Santa Barbara News-Press: October 16, 2022

Harbor and seafood Festival returns to sB Harbor

Goleta councilmembers explain positions on Measure B

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Each member of the Goleta City Council spoke to the News-Press concerning their positions on Measure B, the Goleta sales tax.

Mayor Paula Perotte gave the following statement to the NewsPress, emphasizing that she is speaking as a private citizen and not as the Mayor of Goleta: “As a member of Goleta’s city council, I’m proud that a supermajority of us voted to put this on the ballot for voters to decide whether to close our funding gap for vital services, including police

and fire safety, safe roads and sidewalks, and clean creeks and beaches. Speaking purely as a Goleta resident for more than 40 years, I strongly support a yes on Measure B. I am convinced that an extra penny on a dollar is the best way to provide our residents and visitors with the level of services we expect and need.”

Councilman Roger Aceves was the only council member to vote against the sales tax. “I voted against, and stand firmly against, raising our sales tax without a clear and transparent plan as to how the funds will be spent.

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The 19th Annual Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival was celebrated Saturday for the first time since 2019. The festival lured seafood lovers to Santa Barbara Harbor for one of the community’s most cherished events.

“The misty weather did not deter the early birds from coming out and getting to the seafood as early as possible. The harbor patrol boats are doing their tours. I’m looking at a lot of people right now,” Chris Bell, PIO for the Waterfront Department of the city of Santa Barbara told the News-Press.

The festival celebrated the opening of lobster season while showcasing fresh, regional seafood in addition to live music, maritime education, free boat rides, children’s activities and vessel tours.

“I think it’s fantastic. It is such

Annual Chumash Culture Day returns

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The 16th annual Chumash Culture Day returned to the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation for the first time since 2019 on Saturday. The festival featured Californiastyle Native American singing, dancing, food and games.

“It feels healing. We are really excited to see old friends and celebrate California Native American culture and bring in

dance groups. It is also a time of remembering those who have passed from Covid or have passed because we have not been in person for three years. It’s a healing time,” Nakia Zavalla, cultural director of the Chumash Tribe, told the News-Press. The event was open to all ages of the community. Activities included arts and crafts vendors, food booths and basket-making

KENNETH

The Camino Real Marketplace is shown in Goleta on Thursday.

Abalone jewelry crafted by Santa Barbara-based Qashi Wear are displayed for sale during the 16th annual Chumash Culture Day at the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation on Saturday.

Please see CHUMASH on A7

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Above, Santa Barbara Harbor was host to a massive influx of visitors who arrived to eat at the Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival on Saturday. Below, a colossal plate of paella is cooked at the festival.

At left, sea urchins are split open to be sold as very fresh uni at the event. Above, members of the band “Spencer the Gardener” provided live music at the festival.

Psychohistory, the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and today’s troubles

Thirty-six

years ago, we discovered a field of study called psychohistory.

What in heck, you may ask, is psychohistory?

For an answer, in January 1987, we called on Lloyd deMause, the inventor of this sub-psychiatric science, at his office in New York City.

“Psychohistory,” Dr. deMause told us, “is the science of historical motivation.”

Meaning?

“What people’s motives are in history.”

As in… “What motivates people to go to war.”

ROBERT

That day we conducted a lengthy interview with Dr. deMause. It has never been published … until now.

With Russian dictator Vladimir Putin veering toward the use of nuclear weapons, it seems that what the good doctor laid on us decades ago may be more relevant today than ever before.

Lloyd deMause was educated at Columbia University and did post-graduate work in political science before training at a psychoanalytical institute.

Essentially, as a “psycho-historian,” Dr. Lloyd presumed to put history on the couch — and taught his techniques of psychohistory to students at the City University of New York, who would often tell him, “Now I’m scared to death like you are.”

Which makes this a good Halloween story to boot.

“We look very carefully at what people said to each other during a crisis,” Dr. deMause began, “and what was scribbled on the edges of diplomatic document as they went back and forth, the telegrams that were sent, and what cartoons appeared in the newspapers. Suddenly, you begin to see things in quite a different way.”

How so?

“You begin to wonder whether sets of different nations might not be influencing other people unconsciously. These unconscious messages pass around all the time.”

Is there someone in control of such messages or their conveyance?

“I don’t think it’s conscious at all, but I don’t make that distinction.”

Then who’s sending the messages? The White House? The media?

“I don’t think it’s just the leaders or the media. If I looked only at letters to the editor, I’d get the same sort of images. The group fantasy.”

AND THAT”S THE ESSENCE OF PSYCHOHISTORY

“The group fantasy works in cycles,” Dr. deMause explained. “We pour our bad feelings and unacceptable wishes onto the president, and then it disintegrates, and we must find something abroad to take care of it because he is no longer able to handle our fantasies. Cycles for this tend to be around the 50-year period.

“Essentially, you go through four general periods: A new child-rearing mode, a number of people brought up a little warmer, a little more individualistic. That group does something new. That’s the ‘20s and ‘60s in America. That’s the Young Romantics of the early 19th century.

“But they start to drive the older classes bonkers. Progress produces enormous anxiety in the older cycle classes. The first thing to arrive is a depression. Eighty-five percent of all major wars that occurred over the last 800 years have been on the upcycle of the wave, because there’s too much progress. After each war, you had a depression.”

So if one is trying to forecast what happens next?

“Since 1945 and the atomic bomb, most of the big nations have been trying to work out new patterns, trying to make do with small recessions, not big depressions, trying to make do with smaller wars, not big wars. A depression is an internal sacrifice. As a historian, I see what we do is a repeat of similar things in earlier civilizations, which emphasized that the reason you have leaders is for sacrifice to the gods.

“That’s true now too. Governments will fall unless they perform their sacrificial function from time to time. They must stop the older classes from being too anxious, give them sacrificial scapegoats for the things they are achieving. I’ve studied societies going on with continuous wars for thousands of years. You’d think they’d kick out the guy who’s making these wars, and yet they go on and on.”

And you’re saying it’s because of poor childrearing?

“If we all had terrific child-rearing,” says Dr. deMause, “there’d be no reason to continue going through depressions and wars. That’s what I look at in terms of what’s coming from any nation: what they do to their kids. For instance, when children were un-swaddled in the West. Make a list of the dates of unswaddling and then put it next to the date of the first democratic revolutions. They’re identical.”

Better child-rearing would put an end to depressions and wars?

“That’s the long-term solution. But we have so many big bombs around, we’re not going to get there if we wait for the whole world to do it. And many countries — Arabic fundamentalist countries, for example — are only just going through their reformation. And they’re going to get atomic bombs.”

So what can anyone do about it?

“As a psycho-historian, I try to call attention to these unconscious fantasies. It is only

possible to live out unconscious fantasies if they remain unconscious. As soon as they become conscious, it’s very difficult to act them out. I liken what we do to a suicide hotline. When a guy calls and he wants to jump out a window, there’s no time to cover all his childhood problems.

“But what you can do is stop him from jumping by talking to him and make him aware of his anger, make him aware of the difference between fantasy and reality. I don’t think I’m going to save the world. But sometimes small things make big differences.”

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

“I’ll never forget Bobby Kennedy’s role in the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Dr. deMause continued. “They were sitting in the White House Situation Room, and there’s a hundredmile line drawn around Cuba, and J.F.K, said we would sink the next Russian ship that crosses it. A guy walks in and says, ‘Well, a Russian ship is coming across. Shall we sink it?’ Khrushchev said that if a Russian ship was sunk, they’d launch their missiles. World War III.

“A bunch of images came to Bobby’s mind: The image of his brother (Joseph, who died in World War II); images of children dying, which is the essence of war. He tapped into his own unconscious and the unconscious of the whole nation. For no reason at all, he came up with an answer, turned to J.F.K. and said, ‘Let’s redraw the line to 50 miles and give them a little more time, and J.F.K. said OK.

“In the space of 50 miles, the Russians changed their mind. The only hope we’ve got is to be conscious. The brain stem is where the unconscious is, our reptilian brain, and it leads us astray. That’s where all our childhood material is, and it drives us into these irrational solutions.”

How does the group fantasy work?

“Groups form their unconscious collective — the group fantasy — through their communications. I’m always astonished that the same idea or image of a cartoon will appear in Seattle and New York on the same day — two different cartoons projecting an identical image.”

What do you attribute this to?

“A basic stock of images we all have, like falling off a cliff. The imagery of a dragon comes from way back when you’re in the womb. The placenta itself has veins, and you’ve got a snake-like umbilicus. Serpentine monsters and octopus are imagery from the womb. When I see a president (in a cartoon drawing) grabbed and strangled by a monster called inflation, I know we’re about to consider a war solution. We’re being strangled like we were in the womb.”

THE PROCESS

What is your method for detecting the meaning of the imagery around us that produces the group fantasy?

“Essentially,” Dr. deMause elucidated, “you pick out all the emotional words, all the metaphors, all the similes, and leave out all the objects. Leave out the nouns unless it’s a family image. It is the emotion, the active verbs you’re going for, and the adjectives.

“The most astonishing thing is that you can’t miss the fantasies. A group fantasy runs for a month or two. And it’s overwhelming. I was teaching at City University when President Reagan was shot. For three weeks before he was shot, all my students were gathering images. The front page of U.S. News & World Report (was) headlined ‘Too Much Waste— Reagan’s Next Target.’ My students kept coming in and saying ‘Look, they’re going to kill Reagan!’ We went for a couple weeks that way. I went back and found images prior to J.F.K.’s assassination — images that would suggest to an assassin to kill him.”

As in a Manchurian candidate?

“If you want to get a message through, you slightly hide it. You get it past our censor, our unconscious mind. You say, ‘Waste Reagan’ in a funny way, you put a dash in between, and you show Reagan with the word ‘target’ next to him.”

And you’re saying the editor who created that headline had no idea of the unconscious impact?

“Unconsciously, the editor was fully attuned to the group fantasy. That’s why certain cartoonists are good, others are not. The cartoonist who doesn’t tap into the group fantasy loses his job. The front cover is the most discussed thing at Time and Newsweek.

They discuss it in secret behind locked doors. And yet, the number of times they come out with the same image is astonishing.”

So the editors devising the headlines, the cartoons and cover imagery are not consciously aware of the group fantasy they are promoting?

“No, the group fantasy is unconscious.”

What about the person who picks up the hidden message? How does that occur?

“A disturbed person — let’s use John Hinckley (who shot Reagan) as an example. He had been stalking someone else, but nothing legitimized it. Then he sees all these messages on the newsstands … whether he was going to shoot Reagan or someone else was determined by the group fantasy at that time. Take Sirhan Sirhan, R.F.K.’s (accepted) assassin. He has always claimed he adored Robert Kennedy but somehow got hypnotized into shooting at him. You’ve always got, at any given time, 20,000 crazy nuts out there to pick up the message.

“Maybe someplace, when someone’s just about ready to say, ‘I can’t lose face, we’ve got to launch the missiles,’ somebody will say, ‘I remember this guy deMause in New York. …’ ”

If only.

As this country is strangled by inflation — the sign, claims Lloyd deMause, that war is looming — one hopes world leaders will come to their senses and, as Bobby Kennedy did during the Cuban Missile Crisis, give more time for those losing face to get fully conscious and come to their senses.

AND SPEAKING OF VLADIMIR PUTIN

How was the Russian tyrant reared as a child?

The answer, in the context of Dr. deMause’s theories, is dangerously chilling.

Mad Vlad grew up in St. Petersburg, a city devastated by the Nazis, in an apartment infested by rats, no hot water or bathtub, no heating, two older siblings who perished — and he was regularly bullied by other kids.

As reported last March by Aces Too High News: “Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong all suffered years of merciless beatings and other unconscionable abuse in childhood and went on to be responsible for the deaths of millions of people.”

WASHINGTON WHISPERS

A reliable Pentagon source in-the-know tells The Investigator that reporters from several national publications (can’t name them, says the source) are working overtime to nail down stories suggesting that the CIA warned senior military officers in advance of the suicide bombing at Kabul airport’s gateway on Aug. 26, 2021 — and in essence ignore the intelligence, resulting in 183 deaths, including 13 members of the U.S. military.

Incredibly, one theory being pursued is that military commanders purposely ignored the warning.

Reason?

“The conspiracy theory view is that they needed to justify why just a trickle of people were getting through,” says our Pentagon source.

The more sober question reporters are asking: Where are the two senior translators who were on a bus (part of a 13-bus convoy not permitted access to the airport)? These were personal translators to Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., who was U.S. Cen Com chief, and four-star Gen. Scott Miller.

The whisper is that the U,N,-certified Afghan translators were taken off their bus and spirited safely through Qatar before settlement somewhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Reporters and Republican congressional investigators alike are desperate to locate these translators for establishing the truth about a) the lead-up to the bombing and b) why the 13-bus convoy (which included some rather important individuals) in which they had been traveling was not admitted entry.

If Republicans win a majority in the House in the midterm elections next month, it is whispered to us that No. 1 on their investigative committee agenda is the bungled withdrawal of Afghanistan, and the comings and goings (less on the goings) at Kabul airport.

Republican congressional leaders believe that the withdrawal was the result of a secret pact between Joe Biden and China: Give Afghanistan to the Chinese, who, through Pakistani proxies, would gain access to

COURTESY

‘It’s a great community and they are proud to show it off’

FESTIVAL

Continued from Page A1

a great opportunity for our people to learn so much about the harbor and the resource it is. We have a working harbor where fishermen pull in seafood from the channel. Fishermen pull in more seafood than any other harbor in California.

There is also an opportunity to learn and meet the fisherman,” said Mr. Bell.

The Harbor and Seafood Festival was an interactive day for visitors and locals alike, serving as a reminder that Santa Barbara Harbor is a working harbor where more than 100 fishermen land millions of pounds of seafood each year, adding $30 million to the local economy and beyond.

“I would say that we have a couple different demographics out here today.

There are the hardcore seafood people that know the product and come here early. I have had calls for weeks now asking if the festival is still going on.

People come from hundreds of miles away. The harborites are the community down here and they are very proud of it.

It’s hard work. It’s a great community and they are proud to show it off and educate people about it,” said Mr. Bell.

Juan Dolor, Spencer the Gardner and Cornerstone played live on a main stage, while attendees perused special festival memorabilia, shopped for a variety of art, clothing, and other unique gifts and enjoyed free harbor boat rides aboard the Double Dolphin and Kelpie.

“There are young kids that are being exposed to learning about the sea environment and touch tanks where kids can see different species,” said Mr. Bell pointing to one of the highlights of the

day. “I am seeing people with seafood already; there are people with plates of sea urchin and lobster. Every square inch is being used to eat,” said Mr. Bell.

The Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival was presented by the city of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Inc., and the Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants’ Association, along with various community partners and volunteers.

“I would like to recognize the volunteers. This festival wouldn’t happen without volunteer support and our tremendous waterfront team. It is a tremendous amount of work. When you go into a lobster booth and see people cleaning lobster tails and cleaning out guts, that is volunteerism,” said Mr. Bell.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS

Throngs of people showed up to the Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival to enjoy the bounty of the sea, such as the bundles of rockfish shown at right.

Festivalgoers explore a Harbor Patrol boat at the festival.

MORROW, Susan Elizabeth

Susan Elizabeth Morrow passed away peacefully in her home in Montecito on September 28, 2022.

Susan’s fight against ovarian cancer was truly heroic and thoroughly documented in her many emailed missives detailing her prognosis, treatments and operations as well as providing her thoughts on early detection and the limits of modern medicine on ovarian cancer.

Susan was born on July 1, 1947 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Miriam Vannaman and Col Alex James Stuart, a 1934 graduate of the United States Military Academy.

Her very early childhood was spent in exotic locals with Col Stuart’s many foreign postings but she grew up in El Paso, Texas with her father’s retirement from the Army. After graduation from Austin High School in El Paso, and The University of Texas in Austin, Susan attained a Masters of Education from Harvard University.

Susan was the definition of entrepreneur. While her early work experience included teaching profoundly deaf children to speak, she also worked in the investment business in Boston and when resettling in the Los Angeles area started a very successful executive search firm as well as creating a direct sales women’s clothing company “Colors by Liz.”

When she moved to Park City, Utah she sold architectural structural design elements to hotels and casinos in Las Vegas until she met the love of her life and married Ronald Morrow in 2006.

But even the whirlwind life they led did not curb her inventive fervor and she developed “Fact-ions” a game designed to foster group communication and information sharing that enhances bonding.

Susan is survived and acutely missed by her husband, his two daughters Diana Morrow and Karen Runke, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as her brothers Sandy Stuart and Douglas Stuart, niece Jennifer McFarlin and nephew Alex Stuart and her grand- niece and nephew.

There will be celebrations of her amazing life at her homes in Montecito, California and Spring Island, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers Susan requested donations to fight ovarian cancer to the Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation, c/o Debbie Romano, Wells Fargo Wealth Management, 320 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401.

SYLVESTER, Orion James

Born 2-13-1973

Died July 30, 2022 Passed in Novato, CA

Orion James Sylvester, loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, chef, coach, and community member died suddenly July 30, 2022, after a private struggle with mental illness. He is survived by his wife Catherine Pringle Sylvester, two sons Mason and Lincoln, father Mark and his wife Kymberlee, mother Silver Boo, stepmother Linnea Sylvester, sister Melissa Younce and her husband Paul and son Daxton, and half brothers Michael and Chris Beverly.

Orion was a graduate of Santa Barbara High School and the Tante Marie Culinary School in San Francisco. He was the owner of Orion’s Kitchen, a catering and custom food creations company. He served as the Little League Baseball Commissioner in Novato California. Orion enjoyed playing disc golf, hiking, camping, fishing and backpacking. He grew vegetables, cultivated orchids, raised chickens and kept bees. He was a proud Lakers and Dodgers fan, but most of all a Raiders fan.

Everyone who knew and loved Orion realized they knew someone extraordinary, and will carry the memory of him and the light he brought to the world in their hearts forever. A Celebration of Life was held at the Marin Arts and Garden Center on August 26, 2022.

Donations in Orion’s memory can be made to: Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation: https://juvenile-bipolar-research-foundation-inc.monkeypod.io/give/support-jbrf

SCANNELLA, Cynthia “Cindy” Schmandt

Cindy was born in March of 1961 and passed away on September 17, 2022. Cindy was raised in Santa Barbara where she attended Cold Springs School and later attended Santa Barbara Junior and Senior High Schools. While at Santa Barbara High she developed a passion for running and became a standout track and cross country runner, setting numerous records, some of which are still in place today. Her love of track and cross country blossomed into coaching that started when she coached her long distance team as a senior in high school.

Her achievements in track continued as an All-American in the 3000-meter at UC Berkeley. When she was sidelined by injury, Cindy returned to her love of coaching and became the assistant coach of the Cal track team. After college, she coached at the University of New Mexico and was named Coach of the Year for cross county in 1983. Cindy was inducted into the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Hall of Fame and the SBHS Hall of Fame for her outstanding accomplishments as a coach and athlete.

While attending Berkeley, she met her future husband, Jim. They were married shortly after college. Jim was in the Navy at the time and they lived mostly on the East coast. They eventually settled in South Carolina where they raised their two children Anthony and Katie. No matter where Cindy was, she made an impact, mentoring youth to great personal accomplishments. She was an active college counselor and high school track and field coach. Most recently, she took her talents to Heathwood Hall in Columbia, South Carolina where she coached her teams to State Championships and taught a yearbook class that received numerous awards. The students there have expressed their love for her and their appreciation for the life-changing lessons she taught them. Above all, Cindy embraced her family and wouldn’t miss any special occasion or chance to get together with everyone. Her smile and robust laugh will be missed by all. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Cindy leaves behind her husband of 36 years, Jim; her son Anthony; her daughter Katie; her parents Rodger and Katie Schmandt; her brothers Greg and Michael; and her sisters Kelly Ferguson and Julie Link. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Heathwood Hall has posted their Memorial at https://youtu.be/6Z0gAJ8KoYY. Those who wish to honor Cindy may make a donation to the Cindy Scannella Memorial Fund at www.heathwood.org/donate (fund designation).

BERONIUS, George Longan

George Longan Beronius passed away September 28th in Tucson, Arizona. Born 2/25/28 in Kansas City, grandson of George B. Longan, who was the publisher of the Kansas City Star. He is survived by his three children: George Beronius, Jr., Ann Beronius Buchin, Michel (decd), Susan Beronius Rodgers, Prentice and his wife Eleanor Park Beronius and stepson, Carl Clapham.

MERCADO, Joseph Richard, Jr.

Joseph Richard Mercado Jr. was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. Joseph was an 8th generation Santa Barbara Native. Joe had a great love and passion for cooking, he began working at UCSB in a cafe at the age of 13 and was a pro chef up until his passing. He worked at Santa Barbara City College for many years and for UCSB Geology department during summer field trips as a chef. He truly enjoyed feeding everyone, especially his loved ones. He regularly barbecued and prepared unique & creative meals for his family and friends.

Joseph cherished his community, he volunteered his time at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he cooked meals for seniors. He found many ways to give back, often by feeding the hungry and low-income families. Everywhere Joe went he spread positivity, generosity and humor. He was well known near and far and made friends wherever he went.

Joseph had a love for fishing, travel, music, camping and new experiences. He sought out adventure throughout his whole life and wanted to explore the world and different cultures. He regularly took college courses on anything that he found interesting, even though he had a profession, he continuously wanted to expand his knowledge and all his siblings and younger family members are following in his footsteps. He was an extraordinary role model to many.

Family was extremely important to Joe, he loved spending time with them, they often took road trips and traveled together. His mother was dear to him, he made an everyday effort to spend time with her and take her on outings. He loved his family and friends and they loved him tremendously. They will forever cherish all the superlative memories they shared with him.

Joseph is survived by his mother Elizabeth, older sister Priscilla, two younger sisters

Petra and Melissa, 4 nieces, 5 nephews and two great-nephews, and many extended family. Joseph is preceded in death by his father Joseph Sr., grandparents, many aunts and uncles.

Joe will always be loved dearly. Never goodbye, always later. Until we fish again!

CLARK, Julia Campbell

Our mother, Julia Campbell Clark, passed away peacefully Saturday evening October 1, 2022, at her home in Rincon Point, California. Mom joins her beloved husband of 69 years, our father, Alfred M. Clark, Jr., who pre-deceased her on March 29, 2020. Mom was born May 31, 1925 in the Village of Poland, Ohio to Robert L. and Martha Gibson Campbell. She was the oldest of four sisters, and she, her mother and siblings, Becky, Gwen-Ann and Janie, were direct descendants of the original settlers of northeastern Ohio after the Revolutionary War. She graduated from Poland Seminary High School and then received her bachelor’s degree from Lake Erie College. After college she returned to Poland to teach in the schools that she and her sisters had attended.

Mom and Dad were married on January 26, 1952, and they settled into their first home in Youngstown, Ohio. In support of Dad’s career as a sales executive, they subsequently moved to Bronxville, New York; Riverside, Connecticut; Ladue, Missouri and eventually settled down in San Marino, California. Quite a series of life changes for a person who lived her first 25 years in one place, a place where her family had lived for over 150 years. Mom and Dad moved to their home at Rincon Point in Carpinteria in 1992. Although separated from her sisters geographically, they remained close and supported each other throughout their lives.

Mom is survived by her four children, Julie Burge (Jim), Al III (Sue), Jennie and David (Angelica), seven grandchildren, Andrew Burge (Caitie), John Clark (Loreli), David Burge (Janessa), Steve Clark (Jackie), Jane Clark, Alexandra Clark and Natalie Clark, as well as three great-grandchildren, Mateo Clark, Eduardo Clark and Tennison Burge. She is also survived by her sister, Janie Nash, and numerous nieces and nephews. Regular visits from her family, highlighted by her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, had been a source of great joy for Mom.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the frequent moves, Dad, her children and her faith in God were always Mom’s principal focus. She supported us in school and in sports, on endless beach holidays, and instilled in all her children her love of reading, which she shared with Dad. We never doubted her unconditional love and selfless commitment to each of us, our spouses and children, which extended to our friends who were always made to feel welcome in her home.

We acknowledge how fortunate we have been to have experienced the love and partnership of our parents, and understand that Mom’s endless love, strong faith and values, including humility, gratitude and responsibility, will continue in us for the rest of our lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mom’s name can be made to the San Marino Community Church, 1750 Virginia Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, where she and Dad worshipped for decades and where Mom taught Sunday School for years, or to the charity of your choice.

Texas pastors offer blistering rebuke of Newsom’s ad quoting Jesus to promote abortion

By BETHANY BLANKLEY THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – Texas pastors across the state are offering blistering rebukes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s billboard campaign in Texas quoting Jesus to promote abortion.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, returning the issue to the states, Texas’ Heartbeat bill became law Sept. 1. It bans abortions from being performed after a preborn baby’s heartbeat is detected, with some exceptions. When Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican and Roman Catholic, signed the bill into law, he said, “Our creator endowed us with the right to life. And yet, millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion.” The law “ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion.”

Gov. Abbott’s Democratic challenger for governor, Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, has vowed to do everything he can to overturn the heartbeat law, arguing it strips women of their reproductive rights. A group that opposes Gov. Abbott also produced an ad claiming women don’t have access to healthcare in Texas, which critics argue is false.

Gov. Newsom said he launched the billboards in “7 of the most restrictive anti-abortion states that explain how women can access care – no matter where they live. To any woman seeking an abortion in these anti-freedom states: California will defend your

right to make decisions about your own health.”

One billboard in Texas reads, “Need an abortion? California is ready to help. Learn more at abortion.ca.gov. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.’ Mark 12:31.”

Another reads, “Texas doesn’t own your body. You do,” depicting a woman wearing handcuffs.

Cuban American pastor Pastor Lou Veiga, who previously hasn’t publicly spoken about political issues, told The Center Square he’s disturbed by how American culture is rapidly changing and embracing what he says is Marxist-Socialist ideology. This includes attacking Christians and “calling good evil and evil good,” which “necessarily leads to tyranny,” he said.

Born in Havana, Pastor Veiga came to the U.S. legally, became a U.S. citizen, and now leads Covenant Presbyterian Church in Houston. When he heard about Gov. Newsom’s billboards, he told The Center Square he couldn’t remain silent.

“By perverting the plain meaning of God’s Law in Mark 12:31 to justify aborting human life, Governor Newsom very badly represents Jesus’ teaching,” he said. “Newsom substitutes death for life, darkness for light, and bondage for liberty. The Governor’s current abortion ad strategy comes as no surprise: Satan himself quotes Holy Scripture, though in doing so, he never seeks anyone’s advantage

Today Mon.

22,

his last Dad joke on

After a tense moment in the ICU, he looked around at his wife of 55 years and three adult daughters, drew breath, paused, and quipped, “I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve gathered you here today.” We laughed, which was what he wanted.

in Kansas City, MO between the two atom bombs, Jerry was only months behind his wild big brother Danny.

sisters Linda and Judy soon followed. As the son of a single mother, Jerry watched his mother work hard every day of the week to “cheerfully” support her family.

learned a deep respect for mothers, hard workers, and families that stick together. When Jerry was six,

Holt married his mother Betty, and the family was complete.

to most of his grandchildren only in the memories that lived on in his wife and the four children they loved and raised together, Bob was always with us. He taught our father how to be a father, how to be a husband, and for that legacy we will always be grateful.

by his sister Judy, Jerry fell in love and proposed to Barbara Hill on her 18th birthday. Exactly six months later they were married and have been happy sweethearts ever since.

Each of their three daughters--Stacy, Robin and Heather--spent their childhoods at the bottoms of ladders, dutifully handing up one nail at a time, an immeasurably important job even though he had a well-used tool belt. As women we watched him bend down again from up high to explain, hold the small hands of our children, and to solve puzzles with the pencil always shining in his breast pocket. He was a quietly proud man who never hesitated to help. To bend. He was tender, attentive, and patient as a father, grandfather, and uncle. Each of his nine grandchildren loved his quiet attention, and all learned the hard way that Papa would find the longest possible way to answer all of their curious questions.

Jerry graduated from Santa Barbara High school in 1963 and attended UCSB for three semesters before taking time off to work and save money for his return to school. When he was drafted in 1966, he chose to serve seven years in the Nuclear Navy where he taught calculus, was known as Univac 2000, and was a plank owner of the USS Pintado. After his years of service, Jerry graduated from UCSB with an honors degree in Electrical Engineering. His career at Santa Barbara Research Center and later Raytheon made him a rocket scientist to his daughters. They still don’t know much about satellites, the robots on Mars, or infrared light waves, but that is not for lack of trying on Jerry’s part.

The things we did learn from him, he taught by example. He showed gratitude, gave compliments, put his family first, acted with honor always, never told others what to do, and did the dishes before doing the dishes. He was proud to have his name in the stars, but we believe his greatest achievement was the love and trust of his family. He will be with us always.

Obituary notices are published daily in the Santa Barbara News-Press and also appear on our website www.newspress.com

To place an obituary, please email the text and photo(s) to obits@newspress.com or fax text only (no photos) to (805) 966-1421. Please include your name, address, contact phone number and the date(s) you would like the obituary to be published. Photos should be in jpeg format with at least 200 dpi. If a digital photo is not available, a picture may be brought into our office for scanning. We will

out the

using our

format. A formatted proof of the obituary and the cost will be

for review and

The minimum obituary cost to print one time is $150.00 for up to 1.5” in length -- includes 1 photo and up to 12 lines of text, approximately

characters; up to approximately 930 characters without a photo. Add $60.00 for each additional inch or partial inch after the first 1.5”; up to approximately 700 characters per additional inch.

All Obituaries must be reviewed, approved, and prepaid by deadline. We accept all major credit cards by phone; check or cash payments may be brought into our office located at 715 Anacapa Street.

The deadline for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday’s editions is at 10a.m. on Thursdays; Tuesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Fridays; Wednesday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Mondays; Thursday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Tuesdays; Friday’s edition deadlines at 10a.m. on Wednesdays (Pacific Time).

Free

Notices

Private memorial services will be at a later date at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.

Construction Update

NorthbouNd highway 101

Sunday nights from 9 p.m. - 7 a.m. the highway will be one lane from S. Padaro Ln. to Sheffield Dr.

Monday - Thursday nights from 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. the highway will be one lane from S. Padaro Ln. to Sheffield Dr.

The northbound on-ramp at Ortega Hill Rd. will be closed for up to eight months and is anticipated to reopen Feb. 14.

Until then, drivers can use the onramp at Sheffield Dr.

The off-ramp at Evans/Lillie Ave. closed on Sept. 27 and will remain closed for up to four months. It is anticipated to reopen Jan. 25, and drivers can use the northbound off-ramp at N. Padaro Ln. as a detour.

SouthbouNd highway 101

Sunday nights from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m. the highway will be one lane from Sheffield Dr. to Reynolds Ave., with an off-ramp at Carpinteria Ave.

Monday - Thursday nights from 9 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. the highway will be one lane from Sheffield Dr. to Reynolds Ave., with an off-ramp at Carpinteria Ave.

The off-ramp at Evans Ave. will be reopening on Oct. 24.

The off-ramp at S. Padaro Ln./ Santa Claus Ln. will be reopening on Oct. 20.

tra FFiC, CriMe a Nd Fire blotter

The on-ramp at Santa Claus Ln. closed on Sept. 6 and will remain closed for up to five months. It is anticipated to reopen Jan. 29, and drivers can use the detour on Via Real, Santa Ynez Ave., Carpinteria Ave. and Reynolds Ave.

The southbound off-ramp at N. Padaro Ln. will close as early as Nov. 3 to begin ramp updates. During this closure the southbound off-ramps at Evans Ave. and Santa Claus Ln. will remain open.

Consecutive ramps in the same direction will not be closed at the same time (unless where noted) to allow drivers to use a ramp before or after a closure. To view timelines, detours, and maps, please visit www.SBROADS.com and select the project segment.

o live Mill rouNdabout

A discussion concerning upcoming roundabout construction on Oct. 25 will be held from 4-5 p.m. at the Montecito Inn. Included will be renderings of the roundabout design, discussion on construction staging and access, a review of expectations for delays, and an opportunity to ask questions.

The Olive Mill Roundabout is intended to improve traffic flow at the intersection at Olive Mill Road, Coast Village Road, North Jameson Lane, the northbound Highway 101 off-ramp at Olive Mill Road and the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp at Olive Mill Road.

Construction is scheduled from

Above, construction continues to result in closures on Highway 101.

Below, a box trailer crash blocked all lanes on State Route 154 on Saturday.

November 2022 through summer 2023.

Box trailer closes State Route 154

On Saturday a box trailer rolled

on its side, blocking all lanes on state route 154 and causing a closure in both directions.

Santa Barbara County Fire, CHP, and an ambulance responded. No injuries were reported.

- Katherine Zehnder

Gas prices fall in California, but residents still pay highest prices nationwide

By MADISON HIRNEISEN

THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – After California gas prices reached near-record levels last week, the average price for a gallon of gas is starting to drop, though drivers are still paying the highest prices in the nation.

California gas prices have fallen 24 cents since last week, settling at an average of $6.107 per gallon on Saturday, per AAA. That average price is still about 67 cents higher than a month ago when the average price for a gallon of gas was $5.434. California’s average prices remained more than $2 over the national average, which stood at $3.90 on Friday. The average price in Santa Barbara County on Saturday was $6.105.

Experts say that the spike in gas prices California saw earlier this month resulted from refineries going down for maintenance in September, causing a shortage of the state’s “summer blend” of gasoline. To address the high prices, Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the state’s Air Resources Board to allow refineries to begin distributing the “winter blend” of gasoline earlier than usual to drive down prices.

Refineries coming back online and the winter blend being distributed is why prices are now “dropping rapidly,” AAA Spokesperson Marie Montgomery told The Center Square in an email. Montgomery noted that wholesale gasoline prices in Los Angeles have “plunged well below the level they were at when the gas price spike started in September.”

“Wholesale prices are now 50 cents higher than their lowest point of the year in January, back when pump prices were $4.70 a gallon or so,” Ms. Montgomery said. “If these trends continue, we should expect further rapid price drops at the pump.”

Gov. Newsom has blamed high prices on oil companies engaging in “rank price gouging.” Last week, the governor announced he would call a special session of the Legislature in December for lawmakers to discuss his proposed windfall tax on oil companies.

Five refiners – Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, PBF Energy, Phillips 66 and Valero – produce 97% of the state’s gasoline supply,

according to a report released this month by Consumer Watchdog. The report contends that proof of the “Golden State Gouge” is evident in the companies’ profit reports from the second quarter.

“All five refiners raked in unprecedented profits per gallon in the West – profits of between 79 cents and $1.01 per gallon,” the report states.

At the end of September, California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild penned a letter to oil executives, asking for an explanation as to why gas prices rose dramatically “despite a sharp downturn in global crude prices, no significant unplanned refinery outages in the state, and no increases in state taxes or fees.”

Several refiners responded to the letter earlier this month, claiming that the state’s laws and policies are to blame. Valero Vice President of Government Affairs Scott

Folwarkow responded to Mr. Hochschild in a letter saying the Golden State is the “most expensive operating environment in the country and a very hostile regulatory environment for refining.”

“California policy makers have knowingly adopted policies with the expressed intent of eliminating the refinery sector,” Mr. Folwarkow said.

Gov. Newsom’s office tweeted Thursday that “oil companies saw the biggest one-day wholesale price drop ever after CA took action to lower gas prices.”

“But those savings aren’t being passed to you. It doesn’t add up,” the tweet continued. “Time to take the windfall profits of greedy oil companies and put that $$ back in your pockets.”

News-Press Associate Editor Matt Smolensky contributed to this report.

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Current gas prices are shown at the Fuel Depot gas station in Santa Ynez on Saturday.

COURTESY PHOTOS

volleyball remains undefeated at home

By DANIEL MOEBUS-BOWLES UCSB SPORTS WRITER

The Gauchos defended their undefeated home record Friday night as the UCSB women’s volleyball team (10-7, 6-1) swept past UC Riverside (3-13, 1-6) 25-22, 25-11, 25-14 in the Thunderdome.

On the Stat Sheet

• Michelle Ohwobete had an exceptional performance with few errors, putting her at 11 kills at a .409%. She posted her sixth doubledouble adding 12 digs as well.

• Talullah Froley started off the match bringing the heat with four kills in the first set on a .500 clip and continued to excel throughout the match, putting her at 10 kills at the finish.

• Briana McKnight led all players with 15 digs and added five kills as well.

• Nia Correal led all players with seven blocks and had one solo.

• The Gauchos outhit the Highlanders .286-.010, outblocked them 9-2 and collected six aces on the night. They effectively led in every statistical category on the night.

hOw it h appened

• The opening set was a back-and-forth affair as the Gaucho offense could not find its footing and allowed the Highlanders to hang around through the late points. Tied at 22-22, UCSB closed out the frame on a 3-0 run powered by a kill from Ohwobete and back-to-back blocks. Ohwobete and Correal teamed up on the first denial and Correal got her team to 25 with a solo.

• UCR never led in the second set as UCSB took the momentum from its late first-set run straight into the second frame. The Gauchos outhit the Highlanders .379 to -0.65 as Froley and Tasia Farmer each sent down four kills. Their lead stretched as far as 14 points on the game-winner at 25-14.

• The Highlanders competed early in the third set, but once again the Gauchos managed to outhit them .364 to .059, holding the visiting team to just five kills. Ohwobete caught fire, putting up an errorless 7-0-10 line for a .700 clip as UCSB improved to 5-0 at home.

next Up

The Gauchos have a quick turnaround, facing UC Davis tomorrow in the Thunderdome at 7 p.m.

Daniel Moebus-Bowles writes about sports for UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

Colorado River Basin to receive $4B from feds for drought mitigation

By KATELYNN RICHARDSON

CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – The federal government plans to pay farmers that draw water from the Colorado River to take less, one piece of a multi-pronged plan to reduce usage.

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new program that will draw on $4 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding approved for water management and drought mitigation in the Colorado River Basin.

Called the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program, it will be run by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Through the program’s three components, it will select conservation proposals from Colorado River water delivery contracts and entitlement holders,

typically farmers using the water to

grow crops.

The first component emphasizes drought mitigation, water and power reliability, and natural resource conservation efforts that improve Lake Mead’s water level. It will allow applicants to request payback terms of $330 per acre-foot for one year, $365 per acre-foot for two years, or $400 per acre-foot for three years.

Proposals must also include amounts of water expected to be conserved, methods of verification, and an economic justification, the Bureau of Reclamation told potential applicants.

The second component will seek applicant proposals for other water conservation projects at different pricing amounts, and the third component, which will open in early

2023, will deal with long-term efficiency improvement projects.

Applications are open for the first two components now through Nov. 21, 2022.

While this announcement focuses on “near-term actions,” the Interior Department says it is still looking to invest in long-term systems that will improve efficiency. Similar programs in Upper Basin states are also under consideration and will include at least $500 million in investments in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

“The prolonged drought afflicting the West is one of the most significant challenges facing our country,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. “I have seen firsthand how climate change is exacerbating the drought crisis and putting pressure

on the communities who live across Western landscapes.”

“Thanks to historic funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Interior Department is committed to using every resource available to conserve water and ensure that irrigators, Tribes and adjoining communities receive adequate assistance and support to build resilient communities and protect our water supplies,” she continued.

Bureau of Reclamation

Commissioner Camille Touton said in July that Colorado River Basin states should figure out how to conserve between 2 and 4 million more acre-feet of water by 2023

U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., advocated for the $4 billion in drought funding during the passage of the IRA.

Aceves casts only vote against Measure B

GOLETA

The one percent sales tax increase

proposed by Measure B comes at a time when inflation is at its highest level in four decades, and interest rates are at their highest in over twenty years,” Councilman Aceves told the NewsPress in an email.

“The increase called for in Measure B does not have an expiration date and will not require a future renewal vote. Instead, it would become a permanent tax that could only be repealed by a future ballot initiative.

Since this is a general tax measure, there is no legal requirement that any of the money generated by this tax be used for the purposes suggested by the proponents. Sales taxes are regressive, meaning that they take a larger percentage of income from lowincome taxpayers. Increased sales taxes also make it more difficult for local small businesses to compete.

This sales tax increase will place an unnecessary burden on all Goleta taxpayers, while disproportionately affecting Goleta’s more vulnerable residents and small businesses. In the near future Goleta taxpayers will have to find ways to reduce expenditures to provide for themselves and their families. It is only fair that the city of Goleta do the same,” said Councilmember Aceves.

“I agree with the League of Women Voters, Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, and business and environmental leaders

who are all supporting Measure B,” said Councilmember James Kyriaco. “Measure B raises vital funds for fixing our roads, supporting 9-1-1 response and cleaning up our creeks, streams and ocean without raising taxes on gasoline, groceries, or medications. Similar measures in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria are funding important community priorities; Goleta deserves a funding source that can’t be taken away by the county or state.”

“I voted in favor of the proposed tax increase. Why? Because there is a critical need for additional funds, and because the new money collected would be targeted to those critical priorities, based on a spending plan voted on by council,” Mayor Pro Tem Stuart Kasdin told the News-Press in a statement. “The plan allocates over half the funds generated to the city pavement program, the critical maintenance backlog, and priority infrastructure projects. The other half is for the other identified priorities, in which council unanimously voted for programs, but which are presently largely unfunded.”

Mayor Pro Tem Kasdin outlined three areas of need: First, “pavement maintenance and road repair: Since 2009, in 10 of the last 13 years our road funding fell short of the amount necessary to avoid additional deterioration in the average road quality. Unfortunately, because of limited budgets, the city postponed the necessary spending to maintain our roads. As a result, the costs rise- simple repairs are no longer possible,

and expensive rebuilding becomes necessary.”

Second “infrastructure put on hold: Important projects like the western fire station 10 are not being implemented as we seek grant funding and loans. Likewise, other delayed projects include reconstructing the Lake Los Carneros bridge and refurbishing the community center,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kasdin.

Lastly, said Mayor Pro Tem Kasdin, “unfunded critical needs. We have many priorities called for in the city’s general plan. However, while recognizing their importance, we don’t have the funds to accomplish them.

Our plans include preventing polluted stormwater runoff from entering local creeks and coastal waters, enhancing our open spaces and recreational opportunities, creating safe routes to schools, restoring creeks, and addressing homelessness. We are determined not to see these objectives as empty statements, just plans left on the shelf.”

Councilmember Kyle Richards, whose letter to the editor ran in last Sunday’s News-Press, also expressed his stance on the sales tax.

“I support Measure B in order to provide and maintain critical services that Goletans need and deserve. Western Goleta has been identified as being deficient in fire response, and we deserve to have Fire Station 10,” Councilmember Richards told the News-Press in an email. “The cost of our police services continues to rise, yet Goletans deserve to maintain

our standing as one of the safest cities in California. Goletans deserve to have clean creeks and a wellendowed library. We deserve to have a community center that is safe and accessible to all, with a senior center program that serves the needs of the community. We deserve a city that has well-maintained streets and parks. Our businesses deserve to have a strong and well-funded economic development plan that encourages visitors to shop at our businesses and stimulates affordable housing to house employees. Although some have highlighted the city’s healthy reserves as a reason to oppose the measure, being fiscally prudent should not be used against the city’s efforts to respond to community needs. The city wisely maintains healthy reserves and unallocated general funds, but these are one-time funds and should only to be used in the case of an emergency. Additional permanent funds are needed to accomplish the city’s longterm goals.

“Almost half the revenues would be paid by non-Goletans, and this measure would put our sales tax at (or still below) our neighboring cities. Importantly, 100% of the revenues would be kept in Goleta, untouched by the county.

The tax would not apply to necessities such as rent, groceries, gasoline, or medicine. I support Measure B because it is a sound investment in Goleta and its residents,” said Councilmember Richards.

The tax will not go into effect until 2024.

Ad

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS

Chumash Culture Day features dance, games, food and more

CHUMASH

Continued from Page A1

demonstrations. The event began at 1 p.m. with an opening prayer and was followed by an honoring of the elders. California-style Native American singing and dancing took place from 2-5 p.m. and again following a dinner break from 6-9 p.m. A traditional handgame tournament began at 5 p.m., with teams competing for prize money. The first place winner was awarded $1,000, second place $750 and third place $500.

“The atmosphere is fun and celebratory, with a lot of people seeing each other. If it weren’t for the pandemic it would be like a reunion. There are families coming out together. It’s a wonderful feeling, like a gathering,” said Ms. Zavalla.

Chumash Culture Day is sponsored by the Tribal Elders Council and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Culture Department. The Tribal Elders Council is a division of the tribal government that is responsible for preserving cultural resources and maintaining the tribe’s heritage, history and traditions.

“The purpose of the event is to honor and celebrate different California Native American cultures. Our ancestors had gatherings thousands of years ago and we are following in their footsteps. The event brings people to dance, sing and celebrate culture,” said Ms. Zavalla.

The event featured a food truck serving Indian fry bread and 23 different Native American vendors which highlighted California Native American style jewelry and art.

“We try to bring as many as we can in. We have over seven different tribes represented which will come out to dance, sing and share their culture,” said Ms. Zavalla.

The Santa Ynez Indian Reservation is located in Santa Barbara County and was established and officially recognized by the federal government on Dec. 27, 1901. Today, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation. The tribe is a self-governing sovereign nation and follows the laws set forth in its tribal constitution.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

China, North Korea rebuffed Russian efforts to purchase weapons

Continued from Page A2

rare earth minerals. In return, Pakistan and China would ensure that the Taliban do not launch strikes against Americans or their facilities.

Nos. 2 and 3 on the Republican hit list are whispered to be Hunter Biden (and the contents of his laptop) and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Since we learned this, prosecutors in the Biden case appear to finally be moving on this, a balancing act — our source speculates — for indicting Donald Trump over his retention of classified files.)

Regarding Ukraine, it is whispered that the Kremlin has been told by senior U.S. officials, in no uncertain terms, that if they use a tactical nuclear weapon on Ukraine, the response from NATO and the USA will be “catastrophic” for Russia.

Specifically, Western forces conveyed an intention to demolish all Russian conventional forces on the (Ukrainian) battlefield and to include their Black Sea naval fleet.

“All interagency pipelines are open,” our Pentagon source told us. “I’ve seen the real maps. With Ukrainian forces only 12 miles from the Russian border, the situation is extremely volatile — and much more serious than the Cuban Missile Crisis.”

A VERY CHARMED CHINA

If there is any good news, it would be this: Not only has China rebuffed Mr. Putin’s efforts to purchase weapons, so has North Korea.

China is delighted to sit on the sideline, waiting for Mr. Putin to deplete his military personnel and hardware so it can challenge a weakened Russia over its own territorial disputes.

Another Department of Defense source tells The Investigator that once a war concludes (presumably with Mad Vlad’s defeat and disappearance as Russia’s dictator), there are plans afoot by the victors to disassemble the Russian Federation into independent countries and thereafter render them harmless to their neighbors.

“What you will see,” he says, “is oligarchs and local warlordtype politicians gobbling up and ingesting pieces of Russia like starving prisoners at a Texas barbecue.”

In other words, the exact opposite of what power-mad Putin desired as his legacy. May all his demons come true.

Robert Eringer is a longtime Montecito author with vast experience in investigative journalism. He welcomes questions or comments at reringer@gmail. com.

One church responds to Newsom with billboard

ABORTION

Continued from Page A4

his own (e.g.,

of

who

manner possible by calling that offense against God an act of loving our neighbor.”

Pastor Steve Riggle of Grace Woodlands said he was so disturbed by Gov. Newsom’s ads he spoke about them for six minutes on Sunday, and his church produced its own billboard, now up as of Thursday, he told The Center Square.

the

evil good and good evil,

so to their own destruction

governors who twist it through deception

5:20; 2 Peter 3:16).

resist its life-giving and life-cultivating truth are called out particularly to repent (Psalm 2:10-12).”

followed his own teachings, Pastor Viega said: “he didn’t spill anyone’s blood, resulting in death. Rather, Jesus shed his own blood for the good of his people.”

Dave Welch, president of the U.S. Pastor Council, who’s been encouraging Christians to become more involved in politics, told The Center Square, “If I were Gov. Newsom, I would not be so eager to simultaneously advertise that he advocates for the unlimited slaughter of unborn children while also perverting the words of Jesus in the most evil

Pastor Riggle said the commandment Gov. Newsom cites follows the first greatest commandment, “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.”

“You cannot love God with all your heart and murder babies,” he said. “How twisted does your mind have to be to take the word of God and pervert it in this kind of way to promote something that is absolutely an anathema to the heart of God?”

His church’s billboard depicts a newborn baby and says, “Do I matter? God says yes. Abortion says no. Your vote says what you say. Vote for me. Vote for life.”

Pastor Riggle is calling on other churches and groups to put up their own billboards.

“Just remember who picked this fight,” he said. “If you want to pick this fight we’re glad to finish it.”

A song and dance group from the Pala Band of Mission Indians give a performance in front of a live audience during Chumash Culture Day at the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation on Saturday.

Indoor-outdoor transition

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Since she was 8 years old and growing up on the northwest Florida coast, Jessica Risko Smith has had a passion for re-imagining spaces.

Every month, she’d rearrange her own bedroom furniture, always experimenting with how to make a new world out of a 10by-12 foot space.

Now, as founder of JRS Interior Design in Santa Barbara, she helps clients create their own new worlds with unique, stylish and ultralivable designs that elevate their everyday lifestyle.

Among her recent projects is a local four-bedroom, fourbathroom renovation of a home, which features high-end lighting, Calacatta Gold marble

slabs, sandstone fireplaces, chic wallcoverings, luxurious textiles, handpicked decor and accessories.

“Before the renovation, the original 1950s home was in need of complete system updates and architectural reinforcement. The project was a full gut renovation with a small addition to create additional pantry space off the kitchen and a fourth bedroom, which adds an interior courtyard feel at the back of the house,” said Ms. Risko Smith.

“Because the neighborhood typically embraces more traditional architecture, my team and I wanted to bring in classic elements like Santa Barbara sandstone to anchor the clean, modern forms and materials. The design team was particularly interested in connecting the interior materials to the exterior for

a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.

“The lighting selection was pertinent to unlocking the rest of the furnishings and details. The fixtures are all unique and play really nicely together, each one visually interesting but not overpowering.

“My goal for the design was to create something artistic, interesting and fresh and cohesive, and I added color in a very mindful, measured way,” said Ms. Risko Smith.

The client’s daughter’s pottery is showcased throughout the home as décor touches, and selected handmade pottery from a local Ojai potter, Emily Brown of Emily Brown Ceramics, complements the owner’s traditional wedding china.

“Through furnishings,

Interior designer updates original 1950s home in Santa Barbara

At top, this was the kitchen before the work, and afterward, above.

COURTESY PHOTOS

“Through

lighting

art,

client’s personality to shine through and

designer Jessica Risko Smith.

At top, this was the living room of a 1950s home before Jessica Risko Smith’s team performed its interior design. Above, is the living room after the work.

more than ready to fall in love over the next two weeks once Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your partnership zone. This is a great time for a second chance at a relationship you thought slipped away during the retrograde.

— If last month’s retrograde threw you off balance, this week gives you the opportunity to get your life in order again when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your habit zone.

to check in with coworkers and play nice with others. Acts of service will keep people on your side,

— You’re ready to enjoy fall in all its spooky glory this week when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your pleasure zone. This is a great time to plan your Halloween costume, paint pumpkins or just enjoy the magic of autumn. Whatever you do, Gemini, just have fun!

CANCER — After last month’s family feud, you’re more than ready to mend fences and get along with the people you love when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your home zone.

LEO — Your words will open a lot of doors for you when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your communication zone. Your mind will be sharp and ready to pick up on the key pieces of information that people say or don’t say.

VIRGO — You’re very generous, Virgo, always wanting to take care of others. Especially when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your wealth zone. However, it might be very tempting to overspend to buy people’s approval and love.

LIBRA — Your week begins with a major confidence boost when Mercury enters your sign for the second time this year on Monday. Fortunately, Libra, this is a more charming transition because you feel like you can woo anyone.

SCORPIO — You’ve never been much of a talker, but when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your privacy zone, you’ll be keeping a lot of secrets close to the vest. This is not a great time to trust people with sensitive information.

SAGITTARIUS — This is a great time to expand your social group when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your social zone. It’s very easy to make new friends right now, both online and in real life. This is a good time to get the gang together to indulge in some favorite fall activities.

CAPRICORN — The next two weeks are an ideal time to do some networking once Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your public image zone. After a stressful September, build back your reputation one kind word at a time.

AQUARIUS — This is a great week to soak in new experiences and information when Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your expansion zone. Over the next two weeks you’ll be attracted to people from all walks of life.

PISCES — September kept you in the dark, Pisces, so spend October searching for the truth once Mercury enters Libra on Monday, moving into your intimacy zone. Listen to your gut when making your decisions, because it’s easy to be tricked by “nice” people in your quest for justice.

How to play Codeword

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Getting your emotional affairs in order

At every level of life, we are dealing with our emotions.

It may be our career and goals. It may be our relationships. It may be our family’s health. It may be the state of the world. There are endless things we all feel something about, and those emotions can be a gift or a curse.

Please remember that if you are dealing with other people, you are also dealing with their emotions at the same time — so there’s a lot going on. There’s a reason why therapy sessions are an hour long.

Everyone needs a break to digest deeper human issues.

When I am ending a therapy session, I like to consolidate the gains and look for where we went right. This is a great exercise to do as well with the people in your life, even people you are not that close to anymore. There was some joy in the past and looking at that can help you find greater peace of mind in the present.

Consider approaching someone you have known for many years,

and ask them if they’d like to talk about the good times you’ve had.

Doing this may be both awkward and (hopefully) heartwarming.

The person could just look at you and say, “Blow it out your ear, buddy.” But I don’t think they will.

It may feel like an invitation to heal, a rebirth of some kind. Anyone who is working on self-awareness would most likely take you up on this kind of opportunity. Even if they aren’t psychologically oriented, a part of them probably wants to put the pain of the past in their rearview mirror and look forward to the rest of their lives. This is an opportunity to do just that.

Of course, what the future will look like is still an open question. Some of us are still hiding from COVID. I know the first week we tried living normally, we both got hit with it, so we are back to our avoidance lifestyle. It’s a drag, but it beats the hell out of a week

of night sweats and body aches — and we both had mild cases, thanks to vaccinations!

Getting COVID wasn’t fun, but it did give us the chance to talk more about our health in general and our good fortune in having chosen to get vaxxed. We also consolidated the gains of our physical conditions and made plans for annual physicals and checkups. It was a bit of a wake-up call, and now we are being more proactive rather than just protective.

Likewise, it’s important to take care of your emotional house. If you just try to avoid the difficult subjects, you will get by, perhaps for a long time, but eventually they will come up. And dealing with them doesn’t have to be painful or toxic. In fact, as I described above, it should be done in an atmosphere of kindness and caring.

Avoid blaming, shaming, and complaining. Instead celebrate

your connection and look at the reason you came together in the first place. I’m not saying forget problems but focus instead on letting go of your pain and finding your joy.

Concentrating on a few close connections with others is fine. The two or three of you can just hang out and make one another feel good about being alive right now.

This is an exercise, but it won’t feel like it. When we present our open spirits to one another and talk about the good, we create an environment where a lot of growth and positive energy can come into our hearts and minds.

Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian. He is also a columnist, the author of eight books and a blogger for PsychologyToday. com with more than 28 million readers. He is available for video consults worldwide. Reach him at barton@bartongoldsmith.com. His column appears Sundays and Tuesdays in the News-Press.

Walk To End Alzheimer’s to take place at Chase Palm Park

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Families, friends and all those who support the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia are invited to join the Santa Barbara Walk to End Alzheimer’s Nov. 5 at Chase Palm Park.

On the day of the walk, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m.

Participants receive a flower in one of four colors, representing their personal connections to the cause. Last year, nearly 600 participants attended the Santa Barbara Walk, raising a total of $228,315 to fund the Alzheimer’s Association’s global research and local services throughout Santa Barbara County.

Currently, the Alzheimer’s Association is investing more than $310 million in more than 950 projects in 48 countries, bringing forward new discoveries and developments every day.

The California Central Coast Chapter offers support groups, education programs, care consultations and a 24/7 Helpline (800272-3900) throughout the county in both English and Spanish, all provided at no cost.

The walk is supported by the hard work of a volunteer committee, chaired by Gabriella Garcia. Committee members include Pam Bigelow, Heather Cass, Karen

Dacome, Michelle Figueroa, Jill Fonte, Amie Parrish, Hal Price, Jodi Wilson-Price, David Steinberg and Central Coast Chapter Board Chair Katina Zaninovich.

Walk Chair Gabriella Garcia holds the cause close to heart after having been the primary caregiver for her grandfather, Jose, during his long fight with Alzheimer’s disease.

“As a young caregiver, I had to make

many sacrifices, but because of those sacrifices, I learned so much about life and unconditional love,” Ms. Garcia said in a news release. “I am chairing this year’s walk to bring continued awareness to the struggle that patients and families in our community face on a daily basis, so that we can gather in a sea of purple and support each other and, of course, to keep my grandfather’s memory alive.”

In California alone, there are more than 690,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 1.12 million family caregivers.

“Each dollar raised helps make a positive impact in the fight against this devastating disease,” Executive Director Lindsey Leonard said. “We are relying on the support of this community to show up and bring awareness to something that affects so many of us, so that we can make a difference and find a cure.”

To register for the walk, go to act.alz.org/ site/TR?fr_id=15397&pg=entry

Registration is also available in person starting at 9 a.m. Nov. 5t at Chase Palm Park by the Shipwreck Playground, 323 E Cabrillo Blvd., in Santa Barbara. The ceremony will begin at 10 am, to be followed by the five kilometer walk along East Beach. Shorter routes will also be available.

To volunteer or support the event, contact Ms. Leonard at lmleonard@alz.org.

email: kzehnder@newspress.com

COURTESY PHOTO

The California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold its annual walk Nov. 5 in Santa Barbara.

‘I picked unique materials throughout the decoration’

TRANSITION

lighting and art, we allowed the client’s personality to shine through and personalize the space while remaining cozy and uncomplicated,” said the designer.

“I picked unique materials throughout the decoration including Calacatta Gold marble slabs, which became the perfect counterpoint to the sandstone fireplace, and created a negative space backdrop to incorporate a hood and storage along the range.

“We also added personalization and tied the design together through whimsical wallcoverings,

sophisticated textiles and curated decor and accessories.”

FYI

For more about JRS Interior Design in Santa Barbara, visit www.jrsid.com.

Brands featured in the project include Matthew Fairbank Design, Bernhardt, Mehraban, Visual Comfort and Schumacher.

Before launching her firm in Santa Barbara, Ms. Risko Smith earned her degree in interior design from Auburn University and had a long career at Gensler, a worldwide corporate design firm, where she worked with Fortune 500 companies on legal, finance, retail and entertainment interior projects.

She is a LEED Accredited Professional and a longtime

ASID Professional Member. Her travels to New York, Chicago, Mexico and Europe

continue to influence her designs and vision for unique styles, trends and products for residential and commercial interiors.

The JRS ID studio is located in a historic Santa Barbara garden courtyard, where her team is often found meeting with clients and vendors. Otherwise, Ms. Risko Smith spends time with her two children and refueling at Handlebar Coffee, oftentimes sketching more new world design concepts.

“I love that this home feels

connected with the outdoors as that was one of our main goals throughout the design process. The homeowners initially had a much more traditional style but were eager to try something new and move away from a catalog feel,” she said.

“We wanted their personalities to shine through in the design and push them slightly out of their comfort zone. We took a more modern approach to the design, gave the space some edge, and everyone was happy with the end result.

“The home is truly breathtaking and reflects a timeless and refreshing take on the classic Santa Barbara home.”

Chaucer’s In Store Book Signing: Loretta Redd

SANTA BARBARA — Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St., will host local author Loretta Redd for a book talk and in-store signing of her book “Front Row Rebel” at 6 p.m. Oct. 26.

The story is set against the background of the Jim Crow South during the Depression and two world wars. The protagonist, Walter Wilby, takes on not only taboos of class and race, but the pernicious cartel system of the “Big Five” movie studios.

Fairness doesn’t come without a fight, and Mr. Wilby is willing to take on anyone, from Hollywood to Washington D.C. to fulfill his dreams.

Promoting yet complicating his goals are a host of colorful characters including his sassy, unpredictable wife, Alma; their bold and determined daughter, Bailey, and his exuberant business partner, Mike Kinsey.

Along the way, they collide with the likes of Walt Disney, President Franklin D,. Roosevelt and Clark

Gable. From the silent “flickers” of the early 1900s to the wide-screen cinema of the 1950s, from “Birth of a Nation” to “Gone with the Wind,” this is a front-row view of how cinema and society shaped each

and grew into the billiondollar industry we know today.

more information, go to www,chaucersbooks.com.

Author Loretta Redd

discuss her book

Chaucer’s

Jessica Risko Smith’s team did the redesign work in this 1950s home.

COURTESY PHOTOS

This was the bedroom before the work, left, and afterward.

This was the bathroom before the redesign, left, and afterward.

Editor’s note: Dr. Bradley Allen is a pediatric heart surgeon and a Republican candidate for Congress in California’s 24th District, which includes Santa Barbara County. Dr. Allen resides in Summerland.

Do you want to suffer more? Die sooner?

Pay higher healthcare costs?

If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you must be a fan of the so-called Inflation Reduction Act just signed into law by President Joe Biden. The bill is exhibit No. 2,597,331 for the way career professional politicians lie their way into making your life worse by promising to make it better, when really all they’re doing is enriching themselves financially and politically.

The IRA, we were told, would, among other things, reduce the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to dictate prices.

pay more to die sooner

But by ignoring any of the reasons for high drug prices, and the disastrous consequences of price controls, it will do to our healthcare what these same professional bureaucrats did for us at the gas station and supermarket.

As a doctor, I never want to make the cure worse than the disease. It appears career politicians don’t have these concerns.

University of Chicago economist Tomas Philipson found that over the next 17 years, the IRA drug price controls will reduce drug industry research and development by about $663 billion, resulting in 135 fewer new medicines and a seven-year delay in medication approval. This will result in a loss of 330 million life-years, which is about 30 times the loss of lifeyears from COVID-19 to date. He also estimates a 3.7% increase in spending for medical services due to the decline of new drug

approvals to treat diseases.

A 2005 study came to similar conclusions. It found that drug price controls would have led to 198 fewer new drugs in the U.S. market from 1981 to 2000, at a societal cost of about $20 trillion, or more than 28 times the estimated savings from these price controls.

So while the IRA drugs may be cheaper, you will pay more in healthcare costs for the privilege of suffering more and dying sooner.

And if you doubt these studies, you need only look at what happened to drug development in Europe after the introduction of price controls. Europe went from leading the U.S in new drug development in 1990, to late-stage venture capital funding being just 3% of the level in the United States by 2019.

Between 1990 and 2017, R&D investment in Europe grew 4.5 times, while in the

U.S., it multiplied by more than 800%, As a result, far more U.S. pharmaceuticals are being developed now than ever before. In just the last 17 months, 79 new drugs have been approved, 29 of them for cancer. In 2018, the National Academies of Sciences found that two-thirds of new drugs in the past decade and more than 80 percent of the drugs in the world’s biopharmaceutical pipeline today emerge from the United States.

And if this wasn’t enough, the bill doesn’t even address any of the fundamental reasons why drugs are expensive. As a doctor, I have learned that the most effective way to solve a problem is to first determine the underlying cause. For example, if you have pain from a broken arm, the problem is your broken arm, not your pain. You need your arm fixed; not pain pills, which only makes the underlying problem worse.

But professional politicians find it far easier to let Medicare dictate

prices (prescribe pain pills) than to actually solve the problem.

There are numerous ways to reduce prescription drug prices without causing the consequences inherent with price controls. For example, the cost of generic drugs has declined by almost 40% since 2014. But this bill does nothing to make it easier to bring generic drugs to the market.

As a start, Congress could:

• Increase market competition among generic medications by allowing more players to participate.

• Increase oversight of antitrust laws to prohibit anticompetitive business practices that delay or prevent the introduction of generic medications.

• Facilitate the importation of off-patent generic drugs approved by comparable foreign regulatory agencies to provide confidence in the drugs safety, while offering additional competition.

What President Joe Biden has wrought

C ongratulations to all you Democratic voters.

And all you NeverTrumpers. And all of you who didn’t vote at all but stayed at home to profess your unhappiness with Donald Trump.

Congratulations too to you who spent many hours filling out and collecting ballots from anybody and anywhere and who spent so many early morning hours dumping those ballots en masse in those conveniently unsupervised, unregulated and unmonitored drop boxes. You got your guy in and even brought along the least popular presidential candidate in history during that eventful year of 2020. You’ve succeeded in making Joseph Biden and

Kamala Harris president and vice president of the United States of America.

Let’s examine what your efforts have brought us.

There is the stock market. I do remember the then-President Donald Trump warning us that a vote for his opponent (the aforementioned Mr. Biden) would sink our 401Ks and IRAs.

It took a little time, but he’s been proven right, and the markets continue to wobble.

By Election Day 2020, the entire span of tall and virtually impenetrable fencing along the Rio Grande and through California had been nearly

completed. After years of debate, the southern border of the United States was finally secure. The very first day upon taking office, President Biden halted construction of the wall, leaving giant sections of U.S. made steel barriers rotting in the sun (a feat he would repeat in spades in Afghanistan).

President Biden opened the border completely almost immediately upon taking office, and America’s schools, hospitals, border cities, and poorer neighborhoods throughout the country were overrun by a human tide of more than four million mostly non-

English-speaking people. They continue to arrive daily by the thousands from over a hundred different countries. Their overpowering entreaties have enriched at least one group: The Biden administration has made billionaires of the heads of the criminal cartels (the gangs that collect from $3,500 to $11,000 and maybe more from every intruder).

More than $40 billion — and counting –— has landed in cartel pockets over the past four years.

Along with a flood of humanity, the open border has allowed the now super-wealthy cartels to sneak massive amounts of illicit drugs across the border to the U.S., enriching them even more. This drug tsunami has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands

of U.S. citizens (mostly young men and women) and gutted out a great number of impoverished towns and communities.

By Election Day 2020, the U.S. had become energy independent, which was the putative goal of the creation of the Energy Department under President Jimmy Carter. Already exporting millions of barrels of crude, thenPresident Trump encouraged U.S. oil and gas companies to accelerate plans to liquefy the abundance of natural gas the U.S. had developed thanks to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to be sold abroad, especially to Western Europe and more particularly Germany.

Don’t give in to apathy or fear

Did

you know ballots for the upcoming elections were mailed out last week? As you can see, throughout our country, state, city, county and school elections, there are important decisions to be made by us.

Everyone needs to do their research and vote. This is particularly true for the various propositions. Two of them ask you to vote for the extension of gambling to sports in general. One is to approve online gambling ,and the other is to extend gambling in casinos to almost all sports events. Gambling is another addiction. As a nation, we are already crippled with addictions. Do we want to facilitate more? Is our apathy tied to addiction, or are we so numbed by the world in turmoil?

Why is it so easy to galvanize the normally apathetic public to demonstrate in the streets and produce almost 5,000 signatures to save some trees along Modoc Road?

Why do we not, with the same strength of purpose, defend our police department from leftwing woke politics? Why do we not use this power of numbers to protest and defeat the city staff and council’s destruction of the character and history of downtown Santa Barbara?

Why are there not 5,000 or more people applying extreme public pressure on those responsible at all levels for the management of Santa Barbara County public schools for the unacceptable student performances in English and mathematics? And for the inexcusable number of hours that should be spent on basic educational needs used instead to indoctrinate our children in anti-white, racist theories, and in LBTGQ+ propaganda on gender transformation and sexual practices?

We learned the state will not release student test results for all our school children until after the next election. Why? This is unprecedented. If the results were fair to good, why won’t the local schools release them?

When is education in this state going to be really for and about the children? Not about teachers’ union power? Not about cover-ups of constant failures in educating our young? Why are the mothers, fathers, grandparents and members of the public protests being ignored?

Again, we see party politics overwhelming the public’s right to know and, more importantly, the parent’s and students’ rights to know. This kind of manipulation of the facts and the dumbing down of tests is endemic in the pseudoeducation, failed results and other cover-ups in our morally corrupt public school system.

Why are there not 5,000 people protesting, demonstrating, and acting to stop the destruction of single-family neighborhoods orchestrated by Sacramento, led by Sens. Scott Wiener and Toni Atkins? Especially as they are being aided and abetted by our own local, elected representatives and senior bureaucrats at city and county levels. They are supposed to represent us as our local elected officials and our employees. Now is the time to fire them all.

What do we fear?

Is it retribution from the powers that be? After all, we know that the federal justice system has directed the FBI to monitor parents at school board meetings who protest the policies and the bureaucrats

COURTESY PHOTO

Dr. Bradley Allen

Wendy McCaw Arthur von Wiesenberger Co-Publisher Co-Publisher

Carbajal trippin’ across the aisle!

News-Press announces its election endorsements

The News-Press has made the following endorsements for the Nov. 8 general election.

STATE Governor: Sen. Brian Dahle.

Lieutenant Governor: Angela Underwood Jacobs.

Secretary of State: Rob Bernosky.

Controller: Lanhee Chen.

State Treasurer: Jack Guerrero.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Lance Christensen.

Attorney General: Nathan Hochman.

Insurance Commissioner: Robert Howell.

State Board of Equalization, 2nd District: Peter Coe Verbica.

U.S. Senate/Partial Term: Mark Meuser.

U.S. Senate/Full Term: Mark Meuser.

U.S. House Representative, District 24: Dr. Brad Allen.

State Assembly, District 37: Mike Stoker.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Santa Barbara County Board of Education, Trustee Area 1: Rosanne Crawford.

Santa Barbara Community College District, Trustee Area 1: Debi Stoker.

Santa Barbara Community College District, Trustee Area 5: Sharon Salvador-Jegottka.

Santa Barbara Unified School District, Trustee Area 1:

LETTERS TO THE

Re-elect Marybeth Carty to school board

Let’s re-elect Marybeth Carty —a renowned, effective and experienced community leader — to the Santa Barbara County Board of Education, District 1.

In today’s super-charged political climate, I strongly support leaders in public life who model the proverb, “Be modest in speech but excel in action.” This defines Marybeth Carty’s style and is the underpinning for her amazing track record in education, nonprofits, philanthropy and business.

best for the children, parents and the community.”

• “I have known Marybeth for over 25 years. I know her heart and how much she cares about our children, their families and our communities.”

• “Her passion, kindness, intelligence, and compassion are some of the reason I endorse her. Because our children need her, I’m sure their parents will re-elect her.”

Experience matters.

Efigenia Banales.

Santa Barbara Unified School District, Trustee Area 4: Phebe Mansur.

Goleta Union School District, Trustee Area 1: Caroline Abate.

Goleta Union School District, Trustee Area 3: Christy Lozano.

Lompoc Unified School District: To be announced.

SPECIAL DISTRICT

Goleta Water District, District 2: Greg S. Hammel.

CITY COUNCIL RACES

Carpinteria City Council, Trustee Area 3: Patty Boyd (write in).

Lompoc Mayor: Jim Mosby.

is equally serious and very important in our democracy.

I have spent my life in political debate and some time in elected office. Democrat Jack O’Connell beat me in 1982 for the Assembly office. Then he served as a Democratic senator when I became a Republican Assembly member in 1994. We never had a cross word between us, and although differing on many issues, we also worked together on some issues for our common constituencies.

Brent E. Zepke

The ‘other’ side of oil

The “other” side of deals is often overlooked by both sides of deals.

For example, President Donald Trump wrote the popular book “The Art of the Deal,” but no one has written one entitled “The other side of the deals.” Is there something to be learned from the “other side of deals?

My assignment in Appellate Argument in law school answered this question for me. Appellate Argument is when two law students are given a trial court decision, and each one is assigned to argue in support of a different side. I laughed when I read the case given to me because, I thought, I can win this case with “my suit on backwards.”

U.S.

Rep. Salud Carbajal, who bills himself as a steadfast bipartisan congressman who likes to “work across the aisle,” recently indicated that more and more Republicans in Congress have “fascist tendencies.”

The Santa Barbara Democrat obviously does not understand what the word fascist means or he would find himself criticizing his own party through and through, root and branch.

Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973) taught in Vienna and New York and is considered the leading theorist of the Austrian School of the 20th century.

billions of barrels of oil, both onshore and offshore, not to mention trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. This wealth in the form of natural resources was the second (black) gold rush that made California one of the wealthiest states in the union. Yet, various prohibitions and regulations have fomented the demise of in-state production, all the while we have become the largest importer of oil (and electricity!) in the union replete with the highest gas (and electricity.) prices too.

Marybeth is a quiet, effective leader, a “go-to person” in a variety of venues, helping to solve difficult issues, leading public service campaigns or working on community problems. Her calm, low key and skilled style is in stark contrast to the sad display of yelling, name calling, and disparaging comments in today’s public discourse.

A passionate believer in public education as the bedrock of our democracy, Marybeth is committed to defending, supporting and strengthening public education.

Marybeth’s experience and accomplishments in education, board governance, nonprofit management and philanthropy have been broadly recognized throughout the community. A few examples include: Hero of Hospice Award, Fighting Back Mentor Of The Year, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Woman of Inspiration, Carpinteria’s Woman of the Year, and Pacific Coast Times Top 50 Women in Business.

Marybeth Carty is exactly the type of person we need in elected positions in these divisive times. She is a living example of the proverb, “Be modest in speech but excel in action.”

She also understands firsthand that effective leadership is about making everyone else better.

One of my most important legislative bills was jointly authored by a Democratic senator, Dede Alpert. (Unfortunately, it did not pass).

I am concerned that this across-the-aisle cooperation has diminished in recent years.

Altogether, my time in and out of elected office has brought many debates and arguments, but very few uncomfortably heated moments. But I am hearing too much heat recently.

I hope our modern era has not brought too much confrontation and lack of understanding to our debates and differences. We must all do our part to keep smiling and tone down the confrontational rhetoric, and particularly in this election season.

This learning began when I realized I had the “other” side of the case. My preparation required that I learn how to use the few strengths in my case to offset the few weaknesses in the other side’s case in order to minimize their overall strengths. A recent deal illustrates this approach.

President Joe Biden expressed his side of the deal with Oil Producing Exporting Countries was that OPEC caused the high price of energy. In a version of Appellate Argument, if you were assigned the “other” side, the OPEC side: What would be your version?

Andy Caldwell

In his book “Omnipotent Government,” he writes, “We have seen (from the Nazi government’s relationship with business) .... that the Zwangswirtschaft (a combination of the German words for compulsion and economy) is a socialist system of all-round government control of business.”

Mises resolutely rejected the canard that Nazism was an expression of monopoly capitalism. To the contrary, Nazism was a form of socialism: the forms of private property were retained, but control and planning were in the hands of the state.

Sound familiar? It is not the Republicans who are complaining about capitalism and who advocate for the need for all-around government control of free enterprise.

However, the Democratic Party, including unions and environmentalists, to name just a few sycophants, have been seeking control of our economy by way of government rules, regulations, taxes, mandates and subsidies with abandon. California, being a one-party state completely controlled by Dems, will help us count the ways.

With respect to water, a group of California farmers decades ago taxed themselves to build a dam and a water conveyance to ensure they could grow food. Our federal and state government, led by environmentalists, absconded with the water for purposes of fish migration and endangered species protection. The end result? Over one million acres of land in the San Joaquin Valley, the most fertile valley in the world, has gone back to desert.

With respect to energy, California is sitting on top of

Regarding transportation, California is leading the nation in an attempt to eliminate the sale of gasolinepowered cars and diesel-powered trucks, which in turn, will force manufacturers to cease production of the same or lose out on the largest market in the country. This, despite the fact that we don’t have enough electricity or the infrastructure to charge electric vehicles, and most people can’t afford to purchase the same.

Private ownership of land and resources is basically extinct. For one, the federal government owns most of the western United States. Secondly, California controls virtually every aspect of private use of one’s property, including limiting water rights, building rights, innumerable environmental restrictions on the use of property as it relates to and affects the natural resources thereon, not to mention zoning machinations and endless permitting regimens.

Regarding labor, Dems eliminated a million or so private contracting jobs via Assembly Bill 5, and now they are promulgating so-called “project labor agreements” that prevent some 85% of nonunion construction workers from working on government construction projects. Further, they have created a scheme to bankrupt the fast food industry by way of a “commission” to regulate hours, wages and working conditions.

There you have it, Salud. Compulsive state control of water, energy, transportation, private property and labor. Who could ask for anything more? Certainly not the Republican Party.

Andy Caldwell is the COLAB executive director and host of “The Andy Caldwell Show,” airing 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays on KZSB AM 1290, the News-Press radio station.

In Marybeth’s own words, “Public education is the cornerstone of democracy. It is the birthright of American citizens to receive a free K-12 education, but it is the responsibility of elected school board officials to ensure that schools in their communities are prepared to meet the diverse needs of all students. The right to a fair education for all students is a deeply rooted core value that I hold dearly and work toward daily.”

In a recent debate, Marybeth answered important, difficult and politically charged questions. No dodging, just calm and honest answers, based on what children need and how they learn. An example of a great communicator and teacher.

Colleagues of Marybeth use powerful words that paint a vivid picture of her integrity, passion, wisdom, and effectiveness. A sampling of quotes from Marybeth’s webpage are strong and telling (www.marybethcarty. net).

• “The thing about Marybeth is that she always takes the high road, she tells the truth. She is one of the most effective leaders we’ve ever worked with. She is a local hero and will always do what’s

On Nov. 8, please vote for Marybeth Carty, Santa Barbara County Board of Education, District 1.

Bill Cirone

Retired Santa Barbara County superintendent of Schools Let’s be civil in our debates

T he other night at a dinner party, an acquaintance (a strong Democrat and no fan of (Donald Trump,) and I (obviously a Republican) became involved in an earnest political discussion.

Our hostess, fearing some confrontation, strongly interrupted our discussion with “Please, no political talk at the table!!” The two of us debaters agreed to change the subject, but both felt a moment of regret.

This incident reminded me of an unfortunate trend in our current life, and particularly in our election season, that political discourse is becoming more partisan, heated and downright uncomfortable than in past years. Of course, the issues are serious, but maintaining civil debate and open and friendly discussion

We all share the blessings of democracy and the freedoms of speech in our amazingly generous and creative country — never perfect but with a developing history and growth to be proud of.

This is a plea from an old, retired politician to maintain civility and open, positive debate, even in the election season, and regardless of other voters’ decisions —and even if their majority votes prevail next month.

Brooks Firestone Former Assemblymember Santa Ynez Valley

Vote ‘no’ on Goleta sales tax

I was looking through the city of Goleta’s Capital Improvement Projects list recently, and it was disheartening. The amount of work and the diverse list of current, future and pie-in-the-sky projects would discourage anyone who hoped our city might live within its means.

This is not to say staff are not working hard. I mean here I have

Perils of one-party system

Ihave a friend who asked me, “Why do they keep voting in these guys?” I didn’t have an answer for him.

He was talking about Gov. Gavin Newsom and his legislative minions. I too have asked myself this question many times.

California has concentrated pockets of Wokers — in Santa Monica, San Francisco, Stanford, even Santa Barbara. But the outer regions of the state use common sense.

The problem is there just aren’t enough of them to overcome the liberal tactics used to manipulate our elections. Toss in the hundreds of thousands of brain-washed kids from the universities, and the outcomes are pretty much always going to be the same.

Hence, California has been under a one-party system for many years, and we see the results of their failed policies everywhere we look.

After dodging a rigged recall effort, the man of the hour is up

again next month. Sadly, I had to look up who is running against Gov. Newsom. I’m ashamed. That’s bad when you don’t even know who’s trying to defeat the destroyer of the state. (The Republican challenger is Sen. Brian Dahle.)

Let’s review once again how wonderful California is and what you can look forward to if we don’t change the guard.

Something that recently struck me was Gov. Newsom vetoing a bill that would have required the state to offer fullday kindergarten. He cited concerns about the expense. Why this sudden concern about spending too much — and on young kids?

Back in May, Gov. Newsom boasted how the state had nearly $100 billion in surplus cash. Wow! That matches the $100 billion wasted on the bullet train, which still hasn’t laid any track. And it was recently reported another $5 billion was added, and I heard it jumped again to $113 billion.

Three previous “imaginary train” managers of the debacle now admit that it was and still is a debacle.

At this rate, if it ever gets completed, which I don’t believe anyone thinks it ever will, Including the Newmeister, kindergarten could have been funded for a hundred years. It made a lot of unions wealthy and destroyed lives and businesses along the route to boot. That’s government efficiency.

Earlier in the year when the governor needed a boost in ratings, he promised he wasn’t going to raise the gas tax. Well, he raised it anyway. Legislators said they needed the extra mullah for the roads. You drive on our roads, what do you think? And we’re still blessed with the highest gas prices in the nation. While the rest of the country is in the $3 range, California gets to enjoy the $6, $7 and even higher. Higher fuel costs, higher taxes and still crappy roads.

In an effort to deflect from his inadequacies, Gov. Newsom calls a special session to go after

The background is that after U.S. companies found oil in the Mideast, they agreed to pay the rulers of those countries enough royalties that they were able to expand their economic influences and parlay them into political ones.

That is, until the U.S. elected President Donald Trump, who used the power of making the U.S., for the first time, energy independent by encouraging the oil companies to produce the 13 million barrels a day the U.S. uses. The president then canceled the Iranian deal and scared Russia into taking no actions against Ukraine.

The U.S. not only became economically and politically independent of OPEC but was also helping its allies reduce their dependencies.

That is, until the U.S. elected President Joseph Biden Jr., who walked from his inauguration to sign executive orders that restored the power of OPEC, by reducing the production of the US energy industry, before he even crawled into the presidential bed.

With the swishes of a pen, the president eliminated the Keystone Pipeline, which would have delivered an estimated 800,000 barrels a day from Canada and 100,000 from North Dakota, and reduced the land and permits for drilling. To meet its needs, the U.S. began importing oil from Russia and other OPEC nations, and when that was not enough, the president began to systematically take a million barrels a day from our Strategic Oil Reserve.

If you represented OPEC members Russia, Iran or Venezuela, what would you have done?

These countries reacted with Russia invading the Ukraine. The U.S. response? To ask Russia to represent the U.S. in negotiations with Iran, who was still vowing “death to America” while refusing to even talk to the Biden team while that team tries to buy their oil. After Venezuela expropriated Chevron’s oilproducing operations — and rumors are they are sending their prisoners to the U.S. — the Biden team is trying to buy their oil.

President Biden, after

Henry Schulte

The author lives in Solvang

The author lives in Santa Barbara.

In support of a young America First scapegoat

This week, a young college student will face a federal judge in Washington, D.C., at a sentencing hearing over his nonviolent participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol rally.

UCLA undergrad Christian Secor was arrested last February and spent more than a month in solitary confinement. Think about that.

Unlike the weekly parade of repeat violent criminal rapists, robbers, pedophiles and murderers across the country with massive rap sheets who enjoy a nobail revolving door, Christian had never, ever been in trouble with the law before his arrest.

The un-American Department of Injustice has made life hell for hundreds of peaceful Trump rally participants — locking them up, throwing away the key, harassing their families, withholding evidence and obliterating their constitutional rights to stifle dissent, punish the Democrats’ political enemies and weaponize J6 till kingdom come. Don’t take my word for it. A D.C. magistrate overseeing some of the cases, Zia Faruqui, decried the gargantuan prosecutions of nearly 900 defendants, including at least two Americans who were left to

languish in custody after being “lost” for weeks without scheduled hearings.

“It feels like the government has bitten off more than it can chew here,” Magistrate Judge Faruqui complained in March.

Yes, the vengeful federal beast has an insatiable appetite and bottomless resources to ruin lives. The D.C. witch-hunt prosecutors threw a pile of charges at Christian that made sensational headlines, including “assaulting, resisting or impeding officers,” as liberal National Public Radio reported.

Christian pleaded not guilty to all charges in March 2021 but, 14 wearying months later, entered an agreement to plead guilty to a single felony charge of “obstructing a federal proceeding.”

Here is what I wrote to the judge in Christian’s case, the Honorable Trevor McFadden, to share what I know about this bright young man as he faces up to 20 years in prison next week.

“Dear Judge McFadden, “My name is Michelle Malkin and I am writing on behalf of Christian Secor, whom you will sentence on October 19, 2022. I am

a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, investigative journalist, author of 7 books, campus speaker, and mentor to countless young conservative activists across the country for the past 30 years.

“In November 2019, I first met Christian before giving a speech at UCLA sponsored by the Bruin Republicans. I instantly found him to be polite, witty, and highly intelligent.

He demonstrated broad and deep knowledge of world affairs. We share similar perspectives as passionate defenders of American sovereignty and unapologetic nationalism. I saw or communicated with Christian several times between the fall of 2019 and the fall of 2020. He was constructively engaged in student activism on campus locally and in helping to unite conservative students nationally on immigration and public health and safety issues as the pandemic era erupted.

“Knowing my love of the outdoors, Christian sent me a beautiful mountain and rainbow photo from his summer 2020 vacation in flyover country. He thoughtfully messaged to wish me happy birthday in October 2020. Four months later, I learned of his

arrest and the shocking 40 days he spent in solitary confinement.

“A non-violent college kid with zero criminal record held in isolation for 40 days? This isn’t the America my immigrant parents from the Philippines thought they were getting when they left an authoritarian regime that jailed political opponents and punished student activists.

“Never in any of my conversations or interactions with Christian did he ever express support for violence.

“Never in any of my conversations or interactions with Christian did he ever express any sentiments of ‘racism,’ ‘Nazism,’ ‘white supremacy,’ ‘fascism,’ or ‘insurrection.’

“As a veteran journalist who has worked in newspapers and on TV for the past three decades, as well as an Internet entrepreneur who founded two influential political news and opinion websites, I am deeply disturbed by the distorted media profiles of Christian that have baselessly savaged his character and transformed him from a peacefully provocative student activist into some sort of dangerous agent provocateur. This is patently untrue and unjust.

“I understand Christian has pled guilty to one felony charge of

‘obstructing a federal proceeding.’

“I also understand that Christian did not bring any weapons, touch an officer, or ignore any police requests. I understand he walked in a door that Capitol police opened and then stepped aside.

I understand that after entering the main Senate floor, he was told by a police officer to leave -- and he dutifully complied.

“Judge McFadden, I ask that justice be served in Christian’s case by granting him probation and allowing this 24-year-old to continue his educational pursuits in freedom instead of continuing to serve as a political scapegoat behind bars. Thank you for considering this letter of support.”

Pray for sanity and justice to prevail in this case and so many others still suffering in solitude and silence. End-stage America’s victims are legion.

Michelle Malkin’s email address is michellemalkinInvestigates@ protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www. creators.com.

Copyright 2022 by Creators.com.

America’s political divide driven by special interests

‘W

hen there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

– Winston S. Churchill It’s a common meme with pundits, pollsters, the media and the political class that Americans have never been so divided both politically and socially. But if we turn back the chapters in our history from the Revolution to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, we quickly disabuse all such notions.

American historians conclude that the division in the colonies was about equal for those who sided with the Patriots and the British Crown. The consequences for choosing one side or another was as fierce as a debate between progressive Socialists and Tea party Republicans on a budget bill.

For weeks at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates were locked in disagreement over how the 13 states would be represented in a central government. Roger Sherman saved the day, proposing a bicameral legislature with two houses. The Great Compromise saved the Convention.

Since the U.S. was the first nation founded by Enlightenment, the country has endured deep divisions between its political parties. And this includes industrialization, the Civil War, immigration, women’s suffrage, entering two Great Wars, civil rights protests in the 1960s, gay rights, abortion and a vast myriad of sociopolitical battles.

Since the election of President George W. Bush, all we have heard about is “partisan polarization.” But that is a shallow assessment of the chasm between those for whom society and its institutions are working and those for whom society and its institutions are not working; and those who say nothing works.

Since America has always been a right-of-center nation, as millennials send more socialists and progressives to Congress, the less the needs of the moderate

Democrats and Republicans are served. Thusly, America’s established institutions are being tailored to serve those who are now far left of center and are not serving the necessaries of moderates, independents or Republicans.

If we examine the rhetoric coming out of the Democratic Party and we follow the money trail, it is easy to see how deceptive the Democratic Party has become in serving different masters. While throwing bones to the underclasses to appease them, they have been shuffling big bucks to the upper class.

“I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a

Democrat.” — Will Rogers

The Democratic Party used to be considered the party of labor and the middle class. But since the 1980s, Democrats have pursued a platform supported by their more affluent members that prioritizes education over labor. With programs like Race to the Top and Common Core, they have been encouraging education over the trades and blue collar professions as a fix-all for class inequity.

With the Democrats stumbling in the polls and the midterms under way, President Joe Biden and the left are reaching deep inside their bag of tricks to make points with members of their coalition for

whom their system works. They need to convince their coalition of wealthy upper class liberal college educated professionals, climate control police and other special interests to keep them in office.

“Our goal is to end the production and purchase of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.”

— Joe Biden

These last few weeks, we’ve seen examples of how special interests are being served over those of the majority. President Biden is persistent in making the working middle class pay for the education of the upper-class. This simply transfers cash from the less welloff taxpayers to those that are well-

off.

President Biden’s plan to “cancel” student debt is redistribution of wealth. His proposal would cost taxpayers $450 billion. This is simply making all taxpayers pay off student loans. This includes people who never took out loans, or went to college. But it works well for wealthy Democratic Party donors.

A recent Moneywatch report asserts President Biden’s “student loan forgiveness plan” will only benefit the wealthy and the educated members of his party.

They note, over two-thirds of debt forgiveness would help people in the top 60% income bracket who earn $82,400+ per year or more.

And the majority of this group are young educated professional Democrats for whom this system works.

With inflation haunting them, progressives needed a boost before the midterms, and they passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which is a gift to elite party members. It gives tax credits to companies and buyers of electric cars, buyers of heat pumps, water heaters, solar panels and expensive green energy products that are not affordable or practical for the middle class, but profitable to market.

The $60 billion for “environmental justice” is a catchall phrase to justify the $380 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act that will wind up in the pockets of company executives, stockholders and those well-off enough to buy electric vehicles. That is another gift to the wealthy Democrats since environmentalists are disproportionately wealthier and support far left politics like global warming.

Semiconductor manufacturers have made nearly $250 billion in profits in the last five years. Yet Congress passed the CHIPS Act, which will send billions of dollars to American manufacturers for scientific research to expand their sales and profits. While the bill might help to improve the U.S. semiconductor chip shortage, the money goes to manufacturers and it comes from the taxpayers.

Despite their rhetoric about being for the little guy, Democrats

Why we support the United Nations

As members of the Santa Barbara-TriCounties Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA, we are frequently asked if the U.N. is still relevant and capable of carrying out its mission and what our organization does. Since United Nations Day is being celebrated on Oct, 24 throughout the U.S. and the world, it is timely to address each of these questions.

Has the U.N. become irrelevant? Reports in the media have highlighted examples of fundamental principles, treaties and international laws agreed to by U.N. member states that are flagrantly violated without consequences other than condemnation by the U.N. secretary general and many, but not all, nations. Recent examples include Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent commission of war crimes, the

development of nuclear weapons by Iran and North Korea, and human rights violations committed by several countries.

As noted in President Joe Biden’s Sept, 7 speech to the U.N. General Assembly, the organization’s governance structure needs to be reformed, particularly allowing any member of the Security Council to veto actions approved by the overwhelming majority of the 193 member states. However, this should not overshadow all the significant activities the U.N. performs in support of its mission.

Examples that advance the fundamental purposes and principles of the U.N. include: tackling the global food crisis by raising funds to purchase and distribute food assistance through the World Food

Program; brokering deals for food production and export of Ukrainian wheat and other agricultural products; meeting the urgent humanitarian needs of the growing number of refugees; fighting preventable diseases through vaccination programs and other interventions administered by the World Health Organization; mitigating climate change; defending human rights in a number of countries; averting natural disasters, such as the salvage of a rusting oil tanker off the coast of Yemen; improving relations between conflicting nations, such as arranging for a meeting between the heads of state for Israel and Turkey to develop collaborative efforts on energy issues; and mitigating conflicts across the world through

negotiation of peace agreements and the deployment of UN Peacekeepers to help ensure adherence to the agreements.

What does the United NationsUSA Association (UNA-USA) do?

The UNA-USA is an organization of Americans who believe that our interests and values can best be advanced by supporting the planet’s only truly universal institution: The United Nations. To that end, we: • Advocate for U.S. funding for the U.N. and support of its priorities.

• Inform people in our community about the work the U.N. is undertaking to prevent and suppress threats to international peace and security, encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and facilitating cooperation on a broad suite of economic, social, and humanitarian issues.

• And where appropriate,

Ilove Twitter.

I love it because when I joined, I “followed” people, so I got to learn what they think. I also learn what the crowd thinks, and sometimes I get breaking news. Hooray for Twitter.

I also hate Twitter.

After I read my Twitter feed, I often feel disgusted with myself. Social media algorithms cleverly show me more of what gets me engaged, what I look at a moment longer. That often includes posts that make me angry. So they send me more of those. Fights. Sarcasm. Snarky putdowns. When I stop reading, I feel sad and anxious.

For those of you not familiar with social media feeds: We “follow” people on Twitter, “friend” them on Facebook, etc.

Customers think the companies show us all our friends’ posts, but they don’t. (We wouldn’t like it if they did.) Twitter features only some posts from people I follow, mixed with posts from people who pay, some who might anger me, popular people and ... well, I don’t know; they keep that secret.

I post a new Stossel TV video every Tuesday. Lots of people signed up to receive them, but Twitter won’t send my tweets to most of them. A million people chose to follow me on Twitter, but Twitter shows my posts to only 5% or 10% of them!

Which ones? I don’t know. That’s secret.

I will post a link to this column, too. Ninety percent of my followers won’t see it.

Twitter will bury most of my tweets deep in my followers’ news feeds, below paid tweets, below “trending” tweets, below ... who knows what? They bury them so deep that most people never see them.

Do they bury them because some employee doesn’t like me? Doesn’t like libertarians? I don’t know. The algorithm is secret.

Twitter’s a private company and can do whatever it wants. But I wish the rules were applied consistently. I can’t know if they are. The process is secret.

Twitter does carry plenty of posts from libertarians and conservatives. But their “content moderators” favor the left.

Just weeks before the last election, the New York Post reported, accurately, on the sleaze on Hunter Biden’s

implement U.N. priorities in our community that align with chapter members’ interests and talents.

We also created the Santa Barbara Peace Prize, awarded by our local chapter of the United Nations Association of Santa Barbara. We will be awarding this year’s Prize to ShelterBox USA on Oct. 24, which is international U.N. Day.

Learn more about becoming involved in our nonprofit organization and our Oct. 24 Peace Prize Award event at unasb. org.

Jack Friedlander is vice president of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA (SBUNA-USA) and board member of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace.

Sharon Bryne is president of the SBUNA-USA and executive director of the Montecito Association.

Your opinions are valuable contributions to these pages. We welcome a variety of views.

Letters must be exclusive to the News-Press. In most cases, first priority for immediate publication goes to those submitted by 6 p.m. Tuesdays.

We encourage brevity, and shorter letters have a better chance of being printed immediately.

We edit all submissions for length, clarity and professional standards.

We do not print submissions that lack a civil tone, allege illegal wrongdoing or involve consumer complaints. We also may decide not to print letters or op-eds for other reasons.

Limit your letters to one every 30 days. All letters must include the writer’s address and telephone number for verification. We cannot acknowledge unpublished letters.

We prefer e-mailed submissions.

If you send attachments, please send word documents. We can’t guarantee that we can open a PDF.

Send letters to voices@ newspress.com.

Writers also may fax letters to 805-966-6258.

Mail letters to P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102.

The News-Press reserves the right to publish or republish submissions in any form or medium.

Direct questions to Managing Editor Dave Mason at 805-5645277 or voices@newspress.com.

Michelle Malkin

John

Jack

William

COURTESY

Elon Musk calls himself a ‘free speech absolutist’

that’s threatened.

computer. Twitter blocked the Post’s account for two weeks. Twitter’s CEO later called that “a mistake.” But did Twitter change? We don’t know.

Twitter blocks former President Donald Trump, but the Taliban’s account is open.

Now Twitter’s blocking some posts that criticize the government’s COVID policies.

How often? We don’t know.

Enough people on the right have been Twitter-banned that several sites have sprung to welcome conservative content: Parler,

Rumble, Odysee and now Trump’s Truth Social.

None is as popular as Twitter.

I see why. I don’t want to talk to just people on the right. I want to talk with everyone.

Now it appears that Elon Musk will take control of Twitter.

Good.

Mr. Musk calls himself a “free speech absolutist.” He said he invested in Twitter because he believes in “its potential to be the platform for free speech.” Twitter should be the “town square” where everyone has a voice.

That’s great.

But what if tweeting gets ugly? What if a tweet threatens someone or spreads “misinformation”? Mr.

Musk says, “If it’s a gray area, let the tweet exist.”

I agree. Censorship rarely works. It causes hate to bubble up in secret places, where fewer sensible people are present to refute it. The best antidote to ugly speech ... is more speech.

Still, any discussion site needs content moderation. Platforms can become cesspools. People drawn to conspiracy theories tend to be drawn to more than one.

But allowing some of that is better than trying to stop it all.

When the news first broke that Mr. Musk might buy Twitter, the totalitarian left was upset. For years, their content moderators have dominated Twitter. Now

accusing their rulers of crimes, flew to Saudi Arabia to ask OPEC for more oil.

In our Appellate Argument simulation, how would you expect Saudi Arabia and OPEC to respond to a request for them to replace the million barrels a day, which would have been delivered by the Keystone Pipeline, if asked by either President Trump or President Biden?

A theoretical question since President Trump disempowered OPEC, but a hint is that Saudi Arabia threw a huge reception for him, and Russia did not invade the Ukraine. President Biden was met at the airport by a couple of second-tier diplomats

and, as described by a pundit, had his signature fist bump figuratively returned with a one finger salute as Saudi and OPE, not only refused to increase their oil production, but is decreasing it. Did President Biden exercise any economic actions towards OPEC?

Not really, although he did propose economic actions against U.S. producers and consumers by proposing to eliminate off off-shore drilling for U.S. companies while also considering these steps:

• Urging gas stations to cut prices.

• Adding a windfall profits tax on oil companies that will incentivize them to cut production.

• Imposing a ban on oil exports even though the U.S.

shale oil is too light to be refined in the U.S. That means it is being traded for heavier crude while the president’s threats to shut down oil exports are preventing the companies from investing billions to refit their refineries for the lighter crude.

• Allowing other countries to buy Russian oil with a price cap. That’s a classic as it permits Russia to sell more oil with no concern about a price cap by the “toothless tiger” the U.S.has become.

It appears from their policies that President Trump did, indeed, understand the “other” side of deals, an understanding not evident in the actions of the Biden team.

For example, returning to our Appellate Argument simulation, it appears that OPEC

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich even called Mr. Musk’s vision for a freer internet “the dream of every dictator.”

That’s just nonsense. It’s dictators who are most eager to censor. Simple-minded leftists just hate independent businessmen rocking their socialist boats.

Mr. Musk trying to buy Twitter is the market at work. If his vision fails, users will move to another site.

Let the competition begin.

Every Tuesday, John Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom at JohnStossel.com.

must have been surprised, and thankful, when the Biden team transferred the economic and political power of oil to them.

If you were OPEC, would you now be wondering how you could help the U.S. keep the status quo through the November elections?

Brent E. Zepke is an attorney, arbitrator and author who lives in Santa Barbara. His website is OneheartTwoLivescom.wordpress. com. Formerly, he taught law and business at six universities and numerous professional conferences. He is the author of six books: “One Heart-Two Lives,” “Legal Guide to Human Resources,” “Business Statistics,” “Labor Law,” “Products and the Consumer” and “Law for NonLawyers.”

How will our world move forward?

managing the schools. Anyone who speaks out is identified as a potential, domestic terrorist.

Is it just fatigue from fighting the system? We cannot allow fear nor fatigue to deter us from obtaining our children’s constitutional right to free education.

Look at our world. Recently, it was revealed that several Los Angeles City Council members were caught on tape making derogatory racial comments about a co-worker and about recent Hispanic immigrants from Mexico. If a city council made up of people of color can’t get along, how will our world move forward or live in peace?

BUCKLEY

Continued from Page C1

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, was eagerly promoting the completion of the Nord Stream II gas pipeline that runs from Russia to Germany.

Then-President Donald Trump vetoed the completion of the construction of the pipeline and warned the Germans and the rest of Europe that their dependence upon Russian energy would leave them vulnerable to Russian interests. He strongly advised Chancellor Merkel to prepare Germany’s ports to receive U.S. Liquified Natural Gas instead.

Days after becoming president, President Biden rescinded then-President Trump’s order and approved Nord Stream’s completion. Soon after, Russia began supplying much of Western Europe’s energy as Germany had de-commissioned its nuclear plants and was heavily dependent upon what would prove to be unreliable wind and solar energy.

Back in the U.S., the northern leg of the Keystone XL Pipeline would bring petroleum extracted

LETTERS

They rely on the public’s ignorance

ALLEN

Continued

It can take 12-15 years to bring a new drug to market, and the cost has increased from $802 million in 2003 to $2.6 billion in 2018. Furthermore, the chance of approval has gone from about 23%, to less than 12%. This helps explain why brand name drugs are expensive.

But again, there are ways to help reduce these costs. For example, the government could:

• Institute regulatory reform to minimize the amount of data for approval.

• Reform differences in regulatory standards for submission and approval between the United States and Europe so that a new drug only needs to qualify in one to be accepted in both.

• And discourage approval of drugs with clinically insignificant benefits.

History shows that price controls like the ones in the IRA almost never work and usually result in less of something. As economist Harold Demsetz stated years ago, “using price controls is like responding to cold weather in Winnipeg by

breaking the thermometer.” Breaking a thermometer doesn’t cause the temperature to rise. Controlling prices doesn’t cause drug costs to fall. But it’s worse than that. When a government controls prices, it usually leads to supply issues, meaning drug shortages and less innovative drug development.

But simply breaking thermometers is usually what happens when we let professional bureaucrats “fix” healthcare. Amazingly, the career politicians are already on the campaign trail, telling you that if you send them back to Washington, they will do more of the same, as though none of these consequences exist. They rely on the public’s ignorance to let them continue lying. If I practiced surgery like that, I would be out of business.

So why do we let them run our healthcare, or for that matter, our lives in general? Why do we keep voting for the same people who got us here?

We need to remember what President Ronald Reagan called the nine scariest words in the English language: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

Democrats have become the party of the wealthy

HAUPT

Continued from Page C3

If we continue to allow accusations of systemic racism to divide us into warring racial tribes, instead of us joining together to form a better union, we cannot survive. Re-ordering our country with race as the fulcrum of every policy, procedure, and funding, will not strengthen this nation. We will become weaker, as our enemies circle and strike at our world.

“Every city or house divided against itself, shall not stand.” — Matthews 12:25.

On a sad note, a great and gentle man passed away last week. We met Larry Donovan at his annual St Patrick’s Day Party. He made an immediate impression on us.

First, he was surrounded by love

out of the tar sands of Canada and send it from Hardisty Alberta through Montana and South Dakota to Steele City, Neb.

Mr. Trump had OK’d the completion of its 1,209 miles, but Mr. Biden halted that construction and soon after discouraged new oil and gas exploration in the U.S. As the price of oil shot up around the world in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration was forced to deplete America’s strategic petroleum reserve and beg other oil producers such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to ramp up their production to ease the shortages.

The U.S. is no longer energy independent, and Saudi Arabia recently announced it would reduce its petroleum output by two million barrels a day.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, then-President Trump put most of the blame on China for the release of the deadly pathogen and eventually scolded Dr. Fauci for financing some of the gainof-function research that led to the worldwide disaster. ThenPresident Trump inaugurated an “all-hands-on-deck” search

and happiness from his family and warm affection from his friends.

He was a generous soul who extended a helping hand to everyone, quiet and kind with a high moral standard. But also, a man of determination and resolution. He is the greatgrandson of Irish immigrants. He held onto the immigrant qualities of hard-work, and the value of a good education to succeed in America. His family was his priority. His family was his home. He represents much of what is good about this nation of immigrants.

R.I.P., Mr. Donovan. Bonnie Donovan writes the “Did You Know?” column in conjunction with a bipartisan group of local citizens. It appears Sundays in the Voices section.

for an effective vaccine against the COVID-19 virus, and U.S. companies Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson succeeded in formulating two different versions within 10 months. We have learned since that China was indeed mostly responsible for the pandemic and that it was very likely a lab leak in Wuhan China that led to the outbreak.

When President Biden took over, he claimed that he had no vaccine (he had) and insisted on extending a federal mask mandate on all federal employees and federally regulated businesses, including all public transportation. It has since been determined that masking is a useless method of controlling the virus.

Then-President Trump deleted eight regulations for every new one approved. President Biden has expanded regulations manyfold.

As commander-in-chief of the U.S. military, then-President Trump disallowed transgender medical procedures in military hospitals, ended the use of critical race theory material being used in training among the various services and openly criticized

allowing biological males to compete against biological females. The Biden presidency has re-instituted support and payment for transgender surgery for military personnel, brought back CRT training material in all the uniformed services, and openly supports biological males competing against biological females in high school and college sports.

Then-President Trump cut taxes on corporations and taxpayers.

President Biden has raised taxes on corporations and taxpayers.

I could go on but Mr. Biden’s weird fixation on being known as “Mr. Opposite” to his predecessor has brought us to the unpleasant and crime-ridden impasse we currently find ourselves in as a nation.

I hope you’re happy.

I’m not.

James Buckley is a longtime Montecito resident. He welcomes questions or comments at jimb@ substack.com. Readers are invited to visit jimb.substack.com, where Jim’s Journals are on file. He also invites people to subscribe to Jim’s Journal.

It is time to prioritize projects by need

Continued from Page C2 a five-page list of projects, which required hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of design and staff time. But where are the priorities?

And more importantly which ones can the city’s taxpayers afford?

Which do we really need?

Asking staff to look at and work on an Augean Stable list of projects wastes time and money. Spend time on those that are truly needed and those can come to fruition.

Getting a grant for something which no matter how much, does nothing if the city has to come up with millions for their share.

Consider these numbers from the city of Goleta’s website on CIP’s budget proposals:

• Old Town re-stripping: Estimated cost between $770,000 and $1.12 million.

• The Fowler Road extension proposal: Under funded by $2.7 million.

• The Goleta 101 over crossing proposal: Under funded by $38 million.

• The Goleta Valley Community Center Rehab: Under funded by $7.8 million.

• The Cathedral Oaks Crib wall: Under funded $7.15 million.

• Traffic signal upgrades: Under funded by $1.19 million.

And sadly each one of these projects has a disclaimer that says, “Project costs listed are estimated and should not be used for project budgeting.”

In other words, the real cost is likely to be much higher.

If that is not discouraging, consider that the budget for concrete repair in our city is only $330,000! The city of Goleta has a $42 million backlog for infrastructure projects. With

inflation running as high as it is, this deficit is probably closer to $50 million.

It is time to prioritize projects by need, feasibility and cost — not to raise taxes. The city council should show fiscal discipline, not pursue a list of “Gee, but it sure would be nice if we did … blah blah blah.”

The impartial analysis says this money will go into the general fund so the council can spend it any way they wish. There are no binding promises it will clean your beaches and creeks, fix your sidewalk, or repave your cracked and broken residential streets.

Cut projects. Undertake only those that do not bust the budget.

For example an article on the Goleta Train Station estimated cost to be $19 million, and the city won a grant of $13 million. Really?

We are going to spend $6 million of Goleta taxpayers’ money so the homeless have a new place to hang

out rather than putting that money into repairing our sidewalks and streets?

Or perhaps this money should go to the needed fire station at the end of Hollister Avenue, which has been in the works for over 10 years!

New taxes are not the answer.

Certainly not one that is actually a 12.9% increase in the sales tax we pay. That $10.9 million in revenue comes out from the possible sales for large and small businesses in Goleta.

We do not need to play “Keep up with the Joneses” on the sales tax rates. Rather we need fiscal prudence, which means learning to say “No,” to the “wouldn’t it be nice projects” and objectively embracing the possible.

“no” on B202.

have been the originators of most of these regressive ideas. Their coalition now consists entirely of those for whom the system works; wealthy college-educated and environmentals and other recipients of federal and state largesse.

According to IRS data, Democrats have become the party of the wealthy. About 65% of taxpayers in many Democratic districts have a household income of $500,000 or more.

Transversely, approximately 75% of taxpayers in Republican dominant districts have household incomes of less than $100,000.

President Herbert Hoover told us, “Honor is not the exclusive property of any political party.”

Today’s political divide is being enforced by patronizing the needs and desires of those

for whom the system works at the expense of those on the outside looking in. Every piece of legislation President Biden’s Congress has passed has been “political payback and payahead” to sustain a system that works for Democrats.

This last election pitted rich Democrats against blue-collar Republicans. This indicates that the left achieved its goal of bringing young wealthy educated liberals into the party without losing support from identity groups. The question is: How long can Democrats continue to patronize every special interest group before middle class voters realize they are getting nothing for their tax dollars or their vote? We’ll find out this election.

“The more people who are dependent on government handouts, the more votes the left can depend on for an everexpanding welfare state.” — Thomas Sowell

SCHULTE

Continued from Page C2

“greedy” oil companies for “excessive profits.” Another typical maneuver. When you’re messing up, point the finger somewhere else. Boy, have we seen that a lot lately. High gas prices are Russia’s fault. For Californians, you can buy gas in another state for half the price, and Gov. Newsom redirects the blame in California to the big bad oil companies that keep his winery in operation.

Of course, this has nothing to do with halting oil production and shutting down refineries. Plain and simple, California is making the decision for you what you can drive and how comfortable you can live. While we can’t have kindergarten classes, Gov. Newsom is going to spend millions, if not billions, offering abortions to out-of-stators. Ironically, kids already born can’t start school early because the governor won’t spend the money.

Gov. Newsom also signs a bill allowing children — kids mind you — who come to California for drugs and procedures to transform their gender and parents have no right to stop it. This insane bill was actually approved by the one-party dictatorship of Kalifornia.

California can proudly boast as having the highest percentage of “unsheltered” in the country, nearly 50%! Over $12 billion was spent on the homeless just between 2019 and 2021, and the numbers of the “unhoused” has mushroomed anyway. In the tarnished state, we’ve accepted homeless municipalities taking root within our cities. Things are so bad there are sections that look like old photos of Calcutta or Bangladesh I used to see as a kid. Do they have this in

England, China, Singapore, Abu Dhabi? I don’t think so.

Why are we putting up with it here? Where did all that money go? It went to hundreds of organizations created off the backs of the meth pipes on the street by people who claim they care. But they’re just pocketing the cash in the form of administration and “expenses.” These loving, caring people get to sleep in homes with walls and windows and mattresses. Where’s the oversight? Where’s our concerned legislature? Where’s Speaker Nancy Pelosi or U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein or lying U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff?

Finally, before I run out of room (this requires its own column): crime. Another fact Gov. Newsom and the cowards in Sacramento can boast about. California is one of the top 20 of the most dangerous states in this great land of ours. Ironically the most liberal and woke city in the country, Seattle, has seen the light. Seattle had allowed its citizens to enter the gates of hell after over 400 police just threw up their arms and left. Seattle is now offering hiring bonuses for new officers. If that, don’t beat all? One of the cities to chant the loudest to defund the police is now begging for them to come back. Dems running for office across the country are suddenly claiming they didn’t mean it.

In the meantime, California’s whacked out district attorneys are making sure victims are the ones who suffer.

Someway we need to repair the election corruption and drain the honey pot of Sacramento. My gut tells me, it ain’t gonna happen any time soon. I hope I’m wrong. But just to be sure, better bury your money right next to your guns.

This has nothing to do with halting oil production

COURTESY PHOTO Larry Donovan