By Bear Howard
Sedona, AZ — In the wake of devastating natural disasters, the true measure of leadership is not found in pointing fingers but in rallying collective efforts to address the crisis. Yet, in the United States, particularly in the aftermath of tragedies like the wildfires in Southern California, Maui, and Northern California, the discourse has often devolved into political blame games.
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The far right, along with some mainstream conservative politicians and pundits, has been quick to use these disasters as an opportunity to vilify Democrats and Californian policies, sidelining the urgency of addressing the larger, nonpartisan challenges at hand.
This trend ignores a sobering reality: wildfires, driven by high winds, rising global temperatures, and prolonged droughts, are not confined to political borders or party lines. In recent years, countries like Spain, France, and Greece have faced similarly catastrophic blazes, underscoring that this is a global issue, not a uniquely Californian or American one.
To reduce such tragedies to partisan talking points is to trivialize the hopes and dreams of the countless individuals whose lives and communities have been reduced to ashes.
Consider the destruction of Napa Valley’s renowned vineyards—entire lifetimes of labor and legacy reduced to smoldering ruins. These fires, fueled by relentless high winds and dry conditions, serve as a grim reminder of nature’s indiscriminate wrath.
Yet, instead of focusing on solutions or empathizing with those who have lost everything, some politicians have seized the moment to hurl partisan jabs. Ironically, the only “high winds” worth noting amid such crises seem to come from Republicans and their incessant banter—hot air designed to shift blame rather than address root causes.
The Northern California forest fires, like those in Maui, were driven by extreme weather patterns exacerbated by climate change. These disasters demand a unified response that transcends political affiliations. They require investments in firefighting resources, infrastructure resilience, and long-term environmental stewardship. Yet, instead of championing these shared goals, some use the moment to disparage their political opponents, further polarizing the nation when unity is most needed.
This blame-shifting also overlooks the very real human toll of these disasters. Entire neighborhoods are gone, businesses destroyed, and families displaced. Dreams that took lifetimes to build have been obliterated in mere moments. These losses do not discriminate based on political affiliation; they affect everyone, regardless of their beliefs or ideologies.
Addressing these challenges requires a broader perspective—one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of our planet and the shared responsibility of mitigating its crises.
It means recognizing that wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters are symptoms of a larger problem: a rapidly changing climate. This issue is bigger than any one state, any one country, or any one political party. It demands cooperation, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to solutions that prioritize people over politics.
The path forward must focus on rebuilding—not just physically, but socially and politically. It’s about strengthening the bonds of community and solidarity that disasters like these have the potential to reveal.
While it is easy to engage in partisan bickering, the true challenge lies in coming together to protect the vulnerable, invest in sustainable solutions, and prepare for an uncertain future.
History will not forgive the politicians who wasted precious moments blaming their adversaries while communities burned and lives were shattered. It will honor those who rose above petty divisions to lead with courage, compassion, and decisive action.
Wildfires consume more than homes and lives—they threaten the very bonds that hold society together. Yet in their aftermath lies a stark choice: rebuild stronger, not just in brick and mortar, but in unity, purpose, and resolve. Anything less is a failure of leadership—and of humanity.
January 20 is a new day in America and the world. Let’s see what this new leadership really does when it comes to disaster relief, disaster response, and disaster pain.
No president can avoid such disasters – they are coming, they always do!
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8 Comments
CA does have some over zealous regulations which they realize have hamstrung some of their firefighting efforts . But “raking” billions of acres of undergrowth that fuel fires is a ludicrous ideal that could never ever happen realistically. Even if it were possible it would regenerate before the first “raking” got anywhere near completion. Blaming Newsome for the fires is akin to blaming someone for the sun rising and setting at different times every day.
All good and valid points…..Lets face it, the right wing hate machine takes all the credit, it started with Rush Linbough, and then Fox Noise, and all who follow! It was never like this.
They pit fellow Americans against each other, solve problems that dont exist, lie to keep them angry day after day!
All the fake outrage over silliness, and things that hardly happen. Twist anything to their likings so they foam at the mouth! It is based on bigotry, hate, lies, disinformation.
The whole time the rich and most powerful get their ways, and laws that enrich themselves and walk away from taxes that helps the rest of us.
Its a sad truth of where we are, and it will only get worse as days go by!
Hi Bear, I like your writing and critical thinking! I’m just going to add that hundreds of scientists agree on human-caused climate change as the primary cause of recent disasters, from hurricanes to fires.
As for all the unfortunate political comments, refer to this article: https://theconversation.com/a-century-of-tragedy-how-the-car-and-gas-industry-knew-about-the-health-risks-of-leaded-fuel-but-sold-it-for-100-years-anyway-173395
It’s a great explanation of how ineffectual government can be, how dishonest corporations can be, and how current politicians became so stupid!
Except that your “100s” of scientists Comment was debunked years ago. Not to mention most of what Bear stated.
You ignore the forest service, have idealogs running things, no preventative burring, no fire breaks allowed.
This is NOT POLITICIANS TALKING. THESE ARE THE WILDFIRE PROFESSIONALS.
If you haven’t heard them maybe you don’t know how to access real data and news.
Human climate change? Not hardly. Human political stupidty based on eco terrorists that control Sacramento.
You vote for them, this is what you get.
LA mayor in Africa. Palisades reservoir empty since July. Nobody knew. More fingerpointibg and doublespeak than you can stomach.
Democrats run the show. No one else to blame.
California just spent $50 million to stop Trump. And LA burns. Sorry.
Before Humans discovered California, roughly 4 million acres a year burned. After Humans arrived, it was reduced to roughly 250,000 acreas a year. Now…over the last 4 years, it’s back to the millions.
When you stop mother nature, think you’re smarter than her….this is what you get.
1850 to 2000 CA gained population. Since 2000 largest exodus in population for any state in the country. Left wing lunacy prevails.
Howard and the rest.of you need to get a grip.
“Human climate change? Not hardly. Human political stupidty based on eco terrorists that control Sacramento.
You vote for them, this is what you get.
LA mayor in Africa. Palisades reservoir empty since July. Nobody knew. More fingerpointibg and doublespeak than you can stomach.“
I know I know, the earth is flat, the Orange Felon is the Messiah, JFK is coming back one day any day now, vaccines are bad, contrails make frogs gay and Chyyyner Military Battalions are secretly based in the US ready to do Biden’s bidding! Ha ha ha ha except you’re not funny, you’re bigly sadd and judging from you RASCIST Africa ref for an elected official who hasn’t staged any Treasonous Insurrection, Stolen Classified Materials, Lied and oath or have 34 Felony Counts against him sure makes it clear. I know I know, you’re against DEI, Civil and Equal Rights because Donald told you to do so?
Not Climate Change?
And the hurricane force winds? Decades of drought? A rain/snowless fall and winter?
Nah, nothing to do with Climate Change whatsoever!
And Mayor Bass was sent on an Official White House arranged trip to Africa long in advance of the fires. She returned ASAP to fulfill her Mayoral duties her staff was covering while she was temporarily out of the office just like most politicians who do more than play golf all day everyday like Trump has, does and will.
BTW- millions of years ago there was no sprawling metropolis where LA is located where millions of people are using the water nobody was watering golf courses with like they do in modern times.
“As for all the unfortunate political comments, refer to this article: https://theconversation.com/a-century-of-tragedy-how-the-car-and-gas-industry-knew-about-the-health-risks-of-leaded-fuel-but-sold-it-for-100-years-anyway-173395
It’s a great explanation of how ineffectual government can be, how dishonest corporations can be, and how current politicians became so stupid!“
What unfortunate political comments are your referring to? Truth filled comments are never unfortunate they are just truth! You’re correct every MAGGOT politician since Dump have become factually and historically ignorant especially when it comes to his ignorance and criminality. That’s why there are comments about it. We’ve always had ignorant politicians in both main parties as well as Independents. Dump just managed to one up everyone with his ignorance, incompetence and criminality. He and the MAGGOT Party wish to do away with government oversight and regulation so they can do ignorant things like putting lead back in gas, coal back in power plants and leaky uranium mines throughout the Southwest.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/video/la-fires-damage-is-direct-result-of-bad-public-policy-rep-mcclintock-on-balance/10367063
Some facts that might be appropriate.