Calif. Fires

[PastorDaniel]

If it's already a larger evacuation than Hurricane Katrina, then it means local, state and federal government are doing an excellent job evacuating the people in the fire's path.

I think there is a huge contrast here between the demographics of people affected by the wildfires and those affected by Katrina. Why is the government so quick to respond to the wildfire in California that is eating all the rich people's homes, but did such a terrible job helping the poor and defenseless in New Orleans when Katrina hit?

I feel bad for anyone's home that is destroyed by any sort of disaster. Losing personal mementos is the hardest part. It can take people years to rebuild from something like a fire.

But good Lord, it just seems uncanny to me that they've done such a great job evacuating all the people in California, yet they scrambled to even get a piecemeal system for everyone in New Orleans when Katrina hit.

It could also mean that the government learned its lesson from Katrina. If you haven't noticed...it seems that the government has really been trying to over do it since then on ANY little situation. The fires are a big deal and I think the government would NOW respond to ANY place since Katrina.

Think of everything that has happened AFTER 9/11. Was the government prejudice against the Trade Center and all of those affluent wealthy companies and individuals that was involved...NO...it just wasn't on alert...now we're on alert and closing schools, closing airports, and all kinds of other things if any Muslim says Boo!

[paul]

If it's already a larger evacuation than Hurricane Katrina, then it means local, state and federal government are doing an excellent job evacuating the people in the fire's path.

I think there is a huge contrast here between the demographics of people affected by the wildfires and those affected by Katrina. Why is the government so quick to respond to the wildfire in California that is eating all the rich people's homes, but did such a terrible job helping the poor and defenseless in New Orleans when Katrina hit?

I feel bad for anyone's home that is destroyed by any sort of disaster. Losing personal mementos is the hardest part. It can take people years to rebuild from something like a fire.

But good Lord, it just seems uncanny to me that they've done such a great job evacuating all the people in California, yet they scrambled to even get a piecemeal system for everyone in New Orleans when Katrina hit.

It could also mean that the government learned its lesson from Katrina. If you haven't noticed...it seems that the government has really been trying to over do it since then on ANY little situation. The fires are a big deal and I think the government would NOW respond to ANY place since Katrina.

Think of everything that has happened AFTER 9/11. Was the government prejudice against the Trade Center and all of those affluent wealthy companies and individuals that was involved...NO...it just wasn't on alert...now we're on alert and closing schools, closing airports, and all kinds of other things if any Muslim says Boo!

Thank you pastor Daniel. Last night when I heard the FEMA director on the news talk about the successful evacuation, I told my wife, many will not see this as lessons learned, nor a difference in the type of leadership ( Gov.) nor an incrediblly trained Forest department. but will see it as a class issue. I am sure that Rev.? Jessie and Rev.? Al will be heard from soon on this issue.

Last nite I stood in the parking lot of the church our local body currently uses and could look at the hills and I saw the flames leaping into the air.

[soulsearcher]

I have Brother-in-law with five daughters, all with families of their own in San Diego area. All were evacuated last week. One home lost already. Please continue to pray.

[forestwalker]

just read on Fox news that a Dem senator(B. Boxer) is blaming the fires on Bush

Actually, she only noted (correctly) that the number of CA National Guard troops available to respond to this and similar emergencies is limited because so many are deployed to Iraq.

[forestwalker]

It is interesting to note that wildfires in various places had been prophesied about of late, (I believe it was Chuck Pierce's ministry?)

That's kind of like prophesying tornadoes in Oklahoma, though, ain't it?

[forestwalker]

Last night when I heard the FEMA director on the news talk about the successful evacuation, I told my wife, many will not see this as lessons learned, nor a difference in the type of leadership ( Gov.) nor an incrediblly trained Forest department. but will see it as a class issue.

There are class/wealth issues involved, certainly, but it's not the main thing. It's just something we deal with every year and are very well prepared for. Even the current leadership has little impact as it's long-standing practice and policy.

[forestwalker]

If it's already a larger evacuation than Hurricane Katrina, then it means local, state and federal government are doing an excellent job evacuating the people in the fire's path.

I think there is a huge contrast here between the demographics of people affected by the wildfires and those affected by Katrina. Why is the government so quick to respond to the wildfire in California that is eating all the rich people's homes, but did such a terrible job helping the poor and defenseless in New Orleans when Katrina hit?

I feel bad for anyone's home that is destroyed by any sort of disaster. Losing personal mementos is the hardest part. It can take people years to rebuild from something like a fire.

But good Lord, it just seems uncanny to me that they've done such a great job evacuating all the people in California, yet they scrambled to even get a piecemeal system for everyone in New Orleans when Katrina hit.

Chris,

The situations are quite different. As I said above, this is something we deal with every year. It's worse this year, but there is a very good, long-standing system in place to deal with our fires and our resources had been scaled up in anticipation of this due to our severe drought. Also, in the case of NO, the entire city had to be evacuated and the entire surrounding region and its infrastructure were affected by the disaster. In San Diego, though, the danger is limited to only small areas, and those mostly rural and the outer edges of suburbs. The resources of the city itself and the surrounding region are available to respond and help.

But of course there's an element of truth in your words. Not so much in claiming a difference in the resource response, but certainly in the moral response. Our country's lingering racism and growing bias against the poor causes us to see exactly what we expect to see in the two situations and judge and sympathize with the respective victims accordingly.

[Full Quiver]

I feel for all those involved and in the path of these fires. It must be horrible! I do wonder why it is that this is such a huge news story that all the network news folks are sending their big wigs out to be on scene and report. Also the President is on his way and the National Guard has been dispatched. It's not that I feel that none of the above should take place but their are wildfires every year in not only California but in Florida, Nevada, Georgia, etc. and this type of coverage and protection (National Guard) didn't happen. It seems that the wealthiest neighborhoods are being effected and affected this go around and they are being treated differently or helped better. Maybe the Georgia folks can help but I don't recall the National Guard being on the scene when they had their fire probs. The J2 Floridians can tell us if Katie Couric was live when they had wildfires not too long ago.
Again, these fires stink, they are not the fault of Bush per se, but they are the fault of spineless politicians and leaders that allow environmentalists to dictate what the forestry dept. does. If the underbrush is controlled then these fires would not be out of control.

[TW]

While I can and do sympathize with the victims of Katrina, let's not forget that it was a failure on the part of the local and state governments that made that situation so bad. The California fires are a different situation, the local and state authorities have responded properly, and brought in the federal government in a timely manner. To often we forget that the federal government cannot respond until requested to do so by the state. Race has nothing to do with the stupidity displayed by Nagin and the bimbo Governor of Louisiana prior to and immediately following Katrina. While it's true that FEMA was not fully prepared for a disaster of the scope of Katrina, it reached that scope because of the decisions made at the local level of government. Therein lies the difference in the two.


TW

[Jennifer Smith]

It is interesting to note that wildfires in various places had been prophesied about of late, (I believe it was Chuck Pierce's ministry?)

That's kind of like prophesying tornadoes in Oklahoma, though, ain't it?

Well, that's one way of looking at it! Though, if you look at the specifics offered in the prophecy(ies) and the magnitude of the disaster, they seem notable, to me. I believe the prophetic is for today and Chuck Pierce seems to have a fruitful prophetic ministry.

[Paully_44]

The Presbyterian church they attend in Beverly Hills has been destroyed.

That was in Malibu. We're in more trouble than I thought if the middle of LA is on fire.

You're right, my bad. He took me there when I was visiting in the spring. Beautiful place.

[DeWayneTN]

Is it really arson????? That's what they're reporting about at least one of the fires.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,304623,00.html

[DeWayneTN]

Watch the Governator lay a verbal smackdown on a reporter here:

http://newsbusters.org/static/2007/10/2 ... hipman.wmv

[rjjunior]

Global Warming

[forestwalker]

Is it really arson????? That's what they're reporting about at least one of the fires.

The blaze nearest me (the Santiago fire) is an arson. Most are not, though (so far as we know).