Marcus Luttrell
The Book Lone Survivor was a number one New York Times bestseller in the non-fiction section. It tells the story of Seal Team Ten’s battle with a Taliban warlord and his army of around two hundred fighters. For days the four man seal team bled the enemy of men and resources before being killed themselves, all but one that is. After watching each of his comrades literally fight to the death, author Marcus Luttrell evaded and killed the enemy over incredibly hostile terrain all the while nursing wounds that threatened to kill him as well. The book is an excellent read. It gives the reader a much better understanding of the conflict in Afghanistan, as well as the rules of engagement our soldiers have been saddled with the last few years. On top of it all, the story proves the maxim that the truth is stranger, (or at least more amazing), than fiction.
Why the little book report? Because the book’s author Mr. Luttrell will be visiting Tyler tomorrow night, September, the tenth, for a dinner and book signing sponsored by Barnes and Noble. The former petty officer, himself a proud East Texan, has started the Lone Survivor Foundation to help returning wounded veterans. Tomorrow night’s event will be held at Holly Tree Country Club, and runs about one hundred dollars a ticket. While the price is high proceeds go to benefit the troops. So if you’ve got the money to drop, you can’t ask for better cause.
Mr. Luttrell’s visit precedes the Country for our Country concert where he will also be appearing, by a day. That event will be held on September eleventh, and features a whole list of country western artists, in addition to Mr. Luttrell. Again, all proceeds go the support wounded soldiers. For more information on the Barnes and Noble book signing event, click on the following link http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3060745. To learn more about the Country for our Country concert follow the link listed below: http://countryforourcountry.org/.
Municipal Surcharge Bureau, Again!
October 26th, 2011Well as it turned out, recent financial challenges made it necessary for me to request an extension in order to avoid a suspension of my license. Upon making the request I was condescendingly lectured to by the vogon on the other end of the line, that the extension was only being granted as a courtesy, and the next payment would have to be on time. “That’s ok,” I replied; “this is my last payment.” “Well, actually,” it replied hesitantly, “you’ll be required to make another payment of one hundred dollars next year… uh… a… and the following year” the unisex voice stammered, clearly nervous about breaking the news. I hit the ceiling. “Are you kidding me?!” I yelled. “I’m afraid not,” it squeaked. “According to the driver responsibility act of two thousand whatever…” and it proceeded to quote me chapter and verse of some recent legal code, no one but an expert in legal blather could possibly understand.
I’m becoming more and more aware of how buried we are becoming in stupid red tape which serves only to complicate our lives and separate us from our money, in exchange for absolutely nothing! And unfortunately, no one can seem to stop it because its government that’s doing it! If only we could manage to elect representatives willing to divest the government of at least a portion of other people’s money. Until then, maybe we should all start to pay these fines in pennies! The bean counters may actually enjoy counting them.
To read my original article on the municipal surcharge bureau, click on the following link Municipal Surcharge Bureau and the Driver Responsibility Program in Texas
Tags: Blather, Chapter And Verse, City Of Tyler, Collections Agency, Department Of Public Safety, Driver Responsibility, Financial Challenges, Grammar, Hawks, Infraction, Installments, One Hundred Dollars, Perceptive Readers, Red Tape, Responsibility Act, Sheriff Of Nottingham, State Of Texas, Surcharge, Tax Collectors, Thief, Tyler Texas, Vogon
Posted in Socio-Political Commentary | No Comments »