Author: Jack
I retired in 2008 and so I have more time now to devote to several of my interests The blog here is mainly for my interests in some current events but may have the occasional rant on other subjects. I have also decided to keep my genealogy posts and book reviews here instead of 2 additional blogs (and so simplify my life a little).

How to Retire by Christine Benz

How to Retire by Christine Benz

Posted on by Jack

Are you planning to retire?  Have you already retired and want to make it better?  Do you know someone who might be in one of those groups?  This is probably a good book for anyone in those groups.  Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, has written a wonderful book with a series of conversations with experts in various areas related to a successful retirement. The full title is How to Retire: 20 lessons for a happy, successful, and wealthy retirement .

Although the title suggested (at least to me) that this book would mainly be about getting ready for retirement, I was mostly wrong.  It is about getting ready but there is so much more.  The book is great for those nearing retirement but there is much that is valuable for those of us already retired.  And it could also benefit those younger folks who are thinking ahead and considering options like retirement or semi-retirement.

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Ex-Trump Aides Back General Kelly’s Warning

Ex-Trump Aides Back General Kelly’s Warning

Posted on by Jack

A few days ago, we heard General John Kelly’s warning about Donald Trump. The link to the audio of part of the interview with the NY Times is toward the end article.

CNN also has an article about this and related matters.

In another article titled “13 Ex-Trump Aides Back Kelly’s ‘Dictator’ Warning, Saying Trump Seeks ‘Absolute, Unchecked Power’” we get another warning from those who have worked for him. They say:

For the good of our country, our democracy, and our Constitution, we are asking you to listen closely and carefully to General Kelly’s warning

Many other former Trump administration officials have also offered public warnings about the dangers of electing Trump again.

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Ministry of Truth

Ministry of Truth

Posted on by Jack

Last month I reviewed a book called Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. The title says it all. Here is a brief quote from that review:

In Erasing History, Jason Stanley discusses how and why rewriting history is part of authoritarian and fascist governments method to gain power and eliminate democracy. This has happened in many counties around the world. So now I understand why they want us to believe their version of history and how they use it to enhance there power over the people.

The rewritten history was often something in the distant past. But in the Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans’ War on the Recent Past by Steve Benen, we see Donald Trump distorting the recent past and just making stuff up and almost all Republican politicians as well as the official party stance going along with it. And if polling is anywhere near accurate, this altered reality is either something the vast majority of Republicans actually believe or pretend to believe.

At first I thought of this book as reminder (with extensive references) of the ridiculous things said and apparently supported by the MAGA crowd. But now I think of it a demonstration of how rapidly a respectable
major political can shift from principles to idiocy.

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future

Posted on by Jack

The book is Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley. The book is scheduled to be published on September 10.

I know that certain factions have insisted on a revised of history. It never made any sense to me. But that is probably because I am an American. The government could insist that something was true and maybe even force the education department to go along with it.

But in a democracy there would always be a those who voiced another opinion. And as Americans we would be free to decide who to believe. But what if we were not be free to disagree with the government version of history. There was only 1 acceptable version. And that was designed to make us believe what the government wants us to believe.
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Counted Among the Dead

Counted Among the Dead

Posted on by Jack

I was pleased to see another book by Anne Emery on Netgalley so I immediately requested it. I had read several of her books over the years and often reviewed them on my blog.   I was even more eager when I read a bit more on what the book was about.

My wife and I had visited Halifax a few years ago and were amazed to learn about the huge explosion in Halifax harbor during World War 1 while we were visiting a museum in that city.  The explosion was so large it destroyed a large part of the city in 1917 and resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.

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You won’t have to vote anymore

You won’t have to vote anymore

Posted on by Jack

As if to confirm my post earlier this month, Donald Trump has reconfirmed his plan to abolish democracy in a speech last night.

You’ve got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote.

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The choice in November

The choice in November

Posted on by Jack

As I said in my last post, both candidates lost but for different reasons. Donald Trump because he continually lied, although he did seem very confident in doing so. Joe Biden seemed unable to answer questions quickly and convincingly or respond to the lies of his opponent quickly. So both were losers in the debate.

Both are old men, although Trump is a few years younger. I see no indication Trump has a big advantage there. It seems to me you are better off with a President who is honest and right than a President who is quick but not honest or responding to reality.
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Both Lost

Both Lost

Posted on by Jack

I watched the debate last night (June 27).   Seems to me it wasn’t a debate.  And I also think both lost.  Let me explain.  It won’t take long.

I think it a real debate requires both sides to be honest.  Trump was clearly not honest so it wasn’t really a debate.   And dishonesty is not a good trait in a President.  I think his dishonesty makes him a loser.

Biden clearly was not up to dealing with the series of lies.   But he attempted to present an honest account of his achievements.  It is just that he did not appear strong enough or quick enough.  Neither means he would not be a good to be President but it does mean he seemed to be a loser in this non-debate.

So the choice we will make in November seems to  be between a dishonest loser and an honest loser.

Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, crime in old New York

Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, crime in old New York

Posted on by Jack

At first I wasn’t sure,  “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum” didn’t sound like my type of book. I had never heard of this women and certainly had no idea about the talented part.  But the subtitle “The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss”  got me interested.

Then I read the description on Netgalley and it made me give it a try.  It starts like this:
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Normandy comparisons

Normandy comparisons

Posted on by Jack

On one hand you have President Biden who praised our soldiers who risked and often sacrificed their lives to save democracy, echoing former President Ronald Reagan (Forty Years Later, Biden Seeks to Echo Reagan’s Legacy of American Leadership.

On the the other hand there is former president Donald Trump who thinks the military are Suckers and Losers and did not visit their graves in France since he did not want to risk messing up his hair.

Who do you think would be the best Commander in Chief?

Who will be killed

Who will be killed

Posted on by Jack

In an earlier post I asked if the President of the United States have immunity for criminal acts that seem to include murder and insurrection. That is a question before the Supreme Court. They could have just let the finding of the appeals court stand but they decided to take on this ridiculous claim and delay justice.

The ridiculous claim includes the ability to murder at will unless an extremely unlikely impeachment conviction happens. See License to Kill and Rule).
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Cheaper, Faster, Better

Cheaper, Faster, Better

Posted on by Jack

While I was browsing through Netgalley looking for an interesting read, I came across the name Tom Steyer.  I am pretty sure it was in the business & finance section as I browse there sometimes for investment books suitable for a “RetiredGuy”.

Anyway, the name sounded familiar and then I remembered that he was in the debate for the Democratic Party nomination for President.  Tom Steyer is a very successful investor and businessman. And ran in the primaries to raise awareness of climate change issues.
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Abortion Pills Are Controlled Substances

Abortion Pills Are Controlled Substances

Posted on by Jack

News from Louisiana. The article start like this:

Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation on Thursday to make the state the first in the nation to designate abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances. Possession of the drugs without a prescription would be a crime punishable with jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.

It brought to mind a book I had read recently. In the part of the book that discusses his Indian family’s successful baking business in South Africa, the government (which was not friendly to non-whites in those days) made bakers yeast a controlled substance and frequently harassing the bakery.