One year ago, we were recovering from the worst wildfires in Texas history. We were exhausted, worn down, and worn out...but we were not beaten. Although we would continue to nail "hot spots" for the next several days, the worst was over --for now.

I remember thinking shortly afterwards how the fires had helped bring the community together.

Oh what a difference a year makes.

One year later, the community is more divided than ever. The churches sit mostly bare, except for the ultra pious who have successfully chased the unwanted congregants from the pews. Neighbors do not speak with each other, and a marshall goes through town writing tickets for offenses that were not committed, including school zone violations that take place after the school zone speed limit had expired.

The council is a group of unapproachable citizens who use their bully pulpit to harass and intimidate people that they don't want in this little town. The fire department has similarly purged its membership rolls of those it didn't want on in the first place, its ranks bolstered by the publicity brought on by the wildfires.

In short, people's hearts have done what the wildfires couldn't. They've destroyed the town. And, unlike the wildfires, that's a destruction you can't stop with a torrent of rushing water.