Letters To The Editor

With a language as rich as what is spoken in the United States, how is it that we have been reduced to four catchphrases: “In these uncertain times.” “In these unprecedented times.” Maybe there are only three. “We’re all in this together” is the third, and it is the most annoying. We are not all […]

We’d all hate to not get our bills, beneficial checks, letters from loved ones, medication, celebration cards, magazines, etc. Our post offices are self-funded, but Donald Trump doesn’t want to add funding during the coming election because he knows if more people receive mail-in ballots, Republicans will lose.  Support our post offices by buying stamps, […]

How is COVID-19 test data reported on the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department website; what does it represent? On July 24, the “total test” data was as follows: 70,350 tests were administered; 5,576 were positive; and 64,856 were negative. The number grows every day. Is this the number of individuals who were tested, or […]

Soon ExxonMobil may receive permission from Santa Barbara County to truck oil from its Gaviota facility, up highways 101 and 166 to refineries in Kern County—280,000 to 560,000 gallons of oil per day in 70 trucks, 140 round trips, will pass through my town, Buellton, as well as Los Alamos, Orcutt, Santa Maria, and Cuyama […]

Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) authored AB 2898 in a last-ditch effort to extend the life of dirty Diablo Canyon Power Plant. This bill foolishly seeks to reclassify nuclear energy as a renewable resource. Not only is nuclear power by definition not renewable because the world’s supply of uranium is limited—but it’s also dirty, […]

William Gloege (“Keep Diablo open,” July 23) is using old data in his argument to keep the expensive, nuclear waste producing Diablo Canyon Power Plant open. Here’s the current data from government sources: Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S., increasing 100 percent from 2000 to 2018. Renewables are adding more jobs […]

I want to commend Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham for leading by example and pledging 10 percent of his salary to local nonprofits. With state workers having to swallow pay cuts and furloughs, and with critical budget line items being slashed as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown, it’s refreshing to see a state legislator voluntarily reduce […]

Upon learning that the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area (ODSVRA) will be closed until Oct. 1, dozens of off-roaders attended the California Coastal Commission (CCC) meeting on July 9. They argued that they are being denied enjoyment of the beach that they pay for with Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division money—their money, for their park and […]

I attended many of the meetings associated with PG&E’s proposal to close Diablo Canyon. I was amazed at the lack of pushback by citizens and local business who depend on more than $1 billion that Diablo Canyon Power Plant brings to the region yearly. I expected loud wails of, “No, we’ll go broke! The plant […]

Like a wildfire, this pandemic is now at a point where those fighting the emergency are either going to successfully put out the numerous spot fires and prevent a disaster, or lose control and move into a defensive posture where they are struggling to care for the many victims who will overwhelm our capabilities. As […]

Regarding the catastrophe of this pandemic—the anger, insecurity, and fear of the unknown is bringing out the baser behavior in man. The difficulties of no income generates a fight-or-flight response in us, which can help us survive. Conversely, a misfire could cause us to respond to the perception of threat inappropriately in violence and in […]

I grew up around policemen who were friends and colleagues of my dad. He was “on the job” for 33 years, a superior officer, in every sense, with the NYPD. I think I know something about good cops, effective policing, and fine character.  I have met and spoken with Jim Thomas, a former sheriff now […]