LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
If you have something you think Montecito should know about, or wish to respond to something you read in the Journal, we want to hear from you. Please send all such correspondence to: Montecito Journal, Letters to the Editor, 1206 Coast Village Circle, Suite D, Montecito, CA. 93108. You can also FAX such mail to: (805) 969-6654, or E-mail to jim@montecitojournal.net
Message from Montecito’s Citizen of the Year “The air is filled with milkweed seeds, floating toward a place to grow; caterpillars are busy filling their bellies, sensing flight as their destiny, and all the while, the jeweled wings beat in rhythm with our hearts to celebrate the accomplishments of our place in the sun.” want to express my personal appreciation for each and every contributor on Montecito Beautification Day, from the generosity of the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, to the Monarchs, Viceroys, Pollinators, Mariposas, and all the way to the school children who offered their original poster art. From the splendid breakfast offered by The Biltmore to the firemen who made us their famous firehouse chili and scrumptious cupcakes from Samantha at Occhiali, to all the volunteer workers who pasted it all together, there is little doubt that this community cares about each inhabitant. The Montecito Association, the Montecito Beautification Committee, and the Montecito Journal are exemplary examples of providing the hands and hearts necessary to meld a com-
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munity. An especial and heartfelt “thank you” goes to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors for the proclamation. The essence of Montecito actually transcends the word community, for we are passing along the life celebration to our children, instilling them with the responsibility of caring for our planet, preserving the beauty as equally important to every other facet to life. Each participant, each smile, each joyful moment demonstrates that we have gone far beyond most, for we are building an actual family of caring and dedicated people, young and old who will roll up their sleeves and do what needs be done. I have had a wonderful life, especially escaping the cold winters of Chicago to find my very own paradise in the community of Montecito. It has been a delightful and remarkable journey, and I awaken each morning with a sense of belonging, a feeling of home. Nevertheless, some days shimmer in my mind, bright with the iridescence of pure joy. Such was the day the com-
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MONTECITO JOURNAL
munity chose to award my efforts on saving the butterflies, both beautiful and essential to life as we love it. Words seem so small when I compare my sense of gratitude for the honor bestowed upon me. My heart is full to bursting, and I feel as though it may take flight with those butterflies we adore. I am humbled and honored to receive the Citizen of the Year Award. Thank you and butterfly kisses to all. Nina Terzian Montecito
Time to Pay Attention
We all know by now the “Clinton Machine”; despite the best efforts put forward by the mainstream media such as CNN (Clinton’s News Network), CBS (Clinton’s Broadcasting System, NBC (Nothing But Clinton), and ABC (All aBout Clinton), took a long, overdue shellacking from a broad coalition of patriotic Americans from all walks of life who elected Donald Trump to be our next president. On the local scene, all the usual left-wing big-government types of candidates held sway. How did they do it, you ask? The way they have kept a hammerlock on this area’s political system for decades. Outgoing Congresswoman Lois Capps feverishly walked the Isla Vista area pushing Salud Carbajal. She’s finally leaving Congress with the dubious distinction of being voted the “nicest” member of the worst Congress in memory. It is clear that if we do not wish to see the demise of the system of government that was bequeathed us by the founders, we have to make a renewed effort to insist that I.V. students vote in the districts they came from. For the students, college has been an environment in which liberal ideas are force-fed to them, so is it any wonder they relate to progressive ideology espoused by politicians? As a consequence of their indoctrinated beliefs, they all share the same baffled sentiment as they are left wondering how this (Clinton’s loss) could ever happen. What students don’t learn in their college safe spaces is that people across the country are struggling economically and have been struggling for years. Outside the protection of university walls and the echo chamber of liberal conversation, Americans have grown weary of the political status quo. Liberal students have begun their social media assessments of the election claiming that Trump supporters were racists, patriarchal, low-income and impoverished white people. But they ignore one important reality: Trump won with more than just that vote; Trump won with the backing of women, minorities, and educated workers across the country and proved that a silent majority exists.
• The Voice of the Village •
Students are ignorant of the fact that Rust Belt workers lost their jobs due to Bill Clinton’s trade policies and Hillary Clinton’s support for them. Students need to be reminded that Trump was the only candidate who has promised to get their jobs back. An analysis of exit polls from the BBC found that 42 percent of women voted for Trump, as well as nearly 30 percent of Hispanic voters. Trump spoke to a consistent message that transcended race and gender. By claiming his support was won over only by ignorant racists, liberal advocates ignored the reality that Trump’s goals are relatable to millions of Americans struggling to establish their own American Dream. Election night was the first time liberal students came to the realization that people are angry with the corruption of our political system and want something new. The losers are proudly proclaiming that they are “still with her” and are baffled that the first female presidential candidate could lose; many immediately blamed sexism. The 42 percent of women voting for Trump proved them wrong. Clinton represents the elite more than any average American. As Politico’s Molly Roberts explained earlier in the election season, Clinton has more elements of privilege than she does minority, and in backing “her husband’s incarceration and welfare reform policies,” critics say – and it’s not just that Clinton doesn’t personally embody intersecting identities — it’s that as a politician, she’s been part of the problem. Allegedly funded and egged on by the Clintons, students at universities and radicals across the country have begun protesting America’s decision. These are college students who still reject the reality that Americans have struggled for generations and are no longer content with liberal policy that does not induce change. These are college students who cannot accept that Donald Trump is who the American people want to be president. The people who have been silently looking for leadership are now awake and ready to dramatically alter the face of American politics; you have the option to be a part of the change and mold a new American identity. Despite how unpredictable it might have seemed, this was democracy in action. The myriads of blue-collar workers who make the lifestyle we all enjoy, who the Left calls ignorant and deplorable, the ones whom Thomas Jefferson called “The Salt of the Earth” are pissed off and you would be wise to pay attention. Larry Bond Santa Barbara
LETTERS Page 234 17 – 24 November 2016