Thank you, Eddie, for sharing these thoughts. As a Pasadena resident and previously a long-term Altadena resident, I am heartbroken. I live on the edge of the evacuation zone and had to evacuate Tuesday night. We were not told not to drink (nor wash dishes, cook, etc.) the water until yesterday. I can tell you that the trauma of these events in the greater Los Angeles area reaches beyond the firelines. I look out my window at the San Gabriel Mountains just a few miles from my home and am saddened beyond belief.
Governor Newsom is having none of the nonsense from trump. He reached out the other day inviting him to visit the areas of destruction, but as far as I know, there has been no response other than his childish taunts and evil remarks. He has also created a space for learning the facts about the fires. I suggest that people check it out if they want some true information as to what is happening.
Again, Eddie, I thank you for your words of hope. We will survive this and build back stronger.
And why is the mainstream media accepting Trump’s words? Why don’t they do a realtime check instead of waiting for the abused accused to form an incredulous answer?
Three paragraphs in, up pops the word “indecent.” Says it all—we are in for another ride of endless tantrums, bloviating and incessant indecency. Manners used to matter.
My guts are in knots every time I read the vitriol aimed at Southern California fire victims and it's politicians. I always knew there were mean spirited people in the world but I now see it everyday in social media where people aren't afraid to share their hateful thoughts all the while sitting behind computer screens or holding cell phones in their hands with faces hidden. Yet, we still can see who you are. It makes me nauseous because the incoming leader of America is showing us that we only matter when it benefits him. Other people are adopting his lack of empathy, lack of reasoning, and lack of responsibility. He's always blaming someone else. There are times when I just feel beaten down. I pray for the people of Los Angeles County who have been affected by this awful tragedy to keep faith because more people do care than those who do not and they are giving assistance. Los Angeles County will rebuild and come back even better than before.
I have scaled back watching the MSM, but why can't anyone push back hard at these false narratives? They are so disgusting at anytime, but especially at a time like this. I saw Rep. Crockett push back at the deplorable Scott Jennings' assertions on CNN with his oft smug Cheshire Cat grin. Democracy has indeed died, but in the bright daylight! Social media is cancerous when used in this dangerous way. As a country, our need for short cuts and fast information have dulled our critical thinking skills and thinking skills in general. Remember when we used to memorize phone numbers? I can only recall about 4 numbers by individual digit in my contacts. Everything bad to see is right in front of us, yet some cannot and choose not to see. I digress, but the orange man and company are steamrolling so much BS that we cannot get clarity before it happens again. This is a time for unity, compassion, caring and humanity. And yes, decency; especially from someone who holds an office that is historically meant to unify us as a nation. That time is gone, and we have to take care of each other. Nearly half of us elected a convicted felon, insurrectionist and adjudicated rapist to the highest office in the land. It is unbelievably absurd.
To quote Conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, on CNN, “We have DEI, we have budget cuts and yet I’m wondering now, if your house was burning down, how much do you care what the color of the firefighters are?” Isn't that the point of DEI? Who cares what color they are or who they love? As long as they are trained that's all that matters, right? And who are the ones cutting the budgets? The ones trying to make political hay out of tragedy and loss.
Chris White’s appointment as energy secretary represents a calculated shift toward environmental degradation. Behind his polished image lies a network of corporatism and corruption, eroding ecological safeguards to benefit powerful fossil fuel interests.
White’s career is deeply tied to the fossil fuel industry, notably through his tenure at BlackHydra Energy, a multinational linked to global environmental destruction. His policies promote deregulation disguised as economic growth, enabling unchecked resource extraction and dismantling of green initiatives like methane emission standards. Token gestures like subsidizing “clean coal” distract from his broader agenda.
Though White postures as a technocrat, his disdain for climate science is clear. He champions speculative geoengineering projects that gamble with Earth’s climate systems while ignoring urgent carbon reduction efforts. His dismissal of scientific consensus fosters public doubt and stalls meaningful climate action.
White’s true power lies in bureaucratic sabotage. By embedding loyalists into regulatory agencies, he obstructs environmental reviews, benefiting corporate polluters. His attacks on renewable energy, framed as “energy independence,” polarize public discourse and delay the transition to sustainability.
Ultimately, White’s tenure accelerates environmental degradation for short-term profit, threatening the planet’s future. Recognizing and resisting this trajectory is critical to preserving a livable world.
By now I’m quite sure you all realize I’m not a fan of Governor Newsom nor his policies. This is my thoughts on the tragedy that has and continues to unfold in Southern California.
One can feel sorrow and sympathy for the victims while simultaneously lighting a fire (no pun intended) under the asses of a handful of politicians who totally and unequivocally dropped the ball in demonstrably increasing the odds of this entire shit show coming to fruition.
Newsom has had his thumbs up his ass for the duration of his time in office making zero progress in implementing the $7.12 billion in Prop 1 monies raised a decade ago in part to upgrade the reservoirs and water systems necessary to fight Californias by now frequent wild fires. To date none have been built or upgraded in those ten years.
Add to that he cut the states fire fighting budget by $100 million in fiscal 2024.
The Mayor of LA, a DEI hire , cut the cities fire department budget last year by $22 million in the very heart of Californias wildfire region. She also sent surplus firefighting equipment to Ukraine at the behest of her President and his people.
The woman in charge of the LA waterworks Janisse Quinones is paid $750 million a year to manage the cities water infrastructure. She has known about the Pallisade Reservoir being offline for months with no apparent sense of urgency in getting it up and running even though it supplied the cities fire hydrants, (many of which were dry at the time of the fire.)
In 2019 officials from the Trump administration met with Newsom in regards to the need to implement serious forestry management practices in which brush is cleared, fire breaks installed, and controlled burns initiated to reduce the threat of wildfires. Newsome and friends predictably thumbed their noses at the advice because it didn’t jive with their green movements ideology of not cutting a single blade of grass less we upset nature. This is the price paid for that foolhardy policy decision.
Yes we can most definitely feel compassion and sorrow for the people and victims at the very same time we can feel deep hatred for those that screwed around and let those same people down by being criminally negligent.
The whole damn bunch of inept son of a bitches need to be fired and sued into the next century, not overlooked out of some sense of decorum initiated compassion.
How or when would we suspect that a community is/has been irreparably ripped apart? How would a citizen go about navigating an environment both ravaged by climate catastrophes and politics while we ignore that possibility?
Thank you, Eddie, for sharing these thoughts. As a Pasadena resident and previously a long-term Altadena resident, I am heartbroken. I live on the edge of the evacuation zone and had to evacuate Tuesday night. We were not told not to drink (nor wash dishes, cook, etc.) the water until yesterday. I can tell you that the trauma of these events in the greater Los Angeles area reaches beyond the firelines. I look out my window at the San Gabriel Mountains just a few miles from my home and am saddened beyond belief.
Governor Newsom is having none of the nonsense from trump. He reached out the other day inviting him to visit the areas of destruction, but as far as I know, there has been no response other than his childish taunts and evil remarks. He has also created a space for learning the facts about the fires. I suggest that people check it out if they want some true information as to what is happening.
Again, Eddie, I thank you for your words of hope. We will survive this and build back stronger.
https://gavinnewsom.com/california-fire-facts/
Thanks Brother. Well Said
How are you holding up? Are you and your family safe?
And why is the mainstream media accepting Trump’s words? Why don’t they do a realtime check instead of waiting for the abused accused to form an incredulous answer?
Three paragraphs in, up pops the word “indecent.” Says it all—we are in for another ride of endless tantrums, bloviating and incessant indecency. Manners used to matter.
My guts are in knots every time I read the vitriol aimed at Southern California fire victims and it's politicians. I always knew there were mean spirited people in the world but I now see it everyday in social media where people aren't afraid to share their hateful thoughts all the while sitting behind computer screens or holding cell phones in their hands with faces hidden. Yet, we still can see who you are. It makes me nauseous because the incoming leader of America is showing us that we only matter when it benefits him. Other people are adopting his lack of empathy, lack of reasoning, and lack of responsibility. He's always blaming someone else. There are times when I just feel beaten down. I pray for the people of Los Angeles County who have been affected by this awful tragedy to keep faith because more people do care than those who do not and they are giving assistance. Los Angeles County will rebuild and come back even better than before.
I have scaled back watching the MSM, but why can't anyone push back hard at these false narratives? They are so disgusting at anytime, but especially at a time like this. I saw Rep. Crockett push back at the deplorable Scott Jennings' assertions on CNN with his oft smug Cheshire Cat grin. Democracy has indeed died, but in the bright daylight! Social media is cancerous when used in this dangerous way. As a country, our need for short cuts and fast information have dulled our critical thinking skills and thinking skills in general. Remember when we used to memorize phone numbers? I can only recall about 4 numbers by individual digit in my contacts. Everything bad to see is right in front of us, yet some cannot and choose not to see. I digress, but the orange man and company are steamrolling so much BS that we cannot get clarity before it happens again. This is a time for unity, compassion, caring and humanity. And yes, decency; especially from someone who holds an office that is historically meant to unify us as a nation. That time is gone, and we have to take care of each other. Nearly half of us elected a convicted felon, insurrectionist and adjudicated rapist to the highest office in the land. It is unbelievably absurd.
And honesty used to matter. Facts, too. Time to haul out Dorothy’s famous observation to Toto.
True words let’s hope all Americans will listen!
To quote Conservative commentator, Scott Jennings, on CNN, “We have DEI, we have budget cuts and yet I’m wondering now, if your house was burning down, how much do you care what the color of the firefighters are?” Isn't that the point of DEI? Who cares what color they are or who they love? As long as they are trained that's all that matters, right? And who are the ones cutting the budgets? The ones trying to make political hay out of tragedy and loss.
Indecent, Indeed. I find myself looking away from them in total disgust. As Emilia says..."Bingo".
Chris White: Trump’s Energy Secretary Pick
Chris White’s appointment as energy secretary represents a calculated shift toward environmental degradation. Behind his polished image lies a network of corporatism and corruption, eroding ecological safeguards to benefit powerful fossil fuel interests.
White’s career is deeply tied to the fossil fuel industry, notably through his tenure at BlackHydra Energy, a multinational linked to global environmental destruction. His policies promote deregulation disguised as economic growth, enabling unchecked resource extraction and dismantling of green initiatives like methane emission standards. Token gestures like subsidizing “clean coal” distract from his broader agenda.
Though White postures as a technocrat, his disdain for climate science is clear. He champions speculative geoengineering projects that gamble with Earth’s climate systems while ignoring urgent carbon reduction efforts. His dismissal of scientific consensus fosters public doubt and stalls meaningful climate action.
White’s true power lies in bureaucratic sabotage. By embedding loyalists into regulatory agencies, he obstructs environmental reviews, benefiting corporate polluters. His attacks on renewable energy, framed as “energy independence,” polarize public discourse and delay the transition to sustainability.
Ultimately, White’s tenure accelerates environmental degradation for short-term profit, threatening the planet’s future. Recognizing and resisting this trajectory is critical to preserving a livable world.
GQ
Just an interesting note, but DARPA has loooong had an interest in the weaponization of "forest fire" particularly... https://eccentrik.substack.com/p/dtic-ad509724-forest-fire-as-a-military
By now I’m quite sure you all realize I’m not a fan of Governor Newsom nor his policies. This is my thoughts on the tragedy that has and continues to unfold in Southern California.
One can feel sorrow and sympathy for the victims while simultaneously lighting a fire (no pun intended) under the asses of a handful of politicians who totally and unequivocally dropped the ball in demonstrably increasing the odds of this entire shit show coming to fruition.
Newsom has had his thumbs up his ass for the duration of his time in office making zero progress in implementing the $7.12 billion in Prop 1 monies raised a decade ago in part to upgrade the reservoirs and water systems necessary to fight Californias by now frequent wild fires. To date none have been built or upgraded in those ten years.
Add to that he cut the states fire fighting budget by $100 million in fiscal 2024.
The Mayor of LA, a DEI hire , cut the cities fire department budget last year by $22 million in the very heart of Californias wildfire region. She also sent surplus firefighting equipment to Ukraine at the behest of her President and his people.
The woman in charge of the LA waterworks Janisse Quinones is paid $750 million a year to manage the cities water infrastructure. She has known about the Pallisade Reservoir being offline for months with no apparent sense of urgency in getting it up and running even though it supplied the cities fire hydrants, (many of which were dry at the time of the fire.)
In 2019 officials from the Trump administration met with Newsom in regards to the need to implement serious forestry management practices in which brush is cleared, fire breaks installed, and controlled burns initiated to reduce the threat of wildfires. Newsome and friends predictably thumbed their noses at the advice because it didn’t jive with their green movements ideology of not cutting a single blade of grass less we upset nature. This is the price paid for that foolhardy policy decision.
Yes we can most definitely feel compassion and sorrow for the people and victims at the very same time we can feel deep hatred for those that screwed around and let those same people down by being criminally negligent.
The whole damn bunch of inept son of a bitches need to be fired and sued into the next century, not overlooked out of some sense of decorum initiated compassion.
How or when would we suspect that a community is/has been irreparably ripped apart? How would a citizen go about navigating an environment both ravaged by climate catastrophes and politics while we ignore that possibility?
All these lies make me sick to my stomach.