By Mike Bibb

The Three Stooges - Curly, Moe, Larry - CBS News

The allure of California was once a magnet for industry and others seeking opportunity, beautiful landscapes and pleasant weather conditions.

Those fascinations went up in smoke in the mid-January wildfires as people came to realize they've been deceived by the illusions of the state's ruling progressive Democrat Party.

A firmly embedded institution for decades.

Now, people understand Democrats are no more qualified to govern than the Three Stooges — an old Hollywood slapstick comedy movie team.

With one main difference, the Three Stooges provided society humorous, inexpensive entertainment without a constant infusion of wacky political misbehavior.

That can't be said of today's California politics. It's ignorant, expensive and . . . deadly.

Not funny or cheap. Resulting in a steady exodus from the Golden State.

As ash and embers slowly cool from the $70 billion inferno (or whatever the figure actually turns out to be) — costliest disaster in United States history — folks are naturally wondering how such a tragedy could happen. What, or who was responsible for the catastrophe?

The most popular explanation coming from the state governor and mayor of Los Angeles is the wildfires were caused by a combination of excessively strong wind conditions, dry vegetation, drought and sparked by an unknown ignition source.

Four separate but related incidents that have been natural California features forever. Long before gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill or Pasadena became home of the Rose Bowl.

Humans have been dealing with fire since they could walk. Also, monumental sized fires — like Los Angeles — have had an infrequent occurrence.

Nevertheless, they happen from time to time.

That's why people soon figured out the best way to fight fire was take steps to prevent it and establish a counterforce to extinguish it. The accepted rule "First, put out the fire," is of primary importance. What follows usually explains the success or failure of the mission.

Both procedures work reasonably well, and about as good as we can do, until the basics of prevention and
controlling fire is hampered in some way.

Apparently, politics, and all the mischievous intrigues and disguises often accompanying it, can become a hazardous impediment.

Which seems to be the case in the current California fires. Epic mismanagement by the custodians of California's government eventually spawned a perfect storm of immense proportions. As the winds wailed, several fires were burning out of control at the same time — destroying everything for miles around.

News reports have indicated L.A. fire department budgets have been reduced in order to contribute additional financial assistance to other interests. Equipment maintenance declined as did a lack of personnel to repair or replace faulty vehicles and related apparatuses.

There was insufficient water in L.A's utility system to provide adequate suppression. That, in turn, meant numerous fire hydrants were dry.

This scenario was the result, allegedly, of nearly empty water reservoirs because melting winter snow and rain run-off was diverted instead of being collected.

Consequently, firefighting was handicapped by a lack of resources.

As a result, conditions continued to get worse and more difficult to contend with.

Finally, local municipalities were previously advised to expect strong wind conditions and prepare for it.

The combination of the above events resulted in an absolute failure of governance to protect property and citizens from a calamity of unimaginable size and destruction.

Why?

Southern California, and its millions of inhabitants, have annually dealt with fires. What made January 2025 any different?

Well, it's beginning to look like years of liberal policies, loopy environmental overreach and an angry Mother Nature finally collided in one big head-on crash.

To date, Mother Nature appears to have suffered the least. L.A. property and citizens, not so much. It will take many years to clean up and recover from the flames.

Inevitably accompanied by expensive litigations, property foreclosures and bankruptcies. Courts will be inundated with claims and counter claims.

Unlike flood and wind damage, fire is a terribly unforgiving demon. Water recedes and winds eventually calm, but the results of fire often result in total devastation — for property, life and human spirit.

In a state already financially challenged, burdens of the L.A. fires add to the realization a dramatically different approach to managing its civil and fiduciary affairs is in urgent need. When offices of government are in disarray and not performing in accordance with their mandated responsibilities, it's time to toss the botched leadership and replace it with more responsible coaches.

Presently, there is a cry for the mayor of L.A. to resign. Similar demands are being made on the governor, various city council members and department officials to remove themselves. Due to incompetency and failure, their futures look bleak in government work.

Whether or not they quit will depend upon integrity and egotism. Gov. Gavin Newsom has withstood a few recall efforts, including one during his COVID mismanagement.

Remember, he's the same governor who nearly shut down the state, imposed numerous restrictions, including "social distancing" and facemask compliance, but was later filmed enjoying an expensive dinner at a high-end restaurant, sitting close to other participants while everyone was maskless.

The "Rules for Thee, but not for Me" philosophy was in full view.

Just as odd, the Mayor of Los Angeles was in Africa when the fires erupted. Not sure what part of her job has to do with events in that area of the globe. Especially, when her hometown was ablaze on a completely different continent.

Placing hypocrisy aside, I would imagine the political scene of California is about to go through a major realignment. The L.A. fires may have been the tipping point.

Cal residents may finally realize the Dems suffocating chokehold has been pried loose by the uncomfortable reality of a state in decline, guided by the inept and clumsy bungling of their own leaders.

At least, one would hope so.

There's a lesson to be learned here: We've seen what Blue has done, maybe it's time to give Red a try.