With all the trauma and loss in southern California because of the wildfires – I thought a little levity might help lighten things up. (no disrespect intended to those that have had their lives impacted by this tragedy) And when you’re looking for a good stand-up comedian in the spirit of Shecky Greene, look no further than our own Jim Brulte……..I know, I know, and you thought he was just a serious policy wonk.

Recently, Jim was invited to roast Governor Schwarzenegger at the governor’s fundraiser in Hollywood. He killed it.

The Master ofCeremonies was actor / comedian Tom Arnold.

Here is Jim’s stand up act – enjoy!

"Thank you, Tom, for that introduction.

And I guess I should introduce myself, since I’m not a nationally known celebrity like most of those on the dais. My name is… Read More

*Today we ask all FR readers to take a moment and keep all of this immediately impacted by the expansive southland wildfires in their thoughts and prayers…*

We are pleased to present this outstanding commentary from Diana Ernst with the Pacific Research Institute.

The California legislature is in a special session on health care expected to last until mid-November, summoned by a governor who refuses to appreciate that tax hikes don’t equate with health reform. Thankfully, the governor recently vetoed Assembly Bill 8, which would have mandated that employers pay at least 7.5 percent of payroll towards health care, a tab that that many businesses find too expensive. … Read More

*Today we ask all FR readers to take a moment and keep all of this immediately impacted by the expansive southland wildfires in their thoughts and prayers…*

We are pleased to present this outstanding commentary from Diana Ernst with the Pacific Research Institute.

The California legislature is in a special session on health care expected to last until mid-November, summoned by a governor who refuses to appreciate that tax hikes don’t equate with health reform. Thankfully, the governor recently vetoed Assembly Bill 8, which would have mandated that employers pay at least 7.5 percent of payroll towards health care, a tab that that many businesses find too expensive.… Read More

Today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail has a California item: (two if you count the Quote of the Day below it):

The Ballot War for California

The race to put a controversial measure on California’s ballot that would end the state’s "winner take all" allocation of its 55 Electoral College votes is back on. A group of Republican political consultants announced yesterday they will try to collect some 600,000 signatures by a November 13 filing deadline.

"Our budget is going to be whatever it takes to make the June ballot," said political strategist David Gilliard, who played a crucial role in getting the recall of then-Governor Gray Davis on the 2003 ballot. He will be aided by a campaign team that includes former Reagan political aide Ed Rollins and fundraiser Anne… Read More

WITCH FIRE: The latest update from CALFIRE reports the fire is now 145,000 acres and zero percent contained. The cause is under investigation.

600 structures have been destroyed (500 residences, 50 outbuildings, 100 commercial properties)

300 structures have been damaged (250 residences, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings)

Seven injuries to firefighters; one civilian injury

The fire is threatening the communities of San Diego , Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe. Currently, about 625 firefighters are battling the blaze using 89 engines, nine fire crews, ten dozers and two water tenders.

HARRIS FIRE: The Harris Fire has now burned 22,000 acres and is five percent contained. Some civilians have chosen not to evacuate and have created rescue problems as the fire impacts their community.

Five firefighters injured; one civilian fatality, six civilians injured

The cost to date to fight this fire is $1,300,000

The fire is threatening the communities of Potrero, Barrett Junction, Barrett Lake area, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Valley… Read More

Some bozo in Paso Robles complained that there was a collage of photos on the wall of the local post office displaying photos of local folks deployed in the military oversees. Some even bigger bozo at the U.S. Postal Service, in response to bozo #1 went ahead and ordered the collage removed.

Well, the photos are back up now, due to the intervention of Congressman Kevin McCarthy. Check out the story on Fox News here.… Read More

The number of people under mandatory evacuation in San Diego is now equivalent to Nebraska’s entire population….

10-23-07 11:21 a.m. Overall evacuation update. A total of 349,915 Reverse 9-1-1 and AlertSanDiego phone calls have been issued between the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego, informing residents of both advisory and mandatory evacuation orders. Based on 2000 census data, approximately 513,000 people in San Diego County have received a mandatory evacuation order and an additional 12,000 people have been advised to leave their homes.… Read More

As Duane Dichiara has noted in his posts below, downtown San Diego has been uniquely quiet the last two days. Although not threatened by fire, many of the folks who would typically drive in from other areas of the county are dealing with more significant issues than work, or their employers are closing operations for the time being. For good reason, as approximately one in six county county residents have been evacuated from their homes. The encouragement is to stay off the highways if possible.

Duane documents the empty nature of downtown withthe followingcouple of photos, taken at high noon, a good time for a ghost town … looking down Broadway, likely the busiest street in the area. And, although he has written for FR for nearly two years, he hasn’t yet learned how to post photos, so he asked me to do so. I am glad he can handle a camera.

… Read More