California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for state sanctions on Russia, joining other states. : Gov. Gavin Newsom wants California to join other states in piling on Russia for waging war against peaceful neighbor Ukraine. First, the fact that Newsom is following other governors into action seems strange. He always takes great pride in being first and incessantly boasts about it. Second, in firing shots at a target as Newsom is asking and other states are already doing, there’s invariably the risk of a ricochet that wounds you. As for not being the first, so what?