Bob has served our Country in England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Sicily, Cyprus, Crete, Isreal, Egypt, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Bahrain, U.A.E., China, Guam, Saipan, Canada, The Caribbean, Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Singapore and Portugal. He defended our County in battle on the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet in Southeast Asia, the eastern Mediterranean & Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, North Arabian Sea & Strait of Hormuz. He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and African Counter-Piracy and Counter- Terrorism in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. His actions has protected and supported the United States of American and Individual Freedom across the Planet. Now he will become our next Congressman for the 24th District. He is an individual that will lead us to a more prosperous future. Support him, he has supported us.
What a refreshing and well written article. Too bad that the people who really need to see this probably will not. I really hope that Bob is elected. It will be a shock to Congress. Having someone who uses facts and logic will be a refreshing change. His deep knowledge of history will serve him well.
You hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph when you said “teachers must teach”. I’ve been screaming it from the mountain top for years. Until we take back the educational system from the teachers unions this kind of dribble will continue to pour out of the mouths of the famous and infamous.
I wish you good luck in the upcoming elections, but I’m scared to death of the depths of ignorance in California.
Critical thinking does not exist on the left, only anti-American propaganda.
Retired Commander Bob Smith, running for Congress in the 24th, perfectly articulates the absurdity & ignorance of so many in the entertainment world. How did we get here? It will take brave, educated men like Bob Smith, willing to dedicate his life to this great country to win the battle being waged against American.
Join me in voting for Bob Smith in the California Primary June 2, 2026!
I once got a dirty look from a family at the overlook on the 154. My family had stopped to look down into the valley. A family of five walks by, and their daughter(?), about 16, murmurs, "Stolen land." I took the opportunity to point something out and blurted loud enough to hear, "Yeah, I wonder who the Chumash stole it from." She gave me the strangest look, and the parents turned around as well. I stated, "To think that the Chumush were peaceful for tens of thousands of years is a fallacy." I turned and left.
All land is stolen. We just happened to be the last ones who 'stole' it.
So Bob, I will ask, will you fund logic classes in high schools? Will you fund creative and critical thinking classes? Because arguing that the students are lacking is akin to howling at the moon. Actions to change are more important.
Bergerson, that was a really lame post. Smith has served his country and is now running for congress. What the F have you done besides post toxic crap on this site composed of meaningless cliches. Howling at the moon, context matters bla bla bla you have nothing of relevance to say.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to tell me how you feel.
Your inability to comprehend the written word is a problem that you have and one that I can not cure.
Whether Bob Smith was in the Navy or worked at Old Navy means nothing. He is a candidate running for office in my district. Asking candidates whether they plan to do something while in office is generally what voters do.
Just because you wake up every day angry at the world doesn't mean that I have to be the same.
David, sorry for the late reply. I'm just getting a chance to read it for the first time today.
I’ve consistently identified five serious issues facing California and the Central Coast: affordability, energy, education, water, and immigration reform. These closely mirror what veteran journalist Dan Walters outlined at the recent Santa Barbara Spotlight Speaker Series, with his additional focus on homeownership falling squarely within my affordability pillar.
My campaign is centered on bringing federal resources and legislative attention to these five areas. This election is ultimately a choice about results for the Central Coast.
Voters effectively have three paths:
1. Reelect Congressman Carbajal while Republicans maintain control of the House.
In that scenario, our district remains status quo, with Rep. Carbajal having no leverage over resources or legislation. He already consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of resources brought home to our district - this is your tax dollars not brought home and spent elsewhere.
2. Reelect Congressman Carbajal and Democrats regain the House.
We go to weekly House impeachments, and the entire government comes to a halt. The Senate won’t try it, so it's all for nothing other than hurting Americans, our national security, etc. Our Congressman still has no leverage with his auto-impeachment vote, unless he’s going to magically become a Fetterman overnight, so we still get nothing brought home.
3. Elect Bob Smith.
Flipping a coastal California district would immediately draw national attention and federal focus. That visibility can be leveraged to prioritize resources for the Central Coast. Voters would then have the opportunity in 2028 to evaluate whether Bob kept promises, and keep it going for 2 more years. The Democrats will spend a treasure campaigning and back the most competent candidate they can find to win it back. The Central Coast gets to actually practice Democracy for 4 years and hold elected officials accountable.
Not seeing a downside to option 3.
To answer your question directly: yes, strengthening education, including logic and critical thinking, is essential. Only about 35% of our students are meeting standards today, and states like Mississippi are now outperforming California in reading proficiency. I volunteer each year, teaching STEM and AVID classes locally (which I will continue to do as a Congressman). I couldn't be more sincere about how important quality education is to me.
This is an excellent opinion piece because it's not only articulate but straight forward. It is common sense during times when common sense is severely lacking. It is factually substantiated and I applaud Bob Smith. Thank you.
So, we’re not on stolen land after all? Then why would the federal government under the Biden administration, be giving away 7,000 acres of federal waters, along with commercial fishing rights and future oil exploration rights to the Northern Chumash Tribal Conference (NCTC)? The huge swath of federal waters is between Monterey and SLO, given to a group claiming to be Chumash, but are not recognized by the federal government as a recognized tribe. ONLY the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash are a federally recognized tribe.
Meanwhile, the NCTC has its sights on the Dos Pueblos Ranch in order to acquire an established abalone farm along with this priceless ocean front property…all tax exempt by virtue of their tax exempt status!
Why are groups such as the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense Council supporting annexing thousands of acres of pristine ocean front property by individuals who can’t even prove their claim to lineage and when asked to do so refuse to elaborate to “colonizers.” Could it be doing so would permanently forbid any and all oil exploration and may expand proposed wind farming?
Sounds like a taxpayer funded scam to me, all with the blessing of the Environmental Industrial Complex!
Well stated. There is a good ‘non woke’ book to help your kids and grandkids learn the missing skill of critical thinking. It is called ‘The Fallacy Detective’ by brothers Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn.
A very timely and well written article. Our schools are using the students as expendable ammunition in a war of politics in the guise of an honorable stand. I can easily see how the students are eager to follow the leader without question; a day off from school for some, or for
others who get a kick out of expressing outrage in general, and then those that truly believe the
rhetoric. As for the audience of the singer you wrote about; lemmings comes to mind. Basically, in my mind, the culprits behind this are money, power, and greed dangled by the corrupt political
machinery that has taken, for far too long, a stranglehold in our country.
"First principles thinking ... is one of the most effective strategies you can employ for breaking down complicated problems and generating original solutions. It also might be the single best approach to learn how to think for yourself."
Think About It If You Can.
"You Want Something Just Like This" Get an Engineering Degree
Thank you Commander Smith for the excellent and substantive article. It was bad enough that an immature and ill-educated young woman said a bad thing on a big stage, what was immensely worse was the reflexive affirming response from the audience and public and then silence from the progressive media and academia. Berney
Great article, Commander Bob. I love Billie Eilish's music, but like many artists, really dumb stuff comes out of their mouths. But she does provide some humorous concepts. Such as when buying property for example, the land purchaser must pay a fee to the prehistoric animals once roaming on the property, an Indian tribe once roaming on the land, a European country once settled on the property. I'd suspect the Dems will create these "prior ownership" fees and collect the fees. These fees are forwarded to the various governments to be distributed to the prehistoric animals, Indians and European countries. Of course, geologists will have lifetime work to sift through your purchased land to determine the prehistoric animals once present. And the governments will be able to give their employees a pay raise with the new income received from "Prior Ownership" (tax) fees.
Bill, I love a bunch of artists, actors, and comedians who say dumb things. We shouldn't boycott enjoyable entertainment because a celebrity doesn't live in reality. The problem is that this stuff is said by people who are supposed to be academics in our institutions and by our elected officials. It would be great if it were only a celebrity statement we could let go of as irrelevant.
👏👏👏. Bravo! Well written! (Thank you for all of your previous service, while I’m at it!)
You couldn’t have said it better! If ONLY that young woman who basically was only virtue signaling, could read this! I personally didn’t watch those awards, however this part drew so much attention, that I did choose to see this part on YouTube. Frankly, I wish ALL of these performers would stick to their singing, acting, or whatever…as opposed to spewing out whatever they think will gather favorable responses politically…. Nothing like stoking the fires of divisiveness! Ughhhhh!
Sir? I look forward to having your level-headedness be in office. You have MY vote!
Bob has served our Country in England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Sicily, Cyprus, Crete, Isreal, Egypt, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Bahrain, U.A.E., China, Guam, Saipan, Canada, The Caribbean, Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Singapore and Portugal. He defended our County in battle on the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet in Southeast Asia, the eastern Mediterranean & Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, North Arabian Sea & Strait of Hormuz. He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and African Counter-Piracy and Counter- Terrorism in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. His actions has protected and supported the United States of American and Individual Freedom across the Planet. Now he will become our next Congressman for the 24th District. He is an individual that will lead us to a more prosperous future. Support him, he has supported us.
What a refreshing and well written article. Too bad that the people who really need to see this probably will not. I really hope that Bob is elected. It will be a shock to Congress. Having someone who uses facts and logic will be a refreshing change. His deep knowledge of history will serve him well.
You hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph when you said “teachers must teach”. I’ve been screaming it from the mountain top for years. Until we take back the educational system from the teachers unions this kind of dribble will continue to pour out of the mouths of the famous and infamous.
I wish you good luck in the upcoming elections, but I’m scared to death of the depths of ignorance in California.
Critical thinking does not exist on the left, only anti-American propaganda.
Retired Commander Bob Smith, running for Congress in the 24th, perfectly articulates the absurdity & ignorance of so many in the entertainment world. How did we get here? It will take brave, educated men like Bob Smith, willing to dedicate his life to this great country to win the battle being waged against American.
Join me in voting for Bob Smith in the California Primary June 2, 2026!
I once got a dirty look from a family at the overlook on the 154. My family had stopped to look down into the valley. A family of five walks by, and their daughter(?), about 16, murmurs, "Stolen land." I took the opportunity to point something out and blurted loud enough to hear, "Yeah, I wonder who the Chumash stole it from." She gave me the strangest look, and the parents turned around as well. I stated, "To think that the Chumush were peaceful for tens of thousands of years is a fallacy." I turned and left.
All land is stolen. We just happened to be the last ones who 'stole' it.
So Bob, I will ask, will you fund logic classes in high schools? Will you fund creative and critical thinking classes? Because arguing that the students are lacking is akin to howling at the moon. Actions to change are more important.
Bergerson, that was a really lame post. Smith has served his country and is now running for congress. What the F have you done besides post toxic crap on this site composed of meaningless cliches. Howling at the moon, context matters bla bla bla you have nothing of relevance to say.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to tell me how you feel.
Your inability to comprehend the written word is a problem that you have and one that I can not cure.
Whether Bob Smith was in the Navy or worked at Old Navy means nothing. He is a candidate running for office in my district. Asking candidates whether they plan to do something while in office is generally what voters do.
Just because you wake up every day angry at the world doesn't mean that I have to be the same.
Have you taken in a few illegal aliens lately or are you just howling at the moon?
David, sorry for the late reply. I'm just getting a chance to read it for the first time today.
I’ve consistently identified five serious issues facing California and the Central Coast: affordability, energy, education, water, and immigration reform. These closely mirror what veteran journalist Dan Walters outlined at the recent Santa Barbara Spotlight Speaker Series, with his additional focus on homeownership falling squarely within my affordability pillar.
My campaign is centered on bringing federal resources and legislative attention to these five areas. This election is ultimately a choice about results for the Central Coast.
Voters effectively have three paths:
1. Reelect Congressman Carbajal while Republicans maintain control of the House.
In that scenario, our district remains status quo, with Rep. Carbajal having no leverage over resources or legislation. He already consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of resources brought home to our district - this is your tax dollars not brought home and spent elsewhere.
2. Reelect Congressman Carbajal and Democrats regain the House.
We go to weekly House impeachments, and the entire government comes to a halt. The Senate won’t try it, so it's all for nothing other than hurting Americans, our national security, etc. Our Congressman still has no leverage with his auto-impeachment vote, unless he’s going to magically become a Fetterman overnight, so we still get nothing brought home.
3. Elect Bob Smith.
Flipping a coastal California district would immediately draw national attention and federal focus. That visibility can be leveraged to prioritize resources for the Central Coast. Voters would then have the opportunity in 2028 to evaluate whether Bob kept promises, and keep it going for 2 more years. The Democrats will spend a treasure campaigning and back the most competent candidate they can find to win it back. The Central Coast gets to actually practice Democracy for 4 years and hold elected officials accountable.
Not seeing a downside to option 3.
To answer your question directly: yes, strengthening education, including logic and critical thinking, is essential. Only about 35% of our students are meeting standards today, and states like Mississippi are now outperforming California in reading proficiency. I volunteer each year, teaching STEM and AVID classes locally (which I will continue to do as a Congressman). I couldn't be more sincere about how important quality education is to me.
DB, is not running for Congress enough (for right now)?
This is an excellent opinion piece because it's not only articulate but straight forward. It is common sense during times when common sense is severely lacking. It is factually substantiated and I applaud Bob Smith. Thank you.
So, we’re not on stolen land after all? Then why would the federal government under the Biden administration, be giving away 7,000 acres of federal waters, along with commercial fishing rights and future oil exploration rights to the Northern Chumash Tribal Conference (NCTC)? The huge swath of federal waters is between Monterey and SLO, given to a group claiming to be Chumash, but are not recognized by the federal government as a recognized tribe. ONLY the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash are a federally recognized tribe.
Meanwhile, the NCTC has its sights on the Dos Pueblos Ranch in order to acquire an established abalone farm along with this priceless ocean front property…all tax exempt by virtue of their tax exempt status!
Why are groups such as the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense Council supporting annexing thousands of acres of pristine ocean front property by individuals who can’t even prove their claim to lineage and when asked to do so refuse to elaborate to “colonizers.” Could it be doing so would permanently forbid any and all oil exploration and may expand proposed wind farming?
Sounds like a taxpayer funded scam to me, all with the blessing of the Environmental Industrial Complex!
https://www.reddit.com/r/SLO/comments/1ooma9p/northern_chumash_tribal_council_is_not_chumashor/
https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/oct24/chumash-heritage-nms.html
Well stated. There is a good ‘non woke’ book to help your kids and grandkids learn the missing skill of critical thinking. It is called ‘The Fallacy Detective’ by brothers Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn.
A very timely and well written article. Our schools are using the students as expendable ammunition in a war of politics in the guise of an honorable stand. I can easily see how the students are eager to follow the leader without question; a day off from school for some, or for
others who get a kick out of expressing outrage in general, and then those that truly believe the
rhetoric. As for the audience of the singer you wrote about; lemmings comes to mind. Basically, in my mind, the culprits behind this are money, power, and greed dangled by the corrupt political
machinery that has taken, for far too long, a stranglehold in our country.
I read this Engineering Article titled "Critical Thinking Is the Only Thing That’s Been Stolen"
By Bob Smith, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.) I quote from Engineer Smith's Key Statement>
"Critical Thinking Has Been Stolen AND We’ve watched “stolen land” activism spread across high schools, universities, and public demonstrations."
Here is WHY Obsessed Engineer Elon Musk has done so well, weblink below>
"First Principles: Elon Musk on the Power of Thinking for Yourself"
https://www.sbcurrent.com/p/critical-thinking-is-the-only-thing
"First principles thinking ... is one of the most effective strategies you can employ for breaking down complicated problems and generating original solutions. It also might be the single best approach to learn how to think for yourself."
Think About It If You Can.
"You Want Something Just Like This" Get an Engineering Degree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7MFYoylVs
Howard Walther, Member of an "Engineering" & Military Family
"....collapse of modern civilization...."""""
Surely you jest sir.
What would happen if you took the knowledge of the ages and said "stolen."
A stick and fire use.... stolen.
Counting with lines in the earth passed on.... stolen.
Critical thinking and the 8 bit computer that return the Moon mission to earth.
Mr. Smith brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and how government works.
So should we dismiss his expertise and background?
Critical thinking hummmmm guess that means each and everyone who has disciplined a son or daughter for bad decisions are bad people.
Thanks for this.....
Thank you Commander Smith for the excellent and substantive article. It was bad enough that an immature and ill-educated young woman said a bad thing on a big stage, what was immensely worse was the reflexive affirming response from the audience and public and then silence from the progressive media and academia. Berney
Great article, Commander Bob. I love Billie Eilish's music, but like many artists, really dumb stuff comes out of their mouths. But she does provide some humorous concepts. Such as when buying property for example, the land purchaser must pay a fee to the prehistoric animals once roaming on the property, an Indian tribe once roaming on the land, a European country once settled on the property. I'd suspect the Dems will create these "prior ownership" fees and collect the fees. These fees are forwarded to the various governments to be distributed to the prehistoric animals, Indians and European countries. Of course, geologists will have lifetime work to sift through your purchased land to determine the prehistoric animals once present. And the governments will be able to give their employees a pay raise with the new income received from "Prior Ownership" (tax) fees.
Bill, I love a bunch of artists, actors, and comedians who say dumb things. We shouldn't boycott enjoyable entertainment because a celebrity doesn't live in reality. The problem is that this stuff is said by people who are supposed to be academics in our institutions and by our elected officials. It would be great if it were only a celebrity statement we could let go of as irrelevant.
👏👏👏. Bravo! Well written! (Thank you for all of your previous service, while I’m at it!)
You couldn’t have said it better! If ONLY that young woman who basically was only virtue signaling, could read this! I personally didn’t watch those awards, however this part drew so much attention, that I did choose to see this part on YouTube. Frankly, I wish ALL of these performers would stick to their singing, acting, or whatever…as opposed to spewing out whatever they think will gather favorable responses politically…. Nothing like stoking the fires of divisiveness! Ughhhhh!
Sir? I look forward to having your level-headedness be in office. You have MY vote!
Good thinking!
Excellent analysis and astute judgement…hope many read this essay! Thanks!