Today is Thursday, August 14, 2025. “Wake up, America!” these are the words spit out by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom today as he outlined a muscular response to what’s happening in Texas over redrawing the electoral map which would favor Republicans over Democrats. An online MSNBC article lays out Newsom’s press conference which, coincidentally, was met with border patrol officers outside supposedly making Los Angeles citizens safe – what bullshit! – and it’s entitled “California governor announces redistricting in response to Texas gerrymandering effort,” by Erum Salam.

Newsom then has called for a special election on redistricting in retaliation against Texas Trumpicans, who have moved – for no apparent reason other than to disenfranchise minority voters – to redraw their congressional districts and further gerrymander the electoral map at the direction of their Demented Leader.

The special election, which Newsom has scheduled for this November 4, will be an ethical litmus test for California voters who must decide if they want to strip their independent redistricting commission of power temporarily in favor of a constitutional amendment to allow the state Legislature to create new maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 election cycles. Who knows? Maybe California voters might even vote against it, but I would not think so, given the urgency of the matter and the stakes at hand.

The suave governor was met with loud applause as he began his address on what he deemed “Liberation Day.” This is true Liberation Day, not the bullshit day that Dump announced in April over his ridiculous tariffs. Speaking directly to the camera, he said, “Wake up, America, this is a serious moment. Wake up to what’s going on.” Newsom spoke about the need to fight fire with fire and took direct aim at the dictator known as Chump: “Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back.”

He added, “I know they say, ‘Don’t mess with Texas.’ But don’t mess with the great Golden State.”

Trumpican lawmakers have been met with severe criticism over their acquiescence to Demented Don’s demand to redraw the map to gain an additional five seats – a move that would disenfranchise Democratic voters in the state, particularly communities of color. The move is especially brazen given its timing: Redistricting typically happens only after every decade, after the U.S. census has updated demographic information for each state.

A fucking repugnican Texas House member elucidated his whole party’s approach to going down this authoritarian path under Demented Don when he was asked why his fellow legislators were taking such drastic measures to unfairly tilt the balance of future elections, and he arrogantly replied, “Because we can.”

This response should now galvanize other blue state governors to pursue the same approach being undertaken by Newsom in California.

Other people who spoke at the press conference publicly supported Newsom’s strategy, primarily saying that democracy itself was on the line if nothing was done. Erika Jones, a representative of the California Teachers Association union, said, “Our union stands in full support of this ballot initiative. We are ready to do whatever it takes to stop this power grab and fight back against any and all attacks on our democracy, on our students, and on public education.”

What is especially humorous about Newsom’s messaging to Demented Don was his trolling the president on social media and poking fun at his linguistic mannerisms on his own tweets, with his press conference posting on X in all caps, which is a stupid style preferred by Demented Don. He wrote: “PRESS CONFERENCE COMING – HOSTED BY AMERICA’S FAVORITE GOVERNOR, GAVIN NEWSOM. FINAL WARNING NEXT. YOU WON’T LIKE IT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.” Great, Mr. Newsom; hope your mirroring of the president’s own style will get his goat!

The adversary of Demented Don also railed against federal officers who showed up outside the presser: “BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED! . . . TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY IS ILLEGALLY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!!! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THIS WEAK LITTLE MAN!!!” It’s so easy to mock this little man who finds himself as toddler in chief a second time.

Today the highlight of the day was meeting four regulars from the Austin Street Diner somewhere else: Diner Bar, in Rego Park, at 12:30 for an early lunch or brunch, whatever you want to call it. Elliot, unfortunately, had two doctor’s appointments and couldn’t join us.

A round table in the back was reserved for us by “Rachel.” I walked in first, then “Norma” and “Marshall.” After them, walked in “Jerry.” Our last attendee was Rachel herself. I have to say that we didn’t speak politics that much, even though we did take a survey over whether Demented Don would survive his second term, and the consensus was that he wouldn’t. We actually spoke more about personal matters. That was quite refreshing. We must have held forth for at least two hours or more. I must have drunk three cups of coffee or more. Then Jerry and I walked back to our neighborhood. I said goodbye to Jerry at his skyscraper building.

Have a good Friday.

And so it went!