Making Sense with Sam Harris #399 — The Politics of Catastrophe
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Jan 27, 2025 
Sam Harris hosts Rick Caruso, a businessman and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, discussing the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires. They dissect the role of mismanagement in the severity of the crisis and explore the controversial practice of private firefighting. The conversation delves into wealth inequality, the responsibilities of the ultra-wealthy in philanthropy, and the need for competency in governance. Caruso emphasizes the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and critiques the current political landscape's inefficiencies.
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Predictable Disaster
- Rick Caruso predicted the Palisades fire six years prior after a smaller fire in the same area.
- He warned about the 40 years of uncleaned brush between Brentwood and the Palisades, highlighting the predictable, preventable nature of the disaster.
Politicized Departments
- Caruso criticizes the politicization of critical departments like the DWP, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership.
- He points out that past mayoral administrations prioritized expertise over political connections in these roles.
Dry Hydrants
- Sam Harris shares an account from a Palisades resident whose closest hydrant was dry when firefighters arrived.
- This highlights the severity of the water pressure issues during the initial stages of the fire.