Pierre, il est moi

The main problem is that many in California are ruggedly obstinate about the choice they have made to live with the constant threat of fire. Even state officials who are interested in change concede it could take a decade — and more catastrophic wildfires — before it happens.

“If you’re going to live in paradise,” said Randall Holloman, a bar and restaurant owner in Cedar Glen, which is in an area that has burned twice in four years, “you’re going to have to deal.”

It’s a quintessentially American attitude: rather than be humbled by tragedy or calamity, despite fully knowing the dangers, you piss and moan about it, expect a handout, then insist on not changing a damn thing to prevent recurrence.