Terrific column, Bonnie. Dr. Aijian is a Santa Barbara treasure, the rare doctor who cares more about the well-being of people than being well-off. It's also wonderful that he's open about his religious beliefs. Too many doctors aren't. I'm not a Christian. But I have enormous respect for Dr. Aijian's deep relationship with his religion and how it has shaped his integrity in medicine. He was and remains one of the few doctors who questioned the origins of Covid, its treatment and the public policies. This took enormous courage on his part.
My late brother, Dan, was a cancer surgeon who had a very cynical view of the medical establishment. In his experience most doctors he knew only read the summation, the last few paragraphs, in the research papers they were given. They were too lazy to read the whole report or go through the tests and see how they were done. They didn't question. And in my brother's view, this lead to disastrous health policies.
Dan originally set out to be a scientist. He was accepted into Caltech classes as a high school student. Then one day he said to our parents, “I don't have what it takes to be a first-rate physicist.” My parents were shocked - he was getting A's. My brother just sighed. “Look, I've been around science geniuses in physics for a year now at Caltech. I'm not one. And I'm fine with that. And I can be a really terrific surgeon, so that's what I'll do.”
He loved science research and carried that into his practice. He went deeply into the research that was informing medical establishment practices and he was stunned by how lazy many of his colleagues, even the most highly respected and awarded, were.
A few decades ago he was appalled at what he saw as the sloppy way the medical establishment was implementing supposed cholesterol findings. He would tell me there was no basis for the dietary “no fat” craze that was supposed to cure cholesterol and heart attacks in America. Dan was disgusted by the way the medical establishment and the media brainwashed people into diets which not only didn't reduce the rates of heart attacks, but resulted in more obesity and worse health in Americans.
I have really missed Dan during the last few Covid years. I think it's safe to say he would have questioned the vax, the lockdowns and the reports of how it originated. It was what I admired most about my brother - his honesty about medicine. And I was grateful to see a like-minded questioner in a Santa Barbaran, Dr. Aijian. It's an easy road for a doctor to go along with whatever the medical establishment says. It's infinitely more difficult to question. And we who aren't doctors but rely on them to stand up for us and what is best for our health rather than their careers should take the time to thank them.
Good comment. You too can read and understand medical science papers…to see for yourself the deception being passed off as science. Specifically viruses. I’ve a few links in my Sub to the official SARS Cov-2 papers. Read them and weep. Also see the recent interview Tucker did with a Stanford Surgeon…and her brother.
Thank you for the kind words. It is a challenge to be a “heretic” in the medical community, or in any situation where truth is buried in group think and top down control. I keep hoping and praying that the rest of us catch the vision to “ question authority, ” when the “authority” is people like our current federal and state governments. The authority we need to be subject to is our Creator. Questioning authority goes back to the garden of Eden, when the first humans decided to ignore God’s one rule. He gave them one test, and they failed. This urge to believe we are in control has been the downfall of the human race. Fortunately, God saw this coming and has a plan of redemption. There is a way back to relationship with Him. First, we need to accept the obvious fact that He exists, and we are not Him. The rest of the story unfolds in the 66 books of the Bible. Revelation is particularly eye opening, as we see events long ago predicted showing up in the news today. Try reading it. It’s the only real answer to finding authority worth our choosing.
We look forward to seeing any of you who would like to share some fellowship this Sunday and to see the movie by Eric Metaxas. Its message truly is for “such a time as this.” Bring a jacket as it may get a little cool after dark.
Thank you, Dr. Aijian. I listened to RFK Jr yesterday and think it is the greatest speech of any politician I've read or heard - and when I saw this morning about Trump and Kennedy uniting over the health care crisis, I started to cry with admiration for those two. I see the medical industrial complex is already at work through their media soldiers to try to stop them. But I think Trump and Kennedy will be up to anything they try. My husband and I are sorry we won't be able to attend the screening this Sunday - Metaxas is a fascinating thinker and writer. Wonderful you're offering people the chance to get together like this. By talking and uniting we can defeat the forces that want to destroy.
Speaking of public health and other disturbing things right now, I just listened to RFK jr's speech today. It's the greatest political speech by any politician I have ever heard or read. There is hope. God bless RFK jr.
Yes, Carbajal will cruise to victory in his re-election. Nothing new to see here folks. The last Republican to hold that seat was Micheal Huffington…remember him? The well has been dry ever since and as I said earlier, but bares repeating ; “SB Republicans sightings are about as rare as the California Condor!” We have become an endangered species!
It would be interesting to know exactly how many votes are seemingly automatic from the block of voters from UCSB, 20-30k? Yep, kids who are barely adults, own no property and here temporarily deciding every single election. What a country!
Local Republicans need to stop hiding under the bed and get out, rally, and engage with voters, especially young voters! Start with questions like; do you ever plan to have a job, own a house, start a business or family? We need to STOP writing off these kids!
I agree with what you are saying, and I will add they need to stop worshipping Trump (who anybody who's awake knows is no Ronald Reagan per his lack of personal morals). They need to focus on ISSUES, not people, and if they do that, they could turn this whole thing around. This is the approach I'm taking.
I suppose race does matter to some. Indeed, the “optics” of a half black woman as president will somehow translate to prosperity in the underserved communities? In reality, communities of color continue to lag behind other communities despite the Biden and Obama administrations. It was Trump who brought prosperity to these communities with employment, homeownership and personal wealth.
For others, race doesn’t matter it’s more about competence. Clearly, Harris is incompetent. A candidate such as Condoleezza Rice would do well with conservatives because she is time tested, trusted and actually has accomplishments to compare.
Condeleeza Rice is totally qualified, but leftists don't like Black people or people of any other historically-oppressed demographic being examples of strength, dignity, and intelligence.
I know I tend to generalize too much and I'm a pessimists. But I feel way to many American voters are lazy, stupid, over pampered, and taken care of by government. Without a moral, common sense, self sufficient population, a republic can not survive. I think we a very close to that point.
Just imagine if the power grid shut down for 48 hours??? There would be mass hysteria, crime running uncontrolled and loss of life.
Ranger, I have to agree with you about a good portion of our population relying way too much on the government, either from handouts or thinking that the government knows how to take care of our children better than mom and dad, both morally and physically. It has been a long steady process getting us acceptable and used to this way of life. And yes, if the grid went down I would hate to see the turmoil and panic. Although we are close to the crumbling of our republic, I am an optimist at heart and ever hopeful that people will come to their senses.
Well put, Monica. A woman I know said that I question authority too much. This because I didn't get the Covid vax. I told her that authority is earned not something organizations, leaders or people bestow on themselves.
Polly, although I don't think that you would ever need it, anytime you want to borrow my lapel pin that says"Question Authority" you are welcome to it. Do you remember them from back in the day?
Hard to believe Question Authority was the once the "hippie" slogan pasted on the backs used Volvos. Now it belongs to us; the blue-haired, pearl-clutcher conservatives, who have lived long enough and have seen enough to know the current mass conformity "progressive" tax and spend hive mind is destroying this country from within.
We now have proof this unelected, critical-mass government administrative state is the reigning authority figure today, and runs our entire "government" on automatic pilot. This is regardless of elections, since VP Harris is now fully on the campaign trail, and nominal President Biden has long been non compus mentis.
The unelected administrative state spent four years sabotaging Trump. Now for the past four years, it has operated without a single competent leader overseeing the trillions of dollars of our own tax dollars thrown recklessly at their authoritarian disposal.
The sheer size administrative state in our country has reached a tipping point. I honestly do not know how this next election will turn out, but if there is (God forbid) a Harris victory, the entire nation will be lost just like California slipped out of our hands over the past 20 years.
Tax revolt -- question authority -- is the only viable solution to end this current state of highly unrepresentative government. Tax flight itself is finally undermining California's one-party arrogance
Tax revolt, in any number of forms, is the last means to still question this current Democrat authority. How appropriate for a Nation born out of....... taxation without representation. If not our generation, it will soon be the rallying cry of the next, when today's unelected administrative state finally presents their massive due and payable demands on their lives and their futures.
California's recent sad past would be prologue for the nation.
Correct. AND...it was the Hippies and their allies who took to the streets (without the violence we have seen in Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis/others and fought for the civil rights that the brainwashed Left think THEY are inventing, A.K.A. "re-imagining". Now, whenever some old Hippie dares to question the upshot statists who run to their "safe spaces", the response is "shut up Boomer", or some other ageist comment. Again, welcome to the new Left.
The hippies of old would most likely laud the leftists of today, both rejected morality, tradition, and moral authority in favor of individual liberty at the expense of communal obligations and moral concerns.
We should reject liberal, secular, and democratic authority. We should embrace and respect the authority of God, the King of the Universe. The Pope and the Magisterium, who guide the Church and shepherd the flocks (with the Pope as a King, an ambassador on earth for Christ, and his brother Bishops as aristocrats), and the King who will align himself and his rule to God's divinely revealed truths.
They have always supported tyranny since the days of classical liberalism, they just so happened to championed the tyranny of the majority, and hated the autocratic (but not inherently tyrannical) and absolute religious and morally guided rule of the monarchs of old.
I have had this conversation many times with my sister. I'm not losing sleep over some Jihadist "terrorist" act of violence, but our biggest concern should be if the power grid gets hit--especially during a heat wave. The big cities are absolute sitting ducks for such a thing as they are A: heat islands; and B: their populations are much less off-grid thinking people.
Alternative/back-up energy is the way to go. Side note: with all the craze about electric cars, isn't the promotion of them further straining the power grid?
Do Dem voters truly believe in Kamala? Are that that blinded, that far gone, indoctrinated, they will vote with their Cult despite the facts that “she dropped out of the 2020 election due to less than 1% support”. The fact that she has the worst polling as a VP in America’s history. That she has not done one thing, has not actually disclosed any policies. That she has to pay people to show up to her rallies and speaking events. That she has to photo shop crowds into her appearances. That she has to have famous artists headline her speaking events to get people to show up, then they start leaving when she takes the stage.
Her sudden “popularity” is all Hollywood smoke & mirrors.
I’ve heard many Democrats say they will not vote. That’s a laugh because their ballots will be cast whether they fill them out or not. It’s been proven that this last mid term ballots were cast by people who did not vote. But they won’t vote for the bad orange man. So they will roll over and allow the worst polling person in America to be installed. These are the people “defending democracy” and the “Party of the People” who will allow a dictatorship to determine the next puppet.
So when they install the most unpopular person in the country will Democrat voters finally realize it’s rigged? Or will they comply as they do every time.
Will Republicans do more than just complain?
Our RINO leaders have made noise but have taken zero action to actually do more than create theater.
Good luck America. You will get what you deserve, what you personally worked for. Which is idiocracy, the best movie of all time that foretold our future.
BC: Do the 23 million government employees think their future is secure under Kamala Harris? I'll let you answer that one for yourself. Of course she has a solid voter base among the growing numbers of Big Government Democrats.
Talk about a candidate born on third base - any Democrat with hands on the nation's purse strings starts with a 23 million vote advantage before they even open their mouth.
In a favorable turn of events, BIBI JI restaurant has successfully relocated their restaurant after having to close due to insufficient foot traffic...............Hummm Did CAB lobby to return State to historic use at the 1300 block and 1200 block....? So the Council just had another nose rubbing in public proving their intransigent dig the heels in of "fighting" a reality based transportation grid is stupid?
When it comes to Harris did anyone notice she supports a minimum capital gains tax of 40%? Want to talk about kicking the private sector where it hurts.
So when does the insanity end? Why make any business successful. After all as with Death Valley it is all about optics.
Oh did any one notice the first "intentional" narrowing on outer State started in Ernest? The crew chief is a dyed in the wool anti car city employee. One would hope the issues Bonnie has uncovered will be enough to stop the insanity?
CAB: Kamala Harris's demand to tax unrealized capital gains is truly demented. Yet this resonates strongly with the critical mass of big government dependency class voters today.
Just like too much subsidized housing robs community vitality from with in, a Big Government dependency voter mass imperils our representative form of governance forever. We then simply become fodder for the perpetuation of even more Big Government. We are so close to that point today. We must fight in the trenches this election, to not let them cross that critical line.
The only way Harris’s radical Commie policies will see the light of day is if Trump gets to debate her which she won’t do. The Democrat media won’t report them, and her handlers keep her under wraps.
So here’s what to do:
a) Trump lines up several time slots on tv channels.
b) He ‘invites’ Kamala to join him in friendly chats about where the country is going and how, as politicians, 'we can help make things better.' These are not ‘debates’, which are challenging and adversarial - rather - ‘Town Hall Discussions.’
c) Of course Kamala won’t accept - with her Marxist positions she knows she’ll get her butt handed to her by Trump.
Now here’s the best part:
d) Trump shows up at these Discussions and explains to the world that because Harris didn’t show, he has invited a Kamala ’surrogate’ to explain Kamala's positions & answer his questions. Let’s call her Pamela. Who does she look like? Kamala of course - same pantsuit, hair, etc., . . . and Trump puts her thru the wringer!
e) The media will dig it because it’s newsy, and you can bet it will generate audience, all the while allowing Trump to expose the Commie / Marxist future as Kamala Harris sees it!!
Yes - if it takes place. I'm skeptical that Harris will come up with an excuse, - 'Had to meet with Putin, got sick, etc.' In spite of the fact her handlers will 'prep' her, they all know what happened when Biden took on Trump the barbarian.
Mission accomplished: Americans left the DNC Convention uplifted, filled with enough joy, hope and enthusiasm to convince others to register Democrat and vote the Harris/Walz ticket. The impressive line up of motivational speakers never addressed economic realities, and Kamala never took ownership of the last 3.8 destructive years. The Convention organizers knew their audience; their strategy worked! The convention was entertainingwithout policy substance; it feminized politics — basically, it was a celebration of women, and women of color. Too often white male speakers like Buttigieg were ‘soft’ males -‘with hands that never experienced a callous’; or fumbled like Wisconsin Gov Tony Evers; or were disgruntled grandstanders like Adam Kinzinger or Georgia former Lt. Gov Geoff Duncan .
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal stated Harris/Walz “doesn’t need to get into any details; progressives are the base”, we know our agenda (the provider and parent needs to be big government, limit guns, prioritize climate change, expand SCOTUS, pursue popular vote, …). She went on to say, at the Convention we “simply need to get people to trust her”; to know “She’s about the people”. Sort of like the all accepting mom who gives unconditional love, when tough love is needed. As an incoming step-mom to two teens, she’s never needed to deliver discipline, to hold the line, to not budge, to risk the loss of her child’s love and presence.
According to Congressional Squad Leader Jayapal, messaging at the DNC what attendees want to hear is working because it resulted in enthusiasm: “more new people have contributed to this campaign, within the first 48 hours” - plus “over 83,000 registered Democrat between the ages 18-34 years old”.
Helping voters visualize what they will be given, what they ‘feel entitled to have’, motivates them to get out the vote for Harris/Walz.
Summation: Promises don’t need to be made or kept. Policies don’t need to be addressed or viable. Details don’t matter. Sharing a vision, brining joy and hope back to America is what’s needed to win in November.
How will GOP, Trump supporters respond: sit back or actively work, contribute what’s required to win in November?
DNC was not an impressive line up at all. It was simply preaching to the choir. Who are a force by sheer numbers and existential government dependencies, but they still can be beat. The continued growth of alternate media alone, makes 2024 very different than 2020.
The steady erosion of the 2016 TSD crowd is another huge game-changing factor. Who could foresee we would be pitting pro-Trump Elon Musk against TDS Adam Kinzinger today? Not a fair fight, even if the fight were held only in California.
California remains a lost cause and that is depressing. Whither goest the RFKJr vote, which could have been a three-way race game changer for California. Now, not so much. I cannot see my RFKJr lawn sign neighbors suddenly putting up Trump signs. But if they were truly smart, they would.
Reaching a permanent Democrat-dependency voting majority is scary enough, without even needing to raise the phony spectre of "communism". The growth of taxpayer-supported Big Government voting only Democrat forever, should send chills up everyone's spine. We are that close to losing America forever; just like California was permanently lost in only the past two decades.
RFK just concluded his press conference announcing his decision to suspend his campaign. Kudos for him and his unbelievable honesty in his description of the swamp creatures who run our country.
Yes, he called out the press for how they engage in election interference. All known players; CBS, ABC, CNN, PBS and so on.
He called out the Intelligensia industrial complex who is really running the country.
One thing RFK said that REALLY got my attention by saying “why have policies when you have Trump to hate.”
So true, where is Harris on all these important issues immigration, energy, economy etc?
Trump believes in limited government. As should we all. The need for limited government stirs this existential Democrat deep hatred. That is why Project 2025 so totally unglues Democrats and why they are lying so wildly about it. It simply sets out pathways to halt the current out of control push for even more Big Government (D).
SB City is going to allow high rises. In fact there are permits being looked at for an 8 story 255 unit building with 434 parking spaces right next to the Mission, by the museum.
In addition to the 642 units 7 story building at la Cumbre. In addition to Paseo Nuevo, Sears, in addition to Grand Ave, Capitol Hardware, etc….
Thousands of new shoe box apartments. For a declining population. Well Citizens are declining in numbers.
So who will occupy these small shoebox apartments? And why is the City approving high rises in area like the Mission?
Is your City Council representing you and your neighborhood and the decreasing population properly?
Oh and they’re expanding the freeway as we speak to alleviate congested highways for commuters. So why do we need so ,any high rise shoe boxes in the City? Or County?
Electing Gregg Hart and Monique Limon is why the state-mandated "builders remedy" can inflict the Mission Canyon behemoth in our midst, and we can't do anything about it. Be sure to thank them both.
B Camp, that is sickening about the proposed 8 story building that is being permitted. And great question, why do we need it and all the other housing projects that are on the proposal list? There couldn't be all sorts of money for those involved in all this, could there?
Well, Newsom is proposing something that will take care of everything. And don't even think the Pelosi crime family will benefit from this. We taxpayers will! Of course!
I suspect the White House is buzzing with activity. We just don't know who is making decisions. Biden is now a lame duck and the opportunity after the election and before Jan 20 offers great opportunity for executive orders.
As always, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote today - with one notable exception: your endorsement of the Bibi Ji restaurant. Anything written in The Current reflects on not just the author, but also on our movement. We have to be careful about who we endorse.
Having lived in the area for just shy of forty years, it is no exaggeration to say that the evening my wife, daughter and I made the mistake of walking into the Bibi Ji yielded:
1.) The most abominable experience we've ever had at a Santa Barbara restaurant,
2.) The most scathing Yelp review I've ever left for any establishment.
The owner, Alejandro, is without question an unadulterated jackass, one who seemingly delights in ruining peoples' dining experience. Other Yelp reviews at the time confirmed this (we are going back 5 years now; it's time to update the review I left, as Yelp removes old reviews). People who share our philosophy and are part of our movement also told me that they either had experienced, or knew someone who had experienced, the same kind of awful treatment. It was actually a fairly common topic at one point. One person even suggested that the Bibi Ji was owned by leftists from San Francisco, something I can't confirm or deny, but given their attitude, it wouldn't surprise me.
I've had the pleasure of meeting you on several occasions and have always enjoyed your perspectives and our conversations. Bonnie, at this point in time we have to be very careful about who we endorse, even tacitly: you said that you are Alejandro's "God Mommy", so it's easy to understand your affection for the place in terms other than the quality of the food or service. However, if someone has an experience at the Bibi Ji that's anything close to what so many others have (and why wouldn't they? There was no response to any of the Yelp reviews at the time, and the owners clearly don't have any concern about customer service) then it reflects poorly on The Current and our movement that someone like that is perceived to be affiliated with us. With Robert Kennedy (yes, a KENNEDY!) calling out the evils of the Democrats, we stand a chance of capturing undecideds and independents. Let's make sure those who act on our recommendations come away with nothing but a positive experience as a result of trusting us.
Similar experience -one and done for us too. One still hungers for complex and rendolent "Indian" food in this town. I made a point of traveling the world throughout my life and am often asked what was my favorite country. To my own surprise I have to say Pakistan: one primary reason was the complexity of the food across the board, as well as the color, scenery, chaos, history, architecture and the special hospitality of the people we met.
As always, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote today - with one notable exception: your endorsement of the Bibi Ji restaurant. Anything written in The Current reflects on not just the author, but also on our movement. We have to be careful about who we endorse.
Having lived in the area for just shy of forty years, it is no exaggeration to say that the evening my wife, daughter and I made the mistake of walking into the Bibi Ji yielded:
1.) The most abominable experience we've ever had at a Santa Barbara restaurant,
2.) The most scathing Yelp review I've ever left for any establishment.
The owner, Alejandro, is without question an unadulterated jackass, one who seemingly delights in ruining peoples' dining experience. Other Yelp reviews at the time confirmed this (we are going back 5 years now; it's time to update the review I left, as Yelp removes old reviews). People who share our philosophy and are part of our movement also told me that they either had experienced, or knew someone who had experienced, the same kind of awful treatment. It was actually a fairly common topic at one point. One person even suggested that the Bibi Ji was owned by leftists from San Francisco, something I can't confirm or deny, but given their attitude, it wouldn't surprise me.
I've had the pleasure of meeting you on several occasions and have always enjoyed your perspectives and our conversations. Bonnie, at this point in time we have to be very careful about who we endorse, even tacitly: you said that you are Alejandro's "God Mommy", so it's easy to understand your affection for the place in terms other than the quality of the food or service. However, if someone has an experience at the Bibi Ji that's anything close to what so many others have (and why wouldn't they? There was no response to any of the Yelp reviews at the time, and the owners clearly don't have any concern about customer service) then it reflects poorly on The Current and our movement that someone like that is perceived to be affiliated with us. With Robert Kennedy (yes, a KENNEDY!) calling out the evils of the Democrats, we stand a chance of capturing undecideds and independents. Let's make sure those who act on our recommendations come away with nothing but a positive experience as a result of trusting us.
Thank you Bonnie. Not that it's a game changer - but in all fairness Harris dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries with 3% - not 1 - of the vote (yes, no landslide there) but there was a total of 29 major candidates declared their candidacies at the start.
But I think we've all become wary of numbers/polling/etc. in politics.
Harris critically dropped out in 2020 right before the last date to take her name off the California primary ballot. She knew she was not going to win their Favorite Daughter vote, and chose to not permanently humiliate herself with her own state's rejection. In retrospect, a prescient move on her part, since she was the only one left standing who was willing accept Biden's very odd VP nod.
Breaks my heart to hear the city yet again wants to destroy the venerable Franceschi House.
This estate was gifted to the City of Santa Barbara so every city resident could claim they had "a mansion on the Riviera". The outside structure at minimum must be saved, even if the city refuses to restore the inside. This entire gift of private philanthropy must be preserved for all future generations.
This Freeman house and grounds were originally dedicated for community fund-raising activities, that would ensure its maintenance and long term use. Since the city intentionally failed to meet these express terms, the entire gift should then be returned to the heirs of the original donor. Passive neglect with the goal of eventual demolition is a horrible message to send future city benefactors.
This proposed lifeless slab of paving inspires no one to tell, let alone remember, the full story of Franceschi House. Do not tear it down. Preserve these community gifts as they were intended. This gift particularly with its unique eccentricities, makes our city such a special place to live. Destroying this beloved house is a gut punch to us all.
Terrific column, Bonnie. Dr. Aijian is a Santa Barbara treasure, the rare doctor who cares more about the well-being of people than being well-off. It's also wonderful that he's open about his religious beliefs. Too many doctors aren't. I'm not a Christian. But I have enormous respect for Dr. Aijian's deep relationship with his religion and how it has shaped his integrity in medicine. He was and remains one of the few doctors who questioned the origins of Covid, its treatment and the public policies. This took enormous courage on his part.
My late brother, Dan, was a cancer surgeon who had a very cynical view of the medical establishment. In his experience most doctors he knew only read the summation, the last few paragraphs, in the research papers they were given. They were too lazy to read the whole report or go through the tests and see how they were done. They didn't question. And in my brother's view, this lead to disastrous health policies.
Dan originally set out to be a scientist. He was accepted into Caltech classes as a high school student. Then one day he said to our parents, “I don't have what it takes to be a first-rate physicist.” My parents were shocked - he was getting A's. My brother just sighed. “Look, I've been around science geniuses in physics for a year now at Caltech. I'm not one. And I'm fine with that. And I can be a really terrific surgeon, so that's what I'll do.”
He loved science research and carried that into his practice. He went deeply into the research that was informing medical establishment practices and he was stunned by how lazy many of his colleagues, even the most highly respected and awarded, were.
A few decades ago he was appalled at what he saw as the sloppy way the medical establishment was implementing supposed cholesterol findings. He would tell me there was no basis for the dietary “no fat” craze that was supposed to cure cholesterol and heart attacks in America. Dan was disgusted by the way the medical establishment and the media brainwashed people into diets which not only didn't reduce the rates of heart attacks, but resulted in more obesity and worse health in Americans.
I have really missed Dan during the last few Covid years. I think it's safe to say he would have questioned the vax, the lockdowns and the reports of how it originated. It was what I admired most about my brother - his honesty about medicine. And I was grateful to see a like-minded questioner in a Santa Barbaran, Dr. Aijian. It's an easy road for a doctor to go along with whatever the medical establishment says. It's infinitely more difficult to question. And we who aren't doctors but rely on them to stand up for us and what is best for our health rather than their careers should take the time to thank them.
Thank you Dr. Aijian. And thank you, Bonnie.
Good comment. You too can read and understand medical science papers…to see for yourself the deception being passed off as science. Specifically viruses. I’ve a few links in my Sub to the official SARS Cov-2 papers. Read them and weep. Also see the recent interview Tucker did with a Stanford Surgeon…and her brother.
Thank you for the kind words. It is a challenge to be a “heretic” in the medical community, or in any situation where truth is buried in group think and top down control. I keep hoping and praying that the rest of us catch the vision to “ question authority, ” when the “authority” is people like our current federal and state governments. The authority we need to be subject to is our Creator. Questioning authority goes back to the garden of Eden, when the first humans decided to ignore God’s one rule. He gave them one test, and they failed. This urge to believe we are in control has been the downfall of the human race. Fortunately, God saw this coming and has a plan of redemption. There is a way back to relationship with Him. First, we need to accept the obvious fact that He exists, and we are not Him. The rest of the story unfolds in the 66 books of the Bible. Revelation is particularly eye opening, as we see events long ago predicted showing up in the news today. Try reading it. It’s the only real answer to finding authority worth our choosing.
We look forward to seeing any of you who would like to share some fellowship this Sunday and to see the movie by Eric Metaxas. Its message truly is for “such a time as this.” Bring a jacket as it may get a little cool after dark.
Thank you, Dr. Aijian. I listened to RFK Jr yesterday and think it is the greatest speech of any politician I've read or heard - and when I saw this morning about Trump and Kennedy uniting over the health care crisis, I started to cry with admiration for those two. I see the medical industrial complex is already at work through their media soldiers to try to stop them. But I think Trump and Kennedy will be up to anything they try. My husband and I are sorry we won't be able to attend the screening this Sunday - Metaxas is a fascinating thinker and writer. Wonderful you're offering people the chance to get together like this. By talking and uniting we can defeat the forces that want to destroy.
Speaking of public health and other disturbing things right now, I just listened to RFK jr's speech today. It's the greatest political speech by any politician I have ever heard or read. There is hope. God bless RFK jr.
https://x.com/kylenabecker/status/1827069087442174137
Yes, Carbajal will cruise to victory in his re-election. Nothing new to see here folks. The last Republican to hold that seat was Micheal Huffington…remember him? The well has been dry ever since and as I said earlier, but bares repeating ; “SB Republicans sightings are about as rare as the California Condor!” We have become an endangered species!
It would be interesting to know exactly how many votes are seemingly automatic from the block of voters from UCSB, 20-30k? Yep, kids who are barely adults, own no property and here temporarily deciding every single election. What a country!
Local Republicans need to stop hiding under the bed and get out, rally, and engage with voters, especially young voters! Start with questions like; do you ever plan to have a job, own a house, start a business or family? We need to STOP writing off these kids!
I agree with what you are saying, and I will add they need to stop worshipping Trump (who anybody who's awake knows is no Ronald Reagan per his lack of personal morals). They need to focus on ISSUES, not people, and if they do that, they could turn this whole thing around. This is the approach I'm taking.
I suppose race does matter to some. Indeed, the “optics” of a half black woman as president will somehow translate to prosperity in the underserved communities? In reality, communities of color continue to lag behind other communities despite the Biden and Obama administrations. It was Trump who brought prosperity to these communities with employment, homeownership and personal wealth.
For others, race doesn’t matter it’s more about competence. Clearly, Harris is incompetent. A candidate such as Condoleezza Rice would do well with conservatives because she is time tested, trusted and actually has accomplishments to compare.
Condeleeza Rice is totally qualified, but leftists don't like Black people or people of any other historically-oppressed demographic being examples of strength, dignity, and intelligence.
Nice job Bonnie.
I know I tend to generalize too much and I'm a pessimists. But I feel way to many American voters are lazy, stupid, over pampered, and taken care of by government. Without a moral, common sense, self sufficient population, a republic can not survive. I think we a very close to that point.
Just imagine if the power grid shut down for 48 hours??? There would be mass hysteria, crime running uncontrolled and loss of life.
Ranger, I have to agree with you about a good portion of our population relying way too much on the government, either from handouts or thinking that the government knows how to take care of our children better than mom and dad, both morally and physically. It has been a long steady process getting us acceptable and used to this way of life. And yes, if the grid went down I would hate to see the turmoil and panic. Although we are close to the crumbling of our republic, I am an optimist at heart and ever hopeful that people will come to their senses.
Well put, Monica. A woman I know said that I question authority too much. This because I didn't get the Covid vax. I told her that authority is earned not something organizations, leaders or people bestow on themselves.
Polly, although I don't think that you would ever need it, anytime you want to borrow my lapel pin that says"Question Authority" you are welcome to it. Do you remember them from back in the day?
Hard to believe Question Authority was the once the "hippie" slogan pasted on the backs used Volvos. Now it belongs to us; the blue-haired, pearl-clutcher conservatives, who have lived long enough and have seen enough to know the current mass conformity "progressive" tax and spend hive mind is destroying this country from within.
We now have proof this unelected, critical-mass government administrative state is the reigning authority figure today, and runs our entire "government" on automatic pilot. This is regardless of elections, since VP Harris is now fully on the campaign trail, and nominal President Biden has long been non compus mentis.
The unelected administrative state spent four years sabotaging Trump. Now for the past four years, it has operated without a single competent leader overseeing the trillions of dollars of our own tax dollars thrown recklessly at their authoritarian disposal.
The sheer size administrative state in our country has reached a tipping point. I honestly do not know how this next election will turn out, but if there is (God forbid) a Harris victory, the entire nation will be lost just like California slipped out of our hands over the past 20 years.
Tax revolt -- question authority -- is the only viable solution to end this current state of highly unrepresentative government. Tax flight itself is finally undermining California's one-party arrogance
Tax revolt, in any number of forms, is the last means to still question this current Democrat authority. How appropriate for a Nation born out of....... taxation without representation. If not our generation, it will soon be the rallying cry of the next, when today's unelected administrative state finally presents their massive due and payable demands on their lives and their futures.
California's recent sad past would be prologue for the nation.
Correct. AND...it was the Hippies and their allies who took to the streets (without the violence we have seen in Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis/others and fought for the civil rights that the brainwashed Left think THEY are inventing, A.K.A. "re-imagining". Now, whenever some old Hippie dares to question the upshot statists who run to their "safe spaces", the response is "shut up Boomer", or some other ageist comment. Again, welcome to the new Left.
The hippies of old would most likely laud the leftists of today, both rejected morality, tradition, and moral authority in favor of individual liberty at the expense of communal obligations and moral concerns.
We should reject liberal, secular, and democratic authority. We should embrace and respect the authority of God, the King of the Universe. The Pope and the Magisterium, who guide the Church and shepherd the flocks (with the Pope as a King, an ambassador on earth for Christ, and his brother Bishops as aristocrats), and the King who will align himself and his rule to God's divinely revealed truths.
Yep. How did liberals turn into the soldiers for tyranny?
Because a lot of them trusted the people they put into power, and they are now realizing in increasing numbers what is happening.
They have always supported tyranny since the days of classical liberalism, they just so happened to championed the tyranny of the majority, and hated the autocratic (but not inherently tyrannical) and absolute religious and morally guided rule of the monarchs of old.
I have had this conversation many times with my sister. I'm not losing sleep over some Jihadist "terrorist" act of violence, but our biggest concern should be if the power grid gets hit--especially during a heat wave. The big cities are absolute sitting ducks for such a thing as they are A: heat islands; and B: their populations are much less off-grid thinking people.
Alternative/back-up energy is the way to go. Side note: with all the craze about electric cars, isn't the promotion of them further straining the power grid?
Idiocracy
Do Dem voters truly believe in Kamala? Are that that blinded, that far gone, indoctrinated, they will vote with their Cult despite the facts that “she dropped out of the 2020 election due to less than 1% support”. The fact that she has the worst polling as a VP in America’s history. That she has not done one thing, has not actually disclosed any policies. That she has to pay people to show up to her rallies and speaking events. That she has to photo shop crowds into her appearances. That she has to have famous artists headline her speaking events to get people to show up, then they start leaving when she takes the stage.
Her sudden “popularity” is all Hollywood smoke & mirrors.
I’ve heard many Democrats say they will not vote. That’s a laugh because their ballots will be cast whether they fill them out or not. It’s been proven that this last mid term ballots were cast by people who did not vote. But they won’t vote for the bad orange man. So they will roll over and allow the worst polling person in America to be installed. These are the people “defending democracy” and the “Party of the People” who will allow a dictatorship to determine the next puppet.
So when they install the most unpopular person in the country will Democrat voters finally realize it’s rigged? Or will they comply as they do every time.
Will Republicans do more than just complain?
Our RINO leaders have made noise but have taken zero action to actually do more than create theater.
Good luck America. You will get what you deserve, what you personally worked for. Which is idiocracy, the best movie of all time that foretold our future.
BC: Do the 23 million government employees think their future is secure under Kamala Harris? I'll let you answer that one for yourself. Of course she has a solid voter base among the growing numbers of Big Government Democrats.
Talk about a candidate born on third base - any Democrat with hands on the nation's purse strings starts with a 23 million vote advantage before they even open their mouth.
In a favorable turn of events, BIBI JI restaurant has successfully relocated their restaurant after having to close due to insufficient foot traffic...............Hummm Did CAB lobby to return State to historic use at the 1300 block and 1200 block....? So the Council just had another nose rubbing in public proving their intransigent dig the heels in of "fighting" a reality based transportation grid is stupid?
When it comes to Harris did anyone notice she supports a minimum capital gains tax of 40%? Want to talk about kicking the private sector where it hurts.
So when does the insanity end? Why make any business successful. After all as with Death Valley it is all about optics.
Oh did any one notice the first "intentional" narrowing on outer State started in Ernest? The crew chief is a dyed in the wool anti car city employee. One would hope the issues Bonnie has uncovered will be enough to stop the insanity?
CAB: Kamala Harris's demand to tax unrealized capital gains is truly demented. Yet this resonates strongly with the critical mass of big government dependency class voters today.
Just like too much subsidized housing robs community vitality from with in, a Big Government dependency voter mass imperils our representative form of governance forever. We then simply become fodder for the perpetuation of even more Big Government. We are so close to that point today. We must fight in the trenches this election, to not let them cross that critical line.
Had an idea - see whatcha think:
The only way Harris’s radical Commie policies will see the light of day is if Trump gets to debate her which she won’t do. The Democrat media won’t report them, and her handlers keep her under wraps.
So here’s what to do:
a) Trump lines up several time slots on tv channels.
b) He ‘invites’ Kamala to join him in friendly chats about where the country is going and how, as politicians, 'we can help make things better.' These are not ‘debates’, which are challenging and adversarial - rather - ‘Town Hall Discussions.’
c) Of course Kamala won’t accept - with her Marxist positions she knows she’ll get her butt handed to her by Trump.
Now here’s the best part:
d) Trump shows up at these Discussions and explains to the world that because Harris didn’t show, he has invited a Kamala ’surrogate’ to explain Kamala's positions & answer his questions. Let’s call her Pamela. Who does she look like? Kamala of course - same pantsuit, hair, etc., . . . and Trump puts her thru the wringer!
e) The media will dig it because it’s newsy, and you can bet it will generate audience, all the while allowing Trump to expose the Commie / Marxist future as Kamala Harris sees it!!
I thought there was a debate on Sept 10?
Yes - if it takes place. I'm skeptical that Harris will come up with an excuse, - 'Had to meet with Putin, got sick, etc.' In spite of the fact her handlers will 'prep' her, they all know what happened when Biden took on Trump the barbarian.
And what abount his other debate invitations?
Mission accomplished: Americans left the DNC Convention uplifted, filled with enough joy, hope and enthusiasm to convince others to register Democrat and vote the Harris/Walz ticket. The impressive line up of motivational speakers never addressed economic realities, and Kamala never took ownership of the last 3.8 destructive years. The Convention organizers knew their audience; their strategy worked! The convention was entertainingwithout policy substance; it feminized politics — basically, it was a celebration of women, and women of color. Too often white male speakers like Buttigieg were ‘soft’ males -‘with hands that never experienced a callous’; or fumbled like Wisconsin Gov Tony Evers; or were disgruntled grandstanders like Adam Kinzinger or Georgia former Lt. Gov Geoff Duncan .
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal stated Harris/Walz “doesn’t need to get into any details; progressives are the base”, we know our agenda (the provider and parent needs to be big government, limit guns, prioritize climate change, expand SCOTUS, pursue popular vote, …). She went on to say, at the Convention we “simply need to get people to trust her”; to know “She’s about the people”. Sort of like the all accepting mom who gives unconditional love, when tough love is needed. As an incoming step-mom to two teens, she’s never needed to deliver discipline, to hold the line, to not budge, to risk the loss of her child’s love and presence.
According to Congressional Squad Leader Jayapal, messaging at the DNC what attendees want to hear is working because it resulted in enthusiasm: “more new people have contributed to this campaign, within the first 48 hours” - plus “over 83,000 registered Democrat between the ages 18-34 years old”.
Helping voters visualize what they will be given, what they ‘feel entitled to have’, motivates them to get out the vote for Harris/Walz.
Summation: Promises don’t need to be made or kept. Policies don’t need to be addressed or viable. Details don’t matter. Sharing a vision, brining joy and hope back to America is what’s needed to win in November.
How will GOP, Trump supporters respond: sit back or actively work, contribute what’s required to win in November?
Yes, 93108: and good for RFK jr putting them in their place which is the cesspool they created.
DNC was not an impressive line up at all. It was simply preaching to the choir. Who are a force by sheer numbers and existential government dependencies, but they still can be beat. The continued growth of alternate media alone, makes 2024 very different than 2020.
The steady erosion of the 2016 TSD crowd is another huge game-changing factor. Who could foresee we would be pitting pro-Trump Elon Musk against TDS Adam Kinzinger today? Not a fair fight, even if the fight were held only in California.
California remains a lost cause and that is depressing. Whither goest the RFKJr vote, which could have been a three-way race game changer for California. Now, not so much. I cannot see my RFKJr lawn sign neighbors suddenly putting up Trump signs. But if they were truly smart, they would.
If the American people vote these communist in.
Please don’t complain when things completely fall apart.
If she gets her way we will be the next Venezuela .
Reaching a permanent Democrat-dependency voting majority is scary enough, without even needing to raise the phony spectre of "communism". The growth of taxpayer-supported Big Government voting only Democrat forever, should send chills up everyone's spine. We are that close to losing America forever; just like California was permanently lost in only the past two decades.
RFK just concluded his press conference announcing his decision to suspend his campaign. Kudos for him and his unbelievable honesty in his description of the swamp creatures who run our country.
Yes, he called out the press for how they engage in election interference. All known players; CBS, ABC, CNN, PBS and so on.
He called out the Intelligensia industrial complex who is really running the country.
One thing RFK said that REALLY got my attention by saying “why have policies when you have Trump to hate.”
So true, where is Harris on all these important issues immigration, energy, economy etc?
Harris needs to put up or shut up!
I loved RFK jr saying that too. He's much more popular than the DNC controlled media would have us think.
Trump believes in limited government. As should we all. The need for limited government stirs this existential Democrat deep hatred. That is why Project 2025 so totally unglues Democrats and why they are lying so wildly about it. It simply sets out pathways to halt the current out of control push for even more Big Government (D).
“Housing crisis”
SB City is going to allow high rises. In fact there are permits being looked at for an 8 story 255 unit building with 434 parking spaces right next to the Mission, by the museum.
In addition to the 642 units 7 story building at la Cumbre. In addition to Paseo Nuevo, Sears, in addition to Grand Ave, Capitol Hardware, etc….
Thousands of new shoe box apartments. For a declining population. Well Citizens are declining in numbers.
So who will occupy these small shoebox apartments? And why is the City approving high rises in area like the Mission?
Is your City Council representing you and your neighborhood and the decreasing population properly?
Oh and they’re expanding the freeway as we speak to alleviate congested highways for commuters. So why do we need so ,any high rise shoe boxes in the City? Or County?
Electing Gregg Hart and Monique Limon is why the state-mandated "builders remedy" can inflict the Mission Canyon behemoth in our midst, and we can't do anything about it. Be sure to thank them both.
B Camp, that is sickening about the proposed 8 story building that is being permitted. And great question, why do we need it and all the other housing projects that are on the proposal list? There couldn't be all sorts of money for those involved in all this, could there?
Well, Newsom is proposing something that will take care of everything. And don't even think the Pelosi crime family will benefit from this. We taxpayers will! Of course!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/08/california-democrats-advance-bill-allow-illegal-aliens-buy/
In the Soviet Union they were known as Kruschevscas. (sp?)
I suspect the White House is buzzing with activity. We just don't know who is making decisions. Biden is now a lame duck and the opportunity after the election and before Jan 20 offers great opportunity for executive orders.
As always, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote today - with one notable exception: your endorsement of the Bibi Ji restaurant. Anything written in The Current reflects on not just the author, but also on our movement. We have to be careful about who we endorse.
Having lived in the area for just shy of forty years, it is no exaggeration to say that the evening my wife, daughter and I made the mistake of walking into the Bibi Ji yielded:
1.) The most abominable experience we've ever had at a Santa Barbara restaurant,
2.) The most scathing Yelp review I've ever left for any establishment.
The owner, Alejandro, is without question an unadulterated jackass, one who seemingly delights in ruining peoples' dining experience. Other Yelp reviews at the time confirmed this (we are going back 5 years now; it's time to update the review I left, as Yelp removes old reviews). People who share our philosophy and are part of our movement also told me that they either had experienced, or knew someone who had experienced, the same kind of awful treatment. It was actually a fairly common topic at one point. One person even suggested that the Bibi Ji was owned by leftists from San Francisco, something I can't confirm or deny, but given their attitude, it wouldn't surprise me.
I've had the pleasure of meeting you on several occasions and have always enjoyed your perspectives and our conversations. Bonnie, at this point in time we have to be very careful about who we endorse, even tacitly: you said that you are Alejandro's "God Mommy", so it's easy to understand your affection for the place in terms other than the quality of the food or service. However, if someone has an experience at the Bibi Ji that's anything close to what so many others have (and why wouldn't they? There was no response to any of the Yelp reviews at the time, and the owners clearly don't have any concern about customer service) then it reflects poorly on The Current and our movement that someone like that is perceived to be affiliated with us. With Robert Kennedy (yes, a KENNEDY!) calling out the evils of the Democrats, we stand a chance of capturing undecideds and independents. Let's make sure those who act on our recommendations come away with nothing but a positive experience as a result of trusting us.
OMG! Mark, I don't know anything about this restaurant & have never been there but I love your post! Plain, in-you-face talk - my kinda rap! :)
Similar experience -one and done for us too. One still hungers for complex and rendolent "Indian" food in this town. I made a point of traveling the world throughout my life and am often asked what was my favorite country. To my own surprise I have to say Pakistan: one primary reason was the complexity of the food across the board, as well as the color, scenery, chaos, history, architecture and the special hospitality of the people we met.
As always, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you wrote today - with one notable exception: your endorsement of the Bibi Ji restaurant. Anything written in The Current reflects on not just the author, but also on our movement. We have to be careful about who we endorse.
Having lived in the area for just shy of forty years, it is no exaggeration to say that the evening my wife, daughter and I made the mistake of walking into the Bibi Ji yielded:
1.) The most abominable experience we've ever had at a Santa Barbara restaurant,
2.) The most scathing Yelp review I've ever left for any establishment.
The owner, Alejandro, is without question an unadulterated jackass, one who seemingly delights in ruining peoples' dining experience. Other Yelp reviews at the time confirmed this (we are going back 5 years now; it's time to update the review I left, as Yelp removes old reviews). People who share our philosophy and are part of our movement also told me that they either had experienced, or knew someone who had experienced, the same kind of awful treatment. It was actually a fairly common topic at one point. One person even suggested that the Bibi Ji was owned by leftists from San Francisco, something I can't confirm or deny, but given their attitude, it wouldn't surprise me.
I've had the pleasure of meeting you on several occasions and have always enjoyed your perspectives and our conversations. Bonnie, at this point in time we have to be very careful about who we endorse, even tacitly: you said that you are Alejandro's "God Mommy", so it's easy to understand your affection for the place in terms other than the quality of the food or service. However, if someone has an experience at the Bibi Ji that's anything close to what so many others have (and why wouldn't they? There was no response to any of the Yelp reviews at the time, and the owners clearly don't have any concern about customer service) then it reflects poorly on The Current and our movement that someone like that is perceived to be affiliated with us. With Robert Kennedy (yes, a KENNEDY!) calling out the evils of the Democrats, we stand a chance of capturing undecideds and independents. Let's make sure those who act on our recommendations come away with nothing but a positive experience as a result of trusting us.
Thank you Bonnie. Not that it's a game changer - but in all fairness Harris dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries with 3% - not 1 - of the vote (yes, no landslide there) but there was a total of 29 major candidates declared their candidacies at the start.
But I think we've all become wary of numbers/polling/etc. in politics.
Harris critically dropped out in 2020 right before the last date to take her name off the California primary ballot. She knew she was not going to win their Favorite Daughter vote, and chose to not permanently humiliate herself with her own state's rejection. In retrospect, a prescient move on her part, since she was the only one left standing who was willing accept Biden's very odd VP nod.
Sounds smart.
Final chapter not yet written. Just like it was "smart" for George McGovern to oppose LBJ over the Vietnam War.
Why was is an odd VP nod?
Breaks my heart to hear the city yet again wants to destroy the venerable Franceschi House.
This estate was gifted to the City of Santa Barbara so every city resident could claim they had "a mansion on the Riviera". The outside structure at minimum must be saved, even if the city refuses to restore the inside. This entire gift of private philanthropy must be preserved for all future generations.
This Freeman house and grounds were originally dedicated for community fund-raising activities, that would ensure its maintenance and long term use. Since the city intentionally failed to meet these express terms, the entire gift should then be returned to the heirs of the original donor. Passive neglect with the goal of eventual demolition is a horrible message to send future city benefactors.
This proposed lifeless slab of paving inspires no one to tell, let alone remember, the full story of Franceschi House. Do not tear it down. Preserve these community gifts as they were intended. This gift particularly with its unique eccentricities, makes our city such a special place to live. Destroying this beloved house is a gut punch to us all.
When I went to the city to see the deed, it read gift to the inhabitants, NOT THE CITY :)
I have always wanted to find the heirs of Freeman to do just that!!!