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History Ain’t Boring WHAT THE PAST TEACHES US ABOUT THE PRESENT
rowing up, I didn’t care much about history. I’m sure a lot of kids feel the same way. I used to think, “What could I possibly
cases and laws that were established many years ago. Whenever you hear a legal analyst on TV talking about “historical precedence,” they’re referring to the results of similar cases in the past. But this hard-and-fast information is far from the only way my passion for history has helped me become a better lawyer. History gives us the benefit of hindsight. We can look at patterns from previous events and apply them to our current situation. Historical scenarios are often the most potent metaphors for what we’re dealing with in the present moment. Here’s just one example. From time to time when I’m working with a family court client, I warn them about the dangers of creating a Treaty of Versailles. After World War I, the victors imposed strict sanctions on Germany that many historians believe were a direct cause of the rise of Hitler. Obviously, I don’t think a family court case is going to bring about anything close to the terrors of Nazism, but there is a parallel to be drawn. I want my clients to get the best possible outcome during a divorce. That said, if the terms are so oppressive that the other party won’t be able to comply, you’ll just end up back in court a few months down the road. This is what I mean when I say you don’t want a Treaty of Versailles. Little analogues like these emerge all the time at work and at home. Given that Presidents Day is in February, I thought it only fitting to pay a little tribute to the lessons we can learn from previous generations. And if one of those lessons is that Millard Fillmore becomes your favorite president, well, all the more power to you.
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learn from studying events that happened tens, if not hundreds, of years before I was born?” I was wrong. Beginning in college and continuing through today, I’ve discovered a passion for American history in particular. Through this interest, I’ve learned many concepts that are applicable to my life and work. My first introduction to history was through reading the biographies of U.S. presidents. Without a doubt, my favorite president is Millard Fillmore. I think most of you reading this will agree that our 13th president is unrivaled in terms of impact and fame. Okay, you got me. I’m only joking. I’ve always found Lyndon Johnson and Abraham Lincoln to be the most fascinating men to sit in the Oval Office. They were endlessly complicated figures, guiding our nation through transformative times. The more I read about them, the more questions I have. Part of the joy of looking into the past is that there’s always something new to learn, even if you’re on your 100th biography of Honest Abe. From there, my passion for history blossomed into something a little more all-encompassing. As you can probably imagine, law school requires students to study
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History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future. –Robert Penn Warren
–John Holland
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FORCED SHARING IS NOT CARING TEACH CHILDREN GENEROSITY THROUGH AUTONOMY
One of the most common principles of early childhood education is teaching children to play well with others, and oftentimes, this includes teaching them to share. While this aspect of education seems like a no-brainer to some, others have started to question the importance of sharing. In fact, this movement is taking the internet and nation by storm, one blog and social media post at a time, and it’s gaining traction with parents and preschools alike. According to Laura Markham, clinical psychologist at Columbia University and author of “Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings,” “Forcing children to share doesn’t teach the lessons we want them to learn.” During preschool, kids are learning to meet their own needs, and rather than teaching kids to speak up for themselves, forced sharing teaches them the following thoughts.
child would like a turn and ensure that child gets a turn,” she said. “And when someone else has something that our child wants, we hope that she’ll be able to control her impulses and use her words to work out an arrangement so that she can use the object in the future.” When we teach kids that they can use an object for as long as they’d like and that they can give it to the other child when they are finished, we are teaching them the following thoughts.
• I can ask for what I want. Sometimes, I get a turn soon, and sometimes, I have to wait.
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It’s okay to cry, but it doesn’t mean I get my way.
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If I cry loud enough, I get what I want.
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I don’t get everything I want.
• Parents are in charge of who gets what and when, and it’s arbitrary, depending only on their whim and how dramatically I beg for my turn.
• I don’t have to whine and convince my parent that I need a turn, because I know I will get it.
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I am in constant competition to get what I need.
• When I give my toy to my sibling, I feel good inside. I’m a generous person.
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If I make my parent miserable, I’ll get what I want.
According to Markham, this helps your child learn patience and empathy, which may leave them better equipped to handle bigger situations in the future. Forced sharing may seem positive in nature, but the harmful competition it creates may rob children of the chance to be truly generous and communicate their feelings and desires.
Forced sharing undermines children’s ability to lose themselves in play while also plaguing their relationships with other children with constant competition. In the end, neither child gets to experience true generosity from their peer.
So, what should be taught? Markham says children need to be given the tools to handle sharing situations. “We do want our child to notice when another
Client Testimonials SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US “There are not enough words to express my gratitude to Mr. Rob Usry for his hard work and dedication when he represented me last spring. It was a long and upsetting process, and the degree of respect, dignity, and professionalism exhibited will never be forgotten and will always be appreciated. Through this difficult time, Rob’s honesty and encouraging demeanor put me at ease as he explained each step of the process and detailed every possible outcome. His determination assured me of the outcome I desired. As a result of his determination, he was able to get the verdict I was hoping for and more. I consider Rob Usry not just an awesome lawyer, but also a friend. I would highly recommend Rob with Holland & Usry, PA for anyone’s legal needs.”
“Mr. Usry is not only an awesome lawyer, he’s a great person in general. He really cares about his clients and wants the best for them. He’s very smart and definitely knows what he’s doing. And he won’t give in or quit until he gets the very best possible solution for his client. With my case, I got to a point where I thought all hope was lost, but Mr. Usry was there for me and reassured me that everything was going to be okay. In the end, he did better than just okay. He was very persistent and dedicated. He got me a better deal than I had ever imagined. Thanks to Mr. Usry, I got a second chance to get my life together.”
–Mary W., Roebuck
–Jessica D., Spartanburg
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Don’t Hire a Discount Lawyer YOUR FUTURE IS IN THE BALANCE
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” – attributed to Benjamin Franklin Facing criminal charges is one of the most stressful experiences a person can undergo. After you’ve been arrested, you’ll be dealing with a lot of emotions. Given the anxiety, it can be easy to overlook the importance of hiring the right attorney. That choice, though, will have a massive bearing on how your case plays out.
DOES THIS PERSON HAVE EXPERIENCE? Make sure the lawyer regularly handles criminal cases, especially cases like yours. Ask about their track record with your type of case. It’s also worth asking about how an attorney will prepare for your case. DOES THIS PERSON CARE ABOUT YOU? Don’t hire a lawyer who doesn’t devote his full attention to you when you meet to discuss hiring them. Find out how you’ll be involved in the development of the defense of your case. CAN WE COMMUNICATE HONESTLY? You have too much at stake to hire somebody who won’t be clear with you. Even if the answers aren’t what you want to hear, honest dialogue is the foundation of every attorney and client relationship. Without it, you’ll never get the result you’re looking for. Choosing an attorney isn’t always easy, but putting effort into your decision- making process will give you peace of mind during a difficult time. At Holland & Usry, we treat every client like family, answer any questions, and will give you the straight talk you need.
When it comes to legal representation, you cannot bargain-basement shop. You’re not buying a microwave. We’re talking about your future — your freedom, your reputation, and maybe even your life. With so much on the line, hiring a lawyer because they are cheap is a poor decision you’re bound to regret. To find the right attorney for you, the more research you do, the better off you’ll be. As you’re making your decision, ask yourself the following questions. CAN I TRUST THIS PERSON? If you don’t have complete confidence in a prospective attorney, move on. You don’t want to spend the entirety of the process wondering if your attorney is on the ball.
Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Good News
BACON-WRAPPED TATER TOT BOMBS
Sure, your showoff pal can wrap a tater tot with a piece of bacon and call it “The Daniel,” but you can take it a step further. Prepare a couple batches of these savory snacks for your Super Bowl party or the next family get- together. Snag a few for yourself before they disappear!
Ingredients
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2 cups frozen tater tots, defrosted
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4 slices bacon, quartered
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 ounce sharp cheddar, cut into 1/4-inch squares
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Directions
1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Press a cheese square into each tot, then wrap with a piece of bacon. Dredge each tot in brown sugar. 3. Place tots seam side down on baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, using metal tongs to turn halfway through. 4. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Recipe inspired by ThisGrandmaIsFun.com
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
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INSIDE this issue
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The Lessons of the Past
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Sharing Isn’t Caring When It’s Forced Testimonials How to Choose a Defense Attorney Not Sure What to Bring to the Super Bowl Party?
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4
Presidents Day or Washington’s Birthday
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THE TANGLED HISTORY OF PRESIDENTS DAY How the Holiday Came to Be
On the third Monday in February, the entire nation celebrates Presidents Day … sort of. While the holiday is known colloquially as Presidents Day, its official federal name is still Washington’s Birthday. If that wasn’t confusing enough, different states officially know it as “Presidents Day,” “Lincoln/Washington/ Presidents Day,” “Washington-Lincoln Day,” “George Washington Day,” and more. Let’s untangle how all these variant names came about and delve into the fascinating history of the holiday. Washington was born on February 22, 1731. Given his incredible contribution to the founding of the United States, it’s understandable that a national holiday would be established to commemorate his legacy. The holiday was first established in 1879 for employees in Washington, D.C. Six years later, it was expanded to include all federal offices nationwide. And for the next century or so, nothing changed. However, in 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This bill officially moved holidays that were once celebrated on specific dates, like Memorial Day and Columbus Day, to a particular Monday in a given month. This allowed for three-day weekends and, hopefully, encouraged retail sales with an extra day of shopping. But this, unintentionally, moved Washington’s birthday celebration to a day between his actual birthday and the birthday of another venerated president, Abraham Lincoln.
By the late 20th century, Lincoln’s reputation and legacy were as titanic as Washington’s. Because Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, many states found it appropriate to make the day a commemoration of two great presidents rather than just one. By the 1980s, “Presidents Day” was the more widely acknowledged name, if not the official designation. Why it hasn’t received a uniform federal name is anyone’s guess, but at least when you say “Presidents Day,” everyone knows what you’re talking about. No matter what you call it, the day is a chance to celebrate some of the people who’ve made lasting contributions to our nation’s history. If you look at any presidential ranking, Washington and Lincoln are probably No. 1 and No. 2. It’s fitting, then, that we celebrate their birthdays in tandem.
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