Our First Evacuation: The Rogue Valley Firestorm Came Like a Freight Train

The Rogue Valley firestorm, 2020

Pandemic diary
Day 178

Dear Diary,

Thus far in 2020, everything has been surreal - like something out of the apocalypse or the Bible describing the End Times. I'm know I'm being dramatic... but damn it, that's how I feel.

My wife for 46-years and our five animals - two dogs, and three cats - were forced to flee from our house in Medford, Oregon when strong winds carried wildfires through the Rogue Valley like a freight train.

A wildfire broke out in Ashland two days ago and within hours the powerful winds carried the flames down the I-5 corridor forcing the 82,000 inhabitants of Medford to flee for shelter in the state fairgrounds by Central Point.

Shirley and I are first-comers to experiencing the devastating effects of a natural disaster. We never thought something like that would happen to us. The shock is both sudden and surreal.

As we tried to calmly gather up our important papers and processions an orange glow lit up the sky. We went from level 2 warning to a level three within hours before being warned to evacuate our neighborhood.

The animals were a challenge. We'd loaned out our cat carriers and were forced to load up our three very scared felines with blankets wrapped around them. Not easy. The dogs were easier with their harnesses on.

As our packed little King Cab pickup made it's way to the shelter fires were breaking out and literally following us north. 

At times the embers were in front of our vehicle. The wind gusts were driving the flames along like devils running alongside us.

Traffic got heavier as we neared our destination. Long lines of pickups and sedans streaked in a steady stream toward the safety of the fairgrounds. Flashing lights and sirens filled the chaos with a sense of urgency and desperation. Our dogs whimpered in fright as they sensed the danger in the air.

The sky was a dirty bronze hue colored with blazing flashes of bright red and orange when we arrived at the shelter. Community volunteers were directing traffic and Red Cross volunteers handed out water and food. There were stockpiles of blankets and animal food.

When we finally parked we were fried. Adrenalin had carried us that far but we were feeling the effects when we slumped in our seats and waited. 

There was no thought of sleeping inside the shelter. Not in these days of COVID-19. 

We'd brought water and food for ourselves and the animals and were content to sit there all night.

Which we did, before going home the next day, haggard but happy when we learned our house didn't burn down! With the destruction all around our area we felt like it was a miracle our neighborhood still stood. 

The one big thing that stands out to me, in retrospect, was the lack of emergency communication in the entire Rogue Valley. 

There was none! We learned more from Facebook friends than any local authorities who were scrambling around trying to keep up with the firestorm engulfing the valley.

The lesson is clear here in Medford... the authorities better get their shit together, because this fire season isn't over yet!

Quote for the Day: "Some say the world in end in fire, some say in Ice." -Robert Frost

Trump's Death Star is in Trouble: Deutsche Bank Gives 'The Force' Damning Evidence

Pandemic Diary
Day 177

Dear Diary,

Hail one, and all! 

May The Force be with you! 

The battle against Trump/aka Darth Vader and The Force (majority of Americans) has intensified in recent months.

Thus far Trump has managed to elude justice by misusing the powers of his presidency; in essence by making it his own Death Star (fictional mobile space station and galactic super weapon).

That streak of avoidance is going to end soon. On August 3rd, Deutsche Bank turned over all it's financial records on Trump and his evil organization to the New York District Attorney's office.

The DA in charge of the case Cyrus Vance, hasn't disclosed details about his probe yet, but his lawyers told a federal judge two weeks ago that it was a "complex financial investigation" that followed public reports of "extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization."

Like Darth Vader's fate in Star Wars, Trump's Death Star is going to explode soon. No one is sure just when...but it could be any day now. Every new day seems to bring more flak against his once impenetrable shield of bullshit and lies.

Once staunch crew members and loyal minions have been jumping ship lately in an effort to avoid the toxicity that has turned the Republican party into a cult for Trump.

The inevitable blowup will undoubtedly take his most loyal subjects - echoing Jim Jones and his deadly cult of Kool aid drinkers - with him into the annuals of American infamy.

Trump's increasingly violent rants are angering our armed forces (active and retired) who resent being used as propaganda props for his re-election campaign.

In a truly Darth Vader type move he's cast a dark pall of uncertainty over two of Americas most beloved institutions: the military, and the United States Postal Service.

Meanwhile, The Force - the American people - must keep the faith and know that the good guys will win in the end.

Quote for the Day: "I hope that real love and truth are stronger in the end than any evil or misfortune in the world." -Charles Dickens

Trump House: The Desecration of the White House

Pandemic Diary
Day 176

Dear Diary,

The Trump regime has dismantled nearly every tradition associated with the White House. Not to mention every ethics violation in relation to the People's House.

It became The House of Trump in 2017. The former fading reality star turned the storied building into a stage for promoting racist propaganda and his own personal agenda which has nothing to do with the people.


Nothing was left unmolested as Trump put his stamp on the interior, and Melania went outside to destroy The Kennedy Rose Garden; the scene of many historic events, in a pathetic attempt to leave her mark. Or, smear. 

The South Lawn has been transformed into a rally site for his re-election numerous times in so-called "press briefings" that were nothing more that airing of his grievances. 

A large portion of Trump's documented 20,000 lies have been spewed from the North Portico while serving up his best Mussolini impressions during state events.

Melania's touch has extended to the interior of the White House as evidenced one Christmas when she put up a Blood Red forest in a hallway and called it festive. 

Her spokesperson confirmed the fashion statement was early Lucifer.

Trump has huddled in the Oval Office with Russian officials, mocking his own intelligence community, and colluding with their master Putin. Their jocularity at the firing of FBI chief James Comey rocked the American intelligence community.

In a cowardly display he had to hide in the White House bunker, while thousands of Americans protested his regime outside. He's welcomed more dictators than democratic leaders to the White House.

When Trump and his minions are evicted from the People's House it's going to need fumigated, sterilized, and exorcised.

Wiping out the shameful memories will be harder, but in time they'll pass into the oblivion of history. Buried in their own shame.

Quote for the Day: "It is incumbent upon us to understand our greatness and believe in it so that we do not cheapen and profane ourselves." -Meir Kahane

The Trump Zone: Where Reality is Slipping Into a Surreal Quagmire

Pandemic Diary
Day 175

Dear Diary,

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known as reality... it's called the Trump Zone.

In this vast zone, stupidity and space are as timeless as infinity. It's the murky ground of lies versus truth, light versus shadow, and between science and conspiracies.

It lies in the pits of Trump followers racist fears and distain for knowledge. 

This is the dimension of hoaxes and witch hunts. It's an area where laws and rules are bent into twisted shadows of a once proud republic.

In 2020, the Trump Zone threatens to drag our democracy into a quagmire that America may never recover from.

It's science-denying denizens are dying from the coronavirus in order to stay in the Zone.

Rod Sterling's Twilight Zone was a popular TV show that featured strange and disturbing stories that left viewers shaking their heads in wonderment.

Having grown up watching The Twilight Zone, I have always enjoyed "surprise fiction." 

However, what's happening today in the Trump Zone is far worse than anything Sterling ever wrote, or even envisioned. That goes for Alfred Hitchcock too.

Quote for the Day: "I've been so in the zone, you don't know where you're at." -Brooks Koepka

Trump Victory Boat Parade Defeated By 'Antifa Navy'

Pandemic Diary
Day 174

Dear Diary,

It started out to be a perfect MAGA celebration on Lake Travis in Texas, but ended in a stunning defeat for the Trump Victory Boat Parade.

Horrified onlookers began to notice boats sinking in suddenly choppy water caused by the...

Antifa Navy!

One organizer said it was no accident the boats were sinking everywhere, and suggested terrorists were behind it.

Another organizer came right out and claimed it was the Antifa Navy. Still another said the Antifa Navy was in cahoots with the Antifa Spaceforce to accurately single out specific boaters to sink.

Antifa Navy weighs in on operation Sinking Trumpians

Brave Antifa Navy sailors stand on the deck of the USS BIDEN BLUE WAVE submarine, following their stunning defeat of the Trump Navy in the Battle of Lake Travis yesterday.

TRUMP NAVY responds...

The Antifa Navy, led by Admiral Benbow, Captain Crunch, and Seaman D'Mon launched a nefarious, salacious, and mendacious attack against patriot boaters on Lake Travis.

Suspiciously large Chicken Noodle soup cans were seen floating everywhere.

Alex Jones is going to investigate how the Antifa Navy made the water so choppy. 

Observations from shore side witnesses

Female Observer, "The whole thing was straight out of a comedy. It should be called Dumbkirk," she chuckled.

Onsight Reporter, "It quickly became apparent that most boaters were drunk on their asses and speeding. There was something symbolic about the bigger boats swamping the smaller ones in a mad rush to nowhere."

Male Observer, "I liked the part where the Antifa submarine surfaced after firing Chicken Soup torpedo's."

Quote for the Day: "If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave." -Mo Willems

Labor Day Weekend: Another Super Spreader Holiday

Pandemic Diary
Day 173

Dear Diary,

It's Labor Day weekend and in the age of COVID-19 that means super spreader events will happen from coast-to- coast.

It's a given. Turn the dial back a couple of months and look what happened after the 4th of July weekend - coronavirus cases climbed to record highs.

There's been numerous outdoor events - like the Sturgis Bike Rally, the Trump rally at Mt. Rushmore, the Trump rally in Tulsa, and on-and-on. Each one was a super spreader.

It's no secret that when hundreds of students gather at pool parties, and so-called COVID parties, that the virus is energized and spread very quickly among participants who are ignoring CDC safety measures. 

Healthcare officials have sore throats from constantly warning the public to wear masks and practice safe-distancing... with little effect. Americans want to move on and not dwell in the reality of a pandemic. They're tired of their lives being disrupted.

Trump is not the only person who thinks the coronavirus will magically go away someday. It's sad to say, but from what recent history has shown many Americans don't want to believe that COVID-19 is that big a threat - that it's been exaggerated by political enemies of Trump.

The sad thing about Labor Day this year is medical experts are warning that it's not safe to hold family gatherings. Or, to host social events like parties. There's been thousands of cases reported about family gatherings that have resulted in community virus outbreaks.

Documenting public responses to holidays in 2020 will someday be a essay question in schools. I'm afraid it's going to make us all look like fools.

In our defense, 2020 was the most chaotic year in American history with so many major challenges to our democracy that future chroniclers will record it as a seismic societal revolution.

Regardless of my daily reports, the reader will never fully understand the tension that existed in 2020 as Americans faced fascism, systemic racism, a corrupt president, and the most deadly virus to hit the continent in 100 years.

Quote for the Day: "For now, I just want things all safe and familiar. My life may not be perfect, but it is what I have known." -Ann M. Martin

It's Not About Issues: It's All About Trump

Pandemic Diary
Day 172

Dear Diary,

Trump's racist rhetoric, brazen lies about mail-in voting, and support of extreme right-wingers (QAnon for example) are daily occurrences now.

What started out as a mile-long race in the run for the presidency is coming into the home stretch with 60 days left until Americans can vote. 

The winner is either going to plunge the nation into further chaos and anarchy, or... democracy will prove stronger than an authoritarian government under a demented dictator.

The key to this race is NOT the economy, nor his leadership fighting COVID-19, nor his great track record of uniting the country. Forget about issues. 

Trump is gambling that he's convinced enough people in the last four years to believe every word he utters (with his limited vocabulary) that no amount of facts and evidence of his corruption will stop his followers from drinking toxic orange juice.

Political pundits pointed out that Trump's impeachment by the House, and the failed attempt to bring him to justice in the Senate, was a turning point in his vicious assault on the rule of law. As history will show he went on a revenge tour that continues to this day.

Because we're in the home stretch of this already history-making nasty-ass presidential campaign, the ante is going up with full throttle support coming from Putin to Trump. Russian websites attacking Joe Biden have already been taken down by Facebook, and FBI authorities warn there's more out there. 

Democrats biggest challenge is NOT addressing all the issues important to the majority of Americans - Biden's campaign is doing great with its all inclusive message calling for unity - it's exposing Trump's lies in real time.

His tweets (and retweets) have recently increased to nearly a hundred a day. Each one tells the tale of a desperate narcissist fearful of losing his ill-gained power in November.

The best way to put this presidential election into focus - how important it is - is to look at the real picture... which is Trump versus America.

Quote for the Day: "Within any important issue, there are always aspects no one wishes to discuss." -George Orwell

Dancing with Racists in Reality Show During Election Season

Pandemic Diary
Day 171

Dear Diary,

I suspect Trump's reality show presidency will define his regime for future generations of historians.

The con man who was boosted by his past Apprentice fans and every racist group in the country in 2016, has succeeded (up to a point) in dismantling our democracy through divisive rhetoric and ignoring laws.

There's a popular show on TV right now called "Dancing With the Stars," that suspends reality with so-called stars (more on that in a moment) dancing their fool heads off in over-the-top routines that bring big ratings to the show.

One of my favorite past competitors was Trump's former Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, who starred in a series of silly outfits last season. 

In the surreal scheme of things during Trump's presidency, Spicer's performances were just a blip on the radar when compared to the BIG LIE he told while still Trump's stooge. 

That was, of course, claiming Trump's inauguration was the biggest crowd ever to attend such an event... despite photos  that proved otherwise.

I don't know what this season's lineup is going to be. Nor do I care. Instead, I'd rather take a look at some Trump minions who should star in the popular show.

Partners

Couple Number One: Steven Mnuchin in a little boy's prep school outfit - shorts and monogramed jacket - and Matt Gaetz dressed up as an English Professor with a riding crop.

Couple Number Two: Mike Pence dressed up as a princess - with different veils for every night - and Betsy DeVoss in a black leather suit with openings in awkward places. 

Couple Number Three: Jim Jordan in brightly colored diapers and a pacifier necklace, doing the tango with Mitch McConnell in a roman toga that doesn't close in the back.

Couple Number Four: Stephen Miller wearing full Nazi regalia doing the foxtrot with Lindsey Graham in a German peasant girl's outfit with a braided blond wig.

Couple Number Five: Louis DeJoy as "Adam"  with only a different colored fig leaf on every night doing "The Twist"  with Ted Cruz in a red-white-and-blue sequined tutu.   

The reader will note I didn't add Trump to the list because he can barely walk upright like a human, let alone dance.

Quote for the Day: "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." -Albert Einstein

Warning! Watch For Dangerous Caravans In America

Pandemic Diary
Day 170

Dear Diary,

In 2018, Trump warned his base that South American and Mexican "caravans of terrorists" were on the way to invade America.

Looking back, it was a lie based on racial fear and promoted by Trump who was seeking votes from suburban women. It didn't work. A blue wave swept the suburbs and the Democrats regained control of the House.

Emerging as open allies of Trump are conspiracy groups like QAnon, far-right militias, and white supremacist's. In a desperate bid to retain his power Trump is embracing anyone who supports him.

For example, he's suddenly a backer of caravans. Now caravans are good because they're carrying his cult followers.

When a caravan of his loyal minions invaded Portland during a protest with paint ball guns and noxious sprays, he applauded them.

When one of the invaders, a right wing militia group member (Patriot Prayer) was killed during the deadly drive through downtown Portland, Trump sent coded messages to militias around the country that he supported them. Especially since so many of his followers belong to militia groups.

Will there be more Trump caravans invading other cities? It seems likely based upon the chaos Trump is causing during his American carnage campaign to get re-elected. 

The symbiotic relationship between right wing militias and Trump supporters has never been so clearly defined until now. Their supreme leader has called for chaos, and they're more than happy to comply.

Americans have good reason to be concerned about dangerous caravans this election cycle. This time it's not about immigrants illegally crossing the border. It's about Trump caravans rolling into a city near you and causing chaos! 

Quote for the Day: "How do you defeat terrorism? Don't be terrorized." -Salman Rushdie

As November Draws Near Trump's Campaign Turning Out Lies With Warp Speed

Pandemic Diary
Day 169

Dear Diary,

Trump Campaign signals full speed ahead for Captain Donny's false claims! 

New alt-right PAC's bulging with dark money have geared up their operations to tell more lies, and faster than ever before in Operation Warp Speed Part Two. Bigly lies.

One of the Pac's - Preserve America - is being run by the same SOB (Chris LaCivita) who orchestrated the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth takedown of John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race.

Despite exposing their false claims, Kerry's campaign was never able to recover from the brazen barrage of lies.

Some of the most vile Republican operatives from the past have crawled out from beneath their rocks in this last-ditch effort to salvage Trump's campaign, which has been steadily losing ground to Biden.

Lies and Dirty Tricks

Last week, Michigan's state officials announced they were investigating a widely inaccurate robocall that targeted Black voters in the crucial swing state with threatening and incorrect information about voting by mail.

This last weekend, a member of the Republican House leadership shared a doctored video of a disabled activist talking to Joe Biden. After manipulating the video to make it appear the activist was attacking Biden.

Twitter labeled the video "manipulated media," and it disappeared, but not before getting millions of views.

On Sunday, Trump had a tweet removed after sharing false information about coronavirus statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Twitter took the inaccurate tweet down and posted that its "no longer available because it violated the Twitter Rules by endangering peoples lives.

There's such an abundance of disinformation coming from Trump and his minions it's impossible to keep up with them daily. That's why I only gave a few examples here today.

Quote for the Day: "There are few reasons for telling the truth, but for lying the number is infinite." -Carlos Ruiz Zafon