We’re pleased to present this commentary from State Senator Tom McClintock…

Through the Gloom

The tide of battle seems to have turned in the last 24 hours, and the firestorms that have stricken and terrorized our communities from Santa Barbara to San Diego now appear to be on the way to being vanquished. Two transcendent observations are hard to miss amidst the tragedy.

The first is the sense of proportion and resolve expressed by the families who lost their homes this week. Having just watched every material possession accumulated during a lifetime suddenly reduced to ashes – often on the mere whim of the winds – all gave thanks that their loved ones were safe and then instantly turned their thoughts to the future and their… Read More

Some incredible photos from SD, the actual Witch Creek Fire shots from Poway and Rancho Bernardo courtesy of local attorney Jeff Scott. RB alone lost over 700 homes. Jeff’s Poway home survived, even though just a few blocks away from what you see here….

Horizon Court

Horizon Court

Trying to Save a House on Sandhill Road

Backyard Reflections

Twisted Branch Road

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We’ve heard from a number of reliable sources that there will be a special session of the California State Legislature right after the Thanksgiving Holiday to discuss the wildfares and, presumably, to bring up some legislation on the subject.

Based on what we have heard, it sounds like there definately could be more resources committed by the State of California to deal with this important issue.

That said, we would counsel the Governor and Legislators to make some tough decisions and make appropriate cuts to lower priority items in the state budget to provide resources for fire protection.

It would be a sad day, indeed, for California if the tragedy of these fires was compounded with higher taxes or fees, more borrowing, or worst of all, an increase in deficit spending.… Read More

The following is a special message from Assemblyman Bob Huff. Huff is Chairman of the Assembly Republican Caucus:

It is with a deep sense of awe and sadness that we watch the events impacting our fellow Californians. To date, more than 426,000 acres in seven counties have already burned – the most lost from a single year in state history. Nearly one million of our fellow citizens have been evacuated, and the seemingly endless flames have consumed almost 1500 homes.

It is my sincerest hope that people will visit the CalFires website to get information and pictures of the situation in our state. You will also find information on important organizations involved in easing the pain of such massive losses, as well as key information on the status of events taking place. I especially want to encourage anyone who has been forced to evacuated to register on the Red Cross’ “Safe and… Read More

At 3:05 a.m. Wednesday morning, I drove into the parking lot of my local Community Center. La Mesais perhaps one of the safest places in San Diego County – if “safe” is measured in the number of communities between your home and a firestorm. The city may not be in harm’s way, yet officials still offered up their largest meeting space for collection of donated goods and as a coordination point to prepare meals for delivery to area evacuation centers.

Councilman Ernie Ewin had indicated he needed very early morning assistance to prepare egg sandwich breakfasts for the displaced hundreds staying six miles away in the gym at Steele Canyon High School . I imagined him trying to scrape together a crew of five to ten volunteers willing to set their alarms for 1:30 a.m., resulting in a short-handed, crazed rush of work prior to the planned 6:00 a.m. food pick up.

I should have known better of my community.

**There is more – click the link**

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There is no doubt that these tragic wildfires that still are burning away throughout Southern California have been extremely traumatic for many, many people. The magnitude of the areas burned, homes lost, and residents evacuated is a bit mind boggling. As it has been reported frequently on television, more residents have been displaced by this disaster than make up the total population of many, many entire states. As I write this, ashes continue to fall in my Irvine neighborhood — the sun tinged with the orange of smoke… So in light of all of this going on, you have to wonder about the judgment of candidates for political office who are campaigning and fundraising in this impacted area, either oblivious or insensitive to the magnitude of the situation. For now, I am going to be a bit more vague, choosing not to pummel particular candidates, and stick to my overall point. When the fires first broke out, a friend of mine running for the Assembly immediately postponed a fundraising event he had scheduled. But another candidate split the difference, canceling one event while continuing with another at a posh hotel while just a few… Read More

United States Representative Ed Royce sent this over for your consideration…

Many Members of the California delegation with districts ravaged by the wildfires have returned home to assist constituents in their time of need. Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat leadership – despite being fully aware of this development – inexplicably proceeded to schedule an important vote on the SCHIP bill which would expand coverage to include non citizens at enormous cost to the taxpayer. Regardless of the importance of the bill to Californians and the wrenching effect of the devastating fires, the Democrat dominated Rules Committee refused to delay debate. This request was rejected by … Read More

I just learned that Presidential aspirant Fred Thompson has decided to postpone a schedule fundraising/volunteer appreciation swing through SoCal, in light of the devestation that is taking place with the wildfires.

I think this was the right decision to make.

Senator John McCain is still conducting a high-dollar fundraising event tomorrow in Beverly Hills. I think he should have cancelled his event. The fact that he has not is probably an indicator of the difficulties that Senator McCain is having raising dollars.

Perhaps McCain can ask attendees at his event to give a separate donation to the Red Cross to help with evacuees, or for the recovery efforts for those who have lost their homes.

Anyway – kudos to Senator Thompson.… Read More