Tag archives: Barack Obama
The 2010 midterm election for President Obama brought a devastating change in Congress. But, what did it mean? I happened to be listening to San Francisco talk radio KGO for several hours just before that election. The host asked people to call in, offering this framing of the issue: President Bush made a mess of […]
It was Pucci, Gucci, and a dash of Fiorucci when YouTube influencer Rebecca Brand celebrated the 10th anniversary of her half-century with a ‘60s-themed bash at the historic University Club. Tie-dye reigned, along with Mary Quant miniskirts and white plastic go-go boots, as hits from that swinging decade that spawned The Beatles and The Rolling […]
Did you ever wonder about the Plaza del Sol or the Rotunda at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, formerly Fess Parker’s Resort? Was it originally for bullfights because it’s patterned after the bullring in Sevilla, Spain. Why was it built there anyway? The arches are reminiscent of the façade of the Old Mission. The […]
The Art of Compromise Dear Mr. Hazard, I know you expect an answer from President-elect Joe Biden. But here is mine to your letter. One Party Rule. Read Constitution, Article II, sec. 1. The concept of electors did not make any sense then, and it does not make any sense now. The country is mature […]
‘Copter Conundrum We have a real threat going right now. A real one. A resident of Summerland is asking for two helipads on his private property in Summerland. This is after he has admitted that he has been illegally landing and taking off from this same property for 25 years. He has built a “helicopter […]
The cover of the November 14 issue of The Economist is a picture of a curving tunnel with bright light at the end emanating from a hypodermic syringe. The words below the image state simply “Suddenly, hope.” It is a powerful image with a dramatic headline. You can’t miss the message: recently released data on […]
Way back in the Dark Ages (say, the year 1970 or so), the “political season” began the day after Labor Day, in early September. That allowed for a nearly 10-week stretch of politicizing and polarizing to lead up to the first Tuesday in November, which was, putatively, Election Day. Over the years, that paradigm shifted […]
After Queen Elizabeth‘s granddaughter Princess Beatrice dining at Lucky’s with her boyfriend, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, it was the turn of former President Barack Obama‘s daughter, Malia, and her beau Rory Farquharson, to check out the area. The twosome, who both attend Harvard and have been dating for three years, were spotted at the Ojai Valley […]
Paul and Jane Orfalea recently had the honor to meet one-on-one with President Barack Obama to discuss possible future philanthropic partnerships. “He’s my favorite of all the Presidents,” says Paul. “He’s a real gentleman.” “We were both very impressed by his candor and commitment,” says Jane. “Everything we asked, he answered, and very frankly.” Obama […]
I think that there is a need to discuss some examples of where, within government, there may be serious potential problems caused by disjunctive incremental functions. The current trend of moving rapidly toward augmenting aquifers with recycled water may be fraught with public health issues, as stated by the state’s expert scientific panel. The move […]
