INDEPENDENT DISCOVERS POLITICIAN, DECLARES HIM MAYOR-WORTHY

It seems the esteemed journalists over at the Santa Barbara Independent have finally deigned to engage with local politics, bravely publishing their 'support' for a mayoral candidate. We here at The Whipping Post were genuinely concerned they might sprain a wrist from such strenuous intellectual labor, but fear not, gentle readers: they managed to ink a blurb for Eric Friedman without succumbing to carpal tunnel.

One can only imagine the arduous process: several hours of intense focus, perhaps a committee meeting fueled by oat milk lattes, finally culminating in the groundbreaking discovery that, yes, there is indeed a mayoral race happening. It’s truly heartwarming to see the Independent’s crack team of investigative blurb-writers, after weeks of diligent observation (or, more likely, a casual glance at a press release), offer their deeply considered opinion on who should lead our fair city.

What fresh insight do they bring? Do they expose hidden agendas, question campaign financing, or connect the dots between developers and votes? Of course not! That’s *our* job. Their 'support' is less a reasoned endorsement and more a participation trophy for a candidate they finally noticed was running. While we respect Friedman’s past service, the Independent's endorsement process feels less like journalistic rigor and more like picking the first name they recognize from a flyer. Perhaps next election cycle, they'll offer their 'support' for the concept of government itself.