Best Wishes and Hopes for a Safe, Happy, and Healthy New Year

Every New Year's day for the past few years, we have brought you a little gift from Playing for Change of a few minutes to just sit back, listen, and enjoy the good feeling. That gift appears below as Gift 1. Gift 2 is also a Playing for Change release, brought to our attention three years ago by a loyal reader. Gift 3 is just a favorite song of ours, best played at high volume and most enjoyed by dancing along with it, which has been featured on this blog a few times. Enjoy!

Predictions are the dreams of fools. In advance of 2016, no one predicted Trump or anything like Trump could be elected president. In advance of 2020, no one predicted the pandemic. In advance of 2021, no one predicted that inflation would see levels not seen in 40 years or that pseudo-invocations of freedom and fears of science would overwhelm the promise of vaccines to get us past the pandemic. But hope springs eternal. In advance of the 2022 elections, no one predicted the defeat Trump's candidates would be dealt. Given the improvements on several fronts over the past two years, let's hope that things will continue to get better, and that this country will continue what just might be a recovery from the malignant forces that had invaded our body politic not to mention the pandemic. In the spirit of unbridled optimism, with a song that resonates in a myriad of contexts--even as a wedding march, we bring you Gift 4. 

Link to Gift 1

Link to Gift 2

Link to Gift 3

Link to Gift 4

[EOP]

Pele

Brazil has declared two days of national morning for Pele. Totally apt. Of all the athletes in our country whom we have made multi-millionaires and even billionaires, would any merit even one day of national morning? Mohammed Ali comes to mind, but then remember what it took to get a holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[EOL]

Undelivered by Jeff Nussbaum

In Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History, political speechwriter (most recently for Biden when he was VP) Jeff Nussbaum presents the most notable speeches the public never heard, from Dwight Eisenhower’s apology for a D-Day failure to Richard Nixon’s refusal to resign the presidency, Hillary Clinton’s acceptance for a 2016 victory, and even the speech Sara Palin wanted to give in advance of John McCain's acceptance speech. In essence, it is three books in one: (i) A fascinating look at history from the point of view of what might have been (both in terms of speeches and in terms of history) if some big events had turned out differently; (ii) rare glimpses at some big events from a unique perspective; and (iii) an instructive look as to the elements of great speeches and speech writing (which often parallel the elements of persuasive writing on paper (e.g., use of active vs. passive voice) but sometimes not (when and how to acknowledge contributions by or thank those in the audience and how not  to)) and how a single speech might be tailored to say different things to different segments of the audience (by dog whistling and other techniques). It also is chocked full of fascinating vignettes as to how politicians and speechwriters interact, and how politicians do some of the things they do (e.g., Senator Daschle, who opposed guns in the cockpit after 9/11 because of the risk of depressurization of the airplane, signed on to a bill that allowed them but then added a requirement that the cockpits stay locked, making it highly unlikely any cockpit gun would be used). And it makes you think by pointing out such things as, if anyone was watching Sara Palin draw bigger and more enthusiastic crowds than McCain was drawings, they might not have been so shocked by what Trump did and pulled off in 2016. Most important, perhaps, it's extremely readable--and, as a gifted speechwriter might say, a real page turner.

PS: I do not do multiple drafts of  these posts. So, essentially no time is spent on polishing them or ridding them of such annoyances as unduly long and complex sentences and such. I trust you understand and appreciate your indulgence.

[EOP]

Futility of Closing the Barn Door

[Prefatory Note: The point made in this post, about the government doing stuff just to do stuff irrespective of and not in any way based on science or objective reality, dovetails with the point, and particularly the last two sentences, of the last post in this email about the government's response to the SWA fiasco]

Two days ago, per the NYT, "the Biden administration, fearful that a surge of coronavirus infections in Beijing could spawn a new and more dangerous variant, announced, beginning January 5, it will require travelers from China to present negative Covid-19 tests before entering the United States. According to the CDC, which made the announcement, officials at the agency say they are deeply concerned over China’s lack of transparency about its outbreak — and, in particular, its failure to track and sequence variants and subvariants that are circulating within its borders." Here's the reality: While this action might slow the spread of any new variants, leaving the barn door open for 8+ days is classic closing it too late (remember, the world-wide pandemic started with 1 infected person in China); and screening people coming directly from China does nothing to stop people who got infected in China traveling to the U.S. stopping off somewhere else before coming here or to stop people they might have infected during that stop-over from coming here. In short, whatever the government is doing in this instance, it is not science based and it is not reality based. Maybe it makes some people feel safer, but it is fair to say there is no shortage of safe feeling in our country.

[EOP]

Front Load Washer Size: Bigger Really Is Better

Residential front-load washers typically come in 4.5 cf or 5.0 cf volumes. If you think a difference of just a half a cubic foot makes little difference, I have a bridge and Camry Hybrid to sell you. That seemingly small volume difference makes a huge difference in terms of the amount of laundry that fits comfortably in the washer. Indeed, if you opt for the 5-footer, you might find that the number of washes you run each year will be far fewer than you ever dreamed possible, saving water and electricity.

[EOP]

Best Monitors

This Wirecutter article gives its take on the best monitors, including the best budget monitors. If you use a laptop at home, and you don't have a good sized monitor connected to it, it's time to do so. 

[EOP]

Tax Credits for EVs in 2023

As this NYT article explains, tax credits for EVs in 2023 are quite confusing.

[EOP]

Getting The City of Phoenix's Attention When Traffic Light Is Too Slow to Change From Green to Red

There is a 3-way traffic light in Phoenix that lets one of the lights stay green for an inordinate time. As you can imagine, this is most annoying for people having to wait at a red light when they have places to go, people to see, and things to do. Phoenix has an email address (phxtmc@phoenix.gov) that not only is monitored by real people, but they will attend to the problem within hours of its being reported.

[EOP]

Southwest Airlines: Politicians vs. The Market

As Rahm Emanuel cynically but honestly put it when he was Obama's chief of staff, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” Congress and the White House (through DOT Secretary Buttigieg) certainly are abiding those inspirational words as they elbow each other to maximize their time before the cameras and the microphones to express their outrage and intentions to investigate and punish Southwest Airlines. I'm all for governmental intervention to address and redress problems where the market cannot or will not deal with them efficiently and equitably. But, it appears there is no secret as to what went wrong with SWA (their failure to computerize their flight personnel staffing as all other major airlines have done), there is no mystery as to the long-term needed fix (get that computerization done), and no shortage of private redress (both through lawsuits to force and voluntary compensatory payments to aggrieved customers), and there is no reason to believe the government would be better at imposing consumer protections (through rules and regulations) than would the market (through ticket pricing tiers that build in protections). The one thing we have learned from the CDC's handling of the pandemic and the post-pandemic is that government regulation of even life-and-death matters is neither science based nor even based on objective reality ... it is inherently political. So, again, while government should rush in when appropriate and needed, it would behoove it, and all of us, for it to sit on its hands when appropriate just because the headlines beckon the siren call otherwise.

[EOP]

Two Bad Court Decisions

Sanctions Decision in the Lake Case:  Judge Thompson’s denial of sanctions is disheartening, especially because his justification breathes continued life into Lake’s insane appeal to her constituency: “Although Lake didn’t provide clear and convincing evidence needed to prevail in her case, that was not the same thing as saying her lawsuit over the results of the Arizona’s governor’s race was “groundless and presented in bad faith.” I don’t know if, as I urged, putting Lake on the stand to discredit her verification would have changed anything, but I can’t see where it would have hurt, even if, or perhaps especially if, she went on the kind of bizarre rant you would expect she would go on. Relately, I would think it’s embarrassing to ask for $700,000 in attorneys’ fees as sanctions. I guess it wouldn’t have mattered given Thompson’s view of the case, but, if they asked instead for a “reasonable amount to send a message,” perhaps they would have had a better chance of getting sanctions.

The Title 42 Case: When Gorsuch joins the three liberals on the bench, it's a head scratcher. While it's comforting to see him on the right side of a decision, it is disheartening to see the majority of the Court on its studied course of judicial activism. Title 42 was enacted to stem the influx of Covid infections. It was not an immigration reform law or a law designed to curb requests for asylum. Gorsuch described the Court's decision as "unwise" and that the emergency on which Title 42 rested "has long since lapsed." He acknowledged the states "contend that they face an immigration crisis at the border and policymakers have failed to agree on adequate measures to address it." He went on to say that "the current border crisis is not a COVID crisis." "And courts should not be in the business of perpetuating administrative edicts designed for one emergency only because elected officials have failed to address a different emergency. We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort," Gorsuch wrote. In short, Gorsuch said out loud what the critics of the Court have been saying ever since Thomas and Alito took over.

[EOP]

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995 Movie on Hulu)

As a loyal reader pointed out and this link confirms, our recent viewing and review of Devil in a Blue Dress seems to have forgotten our earlier viewing and review about a year ago. What's amazing is how similar the two reviews are. Of course, we did all this to test the memory and attention our loyal readership.

[EOP]

Moving Navigation Bar From Left Side Back to Bottom in Outlook

An Outlook update moved the Navigation bar from the bottom to the left side, which annoyed many users. We've been looking for a way to move it back for months, and finally have a way to do so. This link has an extensive discussion on the matter and a regedit fix. But, for me and others who are reluctant to make regedit changes, there also is a simple way which seems to work: Go to File > Options > Advanced > UNcheck “Show Apps in Outlook” and restart Outlook.

[EOP]

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007 Movie on Hulu)

The director Sidney Lumet (“Network,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “12 Angry Men”) capped off a 50-year filmmaking career with this 2007 caper drama, released four years before his death. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke are beautifully matched as ill-tempered brothers, both in desperate need of cash, who attempt to stage a robbery of their family jewelry store — a bad idea even if executed perfectly, which it is not. Albert Finney is staggeringly good as their perpetually disappointed father, while Marisa Tomei finds the right, difficult notes for her work as Hoffman’s wife (and Hawke’s girlfriend). Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a tough and uncompromising swan song from a true modern master. Given the scenes with Marisa Tomei, it is fair to say this is George Castanza's dream come true of a movie. Finally, as good as it is, it's not an easy movie to take. It’s like the Coen brothers on steroids.

[EOP]

Used and New Tesla 3 Prices Dropping

If memory is serving me correctly, the now stated prices for used Tesla 3s have dropped dramatically and the now stated prices for new Tesla 3s have dropped as well even before getting the new discounts of $7,500+ that are available. The same also seems to be true for Tesla Ys.

[EOP] 

New Problem for EVs Going Forward

One headwind to EV acceptance is their high acquisition cost that eliminates many consumers from the EV buying market. This headwind is exasperated by car manufacturers' heavy focus on SUV-type and other large vehicle styles, instead of just taking what is essentially a  golf cart and giving it a battery whose charge will take the car a couple of hundred miles and make it as comfortable to ride in as many 4-5 passenger cars already are. But there's a new problem rearing its ugly head in Europe: The high cost of electricity in many instances is making filling up a car's gas tank less expensive than charging an EV to go the same distance. Is there nothing in this world we can count on? 

[EOP]

Clarification/Correction re Turning Off Eco Mode in Soundbars

An early post noted to simultaneously push and hold for 5 seconds the "on/off and volume buttons" on the sound bar (not the remote) to disable eco mode so the remote would not go to sleep when the TV turns off. The instruction should have read "on/off and down-volume buttons" instead of on/off and volume buttons. Sorry for the mistake.

[EOP]

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995 Movie on Hulu)

Devil in a Blue Dress is a (1940s era) period piece crime drama underlying a political scandal so you might not relate to it personally. But the story will hold your attention and the acting (Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle (who steals the show in his breakthrough role)) is what you'd expect from such a stellar cast. It's full of twists and turns, the dialogue is classic, and the searing depiction of race relations and racism is harrowing. The only drawback is that too many scenes are shot in the dark.

[EOP]

Easy Tech Fixes for Almost All Problems

While my years of tech graduate and post-graduate studies, and my decades of consulting experience, have elevated me to a place few dare go when it comes to fixing tech problems, the truth is 99% of the tech problems one encounters are easily fixed by anyone. This WSJ article sets out the simple settings you need to know to become your own tech-support wizard, and fix 99% of the problems that beset you. Most important, don't forget the magical qualities of the re-boot.

[EOP]

Extra Laptop Chargers

It's a good idea to have an extra laptop charger on hand to carry with you when take you the laptop somewhere. That way, you don't have to go through the hassle of crawling under you desk to unplug your laptop and plug it back in again when you return home. It used to be that you had to get a duplicate charger like the one the came with the laptop. No longer. There are now inexpensive (under $30) USB-C chargers that do as good or better job as the charger that came with the laptop, all as explained in this Wirecutter article.

[EOP]

"Could Care Less" vs. "Couldn't Care Less"

A loyal reader took us to task when we used the phrase "could care less" as a dismissive comment on the terrible movie, Mississippi Grind, chiding us for not using the phrase "couldn't care less" instead. We fear this reader might not be the only person unfamiliar with Merriam-Webster who notes as follows: “We define could care less and couldn’t care less on the same page, with the single definition “used to indicate that one is not at all concerned about or interested in something.” We do not put these seemingly disparate idioms on the same page in order to save space, or so that we might cause you pain. We do it because one is simply a variant of the other, and they are used in a synonymous manner.”

[EOP]

 

How to Stop a Sound Bar's Volume From Turning Off When TV Is Turned Off

If your sound bar has always been on when your TV is turned on, but all of a sudden starts turning off  when the TV is turned off, you might find it annoying to have to hit the sound bar remote every time to get the sound back up. Likely, you had the so-called "economy mode" turned off when you first set up the sound bar but for some reason (e.g., you had to re-boot the sound bar) it went back into "economy mode." To bring it out of "economy mode hell" (at least with Vizio), just press the on/off and volume buttons simultaneously on the sound bar (not on the remote) for 5 seconds.

[EOP]

Caution When Streaming at a Rental

Most short-term rentals have smart TVs so your favorite streaming sources (Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Apple TV) are easily accessible and you don't need to take and use your extra Firestick or Roku you bought for traveling to stream stuff. When you first click on any streaming icon, check to see if the source is signed into and then you can watch whatever you want without further ado, including porn without its being attributed to your account. But if it is not, you'll have to sign in to your account. No problem, BUT, before you check out, best practices dictate that you sign out of the streaming account. Merely exiting the streaming app will NOT sign you out, and if you don't sign out, future guests will be able to access the streaming source under your account. To sign out, go to the Settings in the streaming source you set up. You can disconnect all devices from your home should you omit to sign out, but then you'll have to reconnect your home and other devices.

[EOP]

Mississippi Grind (2015 Movie on HBO Max)

Putting aside the inane dialogue and a story one could care less about, Mississippi Grind is a slow-paced story about a guy who is down on his luck and facing financial hardship  who hooks up with a charismatic poker player in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost. Having given up a half hour into the film, I have no idea how they did, and could care less.

[EOP]

C Port Dust Covers

If you charge your phone wirelessly (which is the better and easier way to charge it), it is recommended that you use a plug-in dust cover for your C-port (the charging port). There are some fancy looking ones in steel, but they are more expensive, don't work better, and often have fitting difficulties. For under $5, the plastic silicone models fit great and work just fine.

 [EOP]

Merry Xmas From Me and Melissa

If you want to truly enjoy Xmas morning, a great Xmas song album playing in the background as you're roasting chestnuts and opening presents is an absolute must, and here it is: Best Xmas Music Album

[EOP]

Answer to the Query: Should Biden Run in 2024

There is much debate and good points on both sides as to whether or not Biden should run in 2024. As a Xmas present for loyal readers, I'm giving away the answer: Biden should remain in contention as long as Trump is in contention, and should Trump get the nomination, Biden should be the Dem nominee because there is no way Trump beats Biden. But, the moment Trump withdraws or otherwise is out of contention as the Rep nominee, Biden should withdraw as well because there is a substantial chance he loses to a DeSantis or a Christie or the like.

[EOP] 

Answer to the Flat Tire Probability Question

First Place: 1 in 4.

Second Place (someone's grandson): 100%, you always decide which tire ahead of time when making that kind of alibi.

[EOP]

Probability Game

Courtesy of a loyal reader:

Partying too hard and too late, the two top math students in a class overslept and missed the final exam. They told the professor they had a flat tire on the way, and asked if they might be allowed a make-up exam. The professor agreed. He then put them in separate rooms and gave each a written exam which consisted of 2 questions. The first question, noted as being worth 5% of the total exam score, was: What is the sum of 2 plus 2? The second question, noted as being worth 95% of the total exam score, was: Which tire was the flat tire? Question: What is the probability they both picked the same tire?

[EOP]

 

Year-End and Next-ear Discounts on Teslas

Tesla has raised its prices multiple times in 2022, but buyers that held out hope for better days may be rewarded. The automaker is offering free charging for anyone taking delivery between December 21 and 31, and buyers of the Model 3 and Model Y get an additional $7,500 “credit.”

Tesla’s website makes it exceedingly difficult to find the custom configuration option, requiring buyers to sort through the existing inventory before the link can be found. That’s likely for the best because it’s the surest way to take advantage of Tesla’s offer. Wait times for some of its models extend months, though Model 3 times have tightened considerably, and all configurations state delivery before the end of the year.

In early 2021, the Model 3 Standard Range model could be had for around $37,000. That price started climbing and ended 2021 at about $45,000. The rear-drive Standard Range Model 3 starts at $46,990 today, and that’s before choosing a color other than white or silver or adding Autopilot for $6,000 or the automaker’s “Full Self-Driving” function for $15,000.

Tesla’s vehicles aren’t currently eligible for federal tax credits, but that’s changing in January, which could soften demand until the rules change. Offering a $7,500 price break now effectively equalizes the price of a new Model 3 or Model Y before and after the tax credit rules shift. (The Model S and X won't be eligible, as they exceed the tax credit's price limitations.) The automaker’s vehicles haven’t been eligible for tax credits after passing the previous program’s 200,000-unit threshold. However, that will change on January 1, and the Model 3 and Y will for a time be eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit again, at least while the Treasury Department sorts out its guidance on the new legislation’s raw materials sourcing requirements.

[EOP]

Emily the Criminal (2022 Movie on Netflix)

Emily the Criminal is very good on three counts. First, it's unique ... there is no "seen it" about it. Second, the acting is excellent. Third, it really holds your attention and is exceedingly entertaining. Also, it's only about 1.5 hours.

[EOP]

Netflix Is Stopping Password Sharing

Many people, who would not rob a bank or shoplift even if no one were looking, seem to have no reluctance in stealing intellectual property--aka improper sharing of passwords. Netflix has long let these scofflaws skate, but no longer. Netflix now has the technology and is going to be using it to clamp down on passwords being used in different households by shutting down the offending device(s). I say, lock 'em up, and throw away the keys.

[EOP]

Kari Lake Trial Live Streamed

There are several channels streaming the Lake trial challenging the 2022 Arizona governor election. Most are almost impossible to follow because of the poor audio and lack of closed captioning. But this channel at least has closed captioning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRg0Yyj9Jvo Good luck fighting off the boredom if you try to watch.

How to Tell If It's Flu, RSV, Covid, or Strep

Although no one actually gets sick any more, this WLS article has some useful pointers to determine the likelihood of which category (flu, RSV, Covid, or strep) the onset of symptoms might be indicative of. As the article explains, the treatment and timing of treatment differs as to each (e.g., strep is a bacteria not a virus). 

[EOP]

MLB Shift Rule Change

The defensive shift, which has been especially effective against left-handed hitters, was invented by Jpey Martella's father, manager of the Abington little league team in 1959 to counter Reggie Jackson and his Glendale little league team. It took MLB decades to learn from that experience, but when they did, left-handed hitters were especially hit. Seeking to infuse more offensive into the game, MLB has instituted a major defensive change starting this upcoming season. The new defensive shift rule states that a team must have two fielders stationed completely on either side of second base when a pitch is thrown. A team must also have a minimum of four players with their feet on the outer boundary of the infield dirt. If you listen carefully, you can hear the lefties singing.

[EOP]

The Masters Gave LIV Time to Settle

The Masters will not exclude any LIV golfers who otherwise qualify to be in the Masters under its current eligibility criteria. No victory for the PGA Tour and no defeat for LIV. But, the Masters reserved their right to revisit their eligibility criteria and will announce any changes in April. Even if they make no changes, the exclusion of LIV golfers from world ranking points could have a huge impact in future years. All in all then, the Masters is telling the two groups: Don't count on us--settle.

[EOP]

Best Luggage Trackers

For anyone who insists on checking their bags when flying (yes, we hear there still are such people), as this Wirecutter article explains, Apple Air Tags (for $30) are the best bet for iPhone users and Tile Mate (for $18) are the best for Android users. They also make great stocking stuffers as well as tree ornaments.

[EOP]

September 6 Committee Referrals

I have no view (or, more precisely, conflicting views) as to whether, overall, it would have been better for the September 6 Committee to have just issued their report, turned over what they have to DOJ, and left it at that, or to have made the criminal referrals they did. The one question I have is what will it say about the Committee should DOJ decline to indict and prosecute on any of the referral issues. Especially given the interminable snails' pace legal action against Trump and his co-conspirators take, maybe it doesn't matter and no one cares.

[EOP] 

PS re Outlook Clipboard

A recent post noted the existence and benefits of Outlook's clipboard. One short-coming: The contents don't remain on the clipboard once Outlook is closed (unlike the contents of Signature which do not suffer that short-coming).

[EOP]

Football Game Ending Not Seen That Often

The score is tied 24-24. There are 3 seconds left in the game. The Patriots have the ball on their own 45 and it's 3rd down and 10 yards to go for a first down. Taking a knee would have sent the game into overtime. Here's what the Patriots did and how the game ended on that last now infamous last play: Patriots-Chargers Game: December 18  ... a tradition like none other ... and an ending for the ages. In all events, it's a quite contrast from the skills and intelligence exhibited in game the day before which is rightly considered the greatest championship game ever of any sport.

[EOP]

Happy Hanukah From the Arizona Department of Transportation

Putting aside the inscrutability of its intendment, here's the safety message that started appearing on the 51 and likely other Az highways:

[EOP]

World Cup

Even a total soccer ignoramus could not watch the finals of the 2022 World Cup without understanding why soccer is the most beloved sport in the world, without recognizing the incredible athleticism of the the players along with their amazing ability to play a team sport like a team, and without appreciating what two goats can do on the world's biggest stage. Wow, what a match!!!!

[EOP]

Trader Joe's Charcuterie Pack

I'm not a fan of Trader Joe's for various reasons other than their food and prices (e.g., they discontinue stuff with no warning; the aisles are too narrow; there is no self-checkout; customers think blocking displays with their carts is perfectly fine; they fake who is a manager if you have a complaint and want to talk to a manager; and on and on). But some of their stuff is fantastic. One of the best bargains is their Charcuterie pack ... it doesn't match the Parlor's. But for a take-home thing, and the price, if you're partial to the salted meats, this is something you should treat yourself to.

[EOP]

Seafood Party Platter

If you're stuck in the rut of serving pizza for your get togethers, think seafood. Here is the schmear I put  out for a recent soiree that was a knockout. Trying out my new annotator, I've added some notes to make it easy for anyone to set up:

[EOP]

The Fascinating History of Churches' Dealing With Big Issues

The churches have sometimes ducked and sometimes stepped up to the big issues of our times, from civil rights to poverty and wealth imbalance to the Vietnam war to the need to protect the vulnerable from Covid. But as this NYT article explains, they are torn as to what to do when Xmas falls on a Sunday: Do they hold the traditional Xmas day services that some might say commemorates an important birth  (perhaps the second most important day in Christianity), or do they cancel services in deference to the reality that most congregants might prefer their family traditions of staying home in their matching pajamas, opening presents, and drinking wassail? Some might be surprised although others will not be that many churches have chosen to cancel this year's Sunday morning's services.

[EOP] 

Outlook Clipboard

Outlook has a clipboard. You can paste anything you want there, and then easily access it and choose what you want to insert in an email (including in the subject line) with a click, which avoids a lot of retyping from scratch when sending multiple emails with any of the same content. To access it, open your All Commands list, and add Clipboard to your list of commands, and then you can easily teach yourself how to save items to and access items from the clipboard.

[EOP] 

Finchem Lawsuit Tossed Out With Prejudice

As you can read in the opinion, which is really well written, the Arizona Superior Court judge had no difficulty dismissing the case (challenging the secretary of state election results) with prejudice, and it would seem highly likely she's going to impose sanctions. Finchem's lawyer, who is well into his 70s, seemed nonplussed by the suggestion of legal sanctions, and likely gave the judge little choice: “I’m semi-retired," he said. "I want to be out of the law.” He apparently figured any complaint to the Arizona Bar challenging his ability to continue to practice law would have little impact, as he would be 76 or 77 by the time any disbarment decision would happen.

[EOP]

Going to Europe: More Choices--Lower Costs

There are a slew of airlines you might not ever have heard of that could save you 25% on flights to Europe or get you lie-flat seats for the cost of normal coach. Here are some such airlines to check out before booking your next flight: Play; Norse Atlantic Airways; Condor Airlines; French Bee; and Neos Air.

[EOP] 

Anatomy of a Scandal (Mini-Series on Netflix)

We gave Anatomy of a Scandal a positive review based on the first two episodes. Unfortunately, as the series continues, the story devolves and becomes unbelievable in several respects and actually boring and repetitive in other respects. Given that it's only 6 episodes, it can be finished at not an undue cost. Spoiler alert: It turns out to be a morality play, with strong allusions to the Bret Kavanaugh confirmation story although that was not a morality play or  at least not one that came out as one might have hoped.

[EOP] 

Life Expectancy, Repair, and Replacement of Washers and Dryers

One would think that a washer would last more than 13 years. Apparently not. Its electronics might fail in just 13 years. Then, to fix it, it would cost $650 to change the motherboard, and that's without any guarantee that the motherboard is the only problem. Of course, that model is no longer made, and new models will not fit on the existing pedestal. So, if you want a matching set, you've got to replace the washer and dryer even if the dryer is fine. Depending on your space, it also is important to be sure the measurements of your new appliances will fit. There is no standard height, width, or depth when it comes to these things.

[EOP]

Free Covid Test Kits and Extended Use-by Date of Existing Kits

Not that anyone needs them anymore because the pandemic is over, the White House has restarted a free Covid test program. Every household can get 4 test kits just by going to Covid.gov/tests to order them mailed to you. It takes under 18 seconds to fill out the needed name and address info. Before throwing out any test kits you currently have thinking they have expired because of the use-by date on the box, there's a good chance their actual use-by date has been extended, as explained here.

[EOP]

Quant ETF

The iMGP DBi Managed Futures ETF (along with other Quant ETFs) might be worth a look at as a way to deal with the market during times of tumult. As the S&P 500 and Dow are down double digits this year, this Quant is up 21%. Of course, past performance says nothing about future performance. We are NOT recommending it.  We don't know if they use leverage in any way or whether or not they are tax efficient in terms of how dividends or capital gains are treated. We are just bringing it your attention.

[EOP]

Primer on Strong First Wordle Words

I consider it cheating so I haven't read it and can't vouch for it or knock it, but this NYT article has an overview as to what makes for strong opening words in Wordle. I say adieu to the use of hints in Wordle (and in Spelling Bee), and have never used adieu as a first Wordle word.

[EOP]

The Unused Bradley Defense in Soccer

The shot clock in college basketball came about largely in response to how teams defended against Princeton when Bill Bradley was there. They would hold the ball, and have nothing happen, until very close to the end of the game and then try to win in the last couple of minutes. Unlike basketball where there is no shootout, the Bradley Defense Strategy (BDS) could work even better in soccer. If I were coaching a big underdog team up against France or Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, or the U.S. team against England or Netherlands, it's exactly the strategy I'd deploy with the hope of going to the shoot-out stage where the underdog's odds of winning rise dramatically.

[EOP] 

Why Does DOJ Crawl When It Knows How to Run?

As the WSJ reports, "the arrest of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried roughly a month after the swift collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange is among the fastest recent indictments in a financial blowup and comes as federal prosecutors look to speed white-collar prosecutions." Good for them! After all, it's important to get retribution, if not restitution which looks quite unlikely, when people lose money in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. But when a president goes on a studied course to stop the peaceful transfer of power, and after leaving office stashes away the highest classified confidential documents, after years of investigation, it still remains unclear whether DOJ will do anything. Shame on them! After all, it's not that important to get retribution, if not restoration of our democratic safety  rails, when the country is put at substantial risk by a fraudulent stop-the-steal and take-the-documents-and-run schemes.

[EOP]

My Confusion Over the Federal Same Sex Marriage Law

The federal same sex marriage law is heralded as protecting the right of two persons of the same sex to marry each other. While I applaud passage of the act, and its repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, what it seems to do is require all states to recognize the validity of same sex marriages if valid in the state where the marriage took place. But it does not seem to prevent, or say what happens, should the Supreme Court, led by Justices Thomas and Alito, overrule Obergefel and hold that there is no federal right to same sex marriage, but rather, it is (like abortion now) a right left to the states to honor or not. I hope and trust my confusion is a product of my ignorance.

[EOP]

The White Lotus (Mini Series on HBO and HBO Max)

I am told that The White Lotus, which I've never watched (reading Herodotus is much more entertaining and enlightening), has finally ended its latest iteration. Everyone is disappointed with the ending, but no one is shocked. It is said that some of the customs will be missed, but none of the people or their supposed issues that were at best mundanely presented. All that said, I'm sure another series of it will be coming.

[EOP] 

Getting to Know Gretchen Witmer

There are good reason that there is no strong support for any former Dem who has tried to get the presidential nomination or any Dem who currently holds a position in the executive branch. While recognizing you never know how someone will do on the national stage and their ability to develop an enthused following until they get on that stage, my choice at this point is Gretchen Whitmer. This NYT article is encouraging on that front by making clear she knows how to run a winning campaign. And getting to know a candidate is important in deciding whom to support.

[EOP]

Improvement at Cox's Reporting Outages

Cox seems to have improved its ability to detect outages without having to wait for an unspecified number of customers to schedule service appointments. Even if the outage notice does not appear on the Cox home webpage, check the Cox app where it just might appear. If not there, and you decide to call tech support, first ask if they see any outages that would prevent the scheduling of a service call. If they say "yes," you'll know there's a known outage.

[EOP]

One of the Best Cross-Examinations of All Time

Even if you're not a lawyer, but especially if you are, watch Episode 3 of the mini-series Anatomy of a Scandal to see one of great cross examinations ever done ... and a model for how to do cross  examinations (which, contrary to what is often seen, are not and should not be angry examinations).

[EOP] 

Kari Lake's Lawsuit

Kari Lake's complaint to toss out the election results has a 7 page summary of the case followed by 63 pages of "facts," law, claims, and requests for relief. My favorite thing about it is that Ms. Lake "verifies" the complaint "under penalty of perjury," i.e., under oath, stating that all the allegations are true of her "personal knowledge," except those stated on "information and belief" as to which I'm not sure there are any. It would be interesting to see what she would say if deposed about her personal knowledge that, as the complaint puts it, that "facts meticulously gathered show hundreds of thousands of illegal ballots infected the election in Maricopa County."

[EOP]

How Anti-Depressants Work

This NYT article provides an informative overview that the lay person can understand as to the science and efficacy of anti-depressants.

[EOP]

LIV Golf: I Just Could Be Wrong About Its Future and Certainly Was About Its Underpinning

This NYT article sets out the assumptions LIV Golf was predicated on. Besides getting a television contract, they also assumed, among other things, that they would get the 12 top golfers in the world and an illustrious board, and that their players would not be banned from the majors. So far, their players have not been barred from the majors. 

[EOP]

Slow Horses (2022 TV Series on Apple TV+)

Slow Horses does not appear to have anything to do with horses and slow apparently is a reference to the incompetence of the British intelligence agents at the center the story. Even if it's not clear what's happening at any point, if you watch the first episode, you likely will want to continue. While recommended by a loyal reader, they probably missed the raves The New Yorker has given to Mick Herron's writing ... and this series on based on his book, Dead Lions.

[EOP]

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022 Mini-Series on Netflix)

Anatomy of a Scandal is the story about a sexual consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake. The first episode certainly draws you in to at least watch the second episode. Even though they're British, the people portrayed are real people who say and do things that real people say and do. 

[EOP]

Testing Negative When Covid Hits a Family Home

This NYT article discusses the phenomenon where Covid seems to infect multiple people in a family home but some members, even with symptoms, continue to test negative even with PCR tests.

[EOP]

Sinema and the 2024 Election

Putting aside the complete piece of excrement that Sinema has revealed herself to be, and putting aside the serious problems the Dems have given that more than 20 Dem senate seats and only about 12 Rep seats will be contested, what happens in the 2024 Arizona senate seat election is anyone's guess. Sinema had a strong primary challenge coming from Reuben Gallegos and Greg Stanton both of whom are in the House now but I guess she won’t be in the Dem primary, and her plummeting approval ratings over the past several months likely told her should could not win in Dem primary. I don’t know how she wins the general election given the Dems loathing of her even before this final straw. Maybe it makes Gallegos or Stanton more likely to win given that Sinema and the Rep candidate will split the vote against him, or maybe, if there’s a strong Rep, it means the Rep wins, or maybe by then, she runs as a Rep. What a fine kettle of fish this has turned out to be.

PS: Given Sinema's statement that “[I] never fit perfectly in either national party,” the first question I would have asked her is whether she would have made the change if Walker had won the run-off in Georgia or Masters had beaten Kelly in Arizona.

[EOP]

PS re John McCain

Courtesy of  a loyal reader following up on a post yesterday re Brittany Griner and John McCain: "In 1982, McCain was running for a first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The primary was challenging, with several very prominent Republican members of the legislature also seeking the party's nomination. The main attack on McCain was that he was a carpetbagger, having moved recently to Arizona just to gain a congressional seat.  During a debate, one of the other candidates brought up the carpetbagger charge, and when asked to respond, McCain said this: 'I grew up in a military family and we moved around a lot.  As an adult, until recently, I have spent my life in the Navy.  The longest I have ever lived in one location was in Hanoi.'"

[EOP]

Brittany Griner and John McCain

I'm really glad Brittany Griner got released from Russian prison and returned home. At the same time, I remain even more in awe and inspired by John McCain.

[EOP] 

Do Masks Reduce Likelihood of Covid Infection?

When it comes to Covid, there are two reasons given for wearing masks: To protect the person wearing the mask from getting infected, and to decrease the likelihood of an infected person spreading the infection. Of course, as everyone now knows, hardly anyone cares about wearing a mask to protect others and hardly any facility cares about protecting people who enter it. So, the question remains, if no one else is wearing a mask, is a person better off risk-wise wearing a mask? This NYT article answers that question, and makes some additional points about masking.

[EOP] 

Criminal Referrals by the January 6 Committee: I Hope They Are Not Kidding

There are arguments on both sides as to whether or not the January 6 Committee should make criminal referrals of Trump to DOJ. If they do so, it feeds the argument that the investigation of Trump is political and partisan. If they do not do so, it feeds that argument, that even that Committee could not find sufficient illegal conduct to warrant a criminal referral. But the worst case scenario, which is now in the whisper mill, is that they do criminal referrals of various individuals (e.g., Giuliani, Eastman, etc.) but do not refer Trump. All that said, I am at a loss why the Committee has not been supplying DOJ with all the transcripts and documents it has been amassing in real-time so that, whatever DOJ might do, it will do so in some kind of timely fashion. Indeed, it's best course from the beginning would have been to do just that, and take the stance that, having given DOJ everything it knows, they will rely on DOJ's judgment as to whether or not to bring criminal chargers whose judgment they concede is as good as their judgment. That's what people looking to do the best thing might do. But these are politicians.

[EOP]

The Point of the Tax Fraud Case Against Trump Organization

If you wonder why the Trump Organization resisted any deal in the tax fraud case against it, or if you think losing the case is a huge deal for it, or if you wonder why the case was even brought, this NYT article explains it all.

[EOP]

Do Eye Creams Work to Reduce Wrinkles

I have a confession to make: Instead of shamelessly thanking people for complimenting me on my lack of wrinkles around my eyes, I should have acknowledged sooner that the compliments would more properly be directed to the eye cream I use. A conflict of interest prohibits me from disclosing that product's name, but what I can say (and the NYT backs me up on this) is: Be careful what products you choose because some can be harmful, a regular facial moisturizer might be just as good, and staying out of the sun is the best course of all.

[EOP]

Major Pro Sports Salaries

In most professions, including law, medicine, movies and theatre, tech, and on and on, even for the most accomplished, most gifted, most sought after, and most likely to produce results for years into the future, the at-will or per-job contract is the norm. But when it comes to major pro sports, a 31 year-old player will be given a 9-year $360M contract even though the likelihood of their producing anything significant in the later years is pretty low. I am not criticizing the players ... I'm commending them. And I certainly understand that, as Jerry Seinfeld put it, "I'd rather be a comedian than a sports star because they get to play their sports for only a short time and I can be a comedian for decades." But, as Nadia Comaneci said, "Jerry Seinfeld, you are no comedian." 

[EOP]

The Georgia Senate Run-Off Election

There is great glee among Democrats to have won the senate runoff  election in Georgia. It's a big deal in terms of what it means, among other pluses, for committee structures and diminishing the leverage enjoyed by Sinema and Manchin. But the euphoria, including some Dems suggestion to move Georgia to the head of the primary elections because Georgia "looks like America," seems a bit askew. As one loyal reader pointed out, "In an election (Georgia). where more than 3.5 million votes were cast, how does one explain the fact that one of the least qualified candidates in the history of American elections received almost one-half of them." And to say "least qualified" is a mild way to put it for a candidate who thought he was running for a House seat instead of a Senate seat, and certainly belongs in the HOF for Morally Challenged Politicians (and it takes a lot to get into that HOF as several loyal readers will attest).

[EOP]

SingleCare (Lowering Prescription Drug Cost)

Given that SingleCare.com is advertised on TV, you'd think (and I thought) it's not worth anything or, worse, a scam. Turns out, as my Medicare consultant explained, it can be worth a lot of money even if you also have a drug plan (e.g., Medicare Plan D) and it's free. Just enroll, put in your meds, print the coupons or store them on the app in your text or email file, show them to your pharmacist, and you just might be saving hundreds of dollars per year. I'm not kidding. The app is a bit clunky (the "save"  button is not obvious---it's one of the icons at the top of the page), but there's email and telephone support. 

PS Note to Cox.net users: If you have a gmail address, better to use it when you sign up. If not, be sure to add info@t.singlecare.com to your safe sender list.

[EOP]

Channeling Roman Hruska

The following is courtesy of a loyal reader: "Then: Sen. Roman Hruska (R-Neb), referring to Supreme Court nominee Harold Carswell: "Even if he [Carswell] were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they? Now: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urges Georgia to pick Herschel Walker instead of 'High IQ' people."

[EOP]

Dead to Me (Season 3 on Netflix)

As the Season 3 episodes proceed, Dead to Me becomes more difficult to continue watching. The plot, to the extent it is understandable, is boring, and the brother's continued appearances are annoying. The leads are wonderful, but are becoming less so as they become increasingly self-absorbed, and the supporting characters are uninteresting at best.

[EOP]

What Are the Limits on the Right to Refuse to Provide Services Based on Asserted First Amendment/Religious Grounds

The Supreme Court heard oral argument on a case where a web designer (Smith) has refused to provide services to same-sex marriage couples on the grounds that her religious beliefs opposed same-sex marriage. As her lawyers argued to the Court: "[S]mith will decline any request — no matter who makes it — to create content that contradicts the truths of the Bible, demeans or disparages someone, promotes atheism or gambling, endorses the taking of unborn life, incites violence, or promotes a concept of marriage that is not solely the union of one man and one woman.” There was a time, until it was threatened with losing its tax status, that the Mormon Church's reading of the bible (the mark of Cain) excluded Blacks from being in the priesthood. What if Smith's (or someone else's) reading of the Bible told them that interracial marriages were sacrilegious? What if Smith's (or someone else's) reading of scripture told them that second marriages of Jews who had not gotten a gett or of Catholics who had not annulled their first marriage was unholy? I have no doubt how the Supreme Court will rule in the Smith case. I just don't get it.

[EOP]

I-Bonds Can Now Be Held in and Transferred From Treasury Direct to Your Bank, Broker, or Dealer

According to the TreasuryDirect website, you can now buy and hold I-bonds with your bank, broker, or dealer, and you can transfer the I-bonds you own from the TD website to your bank, broker, or dealer. I haven't tried it yet, but here's what the TD website says, and I'm going to as soon as I get the required info:

[EOP]

Time to Start Gorging on Grapes

As reported, eating 60 grapes a day can help stop people from getting sunburn and reduce the likelihood of skin cancer. The study upon which this finding is based does not appear to address whether drinking enough wine to equal eating 60 grapes has the same salutary effect.

[EOP]

A Few Possible Ways to Save on Home Insurance

1. Raise the deductible.

2. Consider changing insurers--some companies give discounts to new customers who change their insurers. Note: Likely the new company will do a credit hit.

3. Check with your insurer that your are getting all the discounts you qualify or might qualify for (e.g., some companies give seniors discounts because they stay at home more; paying premiums semi-annually instead of monthly might produce a discount; installation of water sensors; home monitoring system).

4. If your home and auto policies are not bundled, consider bundling them with one insurer.

5. Eliminate the "other structures" bucket from your policy.

[EOP]

Real ID Compliance Postponed Again

If there's one thing that really frosts me it's DHS delaying REAL ID compliance. Well, as explained here, they've done it again. So our hope for thinning TSA waiting lines because a lot of people won't get it has been dimmed yet again. As if we didn't have enough to put up with. I would be surprised if the Republicans don't make this a big issue in 2024.

[EOP]

My Favorite Episode of Wheel of Fortune

 

[EOP]

The Noel Diary (2022 Movie on Netlfix)

The Noel Diary is touted by the NYT as this year's most watchable and embraceable holiday romance. Why there continue to be new movies made in this genre is a complete mystery to me. If anyone remembers the ridiculousness of how interracial issues were handled in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, they will be equally stunned that the NYT apparently thinks the "tug of interracial connections" is even an issue in this movie. The good news: It's only 1.5 hours and if you give up at the 1h mark, you will have not missed anything you didn't think would happen, because it happens. Concededly, it does deal, albeit obliquely, with the issue of hoarding, that is a theme and issue film makers have tended to ignore.

[EOP]

Donations to Colleges and Universities

Given that educating people is a good thing, donations to schools are understandable. Given those schools unwillingness and inability to take any significant steps to reduce the outrageous cost of attendance, and their historic legacy and elitist and discriminatory admissions policies that have served to perpetuate the hegemony of the privileged few, it also is understandable why one might prefer to direct their  eleemosynary largesse to other places (e.g., given that Harvard could go tuition free with the interest on the interest of their endowment, helping it keep its tuition at $60K might not be seen by everyone as the worthiest of causes). But what is not understandable, as reported in the Arizona Republic, is a family's giving of millions of dollars to ASU's football program. I leave the rant there other than to say that the resources spent on collegiate football (and no, those programs aren't really profitable) are a glaring example of the inverted values that have infused our country. At least the schools could be honest to say: Our mission is to educate some students and serve as a minor league feeder for a few kids to make it into the NFL as our alumni cheer mindlessly for players who in large part really don't attend academic  classes anyhow.

[EOP]

Why American Men's National Soccer Team Is Not Better Than It Is

The American men's national soccer team has provided us with thrills in the pool stage at the World Cup and add to them and impressed us with their spirit and drive in the first knock-out round. But the question remains why, even if not dominant, they are not at the same level as the European and South American power house national teams. The answer is pretty simple: Those power houses attract, through huge salaries and prestige, the best athletes in the country who aspire from an early age to be a star. Not so for the United States. Putting aside basketball which has rare and unique body requirements, the best athletes in America aspire to be baseball or football players, which is where the money and prestige are. Maybe a couple become world goat-level tennis players (although not so much for the past decades) or world goat-level golfers (although even Tiger Woods likely does not have the athletic abilities called for in baseball and football and there are very few pro golfers with the physique of a Brooks Koepka). But as they say, a couple do not a dozen make.

PS: One other thing: Americans tend to prefer sports where the players get to use their arms and hands and there is a lot of scoring.

[EOP]

The Reagorization of the Arizona Republic

When a bunch of  lawyers formed a city softball team back in the late 1970s, the smartest one (who ultimately became an Arizona Supreme Court justice and later a 9th Circuit judge) became the pitcher. Unlike the guy who started at second base--the position he had played since little league, this smart guy realized he could stay in that position no matter how decrepit he got, unlike the second baseman who ultimately got demoted and moved to catcher. Catherine Reagor got the housing column in the Arizona Republic decades ago. Just like our pitcher, all she had to do was keep throwing the same pitch, or in her case writing the same story over and over and over--aka mailing it in, and she had a job for life that took little effort. Unfortunately, Reagorization seems to be spreading at the Arizona Republic, and we shall not mention names or areas they cover, but daily readers now are skipping other columnists who seem to have little if anything fresh to say just as they long ago started skipping Catherine Reagor's columns.

[EOP] 

The Masking Soliloquy From The New Yorker: To Mask or Not to Mask

 [EOP]

Reasons for Optimism on the Inflation Front

[Prefatory Note: Not that anyone should take what follows with anything but a grain of salt, it does put to rest the shibboleth than I am a perma-bear]

Most of the inflation that has gripped this country is the result of distortions and disruptions caused by the pandemic and the reaction to the pandemic. Specifically: trillions of dollars of cash was poured into people's pockets (including into the pockets of people who had no need for it and including a third tranche that was unneeded, uncalled for, and unwise); interest rates were slashed to zero fueling soaring prices and activity in the housing market; and supply chains were crushed. More recently, companies went on a hiring binge and wages increased somewhat, but that actually always was and remains relatively minor contributors to inflation. On the big factors, consumers have pretty well burned through the cash infusions they got, the housing market has been curbed since mortgage rates have doubled to over 7%, and, with some hiccups because of China's zero-Covid policy, supply chains are rapidly clearing up. So, to the extent that the 2024 elections will be economy/inflation driven as will the stock market, the Democrats and  the market bulls might have reason for optimism. Keep an eye to see if there's a rebound on the inversion in the yield curve which just hit a record.

PS: Everyone who reads this blog knows that the NYT and other media not only monitor published posts, they have the technology to monitor posts while I am typing them and even before they are published. As it turns out, so do the financial markets. Lest anyone doubt that, just look at happened with interest rates, and the 20+ bip drop in the 10Y, in the bond market yesterday. As I wrote before seeing what happened today, keep an eye on the yield curve.

PPS: The one wrinkle I have not addressed and have difficulty assessing is service-cost inflation as opposed to goods-cost inflation.  I don't know enough to do so, but Chairperson Powell seems to have that on his radar.

[EOP]

PS re Post on Victories Being Our Worst Teachers

After seeing yesterday's post on the Hobbs-team post-mortem on the election--highlighting why one often learns nothing or learns the wrong lessons from one's victories, a loyal reader brought the following to our attention: "Bill Russell, then a player-coach of the Boston Celtics, said this: 'I never talk to my team after a loss. They know what they did wrong. I only talk to them after a win.'"

[EOP]