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California Congressman Adam Schiff was visiting Marthedal Farm in Fresno and extolled the virtues of the agricultural operation as one that really matters in placing blueberries on the consumer’s tables. The seemingly innocent beauty of a post appreciating the farm was soon to become a political battleground, with critics seizing whichever chance they could to attack Schiff’s record and policies.
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In his tweet, Schiff wrote alongside a picture of people harvesting blueberries: “If you enjoy a good carton of blueberries – there’s a chance you can thank the folks at Marthedal Farm for helping put them on your table. Grateful for the chance to see their operation here in Fresno today.”
Reactions ranged from funny ones to those encouraging local farming, but most comments chose to malign Schiff’s political standing and his legislative record, as well as the present economy-Allegedly-the very one that made it so that few could afford blueberries.
Blueberries are a luxury now. Cannot afford them. Thanks anyway for the cute story,” someone said bitterly, referring to rising food prices. Another one went directly calling him, “Your [sic] a liar and a coward,” spotlighting the fractured landscape in which Schiff has carved out a contrary position to former President Donald Trump.
Continuing at length, one commentator said Schiff was a Californian sellout to the working class, referring to California’s high costs of living and energy: “After 4 years of Biden/democrat control and 50 years of democrat control in California, I can’t afford a tray of ya fucking berries.” The commenter continued by asking them to “go do something about gas and electricity prices for us instead of just going the hollow consolation route.”
One commenter went after Schiff’s looks, saying: “Did they mistake that head for a watermelon? A perfect geometric watermelon head… certified by the Bureau of Standards.”
The strong defenders of Schiff were ravaged by the onslaught of insults, though a few still attempted to make the case for respect for agricultural workers: “That’s exactly how it should be. At the ripe old age of 10 I picked potatoes, peas & other vegetables just to earn some pocket money.”
The backlash is emblematic of how even an apolitical post from a controversial figure can turn into a flashpoint for wider culture wars. Schiff has been a common target of conservative attacks for many years, and he has reached near-polarizing heights, especially considering his involvement in the impeachment of Donald Trump.”
Interestingly, some of the replies bordered on conspiratorial, with one user bizarrely alleging that Schiff was “looking for young brown boys to drug and rape”-a baseless and incendiary allegation typical of the extreme rhetoric often hurled at the congressman.
While Schiff’s stated intent may have been to laud California agriculture, the reaction underscored the difficulty politicians face in engaging with constituents in a deeply polarized environment. Not even blueberries now escape being turned into a party emblem.
This discussion was debatably immigration-themed, with one questioner wondering whether the farm was “finally employing LEGAL citizens,” a blatant nod to the ongoing policies-labor argument.
Schiff has chosen not to address the criticism directed at him and remains focused on the original agenda of his post: expressing gratitude to farmers. Whether the work stays focused on agriculture, or erupts into full-fledged political warfare, is an open question at best; and for now, at least, the comments section stands as a microcosm of the fractured political discourse America is witnessing.
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Ultimately, the blueberry post revealed more about the state of political animosity than it ever could about farming. And if nothing else, it has proven how even fruit can be an irritant in today’s climate.
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