I apologize if I seem as biased as a Berkeley Bear Junior with my dialogue of disapproval of President Donald Trump, but I just find myself constantly baffled by almost everything he and his administration touches (or don’t touch). It’s merely not the case – the atmosphere in the US is extraordinary.
Just over the past several days we’ve come to realize the following: (1) the militarization of the US/Mexico border was a political stunt ahead of important mid-term elections; (2) Trump’s suggestive resolution to California’s wildfire issues proves he’s beyond the levels of Chuck Norris and Brian Boitano in terms of superiority over the average man (sigh) and (3) there are no plans (not even remotely) to even discuss possible solutions to the mass shooting epidemic in the US after realizing its 308th of 2018.
So, what gives with this whole migration of thousands of Mexican nationals marching their way via a caravan to the US/Mexico border? According to who should be the most reliable source of information for American citizens (the President), it was deemed to be an onslaught on the US; an infiltration at the level of a terrorist attack. Thousands of US Military troops were ordered to await the arrival of these migrants and… I guess deter terrorism or, even worse, illegal immigration?
Today, the troops are being told to go home, with the last of them expected to leave before Christmas. This news comes after a showboating display of early migrant arrivals, who climbed and sat atop the border wall to possibly poke fun at the President’s exaggeration over their actions, while over a thousand other migrants sit in limbo due to the legal proceedings to obtain citizenship. All efforts, or at least those recorded on camera, of military troops offering protection to those teetering the border were rejected and met with responses suggesting they (the migrants) were not in fear or danger. As of today, and as I predicted, this entire matter has been exaggerated to fit Trump’s narrative just in time for the mid-term elections.
Now onto the next pressing matter, which also involves California: the horrendous west coast wildfires. Aside from possible irresponsible citizens who will never come forward after throwing out that lit cigarette, what is causing them? The answer is simply climate change and the unknown in dealing with it. 2017 was the hottest year ever recorded in California history. Unfortunately, things didn’t improve as July 2018 ended up being the hottest month ever recorded. I do not understand how it can be denied that the harsh conditions the west region faces has at least something to do with the issues at hand. Given the circumstances, I find it hard to believe the unprecedented level of fires could have been prevented by proactive measures, which makes it even more insulting to everyone involved (federal and local park employees, first responders, victims, etc.) that the President himself would offer the notion that simply “raking” the “floor” of the forests would deter fires from starting. He doesn’t know forest management, and I doubt he’s spent much time in a forest (the woods at the golf course does not count), so why even bother offering a solution at all? We know for a fact he doesn’t accept the word of his most educated advisers. Why not just throw on the diplomacy hat and say the federal government is ready to support solutions and fund recovery? Why am I even wondering why he isn’t being diplomatic?
Last, just throwing it out there… the Mercy Hospital shooting in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, November 19, 2018, marks the 308th mass shooting of the year in the States. Unfortunately, we’re still left with thoughts and prayers to rely on as half the country is too stubborn to even bring forth discussion for solutions (there’s the ole 2nd Amendment issue). Like climate change, this is a matter that deserves factual rhetoric, not just my nonsensical rambling – something to look forward to in the future.
That’s it for me today. I look forward to filling you in on more bad news in the not so distant future (I promise I’m not a negative person…).
