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COUNTYCIVIL.COM
SEPTEMBER 2022
Some States Want Stricter Gun Laws
BUT WILL IT MAKE AMERICA SAFER?
As I was looking at my calendar, I realized that Sept. 17 is Constitution Day! The Constitution set America’s foundation and is vital for our freedom and way of life. Over the past few years, some amendments have been debated and challenged — especially the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms has always been a hot topic, and everyone will have their own opinions, beliefs, and values on the matter. But today, I would like to discuss my thoughts on the matter. Before I begin, I first want to say that everyone has a right to their own opinion and beliefs. Regardless, in order to develop an informed opinion, you must look at all the facts from both sides. If you disagree with me, that’s fine. The purpose of this conversation is not to prove my point or make you change your mind; it’s simply to make each other think about topics differently. With that being said, here are some of my findings. There have been ongoing conversations about confiscating firearms altogether or implementing stricter gun laws. However, these solutions will not work. Illinois has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. However, according to the Chicago Tribune, many illegal guns are in Chicago, and 80% of homicides are committed with firearms. In addition, shootings increased by 50% in 2020 and are still on the rise today, according to ABC7 Chicago. Likewise, New York also has strict gun laws, but in 2020, New York Magazine reported that homicides increased by 41% and shootings increased by 95%. Law-abiding citizens will listen to the laws stated by their governments — whether that be about gun control or not. But criminals will not listen to or follow these laws. Therefore, gun control laws only affect law-abiding people who go through legal avenues to obtain firearms. John R. Lott, Jr. wrote in his book, “More Guns Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws”; it relays that several studies show homicide rates tend to rise when people who follow state laws cannot own or carry a firearm for self-defense.
The trauma and deaths that happened because of someone who abused their Second Amendment right are heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, received injuries, or now suffer from PTSD. These horrific acts of violence are not condemned. However, guns are not the problem — it’s the individuals. A firearm is an inanimate object. It doesn’t decide when it will fire a bullet. It needs an individual. It’s the same as trying to ban cars because too many people are driving under the influence. A car isn’t operating on its own and doesn’t decide how fast it will go or when it will stop or turn; it needs a driver. Therefore, it wouldn’t make sense to try to ban guns. So, if gun control won’t work, what does? That’s the ongoing debate, and I don’t have a solidified answer for that.
Law-abiding citizens will listen to the laws stated by their governments — whether that be about gun control or not. But criminals will not listen to or follow these laws.
Again, I’m not trying to offend or alienate anyone; this is the research I found that helped me develop my own informed opinion. Whether you agree with me or not, I hope you’ll conduct your own research and come up with your own findings. That’s all I ask of you: to think critically and not base your opinion on misconceptions or what politicians and celebrities say. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to talking with you next month! -Rick E. Risk
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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BUN LEADS TO LEGAL ACTION THE STORY OF 50 CENT VS. TACO BELL
In 2008, rapper 50 Cent filed an unlikely lawsuit against the fast-food chain Taco Bell. Was it an endorsement deal gone wrong? Quite the opposite. According to the rapper, the company had implied an endorsement deal in the media when there was none. Taco Bell, known for their quirky and humorous ads, had released a print ad formatted as a faux “letter” to 50 Cent, requesting that 50 Cent change his name to 79, 89, or 99 Cent as a part of their latest promotion. The letter reached the national press and even television … except for 50 Cent’s actual mailbox. In fact, 50 Cent had no idea Taco Bell used his name. By releasing the letter, 50 Cent became the face of Taco Bell’s whole campaign, too. The letter was part of a larger hip hop- themed campaign, and customers could
go to the Taco Bell website and participate in a “Rap Name Creator” to discover their rap name. They also had a “Why Pay Mo’ Rhyme Generator” that played hip hop music and a montage of “hip hop-themed scenes,” according to the rapper’s lawyer, Peter D. Raymond. As soon as 50 Cent found out about the letter on the news, he wasn’t happy. On July 23, 2008, 50 Cent — whose real name is Curtis Jackson — filed a federal lawsuit saying they featured the rapper in an ad campaign without his permission and profited directly from his celebrity status without paying him a multimillion-dollar fee. Raymond said his client sought $4 million in damages.
made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.” In the end, both sides settled, keeping the terms of the settlement confidential and paying their own legal fees. So, it’s possible that 50 Cent was paid after all, but we’ll never know the exact terms of their legal agreement, except “both sides are satisfied,” according to Raymond. Since then, more companies have been careful about using celebrity names in their marketing without permission. It pays to think inside the bun, after all.
In response, Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: “We
Once the Leaves Begin to Change Colors It’s Time to Prepare for Fall
The first day of fall is Sept. 22. Do you know what that means? It’s time for more safety tips. On top of getting your fall decor out and decorating the inside and outside of your home, you should ensure that your house is ready to handle the colder weather ahead. This month is the perfect time to begin preparing because it’s not too hot or too cold. Here are three safety tips for transitioning your home from hot summer days to cool fall and winter nights. 1. Check for drafts. Have you ever noticed that during the colder months, your heating bill may rise sometimes? This can be because cold air and moisture enter our home through your doors and windows. To check if you have a draft issue, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If the paper slides easily, you need to update your tension seal. Another way to keep your heating bill down is to close doors in the rooms you don’t use and place blankets over your windows and doors to keep cool air out. 2. Schedule an HVAC tuneup. Now is the perfect time to test your HVAC system and ensure everything runs correctly. It’s probably been a long time since
you used your heating system, but soon, you will be cranking the heat up. Schedule your tuneups months before you use it to protect your system from unexpected failures. A technician can examine your system, make repairs, and remove any debris or buildup. You don’t want to live in a home without heat, so schedule your tuneup today! 3. Clean or replace your gutters. Your gutters’ primary purpose is to drain gallons of water and debris from your roof all year long. But sometimes, there may be too much buildup in your gutters, and they may not work properly. You don’t want to notice a problem or error later that requires action once we reach freezing temperatures. So, it’s best to check your gutters now and ensure they aren’t clogged or damaged. That way, if they are damaged and need repairing, you can schedule an appointment to have them replaced sooner rather than later. As the leaves begin to change and we pull out our sweaters, make sure your home is ready for the changing weather so you can peacefully enjoy the season. Have a happy and safe fall, everyone!
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Connect With Your Audience on a Deeper Level BRANDING 101
2. Build a brand position.
A brand is the heart and soul of a company. But creating a successful brand needs more than a perfect name, an eye-catching logo, and a website. It requires a voice, a company mission, and positive values — several factors that are all interconnected. Unfortunately, many people don’t know where to start when creating a brand identity that will attract people. Here are three strategies to help you get started.
After you better understand your targeted demographic, it will give you an insight into your brand position. A brand position is a one or two-line description that will help you establish who you are and what you’re doing. Consider how your business will stand out from others and why people should use your product or service when creating this position. Once you know your position and selling points, you can begin marketing campaigns and implement your voice and brand everywhere.
1. Identify your audience.
your customers feel connected to you and more likely to use your products. Business is personal because you’re engaging with your community, so take advantage of that. With how competitive the market is today, a strong brand is crucial if you want success. Never underestimate the importance of brand building. Without the proper branding, it’s difficult to connect with your customers on an emotional level. Take some time to update your brand, and I think you’ll be happy with the deeper relationship you can build with your consumers.
Before you create your mission statement and the tone of your brand, you must define your target audience. Think about the kind of products or services you’ll be selling. Who will these items reach? Is your audience a specific niche or is it a broad spectrum? To discover and build your knowledge on the demographic you will reach, you can first look at existing customers. What do you know about them? You can also look at your competition and see who they are targeting. Can you find and fill gaps that your competitors left open?
3. Share your story.
Don’t be afraid to get personal with your audience. Sharing personal stories will help you create a relationship with your audience and make you more relatable. You can first start by sharing the “why” behind your business. All organizations have a purpose, so why not share yours? Think about why you created your company and how you can positively impact the lives of others. This will help
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2383 Tamarack St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849 616-374-7170 | COUNTYCIVIL.COM R isk & A ssociates
Rick Risk is Founder and President of Risk & Associates, a legal support service provider in Michigan, and has assisted hundreds of attorneys, municipalities, courts, Sheriff Offices, businesses, and others with their strategic process needs.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3 4
Let’s Talk About the Second Amendment
Why Did 50 Cent Sue Taco Bell?
Fall Safety Tips
Never Underestimate the Power of Branding The Insane Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon
It’s Unbelievably True! THE CRAZIEST OLYMPIC MARATHON OF 1904
In 1904, the year of America’s first Olympics, the men’s marathon was a bizarre spectacle to behold. In fact, it was likely the most jaw-dropping event ever in the history of the Olympic Games. On that hot, sweltering summer day in St. Louis, MO, only 14 of the 32 Olympic competitors crossed the finish line on what was deemed the most difficult course anyone was ever asked to undertake. Thomas Hicks, the American who actually came in first, received the slowest time of all of the Olympic marathons since 1896. But why was this one so tough? With temperatures of roughly 104 degrees F and 90% humidity, a rigorous 24.85-mile course with seven hills was a bit much for competitors. Not to mention, support cars were churning up dust, leaving it behind for the runners to inhale, and they only had two water stations available before the
halfway mark — and none in the second half! Even seasoned runners were not up to this crazy course! Three hours and 13 minutes after the marathon began, Fred Lorz, who had ridden a third of the course in a car, crossed the finish line. He was about to be adorned with a floral wreath when he confessed he had gotten so tired that he accepted a ride from one of the cars along the way, so he was disqualified. Thomas Hicks, the true winner, was struggling with just 7 more miles to go. His fans on the sidelines provided him with a secret energy booster mix — a concoction containing strychnine (rat poison), brandy, and egg whites. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was hallucinating. And the fourth-place winner from Cuba wore
dress pants and shoes for the entire race (because he lost his money gambling in New Orleans on his way to St. Louis and arrived after hitchhiking with nothing but the clothes on his back!). This 1904 Olympic marathon went down in history as the most bizarre and wildly entertaining race. Luckily, but surprisingly, nobody died!
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