Poor David Vitter. The job security of Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s most prominent client just got a bit shakier.
See, the main (if not only) reason his fellow Republicans aren’t currently trying to boot him like they are Larry “Wide Stance” Craig is because a Democrat is — for the next couple of months — governor of Louisiana. But when Piyush “Bobby” Jindal is sworn in as governor of the Pelican State, Louisiana will join Larry Craig’s state of Idaho in having a Republican governor, one that will appoint a Republican to replace Vitter should he be forced to leave his seat for any reason.
And his reasons for doing so just got a bit hotter, with the heating up of the long-simmering “DC Madam” case:
CLG exclusive: Citizens for Legitimate Government (CLG) has learned that a US Judge will hear a selective prosecution argument made by the so-called DC Madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey, on Monday. Palfrey told CLG that Monica Goodling “likely will be subpoenaed in this matter – along with many others at Justice – in the near future.”
Oh, my. And get this:
According to Mr. Sibley, to support this contention, Ms. Palfrey “will be offering a composite exhibit of statements, news articles and a memo from Monica Goodling which collectively detail the politicization of the Department of Justice in a manner which lends credence to Jeane’s argument of selective prosecution. At the conclusion of the argument, Jeane will be asking the Court to issue subpoenas and conduct an evidentiary hearing into these allegations.”
Double oh my.
This ought to be interesting.
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PW!
oh my indeed!
There.
WOW.
Jeez! Somehow, everything that goes on in DC is connected.
Coverup anybody?
This seems to be SOP for the elephants.
Spunkmeyer @ 5
synchroniCITY
Monica!
Do you think she gets yet what she did wrong?
Just one big clusterfuck, isn’t it?
This is one of the things that was predicted would come out of the US Attorneys scandal. Everyone in federal court is going to claim their prosecution is/was politically motivated.
dakine01 @ 1
Hey, and I’m actually here on time for a change!
How is everyone this evening?
I know it is not nice of me and I hope the spirits of my grandmothers and mother will forgive me. But damnitall, it would be incredible to find out that Monica was part of the staff from Ms Palfrey.
Won’t happen but it is a nice thought nevertheless.
Hugh @ 10
Well, there is getting to be quite a circumstancial track record of that being the case what with Gov Siegelman and the drives to do the bogus “voter fraud” cr*p.
dakine01 @ 12
Thought has certainly crossed my mind in my more vindictive moments.
Hugh @ 10
Uh-huh. And the scary thing is that most of them will probably have evidence to back up their claims.
I shudder to think of the horrors that are going to come out of Rachel Paulose’s office.
For those of us who are too exhausted from a 14 hour day of teaching and meetings to make any real sense of the above (especially following festivities surrounding the late night sox game last night :-)) could someone add a few descriptors and parenthetical phrases to the posted scenario to illuminate its significance. (Thanx).
dakine01 @ 12
Whether or not she was on Ms. Palfrey’s payroll, she certainly served the same purpose. Perhaps she knew that and perhaps she didn’t. I just hope that they get the goods on her and slap her behind in the clinker where she belongs.
The damage that she did to the doj we’ll be cleaning up for years to come‚ if we’re lucky.
Hugh @ 10
for all we know, everything is.
(ok, i don’t really beleive that – but i wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an awful lot of it).
the DC Madam
the gift that keeps on giving
RevDeb @ 17
Hope this doesn’t get me in trouble but I would tend to have more respect for the women who worked for Ms Palfrey as they are more honest than Ms Monica has shown herself to be.
Hmmmm….so Monica just how uncomfortable did
youGonzo makeyouGonzo…that day. Huh???dakine01 @ 13
A-yep. The Siegelman case is looking uglier with each passing day.
Richmond @ 16
Hmmm. RevDeb, now I get it. :-?
I always wondered why they arrested the DC Madam, what one Republican already resigned, I forget what department and of course, Vitner. The Feds have a lot of crimes to choose from why the DC Madam?
Richmond @ 16
OK we’ll try it again—Word Press is playing with me—
Monica was playing with who to prosecute from the Madame’s list and who to leave alone based on protecting the party.
Richmond @ 24
I don’t.
While this sounds fun, I have a question for the lawyers in the crowd: do you really think it’s likely that the judge will take this kind of argument seriously? I have no doubt that the Bush Justice Dept. is hopelessly biased, but is that bias really relevant to the DC Madam’s case? They busted her, they have evidence.
Phoenix Woman @ 22
tomorrow morning (from the list):
10 am – House Judiciary
Hearing on Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System
Witnesses:
The Honorable Richard Thornburgh
Donald C. Shields Ph.D.
G. Douglas Jones Esq.,
RevDeb @ 26
Ding!
Richmond @ 24
Word Press ate what I typed and only reprinted your quote. See my comment @6:18.
RevDeb. Thanks, — hmmm indeed. Oh My. Justices as Politics perhaps?
And also, remember she was going to put the whole list out there than all of a sudden CBS (was it?) decided that it wasn’t newsworthy afterall.
Joe Buck @ 28
but it looks like she has evidence too
I suspect Monica thought she was doing the Lord’s work in the DOJ.
selise @ 29
more on Thornburgh’s testimony
Hugh @ 10
Between stuff like this and McKay thinking that the IG may prosecute Abu, I keep telling myself to take a three deep breaths and then repeat “plenary pardon power” until I can move on to other things.
Richmond @ 33
ABC initially had the exclusive promising a blockbuster or two then all of a sudden *crickets*.
That’s why Ms Palfrey took everything back then opened it up to the world. It was after that IIRC that Vitter’s name came out.
Elliott @ 35
thanks! i’ve added the link.
ironranger @ 34
Interesting variety of ways to interpret what the Lord’s work is in this context.
selise @ 29
10am but what time zone?
Richmond @ 16
David Vitter’s phone number is the most prominent one on the phone records of one Deborah Jeane Palfrey, aka “The DC Madam”; other sellers of temporary affection, both in DC and New Orleans, have pegged Vitter as a customer. However, even though these revelations hit right before the Craig arrest became news, nobody on the GOP was calling for Vitter to step down because they didn’t want Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, appointing a Democrat to fill Vitter’s seat; Idaho, which has a Republican governor, doesn’t have this problem, so Craig was toast from the get-go.
However, now that a Republican has (thanks in large part to the de facto ethnic cleansing in the wake of Katrina) won the governorship of Louisiana, Vitter’s seat is not as secure as it had been — especially if the Palfrey case kicks up any more revelations.
Hi everybody-momentarily delurking to say great post, PW, and
{{{Loo Hoo}}}.
Back to work. Best to all.
selise @ 38
I just assumed he was going to be on the White House side of things, so it surprised me that he’s testifying about the intensity of the investigation into Cyril Wecht (D).
How could Palfry get a hold of Monica’s internal memos? Does she need to have them, or is she just supposing they exist.
We know of 3 people who were prosecuted for being dem: Siegleman, that clerk who was sent to jail for favoritism in awarding contracts, and the Qwest CEO. Is there anything more scary?
All I can say tonight is Oh My.
(isn’t the nice girls’ way of saying shee-it.?)
itwasntme @ 44
My guess is that she has her sources ;~)
Monica Swadling, Diaper Queen
demi @ 46
Oh my!
Joe Buck @ 28
She’s also claiming that it’s rather unfair to bust her but not her clients. If she’s guilty of a crime, then so are they; if, on the other hand, her business was perfectly legal (and she has always maintained that it was about providing erotic fantasies but not actual sex — in other words, BDSM and roleplaying) then her clients have nothing to fear if she reveals their names.
raven @ 7
Shouldn’t that be ‘sinchroniCITY’?
katymine @ 40
it’s all in EDT.
and it’s scheduled to be webcast (not listed on c-span schedule). if c-span does not carry it, i’ll try to make an audio recording.
Elliott @ 50
Mercy, I believe it is!
hi demi, thanks for the good word downstairs about Loo Hoo :-)
hoping everyone else in SoCal is safe…
60 Arrested Near Capitol At ‘No War No Warming’ Protests
OT, but not. Thanks for the news, Demi re: LooHoo. Anyone heard from PeanutButter?
Laura Doty @ 56
Also wondering about Old Coastie.
Laura, I’ve seen PeanutButter online at FB earlier this evening
(OT so cal fire – per calitics: UPDATE (4:41pm Lucas): Qualcomm desperate for: Prepared Food, milk, ice, cots, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, sunscreen, pet food, air mattresses, canopies for shade, paper towels, handi-wipes, toilet paper, paper plates, cups, utensils, pet food, disposable styrofoam coolers, cell phone chargers/batteries, cash. Can be dropped at Gate P at the stadium via Friars Rd. No homecooked food.)
RevDeb @ 58
yes, and burns as well
RevDeb@39:
I would love to know exactly how the minds of Monica & the other little staffers in the DOJ put together breaking all the rules with WWJD.
Having some time to think about this more, I am really interested to see when Duke Cunningham comes into play on this story.
selise @ 53
Just so you know I send your info to a local talk show host on our progressive radio network here in Phoenix…. many a time it pops up on the radio here…
Valerie coming up next on Larry King.
LoudounLib @ 55
Da nada. I just called a friend.
How are you tonight, pretty lady?
all good here demi, thanks — how’s about with you?
RevDeb @ 65
Thanks for the reminder. Not going to be surprised, though, if the interview comes second to all the news from California.
ironranger @ 61
Ends justify means?
I don’t think that shows up in the New Testament.
katymine @ 63 –
thanks for telling me, that is so awsome! the more people who are paying attention, the better we can provide oversight of our congress!
As a side thought, does anyone know exactly what Monica is doing these days? Has a law firm hired her? Is she busy maintaining her legal defense fund web site? What does Monica do all day long?
Ghostman
The consequences of speaking truth to power!
Ghostman @ 70
Don’t know but wingnut welfare has been working overtime with the flood of people needing it. Heritage and AEI are going to have to get bigger buildings to hold them all.
Ooooooh, Nice little dig at the VP.
Amazon rankings:
Fair Game: 16th place
Reality Show by Howard Kurtz: 2,148th
The Conservative Soul: Fundamentalism, Freedom, and the Future of the Right by Andrew Sullivan: 13,343rd
Ah, karma.
Valerie is doing great.
Go Valerie, Go Joe!!!!
ironranger @ 62
Easy. In their twisted little minds what they did is EXACTLY what Jesus would do. Feed the poor, help the sick, raise up the downtrodden? Not so much. There are many people in this world of all beliefs who truly walk their faith. Those people, and many of the rest of us, see these hypocritical pseudo-Christians as nothing more than charlatains. I would just like a ring side seat when they meet their maker and are told “depart, I do not know you”, just to see the utter shock and surprise on their faces as they realize there’s One who doesn’t buy the BS.
Has everyone read this morning’s Book Salon?
It was faboo!
With guest appearances and everything.
While we’re on the subject of poetic justice …
I’ve been hearing news stories all day about fire agencies lacking sufficient manpower and equipment to effectively fight all of the fires that are currently turning Southern California into an ash-heap.
Would it be horribly mean-spirited and un-Christian of me to hope that the devastation falls most heavily on those who voted for Proposition 13 back in 1978?
demi @ 78
We’re becoming quite the hang out for the political glitteratti. I love that John Dean is now showing up on occasion. Who knows how often he lurks?
demi @ 78
What a great conversation!
How lucky we are to have opportunities like that. It was extra special today.
Hey all – busy day here… filling up car gas tanks, watering things, packing stuff… the fire is creeping closer. while we are not in direct line of it, the head of it is HUGE (the Santiago or Irvine fire is ours) and spreading out in many directions. Winds calmed a little this afternoon but are picking up again this evening.
While things are not yet better, at least we have a little more information and can keep track of the beast…
Joe now doing a remote from NM. He’s shaved off the beard.
burns! Good to see you.
Old Coastie!!
Valerie and Joe….crystal ball says they have a great future!!
and Old Coastie too.
OldCoastie @ 82
Great to hear from you. We’ve been worried. LooHoo has left her house. Demi (I think) spoke to her.
RevDeb @ 39
I wonder if Miss Goody Twoshoes would tamper with evidence too, if someone told her it was the Lord’s work? Matter of fact, wonder what she wouldn’t do?
RevDeb @ 81
Hi, Mr. Dean!!!
OC!
People have been worried about you and Loo Hoo.
She has evacuated, fire within 3 blocks of her house a while ago, and is safe and staying with a friend.
Glad you’re safe.
OldCoastie @ 83
Glad to hear that so far the SoCal pups are safe. I had thought that the winds usually die down in the evening, after the heat of the day. Or is this a situation where the fires are so widespread they are making their own weather?
Ann in AZ @ 90
Very, very little.
burnspbesq @ 80
YES
burnspbesq @ 80
I’m sure that the National Guard will be able to lend a hand.
Oh, wait…
San Diego’s got it bad… while we have neighborhood evacuations, San Diego County has cleared out entire towns… more than 250,000 evacuees at last count…
the lack of equipment and personell is killing us… haven’t seen a single fire fighting aircraft all day… and they usually are busy little beavers in a fire like ours…
we are on notice to be ready to leave but no suggested or mandatory evacs yet… there isn’t a hotel room available for miles…
madmommy @ 93
“Die down” is a relative term. It’s currently blowing 20-25 mph where I am. That’s a whole lot better than 40-plus, but it’s still enough to push a fire in a direction we’d prefer it not go.
solai @ 46
Many moons ago, I said Martha Stewart would never have been prosecuted and sent to prison if she had been contributing to Republicans instead of Democrats. I was ignored at the time.
1,635 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Phoenix Woman and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
The multitude of unbelievable corruptions of our government and society have so numbed our sense of credulity that we can’t fathom the extent of the decay of our entire social structure. This must be what Germans experienced in 1932-34, a sense of surreal anesthesia that led to believing the unbelievable because the truth was unbearable.
Look at what we have here. A group of adolescent religious fanatics placed in positions of power and authority in the justice system of the most powerful country in the world. Fanatical right-wing religious con men receiving federal tax dollars through “faith based” grants to force children to have children. Nuevoriche pots and pans salesmen receiving billions in grants to establish mercenary armies to kill civilians in our largest cities and terrorize our own troops in the field. And, of course, agents of the chief executive destroying the single source of reliable intelligence on weapons proliferation so that private corporations can carry out their own foreign policy and capture the entire world’s existing oil and nuclear energy markets.
Four years ago, I started to call for activists and progressives to create a partisan, anti-fascist front that would incorporate traditional conservatives and mainline liberals in order to isolate the corporate fascists that had stolen control of our country. I was met with deafenin’ silence or condescendin’ academic lectures on the definitions of political ideologies.
Chris Dodd gets it…he has announced that his campaign is built around restoration of the constitution and opposition to the corporate takeover of the country. We’ve gotta start puttin’ the pressure on our elected DEMOCRATIC leadership includin the presidential candidates on every single issue that comes before the congress. Every issue should be “us against them”, isolate the DEMOCRATS, forget about the fascists.
We need to wake up and start callin’ this what it is, not a “war against terror” but a war against American fascism.
KEEP THE FAITH AND STOP PUSSYFOOTIN’ AROUND!!
Plese pardon me. while I’, doing other shit
but – Go Colts!!
OldCoastie @ 97
Just heard on the radio that the humidity down there is 7% !! Doesn’t get much lower than that.
PW @42: Now I DO get it. Thanks. Do you ever get the idea that the Rethugs breathe out politics in every breath, where as the Democrits for the most part just breathe in whatever air they are supplied by the GOP then when they exhail the same crap they actually think they are governing credibly?
Does anyone know if Former Alabama Don Siegelman case files have been turned over to Congress?
and hot too, Twain… 90 maybe today…
burnspbesq @ 98
Not good news. I know from nothing when it comes to fires-hurricanes and flooding is where my expertese lies.
All the good vibes I can muster for Loo Hoo, Burns, Coastie, mommybrain and the rest of the affected folks!
solai @ 45
Yeah! Rethugs being in charge of running the next elections at the DOJ (voter suppression & voter fraud cases) & FEC (Von Spakovsky)
Sorry to be OT, but I just had to say this:
And now back to your regularly scheduled blogging.
OldCoastie @ 97
Why don’t they call the National Guard in? Oh, where are they? Just wondering (doing the lord’s work as they say…)
OldCoastie @ 97
The aircraft are spread realllly thin. I think they were spending a lot of time on the Lake Arrowhead fires, which burned a lot of residences this afternoon.
Norske @ 100
Truly well said! A most sincere tip of the hat!!!
Repubs: Repeat after me…
Valerie Plame Wilson was COVERT!!
OldCoastie @ 105
We have gotten fire danger warnings up here as well. It’s supposed to be in the 90s tomorrow. Please be safe.
Madmommy,
These are seasonal winds. The Santa Anas come out of the desert and down the canyons driving the fires.
Where I live, it doesn’t die down, many times it gets worse.
Haven’t slept well for two nights.
We lost power on Sunday for about 8 hours.
Trees down, etc., but thankfully no fire.
Mercy!
demi @ 114
((((demi))))
OldCoastie @ 97
Sounds pretty scary. We get lots of fires (though not usually on that scale) in the bush in the northern part of my province, but the fires are rarely far from good sources of water for the water bombers. But fires in your kind of terrain, and the dryness, and the lack of equipment and personnel…
Glad to hear Old Coastie is safe.
These fundie churches sure crank out the little robots.
Just read an article about Christian athletes in MN high schools. These lines in the “Competitor’s Creed” really bothered me: “I am the Lord’s warrior-a competitor by conviction and a disciple of determination. I am confident beyond reason because my confidence lies in Christ. The results of my efforts must result in His glory. Let the competition begin. Let the glory be God’s”.
Sounds like that was Monica’s creed.
Norske, your comments always make me feel better.
Sorry to bring up a previous topic, but really you’ll enjoy this. Fair warning keep all liquids away from keyboard.
Chris Dodd: Kickin Ass & Taking Names
Joe Klein’s conscience asks :
“Where have Edwards, Obama and Clinton been this past week? Hardly a peep from them on any of this….”
Right here, baby hanging out and groovin
http://radaronline.com/from-th…..ma_mit.php
RevDeb @ 81
(gulps, runs hand thru hair, straightens posture) tis almost enough to dissuade me from commenting.
Lurked thru Valerie Plame’s appearance. Kudos to all involved in this wonderful Book Salon. Not least to all the Firepups, whose collective voice is so articulate, intelligent and informed. Excellent questions, pups!
Thank you PW, i am so glad you are a headliner.
{{{{{{{ to all our SoCal Pups }}}}}}}}}}}
RevDeb @ 26
I know I’m late to the party, but is there a link to this?
ironranger @ 117
With all the crazy things going on in the world do they really think God gives a rat’s ass about a football game?
Been working in Burbank all day & just got back to Santa Monica- Damn, does it smell like smoke over here from the Malibu fire.
So glad all SoCal folks who post @ FDL are ok. My daughter’s bf was evacuated from Piru area- he & three dogs are staying w/us for a total of six dogs/three cats in the house. Big house, no prob, just love ‘em all & glad they’re safe…
Everyone (I’m sure) knows that Bush has asked for another $46 Billion for the war. Very bad timing. Everyone’s so focused on California and how it reminds us of NOLA. Not having the National Guard at home (where they’re supposed to be)is going to be a really big point when this fire is discussed.
Someone better hurry up and put a DVD together so that Bush can see what’s going on. Americans (once again) are glued to the news worrying about their fellow Americans. As for Bush…. the photo I saw showed him doing some fishing.
Greetings from the Northland, PW, where the winter is descending upon us and the sunsets can be spectacular in their own way.
This is another one of those IOKIYAR moments that we love some much because it shows up their utter hypocrisy.
They’re going down in flames next year. They know it and we know it. Better yet, they know full well that we know it and the best part of all is that they know there’s not a whole lot they can do to stop this express train from barreling down on their puny little heads.
I feel sorry for them. Not.
Marie Roget @ 123
Sounds like my mom’s house durring the hurricane. Her 3dogs/5 cats, my dog, brothers 3 dogs/3 cats, brothers neighbor and their 4 dogs.
Ruffian @ 8
What? Setting ‘appointments’ with the DC Madam’s girls for DOJ personnel is wrong? She was just doing her admin job! Balancing calendars!
Glad to hear that LooHoo And Old Coastie are OK for now. Having been a fire evacuee in the past, can I give a shoutout to tanker pilots, hot shots, and fire fighters in general? They are brave Americans too.
solai @ 124
I wonder if the Governator will say anything about the lack of Guard help. I also wonder if he will be immediately slammed like the Governor of Kansas was after the tornadoes earlier this year.
burnspbesq @ 80
The big problem is in SD county. They had a shot at improving the situation after the fires in 2003: a ballot measure that would have consolidated their collection of independent volunteer fire departments, and made it easier for them to get new equipment and more mutual-aid agreements. It would have raised taxes, though (and also taken away their traditional independence, or some such BS), so they voted it down.
I bet there are people regretting that this week. LA gets help from all over – not just local – and also leases Super Scoopers from Quebec (those yellow and red planes in some of the news footage).
madmommy @ 129
I don’t know, lack of Guard help is not exactly a Republican Talking Point…
OT-Did anyone watch Larry King tonight? Valerie Plame Wilson was supposed to be on, but after the SoCal fire. Did she get bumped?
I recorded it at home, but I’m not there yet and kinda impatient. Can ya tell? :P
Yo Burns: I;ve been thinking about what you said last night:
You were talking about IRS 503(3) technical violations and the consequences thereof – I was thinking more about general criminal fraud consequences of screwing a genuine (501(c)(3) organization – or screwing any general corporate set-up – any thoughts?
And it seems to me that D & O insurance doesn’t cover criminal behavior, now does it?
Interested in your thoughts…
NorskeFlamethrower @ 100
Norske, i treasure your voice and passion. Usually we’re not live at the same time in the threads. I especially commend you for reminding us always of how many dayz the killin has been going on. (btw, i’m a Svenska flicka)
PJ – aren’t the super scoopers the most amazingly large tankers ever? EVAH!!!
we love our firefighters!
TheOtherWA @ 132
She was on, so was Joe
Watching the coverage of the fires. Horrible. Praying the winds will die down.
RevDeb @ 83
I don’t get Larry King until 9:00PM (2 hrs from now.)
Having been through a devastating flood, I send all of my best wishes to everyone in this horrendous situation…..I’m cryin’…..
Get your loved ones (people and animals) out the best you can…Get out.
I’m so, so, so sorry for all of the people of California going through this. This is a horrid nightmare.
This is so much bigger than the news can convey.
BTW, CNN, Fire Glenn Beck for his heinous statements against humanity, post haste. Despicable. Despicable. Despicable.
Tithonia @ 120
Read the post. This was just the short-hand summary.
I witnessed Valerie Plame’s chat live this afternoon. It was a great moment for this lurker. I found this place when they started jury selection, my sincerest thanks to the FDL team for an experience that has these moments of great intelligence, illustrated by the best writers around.
I feel that explaining to a republican that “Madame Plame was covert” can’t register in their reptilian brains. Telling them that “a SPY was sold to the ennemy” has more “truth” to it.
My infinite thanks to FDL.
neurophius @ 131
Arnold doesn’t always toe the line like a good little kool-aid drinker should, though. Maybe his wife has a bit of influence.
RevDeb @ 140
Oops! Thanks, RevDeb.
LS – we are doing ok for the most part… we have had good information from the local news stations (and from each other)… for the scope of it, we’ve lost surprisingly few homes and death and injury are fairly minimal – amazing, considering…
What percentage of the CA National Guard is in Iraq & not at home helping with this?
madmommy @ 142
Hope so…sure would be nice if he raised a little hell about this…I notice he had to shift 800 Guardsmen from keeping us safe from Mexicans in order to fight the fire…
TheOtherWA @ 131
She was supposed to have the whole hour but did get the last 20 minutes.
jayt @ 133
Fair questions — and complex questions, too. OK if I think about them for a while and respond during Late Nite?
madmommy @ 122
A God who has His nose in our knickers certainly would care about a football game!
Quebecois, I really like that phrasing, ” a spy was sold to the enemy.”
Harder for lizard brains to argue with, too!
ndfg@148:
Hilarious.
RevDeb @ 84
Will catch the repeat though I must say I am very happy to learn he’s shaved off the beard. What a fantastic couple.
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 149
They do seem to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about everyone else’s sex lives. Wonder what that means…
neurophius @ 146
neuro- one correction, minor as a typo, but not for CAians. There is not one fire. There are MULTIPLE fires.
OldCoastie @ 144
So, is the news making a bigger deal of it, in other words, are they ramping into a much more expansive emergency than it is, similar to the way they cover hurricanes? Or is it your particular experience.
Are they exaggerating???? Or not”
madmommy @ 93
These winds die down … sometime. It’s whenever the airpressure differential gets small enough between the inland high and the coastal low. It’s still blowing quite nicely here in the NW San Fernando valley. The tree that was across the sidewalk a block over has been cleaned up, but there are pieces of roofing everywhere (asphalt shingles don’t take well to high winds, or, worse, they do, all the way to the next block).
P J Evans @ 130
Was wondering if they would be getting equipment from Canada – our fire season is done for the year. Should be planes available in Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan as well.
madmommy @ 153
That they have little or none of their own – or else they have to pay for it.
Valley Girl @ 154
Thanks, VG. I knew that…why didn’t I say it?
TheOtherWA @ 150
Thanks.
Edit. Mod, would you please take care of my enemy at 141. Merci.
LS @ 155
UH… you do not live in CA nor have you ever lived in CA. My take.
madmommy @ 142
Arnold drank all the koolaid Cheeny and Enron had to offer at the expense of the Cullifornia Utility customers (that would be all the citizens of California) saving Cheeneyco billions of dollars in unpaid settlements that will never be paid for the shafting they received in overcharges and the blackout games.
Arnold loves koolaid.
Mad Dogs @ 108
FWIW, it was enlightening for me. I never gave blogads a thought. But to think that FDL, Marcy and others didn’t even get an advanced copy (like the MSM)….well, that’s infuriating. Further, with all the free publicity that these books regularly get, I find it appalling that no ads are purchased. So, put me in the group that was glad this was pointed out. Sometimes it takes a little rudeness to illuminate a problem.
OldCoastie @ 97
News reports have it that winds are too strong for aerial support.
Also, units avialable on the ground are hampered with doing rescue work for those who did NOT evacuate.
Those units COULD be fighting fire, but are saving stubborn people who didn’t do what they were told to do.
A quarter of a million evac’d . . . that was as of 2pm this afternoon Left Coast time . . . this is huge . . 310 square miles or more lit up . . and with a rainy season perhaps, just around the corner for the erosion issues, mudslides, and such . . .
Valley Girl @ 161
What? What are you saying?
solai @ 163
Sure, informative. But can they hold their tantrum back-thread?
RevDeb @ 140
I never heard that Monica was going through the list and deciding who to prosecute. No one was prosecuted, 2 repubs were ‘outed’. Are you sure about this?
Just posted my late afternoon entry at the blog my friend il Fettucini and I have created for the Vic Kohring GOP corrupt legislature trial.
LS @ 165
Case closed.
People who experience these huge fire complexes know that it’s kind of like experiencing the end of the world. It’s catastrophic.
Ed*ard Teller @ 168
ET, I have a hard time understanding what that WSJ story about child molestation has to do with government corruption…
Valley Girl @ 169
Friends, I get the feeling that the So Ca emergency has us all pretty stressed. Misunderstandings are breaking out here…is this, perhaps, another one?
Oops – I think my #168 has a bad link. It should be here…
larue @ 164
When the evac orders went out for Katrina, in areas outside the levees the police went door to door. They told those who refused to evacuate that they would be on their own, there would be no way to get to them once the storm hit, and they should write their names and social security numbers on their bodies with permanent marker. A bit harsh, but sometimes people need to be shocked into saving themselves. I learned then that everything I needed fit into my car-my family, the dog and some pictures. Everything else was just stuff and could be replaced. Though I now have a “grab and go” which has birth certificates, important papers and numbers and stuff that comes in handy when you are out of town and need to start getting your life back together.
Valley Girl @ 169
deep breaths everybody…
Mad Dogs @ 108
BUMP!!!
Yeh, I read thru that, and felt compelled to respond, but didn’t as I came in WAY after it was over . . . but I should not have replied even if I WAS in the thick of it.
Those few posts were quite demeaning and inappropriate for the moment, best handled back stage . . . tacky as shit.
Stoller loses all cred he may have EVER had with me. I’ll not frequent his address again, nor those of the other two.
MadDogs, yer on it, and I thank you for bringing it up after the fact . . . hear hear!!! *G*
OC @ 135
I saw them headed north out of Van Nuys a little before 5pm, probably off to waterbomb the fire in Stevenson Ranch – the smoke from that was heading across Simi Valley and Moorpark, fortunately for my system. The way the weather is going, it might be worth the cost of the planes and maintenance to buy a couple for this area; the county hasn’t done it because they didn’t think it was cost-effective. Thye might have to use seawater on fires, though, if it doesn’t rain more.
newtonusr @ 175
Why don’t we take up yoga?
Phone lines go out. Power goes out. It’s like a war zone. You can’t breathe; you can’t see. You can;t contact your family. It’s very frightening.
LS @ 155
no, they are not exaggerating, but here “in the trenches” people are coping in surprisingly effective ways – both from the standpoint of being prepared and for just figuring out what to do in any given situation – whether staying to fight the fire or just getting out… don’t get me wrong – it’s a bad situation and every bit as scary as it looks on tv, but we are managing…
I heard LS expressing deep concern. OC comforting LS.
LS wondering if there was media madness. VG perhaps misinterpreting LS’s question.
All a circle of caring, actually.
In the East we have ‘wild fires’ and ‘forest fires’ which are awesome and dangerous, sometimes, in the West they have ‘firestorms’
which are quite beyond belief, orders of magnitude beyond…
OldCoastie @ 97
I heard the high winds grounded all the aircraft.
Valley Girl,
Piece of pie from DuPars?
It’s understandable to question whether the media is exaggerating the news.
During the big earthquake I thought the national news was over doing some of the coverage, but these fires, Whooo! It is hard to exagerate what’s going on here.
LS @ 155
LS,
For those who live in the path of the hurricane, it IS a big deal. I was living outside Tampa in ‘04 and very glad to have the Weather Channel reports and all the local news reports giving me fair warning of what was coming down. As it was during that year, I evacuated for one storm, rode out two others (the second of which I wound up as a refugee due to lost power), and watche the fourth by-pass me in the gulf.
The fires in CA are a bit scarier even than the hurricanes (for those in the path), as the fires do not move in a straight line and tend to jump around. Maybe more like a tornado in the fear they can cause due to the unpredictable nature.
hackworth @ 162
He also suggested that he would negotiate the health care bill but did not. This put the entire thing back a year. 18,000 people die a year in CA due to no or bad insurance. Fuckery all around.
larue @ 164
Aww, man — I was hoping no one would remind me of what might happen if we get any rain this winter …
(sticking head out of backstage curtain)
maybe monica was uh er ah, doing some part time work for the madam – who did say she had employees who worked for the feds…
(ducking back behind the curtain)
Suzanne @ 187
Oh MY! MERCY!!
Suzanne @ 188
See me @ #12
I’m just sitting here thinking how grateful I am to live where pretty much the worst that can happen is mosquitoes and snow (not at the same time!).
These emergencies can bring out the best:
* VCA clinics are offering free boarding for small animals within the fire areas until Nov. 3
*Uhaul donating 30 days free storage to evacuees.
It’s miles from us, right now, but the way these fires are popping up and exploding, with 7 percent humidity being a high number, I’m not too sanguine about escaping completely. We live in the mouth of a tinder-dry canyon that gets closed during the summer periodically when too crowded.
The Santa Ana winds are a phenomenon most never experience. Didn’t Ray Bradury write a story about people going nuts in a Santa Ana? Hot, dry winds, with gusts up to 90mph. Whips those flames, baby.
Hugh @ 10
If Gonzo is indicted, will he be able to use that defense? (!G!)
Bob in HI
larue – I haven’t heard much of anybody fighting mandatory evacuation orders… there may be a few, but I think people are pretty aware of just how dangerous this situation is. Most are going when it is voluntary… if for no other reason that it is just damn hard to breathe.
dakine01 @ 185
That is a near-perfect analogy, DK. Well put.
newtonusr @ 165
i don’t understand what “back-thread” means. would you translate? thx.
selise @ 196
Sorry – I meant in the prior thread.
My bad.
newtonusr @ 197
Dood, are you getting Leopard on Friday ?
OldCoastie @ 194
They dragged one guy out of his Arrowhead home this afternoon just as the roof caught fire. Almost got his wish.
newtonusr @ 166
having worked in publishing for a few years (art/marketing related) a decade or so ago, i thought the mention degenerated into bashing. The author (unless in the hands of a marketing pro) usually has NO SAY in this type of thing. If they do make suggestions, sometimes they are listened to, but more likely to be metaphorically patted on the head and told to not worry their pretty little heads. From my perspective, it was extremely unusual that VP was allowed to keep her book title. Can’t speak for all publishers, but the ones i’ve dealt with, titles are determined by marketing/sales committes.
Petrocelli @ 198
Petro!
Yep, and hibernating with it for a week to find the kinks.
You?
Laura Doty,
All a circle of caring, actually.
Sounds like a book title to me.
As far as putting together an emergency kit: try here
http://www.sff.net/people/doyl…..rg_kit.htm
Aimed more at potential medical emergencies, but good advice.
—
The bad part about winds like this is that they can blow embers a long way. It’s one way they spread so fast and so far. (You get the front leapfrogging itself.) They blow down power lines, and that’s all it takes, if the live wires hit anything flammable. Or you get some @#$%^&* tossing his cigarette butt out the car window so that his car won’t smell bad. Or, as in OC, you get someone who takes the wind as a cue to go out and set fires – that happens a lot in this kind of weather.
solai @ 163
NOT DURING THE GUEST’S APPEARANCE!!!!!
My god, that’s just a basic moral simplicity!!!
This was a back door issue, and should have been handled that way. Instead, Stoller et al embarassed VALERIE PLAME, JOE PLAME, SYDNEY BLUMENTHAL AND JOHN PHREAKIN DEAN!!!
And Jane Hamsher, and FDL, too . . . a total blogwhore rude and adolescent piece of behavior.
It’s called rudimentary decency . . . like the issue itself, which should be basic decency (to have books out, and blogad’s bought) . . but again, NOT DURING THE SHOW!!!
Keep it backstage. That’s where it should have been addressed . . . and to continue to support the adolescent actions taken DURING the show, is discourteous to Mz. Hamsher and FDL, and after the fact, the 4 INCREDIBLE guests who were here today.
Harumph.
No manners, no class, no respect, no tact, no upbringing.
Harumph.
newtonusr @ 201
I’ll wait to hear the “All Clear !” from you before I get it … *g* … looks amazing though !
Mommybrain @ 192
That Bradbury story isn’t fiction. People get downright weird when the Santa Anas are blowing. I think you have to have lived through it to really understand it.
P J Evans @ 202
They are saying that at least one of the fires was arson. Awful !
Did you notice that Valerie responded? She said that this (writing/promoting books) was all new to her but that she’d look into it (paraphrased). Their courage in broaching the subject and voicing their complaints to the author may be far more successful than 100 letters to Simon and Schuster.
We’ll see.
dakine01 @ 185
Okay. On November 15, 2001, my entire ranch was flooded – $350,000 worth of destruction. I had responsibility for the lives of 31 horses living in an situation where the water rose from 6″ to 50′ in 8 hours. We were hit by a tornado during evacuation, and then the major flood afterwards. My husband had to dive under water to retrieve panels in order to contain animals that needed to be moved, in waters containing contamination, water moccasins, and fireants. We had to evacuate and leave our dogs behind because of the logistics. We were rescued by the fire department. Some of the footage appears on the “Weather Channel” for that day.
Do not lecture me on what a natural disaster feels like. Thank you. BTW 12 people died that day, including right outside my house!!
I am genuinely concerned about the people, and trying to get to the truth of the reporting.
demi @ 202
demi, when you hear from Loo Hoo, please tell her that my love and prayers are with her, and everyone else in harm’s way !
Petrocelli @ 205
Yep.
Leave a hardware profile (mac/printer/scanner/tablet) here and ill let you know.
Suzanne @ 188
heh! my thoughts exactly. But for once i followed mom’s advice, “if you can’t say anything nice …(ya know the rest of it)”
burnspbesq @ 195
Well, my brother, sister-in-law and sister were caught in Hurricane Camille in ‘69 and even where I grew up in Kentucky, we had a lot of tornadoes so the analogies seemed apt. Like the so-called “Day of the Tornadoes” in April of ‘74 when the outbreak brought something near 200 total around the mid-south/mid-west. I think there were over a hundred confirmed in Kentucky alone that day although the worst of the day was in Xenia, OH.
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 212
Come and sit by me??
Tithonia @ 170
Winds were raging in some areas at 100MPH. 40-60MPH is normal . . . Outbreaks of fire (some already said to be arson) in over 14 sites from LA to Mexican border thru San Diego County . . . This could dwarf any previe losses house wise in the past two decades, and they’ve had some DEVESTATING fires down there in the past ten years alone.
News reports are grim . . . even from the emergency respondants/firefighters themselves.
Bless any FDL folks and friends and family down there . . . they will need our help and need it now . . .
newtonusr @ 211
I’ll send you my specs via FB, and thanks !
larue @ 204
Bravo! well said, Larue!
LS @ 209
my god. what an experience.
larue @ 204
I would emphasize that one doesn’t very often get much choice in this once the publicity dept takes over. Yes, one can go out of one’s way to insist on something, but it doesn’t always happen, and first time authors don’t necessarily think in those terms. Why should they have sent a pre-pub manu to FDL and/or the “up fronts” here, they/we knew about the issues. MSM generally is not as well informed. Moreover some places insist on more or less exclusives.
Did I miss something? Is LooHoo evacuated?
Please keep the All-Caps to a minimum. In here, it’s regarded as shouting and we could a little less of that these days.
Thanks.
larue @ 203 –
i don’t know… if it were me, i’d much prefer to know about it and how people felt about it – than remain ignorant.
i mean, i’m sure i do things unthinkingly all the time that irk/hurt others… but unless i know how other people feel about, i never have the chance to consider doing different.
Petrocelli @ 205
I’ll wait also, these are my mottos in life, “Let others be trooper bait, let others encounter new release bugs.”
Mommybrain @ 220
I believe there was a note last thread. demi had spoken with her and the fire was about three blocks from her home but she was OK and at a friend’s house.
Mommybrain @ 220
yup and staying with a friend.
This guy Jindal is against abortion with no exceptions. He is against stem-cell research. He voted to eliminate the moratorium on off-shore oil drilling. He voted with the Republican caucus 97%. He supports co-payments on medicaid. Jindal has an ‘A’ rating from the Gun Owners of America. This man is an enthusiastic surporter of the Iraq war.
Where, Larue? Where should this issue have been brought up? After we were all done talking about the book? Where’s backstage? When do we have access to those that can change things? Did you notice that Ms. Plame hadn’t considered the issue, either. I think it was an awakening for her also. She mentioned FDL in her book. Of course she would want ads placed here. But, she never would have realized this was a problem if Mike etc hadn’t brought it up.
And FWIW, I know tempers are flaring tonight, but be assured that I take no offense to someone disagreeing with me.
Petro….would you please lead folks in this thread in some deep breathing exercises before Late Night starts?
Oh, dear. Is she in Irvine? God-awful mess out there.
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 216
Uh huh. I found it a little embarrassing myself.
Petrocelli @ 204
i’ll leave the bleeding edge to those who know what they are doing.
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 223
My job. I get lots of pizza,though.
Suzanne @ 188
Appointment Setting!! It was only appointment setting!!!
And for god’s SAKES Suz, were those bunny slippers??? (ducking)
RBG @ 228
Can those of us in or near the fire zone be excused from breathing deeply? ;-)
Mommybrain @ 229
San Diego – an even bigger mess…
I was living in Sonoma the day Oakland burned. Early that morning it was creepy still and hot. Really hot. A big field started to burn in east Sonoma. I went out to see the firepersons putting it out. I turned to see a plume of smoke in the distance. Got in my car and drove until I was on top of a big hill near the northern side of the bay and there I saw Oakland ablaze. Sad and scary. Fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, twisters and neocon/ego wars-I hate ‘em all. I am not the praying kind but tonight I will be trying to find the lord.
RBG @ 228
He’s the big boss man so ya’ll better listen up and take some deep cleansing breaths.
Mommybrain @ 229
I think she’s in Fallbrook, which is infinitely worse.
solai @ 227
I don’t think it was so much THAT he brought the subject up but rather the WAY he brought it up. The note was rather accusatory towards Valerie for having “allowed” this to happen, not pointing it that it had happened and asking if there were something she could do to rectify the problem.
madmommy @ 214
sure! ya want me to tell you about the woman i knew in the 80’s who looked kinda like Mz Monica and, in her words, went “pimpin’ for Jesus.” (starts whispering the details to madmommy)
Oklahoma kiddo @ 226
And this would be why I requested any intercession with the higher powers of choice on behalf of Louisiana on saturday night when it was clear he was going to win. The latest is he does not intend to step down from Congress untill right before swearing in, at which point a special election will be held to replace him.
Larue, pigs (natch)
LS–I thought your caring thoughts came through. As I said above, there’s something about today’s emergency that has us all tense and a little on the thin-skinned side…I think things have been misunderstood.
Even caps are feeling like shouts….and it’s so easy to misinterpret quickly typed words, with no voice tone or facial expressions for cues.
I don’t doubt your compassion.
selise @ 231
Word of warning – Never buy the dot zero version of an application.
YMMV
Oklahoma kiddo @ 225
Good grief! Anything else?
Mommybrain @ 229
Vista, dear. Daryl Issa’s neck of the woods.
Looking forward to seeing you again when we all lunch together…11/3.
burnspbesq @ 238
In more ways than one… Wasn’t the heart of the white supremacist movement in Fallbrook before moving to Montana (to be dental floss tycoons?)
I thought there were BlogAds for Fair Game and Dean’s book over the past couple of weeks at FDL. Or was I just imagining?
Twain @ 245
No kidding!
Louisiana – on the mend!
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 240
LOL
burnspbesq @ 187
Sorry . . I spent a year and a half working with a hydroseed company and we were looking into bidding on some of the work in So Cal in ‘04-’05 . . . the devestation info we got was incredible . . . my heart out to all of you down there.
Suzanne @ 236
breathing in, i know that i am breathing in
breathing out, i know that i am breathing out…
taking a chair next to ndfg and madmommy
Suzanne @ 237
Big Boss Man
madmommy @ 249
No whispering – want to know all the dirt. :)
And I don’t doubt Valley Girl’s compassion either.
And dear So Ca folks, please “breathe” deeply with your imaginations and spare your dear lungs!!!
dakine01 @ 239
And the comment about the Wilsons treating FDL like DFH’s was also OVER THE TOP (sorry about the CAPS)
Mommybrain @ 246
I used to think that Wally George’s studio audience was comprised primarily of folks from inland North County. It’s heavily suburbanized these days, but when I first moved to OC in 1986, once you got out of Oceanside going east on 76 you were in a whole different world.
Suzanne @ 253
teehee! Doncha love a good slice’n’dice session? (mods, its gossip! not actual violence)
when we get to late nite, i’ll share with ya’ll my observations from working urban disasters, such as fires
OldCoastie @ 194
Stories posted at SFGATE.com and on KCRA.com sites were my sources for the evac issues . . . . . . you just be well, you and yours. Never mind what the media says . . . be well as you can be . . .
RBG @ 228
Yes, at once my King !
Roight, all you scum- sucking Pigs … sorry, that’s what I use at Repug gatherings … *g* …
Take 10 breaths, as slow as you can and remember that every bad thought or word you emit
creates toxins in you, this has been proven by scientists/Doctors in America !
Take 10 breaths as slow as you can and remember that every good word and thought creates life enhancing vibrations and serums within !
Is that sufficient, RBG ?!! (genuflecting myriad times *g*)
Petrocelli @ 262
hands on hips
i wanna hear ya’ll breathing in and out – no excuses
Pectopah @ 248
I remember the John Dean ad, so you’re not imagining that. But I think the Dean ad was placed by FindLaw (where John regularly puts up a column) and not by his publisher, and also was done directly and not via Blogads.
I could be wrong, but that’s how I’m remembering it.
Dare we ask Hilary her opinion?
Petrocelli @ 262
wait, wait. I can’t count my breaths when I’m laughing this hard….
I just wanted to say that the firefighters that are working so hard now, can barely afford homes in some of these counties.
RBG @ 228
Hey! RGB! Are you a color space?
larue @ 203
I would remind you guys that: 1)When Jane has something to say, she doesn’t hesitate to say it. She can speak for herself if she was offended. 2)Jane confirmed that the author does have some control to exert over advertising dollars, and seemed to me to be encouraging the use of that control. 3) It’s Jane’s blog, so it up to her to discipline or criticize Stoller, Jane’s friend Stoller, that is, if she thinks he stepped over the line, not yours. 4) I thought Valerie knew that she was being educated about the dos and don’ts of working with a much more sophisticated publishing firm. The publisher was not going to clue her in that she could ask that they send some ad money to the blogs. Somebody had to do it, or else how would she know?
Maybe I missed some of the comments, because I didn’t see Jeffrey Feldman or Mike Stark make a comment. Maybe the whole thing was more offensive than I picked up on. I do know that a lot of blogs are not self supporting and that Stoller’s blog is new and probably struggling financially. I just know that I would not take it upon myself to discipline others on someone else’s blog. I’m not even meaning to discipline you guys, just offering a different POV about manners, class, respect and tact.
Suzanne @ 263
(stops whispering to madmommy, straightens spine & closes eyes, ssslllooowww deep breaths)
Jindal has embarked on a 3 day victory bus tour of the state after his big win. Wonder how soon the toxic waste dump will be built outside Baton Rouge. The company who wants to build it gave him a boatload of cash for his campaign. I’m sure one has nothing to do with the other, though.
marymccurnin @ 268
ha! just the question i’ve been wanting to ask.
P J Evans @ 130
Ding!
PJ – you are so right – and you supply the causal link.
This is California’s Katrina.
The
anti-taxanti-community Rethugs who paid for the “no” vote…bought this fire.
Today at noon: 250,000 people evacuated.
Today at 3:47 PM: 250,000 households evacuated.
Hey, we can drown it in a bathtub.
New Thread.
marymccurnin @ 268
Jeez Mary, you’re always clowning around … oops … *g*
Getting a 404 error with late nite
Suzanne @ 263
Bush (breath), Cheney (breath), Addington (breath), Yoo (breath), torture (breath), Iraq (breath), Gonzales (breath), Rumsfeld (breath), Rove (breath), Rove (breath). . .
Jane (breath), Christy (breath), TRex (breath), the Mods (breath), Valerie (breath), Joe (breath), sex-crazed vegetarian pacifists (breath), my kid (breath), my wife (breath) . . .
Yeah, I know I said Rove twice, but he really gets on my last nerve.
solai @ 208
VP responded that way cuz she’s a class act and handled a VERY embarassing situation with aplomb. Cuz she’s a pro.
The postings were not class acts. Nor were they pro’s in posting them.
‘Back stage’ is NOT letters to editors, it’s an email to Jane, ValP, and a few others . . . Matt Stoller and the others know who to email, or call direct even, to raise their points.
This was NOT about letters to Simon and Schus . . . I trust you know that . . . . . this should be black and white as right and wrong though . . . simple courtesy’s, professionalism, and all the other things so sadly lacking in our society anymore.
Things that were commonplace as I was raised. And have lived, with that raising.
I guess I’ve had my say, so I’ll refrain from any more retorts . . .
demi @ 246
Demi, during the book salon it was noted that Valerie Plame’s first of only two west coast appearances will be in Santa Barbara on 11/3 at 11 am. The other is Monday the 5th in Long Beach.
Think there would be any interest in moving the meet-up north a few (hundred) miles?
Sandman @ 267
not that they are thinking about that now…
I just got a zed and came down to tell you guys. It disappeared!!
working on getting the post up… be patient folks…
Mercy! Were our friends whisked away too???
marymccurnin @ 280
I want my mommy. Oh wait, I am the mommy.
And WHAT is a color space?
marymccurnin @ 280
I can’t testify to the zed, but I did read the post-good stuff. That’s probably why I never get the zed, I read first then go to comments.
marymccurnin @ 268
RGB’s good at intercepting those out-of-gamut comments!
Here is what you missed in that thread:
marymccurnin @ 283
ha!
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 286
I can channel that.
RGB is twirling dials and twisting cranks on the late nite post.. he will have to hold off on the color space question answer
but yea, what is that?
Ann in AZ, both Feldman and Stark were in the comments. Mike started it, started out as a stern comment and went all gratuitously insulting at the end. Feldman was much more genteel but equally harsh, IMHO.
burnspbesq @ 237
Hi–
delurking San Diegan here. I’ve been watching the TV news most of the day. My Dad also lives in Fallbrook, although he seems to be a little south of LooHoo. It’s bad down here.
The fire is totally out of control. 250,000 people evacuated. Yup, one quarter million people. The evacuation sites are all filled, entire freeways are shut down and still the fire continues unabated. Firefighters spent the day saving homes they could, but many have been lost. No count yet, but my guess would be over 100. And that’s just Monday evening. This is even worse than the fires we had four years ago. Ironically, some of the same areas that burned then are under threat now. Fixed wing aircraft cannot fly in these high winds; they were able to get a few helos up this afternoon. I understand that neighboring states are sending backups, but they have to travel overland, so it takes some 12 hours for them to get here.
Our brave firefighters are the real heroes in all of this. Right now, four of them are in the burn unit, one fighting for her life, as well as several civilians trapped when the fire overtook them. Let’s send healing thoughts to all of them.
ironranger @ 117
Good luck getting the Lord to pick up your teeth after the first chop block to the grille.
Pectopah @ 287
Jeffrey’s comment was #183 @ 11:14, and Mike’s comment was #217 @ 11:25.
Suzanne @ 290
R-red
G-green
B-blue
Digital or computer files for the computer not print.
CMYK is for print.
Suzanne @ 280
Sure, but not many people think about their firefighters when there is no fire.
Laura Doty @ 256
Laura, thanks so much. And, this is for LS too.
When I first read LS’s comment, I paid attention to most of the text, which seemed to be saying that the press was “over reporting” the emergency, making it into a much bigger deal that it was.
I totally missed the snark, and for that I humbly apologize. And, my further comments to LS came from me missing the “snark”. Also, I missed the intent bec. I have not been able to read all prior comments on earlier threads.
Just for a bit of perspective, my mother’s house in Northridge is/ was 3 miles from the epicenter of the NR quake. Total devastation.
Apologies for my misreading of LS’s initial comments. Obviously, CA disasters hit home with me. Apologies to LS for having misread your initial comment. I guess I am humor-impaired this evening.
mommybrain,
I’m thinking that’s a really long distance move.
So, I’m disinclined to bring it up. But…I’m pretty sure there will be another book tour when the paperback is released. Maybe we can do a hook-up for that?
We can talk to Loo Hoo when she’s back at the lake.
(She’s not internet accessible right now.)
Mommybrain @ 292
I think you mean Stoller not Stark.
Thank you Kristine. Hope you and yours stay safe. Healing thoughts to all in harm’s way, everywhere….and especially for those who need it most….
kristine @ 293
I have been sending healing thoughts all day … except for when Valerie was on FDL.
Pectopah, thanks for the quote – now I understand.
I respect Ms. Plame’s gracious response to such a boor.
“Stollers”: my new name for cat turds.
(why am I thinking Santorum?)
lets send the ca firefighters some love with our 10 good breaths
they could use it
Latest reports say 500 homes and 100 businesses lost. Godspeed out there.
-GSD
I wonder if Bush is playing his fiddle tonight?
kristine @ 293
Welcome, and good wishes to you and all who are in the path of this horror.
What happened to Valerie Plame?
-GSD
{{{kristine and family}}}
welcome – sorry such a tragic occasion brings us your voice
Suzanne @ 291
Red, Green, Blue are the primary colors in additive color theory (light, ie monitors, tvs, etc) If you’re in an art software program you switch between color spaces. RGB for web-type art, or CMYK for printed materials. Want my tedious lecture on additive/subtractive color theory and my enthusiastic harangue about all the different primary color systems?
Kristine, thoughts for your dad’s safety, too.
How dry is it in SoCal? My friend tells me that her deodar cedar started dropping 10-15 foot limbs on neighbors’ homes. Tree guy told her the aquifer is so low trees are drawing sap instead of water up their arteries. Branches get very heavy and fall right off.
{{{{ CA firefighters }}}} and {{{{ everyone in the affected areas }}}}
kirk – ygm
darkblack@294:
lol
Then they shouldn’t forget to wear their blessed by God mouthguards.
Suzanne @ 304
Question for anyone in Canada with the Federal Gov’t who might be lurking … are our planes on their way to help California ?
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 310
Actually I was hoping for some more juicy gossip of the most snarky kind ;0)
The Lurking Mod @ 221
Hey, if that was about me, I thought I WAS being minimal.
*G*
It was Valerie Plame, Joe Plame, Sydney Blumenthal and John Dean for crying out loud . . . WORTHY of caps, IMHO. And if them insolents and ingrates get to criticize without moderating, I get to smack them for it. And I was rightous about it, too . . not ONE cuss word, I don’t think?
*G*
C’mon . . . cut some slack Mod . . .
This ain’t tea time anymore in our lives . . . some shouting is GONNA go on and go down . . . it’s how we GOT here in out agony . . . letting people shout at us without reply, always turning the other cheek . . . NEWT!
But that’s one contract on america that’s been Canceled By Dawg!!!!!!!!
Course, if yer smack was NOT about my post, never mind, I’ll go play in the corner over here for a while (GO BOSOX!!!!) . . ;-)
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 309
backing away slowly.. uh, thanks but uh, no thanks….
i was thinking it was some variation of that whole spring, summer, fall, winter color theory from last century
Suzanne @ 317
Suzanne – think of the color ink tanks in your ink jet printer…
GSD @ 308
If you mean on Larry King she gets the last 25 minutes or so.
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 309
I do!
eer maybe you should email me at marymccurnin at mac dot com. I want to see your design site.
madmommy @ 316
tee hee! wait til late nite, i’ve got a baaaaaaad linky!
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 310
It’s R…B…G…and some, but only a few, have ever called me colorful.
Valley Girl @ 298
Stay with us until we find some way to put a smile on your lips.
My nephew is in Iraq and he told me that the best thing the soldiers see, are crowds of happy Americans at Baseball games, etc.
It makes them happy to see others enjoying life and I’m sure the first responders are cut from the same cloth.
FUCK i spelled the big guy’s name wrong
fuck fuck fuck fuck
very sorry, RBG sir
kristine @ 290
You came to the right place to ask for those healing thoughts, kristine.
Have to get up before dawn. Good night to all, & gratitude for the community we all share here.
RBG @ 321
But at least you are not negative space.
marymccurnin @ 305
Mercy me, Mary. I thought that myself today.
Suzanne @ 324
(shaking the swear jar in the genreral direction of Suzanne)
Suzanne @ 317
teehee! tis why the art directors sic me on obnoxious art directors from other companies when they need a smack-down from the Goddess of Color.
Mommybrain @ 310
Last report, humidity was about seven percent. They were reminding us today to keep dehydrated…er make that hydrated. I guess dehydration leads to brain failure…
demi @ 326
Or maybe he is just fiddling about.
What happened to Late Nite?
Suzanne @ 325
Think…
Really
Big
Garage
It showed up and then left.
neurophius @ 331
NSA truck on the tubes is my guess. The problem is being worked on and hopefully will post soon.
kristine @ 330
hydrated dear heart hydrated!
RBG @ 322
RedGreenBlue, RedBlueGreen, color order is only important with CMYK on press!
newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 310
Stop talking sexy, Newdeal…There’s a war on.
;>)
A Texan don’t play no Goddamn fiddle.
Complete with official presidential seal on guitar in technicolor cheese-o-rama fashion.
-GSD
kristine @ 330
Um, that was a typo, it’s hydrated. To be dehydrated is a bad thing.
Suzanne @ 324
(tiptoes over & dumps part of ndfg’s change jar into Suzanne’s swear jar)
This will likely get EPU’d but I would like to thank all who sent good vibes to the little guy today on the occasion of his very first school bus ride. There was some doubt as to wether he was going to do it or not, but when the bus arrived he hopped right on and didn’t even wave goodbye. His older brother reported this afternoon that he did well, stayed in his seat and didn’t attempt to drive the bus. I blubbered a bit after they left, but have since recovered.
Suzanne @ 325
Suz, deep breathing helps to relieve stress … and so do “Stupid Men” jokes … *g*
A man is driving down a road. He notices that his ex- wife is driving down the same road from the opposite direction.
As they pass each other, the woman leans out the window and yells “PIG!!”
The man immediately leans out his window and yells, “BITCH!!”
They each continue on their way, and as the man rounds the next curve, he crashes into a huge pig in the middle of the road.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
If only men would listen.
thanks, ndfg, you sexy thang
kirk murphy @ 303
Dr. Kirk! Thanks for your Saturday Post. Diane Rehm had an hour about water today, and your post was precient to the issues they discussed. Also, FDL got a shout out on the show from a caller last week.
OldCoastie @ 97
Damn! I wonder how many of these folks are families of Marines and National Gaurdsmen now serving in the Iraq “surge”. These are the folks that should be called up for domestic emergencies, not sent off to fight a war to satisfy the ego of the “War President” and his “Vulcans”!
darkblack @ 337
ooohhh! I get to deliver my Enemy Colors lecture!
Late Nite is back…..
GSD @ 340
That mook’s not a Texan, but Johnny Gimble is.
I find it fairly ironic that Palfrey is facing charges in federal court, but former DOJ employees who really committed serious federal crimes like Gonzales and Goodling, Sampson, and a series of resigned scum from the EOUSA who thorougly politicized that department have not been charged and with the exception of Gonzales, probably won’t be with Jeffery “A” for Asshole Taylor in the way.
Petrocelli @ 315
Petro, bless you.
The thermal energy of the firestorms (SD, Agua Dulce, etc) is too great.
The largest fires create their own weather – and the humidity is less than 10 (or 5%) percent. Fronts dozens of miles of wide – flames dozens of feet high.
Dropped water blows away or evaporates in air.
These are the largest Santa Anas in (European) recorded history.
Until they stop, the fires will burn.
All the US and Canada’s water drop capacity can’t stop the largest So Cal firestorms
selise @ 222
Not me @203 . . . and sorry, don’t get where yer headed here? In reference to not liking Stoller’s IN THREAD criticism?
If so, I hear where yer coming from . . . but it’s back to class act, and professionalism, and how you GIVE that feedback, in THIS huge case!!! This was history being made! No place for Stoller’s comments, or the others.
A mention to Jane, let those involved handle it, don’t make a scene in front of 4 of the GREATEST guests this site has seen?
I shouldn’t be speaking for FDL as I’m NOT a FLD rep, but I feel passionate about this issue . . this was historic IMHO, and a GRAND setting for FDL’s efforts to grow the dialogue!!
I honestly feel Stoller et al tarnished it in a bad way, and that it was inappropriate. A lack of businees savvy. That’s not how things are ‘done’ in the workplace . . . and for Stoller, this IS his sphere of workplace . . . he’s a blogger, on Jane’s blog . . . it’s business . . . not comments.
And if your comment Selise WAS about my Stoller postings, I agree with you completely, I’m the same way, ‘tell me what you think so I can do the right thing’, it’s a very human and appropriate ‘need’ and want!
But tell me the right way and at the right time . . . and the right way to provide ‘feedback’ is off the record, behind the scenes, and not ruin and spoil the show for the guests OR the host. Common courtesy, IMHO. But that’s just the way I was raised . . . I’m sure we are in accord . . . but the DOING of it is the whole key.
Back to the workplace scenerio . . . you don’t mess up an important client meeting with a criticism of the client’s staff. Common sense, that stuff is done off the side, not in the meeting.
Best to ya . . . my bad, I said I’d stop about this, and I didn’t . . . good Merlot, though . . .
Dialogue, unfettered with niceties and caps on caps, is a good thing, it’s democratic, it’s progressive . . . that we CAN ‘tawk amongst ourselves’ is good . . . to restrain that tawk too much, not so good . . . ;-)
Oklahoma kiddo @ 226
Hey, I didn’t vote for the putz!!! ;-)
There’s rightwingers from every race, religon and color.
He’s one of them, for sure.
Now I wanna know where he’s tied into to the development of hi end buildings in NOLA and thruout all of LA, and how he’s all about ridding the previous owner’s of business and property from reclaiming their stuff . . . and to that end, I wanna know how he’s tied to the Cunningham’s of the world. Cuz you KNOW he is . . . tied. With or without diapers . . ;-)
solai @ 227
I think I cover that in ALL of my posts on this subject . . . *G*
And I VERY much appreciate your comment about us disagreeing . . . we all in here disagree with something or the other, and if we can’t vent and rant a bit in the process, well, we lose the dialogue . . . here’s to ya . . . *G*
P J Evans @ 130
People never learn. This was also suggested after the Laguna Fire in 1971 that devastated the East County of San Diego. It was rejected then, too. Well before Prop. 13 made the situation far worse for local fire districts.
Ironic, as well, that you mention the CL-215 Super-scoopers…early versions of those planes were offered in 1971. They were also rejected as part of any planned fire-fighting effort. The company brought them down anyways and made several runs scooping up water from El Capitan Reservoir. Locals attribute the planes with possibly saving several subdivisions and the center of the town of Crest (later destroyed in the 2003 Fires).
I was living in Crest during the 1971 Laguna Fire, and every home within a quarter mile of my families were destroyed. Ours survived because we had five people clearing a setback of brush for two days beforehand (we guessed right that the Santa Ana winds were going to drive it right towards us) and were constantly saturating the roof and grounds with water from a swimming pool.
I really sympathise with all those who are facing the fires approach and having to evacuate. But certainly leave enough time to do so! If my family had stayed twenty minutes more we would have been in the firestorm. We could already see 100-150 foot flames and watch homes explode when their propane tanks were overrun by the fire. Your pets panic, and you see wildlife you never knew was out there fleeing across your property. Crazy…like a war!
Suzanne @ 242
I don’t think I ‘wallow’ you.
Guess I’ll hafta ‘hoof it’ on my own.
No ’snout’ about it, I dig yer roots . . .
*G*
Bless ya . . . BTW. ;-)
Twain @ 245
Word on the street is, he don’t use his turn signals.
Drive accordingly. ;-)
And in a wonderful act of stealth ambushing…while fires rage in his district and elsewhere in California….Darrell Issa has announced (probably while playing violin) that he is contributing several million of his own funds to re-initiate the signature gathering for the Republican “dirty trick” to prevent Californias electoral votes from going to the State victor in the 2008 Elecftion.
http://www.sacbee.com/102/story/447954.html
You’d think that Issa should be more interested in putting through a request to his good buddy Bush to declare an emergency in SoCal…or questioning whether it was intelligent to send the National Gaurd on extended tours to Iraq rather than to serve their proper role in domestic emergencies?
But he fiddles around while Southern California burns!
Twain @ 245
Fern @ 116
I think what happens in Southern California is a lot like what happened in Sydney in 2002 as chronicled in the Discovery Channel’s “A Perfect Firestorm”. We also have a “fire ecology” system in the chapparel flora…with a lot of eucalyptus from Oz thrown in fore good measure. Almost none of these major fires were actually ultimately controlled by humans until the wind and humidity conditions abated…a lucky rainstorm or an unexpected drop in wind velocity.
Suzanne @ 263
Heavy breathing? Hands? Hips?
*blinks*
Smut blogging fem nazi’s?
I just cant’ keep up with you kids anymore . . . ;-)
solai @ 124
And Darrell Issa is off on his Emperor Nero imitation – trying to fiddle around with the State’s electoral college delegates while California goes up in flames around him. Apparently he is going to put up some of the $2 million to fund the campaign to put this zombie back in front of the voters.
Maybe he should use that money to help the evacuees from the fires…they need food, water, cots, clothes, and other basics!
http://www.sacbee.com/102/story/447954.html
solai @ 163
I think that assuming that Valerie had some control over any of this with Simon & Schuster was a bit presumptuous, though. And that was the impression I got from some of the comments. I though that, while it might have been useful to point these issues out to her…the manner it was done was pretty accusatory. It was as if she was complicit in making the decisions.
How was she going to know that her book wasn’t being delivered to her hosts for preview in time? In fact, if Marcy, Jane, etc. had told her then she may have already interceded on this issue.
To assume that first-time authors know or control such marketing decisions seems a bit naive…and one of the critics is a published author…and should realize how these big corporate publishers operate. They are huge beauracracies and an author could bang their head against the wall to try to influence how they promote books. Using a big publisher does allow widespread distribution in a lot of big bookstores…but it removes the control of the author (particular new authors) over how the book is promoted.
burnspbesq @ 187
Well, they will need to get tens of thousands of additional agricultural workers to replace the ground cover very quickly. otherwise all the issues you mention above, as well as floods, threats of levee breakage, siltation of dams used for water storage, increase in the river bed hieghts, etc. will occur.
One more reason not to encourage anti-immigrant hysteria.
This is amazing. Apparently, the Democrats in Congress cannot find anything to bring down Justice, so they’re going to rely on the impeccable integrity of the DC Madame to do their discovery for them. Double oh my, indeed.
Mommybrain @ 192
I don’t recall Ray Bradbury writing anything about Santa Anas, but Raymond Chandler certainly did in “Red Wind”
Those hot dry winds that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks. Anything can happen.
I thought today would be rather sedate after Valerie P. Wilson came around. But, it wasn’t just her, there was also her husband (just a bit) and John Dean (to say hello). Isn’t Valerie just wonderful!
After that I thought the excitment was over. But no, it has been a curious day.
I saw Tavis Smiley interview Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Nothing much of importance in that, though I didn’t see all of it. Nancy spoke about her goals of civility, putting children first and good government. She just isn’t interested in talking about a Constitutional crisis. I hope she succeeds, despite this rhetorical facade.
I saw Charlie Rose interview DCI Hayden (formerly of the NSA and formerly of the Air Force). Hayden couldn’t talk about specific methods, but did say the Army field manual sets a very high bar and U.S. law is a much much lower bar before you get to torture. He also denies any renditions were done to let someone else torture a suspect. He’s a lot like the other Bush guys. What he says makes sense, but you just can’t trust them on any substantial things because of their real politik behavior. Now, even if they were to say water-boarding is torture we still couldn’t trust ‘em at all.
PBS had an Expose on Duke Cunningham, Jerry Lewis and the whole payola for government contracts for campaign contributions scheme. If there’s any justice Lewis won’t be able to survive that revealing story. It also makes lobbyists look really bad and that helps confirm John Edwards argument that you have to govern with honesty, conviction and idealism and not money.
I saw a repeat of Senate Leader Harry Reid speaking about FISA. He appeared unfocused and somewhat uncertain about what he wanted to say. He didn’t exactly ramble, but his presentation lacked energy and the appearance of certainty. He appeared to be saying it was a good bill, but there was no arrangement with Bush, so they might do some more modifications to make it better. This might mean immunity is still up for grabs.
Then there was a PBS Frontline story about the famous 401K retirement plan and how it has largely replaced traditional corporate retirement plans, but is perhaps wholly unsatisfactory. It’s about time some attention was paid to retirement considering the sheer numbers of Baby Boomers who are nearly there and the number of people who lost their retirements during the depressed 1980s. It’s a crisis larger than the mortgage industry garbage.
I thought it odd that the NBC evening news would do a second story on Bobby Jindal (R-La) while they didn’t do a single story (so far as I know) on Niki Tsongas (widow of former Senator Paul Tsongas), the new female representative from Massachussetts who beat an actual opponent. Damn Liberal press!
Of course, the Santa Ana winds firestorm is THE big story. People dying should be a big story. That the war in Iraq was hardly mentioned today is a bit sad, but typical. That people have died from lack of health care is sad, but also typical. Instead we get Ahnold talking about nothing while brave firefighters try to do the impossible and hundreds of thousands of people flee for their lives. No mention of Bush rushing aid to their rescue!
Instead Bush promises to veto spending bills he doesn’t like (which is all of ‘em).
On the net I also saw some wild accusations about Hillary Clinton taking millions from an offshore government account for who knows what and a new story about Sen. Larry Craig using campaign funds to pay his new lawyer.
Whatta day!
Where did that photo come from? It was the first one floating around when her name came out. It makes her look like a vulnerable young Flower of the South.
Somebody planted this damn thing.
Why hasn’t the
sanctimonious prickSenator from CT had anything to say about the Craig-Vitter insults to morality? The Clinton-Lewinsky affair brought forth the Sermon on the Mount on the Senate floor.bob h @ 370
Ah, you’re talking about Short Ride Joe, eh?
Yeah. That little backstab from Lieberman — who Clinton had thought was on his side (never trust a triangulating public moralist, Bill) — was what gave the Republicans the ‘bipartisan’ figleaf cover they needed to push impeachment.
Joe Buck @ 28
What everyone seems to have forgotten is the interesting connection between Monica and this case:
1. Her lawyer – when she was subpoenaed to testify before Congress (and got immunity therefor) re the politicization and firings of US Attorneys is one John Dowd, Esq. (He, of both the “Dowd Report” – which investigated and proved Pete Rose’s gambling on baseball – and, more pertinently, a large law firm far beyond Monica’s budget.)
2. One of the administrative assistants in Dowd’s law firm was among the women listed as having worked for Palfrey’s service during the relevant time frame. I have read reports (which I can’t find just now) posted when this came out (back about the same time as the Brian Ross story got gutted and Harlan Shock’n’Awe and Deputy Secretary of State for Aids Prevention both got outed), that this particular AA not only worked at Dowd’s firm, but actually worked for Dowd.
3. In other words, an AA for Monica’s lawyer was moonlighting for Palfrey’s escort service.
This is gonna get pretty interesting. We all KNOW how Monical loves testifying. I’ll pour something strong to be able to stand her whiney valley girl voice for this one!
Full article here:
http://www.legitgov.org/dc_mad…..11007.html
ABSOLUTELY worth a read! I’m glad to see a CLG reference here. They get info faster than anyone on the net, which is why I work with them
siri