David [Sloan Wilson] and the [Dalai] Lama's Den

David Sloan Wilson, Distinguished Professor of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University, State University New York, was one of the most influential professors I met as a grad student going for my PhD in System Science (1996). 

David has an annual “Darwin’s birthday” event at his home that my wife and I attended. He gave me the plastic "Darwin Fish" that occupies an honored place on the bookcase in our master bedroom (see photo - it is like a “Jesus Fish” but with feet and the word “Darwin” on it).

[Updated] DOJ IG Reports vs James Comey's "Higher Loyalty"

[Update 17 December 2019] By a fortunate accident, I was scheduled to speak about this topic at The Villages S.K.I.L.L. Club (CIA Retirees) on 12 December 2019 so I updated the talk I presented on 4 October 2019 at The Villages Philosophy Club with the new material.

[UPDATE: 9 December 2019] The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ IG) has just released a redacted, unclassified version of the third IG Report related to the 2016 FBI Investigation of the Trump Campaign.  CLICK HERE to read the USA Today account of the latest IG Report.

Economic making of an old, white male !

[FROM BILL LIFKA - Lightly edited and published based on Bill's prior blanket approval. Bill is about nine years my senior. I too was trained to appreciate real productive labor, helping my dad with woodworking, plumbing and electrical work. I credit my several summers selling ice cream on the beach in Brooklyn, carrying dry ice coolers on my shoulders and shouting, "Hey! Ice Cream Here! Good Humor Ice Cream and Orange Drink!" with helping me develop a strong speaking voice. My final two summers of college were spent gaining incredibly valuable knowledge working as a technical writer.  Ira Glickstein]

TO MY ADULT GRANDCHILDREN

This is another tale of how I became an old, white male and, therefore, became hated by political leftists. In this story, I recall how business experiences, starting at age 9, shaped my adult economic views. It’s likely that other old, white men had similar experiences.  !

Political making of an old, white male !

[FROM BILL LIFKA - Lightly edited and published based on Bill's prior blanket approval. Bill is about nine years my senior. I too was born into a family that voted solid Democrat. FDR's photo hung with honor in my grandparent's kitchen. My Dad (but not my Mom) voted for Eisenhower, probably the first in my childhood family to make the switch. Ira Glickstein]

To my (adult) grandchildren:                                                        

Political making of an old, white male ! I’ll preface my forthcoming letters on the 2020 election with a few tales of how I became an old, white male, an identity hated by Democrats. Ironically, once I was young and a Democrat.

To See Ourselves as Others See Us (Part 6)

This posting is based on a talk I gave to The Villages Philosophy Club on 19 July 2019, plus supporting stuff from my Blogs and other sources.

PART 6 -  ACTIVE RETIREMENT IN THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA

RETIREMENT IN THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA

Vi and I have made many momentous decisions while raising our children and in our professional lives. Nearly all of them turned out very good, as if someone was watching over us and nudging us in the "right" direction.

In 2003, a couple years after retirement, we sold our home in Apalachin, NY and moved to The Villages, Florida. This turned out to be exactly the right thing to do at that time.

The Villages is known as "America's Favorite Retirement Home Town". There must be something in the water or the air, because, like almost all of our neighbors, we can't help saying "It's a beautiful day in The Villages" every chance we get. The photo montage below depicts our active retirement.

To See Ourselves as Others See Us (Part 5)

This posting is based on a talk I gave to The Villages Philosophy Club on 19 July 2019. plus supporting stuff from my Blogs and other sources.

PART 5 -  OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN NEW YORK AND  FLORIDA

CYCLING
As a kid in Brooklyn, I did lots of bicycling, most if it in traffic. Our motto was "In Brooklyn, cars gotta' look out for themselves!" 

As a child, my Dad taught me to ride on a bike we rented. He, my Mom, and I would occasionally go out riding on rental bikes. We lived in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, NY and sometimes rode along the Boardwalk between Brighton Beach and Coney Island (allowed early on Sunday mornings when there were few people). Other times, we rode to Sheepshead Bay and along a bike trail to Canarsie. 

The First Bike I Owned (1956)

In 1956, when I was in high school, my Uncle Harry, who worked at Macy's, arranged the purchase of a Raleigh "English Racer". We took it home on the subway because my Dad didn't have a car. 

To See Ourselves as Others See Us (Part 4)

This posting is based on a talk I gave to The Villages Philosophy Club on 19 July 2019. plus supporting stuff from my Blogs and other sources.

PART 4 - APPLE II AND IBM PC ROCK OUR WORLD

OUR APPLE II HOME COMPUTER

In 1978, I had been working for IBM Federal Systems for 13 years when an advertisement from a startup computer company appeared. It literally changed our world!

My wife and I paid almost $5,000 for this Apple II and two disk drives (the equivalent of around $20,000 in today's dollars). That purchase has paid off many times over!