When a politician says “don’t politicize” a major occasion just like the fires which have swept Los Angeles County, it’s an excellent guess they’re trying to divert consideration and protect themselves from the implications of their inaction.
Such is the case with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who appear to be blaming others.
Bass traveled to Ghana for a marriage after the Nationwide Climate Service issued a hearth watch, citing “vital fireplace circumstances.” The next day, the watches had been upgraded to warnings. Meteorologists suggested {that a} “significantly harmful scenario” was creating. Upon her return, Bass refused to reply a reporter’s questions. At a information convention she learn a press release, saying Angelinos want to remain united. The primary duty of presidency is to protect lives and property. By that measure, Bass failed. She additionally has deflected questions on price range cuts to the Los Angeles Hearth Division.
The New York Publish, citing “sources,” reported Bass rejected affords for assist from the FDNY, regardless of LA not having sufficient firefighters to battle the out-of-control blazes.
Gov. Newsom, a Democrat, tried to shift blame for the dearth of water to extinguish the fires on “native” authorities. Newsom appeared extra centered on DEI, sanctuary cities, “Trump-proofing” the state and defending a fish than defending lives and property. Newsom has additionally given into strain from environmentalists who don’t need the removing of forest underbrush, which serves as gas for this and former fires.
Newsom and the Democrat legislature may additionally be blamed for putting caps on insurance coverage premiums, inflicting a number of huge corporations to stop the state, leaving many with out satisfactory and inexpensive fireplace insurance coverage.
The Every day Mail studies that Janisse Quinones, the town’s water chief, “knew about empty reservoir and damaged hydrants months earlier than the fires began.” Quinones is paid $750,000 a yr. The Los Angeles Instances reported a serious Palisades reservoir was offline and empty when fires broke out.
In 2014, voters authorized a measure permitting the state to borrow $7.5 billion to construct reservoirs to retailer water. They had been by no means constructed.
As for the voters, it will be fascinating if a community or newspaper reporter requested this query of people that complain concerning the lack of management in California: Did you vote for Newsom and Bass? Should I repeat the definition of madness about repeatedly doing the identical factor, whereas anticipating completely different outcomes?
Hollywood celebrities, a few of whose houses have been destroyed, have overwhelmingly supported Democrats. Not this time.
Typical of the outrage was actor James Woods, whose home was left standing within the Palisades fireplace. Woods wrote on X that the wildfires weren’t brought on by “local weather change” however by “liberal idiots like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass.”
Actor Mel Gibson, whose $14.5 million home was destroyed, informed podcaster Joe Rogan: “(Newsom) didn’t do something, I believe all our tax {dollars} in all probability went to Gavin’s hair gel. It’s unhappy; the place is simply on fireplace.”
“Shazam!” star Zachary Levi appeared on Fox Information to voice frustration with California politicians: “That is simply unbelievable mismanagement, extremely poor management; I might go as far as to say that it’s criminally negligent.” The actor has beforehand described himself as a Libertarian and backed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential marketing campaign earlier than switching his help to Donald Trump.
What is going to occur to the Olympic Video games, scheduled for 2028 in Los Angeles? What is going to occur to the political careers of Bass (petitions are circulating calling on her to resign) and Gavin Newsom’s fading presidential prospects? The LA fires might have additionally broken their political futures past restore.
Readers might e mail Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Search for Cal Thomas’ newest guide “A Watchman within the Evening: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
