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Berkeley has a new mayor. And she is an outsider.

Adena Ishii wins Berkeley mayor’s race

https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/11/20/berkeley-mayor-race-adena-ishii-update-sophie-hahn

Adena Ishii has won the race for Berkeley mayor, and will make an extraordinary leap from being a relatively unknown civic organizer to the city’s top public official after defeating two veterans of local politics.

She’ll become the first Asian American mayor in Berkeley’s history, and the first woman of color to hold the job.

An update released Wednesday by Alameda County election officials showed Ishii had support from 51.1% of Berkeley voters compared to 48.9% for Councilmember Sophie Hahn, a difference of 1,039 votes, after ranked-choice votes from supporters of former Councilmember Kate Harrison and the race’s two other candidates were taken into account. Ishii also led Hahn in first-choice votes by 337.

“We’re really excited and we’re ready to get to work,” Ishii said when reached by phone Wednesday night, adding that she felt “overwhelmed, grateful [and] so honored to be mayor of this city.”

An education consultant and former president of the League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville, Ishii had never run for office before she launched her campaign last year. She is the biggest political outsider elected Berkeley mayor in nearly half a century: Gus Newport was the last person to win the office without having previously held an elected post, though historian Charles Wollenberg noted Newport had been a well-known progressive activist before his 1979 victory.

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Once the new Mayor and Councilmembers are sworn in, Ben Bartlett will be the longest serving of all, having completed only two full terms. I don't know if there's ever been a Council with less tenure in modern history.

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Nov 22·edited Nov 22

Maybe back in the 70s or 80s, though I doubt it. 5 of 9 seats, including the Mayor's seat, have changed hands since New Year's Day.

Mayor's seat - Jesse Arreguin ran for State Senate, to be replaces by Adena Ishii.

District 4 - Kate Harrison rage quit in late January during a City Council meeting; replaced by Igor Tregub.

District 5 - Sophie Hahn gave up her seat to run for Mayor; to be replaced by Shoshanna O'Keefe.

District 6 - Susan Wengraf retired, to be replaced by Brent Blackaby.

District 7 - Rigel Robinson left in early January, replaced by Cecilia Lunaparra.

There may have been past elections that saw as many seats change, but I honestly can't remember when. Maybe before there were District elections and all seats were elected on a Citywide basis.

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I know Adena from when I was still working on campus and she was still an undergrad. Quite a rise she has had since then. She was incredibly nice.

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She got my vote. Came by the house when she was campaigning and won over me and Mrs. OD.

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I'm hopeful that Mayor Ishii will help lead Berkeley in a new direction. The old factions aren't cutting it, and stuff needs to get done. Also: property taxes in Berkeley are way too high. Berkeleyans pay for many things through special assessments that are passed at the ballot box. This is a bad way to run a city, if you ask me. Especially since renters are protected from paying property taxes by Rent Stabilization Board fiat.

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SHE BLINDED ME WITH...

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What happens if you think about the geometry of light. Like what does a single photon look like?

https://phys.org/news/2024-11-theory-reveals-photon.html

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It's not so much of a Nerf Nuke as a Nerf HIMARS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsMkHHe2Gjg

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wanna to see a volcano eruption live?

https://livefromiceland.is/

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Apparently, the lava flow has now started to cover Blue Lagoon's parking lot.

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When was the last time you wore a tie/hosiery?

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In DC meeting reps.

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A cousin-in-law's wedding last winter.

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In May, at my daughter's graduation. Prior to that, I think it was 2 years ago at the wedding of one of my wife's cousins.

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Cousin's wedding in July.

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I thought about wearing one at my nephew’s wedding this summer. But my brother said it wasn’t necessary. That means I can’t remember the last time.

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If by hosiery you mean socks, then every day.

I last wore a tie on June 8. It was a bowtie.

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Yesterday for about 2 hours, then I took it off.

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21

Wore a suit to a big international science prize ceremony. Still trying to dial in the fit, I wear it maybe once a year and I’ve gained ten pounds since a year ago when I started weightlifting again.

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Last night

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Very good question. I don't remember.

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21

I'm going to wear my Cal tie to work tomorrow.

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do socks count as hosiery? long underwear?

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If they fit over your knee and are sheer, I'll call them hosiery

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two nights ago at the Cal "meet the chancellor" night. wore my Cal tie.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/huEzwdGygbTUqXdF8

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You look good, but the chancellor isn't wearing any Cal gear himself??

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that was the host, Jim Wagner, 4x water polo champ, class of '93

the chancellor wasnt wearing any Cal gear either ..

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Was that the practice? That current Cal people don't wear Cal gear, only former Cal folks?

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Favorite shoe brand

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I have several Vessi pairs. Waterproof. Casual. Lightweight. Wearing the boots today (Friday)

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I'm leaning Danner, since they have several varieties that are easily available in wider widths.

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Danner is top of the line, though spendy.

I would suggest Wolverine is a good alternative to look at; lots of styles and reasonable price points.

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REI carried Danner boots when I worked there. I would guess REI still does. Danner boots were a well made product.

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New Balance. They make shoes that will accommodate my wide feet.

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I've owned several styles of New Balance shoes over the years, both general purpose and sport-specific, and have had good experiences. Prices are as reasonable as any quality shoe are.

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The last ones I had were back in the mid 80s in HS. Of course, they're coming back into style now. Dad running shoes.

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Best pair of artificial turf field shoes I've ever had, even better than some turf cleats.

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I’m still a Nike guy. A couple of their updates to the shoe I use had me reconsidering, but the latest is back to normal.

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Skechers...they're so light!

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Nike for all athletic purposes, Cole Haan for casual and dress shoes.

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Most recent fave is the ON CloudMonster. I also like Asics, mostly because they fit my feet so well. Have worn Hoka, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Brooks, Etonic...

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I've always been partial to Nike, however, after trying the Ultraboost, that is now my favorite running shoe. But I do buy Nike otherwise.

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21

La Sportiva .. they make excellent rock climbing shoes i am told. i mostly like this Italian-made stuff for good hiking shoes and boots.

i am wearing these today on a wet and windy day in NYC

https://i.stpost.com/la-sportiva-bushido-ii-gore-tex-mountain-running-shoes-waterproof-for-men-in-black-yellow~p~5fhmf_01~1500.3.jpg

the other Italian one i like is Scarpa. in Italian, "scarpa" means shoe!

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PRO

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Oops...wrong section

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[NEWS] Cal Athletics Enters Sponsorship Agreement With Troutman Amin, LLP

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/athletics-news-cal-athletics-enters-sponsorship-agreement-with-troutman-amin-llp.aspx

BERKELEY – In their ongoing commitment to identifying new and innovative revenue streams while valuing regional and strategic partnerships, Cal Athletics and Learfield Cal Bears Sports Properties announced Wednesday an impactful sponsorship agreement with Troutman Amin, LLP, highlighted by corporate logos on the playing field at California Memorial Stadium.

Troutman Amin is a nationally recognized law firm that was founded by Eric J. Troutman, a 1999 Cal alumnus.

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I keep on imaging (and wishing) this agreement was with Roger Troutman from Zapp and Roger.

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There's a huge Atlanta law firm also named Troutman- until I read more about this particular Cal alum and his firm, I was thinking that the ACC ties/geography was starting to pay off for Cal...

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Sponsor for a buyout?

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21Author

I was wondering who to call to sue robocallers. Sorry Twist, but I'm going with the guy who advertises at CMS.

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[MSOC] 3 Bears Named To Academic All-District Team

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-soccer-3-bears-named-to-academic-all-district-team.aspx

The California trio of Marco Brougher, Santiago Hopkins and Gaku Nishimura was named to the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division I Academic All-District Men's Soccer Team, CSC announced Tuesday. This marks the second consecutive Academic All-District honor for Hopkins, while Brougher and Nishimura collect the accolade for the first time.

A student-athlete must compile at least a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average and compete in 90% of the institution's games or must start in at least 66% of the institution's games to be nominated for the CSC Academic All-District Team.

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[NEWS] Cal Athletics Records Highest GSR Ever

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/athletics-news-cal-athletics-records-highest-gsr-ever.aspx

BERKELEY – Cal student-athletes set benchmarks across the board in the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data that was announced by the NCAA on Wednesday, including an all-time overall high of 93%.

The new standard surpassed the athletic department's previous mark of 91% that was achieved in both 2022 and 2023.

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A full weekend of events to celebrate the retired Joe Thornton.

Celebrating Jumbo Joe Thornton

https://www.fearthefin.com/celebrating-jumbo-joe-thornton/

The weekend of Joe starts today. The City of San Jose, the San Jose Sharks and of course, the Sharks fans will spend this weekend celebrating one of the greatest players in Sharks’ history, “Jumbo” Joe Thornton. On Saturday, the number 19 will be lifted into the rafters at the SAP Center, forever enshrining Thornton as a San Jose Shark.

But, of course, the jersey ceremony is just the culmination of a series of events that celebrate what Thornton has brought to the Sharks and what he continues to mean to the team and its fans.

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Warriors put on defensive clinic in dominant win over Hawks

https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/11/20/24302093/warriors-hawks-recap-score-steph-curry-draymond-green-andrew-wiggins

The Golden State Warriors would have been excused for coming out slow on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. They were coming off a disappointing and dramatic loss to the LA Clippers on Monday, and on Wednesday afternoon were hit with brutal news: starting shooting guard De’Anthony Melton will undergo season-ending surgery on his sprained ACL.

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Big loss.

Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton to undergo season-ending surgery

https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2024/11/20/24302016/warriors-deanthony-melton-season-ending-injury-acl-news

The first month of the 2024-25 NBA season has gone off almost without a hiccup for the Golden State Warriors, but that came to a crashing halt on Wednesday. According to a press release from the team, starting shooting guard De’Anthony Melton will undergo season-ending surgery for his injured left ACL.

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A PK who's worth picking in the second round of a Fantasy Football draft

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers-chris-boswell-more-fantasy-points-than-a-shocking-number-of-nfl-stars

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Unsurprisingly, Sale and Skubal win Cy Young Awards

https://apnews.com/article/cy-young-awards-2024-cffcd73fe6d1c47a3e7f36501a7f1927

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CAL

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21Liked by SGBear

[WBB] Cal Defeats Grambling State

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/womens-basketball-cal-defeats-grambling-state.aspx

BERKELEY – After Grambling State got within 10 points in the third quarter, the trio of Ioanna Krimili, Marta Suárez and Lulu Twidale got hot hitting a combined six 3-pointers in a span of about four minutes to blow the game open and help the California women's basketball team earn an 86-63 win over the visiting Tigers (2-3) on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears (5-0) topped 80 points for the fifth straight game to open a season – first time in program history. This is also the second straight year the Bears have opened the season with five straight wins.

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Cal hosts Auburn tomorrow. That should be a good test.

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Nov 21·edited Nov 21

[MTEN] Bears Fall In Wacohttps://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-tennis-bears-fall-in-waco.aspx

WACO, Texas – The California men's tennis team concluded its postseason campaign Wednesday in the NCAA individual championships at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center. Fourth-seeded Carl Emil Overbeck – the highest-seeded Golden Bear in Waco – was one win away from All-America status. But the senior fell to Michigan State's Ozan Baris 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in the NCAA Singles Championship round of 32.

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[WTEN] Wiersholm Wins Way To All-America Status

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/womens-tennis-wiersholm-wins-way-to-all-america-status.aspx

WACO, Texas – California women's tennis senior Katja Wiersholm won in the NCAA Singles Championship round of 32 on Wednesday at Baylor to capture the first singles All-America honor of her career. The Golden Bear – ranked 33rd – defeated South Carolina's 10th-ranked Sarah Hamner 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(6) to advance to Thursday's round of 16.

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[VB] Bears Start Final Road Swing At North Carolina, Duke

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/volleyball-bears-start-final-road-swing-at-north-carolina-duke.aspx

California volleyball will hit the road for the penultimate week of its 2024 season, first visiting North Carolina at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Friday at 4 p.m. PT before traveling to Duke on Sunday for an 11 a.m. showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Friday's match will be broadcast on ACCNX, while Sunday's will be shown on ACC Network.

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[MPOLO] No. 7 Cal Heads To MPSF Championships

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-water-polo-no-7-cal-heads-to-mpsf-championships.aspx

The No. 7 California men's water polo team (11-11, 1-5 MPSF) heads to Los Angeles this weekend for the 2024 MPSF Championships hosted by UCLA. The Golden Bears will begin the postseason against MPSF-East school Augustana on Friday before facing either No. 1 UCLA or Washington & Jefferson the following day. After defeating then-No. 1 Stanford 13-11 on Oct. 19, the Bears fell in their final four regular-season games, all of which came against teams currently ranked in the top-six nationally.

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[WSOC] No. 25 Cal Faces No. 5 Arkansas In Second Round

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/no-25-womens-soccer-cal-faces-no-5-arkansas-in-second-round.aspx

After a first-round win over No. 22 Pepperdine on Saturday, the No. 25 California women's soccer team (13-5-2) is headed to Fayetteville, Ark., for the second round of the NCAA Championship where the Golden Bears will face second-seeded and fifth-ranked Arkansas Friday on ESPN+.

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[MPOLO] Cal Lands 4 All-MPSF Selections

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-water-polo-cal-lands-4-all-mpsf-selections.aspx

BERKELEY – The No. 7 California men's water polo team garnered four All-MPSF honors, led by first-team selection Max Casabella, the conference announced on Wednesday.

Joining Casabella as repeat all-conference honorees were two-time selections George Avakian and Albert Ponferrada – both of whom made the second team – and honorable mention Jake Howerton.

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[MBB] Bears Start Cal Classic Against Air Force

https://calbears.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-basketball-bears-start-cal-classic-against-air-force.aspx

BERKELEY – The California men's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of Haas Pavilion to host Air Force on Thursday night in the first game of the Cal Classic, a multi-team event spanning Nov. 21-27. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. PT on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

The Golden Bears (3-1) will also host Sacramento State and Mercyhurst on Nov. 24 and Nov. 27, respectively, in the Cal Classic. All three of Cal's games will be played in Berkeley, while the opposing schools will also face one another at respective home sites over the same span.

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It’s time again for Oski Disciple’s Bear Facts, Big Game week edition.

Jeff Tedford began his coaching career at California by winning seven of his first eight Big Games including the first five. Here’s a quick look at those glorious victories.

2002 After seven consecutive losses to Furd the Bears routed their rivals, 30-7. Cal spotted the Cardinal a touchdown before building a 23-7 halftime lead and coasting in the second half. Senior QB Kyle Boller led the Bear attack. After the game one set of goal posts was carried down Bancroft Way by delirious Bear fans.

2003 Remarkably, the heavily-favored Bears trailed 10-0 at halftime. But Tedford woke the boys up and California scored 28 unanswered points. Furd scored a late touchdown for the final score of 28-16. The Bear comeback featured three Aaron Rodgers TD passes, one to Geoff MacArthur who set a Golden Bear record with 16 receptions on the day.

2004 It was total dominance for the nationally ranked Bears against a hapless Furdie team with the good guys winning, 41-6. Cal outgained their rivals 474 yards to180. Aaron Rodgers was 11-14 for 120 yards and a TD, JJ Arrington carried the ball 27 times for 169 yards and Marshawn Lynch had a spectacular 55-yard TD run and threw for another six pointer.

2005 Future NFL star Aaron Rodgers led the Bears to their previous two Big Game wins but on this day it was Steve Levy making his first start who led the Sturdy Golden Ones. Levy was 10-18 on the day and hit DeSean Jackson on a 56 yard TD pass for the Cal’s first score as the Bears romped, 27-3.

2006 One of the better Bear teams of recent vintage (they tied for the conference title) took on one of the worst Cardinal teams of all time (they finished with one win). But the hosts struggled to put their inspired opponents away escaping with a 26-17 win on four field goals by Tom Schneider. One of Cal’s TDs came on a scoop and score.

2008 California exploded with 27 third quarter points featuring three touchdown runs by Jahvid Best to blow out their rivals, 37-16. Kevin Riley also tossed two TD passes. Bear LB Zach Follett led an inspired defensive performance that included a goal line stand. Best rushed for 201 yards on 19 carries.

2009 In one of the greatest Big Games of all time California rallied from an early two-score deficit then held on at the end for a dramatic 34-28 victory. Shane Vereen veritably carried the Bears on his back with 42 carries for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Mike Mohamed provided the late game heroics by intercepting a pass in the shadows of Cal’s goal posts in the game’s dying moments to seal the victory.

Oski Disciple’s Bear Facts appears Tuesday through Thursday on the DBD throughout the 2024 college football season. This feature is brought to you by Hamburger Helper. Happy to help.

(Program note: due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week’s final editions of Bear Facts will appear Monday through Wednesday.)

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Go Bears!!! Beat Stanfurd!!!

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OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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Matt Gaetz's House Ethics Committee report started leaking and the snippets showed that Gaetz didn't just dabble in pedo, it was a lifestyle. The House Ethics Committee then voted to not release the report. An probably in a related move, Gaetz withdrew hi s name for consideration as AG. Since he already resigned from the House, he is now out of a job and probably coming to a Fox News panel soon.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/matt-gaetz-ethics-committee-report-b2651026.html

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I still think he resigned, at least in part, to try to avoid the report becoming public. But I don’t know why Trump would be in on this because Gaetz withdrawing reflects more poorly on Trump than Gaetz. Maybe Gaetz has something on Trump. Wouldn’t that be juicy.

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Differing opinion - Trump doesn't care how he looks to you and me or anyone else for that matter, because in his own mind, Trump is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. Gaetz serves Trump's purposes because Gaetz is pliable. In other words, Gaetz has nothing on Trump. It's Trump who has something on each of his Cabinet-level nominees.

I agree that Gaetz resigned from Congress in a bid to avoid the report becoming public. Gaetz withdrawing his name from consideration for AG does reflect negatively on Trump. But right now, Trump doesn't care.

The fact that the Republicans have a majority in the House is why they can suppress evidence that makes them look bad. But it carries with it a different, dangerous, edge: they also own the outcomes of all those rotten efforts and their actions to approve measures to appease Dear Leader.

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Illegal immigrant from Venezuela murders pretty young college coed. Right-wing media rejoices.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/laken-riley-trial-highlights-biden-era-immigration-crisis-mom-slain-cheerleader-awaits-justice

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DBD AV CLUB

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ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE

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You wanna know the definition of a "career limiting move"? I think this is a prime example.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2511037/linebacker-keanu-koht-allegedly-sent-unsolicited-photos-to-coach-deboers-daughter

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TIL: Brett Favre sent 7 unsolicited dick picks to a Jets staffer he had never met. She got fired.

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