How about coming within the actual city limits of Miami and actually seeing this town before condemning it?
I must be excused for this momentary outburst I am about to have. It is not common for me to exhibit hometown pride. In fact, I am usually among the first to attack Miami (aka New York, the Spanish Sequel). This is my home town, after all, and I have seen it change over the last 35 years and not for the better. I have every right to complain about this town. If nothing else I am still here, but shame on you if you insult my home from the comfort of someplace else. Shame on you, Mr. Tancredo.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Clavos
I agree, Nancy, they are separate issues, and normally, that's Tancredo's focus.
But in this instance he just slammed us for being different.
I'm sure there are probably illegals here in Miami, but the majority of our foreigners, according to HS and INS, are legal, and most are becoming citizens as they become eligible.
As I've said before, we're very much like what I've read NY was like in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; which is a cool thing.
27 - Brad Schader
If you look at the recent letter exchange between JEB and Tancreepo you will notice he is not talking about illegals at all. He is talking about immigration and assimilation. He is hiding his bigotry behind opposing illegals but he never talks about them. Since attacking Miami he has attacked legal immigrants.
28 - JR
Wanna see the Third World in America? Check out the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Louisiana. It's got nothing to do with language; it's about roads that don't connect anymore, lack of services, lack of functional government and piles of rubble everywhere.
With an example like that just two states away, I can't believe some idiot is accusing Miami of being Third World.
29 - Brad Schader
JR,
If he said that about New Orleans he would be accused of being racist against blacks. See, Muslims and Hispanics are safe targets for the bigots of today. Blacks are so 1960's.
30 - BOB
I am impressed with this discussion and would like to say that the Anglos in Miami are probably some of the most cultured, laid-back, and tolerant in the country, because they live in paradise, are used to multiculturalism, and aren’t spooked by hurricanes. I am a Cuban-American and have many Anglo friends who wouldn't change Miami for any other city in the world. There are quite a lot of misconceptions when it comes to Miami. This is unfortunate for those who have never been there and are misled into believing Miami is a unaccommodating place for English speakers, but that does not, in any way, affect ordinary Miamians, who for the most part, are very prideful of their diverse home. Miami, on many levels"economic, socially, culturally", is special. Sometimes that is enough to get a bad rap.
31 - STM
Clavos: As you know I live in Sydney, which seems to have people from every planet on the globe, and just like every big migrant city has large areas that seem to be mostly occupied by single ethic groups. Much of south-western Sydney, for instance, is occupied by people of middle-eastern background, Lebanese mainly. It's known as the felafel belt ... elsewhere, there are even people from from countries hardly anyone's heard of, like Baluchistan, wherever that is, and now quite a lot of Somalian refugees.
It's become unbelievably cosmopolitan, but without losing the ordinary touch. In my area, there are a lot of wealthly mainland Chinese immigrants ... which means driving, too, is a problem. Whenever I see a Mercedes, Lexus or Camry in front of me, I give it a pretty wide berth as all the dents in my car have come from Chinatown moments.
One of my mates is a second-generation Chinese Australian. He is a really good surfer and a great rugby player but a shocking driver. His dad came here in the 1950s. As his dad proudly tells it, the watershed moment in his life came when he'd been working at a place for a few months and his colleagues started inviting him out for a beer after work on Fridays ... and as you do in Australia, gave him a nickname: Chongo (as in ching-chong - very politically incorrect but totally acceptable here, as to not have a nickname is far worse).
When I first met him, he grinned from ear to ear, stuck his hand out and in a broad Aussie accent said: "Cut the bloody Mr Lee bit mate ... call me Chongo ... every other bastard does."
This is what I love about this country. Probably similar to the reasons you love Miami.
32 - Clavos
I think I would enjoy living in Sydney very much, STM.
For starters, every picture i've seen of the city makes it look like one of the most beautiful in the world.
And being a boat guy, I love all that water (as I do here).
33 - STM
I love boats in Miami too .. especially big ones owned by really, really rich people who tell me to help myself to the food ... so I did. Big time. Tee hee.
It must be a genetic thing for Aussies. I hate thieves, but if someone obviously doesn't need something, like an uneaten (giant) turkey or ham or an unused golf cart just begging to be borrowed, well, in my book it's fair game. It's a fine line though ...
34 - Mr Garcia
I was born In Miami in 1976 and have lived here all of my life.I am cuban and puerto rican mix.There are many misconceptions of Miami both good and bad.In many ways Miami is like a third world country but i would not lable it as a third world country.
Someone said on here that Miami lacks in blacks and whites Miami does not lack in blacks at all. Miami has one of the highest black populations in the united states as well as the highest latin population in the united states.Many of the black people in Miami are african american and many are jamaican many are bahamian and many are hatian.Miami has the largest hatian percentage in the united states.Only Miami has a section of the city called little haitie.
The 2000 census report said 60% hispanic 22% are black and as far as that 19% report white anglo in Miami is a 2000 report and is for sure far less now in 2006 my estimate would be only 7% white anglo for 2006.Heres why because while well over 100,000 thousand latin people have moved to Miami dade county in the last five years at the same time nearly 100,000 white anglos moved out.the black population has also increased as well as the people labled as other has also increased dramatically.white anglos are the minority in Miami hispanics are the majority and blacks are not really a minority in Miami aspecially compared with white anglos yes its true white anglos are the minority in Miami and are hated by everyone here including the blacks. remember this is the south and many black people are still understandably angry with whites to this day because of the days of slavery.
Who the heck in here said there is no illegals in Miami is either retarded or trying to cover somthing up.People living in Miami know there is many illegal alliens here.Ever seen all of the mexicans in homstead standing out in the streets in front of the home depots in large numbers looking for construction work?who do you think is helping build all those buildings in the building boom.Miami is going through the largest building boom in the united states right now and many illegals are building it.
what about all of the people selling peanuts, mangos, bottled, water and c/d,s at almost every intersection?.What the heck do you think they are doing that for? They are also part of the out of control homeless population.Ever seen the minie card board box cities scatered in different parts around Miami lateley?
The fact is an estimated 1/5 of the population in Miami are illegal alliens.I know first hand. Several of my freinds are illegal alliens from colombia, chille, nicaragua, and argentina and many are from hatie and I dont even know very many people over all. Many aliens are actually the nicest of the immigrants They seem to be the freindlier ones that respect american culture and language the most. The aliens are not really the problem.The problem is immigrants in general that disrespect the american language and american people.
Now when cubans come to Miami they get special privlages and are automatic legal residents as long as they touch land without being picked up by coast gaurds.to an out of towner not from Miami that policy seems outragouse im sure.why should cubans have these special rights and not hatians? they both come on rafts.let me tell you hatie is alot worse than cuba.could it be because hatians are black?
Now im sure just by saying those things many cuban people are going to attack me but sorry for being honest and remember im half cuban too. Every one in Miami seems to want to be real hush hush about this why? well many still have family in their homeland and want them to arrive in Miami before the government tries to stop it.Part of the problem is we are always behind on the latest numbers.but here are the real latest numbers.according to the census reports from the years 2000-2005 heres the proof
the latin hispanic population has increased in Miami dade up 8.7% ,the black population has increased up 7.0% ,the people labled as other "mostly asian and middle eastern" has increased dramatically up 24.1 percent.and the white anglo population had decreased yes decraesed down 18.7%.also keep in mind it is estimated that 1/5th the people in Miami are illegal aliens and they are not even counted in the population.
Remember most of the few white anglos in Miami are actually jewish. Miami has the second highest percentage of jewish people in the united states. Now look at the 2000 report and do the math and thats what it is today 2006.for 2000 it was 60% latin 19% black 19% anglo white and 2% other.this is a pretty good latest 2006 estemate that I did according to the population changes above. 68% hispanic, 23% black, 4% other, and now down yes down to 7% white anglo. Its pretty alarming even to me having been born and raised in Miami dade since 1976 and witnessed alot of changes.
Though I am latin cuban and puerto rican mix I dont speak much spanish because my relatives migrated here in the 1930,s when Miami was very different.I can tell you its true most immigrants disrespect the american culture.every where I go In Miami I have comunication issues and it is a real problem.They can be real nasty to you if you dont speak spanish too.I think about moving out. but this is my home and It would hurt to much to leave.its really not fair to people that lived here all thier lives and are being chased out.Not by latin people in general but by people who completely disrespect american culture.
There is imigration in in some other major cities but Miami is really in a leag of its own.Miami is light years ahead of the pack.I mean you have latin immagrants of ten fifteen years new being chased to the next county by other latin immagrants just arriving here and many others than have been here for 20 years that rufuse to learn english.
Another false statement I saw on here is Miami is cheaper than most american cities.That is ablutly not true.Either this person was here 5 or more years ago or they are trying to cover somthing up.Miami is the fourth Most expensive city to live in the united states.at the same time Miami also lacks affordable housing more than any other city in the united states.There has been many recent protests lately about the housing issue.
Also Miami has the lowest pay of any mojor city in the united states.there was recent protests from teachers and even Miami city police protesting because their pay is to low remember that just recently? Miami was ranked as the poorest big city in the united states in the 2000 census report yet we are the fourth Most expensive to live in.thats pretty shocking.on top of all that have you seen the home owners insurence rates in Miami? They will make anyone in the rest of the united states pass out on the floor."Thanx to all of the hurricanes" I pay $14,000 dollars a year for my little two bedroom $400,000 dollar house in a sketchy neighborhood and the rates are suposed to double next year.
Miami also has the highest car insurence rates in the nation because it has the most accidents ,the most fraud cases of any city,an extreamly high auto theft rate,and the highest number of hit and runs.Miami was also ranked #1 in the nation for the rudest drivers and #1 for road rage.Between the low average pay the high cost of living high cost of extra expences, the high crime rates and racial tension its easy to understand why Miami was also rated as the Most stressful big city in the united states.Ever seen the prices in key west? go to realtor.com and look at the prices in key west 114 suare feet yes 114 suare feet not much bigger than a closet for $375,000 to me thats just nuts.key west is the most expensive city/town in the united states.
another fact Miami has the highest percentage of mentally ill.part of this problem was due to the fact that castro emptied his mental institutions and prisons 250,000 people.They flocked to Miami.in fact in 1981 Miami had the highest crime and murder rate that the united states has ever seen to this day. Miami was the murder capital of the world that year yes the world.There was so many murders that the city of Miami had to rent freezer trucks from burger king to store all the dead bodies because the morgs all ran out of space.
"true" the seventies eighties and nineties where very bad.we cant forget all of the tourists in Miami that where slaughtered in the nineties.Is it true that crime has gone down? yes it has gradually gone down over the last ten years.dispite this Miami has remained among the highest crime rate cities in the united states however this year 2006 the murder rate has gone back up.In fact the murder is up 44% it has nearly doubled for 2006.
Opa locka a city in the Miami area is #1 in violent crime out of all the towns and cities in the united states.several others cities in the Miami area have also ranked in the top list of violent crime.
Is Miami dangerouse? Well I was born and raised here since 1976 and im still alive. though I have seen in person countless shootings throught the years.Also on the news I see several shootings in Miami on the news every day.Just now on the news a pregnant mother and her todler was caught in the crossfire both of them shot but alive in critical condition.another guy was shot dead in a resturaunt in north Miami beach,A boy and his father found dead in front of their house,4 people shot in liberty city area one dies.two girls where shot in the crossfire in liberty city.a man was shot 12 times for his car. and there was this particularly sad one recently i saw really made me cry.a mother and her son a six year old shot and killed by ak-47 machine guns at his spider man birthday party. 3 other little kids where shot as well but survived.That was a random home invasion robbery during broad daylight in north Miami.
shootings like this are on the news here every day and always have been.Miami the best and most advanced hospitals in the world baptist and jackson.Im sure if we did not have such good hospitals the murder rate would even be much higher.I hear all the time about people being shot several times in the chest or in the head and survive.
remember patta? the Miami hurricanes football player? they never found who shot and killed him last month.remember the family of four shot and killed on the side of the florida turnpike not long ago?anyways those two made national headlines.I have also been shot when I was 14. It was not seriouse though it was a graze in my leg.
No one in My family has been murdered thank god.but my dad was almost mudered in a bar many years ago but grabed the gun and shot the guy first.I have had several freinds murdered over the years.most recent was in 2002.I lost count how many times ive been burglurised.First time my bike was stolen when I was 8 last time our car was broken into this year.and in 2004 everything was stolen out of my house after I came from work thats just some examples.Miami,s crime is high but it never detured me from living here.
Is Miami,s weather perfect?Well thats a matter of opinion.In my opinion running your a/c 365 days out of the year is not perfect.Its hot 9 months out of the year and yes id say near perfect for there months.late dec to late march.In fact Miami rase rated the #2 hottest city in the united states by the weather channel.Miami is also rated #1 for total rainfall in the united sates by the weather channel.
Summer time is painfully hot and almost everyone would agree 95 every day but it feels like 120 degrees every day because of the humidity heat index.Even at night it still feels like 100 degrees with the heat index.But still some people down here like that weather.Not me.
dispite all of Miami,s faults.Miami is still an amazing city and im very proud to be able to say im from Miami.Miami brought america Miami vice and scarface among other things.I get to eat food here never heard of in the rest of the united states.I can get a tan on christmas.Miami has the best night club scene in the united states.
Miami currently has a pretty good job market but i know the huge building boom has somthing to do with it and the hurricanes also helped construction workers as well because there was trmedouse numbers of roof damage to repair.its a fun and exciting city to live in.There is always somthing happening here.huge festivals, and block parties, protests, riots, hurricanes,the largest building boom in the united states right now.
The Miami metro has the third most number of high rises in the united states 1,444 to be exact with 100 + currently under construction.Thats three times more than the los angeles metro.The population of the Miami area is a near 6 million and is the fastest growing region in the united states.every year 100,000 people move to the Miami metro which is dade, broward,and palm beach counties.1 million moved here in the last ten years.The state of florida has just surpast the state of new york and is now number three in the united states in population.Floridas population now at 19 million.A recent report said Florida will double in population by 2060 to 38 million.
Is traffic really as bad as people say in Miami?yes it is absalute gridlock all the time and all over the place in Miami.even deep in the suburbs.
when you see any comments about Miami being a wounderful perfect place well of course it is to many of its residents.Just remember those are opinion from people who are comming from places like hatie and colombia.Now any one moving to Miami from the rest of the united states ussually moves out within a year I see it all the time.
things that attract people to Miami are warm winters,exotic atmosphere and palm trees.Just keep in mind bahgdad also has palm trees.reasons why people leave?well after a while you realise the traffic is hell the heat gets to you after a while,the hurricanes are scary and just cause total madness for weeks sometimes months,the lack of respect for the english language,the crazy drivers,the rudeness,the high cost of living, the low pay,the crime and violence it all adds up.My point is I can see how the typical american can see Miami resembling a third world country but to most of the residents in Miami, Miami is not a third world country.Ever seen what hatie looks like?There is just so manny complicated issues in Miami that only a Miami native could really understand it all.
35 - Tyrone
Mr Garcia I agree with you 100% about the issues of Miami. You are right on the money about everything.
I wish everyone in Miami was as honest as you and maybe some of these issues would get resolved. Such as nightmaresh traffic, sky high crime,way to much poverty, high costs of living, very bad homeless problems, racial tentions but its pretty much to late for that.
As for the black residents in Miami I agree that yes many are still angry with whites. I should know I am black But one thing you might not know many black people don't like hispanic people or chicos as we say either because they are just so dang rude most of the time. But I do know some nice ones.
Don't forget somthing you did not mention, Miami dade, broward, and palm beach all part of the metro area that makes the Miami metro area for those who dont know came in first second and third counties in the united states for AIDS !!!
Economcly Miami has a huge job market which keeps us one of the largest and prosperose in the states.We have a strong foreign trade market.In fact the strongest in the united states. Miami has become know as the capital of latin america "south america" Miami also is head quarters to many major companies for both the united states and south america.
the port of Miami is both the largest cruise ship port in the world and the second buisiest for cargo in the united states. broward county has the third largest cruise ship port in the world just 20 miles away.Miami international airport is the second buesiest cargo airport in the united states and third for passanger volume.Miami metro has three major sea ports and three major airports and also many other smaller airports as well.
Miami also has a major gambling industry. Miami dade county public schools is the second largest school district in the united states.Miami also has one of the largest banking industries in the united states.Miami is currently number two in the united states for number of tourists and is always going back and fourth with new york ny for number one in tourism volumes,Miami is undergoing the largest building boom in the united states.
These are just a few reasons that Miami has such a strong job marcket Miami is one of the few world class cities in the united states.Miami is home to several huge street festivals including the world known largest hip hop rap party in the world known as black hip hop weekend on south beach.The calle ocho festival which is a massive latin festival the largest block party in the world with over 2 million people attending. its only competition is the festival in brasil. Miami also has the best night clubs on the planet!!! they never close until the sun comes up.Miami is a 24 hour city that never sleeps.
36 - CARLOS
heres another fact that is in that idiot mayor favor. Miami has the highest drop out rate of any big city in the nation.the state of florida was ranked very low in a study for healthiest states.Florida ranked 41 out of all the states.thats pretty bad aspecially due to the fact that we have some of the most advanced hospitals in the united states. Main reason we rank so poorly is because health insurence in florida is rediculesly high and few can afford it aspecially with all these other rediculesly high prices !!!!
37 - Tyrone
yes back that up Carlos people in florida should form a massive protest from all of these crazy costs of living.and the way government services treats us the tax payers.No wounder crime is going up people get desperate and stresed out.I myself am about to loose my apartment and i drive with no insurece becase I cant afford the rates.Where do they expect us to get all this extra money from?oh and what ever happened to saving for retirement?whats gonna happen to us then? Call the dmv or the dade county clerks office or department of children and families. They either never answer the phone or if your lucky you get a hold of one after spending the entire day calling and they are abusively rude and hang up on you.What the hell do those people get payed for?Why has nothing been done about this?
38 - PJ
I agree with the man in colorado. Miami is a third world country. Miami is not part of the united states. more like it belongs to the cubans or south americans.Can you imagine if that happened you your home city? how would you feel? any one against that colorodo mans comments are latins in Miami.what do you expect. its crime rate has always been through the roof.the roads are so conjested. it really is complete grid lock and the local city leaders dont do anything about it.They would rather pocket all that toll money and tax payers money.Where is all that expensive toll money going?the local govenment in Miami is a mafia gang.the pay is way to low in Miami and the cost of living is way way to high. it does not add up.you have to robb people or sell drugs to survive there unless you are a doctor or lawer.What do the people that actually run the city like the resturaunt workers or department store workers do? its impossible for them to survive even with two jobs!!! only Miami can get away with such impossible living conditions and treat its residents like dirt because most of the residents in Miami are used to living that way in their other poor nations.But native born americans are not suposed to live like that in america !!!!! thats why I moved here to chicago.its much cheaper I get paid more and where i live the crime is very low and most people here in chicago actually speak english and are very polite.Im so happy to have left that hell hole known as Miami.A.K.A. bannana republic,and the capital of latin america.
39 - BRENT WILLIAMS
WOW MR GARCIA "POST #34" YOU REALLY SAID A MOUTHFUL AND YOUR SO RIGHT IN EVERYTHING.ALL THOSE STATISTICS ARE INTERESTING AND TRUE I DID THE RESEARCH.MIAMI IS MESSED UP AND STILL A SPECIAL PLACE AT THE SAME TIME.AS FOR PJ YES MIAMI IS A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY I AGREE WITH YOU BUT ITS STILL AN EXCITING PLACE TO BE, MUCH LIKE HONG KONG, TOKYO,AND L.A. ITS JUST A PLACE PEOPLE NATIONALLY WANT TO BE, BUT MANY AMERICANS HATE MIAMI BECAUSE OF OBVIOUS CRIME, POVERTY,TRAFFIC AND IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS.ITS A COOL PLACE TO VISIT FOR A WEEK OR TWO IF YOUR BRAVE ENOUGH AND CARRY A BULLET PROOF VEST, BUT I WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE THERE.TO SKETCHY AND TO MANY HUGE POOR AND SCARY AREAS FOR ME.AHHH AND DID I MENTION THE TRFFIC?TRAFFIC IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.MORE LIKE A PARKING LOT.
40 - dave
My brother was shot and killed in Miami.
41 - Larry Star
Miami hurricanes football player shot and killed in Miami did they ever even find the killers?patta was their best player.
42 - Brown Sugar
I live in Miami.There is shootings outside my crib every day !!!! When you have cardboard cities under the expressways and around abandoned buildings like here in Miami it sure does look like third world to me.By the way the murder rate this year is up 45% in Miami thats almost double what it was. it was a always been like a war zone but now its getting even worse.
43 - JJ
MIAMI IS A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY
44 - Jane
I am from New York City, but relocated to West Palm Beach. I've been to Miami several times. Miami has been compared to New York with regard to its diversity. Miami is similar to New York in some ways. But, on the other hand, China town, little italy and spanish harlem are small areas in New York. You know when you go into these areas that the people may be speaking something other than english. But, it seems like the majority of Miami is predominantly spanish speaking. And that is the difference. However, I see it this way. Miami is one city, of several american cities. As a matter of fact, it is one city, of many cities in florida. So, if Miami is predominantly spanish, so what? It's one city. I do believe though, that if you live in america, you should speak english. Just like if I live in France, I should learn to speak french. Although I like going to miami from time to time, I do prefer where I live in west palm beach. By the way, I am neither white or spanish.
45 - 305 Till i die
jane in Miami we have little hattie and little havanna instead.hee hee not to mention many huge parts of Miami are like giant little haties and pretty much all of the rest of Miami is like a little south america and little cuba.English is the dominate languge in new york but spanish is dominant in Miami.The only thing i dont agree with is when you said Miami is all spanish so what.It might not be a big deal to you but it is a big deal for people born and raised in Miami that cant get a job and have communication issues on a daily bases.I mean its not fair to them.Its pretty seriouse when you have 100,000 plus americans being chased out of their own city every five years and at the same time 200,000 latinos are moving in,in whch most of them dont even know english and many will never learn.Why? because in Miami they dont have to know english.Anyone think that these facts are ok? no way its not ok !!! aspecially at such alarming rates.If you read mr garcias post #34 the scource to the facts are right there.Dont get me wrong im not against immagration.I am against immagration at such a rapid pace and the worst part is to many refuse to speak english.anglos in Miami are pretty much all gone now but for us remaining black people it will be hard for us to find good jobs.Another issue is the crime in Miami.I lost count on how many people have been murdered just in my neighborhood alone this year.It was always bad but now its like a real war !! What the heck is going on in Miami,s streets? my cousin was murdered and several of my neighbors as well and thats just this year alone.just look at the crime rates compare them to new york jane.Miami is much worse.The crime in Miami is very bad. new york is very safe compared to Miami.Miami is pretty darn messed up and anyone that dont agree is a lier.We need to rally to get our city back !!
46 - Dominican Manny
keep in Mind that Miami is much more complicated that black latino and white i mean sorry not many whites left.anyways black and latino.for black people you have jamaicans, hattians,american blacks,puerto rican blacks,cuban blacks,and so on and so on.for latinos you have cubans, colombians, puerto ricans, argentinians, dominicans,chileans,hondourans,ecuadorians,nicaraguans,panamanians,brazilians,mexicans,bolivians, and so on and so on.Miami is just getting swamped with latin people from all over the world not to mention the asian and middle eastern population is starting to grow in Miami as well.
47 - CUBAN FIRE
I DONT LIKE WHITE AMERICANS.IM GLAD THERE IS ALMOST NONE LIVING IN MIAMI.WHITE AMERICANS ARE ALL WIMPS AND DONT BELONG IN A CITY LIKE MIAMI.MIAMI IS A CITY OF TRUE SOLDIERS NOT WEAK WHITE PEOPLE.THE LAST WHITE PEOPLE YOU NEED TO LEAVE "NO BODY LIKE YOU". WE DONT LIKE YOU AND WE DONT WANT YOU IN OUR CITY.LATINOS AND BLACKS HATE WHITE AMERICANS IN MIAMI AND WE WILL MAKE YOU MISSERABLE UNTILL THE FEW REMAINING GET THE HELL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CUBAN POWER BABY
48 - MI-YAYO
True cuban fire white people are weak and they get killed in Miami.White tourists that visit here go home in body bags we tha ak-47 capital.cracka putas
49 - STM
So nice to see some truly reasoned input for once on this site.
50 - Clavos
STM,
You're so right. I come here on a daily basis for inspiration; especially when I'm writing an article...
51 - adolph
boyton beach mall/your finest
52 - GERMAN ONE
BOTH OF MY PARENTS WHERE SHOT AND KILLED IN MIAMI WHILE JUST VISITING FOR A FEW DAYS. SO I AM SURE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT I THINK OF MIAMI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
53 - Ceasar Perez
Miami IS WORSE THAN IRAQ. Here is the proof.
54 - Gabby
yes adolph there was a big shooting at the boyton beach mall christmas eve.They used machine guns. Florida is definitly very scary.
55 - BIG RIMS GRILLZ AND DREADZ
WHITE AMERICAN GRINGOS GET SHOT UP in MIAMI WE HATE GRINGOS HERE AND LIKE TO SCARE THEM OUT.Cracker ass gringos.
56 - SMITTY
TRUE BIG RIMS THE ONES SCARED OUT ARE THE LUCKY ONES THE REST LEAVE IN BODY BAGZ."AINT FRONTIN" THATS JUST HOW THEY DO.
57 - john doe
Hey ceasar perez wow thats a crazy movie documentary about how Miami is worse than iraq.People that want to see a glimps of the Movie that will be out in theatures soon world wide can see it at "youtube.com" and type in Miami rampage.or rampage miami.wow little kids using guns and buildings riddled and tore up with bullet holes Miami seems like iraq to me or even worse.
58 - STM
"WHITE AMERICAN GRINGOS GET SHOT UP in MIAMI WE HATE GRINGOS HERE AND LIKE TO SCARE THEM OUT.Cracker ass gringos"
Geez, no wonder Americans are feeling like they are losing their own country. Cracka asses?
59 - Clavos
"WHITE AMERICAN GRINGOS GET SHOT UP in MIAMI WE HATE GRINGOS HERE AND LIKE TO SCARE THEM OUT.Cracker ass gringos"
Actually, most of the violent crime in Miami is Black-on-Black, followed by Latino-on-Latino. Black-on-white and Latino-on-white crime is relatively rare.
I'm white and have no fear whatever of living in Miami.
BTW, Boynton Beach is more than 50 miles north of Miami; and the shooting in Boynton Mall was a Black-on-Black crime.
STM:
Crackers are the original, white residents of Florida; now found mostly in the (few) rural areas.
60 - Gabby
STM I know your so right. Clavos yes its true most of the killings are black on black and latino on latino.Its not rare at all though to see a white person shot in Miami.It might seem rare because there is almost no white people left in Miami and on that note actually percentage wise white people get killed alot aspecially tourists.remember the tourist visiting from chicago who was recently mudered in Miami he was white and the list goes on and on. he was killed by a black man in the coconut grove section.Oh about the christmas eve boynton beach mall shooting yes your right it is far probably more that 50 miles. more like 80 or 90 miles north of downtown Miami but its still in the Miami metro area which consists of DADE, BROWARD, AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES the longest mega metropolis in the world 120 miles long and up to 30 miles wide population 6 million probably more like 8 million if you include the illegals.Anyways why is everyone being so negative about Miami? yea its pretty messed up and a very dangerouse city but did you see there temps today? 83 degrees and up to 86 in some areas through out the metro.it never gets cold in Miami and very rarely even gets below 70 no matter what time a year. Its sopposed to be 84 degrees on new years yea beleive it or not 84 degrees on new years im sure thats hard for people outside of Miami to even imagine. sure most of the year is a scorching hot nightmare in Miami but the winter is Miami,s time.Oh and Miami,s building boom is just crazy.Its the biggest building boom in the united states right now by far.If anyone has not seen the Miami skyline lateley they are in for a shock.its the third biggest and impressive skyline in the unites states now and its still growing like crazy.just 5 years ago the Miami skyline was only comparable to boston now its surpased los angeles and comparable to chicago.Miami metro has 1,444 buildings right now which puts it at number three in the united states.So maybe these immagrants are in a way actually helping the city. The city of Miami is in the top five fastest growing cities population wise and the Miami metro is the fastest growing metro area in the united states.one million people move to the Miami metro every 5 years dade broward palm beach counties.almost all of them immagrants.as fort the concress man that called Miami a third world country in some ways he is right but Miami is still very much apart of america but at the same time its a big part of latin america.infact its now known as the capital of south america.
61 - LATINOS OWN GRINGOS
I HATE GRINGOS !!! WHITE AMERICANS SUCK !!! "LIL PUTAS" LATINOS OWN YOU !!!
62 - LATINS OWN GRINGOS
I HATE AMERICANS THE BETTER LANGUAGE IS SPANISH.ENGLISH IS FOR STUPID PEOPLE. BESOS
63 - LATINOS OWN GRINGOS
LATINOS RULE AMERICANS RUN AWAY LIKE LITTLE WIMPS.
64 - Carson Scott
It's amazing the amount of prejudice in this town. But not really surprising given the fact that we have nothing to unite us. As a transplant to Miami in the early 60's I have seen the city change and grow. For the past 26 years I have been married to one of the Peter Pan kids. My husband speaks English and thinks everyone who lives here should also. Unfortunately politician,; more interested in getting the votes, have kept this community from uniting.
Miami may not be a third world country but in most areas people either do not speak English or they do not speak to you in English first. There are advertisements in the Yellow Pages in Spanish only. Does this not say to the reader that if you don't speak and read Spanish we are not interested in your business?? The U-Haul office in Kendall (not Hialeah) had no one who could speak to me in English! And just last week the Greeter at the new Staples on Kendall & 107 Av. could not speak English at all!!!
I have traveled throughout this country, the Bahamas, and Europe. In New York City, a very multicultural city, the people in stores, restaurants, museums, hotels etc all speak English.
In European cities they speak the language of their country. Many speak English as a second, third or fourth language. What so many people in Miami choose to ignore is that English is the main language of this country. So I purpose that as citizens of Miami we have two things in common at least!! One we all speak English and two we want to live in Miami. Now that being said are there anyone who would like to help me work on this issue???
65 - Clavos
There's an old joke in Latin America:
What's a person who speaks several languages called?
A Polyglot.
And what do you call someone who speaks two languages?
Bilingual.
And what is a person who speaks only one language called?
Gringo.
66 - STM
The not speaking the language aspect of all this is the great joke of it all. I don't care what people say about it, the truth is: if you emigrate to another country where the official language is different to yours, learn it, use it, speak it every day. And outlaw the use of any others apart from in personal contact.
It's ridiculous that Americans (of any persuasion, black, whire, orange, hispanic, calathumpian, yellow or orange) should have to put up with this nonsense.
Our government in Australia, which has a legal migrant population per capita higher than that of the US, is now changing the citizenship rules: you don't become one until you have a basic grasp of the English language. You also have to pass requirements on knowledge of Australian culture (do we have any though??) and society. Honestly, I would have thought the requirement to speak English in any English-speaking country would be a priority that should be set by law.
I've never heard of anything so ridiculous as an American city (and a huge one at that) where the bulk of the people don't converse or write in the official language of the country.
What are you guys doing over there? Stand up and be counted before it's too late. Or is it already too late?
67 - Clavos
The thing is, STM, that until very recently, we've never had a major city in this country where a majority of the people spoke the same foreign language.
New York in the early twentieth century was probably also majority foreigners, but they spoke all different languages. In today's Miami, more than 60% of the people all speak Spanish, even though they come from many different countries.
It's a new phenomenon, and there's not much incentive to speak English when you can get along just fine in Spanish.
68 - STM
Clave wrote: "It's a new phenomenon, and there's not much incentive to speak English when you can get along just fine in Spanish."
Then you have to make the incentive, mate. Seriously, or you you risk having the unique fabric of your own society unravel strand by strand before your eyes.
The first one in my book would be if you don't speak the lingo, or have no intention of learning it, don't come. Citizenship should now be dependent on a full grasp of English. Spanish-only signs, advertisements, etc, should be outlawed by legislation. It's all very well to say that constitutionally, Americans have rights to be and do whomever and whatever they want, particularly in the case of minorites, but in support of my argument, I'll say that ALL Americans also have every right to protect ALL their cultural institutions. As in all democracies, majority has to rule.
The use of the English language might be the main institution on that list.
You are really rooting up that wonderful country of yours, and as usual, we are following you down the pan. You can go to suburbs now in Sydney where if you walk around, you won't hear a word of English spoken.
Everyone's fed up with it and at least now new legislation is being enacted to force people to up their knowledge of the language - and just as importantly, the history and values of the country they are coming to live in.
I find it bizarre to read kids on this site talking about gunning down "cracka-asses" and bragging about sending them home in body bags.
What a wonderful thing to aspire to. And of course, you have to ask: why the f.ck did you bother coming in the first place.
That kind of stuff pisses me right off. And ss you know, I'm quite to the left - so no wonder the right-wingers are having such a field day over there with this nonense.
What they don't realise, however, or are too deluded to see, is that the proliferation of guns in America is the real cause of many of these problems.
69 - Clavos
STM,
First, most of the Latinos in Miami who choose to speak Spanish to each other DO also speak English,
Second, prohibiting signs (at least commercial ones) WOULD be unconstitutional. I disagree with that idea.
That said, I DO NOT agree with ballots and other government paperwork being made available in foreign languages, because CITIZENS (but not necessarily immigrants) MUST be proficient in English (and demonstrate more proficiency about history, civics, etc. than the average native can) to become naturalized citizens. If the paperwork is NOT exclusive to citizens, I'm OK with it being translated.
I have no problem with Spanish only COMMERCIAL signs. If Ford or Sony want to advertise their products in Miami in Spanish (or Haitian Creole, which we also have signs in), I think they have a right to do so under the Bill of Rights.
I DO have a problem with the fact that the ballots are bilingual, though, if for no other reason than proficiency in English is required for citizenship.
70 - STM
You guys are letting all this constitution and bill or rights stuff ruin your bloody country. Nothing in the bill of rights says you have to have your own culture overtaken by someone else's.
When another culture enriches your own, that is a different thing. But it seems to me in parts of the US, it's gone way beyond that - to the point where in an English-speaking country, you will be ostracised for not speaking Spanish (and not being Hispanic).
Absolutely bizarre. It's not stretching the imagination too much to think that in the not-too-distant future America will be officially a bilingual country (like Canada).
It's all very well, but why throw away the rights of the average American to please the minority. Doesn't make any sense. I'm sure most Americans of Hispanic descent would also agree with this premise.
I don't have a problem with people speaking their native languages to each other, provided they use English as the main language in their other dealings. Otherwise, like I say, why bother coming in the first place?
You can legislate to change it, trust me. I don't believe any of those things I've mentioned would be unconstutional ... or you could at least argue the case, anyhow.
It's the reason I favour a common-law constitution or a combination of the two, rather than one absolutely set in stone that doesn't or can't evolve and change with the times (a bit like a certain religious viewpoint that's been in the news quite a bit lately).
The world is a very different place to how it was in the late 1700s. You need to protect yourselves, or risk losing all that you were about in the first place.
Still, having said all that, the Poms have a common-law constitution and they are experiencing similar problems in some of their cities, while trying to keep everyone happy regarding their civil rights, so maybe it's about none of this stuff.
71 - Clavos
Stan,
I for one, don't think it's a problem. I'm an Anglo, though I"m as fluent in Spanish as English, and by virtue of birth in Mexico, have dual citizenship. To look at me, you'd never realize my Spanish fluency or citizenship. I have never had a problem with someone insisting I speak Spanish to them, and I often pretend to be monolingual.
English IS the main language in Miami, despite all the crap you hear, and the asshole comments upthread are just that: asshole trolls trying to bait the rest of us.
As I said upthread, Miami is a hell of a cool place to live, even for Anglos, and I wouldn't change a thing, except the freakin' traffic.
You wrote:
It's all very well, but why throw away the rights of the average American to please the minority. Doesn't make any sense. I'm sure most Americans of Hispanic descent would also agree with this premise.
And most Latinos do agree, right here in Miami. No one's rights are being thrown away; those who feel ostracized are doing so out of xenophobia.
BTW, despite the government's official use of it, "Hispanic" refers to folks from Spain; the folks from Latin America prefer (and are) Latinos. :>)
72 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Stan,
What you may not realize is that the political culture that has grown up around the Constitution of 1787 is an unwritten constitution of just the sort you recommend.
I may not agree with all the ways this unwritten constitution has changed America, but tolerance of multiculturalism is now part of this unwritten constitution, and is the reason so many are so angered at it.
The government envisioned in 1787 by the writers (referred to as the founders) of the proposed revisions to the Articles of Confederation that was the original treaty establishing this country, their vision, something very different than what has evolved, and no matter how much conservatives try to bring the country back to the vision of the founders, they fall far short of their desire.
Reality, change and the unwritten constitution I mentioned a minute ago stand solidly in the way.
73 - STM
Clav wrote: "Hispanic" refers to folks from Spain.
Clav, it comes from Hispaniola, the English bastardisation of La Espanola, and refers to the island in the Caribbean (now Haiti - bugger those frogs - and the Dominican Republic), but eventually was used also to refer to Spanish island posessions nearby (bound for Hispaniloa).
So although not from Hispaniola itself, Cubans would be referred to as Hispanics.
The Brits used it to differentiate Spain's islands in the region from the Spanish Main (the Caribbean coasts of central and south America).
Here endeth the history lesson, courtesy of STM, the plundering pirates of the Caribbean and Her Majesty's Royal Navy.
74 - STM
Ruvy wrote: "Reality, change and the unwritten constitution I mentioned a minute ago stand solidly in the way.''
Perhaps they can use the basic tenets of common law to revise the constitution in an unwritten way - at common law, through the courts - to bring back some semblance of reality to the ever-more bizarre machinations of government and the purveyors of misguided political correctness in the United States.
It hasn't worked here, mind you, but there's always hope while it's being talked about.
75 - STM
BTW Clav, you are right, the term also dates back to the Roman period ... from Hispania. However, I believe in the American experience the term relates to people much closer to you, since it is little used to describe Spaniards anywhere else