crooksandliars--2020-03-16--Liberty University Vows To Remain Open For In-Person Classes, Sparking Online Petition

Jerry Falwell Jr called the reaction to the Coronavirus epidemic `` overblown '' with his appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday morning .
Just before March break , he was vowing to keep face-to-face classes open at the Evangelical university , saying this was what his students wanted .
Evidently they do n't , as thousands signed an online petition almost immediately , calling for an end to in-person classes .
LYNCHBURG , Va. ( WDBJ7 ) -- Defying a trend among local colleges and universities , Liberty University 's president Jerry Falwell Junior told students Friday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on campus amid concerns about the global Coronavirus pandemic .
Spring break will be held next week for Liberty 's residential population of 15,000 students .
When they return to campus March 23 , Falwell said modifications will be made on campus but classes will resume as normal .
`` Unless everything changes in the next week , I do n't see us doing what other schools have done , '' Falwell told Liberty 's senior vice president for spiritual development , David Nasser , during a recorded interview that was made available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school 's thrice-weekly convocation , a required event for students that is normally held in the school 's Vines Center .
Friday 's ceremony was live-streamed from a television studio and students watched the broadcast in smaller groups around campus .
During his interview with Nasser , Falwell said the school 's decision to continue a normal class schedule was made after hearing requests from students .
`` You would n't believe all the messages that Becki and I have received from students saying please do n't cancel classes and put us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasser .
`` You guys paid to be here , you wanted to be on campus .
I want to give you what you paid for . ''

Jerry Falwell Jr called the reaction to the Coronavirus epidemic "overblown" with his appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday morning. Just before March break, he was vowing to keep face-to-face classes open at the Evangelical university, saying this was what his students wanted. Evidently they don't, as thousands signed an online petition almost immediately, calling for an end to in-person classes.
Source: WDBJ7
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ7)-- Defying a trend among local colleges and universities, Liberty University's president Jerry Falwell Junior told students Friday that the school would continue to hold face-to-face classes on campus amid concerns about the global Coronavirus pandemic.
Spring break will be held next week for Liberty's residential population of 15,000 students. When they return to campus March 23, Falwell said modifications will be made on campus but classes will resume as normal.
"Unless everything changes in the next week, I don't see us doing what other schools have done," Falwell told Liberty's senior vice president for spiritual development, David Nasser, during a recorded interview that was made available online.
The interview was aired during the school's thrice-weekly convocation, a required event for students that is normally held in the school's Vines Center. Friday's ceremony was live-streamed from a television studio and students watched the broadcast in smaller groups around campus.
During his interview with Nasser, Falwell said the school's decision to continue a normal class schedule was made after hearing requests from students.
"You wouldn't believe all the messages that Becki and I have received from students saying please don't cancel classes and put us home, online," Falwell told Nasser. "You guys paid to be here, you wanted to be on campus. I want to give you what you paid for."


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--In Response To Boycott, Facebook Says They'll Finally Address Hate Speech

CNN 's John Berman noted that the list of companies joining a Facebook boycott is growing , including Target and Mass Mutual .
`` Abby Phillip has a lot more . ''
`` Yeah , John , this is a big issue for Facebook for quite some time now but it seems that the moment has finally come for them to face this kind of pressure , '' Phillip said .
`` I think the combination of the Black Lives Matter movement has pushed in advertisers to say that the company needs to do more and they have announced some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped this avalanche of corporations , Fortune 500 companies from pulling their ads beginning today .
`` The world 's largest social media company now under unprecedented pressure from the advertisers to do more to stop hate speech online .
Dozens of companies pausing advertising on Facebook in protest .
The debate touching the highest office in the land with Facebook continuing under fire for leaving up the recent posts where President Trump threatened looters with shooting and spreading false claims and misinformation about mail-in voting . ''
> > I think as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more volatile with his posts , the fact that these companies have sat on their hands and allowed it means that they are complicit .
Rashad Robinson of Color Of Change , one of the civil rights groups that have started the stop the hate boycott says the choice is simple .
Do you want your ads showing up next to white nationalists organizations ?
Do you feel comfortable having your ads next to theirs and putting on messages about why black lives matter ?
`` Civil rights advocates are pushing Facebook to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups that promote hate and disinformation .
allowing outside audits of the content and advertising policy and giving advertisers refunds if their ads run alongside content that was removed because it violated the company 's policies .
With more than 98 % of all of Facebook 's revenue coming from advertising , the pressure on Facebook 's bottom line is only growing , '' Phillip said .
At Facebook , we have absolutely no incentive to tolerate hate speech .
We do n't like it , our users do n't like it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Facebook 's Mark Zuckerberg , who 's been criticized for appearing to be too close to President Trump and his campaign saying publicly that the company will put in place new policies to flag , label and even remove content that violates its rules , including from the president , '' she said .
If we determine the content may lead to violence or deprive people of their right to vote , we 're going to take that content down no matter who says it .
Similarly , there are no exceptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is acting out of fear , worried that President Trump will attempt to regulate social media companies he claims are targeting conservatives online , '' Phillip said .

CNN's John Berman noted that the list of companies joining a Facebook boycott is growing, including Target and Mass Mutual. "Abby Phillip has a lot more."
"Yeah, John, this is a big issue for Facebook for quite some time now but it seems that the moment has finally come for them to face this kind of pressure," Phillip said.
"I think the combination of the Black Lives Matter movement has pushed in advertisers to say that the company needs to do more and they have announced some new changes, but that has not stopped this avalanche of corporations, Fortune 500 companies from pulling their ads beginning today.
"The world's largest social media company now under unprecedented pressure from the advertisers to do more to stop hate speech online. Dozens of companies pausing advertising on Facebook in protest. The debate touching the highest office in the land with Facebook continuing under fire for leaving up the recent posts where President Trump threatened looters with shooting and spreading false claims and misinformation about mail-in voting."
>> I think as we watch Donald Trump become more and more volatile with his posts, the fact that these companies have sat on their hands and allowed it means that they are complicit.
Rashad Robinson of Color Of Change, one of the civil rights groups that have started the stop the hate boycott says the choice is simple.
Do you want your ads showing up next to white nationalists organizations? Do you feel comfortable having your ads next to theirs and putting on messages about why black lives matter?
"Civil rights advocates are pushing Facebook to do more, including removing content and groups that promote hate and disinformation. allowing outside audits of the content and advertising policy and giving advertisers refunds if their ads run alongside content that was removed because it violated the company's policies. With more than 98% of all of Facebook's revenue coming from advertising, the pressure on Facebook's bottom line is only growing," Phillip said.
At Facebook, we have absolutely no incentive to tolerate hate speech. We don't like it, our users don't like it, advertisers understandably don't like it.
"Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, who's been criticized for appearing to be too close to President Trump and his campaign saying publicly that the company will put in place new policies to flag, label and even remove content that violates its rules, including from the president," she said.
If we determine the content may lead to violence or deprive people of their right to vote, we're going to take that content down no matter who says it. Similarly, there are no exceptions for politicians.
"Activists say Facebook is acting out of fear, worried that President Trump will attempt to regulate social media companies he claims are targeting conservatives online," Phillip said.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--WHOA: Oklahoma Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion Despite Conservative Opposition

Voters in Oklahoma , one of just 14 states that did n't expand Medicaid under Obamacare and has one of the country 's highest uninsured rates , turned out to say they wanted Medicaid expansion to increase health care access and help the hard-pressed rural hospitals .
The ballot measure writes the expansion into the state constitution .
Via Politico : Oklahoma voters on Tuesday narrowly approved a ballot measure to extend Medicaid to tens of thousands of poor adults , making their state the first to expand government-backed health insurance during the pandemic .
The vote , which passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wrench in the Trump administration 's plan to make Oklahoma the first state to receive its permission to cap Medicaid spending , a longtime goal of conservatives hoping to constrain the safety-net entitlement program .
Ballot organizers said the coronavirus crisis would help make their case for expanding Medicaid in the deep-red state .
The average number of new cases in Oklahoma has more than doubled in the past month , and the state reported a record 585 new infections on Tuesday .
Oklahoma has become the fifth state where voters defied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
Missouri will hold a similar vote on Medicaid expansion later this summer .

Voters in Oklahoma, one of just 14 states that didn't expand Medicaid under Obamacare and has one of the country's highest uninsured rates, turned out to say they wanted Medicaid expansion to increase health care access and help the hard-pressed rural hospitals. The ballot measure writes the expansion into the state constitution. Via Politico:
Oklahoma voters on Tuesday narrowly approved a ballot measure to extend Medicaid to tens of thousands of poor adults, making their state the first to expand government-backed health insurance during the pandemic.
The vote, which passed with 50.5 percent support, also throws a wrench in the Trump administration's plan to make Oklahoma the first state to receive its permission to cap Medicaid spending, a longtime goal of conservatives hoping to constrain the safety-net entitlement program.
Ballot organizers said the coronavirus crisis would help make their case for expanding Medicaid in the deep-red state. The average number of new cases in Oklahoma has more than doubled in the past month, and the state reported a record 585 new infections on Tuesday.
Oklahoma has become the fifth state where voters defied Republican leaders to expand Medicaid through the ballot. Missouri will hold a similar vote on Medicaid expansion later this summer.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Robert Costa: White House Hopes Clarence Thomas Helps Them By Retiring

Washington Post reporter Robert Costa says that things are so bad for Trump 's reelection hopes , they 're hoping Clarence Thomas resigns and gives them a Supreme Court nomination to run on .
Joe Scarborough was discussing just how dire things look for the Trump team , especially with the Supreme Court .
`` Well , to that point about nailing down the base first , Joe , I have a little bit of new reporting , '' Costa said .
`` There are some people inside of the White House that are around this president who are hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not happen , but they are hoping that there might be a Supreme Court vacancy .
Clarence Thomas , the justice since the early '90s , could decide to retire .
and as this White House really looks to galvanize that base , they are quietly preparing for the possibility of a Supreme Court vacancy , looking like people , like the judge Amul Thapar , a favorite of majority leader Mitch McConnell , Amy Coney Barrett from Indiana , another federal judge , and they 're looking at the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're hoping to stoke the base with a SCOTUS culture war , but the suburbs are more focused on bringing back the economy .
Not to mention what a bad move it would be in terms of actually maintaining control .
There was a lot of pressure on Biden to add additional seats to the Supreme Court if Dems take control of the Senate , but talk has died down with recent SCOTUS rulings on abortion and employment protections .
( What , you think John Roberts is n't a political animal ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more rabidly right-wing justice to the court , look for the pressure on Biden to heat up and do something about it .
Which puts conservatives right back to where they were .
Oh darn .

Washington Post reporter Robert Costa says that things are so bad for Trump's reelection hopes, they're hoping Clarence Thomas resigns and gives them a Supreme Court nomination to run on.
Joe Scarborough was discussing just how dire things look for the Trump team, especially with the Supreme Court.
"Well, to that point about nailing down the base first, Joe, I have a little bit of new reporting," Costa said.
"There are some people inside of the White House that are around this president who are hoping at this point, knowing that it may not happen, but they are hoping that there might be a Supreme Court vacancy. Clarence Thomas, the justice since the early '90s, could decide to retire. and as this White House really looks to galvanize that base, they are quietly preparing for the possibility of a Supreme Court vacancy, looking like people, like the judge Amul Thapar, a favorite of majority leader Mitch McConnell, Amy Coney Barrett from Indiana, another federal judge, and they're looking at the possibility of an opening."
Costa said they're hoping to stoke the base with a SCOTUS culture war, but the suburbs are more focused on bringing back the economy.
Not to mention what a bad move it would be in terms of actually maintaining control. There was a lot of pressure on Biden to add additional seats to the Supreme Court if Dems take control of the Senate, but talk has died down with recent SCOTUS rulings on abortion and employment protections. (What, you think John Roberts isn't a political animal?)
So if Trump adds an even more rabidly right-wing justice to the court, look for the pressure on Biden to heat up and do something about it. Which puts conservatives right back to where they were. Oh darn.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Kilmeade Cooks Up Some Ridiculous Ebola Whataboutism On Trump's Behalf

On Tuesday , Fox News trotted out Brian Kilmeade to pre-spin Biden ’ s remarks about Trump ’ s botched coronavirus response .
Host Melissa Francis ran through a devastating preview : FRANCIS : [ Biden ] will say that Trump has called himself of war-time president but is surrendering to the virus ... Trump is outright ignoring the crisis-golfing , holding rallies , and telling a suffering country that he is the victim .
Trump is admitting he ordered the slowed down of testing , because the truth about the extent of this deadly outbreak makes him look bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
“ Do you think that that ’ s a good strategy for former Vice President Biden ?
” she asked .
It ’ s very telling that Kilmeade didn ’ t say one word in defense of Trump .
Instead , he went after Biden for , among other things , the Obama administration ’ s response to Ebola .
KILMEADE : Joe Biden 's got a terrible track record when it comes to Ebola .
Remember he was in charge of it and he said if you sneeze on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane ?
They almost destroyed the airline industry , had to scramble off and by noon that day they had to walk back his comments .
So , he 's going to open himself open to the way he handled it , because Barack Obama put him in charge of that .
Kilmeade seems to have relied on a Politico deep dive into the Obama administration ’ s handling of the H1N1 epidemic as well as Ebola – and he got a lot of his facts wrong .
Biden ’ s airplane remark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not Ebola .
For another , the Obama administration ’ s problems dealing with H1N1 came just three months into its first term , while the new administration was also dealing with the Great Recession .
Trump , on the other hand is more than three years into his term .
Also , Biden wasn ’ t in charge of the administration ’ s response to either but he was an important player .
The Politico article recounts some missteps and bumps but in the end , H1N1 disaster was averted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s management skills .
“ Biden , despite his early messaging problems , played a role in mobilizing the administration and ensuring enough resources were devoted to defeating the pandemic , ” Politico reported about H1N1 .
He did similar work defeating Ebola , Politico noted .
Not surprisingly , Kilmeade didn ’ t want to compare statistics .
But I will : The U.S. coronavirus death total is more than 127,000 , with no end in sight .
About 12,000 Americans died of H1N1 .
Two died of Ebola .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ oppressive atmosphere ” in New York and Michigan , which just happen to have Democratic governors , while the “ laissez-faire attitude in Florida , '' with a Republican governor , has caused “ a little bit of a turmoil now.
” Actually , that “ little bit of turmoil ” is more like an explosion of new cases .

On Tuesday, Fox News trotted out Brian Kilmeade to pre-spin Biden’s remarks about Trump’s botched coronavirus response. Host Melissa Francis ran through a devastating preview:
FRANCIS: [Biden] will say that Trump has called himself of war-time president but is surrendering to the virus... Trump is outright ignoring the crisis-golfing, holding rallies, and telling a suffering country that he is the victim. Trump is admitting he ordered the slowed down of testing, because the truth about the extent of this deadly outbreak makes him look bad.
Francis turned to Kilmeade for a response. “Do you think that that’s a good strategy for former Vice President Biden?” she asked.
It’s very telling that Kilmeade didn’t say one word in defense of Trump. Instead, he went after Biden for, among other things, the Obama administration’s response to Ebola.
KILMEADE: Joe Biden's got a terrible track record when it comes to Ebola. Remember he was in charge of it and he said if you sneeze on the plane it goes right through the whole plane? They almost destroyed the airline industry, had to scramble off and by noon that day they had to walk back his comments. So, he's going to open himself open to the way he handled it, because Barack Obama put him in charge of that.
Kilmeade seems to have relied on a Politico deep dive into the Obama administration’s handling of the H1N1 epidemic as well as Ebola – and he got a lot of his facts wrong. Biden’s airplane remark was about H1N1, for one thing, not Ebola. For another, the Obama administration’s problems dealing with H1N1 came just three months into its first term, while the new administration was also dealing with the Great Recession. Trump, on the other hand is more than three years into his term.
Also, Biden wasn’t in charge of the administration’s response to either but he was an important player. The Politico article recounts some missteps and bumps but in the end, H1N1 disaster was averted and much of that was due to Biden’s management skills. “Biden, despite his early messaging problems, played a role in mobilizing the administration and ensuring enough resources were devoted to defeating the pandemic,” Politico reported about H1N1. He did similar work defeating Ebola, Politico noted.
Not surprisingly, Kilmeade didn’t want to compare statistics. But I will: The U.S. coronavirus death total is more than 127,000, with no end in sight. About 12,000 Americans died of H1N1. Two died of Ebola.
Instead, Kilmeade went on to complain about the “oppressive atmosphere” in New York and Michigan, which just happen to have Democratic governors, while the “laissez-faire attitude in Florida," with a Republican governor, has caused “a little bit of a turmoil now.”
Actually, that “little bit of turmoil” is more like an explosion of new cases.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Yeah, McConnell Is Concerned About Health -- The Health Of His Senate Majority

Politico reports that Mitch McConnell is concerned about virus spread .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated Monday that Americans should continue to wear masks , emphasizing that there is “ no stigma ” associated with them ... .
In a floor speech , McConnell said the United States is currently in a “ middle ground ” between lockdowns and life before the pandemic , and encouraged the adoption of “ new routines.
” “ We must have no stigma — none — about wearing masks when we leave our homes and come near other people , ” McConnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about protecting ourselves .
It is about protecting everyone we encounter.
” McConnell added that it ’ s the responsibility of individuals , small businesses , employers and “ all levels of government ” to take the necessary public health precautions to prevent the spread of the virus .
McConnell 's chief concern is n't the virus .
It 's his Senate majority .
He 's seen the numbers : If even a solid majority of Republicans approve of mask-wearing , then the president 's steadfast rejection of them is out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates typically carry older voters by solid margins , and in his first campaign Mr. Trump bested Hillary Clinton by seven percentage points with voters over 65 .
He won white seniors by nearly triple that margin .
Today , Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are tied among seniors , according to a poll of registered voters conducted by The New York Times and Siena College .
And in the six most important battleground states , Mr. Biden has established a clear upper hand , leading Mr. Trump by six percentage points among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s support among whites in that age group .
Why would many seniors be abandoning Trump ?
Here 's a possible explanation : They 're afraid to die .
They see Trump 's flippant rejection of masks , and the adoption of an anti-mask stance by many Americans in imitation of Trump , as a life-or-death issue .
McConnell is afraid Trump will drag down Republican Senate candidates in November and turn the Senate over to the Democrats .
So is Marco Rubio ( `` everyone should just wear a damn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So is Lamar Alexander ( `` it would help if from time to time the president would wear one to help us get rid of this political debate that says if you ’ re for Trump , you don ’ t wear a mask , if you ’ re against Trump , you do '' ) .
And even though they 're not in the Senate , Liz and Dick Cheney are also desperate to persuade voters that Republicans are n't anti-mask absolutisits .
The president , of course , believes he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've spent decades in the business .
They 'll never persuade him that he needs to change course .
Can McConnell , Rubio , and the rest persuade voters that Republicans are n't hostile to masks ?
Maybe they need to take that up with Fox News , talk radio , and the key sites of the online right .
Maybe they need to talk Mark Zuckerberg into cracking down on Facebook mask skeptics and conspiratorialists .
None of that will happen , of course , so they 're doomed -- Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mask hostility will continue to be indelibly associated with conservatism and the GOP .
( Also , mask refusers will be responsible for more and more outbreaks , which will cause continued harm to the economy , and thus to the party that runs most of the government . )
Republicans let this happen .
I hope their party pays dearly for it on Election Day .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

Politico reports that Mitch McConnell is concerned about virus spread.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated Monday that Americans should continue to wear masks, emphasizing that there is “no stigma” associated with them.... In a floor speech, McConnell said the United States is currently in a “middle ground” between lockdowns and life before the pandemic, and encouraged the adoption of “new routines.” “We must have no stigma — none — about wearing masks when we leave our homes and come near other people,” McConnell said. “Wearing simple face coverings is not about protecting ourselves. It is about protecting everyone we encounter.” McConnell added that it’s the responsibility of individuals, small businesses, employers and “all levels of government” to take the necessary public health precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
McConnell's chief concern isn't the virus. It's his Senate majority. He's seen the numbers:
If even a solid majority of Republicans approve of mask-wearing, then the president's steadfast rejection of them is out of step with public opinion.
Also:
Republican presidential candidates typically carry older voters by solid margins, and in his first campaign Mr. Trump bested Hillary Clinton by seven percentage points with voters over 65. He won white seniors by nearly triple that margin. Today, Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are tied among seniors, according to a poll of registered voters conducted by The New York Times and Siena College. And in the six most important battleground states, Mr. Biden has established a clear upper hand, leading Mr. Trump by six percentage points among the oldest voters and nearly matching the president’s support among whites in that age group.
Why would many seniors be abandoning Trump? Here's a possible explanation: They're afraid to die. They see Trump's flippant rejection of masks, and the adoption of an anti-mask stance by many Americans in imitation of Trump, as a life-or-death issue.
McConnell is afraid Trump will drag down Republican Senate candidates in November and turn the Senate over to the Democrats. So is Marco Rubio ("everyone should just wear a damn mask," he recently said). So is Lamar Alexander ("it would help if from time to time the president would wear one to help us get rid of this political debate that says if you’re for Trump, you don’t wear a mask, if you’re against Trump, you do"). And even though they're not in the Senate, Liz and Dick Cheney are also desperate to persuade voters that Republicans aren't anti-mask absolutisits.
The president, of course, believes he knows more about politics than people who've spent decades in the business. They'll never persuade him that he needs to change course.
Can McConnell, Rubio, and the rest persuade voters that Republicans aren't hostile to masks? Maybe they need to take that up with Fox News, talk radio, and the key sites of the online right. Maybe they need to talk Mark Zuckerberg into cracking down on Facebook mask skeptics and conspiratorialists.
None of that will happen, of course, so they're doomed -- Trump will never, ever wear a mask, and mask hostility will continue to be indelibly associated with conservatism and the GOP. (Also, mask refusers will be responsible for more and more outbreaks, which will cause continued harm to the economy, and thus to the party that runs most of the government.)
Republicans let this happen. I hope their party pays dearly for it on Election Day.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Choir Of More Than 100 Sings Unmasked At Pence's 'Freedom' Rally As Texas Sees COVID-19 Spike

Vice President Mike Pence , chairman of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , apparently saw no problem with a choir of more than 100 people singing without masks as long as he got an opportunity to appear competent .
He and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson attended a cringy `` Celebrate Freedom ” rally that attracted almost 2,200 people to the 14,000-member First Baptist Church on Sunday in Dallas , according to CNN .
That same day , the nation 's coronavirus case count topped 2.5 million , and Texas—along with Florida and Arizona—emerged as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , according to The Washington Post .
`` We 're very lucky .
We have a smart vice president , '' Carson said during the service .
He also praised Pence as someone who `` very quickly can grasp scientific concepts and make sense out of them . ''
His presence at the kind of event that flies in the face of the best recommendations from experts suggests otherwise .
Just in case the sight of the massive choir singing before the vice president may have caused confusion , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people avoid close contact and wear nose and mouth covers when they are expecting to be within 6 feet of others .
Texas ' coronavirus count hit a record high Thursday with almost 6,000 new cases , and hospitalizations have reached new highs daily for the past 16 days , The Texas Tribune reported .
Arizona hit a one-day high of 3,857 Sunday , and Florida reported 8,530 new cases on Sunday , which is actually a drop from the record 9,585 cases on Saturday , according to The Washington Post .
Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Baptist Church and adviser to President Donald Trump , before launching into a speech about his plans to put America first .
`` Working with your governor , we will put the health of the people of the Lone Star State first , and every single day we 'll continue to reclaim our freedom and our way of life , as each day we are one day closer to the day we put this pandemic in the past , '' Pence said .
`` And when we do , with this governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas and America back bigger and better than ever before . ''
That would be a bit more believable if actually meeting with Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott for a coronavirus update wasn ’ t an afterthought to rally planning .
The Texas Tribune described his talk with the governor as a `` last-minute addition . ''

Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, apparently saw no problem with a choir of more than 100 people singing without masks as long as he got an opportunity to appear competent. He and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson attended a cringy "Celebrate Freedom” rally that attracted almost 2,200 people to the 14,000-member First Baptist Church on Sunday in Dallas, according to CNN.
That same day, the nation's coronavirus case count topped 2.5 million, and Texas—along with Florida and Arizona—emerged as "the country's latest epicenters" for the virus, according to The Washington Post. "We're very lucky. We have a smart vice president," Carson said during the service. He also praised Pence as someone who "very quickly can grasp scientific concepts and make sense out of them." His presence at the kind of event that flies in the face of the best recommendations from experts suggests otherwise.
Just in case the sight of the massive choir singing before the vice president may have caused confusion, the Centers for Disease Control is still recommending people avoid close contact and wear nose and mouth covers when they are expecting to be within 6 feet of others.
Texas' coronavirus count hit a record high Thursday with almost 6,000 new cases, and hospitalizations have reached new highs daily for the past 16 days, The Texas Tribune reported. Arizona hit a one-day high of 3,857 Sunday, and Florida reported 8,530 new cases on Sunday, which is actually a drop from the record 9,585 cases on Saturday, according to The Washington Post.
Pence thanked Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Church and adviser to President Donald Trump, before launching into a speech about his plans to put America first. "Working with your governor, we will put the health of the people of the Lone Star State first, and every single day we'll continue to reclaim our freedom and our way of life, as each day we are one day closer to the day we put this pandemic in the past," Pence said. "And when we do, with this governor and this president, we'll bring Texas and America back bigger and better than ever before."
That would be a bit more believable if actually meeting with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a coronavirus update wasn’t an afterthought to rally planning. The Texas Tribune described his talk with the governor as a "last-minute addition."
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including worship service. This is just a taste of the grand scene inside First Baptist Church, where Mike Pence is set to speak any minute now. pic.twitter.com/om1ffiDwKE — Brittany Shepherd (@brittanys) June 28, 2020
Watch the full service:
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Rep. Clyburn Warns GOP Reps They Won't Be Allowed To Speak Unless They Wear Masks

At least one House Democrat has had enough with Republicans ignoring mask requirements during House committee hearings .
Rep. Jim Clyburn , head of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , has written a letter to ranking Republican Steve Scalise warning him that if committee Republicans continue to show up at hearings without masks , those Republicans will not be recognized to speak during subcommittee meetings .
At all .
Clyburn was not particularly polite about it , either .
In his letter , Clyburn reminds Scalise that it was Scalise who `` repeatedly '' has wanted in-person hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be done safely . ''
But when `` every single Republican Member of the Subcommittee refused to comply '' with congressional mask rules , Clyburn was fed up .
`` I was true to my word—I held this hearing in person , as you requested .
Unfortunately , the Republican Members ’ refusal to wear masks undermined the safety of everyone in the hearing room .
`` Going forward , as long as the Attending Physician ’ s requirement to wear masks is in place , I will not recognize any Member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any Subcommittee meeting or hearing unless the Member is wearing a mask and strictly adheres to the Attending Physician ’ s guidance .
Members who do not wish to wear a mask are welcome to participate remotely , in accordance with House Resolution 965 . ''
Republicans have taken to disrupting House meetings by any means necessary when the subject turns to the potential crimes or proven incompetence of Trump and his officials ; the most famous recent example is Rep. Louie Gohmert having a table-banging tantrum in an effort to scuttle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign to reduce or negate federal prosecution of those who lied to cover up foreign election interference on Trump 's behalf .
The refusals to wear masks are similarly partisan , with House Republicans seemingly of the belief that masks , of themselves , are a plot to unnecessarily politicize a pandemic that even Vice President Mike Pence has now suggested will kill at least a quarter million Americans .
It would be one thing if this completely insane and cultish belief killed off only the troglodytes refusing to take precautions but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to adhere to mask guidelines undermines the safety of everyone around them , not just themselves and their fellow buffoons .
Numerous lawmakers , staff members , and White House employees have now tested positive for COVID-19 , so the dangers in Congress are no longer hypothetical .
We know , for a fact , that COVID-19 is present in the building .
If Republicans on Clyburn 's subcommittee do n't want to wear masks , they are cordially invited to pound sand .
The next obvious and necessary steps will be for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , and to refuse entry to non-mask wearers at all .
Donald Trump has an excuse : He can not wear a mask because wearing a mask would cause the five pounds of makeup he trowels on his face each morning to migrate in unexpected directions .
Scalise and the other House Republicans are only objecting to mask policies in yet another attempt to suck up to Dear Leader and Dear Leader 's various promoted fictions , and that 's not a good reason for endangering the lives of everyone else in @ @ @

At least one House Democrat has had enough with Republicans ignoring mask requirements during House committee hearings. Rep. Jim Clyburn, head of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, has written a letter to ranking Republican Steve Scalise warning him that if committee Republicans continue to show up at hearings without masks, those Republicans will not be recognized to speak during subcommittee meetings. At all.
Clyburn was not particularly polite about it, either. In his letter, Clyburn reminds Scalise that it was Scalise who "repeatedly" has wanted in-person hearings and "you assured me that this could be done safely." But when "every single Republican Member of the Subcommittee refused to comply" with congressional mask rules, Clyburn was fed up.
"I was true to my word—I held this hearing in person, as you requested. Unfortunately, the Republican Members’ refusal to wear masks undermined the safety of everyone in the hearing room.
"Going forward, as long as the Attending Physician’s requirement to wear masks is in place, I will not recognize any Member of this Subcommittee to participate in person in any Subcommittee meeting or hearing unless the Member is wearing a mask and strictly adheres to the Attending Physician’s guidance. Members who do not wish to wear a mask are welcome to participate remotely, in accordance with House Resolution 965."
Republicans have taken to disrupting House meetings by any means necessary when the subject turns to the potential crimes or proven incompetence of Trump and his officials; the most famous recent example is Rep. Louie Gohmert having a table-banging tantrum in an effort to scuttle witness testimony about Attorney General William Barr's campaign to reduce or negate federal prosecution of those who lied to cover up foreign election interference on Trump's behalf.
The refusals to wear masks are similarly partisan, with House Republicans seemingly of the belief that masks, of themselves, are a plot to unnecessarily politicize a pandemic that even Vice President Mike Pence has now suggested will kill at least a quarter million Americans. It would be one thing if this completely insane and cultish belief killed off only the troglodytes refusing to take precautions but, as Clyburn noted, the refusal to adhere to mask guidelines undermines the safety of everyone around them, not just themselves and their fellow buffoons.
Numerous lawmakers, staff members, and White House employees have now tested positive for COVID-19, so the dangers in Congress are no longer hypothetical. We know, for a fact, that COVID-19 is present in the building. If Republicans on Clyburn's subcommittee don't want to wear masks, they are cordially invited to pound sand.
The next obvious and necessary steps will be for other committee heads to adopt the same policy, and to refuse entry to non-mask wearers at all. Donald Trump has an excuse: He cannot wear a mask because wearing a mask would cause the five pounds of makeup he trowels on his face each morning to migrate in unexpected directions. Scalise and the other House Republicans are only objecting to mask policies in yet another attempt to suck up to Dear Leader and Dear Leader's various promoted fictions, and that's not a good reason for endangering the lives of everyone else in the building.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-06-30--Senate Republicans Make Sure Trump Can Hide Offers Of Foreign Election Help

As Donald Trump and Fox News desperately try to defend his indefensible failure to defend U.S. troops from Russian mercenaries , # MoscowMitch seems ready to do his part for the team .
From CNN ( with my emphases added ) : The Senate will incorporate the annual intelligence policy legislation into the National Defense Authorization Act -- but only after stripping language from the intelligence bill that would have required presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign election help .
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia , the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee , said Tuesday that Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting provision as a condition to include the intelligence bill on the must-pass defense policy legislation .
Earlier this month , the Senate Intelligence Committee approved an amendment on an 8-7 vote from Warner and GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , which added a provision to the Intelligence Authorization Act requiring campaigns to notify federal authorities about offers of foreign election help .
… Warner tried to bring up his bill on the Senate floor several times over the past year , but Republicans objected each time .
When Sen. Marsha Blackburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill in June 2019 , calling it a `` blatant political stunt . ''
President Donald Trump applauded her efforts on Twitter .
Why would Republicans , supposedly “ America first ” adherents , want to prevent Americans from knowing about foreign interference in our presidential election – unless they have something to hide ?

As Donald Trump and Fox News desperately try to defend his indefensible failure to defend U.S. troops from Russian mercenaries, #MoscowMitch seems ready to do his part for the team.
From CNN (with my emphases added):
The Senate will incorporate the annual intelligence policy legislation into the National Defense Authorization Act -- but only after stripping language from the intelligence bill that would have required presidential campaigns to report offers of foreign election help. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Tuesday that Senate Republicans forced the removal of the election reporting provision as a condition to include the intelligence bill on the must-pass defense policy legislation.
Earlier this month, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved an amendment on an 8-7 vote from Warner and GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, which added a provision to the Intelligence Authorization Act requiring campaigns to notify federal authorities about offers of foreign election help.
… Warner tried to bring up his bill on the Senate floor several times over the past year, but Republicans objected each time. When Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, blocked the bill in June 2019, calling it a "blatant political stunt." President Donald Trump applauded her efforts on Twitter.
Why would Republicans, supposedly “America first” adherents, want to prevent Americans from knowing about foreign interference in our presidential election – unless they have something to hide?


crooksandliars--2020-06-30--Joe Biden Takes Question On 'Cognitive Decline,' Turns It Back On Trump

Vice President Joe Biden surprised reporters by having an impromptu press conference after delivering a speech slamming Donald Trump for the way he has handled the COVID-19 pandemic .
On Trump 's failure to protect our national security and our troops in Afghanistan , Biden was biting , mocking Trump .
“ He talks about cognitive capability , '' Biden scoffed .
`` He doesn ’ t seem to be cognitively aware of what ’ s going on.
” “ He either reads and/or gets briefed on important issues and he forgets it , or he doesn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know it , ” he continued , before going on to point out that he and President Obama read their intelligence briefings every day .
Slamming Trump hard for the failure to protect our troops and the nation , he wrapped that question up .
“ So the idea that somehow he didn ’ t know or isn ’ t being briefed , it is a dereliction of duty if that ’ s the case , ” Biden explained .
“ It ’ s an absolute dereliction of duty if any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the president has a lot to answer for and should get the answers quickly.
” Biden 's reference to cognitive capability was a direct slam on the ageist , pathetic , projecting ads Trump is running on national cable channels claiming Biden is the one with cognitive capabilities .
And leave it to Fox News reporter and flack Doug McKelway to set up another slam dunk for Biden .
Setting up the question , McKelway said , `` I 'm 65 .
I forget my train of thought from time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on me , sir . ''
Dropping the stink bomb , he asked , `` Have you been tested for some degree of cognitive decline ? ''
Well , there it is .
The ghost of Roger Ailes was probably laughing his fat ass off .
Except that Biden took that serve and scored .
`` Look , all you have to do is watch me , and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I 'm running against . ''
Game , set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way , followed questions about whether Biden would agree to debate Trump , something he is eager to do .
We 'll see who has the cognitive issues then .
Here is the full text of Biden 's remarks as prepared for delivery And here is the video of the entire speech , without the Q & A .

Vice President Joe Biden surprised reporters by having an impromptu press conference after delivering a speech slamming Donald Trump for the way he has handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Trump's failure to protect our national security and our troops in Afghanistan, Biden was biting, mocking Trump.
“He talks about cognitive capability," Biden scoffed. "He doesn’t seem to be cognitively aware of what’s going on.”
“He either reads and/or gets briefed on important issues and he forgets it, or he doesn’t think it’s necessary that he need to know it,” he continued, before going on to point out that he and President Obama read their intelligence briefings every day.
Slamming Trump hard for the failure to protect our troops and the nation, he wrapped that question up. “So the idea that somehow he didn’t know or isn’t being briefed, it is a dereliction of duty if that’s the case,” Biden explained. “It’s an absolute dereliction of duty if any of this is even remotely true. So I think the president has a lot to answer for and should get the answers quickly.”
Biden's reference to cognitive capability was a direct slam on the ageist, pathetic, projecting ads Trump is running on national cable channels claiming Biden is the one with cognitive capabilities. And leave it to Fox News reporter and flack Doug McKelway to set up another slam dunk for Biden.
Setting up the question, McKelway said, "I'm 65. I forget my train of thought from time to time. You've got 12 years on me, sir."
Dropping the stink bomb, he asked, "Have you been tested for some degree of cognitive decline?"
Well, there it is. The ghost of Roger Ailes was probably laughing his fat ass off. Except that Biden took that serve and scored.
"I've been tested, and I'm constantly tested," Biden laughed.
"Look, all you have to do is watch me, and I can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I'm running against."
Game, set, match. That exchange, by the way, followed questions about whether Biden would agree to debate Trump, something he is eager to do. We'll see who has the cognitive issues then.
Here is the full text of Biden's remarks as prepared for delivery
And here is the video of the entire speech, without the Q&A.
UPDATE: I guess McKelway didn't like being fully owned:


crooksandliars--2020-06-30--Gilead Charges $3,120 For Covid-19 Drug Developed With $70M In Taxpayer Money

Consumer advocates reacted with disgust Monday to an announcement by Gilead Sciences that it will charge U.S. hospitals around $ 3,120 per privately insured patient for a treatment course of remdesivir , a drug which has proven modestly effective at speeding Covid-19 recovery times .
Peter Maybarduk , director of Public Citizen 's Access to Medicines Program , called Gilead 's pricing—which works out to around $ 520 per dose for non-government buyers like hospitals— '' an offensive display of hubris and disregard for the public '' and slammed the Trump administration for failing to ensure that the price of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is affordable for all .
Maybarduk pointed to Institute for Clinical and Economic Review research showing Gilead could still make a profit by pricing remdesivir at $ 310 per course .
`` Gilead has priced at several thousand dollars a drug that should be in the public domain .
For $ 1 per day , remdesivir can be manufactured at scale with a reasonable profit , '' Maybarduk said in a statement .
`` Gilead did not make remdesivir alone .
Public funding was indispensable at each stage , and government scientists led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilead to set the terms during a pandemic represents a colossal failure of leadership by the Trump administration . ''
Public Citizen estimated in a May report that U.S. taxpayers contributed at least $ 70.5 million to the development of remdesivir .
Shortly after Gilead 's announcement , the U.S. Health and Human Services Department said it reached an agreement with the pharmaceutical giant to purchase more than 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir for American hospitals .
The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is `` the only developed country where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for government buyers ( $ 390 per dose ) and one for non-government buyers like hospitals ( $ 520 per dose ) .
The typical remdesivir treatment course consists of around six doses .
`` Trump 's refusal to stop pandemic profiteering with a stroke of a pen is a green light to other manufacturers to exploit this tragedy . ''
—Rep .
Lloyd Doggett Unlike the U.S. , the Journal notes , the governments of other advanced nations `` negotiate drug prices directly with drugmakers . ''
Rep. Lloyd Doggett ( D-Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Means Health Subcommittee , said in a statement that `` Trump 's refusal to stop pandemic profiteering with a stroke of a pen is a green light to other manufacturers to exploit this tragedy . ''
Doggett said he is pressuring the Trump administration and Gilead to disclose the details of their agreement , including the sum the government paid for the 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir .
On Twitter , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) condemned Gilead 's price-tag as `` beyond disgusting . ''
`` Taxpayers provided funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gilead is price-gouging off it during a pandemic , '' said Sanders .
`` Coronavirus treatment must be free to all . ''

Consumer advocates reacted with disgust Monday to an announcement by Gilead Sciences that it will charge U.S. hospitals around $3,120 per privately insured patient for a treatment course of remdesivir, a drug which has proven modestly effective at speeding Covid-19 recovery times.
Peter Maybarduk, director of Public Citizen's Access to Medicines Program, called Gilead's pricing—which works out to around $520 per dose for non-government buyers like hospitals—"an offensive display of hubris and disregard for the public" and slammed the Trump administration for failing to ensure that the price of a drug developed with substantial taxpayer support is affordable for all.
Maybarduk pointed to Institute for Clinical and Economic Review research showing Gilead could still make a profit by pricing remdesivir at $310 per course.
"Gilead has priced at several thousand dollars a drug that should be in the public domain. For $1 per day, remdesivir can be manufactured at scale with a reasonable profit," Maybarduk said in a statement. "Gilead did not make remdesivir alone. Public funding was indispensable at each stage, and government scientists led the early drug discovery team. Allowing Gilead to set the terms during a pandemic represents a colossal failure of leadership by the Trump administration."
Public Citizen estimated in a May report that U.S. taxpayers contributed at least $70.5 million to the development of remdesivir.
US taxpayers spent $70,000,000 developing this drug. This is an absolute robbery. https://t.co/6qSMOlmqWF — Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) June 29, 2020
Shortly after Gilead's announcement, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department said it reached an agreement with the pharmaceutical giant to purchase more than 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir for American hospitals.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is "the only developed country where Gilead will charge two prices"—one for government buyers ($390 per dose) and one for non-government buyers like hospitals ($520 per dose). The typical remdesivir treatment course consists of around six doses.
"Trump's refusal to stop pandemic profiteering with a stroke of a pen is a green light to other manufacturers to exploit this tragedy."
—Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Unlike the U.S., the Journal notes, the governments of other advanced nations "negotiate drug prices directly with drugmakers."
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, said in a statement that "Trump's refusal to stop pandemic profiteering with a stroke of a pen is a green light to other manufacturers to exploit this tragedy."
Doggett said he is pressuring the Trump administration and Gilead to disclose the details of their agreement, including the sum the government paid for the 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir.
On Twitter, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) condemned Gilead's price-tag as "beyond disgusting."
"Taxpayers provided funding for the development of this drug. Now Gilead is price-gouging off it during a pandemic," said Sanders. "Coronavirus treatment must be free to all."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-07-02--New Front On White Privilege: Cashless Payment Systems

Axios morning email thingie tells us that we are turning into a cashless society : We ’ ve suddenly cut back on using cash for fear it may spread the virus , and some worried shopkeepers have stopped accepting it , Axios managing editor Jennifer Kingson reports .
• Why it matters : The virus has changed our buying and payment habits forever .
Online shopping is through the roof , and consumers are rushing to get “ contactless ” credit and debit cards , which are tapped at a merchant terminal rather than inserted or swiped .
The coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there ’ s a perception that money is dirty and payment terminals carry germs .
• ATM use is down 32 % , according to Visa , and 63 % of consumers say they ’ re using less cash .
The next big thing : contactless cards .
They ’ re pervasive in Europe and elsewhere , and are just starting to hit the U.S. in a big way .
• People who use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay on their phones have gotten used to paying with a wave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which it touted its contactless payment option .
Which sounds very modern and fancy , but it also signals another great divide : what about people who don ’ t have bank accounts , the vast majority of whom are Black and Latino ?
This is why those payday lenders/check cashing places exist .
I know I bang on this drum a lot .
White privilege is pervasive and largely unseen by white people like me ( which is why it is a privilege ) but when stories like this don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of color , it ’ s just another example of unseeing , unthinking erasure of our friends and neighbors experience .
I don ’ t really know if money is a vector of the virus , though I have often watched people lick their fingers before peeling off bills , but if it is , then the folks who are forced to pay in cash spending are gon na be hurt .

Axios morning email thingie tells us that we are turning into a cashless society:
We’ve suddenly cut back on using cash for fear it may spread the virus, and some worried shopkeepers have stopped accepting it, Axios managing editor Jennifer Kingson reports. Why it matters: The virus has changed our buying and payment habits forever. Online shopping is through the roof, and consumers are rushing to get “contactless” credit and debit cards, which are tapped at a merchant terminal rather than inserted or swiped. The coronavirus has made us scared to touch anything, and there’s a perception that money is dirty and payment terminals carry germs. ATM use is down 32%, according to Visa, and 63% of consumers say they’re using less cash. The next big thing: contactless cards. They’re pervasive in Europe and elsewhere, and are just starting to hit the U.S. in a big way. People who use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay on their phones have gotten used to paying with a wave.
Apple Pay and Samsung Pay on their phones have gotten used to paying with a wave. Burger King ran a recent commercial in which it touted its contactless payment option.
Which sounds very modern and fancy, but it also signals another great divide: what about people who don’t have bank accounts, the vast majority of whom are Black and Latino? This is why those payday lenders/check cashing places exist.
I know I bang on this drum a lot. White privilege is pervasive and largely unseen by white people like me (which is why it is a privilege) but when stories like this don’t even consider the impact on people of color, it’s just another example of unseeing, unthinking erasure of our friends and neighbors experience.
I don’t really know if money is a vector of the virus, though I have often watched people lick their fingers before peeling off bills, but if it is, then the folks who are forced to pay in cash spending are gonna be hurt.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Kamala Harris: Trump’s Behavior With Russia ‘Don’t Smell Right’

Sen. Kamala Harris is through trying to figure out whatever stinky thing is going on between Donald Trump and Russia because it 's time to just recognize that he is not fit to be president and focus on getting a new one .
Harris and Nicolle Wallace blasted Trump over the latest Russia bounty scandal on MSNBC Wednesday .
“ We can not lose sight of our nation 's standing in relation to the rest of the world and the importance of having a commander-in-chief who takes seriously our role , ” Harris said .
“ Someone who , unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships , the need to put in check adversaries , and also embrace allies.
” There ’ s obviously “ something going on ” between Trump and Russia , Harris added , “ Something ’ s afoot , right ?
It just -- it do n't smell right.
” Wallace was obviously outraged over the fact that the intelligence community was probably afraid to give Trump bad news about Russia and the fact that Trump subsequently refused to believe it .
“ How are we supposed to feel ?
” she asked Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychology '' in favor of the nitty gritty .
HARRIS : The same way we should have felt from day one when he called Russian interference , when he had called the coronavirus a hoax .
We 're supposed to feel the same way which is , this man is not fit to be president and we need a new president .
That 's how we 're supposed to feel .
Let 's not overanalyze Donald Trump .
I literally - no more pop psychology about this guy .
Let 's just do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to put our efforts into the election that is coming up and elect a president who actually understands the magnitude and the importance of that office .

Sen. Kamala Harris is through trying to figure out whatever stinky thing is going on between Donald Trump and Russia because it's time to just recognize that he is not fit to be president and focus on getting a new one.
Harris and Nicolle Wallace blasted Trump over the latest Russia bounty scandal on MSNBC Wednesday. “We cannot lose sight of our nation's standing in relation to the rest of the world and the importance of having a commander-in-chief who takes seriously our role,” Harris said. “Someone who, unlike Donald Trump, understands the need for relationships, the need to put in check adversaries, and also embrace allies.”
There’s obviously “something going on” between Trump and Russia, Harris added, “Something’s afoot, right? It just -- it don't smell right.”
Wallace was obviously outraged over the fact that the intelligence community was probably afraid to give Trump bad news about Russia and the fact that Trump subsequently refused to believe it. “How are we supposed to feel?” she asked Harris.
Harris brushed aside any "pop psychology" in favor of the nitty gritty.
HARRIS: The same way we should have felt from day one when he called Russian interference, when he had called the coronavirus a hoax. We're supposed to feel the same way which is, this man is not fit to be president and we need a new president. That's how we're supposed to feel. Let's not overanalyze Donald Trump. I literally - no more pop psychology about this guy. Let's just do what needs to get done, which is to put our efforts into the election that is coming up and elect a president who actually understands the magnitude and the importance of that office.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Donald Trump STILL Thinks Coronavirus Is Going To 'Just Disappear'

Let me know if you 've heard this before : Donald Trump telling Fox News that the coronavirus will just @ @ @ @ @ right ?
Well , that 's because he said it in March .
And April @ @ @ @ @ June .
Oh , and today .
IN JULY .
Mind you , cases are @ @ @ @ @ states .
But , you know , they 'll `` just disappear . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ : The only thing I want to `` just disappear '' is Donald Trump .

Let me know if you've heard this before: Donald Trump telling Fox News that the coronavirus will just disappear. Sounds familiar, right? Well, that's because he said it in March. And April. And May. And June.
Oh, and today. IN JULY.
Mind you, cases are on the rise in 40 states. But, you know, they'll "just disappear."
Twitter had thoughts:
If only trump would sorta just disappear. — Steven Zielke (@zmus) July 1, 2020
I am I remember "the heat will kill it" years old.
I live in Arizona. We've seen triple digits since May. And we're spiking like mad. So.... pic.twitter.com/dhOY1VZesF — PortiaMcGonagal (@PortiaMcGonagal) July 1, 2020
It's his story and he's sticking to it, dammit! /s 🤦♂ — Dave Perrino @🏡 (@DavePerrino) July 1, 2020
Trump speaks the best kind of gibberish.
It’s called dangerous gibbershit. — Physical Distance Singh, MD 🌊 (@LabyrinthWeaver) July 1, 2020
Trump: Biden doesn’t know what he’s saying.
Also trump: That virus will just disappear any minute now when god sucks it up with his vacuum cleaner. — Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) July 1, 2020
But you know, science disagrees:
It's going to "sort of just disappear" ?
The US is experiencing exponential growth. We have the highest number of infections of any country, and we have no national strategy to contain the virus. It's not going anywhere. pic.twitter.com/TdfuUrVtza — Nat Lester-Coll, MD (@DrLesterColl) July 1, 2020
Nailed it
It’s going to just disappear does not seem like a viable pandemic strategy https://t.co/USVIcLNBbQ — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) July 1, 2020
The only thing I want to "just disappear" is Donald Trump.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Trump Calls Proposed Black Lives Matter Sign On Fifth Avenue A ‘Symbol Of Hate'

If it seems like Donald Trump is a bit more unhinged than usual this week , here 's one reason @ @ @ @ @ De Blasio for doing one thing right , for a change .
President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ plan to paint the phrase `` Black Lives Matter '' on Fifth Avenue in front @ @ @ @ @ it a `` symbol of hate '' and demanding the city spend the money on @ @ @ @ @ said last week they would emulate other cities and paint the message in large letters @ @ @ @ @ in this case , right in front of the president 's flagship building .
Mayor @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC Wednesday morning that the work would happen in the coming days , leading to @ @ @ @

If it seems like Donald Trump is a bit more unhinged than usual this week, here's one reason why. h/t to Bill De Blasio for doing one thing right, for a change.
Source: NBC, New York
President Donald Trump blasted New York City's plan to paint the phrase "Black Lives Matter" on Fifth Avenue in front of Trump Tower, calling it a "symbol of hate" and demanding the city spend the money on policing instead.
NYC officials said last week they would emulate other cities and paint the message in large letters on a prominent roadway -- in this case, right in front of the president's flagship building.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on MSNBC Wednesday morning that the work would happen in the coming days, leading to Trump's tweets.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Laura Ingraham Smears Dr. Fauci As Joe Biden's Running Mate

On Tuesday night 's Ingraham Angle , the late night host attacked Dr. Fauci after he testified to the Senate because he refuses to get in line with Trump 's campaign agenda .
Of course , Laura Ingraham campaigns for Donald Trump every single night on her `` My Pillow White Power Hour . ''
This is pure projection on her part .
Ingraham has made Dr. Fauci a constant target of smears and attacks .
Meanwhile , he continues to give honest information about the pandemic .
“ Well , Dr. Doom himself at a Senate hearing today spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda , '' Ingraham said .
At least Laura admitted her own truth .
Ingraham is more worried about Trump 's re-election agenda than the lives and health of Americans .
Ingraham said , “ Now at this point , can we all just admit that Fauci is basically working for the Biden campaign ?
For all we know , he could be Joe ’ s running mate . ''
`` Why not ? ''
she asked .
The Fox News host is one of the most prolific virus deniers on the FNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like hydroxychloroquine and lies about our medical experts who refuse to become propaganda tools for Trump ( Dr. Brix ) all in an effort to get her viewers to ignore health and safety measures during a G-damned pandemic .
If Fox News is concerned at all about lawsuits over COVID deaths from viewers who take this nonsense seriously , they 'll get Laura off the air .

On Tuesday night's Ingraham Angle, the late night host attacked Dr. Fauci after he testified to the Senate because he refuses to get in line with Trump's campaign agenda.
Of course, Laura Ingraham campaigns for Donald Trump every single night on her "My Pillow White Power Hour." This is pure projection on her part.
Ingraham has made Dr. Fauci a constant target of smears and attacks. Meanwhile, he continues to give honest information about the pandemic.
“Well, Dr. Doom himself at a Senate hearing today spreading more COVID panic and undermining Trump's agenda," Ingraham said.
COVID panic?
WTF?
At least Laura admitted her own truth. Ingraham is more worried about Trump's re-election agenda than the lives and health of Americans.
Ingraham said, “Now at this point, can we all just admit that Fauci is basically working for the Biden campaign? For all we know, he could be Joe’s running mate."
"Why not?" she asked.
The Fox News host is one of the most prolific virus deniers on the FNC airwaves, who peddles phony medical cures like hydroxychloroquine and lies about our medical experts who refuse to become propaganda tools for Trump (Dr. Brix) all in an effort to get her viewers to ignore health and safety measures during a G-damned pandemic.
If Fox News is concerned at all about lawsuits over COVID deaths from viewers who take this nonsense seriously, they'll get Laura off the air.


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--Far-Right Gun Nut Lauren Boebert Knocks Off Longtime GOP Rep In CO-03

Lauren Boebert , who describes herself as `` pro-Trump , pro-Life , pro-Energy , pro-Constitution , pro-Guns '' , and runs a restaurant where the waitresses open carry firearms , knocked off longtime congressman Scott Tipton tonight in a Republican primary for Colorado 's third district .
Right-wing restaurateur Lauren Boebert defeated incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton handily in Colorado ’ s Third Congressional District Republican primary Tuesday just one day after President Trump gave a Twitter endorsement to Tipton .
Tipton conceded the race just after 9 p.m. Tuesday .
“ 3rd District Republicans have decided who they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to congratulate Lauren Boebert and wish her and her supporters well , ” Tipton said in a statement .
As of 9:10 p.m. Boebert led Tipton by 9 percentage points , 54 % to 46 % , though the Associated Press had yet to call the race .
Tipton is in his fifth term as the Third Congressional District representative , but Boebert challenged him from the right this year in an effort to win over more-conservative voters who believe Tipton has sided with Democrats too often on bipartisan deals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ where employees open-carry firearms while serving and which was shut down by health officials when she opened in lieu of Colorado public health guidance last month .
Boebert has touted her Second Amendment bonafides during the campaign .
Her website says she is “ heading to Congress to drain the swamp , stand up for our rights , and tell all the left-wing lunatics we don ’ t want more government control , we want our freedom !
”

Lauren Boebert, who describes herself as "pro-Trump, pro-Life, pro-Energy, pro-Constitution, pro-Guns", and runs a restaurant where the waitresses open carry firearms, knocked off longtime congressman Scott Tipton tonight in a Republican primary for Colorado's third district.
Source: Denver Channel
Right-wing restaurateur Lauren Boebert defeated incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton handily in Colorado’s Third Congressional District Republican primary Tuesday just one day after President Trump gave a Twitter endorsement to Tipton.
Tipton conceded the race just after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“3rd District Republicans have decided who they want to run against the Democrats this November. I want to congratulate Lauren Boebert and wish her and her supporters well,” Tipton said in a statement.
As of 9:10 p.m. Boebert led Tipton by 9 percentage points, 54% to 46%, though the Associated Press had yet to call the race.
Tipton is in his fifth term as the Third Congressional District representative, but Boebert challenged him from the right this year in an effort to win over more-conservative voters who believe Tipton has sided with Democrats too often on bipartisan deals.
Boebert owns Shooters Grill in Rifle, where employees open-carry firearms while serving and which was shut down by health officials when she opened in lieu of Colorado public health guidance last month.
Boebert has touted her Second Amendment bonafides during the campaign. Her website says she is “heading to Congress to drain the swamp, stand up for our rights, and tell all the left-wing lunatics we don’t want more government control, we want our freedom!”


crooksandliars--2020-07-01--SCOTUS Delivers 'Seismic Shock' Ruling On Religious Schools

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a ruling civil liberties advocates warned could make taxpayers `` underwrite religious education '' —opening a massive crack in the bedrock principle of church and state separation .
The decision in the case , Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue , was 5-4 , with the court 's conservatives in the majority .
As NBC News put it , the ruling `` further lowered the wall of separation between church and state and will likely affect laws or constitutional provisions in more than two-thirds of the nation that bar public funding for churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned a scholarship program enacted in Montana in 2015 , which provided individuals and businesses with up to $ 150 in tax credits to match donations to private , nonprofit scholarship organizations .
Shortly after the program was enacted , the Montana Department of Revenue put in place a rule that barred scholarship recipients from using funds from the program to pay for religious schools .
Three mothers who sent their children to a Christian school and relied upon the funds sued .
The state Supreme Court struck down the program , prompting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State need not subsidize private education .
But once a State decides to do so , it can not disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious , '' Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority .
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a dissent , in which Justice Elena Kagan joined , `` The majority 's approach and its conclusion in this case , I fear , risk the kind of entanglement and conflict that the Religion Clauses are intended to prevent . ''
`` Today 's ruling is perverse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate dissent .
She wrote , in part : Without any need or power to do so , the Court appears to require a State to reinstate a tax-credit program that the Constitution did not demand in the first place .
We once recognized that `` [ w ] hile the Free Exercise Clause clearly prohibits the use of state action to deny the rights of free exercise to anyone , it has never meant that a majority could use the machinery of the State to practice its beliefs .
Today 's Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clauses ' balanced values in favor of a new theory of free exercise , and it does so only by setting aside well-established judicial constraints .
The decision drew outrage from groups including the American Federation of Teachers .
AFT president Randi Weingarten said the ruling represents `` a seismic shock that threatens both public education and religious liberty '' and called it `` a radical departure from our Constitution , American history , and our values . ''
`` Never in more than two centuries of American history has the free exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a weapon to defund and dismantle public education , '' she said .
`` It will hurt both the 90 percent of students who attend neighborhood public schools , by siphoning off needed funds , and , in the long term , those who attend religious schools by curtailing their freedom with the accountability that comes with tax dollars . ''
`` The court 's narrow conservative majority joined with Donald Trump , [ Education Secretary and `` school choice '' proponent ] Betsy DeVos , and other wealthy donors and special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the First Amendment on its head , '' Weingarten added , warning that `` financial backers of this case will now use it to open the floodgates to litigation across the country . ''
According to Daniel Mach , director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief , the ruling `` undermines true religious freedom and is the latest in a disturbing line of Supreme Court cases attacking the very foundations of the separation of church and state . ''
`` In the past , the court used to guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Today , the court has not only allowed , but actually required taxpayers to underwrite religious education . ''
Rachel Laser , president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State President , blasted the ruling .
`` Forcing taxpayers to pay for private religious education—as Montana 's tax-credit voucher program does—is a fundamental violation of their religious freedom , '' she said .
Another possible effect of the ruling , Laser warned , is that public dollars will go towards amplifying discrimination .
`` Too often , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and LGBTQ people , and promulgate religiously based interpretations of science , civics , and history , '' she said .
Laser further accused `` 10 of the 12 religious schools in Montana 's voucher program '' of having `` discriminatory policies , including permitting expulsion of students who identify as LGBTQ and refusing admission to students with disabilities . ''
`` Let 's not forget that vouchers were first developed to evade integration orders and fund segregation academies specifically designed to keep Black and white students apart , '' she noted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in schools .
The White House , meanwhile , celebrated the ruling as a right-wing victory for so-called `` school choice '' and religious freedom .

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a ruling civil liberties advocates warned could make taxpayers "underwrite religious education"—opening a massive crack in the bedrock principle of church and state separation.
The decision in the case, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, was 5-4, with the court's conservatives in the majority.
As NBC News put it, the ruling "further lowered the wall of separation between church and state and will likely affect laws or constitutional provisions in more than two-thirds of the nation that bar public funding for churches and religious schools."
CNBC laid out the background:
The case concerned a scholarship program enacted in Montana in 2015, which provided individuals and businesses with up to $150 in tax credits to match donations to private, nonprofit scholarship organizations. Shortly after the program was enacted, the Montana Department of Revenue put in place a rule that barred scholarship recipients from using funds from the program to pay for religious schools.
Three mothers who sent their children to a Christian school and relied upon the funds sued. The state Supreme Court struck down the program, prompting the high court challenge.
"A State need not subsidize private education. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a dissent, in which Justice Elena Kagan joined, "The majority's approach and its conclusion in this case, I fear, risk the kind of entanglement and conflict that the Religion Clauses are intended to prevent."
"Today's ruling is perverse," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in a separate dissent. She wrote, in part:
Without any need or power to do so, the Court appears to require a State to reinstate a tax-credit program that the Constitution did not demand in the first place. We once recognized that "[w]hile the Free Exercise Clause clearly prohibits the use of state action to deny the rights of free exercise to anyone, it has never meant that a majority could use the machinery of the State to practice its beliefs. Today's Court, by contrast, rejects the Religion Clauses' balanced values in favor of a new theory of free exercise, and it does so only by setting aside well-established judicial constraints.
The decision drew outrage from groups including the American Federation of Teachers.
AFT president Randi Weingarten said the ruling represents "a seismic shock that threatens both public education and religious liberty" and called it "a radical departure from our Constitution, American history, and our values."
"Never in more than two centuries of American history has the free exercise clause of the First Amendment been wielded as a weapon to defund and dismantle public education," she said. "It will hurt both the 90 percent of students who attend neighborhood public schools, by siphoning off needed funds, and, in the long term, those who attend religious schools by curtailing their freedom with the accountability that comes with tax dollars."
"The court's narrow conservative majority joined with Donald Trump, [Education Secretary and "school choice" proponent] Betsy DeVos, and other wealthy donors and special interests to attack public education and turn the First Amendment on its head," Weingarten added, warning that "financial backers of this case will now use it to open the floodgates to litigation across the country."
According to Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, the ruling "undermines true religious freedom and is the latest in a disturbing line of Supreme Court cases attacking the very foundations of the separation of church and state."
"In the past, the court used to guard against government-funded religion," he said. "Today, the court has not only allowed, but actually required taxpayers to underwrite religious education."
Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State President, blasted the ruling.
"Forcing taxpayers to pay for private religious education—as Montana's tax-credit voucher program does—is a fundamental violation of their religious freedom," she said.
Another possible effect of the ruling, Laser warned, is that public dollars will go towards amplifying discrimination.
"Too often, religious schools reject civil rights for women and LGBTQ people, and promulgate religiously based interpretations of science, civics, and history," she said.
Laser further accused "10 of the 12 religious schools in Montana's voucher program" of having "discriminatory policies, including permitting expulsion of students who identify as LGBTQ and refusing admission to students with disabilities."
"Let's not forget that vouchers were first developed to evade integration orders and fund segregation academies specifically designed to keep Black and white students apart," she noted, warning that private-school vouchers could worsen segregation in schools.
The White House, meanwhile, celebrated the ruling as a right-wing victory for so-called "school choice" and religious freedom.
Republished from Common Dreams (Andrea Germanos, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-07-02--U.S. Hits Record High Of 50K New Cases Of COVID-19 In One Day

`` As the U.S. marked a new high , reporting more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday , President Trump predicted the days of the disease will soon be over , '' he said .
TRUMP : I think we 're going to be very good with the coronavirus .
I think that at some point , that 's going to sort of just disappear , I hope .
REPORTER : You still believe so ?
Disappear ?
TRUMP : I do , I do .
`` But health experts say that is simply not true . ''
This pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be disappeared .
And it can be , without a drug , without a vaccine , if you have leadership , governance , and individual responsibility .
`` New infections increased in at least 37 states over the past week .
Dr. Anthony Fauci says it is not too late to turn the surge around . ''
It does not have to be 100,000 cases a day .
I use that number because I want to jolt people .
If you leave the virus to its own devices , it will take off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their highest daily number of new cases .
In response , California Governor Gavin Newsom announcing that he is tightening restrictions , closing indoor businesses , including restaurants , bars , museums , movie theaters , and zoos within 19 counties , making up 72 % of California 's population .
Newsom also asking residents to think twice about having family gatherings this holiday weekend , '' Sanchez said .
This is about keeping you safe .
About keeping them safe .
Your friends , neighbors , and family members .
`` Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Houston , the mayor fears hospitals could reach capacity by mid-July , if people do n't act soon to change the current trajectory . ''
Unless the behavior changes and people will engage in social distancing and wear their masks and proper hygiene , there could reach a point where they are really at their limit .
`` Despite repeatedly refusing to wear masks in public , President Trump showing signs of pressure from his allies . ''
I 'm all for masks .
I think masks are good .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was close -- I mean , people have seen me wearing one .
I do n't know if you need mandatory , because you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance .
You talk about social distancing .
`` Facial coverings still are n't required statewide in Florida or Arizona .
Both governors leaving it up to local officials , despite calls for them to step in before the situation gets even worse . ''
The virus just ca n't tell from one town to the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the virus can step over that particular jurisdiction .
The crisis is everywhere and we need swift action by Governor Doocy .
`` And because of the surge of cases , Miami 's Jackson Memorial Health System , one of the biggest hospital systems in the state , John , is warning that they 're running out of Remdesivir , that key anti-viral drug , the only one that 's been approved by the FDA to treat coronavirus .
They 're hoping that the public will heed their warnings come July 4th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vice President Mike Pence visiting the Sunshine State today .
He 's going to be meeting with Governor Ron DeSantis in Tampa .
Potentially , masks , hopefully , will be part of the conversation , John , '' Sanchez concluded .

Here's today's CNN coronavirus update with Boris Sanchez.
"As the U.S. marked a new high, reporting more than 50,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, President Trump predicted the days of the disease will soon be over," he said.
TRUMP: I think we're going to be very good with the coronavirus. I think that at some point, that's going to sort of just disappear, I hope.
REPORTER: You still believe so? Disappear?
TRUMP: I do, I do.
"But health experts say that is simply not true."
This pandemic is not disappearing. this pandemic must be disappeared. And it can be, without a drug, without a vaccine, if you have leadership, governance, and individual responsibility.
"New infections increased in at least 37 states over the past week. Dr. Anthony Fauci says it is not too late to turn the surge around."
It does not have to be 100,000 cases a day. I use that number because I want to jolt people. If you leave the virus to its own devices, it will take off on you.
"Five states marking their highest daily number of new cases. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom announcing that he is tightening restrictions, closing indoor businesses, including restaurants, bars, museums, movie theaters, and zoos within 19 counties, making up 72% of California's population. Newsom also asking residents to think twice about having family gatherings this holiday weekend," Sanchez said.
This is about keeping you safe. About keeping them safe. Your friends, neighbors, and family members.
"Texas adding almost 8,100 new cases. And in Houston, the mayor fears hospitals could reach capacity by mid-July, if people don't act soon to change the current trajectory."
Unless the behavior changes and people will engage in social distancing and wear their masks and proper hygiene, there could reach a point where they are really at their limit.
"Despite repeatedly refusing to wear masks in public, President Trump showing signs of pressure from his allies."
I'm all for masks. I think masks are good. If I were in a group of people and I was close -- I mean, people have seen me wearing one.
"But Trump stopping short of endorsing a mask mandate."
I don't know if you need mandatory, because you have many places in the country where people stay very long distance. You talk about social distancing.
"Facial coverings still aren't required statewide in Florida or Arizona. Both governors leaving it up to local officials, despite calls for them to step in before the situation gets even worse."
The virus just can't tell from one town to the next city whether they can step over -- whether the virus can step over that particular jurisdiction. The crisis is everywhere and we need swift action by Governor Doocy.
"And because of the surge of cases, Miami's Jackson Memorial Health System, one of the biggest hospital systems in the state, John, is warning that they're running out of Remdesivir, that key anti-viral drug, the only one that's been approved by the FDA to treat coronavirus. They're hoping that the public will heed their warnings come July 4th weekend.
"On top of that, Vice President Mike Pence visiting the Sunshine State today. He's going to be meeting with Governor Ron DeSantis in Tampa. Potentially, masks, hopefully, will be part of the conversation, John," Sanchez concluded.