South Beach, Miami. Beyond The Planets.

Note: We're pleased to introduce the first of what we hope will be many guest posts by John Matlin:

The Miami Herald was first printed in 1902. It is a title that follows the best traditions of newspaper publishing. It has a reputation for fair and balanced reporting and, although it has a slight Republican bias, it reports both sides of the political aisle and the issues of the day.

The Herald is a local newspaper, thus it reflects the times and moods of Miami. Last week’s big story in America was Obama’s inauguration, which the Herald covered in detail, and Obama’s first days in office. In addition, the credit crunch is biting ferociously now and there is a real concern that the new administration may nationalise America’s banking system. Foreclosures in their thousands are forcing Americans all over the country out of their homes.

So, what were the lead stories in Saturday’s Miami Herald? The front page featured a six column picture of the corps de ballet of the Miami City Ballet, who had enjoyed raves and ovations in New York. Here, I must declare an interest as my eldest daughter works for MCB. The main front page story related to the detention of two Bahamian politicians for their alleged roles in a plot to extort money from John Travolta. Additionally, the front page reported on Fanny Mae putting the squeeze on condominium mortgages in Florida, i.e. new loans. There was also a story about the ailing Fidel Castro and new photos. None of the big issues of the day were mentioned on the front page, nor covered in any depth elsewhere.

My recent visit to South Beach, Miami was something of a surprise in that it was full of visitors, even in early January. Traffic jams occurred all the time, not just on South Beach whose road system could be better but on the freeways and interstates surrounding Miami. SUV’s aplenty were in evidence, restaurants were busy and the one shopping mall I went to was hardly quiet. Loud music was played everywhere and the mood was party, party.

You don’t have to look hard throughout America to find poverty. Last autumn, I spent time in northern California. It was no surprise that the many blue collar communities there voted Democrat in their droves last November. Miami is certainly no exception to a community experiencing poverty but I have been left with the distinct impression that many of the people living in Miami, and by extension South Beach, are in a bubble of their own. Real life won’t touch them as Miami life protects them. They are on a planet of their own, free from real life. Long may it be so.

[Photo via ehpien]