Fire is rampant in the Angeles National Forest at the Station Fire northeast of Los Angeles, specifically in the LaCanada-Flintridge, LaCresenta, Altadena and Pasadena areas. This is just one of eight fires now burning in Southern California, with the Station Fire being the largest.
Starting last Wednesday, the Station Fire has continued to spread quickly fed by extremely dry conditions, due to five years of drought, underbrush that has not been burned or cleared for over 40 years, steep terrain, 105-degree temperatures and almost zero humidity. As of late this afternoon (Monday) more than 12,000 homes have been threatened.
The following letter was written by Richard, a resident of LaCanada-Flintridge, and has been reprinted with his permission.
“I am one of the unfortunate residents who was evacuated from my home last night due to the La Canada fires. Our neighborhood, Briggs Terrace, was one of the prime focal points of the news Saturday night because of the unfavorable topography. A small canyon, Pickens Canyon (misidentified on the news as "Briggs Canyon"), stood between us and the advancing fire line. For those who don't know, that's not good.
“Canyons are like three-sided boxes -- they frequently burn in one great consumptive tempest as the fire rushes up all sides simultaneously. The fear, of course, was whether firefighters would be able to stop a firestorm in Pickens before it breached its Western perimeter and invaded our homes.
“Without nighttime air support, the fire line (25+ miles in all) was defended by Hot Shot crews -- four man teams each with a water truck and hoses -- spread painfully thin to defend such a massive front. Through the long hot night, they defended our homes.
“What struck me this morning as I was allowed to walk back to my house (cars not allowed yet, but thankfully all our homes safe and intact),was the magnificent heroism, selflessness and professionalism of the many public services that have been fighting these fires and protecting our homes, lives and families. This is our government. These are not-for-profit services provided by our government. They work. They work magnificently.
“Where were the right wing town hall picketers declaiming these "socialist" services? Where were the cries for privatization and appeals to free-enterprise? Where were the accusations of incompetence by anything the government endeavors?
“Right wingers, of course, love firemen and law enforcement. Don't ask me why. I am utterly perplexed how they can embrace these public services so wholly and unconditionally yet turn rabid at the prospect of public healthcare? What is the line in their minds that divide these two? Have they been convinced that healthcare is a privilege and not a fundamental right, like fire protection or law enforcement?
“Nevertheless, I feel like there is a potential gold mine of persuasion here by making this connection between healthcare and other public services while the fires are still in the forefront of our public consciousness. Shame the right wingers by turning their arguments against government healthcare as a de facto slam against their beloved government firefighters and government law enforcement officers. I would hope our Democratic leaders would make this connection loud and clear, far and wide.”
Can you imagine how this situation might be handled if our fire stations were run by for-profit, private companies just like health insurance companies?
“Good afternoon, Fire Station # 34. How can I help you?”
“I need a fire truck out here right away, there is a huge brush fire behind my house!”
“What is your name, Ma’am?
“Cheri Cabot”
“And your address Ms. Cabot?
“465 Winding Road Lane”
“What is your account number?”
“HNQ79842344 KL 93”
“Thank you. I’ll just look that up.”
“Could you please hurry, the fire is getting closer!”
“Ms. Cabot, I’m sorry but we no longer carry your account at our fire station.”
“What do you mean, I have paid my premiums to your station for the last three years.”
“Well, that is certainly true, Ms. Cabot, but since you had previous fires in your area, we could no longer carry your policy, so we sold it to a larger fire station that has pre-existing fire coverage.”
“But I was never told my policy was dropped by you!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry about that Ms Cabot. However, I’m sure you will be very happy with Fire Station # 46. They are a much larger station than we are and will give you comprehensive coverage.”
“O.K., O.K. Just connect me with that station please, there are fire embers on the roof of my garage!”
“My pleasure, Ms. Cabot. Oh, I should tell you, this new coverage has a much higher deductible, payable upon the arrival of the firefighters. No cash or checks, credit card only. Please hold while I connect you. Have a nice day.”
“You have reached Fire Station #46. All our agents are currently busy. Your call is very important to us. Please hold and your call will be taken in the order it is received.”
(cheesy music playing)
“Good afternoon, this is Fire Station #46, thank you for holding, how may I help you?”
“My garage is on fire and will soon spread to my house! Please send a fire truck immediately!”
“May I have your name, address and account number please?”
“Cheri Cabot, 465 Winding Road Lane, HNQ79842344 KL 93. Please hurry!”
“Thank you Ms. Cabot. Oh, my, you are in a hot spot aren’t you? Unfortunately, all our trucks are out on calls right now.”
“What can I do? The fire has spread to the roof of my house!”
“Well, I can see if another station, an out-of-network provider has any trucks available, but you will have to pay full price.”
“Fine, just get someone here quickly! My house is on fire!”
“There is no need to yell, Ma’am, I’m trying to help. It looks like sub-station #23 has a pickup truck with a fire hose and two firemen available. We will give them authorization to use our fire hydrant on your street. Be sure to have your credit card ready. There may be additional charges depending on amount of water used and length of time the firemen are there.”
“There is no longer any need for them to come, my house is burned to the ground.”
“I’m sorry Ms Cabot. I’ll send an agent right away to write up a new policy. You are aware, of course, with another fire on your history, your premiums will be higher.”
THINK ABOUT IT!
Cheri Cabot, Politics Correspondent
Cheri’s column, “Personal About Politics,” published every week, will reflect on how the life of a 60 year-old, middle class woman is affected by politics, policy and the current state of the nation - a look at the personal aspects of politics. Her column is part of Gather Essentials.
Cheri is a freelance writer, living in Southern California. She has two grown children and is the proud grandmother of three. Cheri is also a purveyor of fine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.
You can find all of Cheri’s columns on Personal About Politics at www.personalpolitcs.gather.com, The Obama Watch at theobamawatch.gather.com or her home page here, www.ccabot.gather.com.
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Comments: 115 ( 1 removed by Cheri Cabot )
Now about the dialogue. I would imagine that the actual conversation would go about like that.
Except with maybe longer hold times..but you will be warned upfront..."the average waiting time to speak to one of our representatives was 15 if you want to continue to hold stay on the line otherwise hang up and try your call back when our volume is lower"...type of thing.
I also seem to recall hearing that some of those fire-fighting companies later became the insurance companies that wrote and probably still write fire insurance policies.
government firefighters and government law enforcement officers."
Point well made and on the money! Be safe!
i hear tell it is 9 hour waits even in the E.R's here so that isn't an issue.
better to be seen late than not at all.
Funnily enough, the NHS probably kept my mother well so she could live till 94, it was when she came here to visit, she died!
I'm not American so I feel no right to say anything on such a private (I mean, private for a nation) and touching topic.
But I'd just like to give my two cents on this topic (in a really low-profile way if my English would allow it) saying the 'human' component always makes the difference. Even if the 'for-profit' against 'no-profit' make the field change.. there are a lot of people out there who would be facing the fires in such heroic way and anyway. I mean, I cannot express upon whether a private or public management would work better (public health is not doing so well here).. but I think that you do have great men fighting, and those men would be probably the same. As long as you can count on great men into an organization you'll find help whether it be a public one or not. I'm not saying it doesn't matter. I'm just saying you are a proud nation made by many extraordinary individuals and that's the most important starting point to solve problems.
Wish you find out the way to beat the fire.
Thanks for having my bad English here.
Thanks for reading and commenting...it's always appreciated!
I hope all is continuing to go well with you in this fire crisis.
You should be ashamed comparing firemen to bureaucrats. Your argument basically boils down to:
Statement 1: We desire all services to be well-delivered.
Statement 2: Some services are well-delivered well by government entities.
Statement 3: Therefore all services can be well-delivered by government entities.
It fails because while you are trying to plug health-care into statement 3, I presume you wouldn't believe that media , or religion, or commerce could be likewise plugged in there. In short, what is it that argues to plug 'health-care' into Statement 2(and include it in the 'some' services)?
"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."
-- Thomas Paine
When government accepts responsibility for people, then people no longer take responsibility for themselves. ~George Pataki
In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it's a false promise predicated on the idea that the opposite of security is risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. The opposite of security is insecurity, and the only way to overcome insecurity is to take risks. The gentle government that promises to hold your hand as you cross the street refuses to let go on the other side. ~Theodore Forstmann
Fire, water, and government know nothing of mercy. ~Proverb
Shame on you for being such a fool.
"Before 'tossing' the existing health care system when most people are fairly satisfied with..."
Do you live in the United States? And does everyone have insurance in your country?
-- Thomas Paine
It's easy to take words out of context and make them fit whatever view you may have.:
"In intellectual terms, his Rights of Man was his greatest political work and was certainly the best-selling radical political tract in late 18th century England. Before Paine, British radicals sought a reform of Parliament which would grant to all men the vote for members of the House of Commons. In his Rights of Man, Paine abandoned this approach and, rejecting the lessons of history, maintained that each age had the right to establish a political system which satisfied its needs. He rested his case on the moral basis of the natural equality of men in the sight of God. Since government is a necessary evil that men accepted as a means of protecting their natural rights (cf. John Locke), the only legitimate government was that established by a contract between all members of society and one in which all men preserved all their natural rights, except the individual right to use force. Paine argued rationally that all men had an equal claim to political rights and that government must rest on the ultimate sovereignty of the people."
Some situations are best managed by government in not-for-profit paradigms. Where there is a question of life and death, as there is obviously in health care, it behooves a civilized society to opt for providing those services for ALL, regardless of ability to pay. Notice I said, "civilized", as in all the civilized, industrialized governments in the world, excluding the US.
For some reason, people understand the safety implications of not having a fire or police department available for all without individual contracting or costs. People have been brain-washed into ignoring the safety threats of not having a populace with access to good medical care. I just read an article about a medical group in TX enlisting the aide of Rotary organizations to help treat the un-insured against the ravages of growing tuberculosis spreads in TX. It is becoming a health crisis there and they are afraid of an epidemic spreading throughout our country.
We are very penny-wise and pound foolish in this country, besides having a large population of heartless, mindless bastards.
Sadly, RF, that is a bit of prophesy being realized now in our country. We seem to be falling into the same patterns of destruction as the Muslims did in the 15th century - a rise of religious fundamentalist fervor and a growing aversion to modern culture and science. Our infrastructure is crumbling, more and more children are left without proper immunization....it's simply a matter of time.
Sad but true. It's just a matter of time and we will find ourselves living an American version of a Taliban Theocracy State.
IMHO those who think that any and or all government-supplied services are inefficient (and/or cost the taxpayer too much) should be able to opt out and pay full price for those services. All roads would be toll roads, they'd have to contract for police and fire protection, they'd have to send their kids to private schools, and they'd have to count on their pension and/or private 401(k) account when they retire. Republicans like to say that's how it should be, but they conveniently forget that just as many Republicans lost their homes, jobs, and lives before such services were available. (Don't even get me started on what the working conditions would be if labor laws hadn't been passed!)
I think police and fire services, to name two, are good examples of this. Government police and fire protection started in the 19th century in the US. Before that cities had a mixture of private and public police, and private fire departments. In some large cities fire brigades included thugs whose job it was to fight other fire brigades at the site of a fire.
OMG! That's must be some of that COMPETETION, the right keeps talking about, that was supposed to bring about a better service/product, through beating each others brains out as the buildings burned.
Send those words to the President!
I work in a hospital and the idea that good people will work hard and selflessly for the benefit of the patient or their client is definitely true regardless of who is employing them.
I live about 8 to 10 miles south of the area burning. Obviously, the air quality is much worse up in Pasadena, etc. but still not good down here. If the wind switches (there is no wind right now) that could all change.
B, you know the value of police, firemen, EMT's etc.
after going through all the flooding in Cedar Rapids last year. Still trying to recover I'm guessing.
Do these people ever really think before they open their huge mouths?
Few argue that police/fire services are not worthy government service. Lots of debate however on the quality of government run education in this country however and it comes form all sides of the political spectrum. Private enterprise is a growing sector of education and when given the choice, its the one many people prefer because they make the choices involved. The military is the one Federal institution that apparently both works and has the people's trust. Why is that? It exists and has existed for one reason, to defend the nation, something that arguably CANNOT be done by private enterprise. But it is incredibly expensive, more so with each passing year as technology grows.
Health care too is expensive, unlike the armed forces which has to pick and choose what equipment it can purchase-health care as envisioned by some would have no limits. How can the nation afford that? National defense is not a product used by individuals as would health care under the government plan. Who will pay for it? Who will set the limits?
And if you I do a little investigating, I would NOT be surprised to find that the downward spirel of our public school systems may have something to do with BIG BUSINESS putting their fingers into the mix.
Anyone read some of John Gatto's stuff? He has a lot to say on the education system.
I think Bush and his minions would disagree as they have given billions and billions to Blackwater and other private military contractors, Charles.
As for education and such, every institution could stand for improvement, both public and private. Constant improvement is a good sign. Claiming that government workers haven't, can't and will never be able to do a good job is a totally other matter. And that's what the right has been spouting since the healthcare reform debate has started.
First off, check the manning levels authorized by Congress prior to Iraq of both the Army and Marines. Second, realize Iraq was not the only threat DOD had to worry about. Combined, the number of personnel available was insufficient to deal with everything. Both DOD and the White House seriously underestimated the number of men and critical skills needed. Given that problem, hiring former US/UK/Aus/Canadian soldiers/marines allowed them to plus up the forces available. They were able to field them quicker than calling up reserves or training new personnel.
Of course improvement is always merited in virtually any organization and yes some people have said that ALL gov employees are worthless. On the left, education and gov employees are defended just as vehemently and often without much thought either. US education from 3d grade to 12th is regarded quite poorly by the same organizations like the UN and international education groups that many on the left depend on for telling us how poorly our health care system is. We spend more per capita than almost any other nation on the planet but rank fairly low in most categories but that is ignored by the same people eager to believe our health care system is bad. Is one set of stats wrong and the other right?
Bunny
Because its cheaper and allows the MPs/SPs to do actual military work rather than policing traffic and dealing with domestic problems. Ask any MP and they will tell you that there was never enough of them to do the civil policing AND stay squared away on their MOS skills. Their primary job is to soldier and MPs have a critical job that supports their fellow troops.
Trying to link firefighters/police to an expanded government health care service is weak to say the least.
Police/fire services are considered clearly the role of government by most. They also are reactive, most people have little or not contact with them until needed (police often are ruefully contacted because of one's driving habits). They are supported by all in the form of property taxes rather than by some paying more then others as in the case for the taxation used to support state/Federal programs. Property taxes are affixed at set rates as are surcharges in some areas to offset heavier use.
Since all share equally and the use is generally limited, it is considered a community service rather than an individual one. The medical reform as envisioned by some now is not one that cost will equally shared but the major cost will shift onto those who can pay more (the goal is not one of helping the uninsured and those unable to pay for care?) That makes the two sectors of service very difficult to compare.
I'm not stuck in thinking anything R.F. I worked for the part of government considered the most effective and I still distrust it all overall. Not a single supporter of such government health care can explain costs to me nor why I should entrust any more of my life to it that is not already in its hands. I really fail to see how bureaucrats are automatically more compassionate than a private sector worker either.
I don't know why people should complain on the issue of privatization, especially the services that cities and counties are outsourcing in many places. What reasons should they complain?
The police responding to a crime I've seen are reactive. The police responding to anything is by definition reactive. Crime prevention by the police is at best a spotty concept according to most cops I've known. Cops tend to try to solve crimes and prevention by them is incidental. When one gets "contacted" by the police for a driving violation, its seldom by choice or with any degree of happiness.
My point on national/government/single payer or whatever you happen to call it is this, the claim to impose it is to "solve" the uninsured problem. Those individuals will not be paying for it anymore than they do now, the burden of the subsidy falls on others so unlike fire/police services paid by all, this will be what is called in the economics community a wealth transfer. Its not a service for fee program as fire/police. Property taxes pay for this and other government services such as trash pickup and education. Of course that is not scaled to use of services nor did I say it was. Surcharges happen at some county/city levels to offset heavy use years or major purchases.
As property tax is flat, it's not scaled to wealth as is the progressive tax structure we have now. Major difference.
To Charles Temm JR..............The roles defined for the various Fire/Police services are as they are because the way it was done in the past just did not work. Yes, Fire and Police are now the role of City, County, State and Federal Government and these agencies work quite well. Public Health Services are also a government agency in every county of this country and provide critical preventative care with vaccines, health education, assist the physical and mentally disabled, sanitation enforcement and this process works well also. Most Firefighters are are also EMTs/Paramedics so they do a tremendous amount of medical service....in fact our District has 82% medical calls versus 18% wildland and structure fires. So why do you draw such a fine line between medical and fire/police???
You say Fire and Police are community services and not individual.........ask the mother of a 4 year old that we pulled out of her burning house last week if this is community or individual......ask the man with a severed leg we pulled from a head on collision........it doesn't get more individual than that..........these are human lives and ALL deserve proper medical care and compassion from our fellow men and if it takes government programs like Fire, Police and Public Health the let's get it done!!!
Cheri's characterizations are spot on.........how would you like getting an insurance bill for your Police services or your Fire services? What if your house was old and had a wood shingle roof and bad electrical wiring, maybe you would be denied for pre-existing conditions!!! Think about our entire military being run by Blackwater!!! Scary as hell don't you think............of course I suppose there are those that would say our soldiers, sailors and airmen are all bureaucrats too............shame on you.
The Liberal Warrior.............................ml
I see you got a pic of that large white billowy cloud yesterday, I drove back down into town to grap a pic and it had blown away a bit.
Are you OK? I know you are out to the east of me, where the fires are closer.
I don't know if you recall that Glendale Fire Chief who wrote a book about an arsonist, then turned out to BE that arsonist? He set the Glendale fires a couple of decades ago, so the insurance companies shy away from Glendale addresses already. The only company I have ever been able to insure up here is Allstate, no one else will touch it!
I do know about the Fire Chief who started all those fires. I read the book. He started one up in the Hastings Ranch Albertson's grocery store. The one up by Sierra Madre, and then the horrendous one that caused an explosion in South Pas that killed several people. It took a long time to figure out it was him because he was the fire investigator!
I didn't realize that caused your fire insurance to go up because of an arsonist who is in prison for life! That doesn't make any sense. But, then there is no logic when is comes to private insurance of any kind
Glad you are OK, and your sister. I see another plume of smoke to my northwest now, the La canada side seems clearer.
I pay enough already having a 4650 sq ft. structure to insure!
"For the nth time, I wonder why anyone would want to live with the yearly plague of fire you guys get out there."
I live in California because it is beautiful. I live in California because I am allowed to think and live freely. There are forests, mountains, oceans and wonderful, bright, friendly and intelligent people. I love it here. Good enough reason, I think.
I lived in Iowa for 46 years. There were, and are,tornados, blizzards, heat and humidity there.
Why would anyone live in NY? They get blizzards, heat, humidity and it's crowded. But it's a wonderful town, full of energy. I love it. Obviously others do to, because they live there.
Why would anyone want to live in Seattle? It rains a lot (not this year) They have great coffee and people read a lot. They are very progressive minded there. Some people like that.
Why would anyone want to live in New Orleans? They have hurricanes and faulty dikes and pumps. They live there because they love the culture.
Your question is an insult.
Your narrow-mindedness is showing (again). If someone doesn't think like you, they are wrong.
Just because you don't want to live out here does not mean its a bad place to live. There will always be fires where there are forests. It is a fact of life and nature. As Wayne stated in his comment, they were fighting fires in Colorado the last two weeks. Does that mean he should give up living in such a beautiful, marvelous place?
Why would anyone want to live in Alabama....I believe that is where you say you are from?
In fact, why would anyone with such a bad attitude about our country and government, such as you, even want to live in this country? Why do you live in the United States if you despise it so much?
Doesn't want to debate, only say how all that don't believe his way are wrong and doesn't offer any ideas or solutions on how to better our society--just make sure that old white males keep the power.
Blames everyone else for the problems--doesn't matter where you live, there are weather issues. IIRC, Alabama has had hurricanes and tornadoes, lousy heat ranks absolutely LAST in library visits of their populace(why is this important? People who read are generally more knowledgable), second last in 8th grade placement(tied with Mississippi), and stays in the bottom five with literacy ability, economy and all education---not the brightest tool in the shed of states, eh? Now, why would anyone want to live in a state that doesn't want an educated, productive populace?
Private enterprise can be a good thing and does serve a vital role in our society and economy. Manufacturing and distribution of consumer goods, consumer service provision are all best handled by private enterprise.
But essential services should be publicly controlled. Food inspection, water purification, drug safety, public transit, education, policing, justice, health and corrections should all be publicly provided.
This isn't about ideology it is about what makes sense and is in the public interest.