Comments on Wildfires in California: No Big Deal--Since Only Dems and Other America Haters Are Suffering, Right?

Well, they paid Beck enough I guess.

Don't forget that Mel Gibson, Christianity's Greatest Hollywood Ambassador, had his home threatened in Commie Malibu as well.

Seems like those San Diego and Orange County folks can't win. The right wants them to burn for being liberals, and the Slog wants them to burn for being Bushies.

Well, that mythological global warming can't possibly be contributing to increasing wildfires, so the most logical explanation is some form of God's wrath.

You don't see Branson, Missouri burning.

Not to defend this scumbag, but I think Beck was referring to the Malibu fires, not the San Diego fires.

Regardless, he's an asshole.

The real tragedy is that there are so many fires right now, somebody could get mixed up about which was which.

Hey, the guy's ratings are in the toilet. He's gotta do something to get attention.

Beck's a 'tard, and you just can't fix stupid. And if he's right, it would seem that God prefers to burn the liberals and to drown the wingnuts.

After all, there wasn't much left of God's country--Mobile, Alabama--after Katrina. Even Trent Lott's house was a pile of rubble.

If I were a terrorist, I would be setting me some wildfires. Just saying.

although, not to be morbid, but the one good thing that could come out of this is that suddenly all those foreclosed/speculated housing bubble homes in san diego might suddenly have buyers. I imagine most homeowners would rather take the insurance money and buy again than wait to rebuild (ala Katrina)

I pray no one ever hates me as much as I hate Glenn Beck.

who gives a fuck what anyone in so cal thinks about america? or more to the point - who gives a fuck what glenn beck thinks people in so cal think about america?

it blows my mind that the people who claim to be the truest, most loyal defenders of america think that anyone who disagrees with them deserves to have their home burned / is a terrorist supporter / is a filthy stinking america-hating hippy / etc etc etc. isn't that a little, oh i don't know... FASCIST? jesus fucking christ! free speech, anyone?

This isn't really true anymore. San Diego has turned much bluer. There are now more registered Democrats than Republicans in San Diego city. This is a trend among California cities -- San Diego is just the last to turn. Do most people know that San Francisco was solidly Republican until 1960, and LA for a decade longer than that? Nobody will even remember than San Diego (and Orange County!) were Republican strongholds 20 years from now.

So, wait, your biggest problem with that statement is the *factual inaccuracy*?

Flamingbanjo: I would love to see Branson burn.

Also, can't assholes like beck think of something better than "America haters?" Oh, right, they can't. Sorry, carry on.

@13 - who, me? I was responding to Dan's statement that SD is a Rep. stronghold.

Still Twee @ 12, it's always hilarious to hear from Easterners who think California is left-wing. However much the attitude of Orange County might have changed (increased Hispanic population, Wall Street anti-Bushism), it certainly looks and functions just like the ideal Republican America. I thought N. Virginia was the worst suburbia there was until I saw Phoenix; then I saw Irvine. Same goes for the gated communities of Malibu. The only truly lefty country I've ever heard of burning was the Berkeley hills, back in the 90s. People losing their houses and lives is scary, whatever persuasion they hold. Shame on that flacking motherfucker.

Glenn Beck is an infammatory asshole, film at 11.

Having grown up in So-Cal I remember the wildfires were an annual occurrence. Having family there I still follow the fire cycle. Some of the problem is building permanent human habitat in an ecological landscape that has adapted to catching fire every couple of years. Yes, the cities are going more blue now, but the burbs, where many fires burn are red as ever, with every single-dwelling despot parcelling out paradise. Yet, you get to know these people and see their world and you know that there is a part of you in it, too, hoping that looking out for one another crosses political boundaries. Indeed the build up of fire fuel is still an offshoot of a 1950's era of fire suppression resulting in excess fuel across the Broken Cornucopia that is the Southland. The fires today were made in part, trying to protect the people of yesterday. We have adapted to earthquakes with some of the finest geotechnology on earth. People have even built houses that survive debris flows. So many of natures perils operate on scales of 10 - 50 -100 years. What is the cost befit of building against all hazards, versus accepting the risk inherent. These are people, a part of our society whether they wish it to be or not. Mr. Beck, the douchebag who cheers on their demise is on the same level of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson or Reverend Phelps. We can only hope their hatred of fellow Americans relegates them to greater obscurity, drives their followers to abandon away, and inspires people like you and me to reach out more to our neighbor

It's not like 421,000 displaced Americans need a National Guard here in the USA instead of over fighting a civil war that has nothing to do with 9-11 in Iraq ...

Oh, wait, it is.

I won't repeat the rant, but many fire departments in Southern California want to prevent these regular megafires by helping to clear brush near homes. They know they can't prevent the fires, but they do have strategies to help prevent property/life loss.

Problem is: there's nothing more NIMBY in the world than rich people in Southern California. Brush clearing would be "disastrous to their property values" because of the temporarily ugly backdrop, so they shout angrily whenever the respective fire department hints at doing such a thing. It never gets done. And then, given that SoCal is one giant coastal desert, of course, homes burn down regularly because of the lack of brush clearing.

Again, that type of brush is supposed to burn on occasion naturally, but never in the proportions that they have done since the past few decades because of development and hence lack of brush clearing near property.

You'd think there would be a cause/effect analysis on part of the homeowners and an interest in disaster history, but nope!

At least SoCal still has drinking water. Has Atlanta lost it all yet?

People on both sides of the political fence should take the politics out of the issue. These fires are fucking everyone up: rich and poor, dem and republican.

Rotten666, that's an honorable gesture, but the degree to which these fires regularly occur is partially related to toxic levels of NIMBYism by the rich who live in these risk areas. There ARE politics of class involved this, whether you like it or not.

Yes, the result is always miserable.

Like your comment matthew. I do give props to so-cal fire depts. They are knowledgeable, responsive, courteous, and well equipped. When my folks were surrounded by brush they had it cleared on a regular basis.

If only they loved Jesus more, he wouldn't have to burn them out.

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Just a point, it's now up to 500,000 displaced Americans.

Way to mess up, Red Bushies!

Bring the National Guard HOME!

That wasn't aimed at you but at Dan. Sorry.

Er...and by you I mean #16.

@21 : I've read the same thing at other sites about how these folks in their megahouses in the foothills oppose the brush-clearing. What exactly don't they like about it? I would think they would love to get rid of the brush so they can have the "real" nature they paid for, i.e. neat and pretty and orderly.