Blue blazes, Southern California is on fire! It burns my heart to think that thousands of acres of forests are going up in cinders. It’s spread from covering an area of 20,00 to nearly 150,000 acres of wilderness since August 29.
Historical data shows, since 1966, the majority of the top 20 fires in California were caused by lightning (7), humans (5), and power lines (3). The most devastating was the Cedar Fire in San Diego County in October 2003 when 273,246 acres were burned. To date, the current fires rank 11 on the list.
While the Cedar Fire took 15 lives, the greatest toll was in the 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm, also called the Tunnel Fire, in Northern California when 1,600 acres burned, claiming 25 lives, 2,843 homes and 443 apartments.
Of the recently named fires, the Morris, Cottonwood Hemet and Palos Verdes Peninsular blazes have been contained. The ongoing Station Fire, approaching LA, has destroyed over 53 homes and taken the lives of two people, both firefighters.
As the Station Fire rages ever closer toward the northern suburbs of LA, it’s of personal concern. From 1982-1989 I lived in Santa Monica on the poor side of Wilshire Boulevard in a rent-controlled apartment on 16th Street. A mile-long path of sidewalks led to the beaches on Santa Monica Bay, including the entertaining characters along the Venice Beach boardwalk. Standing on my tip-toes on the balcony, on a clear day I might see a tiny patch of blue water but, unless the Santa Ana winds swept through the area, a huge brown ball of smog hung over the water.
The smog was bad throughout the LA basin. This, the high cost of living, traffic congestion and the occasional earthquake would eventually find me commandeering a U-Haul along the full length of I-10 from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
But while I lived in Southern California my times with nature overwhelmed my senses beyond what I could have imagined. Although travel time to escape the negatives of living in LA proper was in excess of an hour, the rewards were many.
One of the locations I frequently visited was Griffith Park, the location of the Mount Wilson Observatory. It was one of the must-see-and-do experiences to share with out-of-state visitors. The towering pine trees provided a solid canopy of shade while the aroma, mixed with clean, fresh air soothed the mind and cleared the nasal passages.
It brings back vivid memories of walking along an open path of solid rock and hardened earth in a rather steep incline from the parking area. Friends couldn’t resist the temptation to make souvenirs of the huge pinecones that, along with a bed of needles, blanketed the entire area.
More often than not, a day at Vasquez Rocks County Park got preferential consideration. The rock formations were awesome. Created over millions of years from earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault, they’re easily recognizable in dozens of past and present TV shows, commercials and movies. A no-frills park, it was a paradise for hikers of any experience. You could stroll along a well-traveled path or take a hefty trek to the cave where Tiburcio Vasquez and his band of bandits were holed up in the wild west days of the mid-1800s. A backpack with water and fruit made for the healthiest of all other recreation options. You could actually get lost.
So many other memories. On Avenues I, J and K, in the Antelope Valley, the rolling hills actually came alive with the breathtaking poppy fields. From miles away, the faint tinge of color became an eventual blaze of orange. You had to watch your step, though – don’t step on the coiled rattlers. A zoom lens kept me a safe distance from one such sidewinder. Still, when it sprang up, my heart raced faster than my footsteps!
Fires are also raging through Tujunga Canyon where the Malibu Creek State Park shows a rusted Jeep and mess tent from the set of the MASH TV show. An interesting tidbit but the main attractions were the web of hiking trails.
As fires continue to engulf the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains north of LA, it saddens me to realize so many thousands of acres of wilderness are being destroyed. Homes can be rebuilt. Nature has a way of bringing vegetation back to life. Sadly, the loss of wildlife can’t be avoided.
Human lives can’t be resurrected. It is no less a tragedy when people die in a wildfire than it is for those who succumb to the devastation caused by a hurricane. Few lives have been lost in the fires surrounding Los Angeles. People heeded the calls to evacuate. So should we if the forces of nature threaten the lives of we Floridians.
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Budgeting I.O.U.s
In a recent edition of The Economist there appeared a picture of a woman holding a protest sign that read ‘A Fair and Balanced Budget Does Not Mean Cut, Cut, Cut’. If placed in front of a mirror, the word ‘austerity’ would have reflected a more realistic view of the dire state of affairs of the worsening economy.
From the presumable designer sunglasses, dangling gold earrings and a golden necklace hanging pretty around the neck, the woman appeared to be a well to do resident who doesn’t seem to grasp the frightening circumstances that face California’s economy, necessitating years of spending cuts.
With her mouth wide open as if ready for dental work, in all likelihood she was spewing hot air with a possible risk that her complexion may turn to as deep a purple hew as that of the blouse she was wearing. In protest, she could continue her stance all day long without taking a breath but it wouldn’t do any good.
California, with an astounding $26B budget deficit that grows by about $25M every day, has had to resort to issuing IOUs, an undisciplined action that will continue through September. This includes moneys due for services provided by private sector businesses plus income tax refunds due to the state’s residents.
This is no way to run a business, but there’s no business like government business and it’s no business I know of that can run up such astronomical sums of debt and continue to function – which it can’t. Just like the foolish consumer who looks in his or her wallet and sees a shortage of cash, the state has for too long resorted to increase its debt on a credit line beyond its incoming revenues.
Entrepreneurs need cash to keep their businesses afloat at a time when their very existence is already in jeopardy from the deeply troubled recession. Right on down the line, from owner to employee, these providers of services to the state government rely on a steady income to cover loan agreements, make mortgage payments, satisfy credit card debt and sustain the basic necessities for their families – namely food and electricity.
A marginal increase in bankruptcies, foreclosures and credit card default rates can be expected between now and when the IOUs are satisfied. California is out on a shaky limb but when the bow breaks Washington has said it won’t be there to catch the fall.
This past week, large banking institutions, lead by Bank of America, announced they would no longer cash the vouchers by the end of July, if not immediately. The primary reason for the policy shift is the fear that Sacramento may yet default on the payment of the registered warrants when they’re set to mature in October.
To limit the fraud potential to recipients of the IOUs needing immediate cash from third-party speculators, including offers over the Internet, the SEC stepped in to require traders be registered dealers.
California residents demonstrated how they’re fed up when they voted down measures that would have increased or extended tax hikes approved in February for another two years beyond 2011. Of the six measures on the ballot, only one passed – preventing lawmakers and public officials from receiving pay raises when the state is running a deficit.
In addition to an earlier announcement that 2000 workers would lose their jobs, another 4600 may join the ranks of the unemployed in September. Budget negotiations may also see a 5% pay cut to many state workers and furloughs of up to three days per month, which would result in a 14% loss of wages.
California is the prime example of the worsening economy and the piling up of debt, but nearly every state in the union is faced with similar budget deficits. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states currently have an accumulative $121B of debt, next year about $166B and a forecast of up to $180B in 2011.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identifies 48 states facing budget shortfalls in 2010. Montana and North Dakota are the exceptions. Twenty-five states have increased taxes; another twelve may follow suit. No! No! No! This is exactly what deepened the severity of the Great Depression!
California debt will represent about 58% of its 2010 budget. Of the 50 states, at 22.6% of its budget, Florida isn’t expected to fair as badly as ten other states. Reduced funds for healthcare, local governments and a wide variety of services provided by states will require years of unfairly balanced budgets. And that means cut, cut, cut.
May Floridians not be California bound.
From the presumable designer sunglasses, dangling gold earrings and a golden necklace hanging pretty around the neck, the woman appeared to be a well to do resident who doesn’t seem to grasp the frightening circumstances that face California’s economy, necessitating years of spending cuts.
With her mouth wide open as if ready for dental work, in all likelihood she was spewing hot air with a possible risk that her complexion may turn to as deep a purple hew as that of the blouse she was wearing. In protest, she could continue her stance all day long without taking a breath but it wouldn’t do any good.
California, with an astounding $26B budget deficit that grows by about $25M every day, has had to resort to issuing IOUs, an undisciplined action that will continue through September. This includes moneys due for services provided by private sector businesses plus income tax refunds due to the state’s residents.
This is no way to run a business, but there’s no business like government business and it’s no business I know of that can run up such astronomical sums of debt and continue to function – which it can’t. Just like the foolish consumer who looks in his or her wallet and sees a shortage of cash, the state has for too long resorted to increase its debt on a credit line beyond its incoming revenues.
Entrepreneurs need cash to keep their businesses afloat at a time when their very existence is already in jeopardy from the deeply troubled recession. Right on down the line, from owner to employee, these providers of services to the state government rely on a steady income to cover loan agreements, make mortgage payments, satisfy credit card debt and sustain the basic necessities for their families – namely food and electricity.
A marginal increase in bankruptcies, foreclosures and credit card default rates can be expected between now and when the IOUs are satisfied. California is out on a shaky limb but when the bow breaks Washington has said it won’t be there to catch the fall.
This past week, large banking institutions, lead by Bank of America, announced they would no longer cash the vouchers by the end of July, if not immediately. The primary reason for the policy shift is the fear that Sacramento may yet default on the payment of the registered warrants when they’re set to mature in October.
To limit the fraud potential to recipients of the IOUs needing immediate cash from third-party speculators, including offers over the Internet, the SEC stepped in to require traders be registered dealers.
California residents demonstrated how they’re fed up when they voted down measures that would have increased or extended tax hikes approved in February for another two years beyond 2011. Of the six measures on the ballot, only one passed – preventing lawmakers and public officials from receiving pay raises when the state is running a deficit.
In addition to an earlier announcement that 2000 workers would lose their jobs, another 4600 may join the ranks of the unemployed in September. Budget negotiations may also see a 5% pay cut to many state workers and furloughs of up to three days per month, which would result in a 14% loss of wages.
California is the prime example of the worsening economy and the piling up of debt, but nearly every state in the union is faced with similar budget deficits. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states currently have an accumulative $121B of debt, next year about $166B and a forecast of up to $180B in 2011.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identifies 48 states facing budget shortfalls in 2010. Montana and North Dakota are the exceptions. Twenty-five states have increased taxes; another twelve may follow suit. No! No! No! This is exactly what deepened the severity of the Great Depression!
California debt will represent about 58% of its 2010 budget. Of the 50 states, at 22.6% of its budget, Florida isn’t expected to fair as badly as ten other states. Reduced funds for healthcare, local governments and a wide variety of services provided by states will require years of unfairly balanced budgets. And that means cut, cut, cut.
May Floridians not be California bound.
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Immigration Situation
Imagine a human traffic jam of 12 million illegal immigrants in seemingly endless lines along highways branching from every nook and cranny of America as they’re herded back to their countries of origin. Imagine American patriots bordering a parade route spanning coast to coast, border to border, cheering and holding red, white and blue signs spelling out, “Adios!”
At 7 million strong, 56% of illegal immigrants are from Mexico, another 22% from Latin American countries and the remainder from Asia, Europe and Africa. Whatever the nationality, the demographics of immigration reform will be devastating to many and inconsiderate of the individual. Congress must be more productive with legislation than what resulted from the Senate immigration hearings for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Less than a month after the bill was introduced (May 9) it failed to pass a third test vote (June 7) by a margin of 45 to 50, well below the 60 votes needed.
As presented by then-Senator Obama, an amendment stated that "... parents of U.S. citizens would no longer be counted as immediate families... most parents seeking to join their children and grandchildren in the United States would be denied green cards. The rest of the current family preferences – siblings, adult children, and many parents -- would be eviscerated.” In other words, No way, Jose! your children born on American soil can stay, pero no otra familia! In real words: no family reunification.
Although more than 20% of immigrant children live in poverty, life in the U.S. is better than the destitute living conditions in their home countries. What further hardships would these and other children endure if either or both parents were deported? Through their fears of family separation they’re faith gives them hope that American lawmakers will provide them an equitable means for amnesty.
A Pew Institute Hispanic Center report states that 56% Hispanics are confident that police will treat them fairly. This is far better than 37% blacks. And 46% Hispanics, compared to 38% blacks, believe police won’t use excessive force. This suggests that Hispanics have, to a large degree, reached a comfort zone of maintaining residency in America.
From February 27 through April 4, Representative Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., hosted a cross-country United Families tour to "stop the immigration raids and deportations that are tearing our marriages, families and children apart." Testimonies from immigrants related personal tragedies resulting from worksite enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that terrorize whole communities.
Texas and California were the most visited of the 11-state, 17-city tour. Both states have seen dozens of hospitals close their doors providing services regardless of citizenship, legal status or the ability to pay as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1985. The numbers of non-paying illegal immigrants are cited as the cause of the closures.
As stated by John Vison, president of the American Immigration Control Foundation, "The child [of the illegal immigrant] is an automatic American citizen, thus entitled to all benefits of American citizens. This gives a certain financial incentive for people coming from other countries illegally to have children here." Such is the reason why pregnant women risk their lives crossing the Rio Grande to enter American hospitals to give birth.
Acknowledging this custom, Joe Riley, CEO of the McAllen Medical Center in Texas, said, “Mothers about to give birth that walk up to the hospital still wet from swimming across the river in actual labor … dirty, wet, cold,” he said. “We have uncompensated care of over $200 million a year.”
There seems to be a large disregard for the millions of American families whose lives have been unjustly disrupted due to lost wages, jobs and medical benefits that put them at danger of indigent status (homelessness) and life-threatening conditions. In many cases, American citizens have lost the means of attaining their inherent share of the American Dream, fast becoming an Impossible Dream.
As dialogue proceeds toward a statement to be delivered by President Obama in May, media will play a large role in providing coverage of the plights of both American citizens and the undocumented workers who have left them fewer job opportunities.
A split screen marathon might be appropriate. On the left, illegal immigrants would speak in broken English telling woeful tales of family separation due to “un-American” practices as expressed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On the right, sons and daughters of American pioneers would counter in real life anger stories of lost jobs and homes. Stuck in the middle, out of viewer sight, would be naturalized Americans who have also been affected by undocumented workers.
Others will have to work out the details of immigration reform while I sit here cross-legged, chanting OM and meditate on the high cost to American taxpayers.
At 7 million strong, 56% of illegal immigrants are from Mexico, another 22% from Latin American countries and the remainder from Asia, Europe and Africa. Whatever the nationality, the demographics of immigration reform will be devastating to many and inconsiderate of the individual. Congress must be more productive with legislation than what resulted from the Senate immigration hearings for the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Less than a month after the bill was introduced (May 9) it failed to pass a third test vote (June 7) by a margin of 45 to 50, well below the 60 votes needed.
As presented by then-Senator Obama, an amendment stated that "... parents of U.S. citizens would no longer be counted as immediate families... most parents seeking to join their children and grandchildren in the United States would be denied green cards. The rest of the current family preferences – siblings, adult children, and many parents -- would be eviscerated.” In other words, No way, Jose! your children born on American soil can stay, pero no otra familia! In real words: no family reunification.
Although more than 20% of immigrant children live in poverty, life in the U.S. is better than the destitute living conditions in their home countries. What further hardships would these and other children endure if either or both parents were deported? Through their fears of family separation they’re faith gives them hope that American lawmakers will provide them an equitable means for amnesty.
A Pew Institute Hispanic Center report states that 56% Hispanics are confident that police will treat them fairly. This is far better than 37% blacks. And 46% Hispanics, compared to 38% blacks, believe police won’t use excessive force. This suggests that Hispanics have, to a large degree, reached a comfort zone of maintaining residency in America.
From February 27 through April 4, Representative Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., hosted a cross-country United Families tour to "stop the immigration raids and deportations that are tearing our marriages, families and children apart." Testimonies from immigrants related personal tragedies resulting from worksite enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that terrorize whole communities.
Texas and California were the most visited of the 11-state, 17-city tour. Both states have seen dozens of hospitals close their doors providing services regardless of citizenship, legal status or the ability to pay as required by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1985. The numbers of non-paying illegal immigrants are cited as the cause of the closures.
As stated by John Vison, president of the American Immigration Control Foundation, "The child [of the illegal immigrant] is an automatic American citizen, thus entitled to all benefits of American citizens. This gives a certain financial incentive for people coming from other countries illegally to have children here." Such is the reason why pregnant women risk their lives crossing the Rio Grande to enter American hospitals to give birth.
Acknowledging this custom, Joe Riley, CEO of the McAllen Medical Center in Texas, said, “Mothers about to give birth that walk up to the hospital still wet from swimming across the river in actual labor … dirty, wet, cold,” he said. “We have uncompensated care of over $200 million a year.”
There seems to be a large disregard for the millions of American families whose lives have been unjustly disrupted due to lost wages, jobs and medical benefits that put them at danger of indigent status (homelessness) and life-threatening conditions. In many cases, American citizens have lost the means of attaining their inherent share of the American Dream, fast becoming an Impossible Dream.
As dialogue proceeds toward a statement to be delivered by President Obama in May, media will play a large role in providing coverage of the plights of both American citizens and the undocumented workers who have left them fewer job opportunities.
A split screen marathon might be appropriate. On the left, illegal immigrants would speak in broken English telling woeful tales of family separation due to “un-American” practices as expressed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On the right, sons and daughters of American pioneers would counter in real life anger stories of lost jobs and homes. Stuck in the middle, out of viewer sight, would be naturalized Americans who have also been affected by undocumented workers.
Others will have to work out the details of immigration reform while I sit here cross-legged, chanting OM and meditate on the high cost to American taxpayers.
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