Disaster and Dishonesty in the California Fires
As a society, we cannot function well if misinformation comes from the President of the United States. If Trump chooses to be ignorant or half-informed on issues, that’s our problem. When he shares false narratives with the public to divide people and promote conservative interests over the public interest, we must call him on it and make sure people know he is misleading us.
The recent fires burning suburban areas of Los Angeles have raised political tensions during widespread property damage and human suffering. Trump used the fire disasters as a wedge issue and to demand that California implement unrelated pro-industry policies. He even demanded that California institute voter suppression laws (voter ID requirements) of the sort that helped him to get elected in swing states. He implied he would withhold federal disaster aid unless his conditions were met.
Whistling Past Catastrophe
Maybe after the endless Russiagate recitations America is experiencing “scandal fatigue” with regard to President Musk, or Trump, or whoever is driving this crazy train. Why else would Trump get a pass on the very real scandal emerging from his first two weeks in office?
When Santa Ana winds made a late appearance early in January and found an abundance of available desiccated vegetation, it should have not been surprising that fires would occur. When they did, bringing enormous property damage and lives lost, prominent conservatives attributed the perceived inadequate response to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. They argued that prioritizing DEI initiatives somehow compromised the effectiveness of firefighting efforts.
L.A. Burning: 2024 Wildfire/Climate in Review
Sunset Boulevard lies in ruins in Pacific Palisades where hydrants ran dry, millions are without power, and authorities say the worst is still to come. Some inhabitants are surrounded by large fires, and over a hundred thousand residents are under evacuation orders. There are at least 1,100 structures lost with tens of thousands more in harms way.