Well it turns out that while all this hullabaloo about Mexicans and Panamanians fighting each other for the White House is happening, ONE coconut caucus member has been keeping her head above water. When she’s not visiting with very important photo ops philanthropists, she is fighting for the little guy!

Grain by grain, Miami Beach is losing the fine, bone-white sand that helps draw tourists. More than 5 million visitors a year pump $8 billion into the economy, according to the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. With domestic sources playing out, the city is asking for federal help to lift a 21- year-old ban on importing sand.

Miami Beach sits on a barrier island next to the city of Miami, which has a large port but not much beach. The island emerged from mangrove swamps when developers dredged Haulover Cut in 1925.

“We might as well be in Nebraska if we don’t have sand and surf and beautiful beaches,” said U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, whose district includes Miami Beach.

To solve this pending problem of not enough sand for Miami beach parties, they suggest, of course, bringing in the Mexicans!

Turning South

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scrutinized the coastline of Florida and other states for more than a decade before concluding in December that the sand was exhausted. The county is asking Congress to appropriate funds in the next federal budget to help buy foreign sand and pay half of the initial $120 million cost of refilling Miami Beach.

Mexico, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas or other parts of the Caribbean could be sources, Flynn said. Their sand is likely to match the color and texture of Florida’s, and price would be a factor, he said.

Uh oh! Sounds like Cuban sand might be up for discussion! Call the Balart Duo, quick!

I have my own reasons to believe why la Ros-Lehtinen wants more sand…

One Response to “Ileana Ros-Lehtinen In Favor Of Non-Embargoed Freedom Sand”

1. Lambini says:

   February 1, 2008 at 8:07 pm

   Hey-

   If you want to talk politics or anything else, here’s a free dial-in number and access code for Spanish speaking people-

   Dial-in number- +1 218-936-7994
   Access Code -212992

   Anyone who enters this info at the same time will be connected together like a party line. Let’s discuss! It’s just a long distance call.