MIDLIFE MINI-19, Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – Cali-geddon, a State on Fire.
Where to begin, really?
How about the blazing pallet fire under the now shutdown freeway that is disrupting the lives of millions, including State commerce.
The State’s response? A response, but zero foresight and accountability. It is like the malfeasance is not only gross, it is palpable.
Let us start with the headline – the deflection.
“Arson is behind the massive fire that shut down the 10 Freeway, officials say” (1.).
Notably, there is zero evidence specific to the intent of arson in the reporting, but plenty of homeless fires, which could be described as arson, but that is not how officials are framing it.
“The massive fire that has shut down a crucial section of the 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles was caused by arson, officials said Monday as they raced to assess the extent of the damage and determine how long it would take to reopen” (1.).
They are not debating it, but they are also not saying why they concluded arson, and in Democrat Party fashion, there is reporting that is, “according to sources familiar with the probe who were not authorized to discuss details of the investigation” (1.).
So they are not authorized to discuss details of the investigation, but are discussing details of the investigation.
That is par for Democrats.
What does Governor Gavin Newsom have to say?
“Although the exact cause of the fire has not been revealed, ‘there was [malicious] intent,’ Newsom said at a news conference Monday afternoon” (1.).
So basically, Democrats need a bad guy. Without a bad guy, a scapegoat, California’s rampant homelessness – and examples of fires related to homelessness – would connectively come to light, much like this reporting reveals, yet in parallel.
Los Angeles leadership … cough, cough?
It is a clown world, for sure.
“On Monday afternoon, [L.A. Mayor Karen] Bass said there was ‘no reason to assume the reason this fire happened was because there were unhoused individuals nearby’” (1.).
Interestingly, there are several reasons, “to assume the reason this fire happened was because there were unhoused individuals nearby.”
Democrats, and their media surrogates, are good at this. They report the truth, while lying about it.
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Let us look at the truth, as reported.
“The fire began under the overpass at Alameda Street early Saturday morning, fueled by wood pallets stored there” (1.).
“The fire was reported early Saturday, shortly after midnight, in the 1700 block of East 14th Street after a pallet yard under the freeway caught fire and spread to a second pallet yard, damaging the freeway overpass and destroying several vehicles, including a firetruck, authorities said” (1.).
Here is a homeless man’s account, Timothy Garrison. Notice how Garrison describes the people, some of whom he knew who lived in that very spot under the overpass where he had heard the fire raging.
“Timothy Garrison, 55, was sleeping behind a nearby Shell gas station near the overpass when he heard explosions, he said Monday morning as he sat against a wall near 14th and Elwood streets, around the corner from the site of the fire.
“When he peeked out of his makeshift tent made of plastic trash bags, he saw giant flames flickering out of the overpass.
“’The heat was so intense,” he said. “I thought the overpass was going to crumble.’
“Garrison heard about 10 to 15 pops and explosions as the fire continued to rage, and he moved to escape the heat, he said.
“He knew of some people who lived underneath the freeway, but said he had not seen them. He could not say how many people were living there” (1.).
Officials regarding the homeless, like Garrison in naming anyone? Mum.
“Officials did not disclose any information about homeless encampments, but CalFire investigators said they were taking all elements into consideration. Wooden pallet yards are common along the 10 Freeway in the industrial center near downtown.”
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Here forward the article describes the homeless scene, the debris, and the routine fires, including ongoing concerns from local business owners. Yet, Mayor Bass remains in denial.
“A row of blue tarps, trailers and wooden shacks sat along 14th Street on Monday among piles of wood from pallets and metal debris.
“Not far from Santa Clara Street, a group of men had set cardboard and wood on fire to cook several feet from a pallet yard.
“On Monday afternoon, Bass said there was ‘no reason to assume the reason this fire happened was because there were unhoused individuals nearby’” (1.).
Actually, there is every reason to assume – when investigating a fire at or near a homeless encampment – considering the source might be related to routine fires in and around homeless encampments, started by the homeless.
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So, what do honest locals, workers and business owners, have to say, despite the Mayor’s attempts to remain oblivious to circumstances in the area?
“Workers in the area said firefighters frequently come to put out fires caused by people living on the streets.
[Really?]
“It's why Antolín Padilla, 34, installed fire extinguishers at the entrances of his business Jaz Pallets, which sits along the railroad tracks near Santa Clara Street. He and another pallet yard owner on 14th Street agreed to enforce a ‘no camping zone’ around their businesses, often telling people to camp elsewhere, after a fire spread to the wall of Padilla’s pallet yard a few months ago.
“’The workers grabbed the extinguishers in time and were able to put it out,’ he said, pointing to a charred corner of the wall. ‘The city needs to move people from this area.’
“Nearby, David Cortez, 34, owner of D&G Pallets, said the fire shows why he’s often on edge.
“Standing outside his business, he pointed to a pole where a thin green wire dangled from the power line above, saying he worried about homeless people tampering with lines to tap into the electricity.
“’I’m not even sure if that wire is energized or not, but it’s dangerous,’ he said. ‘And the fire hydrants have been damaged from people attempting to use pliers to get water’” (1.).
So despite frequent visits by the fire department to put out fires caused by the local homeless, business owners installing fire extinguishers to mitigate against fires caused by the local homeless, homeless groups or individuals tampering with power lines – a fire hazard – and, homeless damaging fire hydrants, not a direct fire hazard, but certainly an indication of the lawlessness in the area, “there is no reason to assume” that this fire might be related to the homeless?
But wait, there is more.
“Derrick Smith, 39, walked nearby pushing a cart filled with metal debris. He had been staying near the overpass when the fire broke out. At least five or six people were living around him, he said.
“Smith said he was in a deep sleep when he started to hear people banging on his trailer to warn him of the fire.
“’They kept saying there’s a fire and get out,’ he said. He ran away, leaving all his belongs behind” (1.).
Mind you, Mr. Smith is not leasing an RV space for his trailer. This is an abandon trailer, illegally parked on the street, as part of a homeless encampment – basically, a U.S. shantytown.
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More from city officials?
Limitless cluelessness and denial, as they react and scramble within the consequences of their own undoing.
“Officials encouraged car commuters to try alternatives, such as Metrolink, rail lines and local bus services, which are all expecting an increase in daily riders.
“Metro Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins told Angelenos to ‘plan ahead, share the ride, and keep up to date’ on the disruption. She said there was a noticeable increase in cars parked at Union Station on Sunday, indicating people are taking advantage of public transportation. Officials directed drivers to check the detour status online at emergency.lacity.gov, and commuters can call 511 or check Metro.net for alternative routes” (1.).
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Moral to the story?
Why prevent a catastrophe plausibly associated with your homeless crisis, when you can keep exhausting State and federal resources responding accordingly?
In Cali-geddon, fires are business as usual.
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The upside?
Angelenos can rest assured that Mayor Bass spoke with Mayor Pete, so everything is Ok. Pete is aware of yet another avoidable, manmade – Democrat-made – fire-disaster.
“Mayor Karen Bass said that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg called and reassured her that federal officials were aware of the impact from closing one of the busiest freeway corridors in the country” (1.).
Do not panic, Pete and federal officials are “aware” that Cali-geddon is on fire.
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Cali-geddon, a state on fire.
- Matfucius
1.) https://www.yahoo.com/news/10-freeway-closure-greets-monday-164124371.html
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