U.S. Might Reopen Communication with Cuba

Think of America’s foreign relations as an AOL Instant Messenger buddy list. We’ve got roughly 190 buddies, dived up into “BFF,” “Frenemies,” “Casual Acquaintances,” etc. But for about 50 years, the screen name “Fidel4Lyfe” (AKA Cuba) has been blocked. Well, the New York Times reports today that the Obama administration is…

Obama’s First 100 Days and Barely Any Action on HIV/AIDS

Wednesday will mark the culmination of President Obama’s first 100 days in office, and he’s done a lot: passed a massive stimulus package, ordered the closure of Gitmo, made a momentous change in travel policy to Cuba, had some pirates shot, and got a dog named Bo. Though, one area…

Rep. Tries to Restrict Massage Parlor Ads, Only to Get Us Turgid

Republican state Rep. Rachel Burgin recently proposed an amendment that took aim at quote-unquote massage parlors in a recent bill dealing with business regulations. The first part of the bill details regulations on advertising these businesses (which would have some implications for New Times and our fellow alt-weeklies). The first provision would require all…

The Diaz-Balarts’ Dangerous Game

The announcement that President Obama’s administration will roll back restrictions on money transfer and travel to Cuba was met with mixed reactions locally, and its full political impact in Miami-Dade might not be known for some time. But Congressmen Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart have made no secret of their thoughts…

Shalala Gives Advice to Sebelius

University of Miami’s president and America’s longest-serving secretary of health and human services, Donna Shalala, always keeps an eye on what’s going on with her former office. After a notable setback, President Obama is trying to get Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius confirmed to fill the role, and Shalala went on…

Conservatives Want To Keep Crist’s Influence Limited to Florida

In politics nothing is ever guaranteed, but lets be honest the conventional wisdom is that come November 2010 Charlie Crist will be attending his electoral victory party. The only question is whether he’ll be popping the champaign for a re-election to the Governor’s mansion or a Senate victory. A group of solidly conservative Republicans…

Important Congressional Dog Update

After watching the press hubbub over Bo Obama unfold we wondered last week if any local Pols had any cute puppies of their own. A few quick Google searches didn’t turn up much, but we’ve had a few blanks filled in for us since then. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office…

New Poll Finds Cuban-Americans Firmly Approve of Obama

As reported by The New York Times and Generation Miami, a new poll by Bendixen & Associates paints a picture of Cuban Americans firmly supporting President Obama and his efforts in regards to Cuba. The poll, based on 400 phone surveys carried out last week in Florida, New Jersey and…

State Stem Cell Funding Ban Upheld

Last month President Obama repealed the ban on federal funding on stem cell research, but that doesn’t necessarily open the door to state funding. Yesterday, the state house voted to keep language in a bill that would bar universities from using state money for embryonic stem cell research 68-46. The…

State Senate Unanimously Votes To Raise Cigarette Tax

Because people in Tallahassee are a collective mass of “dumb,” they’re still dealing with a giant budget crisis. So, they went the easiest route and started seriously discussing a $1 tax on each and every pack of cigarettes. They’ll talk a good game, “Oh, this is to save people’s lives,…

How to Properly Name-Drop a Canine

In business and politics, it’s all about who you know. And connections are connections — even if the power player in your Rolodex likes the taste of his own feces.Yesterday morning, Riptide experienced a first: In a post-interview chat with a prominent Miami businessman and former city politician who shall…

Dear Politicians, Please Exploit Your Family Dogs

The liberal, elitist media would like you to think that Barack Obama is the first ever dog-owning politician in history. Charles Beauregard “Bo” Hussein Kennedy-Obama (yes, we’ve made that joke today but we will continue to call him that until the Obama administration produces his birth certificate. Why are you…

Dead Men on Campus

Who wouldn’t want to rest for eternity on their college campus? What better a final resting place than the first spot you nervously smoked marijuana because the cute senior offered it to you and you didn’t want to seem like a geek but felt like you were somehow giving up…

New Q Poll: Crist Is Popular, Extending Term Limits Isn’t

Gather ’round, children — it’s time to discuss the latest results of the Quinnipiac University Poll!Floridians still love Charlie Crist. He has 66 percent approval ratings! That includes 66 percent of Democrats and 68 percent of Republicans. White born-again evangelicals like him enough (66 percent) but disapprove of him at…

Tea Party Protests Make Less Sense than Pro Wrestling

You know what never made sense to me? Back in the ’90s, the WWF (now WWE) teamed up “The Million-Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, a character who was a millionaire, with Irwin R. Schyster, AKA I.R.S., a tax man. Together they won three tag-team titles, but, dude, millionaires friggin’ hate the…

Obama Supports World Cup Bid

When President Obama wasn’t bailing out America’s troubled cute industry yesterday with the unveiling of new First Dog Charles Beauregard “Bo” Hussein Kennedy-Obama, he found time to kick his support behind America’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. He wrote a letter that was…