[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Bush Administration andthe Department of Homeland Security did a better job of responding tothe southern California wildfires than they did to HurricaneKatrina—but not by much. While kudos are given to GovernorSchwarzenegger and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders for a quick response, the federal government was apparently slow to send out firefighting aircraft, instead preferring to stage phony press conferences at FEMA.

Congress is almost certain to override President Bush’s veto of a $23-billion water billyesterday, which includes funds to shore up California’s levies,reports the Contra Costa Times. Bipartisan support for the bill hasbeen strong, as it which would provide money for water projects allover the country.