San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Sends Strike Teams To Napa

Following an emergency declaration from Governor Jerry Brown, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has sent two strike teams to Northern California to assist in battling the wildland brush fires that are devastating the region.

Monica Munoz, spokeswoman for the department said, "We received a request to send two Strike teams to Napa. They will leave today (Monday). We backfill their work shifts with overtime staff so there is no change to the level of service for San Diegans."

San Diego Cal Fire resources are also loading up to deploy.

Only Incumbent Independent Gov. Receives Major Endorsement in Re-Election Bid

DENVER, COLO. –– The Centrist Project announced today its endorsement of incumbent independent Governor Bill Walker of Alaska, who is running for re-election in the 2018 election.

“Governor Walker represents the very best of what it means to be an independent by consistently putting the long-term interests of his state ahead of any partisan or special interest,” said Nick Troiano, Executive Director of the Centrist Project.

War and Peacebuilding in the 21st Century: The 5-Point Doctrine

We, the People are wiser than warfare. Acting on that wisdom requires specific, coordinated action. Our choice as a nation and for our shared planet starkly confronts us with a future of eternal warfare or an age of peacebuilding.

I approach the topic of conflict resolution as The Government Mechanic -- a strategic planner diving into complex problems to find the vision and strategies for a solution, the roadmap and timelines for change, enduring mechanisms of coordination, and the right measurements to track real progress.

The Crisis of American Politics: What's Gone Wrong and What Needs to Be Done

American politics is self-evidently in a state of crisis. The nation is producing terrible political leadership. Government is paralyzed. Political polarization is ripping American society into two warring camps.

The above assertions will be almost universally recognized as the truth.

But when we ask about the source of the crisis, that’s when the agreement breaks down. That’s when we fall back into our states of partisan rage and blame the other side.

Poll: Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts Vulnerable to Independent Challenger

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (R) begins the 2018 election cycle with lukewarm political standing and may be vulnerable to a strong challenge from an independent candidate.

According to a recent survey of likely voters in next year’s election -- commissioned by independent gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Bob Krist's campaign -- more voters are inclined to support someone new for governor than say they would re-elect the incumbent.

Media Should Advocate for Peace, Not Push for Ratings

The horrific Las Vegas shooting will undoubtedly be recorded in the history textbooks as one of the most tragic events in early 21st century history. Any loss of life for any reason is tragic, regardless of the cause.

Yet, the manner in which this occurred, the senselessness of it, and the apparent trend this type of killing has become leads us to question multiple aspects in our society.  The most prevalent of these is, “should there be greater control?”

However, while we can all agree on a certain amount of regulation, it may not be the right question.

Princeton Study: Future Presidential Elections More Likely to Look Like 2016

Data scientists Vinad Bakthavachalam and Jake Fuentes have published this study of the Electoral College. They estimate that in future U.S. presidential elections in which the popular vote margin between the two leading candidates is 3% or less, "over 30% of elections in the next century are likely to select a President against the will of the majority of voters.

Thanks to Justin Levitt for the link.