I wonder if Miami Herald reporter Nadege Green will suffer the same fate as others who have told the truth about North Miami politics in her article today, In North Miami, Haitian Radio can be key to victory, defeat.  Somehow, I doubt it.  Kudos to her for her “bravery.”

Ms. Green reported:

“In the days following the May 14 general election, Haitian radio personalities have flooded the airwaves, pushing Haitian candidates in the runoff – often at the expense of the truth.  The recurring message across the airwaves is this: vote Haitian.”

Of course, if any non-Haitian published this comment, cries of RACISM would ensue.  Never mind the fact that those radio personalities who are telling their listeners to “Vote Haitian” are the true RACISTS.  The messenger is the one who is always attacked.

I’m curious to see if anyone will attack the reporter for her comments.  I’m not holding my breath.

Ms. Green also went on to write what I’ve said on numerous occasions that Haitian radio audiences “feel most comfortable listening to news in their mother tongue and often consider what is said to be gospel.”

She went on to explain that these “hosts sometimes have very close connections to candidates and don’t disclose that.  Often, their comments are advertorials, paid for by candidates.”

In essence, these “radio personalities” are given free range to say whatever they want on Haitian radio, knowing full well that their audience believes every word of it without question, and withholding pertinent information at will for the sole purpose of deceiving them into voting for certain candidates.

As attorney and chair of Haitian-Americans for Progress Magalie Austin told the Herald, “The radio hosts are guns for hire.  Whoever gives them the biggest check, they become the mouthpiece for that person or that cause.  They don’t disclose it.”

In essence, these “radio personalities” have the license to say whatever they want, whether it’s true or not, with absolutely no consequences whatsoever.  They are given free reign because no one either dares to correct them, or it’s not in their own self-serving interest to do so.

For example, Lesly Prudent, who was handed his sweet gig as Community Redevelopment Agency “coordinator” by his close friend outgoing North Miami mayor Andre Pierre, is pulling out all the stops to push for the election of mayoral candidate Lucie Tondreau.  He has been shilling for her daily at his real job as “Haitian radio personality.”  Prudent was conveniently gifted with his position as a city employee in exchange for helping Pierre get elected, and now he’s returning the favor by trying to get Andre’s hand-picked candidate to replace him.

Never mind that it’s a violation of Florida Statute 104.31(1)(a) for public employees to use his “official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election.”  Prudent claims his show is broadcast when he is not on duty, which is permitted; HOWEVER, by announcing that he is the CRA coordinator on the radio while shilling for candidates, he IS using his “official authority.”

Of course, it’s not in the best interest of those who are supposed to be policing North Miami’s public employees to stop Prudent from breaking the law, i.e., Pierre & Co., when it serves their own purpose of getting their chosen candidates into office.

They certainly aren’t going to try to stop Prudent from making stuff up, either.  According to the article, Prudent told his listeners that mayoral candidate Keven Burns “wrote a letter to the people in his neighborhood that all Haitians working for the city are incompetent.”  When asked to produce this so-called letter, he refused.  No kidding!  He obviously can’t produce something that doesn’t exist.

But as long as his lies are told “in the mother tongue,” it’s considered “gospel.”

According to the article, Prudent refused to comment while on duty or off.  Big surprise.

These “radio personalities” also get away with breaking federal laws by not giving all candidates equal air time and charging some more than others for advertising.  There are apparently no consequences since the FCC is more concerned with Janet Jackson’s nipple than corrupt municipal elections.  And so the farce continues.

Then you have a candidate like Lucie Tondreau, who doesn’t even live in North Miami, and who brushes off the controversy she created by HER OWN crude remarks about her “sweet lady parts” by saying that her opponent is trying to “derail her campaign” by “painting her as immoral.”  Never mind that she was caught on radio TELLING THE WORLD THAT HER COCO IS DOUCE, it’s her opponent’s fault for “leaking” it.

News Flash, Lucie:  Kevin Burns didn’t advertise your Coco Douce.  YOU DID!

Lucie Douce also blamed her opponents when she claimed to the Miami New Times in (get ready for this whopper!) North Miami Mayoral Finalist Says Her Opponent Secretly Recorded Her Bragging About Her Ladyparts.  SHE SAID IT PUBLICLY!  But somehow she’s blaming someone else for SECRETLY RECORDING IT!  Lucie Douce claims she “got into an argument” with someone and that he “pushed the wrong button.”  Way to take responsibility for your crass behavior, Coco!

Yeah, this 2013 election season is one for the books, all right.

As Nadge Green pointed out in her article, “In North Miami where a third of the population is of Haitian descent and the community is vying to have a super-majority for the first time on the city council,” or four out of five council members.

The Haitian “community” of North Miami makes it blatantly clear that one third of the populace wants to control the entire city.

The Haitian “radio personalities” make it blatantly clear to “Vote Haitian.”

They have been honest about their RACIST goals, but will tell any amount of lies to achieve them.

Yet that irony is completely lost on those listeners of Haitian radio who blindly believe what they are told because if it’s in their “mother tongue” it’s the Gospel Truth.

Besides, they heard it on the radio, so it must be true.

Stephanie Kienzle
“Spreading the Wealth”