Of course we must blame a person. Karen Bass or Governor Newsome. Of course they could do something about hurricane force winds. They could do something about people draining the water sytem with pumps not being able to keep up.
Take action! Don’t believe for one minute that our efforts are wasted. They are not! Our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts helped quite a few Democrats get elected, from the state level on up to the U.S. Senate. We did that!
We must contact our senators now – even solid Democrats - and stress the urgency of resisting Trump’s clown car of nominees. Incredibly, some elected Democratic officials are starting to cave. (Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Senator Fetterman of PA, for example.) Our Senators won’t know how much our democracy means to their constituents - unless we tell them.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is Tuesday (tomorrow!) morning, and Russell Vought’s is Wednesday afternoon.
Most of Trump’s nominees have no experience running a large agency; they couldn’t run the local Dairy Queen.
Hegseth would be dangerous as a Secretary of Defense. The other nominees are no better.
In contrast, Russell Vought knows his way around Washington - he previously directed the Office of Management and Budget. If Trump puts him in this role again, he will dismantle federal programs and implement Project 2025. His confirmation would supercharge MAGA authoritarianism. Vought is extremely dangerous.
Google your senators’ names to find their official page and how to contact them by msg or phone.
Another action – Urge your senators to protect voting rights. The U.S. does not experience widespread voter fraud, and states already have multiple effective systems to ensure voter eligibility. The SAVE Act would make it harder to register to vote. We must stop the SAVE act Here’s a handy pre-written letter:
Don’t succumb to what historian Timothy Snyder warns of – letting your worry lead to paralysis.
I don't get it. I have great sympathy for those who lost their lives and property, often worth more than I will ever have in my almost over lifetime. I plan to contribute whatever I can to help ease their suffering, no matter how much or little I can contribute. I wonder if they would feel the same about use poorer people.
On inauguration day I expect a stunt by Trump that will cement MAGA's conviction that he is the chosen one -- something similar to Castro's 1959 stunt of the white dove "miraculously" appearing and alighting on Fidel's shoulder during his victory speech in Havana.
You and Elon may agree on more things than you know. Your and Steve Schmidt's words about the mayor of LA would probably be echoed by him. (I have not seen all his recent tweets but the ones I have seen have focused on getting starlink terminals with cybertrucks to serve as power sources to the areas cut off from internet access on account of the fires (taking a couple of hours out to have cervical spine surgery although he never mentioned it.) And the fire chief in LA is widely regarded as superb, and she echoed the criticisms of the city administration but, when I heard her, was too classy to go ad hominem (?ad womanem? Is that a word?).
I appreciate your clarity on this issue. Yes, there WILL be a “next time.” It’s up to all of us, as individuals, to get accurate information, to avoid leaping into the sewer of partisan vitriol, and to determine what we can do to help others. In an era of pathological-level divisiveness, you’ve reminded us that we are one human family. (As I look at the wonderful photos of your dogs, I’m also reminded that both domesticated and wild creatures are suffering immeasurably.)
Has any serious Dem ever suggested not sending FEMA aid to FL, TX or LA? That’s literally where the majority of the money has already gone! No strings attached! See below.
How vile and disgusting can one possibly be? Exploiting people’s suffering during natural disasters for political gain. But then again why should anyone be surprised? Having no shame, no values, and no class is Trump’s MO.
In our infinite wisdom as Americans, as I have said before, we just elected as President a tinpot dictator wannabe, knave, and schmo wrapped into one mostly because the price of groceries was a little bit too high. Shame on us.
But after next Monday at noon, the buck will once again stop with Trump and he and his media eco-chamber flunkeys won’t be able to BS their way out of the many potential crises that his incompetence, recklessness, malice, and cruelty will render him unable to handle or, even, create, as Charlie pointed out yesterday. That, of course, is what happened with COVID the last time he was President.
Being overwhelmed by a natural disaster of epic proportion does not signify incompetence. Of course review is required when and IF the immediate crisis is subdued, but I am inclined to see this as climate change-driven escalation of such disasters and a failure of those who make policy decisions to adequately anticipate and prepare for this. In the current political environment I'm not sure it's possible to overcome the refusal to acknowledge reality. It's so much easier to point fingers and condemn than to do the hard work of advancing change. I've become sufficiently cynical to question Ms. Crowley's politics rather to take her statements as a matter of fact. There were enormous statewide resources mobilized to fight these fires. Other states - even other countries - have joined in the effort. There are no easy answers to an event of this magnitude. I saw a cartoon asking why god hadn't given us a sign, to which the answer came: I gave you L.A. The question is whether we're up to the task of facing this challenge of nature.
I could be wrong, but I think 'freedom of speech' was written into the constitution at a time when speech was generally expected to resemble truth. What good is freedom of speech when it is manufactured, intentional dysinformation and stupendous lies? Something has to give. Too many lives are being destroyed by the firehose of BS that is intended to do just that... 'destroy lives'.
Exactly. Freedom of speech requires a deep responsibility to the truth. Otherwise, speech becomes nothing more than manipulative propaganda, devoid of meaning.
Since you mentioned earthquakes, the geologist in me could not resist. And the doggies look very happy....
A little geology to add to the fire/insurance mix. This is from the United States Geological Survey:
Map of faults in southern California (first link). Bold numbers show the average time between big earthquakes, determined at paleoseismic sites (triangles). Thick red lines show the extent of historic ruptures.
Paleoseismology looks at geologic sediments and rocks, for signs of ancient earthquakes (second link).
It is easy to see the fire but another major threat lies beneath the feet of Angelinos.
I live about 30 miles from the San Andreas fault north of San Francisco. The City by the Bay was burned during the 1906 earthquake and my town was knocked to the ground.
Not a geologist, but a 40-yr resident in So CAL. In those 40 years, I have felt at most 2 dozen quakes, and most were like someone slamming a door in the house. Compare that to the lives lost and property destroyed in FL from literally yearly destructive hurricanes, or the almost weekly tornadoes that wipe out entire towns on a yearly basis in the Midwest. At least, CA is aware and is actively working to mitigate the effects of a major quake. What about the folks who live on/near another major fault line in the East? https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna37407341 Or the New Madrid fault line? "Woke" CA is aware of and is working to mitigate future disasters. But those other areas aren't, and most of their populations don't even know the danger exists.
I agree 100%, Eva. New faults seem to be discovered most of the time when an earthquake occurs. And thanks for the east coast fault. Aware of New Madrid, one of the biggest quakes occurred here. It is buried by "alot of sediment" and the east coast was an active margin at one time and attached to another continent just like south america and africa.
I spent my life volunteering as a disaster assistance volunteer with the Red Cross, traveling often at my own expense to other American states for hurricanes, flooding and wildfires— California in fact provides the largest number of RC volunteers of any state in the country. And as a longtime CA resident, I’m used to the irrational and uninformed right wing vitriol against us, all forty million Americans. But this attack on us now, during an unimaginable disaster in America’s second largest city, is beyond the pale. Republicans are just cunts, a word I’ve never used in my life. I will never volunteer again outside my state, and hope Newsom withholds our blue state tax dollars) to any Republican ever again.
As climate change ramps up the Pacific Northwest is increasingly likely to see big wildfires that could very easily encroach on urban areas. The scientists say we're also due for a mega earthquake.
"Wildfires" and "earthquakes" were already on Charlie's list that I quoted and he asked "what else?" so I only added things that weren't already on his list, since he called for additions. But yes, you are of course 100% correct that wildfires and earthquakes are a big threat to the parts of the region.
Wildfires and quakes are a threat everywhere. New San Andreas like fault found on the East Coast, and the Madrid fault in the Midwest. Neither area is even aware of quakes. As for fires, there were massive fires in TX a few months ago and even on the East Coast.
Yes, and they were already on Charlie's list so when he asked "what else?" I added a couple in the Pacific NW that weren't on his list. Then Steve mentioned that wildfires and earthquakes, although already on Charlie's list, were an issue in the region that we were discussing and I agreed but explained why there weren't a "what else?" in this context. Neither of us suggested that they weren't an issue elsewhere, it was just a continuation of the PacNW discussion.
The conservatives have learned messaging. But a messaging that has no relationship to the truth. Democrats are all about truth but they can’t message effectively when effective messaging is at best spin and worse, lies.
Of course we must blame a person. Karen Bass or Governor Newsome. Of course they could do something about hurricane force winds. They could do something about people draining the water sytem with pumps not being able to keep up.
Take action! Don’t believe for one minute that our efforts are wasted. They are not! Our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts helped quite a few Democrats get elected, from the state level on up to the U.S. Senate. We did that!
We must contact our senators now – even solid Democrats - and stress the urgency of resisting Trump’s clown car of nominees. Incredibly, some elected Democratic officials are starting to cave. (Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Senator Fetterman of PA, for example.) Our Senators won’t know how much our democracy means to their constituents - unless we tell them.
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing is Tuesday (tomorrow!) morning, and Russell Vought’s is Wednesday afternoon.
Most of Trump’s nominees have no experience running a large agency; they couldn’t run the local Dairy Queen.
Hegseth would be dangerous as a Secretary of Defense. The other nominees are no better.
In contrast, Russell Vought knows his way around Washington - he previously directed the Office of Management and Budget. If Trump puts him in this role again, he will dismantle federal programs and implement Project 2025. His confirmation would supercharge MAGA authoritarianism. Vought is extremely dangerous.
Google your senators’ names to find their official page and how to contact them by msg or phone.
Another action – Urge your senators to protect voting rights. The U.S. does not experience widespread voter fraud, and states already have multiple effective systems to ensure voter eligibility. The SAVE Act would make it harder to register to vote. We must stop the SAVE act Here’s a handy pre-written letter:
Don’t succumb to what historian Timothy Snyder warns of – letting your worry lead to paralysis.
I don't get it. I have great sympathy for those who lost their lives and property, often worth more than I will ever have in my almost over lifetime. I plan to contribute whatever I can to help ease their suffering, no matter how much or little I can contribute. I wonder if they would feel the same about use poorer people.
On inauguration day I expect a stunt by Trump that will cement MAGA's conviction that he is the chosen one -- something similar to Castro's 1959 stunt of the white dove "miraculously" appearing and alighting on Fidel's shoulder during his victory speech in Havana.
You and Elon may agree on more things than you know. Your and Steve Schmidt's words about the mayor of LA would probably be echoed by him. (I have not seen all his recent tweets but the ones I have seen have focused on getting starlink terminals with cybertrucks to serve as power sources to the areas cut off from internet access on account of the fires (taking a couple of hours out to have cervical spine surgery although he never mentioned it.) And the fire chief in LA is widely regarded as superb, and she echoed the criticisms of the city administration but, when I heard her, was too classy to go ad hominem (?ad womanem? Is that a word?).
I appreciate your clarity on this issue. Yes, there WILL be a “next time.” It’s up to all of us, as individuals, to get accurate information, to avoid leaping into the sewer of partisan vitriol, and to determine what we can do to help others. In an era of pathological-level divisiveness, you’ve reminded us that we are one human family. (As I look at the wonderful photos of your dogs, I’m also reminded that both domesticated and wild creatures are suffering immeasurably.)
Charlie - I just listened to you on "Talking Feds". Thank you for keeping your "moral axis". You are among a select few in the center-right. Marvin
As for the Dem criticism of the LA mayor, that's what Dems do. They hold their own accountable, not so much for the gop and magats.
Has any serious Dem ever suggested not sending FEMA aid to FL, TX or LA? That’s literally where the majority of the money has already gone! No strings attached! See below.
https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/fema-direct-payments-state-recipients
Yup…it’s called empathy and decency.
Thanks Mr Sykes.
How vile and disgusting can one possibly be? Exploiting people’s suffering during natural disasters for political gain. But then again why should anyone be surprised? Having no shame, no values, and no class is Trump’s MO.
In our infinite wisdom as Americans, as I have said before, we just elected as President a tinpot dictator wannabe, knave, and schmo wrapped into one mostly because the price of groceries was a little bit too high. Shame on us.
But after next Monday at noon, the buck will once again stop with Trump and he and his media eco-chamber flunkeys won’t be able to BS their way out of the many potential crises that his incompetence, recklessness, malice, and cruelty will render him unable to handle or, even, create, as Charlie pointed out yesterday. That, of course, is what happened with COVID the last time he was President.
Being overwhelmed by a natural disaster of epic proportion does not signify incompetence. Of course review is required when and IF the immediate crisis is subdued, but I am inclined to see this as climate change-driven escalation of such disasters and a failure of those who make policy decisions to adequately anticipate and prepare for this. In the current political environment I'm not sure it's possible to overcome the refusal to acknowledge reality. It's so much easier to point fingers and condemn than to do the hard work of advancing change. I've become sufficiently cynical to question Ms. Crowley's politics rather to take her statements as a matter of fact. There were enormous statewide resources mobilized to fight these fires. Other states - even other countries - have joined in the effort. There are no easy answers to an event of this magnitude. I saw a cartoon asking why god hadn't given us a sign, to which the answer came: I gave you L.A. The question is whether we're up to the task of facing this challenge of nature.
I could be wrong, but I think 'freedom of speech' was written into the constitution at a time when speech was generally expected to resemble truth. What good is freedom of speech when it is manufactured, intentional dysinformation and stupendous lies? Something has to give. Too many lives are being destroyed by the firehose of BS that is intended to do just that... 'destroy lives'.
Exactly. Freedom of speech requires a deep responsibility to the truth. Otherwise, speech becomes nothing more than manipulative propaganda, devoid of meaning.
Charlie -
Since you mentioned earthquakes, the geologist in me could not resist. And the doggies look very happy....
A little geology to add to the fire/insurance mix. This is from the United States Geological Survey:
Map of faults in southern California (first link). Bold numbers show the average time between big earthquakes, determined at paleoseismic sites (triangles). Thick red lines show the extent of historic ruptures.
Paleoseismology looks at geologic sediments and rocks, for signs of ancient earthquakes (second link).
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/map-faults-southern-california
Paleoseismic image:
https://alchetron.com/cdn/paleoseismology-d93d4690-ea17-4506-86db-f8f6642a76c-resize-750.jpg
It is easy to see the fire but another major threat lies beneath the feet of Angelinos.
I live about 30 miles from the San Andreas fault north of San Francisco. The City by the Bay was burned during the 1906 earthquake and my town was knocked to the ground.
https://imengine.prod.srp.navigacloud.com/?uuid=41AE5637-74C1-47A6-9265-A56A3DFA6052&type=primary&q=72&width=1024
Not a geologist, but a 40-yr resident in So CAL. In those 40 years, I have felt at most 2 dozen quakes, and most were like someone slamming a door in the house. Compare that to the lives lost and property destroyed in FL from literally yearly destructive hurricanes, or the almost weekly tornadoes that wipe out entire towns on a yearly basis in the Midwest. At least, CA is aware and is actively working to mitigate the effects of a major quake. What about the folks who live on/near another major fault line in the East? https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna37407341 Or the New Madrid fault line? "Woke" CA is aware of and is working to mitigate future disasters. But those other areas aren't, and most of their populations don't even know the danger exists.
I agree 100%, Eva. New faults seem to be discovered most of the time when an earthquake occurs. And thanks for the east coast fault. Aware of New Madrid, one of the biggest quakes occurred here. It is buried by "alot of sediment" and the east coast was an active margin at one time and attached to another continent just like south america and africa.
let's hear it for plate tectonics!
I spent my life volunteering as a disaster assistance volunteer with the Red Cross, traveling often at my own expense to other American states for hurricanes, flooding and wildfires— California in fact provides the largest number of RC volunteers of any state in the country. And as a longtime CA resident, I’m used to the irrational and uninformed right wing vitriol against us, all forty million Americans. But this attack on us now, during an unimaginable disaster in America’s second largest city, is beyond the pale. Republicans are just cunts, a word I’ve never used in my life. I will never volunteer again outside my state, and hope Newsom withholds our blue state tax dollars) to any Republican ever again.
"There will be more wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. There will be more mass shootings and terror attacks. Who knows what else?
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know what else: tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
you left out contagious disease.
As climate change ramps up the Pacific Northwest is increasingly likely to see big wildfires that could very easily encroach on urban areas. The scientists say we're also due for a mega earthquake.
"Wildfires" and "earthquakes" were already on Charlie's list that I quoted and he asked "what else?" so I only added things that weren't already on his list, since he called for additions. But yes, you are of course 100% correct that wildfires and earthquakes are a big threat to the parts of the region.
Wildfires and quakes are a threat everywhere. New San Andreas like fault found on the East Coast, and the Madrid fault in the Midwest. Neither area is even aware of quakes. As for fires, there were massive fires in TX a few months ago and even on the East Coast.
Yes, and they were already on Charlie's list so when he asked "what else?" I added a couple in the Pacific NW that weren't on his list. Then Steve mentioned that wildfires and earthquakes, although already on Charlie's list, were an issue in the region that we were discussing and I agreed but explained why there weren't a "what else?" in this context. Neither of us suggested that they weren't an issue elsewhere, it was just a continuation of the PacNW discussion.
The conservatives have learned messaging. But a messaging that has no relationship to the truth. Democrats are all about truth but they can’t message effectively when effective messaging is at best spin and worse, lies.