1
00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:01,601
And finally, New Rule.

2
00:00:01,668 --> 00:00:04,470
We not-- may not be able
to do much about the weather,

3
00:00:04,537 --> 00:00:07,574
but we do need a better plan
for putting out a burning city

4
00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:09,041
than waiting for rain.

5
00:00:09,475 --> 00:00:10,709
(AUDIENCE CHUCKLING)

6
00:00:10,776 --> 00:00:12,478
America is so partisan now

7
00:00:12,545 --> 00:00:15,515
that even when there's
a disaster of any kind,

8
00:00:15,715 --> 00:00:18,551
so many people choose
to defend their own team,

9
00:00:18,718 --> 00:00:19,752
even over death.

10
00:00:20,053 --> 00:00:22,589
A lot of Democrats in this
one-party state this week

11
00:00:22,655 --> 00:00:24,590
went right to,
"Don't blame politicians,

12
00:00:24,657 --> 00:00:26,159
you can't do anything
about the wind,"

13
00:00:26,892 --> 00:00:28,594
which is exactly half true.

14
00:00:29,028 --> 00:00:30,663
-The wind part.
-(AUDIENCE CHUCKLING)

15
00:00:30,763 --> 00:00:32,699
Yes, fire is
a tough fight out here.

16
00:00:32,799 --> 00:00:35,701
And yes, global warming
absolutely makes it worse.

17
00:00:35,768 --> 00:00:38,071
(INHALES) But that's largely
out of our control.

18
00:00:38,304 --> 00:00:40,039
What are we gonna do?
Pass a ballot measure

19
00:00:40,106 --> 00:00:42,108
to make sure
Chinese stop burning coal?

20
00:00:42,709 --> 00:00:45,144
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

21
00:00:45,211 --> 00:00:47,547
It's also, yes,
undeniably true

22
00:00:47,647 --> 00:00:48,881
that L.A. is built

23
00:00:48,948 --> 00:00:50,950
in a stupid place
to build a city.

24
00:00:51,017 --> 00:00:53,753
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

25
00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:56,689
But when it's not on fire,
it's really quite lovely.

26
00:00:56,822 --> 00:00:58,458
(AUDIENCE CHUCKLING)

27
00:00:58,525 --> 00:00:59,759
And it's my home.

28
00:01:00,260 --> 00:01:03,729
And stupid as its origin may be,
it's not going anywhere.

29
00:01:04,296 --> 00:01:06,666
 Axios ran a story
on how getting the water

30
00:01:06,732 --> 00:01:08,835
out of the hydrants
in Pacific Palisades

31
00:01:08,901 --> 00:01:11,137
was more complicated
than it seems.

32
00:01:11,237 --> 00:01:12,271
I'm sure it is.

33
00:01:12,638 --> 00:01:14,274
I'm sure it's very complicated.

34
00:01:14,340 --> 00:01:16,476
That's why I pay 13 percent
of my income

35
00:01:16,542 --> 00:01:17,743
in this state every year

36
00:01:17,810 --> 00:01:19,545
to people
who I assumed were working

37
00:01:19,612 --> 00:01:20,713
on things like this.

38
00:01:20,780 --> 00:01:27,720
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING, CHEERING)

39
00:01:32,458 --> 00:01:34,660
When asked why so many
of the hydrants

40
00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:36,262
in the Palisades
ran out of water,

41
00:01:36,328 --> 00:01:38,531
Governor Newsom said,
"The local folks are trying

42
00:01:38,598 --> 00:01:39,665
to figure that out."

43
00:01:39,732 --> 00:01:41,634
Yeah, you gotta do that
before the fire.

44
00:01:41,701 --> 00:01:47,506
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING, CHEERING)

45
00:01:47,606 --> 00:01:49,809
At least in the Palisades,

46
00:01:49,876 --> 00:01:51,444
the hydrants were still there.

47
00:01:51,511 --> 00:01:53,279
Three hundred other ones
around the city

48
00:01:53,346 --> 00:01:55,781
are just gone, stolen for parts.

49
00:01:55,848 --> 00:01:57,717
(INHALES)
One of the three reservoirs

50
00:01:57,784 --> 00:01:59,318
for the Palisades was offline

51
00:01:59,385 --> 00:02:01,688
at the one time of year
when it was most needed.

52
00:02:01,754 --> 00:02:03,756
(INHALES) L.A.'s mayor,
Karen Bass,

53
00:02:03,823 --> 00:02:06,291
the Nero of American politics,

54
00:02:06,358 --> 00:02:08,861
was fiddling in Ghana
while the city burned

55
00:02:08,928 --> 00:02:10,262
and later placed the blame on,

56
00:02:10,329 --> 00:02:12,198
"Eight months of negligible rain

57
00:02:12,264 --> 00:02:14,133
and winds
that have not been seen in L.A.

58
00:02:14,199 --> 00:02:15,702
in at least 14 years."

59
00:02:16,703 --> 00:02:18,237
Yeah, that's not
that long a time.

60
00:02:18,838 --> 00:02:20,072
Maybe look in the history books

61
00:02:20,139 --> 00:02:23,109
to see how our ancestors
handled it back in two and 11.

62
00:02:23,176 --> 00:02:29,849
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

63
00:02:33,619 --> 00:02:37,256
The mayor said about cuts
to the fire department's budget,

64
00:02:37,322 --> 00:02:39,091
"There were no reductions
that were made

65
00:02:39,158 --> 00:02:41,094
that would have impacted
the situation."

66
00:02:41,594 --> 00:02:44,364
The fire chief here
had a slightly different take.

67
00:02:44,430 --> 00:02:47,567
She said, "We are screaming
to be properly funded."

68
00:02:47,634 --> 00:02:49,435
-(AUDIENCE CHUCKLING)
-And yes, the budget was cut,

69
00:02:49,501 --> 00:02:52,371
"and it did impact our ability
to provide service."

70
00:02:52,438 --> 00:02:54,340
And by the looks
of all the fire engines

71
00:02:54,407 --> 00:02:55,841
in the boneyard out of service

72
00:02:55,941 --> 00:02:58,377
because we didn't fix them,
she's right.

73
00:02:58,944 --> 00:03:05,885
-Expo-- (CHUCKLES)
-(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

74
00:03:07,954 --> 00:03:10,956
Exposed power lines
keep causing fires

75
00:03:11,023 --> 00:03:13,693
and keep not getting
buried underground

76
00:03:13,759 --> 00:03:15,295
because it's expensive.

77
00:03:15,361 --> 00:03:17,697
I've heard people say,
"Do you wanna pay more taxes

78
00:03:17,797 --> 00:03:19,131
to fund this?" No!

79
00:03:19,331 --> 00:03:21,266
I want you to use
the exorbitant taxes

80
00:03:21,333 --> 00:03:23,369
you already collect
to prioritize it.

81
00:03:23,436 --> 00:03:30,176
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING, CHEERING)

82
00:03:33,278 --> 00:03:36,015
The power lines
that cut through Topanga

83
00:03:36,082 --> 00:03:39,118
weren't upgraded
because it endangered

84
00:03:39,652 --> 00:03:42,321
an herb, the milkvetch,

85
00:03:42,454 --> 00:03:44,857
which sounds like something
they serve at Passover.

86
00:03:44,924 --> 00:03:49,461
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

87
00:03:49,995 --> 00:03:53,398
I mean, talk about not seeing
the forest for the trees.

88
00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:55,334
You know what
the absolute worst thing

89
00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:56,836
for the environment is?

90
00:03:57,136 --> 00:03:58,237
Wildfires.

91
00:03:58,537 --> 00:04:02,875
A '22 study found that the smoke
from just the two in 2020

92
00:04:02,942 --> 00:04:04,944
wiped out 18 years

93
00:04:05,177 --> 00:04:07,079
of carbon reduction
in the state,

94
00:04:07,146 --> 00:04:09,948
which means we suffered
the pain of driving

95
00:04:10,015 --> 00:04:12,351
those early model Priuses
for nothing.

96
00:04:12,418 --> 00:04:19,392
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

97
00:04:21,594 --> 00:04:22,995
LARRY WILMORE: Oh, man.

98
00:04:23,061 --> 00:04:25,498
California is the place
that spends money

99
00:04:25,564 --> 00:04:27,733
and gets nothing, which is why
you may have noticed

100
00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:28,901
when the fires broke out,

101
00:04:28,967 --> 00:04:30,870
no one escaped
by high-speed rail.

102
00:04:30,937 --> 00:04:37,744
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

103
00:04:40,079 --> 00:04:42,982
We have the highest
marginal tax rate in America,

104
00:04:43,048 --> 00:04:45,151
higher than
almost all other states,

105
00:04:45,251 --> 00:04:46,618
and soon Greenland.

106
00:04:46,752 --> 00:04:51,423
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

107
00:04:51,490 --> 00:04:53,960
Uh, what is included for that?

108
00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:55,027
Breadsticks?

109
00:04:55,094 --> 00:04:56,895
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

110
00:04:56,962 --> 00:04:59,231
Because it clearly
doesn't cover fire.

111
00:04:59,331 --> 00:05:00,900
That's government's job.

112
00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:05,004
Protect us from crime,
violence, theft, fire.

113
00:05:05,071 --> 00:05:08,007
I'm not saying Alabama
would've done better with fires

114
00:05:08,074 --> 00:05:10,109
by fighting them
with prayer in school.

115
00:05:10,209 --> 00:05:12,912
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

116
00:05:12,978 --> 00:05:14,113
But look me in the eye

117
00:05:14,179 --> 00:05:16,248
and tell me anyone
could have done worse.

118
00:05:16,515 --> 00:05:18,818
We just got our ass kicked
by fire,

119
00:05:18,885 --> 00:05:21,220
something Neanderthals
fought to a tie.

120
00:05:21,387 --> 00:05:23,756
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)

121
00:05:23,823 --> 00:05:26,525
The good news is
our fire chief is a lesbian.

122
00:05:26,792 --> 00:05:33,700
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

123
00:05:36,435 --> 00:05:38,571
Am I against a lesbian
being chief?

124
00:05:38,671 --> 00:05:39,671
Of course not.

125
00:05:39,771 --> 00:05:41,473
Do I think a lesbian
can do the job?

126
00:05:41,540 --> 00:05:42,608
Of course I do.

127
00:05:42,675 --> 00:05:44,744
And maybe she's the best person
for the job.

128
00:05:44,810 --> 00:05:47,879
Or maybe they really wanted
a lesbian in that job,

129
00:05:47,946 --> 00:05:50,516
and she's just
the best lesbian for the job,

130
00:05:50,582 --> 00:05:52,050
and with essential services,

131
00:05:52,117 --> 00:05:53,319
that's not
good enough.

132
00:05:54,219 --> 00:05:56,022
Crowley's official bio says,

133
00:05:56,122 --> 00:05:58,690
"Chief Crowley leads
a diverse department,

134
00:05:58,757 --> 00:06:00,859
creating, supporting,
and promoting a culture

135
00:06:00,926 --> 00:06:03,429
that values diversity,
inclusion, and equity

136
00:06:03,495 --> 00:06:04,963
while striving to meet

137
00:06:05,030 --> 00:06:07,433
and exceed the expectations
of the communities."

138
00:06:07,499 --> 00:06:10,769
Well, you didn't exceed
my expectations...

139
00:06:10,836 --> 00:06:13,239
-(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
-...was that the--

140
00:06:13,305 --> 00:06:15,641
Which was that the whole city
wouldn't burn down.

141
00:06:15,908 --> 00:06:18,911
But it's telling that diversity
is mentioned twice

142
00:06:18,978 --> 00:06:20,646
before we get to "while."

143
00:06:21,414 --> 00:06:23,782
"While striving
to meet expectations."

144
00:06:23,849 --> 00:06:25,952
Now, can you do two things
at once?

145
00:06:26,018 --> 00:06:28,787
Yes, but it matters
where your head is.

146
00:06:29,421 --> 00:06:31,991
Deputy Chief Kristine Larson
said this.

147
00:06:39,398 --> 00:06:42,368
Which would sound kind of racist
if a Southern sheriff said it.

148
00:06:42,468 --> 00:06:46,906
-(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)
-So...

149
00:06:51,443 --> 00:06:54,814
So we should be
sending White firefighters

150
00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:56,982
to White houses
and Black ones to...

151
00:06:57,449 --> 00:06:59,719
Who teaches people
this bullshit?

152
00:06:59,785 --> 00:07:01,787
No one cares
what someone looks like

153
00:07:01,887 --> 00:07:03,856
when they're pulling you
out of a burning house.

154
00:07:03,923 --> 00:07:10,696
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

155
00:07:13,198 --> 00:07:14,833
Larson also seems to believe

156
00:07:14,900 --> 00:07:18,203
that if a female firefighter
can't pick up a man,

157
00:07:18,370 --> 00:07:19,572
it's his fault.

158
00:07:19,806 --> 00:07:22,942
She said, "He got himself
into the wrong place

159
00:07:23,009 --> 00:07:25,077
if I have to carry him
out of a fire."

160
00:07:26,078 --> 00:07:28,180
Well, tell that to these guys.

161
00:07:28,714 --> 00:07:30,415
'Cause who pays
the highest price

162
00:07:30,482 --> 00:07:33,919
when politicians
don't prioritize basic services?

163
00:07:34,186 --> 00:07:36,856
The first responders are heroes

164
00:07:36,922 --> 00:07:38,858
who every time
go above and beyond

165
00:07:38,925 --> 00:07:42,060
because they have to,
because we leave it all to them.

166
00:07:42,861 --> 00:07:45,430
Now, is wokeness
the main reason for the fires?

167
00:07:45,497 --> 00:07:46,365
Of course not.

168
00:07:46,432 --> 00:07:48,700
But it's also
not wrong to associate

169
00:07:48,767 --> 00:07:51,870
some of the unforced errors
our government made

170
00:07:51,937 --> 00:07:55,141
with the things normies
see as hallmarks

171
00:07:55,241 --> 00:07:57,042
of uber-progressive politics.

172
00:07:57,209 --> 00:07:59,145
Questionable budget priorities.

173
00:07:59,245 --> 00:08:01,380
High taxes that get you nothing.

174
00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,049
Making everything
about identity politics.

175
00:08:04,216 --> 00:08:06,251
Virtue signaling overseas

176
00:08:06,318 --> 00:08:08,921
instead of tending to the nuts
and bolts at home.

177
00:08:09,188 --> 00:08:12,257
Cali has no shortage
of safety commissions

178
00:08:12,324 --> 00:08:15,627
and agencies and bureaucrats
and regulators, and of course,

179
00:08:16,094 --> 00:08:19,365
sign language interpreters
who communicate with their face.

180
00:08:19,431 --> 00:08:26,272
-(INHALES)
-(AUDIENCE LAUGHING, APPLAUDING)

181
00:08:27,473 --> 00:08:28,541
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Whoo!

182
00:08:30,709 --> 00:08:32,278
But common sense?

183
00:08:32,345 --> 00:08:34,146
We better get some
of that back soon,

184
00:08:34,213 --> 00:08:36,282
because wildfires in California

185
00:08:36,749 --> 00:08:38,684
are like boob jobs
in a strip club.

186
00:08:38,751 --> 00:08:39,852
-Inevitable...
-(AUDIENCE CHUCKLING)

187
00:08:39,918 --> 00:08:41,554
...and they're only going
to get bigger.

188
00:08:41,687 --> 00:08:43,823
♪ ("REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER"
THEME MUSIC PLAYING) ♪