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Editorials/Columns
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The 7 Rules For Winning
n life there are two types of
people, those who are cur- rently winning and those who are currently losing.
The winners’ category is typ- ically made up of individuals who made good, sound choices. They chose the right careers, made the right connections and, for the most part, were able to keep their noses clean.
The losers? Well, they did none of the above.
The thing is that no one is guaranteed permanent status in either of these positions. Win- ners have been known to flame out and, as long as they're above the dirt, losers always have a chance to get their act together.
The key to staying on top or climbing out of a slump is pred- icated on a person's ability to follow these 7 rules for winning:
7.) Follow Your Dreams:
You only have one life to live. Don't blow it by following some- one else's playbook. Oftentimes, people try to get others, particu- larly younger individuals, to live out the dreams they failed to achieve. Tell these advisors thanks, but you're traveling your own path. In doing so, regard- less of how things turn out, in the end you'll have no regrets.
6.) Don't Waste Time:
Every second on Earth is pre-
cious. It's ok to have fun. But too much of anything isn't good for you. The minutes we spend on nonsense can be better used working toward our goals. Video games, television shows and other foolishness will always be there. Certain opportunities won't.
5.) Save Your Pennies:
We've been conditioned to be constant consumers. Trying to keep up with latest fashions and gadgets will only keep your pockets flat. The truth is, we don't need half of the stuff we purchase. You would be better off stacking your chips. When you do get to the point where you can splurge, make sure you spend your hard-earned money on things that increase in value over time.
4.) Stay On Top Of Your Health: These days people seem to be dying younger than ever. This is mostly because of poor diets and a lack of exercise. Your health is your most valu- able asset. Love, fame, fortune and prestige means nothing if you’re dead.
3.) Keep The Faith: Being spiritually grounded has to be a part of any blueprint for success. It doesn't matter if you're Chris- tian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or Yoruba. Stand on your
truth. It could be the difference between going over the edge or staying the course during hard times.
2.) Stay Current: The world is constantly in a state of transition. This means you have two choices: Adapt or drown in the sea of change. Rigidness will get you nowhere. You don't have to compromise your principles. But you must be flexible enough to bend and curve with the tide.
1.) Stay Out Of Trouble:
You can't spell loser without the letters F-E-L-O-N. This label comes with a one-way ticket to "Loserville." It doesn't necessar- ily mean you have to make the trip. But, once you’re branded, it does mean you'll have to climb from the bottom just to make it to the bottom. It other words, your road to the good life will be that much harder.
There is an old saying that goes, "nothing in life worth hav- ing comes easy." Like anything else of value, achieving success requires a lot of work and com- mitment.
That means you have to do what it takes to win and keep winning. Otherwise you may end up on the other side of the equation, where you're the one giving out this kind of advice so that people can avoid joining you in the loser’s bracket. The choice is yours.
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. 1930-2010 (1977)
Rick Scott: Governor, Judge, And Jury?
here is a perfectly logical reason as to why Rick Scott
should not function as State Attorney. Rick Scott is al- ready Governor (simple enough), and one would think being such would find Governor Scott with enough to do to keep him busy.
Obviously not.
In fact, the past month or so, Florida’s governor has de- cided that at least one of this State Attorneys – Florida’s first Black State Attorney, to be exact – needs to be taken to the judicial woodpile because of her reluctance to seek the death penalty.
Here’s the problem: Aramis Ayala, after doing her own due diligence on the question of the death penalty, decided she no longer supported the concept due to its inefficiency and imprecision of punishment date and or time thus making it unfair for murder victims’ family members who may end up waiting decades before the sentence was executed.
But could it also have been Attorney Ayala’s sleuthing that made her realize Florida’s death penalty was meted out more to Black people than to anyone else? And the other question is, what might Scott have done if Attorney Ayala had been white?
Nevertheless, sources say when Rick “Micromanager of the Year” Scott got wind of Ayala’s jaw-dropping change of heart, he went ballistic, ultimately snatching out of her hands 21 cases that – up until Aramis got religion – would have been considered death-penalty slam-dunks.
Having done so, Scott opted he would spread Ayala’s over- run to another hungry Attorney, giving him carte-blanche to do the so-called “right thing” where capital punishment was concerned.
Indeed, we bitterly object to the Governor’s meddling, and the unconstitutional precedent it sets.
But we wonder what might happen if other State Attor- neys see the same ghost Attorney Ayala saw, that would re- sult in Rick Scott having to press the execution button all by himself.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-A
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Letter To The Editor
Reader Thanks Sentinel For Article On Son
T
AMPA – I wanted to
personally thank you for the wonderful article on our son and his journey as a young engineer. I hope his story motivates another young person along the way. As indicated, I was on a plane about to depart when I learned of the story and was not able to provide a comment before it went to press. However, I wanted to share this with you.
We always knew Jamal was smart and talented, but what I am most proud of is his character. He is thought-
ful, compassionate, and a young man of faith and in- tegrity. This is not only due tohisDadandI,buttoa strong village of family and friends who have supported him over the years. One part of this village is the Greater Tampa Chapter of Jack and Jill, which I was fortunate to become a member of with support from Kay (An- drews). In Jack and Jill, the activities focused on the critical traits of leadership and service which had a pos- itive impact on Jamal. Even in Anchorage, I was able to
connect him with a local Jack and Jill Mom and her family. Yes, there is an ac- tive chapter in Anchorage, AK, which is now part of his new village! J
We continue to be proud of Jamal as he exceeds our expectations as a scholar and young man. I truly ap- preciate you sharing his story with the community and I have mailed him a hard copy of the newspaper to Anchorage. He is grateful as well!
Kindly, Valerie R. Cherry, PhD
ratio and other standardized requirements leaves little room for schools to creatively address the specific needs of their students, staff, and community.
Instead, why can’t public schools operate outside certain regulations that are imposed on public schools, unlike those imposed on charter schools?
Currently, Florida gives capital funding to privately-owned schools while public schools are lacking necessary funding to maintain and build new schools for a student population more than ten times that of charter schools.
In reality, President Trump’s new budget carves out nearly one half billion dollars for charter school programs, while Florida has given charter schools and public schools almost $50 million each for capital funds ($200 per student for charter schools and $20 per student for public schools).
By the way, overall, the majority of charter schools do no better or worse than traditional public schools in student performance.
However, because our elected officials have politicized our children’s education, public schools may soon become extinct or completely privatized.
We all know that the spirits of the universe, the founders of the world’s first public educa- tion system (former slaves and working class whites) are rolling over in their graves.
What If Public Schools Become Charter Schools?
nstead of siphoning off taxpayers’ public dollars for pri-
vately-owned charter schools, why don’t Republicans, Conservatives, and charter school advocates support and transform public schools to operate like charter schools at utmost capacity?
Think about it!
Because each community (school district) has its own unique characteristics, continuing to require every school district and every school to operate “lock-step” under the same set of rules, using the same adopted textbooks, the same per pupil funding formula, the same teacher-student
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