Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a guest of Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona and other first-responders here in Orange County for a major press briefing today at the Incident Command for the Santiago fires. Assemblyman Chuck DeVore was on hand, and penned an outstanding write-up sharing his perspective on the the Governor’s visit and presser. It begins:

Previously, I mentioned that Democrat Xavier Alvarez, a member of the Three Valleys Municipal Water District had been charged with falsely telling people he was a Medal of Honor recipient. See here. Now the Three Valleys Municipal Water District Board has censured poor Alvarez for lying about being married. He claimed to be married and health coverage for someone he divorced in 2002. This must be a new meaning to the phrase "friend with benefits". See story here. … Read More

The Associated Press has reported that State officials in Pennsylvania have decided not to publicize their list of polling places in the next election, citing concerns that terrorists could disrupt them.

Reportedly, the state was influenced by the terrorist bombings that struck just days before Spain’s national elections in 2004.

Californians have braved terrible tragedies such as the on-going wildfires, earthquakes North and South, and we’ve also been the target of terrorism. Yet we go on. Judging from the resolve of our citizens in facing these challenges, I just don’t think we’d ever have secret polling places in our state.… Read More

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… Read More

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

… Read More

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

It appears that some California lawmakers have been watching too many Disney movies lately. A recent decision leads us to believe that they view local animals to be as human as the wisecracking, emotional animal characters in Disney movies. As a result, transportation money is being spent on four-legged travelers rather than those on four-wheels.

According to the Los Angeles Times (October 10, 2007), “a proposal for a $455,000 animal path over the 405 Freeway has riled residents….” The overpass is strangely not winning over the locals. “[They] say scarce transportation dollars should not be used to help deer and bobcats get around while humans remain stuck in endless traffic.” Have people forgotten that animals hate getting stuck in traffic, too?

The overpass won’t rile the animals, as they won’t even have to see the cars below- “traffic makes creatures skittish, [so] the bridge plan includes a 5-foot-high wall to block their view of the freeway and a 3-foot wall blocking their view of… Read More