INDEPENDENT ENDORSES... WHATEVER YOU'RE HAVING, DEAR!

It seems the Santa Barbara Independent has once again graced its dwindling readership with a profound insight into local politics, this time extolling the virtues of one Cevin Cathell for some unnamed 'Fifth.' One can only assume this 'Fifth' is either a highly sought-after downtown parking space or a fresh-faced progressive eager to expand the county’s already impressive collection of tax-funded quangos and committees.

The Indy's blurb, breathlessly suggesting Mr. Cathell will 'fit in with this legacy' of past 'standout' city politicians, reads like it was penned by a particularly enthusiastic intern on their first day, before they'd had a chance to witness how things *actually* get done (or, more often, don't get done) in this town. We're left to wonder if the 'legacy' they're referring to involves epic budget overruns, endless environmental impact reports for projects that never materialize, or perhaps the uncanny ability to convert taxpayer dollars into 'community outreach' brochures.

While the Independent gushes over this latest champion of vague progress, the rest of us are left connecting the dots. What exactly is this 'Fifth' that needs filling? And whose 'legacy' are we talking about? The legacy of ever-increasing regulations that stifle small businesses, or the legacy of zoning changes that conveniently benefit connected developers? It’s almost as if the Indy is trying to be so politically neutral, it accidentally became politically meaningless.

But fear not, gentle reader. The Whipping Post is here to cut through the fluff. While the legacy media obsesses over 'standouts' for unnamed positions, we'll be watching the ballot boxes – and more importantly, the campaign finance disclosures – for the real story. Because in Santa Barbara, the 'great jobs' are usually reserved for those who already know which pockets to line, and it's rarely the ordinary taxpayer's.