuck Strouse misquoted me. Never did I say that if the law is broken at the airport, the deputy gives the suspect a notice and he goes to jail. What I did say was that the deputy gives the suspect a notice ("Notice to Appear") OR he goes to jail.
Hugh Graf, Public Information Officer
Broward Sheriff's Office
Where's Nina? I just finished Ashley Fantz's wonderful June 20 article on the Broward art scene, "A Crying Shame." The piece and the situation with LaLush Gallery really stuck a chord in me, and I'd be interested to connect with Nina Arias to discuss ideas.
Leslie Logemann
via the Internet
Recovering from the blow: Indeed, the loss of not one but three well-defined art galleries (Gallery Yes!, LaLush, and Skot Forman Fine Art Ltd.) is a serious blow to the collective good and the local arts community in particular. The real crying shame is that truly groundbreaking new art seems to become superfluous at the very time it is often needed most -- during periods of social uncertainty, upheaval, and public anxiety -- and we fall back on familiar if mundane patterns of thinking and acting. If art or at least the art marketplace reflects the culture, sadly we are too busy to be bothered to care. At some point in the not-too-distant future, these galleries will be truly missed.
Terry Kost, Owner RaZoo Gallery
Fort Lauderdale
Dump Griffin: I read Bob Norman's June 20 column on the Swerdlow/Griffin alliance, "Swimming in Trouble." Is it possible in this day and age that the mayor of an American city can get away with such blatant manipulative actions for personal gain?
I am a resident of Pompano Beach, and I ask at this writing, what kind of action we, as citizens, can take to see that this in-your-face attitude by Mayor Griffin be halted? He is proposing the most complicated, confusing, Mickey Mouse deal ever concocted, all for personal gain. How can he be ousted?
Charles Grisafi
via the Internet
Worship Norman: Were it not for news reporters such as Bob Norman, residents of the City of Pompano Beach wouldn't know how screwed up the city really is.
I too am very unhappy about this ridiculous development they're perpetrating for the beach. The rest of the county is buying up green space, while the City of Pompano Beach is selling it off. I want to see something happen that's good for the area. Early plans for high density for the beach area where the Swimming Hall of Fame is planned were scoffed at by city officials.
With the new information Norman has gathered on Griffin, I'm curious as to why the State Attorney's Office isn't investigating this. Thank you again for exposing Griffin for what he is.
Ted Vitale
via the Internet
Hooray for Hollywood... but a Bronx cheer for the historic preservation authorities: Jeff Stratton's recent article about historic homes ("There Goes the Neighborhood," June 13) was terrific and timely to issues in the historic district of Hollywood. Unfortunately, on June 19, 2002, the Hollywood City Commission decided to overturn a decision of the Historic Preservation Board. There were articles in the Sun-Sentinel and the Herald about this matter. However, they chose to turn the issue into a conflict of interest on the part of the chairman of the board rather than recognizing the significance of our historic district.
The need for an ethics ordinance in Hollywood is another important issue but clearly not a reason to disregard historic preservation. Is it possible New Times could do a part 2 to "There Goes the Neighborhood" focusing on Hollywood?
Marla Dumas
via the Internet
Give Dubya a chance... though we must admit he's not giving peace one: Compliments to Bob Norman on an interesting article about terrorism and the airline industry ("Circular Logic," June 13). He clearly mentioned Bill Clinton's sweeping orders to improve air security but omitted the equally important fact that Clinton was ultimately "accountable" for the failure to follow orders. Clinton declined the opportunity, several times, to take bin Laden into custody.
Give George Bush a little time. Only nine months have passed, reorganization is planned, and the $63 million for lobbying will not go unnoticed. It would have paid for lots of security. The money we paid after 9/11 was to keep the country from falling on its face. Let's have faith and look at the new plans with enthusiasm as a united America.
John Merli
via the Internet
The other George... he replaced the now-defunct Wack-o: I received a copy of Peter Kerr-Jarrett's well-written and -researched May 23 article on the Wackenhut Corp., "A Family Affair." He missed a major event in the history of the company.
About 30 years ago, the corporation was indicted in New York City by the district attorney on various counts. During that time period, George Wackenhut did not travel to that city. I was the only officer of the corporation outside of Florida and thus stood before the "bar of justice" in place of George. I have a most interesting story and even held George up in planning a secondary offering of his stock in that time period.
Coulby Gunther
Gulf Stream
Cox suckers..?! Clever, Alan, real clever: Rebecca Wakefield's May 16 story, "The Battle for Bach," is really about the battle for money. Classical music radio simply does not make it. Nor does local-issues talk. It's too expensive to produce. WLRN-FM (93.1) should not be bullied by people who did not support WTMI-FM (93.1). However, on Easter and Christmas, broadcasting Handel's Messiah would not hurt. As for WPYM-FM (Party 93), even I listen while changing audiobook tapes. The only thing I truly resent about the change is that at the time of changeover, WPYM broadcast "Shut the fuck up and dance... hey yo! Shut the fuck up and dance." Was this a slap in the face to WTMI fans? Cox Radio is sucking up to a younger generation. That's where the money is. Perhaps that makes Cox Radio "Cox suckers!"
Alan Rigerman
Palm Springs North
