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S eptember 2023
The Death Drive and Our Most Fatal Constitutional Amendment A S ickness W ithin The Constitution is among the most celebrated documents in history, and the government commemorates its signing every Sept. 17 on Constitution Day. All U.S. attorneys must swear an oath to uphold the Constitution’s tenets, and a reverence for the rights it enshrines is one of the few values almost every American shares. Unfortunately, we cannot all agree on what those rights mean — and it’s killing people. Each part of the Constitution is far-reaching in its own right, but I don’t believe any is as impactful on our daily life as the Second Amendment. Gun violence is currently the leading cause of death among American children aged 1 to 19. What could possibly be more consequential than thousands of preventable deaths snuffing out our kids’ futures? The past few years have proven the contention that the Supreme Court is a political body much more than a legal one — and that Court has taken an appalling and inexcusable position on the Second Amendment. It argues that our Founding Fathers’ reasonable belief in the 1780s that states should have the right to their own armies to fend off invading forces now grants every citizen the inalienable right to semi-automatic weapons. Before I go further, I want to add that I like rifles and pistols and have always been a good marksman. I recently went clay pigeon shooting during a trip to Scotland. There’s something incredibly satisfying about being able to so powerfully and precisely project your will that way. I enjoy setting a bullet on a course and seeing the result. At the same time, I can’t imagine thinking that small delight is worth so many children’s lives. How did we end up here? I believe it has something to do with a psychoanalytic theory called the “death drive.” While usually credited to Sigmund Freud, the death drive theory was actually developed by Sabina Spielrein, a psychoanalyst who knew and worked with both Freud and Carl Jung. The death drive refers to a natural psychological human attraction to death and destruction. For some people, it’s a draw that can be stronger than our survival instincts. Spielrein, in part, considered it a creative force and part of the cycle of life. We must die to be reborn; you can only have spring and summer if fall and winter come first. But left unchecked, the death drive can do unspeakable harm.
How else can we explain otherwise rational people being willing to sacrifice children for the pleasure they get from firing guns? I view climate change similarly because greed alone cannot explain our persistence in drilling for oil in the ocean, regardless of the impact. Logic dictates there is no profit on a planet where life no longer exists. On some level, we must want to kill. I’m not a psychoanalyst, so I don’t know where this urge to destroy ourselves comes from. But I don’t believe Americans are unique. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. Which came first: easy access to guns or a deep-seated desire to murder? If other nations allowed firearms to proliferate as we do here, I think their societies would be equally violent. At this point, it’s unclear how or if the U.S. can reverse course. But solving any problem requires first correctly diagnosing it. Our obsession with guns and disregard for innocent life is a sickness. We must wake up to that fact and stop hiding behind the Second Amendment before we can hope to find a cure.
–Michael Manely
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N avigate Y our P urchase : E xpert T ips for F irst -T ime C ar B uyers
Pro Tip: Some questions to ask yourself are what will your vehicle be used for, how much commuting will you be doing, what are some necessary features, and how much space do you need? Don’t skip the test drives. A test drive is essential, especially when purchasing your first vehicle. During this check for roadworthiness, you will see that each car drives differently. It’s important to get a feel for how each one handles and rides. Pro Tip: If you are purchasing a used car, don’t forget to check CARFAX for the vehicle’s crash history, mileage, service history, and exterior and interior condition. Don’t forget insurance and registration. As soon as you purchase a vehicle, you will need to insure and register it with your nearest department of motor vehicles!
For many, their first taste of freedom is purchasing their first car. It’s an exciting milestone and a huge financial decision. To help make the process easier and ensure you know what to expect, here’s a guide for parents and teens when purchasing their first vehicle. Establish a budget. What can you afford? Today, the price of a new set of reliable and safe wheels is high. Even the cheapest new vehicle on the market is upwards of $15,000. Determine if a new or used car fits your price range and whether or not financing is a smart option.
Pro Tip: Check out vehicle listings on Facebook, Craigslist, and OfferUp — sometimes, you can land a great deal. Just be sure to do your research and bring a friend along when you test drive the vehicle, for both safety reasons and another opinion. Research and weigh your options.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget this cost when considering your budget! These fees add up.
The industry is vast! After you’ve established how much you are able to spend, you can begin to do your homework and find a car with the features that fit your needs.
With these tips, purchasing your new car will be fun and exciting! Most importantly, don’t forget to buckle up and practice safe driving as soon as you exit the car lot!
F rom S hredder to P artner Bill King’s Journey at The Manely Firm
Attorney Bill King got an early start at The Manely Firm. As Shelia’s son and Michael’s stepson, he was taking out the trash and shredding documents after school at age 12. By 16, Bill was working reception and helping with the website and event planning. Still, he didn’t intend to make a career out of it. “I was a typical rebellious teenager,” Bill laughs. “I was like, ‘I’m never going to be a lawyer or work for the Firm! You’re not going to get me!’” But Bill was unsure of his next move after graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Reinhardt University. So, he started working at The Manely Firm as a paralegal and was surprised to learn that he genuinely enjoyed working in law. “I really loved it,” he remembers, “and I realized I wanted to go to law school.” Bill started as an associate attorney after graduating from Georgia State in 2016 and became a partner at the Firm in 2023. “I’ve worked in some form in every facet of the business,” he notes. “I’ve had my hand in administration, reception, accounting, HR, and marketing. I’ve experienced a lot more professionally than if I’d just gone to law school and become an attorney.”
Several aspects of his work keep him passionate. “I enjoy how many different areas of law that family law touches,” Bill says. “We get to expand our skills as professionals, and there’s more room for growth because you have to be so versatile.” He also appreciates the Firm’s international family law focus. “We get the opportunity to work with a very diverse group of clients,” Bill says. “It’s fascinating to learn about different parts of the world, and it’s a lot of fun.” It’s a good fit because Bill is passionate about travel. His other hobbies include golf and being a patron of the arts. Bill also tries to spend as much time as possible with his family. He just celebrated his sixth wedding anniversary and welcomed a second child. Bill is eager to note that his favorite part of working at The Manely Firm is “the sheer amount of people we get to help on a daily basis.” Specifically, he says, “People put their trust in us to provide them counsel and help them through probably one of the most difficult things they’ll ever go through. Being able to provide them with that help is very rewarding.”
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T he P ower of A ppreciation
We are thrilled to announce the kick-off of our upcoming coveted Speaker Series, available to clients only, beginning in August on Wednesday evenings. Each virtual session will feature either an attorney or professional speaker providing insight on the issues impacting our clients the most. Details to come, but we welcome all existing clients to join us as we continue to provide our clients with helpful resources to reach the very best tomorrow.
A Secret Ingredient for All Healthy Relationships
No one likes to be taken for granted. It’s a top problem among couples who decide to divorce, and a failure to be grateful has upended countless workplace, family, and friend relationships. That’s why appreciation is the first secret to successful relationships in “The Go-Giver Marriage” by Ana Gabriel Mann and John David Mann, which The Manely Firm is currently studying.
The desire to be appreciated is universal, as seen in our earliest childhood experiences. We learn early to give to others and receive appreciation in return. Our first gifts are
our smiles and entertainment. We instinctively learn how to be silly and make people laugh because we crave the acknowledgment and attention of others.
S piced P ecan P ie B ars
While we all desire appreciation, we can often forget that other people
Inspired by SouthernLiving.com
crave the same thing. As with each of the Manns’ principles, the need to appreciate others extends far beyond romance into every interaction we have with others. Any meaningful relationship with coworkers, family, or friends requires appreciation.
Crucially, appreciation is about more than a quick thank-you. Passing statements like “Good work” or “You look nice today” can briefly bring a person joy, but they don’t leave a lasting impact. Appreciation should involve reflecting on why a person matters to you and telling them in your own words.
I ngredients
D irections 1.
Crust •
Preheat oven to 350 F. Use baking spray to grease a 13x9- inch pan before lining with parchment paper. In a food processor, blend crust ingredients until a crumble forms. Press mixture into pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes (crust will have cracks). In a bowl, whisk all filling ingredients (except pecans) together until smooth. Stir in pecans and pour over crust. Bake until set, around 30 minutes, then let cool completely in pan.
3 cups all-purpose flour
As a firm, we are working with our team to ensure they understand how vital appreciation is in delivering our services. Taking the time to appreciate our clients and each other makes a tangible difference in how we do our work. Our onboarding and “bon voyage” processes are part of how we aim to show appreciation to our clients and demonstrate that they’re more than a number to us. We also try to model appreciation for our clients. A co-parenting relationship is ongoing and requires the same ingredients as any other to be successful. When the opposing party does something right toward our common goal, they deserve our appreciation. Being humble, grateful, and honest enough to express that appreciation makes it easier to find common ground and create a happy post‑divorce life.
• • •
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp salt
2.
Filling •
4 eggs
• • • • • • • • •
1 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
3.
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup melted butter 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger 3 cups chopped pecans
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211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
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Our Most Consequential Constitutional Amendment
Expert Tips for First-Time Car Buyers How Bill King Found His Calling in Family Law
The Power of Appreciation Spiced Pecan Pie Bars
Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone
Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock-full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind! Check in the smart way. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into! Inspect your room. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry! Keep your eyes peeled. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following you, and always keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid going to your room. K eep Y ourself S afe W hile T raveling A lone
Use the deadbolt. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! Share the hotel information. Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!
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