Florida State Rep. Ralph Arza’s racial slurs, especially against Miami-Dade Schools superintendent Rudy Crew and tirade against fellow Cuban-American politician Rep. Gus Barreiro have fanned the political flames in Miami-Dade County.

Arza’s refusal to resign have led to Democratic politicians refusal to be seated during upcoming meetings in Tallahassee. Calls for his removal, place the Republicans in a tenuous position again. Previously silent Gov. Jeb Bush called for Arza to resign after Blacks threatened protests at the upcoming SuperBowl in Miami. If Arza’s not out soon, there may be more of a Republican backlash at the polls.

Links:

Black Leaders Publicly Denounce Arza, Want Him Out <---comprehensive links here.
Ralph Arza: The rise, and maybe the fall, of a tough-guy lawmaker
State's top lawmakers make last-minute trip to plot course for Rep. Ralph Arza
Say No to Rep. Arza
State Rep. Again Accused Of Making Racist Comments

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Commentary, Ethnicity, Florida, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Politics, Racism

Labels: Crime, Law Enforcement, News

Labels: Cinema, Commentary, Entertainment, Music

2nd Lt. Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez was killed in Iraq on September 12, 2006. She was an awesome young woman. Her accomplishments have been memoralized in various media including the internet. She rose through the ranks at the military academy at West Point. She remained strong in her faith and her leadership skills blossomed. It is reported that she displayed wisdom beyond her 23 years. The world willl miss "Taz" Perez. Ashe'.

How many more Emily Perezes, Pat Tillmans and countless others must we lose before this war is ended? I support our troops but I do not support this senseless war. Yes, I can do both.

Here’s more on Emily Perez: West Point Mourns a Font Of Energy, Laid to Rest by War Emily Perez is Dead West Point 9/11 grad killed in combat A Death in the Class of 9/11 West Point Grad buried on grounds

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Click Here to Leave a Personal Eulogy.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Commentary, Deaths, History, News, War

Danny Harold Rolling, the Florida's most notorious serial killer since Ted Bundy, was executed Wednesday by lethal injection for the grisly hunting-knife slayings of five college students in 1990 that threw the University of Florida into a panic. [MORE]

Note: Rolling also confessed to the murder of three people in Shreveport, LA. What a sick puppy!

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Crime, Deaths, Florida, News

Law enforcement's investigation of the murder of the Escobedo family shows that the father, Jose Luis Escobedo was likely involved in drug trafficking. Based on drug packaging materials and a ledger detailing various transactions, it is suspected that the father was trafficking cocaine.

Although Jose Manuel Escobedo, brother of Jose Luis Escobedo, is a known heroin dealer, his involvement is not suspected in the family's death.

If this is true, it is another example of the devastation of illegal drugs in this country. Since I'm not likely to be impaneled on a jury, I am free to say that's a damn shame. Two innocent children were murdered because of a stupid decision of their parent or parents to be involved in drugs.

How someone could shoot innocent children is mind-boggling and nauseating. Let the chips fall where they may. The guilty should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Click here for a detailed report including video and photos from the Sun-Sentinel.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Crime, Deaths, Florida, News

Four suspects in the murder of the Escobedo family along the Florida Turnpike two weeks ago have been arrested.

While many details have not been released, it has been reported that Jose Manuel Escobedo, brother of the murdered father, Jose Luis Escobedo, is involved in a significant heroin distribution ring and is a fugitive in Mexico.

The family knew the murder suspects. It is likely the family was murdered for drugs, money or both. A fifth individual is also a suspect.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Crime, Deaths, Florida, News

I watched the movie "The Gospel" on television this week. I'd seen it when it premiered in the movie theater but I only saw once. You know how it is when you see something that you hadn't seen before each time you watch a movie. I appreciated this movie more as I saw it again. Granted the writing could have been better but it was a nice storyline. I can see where folks heavily involved in the management of a church may not have liked their goings on aired on movie screens and now homes all over the world.

Most important, prayerfully, our churches will operate in a christian-like manner and not just try to separate their parishoners from their money. Amen.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Cinema, Entertainment, Religion

After watching most of Madonna's interview on Oprah's show, I am more convinced that this adoption saga is media manipulation at it's worse.

It is likely that David's father has been harangued into saying that he did not understand the arrangement regarding the son's welfare. The truth is the light.

I hope others who can, will help children throughout the world. Please do not allow this madness to stop us from helping all children in need.

Bless you, Madonna. Peace.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Family, Madonna, News

Miami is overdeveloped. There is construction almost everywhere and that is no exaggeration. While the need for additional tax revenue that these new condos and houses can generate is clearly understood, the hodge-podge of architectural styles and obstruction of air flow make the area look tacky. I'm just being real. It's analagous to a home that is remodeled without a real plan. You know those houses where the owner just adds a room here and there without considering the layout of the rooms in the house as a whole. And let's not talk about the view of Biscayne Bay that will soon only be enjoyed by those living in monstrous condominiums along the waterside.

With this construction boom also comes an airspace that covers vehicles with a film of dust each day. It is so disgusting. That dust represents a toxic environment; not to mention the dangerous debris.

To make matters worse, the prices of the condos are outrageous. A $400,000 starting price for a loft apartment in one of Miami's most blighted areas? Get real. Where are the people that can afford those prices? This cannot possibly last.

Miami's feeble attempt at viable public transportation still make a vehicle a necessity. The roadways cannot accomodate the increase in the number of vehicles. Commuting is much more time consuming and frustrating than in the recent past.

As more people come to Miami, others leave because they simply can no longer afford to live here. A housing scandal that displaced thousands of families and squandered millions of dollars exacerbates the situation.

There is development, which is fine. There is also ovedevelopment which is not. Miami is overdeveloped.

© 2006 VANESSA BYERS, Vanessa: Unplugged

Labels: Business, Commentary, Florida, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Politics