Hurricane Honcho Heads Out

Choice tidbits from the Los Angeles Times interview with departing National Hurricane Center chief Max Mayfield, whose 34-year federal career ends today:

• On the inevitable next big hurricane: "We're eventually going to get a strong enough storm in a densely populated area to have a major disaster. I know people don't want to hear this, and I'm generally a very positive person, but we're setting ourselves up for this major disaster."
• On the federal role in disaster response: "You don't want the federal government to be your first responders. The government can't do everything for people and it shouldn't, or else you create a culture of dependence."
• On the possibility he might run for political office: "Oh, good gosh, no! That is just not my thing."