Commentaries

“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor the gloom of night stays these couriers from the completion of their appointed rounds” has been the unofficial motto of the U.S. Postal Service for generations. According to its website, one of the official missions of the U.S. Postal Service “is to provide the nation with reliable” service. […]

It’s drizzling as I write this, just before Thanksgiving. Maybe we’ll have a “normal” rainfall year! Maybe we can set aside our perpetual worries about another drought cycle. As the hills “green up,” we can worry less about wildfires erupting in our hillsides and destroying us, as we saw in the Mountain Fire in Ventura […]

Why are gas prices in California higher than the rest of the United States? The political class in Sacramento blame the oil companies, saying that they are “profiteers.” But it is those same politicians who are driving them out of business to “save the planet.” So, who is really to blame? Maybe a recent decision […]

Many Democrats may not realize that their loss in 2024 was sealed by two Faustian bargains that they struck in 2020 to win that election. A “Faustian bargain” is, in its broadest sense, the making of a deal that promises immediate rewards, but at a painful cost that must be paid later.  Going into the […]

The Santa Ynez Valley has long captivated residents and visitors alike with its stunning landscapes and vibrant community spirit. However, as we face an onslaught of development projects, the need for a critical examination of these changes is more pressing than ever. While growth can be beneficial, we must be wary of the motivations behind […]

Let’s return to reasonable conservatism where discourse is both practiced and honored.  To my fellow patriotic Americans, are you not tired of all the lies and myths put out by Trump and his fascistic MAGA cult followers? Yes, I meant fascist. Look at the definition. It has three components: 1) ultra conservatism 2) disdain for […]

The war in Israel and Palestine did not begin Oct. 7, 2023. It began before the state of Israel was created. In his book, Gaza: An Inquest into its Martyrdom, noted Israeli historian Norman Finkelstein writes, “In 1947, the U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution partitioning British-mandated Palestine into a Jewish state incorporating 56 percent […]

There are two City Council seats in Lompoc being contested in the upcoming election; one is for mayor and the other for the 1st District, on the north end of the city. The only qualification to run for a City Council seat is to be at least 18 years old and a registered voter. The […]

 I don my team’s colors and make sure things are tucked in right. It’s game day.  Off to meet with my fellow participants to strategize where to be to watch the game. We all compare our newest gear and are energized by the prospect of the past and future meetups of our team. We all […]