OpEd: You get what you vote for: A response
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You may not know me, but in many ways, you do. For more than a decade, I have been the unseen artist crafting the layout and design of “The Coosa County News” each week. Though I reside outside Coosa County, my heart has been with your community – cheering for Central’s sports teams, mourning communal losses, and ensuring your children’s photos shine brightly. While I’ve often kept my opinions private, I feel compelled to respond to Ms. Jodi McDade’s recent column, “You Get What You Vote For.”
The title alone is deeply offensive in light of the tragic events unfolding in California. As I write this letter, we know that at least 27 people have lost their lives, and more than 13,600 structures have been destroyed. These numbers represent real people – families, children, and communities – whose lives have been devastated. We do not know how these individuals voted or what political party they supported, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. These wildfires were caused by strong winds and dry conditions, not by politics. Red or blue, tragedy does not discriminate.
Consider the heartbreaking story of Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin, who had cerebral palsy. Both tragically lost their lives in the recent Eaton Fire in Altadena. Anthony called 911, pleading for help evacuating, but emergency resources were stretched thin as evacuations took place across the mountain community. His last words were, “Help us,” as he tried to get himself and his son to safety. Despite his efforts, their home was consumed by flames just 20 minutes after Anthony’s final desperate call. Their story is not about politics; it is about the devastating reality of natural disasters and the heartbreaking loss of those who are most vulnerable.
Ms. McDade suggests that Alabama’s political choices shield us from the challenges faced by states like California. However, the reality is that climate, not politics, plays the biggest role in Alabama’s relative safety from wildfires. Unlike California, where extended droughts, low humidity, and the infamous Santa Ana winds create ideal conditions for massive wildfires, Alabama’s humid subtropical climate provides consistent rainfall and moisture, which significantly reduces wildfire risk.
While Alabama does experience dry spells, they are rarely prolonged enough to create the tinderbox conditions that fuel devastating wildfires in the West. To suggest that Alabama is immune to such disasters solely because of the work of the Alabama Forestry Commission rather than geographic and environmental factors is a dangerous oversimplification of reality.
That being said, Alabama, particularly Coosa County, is no stranger to nature’s wrath. Since 2000, Coosa County has experienced 18 tornadoes, averaging 2.77 per 100 square miles. In January 2023, an EF-3 tornado tore through Coosa County, damaging 53 homes and necessitating a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to aid survivors. Despite these sobering statistics, Coosa County still lacks public storm shelters, leaving residents vulnerable when disaster strikes.
It is not political affiliation that protects a community from disaster; it is preparation, investment in infrastructure, and a collective commitment to the safety of all citizens. Ms. McDade’s column ignores these critical realities and instead reduces complex issues to simplistic political talking points. We should be focused on ensuring our communities are equipped to handle crises, rather than using disasters to score political points.
At the end of the day, it is not about who we vote for; it’s about how we take care of each other. Lives are at stake, and politics should never be more important than people.
Sincerely,
Katherine Rodman
Montgomery, Ala.
