Yeah, I know -- natural disasters aren't supposed to be partisan issues. At least, they weren't until Hurricane Katrina. The lack of immediate response then and there, and the continued lack of relief for the ravaged Gulf Coast region, have been shockingly callous.
The response to the Southern California fires has been a sharp contrast. "You gonna be su-prized at ze help you gonna get," proclaimed Kali-for-nee-a Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. I guess you have to be a former Mr. Universe and major action-movie star to be so confident.
Observing at a comfortable distance, I wasn't at all surprised. The only question is whether the Bush administration got on the stick this time because (1) they knew they couldn't afford to botch two major natural disasters in a row, or (2) because San Diego and surrounding areas are mostly white and affluent, in sharp contrast to New Orleans.
I present you two videos, one on each disaster. Judge for yourself.
But wait, there's more:
Crossposted at Manifesto Joe.
