Posted on February 25 at 11:47 a.m.

Sad to see such a pretty town made so ugly again and again.
Been living in SouthEastAsia past couple years, and violence like this is almost 0. So nice it was to cruise around without a worry. -AB in SB

On Stabbing on West Arrellaga

Posted on March 26 at 9:16 a.m.

I live in Bali, and this island is completely destroyed from plastics. The ocean is spewing bags on to the sand, completely covering beaches all over Bali. The rivers, you can see the high water line, as it's an endless string of red and black and clear plastic bags caught in the tree limbs. Irrigation canals, full and bubbling over in plastics. And the air, burning plastic everywhere, creating Dioxin, 50,000 times more toxic than the #2 most toxic airborne chemical. Plastic shouldn't be banned in SB. It should be banned worldwide. But, f it. As it's too late. The oceans are already stuffed to the gills, and the developing worlds are tossing like mad, so whatever SB does won't make a difference. - AB in Bali and Santa Barbara

On The plastic bag ban now being crafted by the City of Santa Barbara

Posted on November 18 at 7:01 a.m.

Why do people who will never ever meet (see above, and just about every comment section of any major paper) get in fights? -AB in SB and Bali

On One Killed, One Injured in Lower Eastside Fire

Posted on October 10 at 5:31 p.m.

$140/4 hours..if you dance every minute of the night, it's 58 cents a minute. Better be a damn good dancer. -AB in SB

On Motown Downtown

Posted on October 10 at 6:56 a.m.

Harley, great articles. As one who is not so interested in economics but a core sociologist, you put a sociological spin on the economics that makes the whole thing super enjoyable and educational.

In these moments of change you describe, is it sort of like abandoning the timing of running races. You still have winners and losers, one runner strong than another in a specific race, but no perspective to runners in other races or in the evolution of the event. Today's runners may well be way slower (read weaker currency) than yesterday's, you'll never know. - AB in Santa Barbara and Bali

On The End of the Gold Standard

Posted on October 6 at 8:31 a.m.

Another tip. If you "just need to run in and eat a taco" and have no lock. As long as you can keep the bike in sight, shift it into your biggest (hardest) gear and leave the bike upside down in front of the shop window. (wheels in the air)

Keep your eyes on it, and if someone goes for the swipe, you'll be out the front door before they can flip it over and pedal. And when they do try and turn the cranks, big gear/no speed = stall.

Most likely, they will just dump the bike and run.

Then, grab the bike, upshift, pedal, catch them, and hit them on the head with your fish taco. - AB

On My Bike Was Stolen

Posted on October 6 at 8:27 a.m.

A super core option, pull the fork and on the steerer tube

(this is the tube that begins at the top of the fork and runs into/through the head tube, connecting to the stem)

tape a piece of paper with owner info/contacts. If it's a higher end bike, most likely it will end up in a bike shop and if the wrench pulls the forks, you're getting your bike back. - AB

On My Bike Was Stolen

Posted on August 24 at 1:47 a.m.

He reinforces racism.

On Ringleader of Gang Attack Sentenced to Probation, Time Served

Posted on August 16 at 5:32 p.m.

American government (police, courts, senators etc) no longer is there for the people. -AB in SB

On Man Sentenced to Two Years for Hit-and-Run Spree

Posted on June 22 at 4:22 p.m.

Yeah, I agree. Let's make all drugs legal because they only harm the user. Create tons of heroin/meth/crack addicts who become 100% unproductive for society and can do nothing but sit in the bathroom and use school tax dollars to support their habit. Sounds great. -AB in Bali & Santa Barbara

On The War on Drugs 40 Years Later