If that is the way things are in California, I feel bad for Californians in need of help. I can assure you that is NOT the way things work in Illinois.

I won't go down the overly-worn Katrina rut. The Coast Guard, National Guard, and scores of other rescuers (one of my fellow assistant Scoutmasters - a fire fighter paramedic - was one of them) that were involved in Katrina busted their butts and are all heros in my book.

Yeah, there are stories of SAR activities that weren't perfect, but I'll put my life in their hands anytime. End of story.