31-01-2025
Trouble in our democracy: Trump fired an honorable Miami federal prosecutor
Raise your voice
Re: the Jan. 29 Miami Herald story, 'Miami federal prosecutor is among those fired by Justice Dept. for roles in Trump cases.' I've known Michael Thakur for at least a dozen years. Were I to put together a list of the smartest, most decent, most honorable people in our community, he would come quickly to mind. Genuine justice is embedded in his soul.
My lifetime goes back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and I've spent time with every president from Nixon to Biden. My most abundant reading is American history — the good and inspiring and what we still must overcome. My favorite Americans in history and in the present — those I have known, the many more I have not — are those who speak up and inspire.
This republic is not guaranteed. Benjamin Franklin, among our greatest Americans, in the wake of our establishing the United States Constitution, was asked by a group of citizens what had been created. His words, as pertinent today as in 1787, were these: 'A republic if you can keep it.'
Our republic is at risk unless we heed the lessons of history, hold onto our values and speak up on behalf of what is just.
David Lawrence Jr.,
Coral Gables
Vibrant village
As a resident of Key Biscayne for nearly 50 years, I feel personally grateful to live in a thriving, vibrant village that is consistently committed to fostering safety and a strong sense of community while preserving a unique charm and lifestyle.
The Village of Key Biscayne has undergone many changes in the past five decades, and I have been fortunate to lead our community as mayor through some of our most important milestones. Yet, no community is immune from the challenges of an urban setting. It is during these moments that the strength of our residents, the dedication of our leaders and the unity of our village truly shine.
We must learn from the past and move forward in a way that honors and preserves our values while innovating for the future.
Key Biscayne is a community of openness, where our residents have access to speak to their elected officials and administrative staff. In today's world, it is uncommon to be able to pick up the phone and speak directly to a chief of police or public works director, but not in Key Biscayne.
Our officials are engaged and part of our community; our doors are open and ready to welcome our residents. In fact, one of our core values is 'Residents First.' That openness is a testament to how our village is run and what makes the community special.
Yes, there is a media policy in place, but that is to ensure that our residents receive the most accurate information from media entities while not overburdening our staff. This is common practice in any organization, public or private. This is not aimed at our residents. We want your input and involvement.
Elected to serve and represent, as mayor and council we volunteer our time and energy to our residents with commitment and passion. We are grateful to our staff, from first responders to athletics coordinators to administration, who work tirelessly to keep our village running smoothly and safely. They are what make Key Biscayne the vibrant, welcoming and thriving community we are proud to call home.
If any resident has doubts or is losing trust, please call me or any of your council members. We were elected by you to support you. Let's continue to band together and keep our Island Paradise strong, united and prepared for the future.
Joe I. Rasco,
Mayor
Village of Key Biscayne
Teacher award
Congratulations to Vivian Ventura for winning Teacher of the Year as a music teacher at Southwood Middle School. As accomplished musicians and teachers, we offer the community of students much needed musical education, which contributes to their overall growth into adulthood.
Many years ago, I received the prestigious 'Heidi Castleman award for excellence in Chamber Music Teaching in the Middle School Venue' while a consulting string teacher at Southwood Middle school. At the time, the school's principal demanded I give my prize money to the school, although it was a teacher award. He also squelched the creative talents of many accomplished teachers. The Miami-Dade School Board stood behind me.
It is for that very reason I applaud Ventura, for winning and receiving her hard-earned rewards. No one should suppress excellence.
Jill Sheer,
Miami
Justice gone astray
President Donald Trump's firing of more than a dozen career Justice Department lawyers and staff who were involved in his previous prosecutions brazenly demonstrates the continued politicization of our criminal processes. Given the stench accompanying Trump's convictions by New York State authorities, it is clear both major political parties are involved.
We watched President Joe Biden preemptively pardon family and friends, purportedly to avoid 'revenge' and then watched Trump pardon his Jan. 6, 2021 supporters, including many convicted of assaults on police officers.
This must stop, but who is up to the task of halting executive interference with the criminal judicial process?
Congress is constitutionally responsible for doing so and possesses the mechanism but not the moxie. There is no evidence of congressional willingness even to discuss the problem, much less seek, investigate and resolve it. Presidential control of party leaderships makes it unlikely we'll see anything comparable to the Watergate investigation.
The judiciary is meant to punish rather than prevent misconduct and much of its authority relies upon distancing itself from political considerations. The latest display, however, may provide an incentive for the courts to take — or at least prod — Congress to take action.
Although included in the executive category, Justice Department lawyers are also officers of the courts in which they appear. Sacking government lawyers and pardoning a mob of convicted criminals has obvious impact on the courts. Should our judges be unconcerned about the responsibilities and ethical loyalties of the attorneys appearing before them?
The judiciary, including its circuit councils, has enormous influence and control on lawyers and bar associations and has often assembled committees to deal with matters of interest or impact on the judicial system. It is not without power to commence (or induce the bar to conduct) a process to determine whether criminal charges are being brought or thwarted for political reasons.
To rid the judicial system of politicization is inherently political and hence, anathema to the courts. Distasteful as it may be, forcing a spotlight may also be our only source of rescue or of shaming congress into action.
R. Thomas Farrar,
Miami
Trump's headache
Corralling undocumented immigrants will create labor shortages and increase prices. Tariffs will do the same. While Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party kiss President Trump's ring and concentrate on cultural issues, they are neglecting average Floridians.
In addition to renewing tax cuts for the rich, unless Trump finds a way to lower prices before the midterms, uneducated white Americans, who were deceived into believing they finally had a savior, will become aware of the deception and stop supporting the conman.
Kenneth Karger,
Kendall
Baseless claim
The Jan. 29 aircraft collision in Washington, D.C. was a tragic accident and President Donald Trump had no right to begin placing blame without having confirmed proof of how it happened and who was responsible. In his press conference after the incident, Trump politicized the tragedy by blaming diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for the accident. He could not have known all of the names, ethnicity and educational background on those involved in the accident to determine, without a doubt, that DEI was the cause.
In addition, he also laid blame on the Marine helicopter crew for not seeing the oncoming airliner on the approach to landing. The Blackhawk pilots were using night-vision goggles and could have misidentified the wrong aircraft. Trump is not a pilot, knows nothing about aviation and should not have used this tragedy to blame anyone or any policy as the cause of the accident.
This is another example of how this president prefers to divide rather than unite Americans, even during tragedies.
Edward Blanco,
Cutler Bay
