You Know Not The Day

 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

~ Matthew 25:13

Whenever there is a sudden tragedy, I remember my father would always quote Matthew 25:13 in those situations. He would shake his head and repeat the verse softly, almost as if praying (which he probably was). I find myself doing the same thing every time disaster strikes.

The news of the horrific accident outside Reagan airport tonight is a sobering reminder of our mortality. All the technology in the world cannot prevent human error. Terrible things like plane crashes will still happen to us.

We don't know when it's our day to go. Always be ready.

Eternal rest grant to them, Oh Lord...

Planning a Party

As the country grows accustomed to drinking from the firehose of constant news exploding from the Trump White House, one item really caught my attention: President Trump's plans to celebrate the USA's 250th birthday.

Although it was rendered unrecognizable through bad policies in the past five years, at its core the United States is an amazing place to live. Americans know that, and they know President Trump knows it--hence his decisive election victory. Trump is making a huge effort to correct our course. 

It's long past time when we as a nation should feel good about ourselves again. A 250-year-old republic deserves to be celebrated. I, for one, am ready to party.

Oh, Yes!

 Give thanks that God is merciful. Welcome back, President Trump!

Donald J. Trump ~ 45th and 47th President of the USA

Fuel to the Flames

Anyone outside of California who wants to understand what victims of the wildfires are facing should listen to Hugh Hewitt's podcast today. Hewitt was a land-use lawyer for decades in Southern California, and about 16 minutes into today's Highly Concentrated Hugh, he gives a thoroughly detailed, chilling outline of the vast bureaucratic nightmare awaiting each and every resident who tries to rebuild their home. 

This morning we're learning that the Pacific Palisades reservoir was "offline and empty." Hmm. Could that be a contributing factor to empty fire hydrants? And by the way, where are our new reservoirs, approved by California voters in Proposition 1, the Water, Quality Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014? Nowhere to be found. Maybe the funds needed to be diverted to the free drug kits California is supplying to the addicts living (and defecating) on the streets.

Not to be overlooked are California's environmental regulation strangleholds on clearing overgrown brush, vegetation, and forests. Even England has recognized that screwup.

As mentioned in the last post, there are many reasons that contribute to why this massive conflagration happened. The rage of Los Angeles citizens against the governmental powers that be is already strong. The dismissive buck-passing of politicians and city officials is fanning residents' ire as fiercely as a high wind to the worst wildfire. The destruction is so overwhelming that public outrage will be such that maybe, just maybe, this time the top tier politicians and officials will be held responsible. Nothing will ever change in California until that happens.

The Los Angeles Wildfires rage on - January 10, 2025

Fired Up

The immense devastation wrought by the Los Angeles wildfires this week is almost incomprehensible. Even one familiar with the affected areas has trouble visualizing the destruction.

There are many factors contributing to these infernos flaring the way they did. Unusually high winds, extremely low humidity, vegetation as dry as tinder due to a half year without any significant rainfall. Add in large, densely populated zones with limited routes in and out of neighborhoods and you have quite a recipe for fiery disaster. But there are other, more staggering reasons why Los Angeles is burning; there is human error.

Four dams were destroyed this year in California. I'm happy for the now free-swimming salmon, but very sad for the thousands of human fire victims. I'm no expert, but in hindsight it appears that releasing "billions of gallons of water" to maintain a certain level in a reservoir is overlooking a better solution: maybe build additional reservoirs to hold the excess water, which will certainly be needed? Oh well, what do I know.

Gavin Newsom is passing the buck to local governments on the subject of waterless fire hydrants, reported by firefighters. Excuse me, but you are the governor. Adequate water supply to major California cities--especially in fire emergencies--should have been on your checklist.

It's worth mentioning that $17.6 million was cut from the Los Angeles Fire Department budget this year. Smart move, Mayor Bass. Hope you enjoyed your trip to Africa.

Other excuses being tossed out by various Los Angeles officials are infuriating. You geniuses should know that air support might not be possible in Santa Ana winds. If you need to adjust water supplies and pressure, do it. If you don't have enough hydrants to handle a wildfire, add them. If more access roads are needed, build them. Too bad about the hit to DEI training, illegal immigrant gift cards, and homeless housing budgets, but do it. It's your job. 

The favored talking point about climate change does not fit this disaster. I've lived in SoCal since 1979, and the fires erupt every year when the Santa Ana winds blow. During my early years in the state, they were called "brush fires" because that's what they usually were--chaparral burning on undeveloped land. After the area exploded with housing development, the description changed to "wildfires." Now there is a lot more fuel in the form of homes and businesses of all kinds, in addition to millions more people to protect. Aging infrastructure just won't do.

One would think our brilliant California politicians might be able to figure all this out in advance. One would be wrong. There will be a rough road to recovery ahead. Stay strong, Los Angeles. 

Pacific Palisades fire - January 7, 2025

Insuring Backlash

We are merely hours into 2025, yet Allstate CEO Tom Wilson already has given the most obnoxiously offensive statement of the year.

I'm not going to quote him--what he said is too repulsive. You can look it up; it's everywhere online. But the immediate outrage resulting from Wilson's misplaced morality lecture tells us that Wilson is woke and clueless about America. 

What happened in New Orleans on New Year's Day is not our fault. Speak for yourself when you figuratively wag your finger about being negative or divisive. Stay focused on condemning the terrorist attack and save your completely inappropriate DEI talking points for Allstate's board room.

Wilson can issue all the damage control amendments he wants, but I think Allstate will pay a Bud Light-like price. In fact, at the moment I kind of wish I had Allstate insurance, just for the pleasure of canceling it.

Counting the Days

Good things come to those who wait. 

~ English proverb

There are 18 days to President-elect Donald Trump's Inauguration Day. In the wake of the New Year's Day terror activity, I hope the country makes it there in one piece. Looking back at the wreckage of the current administration, I have no confidence that Joe Biden won't do more serious damage to the country before he shuffles off stage.

Congress needs to get Trump's national security choices confirmed ASAP. With only a one-term window, there is no luxury of time. Any one of Trump's Cabinet selections could not possibly do worse than the clown show we have suffered through for the past four years. Approve them and let the new president get down to business, fast.

The clock is ticking loudly, and nervous Americans (such as I am) are counting the days.