"(That’s assuming they don’t resign, which they should as it’s the honorable thing, not that they would ever consider that.)"
The honorable thing would be seppuku.
Everything you ever need to know about Democrats and about California was crystallized when then-President Obama gave nearly half a billion dollars to Solyndra the week before they declared bankruptcy. It was a very obvious transfer of federal wealth to state partisans to spread among their courtiers. It was not as large a money sink as the Merced Metrorail, but it was more blatant and was accomplished with zero accountability or backlash.
Yeah, yeah, yeah -- the French Laundry, the delta smelt, the fire hydrants without water, the inept clearing of forest understory, the mindless pursuit of unicorn-fart-based energy sources -- if the two of you produced an idea for a movie based on what really happens in what I now call the Gelded State, you'd be laughed out of the room. It is truly so over the top that we in the rest of the country must just shake our head in disbelief and wonder when it will all come crashing down.
Not soon enough, although as you point out, the departure of productive Californians might just catch someone's attention eventually. I certainly hope so, but it won't bring back the people who made that place such a wealthy economy when I was growing up. And the Governor just preens and protests at criticism, saying his state is the fifth largest economy in the world, and "more people are moving in than moving out." I think the people who write his talking points are the same ones who have been telling Biden his polling numbers are very strong.
I would conclude with the observation "not my circus, not my clowns." Except it is our circus, even if we don't live in the state, precisely because California is as large as it is and influences the rest of the country in so many ways. And they are our clowns.
Whether the damnfools resign or not is inconsequential. Any aid that goes to Californication should be dedicated to a project with checkpoints and monitoring by non-state personnel. Rebuilding homes that were not insured is a personal problem - I know the state screwed the citizens by capping insurance rates, but it's not the rest of the country's job to rebuild houses with $multi-million price tags. Pay for a tiny home (like in Western North Carolina) and the rest is on the owner. Living in Cali is like living next to an active volcano, and when it blows, which you know it will, you look to Uncle Sam to help. We must protect lives, that's an imperative, however if your favorite movie star needs to live in a single wide trailer, so be it.
Having oversight on money that is earmarked for government projects would be a huge step in the right direction. It should be retroactive so we could find out what happened to money which was sent to NOLA to strengthen the levees before hurricane Katrina and the almost one billion in NYC for "Thrive NY" which was supposed to provide with mental help for the homeless. Go woke go broke.
I recently heard a late night commentator say he liked Trump but didn't care for his "character assassinations." Pot, kettle. His penchant for belittling is part of what makes him a great negotiator, near- megalomania. And he is the man for the times, just like Ike and Ronnie.
Anyone who watches must understand CA, much like Congress, FEDGOV, and USDOEd are broken beyond repair. It's likened unto the 1840's mansion overcome by termites. Beautiful, yet unusable.
Time to tearfully bulldoze it and rebuild from scratch. Try the Constitution as bedrock.
Elsewhere I have read that the amount for lawsuits against the Trump Administration is $50 million.
So it looks like Newscum will be asking for more and more federal funds while suing the federal government. With people like these many of whom elected a convention of communists to run the state, nom one who voted for Newscum deserves any more federal funds, the tax money paid in by Americans from every state. Far too many leftists sat back for years and kept electing and re-electing leftist trash. Year after year they were warned about massive fires, but they stole the money for other uses, few or none of them for the benefit of all the citizens of the state. Now they will need more than 100 billion dollars besides what they can raise in-state but the state has a deficit ( https://www.ocregister.com/2025/01/17/wildfires-incinerate-newsoms-already-flimsy-budget-proposal/ )
and cannot print any money. Talk about being in a position with tons of leverage, Trump should just help Republicans and Independents DIRECTLY and screw the rest until they become unwoke drop DEI, forget about ESG, eliminate EV and other useless and harmful mandates, recall all leftists and ban them from running for office for 200 years, give them a hut and a shovel. It is time for compassion, but only for those who have suffered at the hands of the left.
Repairing natural and political disasters in CA can bankrupt the country. There’s no Constitutional requirement or even permission to spend Federal funds in such a way. Why not start now to undo this relic of the New Deal and make states responsible for their own problems.
Timely -- "protecting California from itself." Trump and his Lt.'s will likely come up with an innovative set of conditions on federal aid that will hopefully force systemic reform. And maybe in the process the pot will be stirred enough to induce recalls of Newscum and Bass, and build the Republican voter base, as well.
Great summary Roger. We need to call them out for who they are. Marxists. This is a preconceived land grab. Destroy the property, destroy the property values, demand payment of property taxes imposed on the smoldering heap. The smart people will walk away just as the insurance companies did. This is the time to stop throwing good money after bad. Blackrock will step in and buy up the ashes. Someday somebody will build multi-family buildings, with enforced requirements for "affordable" housing. This is the playbook. I'm no prophet but I can see clearly when history repeats itself. The World Economic Forum has publicly declared that by 2030 you will own nothing, and be happy about it. Trump is a speed bump in their plan. We need to fight fire with fire if we are to stop them.
Roger. Off your topic in this enlightening article.
ChatGPT answer to question below:
My question to ChatGPT:
In the Torah or Talmud, what is the guidance about negotiating hostage situation?
Answer:
1. Redeeming Captives (Pidyon
Shvuyim):
The Talmud (Tractate Gittin 45a) emphasizes the great importance of redeeming captives, calling it a "great mitzvah" (commandment). This reflects the value Judaism places on human life and the communal responsibility to assist those in danger.
2. Limits on Redemption Costs:
The same passage in Gittin states that captives should not be redeemed for an exorbitant price to avoid encouraging further kidnappings. This principle balances the need to save lives with the potential long-term consequences for the broader community.
Isn't it weird that Maxine Waters' Congressional District is just next door to the Malibu and LA fires, and no one has asked her "Is this what you meant when you screamed Burn it Down!"?
Your article struck a chord with me—not only for its clarity and passion but also for articulating frustrations I share as a fellow former Californian and one-time liberal. Watching a place we both once cherished fall prey to decades of mismanagement and ideological blindness is as heartbreaking as it is maddening.
That said, I trust you’ll understand where I’m coming from as I share a thought that’s been on my heart. I’m not criticizing your approach—your unvarnished critique is precisely why your voice is so impactful—but I sometimes wonder if there’s room to temper the fire with a bit of optimism.
It’s not that I want you to pull your punches—far from it. But I think about those who, like you and me, once believed in the same ideals that now cloud the judgment of so many in California. I’m so grateful for having had the Frisco fog lifted from my eyes, and I still hold onto faith in the possibility of reaching even the most intransigent leftist. What if we could draw them in—not by softening the truth but by casting a vision of restoration that invites them to join us in rebuilding what’s been lost?
I fear that in saying this, I may come across as a leftist in disguise, a common misunderstanding I’ve encountered in my efforts to engage. I assure you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. My only aim is to appeal to the part of you that remains hopeful because that shared aspiration ultimately binds us in this mission. If this isn’t the time for such a shift, I trust your instincts. I would rather see your voice remain unapologetically scathing and true than risk compromising its authenticity.
Thank you for your insights, your courage, and your dedication to holding the line.
Heartily agree. And the % of federal gov't help should be limited, especially for homes over some cap amount. We have had terrific hurricane damage several times, in all cases we absorbed at least 50% of the cost to repair--and this was not for a multi-million house.
AND, and perhaps more important, if the Federal Gov't is acting as backstop for private losses, then there must be requirements for: 1) fire preventing forest management, 2) sensible (not climate nonsense driven) water management, 3) reasonable budget discipline (i.e., no funding illegal alien health care and all the DEI "culture" programs on our dime.
Money is fungible. Without paying enough of a price, people (and gov'ts, albeit local) will never change. Heck even IMF bailouts require changes in spending.
We need to return to the idea of individual responsibility, and wise management of our own time and treasure. Time for California and Californians to GROW UP.
You used the word honorable in a sentence where the subject matter was a Democratic politician. Your English teacher would rub red ink all over that sentence. Or, maybe not today given the state of American government run education.
As a retired teacher of high school English who abhorred using red ink on my students’ writings, I most certainly would questioned the use of “honorable” in reference to this politician. Using red ink, I would request that the student do some thorough research about the politician as it might help the student discover for himself/herself the reason why “honorable” is inappropriate in this case. Self taught is best taught.
Dilutions of adequacy writ large in CA. The State takeover of property and casualty “insurance” is similar to the even more complete takeover of earthquake “insurance” following the Northridge Quake years ago. My favorite “solution” to protect infrastructure from earthquakes came from Diane Feinstein. She declared that to make highway interchanges with overpasses unnecessary, the State should require that left turns on all surface roads should be banned in favor or going around blocks or reversing directions by just going around in a clockwise direction with directional signals at every intersection and turn! Brilliant! Okay, totally delusional and idiotic and probably an early indication of her early onset dementia.
"(That’s assuming they don’t resign, which they should as it’s the honorable thing, not that they would ever consider that.)"
The honorable thing would be seppuku.
Everything you ever need to know about Democrats and about California was crystallized when then-President Obama gave nearly half a billion dollars to Solyndra the week before they declared bankruptcy. It was a very obvious transfer of federal wealth to state partisans to spread among their courtiers. It was not as large a money sink as the Merced Metrorail, but it was more blatant and was accomplished with zero accountability or backlash.
Yeah, yeah, yeah -- the French Laundry, the delta smelt, the fire hydrants without water, the inept clearing of forest understory, the mindless pursuit of unicorn-fart-based energy sources -- if the two of you produced an idea for a movie based on what really happens in what I now call the Gelded State, you'd be laughed out of the room. It is truly so over the top that we in the rest of the country must just shake our head in disbelief and wonder when it will all come crashing down.
Not soon enough, although as you point out, the departure of productive Californians might just catch someone's attention eventually. I certainly hope so, but it won't bring back the people who made that place such a wealthy economy when I was growing up. And the Governor just preens and protests at criticism, saying his state is the fifth largest economy in the world, and "more people are moving in than moving out." I think the people who write his talking points are the same ones who have been telling Biden his polling numbers are very strong.
I would conclude with the observation "not my circus, not my clowns." Except it is our circus, even if we don't live in the state, precisely because California is as large as it is and influences the rest of the country in so many ways. And they are our clowns.
And I bet our home/auto insurance rates will go up nationwide as well....
I'd be happy to light the incense and hand them the tanto. Maybe even livestream it.
Not a cent more than Western NC got.
Or, East Tennessee.
Great article.
Whether the damnfools resign or not is inconsequential. Any aid that goes to Californication should be dedicated to a project with checkpoints and monitoring by non-state personnel. Rebuilding homes that were not insured is a personal problem - I know the state screwed the citizens by capping insurance rates, but it's not the rest of the country's job to rebuild houses with $multi-million price tags. Pay for a tiny home (like in Western North Carolina) and the rest is on the owner. Living in Cali is like living next to an active volcano, and when it blows, which you know it will, you look to Uncle Sam to help. We must protect lives, that's an imperative, however if your favorite movie star needs to live in a single wide trailer, so be it.
Having oversight on money that is earmarked for government projects would be a huge step in the right direction. It should be retroactive so we could find out what happened to money which was sent to NOLA to strengthen the levees before hurricane Katrina and the almost one billion in NYC for "Thrive NY" which was supposed to provide with mental help for the homeless. Go woke go broke.
Roger,
I recently heard a late night commentator say he liked Trump but didn't care for his "character assassinations." Pot, kettle. His penchant for belittling is part of what makes him a great negotiator, near- megalomania. And he is the man for the times, just like Ike and Ronnie.
Anyone who watches must understand CA, much like Congress, FEDGOV, and USDOEd are broken beyond repair. It's likened unto the 1840's mansion overcome by termites. Beautiful, yet unusable.
Time to tearfully bulldoze it and rebuild from scratch. Try the Constitution as bedrock.
News Flash - For anyone who thought there is hope for CA - FORGET IT!!!
https://californiainsider.com/california-news/politics/legislature-policy/mixed-opinions-from-lawmakers-after-newsom-combines-trump-and-wildfire-special-sessions-5794479
It cites a proclamation by Nero Newscum that starts out:
"A PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS on November 7, 2024, I issued a Proclamation calling a special
session of the Legislature to take prompt action to respond to threats made by
the incoming federal administration regarding federal funding and other
potential harms to the people of California; ..."
https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Special-Session-Amend-Proc-1-13-25-1402hrs.pdf
Elsewhere I have read that the amount for lawsuits against the Trump Administration is $50 million.
So it looks like Newscum will be asking for more and more federal funds while suing the federal government. With people like these many of whom elected a convention of communists to run the state, nom one who voted for Newscum deserves any more federal funds, the tax money paid in by Americans from every state. Far too many leftists sat back for years and kept electing and re-electing leftist trash. Year after year they were warned about massive fires, but they stole the money for other uses, few or none of them for the benefit of all the citizens of the state. Now they will need more than 100 billion dollars besides what they can raise in-state but the state has a deficit ( https://www.ocregister.com/2025/01/17/wildfires-incinerate-newsoms-already-flimsy-budget-proposal/ )
and cannot print any money. Talk about being in a position with tons of leverage, Trump should just help Republicans and Independents DIRECTLY and screw the rest until they become unwoke drop DEI, forget about ESG, eliminate EV and other useless and harmful mandates, recall all leftists and ban them from running for office for 200 years, give them a hut and a shovel. It is time for compassion, but only for those who have suffered at the hands of the left.
Repairing natural and political disasters in CA can bankrupt the country. There’s no Constitutional requirement or even permission to spend Federal funds in such a way. Why not start now to undo this relic of the New Deal and make states responsible for their own problems.
Timely -- "protecting California from itself." Trump and his Lt.'s will likely come up with an innovative set of conditions on federal aid that will hopefully force systemic reform. And maybe in the process the pot will be stirred enough to induce recalls of Newscum and Bass, and build the Republican voter base, as well.
Hear! Hear!
Great summary Roger. We need to call them out for who they are. Marxists. This is a preconceived land grab. Destroy the property, destroy the property values, demand payment of property taxes imposed on the smoldering heap. The smart people will walk away just as the insurance companies did. This is the time to stop throwing good money after bad. Blackrock will step in and buy up the ashes. Someday somebody will build multi-family buildings, with enforced requirements for "affordable" housing. This is the playbook. I'm no prophet but I can see clearly when history repeats itself. The World Economic Forum has publicly declared that by 2030 you will own nothing, and be happy about it. Trump is a speed bump in their plan. We need to fight fire with fire if we are to stop them.
Roger. Off your topic in this enlightening article.
ChatGPT answer to question below:
My question to ChatGPT:
In the Torah or Talmud, what is the guidance about negotiating hostage situation?
Answer:
1. Redeeming Captives (Pidyon
Shvuyim):
The Talmud (Tractate Gittin 45a) emphasizes the great importance of redeeming captives, calling it a "great mitzvah" (commandment). This reflects the value Judaism places on human life and the communal responsibility to assist those in danger.
2. Limits on Redemption Costs:
The same passage in Gittin states that captives should not be redeemed for an exorbitant price to avoid encouraging further kidnappings. This principle balances the need to save lives with the potential long-term consequences for the broader community.
Isn't it weird that Maxine Waters' Congressional District is just next door to the Malibu and LA fires, and no one has asked her "Is this what you meant when you screamed Burn it Down!"?
Your article struck a chord with me—not only for its clarity and passion but also for articulating frustrations I share as a fellow former Californian and one-time liberal. Watching a place we both once cherished fall prey to decades of mismanagement and ideological blindness is as heartbreaking as it is maddening.
That said, I trust you’ll understand where I’m coming from as I share a thought that’s been on my heart. I’m not criticizing your approach—your unvarnished critique is precisely why your voice is so impactful—but I sometimes wonder if there’s room to temper the fire with a bit of optimism.
It’s not that I want you to pull your punches—far from it. But I think about those who, like you and me, once believed in the same ideals that now cloud the judgment of so many in California. I’m so grateful for having had the Frisco fog lifted from my eyes, and I still hold onto faith in the possibility of reaching even the most intransigent leftist. What if we could draw them in—not by softening the truth but by casting a vision of restoration that invites them to join us in rebuilding what’s been lost?
I fear that in saying this, I may come across as a leftist in disguise, a common misunderstanding I’ve encountered in my efforts to engage. I assure you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. My only aim is to appeal to the part of you that remains hopeful because that shared aspiration ultimately binds us in this mission. If this isn’t the time for such a shift, I trust your instincts. I would rather see your voice remain unapologetically scathing and true than risk compromising its authenticity.
Thank you for your insights, your courage, and your dedication to holding the line.
Actually, Mark, part of me agrees with you. Progress comes from positivity. Maybe a little of both is necessary.;
Do People understand ALL federal disaster funds come with strings attached?
Heartily agree. And the % of federal gov't help should be limited, especially for homes over some cap amount. We have had terrific hurricane damage several times, in all cases we absorbed at least 50% of the cost to repair--and this was not for a multi-million house.
AND, and perhaps more important, if the Federal Gov't is acting as backstop for private losses, then there must be requirements for: 1) fire preventing forest management, 2) sensible (not climate nonsense driven) water management, 3) reasonable budget discipline (i.e., no funding illegal alien health care and all the DEI "culture" programs on our dime.
Money is fungible. Without paying enough of a price, people (and gov'ts, albeit local) will never change. Heck even IMF bailouts require changes in spending.
We need to return to the idea of individual responsibility, and wise management of our own time and treasure. Time for California and Californians to GROW UP.
THE Question is Will They..grow up.
Poor odds of that I fear.
Forgot to mention that we received ZERO federal help in any hurricane clean up and repair.
You used the word honorable in a sentence where the subject matter was a Democratic politician. Your English teacher would rub red ink all over that sentence. Or, maybe not today given the state of American government run education.
As a retired teacher of high school English who abhorred using red ink on my students’ writings, I most certainly would questioned the use of “honorable” in reference to this politician. Using red ink, I would request that the student do some thorough research about the politician as it might help the student discover for himself/herself the reason why “honorable” is inappropriate in this case. Self taught is best taught.
Dilutions of adequacy writ large in CA. The State takeover of property and casualty “insurance” is similar to the even more complete takeover of earthquake “insurance” following the Northridge Quake years ago. My favorite “solution” to protect infrastructure from earthquakes came from Diane Feinstein. She declared that to make highway interchanges with overpasses unnecessary, the State should require that left turns on all surface roads should be banned in favor or going around blocks or reversing directions by just going around in a clockwise direction with directional signals at every intersection and turn! Brilliant! Okay, totally delusional and idiotic and probably an early indication of her early onset dementia.