This is just a feeling. I haven’t done a deep dive. I keep seeing moves Gavin Newsom makes and thinking, “He’s moving right.” It kind of makes sense. With Kamala’s rise in fortunes, Gavin has been moved to the back burner in the Democratic Party. He clearly had his eye on the White House in 2028. But with Kamala suddenly becoming the nominee, she would likely run in 2028 as well, and the Democrats won’t back anybody against her. In fact, other Democrats will specifically be told to stand down if they try.

Newsom is 56 years old. He’ll be 64 at the end of two Harris terms (should that be the way it works out.) That might be seen as getting up there, a bit, in years. If he stays a Democrat, he has to wait until 2032 to mount a run at the White House. Maybe he needs to move right and try to run as a Republican? (I don’t really think so. I just don’t know what he’s doing.)

As I indicated, it’s only a feeling. He still says all the right things about Democratic governance and, realistically, the cons have spent years vilifying Gavin Newsom. The idea that he could gain their good graces seems like a stretch to credibility. But I continue to be an “actions speak louder than words” kind of guy and the things Newsom is DOING are speaking more loudly, to me, than the words he’s saying.

Let’s just call it a…concern…

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Recently, the NFL changed it’s kickoff rules. They had a combined goal: they wanted to see more returns but they want to reduce impact of collisions during kickoffs. I support the new rule for it’s protection efforts and it DOES seem to be increasing the number of returns as well.

But it’s weird seeing all those players just standing there waiting for the ball to hit the ground or be fielded by the returner. I feel like the rule needs one, final tweak. The NFL should require all the players on the lines, both lines, in unison, to shout “One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi” before moving. Call it an homage to three-on-three street football played by kids everywhere. (At least, it used to be…)

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How frustrating it must be to be Trump/Vance. JUST when they thought they were going to enjoy a little economic upheaval, thereby giving a boost to their flagging campaign, the Dockworkers suspended their strike. Work will continue, goods will continue to flow. No economic upheaval to tout on the campaign trail.

No biggie, really. They’ll just keep making things up and MAGA will just keep drinking it down. Apparently, lying can be a BIG advantage – but it also has consequences…

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I know this is unkind and I don’t mean to be unkind but I find myself wondering how all of those red folks I spent years arguing about climate change with feel, now that “climate change” is smashing right through their doors, destroying their towns, and killing them? When a natural disaster occurs in a blue state, you can bet your bottom dollar some televangelist will come on television and claim it’s ‘God’s wrath’ for their sins. (‘Wrath’ actually being one of the Seven Deadly Sins…)

So, are the states in the southeast corner of our once-great nation now experiencing a little of ‘God’s wrath’ of their own from the hurricanes? Would I STILL get arguments that climate change is a hoax from people who live in Florida or the Carolinas? Sadly, I suspect I would. Some people simply refuse to learn.

But we were warned. Experts – people who study these things their entire lives – told us this is what we should expect if we do nothing. Because a certain crowd could form fraudulent sentences, we did nothing. Or, at least, we didn’t do enough. Now, we’re reaping the whirlwind. Literally. Why, it’s almost as if experts DO know more than web-surfers.

I’m sorry. I understand that, above all, these are human beings (and animals and other living things). They need help and I support doing all we can. It’s one of the benefits of our large, powerful government. You know, the one those very self-same people are always saying should be dismantled? Yeah, that one. I guess they’ll get back to dismantling it after they’ve received their bailout checks – and they ARE getting help, despite the continuing lies from the right.

Florida is about to be hit by a Category 3 hurricane. This, right after Hurricane Helene swept up the coast, killing and destroying as a Category 4 hurricane. You’d think those folks would have had more concerns about climate change, in view of the fact that they’re in the crosshairs of hurricane after hurricane. But no. They wanted to win a political battle – and they did.

Hey, congratulations on your “victory!”

I apologize again. I know it’s wrong and I’m working on it. The schadenfreude I’m feeling isn’t really overpowering my humanity, but it’s very definitely there. As it happens, one can lie all they want to, but they can’t ignore the consequences of their lies, nor the reality they denied. My heart goes out to every person who lost something or someone in these storms – or will lose out yet. But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed how their lies have “served” them in the long run…