Wild Fires In LA

[IlliniApp]

I think she plays LG on the Rams.

 

[IlliniApp]

The fact that a sizeable segment of the RW thinks it is a good idea to spread derogatory DEI videos and posts that cast aspersions of blame on the wildfires and other terrible events on DEI hires, shows us why DEI was needed in the first place - it speaks to prejudice driving the glee at the mockery of minorities because that is what it is, and trying to shift blame for it or saying you don't; have a sense of humor is not going to cut it. Everybody else sees it for what it is..

Unfortunately, DEI went too far, and that needed a correction. However, this behavior of the RW will earn backlash in the future as voting and power goes in cycles.

You continue to miss the point. This woman is on a video saying tough crap if you're a man who needs to be pulled out of a fire by a female fire fighter. It's his fault for getting caught there. Or in your words, "Boo-hoo, life's not fair."

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

some people have lost EVERYTHING

Happens every day when someone burns out be it in a fire of a single structure or a wildfire. Again, we pick where we live and that impacts our exposure to fire, hurricane, tornado, flood, etc. If insured, then some things can be made whole. But, of course, family mementos, pictures, etc. cannot be retrieved.

And we are responsible for the choices we make in voting, in electing, and in participating in government so that the government knows where the people's priority is. The problem is we are all so short sighted we focus on the soup de jour of fad and ignore the daily grind of protecting the public with better fire protection. Of all states, California should be prioritizing fire prevention and earthquake preparedness over all social initiatives. Will it change? I donno. I remember the first color TV my parents got - I was in college. And that's when the reality of what those fires and Santa Ana winds can do. It isn't the same as seeing black and white. And yes, there were a lot of fires 50 years ago in California. They were burning then, over 50 years ago, but what has changed? Is California increasing its preparedness? Apparently, they learned nothing from Park and Paradise fires. I mean 2020 was a horrible year for fires and yet they dare cut the budget only 4 years later?

One other thing - applies to a lot more than California. This obsession with planting trees in towns. Trees planting is something for parks. I see trees planted by cities like it was some necessity. In reality, trees planted next to sidewalks uproot the sidewalks. They are a fire hazard, a fall hazard, and a major cause of power outages. The little town I am near is so proud of itself planting a bunch of trees between the curb and the sidewalk... to do what? Be in the way and eventually have to spend big bucks on to take down and replace the damaged concrete. Go figure.

 

[George Hatch]

Attacking an individual, be it Newsom or an individual who happens to be a minority for proven incompetence is different than whenever a disaster hits, blanket attacking any or all minorities in a department or job as being part of a DEI hire and thus incompetent -

Still, no proof that a "focus" on DEI hire was ever a department priority for operational efficiency.y

They spent the money (and the opportunity costs) on these discretionary policies. Some of which were imposed on them by the State Legislature and Governor.

With that said, a conservative govt would also have a budget and its associate priorities, too; and there's no saying that priority stack would have fared any better in this situation than what the existing politics have rendered.

 

[IlliniApp]

Attacking an individual, be it Newsom or an individual who happens to be a minority for proven incompetence is different than whenever a disaster hits, blanket attacking any or all minorities in a department or job as being part of a DEI hire and thus incompetent -

Still, no proof that a "focus" on DEI hire was ever a department priority for operational efficiency.y

I think the point is that every hour or $ you spend on DEI initiatives is an hour or dollar not spent on maintaining your trucks or other fire preparedness. Just like every hour we spend on continuing ed is an hour not spent on doing appraisals.

 

[IlliniApp]

Since Americans have all become professional victims, all the time, it is unlikely to pass. But since farmers are now carving up $20 billion or so in "disaster" payments because their gross incomes dropped a little from record highs, when are the appraiser bailouts coming...seeing as we are all connected members of humanity and all. And if your house, for which you pay about 40% of the current tax rate, has appreciated by millions over the past decade while mine has appreciated by a couple hundred thousand, at best, and my taxes have surpassed yours, when is my check going to arrive? Us being connected and humane and all.

I'll have you know it's only $10 billion, sir.

 

[George Hatch]

I think the anti-DEI angle of this situation is grossly overstated. But I doubt it possible to overstate the aggregate effect of increased regulation on most facets of development, including the development and maintenance of the infrastructure.

If they start today and under the existing status quo of the regulatory burdens here in California, it will take a minimum of a year to rebuild one of those vanilla subdivision parcels, and a minimum of 3 years if that parcel is located within the Coastal Zone and subject to the jurisdiction of the Calif Coastal Commission. That's before consideration of the effects of flooding these planning and building depts with the additional applications.

Excess holding costs attributable to the govt has a cost, too. Same with excess development costs via permits and fees and additional studies - those have costs, too.

 

[TerryRohrer]

I'll have you know it's only $10 billion, sir.

Sorry. Every time I see a number, it is larger than the last. The following article mentions $31+ billion. To be clear, I used to ***** about farm subsidies and welfare programs. The latter was corrected and now we don't have a clue what tax rebates that replaced them cost. But the real problems are the mindless piles of money like FEMA, the COVID response, Obamas shovel ready projects, etc. Trillions just scattered to the winds to no beneficial effect. And, of course, the trillions to Buffet and Boeing and Microsoft and GE and all the other blood suckers who really soak up the money. Essentially, every American has a favorite welfare program that benefits them and is existential to their very survifal. In my view, $20 or $100 billion to farmers is a rounding error, only fitting of a stray comment here and there because I see and understand the programs. When we fix all the other truly expensive boondoggle, though, you will be back in my sights!

the American Relief Act of 2025 includes $31 billion in natural and economic disaster aid for farmers and ranchers, a second extension of the 2018 farm bill and $2.5 billion in additional aid to be distributed through USDA.

Farmers Head into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension, Aid

Here's how the end-of-year spending deal aids farmers and ranchers.

www.fb.org

 

[George Hatch]

BTW, new construction SFRs in Calif are required to add solar. So the city will replace the electrical lines AND all the homes will include a solar install. I have no idea what happens when a wildfire meets a solar install.

 

[Charles West]

Sorry had to slither off to do some actual appraisal work...here's a cartoon-

View attachment 95465

Those are huge marshmallows.