#Business brokers Washington

[ctadvise]

CTA sells the business in a significant event and typically involves a primary asset; it must remain confidential and be done right. The business owners are not only looking to maximize exit value at acceptable terms but also have concerns about the future of the company as it pertains to employees, customers, and vendors. CTA associates are highly knowledgeable in multiple industries and well versed in the process for a factor that qualified buyers expect to be presented in an analysis of a specific company or industry. https://www.ctadvise.com/

[ctabusinessbrokers]

CTAdvise: Your Trusted Business Brokers for Small Businesses in Washington

04/05/2024, Kirkland, WA- CTAdvise, a distinguished strategic consulting firm, is pleased to announce its dedicated business brokerage services tailored to small businesses in Washington State. With a focus on facilitating seamless business sales and acquisitions, CTA Business Brokers is committed to providing exceptional support to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the region.

Operating as seasoned business brokers, CTAdvise is primed to serve small businesses in key cities such as Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver. Understanding the unique challenges faced by small enterprises, we offer personalized solutions crafted to meet the individual needs of each client.

"Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, and our mission is to empower them with the guidance and resources they need to thrive," remarked the CEO of CT Advise. "Drawing upon our extensive experience in strategic consulting and transaction advisory, we are well-equipped to assist small business owners in navigating the intricacies of selling a business."

CTA Business Brokers' comprehensive suite of brokerage services encompasses business valuation, market analysis, targeted marketing, seller representation, negotiation facilitation, and transaction oversight. Leveraging its industry expertise and vast network of sellers, we ensure that clients achieve optimal value and seamless transactions.

"We are excited to extend our support to small businesses across Washington State," added the CEO. "Whether you're looking to sell your business in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, or Vancouver, or seeking opportunities for business acquisition, CTA Business Brokers is your trusted partner every step of the way."

For small business owners in Washington State seeking to sell a business, we at CTA Business Brokers offer a reliable ally with a proven track record of success. With a personalized approach and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, CTA Business Brokers emerges as the region's premier choice for business brokerage services.

Choosing the right mergers & acquisitions – a business brokerage advisor is important in your transition journey. Feel free to call (425) 658-0454 to confidentially discuss your company and transition goals we would welcome the opportunity to learn more and see how we can assist.

About CTA:

CTA Business Brokers is a leading Pacific Northwest mergers & acquisitions – business brokerage firm with the market knowledge, expertise, and transaction experience to effectively process and guide your business sale. We are experts in business valuation, locating qualified buyers, and guiding the process through due diligence. Straight talk, seasoned professionals, with expected results, is a motto and what you can expect when you associate with our firm. Our vast knowledge across a wide spectrum of industries is an asset and we are knowledgeable on how to present specific business models in most industries.

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CTA Business Brokers

Website: https://www.ctadvise.com/ 

Tel: +1 (425) 658-0454

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Address: 11335 NE 122nd Way, Suite 105, Kirkland, WA 98034, United States 

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[fdelopera]

America owes its independence to Haym Salomon, a Sephardic Jewish Patriot

A Jewish American Hero

by Yosef Kaufmann

October 17, 1781. An eerie silence takes hold over the battlefield outside Yorktown, Virginia. After weeks of non-stop artillery shells and rifle fire, the rhythmic pounding of a drum is all that is heard. Through the wispy smoke that floats above the battlefield, a British officer can be seen waving a white flag. General Cornwallis has surrendered Yorktown, ending the last major battle of the American Revolution. The surrender of Yorktown and the nearly 8,000 British troops convinced the British Parliament to start negotiating an end to the war. On September 3, 1783, the treaty of Paris was signed. The war was over.

If not for Haym Salomon, however, the decisive victory at Yorktown never would have happened.

Haym Salomon was born in Leszno, Poland, in 1740. In 1770, he was forced to leave Poland for London as a result of the Partition of Poland. Five years later, he left London for New York City, where he quickly established himself as a broker for international merchants.

Sympathetic to the Patriot cause, Haym joined the New York branch of the Sons of Liberty, a secret society that did what it could to undermine British interests in the colonies. In 1776, he was arrested by the British and charged with being a spy. He was pardoned on condition that he spend 18 months on a British ship serving as a translator for the Hessian mercenaries, as he was fluent in Polish, French, German, Russian, Spanish and Italian. During those 18 months, Haym used his position to help countless American prisoners escape. He also convinced many Hessian soldiers to abandon the British and join the American forces.

In 1778, he was arrested again and sentenced to death for his involvement in a plot to burn the British Royal fleet in the New York Harbour. He was sent to Provost to await execution, but he managed to bribe a guard and escape under the cover of darkness.

He fled New York, which was under the control of the British army, and moved to Philadelphia, the capital of the Revolution.

He borrowed money and started a business as a dealer of bills of exchange. His office was located near a coffee house frequented by the command of the American forces. He also became the agent to the French consul and the paymaster for the French forces in North America. Here he became friendly with Robert Morris, the newly appointed Superintendent of Finance for the 13 colonies. Records show that between 1781 and 1784, through both fundraising and personal loans, he was responsible for financing George Washington over $650,000, today worth approximately over $13 million.

By 1781, the American congress was practically broke. The huge cost of financing the war effort had taken its toll. In September of that year, George Washington decided to march on Yorktown to engage General Cornwallis. A huge French fleet was on its way from the West Indies under the command of Comte De Grasse. The fleet would only be able to stay until late October, so Washington was facing immense pressure to lead an attack on Yorktown before then.

After marching through Pennsylvania, with little in the way of food and supplies, Washington���s troops were on the verge of mutiny. They demanded a full month's pay in coins, not congressional paper money which was virtually worthless, or they would not continue their march. Washington wrote to Robert Morris saying he would need $20,000 to finance the campaign. Morris responded that there was simply no money or even credit left. Washington simply wrote, “Send for Haym Salomon.” Within days, Haym Salomon had raised the $20,000 needed for what proved to be the decisive victory of the Revolution.

Haym’s chessed continued after the war. Whenever he met someone who he felt had sacrificed during the war and needed financial assistance, he didn’t hesitate to do whatever he could to help.

He was also heavily involved in the Jewish community. He was a member of Congregation Mikveh Yisroel in Philadelphia, the fourth oldest synagogue in America, and he was responsible for the majority of the funds used to build the shul’s main building.

He also served as the treasurer to the Society for the Relief of Destitute Strangers, the first Jewish charitable organization in Philadelphia.

On January 8, 1785, Haym died suddenly at the age of 44. Due to the fact the government owed him hundreds of thousands of dollars, his family was left penniless.

His obituary in the Independent Gazetteer read:

Thursday, last, expired, after a lingering illness, Mr. Haym Salomon, an eminent broker of this city, was a native of Poland, and of the Hebrew nation. He was remarkable for his skill and integrity in his profession, and for his generous and humane deportment. His remains were yesterday deposited in the burial ground of the synagogue of this city.

Although there is little proof, many believe that when designing the American Great Seal, George Washington asked Salomon what he wanted as compensation for his generosity during the war. Salomon responded “I want nothing for myself, rather something for my people.” It is for this reason that the 13 stars are arranged in the shape of the Star of David.

[sjsmith56]

Unfinished Business - A Private Man, Chapter 26

Summary: Tracey and Janice go missing, leaving Bucky to call in some extra help to find them.

Length: 5.9 K

Characters: Bucky, Tracey, Janice, Rhodes, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Tracey’s dad, Tracey’s former neighbour.

Warnings: Profane language, violence causing injury, racist and misogynist insults.

Author notes: Tying up a loose end with Janice’s ex and Tracey’s former neighbour getting their just dessert. Divider by vecteezy.com.

<<Chapter 25

That final week of 2024 was the week Bucky put his official notice in at the docks.  He never betrayed Rick's revelations to him about the future of the jobs at the docks.  Having worked for the man for a year and a half he had faith that the manager would make sure everyone there was given an opportunity to continue on where they were needed.  Matt Murdock came out to the docks on Monday, December 30th, had lunch with Bucky, and agreed to represent John Walker, promising to make sure the man was given every chance to redeem himself.  Bucky took the opportunity to ask if Matt was interested in becoming one of the Avengers.  A smile creased the lawyer's face before he shook his head.

"No, I think I do better dealing with issues on my own," he replied.  "I work too much outside of the law when I'm dealing with some of the lowlifes I've had to take on.  If you ever need me to have your back though, just call."

"My offer to treat your injuries still stands," said Bucky.  "Witch hazel is great for bruises and inflammation, especially if you wrap a cloth soaked in it around the injury.  That's free advice."

"I'll remember that," smiled Matt, then he put his hand out.  "It's been a pleasure helping you.�� You're a good man."

"So are you," replied the super soldier.  "I'm leaving the docks, now that the Avengers are going ahead.  Tomorrow, January 2nd and 3rd are my final days.  You still have my number?"

"Yeah," replied the lawyer, standing up.  "I do."  He leaned down and spoke to Bucky in a voice that was low enough that only he could hear it.  "The Power Broker.  Is she on your radar?"

"She might be if she gets out of line," he replied.  "Why?"

"She provided some crucial information that was passed on to Colonel Rhodes, but it came with the proviso that the Avengers stay out of her business.  I think he agreed to her terms.  I'm not an Avenger and if she ever sets her sights on my beat, I won't ignore it."

Bucky smiled and nodded.  "No, you're not an Avenger.  She doesn't know about you.  Be careful around her.  She was on the good side once and knows how to exploit that."

With a nod Matt stood up, unfurled his white cane and left the café. Bucky finished his lunch, paid the tab, and headed back to finish out the day.  While he was finishing some paperwork, he received a text message from Tracey.

T: Just heard from my mom.  My dad signed the divorce papers.  She can sign them this afternoon at the lawyers.  Their house has sold.  She's finally free.

B: Good to hear.  What a good way to end the year.

T: She also let slip she's going out New Year's Eve with Rhodey to some Washington party.  Said not to expect her home until the 2nd of January.

Bucky remembered the talk with Rhodes about his intentions on Christmas Day.  Something told him that Janice was the one determining how their relationship progressed, which was fine by him. 

B: He's a good man.  I'm sure he'll use protection. 😉

There was no response for a time, and he wondered if he had stepped over a line, until he got her reply. 

T:  I better have the talk with her, just in case. 😜

He laughed out loud when he saw it, loving Tracey just that much more.  He sent her a kissing emoji as his reply and got back to his paperwork.  By the time he got out of there the weather had turned nasty.  Running a little faster he arrived home a little earlier but was surprised to see Amina still around but neither Tracey nor Janice was there.

"Oh, Mr. Bucky, you're home," she said anxiously.  "Mrs. Janice called to say she had car trouble.  Mrs. Tracey went to get her but that was an hour ago.  Neither one has called, and they don't answer their phones.  I didn't want to leave Mrs. Rebecca on her own but I'm sorry I have to get home to my children."

"Did Mrs. Janice say what kind of trouble?" he asked.

"No, but I don't think it was anything bad," said Amina.  She looked out the window.  "Perhaps it has to do with the weather.  Mrs. Tracey didn't think it would take her long to get her mother."

"Okay, you go ahead and go home," he said.  "I can call you a taxi, if you want.  I don't mind paying."

Amina agreed and a taxi arrived within ten minutes, which considering the weather was fast.  After he gave the driver enough to pay for her taxi Bucky began to wonder if something else had happened.  He phoned both Tracey and Janice, with neither answering their phones.  He called Janice's lawyer and learned she had signed the divorce papers that afternoon and was planning to drive home right after. 

Rebecca, who had been napping when Bucky arrived home woke up and came out of her bedroom.  She could tell immediately that he was worried.

"Why don't I go next door?" she suggested.  "I can stay with Tom and his wife while you go look for them."

"Okay, let me call him," said Bucky.  "Something's not right.  I can feel it."

After helping her over to the neighbour's house Bucky called Chris Brandon, the officer he had dealt with several times.  He explained what was going on and asked if there was any way he could help him find his wife and mother-in-law.

"Officially, no," he replied.  "Someone has to be missing for a full day before we become involved.  But as one law enforcement officer to another I can maybe get a trace going on their cellphones and see if we can locate them.  Are you giving me permission to trace their numbers?"

"Yes," agreed Bucky, giving him both phone numbers. 

It was about ten minutes later when Brandon phoned back.  "Both phones have been traced to a location in an industrial area.  I've already sent a unit over there just to see but it's going to take them some time to get there because of the weather.  I would like to give you the location of the phones, but you can't just go in there guns blazing."

"What aren't you telling me?" demanded Bucky.  "Please, Chris, Tracey is pregnant and if anything happens to her, I'll be a lot harder to deal with."

"Walter Steinhauer, the man who stalked her, was released on bail Friday," said Brandon.  "His cell mate at the Metropolitan Detention Center who paid the $100,000 bail, was Martin Harris, your wife's father.  He got out last month.  I understand your mother-in-law was divorcing him."

"He supposedly signed the papers this morning," said Bucky.  "Janice signed at her lawyer's office this afternoon.  If the women's phones are at the same location, they must be together but why are they in an industrial location?  It doesn't make sense.  Look, I don't kill anymore, Chris, but I can't sit by and let either of those men hurt these women if they're involved.  I'll call a friend for backup and if those men are holding them, they will be alive when you arrive to take them into custody, I promise."

There was a long pause before the police officer answered and gave Bucky the address of the warehouse.  Immediately Bucky hung up and dialled Matt Murdock, giving him the address and the details. 

"Matt, the men have to be left alive," said Bucky.  "I promised.  But I need you to back me up in case one of them tries to hurt either Tracey or Janice."

"I will," said Matt.  "I can be there in 20 minutes."

"Okay," said Bucky, "I'll meet you there."

Quickly, Bucky changed his clothes, putting his gear on, and bringing a couple of knives with him.  Then he began running towards the industrial area where the warehouse was.  He went his top speed, not wanting to waste any time getting there.  Right away he saw the SUV.  Brushing the snow away from the window and peeking inside the vehicle he saw two cell phones, presumably the women's.  He scouted the perimeter of the building determining the best way in.  His cell phone vibrated, and he took it out of his pocket, seeing it was Rhodes.

"Hey," he answered with a grimace.  "What's up?"

There was a pause.  "You tell me, you usually answer with your name.  I've been trying to phone Janice, but she doesn't answer."

Busted.  He sighed.  "Janice and Tracey are in trouble.  I think her ex and Tracey's stalker joined forces to take them.  I'm at a warehouse in northwest Queens, waiting for my backup."

"I'm on my way," said Rhodes. 

"No," cautioned Bucky.  "It will take you too long and he's not exactly legal."

"Bucky, don't tell me he's that vigilante from Hell's Kitchen."

"Okay, I won't tell you," replied Bucky.  "We won't kill them.  I don't do that, but the police are delayed because of the weather making the streets unsafe.  He was close and he's willing to help."

"Then you call Peter," said Rhodes.  "If he's there with you I can make a plausible case that it's a legitimate Avengers mission."  Bucky didn't answer.  "Buck, please.  Don't go off the books on this.  You'll set us back a long way if you go rogue now."

Bucky sighed.  "Alright I'll call Peter but if it looks like either of the women are in jeopardy, I'm going in.  I won't wait."

"Fair enough," said Rhodes.  "I'm still coming but I'll take a portal.  Your friend, he wants to remain anonymous?"

"Yeah, please," answered Bucky. 

"Okay, call Peter now."

Rhodes hung up and Bucky called Peter, just telling him to get over there as soon as he could.  When Murdock arrived, Bucky was aware of the smell of his aftershave first before the vigilante appeared beside him, wearing an outfit with a mask that concealed his entire upper face. 

"Slight complication," said Bucky.  "My Avengers boss called, and I had to tell him the truth.  He wants this by the books.  I had to call in Spider-Man for official backup."

"Peter? No problem.  We know each other.  I represented him before when he was accused of killing Mysterio."

"He knows about you?" asked Bucky.

Matt grinned.  "His spider sense is very good," he replied.  "He figured it out quickly."  He nodded towards the warehouse.  "Anything?"

"Yeah, they're in there but I haven't heard anything since I got here.  With Peter we can come at them from different directions."

Within minutes Peter arrived.  With a grin he greeted Matt.  "Hey Mr. Murdock, how's it been?"

"You know, saving the world, one false accusation at a time," he replied.  "You're here to make this a legitimate Avengers operation.  Do you know what we're up against?"

Peter looked confused.  Bucky shrugged.  "I just told him to get here as fast as he could.  Tracey and Janice are being held by a guy who was Tracey's stalker, and her dad, who's not a very nice man."

Suddenly all three men stopped as they each heard something from inside the warehouse.  Recognizing the sound of a man angrily yelling, Peter webbed up to the roof while Bucky and Matt prepared to enter from a doorway.  Bucky tested the door and found it was unlocked.  They both slipped in silently.

Inside the warehouse, both women were tied up with zip ties, sitting on a pile of pallets.  Martin Harris, a big burly man with greying hair was pacing back and forth, his face twisted as he spewed verbal venom at Janice.

"My signature on those papers means shit," he said.  "You're mine and you're going to stay mine, till death us do part, just like the vows."

"Dad, by now the police have been notified and they're going to come looking for us," said Tracey, keeping her eye on her former neighbour Walter.  "Not to mention my husband."

"Your husband," he sneered.  "That killer?  You married the Winter Soldier, a fucking assassin!"

His face was right in front of Tracey's as he screamed the words at her.  Then he slapped her twice, one of them with the back of his hand that rocked her and brought blood to her mouth.  Walter put his hand up tentatively, seemingly shocked at the violence of her father.

"Don't hurt her," he protested.  "I'd never hurt you, Tracey.  You know that.  I just want to take care of you."

"You helped him, Walter," stated Janice, her eyes steely.  "In the eyes of the law, you're just as bad."

Marty hit Janice with his closed fist, knocking her over to her side.  Tracey looked anxiously at her mother, noticing she was dazed.  Then she saw a shadow flicker near a set of offices and suddenly felt calm, somehow knowing that it was Bucky. 

"What a coward you are," she said to her dad, distracting him.  "You're pathetic, you know that?  Tell me, did your first wife actually die or did she leave you?"

"You know nothing about her," said her father.  "She was a good wife, never talked back, never challenged my authority, always followed my lead.  Not like this bitch.  Every time I had to discipline Janice she deserved it."

"Sounds like you treated both women like a dog," said Tracey.  "I can't believe you think that's what marriage is."

Suddenly, Bucky was there, standing between her and her father as he raised his hand to strike her again.  "I can't believe you think it's okay to lay a hand on a woman," he said, then he noticed Walter trying to back away.  "Don't you move, Walter.  You already know how strong I am, and I was gentle with you before.  You try to leave and you're going to get hurt."

"I didn't hurt either of them, I swear!" whined Walter.  "It was all him.  When he found out I was Tracey's neighbour he came up with this plan.  He made me pull some wires from his wife's car so it wouldn't work.  He knew Tracey would come to get her."

"You fucking blabbermouth!" yelled Marty as he made a move to hit Walter.

He didn't even get a chance as Matt tackled him from behind and began punching him.  Walter made another move to leave, and a web came down from the ceiling, wrapping itself around him as he struggled against it.  Bucky allowed Matt to deal with Marty as he kneeled in front of Tracey, cutting through her ties.

"I'm okay," she said gratefully.  "But I think he hurt Mom.  See to her."

With a nod, Bucky shifted his focus to Janice, cutting her ties.  She fell forward limply, barely responsive, and he picked her up, carrying her towards the office where he knew a high countertop was.  Laying her down on it he quickly examined her, calling her by name.  Tracey followed him and took over. 

"Call an ambulance," she said, after taking a closer look at her mother's pupils.  "I think she has a concussion."

Bucky pulled his cell phone out and went to the door that he and Matt entered.  He looked out just as Rhodes came out of a portal.  In the distance he could hear a police siren.  Pointing inside for Rhodes' sake he made the call for the ambulance and told the dispatcher to tell the police he had located the missing women, and the men who had abducted them.  Heading back inside he left Janice with Tracey and Rhodey, entering the warehouse portion where Matt had finished with Marty as Peter bound him with a web.

"Police are almost here," he said.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," said Matt.  "Abusers like him almost always don't hit back when someone stronger faces them.  I probably broke his nose, but he'll be alright.  How's Janice?"

"I've called an ambulance," replied Bucky.  "Tracey's concerned."  The sound of the siren was even closer, and Bucky put his hand out to Matt, knowing he had to get out of there to avoid questions.  "Thanks."

"No problem," said Matt, then he looked at Peter.  "Spider-Man, nice to see you."

"You too, Daredevil," replied the young man, as Matt disappeared, leaving through a doorway away from where the police approached.  He looked at Bucky.  "You want me to stay?"

Bucky nodded.  "Yeah, I'll let the cops know you're guarding them.  Remember, I'm the one that beat up Marty when he tried to attack Walter.  Thanks."

Returning to the office Bucky waited at the door then identified himself to the approaching officers as an Avenger, doing the same for Rhodes and letting them know Spider-Man was guarding the suspects.  As one of the policemen went in there the other approached where Janice was, watching as Tracey kept monitoring her.

"You call an ambulance already?" he asked.  "Who did this to her?"

"My father," said Tracey.  "She just signed the divorce papers at the lawyer's office this afternoon.  He had someone pull some wires so her car wouldn't start, making me come to get her.  When I arrived, he and the other guy, who had been previously arrested for stalking me, got into my vehicle, forcing us to drive here."  She gave a ragged breath then looked at the cop.  "I think he was planning to kill her and give me to the stalker."

"Why are the Avengers here?" asked the officer.

"She's my wife and the other is my mother-in-law," said Bucky.  "I knew something was wrong when they weren't home on time and pulled some strings to find out where their phones were.  I called my boss, Colonel Rhodes, and Spider-Man for backup.  Her dad is a violent man.  We got here just after he hit both women and tried to attack his accomplice when he disagreed with the violence.  I may have hit him back a bit too hard."

"Understandable," replied the officer.  "I'll just go and check on the other two and get Spiderman's statement."

"Who was that with you?" asked Tracey, in a low voice, when the officer was out of earshot.

"Matt," whispered Bucky.  "I'll tell you more later."

The two officers came out with both men, covered in web debris and their hands cuffed behind their backs.  Marty sneered when he saw Rhodes.

"You again," he said.  "You've been fucking my wife, haven't you?  You fucking ni...."  Without hesitating Rhodes punched Marty in the nose, bringing out a yell of pain then a demand from him.  "I want him arrested for assault!"

"What assault?" asked the first cop.  "You insulted the man and his lady, and he defended their honour."

"I haven't been with your ex-wife," said Rhodes, standing in front of Tracey's father.  "But I'll tell you something.  When she's ready I'm going to treat her like the queen she is, and I guarantee she won't ever give you a second thought.  You're a loser, Harris.  You had a beautiful wife and daughter, and you treated them like shit.  Now you get to do some real time.  Good luck with that."

The officer pulled Harris out and a whimpering Walter followed behind them, escorted by the second officer.  Peter was right behind them.  Bucky looked meaningfully at Rhodes who grinned slightly.

"Yes, I like her a lot," he said.  "We agreed not to do anything until her divorce was finalized.  Your mom is an amazing woman, Tracey.  I can see where you get your best qualities from."

At that moment the ambulance pulled up and the paramedics took over assessing Janice.  Since she was still dazed, they wanted to take her in to be assessed for a concussion.  Tracey gave Bucky the car keys while she asked to go with her mother to the hospital.  Remembering her phone was in the SUV he ran out to get it for her before she left.  Rhodes leaned over Janice and gently touched her cheek.

"We'll meet you at the hospital," he said softly.  "You're going to be okay, and Marty will never lay his hands on you again."

"James," she whispered, then smiled at him.

After getting the name of the hospital Bucky kissed Tracey goodbye and looked at Rhodes and the young Avenger.  "Do you need a ride home, Peter?" he asked.

"No, I'll go home the way I got here," he said.  "It would take too long by car for you to drop me off then go back to join Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Harris at the hospital.  She'll be okay.  They're both strong women.  They remind me of my Aunt May."

"Thanks for backing me up," said Bucky.  "I appreciate it."

"Anytime," said the younger Avenger.  "See you."

With a leap they watched him shoot out his webs in the falling snow, still amazed at how easily he could do that.  Getting inside the car both men took a deep breath before Bucky started it up and began driving.  Neither said anything for a good five minutes then Rhodes looked at the super soldier.

"How do you do it?" he asked.  "I wanted to pummel Marty when I saw how Janice looked.  Then he opened his mouth and I wanted to kill him."

"It's hard sometimes," replied Bucky.  "I'm a protective guy, always have been.  But I'm also very aware that with just one punch too hard I could lose all credibility in the eyes of the public.  Right from the moment I turned myself in after the Battle of Earth I've repeatedly told people that I don't kill anymore.  It's the price I have to pay to stay free and be able to look the people I love in the eye.  Having Tracey with me helps.  She's such a gentle caring person.  So is Janice.  I think you were right about them having the same qualities.  Maybe that's how she coped with that beast of a husband.  You meant what you said about Janice?"

"Every word," answered Rhodes.  "I sacrificed all sorts of relationships to the work and now here I am at 56, partially paraplegic, alone, and there's a beautiful woman who likes me and makes me feel good.  I'm going to do all I can to hold on to her and make her feel like she's special every day."

"You're 56?" asked Bucky.  "You should be looking to start slowing down."

"I will, once I get the Avengers up and running properly," he said.  "You're what, 110?"

"108 in March," smiled Bucky.  "But everyone tells me I don't look a day over 40.  I figure I have another ten to fifteen years in me of being an Avenger.  By then our kids will need to have a dad that can be around more.  With most of my settlement in investments I can probably step back and be there for them."

"You'll be a good dad, Buck," said Rhodes.  "I know the younger Avengers already look up to you and I've heard some good things about your volunteer work at the newcomer centre with the kids there.  In fact, we're writing in volunteer work as a requirement to be an Avenger in the future.  It's why Sam and I talked about you being in a leadership role.  What you've come through in your own life is inspiring, it really is."

"I don't like being put on a pedestal," replied Bucky.  "You know I tried to talk to Karli Morgenthau, tried to tell her how she was handling things wasn't the right way.  She called me old.  Said I should sit it out.  Makes me wonder if Ross tried to get her and her followers."

"He did," stated Rhodes.  "She and her followers were his first targets.  Thought he could buy them off like mercenaries.  She wouldn't have it and it made her even more militant.  The man was so single minded.  Couldn't see how his actions made things worse."

"He's still unrepentant, isn't he?"

"Yeah, still thinks there's a way out of this for him.  All it takes is a different man in the White House who agrees with Ross to give him a pardon and he's back in business.  That's why this version of the Avengers has to work.  If Ross ever gets out and regains his influence, we could be back at square one."

It was a warning that both men took to heart as they arrived at the hospital.  Checking in at the reception they were routed to the correct cubicle in the emergency room, where Janice was on a gurney, looking better but with a terrible bruise forming on her face.  Tracey hugged Bucky when they entered as Rhodes went directly to her mother.

"How are you?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"My head and neck hurts like crazy," replied Janice.  Gingerly, she touched her jaw.  "This is going to keep me away from the New Year's Eve party.  I can't go out looking like this."

"Then we'll stay in," he said, smiling fondly at her.  "It was just an excuse to show you off, you know.  They can wait to see the prettiest woman of my acquaintance."

She smiled and blushed, taking his hand in hers.  Bucky looked at Tracey, an idea forming in his head.

"Is there dancing at this party?" he asked Rhodes.  "Old school dancing?"

"Yeah," replied Rhodes.  "You want the tickets?  There will be some big wigs there.  Might want you for a few photo ops as many of them are fans of yours.  You can stay at my apartment."

"Are you sure you want to go?" asked Tracey.  "I would have to get something nice to wear."

"That's not a problem," said Bucky.  "I just had an urge to take you out dancing."

Her shy smile settled it, and Rhodes gave them his apartment key, choosing to stay in Brooklyn with Janice, expecting her to be released soon.  Bucky called a service for Janice's car to be picked up and taken to the repair shop.  When Janice was released, they all went to the SUV, and he drove them home.  After going next door to get Rebecca, Bucky took Tracey out to buy a dress before the stores closed.  They made some dinner, and the four of them had a relaxing evening. 

The following day Bucky worked at the docks in the morning.  When he got home after making a brief stop, he and Tracey packed an overnight bag then requested a portal to Rhodes' apartment in Washington, staying in his guest room.  When they got ready for the New Years Eve party Bucky pulled out a black suit, and shirt, both of them made of a very fine fabric.  Tracey was surprised at the sight of it.

"When did you get that?" she asked.  "I've never seen it."

"It was a gift from Shuri," he said.  "Thought it would go better with your new dress than my grey one."

Bucky had received a haircut on the weekend and went to shave but Tracey stopped him.

"Leave it," she said.  "I like it when you have a little bit of stubble."

Pulling her into his arms he kissed her on the lips, then moved down to her neck.  He could smell her perfume and he pressed his face into the soft skin.

"I like it when you wear that," he whispered.  "It's Beautiful, isn't it?"

"You should know, you got it for me," she smiled.  "Every time I wear it, I can hear your voice calling me beautiful."

"It's because you are," he said.  Then he let her go.  "We better stop, or we'll never get to the party."

Backing slowly away from him, Tracey undid her robe, revealing the daring underwear she was wearing.  He watched as she took her dress off the hanger and stepped into it.  Turning her back to him he came over and did up the back, stopping to kiss her neck and smell her perfume again. 

"Damn, you look even better in it than when you tried it on," he whispered.  "Hold on a moment."  Retreating to his dress jacket he pulled a small box out and brought it over to Tracey, opening it to reveal a pair of diamond stud earrings.  "I picked these up today before I got home.  Wanted something for you to wear that went with the dress."

"Bucky, you didn't have to get me these," she said, gently touching them.  "They're much too expensive."

"Just in case I don't tell you enough how much I love you, you can look at these and know how I feel every time you wear them," he said, kissing her again.

"You're a beautiful man," Tracey whispered.  "I know that just with how you look at me.  Thank you."

He watched as she put them on, then finished dressing himself, earning a compliment from her on how stylish he looked.  Pulling his phone out he called an Uber and picked up the tickets on the kitchen counter.  When their driver texted them that he was there Bucky helped Tracey on with her coat and they stepped out into the night air.  Their driver did a double take when Bucky got in.

"You're Bucky Barnes," he said.  "Wow.  Would you mind if I took a selfie with you behind me?"

"Go for it," said Bucky.  "Just get us to the hotel in one piece and on time."

The driver snapped the picture and put the car into gear.  There was a long line of taxis, limousines, town cars and other ride services dropping off passengers at the hotel.  When they got to the door a doorman opened their door and offered his hand to Tracey as Bucky got out on his side.  He took Tracey by her hand and began to walk in.  Right away they were noticed, and photographers began taking photos of the couple, calling on them to stop and pose.  Ignoring them just like everyone else they stepped inside and were directed to a coat check for Tracey's coat.  From there they joined the line of people into the event, handing the doorman their tickets and being directed to their table.  Two other couples were already seated, a Department of Justice lawyer and his wife, and a Marine Corps chief warrant officer with his wife.  After introductions were made Bucky got up to get himself and Tracey a drink.  The other two men joined him, and they waited in line at the bar together, chatting amiably.  Bucky couldn't help but notice their attention go to his left hand, but he said nothing.  Finally, the chief warrant officer raised his left pant leg, showing Bucky his prosthetic leg.

"I've been stuck behind a desk for six years because of this thing," he said, then he gestured at Bucky's arm.  "The worst is when I feel like I have to scratch an itch.  It just about drives me crazy.  Can I ask you truthfully if you still experience phantom pain?"

"No, I don't," said Bucky.  "But every once in a while, I wake up with it around my dick, which is weird because I'm right-handed."

Both men looked at him with their eyes wide open then the chief warrant officer started to laugh.  "You're full of shit," he said.

Bucky shrugged.  "Had you going though," he grinned.  "What are you drinking?"

They both told him, and Bucky ordered the drinks for everyone, paying with a tap of his bank card then leaving a twenty-dollar bill in the jar as a tip.  By the time they got back two more Marine warrant officers with their wives, friends of the chief warrant officer, were there and more introductions were made.  It turned out all three military men were long time friends who enlisted at the same time, coming up through the ranks together, an unusual thing.  All three had been sergeants at one point and met at this party every year to blow off steam, as they were now relegated to desk jobs until mandatory retirement.

Dinner was punctuated with conversations about missions, people they had served with, and places they had been.  Tracey watched as Bucky let the conversation ebb and flow, occasionally asking questions for verification or emphasis.  When the dishes were cleared, and the band started to set up the conversation turned to him and although he answered questions about the Howling Commandos no one brought up the Winter Soldier, until the slightly drunk lawyer asked how he seemingly survived with his sanity intact; how he didn't put a bullet in his own head at some point.  The chief warrant officer looked a little angrily at the lawyer, having had a few drinks himself and he turned to Bucky.

"Sarge, you don't have to answer him," he said.  "We three have been there at one point or another, wondering if what we went through was worth it all.  I stay because of this beautiful woman who still loves me, and these two assholes that won't let me go.  You have nothing to prove to us."

Smiling slightly, and patting Tracey's hand, which had gently been placed on his when the lawyer asked his question, Bucky cleared his throat and looked at the lawyer. 

"I ask myself that every day," he said, not really angry at the question because he knew so many people wanted to ask but were afraid to.  "A whole life was stolen from me and when I got free there were times I wanted to put a gun in my mouth and end it but then HYDRA would have won.  I'm just asshole enough to want to prove to them that I'm still here, doing some good in the world, and they're not.  So, every morning I wake up and I see this beautiful woman beside me, and I thank the universe for bringing us together.  With her I'm going to have the life I want; a house, a family, and people who love me for the man I am, not for what my abilities can do for them."  The music started and Bucky stood up with Tracey then he turned back to the others.  "In the words of Auntie Mame, who my 94-year-old sister so happily quoted a few months ago: "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death."  Gentlemen and ladies, I'm no sucker.  I'm going to have my fill of life and I've only just begun."

With a smile to them he led Tracey to the floor and began dancing as the band started playing "The Way You Look Tonight." The several hundred people at that Washington New Year's Eve party that night all noticed the tall, muscular and handsome man dancing with the beautiful, dark-haired woman.  Word had already gone around that it was Bucky Barnes and his wife.  Together they glided effortlessly over the floor, so obviously in love, with their eyes only on each other.  If there were any negative whispers about what he once was the couple ignored them.  What mattered to them was the here and now, and for several hours they just danced.  It's what they came to the party to do.

Chapter 27>>

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[justinspoliticalcorner]

Riley Rogerson at NOTUS:

Ever since November, when Republicans swept both chambers of Congress and the White House, GOP lawmakers have been bullish about making the most of what they see as a clear mandate to reinvent Washington. But as Republicans try to shake off a close call with a government shutdown and prepare for Donald Trump’s first 100 days, lawmakers are starting to grapple with a simple reality: They may not be able to do much of anything. “They can’t even extend government funding,” a frustrated Sen. Josh Hawley told NOTUS in December, as the House GOP nearly imploded over a stopgap spending bill. “They’re going to do this all over again in March. There’s a debt ceiling fight coming up,” he said. “Good luck.”

Before Trump even takes office on Jan. 20, House Republicans must elect a speaker — a delicate, historically difficult task given the mutiny currently on Mike Johnson’s hands. Republicans then had to agree to a rules package, which was released on Wednesday. Those rules are rife with potential trip wires, like the nine members required to hold a vote to oust a speaker, and are already under negotiation as Johnson tries to secure the votes he needs for the speakership. These two items — electing a speaker and adopting a rules package — are supposed to be the easy part. They are more often perfunctory votes than hurdles for a new majority to clear. But in this Congress, the first day is just where the problems start. In Trump’s first 100 days, the Senate will attempt to confirm his cabinet — including controversial picks like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Then, leadership in both chambers intends to take up a sweeping package that addresses border security, energy production and defense via a complicated reconciliation process that lowers the Senate vote threshold to circumvent the filibuster. Or maybe Republicans plan to first do a tax bill through reconciliation. Or maybe they plan to do just one reconciliation bill for the whole lot. There hasn’t been clarity on the plan, but there’s already a lot of debate.

Either way, some of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for individual rates and small businesses expire at the end of 2025. Republicans will have to act if they want to extend those rates, and many GOP lawmakers think of the tax bill as their lone opportunity to enact other tax policy changes. Throughout those early days, Republicans and Democrats will also be negotiating a larger spending package to carry the government through the rest of the fiscal year, until October. Government funding runs out on March 15, and Republicans have not passed a government spending bill without Democratic support since 2017. But there are already signs that Trump and Republicans plan to push for partisan policies, like a border wall and reduced domestic spending, that could lead to a shutdown in the president’s first 100 days.

Republicans offered a glimpse of their partisan priorities in their rules package, which lays the foundation for a floor vote on 12 much anticipated, conservative bills. Those bills would define sex as solely based on “reproductive biology” for Title IX purposes, impose stricter criminal penalties on migrants who illegally cross the border, restrict federal funding to sanctuary cities and prohibit a moratorium on fracking. Among the other measures are bills to mandate medical care for fetuses that survive abortion, sanctions for the International Criminal Court after the ICC was critical of Israel and proof of citizenship voter requirements. Of course, all of this is just the beginning. At some point this summer, Congress must also raise the debt ceiling. Due to a “handshake agreement” brokered between Johnson, Trump and House conservatives, the plan is to pair a $1.5 trillion debt ceiling increase with $2.5 trillion in mandatory spending cuts that target programs like Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits.

Such a feat, which would almost certainly have to be passed by Republicans alone, is unlikely to happen, but the discussions could be politically damaging. Plus, after extending the farm bill for one year, Republicans still have to deal with a rewrite of that legislation before the end of the year. If this all sounds difficult to accomplish with a bare-bones majority, that’s because it is.

[...] There is a certain miracle-working required to get Republicans to play nice, especially with a razor-thin House majority where lawmakers are regularly plotting to knife their own speaker. It’s true that, in the Senate, Republicans control 53 votes. That gives the upper chamber some wiggle room. But the Senate GOP will need near-total alignment to confirm certain Trump nominees and pass laws. That’s particularly tough with moderate Trump critics like Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Both have signaled they don’t plan to rubber-stamp the incoming president’s nominees or agenda. Still, even if laws advance in Majority Leader John Thune’s Senate, they must fly in the House, where the margins are even narrower and the conference is more unruly. Senators and Trump allies know that, even without a filibuster, the House is the toughest roadblock to the GOP’s agenda on Capitol Hill.

The House GOP’s nominal threadbare majority could be a big roadblock to implement Donald Trump’s vision this session of Congress.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Jacob Magid

Following a request by the US, Qatar told Hamas over a week ago that it must close its diplomatic office in Doha, senior Biden administration officials told The Times of Israel on Friday.

Qatar has hosted Hamas officials in Doha since 2012, when the terror group moved its headquarters out of Damascus amid the Syrian civil war and after successive US administrations from both parties urged Qatar to serve as a conduit to the terror group.

Following Hamas’s October 7 onslaught, the US informed Qatar that Doha would not be able to maintain “business as usual” with the terror group. However, the administration held off on asking the Gulf state to shutter the Hamas office, viewing the communication channel with Hamas to be as critical as ever in brokering a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Those talks yielded in a week-long deal last November, but they have failed to secure a permanent ceasefire or the release of the remaining 101 hostages.

A US official told The Times of Israel that Hamas’s execution of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin along with five other captives in late August and subsequent rejection of more ceasefire proposals are what led the administration to change its approach regarding the terror group’s continued presence in Doha, deeming it “no longer viable or acceptable.”

The US decision also coincided with its unsealing of indictments against Hamas officials, including one of its top leaders Khaled Meshaal, who is known to reside in Doha, the US official said.

“After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner,” a second senior administration official told The Times of Israel.

Hamas showed no signs of budging from “unrealistic positions” in the negotiations, maintaining conditions that would have effectively ensured its ability to remain in power in Gaza — “something the US and Israel will never accept,” the American official said.

[mariacallous]

Congress may be closer than ever to passing a comprehensive data privacy framework after key House and Senate committee leaders released a new proposal on Sunday.

The bipartisan proposal, titled the American Privacy Rights Act, or APRA, would limit the types of consumer data that companies can collect, retain, and use, allowing solely what they’d need to operate their services. Users would also be allowed to opt out of targeted advertising, and have the ability to view, correct, delete, and download their data from online services. The proposal would also create a national registry of data brokers, and force those companies to allow users to opt out of having their data sold.

“This landmark legislation gives Americans the right to control where their information goes and who can sell it,” Cathy McMorris Rodgers, House Energy and Commerce Committee chair, said in a statement on Sunday. “It reins in Big Tech by prohibiting them from tracking, predicting, and manipulating people’s behaviors for profit without their knowledge and consent. Americans overwhelmingly want these rights, and they are looking to us, their elected representatives, to act.”

Congress has tried to put together a comprehensive federal law protecting user data for decades. Lawmakers have remained divided, though, on whether that legislation should prevent states from issuing tougher rules, and whether to allow a “private right of action” that would enable people to sue companies in response to privacy violations.

In an interview with The Spokesman Review on Sunday, McMorris Rodgers claimed that the draft’s language is stronger than any active laws, seemingly as an attempt to assuage the concerns of Democrats who have long fought attempts to preempt preexisting state-level protections. APRA does allow states to pass their own privacy laws related to civil rights and consumer protections, among other exceptions.

In the previous session of Congress, the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committees brokered a deal with Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, on a bill that would preempt state laws with the exception of the California Consumer Privacy Act and the Biometric Information Privacy Act of Illinois. That measure, titled the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, also created a weaker private right of action than most Democrats were willing to support. Maria Cantwell, Senate Commerce Committee chair, refused to support the measure, instead circulating her own draft legislation. The ADPPA hasn’t been reintroduced, but APRA was designed as a compromise.

“I think we have threaded a very important needle here,” Cantwell told The Spokesman Review. “We are preserving those standards that California and Illinois and Washington have.”

APRA includes language from California’s landmark privacy law allowing people to sue companies when they are harmed by a data breach. It also provides the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and private citizens the authority to sue companies when they violate the law.

The categories of data that would be impacted by APRA include certain categories of “information that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual or device,” according to a Senate Commerce Committee summary of the legislation. Small businesses—those with $40 million or less in annual revenue and limited data collection—would be exempt under APRA, with enforcement focused on businesses with $250 million or more in yearly revenue. Governments and “entities working on behalf of governments” are excluded under the bill, as are the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and, apart from certain cybersecurity provisions, “fraud-fighting” nonprofits.

Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called the draft “very strong” in a Sunday statement, but said he wanted to “strengthen” it with tighter child safety provisions.

Still, it remains unclear whether APRA will receive the necessary support for approval. On Sunday, committee aids said that conversations on other lawmakers signing onto the legislation are ongoing. The current proposal is a “discussion draft”; while there’s no official date for introducing a bill, Cantwell and McMorris Rodgers will likely shop around the text to colleagues for feedback over the coming weeks, and plan to send it to committees this month.

[femmmie]

THE ISLAND

Read the entire fic on AO3

Chapter 9: The crash

Things have taken a turn. What will Dave Dilford do now he's unemployed? Also, Ian, Shayne and Courtney are flying on Air Force 1. But Ian senses something's not right...

Chapter word count: 1.503

Rating: teen

“Effective immediately, Defy Media has ceased business.”

As soon as he read the e-mail, Dave Dilford dropped his phone.

“What the hell?!”

He scrambled to pick it back up. His custom Roblox case fell off, but he didn’t have time to put it back. He immediately called every member of the board.

“Shit! Pick up, you boring fucks!”

Noone responded.

As he walked out of his office, into the hall, several other people were already standing there. They were holding their phones and stared at each other with expressions of disbelief and just dumbfoundedness.

“Is it really true?” Dave mumbled, more to himself than to his colleagues. But one of them said, “yeah, we’re unemployed now.”

Suddenly, a junior consultant ran through the hall, screaming, “LET’S SET THIS BUILDING ON FIREEEE”.

This got everyone out of their trance, and they all walked to the lunch hall where people were already rioting.

“Hecox…” Dave balled his fists and punched one against the wall. In the chaos that surrounded him, nobody even noticed. He screamed and stormed out of the building.

Still fuming, and with a sore hand, he drove home in his Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. He was deep in thought. His plans were all ruined now. Helping this new guy win over the U.S. with a smile and a wink and nod, and memes. Dave had hoped to become chief of communications in the Hecox administration.

At home in his small living room, he switched on the tv. The news had just now broken about Defy.

“It is a grim day for president Hecox. Donors have fled ever since he shared his extreme and populist agenda. And now, superPAC Defy Media has stopped operations. Hecox’s radical decisions have been quite popular with the people but the former power players in Washington are not happy. Without access to the president, how can they advance their interests?”

“Hecox! You ruined me!” Dave stood up and called a number.

~

Ian, Shayne and Courtney entered Air Force One. They were headed to a foreign country to broker peace talks and try to get some sort of ceasefire deal.

“I love the country,” Courtney said. They were absolutely rocking a hot pink blazer and shorts. “But I don’t see how we’re going to stop this conflict… it’s gone on for so long.” They looked out of the window as the plane ascended.

“Yeah, and the people are so friendly! Why is it that good people elect terrible leaders so often? No offense, Ian.” Shayne shot Ian a playful smirk.

“None taken, man. Just wait until I decree statues of myself all over the world, with a huge dong of course.”

“Actually, that would be pretty awesome.”

Ian and Shayne often bantered like this, and Ian found some solace in it. But even so, he would love someone who would shock HIM with something outrageous. And Shayne had tried but never succeeded, at least not yet.

“It would be, right?”

“Guys!” Courtney said fake-exasperated.

After a few hours had passed, Ian looked out of the window. He saw blue skylines in every direction. And he got an awful feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was this it?

He tried to act cool. “Shouldn’t we be there yet?”

Shayne was totally relaxed. “Maybe some high-altitude winds or something?”

“Only high-altitude wind here is Courtney’s passing gas all the time.”

“Hey!” Courtney protested with a burp.

Shayne kissed them on the cheek.

“Yall are disgusting,” Ian joked. But he couldn’t help but feel like something was off.

“We haven’t heard from the pilot once yet, right? I find it a bit odd. Could you check with them on why we’re taking a detour?”

“Sure!” Shayne walked up to the cockpit.

~

They were falling, fast.

“What’s happening?!”

Courtney stumbled towards the cockpit where Shayne had disappeared just moments ago. Where was he? But then they heard shots, and a couple of loud thuds.

“Shayne!” Courtney shrieked. “Shayne!!”

No answer. The door of the cockpit was locked.

The oxygen was quickly running out and their vision became blurry. They banged their fists on the closed door, then tried to claw it open.

“Shayne, honey… please hold on… I’m… I’m on my way…”

~

What was left of the plane, was quickly filling with water and beginning to sink.

A black boat appeared out of the thick mist that lay over the water. And a guy dressed in all black dove in. He was under for a long time.

Tommy nearly fainted as he held his breath, standing on deck. He really didn’t like the sea. He did respect it, he wanted the best for it, but he didn’t want to be in, on or even near it. And he certainly didn’t want Spencer to risk his life diving around a sinking plane.

Tommy and Spencer had been stealthily following a speedboat. But their plans had dramatically changed as they saw Air Force 1 fall out of the sky.

Spencer immediately went into GI Joe mode. It was like a switch had flicked inside of him. From goofy and lovable back to being a dangerous spy.

He resurfaced with not one but two people. They were both unconscious.

Panting, he handed the bodies to Tommy. “Do you know CPR?”

“Uhm, uhh..” Tommy was stuttering. “Y- Yes, I am OSHA-certified…”

“Quickly, save their lives, I’m going back in.”

“But Spe-” and he was gone. Damn.

Tommy tried his hardest. The first person, a beefy blonde guy, barfed up some sea water and came to his senses. At first, he just blinked and tried to reorient himself. But then he saw the other person. He jumped up.

“Courtney!” Shayne cried, horrified.

“I’m going to try to get her back,” Tommy tried to reassure him.

Shayne kneeled at Courtney’s side and squeezed their hand. He was bleeding but he only had eyes for his beloved Courtney. Tears ran down his face, or maybe it was water still running down from his hair. “Please, save them…”

Tommy kept pumping, blowing air into their lungs… Shayne screamed, it was horrible to see someone so distraught up-close.

Finally, a whole heap of water catapulted out of Courtney.

They slowly opened their eyes. “Hmm, still better than My Favorite Coffee.”

Shayne took them into his arms and hugged them so tightly, Courtney winced.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, honey, are you okay?”

“As okay as you could be after a plane crash, I guess.” They said it so matter-of-factly that both Shayne and Tommy laugh-cried.

“Thank you so much, mister, for helping us. What an incredible coincidence that you just happened to be here!”

“Yeah, about that…” Tommy began, but Spencer resurfaced again.

“We have to go,” he said urgently.

“Where is the president?!” Shayne and Courtney protested.

“The president?!” Tommy gasped.

“NOW!” Spencer commanded and shuttled all of them into the cabin of the boat. He went out on deck once more and released a couple of lifeboats.

“That’s the best I can do for now, president Hecox, I’m sorry. But I’ve met my match.”

Spencer couldn’t believe it. All his years of experience couldn’t have prepared him for this.

There were several adversaries on board the sinking plane. How that could even happen was beyond him. But he fought most of them off easily, his martial arts training paying off handsomely.

Only one of them remained. Spencer had a hard time cornering him.

It wasn’t even a guard or a terrorist. He looked like some tech-bro or something. a sickly pale skin color, bags under his eyes… but a terrifying fire lay within them. Spencer had never known fear until he saw that face. His entire body told him this man was dangerous.

They brawled for a while but neither of them could get the upper hand. Until the guy took a can of gasoline that was randomly aboard the plane and got a golden anime-boob lighter out of his wet jorts.

“But the president is still out there!” Spencer had shouted, catching the guy off-guard.

“He’s still out there?! Okay, that’s even better!”

Dave licked his lips maniacally, and spat, “I am going to blow this shit up, so you better run, boy!”

Spencer was ashamed to say that he did run.

But there was still no explosion. Should he turn back? Had he failed? Spencer’s world was spinning.

A warm hand touched his shoulder, bringing him back to earth.

“Spencer?”

“Oh. Hey.”

Tommy hugged him.

“Thank you for keeping me safe.”

“Thank you for saving those people’s lives.”

“We saved them together…” Tommy walked his fingers around Spencer’s neckline.

“I was pretty awesome, I’ll admit. It kinda felt like a Solid Snake mission.”

“Oh my god!” Tommy couldn’t help but laugh. Why was this FBI-agent also a gamer?

“Hey. Want an ice cream?” Spencer caught him off-guard.

“We have those on board?”

“Of course.”

Tommy blushed. “Spencer… you know exactly what I need.”

“Do I, now?”

Tommy got all four of them ice creams.

[scotianostra]

William Playfair the Scottish engineer and political economist was born on September 22nd 1759.

I read one article about Playfair that describes him as "a kind of Forrest Gump of the Enlightenment" perhaps a bit harsh, I would say he was a bit of a polymath, another source in my opinion is more accurate, Playfair is without doubt to many of you out there "the most famous man you have never heard of" he rubbed shoulders with the era’s many giants, switching careers at the drop of a hat, and throwing himself headlong into history-changing events, from the storming of the Bastille to the settling of the American West.

William had a lot to live up to, his brothers were architect James Playfair and mathematician John Playfair, his father passed away when he was 13 and it was left to John to lead the family and his education.

After serving his apprenticeship with Andrew Meikle, the inventor of the threshing machine, William Playfair became draftsman and personal assistant to James Watt at the Boulton and Watt steam engine factory in Soho, Birmingham then seems to have just wander from one trade to another, the way Gump wandered through life, so you can see where the analogy comes from.

William, was, during his adult life, (takes a deep breath) a millwright, engineer, draftsman, accountant, inventor, silversmith, merchant, investment broker, economist, statistician, pamphleteer, translator, publicist, land speculator, convict, banker, ardent royalist, editor, blackmailer and journalist.

Okay they are not all jobs, but they do put you in the picture a wee bit on the character of the man I think.

Most interestingly in my opinion was his time as a spy in France during the Revolution and was on the scene during the storming of the Bastille. He even helps trigger the first major political scandal in the newly formed United States, a land speculation gone bad involving Washington, Hamilton, and Jefferson.

To go into all of this man's adventurers would take too long, instead I will just tell you that the one thing he did, that has been a part of all your lives, in one way or another, is he invented the graph. Before William invented the graph you had to read through pages of statistics to find things out, the graph, you "get it" in a glance.

In 1786, he published "The Commercial and Political Atlas" , a compendium of bar and line charts representing different European countries’ imports, exports, wages, and other trends for which he had the data handy. As the man himself explained, “Men of high rank, or active business, can only pay attention to outlines… It is hoped that, with the Assistance of these Charts, such information will be got without the fatigue and trouble of studying the particulars.” he went on “No study is less alluring or more dry and tedious than statistics, unless the mind and imagination are set to work,” in the book’s introduction.

His old boss Watt, was sent a copy of the Commercial Atlas for review, and wasn't impressed, called the book “mere plummery” and its author “a Rascal.”

To finish I must say that he was a rather humble man and actually gave credit for the invention to his brother writing, "John taught me to know that whatever can be expressed in numbers, may be represented by lines,” Playfair wrote much later, in the introduction to one of his books of diagrams. “To the best and most affectionate of brothers, I owe the invention of these Charts.”

He was never a success in his lifetime and was seen as a ditherer by Watt.

William Playfair died in 1823, in poverty and relative obscurity, banned from any good society. Slowly, over the next century or so, the supply of readily available data grew—as did the the public’s appetite for it. Bar, line and pie charts began trickling into newspapers and textbooks. Two hundred years later, as we barrel forward into the Information Age, you can’t click a link without stumbling upon some kind of data visualisation.

The next time you come across a graph, remember, like many other notable inventions in our history, take pride in that it was the work of a Scot that gave us these easy to read information "pictures".

You can find more on William Playfair here https://www.atlasobscura.com/.../the-scottish-scoundrel...

[rjzimmerman]

As climate change produces more extreme weather, insurers are losing money, even in states with low hurricane and wildfire danger. Across the country, insurers are facing more bad years than good years. If this trend continues, it could destabilize the broader economy.

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

The insurance turmoil caused by climate change — which had been concentrated in Florida, California and Louisiana — is fast becoming a contagion, spreading to states like Iowa, Arkansas, Ohio, Utah and Washington. Even in the Northeast, where homeowners insurance was still generally profitable last year, the trends are worsening.

In 2023, insurers lost money on homeowners coverage in 18 states, more than a third of the country, according to a New York Times analysis of newly available financial data. That’s up from 12 states five years ago, and eight states in 2013. The result is that insurance companies are raising premiums by as much as 50 percent or more, cutting back on coverage or leaving entire states altogether. Nationally, over the last decade, insurers paid out more in claims than they received in premiums, according to the ratings firm Moody’s, and those losses are increasing.

The growing tumult is affecting people whose homes have never been damaged and who have dutifully paid their premiums, year after year. Cancellation notices have left them scrambling to find coverage to protect what is often their single biggest investment. As a last resort, many are ending up in high-risk insurance pools created by states that are backed by the public and offer less coverage than standard policies. By and large, state regulators lack strategies to restore stability to the market.

Insurers are still turning a profit from other lines of business, like commercial and life insurance policies. But many are dropping homeowners coverage because of losses.

Tracking the shifting insurance market is complicated by the fact it is not regulated by the federal government; attempts by the Treasury Department to simply gather data have been rebuffed by some state regulators. To understand what’s happening in the insurance industry, The New York Times interviewed more than 40 insurance executives, brokers, officials and homeowners in a dozen states, and also reviewed financial records from insurers in all 50 states going back more than a decade.

[archinform]

George W. Maher, architect - part 1

Hutchinson Street District, Chicago

Unless otherwise noted, photographs are by Roger Jones

George Maher in the 1890s (Kenilworth Historical Society)

George Washington Maher (December 25, 1864 – September 12, 1926) was an architect who worked in the United States mainly during the first quarter of the 20th century. Maher was noted for his designs in the Prairie Style, and in his time was often more well-known than his contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Maher was part of a new movement in architecture that sought to establish a distinctive American style. East Coast architect Henry H. Richardson had garnered attention by designing monolithic stone buildings. In Chicago, a new architectural style was emerging. Variously labeled as “The New School of the Midwest,” “Rationalism” or “Chicago Style,” it is today known as the Prairie School.Many young architects had begun their careers together and were inspired by Richardson and Sullivan. Maher, George Elmslie and Frank Lloyd Wright had worked together in the office of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee, whose influence can also be seen in their work. Evanston Roundtable

Maher is well-represented in Chicago, notably in the Hutchinson Street District, and found early success in Oak Park, as well as in Kenilworth, where he lived.

This post focuses on five houses he designed on Hutchinson Street, and includes links to interior photos and historic images.

Mosser House, 750 W. Hutchinson St., 1902

The facade of the Mosser House isn't easily seen from the street. Photo: Zillow

Exterior views

This house was designed by George W. Maher in 1902, and sits on 6 city lots of private landscaping, designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. The home's interior features details crafted by designer Louis Millet, who also designed the stained glass Tiffany dome in the Chicago Cultural Center. The home is located in the former Scales parcel (see Scales house below).

Above floor plans and fireplace views courtesy of Pricey Pads. Click on link for extensive views of the house.

Willliam H. Lake House, 832 W. Hutchinson St., 1904

Front view

Above: images from the Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XLVI No. 3, Oct. 1905

W.H. Lake was a grain broker and senior partner in the firm of W.H. Lake   & Company which was located in the Board of Trade Building. Lake, following the lead of his neighbor, John Scales, chose to commission George Maher as architect for his home, which was constructed in 1904. In the Lake House, Maher developed his final version of the Farson House (1897) type. In this type of design Maher made his most significant contribution to the indigenous American architecture he worked so hard to develop. Unity is achieved by formal arrangement of elements within the design. The basic form of this house type is a massive rec- tangle with horizontal elements dominating the composition and drawing it together. Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

Seymour House, 817 W. Hutchinson St., 1913

The house at 817 Hutchinson was designed by George W. Maher and constructed in 1913 for Claude Seymour. Drawings of the front facade were published in the Chicago Architectural Club Catalog for 1913. Seymour was a vice-president of Otto Young and Company, an upholstery business. Like many of his neighbors, Young was active in the Chicago Automobile Club and a member of many other fashionable clubs.

In his design for the Seymour House, Maher borrowed heavily from English country houses by C.F.A. Voysey and the firm of Parker and Unwin. The two-story house is basically H-shaped, though a one-story porch (not an addition) does break the symmetry of the facade. The many windows and their arrangement here are typical of Parker & Unwin's designs, but the geometric pattern in the leaded glass is distinctly the work of Maher.

This design and its variations are used consistently in all decorative elements to lend a measure of continuity; Maher called it his motif-rhythm theory.

City of Chicago Landmark designation Reports

Image from The Western Architect, March 1914

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

John C. Scales House, 840 West Hutchinson Street, 1894

John C. Scales came to Chicago with his parents in 1845 when he was just 4 years old, and his father set up a commission business in town, where John eventually became a partner. Scales, the son, invested his money in real estate and purchased a section of the Buena Park subdivision on the city's then remote north side. Chicago designslinger

The Queen Anne style and busy roofline contrast strongly with Maher's later designs along Hutchinson St. The rough-cut stone along with half-timber design is almost playful.

Archival photo of the Scales House

Brackebush House, 839 W. Hutchinson St., c. 1909-10

Maher designed this home in 1909 for Mrs. Grace Brackebush.

Despite the rather awkward handling of certain elements in the design of the house at 839 Hutchinson Street certain experts feel that the design is the work of George W. Maher. The design probably dates from the period between 1905 and 1910, when Maher was beginning to work with a new type of design, one that was inspired by English architects such as C.F.A. Voysey and the Viennese architect Joseph M. Olbrich. - Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Report

Images of the interior can be found on the real estate site here

Sources:

City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports, Hutchinson Street District, Revised Summary of Information September 8, 1975, Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks

Geo. W. Maher, a democrat in Architecture. The Western Architect, March 1914

George W. Maher's Prairie Style. Owlcation.

Four Architectural Gems in Chicago's Buena Park for Sale. Chicago Magazine.

Buena Park Neighbors, History of Hutchinson Street.

The George W. Maher Society, About George W. Maher.

Block Club Chicago, Want to Own a Piece of Chicago's Past?

Evanston Roundtable - George W. Maher

[ctadvise]

Find the best business broker.

A business broker is someone who is involved in the buying and selling of your business on the path that you want to take. A business broker also provides the business on the market with the best piece of advice, although their offer also retains the service of a business broker or business transfer advisor.

A business broker always works with the seller, and even if you’re a buyer or you want to retain the services of the business broker or transfer advice, you’ll receive the most benefit from the broker. The same way a real estate broker sells houses, business brokers are just like that, except they sell businesses. They are intermediaries between a business owner who’s selling their business and an acquirer who wants to purchase it.

The broker is someone who holds things together between the buyer and seller for the progress of the business transaction. CTA business broker sectors work with different sectors such as manufacturing, wholesale distribution, service, industrial, construction traders, aerospace, consumer goods, automotive, marine, landscaping, technology, and e-commerce.

An automotive business broker is there to give you advice or help you with a reliable valuation of your automotive M&A advisory. CTA Business Advisory is here to help you with a reliable valuation as well as preparation for due diligence. At CTA, business brokers have the right to assemble a team to help you equalise the negotiation process and approach buyers with an offer when your company is not on the market.

Selling an aerospace business is a challenge for an M&A advisory because it is very difficult to get the best business valuation and maximise value per sale through quality due diligence. A CTA business broker or advisor provides you with the best opportunities and outcomes for your company. At CTA, you will receive expert advice from people who will assist you in drafting a letter of intent, negotiating the deal, managing buyer requests, and helping to level the playing field during negotiations.The CTA team's experts break down all cultural barriers, integration challenges, and communication snafus.

CTA Business Brokerage, Auburn, WA, is the right mergers and acquisitions business brokerage advisor who draws on our extensive M&A experience to support you. We have great knowledge of business valuation, locating qualified buyers, and guiding the process through due diligence. CTA is a performance-based company that only earns a fee when your company is sold, and they do not require any upfront fees or administration fees for representation.

CTA is here to associate you with a knowledgeable marketplace, have an understanding of multiple industries, and have the transaction experience to ensure that your company transitions in an efficient manner. We are here to provide exceptional results for our clients. Visit us now at https://www.ctadvise.com/

[beardedmrbean]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has threatened “an out and out brawl” with billionaire backers of Kamala Harris in a row over attempts to curb Silicon Valley’s power.

The Democrat congresswoman warned supporters of Ms Harris, who has attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from businesses and tech entrepreneurs, against attempting to remove Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The Democratic competition tsar, who was appointed to lead the FTC aged just 32 under Joe Biden, has led a crusade against Silicon Valley monopolies. 

Ms Khan has spearheaded a crackdown on technology giants, launching investigations into Amazon, Meta and Microsoft. She has also zeroed in on pharmaceutical giants and drugmakers, as well as data brokers and grocery chains.

Her relentless campaign against alleged breaches of competition law has earned the ire of technology investors and Silicon Valley executives, who have accused her of “waging war” on the sector.

A former senator for California, Ms Harris is well known among Bay Area entrepreneurs and many have donated to her past campaigns.

On Wednesday, Mark Cuban, the billionaire businessman and a supporter of Ms Harris, told news website Semafor the Democratic nominee should sack Ms Khan if she wins power. “The bigger picture is she’s hurting more than she’s helping,” Mr Cuban said. “If it were me, I wouldn’t [keep her].”

It follows similar calls from Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, who has donated millions of dollars to the Democrats. In June, Mr Hoffman said Ms Khan was “a person who is not helping America. Antitrust is fine, waging war is not”.

In response, Ms Ocasio-Cortez, the firebrand New York congresswoman, claimed billionaires were “trying to play footsie with the ticket”. She added: “Anyone goes near Lina Khan and there will be an out and out brawl. And that is a promise.”

“She proves this admin fights for working people. It would be terrible leadership to remove her.”

Bernie Sanders, the independent senator who stood for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, said: “Lina Khan is the best FTC chair in modern history.”

Last week, Ben Horowitz, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist who had previously said he would donate to Donald Trump’s campaign, appeared to change sides, telling employees at his company he would be “making a significant donation” to the Harris campaign. Mr Horotwitz has also been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s crackdown on the tech sector.

While Ms Khan has frustrated many senior figures in the tech sector, she has won plaudits among smaller start-ups, who believe her efforts to tame big tech will help boost competition.

[psalm22-6]

The Exhibitors Herald, June 1926

The first of the deluxe presentations was at the Forrest theatre, Philadelphia, Thursday evening. The audience was composed largely of members of the Advertising Clubs of the World, which was holding an international convention in the Quaker City, and the members of the Poor Richard Club. There were also present a large turnout of society, official and judicial life of Philadelphia. The other audience, which included Mrs. Coolidge, members of the diplomatic corps and Washington newspapermen, as guests of the National Press club, viewed the picture at a special screening Friday night at Poli’s theatre in Washington. General W. W. Atterbury; Senator-elect [and notorious political boss] Wm. S. Vare; Senator [and law professor] George W. Pepper; Lieut. Commander Geo. B. Wilson, U. S. Navy [not to be confused with the character from the Great Gatsby] ; Mrs. Barclay Warburton [civil rights supporter and journalist] ; Major Norman MacLeod; E. T. Stottsbury; Paul Thompson; Alexander Van Rensselaer; Mrs. Charlemagne Tower; Dr. H. J. Tily [department story owner, mason] ; Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Reath; Frank Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Jos. N. Snellenburg [merchant in clothing trade] ; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Block; Mr. and Mrs. Jules E. Mastbaum [movie theater and department store magnates] ; George Nitsche [possibly an affiliate of U. Penn]; Josiah H. Penniman [Provost of U. Penn] ; J. Willis Martin [a judge]; H. S. McDevitt; John J. Monaghan. Judge Buffington, of Pittsburgh; Thos Finletter [could be one of a a number of lawyers with this name]; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Einstein; Maurice Paillard, French consul; Robt. Von Moschzisker [justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania]; Mayor W. Freeland Kendrick; Geo. H. Elliott, director of public safety; Chas. B. Hall, president of City Council; Dr. Charles Hart; Rev. Wm. H. Fineschriber; Chas Fox, district attorney [could be a coincidence but Charles Fox III and IV are both currently lawyers in Pennsylvania]; John Fisler, president Manufacturers Club [golf afficianado]; Albert M. Greenfield [real estate broker and developer]; Jos. P. Gaffney; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Gimbel [department store owner]; Daniel Gimbel [brother and co-owner along with Ellis]; J. D. Lit; Richard Gimbel [son of Ellis Gimble]; Benedict Gimbel [brother of Ellis and Daniel]; Colonel Robert Glendinning [banker]; Benjamin Golder [member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives], Agnew T. Dice [President of Reading Railroad]. Dr. Leon Elmaleh [founder of the Levantine Jews Society of Philadelphia]; H. Gilbert Cassidy [a judge]; Utley E. Crane [author of Business Law for Business Men]; Cyrus H. K. Curtis [magazine publisher]; Chas. S. Caldwell; G. W. Cole; Hampton L. Carson [lawyer, professor, state Attorney general]; A. Lincoln Acker [Philidelphia port collector]; Max Aron [lawyer]; Eugene C. Bonniwell [a judge]; Chas. L. Brown; Edward Groome; Chas. L. Bartlett; Edward Bok [editor of the Ladies Home Journal]; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Lorimer [editor of the Saturday Evening Post]; Edw. Bacon; Chas. Curtis Harrison [a judge]; Samuel S. Eels, Rev. J. J. O’Hara [future Archbishop of Philadelphia], and Bishop Thos. J. Garland, D. D. [Episcopalian bishop]

There were a bunch of Universal employees in attendance too but that's less interesting to me. Let's see who went to the Washington show

Both showings were under the auspices of Ambassador Henri Beragner of France and Marcel Knecht, French publisher and trade representative. Dr. Ferdnand Heurteur, leader of the orchestra of the Paris Opera House, came to the United States to conduct the orchestras at these two showings. Among the distinguished guests at the Washington showing were: Don Juan Riano, Spanish ambassador; Senor and Senora de Mathieu, Chilan ambassador; Raoul Tilmont, secretary, Belgium embassy; G. H. Thompson, second secretary, British embassy; A. J. Pack, British embassy; Eduardo Racedo and Madame Racedo, first secretary, Argentine embassy; Conrado Traverso, Argentine embassy; Dr. and Senora Velarde, Peruvian ambassador; Dr. and Madame Santiago F. Bedoya, secretary, Peruvian embassy; Senor and Senora Tellez, Mexican ambassador; Senor and Senora Castro, secretary, Mexican embassy; Ambassador de Martino, Italy; Colonel Augusto Villa, miltary attache, Italian embassy; Count and Countess Sommati di Mombello, Italian embassy; Signor Leonardo Vitetti, Italian embassy. Baron and Baroness Ago Maltzan, German embassy; Mr. and Madame Matsuidaira, Japanese embassy; Mr. and Madame Gurgel de Amaral, Brazilian embassy; Senor and Senora de Sanchez Aballi, Cuban embassy; Senor Don Jose T. Baron, secretary, Cuban embassy; Brigadier General Georges A. L. Dumont, military attache, French embassy; Mr. Jules Henry, first secretary, French embassy; Major and Madame Georges Thenault, French embassy; Captain and Madame Willm, French embassy; Mr. A. Konow Bojsen, secretary, Danish legation; Mr. and Madame Marc Peter, Swiss ambassador; Mr. Andor de Hertelendy, Hungarian embassay; Senor and Senora Ricardo Jaimes Freyre, Bolivian embassy. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy A. Smiddy, minister, Irish Free State; Mr. and Madame Simoposilis, Minister from Greece; Mr. and Madame Prochnik, Austrian ambassador; Mr. and Madame Charles L. Seya, Latvian embassy; Mahmoud Samy Pasha and Madame Samy Pasha, Egyptian embassy; Mr. Zdenek Fierlinger, Minister from Czechoslovakia; Mr. Simeon Radeff, Bulgarian embassy; Mr. and Madame Jan Ciechanowski, Polish minister; Senor don Manuel Zavala, Nicaragua embassy, and Mr. and Madame Bostrom, Swedish ambassador.

[lboogie1906]

Dr. Maceo Crenshaw Dailey, Jr. (July 4, 1943 - October 11, 2015) historian, professor, publisher, and academic administrator, was born in Norfolk to Marguerite L. Britton, a pharmacy clerk, and Maceo C. Dailey, Sr., a steelworker. At six, his family moved to Baltimore.

Earning a BA in History from Towson and Morgan State Colleges. He enrolled at Howard University, writing the dissertation “Emmett Jay Scott: The Career of a Secondary Black Leader” which was a biography of Booker T. Washington’s closest adviser.

His teaching spanned over four decades at Towson High (awarded “Teacher of the Year”), Colby College, Boston College, Brown University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, New York University, Smith College, Spelman College, and as associate professor and the first director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Texas–El Paso.

The Atlanta Historical Society awarded him the “Alex W. Bealer Prize” for “Neither ‘Uncle Tom’ nor ‘Accommodationist’”: Booker T. Washington, Emmett Jay Scott, and Constructionism.” His other essays are in Freedomways, The Langston Hughes Review, The Review of Black Political Economy, Harvard Business History Review, and Dígame! He chaired the Texas Humanities Council. He was a member of the American Historical Association and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Books co-edited/ authored by him include Wheresoever My People Chance to Dwell: Oral Interviews with African American Women of El Paso; Tuneful Tales; When the Saints Go Hobbling In: Emmett Jay Scott and the Booker T. Washington Movement; and African Americans in El Paso. At the time of his death, his long-awaited Scott biography, From Private Secretary to Power Broker: The Life of Emmett Jay Scott, 1873-1957, was being reviewed by a Texas academic press.

He married Sandra L. Prettyman (1967) and their union produced five sons. He married Sondra Elise Banfield (2003) and they established Sweet Earth Flying Press which produced books by women and people of color. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[tmarshconnors]

"If you're stupid enough to buy it, you'll pay the price for it one day."

James Dimon is an American banker and businessman who has been the chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase since 2006. Dimon began his career as a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group.

Born: 13 March 1956 (age 68 years), New York, New York, United States.

Leadership at JPMorgan Chase: Jamie Dimon has been the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase since 2006. Under his leadership, JPMorgan Chase has become the largest of the big four American banks and one of the most prominent financial institutions in the world.

Early Career: Dimon started his career as a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group before moving on to work with Sandy Weill at American Express and then at Commercial Credit.

Education: Dimon holds a Bachelor's degree from Tufts University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar, one of the highest academic honors.

Crisis Management: Dimon is renowned for his management during the 2008 financial crisis, where JPMorgan Chase not only survived but also acquired Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual, solidifying its position in the banking sector.

Personal Background: Jamie Dimon was born on March 13, 1956, in New York City. He comes from a family with Greek heritage and has a strong personal connection to the banking industry, as his grandfather was a Greek immigrant who was a broker and a trader in the Greek stock exchange.