What’s Jon Reading (and Watching) This Week…
I’m combing the internet throughout the week, and here are some things I found that may interest you!
New Escape Room Experience - California!
Of course we have to open with this short but hilarious (yet not) video from our friends at the Babylon Bee…
What Have I Been Reading?
New Mayor of SF: Promises Made, Promises NOT Kept…
In his first year as San Francisco’s mayor, Daniel Lurie, pitched as moderate by the city’s liberal standards but undeniably progressive, has faltered early. His bold campaign promise to add 1,500 shelter beds for the homeless in six months has collapsed, as reported by The San Francisco Standard. Lurie’s team now admits the goal was unrealistic, delivering only 195 new beds amid closures. This retreat exposes his inexperience and questions his ability to tackle San Francisco’s homelessness crisis. Critics see his moderate label as a thin mask for typical liberal policies, and this broken promise fuels doubts about his leadership. Read this article to see why Lurie’s early failure could define his tenure and what challenges lie ahead for the city. I guess to be fair, he is Mayor of Clusterfuckistan.
New Strategy for Dems To Bring Back Young Male Voters: Embrace Porn
In a hilariously desperate bid to win back young men, The Nation’s Elie Mystal urges Democrats to embrace… porn! Yes, the party’s path out of the wilderness is apparently championing smut as free speech, because nothing screams “vote blue” like defending PornHub against Republican prudes. Read it here.
A Choice 20 Seconds from the National Education Associations Teacher of the Year…
Polling says Republican pride in the US is UP, but for Dems it is DOWN…
Republicans remain steadfastly proud to be American, with 92% expressing high pride, while Democrats’ patriotism has cratered to a mere 36%, down 26 points from 2024, per a new Gallup poll. This stark divide drives the overall national pride to a record low of 58% of U.S. adults feeling extremely or very proud. Generation Z, particularly Gen Z Democrats at just 24% pride, shows the sharpest decline, shaped by divisive rhetoric and economic gloom. This erosion, most pronounced under Biden’s term, signals a cultural crisis fueled by left-wing narratives fracturing unity. Conservatives must champion America’s strengths to counter this alarming trend, as the data warns of a divided future if pride continues to wane. Here’s the polling info straight from Gallup.
Trump’s IRS to Churches: Sure, You Can Endorse Candidates…
The IRS’s bold move to allow churches to endorse political candidates without losing tax-exempt status is a major victory for religious freedom. This change, long championed by evangelical groups and President Trump, rightly frees pastors to speak their conscience, despite predictable outcry from left-leaning nonprofits fearing conservative influence. Here’s the details.
The “Expert Class” Gets a Big “F” from VDH
Victor Davis Hanson’s sharp column rips into America’s so-called experts, showing how their big degrees don’t mean they’re right. From economists who swore tariffs would tank the economy to immigration “gurus” who scoffed at border control, they’ve been dead wrong. Hanson points to California’s 123 lawsuits against Trump’s first term and over 20 since 2025 as elite overkill. He says universities churn out biased, out-of-touch thinkers. This eye-opening read, The Decline And Fall Of Our Degreed Experts, shows why these experts keep missing the mark. (If you like VDH, there’s more below!)
Someone Used AI To Impersonate Secretary of State Rubio — Really!
A scammer used AI to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting foreign ministers and U.S. officials via Signal, a State Department cable reveals. This alarming incident underscores the growing threat of AI-driven deception targeting high-level officials, raising urgent concerns about cybersecurity and information integrity. Check it out here.
Rob Lapsley, CEO of the CA Business Roundtable gives some straight talk on how more California regulations are leading to higher costs. We know it, time to read it…
Great Story/Interview; Assistant U.S. Attorney Harmeet Dhillon is overseeing big changes at Civil Rights Division of the DOJ
Harmeet Dhillon, leading the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under Trump, is overseeing a dramatic overhaul, shifting focus from traditional priorities to Trump’s agenda. Over half the division’s attorneys left after her memos realigned enforcement with Supreme Court rulings, like banning race-based affirmative action. California, which filed 123 lawsuits against Trump’s first term and over 20 since 2025, faces scrutiny for university diversity policies. Dhillon ended Biden-era police consent decrees and plans to use the FACE Act against attacks on faith-based centers. This compelling read reveals a cultural shift in civil rights enforcement.
Progressives Trying To Figure Out How To Win in CA - Really?
This was an interesting read — that Californian progressives are trying to figure out how they can win elections like the one in New York City. I can’t speak for you, but for me, it feels like progressives are doing just fine here in this state. Read it here.
What was I watching? Below are some videos that I think you will enjoy…
Nick Gillespie of Reason Magazine narrates this roughly 11 minute video of how Texas beat California on housing…
This segment from the Adam Carolla show is sobering, and frustrating. It’s all about the state of rebuilding in Malibu, six months after the horrific fire. You really should watch this. And then ask how anyone in any position of authority in Los Angeles still has their job.
And a final video — this is the amazing Victor Davis Hansen delivering the commencement address to the graduating class at Hillsdale University. He has a lot of inspiring words to share with these young men and women as they head out to begin their adult lives…
If you made it all of the way down to here, I will leave you with Diabetic Barbie. Have a great rest of your weekend!
Jon
