False Rumors That Activists Set Wildfires Exasperate Officials

[PatrickforO]

Source: New York Times

Officials dealing with catastrophic fires on the West Coast have had to counter social media rumors that the blazes were set by antifascist activists, publicly pleading that people verify information before sharing it.

Despite their efforts, misinformation about the origin of the fires — which have killed at least 15 people and consumed millions of acres — continues to spread on Facebook and Twitter.

Several law enforcement agencies in Oregon said they had been flooded with inquiries about rumors that activists were responsible. On Thursday, several journalists reporting on fires near the city of Molalla, Ore., said they had been confronted by a group of armed people who were worried about unverified reports of arsonists in the area.

The rumors appear to have started on Wednesday night, after the Portland Police Bureau warned people on Twitter about the risk of fire during demonstrations. But there is no evidence that activists have deliberately set fires.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/us/antifa-wildfires.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

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So, starting these rumors make America great again?

I guess my question is why isn't Trump doing all he can to send aid to the West Coast to take care of these fires?

Why is Trump doing nothing about the pandemic?

Why is Trump doing everything he can to cast doubt on the results of the upcoming election?

I think Trump is a traitor.

[Doug.Goodall]

1. Agent Provocateurs

Trump inspired white nationalists doing things and then blaming the peaceful protesters for BLM.

[PatrickforO]

2. That's exactly what it is. That's why I posted this.

We need to know so that we can fight the rumor anytime we see it.

[Turbineguy]

3. They keep trying to start

a Civil War. It's not working all that well.

[BlueIdaho]

4. Central Oregon QTard Rednecks

Are trying to stir up their shallow state neighbors. Most want them to shut the fuck up so decent folks can help their neighbors save their families and their livestock. This is not the time and this is not the place for these assholes.

[PSPS]

5. I think the russian troll farms have an office in washington now.

[AZ8theist]

6. You "think" he's a traitor????????????????

What the heck would it take to "convince" you????

I knew he was tied to the Russian mob (aka Putin's government) 30 years ago in NYC. It was common knowledge.

But the rubes saw his idiotic reality show and thought he was a smart business man. Fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.

[PatrickforO]

9. You should look at my hundreds of posts over the past few months before

criticizing my use of the word 'think.'

I was calling Trump a traitor clear back in January 2017 based on the Russian interference with that election and McConnell's refusal to work with Obama and Biden in '16 to quash that Russian interference.

[AZ8theist]

10. I stand corrected. My apologies.

However, as to my rebuttal, I knew Denidict Doturd was owned by the Russian mob 30 years ago. If only the rubes knew that in 2016 before the election.

[PatrickforO]

11. Thanks! Yeah, I guess Trump and his family have been mobbed up for a long time

- I mean, consider his granddad, who was a pimp. And daddy wore the hood.

The guy is the worst piece of excrement that has ever served in our government. No doubt there. And he TOTALLY is a traitor. It blows me away how this country could have fallen so far so fast.

[AZ8theist]

14. Yeah, me too....

[jalan48]

7. They interviewed a volunteer working at a temporary shelter near me on TV. The shelter is

for evacuees from one of the fires in our area. This guy had a "Don't tread on me" (symbol of the Tea Baggers and other far right groups) face covering which he made sure to prominently display. Blame the fire on the left and showcase the extreme right as the good guys?

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. ...

[QED]

12. My cousin was posting this crap this morning

I finally blocked him. I just can't deal with the MAGAt crap right now. I'm too stressed with my job, life, etc.

[flibbitygiblets]

13. Dealt with one of these idiots yesterday myself

I'm between Molalla and Silverton Oregon, we were all evacuated on Tuesday. Our neighbors are keeping in touch via NextDoor social app. Because we live in the country, RW conspiracy nuts abound, so it wasn't long before one of them started throwing around rumors about "Antifa coming in and starting fires", and supposedly shooting at police and others who tried to stop them (of course, the police are saying exactly the opposite, but the kool-aid is sweet and delicious, apparently). Worst of all this idiot started saying that the police WANTED us to shoot these people on sight. She actually said that! There have already been false claims of looting, which has led to people (again, in the country, they are all armed to the teeth) falsely accusing and even threatening innocent people who are just trying to secure their own damn homes.

Needless to say I alerted the mods and verbally ass-kicked the idiot until she(!, SMDH) slinked away quietly. Then another one started musing about Antifa and I let him know in no uncertain terms that the app is for us to keep each other safe and to take his horseshit conspiracy rumors over to Qanon or wherever the hell else they want-- just stop adding to the problems by spreading fear and false information. In his defense he did say my point was fair and we went back to civilly sharing accurate and helpful information like good neighbors are supposed to.

Gotta nip this crap in the bud, which does seem to work, especially because even though we disagree politically, we all live in the same tiny rural town and there's no disputing that we're all in agreement that we don't want to see our homes burn down.