I love the 4th of July.  But this year it wasn't quite as upbeat as usual.  Another fire is blazing away near Santa Barbara, in the hills of Goleta.  Goleta is closer to UCSB, about 8 miles from Santa Barbara but it's hard to tell when you exit one and enter the other.  Tonight the total acreage burned is around 9,000+.  This fire is closer to the suburban population than the Zaca fire of last year.  No official word on how it started but it began right around an old shooting range about 15 minutes away from town. 

Also, at about 9:00 pm, just before the fireworks show began, there was another gang stabbing.  As usual, it was gangs of young teens (14 or 15 yrs.).  One boy died and 2 were hospitalized because of their injuries.  The brawl took place right by the dolphin fountain at the corner of Cabrillo (ca-BREE-o) Blvd. and State Street. 











The crowd on West Beach waiting for nighttime and fireworks.













So that stabbing went on despite a huge crowd and police presence.  So far, only gang members have been hurt during these public free-for-alls.  I wonder why the city's higher ups don't do something stronger to deal with the gangs.  The police feel that their hands are tied.  Other cities with severe gang problems have called for much stricter measures, but Santa Barbara's commercial interests don't want that because it will reflect badly on the city.  I have some news for them - it already reflects badly because nobody cares enough to do anything about it.  At what point the bad reflection from not taking action will take the spotlight from the bad reflection from admitting we even have gangs is anyone's  guess.   I'm sure the parents of those kids who have died because of the reluctance to deal with it have something to say about it. 

Another final note about the 4th:  I stumbled upon a comment board for a local Internet news site.  Most of the comments were saying that SB is selfish for not cancelling the display.  Some thought the resources should have gone toward the fire fighting.  Some thought instead of all the people watching fireworks, the crowds could have been doing more constructive things to help the firefighters.  (Like get in their way, maybe?)   The Goleta display was cancelled and the Stow House Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, which goes on all day, was also cancelled.  I feel the SB display was appropriate and I am thankful that it went off well.  For some reason, there was a lull in the half-way point and some thought it was over.  Once the action started up again, people who were walking away turned to return and watch.  The fireworks went on from 9:30-ish until after 10.  It was a fabulous display, too.  Smiley faces, peace signs, all gold fireworks, the usual brilliant colors, and some neat feathery looking fireworks that I haven't seen before. 

One commenter to the anti-firewords board said that the police presence could have been out helping the firefighters instead.  As one respondent answered: yep, that's what the firefighters need - police!  And pretty soon the post office will go over and win that war in Iraq!    Funny thought - and beautifully said.