Who Really Owns America? The Banks, The Billionaires And The Deep State By John & Nisha Whitehead Nov 19, 2025 As President Trump Floats The Idea Of 50-Year Mortgages, Americans Are Being Sold A New Version Of The American Dream—One That Can Never Truly Be Owned, Only Leased From The Banks, Billionaires And Private Equity Landlords Who Profit From Our Permanent State Of Debt. Which begs the question: who owns America? Is it the government? The politicians? The corporations? The foreign investors? The American people? While the Deep State keeps the nation divided and distracted by circus politics, America is literally being bought and sold right out from under us. Consider the facts. Homeownership—the cornerstone of middle-class stability—is being transformed into a lifetime rental agreement. Cars, homes and even college degrees have become indentured commodities in a debt-driven economy where the average American family serves as collateral for Wall Street’s profits. This is not accidental. It’s the natural evolution of an economy built to enrich the few at the expense of the many. The American Dream has been repackaged as a subscription service—an illusion of ownership propped up by 0% down payments, predatory interest rates and fine print that lasts a lifetime. What used to be called “buying” is now simply renting from the future. We’re losing more and more of our land every year to corporations and foreign interests. As individual Americans struggle just to make rent, corporations and foreign investors are quietly buying the country piece by piece. Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land has surged to more than 43 million acres—millions added in just the last few years. Meanwhile, large institutional landlords and single-family rental operators have amassed hundreds of thousands of houses across the country. Corporations now hold vast portfolios, converting would-be first-time buyers into permanent tenants. The result is a nation where more of our soil and shelter are controlled by entities whose primary allegiance is to shareholders—not communities. The same dynamic plays out across industries. We’re losing more and more of our businesses every year to foreign corporations and interests. Brands that once defined American enterprise—U.S. Steel, Budweiser, Jeep and Chrysler, Burger King, 7-Eleven—now fly international flags. Global conglomerates have bought up the names we grew up with: U.S. Steel (now Japanese-owned); General Electric (Chinese-owned); Budweiser (Belgium); Burger King (Canada); 7-Eleven (Japan); Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge (Netherlands) and IBM (China). The American economy has become a franchise of the world’s oligarchs. We’re digging ourselves deeper and deeper into debt, both as a nation and as a populace. Debt has become America’s most profitable export. Washington borrows trillions it cannot repay; Wall Street packages our futures into products it can sell and households shoulder record balances. The national debt (the amount the federal government has borrowed over the years and must pay back) has surged to more than $38 Trillion under President Trump, “the fastest accumulation of a trillion dollars in debt outside of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” In this economy, debt has replaced freedom as our national currency. The Fourth Estate—the supposed watchdog of power—has largely merged with the corporate state. Independent news agencies, which were supposed to act as bulwarks against government propaganda, have been subsumed by a global corporate takeover of newspapers, television and radio. A handful of corporations now control most of the media industry and thus, the information dished out to the public. Likewise, with Facebook and Google having appointed themselves the arbiters of disinformation, we now find ourselves grappling with new levels of corporate censorship by entities with a history of colluding with the government to keep the citizenry mindless, muzzled and in the dark. Most critically of all, however, the U.S. Government, long ago sold to the highest bidders, now operates as a shell company for corporate interests. Nowhere is this state of affairs more evident than in the manufactured spectacle that is politics. Elections change the faces, not the system. Members of Congress do far more listening to donors than to citizens, so much so that they spend two-thirds of their time in office raising money. As Reuters reports, “It also means that lawmakers often spend more time listening to the concerns of the wealthy than anyone else.” In the oligarchy that is the American police state, it clearly doesn’t matter who wins the White House, if they all answer to the same corporate shareholders. So much for living the American dream. “We the people” have become the new, permanent underclass in America. We’re being forced to shell out money for endless wars that are bleeding us dry; money for surveillance systems to track our movements; money to further militarize our already militarized police; money to allow the government to raid our homes and bank accounts; money to fund schools where our kids learn nothing about freedom and everything about how to comply; and on and on. This is no way of life. It’s tempting to say that there’s little we can do about it, except that’s not quite accurate. There are a few things we can do—demand transparency, reject cronyism and graft, insist on fair pricing and honest accounting methods, call a halt to incentive-driven government programs that prioritize profits over people—but it will require that “we the people” stop playing politics and stand united against the politicians and corporate interests who have turned our government and economy into a pay-to-play exercise in fascism. Unfortunately, we’ve become so invested in identity politics that label us based on our political leanings that we’ve lost sight of the one label that unites us: we’re all Americans. The powers-that-be want us to adopt an “us versus them” mindset that keeps us powerless and divided. Yet as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the only “us versus them” that matters is “we the people” against the Deep State. The American Dream was meant to promise opportunity, not indentured servitude. Yet in the American Police State, freedom itself is on loan—with interest. We can keep renting our lives from the powerful few who profit from our compliance, or we can reclaim true ownership—of our persons, our labor, our government and our future. For as long as we still have one, the choice is ours. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org Previous Next

It’s Time For Musical Lovers to Rejoice Thu Aug 11 2022 04:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIU Researchers Developed an Algorithm: That Can Diagnose a Stroke with 83 Percent Accuracy April 7, 2023 Share Research from Florida International University’s College of Business (FIU Business) found that a machine learning (ML) Algorithm that uses hospital data and social determinants of health data can help diagnose a Stroke quickly – before the results of laboratory tests or diagnostic images are available – with 83 percent accuracy. The findings suggest that there may be a way to reduce Stroke misdiagnosis in patients and enhance patient monitoring. The discovery will allow medical personnel to identify a Stroke patient or patients at risk of a Stroke sooner, improving the patients’ medical outcome. Stroke is among the most common and dangerous misdiagnosed medical conditions, and timely detection is key to effective management and improved outcomes. Patients who are treated within an hour of the onset of symptoms have a much greater chance of surviving and avoiding long-term brain damage. This is known as the “golden hour.” Data indicates that Blacks, Hispanics, women, older adults on Medicare and residents of rural areas are less likely to be diagnosed during this crucial window. Currently used pre-hospital Stroke scales miss approximately 30 percent of cases. The ML Algorithm that helps better diagnose Strokes was developed using data of suspected Stroke patients such as age, race and number of underlying conditions. The Algorithm “learns” and improves the more data it analyzes. Social determinants of health (SDoH) are non-medical factors, such as income and housing stability, access to transportation, race and social isolation, that affect a wide range of health outcomes. Using all of this information, the ML Algorithm helps to quickly diagnose a potential Stroke patient. “As we add more data it’s learning data,” said Min Chen, Associate Professor Of Information Systems and Business Analytics at FIU Business and one of the researchers. “Our Algorithm can incorporate a lot of variables to analyze and interpret complex patterns, which will allow Emergency Department care teams to make better and faster decisions. This data-driven approach will help make it easier to identify Stroke patients and ensure that they get the care they need in a timely manner.” Published in the January 2023 issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, the study outlines how researchers developed the ML Stroke Prediction Algorithm using the Emergency Department and hospitalization records from hospitals in the State of Florida from 2012 to 2014, merged with the SDoH data from the American Community Survey. Their analysis included 143,203 hospital visits of unique patients. Patients who ended up being diagnosed with Stroke tended to be older, have more chronic conditions and have Medicare as the primary payer. If a hospital is using the researchers’ ML Algorithm, when a patient arrives with Stroke or Stroke-like symptoms, an automated, computer-assisted screening tool will quickly analyze all the patient’s information. If it predicts that the patient is at a high risk for Stroke, a pop-up will be triggered to alert the Emergency Department Team. This study fills a critical gap in the current efforts to support Stroke triage. Current ML methods developed to assist in detecting a Stroke have focused on interpreting clinical notes and diagnostic imaging results, which may not be available when a patient arrives at a hospital, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This type of technology is undergoing pilot testing in the ERs of several prominent healthcare systems. To facilitate the widespread implementation of this kind of ML-Enabled decision support systems, it is important to have widespread health information exchange that enables patients' data to flow seamlessly across providers and also a standardized way to collect the granular SDoH data. Chen conducted the study with Professors Xuan Tan of Clara University and Rema Padman of Carnegie Mellon University. < Previous News Next News >

A Nation of Snitches: DHS Is Grooming Americans to Report on Each Other Thu Sep 28 2023 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Joining Forces For Second Chances - PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary And Abandoned Pet Rescue To Host Thrifty Kitty Pop-Up Boutique South Florida Sun Times Sep 24, 2025 Two Organizations, One Mission: Second Chances. In Celebration Of National Happy Cat Month, Celebrated In September, PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary And Abandoned Pet Rescue Are Collaborating To Host Thrifty Kitty Pop-Up Boutique On Tuesday, September 30th. The Evening Will Begin With A Sneak Peek From 4:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m. And General Admission Will Open From 5:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. The community is invited to an evening of shopping, style and second chances to benefit PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary and Abandoned Pet Rescue. Supporters can Buy-A-Bag, Fill-A-Bag with a selection of men’s and women’s fashion to help give cats and dogs a second chance at life. Admission is free. Full bags are $50, and half bags are $25. Luxury brands and wedding dresses are not included in the Buy-A-Bag, Fill-A-Bag, and will be available for purchase at thrift pricing. Shoppers will also have the opportunity to meet adoptable cats and dogs looking for their furrr-ever homes and a second chance at love. Future pet parents can fill out adoption applications at the event. “Partnering with Abandoned Pet Rescue for this event means twice the impact for animals in need,” said Executive Director of PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary Michelle Schecht. “Every bag purchased at Thrifty Kitty Pop-Up Boutique helps give cats and dogs a second chance at life, while also connecting future pet parents with their forever companions.” Proceeds from the event will be equally split between PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary and Abandoned Pet Rescue, ensuring both organizations can continue their lifesaving work. Founded in 2018, PURRR Adoption + Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization with a mission to transform cats' lives one PURRR at a time, through rescue, adoption, and spay and neuter initiatives that help reduce overpopulation and ultimately enrich the human-feline connection. PURRR is committed to giving cats and their companions a better future by offering a safe haven and encouraging responsible pet ownership. PURRR’s team, and volunteers bring a wealth of experience and compassion to everything they do. From adoptions to spay and neuter services, every aspect of PURRR is driven by a deep love for cats and a commitment to their well-being. Founded in 1996, Abandoned Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) NonProfit Organization that rescues and shelters abandoned dogs and cats with the goal of finding them new homes. Abandoned Pet Rescue is one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in South Florida. Over the past decade, Abandoned Pet Rescue has provided comprehensive care for more than 10,000 dogs and cats that have come through the shelter as well as for community cats that have been trapped, neutered, vaccinated and released. Today, Abandoned Pet Rescue has the capacity to house up to 150 cats and 35 dogs. Previous Next

Unique Party Boat Experience: Freaky Tiki Charters Announces Its One-Of-A-Kind Journey August 29, 2024 Share Freaky Tiki Boat Charters is excited to announce the grand opening of its premier party boat experience in Fort Lauderdale, bringing a new wave of fun and excitement to the city’s waterways. With a unique twist on traditional boating, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters offers a festive, tiki-themed adventure perfect for all types of gatherings, from bachelorette and bachelor parties to birthdays, corporate events and casual get-togethers. A New Wave of Entertainment on the Water Fort Lauderdale, often referred to as the "Venice of America" due to its extensive canal system, has long been a destination for boating enthusiasts and tourists alike. Freaky Tiki Boat Charters is set to elevate the local experience with its one-of-a-kind tiki boat, designed to host up to 22 guests for an unforgettable journey through the city’s iconic waterways. Each charter offers a blend of scenic views, good vibes, and an energetic atmosphere, complete with your favorite music, drinks, and a crew dedicated to ensuring a memorable outing. Whether cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway or anchored at a sandbar for a floating party, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters provides a versatile space for any occasion. Customized Experiences for Every Occasion Freaky Tiki Charters offers fully customizable packages to cater to the unique needs of every group. Guests can choose from a variety of charter options, including daytime adventures, sunset cruises, and evening excursions, each tailored to create the perfect ambiance for their event. "We're thrilled to bring something truly exciting to Fort Lauderdale," said Azeem Sultan, Owner of Freaky Tiki Boat Charters. "Our goal is to provide a fun, safe, and unforgettable experience for everyone who steps aboard. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a fun day out on the water, our tiki boats are the perfect setting." A Safe and Enjoyable Experience Safety is a top priority at Freaky Tiki Boat Charters. Each boat is operated by a licensed and experienced captain who is familiar with the local waters, ensuring a smooth and secure ride. The boats are also equipped with all necessary safety equipment, and the crew is trained to provide exceptional service while adhering to all safety regulations. In addition to its party-centric focus, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters is committed to responsible boating practices. The company encourages guests to enjoy their time on the water while respecting the local environment, promoting sustainable practices that help preserve Fort Lauderdale’s natural beauty. Book Your Tiki Adventure Today Freaky Tiki Charters is now accepting bookings for its Fort Lauderdale location. Whether you're a local looking for a new way to enjoy the city or a visitor seeking a unique experience, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters promises an adventure you won’t forget. For more information or to book your charter, visit: https://www.freakytikicharters.com/. Or call: (754) 328-9387. Follow Freaky Tiki Boat Charters on Social Media at: @freakytikicharters for updates, special offers, and a glimpse of what to expect on your next tiki adventure. About Freaky Tiki Boat Charters Freaky Tiki Charters is a premier party boat company offering unique, tiki-themed charters in Fort Lauderdale. With a commitment to fun, safety, and exceptional service, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters provides an unparalleled experience on the water. Whether for special occasions or casual outings, Freaky Tiki Boat Charters is the go-to choice for unforgettable adventures. < Previous News Next News >

2023 Hyundai Air & Sea Show: Memorial Day Weekend National Salute To America's Heroes Wed May 24 2023 16:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency: Welcomes New Restaurants and Additions to SOBEWFF® Hallandale Beach Event Series Fri Jan 26 2024 17:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

World-Renowned Dancers Prepare Students For Dance Futures April 18, 2024 Share Many professional dancers plan to teach when their performing days are over, but Adiarys Almeida and her husband Taras Domitro didn't want to wait. So, in between performing as international guest principal ballet artists with some of the most prestigious companies in the world, and taking care of their toddler son, they formed the Hollywood Ballet Academy at 1937 Harrison Street. The Cuban-born couple, both past principal dancers and current guest artists in several major ballet companies throughout the world, have also always been educators, teaching master classes, and judging competitions, dance festivals, and more. "Both of us have always had a huge passion for teaching, we just decided to do it a little sooner, not wait until we retired," said Almeida, the Hollywood Ballet Academy's Assistant Director. "So we're running the school, running the business, teaching all day, still traveling and performing, being a family, and we're very happy and really grateful." The Hollywood Ballet Academy, Almeida pointed out, is more than a typical ballet school. It is a training ground and springboard for future professional dancers. "Our program is mostly focused on teaching classical ballet to pre-professionals, and every single class is designed to enrich that; it's a very complete, progressive technique," she explained. "We are a school for the pre-professionals during the day, the kids who are home-schooled and really focused on dance. They come in and train and dance all day, then go home and do their regular schoolwork." The Hollywood Ballet Academy is open to students of all ages, starting with a Mommy & Me class for ages 1 to 3 ($50/month); and creative movement and Pre-Ballet for ages 3 to 5 ($100/month). Other afterschool ($300-500/month) and evening classes are also available. During the day, the focus is on the pre-professional program ($1000/month). At the end of each term, the students perform at a local theater. Throughout their dance training, students are also coached in auditioning and interviewing for dance companies and universities with good dance programs. "Right now, we have our first students accepted into three American ballet companies," Almeida smiled proudly. After choosing Downtown Hollywood for the Hollywood Ballet Academy because of its central location and lack of competing professional studios, they soon realized that they really like it here, and so they became Hollywood residents too! "One of the things we love about Hollywood is that it does so many things to support the arts," Almeida declared. "At the third Saturday Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk, for example, you see the people and they’re so happy to be there, they appreciate it, they participate. We're excited to be participating in the event." As educators, the owners of the Hollywood Ballet Academy are pleased to have enjoyed much success, with multiple awards and especially with student placements, in the short time they have been open. "Ballet is a profession that is difficult. It requires such a level of concentration, dedication, and commitment," Almeida believes, "that even if they don't make it as dancers, or decide not to pursue it, this training really prepares them for life, whatever they decide to do." For additional information about the Hollywood Ballet Academy, please call: (954) 842-3499. Or visit: www.hollywoodballetacademy.com - Or Instagram: @hollywoodballetacademy. Downtown Hollywood offers on-street metered parking for $1.50 per hour, as well as municipal garage parking for $1 per hour at 251 South 20th Avenue (between Harrison Street and Van Buren Street). In addition, a $10 flat rate public valet station, located at 1925 Hollywood Boulevard, is open Thursday to Sunday, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. For more information about redevelopment projects, businesses, new investment, and streetscape improvements in Hollywood's Downtown and Beach Districts, call the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at: (954) 924-2980. Or visit: www.HollywoodCRA.org < Previous News Next News >

The Florida Premiere Of Light Switch - Immerse Yourself In A Contemporary Comedy About The Power Of Imagination, The Longing For Connection, And The Courage It Takes To Be Truly Seen South Florida Sun Times May 28, 2026 Meet Henry Sullivan - 27, Gay, Autistic, And Completely Enchanted By The Sweeping Romance Of 19Th-Century British Novels. He’s Read Wuthering Heights 67 Times; Dreamed Every Scene… But Nothing In Those Pages Prepared Him For The Complexities Of Modern Dating. Join Henry On His Journey Through Love, Heartbreak, Identity, And Acceptance - Navigating A World That Doesn’t Always Understand Him And Learning To Write His Own Kind Of Love Story - In Island City Stage’s Florida Premiere Of Light Switch By Dave Osmundsen. Tickets Are On Sale Now For The Play Running From Thursday, May 21st, 2026 – Sunday, June 14th, 2026. "A couple of years ago, Richard Milstein, a patron of ours, emailed me to say he had seen this terrific play in Chicago and he thought it would be perfect for Island City Stage, said Andy Rogow, Artistic Director of Island City Stage. “He told Dave Osmundsen, the playwright, to get in touch with me, which he did. That play was Light Switch and as soon as I read it, I agreed that we had to produce it. The exploration of a young, autistic gay man's quest to find love in a world that isn't as romantic as the Victorian-era novels he is obsessed with is so heartfelt and engaging. I'm always looking for new and original stories that highlight the vast diversity of our LGBTQ+ community and this play fit the bill perfectly." This poignant coming-of-age story thoughtfully portrays one remarkable young man's journey to find anything -- or anyone -- that lights up his heart the way 19th century romantic literature does. When Henry ultimately meets a potential match in Joseph, he wonders if Joseph will be the one to “flip the switch.” Funny, moving, and profoundly relatable, Light Switch captures the power of imagination, the longing for connection, and the courage it takes to be truly seen. Autistic playwright Dave Osmundsen’s work explores the intersections of queerness and neuro-diversity. Light Switch received its world premiere with Spectrum Theatre Ensemble in April 2022. Light Switch was also the 2021 Distinguished Achievement recipient of the Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, an Honorable Mention finalist for BAPF 2021, long listed for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, a finalist for the 2020 Carlo Annoni Playwriting Prize, and a semi-finalist for the 2020 National Playwrights Conference. Osmundsen’s work has been seen and developed at KCACTF Region 8, the Kennedy Center/NNPN MFA Playwrights Workshop, B Street Theatre, the William Inge Theatre Festival, the Midwest Dramatists Conference, Phoenix Theatre Company, Clamour Theatre Company, Premiere Stages, and more. He was one of two recipients of the Blank Theatre and Ucross Foundation's inaugural Future of Playwriting Prize. His one-act, A Firework Unexploded, was a semi-finalist for the NYC Audio Theatre Writing Contest and was produced by Pint-Sized in London. His plays have been published by or are forthcoming in The Dionysian, Canyon Voices, Exposition Review and Broadway Play Publishing. MFA: Arizona State University. Island City Stage’s production of Light Switch is directed by theater veteran Michael Leeds and stars Gage Callenius as Ezra, Eric Gospodinoff as Joseph, Larry Toyter as Roggie, Irene Adjan as Marian, and Luis Roberto Herrera as Aaron/Ken/Another Guy. Gage Callenius (Henry) is a South Florida-based actor and a Silver Palm Award Winner for his performance for The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deb Zoe Laufer at FAU Theatre Lab. Other credits include City Theatre’s Short Cuts and Summer Reads tours. Eric Gospodinoff (Joseph) is an Argentinian-born, Miami-raised actor making his Island City Stage debut. His credits include Lloyd in Mud (LatineTheatre Lab); Short Cuts (City Theatre), The Misadventures of Pinocchio, Scrooge! A Fractured Christmas Carol (Fantasy Theatre Factory), The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Sweat, Cyrano de Bergerac, Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow and A Bright Room Called Day (New World School of the Arts). Also thrilled to be making his Island City Stage debut is Larry Toyter (Roggie). His credits include Milk and Honey (Adi, J2 Spotlight at AMT Theater – Off-Broadway), The Inheritance (Zoetic Stage), Dames at Sea (Florida Studio Theatre), Frozen (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Riverside Center), Elf (Matthews, North Carolina Theatre), A Chorus Line (Lauderhill PAC), and I Love a Piano (Wick Theatre). Three-time Carbonell Award winner Irene Adjan (Marian) returns to Island City Stage where she was last seen in Tracy Jones. Most recently she was in Merrily We Roll Along (Zoetic Stage), Birthright and Lincoln Road Hustle (Miami New Drama), and performed as “Vivian Vance” in the one-person play Sidekicked (Boca Stage). Her extensive work in South Florida includes performances at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Theatre Lab, Slow Burn Theatre, The Wick, Actors’ Playhouse, GableStage and City Theatre. Luis Roberto Herrera (Aaron/Ken/Another Guy) is a Colombian American playwright based in South Florida. His plays include Poolside Glow, All The Women I Love Have Died (2024 National Playwrights Conference semifinalist), and At The End of The Hall (2025 semifinalist). His solo show, As I Eat the World, premiered at The Tank in New York City, toured Fringe festivals, and debuted internationally in Mexico City. Herrera is currently an adjunct faculty member at North Broward Preparatory School. Light Switch co-producers are Funding Arts Broward & Mark Loeser and the Opening Doors Charitable Trust; Lights and Sound Sponsor is Scott Bennett; Talent Sponsors are Jim Morgan & Joe Rodonis; Costume Sponsor is Richard Meyerson; and Set Sponsor is Glenn Goldberg. Additional funding is provided by the following: The Our Fund Foundation, The Schubert Foundation Inc., the SHS Foundation, the Warten Foundation, and OutClique. From twisted tales to touching human stories, Island City Stage invites you to expect the unexpected. Closing out its 14th Season of bold productions, each delivering unexpected twists, inventive storytelling, and unforgettable theatrical moments, is Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector from Thursday, August 20th, 2026 – Sunday, September 20th, 2026. Individual show tickets start at $45. A Mimosa Sunday performance sponsored by Misty Daniels will take place on Sunday, May 31st, 2026. The show runs for one hour and 50 minutes with an intermission. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.islandcitystage.org . Call: (954) 928-9800. Or email: boxoffice@islandcitystage.org . Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/IslandCityStage . And on Instagram at: @islandcitystage. About Island City Stage Founded in 2012, Island City Stage is a professional theater committed to sharing stories of universal interest, engaging diverse audiences with entertaining, challenging, and inspiring productions and programs, often exploring the LGBTQ+ culture. These shows are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, film and television. Island City Stage offers an intimate setting with six rows of stadium seating to foster a feeling of inclusion and participation in each theatrical event. Island City Stage is a 501 (c) 3 NonProfit Organization. It is located at 2304 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, Florida 33305. For tickets and more information, please call: (954) 928-9800. Or: www.visitislandcitystage.org . Previous Next

Serving the community: Auto Tags of Hallandale celebrating over 30 years of service PROFILES By Austin Torres February 4, 2022 Share Among the many businesses in South Florida, few can say that they have been open for over 30 years. Thanks to the committed and outstanding customer service of founder, Randy Giunto, Auto Tags of Hallandale is one of those few exceptional businesses that are able to celebrate that milestone. Through their unwavering dedication to delivering customer satisfaction and their “old school” approach to business, Auto Tags of Hallandale can proudly say they have been around since 1987 and are showing no signs of slowing down. Randy, whose family roots in the area can be traced back over a half-century, attended elementary and middle school right here in the city. As a young man, he enjoyed playing many sports like baseball and football at City Park (Bluesten Park) and since then, not much has changed. Randy is a still a major sports fanatic and his outgoing attitude and love of people have continued to make him a pillar of the community. Randy has built a remarkable reputation through his various relationships in the community. His love of people and desire to always give back to the community he grew up in, has garnered him an enormous and varying network of clientele from far and wide. Few can say that they have had the privilege of being in business for as a long as Randy has. “I never left,” says Randy. “To be a part of this community for so long has really meant so much to me and our family. Through the years, even though we were based in Hallandale, we started to pick up new customers from all over.” Randy’s experience assisting customers with a title, tag, renewal or the proper motor vehicle documents has helped establish Auto Tags of Hallan-dale as a premier business in South Florida. They offer a variety of services that include assistance in registering your vehicle, updating your decal, or replacing it if it has been lost or stolen. If you are a new resident to Florida and the city of Hallandale and need to register your vehicle, then Auto Tags of Hallandale can assist you in this process. Bring in your vehicle's title from the state from which you are moving, proof of Florida insurance and a valid driver's license or passport. For those of you who have lost your plate or decal, you can come in with your valid driver's license and your signature on the replacement form, which can be found via a link on their website (autotagsofhallandale.com) and apply for a new one. If your plate or decal was stolen, then you can come with the same form and your license and the team at Auto Tags of Hallandale will also assist you in the application process. However, Auto Tags of Hallandale not only assists customers with tags, titles and renewals for automobiles, but they can also assist you with trucks, boats, motorcycles, mobile homes, trailers and they will even provide notary service. Whatever the issue is, you can certainly always count on Randy and the team at Auto Tags of Hallandale to take care of your needs with a warm attention to detail and a commitment, that truly makes them stand out in a way that keeps clients coming back for more. Auto Tags of Hallandale’s client list include businesses such as: Chopper Zoo, Total Appliance, Wind Chill, LLC, Cusano’s Bakery and Lee’s Locksmith & Bicycle Shop. “The only way to stay in business in South Florida, is through building long lasting relationships with our customers. That’s why so many of our customers and clients will tell you that they won’t go anywhere else for their vehicle registration needs,” says Randy. Little has changed at Auto Tags of Hallandale since they opened their doors to customers back in 1987. You can still expect the same warm welcome and authenticity from Randy that has made him such a popular figure in the area. In October of 2021, Auto Tags of Hallandale will celebrate their third year at their new location in the popular 7th Avenue Village Shops. “What a great location, our loyal customers will find us quickly, but we are also excited about the new business that will walk in daily. We are right behind Marco’s Pizza and next to world of hearing,” said Randy. For those of you planning on making a visit, you can rest assured knowing that in light of the pandemic, Randy has enforced social distancing and wearing masks at his headquarters. “People are wearing masks and social distancing. I’m only letting two people into my office at a time,” says Randy. For those of you interested in visiting Auto Tags of Hallandale you can check out their location at 701 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Suite 106 Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.You can also contact Randy directly at: 954.456.5771. Additionally, you can visit their website at: www.autotagsofhallandale.com < Previous News Next News >

2024 Is the New 1984 By John & Nisha Whitehead February 15, 2024 Share Forty years past the time that George Orwell envisioned the stomping boot of Big Brother, the police state is about to pass off the baton to the surveillance state. Fueled by a melding of government and corporate power—the rise of the security industrial complex - this watershed moment sounds a death knell for our privacy rights. An unofficial fourth branch of government, the Surveillance State came into being without any electoral mandate or constitutional referendum, and yet it possesses superpowers, above and beyond those of any other government agency save the military. It operates beyond the reach of the president, Congress and the courts, and it marches in lockstep with the corporate elite who really call the shots in Washington, DC. This is the new face of tyranny in America: all-knowing, all-seeing and all-powerful. Tread cautiously. Empowered by advances in surveillance technology and emboldened by rapidly expanding public-private partnerships between law enforcement, the Intelligence Community, and the private sector, the Surveillance State is making the fictional world of 1984, Orwell’s dystopian nightmare, our looming reality. What we are witnessing, in the so-called name of security and efficiency, is the creation of a new class system comprised of the watched (average Americans such as you and me) and the watchers (government bureaucrats, technicians and private corporations). We now find ourselves in the unenviable position of being monitored, managed and controlled by our technology, which answers not to us but to our government and corporate rulers. This is the fact-is-stranger-than-fiction lesson that is being pounded into us on a daily basis. In this way, 1984, which depicted the ominous rise of ubiquitous technology, fascism and totalitarianism, has become an operation manual for the omnipresent, modern-day surveillance state. There are roughly one billion surveillance cameras worldwide and that number continues to grow, thanks to their wholehearted adoption by governments (especially law enforcement and military agencies), businesses, and individual consumers. Surveillance cameras mounted on utility poles, traffic lights, businesses, and homes. Ring doorbells. GPS devices. Dash cameras. Drones. Store security cameras. Geofencing and geotracking. FitBits. Alexa. Internet-connected devices. Stingray devices, facial recognition technology, body cameras, automated license plate readers, gunshot detection, predictive policing software, AI-enhanced video analytics, real-time crime centers, fusion centers: all of these technologies and surveillance programs rely on public-private partnerships that together create a sticky spiderweb from which there is no escape. With every new surveillance device we welcome into our lives, the government gains yet another toehold into our private worlds. What this adds up to for government agencies (that is, FBI, NSA, DHS agents, etc., as well as local police) is a surveillance map that allows them to track someone’s movements over time and space, hopscotching from doorbell camera feeds and business security cameras to public cameras on utility poles, license plate readers, traffic cameras, drones, etc. It has all but eliminated the notion of privacy enshrined in the Fourth Amendment and radically re-drawn the line of demarcation between our public and private selves. The police state has become particularly adept at sidestepping the Fourth Amendment, empowered by advances in surveillance technology and emboldened by rapidly expanding public-private partnerships between law enforcement, the Intelligence Community, and the private sector. Over the past 50-plus years, surveillance has brought about a series of revolutions in how governments govern and populations are policed to the detriment of us all. Cybersecurity expert Adam Scott Wandt has identified three such revolutions. The first surveillance revolution came about as a result of government video cameras being installed in public areas. It’s estimated that Americans are caught on camera an average of 238 times every week (160 times per week while driving; 40 times per week at work; 24 times per week while out running errands and shopping; and 14 times per week through various other channels and activities). That doesn’t even touch on the coverage by surveillance drones, which remain a relatively covert part of police spying operations. The second revolution occurred when law enforcement agencies started forging public-private partnerships with commercial establishments like banks and drug stores and parking lots in order to gain access to their live surveillance feeds. The use of automatic license plate readers extends the reach of the surveillance state that much further afield. The third revolution was ushered in with the growing popularity of doorbell cameras such as Ring, Amazon’s video surveillance doorbell, and Google’s Nest Cam. No longer do police even have to request permission of homeowners for such access: increasingly, corporations have given police access to footage as part of their so-called criminal investigations with or without court orders. The fourth revolutionary shift may well be the use of facial recognition software and artificial intelligence-powered programs that can track people by their biometrics, clothing, behavior and car, thereby synthesizing the many strands of surveillance video footage into one cohesive narrative, which privacy advocates refer to as 360 degree surveillance. While the guarantee of safety afforded by these surveillance nerve centers remains dubious, at best, there is no disguising their contribution in effecting a sea change towards outright authoritarianism. These cameras—and the public-private eyes peering at us through them—are re-engineering a society structured around the aesthetic of fear and, in the process, empowering “people to not just watch their neighborhood, but to organize as watchers,” creating not just digital neighborhood watches but digital gated communities. Finally, there is a repressive, suppressive effect to surveillance that not only acts as a potentially small deterrent on crime but serves to monitor and chill lawful First Amendment activity. As Matthew Feeney warns in the New York Times, “In the past, Communists, civil rights leaders, feminists, Quakers, folk singers, war protesters and others have been on the receiving end of law enforcement surveillance. No one knows who the next target will be.” No one knows, but it’s a pretty good bet that the surveillance state will be keeping a close watch on anyone seen as a threat to the government’s chokehold on power. After all, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the Surveillance State never sleeps. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >