First they hear about the fire. The news reports say it is getting closer, that destruction is likely. Yes, but that only happens in the movies, doesn’t it?
This time, no. This time it’s real.
Now they can see the flames in the distance and the distance is measured in smaller and smaller increments. Now they know they must do what they have been told to do – evacuate – leave their homes – leave the places where no matter how bad a day they’d had, this was the place where they could always come back to – where it had always been comfortable – where it had always been safe.
Now they panic, as anyone would. They grab what they can. They have never even thought about something like this, so they have no idea what to grab. Maybe they get some important papers. Maybe not. Maybe they get some valuables. Maybe not. Maybe what they consider valuables no one else would. But they are valuable to them. They realize, sadly, that it is impossible to grab everything.
And then they leave. As they drive away they don’t let themselves believe that they will never see their homes again. They want to believe that they will be back. But somewhere in their minds, they know it’s possible that they won’t.
And then they see the pictures. It was not only possible, but it happened. What used to be their safe and happy place is ashes. It’s dust. It’s gone. The pieces of a life are cinders.
Now the panic turns to confusion. What do we do? Where will we live? My children? The confusion turns to sorrow. They need help. They need comfort.
From where can their comfort come? From Orange Julius? From the one taking the job to look out for everyone in times of trouble? Will he understand their grief and give them aid?
Not a fucking chance.
Instead, our Orange Julius has chosen to jump on the opportunity to do what he does best. He attacks. He lies. He feeds on fear.
He attacks. In this case, Democratic officials. He calls Governor Newsome a “stone-cold incompetent.” That accusation does nothing to ease any pain.
He lies. He claims that Biden has left FEMA with no money. In fact, Biden recently increased their budget by an additional 29 billion dollars. This lie does nothing to put roofs over people’s heads.
And he increases the fear. He threatens to withhold federal aid from California if the Governor doesn’t obey him. This does nothing to calm a crying child.
Two pictures. Los Angeles, the unimaginable catastrophe. Orange Julius, the unimaginable Presidency.
We were right 
I continually fight off the urge to succumb to feelings of helplessness but, truthfully, I have no idea how to combat the hopelessness of facing four more years of this despicable waste of humanoid existence. I so much want to feel like a Proud American but this country is rapidly devolving into “shit-hole” territory. Knowing that small pockets of sanity like yourself are still around is little comfort because there just doesn’t seem to be enough of us. Watching Zuckerberg and Bezos and their ilk succumb is further depressing; you’d think that they have enough “F.U.” money but … there never seems to be enough. smh
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Thanks for your compliment. I will show it to my wife as proof that I actually am sane.
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I wish you good luck with that but I’m hesitant to believe that she will take the word of some anonymous internet commenter over her daily personal experience. 🙂
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It’s depressing to know that we have to endure this piece of shit for 4 more years. It will feel more like an eternity. But we can’t give up. Democrats have to be loud and clear in pointing out every insane, corrupt thing he and his minions do and say.
When he fails to accomplish all that he boasted about during his campaign, maybe some will wake up to the fact that they’ve been conned. Then again, maybe not. They’ve been so brainwashed that they won’t be able to see it or refuse to see it in no small part thanks to Fox “news” and the wild world of the un fact checked internet.
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