Guantanamo of the Cape?

I sat through a fascinating two hours today in Cape Coral. The roasting of Councilman Mickey Rosado and the beginnings of legal war that I expect to last months if not years.

Rosado is underfire for "allegedly" abusing his powers. A third party investigation found he asked various city employees to stop or push through various projects. According to the city charter, only the city manager is allowed to do that. (Many assume Rosado had something to gain from the impacted projects)

A forfeiture hearing is set for February 6th in which his fellow council members could give him the boot. I will be extremely surprised though if it is actually held that day. I suspect you'll see it weeks if not a month later because the defense will need time to prepare.

You're likely as unfamiliar with forfeiture hearings as I am. It's never been done in Cape Coral from my understanding. In essence the Council serves as a prosecutor asking witnesses various questions. They can subpoena witnesses as well. In this case, council will also be listed a witness. And when all is said and done... Say 2-4 days of testimony later... Council will confer and rule (vote) to keep or kick Rosado out of office.

I title my post today "Guantanamo of the Cape"... Because if anyone honestly thinks Rosado is going to get a fair shake... I've got some land to sell you. I agree comparing Rosado... To "enemy combatants" housed in Cuba is a stretch. However Rosado may as well be there because what's about to happen is a show for the public, and nothing more.

The Rosado investigation started like any other investigation... Someone had a motive. Someone ON THE COUNCIL, WITH A MOTIVE, leaked documents. Honestly speaking I don't know what that motive is. We can assume though that the end result they wanted was to get rid of Rosado. Unfortunately for them this effort has become a bit messy and while they may ultimately be successful, it will undoubtedly be expensive and a learning experience.

So I ask you this... If you leaked documents to get your co-worker fired and then were asked to be impartial at a hearing to fire them... Could you really be impartial?

I don't make this argument because I like or dislike Rosado or any other council member. I am not arguing whether Rosado is guilty or not. I make this argument because the "democratic process" set for February 6th is not what Cape Coral's founding fathers envisioned.

And If you think I'm exaggerating... Wait till the appeals are filed in court.

Can someone tell me why there isn't a recall?

True or False: Depends which Parent you ask

One thing you may have noticed watching the media coverage on Baby Bryan... Is an inconsistency in the story.

Some reporters tell the story of them being smuggled here in intimate detail... Others say they are here legally. One report they didn't owe money to anyone, the next station reports they owe thousands.

A story that factually varies from reporter to reporter is usually a sign someone got the story wrong. But in the case of Baby Bryan it's evidence of a poorly organized PR campaign, confused with the message they want to send.

I'll explain:
In a recent sit down interview with Bryan's parents I asked what was sure to be a difficult question. "Are you here legally?" Mom shakes her head no. Dad shakes his head yes. The interpreter (supplied by the family) says yes. I question the answer... "Yes? They are here legally?" With mom still shaking her head no... The interpreter than changes her answer... "Oh, no they are not."

My next natural question: "Do you realize you may be deported?" The translator poses my question to the parents in Portuguese. Little does she know I speak some Spanish and can make sense of some of what is being said because the languages are similar. I couldn't translate word for word their answer but I did hear them say to the effect: "I don't care if I am deported I just want to have my baby. Once I have my baby I don't care what happens." So what does the translator say? "They just want their baby back."

The dishonest answers continued on for another 10 minutes... With the parents trying to keep on message... "We just want our baby back."

It makes sense, protect the parents while trying to get the baby back. Unfortunately the different stories have created a sort of distrust of Baby Bryans parents. While they may be dishonest or disguising their answers to protect their residency in the US, it raises my suspicions they are hiding a lot more.

By the way the media is asking the question did these parents sell the baby as payment to get ot the United States. The parents say no. Reverend Israel Suarez, lead spokesperson (or propaganda leader... Depending who you ask) quickly ducked the question by asking a question... "What are you with the FBI? You should work for the FBI."

Baby Bryan Smells

From the get go, the baby abduction in Fort Myers smelled. It just didn't sound right.

A woman kidnapping a baby in the middle of rush hour? A woman claiming to be looking for Pine Manor... But not from here? If your not from Southwest Florida, you're looking for Fort Myers, Cape Coral... Maybe Bonita Springs. Your definitely not looking for Pine Manor, Dunbar, Iona, Etc. Then this kidnapper disappears, never to be seen again, despite the baby's photo plastered everywhere. Come'on someone had to notice a woman who became a mother overnight. Yet no one has come forward.

The smuggling theory Fort Myers Police has brought forward makes sense... But something is still missing. There is something they are not sharing that confirms they are looking for smugglers. Could it be a ransom request? Could it be a lead from someone the parents confided in? Could it be what was said to the mother before the kidnapper drove off with the baby?

Here's another conspricy theory: Fort Myers police post a $21,000 dollar reward Friday. Later that day they receive an anonymous call from smugglers looking to collect the cash. However why would police then hold a press conference Saturday announcing the motive?

If this is indeed a smuggling operation... I believe we will never see Baby Bryan again. The only chance he has is if the smuggler has a heart. And how many smugglers do you think are in this for charity? Bryan's abduction sends a message of fear to those who haven't paid up. Keeping him will instill that fear for generations to come.

If this is something else, such as a mother who wanted a baby... Then the Dos Santos family has hope. Someone will come forward eventually.