SouthernWorldwide.com – A couple who self-identified as “climate refugees” after relocating from Texas to Maine found themselves facing an unpleasant discovery on their new home’s porch: human feces. This incident quickly became a target for mockery from conservative commentators.
The couple, Shawn and Sara Good, shared their experience in an article published by the Bangor Daily News. They described finding feces and evidence of someone sleeping on their patio furniture. However, they framed this unsettling discovery as a minor inconvenience compared to the “catastrophic” weather events they had endured in Texas.
The Goods explained their decision to move to Bangor was driven by concerns about climate change. They stated that they fled Austin after experiencing four major weather-related disasters within the past five years. Sara Good recounted to the Bangor Daily News that, in the context of global events, she felt fortunate that the most significant issue she encountered recently was someone sleeping on her porch.
This narrative drew criticism from both local and national conservative figures, as well as the Bangor Daily News itself. Critics pointed out the irony of the framing, especially in a city like Bangor that is grappling with a significant homelessness problem, evidenced by encampments in its downtown area.
The Bangor City Council had recently passed an ordinance aimed at addressing the issue of homelessness. This new ordinance prohibits the storage of personal belongings along sidewalks, an effort to manage the visible presence of encampments.
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Maine Republican State Representative Reagan Paul suggested that the Bangor Daily News article resembled satire more than legitimate news reporting. He commented on X (formerly Twitter) that the newspaper was presenting a “literal crap show” as a positive story about relocating to Maine.
Paul further elaborated that for those who still consider the Bangor Daily News a serious journalistic outlet, this incident should serve as a wake-up call. He argued that when a publication spins human waste on a doorstep into a heartwarming success story, it’s time to acknowledge reality and question its journalistic credibility.
Investigative reporter Steve Robinson offered a grim perspective, suggesting the couple’s experience was relatively mild compared to another Texas couple who moved to Maine. This other couple was tragically murdered in front of their children only six months after their relocation in 2023.
Robinson posted on X that, by Maine’s standards, finding human feces on a doorstep was a better outcome. He referenced the earlier tragedy where a couple from Texas was killed by a repeat offender who aspired to be a rap artist. Robinson sarcastically noted that “Liberals call this restorative justice.”
In recent years, Texas has indeed been subject to severe weather events. These include Winter Storm Uri, which led to widespread power outages, and deadly floods that claimed 130 lives last year. The state has also experienced Hurricane Beryl and periods of extreme heat.
Conservative commentator Dana Loesch, a Texas resident, argued that catastrophic weather is a reality for all regions of the United States. She stated on her show that Texas experiences tornadoes and flooding, and that the heat is a known characteristic of the state.
Loesch suggested that individuals should be aware of these conditions before moving. She commented that leaving Texas due to the heat is a personal issue that prospective residents should have anticipated.
The influence of climate change on people’s decisions about where to live is becoming increasingly evident. A study by Forbes indicated that 30% of homeowners have relocated due to climate-related factors.
Alexander de Sherbinin, a professor at Columbia University, predicted that the U.S. could witness “significant movements” of people seeking to escape more severe weather patterns. He told Columbia Magazine that northern states might see an increase in population.
De Sherbinin elaborated that these northern states could offer more pleasant summers and less harsh winters, making them attractive destinations for those concerned about climate change impacts.
