Thread by @Desiree_Duffy

Thread coming:

1/16 I live in #California and while not in harm’s way of the #CaliforniaFires, I empathize. Yesterday while driving to the post office, I heard on the radio about the people who died in their cars because they couldn’t make it out in time.

2/16 I teared up in front of the post office worker, it just freaking hit me while we were chatting. People burned alive, not because they ignored an order to evacuate, but because the fires were simply that fast.

3/16 The kind postal worker and I shared a moment—talked about loved ones and friends affected. She shared how her husband was helping people in their nearby community.

4/16 Later, on social media, I saw how so many I knew were offering to help, giving news and updates, pulling together, and being awesome human beings to each other.

5/16 Unifying compassion in a time of tragedy is what gives me hope in humanity. The POTUS, is what gives me disgust.

6/16 He may as well be fiddling while California burns.

7/16 People are dying, losing their homes, firefighters and law enforcement are putting themselves in harm’s way, and he blames Californians? He makes it political? He threatens to take away federal funding? For what?

8/16 As @Tedlieu points out, Federal agencies own most of the forest land in California. The state only owns 2%. Trump CUT funding to the forest management budget. So, by his logic, Trump’s administration is responsible.

9/16 But here’s another truth, these AREN’T “forest fires”.

“Mr. President, with all due respect, you are wrong. The fires in So. Cal are urban interface fires and have NOTHING to do with forest management. Come to SoCal and learn the facts & help the victims,” @PFA809

10/16 But hey, if you want to make it about Federal Funding, then let’s compare dependency. Turns out, California rate #39 in dependency on Fed Tax dollars. tinyurl.com/FedTaxDepend

11/16 As a matter of fact, blue states are less dependent on the Federal Government than red. 20.17 average rank compared to 33.55 average rank.

12/16 Here’s another surprise—there are Republicans in California! Lots of them. We might be blue overall, but there are plenty of red areas here. We gave ya’ll Ronald Regan, remember?

13/16 But this makes me think—how could any true Republican still support him after that comment? I mean, he’s willing to cut funding to Republicans, TOO, just because they happen to reside in a blue state.

14/16 Will he do the same to you if there’s a disaster in your blue county? In a blue city? He is giving a big FU to people who voted for him, donated to his campaign, supported his policies, all to “stick it to California” like a petty child.

15/16
So, as you fall asleep tonight my fellow Americans, ask yourself, what happens when the disaster happens near your home?

16/16 Will he turn on you, too? Will he spew lies on Twitter about your disaster? He’s done it to Puerto Rico, now California, the only question is, which Americans are next?