50 Seconds from Greece, and Other Political Items (Mostly Gavin)

Enjoy my concise, but powerful commentary above.

A few other tidbits while I am on my iPad…

I read an illumating article this morning over at CalMatters — the takeway?

California’s political elite have turned governance into a pay-to-play game, and the latest scandal involving Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is a textbook case. Newsom tapped Villaraigosa, a past rival, for a $380,000 infrastructure advisory role, outsourcing the paycheck to the nonprofit California Forward. Far from a taxpayer savings, this move masked a web of corporate donors—SoCalGas, Disney, AT&T, and others—chipping in $118,800 to fund the gig. These aren’t charity checks; they’re investments by entities with business before the state, buying influence under a legal loophole that shields donor identities from public scrutiny.

This arrangement reeks of corruption. By using a nonprofit as a “clearinghouse,” Newsom sidesteps accountability, leaving voters in the dark about who’s pulling the strings on multibillion-dollar projects. Villaraigosa’s $35,000 monthly haul—outpacing the governor’s salary—raises questions about merit over favoritism. Of course Newsom’s office stonewalls inquiries, refusing to explain why public funds weren’t used or why an insider couldn’t do the job. It’s pretty gross.

Speaking of our esteemed Governor, Gavin Newson, has decided to just onto Substack himself. I have subscribed (it’s only cost is to your soul as you watch the content). Kind for the same reason I subscribe to the New York Times (which is definately not free) - because it is good to watch, listen and read sources that you do not always agree with. A cynic might think that since his Podcast efforts haven’t been all that successfully, that’s he trying the next thing…

You can check out Newsom’s Substack here.

And since we are on the subject of Gavin Newsom, turns out his positives here in California are at a dismal 44%. The California Globe reports on it here.

Should federal taxpayers cough up to cover the costs of the recent unrest in Los Angeles?

The Trump administration is sending a clear message to sanctuary cities like Los Angeles, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy vowing not a “red cent” for infrastructure damaged by recent riots.

This is a victory for accountability. Sanctuary policies have turned urban centers into lawless zones, burdening taxpayers. By withholding DOT money, Duffy ensures cities face their choices, aligning with Trump’s focus on remigration and border security—putting America first with principled resolve.

You are not a real Trump supporter…. Yet. But here’s your opportunity…

Did you know you need a Trump Gold Phone? Yes the Donald Trump’s family is launching yet another endeavor to financially benefit off of his notoriety as President (hear the cynicism in my voice — I’m not a fan of this sort of thing). Now they are launching a line of Trump Mobile phones. The lowest tier monthly service cost? $47.45 of course (this is a play off of Trump being both the 45th and 47th Presidents). I like much of what the President is doing, but this…. heavy sigh.

Still, if you pick up one of these - and want your pick in a post, just pose with your new phone and send it over! First one who does get’s some free publicity.

Finally, under the catagory of things you need to know — as I write this our family is on a cruise aroud the Aegean Sea, stopping in ports in Greece and Turkey. As the Greece slips by, I just took the photo below. Many Greek towns are located not right on the water but in the hills above. This dates back to the days when unknown bad guys (pirates, marauders, and the like) would raid villages by boat. Human nature, who wants to hike up a hillside to attack a town?

Until tomorrow…

Jon