No I didn’t watch the #StateOfTheUnion. Instead, a brief look at #Trump — his false and misleading claims — can be summed up and reduced into a few sentences, as usual. It’s predominantly bloviation and bullshit! apnews.com/article/fact...

A former congressman described the president’s party as an “authoritarian-embracing cult.” …And a retired Army general, his voice shaking with emotion, cited post-Nazi Germany as a roadmap for the nation’s post- #Trump recovery. apnews.com/article/neve...

The U.S. #immigrant detention system is currently the largest in the world, and still growing. These centers take so-called "protective custody" of people, but with prolonged #confinement, no criminal trial, and no meaningful #judicial review. #ICE #Dehumanization apnews.com/article/immi...

#Trump took 13 min. to deliver what could be said in just two sentences. This excludes the bloviating questions & answers. In response to #SCOTUS, repetitively saying "shame," "foreign joy," & "power". As always, he's full of rhetorical padding, not policy details. globalnews.ca/news/1167613...

These days, it doesn’t take me long to scan through the news. Even most podcasts have become the same old stuff. But Ezra Klein’s latest podcast on Epstein echoes many of my internal thoughts. I think of this as a prime example of the sociology of our times. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Never thought I’d see the day when events like the #Grammy & #Oscar Awards, #Olympics, #SuperBowl, and so on would be broadcasted to only select viewers who can afford to pay several subscription fees fees for access. To think that it was all free and mainstream years ago. So much for democracy!

Catherine O'Hara and John Candy in "Home Alone", 20th Century Fox. O’Hara sitting on left of Candy as he blows into a clarinet.

When people progress from #misperception to deliberate #fabrication, they’re engaging in identity-protective cognition. Defending social #identity becomes more important than factual accuracy. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence apnews.com/article/ai-v...

They killed more fellow #Americans today. It’s the uninhibited murder first. They make empty explanations after the fact. #Fascists have no remorse, and will continue to blame their victims, family and friends. They just go on building their pretty killing machine. Nothing new here.

#Trump linked his aggressive stance on #Greenland to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel #Peace Prize, telling #Norway’s that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace”. If that’s not #Evil incarnate, I don’t know what would be! More said… apnews.com/article/gree...

Though I do lots of #cooking, I had yet to venture into the #AirFryer trend until today. I was certainly long familiar with the technique, but I just recently made room for the new #appliance. They’ve certainly improved since their initial introduction years ago. www.breville.com/en-us/produc...

Happy #MLKWeek — Jan 15th-19th, 2026. Let Freedom Ring! #DayOfService

The #DonroeDoctrine is here. After capturing #Maduro, Trump’s "American pre-eminence" targets the #PanamaCanal, #Greenland, #Mexico, #Columbia, #Nicaragua, #Nigeria, #Cuba… and bombs #Nigeria, #Iran, #Syria, #Yemen. 20th Century Diplomacy is out; return of Imperialism is in. Disaster!

81 years ago, FDR proposed a second Bill of Rights to guarantee every American the right to employment, healthcare, education, housing, and a living income. His words are as relevant now as they were then. Watch.

Naturally, I voted yes. Plus two other local items. apnews.com/article/cali...

A surprising article that mirrors my thoughts from last night. I’m currently #walking 2.5 to just under 5 miles a day. A walk in #SanJose is a bit different than my past walks in the various naves of #NYC, or in #Firenze, like #Dante himself in search of his beloved. apnews.com/article/well...

This last year, I’ve gotten the sense of the daily news in less than five minutes. But, it astounds me how long it takes the so-called average American to weigh through all the MAGA bullshit, social media, and performative news statements. I’m done with it… wasted time. apnews.com/article/poll...

AKA Charlie Sheen review – he shows no genuine remorse for all the terrifying things he’s done

The brazen lies! Sitting under a sign that says “Pursuing #Peace” when it’s exactly the opposite. #Putin and #Trump are two of the world’s greatest aggressors, nationalists, and imperialists. #Tyrants with an outdated creed. Complete #failure, #fraud #kakistocracy. apnews.com/photo-galler...

The #California French Improved #Plums — a traditional orchard crop of old #SanJose, California, developed her in the city, generations ago. They offer a richer, more complex jammy flavor than simpler, sweeter varieties, and are the ideal for making prunes, or baking.

Lately I feel like I’m standing on the threshold. A mundane eye sees decay, hollowness, obsolescence. A spiritual eye sees an emerging rapture, inner domain, and a living presence of love. Tension between these two eyes is what keeps me oriented as the axis mundi turns. The energy of love prevails.

Call me sadistic, if need be, but I just love to see Elon #Musk get his “just deserts”. It’s repeat irony, amusement, & indignation. As if to say, “Ain’t it rich?” #SpaceX rocket diplomacy backfires in the Bahamas — and #Mexico - www.reuters.com/science/how-...

As a #Californian & generational land owner near the #Nogales border, #SantaCruzCounty, #Arizona, I think this is very overblown & costly to taxpayers. Poor use of military personnel, & apparatus. As a generational #food supplier, it’s also bad for #trade and #culture. apnews.com/article/mexi...

I’ve read the #news, #features, & in-depth #essays every morning for decades, and I’ve seen the decline of #newspapers and staffed #reporting. But, I’m convinced that American journalism & writing fell off the cliff with the advent of #SocialMedia, and especially the rise of #Trump & #MAGA.

Yup… it’s a mild #NorCal #Summer “… #SanJose, a city that typically sees plenty of sunshine and warm #weather by mid-July, 38 out of the first 45 days of summer were cooler than the same dates in 2024.” #SFBA www.ktvu.com/weather/bay-...

#Trump Org. operated #WollmanRink with NYC gov. until 1995 & again from 2001 until 2021, when control was given to Wollman Park Partners, a joint venture formed between #HarrisBlitzer Sports & Entertainment, The Related Companies, and Equinox Group. #Redskins #Guardians apnews.com/article/trum...

As a #caregiver for a #stroke victim, I’m highly skeptical of the #WhiteHouse brief on #Trump and his “chronic venous insufficiency”. Ironically, we just visited a doctor for an annual consultation & ultrasound. Vascular conditions (#angiology), cardiology, and neurology should never be downplayed.

#Trump talked about “draining the swamp” for many years. Now more evidence implies his own involvement in such muck. The #EpsteinFiles are certainly a hot mess that runs at least 40 years deep, and the more he tries to tread away from it, the more it pulls him into it. apnews.com/article/trum...

It’s a long, troubled history. Don’t be gaslighted by the #Facebook algorithmic nonsense, and all their billionaire associates. I’m so glad to be rid of the #Meta apps once and for all… never going back to that shit show! www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

“It’s because we grew up in the same area. I think I remind him of all the kids at school who never liked him… I’m a tough New York tomboy girl—and I think his crap never flew with me or New Yorkers.” Bingo! It runs deep… decades! www.thedailybeast.com/rosie-odonne...

All these dismal responses to #wildfire & #floods are a result of #Trump, #MAGA, #DOGE, and denial of the #Climate#Crisis, its impact on every U.S. state, & the world. #Arizona #Texas #California #Colorado, etc. Plus #measles #plague #AvianInfluenza #GunViolence etc. apnews.com/article/gran...

The abhorrant part of #StateDepartment layoffs is that this could be a forced early retirement for countless people who proudly and efficiently served for years, then to be sent off with not just dismissiveness but hostility. The harm in that is unforgivable. www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...

Most #senators use #July4th to connect with constituents at patriotic celebrations. Elected officials typically want to be seen as part of the American fabric, not vacationing abroad. But, like he did in 2021, #TedCruz again abandons #Texas during crisis. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...

Did #KenBurns really tell #CBS News' John Dickerson "I think the #AmericanRevolution is the most important event since the birth of #Christ in all of world history…"? Ahem… a bit much, even for a patriot. How could any social scientist or philosopher ever qualify such a bold and broad statement?

The understated results of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ conviction on prostitution counts, while cleared of more serious charges, says a lot about America’s national culture. That, too, doesn’t even address the hidden life of celebrity, or outward regards of pop culture. - www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...

My incomparable and inspiring adviser, Dr. Deborah E. McDowell. One of the many powerful lessons I learned from her: NEVER waste a podium

Happy Pride Day #LGBTQ #Stonewall #Gay #CivilRights #TransPride #TransRights #TransAlly #Diversity

I was an intern in 1994, when Mario #Cuomo (the father) last ran for Governor and lost in Gingrich’s nationwide “Republican Revolution”. Now, the Cuomo legacy is long done in my opinion. Moving on… hopefully it’s #Mamdani. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

This is pathetic and ever more racist. It’s also cowardice masked with bullying while wrongfully using federal force. apnews.com/article/jd-v...

#Standby… everything happens within “two weeks”. Then again… maybe not. #Trump #TwoWeeks #NewGildedAge #Nonsense #Lies #Propaganda apnews.com/video/times-...

If that’s what they do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they can do to any American that dares to speak up. We will hold this administration accountable.

If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, and to day laborers throughout California and across the country. We will hold this administration accountable.

I turned off this social media shit show long ago, deleting several apps. Still, it’s amazing what can escalate in just hours and minutes on such platforms. Just another sign of America’s deeper addictions and dilemma, preoccupied and “governed” by the likes of this. www.cnn.com/business/tim...

From Breakingviews - Breakingviews - Why ‘America First’ could end the age of arbitrage reut.rs/4mTvIOg

A generation is passing. #LGBTQ apnews.com/article/edmu...

Just watched #Hitchcock with #AnthonyHopkins on #Netflix. I later recalled Hitchcock’s residency in #California, and his many inspirations for films and scenes. There are depictions of #Capitola, #SanJuanBautista, #SanFrancisco, etc. #ScottsValley #SantaCruz www.goodtimes.sc/alfred-hitch...