OPINION: Hurricane Helene’s Victims Deserve More Than Political Games

Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service. By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.& Shame, shame on anyone using Hurricane Helene as a chance to score cheap political points.& It’s not just distasteful—it’s un-American.& Over the past few weeks, several pundits and politicians have tried to spin this disaster into a political weapon. Among the most egregious offenders are conservatives like Trump, Hannity, and Gingrich, who’ve falsely claimed that FEMA has abandoned the victims, that disaster relief funds have run dry, or worst of all, that the Biden administration diverted hurricane relief money to house illegal immigrants.& Let’s be clear: these are lies, designed to stoke anger and fuel division.& I live in a region that was impacted by Helene. Though I was fortunate enough to avoid personal loss, many of my neighbors, colleagues and local residents lost everything.& The storm devastated rural, low-income communities, where hard-working families have seen their entire lives swept away. The death toll is tragic, with more than 200 lives lost, and many more still missing. Now is the time for unity and compassion, not for political mudslinging.& Yet, what do we see from certain media outlets?& The absurd headline “Kamala’s Katrina” — as if Vice President Harris bears...