Believe it or not, there’s talk of rain today and tomorrow for the central coast of California. The age of miracles is not over.

Here are some still-bone-dry midday news/views snacks:

* Russian airstrikes begin in Syria.

* Despite pleas from Pope Francis and many others, the good righteous Christians running the State of Georgia execute Kelly Renee Gissendaner.

* Jeb Bush apparently thinks Seminole tribal blessing for FSU makes all racist team names okay.

* New Winthrop poll shows plurality of SC Republicans wish Confederate Battle Flag still flying on Statehouse grounds.

* At the Plum Line, Paul Waldman notes that controversy over HRC’s position on the Cadillac Health Plan Tax a reminder that only two GOP candidates have any real health proposal.

And in non-political news:

* Oakland A’s hire first female coach (a “guest instructor”) in MLB history.

As we break for lunch, here’s T. Rex with “Telegram Sam,” performed at Wembley Stadium in 1972.

Independent since 1969.

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Ed Kilgore, a contributing editor of the Washington Monthly, is a columnist for New York.