October 31, 2021

US Supreme Court Live Audio of Texas Abortion Case.

It looks like oral argument before the US Supreme Court on the Texas Abortion law will be held tomorrow. Oral arguments are now broadcast live. I believe that this is a link to the page where you can listen to the arguments:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/live.aspx

Tomorrow at 10:00AM. The two Texas cases are the only ones on the docket. The DOJ case is listed second.

This is a link to a very good article explaining some of the very complicated procedural issues in the two cases that will be discussed at the hearing tomorrow:

https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/10/supreme-court-set-to-hear-arguments-in-two-challenges-to-texas-law-that-bans-most-abortions/

PS: scotusblog is where lawyers go to find out what is going on at the US Supreme Court.

October 31, 2021

Al Franken for New York Senate?

Since moving to the Upper West Side in New York earlier this year, AL FRANKEN has been sounding out confidantes about primarying his nemesis Sen. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-N.Y.) in 2024, multiple sources tell Playbook.

The former Senator from Minnesota fueled speculation when he told the New York Times a month ago, “I am keeping my options open,” when asked about running for Senate in New York.

But according to his spokesperson, those options do not include taking on Gillibrand.

Franken declined to comment by phone when we asked about his interest in primarying Gillibrand. He referred us to his spokeswoman, ALEXANDRA FETISSOFF, who said “he has no intention of running for Senate.”

https://www.politico.com/playbook

October 31, 2021

World's Most Expensive Home Listed for 547 million!

https://nypost.com/2021/10/28/italian-villa-with-worlds-only-caravaggio-mural-on-sale-for-547m/

It's not about the home. It's all about the painting!

October 30, 2021

Why Aren't More People Comparison Shopping For Health Plans?

Why Aren’t More People Comparison Shopping for Health Plans?
Most Medicare beneficiaries don’t compare plans during open enrollment season, and may be paying more, or accepting more restrictions, than they should.

Image
Eunice Korsah, a retired nurse in Burke, Va., learned her yearly drugs and premiums would be $301 a year if she used a CVS or Giant pharmacy, but $1,125 if she took the same prescriptions to a Walmart.
Eunice Korsah, a retired nurse in Burke, Va., learned her yearly drugs and premiums would be $301 a year if she used a CVS or Giant pharmacy, but $1,125 if she took the same prescriptions to a Walmart. Credit...Kenny Holston for The New York Times
By Paula Span
Oct. 30, 2021, 5:00 a.m. ET
One morning last month, Eunice Korsah, a retired nurse in Burke, Va., spent about half an hour on the phone being guided through the complexities of various plans for Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs.

Her current drug plan was being discontinued and the insurer wanted to move her into one with sharply higher premiums. “I decided, ‘No way,’” she said. But what to replace it with? She looked at the Medicare website for Part D plans available in Fairfax County and found 23, with monthly premiums ranging from $7.10 to $97.30. “There are so many choices, so I wanted someone to clarify them for me,” she said.

Jack Hoadley, a health policy researcher at Georgetown University, was on the other end of the call with Ms. Korsah. He has for two years volunteered with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, the federally funded, free counseling service that helps Medicare beneficiaries find the coverage that’s best for them.

“Some very smart people just don’t know how Medicare works and get confused,” Dr. Hoadley said. For example, “it can make a $1,000-a-year difference if you’re willing to try several different pharmacies.”

Why Aren’t More People Comparison Shopping for Health Plans? https://nyti.ms/2Y4QSSY

There are SHIP programs available in every state:

https://www.shiphelp.org/

October 30, 2021

Fight Song Medley - Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society

On the eve of every Yale-Harvard football game their respective glee clubs perform in a public concert. This video is from the last concert in 2019.

October 30, 2021

Wesleyan 14-0 over Amherst at the half!

A totally indulgent post. Wesleyan is undefeated in the Little Ivy League (An accumulation of what used to be small men's colleges in the northeast, founded in n the 18th and 19th centuries). Wesleyan is undefeated this year (a very rare occurrence). We usually don't have much connection to our alma maters except for following football and success in athletics is pretty rare at Wesleyan. I can't help but boast. Roll Cardinals!

October 29, 2021

Joanne - Michael Nesmith

October 29, 2021

Omar Williams appointed as a federal judge!

OMG! Omar used to be a public defender in New Haven. About seven years ago he was appointed to be a state court judge. Now he is one of President Biden's most recent nominees to be a Federal Court Judge and just confirmed by the Senate yesterday.
I still just think of him as a nice kid. Just another thing to make me feel old.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-nagala-williams-senate-us-judges-20211028-20211028-nssp4odme5ho5aqlk2ezriaf7i-story.html

Joe is appointing a fair number of people with public defender backgrounds to be judges. That's unusual.

October 29, 2021

Alone Again - Gilbert O'Sullivan

October 26, 2021

Just Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke

Michael Brown was 16 when he wrote this song. The girl he had a crush on was named Renee Fladen.