Sadly, the country, and this city are full of people who endorse the Harris Walz agendas. America is on the verge of going forever dark. This election may or may not truly be a valid reflection of the wishes of the electorate, but we should not pull the blankets over our heads and hope the monster under the bed is just a bad dream. Thomas Cole is running locally against Salud Carbajal, who is in lockstep with nearly everything most of us reject. I am not saying this to bring out the obligatory objections of those wasting their time as hecklers on this site. I am suggesting that we make a big push to elect someone with values WE endorse. Wringing our hands and citing the obvious flaws in the Harris/ Pelosi/ Carbajal/ Schiff show won’t elect people with plans to reverse course here and nationally.
And yet? here you are in all your hypocritical grandness!. Your illustrious leader of MAGA World is a couple of months away from another presidential election loss and possible Prison sentence and you are predictably pushing your agenda in full force. Sadly you people will never learn that the World passed your restrictive values by years ago, and for better or worse, you’ll never see those days again. Is the liberal way of life flawed? Of course!, but it’s still a better life than what you conservatives preach. Thomas Cole will lose! Donald Trump will lose… again!. There will most likely be violence because of his second loss and that’s tragic, but predictable from Trump and his minions. But at the end of his carnage. He will still have been a loser again. If you really are an advocate for your conservative beliefs, then may I suggest you find better representation from your chosen candidates? You’re never again going to win any election with these far right MAGA types. The world is done with all things MAGA! I’d suggest stop your whining and complaining about the left and work harder on better representation. Or continue to enjoy your misery.
"A vote for Kamala Harris, in other words, will be a vote for the phantom candidate: a candidate who only exists in fiction."
Yes, that is in keeping with their general overall strategy: The Dems are either voting FOR a phantom candidate (it doesn't really matter who is in that slot, currently it is Harris); or they are voting AGAINST a phantom fictional boogeyman (it doesn't really matter who is in that slot either, currently it is Trump)
There is not a thing that is genuine or authentic about them, their platform, their issues, or their outrage.
Steve Garvey is our hope for the Senate, unless California wants to persist in sending Schiff back to Washington to lie and promote the evil DNC agenda. Cole and Garvey both need our $, votes and support.
I read this excellent article by Mr, Zepke titled "Meet The Phantom Candidate"
and I quote from the important serious problem presented concerning VP Kammy
as follows; "Kamala Harris’s managing of the border is an example of her campaign “moving to the center.” Shortly after she was crowned the Democrat nominee, Border Czar Harris, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) head, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced they were suspending flights they had been using for years to bring Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV), into the U.S." ....."An internal review from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) identified tens of thousands of potentially fraudulent CHNV applications called I-134A forms. An audit of these I-134A applications (filled out online by foreign nationals) show that thousands were using the same IP address, Social Security numbers of dead people, fake phone numbers, and nearly 20,000 of them listed the same address."
The New Title should be "The Phantom 20 Million Illegals & THE PLAN" Yes this is clearly a plan
and anyone going down to the Darein Gap will immediately see the HUGE AMOUNT of money into the NGO's to facilitate "THE PLAN" which is a very sinister, method, one of many, to degrade and CONTROL the US. I will let you all Quess at who is IN CONTROL.
The single best explanation of "THE PLAN" comes from a former Military Special Forces Operator named Michael Yon who recently was on former Navy Seal's program Shawn Ryan's Show. Please take some time and listen to this folks because Michael and Shawn clearly explain what is really going on.
1.] When traveling in Vietnam in 2017, the guides there told me that Vietnam had discovered big oil reserves in their waters. China was claiming that oil amongst other things because it was in the "South China Sea". The sea was named after China so they claim everything in it belongs to China. The guides also said, the Chinese fishing ships come into Vietnam waters and drop fake antiques onto the ocean bed and then come back a month later to retrieve the fakes and claim that the Chinese were there in ancient times and that this was their territory to begin with!! Exactly what Michael said about archaeological warfare.
2.] Vietnamese guides also stated that the Chinese began building their infrastructure with Chinese labor, engineers and architects. They were always going over the budget with no progress to show for it. If anything went wrong with the infrastructure, they could not trace the problem as plans were never provided to the Vietnamese govt. Eventually Vietnam decided to work with south Koreans and Japanese companies because they are not on a land grab mission.
3.] China has taken up 12K square miles of Indian territory illegally in the North of India. The way they did this was to falsify the maps from 1800s showing the boundaries of the 2 countries. The accord that was signed showed the correct boundaries but then the Chinese have pushed the boundaries on their copy of the map to show they own more territory into India. They then claimed that India's maps are wrong and that Indians are lying about the boundaries.
4.] Belt and Road Initiative: China essentially gives money to poorer countries and puts them in debt to the CCP. Then takes over the infrastructure like ports after they build it with Chinese prison labor. The prison labor remains in those countries and marries local women. A friend from Sri Lanka recently told me how her father's condo building now has 6 Han Chinese men (who would normally be in prison in China) living with Sri Lankan women after China took over the main trading port of Hambantota in Colombo. China installed a president in Maldives after a coup. Now Maldives belongs to China.
5.] A courier came to our house 2 days ago with a parcel in an unmarked car (black corolla). I asked him who he was and he handed me a package and he said "no English". The guy was Chinese and couldn't speak a word of English. He appeared to have recently arrived here. Don't get me wrong. My best friend is Chinese and I am not anti Chinese, just anti CCP.
6.] My bet is that these migrants will be shipped from their camps in cities to all small towns and rural areas everywhere in the US. Nobody is safe anywhere!
7.] Did you know that Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world where 50% of the country is arable land? They call the soil there "black gold". The richest soil on the planet is in Ukraine. Now is this a coincidence that the war was started in Ukraine?
Democrats don't vote on issues: 23 million government employees vote for what their unions and rank and file tell them to do - elect only Democrats, if you want to protect your paychecks perks and pensions. Period.
Democrat "issues" are a smokescreens that hide their real agenda: Big Government and even bigger government, until there is no question they finally own us all. They are close, so very close to this final objective. It makes me sleepless at night. Dr. Ben Carson recently warned on Tucker Carlson we are only one or two more elections away from a final capitulation to the Deep State.
Democrats will "move to the center" before this election because this is their tried and true election gambit. We are so close to a point of no return. The 23 million Big Government machine - federal, state, county and local just needs to bring in a few people each - family members and friends and this nation becomes what the Democrat "super-majority" did to California.
23 million government employees just need to toss in a few dollars every week, and their fundraising looks formidable. They also answer polls without having to disclose their own self-interests, since no one every asks in the polls will you personally and directly benefit from this election?
The environment, social justice, abortion, guns ..... these are all distraction issues intended to get their opposition to fight in the weeds, while they capture the high-ground and don't let go. They continue to laugh all the way to the bank. We have seen this play our locally, county wide, and statewide. Pick our issues carefully and stop dancing to their tunes - bust them wide open for what they truly present to voters - devouring, all encompassing Big Government and micromanaging every detail of our lives.
Nothing wrong with voting your own self-interests. What is wrong is demanding others pay for its fulfillment. It is the economy, stupid just like all other times when Democrats grasp for more power.
All of what you say is true, but that does not mitigate what Trump is doing. Currently, he is running the worst campaign in the history of American politics. He is practically handing her the election because of gross incompetence and ineptitude.
Lou, what are your examples of Trump's ineptitude? And if he's so bad why aren't they having Kamala debate him right now? Why are they only allowing one debate a whole month from now? If Kamala is such a master that she puts Trump to shame, why is he openly talking to the press and they're hiding her from any questions. You make these assertions but they bear no resemblance to any reality. The reality is that Kamala is not running any kind of Democratic campaign, in fact, they are hiding what she thinks. A confident campaign is an open one. Trump is being open. He is continuing to campaign despite nearly being assassinated. Please explain how this is anything but courageous and loyalty to his supporters on Trump's part.
Incompetence is allowing Harris to dominate the airwaves in the battleground states for the last two weeks while Trump has spent virtually no money there. She is continuously running ads around the clock about being tough on crime and the border (I kid you not) without any response or ads from the Trump campaign in these states. While she is campaigning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and PA this past week, Trump had no appearances anywhere because he was playing golf everyday. Instead, he shows up in Montana, a state he already has locked up. Finally, instead of zeroing in on the issues and Harris record, he is attacking Republican governors, Joe Rogan and making ridiculous statements about Harris's race and ethnicity, all stuff that is guaranteed to piss off voters. As I said he is running the worst campaign in the history of American politics, losing to a lightweight because his campaign is incompetent and his personality is toxic, alienating the majority of voters in America.
What media are you following, Lou. I only saw her cringy donation appeal occasionally on you-tube or something - which was begging and utterly unwatchable but would be a direct appeal to her 23 million government employee base to kick in a few dollars each.
The channels I frequent, I see nothing. Yet i see Trump making intrusions now into the younger media influencers channels.
If you live in WI, PA, MI, AZ, you would be subjected to endless Harris commercials saying she is a fearless prosecutor who will be tough on crime and the border. Trump currently is running no TV ads in any of these states except PA. He has $200 million, what is he doing with it?
Lous, waiting for Harris to flame out on her own. That too is happening.
So far she is only preaching to her government employee union choir, trying to hold on to the traditional Democrat base which is leaking badly around the edges, but the government employee union core will be atrocious-turf Harris(D) all the away.
No point wasting money trying to dislodge them. Trump is making direct appeals to the edges and that is working.
FYI, there are powerful & extremely accurate software models that assess the electorate, and thus where & when to spend time & money based on internal polling (highly accurate, thus not shared with general public, except for desired effects — see internal polling released/discussed post Trump/Biden debate when the coup against Biden was put in motion)
Lou, the reality is a 23 million member government employee voter base (hive mind) is a formidable Democrat advantage, regardless of any candidate in opposition to Big Government and more Big Government. A huge monoculture voting base that is also supported by a Big Media mocking bird operation, blind to the truth or facts. Did you see their recent montage of Kamala Harris equals "joy" over, and over, and over again?
What strategies do you have to neutralize that voter block which has now proven for the past four years and the current Democrat succession chaos, that they will all vote only Democrats anyway.
This built-in voter base was threatened, and are now more activated simply because they don't have to admit they were backing a known senile dementia candidate just because he had a (D) by his name. Touting the now fully hidden Kamala Harris is good enough to take the senile Joe Biden reality off their disciplined and astro-tufed political enthusiasm.
Do you think we have reached that critical tipping point where those numbers that permanently benefit from some form of Big Government dependency will control the entire future of this country now and forever?
How does any alternative candidate, including Trump, ever get ahead of the Democrats Big Government voting block advantage? 23 million government employees - supported only by our own tax dollars - is an election distortion the Founders never contemplated.
You blame only one man, but you must also realize after what we have seen these past four years this voting block will support anyone and oppose anyone - including Ron Desantis. et al.
Yes, it's not easy for any Republican candidate to get elected when the media, labor unions and govt workers are all endeavoring to elect the Democratic candidate. But that doesn't refute what I am saying about how poorly the Trump campaign is doing. It's possible for both things to be true. Donald Trump is not a good candidate in a general election. He does well with many Republicans but not with moderates, independents and suburban voters. He has a toxic personality and is generally disliked by the majority of Americans. When he spends as much time as he does obsessing about crowd sizes, Harris's ethnicity/race and attacking Republican governors of battleground states, he is needlessly alienating millions of voters. He is also unable to articulate his policy differences with Harris. Instead he stoops to juvenile personal insults which just makes him even more unlikable. The tragedy is we had better candidates who could have done a much better job running against Harris. Someday, hopefully, Republican voters will understand this reality. Unfortunately, they might have to learn it the hard way.
RHINOS like you are probably jealous of the Democrat party's ability to install a candidate irrespective of the voters will. Your hero Nikki Haley was incompetent to secure the nomination. Your hatred of Trump is grotesque.
Yes, vote with your UNION. I am retired now, but I enjoyed for many years the gifts that Union Labor purchased for ALL of us with their blood, sweat, toil, and tears - an 8 hour workday, a 40 work week, a weekend, and an end to exploitive child labor. Who is the "wage slave" who wouldn't vote for that? Two of labor's 1890 goals remain: universal health care and free public education AFTER high school. Yes, comrades, there are many Republican "wage slaves."
A great example of this is the United Auto Workers union endorsing Harris. The Democrats policies have and will hurt auto workers more than anything else on the horizon. The union is leading the lambs to the slaughter house.
Justin, today, there are allegedly more academia members in UAW than auto workers. Due to declining private sector union membership (after destroying the underlying private industries), traditional private sector unions like UAW and Teamsters are now moving into the public sector, such as academia to keep those membership dues flowing into Democrat causes.
The public sector turf presently includes SEIU and the teachers unions as the biggest players, along with many other public sector union players. There must be some interesting private negotiations going on among the big union players how to collegially carve up the rapidly expanding Big Government cache of tax dollars.
Who gets their hands on the many Big Government layers now found in academia subject to unionizing - college sports teams, graduate students ....etc.
How many of our own tax dollars ultimately end up in the hands of the public sector union today?
(In the public sector, we pay their salaries and they pay their union dues from what we pay them, which in turn is used to get even more of our tax dollars. See how this now works?)
The local UAW supported the UCSB anti Israel protest. Was crazy to see them boldly put their name on it. In California we will lose 80-100k mechanic jobs due to EV mandates.
Thanks, Brent, excellent column. Your Kamala-voting exec is hilarious. He's voting for what he fantasizes she will become right before the election, not recognizing that by saying she will go closer to the center in order to win the election he's voting for a completely dishonest person who has no trouble saying anything, so right after the election she may go in the completely opposite direction.
For most of us Kamala's “no there there” is disturbing, but for this CEO it means he can project his desperation onto her. Maybe his job hinges on the Dem winning. Or maybe he got his company to give so much money to the campaign that he's toast if she doesn't win, so he's got to come up with some authoritative sounding pitch to convince voters to go for Kamala. This guy is clearly so frantic about his future he's projecting onto Kamala everything he needs to save himself.
Meanwhile, other people showed that they can project onto Kamala. In Michigan she became outraged at Palestinian protestors, then the media tried to cover it up by saying she was very sympathetic to them and would have an embargo against Israel, to which her campaign manager said that no she wouldn't do that, she is pro-Israel.
Obviously, a lot of people have a lot banking on the Dems winning so all the chicanery Biden allowed them to get away with won't come out and they can save their elite lives. Have you ever seen so many people in positions of power be this bonkers? I haven't.
But the elites are not going to have the world their way through Kamala. Sure, they could control Biden, but even with dementia he's still a recognizable Democrat politician. Kamala isn't a politician. She isn't anything. She's beyond the reach of dementia or alcohol. She has never had anything at all going on in her head. Which has always made her perfect for power hungry people to project onto. She's the classic Borderline. Enter the black hole all who crave power.
“ phantom candidate” is correct. Kamala & Tampon Tim will not be on the November Ballot.
Currently Kamala is not the nominee for the DNC.
Kamala is using Biden political campaign identification number.
The DNC subverted democracy when they refused to hold primaries to allow American Democrats to choose their leader. Election interference? Not if you don’t hold an election. Just blatant elites appointing who they want as the figure head. A puppet.
But to the point. Why do you think they are distracting the people with the Kamala show? Everyone, including my dig, knows she has the worst ratings in history and they chose an extreme far left VP running mate that Democrat voters as a whole do not like. Worst & Worst, Dumb & Dumber.
Wait till the phantom candidate is announced and how relieved Dem Voters will be that it is not Kamala.
But in their DEI world how can you slide in someone who is not of color and female or gender confused?
And why is Newsom trying to clean up the homeless after losing $24 Billion? VP ticket?
Just saying, we know Dem Voters are naive, but naive enough to get behind the Birder Czar & Tampon Tim? Cheating would definitely be noticed.
Brian, you may wish to peruse this mornings NYT/Siena poll numbers indicating that the Harris/Wallz ticket has opened up a lead in a number of swing states.
polls belong in the same (trash) basket as Factcheckers, Mainstream Media, et al. All are cottage industries working for Communists/Marxist attempting to collapse Our Great Nation. EVERYTHING IS RIGGED!
Beautiful thing about this election season: we get to relive/review the 2020 election season with Eyes Wide Open…we are watching the systematic destruction of the Old Guard
and Trump had a 2% chance of winning in 16 within a week of the vote, according to the polls. Do you believe actual 'POLLS' were conducted? Pre-election POLLS: HRC favored 90-98%? Manipulated POLLS meant to 'legitimize' rigged election results?
"The election was not rigged - all the POLLS demonstrated Biden's clear lead across the Country." Nothing to lose?
Methinks both sides know the exact electoral result (including state-by-state, by county, by precinct, by neighborhood, and likely how each & everyone would vote) if the election were held today, within 1-5%.
* You are no longer allowed to read this comment. Comment removed following complaint made by the Ministry of Truth (see George Orwell's 1984). 😎
Peter, you don't really read NYT and trust them any more, do you? They have a long record of dishonesty when it suited them - The Weapons of Mass Destruction, not reporting on the Bushs' well known drug trade during the Central American conflict yo name but two. But they also did some good reporting. That's completely gone. It is nothing more than propaganda. Don't alarm bells go off in you when they said Biden was fine when he wasn't and then all of a sudden told us he hadn't been well? Would you put up with this kind of lying from a partner or spouse? No, you'd divorce them, never speak to them again. But you still give NYT your money and your belief that they are the paper to trust. Why?
Hi Peter, “accuracy” means they can verify that the poll didn't doctor the stats, but not that it's an accurate representation of how America as a whole will vote. I'm honestly not interested in polls at all. I have no interest in right wing polls either. You must love torturing your blood pressure!
Harris will move to the center when the City of SB Council will reopen State St. and the City of Goleta will acknowledge the devastating congestion of Old Town Hollister and revert it.
I totally agree with you about downtown Goleta and the mess that has been made of it. I have not heard from one single person who thinks that it's not a disaster. It is an accident waiting to happen and whoever came up with the plan should be fired. As far as State Street, I have pretty much given up on it. What a shame.
I remember Old Town when I was a kid. Somebody was always getting hurled out of the swinging doors of the Silver Dollar Saloon (I think I'm remembering the name), Madame Rosinka had her palmistry studio on the corner of Fairview, and I'd go see Roger Corman horror movies on a date at the Drive-In nearby and the poor sheriff was stuck dealing with us hippies calling him a pig. (Not me.) Nothing stays the same. Sometimes I see an old broken down hippie and think “did I make out with him at the drive-in? How'd he get old?” Yet I recognized his rakish charm even if he could lose 50 lbs. it made me happy. But the changes the powers-that-shouldn't-be are making are hideous, toxic, will improve nothing, and are destroying what remained of a wonderful, small town. Vote these parasites out!
I grew up in Goleta. I love it. But as I said the other day, Goleta is not The Good Land, it's The Dumping Land. When I came back to live here I couldn't believe how terrible the development has become. Old Town. Hollister. Don't get me started on the airport. My friend, the columnist James Kunstler (Clusterfuck Nation https://jameshowardkunstler.substack.com/) has written about how Americans will spend thousands to visit a beautifully preserved town in another country and then their own cities are developed into chaotic ugliness. I don't want to spend thousands to visit a beautiful little city in Europe. I want to drive into Goleta and be proud of it.
The ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL OF GOLETA FROM THE MAYOE ON SIGNED ON FOR THIS PLAN. You are correct the congestion is both environmentally a disaster as well as accidents waiting to happen. There is a petition circulating in Old Town to force the council to change Hollister back. Remember there is an election coming up.....will you vote for the same council that concocted this scheme?
Additional note ... Santa Barbara is allowing unlicensed gypsy kitchens on city side walks. Friday evening starting at 6:30 there were 2 on State (entrance to La Cumbre Plaza & State and Las Positas) When the police or fire are called the answer is unless it is imminent danger to the public they will not enforce city laws. At 2:00 Sat. afternoon there was a popup stand on Anapamu. It was at least 40 feet long selling cut fruit and vegetables. Non License. The Council are cowards when it comes to enforcement of City Laws.... There is an election in November.
It's irrelevant where Kamala Harris moves, left, right, center etc. What is more important to understand is who exactly is running the US government and congress? All the so called lawmakers including the president and vice presidents are just puppets. There is an INVISIBLE hand of the globalist puppet masters that are running the show. We can call them the deep state, the globalist bankers, illuminati etc. I call them the bloodsuckers or parasites that hold humanity in slavery and bondage. The everyday layperson has been SUCKERED into believing that voting matters. The my team versus your team nonsense. In reality, the entire government is a smokescreen and kabuki theatre run by these parasites. Start taking local and state offices under your control and then we as the grassroots might actually have a hell's chance in taking anything back, including our freedoms.
Oh but truer "Words of Wisdom" has been said by Ms. Wagh. And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree ..........And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be........
As Ms. Wagh clearly defines the entire problem "Who is running the US Government and Congress?"
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be ........
As Ms. Vagh again Speaks Words of Wisdom. "We can call them the deep state, the globalist bankers, illuminati etc. I call them the bloodsuckers or parasites that hold humanity in slavery and bondage."
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be .........
As Ms. Vagh states again "Start taking local and state offices under your control and then we as the grassroots might actually have a hell's chance in taking anything back, including our freedoms."
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be ...........
Ms. Vagh is accurate when she states "The my team versus your team nonsense."
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Ms. Waugh, With such dire predictions, might we see your name as a candidate, such as a local school board or perhaps on the local Mosquito and Vector Management District in your fight against “slavery & bondage”?
I am supporting some good candidates in Santa Barbara county for local offices. There are plenty of good people with integrity in this county. However, a lot of these good people have families and are always cautious to step forward as many people I've spoken to and have coaxed to run for local and state offices are CONCERNED with negative political blow back. However, I know of at least 3 solid candidates that I'm personally assisting that have tentatively come forward to run for local and state offices. As far as I'm concerned, my skills lie in helping good candidates move forward as opposed to being one myself. I like working on the sidelines to get future leaders in the forefront. Not an excuse on my part to NOT run for office, but more of a reality check on my part. Hope that answers your question.
Hello Mr. Scott I would respectfully disagree with your assessment on Ms. Vagh's
statements. Since I have walked down missile aisle hundreds of time on the SSBN
Ohio, Michigan and Florida, in the 1980's, the US Government, or those who actually control the US Government, have gotten us in a full-scale war against the other most powerful Nuclear Power that is Russia.
From the above weblink I quote "Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs)
The Navy's ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as an undetectable launch platform for intercontinental missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads.
Each of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs originally carried up to 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with multiple, independently-targeted warheads.
If I were you Mr Scott I would start praying.....................
I have a fantasy that Tweedledum and Tweedledee, (Kamala and AWOL Tim), might not be around after the DNC on the 19th. And if they survive that exposure, the debate with Trump on 9/10 should do it! How’s that for wishful thinking?
When Joe Biden selected his running mate in 2020, progressives were not happy with his pick. To them, Kamala Harris was considered too centrist, not liberal enough. Plenty of my progressive friends were disappointed. She was my first choice however, because in general I prefer a moderate candidate and would vote for a suitable moderate Republican over a far left Democrat. I do realize that "moderate" is a relative term. Some folks are just so far out there that their center doesn't align with that of the general population. In summary, Harris is and was a moderate Democrat. This piece is based on a false premise.
The BBC, back in 2020: “GovTrack, an independent nonpartisan website, lists her as the most liberal of all 100 senators.” She co-sponsored the Green New Deal … She endorses “reimagining” law enforcement … She wants to ban fracking … Alongside AOC she introduced a “climate equity” bill … At one point she endorsed Medicare for all … She wants to crack down on gun ownership … She’s compared ICE to the KKK … She wants illegal aliens to become citizens. Kamala may not be progressive enough for you and your friends but by the standards of most Americans, she’s pretty far out there.
Sawbilly, this is misleading. Regarding your comment regarding Kamala Harris: "She’s compared ICE to the KKK," read this coverage on the story from foxnews.com July 29, 2024 (but read VERY carefully):
At a November 2018 confirmation hearing, then-Sen. Harris asked Ronald Vitiello, who was former President Trump’s nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if he was "aware of the perception" of parallels between ICE and the KKK.
Harris had highlighted a tweet from Vitiello from 2015 in which he said the Democratic Party was comparable to a "neo-Klanist" entity. Vitiello apologized and admitted that those words were offensive."
So, to summarize, Harris asked Vitiello if he was aware of THE PERCEPTION OF PARALLELS (caps to emphasize not shout - no bold print available in the comments section) between ICE and the KKK (perception by whom, idk, but she didn't say that it was her perception). She said this AFTER he had said that the Democratic Party was comparable to a neo-Klanist entity!! I can see how ICE and the KKK could both be perceived as racist (this is one possible parallel) but the Democratic Party and Neo-Klanist entity? And HE is the one that started this silliness.
Not the same thing as your words: "She’s compared ICE to the KKK."
The rest of what you said isn't that far out there or has gone on for decades without impending doom. Lots of current US citizens have arrived here undocumented over many years, and are now an asset to our country (this doesn't mean we support out-of-control immigration). Plenty of conservatives admire the ideals of John Muir and other environmentalists (take a look at some nasty polluted parts of the world to get some perspective). Not an "out-there" set of ideals. Socialized medicine exists in many developed countries, some that are even on the conservative side (in the traditional sense), like Australia. Do you think any American should be without access to healthcare? Do a little research on what it looks like when a person in need of medical attention has no access to healthcare and then see if you still feel that way.
Victoria, where do you get off acting so superior? You're talking to other people who are polite enough to not call you an idiot, but instead give you reasons and facts you might take a moment to consider. But oh no, Victoria has to sneer and nitpick rather than discuss issues. I don't care how wonderfully political rational and centrist liberal you think you are, you're talking about Kamala Harris and she's the one running for the most powerful position on this planet - not you. So start thinking about if you really think she's up to handling an economic collapse and WWIII and stop flouncing around like Marie Antionette. The world is in dangerous chais right now. And don't go blaming Trump. He wasn't in the White House. Joe was. And the same people lying about his competence are now lying about Kamala's competence. To use your phrase, do a little research.
Polly, no superiority intended. I learned to formulate a logical argument in grade school English (so did you?). Your writing is irrational, unhinged, and all over the place. I won't be responding to you in the future.
Lol, you are too funny. Well, some of us learned to formulate an argument in grade school and then progressed beyond that. Oh, and don't respond. Have a great day.
Well, Victoria, you certainly deserve a 5th grade trophy for all that hard work. Meanwhile, those of us who have proceeded to 6th grade (and beyond!) are familiar with a distinction between “the trees” and “the forest.” You’re lost in the trees. Kamala raised the ICE/KKK point in a confirmation hearing because she wanted that association (ICE/KKK) on the record, with her name on it. Adult life lesson: people speaking in hearings often aren’t trying to make logical points, they’re positioning themselves and trying to make themselves look good. They’re doing it for effect. Analyzing literal meanings is missing the point altogether.
But why trust me? CNN (corporate left) went with “Kamala Fears Backlash for Comparing ICE to KKK”:
And the BBC (non-American, tending Globalist/left) felt justified in printing “In a 2018 Senate hearing, Ms Harris outraged conservatives by drawing parallels between the Ku Klux Klan and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
It was obvious to CNN, to National Review and to the BBC what Kamala was really up to. Why isn’t it obvious to you?
As for the rest of your points: Well, you seem to want to debate ‘em one by one. Perfectly fine, but my point above didn’t have anything to do with that. My point was that the package of policies Kamala seems — in her hilariously incoherent, Wine Mom, California way — to stand for is, by most Americans’ standards, extremely progressive. Like that fact or not, it’s true. It’s why the Dems are, as Brent in his article and others in this thread have noted, working unbelievably (if not comically) hard to remake Kamala as a lovable centrist. They want Trump to be perceived as the extremist, not Kamala.
Sawbilly, your argument deserves a D- due to a lack of facts, clear argument, or original ideas. And yes, specificity matters in making an argument (the tree in the forest, point by point).
In addition, you impute motives, use ad hominem attacks, and make conspiracy-type claims without evidence (e.g., "she raised that point because she wanted that association on the record," or "it's obvious what she was really up to."
And so what if so-and-so said that "Harris feared backlash," "outraged conservatives," or what-not? However, you didn't provide their actual quote backing this up and I wasn't going to spend my time searching. Weren't you the least bit curious what Harris's actual words were, and what events happened (the context) that brought about this news coverage?
I was, so did a quick search (it wasn't difficult) I stated direct quotes, and created my own analysis. This is what they teach you in school.. I suggest you try it!
Do you even know how to pick out a fact (if there is one) from someone else's analysis of events? Do you have any ideas of your own or do you rely on questionable news sources to tell you what to think? Are you able to make a clear thesis statement or do your skills limit you to a scattered/random barrage of claims and personal insults?
Furthermore, your news sources are not exactly as you describe them. How about identifying their propensity for reporting facts (or not)? According to Ad Fontes, a non-partisan media rating site, The National Review's content contains "opinion, or wide variation in reliability." Since you clearly can't differentiate fact from opinion, I would advise you to utilize this chart and choose media sources that are fact-based (at the top of the chart), something that outweighs their left or right designation:
Yep, that's moderate alright. She worked create a fund to bail out destructive rioters in Minnesota. She also said the rioting would and should continue.
Interesting article by Mr. Zepke. Is it anything new? Did I learn anything I didn’t already know? The answer is a resounding NO! This “plan” has been set in place long ago, since the election of Barack Obama.
“Hope and Change?” Yes, in their world of “equality and justice,” Governmental Affairs will work much differently. Distribution of justice, healthcare, housing, program funding, food insecurity, child care, tax liability, guaranteed income, and reparations will all be dolled out based on where someone falls on the “grievance paradigm.” That’s right, certain members of society, based on past injustices will have certain inalienable rights and entitlements.
Sure, there are already discussions about those whose unknown ancestors were brought to our country against their will, long ago, by people who no longer exist, will be reimbursed for all their pain and suffering. The concept of restitution and awarded damages should sound familiar to Mr. Zepke.
Yes, their twisted idolatry should be of no surprise to anyone. It is Saul Alinsky on steroids. Dividing our county based on race, culture, sexuality, income and religion.
This will result in a massive raid on the US Treasury by Government activists in order to achieve their goals. Is it of any surprise that our border is wide open, letting in millions of grieving souls? Are they from predominantly white, Christian countries such as Norway, Denmark, Germany, Ireland? Of course not. No, they are from almost exclusively, non-white, impoverished, violent, and in many cases, non-Christian countries.
This is all by design in order to change the very fabric and soul of our country.
Their twisted ideology goes on to include “environmental grievance and injustice.” Yes, companies such as Mobil/Exxon, Standard Oil, Shell Oil, and Monsanto.
This shakedown will be in lieu for all the past AND future pain and suffering for marginalized peoples from all over the world!
In the end, this shakedown of the US Treasury will result in a collapsing dollar and our economy, the largest in the world, would then collapse like a house of cards. Social unrest would soon follow.
Sorry to be so glib and blunt, but this apocalyptic nightmare can happen unless people stand up NOW! Clearly, we need to start one School Board, City Council, Congressional District, Senate Seat and Gubernatorial race at a time.
Barack Obama was a creation of SEIU and ACORN. A media cipher with a teleprompter. The nation got hood-winked. That was our national turning point for this century.
Sir, you realize that most of South America is at least nominally/culturally Catholic correct? You can oppose illegal immigration and a strong border, but to claim that South America is somehow not Christian (and you bring up incredibly progressive and secular states like present day Ireland, Germany, and Denmark) is just odd. It's especially odd because Denmark in particular has an extensive welfare system rooted in social democracy that I imagine you would label as akin to socialism.
It is inaccurate to claim Denmark has a "welfare system". In fact they laugh when their form of government-run services, funded mutually by their choice of high tax payments, is compared to the US welfare system. The US is a third-party wealth redistribution system instead, and not a mutually shared social service system. Denmark jealously remains a mono-culture, which makes it far safer to live their shared values.
Even though Denmark and the United States have different ways in which they operate their social support services, it's still welfare. Denmark may have a universal system rooted in social democratic policies unlike America's targeted welfare programs, but both countries ultimately seek to provide material aid to the it's citizens.
Please, enough with the sideshow and semantics of if Denmark is Socialist or not. Having been there, I can tell you they have it together much more than we do. Yes, their immigration policy is changing by virtue of the culture being overrun.
No not really. Denmark is a liberal and secular nation and is infested with moral decay not unlike America. Besides, your arguments effectively negate the diversity of people's even with European Nations. Germany is not the same Ireland, Southern German states like Bavaria are not the same both culturally and religiously like the Northern German state Hanover. You seem to have no respect for regional identities and cultures, instead promoting a homoegnized nationalist vision where we have sameness everywhere.
You also never addressed my point about how South America is still culturally and nominally Catholic in contrast to Europe which is overwhelmingly secular.
She is not a phantom. She is a fraud. She is a hard Left lightweight reading pablum from a teleprompter while the MSM tells its audience that she is a moderate who was a tough on crime prosecutor.
You do realize that readers can "fact check" what you write? Claims that Harris was named the "border czar" have become a repetitive claim of the MAGA crowd. But President Biden never put VP Harris in charge of overseeing border security. She was appointed by him to oversee America's diplomatic efforts with Mexico and Central American countries. Likewise, Harris dropped out of the primaries earlier, leaving Biden to compete with other contenders. However, any primary win for incumbent President Biden was also a primary win for his incumbent VP, Kamala Harris, since he had no intention of replacing her on the ticket. Biden's pledged delegates only voted for his incumbent VP running mate after he withdrew. If anyone should be whining about her candidacy, it should be all those "disenfranchised" democrats. They don't seem to be too despondent to me. Trump's conscious refusal to pronounce her name correctly and his racist claims about her ethnic and racial identity are more evidence of his cognitive decline and unfitness for office. As Republicans, we should all consider finding a younger candidate without a criminal record.
Somebody pinch me! I had a nightmare last night - I dreamt Cackling Kamala was elected President so I immediately killed myself! Can you imagine that fool in charge of the United States, the biggest, most complicated entity in the world?
But remembering there’s an ass for every saddle, I finally figured out where she would fit in in Washington D.C. - the Assistant Manager of the White House Garage. I said Assistant Manager! To put her in complete charge of anything would be a disaster!
Sadly, the country, and this city are full of people who endorse the Harris Walz agendas. America is on the verge of going forever dark. This election may or may not truly be a valid reflection of the wishes of the electorate, but we should not pull the blankets over our heads and hope the monster under the bed is just a bad dream. Thomas Cole is running locally against Salud Carbajal, who is in lockstep with nearly everything most of us reject. I am not saying this to bring out the obligatory objections of those wasting their time as hecklers on this site. I am suggesting that we make a big push to elect someone with values WE endorse. Wringing our hands and citing the obvious flaws in the Harris/ Pelosi/ Carbajal/ Schiff show won’t elect people with plans to reverse course here and nationally.
AMEN... We need to vote these people out.
And yet? here you are in all your hypocritical grandness!. Your illustrious leader of MAGA World is a couple of months away from another presidential election loss and possible Prison sentence and you are predictably pushing your agenda in full force. Sadly you people will never learn that the World passed your restrictive values by years ago, and for better or worse, you’ll never see those days again. Is the liberal way of life flawed? Of course!, but it’s still a better life than what you conservatives preach. Thomas Cole will lose! Donald Trump will lose… again!. There will most likely be violence because of his second loss and that’s tragic, but predictable from Trump and his minions. But at the end of his carnage. He will still have been a loser again. If you really are an advocate for your conservative beliefs, then may I suggest you find better representation from your chosen candidates? You’re never again going to win any election with these far right MAGA types. The world is done with all things MAGA! I’d suggest stop your whining and complaining about the left and work harder on better representation. Or continue to enjoy your misery.
"A vote for Kamala Harris, in other words, will be a vote for the phantom candidate: a candidate who only exists in fiction."
Yes, that is in keeping with their general overall strategy: The Dems are either voting FOR a phantom candidate (it doesn't really matter who is in that slot, currently it is Harris); or they are voting AGAINST a phantom fictional boogeyman (it doesn't really matter who is in that slot either, currently it is Trump)
There is not a thing that is genuine or authentic about them, their platform, their issues, or their outrage.
Steve Garvey is our hope for the Senate, unless California wants to persist in sending Schiff back to Washington to lie and promote the evil DNC agenda. Cole and Garvey both need our $, votes and support.
I agree and I voted for him last time and will again this time.
I read this excellent article by Mr, Zepke titled "Meet The Phantom Candidate"
and I quote from the important serious problem presented concerning VP Kammy
as follows; "Kamala Harris’s managing of the border is an example of her campaign “moving to the center.” Shortly after she was crowned the Democrat nominee, Border Czar Harris, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) head, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced they were suspending flights they had been using for years to bring Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV), into the U.S." ....."An internal review from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) identified tens of thousands of potentially fraudulent CHNV applications called I-134A forms. An audit of these I-134A applications (filled out online by foreign nationals) show that thousands were using the same IP address, Social Security numbers of dead people, fake phone numbers, and nearly 20,000 of them listed the same address."
The New Title should be "The Phantom 20 Million Illegals & THE PLAN" Yes this is clearly a plan
and anyone going down to the Darein Gap will immediately see the HUGE AMOUNT of money into the NGO's to facilitate "THE PLAN" which is a very sinister, method, one of many, to degrade and CONTROL the US. I will let you all Quess at who is IN CONTROL.
The single best explanation of "THE PLAN" comes from a former Military Special Forces Operator named Michael Yon who recently was on former Navy Seal's program Shawn Ryan's Show. Please take some time and listen to this folks because Michael and Shawn clearly explain what is really going on.
Michael Yon was down to the Darien Gap investigating before almost anyone else and now Yon has serious connections down there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-cKQ-emN6Y
This entire subject should be a "Special Article" here on the Santa Barbara Current.
Where are all of these "Illegal's" being flown and quite literally "Inserted"??
That answer is part of "THE PHANTOM PLAN."
Howard Walther, member of a Military Family
Thank you for the link. Very informative video.
1.] When traveling in Vietnam in 2017, the guides there told me that Vietnam had discovered big oil reserves in their waters. China was claiming that oil amongst other things because it was in the "South China Sea". The sea was named after China so they claim everything in it belongs to China. The guides also said, the Chinese fishing ships come into Vietnam waters and drop fake antiques onto the ocean bed and then come back a month later to retrieve the fakes and claim that the Chinese were there in ancient times and that this was their territory to begin with!! Exactly what Michael said about archaeological warfare.
2.] Vietnamese guides also stated that the Chinese began building their infrastructure with Chinese labor, engineers and architects. They were always going over the budget with no progress to show for it. If anything went wrong with the infrastructure, they could not trace the problem as plans were never provided to the Vietnamese govt. Eventually Vietnam decided to work with south Koreans and Japanese companies because they are not on a land grab mission.
3.] China has taken up 12K square miles of Indian territory illegally in the North of India. The way they did this was to falsify the maps from 1800s showing the boundaries of the 2 countries. The accord that was signed showed the correct boundaries but then the Chinese have pushed the boundaries on their copy of the map to show they own more territory into India. They then claimed that India's maps are wrong and that Indians are lying about the boundaries.
4.] Belt and Road Initiative: China essentially gives money to poorer countries and puts them in debt to the CCP. Then takes over the infrastructure like ports after they build it with Chinese prison labor. The prison labor remains in those countries and marries local women. A friend from Sri Lanka recently told me how her father's condo building now has 6 Han Chinese men (who would normally be in prison in China) living with Sri Lankan women after China took over the main trading port of Hambantota in Colombo. China installed a president in Maldives after a coup. Now Maldives belongs to China.
5.] A courier came to our house 2 days ago with a parcel in an unmarked car (black corolla). I asked him who he was and he handed me a package and he said "no English". The guy was Chinese and couldn't speak a word of English. He appeared to have recently arrived here. Don't get me wrong. My best friend is Chinese and I am not anti Chinese, just anti CCP.
6.] My bet is that these migrants will be shipped from their camps in cities to all small towns and rural areas everywhere in the US. Nobody is safe anywhere!
7.] Did you know that Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world where 50% of the country is arable land? They call the soil there "black gold". The richest soil on the planet is in Ukraine. Now is this a coincidence that the war was started in Ukraine?
Democrats don't vote on issues: 23 million government employees vote for what their unions and rank and file tell them to do - elect only Democrats, if you want to protect your paychecks perks and pensions. Period.
Democrat "issues" are a smokescreens that hide their real agenda: Big Government and even bigger government, until there is no question they finally own us all. They are close, so very close to this final objective. It makes me sleepless at night. Dr. Ben Carson recently warned on Tucker Carlson we are only one or two more elections away from a final capitulation to the Deep State.
Democrats will "move to the center" before this election because this is their tried and true election gambit. We are so close to a point of no return. The 23 million Big Government machine - federal, state, county and local just needs to bring in a few people each - family members and friends and this nation becomes what the Democrat "super-majority" did to California.
23 million government employees just need to toss in a few dollars every week, and their fundraising looks formidable. They also answer polls without having to disclose their own self-interests, since no one every asks in the polls will you personally and directly benefit from this election?
The environment, social justice, abortion, guns ..... these are all distraction issues intended to get their opposition to fight in the weeds, while they capture the high-ground and don't let go. They continue to laugh all the way to the bank. We have seen this play our locally, county wide, and statewide. Pick our issues carefully and stop dancing to their tunes - bust them wide open for what they truly present to voters - devouring, all encompassing Big Government and micromanaging every detail of our lives.
Nothing wrong with voting your own self-interests. What is wrong is demanding others pay for its fulfillment. It is the economy, stupid just like all other times when Democrats grasp for more power.
All of what you say is true, but that does not mitigate what Trump is doing. Currently, he is running the worst campaign in the history of American politics. He is practically handing her the election because of gross incompetence and ineptitude.
Lou, what are your examples of Trump's ineptitude? And if he's so bad why aren't they having Kamala debate him right now? Why are they only allowing one debate a whole month from now? If Kamala is such a master that she puts Trump to shame, why is he openly talking to the press and they're hiding her from any questions. You make these assertions but they bear no resemblance to any reality. The reality is that Kamala is not running any kind of Democratic campaign, in fact, they are hiding what she thinks. A confident campaign is an open one. Trump is being open. He is continuing to campaign despite nearly being assassinated. Please explain how this is anything but courageous and loyalty to his supporters on Trump's part.
Incompetence is allowing Harris to dominate the airwaves in the battleground states for the last two weeks while Trump has spent virtually no money there. She is continuously running ads around the clock about being tough on crime and the border (I kid you not) without any response or ads from the Trump campaign in these states. While she is campaigning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona and PA this past week, Trump had no appearances anywhere because he was playing golf everyday. Instead, he shows up in Montana, a state he already has locked up. Finally, instead of zeroing in on the issues and Harris record, he is attacking Republican governors, Joe Rogan and making ridiculous statements about Harris's race and ethnicity, all stuff that is guaranteed to piss off voters. As I said he is running the worst campaign in the history of American politics, losing to a lightweight because his campaign is incompetent and his personality is toxic, alienating the majority of voters in America.
Thank you, Lou, appreciate you taking the tine to explain. I'll think about what you're saying, certainly has some validity.
What media are you following, Lou. I only saw her cringy donation appeal occasionally on you-tube or something - which was begging and utterly unwatchable but would be a direct appeal to her 23 million government employee base to kick in a few dollars each.
The channels I frequent, I see nothing. Yet i see Trump making intrusions now into the younger media influencers channels.
If you live in WI, PA, MI, AZ, you would be subjected to endless Harris commercials saying she is a fearless prosecutor who will be tough on crime and the border. Trump currently is running no TV ads in any of these states except PA. He has $200 million, what is he doing with it?
Lous, waiting for Harris to flame out on her own. That too is happening.
So far she is only preaching to her government employee union choir, trying to hold on to the traditional Democrat base which is leaking badly around the edges, but the government employee union core will be atrocious-turf Harris(D) all the away.
No point wasting money trying to dislodge them. Trump is making direct appeals to the edges and that is working.
FYI, there are powerful & extremely accurate software models that assess the electorate, and thus where & when to spend time & money based on internal polling (highly accurate, thus not shared with general public, except for desired effects — see internal polling released/discussed post Trump/Biden debate when the coup against Biden was put in motion)
Fight 4 Trump!!!
Lou, the reality is a 23 million member government employee voter base (hive mind) is a formidable Democrat advantage, regardless of any candidate in opposition to Big Government and more Big Government. A huge monoculture voting base that is also supported by a Big Media mocking bird operation, blind to the truth or facts. Did you see their recent montage of Kamala Harris equals "joy" over, and over, and over again?
What strategies do you have to neutralize that voter block which has now proven for the past four years and the current Democrat succession chaos, that they will all vote only Democrats anyway.
This built-in voter base was threatened, and are now more activated simply because they don't have to admit they were backing a known senile dementia candidate just because he had a (D) by his name. Touting the now fully hidden Kamala Harris is good enough to take the senile Joe Biden reality off their disciplined and astro-tufed political enthusiasm.
Do you think we have reached that critical tipping point where those numbers that permanently benefit from some form of Big Government dependency will control the entire future of this country now and forever?
How does any alternative candidate, including Trump, ever get ahead of the Democrats Big Government voting block advantage? 23 million government employees - supported only by our own tax dollars - is an election distortion the Founders never contemplated.
You blame only one man, but you must also realize after what we have seen these past four years this voting block will support anyone and oppose anyone - including Ron Desantis. et al.
Yes, it's not easy for any Republican candidate to get elected when the media, labor unions and govt workers are all endeavoring to elect the Democratic candidate. But that doesn't refute what I am saying about how poorly the Trump campaign is doing. It's possible for both things to be true. Donald Trump is not a good candidate in a general election. He does well with many Republicans but not with moderates, independents and suburban voters. He has a toxic personality and is generally disliked by the majority of Americans. When he spends as much time as he does obsessing about crowd sizes, Harris's ethnicity/race and attacking Republican governors of battleground states, he is needlessly alienating millions of voters. He is also unable to articulate his policy differences with Harris. Instead he stoops to juvenile personal insults which just makes him even more unlikable. The tragedy is we had better candidates who could have done a much better job running against Harris. Someday, hopefully, Republican voters will understand this reality. Unfortunately, they might have to learn it the hard way.
RHINOS like you are probably jealous of the Democrat party's ability to install a candidate irrespective of the voters will. Your hero Nikki Haley was incompetent to secure the nomination. Your hatred of Trump is grotesque.
Yes, vote with your UNION. I am retired now, but I enjoyed for many years the gifts that Union Labor purchased for ALL of us with their blood, sweat, toil, and tears - an 8 hour workday, a 40 work week, a weekend, and an end to exploitive child labor. Who is the "wage slave" who wouldn't vote for that? Two of labor's 1890 goals remain: universal health care and free public education AFTER high school. Yes, comrades, there are many Republican "wage slaves."
Free free free. Universal free anything is crap universally.
A great example of this is the United Auto Workers union endorsing Harris. The Democrats policies have and will hurt auto workers more than anything else on the horizon. The union is leading the lambs to the slaughter house.
Justin, today, there are allegedly more academia members in UAW than auto workers. Due to declining private sector union membership (after destroying the underlying private industries), traditional private sector unions like UAW and Teamsters are now moving into the public sector, such as academia to keep those membership dues flowing into Democrat causes.
The public sector turf presently includes SEIU and the teachers unions as the biggest players, along with many other public sector union players. There must be some interesting private negotiations going on among the big union players how to collegially carve up the rapidly expanding Big Government cache of tax dollars.
Who gets their hands on the many Big Government layers now found in academia subject to unionizing - college sports teams, graduate students ....etc.
How many of our own tax dollars ultimately end up in the hands of the public sector union today?
(In the public sector, we pay their salaries and they pay their union dues from what we pay them, which in turn is used to get even more of our tax dollars. See how this now works?)
The local UAW supported the UCSB anti Israel protest. Was crazy to see them boldly put their name on it. In California we will lose 80-100k mechanic jobs due to EV mandates.
Thanks, Brent, excellent column. Your Kamala-voting exec is hilarious. He's voting for what he fantasizes she will become right before the election, not recognizing that by saying she will go closer to the center in order to win the election he's voting for a completely dishonest person who has no trouble saying anything, so right after the election she may go in the completely opposite direction.
For most of us Kamala's “no there there” is disturbing, but for this CEO it means he can project his desperation onto her. Maybe his job hinges on the Dem winning. Or maybe he got his company to give so much money to the campaign that he's toast if she doesn't win, so he's got to come up with some authoritative sounding pitch to convince voters to go for Kamala. This guy is clearly so frantic about his future he's projecting onto Kamala everything he needs to save himself.
Meanwhile, other people showed that they can project onto Kamala. In Michigan she became outraged at Palestinian protestors, then the media tried to cover it up by saying she was very sympathetic to them and would have an embargo against Israel, to which her campaign manager said that no she wouldn't do that, she is pro-Israel.
Obviously, a lot of people have a lot banking on the Dems winning so all the chicanery Biden allowed them to get away with won't come out and they can save their elite lives. Have you ever seen so many people in positions of power be this bonkers? I haven't.
But the elites are not going to have the world their way through Kamala. Sure, they could control Biden, but even with dementia he's still a recognizable Democrat politician. Kamala isn't a politician. She isn't anything. She's beyond the reach of dementia or alcohol. She has never had anything at all going on in her head. Which has always made her perfect for power hungry people to project onto. She's the classic Borderline. Enter the black hole all who crave power.
“ phantom candidate” is correct. Kamala & Tampon Tim will not be on the November Ballot.
Currently Kamala is not the nominee for the DNC.
Kamala is using Biden political campaign identification number.
The DNC subverted democracy when they refused to hold primaries to allow American Democrats to choose their leader. Election interference? Not if you don’t hold an election. Just blatant elites appointing who they want as the figure head. A puppet.
But to the point. Why do you think they are distracting the people with the Kamala show? Everyone, including my dig, knows she has the worst ratings in history and they chose an extreme far left VP running mate that Democrat voters as a whole do not like. Worst & Worst, Dumb & Dumber.
Wait till the phantom candidate is announced and how relieved Dem Voters will be that it is not Kamala.
But in their DEI world how can you slide in someone who is not of color and female or gender confused?
And why is Newsom trying to clean up the homeless after losing $24 Billion? VP ticket?
Just saying, we know Dem Voters are naive, but naive enough to get behind the Birder Czar & Tampon Tim? Cheating would definitely be noticed.
Brian, you may wish to peruse this mornings NYT/Siena poll numbers indicating that the Harris/Wallz ticket has opened up a lead in a number of swing states.
https://scri.siena.edu/2024/08/06/harris-leads-trump-by-14-points-53-39-up-from-bidens-8-point-lead-in-june-in-6-way-matchup-harris-leads-by-12-points-rfk-7/
polls belong in the same (trash) basket as Factcheckers, Mainstream Media, et al. All are cottage industries working for Communists/Marxist attempting to collapse Our Great Nation. EVERYTHING IS RIGGED!
Beautiful thing about this election season: we get to relive/review the 2020 election season with Eyes Wide Open…we are watching the systematic destruction of the Old Guard
Bu-bu-but … Poll numbers are objective!!!
😂😂😂😂😂
and Trump had a 2% chance of winning in 16 within a week of the vote, according to the polls. Do you believe actual 'POLLS' were conducted? Pre-election POLLS: HRC favored 90-98%? Manipulated POLLS meant to 'legitimize' rigged election results?
"The election was not rigged - all the POLLS demonstrated Biden's clear lead across the Country." Nothing to lose?
Methinks both sides know the exact electoral result (including state-by-state, by county, by precinct, by neighborhood, and likely how each & everyone would vote) if the election were held today, within 1-5%.
* You are no longer allowed to read this comment. Comment removed following complaint made by the Ministry of Truth (see George Orwell's 1984). 😎
Peter, you don't really read NYT and trust them any more, do you? They have a long record of dishonesty when it suited them - The Weapons of Mass Destruction, not reporting on the Bushs' well known drug trade during the Central American conflict yo name but two. But they also did some good reporting. That's completely gone. It is nothing more than propaganda. Don't alarm bells go off in you when they said Biden was fine when he wasn't and then all of a sudden told us he hadn't been well? Would you put up with this kind of lying from a partner or spouse? No, you'd divorce them, never speak to them again. But you still give NYT your money and your belief that they are the paper to trust. Why?
Polly, I agree that polls are NEVER perfect, but perhaps you can suggest your favorite (right wing) poll?
https://scri.siena.edu/2024/02/06/the-new-york-times-siena-college-poll-ranked-most-accurate-pollster-in-america-by-fivethirtyeight-com/
Hi Peter, “accuracy” means they can verify that the poll didn't doctor the stats, but not that it's an accurate representation of how America as a whole will vote. I'm honestly not interested in polls at all. I have no interest in right wing polls either. You must love torturing your blood pressure!
Well done listing of fact.
Harris will move to the center when the City of SB Council will reopen State St. and the City of Goleta will acknowledge the devastating congestion of Old Town Hollister and revert it.
Thanks for the article.
I totally agree with you about downtown Goleta and the mess that has been made of it. I have not heard from one single person who thinks that it's not a disaster. It is an accident waiting to happen and whoever came up with the plan should be fired. As far as State Street, I have pretty much given up on it. What a shame.
Hello Monica, I have seen Old Town Goleta and the complete, entire
mess Goleta City has created. Two lanes down to one and utter road-congestion.
Anything the So-Called-Leaders Touch they Destroy.
H
I remember Old Town when I was a kid. Somebody was always getting hurled out of the swinging doors of the Silver Dollar Saloon (I think I'm remembering the name), Madame Rosinka had her palmistry studio on the corner of Fairview, and I'd go see Roger Corman horror movies on a date at the Drive-In nearby and the poor sheriff was stuck dealing with us hippies calling him a pig. (Not me.) Nothing stays the same. Sometimes I see an old broken down hippie and think “did I make out with him at the drive-in? How'd he get old?” Yet I recognized his rakish charm even if he could lose 50 lbs. it made me happy. But the changes the powers-that-shouldn't-be are making are hideous, toxic, will improve nothing, and are destroying what remained of a wonderful, small town. Vote these parasites out!
I grew up in Goleta. I love it. But as I said the other day, Goleta is not The Good Land, it's The Dumping Land. When I came back to live here I couldn't believe how terrible the development has become. Old Town. Hollister. Don't get me started on the airport. My friend, the columnist James Kunstler (Clusterfuck Nation https://jameshowardkunstler.substack.com/) has written about how Americans will spend thousands to visit a beautifully preserved town in another country and then their own cities are developed into chaotic ugliness. I don't want to spend thousands to visit a beautiful little city in Europe. I want to drive into Goleta and be proud of it.
Hello Polly, I first came to Santa Barbara a long time ago and worked
at one of the Main Defense Contractors in Goleta. Goleta then had
it's "Funky" Charm with Crazy UCSB next door. Then came the Politicians
and began methodially destroying Goleta and then Santa Barbara.
The Major Defense Contractor filed BK twenty five years after I worked there
simply because the forced changes did them in.
H
So sadly true, Howard. I say that just above this in another reply,
Well this was not just ANY DEFENSE Contractor because they had the
first of a kind in what they did and the only DOD Contractor that had
that specific capabilty and now all gone. They had over 10,000 specific
Designs of DOD Equipment and really very valuable. At least someone
did buy that portion of the buisness but the local family that own the
group of Defense Companies (Carlson's) just could not make in
HIGH COST CALI.
H
Fascinating. Thank you for explaining.
The ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL OF GOLETA FROM THE MAYOE ON SIGNED ON FOR THIS PLAN. You are correct the congestion is both environmentally a disaster as well as accidents waiting to happen. There is a petition circulating in Old Town to force the council to change Hollister back. Remember there is an election coming up.....will you vote for the same council that concocted this scheme?
Additional note ... Santa Barbara is allowing unlicensed gypsy kitchens on city side walks. Friday evening starting at 6:30 there were 2 on State (entrance to La Cumbre Plaza & State and Las Positas) When the police or fire are called the answer is unless it is imminent danger to the public they will not enforce city laws. At 2:00 Sat. afternoon there was a popup stand on Anapamu. It was at least 40 feet long selling cut fruit and vegetables. Non License. The Council are cowards when it comes to enforcement of City Laws.... There is an election in November.
Remember
Hey Cars-Are-Basic give me the inside baseball on WHICH Mexican ILLEGAL Food
Van is the best. Everyother Mexican Restaruant in this Town is expensive.
H
"We've always supported Kamala as a Presidential Candidate"
(We've always been at war with East Asia).
It's irrelevant where Kamala Harris moves, left, right, center etc. What is more important to understand is who exactly is running the US government and congress? All the so called lawmakers including the president and vice presidents are just puppets. There is an INVISIBLE hand of the globalist puppet masters that are running the show. We can call them the deep state, the globalist bankers, illuminati etc. I call them the bloodsuckers or parasites that hold humanity in slavery and bondage. The everyday layperson has been SUCKERED into believing that voting matters. The my team versus your team nonsense. In reality, the entire government is a smokescreen and kabuki theatre run by these parasites. Start taking local and state offices under your control and then we as the grassroots might actually have a hell's chance in taking anything back, including our freedoms.
Oh but truer "Words of Wisdom" has been said by Ms. Wagh. And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree ..........And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be........
As Ms. Wagh clearly defines the entire problem "Who is running the US Government and Congress?"
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be ........
As Ms. Vagh again Speaks Words of Wisdom. "We can call them the deep state, the globalist bankers, illuminati etc. I call them the bloodsuckers or parasites that hold humanity in slavery and bondage."
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be .........
As Ms. Vagh states again "Start taking local and state offices under your control and then we as the grassroots might actually have a hell's chance in taking anything back, including our freedoms."
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be ...........
Ms. Vagh is accurate when she states "The my team versus your team nonsense."
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Here is an old cut of "Let It Be."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFwBRHm_lNg
Howard Walther, member of a Military Famliy
Ms. Waugh, With such dire predictions, might we see your name as a candidate, such as a local school board or perhaps on the local Mosquito and Vector Management District in your fight against “slavery & bondage”?
I am supporting some good candidates in Santa Barbara county for local offices. There are plenty of good people with integrity in this county. However, a lot of these good people have families and are always cautious to step forward as many people I've spoken to and have coaxed to run for local and state offices are CONCERNED with negative political blow back. However, I know of at least 3 solid candidates that I'm personally assisting that have tentatively come forward to run for local and state offices. As far as I'm concerned, my skills lie in helping good candidates move forward as opposed to being one myself. I like working on the sidelines to get future leaders in the forefront. Not an excuse on my part to NOT run for office, but more of a reality check on my part. Hope that answers your question.
Hello Mr. Scott I would respectfully disagree with your assessment on Ms. Vagh's
statements. Since I have walked down missile aisle hundreds of time on the SSBN
Ohio, Michigan and Florida, in the 1980's, the US Government, or those who actually control the US Government, have gotten us in a full-scale war against the other most powerful Nuclear Power that is Russia.
https://www.csp.navy.mil/SUBPAC-Commands/Submarines/Ballistic-Missile-Submarines/
From the above weblink I quote "Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs)
The Navy's ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as an undetectable launch platform for intercontinental missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads.
Each of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs originally carried up to 24 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with multiple, independently-targeted warheads.
If I were you Mr Scott I would start praying.....................
Howard Walther, member of a Military Family
I have a fantasy that Tweedledum and Tweedledee, (Kamala and AWOL Tim), might not be around after the DNC on the 19th. And if they survive that exposure, the debate with Trump on 9/10 should do it! How’s that for wishful thinking?
When Joe Biden selected his running mate in 2020, progressives were not happy with his pick. To them, Kamala Harris was considered too centrist, not liberal enough. Plenty of my progressive friends were disappointed. She was my first choice however, because in general I prefer a moderate candidate and would vote for a suitable moderate Republican over a far left Democrat. I do realize that "moderate" is a relative term. Some folks are just so far out there that their center doesn't align with that of the general population. In summary, Harris is and was a moderate Democrat. This piece is based on a false premise.
The BBC, back in 2020: “GovTrack, an independent nonpartisan website, lists her as the most liberal of all 100 senators.” She co-sponsored the Green New Deal … She endorses “reimagining” law enforcement … She wants to ban fracking … Alongside AOC she introduced a “climate equity” bill … At one point she endorsed Medicare for all … She wants to crack down on gun ownership … She’s compared ICE to the KKK … She wants illegal aliens to become citizens. Kamala may not be progressive enough for you and your friends but by the standards of most Americans, she’s pretty far out there.
Sawbilly, this is misleading. Regarding your comment regarding Kamala Harris: "She’s compared ICE to the KKK," read this coverage on the story from foxnews.com July 29, 2024 (but read VERY carefully):
At a November 2018 confirmation hearing, then-Sen. Harris asked Ronald Vitiello, who was former President Trump’s nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if he was "aware of the perception" of parallels between ICE and the KKK.
Harris had highlighted a tweet from Vitiello from 2015 in which he said the Democratic Party was comparable to a "neo-Klanist" entity. Vitiello apologized and admitted that those words were offensive."
So, to summarize, Harris asked Vitiello if he was aware of THE PERCEPTION OF PARALLELS (caps to emphasize not shout - no bold print available in the comments section) between ICE and the KKK (perception by whom, idk, but she didn't say that it was her perception). She said this AFTER he had said that the Democratic Party was comparable to a neo-Klanist entity!! I can see how ICE and the KKK could both be perceived as racist (this is one possible parallel) but the Democratic Party and Neo-Klanist entity? And HE is the one that started this silliness.
Not the same thing as your words: "She’s compared ICE to the KKK."
The rest of what you said isn't that far out there or has gone on for decades without impending doom. Lots of current US citizens have arrived here undocumented over many years, and are now an asset to our country (this doesn't mean we support out-of-control immigration). Plenty of conservatives admire the ideals of John Muir and other environmentalists (take a look at some nasty polluted parts of the world to get some perspective). Not an "out-there" set of ideals. Socialized medicine exists in many developed countries, some that are even on the conservative side (in the traditional sense), like Australia. Do you think any American should be without access to healthcare? Do a little research on what it looks like when a person in need of medical attention has no access to healthcare and then see if you still feel that way.
Victoria, where do you get off acting so superior? You're talking to other people who are polite enough to not call you an idiot, but instead give you reasons and facts you might take a moment to consider. But oh no, Victoria has to sneer and nitpick rather than discuss issues. I don't care how wonderfully political rational and centrist liberal you think you are, you're talking about Kamala Harris and she's the one running for the most powerful position on this planet - not you. So start thinking about if you really think she's up to handling an economic collapse and WWIII and stop flouncing around like Marie Antionette. The world is in dangerous chais right now. And don't go blaming Trump. He wasn't in the White House. Joe was. And the same people lying about his competence are now lying about Kamala's competence. To use your phrase, do a little research.
Atta girl Polly!
Polly, no superiority intended. I learned to formulate a logical argument in grade school English (so did you?). Your writing is irrational, unhinged, and all over the place. I won't be responding to you in the future.
Lol, you are too funny. Well, some of us learned to formulate an argument in grade school and then progressed beyond that. Oh, and don't respond. Have a great day.
Well, Victoria, you certainly deserve a 5th grade trophy for all that hard work. Meanwhile, those of us who have proceeded to 6th grade (and beyond!) are familiar with a distinction between “the trees” and “the forest.” You’re lost in the trees. Kamala raised the ICE/KKK point in a confirmation hearing because she wanted that association (ICE/KKK) on the record, with her name on it. Adult life lesson: people speaking in hearings often aren’t trying to make logical points, they’re positioning themselves and trying to make themselves look good. They’re doing it for effect. Analyzing literal meanings is missing the point altogether.
But why trust me? CNN (corporate left) went with “Kamala Fears Backlash for Comparing ICE to KKK”:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/11/18/backlash-kamala-harris-ronald-vitiello-ice-questioning-cuomo-vpx.cnn
National Review (rightwing but establishment) went with “Kamala Harris Draws Parallels Between ICE and the KKK”:
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/kamala-harris-draws-parallels-between-ice-and-the-kkk/
And the BBC (non-American, tending Globalist/left) felt justified in printing “In a 2018 Senate hearing, Ms Harris outraged conservatives by drawing parallels between the Ku Klux Klan and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-53770654
It was obvious to CNN, to National Review and to the BBC what Kamala was really up to. Why isn’t it obvious to you?
As for the rest of your points: Well, you seem to want to debate ‘em one by one. Perfectly fine, but my point above didn’t have anything to do with that. My point was that the package of policies Kamala seems — in her hilariously incoherent, Wine Mom, California way — to stand for is, by most Americans’ standards, extremely progressive. Like that fact or not, it’s true. It’s why the Dems are, as Brent in his article and others in this thread have noted, working unbelievably (if not comically) hard to remake Kamala as a lovable centrist. They want Trump to be perceived as the extremist, not Kamala.
Sawbilly, your argument deserves a D- due to a lack of facts, clear argument, or original ideas. And yes, specificity matters in making an argument (the tree in the forest, point by point).
In addition, you impute motives, use ad hominem attacks, and make conspiracy-type claims without evidence (e.g., "she raised that point because she wanted that association on the record," or "it's obvious what she was really up to."
And so what if so-and-so said that "Harris feared backlash," "outraged conservatives," or what-not? However, you didn't provide their actual quote backing this up and I wasn't going to spend my time searching. Weren't you the least bit curious what Harris's actual words were, and what events happened (the context) that brought about this news coverage?
I was, so did a quick search (it wasn't difficult) I stated direct quotes, and created my own analysis. This is what they teach you in school.. I suggest you try it!
Do you even know how to pick out a fact (if there is one) from someone else's analysis of events? Do you have any ideas of your own or do you rely on questionable news sources to tell you what to think? Are you able to make a clear thesis statement or do your skills limit you to a scattered/random barrage of claims and personal insults?
Furthermore, your news sources are not exactly as you describe them. How about identifying their propensity for reporting facts (or not)? According to Ad Fontes, a non-partisan media rating site, The National Review's content contains "opinion, or wide variation in reliability." Since you clearly can't differentiate fact from opinion, I would advise you to utilize this chart and choose media sources that are fact-based (at the top of the chart), something that outweighs their left or right designation:
https://adfontesmedia.com/interactive-media-bias-chart/
Good luck. I'm off to do some chores...
Yep, that's moderate alright. She worked create a fund to bail out destructive rioters in Minnesota. She also said the rioting would and should continue.
Interesting article by Mr. Zepke. Is it anything new? Did I learn anything I didn’t already know? The answer is a resounding NO! This “plan” has been set in place long ago, since the election of Barack Obama.
“Hope and Change?” Yes, in their world of “equality and justice,” Governmental Affairs will work much differently. Distribution of justice, healthcare, housing, program funding, food insecurity, child care, tax liability, guaranteed income, and reparations will all be dolled out based on where someone falls on the “grievance paradigm.” That’s right, certain members of society, based on past injustices will have certain inalienable rights and entitlements.
Sure, there are already discussions about those whose unknown ancestors were brought to our country against their will, long ago, by people who no longer exist, will be reimbursed for all their pain and suffering. The concept of restitution and awarded damages should sound familiar to Mr. Zepke.
Yes, their twisted idolatry should be of no surprise to anyone. It is Saul Alinsky on steroids. Dividing our county based on race, culture, sexuality, income and religion.
This will result in a massive raid on the US Treasury by Government activists in order to achieve their goals. Is it of any surprise that our border is wide open, letting in millions of grieving souls? Are they from predominantly white, Christian countries such as Norway, Denmark, Germany, Ireland? Of course not. No, they are from almost exclusively, non-white, impoverished, violent, and in many cases, non-Christian countries.
This is all by design in order to change the very fabric and soul of our country.
Their twisted ideology goes on to include “environmental grievance and injustice.” Yes, companies such as Mobil/Exxon, Standard Oil, Shell Oil, and Monsanto.
This shakedown will be in lieu for all the past AND future pain and suffering for marginalized peoples from all over the world!
In the end, this shakedown of the US Treasury will result in a collapsing dollar and our economy, the largest in the world, would then collapse like a house of cards. Social unrest would soon follow.
Sorry to be so glib and blunt, but this apocalyptic nightmare can happen unless people stand up NOW! Clearly, we need to start one School Board, City Council, Congressional District, Senate Seat and Gubernatorial race at a time.
Make no mistake, time HAS run out!
Barack Obama was a creation of SEIU and ACORN. A media cipher with a teleprompter. The nation got hood-winked. That was our national turning point for this century.
Sir, you realize that most of South America is at least nominally/culturally Catholic correct? You can oppose illegal immigration and a strong border, but to claim that South America is somehow not Christian (and you bring up incredibly progressive and secular states like present day Ireland, Germany, and Denmark) is just odd. It's especially odd because Denmark in particular has an extensive welfare system rooted in social democracy that I imagine you would label as akin to socialism.
It is inaccurate to claim Denmark has a "welfare system". In fact they laugh when their form of government-run services, funded mutually by their choice of high tax payments, is compared to the US welfare system. The US is a third-party wealth redistribution system instead, and not a mutually shared social service system. Denmark jealously remains a mono-culture, which makes it far safer to live their shared values.
Even though Denmark and the United States have different ways in which they operate their social support services, it's still welfare. Denmark may have a universal system rooted in social democratic policies unlike America's targeted welfare programs, but both countries ultimately seek to provide material aid to the it's citizens.
Please, enough with the sideshow and semantics of if Denmark is Socialist or not. Having been there, I can tell you they have it together much more than we do. Yes, their immigration policy is changing by virtue of the culture being overrun.
No not really. Denmark is a liberal and secular nation and is infested with moral decay not unlike America. Besides, your arguments effectively negate the diversity of people's even with European Nations. Germany is not the same Ireland, Southern German states like Bavaria are not the same both culturally and religiously like the Northern German state Hanover. You seem to have no respect for regional identities and cultures, instead promoting a homoegnized nationalist vision where we have sameness everywhere.
You also never addressed my point about how South America is still culturally and nominally Catholic in contrast to Europe which is overwhelmingly secular.
She is not a phantom. She is a fraud. She is a hard Left lightweight reading pablum from a teleprompter while the MSM tells its audience that she is a moderate who was a tough on crime prosecutor.
You do realize that readers can "fact check" what you write? Claims that Harris was named the "border czar" have become a repetitive claim of the MAGA crowd. But President Biden never put VP Harris in charge of overseeing border security. She was appointed by him to oversee America's diplomatic efforts with Mexico and Central American countries. Likewise, Harris dropped out of the primaries earlier, leaving Biden to compete with other contenders. However, any primary win for incumbent President Biden was also a primary win for his incumbent VP, Kamala Harris, since he had no intention of replacing her on the ticket. Biden's pledged delegates only voted for his incumbent VP running mate after he withdrew. If anyone should be whining about her candidacy, it should be all those "disenfranchised" democrats. They don't seem to be too despondent to me. Trump's conscious refusal to pronounce her name correctly and his racist claims about her ethnic and racial identity are more evidence of his cognitive decline and unfitness for office. As Republicans, we should all consider finding a younger candidate without a criminal record.
Somebody pinch me! I had a nightmare last night - I dreamt Cackling Kamala was elected President so I immediately killed myself! Can you imagine that fool in charge of the United States, the biggest, most complicated entity in the world?
But remembering there’s an ass for every saddle, I finally figured out where she would fit in in Washington D.C. - the Assistant Manager of the White House Garage. I said Assistant Manager! To put her in complete charge of anything would be a disaster!