Comments by visionmatters

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Posted on October 28 at 6:05 p.m.

If it was just a ban on fracking, or even steam injection, things would be simpler. But it isn't. And there's the reason for the Independent's stand.
One could argue that the promised lawsuits will take longer than the two years Measure P would be in effect, and thus serve both sides- no fracking will happen, and business as usual will go on. But neither side wants to let on that this rather obvious progression might happen.
Now one would hope that the water defenders will take the lesson from this and rewrite a narrow, simpler initiative, vet it with county counsel, and get their army back on the street for the next election , which will see the same flood of industry money, and attempts to scare people.
Examine the other city initiatives with fracking bans in this election, and you see disproportionate money everywhere, even in Denton Texas where property owners get money for oil extracted from beneath their lots.
As to the climate debate, none of the sources cited in this thread have a better explanation of the observed data. So all of you who think that climate is what Measure P is about need to 1) get your own thread 2) up your game with some thing that addresses the facts about the changing climate and what else might explain it. BTW it is the grail of science to prove everybody else wrong; since 99.9% of scientists agree on the AGW theory of why the data is what it is, they all wish they had an alternative, because that is how to be this century's DaVinci or Einstein.
Now for those who think this is about water quality, all the oil companies really need to do is indemnify the county by guaranteeing good water for all uses, including ag, forever. They can do that right?
For those who think this is about jobs, you need to look at the math on how few jobs oil actually delivers. The money in oil is in ownership, and taxes. Employment is low, and the good paying jobs are engineering and management. And the suggestion that we won't have funding for firemen etc? The oil companies promise to sue guarantees they won't stop pumping anywhere near 'immediately".
And another thing. Property taxes are based on transaction pricing, not perceived value or even revenue produced. Get your head out of football 49er. The taxes paid on oil pumped from the ground might be lost, if they actually stopped pumping, which they won't.
At least nobody here has floated that canard about the world market. Although that anxiety about a 'big' Chinese company investing in North County is racist, xenophobic and without evidence, let's point out that the entire production of this county, off shore and on, doesn't make a single tick on the meter of oil produced unless you want to add several zeros on the conventional metrics to the right of the decimal point.
P is going to lose, as much for poor execution by it's originators as for the advertising dollars pumped into local media by the industry. Thanks to the Water Guardians for that!

On No Shame in Changing Your Mind, <em>Indy</em>

Posted on September 22 at 1:40 p.m.

I thought they paced Still's voice pretty well. It was more disconcerting to watch him move. His hunched shoulders and rolling gait belying the color in his hair. He still shreds and thank goodness as otherwise there wouldn't have been much to tap ones toes about.
Nash, barefoot, and nimble on foot and in voice, continues to be the glue that makes the harmonies great.
Crosby, slim but still round, shows fire, and manages to be both familiar yet different than the same way you heard it all those years.
Thank goodness he didn't bring up his local position on the Chumash.

On Review: Crosby, Stills & Nash at the Santa Barbara Bowl

Posted on August 29 at 5:14 p.m.

Wow/. The Poodle gets the conspiracy post of the summer. Anti Nuke activists are shills for the Fossil Fuel industry! Would love to be the fly on the wall when Son98 runs that by the next EDC meeting.
Meanwhile how many of you have your earthquake kits in place? If we can get enough of SLO county to be prepared, we'll be safe, cause everyone knows that if you are prepared for the disaster, it won't happen. That's why nobody with a gun ever gets robbed. Right?
If we put a fraction of the money into subsidizing distributed solar (low and no interest loans for homeowners to convert to solar) that we do in to arguing about which poison is best, we would be on our way out of this mess.
Stay warm and well fed.

On Reflections in a Dog's Eye

Posted on August 20 at 5:07 p.m.

From reading this thread, I would say that 90% of statistics are made up.

Even if your observations reflect what is stated, those are opinions. Unless you set up and observe in a structured disciplined manner, you don't have any numbers to talk about.

So along with rank speculation, could you all stop using numbers to make your opinion sound more valid than the next?

Frankly I expect cyclists to run a stop sign. It's their risk, and their momentum. Am a bit tired of hearing people sitting on their butts using tons of metal and machine to get around bitching about people who are hauling their own weight. It's almost as bad as the 'haves' bitching about the 'havenots'.

This is a tragic mess for all. Yes there needs to be more consequences for being a driver who harms a cyclist. It's really easy to avoid them, even when they aren't following the law. And unlike them those in cars can use the power of their machines to do so.
But no set of penalties addresses those who aren't present to what they are doing, such as those who talk on the phone or text. Rarely do the laws achieve compliance when there is random or nearly absent enforcement.

On Investigation into Bicyclist's Death Continues

Posted on July 28 at 12:16 p.m.


On New Life for New Montecito Fire Station?

Posted on April 18 at 11:49 a.m.

Any names to put behind those "prominent" backers of the "Agricultural Foundation"? Any of those back the newly elected board of the MFD?
How many of those live just how far from the proposed station? Is this NIMBY by another name? Or is their real concern that Palmer Jackson will build those 93 houses?
Come on man! You left me with more questions than I had before.
Love the headline.
Thanks for all the good work Nick and Indy.
BTW- any relationship between those backing the Ag foundation and Wendy that might give insight into how this is covered in the daily fish wrap?

On Montecito Fire Mau-Mauing

Posted on June 5 at 8:57 a.m.

This event is FREE !

On Climate Scientists Discuss Steps for Low-Carbon Living

Posted on December 7 at 10:21 a.m.

The wide and rapid dissemination of Jeff Johnson's photo is clearly an attempt to find other victims. As pointed out by LWH16, this man doesn't fit the 'profile' of a molester, as demonstrated by the many testimonials regarding his past behavior.
It leads one to believe that this may be a matter of he said she said.
It will be important to see the actual nature of the evidence in this case. What for instance do these sisters' teachers say about their behavior? Do they reflect any of the established traits of the victimized? Who are the witnesses? How did such behavior continue over three years?
There is much to be learned, and the fact that our law idealizes innocence until proven guilty obviously doesn't extend that ideal to human nature.
What Draxor writes is far more revealing about Draxor than illuminating in this matter.
Unfortunately we live in a society that has become suspicious of any male who gives care to children. Any man who spends time alone with children is open to accusation. The police have an obligation to follow up any accusation.
Let us hope that clear evidence is at hand, and that a just and appropriate resolution is reached.
Once this process starts, it is hard to imagine any good ends.. One hopes that the same community rallies to the victims, and the accused at this time. It is a difficult time, with little likelihood of healing itself no matter how the case unfolds. I applaud the sober and slow to judge posting here.

On Montecito Man Arrested for Child Molestation

Posted on September 11 at 11:29 a.m.

Great wide and deep discussion. Several things I don't see- 1) Weed has been ubiquitous for decades- prohibition has failed to keep our youth 'safe'.
2) the above has meant criminalizing a lot of people who were recreational users. overcrowded failing prisons etc resulted
3) the compassionate use act passed and has become the legal basis for a significant quasi legal market that allows people, on the backs of those with legitimate medical needs and uses, to be recreational without the threat of criminalization.
4) as a society we already have models for legal dangerous chemicals- pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco. The pot culture wants a fourth that isn't corporate, allows you to grow your own, and is resistant to coming up with either a quantified 'dose' or controlled distribution like the other three.
5) what we have here is a true free (black)market becoming a legal regulated one. Much of the argument in this thread is noise and splitting hairs as people fight over their belief or self interest.
Let's start talking about what we think makes a society that works instead of this noise.

On What This Country Needs Is a Marijuana Summit

Posted on June 30 at 11:55 p.m.

Couldn't disagree more with Bird.
People come to Santa Barbara for where it is. First and foremost is the geography- the mild climate is ten degrees better than surrounding socal all year hot or cold.
Second is what Santa Barbara is- small highly featured town that has amenities well beyond its population or tax base and distinct look and feel.
Third is who is here, generally attracted by the first two. Santa Barbara has a wealth of experience and talent that often comes from places where talent has to go to get experience that makes them wealthy enough to choose where they want to live.
What it isn't has more to do with the geography than anything else. You just couldn't make it big when there is only the sliver of flat land and no real harbor.
Population pressure on paradises everywhere means that it will continue to press real estate prices upward and force choices about sprawl vs density. Sustainability practices favor density. Keeping views with density is possible but requires more planning, more creativity, which both cost developers more and thus push pricing up too.
The best line about Santa Barbara is that you measure wealth by how long you've lived here. Whether in a garage flat or a mansion, here is better and if you don't think so, you are wasting your time not being where you think its better.

On Downtown Vons Confirmed to Close

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