From the instant she strode to his podium for that unexpected handshake, Harris commanded the stage. That audacious move wasn’t mere theatrics—it was a power play that left Trump visibly shaken.
Trump, caught flat-footed, never regained his balance. It was a masterful opening salvo in what became a relentless 90-minute assault.
On abortion rights, Harris was ruthless. She attacked Trump’s support for Florida’s extreme six-week ban, exposing how dangerously out of touch he is with the American mainstream.
She branded him the architect of an all-out war on women’s autonomy, tying his Supreme Court picks directly to Roe’s demise.
Trump’s fumbling defense only cemented the image of a man hopelessly behind the times, flailing against the tide of public opinion.
When it came to defending democracy, Harris was equally harsh. Trump’s attempts to downplay January 6th as an overzealous protest sparked by Nancy Pelosi (?) were as unhinged as the man.
Harris painted a searing picture of Trump as nothing short of an existential threat to American democracy, while positioning herself as its last line of defense.
Harris wasn’t perfect. On the economy, she stumbled. Inflation is still a key issue, and her answers lacked the personal connection many voters crave. She spoke in policy terms instead of directly addressing the financial struggles Americans are facing.
Trump, ever the populist, took advantage of this weakness to push his narrative. Harris will need to tighten up her message on the economy moving forward
But on the issues that mattered most—equal rights, body autonomy, respecting the democratic process—Harris crushed him. She framed herself as the protector of rights and the Constitution, while Trump struggled with claims he tried — and tries still — to bring them down.
And, finally, Americans got to see a face other than that of a doddering white man on a presidential debate stage.
Los Angeles County Fire Department primarily uses the Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters to fight wildfires, including Tuesday’s at Lake Balboa. These are advanced, specially modified versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter.
Key features of the LA County Firehawk include:
Water capacity: They can carry up to 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters) of water or fire retardant.
Quick refill: They can refill their tanks in about 60 seconds using a retractable snorkel.
Multirole capability: Besides firefighting, they’re equipped for rescue operations and can transport firefighters.
Night flying ability: They’re equipped for nighttime operations, which is crucial for round-the-clock firefighting efforts.
Speed: They can travel at speeds up to 160 mph, allowing for rapid response.
The process you’re witnessing is called “snorkeling” or “drafting.” The helicopter hovers low over the water surface, lowers a snorkel or pump, and fills its tank in a matter of seconds. This allows for rapid refilling and return to the fire site.
Lake Balboa, being a reliable water source in the San Fernando Valley, is frequently used for this purpose during wildfire events in the Los Angeles area. This strategy allows firefighters combat fires in urban or wildland-urban interface areas where traditional ground-based firefighting might be challenging.
