Arizona Roundup

Where to begin?

First, you've got the good folks running Prescott who don't think they should have to pay benefits to the survivors of all of the dead fire fighting "Hot Shots", because well, you know, some of the dead were part-time employees. They are, however, full-time dead.

These same good folks also want the hated Feds to pony up some FEMA dough to rebuild what was burnt down. The Feds said, "uh, no", the first time, which caused some of our outstanding Congressional delegation to have a hissy fit. Even though many of our sterling Republican congressmen voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy victims. 'Cause, you know, if it happens to you it's "just one of those things" but if it happens to me it's "a tragedy of epic proportions". Besides, rebuilding Yarnell is much more important than rebuilding the Eastern seaboard. Any fool knows that.

And speaking of fools, down south, near the border with Mexico, some self styled vigilante Patriot, defending the homeland against the invasion of brown skin people, almost got in a shoot out with a real deputy. Who was, you know, defending the homeland against the invasion of brown skin people. There's a joke there, somewhere...

For the life of me, I don't know why there aren't a whole flock of reality shows set along the Arizona-Mexico border. Somebody at the networks is missing out on a sure thing. Heavily armed nitwits are always entertaining--at least from a distance. Sylvester Stallone's career is proof of that. Throw in a few Border Patrol guys, some drones, and maybe a sexy Latina or two, and you've got Must See TV!

Fire

Arizona has been in a drought for more than a decade. There is also a plague of bark beetles attacking whatever living trees they can find.

This leads to a lot of very dry wood.

Because both the state and the Feds can't seem to agree on (or pay for) the requisite forest clearing there's lots and lots of undergrowth to help stoke any fire that happens to start for whatever reason.

And because in Arizona we don't want no dang gubmint meddling in our lives, we allow people to build houses or park their trailers right in the middle of a tinderbox.

Inevitably someone throws a cigarette out of a car, or fails to put out a campfire, or maybe it's simply just a lightning strike. An "Act of God", the insurance companies call it.

It starts as just a spark.

Then the winds shift and lots of brave men die.

And The Arizona Republic gets to take a shot at finally winning a Pulitzer for reporting by running the same tragic stories over and over for weeks. I guess that's what they think "in depth" means.

Arizona's Governor, Jan "Chuck, Tell Me What To Do" Brewer, has asked the hated Feds for aid to help the victims of the fires. Arizona is already a net taker state, so what's a little more? I mean, come on, we're all in this together. Right?

Mrs. Brewer belongs to the Republican Party. You know, the party that demonizes unions just like the ones that fire fighters, policemen, and teachers belong to. Her party also loves to cut taxes and the necessary programs that taxes are used for. If there's a way to underfund something, by God we'll find it!

Welcome to Arizona. We may not want to pay to make your dangerous job a little easier or safer.

But we'll sure throw you a grand funeral.

Smokey McCain

Senator McCain has announced, without any evidence, that the fires in Eastern Arizona were started by Mexican migrants. Now that's the kind of solid thinking backed by persuasive logic and an astute marshaling of the facts that we've come to expect from the 'ol "Country First" Maverick.

Since, at this point, no one knows who started the fires, it is entirely possible that they were set by illegals. But it is also possible, based on our past experiences, that they were started by a fire fighter looking for work. Or an inexperienced or careless camper. Or an anti-government white supremacist looking to cause trouble. Or maybe just a guy who likes to watch things burn.

The point is, since no one knows, why shoot your mouth off in a way that can only exacerbate the tensions in the state?

There's stupid and then there's ignorant. And of course stupidly ignorant or ignorantly stupid. Take your pick.

What Goes Around....

I'm thinking that Governor Jan Brewer should turn down any offer of Federal aid to help with the catastrophic fires currently burning in Eastern Arizona.

Because to accept would be surrendering to a form of socialism, and we all know how Republicans feel about socialism. Right up until they need it themselves, that is.

According to my understanding of the Governor and her firmly held Conservative beliefs, if she did accept the Federal government's assistance, she would burst into flames herself.

And we certainly wouldn't want that.