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March 2022
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Somewhere Over the Rainbow A Wee Bit of Leprechaun Folklore
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In the United States, this day is celebrated by people with — and without — an Irish heritage. It’s a day to wear green, talk about luck, let loose, and drink some beer. But that’s not all people love and associate with the holiday! We can’t forget about our little friends: the leprechauns! Leprechauns have been a part of Irish folklore since the eighth century, and many people are surprised to learn that they’re part of the fairy family. Their name derives from the word luchorpán, which means “small body,” and the term “leath bhrogan,” which refers to a shoemaker. At the first mention of the word “leprechaun,” an image will certainly enter your head: a small man with red hair, perhaps bearded, wearing a green suit, distinctive hat, and buckled shoes. All leprechauns are male, making their reproductive habits unclear, and their height is subject to debate, ranging anywhere from a few inches tall to a couple of feet. Meanwhile, though shown exclusively in green today, leprechauns originally wore red. As Ireland itself became associated with green, so too did the leprechaun. Like all of Santa’s elves make toys, folklore has it that all leprechauns are cobblers. Since they generally make shoes their own size, the economic system in leprechaun society is murky. Still, leprechauns are also rich, with each said to have their very own pot of gold — which they often hide at the end of the rainbow, but other times somewhere else entirely. Today, the two most famous of their kind are the cute but clever Lucky (the mascot for Lucky Charms) and Lubdan (the menacing villain from the “Leprechaun” horror-comedy movie franchise). It’s a suitable metaphor for the creature’s dual nature. A leprechaun is either a harmless scamp or a nefarious foe based on whom you ask — and how you interact with the leprechaun if you find him. REFERRALS WELCOME Thank you for referring clients to us over the years. You will never be
If you leave a leprechaun alone, they’re unlikely to trouble you. They may even provide good luck, and farmers would sometimes leave offerings in hopes of having an improved harvest. But humans can be greedy and are prone to coveting leprechauns’ gold. That’s why the small creatures have become a prime target for theft and kidnapping. When a person catches a leprechaun, they might be granted three wishes or demand the leprechaun’s gold in exchange for his freedom. Some scholars think storytellers used leprechauns to warn against avarice — so usually, the leprechaun plays a trick. In one famous story, he shows a human where he buried his gold by tying a ribbon around a tree in a forest. When the human returns with a shovel, he finds every tree adorned with identical ribbons. In other tales, he goads humans into making wishes that will ultimately backfire — undoing their good fortune or even leaving them worse off than they were before. In fact, some early legends tell of leprechauns exacting revenge through imprisonment, kidnapping young children, or even murdering humans. So, the retribution-intent leprechaun found in the film series is not as outrageous as he seems. If you come across a leprechaun, try to capture him at your own peril. Though the potential rewards are great, the risk is even greater. If you’re determined to try, you can stake out their presence from a distinctive tap-tap-tapping in the distance, a sound made from hammering nails into shoes. Above all else, once he’s in your possession, be careful what you wish for.
embarrassed by a referral to our office. We’re always available to lend a helping hand to anyone with any legal need. Just give us a call at (314) 961-5678 or visit us at www.becklawmo.com .
-Paul Beck
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Spring Fever Enjoy Warm Weather While Stuck Indoors
Try working outside. If your boss will allow it, there’s probably some opportunity to do a bit of work outdoors. Meetings and conference calls might offer your best option. For in-person meetings, your coworkers will also likely relish a chance to take it outdoors. In the event of a conference call, you won’t need to convince anyone else — grab your laptop and go! It’s not the same as enjoying the weather while you’re off the clock, but it’s a lot better than being cooped up inside.
The weather is warming up, the sun is out — and you’re trapped inside. Most of us have jobs that leave us stuck indoors during spring’s prime midday hours, and it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on the season’s best parts. Unfortunately, your boss probably won’t give you the day off just because of the gorgeous weather. So, we’ve compiled the next best thing — some tips to enjoy the season as much as you can while also getting your job done. Bring the outdoors in. When the weather is nice, open as many curtains and blinds as possible. The natural light will warm up the room and brighten your mood. While you’re at it, try opening the windows and positioning yourself near one. If you can’t be outside, the spring breeze on your face is the next best thing. Plants decrease stress, and having them on your desk might also trick your brain into feeling less cooped up. Take a break. You’ve still got to work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in a few minutes outdoors. Use your break for an outdoor stroll; if possible, you can also walk or bike to work. At the very least, park farther away to give yourself time to enjoy the weather. Volunteer to do a coffee run, pick up lunch, or take out the mail — you’ll be an office hero while catching some rays at the same time.
With any luck, these tips will help you make it to Friday with your sanity intact. And luckily, the weekend is always just around the corner.
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hearings, or a trial without representation — and if you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will provide you with a public defender. Ironically, to invoke your right to remain silent, you have to talk — simply not speaking isn’t considered sufficient. A person needs to say as clearly as possible that they are invoking their rights and want an attorney.
Though film and TV scripts tend to use uniform wording, there’s no required Miranda rights phrasing. Police only need to state the rights and ensure the suspect understands them. It’s also notable that police only have to read Miranda rights when they arrest a suspect — and they can question someone without
detaining them. Courts consider anything the suspect says when not under arrest to be of their own free will.
Many people waive their rights because they know they’re not guilty — or they think that speaking with the police will make them look innocent. Criminal defense attorneys strongly advise against this. Body language, off-handed statements, or inconsistent recounting of events can be used as evidence of guilt. And sadly, many innocent people have been sentenced to time in prison.
If you’re ever arrested or questioned in connection with a crime, the best way to protect your rights is to invoke them right away. Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney or ask the court to appoint one for you. The lawyer will review your case, help you understand the charges, and provide expert guidance on your next steps. Don’t feel bad about doing so — these rights are enshrined in the Constitution. They’re just that important.
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TAKE A BREAK
Why One Man Sued Michael Jordan for $832 Million I DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE
Many people have been told they
have a passing resemblance to a celebrity, and they usually have a funny story or two. To Allen Ray Heckard, his celebrity look- alike was no laughing matter. In 2006, he sued Michael
Jordan for looking too much like him and ruining his life.
The amount of the lawsuit was $832 million, and Heckard not only sued Jordan but also Nike, reasoning that the company helped Jordan achieve his incredible fame. The complaint argued that the resemblance to Jordan “has troubled
Heckard’s nerves” and being stopped by fans caused him emotional distress for over 15 years. He requested damages for defamation, permanent injury, and pain and suffering. For someone tired of being “recognized,” Heckard didn’t shy away from media coverage. When asked how he arrived at the astronomical $832 million lawsuit figure, he gave this much- shared (yet difficult to parse) answer: “Well, you figure with my age, and you multiply that by seven and, ah, then I turn around and, ah, I figure that’s what it all boils down to.” When asked why he felt the resemblance to Jordan had affected his life so negatively, he could only answer, “I want to be recognized as me, just like Michael’s recognized as Michael.” Funnily enough, most people didn’t think Heckard and Jordan looked alike at all. While each had a bald head, mustache, and a gold earring, the similarities seemed to end there. Many news stories noted that, compared to Jordan, Heckard is 8 years older and 6 inches shorter. One question reporters did not appear to ask was why Heckard felt that Jordan should be held personally liable for hundreds of millions of dollars simply for his natural appearance. Sadly, we will probably never know the answer because the case ended rather unceremoniously. After a few weeks, Heckard dropped the lawsuit. He never publicly shared why, but a Nike spokesperson was glad to speculate that Heckard “finally realized he would end up paying our court costs if the lawsuit went to trial.” In the end, many ‘90s kids would argue that Heckard was most guilty of looking a gift horse in the mouth. After all, there is no higher achievement than to “be like Mike.”
EASY MARCH MADNESS CHILI
Cheer on your favorite team and chow down in minutes with this easy chili recipe!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs ground beef • 2 tbsp chili powder • 1 tbsp Creole seasoning • 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 16-oz cans diced tomatoes • 2 16-oz cans small red beans • 2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
Directions
1. In a deep pot, brown beef, stirring often. 2. Once beef is cooked, add chili powder, Creole seasoning, and cumin, cooking for 1 minute. 3. Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, and tomato sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. After the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and let chili simmer for 15 minutes. 5. Serve with toppings of choice, like cheese, sour cream, or chives.
Inspired by MyRecipes.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Do You Know Your Leprechaun Folklore?
1
Enjoy Spring Weather — Even From Work
2
Easy March Madness Chili Someone Sued Michael Jordan?
3
What Do Your Miranda Rights Mean?
4
You Have the Right to … What Now? Understanding and Using Your Miranda Rights
If you watch a lot of procedural dramas on television, you can probably recite your Miranda Rights by heart:
But why are these words so ubiquitous? What do they mean in the real world? And do you really need to worry about your rights if you haven’t committed a crime? Miranda rights originated in 1966 through the Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona . Police arrested Ernesto Miranda on kidnapping charges, and after two hours of questioning, he eventually confessed to the crime. His attorneys argued that Miranda did not understand his rights at the time of the confession, so the courts should disregard it as evidence of his guilt. The Supreme Court agreed, saying that one cannot sign away their rights without first understanding them. The right to remain silent originates from the Fifth Amendment right to not self-incriminate. In this context, “staying silent” means not answering questions from the police. Though experts recommend silence from the beginning, a person can invoke their rights partway through an interrogation. The right to an attorney means you do not have to go through questioning,
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.
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