Recycled Water Warning

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 toward indirect potable use is burdened with the reality of potential public health risks. The necessary analyses of such risks may be either non-existent or badly wanting when it comes to the reality of antibiotic resistance. There is, unfortunately, little serious effort within the government’s work or staff training in this area dealing with antibiotic resistant bacteria or their genes. This, notwithstanding that such xenobiotics are shown to be found in recycled water, and notwithstanding the acknowledged medical and public health risks associated with such, including the enhanced risk by ignoring such.

As an example, there is a lot of interest by Carpinteria Valley Water District and the Carpinteria Sewer District in injecting recycled wastewater into the aquifer. To do this correctly is not going to be cheap and will require constantly monitoring the several advanced modifications to a treatment train that must be accomplished by a specialized and technically trained staff: a staff that may not now exist.

The scientific advisory group empaneled by the state to look at this indirect potable reuse (IPR) admonished those intending to carry out such programs to have a well-integrated and coordinated interaction with public health agencies and also backup contingency plans. I doubt that anything like this is extant or even as yet seriously discussed. Additionally, the state has no particular plans for augmenting the training of plant operators to deal with such realities of antibiotic resistance, notwithstanding such carriage by recycled water. This, despite the fact that such carriage accompanies the produced product leading to IPR in many instances but is not noted via the antiquated bacteriological lab tests. Thus to move ahead, absent an adequacy of safety systems seems reckless.

Let me pose a potential problem. If Montecito has expanded its district boundary to include portions of Carpinteria’s basin to the point that it will be drafting from this recycle-augmented portion of the Carpinteria aquifer, it would seem incumbent for the Montecito district to verify that CVWD has in place the recommended public health backup. Where would Montecito or, for that matter, Carpinteria obtain public health backup and assistance? One might suggest from agencies within Santa Barbara County dealing with public health.

I’ve checked with the county on these issues and it is badly wanting in this general area. We are talking about a probable current paucity of technical staffing . The needs for staff as well as some fairly extensive, costly, and again non-existent sophisticated lab equipment warrants additional serious discussion. Then, there is the issue of monitoring, as stated in the state’s expert report. This would include the level of community-acquired antibiotic resistance as opposed to hospital-acquired resistance. There are, I am told, only three counties out of the entire state that do this tracking.

Santa Barbara is not one of them.

Where is the inter-jurisdictional coordination for this? With whom does oversight reside? Where is its process thus far in its development? And, how is it planned out among the various interacting jurisdictional authorities?

Using the City of Santa Barbara as the city-example of preparedness and coordination in this conversion from recycled to drinking, and dealing with the pathogens, the chase-down of any public health arm or coordination is essentially nonexistent. The City admits it does not have any public health arm. Looking further into the jurisdictional array and toward Santa Barbara County’s Public Health arm, that agency is, in this area, essentially moribund, and admitted that the issue was not within its jurisdiction, suggesting inquiry be shifted to the regional water board.

Then, stepping up to the regional water board, it seems unable to grasp the issue, lateraling this hot potato to the state board, which has difficulty discussing this in a open, transparent, and frank way. The State Board gained control over drinking water quality, we are told, by a shift in authority from the state’s public health arm. Do we have a water agency but absent the necessary background in public health? As seen by the admonishment from its own expert panel, there is an unfilled and seriously unmet need.

Because the apparent lack of clarity, the County’s BOS needs to take an active role in this and an advisory committee with an adequate background in public health needs formation.

Dr. Edo McGowan
Montecito

(Editor’s note: MWD general manager Nick Turner informs Dr. McGowan that “the recent basin boundary modification (BBM) filed by the MWD, with support from CVWD, proposes a shift in the easterly most contiguous boundary between the Montecito and Carpinteria Groundwater basins to align with the jurisdictional boundary of both agencies. The BBM results in the Montecito Groundwater Basin being reduced in size just slightly. This modification is being pursued to simplify the management of both basins.”)

Sycamores in Danger

The Montecito YMCA recently took down a huge Sycamore tree stricken with beetle infestation. It also concluded that 200 Sycamore in Montecito have to go or else all our oaks are in danger.

Cheryl Tomchin
Montecito

Political Poppycock

I’m not surprised you neglected to print my letter, even though most would consider it objective (It’s not too late!). You don’t get anonymous letters to the editor? In the past, you’ve defended them citing early U.S. history, so why now the hypocrisy? And what’s with Trump’s current, but not surprised he again (partially) flip-flopped, anti-immigration policy? And has anyone counted the number of times he’s flip-flopped on issues?

With workers now in big demand in various parts of the country, it just doesn’t make sense, especially as he says it’s to keep the “criminal gang members” out, which anybody can see through as political poppycock. Don’t forget he was also a “birther,” as though there were any credibility there.

FYI, somewhere or another, I remember hearing a theory that those who drank nutrient-rich stout avoided infection [from the black plague]. The following link says the plague gave birth to permanent higher wages and the English Pub: dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3138203/How-Black-Death-drove-survivors-pub-Survivors-plague-turned-beer-wages-soared-years-pandemic.html.

If you Google “gerbils black plague,” you’ll get info that gerbils, not rats, carried the fleas that did the infecting.

John Anonymous
Montecito

(Editor’s note: The “birther” issue came about because of a promotional flyer put out by Mr. Obama’s publisher of Dreams From My Father, when it boasted of the “Kenyan-born” author’s appeal. “Letters” such as yours are just tiresome retreads of anti-Trump talking points, and I have no idea why someone would want to regurgitate those points anonymously, but hey, here you go, Mr. Anonymous. – J.B.)

Down with Hate “Speech”

It is time, once and for all time, to abolish hate speech, actions, and thoughts. Common-sense restrictions should be imposed on toxic speech, disrespectful emblems, hateful slogans, racist propaganda, and highly offensive commentary. 

Everyone agrees that flying a Nazi or Confederate flag, wearing an NRA baseball cap or having a MAGA bumper sticker can provoke angry and violent responses. Bipartisan regulation at state and national levels, in the name of public safety, is long overdue. 

Reasonable “hate restrictions” should be applied for all clothing, banners, websites and tattoos which display knives, guns, grenades, skull & crossbones, or advocate violent “brain trauma” activities (boxing, karate, MMA fighting, football, et cetera). 

Body art with “attitudes and mottos” which glorify militaristic behavior (i.e., Victory of Death, Who Dares Wins, Follow Me, Duty-Honor-Country, Simper fidelis, Don’t Tread On Me, Any Time Baby, and many other scary and/or threatening statements, should be controlled by mental health experts, Ivy League intellectuals, and the world’s foremost authority, Bernie Sanders.

Tattoos containing a firearm, bullet, assault knife (or fork), sword, hatchet, chainsaw, or bomb should be considered a “threatening and imminent danger to society.” Therefore, anyone “inked” with these frightening and despicable tattoos should be charged with the felony of “Wearing a Concealed Weapon.”

Supporting Smarter Laws for Dumber People.

Dale Lowdermilk 
Santa Barbara

I Spy

We now know the Obama Administration weaponized several intelligence agencies to spy on a rival presidential campaign. This is unprecedented and makes Watergate look like kid’s play.

What are the seven ways Trump was spied on?

1. Wiretaps (some placed by foreign countries);

2. FISA warrants obtained using lies;

3. Sending spies to spy on the Trump campaign (Operation “Crossfire Hurricane”);

4. Paid foreigners to gather lies from foreigners about Trump hiring hookers to pee on the bed that Obama and Michelle slept on. FBI and the Hillary Clinton campaign paid former British spy Christopher Steele, who created phony dossier to gather lies from Russians;

5. Unmasking (this was a way around U.S. courts. Wiretapped foreigners Trump officials were in touch with;

6. Illegal media leaks (leaked confidential and classified information, part of “insurance policy”);

7. National Security Letters (FBI obtained phone records and documents using these letters, a secret type of subpoena);

 In spite of this, Donald Trump still won and now the feces has hit the fan. Will we now get to the bottom of everything and will anyone be held accountable? Our Republic, the Constitution, and our freedoms are at stake.

Diana Thorn
Carpinteria

(Editor’s note: Thank you for putting your name to your letter, even though much of it also contains talking points from the other side. Two observations though: 1) Even if Mr. Trump paid women to defile a certain bed, it may have been pretty creepy, but it would not have constituted a crime; 2) We believe the “insurance policy” that FBI agent Peter Strzok assured his FBI paramour, Lisa Page, would come into play, was the infamous 12-year-old “Billy Bush” Access Hollywood secret recording, which was released prematurely in early October 2016. It was indeed an “October Surprise,” but its early timing allowed Mr. Trump to overcome the negative impression it garnered. Had it been held until the week or weekend before the election (a la George W. Bush’s DUI), it indeed could have become the “insurance policy” it was meant to be. As for anyone being “held accountable,” probably not. – J.B.)

Praise for Ashleigh

(Editor’s note: We do not know what instigated this outpouring in praise for our distinguished columnist, Ashleigh Brilliant, but we’ve decided to run them all under one banner.)

Delighted Ashleigh is still working, he is a tremendous influence on society and our mood. Pot-Shots always puts a smile on my face. The indication of a “Brilliant Writer” is few words.

Love Hemingway’s short story: “For sale, baby shoes, never worn.”

When I started Public Beauty Supply in the 1980s, I posted “Ready, Aim, Spend with the Can Can Dancer.” When I closed 20 years later, it was with great sadness I took it down. Look forward to each column and Pot-Shot (which appears locally in the Santa Barbara News-Press). Anxiously awaiting the next. – Sandra Williams

I’m pretty sure you at the Journal know that your publication is helping spread the words of a national treasure. I wish to thank you for giving me another access to the wit and wisdom of Ashleigh Brilliant. Namaste! – Fred Brown, Shelby, North Carolina

Ashleigh was in my class at school back in the late 1940s – he sat next to me – and he always lived up to his name. He came to stay with me a few years back and was just the same as I had always remembered him. Amazing brain. – David Horchover, Eastcote, Pinner, MDDX, U.K.

I am a big fan of Mr. Brilliant and his Pot-Shots. I enjoy reading his articles, which he so kindly shares with us readers. Hope he continues for a long time to come. Looking forward to his new book coming out too. Hope you cover it. – Ronda Lewis

Thanks for keeping up Ashleigh Brilliant’s column in your magazine. His articles are interesting, insightful, and always hilarious. Keep them coming! – Leslie Tejada

I’ve been an avid fan of his for many years. Our ages and birthdays are almost identical. Here’s putting in a good word for him. Just wondering. Did you know, or know of, the late Fred and Gita Hall of Ojai? I believe they were somewhat prominent in your area, especially music-wise. Fred had been with KVEN Radio for several years. Gita was my aunt, my mother’s sister. Norm (Editor’s note: We have no one who knows or knew Fred and Gita Hall, but if readers do, please e-mail us and we’ll see that Norm gets it. – J.B.)

OMG, this man is three geniuses. You are so fortunate to have his column, and I enjoy a big chuckle multiple times while reading it. Keep it coming. – Sally Gary, San Diego

Would you have someone assist me with a subscription by U.S. mail? I’d like to follow Ashleigh Brilliant’s column, but I’d rather not read it online. I just need information on what a “snail mail” subscription costs. – Anne Franklin, Westminster, California

(Editor’s note: We do supply mail subscriptions to a small band of loyal readers. Although the U.S. Post Office virtually never loses anything, it is somewhat lackadaisical when it comes to special mailing, such as lower rates for periodicals. Consequently, we send our subscriptions via First Class Mail, so depending upon the number of pages, our cost is around $3 per copy, which we pass along to our subscribers. For more info, contact tim@montecitojournal.net. – J.B.)

Trumpists Unite!

I’ve been wondering why some of my neighbors, who self-identify as Republicans, are still Trumpists. Is it, I supposed, the MAGA government’s fiscal conservatism, the fierce fidelity to Trump’s campaign promise to roll back the national debt? No, that can’t be it. Turns out, Senate and House Republicans were just pretending to care about the deficit. The projected national debt just got bumped up by a trillion or more on a Republican party-line vote.

Is it because the Trumpist Federal government shows the greatest respect to those who show the strongest “sense of self responsibility, self reliance, and industriousness” (Mike Hornbuckle’s words, MJ 24/22)? No, that can’t be it; those migrant mothers traveling with small children thousand of miles under unbelievably harsh conditions hoping to find a hard-working life free of drug gangs, rape threats, and corrupt governments are rewarded by having their children stripped from them and put in cages, perhaps never to be reunited.

Is it because, finally, someone will “drain the Washington swamp” of corruption and self-dealing and conflicts of interest? No, that can’t be it; the Commerce Secretary just admitted to shorting stocks while he’s making policy; the EPA Administrator just quit under multiple investigations of misuse of office; and of course, the president’s real estate company just took a half-billion-dollar loan from the Chinese government before trying to lift sanctions on a Chinese company reasonably accused of posing a threat to national security.

Is it because he’s a stalwart defender of our country? No, that can’t be it. He’s taking Putin’s word over our combined intelligence services, trying to make nice in private meetings with the dictator who attacked our country’s most precious asset, the ballot.

Is it because in a world of conflicting opinion, you can count on the president to tell the truth? Umm, no. You can count on him for a blizzard of self-aggrandizing lies, lies that say everyone is in danger from “the other” (the Mexican rapists, the Salvadoran gangs, the Canadians, the Chinese, the WTO, black men who won’t kneel, et al).

Is it because he takes the presidential oath to protect and defend the Constitution so seriously, who truly respects the Constitution’s separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, the virtue of justice blind to politics, the promise of due process, and equal treatment under the rule of law? No, that can’t be it, for [sorry, too many examples to list].

What then? Why are these men and women — well-off, honest, patriotic — putting up with this behavior in our president?

It’s simple. My Trumpist Republican neighbors will put up with all of this because he’s keeping two promises: cutting taxes on the richest among us, forcing working people into debt bondage by (among other tools) destroying universal healthcare, and installing corporatist ideologues on the Federal courts to ensure that no one will ever be able to challenge their economic servitude, by ratifying gerrymandering, gutting unions, outlawing class action, and disenfranchising the poor and powerless in every possible way. (Note: made possible only by McConnell refusing his Constitutional duty.)

This isn’t necessarily going to end well for my neighbors, or for me, or for our country.

Virtually every Republican candidate, Senator, and Representative, is fearful of the Republican base, who have been corruptly fed a toxic diet of his lies, amplified by his propaganda networks Fox, Sinclair, and Breitbart, echoed by Russian social network bots.

Look to history, my friends. Look to Germany in the early 1930s. See a man first thought by the establishment merely a clown, an “egomaniac who loved only himself,” a man of “bottomless mendacity,” yet a great speaker and performer, adept at feeding off the energy of his audiences, who “spoke to suit the tastes of his lower-middle class, nationalist-conservative, ethic-chauvinist, and anti-Semitic listeners” (in the words of a recent biographer, Volker Ullrich), who promised to lead his country back to a new era of national greatness, and as the only one who could.

By March 1933, Hitler had made it clear, Mr. Ullrich writes, “that his government was going to do away with all norms of separation of powers and the rule of law.” Do you see that same man standing in front of you today? I do. Do you see any of his party brave enough to cross him, to stop him, to lay even the smallest check on him? I don’t.

Once upon a time, the nascent American people fought to live free of one-man rule. I urge you, read the Declaration of Independence. Read the list of outrages visited by the British Crown. From disenfranchisement to monopoly power, it’s all there. I pray we may be so brave, resolute and fiercely devoted to justice again. We will need to be.

November 6, 2018, will be a very important day in our nation’s history. I’ve come across an AP story that the Army is quietly discharging immigrant recruits, immigrants to this country who so want to be in this country, a country I guessing they’re dreaming about since who would dream to be in a country that is so vilely treating immigrants, that they would volunteer to serve in its military, with all those attendant risks, and the reward of a path to citizenship.

They are not given the opportunity to appeal, nor are they given honorary discharges, which would protect them from deportation, not infrequently to countries where they, having served in the United State military, might not be treated well. You are alien, you are a security risk, you have relatives, we don’t know, we’re too busy to check, you’re out. Typically they are of color.

What is that country to you?

Is that the America you hold in your heart? This is a serious question.

For me, that is not the country that I have dreamed of, and studied, and felt a part of, since I was a child.

So, when I think the country is changing, and I’m trying to figure out what it is changing into, and I look for historical antecedents of countries that have changed in this nationalist-supremacist way, I do see a precedent that is very worrying to me.

Maybe I’m lost in a fantasy world, or that acid I took back in 1969 is having after-effects. But I don’t think so.

That’s why I’m asking you, do you see that too? Or not at all?

Cotty Chubb
Montecito

(Editor’s note: Wow, that is a one dark vision of life in the United States. Opinions such as yours (they are opinions, not facts) make it difficult to understand why millions of souls “yearning to breathe free” continue to climb walls, cross deserts, dig tunnels, abandon hometowns and families, and otherwise plot to get here. As far as we can tell, this administration is simply trying to put some order in the process, but we could be wrong. We do remember all the “Bush/Hitler references during a previous administration, so we take these fears with something less than trepidation. Ah well, referencing two previous letters, at least you have put your name to your thoughts. – J.B.)