Some thoughts on the Los Angeles fire storm

The Los Angeles fire storm will go down as one of the greatest disasters in American history.  How it compares to the great hurricanes is to be determined but, unlike hurricanes, this disaster was man-made and preventable.

So far, upwards of 15,000 structures, homes, businesses, churches, and more, have been destroyed – and there is more to come.  Massive amounts of fire-fighting equipment have been deployed.  Nevertheless, it appears that the fire will have to burn itself out rather than be put out by the forces of man.  

The Democrat Party leadership in California is responsible for the laws, regulations and related policies that led to this disaster.   Not surprisingly, the finger pointing of blame is everywhere within Democrat circles.  (Some idiotic democrats are suggesting that this fire is a symptom of things to come under President Trump.)

The climate activists are blaming the fire on mankind.  There is some  perverse truth to this because California’s draconian environmental policies have prevented the removal of highly flammable and constantly accumulating brush.  (Notably, the high wind and desert conditions in the Los Angeles area are well known.  Reservoirs have not been built or filled to deal with potential explosive fire conditions. )

Little has been said about the possibility that these fires  were deliberately set by terrorist or criminal cartel organizations.  Such discussions would be embarrassing to the Biden administration as they would confirm the stupidity of his open borders.  To deflect from this criticism the blame for the fire storm is being focused  on the homeless.  (It appears that the initial fires were started in various locations at about the same time.  It is doubtful that homeless individuals would have coordinated this.)

Los Angeles is ruled by DEI politicians and employees rather than technically astute and experienced people.  However, the lack of water and inadequate forest management has exposed the need for long term fire suppression expertise.  (Obviously, competence is not required when the intent is to hire based on social justice principles.)  

The insurance situation is chaotic.  Many homeowner insurance policies were not renewed because fire risks were too high and premiums could not be raised to meet those risks.  (Homeowners without insurance are now faced with the potentially catastrophic issue of personally having to cover the cost of total fire loss.  Even some wealthy celebrities are concerned as they don’t have millions of dollars just laying around.) 

The cost of restoration of Los Angeles will be born by every American citizen.  Outgoing President Biden has stated that the federal government will cover all cleanup costs for 6 months.  (Americans were told that FEMA was broke and there was no more money to help with North Carolina’s hurricane disaster.  Apparently, the money printing continues and with it every more debt.)

The political implications of this fire storm are potentially significant.  The democrat party, long in charge of the California and Los Angeles governments is being seen as corrupt and inept.  There are possibilities that the Republicans will make gains in upcoming California elections.   However, California’s democrats have demonstrated the ability to manipulate the votes when needed.

One final thought:  Richmond has recently experienced a mini-version of what is happening in Los Angeles – and the reasons are very much the same.  When you sacrifice expertise and merit on the altar of social justice, bad things are apt to happen.