crooksandliars--2020-03-27--White Nationalist Planned To Bomb Missouri Hospital To Revolt Against COVID Lockdowns

Given the intensity of the conspiracy theories on the radical right that have arisen around the coronavirus pandemic—particularly the number of rightists claiming that government lockdown orders are an initial step in the imposition of a tyrannical order—it was only a matter of time before the U.S. experienced its first coronavirus-related act of domestic terrorism .
On Tuesday , a Missouri man named Timothy Wilson made preparations to set off a car bomb at a local hospital in suburban Belton , which was intended as a revolt against the stay-at-home order issued by Belton ’ s mayor , but his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid .
When he apparently resisted with a weapon , he ended up being shot and killed .
Wilson had been the subject of an ongoing domestic terrorism investigation since September , according to an FBI statement .
“ Wilson was actively planning to commit an act of domestic terrorism—a bombing—and over the course of several months had considered several targets , ” it read .
A number of far-right extremists have claimed that the pandemic is secretly a cover for the imposition of a totalitarian “ globalist ” government .
Wilson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms , decided to enact a plan he had already concocted for creating a car bomb and use it on a hospital in Belton , the FBI said .
“ Wilson considered various targets and ultimately settled on an area hospital in an attempt to harm many people , targeting a facility that is providing critical medical care in today ’ s environment , ” the statement read .
“ Wilson had taken the necessary steps to acquire materials needed to build an explosive device.
” There was no actual bomb .
Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his own vehicle , believing the person there had constructed a device for him .
It 's unclear whether Wilson was shot by FBI agents as they moved in to arrest him , or whether he shot himself .
The FBI ’ s interest in Wilson apparently originated with his heavy involvement in some of the same neo-Nazi factions that have produced a string of arrests in recent months .
Nick Martin at The Informant reports that Wilson “ was an admirer of the 1980s terrorist group The Order and had ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Martin ’ s sources identified Wilson as the Telegram user “ Werwolfe 84 , ” which enabled Martin and Elon University computer science professor Megan Squire to determine Wilson ’ s involvement in two public Telegram channels for neo-Nazi groups : one for the National Socialist Movement ( NSM ) and one for the violence-oriented Vorherrschaft Division ( VSD ) .
According to Martin , Wilson was an administrator of the NSM ’ s public Telegram chat , active there as recently as Tuesday afternoon , just prior to the FBI raid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic was a government ploy , an “ excuse to destroy our people.
” “ Mark my words it ’ s [ sic ] coming I hope people are ready , ” he wrote .
He had also used anti-Semitic language the day prior in a comment on the coronavirus outbreak .
“ If you don ’ t think this whole thing was engineered by Jews as a power grab here is more proof of their plans , ” Wilson wrote .
“ Jews have been playing the long game we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Martin observed that Wilson was apparently an admirer of the Northwest-based neo-Nazi gang The Order , which in 1983-84 had engaged in a running series of bank and armored car robberies and several murders , including a Denver radio talk show host .
Wilson made frequent references to Robert Mathews , the leader of The Order , who perished in a shootout with FBI agents in December 1984 , calling him “ Uncle Bob.
” A January post on the VSD channel by Wilson featured images of members of The Order with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On Sunday , Martin reported , Wilson posted a photo of Mathews .
“ Don ’ t be the cuck that gives up without a fight , ” Wilson wrote .
“ Make uncle bob proud.
” Even before the pandemic erupted , the FBI had identified white nationalist extremism as the most lethal terrorist threat facing Americans , with good cause .
Of particular concern is the recent trend among the radicalized fascists to advocate for a civil war—or , in their lingo , the coming “ Boogaloo ” —by committing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also discussed weaponizing the coronavirus itself .
Some of them , apparently , are not content to wait for the infection to arrive before acting .

Given the intensity of the conspiracy theories on the radical right that have arisen around the coronavirus pandemic—particularly the number of rightists claiming that government lockdown orders are an initial step in the imposition of a tyrannical order—it was only a matter of time before the U.S. experienced its first coronavirus-related act of domestic terrorism.
On Tuesday, a Missouri man named Timothy Wilson made preparations to set off a car bomb at a local hospital in suburban Belton, which was intended as a revolt against the stay-at-home order issued by Belton’s mayor, but his plan was cut short by an FBI raid. When he apparently resisted with a weapon, he ended up being shot and killed.
Wilson had been the subject of an ongoing domestic terrorism investigation since September, according to an FBI statement. “Wilson was actively planning to commit an act of domestic terrorism—a bombing—and over the course of several months had considered several targets,” it read.
A number of far-right extremists have claimed that the pandemic is secretly a cover for the imposition of a totalitarian “globalist” government. Wilson, who was a participant in neo-Nazi chat rooms, decided to enact a plan he had already concocted for creating a car bomb and use it on a hospital in Belton, the FBI said.
“Wilson considered various targets and ultimately settled on an area hospital in an attempt to harm many people, targeting a facility that is providing critical medical care in today’s environment,” the statement read. “Wilson had taken the necessary steps to acquire materials needed to build an explosive device.”
There was no actual bomb. Wilson had arrived at a residence in Belton with his own vehicle, believing the person there had constructed a device for him. It's unclear whether Wilson was shot by FBI agents as they moved in to arrest him, or whether he shot himself.
The FBI’s interest in Wilson apparently originated with his heavy involvement in some of the same neo-Nazi factions that have produced a string of arrests in recent months. Nick Martin at The Informant reports that Wilson “was an admirer of the 1980s terrorist group The Order and had ties to two active neo-Nazi organizations.”
One of Martin’s sources identified Wilson as the Telegram user “Werwolfe 84,” which enabled Martin and Elon University computer science professor Megan Squire to determine Wilson’s involvement in two public Telegram channels for neo-Nazi groups: one for the National Socialist Movement (NSM) and one for the violence-oriented Vorherrschaft Division (VSD).
According to Martin, Wilson was an administrator of the NSM’s public Telegram chat, active there as recently as Tuesday afternoon, just prior to the FBI raid. He posted his view that the coronavirus pandemic was a government ploy, an “excuse to destroy our people.”
“Mark my words it’s [sic] coming I hope people are ready,” he wrote.
He had also used anti-Semitic language the day prior in a comment on the coronavirus outbreak.
“If you don’t think this whole thing was engineered by Jews as a power grab here is more proof of their plans,” Wilson wrote. “Jews have been playing the long game we are the only ones standing in their way.”
Martin observed that Wilson was apparently an admirer of the Northwest-based neo-Nazi gang The Order, which in 1983-84 had engaged in a running series of bank and armored car robberies and several murders, including a Denver radio talk show host. Wilson made frequent references to Robert Mathews, the leader of The Order, who perished in a shootout with FBI agents in December 1984, calling him “Uncle Bob.”
A January post on the VSD channel by Wilson featured images of members of The Order with the caption: “Remember our heroes.” On Sunday, Martin reported, Wilson posted a photo of Mathews.
“Don’t be the cuck that gives up without a fight,” Wilson wrote. “Make uncle bob proud.”
Even before the pandemic erupted, the FBI had identified white nationalist extremism as the most lethal terrorist threat facing Americans, with good cause. Of particular concern is the recent trend among the radicalized fascists to advocate for a civil war—or, in their lingo, the coming “Boogaloo”—by committing acts of terrorism.
The same faction has also discussed weaponizing the coronavirus itself. Some of them, apparently, are not content to wait for the infection to arrive before acting.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--What Happened To Trump's Big Ventilator Deal? Depends On Who You Ask

According to this story in the New York Times this morning , there are several contradictory reports about why the administration suddenly halted plans to have GM retool a plant to produce as many as 80,000 ventilators .
Some sources told the Times FEMA needed more time to see whether the billion-dollar cost was prohibitive .
( It was a lot less than the tax breaks they just gave to real estate developers , by the way . )
They also claim an initial promise that the joint venture between GM and Ventec Life Systems could quickly turn out 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GM says the only thing missing was `` clarity from the government about how many ventilators they needed — and who would be paid to build them . ''
At the center of the discussion about how to ramp up the production of ventilators is Jared Kushner , the president ’ s son-in-law and a senior White House aide , who has told people that he was called in two weeks ago by Vice President Mike Pence to produce more coronavirus test kits and who has now turned his attention to ventilators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the effort .
Two officials said the suggestion to wait on the General Motors offer came from Col. Patrick Work , who is working at FEMA .
Some government officials expressed concern about the possibility of ordering too many ventilators , leaving them with an expensive surplus .
A spokeswoman for FEMA said Colonel Work presented information on each contract in such meetings but did not make any recommendations .
A White House spokesman declined to comment .
In other words , FUBAR .
While people are dying .
And Jared is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified by the trademark shifting of blame .
Way to go , guys !

According to this story in the New York Times this morning, there are several contradictory reports about why the administration suddenly halted plans to have GM retool a plant to produce as many as 80,000 ventilators.
Some sources told the Times FEMA needed more time to see whether the billion-dollar cost was prohibitive. (It was a lot less than the tax breaks they just gave to real estate developers, by the way.)
They also claim an initial promise that the joint venture between GM and Ventec Life Systems could quickly turn out 20,000 ventilators had shrunk to 7,500.
But GM says the only thing missing was "clarity from the government about how many ventilators they needed — and who would be paid to build them."
At the center of the discussion about how to ramp up the production of ventilators is Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and a senior White House aide, who has told people that he was called in two weeks ago by Vice President Mike Pence to produce more coronavirus test kits and who has now turned his attention to ventilators. He has been directing officials at FEMA in the effort. Two officials said the suggestion to wait on the General Motors offer came from Col. Patrick Work, who is working at FEMA. Some government officials expressed concern about the possibility of ordering too many ventilators, leaving them with an expensive surplus. A spokeswoman for FEMA said Colonel Work presented information on each contract in such meetings but did not make any recommendations. A White House spokesman declined to comment.
In other words, FUBAR. While people are dying. And Jared is adding his own special touch, easily identified by the trademark shifting of blame. Way to go, guys!


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--Friday News Dump: Bob Dylan Releases New Song About JFK, And Other News

Of course the news is all coronavirus all the time , but here 's something no one expected : A brilliant new Dylan song , about the assassination of John F. Kennedy : As a former health insurance exec , I don ’ t think any story better illustrates my old industry ’ s racket than the one I ’ m about to tell you : Right now , as we enter the worst public health crisis of our lifetimes ( # COVID19 ) , health insurers are still raking in record profits .
( 1/11 ) Solid point .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest companies , who already scarfed down $ 1 trillion in tax cuts and often pay no taxes at all , including some who moved their headquarters overseas to avoid taxes and minimum wage rules , get a sweeter bailout than small businesses ?
https : //t.co/HMHE3dFrHd In Albany , GA , the hospital is so overrun with sick and dying , nurses had been told to keep working even if they tested positive themselves , and the administration turned to the underground market to try to find essential supplies .
https : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are taking steps to “ open up ” the country .
If people did , the reason will be because of the number one risk factor : age ?
No .
Pre-existing illness ?
No .
Number one risk factor right now is no access to an ICU bed or ventilator .
/17 People are dead and dying because the response to COVID19 was bungled by @ realDonaldTrump who dismantled the pandemic response team .
He is killing people by negligence and neglect .
He ’ s killing them with tweets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses who are fighting the coronavirus epidemic—with little protective gear and at great risk to themselves—are being booted from their homes by property owners who fear they may bring the virus home with them https : //t.co/91cuZ2lhOT DEPT .
OF 'WE CAN BE HEROES' This is the face of someone who just spent 9 hours in personal protective equipment moving critically ill Covid19 patients around London .
I feel broken - and we are only at the start .
I am begging people , please please do social distancing and self isolation # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LakeridgeHealth is a great way to start the day .
We were happy to donate the masks and we can ’ t thank you enough for all that you ’ re doing .
Together , we will # PowerON .
❤ pic.twitter.com/QwSrLNZu7s Don ’ t forget to pray for the heroes who run toward humans suffering from # coronavirus Thank you to ALL medical professionals who are saving lives while endangering their own .
# CaronavirusPandemic # heroes # FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/cdLertEr10 Harsh language , but please listen to the heart and the tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to tell us all .
Our nurses , doctors , first responders are heroes , but they are overwhelmed in many places now .
Let ’ s don ’ t make their jobs harder .
pic.twitter.com/Exb1qwEpYT Taking 4,000 N95 masks to hospitals in DC area !
We ordered these previously for @ WCKitchen work feeding the cruise ships ... .Our government must make sure all healthcare workers have the PPE they need !
In meantime , we will help however we can ... .
# ChefsForAmerica # PPENow pic.twitter.com/HhNX1k9MoK # VIDEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing unsung # heroes , the bin men !
Where would we be without you all ? ''
To all our key workers in # Liverpool Streetscene Services , # ThankYou !
@ sharonconnor28 @ MikeBrown_LSSL # COVID2019 # COVID19 # coronavirus pic.twitter.com/ZNVECURgZZ All of the doctors and nurses I know are so scared right now .
I think it ’ s important for ppl to understand that .
They are heroes , and they are also people scared for their lives bc they don ’ t have the equipment they need .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them , we have to protect them .
Cuban doctors arriving into Italy to support the fight against Covid-19 .
Throughout most pandemics of the 21st century Cuban doctors have been at the forefront of the medical response , no matter what the country .
pic.twitter.com/DxiVLWMeIT Let ’ s never , ever forget who the real heroes of this country are .
It ’ s not bankers or multimillionaires , it ’ s the porters , cleaners , nurses , carers .
These are the people who are getting a nation through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re at our most vulnerable .
# clapforourcarers 💙 pic.twitter.com/5DqzTLjRAN Nurses have been the pillar of strength supporting doctors and working tirelessly to keep the patients safe .
Every day they carry on with their duties round the clock without thinking of themselves .
I thank them for their selfless service to the nation .
# Heroes # ClapForOurCarers pic.twitter.com/kg8D2qWUmC Dedicating this artwork to our real heroes — frontliners , health workers , nurses , doctors , security guards , researchers , and local workers who have selflessly served their countries during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we thank you .
🙏🏼❤ pic.twitter.com/YZBZXRrVyS Remember to thank the heroes who are serving so selflessly right now - from doctors & nurses to grocery store staff and delivery people .
I play an action hero in the movies - they are the real action heroes .
pic.twitter.com/GkXpdLOrJs # Iranian nurses working so hard , they 're not even getting time to sleep - Absolute heroes ; may Allah bless them !
The good people of the world will make it through these trying times Inshallah # IranFightsCorona # coronavirus # COVID2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do n't add to their heartbreaking workloads if you do n't have to .
Have a good weekend !

All of the doctors and nurses I know are so scared right now. I think it’s important for ppl to understand that. They are heroes, and they are also people scared for their lives bc they don’t have the equipment they need. It’s not enough to clap for them, we have to protect them.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) March 27, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--Trump 'Doesn't Believe' We Don't Need So Many Ventilators

Donald Trump is a failed president , but you knew that .
And the outrage prompted by his statement to Hannity last night at least proves we 're not all imagining the cruel and stupid things he 's saying .
DONALD TRUMP : I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said for some areas are just bigger than they 're going to be .
I do n't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators .
You know , at a major hospital sometimes they 'll have two ventilators .
All of a sudden they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators ? '
'' `` Look , it 's a very bad situation .
We have n't seen anything like it .
But the end result is we got ta get back to work and I think we can start by opening up certain parts of the country .
Media Matters did n't have to think hard about where Donald got his intel : And about those ventilators .
Newsweek reports : Because of a shortage of ventilators , states like New York are exploring new technology that would give healthcare workers the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
However , COVID-19 patients can be on ventilators for up to 30 days–10 times the average length for a non-COVID-19 patient–meaning ventilators ca n't be turned around as quickly as normal .
It 's okay though because STABLE GENIUS is on it !
Related : Fox and Friends providing cover for Trump , of course .

Donald Trump is a failed president, but you knew that.
And the outrage prompted by his statement to Hannity last night at least proves we're not all imagining the cruel and stupid things he's saying.
DONALD TRUMP: I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said for some areas are just bigger than they're going to be. I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, at a major hospital sometimes they'll have two ventilators. All of a sudden they're saying, 'Can we order 30,000 ventilators?'" "Look, it's a very bad situation. We haven't seen anything like it. But the end result is we gotta get back to work and I think we can start by opening up certain parts of the country.
Media Matters didn't have to think hard about where Donald got his intel:
If you're wondering where Trump got that whole 'New York doesn't need 30,000 ventilators' thing, this aired on Fox News shorty before Trump called into Hannity's show. https://t.co/BM9sdVNSC2 — Media Matters (@mmfa) March 27, 2020
And about those ventilators. Newsweek reports:
Because of a shortage of ventilators, states like New York are exploring new technology that would give healthcare workers the option of using one ventilator for two patients. However, COVID-19 patients can be on ventilators for up to 30 days–10 times the average length for a non-COVID-19 patient–meaning ventilators can't be turned around as quickly as normal.
It's okay though because STABLE GENIUS is on it!
Yesterday POTUS insisted there were enough ventilators. Today, he's rage tweeting at General Motors to make them. But GM doesn't even own the Lordstown plant. He's completely lost his marbles #MAGA! #KAG!#CoronaLockdown#FridayThoughts#FridayMotivation#FridayFeeling
invoke p pic.twitter.com/RVIbPunSfN — RogueTrumpLeaks (@rogueTrumpleaks) March 27, 2020
Thousand of Federal Government (delivered) Ventilators found in New York storage. N.Y. must distribute NOW! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
Related: Fox and Friends providing cover for Trump, of course.


crooksandliars--2020-04-16--Michigan Health Care Worker Blasts 'Idiots' Protesting Stay-home Order

Yesterday 's shitshow in Lansing , Michigan , dubbed 'Operation Gridlock ' succeeded so well they stopped ambulances from getting into hospitals .
One hospital worker , himself stuck in traffic , blasted the protesters and took to Facebook to vent his displeasure .
Saying `` What if it was your mother in that ambulance ?
What if it was your father ?
Y'all a bunch of damn idiots ! ''
And on that , we can all agree .
Hundreds of opponents of Michigan ’ s social distancing measures rallied in their cars in the state capital on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital entrance in a protest against an executive order intended to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state .
“ The cars were blocking one of our hospitals , so an ambulance literally wasn ’ t able to get into the bay for ten minutes , ” said Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , whose statewide stay-at-home order provoked the ire of many right-wingers and Trump supporters .
The order banned residents from traveling to second homes , closed non-essential businesses , and limited outdoor activities in a bid to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the kind of behavior that extends the needs for stay-at-home orders , ” Whitmer said in a television interview Wednesday .
“ The worst thing that could have happened today .
”

Yesterday's shitshow in Lansing, Michigan, dubbed 'Operation Gridlock' succeeded so well they stopped ambulances from getting into hospitals. One hospital worker, himself stuck in traffic, blasted the protesters and took to Facebook to vent his displeasure. Saying "What if it was your mother in that ambulance? What if it was your father? Y'all a bunch of damn idiots!"
And on that, we can all agree.
Source: The Daily Beast


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--Hey, Donald Trump: Her Name Is Gretchen Whitmer

With no sports to write about , Mitch Albom turned his sights on the hateful and misogynistic comments made by Trump towards Michigan 's Governor , Gretchen Whitmer .
Whitmer , a Democrat whose vocal criticisms of the Trump response and lack of resources , has become a target for Trump 's pettiness in recent days .
Trump has repeatedly referred to Whitmer in press conferences as `` the young woman '' , `` a woman governor '' , `` the woman '' , rather than use her real name .
First of all , she has a name .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman ” or “ all she does is sit there ” or “ you know who I ’ m talking about ” — all phrases President Donald Trump has used besides saying the actual name of the person Michigan voters elected to govern us .
It ’ s “ Gretchen Whitmer.
” Show some respect .
At a time when Americans must adjust to a world without hugs , kisses or handshakes , the least a president of the United States can do is call our governor by her name .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gretchen Whitmer hasn ’ t done anything that every Michigander doesn ’ t want her to do — ask the federal government for masks , ventilators , test kits and other aid to fight the COVID-19 virus that is infecting and killing us .
She ’ s not speaking for herself .
She ’ s speaking for the people .
Albom 's 1700-word column ended with Albom telling Trump to stop acting like a child .
Yes , we are going to get through this and yes , we are going to beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , as Michiganders , as Americans .
We will innovate , adjust , endure and prevail .
While we ’ re doing that , we don ’ t need presidential name-calling .
We don ’ t need disrespect .
We don ’ t need the most powerful person in the nation , whom we helped elect to his job , refusing to return our governor ’ s calls and acting like a pouting child waiting to be asked nicely before he shares his toys .
Now is not the time to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the time to put away childish things .
To be a man .
You can begin by respecting a woman .
Her name is Gretchen Whitmer .
She is our governor .
And like her or not , she represents us to you .
She counts .
We count .
Please , at least act like you understand that .
Trump responded as one would expect from him , like an asshole .

With no sports to write about, Mitch Albom turned his sights on the hateful and misogynistic comments made by Trump towards Michigan's Governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer, a Democrat whose vocal criticisms of the Trump response and lack of resources, has become a target for Trump's pettiness in recent days. Trump has repeatedly referred to Whitmer in press conferences as "the young woman", "a woman governor", "the woman", rather than use her real name.
Source: Detroit Free Press
First of all, she has a name. Gretchen Whitmer. She is not “the woman” or “all she does is sit there” or “you know who I’m talking about” — all phrases President Donald Trump has used besides saying the actual name of the person Michigan voters elected to govern us. It’s “Gretchen Whitmer.” Show some respect. At a time when Americans must adjust to a world without hugs, kisses or handshakes, the least a president of the United States can do is call our governor by her name. And stop complaining about her “complaining.” Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t done anything that every Michigander doesn’t want her to do — ask the federal government for masks, ventilators, test kits and other aid to fight the COVID-19 virus that is infecting and killing us. She’s not speaking for herself. She’s speaking for the people.
Albom's 1700-word column ended with Albom telling Trump to stop acting like a child.
Yes, we are going to get through this and yes, we are going to beat this, because that is what we do, as Michiganders, as Americans. We will innovate, adjust, endure and prevail. While we’re doing that, we don’t need presidential name-calling. We don’t need disrespect. We don’t need the most powerful person in the nation, whom we helped elect to his job, refusing to return our governor’s calls and acting like a pouting child waiting to be asked nicely before he shares his toys. Now is not the time to be a child, Mr. President. Now is the time to put away childish things. To be a man. You can begin by respecting a woman. Her name is Gretchen Whitmer. She is our governor. And like her or not, she represents us to you. She counts. We count. Please, at least act like you understand that.
Hi, my name is Gretchen Whitmer, and that governor is me 👋
I've asked repeatedly and respectfully for help. We need it. No more political attacks, just PPEs, ventilators, N95 masks, test kits. You said you stand with Michigan — prove it. https://t.co/FtWlTLZdqW — Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 27, 2020
Trump responded as one would expect from him, like an asshole.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Trump Attacks Yamiche Alcindor After She Quoted Him Verbatim: 'Don’t Be Threatening'

Donald Trump uses his faux coronavirus press conferences as a way to deny , deflect and lie about what he 's previously said to Fox News hosts when he 's whining and complaining .
Trump joined Sean Hannity last week and refuted Gov .
Cuomo 's pleas for the federal government to send more ventilators ‘ I don ’ t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators ’ he told the Fox News host and Trump sycophant extraordinaire .
During Sunday 's Trump rally disguised as a press briefing , PBS 's Yamiche Alcindor asked him about his statements made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have two questions , ” she said .
“ The first is , you ’ ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting , they don ’ t need.
” Trump jumped in , “ I didn ’ t say that , ” he repeated many times She continued , “ You said it on Sean Hannity ’ s Fox News — you said that you might… ” Trump then scolded her , “ Why don ’ t you people act…why don ’ t you act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s always trying to get you , get you .
And you know what , that ’ s why nobody trusts the media anymore.
” Alcindor tried to finish her question , `` My question to you is how 's that going to impact ... '' and Trump in a nasty tone cut her off and attacked her personally .
“ Excuse me , you didn ’ t hear me and that ’ s why you used to work for Times , and now you work for somebody else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , be nice .
Don ’ t be threatening.
” She was undaunted by his bloviating , `` Mr. President , my question is how is that going to impact how you fill these orders for ventilators or masks ? ''
Trump then went on to gaslight her original question , claiming he 's producing tremendous amounts of much needed medical equipment and as he began to lie he confused ventilators with generators and never responded to the comments he made on the Hannity show .
He then whined again after he finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't really have the need they said they did , before calling her a `` fine journalist . ''
And then , he complained : `` And ask questions that are so threatening -- '' She responded , `` I was quoting you directly from interview with Sean Hannity ... '' Now quoting Trump directly equates threatening him .
What a snowflake .

Donald Trump uses his faux coronavirus press conferences as a way to deny, deflect and lie about what he's previously said to Fox News hosts when he's whining and complaining.
Trump joined Sean Hannity last week and refuted Gov. Cuomo's pleas for the federal government to send more ventilators ‘I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators’ he told the Fox News host and Trump sycophant extraordinaire.
During Sunday's Trump rally disguised as a press briefing, PBS's Yamiche Alcindor asked him about his statements made on the Hannity program.
"I have two questions,” she said. “The first is, you’ve said repeatedly that you think that some of the equipment that governors are requesting, they don’t need.”
Trump jumped in, “I didn’t say that,” he repeated many times
She continued, “You said it on Sean Hannity’s Fox News — you said that you might…”
Trump then scolded her, “Why don’t you people act…why don’t you act in a little more positive?”
“It’s always trying to get you, get you. And you know what, that’s why nobody trusts the media anymore.”
Alcindor tried to finish her question, "My question to you is how's that going to impact..." and Trump in a nasty tone cut her off and attacked her personally.
“Excuse me, you didn’t hear me and that’s why you used to work for Times, and now you work for somebody else. Look, let me tell you something, be nice. Don’t be threatening.”
She was undaunted by his bloviating, "Mr. President, my question is how is that going to impact how you fill these orders for ventilators or masks?"
Trump then went on to gaslight her original question, claiming he's producing tremendous amounts of much needed medical equipment and as he began to lie he confused ventilators with generators and never responded to the comments he made on the Hannity show.
He then whined again after he finished lying, suggesting maybe those hospitals didn't really have the need they said they did, before calling her a "fine journalist."
And then, he complained: "And ask questions that are so threatening --"
She responded, "I was quoting you directly from interview with Sean Hannity..."
Now quoting Trump directly equates threatening him. What a snowflake.


crooksandliars--2020-04-21--Right-Wing Protesters Now Getting The Tea Party Treatment — Fawning Press Coverage

Published with permission of PRESS RUN , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
Anxious for a political angle to the ongoing pandemic story and one that can produce instant conflict ( as well as compelling pictures ) , the news media are showering attention on the small groups of GOP protesters who are angry about life-saving social distancing orders issued by governors to battle the Covid-19 pandemic .
The right-wing , Fox News-fueled street actions come as polling confirms an overwhelming majority of Americans support the stay at home orders , designed to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even when restrictions are lifted , most Americans say they 're not sure they 'll resume `` normal activities '' right away .
Proving once again that every Beltway news cycle revolves around the very simple question of , 'What are Republicans angry about today ?
, the recent emergence of Trump-sanctioned protests has grabbed the media 's attention , even though some events are drawing modest crowds .
`` More than a dozen protesters gathered near the governor ’ s mansion in Baton Rouge Friday calling for Louisiana Gov .
John Bel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus so people can go back to work , '' the Washington Post reported over the weekend .
[ Emphasis added . ]
Meanwhile , the New York Times made sure to shine a bright spotlight on a Texas protest that attracted `` more than 100 people . ''
The newspaper 's print headline claimed the event was indication that protests were `` sweep [ ing ] nation . ''
Most people understand that in a nation of nearly 330 million people , pro-Trump events that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify as major news .
Yet news outlets seem to think small bands of angry conservatives must be treated as a big deal .
The Times article completely misread the protests , suggesting they were representative of a widespread movement .
( They 're not . )
In Michigan , a couple thousand people participated in a drive-by protest , where most people stayed in their cars .
In a state of 10 million people , how does that suggest there 's a widespread `` appetite '' ?
The Times article also provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but far right activists .
In fact , virtually every person quoted was a hardcore Trump supporter .
Why try to paint the rallies as bipartisan ?
ABC News marveled that the protests were moving “ coast to coast , ” while conceding that a grand total of five states saw rallies over the weekend — five out of fifty states .
On cable news , the word “ protesters ” was has been mentioned more than 150 times since Friday , according to TVeyes .
We 've seen this double standard before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq War , news outlets routinely ignored and downplayed anti-war rallies that drew tens of thousands of people .
The press was very slow to cover the left-leaning Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011 .
Instead , during Barack Obama 's presidency , it was the deep-pocketed , right-wing Tea Party movement that captivated the Beltway media 's attention , as the protests were relentlessly hyped as clarion calls of common sense from the heartland .
In 2010 , when Republicans used Tea Party rallies as part of the midterm election cycle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CBS , and NBC , devoted 666 minutes of nightly news coverage to the movement .
Compare that to 2018 , when Democrats used the Trump resistance movement as part of its winning midterm strategy .
For that , the networks set aside less than half as much airtime , just 247 minutes .
The Tea Party was literally created by the media .
It was born on CNBC , when reporter Rick Santelli started ranting about Obama on the floor of the Chicago stock exchange , warning viewers the new Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuban Castro-like economy .
CNBC then boosted the clip incessantly ( `` Shot Heard Around The Word '' / '' Santelli 's Manifesto '' ) , while NBC led its evening newscast that night of the rant with a clip of Santelli , announcing his rant had struck a `` populist '' chord .
Today , indications are that the stay-at-home-order protesters , like the ones in Michigan last week , are also being promoted by deep pocketed players , anxious to stir up trouble in order to hurt Democrats , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
`` The whole charade was facilitated by the Michigan Conservative Coalition , a conservative political group that doubles as a front for the Michigan Trump Republicans , and promoted by the Michigan Freedom Fund , a conservative group with ties with Betsy DeVos , '' Mother Jones helpfully pointed out .
For now , the protesters ' muddled battle cry seems to be , “ Curse the tyranny of governors !
But only the Democratic ones ! ''
since several Republican governors are also holding firm on stay at home orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither does the fact some protesters show up carrying assault rifles and confederate flags to protest social distancing guidelines for a pandemic .
Then again , Tea Party protests did n't make sense either .
Obama had n't even finished appointing his cabinet secretaries when conservatives took to the street to denounce the new president ’ s supposedly socialist agenda .
Keep in mind , Obama had just won the election in a landslide .
Yes , protesters showed up carrying Hitler posters .
And yes , the movement was born , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest on behalf of insurance companies .
It ’ s distressing to see , but while covering right-wing social distancing protesters , the press is making the same mistakes they made covering the Tea Party .

Published with permission of PRESS RUN, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
Anxious for a political angle to the ongoing pandemic story and one that can produce instant conflict (as well as compelling pictures), the news media are showering attention on the small groups of GOP protesters who are angry about life-saving social distancing orders issued by governors to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. The right-wing, Fox News-fueled street actions come as polling confirms an overwhelming majority of Americans support the stay at home orders, designed to curb the pandemic's growing death toll. Even when restrictions are lifted, most Americans say they're not sure they'll resume "normal activities" right away.
Proving once again that every Beltway news cycle revolves around the very simple question of, 'What are Republicans angry about today?, the recent emergence of Trump-sanctioned protests has grabbed the media's attention, even though some events are drawing modest crowds.
"More than a dozen protesters gathered near the governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge Friday calling for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) to suspend measures designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus so people can go back to work," the Washington Post reported over the weekend. [Emphasis added.] Meanwhile, the New York Times made sure to shine a bright spotlight on a Texas protest that attracted "more than 100 people." The newspaper's print headline claimed the event was indication that protests were "sweep[ing] nation."
Most people understand that in a nation of nearly 330 million people, pro-Trump events that boast dozens of activists don’t qualify as major news. Yet news outlets seem to think small bands of angry conservatives must be treated as a big deal. The Times article completely misread the protests, suggesting they were representative of a widespread movement. (They're not.)
But, in a deeply divided nation, the size of the protest in Michigan, and the appetite in other states for more rallies, suggested that anger over the no-end-in-sight nature of the lockdowns was not limited to the far right.
In Michigan, a couple thousand people participated in a drive-by protest, where most people stayed in their cars. In a state of 10 million people, how does that suggest there's a widespread "appetite"? The Times article also provided zero evidence that the rallies featured anything but far right activists. In fact, virtually every person quoted was a hardcore Trump supporter. Why try to paint the rallies as bipartisan?
ABC News marveled that the protests were moving “coast to coast,” while conceding that a grand total of five states saw rallies over the weekend — five out of fifty states. On cable news, the word “protesters” was has been mentioned more than 150 times since Friday, according to TVeyes.
We've seen this double standard before. During the run up to the Iraq War, news outlets routinely ignored and downplayed anti-war rallies that drew tens of thousands of people. The press was very slow to cover the left-leaning Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011. Instead, during Barack Obama's presidency, it was the deep-pocketed, right-wing Tea Party movement that captivated the Beltway media's attention, as the protests were relentlessly hyped as clarion calls of common sense from the heartland.
In 2010, when Republicans used Tea Party rallies as part of the midterm election cycle, the three major television networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, devoted 666 minutes of nightly news coverage to the movement. Compare that to 2018, when Democrats used the Trump resistance movement as part of its winning midterm strategy. For that, the networks set aside less than half as much airtime, just 247 minutes.
The Tea Party was literally created by the media. It was born on CNBC, when reporter Rick Santelli started ranting about Obama on the floor of the Chicago stock exchange, warning viewers the new Democratic president was steering the country toward a Cuban Castro-like economy. CNBC then boosted the clip incessantly ("Shot Heard Around The Word"/"Santelli's Manifesto"), while NBC led its evening newscast that night of the rant with a clip of Santelli, announcing his rant had struck a "populist" chord.
Today, indications are that the stay-at-home-order protesters, like the ones in Michigan last week, are also being promoted by deep pocketed players, anxious to stir up trouble in order to hurt Democrats, even as governors struggle with an historic public health crisis. "The whole charade was facilitated by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, a conservative political group that doubles as a front for the Michigan Trump Republicans, and promoted by the Michigan Freedom Fund, a conservative group with ties with Betsy DeVos," Mother Jones helpfully pointed out.
For now, the protesters' muddled battle cry seems to be, “Curse the tyranny of governors! But only the Democratic ones!" since several Republican governors are also holding firm on stay at home orders. None of it makes sense. Neither does the fact some protesters show up carrying assault rifles and confederate flags to protest social distancing guidelines for a pandemic.
Then again, Tea Party protests didn't make sense either. Obama hadn't even finished appointing his cabinet secretaries when conservatives took to the street to denounce the new president’s supposedly socialist agenda. Keep in mind, Obama had just won the election in a landslide. Yes, protesters showed up carrying Hitler posters. And yes, the movement was born, in part, out of a deep desire to protest on behalf of insurance companies.
It’s distressing to see, but while covering right-wing social distancing protesters, the press is making the same mistakes they made covering the Tea Party.


crooksandliars--2020-04-17--Jeanne Pirro 'Blesses' The Michigan COVIDiots

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro literally gave her blessing to the Michigan protesters sabotaging the state ’ s coronavirus mitigation efforts .
As I explained in my previous post , about Tucker Carlson literally blessing the protests , Michigan ’ s Trumpy protesters snarled traffic and deliberately flouted social distancing , thus blocking health care workers from getting to work and potentially overwhelming the healthcare system , too , by spreading the contagion .
That is also Pirro ’ s idea of God ’ s work , apparently .
She joined a chorus of approving Trump-worshipers on the Hannity show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this : PIRRO : They want to keep us away from churches and synagogues .
They want to make sure we do n't go back to work .
They do n't get it .
The American spirit is too strong and Americans are not going to take it .
And what happened in Lansing today ?
God bless them , it 's going to happen all over the country .
I ’ ll just remind everyone again that host Sean Hannity once presented himself as so pro-life he upended the deaths-with-peace-and-dignity of 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonest media circus designed to prevent the husband of braindead Terri Schiavo , another hospice patient at the facility , from removing her feeding tube .
But he didn ’ t object to a word of Pirro ’ s comments , though they could endanger the lives of many Americans .
You can watch the culture of death above , from the April 15 , 2020 Hannity show , via Media Matters .
Republished with permission from Newshounds .

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro literally gave her blessing to the Michigan protesters sabotaging the state’s coronavirus mitigation efforts.
As I explained in my previous post, about Tucker Carlson literally blessing the protests, Michigan’s Trumpy protesters snarled traffic and deliberately flouted social distancing, thus blocking health care workers from getting to work and potentially overwhelming the healthcare system, too, by spreading the contagion.
That is also Pirro’s idea of God’s work, apparently. She joined a chorus of approving Trump-worshipers on the Hannity show last night and closed the discussion with this:
PIRRO: They want to keep us away from churches and synagogues. They want to make sure we don't go back to work. They don't get it. The American spirit is too strong and Americans are not going to take it.
And what happened in Lansing today? God bless them, it's going to happen all over the country.
I’ll just remind everyone again that host Sean Hannity once presented himself as so pro-life he upended the deaths-with-peace-and-dignity of 55 hospice patients in order to conduct a dishonest media circus designed to prevent the husband of braindead Terri Schiavo, another hospice patient at the facility, from removing her feeding tube. But he didn’t object to a word of Pirro’s comments, though they could endanger the lives of many Americans.
You can watch the culture of death above, from the April 15, 2020 Hannity show, via Media Matters. Republished with permission from Newshounds.


crooksandliars--2020-03-27--Boris Johnson 'Shook Hands With Everybody' At Hospital; Now Tests Positive

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus , he announced Friday , just weeks after cavalierly declaring that he was still `` shaking hands with everybody '' and downplaying warnings about the deadly virus coming from public health officials and scientists .
`` I am now self-isolating , but I will continue to lead the government ’ s response via video-conference as we fight this virus , '' said Johnson .
Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus .
I am now self-isolating , but I will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via video-conference as we fight this virus .
Together we will beat this .
# StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri Johnson , 55 , is the first major world leader and the second high-ranking British official after Prince Charles to test positive for the disease .
The Daily Beast reported Friday that it was not yet known if Johnson had been in contact with the prince or Queen Elizabeth .
Just weeks ago , Johnson told reporters at a press briefing that he was continuing to shake hands with everyone he meets , including during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients were known to have the virus .
Critics of Johnson noted the prime minister 's previous dismissal of the need for social distancing .
`` Boris Johnson has it , '' tweeted Intercept journalist Mehdi Hasan .
`` A few weeks ago he was boasting about shaking the hands of coronavirus victims in a U.K .
hospital . ''
According to Bloomberg , Johnson 's announcement Friday of his infection added to economic instability in European markets and continuing mistrust of U.K. efforts to handle the disease : The disclosure adds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the coronavirus , which had already been criticized for being too slow .
The pound erased its gains against the dollar after Johnson 's announcement , while European stocks extended their losses .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Friday also announced he had contracted the disease , adding to confusion and instability around the government 's response .
The prime minister 's infection proves that the disease does not discriminate , said outgoing Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn in a tweet wishing Johnson well .
`` Coronavirus can and does affect anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be safe .
Our own health depends on everybody else . ''

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced Friday, just weeks after cavalierly declaring that he was still "shaking hands with everybody" and downplaying warnings about the deadly virus coming from public health officials and scientists.
"I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus," said Johnson.
Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri — Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020
Johnson, 55, is the first major world leader and the second high-ranking British official after Prince Charles to test positive for the disease. The Daily Beast reported Friday that it was not yet known if Johnson had been in contact with the prince or Queen Elizabeth.
Just weeks ago, Johnson told reporters at a press briefing that he was continuing to shake hands with everyone he meets, including during a recent visit to a hospital where some patients were known to have the virus.
Watch:
Critics of Johnson noted the prime minister's previous dismissal of the need for social distancing.
"Boris Johnson has it," tweeted Intercept journalist Mehdi Hasan. "A few weeks ago he was boasting about shaking the hands of coronavirus victims in a U.K. hospital."
According to Bloomberg, Johnson's announcement Friday of his infection added to economic instability in European markets and continuing mistrust of U.K. efforts to handle the disease:
The disclosure adds to the uncertainty over the British government's response to the coronavirus, which had already been criticized for being too slow. The pound erased its gains against the dollar after Johnson's announcement, while European stocks extended their losses.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Friday also announced he had contracted the disease, adding to confusion and instability around the government's response.
The prime minister's infection proves that the disease does not discriminate, said outgoing Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn in a tweet wishing Johnson well.
"Coronavirus can and does affect anyone," Corbyn said. "Everyone be safe. Our own health depends on everybody else."
Crossposted from Common Dreams (Eoin Higgins, staff writer) under a Creative Commons License.


crooksandliars--2020-03-26--Dinesh D'Souza Suggests COVID-19 Is 'Mostly In Blue States'

The folks over at Fox `` News '' thinks it 's hilarious that real journalists would like Trump to stop lying to the public , and start releasing lifesaving equipment like ventilators and n95 masks to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic marching through the nation .
Literally hilarious .
Laura Ingraham said , `` I was screaming laughing watching this ... '' referring to serious pleas calling for Trump to stop saying things like `` this is just like the flu , '' and that hydroxychloroquine will cure this new coronavirus .
That since he wo n't stop lying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his briefings .
This makes Ingraham scream with laughter .
That Trump is saying things that will kill people and the `` lefty media '' would like that to stop .
Dinesh D'Felon ( Pardoned by Trump ! )
not only shared in the giggles , but went further to spread another lie : that the disease is spreading in blue states faster than in red states .
And also remember that a few weeks ago , Jennifer Rubin , the Never Trumper , and others were all putting out the idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by the president , and by Fox News , that we would see spreads of the coronavirus in the red states — Republicans would die .
But in fact , interestingly , these spreads are mainly in the blue states .
And what I find kind of interesting is you have these blue state governors and mayors , and they are trying — they 're criticizing Trump , but they also have the outstretched hand .
They want Trump to intervene .
The same guy that they 've been calling a racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now they want the racist and the fascist to step in and help them out .
You 'd think that if a racist and fascist was the guy they needed , they 'd prefer to go it alone .
Actually , as far as disease spread , it is the opposite of what D'Souza says .
Of course , we at Crooks and Liars understand , and try to inform others , that disease knows no politics and does not choose its victims according to their voting record .
Humans , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a large degree , and how they react , and it seems that COVID-19 is actually spreading faster in red states than blue .
Gee , wouldya look at that ?
So , it turns out that in the blue states , spread is slower .
Notice that states with Republican governors who acted quickly to follow Dr. Fauci 's advice , adhering closely to respected medical community guidelines , like Maryland and Ohio , spread has been slow there , too .
In contrast , look at the red states like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decidedly anti-science and slavishly pro-Trump .
The ones where they keep open the beaches and overrule the city and town ordinances to stay home .
Trumpers are killing people .
Period .
Finally , note the glee with which D'Felon gloats that people who called Trump the racist and fascist ( that he is ) actually want something from him .
He finds that , I do n't know , ironic ?
Funny ?
Cause for mirth ?
It is NOT contradictory , or hypocritical , or even inconsistent of us .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was kindness and efficiency .
Knowledge and respect for citizens regardless of income and skin color .
A racist , fascist president like Trump has no interest in any of that , and in fact , actively derides those things .
It is entirely consistent for that fascist , narcissistic president to allow a pandemic to spread through the nation like wildfire , and withhold the money and supplies needed to treat it because it feeds his need for power and praise .

The folks over at Fox "News" thinks it's hilarious that real journalists would like Trump to stop lying to the public, and start releasing lifesaving equipment like ventilators and n95 masks to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic marching through the nation. Literally hilarious.
Laura Ingraham said, "I was screaming laughing watching this..." referring to serious pleas calling for Trump to stop saying things like "this is just like the flu," and that hydroxychloroquine will cure this new coronavirus. That since he won't stop lying to the public, networks should stop airing his briefings. This makes Ingraham scream with laughter. That Trump is saying things that will kill people and the "lefty media" would like that to stop.
Dinesh D'Felon (Pardoned by Trump!) not only shared in the giggles, but went further to spread another lie: that the disease is spreading in blue states faster than in red states.
And also remember that a few weeks ago, Jennifer Rubin, the Never Trumper, and others were all putting out the idea that there was so much misinformation being put out by the president, and by Fox News, that we would see spreads of the coronavirus in the red states — Republicans would die. But in fact, interestingly, these spreads are mainly in the blue states. And what I find kind of interesting is you have these blue state governors and mayors, and they are trying — they're criticizing Trump, but they also have the outstretched hand. They want Trump to intervene. The same guy that they've been calling a racist and a fascist for four years, and now they want the racist and the fascist to step in and help them out. You'd think that if a racist and fascist was the guy they needed, they'd prefer to go it alone.
Actually, as far as disease spread, it is the opposite of what D'Souza says. Of course, we at Crooks and Liars understand, and try to inform others, that disease knows no politics and does not choose its victims according to their voting record. Humans, however, choose how they digest information, to a large degree, and how they react, and it seems that COVID-19 is actually spreading faster in red states than blue.
Here's another interesting comparison. Yesterday, detected cases increased by 31% in Trump states as compared to 21% in Clinton states. https://t.co/IwPxTfnoeB — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) March 26, 2020
Gee, wouldya look at that? So, it turns out that in the blue states, spread is slower. Notice that states with Republican governors who acted quickly to follow Dr. Fauci's advice, adhering closely to respected medical community guidelines, like Maryland and Ohio, spread has been slow there, too. In contrast, look at the red states like Florida and Mississippi, whose governors are decidedly anti-science and slavishly pro-Trump. The ones where they keep open the beaches and overrule the city and town ordinances to stay home. Trumpers are killing people. Period.
Finally, note the glee with which D'Felon gloats that people who called Trump the racist and fascist (that he is) actually want something from him. He finds that, I don't know, ironic? Funny? Cause for mirth? It is NOT contradictory, or hypocritical, or even inconsistent of us. All we have ever wanted in a president was kindness and efficiency. Knowledge and respect for citizens regardless of income and skin color. A racist, fascist president like Trump has no interest in any of that, and in fact, actively derides those things. It is entirely consistent for that fascist, narcissistic president to allow a pandemic to spread through the nation like wildfire, and withhold the money and supplies needed to treat it because it feeds his need for power and praise.


crooksandliars--2020-04-13--Florida's Governor Tried To Bury Public Records Lawsuit Like A Thug

The office of Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis reportedly attempted behind the scenes to crush a public records lawsuit demanding that the state release the names of all elder-care facilities in which someone has tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
`` Anyone with a relative in an elder-care facility has a right to know if their loved ones are at risk so they can make an informed decision about their care . ''
—Aminda Marqués González , Miami Herald executive editor and publisher The Miami Herald , the Florida newspaper behind the planned legal action , reported Saturday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Knight lawyer George Meros , who has represented the state of Florida in the past , and pressured him to abandon the lawsuit after the Herald notified the state of the pending legal action , as required by law .
`` Shortly after that conversation , the Herald 's attorney , [ Sanford ] Bohrer , received a phone call from inside Holland & Knight , instructing him to stand down , '' the Herald reported .
`` They asked us not to file this lawsuit on behalf of the Herald , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want Holland & Knight to represent the Herald . ''
Aminda Marqués González , the Herald 's executive editor and publisher , said in a statement that the suit will still go forward but under a different law firm .
The public records lawsuit will seek only the names of elder-care facilities where someone has tested positive for COVID-19 , not the names of individual patients , the Herald said .
`` We are disappointed that the governor 's office would go so far as to apply pressure on our legal counsel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are critical to the health and safety of Florida 's most vulnerable citizens , '' said Marqués .
`` We should n't have had to resort to legal action in the first place .
Anyone with a relative in an elder-care facility has a right to know if their loved ones are at risk so they can make an informed decision about their care . ''
Julie Brown , an investigative reporter with the Herald , tweeted that she has `` never been more proud of the Miami Herald—fighting Governor Ron DeSantis whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick—especially the elderly . ''
`` The Herald is standing up for those older citizens by suing his ass , '' said Brown .
The fight over the public records lawsuit comes as DeSantis is under fire for mishandling his state 's response to the coronavirus outbreak and downplaying the threat posed by the disease with blatant falsehoods .
According to state health officials , Florida officially has nearly 19,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 450 deaths as of Sunday morning .
DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order earlier this month in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , but critics said the governor took too long to act , endangering the health of his state 's large elderly population .
`` Egged on by corporate lobbyists and inclined to defer to Donald Trump 's uninformed whims , DeSantis kept the state open for business as long as he could , refusing to tell Florida 's 21 million residents to hole up in their houses , '' Diane Roberts , a professor at Florida State University , wrote in a scathing article for The New Republic on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save more lives—was 'the dumbest shit I have heard in a long time , ' said one Democratic state senator from Miami . ''
`` On Thursday , he mused about reopening Florida schools soon , '' Roberts continued .
`` 'This particular pandemic is one where , I do n't think nationwide there 's been a single fatality under 25 , ' he riffed in a coronavirus press conference .
'For whatever reason , it just does n't seem to threaten , you know , kids . '
That ramble was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Cillizza to pen a column titled 'What the governor of Florida does n't know about the coronavirus is a lot . '
When even the world 's worst both-sidesing , horse-race-loving pundit feels compelled to call you an idiot , there 's a very good chance you 're an idiot . ''

The office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reportedly attempted behind the scenes to crush a public records lawsuit demanding that the state release the names of all elder-care facilities in which someone has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
"Anyone with a relative in an elder-care facility has a right to know if their loved ones are at risk so they can make an informed decision about their care."
—Aminda Marqués González, Miami Herald executive editor and publisher
The Miami Herald, the Florida newspaper behind the planned legal action, reported Saturday that DeSantis' general counsel called Holland & Knight lawyer George Meros, who has represented the state of Florida in the past, and pressured him to abandon the lawsuit after the Herald notified the state of the pending legal action, as required by law.
"Shortly after that conversation, the Herald's attorney, [Sanford] Bohrer, received a phone call from inside Holland & Knight, instructing him to stand down," the Herald reported.
"They asked us not to file this lawsuit on behalf of the Herald," Bohrer said. "They did not want Holland & Knight to represent the Herald."
Aminda Marqués González, the Herald's executive editor and publisher, said in a statement that the suit will still go forward but under a different law firm. The public records lawsuit will seek only the names of elder-care facilities where someone has tested positive for COVID-19, not the names of individual patients, the Herald said.
"We are disappointed that the governor's office would go so far as to apply pressure on our legal counsel to prevent the release of public records that are critical to the health and safety of Florida's most vulnerable citizens," said Marqués. "We shouldn't have had to resort to legal action in the first place. Anyone with a relative in an elder-care facility has a right to know if their loved ones are at risk so they can make an informed decision about their care."
Explosive: looking to conceal the COVID-19 situation in Florida's elder-care facilities, the office of Gov. DeSantis convinced a law firm that works with the @MiamiHerald to drop the Herald's public records lawsuit. https://t.co/6ToQ3BNNLX pic.twitter.com/ht5WmdGd5J — Taniel (@Taniel) April 12, 2020
Julie Brown, an investigative reporter with the Herald, tweeted that she has "never been more proud of the Miami Herald—fighting Governor Ron DeSantis whose ignorance has led to countless people getting sick—especially the elderly."
"The Herald is standing up for those older citizens by suing his ass," said Brown.
NEWS: I’ve never been more proud of the @MiamiHerald — fighting Governor @GovRonDeSantis whose ignorance has led to countless people getting sick — esp the elderly. The Herald is standing up for those older citizens by suing his ass. https://t.co/6WHQHU1T9t — julie k. brown (@jkbjournalist) April 12, 2020
The fight over the public records lawsuit comes as DeSantis is under fire for mishandling his state's response to the coronavirus outbreak and downplaying the threat posed by the disease with blatant falsehoods.
According to state health officials, Florida officially has nearly 19,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 450 deaths as of Sunday morning. DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order earlier this month in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, but critics said the governor took too long to act, endangering the health of his state's large elderly population.
"Egged on by corporate lobbyists and inclined to defer to Donald Trump's uninformed whims, DeSantis kept the state open for business as long as he could, refusing to tell Florida's 21 million residents to hole up in their houses," Diane Roberts, a professor at Florida State University, wrote in a scathing article for The New Republic on Friday. "His rationale—that 'saving the economy' would save more lives—was 'the dumbest shit I have heard in a long time,' said one Democratic state senator from Miami."
"On Thursday, he mused about reopening Florida schools soon," Roberts continued. "'This particular pandemic is one where, I don't think nationwide there's been a single fatality under 25,' he riffed in a coronavirus press conference. 'For whatever reason, it just doesn't seem to threaten, you know, kids.' That ramble was so factually incorrect that it inspired CNN's Chris Cillizza to pen a column titled 'What the governor of Florida doesn't know about the coronavirus is a lot.' When even the world's worst both-sidesing, horse-race-loving pundit feels compelled to call you an idiot, there's a very good chance you're an idiot."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-04-25--Donald Trump Breaks Up With Piers Morgan

I suppose experiencing schadenfreude with the breakup of these two equally loathsome creeps is not particularly important , considering all that is going on right now .
But I do and expect others will too .
Piers Morgan hosts a morning television show in the UK and has taken to using the NHS logo on his Twitter page .
Donald Trump has unfollowed Piers Morgan on Twitter after the Good Morning Britain host slammed his 'batsh*t crazy ' approach to coronavirus in his MailOnline column .
Piers , 55 , criticised the US President after he suggested tackling coronavirus with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even injecting patients with disinfectant .
Starting his column by telling Mr Trump to 'shut the f*** up ' , Piers slammed the US President for using his position to air his 'batsh*t crazy theories about how to beat the virus ' .
And on Saturday , the presenter announced that Mr Trump had since unfollowed him .
Throughout this coronavirus crisis , the leader of the free world has turned the daily White House task force briefing into a rambling two-hour self-promoting rally .
He 's devoted large chunks of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents , telling us how great he is , and re-writing history as he tries to defend all the mistakes he 's made since the virus first erupted .
And he 's done all this while 50,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 , the worst death toll in the world , and nearly a million cases have now been reported across the country .
But by far the most reckless and dangerous thing President Trump has done is use the most powerful podium on earth to air his batsh*t crazy theories about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night he stooped to a shameful new low by suggesting people suffering from COVID-19 should be injected with toxic disinfectant .
Yes , you read that right .
And then it went downhill from there .
It was n't that long ago that Piers Morgan proudly promoted the fact that he was the only person from the UK that Trump followed on Twitter .

I suppose experiencing schadenfreude with the breakup of these two equally loathsome creeps is not particularly important, considering all that is going on right now. But I do and expect others will too.
Piers Morgan hosts a morning television show in the UK and has taken to using the NHS logo on his Twitter page.
Source: Daily Mail
Donald Trump has unfollowed Piers Morgan on Twitter after the Good Morning Britain host slammed his 'batsh*t crazy' approach to coronavirus in his MailOnline column. Piers, 55, criticised the US President after he suggested tackling coronavirus with the use of 'powerful' UV light or even injecting patients with disinfectant. Starting his column by telling Mr Trump to 'shut the f*** up', Piers slammed the US President for using his position to air his 'batsh*t crazy theories about how to beat the virus'. And on Saturday, the presenter announced that Mr Trump had since unfollowed him.
Here's a bit of Morgan's column:
SHUT THE F**K UP, PRESIDENT TRUMP. Seriously. Throughout this coronavirus crisis, the leader of the free world has turned the daily White House task force briefing into a rambling two-hour self-promoting rally. He's devoted large chunks of them to trashing the media, attacking political opponents, telling us how great he is, and re-writing history as he tries to defend all the mistakes he's made since the virus first erupted. And he's done all this while 50,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, the worst death toll in the world, and nearly a million cases have now been reported across the country. But by far the most reckless and dangerous thing President Trump has done is use the most powerful podium on earth to air his batsh*t crazy theories about how to beat the virus. And last night he stooped to a shameful new low by suggesting people suffering from COVID-19 should be injected with toxic disinfectant. Yes, you read that right.
And then it went downhill from there.


crooksandliars--2020-04-25--COVID-19 Is Spreading Through The South's High-Risk Population

Anne Cafer , University of Mississippi and Meagen Rosenthal , University of Mississippi In the rural South , the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a silent disaster .
As rural residents commute to jobs in cities and transportation hubs , they ’ re being exposed to the virus and bringing it home to a population already at risk .
Chronic diseases that can lead to more severe COVID-19 symptoms are common across the rural South .
The population is older and poorer than much of the country , and the health care system has been deteriorating for years as hospitals lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s vulnerability , Southern states have been a stronghold of resistance to federal and international recommendations around COVID-19 protective measures .
Most of the states ’ delays and refusals to enact “ shelter-at-home ” policies were tied to economic arguments .
Now , governors are using the same economic reasons for loosening those restrictions .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp called for reopening several types of businesses including hair salons starting Friday and restaurants and even theaters starting Monday , despite concerns from public health officials .
Mississippi is also considering lifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When that happens , service workers , once partially protected from exposure , will find themselves at greater risk .
As University of Mississippi sociologists who work with rural communities on a range of resilience issues , especially health , we are concerned about the economic and health consequences of returning to business before the region is prepared to protect its residents .
Rural areas may seem isolated from the coronavirus threat , but in the South , one in 12 rural residents commutes to an urban hub for work .
Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health care and service industries , where exposure to other people is hard to avoid .
In much of the South , “ shelter-at-home ” orders have had loose interpretations of “ essential personnel ” who are exempted from the order .
They include employees in high-exposure jobs – cashiers , fast food workers and registered nurses , all among the largest employment areas for Southern states .
Many of these workers are less likely to have sick leave or be able to work from home .
And they are paid lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work even when they ’ re sick .
These workers have been saved some exposure while restaurants shifted to drive-through operations and social distancing was encouraged .
However , if other Southern states follow Georgia ’ s lead and begin lifting their current protections , workers ’ chances of being exposed to someone infectious with the coronavirus rise .
Mississippi ’ s rural infection numbers stand out in particular : 62 % of the state ’ s coronavirus cases as of mid-April were in rural counties , and the state had counted more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were higher than in urban areas : 181 cases per 100,000 people compared to 128 in urban counties .
The South as a whole had more urban cases , but still a high rural infection rate .
Southern states are already scrambling to manage both detection of coronavirus cases and treatment of the disease .
Their testing capacity , essential to controlling the pandemic , has been increasing but remains sporadic and well below the national average .
Access to care is increasingly difficult .
Mississippi has just over 400 ICU beds in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , 100 of those are occupied .
Conservative estimates predict that needs for rural ICU beds will double to more than 800 in the next six months under moderate coronavirus infection projections .
Ventilators are an even bigger concern .
University of Mississippi Medical Center has only about 125 to 150 ventilators in its facilities , and officials estimate 40 % to half are in use on any given day .
The rural South ’ s health profile adds to the risk .
The region has higher rates of chronic medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase the likelihood that a person infected with the coronavirus will develop severe COVID-19 .
Among the first 159 people to die from COVID-19 in Mississippi , over half had cardiovascular disease , over 40 % had diabetes or high blood pressure , and one-third were obese .
Much of the care for these patients is being delivered through a shrinking rural health care system .
Of the 128 rural hospital closures across the country in the last 10 years , over half were in the South .
The pandemic has created more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures have been postponed .
Every county in Mississippi is considered underserved , meaning residents don ’ t have enough doctors , even if they have access to a health care facility .
In the short term , Southern states need to increase their testing for coronavirus cases .
Per capita , the South administered about 20 % fewer tests .
Many southern states currently rely on pop-up testing at sites temporarily opened in locations where other facilities are not available .
Permanent , well-stocked testing centers would help residents know where to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states need to invest in their rural health infrastructure .
Rural hospitals and pharmacies are essential to reducing long-term risk among rural Southerners , particularly those with chronic health conditions .
They are also important “ economic anchors ” for their communities .
According to the American Hospital Association statistics , every dollar spent by a hospital supports US $ 2.30 of additional business activity within the community and hospitals are a top source of private sector jobs .
[ You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic , and we can help .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Anne Cafer , Assistant Professor of Sociology , University of Mississippi and Meagen Rosenthal , Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration , University of Mississippi This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

In the rural South, chronic illnesses are common, the population is older and health care options have been declining as hospitals close. All put the population at higher risk from COVID-19. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Anne Cafer, University of Mississippi and Meagen Rosenthal, University of Mississippi
In the rural South, the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a silent disaster.
As rural residents commute to jobs in cities and transportation hubs, they’re being exposed to the virus and bringing it home to a population already at risk.
Chronic diseases that can lead to more severe COVID-19 symptoms are common across the rural South. The population is older and poorer than much of the country, and the health care system has been deteriorating for years as hospitals lose staff and close.
Despite the population’s vulnerability, Southern states have been a stronghold of resistance to federal and international recommendations around COVID-19 protective measures. Most of the states’ delays and refusals to enact “shelter-at-home” policies were tied to economic arguments.
Now, governors are using the same economic reasons for loosening those restrictions. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called for reopening several types of businesses including hair salons starting Friday and restaurants and even theaters starting Monday, despite concerns from public health officials. Mississippi is also considering lifting its shelter-at-home orders for economic reasons. When that happens, service workers, once partially protected from exposure, will find themselves at greater risk.
As University of Mississippi sociologists who work with rural communities on a range of resilience issues, especially health, we are concerned about the economic and health consequences of returning to business before the region is prepared to protect its residents.
Rural commuters on the urban front lines
Rural areas may seem isolated from the coronavirus threat, but in the South, one in 12 rural residents commutes to an urban hub for work. Many of those jobs are on the front lines of health care and service industries, where exposure to other people is hard to avoid.
In much of the South, “shelter-at-home” orders have had loose interpretations of “essential personnel” who are exempted from the order. They include employees in high-exposure jobs – cashiers, fast food workers and registered nurses, all among the largest employment areas for Southern states. Many of these workers are less likely to have sick leave or be able to work from home. And they are paid lower wages, so many still go to work even when they’re sick.
These workers have been saved some exposure while restaurants shifted to drive-through operations and social distancing was encouraged. However, if other Southern states follow Georgia’s lead and begin lifting their current protections, workers’ chances of being exposed to someone infectious with the coronavirus rise.
Mississippi’s rural infection numbers stand out in particular: 62% of the state’s coronavirus cases as of mid-April were in rural counties, and the state had counted more than 200 deaths. Rural infection rates were higher than in urban areas: 181 cases per 100,000 people compared to 128 in urban counties. The South as a whole had more urban cases, but still a high rural infection rate.
The South isn’t prepared for a COVID-19 surge
Southern states are already scrambling to manage both detection of coronavirus cases and treatment of the disease. Their testing capacity, essential to controlling the pandemic, has been increasing but remains sporadic and well below the national average. Access to care is increasingly difficult.
Mississippi has just over 400 ICU beds in its largest hospital service area, Jackson. Currently, 100 of those are occupied. Conservative estimates predict that needs for rural ICU beds will double to more than 800 in the next six months under moderate coronavirus infection projections.
Ventilators are an even bigger concern. University of Mississippi Medical Center has only about 125 to 150 ventilators in its facilities, and officials estimate 40% to half are in use on any given day.
The rural South’s health profile adds to the risk. The region has higher rates of chronic medical conditions that have been found to significantly increase the likelihood that a person infected with the coronavirus will develop severe COVID-19. Among the first 159 people to die from COVID-19 in Mississippi, over half had cardiovascular disease, over 40% had diabetes or high blood pressure, and one-third were obese.
Much of the care for these patients is being delivered through a shrinking rural health care system. Of the 128 rural hospital closures across the country in the last 10 years, over half were in the South. The pandemic has created more financial troubles for rural hospitals as nonessential procedures have been postponed. Every county in Mississippi is considered underserved, meaning residents don’t have enough doctors, even if they have access to a health care facility.
Testing and investing in health care long-term
In the short term, Southern states need to increase their testing for coronavirus cases. Per capita, the South administered about 20% fewer tests. Many southern states currently rely on pop-up testing at sites temporarily opened in locations where other facilities are not available. Permanent, well-stocked testing centers would help residents know where to go.
In the long-term, these states need to invest in their rural health infrastructure.
Rural hospitals and pharmacies are essential to reducing long-term risk among rural Southerners, particularly those with chronic health conditions. They are also important “economic anchors” for their communities. According to the American Hospital Association statistics, every dollar spent by a hospital supports US$2.30 of additional business activity within the community and hospitals are a top source of private sector jobs.
[You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic, and we can help. Read The Conversation’s newsletter.]
Anne Cafer, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Mississippi and Meagen Rosenthal, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-04-14--GOP Rep: If More Americans Need To Be Sacrificed To Open The Economy Then So Be It

Never underestimate the GOP 's ability to say out loud what Trump is only hinting at .
Namely that opening the economy back up is worth it , even if many more Americans will die .
For them , it 's a necessity .
And in a way , there 's nothing especially surprising about saying that .
Appalling , yes , but not surprising .
What is galling though is this particular Indiana congressman thinks this decision is some kind of badge of honour to have such callous and wanton disregard for the lives of his fellow Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sacrifice other people 's lives .
Elect psychopaths and this is what you get , America .
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth ( R-IN ) said Tuesday that Americans need to get back to work immediately , even if it means significantly increasing the spread of COVID-19 .
In an interview with an Indianapolis radio station , Hollingsworth acknowledged that ending social distancing could result in major public health harms and `` loss of life , '' but he said it was better than letting the economy fall apart .
`` It is policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy and big girl pants and say it is the lesser of these two evils , '' he urged .
REP. TREY HOLLINGSWORTH : There is no zero-harm choice here .
We are going to have look Americans in the eye and say , `` We are making the best decisions for the most Americans possible , '' and the answer to that is unequivocally to get Americans back to work , to get Americans back to their businesses .
The heartbreaking stories I have heard over the last couple of weeks only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a biological challenge in this problem .
But the economic challenge is growing and much , much larger , that we face today because of the poor decisions , and frankly , the panic that has set in .
We have got to get Americans back to where they want to be : back in the schools , back at work , back in churches , and frankly , back in the labs to continue to work on the biological problem while we fix the economic problem .
HOST TONY KATZ : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get said : What 's going to be said is that you sir are anti-science , you sir wo n't listen to Dr. Fauci or Dr. Birx ... you 're gon na get people killed , Congressman Hollingsworth .
How do you respond to those people ?
HOLLINGSWORTH : Here 's what I say : There is no zero-harm choice here .
Both of these decisions will lead to harm for individuals , whether that 's dramatic economic harm or or whether that 's the loss of life .
But it is always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life of American lives , we have to always choose the latter .
And this is what I push back on , by these people that say science should govern all of this .
Certainly science is telling us where this disease will progress and how it will progress over time .
Certainly the social sciences are telling us the economic disaster that is occurring : down 20 % this quarter alone , our GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policymakers ' decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say , This is the lesser of these two evils .
And it is not zero evil , but it is the lesser of these evils , and we intend to move forward in that direction .
That is our responsibility , and to abdicate that is to insult the Americans that voted us into office .

Never underestimate the GOP's ability to say out loud what Trump is only hinting at. Namely that opening the economy back up is worth it, even if many more Americans will die. For them, it's a necessity. And in a way, there's nothing especially surprising about saying that. Appalling, yes, but not surprising. What is galling though is this particular Indiana congressman thinks this decision is some kind of badge of honour to have such callous and wanton disregard for the lives of his fellow Americans. That it's somehow brave of them to sacrifice other people's lives.
Elect psychopaths and this is what you get, America.
Source: American Independent
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) said Tuesday that Americans need to get back to work immediately, even if it means significantly increasing the spread of COVID-19. In an interview with an Indianapolis radio station, Hollingsworth acknowledged that ending social distancing could result in major public health harms and "loss of life," but he said it was better than letting the economy fall apart. "It is policymakers' decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say it is the lesser of these two evils," he urged.
Transcript from his WIBC interview:


crooksandliars--2020-03-25--Trump's Easter Opening Will Mean Death, Not Resurrection

On Tuesday March 24th in a Fox News Townhall , Trump said , `` I 'd love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter . ''
Perhaps Pence suggested Easter to symbolize America 's rebirth .
No doubt Trump envisions himself coming out of the Tomb as our Messiah .
He expects to resurrect the stock market -- and his reelection chances .
Trump will taint Easter with his love of money over human life .
It 's par for his course , just like his closed down golf courses .
Trump ignores experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so he finds different experts .
On the Rachel Maddow Show , New York Times health and science reporter Donald McNeil Jr. uses an apt simile .
What he 's [ Trump ] talking about `` 15 days and the doors are open '' is like having a lead lined room next to the Chernobyl power plant and you fling open the doors and say .
`` Hey the flowers are still sprouting out there , it 's a sunny day I think it 's okay to go out . ''
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are things you have n't seen yet because so many people are getting infected but they 're not going to be hospitalized for on average another 10 days after they show symptoms .
What would it take for Trump to change his views ?
It 's only going to be forced home in the same way that AIDS was forced home to Ronald Reagan after 4 years of not mentioning it by the death of his friend Rock Hudson .
Something is going to have to wake the President up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger including to him and his family .
Trump keeps calling coronavirus the invisible enemy .
In the miniseries Chernobyl one of the scientists had to explain that the reactor core was shooting out three million billion trillion invisible bullets in the air that will kill people.Opening up America too soon is like walking out of a lead-lined rooms outside the Chernobyl power plant thinking that the invisible bullets have stopped and refusing to use a Geiger counter to test the radiation .
Experts have been pointing out the need to keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axios , Tom Inglesby , director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security said in a Twitter thread to drop all the measures in place would be to accept that coronavirus patients `` will get sick in extraordinary numbers all over the country , far beyond what the U.S. health care system could bear . ''
Inglesby went on : `` To drop all these measures now would be to accept that COVID pts [ patients ] will get sick in extraordinary numbers all over the country , far beyond what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump playing God will kill people in his quest to resurrect `` the economy '' which he sees as a reflection of his will .
But as my friend Anat Shenker-Osorio explains , the economy is not an ungovernable force of nature .
It 's not an entity to worship and sacrifice lives to .
It is a system made by humans and we can make changes to that system to reflect our priorities .
`` Trump 's economic advisers , including Steven Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow , channeled the views they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping the country shut down was n't worth the economic pain . ''
Kevin Liptak , CNN , March 24 , 2020 Trump 's economic advisers want to kill people rather than modify a system .
To paraphrase Charleston Heston , The economy is people .
We can build our economy and help our people .
The economy takes second place to a body count.
``

On Tuesday March 24th in a Fox News Townhall, Trump said, "I'd love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter." Perhaps Pence suggested Easter to symbolize America's rebirth. No doubt Trump envisions himself coming out of the Tomb as our Messiah. He expects to resurrect the stock market--and his reelection chances.
Trump will taint Easter with his love of money over human life. It's par for his course, just like his closed down golf courses.
I didn’t realize until today how corona closures have hit @realdonaldtrump’s biggest revenue generators. Six out of the top seven. (And the one that’s open is doing pretty bad, too). pic.twitter.com/9i6Sn97udm — David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) March 24, 2020
Trump ignores experts whose conclusions aren't what he wants and so he finds different experts. On the Rachel Maddow Show, New York Times health and science reporter Donald McNeil Jr. uses an apt simile.
What he's [Trump] talking about "15 days and the doors are open"is like having a lead lined room next to the Chernobyl power plant and you fling open the doors and say. "Hey the flowers are still sprouting out there, it's a sunny day I think it's okay to go out." It's not okay to go out. There are things you haven't seen yet because so many people are getting infected but they're not going to be hospitalized for on average another 10 days after they show symptoms.
What would it take for Trump to change his views?
It's only going to be forced home in the same way that AIDS was forced home to Ronald Reagan after 4 years of not mentioning it by the death of his friend Rock Hudson. Something is going to have to wake the President up to the realization that this is a very serious danger including to him and his family.
Trump keeps calling coronavirus the invisible enemy. In the miniseries Chernobyl one of the scientists had to explain that the reactor core was shooting out three million billion trillion invisible bullets in the air that will kill people.Opening up America too soon is like walking out of a lead-lined rooms outside the Chernobyl power plant thinking that the invisible bullets have stopped and refusing to use a Geiger counter to test the radiation.
Experts have been pointing out the need to keep the social distancing measures in place. From Axios, Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security said in a Twitter thread to drop all the measures in place would be to accept that coronavirus patients "will get sick in extraordinary numbers all over the country, far beyond what the U.S. health care system could bear."
Anyone advising the end of social distancing now, needs to fully understand what the country will look like if we do that. COVID would spread widely, rapidly, terribly, could kill potentially millions in the yr ahead with huge social and economic impact across the country. 15/x — Tom Inglesby (@T_Inglesby) March 23, 2020
Inglesby went on: "To drop all these measures now would be to accept that COVID pts [patients] will get sick in extraordinary numbers all over the country, far beyond what the US health care system could bear."
Trump playing God will kill people in his quest to resurrect "the economy" which he sees as a reflection of his will. But as my friend Anat Shenker-Osorio explains, the economy is not an ungovernable force of nature. It's not an entity to worship and sacrifice lives to. It is a system made by humans and we can make changes to that system to reflect our priorities.
If large numbers of people have to die in order for the economy to work, the economy doesn’t work. — Anat Shenker-Osorio (@anatosaurus) March 24, 2020
"Trump's economic advisers, including Steven Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow, channeled the views they were receiving from the business community that keeping the country shut down wasn't worth the economic pain." Kevin Liptak, CNN, March 24, 2020
Trump's economic advisers want to kill people rather than modify a system. To paraphrase Charleston Heston, The economy is people. We can build our economy and help our people. The economy takes second place to a body count. "