"I'M ASHAMED OF THIS" Interview with a 'copter Wildfire Fighter.

The Lars Larson Show ^ | 8/02/02 | AuntB

[AuntB]

"Where's the rest of the article?"

I'M SORRY! I've been away from here and not posted in so long, the little square seemed logical to check since it wasn't a "complete" interview. ...did not realize what it said when posted.:<( You HAVE to forgive me you know! It's the law.

[Ken H]

In such a situation, the Governor of Oregon should order the USFS folks out and order Oregon fire fighters to get whatever water they need.

It is an emergency, life-saving issue that the USFS has no right to override.

Was the Governor aware of this while it was occuring?

If not, I'd suggest Oregon residents write to him and urge him to get involved.

[Richard Kimball]

For whatever it's worth, get ready for the spin. USFS WILL use their shills in FEMA (remember firefighters have started being federally funded now) to spin that it's those darned lumber companies and clear cutting that's causing the problem.

[AuntB]

Good evening, Good People. Greetings from smokey Southern Oregon.

[AuntB]

Hi, Richard, good to see you. Yes, that spin started a couple weeks ago. It's been hot and heavy especially on NPR. YES, I check out the enemy.....every chance I get.

[AuntB]

Our Governor? Kitzhaber? Mr. Greenjeans? You're not from around here, are you?

Seriously, he's been our biggest enemy. He'd have soon done away with the Klamath Falls farmers as not. And worse. He is crazed by Lars Larson's refusal to back down from the truth. He's out in a few months...term limited, but he's pushing his legacy, big time.

[buffyt]

Da'Asshole is an as*hole. And he has many willing accomplices in media and senate and congress....... He is one sick puppy.

[buffyt]

We often have our share of smoke here in California, too. Good evening to you too!

[AuntB]

Thanks, Punk, you're a doll. I'm calling it a night...going to sneak off and watch John Stossel stick it to the USFS on ABC. Good night!

[swheats]

Please tell me that the "Boss" is no longer in his position.

[Ken H]

Yikes!

Do you think this story will be big enough to rouse the Oregon public?

Or is Green thinking so pervasive that nothing significant will be done?

[Ferris]

Business solves problems where they actually exist...

Government creates problems where they didn't previously exist...

[FireTrack]

Thanks AuntB, not me (I'm from Louisiana) but some of the machines I developed are up there helping out. It's a tracked wildland firefighting apparatus built around surplus M-548 vehicles that cost the tax payers $250,000 dollars each new and were being dumped in the ocean for artificial reefs or used for target practice until we put them to use fighting wildland fires.

So I've had experience trying to work with some of these bureaucrats. Many were good people before the system wore them down. Plus there are still a lot of dedicated and hard working folks out there but protecting ones turf and A$$ seems to take precidence over protecting forests, property and lives.

We have these vehicles all over the US including Northern California, Washington State, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, N.C. and other places.

Btw, it's called a Firetrack... ;-)

I've been pushing for more sophisticated vehicles using the latest technology and for the development of fire fighting units based on this type of equipment with out much success.

Hopefully you folks will get some rain soon. We were all amazed at how early the fire season started this year.

[FireTrack]

I've not had any dealings with him for several years but I suspect he's either still in charge or receiving a nice pension. I'll ask around though... ;-)

[Askel5]

Thanks for the post AuntB. Unbelievable.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...on the fire in Colorado, near Durango, we had 3 aircraft working along a housing development…….. The three aircraft were keeping the fire away from this sub[division]by laying down retardant. The Columbia (another company) aircraft had to leave in about 20 minutes for fuel. They called our aircraft, which had almost 2 hours of fuel remaining aboard, and told us we had to come in because it’s time for [our] 2 ½ hour rest break. Our guys said they didn’t need the break,[ they were used to flying 10 hour days every day] …….they said you come in and land or you’re going to be in violation….….you have to remember, we have to fly 15 or 20 minutes back to the heli-base, shut the aircraft down, stop the rotors and then start it back up again and fly back out…..by the time our aircraft got back out there the housing development was GONE."

SHEEEESH...we really need to get the Feds outta the business of overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of our public lands, but I see nothing but an increase in the amount of acreage under Federal control. These BureaucRATS seem utterly clueless, yet the Senate wants to make it all-but-impossible to fire incompetents and ne'er-do-wells!!

Thanks fer the bump, AuntB, and good luck out there...OpieMUD

[Movemout]

We need to get the feds out of business period. They get in the way of real people and waste our money. We need the military, a few temporary diplomats, some research and development, and minimum regulation in certain areas. Beyond that we need them to go away.

[c-b 1]

I don't think my State Senator McCain would give a darn.

The only way he would care is if it would get him in front of a TV camera.

[Mudboy Slim]

"We need to get the feds out of business period....We need the military, a few temporary diplomats, some research and development, and minimum regulation in certain areas"

No argument here...in fact, you've just described the Founding Father's vision for America as described in the U.S. Constitution.

FReegards...MUD