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Pope Pho V

@cosmoq.bsky.social
272 followers 366 following 269 posts

#climate #democracy #housing #transit #bikes #newWave #sacramento #cityOfTrees @cosmog@sfba.social in the fediverse Doing research and other stuff for prorepcoalition.org because all voters should be represented, whoever they are & wherever they live.

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Reposted by Pope Pho V
Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This poll from Cook is bonkers. A *huge* plurality of voters (43% overall, 61% of Ds) want Dems to focus on changing the political system overall vs. just opposing (21%, 36% of Ds) or working with Trump (35%, 3% of Ds).
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Jason Davis @davisjason.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Hot take: Some soccer fan billionaire eating a few million dollars a year to support local soccer coverage across America would have a much bigger impact on the future of the sport than subsidizing the salary of a fancy USMNT manager
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Ruth Greenwood @ruthgreenwood.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Quite proud of the work I did over summer with Colin Cole and @equitabledemocracy.bsky.social on a podcast. Trailer is up! We see what lessons we can learn about electoral systems from Australia and try to apply to the U.S. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH9p...
youtube.com
The Future of Our Former Democracy Season 3 Trailer
YouTube video by Future of Our Former Democracy
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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Here's David Ellison's statement on his successful Paramount-WBD. Thanks Newsom "for his support throughout this process." State AGs were on track to kill the the merger with litigation and delay. Is Newsom giving up on the presidency and instead pursuing a post-gov career as Friend of Oligarchs?
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Rebecca Saltzman @rebeccaforec.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Next week, League of California Cities will vote on a reactionary resolution put forward by a few cities to support development of a constitutional amendment to overturn much of the state legislature's authority on housing. El Cerrito City Council unanimously voted to oppose. 🧵
1. A RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
CALLING FOR A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT OR OTHER FORM OF INITIATIVE TO ENSURE FINAL LOCAL AUTHORITY OVER
HOUSING AND LAND USE DECISIONS
Source: City of Murrieta
Concurrence of five or more cities/city officials
Cities/city officials: City of Banning; City of Calimesa; City of Canyon Lake; City of Moreno
Valley; City of Norco; City of Torrance; Crystal Ruiz, Mayor, City of San Jacinto; Jessica
Alexander, Mayor, City of Temecula
Referred to: Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee
WHEREAS, California cities have historically been responsible for adopting general
plans and zoning regulations, reviewing housing development proposals, and providing or
coordinating the streets, water, wastewater, public safety, parks, transportation, and other
infrastructure and services necessary to support responsible, environmentally sound, and
well-planned residential growth; and
WHEREAS, the League of California Cities is dedicated to protecting and expanding
local control for municipalities across the state to ensure their orderly growth and
development; and
WHEREAS, the League of California Cities recognizes that local zoning is a primary
function of cities and an essential component of home rule, and that a city’s general plan...
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities, assembled during the Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, on
September 25, 2026, that the League of California Cities support the development and
advancement of a state constitutional amendment or other legislative, policy, or ballotbased
strategies that restore and strengthen local authority over housing and land use
matters within municipal boundaries, including general plans, housing elements, zoning,
density, design and development standards, project siting, and the approval or denial of
housing development applications; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any constitutional amendment or alternative strategy
should preserve the State’s authority to establish broad statewide housing goals and
enforce constitutional and civil rights, fair housing requirements, building and life-safety
standards, and generally applicable environmental protections, while protecting cities
from state actions that compel, through funding conditions or state law, the approval of
housing developments that are inconsistent with locally adopted requirements; override
local zoning or density standards; or invalidate locally adopted housing or land use
decisions when a city has planned in good faith to accommodate its regional housing
needs allocation and maintains adequate capacity for housing at all income levels; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the League of California Cities consider establishing a
statewide working group or other appropriate committee(s) to evaluate and develop a
proposed constitutional amendment or other legislative, policy, or ballot-based strategies
to restore and strengthen local authority over housing and land use matters including but
limited to: conducting appropriate legal, fiscal, and policy analyses; engaging cities and
other stakeholders; and building a statewide coalition of proponent supporters in
preparation for; the November 2030 General Election, or within another reasonable time
frame as determined by the working group.
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Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One in 10 Americans were forcibly moved to a new district in the gerrymandering wars. And it’s only going to get worse. @apnews.com story about our report on gerrymandering whiplash and why proportional representation is the only way out. @protectdemocracy.org apnews.com/article/redi...
apnews.com
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States Newsroom @statesnewsroom.com · 18/09/2026
Voting rights advocates regroup as Callais decision threatens Black representation
bit.ly
Voting rights advocates regroup as Callais decision threatens Black representation
With “the crown jewel” of civil rights legislation gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court, and possibly the seats of 20 Black members of Congress at stake in November, voting rights advocates on Wednesday called for a makeover of the nation’s highest court.The court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais was “a calamity” that erased equal representation for Black voters, said Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
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Sacramento River District @riverdistrict.net · 18/09/2026
The Alchemist Public Market is coming along quickly!
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Sacramento! Do you want to help build a better, more inclusive and more representative democracy in California? Join me and @prorepcoalition.bsky.social and @indivisiblesac.bsky.social and @betterballotsac.bsky.social on October 6 and help us design a better election system. It's hella fun!
eventbrite.com
Sacramento Democracy Reform Town Hall: Help Shape California’s Future
Learn about democracy reform and help shape a fairer electoral system with more choices and better representation for California.
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Max Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The next reconstruction: - Expand the House to 700 Seats - Use MMP to create a multi-party system with PR - Use RCV for US Senate elections - End the filibuster + add DC - Limit the power of the Supreme Court - Expand the court to 13 Justices - Term limits and ethics rules for the court
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Mark Paul @markpaul.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Jim Boren nails it here. I worked with C.K. & Jim McClatchy for 2 decades on the editorial board. They put the public interest & journalism ahead of money. These Chatham guys are barbarians with the nerve to beg for donations while screwing their communities & workers. gvwire.com/2026/09/12/m...
gvwire.com
McClatchy Newspapers Hedge Fund Owners Have Forfeited Right to the McClatchy Name
Former Fresno Bee Executive Editor Jim Boren opines that the hedge fund owner of McClatchy Newspapers puts profits ahead of journalism.
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Robin Epley @byrobinepley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I am incredibly grateful to @marielgarza.bsky.social and the @goldenstateorg.bsky.social team for offering me a chance to write about the McClatchy layoffs. Please do me the favor of reading it 💕 www.golden-state.org/sacramento-b...
golden-state.org
California loses another editorial board at the worst possible time
I went from wrapping up endorsement interviews for The Sacramento Bee to being laid off in another round of cuts at hedge fund-owned newspapers.
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Daphna Renan @daphnarenan.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Supremacy is out today! Join @nikobowie.bsky.social and me for a virtual book talk with the great @adamserwer.bsky.social tonight at 7 pm EST.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Fucking Sacramento. Guy this morning behind me on his loud ass Harley, in the bicycle lane, so he could get around traffic. I stopped and asked wtf and he told me get out of the way. I refused to move and told him to get the fuck out of the bike land and he said "you should be a better person." No.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"Labor’s leverage within the Democratic coalition has steadily eroded since the New Deal era: unions can threaten to withhold campaign contributions or volunteer efforts, but cannot support a party that better represents their interests, because no such party can viably emerge."
clje.law.harvard.edu
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
If we nominate Newsom we will get destroyed and we will deserve it.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We have our own version of the AfD. Thanks to our election system, they control the entire federal government, they're kidnapping people and putting them in concentration camps, sending armies into opposition-controlled cities and shooting people in the streets.
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Niko Bowie @nikobowie.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This Labor Day I’m thinking about the presidential platform Eugene V. Debs ran on in 1912: - votes for women - proportional representation - overturn judicial supremacy - DC/territorial suffrage - make the Constitution easier to amend teachingamericanhistory.org/document/the...
Political Demands
1. The absolute freedom of press, speech and assemblage.
2. The adoption of a graduated income tax, the increase of the rates of the present corporation tax and the extension of inheritance taxes, graduated in proportion to the value of the estate and to nearness of kin-the proceeds of these taxes to be employed in the socialization of industry.
3. The abolition of the monopoly ownership of patents and the substitution of collective ownership, with direct rewards to inventors by premiums or royalties.
4. Unrestricted and equal suffrage for men and women.
5. The adoption of the initiative, referendum and recall and of proportional representation, nationally as well as locally.
6. The abolition of the Senate and of the veto power of the President.
7. The election of the President and the Vice-President by direct vote of the people.
8. The abolition of the power usurped by the Supreme Court of the United States to pass upon the constitutionality of the legislation enacted by Congress. National laws to be repealed only by act of Congress or by a referendum vote of the whole people.
9. The abolition of the present restrictions upon the amendment of the constitution, so that instrument may be made amendable by a majority of the voters in the country.
10. The granting of the right of suffrage in the District of Columbia with representation in Congress and a democratic form of municipal government for purely
local affairs.
11. The extension of democratic government to all United
States territory.Debs speaking to a crowd
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DJ Giant Robot @djgiantrobot.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Since it's Chrissie Hynde's birthday today, you need to hear this incredible version of Nick Drake's River Man. Damn. #musicsky
youtu.be
Chrissie Hynde - River Man (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Chrissie Hynde
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Sarah Andersen @sarahseeandersen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The image is of a four panel comic.
In the first panel we see a dragon sitting on a pile of treasure. A speech bubble pointing off panel reads, “Dragon, why do you have all this treasure?”
In the second panel we zoom in on the dragons face. He simply says “shiny”.
In the third panel we pan to the left and see that there is a crow standing next to the dragon on the treasure.
In the fourth panel we zoom in on the crows face. He says “hell yeah”.
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Shiv Ramdas Mens Rice Activist @nameshiv.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
never surrender
neil degrasse tyson: you are not a planet

pluto:: you are not carl sagan

neil: middle finger

pluto: two middle fingers
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Jen Dresden @jrdresden.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I was happy to join the Older/Wiser Podcast to talk about how reforms like fusion voting and proportional representation could help our politics get unstuck. Check it out! www.thenextmove.org/p/does-ameri...
thenextmove.org
Does America Need a New Election System?
The case for proportional representation.
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Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Look, did Gavin Newsom do anything of note nor lead meaningful change in any of California's biggest problem areas in eight years as governor? No. But is going to be the Democratic Party's nominee for president in 2028? Also no.
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Rebecca Saltzman @rebeccaforec.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
While Newsom talks a good talk on addressing climate change, he’s been committing climate arson by defunding transit, biking, and walking programs for years. @damientypes.bsky.social does an excellent job here summarizing how our Governor has prioritized highways over transit again and again.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
www.reddit.com/r/CASEmember...
reddit.com
From the CASEmembers community on Reddit: Important Message about RTO and Love
Explore this post and more from the CASEmembers community
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God @thegodshow.com · 25/08/2026
Dear Humanity, I sincerely apologize for taking the wrong person again. I will be going on a listening tour to hear from the community and promise to do better in the future. Thank you, God
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Whitney Curry Wimbish @whitneycwimbish.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Late night Hail Mary: does anybody have a link to or a PDF of the San Jose Mercury News series "Hidden Billions: The Draining of the Philippines" from back in the day 1985? help
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Rodger Sherman @rodger.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
LMAOOOOOOOOOO somebody finally asked the transphobes if they know any WNBA players besides and NOPE
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
lol fucking what?
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This was so good until the nonsense about "base hits" like RCV and open primaries. Those have their place. They are not steps toward proportional representation. Don't confuse people!
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Second Great Bisexual Awakening @suesswassersee.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
My campaign promise is that every time a biker or pedestrian gets hit by a car, a bollard is placed there. Streets are impassable now? Oh no, i guess the drivers should have been more careful 🤷‍♀️
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Ruth Greenwood @ruthgreenwood.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
I've spent my career fighting gerrymandering through litigation, advocacy, and public education. I even lost huge in the Supreme Court. After Callais, I'm convinced the tools are nearly gone. The problem is structural. My case for proportional representation, in @GlobeOpinion: protdem.org/45XQYuL
protdem.org
Gerrymandering won. It’s time to change the rules. - The Boston Globe
The Supreme Court has closed off nearly every legal avenue for challenging partisan gerrymandering. The answer isn’t better maps. It’s proportional representation.
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Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · 13/08/2026
@ruthgreenwood.bsky.social is 1 of 500+ scholars urging Congress to adopt proportional representation. After a career fighting gerrymandering, her conclusion is clear: it’s time for systemic change. We’re proud to back her & fellow scholars in their push for change. Her latest for @bostonglobe.com
protdem.org
Gerrymandering won. It’s time to change the rules. - The Boston Globe
The Supreme Court has closed off nearly every legal avenue for challenging partisan gerrymandering. The answer isn’t better maps. It’s proportional representation.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Why is anyone paying Dan Walters to write about high speed rail? This is mostly recapping Joe Mathews (actually informative) column and tacking on Walters' disapproving. "It is yet another chapter in a seemingly endless political melodrama." No reporting, nothing added, no point at all in reading.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I just heard Double U on the radio, in Sacramento. I don't know if that's ever happened to me. That's why I support low power FM @kutzfm.org !
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FairVote @fairvote.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A new poll from @fixourhouse.bsky.social & @newamerica.org finds voters support proportional representation by a 2-to-1 margin. Support was high for GOP, Dem, & independent voters. PR & multi-member districts would end gerrymandering & give everyone a voice in Congress. www.npr.org/2026/08/10/n...
npr.org
Voters are sick of the 2-party system. A new poll shows they're open to big changes
A new poll shows support for moving the U.S. toward proportional representation, a system that elects multiple representatives in a single district in rough proportion to a party's vote share.
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Jonah Paul @jonahpaul.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
By my estimate, inflation, meager raises, and pay cuts cost CA state workers $4,200/y since 2019. Global Workplace Analytics's estimates four days of telework saves state workers $4,280 dollars. Telework offset all the losses. That's why Newsom's RTO order has become a worker flashpoint.
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Lee Drutman @leedrutman.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Democratic Party is and remains a heterodox coalition of factions, constrained by single-member districts to fight itself bitterly over what it wants to be when it finally grows up, wasting valuable resources. Alternative: it could be multiple parties.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
It's delightful to listen to Brad Lander talk about anything, but especially about democracy, and extra especially his thoughtful positive comments about #ProportionalRepresentation
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
"However, e-bikes are not allowed to operate in bike lanes or bike and hiking trails." Uh... is that correct @sacbee.com ? I think Class 1 and 2 electric bikes can go anywhere acoustic bikes can. And while Class 3 #ebikes are more restricted, surely than can go in bike lanes on streets? (I hope!)
sacbee.com
Is it legal for CA drivers to pass bikes on the road? Here’s what state law says
Here’s what California law says about cars and bikes sharing the road.
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
How long do we have to do this? DSA represents people who deserve representation. Corporate weenie Dems represent people who deserve representation. Let's just agree on a system where everyone can be represented by representatives of their choice.
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GothyMcGothface @gothymcgothface.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
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50 Plus Döner @50plusdoner.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
The men's Bundesliga starts in 3 weeks, have you had that awful conversation about what app to use with your local bar yet? Probably not but were here to help We have on official letterhead something you can bring to your bar in the US so you don't have to say anything Don't say we don't love you
Dear bar owner,
Please allow this patron of your establishment to request that you download the necessary applications in order for them to watch the Bundesliga in your bar.
They are showing this to you because they are nervous to say that you’ll have to download the Fandango app in order to show this game.

Yes, the Fandango app. Yes, the movie ticket app. No, this is not a joke. It’s a very long story that you don’t want to hear.

At the very least, please download the Peacock app (which you already have because of the damn Premier League) and show the requested game in Spanish.

We appreciate your patience and understanding, and your contributions to the Bundesliga agenda. Also watch 50 Plus Doner lol.
Sincerely,
50 Plus Doner
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David Dayen @ddayen.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
You're not going to believe this but Gavin Newsom is taking the side of capital over workers. In this case it's tricky because he's backing the very MAGA allies his cosplaying X account claims he's fighting. www.wsj.com/business/med...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Newsom Expresses Concerns About State Antitrust Suit Against Paramount
The California governor has told people involved in the suit that blocking the $81 billion deal could harm Hollywood jobs.
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Ben Raderstorf @raders.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The United States inherited our winner-take-all electoral system directly from England. That may not be an excuse for much longer. Awesome piece by @protectdemocracy.org's Grant Tudor in @theunpopulist.net www.theunpopulist.net/p/britains-n...
theunpopulist.net
Britain's New Prime Minister Sees Proportional Representation as a Cure to Polarization
America needs a leader to champion similar electoral reforms in this country
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Jason Davis @davisjason.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Generating upfront cash to further deepen the connections between the FIFA teat and smaller feds so Gianni can maintain his grip on power. Corruption, out in the open, serving as a dare to anyone to stop him.
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Kenji @elementaleucology.com · 28/07/2026
"[Sr.] Pérez Paz had pleaded guilty to driving without a valid driver’s license [in 2024] after being pulled over... [The] traffic attorney listed... informed [by STLPR] that Pérez Paz had been shot and killed alongside his wife... said it 'doesn’t matter' before hanging up the phone."
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Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 27/07/2026
I was pulling photos from Getty Images today and this one took my breath away for a second. "Plain clothed federal agents pursue a man through the lobby of the Hennepin County Government Center before tackling and arresting him Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn."
A watermarked image of an ICE agent wearing a white sweatshirt and gray pants moving in to tackle a guy wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans 

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/plain-clothed-federal-agents-pursue-a-man-through-the-lobby-news-photo/2260946195?adppopup=true
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Pope Pho V @cosmoq.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Just recalling how one of the knocks on Steyer was that he is very old (69). I was today years old when I learned Becerra is 68 and was born 7 months after Steyer. Whew! Close call.
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