Southern California is in the grip of crisis. Wildfires have ravaged hundreds of acres of land, leaving hundreds of homes burnt to the ground. Thousands have been forced to evacuate in the onslaught of what could become the worse wildfires in the state’s history. Thankfully thus far the loss of life has been minimal. This is no doubt due in no small part to the outpouring of aid. Hundreds of firefighters from all over the state have come to battle the blazes. Complete strangers have opened their homes up to evacuees and donated time and money to helping those in need. It is times like these that test our humanity and we should all look on in pride as that humanity shines through in abundance.

Then there are people like Glenn Beck.

On the October 22 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, host Glenn Beck stated, “I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today.” Beck continued: “There are a few people that hate America. But I don’t think the Democrats are those. I think there are those posing as Democrats that are like that.” Beck’s comment came as forest fires ravaged parts of Southern California, leaving one person dead, four firefighters wounded, and forcing about 1,500 people from their homes, according to The New York Times.

Beck’s comment immediately followed his statement that “we’re all one America” and “just because I disagree with you doesn’t mean you hate America, and I love America. We all love America. We just disagree on how we should function.”

This isn’t the first time Beck has disparaged the victims of natural disasters. Beck once referred to the victims of Hurricane Katrina left to fend for themselves in New Orleans as “scumbags”. But Beck has taken partisan rancor to a new low. While it is odious enough to seek to cast aside the hardships of victims of tragedy because of their economic standing, it is far worse to question their patriotism in doing so.

Just like hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, the wildfires in California do not discriminate based on ones political views. The fires that arsonists like Beck seek to ignite, however, do. And if we allow them to burn, we will all find ourselves equally consumed by the conflagration.

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(X-posted at The Xsociate Files)