I live in the Wine Country of Northern California – known, for now, as “Fire Country.”  Parts of the city I’ve lived in most of my life went up in flames.  Everyone I’ve spoken to knows someone – often many “someones” – who got burned out and lost everything.  I have family who escaped with their lives but nothing else.  I was luckier.  I was without gas for a week.  No heat, no cooking, no hot water.  Comparatively, I can only say, “big deal.”  Layers kept me warm and, in the best Daniel Boone survival tradition, I bought a hot plate, solving problems 2 and 3.  Some people weren’t touched at all.  Well, at least, that’s what they think right now…

People keep using the word “surreal” and I can’t think of a better one.  The fires have been pushed away from the cities and are slowly burning out.  The local media covered every minute of the first couple of days.  Then, the “regularly scheduled programming” began to creep back in.  Now we’re pretty much just a mention each day.  We get our own graphic, ‘The North Bay Wildfires’!  The fires are still burning but the “news cycle” is moving on…

I was struck by the camaraderie being exhibited by most people.  Everyone pulled together for a short time.  All conversations ended with “Stay safe.”  In many ways, the fires brought out the best in many of us.  Many of us – myself included – didn’t know what to do.  We hunkered down, stayed out of the way, and provided shelter to those ordered to evacuate.

The fires will serve as a new “timestamp” on when people came to Santa Rosa.  I can “date-check” people by asking where they were during Loma Prieta or if they know where the old Holiday Bowl was.  This will be a new one.  It will also be a timestamp on when people came to the end of their ropes and were forced out, once and for all.  The way I see it, we have bigger problems looming on our horizon than the fires still burning in the distance.

I mentioned how most people pulled together during the actual emergency.  But the cops caught one asshole stealing a pair of sunglasses out of a burned-out car.  When they investigated, they found equipment that had been stolen from the very firefighters who were working so ridiculously hard to save everybody else’s…everything.  I imagine he just fancies himself a clever opportunist.  Our society has named that kind of a person – “looter” – but it doesn’t feel…strong enough.  Picking through the ashes of other people’s lives to see how HE can profit before the victims of the fire get a chance to see if anything – even a pair of sunglasses – remains from their lives “before” seems, to me, to be among the basest of behaviors.

But at least it’s straightforward.  The next thing I expect we’ll see is the metaphorical “looters.”  Santa Rosa was already struggling to house it’s citizens, for example.  Now we’ve lost thousands of homes.  Rents are going up; more “clever opportunists.”

One of our supervisors, Susan Gorin, pointed out that Sonoma and Napa counties are tourist destinations meaning, they create jobs – but they’re low paying jobs.  The people who work those jobs were already struggling to make ends meet.  We already have a huge homeless problem here.  Now…rents will go up.

Supply and Demand, right?  Simple Capitalism.  Demand for housing has soared, the price for housing should be expected to soar with it.  Eventually, Capitalism dictates, “the market” will balance everything out.  SO many people will be forced out, not enough people will be seeking housing so the prices will drop.  It’s true.  I guess we’re just supposed to ignore the wreckage the process leaves in it’s wake.  This kind of thing is my strongest argument for a “living wage” law.  In my mind, actual realities always outweigh economic theory…

Civilized people know the Capitalists are going to take advantage so laws intended to prevent price gouging are in place.  One can’t raise prices more than 10% in the aftermath of the emergency.  But a sudden 10% increase on top of an already overpriced rent right after your job has been burned out just guarantees the pain keeps coming for most.  Oh, and the gouging laws don’t prevent someone from accepting offers over the 10% threshold.  That means people with resources will simply outbid workers for available housing leaving those with the least – literally – out in the cold.  THEN, the next “area review” of prevailing rents will build in those increases – all legal and proper.  Income inequality in action…

There are, of course, laws of Physics working against us as well.  A house can only be built so quickly.  Again, I imagine people with resources will get theirs first.  But leaving low paid workers to fend for themselves is going to have a ripple effect on the two counties – and so the entire north bay itself – for, perhaps, years to come.

The fires might well represent a timestamp but they also represent a “last straw” for many.  Housing will simply be unavailable and if one does find a place, it will be too expensive.  Workers in the area will have no choice but to “evacuate”…again.  This time, MUCH farther away and this time…permanently…

Aside from the living wage I mentioned earlier, I don’t have a solution on offer.  The current state of our once-great nation doesn’t provide for those who fall between the cracks and it seems the entire goal of our economy, these days, is to force as many people to fall between the cracks as possible.  “The Land of Opportunity” is increasingly becoming a “Land of Desperation.”  Until the fires, it’s been a bit of an abstract reality to me.  Now I’ll watch it play out in real time with real people’s lives.

I’ll tell you this: Surviving the actual flames in no way indicates one has survived the fires…

I’m going to need a ruling on this from the NRA.

Does the Las Vegas shooter get to keep his title for record killings in one shooting event (not associated with a military operation) or is he going to be disqualified for modifying his semi-automatic weapons into full auto, thereby giving himself an unfair advantage previous shooters haven’t had?

I’ve currently got it scored as him getting full credit for the record – he DID do the shooting, after all – with a special achievement award for the modifications.  Apparently, it’s not all that tough to do.  If you know how, semi-automatic weapons can be modified into fully automatic…but one has to do the work.  You HAVE to do the work…

Ho hum.  Just another responsible gun owner exercising his 2nd Amendment rights.  At least 50 dead, over 400 injured, a new “high score”!  Fortunately, the shooter was white so we don’t have to worry that it may have been a terrorist attack.  (C’mon, how could using semi-automatic weapons to rapid-fire from the 32nd floor into a crowd of 22,000 be “terrorism”? )

Fear not, NRA…I know NOW is NOT the time to discuss gun control…

I’ve got to tell you – well, no, I don’t HAVE to tell you, you haven’t even asked – but I’m GOING to tell you: I don’t know who Megyn Kelly’s audience is supposed to be.  People know who she is.  They know she used to be one of the shining stars of Fox “News”, the flagship of the conservative bubble.  The conservative bubble, of course, conditions it’s adherents to self-isolate and never, ever watch “mainstream media”.  Then, she leaves Fox “News” and moves to NBC?

Did she expect to take any part of her audience with her?  That would involve the unpardonable sin of tuning in mainstream media.  Did she (and NBC) think she could build a new audience, as though she hasn’t spent the last thirteen years contributing to the culture wars – representing the wrong side?

So…if thinking people won’t respond to her because of her known association with truth-twisters and her old (often, VERY old) audience won’t risk infection by tuning in NBC, who’s going to watch?

I’ll tell you this: NBC is paying her very well.  They’ll be patient as they try to recoup some of that “investment.”  They’ll try her in different situations and different roles; morning show host, “news” magazine host, that sort of thing.  Promotions will be heavy on the “she’s apolitical, now” bit but I suspect she’ll never build much of a following and by…let’s say…January of 2018, NBC will realize they’ve made a mistake and cut their losses.  I, for one, will not be sorry to see her go…

The trend on this thing has gotten out of control and we seem to be losing the overall point.  After much consideration, I realized I was part of the problem and I intend to correct that right now.  I mean, it’s been unfair.  It’s such an…humiliating debasement…I mean, really insulting.  Nobody deserves that.  SO…as of this moment, I hereby swear (or affirm) that I will no longer play along.  No matter what, I refuse to support the notion that my conservative brethren are nearly as stupid as they’re pretending to be.

You’re welcome…

See, I know that YOU know the #takeaknee protest is about rogue cops getting away with killing defenseless people – mostly, people of color.  I ALSO know you’re aware that taking the actual opposite position – no, it’s okay that cops kill defenseless people, so long as they mostly stick to people of color – is what used to be called a “heavy lift”…rather a tough sell.  SO…if you’re going to oppose a position for no reason other than it seems to be a progressive position – and you are – you have no choice, really, but to change the subject.

To that end, I’m forced to offer hesitant congratulations.  This whole “disrespect the flag” bullshit has proven to be a successful pivot.  But when one really thinks about it, it means you have to bring dishonor to your name and your family by pretending your wee tiny brain is just not up to the task of comprehending the complex nuances behind objecting to rogue cops getting away with killing defenseless people – mostly, people of color.

It’s got to be embarrassing, pretending you don’t grasp the details of the protest because of when and where it takes place.  After all, when protestors block a highway during the commute, do you assume they’ve done so because they don’t like the highway?  No, you don’t.  You know better.  And you know better than to accept that this protest has anything to do with the flag or the National Anthem.

Besides, I don’t believe your newfound dedication to country, either.  Conservatives have been heaping scorn, hatred, and disrespect – REAL disrespect – on the government of this once-great nation ever since that traitor Reagan introduced you to the idea that the scariest words in the English language are, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”  (I’m guessing the Texicans and Florides are holding their tongues for the moment but I have high confidence they’ll be back as soon as the government has bailed them out.  It’s the conservative way…)

Of course, conservatives LOVE the flag more than just about anything – even as they continue to build their own personal armories for that ‘inevitable’ day when they have to take up arms and violently overthrow the government their beloved flag symbolizes.  See why it doesn’t track for me?  NOBODY disrespects the American government as energetically, as enthusiastically, as conservatives.  Nobody…

So now that the distraction has been eliminated we can get back to the real conversation at hand.  I think allowing rogue cops to get away with killing defenseless people – mostly, people of color – is a bad thing.  And YOU no longer have to pretend your opposition has anything to do with anything other than your support for cops killing defenseless people of color.  Again…

You’re welcome…

I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing but when one writes a blog, there’s nobody to tell them what to write or when.  Nor are there editors to tighten the narrative or catch spelling and usage errors.  Good and bad.  The truth is, I don’t limit myself in subject.  I might write about anything at any time.  But, if you’ve read much of my work, you would have to agree I focus on politics.  A LOT.  So it seems strange that, after all this time, I’ve failed to address the single most important political question in the western world.  It’s the question on every person’s lips – and I’ve written zilch on the topic.

It hasn’t been an oversight, so much.  I’ve even known that sooner or later, I was going to weigh in.  We all have opinions.  According to Francis Bacon (no relation) the sheer number of opinions stands as testament to the number that must be wrong.  Still, I’ve been hesitant to say, partly, because it involves a prediction.  I’m MUCH better at matching history with current events and extrapolating from there and we’re simply not in far enough to know for sure.  But after much consideration, and I mean a ridiculous amount, I’m ready to take a position, bold and outlandish as it may seem.  So, as they say, here goes nothin’…

I think Tyrion Lannister is going to end up on the Iron Throne.  I expect that statement received one of two responses: one, “Who, on the what?” and two, “TYRION?!?” (It’s even said with the two question marks and the exclamation point.)  If you’re in the ‘who on the what’ crowd, this essay probably isn’t for you.  You’ve got seven seasons of catching up to do and I may introduce spoilers.  But if you DO know what I’m talking about – and which civilized person in the western world doesn’t – allow me to explain WHY I expect Tyrion to “win” the Game of Thrones…

I’ve heard people opine that Peter Dinklage is the best actor on the show.  I don’t know if that’s true.  Sure, he’s VERY good but he really benefits from a great role.  His is the most fun and probably the most fun to write.  But if your character is supposed to be a pent up, play-it-close-to-the-vest type, NOT being so broad as an actor or likeable as a character actually IS great acting.  Tough call.  Too subjective.

As it happens, my hypothesis began with a simple observation: Peter Dinklage, the actor who portrays Tyrion, always receives top billing.  Okay, so…not ALWAYS.  Season One stands as an outlier but even then he received what might be called “highlighted billing.”  So, let’s talk about actors for a moment.

I’m not one.  Nor do I play one on TV.  I’ve known some – but the local kind, not the kind whose agents argue with producers about credits – or even the kind with agents.  So, consider yourself fully engulfed in the wonderful world of theoretical speculation.  One of the things I think actors seriously think about is billing – where their name appears in relation to where everyone else’s name is going to appear as the movie or TV show begins.  For the actors, it’s a matter of importance – meaning, if you get top billing (your name appears first) you’re the most important.  But there’s a nuance to that – the “highlighted billing” I mentioned before.  (I imagine there’s an actual name for the practice in the industry but as I’ve indicated, I’m not in the industry…)

In Season One, several actor’s names appear…then, “and Peter Dinklage”.  He’s the only one of the top names to receive anything that sets him apart, as it were.  …”AND Peter Dinklage.”  Beginning with Season Two and from then on, Peter Dinklage is the first name to appear on the screen as the credits begin.

Show runners know the actors are going to bitch about billing.  Through the years, they’ve come up with several tricks to reduce the tensions such concerns can create.  Maybe they list the actors in order of appearance.  Sometimes the actors are listed alphabetically.  Sometimes, it all comes down to who’s the most famous and let the bickering begin.  I think the show runners from ‘Game of Thrones’ have been using the “importance to the story” technique – telling us all along who wins…

As an example, in the early seasons, Sophie Turner – who portrays Sansa Stark, had to share billing with two other people.  Sansa wasn’t critical to the story at the time.  NOW, in Season 7, she’s the Lady of Winterfell…and ‘Sophie Turner’ appears alone during the credits.  Maisie Williams, playing Arya Stark, still shares billing with others.  Arya’s definitely moving into more of an…enforcer role…not bound for the Iron Throne…

So that’s it.  THAT’S what started me down this thought path.  Peter Dinklage receives top billing.  BUT…if you go back and watch the series again (and you should), you’ll notice that Tyrion keeps gaining experience running cities and states.  People keep mentioning how good he is at it.  He’s smart.  He’s diplomatic.  He knows when to work with enemies and when to fight.  He’s brave but concerned with the plight of the lower classes.

I know…there are some obvious problems with my hypothesis.  Daenerys Targaryen and her nephew, Jon Snow, for one, er two – and the aforementioned Sansa Stark.  I suspect Daenerys and Aegon (Jon’s real name) are going to end up back in the east screwing their hot little Targaryen brains out and Sansa will continue as Wardeness of the North.  Everyone else of consequence is – or soon will be – dead.  Jaime, I think, is going to end up Hand of the King to Tyrion.

I’ll tell you, I don’t really know HOW those last few contenders are going to play out.  Tyrion Lannister on the Iron Throne is the only REAL prediction, here.  But I think he’s going to make a great king of Westeros…

Look, I have no problem with the idea that Hillary cashed in with a book.  Who among us wouldn’t, given the opportunity?  And, having determined to take the money, she had to write SOMETHING.  I DO wish she had written about something more innocuous.  Maybe a children’s story, ‘The Bad Little Candidate’.  I don’t know, maybe throwing gas on the fire between Progressives and Democrats seemed like the right idea in the moment.  She has a lot of those – things that seemed like a good idea in the moment for which she has to offer mea culpa later.

Then again, maybe now IS the time to get it out there.  If it’s a fight we’re going to have – and, apparently, it is, perhaps it better to have it now and get it out of the way.  Each side has staked out their position.  Progressives are stating quite clearly that they need a party that represents Progressive values.  Democrats are stating quite clearly that the Democratic party is not that place.  I have to admit, I don’t understand the Democratic thinking on this.

We already have a party that kowtows to corporations and rich people, the Republitarians.  Why would the Democrats think a second party with the same message will do well?  Do they really think the lack of racism is the key?  I guess, if I had to choose, I would agree that inclusive oppression is marginally better than racist oppression but the operative word, here, seems to be “oppression.”

The Democrats are STILL trying to convince someone other than themselves that “more of the same” and “incremental baby steps” is the right message in an environment where people can’t earn enough money to take proper care of their families.  But the masses are getting angrier.  Hell, even the party loyalists are angry, they just refuse to indict the Democrats along with the Republicans (because…loyalists) so they point their fingers in any and every other direction hoping something will stick – then they get furious when someone points out the flaws in their collective thinking.

I’m sure Hillary’s book will do well.  Democrats will go out and buy three copies each to ensure the book does well.  They’ll all nod in agreement.  Darn Bernie.  Darn Putin.  Except for the parts that weren’t, it was the perfect campaign.  Hillary did make one point I found illustrative.  Bernie isn’t a Democrat.  She’s quick to add that she didn’t mean that as a smear…like not being a Democrat could be a smear.

But I realized she had accidentally revealed the underlying reason for the DNC to get busy tinkering with the outcome of the primary: Bernie isn’t a Democrat.  See, if you’re in the party, the party can dictate terms.  You’ll do as you’re told or you’ll lose funding and other kinds of support.  But Bernie isn’t in the party.  He doesn’t need them and he doesn’t need their funding.  If the party can’t control the candidate, he might just do something that benefits Americans – even though it may not be in the party’s best interest.  Can’t have that.  Party first!

Apparently, we now live in an era where benefiting Americans is not an option.

I’ll tell you this: I wonder how many more “elections” the Democrats are going to have to lose before they realize that parroting the Republicans does them no good.  I also wonder where the hell Progressives are going to go in the meantime…