George Mullen is humorously called San Diego’s Renaissance Man by old friends due to his diverse interests and wide range of art projects, writing efforts, and active involvement in civic initiatives.
Mullen is co-founder of Sunbreak Ranch, the cutting-edge new approach for ending America’s street homelessness catastrophe. Sunbreak is supported by NBA legend Bill Walton (RIP), former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, Academy Award Winning actor Jon Voight, Washington Times chairman Tom McDevitt, Hollywood filmmaker Steven Paul, and scores of other impressive folks: Sunbreak Ranch Endorsement Team.
In addition to Sunbreak Ranch, Mullen is spearheading four key San Diego civic proposals:
- Stopping the Coronado Bridge Suicide Machine in order to end the bridge’s 450-plus suicides
- TJ Dilution Solution (Imperial Beach Jetty) in order to stop Tijuana Sewage from spoiling San Diego’s beaches
- Second Functional Opening to San Diego Bay in order to launch an environmental rebirth of San Diego Bay
- City of Life (Ciudad de Vida) in order to establish a real brand for the San Diego / Tijuana region
Mullen’s operational HQ is at StudioRevolution in downtown San Diego. He is a native of San Diego and a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder. George is first and foremost a “thinker”. From this starting point he has followed a path leading him to become an oil painting artist and widely published writer. Much of his work is America-inspired as seen in his Barbed America Art, his earlier September 11 Art, and his recent Trump Shot Red Art. His primary work mediums include oil paint, barbwire, canvas, and the almighty pen and paper. (Photos of Mullen)
Mullen also develops long-term branding strategies for cities and nation-states, as exemplified by City of Life and Panama is Life. Likewise, in 2020 San Diego’s iconic Museum of Man changed its name to the “Museum of Us” based on Mullen’s Museum of Us concept.
Mullen has extensive experience in the financial markets and is recognized as one of the few people in the world to accurately predict the 2007 – 2009 global economic collapse in his articles The Coming Financial Tsunami and Welcome to the Bubble Economy. This article from 2008 sums up Mullen’s contributions: While Our Brightest Economists Failed, “Nobody” George Mullen Warned Us.
Mullen previously spent considerable time in the Middle East doing archaeological work. Based on his experiences in the region he authored the book Peace in the Middle East, which carries a noteworthy endorsement by M.I.T.’s world-renowned Noam Chomsky. He has since authored an array of published articles on world affairs, global finance, homelessness, and local San Diego issues. Although political art and writing are main focuses, Mullen remains an independent-minded idea person and is not affiliated with any political party or political movement.
America Turning On Itself
oil on canvas, 2022
Though involved with many community issues, Mullen currently has six civic priorities:
- Super-brand San Diego as the City of Life (Ciudad de Vida) and the 21 cities of the San Diego / Tijuana region as the Cities of Life (Ciudades de Vida).
- Establish Sunbreak Ranch as the homeless solution for San Diego, and once proven, as the homeless solution for the entire west coast and America.
- Construct a Second Functional Opening to San Diego Bay in order to a) protect the U.S. Naval armada ported in San Diego, b) launch an environmental rebirth of San Diego Bay, and c) ignite an economic boom for the entire San Diego / Tijuana region.
- Build the TJ Dilution Solution (Imperial Beach Jetty) in order to end the Tijuana Sewage Crisis and its extensive negative impacts on the San Diego / Tijuana region and U.S. Navy SEAL special forces.
- End the tragic continuation of the 450-plus suicides off of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge by implementing the common sense approach outlined in Stopping the Coronado Bridge Suicide Machine. This is an easily preventable catastrophe if we have the will to try something new.
- Secure a long-term funding stream for Balboa Park in order to address its deferred maintenance issues and preserve its status as one of the premier city parks in America. (To ensure that Balboa Park always remains a safe and secure place for everyone to enjoy, this funding is to be directly tied to the strict enforcement of Rule of Law within the park. Meaning this funding stream will be frozen if gang activity or homeless loitering / camping is permitted within park limits.)
Mullen has been a dedicated member of Rotary International since 1988 and is Past President of the powerhouse San Diego Downtown Rotary. This group was a critical player in providing humanitarian aid to San Diego’s needy during the 2020 – 2022 Coronavirus Crisis. Mullen was previously President of the San Diego Mission Valley Rotary as well. As Mullen likes to say, “Rotary is a highly effective volunteer organization of women and men who have accomplished more community good than all of our political leadership combined, no question about it.”
To learn more about Mullen and the efforts he is leading, please scroll down to review 24 key areas of interest:
City of Life / Cities of Life
Mullen and a group of civic-minded citizens recently put forth a cutting-edge proposal for a new identifier for the city of San Diego known as the City of Life.
The City of Life concept also presents us with a unique opportunity to super-brand all 21 cities of the San Diego / Tijuana region as the Cities of Life / Ciudades de Vida. Such a broad-based branding would dovetail perfectly with our region having been just awarded the title of “World Design Capital 2024”. Likewise, this is our golden opportunity to leave behind an impactful regional legacy that surpasses the high-bar legacy set by the Panama-California Exposition of 1915.
The Cities of Life / Ciudades de Vida super-branding will create a powerful global-beacon for the San Diego / Tijuana region that will be unlike any other in the world. Though uniquely inclusive of everyone and everything in our region, it will also help solidify the perception (and reality) of our region as a major “life sciences” mecca.
This super-branding effort will be voluntary to all of our region’s 21 cities…each city can decide to actively participate or not…or join in later…the choice is theirs. Bottom line, this endeavor is intended to benefit all 21 cities (and all citizens) of the San Diego / Tijuana region. And it is easy and inexpensive to implement.
Furthermore, with a targeted public art campaign (needing only a few cans of white paint) on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, we can cement a global-architectural-beacon that will become synonymous with the San Diego / Tijuana region in perpetuity. Think about the Eiffel Tower with respect to Paris. Think about the Hollywood sign with respect to Los Angeles. The article, Let’s Brand San Diego and Tijuana as World ‘Cities of Life’ in 2024, describes this effort in detail.
Panama is Life
Mullen and Panamanian citizen Ester Araujo García de Paredes have jointly created a cutting-edge branding proposal for the Republic of Panama known as Panama is Life.
Financial Tsunami
In the world of financial affairs, Mullen was one of the few vocal individuals at the peak of the markets to predict what became the 2007 – 2009 economic collapse, and subsequent Great Recession. In fact, he was the first to coin the term “Financial Tsunami” to describe the crisis he foresaw in the article “The Coming Financial Tsunami” published in 2005. This term took on a life of its own in 2008 when CNBC and Pimco bond-king Bill Gross began repeatedly using the term, followed by Lehman Brothers CEO Richard Fuld publicly blaming the Lehman bankruptcy on the “Financial Tsunami”. Soon thereafter, the likes of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, real estate mogul Sam Zell, and the Chinese government were all using the term to describe the economic collapse. Though most laughed or called Mullen an alarmist when these articles were first published, by 2007 no one was laughing anymore. Read for yourself:
- The Coming Financial Tsunami – The San Diego Union Tribune – June 9, 2005
- Welcome to the Bubble Economy – The San Diego Union Tribune – February 17, 2006 (co-authored with Tom Mullen)
- While Our Brightest Economists Failed, “Nobody” George Mullen Warned Us – Pasadena Sub Rosa – December 7, 2008
- Welcome to the Depression (Time to Realize Our Economic Plight) – The San Diego Union Tribune – March 6, 2009
- Tax Cuts = Job Creation – The San Diego Union Tribune – June 17, 2010
- Reigniting America’s Economic Engine – Townhall.com – January 19, 2016
- The New American Age of Peace, Prosperity, and Innovation – Townhall.com – June 12, 2018
- America’s Economic Engine Will Defeat the Coronavirus, Not Fear – Townhall.com – March 20, 2020
- Economic Suicide by Shutdown Will Not Cure the Coronavirus – Times of San Diego – April 6, 2020
- America’s Shutdown is Economic Hemlock – Townhall.com – April 14, 2020
- America’s Shutdown Over the Coronavirus Is Economic Hemlock – Times of San Diego – April 24, 2020
- America Should Demand $25 Trillion in Reparations from China – Townhall.com – February 18, 2021
Sunbreak Ranch
A Real Solution to America’s Homeless Crisis
Mullen and long-time friend Brian Caster recently launched a major initiative to solve America’s burgeoning homeless crisis. It was first introduced in their op-ed, Sunbreak Ranch Could Be San Diego’s Homeless Solution. The concept is based on a bold new homeless strategy known as Federal Leadership, Local Control.
- Sunbreak Ranch website
- Sunbreak Ranch Could Be San Diego’s Homeless Solution – The San Diego Union-Tribune – February 9, 2017 (co-authored with Brian Caster)
- How We Can Fund a ‘Sunbreak Ranch’ to House San Diego’s Homeless – Times of San Diego – February 19, 2017 (co-authored with Brian Caster)
- Short-Term ‘Band-Aides’ Won’t End Homelessness, But Our Plan Will – Times of San Diego – July 22, 2020 (co-authored with Brian Caster)
- An Appeal to Elon Musk to Help Fix America’s Homelessness Crisis – Times of San Diego – February 17, 2022
- Sunbreak Ranch Is the Answer to San Diego — and America’s — Homeless Crisis – Times of San Diego – January 14, 2023 (co-authored w NBA legend Bill Walton)
- It’s Past Time to Take Back San Diego from the Catastrophe of Homelessness – Times of San Diego – George Mullen, Bill Walton, Brian Caster, Richard Bailey, Rick Sweeney – April 20, 2023
- Homelessness Is an Emergency — Let’s ‘Parachute in’ Sunbreak Ranch at Brown Field – Times of San Diego – January 10, 2024 (co-authored w NBA legend Bill Walton)
Take Back San Diego
The organic inception of TAKE BACK SAN DIEGO happened at Hob Nob Hill Restaurant on February 28, 2023 with the stated goal of ending the homeless humanitarian crisis that is ravaging San Diego’s streets, canyons and public parks.
- It’s Past Time to Take Back San Diego from the Catastrophe of Homelessness – Times of San Diego – George Mullen, Bill Walton, Brian Caster, Richard Bailey, Rick Sweeney – April 20, 2023
- Former NBA star Bill Walton speaks out on San Diego’s homeless crisis – The Coronado News – Madeline Yang – July 7, 2023
- ‘Sunbreak Ranch’ Homeless Camp Concept Gaining Momentum – The San Diego Union-Tribune – Michael Smolens – July 28, 2023
A Bold New Vision for San Diego’s Waterfront
Over the next century San Diego’s population will double to 3 million in the city and 7 million in the county. How will all these people — our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — enjoy our most sacred natural resource — our waterfronts — if we continue to wall them off from public access? San Diego Bay is now almost completely inaccessible. Think about it: where can you dangle your feet in the bay? Mission Bay is rapidly following suit. California’s tidelands are legally protected for the public under California Constitution, Article X, section 4. A Bold New Vision for San Diego’s Waterfront charts a viable new way forward.
- A Bold New Vision for San Diego’s Waterfront – Times of San Diego – July 9, 2018
- A Bold Vision is Needed for San Diego’s Waterfront – IVN (Independent Voter Network) – July 10, 2018
- A Bold New Vision for San Diego’s Waterfront – The Coronado Times – July 16, 2018
- A Bold New Vision for San Diego’s Waterfront – SDNews.com (San Diego Community Newspaper Group) – July 29, 2018
- ‘City of Life’ Is San Diego’s True Identity – Times of San Diego – September 7, 2018
The Coronado Bridge of Life
The Coronado Bridge has disturbingly become one of the top suicide magnets in the world – with over 450 people now dead. This is outrageous and needs to stop. Mullen has become active in the effort to do so and has put forward a viable proposal with Bill Walton and Jack McGrory – one that can be accomplished within a month’s time and for less than $45,000. The concept is best explained in this article: Stopping the Coronado Bridge Suicide Machine. To learn more please visit the website Stop Coronado Bridge Suicides. The time has come to decisively turn the beautiful Coronado Bridge into the BRIDGE OF LIFE it was always intended to be.
- Citizens Are Stepping Up to Stop the Coronado Bridge ‘Suicide Machine’ – Times of San Diego – George Mullen, Bill Walton & Jack McGrory – February 20, 2024
- Stopping the Coronado Bridge Suicide Machine – Times of San Diego – George Mullen, Bill Walton & Jack McGrory – October 4, 2023
- Stopping the Coronado Bridge Suicide Machine – The Coronado News – George Mullen, Bill Walton & Jack McGrory – October 10, 2023
- A Simple Solution to Preventing Suicides on the Coronado Bridge – Times of San Diego – April 24, 2018
- Seeking Purpose in Times of Despair – PDF – January 10, 2016
- Lifesaving Solution for S.D. Coronado Bridge – San Diego Business Journal – May 14, 2018
- A Simple Solution to Preventing Suicides on the Coronado Bridge – Coronado Times – April 25, 2018
Protecting Big Blue
If we hope to preserve a healthy planet for our grandchildren and beyond, our oceans (Big Blue) will be the key. With 71 percent of Earth covered by water, this should be obvious to all. As such, Mullen has launched a new movement to protect our oceans called Protecting Big Blue. This effort was first introduced in the 2022 article, Protecting Big Blue While Putting the Screws to China.
- Protecting Big Blue While Putting the Screws to China – Townhall.com – May 25, 2022
Stopping China’s Debt-Trap March to World Domination
Mullen recently weighed in with two major articles explaining China’s global debt-trapping and the grave danger it represents to the world community. The threat is far more acute than most people recognize. For this reason America needs to wake up…fast…and begin a broad manufacturing shift to the “Americas”.
- How to Stop China’s Debt-Trap March to World Domination – Townhall.com – January 13, 2019
- How to Stop China, Lift Up Latin America, and Slash Illegal Immigration – Townhall.com – February 1, 2019
- America Should Demand $25 Trillion in Reparations from China – Townhall.com – February 18, 2021
- Zelensky and Ukraine Should Hit Back with a Doolittle-Style Raid on Moscow – Townhall.com – March 18, 2022
Protecting San Diego’s Critical U.S. Navy Base From the Rising Threat of China
The Case for a Second Opening to San Diego Bay
The United States Navy base in San Diego is one of the largest and most important in the world, especially with respect to confronting the rising hypersonic missile threats from China, Russia and North Korea. And, yet, the U.S. Department of Defense and Secretary of the Navy have long left this base in the vulnerable position of having only one exit point for its massive flotilla of warships. The time has come to create a second functional opening for this indispensable base. Mullen and a group of regional civic leaders are leading the charge to make it happen. The following articles and Second Opening to San Diego Bay website make the case:
- San Diego Bay Needs a Second Opening to Protect the U.S. Pacific Fleet – Times of San Diego – July 20, 2021
- The Environmental Case for Creating a 2nd Opening to San Diego Bay – Times of San Diego – November 28, 2021
- Business Will Boom with a Second Opening to San Diego Bay – Times of San Diego – March 25, 2022
- The Marine Corps Case for a Second Opening to San Diego Bay – Times of San Diego – May 3, 2022
- Protecting a Critical U.S. Navy Base From the Rising Threat of China – Part 1 – Townhall.com – July 7, 2021
- Protecting a Critical US Navy Base from the Rising Threat of China – Part 2 – Townhall.com – November 19, 2021
- The U.S. Marine Corps Case For a Second Opening to San Diego Bay – Townhall.com – April 15, 2022
TJ Dilution Solution
America’s Solution to the Tijuana Sewage Crisis
Tijuana sewage has been spoiling the beaches and outdoor life of Americans in Imperial Beach and Coronado for decades. Our elite U.S. Navy SEAL special forces regularly train in these same polluted waters. And many people and wildlife are routinely exposed and sickened. This is an unacceptable ongoing environmental disaster. Our best option to truly solve this intractable problem is the TJ Dilution Solution.
- The Dilution Solution to Tijuana Sewage – Times of San Diego – February 14, 2023
The Trump Paradox
Though Mullen remains steadfastly independent-minded and unaffiliated with any political party or political movement, one of his most prescient pieces is about President Donald Trump.
The piece was published just four days after the infamous January 6, 2021 Washington, D.C. Capitol Hill riots, when it was near-universally thought that Trump was finished politically and likely to be impeached a second time, and possibly even indicted. Mullen, however, foresaw something quite different. His January 10 piece ends with these foreshadowing words: “One question remains: will Trump rise from the ashes like the legendary Phoenix? America does love a good comeback story.”
Whether you admire or loathe Donald Trump, we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in U.S. history – Trump’s 2024 election.
- Though Inglorious, Trump Remains One of the Most Effective Presidents in U.S. History – Townhall.com – January 10, 2021
- Behold, the American Reformation is at Hand – StudioRevolution.com – October 10, 2024
Trump Shot Red
The July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania unleashed a wave of new barbwire paintings from Mullen. Please visit Trump Shot Red to view them. The meaning is for the viewer to decide.
American Reformation
Freedom of speech is the “oxygen” that keeps our Republic breathing; without it, our Republic dies. It follows that leaders who advocate for infringing upon freedom of speech are a direct threat to the viability of our Republic. Like Gutenberg’s printing press in the 15th and 16th centuries, social media today threatens the entrenched order that doesn’t want to relinquish power or be questioned. (Read further American Reformation.)
- Behold, the American Reformation is at Hand – StudioRevolution.com – October 10, 2024
Published Writings Library
Mullen has authored an array of published articles on world affairs, global finance, homelessness, and local San Diego issues. He remains an independent-minded idea person and is not affiliated with any political party or political movement. To view the library, please click here: Published Writings Library
Barbed America Art
Mullen’s Barbed America flag paintings are an artistic exploration of the multitude of “contrasts” and “inconsistencies” within America, especially those we are witnessing in this unique political era. The paintings are intended to inspire self-examination, self-critique, and a steadfast determination to make America better. There are 16 distinct color themes, please click here to view.
September 11 Art
Mullen worked and spent a great deal of time in the World Trade Center in New York City in the 1980’s and 1990’s, his employer at the time being headquartered there. As such, September 11 prompted a large body of art work from him. Mullen’s “American Scream” painting first appeared in ARTnews magazine in 2002. Click here to view the September 11 Art pages. Mullen’s September 11 Art is also featured at the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City: Mullen Art @ 9/11 Memorial.
Terrorism Art
Based on Mullen’s prolific September 11 Art from 2001, he has long been a leader in what is known as “Terrorism Art”. With the renewed 2015 wave of terrorist attacks on western targets, he has launched two new art efforts entitled as Paris Terror Art and San Bernardino Terrorism Art. Mullen is an admirer and frequent traveler to Paris, and San Bernardino is in his backyard.
Entertainment
TARGET MONA LISA – a screenplay
“Terrorism + Art collide in an international political thriller”
In the entertainment arena, projects of interest Mullen has been working on include his recently finished screenplay, Target Mona Lisa, as well as his concept for a reality-based TV show, American Bailout. On the musical front, Mullen was the rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the now defunct alternative rock band Dynamic Edge. For a sample of his songs, please visit his Song List.
San Diego Chargers
As a native San Diegan and lifelong Chargers fan, Mullen was actively involved in the efforts to keep the San Diego Chargers football team in San Diego. His final attempt was published in The San Diego Union-Tribune(Could So Cal Chargers Be Answer For San Diego?) and attracted significant attention.
- Could So Cal Chargers Be Answer For San Diego? – The San Diego Union Tribune – January 17, 2015
- So Cal Chargers – A Win for All Stakeholders – January 22, 2015
- Move Chargers to Del Mar Fairgrounds – The San Diego Union Tribune – July 12, 2009
- KUSI News TV interview – July 13, 2009
- Letters to the Editor – The San Diego Union Tribune – July 14, 2009
- XX1090AM Radio Interview – July 17, 2009
Balboa Park
As a native San Diegan, Mullen has been a lifelong Balboa Park fan and activist. He has authored numerous published articles and proposals with respect to the park:
- Balboa Park Perfect Home for Smithsonian West – San Diego Business Journal – April 18, 2016
- They’re Raping Our City Blind! (The Hotelier Cabal) – San Diego CityBeat – September 30, 2015
- George Mullen’s Hotelier Cabal interview with NBC’s Gene Cubbison – Politically Speaking – NBC San Diego – September 27, 2015
- A Bold Vision for Balboa Park Centennial Celebration – The San Diego Union Tribune – March 6, 2014
- Balboa Park Jubilee Should Be A Sweet Piece of Cake (Mullen quoted) – The San Diego Union Tribune – Logan Jenkins – March 6, 2014
- More on the Dark Side of Balboa Park (Mullen quoted) – San Diego Free Press – February 25, 2014
- Centennial Mermaid Logos – March 4, 2014
- It’s Time to Dissolve the Tourism Authority – Voice of San Diego – October 21, 2013
- Crashing the Hotelier’s Cabal – Voice of San Diego – April 9, 2013
- Welcome to the Hotelier’s Cabal – Voice of San Diego – March 19, 2013
- San Diego Hoteliers Meet Their Waterloo – Voice of San Diego – March 5, 2013
- San Diego’s Time to Rise in 2015 – Voice of San Diego – February 7, 2012
- Balboa Park Centennial Celebration Grand Vision Proposal – August 2, 2011
- Moving Forward in Forefathers’ Footsteps – The San Diego Union Tribune – July 16, 2011
- A Sailing Start to the Park’s Centennial – The San Diego Union Tribune – May 26, 2011
The CyberNation of Freedom
Mullen was founding chairman of The CyberNation of Freedom, one of the first major global freedom movements in the early days of the internet. The CyberNation received widespread internet attention at the turn-of-the-century with its laser-like focus on individual sovereignty versus the socialist nation-states, as defined by its Liberation of the Individual founding document. This entity is viewed as one of the precursors to the cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Libra, et al.) and the broader global philosophical movement to end the unjust hegemony of the socialist nation-states over the individual. It was even featured on Microsoft’s main website.
- Welcome to the CyberNation of Freedom – January 1, 2000
- Liberation of the Individual (introduction) – January 1, 2000
- Liberation of the Individual (full document) – January 1, 2000
- CyberNation Freedom Test – January 1, 2000
- CyberNation featured on Microsoft website – Summer 2000
- Wired magazine – Burn This – October 2000
- Forbes Magazine – This Guy Wants to Overthrow the Government – September 8, 1997
Peace in the Middle East
“…I read with interest and appreciation…a thoughtful and constructive contribution, timely and important.”
Noam Chomsky
Department of Linguistics and Philosophy,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Chomsky Named World’s Top Intellectual)
Summary: In the spring of 1992, well before the breakthrough Middle East peace agreements of 1993-1994, George Mullen authored a controversial article in the weekly Palestinian newspaper Al-Fajr entitled, “An Israeli-Palestinian Peace Proposal.” Mullen, being neither an Arab nor a Jew, provided a uniquely unbiased and highly detailed proposal for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that directly faced the most controversial issues – Palestinian statehood, the status of Jerusalem, the Jewish settlers, et al. Because the contents of the article stirred such strong emotions within both the Palestinian and Jewish communities, Mullen used it as the basis for Peace in the Middle East. This book outlined a realistic and comprehensive proposal for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Ican Press, 1994)
Paintings Slideshow
Mullen’s Artist Statement: “Artist statements, biographies, and awards are meaningless hyperbole. Either the art is compelling, or it is not.”
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flag flag art freedom Museum of Us Renaissance Man of San Diego