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Notable News
Oct. 24th, 2007 08:30 amFrom today's New York Times, regarding the So. Cal fires:
"Roughly 60 Mexican firefighters from the border cities of Tijuana and Tecate crossed into the United States on Sunday to help fight the fires, but they scrambled home Monday when fires broke out south of the border."
I know it's not a selfless thing--international firefighters coming over the border. I'm sure that the idea is also one of self-preservation: keeping the fire contained to the north helps keep it from spreading south. But this small paragraph on their effort struck me this morning. What must it have felt like to be helping strangers in another nation, and then discover you were needed at home?
I've mentioned here (or at least linked to essays where it's said) that some critics of superhero stories say it's unbelievable that people would risk their lives for strangers--that they would embrace the greater good. The writers who answer those critics cite volunteer firefighters as the prime example of people risking their lives for the good of others. So whether firefighters now remind me of superheroes and that's why this struck me or for another reason--I'd really like to hear more of the story behind these Mexican firefighters.
My thoughts are with all of you in Southern California. Stay safe!
"Roughly 60 Mexican firefighters from the border cities of Tijuana and Tecate crossed into the United States on Sunday to help fight the fires, but they scrambled home Monday when fires broke out south of the border."
I know it's not a selfless thing--international firefighters coming over the border. I'm sure that the idea is also one of self-preservation: keeping the fire contained to the north helps keep it from spreading south. But this small paragraph on their effort struck me this morning. What must it have felt like to be helping strangers in another nation, and then discover you were needed at home?
I've mentioned here (or at least linked to essays where it's said) that some critics of superhero stories say it's unbelievable that people would risk their lives for strangers--that they would embrace the greater good. The writers who answer those critics cite volunteer firefighters as the prime example of people risking their lives for the good of others. So whether firefighters now remind me of superheroes and that's why this struck me or for another reason--I'd really like to hear more of the story behind these Mexican firefighters.
My thoughts are with all of you in Southern California. Stay safe!
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