Miller Law Office PLLC - April 2020

Miller Law Office PLLC - April 2020

April 2020

AaronMillerLaw.com 214.292.4225

How a Love of Reading Grew Into a Love of All Genres

I’ve always loved reading books. When I was younger, I actually used to get myself in trouble because I would take a book and a flashlight to bed and read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. But I would get caught because the light from my flashlight would leak out under my bedroom door. So, being the smart boy that I was, I learned that if I put my head, book, and flashlight under the covers my parents couldn’t see the light under my door. Problem solved! Except I would be really sleepy the next day. When I was even younger, I’d ask my mom to read my favorite book, “The Little Engine That Could,” to me every chance we got. Even if she was tired after a long day, Mom never told me no when I wanted her to read to me. She influenced my love for reading at a young age and nurtured it as I grew. The older I became, the more my reading preferences changed, and my interest in science fiction grew. I started reading through many of the early “Golden Age” series of science fiction, including the works by Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Larry Niven, and Robert A. Heinlein. Some of my favorite books were the “Foundation” and “I Robot” series by Asimov, “Childhood’s End” by Clarke, “Ringworld” by Niven, and “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” by Heinlein. I really enjoyed getting lost in a science fiction story, and even wanted to write my own short story, but I never got serious about it. However, I eventually decided I wanted to expand my horizons to other genres and experiences. “However, I eventually decided I wanted to expand my horizons to other genres and experiences.”

From the third grade until my senior year of high school, I went to a private school in downtown Fort Worth. Classes would end around 3:30 p.m., but my mom couldn’t pick us up until she got off work at about 5 p.m., which was a pretty long time to wait. So, my sister and I would walk across the street, through a large parking lot to the Tandy Center subway that used to be in operation there, and we would take a ride to the public library where Mom would eventually pick us up. I very rarely had homework to do because I would finish it in class, so that gave me 90 minutes to browse through the library’s shelves. One day, I would go and read magazines, and the next, I’d head into the adult fiction section. I read and learned a lot about creating and building things, which I loved, and I was fascinated with underwater archeology and could never get enough of it. One time, I came across the mystery section and decided to give that genre a try, too. I plowed through Agatha Christie and the Hercule Poirot stories. While I enjoyed the mystery books, they didn’t quite hold my imagination as well as science fiction did.

It didn’t take me long to learn where everything was in the library, so if I was in the mood for a particular genre or book, I knew exactly where to go. However, when my mom came to pick me up, she never knew where to find me and would have to wander through the library, only to spot me tucked away in an odd corner. It didn’t take very long for me to learn to watch the clock and go to our prearranged spot, so she didn’t have to hunt me down every time. Today, I read a much broader spectrum of books, particularly business, biographies, and the occasional Grisham legal thriller, but I still enjoy reading science fiction, especially military science fiction. The works of John Scalzi, David Brin, and B.V. Larson are some of my newer favorites. This month, I encourage you to try out a new book or genre that you might not usually read. The great thing about trying out something new is that sometimes you discover that you enjoy it!

-Aaron Miller

AaronMillerLaw.com | 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

SOMETHING IN THE WATER WHY ROB BILOTT TOOK ON DUPONT

Rob Bilott never should have agreed to represent Wilbur Tennant’s case.

property provided water for all the cattle and wildlife in the area. Since the sale, the stream had become frothy and discolored, and the animals that drank from it were sick, malformed, or dead, including 153 of Tennant’s 200 cows. When Bilott stumbled upon a letter from DuPont to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the real horror story began to emerge — one that went far beyond the boundaries of Tennant’s farm and into the drinking water of every American. The letter mentioned a mysterious chemical called PFOA, and Bilott requested documentation from DuPont to find out more about it. However, the company refused, so Bilott requested a court order. Soon, dozens of disorganized boxes filled with thousands of 50-year-old files arrived at Bilott’s firm.

The cattle farmer had presented evidence of the strange malady plaguing his cattle to lawyers, politicians, and veterinarians in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but no one took Tennant’s case seriously.

in the mess of documents, but soon, his time as an environmental lawyer helped him see the bigger picture. It became clear that DuPont had orchestrated a massive cover-up regarding their use of PFOA. PFOA is used in the manufacturing of Teflon, and the company had knowingly exposed workers and the Parkersburg water supply to it. Bilott filed a class-action suit as a medical monitoring claim on behalf of the people of Parkersburg, and, as of 2011, a probable link between PFOA and six health conditions, including two types of cancer, has been found.

But when Bilott saw the evidence for himself, it was clear that something was wrong.

The videos and photographs Tennant had collected showed cattle with patchy fur, growths and lesions, white slime coming from their mouths, and staggering gaits. Tennant told Bilott that the abnormal behavior and physical deformities had started after his brother Jim sold his property to DuPont, a chemical company with a big presence in Parkersburg. Jim’s property bordered on Wilbur’s, and a stream running from Jim’s

He was worried he wouldn’t be able to find anything incriminating or even conclusive Because of the medical monitoring claim, plaintiffs can file personal injury lawsuits against DuPont. So far, 3,535 people have. If it weren’t for Bilott and Tennant, the public might have never known the dangers of PFOA. DOYOUR PART TO KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL And Maintain Green Living Spaces for Everyone

Have you ever walked through a park and seen a plastic bottle or wrapper lying on the ground? If so, did you pick it up and properly dispose of it? You might not have realized it, but in that moment, you took a small step toward keeping your community — and, by extension, America — beautiful! April is Keep America Beautiful Month, and folks who celebrate aim to help each community in every state stay clean and green. Created by the nonprofit organization Keep America Beautiful, this holiday offers a perfect opportunity to roll up your sleeves and work

to better the place you live in. Here are three ways to show your appreciation for a green America this month.

jogging and picking up litter, which takes care of your health and keeps your community clean. Anybody can do it: Just throw on your running shoes, grab a bag, head out the door, and pick up any stray bits of trash you see on your morning jog or evening walk.

TAKE ACTION ONLINE.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, it might be difficult to get outside and participate in a few community cleanup programs. But that doesn’t mean the public still can’t participate in Keep America Beautiful Month. April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and to celebrate, Earth Day Network is providing digital events for everyone around the world to take part in. Follow Earth Day Network’s social media accounts and stay updated on efforts to keep the Earth green or participate in an event yourself! For more information, visit EarthDay.org.

IMPROVE RECYCLING THROUGH EDUCATION.

An important goal during Keep America Beautiful Month is to spread awareness about recycling. There are various ways to educate those around you about recycling and encourage them to do their part. At work, for example, you can volunteer to lead a recycling initiative by printing off guides and fostering discussions on why recycling is so essential. At home, you can make a commitment with your family to fulfill the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse, recycle. To discover more ways to participate in Keep America Beautiful month, visit their website at KAB.org today!

START PLOGGING.

If you’re passionate about staying active and cleaning up your neighborhood, then this is the perfect activity for you! Plogging combines

2 | 214.292.4225

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

TAKE A BREAK

Few things change faster than the internet, and how we connect with the internet is constantly evolving. When it comes to wireless capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) networks have been the norm for 10 years. But 4G couldn’t meet demands forever, and there’s already talk of a fifth-generation (5G) network taking center stage. So, what makes 5G different from 4G, and how will it affect consumers and their internet-enabled devices? SO, WHAT IS 5G? A New Horizon in Wireless Technology

WHAT ARE THE BASICS?

Simply put, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that enables mobile devices like cellphones and stationary devices like desktop computers to send and receive >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

www.aaronmillerlaw.com

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online