Author: JackI 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).
Republicans for financial disaster
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.
Continue reading “Republicans for financial disaster”
Can the Republican Party be saved ?
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
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.
Continue reading “The Keening: A Mystery of Gaelic Ireland by Anne Emery”
The People’s Constitution
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.
Continue reading “The People’s Constitution”
Filibuster and debt ceiling
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.
Continue reading “Filibuster and debt ceiling”
Misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccines
The other day I wrote a rather long piece on freedom and COVID-19 vaccines. I mentioned that there was lots of misinformation out there. But did not say much more on the subject of misinformation. I wanted to correct that.
The Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) has a few paged that address various untruths about the COVID vaccines and general question.
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
- Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
- FAQ (general vaccine questions)
If you want to do an internet search for more information, make sure you are looking at information from reputable sources such as the World Heath Organization, medical schools, schools of public heath, major medical centers, etc.
Republican assault on democracy continues
Apparently the Republican assault on democracy is not content with the sham audit in Arizona. The sham audit or fraudit will move on to other states.
Continue reading “Republican assault on democracy continues”
Your freedom ends where mine begins
Your freedom ends where mine begins. My freedom ends where yours begins. We have to get better at dealing with that tricky area where 2 or more of us have a valid freedom claim and they interfere with each other.
If each of us lived in total isolation, we would have something approaching absolute freedom. We could do what we want and not affect anyone else. But that is not the case. There are always others to consider. It could be family, friends, neighbors, or just people you pass on the street. The list is long. Like it or not, you can’t avoid it.
Continue reading “Your freedom ends where mine begins”
A Republic, If You Can Keep It by Neil Gorsuch
I am presently reading A Republic, If You Can Keep It by Neil Gorsuch. The title comes from Benjamin Franklin who was asked after the Constitutional Convention what type of government we would have. He replied “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Now that the republic has lasted several centuries the question is still whether we can keep that republic. This book is Justice Gorsuch’s answer.
Continue reading “A Republic, If You Can Keep It by Neil Gorsuch”
The Suspects by Jodie Lawrance
I’ve enjoyed the Scotland mysteries I’ve read so I thought I would try a new series and I did like the first one. I just finished The Suspects by Jodie Lawrance. I enjoyed this book and thank Netgalley and Joffe books for the chance to read it before publication.
Detective Sergeant Helen Carter is the central character in this series. Like the earlier books in this series it is set in Edinburgh in the 1970s when it was unusual to see a woman in her role. Work is often difficult for her in this male dominated environment but in this third book in the series she is more accepted on her own merits.
The main story focuses on the return a major criminal and suspected cop-killer to Edinburgh, probably to collect some of the loot from a 1971 robbery. Of course there are a number of other crimes occurring shortly after his return which may or may not be related to his return. Like the other in this series I have read. this is a good detective story that is engaging and well written,
I believe each book can stand on its own but would suggest reading the first in the series before reading this one. It is not at all that following the mysteries in this book is dependent on prior books but reading the first will give you useful background on DS Helen Carter.
Freedom to Die
There seem to be many people who believe a recommendation of COVID-19 vaccination by public health officials somehow interferes with their freedom. Well, it is just a recommendation. They do point out that not being vaccinated endangers the person not getting vaccinated as well as others but force is not involved and it is a recommendation.
You are free to get the vaccine or not.
I do not see why freedom is involved. If someone recommendations something you are free to accept that or not. Of course your choices can have consequences. in this case, the consequence may be your death and the death of family members, friends or others. And there could be lesser indirect consequences such as being denied admission to a place where you will endanger others.
Vaccinations save lives, maybe your life or someone you care about will be one of them. But you are free to do as you want.
Learn to use Free Google Drive & Docs
The full title is Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes: The unofficial guide to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides by Ian Lamont. I think this is an excellent introductory guide and reference book.
I’ve used Google Drive a little bit, especially Google Docs and I find 30 minutes to be overly optimistic. In 30 minutes you can enjoy the author’s overview which I found helpful and well done.
The explanations on using the various applications and how they fit together are also very helpful but I think being able to do a good job with any of them would require much more than 30 minutes He is very clear that these are free applications and someone may need a more polished product for presentations.
But there is much that can be done and done well with these free tools.
They may be more than adequate for many purposes. And why pay when free does the job. Many of us learn by trial and error and that takes time. Quite often a good reference is well worth the price.
January 6 Clearinghouse
We need to know more about why and how the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol occurred. I’ve been trying to follow the news and sometimes write about this attack and the attempts to learn about it.
Today I ran across an interesting website that contains a number of articles about this including various timelines and original documents. The site is https://www.justsecurity.org/ and calls the area concerned with this attack on the Capitol the January 6 Clearinghouse.
Continue reading “January 6 Clearinghouse”
America’s constitutional conversation begins
A history that is important today as we try to understand the United States constitution. The full title is The Words That Made Us: America’s Constitutional Conversation, 1760-1840 by Akhil Reed Amar.
Continue reading “America’s constitutional conversation begins”