Governor Schwarzenegger has a large populous with significant trauma this time

Rachel Whittemore, 17, right, and her mother, Winsome, at Malibu Presbyterian Nursery School.

It was reported the evacuee venues were festive. That is the best venue to emotional recovery from such trauma. There are larger populations involved this time and there will be depression and emotional disorientation to the directions lives will take. Treating these folks as having diminished fiscal resources in support by government to relocate, even if temporary, will provide a smooth transition back to 'normalcy' while they figure out where all this goes from here. A return to a 'sustainable' life will springboard success instead of people left in disarray to depress their own economy and dismantle their return to happiness. I would think a healthy balance between a 'normal' life and recovery of property would diminish the trauma and provide hope.

It is a lot for a Governor and State Legislature to consider. I wish them all well. I don't believe the federal government is much help. Katrina still lingers in New Orleans. The States have to be able to respond to these emergencies nearly autonomously while supporting each other reginally, as the federal domestic authorities are failed and continue to fail the needs of the nation under this administration. Maintaining economies after this level of trauma will be an interesting community dynamics that will bring them out of this tragedy quicker than if they are left to cope alone.





A CDF firefighter is dwarfed by flames along East Grade Road on Palomar Mountain.


The firefighters were dedicated by at the same time had fire dynamics that more than likely took an emotional toll on their ability to protect the public. Many may have lost homes as well. There is potential for changing the technology and the methodology of fighting these infernos. As difficult as this may seem, it may be in realizing there are areas of Southern California prone to this disaster and while living there is a wonderful quality of life, it may not be a sustainable financial dynamic for many families.


At some point, a hard look at the 'realistic' future outcomes has to ensue and 'rebuilding' may be more foolish than prudent. A similar assessment to FEMA hurricane standards and flooding has to apply to areas prone to this tragedy. It is my estimation this could happen year after year as the continued trend in drought provides fuel to such events.


The trend is to drier and drier dynamics and not a return to sustainable biotic conditions. The 'idea' of recovery conservation should be considered in this instance for sustainable movement toward lush biota with desaliation plants and continuous hydration of the topsoil and plant nourishment as a buffer to housing and potential chronic drought. It's expensive.