The trial of seven men who have been charged with plotting from within a Liberty City warehouse to fight a “holy war” against the United States began in Federal Court in Miami on Tuesday. A 12–person jury, plus six alternatives, was selected last week. The jury consists of five Black persons, with the others being white or Hispanic. Opening arguments commenced on Tuesday. The trial, which is expected to last for about two months, is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard.

The seven men, all originating from Liberty City, has been referred to as the “Liberty City Seven” are specifically accused of plotting with a man they thought was an al-Queda operative to blow up Chicago’s Sears Towers, as well as bombing FBI offices in several U.S. cities.

In his opening arguments, the federal prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Gregorie, said there is tape recorded evidence that the men wanted to “wage jihad against the United States.” On the other hand, an attorney for the defendants, Ana Jhones argued that the men were lured by FBI informants into their terrorism scheme. She said the informants wrote an expensive script for the scheme which resulted in the informants being paid huge sums, and under which scheme, Narseal Batiste and the other accused were teased with promises of large payments of up to $50,000. Jhones said there was no evidence of terrorism conspiracy.

From the seven men were arrested in June 2006 among very high media exposure, there was doubt expressed among some members of the Caribbean American community, that the men were the victims of a “set up.” Several people commented at the time that the men simply did not have the resources or the required intelligence to pull off what was perceived to be a large scale attack on the government of the U.S. Published reports at the time were that the men were influenced by an FBI informant posing as an al-Queda operative, who concocted the terrorism plan to the men with promises of money.

However, it was also reported that there were wiretaps and videotapes that captured the seven men taking an oath to al-Queda.

Along with the charges of plotting to destroy the Sears Tower and FBI buildings in Miami and four other U.S. cities the seven accused are also charged with conspiring to provide “material support” to a foreign terrorist organization – al-Queda and to levy war against the U.S. government. If convicted on all four of the conspiracy charges the men face up to 70 years in prison, each.

Effective Mon October 1, commuters who use the Broward County Transit (BTC) will be paying more to get to their destinations. The increase, which includes most of the fares and passes, is the first in over a decade.

According to BTC the fare increase is to generate revenue to help with the improvement of the public transport service, transit technology and to increase online bus pass sales.

Another first for BCT will be the introduction of a new reduced cost 31-day pass for college students.

According to Caribbean American Bev McKenzie, “It’s a fair increase, especially since it has been so long since they have raised the fares.” McKenzie who usually commutes from home in Tamarac to Lauderhill, Sawgrass Mall and Broward Mall said if it is needed to improve the service then it’s a good move.

The regular one-way bus fare will see an increase of 25 cents, from $1 to $1.25.

The reduced one-way fares for youth age 18 and under and seniors age 65 and over, the disabled/Medicare passengers will increase by 10 cents, from 50 cents to 60 cents. However, kids 40-inches tall and under will continue to ride free.

The all-day pass will move from $2.50 to $3 and the reduced fare for youth, seniors, disabled and Medicare will move from $1.25 to $2. The 31-day pass will increase by $8 from $32 to $40 on while the reduce 31-day pass will move from $16 to $20.

Transferring to BCT from Miami-Dade, Palm Tran or Tri-Rail systems will incur a fee of 50 cents in addition increased fare.

College students will now enjoy the new College Student Bus Pass which will provide unlimited rides for 31 consecutive days starting on the first day it is used. The pass, which cost is $20, is available to college, university, vocational or technical school students.

For more information log on to www.broward.org/bct.

If anyone doubted that Bill Clinton was one of America’s favorite presidents, despite his personal problems, these doubts should have been cleared up when he visited South Florida last week. The primary purpose for the visit was to attend a book signing of his new book, Giving, at a bookstore in Coral Gables on Thursday, September 6.

The day prior to the book signing event, Clinton was in Pembroke Pines, Florida where he addressed a fundraiser at the Roasted Pepper restaurant on behalf of presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, his wife. Although the fundraiser was a private affair, somehow word of his visit got around, resulting in a huge, enthusiastic crowd, waiting outside the restaurant to welcome the former president. Reports were that the reception that Clinton got on his arrival was akin to that given to one of today’s popular movie or rock stars.

Gail Francois, on a shopping visit to South Florida from Martinique, was shopping at a nearby mall in Pembroke Pines and joined the crowd to get a peep at “My man Bill” as she referred to him, said she was astounded at how “good” Clinton looked for one over 60 years old. (Clinton celebrated his 61 birthday on August 19).

Although the book signing was scheduled for around 9:00 a.m. the next day, reports are that several people lined outside the Books and Books bookstore before dawn to meet and greet, Clinton, who one resident referred to as “the people’s president.” Over a thousand people lined up in a single queue to shake hands with the former president, and wish him well. In turn Clinton signed autographs, copies of his books, and greeted them with warm words.

The anxious crowd, which included people as young as eight years old, and as old as 76, not only was there to see Clinton but many of them bought his new book. The reports state that by 10:30 a.m. Clinton had signed about 1,000 copies of his books, which is selling for $24.95. Those buying the books included Miami Dade School Superintendent Rudy Crew, and Lacy Baines, 55, a Jamaica proprietor of a gift shop in nearby Coconut Grove. Baines said, “I left my shop to come and see Bill. It was during his presidency that I was able to get assistance from the Small Business Administration to open my store, and I will be always grateful to him. As far as I am concerned he was the best U.S. President. I am going to read and treasure the book.”

The book Giving encourages charitable donations, and sends the message that everyone can change the world by giving time and money. The former president spends a lot of time, when not participating in Hillary’s campaign, doing charitable work nationally and internationally.