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Letter of the Law
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November 2021
Why Veterans Day Deserves to Be Celebrated In Big Ways Again
Hello, everyone! It’s been a while, but I thought I’d come back this month and ask you a question: Did you know that there’s an important difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Memorial Day is meant solely to call for remembrance and honor of the service of fallen service members, while Veterans Day is meant to honor and thank our living veterans among us. I’ll admit that this topic is rather personal to me. After my dad and grandparents’ long history of military service in World War I and the reserves for the Korean conflict, I’ve always seen Veterans Day as hugely important — and for a long time, many people did as well. World War I, known at the time as “The Great War,” had officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting only ceased seven months earlier, when an armistice was ordered between the Allied nations and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — in other words, 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. Initially, the holiday was called Armistice Day and was to be observed with parades, public meetings, and a two-minute silence beginning at 11 a.m. By 1954, President Eisenhower wanted to ensure that Armistice Day celebrated the veterans of World War II as well and renamed it to Veterans Day.
grandfather that I could link directly to their military service. Their love for country, selflessness and sense of duty for something greater than themselves, and willingness to put themselves on the line were aspects of their character that always inspired me and have helped me in some unexpected ways during my career. During one case, I was almost thrown into jail by the judge. My client, a 14-year-old girl, was trying to get away from an uncle who was abusing her, but it required me to convince the court to take an action that wasn’t taken by another judge. For whatever reason — perhaps my judge didn’t want to “step on” another judge’s decision — that was not an easy hill to climb at all. But to me, it was clear there was no other option to help this girl live a safer life, and I made my arguments clear on that point. To be honest, I didn’t realize how big of a stand I was taking until I finally walked out of the courtroom. Other attorneys approached me and seemed amazed. “We thought he was going to throw you in jail,” they told me. Thankfully, I managed to get the result I wanted, but in my mind, taking that hard stance in court was nothing compared to what I knew my father and grandfather were capable of, which is a great inspiration for me to this day. Another source of inspiration for me isn’t just veterans, though, but those who support me, like my family and my clients. Thank you so much for being by our side through this crazy year. I’m so grateful for this amazing country we live in and the great people who live within it. It means the world to me to continue servicing you and your legal needs as we approach the holidays and a new year. “Their love for country, selflessness and sense of duty for something greater than themselves, and willingness to put themselves on the line were aspects of their character that always inspired me and have helped me in some unexpected ways during my career.”
Although I was denied from serving in the military on account of my hearing, I learned tremendous lessons from my father and
–Travis Christiansen
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Overcoming the Impossible Task Improving Your Mental Health One Step at a Time
Almost everyone at some point has encountered a task that is seemingly simple, but no matter what they do, they can’t complete it. These tasks can be as straightforward as making the bed or something bigger, like cleaning an entire room. For many, this is an obstacle that they may want to do but can’t, which weighs heavily on them and becomes detrimental to their mental health. It’s important to understand that the impossible task is not a sign of laziness; depression and anxiety can make any task feel much bigger and more difficult than it actually is. If you find yourself unable to do the things you need or want to do, try these techniques to help overcome your obstacles. Break up the task. When the overarching task feels daunting, breaking it up into smaller segments can help you manage it. If you’re cleaning the kitchen, clean for only a few minutes at a time before taking a break. It might take longer, but the space will be clean at the end of the day. Make the task more enjoyable. Play music or involve your pet in some way to make the task fun or create a reward system for yourself. For example, tidying a specific
area of the house or folding a basket of laundry may earn you time to play video games or watch TV. Alternating tasks and rewards is a great way to overcome any task, big or small. It can help to consider why the task feels so impossible, especially if you used to enjoy it. Try to remember what made it enjoyable and see if you can return to that state of mind. If the objective is not so urgent, determine its importance and if the task can be saved for another day. When all else fails, you can always ask someone for support or even pay someone else to do the task for you. No matter what you decide, there are ways to defeat the impossible task.
Thanksgiving Dinner for All How to Cook for Diabetics and Vegans on Turkey Day
Alongside family and football, food is often the highlight of Thanksgiving. But if you’re cooking dinner for a large group, crafting the perfect menu can be difficult. Veganism and vegetarianism are more popular than ever, and it can be frustrating finding dishes that everyone can enjoy — or even eat at all, in the case of a diabetic friend or family member. Luckily, there are plenty of options to create an amazing meal for any group of diverse diners. Diabetics Thanksgiving is a stressful time for anyone who monitors their blood sugar. Sweet potato casserole and sugar-packed pies can tempt even the most diet-conscious diabetic. But undereating can be as unhealthy
for diabetics as overeating, so it’s important to include appetizers in your Thanksgiving menu. Healthy options include raw vegetables and hummus, roasted nuts, shrimp cocktail, or a cheeseboard. For the main meal, turkey is fine if you hold off on any brown sugar or honey glaze. Green bean casserole is safe as well, and stuffing can be included as long as you use whole-grain bread. For dessert, parfaits made with Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and sliced almonds are healthy and tasty and can round out the perfect meal. Vegans The best thing about cooking Thanksgiving for a vegan is that there are plenty of substitutes for classic dishes. Vegan turkeys are available at most grocery stores. It may not look like your traditional turkey since there are no bones, but it still cooks and tastes like a turkey. If a vegan turkey is out of the question, you can try making a mushroom Wellington or roasted cauliflower as a replacement. For side dishes, vegan macaroni and cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts are easy and safe. As for dessert, most grocery stores carry a variety of gluten-free and vegan desserts at their bakery, such as nondairy ice cream and flourless cookies, that taste similar or identical to their gluten-filled, non-vegan counterparts.
The holidays are a great time to come together, and with these options, you can make everyone feel included in the celebration.
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TAKE A BREAK
CAN YOU LEGALLY MOVE A STATE’S BORDER?
THESE OREGON COUNTIES HOPE SO
Earlier this year, several counties in Eastern Oregon voted to break away from the Beaver State and join their next-door neighbor, Idaho. Led by a grassroots organization called Citizens for Greater Idaho (or Greater Idaho, for short), this push to move the Oregon-Idaho border further west was fueled by an urban/ rural and liberal/conservative divide within the state. In short, rural Oregonians, who are mostly conservative, don’t feel like their state government, which leans liberal, represents their interests. However, rather than leave their homes and livelihoods behind for a government that better represents their values, they’ve decided they want to bring Idaho’s values and government to them. While the social and political dimensions of this movement are fascinating, the more pragmatic question of whether moving a state border is possible at all is an essential element to explore. What do legal experts say about the possibility of moving Oregon’s state border? Well, proponents of the move shouldn’t hold their breath. While some counties have “voted” to leave Oregon, those votes don’t hold any legal power. They’re more like a poll, gauging interest in an idea before further action is taken. To make Greater Idaho a reality, however, both state legislatures and the United States Congress will have to approve the move. Idaho’s state border is enshrined in its constitution, which means that in order for the borders to change, so would the state’s founding document. It’s a tall bar to clear, but state borders have moved before. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of Ellis Island actually belonged to New Jersey rather than New York. The mere legal possibility, plus the affirmation of some representatives in the Idaho state government, including Governor Brad Little, is enough for Greater Idaho to continue hoping that they’ll have a say in the kind of government they want to have.
EASY PUMPKIN BROWNIES
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
If you have a hard time choosing between chocolate cake and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, this 2-for-1 treat will knock your socks off.
Ingredients
• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 can pumpkin purée • 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
Directions
1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Story of Veterans Day — And Why We Should Remember It
1
Overcoming the Impossible Task Thanksgiving Dinner That Everyone Can Enjoy
2
Easy Pumpkin Brownies Can You Legally Move a State’s Border?
3
How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis
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How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis Lockdowns Made Things Tough
Since the mid-1990s, over 500,000 deaths have been attributed to opioids. Many factors fueled the problem: corporate greed, economic recession, and changing attitudes toward pain treatments. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which escalated the opioid crisis to untold levels. Data released by the National Center for Health Statistics on July 14 show a large increase in overdose deaths. Between December 2019 and
have gone up for men and women of every race and age, and the numbers aren’t slowing down.
The question still lingers — why have opioid deaths increased during the pandemic?
The first reason focuses on the lockdowns. Many people were furloughed or completely cut off from work. This led to isolation, which is unhealthy for most people. For those already using opioids, they had more free time to use and their habits only grew worse.
December 2020, more than 93,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. That’s nearly 29.4% higher than the previous 12 months. This means that, on average, 255 Americans were dying from overdoses every day. One of the most notable things about the opioid crisis during the pandemic is the increase in death by overdose throughout the country. States like West Virginia have always been at the center of the crisis, but states like California, Arizona, and Colorado have seen shocking increases in overdoses. Opioid-related deaths
Then, hospitals became overloaded during the pandemic. Those already recovering from addiction found it more difficult to get medical treatment when the pandemic started. Most medical attention focused on COVID-19 patients, and many former opioid users fell to the wayside. The impact was even worse if they had lost their job — which led some people to return to old habits. As the pandemic continues to rage on, the opioid crisis has not waned. It could take years for opioid use to level out. And that assumes it won’t continue to increase.
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