No one called 911
It has been reported that neighbors of the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock noticed smoke and flames coming from the building a half hour before they called the fire department. Apparently they assumed that because an alarm was sounding the fire department would automatically respond.

I can understand that assumption because they respond when the fire alarm goes off at our church building. The city made us install a monitored fire alarm system -- but apparently had not gotten around to putting such a system into their own building. Perhaps that was coming with the renovation that was in process.

Still, if most people see smoke and fire -- regardless of any alarm sounding they will call the fire department -- at the very least to advise them of what to expect when they arrive. And if fire fighters don't show up in three or four minutes most people will be back on the phone trying to figure out what is wrong. But to wait a half hour? Something doesn't add up.


Online newspaper registration doesn't make sense
The information gleaned can't possibly make up for lost advertising revenue. At least one paper has figured that out.


Punch out the preacher
There are certain preachers that I'm tempted to whack, too. I'm not saying that it's a good idea or that it is right. But I can understand the temptation. Ouch (video)