crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Pelosi Creating Special Committee To Make Sure Trump Doesn't Screw Up Federal Pandemic Response

Saying `` we need transparency and accountability , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she is creating a special House committee , overseen by Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , `` to examine all aspects of the federal response to the coronavirus and ensure the taxpayers dollars are being wisely and efficiently spent . ''
The committee “ will root out waste , fraud and abuse ; it will protect against price-gauging , profiteering and political favoritism , '' Pelosi told reporters during a press call .
That 's in direct response to Trump ’ s signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he declared his intent to override the safeguards Congress put in to prevent , well , `` price-gauging , profiteering and political favoritism '' from the administration .
But there 's also the question of the sheer incompetence of Trump and his whole team to consider .
It 's a humongous job getting $ 2 trillion ( and counting ) in programs implemented quickly and efficiently , even if the administration doing it is a normal one that actually cares about governing .
This one is not normal .
CNN reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus legislation say they 're `` staffing up , issuing guidance and working around the clock to prepare to disburse money quickly . ''
Quickly , however , is limited by `` glitches in technology , delays and staffing and resource shortages . ''
`` This is a national consequence of passing a $ 2 trillion bill in two weeks .
[ … ] I do n't know if we know all the implementation issues yet , '' one person familiar with the administration 's efforts told CNN .
`` This is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , speaking just about one aspect , the Small Business Administration loans .
`` We do n't know until people actually start applying for the program , but we are making sure the system has the capacity to process whatever loans come in on Friday . ''
The same concerns exist for the IRS—notoriously underfunded and dealing with decades-old technology—in trying to get the $ 1,200 stimulus checks out to the entire country .
There was the confusion created by the roadblock for seniors , disabled people , and veterans receiving pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( resolved for seniors so far , but not the rest ) .
Figuring out how to physically get the payments to people is also problem .
Aides involved tell CNN the IRS told Congress last week they only have direct deposit information on file for about 70 million of the estimated 150 million who are eligible for the payments .
They only have mailing addresses for about 80 million , a population that is likelier to be more transient and whose physical addresses have probably changed .
With the clown car that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of this , yes , Pelosi 's oversight committee is going to be essential .

Saying "we need transparency and accountability," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she is creating a special House committee, overseen by Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, "to examine all aspects of the federal response to the coronavirus and ensure the taxpayers dollars are being wisely and efficiently spent." The committee “will root out waste, fraud and abuse; it will protect against price-gauging, profiteering and political favoritism," Pelosi told reporters during a press call.
That's in direct response to Trump’s signing statement on the latest coronavirus stimulus bill in which he declared his intent to override the safeguards Congress put in to prevent, well, "price-gauging, profiteering and political favoritism" from the administration. But there's also the question of the sheer incompetence of Trump and his whole team to consider. It's a humongous job getting $2 trillion (and counting) in programs implemented quickly and efficiently, even if the administration doing it is a normal one that actually cares about governing. This one is not normal.
CNN reports the officials in charge of implementing the stimulus legislation say they're "staffing up, issuing guidance and working around the clock to prepare to disburse money quickly." Quickly, however, is limited by "glitches in technology, delays and staffing and resource shortages."
"This is a national consequence of passing a $2 trillion bill in two weeks. […]I don't know if we know all the implementation issues yet," one person familiar with the administration's efforts told CNN. "This is an unprecedented program," another administration official said, speaking just about one aspect, the Small Business Administration loans. "We don't know until people actually start applying for the program, but we are making sure the system has the capacity to process whatever loans come in on Friday."
The same concerns exist for the IRS—notoriously underfunded and dealing with decades-old technology—in trying to get the $1,200 stimulus checks out to the entire country. There was the confusion created by the roadblock for seniors, disabled people, and veterans receiving pensions having to file to receive the benefit (resolved for seniors so far, but not the rest). Figuring out how to physically get the payments to people is also problem. Aides involved tell CNN the IRS told Congress last week they only have direct deposit information on file for about 70 million of the estimated 150 million who are eligible for the payments. They only have mailing addresses for about 80 million, a population that is likelier to be more transient and whose physical addresses have probably changed.
With the clown car that is the Trump administration in charge of all of this, yes, Pelosi's oversight committee is going to be essential.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Susan Collins Praises Trump's Coronavirus Press Briefings

Collins ' spin on Trump continuing to spread disinformation about the COVID-19 outbreak is about as Susan Collinsy as anything I 've ever seen .
BDN : Last month , you said you wanted President Trump to “ step back ” from the public response to the virus .
The president has made some comments over the past couple of months that downplayed the virus or were factually incorrect .
For example , he said that in February cases in the U.S. were declining and then later that anyone who wanted a test could get one .
Did some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing in private briefings at the time ?
Do you think that misinformation coming from the White House has caused real harm ?
Collins : First let me say that I was among many who advised the president to listen more closely to the excellent medical advisers that he has like Dr. Fauci and like Dr. Deborah Birx [ the White House coronavirus response coordinator ] , and he has been doing that lately .
And I think his daily press briefings have been far more helpful to the American people and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the experts who usually accompany him to those press briefings .
In the beginning he was not involving the medical experts to the point that he should have .
But now he is , and I think what we ’ ve seen is far more helpful and accurate information being disseminated .
BDN : I know you said that the president ’ s briefings have been better , and he ’ s been listening to the experts more , but what about before , when he wasn ’ t listening to the experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasting harm to the country ’ s response ?
Collins : It may have given some people a false sense of security , but the president did a lot that was right in the beginning .
For example , he acted very early to ban travel to China , and that was a move , an action that he took that undoubtedly saved lives .
I think in the beginning there were times when he was speaking about what he hoped would happen rather than relying on the data and information of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m glad that it has .

Collins' spin on Trump continuing to spread disinformation about the COVID-19 outbreak is about as Susan Collinsy as anything I've ever seen.
Do better, Maine. Elect Sara Gideon.
Source: Bangor Daily News
BDN: Last month, you said you wanted President Trump to “step back” from the public response to the virus. The president has made some comments over the past couple of months that downplayed the virus or were factually incorrect. For example, he said that in February cases in the U.S. were declining and then later that anyone who wanted a test could get one. Did some of his public comments contradict what you were hearing in private briefings at the time? Do you think that misinformation coming from the White House has caused real harm?
Collins: First let me say that I was among many who advised the president to listen more closely to the excellent medical advisers that he has like Dr. Fauci and like Dr. Deborah Birx [the White House coronavirus response coordinator], and he has been doing that lately. And I think his daily press briefings have been far more helpful to the American people and that he has deferred in many cases to the experts who usually accompany him to those press briefings.
In the beginning he was not involving the medical experts to the point that he should have. But now he is, and I think what we’ve seen is far more helpful and accurate information being disseminated.
BDN: I know you said that the president’s briefings have been better, and he’s been listening to the experts more, but what about before, when he wasn’t listening to the experts, do you think that that caused lasting harm to the country’s response?
Collins: It may have given some people a false sense of security, but the president did a lot that was right in the beginning. For example, he acted very early to ban travel to China, and that was a move, an action that he took that undoubtedly saved lives. I think in the beginning there were times when he was speaking about what he hoped would happen rather than relying on the data and information of his experts. That has changed, and I’m glad that it has.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Journalists Jump High In Pursuit Of The Mythical 'President'

Published With permission of Press Run , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
If President Barack Obama had overseen the deaths of 100,000 Americans during the Ebola outbreak in 2014 , do you think many Beltway journalists would have given him high marks for his `` tone '' ?
Me neither .
Yet that ’ s what unfolded this week in the wake of White House briefing where Trump warned of 100,000-plus coronavirus deaths in the U.S. — journalists marveled at how serious and `` somber '' he was .
It 's like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metaphors , it 's a Moby Dick-like pursuit of a mythical 'presidential ' Trump .
That pointless search began weeks before Trump was even inaugurated , as Beltway observers calmly predicted that the Oval Office would soon change him and he 'd grow into a statesman .
Instead , Trump has unraveled in public view for more than three years while the press clings to this fantasy that underneath the narcissist and liar and bully is a man who wants to lead .
Even if Trump unveiled a completely new approach to governance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of insults , threats , and lies , that 's no reason to give him credit .
Especially not during a pandemic , when he wasted an entire month dithering about the coronavirus , famously announcing we 'd soon have `` zero '' cases .
( The government still has n't secured enough test kits and respirators for the mounting crisis . )
The media ’ s Trump failures are all about tiptoeing around the truth and not being honest with news consumers .
For instance , the New York Times this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Trump has regularly lashed out at women in public office during the current crisis , much more so than men .
Yet nowhere in the piece were the words `` misogyny '' or `` misogynist '' mentioned , because the Times and most of the press refuse to use clarity when analyzing Trump 's deformed character .
That 's why the Times newsroom is not allowed to call Trump a `` liar '' or a `` racists '' even though he is both , as well as a textbook misogynist .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mars much of the pandemic coverage .
Responding to online critiques of the media 's performance this week , one Politico editor , Blake Hounshell , responded , `` You know , enough of this .
It has taken entire teams of journalists to tell this story in all its many facets , and the press is by and large doing it extraordinarily well as the media industry collapses around them . ''
He 's right , the press has largely done an `` extraordinary '' job covering this once-in-a-century emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage , that has been almost uniformly lacking , and by far the weakest link of the virus reporting .
Just look at the media rush to shower Trump with hosannas after he supposedly changed his `` tone '' on the deadly pandemic .
`` The grim-faced president who appeared in the White House briefing room for more than two hours beside charts showing death projections of hellacious proportions was coming to grips with a reality he had long refused to accept , '' the New York Times reported with urgency .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acosta , following the pandemic briefings , announced Trump now `` gets it , '' stressing , `` I have never seen the president like this . ''
Added NBC 's Kelly O'Donnell , `` The tone and seriousness was different today . ''
Oh thank goodness .
Trump had finally come to terms with the significance of a pandemic that will likely claim 20-plus million U.S. jobs and perhaps 100,000 American lives .
To the surprise of nobody , days after Trump 's `` serious '' briefing , he was back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national emergency — he bragged about his popularity on Facebook , mocked assembled journalists , tried to create a diversion by turning Wednesday 's pandemic briefing into a press conference about a new drug trafficking initiative launched by the Department of Defense , and accused Democrats of launching a “ witch hunt ” against him .
Trump also returned to taunting Democrats on Twitter , specifically a U.S. senator from New York , the epicenter of the deadly outbreak .
All if this is completely predictable , and all of this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mad man like Trump has changed his ways , or embraced a serious , somber “ tone.
” Back in 2017 , when Trump gave his first address to the nation from Congress ( technically it was not a State of the Union since he had just been sworn in ) , cable news discussions of the address included more than 300 references to the optics of his speech -- including mentions of a “ pivot , '' “ presidential , ” “ reset , ” and “ tone , '' according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House was reportedly surprised at how fervently the press praised the speech . )
Trump , of course , did nothing following the speech to `` pivot '' towards more `` presidential '' behavior .
More recently in March , CNN 's Dana Bash , after watching one of Trump 's erratic pandemic briefings , showered him with praise : `` He is being the kind of leader that people need , at least in tone , today , and yesterday , in a tone that people need and want and yearn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Over subsequent days and weeks though , Trump proceeded to mislead the nation about a possible virus cure , lie about dismantling the White House 's pandemic team , accused hospital workers of stealing much-needed surgical masks , and told governors on a conference call that he had n't heard complaints about a lack of coronavirus tests .
Trump 's never going to change .
It 's the press ’ job to accurately describe who is now , and who he 'll be for always .

Published With permission of Press Run, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
If President Barack Obama had overseen the deaths of 100,000 Americans during the Ebola outbreak in 2014, do you think many Beltway journalists would have given him high marks for his "tone"? Me neither. Yet that’s what unfolded this week in the wake of White House briefing where Trump warned of 100,000-plus coronavirus deaths in the U.S. — journalists marveled at how serious and "somber" he was. It's like the Normalizing Olympics.
Or, to mix metaphors, it's a Moby Dick-like pursuit of a mythical 'presidential' Trump. That pointless search began weeks before Trump was even inaugurated, as Beltway observers calmly predicted that the Oval Office would soon change him and he'd grow into a statesman. Instead, Trump has unraveled in public view for more than three years while the press clings to this fantasy that underneath the narcissist and liar and bully is a man who wants to lead.
Even if Trump unveiled a completely new approach to governance and forever stashed away his usual array of insults, threats, and lies, that's no reason to give him credit. Especially not during a pandemic, when he wasted an entire month dithering about the coronavirus, famously announcing we'd soon have "zero" cases. (The government still hasn't secured enough test kits and respirators for the mounting crisis.)
The media’s Trump failures are all about tiptoeing around the truth and not being honest with news consumers. For instance, the New York Times this week published a lengthy and worthy article about how Trump has regularly lashed out at women in public office during the current crisis, much more so than men. Yet nowhere in the piece were the words "misogyny" or "misogynist" mentioned, because the Times and most of the press refuse to use clarity when analyzing Trump's deformed character. That's why the Times newsroom is not allowed to call Trump a "liar" or a "racists" even though he is both, as well as a textbook misogynist.
It’s that purposefully timid Trump reporting that mars much of the pandemic coverage. Responding to online critiques of the media's performance this week, one Politico editor, Blake Hounshell, responded, "You know, enough of this. It has taken entire teams of journalists to tell this story in all its many facets, and the press is by and large doing it extraordinarily well as the media industry collapses around them." He's right, the press has largely done an "extraordinary" job covering this once-in-a-century emergency. But in terms of the Trump pandemic coverage, that has been almost uniformly lacking, and by far the weakest link of the virus reporting.
Just look at the media rush to shower Trump with hosannas after he supposedly changed his "tone" on the deadly pandemic. "The grim-faced president who appeared in the White House briefing room for more than two hours beside charts showing death projections of hellacious proportions was coming to grips with a reality he had long refused to accept," the New York Times reported with urgency.
Over at CNN, White House correspondent Jim Acosta, following the pandemic briefings, announced Trump now "gets it," stressing, "I have never seen the president like this." Added NBC's Kelly O'Donnell, "The tone and seriousness was different today."
Oh thank goodness. Trump had finally come to terms with the significance of a pandemic that will likely claim 20-plus million U.S. jobs and perhaps 100,000 American lives.
To the surprise of nobody, days after Trump's "serious" briefing, he was back to his usual public antics while ostensibly addressing the national emergency — he bragged about his popularity on Facebook, mocked assembled journalists, tried to create a diversion by turning Wednesday's pandemic briefing into a press conference about a new drug trafficking initiative launched by the Department of Defense, and accused Democrats of launching a “witch hunt” against him. Trump also returned to taunting Democrats on Twitter, specifically a U.S. senator from New York, the epicenter of the deadly outbreak.
All if this is completely predictable, and all of this is why the press should refrain from claiming a mad man like Trump has changed his ways, or embraced a serious, somber “tone.”
Back in 2017, when Trump gave his first address to the nation from Congress (technically it was not a State of the Union since he had just been sworn in), cable news discussions of the address included more than 300 references to the optics of his speech -- including mentions of a “pivot," “presidential,” “reset,” and “tone," according to Media Matters. (Even the White House was reportedly surprised at how fervently the press praised the speech.) Trump, of course, did nothing following the speech to "pivot" towards more "presidential" behavior.
More recently in March, CNN's Dana Bash, after watching one of Trump's erratic pandemic briefings, showered him with praise: "He is being the kind of leader that people need, at least in tone, today, and yesterday, in a tone that people need and want and yearn for in times of crisis and uncertainty." Over subsequent days and weeks though, Trump proceeded to mislead the nation about a possible virus cure, lie about dismantling the White House's pandemic team, accused hospital workers of stealing much-needed surgical masks, and told governors on a conference call that he hadn't heard complaints about a lack of coronavirus tests.
Trump's never going to change. It's the press’ job to accurately describe who is now, and who he'll be for always.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Fox M.D. Slams Pandemic Unpreparedness, Gives Himself And Trump A Pass

Remember Dr. Marc Siegel saying about the coronavirus , “ worst case scenario , it could be the flu ?
” And then agreeing with host Pete Hegseth that the more you know , “ the less there is to worry about ?
” That was during the Trump/Fox “ hoax ” phase of the coronavirus .
Now that Trump TV is in the `` we always took it seriously '' phase and the U.S. has the highest number of cases in the world , Siegel had the audacity to lecture about the lack of preparedness for the pandemic – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s negligence and sabotage of the preparedness Barack Obama left him .
Of course , his fellow Trump lickspittles didn ’ t mention a word about Trump ’ s gross mishandling of the response , either : JILLIAN MELE : Dr. Siegel , do you see this being a point in history where , you know , we 're going to get better about creating a bigger stockpile [ of masks ] for the future ?
SIEGEL : We 'd better !
There 's something called pandemic preparedness Jillian , and we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after other health scares ... after Ebola , you know , after Swine Flu .
We got serious about it , but then we abandoned it .
Even SARS , which was back in 2003 , was a wake-up call for the coronavirus .
We have the money now , but we 're coming in very late in the process here .
This is a wake-up call for pandemic preparedness .
We can not let this happen again .
We 're talking about a virgin population that has n't seen a virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously swept across the country .
We absolutely should have the health care system prepared for that and we did n't .
And that includes the Centers for Disease Control , by the way .
Gee , I wonder if a doctor on Trump ’ s favorite network might have helped the preparedness had he sounded the alarm about the pandemic weeks ago , instead of dismissing it as nothing to worry about .

Remember Dr. Marc Siegel saying about the coronavirus, “worst case scenario, it could be the flu?” And then agreeing with host Pete Hegseth that the more you know, “the less there is to worry about?” That was during the Trump/Fox “hoax” phase of the coronavirus.
Now that Trump TV is in the "we always took it seriously" phase and the U.S. has the highest number of cases in the world, Siegel had the audacity to lecture about the lack of preparedness for the pandemic – without one word about Donald Trump’s negligence and sabotage of the preparedness Barack Obama left him.
Of course, his fellow Trump lickspittles didn’t mention a word about Trump’s gross mishandling of the response, either:
JILLIAN MELE: Dr. Siegel, do you see this being a point in history where, you know, we're going to get better about creating a bigger stockpile [of masks] for the future? SIEGEL: We'd better! There's something called pandemic preparedness Jillian, and we didn't take it seriously enough before... after other health scares... after Ebola, you know, after Swine Flu. We got serious about it, but then we abandoned it. Even SARS, which was back in 2003, was a wake-up call for the coronavirus. We have the money now, but we're coming in very late in the process here. This is a wake-up call for pandemic preparedness. We cannot let this happen again. We're talking about a virgin population that hasn't seen a virus that is very dangerous, and it's obviously swept across the country. We absolutely should have the health care system prepared for that and we didn't. And that includes the Centers for Disease Control, by the way.
Gee, I wonder if a doctor on Trump’s favorite network might have helped the preparedness had he sounded the alarm about the pandemic weeks ago, instead of dismissing it as nothing to worry about.


crooksandliars--2020-04-21--Let's Track The COVIDIOT Protesters

Let's Track The COVIDIOT Protesters

It 's time to start tracking the people who are gathering to protest staying at home orders .
Tracking & contact tracing is one of the ways other countries control the spread .
We can start with these people , the # MichiganMorons .
They 're in public , so they have no expectation of privacy .
They are n't wearing masks , so the facial recognition software will work .
They chose to risk their health when they traveled and meet in groups , but when they went home they risked the health of others who are unaware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be exposed without their consent .
If these protesters do n't want their face being seen they can wear a mask !
( I really would like it if that would be their response to facial recognition being used on them because that would be a win for public health ! )
The general public should be able to find out who these people are for multiple reasons .
First so we can keep OURSELVES away from THEM if they live in our state .
Second , so people in other states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states can do a good job on social distancing but if these # FloridaMorons travel and nobody knows who they are new outbreaks can happen .
People are seen at the beach on April 17 , 2020 in Jacksonville Beach , Florida .
Image from : Composite by Spocko Original Photo : Sam Greenwood/Getty Images We already have the tools to track these people .
Individuals can use social media to find these people .
If government is involved they can use the state 's driver license databases to help track them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states use the data ?
In other countries they gave the information to employers so that those employees could be told to stay at home .
Take Singapore .
The country attracted praise early in the pandemic for its initial success at curbing the spread of the virus .
In March , the country released TraceTogether , an app that uses Bluetooth technology to help public health officials do contact tracing .
Much like the Apple-Google tool , Singapore ’ s app automated the process of tracking down every person a given person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It works by allowing users to log in the app if they test positive for Covid-19 and the tool then anonymously notifies everyone they ’ ve recently seen .
Yes , there are privacy concerns with this kind of surveillance .
The tools being created by Google and Apple will be paying attention to privacy concerns .
But until we have a vaccine -- and as long as people are n't following the rules for social distancing , staying home or wearing masks -- we need to track and trace them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health of the community .
They are a public health threat .
It seems only fitting that the people who hate the government the most and care about their fellow citizens the least should be the first entrants in a national COVID virus tracking database .

It's time to start tracking the people who are gathering to protest staying at home orders. Tracking & contact tracing is one of the ways other countries control the spread. We can start with these people, the #MichiganMorons. They're in public, so they have no expectation of privacy. They aren't wearing masks, so the facial recognition software will work. They chose to risk their health when they traveled and meet in groups, but when they went home they risked the health of others who are unaware of their protest. All of those people might be exposed without their consent.
If these protesters don't want their face being seen they can wear a mask! (I really would like it if that would be their response to facial recognition being used on them because that would be a win for public health!)
The general public should be able to find out who these people are for multiple reasons. First so we can keep OURSELVES away from THEM if they live in our state. Second, so people in other states can be prepared. New York and other states can do a good job on social distancing but if these #FloridaMorons travel and nobody knows who they are new outbreaks can happen.
People are seen at the beach on April 17, 2020 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Credit: Composite by Spocko Original Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
We already have the tools to track these people. Individuals can use social media to find these people. If government is involved they can use the state's driver license databases to help track them better. What other ways can the states use the data? In other countries they gave the information to employers so that those employees could be told to stay at home.
Take Singapore. The country attracted praise early in the pandemic for its initial success at curbing the spread of the virus. In March, the country released TraceTogether, an app that uses Bluetooth technology to help public health officials do contact tracing. Much like the Apple-Google tool, Singapore’s app automated the process of tracking down every person a given person came into contact within a two-week period. It works by allowing users to log in the app if they test positive for Covid-19 and the tool then anonymously notifies everyone they’ve recently seen.
Yes, there are privacy concerns with this kind of surveillance. The tools being created by Google and Apple will be paying attention to privacy concerns. But until we have a vaccine--and as long as people aren't following the rules for social distancing, staying home or wearing masks--we need to track and trace them.
These people have a blatant disregard for the health of the community. They are a public health threat. It seems only fitting that the people who hate the government the most and care about their fellow citizens the least should be the first entrants in a national COVID virus tracking database.


crooksandliars--2020-05-13--Tucker, Hannity, Ingraham Bash Dr. Fauci In Scripted, Coordinated Attack

During Tuesday night 's prime-time Fox News schedule , hosts Tucker Carlson , Sean Hannity , and Laura Ingraham all bashed Dr. Anthony Fauci .
You knew this was coming after Dr. Fauci slapped around Sen. Rand Paul during yesterday 's Senate hearing .
It 's been a constant refrain from Fox News lately to make Dr. Fauci the fall guy for Donald Trump 's ineptitude and unconscionable lack of action when the outbreak was first discovered .
Fox News has been painting Dr. Fauci as the only person involved in briefing Donald Trump on the Coronavirus .
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-open the economy at the expense of American lives .
And let 's face it , he listens more to Fox News and OANN than he does to anyone in the White House , with the possible exception of his idiot son-in-law Jared Kushner .
The three prime-time hosts understand Trump 's reelection campaign rests on the economy , so they are out for blood and nobody is safe .
To the misinformation capital of America , Dr. Fauci -- setting Sen. Rand Paul straight on the dangers of reopening schools too quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In his opening segment , Tucker Carlson 's chyron said `` Has America put too much faith in just one man ? ''
Hmm , I thought Donald Trump was the one who was calling the shots .
`` But he has often been wrong as people are .
Why are we hearing calls to just obey him unquestionably ? ''
Tucker 's guest Ned Ryun went on a nonsensical diatribe and said he 's not sure what Dr. Fauci `` has been right about '' and claimed of Fauci , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes along . ''
They both agreed that Dr. Fauci is a buffoon .
Hannity was furious Dr. Fauci is refusing to reopen schools up as well .
Then it was Laura Ingraham 's turn at being horrified by the doctor 's testimony .
She said , `` Parents around the country let out a gasp of horror . ''
`` No one elected him to anything , '' Ingraham said .
And as with all three hosts , Laura Ingraham continued claiming `` Democrats are trying to take away freedoms . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since they pass on so much angerous and deadly misinformation to the American people about the coronavirus .

During Tuesday night's prime-time Fox News schedule, hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham all bashed Dr. Anthony Fauci.
You knew this was coming after Dr. Fauci slapped around Sen. Rand Paul during yesterday's Senate hearing.
It's been a constant refrain from Fox News lately to make Dr. Fauci the fall guy for Donald Trump's ineptitude and unconscionable lack of action when the outbreak was first discovered.
Fox News has been painting Dr. Fauci as the only person involved in briefing Donald Trump on the Coronavirus. Donald Trump has an entire cabinet telling him to re-open the economy at the expense of American lives. And let's face it, he listens more to Fox News and OANN than he does to anyone in the White House, with the possible exception of his idiot son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The three prime-time hosts understand Trump's reelection campaign rests on the economy, so they are out for blood and nobody is safe.
To the misinformation capital of America, Dr. Fauci -- setting Sen. Rand Paul straight on the dangers of reopening schools too quickly -- was just too much to handle.
In his opening segment, Tucker Carlson's chyron said "Has America put too much faith in just one man?"
Hmm, I thought Donald Trump was the one who was calling the shots.
"But he has often been wrong as people are. Why are we hearing calls to just obey him unquestionably?"
Tucker's guest Ned Ryun went on a nonsensical diatribe and said he's not sure what Dr. Fauci "has been right about" and claimed of Fauci, "he is making things up as he goes along."
They both agreed that Dr. Fauci is a buffoon.
Hannity was furious Dr. Fauci is refusing to reopen schools up as well.
Then it was Laura Ingraham's turn at being horrified by the doctor's testimony. She said, "Parents around the country let out a gasp of horror."
"No one elected him to anything," Ingraham said.
And as with all three hosts, Laura Ingraham continued claiming "Democrats are trying to take away freedoms."
The network should be shut down, since they pass on so much angerous and deadly misinformation to the American people about the coronavirus.


crooksandliars--2020-05-13--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Eschaton : American tourists hoping to travel to Europe this year are in for a rude awakening .
No More @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tough to defeat Coronavirus when one of the U.S. political parties essentially constitutes @ @ @ @ @ , Guns and Money : Oral arguments in the tax returns case suggest the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Naked Capitalism : A pandemic is bad enough for commercial real estate @ @ @ @ @ matters much worse .
Speaking of which , your quote of the day : `` @ @ @ @ @ if I had a chance to go back I would be more sensitive to .
@ @ @ @ @ .
Great care has got to be taken not to take a dividend or a @ @ @ @ @ puts that company at risk . ''
( Mitt Romney , June 4 , 2007 @ @ @ @ @ 's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips @ @ @ @ @ angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com .

Eschaton: American tourists hoping to travel to Europe this year are in for a rude awakening.
No More Mister Nice Blog: It’s tough to defeat Coronavirus when one of the U.S. political parties essentially constitutes a fifth column.
Lawyers, Guns and Money: Oral arguments in the tax returns case suggest the Supreme Court will once again protect Donald Trump.
Naked Capitalism: A pandemic is bad enough for commercial real estate; private equity is making matters much worse.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"It is one thing that if I had a chance to go back I would be more sensitive to. It is always a balance. Great care has got to be taken not to take a dividend or a distribution from a company that puts that company at risk." (Mitt Romney, June 4, 2007.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-03-15--Mother Of High-Risk Son Publicly Shamed For Wearing Surgical Mask

Tasha Nelson 's son Jack has cystic fibrosis .
If he contracts the coronavirus he 'll die , said his mom .
So when she went out to the grocery store , afraid of bringing back the virus , she decked herself out in gloves and a surgical mask .
What she was n't prepared for was the reaction from some of her fellow shoppers .
Eight-year-old Jack Nelson has cystic fibrosis .
He ’ s in the CDC ’ s high risk category for COVID-19 .
If Jack got coronavirus , `` he would die , '' says his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of Jack 's family have gone to extreme measures to ensure Jack 's safety , including disinfecting everything that goes in and out of the house and wearing protective gear while outdoors .
But when Tasha went to the store to run some errands on Thursday , she says she was publicly shamed for wearing a medical mask and latex gloves .
“ People laughed at me , I had people make comments like , ‘ she ’ s the reason why my life is being disrupted , ' '' Tasha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure it doesn ’ t get into our house .
Because if it does , I will be burying my son and I will do anything to make sure that doesn ’ t happen , ” Tasha said .

Tasha Nelson's son Jack has cystic fibrosis. If he contracts the coronavirus he'll die, said his mom. So when she went out to the grocery store, afraid of bringing back the virus, she decked herself out in gloves and a surgical mask. What she wasn't prepared for was the reaction from some of her fellow shoppers.
Source: NBC Washington
Eight-year-old Jack Nelson has cystic fibrosis. He’s in the CDC’s high risk category for COVID-19.
If Jack got coronavirus, "he would die," says his mother, Tasha Nelson.
Tasha and the rest of Jack's family have gone to extreme measures to ensure Jack's safety, including disinfecting everything that goes in and out of the house and wearing protective gear while outdoors.
But when Tasha went to the store to run some errands on Thursday, she says she was publicly shamed for wearing a medical mask and latex gloves.
“People laughed at me, I had people make comments like, ‘she’s the reason why my life is being disrupted,'" Tasha said.
“I’m trying to make sure it doesn’t get into our house. Because if it does, I will be burying my son and I will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Tasha said.


crooksandliars--2020-04-15--'Operation Gridlock' Hits Michigan's Capitol

Michigan currently has one of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19 in the United States , yet today we saw protesters at their state capitol calling on Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer to rescind her stay-at-home order and open the economy again .
Pretty amazing stuff actually , considering there are hospitals in Detroit and elsewhere that have run out of body bags , and bodies are being piled in spare rooms and meat-packing plants because the morgues are full .
In this clip above , a protester wearing a mask is asked if he 's concerned about the virus .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you concerned about this virus , ” Hendrix asked .
“ I was in the beginning until I done my research and found out the realities and the media ’ s overreach on it and that it ’ s not as serious as they made it out to be , and that ’ s why I am here , because I feel that they are overreaching , overreacting , and crushing our small businesses , crushing our economy , ” Dickson replied .
“ I see you ’ re wearing a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern , ” Hendrix pressed , to which Dickson replied that he was just utilizing “ common courtesy.
” `` Yes , well I have concern .
I 'm here today .
I might be a republican , but I do have common sense and just concern for everybody . ''
LANSING , Mich. ( WOOD ) — Thousands of protesters converged on Lansing Wednesday to show their opposition to Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s extended stay-at-home order .
“ Operation Gridlock ” was scheduled to begin at noon , but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled start , clogging traffic and honking horns around the capitol .
A protester told News 8 they arrived at 9 a.m. to take part in the event .
On Wednesday afternoon , traffic on Allegan Street was at a standstill and the three lanes of Capitol Avenue in front of the state Capitol Building were heavily congested with protesters .
Many of those cars had signs , including one which read “ SHUT DOWN HALF WHITMER.
” Opponents to the stay-at-home order , which was extended last week through April 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are excessive and inconsistent .
“ I came out here to support the Michigan businesses and stand up for the rights of Michiganders .
We believe the governor has overreached and overstepped her rights with our freedoms , ” said Joseph Dickson , who was protesting near the steps of the Capitol Building .
And lest you think this was just a few dozen extremist idiots , in their MAGA regalia , waving their 'Do n't Tread on Me ' and Confederate flags around , the lines of cars extended for miles .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not interested in reality , are they ?

Michigan currently has one of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19 in the United States, yet today we saw protesters at their state capitol calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to rescind her stay-at-home order and open the economy again. Pretty amazing stuff actually, considering there are hospitals in Detroit and elsewhere that have run out of body bags, and bodies are being piled in spare rooms and meat-packing plants because the morgues are full.
In this clip above, a protester wearing a mask is asked if he's concerned about the virus. His response is comedy gold.
“Are you concerned about this virus,” Hendrix asked. “I was in the beginning until I done my research and found out the realities and the media’s overreach on it and that it’s not as serious as they made it out to be, and that’s why I am here, because I feel that they are overreaching, overreacting, and crushing our small businesses, crushing our economy,” Dickson replied. “I see you’re wearing a mask, so you must have some level of concern,” Hendrix pressed, to which Dickson replied that he was just utilizing “common courtesy.” "Yes, well I have concern. I'm here today. I might be a republican, but I do have common sense and just concern for everybody."
Good to know.
Source: WOOD TV
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — Thousands of protesters converged on Lansing Wednesday to show their opposition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extended stay-at-home order. “Operation Gridlock” was scheduled to begin at noon, but many protesters were in Lansing hours before the scheduled start, clogging traffic and honking horns around the capitol. A protester told News 8 they arrived at 9 a.m. to take part in the event. On Wednesday afternoon, traffic on Allegan Street was at a standstill and the three lanes of Capitol Avenue in front of the state Capitol Building were heavily congested with protesters. Many of those cars had signs, including one which read “SHUT DOWN HALF WHITMER.” Opponents to the stay-at-home order, which was extended last week through April 30, say some of Whitmer’s mandates are excessive and inconsistent. “I came out here to support the Michigan businesses and stand up for the rights of Michiganders. We believe the governor has overreached and overstepped her rights with our freedoms,” said Joseph Dickson, who was protesting near the steps of the Capitol Building.
And lest you think this was just a few dozen extremist idiots, in their MAGA regalia, waving their 'Don't Tread on Me' and Confederate flags around, the lines of cars extended for miles.
Massive convoy heading from Lowell to Lansing for #operationgridlock. Group is protesting @GovWhitmer extending stay-at-home order through end of April. Saying it violates their rights @wzzm13 pic.twitter.com/Jfc4u9odf2 — Noah Fromson (@NoahFromson) April 15, 2020
Thousands of people from all over Michigan are converging on our state Capitol today to protest the governor’s restrictive “Stay Home” order and get their voices, and car horns, heard. #OperationGridlock pic.twitter.com/bgjH4wKCUQ — MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) April 15, 2020
But these type of people are just not interested in reality, are they?
Everyone has the right to protest, but to be clear: Lansing is empty. We are almost entirely working remotely. All Operation Gridlock is accomplishing is blocking traffic for essential workers and first responders in the middle of a pandemic. This is silly and irresponsible. — Laurie Pohutsky (@lpohutsky19) April 15, 2020
This #OperationGridlock is looking similar to a Trump rally. There are a lot of MAGA/KAGA attire and flags. pic.twitter.com/zksQJBoWfw — Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) April 15, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-28--Trump Whines Again That The Media Is Being Mean To Him

As the body count from COVID-19 continues to grow exponentially , Trump calls any and all criticism of him 'Fake News ' .
Not exactly new from Trump , but now his screw-ups have life or death consequences .
The cartoon above seems to capture Trump 's plight perfectly .
So much of the Lamestream Media is writing and broadcasting stories with facts that are made up and knowingly wrong .
They are doing it by quoting unnamed sources that simply do not exist .
These are very dangerous & corrupt people , who will do anything to win .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons that Fake News has become so prevalent & far reaching is the fact that corrupt “ journalists ” base their stories on SOURCES that they make up in order to totally distort a narrative or story .
When you see , “ five sources say ” , don ’ t believe the story , it is ... .
... .very often FAKE NEWS .
Lamestream Media should be forced to reveal sources , very much as they did in the long ago past .
If they did that , the media would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would largely be a thing if the past !
Trump later deleted that last one , for one of his inevitable typos .
... .very often FAKE NEWS .
Lamestream Media should be forced to reveal sources , very much as they did in the long ago past .
If they did that , the media would be trusted again , and Fake News would largely be a thing of the past !

As the body count from COVID-19 continues to grow exponentially, Trump calls any and all criticism of him 'Fake News'. Not exactly new from Trump, but now his screw-ups have life or death consequences. The cartoon above seems to capture Trump's plight perfectly.
(via Michael de Adder, Halifax Chronicle Herald)
So much of the Lamestream Media is writing and broadcasting stories with facts that are made up and knowingly wrong. They are doing it by quoting unnamed sources that simply do not exist. These are very dangerous & corrupt people, who will do anything to win. NAME YOUR SOURCES! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
One of the reasons that Fake News has become so prevalent & far reaching is the fact that corrupt “journalists” base their stories on SOURCES that they make up in order to totally distort a narrative or story. When you see, “five sources say”, don’t believe the story, it is.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
....very often FAKE NEWS. Lamestream Media should be forced to reveal sources, very much as they did in the long ago past. If they did that, the media would be trusted again, and Fake News would largely be a thing if the past! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
Trump later deleted that last one, for one of his inevitable typos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-28--Twitter Deletes Sick And Dangerous Giuliani Tweet About COVID-19 Cure

After trying to get Dr. Fauci fired , Trump 's lying sycophants and lawyers are helping to spread dangerous lies about a treatment for COVID-19 in an effort to defend Donald 's bungled response to the virus , and his constant attacks on governors demanding help from the federal government .
Meditate grabbed the tweet pictured above before it was deleted by Twitter because it violated the platform ’ s rules .
It 's bad enough for Rudy to spread false information – that could lead to panic and death – about the unproven and untested drug hydroxychloroquine that Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible treatment .
But to use a tweet by Charlie Kirk , who is using lies posted by Jim Hoft , just compounds the lunacy of it all .
Hoft recently was on the conspiracy driven Alex Jones show about ten days ago promoting deep state conspiracies when Hoft said that the coronavirus crisis “ is the third time that the deep state is trying to take [ Trump ] out.
” Telling Americans that Michigan 's Gov .
Whitmer is trying to kill people to hurt Trump , and using sicko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leading a covert and shadow government behind Congress 's back in an effort to start a conspiracy against Trump 's political rival should have already gotten Giuliani banned .
But with this horrific tweet , Rudy Giuliani should be permanently banned from all television and radio appearances by all credible news source and television shows .
Giuliani and his co-conspirators are putting the lives of the American public and the medical professionals in jeopardy , while they 're trying to battle coronavirus pandemic .
If there is no law against this one should @ @ @ @

After trying to get Dr. Fauci fired, Trump's lying sycophants and lawyers are helping to spread dangerous lies about a treatment for COVID-19 in an effort to defend Donald's bungled response to the virus, and his constant attacks on governors demanding help from the federal government.
Meditate grabbed the tweet pictured above before it was deleted by Twitter because it violated the platform’s rules.
It's bad enough for Rudy to spread false information – that could lead to panic and death – about the unproven and untested drug hydroxychloroquine that Fox News TV hosts have been hawking as a possible treatment. But to use a tweet by Charlie Kirk, who is using lies posted by Jim Hoft, just compounds the lunacy of it all.
Hoft recently was on the conspiracy driven Alex Jones show about ten days ago promoting deep state conspiracies when Hoft said that the coronavirus crisis “is the third time that the deep state is trying to take [Trump] out.”
Telling Americans that Michigan's Gov. Whitmer is trying to kill people to hurt Trump, and using sicko Hoft as their source is insane.
Leading a covert and shadow government behind Congress's back in an effort to start a conspiracy against Trump's political rival should have already gotten Giuliani banned. But with this horrific tweet, Rudy Giuliani should be permanently banned from all television and radio appearances by all credible news source and television shows.
Giuliani and his co-conspirators are putting the lives of the American public and the medical professionals in jeopardy, while they're trying to battle coronavirus pandemic.
If there is no law against this one should be passed now.


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--Dr Deborah Birx Praises Trump Being So ‘Attentive To Scientific Literature’

Yet another infuriating bit of obsequiousness for Dear Leader that he decidedly deserve .
The type of insipid fawning that we 'd expect to see in some backward , cult of personality state like North Korea , not here .
As others noted , whatever credibility she had was lost right then and there .
Birx has also in recent days scolded the media for their dire predictions , both in terms of numbers of cases and the number of ventilators needed .
Speaking on the Christian Broadcasting Network ’ s Faith Nation this Wednesday , White House response coordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Deborah Birx , talked about the role faith communities can play in the effort to stem the outbreak , both by “ giving out accurate and important information and ensuring that everyone in the household feels engaged in their community even though they ’ re at home themselves.
” At one point during the interview , Dr. Birx praised President Trump for what she said is his attentiveness to science .
“ He is so attentive to the scientific literature and the details and the data , and I think his ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of his long history in business has really been a real benefit during these discussions about medical issues , ” she said .
Last night Brian Williams had a go at Brix , throwing some serious shade her way and deservedly so .

Yet another infuriating bit of obsequiousness for Dear Leader that he decidedly does not deserve. The type of insipid fawning that we'd expect to see in some backward, cult of personality state like North Korea, not here.
As others noted, whatever credibility she had was lost right then and there. Birx has also in recent days scolded the media for their dire predictions, both in terms of numbers of cases and the number of ventilators needed.
Source: Raw Story
Speaking on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s Faith Nation this Wednesday, White House response coordinator for the US Coronavirus Task Force, Dr. Deborah Birx, talked about the role faith communities can play in the effort to stem the outbreak, both by “giving out accurate and important information and ensuring that everyone in the household feels engaged in their community even though they’re at home themselves.” At one point during the interview, Dr. Birx praised President Trump for what she said is his attentiveness to science. “He is so attentive to the scientific literature and the details and the data, and I think his ability to analyze and integrate data that comes out of his long history in business has really been a real benefit during these discussions about medical issues,” she said.
"[Trump is] so attentive to the scientific literature & the details & the data. I think his ability to analyze & integrate data that comes out of his long history in business has really been a real benefit” -- this is shocking, hackish stuff from Dr. Birx. pic.twitter.com/c2phsRYaJs — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 27, 2020
Last night Brian Williams had a go at Brix, throwing some serious shade her way and deservedly so.


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--Trump Puts Off Chinese President To Call Hannity And Complain About The Real Victim—Trump

Donald Trump is the captain of the Titanic .
Except he ’ s still arguing that this is the greatest voyage ever , complaining that people want too many lifeboats , and telling everyone to get back to that fantastic dinner .
So … strike up the band and take a seat .
More are available all the time .
On Thursday evening , Trump called in for a chat with Fox News ’ Sean Hannity , and in that conversation he demonstrated that just because the nation is in the midst of a catastrophic epidemic where normal life has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their job , and thousands are going to die—it can always be worse .
Because there was absolutely nothing in the conversation with Hannity that demonstrated that Trump had the slightest sense of what was really happening in the world around him , or that he was going to lift a finger to help .
It ’ s never a good sign when Trump begins a conversation with his best pal/propagandist by informing the world that he told the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party to chill for a couple of hours while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that ’ s exactly how Trump ’ s conversation began , with Trump telling Hannity that he put a scheduled call to President Xi Jinping on hold .
`` Because of you , I made it at 10:30 , '' Trump said , explaining how he had put off the call .
`` That just shows you the power ... that just shows when you have the number one rated show in television.
” Because there is never anything in the world that Trump thinks about more than television ratings .
Really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that call with Xi was supposed to be discussing the pandemic , how China brought the virus under control , and whether they might be able to provide material assistance now that the United States has taken over the # 1 spot as the world ’ s most-infected nation .
All of that went on hold .
Trump then went straight to his major theme of the evening—complaining about people wanting him to display leadership .
Which is exactly what Trump did for the next hour .
Rather than expressing his concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his support to those suffering , or condolences for those already mourning , Trump used his appearance to complain that people , governors in this case , were asking for things .
In particular , Trump was upset that governors wanted personal protective equipment for healthcare workers , and ventilators for patients .
Trump seemed to treat these requests like they were not only coming direct from his own pocket , but as if the governors were trying to trick him by … requesting lifesaving equipment as citizens died around them .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of numbers that are being sent in some areas are just bigger than they need to be , ” said Trump .
Even as the numbers in New York shot up again , with over 100 deaths in a day , three-hour waits for an ambulance , and every available space filled with suffering , Trump dismissed the idea that the whole state of New York might need large numbers of ventilators .
“ I do n't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators , ” said Trump .
“ You go into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have two ventilators .
And now all of a sudden they ’ re saying , ‘ Can we order 30,000 ventilators ?
’ ” Many hospitals have a ventilator system for every ICU room .
There are 214 hospitals in New York State .
Even 40,000 would be less than 200 each at a time when those hospitals are being swarmed by thousands of patients .
But Trump has a “ feeling ” about it , which is of course much more important than numbers or facts or dead people .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decided he had been too generous in his earlier assessment .
“ You go to hospitals who have don ’ t even have one in a hospital , ” said Trump , “ and all of a sudden everybody is asking for vast numbers.
” Greedy bastards .
Wanting all that … lifesaving equipment .
But even then Trump wasn ’ t done complaining about the request .
“ When you talk about ventilators , ” said Trump , “ it is a highly intricate piece of equipment .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , very expensive .
And they say … Gov .
Cuomo and others ... they say we want 30,000 of them .
30,000 .
Think of this.
” Yes , think of it .
A new medical ventilator costs around $ 15,000 .
If Trump gave everyone what they wanted , it could cost $ 450 million .
It ’ s not like it ’ s a real national emergency , when Donald Trump took funding from veteran ’ s housing , schools , and even hospitals to channel billions into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Defense funds just when he declared a national emergency in 2018 would be enough to buy over 1.2 million ventilators … but then no one elected Trump to save lives .
And he ’ s not .
But Trump wasn ’ t satisfied in just complaining about governors wanting things .
Not when he could also complain about governors .
Trump took multiple shots at Washington governor Jay Inslee , who was the first governor in the nation to face a coronavirus hot spot .
Despite earning widespread praise for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pence , Trump described Inslee as “ a snake.
” But at least he remembered Inslee ’ s name .
Trump ’ s other major target was also a Democratic governor in a state hit hard by COVID-19 .
“ We ’ ve had a big problem with the young ... a woman governor … you , you know who I ’ m talking about .
From Michigan , ” Trump said to Hannity .
“ We don ’ t like complaints , ” said Trump , apparently invoking a royal pronoun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitmer .
And her complaint is that Trump is hoarding material while letting her people die .
It ’ s a pretty good complaint .

Donald Trump is the captain of the Titanic. Except he’s still arguing that this is the greatest voyage ever, complaining that people want too many lifeboats, and telling everyone to get back to that fantastic dinner. So … strike up the band and take a seat. More are available all the time.
On Thursday evening, Trump called in for a chat with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, and in that conversation he demonstrated that just because the nation is in the midst of a catastrophic epidemic where normal life has been destroyed, millions have already lost their job, and thousands are going to die—it can always be worse. Because there was absolutely nothing in the conversation with Hannity that demonstrated that Trump had the slightest sense of what was really happening in the world around him, or that he was going to lift a finger to help.
It’s never a good sign when Trump begins a conversation with his best pal/propagandist by informing the world that he told the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party to chill for a couple of hours while he got out his on-air whining. But that’s exactly how Trump’s conversation began, with Trump telling Hannity that he put a scheduled call to President Xi Jinping on hold.
"Because of you, I made it at 10:30," Trump said, explaining how he had put off the call. "That just shows you the power ... that just shows when you have the number one rated show in television.” Because there is never anything in the world that Trump thinks about more than television ratings. Really. Even now. The purpose of that call with Xi was supposed to be discussing the pandemic, how China brought the virus under control, and whether they might be able to provide material assistance now that the United States has taken over the #1 spot as the world’s most-infected nation. All of that went on hold.
Trump then went straight to his major theme of the evening—complaining about people wanting him to display leadership. Which is exactly what Trump did for the next hour. Rather than expressing his concerns about the coronavirus epidemic, rather than offering his support to those suffering, or condolences for those already mourning, Trump used his appearance to complain that people, governors in this case, were asking for things. In particular, Trump was upset that governors wanted personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, and ventilators for patients. Trump seemed to treat these requests like they were not only coming direct from his own pocket, but as if the governors were trying to trick him by … requesting lifesaving equipment as citizens died around them.
“I have a feeling that a lot of numbers that are being sent in some areas are just bigger than they need to be,” said Trump. Even as the numbers in New York shot up again, with over 100 deaths in a day, three-hour waits for an ambulance, and every available space filled with suffering, Trump dismissed the idea that the whole state of New York might need large numbers of ventilators.
“I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators,” said Trump. “You go into major hospitals sometimes, and they’ll have two ventilators. And now all of a sudden they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” Many hospitals have a ventilator system for every ICU room. There are 214 hospitals in New York State. Even 40,000 would be less than 200 each at a time when those hospitals are being swarmed by thousands of patients.
But Trump has a “feeling” about it, which is of course much more important than numbers or facts or dead people. In fact, Trump returned to this point and decided he had been too generous in his earlier assessment. “You go to hospitals who have don’t even have one in a hospital,” said Trump, “and all of a sudden everybody is asking for vast numbers.” Greedy bastards. Wanting all that … lifesaving equipment.
But even then Trump wasn’t done complaining about the request. “When you talk about ventilators,” said Trump, “it is a highly intricate piece of equipment. It’s heavily computerized, and good ones are very, very expensive. And they say … Gov. Cuomo and others ... they say we want 30,000 of them. 30,000. Think of this.” Yes, think of it. A new medical ventilator costs around $15,000. If Trump gave everyone what they wanted, it could cost $450 million. It’s not like it’s a real national emergency, when Donald Trump took funding from veteran’s housing, schools, and even hospitals to channel billions into his wall.
What Trump took from unallocated Department of Defense funds just when he declared a national emergency in 2018 would be enough to buy over 1.2 million ventilators … but then no one elected Trump to save lives. And he’s not.
But Trump wasn’t satisfied in just complaining about governors wanting things. Not when he could also complain about governors. Trump took multiple shots at Washington governor Jay Inslee, who was the first governor in the nation to face a coronavirus hot spot. Despite earning widespread praise for his handling of the situation, including from Mike Pence, Trump described Inslee as “a snake.”
But at least he remembered Inslee’s name. Trump’s other major target was also a Democratic governor in a state hit hard by COVID-19. “We’ve had a big problem with the young ... a woman governor … you, you know who I’m talking about. From Michigan,” Trump said to Hannity. “We don’t like complaints,” said Trump, apparently invoking a royal pronoun.
That’s Michigan Governor Gretcher Whitmer. And her complaint is that Trump is hoarding material while letting her people die. It’s a pretty good complaint.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-19--Mike's Blog Round Up For Tuesday

Mike's Blog Round Up For Tuesday

John Pavlovitz : Besides covid-19 , the US has another endemic sickness .
Strangely Blogged : It 's natural to @ @ @ @ @ Reade .
Octoberfarm : Visual thoughts and observations on the current mess .
Blog round-up @ @ @ @ @ a post , send link to mbru [ at ] crooksandliars [ dot ] com @ @ @ @ @ !

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crooksandliars--2020-05-01--Of Course Laura Ingraham Says Masks Are A Liberal Plot

Of course Laura Ingraham is taking the low road when it comes to virus protective gear for the general public .
It ca n't just be masks in public , it has to be a sekrit librul plot to hurt Donald Trump and force a takeover from her favorite bugaboo , `` The Left . ''
Transcript from Media Matters : LAURA INGRAHAM : They 'll say this whole mask thing is `` settled science '' just like they do with climate change , of course it is not and they know it .
Our own experts have gone from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential and you have to wear them when you go jogging in just a few weeks time .
Now Rush Limbaugh made a great point as he always does on the radio the other day and he said the virus itself as it weakens and states start reopening , the media that have been selling panic , panic , panic for weeks and weeks and weeks , they have fewer images to sell their hysteria to justify continued lockdowns .
But the masks , well they 're kind of a constant reminder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you are not safe .
You are not back to normal .
Not even close .
... and still whining about Hydroxychloroquine ( proven ineffective and in some cases very harmful ) : Can Fox News get her off the air before she gets someone killed ?

Of course Laura Ingraham is taking the low road when it comes to virus protective gear for the general public.
It can't just be masks in public, it has to be a sekrit librul plot to hurt Donald Trump and force a takeover from her favorite bugaboo, "The Left." Transcript from Media Matters:
LAURA INGRAHAM: They'll say this whole mask thing is "settled science" just like they do with climate change, of course it is not and they know it. Our own experts have gone from masks aren't necessary to masks are essential and you have to wear them when you go jogging in just a few weeks time. Now Rush Limbaugh made a great point as he always does on the radio the other day and he said the virus itself as it weakens and states start reopening, the media that have been selling panic, panic, panic for weeks and weeks and weeks, they have fewer images to sell their hysteria to justify continued lockdowns. But the masks, well they're kind of a constant reminder. You see the mask and you think, you are not safe. You are not back to normal. Not even close.
PS She's also back to retweeting White Nationalists:
Fox News host Laura Ingraham retweets article from white nationalist group VDare blaming immigrant workers for coronavirus hotspots https://t.co/06FQFLj8sY — Media Matters (@mmfa) May 1, 2020
...and still whining about Hydroxychloroquine (proven ineffective and in some cases very harmful):
Laura Ingraham goes after Dr. Fauci and suggests something nefarious is going on between him and Gilead because he talked about the results of Remdesivir and not Hydroxychloroquine pic.twitter.com/1i7nIb69Gw — Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) May 1, 2020
Can Fox News get her off the air before she gets someone killed?


crooksandliars--2020-03-09--Donna Edwards: On Coronavirus, Trump Should 'Just Shut Up'

Former Congresswoman Donna Edwards opined that Donald Trump ’ s mismanagement of the coronavirus is at least partly due to the fact that he keeps blabbing misinformation .
Not one of the conservatives on the panel defended Trump .
On today ’ s Fox News Sunday , none of the panelists had anything good to say about Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis .
It ’ s not in the video below but as the transcript shows , conservative Ben Domenech opened the discussion by saying , “ There were some early glitches in terms of their handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's really on the mind of the president , though , is his broader agenda going into the 2020 election .
And .. he should n't be viewing this in the context of politics , he should be viewing it in the contest of public health .
And there , I think , needs to be a real sticking to the talking points that he has , the facts as we know them… '' Conservative Jason Riley said , “ He needs to find a way to reassure people , without being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it is going to affect the economy .
It 's going to affect the supply chains .
Businesses like certainty .
This introduces all kinds of uncertainty .
We have spring break travel coming up that 's being canceled .
Conferences are being canceled .
So he 's going to have to work through this.
” Later , Riley said Trump “ will have to find a way to reassure people , and not overpromise in terms of how quickly we are going to get past this .
I think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their job and not be out there contradicting them or second-guessing them.
” Anchor Chris Wallace asked Edwards , “ How legitimate do you think it is for Democrats to go after the president on the administration response to the coronavirus ?
” Edwards ’ response was surprisingly blunt .
Even more surprising was that nobody had a problem with her criticism nor her claim that Trump has been putting out misinformation .
EDWARDS : The information that he puts out is just inaccurate .
I mean he would actually , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public if he just shut up because I do n't think people would necessarily blame the president for something that was out of his control , but if he continues and his administration mismanages the crisis , then I think it 's a legitimate point of challenge by anyone who wants to be president saying , I 'd manage it better .
I mean we saw the impact , for example , that Hurricane Katrina and the response had with President Bush , and I do n't think this is , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president does n't do himself or the American public any good when he makes assertions that are completely contrary to the scientific evidence .
WALLACE : Ben , the president has literally tweeted this morning , prior to this conversation , that the administration is doing a great job and it 's the fake news media that 's running him down .
DOMENECH : You know , I think we can believe a couple of different things are true here .
One is , the panic is overblown .
This is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet , that people are treating it in the way that they 're approaching it in some sections of the media .
However , it 's very serious .
It should result in changes in human behavior for the time being , as we figure out how we have to adjust to live our lives this way .
… [ P ] eople should take this seriously .
But do n't freak out .
Do n't -- do n't panic .
Do n't -- do n't turn into , you know , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday mob at the -- at the Costco when you 're trying to prepare for this .
WALLACE : And on -- quoting the congresswoman , that the president , I 'll be gentler , should be quiet ?
DOMENECH : I think that the president should , as I said , stick to the talking points that he 's given .
You know , he 's not a medical professional , but he 's surrounded by them now .
There are a lot of serious people working on this .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not go off script the way that he does so often .
JUAN WILLIAMS : Yes , I think it hurts them politically .
And you can see it , there 's a public opinion -- public policy poll out that says 51 percent of Americans at the moment disapprove of the way he 's handling this .
But I agree with Congresswoman Edwards that if he said nothing , people would n't blame him .
People might be , you know -- RILEY : No , people look to the present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He needs to watch what he says , yes , but I do n't think he should stop talking about this .
The president -- EDWARDS : Well , the president is incapable of doing that .
And so I think he should really , you know , defer to the people in his administration -- RILEY : Fine , but -- but -- but he should -- EDWARDS : Who really have the capacity to make the American public comfortable in where we need to be .
Wallace ended the discussion after @ @

Former Congresswoman Donna Edwards opined that Donald Trump’s mismanagement of the coronavirus is at least partly due to the fact that he keeps blabbing misinformation. Not one of the conservatives on the panel defended Trump.
On today’s Fox News Sunday, none of the panelists had anything good to say about Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
It’s not in the video below but as the transcript shows, conservative Ben Domenech opened the discussion by saying, “There were some early glitches in terms of their handling of this. I think the thing that's really on the mind of the president, though, is his broader agenda going into the 2020 election. And .. he shouldn't be viewing this in the context of politics, he should be viewing it in the contest of public health. And there, I think, needs to be a real sticking to the talking points that he has, the facts as we know them…"
Conservative Jason Riley said, “He needs to find a way to reassure people, without being overly dismissive of the seriousness of this. And it is going to affect the economy. It's going to affect the supply chains. Businesses like certainty. This introduces all kinds of uncertainty. We have spring break travel coming up that's being canceled. Conferences are being canceled. So he's going to have to work through this.” Later, Riley said Trump “will have to find a way to reassure people, and not overpromise in terms of how quickly we are going to get past this. I think he needs to let the health professionals do their job and not be out there contradicting them or second-guessing them.”
Anchor Chris Wallace asked Edwards, “How legitimate do you think it is for Democrats to go after the president on the administration response to the coronavirus?”
Edwards’ response was surprisingly blunt. Even more surprising was that nobody had a problem with her criticism nor her claim that Trump has been putting out misinformation.
EDWARDS: The information that he puts out is just inaccurate. I mean he would actually, I think, do better in terms of the public if he just shut up because I don't think people would necessarily blame the president for something that was out of his control, but if he continues and his administration mismanages the crisis, then I think it's a legitimate point of challenge by anyone who wants to be president saying, I'd manage it better.
I mean we saw the impact, for example, that Hurricane Katrina and the response had with President Bush, and I don't think this is, you know, different in that respect. But the president doesn't do himself or the American public any good when he makes assertions that are completely contrary to the scientific evidence.
WALLACE: Ben, the president has literally tweeted this morning, prior to this conversation, that the administration is doing a great job and it's the fake news media that's running him down.
DOMENECH: You know, I think we can believe a couple of different things are true here. One is, the panic is overblown. This is not the kind of public health crisis, yet, that people are treating it in the way that they're approaching it in some sections of the media.
However, it's very serious. It should result in changes in human behavior for the time being, as we figure out how we have to adjust to live our lives this way.
… [P]eople should take this seriously. But don't freak out. Don't -- don't panic. Don't -- don't turn into, you know, a -- a, you know, Black Friday mob at the -- at the Costco when you're trying to prepare for this.
WALLACE: And on -- quoting the congresswoman, that the president, I'll be gentler, should be quiet?
DOMENECH: I think that the president should, as I said, stick to the talking points that he's given. You know, he's not a medical professional, but he's surrounded by them now. There are a lot of serious people working on this. I think he should just stick to those points and not go off script the way that he does so often.
JUAN WILLIAMS: Yes, I think it hurts them politically. And you can see it, there's a public opinion -- public policy poll out that says 51 percent of Americans at the moment disapprove of the way he's handling this. But I agree with Congresswoman Edwards that if he said nothing, people wouldn't blame him. People might be, you know --
RILEY: No, people look to the present for leadership on things like this. He needs to watch what he says, yes, but I don't think he should stop talking about this. The president --
EDWARDS: Well, the president is incapable of doing that. And so I think he should really, you know, defer to the people in his administration --
RILEY: Fine, but -- but -- but he should --
EDWARDS: Who really have the capacity to make the American public comfortable in where we need to be.
Wallace ended the discussion after that.
Republished with permission from Newshounds


crooksandliars--2020-03-10--'Don't Waste Your Vodka': Hand Sanitizing In The Age Of COVID-19

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
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It ’ s tempting , especially now , to buy one of the many hand sanitizers whose label says it “ kills 99.99 % of illness causing germs.
” But that does not mean the product will protect you against the novel coronavirus .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends rubbing on hand sanitizers with at least 60 % alcohol when you aren ’ t able to wash your hands .
Huge pumps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store shelves .
But “ alcohol-free ” products — which are not recommended by the CDC — are also getting snatched up in the consumer frenzy .
Some of the hand sanitizers made by the brands Purell and Germ-X rely on benzalkonium chloride instead of alcohol as the active ingredient .
Such non-alcohol antiseptic products may not work as well for many types of germs , the CDC says , or may merely reduce the growth of germs rather than killing them .
They may be better than nothing , experts say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference .
Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers Are Selling Out , Despite Not Being Recommended by the CDC These alcohol-free products are selling out , with internet price-gouging in full swing .
At times , it can be hard to tell , by looking at the listings , that they ’ re different from the kind the CDC recommends .
Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes have jumped in price on Amazon.com from $ 11.88 in January to $ 79.99 on Wednesday afternoon before jumping to $ 199.99 on Wednesday night , according to the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
The front of the package doesn ’ t mention that it ’ s alcohol-free ; the back includes small print that lists benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient and the label “ alcohol-free formula.
” Nowhere on the Amazon product listing does it say it ’ s alcohol-free .
Germ-X Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer is also sold out on Amazon , with prices surging from $ 10 in mid-January to $ 49.95 last Friday , according to Keepa.com .
On eBay , 6 fluid ounces of Purell ’ s alcohol-free sanitizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cup — had a $ 55 price tag on Thursday night .
Amazon officials have said they are monitoring listings for price gouging , blocking or removing those they suspect of it .
Ebay announced Friday that it was banning listings for hand sanitizers , masks and disinfecting wipes , and that it will “ quickly remove ” listings other than books that mention coronavirus or COVID-19 , the disease it causes .
If you type in “ coronavirus hand sanitizer ” on Amazon , the results include hand sanitizers made by different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amazon had not responded to questions about alcohol-free hand sanitizers by the time of publication .
Customers seem to be confused .
One gave Purell ’ s alcohol-free , benzalkonium chloride-based hand wipes five stars , writing : “ Honestly these wipes were a life saver .
Due to the corona virus and me traveling to Vietnam , I bought a pack… I used these on flights , utensils before eating and seats before sitting .
It gave me [ a feeling ] of safety ... ” Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers Are Better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Washing Your Hands .
At a time when all hand sanitizers are in short supply , the benzalkonium chloride products are better than nothing , said Emily Landon , an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Chicago Medicine .
She said the CDC recommendation for hand sanitizers is based on the fact that 60 % alcohol kills “ all of the coronaviruses we know about.
” A sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient is “ not as good , ” because we don ’ t know as much about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician , mother and infection-control expert , she called alcohol-based products her “ first choice ” for hand sanitizers .
Labels for the Purell and Germ-X alcohol-free hand sanitizing products that contain benzalkonium chloride are vague about which germs they work against .
ProPublica asked Kelly Ward-Smith , the spokeswoman for Gojo Industries , the company that invented Purell , what the product labels mean when they say they kill “ 99 % of most illness causing germs.
” She declined to answer , saying in an email that because this article is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any answer to violate its rules .
The company , which also sells hand sanitizers that contain alcohol , does not appear to be marketing any of them for protection against COVID-19 .
ProPublica reached out for comment to Vi-Jon , the company that makes Germ-X , but did not get a response .
They also sell alcohol-based products and also don ’ t appear to be marketing any of their hand sanitizers for use against the novel coronavirus .
The shortage of hand sanitizers has led consumers to take extreme measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aloe vera gel .
Landon said the “ homemade Pinterest recipes ” she ’ s seen are no good , as people are using whiskey or vodka that doesn ’ t contain enough alcohol to be effective .
The World Health Organization ’ s guidelines for making hand sanitizers require 96 % ethyl alcohol .
Taking its consumer mission to heart , Tito ’ s Handmade Vodka tweeted a warning to its customers on Thursday that its product didn ’ t contain enough alcohol to sanitize effectively : “ Per the CDC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % alcohol .
Tito ’ s Handmade Vodka is 40 % alcohol .
”

ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.
It’s tempting, especially now, to buy one of the many hand sanitizers whose label says it “kills 99.99% of illness causing germs.” But that does not mean the product will protect you against the novel coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends rubbing on hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol when you aren’t able to wash your hands. Huge pumps and multipacks of bottles are flying off store shelves. But “alcohol-free” products — which are not recommended by the CDC — are also getting snatched up in the consumer frenzy.
Get Our Top Investigations Subscribe to the Big Story newsletter.
Some of the hand sanitizers made by the brands Purell and Germ-X rely on benzalkonium chloride instead of alcohol as the active ingredient. Such non-alcohol antiseptic products may not work as well for many types of germs, the CDC says, or may merely reduce the growth of germs rather than killing them. They may be better than nothing, experts say. But people are buying them without knowing the difference.
Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers Are Selling Out, Despite Not Being Recommended by the CDC
These alcohol-free products are selling out, with internet price-gouging in full swing. At times, it can be hard to tell, by looking at the listings, that they’re different from the kind the CDC recommends.
Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes have jumped in price on Amazon.com from $11.88 in January to $79.99 on Wednesday afternoon before jumping to $199.99 on Wednesday night, according to the price tracker Keepa.com. They are currently sold out.
Keepa.com
The front of the package doesn’t mention that it’s alcohol-free; the back includes small print that lists benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient and the label “alcohol-free formula.” Nowhere on the Amazon product listing does it say it’s alcohol-free.
Germ-X Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer is also sold out on Amazon, with prices surging from $10 in mid-January to $49.95 last Friday, according to Keepa.com.
Keepa.com
On eBay, 6 fluid ounces of Purell’s alcohol-free sanitizer — the equivalent of three-quarters of a cup — had a $55 price tag on Thursday night.
Amazon officials have said they are monitoring listings for price gouging, blocking or removing those they suspect of it. Ebay announced Friday that it was banning listings for hand sanitizers, masks and disinfecting wipes, and that it will “quickly remove” listings other than books that mention coronavirus or COVID-19, the disease it causes.
If you type in “coronavirus hand sanitizer” on Amazon, the results include hand sanitizers made by different companies that don’t contain alcohol. Amazon had not responded to questions about alcohol-free hand sanitizers by the time of publication.
Customers seem to be confused. One gave Purell’s alcohol-free, benzalkonium chloride-based hand wipes five stars, writing: “Honestly these wipes were a life saver. Due to the corona virus and me traveling to Vietnam, I bought a pack… I used these on flights, utensils before eating and seats before sitting. It gave me [a feeling] of safety...”
Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers Are Better Than Nothing. None Are as Good as Washing Your Hands.
Top: Hand sanitizers were out of stock Thursday night at a CVS Pharmacy in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. (Marshall Allen/ProPublica) Bottom: Hand sanitizer is sold out in a drugstore in London. (Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images)
At a time when all hand sanitizers are in short supply, the benzalkonium chloride products are better than nothing, said Emily Landon, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Chicago Medicine. She said the CDC recommendation for hand sanitizers is based on the fact that 60% alcohol kills “all of the coronaviruses we know about.” A sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient is “not as good,” because we don’t know as much about it, she said. As a physician, mother and infection-control expert, she called alcohol-based products her “first choice” for hand sanitizers.
Labels for the Purell and Germ-X alcohol-free hand sanitizing products that contain benzalkonium chloride are vague about which germs they work against.
ProPublica asked Kelly Ward-Smith, the spokeswoman for Gojo Industries, the company that invented Purell, what the product labels mean when they say they kill “99% of most illness causing germs.” She declined to answer, saying in an email that because this article is about coronavirus, the FDA could interpret any answer to violate its rules. The company, which also sells hand sanitizers that contain alcohol, does not appear to be marketing any of them for protection against COVID-19.
ProPublica reached out for comment to Vi-Jon, the company that makes Germ-X, but did not get a response. They also sell alcohol-based products and also don’t appear to be marketing any of their hand sanitizers for use against the novel coronavirus.
Don’t Waste Your Vodka
The shortage of hand sanitizers has led consumers to take extreme measures, brewing their own elixirs of alcohol and aloe vera gel. Landon said the “homemade Pinterest recipes” she’s seen are no good, as people are using whiskey or vodka that doesn’t contain enough alcohol to be effective. The World Health Organization’s guidelines for making hand sanitizers require 96% ethyl alcohol.
Read More Medicare Keeps Spending More on COVID-19 Testing. Fraud and Overspending Are Partly Why. Medicare’s COVID-19 testing costs reached over $2 billion in 2022. The growing costs concern some experts, who say financial incentives and a lack of regulation early in the pandemic led to fraud and overspending.
Taking its consumer mission to heart, Tito’s Handmade Vodka tweeted a warning to its customers on Thursday that its product didn’t contain enough alcohol to sanitize effectively: “Per the CDC, hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60% alcohol. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is 40% alcohol.”
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crooksandliars--2020-03-10--WATCH Trish Regan's Insane Rant: Dems Using Coronavirus To Destroy Trump

Always nice to see the fair and balanced ( and not completely deranged ) hosts of Fox News , or in this case , Fox Business News , working on behalf of Dear Leader .
Trish Regan 's monologue was called the `` coronavirus impeachment scam . ''
I suppose none of which should be in any way surprising , as Fox News and its bizarre offspring , Fox Business News , exist to prop up this failed and inept president , even at the expense of public health and safety .
Fox Business host Trish Regan said criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak was another attempt to impeach him on Monday night .
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States rose , the Trish Regan Primetime anchor told viewers that attacks on the president 's reaction to the spread of the new coronavirus were `` impeachment all over again , '' and accused the `` liberal media '' of trying to destroy President Trump over the issue .
She also took aim at stock market investors , claiming that some of them were allowing their `` hate '' for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' as markets tumbled .
Delivering a monologue headlined `` coronavirus impeachment scam , '' Regan said : `` The chorus of hate being leveled at the president is nearing a crescendo as Democrats blame him , and only him , for a virus that originated halfway around the world .
`` Whether it be their need to create mass hysteria to encourage a market sell-off unlike anything we 've seen recently , or whether it be to create mass hysteria to stop our economy dead in its tracks , they told us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way to get rid of Donald Trump . ''
Regan went on to question why the COVID-19 outbreak had created `` melodrama on such an agitated scale , '' coupled with a fierce market reaction .

Always nice to see the fair and balanced (and not completely deranged) hosts of Fox News, or in this case, Fox Business News, working on behalf of Dear Leader. Trish Regan's monologue was called the "coronavirus impeachment scam." I suppose none of which should be in any way surprising, as Fox News and its bizarre offspring, Fox Business News, exist to prop up this failed and inept president, even at the expense of public health and safety.
Source: Newsweek
Fox Business host Trish Regan said criticism of President Donald Trump's response to the COVID-19 outbreak was another attempt to impeach him on Monday night.
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States rose, the Trish Regan Primetime anchor told viewers that attacks on the president's reaction to the spread of the new coronavirus were "impeachment all over again," and accused the "liberal media" of trying to destroy President Trump over the issue.
She also took aim at stock market investors, claiming that some of them were allowing their "hate" for the commander-in-chief to "spiral out of control" as markets tumbled.
Delivering a monologue headlined "coronavirus impeachment scam," Regan said: "The chorus of hate being leveled at the president is nearing a crescendo as Democrats blame him, and only him, for a virus that originated halfway around the world.
"Whether it be their need to create mass hysteria to encourage a market sell-off unlike anything we've seen recently, or whether it be to create mass hysteria to stop our economy dead in its tracks, they told us how much they crave a recession as a way to get rid of Donald Trump."
Regan went on to question why the COVID-19 outbreak had created "melodrama on such an agitated scale," coupled with a fierce market reaction.


crooksandliars--2020-03-10--Rep. Matt Gaetz Goes Into Self-Quarantine After Being Exposed To The Coronavirus

Last Wednesday , Rep Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) wore a gas mask on the floor of the House to ridicule funding efforts to combat the coronavirus .
On Friday , one of his constituents died from the virus .
And today it was learned that he may have contracted the virus himself with exposure at CPAC .
And for good measure , Gaetz flew with Trump on Air Force One today , possibly ( hopefully ) exposing Trump to the virus .
As they say , it 's been a heck of a week for Matt Gaetz .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Donald Trump in recent days have self-quarantined over concerns that they were also in contact in the same period with a known carrier of the coronavirus .
Republicans Matt Gaetz of Florida and Doug Collins of Georgia announced on Monday that they had begun two weeks of self-imposed isolation , as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) for anyone who has come into contact with the virus .
Both congressmen said they were asymptomatic .
Gaetz flew with Trump on Air Force One from Orlando @ @ @ @ @ @ @ en route that he had come into contact with a virus carrier at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) in Maryland last month .

Last Wednesday, Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) wore a gas mask on the floor of the House to ridicule funding efforts to combat the coronavirus. On Friday, one of his constituents died from the virus. And today it was learned that he may have contracted the virus himself with exposure at CPAC. And for good measure, Gaetz flew with Trump on Air Force One today, possibly (hopefully) exposing Trump to the virus.
As they say, it's been a heck of a week for Matt Gaetz.
Source: The Guardian
Two Republican congressmen who were in close contact with Donald Trump in recent days have self-quarantined over concerns that they were also in contact in the same period with a known carrier of the coronavirus. Republicans Matt Gaetz of Florida and Doug Collins of Georgia announced on Monday that they had begun two weeks of self-imposed isolation, as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for anyone who has come into contact with the virus. Both congressmen said they were asymptomatic. Gaetz flew with Trump on Air Force One from Orlando to Washington on Monday and was informed en route that he had come into contact with a virus carrier at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland last month.
Congressman Gaetz was informed today that he came into contact with a CPAC attendee 11 days ago who tested positive for COVID-19. — Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 9, 2020