California Fires

FIRE!!! We here at Inland Echoes are safe. For those outside of Southern California the reality is that the great majority of damage takes place in hills and mountains that have an incredible amount of dry brush. When you consider the vast amount of land from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from the Pacific well into the desert, most areas are pretty much immune from the embers that have ignited so much trouble. Most of us are not happy about the ashes that have taken over the sky and the pollution that is engulfing much of the region. Beyond that, schools and offices and freeways have remained open except for where the true hot spots are. We have been getting inquiries from all over the country about the fire and we tell most folk that we know as much as they do because of the excellent television reporting.

Having said all the above, our hearts do go out to those several thousand who have had their homes and memories completely wiped out. With freedom to move about the freeways, it was not that difficult for many to get over to San Diego Qualcomm Stadium and deliver food and other necessities for the displaced. No one should compare this situation to New Orleans where almost all manner of transportation was blocked. Already it is a bit disheartening to see Bushites point to this disaster as an example of the administration's new rapid response. Once again we thank all who are helping to contain the fires and help the victims. But as large as this problem seems to be it pales in comparison to the New Orleans debacle. Other problems will arise and we will see if Bush and FEMA have truly learned their lessons.