Post #5963 by SoBeTiki on Thu, Aug 15, 2002 6:12 AM

Having grown up in Ft. Lauderdale and currently living on the South Beach, I will cop a plea of ignorance on behalf of the citizenry and tourists engulfing my hometown. One only has to look at the last presidential election to figure this one out.

As to the conservative tag, I will admit that the locals have long sought to squelch anything fun or risque (see the chasing away of Spring Breakers in the late 80's, the Two Live Crew arrests, continuous fights against Strip Clubs, Topless Donut Shops and Car Washes). However, South Beach rose up and flicked a bird at those folks (chasing most of the stodgy retirees away). Even though South Beach has lost most of its edginess and luster to commercialism and wealthy South Americans, it still adheres to the liberal devil-may-care manifesto.

And the Mai-Kai still thrives! One of my earliest feelings of sexual frustration was sitting at the adjoining table watching the Mystery Drink Girl perform for some middle-aged business types.