During an otherwise quiet September morning some years ago, I received a curious call from then-California Gov. Jerry Brown’s legislative team. We had just finished the legislative session, and this junior staffer was deciding on whether to recommend the governor sign or veto a bill sitting on his desk. I knew the drill after working...

Recently, Brandeis University updated its list of no-longer-politically correct idioms we should eliminate from our vocabulary. Among them is the one that’s always disturbed me a little, but seems perfectly apropos this week: There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Perhaps more relatable to Californians living in 2021 (who hopefully will never need...