38 Comments
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Jeff barton's avatar

I have heard it said that a presidential candidate will choose a vice president who is dumber. For Harris this left very few choices.

rita murdoch's avatar

Thank goodness for Trump. I pray that all Americans, especially Californians will wake up now that all of this has been exposed.

LT's avatar
19hEdited

Admittedly, during my professional years here in SB, I kept a low profile with respect to my political beliefs. Why? Because in this quasi socialist society (South SB County), it was a matter of professional survival. No doubt many people feel this way. You know, the snickering, rude comments, jokes where Trump is the punchline, even open harassment or hostility. The conversation would often go like, “you mean YOU stand for” (insert something Trump said or did) automatically putting YOU on the defensive. Once many complete their careers (retire), people are more free to express themselves openly, without fear of repercussions or losing their jobs.

The open discussion now is the organized crime syndicate the Democratic Party has obviously become. MASSIVE fraud involving Billions of dollars, stemming from COVID relief, housing, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, Welfare, the list goes on and on. Keeping mum at the water cooler about the incompetence, fraud, extortion and violence committed by domestic terrorists (Democrat proxies) is no longer an option.

Why did Harris pick a goofy, awkward, old white guy? It should be now obvious, it was because of the hundreds of millions of dollars funneled to the Harris campaign by way of the largest theft of public funds in US history. Interesting how Harris just yesterday, announced the purchase of a sprawling ocean front home in Malibu. This, from her annual public salary and sales from her failed book tour? Just curious if Harris had a paper bag stuffed with cash at our local coronation of the Senate President Pro-Tem ceremony?

The current political turmoil has yet to play out as some Dems are now calling for the assassination of Republican leaders. Don’t believe it? Just look at some of the unhinged people at the last SBCC meeting and infinity of TikTok videos.

In a world where you now have Supreme Court justices and Medical Doctors testifying before Congress, failing to know “what a woman is,” the time for truth and moral clarity could not be more urgent.

In the end, Trump cannot lock up those involved with the massive fleecing of our country or violence against our brave law enforcement fast enough! I just hope to hell the Bureau of Prisons doesn’t run out of prison cells!

A J Tarman's avatar

So true about surviving in this blue bubble. I HAVE organized SB 20

Car

July 4 parades for GOP. Locals

would loan their cars but dare

Not BE IN THE PARADE. ( e g a teacher!)

Recently a Sutter SYV doctor

spewed unsolicited Trump hate

During an appointment. The

One party ccp like domination

Must be confronted!

The head of this venemous snake

Needs cutting off.

UCSB incubates and indoctrinates.

For starters:

A) I propose a party registration

Study. It will show the no doubt

10/: of GOP professors in social

'sciences!' Dimocrats at 70/:--

Marxists the rest!

GOP CEN COM has great data.

Take it on ASAP.

Then publicize. Let GOP

donors know.

Take. heart! Local GOP are

Rising up! Check Carbohaul's site. The Independent's.

We are 70-80/: of posts!

Join in everybody!

Use my memes! Post Hilton/Smith

banners!

Fight on!

LT's avatar

So, listening to Steve Bannon today, and he is suggesting that these Dem little dictators all be put on notice. Comply with federal law or: Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, cuts off all federal funding to Sanctuary States, Federalize State and local law enforcement, arrests state and local officials, activates the US military to quell insurrectionists and conduct MASSIVE deportations.

The reality is Tampon is free to espouse whatever crazy thoughts he wants ie, overthrowing the government, resisting, impeding or obstructing, for any of the “atrocities” he’s claiming….as long as he does so from a prison cell!

John Thomas's avatar

"Listening to Steve Bannon today" is right up there with listening to MSNBC today.

LT's avatar

“Morning Joe & Mika” vs. a former Naval Officer and Patriot? Laughable.

John Thomas's avatar

Kelly is a former Naval Officer - I bet you don't like him. But you're pretty simple. It simply highlights the limitations of your perspective on the world. Let's compare Kelly's combat experience to Bannons? Oh yeah, Steveo doesn't have any combat experience.

LT's avatar
8hEdited

Sure Sheriff John, I served honorably in the US military, how about you? Kelly opted to be political over the interests of the nation, I’ll let the UCMJ sort that out.

Paul Aijian MD's avatar

Thank God we are not sinking under the weight of a Harris Walz administration.

Suffering in California under Newscum , and locally under the similar minded City Council is bad enough. Ask people who have recently fled corrupt oppressive socialist countries how they view the USA drifting in the direction of the country they left. It’s very informative.

Fortunately, between the blue coasts, with a few big city blue blobs, the map of America is still massively red. Let’s do as Denise suggested yesterday and get behind voter reform here and elect people like Steve Hilton and Bob Smith

Montecito93108's avatar

When will Walz, Ellison and others be prosecuted? Whistleblowers have signed, sworn affidavits that both were informed and chose to ignore money laundering and cash filled luggage flown out of the country. Those at the top seem immune from prosecution confirming flaws in our justice system.

CA has tenfold the fraud and we knowingly remain helpless, powerless while dutifully paying our high taxes, bond fees plus 79 cents on every gallon of gas.

With 30,000 licensed home daycare centers in CA, monitoring and enforcement is not a staffing priority. Cutting off $5B in federal child care funds is in motion. Moreover, Trump posted 2/1/26 he’ll cut off certain other federal funds to CA and other sanctuary states. It’s maddening that Congress fails to act, resulting in the need to govern by Executive Order. Now finally back in session, it’s more hearings after hearings without consequence.

What can we do now that the number of voters benefiting from government spending exceeds the number of those of us who do not? Seems hopeless.

Geoffrey Schneider's avatar

I love your piece Brent. . . You help immensely in illuminating the '...Path Less Taken'. We need this because the path can be dark and lonely feeling at times. . . We need to be reminded of where we have been, and maybe most importantly, we need to take up the reins of our faith in the essential wisdom that brought all of us here. Thanks for the reminder. Bless You! . GS

Nick Koonce's avatar

“The Road Not Taken” underscores how badly we need calm, competent, moderate voices in politics again. This piece makes a strong case for accountability without the shouting matches – exactly the kind of perspective we could use more of here in Santa Barbara and across California and beyond.

A J Tarman's avatar

Your man is Commander BOB Smith. Great demeanor and resume!

Everyone- follow his site

and Carbohaul's- the ICE DOXER!

GOP is raising hell on this empty

Suit!

Montecito93108's avatar

Locals are calling for more resistance citing the German resistance. On 1/10/26, over 2000 participated in a peaceful, organized protest rally organized by Indivisible Santa Barbara,as part of a nationwide “ICE Out For Good” weekend of action.

https://www.threads.com/@rooey.wav/post/DTiEJsiDfvA

“Minneapolis, MN: we are now taking the gas chamber to the people instead of the people to the gas chamber. Federal Agents deploy (HC) hexachloroethane smoke on residential streets. It’s a toxic chlorine-based compound. At high concentrations inhaled or absorbed through skin it depresses the central nervous system and irritates lungs and mucous membranes. Even moderate exposures can be harmful. It’s also ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.’ This is war.”

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 during Rodney King riots after loss of some 60 lives and billions in property. Sanctuary states, cities, and organized efforts to restrict enforcement of existing law requires Congressional action. Where’s Johnson? where’s Thune?

A J Tarman's avatar

The left has gone nuts. In 50 years in politics Ii have never seen anything like this!

From 70 yards Im greeted by

An upturned flag and words like fascist and nazi every day.

This in the SYV!

We must respond. I put my

Trump sign back up and a

Beautiful 120 led lite flag up!

Republicans beed to get their

TRUMP ON!

DLDawson's avatar

Good Read…Thank God for President Trump…we almost lost Our Country…

We The People, now finally have voted in a leader who has chosen the road less traveled…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2PNOokBh1Y

Trump is a Master Communicator...leads them around by the nose & then shines Light...The Storm is brewing...expect Yuge waves...gonna be Biblical...seek shelter if in harms way...

https://x.com/fnowisthetime/status/1786832203516952819?s=61

tim nealon's avatar

Ty Brent, and perhaps this will finally wake Americans up the incredible incompetence of the DEMONCRATIC PARTY. This fraud has been going on since George Bush Sr and continuing down the Demoncratic line with all the rest of these hypocritical thieves. President Trump is the only President doing anything (THANK GOD!) and yet he has to deal with this whining, back-stabbing effeminate, Jeffrey Epstein loving, morally bankrupt and GODLESS DEMONCRATIC party ad nauseum! I personally am so sick of anything this once proud party has to say. They have taken their no MORALS policies and thieving natures to become a scab on the back of every GOD LOVING PERSON! There needs to be a thorough house (senate - governor-mayor) cleansing of everyone of these sewer rats who are trying to make the lives of Americans an everyday newscast (they own!) of horror, negativity, and lying finger pointing! (remember Demoncrats finger pointing leaves 3 pointing back at you!) They are a scourge of the most vile kind!!!! Please read 2nd Timothy 3 which gives the EXACT state of affairs in this country (and the world) Bless all who are moral, kind and loving and carry themselves with the commandments in mind to all! "Every knee will bend and every head will bow"

Scott Wenz's avatar

Reading Mr. Zepke's article hit a nerve.

Things are changing for the organization I have been a part of. As a result this morning I was reviewing positions and statements we have made over the years before I read this.

The listing of questionable if not direct misrepresentation at the State and National level is clear. One item that was uncovered when the House of Representatives became Republican was the direct and intentional cover-up of evidence / destruction of evidence by the "D" party who ordered articles of Impeachment against President Trump. Who headed it? Adam Schiff.

In the County of Santa Barbara, the listing of failures and direct cover-up by organizations and press of proven government documents; showing the anti car and intentional ignoring of Public Records by elected officials proving decades of failure is staggering.

At no time have I or the group I represented ever lied or intentionally misrepresented facts and our position. While it is peanuts the literally $100's of millions of tax dollars wasted in just south Santa Barbara County is amazing.

Wasted tax money and failed alternative transportation policies that go back to 1980 sound like the listing of State and National Politics that have failed. At the same time it has been disheartening to see those who state, yep this is a massive problem, and walk away when we prove criminal misconduct, ethical misconduct, and direct fraud. Yet like the train to nowhere, the failed public transportation system (Sen. Scott Wiener) and more it is not the road less traveled it is the road too often traveled of power politics and follow the money.

Re-read this. Jot down notes and then start asking questions. Show up to the little attended BOS, Council sessions and ask the uncomfortable questions. When the answers are deflection point out the laws broken. If you don't you get what you did not vote for.

Thanks again for another good article.

Tom Fitzgerald's avatar

California's EDD Covid era fraud exceeds $50 Billion and most, if not all, was set up inside. "Regular" EDD unemployment fraud seems to always exceed about $2.5 Billion annually. And don't even get me started on the Disability side. Then, we have he 'homeless' NGOs that have raked in millions upon millions with no accounting. Plus I am told California has a 'feed the children' fraud on going plus a wholly separate 'day care' fraud running right now. Maddening to imagine what could have been truly accomplished had the politicians AND the bureaucrats had done their jobs appropriately. It was suggested by a retired state auditor that the grift is so large and so all consuming the US actually has no deficit save for the theft of tax dollars.

Julia Gonzales's avatar

Well we now know not to take the road less traveled. We now see what can happen. Our country is despised by 99% of the world. Our country is in constant turmoil. We continue to be divided, and the powers that be like it like that. The road less traveled is where you find greed, self-centered egos, lying, cheating, corruption, power grabs, bragging on imaginary accomplishments, coveting awards and prizes and accolades, which are not deserved. There are so many evils down that path less traveled, we are constantly surprised, but what we come across almost on a daily basis.

Bill Russell's avatar

Trump is out there doing stuff beyond the belief and imagination of the Dems which never could or would conceive these things. The Dems are daily clubbing each other to death saying, "He did what?" and "He can't do that." Just when you can get the grasp of something Trump's doing, he's moved onto something new.

Bill Russell's avatar

Thanks for the article, Brent. The crazy thing about "taking different roads" is how the heck could Harris and Walz be a choice for consideration in the first place. This simply blows my mind thinking these two clowns, and they really are clowns, got as far as they did in the first place. It was one road to Trump and the other road falling into the deepest hole in the ground.

TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

Kampala Harris' support for abortions is more concerning than whatever fraud occurred or potentially occurred. I'm not sure why you focus on money lost over the actual lives that her beloved abortion has lost us.

Montecito93108's avatar

Theo & Jeff: Amazing that you’re unaware that the right to personal liberty, freedom, and individual ownership of one’s person, including for females, remains an American national aspiration, if not a right. Time to stop losing elections and friends, attempting to dictate the lives of adult females. We each take personal responsibility for our choices and actions when we look in the mirror.

Jeff barton's avatar

Who speaks for the unborn child? In my mind abortion is murder in all cases save for when carrying the child to term poses a threat to the life of the mother.

TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

I have no respect for your beliefs Montecito and never will because I don't prioritize abstract "rights" over duties and the moral law.

I would rather lose an election and remain a man of principle than a spineless whelp like you who thinks an unborn child should be murdered.

You're not a serious person.

Quite frankly I think people like you with no concern for the moral law have no business making any decisions related to governance, you lack the ability to even see some people as humans. You're concerned over sharia law? I am concerned over radical individualism and moral relativism.

Montecito93108's avatar

Freedom of religion to your beliefs & to speech are your American protected rights. Your unfounded judgmental accusation “You’re not a serious person” has no meaning, serves no purpose.

TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

I don't care. It's a moral indictment of your beliefs. Your masonic bill of rights has no bearing on me, nor your amoral worldview.

Your views will only condemn you. Believe them if you must, it won't save.

TVW's avatar

What about the rights of the father? Certainly, you don't dismiss his 50% role? What if the father insisted that the woman had an abortion...flipped the script? What are your thoughts about that? Also, do you support Capitol punishment other than for the unborn? Legitimate questions... look forward to a meaningful reply. Thank you.

Jenn's avatar

Contraception and abstinence are also a choice. Sexual discipline perhaps over killing an innocent baby

If the law was in place perhaps people would not b so lazy

Montecito93108's avatar

Contraception fails Jenn. Judging others requires being in their shoes which is impossible. Not to mention, varied circumstances outside the control of females including victims of rape, domestic violence, child abuse, etc, determine pregnancy. Females must make tough decisions both with and without a spouse. I hope more like you choose to become foster parents or at minimum CASAs: Court Appointed Special Advocates, if you aren’t already. Unwanted kids need one committed adult in their life.

TheotokosAppreciator's avatar

None of what you said justifies dehumanizing the unborn. Stop yapping about "but in these scenarios-" it's a crime against the moral law.

If you didn't have an amoral framework you'd see that.

Jenn's avatar

Not judgements just sound solutions to the abortion killings

It’s a choice I’ll tell you every woman I know that’s had an abortion regrets it down the road .., just sayin

Jeff barton's avatar

Abortion is among the most detestable acts of man.

Montecito93108's avatar

Breaking news: MN Renee Good had no wife; there is no “widow”, there’s no marriage record only a name change in 2023. She leaves behind 2 pre-teens from her first marriage which their paternal grandparents say Renee Good had no custody of either of these two minor children. The third child, a 6-year old, is from her second, now deceased US Veteran husband.

There’s now a lawyer involved. (Reportedly George Floyd’s).

Does Rene Good’s “partner” — not wife, a MN legal distinction — get survivorship rights to assets and to the $1.5+M in the ‘Go Fund Me Account’, or do each of her 3 minor children, or only the 6-year old now orphan child for whom she had sole custody? Many unanswered question as her “partner” now faces criminal charges.

TVW's avatar

Good questions. It's Minnesota...so the law, commonsense, morality, ethics and decency is off the table. Film at 11.

LT's avatar
12hEdited

Umm, I wondering if the “wife” will demand under “equity and inclusion” to be sent to a male prison if convicted? It’s only fair, right?

As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they’re punished in the face!”