Opinion

Many Americans have lived an idyllic life. We have had no war reaching our soil, have a solid economy and have sufficient credit or income to purchase almost any item we want immediately. This is truly a materialistic, instant gratification culture. Most adults like their children, want whatever they desire. This creates a lifestyle that too often places them on the edge of insolvency. These incessant purchasers scramble to maintain their lifestyle of spending.

My brother, Night Stocker, called the other day, and for once we didn’t talk about Exwork.  Instead we spent forty-five minutes discussing our watching habits of television and movies.  Turns out we’re quite alike. We both speed watch—not to be confused with “speed reading,” which was a huge commercial scam in the eighties, and for a shorter time in the aughts.  (But it wasn’t like Pet Rocks, exactly. Those were knickknacks, and I think there should have been cages for zoo rocks, and little houses for domesticated rocks with rock families.

Like so many holiday weekends, this is one of those times when folks are happy for a chance for some fun at the beach, on the water, in the mountains or just any place to get away from it all and rest. But few have any idea why they have the time off in the first place.  

I am 3 years 5 months and 10 days older than my wife. Over the years, however, I keep growing older than she. It happens like this:

We have observed the public discourse surrounding the case of Mizella Robinson with increasing unease. A sampling of the more common sentiments expressed on Facebook during Sheriff Al Neinhuis’s press conference in March includes: “If this kid did it to get out of school, she’ll sure be out of school now for a very long time”; “You play, you pay”; “Charge her as an adult and to the fullest extent. #Mizella4Prison”. These are the ragings of an angry mob, not a healthy civic debate.

I read a book years ago by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale called, “The amazing results of positive thinking” and I recommend it as an inspiration and encouragement to your spiritual life. He explains that our mind is filled with all types of thoughts and persuasions but everyone is held accountable to manage them. We have the ability to resist and ignore the negative influences that hinder our life and to also embrace the suggestions that are positive and encouraging. I remember after studying about this principle, I had an interesting dream.

Like most of our holidays, Mother’s Day began with a major religious connotation that has been largely overtaken by commercialism. Today’s celebrations also have been affected by such facts as:

It is with a tremendous amount of excitement yet some sadness that I submitted my resignation as Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller effective January 7, 2019. My irrevocable resignation is a requirement under Florida law so that I can qualify to run for Circuit Judge.

To the Editor:

President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1958, as the first Law Day to mark the nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Every year on this day, we reflect on the significance of the rule of law and rededicate ourselves to promote public understanding of its importance to American democracy.