A thought about disaster

nobody@vox.com(Maxvan) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:56:43 -0700

Oh, and speaking of "Home"; anybody else notice that the fires up by Malibu were at least half contained, if not completely by yesterday, while the fires on the southern end of San Diego aren't contained at all? It could be because Malibu is White, while the areas burning in San Diego are less white, or it could be because Malibu is Rich, which San Diego is less so, but I don't think so. At least not directly. The reason why Malibu is richer and whiter than San Diego is the same reason why they could fight those fires more easily: it's better property. It's built better, there's been more care taken to the landscaping, and more services are in place. It cannot be ignored that San Diego county has no Fire Department, instead relying upon city firefighters, exclusively. That's a function of a county governance that's thinking smaller and poorer than the neighbors elsewhere. If you're allergic to taxes, regardless how much you have in the bank, you're also under-developing your immunity to disaster. So, while Race and Class still matter to the equation, it's pushed a little further back, while politics comes a bit further forward.. Also, it should be noted that, so far, Schwarzenegger is doing a bang up job. Yeah, I might disagree with him on a few things, but actor or not, "governator" or not, he's doing a better job than I think Pete Wilson could've done. Probably even better than Jerry Brown, or that other actor, too. More's the pity that he is what he is, but all credit where it's due. Finally, while my loathing of what California has become tempts me to liken it to a modern Gomorrah, and think the fires are INRI (nature renewed by fire, made whole) it's not the wrath of an Angry God. It's an opportunity to become more human. We'll see if Southern California can do it. I sincerely hope that those who still have them reach out, and truly help those who no longer have homes, or other necessities.

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How much longer must we tolerate mass culture?

A thought about disaster