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OPENING STATEMENTS DECEMBER 2023
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A Year of Controversial Rulings and How They Affect You The Most Significant Supreme Court Decisions in 2023
Free Speech vs. Discrimination Once again, the court voted 6–3 that a Colorado web designer has a First Amendment right to refuse to create same-sex wedding websites. In this case, freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ discrimination were put to the test after the state of Colorado passed a law that prohibited businesses from discriminating against gay customers. However, the Supreme Court said the law violated the First Amendment. For business owners and self-employed individuals, this ensures they have the right to refuse work that expresses messages or ideologies they do not agree with. If you disagree with a particular message, the court ruled that you do not need to provide services that endorse it. This can include other views besides those on gay rights. Accommodations for Religious Employees Allowed On a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the Supreme Court said businesses must make broader accommodations for an employee’s religious practices. The decision came after a U.S. Postal Service employee was reprimanded after insisting they could not work on Sundays due to religious beliefs. While the Postal Service first agreed with the employee and allowed them to find coworkers to change shifts, when the employee was unable to do so, he was disciplined and soon quit. The court confirmed that an employer that rejects a religious accommodation must “show that the burden of granting an accommodation would result in substantial increased costs in relation to the conduct of its particular business.” How this should be fully implemented is being left for lower courts to determine.
Looking back, 2023 was packed with momentous Supreme Court decisions that affect us all. With polarizing topics like affirmative action and freedom of speech, these decisions have split public opinion. Yet, both sides have spoken, and these are the most significant Supreme Court decisions to take effect this year: Affirmative Action Removed With a vote of 6–3, the Supreme Court ruled that public and private universities’ race-conscious admission policies are unlawful. Race should no longer be a deciding factor in college admissions. In the past, affirmative action has been used to increase diversity and redress past discrimination by considering a student’s race and background as a factor in the admissions process. Now, the court has ruled it is unlawful for colleges to admit a student based on their race. So, what does this mean for students now? While a college admissions officer cannot select a student based on their race, a student can still share their racial background and identity in the admissions process. While race can no longer be a major deciding factor, it can enhance a student’s overall application. Student Loan Forgiveness Denied The Biden administration’s student-debt relief program was considered an overstep in authority by the Supreme Court with a 6–3 ruling. The student loan plan, which would have cleared more than $400 billion in student debt, was ruled unconstitutional as the court determined that the Biden administration lacked the authority to implement such a program. The relief plan would have offered up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness to individuals who earned less than $125,000 a year. For those still struggling to pay student loans, payments have already resumed. However, President Biden confirmed that the administration will look for other debt-relief options.
While these are certainly the most significant Supreme Court decisions this year, there are multiple others you should also
familiarize yourself with. Other rulings covered issues ranging from Native American tribal rights, environmental protection, social media algorithms, and voting rights.
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Winter Travel Tips, Hacks, and Reminders! MAKE YOUR JOURNEY MERRY AND BRIGHT
Now that Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, we can turn our attention toward Christmas and New Year’s Day! Over the next few weeks, many of us will travel across the country to visit loved ones to celebrate the holidays. This is easily one of the busiest times of year for travel, as AAA estimated that more than 112 million Americans traveled during last year’s holiday season. This year looks to be equally busy. Traveling during the holidays can be hectic and frustrating. It takes planning and a little luck to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. You might need to deal with more traffic or longer lines at airport security, but you can make the situation easier by implementing some helpful strategies.
early enough to check your bags, make it through TSA, and board your flight with ease.
One of the most frustrating situations any frequent flyer can experience is lost or damaged luggage. Suitcases aren’t cheap! If you ever grab your luggage from the carousel and notice it’s damaged or scuffed, do not leave the airport. Instead, go to baggage services and explain the situation. They will gather your information before directing you to a link where you can choose a new suitcase to replace the broken one. If the bag is lost, you will need to fill out a claim as well, although it will likely be a couple of weeks before the airline considers your bag truly lost. Traveling by Car For many families, it’s tradition to pack the car full of gifts and visit the grandparents for the week or a long weekend. It’s a family road trip! Driving in the winter comes with more challenges than any other time of year. Before leaving the house, pack an emergency kit to keep you and your family safe if you get caught in a blizzard. Stock your vehicle with blankets, flashlights, water bottles, basic car maintenance tools, and kitty litter to help free your car from the snow. If you get stuck, turn on your ignition every hour for 10 minutes to warm up the car, and switch on your lights for visibility. Do not get out of your vehicle to look for help! You could get lost and end up in more danger. Brighten Someone’s Day Traveling during the holidays isn’t only stressful for the travelers but for everyone working as well. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, consider purchasing some treats or gifts to give to those who are working the holidays. Sharing them with your flight crew or the attendant at the terminal will bring a smile to their face and could even result in them doing something nice for you. Hotel workers, gas station attendants, and retail employees are some of the many people who work diligently throughout the holidays and could use some extra recognition.
Here are some tips to help you reach your destination with as little stress and trouble as possible, regardless of your mode of transport.
Heading to the Airport There’s no secret strategy to help you get to your terminal quicker or ensure you make your connecting flights on time. You could enroll in TSA precheck, but there’s no guarantee it will be faster during the holidays. Your best bet is to arrive at the airport
The holiday season is full of joy and excitement. Don’t let traveling take the fun out of your experience!
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The story of how Michael Oher went from a young homeless boy to an NFL star captured the hearts of many and inspired the critically acclaimed 2009 film “The Blind Side.” However, behind the heartwarming tale lies a complex legal battle between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, who adopted him during his teenage years. Oher alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy misled him into accepting a conservatorship instead of adoption and that he never received fair compensation for his portrayal in the movie. In his petition filed in a Tennessee court, Oher seeks to end the Tuohy family’s conservatorship over him and requests a full accounting of any funds he should have received. In response to the petition, the Tuohys expressed their heartbreak over the situation while accusing Oher of demanding $15 million and threatening negative press coverage if they didn’t comply. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy claim they have always been upfront with Oher about the conservatorship and that they have split all profits from “The Blind Side” equally with Oher. Still, the heart of Oher’s lawsuit lies in the claim that they led him to believe he was signing adoption papers when, in reality, they were for a conservatorship. This legal arrangement gave the Tuohys significant control over Oher’s life, his story, and the substantial financial gains resulting from it. Oher asserts he did not receive what he was rightfully owed. TAKE A BREAK THE TUOHY FAMILY VS. MICHAEL OHER: A Legal Showdown
Oher’s lawsuit is not only about financial matters but also the emotional stress that came with recently learning he was not legally a member of the Tuohy family, which he had believed for years. Furthermore, the case brings into question the safeguards for young individuals who may enter into legal agreements without a complete understanding of their implications. Seeing how this blockbuster lawsuit shakes out in the coming months and what the verdict means for other young people in similar situations will be interesting.
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup butter • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup sliced celery • 2 cups sliced carrots • 1/2 cup flour • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 cup milk • 2 cups chicken stock • 2 cups peas • 4 cups cooked chicken • 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed • 1 egg
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
Chimney Christmas
Mistletoe Ornament Parka Reindeer
Sleigh Snowman Wreath Yuletide
Gifts Igloo
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Landmark Supreme Court Decisions of 2023
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Your Ultimate Holiday Travel Guide
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Michael Oher’s Fight for Justice in ‘The Blind Side’ Controversy Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Guard Squirrel on Duty: The Rodent Who Sent a Burglar Running
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Anyone robbing a house must know they’re getting into a dangerous situation. But the teenager who burgled Adam Pearl’s Meridian, Idaho, home had no idea what consequences were in store. Many homeowners have a guard dog, but Pearl got his home security from Joey, his pet squirrel. One day in 2017, Pearl came home and saw that something seemed amiss. Joey was excited, and the doors he’d left closed were now open. After finding scratches on the lock of his gun safe, Pearl knew there’d been a robbery and called the police. Officer Ashley Turner couldn’t help but notice Joey’s presence in the house but didn’t believe he was connected with the case — at first. A few hours later, Turner returned to Pearl’s house with his missing belongings and a story to tell. She’d partially identified the perpetrator by the suspicious scratches on his hands. During questioning, Turner said the burglar confessed to the home invasion and explained why he’d left sooner than intended: Joey attacked while he was attempting to break into the gun safe. Unsurprisingly, the rodent’s violence was frightening. “He wasn’t expecting to have, you know, a squirrel come flying out of nowhere at him,” Officer Turner said. The thief reported that leaving was the only way to stop Joey’s aggression. After learning of his bravery, Pearl rewarded Joey with his favorite candy, Whoppers. But he then had a difficult choice ahead. When Joey was still a tiny baby, Pearl and his wife had taken in the abandoned squirrel. They had intended The Guard Squirrel Who Went Nuts on a Burglar
to release Joey back into the wild when spring came, but they were no longer sure. Ultimately, they let Joey decide. After he started playing with other squirrels through the home’s sliding glass door, the Pearls installed a cat door so he could come and go as he pleased. Joey spent several weeks outdoors with other squirrels by day and returned to the Pearls by night. Eventually, he requested one final scratch behind the ears before disappearing into an apple tree and leaving the Pearls’ house behind forever. Though Joey returned to the great outdoors to live with his kind, his legend is a warning to humans. When you break into someone’s home, you never know what you might find.
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