Monday, October 27, 2003

A Hunka Hunka Burnin' Pain

My apologies to all for my long absence. Between a shattered wisdom tooth and the Fire Pits of Apokolips (aka southern California), it's been a hectic (and often unpleasant) week. Still, this too(th) shall pass, and though I am less "wise," I'm much happier now that I'm short one molar appendix. Anyway, here's wisdom for ya: there's a reason the scariest torturers in spy fiction are evil dentists, though all divinity bless those who use their powers for good.

On a more serious note, the fires that are still raging through California are taking lives, destroying homes, and stretching firefighters past their limits. Despite heroic efforts (over a thousand faced the "Old Fire" alone), units were forced to abandon hundreds of homes to the several infernos. Ten of the current wildfires are considered "major," have consumed nearly half a million acres between them, and only one has been contained. (Data from an AP article; it can be found at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution among other places.)

This is the definition of a non-partisan issue. Governor Davis and Governor-Elect Schwarzenegger have admirably set aside their differences regarding this issue, splitting the work appropriately -- Davis handling the details here while Ahnold lobbies Washington for disaster relief. As tempted as I am to take a funding swipe at Dubya, there are better issues to do that with. Lives and homes are at stake, and we can point fingers later. Or better yet, not at all, though that seems unlikely.

(/) Roland X
Feeling cynical today. At least one of the fires was a case of arson, and a few of the others probably were as well.

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