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jilicc When Jimmy Carter set out to forge a legacy in his post-White House years, he not only created the Carter Center, but also wrote stacks of books documenting his political and personal history. He was not the most prolific U.S. president (Theodore Roosevelt authored about three dozen works), but Carter and his word processor galloped through a multitude of genres before his death at age 100 on Sunday. His 32 books include personal histories, political memoirs, a novel, poems, spiritual lessons, guides to aging, Middle East critiques, lectures and a children’s book. Some became best sellers, all are valuable to historians. Many, especially those about his Georgia experiences, are rewarding reads. Even so, Carter’s writing can be exasperating. The trained engineer was not prone to the creative phrase or an engaging narrative voice. In “Sources of Strength” (1997) he notes that while his evangelist sister Ruth Carter Stapleton prayed as though she was talking with a friend, “my prayers are usually more formal, as I speak somewhat cautiously to Almighty God.” Jimmy Carter wrote like he prayed. Even in his personal memoirs, readers are often kept at a distance, as if an inner Secret Service agent were standing guard over his deepest self. New York Times critic Michiko Kakutani found that in “Always a Reckoning” (1995), Carter’s poems “plod earnestly from Point A to Point B without ever making the leap into emotional hyperspace.” Washington Post reviewer Jonathan Yardley declared Carter’s “White House Diary” (2010) to be “stupendously dull.” Many of his books repeat themselves or read like over-extended opinion pieces. There are hints that Carter didn’t appreciate being edited. Peter Osnos, who says he worked closely with Carter on “Living Faith” (1996), read the first draft and made suggestions that led to “several very stiff exchanges.” When Carter co-authored “Everything to Gain” (1987) with wife Rosalynn, he wrote only half-jokingly that the process threatened “the stability of our marriage.” It’s possible this disinclination to editorial input cost him in his peacemaking pursuits. “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” (2006) created a national and local furor. Some members of the Carter Center advisory board resigned and Jewish organizations bought ads to sharply protest Carter’s stance. In “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land” (2009), Carter blames much of the outrage on his use of “apartheid” in the title. Questions arise: Did no editor or colleague raise a red flag over the word? Would Carter have heeded their reservations? The irony is that Carter’s books are valuable precisely because they are his own work and bespeak the earnestness Kakutani laments in his poetry. In “Sources of Strength,” perhaps the key piece in the jigsaw puzzle of his personality, Carter writes that “the most important goal most people share...is...to live in a truly meaningful way.” His written words also reveal the virtues, tics, talents and contradictions of the man. “White House Diary” attacks the late Sen. Ted Kennedy — with what seems disproportionate venom — for, among other things, condemning Carter’s health care plan. Yet in the earlier “Living Faith” (1996), the former president preaches forgiveness, then laments his own hypocrisy: “Most of my lingering resentments relate to our time in Washington. In some cases, I have said, ‘I can’t forgive that jerk!’” Carter’s books, at bottom, are about struggle: to overcome his personal faults, to bring meaning to his life and legacy, to battle injustice, to free the hostages in Iran, to come to terms with losing the presidency, to negotiate peace, to harness slippery language. The last struggle may have been the most challenging. William Zinsser, in his guide “On Writing Well,” cited President Carter for signing an executive order directing that federal regulations be written “simply and clearly.” But as Carter mused in a post-White House poem: “Now when I seek efficient words / to say what I believe is true / or have a dream I want to share / the vagueness is still there.” Language in federal regulations was one thing; language in literature proved to be another. RECOMMENDED READING An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood (2001): The best seller traces Carter’s boyhood during the Depression in Georgia, is honest about Southern race issues and provides background on formation of his values. Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age (1992): The story of Carter’s 1962 campaign for the Georgia Senate draws a shocking portrait of local politics. Oddly, Carter never wrote a book on his term as governor. Living Faith (1996), Sources of Strength (1997): The closest we get to the inner man, Carter explains in the first book how his creed developed through life. The second contains 52 Sunday school lessons that provide eye-opening glimpses of a remarkable psyche. Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope (2007): Describes the amazing scope of the Carter Center’s work, from negotiations in Haiti to eradicating Guinea worm in Ghana. The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War (2003): This is flawed fiction about Deep South patriots in the Revolutionary War, but it deserves better than one snooty review headline: “Founding Bubbas.” As The Texas Observer noted, it is also “a studious reminder not to take the South for granted.”Dear Eric: We live on a lake and love hosting our great-nieces and nephews on school breaks and the entire family on vacations. My husband and I have no children. Our niece's families are dear to us. Our 11-year-old great-nephew has been gaming now for about a year. When he comes to visit, instead of reading or playing cards or board games with us, he wants to disappear with his video games. We feel vacated. How do we navigate this with his parents who think his being on a video gaming team at school is awesome and I think it is a bad omen? What is a fair place of compromise and balance? — Game Off Dear Game Off: Let his parents parent their child. The other night I re-watched the movie "Network" from 1977. In it, a character in his 60s dismisses a character played by Faye Dunaway by saying, "She's the television generation. She learned life from Bugs Bunny. The only reality she knows is what comes to her over her TV set." Every generation has anxieties about the ways that technology is changing social interactions or altering the minds of the generations below. While some of those concerns are valid, those of Faye Dunaway's generation (now in their 70s and 80s) would argue that they've managed to stay quite well-rounded, despite TV. In moderation, video games have been shown to improve a child's cognitive function and working memory. While your great-nephew's gaming might not be your choice, it's important that you not seek to undermine the research and thinking that his parents have done about it. What you're really yearning for is a sense of togetherness as a family, so try talking to your niece and her spouse about group activities you can plan to meet your great-nephew where he is. Dear Eric: I eat at a local restaurant a couple times a week and tend to get one of three meals. This one waitress asks me what I want to eat, but then interrupts me to make guesses or tell me my choice. I just put my head down and nod yes or no to the guesses. It's frustrating, but not life-threatening. She enjoys it. I hate it. However, if I were to say something, it would force her to make the choice of being herself, doing something she likes doing, or appeasing me so I can order the way I want to order. I don't know if this is a big enough problem to have a "high road." The answer will not change my life. She can easily change, and I can easily suffer. The question is who gets to be themselves? — Speaking Up Dear Speaking Up: I worked in the service industry for more than a decade. I loved it. I loved seeing regulars, meeting new people and carrying a lot of beverages in my hands at one time. The whole bit. I also loved knowing what people wanted, but I would always ask and confirm. That's part of the job. She may think you're a regular who likes to be known in this way. So, informing her that that's not the case won't be keeping her from being herself. It will be helping her to do her job better. You may not have the kind of temperament that easily or comfortably course-corrects in social situations. That's just fine. But know you won't be causing her suffering by saying something like, "I've already decided on my meal. Let's skip the guessing today and I'll just tell you." This also clears the path for the two of you to talk about something else, if you want. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Mutual of America Capital Management LLC Sells 533 Shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR)

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust ( NYSE:PEB – Get Free Report ) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Compass Point from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage presently has a $17.00 price target on the real estate investment trust’s stock. Compass Point’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 25.83% from the stock’s current price. A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on PEB. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. StockNews.com lowered Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $15.00 to $13.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $14.42. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PEB Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Stock Performance Insider Activity at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust In other news, CEO Jon E. Bortz bought 13,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 21st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $12.68 per share, for a total transaction of $164,840.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,395,284 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,692,201.12. This represents a 0.94 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz sold 11,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.37, for a total value of $235,070.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,349,284 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,834,199.08. This represents a 0.81 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 2.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,043,473 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $40,272,000 after buying an additional 28,871 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 0.7% during the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 191,009 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $2,527,000 after purchasing an additional 1,402 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 25,302 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $335,000 after purchasing an additional 2,575 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $185,000. Finally, Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC now owns 89,527 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $1,184,000 after purchasing an additional 4,033 shares during the period. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels and resorts in the United States. The Company owns 47 hotels and resorts, totaling approximately 12,200 guest rooms across 13 urban and resort markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

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