Sometimes life slows down in the midst of chaos

[netmouse]

jlassen points out that a quarter million people have been evacuated from their homes in San Diego, and the fires are expected to make it all the way down to the north shore.

Just in case you needed a little perspective this morning.

I called Granholm's office to ask if she's considered sending assistance. I left a message asking them to call me back.

I've been up since 7 but didn't make it into work until after 10. The day seems to be going in slow motion. Some days are like that. They're still better than being chased out of your home by a fire.

Comments

[nicegeek.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, Michigan may not have the resources to spare; the state has been struggling to find the money to meet its own expenses. Last I heard, the Governor's office was busy trying to avoid having another government shutdown at the end of this month.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

mm, well, we pay our National Guard etc whether they're doing anything or not. Sending them on a road trip across the country doesn't *have* to be that expensive, does it? They could camp along the way...

hrm.

I sigh.

[nicegeek.livejournal.com]

They cost quite a bit more when they're activated. For one thing, it pulls them away from their normal jobs, and their families...and unfortunately, deploying large numbers of people does cost a lot. Now, if we've got spare firefighters that we're not using, and California wants to foot the bill to send them in, then that's great, and in fact I think that there's already a program for states to do that, and the states near to California are already doing so.

However, from what I've heard, the main problem is that it's so dry and windy out there that there's only so much the firefighters can do, regardless of numbers. They need the weather to change to have any hope of getting things under control.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Well, and quite honestly, fighting the fires is only part of the problem when you've got a quarter million people displaced from their homes...

Unfortunately many of those families need to maintain attendance at schools and jobs, so other states cannot simply say "ok, send them here for a couple months"

[nicegeek.livejournal.com]

Very true. The trick is to find out what's needed, where it's needed, and when it will be needed. Perhaps the Red Cross is coordinating some efforts?

[http://users.livejournal.com/jer_/]

I'd far prefer that independent groups that aren't teetering on the brink of bankruptcy assist the effort. Spending more money that we don't have only heightens the chances that we'll be asking for a handout in the next 12 months. :(

[raaven.livejournal.com]

I have friends in Escondido who had to evacuate yesterday. They're waiting to learn if their apartment building survives.

Perspective, indeed.