News & Views for Southern Sailors - Southwinds Magazine

We and the officers had an entertaining
15 minutes discussing the
merits—or lack thereof—of the situation
we found ourselves in. The officers
were clearly disgusted at having
to do the bidding of the man who had
complained, but since they were acting
on a superior’s orders, they really
had no choice.
After the officers left us, we sat for
a half hour and enjoyed watching the
instigator of this situation surreptitiously
watching us as he pretended to
clean his boat. We left after a half hour
at anchor, not because of this man, but
out of respect for the officers, who were
only doing their job—no, belay that;
they were doing what they had been
told to do—which was most decidedly
not their job.
My question here is this: Are the
politicians of Miami Beach, and the senior
police officers giving the orders and
are those who appear to leap at the
politicians’ beck and call, so craven, so
spineless, so hungry for political
largesse that they will order their front
line officers to break the law Because
that is exactly what happened here.
With their request, these officers were
violating our rights. They knew it, and
clearly didn’t like being ordered to do it.
It’s not like these officers didn’t
have more important things to do; it was
a busy weekend on the water. No, they
were ordered to break the law, to go
after us, to get us to move on, all because
one man has money, and the politicians
of Miami Beach (who are in his pocket)
don’t have the backbone or integrity to
tell him that his money doesn’t buy him
that privilege. Quite frankly, if I were a
voter in Miami Beach, I’d be asking
some very difficult questions of the
mayor and the chief of police.
For those who would like to ask
those questions, Mayor Bower’s e-mail
is mayorbower@miamibeachfl.gov. The
chief’s e-mail apparently isn’t publicly
available.
There is something else that we can
do about this as free citizens. I’d like to
invite all Miami Beach and area boaters
to an “Anchor Fest,” to be held on July
4, starting at 2 p.m. The Anchor Fest
will be a celebration of American freedom,
particularly the freedom
Americans have to see all legal rights
respected by our politicians. I’d like to
see several hundred boats anchor in
view of this man’s home, to help bring
home to him the fact that, while he may
be able to buy politicians, the Miami
Beach police do not answer to him; they
do not violate the rights of others
because he is displeased.
I’d also like to see the politicians of
Miami Beach get the message that
someone with money doesn’t have the
right to force police officers to break the
law through political patronage. I’d like
Miami Beach’s politicians to remember
and understand that they answer to the
voters of the city—all of them, not just
ones with lots of money and attitude.
I’d like to thank the officers for
their courtesy and for the job they do
for us. I know you’ll be with us at
Anchor Fest in spirit.
I’d like to see everyone have a great
time at this man’s expense, for him to
see that his money doesn’t buy him the
right to abuse the rights of others.
And I have a suggestion for this
man: If you don’t like boats anchored
where you can see them, buy a home
inland. I’d suggest New Mexico or
Arizona.
I hope to see everyone at Anchor
Fest. You can get more details on
Facebook; just search for Anchor Fest or
Anchor Fest Miami Beach.
W. J. Moran
North Channel Sailing
Charters, Training, Deliveries (443) 569-0424
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS July 2011 11