Episode Summary: Making Sense with Sam Harris – Episode #399: The Politics of Catastrophe

Release Date: January 27, 2025
Guests: Rick Caruso, Businessman and Former LA City Commissioner
Host: Sam Harris

Introduction

In Episode #399 of "Making Sense with Sam Harris," titled "The Politics of Catastrophe," Sam Harris engages in a profound conversation with Rick Caruso, a prominent businessman and former commissioner of Los Angeles. The discussion delves into the recent catastrophic LA fires, examining the response, underlying political dynamics, infrastructure challenges, and the broader implications for governance and societal wealth distribution.

Guest Background

Sam Harris (00:24):
Sam begins by inviting Rick Caruso to share his background, establishing his credibility as a seasoned businessman with extensive experience in both the private sector and public service.

Rick Caruso (00:52):
Rick outlines his journey from practicing law to founding his successful real estate business after his firm went bankrupt. He details his early involvement in public service under Mayor Tom Bradley, serving on the Department of Water and Power (DWP) commission, and later as president of the police commission during challenging times, including the Rodney King riots. Rick emphasizes his commitment to both business and public service, highlighting his role in revitalizing the LA police department and reducing crime to historic lows.

Response to the LA Fires

Sam Harris (00:29):
Sam introduces the primary focus of the episode—the devastating LA fires. He lauds Rick's leadership and hints at the significant impact Rick had during the crisis, suggesting that Rick's expertise might have mitigated some of the disaster's effects.

Rick Caruso (06:14):
Rick expresses confidence that, given the right leadership, the response to the fires could have been more effective. He criticizes the lack of preparation, referencing a previous Brentwood fire (06:14) as a missed opportunity to address predictable risks. Rick points out specific failures, such as the removal of a main reservoir during peak fire season, leading to inadequate water supply for firefighting efforts.

“There was a failure of leadership at a lot of different levels and I've been very open about this, including the mayors, to not be adequately prepared.” (06:14)

Infrastructure Failures and Leadership Shortcomings

Sam Harris (05:28):
Sam probes into what could have been done differently, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding and using the opportunity to transform Los Angeles into a resilient 21st-century city.

Rick Caruso (09:15):
Rick elaborates on the infrastructural inadequacies, particularly focusing on water supply issues during the fires. He references the 1961 Bel Air fire, highlighting that similar problems were not adequately addressed thereafter.

“When things are predictable, they're preventable.” (06:14)

Sam Harris (12:10):
The conversation shifts to rebuilding efforts, zoning, and building codes, with Sam questioning whether the fire-affected areas need rezoning or infrastructure modernization.

Rick Caruso (12:25):
Rick advocates for modernizing infrastructure rather than rezoning, suggesting upgrades to power lines, water mains, and street systems to enhance resilience against future disasters.

“…we should have more equipment in LA Fire Department's arsenal…” (16:00)

Private Firefighting Efforts

Sam Harris (15:35):
Sam highlights Rick's successful initiative in saving the Palisades shopping center using private firefighters, raising ethical questions about privatizing emergency services.

Rick Caruso (16:00):
Rick defends the use of private firefighting teams, recounting his experience in protecting the Rosewood Miramar resort during previous fires. He explains that private resources supplemented municipal efforts without depleting public firefighting resources. Rick emphasizes that such initiatives are scalable and could alleviate the strain on public services.

“Had the fire department been properly staffed, nobody would need private firefighters.” (20:05)

Rebuilding and Cleanup Challenges

Sam Harris (23:55):
Sam shifts focus to the extensive cleanup required post-fire, addressing concerns about toxic debris and the logistical challenges of waste removal from the Palisades.

Rick Caruso (24:28):
Rick acknowledges the complexity of cleanup operations, noting that it involves stringent federal and state standards. He expresses concern over the delay in initiating cleanup and the potential health risks from airborne contaminants like asbestos and VOCs.

“I really believe the majority of the people really love that quality of life in the Palisades and that’s what’s hurting them.” (16:00)

Political Implications and Governance

Sam Harris (33:42):
Sam explores the political fallout from the fires, questioning whether this disaster offers an opportunity to overhaul Californian politics towards greater competence and effectiveness.

Rick Caruso (36:55):
Rick agrees, asserting that the fires have shifted public perception towards valuing competence over political allegiance. He criticizes current political factions, particularly socialist groups advocating policies like defunding the police, which he believes exacerbate governance issues. Rick advocates for electing qualified leaders focused on service rather than party politics.

“Competence needs to be married with backbone and courage.” (42:27)

Wealth Inequality and Philanthropy

Sam Harris (49:30):
The discussion transitions to wealth inequality, with Sam expressing concern over societal resentment towards the wealthy and advocating for increased philanthropic efforts.

Rick Caruso (55:32):
Rick concurs, emphasizing the importance of responsible philanthropy. He shares his and his wife's substantial donations to community projects and underscores the effectiveness of targeted philanthropic initiatives like their "Operation Progress" program, which supports education for underprivileged children.

“We give away on average about 20%. I think that’s a very large number.” (62:08)

Sam Harris (58:34):
Sam proposes a more aggressive philanthropic model, suggesting that billionaires could commit a significant portion of their wealth to immediate societal needs without impacting their lifestyles.

Rick Caruso (72:33):
Rick appreciates the idea but warns against the potential pitfalls of philanthropy if not executed thoughtfully. He stresses the need for strategic giving that addresses root causes rather than superficial fixes, advocating for collaborative efforts that empower communities sustainably.

“It’s hard to do it well, and it can have perverse effects if you do it badly.” (59:29)

Future Aspirations and Public Service

Sam Harris (75:18):
As the conversation nears its end, Sam inquires about Rick's future political ambitions, hinting at the potential for further public service.

Rick Caruso (72:33):
Rick expresses a strong affinity for public service, recounting the challenges he faced during his mayoral campaign, including intense political opposition and systemic corruption. While he remains open to future roles, he remains cautious about re-entering the political arena due to the heightened antagonism and systemic barriers he previously encountered.

“What I learned from that exercise, it is so liberating when you’re in a position to make a decision where you’re not worried about the consequence of the decision.” (45:18)

Conclusion

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation between Sam Harris and Rick Caruso, reflecting on the importance of competent leadership, strategic philanthropy, and the need for systemic reforms to prevent future catastrophes. Rick remains committed to his philanthropic endeavors, aiming to inspire others to contribute meaningfully to societal rebuilding efforts.

Notable Quotes

• Rick Caruso (06:14):
  “There was a failure of leadership at a lot of different levels and I've been very open about this, including the mayors, to not be adequately prepared.”

• Sam Harris (12:10):
  “Do building codes need to be changed and zoning change? I mean, we're going to talk about the rebuilding there, but do we have a problem of just density that's unsustainable with respect to some of these areas?”

• Rick Caruso (16:00):
  “We worried about our downtown that we built. And he called me about, I think it was about 10 o'clock and said, we ran out of water.”

• Rick Caruso (24:28):
  “…there has to be incredibly high degree of care by anybody that's cleaning that up.”

• Rick Caruso (36:55):
  “Both of these parties are sort of closed loops, and you just can't run an organization that way.”

• Rick Caruso (42:27):
  “Competence needs to be married with backbone and courage.”

• Rick Caruso (62:08):
  “We give away on average about 20%. I think that’s a very large number.”

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership and Preparedness: Effective leadership is crucial in disaster response. Rick Caruso highlights the importance of proactive measures and adequate preparedness to mitigate the impact of predictable catastrophes like wildfires.

2. Infrastructure Modernization: Updating and maintaining critical infrastructure, such as water supply systems and power lines, is essential to enhance city resilience against natural disasters.

3. Private Sector Involvement: Private firefighting efforts can complement public services, especially when municipal resources are strained. However, sustained investment in public services remains imperative.

4. Political Realignment: The fires may catalyze a shift towards valuing competence over partisan politics, emphasizing the need for qualified, service-oriented leaders.

5. Wealth Inequality and Philanthropy: Addressing societal challenges requires collaborative philanthropic efforts from the wealthy. Strategic, well-executed philanthropy can significantly impact rebuilding and community support.

6. Public Service Commitment: Dedication to public service, as exemplified by Rick Caruso, underscores the importance of resilient and compassionate leadership in fostering community recovery and growth.

This episode of "Making Sense with Sam Harris" offers a comprehensive exploration of the multi-faceted issues surrounding the LA fires, providing listeners with insights into effective leadership, infrastructural resilience, and the pivotal role of philanthropy in societal reconstruction.