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).

Refusing to debate in NY-21

Refusing to debate in NY-21

Posted on by Jack

A few weeks ago I wrote about Matt Castelli, a candidate for the NY-21 seat in the House of Representatives currently held by Elise Stefanik. Today I get an email from Matt Castelli’s campaign that he has agreed to a series of debates but Elise Stefanik refuses to debate him. It seems to be true according to the Watertown Daily Times.

I think a debate is the best way for voters to learn about the candidates. Each can get some information out without a debate via ads, appearances, website, etc. But in those formats the opponent doesn’t get a chance to ask about details or present an alternative view.
Continue reading “Refusing to debate in NY-21”

Nothing conservative

Nothing conservative

Posted on by Jack

A few days ago, I wrote about the difficulty of calling out the group of Republicans who support former President Trump and excuse his actions in Sorting Republicans. I don’t think it is easy finding a good way to identify sub-groups.

The Republican Party used to be highly principled and an important part of our democracy. But now many seem to favor various conspiracy theories, favor insurrection, or belief increasing their power is more important than voting and democracy. The party is clearly divided into two or more camps.
Continue reading “Nothing conservative”

Sorting Republicans

Sorting Republicans

Posted on by Jack

Several days ago I wrote about President Biden’s Soul of the Nation speech and yesterday about Evan McMullin and his third party run for the U.S. Senate. It seems to me there is a common theme.

President Biden spoke of several things but which seemed to offend some Republicans by calling out MAGA republicans. I don’t think the speech did insult all Republicans. The President clearly distinguished between the MAGA crowd and mainstream conservatives or traditional Republicans.

The problem is trying to sort a larger group into smaller groups. Some will fall in-between, some will misinterpret, and when you add politics some will distort.
Continue reading “Sorting Republicans”

Evan McMullin, third party candidate for the U.S. Senate

Evan McMullin, third party candidate for the U.S. Senate

Posted on by Jack

As unlikely as it seems this former Republican, now an Independent and third party candidate for the U.S. Senate, has been endorsed by the Democratic party. He is Evan McMullin , a former undercover CIA officer ,a conservative, and former chief policy director in Congress. If the name is familiar, you may have heard in in 2016 when he ran for president in 2016 as an independent.

A profile by Jennifer Rubin starts like this – Continue reading “Evan McMullin, third party candidate for the U.S. Senate”

When, Where and For What Mar-a-Lago Crimes …

When, Where and For What Mar-a-Lago Crimes …

Posted on by Jack

I’ve been a fan of Just Security for their new coverage of the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol and other issues. Today they published When, Where and For What Mar-a-Lago Crimes Should Garland Indict Trump? .

Special master but it seems Trump caused the problem

Special master but it seems Trump caused the problem

Posted on by Jack

Toward the end of my post Republican idiots and special master I speculated about former President Trump delaying the investigation by requesting a review by a special master.

But Judge Cannon has ruled in favor the the former President.

It seems to me that the problem of personal papers, some of which may include some documents with potential attorney-client privilege, is former President Trump’s fault since he is the one who mixed these papers with the stolen national defense and classified documents. Also, if he had returned these documents when asked and then lied when subpoenaed this problem could have been avoided.

It also seems to me that the risk to our national security is much more important than any damage to the former President’s reputation by any accidental revelations.

Soul of the Nation

Soul of the Nation

Posted on by Jack

I am pretty sure I have mentioned that I subscribe to The Atlantic. The only problem that I have with that is that their website is so good that by the time the print version arrives in my mailbox, I have usually read many of the articles I find interesting.

The website publishes so any articles I think it would take a very fast reader to keeo up. And I am not that fast. But I usually find a few articles in the print version that escaped my attention earlier.
Continue reading “Soul of the Nation”

Republican idiots and special master

Republican idiots and special master

Posted on by Jack

This title just screams out for me to mention that I am not a Democrat. I am an Independent but in recent years I found myself supporting Democrats more and Republicans increasing rarely. It is not so much that I agree with everything Democrats say and do but that I disagree with Republicans so much that I find no other reasonable choice than to support the Democrats.

For example, in the recent search of Donald Trump’s home many Republicans immediately defended the ex-President and some even called the FBI a bunch of Nazis before any facts were known.
Continue reading “Republican idiots and special master”

Fenian Street by Anne Emery

Fenian Street by Anne Emery

Posted on by Jack

I have read and reviewed several of Anne Emery’s book on this blog. I have always found them enjoyable and interesting reads.

So I’ll start this review as I started the review of The Keening. “This book is both a good mystery novel and historical fiction.”
Continue reading “Fenian Street by Anne Emery”

The Rising Tide: A Vera Stanhope Novel by Ann Cleeves

The Rising Tide: A Vera Stanhope Novel by Ann Cleeves

Posted on by Jack

Because I have read several books and short stories by Ann Cleeves  (see The Darkest Evening ) I jumped at the chance to read this one when I saw The Rising Tide  on Netgalley.

I was a bit surprised when it started out slowly for several chapters.  With a book by an author I did not know, I would have probably just put the book down and told Netgalley that I would not be reviewing it.  But since it was Ann Cleeves I was sure she had her reasons and a great murder mystery would soon follow.  I was not disappointed.
Continue reading “The Rising Tide: A Vera Stanhope Novel by Ann Cleeves”

Elect Scientists

Elect Scientists

Posted on by Jack

This morning I got one of those political emails. Most I delete without even reading. They are usually all pretty similar in that this or that candidate needs my money. The subject line of this one caught my attention. It seemed this group was interested in electing scientists to political office.

So I googled the name of the organization and thought this group was interesting and worth supporting. I am a retired scientist (from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC) and know the importance of science to our complex society. Politically I am an Independent but have become more anti-Republican as that party has become increasingly anti-science and then authoritarian.
Continue reading “Elect Scientists”

Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Save or New Party

Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Save or New Party

Posted on by Jack

I have been impressed with both Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Each had stuck by their beliefs as the Republican party has become a personality cult build around a con man. Sadly the partly which was once an important part of the American democracy is now a danger to the continuation of that democracy.

Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger have paid a step price. Both were rising stars in the party. By sticking with their beliefs and values, they have lost much. Adam Kinzinger decided not to run for re-election. Liz Cheney lost her primary and so will not be on the ballot.
Continue reading “Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Save or New Party”

Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement by Allen P. Harris

Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement by Allen P. Harris

Posted on by Jack

The full title is Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement: How to Increase Income, Avoid Taxes, and Keep More of What Is Yours by Allen P. Harris.

After the first few pages, I thought I would not like this book. Those pages seemed more about how the author’s company was helping the community and I suspected this would be more of an advertisement than a substantive book on retirement. I was wrong.
Continue reading “Don’t Run Out of Money in Retirement by Allen P. Harris”

Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President

Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President

Posted on by Jack

I’ve read several biographies of President Franklin Roosevelt over the years. I think the last was 3 or 4 years ago. I’m not sure why I thought it a good idea to read another but I’m glad I did.

Continue reading “Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President”