Carpinteria Councilmember Joe Armendariz Arrested for DUI

Fabulous! We have an alcoholic councilman AND we get subjected to Josh Lynn. Stay tuned for some great articles and comments...

I'm surprised Josh Lynn took this case.

He is an alcoholic, this is true. It is not something that happened overnight, it has gone on for years. So I apologize for not feeling sympathetic when I hear how he is doing something about it now. The truth will always be revealed, no matter how much he can pay an attorney to say otherwise. Have a nice day...

I find it strange that the Indy brought up his politics and then Josh referenced his politics again. Additionally Josh already started with a victim defense "He’s battling a very serious disease. Alcoholism is a demon...".
I'll make a wild guess: everyone wants this guy off the road once and for all, regardless of individual political view, and he already blew his chance for sympathy by getting into a second alcohol fueled wreck.

Deja Vu All Over Again!!!

http://www.independent.com/news/2006/...

One of the core beliefs of conservatives like Joe is that there is no good or bad fortune or good or bad luck, that each of us is fully responsible for our respective successes or failures, that we each make or own luck. Being a liberal, I disagree and fully acknowlege the role that luck has played in whatever success I have had. If Joe is to be true to his core beliefs then he must accept full responsibility that all the bad stuff that has happened to him, his alcoholism, his divorce from a wonderful woman, and all the rest is all his fault and he should take measures to clean up his act. Or perhaps, this experience will engender a little compassion in Joe's heart for those whom life has handed a raw deal. If and when he reaches out for help, he will learn that it is not the liberty, independence, and self-reliance of the individual that is the greatest human trait, but the capacity for love, cooperation, and altruism that is our most noble, humanizing, and, in the end, important part of human character. While I hope that he is not allowed to drive until he has been sober for over a year, I honestly wish him the best of luck.

Is this what it takes for Armendariz to buy an American car?
First a Lexus, and now a Volvo.

Think of all the cool made-in-America technology in yet another new car Armendariz can buy when he gets to drive again in FIVE years.

I basically posted the same things as NoSurprise backed up with proof by John Adams (and without derogatory language) yet my post was censored..
2006 INDY article: "admitting he’s struggled with alcohol; he promised to enroll in a recovery and support program. Armendariz said few people were aware of his drinking problem since it was confined to drinking wine at home and on the weekends. He said he’s tried to stop in the past, but has never been motivated the way he is now. "

"notsurprised", Could you cite your source for a charge of "animal cruelty" and of charge of "domestic violence" and suicide attempt? Thanks in advance.

Yet Armendariz is he more than happy to deny cancer and other patients adequate access to medication*:

"“Notwithstanding the medical issue, these places, especially the ones in Santa Barbara, are notorious for attracting an element to a neighborhood that is just not positive.”
I especially love the "notwithstanding the medical issue" much less the evidence apparently. And btw, Carp had no dispensaries of any kind when this was enacted. I guess he believes drunk drivers are better for a neighborhood than people in wheelchairs.

* http://sbdailysound.blogspot.com/2007...

That's a strange post Eckermann; that you have defined the core beliefs of conservatives through a recidivist drunk driver? Taking responsibility for one's actions translates into making our own luck? The two are not even remotely related. Fortuitous events and otherwise happen to everyone; taking responsibility is a part of maturity and this does not affect luck or any other unprovable belief statement. Neither is this remotely political.
I had no idea that this guy was a conservative until I read the post and my only reaction remains that if he is as big a screw up as he appears to be, he only deserves compassion AFTER he proves to the rest of society that he's not an alcoholic jackass trying to kill other people in his car. I don't have a metrics for how long that time is but I do know he has yet to start down the path.

Sorry Mr. Lynn, but a person who repeatedly puts the rest of us at risk with his irresponsible behavior gets absolutely zero compassion from me. And rest assured, my politics have nothing to do with my position on this issue.

"the councilmember was conscious and cooperative when authorities arrived."

That my Indy friends ("progressive" & realist alike) is how you avoid a law enforcement officer provided beatdown.
Drunk driving = WRONG ON ALL LEVELS!
Cooperative to authorities = Right move, all things considered.
This 1's gonna get wierder as it goes along. Guess Lynn beat Genis to the punch :) henry

Eckermann's post hits the nail on the head.

Here is a quote by former heavyweight boxing contender George Chuvalo, who lost three of his sons to drug addiction:

"You have to wonder about a society like ours that can't understand why young people are seduced by drugs while it not only tolerates smoking and drinking but encourages both by its example."

The proof is in the pudding...he has had this ongoing issue for many years, and as the public knows, at least since 2006? He obviously still has not saught the help he needs. What is really so different this time, what is the wake up call? He has had so many, but he is sick, it is not going to be fixed with a six month stint in a rehab center, that is for certain!
In his case, compassion will get him nowhere but into his next bottle of wine..or vodka or whatever his poison. He MUST take responsibility for his actions and do WHATEVER it takes to correct them, should it be SHOCK therapy! He is not only endangering his life!! What about the innocent lives of others that can be taken due to his irresponsibility? Just because that has yet to happen, does not mean that it cannot. Just because he is a politician should grant him no less treatment than any other COMMON citizen, which he very well is...

Why is it that when someone like this acts like this, he's a "victim" of a "disease", and when anyone else, Denunzio for example, does it, he's a criminal and gets beat down? Typical Santa Barbara.

after re-reading the article http://www.independent.com/news/2006/...
Obviously, he has improved greatly and took that issue so very seriously, yet others lives are in danger. Maybe when a politician of higher stature has their loved one lost in an accident due to his selfishness, maybe then the charges will stick and he will truly have to pay for his CRIME! If I were ever caught drunk driving, it would be a CRIME, no question about it. I have more respect for myself and others than to EVER put myself in that situation. This truly angers me, can you tell?

sblokal is totally correct in the semantics used, tho the circumstances seem a bit different. But in the end, behind the wheel both are public menaces.

And yet bc the vast majority of people use drugs and/or drink, you name it, but do not screw up their lives.
I don't buy your moral equivalency for one minute. Every society has rules and norms that are capricious by design since we're all humans with different points of view. It's called maturity and risk mitigation and personal responsibility.
Drugs are no more alluring today than they were years ago, and about the same number of people become addicts or alcoholics in our society over time.
Further, please find a culture where completely open policies have not created their own problems. Ask Denmark how it's worked out.
On the other side of thing is the euphoric socialist state of Sweden where any amount of pot gets you a year in jail without fail.
So despite being in favor of legalization of marijuana I could not disagree more with your point.
In most(if not all) of Western Europe you get a one year suspension of your license after the first offense, a lifetime ban on the second. And you go to jail if you drive without a license.

Come on people we are missing the real issue at hand: police brutality. Drunk driving is a non issue. (HEAVY SARCASM HERE)

Geez, I read speakmymind's input before it was removed and did not read anything offensive...same with baghdad kv's

notsurprised sure has it in for this guy. She still has not shown any proof of her accusations toward this man and she should be sued for libel. Please tell me that there isn't someone in any of your lives that deals with an addiction and struggles fighting it. There is no excuse if he did, in fact, drink and drive. But to start attacking him because you have it out for him personally is childish and should be punished deeply.

I really hope we don't hear the "he has a disease" thing until they are blue in the face. Seriously, if this were an ordinary "Joe" on the street (i.e. one of our coworkers, neighbors, etc)...he would get the book thrown at him, and you know what? Nobody would care if he had a disease. Mr. Armendariz chose to drink again after the last incident. He could have killed a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, a child, a grandchild, a family!
I certainly hope the press and the judge gives him no mercy. Disease or not, until this man is sober for a very long time, he should never get behind a wheel and he should do jail time just like the rest of us would. If this doesn't happen, there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with our judicial system!

"justthefactsman" 1 what more proof do you need? 2 what makes you assume "notsurprised" is a woman? you want to have him sued for libel? on what grounds? 3 "if he did in fact drink and drive?" his blood/alcohol level was .16! Do you not know what this means? 4 everyone should have it out for an sob that is willing to endanger the lives of others instead of acknowledging his "disease" (puking sound), ignorance, stupidity, irresponsibility or whatever name you want to call it! Others lives are in danger due to this man! He needs to be removed from the streets, the crime was commited once before, it is public information! Obviously, IF he had treatment, it didn't work and he needs more. The legal system has a punishment for every crime, it needs to be across the board, no sugar coating because he is a politician...

“He’s a public figure,” Lynn went on, “and regardless of what you think about his politics, we’re hoping that his long history of public service will elicit a degree of compassion for what he’s going through.”

Mr Lynn: Compassion should not be dependent on one's public service record, nor should accountability.

While I wish that your client be cured of whatever it is that causes him to endanger lives, his being a politician does not entitle him to any special treatment.

Seriously? If this was anyone else they would have been arrested in the hospital! Waiting to see if the local Carp paper prints the story on this local hero! Bet they don't & bet he doesn't step down as on city counsel either! Over people making excuses for their actions, own it! Thank God he didn't hurt or kill anyone, again how many times has he driven drunk & not been caught???????? Rolled a car now this, yet we need to feel bad for him & because of who he is give him "grace", ya OK!

Yeah, Italiansurg, now that I re-read my post I could see how it could be interpreted to mean that I was not holding Joe responsible. That was not my point. It's just that he never seems to hold much compassion for the unfortunate in society and at this point he is in need of a great deal of help and understanding from his fellow humans. I bet he gets it. I bet his conservative buddies at the Tax Payers Association and Santa Barbara Industrial Assoication don't fire him. I bet he doesn't have to go to jail. I bet folks like Mike Stoker and Andy Caldwell find some nice things to say about him. He really doesn't deserve it and I hope that he realizes that a mercy of that sort does not come from a society of Ayn Rand self-centered individualists but rather from a communitarian village of folks who can say to themselves, "there but by the grace of God go I." Joe needs to step up and take responsibility, but I would not deny him the love and mercy that is the best of humanity.

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Next thing you know he will be trying to hide behind God, who will judge him no matter what...not a good place to hide dude, he will find you....

Being that this is a second offense, I really don't see how he can get away with it. Especially if he is at a .16 or higher.
To let him get away with it again and again, only enables him to do it again sometime in the future.

Reallyhaha: "Next thing you know he will be trying to hide behind God, who will judge him no matter what...not a good place to hide dude, he will find you...."

If you're referring to the God that posts on here trying to smite me down, but always failing miserably, then Joe's got no worries.
Said God is false, has terrible comprehension, is always wrong & is probably a drunk :) henry

I thought Josh Lynn was an attorney, not a PR person... The penalties for a second offense DUI usually follow the mandated guidelines, so Lynn's approach is rather strange as he is basically admitting his client's guilt.

The violator's political leanings shouldn't have anything to do with this at all, but that seems to be what a lot of posters have focused on. Again, pointless.

So, basically, we have an admitted alcoholic crash into a tree off the freeway while seriously under the influence of alcohol... unlike the previous two cases, this one is a no brainer - Joe, you're in serious trouble.

I think we should all consider this. We can bash Joe Armendariz all night long about his drunk driving accident and continuing struggle with alcoholism. But what will that accomplish? This man has a family. 4 Children and a 3 month old granddaughter. Thank God for the fact that he did not die, which he very well could have, and put his family through hell. Bashing Joe and bringing up past issues, how much worse it could have been, and tearing him down as a Council Member and person isn't going to make him any more or less embarrassed, and your a fool if you believe it will. All it is going to do is hurt his children. They have had a very rough life as it is due to their fathers political standing and the embarrassment that his mistakes put them through. Lets talk about people with a problem shall we? It is apparent to me that all the people in this comment extravaganza are all so upset about their own failed accomplishments, that the only way they will feel better is if they tear this man and his family down. Sounds like you are just as stuck as an alcoholic is. Either way nothing is being created, and good things are being destroyed. And unless you know Joe personally and know for a fact that he has not sought help about his alcoholism until now then don't be spreading false information. I happen to know he has tried to get help and become the man he knows he can and should be several times. Alcoholism IS a demon. Peoples lives are being destroyed every single day by it. Yet Pot is illegal somehow? Different topic for different time. Can you all please grow up and get off the computer and go benefit society in some way? Believe me you wont get it done on here bashing Joe Armendariz.

Oh and actually as for the comments on God and the judgement he will pour down upon Joe. Joe is a strong believer. And there is no condemnation in Christ. And we are all born in sin. So don't talk about the attributes of God unless you know them.

All poor Joe has to do is rub the magic Genis lamp and a little imp appears, gives him a job as an amateur journalist at the SBNP, surrenders all pretense to journalistic integrity with the blessing of a whackadoodle editor, mercilessly impugns the character and professionalism of his arresting officer, renders copied pre-checked field sobriety forms, and voila!------the offending film runs backward, metal unbuckles, the tree unshakes, poor Joe makes the same dunderheaded choice but it's as if it never happened at all.

Ain't fiction grander than truth?
You bet.

(Oh, and brittlelevee---knock off the whole "god" thing, please. Another fiction that has nothing to do with anything. I certainly was not "born into sin" and to pour your backwashed brainwashing all over everyone else who does not believe in your imaginary friends in the sky is why so many of us never take so many of you seriously. Any and all willful sin I've ever partaken in and of I did subsequent to my sliding down my mommy's birth canal. Seriously).

I completely agree with what Etna posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:31 p.m.

On a serious note...
While all this hew-and-cry goes on we live in a society that glorifies alcohol.

brittlelevee...his poor kids? What would make them feel worse? that their dad has injuries to himself because of his lack of judgement and self respect? OR that he could have killed someone 'other' than himself? The fact that he has sought help several times and is still drunk driving is even more frightening than this "just" being his second offense. Get him off the road for good! Haha Hank, I don't know about the God that is on here, sounds like an entertainer! But I do know that when the tough get's going for good ole Joe, he uses God as an excuse...I believe that if there is a God, he is just and he will make sure this man gets every ounce of what he deserves....I think of it as, 'learning a lesson the hard way' really? Poor Joe? Haha, give me a break....He was drunk driving, could have killed himself or others, perhaps one of his children had they have been with him or in an oncoming car... it is real, it happens, lives are lost to drunk drivers, and families lose their loved ones at the hands of some 'Poor Joe' and his problem...that with all the help he has had, has not fixed...time for the next train of action, he needs to be off the road...

It would be easier to believe Eckermann's global village thing and bc's points about moral equivalency if these same folks weren't gloating about this guy being a conservative etc. while lecturing the rest of us about their own (apparently) superior politics/morality.
Like guys on the Left aren't jackasses?
My favourite president, Bill Clinton, sexually harassed and had sex with a legal subordinate in the OVAL OFFICE, refused to take responsibility for it, and yet the feminuts did not utter a peep. If Bush had done that the Indy would be carrying stories even today. Hell, 2x a day...
My point is you lose me when you throw Ayn Rand and politics around while claiming you're all for peace, love and happiness when what we're talking about is a drunken ass whose politics are irrelevant. Being on the extreme right or left is hardly the key to moral superiority except in the mind of the individual believer.
Did Mary Joe Kopechne care that Ted Kennedy was the Lion of the Left when he killed her or was the fact that she was dead paramount?
I personally love it when moral conservatives get busted, Larry Craig from Idaho comes to mind for doing a dude in a bathroom stall, but I'll never be the one writing in these posts about the collective consciousness of the global village.
I'd be too big a hypocrite to lecture about civility and caring for each other while laughing my butt off about the irony.

What about the tree???

Question to all of you; What are the ramifications for jail or criminal convictions as a City Councilmember?

I tried to manuver through the Carpinteria's City website to find that information but to no avail. Are there ramifacations for Carpinteria Councilmember Joe Armendariz if he is found guilt of DUI a second time or is it a mute subject due to Political Protection (no matter how small)?

"Armendariz continued going straight when the road curved."

I'm gonna have to call this one at around a .24.

"The councilmember was conscious and cooperative when authorities arrived."

That's the first time I ever heard of a Carpinteria City Councilmember being conscious.

Political Protection?

The political ramifications are that the good people of Carpinteria vote for someone else next time. However, his first drunk driving car crash that did not kill any innocents but for the Grace of the Gods and Goddesses did not seem to hamper his reelection in 2008, as boosted by Armendariz outspending his opponents by 4 to 1. Him being in the can for Venoco apparently did not sway the voters of Carpinteria, either.

Lovin' the latest eruption. Applause!

"If you're referring to the God that posts on here trying to smite me down, but always failing miserably, then Joe's got no worries.
"Said God is false, has terrible comprehension, is always wrong & is probably a drunk :) henry" -- hank

"So don't talk about the attributes of God unless you know them." -- brittlelevee

"I don't know about the God that is on here, sounds like an entertainer! "-- reallyhaha

=================================

Word.

What are the ramifications? I don't know, but I will say that I think Mr. Armendariz should absolutely set an example this second time, and step down. He fooled the people of Carpinteria into thinking he was going to get sober the first time, and he failed. This time he should humble himself and remove himself from public office. It seems he needs to concentrate less on politics and more on his own disease. I hope the judge keeps him off the roads for a long time and doesn't let politics sway his/her decision.

reallyhaha and notsurprised - same person? hmmm ... your writing gives you away girl. You want to hide behind anonymity on this site to bash someone who didn't find you worthy of his time? Don't you have better things to do with your life then sit on a computer and write negative things about people who don't give you what you want? You are writing numbers and allegations on here THAT YOU HAVE NO PROOF OF!!! That isn't libel? Show us proof. The proof is in the pudding?? Seriously?? To bring up allegations about issues that were spewed by an ex-spouse and write it to the world - on this site and others - shows how sad our society has become.

justthefactsman, ok listen Joe, this is not who you think it is, I rather take it as an insult that you or lets say, Joe would think I would ever want anything to do with him. From the first moment I learned of the man and his antics, he has completely disgusted me. I figured in time, all of his troubles would come to the surface, just due to his own ignorance.I have no idea who your, I mean Joe's ex-spouse is, my heart goes out to her I am sure. My perspective comes from recently losing a very beautiful friend, innocently sitting at a red light, 12 year old daughter, beautiful, loving family - that was slammed into and killed by a drunk driver. Her daughter will never see her mother again, she will not be there for her 8th grade or highschool graduation, she will not be there to consult as her body goes from being a young girl to a woman, she will not be there to say, "don't date that guy, he drinks too much" The problems you, I mean Joe has are serious. Lives are at stake! Joe should not be on the road...the only numbers noted are public information, so far as I know, there is nothing wrong with sharing public information, it is "Public Information" I hope this guy realizes the seriousness of all of this, it is not a game of "oh lets see if I can make it home tonight" Other Lives Are Involved....please see beyond your own personal liking for this man, and let's look at the problem.

Joe's politics were mentioned in this piece why? Oh yeah, to smear conservatives... Hmmm... How about Teddy Kennedy folks. Need I go on? Alcoholism takes all prisoners, and Joe is facing a tough road. That said, no, he should not be driving until he conquers his addiction.

Yep, Carp has a real, up-start leader here.

I can hear him now, "Do as I say, not as I do. Yes, I have a problem, will get help, so please keep me in office and I promise I'll be a good boy. Oh, I've also spoken to God and asked forgiveness & I will apologize to the citizens at the next city council meeting. Whew!"

Do the honorable thing today, step down, get help if you really want, and get on with your life. Oh, stay off the roads or hire a driver for everyone's sake.

Thank you Barron! and Max!

Ha. I never once said I was a believer. Shows how unintelligent you all are. Read my post. You are all still doing exactly what you know I was right about. Not benefiting society. We already know that Joe is going to be off the road. It is his second offense. He also didn't get in a car drunk for years after his first offense. But isn't that what we all know alcohol does? It makes you lose your judgement and control. And trust me I happen to know his kids very very well. Better than any of you. And they all know exactly what is going to happen now. It happened last time too. Public embarrassment and having to pay for their fathers mistake. The fact that after I posted the last comment and you are all still here just shows how immature and useless to society you all are. Oh and are you aware that this family also lost their grandmother, Joes mother, after a very difficult battle with cancer just a couple months ago? Lets all just make their lives worse. "Oh he could have killed somebody!" Would have could have should have. He didn't. He almost killed himself. And his family is going through worse than him right now. You all seriously need to grow up. I see you all on here all the time, wasting your lives, arguing nonsense. Go do something about it! If your worried about drunk driving guess what?? Its going to happen tonight! and tomorrow! Its happening right now!! And guess what?? Joe is off the road right now! and Alcoholism is still out there killing people, causing accidents, lets just keep talking about Joe though! that will save us all!

reallyhaha ... to think that Joe has time to sit here and defend himself is ridiculous but what I would expect from someone who speaks without proof. I have a question for you though ... do you drink? Have you ever gotten behind the wheel after drinking? Do you know of someone who has had more than one DUI in their lifetime? Do you know someone who battles alcoholism? Let's take a look at our own lives before we start attacking another. I agree that alcoholism / drinking and driving is a HUGE problem. There is no question about that. It happens to thousands of people each day.

Yes, his poor kids, I am so thankful that none of them were with him, they could have ended up worse off than he. I hope his kids get to learn from this as to how Not to be. Under the influence of anything...addictions...all bad... It is a shame for him, that he has remained a public figure, I bet it would be less embarassing for his kids if he were not. Being he is a public figure, this is what he has to deal with. The fact is, that we find joy in knowing that he will be off the road, feeling a bit safer. All we can do is remove drunk drivers one at a time from endangering others. I think the concern here is that he not have to pay the price Any Other person would have to that is not in a political office. He is no better, has no reason to escape the judgement of the judicial system than anyone. The punishment should fit the crime.

Beginnings of articles and letters from another publication in 2006.
Will Mayor Schneider become SBCAG chair now?

Joe Armendariz pleads no contest
May 31, 2006: Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz pleaded no contest Tuesday to misdemeanor drunken driving, a month after he rolled his car on a winding road while driving with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. Defendants aren't required to be present in court during arraignment on misdemeanor charges, so the no-contest plea was entered on his behalf by his attorney, Doug Hayes. It includes the standard sentence for a first-time conviction for driving under the influence, Mr. Hayes said: a 10-day jail term, $1,600 fine and three years' probation. "Everything was standard. He was given no breaks," the defense lawyer said. "Joe's admitted to it. . . . He's made no excuses."

Letters: Credit Armendariz for his openness
May 4, 2006: I applaud Councilman Joe Armendariz for the article in the News-Press on his alcohol consumption. Mr. Armendariz will help more people than he realizes. It takes a strong person to come forth and admit his addiction. What a wonderful wife he has. Thank God there are people like her in the world. My vote and support are with him and his family.

Armendariz discusses battle with alcoholism
May 3, 2006: Until his recent arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz would sometimes drink one to two bottles of wine in a night at home, a way to transition from the workday, an escape from the world outside. In a frank and poignant interview with the News-Press on Tuesday, the politician and self-appointed county tax watchdog talked about his battle with alcoholism that had worsened in recent years, leading him to flip his Lexus SUV on a winding Santa Barbara road Friday night. "I was drinking way too much wine, and (his wife) Karla and I got into an argument," he said. "I went out to the backyard to play with the dog, snuck out the back side gate to go drive, listen to my favorite CD, and the next thing I know, I'm upside down in my car."

Carpinteria councilman arrested
April 30, 2006: Carpinteria City Councilman Joe Armendariz was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving Friday night after he rolled his Lexus on a winding Santa Barbara road, authorities said. A miniature, half-full bottle of Ketel One vodka was found in the car's center console, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department. Just after 10 p.m. Friday, city police, fire and paramedic units were called to the 1400 block of Sycamore Canyon Road, where Mr. Armendariz's car was "badly damaged and resting on its roof on the righthand shoulder," said police Sgt. Riley Harwood. "(He) had bruises and abrasions and expressed pain in several locations on his body."

"And (Oh, and brittlelevee---knock off the whole "god" thing, please. Another fiction that has nothing to do with anything. I certainly was not "born into sin" and to pour your backwashed brainwashing all over everyone else who does not believe in your imaginary friends in the sky is why so many of us never take so many of you seriously. Any and all willful sin I've ever partaken in and of I did subsequent to my sliding down my mommy's birth canal. Seriously)."

Also if you know anything about being a believer in God you would know that said believers have no imaginary friends in the sky, that's all you ;)

And that most certainly had everything to do with everything seeing as how before I posted that people brought a God they clearly do not understand into the argument.

Oh yeah, we all felt so unsafe before Friday night, knowing that Joe Armendariz was not in jail and had a drivers license. I think I will go drunk driving tonight then. Let us take some of the heat off of Joe, seeing as how this happens every day. None of you are even worth my time. You are still just not doing what you know I was right about. Get a life, and go help society. Maybe start a new more effective program for alcoholism treatment? Maybe the ones we have aren't working too well. There are so many possibilities, so many intelligent people in the world. They seem to lack the ability to acknowledge the real problem, and act on it. As for his kids, as long as you all know, that his children who just lost their grandmother and went through a divorce, will now have to go through this and we can all make it worse for them by continuing to bash their father and expose them to that. What if it were your kids? Your family? What are you all trying to accomplish here arguing amongst yourselves? We already know he is off the road. So now its just a bash Joe festival? You all seem very useful to the world we live in. I'm going to go build a house for starving orphans. Have fun on here wasting your intelligence and time on something that already happened, and should have brought compassion and sympathy towards a family going through tough times.

Truth is, if I am going to be driving...I am not going to be drinking..Specifically because, I love myself, I love my kids, and I think of others. This man is obviously selfish, has no concern for himself or loved ones. Just saying, he is not a victim here. As for those I know that have had DUI's, sorry but you will not catch me driving with them nor offering them a drink. It really is a shame that with all this man's kids have been through that he is not more considerate of them. He really should think of them more, allow them to be his motivation to good! I hope he steps out of the public eye and can give his children some peace. Good thing he is not a celebrity,

Joe Armendariz is one of the most generous people I have ever met. All any of you know about his life is what the media has made it out to be, and the politics you have seen on TV. Clearly none of you know how hard he has worked on his alcoholism, and how much he loves his family, and how generous and not selfish he is. You guys have no idea how much he has done for his kids and friends in his lifetime. Never call a man selfish unless you know. Call the specific act of a man selfish yes.

The simple truth is that this man has proven repeatedly that he is a danger to society.
Andy and Mike may well sing his praises, but the guy should be dealt the same hand as other less-known common criminals.
And for those of you suggesting that we think of his kids: perhaps that was advice he should have taken himself.

If you think a man is selfish because he is an alcoholic, then your level of intelligence (or lack thereof) shines through by saying such idiotic things. Yea, an alcoholic has a huge fight in front of him or her, every day, every minute. reallyhaha needs to get some therapy herself because bashing someone else to make oneself feel better is a HUGE problem in our society, and it adversely affects everyone who knows that person. It's time to start taking care of yourself and your family, not belittling someone else.

Being an alcoholic, especially when you have a family, makes you a poster child for being selfish and not worthy of victimhood status. Just imagine all that great quality time with the kids while Pop was sauced again...Every time this jackass sobered up, even for a few minutes, he had a chance to start down a different path instead of literally and figuratively driving his entire family down a destructive road.

:) funny how you Think you know who I am...Anyway...whatever issue I may Ever have that would be aided by therapy, (such as a massage) would never endanger the life of another. And yes, an alcoholic that Knows this is a problem, seeks help, the help does not work so he goes out and does it again..and tries to call himself a victim, that is selfish. When he is so blinded by his alcoholism with regards to its affects on his children and that his being exposed as such due to his irresponsibly getting behind the wheel of a car, that is pretty dang selfish and inconsiderate of his kids, no matter how much money he drops into the church basket on Sunday. If the truth hurts him, he should not consider himself a victim but rather even turn himself in for his DUI and deal with the consequences.

Joe has accepted full responsibility. He is not trying to get out of anything. When thinking of his kids we should be thinking of not publicly humiliating a family that is already going through enough. Not trying to find ways to get him out of it. He is not trying to get out of anything. You are all extremely cold. To make ones struggle with alcoholism a reflection of their person. None of you know anything about his personal life, and that is becoming more and more apparent every comment.

It's the Hypocrisy, stupid.

Has he hit Bottom yet?
Or will Bottom be failing to be reelected to city council or sooner getting bumped off SBCAG?

Schadenfreude on behalf of all the IMAs out here in the Real World where we do not drive drunk after spending the day making governmental decisions on behalf of the broader public.

Time to don a leather vest and go to a meeting with the IMAs, make amends, take our own inventory, and consult our Higher Power.

@ reallyhaha

Please cite your source for Armendariz calling himself a victim? I have read every report and seen every news report about this and nowhere does Joe ever try to call himself a victim, or get out of what he has done. That in itself speaks measures of his person and morals. Please only give out accurate info. Lets not become The National Enquirer.

obviously, you've never dealt with alcoholism ...unless you've walked the walk, you haven't a clue. No one is calling Joe the victim but you. All I'm saying is get a life and move on. Talking negatively about someone all day doesn't fix the problem.

@John Adams

Your comment was so irrelevant to anything that you aren't even worth a response. And clearly I like responding.

Ill give you this. Have you ever told somebody not to gossip or bash somebody? I'm sure you have. So who's the hypocrite now John? Armendariz is the only intelligent person on the Carpinteria City Council and his personal life and his politics should not be intertwined. Unless you know the story as well, don't assume he planned on driving anywhere once he drank. I know that Joe is very serious about not driving under the influence and has not done so since his first DUI. Sometimes people make mistakes when they get drunk. It has been happening since the beginning of time. We all know that alcohol never leads to anything good. Therefore those of you who drink and don't drive can not say that with certainty that you never will. If you even partake in drinking alcohol, you are risking that you may drink and drive.

Dear brittlevee, you are the one claiming him to be a victim...All I am stating is that he is not. Lets all jump on the poor Joe bandwagon...would that make you feel better? I am sorry, this is not about you. Nor is it about me. The point you are missing is that a crime has happened, all that are commenting on here want to see that justice is served. Plain and simple. Italiansurg, I like the way you put it. There is an opportunity in every moment for this man to make better decisions and think of his kids...instead maybe he is just not thinking at all?

The bottom line is why wasn't he arrested????? If this was me I bet I'd been arrested & chained to my hospital bed! True alcoholism is a disease, but not an excuse, I watched my dad who I loved die from cancer, I made some very poor choices and had some destructive behavior, no one gave me a free pass. Choices and then when they don't work out deal with the outcome, I'v livid with a reported .16 his ass isn't in jail! WTF is that????? That is the bottom line isn't it? A repeat drunk driver driving into a tree with a .16 would be arrested and in jail, what happened here, why wasn't he arrested, that is the BIG question I'd love answered!

Two points:
1. @ Justthefactsman: You can't criticize someone for posting anonymously when you yourself post anonymously. If anything it just firther exposes bothy the writer's hypocrisy and the Armendariz's.

2. Driving drunk, or being drunk when you;'re responsible for someone else like a child is irresponsible and selfish. And at the very least selfish describes Armendariz's political views and his treatment of voters in Carp. Why is Haether Locklear arrested but not Armendariz? She was only sitting in her car, he keeps crashing them!

The typos and glaring factual error in my previous comment should serve as a warning to everyone to not post a comment on half a cup of coffee.
That said, mug shots are routinely published here, where's Armendariz's?

Was it more hypocritical when the Lion of the Left and defender of women's rights, Teddy Kennedy, killed Mary Joe Koepechne and completely covered up her reckless murder? Methinks so. But it's still irrelevant.
Poor Baghdad Ken attempting make political points when it's bad enough that the guy is a loser alcoholic.

@Italiansurg:
I am not a politician and therefore have no need to score political points. Comments such as "Baghdad Ken" only make you look like a NeoCon crank.
However Mr. Armendariz certainly hasn't resisted making political points off the pain and suffering of other people. It doesn't take a genius to see a pattern of behavior directly related to his philosophies, all of which are selfserving, deluded and dishonest. All his past mea culpas (some of which I've personally witnessed) have been proven to be the crocodile tears they appeared to be. I assure you Armendariz is very sorry he crashed his car and was arrested, but not at all sorry he for his actions.

User profile: brittlelevee
Joined: Dec. 6, 2011
Comments posted: 8 (view all)

I'm sorry Brittlelevee but your argument is just.. well.. brittle.

Was it more hypocritical when Clinton sexually harassed and had sex in the Oval Office with an underling, which is against the law? And then the Right would not drop their tirade to undermine his successful Presidency and the Left did not utter a word against Clinton's boorish and misogynist behaviour?
Grow up Kenny. The politics are completely irrelevant and both polarized extremes, of which your comments continually demonstrate the Left point of view, are insane to insinuate moral superiority.
Our little local guy is a jackass irrespective of his political point of view.

"He fooled the people of Carpinteria into thinking he was going to get sober the first time, and he failed."
- Mom2012

Unfortunately, the people of Carpinteria are easily fooled.

"It is his second offense. He also didn't get in a car drunk for years after his first offense."
- brittlelevee

And, we know this how?

I'm curious as to why it is taking so long to get the blood results? Does anyone know the answer? Seems other people are arrested right away.

One's political point of view informs their behavior in all areas of life; else they must not really believe in the points they espouse.

Is the irascible, surging Italian really arguing that Clinton getting a blowjob in private from an overly consenting intern is just as bad as Armendariz driving drunk and crashing on the freeway and only randomly not killing other people while doing all that habitual drunk driving?

Many people here need to take their own inventories.

Who can resist a good dog pile? Not I, apparently. We saw a recent example of what a high level government administrator should do after being arrested for DUI (first offense and without wrecking his car in the process): Randy Babbit, FAA administrator, had enough smarts to understand that his job-related effectiveness relies on credibility and responsibility for his actions, and based on that he did the right and ethical thing: he resigned. Based on his record so far, I doubt we can expect the same of Mr. Armendariz.

Now the soapbox: Elected office is a privilege, not an entitlement; responsibility for the public weal is matched with a responsibility to maintain a high example of personal behavior and actions, whatever one's politics are. Yes, we all make mistakes, but all mistakes are not created equal...

This is all really sad. So many haters. Isn't there some saying about stones and glass houses? I am sure this guy is in his own personal hell right now, and probably putting his family thru some of the same. The first thing to go south after a few drinks is decision making. While I won't make up excuses for this relapse, I don't think further bashing the guy will help anyone. Granted, it is weird in the comparison between his treatment, and Denunzio's by law enforcement, I was almost run off the road by a drunk or texting driver last night. I am just glad no one else got hurt. Hopefully for the sake of the rest of this guys family, he takes stock of his inventory, and does the right thing.

Bottom line. Drink and drive, get caught, deal with the consequences of your actions. Don't care who you are. With regards to politics....really no need to focus on his conservative creditials. They are known already. I have no sympathy for the "I'm sorry, but I have a disease" mentality. I get it..it's a disease. But when you endanger the lives of others, ZERO tolerance.

Do you actually believe the point you were attempting to make JL?
As previously noted, when Kennedy killed Kopechne the Left was not pointing out the hypocrisy of a Women's Rights Champion taking away the complete rights of that young women. But the peace, love and happiness progressives decided to tie this local guys politics into their comments to make some ultimate point about social consciousness as though HIS drinking is EXTRA hypocritical. The two are unrelated and if you cannot understand that you're further out there than I previously believed. The point about Clinton(my favourite President in my 3 decades in America) remains valid. He committed an illegal act against a subordinate female and the Left who claim the human rights highground, were universally silent. Again, would the Left have been silent if Bush Jr. had done the same? That's a rhetorical question...That's why I separate my politics in these matters; there's no right or left wing monopoly on being a jackass, but of course you Progressives disagree...funny, the Right thinks the same thing...I think you're both nuts.

We've already explained how is irresponsible and selfish actions "in private" mirror the politics he espouses, you've only chosen not to read or acknowledge that.

Should we be surprised? We celebrate the culture of alcohol, weaving it into every aspect of our lives, then all h-e-double-hockeysticks breaks loose when some politician drinks and drives and gets into a wreck. We analyze, discuss, spew forth outrage on behalf of The Children, diagnose any and all sorts of medical problems, and generally carry on...yet we continue to celebrate alcohol, drinking alcohol, and a general alcohol-centric culture.

This area is a company town, and the company is the wine industry. It has metastasized like a malignant cancer, seeping into every corner of our lives from parties to lunches to fundraisers for the local daycare center or Scout troop...and we wonder why people drink and drive? They have to get to and from the bar somehow, right?

If an adult over 21 wants to pour that crap into their body, it's their prerogative...their body...their choice. Where that right ends is where it affects me and mine. Ya want to drink, then go right on ahead, but don't drive and don't expect me to pay for the results of your actions.

I don't care what this guy's politics are...that is completely irrelevant. He drank alcohol, he got behind the wheel, he got in a bad wreck as a result, and people could have been badly injured or died. That is not only morally and ethically unacceptable, it is illegal, and he should be made to pay to the full extent the law provides. Period.

Whatever. His career is thankfully over. Next stop "Almost Famous Rehab".

And I do hope he reads these comments, he's lived in a deluded bubble long enough.

"yet we continue to celebrate alcohol, drinking alcohol, and a general alcohol-centric culture"
- Holly

I hope you're not talking about the US. There are cultures that won't have a meal without wine, and they give it to their children. Are they "alcohol-centric" cultures, or is this just more of the same old "I'm ashamed to be an American" BS?

"We've already explained how is irresponsible and selfish actions "in private" mirror the politics he espouses, you've only chosen not to read or acknowledge that."
- Ken_Volok

My God Kenny, get off the pipe! There's an entire community of alcohol addled liberals in our own backyard; it's called Isla Vista (no offense hank). Are you really so consumed by your hatred of conservatives (which Armendariz is not), that you actually attribute alcoholism with conservatism? Okay, I'll play. I attribute speed and heroin addiction with liberalism. How's that?

100

I am puzzled, I read another article, and all of them say he was arrested...does that not equal to at least one night in jail? Arrested and let go when and why? If John Doe were in a drunk driving accident, whether or not he hurt others, and was Arrested as a result of it..no matter what his injuries were, wouldn't he do time? Don't they keep DUI folks at least 48 or 72 hours? How did this guy get out? Any word on his actual BAC? Believe me, I am not trying to make this guy out as any better than John Doe, just in case my statement above comes across that way. Holly's last paragraph sums every one of our comments up...

"If John Doe were in a drunk driving accident, whether or not he hurt others, and was Arrested as a result of it..no matter what his injuries were, wouldn't he do time? Don't they keep DUI folks at least 48 or 72 hours?"
- reallyhaha

You don't "do time" until after you're convicted. Most of the time, they usually keep you long enough to sober up and get processed. Once you sober up and have been processed, they will either release you on your own recognizance, or let you bond out. The 48 hours time frame is the maximum time they can hold you prior to your arraignment. Joe may have had to bond out since this is his second DUI in 5 years.

I think I've been quite specific that is is the views that Armendariz espouses that correspond with his irresponsible and selfish actions as an individual. I never blanket condemn Conservatives because I'm friends with too many of them who all disagree with the self-styled Conservatives who frequently comment on this site!

waz-the pipe is permanently fused to both his/her/it's lips and hand, creating a perfect delivery system...

By "self styled" Baghdad Ken must be implying these folks are really, I dunno, liberals? Either that or they're really Conservatives? Quickly and between huffs or hits dude, rush to the internet to find out what self styled means...

I hope you're not talking about the US. There are cultures that won't have a meal without wine, and they give it to their children. Are they "alcohol-centric" cultures, or is this just more of the same old "I'm ashamed to be an American" BS?

waz (anonymous profile)
December 8, 2011 at 7:20 a.m.

It's the hypocrisy of a society that says "just say no to drugs" and condemns the dangers of second-hand smoke while *encouraging" people to drink when it knows perfectly well that these people are getting behind the wheel.

If anything, it's the opposite of being a self-loathing American but in reality is an argument for sober, upright living.

bc-Your third paragraph is a perfect metaphor for many aspects of a full life: great food, but in moderation; marijuana OK, meth bad; cars are bitchin but speed kills; exercise daily but spend time sitting around with your kids...

I'm not ashamed nor proud to be an American, waz...I just am, and whether or not I am an American and how I feel about my Americanness is not germane to this discussion.

People in other cultures who drink alcohol or give it to their children are not germane to this discussion either. What I was commenting on was in response to an alleged DUI committed by Joe Armendariz, and how the proliferation of drink/drive incidents surely has at least some connection to the alcohol culture here.

Which is very different from the culture in other countries. In those countries, people simply drink their alcohol and that's that for the most part. Here we have a nouveau wino culture which is an outgrowth of the aggressive industry branding and malignant marketing on behalf of the wine industry...and you have to hand it to them; they have pushed their product into every aspect of our social landscape, almost to the exclusion of all else.

Part and parcel of that advertising push is that the alcoholic aspect of wine is downplayed while its image is revised and reworked into that of a high-class, cultured necessity of life if one is to be taken seriously in the "right" circles. In other words, the gullible yuppies, wannabe yuppies, hispsters, faux-hipsters, rich and pretend rich are all in the wine line, sipping, swilling and swirling (and driving), while loudly protesting that they never get drunk or buzzed or even slightly impaired. "We don't drink to get drunk!"

Yes, and most people don't wake up in the morning intending to get into motor vehicle accidents, but sometimes they do and sometimes it is through their own fault.

Like in this case. Drink alcohol (in whatever form), drive, have a wreck. The only positive thing here is that no one was hurt or killed.

My feelings about my American citizenship or the status of alcohol drinkers and their small children in other countries are nothing more than red herrings designed to distract from the meat of this discussion. We have a very real and critical problem here with the sudden and malignant metastasis of the wine industry into a culture where this has not historically been the case. We are all nothing but a target demographic in the crosshairs of a very aggressive and expansive industry.

Plan to see much more of these wrecks, particularly on the Pass, as the nouveau winos weave home to SB from the SYV and a day of pub crawling.

There appears to more drunken wrecks on the pass from folks driving back from the Casino, which is hardly the center of a "wine culture".
Holly, prior to the proliferation of the vineyards, drinking heavily was hardly scarce around here. The only difference between lower State now and 30 years ago in terms of consumption is we've driven the older locals elsewhere and we've concentrated all of the bars for 21-28 year olds within a few square blocks. I assure you that when I arrived here from Europe, and Joe's was in the middle of the block, I celebrated alcohol routinely and vigorously.

One difference however from out local councilman; I figured out IMMEDIATELY that drinking and driving was illegal so I did not mix the two.

You do not seem to be a barrel of fun...but maybe I'm mistaken...

Wow, I didn't know "compassion" was in the conservatives' lexicon but I checked and, yes, it's allowed so long as it's followed by "toward me."

Interesting comment since the Progressive Indy contributors continually demonstrate that everyone that disagrees with them are deserved of scorn as well.
The far Right believe they are the guardians of Traditional and Family Values(whatever those are?) and the far Left believe that they alone can define Social Justice(whatever that is?).
That's why I think both extremes are nuts and being a drunk is apolitical.

The casino itself may not be the center of "wine culture" but Santa Ynez in which the casino is located certainly is. Disingenuous is the kindest word I can think of.

"That's why I think both extremes are nuts and being a drunk is apolitical."

True, and this is why I have been outspoken about the fact that in Santa Ynez the drunk problems have been politicized.

As a rule, liberals bash the wine bars, and conservatives bash the casino, but both of these things benefit a profiteers at the expense of the safety of the rest of the people that live in the valley.

I cannot think of any politician in Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez who has had the backbone to stand up to the booze industry and simply say "enough". Whenever some alcohol-peddler wants to open a bar, they simply need to come up with the required Protection Money so the local government gets is fair share and voila (!) another alcohol establishment. Meanwhile, these same "leaders" wring their hands at the issue of RE-legalizing marijuana.

I understand that people will self-medicate to get out of the pain/anxiety they are in, but talking out one side of one's mouth about "keeping kids off drugs", or "just say no", while aggressively encouraging an industry that depending on people DRIVING to and from its points of distribution, consuming the product while at these points, and then DRIVING home while under its influence, is foolish at best if not immoral.

"these things benefit a few profiteers"

Eckermann's early comment is right on the mark. Mr Armendariz is all about political ideology.

His is an ideology of being tough on people who are down on their luck. Of demanding personal responsibility when compassion and support are more productive and appropriate.

This is certainly the end of his political career. Yes, he risked harming others by drinking and driving. But every day he harmed many more by his political actions that cut funding for essential services. Ironically, services that include help for those with substance abuse problems. And, he never missed a chance to oppose funding for transportation for those who choose not to drive.

It is unfortunate that political careers are ended for personal mistakes rather than for the real harm done by hurtful political actions.

Don’t you all have better things to do yet? Who among you is perfect? Those of you that have personal vendettas against people should take them out some place else. Let’s move on and let the healing begin.

We're only eight comments away from qualifying this story as one of the worst things to happen in the history of the United States.

User profile: JackFlash
Joined: Dec. 9, 2011
Comments posted: 1 (view all)

"Lovin' the latest eruption. Applause!"

sez_me (anonymous profile)
December 7, 2011 at 8:11 a.m.

"As one volcano becomes extinct, another rises from the sea to take it's place!" -Etna- (MaunaKea/Kratatoa/Krakatoa/Vesuvius etc)

bc-I guess I'll take your word for "As a rule, liberals bash the wine bars, and conservatives bash the casino," since I never thought of it that way, do not patronize wine bars or the casino, and do my drinking at home and occasionally Arnoldi's or Joe's or new Mel's.
I would never bash either entity and could not care less about a "wine culture", "alcohol culture" or the like as people still are not forced to drink and drive and per capita levels of drinking and driving appear to be going down over the past 20 years.
My problem with the casino has been that when we knowingly increased the traffic on 154, especially with a higher percentage of drunks, the fatalities went up and people get up in arms about the road itself and the culture that supports drinking instead of the individual that knowingly plans an outing with the end result being drinking and driving.

Italiansurg: Your point is valid, and I am merely saying the same thing, but from the other side.

It's analogous to the gang issue: One side says "lock the $#%#'s up and throw away the key" and the other side says "we need more social programs" but in the meantime the underlying cause results in more and more and more gangbangers being mass-produced.

There is the two-fold issue of the defective individuals who drink and drive, assault people, and do other bad things, but as long as our culture encourages these activities, we will be dealing with the multi-headed Hydra where when one head gets cut off, several more grow and take its place.

"I'm not ashamed nor proud to be an American"
- Holly

Really? You're not proud to be an American? That's very telling.

Hi Bill, thanks for reminding me I need to use my reincarnation tagline soon!

Too many people wear their patriotism on their sleeve.

"Too many people wear their patriotism on their sleeve."
- Ken_Volok

I don't. I left a good job to join the Marine Corps. It was purely out of patriotism and a sense of duty. I know I'm supposed to be embarrassed to say such a thing (according to you lefties), but I'm not. Once again, you don't know what you're talking about. What a surprise! Unlike you nasty little do nothing lefties, I'm proud to be an American. By the way. That taking over of the ports thing you Occufreaks had planned; huge bust. What catastrophic failure have you morons planned for next?

Really? You're not proud to be an American? That's very telling.

-waz- December 12, 2011 at 8:28 a.m.

Waz: "pride" is an interesting word because the opposite of it can either mean shame, (as in the self-loathing that some Americans feel) or humility. (As I feel, which is to say that with regards to my being an American, I feel BLESSED to have had the good fortune to be born in this country, but do not flaunt my good fortune)

I don't know your religious leanings, but I am providing this user-friendly link about what the Bible says about pride. For those who are offended by Christianity or the Bible, be aware that this link shows Bible verses so for those who are easily offended, or whose God is the American flag, you have been warned and are not being coerced to view these passages in any way.

http://www.christinyou.com/pages/prid...

"Hi Bill, thanks for reminding me I need to use my reincarnation tagline soon!"

Etna December 12, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.

You've had more reincarnations than Shirley MacLaine. (Who feeds her cat Ninety-Nine Lives cat food)

May I suggest "Mount St. Helens" for your next reincarnation?

Still extremely proud to be an American. Unlike the lefties, I say it unabashedly. Why is it that you people think it's only The United States that "celebrates" alcohol? Have you ever been to Germany? Beer, beer, beer. The whole country revolves around beer. When I was in Germany, a drunk guy got off of the river boat I was on, and just started peeing on the sidewalk. No one hardly gave him a second glance. Have you ever been to France? Wine with breakfast, lunch and dinner. When I was in France (Provence), there was a Sunday morning tradition where only the men would gather, bringing meats, cheeses and a lot of wine. They were wasted by 10 am. However, unlike many people in The United States, they seemed to be more accountable as individuals for their behavior. When they drink too much and do something stupid, they don't blame it on society or advertising. Why do we so badly feel the need to single ourselves out as inferior all of the time? When we do something great, there always seems to be a reason why it really wasn't that great. Humility? I'm sick of having to be humble.

Here's an update of the story: Armendariz gave a reported 25 minute mea culpa speech to the Carp City Council in which he asserted he has no plans to resign. This in the face of overwhelming voter disapproval of his staying as evidenced by Carp citizens addressing the Council; and numerous letters and emails to the council. So much for respecting the will of the voters eh? He was at least honest about his "reckless and irresponsible behavior" (his words) and promised not to run for re/election (we've heard that Rowse (or is it rouse) before haven't we?) I recommend the voters of Carp simply recall him if he won't leave. After all, he promised not to run again.