Book Review - Fearless, by Eric Blehm

I can honestly say that this is a book I will remember for the rest of my life. I happened across it while looking for an interesting ebook to borrow and read from my local library on-line. After I started on it, it was a struggle to even put the Kindle down!

It’s about a Navy Seal who was a member of Team Six before that team killed Usama Bin Ladin in 2011. It’s not a typical Seal or Green Beret book, of which many are very good. It's a true full biography of the life and times of Adam Brown. Born in Arkansas in 1974, Adam overcame seemingly impossible obstacles to rise to true greatness.

And, when I say true, I mean true. There is no embellishment, enhancement or distortion of the facts to make it an “interesting” read. There are far too many actual witnesses to events. The author, Blehm, actually interviewed many dozens of family, friends, neighbors, superiors and teammates. He quotes the transcripts of statements given by witnesses. Thoroughly researched and documented, the author was relentless in getting a complete and accurate story.

This biography will bring out all the emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise, jubilation and yes, tears. And I did say anger. You will be angry with Adam. You will be inspired by Adam. And you will feel the deepest respect for Adam. I just don’t want to spoil the read by saying too much.

I read it for free from my library and I saw that you can get it as an eBook for a couple bucks or paperback for about $9 on Amazon. Also available as an audiobook. Haven’t checked other sources. It’s close to 400 pages and there are no negative reviews.

This book will move and inspire you, I promise. Like I said, I’d like to say more, but don’t want to spoil it! You will have a hard time putting it down. If you decide to read it, I would refrain from reading reviews and be prepared for an amazing true story of a real modern day hero and the surprises that will come. One of the finest books I have ever read. Available as an audiobook for all you road drivers out there! Comments are certainly welcome, but please don't give out too many details for those considering reading it. I went into it without knowing the outcome and the twists and turns of his life through the book were so extraordinary!

Links to other of my book reviews:

Lone Survivor Book Review

Book Review - Every Day a Holiday, Every Meal a Feast

Every Day a Holiday, Every Meal a Feast - Free Chapter!

Once Upon a Time in Phoenix - And History Repeats

It's a politician's dream. Have a 3rd party provider put up speed enforcement cameras all over the city, have that provider run the program, and sit back and watch the cash roll in by the multimillions! Safety? No, that's just a convenient way to sell it to the public. It's ALL about the revenue!

Decades ago Phoenix figured they had a cash cow just waiting to be milked. Interstate freeways that run through the city have a 65mph speed limit. Nobody drives 65 mph through Phoenix unless they are in a traffic jam. Otherwise the customary speed is 80+ mph. I spent a lot of time working and driving down there in the 1990s. I repeat, almost nobody drives 65!

So the legislature allowed the speed camera company to install cameras on the major interstates through the city. And then the tax collectors started planning on how to spend the new windfall about to come in. Remember, they sold this using the smoke screen of safety.

But, soon enough, the politicians were shaken awake from their dreams. Why? Well the majority of commuters on the freeways drive the same route every day. And right away, they became aware of when and where every speed camera installation occurred. So they would drive their customary 80+ mph until they came to a camera and then slam on the brakes to get in compliance. Well, there are many other infrequent users of that freeway who knew nothing about those cameras. Almost immediately, they were crashing into the backs of commuters. And they weren't just having fender benders. They were having very serious crashes that killed people and tied up freeways for hours on end! By the early 2000s all speed cameras were removed from the interstate highways!

Then they resorted to place them in smaller towns on the main drag where non-residents and tourists had to pass through on their travels. Of course, the locals knew exactly where the cameras were setup, so they drove like saintly nuns when passing them. The only ones nailed were those out-of-towners and tourists who were easy pickings to fill their cash needs. And, they couldn't afford to travel back to fight and ticket!

All in the name of safety, except that it's not, and never was! It's all about revenue.

But guess what? They're back! On the interstates. This year, 2026, the legislature approved the program to be restarted. Ain't that a “kick in the head”?

So, the whole country is in an uproar over Flock cameras that only read license plates, but are silent on this government revenue scam. After all that fiasco in Phoenix they haven’t learned that speed limits should be set according to the scientific 85% rule. It's been proven over and over the rational way to set speed limits. It's just a shame that we the people don't demand an end to this abuse.

You can help by joining the National Motorists Association, which I have.

Vision Zero is a No for Me

Your Freedom to Drive Is Under Attack

"I Can't Drive 55" - 21 Years of Stupid

Speed Traps and Toll Roads in the Land of Lincoln

The Frustrating Zipper Merge - Proper Signage is a Simple Solution!

We’ve all been there. Signs saying “Road Construction Ahead”, way ahead, miles ahead. And when you’re still one, two or more miles to go, the signs start saying that the right or left lane is closed ahead. 

The average motorist traveling down the highway wants to get where he/she is going in an efficient orderly fashion without conflict. He/she might then decide they will merge early, very early. They assume everyone behind them will see what a nice person they are and follow them over. But then that nice person will start fuming as traffic continues blowing by using the lane they just left. But all the drivers merging over, including that one, have slowed that lane down drastically and needlessly. The potential risk also increases as drivers are forced to brake and change lanes at speed. 

Believe me, I drove semi trucks for over 36 years, and know that feeling well. I also struggled with wanting to merge early so I didn’t have to worry about someone not letting me over when needed. I’ve also often witnessed semi trucks slowing to match the congested lane so those “scofflaws” couldn't pass in the faster empty lane. And I confess to doing it myself occasionally. I completely understand the frustration, and, I think there is an obvious solution if we think about it.

Consider what the intent of the merge rule is: The following is a Wisconsin DOT Explanation:

“How does it work?

When you see a Lane Closed Ahead sign, continue to drive in your lane until you are prompted to merge. When you reach this point, take alternating turns with other drivers to merge into the single lane of traffic.

The only way this can be effective is if we are all aware of the zipper merge and follow its rules.

When driving in this situation, slow down and alternate while merging. The zipper merge allows for everyone to move at the same rate, minimizing delays for all. When traffic is heavy and slow, it is much safer for motorists to remain in their current lane until the point where traffic can orderly take turns merging.”

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/safety-eng/ZipperMerge.aspx

Now, think about this, it’s supposedly verified that the Zipper Merge when properly done results in 40% less congestion. I find that believable. Can anybody say that it doesn’t make sense?

I feel the problem could be addressed easily by all those road signs announcing “Zipper Merge Ahead”. Or simply “Lane Closed Ahead”, but do NOT say which lane is closed! Traffic will logically continue without sudden braking or lane changes. Obviously, if the motorist doesn’t know which lane is closed, most would continue in the lane they are in. But, of course, any accident that would happen leaves the various city, county, state and feds vulnerable to lawsuits instigated by the ambulance chasing lawyers Or you could redo the signage in a way that people should understand, as in the attached photo.

I saw a local TV station's story about this tonight which refreshingly addressed the subject. I guess all we can do is try and pass the info on.

It could all be resolved, I think, with simple, proper, common sense signage. Much less stress and temptation for road rage.

And I’m so glad to be retired!

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Words to the Wise About Gap Insurance - Never Buy From Car Dealers!

I first published a post about this back in 2017 on my blog. A few months prior, I had just discovered Gap insurance, did some research on it, and found what a gold mine it was for car dealers. If you feel you need it, there's a much cheaper way!

"7/1/2017: A couple months ago, I wrote a post titled Why I Absolutely Hate Buying Cars about my recent experience buying a car from a dealer.

Prior to this year, the last time I bought from a dealer was in December of 2008. I purchased a 2009 Malibu that Chevrolet had just redesigned for the new model year. I bought it from Gus Paulos Chevrolet and they gave me an excellent deal on it. It certainly helped that the 2008 recession was full on, cars weren't selling and dealer lots were full. They gave me financing that matched my credit union rate and didn't try to find ways to rip me off like this most recent dealer attempted to do. The contract was clean and no "extra" charges were added to what we originally agreed to. Since moving to Salt Lake City from Wisconsin in 1993, I've bought three new vehicles from Gus Paulos and they have been fair to deal with. That Malibu turned out to be a great car and I seriously considered getting another, but decided on a slightly used 2016 Nissan Altima dealer fleet car that had only been titled for 6 months.

What a difference this year I had with this other cutthroat dealership! Prior to a couple months ago, I had never heard of "Gap Insurance" and had to ask what it was when this latest dealer tried to include it on my contract for $895.00 and throw it into the finance agreement so I could pay interest on it! The finance guy stated that if I totaled the car in an accident and received less than I owed on it I wouldn't be responsible for the difference! I refused and almost walked out on them until he redid the contract, taking it out along with a couple other things they were trying to get me for.

Since then, I've done a little research on this Gap Insurance thing. My thoughts: First, if you ever think you need it or want it, you can get it through most car insurance companies for a couple dollars a month! (My car insurance renewal is coming up next month and I actually just checked a quote I had for Progressive: $6.00 for six months.) Don't get it through a crooked car dealer that charges $895.00 and tries to throw it on your finance agreement. I am still so aggravated that jerk thought he could sneak that past me, it makes me wonder if there was sign on my forehead that said "stupid"?

Second, if you are so upside down between your finance agreement and what the car is worth, you probably made an incredibly BAD deal. You can't trust a car dealer to be looking out for your interests, they will clean your pockets out of everything they can get. You have to examine every line on the contract and finance agreement and understand what you are getting charged for.

In a conversation with one of our drivers this past week, he told me about buying a new vehicle and falling for the exact same thing. He never realized what he was signing for until after the deal was done. By that time it was too late and it cost him over a thousand dollars.

Don't become a victim!"

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A Few More Stories about "The Boss"

This is related to the previous post I did, "Salute to the Tasmanian Devil of Third Party Logistics".  The post referred to the passing of my old boss that I had the great fortune of working 10 years for starting in 1993. His name is Craig Schneider, who at the time was a Senior Logistics Manager for Ryder Logistics in Salt Lake City and quickly advanced to a Director in the company.

Another BOSS man story. Craig didn't normally talk about it unless you asked him, but he had a photo on the wall of his office with him in a Miami Dolphins uniform. He was actually on Don Shula's team in 1974! That was the year after two consecutive Superbowl championships. Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris were still on the team. Craig was signed as a lineman, then cut, then signed again. After getting cut again, he decided it was time to get a real job. Good for me, as I then ended up working for him 19 years later. Although he never got to play in an NFL game, he was a hell of an athlete to even get to that level! I'm a fairly long legged guy and I remember having difficulty keeping up with him as we were hurrying through an airport. He was like OJ Simpson in the old Hertz commercial, LOL!

Memories of the BOSS (Craig). We were in Vegas working late one night on a startup. As almost always, one person went out to get food so the rest could keep working. That person elected was me and it was decided to go to In-N-Out Burger. Everyone ordered a Double-Double with cheese/onions and fries. Craig said he wanted two. I asked him if he was sure about that, and he said he was hungry. Well, I brought the food back and Craig wolfed down both Double-Doubles with the fries and about an hour later he was in agony, suffering big time. He dismissed us and we called it a night. Got off early! LOL

Craig was a big fan of the TV show Seinfeld back in the 1990's. I didn't watch a lot of TV during that time, being so busy, with an irregular schedule. When out of town with Craig, he always had to be back to his hotel room to watch the latest weekly episode on TV. It was always on Thursday night at 7:30 pm mountain time. On those nights I knew we'd be done working by then, LOL. It wasn't until many years later, I greatly enjoyed watching the series in reruns.

And then, there was Emily, who was hired in a clerical position right out of high school about 1996. Her brains and ability quickly became evident as Craig promoted her up the chain into her currant role as Regional Manager at a freight and logistics company. She recently sent me this: "I think of you every time I see great food posts about places that we used to always eat at back in the day lol! I have so many great memories of Daniel S. Bridger, Bob Carter & Jim Maxson, driver trainers I'd never met until I had to pick you guys up at the airport. All Craig Schneider told me is you guys knew his Maroon Ford Taurus. And who ever jumped in it, bring them back to the office, lmfao"

One of Boss Man's often stated quotes "Bottom line, it's chump change!". Often heard when discussing the cost of implementing a new policy or investing in new equipment, LOL!

It was a wonderful 25 years I spent living and working in Utah. So many great friends made, and co-workers that worked together as a great team to get things done! Under the leadership of Craig, he was a major reason I stayed there until retirement in early 2018. Although I surely missed my family and friends back in Wisconsin all those years, it would have been foolish to leave. It's been a hell of a ride and a great one!

Salute to the Tasmanian Devil of Third Party Logistics

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