Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
www.AttorneyRobertJames.com 404.891.0977
April 2025
What if You Just Went for It?
THE POWER OF TAKING A CHANCE
Taking a chance — it’s something we don’t do often enough. Sure, we’re not talking about reckless decisions that land you in trouble, but when was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone and took a risk? April 23 is National Take a Chance Day, a reminder that sometimes, the biggest rewards in life come from simply saying, “Why not?” Opportunity doesn’t always knock just once, but here’s the thing: You never know how many knocks you’ll get. We see it in sports all the time. A young athlete makes it to a championship and thinks, “I’ll have more chances.” But how often do those chances ever come again? It happens in life, too. Maybe someone gets an opportunity
to travel, take on a dream job, or start something new, but they think, “Now’s not the right time. There will be another opportunity.” But will there? You never really know. In business, we’re taught to be cautious. We’re told to analyze, plan, and be careful not to make a mistake that could put everything at risk. And while that’s good advice, the reality is there’s no such thing as a risk-free decision. You can research, prepare, and weigh the options, but you have to take the leap at some point. Every successful person, every groundbreaking entrepreneur, and every big name in history has one thing in common: They took a chance.
Training camp was brutal. He was broke, and after a few weeks, he packed up and left in the middle of the night, ready to call it quits. But the Bills weren’t ready to let him go. They actually sent a scout all the way to my hometown in Tennessee to find him. They tracked him down, handed him a check, and told him to come back. That chance changed everything. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro player, and a team legend. His name is on the stadium. His decision didn’t just change his life — it changed mine, my sister’s, and even my children’s — all because he took a risk at 21 and bet on himself. And what was the worst that could have happened? He could have been cut. He could have gone back to his teaching job. Sure, he would have had a period of uncertainty, but life would have moved on. Most of the time, when we take a risk, the worst-case scenario isn’t as bad as we think. I took a risk when I ran for office. In my mind, the worst that could have happened was that I’d lose and go back to my job as an assistant DA. But if I never ran, I would have always wondered, “What if?” So, don’t let fear keep you from taking your shot. Whether in business, sports, or life, the people who win are the ones who step up and take the chance. Who knows? It might just change everything.
My father is the perfect example of this. He was a professional football player, the first from Fisk University, a small school, to make it to the NFL. But he wasn’t drafted. He had a teaching job lined up in Iowa. His life was set. But playing professional football was his dream, and he wasn’t ready to let it go. He reached out to scouts, got invited to training camps for the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys, and decided to take the chance without any paycheck or guarantees. It was just a shot. He left his job and left my mother, who was still in college, living with my grandparents, and moved to Buffalo, New York, with nothing but a dream. My grandmother was furious. She thought he was crazy — but he was following a dream.
–Robert D. James
www.AttorneyRobertJames.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
SCIENTISTS’ SURPRISE: STUDENTS SERVED RADIOACTIVE OATMEAL GOING DANGEROUSLY ROGUE
Students at a state special-needs school in Massachusetts decades ago flocked to join the school’s Science Club, lured by gifts, promises of field trips, and hopes of emotional support from the scientists in charge. What they received instead was a daily dose of radioactive oatmeal. As part of a secret experiment by the Quaker Oats Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), dozens of boys at Fernald State School during the late 1940s and early 1950s were fed oatmeal laced with radioactive tracers. The goal was to study their bodies’ absorption of iron and calcium and prove the cereal’s nutritional benefits. Some boys also were injected with radioactive calcium. A student named Fred Boyce and about 70 other boys ages
10–17 were eager to join the Science Club mainly for the perks enjoyed by members. Boyce, who was sent to the school after his parents abandoned him, also hoped the scientists might intervene on the students’ behalf and report dismal conditions at Fernald, where students, many of whom were mentally disabled, were abused and treated brutally. Boyce and others received no help from the scientists, however, and weren’t even informed they were subjects of a scientific experiment until more than 40 years later. “We didn’t know anything at the time,” Boyce told Smithsonian magazine. “We just thought we were special.”
objections at the time. At the dawn of the Atomic Age, most Americans saw science as a powerful force for progress — the Atomic Energy Commission approved dozens of human experiments with radioactivity. The importance of ethics review boards and informed consent of research subjects was nowhere on scientists’ radar at the time. Not until 1972, when the Associated Press reported on a Tuskegee Institute study in which Black men with syphilis were promised treatment they never received, did Congress finally pass legislation protecting people from unethical research. Scientists later determined the boys at Fernald didn’t suffer serious health effects; one said the exposure was about the same as 30 chest X-rays. For students like Boyce, however, the injuries ran deep. Thirty former Fernald students later sued Quaker Oats and MIT and were awarded $1.85 million in a 1998 settlement.
The study at Fernald,
originally named the Massachusetts State School for the Feeble-Minded, was led by an MIT professor of nutrition. No one raised
Please Don’t Be Used Against Me in Court Dear Diary,
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals.
incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case, a law enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle.
Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if they are currently unsolved. This case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the
2 | 404.891.0977
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Unpack Parenting’s ‘Mental Load’
TAKE A BREAK
Finding Peace in Modern Parenting
Parenting is a labor of love, but let’s face it — sometimes, it just feels like labor. The mental load of raising kids and running a household creates a constant to-do list in your head: planning parent-teacher conferences, organizing meals, managing schedules, and worrying about everything in between. With nearly half of parents saying their stress is overwhelming, it’s clear we’re carrying more than we can handle. But the good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone. Forget the Instagram Fantasy We’ve all been there — scrolling through picture-perfect family photos on social media and wondering how everyone else makes parenting look so effortless. But let’s get real. No one’s life is as polished as their posts. Instead of measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, focus on what makes your family happy and healthy. Spoiler alert: It’s not homemade Pinterest lunches or spotless playrooms. Find Your Village (and Use It!) Parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s friends, family, or other parents, building a strong support system can make all the difference. And if you have a partner, open conversations about sharing
Classic Fish Fry Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
the workload can lighten the load for everyone. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a superpower. Perfect Is Boring —
Ingredients
Be Real Instead Let go of the idea that you need to be the perfect parent. Perfection is overrated
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
and impossible. Life throws curveballs, and part of raising resilient kids is showing them how
to handle challenges without losing your cool. Be kind to yourself, and embrace the “good enough” mindset. You don’t need to do it all, and your kids don’t need you to be flawless — they need you to be present. Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered The mental load of parenting will never disappear entirely, but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. When you ditch unrealistic expectations, lean on your village, and embrace imperfection, you can find more balance and joy in the chaos. Parenting is messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright hard — but it’s also beautiful, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments. So, take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: You’re doing a great job. You’ve got this.
Directions 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
www.AttorneyRobertJames.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
404.891.0977 www.AttorneyRobertJames.com 233 Peachtree St. NE Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30303
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
Opportunity Knocks — Will You Answer?
A Chilling Tale From the Annals of Science
When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
Classic Fish Fry
3
The Mental Load of Parenting: You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
A Pizza Delivery Nightmare in Florida
4
When Delivery Disputes Go Too Far A $2 TIP TURNS VIOLENT
What started as a birthday celebration for a 5-year-old girl quickly took a dark turn when a Florida delivery driver stabbed a woman multiple times over a bad tip. According to court documents, the December 2024 incident occurred at a Central Florida motel where the victim, her boyfriend, and daughter were staying. The Incident After placing a $33 delivery order from Marco’s Pizza, the victim, Melinda Irizarry, tipped the delivery driver $2. Dissatisfied with the tip, the driver, 22-year-old Brianna Alvelo, reportedly returned to the motel with an unidentified male. Alvelo and her accomplice allegedly forced themselves into Irizarry’s motel room, brandishing a revolver. The attackers forced Irizarry’s boyfriend into the bathroom, and Alvelo produced a pocketknife before rummaging through the group’s belongings. Irizarry turned
to shield her daughter and reached for the motel phone when Alvelo allegedly began attacking her with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. The attackers fled the scene, and Irizarry was taken to a local hospital. In addition to 14 stab wounds, Irizarry suffered a ruptured lung during the attack. While receiving treatment, she also discovered she was pregnant. Alvelo was later arrested and charged with multiple counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping, and home invasion with a firearm. Her accomplice remains at large. Unusual Nature of the Case This case stands out not only for its brutality but also because it flips the typical narrative involving delivery drivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, delivery drivers are more at risk of assaults
than other professions. While disputes over tips are not unheard of, they rarely lead to violence. However, reports of assaults among delivery workers, particularly in the gig economy, are surprisingly common. Studies show that 1 in 5 food app workers are assaulted on the job, and over one- third of delivery drivers feel unsafe. Regardless of who is on the receiving end, cases like these underscore how everyday activities can lead to life-altering events with serious consequences for all involved. Always be vigilant.
4 | 404.891.0977
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator