Writes Mike Holmes:
“Lest anyone claim that the tragic Oakland warehouse fire, which has killed more than 30 young people and counting, was the result of libertarian principles put into practice, the facts indicate otherwise.
“According to published news sources, this “Ghost Ship” warehouse firetrap was supposedly collectively run by the artists and residents but in fact the surplus monthly rent and fees went into the pocket of the on-site manager, who made few improvements and relied on stealing water, trash collection and electricity from neighboring businesses.
Oakland city inspectors had long overlooked this illegal housing/business arrangement, as some former residents tell of living there at least two years ago. After the fire, the city claimed that two months ago it was put on a list of properties to be inspected. It’s not like this “Ghost Ship” project was a secret, as the converted warehouse had huge outside murals and heavy foot traffic (and complaints from neighbors) for years. Regular events and concerts were held in the zoned “warehouse only” building which were advertised on posters and online. This fire hazard continued for years with no interference from municipal authorities, who now lamely claim they knew nothing about it.
“This is how municipal zoning and building codes protected the communist collective in their work/living space.
“The online presence was noticeable per news accounts:
“The Satya Yuga Collective, one of two groups affiliated with the space, advertised it as a location for anyone with an open mind.
“Seeking all shamanic rattlesnake sexy jungle jazz hobo gunslingers looking for a space to house gear, use studio, develop next level Shaolin discipline after driving your taxi cab late at night, build fusion earth home bomb bunker spelunker shelters, and plant herbaceous colonies in the sun & air,” its Facebook page advertised.
“Years of violating municipal zoning and building regulations did nothing to prevent this tragedy. In typical communist fashion, no common sense safety rules or equipment were present and the “collective” was in reality run for the benefit of the guy who collected rent from the tenants. No one from this crazy Utopian artist collective has taken responsibility for the tragedy, naturally. The Ghost Ship manager has subsequently vanished after posting a some self-pitying comments online.
“Of course the SF Bay area is the national headquarters for dreamy, juvenile socialist-communist thinking. Oakland is the most leftwing politically correct city in the country, whose former mayor Jerry Brown is now the state’s Governor, currently running California into bankruptcy.
“Peter Pan style magical thinking just went up in flames. Worship of communism + faith in government regulation = death.”
