70 Comments
User's avatar
Polly Frost's avatar

Laura Capps feeds the masochistic pseudo empathy and liberal mindlessness of too many Santa Barbarans. They consider Trump building a ball room a sign he's a dictator. They care more about criminal rights than those of law-abiding citizens. They think bike lanes are more important than trees. The saying used to be a conservative is a liberal who got mugged. Now I think it will take a lot more than a mugging for them to wake up.

Herb B's avatar

The no oilers should not be allowed to drive a motorcar in the county. They should come to work and shopping via bike only. Leave gasoline to the sane people.

Polly Frost's avatar

Agree, Herb! Not seen your name here before. Welcome!

Bill Russell's avatar

Yes, but if you cut down the wrong tree, SB will fine you somewhere between $500 and $10,000. The city has endless ways of stealing money.

Steve's avatar

you are correct!

it’s easier to get an abortion in SB than it is to cut down an oak tree!

the green communist have too much power!

Bill Russell's avatar

Yes, an oak tree limb hanging over your house wins when it comes to what goes, the house or the tree limb.

Bill Russell's avatar

And Trump plans to incorporate a trap door inside the ballroom. For example, when Pelosi and Schumer are doing the tango (and when nobody is looking) the floor opens and dumps the pair into a tube running to the Potamic River infested with piranha fish.

TVW's avatar

Libs will appropriately charge him with violating the Clean Water Act...

Mark McIntire's avatar

Things have to get much worse before they get much better on the central coast. Perhaps when central Coast citizens and taxpayers have to pay 15 or $20 a gallon of gas and $10 for a loaf of bread and $25 for a gallon of milk… and that will happen sooner rather than later under the woke liberal Democrat Commie regime now in place in every elected office …

Perhaps they will wake up from their splendid political slumber and stop electing Lunatics like Laura Capps and Salud Carbajal.

Well… They cannot say you did not want them year after year meeting after meeting…

Professor Mark McIntire

Mark McIntire's avatar

Things have to get much worse before they get much better on the central coast. Perhaps when central Coast citizens and taxpayers have to pay 15 or $20 a gallon of gas and $10 for a loaf of bread and $25 for a gallon of milk… and that will happen sooner rather than later under the woke liberal Democrat. Commie me regime now in place in every elected office …

Perhaps they will wake up from their splendid political slumber and stop electing Lunatics like Laura Capps and Salud Carbajal.

Well… They cannot say you did not want them year after year meeting after meeting…

Professor Mark McIntire

User's avatar
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Oct 26
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Mark McIntire's avatar

Thank you… I don’t type with my thumbs. I use my voice so any errors of typing are due to the incompetence of these fucking devices.

Mark McIntire's avatar

Democracy is not great when there’s no democracy. When a district or region or constituency becomes a one party Weaponized Lawfare battleground you no longer have democracy. That is where Central California is right now and has been for the last 50 years. It will take at least 50 more yearsfor the pendulum to swing back to where it was under “the Reagan years” on the central Coast.

Pat Fish's avatar

As of October 26, 2025, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline nationwide is $3.05 per gallon. Oklahoma currently has the lowest average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the United States today, at $2.56 per gallon. California currently has the highest average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the United States today, at $4.60 per gallon, driven by factors such as stringent environmental regulations, high state taxes (including a cap-and-trade program), limited local refining capacity, and reliance on imported fuel. Prices in California are over 50% higher.

HAPPY MULE APPRECIATION DAY!

Al X. Griz's avatar

California has a crazed cornucopia of “special blends.” Cha ching

Pat Fish's avatar

AND when locals started GOO >> Get Oil Out >> our local price spiked and never stopped being elevated.

TVW's avatar

I'm in the middle of a road trip taking me through Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and then back to California. You're absolutely correct about the price of gasoline. However what you failed to mention...while all these other states have much more affordable gas, California can boast both that it unequivocally has the absolute worst roadways...and governor. So there.

Pat Fish's avatar

Aye, there's the conundrum. The taxes go to grift and graft, and the tarnish on the formerly Golden State is fulfillment of an insidious Plan.

Jane H's avatar

Thanks Pat! PS- I miss reading about your riding adventures!

Pat Fish's avatar

I've been off the trails for a few months, but will resume. Thank you for your appreciation.

Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Rubber Products (Andy's list keeps going)

Rubber products are items made from natural or synthetic rubber materials. They are known for their elasticity, resilience, and durability, and can be molded into various shapes and forms through processes such as compression molding and injection molding.

Rubber products have a wide range of applications, from automotive and industrial products to consumer goods and medical devices. They can be found in products such as tires, gaskets, seals, hoses, gloves, and footwear.

Here is a list of rubber products made with oil and petroleum products:

· Exercise balls

· Gaskets

· Hoses

· Rubber bands

· Rubber boots

· Rubberized coatings

· Rubberized fabric

· Rubberized flooring

· Rubberized paint

· Rubberized tarps

· Seals

· Tires

· Weatherstripping

TVW's avatar

...and don't forget Newsom's hair "product"...

Bill Russell's avatar

And more commonly the use of rubberized walls for the Dems to run into for quick, mental relief.

Bonnie Donovan's avatar

Plastics (from Andy's list)

Plastics are synthetic materials made from polymers, which are long chains of molecules. They can be molded into various shapes and forms through processes such as injection molding and extrusion. Plastics can be classified into different types based on their chemical structure and properties.

Plastics have a wide range of applications, from packaging materials and household items to automotive parts and electronics. They are popular due to their versatility, durability, and low cost.

Here is a list of plastics made with oil and petroleum products:

· Automotive Parts

· Bottles for beverages, shampoo, and cleaning products

· Bubble wrap

· Food containers

· Furniture

· Laptops

· Pens and pencils

· Pipes

· Plastic bags

· Plastic cutlery

· Plastic wrap

· Plastic wrap for food

· Styrofoam

· Synthetic leather

· Synthetic turf

· Toys

· Water bottles

Bill Russell's avatar

And plastic straws for Kamala to suck on because she can't find anymore paper straws.

Mike's avatar

Please put Laura Capps on a boat and ship her halfway around the world.

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Oct 26
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Earl Brown's avatar

NYC - she'd get along great with Commie Mamdani when he's elected mayor.

Bonnie Donovan's avatar

I'll stop here, but Andy's list doesn't...

Synthetic Fibers

Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers produced from chemical substances. They are designed to mimic the properties of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool, but with improved performance characteristics such as strength, durability, and resistance to moisture and chemicals.

The most common types of synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, acrylic, and polypropylene. These fibers are widely used in clothing, upholstery, carpets, and industrial applications such as ropes and hoses.

Here is a list of synthetic fibers made with oil and petroleum products:

· Acrylic

· Athletic socks

· Backpacks

· Blankets

· Carpet

· Carpets

· Clothing

· Curtains

· Fleece

· Leggings

· Microfiber towels

· Nylon

· Polyester

· Polyester fleece blankets

· Rayon

· Sleeping bags

· Spandex

· Swimwear

· Tents

· Umbrellas

· Upholstery

· Yoga pants

Synthetic Rubber

Synthetic rubber is a man-made elastomer material that has properties similar to natural rubber but is produced using chemical processes rather than from the sap of rubber trees. It is typically made from petroleum-based feedstocks, including styrene, butadiene, and isoprene, and can be synthesized through processes such as polymerization and copolymerization.

Synthetic rubber has a wide range of applications, including in the production of tires, hoses, belts, and seals. It is known for its durability, resilience, and resistance to abrasion, heat, and chemicals.

Here is a list of synthetic rubber made with oil and petroleum products:

· Athletic Shoes

· Automotive belts

· Conveyor belts

· Exercise mats

· Garden hoses

· Rubber expansion joints

· Rubber roofing

· Rubberized insulation

· Seals for aircraft

· Synthetic leather upholstery

Bill Russell's avatar

Halloween costumes the Dems can use to scare each other.

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Oct 26Edited
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Bill Russell's avatar

Lots of CO2 is expelled if inflated by humans. To capture the CO2, they have to fill balloons with the CO2 from the dinosaurs suits and place the balloons in old salt mines to avoid the CO2 Police fines.

Jane H's avatar

I read a suggestion the other day that if the County bans oil and gas production, then the oil and gas companies should stop providing the County with their products. Great idea. Let’s see how long that would last!

Robert Ludwick's avatar

Andy, your thumb is really straining to keep the dike from bursting. I admire your persistence and value the work you've done for many yrs. However, the battle for the minds--and votes--has to be waged with those who have enough future in SB (and CA) at risk. We boomers are leaving the stage, either physically or metaphorically, and our echo chamber of sane and conservative thinking, is shrinking. I think the situation calls for a "TikTok Andy" to alert the youthful generations to these policies from THEIR governing pedagogues.

Scott Wenz's avatar

"""....how and where are they going to get the asphalt to pave our roads? """"""

If anyone has seen the lack of durability of the asphalt caps you will get it. Sacramento has intentionally reduced the amount of oil in asphalt. The result is more patching and failure of the roads.

So they want cement roads that will eventually crack, and in locations with soil movement at the best have uneven surfaces. So what will temp. fix these issues ahh, asphalt.

Circular logic with no way out.

Monica Bond's avatar

I have been wondering what was going on with the short life span of road repairs. Good to know and will pass the word around. Thanks for in info.

DLDawson's avatar

Meanwhile, US oil & gas permitting has skyrocketed under Trump 2.0, while many of our local ‘leaders’ & fellow citizens want to shut down energy production…these people are either on the take or compromised…

cool thing about this well written article, oil is not referred to a fossil fuel (since it is the second most abundant naturally occurring liquid on the planet, behind water)…petroleum is Mother Earth’s natural lubricant & a gifted resource for us humans…

The utter corruption of our government is TOTALLY CRIMINAL and continues to hold US back…let’s not forget about JP Morgan, who pulled funding from Tesla - since it would have destroyed his oil business…we should be so much further advanced, but have been held back by greedy criminal people who seek nothing but power, wealth and control over others.

Worse is that the elites (Rockefellers +++) found a way to destroy our age-old medical treatments & traditions by instituting petroleum based ‘medicines’…

https://x.com/dschlopesisback/status/1856211278781387160?s=61

PS…California is run by criminals…from top to bottom…https://x.com/wallstreetapes/status/1964894148244459764?s=61

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Oct 26
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DLDawson's avatar

Agreed. And I’ll add ether to your list. The World will be a much better place when we finally develop on-demand energy, drawn from the ether directly to the point of need.

‘The Latin root is aether, which means "the upper pure, bright air." Ether was originally a scientific term for what 19th century physicists called "the fifth element," a substance that was said to fill all space and make up all bodies.’

https://x.com/andtartary2/status/1674990934717612032?s=61

https://x.com/rezasalami1220/status/1960022499397103986?s=61

We have been lied to about EVERYTHING!

…will be great to relegate petroleum to some of the uses that Bonnie listed…

Cate's avatar

The YAF (Young America’s Foundation) right here in our own backyard has an extraordinary pool of talent for our local public service roles. The current political squatters (Carbajal and Capps) are sadly tone deaf to issues of energy, taxes, and burdens that youngers face to build their future. 🟣 Enter COMMON SENSE. Andy’s columns are akin to ‘the common sense gazette’, Thomas Paines’s influential 1776 pamphlet that applied common sense to the political climate. 🟣. While a liberal party twirls in a web of hate, protests, riots and criticism (their trademarks), conservatives seek solutions for the public good and their core is … common sense. Let’s roll.

L. Angel's avatar

YAF is an extraordinary (cess)pool of zionists, if that's what you meant.

Cate's avatar

L. Angel … Go to Biden’s page for cesspools. You will also find helpful info on the best beach umbrellas and ice cream flavors.

L. Angel's avatar

So it's only one or the other? No. Real patriots call out all of them.

Santa Barbara Current's avatar

So weird that those who supported shut downs, mask mandates, and actual violations of free speech ( you know, where the government suppresses it by pressuring private platforms) are suddenly using the "Patriot" moniker.

L. Angel's avatar

Wow! The moderator of this page just wrote that? Where exactly do I write that I supported the shutdowns and mask mandates, or any government censorship? Unbelievable slander! I simply state a FACT about YAF and get ganged up on by a bunch of nasty pitbulls, one of whom (the moderator) makes up LIES about me. I want a direct quote where I said ANY of that which you just accused me of. Now.

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Oct 26
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L. Angel's avatar

You are advising she "block" me for stating the truth as any decent person would? I guess you don't support free speech.

TVW's avatar

Always glad to see you comment... I was wondering where you were, I was kind of missing your toxicity. Thanks for not disappointing.

Derek Hanley's avatar

Andy, you define the issue very well and inform us of issues many of us are not aware of. Thank you.

But what opportunities are there for effective pre-emptive actions by your readers on this matter?

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Oct 26Edited
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Derek Hanley's avatar

Thank you for your response, I think your reply is a very good overall strategy for the Republican party overall, although, I would add a special emphasis on focusing on recruiting Hispanic voters and non-voters. They are the future of California. Can you please inform me? Who is the leader of the California Republican Party? To me, he or she is a ghost.

I was looking for suggestions for immediate, direct action. If we assume that there are at least1,000 regular readers of Santa Barbara Current, why could we not get 1,000 letters sent to our targets through the Postal Service. So much more effective I think than 1,000 emails.

As Andy is the most knowledgeable on this matter and a skilled writer would he write three alternative draft letters for us to select from, and we could add personal touches to establish originality of the sender. He could identify all the targets for these letters in the arena and the correct addresses of the recipients.

I would be willing to do my part in sending these letters through the mail.

Would Andy be willing to participate in this venture? Derek Hanley

Andy Caldwell's avatar

Unfortunately, they ignore "form letters" unless they support leftist ideals! It would be helpful for people to send their own comments to the sups. You can hit all five at the following email address! BOSALL@COUNTYOFSB.ORG

DLDawson's avatar

Exactly…I wrote many letters (emails) to the supes & mayors in SB County during the C19/ Vaccine years, since the law requires they read all direct correspondence…unfortunately, most are likely read by staff, but at minimum some of those stuck in the mindwarp may get the messages…

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Oct 26
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DLDawson's avatar

exactly…bullet layout, stiletto style…less is more

L. Angel's avatar

Wrong. YAF is zionist.

Santa Barbara Current's avatar

Do you always make up your own definitions ?

L. Angel's avatar

No, I didn't make anything up. It's true. Do you always make up lies about people on this page who comment? (As you did to me in that other comment) Who is moderating this page today? I don't remember the mods on here being such despicable people in the past. Some even liked a couple of my comments. Who are you? I don't think you are Jim Buckley; he makes it clear he stands for free speech on here and wouldn't talk down to people like you are. Which admin are you?

Bernard Gans's avatar

Like everything else Progressives propose, their ultimate goal is to increase the number of people who are dependent on the government and they do it by latching on to an emotional issue, I.e. anti-fossil fuel and Big Oil, and thus to make people poorer. Berney

LT's avatar
Oct 26Edited

It should be obvious to all that the 3 Supervisors Capps, Lee and Hartmann answer not to their voters, but to the Environmental Defense Center and the Sierra Club. What influence does EDC Attorney and UCSB employee, Linda Krop have over these Supervisors? How much was donated to their campaigns?

The so called “amortization” of private companies is no more than legalized theft and one would think struck down by the high courts as being unconstitutional?

We are approaching driving over a financial cliff, made worse by 3 of our refineries closing and recent fire damaging another in El Segundo.

What we see in this move by the BOS, is a common tactic used by the Democrats, force a crisis and then change public policy.

BTW, the recent giving away of 50,000 acres of our coastal waters under the “Chumash Marine Sanctuary Act,” during the final weeks of the Biden administration, was not by accident and now coincidentally prohibits oil exploration in this huge swath of public waters.

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/sierra-club/summary?id=D000000259

Montecito93108's avatar

To leave or to fight the stupidity and tunnel vision of our local elected leaders. Seems most either accept, ignore, deny or are not impacted by our local reality. Take Prop 50 Ballot return as per one example. Thusfar, mailed ballot turnout appears highest in wealthier areas, several with high government beneficiaries.

As of yesterday, 10/25/25 Prop 50 Turnout and by party registration.

17.1% Statewide D+24%

22.2% D24 Congress D+23.5%

22.4% Buellton D+14.3%

22.7% Carpintetia +D39.1%

20.7% Goleta D+34%

12% Guadalupe D+8.1%

15.3% Lompoc D+11.7%

26.5% Montecito D+34%

21.8% Santa Barbara D+50.5%

12% Santa Maria D+8.1%

25.6% Solvang D+10.8%