Biden Landslide

 Trump will have a claustrophobic crawl to November.  He has a high floor and a low ceiling.  His base is fervent, but his negatives are high and likely to grow.  Criminal convictions loom on the horizon.  Soon attack ads will remind suburban women that he was held liable for sexual assault.

Biden can stand tall.  His floor is now in the mid 30s but his ceiling is far above.   Recognition that the economy is improving is slowly seeping in, and probable interest rate cuts will increase the flow.  Democrats, and Democrat leaning independents, have yet to come home, but Biden is still within a few points of Trump.  Fear of Trump, the improving economy and outrage over abortion will propel Joe to an easy victory.

Biden will win by 10 Million Votes with 306+ Electoral Votes.  Take it to the bank.

Noise is Off

Biden's Middle East policy has been so quietly sound, that it has been loudly condemned.   We live in a noisy world.  Even the most intimate details are shouted on social media.  Virtue signaling is thought to be virtue.  Many MAGA Republicans favor theatrics over governance.  

Unsurprisingly, millennials are unaware that diplomacy is conducted with an indoor voice.  The population of Israel is less than 10 million.  Taking into account the difference in population, the Hamas slaughter of civilians was as if we lost 35000 during 9/11.  After our terrorist related loses we fought an ill considered war against the wrong country.

So a strong reaction by Israel is understandable, and as an ally we had to offer support.  But that support is not unqualified.  Biden has known Netanyahu for decades.  Publicly proclaiming the necessity of a cease fire, would have the opposite of the desired impact.  Do not wave red in front of a bull.

Behind the scenes the administration has sought to moderate Israel's efforts, and to maximize humanitarian aid to Palestinians.  Biden has also largely kept Hezbollah out of the conflict, and stunted Iranian intervention.

Can someone speak up for a job well done?

Fight for Freedom

 Biden's age is the pounding refrain from the GOP, amplified by late night comedians.  Conversely, the only slightly younger Trump, plays alpha male.  Biden cannot get younger, but he can change the tune.  Perception is everything.

After Trump wraps up the nomination, Biden should challenge him to a 3 round charity fight.  In his youth Joe has bloodied a few opponents, Donald, not so much.  

Biden wins if, as is a near certainty, Trump ducks the fight.  If Donald agrees, the weigh in will be a winner for Biden.  Joe may not have the broad chest of his youth, but in boxing trunks, the tale of the tape will not be kind for Trump.

If Biden wins the fight the presidency is his.  Age would cease to be an issue and Trump would be beta, at best.

Dunkin Youngkin

A giant hole was cut  in the center of  Youngkin's  presidential ambitions.  He glazed the airwaves with  calls to shelf Democratic control of the Virginia State Senate, and to retain GOP control of the State Assembly.  

It was not a sweet night for the governor.  While the Democrats were cooking like Jelly Roll Morton, Youngkin just got rolled.  With his prestige on the line, Youngkin lost both chambers.  The promised sugar coated political compromise of a 15 week abortion ban was just empty calories.

Rope a Dope

President Biden trails Trump in 5 of the key six battleground states in the recent New York Times/ Siena Poll.  Democrats are moistening their mattress pads.  The Biden strategy of only running positive ads against a vulnerable opponent increases the flow.

Understandably, Biden wants to take credit for record job growth.  With the narrowest of legislative margins in the House and Senate he passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the first gun reform in 30 years.   His inflation reduction act combats climate change and prescription drug prices.

But although inflation is moderating, and is slightly lower than that in France, Canada and Germany, Biden is crushed by the crazy 8s.  Americans are paying 8 dollars for a pound of bacon or a Big Mac, and the high interest rate inflation cure, saddles home buyers with an 8 per cent mortgage.

But if ever there was a dope, ready to be roped, it is the former president.  That is the plan.  Biden does not want to fire until he sees the whites of his thighs.  Biden wants no obstacles to Trump's nomination.  

As early as the GOP convention the attacks will be withering.  Trump's criminal difficulties provide fodder, but the true vulnerability is that he was held liable for sexual assault.  More women vote than men.  The ads will be devastating.  Once this is a choice election, Trump will be toasted, dry. 

Real Halloween Scare

 Halloween is the time for phony fears.  Houses are covered with spiders and skeletons.  But this year the GOP lead House is the cause for true terror.

New House Speaker, Mike Johnson is a Christian Nationalist. If Christian Nationalists were to control all of the government, Jews would at best be second class citizens, and at worst, slaughtered.

To all of the Jewish Republicans attracted by economic policies : Lower taxes have little meaning if the savings are used to pay for your burial.

Not So Magic Mike

 Newly elected House Speaker, Mike Johnson, is an election denier, homophobic, and supports criminalizing abortions even in the cases of incest, rape, and the life of the mother. The GOP is a MAGA mess.

Proposed Cure for Soft Core Homelessness

 I recently returned from Detroit.  Some areas resemble war zones with boarded up, and even burnt out. homes.  Storefront churches and liquor stores compete in equal number for souls.  Yet few are without shelter.

One reason is that rent and home prices are a fraction of the cost of living in most of California.  Certainly in California we have those who through a combination of physical, mental and or substance impairments are unable to secure, or sometimes, even seek housing.  That will be a continuing and costly problem.

But we also have the soft core homeless.  People able work at least part time, but lacking the income to secure shelter or the resources to move to a lower cost state.  By far the most cost effective way to help this group is, on a solely voluntary basis, pay for relocation.  Moving costs and six months rent paid by the state would be far cheaper than building or buying housing.  Given this slight boost, many could again be self sufficient.

Choosing a Speaker

 The GOP is no longer a conservative party.  Flame throwing nihilists threaten to burn the House of Representatives down.  But there are still a few hold over institutionalists.  They are blocking Jordan.

Time for the Democrats to nominate one of those stable 22 in the spirit of bipartisanship, for the good of the nation.  They need not require any concessions, only rational leadership.  In the face of such a gesture the GOP would look like anti-American fools if they could not find 5 votes to reach the magic 217.

Which ever way the Republicans go, the Democrats score a PR coup. 

The New Biden Ad

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y74y0MZrL4w

Time to Label "No Labels"

 No Labels is a MAGA Wolf clothed in a sheepish cloak of seeming non-partisan moderation.  The gentle Baa hides a malicious bite.

No Labels is autocratic.  The nominees will not be chosen by primary voters.  A backroom deal will be cut.  Break out the cigars.

No labels is an opaque secret society.  The Democratic and Republican parties have their faults, but at least they are required to disclose their donors.  No Labels keeps their donors, be they White Nationalists or Extreme MAGA, hidden from view.  No Labels is a political predator, preying with the intoxicating pitch of unity. Voters should soberly know who is in their bed.

"My, what big teeth you have," says the voter.  "Don't be afraid says No Labels,"  we will withdraw if we will be a spoiler."  The Big Bad No Labels is lying.  Once their ticket is on the ballot, there it will stay. That is the law.

No Labels is Trump's best chance to claw his way back to power.  Do not be fooled. 

Donations

 As the #RealDonaldTrump I hate to pay for sex, but love when my donors do me the pleasure. Thank you for the 155,000 for #Melania. By the way, the place settings were nice, although I never know which fork for my Chicken McNuggets.

Defense Industry Must Become a Public Utility

 Cluster munitions may be effective for trench warfare with minimal risk to civilians.  But their sale to Ukraine was not made on policy grounds.  The United States was out of munitions.  The defense industry has overcharged and under delivered.

It is time to stick a pin in our ballooning defense budget.  A recent "60 Minutes" exposed the monopolization of weapon systems.  The defense department is at the mercy of industry.  With no competition, profit margins are excessive.

We already have a model for monopolies.  Two power grids would be inefficient.  So too natural gas pipelines and service.  To keep utilities on the up and up, the rate of return on investment is set by a government body.  Utilities face no risk of losing money, but their  profits are controlled.

The public utility system may be imperfect, but it is infinitely superior to our present system.  

Duck

Fowl but never foul, communal, but at capitalist prices, Peking Duck is a go to for special occasions.  Truth be told it is a reason to invent occasions.  The best place for this dish in greater Los Angeles is Ji Rong in Rosemead.

I have tried the rest, Tasty Duck, also in Rosemead, Meizou Dongpo in Arcadia and Duck House in Monterey Park.  Meizou is the fanciest if you eat there, and has the most innovative container if you take it to go.  Along with the highest prices, the Duck tends to be on the fatty side, a plus with some Chinese, but not for me.  I have made multiple visits to the Duck House.  It is one of the best Chinese restaurants for everything but Duck.  The duck is on the dry side and the hoisin is off putting.  Tasty Duck is no longer open, but was the least expensive, with somewhat lower quality.  

My duckpertise was refined through two visits to Beijing.  

Much goes into the perfect version.  The hoisin but be sweet enough without denigrating into syrup.

Ji Rong has spot on hoisin.  The pancakes must be ultra thin.  You want to taste duck, not the pancake.  Again just right.  The skin must be crackly crisp, and the meat must be moist and flavor packed, without being fatty.  Check and check.  

Special occasions call for libations.  Ji Rong has a weak wine list, so bring your own and pay the 15 dollar corkage.  If you are focusing solely on the duck I recommend a Grenache or a Rhone Blend.  A light to medium bodied Pinot Noir might also suit.

On my last, of approximately ten visits to Ji Rong, Roslyn and I joined a meetup group.  Not knowing what other dishes would be ordered I opted for a Cabernet Franc Rose.  In the past I have brought a Mourvèdre Rose.  Both are full bodied for a blush, and proved flexible.

We ordered an number of other dishes I would recommend.

Snow a Choy in garlic.  Similar to Morning Glory.

Cubed filet mignon.

Very tasty Lamb in Cumin.  In the background, Duck Soup which had more flavor than most versions.

Fish with Basil.  Pescatarians can have fun too.

Our Rose with food in the background.

Shrimp with Walnuts.  An atypical version with the shrimp in a batter.  Very good.

Less interesting was the pancake.  It was well made, properly flaky, but bland.

Lounging in Loreto

 

Most unfortunately, the first question about any Mexican town is, "Is it safe."  If you have been to Loreto, the question seems silly.  Loreto is the Mexican Mayberry.  It is the most family oriented town I have ever visited.  During our short 5 day stay we observed an elementary school parade, and two well attended weekend evening events in the town square featuring the children of Loreto.

The reason to visit is to take advantage of failure.  Loreto was to be the next great tourist destination--a second Cabo.  After all it adjoins a national marine park with five islands and abundant sea life.  It has a town beach and is designated a Pueblo Magico, a magic town.

A second Cabo?  Not so much.  But in anticipation of unencumbered over development Mexico built an airport two miles from the city.   It is a mere two hour flight from Los Angeles on Alaska or Volaris Airlines.  Easy is good.  

So with little effort you can luxuriate in well priced, tasty Mexican seafood, friendly, inexpensive accommodations, the charm of a small town and the adventures of a national marine park.  Generally between January and March you can see Blue Whales, the largest mammals on the face of the earth.  Year around, fishing boats go out and restaurants are available to cook your catch.

A must for any visitor is a boat ride to Coronado Island.  For about 1300 pesos, a little under 70 dollars, per person, you will enjoy 1.  Birds galore

2. Sea Lions

3. Unusual rock formations

4. Water temperature permitting, snorkeling 

5. A beautiful beach

6. A nondescript lunch, non-pictured.

The uninteresting lunch notwithstanding, if I have whet your appetite for Loreto, the next question is where to stay.  

First you must decide whether to stay in, or out, of town.  About 40 minutes away is the posh, well reviewed,  Villa De Palmar on the beach Ensenada Blanca.  It is a large resort on the water with well reviewed restaurants.  However, most visitors to Loreto are not looking to spend between 250 and 350 dollars per night.

A little closer in, about 25 minutes from town, is the Loreto Bay Golf Resort.  Rooms often go on sale for close to 100 dollars per night.  The area is near the new developments that house many expats.  The beach is attractive.

With either resort you will need a car, or be at the mercy of high taxi prices to get to, and from, town.  The inclusiveness of a resort, excludes you from the ambience of Mexican life.  I strongly advise you to consider one of the charming small hotels in town.

We stayed at Casa Mango, a five unit hotel with a lovely courtyard.  

The spotless rooms have a bedroom with a king size bed, a well equipped small kitchen, and a sitting area with a large tv.  Free bicycles are available.  The staff is friendly, but unfortunately the much praised owner, was out of the county during our visit.  The room was about 100 dollars a night including breakfast at the well regarded, Orlando restaurant.

The location was perfect.  We were a 5 minute walk to the main square, and a 10 minute walk from the town beach and the pier for boat trips to Coronado and other islands.

Delightful dining, was between one and five minutes away.  

Virtually next door was Gorditas Loreto for great flautas and, of course, gorditas. 

 El Pelicanos was almost as close,  with cheap, tasty, fish and shrimp tacos and a generous Mezcalita.

Our favorite dish in town was the chili rellleno with shrimp and seafood at Playa Blanca.  The restaurant is in the center above Mike's Bar.  When the restaurant is open they lower the stairs.  Our meal also included a lovely free appetizer.

The best fish on our trip was at La Picazon.  The restaurant is worth trying if you rent a car for a day.  Otherwise the cost of a taxi to this remote restaurant on the water at the end of a meandering dirt road would be prohibitive.  The freshly caught fish and the chocolate clams (color of the shell) are spectacular.  Note the drinks are over priced, a Mezcalita setting us back 17 dollars.  Also when we asked to substitute beans for rice we were denied and instead charged 9 dollars for a small serving of the worst frijoles ever.

Staying in town is about wandering the streets enjoying the beauty and charm.

A few helpful hints.  The best ATM is in Super Leys market.  The ATM at the bank in the center is handy, but has an awful exchange rate.  If you are exchanging dollars for pesos, there is a money changer near El Pescador Market and also on the second floor of Azteca Bank.  Note that to exchange money you need your Passport and one other picture ID such as your driver's license.

Alamo was the most reasonable one day car rental.  Final recommendation is to buy a bottle of tequila for the room.  It deserves it, and so do you.  Cactus and Cactus II have the best selection.