What if? It's the basis of many stories. We ask. We ponder. We wonder.
On Tuesdays I throw one out there. What if? It may be speculative. It may stem from something I see. It may be something I pull from the news.
Make of it what you will. If a for instance is not specified, interpret that instance as you wish. And if the idea turns into a story, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements 😉
You might have heard that Los Angeles is on fire. According to the weather report (I'm writing this on Sunday), more Santa Ana winds and red flag conditions are expected this week. Which means things are likely to get worse (even though things are getting slightly better as of Sunday) before they get better.
And so...
In our current political climate, I had a thought...
What if the federal government refused to provide disaster aid to areas they declared "the enemy", even though they are part of the country?
This isn't very far-fetched. Last time a certain president was in charge, he wanted to deny California aid for fires. He only relented when it was pointed out that that particular county was pro him.
(I'm too lazy right now to go looking for links for this. It happened. I'm going to be very cranky if anyone has memory-holed this and claims it didn't happen.)
For the moment, I'm far enough away from the fires to not be in danger. I hedge this as with continuing dry conditions and winds returning, it is possible that new fires could pop up at any time. And I don't want to tempt fate. It ain't over until the winds are gone and our humidity rises.
I wouldn't be surprised if he tries this. I have to trust there are still enough principled GOP to stop him. CA may need help now, but it gives more to the federal government than it receives, so if they want to cut off CA, let CA cut them off.
ReplyDeleteI believe you, and I'm not looking for it either! "Memory-holed" is a great phrase! My brother does it.
Sadly, it's started. The Speaker of the House has already said he wants to tie strings to California aid. Like, yesterday.
DeleteThe blue states funded hurricane relief for red states without strings attached. The blue states also drive the economy of this country. Trump and his puppet Johnson are idiots.
DeleteThat would be just wrong. And no, I don't believe the incoming administration would do such a thing. They have too many issues to fix in this country to get into such pettiness.
ReplyDeleteOh, you deluded fool. All they are is petty. And it's already started.
DeleteIt's going to happen. Whether he succeeds, it will depend on the American people, and there are enough people out there with like beliefs.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fema-fires-employee-who-told-workers-to-avoid-helping-trump-supporters-after-hurricane
ReplyDeleteYou know PBS leans far left. I also know President Trump isn't perfect. ~nods~ Seriously, best wishes on staying safe from the fires burning LA. The tragic losses and damage could have been lessened via established and effective forest management. Be well, my dear.
DeleteWhat are you talking about? Forest management? In neighborhoods? We had very dry conditions and hurricane force winds. A simple spark, and whoosh. This was climate change driven. We were under red flag warnings.
DeleteThe article says the employee got fired for that. Because they should be. What I'm worried about is when the shoe's on the other foot and how my people are going to be targeted. Because it's already happened. Last time. Only, the guardrails held.
The guardrails are gone. They're after me and mine. I'm in a blue state. Watch them vilify California. Oh wait. They're already doing it. Forest management... Pfft.
This scenario would make a great story of neighbors banding together and writers did it well with the series "Colony". I still recall the opening scene. :D
ReplyDeleteTrump just pisses me off.
ReplyDeleteIf California was red state. He would lean over backward.
I will be glad when this night mare is over.
I remember that. Wasn't that when he made the infamous comment about raking the forests? Has he ever been in a forest? And So cal has brush that burns not forests. I remember he also has made a claim that no water needs to reach the ocean of the Columbia River, that it could all be piped to California. Which raised the ire of many including me. He has no idea how fast the vegetation grows here. Think spring and having to mow a lawn twice a week, it grows so fast and then think underbrush grows like that. You cut it down, it grows right back. You have to dig out the roots to stop regrowth of Oregon understory vegetation. Want to keep that under control with a rake? Anyhow, I talked with my neighbor today about the same thing, wondering if Oregon will get cut off from federal aid simply because its a blue state. I think you have to bow down, pledge loyalty not to the country, but to him, to gain favor. Just look at all those rich tech people rushing to gain his favor so they can make more money. Its mind blowing and super pathetic I might add.
ReplyDelete