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https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1291733104059613185

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Feb 5

A brief, politically incorrect thread on why Trump’s proposal for Gaza makes sense. It’s a provocative way to push the Arab world to take responsibility for the Palestinians, rather than the failed approach of placing the entire burden on Israel and the U.S. to compromise. (1/4)

In the early hours after the October 7 attack, many Israelis and supporters of Israel said bellicose things aimed at restoring a sense that there was some kind of deterrent against the genocidal aims of Hamas, when the military deterrent had (for a moment) clearly faltered. (2/4)

In every existential conflict, only mutually assured destruction deters each side from aggression and encourages compromise. Israel’s threat to Hamas — thanks to Biden, and global pressure, and the hostages — was not seen as credible, even as Israel crushed Hamas in battle. (3/4)

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Jan 28

A quick thread on California's water supply issues and the L.A. fires. There is a great deal of confusion on this topic. The 2 concepts are related, but not necessarily in a direct manner. L.A. was not generally short of water; it mismanaged the water supply it already had. (1/9)

Dry, densely-populated Southern California obtains much of its water from wet, sparsely-populated Northern California. It does so through a system of federal & state reservoirs and aqueducts. It also gets water from the Colorado River and, to a lesser extent, desalination. (2/9)

Farmers and municipal water users (household and industry) share the same water sources. In recent decades, the flow has been restricted due to low rainfall and also due to concerns about the delta smelt, the endangered (but easily cultivated) species that Trump talks about (3/9)

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Jan 27

How to return to the Pacific Palisades today, after @POTUS @realDonaldTrump pushed @MayorOfLA @KarenBassLA to let residents back in to see their lots, collect the pieces of their lives, grieve, & start the process of rebuilding. (Thank you, President Trump.) #PalisadesFire (1/10)

1. Enter Lot #3, southbound on PCH in #SantaMonica. (2/10)

2. Show your driver's license with your Palisades address. Wait in line. Enjoy the view. (3/10)

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Jan 9

Palisades Charter High School is largely destroyed and still burning, though the brick structures are mostly standing. The pool may have helped. Students travel here from all across Los Angeles. Other local schools were also destroyed, though I think Seven Arrows survived. (7/15)

Sunset Boulevard is a scene of destruction, including in the center of Palisades — though, notably, @RickCarusoLA’s Village Mall looks largely intact. Caruso’s employees apparently fought the fire themselves. He lost to Mayor Karen Bass in 2022. She was in Ghana yesterday. (8/15)

Firefighters are doing what they can. They appear to be focusing on big fires that are still extinguishable. Police are there to keep people out, except press and emergency personnel. I did not see any looting, but there were some curious onlookers on scooters in the area. (9/15)

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Jan 9

Just got back from a visit to the #PalisadesFire, a little over 24 hrs after evacuating. It is NOT safe & there are active fires as well as live power lines. This is what I was able to see & record. (Note: I will be doing a Space here at 8:00 pm PT to describe more fully.) (1/15)

Much of Pacific Palisades is completely destroyed. The Alphabet Streets; the University Streets; much of Marquez Knolls; some homes in the Huntington; much of the Village (with a few exceptions); the El Medio Bluffs; many public buildings. I could not get to the Highlands. (2/15)

This is what is left of Tahitian Terrace. The burned car reminded me of damage I saw in Israel after October 7 (though the context is different, and no one died in the Palisades). Fires were still smoldering on the ground and the higher reaches of the road looked dangerous (3/15)

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Joel Pollak

@joelpollak

Jan 8

A brief, factual thread about the POLICY issues around the Palisades fire. I will stick to what I know personally. I am covering for @BreitbartNews and available to help @FoxNews, @MSNBC, or anyone needing information and ideas, including the incoming Trump administration. (1/9)

FOREST MANAGEMENT: This is an issue in California generally, but I will say in this IMMEDIATE area I have personally witnessed brush clearance on the trails in the mountains where the fire began. Any hurricane-force wind pushing a fire will be destructive, despite clearance (2/9)

RESERVOIRS: The Santa Ynez Reservoir near the fire outbreak was empty as of Sunday (I was up there). There are 10,000-gal water tanks in the Temescal Canyon for hydrants; don't know if they were full. After outbreak, I doubt whether water could have stopped the blaze anyway (3/9)

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