tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102266692024-03-13T05:17:10.981-04:00ABAUM'S WORLDBecome one with my mind.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-34441555392322315992022-07-31T15:33:00.000-04:002022-07-31T15:33:24.548-04:00<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">ELECTION 2022 VOTER'S GUIDE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC <u>PRIMARY IN MIAMI DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA</u></span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK7gqv-V8D8Onf_beqKOUTo1Ezbsw0UbiBptrueBiLZqp4-SHv-HKBgLnexJDsyf_VK3R9wDe6iEh8oDPCwZPNvEAAwmnkw7RrhlBnznFDmyVpmK7J0CZ0K0-YtOCjQ597P6KNTUonelrY58Ja8KLErQY5alHSZu7mwPf9ohCAWsLz1sYw_g/s1240/220302-democrats-2022-an.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1240" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK7gqv-V8D8Onf_beqKOUTo1Ezbsw0UbiBptrueBiLZqp4-SHv-HKBgLnexJDsyf_VK3R9wDe6iEh8oDPCwZPNvEAAwmnkw7RrhlBnznFDmyVpmK7J0CZ0K0-YtOCjQ597P6KNTUonelrY58Ja8KLErQY5alHSZu7mwPf9ohCAWsLz1sYw_g/w580-h290/220302-democrats-2022-an.webp" width="580" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Back by popular demand, here is my 2022 Midterm Primary Election Voter Guide for Miami-Dade County, Florida voters, in Miami Beach. Please note that I only provide guidance for the Democratic primaries, but also provide my thoughts on the non-partisan elections.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><u>UNITED STATES SENATOR - DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY</u></b></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">VAL DEMINGS </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Marco Rubio is a shameful representative for Florida and the Democrat with the best chance of unseating him is Congresswoman Val Demings. <span style="color: #303030;">Demings, 65, is a native of Jacksonville who was elected to Congress to represent the Orlando area in 2016. A moderate voice in Congress, her work on committee assignments caught the attention of House leadership, resulting in her appointment as a prosecutor in the first impeachment trial of </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/trump/&source=gmail&ust=1659375222275000&usg=AOvVaw3edZQDdm6vhIDtjlBaYFfh" href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/trump/" rel="noopener" style="color: #303030; text-decoration-color: rgb(0, 152, 254);" target="_blank">President Trump</a><span style="color: #303030;">. </span><span style="color: #303030;">Before that, she was chief of the Orlando Police Department, a position capping a 27-year career in law enforcement. As the first black woman to hold the police post, she embarked on a campaign to cut violent crime and build relationships within the community, resulting in a reduction of violent crime by more than 40 percent. </span><span style="color: #303030;">As a candidate for Senate, Demings has made what should have been a cakewalk for a Republican incumbent in a politically red state much more competitive. She has proven to be a prolific fundraiser who occasionally has outraised her better-known opponent. Polls still give the incumbent the lead but at a smaller margin than many thought she would have.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;">Democrats should have no illusions about the tough road ahead. Rubio is favored to win in a state that has been trending red for some time now, but Demings -- a moderate who has even picked up the endorsements of police unions that typically favor Republicans -- gives us a real shot.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;"><b><u>REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - DISTRICT 24</u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">FREDERICA WILSON</span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Representative Wilson is a longtime incumbent who has distinguished herself as a core supporter of President Obama and Biden's agendas, and a strong opposition to Trump and his supporters. She also excels in services for constituents and is very connected to our local community. There is no reason to deny Rep. Wilson another term in office. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><u>FLORIDA GOVERNOR - DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY</u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">NIKKI FRIED</span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is a challenging race against perhaps the most divisive Governor in modern Florida history. Although DeSantis barely eked out a win against Andrew Gillum, he has governed as one of the most hard right conservatives in the United States, generating buzz about a possible run for the White House. This race is the best chance we have to stop DeSantis and his hateful rise to power.</span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Charlie Crist clearly leads in the polls but there is no way I can ever endorse him in a Democratic primary. A political chameleon who has gone from Republican to Democrat to Independent to Democrat again, I don't trust him. I will also never forgive him for what he did in 2010 when he lost the Democratic Primary to Kendrick Meek and then proceeded to run as an Independent, splitting the liberal vote and handing the election to Marco Rubio. Of course I would take Crist any day over DeSantis, but there is no way I can support him in this race.</span></div><div><span style="color: #303030; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #303030;">Luckily, Florida voters have a really great option in Nikki Fried, the only Democrat currently serving in statewide office, as Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Nikki, a Jewish woman, was b</span><span style="color: #122d3a;">orn and raised in Miami, and has been a leader since her college days, when she was the first female student body president at the University of Florida in decades. </span><span style="color: #122d3a;">As an attorney, she was head of the Felony Division at the Alachua County Public Defender’s Office and worked in private practice in South Florida, defending homeowners against foreclosure during the 2007-2008 housing crisis.</span><span style="color: #122d3a;">Prior to being elected, </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #122d3a; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px;">Fried</span><span style="color: #122d3a;"> worked at law firms as a government consultant, advocating on behalf of clients before the Florida Legislature. In 2017, she formed her own firm to advocate in Tallahassee for at-risk children, the Broward County School Board, and for the expansion of patient access to medical marijuana. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Nikki is running a hard hitting campaign for Governor that is standing up for Democratic principles and showing the ability to fight hard against DeSantis and his backwards policies. I think she has for more integrity and principle than Crist and I am confident she will lead Florida in the right direction. She has my endorsement for Governor.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">ATTORNEY GENERAL - DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY</span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">DANIEL UHLFELDER</span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is a tough race for Democrats. The two main challengers, Daniel Uhlfelder and Aramis Ayala, have almost no money left from what they've spent, while the incumbent, DeSantis lapdog Ashley Moody, enjoys broad support from Republicans and is sitting on a war chest of almost $4.8 million in cash. Against this wall of money, Democrats must consider who can best taken on Moody and her vulnerabilities? </span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #122d3a;">Ultimately, I think Uhlfelder has the edge. <b>Uhlefelder has</b></span> raised more money than his two opponents combined and has the biggest media profile after getting attention for his outspoken criticisms of Governor Ron DeSantis’ COVID policies and wearing a grim reaper costume in his first campaign video, which he also wore in videos criticizing DeSantis. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Uhlfelder also joined a lawsuit filed by Rabbi Barry Silver and Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor in Boynton Beach which argues that the state’s new law banning most abortions after 15 weeks violates the state constitution’s right to privacy and freedom of religion. Uhlfelder has pledged not to enforce the law if elected. Uhlfelder has also criticized Moody for being one of 10 GOP attorneys general to sign onto a brief that sought to convince the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that allowed Pennsylvania elections officials to count some late-arriving absentee ballots. His top priorities include taking on utility companies seeking rate hikes, oil companies who gouge on prices, corporate developers contributing to the lack of affordable housing, and property insurance companies who have raised rates to crisis levels.</span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE</span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;">NAOMI BLEMUR</span></div><div><span style="color: #122d3a; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Naomi Blemur is considered the party’s best chance of retaining this office. Blemur, 43, owns a consulting firm and has a background in finance. She has served on a number of advisory committees in Miami-Dade and has raised the most money of the three candidates, although it is a very small fraction of what the Republican frontrunner has raised.The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Blemur says, "The current reality of our state calls for a strong, diverse leader with convictions. One who is not afraid to challenge the process and speak truth to power. It took 20 years for Democrats to secure this seat and we’re not going to lose it now.” Blemur was recently endorsed by Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo. This is going to be a very tough race to win against a much better funded and well known Republican opponent. but Blemur gives us our best shot.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 106</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">JORDAN W. LEONARD</span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The primary for District 106 pits former Bay Harbor Islands Mayor Jordan W. Leonard against special education teacher Gustavo Ortega. Leonard, the only serious option in this race, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership to this race, with decades of public service behind his belt. <span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; text-align: justify;">Leonard is a past president of the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://mdclc.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 300ms ease 0s;">Miami-Dade County League of Cities</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; text-align: justify;"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and former board member of the<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 300ms ease 0s;">Florida League of Cities</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; text-align: justify;"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://sfregionalcouncil.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #181818; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 300ms ease 0s;">South Florida Regional Planning Council</a></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; text-align: justify;">. </span>He has been widely endorsed by legislators and local elected officials through District 106. Leonard is the right choice for this blue leaning seat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">CIRCUIT JUDGE, 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, GROUP 3</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">LODY JEAN</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I generally approach judicial elections as an opportunity to evaluate the current sitting judge; if they are doing a fine job in their non-partisan role, they usually merit retention. Of course, it is never easy for me to endorse someone who was appointed by a Republican, and Judge Lody Jean has campaigned on the fact that she was appointed by Governor DeSantis. However, she has also touted her endorsements by SAVE Dade -- the premier LGBTQ+ rights group in South Florida -- and United Teachers of Dade. She has also been endorsed by the SEUI, AFL-CIO, Police and Firefighters Unions, and a host of local elected officials from across the political spectrum. Judge Jean has gained a good reputation as a fair, impartial, and well-prepared jurist who runs her courtroom efficiently and effectively. By contrast, her opponent has a thin resume and does not inspire sufficient confidence to support removing Judge Jean from her post. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">CIRCUIT JUDGE, 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, GROUP 20</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">ROBERT WATSON</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I have little doubt that Brenda Guerrero could make a fine judge. She has many years of courtroom experience, mostly in family law. But she is not such an overwhelmingly obvious choice that we should vote to take away a judgeship from Judge Watson. Judge Watson, who has served for 3 and a half years, has experience as a federal prosecutor, and has earned a good reputation as a judge. He also brings diversity to the bench as one of the only openly gay members of our judiciary. I recommend a vote to retain Judge Watson.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">CIRCUIT JUDGE, 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, GROUP 34</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">MARK BLUMSTEIN</span></div><div><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Judge Blumstein has served as a judge in our community since his first election in 2016. The Herald has criticized Judge Blumstein for his 14 reversals by the appellate court, but I value an independent thinker, and he has been affirmed 80 times, so that is a pretty solid record. He has a wealth of judicial experience as both a plaintiff and defendant, in both civil and criminal court. I do not believe his record in the Third DCA is a reason to remove him from office, and support his retention.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">CIRCUIT JUDGE, 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, GROUP 52</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">JASON EDWARD BLOCH</span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We are living in a dangerous time where federal protection for abortion rights have been reversed by a radical conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. Thankfully--for now--Florida Supreme Court precedent interpreting the Florida Constitution's Right to Privacy is protecting that right. But with religious extremists emboldened to take on abortion rights across the state of Florida, Judge Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts made the ill-fated decision of attending a celebration the the decision overturning <i>Roe</i> the day after it was announced and even made a speech at the event hosted by the Christian Family Coalition. This shows poor judgment. On the other hand, Jason Bloch<span style="color: #222222;"> was a Miami-Dade assistant county attorney for 20 years before he was appointed to the bench in 2014 by Gov. Rick Scott to fill a vacancy. He lost his bid for a full term in 2016. Since then, Bloch — who is independently wealthy and is self-funding his campaign — has been doing mostly pro bono work for nonprofits or in eviction cases. He’s also a member of the Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, providing oversight of the Miami Police Department, and a board member of Legal Services of Greater Miami, which provides free legal services for low-income residents. I am endorsing Judge Bloch for this seat.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">COUNTY JUDGE, GROUP 5</span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">FRED SERAPHIN</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is an easy call. Judge Seraphin has held this position for twenty years and has an excellent reputation as a fine jurist. His opponent comes from a very political, right wing conservative family, and has gotten into some public altercations and issues which make me question his temperament and judgment. In short, Judge Seraphin has earned retention.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">COUNTY JUDGE, GROUP 19</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">JEFFREY KOLOKOFF</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">This is another example of a situation where there is no reason to not retain the sitting judge. Judge Kolokoff is the incumbent and has done an excellent job efficiently managing his caseload and operating his courtroom. He has earned retention.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">COUNTY JUDGE, GROUP 42</span></u></b></div><div><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">SCOTT JANOWITZ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The Herald has endorsed Janowitz's opponent, arguing that this is a tough race, but that Priovolos's community involvement gives her an edge. While I certainly have great respect for Alicia Garcia Priovolos and believe she would make a very fine judge, I must remain consistent in my thinking that judicial elections are first and foremost about whether the incumbent deserves retention. There is no reason why Judge Janowitz does not merit another term. He has a good reputation, runs an efficient courtroom, and has many years of experience. For this reason, I believe he has earned another term. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br style="text-align: start;" /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="text-align: start;" /></p>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-69048400220041378872020-10-11T15:22:00.008-04:002020-10-19T10:37:04.988-04:00ELECTION 2020 VOTER GUIDE FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8XnGMp49MyCg-XuzizTrWokSw7zthwK-uN5gl42kt8RssHgqBbAS-EzP31CkNmXPcfj-szYsjNcRpLOgMFZA7-rjha_3IHSBgcPlk5yG1H0pdcMFR9rtmAvMg8vl-Jgu6B9H5w/s300/DC44BCF7-53C4-441E-971D-93822C347CDA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8XnGMp49MyCg-XuzizTrWokSw7zthwK-uN5gl42kt8RssHgqBbAS-EzP31CkNmXPcfj-szYsjNcRpLOgMFZA7-rjha_3IHSBgcPlk5yG1H0pdcMFR9rtmAvMg8vl-Jgu6B9H5w/s0/DC44BCF7-53C4-441E-971D-93822C347CDA.png" /></a></div><p style="direction: ltr;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of the most important and consequential elections of our lifetimes. We have an opportunity to profoundly change the direction of our country and install new leadership that can unite Americans and steer us toward a much better future. Donald Trump and his Republican enablers have shown that they are unfit to govern or lead. Our country is sicker, poorer, and more divided due to their failures. I encourage everyone to please make a special effort to vote this election cycle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A note on voting: this year, everyone is obviously extra concerned about their vote being counted. Some general advice on voting.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. VOTE BY MAIL</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Floridians have been voting by mail for a long time and it is generally successful. I will be voting by mail. To vote by mail correctly, however, please carefully review all of the instructions and don't make any mistakes. The official Miami-Dade County Vote By Mail page is here: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1512065909614490">https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1512065909614490</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Important Tips on Successful Voting By Mail:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- DO NOT WAIT TO VOTE. VOTE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Your vote will only be counted if it is completed and returned to the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections no later than 7:00 pm on November 3, 2020, Election Day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Carefully and completely fill in the oval next to your selections using only a black or blue pen. DO NOT make <i>any</i> other marks on your ballot.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Place your ballot in the enclosed secrecy sleeve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Insert the secrecy sleeve into the enclosed mailing envelope addressed to the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections. DO NOT USE A DIFFERENT ENVELOPE.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Seal the mailing envelope and completely fill out the Voter's Certificate on the back of the mailing envelope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- YOU MUST SIGN YOUR NAME INSIDE THE RED SIGNATURE BOX ON THE BACK OF THE VOTER'S CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. Of ballots cast using vote by mail, over 7 in 10 are rejected because they have NO signature. In addition, your signature MUST match the signature on record. If you need to update your signature, you can do it now by sending in this form: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/elections/library/forms/voter-registration-application.pdf">https://www.miamidade.gov/elections/library/forms/voter-registration-application.pdf</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- After mailing your ballot, use the following link to track it and make sure it is accepted by the Supervisor of Elections: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser151187731708822">https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser151187731708822</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- If there is a problem with your ballot - for example, if you forget to sign the envelope, or the canvassing board determines there is no signature match - YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CURE THE PROBLEM using the following affidavit: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/elections/library/forms/vote-by-mail-ballot-signature-cure-affidavit-eng.pdf.">https://www.miamidade.gov/elections/library/forms/vote-by-mail-ballot-signature-cure-affidavit-eng.pdf.</a> Of course, the sooner you vote and track the status of your ballot, the sooner you will know if there is any issue, so VOTE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- You can also DROP OFF your ballot instead of putting it into the mailbox. <span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">Voted vote-by-mail ballots are accepted at Early Voting sites and may be dropped off in a secure Ballot Drop Box. Voters can also drop off their vote-by-mail ballot at the following locations from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Monday 11/2/2020 and Election Day 11/3/2020:</span></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); list-style-type: none; margin-left: 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 10px; min-height: 30px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 600;">Elections Department<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span>(Main Office)<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />2700 NW 87th Ave., Doral, FL 33172</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 10px; min-height: 30px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 600;">North Dade Regional Library</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />2455 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, FL 33056</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 10px; min-height: 30px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 600;">South Dade Regional Library</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />10750 SW 211th St., Cutler Bay, FL 33189</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 10px; min-height: 30px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 600;">Stephen P. Clark Government Center<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span>(Lobby)<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />111 NW 1st St., Miami, FL 33128</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588235294118)" face="Roboto, sans-serif"><span>A list of all early voting sites is available here: </span></span><a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1511962555914873">https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1511962555914873</a><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588235294118)" face="Roboto, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12.9px;"><br /></span></span></span><p><u><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. EARLY VOTING</span></b></u></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Florida voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from <b>Monday, October 19, 2020 to Sunday, November 1, 2020. </b>Sites are open from 7 am to 7 pm each day.<b> </b>A full list of early voting locations is available here: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1511962555914873">https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1511962555914873</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Remember, there are much fewer locations to vote early than there are on election day, so longs can be long, especially on weekends. I recommend going to vote right when the polls open on a weekday if you want to avoid long early voting lines.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Make sure to bring a valid form of ID. <span style="background-color: white; color: #082239;">Best type of Identification – Use if you have it:</span></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #082239;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Current and valid identification that includes name and photograph:</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Florida driver license;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">United States passport;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">debit or credit card;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">military, student, retirement center, neighborhood association, or public assistance ID;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Florida license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm; or<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.</span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #082239;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you do not have any of these identification materials, you can use these:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #082239;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next Best type of Identification – USE ONLY if Best Type above is not available</span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #082239;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ID that shows name and current residence address: current utility bill; bank statement; government check; paycheck; or</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">government document (excluding voter information card).</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #082239;"><b><u>3. VOTE ON ELECTION DAY</u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #082239;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #082239;">- Remember, on Election Day, you can only vote at YOUR precinct. Make sure to check ahead for the correct location at the following link: <a href="https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser151187731708822">https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser151187731708822</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>- Bring a valid form of ID (see above).</div><div><br /></div><div>- Lines may be long. AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN LINE BEFORE 7 PM, YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO VOTE. Stay in line! Bring a snack, some water, and maybe even a little chair. Be ready to wait a long time. If this sounds scary to you, vote early!</div><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">JOSEPH R. BIDEN & KAMALA D. HARRIS</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Trump Administration is a cancer on our democracy that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Americans dead in a tragically mismanaged coronavirus response, a massive recession hurting the most vulnerable in our society, hundreds of right wing judges appointed to federal courts across the country who will set us back for a generation, immigrants and asylum seekers treated with barbarism and inhumanity, tax cuts that only benefitted the very rich and left most Americans behind, rollbacks of regulations and treaties that are resulting in more pollution and contributing to climate change, legal assaults on the rights of LGBTQ Americans in both the courts and administrative agencies, disdain and disregard for the social unrest that is roiling our nation due to police brutality and systemic racism, and a culture of corruption, dishonesty, greed, and hate. Worst of all, Trump has undermined our democratic institutions and set us on a dangerous path toward autocracy and permanent minority rule. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joe Biden and Kalama Harris offer us the opportunity to turn the page on the divisive and destructive Trump presidency and renew our democracy. Under a Biden Administration, our government will once again be run by competent, caring people who believe in things like science, public service, and integrity. Biden will enact legislation to balance our tax code so the rich pay their fair share, make investments in health care (including a public option) and education, fight climate change, and so much more. President Biden will install diverse and progressive judges who will protect individual rights and liberties, appoint Cabinet secretaries who will work for the American people, not the narrow interests of the privileged few, and assure that the laws protecting minorities, the environment, civil rights, and so much more are faithfully executed. President Biden will let science lead the way on ending the pandemic and re-opening our economy. Most importantly, a Biden-Harris Administration will bring honor, empathy, compassion, and intelligence back to the Oval Office, and reject prejudice and hate. Our nation and the world will be safer, more secure, and stronger when President Biden takes office.</span></p><p>The choice is obvious and clear. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris must be the next President and Vice President of the United States. </p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DISTRICT 27</span></u></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">DONNA SHALALA</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donna Shalala has done an excellent job in her first term as a Congresswoman. Although Democratic bills have been stymied in the Senate by Mitch McConnell, Donna has voted for a wide variety of measures intended to help Americans, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. In a Biden administration, she will be a strong vote in favor of expanded access to health care, climate change legislation, criminal justice reforms, investing in education, a better tax system that will have the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share, assistance to families devastated by the Trump recession, and so much more. Please give Donna Shalala your vote.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">HARVEY RUVIN</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For decades, Harvey Ruvin has done an excellent job leading this important office. We need a steady and experienced hand in this role and Harvey brings that in spades. There is no reason to remove this valuable public servant from this post.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO - CARLOS J. MUÑIZ</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">These judicial retention votes are usually meaningless because most voters vote to retain all judges regardless of their record. In fact, no judge has ever not been retained in one of these votes. Nevertheless, I am recommending Floridians vote no on retaining Judge Muñiz. In addition to ranking lowest in the Florida's Bar’s</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> merit retention survey, Justice Muñiz is a political appointee who had no experience as a judge before being elevated by Governor DeSantis as a thank you for being a hard right political operative. He was chief of staff for the terrible Attorney General Pam Bondi (who fought for things like outlawing gay marriage in Florida and crushing efforts to place reasonable local restraints on guns). During this tenure, when it was revealed that Bondi decided </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">not</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to pursue accusations that then-businessman Donald Trump was running a scam “university” or “institute” in Florida </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">after</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Bondi took a $25,000 campaign check from Trump, Muñiz ran interference for Trump and Bondi, preparing the talking points for reporters regarding why this decision was justified. Trump University was ultimately shut down in civil lawsuits which exposed it is a fraudulent sham and Trump agreed to pay $25 million to victims. Trump rewarded Muñiz with a post at the U.S. Department of Transportation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We need more experienced jurists on our State's highest court, not political operatives disguised in judge's robes. While political considerations are not normally a basis to vote yes or no on a political retention (see below for more on this), Justice Muñiz crosses the line. Vote No on Muñiz.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES - MONICA GORDO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES - ERIC WILLIAM HENDON</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES - FLEUR JEANNINE LOBREE</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES - THOMAS LOGUE</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES - BROWYN CATHERINE MILLER</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are all conservative judges. I think politics alone isn’t a reason not to retain a judge, so long as they are reasonable in their judgements. There is no indication, based on the Florida Bar's survey and discussions among members of the Bar, that any of these judges is not fulfilling their duties with professionalism and seriousness. For this reason, despite the fact that these judges do not share my judicial philosophy, I will be voting to retain them.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MIAMI DADE COUNTY MAYOR</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For Miami-Dade County voters, this is an incredibly important election and the choice could not be more clear. Daniella Levine Cava, who has sat on the County Commission for years, has long been a champion for programs and laws intended to help the most vulnerable members of our community and protect our environment. As Mayor, Daniella will prioritize transparency and accountability in County government (taking on corruption), fight for paid family leave and relief for families hit hard by the Trump recession, invest in our infrastructure (included outdated water system and unreliable transit), expand affordable housing, and make Miami-Dade a national leader in the fight against climate change and mitigating its effects on our community. Her opponent is a hard right social conservative and enthusiastic Trump supporter. Let's put a progressive woman into this office and make history!</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, DISTRICT 3</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">RUSS RYWELL</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Miami-Dade County voters have an embarrassment of riches with these two candidates, either of whom will make a fine replacement for my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Martin Karp. While I greatly respect and admire Lucia Baez-Geller, my vote is for Miami Beach High School teacher Russ Rywell. I endorsed Russ back during the primary and you can go to my last blog post to read more about why. But I want to share a personal story which I think really demonstrates the type of person Russ is. My mother runs the Jewish Kosher Food Bank in North Miami Beach. Over the last several months, some candidates for local office have showed up to volunteer. When other candidate showed up, they came wearing their campaign tee shirt and tried to get good press. When Russ volunteered, he showed up in regular clothes, worked very hard loading boxes all day, and did nothing to publicize his service. He is the type of person who volunteers at a local Food Bank just because it is the right thing to do and a way to deeply connect with stakeholders in his community. We have an opportunity to put a person with great integrity, intelligence, and passion for education on this board. I am pleased to support Russ for this office.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every election cycle, friends and family tell me that they are most confused by the Constitutional Amendments. I study these carefully and am always hesitant to vote yes on any amendments unless they are really important. My analysis of this year's measures is below. Please become informed about these amendments as they are actually <u>very</u> important.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 1 - CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT TO VOTE IN FLORIDA ELECTION</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of those ballot measures that seems reasonable at first. We all agree - only U.S. Citizens should vote. Here's the issue: that is already the law, both in Florida and the United States. Since that is already the case, why is this ballot measure being introduced? I will let the ACLU explain:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ballot initiative #1, the so-called “Citizenship Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections,” is cloaked in xenophobia and false patriotism. Rather than strengthen our democracy or protect our elections, it subverts and endangers the right of every citizen to vote. The amendment purports to limit voting to only U.S. citizens. However, federal and state law are already clear that voting rights are strictly for U.S. citizens, and there are no movements to expand voting rights to noncitizens in Florida. Instead, there have been persistent efforts to suppress voter registration and voting. One of the primary routes of such suppression has been through requiring increasingly costly and burdensome verification requirements, which could be enabled or justified by the passage of this amendment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is simply no reason for this amendment, which is why I am encouraging you to vote No.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 2 - RAISING FLORIDA'S MINIMUM WAGE</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This ballot measure will raise Florida's minimum wage -- currently $8.56 an hour -- to $10 an hour effective September 30, 2021, and then raise that wage by $1 an hour every September for the next five years, until September 26, 2027. By passing Amendment 2, Florida voters will provide a wage increase to one in four Florida workers, greatly reduce the number of households living in poverty, and begin to close paygaps experienced by women and people of color. Raising the minimum wage will also stimulate consumer spending, help businesses’ bottom lines, and grow the economy. A modest increase would improve worker productivity, and reduce employee turnover and absenteeism. It would also boost the overall economy by generating increased consumer demand. Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do to make Florida a better place to live for all Floridians. Please vote yes on Amendment 2.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 3 - ALL VOTERS VOTE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR STATE LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR, AND CABINET</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of those rare amendments that is opposed by both the Democratic and Republican parties of Florida, as well as groups as disparate as ACLU and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. This amendment would have a negative impact on Black voters and effectively silence their voices. Additionally, it would create a "top-two" electoral system that could prevent voters in the general election from voting for members of their own party in state legislative, governor and cabinet races. The measure also raises First Amendment concerns by hindering political dissent and a political party's freedom of association, as well as the ability to select its candidates and messaging. If we want to get political independents involved in choosing candidates, an Open Primary system is the way to go--that is NOT what this is. Please vote no on Amendment 3.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 4 - [DISINGENUOUSLY TITLED] VOTER APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I vehemently oppose this terrible amendment which would make it much more difficulty, costly, and time-consuming to amend the Florida Constitution. Essentially, an amendment approved by Florida voters would not count unless it passed a second time in the next election. This amendment will greatly increase the difficulty of amending the constitution by any means. In particular, this will significantly limit citizens’ ability to engage in direct democracy, due to the increased cost and time required to bring citizen initiatives to the ballot. In other words, it negates the will of the people and requires them to try again a second time in order to get something passed. It is an effort to stifle the choices Floridians have made to improve our democracy. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 5 - LIMITATIONS ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I agree with the Florida League of Women Voters: no tax sources or revenue should be specified, limited, exempted, or prohibited in the Constitution. Taxes are something that should be done by legislation, not by amendments to the Florida Constitution. If the Florida Legislature wants to pass this law, it should do so in a regular session and have it signed by the Governor. I oppose using the Florida Constitution to change tax laws. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">NO. 6 - AD VALOREM TAX DISCOUNT FOR SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DECEASED VETERANS WHO HAD PERMANENT, COMBAT RELATED DISABILITIES</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I oppose for the same reason I oppose No. 5.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MIAMI-DADE COUNTY REFERENDUMS</span></u></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>COUNTY REFERENDUM 1: </u>Home Rule Charter Amendment Establishing Independent Inspector General</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Checks and balances are important. With a budget of nine billion dollars, Miami-Dade and its administration should have the proper oversight to ensure that taxpayers' money is being spent properly. This should not be a partisan issue, we should all demand a well operated government. An independent inspector general will help end the culture of pay for play and corruption that has too long plagued our country. This is a no-brainer.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>COUNTY REFERENDUM 2: </u>Charter Amendment Regarding Elections to Fill Mayor or Commission Vacancies During Primary and General Elections</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YES</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This amendment would require that when the Mayor or member of the County Commission resigns prospectively to run for another office the vacancy will be filled by election during the Primary and General Election rather than by appointment or by subsequent Special Election. I support this amendment because democracy works when voters know to participate, which is during Primary and General Elections. We should avoid special elections when possible, as they generally have lower voter turnout and incur additional costs to taxpayers. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>COUNTY REFERENDUM 3</u>: Nonpartisan Election of County Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NO</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This amendment would require, commencing with the qualifying for and holding of the General Election in 2024, that, contingent on a change to State law, the election of the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Supervisor of Elections be conducted on a nonpartisan basis and that no ballot shall show the party designation of any candidate for those offices. I oppose this amendment. The elected offices mentioned in the referendum increasingly have great influence on day to day operations. Decisions often align with political parties, particularly in areas such as policing and elections. Republicans tend to want to stick to the status quo and protecting those in power, while Democrats push for social justice, progress, equity, technological advances, and protecting the vote of every adult citizen. It is important for voters to have clarity on who they are voting for.</span></p><p><br /></p>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-23512674062304544772020-08-12T22:52:00.002-04:002020-08-12T22:52:28.981-04:00Voter Guide: Miami-Dade County August 2020 Election<p> With everyone focused on the upcoming Presidential Election, Miami Dade County voters should not lose sight of the <u>very</u> important election coming up in just six days (Tuesday, August 18th). Below are my recommendations for the offices up in my area (Miami Beach). I hope this is helpful to friends and family.</p><p><b><u>STATE ATTORNEY, 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>MELBA PEARSO</b><b>N</b></p><p>For the first time in a long time, I am very excited about our choice for State Attorney. While Fernandez Rundle has done some good things in her 27 years in office, it is time for new leadership in this important office that is ready to rise to the task of reforming our criminal justice system to address the systemic issues that plague communities of color and the less privileged. Not only does Melba have the resume to run this important position (16 ye<span style="background-color: white;">ars as a prosecutor in the DA's office, <span style="font-family: "IBM Plex Sans"; font-size: 16px;">past president of the National Black Prosecutors Association and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association in South Florida, and former Deputy Director of the ACLU of Florida), she also has a bold plan for reforming the State Attorney's office. Highlights include tackling public corruption, creating a prosecutorial unit specifically tasked with investigating and prosecuting crimes by the police, ending the cash bond requirement for most non-violent offenders, addressing disparities between how white and black children are charged for the same crimes, and so much more. At a time when so many people are asking, "what can I do to advance the Black Lives Matter movement?", electing progressive prosecutors like Melba is one of the most important things we can do to immediately affect real change in our local community. Please join me in enthusiastically supporting Melba Pearson for State Attorney.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: IBM Plex Sans;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>MAYOR </u></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: IBM Plex Sans;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span> </span>DANIELLA LEVINA CAVA</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: IBM Plex Sans;"><span style="background-color: white;">Danielle Levine Cava is the obvious progressive choice for Mayor of Miami Dade County. A brilliant and compassionate leader with great experience on our County Commission, Levine Cava is the best woman for the job in a field crowded with conservative men. I thought the Herald endorsement gave a great explanation of why she is the right choice: </span></span><a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244497367.html">https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244497367.html</a></p><p>Bottom line: Levine Cava has a history of dedication to fighting for the poor and disenfranchised as an attorney and has good ideas about how to accelerate small businesses, increase affordable housing, invest in public transportation, enact criminal justice reform, and prepare for climate change. Daniella is a dynamic and intelligent leader who will bring people together in our community. I am proud to support her candidacy. </p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "IBM Plex Sans"; font-size: 16px;"><b><u>SCHOOL BOARD MEMBE</u></b></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "IBM Plex Sans"; font-size: 16px;"><u>R, DISTRICT 3</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>RUSS RYWELL</b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "IBM Plex Sans"; font-size: 16px;">This is a tough race, with several very compelling and talented persons running who would make excellent School Board members. After much reflection, however, I believe the best person for this position is Rus Rywell. This is a very personal race for me because these individuals are running to replace Dr. Martin Karp, my teacher for six years during elementary school at the Biscayne Elementary gifted program and my friend and mentor who I helped get elected to this office as a campaign coordinator 16 years ago. It seems fitting to me that this spot on the board would go from one beloved teacher, Dr. Karp, to another, Mr. Rywell, currently a teacher at Beach High. After an impressive career in the private sector, Rus returned to his native Miami Beach, where he has had great success working with students. Rus has been endorsed by many prominent groups including United Teachers of Dade. For more on Rus, please check out the Miami Herald endorsement he received here: </span><a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244331142.html">https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244331142.html</a></p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">JUDGES </u> </p><p>(Resource: <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244758887.html">https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article244758887.html</a> - I will only offer comments where my recommendation differs)</p><p><u style="font-weight: bold;">11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT </u></p><p><b><u>GROUP 55</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>OLANIKE "NIKE" ADEBAYO</b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 57</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>RODRICK "ROD" VEREEN</b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 65</u></b></p><p><b><span> THOMAS J. </span>REBULL</b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 67</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>MAVEL RUIZ</b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 75</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>DAVA J. TUNIS</b></p><p><b><u>11TH JUDICIAL COUNTY COURT JUDGES</u></b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 9</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>JOSEPH MANSFIELD</b></p><p><b><u>GROUP 24</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>CHRISTINE BANDIN</b></p><p><b><u>PROPERTY APPRAISER</u></b></p><p><b> MARISOL ZENTENO<br /></b></p><p>Mr. Garcia is 84 years old and has held this position for over a decade. His challenger, who has worked beneath him in his office for the last 5 years, wants to make the Property Appraiser more accessible to citizens and will bring new energy to this important job. I believe it is time to support a qualified new leader for this position.</p><p><b><u>DEMOCRATIC COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, DISTRICT 16</u></b></p><p><b><span> </span>David Geller</b></p><p><b><u><br /></u></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-2882276669999392762018-10-14T16:39:00.001-04:002018-10-14T16:39:07.809-04:00MIDTERMS 2018: VOTER GUIDE<div>
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, we the people of the United States will have the right to vote in one of the most consequential midterm elections of our lifetime. With Donald Trump and the GOP in firm control of all three branches of government, it has never been more important for us to get out to the polls and restore checks and balances to a system that is dangerously unbalanced and increasingly authoritarian and regressive. At the same time, Floridians are also being presented with one of the most important choices in our lifetimes. In the wake of a constitutional revision committee, we have 13 constitutional amendments on the ballot. It is vital that we make informed and careful choices about these amendments. Furthermore, we also have an exciting opportunity to elect an inspirational progressive leader to the Governor's office, an attorney general who will fight for all Floridians rights, and other important races to consider. I hope this guide will help people make informed choices about all of these races. </div>
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Note: this is geared toward South Florida.<a name='more'></a></div>
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MY CHOICES FOR FLORIDA</h2>
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U.S. Senator - Bill Nelson</div>
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Governor and Lt. Governor - Andrew Gillum and Chris King</div>
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U.S. Congress:</div>
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FL 27: Donna Shalala</div>
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FL 26: Debbie Murcasel-Powel</div>
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FL-25: Mary Barzee Flores</div>
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FL-24: Federica Wilson</div>
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FL-23: Debbie Wasserman Schultz</div>
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Attorney General: Sean Shaw</div>
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Chief Financial Officer: Jeremy Ring</div>
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Commissioner of Agriculture: Nicole "Nikki" Fried</div>
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State Rep., District 113: Michael Grieco</div>
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Judges:</div>
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Retain Kevin Emas</div>
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Retain Ivan F. Fernandez</div>
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Retain Norma Shepard Lindsey</div>
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Retain Robert Joshua Luck</div>
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11th Circuit, Group 14: Renee Gordon</div>
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS</h2>
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<b><u>Amendment 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption</u> - NO</b></div>
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What it means: Grants an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homes valued over $125,000. Owners of homes worth more than $100,000 would also receive an increase in their exemption. Small property tax break for some owners of more expensive homes, likely higher tax rates for all or big cuts to local programs.</div>
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Why I oppose: when homestead tax exemptions increase, local governments lose the ability to raise revenue. This results either in services being cut, or increased taxes on other areas. </div>
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<b><u>Amendment 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments</u> - NO</b></div>
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What it means: Makes permanent what currently is a temporary cap of 10 percent on annual property value increases for vacation homes, apartments and commercial property, effectively limiting increases on tax bills.</div>
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Why I oppose: The market should decide the value of properties, not an arbitrary cap in the Constitution. Furthermore, the place for tax policy is in legislation, not the Constitution. Finally, as with amendment 1, this decreases potential tax liability for wealthy homeowners, shifting taxes onto the rest of the population (generally, the less wealthy). </div>
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<b><u>Amendment 3: Voter Control of Gambling - NO</u></b></div>
<br />What it means: Requires a citizen led constitutional amendment to approve new casino gambling.<br /><br />Why I oppose: This helps creates a monopoly on gambling for the current holders of the limited number of licenses in Florida. It also will effectively stop the expansion of gambling in the state. While gambling is a complex issue, I think it is best to let our legislators decide how to deal with gambling, rather than putting this into the Constitution. Further, this will allow voters in one part of the state decide how to handle gambling in other parts of the state, and it will benefit powerful corporations who have the resources to put gambling initiatives up for referendum.<br /><br /><b><u>Amendment 4: Voting Restoration Amendment - YES!!!</u></b><br /><div>
What it means: Restores the eligibility to vote to Floridians with felony convictions who've completed their full sentence, excluding murder and sexual offenses.</div>
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Why I ENTHUSIASTICALLY support: Florida is one of the most regressive states in the Union regarding the rights of former felons. In most states, once you serve your time (or even just get probation with a plea), your civil rights are restored. In Florida, just one stupid mistake (or unlucky break) can mean you lose your right to vote FOR LIFE. The consequences of this law predictably fall on minorities who are far more likely to be prosecuted for crimes (such as drug offenses). 1.4 MILLION Floridians are affected by this unjust rule. In a few weeks, we have an incredible opportunity to reverse course and restore voting rights to 1.4 million people who have paid the price for their actions (with the exception of murderers and sex offenders). This is one of the biggest civil rights reforms in Florida’s history, so please be a part of it and vote YES on amendment 4!<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><div>
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<b><u>Amendm</u></b><b><u>ent 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees</u> - NO!!!!!</b></div>
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What it means: Requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to approve any new or increased taxes or fees, rather than a simple majority.<br /><br /><div>
Why I STRONGLY oppose: Republicans want to get Government small enough that they can strangle it in the bath tub. One way they think they can achieve this ideal is by making it nearly impossible to raise revenues. Taxes and fees are already politically unpopular and take a great deal of hard work to pass. By making a supermajority requirement to raise ANY government revenue, we will, on the one hand, help lock in the current tax structure, while on the other hand, make future reforms difficult, if not impossible. For example, this amendment requires an almost impossible 2/3 legislative vote to end tax breaks for big corporations or for the state to pay for improving schools or emergency responses to weather or environmental crises. This is also a political hedge by Republicans, in case they ever lose a majority in the state House and Senate. This is a backward way to hamstring government. Vote NO.</div>
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<b><u>Amendment 6: Rights of Crime Victims, Judges</u></b> -<b> NO!</b></div>
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What it means: Deletes constitutional protections for the accused; expands already existing constitutional protections for victims; and creates constitutional rights for corporations in our criminal justice system.<br /><br /><div>
Why I oppose: This amendment is misleadingly referred to as a “rights of victims” amendment, but in fact provides victims with no new meaningful justice while undermining due process for people accused of crimes. Amendment 6 would give huge corporations a new right to inject themselves into criminal proceedings and appear in court with their high-powered lawyers to have a say in sentencing and bail hearings when they accuse people of even relatively minor crimes such as shoplifting. The amendment would upset the balance between the rights of victims and people accused of crimes by permanently deleting the part of the constitution that ensures balancing the rights of all involved in a criminal case. Please oppose this misleading amendment.</div>
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<b><u>Amendment 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities</u></b> -<b> NO</b></div>
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What it means: Creates a supermajority requirement for universities to impose new or increase existing student fees; enshrines in the Constitution guidelines for the State College System; mandates that employers or the state pay a death benefit to first responders and members of the military killed in the line of duty.</div>
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Why I oppose: As with amendment 5, we do not need or want a supermajority requirement to raise revenue. Family members of the military who die in the line of service are already compensated through the federal government.<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #171717; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Oswald; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><b><u><br />Amendment 9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Work Spaces - YES</u></b><div>
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What it means: Protects Florida’s coasts by banning oil drilling in Florida’s near-shore waters. Bans vaping inside workplaces.<br /><br />Why I support: Remember Deepwater Horizon? Care about climate change? With the environmental hazards associated with deepwater drilling, we simply can't afford the risk to Florida's number one economic engine - our coast. <div>
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<br />What it means: Requires all Florida counties to elect all constitutional officers, even if their local charters as approved by local citizens and policy-makers have chosen not to. Requires the Legislature to hold its session in early January on even-numbered years; creates an Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; mandates the existence of a state Department of Veterans’ Affairs; <br /><br /><div>
Why I oppose: This limits the voters in local communities from deciding on the election of county officers. It adds an unnecessary provision as the Constitution already has the power to set dates during even numbered years. FDLE is already the lead agency in coordinating efforts to prevent terrorism, and the Constitution already has authorized the Legislature to create a Department of Veteran Affairs. This amendment is clearly an effort to restrict the powers of local government (and is specifically aimed at Miami-Dade County!).</div>
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<b><u>Amendment 11: Property Rights: Removal of Obsolete Provisions; Criminal Statutes</u></b> -<b> YES</b></div>
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What it means: Repeals the state’s ability to prohibit non-citizens from buying, owning and selling property; deletes a provision that forces the state to prosecute criminal suspects under the law they were originally charged under, even if the Legislature changes that law; deletes obsolete language having to do with high-speed rail in Florida.</div>
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Why I support: The ban on non-citizens owning property, although unenforceable, nevertheless enshrines discrimination in our state Constitution. It is way past time for us to take this offensive provision out of our Constitution. Also, it is a good thing to allow criminal justice reforms to apply retroactively.</div>
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<b><u>Amendment 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers</u> - YES</b></div>
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What it does: Expands ethics rules for elected officials and government employees, notably by expanding from two to six years the time that many officials would have to wait before they could lobby state government.<br /><br /><div>
Why I support: Six years is a long time. The current prohibition is two years. However, we’ve seen too many lawmakers skirt even that rule by acting as, say, paid consultants before the time is up. Plus, there’s the perception, to say nothing of the reality, that some legislators are auditioning for their next job when they should be serving their constituents. Many government-watchdog groups support this amendment</div>
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<b><u>Amendment 13: Ends Dog Racing</u> - YES</b></div>
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What it means: phases out commercial greyhound racing by 2020.</div>
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Why I support: According to the state Division of Parimutuel Wagering, a dog dies on a Florida track every three days. Animal advocates say that the greyhounds are confined in cages for up to 23 hours a day. This is a cruel, anachronistic form of entertainment, and it should end.</div>
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COUNTY REFERENDUMS (MIAMI DADE COUNTY)</h2>
<b><u>County Referendum 1: Relating to Nonpartisan Election of Clerk of the Circuit Court - YES</u></b><br /><br />This amendment would end partisan primaries for the position of Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court. Harvey Ruvin, a Democrat, has held this office since 1992 and has been reelected five times. Here’s the reasoning for the change: All other county offices face nonpartisan primaries. That means every candidate runs regardless of party affiliation. But the clerk’s office is the exception. The amendment would switch the position to a nonpartisan office for the next clerk’s election in 2020. This will bring the office in line with the others and could cut back on potential partisan appeals.<br /><br /><b><u>County Referendum 2: Charter Amendment Relating to County Appointed Officials and Employees Running for Certain Elective Office - YES</u></b><br /><br />The charter currently requires that county appointed or county employees qualifying to run for federal, state or city level elections take a leave of absence and if elected, resign. If approved by voters, employees would only have to take a leave of absence during an election only if they are running for county office, meaning the employees could serve at the federal, state and city levels. Good idea. It can help prevent staffers from using their county positions to curry favor with voters<br /><br /><b><u>County Referendum 3: Charter Amendment Relating to Review of Initiatory Petitions for Legal Sufficiency - YES</u></b><br /><br />This amendment is practical. It would require county attorneys to <a href="http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/legistarfiles/Matters/Y2018/181540.pdf">weigh in on the legality of a proposed ordinance</a> before it becomes the subject of a petition drive. Currently, the charter lets voters approve ordinances by referendum if enough voters sign petitions to put the item on a ballot. If passed, the ordinances must remain on the books for a year before the commission can alter or repeal them.<br /><br /><b><u>County Referendum 4: Charter Amendment Regarding Elections for County Commissioners and Mayors - YES</u></b><br /><br />This is another very practical amendment that would allow the Elections Department not to count votes for unopposed, disqualified, dead or withdrawn candidates. The county already follows this procedure, citing state law. But the county’s charter is mostly silent on the matter. This amendment would add language explicitly authorizing the practice. It would also endorse canceling elections for candidates who run unopposed, which the county also does already.<br /><b><u><br /></u></b><div>
<b><u>County Referendum 5: Charter Amendment Prohibiting Certain Payments Circulators of Initiatory Petitions</u> - NO</b></div>
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In principle, this is designed to take money out of politics; make it impossible to pay people to gather signatures to put an initiative on the ballot. But I worry about the consequences of this. I have worked on campaigns and they are hard and time-consuming. It is entirely plausible that a great initiative could benefit from paid workers, walking the streets to gather signatures. I don't like this because it makes it harder for people to get organized and gather petitions, needing to rely only on volunteers. </div>
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SCHOOL BOARD REFERENDUM (MIAMI-DADE COUNTY)</h2>
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<b><u>Referendum to Approve Ad Valorem Levy for Teachers, Instructional Personnel, School Safety and Security</u> - YES!</b></div>
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Teachers in Miami-Dade County and underpaid, and we need better school security. This measure would allow increased funding for both. Let's improve our schools and education by voting YES.</div>
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MIAMI BEACH REFERENDUMS</h2>
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<b><u>Referendum 1: Establing City of Miami Beach Office of Inspector General - YES</u></b></div>
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This is a no brainer. This office will help provide oversight to prevent corruption and increase government transparency and accountability. Please vote yes.</div>
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<b><u>Referendum 2: Referendum re: Use of Rent Payments Receive by City from Convention Center Hotel Lease</u> - YES</b></div>
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If voters approve referendum 3 (which I support - see below), then this referendum allows the City to adopts an ordinance to use the money derived from the property's rent (projected at $16 million over next 10 years) to support stormwater projects, traffic reduction measures, and education. These are all important, worthy investments we need to make in Miami Beach.</div>
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<b><u>Referendum 3: Approval of City's Lease fo City Property for Convention Center Hotel</u> - YES</b></div>
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In the past, I opposed previous hotels on this property because they destroyed the historic Jackie Gleason Theater and were just too tall for the area. This new proposal is shorter and preserves the Fillmore. Moreover, after investing millions in the new Convention Center, it makes economic sense to have a hotel attached that can service convention goers. I think traffic concerns are also overblown, as a hotel on-site may actually lower traffic to and from the center by having people stay there and walk. Its also a major revenue growth opportunity for the City. For these reasons, I support the new hotel.</div>
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<b><u>Referendums 4, 5 and 6: Revenue Bonds</u> - YES</b></div>
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These revenue bonds will allow the City to acquire the capital needed to make important investments in our public infrastructure, including our parks, recreational facilities, and cultural facilities; neighborhood and infrastructure; and police, fire, public safety, and security improvements. These are all sensible upgrades to our City. Please vote yes.</div>
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adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-85923223343420733332018-10-14T15:00:00.001-04:002018-10-14T15:00:56.772-04:00Shakespeare in the Crow’s Nest: a Burning Man Story<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">2018 was my sixth year at Burning Man. Early in the week, I had an unforgettable experience that, for me, captures what the burn is all about.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFMk3qRzyvpDIrkMMiEtpCLgVrv0sR1CfQFeOJUJMRzp5pgOTL58vwG1-aakvaHf03pyqes_oJhrEen7OyJc0XoV59kZ68suzF2vJrr29IIlh97kE3Ef4Z0ToDSVmw_82Pw5TA/s1600/grim+reaper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFMk3qRzyvpDIrkMMiEtpCLgVrv0sR1CfQFeOJUJMRzp5pgOTL58vwG1-aakvaHf03pyqes_oJhrEen7OyJc0XoV59kZ68suzF2vJrr29IIlh97kE3Ef4Z0ToDSVmw_82Pw5TA/s320/grim+reaper.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="Edited"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was riding back to camp on Monday night when I came across a giant tower of cars. I was too exhausted to attempt the climb, but vowed to return. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="Edited"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" title="Edited"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next morning I woke up for sunrise and, after a morning ride to deep playa, a yoga class and a cup of coffee, I returned. As I approached, I saw the GRIM REAPER holding a giant scythe and staring, unmoving, at the people going up and down the tower.<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I ascended, I overheard people saying that the tower would soon be closed because it was too dangerous. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The climb was tricky. I had to climb through windows, or slide out onto the hood of a car, and then pull my body up onto the next car. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I finally got to the RV at the top, the bar was empty, save for some empty bottles and books strewn about. One was a copy of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Delighted, I began leafing through its pages. A girl in the RV asked me to read, so I began to recite lines - bouncing around the book - before giving a long recital to the witches’ spell in Macbeth. I was so loud and clear from that high point that people on the ground began shouting their acclaim. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inspired, I determined to make my way to the crow’s nest to continue my recital. The climb was so scary, however, that there was no way to bring the book. I gathered my courage and made the steep, final climb. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once at the top, I filled my lungs up and recited from memory - in my most theatrical British accent - the following:<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Creeps at this petty pace from day to day<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Until the last syllable of recorded time.<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Out, out brief candle!<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />Life is but a walking shadow,<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />It is a tale told by an idiot, <br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />full of sound and fury,<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><div>
signifying nothing. </div>
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As I exclaimed this monologue from Macbeth, people from all across the playa began walking and biking toward the tower. By the end, several dozen burners had assembled, and upon my completion, they erupted in enthusiastic applause.<br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="border-image: none; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" />By the time I made it down to the ground, the Grim Reaper had moved on. I showed him!</span></span><br />adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-61860128653912092082014-04-28T09:33:00.000-04:002014-04-28T09:33:45.162-04:00Dvar Torah for Parshat KedoshimThis past week, I had the honor of giving the sermon, or dvar torah, at my synagogue, Temple Menorah, in Miami Beach, Florida. This sermon touches on aspects of Parshat Kedoshim, Chapter 19 of the Book of Leviticus. The speech was delivered a bit different from this text, but this still captures the idea. I hope you will enjoy it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Parshat
Kedoshim<br />
April 26, 2014<br />
Leviticus 19:1-20:27<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Good Shabbas everyone! It is my
great honor to be giving the dvar torah today while Rabbi Pearlson helps lead
members of our community on the March of the Living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sometimes we read parshas that
are difficult to relate to: parshas filled with long, obscure passages about
the minutiae of the sacrifice services in the Beit HaMikdash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not one of those parshas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kedoshim is filled to the brim with relevant,
meaningful content about how a regular member of Am Yisrael can live a “kadosh,”
holy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">We are told to revere our parents, keep
Shabbat, not turn to idols, take care of the poor, and to not steal, lie, or
profane God's name. There are warnings about defrauding people, abusing those
with disabilities, and treating strangers badly, and we are instructed to pay
workers immediately after their work is completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are instructed not to be deceitful,
vengeful, or bear a grudge. There are many laws about sexual relations included
here as well. But perhaps the most famous rule in this part of Leviticus is
"Love your fellow [sometimes translated as "neighbor"] as
yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). These are just a sampling of the commandments
included following the words "You shall be holy, for I, the Eternal your
God, am holy."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">All of these
commandments are supposed to make us holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what does “holy” actually mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Hebrew, “Kadosh” literally means “separate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By following these commandments, we become a
nation that is “separate” from the other nations of the world that may not act
as God would like us to act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">One of the
most important things that makes us separate – kadosh – holy – is our concern
for the poor and for justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, this parsha instructs that “when you reap the harvest of your land,
you shall not fully reap the corner of your field, nor shall you gather the
gleanings of your harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you shall
not glean your vineyard, nor shall you collect the fallen individual grapes of
your vineyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shall leave them for
the poor and the stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the
Lord, your God.” (Leviticus 19:9-10).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">As most of
us are not farmers here, this pasuk may require a bit of an explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In ancient times, before modern agricultural
tools, people would have to go into the field and reap the wheat by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inevitably, some of the stalks would fall on
the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, when picking
bunches of grapes from a vineyard, some of the individual grapes would fall off
the bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Torah’s attitude is that
we are not to pick up the extra, but instead are to leave this for “the
stranger and the poor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also to
leave the corners of the field unharvested, so that the poor may go onto our
land and harvest the extra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Think
about this for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to
make this system work is to leave your field open and unfenced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a violation of God’s mitzvot to fence
off your agricultural land and make it inaccessible to the poor who would come
and take the extra gleanings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0in 0in 9pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">This pasuk
is about more than just how to harvest a field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is giving us an attitude about how to consider our plenty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot be so greedy, that we are
maximizing every bit of value at the expense of the poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we are supposed to be generous, to
understand that those of us who have been blessed with abundance must always
consider how to support the least among us. And we must be open-hearted,
opening our fields so that the stranger and the poor may enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must be real and visible to us, not just
an abstraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">How
important is this mitzvah? Consider this story from the Tanach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of you are familiar with the story of
Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruth is our most famous
convert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the Tanakh, King
David is a direct descendant of Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the Moshiakh is said to be a descendant of King David, we
believe that the person who will bring our ultimate redemption is the son of
Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, you might wonder, who was
Ruth’s husband – and how did they meet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Ruth was a
Moabite woman who decided to adopt Judaism, and moved to Bethlehem with her
mother-in-law, choosing to become a member of B’Nai Yisrael instead of going
back to her mother’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Ruth and
Naomi reached Bethlehem, it was the time of barley harvest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruth decided to go to the fields and pick up
the leftover grain – grain that was leftover because of Jewish observance of
Kedoshim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is here, in the fields,
picking up the pieces of fallen barley, that Ruth meets Boaz, the owner of the
field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruth eventually marries Boaz, and
together they have a son, Obed, who was the father of Jesse, the father of King
David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">This story
has an important lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Boaz had not
followed the mitzvah of leaving the gleanings of the harvest for the poor and the
stranger, he and Ruth would never have met and eventually married, and King
David would never have been born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, it
is from Boaz’s merit of following the mitzvot of Kedoshim that we may one day
receive the ultimate redemption of the Moshiakh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">This
should impart an important lesson for our everyday lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must ask ourselves: are we being too greedy
and overzealous in our business dealings? Are we so obsessed with picking up
every metaphorical “last stalk of barley” that we are forgetting how much it
would mean to someone far less fortunate than us to grasp those stalks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we create a life that is more open to
the poor and the stranger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the
questions that Kedoshim provokes us to answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0in 0in 9pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">There is
one more part of today’s parshah that I want to discuss with you today that
connects to our story of Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
chapter 19, verse 15, God instructs: “You shall commit no injustice in judgment;
you shall not favor a poor person or respect a great man; you shall judge your
fellow with righteousness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Rashi
helps explain this verse accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, Rashi explains that the verse, “you shall commit no injustice in
judgment,” teaches us that a judge who corrupts the law is called unjust, hated
and disgusting, fit to be destroyed, and an abomination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, Rashi explains the verse: “You shall
not favor a poor person.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rashi explains
that this means that you shall not say, “this man is poor, and the rich man is
obligated to provide him with sustenance; therefore, I will acquit him in
judgment, and he will thus be sustained respectably.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, the verse says we may not “show
respect to the great.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rashi explains
that this means that you shall not say, “this man is rich, the son of prominent
people; how can I embarrass him and behold his shame? That would surely be a
punishable act!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than show favor
or respect in either direction, we are to “Judge your fellow with
righteousness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rashi states that this
is to be given its plain meaning – though another explanation is to give
everyone the benefit of the doubt, and not to rush to judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Putting
this all together, the Torah is making a profound statement about what our
attitude should be toward our fellow man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are not supposed to look at the poor man with pity, or to the rich
man with awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we are to look at
each person as a PERSON, a fellow human being, who must be judged not by his
material position but based on his DEEDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only by approaching the world in this way can we truly judge “righteously.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do otherwise is to act in a way that God
abhors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Again, I
am reminded of the book of Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
Boaz first meets Ruth, think of the disparity in position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boaz is a rich man, the owner of plentiful
fields of grain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruth, on the other
hand, has nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a stranger
from a foreign land, a convert, a widow, toiling in the Boaz’s fields to
sustain herself and her mother-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
when Boaz meets her for the first time, he tells her to stop grazing in the
field, and to instead relax with his maidens, and to drink from his vessels,
and eat his bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bows and asks “Why
have I pleased you that you should take cognizance of me, seeing that I am a
foreigner?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boaz replied, “It has been
told to me all that you did for your mother-in-law after your husband’s death,
and you left your father and your mother and your native land, and you went to
a people that you did not know before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>May the Lord reward your deeds, and may your reward be full from the
Lord of God Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take shelter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">When Boaz
looked at Ruth, he did not just see a piteous poor stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw a righteous woman, a woman who had sacrificed
the comfortable life to follow God’s path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boaz judged Ruth with righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did not favor her because she was poor; he favored her because of her
DEEDS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0in 0in 9pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Again,
this is a story and a lesson that is just as meaningful today as it was 3500
years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure that every one of
us has been guilty, at one time or another, or according special favor for a
person because they were a “great person,” because they were famous, or rich,
or powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to remind ourselves
that when chosing our friends, our business partners, even our spouse, we must
look past the material and judge each person for who they really are, based on
their actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="wText" style="margin: 0in 0in 9pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="border: 1pt windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">On this Shabbat,
let us all think about ways we can make our lives a bit more holy, by
introducing the principles of Kedoshim into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly then, when we learn to judge our fellow
with righteousness and love, and to care for the least amongst us, we will be a
holy nation, a nation that will merit the ultimate redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-59094809124783628702012-10-31T10:28:00.001-04:002012-10-31T14:54:48.895-04:00Voter's Ballot Guide for the Miami-Dade County, Florida 2012 General Election<span style="color: black;">With all of the amendments to the Florida Constitution and County Questions on the ballot, a lot of people have been asking my opinion on these questions. Below is my "cheat sheet" for voting in this election in Miami-Dade County. I hope it will be a helpful guide for people in determining how to vote in this election. Note that this was my ballot in Downtown Miami; other Miami-Dade County voters may have different choices for County Commissioner, etc.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="WC_Sig_Name"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">ADAM’S PICKS</span></span></a><span style="color: black;"> - The General Election, November 6, 2012<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">President – OBAMA/BIDEN<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Senator – BILL NELSON<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Vote YES to retain ALL the judges<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">County Judge (Group 24) -- WALLACE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Board of County Commissioners (District 5) – GARCIA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><u>CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS</u> - <strong><u>VOTE NO ON ALL AMENDMENTS</u></strong><br />Most of these items should not be in our Constitution, and they are mostly the result of the State Republican parties efforts. Reject them all. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 1 – Health Care Services – NO<br /><br />This is an attempt to derail the Affordable Care Act in Florida. Reject it. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 2 – Veterans Homestead Exemption – NO<br /><br /><o:p>This will take millions away from schools and local governments, and will not help the most needy of veterans who are renters and homeless. We can find better ways of helping our needy veterans that does not sacrifice needed revenues for our children and other needy citizens. </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 3 – State Gov’t Revenue Limitation – NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
This would hamstring government and potentially result in major cuts to important government services.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 4 – Property Tax Limitations etc. – NO</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This would take nearly a billion dollars away from schools and local governments and give it to the wealthiest Floridians. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 5 – State Courts – NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
This would interfere with the independence of our judiciary. <br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 6 – Abortion – NO</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This would further restrict women's ability to get contraceptive care in Florida. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 8 – Religious “Freedom” – NO</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Sounds good on paper, but this amendment is a way for government to fund religious institutions. Vote No to maintain the separation of church and state.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 9 – Homestead Exemption – NO</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">This is already Florida law. We do not need a constitutional amendment. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 10 – Personal Property Exemption – NO</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Reject for same reason as #2</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 11 – Senior Exemption – NO</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Reject for same reason as #2</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">No. 12 – Student Body President – NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
This can be done by statute. Inappropriate for the Constitution. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><u>SCHOOL BOARD<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Bonds – YES<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
<br />We must invest in our schools to create an educated workforce and improve our economy in the long term. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><u>COUNTY QUESTIONS<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Commission Term Limits – YES</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><br />An important step toward ending careerism and corruption on the Commission.</o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Technical Amendments to Charter – YES</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Urban Development Boundary – YES</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">VERY IMPORTANT TO VOTE YES. Will help ensure we don't have further unnecessary development in the Everglade. South Florida needs to build up, not out.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Creation of New Municipalities – YES<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Enforcement of Citizen’s Bill of Rights – NO</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Another one with a nice sounding title, but it actually takes away the provision providing for forfeiture of office for violations of the Citizen's Bill of Rights. Let's keep that automatic provision as a check on these violations.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mayoral Vacancy – NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
45 days is plenty of time. We don't need three months of a person running our county government who is not elected by all the citizens.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mayoral Conflict – NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
This creates more problems than it solves.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Crandon Park – YES<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
Will keep the Sony-Ericsson tournament in Miami and upkeep a beautiful public resource.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Animal Services – YES<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black;">Contracting with Companies Doing Business with State Sponsors of
Terrorism -- NO<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
Another "sounds good on paper", but its a nightmare for businesses. Should be rejected.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-10938856976258429032012-10-28T14:51:00.001-04:002012-10-31T10:13:37.516-04:00Vote Early in Florida!Today, Sunday October 28, and all this week, polls are open for early voting in Florida. Lines will be shorter and easier during the week, and you can vote at ANY open precinct during early voting. Make Freedom count -- vote early this year. Lets make sure EVERY vote in Florida is counted this year!<br />
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adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-49679549796332584932012-01-16T10:49:00.000-05:002012-01-16T10:49:02.204-05:00Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
On this MLK Day 2012, I remember how much Martin Luther King, Jr.'s spirit and wisdom was a part of City Year's idealism. The communal space in the center of the office was the "MLK Space;" we talked of creating a "beloved community." We painted his portrait in school murals across Washington DC. One of our biggest service days was on MLK Day itself. City Year has a mission to make this a day for national service. In short, Martin Luther King, Jr. pervaded that year of my life in the greatest way.<br />
<br />
Today I want to take a moment to commemorate the legacy of MLK, to ensure that his ideals were not just something I studied for a year, but values that I live every day of my life. His ideals were our greatest American ideals: liberty and justice for all. Peace and brotherhood. Hope and faith.<br />
<br />
On this Martin Luther King, Jr. day, we must take a moment to pause from the cynicism, divisiveness and pettiness of our politics and remember that America is a great country because great men like MLK sacrificed their lives to make a more perfect Union. Let us honor that sacrifice today by reflecting on what we can do as individuals to make our country and our world a better place.<br />
<br />
It os often customary, particularly on this day, to read the "I Have a Dream" speech. Of course I encourage you to do so. But perhaps you are ready for something a bit longer and even more challenging: MLK's<a href="http://elev8.com/spirit/faithfulforum/letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/" target="_blank"> Letter from a Birmingham Jail</a>. I have just re-read it, and it is a stirring reminder of how deeply unjust our segregated country was, how far we have come as a nation, and yet how much further we still need to go to make our country the "beloved community" Dr. King dreamed of.<br />
<br />
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: today we honor you.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-79133389198121835642011-12-18T21:36:00.000-05:002011-12-18T21:42:18.071-05:00Miami Heat Looking Good as They Enter 2012 NBA Season<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There was a moment near the end of the Heats White v. Red shirts scrimmage game on Thursday night when Udonis Haslem gave a stiff backarm to one of our eager new draft picks as he drove to the basket. The other guy fell to the wayside -- even now, I can't remember his name -- but the statement from Udonis was clear: this year I will make an impact. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe he was angry after seeing </span><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/01/2525984/no-guarantee-loyalty-will-be-rewarded.html#ixzz1gwSwSZkL" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this article in the Herald </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">entitled </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No guarantee loyalty will be rewarded for Miami Heat’s Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem." I was certainly upset when I read it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I never seriously thought Riley would dump Haslem, a guy for whom the Big Three all took a pay cut to keep in Miami last year. And poor Mike Miller has just gotten unlucky with injuries. Miller needs a second chance, and Haslem is the heart of our team -- <a href="http://heat.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5700037552/m/7481019926">he's a team captain</a> with Wade. Instead, we had a great offseason. The Heat kept both these assets and added Shane Battier, a defensive minded team player with talent, and Norris Cole, a young kid out of Cleveland State who probably got drafted too late and is already giving Mario Chalmers a run for his money. Big second year Dexter Pittman is getting some good looks, and Riley is taking the long view on veteran Eddy Curry. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our 33 point victory over the Magic (118-85) in our first preseason game tonight was our third highest best margin of victory ever for a first preseason game. The team kept the core of the team that came to Game Six of the NBA Finals last season, and wisely filled out its <a href="http://www.nba.com/heat/roster/">roster</a>. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">In his post-game interview after the game tonight, Lebron agreed that there are two open spots on the team right now. This breeds a healthy competition for a starting spot in the big leagues with The Big Three. It is an environment that could yield great dividends in young talent like Pittman and Cole, and help keep guys like Chalmers, Anthony and Jones sharp. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">The Heat work hard and feed off of each other, with Lebron and DWade setting the example, each vying for the distinction of best in the NBA. Yet as much as each can shine on his own, their greatest achievement will be winning an NBA title together. The bravado, the sense of history, the sheer audacity of it all -- it may infuriate the rest of the country, but for us down here in Miami, the real Heat fans, it is exhilarating. As a lifelong HEAT basketball fan, I am excited to see my team take on the entire league for the second time. Last year they fought hard, and Dirk finally had his day, but 2012? 2012 is our year!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">LET'S GO HEAT! </span></span>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-24995043387744234352011-11-28T23:45:00.001-05:002011-11-29T00:09:18.489-05:00The Ambassador's Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The world can be sad, lonely and cruel. Was that the lesson that Avi Greenberg tried to teach us when he took his life on Saturday morning, Thanksgiving Weekend? Avi was a troubled soul. He was kind, honest and intelligent, but so very sad. You could see it in his eyes. Maybe it had something to do with his childhood: the foster family, the estrangement from the Orthodox Jewish community in which he was raised. He never told me, and now we'll never know. Beyond the sense of pain and loss I feel, I am also left wondering why. Why would a person who was so clearly loved by so many people do such a horrible, hopeless act? Maybe, in that last, desperate moment, he was so fixated on his own sorrow that he could not sense the love of his friends. I don't know. I don't have any answers. All I have is memories, a few photographs, and the story I am about to share with you tonight.<br />
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Avi sent me this story, entitled the Ambassador's Gift, last September. I was surprised that he came to me. He sent me the file, a story he had been working on, in an email with this message: "tell me what you think and if theres anything i should change or elaberate on. this is the first draft so i know about all the grammatical errors"
I was busy with my third year of law school, so I saved the file to my desktop, and proceeded to ignore it. When I finally opened it up, I only gave it a cursory glance. After finishing the first page, reading with my critical editor's eye, all I could see were the imperfections: passive constructions, misspellings, simplistic characters. I dismissed it as the work of an amateur. I never emailed Avi back to tell him what I thought. But I was so selfish. I didn't even give it a chance. I didn't even finish this three page story.<br />
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Over the past few days, as I reflected back on our relationship, I kept coming back to this story -- the fact that it was unfinished, both the story itself, and my reading of it. Tonight I finally opened it up, and realized what a clever little parable it is. It is not the most original piece of writing, but it has heart. It earnestly attempts to convey truth and meaning through irony. In some way, it feels like some sort of metaphor for Avi's life: imperfect, far too short, too-often neglected, but full of wisdom and promise.
Though Avi is gone, his story lives on. I hope you will enjoy it.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Ambassador's Gift </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A short story by Avi Greenberg </span></div>
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<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent;">
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6122622264083475" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He awoke in a small, single room, straw-thatch roofed, shack on a small wooden cot. He slowly come to with his eyes scanning the unfamiliar room trying to look for clues as to where he was and how he had gotten there. His head felt inflated and he had pain in his ribs and right leg that was in a splint. Within a few minutes of waking a small and thin black haired man in his mid thirties entered the room, when the dark haired man noticed that the injured man was awake he yelled outside to the field that their patient was awake and to come quick. The small black haired man walked to the injured mans cot and introduced himself as Peter son of John and asked him if he had remembered what happened. The wakening man at that moment realized not only did he not know what had happened but that he didn’t remember anything about himself not even his name and with a scratchy dry voice replied to Peter “No. Do you?”</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In the ensuing few days the mystery man had gained enough strength and health to be able to walk around with the aid of a crutch. The man was introduced to Peters family, his wife Mary, his two children, Tommy, aged 10 and Jessica, aged 7, and Peters mother Elizabeth, all of whom lived in this small straw roofed shack that stood on the edge of a modest sized farm. Peter explained to him that his son, Tommy, discovered him, in the woods while collecting firewood, unconscious and badly injured, about a month back and that’s when they took him in to nurse him back to health. Although the man was still healing from his injuries, his memory still offered no hints as to whom he was or where he was from. After much discussion they had all come to the conclusion that he must have been apart of a caravan attacked by bandits while traveling on a nearby road notorious for its dangers. They figured he must have been injured and wandered some distance before losing consciousness. He inquired about going to the other nearby towns to see if there was anybody who knew who he was or if they had heard of an attack on any travelers and knew anything about who those travelers where or if their where others still alive that he might have been with, but Peter explained to him that it would be very unwise to go around asking too many questions in these lands because, in this kingdom, the king and his government was an oppressive one and that anybody that seemed suspicious would quickly disappear. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It was the first time the man heard about the tyrannical regime that the kind and gentle people whom saved his life feared so much. He soon learned that the very farm they where living on, as well as all the surrounding farms, were owned by the king and that they where made to work on the farm and turn over just about all of their crop as taxes, leaving barely anything for them to live on. They also explained that the men were often drafted into the military to fight wars of conquest so the king could further his riches and power. Many of the men who left to fight never returned, as was the case with Peter’s father many years before. The king’s knights were thugs, known to go from town to town, raping the women and stealing cattle from its inhabitants. None of this sat well with the poor amnesiac who couldn’t understand how God would let such kind people be treated so horribly. As the months went by and the seasons changed, the man was beginning to lose any hope of regaining knowledge of whom he was and began to be consumed with the idea of liberating the people who saved his life. Although he was still breathing, he was overcome with the idea that, without memories, ones spirit was dead because one is nothing more than the sum total of their memories. The thoughts of a dim soul, juxtaposed with the want to better the lives of the angels who had opened their home to save a stranger, got him thinking that the only reason God saved him was so that he may bring to these people a much deserved reprise. He figured he was god’s instrument for setting things right and just. He realized that there could be only one thing to do; become an assassin.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peter had tried to deter him from what he had described as a fools revenge and that although things where hard, grace would bring salvation not vengeance, but the John Doe was convinced and determined to bring peace to the righteous and bring down this evil empire. Eventually, Peter gave in and told him that he would introduce him to his cousin, who was involved in an underground rebellion. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peter’s cousin, Samuel, was a traveling businessman from a few towns over. Samuel was a much taller man then Peter and, if you weren’t told they were cousins, you wouldn’t ever think they were related. They were polar opposites. Where Peter was small, soft spoken and gentle, Samuel was a large, commanding presence, loud and outspoken. Where Peter was careful to chose his words Samuel always spoke his mind and was forceful with his opinions. In spite of Samuel’s belligerent disposition, the stranger quickly took a liking to him, as did many others, mainly because Samuel had a certain wit about him. After many meetings, Samuel felt the amnesiac was ready to meet some of the others involved in the resistance. The man, along with Samuel, had devised a plan to bring down the king. Samuel explained that the king had an affinity for Egyptian art work and that ambassadors often brought him gifts in this form and that this would be the best way to be granted an audience with the king. Upon presenting the gift to the king, the would-be assassin would lunge forward with a dagger to pierce the king’s heart. It was understood that this would be a suicide mission for the kings guards would surely kill him, but this was the reason he was perfect for this mission, he knew that he could no longer be a burden to his adopted family and felt that his body was still alive in order to return balance to the land. Samuel and the others in the resistance had been able to acquire a sarcophagus, made with gold and studded with jewels. They had felt that it would be an irresistible gift to the king and all but guarantee an audience with him. They also got a horse-drawn carriage, along with fine clothing so that the unknown man may pose as an ambassador from a somewhat distant kingdom called Faraland. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The resistance had arranged, with help from sympathizers from within the king’s court, for a meeting to present the gift, giving them the opportunity to plant the dagger. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As the carriage pulled into the castle’s walls, the man with no memories pulled the large hood on his garment over his head. When the wheels finally rolled to a stop, the man stepped out and walked into the throne room, while three of the others from the resistance, posing as the ambassador’s subordinates, carried the sarcophagus behind him. The king was atop his throne with a smug, condescending look on his face, surrounded by guards, noblemen, advisors, peasants, and many others, in attendance, to appease the kings every wish and desire. All of the help that surrounded the king had a faint look of fear on their face, hoping not to so much as inadvertently annoy the king for fear of retribution, many have gone to the gallows for what would seem as a most minor of an infraction. “Ambassador from the kingdom Faraland” was announced and the man with no memories stepped forward the gift. Under the man’s sleeves he clutched the dagger and with the other hand pulled down his hood. The king looked up and a smile formed on his face making the man believe the king was pleased with the gift, but the truth of the matter was that the king was not smiling because of the gift but before the king could muster a word the man leaped forward piercing the dagger into the kings chest. The king’s smile quickly faded as the look of shock overtook him, and with his last breath the king cries “my son! Your alive..”</span></div>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-27229234926868521482011-10-01T07:52:00.002-04:002011-10-01T08:13:14.116-04:00Make the Call to Save Service!For a year between undergrad and law school, I served our nation's most vulnerable communities as a member of City Year Washington DC, an AmeriCorps programs that brings together a diverse group of young people to tackle some of the biggest social problems facing urban youth. Working with my fellow corps members on education programs and community service project, I experienced the joy and solidarity that comes with sacrificing one's time for the good of one's country. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which funds AmeriCorps, was expanded in the beginning of the Obama Administration by a large bipartisan group of Congressman and Senators, who understood the strong impact these programs have on the young people who participate in them and on the communities they serve -- an impact that is leveraged by private and corporate donations, which strengthens our civic bonds and national security. <br /><br />Today, in a new political landscape, the House of Representatives is now threatening to completely eliminate CNCS, and with it, nearly 100,000 jobs for young people. This bill will shut down the entire Corporation for National and Community Service and eliminate AmeriCorps, the Social Innovation Fund, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and Learn & Serve America. If this bill passes, these cost-effective programs -- that fill the gap between the services state and local governments can provide and the supports citizens require -- will be gone. <br /><br />This is an outrageous assault on a bipartisan program that has for decades proven itself to be efficient, effective, and patriotic. Please help stop this terrible bill from becoming law by going to <a href="http://www.saveservice.org/page/s/saveservicetakeaction">this link</a> and finding out more about what you can do to get involved. <br /><br />Steps you can take Today to make a difference include:<br /><br />1. Call or Send a Letter to your Senators and Congressperson<br /><br />2. Sign up with SaveService.com to get updates on this important campaign<br /><br />3. Get your friend and family involved: share this post on facebook and twitter<br /><br />In my family, we just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In our tradition, this is the time when God renews the world. It is a time pregnant with possibilities, when it is decided what will happen in the coming year -- who will live, and who will die. But this is not traditionally seen as destiny; our tradition teaches that by doing acts of loving-kindness, charity, and prayer, we can change the future and avert the evil decree. The House of Representatives has pronounced the death sentence for AmeriCorps, but the fight has just begun. Please help us avert the evil decree and take action to save these Service programs.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-74671607810936740002011-09-19T19:01:00.001-04:002011-09-19T19:01:16.823-04:00I passed the Florida Bar Exam! Trust me, I'm a lawyer.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-81883392415127656892011-02-28T15:48:00.003-05:002011-02-28T15:54:11.168-05:00Golan: The Monologue You Won't See at "Subject to Change"The following is a dramatic monologue which I edited for performance under the guidance of the board of "Subject to Change," a student group here at Penn Law School that produces a show consisting of student/faculty/staff-written monologues, performed by students. The monologue was not selected for performance. The reason for this rejection, I am told, is because the monologue is too "poetic" and "cerebral," "dense" and "difficult to understand," and not enough of a "story" which "people can easily follow when listening." I leave it to you to decide.<br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />It’s 2002.<br />I’m traveling along the banks of the Sea of Galilee, in the shadow of the Golan Heights – a mountainous region Israel conquered from Syria during the Six Day War, and later annexed. <br /><br />A sardonic statue of the Syrian Prime Minister Bashar al-Assad sits with a rod by the sea and fishes.<br />Assad wants to fish in my lake. <br />“No Arab swims in my sea”: <br />The Sea of Galilee.<br /><br />Summer sun melts the shores.<br />Palms stand in rows in lines like dates<br />where empty olive grove chair waits plastic in the shade.<br /><br />This long road<br />got dust spread along the air<br />which tastes of ancient moisture.<br />It’s a languid Tiberias evening.<br />Yellow afternoon.<br />Yellow water.<br />Starving grass creeps along the dust:<br />long hot yellow dust,<br />mountainside.<br />Wave at Assad as a tourist takes a picture of his statue. <br />A reminder: <br />“No Arabs in my sea.”<br /><br />Knicks.<br />White marks in metal.<br />This old car. Moves.<br />My friend Gedaliah has lent it indefinitely. I'm moving<br />near his old soul. He is dead <br />and I am living and that is fair by God,<br />by God this life is fair. At least true.<br />At least I'm alive<br />with dirt in my lungs<br />my feet out the window<br />wave to the sea. Hello.<br /><br />This car is moving, the reeds are by the side;<br />Sea of Reeds, see<br />a knick Gedaliah made for me<br />before he was exploded in Jenin.<br /><br />Gedaliah’s cousin Jed is in the driver’s seat. <br />Jed says stop so we can swim,<br />and we can swim here despite the sign:<br />all signs say no.<br />No.<br />We've stopped by a bank of the Sea of Galilee<br />where lovers litter the shore.<br />Men in cotton underwear shout<br />and spit as they come up.<br />Murky murky shore.<br />I sink in the shore. Bubbles come up from the muck.<br />Old muck air between my toes<br />tickles my legs and pops.<br /><br />Back during the Peace Process, this sea receded; did you know this sea fell? <br />Yard by yard it sank in a long drought.<br />Jordan laughed and Turkey too. <br />And tall trees grew by the shore<br />where deep waves once rolled.<br />Then last winter, a little miracle occurred. <br />Extraordinary rainfall filled the sea, pushing the shoreline up into the vegetation. <br /><br />Have you ever seen a sunken tree?<br />In murky yellow water-air I swim, I see the shore<br />and remark: <br />“It’s deep here. Too deep for reeds. This is not the Sea of Reeds. <br />This is the Sea of Galilee filled with trees.”<br /><br />I'm swimming in six feet of water,<br />where the tops of trees sway in and out with the waves.<br />Trees eight feet tall, swaying in the waves.<br />I wonder will they drown,<br />now that the water’s risen.<br />Will we drown in these rising seas?adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-72506188056514581522011-01-13T17:56:00.002-05:002011-01-13T18:01:09.358-05:00Exciting News About my Comment -- Publication!I am excited to announce that my student Comment, "The Niqab in the Courtroom: Protecting Free Exercise in a Post-Smith World," has been selected for publication in volume 159 of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. I spent a full year researching, writing and editing this work, and I am so glad it is being published. You may read the comment online <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1593198">here</a>. <br /><br />The Penn Law Review sent out a short notice to our members introducing my comment. I include it here for you to get an idea of what is is about:<br /><br />Adam's Comment deals with the controversy surrounding an effort by the state of Michigan to restrict the right of Muslim women to appear in court wearing a niqab, or face-veil. After an introduction to the American Muslim community and the Supreme Court’s Free Exercise jurisprudence, the paper considers several methods by which a reviewing court could apply strict scrutiny to a rule like Michigan’s, focusing on the “hybrid-rights” theory that currently divides the Courts of Appeals. It then evaluates the interests proffered as compelling reasons for the ban, and presents legal and empirical evidence suggesting that these are not sufficiently compelling and narrowly tailored enough to overcome strict scrutiny. By showing why even individuals at the outer edges of the law still have a strong claim for a religious exemption, this Comment makes jurisprudential space for the vast majority of religious adherents to exercise their religious freedom within the halls of American justice.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-5444526917743385302010-12-22T11:43:00.001-05:002010-12-22T11:44:30.966-05:00Sign the Petition to Make the Filibuster Real!In the movies, in order to filibuster, Senators have to stand in the Senate and make their case to the American people. But in the modern Senate, a filibuster takes no such act of principle or courage. Senators can filibuster simply by placing a phone call to a clerk and heading off to dinner!<br /><br />This January 5th, we have a chance to change the rules of the Senate, and make Senators engage in an all night talk-a-thon in order to block legislation or nominations. The key is to adopt new rules on the first day the Senate convenes next year, when only a simple majority of Senators is required for a change in Senate rules.<br /><br />I've joined with Senators Jeff Merkley and Tom Udall, who are fighting with some dedicated colleagues to make this happen. To get across the finish line, they need to get as many people as possible to show their support for making the filibuster real. You can do so by signing the petition Daily Kos has created:<br /><br />http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=17adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-30604980322391221892010-12-17T18:42:00.004-05:002010-12-17T18:47:36.787-05:00The DavidNo Foto! <br />shouted and ignored<br />can you capture the divine?<br />No Foto! No Foto!<br />David stands and sighs<br />the tourists push their buttons<br />flashes like David is on the red carpet<br />transcendence or mere celebrity?<br />No Foto! No Foto!<br />Chatter echoes through the hall<br />Grandma focuses her lens<br />a guide gesticulates towards a crowd<br />a listless young boy wonders<br />what all the fuss is about.<br />No Foto! No Foto!<br />flip flops shuffle in and out<br />but David's still standing<br />never takes that next step forward<br />as he looks, at any moment now, to do:<br />climb down off the throne and<br />crush tourists with his marble legs<br />rip bodies with the strength of rock<br />tourists flee in horror, blood<br />fills the hall, creeping across the floor,<br />the Italian woman screaming<br />No Foto! No Foto!adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-35258192356825151252010-12-16T01:03:00.006-05:002010-12-16T14:27:49.915-05:00Little rays of legislative hopeCould it be... past the fallout of a wipeout election, the grandstanding over tax cuts, the no votes on the defense authorization bill and inaction on the DREAM Act, now comes this small ray of bipartisanship over the civil rights issue of our time. Our hopes have been dashed before, yet it looks inevitable now that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/15/hoyer-senate-votes-dadt-repeal_n_797426.html">a standalone vote on the Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"</a> <span style="font-style:italic;">will</span> happen this lame duck. Republicans like Richard Lugar may want to be on the right side of history; guys like Scott Brown want to get re-elected. <br /><br />A possible DADT repeal this month is a welcome advance -- but it is also another in a series of sad examples of why the fillibuster has so fundamentally corrupted the Senate. Every bill now requires 60 votes to advance to the floor for debate, making 60 the de facto number needed to pass any legislation. This anti-majoritarian diversionary tactic, in an already undemocratic chamber, needs to go. <br /><br />I was given another new hope today, when I saw that some Democratic Senators seem genuinely serious about amending the Senate rules on January 5th, the first day of the 112th Congress, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/15/tom-harkin-filibuster-reform-fireworks_n_797019.html">to reform the fillibuster. </a> This procedure calls for a simple majority vote; no legislation may be passed until the rules are passed. Tom Udall is confident they will be able to reform the fillibuster. I would like to be rid of it entirely, but even restoring its genuine character would be a huge improvement. Now, Senators can simply use the threat of a fillibuster to shut down debate. If this procedural trick wasn't available, Senators would actually have to physically hold the floor to prevent debate to continue. Tying the fillibuster back to its original purpose would be more in line with the great deliberative tradition of that Chamber, which historically was at times a place where people actually listened to each other, and served with honor and dignity.<br /><br />One area where this problem has manifested itself most acutely is judicial nominations. <a href="http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/ourview/x652139361/Our-View-No-good-reason-to-keep-delaying-judicial-confirmations">This editorial </a>expressed the crisis well:<br /><br /><blockquote>As it stands today, there are 110 vacancies out of around 870 federal judgeships, with another 21 judges anticipating retirement in the near future. That's 15 percent of the federal bench currently empty or about to become so. Moreover, there have been fewer judges confirmed during President Obama's first 20 months in office than at any point since Richard Nixon was president. A bipartisan collection of retired judges recently penned a letter to senators complaining about how the antics in the legislative branch were helping to cripple the judicial branch, arguing that the "situation is untenable for a country that believes in the rule of law."</blockquote><br />This backlog of cases, which is delaying fundamental justice for American citizens, is just another casualty of the fillbuster. Might these new rule changes also help us solve this systemic problem? There is some hope in my mind that, by restoring majority rule in a closely divided chamber, we can have people start coming together in the middle to do the People's work. Learn more about the judicial nomination backlog at this interactive website made by the American Constitution Society, <a href="http://judicialnominations.org/">judicialnominations.org.</a>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-34155538491787695102010-12-05T20:08:00.000-05:002010-12-05T20:09:10.857-05:00In spaceIn space, no reach for limits logic known<br />here I float authentic, seeming sound<br />catch me: a wisp, in strands cotton fleeting<br />like seeds with wings twirling sensed flight<br />in search of the soil of earthly delight.<br />Desire me this way a fanciful<br />string, color me object remarkable<br />white. Know that in whiteness reside all things<br />colored; know that in darkness I ne’er disappear<br />“shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.”<br />What is the difference remarkable made<br />‘tween poems rejecting and poems accepting<br />melodious, marking a profitable trade?<br />In Judgement find no one find nothing find<br />none, in Mercy weep pleasant, profitless<br />stars. Fixed skybound, meanings fixed in the sky<br />where I float less with grace higher twisting<br />around a molecule. and none comply.<br />atoms are the essence of character.<br />scissored unrolling presumptuous feat<br />to scatter my seedlings so timely in beat<br />around such a small thing such as this is<br />something I’m proud to be scattered around.<br />Your kind indulgence, I do then accept<br />qualified; paying, my own proud designs<br />the cost of floating in space exhaustive<br />spent my last flight falling, landed soft crunch<br />in a pile of Fall. red yellow orange <br />green pink purple. oak leaf maple acorn.<br />a white wisp floating, seeds winged and unbound.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-82326812127846197252010-11-23T12:20:00.003-05:002010-11-23T12:24:39.366-05:00I won a case -- and there's a blog about itI am excited to tell everyone about an individual I was able to recently help through Penn's Employment Advocacy Project. Bill Whiting, a good friend of Penn Law School Dean of Students Gary Clinton, had his unemployment compensation benefits wrongfully terminated after he voluntarily reported to the UC office that he was publishing a blog that was earning a very small amount of revenue. The blog was a collection of political-type cartoons that was a continuation of Bill's "Creative Arts" business that he has been doing for decades on the side. With the invaluable assistance of Penn Law student Pat Nugent, who represented the client at the hearing (I had to be at the MPRE that morning), we successfully argued that this blog fell into an exception for pre-existing sideline businesses, and therefore did not constitute the type of self employment that results in loss of benefits.<br /><br />For a more lighthearted view of this case from the client himself, please check out his <a href="http://www.winnietoons.com/2010/11/ten-cents-dance.html">Winnie Toons blogpost on the subject, here</a>!adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-32045966685775580172010-11-21T22:10:00.000-05:002010-11-21T22:11:20.929-05:00old poemSleep in my chest<br />Shut your eyes and close your head<br />Fold your feet and cross your heart<br />Hope to die<br />Hope to die<br />Stick a needle in your eye.<br /><br />Slumber like a unicorn<br />Unknown, unseen<br />you don't exist<br />you're in my mind<br /><br />Leonard didn't want to fight anymore.<br />So he ran off to a desert isle<br />with maidens on the shore.<br />And Leonard was so happy there<br />a castle, grassy, tall and cream.<br />Landing with knights<br />Chardonnay and Capricorns<br />dipped a ladle in the stars for his alphabet soup.<br /><br />She fell asleep in his arms<br />together in my chest.<br />Sewer inside a leather bag<br />with baubles and silver<br />and petals of gold. <br />Trapped in the castle <br />on Manchua the isle<br />A desert in a snowglobe and I'm shaking.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-4002194434937324142010-11-18T16:48:00.003-05:002010-11-18T16:59:56.545-05:00when times are tough, make artI have all this work I have written over the years but never share with anyone. This is error. Art is meant to be put into the world, not hoarded up Dickinson-like for some postmortem discovery. Here is just something I recently wrote. I am going to try to put pieces of regularly without comment. I hope you will take some satisfaction in them.<br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Black tanks whir toward oblivion<br />empty shells explode on the street<br />the rain falls at night like a flood<br />consuming all with dust.<br />nothing meaning nothing.<br />The Dead are awake, watching us sleeping.<br />Late into the night, they<br />raise their ghostly eyes.<br />a cool draft of supernatural air<br />flows through the fan's wheels <br />whirring.<br />the night falls like a food,<br />filling the streets with molasses;<br />everything is sticky and fused together like hot iron.<br />nothing separate from the only thing,<br />the Universe putting forth her silent mysteries like a holy Virgin untouched, untainted, <br />and living on even after Death, <br />forever watching the living shuffle forward <br />in what they presume is the beginning of the End, <br />or do not conclude at all, being human, <br />and therefore to err, to be Divine.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-39085792230299920112010-11-02T00:20:00.002-04:002010-11-02T00:30:53.027-04:00VOTE TODAYLast night on the Rachel Maddow Show, I learned that among registered voters on a generic ballot, Democrats enjoy a 4 point edge across the country -- but among so-called "likely voters," those numbers flip, with Republicans showing +4. The voter model predicting the loss of Democratic control of the House, and a narrow Democratic majority in the Senate, is based on this key indicator. Here's what it all comes down to: today history will not be made by a poll of the likely; it will be written by the votes of the actual.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Only you can make the change.</span> Our votes tomorrow will decide if Democrats will continue to lead this country forward, or if we allow Republicans to drag it back. <br /><br />If you are still undecided, I hope you'll watch the video below and remember that reckless Republican leadership produced the deep recession we are still digging our way out of. It was Republicans that turned record surpluses into historic deficits, threw away a trillion dollars on a war of choice in Iraq, and defunded and corrupted our regulatory and administrative agencies responsible for everything from food and drug safety to the levees in New Orleans. In the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, Democrats not only averted an economic collapse of epic proportions, they got the economy growing again, and steadily creating private-sector jobs. Things are not perfect, but they're getting remarkably better. Don't let the GOP snatch progress from our grasp.<br /><br />VOTE.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BJfMPxQuiU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BJfMPxQuiU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-57396686752300107102010-10-28T00:14:00.002-04:002010-10-28T00:17:40.549-04:00My Top Five StrengthsOn Monday in my Creativity class at Wharton, Marty Seligman lectured about his development of Positive Psychology, a discipline that has had a major influence in the discipline. I signed up at the his website, <a href="http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx">Authentic Happines</a>s, to try out some of his tools. I took the <a href="http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx">survey of character strength</a>s first. These are the results.<br /><br />VIA Survey of Character Strengths<br />Here are your scores on the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. For how to interpret and use your scores, see the book Authentic Happiness. The ranking of the strengths reflects your overall ratings of yourself on the 24 strengths in the survey, how much of each strength you possess. Your top five, especially those marked as Signature Strengths, are the ones to pay attention to and find ways to use more often.<br /><br />Your Top Strength<br />Curiosity and interest in the world<br />You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.<br /><br />Your Second Strength<br />Love of learning<br />You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.<br /><br />Your Third Strength<br />Gratitude<br />You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.<br /><br />Your Fourth Strength<br />Bravery and valor<br />You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions.<br /><br />Your Fifth Strength<br />Appreciation of beauty and excellence<br />You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10226669.post-81550438713313526202010-10-22T16:29:00.005-04:002010-10-22T18:48:06.977-04:00When the Moment's at its CrisisHey gang. Its been a while since I posted on the blog. My attention was averted to pa2010.com, where as I'd been blogging for over a year on the Pennsylvania Senate Race. Well, know we're only a few weeks away from what promises to be an historic election. The Conventional Wisdom is spelling doom for the Democrat, with pollsters betting they lose 50 seats in the House. Goodbye Nancy. The Senate is still considered safe, but Republicans smell blood in the water. Power in Washington is vulnerable.<br /><br />At the leading edge of the Democratic Party is The Admiral Joe Sestak, a 30 year navy veteran turned Congressman with progressive values. I followed the man he beat in the primary, Senator Arlen Specter, on my blog The In-Specter. <br /><br />Arlen Specter is a career survivor in Pennsylvania Politics. I carefully watched as Sestak languished by double digits for months, only to come from behind mere weeks from the election and take Arlen down. Now Sestak is making a similar move in his race against Club for Growth darling Pat Toomey. <br /><br /><a href="http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/senate/pennsylvania">Nate Silver says</a> his chances of losing are still over 80%. But as Silver <a href="http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/senate-forecast-update-dont-call-it-a-comeback/">admitted yesterday,</a> Pennsylvania is "one state where a candidate in a fairly tight race does seem to have made up ground."<br /><br />What's going on? Why this sudden shift in the polls? Reversals are rare, but polls are only a prediction. The outcome of this race will come down to one thing only: who votes on Election Day. <br /><br />Sure that's obvious. But its also the point. Elections come down to who votes. In a democracy, only you can make the future.<br /><br />I'll be posting here more often about the race, and hope to get you motivated to get out and vote for Democrats in this election.<br /><br />---------------------------------------<br /><br />I want to jump into a pair of ads I saw this afternoon on a Fox affiliate. The first was a veteran talking about his brother who died in Iraq.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4eSdZqOOfr8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4eSdZqOOfr8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Dante Zappala's is the narrator of this ad by<a href="http://votevets.org/"> VoteVotes.org</a>. His brother died in Iraq. He says:<br /><br /><blockquote>Big Oil and its backers are spending millions to scare us, saying it costs too much to break our dependence on oil. What they're really doing is putting our security at risk. My big brother went to Iraq to keep us safe. He came home in a flag-draped coffin. America lost another hero. Big Oil wants to talk about costs? Don't let Big Oil lie to you about what our dependence really costs. </blockquote><br /><br />Now compare this ad, by the Republican Senatorial Committee. A dark, scary voice speaks in whispered tones about Joe Sestak's record in Washington, and association with Washington Liberals, and offers clips of Sestak speaking as evidence of his accusations.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/giIIQY-2wsU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/giIIQY-2wsU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />(Voice) What did Joe Sestak think of the stimulus bill that failed to create jobs? <br /><br />Sestak "It's the minimum amount needed. I would have voted for one trillion dollars."<br /><br />(Voice) The government takeover of Health Care?<br /><br />Sestak: "its hard for me to vote for a bill that doesn't have a public health care plan option in it."<br /><br />(Voice) The job killing cap and trade energy tax?<br /><br />Sestak: "I pushed hard for the cap and trade bill. The one the House passed should have even been more."<br /><br />(Voice) There's left. There's far left. And then there's Joe Sestak."<br /><br />---<br /><br />The Republicans are right about one thing in this ad. You have a real choice in this election. Joe Sestak supported the ambitious agenda of President Obama: to reform Wall Street and stop the economic catastrophe caused by eight years of Republican mishandling; to guarantee health care as a right owed to every American, and stop the discriminatory, wasteful practices of the insurance companies; to enact practical reforms that will slow climate change while stimulating the creation of 21st century American industry. <br /><br />The Veterans Vote ad provides the essential contrast in Pat Toomey. Like many of the radical right wing Republicans running this cycle, he threatens to undo our record of achievement on these <a href="http://www.ontheissues.org/PA/Pat_Toomey.htm">critical issues</a>. He might claim to be tough on National Security, but honest patriots like the men and women at Veterans Vote know the truth: his record of support for Big Oil, and no votes on things like CAFE standards and the Kyoto Accords from when he served in the House indicate that he too does not understand the real cost of oil dependence. Like the oil companies, his shortsighted focus on what is profitable now fails to take into account critical externalities that, in the long term, are dangerous for the physical and economic security of our nation and our world.<br /><br />Don't sit this one out. On November 2nd, you have a clear choice. You can let the Republicans obstruct any more progress, or you can be counted on to deliver for good Democrats like Joe Sestak. The Coalition that elected Barack Obama must show up now. We cannot be silent!adamabaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10509722223201094883noreply@blogger.com0