Saturday, January 14, 2006

What I found about Jim DeFede


Surfing through the usual blogs this morning, Babalú had a reference to Jim DeFede. I posted a message requesting more information on this individual…being in California, I am a little removed from knowing all the local Miami “celebs.” Therefore, I decided to do my own little research and here is what I found:

1. I found that Jim DeFede is fat, actually obese.

2. I found that he is (was) a news columnist for the Miami Herald.

3. I found that he was fired from the Herald for illegally recording a conversation with politician Arthur E. Teele, Jr., hours before Teele killed himself.

Both Publisher Jesús Díaz Jr. and Executive Editor Tom Fiedler said they fired the popular Metro writer because it is illegal for anyone to tape a conversation with another person without that individual's consent in Florida.


4. I found that DeFede is a Brooklyn NY native.

5. I found that he wrote a book titled, “The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Garner, Newfoundland.”

6. I found that there is blog site for Jim: www.journalistfordefede.blogspot.com

7. I found that Granma, the Cuban official paper portrays Jim very positively.

The newspaper fired DeFede on July 27, alleging a violation of ethics. In their open letter, his colleagues refer to the columnist’s fine journalism and describe the firing as a disproportionate sanction for the gravity of the error. They attribute the firing as being more likely due to his “willingness in the past to offend powerful figures in Miami...” Many note that after recently returning from Havana, DeFede wrote articles in which he criticized the complacency of the group that monopolizes political power and supports Luis Posada Carriles, the self-confessed mastermind of acts of terrorism.
In his article titled “Terror is terror, whether it’s in London or Cuba,” DeFede criticized comments by Cuban-born Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, about what she called the “barbaric” terrorist attack in London. DeFede wrote: “Strong words. What But where was the congresswoman's outrage when she came to the defense of Luis Posada Carriles, a man who bragged about masterminding a series of hotel bombings in Havana that killed an Italian tourist? A man suspected of blowing up a Cuban airliner?

8. I found that, I get bored very quickly of Jim.

6 comments:

Val Prieto said...

He is kinda hard to miss, no?

La Ventanita said...

Thanks Orlando for this wonderful "resumen". I had heard the name but couldn't remember him entirely. Now that my memories are back, I have to agree with you and Val.

Robert said...

If you need any more info, let me know. Us Miamians know Jimmy all too well.

Albert Quiroga said...

Your comments are spot on regarding defecator-DeFede, Alfredo. I am puzzled about publisher Jesus Diaz and Tom Fiedler's comments alleging Mr. Defede was "popular" - with whom, I wonder? Smacks a bit of damage control on their part. In any case, Mr. Defede, despite the fact he apparently thinks his words carry weight - they do, but not in the way he thinks - has done a masterful job of de-Feding himself in the past. So I look forward to seeing him stumble on radio. "I've fallen, and I can't get up."

Albert Quiroga said...

Orlando - I apologize - called you Alfredo - your blog resembles his -"El Cafe Cubano." Well, I'm bookmarking yours and promise to keep the names straight. Good stuff here.

Orlando Furioso said...

Albert,


No offense taken. Keep visiting.