The Malibu High girls water polo squad, champions of the Tri-Valley League, won two matches in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 tournament before being defeated by the Troy Warriors 10-6 on Feb. 10. Photo by Simeon Sturges.
Malibu finished the season with an 22-6 overall record and a 6-0 record in the Tri-Valley League
The Malibu High Sharks girls water polo team advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 5 Girls Water Polo Championships earlier this month.
The squad, champions of the Tri-Valley League, won two matches in the postseason tournament before being defeated by the Troy (Fullerton) Warriors 10-6 on Feb. 10.
Malibu head coach Hayden Goldberg said this year’s Sharks bunch was on par with Malibu’s 2008 and 2010 squads that advanced to the CIF championship game.
“I don’t think finalist has anything to do with it,” he said. “I think complete team — who we played, what we did — this is the third-best team to ever come out of Malibu.”
Sharks senior Stevie Sturges called the team’s performance in the playoffs amazing.
“We were all super excited to compete in CIF,” she said. “I’ve never seen a team so excited to advance in CIF and even more excited to just continue playing together. For us, yeah we would have loved to win CIF, but it was much more that that. We wanted to stay a team as long as we possibly could and have the season last as long as possible, so we could stay together playing the sport we love.”
Malibu began the playoffs with a 9-4 victory over the South (Torrance) Spartans on Feb. 6. The Sharks defeated the Louisville (Woodland Hills) Royals 10-5 in the second round two days later. Troy, the squad that beat Malibu in the third round, advanced to the championship game on Feb. 17 and were defeated by Chaparral (Temecula).
Sturges said Malibu overcame several obstacles en route to downing the Royals.
“We never let it get to us, and we stayed in the game the whole way through,” she said. “We had a huge offense and even bigger defense. Most importantly, we were supportive of each other throughout the whole game. No moments of negativity with this group throughout the whole season.”
Malibu finished the season with an 22-6 overall record and a 6-0 record in the Tri-Valley League.
Goldberg described the success Malibu had this year as a fairy tale.
“I was kind of nervous at the beginning of the season because I didn’t know if we were going to have the pieces to be successful,” he said. “But we had the girls. We had the leaders. We had the mentality of playing for Malibu High School, and they brought it this year.”
Malibu started the season with 12-9 victory over Oxnard, a squad with much larger talent pool.
“I realized I had 13 girls that were better than any girls program with 28,” Goldberg said.
The Sharks also defeated Calabasas and Thousand Oaks — two teams led by coaches who coach many of the Sharks in club water polo — twice this season.
The Sharks were an impressive mesh of water polo knowledge, talent, and moxie, noted Goldberg.
“The wins we had, I take no credit for that at all,” he said. “It was the girls. They did the work. They played the games. They did everything themselves. I was just part of the ride with them. It was a great season.”
Sturges will cherish this season forever.
“Getting to know every individual in and out of the pool was such a privilege,” she said. “This was a team of fighters for sure. I had no expectations and we went practice by practice, game by game. Once we got there, and we got the league title I wasn’t surprised. I knew how powerful this group was.”
The Topanga Ranch Motel, build in the 1930s, was one of the first local motels in the Malibu, California area. It closed for good in 2004 and has sat vacant on state land since then. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
Long-shuttered Topanga Ranch Motel included in project
Members of the public now have the chance to comment on the restoration of the Topanga Lagoon. The lagoon is one of the last remaining wetlands in southern California and acts as a natural filtration system and stormwater buffer, and hosts rare and endangered species, including the tidewater goby and steelhead trout. With over a million visitors annually, the project also aims to increase coastal access by expanding recreational and cultural resources, offering visitor facilities, and preserving important ecological habitats and ecosystems, with an integrated program, including addressing the effects of sea level rise.
“Topanga Lagoon is a very special place,” said Jamie King, senior conservation biologist with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM). “It once was over 30 acres, but due to development patterns, it shrunk to half an acre in size. The lagoon is home to two endangered fish: the tidewater goby and steelhead trout. This is the only known location in Santa Monica Bay where steelhead trout breeds and thrives. It’s only one of two locations in Santa Monica Bay where the tidewater goby can be found and it’s here in abundance. From a biological perspective, it’s imperative to not only protect but enhance the lagoon so the species have a chance for survival.”
King explained funding the restoration: “The project is a joint effort by California State Parks, Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors and Caltrans. All the landowners are involved.
“Funders include the Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the state Coastal Conservancy, State Parks, and significant efforts from Assemblymember Richard Bloom. The RCDSMM is functioning as the project manager.”
Of interest to the public might be the long-shuttered Topanga Ranch Motel, vacant for two decades. There are a few scenarios being proposed. One alternative is to fully remove the motel to maximize the footprint of the lagoon. It would increase the size of the property from a half acre to 10 acres. Another alternative proposes to keep most of the motel in place and restore it. It could become a visitor center or possibly low cost overnight accommodations. “What its ultimate use will be has yet to be determined,” said King, but “coastal access will be improved by getting more people to the park, providing better traffic flow, pathways, and additional parking.”
A draft environmental impact report (DEIR) is available for public review and comment until April 12. Feedback can be submitted. Online visit topangalagoonrestoration.org, in person view the DEIR at the Malibu, Topanga or Calabasas Library, Malibu Creek State Park Administration Office: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, or at the RCDSMM office located at 4505 Las Virgenes Road, Suite 215, Calabasas.
Submit comments to topangalagoonrestoration.org, email TopangaLagoonRestoration@gmail.com or mail California Department of Parks and Recreation, Attn: John Ota, Environmental Scientist 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302.
Two public meetings on the project are upcoming, Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, or live-streamed on YouTube.com/@rcdsmm. Another meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Topanga Community Center at 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
RSVPs are required for in-person attendance. Submit requests to topangalagoonrestoration.org. Both meetings will be recorded to view later at YouTube.com/@rcdsmm.
Many residents are familiar with the wetland on Civic Center Way just below the condos. The entire parcel is Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) under the Malibu Local Coastal Program. This parcel was illegally cleared of the native plants and must be restored. According to the California Water Monitoring Council, 90% of wetlands in the state have been built on, drained or overrun with invasive species. Wetlands desperately need to be restored since they are integral to the web of life. This wetland is one of the very few left in the state. It is used by all kinds of wildlife including native and migrating birds. Since it is located within the Pacific Flyway, migrating birds need this wetland parcel as a stopover, a place to forage and rest, before continuing their long journey.
At the last Planning Commission hearing the Commissioners voted to approve only a small portion of what was once the wetland when a much greater restoration of this parcel is needed. That is why the Malibu Township Council and the Malibu Coalition for Slow Growth have appealed this decision to the City Council.
We hope the City Council will understand the importance of restoring and preserving this most environmentally special and valuable property to increase its viability and help the variety of wildlife and beautiful birds living and dependent on this area. This property should never have been disturbed but now there is the opportunity to restore and preserve this land. But if this parcel is ever to be developed, it should be constrained to the area allowed to be built in ESHA. A developer could still devise a profitable project because it would overlook this protected gem.
Let’s hope that the City Council members will show that they are among the majority of Malibu residents in favor of protecting this fragile ecosystem by requiring restoration of the ESHA and extending the wetland boundaries to the maximum area possible.
Malibu Canyon Road will reopen 7 a.m. Monday morning after Public Works geologists and engineers recessed the road to ensure they can safety reopen after a rockslide covered both lanes Wednesday morning last week. Caltrans and LA County Public Works have been clearing large amounts of water and debris covered both lanes of the Canyon causing concern over the hillside’s stability.
Great news! After intensive cleanup efforts and a thorough safety assessment, Malibu Canyon Road will reopen for the Monday morning rush at 7:00 am. Your safety is always our top priority. Drive safely, and have a great week! pic.twitter.com/acOvCLaa0L
On Sun. Feb 25, PW geologists and engineers, with the help of drone recon, will reassess if the road can safely reopen in time for Monday's morning rush. Public safety is our top priority, and we're working tirelessly to manage this situation.
Presentation of Commendations to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies Francisco Espinoza, Jake Lobato, Daniel Bautista, and Rick Vigil for their Rescue of a Drowning Individual.
New Items:
Initiate Amendments to Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 17.41 (Malibu Dark Sky).
Professional Services Agreement for City Hall Solar Power Project.
Los Angeles County Measure M Transportation Funding Agreement.
Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Resolution Extending the Declaration of the Existence of a Local Emergency Regarding.
Conditions on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).
Investment Report for the Month Ending Jan. 31, 2024.
Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Civic Solutions, Inc.
Report on Planning Clearances Issued for Formula Retail Businesses within Cross Creek.
Ranch Shopping Center (Location: 23465 Civic Center Way) pursuant to Settlement Agreement between City of Malibu and Cross Creek Ranch Malibu, LLC.
New Business (Continued):
Strategic Plan Project Update (Continued from Feb. 12)
Wastewater and Recycled Water Rate Study and Proposed Rates
Mid-Year Commission Activity Reports
Ordinances and Public Hearings:
Appeal No. 23-008 – Appeal of Planning Commission Resolution No. 23-52 (Skatepark at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway; Appellant, 600 Spring LLC)
Approval of Use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Fiscal Year 2023- 2024.
Council Items:
Proposed Advocacy for Changes to the California State Vehicle Code to Deter Excessive Speeding on PCH (Mayor Pro Tem Stewart and Councilmember Grisanti) (Continued from Feb. 12)
1/7 Burglary A vehicle parked near Topanga Beach was broken into and ransacked. The victim left the key under a pile of trash on the sidewalk next to his vehicle, and upon return, his keys were missing, and his wallet was missing from inside. The victim received a notification of a withdrawal from his account for $4,000. There were no security cameras available for evidence.
1/11 Vandalism A vehicle parked near the Mobil gas station near Las Flores was vandalized, and the tire was stolen. The front bumper and the front tire and rim were damaged. The damage was estimated to cost $1,100 to repair. There were no security cameras available for evidence.
1/11 Grand Theft An estimated $2,200 worth of power tools and equipment were stolen from a construction site on Rambla Pacifico. The security camera showed a gray Jeep drive up to the property and take the equipment. The security footage was submitted for evidence.
Matt and Jill raft were married for 21 years. “We were best friends," Jill said. "We surfed together and were happy to be together — we laughed everyday." Contributed Photo
Many Malibuites shared their experiences with Matt and his dedication to his profession and his family
By Barbara Burke
Special to The Malibu Times
“My uncle Matt was a legend! Many can attest to his antics on and off the beach in the ’80s, but that wasn’t the Matt I knew,” Brian Rapf posted on Facebook on Feb. 8, four short days after receiving the gut-punching, tragic news that Matt Rapf, 61, an iconic and much-adored son of Malibu, suddenly died in the ocean that he loved during a paddle-out to honor Lyon Herron.
“I knew a thoughtful, caring, introspective family man who always gave more than he took. He was a pillar of the local Alcoholics Anonymous and church communities, and he commanded respect because he walked the walk and never turned down an opportunity to help a friend or a stranger — he helped hundreds of people get sober while offering his love and support if you chose a different path,” Brian continued. “I knew a respected businessman who stuck to his core beliefs and prioritized friendships and integrity over money. The most important thing in his life was his family, and he spent more time with Jill, Luke, and Chloe than most families could dream of — we need more people like @MattRapf.”
Malibu’s Matt Rapf died suddenly Feb. 4 while participating in a paddle-out for Lyon Herron. Last Sunday would have been his 62nd birthday. Photo Submitted by Peter Register
Brian’s touching accolades honoring his uncle are resoundingly echoed by all who knew Matt Rapf. There are several laudable, common themes amidst the comments uttered by lamenting loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Matt was a giver.
According to his good friend, Peter Register, “Matt was an incredible person and a true Malibu fixture. In a nutshell … Matt gave more than he took. He gave his heart and soul to his family, friends, and the Malibu community he loved deeply. Matt was a Malibu steward. He really couldn’t stop giving.”
Matt was a loving family man, a doting husband and father, and a man of God.
“He would come into his office in this lovely home we just moved into last year, and he was so happy here; so peaceful. He would take an hour to meditate and for morning prayers,” said Jill, his grieving wife of 21 years. “He loved Psalm 91, which is used by a lot of generals going into battle because it is a Psalm of protection — Matt would read his bible passages and he was such a seeker — he always wanted to get the bible’s messages right.”
As Matt’s loving community struggles greatly to process the shocking news, those who loved him most gathered on Feb. 18 to celebrate his 62nd birthday at the place he loved so much, The Gathering, his beloved place of worship.
There were macadamia nut cookies that his daughter, Chloe, made and, of course, a birthday cake. It provided some solace to many who knew and loved him.
Matt was full of life.
““He was so strong — like a charging bull — nothing could stop him,” Jill said. “He traveled all over the place and had recently returned from a church mission trip to the Dominican Republic.”
Matt and Jill went on surf trips to Fiji, Indonesia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, saying, “We were best friends. We surfed together and were happy to be together — we laughed everyday.”
They had two trips planned, to New Zealand and the Maldives. Plans thwarted by fate, which cruelly wrenched Matt from those who he loved, leaving them with a heart-wrenching, hollow space and wondering why. He was, Jill shared, teary-eyed, shattered, and grieving, “So full of love. He had it down — how to be present, to love, to be, to live.”
Matt was an intellect and a writer.
“I knew a passionate reader and writer who went back to school as an adult, striving to better himself and those around him.” Brian posted online, referring to his Uncle Matt.
Matt went back to get his degree in his 40s, Jill said, “He wrote a book that one day might be episodic for Netflix.”
Matt was “Old Malibu.” Real Malibu.
Matt grew up in the Colony, where his father also spent his childhood. He spent his young years living in a large home that overlooked Third Point, and surfed every day, either at Third Point or Old Joe’s.
When he was interviewed by Tony Mark in “The Malibu Podcast,” the People’s History of Malibu, Matt characterized his childhood as a privileged life.
Some stories he shared with Mark involved his wild escapades in the ’80s before he got sober.
However, one involved what Matt characterized in the podcast as a “dwelling-challenged person” named Chester, who lived next to his family’s house for 17 years.
“Matt was always helping people and taking him under their wing,” his older brother Jim Rapf said. “He insisted on taking Chester Thanksgiving dinner, and that advanced over time to him taking Chester many meals.”
Most people in the Colony deemed Chester “crazy,” Jim said. “However, years later, Chester became a responsible citizen, and he lived in people’s guest houses on the Colony and helped people doing odd jobs.”
That story, Jim Rapf said, exemplified how it was “just Matt’s nature — right from the beginning when he was a young kid — he was always helping people. He was a remarkable human who was there for everybody.”
Matt was a helluva realtor.
“He was good at real estate,” Jill said. “Not so long ago, he commented that he was lucky that he could sustain his family in real estate, which is hard to do.”
Matt learned real estate from the best of the best — his mother, Carol Rapf, who was known as “The Queen of Malibu Real Estate.” Matt told Mark in the podcast as he proudly displayed a picture of his mom in the Colony riding her bike, “She was always selling real estate on her bike between tennis games.”
Her way of selling real estate was unconventional, but very Malibu, Matt added.
Malibu Association of Realtors President Susan Cosentino commented about the local real estate community losing Matt.
“Matt Rapf was not only a respected figure within the Malibu professional real estate community but also a beloved member of our community. His deep roots in Malibu, coupled with his unwavering dedication to his profession and his family, made him an integral part of our lives.” Cosentino said. “Matt’s reputation as a realtor who went above and beyond to assist others, coupled with his exemplary character as a family man, left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Matt’s sudden departure has left us all reeling, and his absence will be keenly felt by many.”
Cosentino added, “However, amidst the sadness, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy of kindness, professionalism, and community spirit will endure. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Matt Rapf, taken from those who knew and loved him — and from Malibu — far too soon, meant so much to so many.
“I’ve known Matt since we were kids — we rode the bus to Santa Monica together and he was very good friends with my late husband, Dusty Peak,” Denise Peak said. “Matt was like part of the family — we’d always see him on the beach and he always had a huge smile on his face.”
So many Malibuites grieve the sudden loss of Matt
“It’s hard to put into words what losing a friend of 55 years means,” Andy Lyon said. “Matt and I were lifelong friends and he was such a huge part of my life. He touched so many people in different circles in Malibu and will be missed by so many people. My heart goes out to Jill, Luke, and Chloe and all of his family, which I feel I have always been a part of — he was a one-of-a-kind guy.”
Agreeing, his older brother, Jim Rapf said, “Matt’s kids need to know what a great man Matt was and how very remarkable a legacy he leaves behind.”
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District administration office in Santa Monica, California. Photo by Samantha Bravo.
Malibu representation on school board at stake
It was a packed house at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District headquarters in Santa Monica on Feb. 10 as the public had the final opportunity to weigh in on a proposal to use trustee area voting to elect school board members.
A petition to vote by geographic areas instead of at-large elections could give Malibu a stronger chance at representation on the board. Since Malibu makes up only just over a seventh of the population of the district, the SMMUSD board is controlled by Santa Monica interests. At times there has been no Malibu voice on the board leading to the long, drawn-out separation of the districts still yet to be finalized.
Malibu voting rights attorney Kevin Shenkman filed the petition with the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization (LACCSDO), to implement trustee area elections “in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act.”
The Santa Monica political establishment appears to be strongly opposed to implementing voting districts claiming everything from disenfranchising voters to gerrymandering. Opponents argue that three different maps submitted by the petitioner (Shenkman) carved the districts into neighborhoods that are non-contiguous, such as Malibu’s Sunset Mesa with Santa Monica’s Sunset Park neighborhood or western Malibu with Santa Monica’s north of Montana and Wilmot neighborhoods. However, Shenkman, representing Malibu interests, has contended one Malibu district underrepresents Malibu voters. He hired a demographer to draw up two additional maps proposing two non-contiguous districts reminding that the district currently is now the only non-contiguous district in the state, barring Catalina Island in the Long Beach district, and also currently not legal in California.
SMMUSD attorney Dale Larson called the proposed maps the “Al Capone of maps.” Larson claimed they contained numerous illegalities, not respecting geographic integrity of neighborhoods, being in favor of more distant populations, and discriminating against incumbents on the board. Larson also asserted that the Malibu has actually been overrepresented on the SMMUSD board in the past relative to its population. “I hear what they’re saying about their concerns, [but] the law doesn’t work that way … it’s a non-contiguous gerrymander to increase Malibu power,” Larson said.
Some Santa Monica residents favor trustee area voting including Santa Monica Northeast Neighbors Chair Tricia Crane, who said, “Residents across the city are concerned about the lack of fiscal accountability by the current school board, which was elected at-large … it’s time for the election of school board members to be conducted in a manner that gives representation to all neighborhoods,” adding that those who are opposed to at-large face a “culture of intimidation.”
Many speakers opposed the splitting of some Santa Monica neighborhoods including Santa Monica City Councilmember Gleam Davis, went as far as calling a map an “abomination.”
“It breaks up communities of interest within the Santa Monica city boundaries,” Davis said. “North of Montana, Ocean Park, Sunset Park, Mid-City, all of these areas have very specific needs … and this map completely ignores [them] in the interest of promoting the interest[s] of some folks in Malibu. That is certainly within their prerogative, but it is not legal … I don’t think you have any option other than to reject this map.”
Splitting Santa Monica neighborhoods could be of concern to five current school board members who all live in the same Santa Monica neighborhood since only one member can be elected from each district.
Santa Monica City Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who served on the SMMUSD board for 18 years, said, “those in power support the status quo and want nothing to change. They support the at-large election system … at-large elections [have been] used as a tool to marginalize voters of color throughout the country, and this is also true for the city of Santa Monica.”
Asked for comment, Shenkman emailed The Malibu Times: “I think what these hearings have demonstrated more than anything is that SMMUSD is deeply divided, both within Santa Monica and between Malibu and Santa Monica. That is why we need trustee-area elections for SMMUSD — so that all groups are represented. The group holding the power in Santa Monica is desperate to maintain that power, twisting to identify themselves as progressive while taking the ultra-regressive stance of opposing the voting rights of 40 million Californians.”
There are 11 members of LACCSDO that will make the decision. Two members, Barry Snell and Ralph Mechur, are former SMMUSD board members, and were appointed to the commission by former LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. Snell and Mechur have already voted against a separate Malibu school district.
NATO has been a bedrock military alliance for its members since 1949 and is arguably as important today as during its inception, but it’s complicated. Originally 10 European countries, the U.S., and Canada, 19 more countries have joined in nine rounds of enlargement.
Formed to counter the overt threat from the USSR, it has been subject to revaluation after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. However, not only did NATO endure, it grew, and now with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, NATO nations look to the east with a similar trepidation as they did before. The Soviets openly advocated “liberating” the world with socialism by military force and were only stymied by the determination of the West to resist them. Article 5 of the NATO charter provides that if a NATO ally is the victim of an armed attack, every other member of the alliance will consider this as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist that ally.
Should the Soviets have surged across the iron curtain all Western Europe would have counter attacked, most importantly the U.S., which stationed tactical and intermediate nuclear weapons and a stated willingness to use them. Stalemate, which lasted for 46 years, until the U.S.S.R. collapsed. Having lost their war machine, the Socialists of the world have pivoted to our universities and media to conquer the West (with distressing efficacy), so is our NATO alliance still in America’s best interest? It is an alliance which states if one of the countries is attacked, we will react as if someone had attacked America directly. The clarity of the Soviet threat which would have rolled over Europe was crystal clear. Allowed to progress, America would have stood alone in the world. The formation of NATO, and American leadership was wise.
However, we have pushed the NATO boundary to the Russian border, and, in fact, discussions about Ukraine joining NATO may have been the catalyst for the disastrous invasion by Russia. We have effectively pushed the boundary of America to the other side of the world, which is torn by ancient conflicts, and promised to embroil ourselves with the trip wire of Article 5 should any NATO ally be attacked. Most Americans envision Germany or Italy under this scenario, true allies who share our values. Remember however that Turkey is a NATO ally, and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared Israel, another U.S. ally, a “terrorist state.” Should Turkey and Israel come to blows, what does the U.S. do? Other examples abound. The hair trigger of Article 5 expands U.S. obligations from the arctic to the Mediterranean. It is neither irresponsible nor irrational to promote debate on this issue.
In World War I, 16.5 million people died, including 117,000 Americans. Almost every protagonist was dragged into the conflict based upon alliances. In his farewell address, the father of our country and first president, George Washington, stated. “it is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it.” It is a more complicated world today, and things move much faster than back then, but the cautionary note is well taken. We have learned through deep pain the penalty of allowing tyrants to grow strong and conquer surrounding nations, the genocide, and the resulting threat to our own shores.
When we formed the NATO alliance it was with European democracies against a monolithic Communist threat, which could engulf all of us. Russia still has the world’s largest deployed nuclear capability, and Putin is clearly a despot, so it would seem maintaining our NATO alliance is prudent. Notably, though, most NATO allies don’t meet their obligations to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense spending, as required in the 2014 Investment Pledge.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, along with Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta (Bill Clinton) and Chuck Hagel (Obama), have all warned NATO allies that if they don’t meet their obligations, beleaguered America taxpayers will balk at continuing to shoulder disproportionately their defense. Multiple successive American presidents from both parties had failed to prod the allies to meet their obligations. Trump was very aggressive with the NATO allies, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, gave credit to him for increased spending by the Europeans.
Recently at a campaign rally Trump said he would “encourage them [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want” to nations that don’t spend enough on defense. Bombastic, but perhaps effective to push our allies to pay their share. We’re fiscally fatigued defending the world, and candidly, with $34 trillion in debt and climbing, we’re broke. Russian aggression has energized defense spending as war rages in Europe. Now is the time for thoughtful debate about what is in our best interest.
Don Schmitz is an independent columnist for Atascadero News / Paso Robles Press, he alongside Lance Simmens write a bi-weekly column on national topics from the perspective of their political leanings. You can forward any comments you have to editor@13starsmedia.com.
For seven decades, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has ensured that the security of its European member countries is inseparably linked to that of the North American member countries. It has ensured peace within its territory and its primary purpose is to operate under the idea of collective defense, meaning that an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all.
Severely affected by the Cold War, which defined its first four decades, it has not only survived but grown since its inception in 1949, and today working with non-member countries and other organizations is considered to be one of NATO’s fundamental tasks. According to the U.S. State Department, “consensus and consultation are part of NATO’s DNA. All member countries are represented in the North Atlantic Council, where decisions are taken by consensus — meaning unanimously — expressing the collective will of all the nations.”
The continued existence of this effective organization has recently entered the political narrative leading up to the 2024 presidential election as the prospect of Donald Trump securing the Republican nomination becomes more and more likely. In Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks, seemingly with regard to support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s distaste and disdain for NATO, he has opened the door to questioning the continued viability for the organization.
As reported by CNN, “Trump caused a transatlantic uproar by claiming that he had told the president of a ‘big’ NATO country that if that country didn’t pay its ‘bills,’ he would not protect the country from a Russian invasion and would even ‘encourage’ Russia ‘to do whatever the hell they want.’ Trump’s incendiary remarks contained a familiar false claim. His assertion about NATO allies supposedly having failed to pay ‘bills’ is not true.”
NATO member nationsall make payments to cover the operating expenses of the organization, which was founded in the aftermath of World War II to help Western Europe counter the Soviet Union with help from Canada and the United States. But they don’t pay membership fees to remain in the alliance, so there’s no delinquency to speak of.
Countriesdo, however, commit to spending at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense each year, with the goal of ensuring the alliance’s military readiness and deterring any potential attacks. The commitment is a guideline, not a requirement, that has been in place for nearly two decades.
Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with Putin has also sparked serious concern over how deep into the soul of the GOP rejection may run, and similarly the recent passing of Putin critic Alexei Navalny, largely suspected due to assassination at the direction of Putin, raises serious questions as to the prospects for further authoritarian tendencies in an attack on key democratic principles that have shaped the U.S. government since inception of the Constitution. It is astonishingly short-sighted if not potentially disastrous to have useful idiots at the helm of one of two functional (a term I use skeptically) political parties in the United States, particularly in light of the long-standing protection that has been afforded to over 30 countries who currently are participants in NATO.
I had the honor of leading a delegation of mayors to a conference on federalism in Moscow in December 1991 at the invitation of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, and Boris Yeltsin, the first popularly elected head of state in Russian history. The weeklong conference left us all with great hope that democratic principles would be incorporated into the Russian governmental system as the Soviet Union dissolved. Our dreams have been seriously undercut in the ensuing years as Putin has exercised a yearning to revert to his KGB ways. As Putin readies himself for a fifth term next month, the prospects for continuing authoritarian dictatorial rule appears certain.
It is astounding to witness the knee-bending and kissing of the ring that former President Trump lavishes upon Putin. The authoritarian tendencies that are seeking and receiving emulation towards strong dictators within the Grand Old Party are a direct attack upon everything that distinguishes our nation from others — namely, democracy. There is also discussion that Trump has offered a desire to abandon NATO altogether.
Our inability to even consider support for helping Ukraine weather the onslaught that superior firepower and ammunition are leveling at them currently while the Republican-led House of Representatives fiddles with a political calculus that is the very antithesis of everything our nation stands for simply plays into Putin’s hands. Cozying up to oligarchical figures such as Putin represents a despicable retreat from the liberty and freedom which represents the soul and spirit of our system of government. Dismantling NATO is like taking a sledge hammer to the foundation of our democratic ethos.
Lance Simmens is an independent columnist for Atascadero News / Paso Robles Press, he alongside Don Schmitz write a bi-weekly column on national topics from the perspective of their political leanings. You can forward any comments you have to editor@13starsmedia.com.
