Pics Of The Week -- California Fires

(click on image to enlarge)

Lassen County, CA:


Contra Costa County, CA:


Solano County:


(Photos:  top, Katelynn Hewlett/Social Media via REUTERS; middle, AP Photo/Noah Berger; bottom, Josh Edelson/AFP/GettyImages)

Tweets Of The Day -- Great Climate!

Trump is asked if the seeing the devastation from the California wildfires has changed his opinion on climate change.

Trump: "No. No. I have a strong opinion: I want great climate." (via CNN) pic.twitter.com/1OwvGH2Ucq

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 17, 2018

My youngest child just asked me if our president has special needs.

— Kentucky Not Kochtucky (@kochtucky) November 18, 2018

Some day we'll carve "I have a strong opinion: I want great climate" on our civilization's gravestone.

— John Iadarola (@johniadarola) November 17, 2018

JC, even aft two years it’s still hard to believe ppl voted for this guy

— TRose ✊🏾 (@karmamar55) November 18, 2018

And, finally,

Well, that's taken care of. Trump announced today "I want great climate."

— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) November 17, 2018

BONUS:  Of course, thy will be done!  He has a celestial patron...

Helping California Fire Victims

The Santa Monica Mountains are blackened by the Woolsey Fire near Malibu, California on November 14, 2018. David McNew/AFP/Getty Images

It's been playing out in the media for over a week now.  The images, no matter how many you've seen, still shock.  As with our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, North and South Carolina, Florida, and other places that have seen devastating natural disasters in the past year, help for the victims of the California fires is needed beyond the ability of any one group or organization.  The Camp Fire in Northern California and the Woolsey Fire in Southern California are responsible for the deaths of 79 people (and counting), with over 1,000 still missing and over 14,000 structures destroyed.

Two places to start in identifying resources to help the victims of that ongoing disaster in California are here and here.

More images of the fire damage throughout California here and here.

East Ave Church in Chico has become a makeshift evacuation center. Cayce Clifford/ HuffPost

California Ablaze

Days of raging fires in southern California have consumed some 170,000 acres, and have resulted in massive property damage. With some restrictions lifted in Ventura County, the Thomas fire has entered Santa Barbara County, threatening the towns of Carpenteria and Montecito, where mandatory evacuation orders have been issued. Santa Barbara is just up the coast and just south of Los Padres National Forest, parts of which are ablaze. Some 80,000 people have already been evacuated.

Some 8,500 firefighters are working around the clock to contain the fires, which are only 15% contained, as the Santa Ana winds continue to stoke the flames. Hotter temperatures and drier conditions linked to global climate change have contributed to the abnormal fire season.  However, California Governor Jerry Brown ominously warned that these annual fires are the "new normal," saying:

“This could be something that happens every year or every few years. We’re about to have a firefighting Christmas.”

Here's hoping he's wrong.

(photos: top: smoke engulfs Santa Barbara yesterday, making it appear like a vintage sepia, via a family friend; bottom: U.S. Forest Service crews battle fires in the Rose Valley Recreation Area in the Los Padres National Forest, Los Angeles Daily News)

"Huh? A Brown Islamofascist 'Terrist' Didn't Start It?"

News Item: A California wildfire that destroyed 38,000 acres was started by a boy playing with matches.

The Reich Wing must be sooo disappointed. But then, they still have Iran.

Faux News, Your 'Terrist' Network

Why are we not surprised that Faux News is actively promoting the scenario that the California fires were set by al Qaeda? And for two days straight, and without any evidence! Citing an FBI memo from four years ago, the Foxies don't seem to notice that the memo doesn't list California as a possible al Qaeda arson target. Authorities believe two of the more than dozen fires appear to be arson, but that didn't stop Fox and Friends, including the excitable Steve "Douche" Doocy, and others from leaping on the story as if it were a second 9/11. Expect the same nonsense to be trotted out as the 2008 elections approach, with Faux News doing its best to elect "homeland security" Rethugs.

"Wake Me If They Discuss Iran"

In an example of both the caring Bush Assministration and your tax dollars at work, Dead Eye Dick nodded off during a White House cabinet meeting on the California wildfires. Such concern! Maybe Dead Eye's been staying up too late studying military maps of Iran. Can you hear Dumbya, noticing his boss dozing off, whispering "hey, let's all sneak out of the room. . .heh heh heh"?

(photo: An earlier picture of Dead Eye being briefed on the children's health insurance program)