(The following is just a trickle of some of the many comments, observations, claims, and suggestions received by Santa Barbara Current, a publication that is reader supported and receives no direct or indirect USAID or nonprofit funding. To enhance your reading experience, please follow the Comment thread that appears immediately after each column. If you’d like to contribute your thoughts as a letter to the editor, please send separately to jim@sbcurrent.com, and don’t forget to include your full name and city!)
Loyal to One or Loyal to None
It doesn’t bother me that alienated, cantankerous Americans choose to not only live abroad but take on citizenship of another country. But it vexes me greatly if these people are allowed to have their gouda cheese and eat it, too.
There’s no mention in any article I’ve read that tells me if the Clooneys can retain their U.S. citizenship while taking on the privileges of French citizenship. I despise dual citizenships. You can’t be loyal to more than one country. Period (as Tucker would punctuate).
But, of course, globe-trotting ex-pats, for the most part, have abandoned the niceties and necessities of nationhood in favor of globalism. All these restrictions surrounding the nation-state are open blisters on their butts.
Why can’t we just move in ‘n’ out ‘n’ about as we please? The Pretty People are far too cool and cute to put up with all these blockades and obstructions to unfettered movement.
My main objection to dual citizenship is these people have left our nation in a huff ‘n’ a hissy fit, but they can still ******* vote in U.S. elections. Donald J. Trump can live rent-free in Rosie O’Donnell‘s low-I.Q. cranium while she resides in Ireland. If/when she applies for, and is granted, citizenship by Ireland, chances are great she can run at the mouth in a foreign setting about what she hates about America – while still ******* voting in U.S. elections.
Where’s Dennis Miller when we need a good, high-quality, high-decibel-level rant? (BTW, whatever happened to Dennis Miller after Bill O’Reilly got yanked off prime-time Fox News Channel [in favor of Tucker Carlson, no less]?)
If someone converts to Orthodox Christianity – my faith – you have to explicitly renounce the attributes of the faith you held before becoming Orthodox Christian (that’s in addition to renouncing Satan!). You can’t be a member in good standing while keeping one foot in your previous camp. That would be bonkers, right?
Yet, the Clooneys – probably – can keep their U.S. passports after gaining fresh new French passports, and be pains in the *** in two nations. And they can most likely vote in both French and U.S. elections. This isn’t good or right.
David Samuel McCalmont
Santa Barbara
Maduro’s Arrest Probably a Good Thing
I spent all day digging into the stunning news and watching the heartwarming videos of how most Venezuelans are reacting: U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an hours-long military operation and have brought them to New York to face long-standing drug charges.
At first, I was wary, as I’m not a fan of “regime changes” or getting bogged down in foreign conflicts that cost us trillions and kill thousands to millions of people. After hours of research, this one feels different, so I’m cautiously optimistic.
The DOJ unsealed a Grand Jury indictment from the Southern District of New York charging Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and others with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, possession of machine guns, and related counts. These build on the 2020 charges, and the details are incredibly specific, suggesting someone close to him provided key intel.
Then there’s the strategic side, which CynicalPublius laid out perfectly in his thread. Legally, it’s tied to those valid drug indictments, but the real driver was national security.
Venezuela under Maduro became a hub for U.S. adversaries: Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and China, via its “Belt and Road Initiative.” It sheltered cartels and gangs such as FARC, Sinaloa, and Tren de Aragua, facilitated migrant flows as a destabilization tool, and routed oil to our enemies on the black market.
Removing Maduro invokes the Monroe Doctrine, keeps hostile powers out of our hemisphere, and could flood the market with Venezuelan crude, dropping prices and costs of living for everyone while enriching the Venezuelan economy again.
As someone running a business in a state that’s killed off refineries and pipelines through bad policy, cheaper fuel is important to me. Energy is a critical building block for society. EVERYTHING costs more when fuel is expensive and being dependent on volatile global sources has never been good. Costs of goods and many services are directly affected by energy costs. My friend has a party supply company and fuel is his biggest overhead. It determines how much he charges and how much he can pay his staff.
Venezuela’s heavy crude matches what our infrastructure was designed for, back when we had good relations. This could bring stability, lower energy costs for Americans and other countries, and benefit Venezuelans who overwhelmingly rejected Maduro in their 2024 election before he clung to power with foreign backing and a military coup.
Legally, it seems to hold up. Precedents like Noriega and others show international arrests for U.S. charges are prosecutable. The operation was precise, no endless occupation (yet), and aligned with what Venezuelans want. Secretary Rubio dismissed UN complaints back in September calling Maduro an indicted fugitive.
This isn’t the endless wars Trump promised to avoid. It looks surgical, justified, and in our interests. Things could change, but based on today’s facts, I’m glad we acted. Cheaper fuel, stronger security, and justice for a narco-regime?
Sounds good to me.
Justin Shores
Santa Barbara
My Vision, and Where I Differ with Councilmember Sneddon.
On Paseo Nuevo, Councilmember Kristen Sneddon and I genuinely agree: a project of this scale needs to go to the voters. It’s public land, and before we commit to a decades-long deal, residents deserve transparency and the chance to weigh in. That’s not delay — that’s responsible stewardship.”
But when it comes to State Street, we differ. The closure made sense during COVID, but treating an emergency measure as permanent policy has hurt downtown. Vacancies persist, foot traffic is down, and accessibility has become harder for seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. I support a balanced plan that restores circulation, supports businesses, and creates a safe, inviting corridor for everyone — not just those who can navigate a nine-block closure.
On rent control, my approach is practical. Overregulation may feel compassionate, but it often reduces supply and accelerates the loss of small, local landlords. That hurts renters in the long run. I want stable, predictable housing through increased supply, ADUs, targeted enforcement for bad actors, and true partnership with the people who actually provide homes.
And finally, we must keep local elections local. I respect different viewpoints, but framing city issues around national political battles or Trump-centric narratives distracts from the work we’re supposed to do. I’m running to fix Santa Barbara — to revitalize downtown, strengthen our neighborhoods, and protect our city’s character — not to refight national culture wars.
I understand that national politics are emotional and divisive. But if every pothole, every zoning decision, and every budget debate gets filtered through ‘Trump’ or ‘Biden,’ we lose sight of what local government is supposed to do. I want City Hall to be a place where neighbors can work together regardless of how they voted in a presidential race.
Nick Sebastian,
Santa Barbara City Council Candidate
District 6
Flight 2026 Instructions:
Good morning and welcome to Flight 2026. We are prepared to take off into the New Year. Please make sure your Positive Attitude and Gratitude are secured and locked in the upright position. All self-destruct devices – pity, anger, selfishness, pride, and resentment – should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt, and discouragement should be put away. Should you lose your Positive Attitude under pressure during this flight, reach up and pull down a prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated, you can assist other passengers who are of little faith. There will be no baggage allowed on this flight. God, our Captain, has cleared us for take-off. Destination - Greatness!
Wishing you a New Year filled with hope, new joy, and new beginnings.
And welcome to 2026
Ronald Hays
Santa Barbara
Community Calendar:
Got a Santa Barbara event for our community calendar? Fenkner@sbcurrent.com
For those against dual citizenship, be aware that many politicians and those in government have dual citizenship. Let us begin there to deny dual loyalties as Australia has done.
Nice addition to sbcurrent.
Thanks