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That reminds me of that episode in M*A*S*H in which one of the soldiers proposes to another with a ring which was supposed to read "Over Hill, Over Dale, Our Love Will Never Fail," but the Korean ring-maker wrote "Our Love Will Ever Fail" by mistake. 😄

Well, these are the latest results, according to AI: As of early May 2026, the California governor's race is highly competitive and fractured, with Republican Steve Hilton [15%] and Democrat Xavier Becerra [18%] tied for the lead in recent California Democratic Party polling. The race is wide open following term limits for Gov. Gavin Newsom, with a large, divided field of candidates and roughly 26% of voters still undecided. Key Candidates and Poll Standings (Approximate)Steve Hilton (R): 16% – 18%, Xavier Becerra (D): 10% – 18%, Tom Steyer (D): 12% – 15%, Chad Bianco (R): 10% – 14%, Katie Porter (D): 8% – 10%, Matt Mahan (D): 4% – 5%. If I were to vote for my favorite, it'd be Matt Mahan, but California has a system in which the top two vote-getters face off, and it would be a disaster if it were a Bianco-Hilton face-off. Trump endorses Hilton and, Bianco is a complete nut-job. Out of fear of having a GOP vs GOP final election (although a Democrat could win as a write-in), I'll vote for Becerra. Steyer comes off as a complete sleazebag, Porter is abrasive, arrogant, and condescending. According to AI:   Key criticisms from her detractors include: Poor Temperament: Critics argue she has an "unhappy" and combative demeanor, highlighting incidents where she shouted at staffer or acted rudely in interviews. Abusive Management Style: She has faced accusations of being an "abusive" and "racist" boss, specifically in reports about her treatment of staff, according to a POLITICO article. "Arrogant" and "Condescending": Opponents argue that her "whiteboard" style is condescending and that she acts with a sense of moral or intellectual superiority, according to a National Review article and the Medium article. Self-Destructive/Weak Candidate: Some critics, such as former state controller Betty Yee, have labeled her a "weak, self-destructive candidate unfit to lead California," particularly when facing pressure or difficult questioning. Political Missteps: Critics have described her as overambitious, pointing to her decision to run for the Senate instead of staying in the House as a move that let down her party

You can certainly treat a hire as a piece of meat and dehumanize them, but I disagree that the act of engaging them is inherently dehumanizing. It's a job. I often didn't like my work. But, it paid well and I did it. Why is that any different than this? Perhaps you can argue, and I don't think I'd disagree, that most work is dehumanizing. If you're working, it's almost always because you have to. Different forms of economic vulnerability, but still most people do it because they have to. I do not subscribe to the notion that sex work is somehow inherently worse than other jobs. If you don't want to dehumanize the guys, don't be an asshole. It is amazing how many social interactions go so much better when you aren't an asshole. 

Apparently Tabasco is now closed.  So if anyone has other ideas for the current scene please let us know. I'll be in Berlin and then Hamburg for a week or so late June/early July

There's a new sheriff in town!  😆😆😆 Will he ride that horse around Sacramento?