KING CHARLES III addresses Congress.

Striking a diplomatic and optimistic tone, King Charles III of Great Britain on Tuesday spoke before Congress, seeking to emphasize what his nation and the U.S. had in common.

“The principle on which your Congress was founded – no taxation without representation – was at once a fundamental disagreement between us, and at the same time a shared democratic value which you inherited from us,” said the King, according to The New York Times.

“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute.”

The “special relationship” between the two nations has been frayed over certain policies and actions of the present administration, including the tariffs and America’s military actions overseas.

The monarch also spoke at length on environmental issues and praised the American system of national parks, forests and reserves.

Comey indicated over sea shell “threat”

The Department of Justice Tuesday indicted former FBI Director James Comey over a social media post of sea shells that is allegedly a call to assassinate President Donald Trump.

According to The Associated Press, this is the second criminal complaint the DOJ has filed against Comey. The first was dismissed by a federal judge.

Comey had posted – but since deleted – a photo he had taken of an arrangement of seashells of the numbers “86 47” he had seen on a walk. They meant – in his opinion – “to throw out” but Trump is seeing it as a call to violence.

“A child knows what that means,” said Trump in an interview on the FoxNews Channel last May. “That meant assassination, And it says it loud and clear.”

Gasoline prices spiking again

Gasoline prices in the United States on Tuesday reached the highest level since the war between the U.S. and Iran began.

GASOLINE prices still rising (Shutterstock)

United Press International reported that the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline on Tuesday was $4.18, an increase of 1.6 percent over Monday’s price.

One month ago, the price was $3.98.

In some areas, much higher prices were spotted. An ARCO station in Garden Grove was displaying an electronic price of $6.19 per gallon for regular grade fuel.

The rise in fuel costs is considered to be related to the impasse between the U.S. and Iran over opening –and keeping open – the Straight of Hormuz, a major shipping channel for petroleum.

The conflict stems from allegations by President Donald Trump that Iran is “weeks away” from developing nuclear weapons.

Weather: It’s warming up

Summer-y conditions are returning to our West Orange County weather, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s. The forecast calls for a high of 75 on Wednesday with an overnight low of 57 with partly cloudy skies. Thursday should dip to 73 (59) with morning clouds and afternoon sun. Friday should warm to 75 and Saturday to 76 with partly cloudy skies and lows at 58 and 59.

Great Thoughts (popularity)

“Popularity is a bubble. It’s a mountain; you can go really hard but walk down really fast.”
– Marlon Brando

“Popularity is just a trademark of mediocrity.”
– Simon Cowell

“Popularity is a great deceiver.”

– Plato