In this episode, Gator and Alex sift through what they call an “exceptionally dumb week,” unpacking stories of devastation, resilience, and policy failures. The conversation begins with empathy for communities who have lost homes, memories, and livelihoods to massive wildfires, before broadening into a sharp critique of government preparedness and response. The hosts highlight both the human cost of tragedy and the political blame games that follow. Topics Discussed An “exceptionally dumb week” filled with tragic and bizarre stories Empathy for families losing homes, possessions, and decades of memories The political temptation to blame victims vs. calls for shared compassion Clips of wildfire victims describing their personal losses Government failures in wildfire preparedness and response The empty 117-million-gallon Palisades reservoir during active fires Laws and policies that exacerbated disaster outcomes Parallels with recurring wildfires in Greece and global climate similarities The tension between acts of God vs. acts of government neglect