At approximately 8:20 AM on Sunday, September 25, 2016 a piece of me died. I sat in my office sipping coffee trying to finish an article for the blog, The Randolph Review. My deep concentrated thoughts suddenly appeared fuzzy and disoriented on the page when a voice on the TV behind me, mentioned José Fernandez had died in a boating accident. I spun my chair around and stared into the screen, confused in disbelief. When a tear splattered on my arm and the screen went fuzzy, I knew it was real and a part of me died with José. His light shined the brightest among the glitter of South Beach.

For you see, Fernandez was a friend of mine and now I would never see him again. But I do remember his infectious smile, the bear hugs he gave his teammates and the electricity he created by virtue of his presence. His family, the Marlins, South Florida and I, had lost an icon, someone we could admire and were proud that he was the face of our community. He was one of those people that seem to up lift everything he touched and everyone around him. If you ever had a family member, teammate or friend whose presence altered the atmosphere, your environment and enhanced your existence, then you could relate to the personality of Fernandez. When people like him are no longer among us, we feel the loss, a sense of emptiness that even time may not cure. We will always have a missing piece from our soul. And it’s hard to imagine that gut wrenching loss for his family and especially his girlfriend who is pregnant with José’s first child.

José failed three times to defect to the United States until he was successful in 2008. On one journey, he had to dive into open water and save his mother from drowning. Did I mention that José Fernandez was a baseball player? He went to high school in Tampa Florida and was drafted in the first round of the 2011 major-league draft by the Florida Marlins. His major-league debut was April 7, 2013 and at that moment every fan knew he was something special. He was the embodiment of the American spirit, an immigrant trying to escape tyranny and injustice. On many occasions he noted how proud he was to become an American citizen in 2015.

I must admit that I never met José but like many South Floridians have an emotional attachment to him. I made a special effort to watch specifically those games where he pitched but the cameras always found Fernandez in the dugout even on his off days. Can any one of you in South Florida remove the image of his smile from your mind? And lastly, I should note that he was not only a baseball player – but the rookie of the year, two time All-Star, and one of the top five pitchers in the major-leagues according to many experts.

The next time you have one of those moments where the world is against you and you feel like there is no hope in your life, think of José and his struggle to touch the hand of freedom. Just maybe your moment will quickly fade.

For the moment the glitter on South Beach has dimmed.

R.J. Intindola

  The Libertarian party- Issues and Platform

Gary Johnson

Although I am very informed and engaged in the current presidential election, I must admit the shock when I began studying the Libertarian platform. Even more confusing are the results of several recent polls showing that many Bernie Sander’s millennials have moved toward the Libertarian party. The reason for my confusion is that the majority of their platform is further to the right than the Republican Party and diametrically opposite the issues adopted by the Sander’s progressive movement. In other words, why would a Sanders supporter migrate to a candidate that rebuffs the major components of the Sander’s platform.

I would be interested in hearing comments, especially from millennial’s, and more specifically from those who supported Bernie that now support the libertarians.

Key Issues

Johnson does not believe in climate change.

Johnson supports Citizens United.

Economy and Budget

1. Pledged to submit a balanced budget within the first 100 days of his administration. This would necessitate a more than 20% decrease in current federal spending and will include the reduction of entitlements. A few departments would be eliminated and military spending dramatically decreased. Most experts on the Internet indicate this position would be dangerous to the economy and to senior citizens and low income individuals.
2. They would reduce military spending by 20%. Military bases throughout the United States and the world would also be reduced by 20%. Experts on this issue indicate this proposal could jeopardize the security of the United States and our allies. Many indicated the proposal is dangerous.

Entitlements- Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

1. In regard to Medicare and Medicaid, The libertarians would basically eliminate the role of the federal government. The literature on this issue believes this could result in 50 different systems and programs that could result in substantial chaos for these programs.
2. Johnson, would reform Social Security, including increasing the eligibility age. His comments have ranged raising the age from 68 – 70.

Gun Control

1. Does not believe the, “no-fly list”, should be utilized to deny a person gun ownership.
2. Believes open carry should be a national policy as it will reduce mass shootings. He states that Americans would be safer if guns were more readily available and not restricted. He believes that private citizens carrying guns could have stopped some of the atrocities. He forgets that in Orlando there was a security guard on duty with a gun.
3. Johnson believes that no restrictions should be placed on the purchase of automatic in semi automatic assault rifles

Medical and Abortion

1. Supports abortion
2. Supports Planned Parenthood
3. Would eliminate the Affordable Care Act and has no plan to replace it with a different program.
4. Does not believe in, nor would permit funding for stem cell research.
5. Eliminate the Bush plan for prescription drug assistance.
6. Does not believe in funding nor would support insurance four mental health issues.
7. No government involvement whatsoever on any healthcare insurance.
8. No government cost regulations related to prescription drug even those that are lifesaving.
9. Reduce Medicare and Medicaid by at least 50% or eliminate altogether.

   International Trade

1. In general Gary Johnson typically opposes trade agreements. However, he does support The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).