Smoldering Embers, Scared Politicians

Candidates scramble to fix blame for the Los Angeles fire storm

THE COUNT MIGHT YET GO HIGHER: SOME 200 OF THE nearly 2,400 injured might succumb, and cleanup crews might find more bodies in burned-out buildings. But the death toll, currently 53, already certifies the Los Angeles riots as the bloodiest in the U.S. in at least 75 years. And the embers from more than 5,500 fires still smolder, metaphorically -- as George Bush found out touring the riot areas last week. His guardians were so concerned for his security that they would not tell TV crews what route he would take, lest live coverage draw hostile demonstrators. But some showed up...

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