Lightning kills couple at Arizona national forest overlook

Yet another reminder that lightning kills.

Arizona wildfire tragedy claims 19 firefighters

In what may be the largest loss in Hotshot history, tragedy struck Sunday night as officials confirmed that 19 Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters were killed while battling the Yarnell Hill wildfire that has consumed over 1,000 acres.

The news brings to light the heartbreaking reality of fighting dangerous western wildfires.

The local Fox affiliate reported more about the fire:

The wildfire was likely caused by a lightning strike Saturday night.

The Yarnell Hill fire, about 35 miles southwest of Prescott, has burned about 1,300 acres and forced the evacuation of 50 homes.

The fire started Friday and has not yet burned down any structures, but Sunday night firefighters pushed the blaze back away from communities, hoping to keep the blaze from overtaking any homes.

Reports are that a flashover killed all 19 even though they deployed their fire shelters.

It is reminiscent of the July 2, 1994, wildfire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, also known as the South Canyon fire, when 14 Hotshots were killed. It, too, was started by a lightning strike. Firefighters were trapped when winds shifted in the extremely rugged terrain.

More details about the breaking Arizona fire from USA Today. Prayers for the families and friends of those who were lost.

Calmer voices speak out after Palin Facebook video flap

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

It is interesting the way the left pores over every word and phrase used by conservatives while allowing liberals to get away with saying just about anything as long as they are in agreement with the liberal thought.

The latest case in point is the huge hypocritical outcry over Sarah Palin's use of the phrase "blood libel" in her Facebook video responding to those who placed blame for Saturday's shooting tragedy in Arizona squarely at her feet. The aftermath of that shooting finds Congresswoman Gabrielle Gibbons still in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head while other injured bystanders continue to recuperate, and funerals take place for the six innocent Americans who were killed in the shooting rampage including nine-year-old Christine Green.

The Anti-Defamation League spoke out against Gov. Palin's video comments with national director Abraham Foxman stating, "... we wish that Palin had not invoked the phrase 'blood libel' in reference to the actions of journalists and pundits in placing blame for the shooting in Tucson on others. While the term 'blood libel' has become part of the English parlance to refer to someone being falsely accused, we wish that Palin had used another phrase, instead of one so fraught with pain in Jewish history."

Now in response, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has written an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal giving the background on the Jewish use of the terminology "blood libel" and then explaining why Gov. Palin is, in his opinion, correct in using the phrase. The danger in this and any circumstance, he emphasized, was blaming innocent parties:

To be sure, America should embrace civil political discourse for its own sake, and no political faction should engage in demonizing rhetoric. But promoting this high principle by simultaneously violating it and engaging in a blood libel against innocent parties is both irresponsible and immoral.

Donald Douglas at the American Power blog noted that Jonah Goldberg has also backed away from the knee-jerk reaction immediately following Palin's video with an article in National Review:

Palin did exactly what her detractors claimed she both must do and couldn’t do: give a grown up, mature statement.
...
As for the “blood libel” flap, I’ve decided to ratchet down my already very modest objection to the term. While I still think it would have been better had she not used the phrase, so much of the criticism of it is in bad faith. Her intent was honorable and her point was right.

Douglas concluded by noting, "Before folks in Tucson even knew what happened the progressive-left erupted with despicable allegations of Palin's complicity to murder. It doesn't get more sick than that, and as Goldberg's walk-back indicates, some in the conservative Jewish community may be realizing that criticisms of Palin only work to embolden those who aren't their friends."

The rhetoric is sure to continue but at least calmer voices are beginning to weigh in about an event that was the act of a disturbed gunman, not political discourse.

Byron York: "Amid crises, Obama declares war -- on Arizona"

I sent emails to Virginia U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner asking them to speak out against President Barack Obama's desire to sue the state of Arizona. The President wants to use American tax money to sue an American state.

As The Washington Examiner's chief political correspondent Byron York was thinking along the same lines:

Even if it didn't have so many other fights on its hands, it would be unusual for an administration to align itself against an American state. But that's precisely what has happened. Soon it will be up to the courts and voters to decide whether Obama's campaign against Arizona will succeed or fail.

Will voters still be paying attention when that time rolls around?

Predictable

ACLU, NAACP, and Other Groups File Suit Against Arizona's SB 1070, writes Donald Douglas at American Power.

Predictable. And right on time....