National News Roundup: Newsweek says we shine

Newsweek:

It's a long way from over, and the toll is sure to be brutal, but if there is one image that has emerged aside from the horrific wall of fire across southern California, it is of government functioning briskly and effectively in the face of the nation's worst national disaster since Katrina.

Half a million residents have been evacuated from more than a dozen uncontrolled wildfires, 1,500 houses have been destroyed and tens of thousands more are in danger. The stakes couldn't be higher for the Bush administration, which wasted no time in mobilizing the military and sending top officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA director Ron Paulison to California. And Bush is scheduled to visit the fire-stricken region on Thursday.

Yep, response to these fires have been effective and quick. The city banded together to provide services, donations and shelter to all those evacuees who need help. Many props go out to those on Craigslist offering shelter for animals and people alike. Thank you Newsweek for the props, props back to you. Props to everyone (including those offering free massages to those at Qualcomm, props for that for sure.)