crooksandliars--2020-03-24--White Nationalists Seek To Weaponize Coronavirus Pandemic

For the “ accelerationists ” of the white nationalist movement—the nihilistic young bigots and misogynists who “ just want to watch the world burn ” —the coronavirus pandemic is “ truly a gift.
” At a bare minimum , they see the current emphasis on “ social distancing ” and “ sheltering in place ” as a prime opportunity to reach more young people online for recruitment .
And some of them , it seems , are intent on making it into a weapon .
According to a report this weekend from Hunter Walker and Jana Winter at Yahoo News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel discussed finding ways to turn the contagion into a bioweapon , including spreading the disease through spray bottles , spreading their spit , and contaminating objects in public places .
“ Violent extremists continue to make bioterrorism a popular topic among themselves , ” reads an intelligence brief by the Federal Protective Service , which covered the week of Feb. 17-24 and was distributed to law enforcement around the nation .
“ White Racially Motivated Violent Extremists have recently commented on the coronavirus stating that it is an ‘ OBLIGATION ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus.
” The brief makes clear that federal investigators are monitoring white nationalist activity on Telegram , an encrypted platform whose privacy settings have made it immensely popular with the radical right .
On a Telegram channel devoted to promoting “ siege culture ” —a terroristic worldview first popularized by neo-Nazi author James Mason—and “ accelerationism ” —which embraces the goal of destroying human civilization , viewed as a plague on the planet—the participants eagerly embraced the idea of contracting and then deliberately spreading COVID-19 .
Most were affiliated with the neo-Nazi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that white supremacists “ suggested targeting … law enforcement and minority communities , with some mention of public places in general.
” They discussed a number of methods of spreading the pandemic , primarily targeted at their perceived enemies : Seeking out personal contact with anti-fascists , wiping “ saliva on door handles ” and spitting on elevator buttons at local FBI offices , and leaving the germs behind in “ nonwhite neighborhoods.
” The coronavirus also means fresh opportunities for sowing chaos and hatred beyond its mere weaponization for white nationalists—particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created for themselves .
With huge numbers of their primary recruiting demographic—white males between 13 and 30—forced to spend more time online , especially for social connections , the white nationalist movement appears to be working overtime to step up its outreach .
Civil rights experts on a reporters ’ call ( via EJ Dickson at Rolling Stone ) with the Southern Poverty Law Center to discuss its recent annual “ state of hate ” report , which found an increase in intensity and violent rhetoric from white nationalists during the Trump era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the increase in internet use associated with it may contribute to a worsening .
“ We are seeing a huge uptick ” in white nationalist rhetoric , according to Eric Ward , executive director of the Portland , Oregon-based Western States Center .
“ A lot of it is happening on YouTube platforms and videos and others , at a time where much of the country is sheltering in place or practicing social distancing .
Ironically , it will serve to give these individuals much more access [ to an audience ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying shift to “ accelerationism ” is enhanced by the spread of memes and fake news stories related to the coronavirus , especially those that purport to show environmental damage suddenly reversing itself because of the cessation of human activity , such as dolphins returning to seaports in Italy .
The message of these memes , spread often by devoted eco-fascists , is that humans are contaminants and the pandemic is a good thing .
Mostly , it ’ s about sowing the chaos they see as key to bringing about an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to capitalize on crisis and chaos , ” Ward told Rolling Stone , which noted that eco-fascists used one Telegram thread to theorize about targeting electricity systems in areas where people are quarantined .
Activists Shannon Martinez and Nola Flanagan compiled a Twitter thread of useful suggestions for learning how to first recognize the appearance of white-nationalist propaganda in your children ’ s online diets and what to do about it : “ Empower kids to identify the messages used to market products and ideas .
Work together to learn better how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior change far more than just info and guidelines .
”

For the “accelerationists” of the white nationalist movement—the nihilistic young bigots and misogynists who “just want to watch the world burn”—the coronavirus pandemic is “truly a gift.” At a bare minimum, they see the current emphasis on “social distancing” and “sheltering in place” as a prime opportunity to reach more young people online for recruitment.
And some of them, it seems, are intent on making it into a weapon. According to a report this weekend from Hunter Walker and Jana Winter at Yahoo News, neo-Nazi terrorists on a Telegram chat channel discussed finding ways to turn the contagion into a bioweapon, including spreading the disease through spray bottles, spreading their spit, and contaminating objects in public places.
“Violent extremists continue to make bioterrorism a popular topic among themselves,” reads an intelligence brief by the Federal Protective Service, which covered the week of Feb. 17-24 and was distributed to law enforcement around the nation. “White Racially Motivated Violent Extremists have recently commented on the coronavirus stating that it is an ‘OBLIGATION’ to spread it should any of them contract the virus.”
The brief makes clear that federal investigators are monitoring white nationalist activity on Telegram, an encrypted platform whose privacy settings have made it immensely popular with the radical right. On a Telegram channel devoted to promoting “siege culture”—a terroristic worldview first popularized by neo-Nazi author James Mason—and “accelerationism”—which embraces the goal of destroying human civilization, viewed as a plague on the planet—the participants eagerly embraced the idea of contracting and then deliberately spreading COVID-19. Most were affiliated with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division.
The brief reported that white supremacists “suggested targeting … law enforcement and minority communities, with some mention of public places in general.” They discussed a number of methods of spreading the pandemic, primarily targeted at their perceived enemies: Seeking out personal contact with anti-fascists, wiping “saliva on door handles” and spitting on elevator buttons at local FBI offices, and leaving the germs behind in “nonwhite neighborhoods.”
The coronavirus also means fresh opportunities for sowing chaos and hatred beyond its mere weaponization for white nationalists—particularly in the online alternative universe they’ve created for themselves. With huge numbers of their primary recruiting demographic—white males between 13 and 30—forced to spend more time online, especially for social connections, the white nationalist movement appears to be working overtime to step up its outreach.
Civil rights experts on a reporters’ call (via EJ Dickson at Rolling Stone) with the Southern Poverty Law Center to discuss its recent annual “state of hate” report, which found an increase in intensity and violent rhetoric from white nationalists during the Trump era, discussed how “social distancing” and the increase in internet use associated with it may contribute to a worsening.
“We are seeing a huge uptick” in white nationalist rhetoric, according to Eric Ward, executive director of the Portland, Oregon-based Western States Center. “A lot of it is happening on YouTube platforms and videos and others, at a time where much of the country is sheltering in place or practicing social distancing. Ironically, it will serve to give these individuals much more access [to an audience] than they would normally have.”
The underlying shift to “accelerationism” is enhanced by the spread of memes and fake news stories related to the coronavirus, especially those that purport to show environmental damage suddenly reversing itself because of the cessation of human activity, such as dolphins returning to seaports in Italy. The message of these memes, spread often by devoted eco-fascists, is that humans are contaminants and the pandemic is a good thing.
Mostly, it’s about sowing the chaos they see as key to bringing about an end to modern civilization: “They want to capitalize on crisis and chaos,” Ward told Rolling Stone, which noted that eco-fascists used one Telegram thread to theorize about targeting electricity systems in areas where people are quarantined.
Activists Shannon Martinez and Nola Flanagan compiled a Twitter thread of useful suggestions for learning how to first recognize the appearance of white-nationalist propaganda in your children’s online diets and what to do about it: “Empower kids to identify the messages used to market products and ideas. Work together to learn better how to identify disinformation campaigns. This impacts permanent behavior change far more than just info and guidelines.”
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Prepare Yourself For A Very Bad Week In COVID-19 Pandemic

This is , as the coronavirus task force warned , going to be a very bad week .
( Just in the past few days , I 've had one friend lost her aunt and her brother admitted to the ICU .
Another friend 's son is in the local COVID unit . )
And remember , most of the deaths now are happening in people who do n't have the luxury of staying home .
`` Good morning , Alisyn , we 're outside the Javits Center .
It will open its doors to COVID-19 patients .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force saying it 's going to be a tough week in the fight against the coronavirus .
Experts claim a difficult week ahead for the nation , '' Jones said .
This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans ' lives , quite frankly .
This will be our Pearl Harbor moment and 9/11 moment .
It 's not localized .
It will be all over the country .
`` As the numbers of cases are expected to peak in New York in the coming days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the grocery store or the pharmacy but doing everything to keep your family and friends safe .
`` In New York , hospitals are bracing for the possibility of hitting the apex of COVID-19 cases this week .
Mayor Bill Di Blasio warns the city only has enough ventilators and medical supplies for the next few days .
This as the state saw a decrease in deaths over the weekend .
`` [ ... ] In some states , like Illinois and Michigan , the rates for ventilators and other medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government 's lack of an early response . ''
GOV .
PRITZKER : If they had started in February building ventilators , getting ready for this pandemic , we would n't have this happening .
and fewer people would die .
And in the meantime , Trump is pushing his miracle drug .
How much money will he make ?

This is, as the coronavirus task force warned, going to be a very bad week. (Just in the past few days, I've had one friend lost her aunt and her brother admitted to the ICU. Another friend's son is in the local COVID unit.) And remember, most of the deaths now are happening in people who don't have the luxury of staying home.
Athena Jones reported for CNN's New Day.
"Good morning, Alisyn, we're outside the Javits Center. It will open its doors to COVID-19 patients. This is as we begin with the federal task force saying it's going to be a tough week in the fight against the coronavirus. Experts claim a difficult week ahead for the nation," Jones said.
This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans' lives, quite frankly. This will be our Pearl Harbor moment and 9/11 moment. It's not localized. It will be all over the country.
"As the numbers of cases are expected to peak in New York in the coming days."
This is a moment not to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy but doing everything to keep your family and friends safe.
"In New York, hospitals are bracing for the possibility of hitting the apex of COVID-19 cases this week. Mayor Bill Di Blasio warns the city only has enough ventilators and medical supplies for the next few days. This as the state saw a decrease in deaths over the weekend.
"[...] In some states, like Illinois and Michigan, the rates for ventilators and other medical supplies have governors growing more frustrated at the federal government's lack of an early response."
GOV. PRITZKER: If they had started in February building ventilators, getting ready for this pandemic, we wouldn't have this happening. and fewer people would die.
And in the meantime, Trump is pushing his miracle drug. How much money will he make?


crooksandliars--2020-02-10--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Good morning Crooks and Liars !
I 'd like to take a moment , here at the top of the post to ask everyone to check their voter status ; I 'll wait .
The primaries are upon us and given all the usual suspects with all the usual voter suppression techniques and the Kremlin 's interest in our democracy , it 's better to be safe than sorry .
On to the links !
Blue Heron Blast reminds us of the de facto tyranny of the minority that 's built into our gubmint : it 's more than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
eVille Times reviews the human and dollar costs of our longest , on-going war .
The Psy of Life reports to us from China on the impact of the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 .
Bonus Track : Celia Rivenbark wants to spend a minute with Melania .
Is it too much to ask ?
Round-up by Tengrain who blogs at Mock , Paper , Scissors .
You can follow Tengrain on the Twitters , too .
Send tips , requests , and suggestions to mbru @ crooksandliars.com ( with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Good morning Crooks and Liars! I'd like to take a moment, here at the top of the post to ask everyone to check their voter status; I'll wait. The primaries are upon us and given all the usual suspects with all the usual voter suppression techniques and the Kremlin's interest in our democracy, it's better to be safe than sorry. On to the links!
Blue Heron Blast reminds us of the de facto tyranny of the minority that's built into our gubmint: it's more than the Electoral College: it's the Senate, too.
eVille Times reviews the human and dollar costs of our longest, on-going war.
The Psy of Life reports to us from China on the impact of the Wuhan Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020.
Bonus Track: Celia Rivenbark wants to spend a minute with Melania. Is it too much to ask?
Round-up by Tengrain who blogs at Mock, Paper, Scissors. You can follow Tengrain on the Twitters, too. Send tips, requests, and suggestions to mbru@crooksandliars.com (with For MBRU in the subject line).


crooksandliars--2020-04-28--Who Makes Life-Or-Death Supply Decisions For Your State? Jared Kushner?

Letter from Energy & Commerce Committee Oversight and Investigations subcommittee to HHS head Alex Azar and FEMA head Peter Gaynor on April 20th .
They need to deliver this info to Congress by April 27th , to the public by May 4th .
I read a letter yesterday that made my face go numb .
Congress does n't know where critical pandemic supplies are going , what the criteria are for sending them , what gets sent to which states and who makes the final life or death decision about the supplies .
Today , April 27th , the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oversight and Investigation subcommittee chairs expects a detailed accounting from HHS and FEMA of the critical supplies the federal government is obtaining and distributing .
These questions are from a letter sent by the House Energy & Commerce Health , Oversight and Investigation subcommittee on April 20th 2020 to Alex Azar of HHS and Peter Gaynor of FEMA .
These two questions especially made the tips of my ear go numb .
• Who are the members of the Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force ?
• on where and how many supplies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
HHS and FEMA need to deliver the following information by Monday , April 27th .
No later than April 27 , 2020 provide daily reports to the House Energy & Commerce Health , Oversight and Investigation subcommittee the following information : The total number of the following supplies that the federal government has provided directly ( including from the SNS ) or directed distribution through other means ( including through Project Airbridge ) to each state , territory , and tribe to date , for each type of supply : i. Ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks iv .
Face shields v. Gloves vi .
Gowns vii .
Federal medical station beds The whole letter is mind blowing .
They might know and want all of it in writing so they can nail Jared and Trump 's cronies for breaking laws and rules .
Or they DO N'T know because the White House makes stuff up on the fly .
They put Jared and unknown cronies in charge to compete with HHS and FEMA official groups .
Whatever the reason , we ca n't wait to know what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump rattles off big general numbers at his Press Rallies .
This hides the detailed information that could prove that states he likes are taking priority over states with a greater need .
The lack of details also hides what happened to supplies seized in one state .
Which state was it sent to ?
Who decided ?
Why were supplies meant for the VA send to `` our '' National Stockpile .
The public needs to know this information so we can fix this right now .
We need to use media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional leverage to make changes .
We need to know what the guidelines are before we can say HHS and FEMA are ignoring them .
If life and death decisions are being made based on childish vendettas , political calculations and/or profit motives I want that to stop right now .
Congress investigates to get proof , which is important , but my cynical human side has seen how Trump has evaded responsibility and asks , `` So what ?
They proved it .
Now what ?
How do we stop them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' First make the usual steps : Call your congress people .
The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation is chaired by Diana DeGette ( D ) Colorado .
@ RepDianaDeGette The House Subcommittee on Health , is chaired by Anna G. Eshoo ( D ) CA @ RepAnnaEshoo .
Next check to see if people from your state are on these committees .
Maybe a congressperson from your Red state is on the health committee .
If you live in Atlanta you can tweet to Earl L. `` Buddy '' Carter from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask if his committee is being ignored by HHS and FEMA .
This strategy is important because of the need to push from multiple directions .
We need to let people in states that are being deprived of supplies know about it so their Republican leaders from that state can make calls to Trump ( since he ignores Democrats ) .
Widen the outrage pool .
Get this info to Fox watchers Imagine if Ainsley Earhart of Fox and Friends could talk about how supplies could help her friends living in a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urbanites like Sam Seder do n't care about Chicken Salad Sandwich stores but they know the most powerful show on TV right now is Fox and Friends .
If we can get a message to Trump via Chicken Salad Sandwich lady we should give it a try .
Ainsley Earhardt of Fox and Friends with her friends Lindsey and Cindy at the grand opening of Lindsey 's Chicken Salad Chick store in Florida .
Image from : Screen Grab Fox After Show Without public guidelines , the White House , HHS , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained away later .
( `` It was a miscommunication ... What we meant to do was ... We never technically ignored them . ''
We need to see emails and all communications including phone and video calls so we can find out if people were following directives from Jared or secret members of the Supply Chain Task Force .
We know people take actions based on what they assume Trump wants .
( `` Florida is critical to the President 's 2020 re-election .
Send them twice what they want . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ order people to act .
They do it for him !
In the absence of public guidelines and transparency , we wo n't know what is going where , and why .
We know how the Trump White House works .
They will hide , stall , and get Barr to weasel word the law to cover for Trump .
Individuals will lawyer up and hide .
But the people who can be pressured with this do n't have to be at the very top like Trump .
Pressure needs to start three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lots of communications that are incriminating .
And they are n't happy being patsies for mass death .
The good news about incriminating emails is that my new favorite group , American Oversight , is on the case !
@ weareoversight .
They have filed multiple FOIA requests for emails related to coronavirus testing .
They are also looking into what Jared is doing !
They have filed FOIA requests with the DoD and DHS seeking emails with or about private individuals employed by firms enlisted in the coronavirus response by Jared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making corrupt deals there can be changes right now .
We know that Trump will throw everyone under the bus before he is touched .
There should be consequences for them later but hopefully , we can get the details on supplies out of them before their bus arrives .

Letter from Energy & Commerce Committee Oversight and Investigations subcommittee to HHS head Alex Azar and FEMA head Peter Gaynor on April 20th. They need to deliver this info to Congress by April 27th, to the public by May 4th.
I read a letter yesterday that made my face go numb. Congress doesn't know where critical pandemic supplies are going, what the criteria are for sending them, what gets sent to which states and who makes the final life or death decision about the supplies.
Today, April 27th, the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Health, Oversight and Investigation subcommittee chairs expects a detailed accounting from HHS and FEMA of the critical supplies the federal government is obtaining and distributing.
These questions are from a letter sent by the House Energy & Commerce Health, Oversight and Investigation subcommittee on April 20th 2020 to Alex Azar of HHS and Peter Gaynor of FEMA.
These two questions especially made the tips of my ear go numb.
Who are the members of the Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force?
Who makes the final decision on where and how many supplies to distribute to a particular area or state?
HHS and FEMA need to deliver the following information by Monday, April 27th.
No later than April 27, 2020 provide daily reports to the House Energy & Commerce Health, Oversight and Investigation subcommittee the following information:
The total number of the following supplies that the federal government has provided directly (including from the SNS) or directed distribution through other means (including through Project Airbridge) to each state, territory, and tribe to date, for each type of supply:
i. Ventilators
ii. N95 respirators
iii. Surgical masks
iv. Face shields
v. Gloves
vi. Gowns
vii. Federal medical station beds
(Full letter in PDF form here )
The whole letter is mind blowing. They might know and want all of it in writing so they can nail Jared and Trump's cronies for breaking laws and rules. Or they DON'T know because the White House makes stuff up on the fly. They put Jared and unknown cronies in charge to compete with HHS and FEMA official groups. Whatever the reason, we can't wait to know what's happening with supplies and their allocation.
Trump rattles off big general numbers at his Press Rallies. This hides the detailed information that could prove that states he likes are taking priority over states with a greater need. The lack of details also hides what happened to supplies seized in one state. Which state was it sent to? Who decided? Why were supplies meant for the VA send to "our" National Stockpile.
The public needs to know this information so we can fix this right now. We need to use media, political, legal, financial and emotional leverage to make changes.
We need to know what the guidelines are before we can say HHS and FEMA are ignoring them. If life and death decisions are being made based on childish vendettas, political calculations and/or profit motives I want that to stop right now.
Congress investigates to get proof, which is important, but my cynical human side has seen how Trump has evaded responsibility and asks, "So what? They proved it. Now what? How do we stop them and make changes before more people die?"
First make the usual steps: Call your congress people.
The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation is chaired by Diana DeGette (D) Colorado. @RepDianaDeGette
The House Subcommittee on Health, is chaired by Anna G. Eshoo (D) CA @RepAnnaEshoo.
Next check to see if people from your state are on these committees.
Maybe a congressperson from your Red state is on the health committee. If you live in Atlanta you can tweet to Earl L. "Buddy" Carter from Georgia @RepBuddyCarter Tweet to him and ask if his committee is being ignored by HHS and FEMA.
This strategy is important because of the need to push from multiple directions.
We need to let people in states that are being deprived of supplies know about it so their Republican leaders from that state can make calls to Trump (since he ignores Democrats).
Widen the outrage pool. Get this info to Fox watchers
Imagine if Ainsley Earhart of Fox and Friends could talk about how supplies could help her friends living in a state with a Democrat governor.
"My friend Lindsey (who owns four of the sandwich chain Chicken Salad Chick) is really looking forward to opening up her stores in Florida but is upset that stores in some states can't open up because they don't have the supplies they need. The sooner every state gets supplies the sooner they can all open up!"
Northern Elite urbanites like Sam Seder don't care about Chicken Salad Sandwich stores but they know the most powerful show on TV right now is Fox and Friends. If we can get a message to Trump via Chicken Salad Sandwich lady we should give it a try.
Ainsley Earhardt of Fox and Friends with her friends Lindsey and Cindy at the grand opening of Lindsey's Chicken Salad Chick store in Florida. Credit: Screen Grab Fox After Show
Without public guidelines, the White House, HHS, and FEMA can take actions that can be explained away later. ("It was a miscommunication... What we meant to do was... We never technically ignored them."
We need to see emails and all communications including phone and video calls so we can find out if people were following directives from Jared or secret members of the Supply Chain Task Force.
We know people take actions based on what they assume Trump wants. ("Florida is critical to the President's 2020 re-election. Send them twice what they want." ) Trump doesn't even have to order people to act. They do it for him! In the absence of public guidelines and transparency, we won't know what is going where, and why.
We know how the Trump White House works. They will hide, stall, and get Barr to weasel word the law to cover for Trump. Individuals will lawyer up and hide. But the people who can be pressured with this don't have to be at the very top like Trump. Pressure needs to start three steps below him first. Those people have lots of communications that are incriminating. And they aren't happy being patsies for mass death.
The good news about incriminating emails is that my new favorite group, American Oversight, is on the case! @weareoversight. They have filed multiple FOIA requests for emails related to coronavirus testing.
They are also looking into what Jared is doing! They have filed FOIA requests with the DoD and DHS seeking emails with or about private individuals employed by firms enlisted in the coronavirus response by Jared Kushner.
If we can prove people are making corrupt deals there can be changes right now. We know that Trump will throw everyone under the bus before he is touched. There should be consequences for them later but hopefully, we can get the details on supplies out of them before their bus arrives.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Lance Mannion : Revisiting The Big Short in relation to Trump .
Hullabaloo : Coronavirus and the terrifying muzzling of @ @ @ @ @ : One take on how the top Democratic candidates ’ health care plans measure up @ @ @ @ @ Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand on tax policy .
This installment by Batocchio .
@ @ @ @ @ crooksandliars DOT com .

Lance Mannion: Revisiting The Big Short in relation to Trump.
Hullabaloo: Coronavirus and the terrifying muzzling of public health experts.
Healthline: One take on how the top Democratic candidates’ health care plans measure up.
Tax Policy Center: Where the 2020 presidential candidates stand on tax policy.
This installment by Batocchio. E-mail tips to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--SNL Cold Open: 2020 South Carolina Democratic Debate

The whole crew shows up for this spoof of the Democratic debate and Trump response to COVID-19 , aka Trumpvirus @ @ @ @ @ Pence reassuring the nation that he is ready to handle a pandemic in spite of @ @ @ @ @ n't believe in science .
After a guest appearance by Ben Carson , the skit @ @ @ @ @ Debate .
“ Hey , what about me possibly winning the nomination ?
Universal health @ @ @ @ @ too crazy now , does it ?
” Bernie Sanders asks .
Elizabeth Warren points @ @ @ @ @ “ We need someone who can handle this that we can trust .
Mayor Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ he supported Lindsey Graham , he funded SARS .
He invented traffic .
He was @ @ @ @ @ serving spaghetti .
He wrote and directed the movie Cats…This is a bad man.
” @ @ @ @ @ make appearances .
It 's one of the better cold opens of his season .

The whole crew shows up for this spoof of the Democratic debate and Trump response to COVID-19, aka Trumpvirus.
It opens with Mike Pence reassuring the nation that he is ready to handle a pandemic in spite of the fact that he doesn't believe in science. After a guest appearance by Ben Carson, the skit rolls on to the Democratic Debate.
“Hey, what about me possibly winning the nomination? Universal health care doesn’t sound too crazy now, does it?” Bernie Sanders asks.
Elizabeth Warren points back at Mike Bloomberg: “We need someone who can handle this that we can trust. Mayor Bloomberg supported George W. Bush, he supported Lindsey Graham, he funded SARS. He invented traffic. He was responsible for McDonald’s serving spaghetti. He wrote and directed the movie Cats…This is a bad man.”
All of the remaining candidates make appearances. It's one of the better cold opens of his season.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Trump Repeats Lie That A Vaccine Will Be Ready "Fairly Rapidly"

During Trump 's Wednesday press conference he said a vaccine would be developed `` fairly rapidly . ''
Then Dr. Anthony Fauci went to the podium and said we are moving fast , but it will still take a year to a year and a half for a working vaccine .
I watched Trump 's eyes narrow as he figured out that Dr. Fauci had just contradicted him .
It does n't matter that Dr. Fauci is one of the country ’ s leading experts on viruses and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like he was n't in control .
With this White House it 's not about trying to figure out best how to stop the spread of the virus .
It 's about how to stop the spread of `` disloyalty '' among people who work for Trump .
The next day in the New York Times we see how Trump punishes disloyalty , he told Pence to control the scientists and the message about the virus .
Pence Will Control All Coronavirus Messaging From Health Officials .
`` Dr. Fauci has told associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to say anything else without clearance . ''
Watch the video where Trump says the vaccine is coming along well and that it 's being developed very rapidly .
Dr. Fauci explained that although the vaccine development is faster than ever before at the NIH , for them the term 'rapidly ' means a year to a year and a half .
On Saturday 's press conference Trump REPEATED his comment that the vaccine will be developed fairly rapidly .
This time , although Dr. Fauci said that he was not muzzled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's time frame on the vaccine development .
When I saw Trump 's reaction and the move made by Pence the next day to muzzle Dr. Fauci I instantly thought of my favorite scene from HBO 's Chernobyl .
In it a scientist goes to a bureaucrat to warn him of the seriousness of the disaster and urges him to have the city evacuated .
Scientist : If you do n't immediately issue iodine tablets and then evacuate this city , hundreds of thousands of people are going to get cancer , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bureaucrat : I 've been assured there is no problem .
Scientist : I 'm telling you that there is .
Bureaucrat : I prefer my opinion to yours .
Scientist : I 'm a nuclear physicist .
Before you were Deputy Secretary , you worked in a shoe factory .
Bureaucrat Yes , I worked in a shoe factory .
And now I 'm in charge .
[ raises glass in a toast ] `` To the workers of the world . ''
Dr. Fauci is one of the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the truth that we all need to hear .
But he 's not talking because Trump retaliates against people who contradict him .
I just saw Dr. Fauci on Hardball , but according to Rep. John Garamendi , Dr. Fauci was told to cancel five Sunday talk show appearances .
If you have n't seen the Chernobyl miniseries yet I highly recommend it .
You should also listen to the podcast with the author Craig Mazin .
In the podcast he talks about the central theme of the show , the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get away with a lie for a very long time , but the truth just doesn ’ t care .
The show documents the technical reasons for the Chernobyl disaster .
But it also shows how lying and covering up the truth cost lives .
At the beginning of the disaster there was a lack of accurate information .
But when the information was finally available people were afraid to communicate the truth .
They downplayed the size and scope of the disaster .
Because of this the response was delayed .
Appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Just like the HHS workers who processed the coronavirus evacuees ) The stories of the various workers who went in to stop a larger disaster and clean up the radioactive debris are heroic .
The ones who knew it was a death sentence and went in anyway because they knew they were saving lives , were especially heart breaking .
But others got cancer and died because officials muzzled the people who knew the truth .
The scientists that wanted to tell the public the truth were followed by the KGB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claimed political pressure censored the mention of Soviet nuclear secrecy in his report to the IAEA , a secrecy which forbade even plant operators having knowledge of previous accidents and known problems with reactor design .
In the series he smuggled the real story out of Russia before his suicide .
The last part of the clip from Chernobyl also struck me .
The scientist is told by the bureaucrat that he 's not going to do anything .
She leaves his office but before she goes she tells the secretary about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city and to take the iodine pills she gives her .
The message is , `` Your boss is an incompetent idiot , so we 'll have to work around him to save lives . ''
How many will die until Trump and his protectors in the GOP are forced out ?

During Trump's Wednesday press conference he said a vaccine would be developed "fairly rapidly." Then Dr. Anthony Fauci went to the podium and said we are moving fast, but it will still take a year to a year and a half for a working vaccine.
I watched Trump's eyes narrow as he figured out that Dr. Fauci had just contradicted him. It doesn't matter that Dr. Fauci is one of the country’s leading experts on viruses and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. What mattered to Trump was it looked like he wasn't in control.
With this White House it's not about trying to figure out best how to stop the spread of the virus. It's about how to stop the spread of "disloyalty" among people who work for Trump.
The next day in the New York Times we see how Trump punishes disloyalty, he told Pence to control the scientists and the message about the virus.
"Dr. Fauci has told associates that the White House had instructed him not to say anything else without clearance."
Watch the video where Trump says the vaccine is coming along well and that it's being developed very rapidly. Dr. Fauci explained that although the vaccine development is faster than ever before at the NIH, for them the term 'rapidly' means a year to a year and a half.
On Saturday's press conference Trump REPEATED his comment that the vaccine will be developed fairly rapidly. This time, although Dr. Fauci said that he was not muzzled, he did NOT correct the President's time frame on the vaccine development.
When I saw Trump's reaction and the move made by Pence the next day to muzzle Dr. Fauci I instantly thought of my favorite scene from HBO's Chernobyl. In it a scientist goes to a bureaucrat to warn him of the seriousness of the disaster and urges him to have the city evacuated.
Scientist: If you don't immediately issue iodine tablets and then evacuate this city, hundreds of thousands of people are going to get cancer, and God knows how many more will die.
Bureaucrat: I've been assured there is no problem.
Scientist: I'm telling you that there is.
Bureaucrat: I prefer my opinion to yours.
Scientist: I'm a nuclear physicist. Before you were Deputy Secretary, you worked in a shoe factory.
Bureaucrat Yes, I worked in a shoe factory. And now I'm in charge. [raises glass in a toast] "To the workers of the world."
Dr. Fauci is one of the country’s leading experts on viruses. He told the truth that we all need to hear. But he's not talking because Trump retaliates against people who contradict him.
I just saw Dr. Fauci on Hardball, but according to Rep. John Garamendi, Dr. Fauci was told to cancel five Sunday talk show appearances.
Pence takes over #coronavirus messaging from health officials. Dr. Fauci was, told to cancel five Sunday talk show appearances, according to Rep. John Garamendi, a Democrat who represents the district in California where the first “community spread” is believed to have happened. — Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) February 28, 2020
If you haven't seen the Chernobyl miniseries yet I highly recommend it. You should also listen to the podcast with the author Craig Mazin. In the podcast he talks about the central theme of the show, the cost of lies. Mazin says we can get away with a lie for a very long time, but the truth just doesn’t care.
The show documents the technical reasons for the Chernobyl disaster. But it also shows how lying and covering up the truth cost lives.
At the beginning of the disaster there was a lack of accurate information. But when the information was finally available people were afraid to communicate the truth. They downplayed the size and scope of the disaster. Because of this the response was delayed. Appropriate protective gear wasn't available for workers. (Just like the HHS workers who processed the coronavirus evacuees )
The stories of the various workers who went in to stop a larger disaster and clean up the radioactive debris are heroic. The ones who knew it was a death sentence and went in anyway because they knew they were saving lives, were especially heart breaking. But others got cancer and died because officials muzzled the people who knew the truth.
The scientists that wanted to tell the public the truth were followed by the KGB. The lead scientist, Valery Legasov, claimed political pressure censored the mention of Soviet nuclear secrecy in his report to the IAEA, a secrecy which forbade even plant operators having knowledge of previous accidents and known problems with reactor design. In the series he smuggled the real story out of Russia before his suicide.
The last part of the clip from Chernobyl also struck me. The scientist is told by the bureaucrat that he's not going to do anything. She leaves his office but before she goes she tells the secretary about the disaster, tells her to leave the city and to take the iodine pills she gives her. The message is, "Your boss is an incompetent idiot, so we'll have to work around him to save lives."
How many will die until Trump and his protectors in the GOP are forced out?


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Brian Stelter Lays Into Fox News And Limbaugh For Using Pandemic As A Political Weapon

CNN 's Brian Stelter ripped Fox News and Rush Limbaugh this morning for politicizing the coronavirus and turning it into an attack weapon against the media and the Democratic Party to support Donald Trump .
He linked up talking points from right-wing Trump surrogates which were then parroted by Trump 's chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney .
And of course the right wing conservarazzi ignored all of Donald Trump 's attempts to weaponize the Ebola virus against the Obama presidencyback in 2014 .
Stelter told his audience that the first U.S. death from the virus is a turning point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possible pandemic .
The CNN chyron said : Fear is a virus Stelter said in his monologue that it 's becoming a political virus infecting `` the political arena in ways that are truly jaw-dropping . ''
CNN then played a series of clips emphasizing his points from right-wing media and Trump 's desperate family members .
`` These talking points are are bouncing back and forth between the Trumps and their TV surrogates , portraying the president as the victim-in-chief and going so far as to say the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Stelter pointed out .
“ This is not the first time the Trump machine has conjured up a conspiracy narrative full of misinformation and fear-mongering , '' he noted .
`` But this time , the backdrop is a public health emergency.
” Trump 's incoherent coronavirus presser fueled criticisms towards him and then turned the entire country sour .
That is his fault , and his alone .
But as usual , anything that could remotely be considered negative to the Trump administration is immediately turned into a deep state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he can go out to rallies and complain about what a victim he is .

CNN's Brian Stelter ripped Fox News and Rush Limbaugh this morning for politicizing the coronavirus and turning it into an attack weapon against the media and the Democratic Party to support Donald Trump.
He linked up talking points from right-wing Trump surrogates which were then parroted by Trump's chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney.
And of course the right wing conservarazzi ignored all of Donald Trump's attempts to weaponize the Ebola virus against the Obama presidencyback in 2014.
Stelter told his audience that the first U.S. death from the virus is a turning point in the discussion and how we view the possible pandemic.
The CNN chyron said: Fear is a virus
Stelter said in his monologue that it's becoming a political virus infecting "the political arena in ways that are truly jaw-dropping."
CNN then played a series of clips emphasizing his points from right-wing media and Trump's desperate family members.
"These talking points are are bouncing back and forth between the Trumps and their TV surrogates, portraying the president as the victim-in-chief and going so far as to say the president’s perceived enemies actually want people to die,” Stelter pointed out.
“This is not the first time the Trump machine has conjured up a conspiracy narrative full of misinformation and fear-mongering," he noted. "But this time, the backdrop is a public health emergency.”
Trump's incoherent coronavirus presser fueled criticisms towards him and then turned the entire country sour. That is his fault, and his alone.
But as usual, anything that could remotely be considered negative to the Trump administration is immediately turned into a deep state conspiracy against him personally by his lackeys so he can go out to rallies and complain about what a victim he is.


crooksandliars--2020-03-01--Mike Pence On COVID-19: 'With The Prayers Of Millions Of Americans We're Going To Get Through This'

Vice President Mike Pence said over the weekend that it is `` understandable '' that President Donald Trump 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , would say that Democrats want millions of Americans to die of the coronavirus .
In an interview that aired on Sunday , CNN 's Jake Tapper asked Pence about the remarks made by the son of the president several days earlier .
`` For them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they can end Donald Trump 's streak of winning is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence told Fox News on Friday .
`` Can we agree that neither Democrats or Republicans wants Americans to get the coronavirus and die ? ''
Tapper asked the vice president .
`` You do n't think Democrats want people to contract the coronavirus and die ? ''
`` This is no time for politics , '' the vice president said .
`` And , frankly , I think that was Don Jr. 's point .
That there has been some very strong rhetoric directed at the president by some members of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was strong rhetoric [ from Donald Trump Jr. ] ? ''
Tapper pressed .
`` But responding to the kind of things that have been hurled is understandable , '' Pence replied , before arguing that the Trump administration has `` set the politics aside . ''
`` I continue to believe that we have an opportunity to come together , '' he added .
`` And with the proper expertise , and the proper resources and the prayers of millions of Americans , we 're going to get through this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought prayer would take care of the HIV epidemic in his state while he was governor , too .

Vice President Mike Pence said over the weekend that it is "understandable" that President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., would say that Democrats want millions of Americans to die of the coronavirus.
In an interview that aired on Sunday, CNN's Jake Tapper asked Pence about the remarks made by the son of the president several days earlier.
"For them to try to take a pandemic and seemingly hope that it comes here and kills millions of people so that they can end Donald Trump's streak of winning is a new level of sickness," Pence told Fox News on Friday.
"Can we agree that neither Democrats or Republicans wants Americans to get the coronavirus and die?" Tapper asked the vice president. "You don't think Democrats want people to contract the coronavirus and die?"
Pence declined to directly answer the question.
"This is no time for politics," the vice president said. "And, frankly, I think that was Don Jr.'s point. That there has been some very strong rhetoric directed at the president by some members of Congress."
"You don't think that was strong rhetoric [from Donald Trump Jr.]?" Tapper pressed.
"But responding to the kind of things that have been hurled is understandable," Pence replied, before arguing that the Trump administration has "set the politics aside."
"I continue to believe that we have an opportunity to come together," he added. "And with the proper expertise, and the proper resources and the prayers of millions of Americans, we're going to get through this."
Ed. Note: :Pence thought prayer would take care of the HIV epidemic in his state while he was governor, too.


crooksandliars--2020-04-08--The Idiots Are Getting Ready To Declare The Coronavirus Crisis A Hoax (AGAIN)

The death and hospitalization predictions of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , which have been cited by Dr. Deborah Birx , have been revised downward -- and right-wingers are very interested in this revision .
One of the more evenhanded reports on the revisions at a right-wing site comes from Hot Air 's Allahpundit : ... the new IHME projections for hospitalization in New York are waaaaaay down ... .
Overall US : - # of deaths projected decreased from 93,531 to 81,766 -Projected total bed shortage went from 87,674 to 36,654 -Peak dates ( April 15 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily death toll ) unchanged -Under 200 deaths a day : Moved from June 3 to May 18 ... A new paper published by Jeffrey Harris , an economist at MIT , points to growing evidence that New York has indeed flattened the curve : Note the dates .
Things start to flatten out around March 21 ... .
Harris attributes that partly to Bill de Blasio ’ s belated order on March 15 to close NYC restaurants and bars ... .
But Harris sees another factor : Simply put , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the more they ’ ll self-isolate without prompting .
There is , however , another strand in the economics literature suggesting that people voluntarily engage in avoidance behaviors once they fully perceive the risks of contagion ... .
So the numbers are improving because measures urged by people who take the virus seriously are working .
But right-wingers elsewhere are grumbling .
Here 's Allahpundit 's RedState colleague Nick Arama : While they are still forecasting 81,766 deaths in a range between 49,431 and 136,401 with a peak day of April 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior estimates ... .
Who wants to bet that those revised projections are overestimates as well ?
...
These projections are supposedly based off staying under lockdowns until the end of May .
By then the economy will be in a shambles .
So the question is how can they address the issues without driving the economy under with models that are ever changing and upon which major policy decisions that affect all Americans are being made .
It gets worse when you slide further down the gutter .
Here 's Gateway Pundit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus Deaths Now at 81,766 or the Same Numbers as the 2017 Flu Season Last TUESDAY Coronavirus Task Force Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx pushed the talking point that by completely locking down the US economy and American public , the US government and Coronavirus task force “ experts ” were able to cut the total coronavirus deaths in the United States from 1 to 2.2 million deaths to 100,000 to 200,000 deaths .
This is based on “ models ” by her chosen scientific “ experts ” — Chris Murray and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by the CDC and Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci estimate the total US coronavirus deaths to be 81,766 by August 4th .
And 81,000 by May 21st ... .
In 2017-2018 an estimated 80,000 Americans died in the particularly harsh flu season ... .
The “ experts ” estimate similar numbers from the coronavirus pandemic .
That flu death toll was with no lockdown , no social distancing , and no other alterations to normal life .
If we get out of this with a similar death toll now , it 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the economy .
And then there 's the real Stupidest Man on the Internet , Bill Mitchell , with his half-million Twitter followers , some of whose responses I post below : I hope we 're really seeing some good news .
But if we are , I warn you that the right will use it to proclaim , once again , that the entire crisis was a hoax perpetrated in order to harm Donald Trump and destroy capitalism .
And I guarantee you that Trump will want to fling open the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
So I 'm expecting a tremendous push , starting with Trump and echoed throughout the conservative media , to declare this crisis over very , very soon .
That would be disastrous .
But it might happen .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

The death and hospitalization predictions of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which have been cited by Dr. Deborah Birx, have been revised downward -- and right-wingers are very interested in this revision. One of the more evenhanded reports on the revisions at a right-wing site comes from Hot Air's Allahpundit:
... the new IHME projections for hospitalization in New York are waaaaaay down.... Overall US:
-# of deaths projected decreased from 93,531 to 81,766
-Projected total bed shortage went from 87,674 to 36,654
-Peak dates(April 15 for resource needed peak, 16th for peak daily death toll) unchanged
-Under 200 deaths a day: Moved from June 3 to May 18 — Alicia Smith (@Alicia_Smith19) April 6, 2020 ... A new paper published by Jeffrey Harris, an economist at MIT, points to growing evidence that New York has indeed flattened the curve: Note the dates. Things start to flatten out around March 21.... Harris attributes that partly to Bill de Blasio’s belated order on March 15 to close NYC restaurants and bars.... But Harris sees another factor: Simply put, the more aware locals are of a spreading epidemic, the more they’ll self-isolate without prompting. There is, however, another strand in the economics literature suggesting that people voluntarily engage in avoidance behaviors once they fully perceive the risks of contagion....
So the numbers are improving because measures urged by people who take the virus seriously are working.
But right-wingers elsewhere are grumbling. Here's Allahpundit's RedState colleague Nick Arama:
While they are still forecasting 81,766 deaths in a range between 49,431 and 136,401 with a peak day of April 16, that’s far less than prior estimates.... Who wants to bet that those revised projections are overestimates as well? ... These projections are supposedly based off staying under lockdowns until the end of May. By then the economy will be in a shambles. So the question is how can they address the issues without driving the economy under with models that are ever changing and upon which major policy decisions that affect all Americans are being made.
It gets worse when you slide further down the gutter. Here's Gateway Pundit's Jim Hoft:
Estimated IHME US Coronavirus Deaths Now at 81,766 or the Same Numbers as the 2017 Flu Season Last TUESDAY Coronavirus Task Force Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx pushed the talking point that by completely locking down the US economy and American public, the US government and Coronavirus task force “experts” were able to cut the total coronavirus deaths in the United States from 1 to 2.2 million deaths to 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. This is based on “models” by her chosen scientific “experts” — Chris Murray and the IHME.... Today the IMHE model used by the CDC and Dr. Birx and Dr. Fauci estimate the total US coronavirus deaths to be 81,766 by August 4th. And 81,000 by May 21st.... In 2017-2018 an estimated 80,000 Americans died in the particularly harsh flu season.... The “experts” estimate similar numbers from the coronavirus pandemic. It’s time to open the economy.
That flu death toll was with no lockdown, no social distancing, and no other alterations to normal life. If we get out of this with a similar death toll now, it'll be in large part because we shut down the economy.
And then there's the real Stupidest Man on the Internet, Bill Mitchell, with his half-million Twitter followers, some of whose responses I post below:
So, what happens, if after all is said and done, COVID-19 ends up killing fewer Americans than the flu this year? — Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) April 6, 2020
The “experts” will claim their social distancing efforts worked. — Richard Head (@RealClayBigsby_) April 6, 2020
It will mean one of three things: 1) The Trump admin took the measures necessary to minimize sick/dead. 2) there was total overreaction all around. 3) both 1 and 2 are true. — Harambe the Boomer (@BIPD154) April 6, 2020
Find the people that crashed the economy and stripped us of our God-given and constitutional rights. We end their careers, sue them into the ground, and lock them up for their crimes. — Magis (@MagisMusic) April 6, 2020
Then we’ll know we survived our first “PC Pandemic” where alarmists/extremists successfully used fear of death, hatred of a President, a Chinese Virus & weeks worth of propaganda to “kill” the best US economy EVER just to try to defeat @realDonaldTrump in the upcoming election.🤔 — Red-Pilled Saul Alinsky (@Sierra_159) April 6, 2020
I hope we're really seeing some good news. But if we are, I warn you that the right will use it to proclaim, once again, that the entire crisis was a hoax perpetrated in order to harm Donald Trump and destroy capitalism.
And I guarantee you that Trump will want to fling open the economy at the first sign of good news. So I'm expecting a tremendous push, starting with Trump and echoed throughout the conservative media, to declare this crisis over very, very soon.
That would be disastrous. But it might happen.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-04-08--Republican Legislators In Kansas Overturn Governor’s Executive Order On Church Gatherings

Another day , another set of Republican legislators doing something profoundly stupid that endangers public health and will likely result in unnecessary deaths .
And you wonder why America has the worst coronavirus outbreak on Earth .
TOPEKA — A Republican-controlled panel of Kansas legislative leaders on Wednesday voted to overturn the executive order issued by Gov .
Laura Kelly to limit attendance at church gatherings and funerals .
The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 along party lines to rescind the order , as Republican leaders argued the order violated federal and state constitutional protections for freedom of religion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , extreme and clearly in violation , a blatant violation , of our fundamental rights , ” said Senate president Susan Wagle , a Republican from Wichita .
... Wednesday marked the largest single-day spike in documented deaths and infections from the coronavirus .
The state added 11 deaths , for a total of 38 , and 146 cases , for a total of 1,046 .
Yesterday , Gov .
Kelly made the executive order , just in time for Easter : MISSION , KS ( AP ) — Religious services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 people after state officials identified three coronavirus clusters related to church gatherings , Gov .
Laura Kelly announced .
A statewide stay-at-home order that Kelly issued last month allowed for religious gatherings as long as social distancing was maintained .
It did not specifically restrict the number of people .
Her new order takes effect at noon Wednesday , just days before Easter .
“ This was a difficult decision and could not come at a more disappointing time , '' Kelly said .
“ Kansans are a community of faithful people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer .
We rely on our pastors and our priests , our rabbis and our imams , and all of our religious leaders for guidance and counsel , especially during times of sorrow , uncertainty and hardship and especially during holy week . ''

Another day, another set of Republican legislators doing something profoundly stupid that endangers public health and will likely result in unnecessary deaths.
And you wonder why America has the worst coronavirus outbreak on Earth.
Source: Topeka Capitol Journal
TOPEKA — A Republican-controlled panel of Kansas legislative leaders on Wednesday voted to overturn the executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly to limit attendance at church gatherings and funerals. The Legislative Coordinating Council voted 5-2 along party lines to rescind the order, as Republican leaders argued the order violated federal and state constitutional protections for freedom of religion. “It appears to be out of line, extreme and clearly in violation, a blatant violation, of our fundamental rights,” said Senate president Susan Wagle, a Republican from Wichita.
...
Wednesday marked the largest single-day spike in documented deaths and infections from the coronavirus. The state added 11 deaths, for a total of 38, and 146 cases, for a total of 1,046.
Yesterday, Gov. Kelly made the executive order, just in time for Easter:


crooksandliars--2020-05-06--Whistleblower Doc Says He Was Pressured To Funnel Contracts To Trump Cronies

The HHS vaccine doctor who filed a whistleblower complaint says he was pressured to put politics over science : '' Meantime , one of the top vaccine experts says he was fired for prioritizing science and safety over politics , '' CNN correspondent Joe Johnson reports .
`` Dr. Rick Bright led the biomedical research subdivision of the Department of Health and Human Services until he was suddenly removed last month and reassigned to a lower level position .
In a new whistle-blower complaint filed with the Office of the Special Counsel , he flagged the emerging threat of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , encountered indifference which then developed into hostility from HHS leadership .
Dr .
Bright writing in the complaint that from 2017 until he was removed , HHS leadership pressured Drs .
Bright and Barda to ignore recommendations and award lucrative contracts based on cronyism . ''
`` Very damaging .
The thing is , this points to the larger condition .
Where are the ethics in all of this ? ''
`` The Department of Human Services is responding , writing 'Dr .
Bright was transferred to NIH to work on diagnostics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're disappointed that he has not shown up to work . '
'' `` Bright 's complaint also claims his resistance to the wide use of the drug hydroxychloroquine , the malaria drug , contributed to his removal .
The president has pushed hard for the drug as a treatment .
We expect to hear more about the complaint from Dr .
Bright himself when he testifies at Capitol Hill before a House subcommittee next week , '' Johnson said .

The HHS vaccine doctor who filed a whistleblower complaint says he was pressured to put politics over science:
"Meantime, one of the top vaccine experts says he was fired for prioritizing science and safety over politics," CNN correspondent Joe Johnson reports.
"Dr. Rick Bright led the biomedical research subdivision of the Department of Health and Human Services until he was suddenly removed last month and reassigned to a lower level position. In a new whistle-blower complaint filed with the Office of the Special Counsel, he flagged the emerging threat of COVID-19 by early January 2020 and in result, encountered indifference which then developed into hostility from HHS leadership. Dr. Bright writing in the complaint that from 2017 until he was removed, HHS leadership pressured Drs. Bright and Barda to ignore recommendations and award lucrative contracts based on cronyism."
Quelle surprise!
"Very damaging. The thing is, this points to the larger condition. Where are the ethics in all of this?"
"The Department of Human Services is responding, writing 'Dr. Bright was transferred to NIH to work on diagnostics testing critical to combating COVID-19. We're disappointed that he has not shown up to work.'"
"Bright's complaint also claims his resistance to the wide use of the drug hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug, contributed to his removal. The president has pushed hard for the drug as a treatment. We expect to hear more about the complaint from Dr. Bright himself when he testifies at Capitol Hill before a House subcommittee next week," Johnson said.


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Why Wear Face Masks In Public?

Why Wear Face Masks In Public?

With the coronavirus pandemic quickly spreading , U.S. health officials have changed their advice on face masks and now recommend people wear cloth masks in public areas where social distancing can be difficult , such as grocery stores .
But can these masks be effective ?
President Donald Trump , in announcing the change in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s guidance on April 3 , stressed that the recommendation was voluntary and said he probably wouldn ’ t follow it .
Governors and mayors , however , have started encouraging the precautions to reduce the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know they are infected .
Some cities have gone as far as setting fines for failing to wear a mask .
In Laredo , Texas , anyone over the age of five who walks into a store or takes public transit without their mouth and nose covered by a mask or bandana could now be fined up to $ 1,000 .
These new measures are designed to “ flatten the curve , ” or slow the spread of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 .
They ’ re also a shift from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic began .
The World Health Organization and the CDC have repeatedly said that most people do not need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing .
In February , the U.S. surgeon general even urged the public to stop buying medical masks , warning that it would not help against the spread of the coronavirus .
Part of the reason was to reserve N95 respirators and masks for healthcare workers like myself who are on the front lines and exposed to people with COVID-19 .
Today , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is spread , and the prevalence of the disease itself is far more widespread than previously thought .
As recently as early February , the World Health Organization stated that viral transmission from asymptomatic people was likely “ rare , ” based on information available at the time .
But a growing body of data now suggests that a significant number of infected people who don ’ t have symptoms can still transmit the virus to others .
A CDC report issued March 23 on COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships offers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the testing of passengers and crew on board the Diamond Princess found that nearly half – 46.5 % – of the more than 700 people found to be infected with the new coronavirus had no symptoms at the time of testing .
The CDC explained that “ a high proportion of asymptomatic infections could partially explain the high attack rate among cruise ship passengers and crew.
” Dr. Harvey Fineberg , former president of the National Academy of Medicine and head of a new federal committee on infectious diseases , told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask in public , especially at grocery stores , for this very reason .
“ While the current specific research is limited , the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing , ” he said .
It is these “ silent carriers ” – people infected with the virus but without fever , cough , or muscle aches – that proponents of universal mask wearing point to as proof that more could be done beyond social distancing to slow the virus ’ s spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the effectiveness of universal mask wearing for reducing respiratory droplet transmission is still thin , there is evidence to support it .
Research on SARS , another coronavirus , found that N95 masks were highly effective at blocking transmission of that virus .
Even ill-fitting medical face masks have been found to interrupt airborne particles and viruses , keeping them from reaching as far when someone sneezes .
Another study determined that , while masks made out of cotton T-shirts were far less effective than manufactured surgical masks in preventing wearers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were better than no protection at all .
The surgical masks that doctors and nurses typically wear are designed for one-time use , while cloth masks used by the general public would likely be washed , which raises another concern .
A study from Nepal on cloth masks designed to protect wearers from larger particles , such as pollution or pollen , found that washing and drying practices deteriorated the mask ’ s efficiency because they damaged the cloth material .
It is clear that urgent research is needed on the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storage and care , or the creation of proper reusable masks for the public .
As an obstetrician-gynecologist and researcher , I believe that some protection for the public is better than none .
A recent article in the medical journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine states a similar rationale .
The universal use of mouth and nose covering with masks is a low-risk intervention that can only assist in reducing the spread of this terrible illness .
If everyone wears a mask , individuals protect one another , reducing overall community transmission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch their faces after touching potentially contaminated surfaces .
As the research shows , masks aren ’ t shields .
It ’ s still important to help prevent transmission by practicing social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others in public , staying home as much as possible , and washing hands frequently and properly .
[ Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research .
Sign up for The Conversation ’ s newsletter . ]
Hector Chapa , Clinical Assistant Professor , Director of Interprofessional Education , College of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Hector Chapa, Texas A&M University
With the coronavirus pandemic quickly spreading, U.S. health officials have changed their advice on face masks and now recommend people wear cloth masks in public areas where social distancing can be difficult, such as grocery stores.
But can these masks be effective?
President Donald Trump, in announcing the change in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on April 3, stressed that the recommendation was voluntary and said he probably wouldn’t follow it. Governors and mayors, however, have started encouraging the precautions to reduce the spread of the virus by people who might not know they are infected.
Some cities have gone as far as setting fines for failing to wear a mask. In Laredo, Texas, anyone over the age of five who walks into a store or takes public transit without their mouth and nose covered by a mask or bandana could now be fined up to $1,000.
These new measures are designed to “flatten the curve,” or slow the spread of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.
They’re also a shift from the advice Americans have been hearing since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The World Health Organization and the CDC have repeatedly said that most people do not need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. In February, the U.S. surgeon general even urged the public to stop buying medical masks, warning that it would not help against the spread of the coronavirus. Part of the reason was to reserve N95 respirators and masks for healthcare workers like myself who are on the front lines and exposed to people with COVID-19.
Today, there is much more data and evidence on how COVID-19 is spread, and the prevalence of the disease itself is far more widespread than previously thought.
Sick, but no symptoms
As recently as early February, the World Health Organization stated that viral transmission from asymptomatic people was likely “rare,” based on information available at the time. But a growing body of data now suggests that a significant number of infected people who don’t have symptoms can still transmit the virus to others.
A CDC report issued March 23 on COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships offers a glimpse of the danger. It describes how the testing of passengers and crew on board the Diamond Princess found that nearly half – 46.5% – of the more than 700 people found to be infected with the new coronavirus had no symptoms at the time of testing.
The CDC explained that “a high proportion of asymptomatic infections could partially explain the high attack rate among cruise ship passengers and crew.”
Dr. Harvey Fineberg, former president of the National Academy of Medicine and head of a new federal committee on infectious diseases, told CNN on April 2 that he will start wearing a mask in public, especially at grocery stores, for this very reason. “While the current specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing,” he said.
It is these “silent carriers” – people infected with the virus but without fever, cough, or muscle aches – that proponents of universal mask wearing point to as proof that more could be done beyond social distancing to slow the virus’s spread.
More effective than doing nothing
While research on the effectiveness of universal mask wearing for reducing respiratory droplet transmission is still thin, there is evidence to support it.
Research on SARS, another coronavirus, found that N95 masks were highly effective at blocking transmission of that virus. Even ill-fitting medical face masks have been found to interrupt airborne particles and viruses, keeping them from reaching as far when someone sneezes.
Another study determined that, while masks made out of cotton T-shirts were far less effective than manufactured surgical masks in preventing wearers from expelling droplets, they did reduce droplets and were better than no protection at all.
A challenge with cloth: washing
The surgical masks that doctors and nurses typically wear are designed for one-time use, while cloth masks used by the general public would likely be washed, which raises another concern.
A study from Nepal on cloth masks designed to protect wearers from larger particles, such as pollution or pollen, found that washing and drying practices deteriorated the mask’s efficiency because they damaged the cloth material.
It is clear that urgent research is needed on the best material suitable for universal masks, their storage and care, or the creation of proper reusable masks for the public.
A low-risk intervention
As an obstetrician-gynecologist and researcher, I believe that some protection for the public is better than none. A recent article in the medical journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine states a similar rationale.
The universal use of mouth and nose covering with masks is a low-risk intervention that can only assist in reducing the spread of this terrible illness. If everyone wears a mask, individuals protect one another, reducing overall community transmission. It could even remind people not to touch their faces after touching potentially contaminated surfaces.
As the research shows, masks aren’t shields. It’s still important to help prevent transmission by practicing social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others in public, staying home as much as possible, and washing hands frequently and properly.
[Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]
Hector Chapa, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Interprofessional Education, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-04-05--CNN's Brooke Baldwin Tests Positive For The Coronavirus

Earlier last week , Brook Baldwin got overcome with emotion as she spoke with Michelle Bennett who had to say @ @ @ @ @ FaceTime as she succumbed to COVID-19 .
On Friday , Baldwin announced on Instagram that @ @ @ @ @ herself .
CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin announced on Friday that she tested positive for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
`` I am OKAY , '' Baldwin said in an Instagram post announcing @ @ @ @ @ came on suddenly yesterday afternoon .
Chills , aches , fever . ''
Baldwin became @ @ @ @ @ test positive for the virus .
Chris Cuomo tested positive earlier in the week .

Earlier last week, Brook Baldwin got overcome with emotion as she spoke with Michelle Bennett who had to say goodbye to her mother via FaceTime as she succumbed to COVID-19. On Friday, Baldwin announced on Instagram that she has contracted the virus herself.
Source: CNN
CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin announced on Friday that she tested positive for coronavirus after experiencing symptoms a day earlier.
"I am OKAY," Baldwin said in an Instagram post announcing her diagnosis. "It came on suddenly yesterday afternoon. Chills, aches, fever."
Baldwin became the second CNN anchor to test positive for the virus. Chris Cuomo tested positive earlier in the week.


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Acting Navy Secretary Calls Capt. Crozier 'Naive' And 'Stupid' In Address To Ship's Crew

This is galling in the extreme .
Like others , I was initially willing to give Modly the benefit of the doubt , because Capt .
Crozier had broken the chain of command , which is everything in the military .
( And one reason among a zillion others why Trump is singularly unfit to be Commander-in-Chief , but I digress . )
But Modly has proven that he is just as unfit for the post he 's in , trying to make Crozier the scapegoat for their own ineptitude , and needlessly creating a public relations nightmare for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people bereft of any semblance of common sense ?
That 's a rhetorical question .
Of course they are .
The Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly blasted the now-ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as `` stupid '' in an address to the ship 's crew Monday morning , in remarks obtained by CNN .
Modly told the crew that their former commander , Capt .
Brett Crozier , was either `` too naive or too stupid '' to be in command or that he intentionally leaked to the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus spreading aboard the aircraft carrier and urged action to save his sailors .
The acting secretary accused Crozier of committing a `` betrayal '' and creating a `` big controversy '' in Washington by disseminating the warning so widely .
`` It was a betrayal .
And I can tell you one other thing : because he did that he put it in the public 's forum and it is now a big controversy in Washington , DC , '' Modly said , according to a transcript of remarks Modly made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been provided to CNN by multiple Navy officials .
If you listen closely , you can hear sailors yelling profanities at the Acting Secretary of the Navy as he made his remarks .

This is galling in the extreme. Like others, I was initially willing to give Modly the benefit of the doubt, because Capt. Crozier had broken the chain of command, which is everything in the military. (And one reason among a zillion others why Trump is singularly unfit to be Commander-in-Chief, but I digress.) But Modly has proven that he is just as unfit for the post he's in, trying to make Crozier the scapegoat for their own ineptitude, and needlessly creating a public relations nightmare for the Navy.
Are all of Trump's people bereft of any semblance of common sense? That's a rhetorical question. Of course they are.
Modly should resign, effective immediately.
Source: CNN
The Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly blasted the now-ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as "stupid" in an address to the ship's crew Monday morning, in remarks obtained by CNN. Modly told the crew that their former commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, was either "too naive or too stupid" to be in command or that he intentionally leaked to the media a memo in which he warned about coronavirus spreading aboard the aircraft carrier and urged action to save his sailors. The acting secretary accused Crozier of committing a "betrayal" and creating a "big controversy" in Washington by disseminating the warning so widely. "It was a betrayal. And I can tell you one other thing: because he did that he put it in the public's forum and it is now a big controversy in Washington, DC," Modly said, according to a transcript of remarks Modly made to the crew, copies of which have been provided to CNN by multiple Navy officials.
Transcript below:
Audio below:
If you listen closely, you can hear sailors yelling profanities at the Acting Secretary of the Navy as he made his remarks.
Twitter reacted immediately with disgust and outrage.
Dear @SECNAV Modly: Capt. Crozier warned the Navy that #Covid_19 was spreading through the ship. He was protecting his personnel. The fact that you got embarrassed is not a valid reason to relieve him of command. And calling him naive or stupid shows you are not fit to be SECNAV. https://t.co/SQAEWe8TW5 — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 6, 2020
At least 173 crew members of the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for coronavirus, and Trump’s acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, is still attacking the ship’s commander who blew the whistle on the outbreak.https://t.co/eMDQiXaftR — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 6, 2020
Perhaps worth remembering that Modly is Acting Secretary because he, unlike his predecessor, had no problem acquiescing to Trump's pardoning war criminals.https://t.co/gq25wnggn3 — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 6, 2020
I was not in the camp with those calling for acting SecNav Modly to resign for relieving #CaptCrozier. I am now.
These remarks to sailors are unbefitting a senior leader and will only increase divisiveness in the ranks.
He has failed as a leader & should resign. https://t.co/qewpesA9Lg — David Lapan (@DaveLapanDC) April 6, 2020
This is ridiculously bad. Nothing like a bad leader compounding a bad decision with a little friendly fire. Modly is either too naive or too stupid to think these remarks wouldn’t get out. And to think they’d be well-received by the troops, the media or the American public.... https://t.co/xm3z12XyIQ — Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) April 6, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-04-02--CDC Doctors Warned About Dangers Of Pandemic In 2018—Yet Another Warning Team Trump Ignored

Another day , another report on a recent pandemic warning ignored by the Trump administration .
In 2018 , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a day-long conference to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Spanish flu pandemic , with sessions like “ Innovations for pandemic countermeasures.
” “ Are we ready to respond to a pandemic ?
” asked one of the doctors at the conference .
“ I fear the answer is no.
” In one of many details that would seem over the top if this was all fictional , that doctor , Luciana Borio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council global health section that Donald Trump dismantled soon after the conference , making the U.S. even less ready to respond to a pandemic .
One of the pandemic conference ’ s organizers , Dr. Daniel Jernigan , subsequently did a webinar entitled “ 100 years since 1918 : Are we ready for the next pandemic ?
” That webinar was cohosted by Dr. Nancy Messonnier , who was sidelined by Trump after making public remarks saying that , yes , the novel coronavirus was going to be a serious problem for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned of “ potential disruption ” to supply chains and that the “ healthcare system could get overwhelmed in a severe pandemic.
” But it gets even more specifically tailored to what we ’ re experiencing two years later : “ Need reusable respiratory protective devices , ” he wrote , along with “ better ventilator access.
” This sustained warning from CDC scientists has been available online .
The government remained unprepared .
But as we know , this isn ’ t the only warning the Trump administration ignored .
Those warnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition , when the Obama administration was handing things off to Team Trump and , as one of a series of disaster response exercises , presented the transition team with a pandemic scenario .
The Obama administration also left a pandemic playbook that warned about things like the need for personal protective equipment and testing .
If Trump was personally determined to scrap every single thing that came from President Obama , though , he still could have heeded the warning of Operation Crimson Contagion , a series of Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted just last fall .
Or the report by White House economists , also last fall , on the likely economic fallout of a pandemic .
Or Trump ’ s Department of Homeland Security could have kept running pandemic simulations , as the DHS had done from 2005 to 2017 .
But no .
Warning after warning after warning still left the Trump administration unprepared and incompetent , disastrous , and ruinous .
This .
Is .
On .
Him .
Not the virus itself , of course , but the way it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s on him .

Another day, another report on a recent pandemic warning ignored by the Trump administration. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a day-long conference to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Spanish flu pandemic, with sessions like “Innovations for pandemic countermeasures.”
“Are we ready to respond to a pandemic?” asked one of the doctors at the conference. “I fear the answer is no.” In one of many details that would seem over the top if this was all fictional, that doctor, Luciana Borio, was part of the National Security Council global health section that Donald Trump dismantled soon after the conference, making the U.S. even less ready to respond to a pandemic.
One of the pandemic conference’s organizers, Dr. Daniel Jernigan, subsequently did a webinar entitled “100 years since 1918: Are we ready for the next pandemic?” That webinar was cohosted by Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who was sidelined by Trump after making public remarks saying that, yes, the novel coronavirus was going to be a serious problem for the U.S.
In the webinar, Jernigan warned of “potential disruption” to supply chains and that the “healthcare system could get overwhelmed in a severe pandemic.” But it gets even more specifically tailored to what we’re experiencing two years later: “Need reusable respiratory protective devices,” he wrote, along with “better ventilator access.”
This sustained warning from CDC scientists has been available online. The government remained unprepared.
But as we know, this isn’t the only warning the Trump administration ignored. Those warnings go all the way back to the transition, when the Obama administration was handing things off to Team Trump and, as one of a series of disaster response exercises, presented the transition team with a pandemic scenario. The Obama administration also left a pandemic playbook that warned about things like the need for personal protective equipment and testing.
If Trump was personally determined to scrap every single thing that came from President Obama, though, he still could have heeded the warning of Operation Crimson Contagion, a series of Department of Health and Human Services exercises about a global pandemic conducted just last fall. Or the report by White House economists, also last fall, on the likely economic fallout of a pandemic. Or Trump’s Department of Homeland Security could have kept running pandemic simulations, as the DHS had done from 2005 to 2017.
But no. Warning after warning after warning still left the Trump administration unprepared and incompetent, disastrous, and ruinous. This. Is. On. Him. Not the virus itself, of course, but the way it spread undetected and with the public unprepared. It’s on him.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-26--Asked About His 'Easter Timeline,' Trump Whines About 'Fake News'

Why ?
Because a reporter dared to ask him pertinent questions during Wednesday 's presser .
Last week Trump seemed to be all in on social distancing , isolation and keeping businesses closed ... until he reversed himself without telling his COVID-19 Task Force .
Against Dr. Fauci 's recommendations and ignoring the spread of the coronavirus , Trump told the American public he may want to open things up by Easter .
Since Trump has no facts to justify sending people back to work in early April , he reverted to his usual vitriolic attacks on the reporter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over him like OANN .
The reporter asked if he changed his mind for his own political benefit , `` You tweeted earlier linking the closing of the country to your election success in November . ''
`` Is your Easter timeline based on your political interests ? ''
she asked .
`` What do you mean about my election success ?
No , '' Trump said .
She continued , `` Tweeting , you said the media wants the country to remain closed to hurt you .
The media would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and I think I think -- `` She interrupted , `` Lawmakers and economists on both sides of the aisle have said that reopening the country by Easter is not a good idea .
What is that plan based on , '' she asked .
That was just too much for this odious narcissist .
Trump waved both hands in front of him and said , `` Just so you understand , `` Are you ready ? ''
Will he explain his reasoning ?
Trump continued , `` I think there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open so quickly .
I think there are certain people who would like it to do financially poorly because they think that would be very good and far as defeating me at the polls . ''
`` I think there are people in your profession , pointing at the reporter that would like that to happen , `` Trump said .
She tried to bring facts back to the discussion , but was thwarted by King Baby .
`` There are medical experts . ''
she tried to interject .
Trump continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that there are people in your profession that write fake news . ''
Then he got personal .
`` You do , ( he turned to his left ) she does , '' he said .
Trump continued , `` There are people in your profession that right fake news .
They would love to see me for whatever reason ... '' Trying to get a clear response and insight into why Trump may force the country back to work sooner than it should to avoid mass deaths and infections ... ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean Hannity Talking points against the deep state media .
Wow .
Is it any wonder Americans are terribly upset and freaked out by Donald Trump 's failure to lead ?

Donald Trump melted down.
Why? Because a reporter dared to ask him pertinent questions during Wednesday's presser.
Last week Trump seemed to be all in on social distancing, isolation and keeping businesses closed... until he reversed himself without telling his COVID-19 Task Force.
Against Dr. Fauci's recommendations and ignoring the spread of the coronavirus, Trump told the American public he may want to open things up by Easter.
Since Trump has no facts to justify sending people back to work in early April, he reverted to his usual vitriolic attacks on the reporter.
Trump wishes the entire media would fawn all over him like OANN.
The reporter asked if he changed his mind for his own political benefit, "You tweeted earlier linking the closing of the country to your election success in November."
"Is your Easter timeline based on your political interests?" she asked.
"What do you mean about my election success? No," Trump said.
She continued, "Tweeting, you said the media wants the country to remain closed to hurt you.
The media would like to see me do poorly in the election and I think I think -- "
She interrupted, "Lawmakers and economists on both sides of the aisle have said that reopening the country by Easter is not a good idea. What is that plan based on," she asked.
That was just too much for this odious narcissist.
Trump waved both hands in front of him and said, "Just so you understand, "Are you ready?"
Will he explain his reasoning?
Trump continued, "I think there are certain people who would like it not to open so quickly. I think there are certain people who would like it to do financially poorly because they think that would be very good and far as defeating me at the polls."
"I think there are people in your profession, pointing at the reporter that would like that to happen, " Trump said.
She tried to bring facts back to the discussion, but was thwarted by King Baby.
"There are medical experts." she tried to interject.
Trump continued, "I think it's very clear that there are people in your profession that write fake news."
Then he got personal.
"You do, (he turned to his left) she does," he said.
Trump continued, "There are people in your profession that right fake news. They would love to see me for whatever reason..."
Trying to get a clear response and insight into why Trump may force the country back to work sooner than it should to avoid mass deaths and infections...
...we getting a litany of tired old Sean Hannity Talking points against the deep state media. Wow.
Is it any wonder Americans are terribly upset and freaked out by Donald Trump's failure to lead?


crooksandliars--2020-03-26--At Least 5 People Test Positive After Disco Party On Trump Property

Over the last couple of weeks , the places Trump owns seem to have become a hotbed for people from all over the world who subsequently test positive for COVID-19 .
According to the Los Angeles Times , two weeks ago a 70th birthday party in a “ disco style ” was thrown at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes , California .
The event took place in an upstairs ballroom at the golf club and celebrated the birthday of the former mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes , Susan Brooks .
After the celebration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
In total , five people from Brooks ’ birthday bash have tested positive for COVID-19 , while 11 others say they have been feeling ill but have not yet been tested .
The party took place on March 8 .
Brooks—a fixture of the Southern California political scene—and her daughter say they asked Los Angeles County supervisor ( and friend of the family ) Janice Hahn about whether or not they should still have the party .
She reportedly felt that in the period of time before shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no guests who were feeling ill came to the party , everything would be fine .
Hahn—who was at the event—told MSN that she practiced social distancing , including no handshaking , and watched everyone in attendance acting normal and intimate .
In fact , Hahn left the party believing that the “ media ” was “ overblowing ” this whole coronavirus threat thing .
A week later , though Hahn has not been tested and has shown no symptoms , Gov .
Gavin Newsom advised her to go into self-quarantine .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming out , remember : You don ’ t have to have symptoms to carry and transmit the virus .

Over the last couple of weeks, the places Trump owns seem to have become a hotbed for people from all over the world who subsequently test positive for COVID-19. According to the Los Angeles Times, two weeks ago a 70th birthday party in a “disco style” was thrown at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The event took place in an upstairs ballroom at the golf club and celebrated the birthday of the former mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes, Susan Brooks. After the celebration, she and three other guests tested positive for COVID-19.
In total, five people from Brooks’ birthday bash have tested positive for COVID-19, while 11 others say they have been feeling ill but have not yet been tested. The party took place on March 8. Brooks—a fixture of the Southern California political scene—and her daughter say they asked Los Angeles County supervisor (and friend of the family) Janice Hahn about whether or not they should still have the party. She reportedly felt that in the period of time before shelter in place orders were given, as long as no guests who were feeling ill came to the party, everything would be fine.
Hahn—who was at the event—told MSN that she practiced social distancing, including no handshaking, and watched everyone in attendance acting normal and intimate. In fact, Hahn left the party believing that the “media” was “overblowing” this whole coronavirus threat thing. A week later, though Hahn has not been tested and has shown no symptoms, Gov. Gavin Newsom advised her to go into self-quarantine.
So before you tell everyone you’re coming out, remember: You don’t have to have symptoms to carry and transmit the virus.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.