Red County San Bernardino has taken a detour the last several hours from its usual reports on political editorials or news of a decidedly political nature out of respect for the emergency situation in Southern California - an emergency that has impacted San Bernardino County exceptionally hard.

No mail pieces, campaign press release, or statements from public officials on issues not related to the firestorm have been posted on this website. And no opinion commentary either.

Yet, despite Red County's short political hiatus, the "SB Insider" feels compelled to respond to the opportunistic criticism from politicians on the left who are politicizing the wildfires before the threat of danger has abated. While hundreds of homeowners in Southern California - and especially in San Bernardino County - are just now coming to terms with severe losses and hardship, certain Democratic politicians are resorting to politicizing California's wildfire emergency in order to make a statement against President George W Bush's policy in securing a safe and free Iraq.

Democratic Lt. Governor John Garamendi announced on MSNBC that the emergency response was not adequate enough to fight the wildfires due to National Guard presence in Iraq. "I've got some doubt about the value of President Bush coming here (to witness the fires first-hand)" stated Garamendi. "How about sending our National Guard back from Iraq, so we have these people available here to help us?"

Nice rhetorical question, Mr. Garamendi.

Apparently, Garmendi's adviser on security issues must be the same person who advised him on his two disastrous campaigns for governor (three if you count his day-long 2003 bid during the Gray Davis recall).

If Lt. Governor John Garamendi had actually bothered to check the reality, he would have learned that California is at 85% strength, with 17,000 troops available in California. 3,000 are in Iraq. On top of that, General Blum, that oversees the National Guard, has committed any resources the state needs and when they ask for assistance we're moving them in. General Renuar from NORTHCOM has made the same commitment.

Democratic US Senators Barbara Boxer of California and Chris Dodd of Connecticut (currently a fourth-tier presidential candidate) also made similar comments. Apparently, they all got the same talking points from the communications shop of Democratic Party activist groups.

Not content to let Democratic opportunists be alone in slamming the response to the unfolding disaster in California, disgraced former FEMA Director Michael "Brownie" Brown got in the act. Brown, whose complete and utter catastrophe as a federal emergency leader rendered him a national disgrace and a metaphor for failure, claimed "The White House needs to recognize that we are overstretched and that there is a problem...They need to increase the size of the regular Army and stop relying so much on the National Guard.”

Brownie, see the facts on National Guard troop strength noted above. Once again, in the face of a natural disaster, your actions and words leave you a complete fool. Given your previous undistinguished record as a leader of an equestrian organization - another entity from which you left in shame and disgrace - one must wonder if there is anything Michael Brown can accomplish in a competent manner.

Objective analysis on the federal response to the tragedy comes from - of all sources - San Bernardino County's lone Democratic Congressman Joe Baca, who while dealing with a calamity, decided to take the high road. Rather than join along in misguided political attacks like those from ambitious politicians like John Garamendi or Chris Dodd's hapless presidential campaign, Congressman Baca stated:

"I thank President Bush for his quick response in declaring a state of emergency in the areas affected by the wildfires. In a letter sent earlier today, I asked that he gives all federal support possible, including personnel, equipment, and funding, necessary for a speedy recovery...

I thank the brave men and women on the ground, who continue to fight the wildfires and evacuate those in harm’s way. Throughout the day, I will be meeting with individuals from the U.S. Forest Service to remain as informed as possible on the coordination of federal and local activities. We are working to determine the best possible course of action to prevent further spread of the wildfires, and determine what future steps must be taken to ensure a quick and full recovery for those individuals and families whose lives are affected."