Hello. It's me. I'm in California progressive, inclusive Canada dreaming about who we used to be, when we were younger and free. I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet.

Or, rather, about what America used to be, or should be, and can still aspire to be.

You know, before fascistic pragmatist (pragmatic fascist?) Donald Trump grabbed the racist, xenophobic Republican dog whistle and turned it into a megaphone of bigotry and hatred, fear and loathing, anger and contempt.

The Moderate Voice: An open letter to Trump from a Pakistani-American.

Stupidparty Math v. Myth: 23 reasons why Iowans need to be spanked.

Kiko’s House: San Bernardino and the GOP's legacy of cowardice.

Human Voices: Ultra high-power weapons of the Apocalypse.

And for some smart commentary: A discussion with our friend Blue Gal of The Professional Left podcast.

Hello again from the other side. Thanks to blogenfreude for filling in for me yesterday.

Round-up by Michael J.W. Stickings of The Reaction. (Twitter: @mjwstickings.) I'll be here all week.

Send requests and suggestions to mbru@crooksandliars.com (with "For MBRU" in the subject line).