There Is More To Be Concerned With Than the Presidential Campaign.

I have been woefully remiss in not posting more frequently, but have been so absorbed by other writers and sites and their US presidential coverage that I have missed many of the more important state and local challenges we face in the US, as well as some of the critical international issues our neighbors around the world are dealing with.

A pressing problem in Florida at the moment for the central and southern portions of the state is the current water crisis. Lake Okeechobee has built up unsafe loads of agricultural runoff,  high in nitrogen and phosphates, among other things. The state government, presumably at the direction of the administration of Governor Rick Scott, has failed to use the proceeds generated by a voter-approved amendment to purchase land to the south of the lake, take it out of agricultural (mostly Big Sugar) production and restore it to wetlands. The wetlands would have performed a critical water purification function, as well as restoring the natural flow southward, where wetland plant growth could feed on the nutrients. Because of this failure, the US Corps of Engineers must periodically release the pollution-rich waters of the lake into the Caloosahatcheee and St. Lucie rivers, which flow into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, respectively. These waters have now created critically high levels of pollution in both sides of the state, destroying water quality, killing local fauna and flora and leaving thick algae blooms that make any other water-based activity impossible.

Now to add to that, the state's Environmental Regulatory Commission has authorized the release of high levels of industrial chemicals to add to the organic compound soup currently in the waters.

Here's a column from the Miami-Herald on the topic: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fred-grimm/article96465417.html

If you are justly offended, here's an online petition where you can begin to take action: https://www.change.org/p/keep-the-cancer-causing-chemicals-out-of-our-water

I had the honor of taking a few courses with Professor Hansford and found him to be both committed to the law and committed to social justice.  It's great to see him accomplishing great things.

https://www.saltlaw.org/salt-names-junior-faculty-teaching-award-winner/

Sylvester Brown, Jr.: Moving Beyond the Segregationist Mindset of St. Lo...

Sylvester Brown, Jr.: Moving Beyond the Segregationist Mindset of St. Lo...: It’s almost enough to make you throw your hands up and just give up:    “City gives company vacant lots to plant trees.” The March...



This article sums up much of the reason why I moved to Miami. And I don't think St. Louis is by any means unique in this regard. In fact, a lot of these conditions are also present in Miami, but, the presence of so many varied peoples of African descent and the approaches, culture and skills they bring to bear on these problems creates a vibrancy that creates many strong, culturally-based alternatives that help people survive the cruel indifference of governmental structures.

Why I Quit Tennis… Parents Pay Attention

I think more parents on the tour should take heed of this cautionary tale.



Why I Quit Tennis… Parents Pay Attention

EYE ON MIAMI: Eye on Miami: Become a Lobbyist for the Good. By G...

This is a great post from Eye on Miami. Take a couple of minutes to read it.  It's a quick read, but worth it for the community and politically-minded who want to actually make a difference, rather than just post angry comments in discussion threads online.



EYE ON MIAMI: Eye on Miami: Become a Lobbyist for the Good. By G...: Imagine you have an issue you would like to support, like not moving the Urban Development Boundary or stopping a Walmart. Actually you h...

Ta-Nehisi Coates Writes a Thought-Provoking Essay in the Atlantic Monthly

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/tanehisi-coates-between-the-world-and-me/397619/

I found this essay brilliant, thought-provoking.  It better conveyed the pain and the dilemma parents of African descent in particular and non-European origin generally face in rearing their children, better than anything I've ever read.

Tips for staying sane during your job search

Mary Sherwood Sevinsky, Careerealism

CHICAGO, IL -- Treat your job search like a job. Set your alarm, get dressed, and go to your office every weekday. Schedule job search tasks. Day one: Review and apply to jobs online. Day two: Make telephone calls to employers and request informational interviews. Day three: Return calls, attend meetings and participate in industry groups. Day four: Practice interviewing and review job search and career articles. Day five: Make follow up calls. Day six: Call friends and employers who are hiring. Call and follow up with Staffing agencies where you are registered.

Update friends and family on your progress. Think about something positive to share every day. Be open to help. People like to feel helpful - it makes them feel good about themselves. Tell them how they can help. Periodically ask if the company they work with is hiring or if they have heard of any openings.

Put your best foot forward and stay positive. Like often attracts like. Volunteer with the disadvantaged or disabled, join a group, go to church, subscribe to inspirational quotes online. All of these will help to keep you in a more positive mindset and keep you moving forward in your job search. Finally, have a goal. Spend time dreaming and then planning for your long term career goals. If you don't have short- and long-term plans, it is difficult to tell if you are on the right path or, even, if you have arrived!