Is China our sworn enemy? It depends who you talk to. Why then have there been thousands of Chinese nationals dominating STEM at UCSB? Are these students involved with sensitive technology and research, critical to US National Security? Wait, who has been Chancellor for the past 30 years?
SBCC has been actively recruiting them as well, even gave the Chinese Mens Club the club of the year award once. Though it was strongly hinted at the time, they were all "spies" and reported daily to their Chinese handlers. Our good will can be so easily exploited. I hope a more mature America will at least start exploiting them back on equal terms. So Hunter Biden was really undercover CIA? Interesting. Great cover.
I look forward to not having to read Biden whataboutisms now that all power rests with Musk and DJT. No more excuses, just one party, united for the good of ALL Americans.
Gene: No power rests with Musk other than what he accumulates himself. Nice try, but no sale. Far more power rests within the unelected deep state micromanaging our lives right now, than with one person residing outside of our government processes.
Mr. Eringer, I made it through your smorgasbord today, and just a few comments for me. You mention that trump’s sentencing will be another badge of courage. When has trump ever been courageous about anything.
You mention President Biden‘s cognitive issues and starting wars. What would you call trumps issues saying he wants to buy Greenland. He wants the Panama Canal back, that it’s being run by the Chinese. Rename in the Gulf of Mexico to gulf of America. Making Canada the 51st State. Even mentioned, taking Greenland and the Panama Canal by force if necessary. Selection of some of his nominees for office. I haven’t heard him mention deportation or inflation lately. Complaining because flags will be at half staff, honoring Jimmy Carter, during his inauguration. He’s more concerned about the spectacle of the inauguration than what it truly means. I’d say his cognitive issues could rival, if not surpass, Joe Biden’s.
Ms. Julia, biden is a disgrace to the country and is out for revenge on Trump which will cost the taxpayers millions. Do you find that acceptable behavior? I find it predictable behavior for biden to appear as an Idiot.
I am sorry Mr. Russell, but you do know the difference between Biden and trump right? The only one I’ve heard talking about revenge and retribution is trump and yes it will cost the taxpayers millions. trump’s talking about buying Greenland taking the Panama Canal back, by force if necessary. President Biden may appear as an idiot, trump continually acts like an imbecile. Oh yeah, that reminds me he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the gulf of America. With all the problems we’re having these are the things he’s thinking of at the present. He hasn’t mentioned deportation or inflation lately, he needs to concentrate on some of the promises he made that got him elected.
BTW, social media is going bonkers with the removal of our infamous George Floyd mural on Haley. I say congratulations, reality has prevailed over white, liberal guilt. So glad residents no longer have to see that image which the left used to change a pathetic, down and out drug addict into sainthood!
Such a relief to drive past and not see that entire fraud shoved in our faces again. Including the blatant violation of our carefully crafted local sign ordinances.
Slab City offers a good model solution for the "homeless" by choice who drift into California Remote, self-sufficient and no other option on the table. Always thought the virtually abandoned Trona platform was another perfect site as well. You come to this state by choice with no self-support means and this is what is offered until you figure out how to better get your life together.
“World’s 500 Richest People Surpassed $10 Trillion in Wealth This Year.” Like, they really need the extra bread? I’m not a socialist but give me a freaking break. It won’t end well."
And you then follow it up with:
“Billionaires and hedge funds have been buying up all the finest properties, to be perpetually leased by them thereafter. A lords-and-serfs society in the making."
Of course, you held your tongue when it came to the single most egregious of these robber baron "lords"--the planet's richest human and financial benefactor of the MAGA campaign, Elon Musk--who's current estimated net worth of $450 billion is on track to surpass $1 trillion by the end of Trump's next term due to DJT's pledge to cut taxes (national debt be damned), award SpaceX more government contracts (fair competition be damned), and make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world (Ponzi schemes be damned).
I mean, you claim you're "not a socialist" but your enough-is-enough, spread-the-wealth sentiments belie you and risk creating a potentially irreparable rift between the MAGA serfs and their self-serving MAGA lords?
So, snap out of it, Eringer; please don't draw attention to the fact that the 500 richest people are getting richer at a faster pace than the rest of us. Instead return your ire to grousing about those S.B. City employees who make over $100k/year, or about the "Green New Scam" trying to avert the "climate change hoax," or that the 2020 election was "stolen," or about the "Deep State" that controls everything but somehow forgot to rig the 2024 election, or about Hilary and her Comet Ping-pong Pizzagate pedophile ring (BTW: what ever happened to Q?), or that the "commie dems" want the minimum wage raised a couple bucks an hour so that poor families can feed their kids?
After all: You write for the Santa Barbara Current and have certain journalistic integrities (i.e., myths) to uphold.
RJ: Since the dawn of civilizations over 15,000 years ago all later large societies organically emerged as highly stratified - one way or the other. Even the Chumash was a stratified society. Shall we assume this is a given. Do we instead need to best adopt to this reality, or dream about inflicting egalitarian druthers which has never worked out either?
(Great Courses - Historical survey of China, India and Mediterranean civilizations.)
They got 15,000 years. Soviets got about 70 years? I guess we will just have to wait for the final answer. Obama-Biden got 12 years before "hope and change" "Obama's gonna change us, Obama's gonna re-arrange us" went socially and morally bankrupt.
You speak as if those continents had one stable political/cultural run for 15,000 year? But take a look at the 60,000 year run in Australia. The Aboriginal societies were traditionally (pre-colonial) egalitarian and didn't focus on material accumulation.
TJ: Of course they were not stable - they rose and fell constantly. But often after hundreds and thousands of years; not mere decades like the failed Soviet model. Only presented as what appears to be universal and organic model for "civilizations" from China to the Mediterranean. South America excepted, but they too rose and fell. But also were stratified.
Something to contemplate - how to best make an organically stratified society work best for oneself because one will more likely than not find themselves living in one. America is unique because the stratifications are more mobile than many other places, where they can be fixed from birth. The more flexible the mobility is certainly better than fixed strata.
Or not, since there is some contentment upfront knowing one's limits too. "Escape from Freedom", and all that. America just flirted with a very dogmatic stratitified society with "covid" (vaxxed vs untaxed) and many were very happy knowing where they stood in that mandatory scheme of things.
Or the recent reflection about the end of the Cold War when the world was either communist or non-communist -easy to see what side one was on. Recent unstable global complexities are more unsettling. Fresh for new opportunities, but unsettling. Is this the age of information or the age of disinformation - unsettling too.
TJ: Hunter-gather tribal groups are not what one would call "civilizations". So if you want to quibble semantics, have at it. But if this appeals to you, you might want to revisit the recent history of communes in America. They have a long history here. You have options to live this life. Part of the flexibility finds in America.
The Sunrburst commune right here in Santa Barbara county is a good place to start exploring "non-stratified" hunter gatherer type social organizations. They were all the rage back in the 1960's. Rudolph Steiner also offered another model, which still exists outside Basel Switzerland - the Anthroposophical Society.
I know a few of the original sunburst folks. From what I've been told their first demise - before moving away, then moving back, then moving to where? Up near Lompoc? - happened when the followers thought the founder/s were hoarding the money they had put into the 'following'. So much for non-stratified. I agree with you that basically all groups of folks are in some from stratification - but what RJ was getting at is that with so many billionaires things are getting out of hand.
With so many extremely wealthy people, it would be predictable there will be attempts to kidnap and ransom huge sums of money. Ransom money exchanges done using the Internet. Scary stuff.
Well, Robert Eringer, you provided a lot of thought for us to ponder for 2025. Right now, I'm overwhelmed with thoughts and wondering what the hot topics of this year will be. Thanks for your insights.
I am waiting to see if OrangemanBad will finally die with a whimper or a bang.
*** Update: Yikes, that sounded terrible - it is the death of the Democrat pejorative "OrangemanBad" that finally needs to die, in its many, many equivalent terms and slanders..
Why. Does anyone have a right to live where they can't afford to live? There are so many areas around this country that are affordable. Really, really nice areas. Zillow is your friend.
Yes, but there could be areas where people want to live and can't because others with lots of money have purchased much of the land. Maybe not a problem now, but something in the future. If access to land means having to lease land, then we are back to the good-old times of the peasants.
Hawaii had to deal with this in the last century - since most of the land was owned and recorded by the first haole families - the missionaries. State just went in, and under law, took it away and redistributed it, with appropriate compensation exchanged.
This legislative act passed eminent domain muster, as a social necessity since they asserted broader based home ownership produced a healthier society. An interesting legal chapter to see how they got there.
And how it might apply to the current Prop 13 "family home" exemptions, that are starting to stagnate the real estate market by generations down the food chain who may never have even known the property as a "family home"? Law of unintended consequences.
Interesting bit of history. Did something similar happen to England after the end of the monarchy? Landowners must have been fleeing from England in the 1600's.
Is China our sworn enemy? It depends who you talk to. Why then have there been thousands of Chinese nationals dominating STEM at UCSB? Are these students involved with sensitive technology and research, critical to US National Security? Wait, who has been Chancellor for the past 30 years?
SBCC has been actively recruiting them as well, even gave the Chinese Mens Club the club of the year award once. Though it was strongly hinted at the time, they were all "spies" and reported daily to their Chinese handlers. Our good will can be so easily exploited. I hope a more mature America will at least start exploiting them back on equal terms. So Hunter Biden was really undercover CIA? Interesting. Great cover.
I look forward to not having to read Biden whataboutisms now that all power rests with Musk and DJT. No more excuses, just one party, united for the good of ALL Americans.
Gene: No power rests with Musk other than what he accumulates himself. Nice try, but no sale. Far more power rests within the unelected deep state micromanaging our lives right now, than with one person residing outside of our government processes.
Mr. Eringer, I made it through your smorgasbord today, and just a few comments for me. You mention that trump’s sentencing will be another badge of courage. When has trump ever been courageous about anything.
You mention President Biden‘s cognitive issues and starting wars. What would you call trumps issues saying he wants to buy Greenland. He wants the Panama Canal back, that it’s being run by the Chinese. Rename in the Gulf of Mexico to gulf of America. Making Canada the 51st State. Even mentioned, taking Greenland and the Panama Canal by force if necessary. Selection of some of his nominees for office. I haven’t heard him mention deportation or inflation lately. Complaining because flags will be at half staff, honoring Jimmy Carter, during his inauguration. He’s more concerned about the spectacle of the inauguration than what it truly means. I’d say his cognitive issues could rival, if not surpass, Joe Biden’s.
Ms. Julia, biden is a disgrace to the country and is out for revenge on Trump which will cost the taxpayers millions. Do you find that acceptable behavior? I find it predictable behavior for biden to appear as an Idiot.
I am sorry Mr. Russell, but you do know the difference between Biden and trump right? The only one I’ve heard talking about revenge and retribution is trump and yes it will cost the taxpayers millions. trump’s talking about buying Greenland taking the Panama Canal back, by force if necessary. President Biden may appear as an idiot, trump continually acts like an imbecile. Oh yeah, that reminds me he wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the gulf of America. With all the problems we’re having these are the things he’s thinking of at the present. He hasn’t mentioned deportation or inflation lately, he needs to concentrate on some of the promises he made that got him elected.
BTW, social media is going bonkers with the removal of our infamous George Floyd mural on Haley. I say congratulations, reality has prevailed over white, liberal guilt. So glad residents no longer have to see that image which the left used to change a pathetic, down and out drug addict into sainthood!
Such a relief to drive past and not see that entire fraud shoved in our faces again. Including the blatant violation of our carefully crafted local sign ordinances.
Slab City offers a good model solution for the "homeless" by choice who drift into California Remote, self-sufficient and no other option on the table. Always thought the virtually abandoned Trona platform was another perfect site as well. You come to this state by choice with no self-support means and this is what is offered until you figure out how to better get your life together.
Interesting analysis Taiwan vs. China. Truly interests-based negotiations potential. Thanks for the insights.
Wow, Mr. Eringer, pinch me! You write that:
“World’s 500 Richest People Surpassed $10 Trillion in Wealth This Year.” Like, they really need the extra bread? I’m not a socialist but give me a freaking break. It won’t end well."
And you then follow it up with:
“Billionaires and hedge funds have been buying up all the finest properties, to be perpetually leased by them thereafter. A lords-and-serfs society in the making."
Of course, you held your tongue when it came to the single most egregious of these robber baron "lords"--the planet's richest human and financial benefactor of the MAGA campaign, Elon Musk--who's current estimated net worth of $450 billion is on track to surpass $1 trillion by the end of Trump's next term due to DJT's pledge to cut taxes (national debt be damned), award SpaceX more government contracts (fair competition be damned), and make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world (Ponzi schemes be damned).
I mean, you claim you're "not a socialist" but your enough-is-enough, spread-the-wealth sentiments belie you and risk creating a potentially irreparable rift between the MAGA serfs and their self-serving MAGA lords?
So, snap out of it, Eringer; please don't draw attention to the fact that the 500 richest people are getting richer at a faster pace than the rest of us. Instead return your ire to grousing about those S.B. City employees who make over $100k/year, or about the "Green New Scam" trying to avert the "climate change hoax," or that the 2020 election was "stolen," or about the "Deep State" that controls everything but somehow forgot to rig the 2024 election, or about Hilary and her Comet Ping-pong Pizzagate pedophile ring (BTW: what ever happened to Q?), or that the "commie dems" want the minimum wage raised a couple bucks an hour so that poor families can feed their kids?
After all: You write for the Santa Barbara Current and have certain journalistic integrities (i.e., myths) to uphold.
RJ: Since the dawn of civilizations over 15,000 years ago all later large societies organically emerged as highly stratified - one way or the other. Even the Chumash was a stratified society. Shall we assume this is a given. Do we instead need to best adopt to this reality, or dream about inflicting egalitarian druthers which has never worked out either?
(Great Courses - Historical survey of China, India and Mediterranean civilizations.)
And how well did those highly stratified societies work out in the long run?
They got 15,000 years. Soviets got about 70 years? I guess we will just have to wait for the final answer. Obama-Biden got 12 years before "hope and change" "Obama's gonna change us, Obama's gonna re-arrange us" went socially and morally bankrupt.
You speak as if those continents had one stable political/cultural run for 15,000 year? But take a look at the 60,000 year run in Australia. The Aboriginal societies were traditionally (pre-colonial) egalitarian and didn't focus on material accumulation.
TJ: Of course they were not stable - they rose and fell constantly. But often after hundreds and thousands of years; not mere decades like the failed Soviet model. Only presented as what appears to be universal and organic model for "civilizations" from China to the Mediterranean. South America excepted, but they too rose and fell. But also were stratified.
Something to contemplate - how to best make an organically stratified society work best for oneself because one will more likely than not find themselves living in one. America is unique because the stratifications are more mobile than many other places, where they can be fixed from birth. The more flexible the mobility is certainly better than fixed strata.
Or not, since there is some contentment upfront knowing one's limits too. "Escape from Freedom", and all that. America just flirted with a very dogmatic stratitified society with "covid" (vaxxed vs untaxed) and many were very happy knowing where they stood in that mandatory scheme of things.
Or the recent reflection about the end of the Cold War when the world was either communist or non-communist -easy to see what side one was on. Recent unstable global complexities are more unsettling. Fresh for new opportunities, but unsettling. Is this the age of information or the age of disinformation - unsettling too.
TJ: Hunter-gather tribal groups are not what one would call "civilizations". So if you want to quibble semantics, have at it. But if this appeals to you, you might want to revisit the recent history of communes in America. They have a long history here. You have options to live this life. Part of the flexibility finds in America.
The Sunrburst commune right here in Santa Barbara county is a good place to start exploring "non-stratified" hunter gatherer type social organizations. They were all the rage back in the 1960's. Rudolph Steiner also offered another model, which still exists outside Basel Switzerland - the Anthroposophical Society.
I know a few of the original sunburst folks. From what I've been told their first demise - before moving away, then moving back, then moving to where? Up near Lompoc? - happened when the followers thought the founder/s were hoarding the money they had put into the 'following'. So much for non-stratified. I agree with you that basically all groups of folks are in some from stratification - but what RJ was getting at is that with so many billionaires things are getting out of hand.
With so many extremely wealthy people, it would be predictable there will be attempts to kidnap and ransom huge sums of money. Ransom money exchanges done using the Internet. Scary stuff.
Well, Robert Eringer, you provided a lot of thought for us to ponder for 2025. Right now, I'm overwhelmed with thoughts and wondering what the hot topics of this year will be. Thanks for your insights.
I am waiting to see if OrangemanBad will finally die with a whimper or a bang.
*** Update: Yikes, that sounded terrible - it is the death of the Democrat pejorative "OrangemanBad" that finally needs to die, in its many, many equivalent terms and slanders..
I'm wondering if the billionaires buying up affordable property will be heading for the hills by future pitchfork wielding servitudes.
Why. Does anyone have a right to live where they can't afford to live? There are so many areas around this country that are affordable. Really, really nice areas. Zillow is your friend.
Yes, but there could be areas where people want to live and can't because others with lots of money have purchased much of the land. Maybe not a problem now, but something in the future. If access to land means having to lease land, then we are back to the good-old times of the peasants.
Hawaii had to deal with this in the last century - since most of the land was owned and recorded by the first haole families - the missionaries. State just went in, and under law, took it away and redistributed it, with appropriate compensation exchanged.
This legislative act passed eminent domain muster, as a social necessity since they asserted broader based home ownership produced a healthier society. An interesting legal chapter to see how they got there.
And how it might apply to the current Prop 13 "family home" exemptions, that are starting to stagnate the real estate market by generations down the food chain who may never have even known the property as a "family home"? Law of unintended consequences.
Interesting bit of history. Did something similar happen to England after the end of the monarchy? Landowners must have been fleeing from England in the 1600's.