Victor Davis Hanson Dares to Say That Everyone Else Is Silent About...

Victor Davis Hanson delivers a searing critique of the systemic failures behind the Los Angeles fire catastrophe, connecting the dots between bureaucratic incompetence, ideological rigidity, and the collapse of foundational systems. Hanson frames the disaster as a "systems breakdown" reminiscent of historical collapses, arguing that Los Angeles is a microcosm of what happens when ideology trumps merit and empiricism.

The fires, Hanson explains, reveal a multi-faceted crisis: an overregulated insurance industry abandoning Californians, decades of neglecting water infrastructure, and a loss of fire management skills honed by past generations. Yet, at the heart of the disaster is what Hanson identifies as the destructive impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, where appointments based on ideology rather than competence have crippled key institutions.

Hanson dissects the consequences, from a utilities chief unable to justify water shortages to fire department leaders prioritizing identity over operational readiness. He challenges the taboo surrounding legitimate lines of inquiry—whether discussing the role of homelessness in sparking fires, questioning green policies’ impact on forest management, or critiquing the ideological bias that silences truth-seeking.

This is more than a local crisis; it’s a warning for all of society. Hanson calls for the return of open inquiry, free speech, and meritocracy as essential to preventing future disasters. Until we can confront issues without ideological blinders, Hanson warns, Los Angeles is only the beginning.