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).

Was Nixon right ?

Was Nixon right ?

Posted on by Jack

During the David Frost interviews former president Richard Nixon said: “Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal”.

Is that really that different from former president Trump’s claim of immunity ?

Was Nixon right then ? Is Trump right now ?

The 2 former Presidents make very similar claims but this has never been decided by a court since the issue has never arisen before. I suspect it will be decided by the Supreme Court either right away or after a delay in the appeals court.

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Posted on by Jack

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick is a very good book. Some people are extremely tight with money (tightwads) and others spend freely, sometimes excessively (spendthrifts). Others combine these traits in various ways.

I enjoyed Tightwads and Spendthrifts for many reasons. It is a science-based guide to understanding our sometimes complicated relationship with money. Scott Rick is a behavioral scientist and this might make some hesitate to give this book a try. But have no fear, the writing style is very informal and non-judgmental. Not the dry, complex style one might expect. I appreciated his explanation of his methods as well as the discussion of the work of others. I also enjoyed his discussions of the various approaches to understanding our financial decisions.
Continue reading “Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick”

God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly

God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly

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Benedict Arnold was a hero and General in the American Revolution before he became a traitor late in the war. Why did he do this? Most of us may know little but his treason. This book fills in all those details of what came before the treason and discusses possible reasons why he became a traitor. The full title is God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man.
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The Ferry Port Mystery by David Pearson

The Ferry Port Mystery by David Pearson

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I liked The Ferry Port Mystery by David Pearson. For the first few chapters I was not sure I would. There seemed to be just enough to keep you reading and I was unsure how long I would continue but things got much better. But I am getting ahead of myself so I’ll go back to the beginning.
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House Republicans fail again

House Republicans fail again

Posted on by Jack

House Republicans continue to fail. They failed to pass a budget to allow the government to continue to operate this fiscal year. So they passed a continuing resolution to allow it to stay open to November 17. Now that we are rapidly approaching that date and they have again failed to govern or pass a budget or agree to another continuing resolution. They did the only thing they could agree on – adjourn for a long weekend.

Why the working class changed parties

Why the working class changed parties

Posted on by Jack

I have long been puzzled by many of the working class who support Republicans who seem to the working against their interests (lower taxes for the rich, for example). Democrats seem to be doing much more to help the working class and yet they seem to be losing support in this group.

Peter Coy has written a very interesting column today, based on a National Bureau of Economic Research paper , that seems to explain this at least in part.

It is an interesting article a well-worth your time.

Your Move Judge Tanya Chutkan

Your Move Judge Tanya Chutkan

Posted on by Jack

Judge Chutkan placed a limited gag order on defendant Donald Trump to stop him from launching a “pretrial smear campaign” while respecting his rights to pursue his presidential campaign. Since the defendant appealed the order, she put it on hold to allow the defense to appeal her ruling.

I do not believe it was Judge Chutkan’s intent to give Donald Trump time to conduct his smear campaign, yet that was precisely the result.

It seems to me that Judge Chutkan should reverse her decision on the hold and reimpose the gag order before the defendant is allowed to do more damage.

Senator Menendez time to go

Senator Menendez time to go

Posted on by Jack

Senator Menendez should resign.

I have written about him three times. Perhaps it is time to think about giving him is own tag
Another reason for Senator Menendez to resign.
Will Senator Menendez resign ?
Update on Senator Menendez: national security.

He has given up his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But he still sits on the committee.

John Fetterman, the first Senator to call for Senator Menendez to resign reminds us:

Senator Menendez is entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations.

It is the right thing to do.

Republican clown show continues

Republican clown show continues

Posted on by Jack

It has now been 3 weeks, Congress cannot work. Yes. the Senate can pass important bills. But without the other half of Congress that would be meaningless. The House of Representatives is needed for Congress to work.

Yet the Republican majority fails to appoint a Speaker who would be able to either introduce new bills or allow a vote on Senate bills. This has gone of for 2 weeks and may not get better any time soon. The latest failure is today

Perhaps one day we will actually have a fully functional government but does that require voting most Republicans out?

Past Lying: A Karen Pirie Novel

Past Lying: A Karen Pirie Novel

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I’ve been fan of Val McDermit for several years now https://www.jackreidy.com/blog/tag/val-mcdermid/ .

Past Lying: A Karen Pirie Novel is her latest.  DCI Karen Pirie heads Police Scotland’s Historic Case Unit (HCU). We Americans would call it cold cases.  The Scots prefer the “Historic” designation for reasons  given in this book.
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Full Salary

Full Salary

Posted on by Jack

In my discussion of The Appeasement Caucus a week ago I looked at an amendment to the bill House Republicans proposed to fund the government for the current fiscal year. One which passed would halve reduced the salary of Lloyd James Austin III (The Secretary of Defense) to $1, The amendment is below.

H.Amdt.371 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Description: An amendment numbered 164 printed in Part A of House Report 118-216 to reduce the salary of Lloyd James Austin III to $1.
Sponsor: Greene, Marjorie Taylor [Rep.-R-GA-14] (Offered 09/27/2023)
Latest Action: 09/27/23 On agreeing to the Greene (GA) amendment (A020) Agreed to by voice vote. (All Actions)

I’ve noticed he is doing quite a bit on the latest disaster in Israel-Gaza. I’m glad he is making his full salary.

Another reason for Senator Menendez to resign

Another reason for Senator Menendez to resign

Posted on by Jack

Senator Menendez has already given reasons for many to think he should resign. Now he gives us another.

I have written about him twice:

Will Senator Menendez resign ?
Update on Senator Menendez: national security.

He has given up his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But now that an additional charge of failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act is filed, the case is even stronger for his resignation from Senate.

John Fetterman, the first Senator to call for Senator Menendez to resign reminds us:

Senator Menendez is entitled to the presumption of innocence under our system, but he is not entitled to continue to wield influence over national policy, especially given the serious and specific nature of the allegations.

It is the right thing to do.

Rapid Growth of The Appeasement Caucus

Rapid Growth of The Appeasement Caucus

Posted on by Jack

There seems to be rapid growth of opposition to Ukraine aid among House Republicans. In my earlier post I called these folks The Appeasement Caucus so I’ll just stick with that name. I am not aware if they officially formed a caucus with that name or some other name.

As I recall, last year there were a relatively small number of House Republicans opposed to aid.
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The Appeasement Caucus

The Appeasement Caucus

Posted on by Jack

Last week as the House considered a bill to fund the government for the fiscal year beginning in a few days (HR 4365), the House considered several amendments. Among them this one to “prohibit security assistance for Ukraine“:
Continue reading “The Appeasement Caucus”