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Editorial/Column
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siteveragoodideato
begin dating one of your closest friends? That is a ques- tion that has been debated for decades.
To those who value the deep bonds they've developed, with the few individuals who they have allowed to inhabit their inner circles, the risk that comes with crossing that line isn't worth taking if it means potentially losing a beloved ac- quaintance. But, of course, that view isn't shared by those who don't see a problem with making that leap. To them adding physical intimacy to the mix, with a person they've already built a strong connec-
tion, makes for the perfect re- lationship.
While I can find merit in each argument, personally, I lean more toward the belief that a true-blue friendship should be protected at all costs. In a world where finding solid people to have your back on every front is a rarity, the idea of placing something like that in jeopardy for the sake of satisfying a sexual curiosity or having a little tryst, at least to me, doesn't make much sense when you consider how much easier this journey through life becomes when you're sur- rounded by dependable allies.
Some people will say that
it's no big deal because you can always go back to being just "friends" if things don't work out. But, the fact of the matter is that, it's never that simple.
Once feelings become in- volved, it's pretty much a wrap. And, if things go south, what- ever factor came into play, that caused the the two of you to decide to end the fling, won't magically disappear.
Even if it's a mutual and amicable break-up the residue from the failed experiment will still linger. And that friend- ship, that was once so tight be- fore, will forever be fractured.
For those seeking love, who may be contemplating going this route, you may want to re- think your position. Even though the pickings may seem slim, there are still enough fish in the sea that should keep you from going after the ones swimming in your in-house tank.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can email Mr. Barr at: cbscribe2@-gmail.com.
What About Your Friends?
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Restore School Attendance With Safety
There is no doubt that going to in-person classrooms would benefit the mental health and educational competency of our children and enhance their social skills. However, if parents and guardians wore masks, practiced social distancing, and convinced their family and friends to do the same most certainly the COVID-19 rates would decrease enough for us to return to normal school attendance.
Then again, if teachers, aides, high school students and administrators were vaccinated for COVID-19, perhaps schools could open earlier. Certainly, schools would have to follow CDC guidelines and reduce class size and school bus capacity for effective social distancing among stu- dents. Last but not least, daily temperature and COVID- 19 tests should take place before students enter buildings.
Sending our children back to regular classroom train- ing without vaccines and prevention protocols would be like sending our children to unlit buildings that have rat- tlesnakes and cobras crawling around in them. Indeed, the cost of not guaranteeing safe environments for our teachers and children is too high. Without total safety measures, history will record us as sacrificing our teach- ers and children needlessly.
Therefore, we totally support school staff who refuse to return to classrooms unless they receive the COVID-19 vaccine. No one benefits when children are sent to schools to be taught by teachers who fear them as carriers of a deadly disease.
America has never been serious about eradicating COVID-19. If we were, we would put as much emphasis on requiring the wearing of masks and on businesses that vi- olate crowd control measures. Moreover, if we as citizens were serious about stopping the spread of the virus, we would stop having house parties, birthday parties, large weddings and anniversary celebrations for a full year.
Approaching the eradication of COVID-19 should be as sincere and focused as was the preparation for the recent Super Bowl. Although we congratulate the home team for its recent victory, as a matter of consideration, if we citi- zens paid as much attention to our children as the Super Bowl, COVID-19 would not have a chance.
Obama Highway
lacks had to fight all over America to get short streets named
after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ray Charles. Now a Florida leg- islator wants to name a 1,373- mile state highway after Donald Trump. Can you imagine naming a highway after someone who has been impeached twice, who incited supporters to attack the Capi- tol and Congress members; and who is facing lawsuits for criminal behavior.
If a Legislator wants to change Highway 27’s name, Obama was, is, and will for- ever be, more presidential and caring about American citi- zens than Trump could ever be. Obama was everything Trump could never be. Obama was respectful of his wife and American journalists, Obama was never connected to friends wherein the major- ity of them went to prison for criminal activity, nor harass- ing other women.
Indeed, Obama never called people names or bullied anyone. Not one woman
stepped forward to accuse Obama of having an affair.
Whenever Rev. Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr., or Ray Charles’ name was mentioned for naming oppor- tunities, the subject of King’s infidelity or Ray Charles’ drug use was brought up. Nei- ther of these men’s lives came anywhere close to the unethi- cal and criminal behavior of Trump.
Therefore, I urge you as Florida citizens to reject changing the name of High- way 27 to Trump Highway. In fact, I urge you to call our entire legislative delegation and ask them to not support naming anything in Florida after Donald Trump until after he has been tried for the criminal charges now facing him for harassment of women and federal fraud charges for misrepresenting his financial status to banks and the Inter- nal Revenue Service (IRS).
Just because Trump lives in Florida is no reason to name a highway or anything else after Donald Trump. If so, then I can think of quite a few
notorious residents who lived in Florida that we can name a highway after. The first name that comes to mind is Al Capone, a notorious criminal who lived in Florida. When I think of disgraced or alleged criminal politicians, we can name the highway after who lived in Florida longer than Trump; Bob Allen (solicit- ing police officer), Corrine Brown (mail wire and tax fraud), Richard Kelly (bribes), Ernest Page (elec- tion fraud), M. Mandy Daw- son (prescription drug fraud), Jim Greer (party finances scandal).
I can also think of Florida politicians who served Florida well without a hint of criminal or unethical behavior and whose names are better suited for naming Highway 27 after. They include: Sam Gibbons. Betty Castor, Judge George Edgecomb, Robert Saunders, Sidney Poitier, James Weldon Johnson, Ben Vereen, Marjorie Rawlings. Bill Nelson, Zora Neal Hurston, Doyle E. Carlton, LeRoy Collins, Reubin Askew, Bob Gra- ham and Lawton Chiles – just to name a few.
Just as we spoke with our votes in the last election, we must make calls to our state legislative delegation about naming Highway 27 after Trump. The number to call (813) 224-1956.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 5-A