http://www.miamiherald.com/news/opinion/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/news/opinion/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2008 MiamiHerald.com Opinion 60 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:39:51 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795328.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795328.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST For the past two years at U.S. Southern Command our approach to security cooperation with the 45 nations and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean has been simple -- ``real and vibrant partnership for the Americas.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795343.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795343.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST While Indian officials counted their dead and relatives of the Mumbai massacre victims came face to face with their life-changing sorrow, I headed for the airport in Israel at the end of a Middle East trip. Already, political and military strategists were discussing options in the wake of the killings. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795347.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/795347.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST With the financial and economic crisis, terrorist violence in Mumbai, a momentous transition in Washington and a more-subtle one occurring more slowly in Havana, it is understandable, but unfortunate, that so little attention has been focused on the electoral and political crisis in Nicaragua. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795325.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795325.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST The shortcomings of the Guantánamo detention system were on full display last week. Salim Ahmed Hamdan, Osama bin Laden's driver and sometime bodyguard, was sent home to Yemen, where he will be released within weeks. Meanwhile, 17 Chinese Muslims continue to languish in detention even though the government no longer says they are terror suspects. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795331.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795331.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST Al Burt, 81, a former Miami Herald columnist, died Saturday in Jacksonville. Usually, this space doesn't eulogize Herald employees -- but Al Burt was special. His weekly column, Around Florida, was an eloquent defense of the Sunshine state's natural beauty. Here are samples of his writings: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795336.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/795336.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST It is the task of Florida's Environmental Regulatory Commission to protect the state's ecological health by deciding what standards state regulators will use to protect the air, water and land. Today the ERC has an opportunity to improve air quality by approving new standards to control auto emissions. The standards should be adopted. For that matter, it would be irresponsible not to embrace rules that can reduce air pollution and the gases that cause global warming. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/793925.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/793925.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST LAND PRESERVED It isn't only the Everglades National Park ecosystem that needs restoration. Just as important is the water source that created the ''River of Grass.'' The Kissimmee River basin was once a contiguous natural area that served as the Everglades' headwaters. It was also prime farmland, and much of it was sliced into huge ranches. Now that science has shown the importance of the basin to the health of the Glades, efforts are being made to reclaim the land. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/793926.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/793926.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST With the exception of Tropical Storm Fay, which bounced all over the state with torrential rains, Florida has had another quiet hurricane season. That makes three years of relative calm. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/791432.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/791432.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST The revised land-purchasing deal between the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Sugar is more generous to the private partner than is generally advisable in a taxfinanced agreement. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/791841.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/791841.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:01 EST City commissioners, on the bad advice of the city attorney, agreed to cancel the mayor's race scheduled for March 10. Just like that, the commission denies voters the right to choose the city's next leader. Instead, the commission put its stamp of approval on what looks like a ''You scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours'' deal. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/790513.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/790513.html Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:01 EST When stripped of all its emotional and legal baggage, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cindy Lederman's decision Tuesday allowing a North Miami man to adopt two foster children boils down to this: She did what was best for the children. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/790520.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/790520.html Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Some months ago, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for a quick and smooth transition period to lessen the nation's exposure to a potential attack at a vulnerable moment. Alluding to the danger, he said, ''It's important for us to get as many principals in positions as rapidly as possible in a time of war.'' Apparently, President-elect Barack Obama believes it's a warning worth heeding. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/789494.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/789494.html Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:01 EST We celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2008 at a time when America's financial fortunes have seldom been worse -- yet our political fortunes are brightening as we approach the end of one presidency and the beginning of a hope-filled new administration. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/787851.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/787851.html Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Every American president is at risk of an assassination attempt. But because of the historic nature of President-elect Barack Obama's victory as the African American in that office, the risk of assassination is greater. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/730751.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/730751.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:18 EDT With 90 percent of Americans telling pollsters that the nation is heading in the wrong direction, it is no surprise that both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain have staked their presidential candidacies on the promise of delivering change. Both have qualities that qualify them to lead the country, but they differ significantly in temperament and on many issues. Even the way they have run their campaigns is indicative of their judgment, decision-making and leadership styles. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/726431.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/726431.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:00 EDT The Miami-Dade County Home Rule Charter requires the County Commission to review the charter every five years for possible revisions. This year the Charter Review Task Force delivered a raft of good proposals, which commissioners largely ignored. Only two made it to the ballot, and one got watered down. Other questions come from the commission. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/717361.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/717361.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:36 EDT When voters approved Dade County's home-rule charter more than 40 years ago, they made the property appraiser and supervisor of elections appointed positions in the interests of nonpartisanship and professionalism. And so it was until high property taxes during the recent real-estate boom prompted a call to make the appraiser elected again. On Jan. 29, voters resoundingly approved the plan. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/717380.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/717380.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:35 EDT Three candidates who are not affiliated with any party are challenging long-time incumbent Harvey Ruvin for a four-year term as clerk. Mr. Ruvin defeated David Nelson, a library director at Kendale Elementary school, in the August primary to earn a spot on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/726427.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/726427.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:01 EDT Every six years, the Broward County Commission ap points a charter-review commission to study the document that governs local government. The last few reviews have disappointed because the charter board declined to let voters decide on systemic changes. This review was no exception, and the Nov. 4 ballot contains 10 mere tweaks. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729620.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729620.html Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:03 EDT Gov. Charlie Crist did Broward residents a favor a year ago when he appointed Al Lamberti as sheriff. Mr. Lamberti's calm demeanor, 31 years of service and extensive background in law enforcement and police administration stand in sharp contrast to his predecessor, Ken Jenne, who was just released from prison. Jenne was a brilliant policy wonk and a career politician who built the agency into a public-safety empire, accreting vast power that he frittered away with corruption and greed. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729619.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729619.html Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:05 EDT Thirty-five years ago, electing the Broward clerk of the courts made some sense. The clerk then served as comptroller with auditing powers for the county. But this power was abolished in the county's adoption of a charter. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/731115.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/731115.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:34 EDT No candidate in these three judicial races got more than 50 percent of the vote in the August primary, so runoffs were scheduled for the Nov. 4 election. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/728167.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/728167.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:27 EDT Ellen Brodsky, an ardent observer of elections since the 2000 fiasco in Florida's presidential vote, deserves an ear for some of her proposals for the Broward Supervisor of Elections office. She is running against incumbent Brenda Snipes. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/731122.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/731122.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:35 EDT Two strong candidates are competing in the Nov. 4 general election to represent Broward School Board District 1 in the southeast. They are Richard Saltrick, 41, a civil engineer, and Ann Murray, 65, a manager in the board's transportation department. Mr. Saltrick eked out a 30-vote margin in the primary to replace Eleanor Sobel. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729614.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/recommendations/story/729614.html Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:04 EDT County Commissioner Lois Wexler calls herself a ''process person,'' and that's a good trait. Both as a member of the Broward School Board and now finishing her first term representing West-Central Broward on the commission, she has burrowed into the details of government. For example, she pushed for significant but not splashy measures, such as performance standards that are routine in business and other big governments. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793923.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793923.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST We are a nation with a massive pie hangover, waking up after three decades of overconsumption. The great problems facing us -- the economy and obesity -- have the same cause: lack of self-control. We're eating more calories than we burn and spending more money than we earn. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793938.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793938.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST Among the more promising candidates being bruited about for appointment to President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who some believe is on the short list for secretary of Homeland Security. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793939.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/793939.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST As we mark World AIDS Day today, it is important to note that the world has come a long way since the first HIV/AIDS case was reported almost 30 years ago, but there is a long way to go. Although great strides have been made, the virus continues to destroy millions of lives. This is especially true in the world's poorest countries, where hunger and severe poverty exacerbate HIV/AIDS. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791422.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791422.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST When Barack Obama meets Tuesday in Philadelphia with governors of both parties, an added dimension of the credit crisis and financial meltdown will come into focus. We have heard a lot about the collapse of housing prices, the threatened or actual bankruptcy of many banks and the rise in unemployment. Individuals, families and firms of all sizes have been clobbered by these events. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791409.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791409.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST At one level, it sounds like a very bad joke. In September, a safe-haven law took effect in the state of Nebraska allowing parents to leave their children at hospitals without fear of prosecution. This, as a means of saving the lives of unwanted newborns who would otherwise be left in garbage heaps and motel rooms or simply murdered outright. Nebraska was the last state in the union to pass such a law and unlike the other 49 states, it did not limit the ages of children that could be legally abandoned... http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791411.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791411.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Hear that humming sound? That's the printing presses at the U.S. Treasury running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, churning out an ocean of green paper to bail out the billionaire bankers, brokers and assorted brigands who are responsible for the economic disaster that's befallen us. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791840.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791840.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:01 EST While Congress spends -- and plans to spend -- like the proverbial drunken sailor to ''bailout'' various industries for practices that are largely their fault and the fault of those in Congress who were http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791848.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/791848.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:01 EST ''May you live in interesting times'' is supposed to be an ancient Chinese curse, but I can't find evidence that the saying is Chinese at all, much less that it's ancient. One of the earliest reliable citations seems to be a 1950 short story by the British science-fiction author Eric Frank Russell, writing under the pen name Duncan H. Munro, who quotes the imprecation and then adds: ``It isn't a curse any more. It's a blessing.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795345.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795345.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST Here in the West, our prayers are with the victims of the vicious attacks in Mumbai. The extent of the attackers' heartlessness is evidenced by the brutal assault on the Chabad of Mumbai. This place of prayer and community is a pivotal part of Mumbai's pluralistic fabric. The attack there desecrated all humanity and faiths. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793916.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793916.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST If there is anything less frightening than a cross-dressing schizophrenic carrying a fake Prada bag, I cannot fathom what it is (Police, family search for cross-dresser in South Florida, Nov. 13). But the tone of the article preys on the public's irrational fear of people with schizophrenia. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793924.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793924.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST In the Nov. 25 story Florida spends big to fight foster children's rape claims an attorney characterizes the response of Florida's Division of Risk Management as ''sluggish'' and ``inflexible.'' http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793932.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/793932.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST With improved drugs, proper care and treatment, people with HIV are living longer and stronger lives. But even with this encouraging news, a dangerous trend is emerging when it comes to an often-ignored segment of the HIV and AIDS population: youth. As we observe World AIDS Day on Monday, statistics show more Americans than ever between 13 to 24 are being affected by this deadly disease. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791415.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791415.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST My partner of 20 years and I moved from San Francisco to Miami this year. We have adjusted well to the great weather, beautiful beaches, MIMO design and Cuban food. We purchased a MIMO-style home in Miami Shores and are good neighbors to all around us. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791420.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791420.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST As a candidate, Barack Obama said that he was for hope and change. But he is showing himself to be just another capitalist. None of the things that Americans are concerned about -- the economy, healthcare, the war -- is an isolated problem, they are part of the capitalist system. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791412.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791412.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST A generation ago, Haiti exported rice, sugar and other food staples. What happened? Many readers who read the Nov. 23 story After the storm, malnutrition, probably shook their head in sorrow before writing it off as just another example of a failed state ruled by incompetent leaders. But the reality is more complicated. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791418.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/791418.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Dillard High School student Teah Wimberly, 15, is suspected of shooting her one-time best friend Amanda Collette because Amanda rejected her romantic advances. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/791186.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/791186.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:01 EST I watched a middle-aged widow lose her home recently. Her story was familiar. She owned her simple brick residence outright until four years ago, when a mortgage broker stopped by and offered her a loan too good to be true. In exchange for taking on a modest monthly payment, she could make some needed repairs and consolidate other debts. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/791191.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/791191.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Since Nov. 4, Cuba has been experiencing a bad case of the Obama Blues. The election of the United States' first African-American president was conspicuously downplayed by the Cuban media. President-elect Barack Obama's victory went unheralded in Granma, the official mouthpiece of both the government and the ruling Communist party; it was relegated to the back pages. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/788360.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/788360.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:01 EST There has been much speculation about how the Obama administration will deal with what many view as the Bush administration's harsh, abusive and illegal interrogation program. Some have called for an investigation by Congress or the Justice Department, possibly leading to criminal sanctions. Others think such investigations are infeasible or would smack of political retribution, proposing instead that a bipartisan commission look into the matter. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/788358.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/788358.html Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:01 EST History sometimes renders clear, unequivocal rulings, but the verdict it delivered Nov. 4 wasn't one of them. To be sure, a national narrative has quickly taken shape since Barack Obama's seminal victory. It is that -- as in 1932 -- the electorate has recognized an obsolete political ideology when it saw one and said ''enough.'' It follows, then, that President Obama will have a New Deal-like mandate to restore government primacy in those areas -- health care, financial markets -- where profit goals... http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/787135.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/787135.html Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Don't ask, do tell. Inform friends and family that you aren't buying gifts this year. Request that they reciprocate. Trust me, they won't be insulted. They will kiss your feet in relief and gratitude. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/786854.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/786854.html Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:01 EST We baby-booming native Detroiters grew up with a ranking system. On the playgrounds at recess, GM was No. 1, Ford was No. 2, Chrysler was No. 3, and American Motors wasn't really worth the effort it took to insult the poor kid whose dad worked there (sorry Mitt Romney). My dad worked for GM -- it all made sense to me. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/785470.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/785470.html Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Not a moment too soon, Barack Obama's economic team is taking shape. After a horrendous week on Wall Street, the leaked news of Tim Geithner's nomination as Treasury secretary sparked a wild rally on Friday; the weekend brought word that Larry Summers would take the top economic job at the White House, while Obama devoted his Saturday radio address to the promise of a large stimulus. But the new team needs to keep forging ahead. The financial hurricane has done the impossible and grown worse. Geithner... http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/782024.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/782024.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Last week, House Democrats decided which of two senior members will chair a key congressional committee during one of those rare periods when genuinely nation-changing legislation may be passed. John Dingell, who has represented metropolitan Detroit since 1955, was the longtime chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He was been challenged by the panel's second-ranking member, Henry Waxman, who is best known for exposing countless Bush administration misdeeds as chairman of the Oversight and... http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/782549.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/782549.html Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:01 EST If you're like most Americans, you probably weren't dabbing tears from your eyes while listening to the woeful pleas of Richard Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Robert Nardelli. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/771750.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/771750.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:01 EST (Previously unpublished minutes of a closed-door brainstorming session at the Republican Governors Association conference, held last week at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami.) http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/761686.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/761686.html Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:01 EST On Tuesday, more than 64 million Americans voted for a black guy with a strange name to be their next president. When he won, the world's view of our country instantly changed, and so did the way we view ourselves. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/750517.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/750517.html Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:01 EST An Election Day prayer for the Sunshine State: Dear Lord, have mercy on Florida. Please don't let it happen again here. Not that we're blaming You for the voting debacle back in 2000. You're not the one who designed the ridiculous butterfly ballots that started the whole mess. It wasn't You who put Katherine Harris in charge, and it certainly wasn't You who caused all those silly chads to hang. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/740405.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/740405.html Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:01 EDT If there were a political equivalent of the Darwin Awards, this year's winner would be Tim Mahoney, the Democratic congressman from Palm Beach Gardens. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/721475.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/721475.html Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:01 EDT Up until now, Florida's most notable contribution to the 2008 presidential selection process was euthanizing the campaign of Rudy Giuliani. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/712428.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/712428.html Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:01 EDT The collapse of Wall Street and the freeze of credit markets can be traced to one unlikely culprit: Cindy Crawford. I'm sure she didn't mean to cripple the economy. Most supermodels avoid meddling in global monetary markets, and it's unlikely that Cindy realized how much influence she commanded. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/703133.html http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/carl-hiaasen/story/703133.html Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:01 EDT The vice presidential debate is set for next Thursday, and millions of voters will be watching to see if moderator Gwen Ifill of PBS behaves herself. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/791409.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/791409.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:31 EST At one level, it sounds like a very bad joke. In September, a safe-haven law took effect in the state of Nebraska allowing parents to leave their children at hospitals without fear of prosecution. This, as a means of saving the lives of unwanted newborns who would otherwise be left in garbage heaps and motel rooms or simply murdered outright. Nebraska was the last state in the union to pass such a law and unlike the other 49 states, it did not limit the ages of children that could be legally abandoned... http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/787859.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/787859.html Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:01 EST I was crammed into a middle seat. The guy in front was practically in my lap, and I had my arms drawn in tightly as I pecked furiously on the keyboard. God glanced over. ''What are you working on?'' He asked. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/782541.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/782541.html Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:01 EST We should be ashamed of how poorly we have treated President George W. Bush. That, believe it or not, is the thesis of a bizarre opinion published the day after the election in The Wall Street Journal by one Jeffrey Scott Shapiro, described as an investigative reporter, a lawyer and a former intern for, of all people, John Kerry. It's one of two rather eye-opening Journal pieces, actually; the second, following just days later, was by a former presidential aide named Jim Towey. Under the headline... http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/777916.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/777916.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:01 EST They'll be back. Don't think for a minute that they won't. These things run in cycles, and death in politics is about as permanent as death in Marvel Comics, which is to say, not very. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/771759.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/771759.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:01 EST So it seems there's this new couple coming to town (the husband just got a job with the government). Now they are scouting schools for their children, and people are wondering whether they're going to go public or private. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/767511.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/767511.html Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:46 EST Sometimes, progress carries an asterisk. That's as good a summary as any of a sad irony from last week's historic election. You will recall one of the major storylines of that day was the fact that, in helping make Barack Obama the nation's first black president, African Americans struck a blow against a history that has taught us all too well how it feels to be demeaned and denied. Unfortunately, while they were striking that blow, some black folks chose to demean and deny someone else. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/761681.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/761681.html Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:01 EST Maybe I should revise my estimate. Lately, many people have asked me about the fate of the American newspaper in an era when circulation, advertising and staff size are all sharply down. I've told them what editors have told me: The next 18 to 24 months may well see the first major U.S. city without a daily paper. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/757179.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/leonard-pitts/story/757179.html Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:33 EST ''For the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.'' -- Michelle Obama, Feb. 18, 2008 http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/794689.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/inbox/story/794689.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:21 EST You made it through Thanksgiving dinner. No one contracted campylobacter from the turkey or E. coli from the creamed spinach. You even survived your mom's famous sweet potato casserole. But now you're eyeing the leftover stuffing in your fridge, feeling vaguely anxious. Is it safe to eat? Is anything safe to eat anymore? It can be so hard to keep up in this world of endless food scares. One minute we're alarmed by salmonella in jalapenos. Now it's melamine in milk from China. What next? http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795330.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795330.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST In his Nov. 30 column, Obama's phone calls may reveal world view, Andres Oppenheimer examines the order in which President-elect Barack Obama has telephoned foreign leaders as a way of figuring out how Obama views those countries' relative importance. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795332.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/795332.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:01 EST Re the Nov. 29 letter Bullfights in Peru, which complained that The Miami Herald put a bullfighting story on the front page: In contrast, I silently cheered while reading the Nov. 1 story about Peruvians' anti-bullfighting campaign. How refreshing to read something that put a smile on my face. http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/jim-morin/image_media/.html http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/jim-morin/image_media/.html Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:20 EST