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).

Saving Republicans and Democracy

Saving Republicans and Democracy

Posted on by Jack

The Republican Party used to be highly principled and an important part of our democracy. But now they seem to favor various conspiracy theories, favor insurrection, and even oppose the very idea of democracy. That is why I was hopeful that the party could be saved as a valuable part of our democracy when a group of Republicans called “for the Republican Party to re-dedicate itself to founding ideals—or else hasten the creation of an alternative.” (see Save the Republican Party). 

But it now seems the party is even more tightly aligned  with  Donald Trump and the irrational. An alternative party may be the answer.
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Compromise on infrastructure that makes sense

Compromise on infrastructure that makes sense

Posted on by Jack

Reading the news lately on the big infrastructure package (aka President Biden’s Build Back Better plan), it seems like the big stumbling block is price. Some think 3.5 trillion is way to much: others think of it as a compromise on the low side.

I recently read an article (How the Democrats Can Pass the Entire Reconciliation Bill) which makes a lot of sense to me. Here is a brief excerpt:
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1979 by Val McDermid

1979 by Val McDermid

Posted on by Jack

Val McDermid is one of my favorite writers. So I jumped at the chance to read her latest. I thank Netgalley for that chance Of course my experience with her writing is limited to 3 mysteries in the same series (see reviews at https://www.jackreidy.com/blog/2020/10/05/still-life-by-val-mcdermid/).
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The Family Tree

The Family Tree

Posted on by Jack

Mystery, thriller, and genealogy all in one fascinating story. The book is The Family Tree by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry. It centered around the hunt for a mass murderer with an important genealogy mystery also at the heart of the story.

I did not know what to expect but was very glad I tried it. I thank Netgalley for a chance to read this book before publication.
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Accept Reality

Accept Reality

Posted on by Jack

I find that I rarely agree with Senator Mitch McConnell. He recently said: “What works is when the majority accepts reality.” And I agree with that. Unfortunately the minority or at least part of it must also accept reality or we will have a badly divided government that cannot govern the country. Ideally both sides need to accept reality.
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Mitch madness, debt, shutdowns and the filibuster

Mitch madness, debt, shutdowns and the filibuster

Posted on by Jack

I thought keeping the government open and paying our debts was a good thing. But Mitch McConnell and his fellow Republicans seem to disagree with me. (SURPISE !)

The House Democrats seem to agree that both are good things. They put both in the same bill. Seems to me that while a government shutdown is bad, it has happened before. But failure of the United States to pay debts is unprecedented and catastrophic.
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Republicans for financial disaster

Republicans for financial disaster

Posted on by Jack

Not content with causing chaos in the United States by undermining democracy and enhancing the spread of COVID-19, Republicans are now seeking to spread their chaos to the international stage. Yes, their crazy actions could cause a world-wide financial disaster.
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Can the Republican Party be saved ?

Can the Republican Party be saved ?

Posted on by Jack

The Republican Party used to be highly principled and an important part of our democracy. But now they seem to favor various conspiracy theories, favor insurrection and even oppose the very idea of democracy. That is why I was hopeful that the party could be saved as a valuable part of our democracy when a group of Republicans called “for the Republican Party to rededicate itself to founding ideals—or else hasten the creation of an alternative.” (see Save the Republican Party).

It has been several months now and I have not seen any progress. It could be happening behind the scenes but still it is very discouraging.

The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland by Anne Emery

The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland by Anne Emery

Posted on by Jack

This book is both a good mystery novel and historical fiction.

Anne Emery’s The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland, has 2 storylines involving the Tierney family one in the later 1500s and early 1600s when the Gaelic era was ending and the other in the modern era. These interwoven stories the modern family guest house threatened by development and a murder in Gaelic times near an earlier version of the guest house.
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The People’s Constitution

The People’s Constitution

Posted on by Jack

I’ve read several books on the US Constitution. This was a great addition and I think one of the best. I learned quite a bit, especially the histories of the amendments as we try to progress toward a more perfect union.
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Filibuster and debt ceiling

Filibuster and debt ceiling

Posted on by Jack

The filibuster in the US Senate is now being abused to prevent the Senate passing legislation needed to govern the country. In the latest example the Minority Leader announced he will not allow any Republicans to vote to raise the debt ceiling.
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