I have heard of the ridiculous, the inane, and the asinine; however, the rich English language needs another adjective to adequately describe the folly that is the Water Taxi ("Bekoff's Bounty," Emily Bliss, December 21). In Spanish, at least you can add "-isimo." So, perhaps the proposed water-taxi subsidy may be lovingly referred to as the most "ridiculous-isimo" waste of the hard-earned taxpayer dollars in one heck of a long time; it would seem to make the absurd "bullet train" seem normal, logical, and rational.
The statement that claims "as many as 14,000 who work along the beach will use his boats" is totally, totally beyond the bounds of sanity. Where do they dream up these figures? But I would guess it's my problem, as I am thinking rationally. Billions for a "bullet train," millions for a "water taxi." That doesn't leave much money for the only logical way to solve the traffic problem along Fort Lauderdale's beach during the tourist season: transporters. Yes, Starfleet has some newly renovated transporters that Broward County can purchase and use to minimize rush-hour traffic.
Don't laugh! I wasn't the one who obtained millions of dollars of government funds (your hard-earned money) for this half-baked water-taxi idea. If we can subsidize water taxis, we can also subsidize transporters! If Mr. Spock were here, he would readily affirm that my suggestion is highly logical.
Fred Bluestone
Lauderhill
Tarpon Bend messed with the wrong Monkeys:
Just wanted to say thanks. I play bass in the Trash Monkeys, and you hit the nail on the head with your story about the City Link Music Fest (Bandwidth, December 21). I'm still trying to figure out why the management at Tarpon Bend (more like Bend Over) even agreed to participate in the event in the first place. The "atmosphere" there felt like a Young Republicans rally, and the management went out of its way to make us feel like pariahs. Oh well, at least now I know where to go next time I have an insatiable desire to be surrounded by drones watching PGA Tour highlights and eating glorified Denny's entrées.
George Kelley
via the Internet
That's one lucky baobab:
I loved reading your story about this beautiful tree ("Deep Roots," Afefe L. Tyehimba, December 21). Growing up in Hollywood, I always admired the baobab trees in Young Circle, a fitting place for such unusual trees. There is another one not too far away, though. Along Federal Highway in Dania Beach at New Griffin Road and the railroad tracks, a baobab survives. This particular tree was once on the east side of Federal and had a very old house next to it. I suppose the owner of the home planted it many years ago.
When the Fort Lauderdale airport expanded and Federal Highway was relocated to the east, the house was bulldozed, but not the tree (thank God). It now stands on the west side of the highway next to the railroad -- which also somehow spared this wonderful tree.
Thanks again for an interesting and informative article.
Clive Taylor
Hollywood
Another tree hugger speaks:
I visited southern Africa a few months back and saw one of those baobab trees. I could never imagine it could be found here in the United States. That tree's trunk was the size of two luxury sedans. I've seen lots of things, but this tree I will always remember. Great article!
Cary Felton
Pembroke Pines
