protesters do not, at least not without heavy military presence. This is a stark illustration of what is wrong with this country. Fundamental reforms need to be enacted or this country will not survive as a democracy.

Costa won election to a sixth term after the latest ballots were tabulated Wednesday in the three counties included in the 16th Congressional District - Fresno, Merced and Madera. He was up by about 1,300 votes out of more than 90,000 ballots cast.

The Associated Press called the race for Costa after determining Tacherra could not catch up.

I just picked up one of these at my locally-owned hardware store where they were featuring them. I needed a lid for my 11' cast iron skillet but I wanted a glass one. The salesperson showed me this one and I bought it. It's pretty cool in that it has a tiny pinhole in the middle of the knob that allows you to add liquid to your food without removing the lid. It has a separate steam vent on the lid and when you turn the lid upside down and place it on a flat surface will hold the pan -- sort of like a small pedestal.

Seriously, I don't own stock in the company or anything, it's just something new that I found and I thought the foodies in C&B might be interested.

SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill that would award all of California’s 55 Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential elections.

The movement by a group called National Popular Vote aims to prevent a repeat of 2000, when Democrat Al Gore won the popular vote but Republican George W. Bush won the electoral vote. The group’s proposed changes would ensure the winner of the national popular vote becomes president.

With Brown’s signature Monday, California became the eighth state to sign on, giving the effort 132 of the 270 electoral votes it needs to take effect.

If you recall, Palin had a website that had gun targets on a map of specific Congressional districts. One of those was Gabby Giffords' district and was soon to become a victim of gun violence. I think this DUer's (I have nothing against him/her, btw) avatar is disturbing not only in the way that we should be above this sort of thing, but it's disturbing to those who have been affected by gun violence in their own family/friends, especially certain suicide victims.

We lost a Congressional seat. Costa (blue dog, BARELY a Democrat) lost to an actual Republican. A whole lot of Hispanics were pissed off at Obama for delaying immigration reform and didn't show up to vote.

UPDATE: As of last night, Costa pulled ahead but there are still provisional ballots to be checked.

I know Kentucky senatorial race and Georgia's senatorial race. There's one in Alaska (governor?). Which other ones are razor thin close and could go either way? I want to save this thread for election night.