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).

Reckless blasting in New York City history 1895

Reckless blasting in New York City history 1895

Posted on by Jack

I’ve been delving into New York City history today. Yesterday I found out I had made a wrong assumption in my genealogy and I figured today I should figure out what really happened.

Early this year I wrote about my great grandfather William Ready. He died of injuries resulting from a case of reckless blasting on Christmas eve 1895. I had just always assumed the blasting had something to do with creating the New York City subway system.

I was wrong. Continue reading “Reckless blasting in New York City history 1895”

Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian

Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian

Posted on by Jack

OK, it is not the whole title. The title is – Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed – a bit too long for a reasonable headline.

Much to my surprise, I liked this book quite a bit. But I’m getting ahead of the story so let me begin where this book ended up on my Kindle. Continue reading “Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian”

Shopping Games

Shopping Games

Posted on by Jack

There is a series of dystopian novels called The Hunger Games. There are quite a few examples of dystopian fiction. Some are better than others. But we seem to have our own real-life version in Black Friday and other shopping frenzies. The term Shopping Games came to mind …

Short Life of Katie Reidy

Short Life of Katie Reidy

Posted on by Jack

Katie Reidy, the daughter of my great grandfather William Ready (or Reidy), was born in New York City on 11 October 1895.

She died on 25 July 1896 of whooping cough in her family’s tenement apartment at 303 E 110th St. Continue reading “Short Life of Katie Reidy”

Strengthen Social Security

Strengthen Social Security

Posted on by Jack

I had previously written about cost of living adjustments (COLAs) in retirement. It is a hard subject since there are many ways to estimate this.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS; website bls.gov) has developed several tools to estimate this. They developed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which approximates a cost of living index. But this is not simple to estimate. Continue reading “Strengthen Social Security”

Obama care and Keep your health plan

Obama care and Keep your health plan

Posted on by Jack

I previously discussed that President Obama and the House have proposed 2 different plans to allow you to keep your existing health plan.

In my opinion, neither is a very good idea. Both plans say they allow holders of existing plans that do not meet ACA requirements to keep there existing plans. One problem is that they allow this cannot actually do this since Continue reading “Obama care and Keep your health plan”

2 keep your health plan plans

2 keep your health plan plans

Posted on by Jack

Much has been said about the millions of cancelled health insurance policies. Often the insurance company explains that these plans do not meet the standards of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There are 2 offered fixes. Continue reading “2 keep your health plan plans”

Abortion, medical care, maternity, and health insurance

Abortion, medical care, maternity, and health insurance

Posted on by Jack

Since I seem to be pointing out articles I really liked here is another. It is What’s the matter with motherhood? by E.J. Dionne, Jr and starts like this: Continue reading “Abortion, medical care, maternity, and health insurance”

Intelligently Designed: How Creationists Built the Campaign against Evolution

Intelligently Designed: How Creationists Built the Campaign against Evolution

Posted on by Jack

I enjoyed Intelligently Designed: How Creationists Built the Campaign against Evolution by Edward Caudill but did not finish it.

I liked this book and believe that evolution is by far the superior theory but that creationists are often winning the argument in the United States. At least winning much more often than the evidence would support. I am a scientist so I find it shocking Continue reading “Intelligently Designed: How Creationists Built the Campaign against Evolution”

Wilson Quarterly, Pacific Standard, Frustrated Blogger, and Expanding Social Security

Wilson Quarterly, Pacific Standard, Frustrated Blogger, and Expanding Social Security

Posted on by Jack

I had mentioned last month that I had subscribed to the Wilson Quarterly for years and enjoyed it. They stopped printing paper copies so now I can get the articles on-line or on my Kindle. Continue reading “Wilson Quarterly, Pacific Standard, Frustrated Blogger, and Expanding Social Security”

Upgrading your Smartphone

Upgrading your Smartphone

Posted on by Jack

If you are thinking about upgrading your smartphone or maybe considering moving up to a smartphone, it might be a good idea to invest a few dollars in a book that can tell you what the new phone can and can’t do. And of course if it does something, you’ll want to know how. Continue reading “Upgrading your Smartphone”

Supply and Demand

Supply and Demand

Posted on by Jack

Supply and demand is important economically. But since the Reagan revolution in politics, we have largely focused on growing the supply side.

Now with the current emphasis on austerity, we are actively cutting more and more into the demand side.

Is it any wonder that our economy is weak and not recovery very quickly?