crooksandliars--2020-04-06--A Texas Progressive On The Verge-- Meet Julie Oliver

Last year Julie Oliver was in the midst of a primary battle with another worthy challenger eager to take on crooked conservative incumbent Roger Williams in the gerrymandered 25th congressional district .
Julie won her primary 55,721 ( 70 % ) to 24,340 ( 30 % ) and is now in the midst of a virtual campaign for the R+11 seat she made great strides towards winning in 2018 , holding Williams down to a 53.5 % win .
A multimillionaire used car dealer , Rogers has raised $ 1,202,255 so far this cycle -- to Julie 's $ 385,778 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign a check for $ 330,000 to buy the election . )
In 2018 Julie trounced Williams in the district 's biggest county , Travis , and beat him by an even bigger margin in Bell County .
This cycle , she is aiming to make bigger inroads into traditionally Republican Johnson , Hays , Burnet and Hill counties .
But not by running on a GOP-lite platform .
Yesterday she told us that she and her family `` are in day 23 of social and physical distancing .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still have income , but like millions of Americans we ’ re unsure how long that will continue , or what happens next .
As front-line healthcare workers who are making the absolute best they can out of an impossible situation continue to step up and serve those who need help , the lack of a coordinated federal response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 is only making matters worse . ''
If you agree Julie would make a great replacement for anti-healthcare fanatic and Trump stooge Roger Williams , please click on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribute what you can .
She told us that Medicare for All is taking hold among more and more Texas voters in the midst of this pandemic .
It has driven home how badly we need those who value science , expertise , and competence to serve in positions of public trust .
But it has also underscored how broken and utterly inadequate our healthcare status quo really is -- and how wobbly our economy was for so many in this country in the first place .
I watched as our Congressman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , TX , voted to end protections for people like my son -- who we refer to as the walking pre-existing condition -- and I knew that I had to run .
I knew that not only was our healthcare status quo immoral , it was inefficient , expensive , and produced suboptimal outcomes , because I spent a 15-year-long career in healthcare finance .
When folks don ’ t have insurance , they go to the ER for healthcare , and this in turn drives up the cost of healthcare for everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party machine , no fancy insider connections , no list of donors waiting to write checks -- I was a total novice -- and in my naïveté , I thought if only I could explain to folks how broken the U.S. healthcare finance system was and how universal coverage could actually lower our healthcare costs and improve our healthcare outcomes , Republicans ( who have historically run as “ champions ” of fiscal conservatism ) would end their assault on healthcare in America .
We all know that ’ s not how things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and captured by corporate money -- from the pharmaceutical industry to the for-profit insurance industry -- with members of both political parties susceptible to its influence .
But I still believe that we can change how we do politics -- and how we deliver healthcare in this country .
It is an urgent priority , made only more severe by a global pandemic that threatens to overwhelm our healthcare system .
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , nearly five million Texans did not have health insurance , twice the national average .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationally filed for unemployment ; this doesn ’ t include the 3.3 filings the week before or the independent contractors who lost clients during the same week .
Not everyone who loses their job will have insurance tied to that job .
But for the folks who had insurance prior to getting laid off , if they can not afford their COBRA coverage , they will join the ranks of the unemployed and uninsured .
6.6 million people lost their jobs in a single week , and that number is only going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
It shouldn ’ t take millions of people losing their jobs to show us how broken our healthcare status quo is .
We should have decoupled insurance from employment in this country long ago and caught up with the rest of the developed world -- now it is imperative that we do so .
It never made sense for us to permit for-profit insurance companies to create artificially small risk pools that allow them to drive up costs for everyone while making billions in annual profits from human suffering .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Medicare for All -- one comprehensive , nationwide risk pool .
My hope on the other side of the pandemic is that we do not repeat the mistakes that Democrats and Republicans made following the Great Recession of 2009 .
We have seen the pattern of allowing Congress to use a crisis to grant gigantic tax cuts to corporations paired with massive upward transfer of wealth , with all of the gains going to those at the top while the rest of the country struggles to get by without basic public goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we want to truly rebuild our economy so that it is sustainable , let ’ s lift the burden of healthcare off of employers .
Let employees decide where they want to work based on job satisfaction , not how much the employer will pay in health insurance .
Let ’ s allow small businesses , who have been hit the hardest by this administration ’ s incompetence and lack of leadership , to compete for employed talent .
And let ’ s do the right thing by our fellow human beings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country can see a doctor , afford prescriptions , and be well enough to live to their full potential .

Last year Julie Oliver was in the midst of a primary battle with another worthy challenger eager to take on crooked conservative incumbent Roger Williams in the gerrymandered 25th congressional district. Julie won her primary 55,721 (70%) to 24,340 (30%) and is now in the midst of a virtual campaign for the R+11 seat she made great strides towards winning in 2018, holding Williams down to a 53.5% win. A multimillionaire used car dealer, Rogers has raised $1,202,255 so far this cycle-- to Julie's $385,778. (In 2012, he wrote his campaign a check for $330,000 to buy the election.)
In 2018 Julie trounced Williams in the district's biggest county, Travis, and beat him by an even bigger margin in Bell County. This cycle, she is aiming to make bigger inroads into traditionally Republican Johnson, Hays, Burnet and Hill counties. But not by running on a GOP-lite platform. Yesterday she told us that she and her family "are in day 23 of social and physical distancing. We’re one of the very fortunate families who still have income, but like millions of Americans we’re unsure how long that will continue, or what happens next. As front-line healthcare workers who are making the absolute best they can out of an impossible situation continue to step up and serve those who need help, the lack of a coordinated federal response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 is only making matters worse."
If you agree Julie would make a great replacement for anti-healthcare fanatic and Trump stooge Roger Williams, please click on the Taking Back Texas thermometer below and contribute what you can.
She told us that Medicare for All is taking hold among more and more Texas voters in the midst of this pandemic.


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Ohio Churchgoer Tells CNN She Can’t Get Sick Because She’s Christian: ‘I’m Covered In Jesus’ Blood’

A churchgoer in Ohio told CNN that she is attending services during the coronavirus pandemic because she is “ covered @ @ @ @ @ and can ’ t be infected .
“ I wouldn ’ t be anywhere else @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Gary Tuchman from her car as she was leaving church services .
@ @ @ @ @ worried you could impact other people if you get sick inside ?
” the CNN @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m covered in Jesus ’ blood , ” the woman replied .
@ @ @ @ @ in Jesus ’ blood !
” “ There are other people who don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ you might infect , ” Tuchman noted .
“ I go to the grocery store @ @ @ @ @ woman exclaimed .
“ I ’ m in Walmart , Home Depot .
Look at @ @ @ @ @ get me sick !
” “ But they ’ re not because I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ ” she added before driving off .

A churchgoer in Ohio told CNN that she is attending services during the coronavirus pandemic because she is “covered in Jesus’ blood” and can’t be infected.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” the woman told CNN’s Gary Tuchman from her car as she was leaving church services.
“Aren’t you worried you could impact other people if you get sick inside?” the CNN reporter asked.
“No, I’m covered in Jesus’ blood,” the woman replied. “I’m covered in Jesus’ blood!”
“There are other people who don’t go to this church who you might infect,” Tuchman noted.
“I go to the grocery store every day!” the woman exclaimed. “I’m in Walmart, Home Depot. Look at those people. They could get me sick!”
“But they’re not because I’m covered in his blood,” she added before driving off.


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Trump's Briefings May Be Backfiring As MAGA Notices Real-Time Incompetence

So with all of us sheltering-in-place , it seems Manny Peeple are watching the daily COVID-19 / MAGA rallies ( nothing better to watch ? )
and you know what ?
It seems that Americans are finally catching on that Lord Damp Nut is an incompetent loon and a danger to our health Support for President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has diminished over the past two weeks , according to a new survey , with a majority of Americans now disapproving of his response to the public health crisis .
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disapprove of his management of the deadly outbreak , while only 47 percent approve .
The president ’ s latest rating in the survey shows Trump ’ s support backsliding from the levels he achieved in mid-March , when more than half of Americans , 55 percent , approved of his response and 43 percent disapproved .
Since that previous iteration of the poll was published on March 20 , the administration extended its social-distancing guidelines for another 30 days and worked to increase its testing capacity for the virus .
So congrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the curve .
But there really is something trending here , and if the vast majority of Americans who do NOT pay attention to politics are suddenly waking up to the fact that our alleged leader is a gibbering mango-hued sh*tgibbon , we should be grateful that they are finally catching up with the rest of the class .
Trump has tried everything in his bag of shiny coins this week to distract from his abject failure and Americans dying .
The polls are noisy , but he never got the big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of crisis .
His approval is coming back down .
He is in way over his head .

So with all of us sheltering-in-place, it seems Manny Peeple are watching the daily COVID-19 / MAGA rallies (nothing better to watch?) and you know what? It seems that Americans are finally catching on that Lord Damp Nut is an incompetent loon and a danger to our health
Support for President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has diminished over the past two weeks, according to a new survey, with a majority of Americans now disapproving of his response to the public health crisis. An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Friday reports that 52 percent of respondents disapprove of his management of the deadly outbreak, while only 47 percent approve. The president’s latest rating in the survey shows Trump’s support backsliding from the levels he achieved in mid-March, when more than half of Americans, 55 percent, approved of his response and 43 percent disapproved. Since that previous iteration of the poll was published on March 20, the administration extended its social-distancing guidelines for another 30 days and worked to increase its testing capacity for the virus.
So congrats to us, we were way ahead of the curve. But there really is something trending here, and if the vast majority of Americans who do NOT pay attention to politics are suddenly waking up to the fact that our alleged leader is a gibbering mango-hued sh*tgibbon, we should be grateful that they are finally catching up with the rest of the class.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors
We have now done polls in 2 states with Democratic Governors contrasting the response of them with Trump in handling the crisis.
In Pennsylvania Wolf's approval is a net 45 points better than Trump's.
In North Carolina Cooper's approval is a net 40 points better than Trump's — PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) April 1, 2020
Trump has tried everything in his bag of shiny coins this week to distract from his abject failure and Americans dying.
The polls are noisy, but he never got the big bounce past leaders did in a time of crisis. His approval is coming back down. He is in way over his head. — Amy Siskind 🏳🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) April 3, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-04-05--Franklin Graham Gets His Gods Mixed Up

Franklin Graham Gets His Gods Mixed Up

Here 's a thing that happened Saturday which makes me want to verbally slap Franklin Graham until he begs for mercy and sees the light .
During an interview with `` Judge '' Jeanine Pirro , Franklin `` I worship no god but Trump '' Graham pronounced the coronavirus as God 's revenge on a fallen world .
If he 's talking about Trump 's revenge , maybe .
Trump is too self-absorbed and incompetent for this disaster to be called `` revenge , '' but it is certainly the case that his bungling of this pandemic will cause the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands .
If , on the other hand , he is speaking of the vengeful God of Graham 's invention , then no .
This pandemic is not some kind of cosmic revenge for sin .
It 's a thing that happens every 100 years or so .
See 1918 's influenza epidemic for reference .
When Pirro asked Graham how God could allow this to happen , he was there with the glib and incorrect answer .
“ Well , I don ’ t think it ’ s God ’ s plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s because of the sin that ’ s in the world , ” Graham said .
“ Man has turned his back on God , we have sinned against him , and we need to ask for God ’ s forgiveness and that ’ s what Easter ’ s all about.
” Which actually has nothing to do with the fact that a virus is ravaging the people of the earth at the moment , a virus which is a `` novel '' virus , for which humans have no immunity built up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story of Easter , which again , has nothing to do with a global pandemic .
`` This pandemic , this is the result of a fallen world , '' he insisted .
`` A world that has turned its back on God.
” Franklin , you ignorant nut .
This pandemic is the result of a piss-poor lack of planning , a lackluster response , and a mutated virus that we do n't even fully understand yet .
But again , it all depends on which god you 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story of redemption , not condemnation .
Unless your god is Donald Trump .

Here's a thing that happened Saturday which makes me want to verbally slap Franklin Graham until he begs for mercy and sees the light. During an interview with "Judge" Jeanine Pirro, Franklin "I worship no god but Trump" Graham pronounced the coronavirus as God's revenge on a fallen world.
If he's talking about Trump's revenge, maybe. Trump is too self-absorbed and incompetent for this disaster to be called "revenge," but it is certainly the case that his bungling of this pandemic will cause the blood of many to be on his hands.
If, on the other hand, he is speaking of the vengeful God of Graham's invention, then no. This pandemic is not some kind of cosmic revenge for sin. It's a thing that happens every 100 years or so. See 1918's influenza epidemic for reference.
When Pirro asked Graham how God could allow this to happen, he was there with the glib and incorrect answer. “Well, I don’t think it’s God’s plan for this to happen. It’s because of the sin that’s in the world,” Graham said. “Man has turned his back on God, we have sinned against him, and we need to ask for God’s forgiveness and that’s what Easter’s all about.”
Which actually has nothing to do with the fact that a virus is ravaging the people of the earth at the moment, a virus which is a "novel" virus, for which humans have no immunity built up.
Nevertheless, Graham persisted in emphasizing the story of Easter, which again, has nothing to do with a global pandemic.
"This pandemic, this is the result of a fallen world," he insisted. "A world that has turned its back on God.”
Franklin, you ignorant nut. This pandemic is the result of a piss-poor lack of planning, a lackluster response, and a mutated virus that we don't even fully understand yet.
But again, it all depends on which god you're going to worship, Frank. Easter is a story of redemption, not condemnation.
Unless your god is Donald Trump.
(h/t Mediaite)


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

If nothing else , covid-19 should help us appreciate modern technology .
What we 're seeing now is just the @ @ @ @ @ world was like before vaccines and the rest of the tools and skills of modern @ @ @ @ @ : Is helping private companies to profiteer off of the pandemic part of the `` @ @ @ @ @ 's Dad : Stop behaving like the mayor of Amity Island , you nitwits .
@ @ @ @ @ we are living in a zombie movie .
Hackwhackers : Our real-life Elmer Gantrys are @ @ @ @ @ .
Blog round-up by Infidel753 .
To recommend a post , send link to mbru @ @ @ @ @ dot ] com -- I do check it !

If nothing else, covid-19 should help us appreciate modern technology. What we're seeing now is just the barest taste of what the world was like before vaccines and the rest of the tools and skills of modern medicine.
Nan's Notebook: Is helping private companies to profiteer off of the pandemic part of the "Republican philosophy"?
Max's Dad: Stop behaving like the mayor of Amity Island, you nitwits.
John Pavlovitz: Yikes, we are living in a zombie movie.
Hackwhackers: Our real-life Elmer Gantrys are becoming a major disease amplifier.
Blog round-up by Infidel753. To recommend a post, send link to mbru [at] crooksandliars [dot] com -- I do check it!


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--The White House Media Is Failing Exactly The Way They Always Do

I ’ m coming to the conclusion these daily news briefings from Lord Damp Nut about the Coronavirus AKA , @ @ @ @ @ the MAGA-Klan rallies of yore , because he probably can not have them any longer @ @ @ @ @ air all of his grievances and bullies our Failed Political Press , with a back-up @ @ @ @ @ calling him “ sir ” as the suck-up .
And Possum Hollar gets a daily @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s working out really well for him .
As for any valuable @ @ @ @ @ Our Media is getting played as usual .
Say it with me , folks : @ @ @ @ @ yap is NOT news .
”

I’m coming to the conclusion these daily news briefings from Lord Damp Nut about the Coronavirus AKA, The Trump Virus are replacing the MAGA-Klan rallies of yore, because he probably cannot have them any longer.
Prznint Stupid gets to air all of his grievances and bullies our Failed Political Press, with a back-up chorus of his Misfit Toys calling him “sir” as the suck-up. And Possum Hollar gets a daily infusion of the 2-Minute Hate. It’s working out really well for him.
Trump takes question from far-right OAN personality who asks if term “Chinese food” is racist, mocking those who take offense to him calling COVID-19 a “Chinese virus.” She claims the media is using “Chinese communist party narratives.” Trump responds by basheing the press. pic.twitter.com/LknQJ9iQX1 — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) March 19, 2020
That was OANN White House correspondent Chanel Rion, btw.
As for any valuable news? Nothing really. Our Media is getting played as usual.
Say it with me, folks: “Prznint Stupid opening his yap is NOT news.”
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--'You're A Terrible Reporter!' Trump Rages At NBC's Peter Alexander In Bonkers Press Conference

Donald Trump held another one of his daily coronavirus press conferences where the White House staff tell the Dear Leader how amazing he is on live television .
It also gives Trump a chance to rage at the press live , one of his favorite pastimes .
Today , NBC 's Peter Alexander actually gave Donald Trump a chance to show a tiny bit of empathy , asking him the most simple question possible : There are 200 dead , 14,000 who are sick , and millions who are scared right now .
What do you say to Americans who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared ? ''
The problem with Alexander 's question was that it came with some unhappy facts about infections and death rates , right after Trump was challenged on his happy talk about antimalarials treating the virus .
Trump could have said something reassuring , like `` we want everyone to stay calm '' and `` we know that this is a scary time , but we are working around the clock to do everything we can to stop the spread and keep people safe '' .
But , of course , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choosing to attack , telling Peter Alexander `` I say you 're a terrible reporter . ''
Reporters and others exploded on Twitter : At the end of the presser , Pence managed to answer that question well : Keep up the good work , Peter .
We need more journalists to keep asking the real questions .

Donald Trump held another one of his daily coronavirus press conferences where the White House staff tell the Dear Leader how amazing he is on live television. It also gives Trump a chance to rage at the press live, one of his favorite pastimes.
Today, NBC's Peter Alexander actually gave Donald Trump a chance to show a tiny bit of empathy, asking him the most simple question possible: There are 200 dead, 14,000 who are sick, and millions who are scared right now. What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?"
The problem with Alexander's question was that it came with some unhappy facts about infections and death rates, right after Trump was challenged on his happy talk about antimalarials treating the virus.
Trump could have said something reassuring, like "we want everyone to stay calm" and "we know that this is a scary time, but we are working around the clock to do everything we can to stop the spread and keep people safe".
But, of course, Donald Trump says the exact wrong thing, choosing to attack, telling Peter Alexander "I say you're a terrible reporter."
Reporters and others exploded on Twitter:
My colleague @PeterAlexander asked a fair question to @POTUS about his message to Americans who are afraid. @POTUS chose to instead go into attack mode. Many Americans would probably like to hear that message. — Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) March 20, 2020
FWIW, @PeterAlexander is one of the most hard-working, honest, and professional journalists on the White House beat today. He's fair, unflappable, and asks top-notch questions.
If that's "terrible," we should all aspire to be just as terrible in our own careers. — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) March 20, 2020
This question was a set up for him to go "rah rah, we'll overcome this and will be stronger for it, blah." Instead, he went on an insane rant about how Peter Alexander (whose co-worker just DIED from COVID-19) and Comcast (which our child president called "concast") are bad. — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) March 20, 2020
.@PeterAlexander is a colleague and friend. He is an exceptional journalist, working for @NBCNews at the White House. He asked a fair question, as he does every day. Many scared Americans would like to know what the president's message is right now. — Jesse Rodriguez (@JesseRodriguez) March 20, 2020
Every reporter should just get up and walk out of that room right now.
Don’t give this pathetic, little man the time of day.
They should stand with @PeterAlexander. — Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) March 20, 2020
Good on other reporters for jumping in to defend @PeterAlexander and follow up on his perfectly reasonable question. This is not a president. This man is in WAY over his head. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 20, 2020
.@PeterAlexander asks Pres Trump what his message is to scared Americans who worry he is exaggerating how well an existing medicine will work on coronavirus?
Trump: "That is a nasty question...You are a terrible reporter...You ought to be ashamed of yourself." — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 20, 2020
The president answers a reporter’s question about his message to scared Americans by attacking the reporter, @PeterAlexander
Seems to say more about the president than about the reporter
We should ALL be focused on the citizens struggling with this disease, NOT attacking — Kasie Hunt (@kasie) March 20, 2020
Donald Trump’s response to Peter Alexander’s question was pathetic. He attacked a reporter for asking the president to address the fears of Americans. He responded like an angry autocrat. — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 20, 2020
At the end of the presser, Pence managed to answer that question well:
Vice President Mike Pence actually answers the question from @PeterAlexander about what his message is to scared Americans
"Do not be afraid. Be vigilant," Pence said. — Kasie Hunt (@kasie) March 20, 2020
Keep up the good work, Peter. We need more journalists to keep asking the real questions.


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Robot Melania Stars In The Most Bizarre Coronavirus Ad Ever

Melania `` Einstein Visa '' Trump was forced to give a hostage video type statement talking about how we are @ @ @ @ @ fine from the coronavirus hoax and it is ... creepy .
From her robotic , @ @ @ @ @ and frozen face , to her cold and uniform like choice of black turtleneck clothing @ @ @ @ @ could be less comforting is if she had Donald Trump star in it with her @ @ @ @ @ I held back my real thoughts .

Melania "Einstein Visa" Trump was forced to give a hostage video type statement talking about how we are all going to be totally fine from the coronavirus hoax and it is...creepy.
From her robotic, monotone voice to her emotionless and frozen face, to her cold and uniform like choice of black turtleneck clothing. The only way it could be less comforting is if she had Donald Trump star in it with her.
Twitter had...thoughts.
Those are nice words Michelle Obama probably spoke at some other point... https://t.co/HLzsxpQWVF — (((Bad at Ballet))) (@AlizaWrites) March 19, 2020
Whoever is running our universe simulation is having a huge laugh right now. — Scott Wainner (@scottwww) March 19, 2020
Is it wrong that I'm expecting the porn music background and the pool man to arrive with an unpaid bill?😋 — Lori Bowe (@BoweLori) March 19, 2020
Oh for the love of God. The fact that someone thought this was a good idea is emblematic of this administration — Henry L. Miller (@HenryLMiller1) March 19, 2020
It would 'Be Best' if she would just go away. — rwkdover (@rwkdover) March 19, 2020
This is literally the last person anybody needs to hear from. — Debbie (@mtyler281) March 19, 2020
and my contribution...I held back my real thoughts.
nothing is as comforting as a botox frozen faced, mail order bride, wearing a black turtleneck funeral jumpsuit, reading words with zero emotion about a pandemic her husband called a hoax just a week ago https://t.co/Ei12LfALYB — Red Quarantine Queen Painter (@Redpainter1) March 19, 2020
#TrumpVirus #BeBest


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Flashback: Trump Campaign’s McEnany Told Fox, ‘We Will Not See Diseases Like The Coronavirus Come He

Flashback: Trump Campaign’s McEnany Told Fox, ‘We Will Not See Diseases Like The Coronavirus Come Here’

File these comments made by Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany on Fox Business , praising Donald Trump for keeping the coronavirus out of the U.S. , under “ This Did Not Age Well.
” Thanks to Andrew Kaczynski , of CNN ’ s Kfile , for reminding us what McEnany said on February 25 , the same day National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said the coronavirus was “ contained … pretty close to airtight.
” On February 25 , McEnany was a guest on FBN ’ s Trish Regan Primetime .
That was almost two weeks before Regan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monologue that got her fired .
MCENANY : This president will always put America first , he will always protect American citizens .
We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here ... and is n't that refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama . ''
Regan didn ’ t question a word .
Instead , her voice was full of admiration when she replied , “ Kayleigh McEnany , thank you so much .
Good to see you tonight.
” Remind me again how many pandemics killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a halt under Obama ?
Oh , that ’ s right .
None .
You can watch words McEnany should never live down above .
Underneath are comments that Kudlow should never be allowed to forget , either .

File these comments made by Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany on Fox Business, praising Donald Trump for keeping the coronavirus out of the U.S., under “This Did Not Age Well.”
Thanks to Andrew Kaczynski, of CNN’s Kfile, for reminding us what McEnany said on February 25, the same day National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said the coronavirus was “contained … pretty close to airtight.”
On February 25, McEnany was a guest on FBN’s Trish Regan Primetime. That was almost two weeks before Regan’s fateful “Coronavirus impeachment scam” monologue that got her fired. MCENANY: This president will always put America first, he will always protect American citizens. We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here ... and isn't that refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama."
Regan didn’t question a word. Instead, her voice was full of admiration when she replied, “Kayleigh McEnany, thank you so much. Good to see you tonight.”
Remind me again how many pandemics killed thousands of Americans and ground the economy to a halt under Obama? Oh, that’s right. None.
You can watch words McEnany should never live down above. Underneath are comments that Kudlow should never be allowed to forget, either.
Posted with permission from News Hounds.


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Elections have consequences .
Just imagine how much better we 'd be managing the covid-19 crisis if Hillary Clinton were @ @ @ @ @ one may attribute to her , there 's no doubt she 'd be vastly more @ @ @ @ @ , and thousands of lives -- perhaps far more -- would have been saved that @ @ @ @ @ Remember that , when November comes .
No one in 2016 foresaw covid-19 , and @ @ @ @ @ what the next four years will bring .
We 'll be far better off with @ @ @ @ @ , dealing with it .
The Professor 's Convatorium : Texas is known for its @ @ @ @ @ is n't the time .
The Daily Irritant : Helping to thin the herd .
@ @ @ @ @ On the possibility that covid-19 might lead to progress on health-care reform .
Blog round-up @ @ @ @ @ a post , send link to mbru [ at ] crooksandliars [ dot ] com @ @ @ @ @ !

Elections have consequences. Just imagine how much better we'd be managing the covid-19 crisis if Hillary Clinton were president now. Whatever flaws one may attribute to her, there's no doubt she'd be vastly more competent and engaged than Trump, and thousands of lives -- perhaps far more -- would have been saved that will now be lost. Remember that, when November comes. No one in 2016 foresaw covid-19, and we today don't know what the next four years will bring. We'll be far better off with a Democrat, not Trump, dealing with it.
Billablog: Turns out nobody misses John Galt.
The Professor's Convatorium: Texas is known for its independent spirit. This just isn't the time.
The Daily Irritant: Helping to thin the herd.
The Rectification of Names: On the possibility that covid-19 might lead to progress on health-care reform.
Blog round-up by Infidel753. To recommend a post, send link to mbru [at] crooksandliars [dot] com -- I do check it!


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Trump Fires Inspector General Overseeing Distribution Of $2 Trillion Relief Package

President Donald Trump ordered the removal of Glenn Fine , the Defense Department ’ s acting inspector general .
Inside @ @ @ @ @ Fine had been removed from the position of acting inspector general and he is no @ @ @ @ @ oversee the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress .
According to Inside @ @ @ @ @ be removed from his position as head of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee .
Fine @ @ @ @ @ general of the Department of Defense in 2016 .
He will now serve as principal @ @ @ @ @ position that he held prior to being named acting inspector general .
President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ United States Customs and Border Protection to serve as the Defense Department ’ s inspector @ @

President Donald Trump ordered the removal of Glenn Fine, the Defense Department’s acting inspector general.
Inside Defense reported on Tuesday that Fine had been removed from the position of acting inspector general and he is no longer chairing the committee to oversee the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by Congress.
According to Inside Defense, Fine will also be removed from his position as head of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
Fine was appointed as acting inspector general of the Department of Defense in 2016. He will now serve as principal deputy inspector general, a position that he held prior to being named acting inspector general.
President Donald Trump recently nominated Jason Abend of United States Customs and Border Protection to serve as the Defense Department’s inspector general.


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Peter Navarro Plays A Doctor On TV: 'I'm A Social Scientist!'

The internal White House coronavirus task force battle over hydroxychloroquine , Donald Trump ’ s favorite unproven COVID-19 treatment , burst into the news over the weekend when Trump refused to let Anthony Fauci answer a question on the medical evidence for the treatment .
That moment came out of a major blow-up between Fauci and economic adviser Peter Navarro in a Saturday meeting .
Fauci has repeatedly tried to tamp down expectations about hydroxychloroquine , pointing out that there are no good studies of the drug and that “ There have been cases that show there may be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no effect , so I think in terms of science , I don ’ t think we can definitely say it works.
” But a source told Axios that , in Saturday ’ s meeting , “ the first words out of [ Navarro ’ s ] mouth are that the studies that he 's seen , I believe they 're mostly overseas , show 'clear therapeutic efficacy.
’ ” When Fauci pushed back , Navarro became confrontational , raising his voice and lying about Fauci ’ s past positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was challenged on this in a Monday morning CNN interview .
“ What are your qualifications to weigh in on medicines more than Dr. Anthony Fauci ?
” anchor John Berman asked .
“ Why should we listen to you and not Dr. Fauci ?
” Navarro first advocated that CNN talk to a specific doctor who would agree with him , but as for his own qualifications , “ My qualifications in terms of looking at the science is that I 'm a social scientist .
I have a PhD , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether it ’ s in medicine , law , economics , or whatever.
” Um .
Sounds like Harvard should be calling Navarro back for some remedial work on reading statistical studies and the general concept of not cherry-picking studies to find the ones you like the best .
Because , dude , I too am a social scientist with a PhD and an understanding of how to read statistical studies and … as Fauci said on Sunday , “ the data are really just at best suggestive , ” with no large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in agreement on what , if any , effects hydroxychloroquine has on COVID-19 .
And if Navarro can ’ t see that , it ’ s because he ’ s either forgotten how to read a statistical study or because he ’ s too committed to sucking up to Trump to be able to read a set of them honestly on this subject .
But it ’ s obvious that Trump has chosen his path—hoping for a magic cure to emerge , magically—and that Navarro has chosen the winning argument .

The internal White House coronavirus task force battle over hydroxychloroquine, Donald Trump’s favorite unproven COVID-19 treatment, burst into the news over the weekend when Trump refused to let Anthony Fauci answer a question on the medical evidence for the treatment. That moment came out of a major blow-up between Fauci and economic adviser Peter Navarro in a Saturday meeting.
Fauci has repeatedly tried to tamp down expectations about hydroxychloroquine, pointing out that there are no good studies of the drug and that “There have been cases that show there may be an effect and there are others to show there’s no effect, so I think in terms of science, I don’t think we can definitely say it works.” But a source told Axios that, in Saturday’s meeting, “the first words out of [Navarro’s] mouth are that the studies that he's seen, I believe they're mostly overseas, show 'clear therapeutic efficacy.’” When Fauci pushed back, Navarro became confrontational, raising his voice and lying about Fauci’s past positions on administration actions around coronavirus.
Navarro was challenged on this in a Monday morning CNN interview. “What are your qualifications to weigh in on medicines more than Dr. Anthony Fauci?” anchor John Berman asked. “Why should we listen to you and not Dr. Fauci?”
Navarro first advocated that CNN talk to a specific doctor who would agree with him, but as for his own qualifications, “My qualifications in terms of looking at the science is that I'm a social scientist. I have a PhD, and I understand how to read statistical studies whether it’s in medicine, law, economics, or whatever.”
Um. Sounds like Harvard should be calling Navarro back for some remedial work on reading statistical studies and the general concept of not cherry-picking studies to find the ones you like the best. Because, dude, I too am a social scientist with a PhD and an understanding of how to read statistical studies and … as Fauci said on Sunday, “the data are really just at best suggestive,” with no large controlled studies and the existing small studies not in agreement on what, if any, effects hydroxychloroquine has on COVID-19. And if Navarro can’t see that, it’s because he’s either forgotten how to read a statistical study or because he’s too committed to sucking up to Trump to be able to read a set of them honestly on this subject. But it’s obvious that Trump has chosen his path—hoping for a magic cure to emerge, magically—and that Navarro has chosen the winning argument.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--MLB Considers Playing All Their Games In Front Of An Empty Arizona Stadium

The MLB might play a truncated version of the 2020 season in Phoenix at the Arizona Diamondbacks ' stadium if league officials and the players union agree .
Via the Hill : The Associated Press reported that the two groups are in talks about potential plans for the 2020 season , which is supposed to be already underway but has been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak that has swept across the U.S. and around the world .
One of the plans being discussed involved teams meeting at Chase Field in Arizona , where a number of teams have training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turf field and retractable roof , and according to a top sports talent agent , could theoretically host up to three games per day .
“ It allows for immediacy of a schedule , where you might be able to begin it and televise it , provide Major League Baseball to America , ” Scott Boras , president of the Boras Corporation , told the AP .
“ I think players are willing to do what ’ s necessary because I think they understand the importance of baseball for their own livelihoods and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing a necessary product that gives all the people that are isolated enjoyment .
”

The MLB might play a truncated version of the 2020 season in Phoenix at the Arizona Diamondbacks' stadium if league officials and the players union agree. Via the Hill:
The Associated Press reported that the two groups are in talks about potential plans for the 2020 season, which is supposed to be already underway but has been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak that has swept across the U.S. and around the world.
One of the plans being discussed involved teams meeting at Chase Field in Arizona, where a number of teams have training facilities. The stadium features an artificial turf field and retractable roof, and according to a top sports talent agent, could theoretically host up to three games per day.
“It allows for immediacy of a schedule, where you might be able to begin it and televise it, provide Major League Baseball to America,” Scott Boras, president of the Boras Corporation, told the AP. “I think players are willing to do what’s necessary because I think they understand the importance of baseball for their own livelihoods and for the interest of our country and providing a necessary product that gives all the people that are isolated enjoyment.”


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Boris Johnson Has Changed His Mind About Shaking Hands During Pandemic

BORIS JOHNSON THEN : I 'm shaking hands .
I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were actually a few coronavirus patients .
I shook hands with everybody , you 'll be pleased to know , and I continue to shake hands .
BORIS JOHNSON NOW : I just urge you not to do that .
Please , please stick with the guidance now .
This country has made a huge effort , a huge sacrifice , done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus .
Let us stick with it now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Willie , I think about a week ago , I read an article that said the one defining feature of every culture that 's been impacted by the coronavirus is they never thought it was going to come their way .
They always thought they were going to be immune to it , '' Joe Scarborough said .
`` And you even see it here in the United States .
When it hit New York , there were people still in Florida packing beaches during spring break .
Five students in Tampa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus from spring break .
Others took the coronavirus back home with them after spring break .
There you saw Boris Johnson , tragic before and after , making a mistake but making a mistake that a lot of people across the globe have made . ''
Yeah , funny how conservatives are convinced of their own invincibility , huh ?

Remember this?
BORIS JOHNSON THEN: I'm shaking hands. I was at a hospital the other night where I think there were actually a few coronavirus patients. I shook hands with everybody, you'll be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands.
BORIS JOHNSON NOW: I just urge you not to do that. Please, please stick with the guidance now. This country has made a huge effort, a huge sacrifice, done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus. Let us stick with it now.
"You know, Mika and Willie, I think about a week ago, I read an article that said the one defining feature of every culture that's been impacted by the coronavirus is they never thought it was going to come their way. They always thought they were going to be immune to it," Joe Scarborough said.
"And you even see it here in the United States. When it hit New York, there were people still in Florida packing beaches during spring break. Five students in Tampa, last we heard, that got the coronavirus from spring break. Others took the coronavirus back home with them after spring break. There you saw Boris Johnson, tragic before and after, making a mistake but making a mistake that a lot of people across the globe have made."
Yeah, funny how conservatives are convinced of their own invincibility, huh?


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Fox News Uses Pandemic To Argue U.S. Should Abandon World Health Organization

A Fox News segment on Monday suggested that the United States should withdraw support for the World Health Organization as @ @ @ @ @ the globe .
Fox News host Dana Perino spoke to former White House speechwriter Marc @ @ @ @ @ Journal op-ed that questioned whether the U.S. should be funding the World Health Organization .
@ @ @ @ @ is “ 100 % compromised ” by China .
“ Should the United States use @ @ @ @ @ with the World Health Organization or should it abandon its support ?
” Perino wondered @ @ @ @ @ things should be on the table , ” Thiessen replied .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ ’ s complicity in this pandemic… It was something that they lied about and any @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization — that helped them in that should be punished.
” “ And @ @ @ @ @ should even be a part of it , ” he added .
Neither Perino or @ @ @ @ @ Trump had a role in downplaying the pandemic .

A Fox News segment on Monday suggested that the United States should withdraw support for the World Health Organization as the coronavirus pandemic rages across the globe.
Fox News host Dana Perino spoke to former White House speechwriter Marc Thiessen about a Wall Street Journal op-ed that questioned whether the U.S. should be funding the World Health Organization.
Thiessen said that W.H.O. is “100% compromised” by China.
“Should the United States use a little big more muscle with the World Health Organization or should it abandon its support?” Perino wondered.
“Both of those things should be on the table,” Thiessen replied. “We’re going to look into China’s complicity in this pandemic… It was something that they lied about and any international organization — including the World Health Organization — that helped them in that should be punished.”
“And we should reconsider whether we should even be a part of it,” he added.
Neither Perino or Thiessen mentioned that President Donald Trump had a role in downplaying the pandemic.


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--Defense Secretary Esper Promises Investigation After Captain Crozier Already Fired

We KNOW how Captain Crozier 's sailors feel about him .
Sailors of the USS Theodore Roosevelt cheer `` Captain Crozier '' in support of their Captain Brett Crozier who was removed from command for sounding the alarm about # coronavirus on his ship to save his men 's lives .
He risked his career to save them .
They love him , as they should .
pic.twitter.com/0rNmciCd1y But Crozier 's email to naval command went public , and displeased Trump .
So Crozier is relieved of command and in the ensuing backlash , Trump 's defense secretary uses a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer questions about the firing .
The locked barn door is to keep truth from interfering with Trump 's current mood swing .
Pathetic .
Transcript of Jake Tapper 's questioning of Defense Secretary Mike Espy ( Sunday ) via CNN : TAPPER : The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt , Captain Brett Crozier , was relieved at his command on Thursday after he wrote a memo that expressed his dire concerns about the more than 100 infected sailors in a coronavirus outbreak on his ship and whether or not those individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sailors also on the ship .
I want you to take a look at this video of Captain Crozier leaving the ship to cheers from his fellow sailors .
TAPPER : So , Secretary Esper , can you explain to those sailors cheering , `` Captain Crozier , Captain Crozier , '' why exactly he was relieved of his command ?
ESPER : Well , Jake , first of all , first and foremost , we need to take care of the sailors on the ship .
We need to ensure their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sea as soon as possible .
I 'm pleased to report , right now , over half of the ship has been tested .
Only 155 sailors have come up positive .
Those are all mild and moderate .
There have been no hospitalizations whatsoever .
So , the -- the crew is being taken care of out there .
With regard to the relief of Captain Crozier , I think acting Secretary Modly made a very tough decision , a decision that I support .
It was based on his view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the captain , based on his actions .
It was supported by Navy leadership .
And I think it 's -- it 's just another example how we hold leaders accountable for their actions .
TAPPER : Should n't there have been at least an investigation before he was relieved of command ?
I mean , the captains of the USS John McCain and the USS Fitzgerald , who were captains when sailors died at sea , they at least had investigations before they were relieved of their commands .
Captain Crozier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was n't even afforded the benefit of an investigation .
ESPER : Well , there is an investigation ongoing .
But , at this point in time , the -- Secretary Modly did not have faith and confidence that he could continue in his role as captain of the ship .
That is not unheard of .
The -- all the services at time relieve commanders without the benefit of an investigation up front because they have lost confidence in them .
It 's certainly not unique to the Navy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisively removing captains if they lose confidence in them .
TAPPER : You know there are a number of noted high-ranking formal -- former officials , like Admiral Mullen , who was former chair of the Joint Chiefs , Admirals Stavridis , who is former NATO supreme allied commander , both of whom have said they did not think it was appropriate for Crozier to have been relieved of duty so quickly , without an investigation , and that it would undermine morale .
On the other hand , of course , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thought it was not appropriate for Crozier to even write the letter .
Take a listen .
TRUMP : I thought it was terrible , what he did , to write a letter ?
I mean , this is n't a class on literature .
He should n't be talking that way in a letter .
He could call and ask and suggest .
TAPPER : He wrote a letter to try to save the lives of his sailors .
Do you think that 's terrible that he did that ?
ESPER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get too much into the facts of the matter , because there is an investigation ongoing .
This could ultimately come to my desk .
I think Secretary Modly laid out the -- very reasonably , very deliberately the reasons why .
And I think , when all those facts come to bear , we will have a chance to understand why Secretary Modly did what he did .
TAPPER : Acting Navy Secretary Modly reportedly told a colleague on Wednesday -- quote -- `` Breaking news : Trump wants him fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , was it made by President Trump ?
ESPER : This was Secretary Modly 's decision .
He briefed me about it .
And I got -- I took the advice of the CNO and General Milley with regard to it .
And I told him I would support his decision .
TAPPER : I want to ask you about the sailors , because you mentioned what was going on with them .
A Pentagon spokesperson Friday said the goal was to have a total of 2,700 sailors off the ship by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only 1,548 sailors had been moved to shore , more than 1,000 away from your goal .
What 's the latest ?
And why has the Navy failed to reach the goal ?
When will everyone be off the ship ?
ESPER : Well , the Navy is -- is working that very carefully , very closely .
The new commander will be out there , should be out there very soon .
There is not a need necessarily to remove every sailor from the ship .
You actually can not do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be run .
You have very sensitive equipment .
You have weapons on board that ship , so you can not completely evacuate the ship .
So it 's how you manage the crew to make sure you 're protecting them , segregating , treating those who need treated , while , at the same time , maintaining the readiness of the ship , in case it 's called upon to get to sea quickly .
TAPPER : Does n't the fact that the Navy has n't even gotten all the sailors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going to get off by Friday night underline Captain Crozier 's concern that the Navy is not taking this seriously enough , with the urgency it deserves ?
The Navy 's been on top of this now for several days , when it first came down that we had the first cases aboard the Teddy Roosevelt .
The CNO , the chain -- the entire military chain of command , Secretary Modly himself have been involved , moving supplies , testing kits , providing support to the sailors from Guam , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in terms of providing support to this crew , this ship , as it arrived in port .
So , I -- I disagree with that assumption .
ESPER : I have a lot of faith and confidence in the Navy leadership .

We KNOW how Captain Crozier's sailors feel about him.
Sailors of the USS Theodore Roosevelt cheer "Captain Crozier" in support of their Captain Brett Crozier who was removed from command for sounding the alarm about #coronavirus on his ship to save his men's lives. He risked his career to save them. They love him, as they should. pic.twitter.com/0rNmciCd1y
But Crozier's email to naval command went public, and displeased Trump.
So Crozier is relieved of command and in the ensuing backlash, Trump's defense secretary uses a 'currently being investigated' excuse to not answer questions about the firing.
The locked barn door is to keep truth from interfering with Trump's current mood swing. Pathetic.
Transcript of Jake Tapper's questioning of Defense Secretary Mike Espy (Sunday) via CNN:
TAPPER: The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Captain Brett Crozier, was relieved at his command on Thursday after he wrote a memo that expressed his dire concerns about the more than 100 infected sailors in a coronavirus outbreak on his ship and whether or not those individuals would spread the virus to the thousands of sailors also on the ship.
I want you to take a look at this video of Captain Crozier leaving the ship to cheers from his fellow sailors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED NAVY SAILORS: Captain Crozier! Captain Crozier! Captain Crozier!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TAPPER: So, Secretary Esper, can you explain to those sailors cheering, "Captain Crozier, Captain Crozier," why exactly he was relieved of his command?
ESPER: Well, Jake, first of all, first and foremost, we need to take care of the sailors on the ship. We need to ensure their well-being and get that ship back out to sea as soon as possible.
I'm pleased to report, right now, over half of the ship has been tested. Only 155 sailors have come up positive. Those are all mild and moderate. There have been no hospitalizations whatsoever.
So, the -- the crew is being taken care of out there.
With regard to the relief of Captain Crozier, I think acting Secretary Modly made a very tough decision, a decision that I support. It was based on his view that he had lost faith and confidence in the captain, based on his actions. It was supported by Navy leadership.
And I think it's -- it's just another example how we hold leaders accountable for their actions.
TAPPER: Shouldn't there have been at least an investigation before he was relieved of command? I mean, the captains of the USS John McCain and the USS Fitzgerald, who were captains when sailors died at sea, they at least had investigations before they were relieved of their commands.
Captain Crozier was trying to save lives, and he wasn't even afforded the benefit of an investigation.
ESPER: Well, there is an investigation ongoing.
But, at this point in time, the -- Secretary Modly did not have faith and confidence that he could continue in his role as captain of the ship. That is not unheard of. The -- all the services at time relieve commanders without the benefit of an investigation up front because they have lost confidence in them.
It's certainly not unique to the Navy. The Navy has a culture of swiftly and decisively removing captains if they lose confidence in them.
TAPPER: You know there are a number of noted high-ranking formal -- former officials, like Admiral Mullen, who was former chair of the Joint Chiefs, Admirals Stavridis, who is former NATO supreme allied commander, both of whom have said they did not think it was appropriate for Crozier to have been relieved of duty so quickly, without an investigation, and that it would undermine morale.
On the other hand, of course, you had President Trump, who said that he thought it was not appropriate for Crozier to even write the letter. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I thought it was terrible, what he did, to write a letter?
I mean, this isn't a class on literature. He shouldn't be talking that way in a letter. He could call and ask and suggest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TAPPER: He wrote a letter to try to save the lives of his sailors. Do you think that's terrible that he did that?
ESPER: Well, Jake, I can't get too much into the facts of the matter, because there is an investigation ongoing. This could ultimately come to my desk.
I think Secretary Modly laid out the -- very reasonably, very deliberately the reasons why. And I think, when all those facts come to bear, we will have a chance to understand why Secretary Modly did what he did.
TAPPER: Acting Navy Secretary Modly reportedly told a colleague on Wednesday -- quote -- "Breaking news: Trump wants him fired."
Did -- ultimately, this decision, was it made by President Trump?
ESPER: This was Secretary Modly's decision. He briefed me about it. And I got -- I took the advice of the CNO and General Milley with regard to it. And I told him I would support his decision.
TAPPER: I want to ask you about the sailors, because you mentioned what was going on with them.
A Pentagon spokesperson Friday said the goal was to have a total of 2,700 sailors off the ship by Friday evening. As of yesterday afternoon, only 1,548 sailors had been moved to shore, more than 1,000 away from your goal.
What's the latest? And why has the Navy failed to reach the goal? When will everyone be off the ship?
ESPER: Well, the Navy is -- is working that very carefully, very closely.
The new commander will be out there, should be out there very soon. There is not a need necessarily to remove every sailor from the ship. You actually cannot do that, because there's nuclear reactors to be run. You have very sensitive equipment. You have weapons on board that ship, so you cannot completely evacuate the ship.
So it's how you manage the crew to make sure you're protecting them, segregating, treating those who need treated, while, at the same time, maintaining the readiness of the ship, in case it's called upon to get to sea quickly.
TAPPER: Doesn't the fact that the Navy hasn't even gotten all the sailors off the ship that they said they were going to get off by Friday night underline Captain Crozier's concern that the Navy is not taking this seriously enough, with the urgency it deserves?
ESPER: I think that's a completely false narrative, Jake.
The Navy's been on top of this now for several days, when it first came down that we had the first cases aboard the Teddy Roosevelt. The CNO, the chain -- the entire military chain of command, Secretary Modly himself have been involved, moving supplies, testing kits, providing support to the sailors from Guam, at Guam.
They -- they were all in terms of providing support to this crew, this ship, as it arrived in port. So, I -- I disagree with that assumption.
TAPPER: I want to...
ESPER: I have a lot of faith and confidence in the Navy leadership.


crooksandliars--2020-04-07--Nakedly Partisan Wisconsin Republicans: Safety For Me But Not For Thee!

In an effort to protect the public , attorneys , court staff , and judges from the health risks associated @ @ @ @ @ courts have issued orders temporarily suspending in-person proceedings statewide , with certain limited exceptions .
@ @ @ @ @ same Wisconsin courts that just refused to allow Gov .
Tony Evers to postpone today @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Their ruling was upheld by SCOTUS in a blatantly political decision reminiscent @ @ @ @ @ Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in her dissent , `` The Court 's order requires absentee @ @ @ @ @ by election day , April 7 -- i.e , tomorrow -- even if they did @ @ @ @ @ that date .
That is a novel requirement . ''
And this being Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ the Republican majority on the state Supreme Court .
They want to force the election @ @ @ @ @ turnout .
They assume it will help them win the most important race on the @ @ @ @ @ court seat .

In an effort to protect the public, attorneys, court staff, and judges from the health risks associated with COVID-19, the Wisconsin courts have issued orders temporarily suspending in-person proceedings statewide, with certain limited exceptions.
Yes, those are the same Wisconsin courts that just refused to allow Gov. Tony Evers to postpone today's primary election because of the pandemic. Their ruling was upheld by SCOTUS in a blatantly political decision reminiscent of Bush v. Gore.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in her dissent, "The Court's order requires absentee voters to postmark their ballots by election day, April 7--i.e, tomorrow--even if they did not receive their ballots by that date. That is a novel requirement."
And this being Wisconsin, it's all about preserving the Republican majority on the state Supreme Court. They want to force the election because they want the low turnout. They assume it will help them win the most important race on the ballot, that state supreme court seat.
So many people in Wisconsin are trying to figure out how to vote safely today. We have a hotline for that. 608-336-3232 pic.twitter.com/DGpqdbWxO3 — Ben Wikler (@benwikler) April 7, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in her dissent on Wisconsin: “Either they will have to brave the polls, endangering their own and others’ safety. Or they will lose their right to vote, through no fault of their own.” https://t.co/9lr8FQuptv — Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) April 7, 2020
SCOTUS: we are postponing all oral arguments because of coronavirus
Also SCOTUS: why would we extend absentee voting because of coronavirus? Go stand in line, peons. — Angry Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff) April 7, 2020
In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, THIS is the line for in person voting as the polls open for Election Day in Wisconsin. #COVID19 #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/WplsSHy9RF — Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) April 7, 2020
At some point, the Supreme Court is going to do something so awful, that a governor will simply refuse to follow the decision. — Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) April 7, 2020
1. Wisconsin is the fire bell in the night. If we want to avoid what could well be a genuine crisis of democracy in November, the federal government has to appropriate funds for vote by mail and other preparations, and states need to move promptly to implement them. — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 7, 2020
This is not an election. It is a farce, where it is not simply a bag job by the Republicans to keep a conservative named Dan Kelly on the state supreme court. https://t.co/On2gWta16m — Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) April 7, 2020
The Supreme Court has started issuing decisions remotely in order to protect their own safety.
One of their first remote decisions was that Wisconsin voters will have to show up in person and risk their lives if they want their votes counted. — Leah Greenberg (@Leahgreenb) April 7, 2020
John Roberts and his fellow Republican appointees think Wisconsin voters should have to choose between dying a lonely death on a ventilator or being disenfranchised while they conduct business remotely. https://t.co/ER7pnqXk66 — Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) April 7, 2020
The next time John Roberts lectures someone about civility remind him how he gutted Voting Rights Act & helped Republicans steal an election in Wisconsin — Ari Berman (@AriBerman) April 7, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-04-06--A Memo From A Grocery Store Manager

A Memo From A Grocery Store Manager

Wapo is reporting that grocery workers are beginning to die of Coronavirus .
This , from a grocery store manager , is getting heavy shares on social media : Here 's some things everyone should know 1 .
I do n't have toilet paper 2 .
I do n't have sanitizer 3 .
I run out of milk , eggs and meat daily 4 .
I promise if it 's out on the shelf ... it 's not in a hidden corner of our backroom .
Those are the predictable ones , now for the real stuff 5 .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did not forget how to order product .
6 .
I did not cause the warehouse to be out of product/ 7 .
I schedule as much help as I have , including many workers working TONS of overtime to help YOU .
8 .
I am sorry there are lines at the check out lanes .
Now for the really important stuff : 9 .
My team puts themselves in harm 's way every day so you can buy groceries .
10 .
My team works tirelessly to get product on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
My team is exhausted .
12 .
My team is scared of getting sick .
13 .
My team is human and does not possess an antivirus ... they are in just as much danger as you are .
( Arguably more ) but they show up to work every day just so you can buy groceries 14 .
My team is tired .
15 .
My team is very under-appreciated .
16 .
My team is exposed to more people who are potentially infected in one hour than most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community excluded , thank you for all that you do ! )
.
17 .
My team is abused all day by customers who have no idea how ignorant they are .
18 .
My team disinfects every surface possible , everyday , just so you can come in grab a wipe from the dispenser , wipe the handle and throw the used wipe in the cart or on the ground and leave it there ... so my team can throw it in the trash for you later .
19 .
My team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that you force us to touch , that are clearly dirty and have more germs on them than our shopping carts do .
20 .
My team more than earns their breaks , lunches and days off .
And if that means you wait longer I am sorry .
The last thing I will say is this : The next time you are in a grocery store , please pause and think about what you are saying and how you are treating the people you encounter .
They are the reason you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer , milk , eggs , and meat .
If the store you go to is out of an item.. maybe find the neighbor or friend that bought enough for a year ... there are hundreds of them ... and ask them to spare 1 or 2 .
They caused the problem to begin with ... And lastly , please THANK the people who helped you .
They do n't have to come to work !

Wapo is reporting that grocery workers are beginning to die of Coronavirus.
This, from a grocery store manager, is getting heavy shares on social media:
I manage a grocery store.
Here's some things everyone should know
1. I don't have toilet paper
2. I don't have sanitizer
3. I run out of milk, eggs and meat daily
4. I promise if it's out on the shelf ... it's not in a hidden corner of our backroom.
Those are the predictable ones, now for the real stuff
5. I have been doing this for 25 years I did not forget how to order product.
6. I did not cause the warehouse to be out of product/
7. I schedule as much help as I have, including many workers working TONS of overtime to help YOU.
8. I am sorry there are lines at the check out lanes.
Now for the really important stuff:
9. My team puts themselves in harm's way every day so you can buy groceries.
10. My team works tirelessly to get product on the floor for you to buy.
11. My team is exhausted.
12. My team is scared of getting sick.
13. My team is human and does not possess an antivirus... they are in just as much danger as you are. (Arguably more) but they show up to work every day just so you can buy groceries
14. My team is tired.
15. My team is very under-appreciated.
16. My team is exposed to more people who are potentially infected in one hour than most of you will in a week (medical community excluded, thank you for all that you do!).
17. My team is abused all day by customers who have no idea how ignorant they are.
18. My team disinfects every surface possible, everyday, just so you can come in grab a wipe from the dispenser, wipe the handle and throw the used wipe in the cart or on the ground and leave it there... so my team can throw it in the trash for you later.
19. My team wonders if you wash your re-usable bags, that you force us to touch, that are clearly dirty and have more germs on them than our shopping carts do.
20. My team more than earns their breaks, lunches and days off. And if that means you wait longer I am sorry.
The last thing I will say is this:
The next time you are in a grocery store, please pause and think about what you are saying and how you are treating the people you encounter. They are the reason you are able to buy toilet paper, sanitizer, milk, eggs, and meat.
If the store you go to is out of an item.. maybe find the neighbor or friend that bought enough for a year ... there are hundreds of them... and ask them to spare 1 or 2. They caused the problem to begin with...
And lastly, please THANK the people who helped you. They don't have to come to work!


crooksandliars--2020-03-23--Elizabeth Warren Tears Into Bloomberg Reporter Over Blaming Stimulus Stall On Dems

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) was confronted by Bloomberg host Jonathan Ferro on Monday over the stalled coronavirus relief legislation .
“ In this bill , there are checks for everyday Americans , ” Ferro told the senator .
“ The reason this bill hasn ’ t gone through is because of Democratic senators .
Do you want to be the person that stopping people from getting their checks to meet their rent at the end of this month ?
” “ Excuse me , ” Warren shot back .
“ The reason this bill has not gone through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Republican leadership that pretended to negotiate for three days with the Democrats and then at the end of that time basically introduced their own bill.
” “ We ’ ve laid out what our principles are , ” she continued .
“ And that is you can ’ t give a half a billion dollars to giant industry and not help people at the grassroots.
” “ You guys can get this done , ” Ferro charged .
“ The only thing stopping it from happening is yourselves on both sides of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no point coming on the TV shows today and saying , ‘ It ’ s the Republicans fault.
’ Because you know what ’ s happening on the other networks , ‘ It ’ s the Democrats fault.
’ It ’ s all of your fault.
” Warren pointed out that she had been pushing the idea of relief checks for Americans “ for weeks now.
” “ And right now , we don ’ t have Republicans to negotiate with on those issues , ” the senator added .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell me what you want to do .
You want to bring one on this program ?
That ’ s fine with me .
”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) was confronted by Bloomberg host Jonathan Ferro on Monday over the stalled coronavirus relief legislation.
“In this bill, there are checks for everyday Americans,” Ferro told the senator. “The reason this bill hasn’t gone through is because of Democratic senators. Do you want to be the person that stopping people from getting their checks to meet their rent at the end of this month?”
“Excuse me,” Warren shot back. “The reason this bill has not gone through is because of Republicans senators and because of Republican leadership that pretended to negotiate for three days with the Democrats and then at the end of that time basically introduced their own bill.”
“We’ve laid out what our principles are,” she continued. “And that is you can’t give a half a billion dollars to giant industry and not help people at the grassroots.”
“You guys can get this done,” Ferro charged. “The only thing stopping it from happening is yourselves on both sides of the aisle. And there’s no point coming on the TV shows today and saying, ‘It’s the Republicans fault.’ Because you know what’s happening on the other networks, ‘It’s the Democrats fault.’ It’s all of your fault.”
Warren pointed out that she had been pushing the idea of relief checks for Americans “for weeks now.”
“And right now, we don’t have Republicans to negotiate with on those issues,” the senator added. “They’re not there. So, you tell me what you want to do. You want to bring one on this program? That’s fine with me.”


crooksandliars--2020-03-23--Of Course: Fox News Attacks On Dr. Anthony Fauci Begin

Dr. Anthony Fauci has become the voice of reason in the Trump administration 's so-called Coronavirus Task Force .
He is often the lone voice of science in the White House as the nation tries to combat the spread , containment , and treatment of the coronavirus .
And the White House is making ridiculous demands upon him .
He 's frequently had to strike a balance between supporting the so-called president , and correcting Trump 's firehose of misleading information during his daily media re-election rallies AKA `` press briefings . ''
But it 's Dr. Fauci 's clarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hope that there are competent people working on the pandemic .
Last week I reported that Laura Ingraham criticized the doctor for moving too slow and being an old-school bureaucrat because he fluffed off the idea that a malaria drug should be used to combat the symptoms of COVID-19 .
On Sunday night , former advisor to the conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron ( who instituted the devastating austerity program in the UK ) and now Fox News host Steve Hilton , attacked Dr. Fauci for intentionally whipping up fear about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief video clip of the doctor , he said , `` Well , that ’ s easy for him to say !
He ’ ll still have a job at the end of this , whatever happens . ''
A medical doctor is n't a spin doctor , you idiot .
No amount of soft-pedaling this outbreak will have any effect on Wall Street or the state of the US economy because it 's so contagious .
Trump tried to make believe it was a democratic hoax and it led to an economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street .
Hilton continued , `` Our ruling class and their TV mouthpieces whipping up fear over this virus , they can afford an indefinite shutdown .
Working Americans can ’ t , they ’ ll be crushed by it . ''
Did you know Dr. Fauci is a mouthpiece for the ruling class ?
`` You know that famous phrase , ‘ The cure is worse than the disease ?
’ That is exactly the territory we are hurling towards .
Do you think it ’ s just the coronavirus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will kill people , ” Hilton opined .
In other words , stop stepping on Trump .
No matter what lie he tells the American people about the virus or who we are dealing with it .
Everybody is worried and many and in panic over this outbreak , but do n't blame the doctors trying to quail the tide , it 's not their job to lie to the American people .
... Mr. Trump has become frustrated with Dr. Fauci ’ s blunt approach at the briefing lectern , which often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to two people familiar with the dynamic .
Mr. Trump knows that Dr. Fauci is seen as credible with a large swath of the public and with journalists , and so he has given him more leeway to contradict him than he has other officials .
But the president has also resisted portraying the virus as an existential threat in a way that the public health experts have .
How long will it take for Trump to replace Dr. Fauci with a Richard Grenell-type loyalist ?

Dr. Anthony Fauci has become the voice of reason in the Trump administration's so-called Coronavirus Task Force.
He is often the lone voice of science in the White House as the nation tries to combat the spread, containment, and treatment of the coronavirus.
And the White House is making ridiculous demands upon him. He's frequently had to strike a balance between supporting the so-called president, and correcting Trump's firehose of misleading information during his daily media re-election rallies AKA "press briefings."
But it's Dr. Fauci's clarity that has given the American people hope. Hope that there are competent people working on the pandemic.
Last week I reported that Laura Ingraham criticized the doctor for moving too slow and being an old-school bureaucrat because he fluffed off the idea that a malaria drug should be used to combat the symptoms of COVID-19.
On Sunday night, former advisor to the conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron (who instituted the devastating austerity program in the UK) and now Fox News host Steve Hilton, attacked Dr. Fauci for intentionally whipping up fear about the coronavirus.
After Hilton played a brief video clip of the doctor, he said, "Well, that’s easy for him to say! He’ll still have a job at the end of this, whatever happens."
A medical doctor isn't a spin doctor, you idiot. No amount of soft-pedaling this outbreak will have any effect on Wall Street or the state of the US economy because it's so contagious. Trump tried to make believe it was a democratic hoax and it led to an economic disaster. Nobody trusts him, especially Wall Street.
Hilton continued, "Our ruling class and their TV mouthpieces whipping up fear over this virus, they can afford an indefinite shutdown. Working Americans can’t, they’ll be crushed by it."
Did you know Dr. Fauci is a mouthpiece for the ruling class?
"You know that famous phrase, ‘The cure is worse than the disease?’ That is exactly the territory we are hurling towards. Do you think it’s just the coronavirus that kills people? This total economic shutdown will kill people,” Hilton opined.
In other words, stop stepping on Trump. No matter what lie he tells the American people about the virus or who we are dealing with it.
Everybody is worried and many and in panic over this outbreak, but don't blame the doctors trying to quail the tide, it's not their job to lie to the American people.
Lou Dobbs would be proud.
The NY Times reports:
...Mr. Trump has become frustrated with Dr. Fauci’s blunt approach at the briefing lectern, which often contradicts things the president has just said, according to two people familiar with the dynamic. Mr. Trump knows that Dr. Fauci is seen as credible with a large swath of the public and with journalists, and so he has given him more leeway to contradict him than he has other officials. But the president has also resisted portraying the virus as an existential threat in a way that the public health experts have.
How long will it take for Trump to replace Dr. Fauci with a Richard Grenell-type loyalist?


crooksandliars--2020-03-23--Trump 'Furious And Frustrated' That Cuomo Is Getting More Praise For His News Conferences

Donald Trump is so jealous of anyone more successful and smarter than him .
And the worst thing , to him , is someone that gets more praise than him for doing something similiar .
Without the weekly emotional highs of holding his MAGA Nazi rallies , Trump is freaking out internally .
Do what does any sane person with little self control and a shaky sense of self do ?
Hold daily press conferences where he and Pence both lie to the American people about how amazing he is while also receiving verbal fellatio on stage from his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week ?
It is simple : New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been holding daily press briefings where he provides facts , unemotionally and without lies , and that is getting him wide praise from the media and both sides of the political spectrum .
Cuomo 's no-nonsense delivery of the current status , as well as his ability to express real empathy - not just reading words off a piece of paper , but REAL HUMAN EMOTION - is killing President Dum Dum .
Gabriel Sherman joined Joy-Ann Reid on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stellar intro showing how the press treated President Obama in press conferences after the botched rollout of Healthcare.gov .
If you want to see how far the bar has fallen for Trump , just watch the questions in that press conference .
MADDOW : These daily briefings from the White House are a litany of things from the President that would be awesome if they were true , if they were happening , but they 're not .
and so the sooner we come to terms with that , i think the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were up to me and it is not , i would stop putting those briefings on live TV .
not out of spite , but because it 's misinformation .
REID : Since it is Sunday , can I give sister Rachel an amen ?
Amen .
Like Rachel and all of us at MSNBC , I watch Donald Trump 's briefings so you do n't have to .
It is hard to escape a simple and sobering fact about those briefings .
Almost nothing that Trump says in those briefings is true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA approved a malaria Drug for coronavirus treatment .
The FDA had to quickly release a statement postbriefing clearing up Trump 's , what reare we calling it , error , mistake , made up thing in his head .
He forced experts like Dr. Tony Fauci to play clean up for him , and his daily briefings , they 're dangerous .
Trump 's followers believe him , they believe anything he says and the things that he 's saying put them in danger .
The false hopes that he 's feeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it is clear that this man is simply not capable of telling the truth or he 's just determined not to .
So it is fair for you , those of you out there , to ask , why are we giving him national air time to lie to us in the midst of a global pandemic crisis ?
Because what is clear is that Trump seems to need these pressers , for him , it is not an original thought at all .
But to paraphrase , many , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they seem to be his substitute for his rallies .
Where he can lather himself in the praise of everyone around him , they 're forced to do while standing too close to him on the dais .
They seem required to serve it up and he seems to need it .
He can bathe in the reflected glory of actual experts like Dr. Fauci .
So the question is , why are we continuing to do it ?
And I would like you to imagine , just for a moment , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if it was not Donald Trump , but it was Barack Obama , President Barack Obama , standing up there , doing these briefings , and making things up , and not being able to back it up with facts , how would they treat him ?
You do n't have to imagine that , because , a , Barack Obama would n't have done that , and did n't do that , but let 's take a look at the way that the former President , Barack Obama , was treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the ACA , the Affordable Care Act website , went live , and it did n't quite work .
here 's how he was treated by the media .
OBAMA : You know , that 's on me .
we fumbled the rollout on this healthcare .
REPORTER : Do you think the failed healthcare rollout led to a breach in the public trust and confidence in government and if so , how do you plan to resolve that ?
REPORTER : You hear criticism on the Hill that you and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is that how this mess came to be ?
REPORTER : You said while the law was wassing was being debated , if you like your plan , you can keep it .
Americans believed that to you when you said that to them over and over .
Do you not believe the American people deserve a deeper more transparent accountability from you as to why you said that over and over ?
REID : Joining me now , Jennifer Rubin , opinion writer at The Washington Post , Kurt Bardella , David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabriel Sherman , the author of The Loudest voice in the Room , and Republican media strategist Rick Wilson , author of Running Against the Devil .
So subtle with his titles , that Rick Wilson .
Gabriel Sherman , to you first , for your reporting on this .
It is just an outside looking in observation that Donald Trump seemed to have substituted the rallies that fed him emotionally , with these briefings is there any other reason he 's doing them ?
SHERMAN : Yeah , it is a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch with the White House , several people told me that one of the things driving this is that the President has been furious and frustrated at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who has been holding these very widely well received more early morning press conferences and in the President 's view has sort of hijacked the news cycle .
and so now you see Trump , you know , taking the stage after Cuomo trying to take back the mantle .
And unfortunately he 's doing that with misinformation .
So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's narcissism and his need to be at the center of every story , even though the story is not about Donald Trump , this story is about a global pandemic , is what is Driving the White House 's communication strategy .
I had a senior former West Wing official tell me that the President needs to be his own press secretary and that 's what 's driving this .

Donald Trump is so jealous of anyone more successful and smarter than him. And the worst thing, to him, is someone that gets more praise than him for doing something similiar. Without the weekly emotional highs of holding his MAGA Nazi rallies, Trump is freaking out internally. Do what does any sane person with little self control and a shaky sense of self do? Hold daily press conferences where he and Pence both lie to the American people about how amazing he is while also receiving verbal fellatio on stage from his staff.
What is driving this insane rage this week? It is simple: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been holding daily press briefings where he provides facts, unemotionally and without lies, and that is getting him wide praise from the media and both sides of the political spectrum. Cuomo's no-nonsense delivery of the current status, as well as his ability to express real empathy - not just reading words off a piece of paper, but REAL HUMAN EMOTION - is killing President Dum Dum.
Gabriel Sherman joined Joy-Ann Reid on Sunday to talk about this, after a stellar intro showing how the press treated President Obama in press conferences after the botched rollout of Healthcare.gov. If you want to see how far the bar has fallen for Trump, just watch the questions in that press conference.
(CLIP)
MADDOW: These daily briefings from the White House are a litany of things from the President that would be awesome if they were true, if they were happening, but they're not. and so the sooner we come to terms with that, i think the better for all of us. if it were up to me and it is not, i would stop putting those briefings on live TV. not out of spite, but because it's misinformation.
REID: Since it is Sunday, can I give sister Rachel an amen? Amen. Like Rachel and all of us at MSNBC, I watch Donald Trump's briefings so you don't have to. It is hard to escape a simple and sobering fact about those briefings. Almost nothing that Trump says in those briefings is true. He even once falsely claimed the FDA approved a malaria Drug for coronavirus treatment. The FDA had to quickly release a statement postbriefing clearing up Trump's, what reare we calling it, error, mistake, made up thing in his head. He forced experts like Dr. Tony Fauci to play clean up for him, and his daily briefings, they're dangerous. Trump's followers believe him, they believe anything he says and the things that he's saying put them in danger. The false hopes that he's feeding to Americans put us all in danger. And it is clear that this man is simply not capable of telling the truth or he's just determined not to.
So it is fair for you, those of you out there, to ask, why are we giving him national air time to lie to us in the midst of a global pandemic crisis? Because what is clear is that Trump seems to need these pressers, for him, it is not an original thought at all. But to paraphrase, many, many, many people who noted this, they seem to be his substitute for his rallies. Where he can lather himself in the praise of everyone around him, they're forced to do while standing too close to him on the dais. They seem required to serve it up and he seems to need it. He can bathe in the reflected glory of actual experts like Dr. Fauci. So the question is, why are we continuing to do it? And I would like you to imagine, just for a moment, what it would look like for one moment, if it was not Donald Trump, but it was Barack Obama, President Barack Obama, standing up there, doing these briefings, and making things up, and not being able to back it up with facts, how would they treat him? You don't have to imagine that, because, a, Barack Obama wouldn't have done that, and didn't do that, but let's take a look at the way that the former President, Barack Obama, was treated when it was not a pandemic, but the ACA, the Affordable Care Act website, went live, and it didn't quite work. here's how he was treated by the media.
(CLIP)
OBAMA: You know, that's on me. we fumbled the rollout on this healthcare.
REPORTER: Do you think the failed healthcare rollout led to a breach in the public trust and confidence in government and if so, how do you plan to resolve that?
REPORTER: You hear criticism on the Hill that you and your White House team are too insular. Is that how this mess came to be?
REPORTER: You said while the law was wassing was being debated, if you like your plan, you can keep it. Americans believed that to you when you said that to them over and over. Do you not believe the American people deserve a deeper more transparent accountability from you as to why you said that over and over?
(END CLIP)
REID: Joining me now, Jennifer Rubin, opinion writer at The Washington Post, Kurt Bardella, David Corn, author of Russian Roulette, Gabriel Sherman, the author of The Loudest voice in the Room, and Republican media strategist Rick Wilson, author of Running Against the Devil. So subtle with his titles, that Rick Wilson. Gabriel Sherman, to you first, for your reporting on this. It is just an outside looking in observation that Donald Trump seemed to have substituted the rallies that fed him emotionally, with these briefings is there any other reason he's doing them?
SHERMAN: Yeah, it is a great question. My sources who are in touch with the White House, several people told me that one of the things driving this is that the President has been furious and frustrated at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who has been holding these very widely well received more early morning press conferences and in the President's view has sort of hijacked the news cycle. and so now you see Trump, you know, taking the stage after Cuomo trying to take back the mantle. And unfortunately he's doing that with misinformation. So we're in a situation where the President's narcissism and his need to be at the center of every story, even though the story is not about Donald Trump, this story is about a global pandemic, is what is Driving the White House's communication strategy. I had a senior former West Wing official tell me that the President needs to be his own press secretary and that's what's driving this.


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Alicublog : Racism as a weapon .
Against the novel coronavirus .
Green Eagle examines recent economic & medical events @ @ @ @ @ & concludes 't was `` lickspittle servility to the hyper-rich that caused the whole thing @ @ @ @ @ Vanky T. suspected of over-billing the non-profit Inauguration Committee to bilk expenses and benefit the @ @ @ @ @ Flare .
New Yorkers : At The Rectification of Names , Yastreblansky turns babble to @ @ @ @ @ And steals the `` Masque of the Orange Death '' title from the Bastard .
@ @ @ @ @ Bonus : Feline funny .
From Rants From The Rookery .
Web Of Evil ( @ @ @ @ @ Bouffant is the stable jenius behind this .
Send tips & suggestions to mbru @ @ @

The "You're Full of Shit" Edition.
Alicublog: Racism as a weapon. Against the novel coronavirus.
Green Eagle examines recent economic & medical events from a 100-yr. perspective, & concludes 'twas "lickspittle servility to the hyper-rich that caused the whole thing".
Non-Viral News: Vanky T. suspected of over-billing the non-profit Inauguration Committee to bilk expenses and benefit the Trump family, per Political Flare.
New Yorkers: At The Rectification of Names, Yastreblansky turns babble to literature of a sort. And steals the "Masque of the Orange Death" title from the Bastard. (See yesterday.)
Bonus: Feline funny. From Rants From The Rookery.
Web Of Evil (& Ennui)'s M. Bouffant is the stable jenius behind this. Send tips & suggestions to mbru@crooksandliars.com.


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Trump's Non-Existent Economic Plan

Trump's Non-Existent Economic Plan

If the goal of a short-term stimulus is to put money in people ’ s hands , then we should put money in people ’ s hands : just mail out checks .
There is no reason to structure it as a payroll tax cut , which does nothing for those not getting paychecks .
There ’ s also a powerful case for aid to state and local governments trying to cope with this crisis — which would also help sustain spending .
So why a tax cut ?
The answer , I suspect , is that Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax cuts are the answer to all problems , even when in practice they ’ re being purely Keynesian right now .
There ’ s no reason Dems should let this prejudice intrude on a rescue package Trump desperately wants .
They can and should demand a package that makes sense .
I tweeted they should just write checks yesterday because I fully expect the Republicans to insist that “ entitlements ” be cut should payroll taxes decrease since they are dedicated to financing Social Security and Medicare .
( Yes , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal money is fungible and MMT says that you don ’ t have to worry about such things , but I ’ m speaking about the politics of it . )
Democrats should resist this .
Anyway , Trump ’ s idea was half-baked at best : [ I ] nside the administration , some officials were stunned by Trump ’ s claim Monday that he would hold a press conference Tuesday to announce an economic plan .
“ That was news to everyone on the inside , ” one official said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the air .
“ It ’ s not there right now , ” an official said .
“ A lot of details need to be worked out.
” The president ’ s schedule for Tuesday included a 5:30 p.m .
ET media briefing for his coronavirus task force .
In addition to the potential payroll tax cut , which faces skepticism from Senate Republicans , Trump also said the administration would work with travel industry players , such as airlines and cruise lines , as travel restrictions and fears stemming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
American Airlines on Tuesday , for instance , slashed international and domestic flights as demand craters .
Republicans in congress didn ’ t get a heads up either .
Trump went up there today and they ’ re apparently starting to work on something but we don ’ t know any of the details yet .
Pence said in the briefing today that they plan to “ help ” businesses pay for people to stay home from work but it ’ s hard to see how a payroll tax would do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t get you very far .
Kudlow sounded completely incoherent in today ’ s briefing .
He said that they are thinking about completely eliminating the payroll tax which would cost a trillion dollars and eliminate the dedicated Social Security trust fund .
When questioned further he said that they needed to get the details clarified .
Jesus .
He did say that the middle and lower-income people have done GREAT in Trump ’ s fantastic economy and that it ’ s important that we do tax reform and cut more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then everything will be EVEN GREATER !

Paul Krugman made an important point on twitter:
If the goal of a short-term stimulus is to put money in people’s hands, then we should put money in people’s hands: just mail out checks. There is no reason to structure it as a payroll tax cut, which does nothing for those not getting paychecks. There’s also a powerful case for aid to state and local governments trying to cope with this crisis — which would also help sustain spending. So why a tax cut? The answer, I suspect, is that Trump and his party want to maintain the pretense that tax cuts are the answer to all problems, even when in practice they’re being purely Keynesian right now. There’s no reason Dems should let this prejudice intrude on a rescue package Trump desperately wants. They can and should demand a package that makes sense.
I tweeted they should just write checks yesterday because I fully expect the Republicans to insist that “entitlements” be cut should payroll taxes decrease since they are dedicated to financing Social Security and Medicare. (Yes, I know that’s a fiction, federal money is fungible and MMT says that you don’t have to worry about such things, but I’m speaking about the politics of it.) Democrats should resist this.
Anyway, Trump’s idea was half-baked at best:
[I]nside the administration, some officials were stunned by Trump’s claim Monday that he would hold a press conference Tuesday to announce an economic plan. “That was news to everyone on the inside,” one official said. The actual details of any plan remain up in the air. “It’s not there right now,” an official said. “A lot of details need to be worked out.” The president’s schedule for Tuesday included a 5:30 p.m. ET media briefing for his coronavirus task force. In addition to the potential payroll tax cut, which faces skepticism from Senate Republicans, Trump also said the administration would work with travel industry players, such as airlines and cruise lines, as travel restrictions and fears stemming from the outbreak take a toll on them. American Airlines on Tuesday, for instance, slashed international and domestic flights as demand craters.
Republicans in congress didn’t get a heads up either. Trump went up there today and they’re apparently starting to work on something but we don’t know any of the details yet.
Pence said in the briefing today that they plan to “help” businesses pay for people to stay home from work but it’s hard to see how a payroll tax would do that. Eliminating taxes from a non-existent paycheck doesn’t get you very far.
Kudlow sounded completely incoherent in today’s briefing. He said that they are thinking about completely eliminating the payroll tax which would cost a trillion dollars and eliminate the dedicated Social Security trust fund. When questioned further he said that they needed to get the details clarified. Jesus.
He did say that the middle and lower-income people have done GREAT in Trump’s fantastic economy and that it’s important that we do tax reform and cut more taxes so we can have huge growth and then everything will be EVEN GREATER!
God help us.
Posted with permission of Hullabaloo