Wild Fires in Canada…who is to blame?

After the smoke from Canada’s wild fires drifted over a number of north and central states in the United States, Trump and his Republicans criticized Canada’s handling of the problem. This is a scurrilous way to treat our closest ally and neighbor.

Canada has been our best friend in times of peace and war. The weekend after 9/11 my wife and I enjoyed the stage production of “The Lion King” in Toronto. After the performance, the main character returned on stage. “Our neighbors to the south have suffered a great tragedy. Right now, cast members are passing the hat for contributions. Please give what you can to help the United States.”

Friends help each other in times of need. That is how good neighbors respond to a friend’s tragedies.

Yes, we suffered for a few days with an oppressive atmosphere. But keep in mind that thousands of Canadians lost their homes, their towns, great swaths of their woodland and suffered far more health-related issues than the U.S. The total cost to them will be measured in hundreds of billions of dollars.

So, how did Trump’s “great” America respond to their crisis?

Not by offering financial help and firefighters, but by whining about the smoke and placing a 50% tariff on Canada.

That is how good neighbors should NOT respond to a friend’s tragedies.

While the crisis took place in Canada’s vast forest land, our northern neighbor is not to blame.

Both Canada and America are suffering from an increase in forest fires. Due to global warming, the temperatures are increasing. This increase means that fire season is starting earlier, lasting longer and is harder to contain.

And why are the temperatures increasing? Because humans a dumping more CO2 into our atmosphere. Now, who is most to blame for this recent dramatic increase in CO2? That would be Trump and the Republicans as they downplay green energy and increase our use of fossil fuels.