Hurricane Laura has begun pummeling the state of Louisiana as a Category 4 storm targeting the Lake Charles region and bringing the threat of floods that many fear will rival Hurricane Katrina. The New York Times described, “widespread destruction from Laura’s devastating winds. Roofs were peeled off, buildings were destroyed, and lampposts were tossed into the streets.” Laura is considered the most powerful hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast region in decades and is expected to dump an average of 5-10 inches of rain in just hours with 18 inches of rain in some local areas. In northern Louisiana wind speeds are expected to surpass 70 miles per hour as a tornado watch remained in effect. Hurricane Laura heads to the state of Arkansas next and expected to calm down to a tropical storm by Friday in Kentucky. 

On the same day as the Hurricane bore down on Louisiana, in the state of North Carolina, the third day of the Republican National Convention opened with prayers for those who stood in the hurricane’s path. The only two speakers to reference during the evening were Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara, and his Vice President Mike Pence.  Critics slammed him for ignoring the documented climate change that is fueling such massive and destructive hurricanes each year. The RNC’s third night was much like the first two—filled with what CNN called, “egregious dishonesty and careless inaccuracy.” Mr. Pence in particular echoed familiar Republican talking points that are based in myths and conspiracies. He hailed President Donald Trump as a “law and order” president while denouncing the protests and riots in American cities focused racist police violence and claiming that there will be law and order in Trump’s America but not Biden’s America.  Mr. Pence failed to acknowledge that the strife in American cities is taking place in Trump’s America. While he mentioned Kenosha, Wisconsin, the latest flashpoint in protests over racist police violence, he did not bring up the police shooting of Jacob Blake which prompted the protests. Nor did he raise the shooting by a 17-year old Trump-backing armed vigilante who is suspected of having killed 2 protesters and injured one. 

Although the RNC says it is requiring face coverings and strictly enforcing coronavirus testing and contact tracing at the convention where hundreds have gathered, there were few to no masks being worn and the President and Vice President mingled maskless with supporters, fist-bumping and taking pictures (photos here, here, here and here). Fox News, during its broadcast of the convention assured its viewers saying,