What's happened is that those on the extreme left have convinced themselves that the "other side" with poster child Trump, is so evil, that civil discourse MUST be set aside. It's a battle, with no rules, including rule of law, let alone civility. That's why we have witnessed the burning of our cities, mass demonstrations on the freeways, destruction of statues, and so forth. And when we balk, the others shout out, "Bigot," and we are silenced as our cities are destroyed. Then there's the assault on the individual. All I can say, see those people for what they are: Bullies. Basically, all bullies are themselves cowards. And who cares a hoot what a bully thinks of you, anyhow? Not I. Doesn't everyone here reading The Current have a plethora of folks who love and respect us? Why fret about a bully? I'd also like to add this one other: It's not "courageous" to stand up to the Woke. What is the risk, actually? The cost is far worse, your silence. Your invisibility. Courageous are those who gave their lives, shed blood, and risked everything, life and livelihood, for the values they hold dear, including our Constitution. PS Mr Buckley: I didn't know that about Hannah-Beth, that she authored the equity dry-cleaning bill. As a female, I am grateful for her one good deed. Too many times, I have filled out a hotel laundry sheet, grimaced at the difference between his shirt and my blouse: his being much more work-intensive to iron than a woman's. Once, I tried to trick a hotel when I checked the male shirt for my female. Nuts! They would have nothing to do with it. On that note, thank you for another thought-provoking commentary.
It is sad that we are in a position where we have been led to believe that we cannot have open dialogue without fury. Propaganda is a dangerous thing. It is incumbent upon those of us who remember being able to have intelligent conversations about religion, politics, etc. without love-loss to try to educate this generation on this skill. This is how we grow - as individuals, communities, and countries.
After selling my chain of Computer Stores in ‘85, I searched for “What’s next”? Getting my mail at my PO Box in Upper Village, I spotted a “For Lease” sign in the Upper Village. Video rentals were hot, why not? Montecito Video was born! That little store put me in contact with almost every “who’s who” in Montecito. That included Robert Mitchum and Dorothy. Chris had purchased a home on Dulzura and often came in for movies for he and the kids, we became friends.
Chris was always steady, convincing and determined. My logo was the 1937 Fire Engine! Chris asked if I would ride him all over with his campaign signs waiving in the wind!
I was convinced Chris would win! Unfortunately we know the results. More recently I’ve used the Engine for Justin Fareed. My Engine has a losing record! Trade it in?
interesting article on the fear emotion as related to politics…many understand that fear is used to move the human herd…and now masses of humanity are recognizing the breakdown of the old systems that have been devised to rule humanity…not only are we fighting against the insurgency that has captured all 3 branches of our government in the United States, we are in the middle of WWIII across the world (all governments have been captured)…thus, this is not a nation states war - it is an information war for the hearts and mind of humans…FYI, God wins!
PS…best to remove one’s wealth from the existing banking and financial system in order to carry some of one’s financial assets through the impending worldwide financial crash…now is not the time to “stay the course”, as many financial purveyors recommend…gold and silver are the only legal tender cited in the US Constitution, and the only money that has survived for millennia…best to get some ASAP before it becomes unattainable…
"Repeal Obamacare; Reduce the National Debt ($18 trillion at the time); Lower taxes; Reduce the “over-regulation” of the Economy and Secure the Southern Border.
All five of the above five Mitchum issues are near the top of former President Donald Trump’s re-election agenda."
I agree with Jim about the fear of being cancelled if you support a conservative agenda but I have a problem with the above quote. Is it true that Trump was successful in dealing with the issues Mitchum ran on? I say absolutely not. Did Trump reduce the national debt? No way. He grew it by $8 trillion, more than other previous president in a 4-yr term. Did he secure the Southern Border. Not really. He never got the fence fully built despite having Republican majorities in the House & Senate in his first two years, and he certainly didn't get Mexico to pay for it, which he recently admitted was a lie. And we know he didn't repeal Obamacare even though he had a Republican majority in Congress. Based on this record, what makes you think he is going to be any more successful if somehow he manages to win a second term?
Lou, I shall quibble with some of your charges. I think you ask a lot from someone we agree was a rank rookie in his first two years, dealing with the deep state Beltway bureaucracy, as well as the totally bogus Russia-Russia-Russia interferences during that same early two year period.
A chastened Ben Carson, HUD Secretary also admitted he had no idea how deep the deep state was and how much opposition it could mount to stop, slow and/ or sabotage nearly everything. Perhaps that is where the argument must reside - how to untie the Gordian deep state knot? Slash it with one blow or carefully unravel it. But not blame one person for not mastering this very difficult task, with only a slim margin of executive office clout and an unelected deep state system of resistance that takes no prisoners, regardless of changes in elected administrations.
Did not Obamacare's most expensive costs kick in only after Obama's successor was going to be in office? As designed. That was on driver of the national debt. Was it not GOP Mitt Romney who prevented the dismantling of Obamacare? What bargain should Trump have struck with him to get Obamacare rescinded. However, Obamacare appears to be dying under its own weight today, so that remains an open chapter after all.
Trump's Wall was kneecapped by year two after Democrats and Nancy Pelosi took over the House. The people spoke. Trump tried several ways to get additional funding that Pelosi cut off, and was rebuffed each time. The first two years in his term were the design and permitting years for The Wall. Trump however did get new replacement Walls built in areas there the old flimsy and broken fencing had already been in place. I reject any argument that claims The Wall is too expensive to build - until we recognize the costs to taxpayers when we do not control our own borders.
Mexico would "pay for it" by reducing the amount of remittences leaking out of the US and sent back untaxed to Mexico. Mexico would pay for it by having to pay for schooling and social services for its own population, rather than sending them north and get if for free from the US. Perhaps that was not a literal promise, but a net benefit promise. Biden will never disclose those true costs, but we can certainly estimate how much US tax payer cash is expended not having a secure US border.
First step is at least defining the problems (Big Public Sector Debt and Big Government -the unelected administrative state - the "swamp"). Trump was the first to bluntly articulate these problems. Next step is solving these issues - that will take both a solid electoral mandate, political finesse and accepting this outcome ultimately rests with us - we must have the backs of those we put in charge to face these issues; and not expect just one man in one short truncated term to do all the heavy lifting for us.
As Breitbart always said, politics follows culture. We thank this forum for creating a culture, limited as it is right now, to at least have a place where we can share and participate in these discussions.
You have much more faith in Trump than I do. Changing the culture or making positive long-lasting changes require good analytical skills, tactical planning, ability to persuade different constituencies and to hire staff who can execute your vision. Trump is lacking in all these areas. Acquiring a golf course, an office building or playing a leader on a TV show is not the same as leading a sprawling and highly complex bureaucracy. Trump excels in sowing chaos, a quality that is not going to serve any leader of a vast enterprise.
It seems to be a mockingbird media command that continues to link Trump to "chaos", Jill Biden just snuck that connection in again yesterday. I only offer - did Trump always create chaos, or did the Democrat dominated Big Media create the appearance of Trump chaos by frothing about any small thing Trump did or said 24/7? (Acknowledging some of us on the other side do a good frothing number against Biden 24/7 too.)
The Wall was not chaos. The Abraham Accords were not chaos. Eliminating two government regulations for every new regulation passed was not chaos. Tax reform was not chaos. Election year "covid" was chaos, but most of that happened after Biden took over. Media frothing over Trump during the early days of "covid" was chaos.
Does one have "more faith" in Trump, or less faith in all viable alternatives presented today? I'll go with the guy who was forced to run the Beltway hazing gauntlet and was seasoned by the experience over someone who has yet to face it even once. Biden, successfully lying ,grifting and plagiarizing his way around the Beltway morass, only counts for more of what we don't want.
Joan, I respect your opinion more than most but we will just have to disagree about this. Nobody lies more than Trump, including the inept and senile Biden. If you look at half of the stuff he puts out on his social media account, you would know that most of it is gaslighting, trolling and outrageous lies, particularly the libelous garbage he says about DeSantis. PT Barnum said there's a sucker born every minute. I give Trump, the PT Barnum of our times, credit for understanding this aphorism all too well.
What's happened is that those on the extreme left have convinced themselves that the "other side" with poster child Trump, is so evil, that civil discourse MUST be set aside. It's a battle, with no rules, including rule of law, let alone civility. That's why we have witnessed the burning of our cities, mass demonstrations on the freeways, destruction of statues, and so forth. And when we balk, the others shout out, "Bigot," and we are silenced as our cities are destroyed. Then there's the assault on the individual. All I can say, see those people for what they are: Bullies. Basically, all bullies are themselves cowards. And who cares a hoot what a bully thinks of you, anyhow? Not I. Doesn't everyone here reading The Current have a plethora of folks who love and respect us? Why fret about a bully? I'd also like to add this one other: It's not "courageous" to stand up to the Woke. What is the risk, actually? The cost is far worse, your silence. Your invisibility. Courageous are those who gave their lives, shed blood, and risked everything, life and livelihood, for the values they hold dear, including our Constitution. PS Mr Buckley: I didn't know that about Hannah-Beth, that she authored the equity dry-cleaning bill. As a female, I am grateful for her one good deed. Too many times, I have filled out a hotel laundry sheet, grimaced at the difference between his shirt and my blouse: his being much more work-intensive to iron than a woman's. Once, I tried to trick a hotel when I checked the male shirt for my female. Nuts! They would have nothing to do with it. On that note, thank you for another thought-provoking commentary.
It is sad that we are in a position where we have been led to believe that we cannot have open dialogue without fury. Propaganda is a dangerous thing. It is incumbent upon those of us who remember being able to have intelligent conversations about religion, politics, etc. without love-loss to try to educate this generation on this skill. This is how we grow - as individuals, communities, and countries.
Jim, can you imagine how different life might be in Santa Barbara and perhaps CA, had we not fallen so hard to single party rule?
Hi Jim and Current Subscribers,
After selling my chain of Computer Stores in ‘85, I searched for “What’s next”? Getting my mail at my PO Box in Upper Village, I spotted a “For Lease” sign in the Upper Village. Video rentals were hot, why not? Montecito Video was born! That little store put me in contact with almost every “who’s who” in Montecito. That included Robert Mitchum and Dorothy. Chris had purchased a home on Dulzura and often came in for movies for he and the kids, we became friends.
Chris was always steady, convincing and determined. My logo was the 1937 Fire Engine! Chris asked if I would ride him all over with his campaign signs waiving in the wind!
I was convinced Chris would win! Unfortunately we know the results. More recently I’ve used the Engine for Justin Fareed. My Engine has a losing record! Trade it in?
interesting article on the fear emotion as related to politics…many understand that fear is used to move the human herd…and now masses of humanity are recognizing the breakdown of the old systems that have been devised to rule humanity…not only are we fighting against the insurgency that has captured all 3 branches of our government in the United States, we are in the middle of WWIII across the world (all governments have been captured)…thus, this is not a nation states war - it is an information war for the hearts and mind of humans…FYI, God wins!
PS…best to remove one’s wealth from the existing banking and financial system in order to carry some of one’s financial assets through the impending worldwide financial crash…now is not the time to “stay the course”, as many financial purveyors recommend…gold and silver are the only legal tender cited in the US Constitution, and the only money that has survived for millennia…best to get some ASAP before it becomes unattainable…
Lot tried to remain acceptable in Sodom
It did not work out
Good points, Jim. It is really amazing how dangerous it is to reveal one is a Republican!
"Repeal Obamacare; Reduce the National Debt ($18 trillion at the time); Lower taxes; Reduce the “over-regulation” of the Economy and Secure the Southern Border.
All five of the above five Mitchum issues are near the top of former President Donald Trump’s re-election agenda."
I agree with Jim about the fear of being cancelled if you support a conservative agenda but I have a problem with the above quote. Is it true that Trump was successful in dealing with the issues Mitchum ran on? I say absolutely not. Did Trump reduce the national debt? No way. He grew it by $8 trillion, more than other previous president in a 4-yr term. Did he secure the Southern Border. Not really. He never got the fence fully built despite having Republican majorities in the House & Senate in his first two years, and he certainly didn't get Mexico to pay for it, which he recently admitted was a lie. And we know he didn't repeal Obamacare even though he had a Republican majority in Congress. Based on this record, what makes you think he is going to be any more successful if somehow he manages to win a second term?
Lou, I shall quibble with some of your charges. I think you ask a lot from someone we agree was a rank rookie in his first two years, dealing with the deep state Beltway bureaucracy, as well as the totally bogus Russia-Russia-Russia interferences during that same early two year period.
A chastened Ben Carson, HUD Secretary also admitted he had no idea how deep the deep state was and how much opposition it could mount to stop, slow and/ or sabotage nearly everything. Perhaps that is where the argument must reside - how to untie the Gordian deep state knot? Slash it with one blow or carefully unravel it. But not blame one person for not mastering this very difficult task, with only a slim margin of executive office clout and an unelected deep state system of resistance that takes no prisoners, regardless of changes in elected administrations.
Did not Obamacare's most expensive costs kick in only after Obama's successor was going to be in office? As designed. That was on driver of the national debt. Was it not GOP Mitt Romney who prevented the dismantling of Obamacare? What bargain should Trump have struck with him to get Obamacare rescinded. However, Obamacare appears to be dying under its own weight today, so that remains an open chapter after all.
Trump's Wall was kneecapped by year two after Democrats and Nancy Pelosi took over the House. The people spoke. Trump tried several ways to get additional funding that Pelosi cut off, and was rebuffed each time. The first two years in his term were the design and permitting years for The Wall. Trump however did get new replacement Walls built in areas there the old flimsy and broken fencing had already been in place. I reject any argument that claims The Wall is too expensive to build - until we recognize the costs to taxpayers when we do not control our own borders.
Mexico would "pay for it" by reducing the amount of remittences leaking out of the US and sent back untaxed to Mexico. Mexico would pay for it by having to pay for schooling and social services for its own population, rather than sending them north and get if for free from the US. Perhaps that was not a literal promise, but a net benefit promise. Biden will never disclose those true costs, but we can certainly estimate how much US tax payer cash is expended not having a secure US border.
First step is at least defining the problems (Big Public Sector Debt and Big Government -the unelected administrative state - the "swamp"). Trump was the first to bluntly articulate these problems. Next step is solving these issues - that will take both a solid electoral mandate, political finesse and accepting this outcome ultimately rests with us - we must have the backs of those we put in charge to face these issues; and not expect just one man in one short truncated term to do all the heavy lifting for us.
As Breitbart always said, politics follows culture. We thank this forum for creating a culture, limited as it is right now, to at least have a place where we can share and participate in these discussions.
You have much more faith in Trump than I do. Changing the culture or making positive long-lasting changes require good analytical skills, tactical planning, ability to persuade different constituencies and to hire staff who can execute your vision. Trump is lacking in all these areas. Acquiring a golf course, an office building or playing a leader on a TV show is not the same as leading a sprawling and highly complex bureaucracy. Trump excels in sowing chaos, a quality that is not going to serve any leader of a vast enterprise.
It seems to be a mockingbird media command that continues to link Trump to "chaos", Jill Biden just snuck that connection in again yesterday. I only offer - did Trump always create chaos, or did the Democrat dominated Big Media create the appearance of Trump chaos by frothing about any small thing Trump did or said 24/7? (Acknowledging some of us on the other side do a good frothing number against Biden 24/7 too.)
The Wall was not chaos. The Abraham Accords were not chaos. Eliminating two government regulations for every new regulation passed was not chaos. Tax reform was not chaos. Election year "covid" was chaos, but most of that happened after Biden took over. Media frothing over Trump during the early days of "covid" was chaos.
Does one have "more faith" in Trump, or less faith in all viable alternatives presented today? I'll go with the guy who was forced to run the Beltway hazing gauntlet and was seasoned by the experience over someone who has yet to face it even once. Biden, successfully lying ,grifting and plagiarizing his way around the Beltway morass, only counts for more of what we don't want.
Joan, I respect your opinion more than most but we will just have to disagree about this. Nobody lies more than Trump, including the inept and senile Biden. If you look at half of the stuff he puts out on his social media account, you would know that most of it is gaslighting, trolling and outrageous lies, particularly the libelous garbage he says about DeSantis. PT Barnum said there's a sucker born every minute. I give Trump, the PT Barnum of our times, credit for understanding this aphorism all too well.
Jim, you left out that we are all "deplorables" too‼️CJC