Fraternity Hazing – Lineage

The recent death of a Penn State student as part of a fraternity hazing has captured the attention of the country. How many more young men need to lose their lives before university presidents proactively set zero tolerance policies for anyone in Greek Life who perpetuates these dangerous rituals?

In my newest award winning novel, Lineage, (2017 Independent Press Award – Suspense) published February 28, 2017, a boy named Rodney dies in a fraternity initiation ceremony. The brothers’ code of silence causes the details of Rodney’s death to remain hidden despite an inquest.

Five years later a fraternity brother visits Rodney’s grieving father and reveals the sordid details that occurred on that fateful night. The father blames not only the brothers that were present that evening, but all of the previous fraternity brothers who as productive members of society, failed to step forward to change a ceremony that could only lead to tragedy.

Although the father might have addressed this in a more constructive manner, he sets out instead, to kill the fifty-five surviving members of his son’s lineage.

Let’s not have another family destroyed by the death of a young man – all because current fraternity brothers and alumni – are either too timid or indifferent to step up and demand change. I call for graduates of every decade to return to their fraternities to reexamine whether the good clean fun they had experienced in their youth, was exactly that. Let’s not allow antiquated traditions that promote dangerous indiscretions, take the life of another young person.

Cash Kushel

The Kushel Switcheroo and Your Football Box-Pool

switcherooI have gone to many Superbowl parties where the guests enter a football box-pool. The entrants buy “boxes” in a 10 x 10 grid, consisting of 100 boxes (combinations) in total. The entrants write their name in the boxes they purchase. The numbers used in the grid are chosen at random so each participant has an equal chance of receiving a favorable combination or possibly one that had little chance of being a winner. Continue reading

Which One of My Books Is My Favorite?

SenseofDirection_coverPeople ask “which one of my books is my favorite?’ As an author who had written three novels the answer was always easy. I have three sons and I love them equally. Since I also consider my three novels to be my children, the answer is just as clear. Just as my three sons are unique individuals, my three novels have totally different themes. So when it comes to picking among them, it is impossible. I can honestly say I hold each of them close to my heart. Continue reading

Cash’s View of Symmetry

shrubIn many ways I have lived my life with symmetry all around me. Being an accounting professor, I told my students in my basic accounting course, that balance sheets must always balance and that a firm’s Assets must always equal Liabilities plus Equity. Continue reading

The Dilemma of Giving Away Free Books

SenseofDirection_coverWith the birth of a child, the proud father often hands out cigars to commemorate the occasion. When an author’s new book is launched there are similar rites of passage. With my fourth book “Sense of Direction” debuting this month, I am struggling with the pressures of giving out free copies of my newest baby. Continue reading

State Tax Burdens and the NFL Player – Watt vs. Manning

jj-watt

When J.J. Watt (pictured on left) the 2012 NFL Defensive Player of the Year suits up to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 5, 2013, the Houston Texans’ defensive lineman will try and help his team win a road game. Even if Watt fails to record a sack of the opposing quarterback or if his favored team fails to win the game, Watt will still have successfully tackled the “state tax man.” Continue reading

Tax Considerations of Winning the Lottery

Lotto Trouble coverImagine you win a large lottery jackpot. Untold and unexpected millions will cascade down upon you. You show up at a news conference and a reporter asks the question, “What are you going to do with your winnings?” Continue reading

Tax Implications of Same Sex Marriage

Fordham EmblemThe recent Supreme Court decision in United States vs. Windsor is a real game changer for same sex couples who are legally married. This decision will confer on these couples the same rights, privileges, or detrimental treatment, that federal tax law currently imposes on heterosexual couples. Continue reading

Can You Trust Your Lottery Agent? Life Imitates Art!

Lotto Trouble cover

With many large lottery jackpots in the news lately, have you given thought to your own personal safety once you purchase a ticket? Can you trust your lottery agent?

My first novel Lotto Trouble (published in 2003 and pictured above) was about a clerk working in a New Jersey gas station who sold a $20 Million winning lottery ticket. A strange set of circumstances allowed the lottery agent to find and hunt down the customer who had purchased it. Many people’s lives are impacted and some even die as a result of the lottery agent’s greed. Continue reading

Is the Presidential Election Cycle Too Long?

SenseofDirection_cover

It seemed that the 2008 presidential election cycle went on forever. By the time Barack Obama recorded an historic election night victory we had viewed him on the nightly news, non-stop for years. Although the Clinton/Obama primary battle had been newsworthy it lasted forever. Continue reading