Taking a called third strike
My hometown minor league baseball team, the Fort Wayne TinCaps, has a bad habit of taking called third strikes. For the baseball agnostics out there, this means the batter doesn’t swing at a pitch and strikes out by doing nothing. It is extremely frustrating to the fans in the stands. I can only guess the reaction of the coaching staff.
Lugar (and Morris) converted swords to ploughshares
INDIANAPOLIS — Covering the 1996 presidential campaign of Indiana U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar, I found him in a Drake University classroom a few days before the Iowa caucuses talking with students. As I prepared to enter, a couple of national reporters were exiting, shaking their heads.
Hoosier mayoral advice for Kamala Harris
CHICAGO — Until last November, Indiana was home to just one Black female mayor, Gary’s Karen Freeman-Wilson, who served two terms before she was defeated in 2019.
Retiree Asks About His Social Security
Dear Rusty: I retired with a (gross) $4600 per month Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuity from the US Postal Service in December 2022. I am 66 and will attain full retirement age in November of this year. I know at that point I will not be subject to the “earnings” test, but I will be affected by the dreaded “government offset.” I HAVE earned enough quarters and will be eligible for a small social security benefit. First question: will my Social Security benefit just be reduced, or will it be eliminated? Second: will it make a difference if I apply in November or when I turn 70? I am currently working part-time and paying Social Security FICA taxes. Third: if my SS is being eliminated, do I even have to apply? Fourth and last: I am married, filing jointly and my wife is currently receiving SS benefits (only). Could I also be affected by the “windfall” provision if my wife predeceased me?
Is it Patriarchy or Tyranny?
Editor:
Does some of my Social Security include repayment of my contributions?
Dear Rusty:I have a question about my Social Security benefits. Would I be correct to assume that part of the monthly Social Security income I get is a repayment of what I contributed to the fund while I was working? If so, how much of my monthly benefit payment is my own money coming back to me? Signed: Curious Beneficiary
Pearls of wisdom from Hoosier governors as cataclysm nears
INDIANAPOLIS - Listening to four “living” governors at the Indiana State Fair Foundation’s Harvest Dinner brought to mind the only true farmer to serve in the state’s highest elected office.
Reaganism Without Reagan
Each month a handful or two of conservative friends gather to discuss a predetermined topic chosen the previous month. We have the conceit of calling our group Socratic but I suspect Socrates would not grade us favorably should he chance onto one of our meetings.
