A relative of Hitler is now Jewish and living in Israel

Two years ago I read a strange little story in an obscure American magazine for Orthodox Jews, claiming that a descendant of Adolf Hitler had converted to Judaism and was living in Israel. I had heard rumours in Jewish circles for years about “the penitents” – children of Nazis who become Jews to try to expiate the sins of their fathers. Could it be true? I dug further and discovered that a man with a family connection to Hitler does indeed live in Israel as an Orthodox Jew. Virtually unnoticed in the English-speaking world, he was exposed seven years ago in an Israeli tabloid. Then he sank from sight. I went to Israel to meet him – and on the way I was plunged into the strange subculture of the Nazi-descended Jews.

Link

Posted in Interesting | 1 Comment

Who Can I Sue?

Not sure if you have a case? A new website will help you sue. Part lawyer referral service, part lawsuit evaluator, WhoCanISue.com will tell you if you’ve got a likely legal claim and pair you with a lawyer. It debuts in September, though the site’s founder is trying to sign up lawyers starting today at the American Bar Association meeting in New York.

Time Magazine Article

Posted in Interesting | 2 Comments

Atlanta actuarial firm: McCain has 8.4 “healthy” years left, and Obama has 21.9

An Atlanta actuarial firm says both presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama “can reasonably be expected to serve two full terms in good health.”

But just barely.

The 30-year-old Bragg actuarial company, which specializes in morbidity and mortality calculations, gives 71-year-old McCain a “healthy expectancy” of 8.4 years, taking into account his four bouts with melanoma of the skin.

Barack Obama, who turned 47 today, can expect 21.9 years of good health — a forecast shortened by 10 percent or so by his history of cigarette smoking.

“Either candidate can be expected to serve two full terms, without age or health being an issue,” said John M. Bragg, the firm chairman.

The company drew a distinction “health expectancy” and the more usual term “life expectancy.”

“In this analysis, ‘healthy’ means the person does not require the care provided by an assisted living facility and is free of Alzheimer’s disease,” Bragg said.

Full Article

Posted in Political | Comments Off on Atlanta actuarial firm: McCain has 8.4 “healthy” years left, and Obama has 21.9