Take a look at this month's edition of the Shuttlesworth Sentinel!
THE SHUTTLESWORTH SENTINEL
201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 ShuttlesworthLasseter.com
Personal Injury Product Liability Wrongful Death
Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect Assisted Living Abuse/Neglect
01 .2021
of their constituents to be met, and they want all their views to be adopted. Anyone who stands in the way of this goal is labeled their enemy. Learning How to Compromise Again AMERICA’S ‘COMMON SENSE’ PATH FORWARD For as long as I’ve been alive, and for as long as we’ve been a nation, frankly, no good answers to any problem in this country have been found on the far right or far left side of things. When we try to pick our answers from either far end of the political spectrum, there are always winners, and there are always losers. If it were war with an outside force, that wouldn’t be such a problem. Unfortunately, after a political battle, opposing sides still have to share the same neighborhoods, cities, and states. For that reason, the winner-take-all approach to politics can never be the way forward. We share a common country, so we have to find common ground. That’s not to say that everyone has to suddenly start believing all the same things, though. You can still be a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, an independent, or a member of any other party you like. But first and foremost, we have to recognize that in the United States, you’re just as much a part of a collection of people with massively different views as you are a member of a political party. For that reason, we have to learn to respect each other’s differences as well as recognize them. You can still believe wildly different things than your neighbor, but that doesn’t mean you just disregard them as people. As with everything in this world, there’s a Deep South football analogy that can illustrate this idea perfectly. Way back when Bear Bryant was the coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, he had a somewhat peculiar approach to interacting with the opposing team on the field. He would tell his lineman to hit their opponents as hard as they could. But, if the hit knocked them over, they were also instructed to help them back up when the play was over. So, when it comes to politics, don’t shy away from vigorous, lively debate, but also don’t run your opponents out of town on a rail. There’s room for everyone from all walks of life at the great American dinner table. Let’s try talking things out over a meal before we immediately go to flip it over.
In January of 1775, a writer and advocate for the American Colonies’ independence from the British Empire named Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet titled “Common Sense.” In his pamphlet, he made the case not only for independence from Britain, but for the establishment of an egalitarian form of government, in which the common man would have a say in the way forward for the country as a whole. The pamphlet was wildly popular at the time and remains so today. Thomas Paine is now listed among the Founding Fathers of the United States. For Thomas Paine, independence and egalitarian government were the “common sense” paths forward for the future United States. Now, 245 years later, I can’t help but wonder what our “common sense” path forward is. What do we all need to do that will push us as a nation toward the best future possible from where we are right now? After some thought, I think I figured out the answer: We need to learn how to compromise. We’ve reached a point in our government and in our society as a whole where compromise is considered a dirty word. Everyone on each side of a certain issue demands 100% of what they want and they want it granted to them without any deviation. They want for all of their needs and the needs
“THE WINNER-TAKE-ALL APPROACH TO POLITICS CAN NEVER BE THE WAY FORWARD. WE SHARE A COMMON COUNTRY, SO WE HAVE TO FIND COMMON GROUND.”
–Perry Shuttlesworth
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BATTLE OF THE BOWLS
While we all know we shouldn’t look at our smartphones while we drive, let alone text while we’re behind the wheel, most of us have probably done so recently. You might figure it’s no big deal, especially if you swear you’re “only looking at it for a second.” But the truth is that our smartphones are far more than a harmless little distraction on the road. The effects that smartphones have on the brain have become well known since they first became the go-to cell phone model around a decade ago. Every time your screen lights up, you get a dopamine release, similar to what happens when someone does drugs — which means you can actually get addicted to your smartphone. So, no matter how prudent you try to be when you’re behind the wheel, it will be difficult to resist when your phone beckons for you to check your notifications. That might be part of the reason why, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving drunk. That addictive quality is why smartphones can distract you so entirely. They distract you visually, meaning that they get you to look away from the road. They distract you manually because you have to use either one or both hands to check your notifications and respond to texts. And finally, they distract you mentally because you have to think about what you’re typing or looking up rather than what’s on the road ahead of you. All of these factors led the state of Alabama to ban texting while driving in 2012, becoming the 38th state to do so. However, even with laws in place to prevent the accidents that might follow, a 2018 study found that 43% of teen drivers in Alabama text while driving, and the number of distracted-driving fatalities in our state hasn’t gone down since 2017. Driving distraction-free starts when you make the choice to do so. But if you’re ever in an accident where the other driver was distracted before the collision, give Shuttlesworth Law Firm a call today at (205) 322-1411. We’ll make sure you’re compensated fairly for your injuries and losses. USING YOUR SMARTPHONE WHILE DRIVING IS DEADLY
December and January are prime months for college football greatness. Each year, the top teams in the nation duke it out in more than 40 bowl games during this two-month span. In its 130- year history, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) bowl games have changed a lot, but the competition is just as fierce now as ever. The origin of bowl games has nothing to do with football. On Jan. 1, 1890, the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena, California, adorned their horses and buggies with flowers and paraded around the city before squaring off in athletic competitions that included polo, greased pig catching, and chariot races. By 1902, the organizers for the Tournament of Roses saw potential in America’s fast-growing collegiate football leagues and scheduled the much-anticipated Tournament East-West game between the nation’s top two teams on Jan. 1. That game was a dud, though. Michigan University toppled Stanford University 49-0, and Stanford forfeited the game with just eight minutes left on the clock. Admitting defeat, organizers went back to their athletic competitions of yore until 1916, when Washington State took on Brown College in the second Tournament East-West game. In 1923, this competition was dubbed the Rose Bowl. The name “bowl” comes from the shape of the Rose Bowl Stadium, and other collegiate leagues across the nation have adopted their own versions. The widely accepted original bowl games include the Rose Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, and the Sun Bowl, and each is played on New Year’s Day. Over time, the number of bowl games grew, which resulted in teams with as few as five wins claiming titles in smaller bowl games. Experts began to ponder how to determine the “true” national champion when there were so many championship games. In the 2014–2015 season, the NCAA sought to answer that question. The championship semifinal games between the top four teams are rotated each year between pairs of the six top bowl games. The winners of the two semifinal bowls then face off in a college football championship. The other bowl games are still played and unofficially determine runners-up. While bowl games may take on a different flair this season, the time- honored tradition of friendly competition and bragging rights is still just as powerful today as it was 130 years ago in Pasadena. ROSES, CHARIOTS, AND A COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPION
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WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT
THEY CAN ADVISE YOU ON NEXT STEPS.
When you lose a loved one because of someone’s reckless or negligent behavior, the legal way to describe the tragedy is “wrongful death.” When you lose someone close to you because of an accident that could have been prevented, hiring an attorney for a lawsuit against the responsible party probably isn’t your first thought. We understand. However, there are some good reasons why hiring an attorney should be one of the first things you do following your loved one’s death.
incredibly real, and an experienced attorney can help you mitigate them.
It’s understandably difficult to formulate a plan for next steps after such a sudden tragedy. However, whether it’s navigating conversations with insurance companies, or sorting through the ins and outs of your deceased loved one’s estate plan, a wrongful death attorney can guide you through all the necessary steps. They can remember the necessary steps so you don’t have to.
THEY CAN GIVE YOU TIME TO GRIEVE.
Nobody should have to make sense of the fallout of a loved one’s death by themselves. It would be impossible, and only add stress to an already heart-wrenching situation. The only thing that someone should have to concern themselves with after someone they love passes away unexpectedly is processing their grief. With the help of a wrongful death attorney, you can give yourself that time. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of the wrongful death of a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out to Shuttlesworth Law Firm with questions and concerns. We’re here to help, and we’ll do whatever we can.
THEY CAN HELP YOU GET FAIR COMPENSATION FOR YOUR EXPENSES.
In a wrongful death case, you can claim compensation for funeral costs, medical expenses, loss of income, and loss of a relationship. While it’s impossible to quantify the impact that such a deep personal loss can have on someone, the financial impacts of an unexpected death are
FACTOID STRANGE WHY ARE THERE MORE 2ND STREETS THAN 1ST STREETS IN THE US?
TAKE A BREAK
In any ranking, if there’s a second, then by definition, there has to be a first, right? Well, not if you’re talking about road names in the United States. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are actually more roads called 2nd Street (or “Second” Street) than there are roads called 1st Street (or “First” Street). In fact, by some estimates, 2nd Street is the most popular name for a street in America!
The most likely reason for this odd ranking where second beats first is that many towns have a “Main Street” or maybe even “Park Street” as their primary thoroughfare, replacing what might otherwise be called 1st Street — but a town will almost always have a 2nd Street. So, if the address you’re plugging into your GPS is on 2nd Street, make sure it’s the right one.
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201 Vulcan Road, Suite 210 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1411 ShuttlesworthLasseter.com
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THIS ISSUE INSIDE
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America’s ‘Common Sense’ Path Forward
How College Bowl Games Determine National Champs
Don’t Use a Smartphone While Driving
How We Can Help You in Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit
January’s Strange Factoid
These Old-School Hobbies Are Making a Huge Comeback
Out With the New,
In With the Old!
4 Old-School Hobbies Making a Major Comeback
January is National Hobby Month — and for good reason! As people set goals for 2021, they’re also thinking about trying new hobbies. But with so many out there, picking just one can be a hobby in itself. Thanks in part to COVID-19, many people have rediscovered old-school hobbies. Some of these have been around for decades or even longer, and others have established communities that can rely on one another for support, sharing information, and more. Here are four great examples.
has been kept alive. When many people were stuck at home last year, they rediscovered their card collections and remembered how much fun they were. As a result, card sales went through the roof, and online card communities lit up with activity from all over the world.
RESTORING CARS
Car restoration is a hobby that lets you get your hands dirty, and it’s one that you can do with your kids or grandkids. It can be not only educational for them but also fun! Together, you can track down parts, talk to folks who are also interested in restoration, and learn about the history of your car. Though car restoration can be a bit costly and time consuming, it’s certainly a journey worth taking.
MAKING BREAD
Over the last year, interest in this ancient hobby has skyrocketed. Homemade bread is tastier and more nutritious than store-bought, and it’s so satisfying to watch it come together. Not to mention it’s a great skill to have! With so many types of bread to try, you’re not going to run out of ideas any time soon.
EMBROIDERING
COLLECTING CARDS
Embroidery has taken off because it’s both inexpensive and fairly easy to get into. Plus, many people have fallen in love with its meditative quality. One of the great things about embroidery is that you can use it to make amazing personalized gifts, like pillows, wall hangings, and kitchen towels!
No matter what people were into during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, there was a trading card game for it. And even going into 2021, that tradition
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