Oh good, more expensive homes in California burning!

[Bluebear]

That will teach humans that they cannot build on land which is not meant to be built on and it's not sustainable and they were all expensive homes anyhow, I'm sure they can afford it, and did you see those homes? They looked huge and those people are rich, they will get over it and eccentric million-dollar houses! McMansions! Natural disaster, what are you going to do? These people are insured, insured I tell you! Rich Republican areas! And yuppies! And did I say McMansions?

There, all the work has been done for you folks prone to that kind of talk, have at it here in your own little thread. :)

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. ok. Thanks. ;-)

[yourout]

2. Bush will be on a plane there within the hour I bet.

Rich Republican folks always need help but poor black folks can tread water for a week or two.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. Bush will show up wearing a blue button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up...

[madeline_con]

21. Yep. Buddied up with Ahnold.

Smiling and shmoozing with the vacation homeless!

[Brigid]

3. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Does that make me a bad person? :hide:

[mitchtv]

5. not if you think it's allright for me

to feel the same about Atlanta.

[Bluebear]

6. You quote the Bible in your sig line, I don't think there's financial limits on compassion in there.

..check it out and get back to us! ;)

[Brigid]

7. That's true.

But I'll save my compassion for those who struggle every day just to get by in this screwed-up country, hoping they don't get laid off because their jobs got outsourced, or hoping their kids don't get sick because they don't have health insurance . . . you get the idea. ;)

[KitchenWitch]

31. How about the less fortunate folks who may not live in Malibu

But live close enough that the smoke from the fires will cause health problems, because you can't just stop breathing.

Any compassion for them?

[Le Taz Hot]

15. 4 minutes.

Is that a record?

[Warren DeMontague]

18. Not if I'm not a bad person for chuckling the next time you're stuck in a -20 Wind Chill.

Howdy, Midwesterner! :evilgrin:

[Beaverhausen]

33. In my eyes, it does

[blondeatlast]

54. In my humble opinion, yes. May karma never find you for that one. nt

[begin_within]

8. I live in the same type of area, and I'm not rich or republican, just the opposite

I didn't build the house here, my grandparents bought it in 1938. What people should not do is build houses which are combustible on the outside. Our house is stucco with a tile roof, and right now we are having the eaves painted with a fire resistant paint which is supposed to withstand up to 2000 degrees. It's costing us $1800 but it should make our house almost fireproof from the outside. And I keep the canyon in back of us cleared of all brush. And I remove anything dry or combustible on the property. And I have a network of rain-bird sprinklers to turn on in case there ever is a fire here. You can live here if you do the right things, but it takes contstant maintenance to keep the fire danger away from your house. It's the people who don't do anything to prepare for the possiblity of the fire who get burned.

[earth mom]

58. Yes all good points, but the fires do jump around-like with Suzanne Somers house.

She lived on the beach, and there was probably not much brush around in the first place. I don't think anyone's safe when these fires are raging.

[frustrated_lefty]

9. Thumbs up, Bluebear! ;-)

[mitchtv]

36. while we're at it

let NO drown, sorry calif's money all flows out to the "taker" states

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. Pic of firefighter fighting blaze with homeowners regular lil hose

[puebloknot]

11. Before you gloat.......

I used to live in a "Republican" area of Orange County while I was in college. I'm far from wealthy, and hung on by my toenails, financially speaking, the whole time I was there. I promise you that there are people in the areas that are currently burning who can ill afford to lose everything, and are not insured. Does a wealthy person deserve the loss of everything they earned, just because you perceive their good fortune to be ill-gotten, and bread out of your mouth?

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. the thread starter was being sarcastic, not really gloating over malibu fires.

[Raine]

24. Unfortunately a couple people who agreed

in this thread aren't being sarcastic and they really are that cold. :-( It gets me that many DUers who gloat about the misfortunes of us Californians sure are happy to get all the electorial votes lined up on the Democratic side. It seems they don't mind that many of those Democratic votes come from wealthy liberals.

[demosincebirth]

35. I live in a wealthy area in Ca., and we have many wealthy liberals living here.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. You were around here during the fires?

from the threads that many folks started, she is just saving them the trouble.

She is being VERY sacastic

Granted, should have had the :sarcasm: tag somewhere... but there is a reason that many of us in SoCal
are all but impressed by some fellow DU'ers who were gloating

[Bluebear]

28. (He.)

:)

[puebloknot]

20. Addendum: I, PuebloKnot, do hereby testify that...

...I was logged into DU on my daughter's computer, and she was not aware of it, so this message came from her. We've seen so much of the type of gloating she refers to here at DU that she just reacted, and I stand behind her in that feeling.

When I read the OP, I did pick up the irony in it, but I can understand why my daughter "flashed" when she saw the message. We lived in California, in various areas, for years, and have compassion for anyone losing their homes (as does the OP, I think). We've seen the result of fires, landslides, flooding. It's easy for people to do what my daughter suggests -- gloat -- and say there should have been greater wisdom in where they build their homes. Even some "rich people," however, look at a new subdivision, see a house they like, and buy it, without having the impulse or the capability of knowing whether it might be in a danger zone, for landslides, for example. They depend, as do we "little people," on governmental entities to see that building is taking place in a safe zone.

We could say that, looking historically back over our shoulders, it was unwise to build New Orleans in a bowl. We could tell the Dutch that they wouldn't have had to build all those levees if that had not been so unwise in choosing a place to land.

I often post things that are meant as funny or sarcastic, and then get blasted by someone who thought I was being serious. I used to hate smiles, but I can see that sometimes they have their value.

:toast:

[Puckster]

26. Forgive the initial reaction......

but during the last fires a few weeks back, the rhetoric coming out of the pitchfork and culotte contingent here on DU was decidedly nasty. I have friends who weren't sure if they were going to have to evacuate, and possibly lose everything. And they are NOT wealthy people. So, forgive me if I couldn't tell if you were serious, or being extremely sarcastic. I just am fascinated by how many people think that everyone in CA is rich!

[puebloknot]

38. Welcome to DU, daughter of mine.

This will be fun. You can post your own opinions, and if I agree with you, I'll recommend your messages, and if I disagree with you, I'll put you on "Ignore." Not recommending *my* messages could, of course, have serious consequences! :hug: :toast:

[Hekate]

13. Hopefully we can keep the mean-spirited gloaters segregated here in their own little room

Thanks for setting it up, Bluebear. I'll toss in some tortilla chips and salsa to keep them occupied.

Message to the aforesaid gloaters:

Everyone who lives here knows that fires are our version of tornados, okay? We'll move when you get everyone cleared out of "Tornado Alley," and I mean everyone. The farmers can just commute to work. The trailer-park inhabitants can just stop wringing our hearts with their annual pathetic little scrap-heaps. Are they out of their minds, living in a region that they know will blow them away on a regular basis?

As for all us rich people on the California coast and in the canyons:

For the thousandth time, we're not all rich. Our home prices are inflated past belief, though. Personally, if my husband and I ever get burned out of our modest tract home, we are unlikely to be able to rebuild here, even though we are insured.

For the thousandth time, fires spread and are no respector of rich or poor.

The raw classism and envy of some DUers never fails to amaze me.

Hekate

[Bluebear]

63. 'I'll toss in some tortilla chips and salsa to keep them occupied.'

:rofl:

[Warren DeMontague]

14. How dare you infringe on my right to be petty and spiteful at a time like this.

My doctor says that if I don't put out at least a quart of useless, grousing bile a day, I'm in trouble.

[brentspeak]

16. The gloaters are usually RW trolls working undercover here.

They hate California to begin with, and can't resist with their usual, tell-tale "it was their decision to live there in the first place" comments.

[Warren DeMontague]

17. It's not just Right Wingers who hate California, sadly.

A lot of people seem to.

I think it's jealousy-- and yeah, if I didn't live here I'd probably be jealous, too :D

[Mutineer]

22. I saw a lot of longtime DUers dishing it out

the last time California burned. Sadly, I don't think that some of them were really RW'ers in disguise trolling here. Maybe some, but not all. It was really disheartening to see how many posted and apparently wanted some to lose all just because they had it to begin with. Not everyone who lives in Malibu is wealthy. Not everyone who lives in the fire areas in general is wealthy. Hate is never a positive value no matter who you hate against. Dislike? Yes, certainly, but hate, never.

[Warren DeMontague]

42. I have a lot of friends down in some of those places, and very few of them are "rich".

I agree. It's disgusting. Aint no time to hate.

[brentspeak]

46. You're under the impression that being a "longterm DUer" means someone couldn't be a troll

Quite a few "longterm DUers" have later been busted as trolls.

[ShaneGR]

23. It's completely unacceptable for anyone to cheer the misery of others...

Unless it's George Bush.

[Rex]

25. You've got to be kidding me.

A link to a thread please, I have a hard time taking your word for it (no offense BB).

[Bluebear]

27. Oh my good gravy, I can't search now but I will when I get home later...

the last round of fires had thread ofter thread saying exactly the same vile things. Hard to believe but true :(

[Rex]

40. Trolls

NM. I found a few. WTF!!!

[Hekate]

29. It was bloody awful here a month ago. Raw classism and envy toward people they never knew...

It was unbelievable, and shameful coming from alleged progressives. :-(

Hekate

[KitchenWitch]

30. Author, author!

:hi:

[Berry Cool]

32. Know what I love? I love when people say "I am saving my compassion for..."

and then they proceed to list all the people they are "saving their compassion" for. Namely, people whom they believe have passed some sort of litmus test, devised by them, to determine who "deserves" their compassion and who does not.

Two things I'd like to say to such people:

1. Compassion is supposed to be freely given. You give it because people are subject to misfortune, no matter who they are, what they do or how well they plan to avoid it, and as a fellow human being you feel for them when it happens to them, as you hope they would if it happens to you.

2. There is no need to "save your compassion." Compassion is limitless; no matter how much you give away, you can still feel more of it. That is, unless you yourself have very little of it, and can parcel it out only in small doses. However, if you are such a person, it says far more about you than about those from whom you withhold your compassion.

[mvccd1000]

44. Well said! nt

[blondeatlast]

56. Amen. nt

[gauguin57]

34. Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, lost his house in this fire.

We do have to be sensible about where we build, but I'm still sorry for all those who lost their homes today. I'm so glad no one died!

[orleans]

37. god, at first i thought you were speaking from YOUR heart--and i thought

wtf???

then i started thinking, you can't be serious--then your last line.

whew. glad you didn't mean it.

[Bluebear]

41. You know me better :)

[puebloknot]

39. Those who "tch, tch" over people building a house in the "wrong" place...

...probably also criticize those who drive little cheap rice rockets on the freeway, instead of protecting themselves with tank-like SUVs, which are more likely to guarantee survival in an accident -- if you can afford them. If you can't, I guess you should stay off the freeway, *not* drive to work or to visit your mother.

[blogslut]

43. Sad isn't it?

I live by the Bufferin philosophy. "No headache is small when it's yours"

Other people's pain is still pain. A dose of compassion might not cure but dammit, what if it were you?

[martymar64]

45. In re to the fires in Cal

I tend to blame the developers that do overbuild in the canyons. It is a part of the country where fire is a natural part of the ecosystem. The people that buy many of these houses aren't aware of this fact, because the developer never said anything. Sure, many of these people are wealthy but it isn't just the real estate that is lost, it is a lifetime of personal possessions that is lost. To use Flea as an example. To lose his house would mean to lose family photos, recordings that he may have been working on at home, any awards he may have won, personal items passed down from his parents, grandparents, etc. Just like any of us losing our homes, it the life and memories lost that hurts much worse.

Every part of this world has it's own disasters, fires, flash floods (where I now live), tornados, blizzards, droughts, hurricanes, volcanos. We as a people have to learn to build smarter where we choose to live and that starts with the developers.

[donsu]

47. I've mused on people living in a tinder box - poor to rich

a wk. at least before the current fire, the weather bureau warned of hot dry winds coming and the ensuing fire danger.

how it must feel, there in the tinder box, knowing that in two wks or so you may not have a home but a pile of cinders.

is it a catch 22? all my money is in the tinder box, how can I move? I'm a gambler and maybe I will win against the fire? got insurance, valuable things kept someplace out of the tinder box? housing market catastrophe leaves your house unsaleable?

tinder boxes are stressful to say the least.

[Rockholm]

48. That is a pretty sad comment, IMHO.

[Popol Vuh]

49. How despicable

and ignorant!

You're no better than the Repubs are with respect to all the poor folks who suffered Katrina with the same attitude of "Fuck 'em they're not on my team". Except in this case your ignorance towards their politics shines through.

I find it laughable that on some occasions I've seen members in here brag about how the Democrats, progressives and liberals because most areas in this country with greater wealth are Democrat areas; often citing San Fransisco, Los Angeles and New York City as examples. But as soon as one of the wealthy Democrat areas suffers from a natural disaster here comes the ignorant "my team'ers" spitting on a fellow citizen who's home just got destroyed. All the while not realizing their ignorant asses are more than likely spitting on a fellow Democrat.

Another one of your ignorant statements "land which is not meant to be built on and it's not sustainable". Really? Point out any land to me that was "meant" to be built on. I am not familiar with any land which naturally came with all the infrastructure in place just waiting for humans to come along and build on what was meant to be built on.

I can tell you that the Pacific Palisades suffer far less than those in the Mississippi river flood planes, tornado ally and the hurricane hot spots - so what's your point?

I can tell you what your point is. Its simply a display of your bigotry towards folks who have lucked-out and (in most cases) earned a comfortable life for themselves. The how and who these individuals are doesn't even enter your mind. On the other hand, and the epitome of hypocrisy, I bet you like Hillary Clinton. I also bet if given the chance to live in the Pacific Palisades in a nice home with a nice job, etc., you would. Or if not there other similar places.


Your ignorant righteous indignation belongs in the sewer and not here IMO...


:sarcasm:

[brentspeak]

50. Er, the OP was being sarcastic

[Rex]

51. BB was channeling some people here on DU (trolls)

that think it is okay to laugh at the burning embers of ruined lives in Cali. Surely you knew that.

[Popol Vuh]

52. Actually

since I am not familiar with BB and with an absence of a sarcasm sign, I figured him as one of those who last time were displaying the same attitude towards the other, earlier, fire victims.

I will leave my post up for those folks, but add a sarcasm at the bottom.


Thanks for the clarification..




Peace.
Popol...

[Rex]

53. NP, didn't mean to come of as harsh.

I just learned people (I have a hard time believing it was true DUrs) were mocking those poor souls in Cali for losing THEIR HOMES. Ugh. Sick.

Ya, I will be sarcastic sometimes and just figure it is so obvious that I don't need a sarcasm emo.

Peace.

[Rockholm]

57. Glad that BB was being sarcastic, because...

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=21950613,21949216&pg=4


That would be a sad statement for this gentleman who was burned out.

[Bluebear]

62. 'There, all the work has been done for you folks prone to that kind of talk....

have at it here in your own little thread."

Sorry, I thought that would have been enough of a clue, but I'm glad I gave you a chance to get it all out of your system! :)

Glad to make your acquaintance, pv :pals:

[blondeatlast]

55. Good one, Bluebear--and I see you caught one just as soon as you set the trap... nt

[Bluebear]

61. It took four minutes!

[TankLV]

59. To gloat on others' misfortune is just plain wrong...

And sad, really...

Not all those people are wealthy or rich in your terms...

[Bluebear]

60. Did you happen to read the whole post or did you just skim the thread title?

[UTUSN]

64. I think the o.p. is being "arch". n/t