Local Universities Touch Much More Than Students

Among the regional amenities that we can too easily take for granted are our colleges and universities – unless, of course, we are still attending one – or ponying up for the next generation’s tuition bills.

Oh, we are reminded of their presence when a big grant is trumpeted or headlines warn of impending cutbacks. Or when USF shocks the college football world or the University of Tampa wins another national baseball championship. Or the Committee of 100 churns out an economic-impact study.

But by its very nature, higher education is about being a wellspring of eclectic issues, intellectual energy and societal concerns – and that is hardly the exclusive dominion of students.

I was reminded of that reality recently when, along with about 800 others, I got up early enough to attend the annual University of Tampa Fellows Forum at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. It featured presentations by Peter Beck, Managing Director of The Beck Group, a prominent construction and development-services firm; Robert Fornaro, president and CEO of Airtran Airways; and Tom James, chairman and CEO, Raymond James Financial. Their takes on the economy and their industries were candid and complementary. A few days earlier I had spoken with (“All The Shah’s Men”) author Stephen Kinzer who was in town to lecture at USF Health against drum-beating for war against Iran.

Within that same time span, director Spike Lee also spoke at USF and writer-activist Gloria Steinem appeared at Eckerd College. And yet this was not an atypical stretch. It’s what you get when you’re proximate to all that universities offer; when you’re privy to the ultimate marketplace of ideas. When you’re, well, lucky enough to live here.

Some outtakes:

UT Fellows Forum

* “We’re in this (economic downturn) for a while. It’s been a bubble primarily driven by greed.” – Peter Beck

* “The building industry has no choice but to be a leader in green technology.” – Peter Beck

* “If we have a recession, and some already think we’re in one, it won’t be very deep. Don’t panic. The economy is amazingly resilient. The economy is still the biggest and best in the world.” – Tom James

* “Florida needs to face reality. Insurance rates still don’t reflect (hurricane) risks to the coasts here. We’re kidding ourselves and I fault the politicians who fault the insurance business.” Tom James

* “Fuel is the lightning rod for change. Look for more mergers

Film Festival Fallout

The last night of the 5-day Gasparilla Film Festival featured the big-draw documentary “Man of Two Havanas” at Channelside Cinemas. It’s the heroic story of Max Lesnik, who went from idealistic insider in the Cuban Revolution against Fulgencio Batista to disillusioned ex-revolutionary to Miami exile trying — as a controversial journalist — to make the case for dialogue with Cuba. Dealing with South Florida death threats eventually became an inevitable way of life for Lesnik, who was in attendance – along with his daughter, Vivien Lesnik Weisman, the film’s director/producer.

Among those impressed with the movie – and its implications – was city councilwoman Mary Mulhern. She had read the eye-opening “Cuba Confidential” by Ann Louise Bardach and wanted to know more about the intrigues and politics that have saddled America with a Cold War Cuban policy for half a century.

“I was blown away by Lesnik – and the fact that he’s still alive,” said Mulhern. “And having the courage to do what he did.”

Mulhern, who moved here from Chicago 11 years ago, is now bringing herself up to speed on Cuban-American politics – including the attitudinal differences among Cuba-Americans in Tampa and Miami.

“It’s been a crazy policy that we’ve been stuck with for so long,” said Mulhern. “And the people in Miami make it so difficult. And here we are with the closest port to Cuba. We need to be talking about trade now. We’re trading with China. We in Tampa need to position ourselves for when Cuba opens up.”

During the post-movie discussion, she was moved and motivated to turn around and tell the patron behind her: “We’ve got to get a copy of this to Obama.”

The patron was Frank Sanchez, a key Latin American policy adviser to Barack Obama.

Just Words? Just Try Fighting The Good Fight Without ‘Em

As this historic Democratic primary rages on, the battle of words ratchets up. While words are seemingly the coin of the realm to Barack Obama, the Change-Agent/Template Candidate, they’ve become shorthand for shallowness to Hillary Clinton, the self-proclaimed voice of experience.

Words, to be sure, are not more important than actions, solutions, Day 1 readiness and political predisposition. Otherwise, the pantheon of presidents would include Daniel Webster, William Jennings Bryan, Adlai Stevenson, Ted Sorensen and George Will.

Words, of course, depend upon context. They don’t do the heavy lifting; they prioritize what has to be hoisted. They don’t wage war; they provide a rationale and rallying cry for it. Edward R. Murrow once noted that “Winston Churchill mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.” Obama understands the gift – and personifies the metaphor.

Clinton, however, could counter with the sage sentiments of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo who pragmatically noted: “You campaign in poetry; you govern in prose.”

This much we know. By any other phrasing, memorable observations or declamations would not, of course, be the same.

Who knows, for example, the upshot of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream

Richards’ Impact

When the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Brad Richards, the Bolts’ Stanley Cup MVP in 2004, to the Dallas Stars, the impact was felt beyond those two NHL franchises. Richards was more than a good guy; he was a go-to guy for the Children’s Cancer Center and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Notably, there was “Richy’s Rascals.” Richards, 27, paid the annual lease on colorfully customized, luxury suite 521 at the St. Pete Times Forum that is reserved exclusively for cancer kids and their families.

After each game, Richards would meet with all the families and linger late.

“If things didn’t go well,” reasoned Richards, “I can redeem myself the next game. They may not have a next day.”

Richards is that kind of guy. Much more than most, he will be missed.

Castro’s Resignation Resonates With Tampa Attorney

The reactions to the resignation of infirm, 81-year-old Cuban President Fidel Castro have been, for the most part, predictable: whether pragmatically political or purely — and personally — partisan.

The former was in evidence in a bipartisan congressional letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that called for a “complete review” of U.S.-Cuba policy. The missive, with its 104 signatories, referenced America’s failed, Cold War-era policy with Cuba, including the 46-year-old, economic embargo.

“Allies and adversaries alike have rejected our approach,” said the letter, “and instead engage the Cuban government directly on diplomatic issues and make billions in dollars in economic investments on the island, making it even less likely that our sanctions will ever achieve their stated purpose.

“Our policy leaves us without influence at this critical moment, and this serves neither the U.S. national interest nor average Cubans, the intended beneficiaries of our policy.”

Of course, none of those signatories were from Florida, where no one, including Tampa’s own rookie Rep. Kathy Castor, wants to touch the third rail of status quo Cuban politics. “No guts, no glory” obviously doesn’t apply here. More like, “No guts, no sweat – and no needless re-election issue.”

But no reaction was as intriguing as that of high-profile Tampa attorney Ralph Fernandez, the long-time, anti-Castro activist.

Havana native Fernandez, 56, who has represented former Cuban political prisoners, has often railed against any form of rapprochement with the Castro government. He has been highly critical, for example, of Cuban trips undertaken by former Mayor Dick Greco and former Congressman Sam Gibbons. He took up legal recourse for Brothers to the Rescue. He’s been a rhetorically provocative, partisan’s partisan.

These days, however, he has leavened his dogmatic credo with pragmatism.

“We need to call a time out,” says Fernandez, who stresses that an America stretched beyond its geo-political, military and intelligence capacities needs to consider Cuba in a more realistic context.

“The sign of an intelligent person is to change with changing times,” he notes. “We need to revisit everything. Put it all on the table. The embargo. Helms-Burton (Act). Asylum claims. ‘Wet foot-dry foot’ affects our moral position. We want to build fences and kick out people. Then we have people (Cubans) coming over without any connections to political persecution. It makes us look awful to Mexicans.”

And hypocritically ironic. Fernandez cites Saudi Arabia.

“What do we have in common (other than the obvious) with our ally, the Saudis?” he asks rhetorically. “In Cuba, even if they say so, they don’t hate us. They follow the Yankees. They pray to the same God. They drink like us. Their women are opinionated. We have a lot in common. Change is good.”

He sees the change in Miami. He points to the aging exile generation and assimilation. The “road of less resistance” now beckons, he says.

As for Castro, Fernandez remains perversely smitten – and unforgiving.

“Castro is a unique package,” avers Fernandez. “A brilliant orator. A voracious reader. He’s knowledgeable about everything, although not as knowledgeable as he thinks. He’s intellectually superior to most people. And he’s 100 per cent evil. But charismatically evil. No one could ever duplicate his feat of negative accomplishment.”

Fernandez thinks it’s only fitting that Castro, for all the summary executions, legions of political prisoners, confiscations, expropriations and monumental economic failures, leaves the world’s stage looking like a forlorn failure. “The world will remember him as a weak, pajama-clad soul who outlived himself,” he states.

But Castro shouldn’t be allowed to simply fade from the scene, says Fernandez, who still seeks retribution.

“This president has pandered to the (exile) Cubans more than anyone, and he has an obligation,” declares Fernandez. “We should indict him (for the Brothers to the Rescue shoot-down). Take it as far as possible. He no longer has head-of-state exemption. The government should prosecute the case.

“We can’t forgive him for the thousands he executed,” underscores Fernandez. “It sends the wrong message to the enemies of America if we forgive that. We go across the world to kill for far less. This would make some progress to closure, part of the healing process. Sure, it may be a Pyrrhic victory. But it’s important that he goes down as a criminal.”

As for the new, post-Fidel regime, Fernandez is “cautiously optimistic.”

Change, he projects, will be “gradual.” Should Raul Castro, 76, who’s hinted at reform, formally succeed — as expected — his brother as President of Cuba’s Council of State, it will belie what’s going on internally. Fernandez perceives orchestration and likens it, ironically, to “an old Soviet power play.”

While the cast of characters will feature Raul Castro, as well as Finance Minister Carlos Lage, 56, and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, 42, Fernandez is wary of “younger talent coming in” from the powerful network of intelligence operatives. He says he’s heard “rumblings” — but no names.

Of this, however, he’s certain: Raul is not the right man for the job.

“He has no longevity,” says Fernandez. “He can’t hold it together. He has known dependencies (alcohol). He’s not sharp enough to run Cuba. Plus, to run Cuba, you need to be charismatic.”

And a final Fernandez take on the Castro resignation: “It was a really good day.”

Crist For VP – Not

Don’t look for a John McCain-Charlie Crist GOP ticket in ’08, even though the governor presides over a critical swing state and is owed something for his key Florida primary endorsement of the presumptive GOP nominee. McCain is a soft-core conservative admired for his well-earned war-hero status. Crist, who is Republican Light, doesn’t give McCain much more of what he already has – appeal to independents.

Plus, Crist is a cheap-shot “bachelor” innuendo and a bad hurricane away from image implosion.

Polls Apart

Did you see that recent Harris Interactive Poll on the “Top 10 Presidents”? Whatever the criteria, whoever the participants, nothing explains Thomas Jefferson at 7, unless the first six places were all reserved for George Washington. They weren’t.

Ronald Reagan (2), John F. Kennedy (4) and Bill Clinton (6) preceded Jefferson.

For the record, Abraham Lincoln finished first.

For what it’s worth, George W. Bush was 10th.

Sorry, Charlie, VP Not In The Cards

When it still mattered, Charlie Crist endorsed John McCain and arguably helped the senator win Florida and thus gain stature and momentum for Super Tuesday. Here’s hoping his reward might yet be a more favorable McCain view of, say, the national catastrophe fund bill should the Arizona senator become president.

What the reward won’t be is a Crist vice presidency. No matter how much national barnstorming he does with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

Of course, being governor of the country’s biggest swing state is huge, but in a general election Crist doesn’t give him much more of what McCain already has – appeal to independents. McCain is a soft-core conservative and admired for his well-earned war-hero status. Crist is Republican Light – and a cheap-shot “bachelor” innuendo and a bad hurricane away from image implosion.

McCain’s long-time appeal to independents is moot if he can’t at least seriously placate – energizing is off the table – conservatives with one of their own on the ticket.

Now if Fred Thompson were at the top of the ticket

Primary Suggestion

For those still concerned that the Democratic primary could still be decided by super-delegates, here’s a suggestion. Do a Florida and Michigan re-vote — not a caucus — in the spring. And fund it from the obscene coffers of the Clinton and Obama campaigns.

Florida, for one, can’t afford it, and they can. But this democracy can’t afford the perception, let alone the reality, that regular voters matter less than political elites.

Johnny B. Goode Enough

So what’s with the flap over John Mellencamp denying John McCain use of his songs at campaign events? So the balladeer of middle class sufferance looks askance at the McCain candidacy? So McCain is precluded from using “Our Country” and “Pink Houses”?

McCain had a winner on his last Tampa visit. No, not the Four Tops number that preceded his Tampa Convention Center speech, the one that most folks still think is “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch.” But it’s actually “I Can’t Help Myself.” That would, of course, be fodder for the Democrats as well as Bill Maher and Jon Stewart.

But what’s wrong with “Johnny B. Goode,” which followed his Tampa presentation – along with a volley from confetti guns? Johnny might not be good enough for evangelicals, but Chuck Berry over John Mellencamp is a winner.