Watching Donald Trump being included and afforded the esteem as an ex-president at the funeral and celebration of the life of former President Jimmy Carter reminded me of the sign-off of one of America’s great TV journalists, Walter Cronkite, who ended his broadcast with the words “and that’s the way it is…” The devastating fires and, most notably, the recovery in Los Angeles, California, will extend into the incoming Trump administration. Trump, having already entered into the fray with lies and name-calling about California governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the tragedy, is a precursor for a long four years in America’s future. Even before the fires, two acts of terror struck the country’s psyche. When Shamsud-Din Jabbar viciously and callously took the lives of 14 people in New Orleans, the right-wing machine immediately seized upon his name and labeled him as an illegal who had come across the border two days prior.
As it turned out, Jabbar was a citizen who served in the United States Army. “When I said that the criminals coming in are far worse than the criminals we have in our country, that statement was constantly refuted by Democrats and the Fake News Media, but it turned out to be true,” Trump wrote on his fledgling social media platform. As much as one might hate the obscene comparison of tragedies, it is impossible to avoid the thought that Trump believes that Americans who have walked into our public schools and slaughtered our children are less egregious than terrorists driving a truck. What it speaks to is the commonality of evil as opposed to xenophobic fears.
The media, as is its wont, has flooded the airways with the rich and famous who have lost homes and possessions. Tragically, the media treats the catastrophe as if the fires are the backdrop for tearful performances to gain ratings points—missing that their humanity is the real story. Amid the tears, shock, and acceptance of what has happened to the victims of the fire, in steps, the incoming President is lying and creating uncertainty for their futures. Aside from his juvenile habit of name-calling, Trump has accused Governor Newsom of refusing to sign the water restoration declaration. “Governor Gavin ‘Newscum’(sic) refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.”’ Trump wrote.
The problem with his quote is that it has no basis. Simply put, it is another Trump lie. “There is no such document as the water restoration declaration – that is pure fiction,” Newsom communications director Izzy Gardon said in a written statement. “The Governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”
Hold onto your hats, America. Donald Trump was officially sentenced this morning, which makes him a confirmed convicted felon who will be sworn into office in ten days, and that's the way it is…
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