LA Wildfires, 100K people evacuated and counting

[listen2me 23 1,840]

6 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

Cutting the fire department does look particularly bad at the moment, although it was by 2% and the police department budget was raised. Mayor Bass should be getting asked about this, it’s her job to answer.

Well if its literally all up to chance....all you can do is have a ton of resources and be ready to combat it as best as you can.  

One side of their mouth

"Climate change, these fires are going to intensify and become more numerous"

Other side

"Hey this is a good time to scale back on funds for fire emergencies"

Its just hard for me to understand how these people think.  Or how the people out there line up to keep voting these sorts of people in.  

[thegeneral 3,092]

1 minute ago, Strike said:

What does one have to do with the other?  Want to enlighten us about the budget for the garbage men too?

My point was they took that money to put to the police department. I don’t really give a shet about LA’s mayor so she can get blasted to your heart’s content. Just if we are being honest I don’t think that budget cut was why this fire had become such a terrible disaster.

[listen2me 23 1,840]

Just now, thegeneral said:

My point was they took that money to put to the police department. I don’t really give a shet about LA’s mayor so she can get blasted to your heart’s content. Just if we are being honest I don’t think that budget cut was why this fire had become such a terrible disaster.

Probably not.  But if fires are going to be more and more numerous then wouldnt you increase that budget if you were to do anything to it??

[Strike 5,367]

1 minute ago, thegeneral said:

My point was they took that money to put to the police department. I don’t really give a shet about LA’s mayor so she can get blasted to your heart’s content. Just if we are being honest I don’t think that budget cut was why this fire had become such a terrible disaster.

Wrong.  Just because one budget went up and one went down doesn't mean they took the money from one to give to the other.  I'm sure other departments went up and down too.  How much was allocated to useless initiatives like DEI that could have stayed with the fire department.  Your focus on the police budget is just a deflection.

[thegeneral 3,092]

1 minute ago, listen2me 23 said:

Well if its literally all up to chance....all you can do is have a ton of resources and be ready to combat it as best as you can.  

One side of their mouth

"Climate change, these fire are going to intensify and become more numerous"

Other side

"Hey this is a good time to scale back on funds for fire emergencies"

Its just hard for me to understand how these people think.  Or how the people out there line up to keep voting these sorts of people in.  

I agree with the first part of your sentiments. These people live next to tinderbox areas, some that are very hard to reach, and the place is a wind tunnel. I get the trade off for sure, such a beautiful area to live.

[listen2me 23 1,840]

Libs:

"Crime is going down across the board"

"Lets increase the police budget"

"Climate change.  Fires will only get worse and worse"

"Lets decrease the fire emergency budget"

Wacky.  

Weve come a long way from the defund the police idea.  

[thegeneral 3,092]

Just now, Strike said:

Wrong.  Just because one budget went up and one went down doesn't mean they took the money from one to give to the other.  I'm sure other departments went up and down too.  How much was allocated to useless initiatives like DEI that could have stayed with the fire department.  Your focus on the police budget is just a deflection.

That is fair. I’d ask Bass about this, I doubt she will have a good answer and assume she is deadman walking politically.

In reality though if you had a thousand more fireman and trucks would that have kept this fire from exploding? I doubt it.

[Strike 5,367]

Just now, thegeneral said:

That is fair. I’d ask Bass about this, I doubt she will have a good answer and assume she is deadman walking politically.

In reality though if you had a thousand more fireman and trucks would that have kept this fire from exploding? I doubt it.

Now you're moving the goalposts.......

[thegeneral 3,092]

4 minutes ago, listen2me 23 said:

Probably not.  But if fires are going to be more and more numerous then wouldnt you increase that budget if you were to do anything to it??

I’d want more money spent for everything. There’s always some issue that is front and foremost to people. If I lived in DTLA I’d certainly want more cops driving around. 

[Strike 5,367]

15 minutes ago, Strike said:

Sure they did.  I posted a link earlier of Newsom literally lying about this previously.  How do I know he's telling the truth now?

Bump.......

[thegeneral 3,092]

Just now, Strike said:

Now you're moving the goalposts.......

How’s that?

[jbycho 752]

6 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

I’d want more money spent for everything. There’s always some issue that is front and foremost to people. If I lived in DTLA I’d certainly want more cops driving around. 

So you want socialism and your life controlled by government. Cool.

But we already know what liberals want.  

[HellToupee 1,674]

11 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

That is fair. I’d ask Bass about this, I doubt she will have a good answer and assume she is deadman walking politically.

You’d be better off asking Earnest T Bass. You would get a more cogent answer 

[thegeneral 3,092]

Just now, jbycho said:

So you want socialism and your life controlled by government. Cool.

But we already know what liberals want.  

Yeah. I would prefer not having fire department budget cut. The FD’s up in my hood are super nice, I’ll gladly pay the crazy property taxes that go in part to that.

Actually had to have them come out to my house recently. They got there in under 5 minutes, had a bunch of fireman in my house (wife seemed to enjoy that). Faster than it took to get a live operator on 911. 

Money well spent.

[listen2me 23 1,840]

Celebs starting to turn on Newsome and Cali leaders fot being incompetent/negligent.  

[thegeneral 3,092]

3 minutes ago, HellToupee said:

You’d be better off asking Earnest T Bass. You would get a more cogent answer 

I have not heard her talk TBH. I’d think she is in big trouble. Would take a Bill Clinton type talent to survive this.

[supermike80 1,874]

48 minutes ago, listen2me 23 said:

Well if its literally all up to chance....all you can do is have a ton of resources and be ready to combat it as best as you can.  

One side of their mouth

"Climate change, these fires are going to intensify and become more numerous"

Other side

"Hey this is a good time to scale back on funds for fire emergencies"

Its just hard for me to understand how these people think.  Or how the people out there line up to keep voting these sorts of people in.  

Yup.  My point exactly.

[DonS 3,292]

36 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

 

Actually had to have them come out to my house recently. They got there in under 5 minutes, had a bunch of fireman in my house (wife seemed to enjoy that).

Did they all stand around her while she sat on the couch? 

https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/guides/what-is-piper-perri-surrounded-the-infamous-white-couch-meme-and-its-origins-explained

 

[Tree of Knowledge 1,781]

37 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

I have not heard her talk TBH. I’d think she is in big trouble. Would take a Bill Clinton type talent to survive this.

Many people are saying she brought city council souvenirs from Ghana trade mission.  Ivory tusks, zebra jerky and shrunken heads will go a long way in making this all go away.  

[nobody 2,640]

4 hours ago, The Real timschochet said:

It’s 6:15 am. In one hour I head to work. Then I will be making calls to try to find an Airbnb for my in laws for a few months, right now they’re at my sister in law in Manhattan Beach but it’s too crowded there and I’m too far away in Orange County. Rest assured I’m on it, this is just killing time for me. But hey thanks for your concern! 

Too far from what?  A home that doesn't exist anymore? Orange county is max 90 minutes away from Manhattan beach.  

[edjr 6,579]

 

[nobody 2,640]

When a hurricane knocked out power and water to my mom's house in Louisiana, I stopped what I was doing.  I flew to Houston and picked up supplies, rented a car, drove 6 hours to her house, woke up at 6 am and tarped her roof, packed all her stuff up and drove her back to the Houston airport and brought her to California with me for a month while things got sorted out at her house. 

An hour drive is too far though for timschocet to help his family that just lost their home.  That, my friends, is the difference between a conservative and a lib.  Libs always want someone else to help instead of themselves.

[Hardcore troubadour 15,191]

31 minutes ago, Tree of Knowledge said:

Many people are saying she brought city council souvenirs from Ghana trade mission.  Ivory tusks, zebra jerky and shrunken heads will go a long way in making this all go away.  

Awesome. Great job man. 

[jonmx 2,425]

3 hours ago, HellToupee said:

I’ve been mistaken her as trans and not a lezzie. You learn something new everyday day

Who knows.  She could be a lesbian with a deek.

[jerryskids 6,691]

1 hour ago, thegeneral said:

The vibe there was too much, they checked us in like we were at an airport. Overpriced. I like the smaller spots. Wine was fine but there are so many up there. Place was highly recommended by my friends (and of course they are an OG in the industry up there) who always crap all over Washington reds

Congrats on beating cancer. Fock that shet. Cheers to you and yours on that day. Drink the best bottle you have!

I could see that.  In our case, Bier set us up with a semi-private tour -- the three of us, and another group of two couples IIRC.  Got to learn the history of the place and taste a lot of fun stuff, all in a small group.

Another great tasting was at Del Dotto, I think we went to the middle one here including the cave testing:

https://www.deldottovineyards.com/visit-us/

We got a shiot ton of wine during the cask tasting in the caves; I loved it, but my wife got too drunk (she didn't realize until too late that she could dump/spit what she didn't want).  Because of drinking too much, we bought a bunch of bottles at the end... and a wine bottle airport travel case.   

Anyway, yeah, we've been sitting on that bottle of Kathryn Hall, and thought about opening it over Christmas, but I came up with the idea of saving it for my 5th year survival of surgery.   

[jerryskids 6,691]

Football update:  Contingency plan for Rams/Vikes on Monday night is to play it here in Phoenix same night:

Quote

There could be an NFL playoff game at State Farm Stadium this season after all, despite the Arizona Cardinals having missed out on the postseason following their 8-9 finish last Sunday.

The NFL is considering moving Monday night’s NFC wild-card game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams from L.A. to Arizona as a result of the wildfires raging across Southern California.

Late Thursday morning, the Rams provided an update via X, saying "as of now," the game was still planned for SoFi Stadium.

The NFL's official account reposted the message.

“The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community,” the league said in Wednesday's statement. “We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles, and everyone affected by the fires.

“We continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium. As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed.

“In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale if necessary. We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA.”

The Cardinals issued a statement Wednesday, saying they have agreed to host the game if needed.

"Our hearts break for all of those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California and we express our gratitude to the first responders who are bravely fighting them," the team said, promising "additional details" if the move becomes necessary.

Because the Rams-Vikings winner will already be playing on the shortest rest of any team in the playoffs, pushing the game back a day or two wouldn’t be tangible from a competitive standpoint. Playing the game on Monday as scheduled, regardless of the location, would make the most sense.

Wildfires have destroyed more than 1,000 structures and killed at least two people as residents have attempted to escape flames and ferocious wind. More than 70,000 people have been evacuated from some areas and according to officials, at least 28,000 structures remain in serious jeopardy.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2025/01/08/nfl-considering-arizona-as-an-option-for-rams-vikings-playoff-game-amid-fire-danger/77558730007/?utm_source=azcentral-dailybriefing-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailybriefing-greeting&utm_term=newsletter-greeting&utm_content=pphx-phoenix-nletter02

[thegeneral 3,092]

55 minutes ago, DonS said:

Did they all stand around her while she sat on the couch? 

https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/guides/what-is-piper-perri-surrounded-the-infamous-white-couch-meme-and-its-origins-explained

 

She did seem to enjoy that they all rolled in the house a bit too much

[thegeneral 3,092]

23 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I could see that.  In our case, Bier set us up with a semi-private tour -- the three of us, and another group of two couples IIRC.  Got to learn the history of the place and taste a lot of fun stuff, all in a small group.

Another great tasting was at Del Dotto, I think we went to the middle one here including the cave testing:

https://www.deldottovineyards.com/visit-us/

We got a shiot ton of wine during the cask tasting in the caves; I loved it, but my wife got too drunk (she didn't realize until too late that she could dump/spit what she didn't want).  Because of drinking too much, we bought a bunch of bottles at the end... and a wine bottle airport travel case.   

Anyway, yeah, we've been sitting on that bottle of Kathryn Hall, and thought about opening it over Christmas, but I came up with the idea of saving it for my 5th year survival of surgery.   

Not familiar with those but there are so many amazing spots. Overwhelming really. Love that part of the world. The cost there matches the environment. Holy smokes you can blow through some cash there.

If you ever do Walla Walla area let me know. I’ll point you in the right direction. Very nice golf course right there too. 

Grats again on beating cancer. 

[jerryskids 6,691]

2 minutes ago, thegeneral said:

Not familiar with those but there are so many amazing spots. Overwhelming really. Love that part of the world. The cost there matches the environment. Holy smokes you can blow through some cash there.

If you ever do Walla Walla area let me know. I’ll point you in the right direction. Very nice golf course right there too. 

Grats again on beating cancer. 

Thanks, will do.  I'd also love to meet up with @DonS, who was extremely helpful to me in the early days of my cancer/surgery/treatments.  Remarkably, I've never been to the Seattle area (airport connections don't count IMO).  Despite being in tech sales, until recently my type of "tech" wasn't overly represented there.

[BunnysBastatrds 2,386]

16 hours ago, BunnysBastatrds said:

 Please tell me you aren’t this fawking stoopid. Insurance claims and companies are fine? You have confirmed to me timmay that you are a complete and total moron. Shut up, sit down, and stop being such a a dumb ass. I’ve seen ignorance, but you rank up there with them.

 I got an email today from a fellow insurance adjuster who was flying to LA to handle these fire claims there. He was fawking begging me to be there by Sunday to be on his team. He also told me it’s a fawking shiot show there. The big insurance providers refused to allow seventy percent of their insurance policies because the insurance companies wanted a rate increase for fire and wind. The state politicians voted it down. And the majority of those home owners could pay for it but the state government said no! I saw this fawking bullshiot after Katrina and more. I was going to be on his right after Isaac hit NY and Jersey. No fawking way I was going to that shiot show with the politicians demanding ecrtain aspects of it. I wanted to but I knew it would be crazy just like this diastor. I was a storm trooper in the eighties and I went to San Fran after the earthquake. I left after a month. Not worth it, even though I wanted to help.

 I one hundred percent want to retract this statement. I had no idea how bad the state was this bad till this morning reading everything I could about the insurance companies there. I’m shocked but not shocked about how poorly the insurance companies failed their insured policy holders. Example, State Farm has dropped over thirty percent of their policies starting in 2019 to 2024. And to make it worse. The insurance of last resort for California, which is extremely expensive, only has seven hundred million dollars in their account as of today. And it’s going to cost at least three billion dollars to fix this. And it’s going to take at least five years to rebuild homes and businesses In that area. Between state, county, and city laws. It’s going to be nightmare for all those trying to move forward. The rubble and trash, trees, is going to be one of the biggest in our recent history. 
 

 Again I apologize for giving off. I just HATE to see this kind of catastrophic events. I  have first hand experience with more than I’d like to remember. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those, including Helene, an all of those thousands that have lost.

[thegeneral 3,092]

3 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Thanks, will do.  I'd also love to meet up with @DonS, who was extremely helpful to me in the early days of my cancer/surgery/treatments.  Remarkably, I've never been to the Seattle area (airport connections don't count IMO).  Despite being in tech sales, until recently my type of "tech" wasn't overly represented there.

I have grabbed a beer with that guy @DonS ! He’s a mensch.

Plan a trip to Seattle…in the summer

[DonS 3,292]

4 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

Thanks, will do.  I'd also love to meet up with @DonS, who was extremely helpful to me in the early days of my cancer/surgery/treatments.  Remarkably, I've never been to the Seattle area (airport connections don't count IMO).  Despite being in tech sales, until recently my type of "tech" wasn't overly represented there.

 

[DonS 3,292]

1 minute ago, thegeneral said:

I have grabbed a beer with that guy @DonS ! He’s a mensch.

Plan a trip to Seattle…in the summer

 

 

[wiffleball 4,789]

The Fonz thinks the fires are a conspiracy. 

[wiffleball 4,789]

Can't wait for Rump to take over & form

The Forest Floor Cleaning Force. 

Gotta clean the floors to stop the fires...

[Big Guy 1,412]

more deliberate BS!

James Woods suggests tribunals, I agree

[Engorgeous George 2,257]

2 hours ago, thegeneral said:

No. They want rain and need it. But it also in part creates conditions that are problematic. Pretty tough situation they find themselves in.

So a stupid place to build and a really stupid place to overbuild.

[Engorgeous George 2,257]

25 minutes ago, BunnysBastatrds said:

 I one hundred percent want to retract this statement. I had no idea how bad the state was this bad till this morning reading everything I could about the insurance companies there. I’m shocked but not shocked about how poorly the insurance companies failed their insured policy holders. Example, State Farm has dropped over thirty percent of their policies starting in 2019 to 2024. And to make it worse. The insurance of last resort for California, which is extremely expensive, only has seven hundred million dollars in their account as of today. And it’s going to cost at least three billion dollars to fix this. And it’s going to take at least five years to rebuild homes and businesses In that area. Between state, county, and city laws. It’s going to be nightmare for all those trying to move forward. The rubble and trash, trees, is going to be one of the biggest in our recent history. 
 

 Again I apologize for giving off. I just HATE to see this kind of catastrophic events. I  have first hand experience with more than I’d like to remember. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those, including Helene, an all of those thousands that have lost.

Landfill nightmares coming up in California to match those in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

[Engorgeous George 2,257]

On 1/9/2025 at 12:24 PM, nobody said:

When a hurricane knocked out power and water to my mom's house in Louisiana, I stopped what I was doing.  I flew to Houston and picked up supplies, rented a car, drove 6 hours to her house, woke up at 6 am and tarped her roof, packed all her stuff up and drove her back to the Houston airport and brought her to California with me for a month while things got sorted out at her house. 

An hour drive is too far though for timschocet to help his family that just lost their home.  That, my friends, is the difference between a conservative and a lib.  Libs always want someone else to help instead of themselves.

When the East Troublesome Fire threatened Grand County I drove up to help evacuate my brother and went back in after to help clean up.

 

When hurricanes threaten in Florida i drive down to Naples from Colorado to preposition supplies to restore my sister's and my parent's home immediately after.  i evacuate them to a place in Tennessee and after we return I give them a week or so of labor to get them back to some semblance of normalcy.  Now my vacations are not as sexy as following Taylor Swift around Europe in the summer or taking a Viking riverboat cruise on my FIL dime, but it works for me.

[thegeneral 3,092]

15 minutes ago, Engorgeous George said:

So a stupid place to build and a really stupid place to overbuild.

I don’t know, EG. pretty amazing part of the world.

I suppose the prospect of getting fricasseed because of a downed power line a few miles away sparks the canyon up…but if I had unlimited cash I’d dabble in the area. 

Prefer NorCal myself if I were to live in Cali but I could deal with it