crooksandliars--2020-03-31--C&L's QuaranStream Suggestions: Best Female Protagonists In TV Crime— Part I

Since my ongoing struggle with nerve damage is never ending , I 've watched more television than any normal human being ( who is n't a TV critic ) should .
Along with good books , this golden age of television has helped get me through the worst of times .
I 'm starting a new series called C & L 's Quaranstream .
I 'll use my unfortunate knowledge to pass excellent stories to binge during this period of self-quarantine in the age of coronavirus .
In the 70 's and 80 's there were many TV crime shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woman and Cagney and Lacey but what came after them revolutionized television .
My first five are n't listed in any order because they all are such incredible characters portrayed by equally awe-inspiring actresses .
Mirren 's Jane Tennyson changed TV detective fiction forever with its long-form arcs , character development , and her fight against misogyny from an all-boys police club that had never been cracked before .
Prime Suspect became a sensation in the U.S. when it hit PBS in 1992 and it also made Mirren an international star .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Box Also known as Bron/Broen , 'The Bridge ' is a Danish-Swedish collaboration that is one of the best police series ever made .
it was so good in fact the U.S. , France , and England produced their own versions .
Henlin ’ s Detective Saga , while a brilliant investigator , is haunted by the suicide of her younger sister and has an undisclosed affliction ( Asperger 's ? )
which causes her to be abrasive , socially awkward and inept in social settings .
Her character is one for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hulu .
Anderson made her mark as Dana Scully in the X-Files , but she was riveting in this northern Ireland /BBC production .
She comes on board as Stella Gibson from the Metropolitan police to review a stalled investigation over the murder of Alice Monroe and discovers a possible pattern of old cases that linked to it .
She flips the male-dominated role on its head and Jamie Dorman is creepy as hell .
Sergeant Catherine Cawood , a kick-ass local officer in a Yorkshire valley and is dealing with the suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raped .
Her decision to take care of the resulting child split up her marriage .
Tensions rose high as the rapist is released from prison and a kidnapping plot is hatched .
Sarah Lancashire is simply brilliant in this UK series .
She was robbed of the BAFTA in 2015 .
This is the Danish series that became an international sensation after it aired on the BBC and helped revive the claustrophobic and dogged investigations of a single murder and sparked shows like Broadchurch into existence .
You may have heard of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on AMC and then on Netflix .
Sophie Grabol ’ s Sarah Lund became a wunderkind and her jumpers started selling for mucho dinero and became her signature .
Unfortunately , the show is not streaming at this time .
I bought all three seasons on Amazon UK in 2007 and played it on an all regions DVD player .
it is worth the effort to try and find it .

Since my ongoing struggle with nerve damage is never ending, I've watched more television than any normal human being (who isn't a TV critic) should.
Luckily, I do love it.
Along with good books, this golden age of television has helped get me through the worst of times.
I'm starting a new series called C&L's Quaranstream. I'll use my unfortunate knowledge to pass excellent stories to binge during this period of self-quarantine in the age of coronavirus.
In the 70's and 80's there were many TV crime shows featuring women as lead characters like Police Woman and Cagney and Lacey but what came after them revolutionized television.
My first five aren't listed in any order because they all are such incredible characters portrayed by equally awe-inspiring actresses.
Helen Mirren – Prime Suspect
Mirren's Jane Tennyson changed TV detective fiction forever with its long-form arcs, character development, and her fight against misogyny from an all-boys police club that had never been cracked before.
Prime Suspect became a sensation in the U.S. when it hit PBS in 1992 and it also made Mirren an international star.
You can stream it on Hulu or Brit Box
Sofia Helin - The Bridge
Also known as Bron/Broen, 'The Bridge' is a Danish-Swedish collaboration that is one of the best police series ever made. it was so good in fact the U.S., France, and England produced their own versions.
Henlin’s Detective Saga, while a brilliant investigator, is haunted by the suicide of her younger sister and has an undisclosed affliction (Asperger's?) which causes her to be abrasive, socially awkward and inept in social settings. Her character is one for the ages
All four seasons are streaming on Hulu.
Gillian Anderson – The Fall
Anderson made her mark as Dana Scully in the X-Files, but she was riveting in this northern Ireland /BBC production. She comes on board as Stella Gibson from the Metropolitan police to review a stalled investigation over the murder of Alice Monroe and discovers a possible pattern of old cases that linked to it. She flips the male-dominated role on its head and Jamie Dorman is creepy as hell.
Streams on Netflix
Sarah Lancashire– Happy Valley
Sergeant Catherine Cawood, a kick-ass local officer in a Yorkshire valley and is dealing with the suicide of her daughter after she had been raped. Her decision to take care of the resulting child split up her marriage. Tensions rose high as the rapist is released from prison and a kidnapping plot is hatched. Sarah Lancashire is simply brilliant in this UK series. She was robbed of the BAFTA in 2015.
Streaming on Netflix
Sophie Grabol - Forbrydelsen
This is the Danish series that became an international sensation after it aired on the BBC and helped revive the claustrophobic and dogged investigations of a single murder and sparked shows like Broadchurch into existence. You may have heard of the American remake called The Killing, on AMC and then on Netflix.
Sophie Grabol’s Sarah Lund became a wunderkind and her jumpers started selling for mucho dinero and became her signature.
Unfortunately, the show is not streaming at this time. I bought all three seasons on Amazon UK in 2007 and played it on an all regions DVD player. it is worth the effort to try and find it.
Enjoy.


crooksandliars--2020-03-31--You'd Think A Pandemic Would Halt GOP Attempt To Overturn Obamacare

Republicans never have to go to the trouble of reassessing their political stands in light of changing circumstances -- mostly because they 're always serving corporate donors , not the voters .
That 's why Republican AGs are pushing ahead with a lawsuit meant to kill Obamacare , despite the COVID-19 pandemic .
Via the Daily Beast : Representatives for five of those attorneys general—from the states of Arkansas , Georgia , Mississippi , Missouri , and Tennessee—confirmed to The Daily Beast that the coronavirus outbreak has not changed their plans to try and kill the health care law as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
Their steadfastness comes even as their states are beginning to feel the acute impact of the coronavirus ’ spread .
Georgia currently has over 1,700 coronavirus cases , while Tennessee has nearly 1,000 and the others have anywhere from 350 to 600 .
The other 13 state attorney general offices , including that of lead state Texas—where the state ’ s most populous counties have issued shelter-in-place orders to counter the spread of the coronavirus—either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment .
None of them have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the lawsuit .
Their determination to kill the law , no matter the circumstances , mirrors President Trump ’ s .
Asked at a press conference last week whether the virus had changed his plans to press ahead in court , Trump affirmed that `` what we want to do is terminate it.
” If the Trump administration and these states succeed in repealing the ACA , the impact on the country ’ s public health system would be immense , pandemic or not .
That the decision could come early next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a devastating outbreak—gives it a seismic significance for the 20 million Americans covered by the law , the 84 million who are uninsured or under-insured , and the insurers , hospitals , and governments that have adapted to Obamacare over the course of a decade .

Republicans never have to go to the trouble of reassessing their political stands in light of changing circumstances -- mostly because they're always serving corporate donors, not the voters. That's why Republican AGs are pushing ahead with a lawsuit meant to kill Obamacare, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Via the Daily Beast:
Representatives for five of those attorneys general—from the states of Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee—confirmed to The Daily Beast that the coronavirus outbreak has not changed their plans to try and kill the health care law as parties to the case of Texas v. California. Their steadfastness comes even as their states are beginning to feel the acute impact of the coronavirus’ spread. Georgia currently has over 1,700 coronavirus cases, while Tennessee has nearly 1,000 and the others have anywhere from 350 to 600.
The other 13 state attorney general offices, including that of lead state Texas—where the state’s most populous counties have issued shelter-in-place orders to counter the spread of the coronavirus—either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. None of them have announced any plans to reconsider their participation in the lawsuit.
Their determination to kill the law, no matter the circumstances, mirrors President Trump’s. Asked at a press conference last week whether the virus had changed his plans to press ahead in court, Trump affirmed that "what we want to do is terminate it.”
If the Trump administration and these states succeed in repealing the ACA, the impact on the country’s public health system would be immense, pandemic or not. That the decision could come early next year—at the tail end or recovery stage of a devastating outbreak—gives it a seismic significance for the 20 million Americans covered by the law, the 84 million who are uninsured or under-insured, and the insurers, hospitals, and governments that have adapted to Obamacare over the course of a decade.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Nearly A Dozen Liberty University Students Suspected Of Contracting The Coronavirus

Pretty much what everyone expected when Falwell kept their school open , against every health recommendation in the state .
@ @ @ @ @ week , out of over 15,000 , and then 800 went home .
Now there @ @ @ @ @ .
Stupid is as stupid does .
Liberty University , which partly reopened its campus @ @ @ @ @ confirmed they now have almost a dozen students sick with potential COVID-19 symptoms .
The @ @ @ @ @ school ’ s student-health service , Dr. Thomas Eppes Jr. , told The New York @ @ @ @ @ referred to local hospitals while eight more were instructed to self-isolate .
“ Liberty will @ @ @ @ @ deemed appropriate and required by law , ” university president Jerry Falwell Jr. told the @ @ @ @ @ student returning to campus would have to self-quarantine for two weeks .

Pretty much what everyone expected when Falwell kept their school open, against every health recommendation in the state. Just 1900 students returned this week, out of over 15,000, and then 800 went home. Now there's talk of multiple lawsuits.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Source: Daily Beast


crooksandliars--2020-04-16--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Stinque - white people will be the death of us .
Steve in Manhattan ( @ blogenfreude ) blogs at @ @ @ @ @ you can also read it ) Sarah Kendzior 's new book Hiding in Plain Sight @ @ @ @ @ , send it to mbru @ crooksandliars.com - we do check it !

Crooked Timber - Labour and their pet journalists;
Diane Ravitch's Blog - how Trump's propaganda video backfired;
Graspng Reality - coronavirus daily reading list;
Hullabaloo - the price of Donald Trump;
Stinque - white people will be the death of us.
Steve in Manhattan (@blogenfreude) blogs at stinque.comand is listening to (you can also read it) Sarah Kendzior's new book Hiding in Plain Sight.
To recommend a link, send it to mbru@crooksandliars.com - we do check it!


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--Could Fox 'News' Be Liable For Downplaying Coronavirus Risks?

Gabriel Sherman joined Joy Ann Reid on Sunday mornings edition of AM Joy to discuss how cable news has been handling their coverage of the coronavirus crisis and he presented an interesting tidbit of information from inside the FOX News* machine that was not public ... until now .
Insiders are worried that their denial and flat out lies about coronavirus could have exposed the station - and possibly the hosts - to legal liability for any deaths that may have come directly from the lies being spewed by FOX .
REID : Gabe , you know , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know , take in a lot more news .
That 's the people who watch cable news , right ?
People who are watching cable news are a lot more in the news junkie category and then in the case of that , your choices are MSNBC or CNN or , if you 're choosing FOX , it 's because it favors the Republicans .
It 's because it 's news that favors your world view .
That 's why you 're watching it .
So , I think people assume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration .
They 'll find out when it hits them .
depending on what you 're watching , you know more or you know less .
SHERMAN : Without question , I think that 's been a fixture of this presidency from day one .
If you look at polls that show Republicans views on certain issues , it 's a completely different reality than people who gather their news from a wide array of sources .
What 's really interesting , I think unique about the coronavirus story is that FOX News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was dismiss it as a hoax , say that this is another partisan attempt by Democrats to hurt Donald Trump , and this was the case where they could not prevent reality .
FOX News is a very powerful media organization , but it can not stop people from dropping dead .
What happened is that people did start dying .
We did see hot spots in New York , on the West Coast and now we 're seeing one in the deep south , which is getting closer to Trump country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pivot to actually cover this as a real story .
The President 's handling of this is going to be viewed ultimately by how we get out of it , but this is a case where , at least on the macro story of us understanding of what is happening in America , FOX viewers are now confronting what the rest of us have known since February and early March is that this is a global pandemic that is unprecedented in American history .
REID : To stay you with for a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York .
It 's literally across the street from MSNBC .
It 's in Rockefeller Plaza .
They are in the middle of it with all the other New Yorkers .
We saw Trish Regan come out and label it all a fraud .
She 's now no longer there .
I do n't know what happened with her show but I guess it 's not airing anymore .
You have had FOX anchors who are as likely as anyone on this panel to know someone who gets sick with covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch them confront reality , as you say , is deadly reality , that they ca n't cover for Trump on this .
There 's no way they can keep doing it .
I wonder if the same sort of dynamic is going to happen with Sinclair , which is ten times -- it 's FOX times ten and in your traffic and weather together and they 've tried to also spin things in his favor .
They do add commentary from people like former Trump officials .
How are they handling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's more deceptive about Sinclair is their local newscasts are not labeled as a Sinclair channel .
You do n't know it has a right-wing ideology behind the owners of the local news station , so you 're absorbing it as if it 's just straight network news .
I just want to get back to the FOX of it all real quick .
When I 've been talking to FOX insiders over the last few days , there 's a real concern inside the network that their early downplaying of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action by viewers who maybe were misled and have actually died from this .
I 've heard Trish Regan 's being taken off the air is , you know , reflective of this concern that FOX News is in big trouble by downplaying this virus and The New York Times reported days ago that the Murdoch family was privately taking the coronavirus seriously .
The Murdoch 's , of course , own FOX News .
They were taken personal steps to protect themselves while anchors like Trish Regan and Sean Hannity were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting themselves in potentially mortal danger .
In this case , FOX 's coverage , if it proves people died because of it , this is a new terrain of FOX possibly being held liable for their actions .

Gabriel Sherman joined Joy Ann Reid on Sunday mornings edition of AM Joy to discuss how cable news has been handling their coverage of the coronavirus crisis and he presented an interesting tidbit of information from inside the FOX News* machine that was not public...until now.
Insiders are worried that their denial and flat out lies about coronavirus could have exposed the station - and possibly the hosts - to legal liability for any deaths that may have come directly from the lies being spewed by FOX.
REID: Gabe, you know, there is a self-selection after that of people who, you know, take in a lot more news. That's the people who watch cable news, right? People who are watching cable news are a lot more in the news junkie category and then in the case of that, your choices are MSNBC or CNN or, if you're choosing FOX, it's because it favors the Republicans. It's because it's news that favors your world view. That's why you're watching it. So, I think people assume everyone knows the failures of the Trump Administration. They'll find out when it hits them. depending on what you're watching, you know more or you know less.
SHERMAN: Without question, I think that's been a fixture of this presidency from day one. If you look at polls that show Republicans views on certain issues, it's a completely different reality than people who gather their news from a wide array of sources. What's really interesting, I think unique about the coronavirus story is that FOX News tried to do their original playbook, which was dismiss it as a hoax, say that this is another partisan attempt by Democrats to hurt Donald Trump, and this was the case where they could not prevent reality. FOX News is a very powerful media organization, but it cannot stop people from dropping dead. What happened is that people did start dying. We did see hot spots in New York, on the West Coast and now we're seeing one in the deep south, which is getting closer to Trump country, and FOX News has had to pivot to actually cover this as a real story. The President's handling of this is going to be viewed ultimately by how we get out of it, but this is a case where, at least on the macro story of us understanding of what is happening in America, FOX viewers are now confronting what the rest of us have known since February and early March is that this is a global pandemic that is unprecedented in American history.
REID: To stay you with for a moment, the irony is FOX News is in New York. It's literally across the street from MSNBC. It's in Rockefeller Plaza. They are in the middle of it with all the other New Yorkers. We saw Trish Regan come out and label it all a fraud. She's now no longer there. I don't know what happened with her show but I guess it's not airing anymore. You have had FOX anchors who are as likely as anyone on this panel to know someone who gets sick with covid-19. It's interesting to have to watch them confront reality, as you say, is deadly reality, that they can't cover for Trump on this. There's no way they can keep doing it. I wonder if the same sort of dynamic is going to happen with Sinclair, which is ten times -- it's FOX times ten and in your traffic and weather together and they've tried to also spin things in his favor. They do add commentary from people like former Trump officials. How are they handling it?
SHERMAN: This is a question that's more deceptive about Sinclair is their local newscasts are not labeled as a Sinclair channel. You don't know it has a right-wing ideology behind the owners of the local news station, so you're absorbing it as if it's just straight network news. I just want to get back to the FOX of it all real quick. When I've been talking to FOX insiders over the last few days, there's a real concern inside the network that their early downplaying of the coronavirus actually exposes FOX News to potential legal action by viewers who maybe were misled and have actually died from this. I've heard Trish Regan's being taken off the air is, you know, reflective of this concern that FOX News is in big trouble by downplaying this virus and The New York Times reported days ago that the Murdoch family was privately taking the coronavirus seriously. The Murdoch's, of course, own FOX News. They were taken personal steps to protect themselves while anchors like Trish Regan and Sean Hannity were telling viewers it was a hoax and putting themselves in potentially mortal danger. In this case, FOX's coverage, if it proves people died because of it, this is a new terrain of FOX possibly being held liable for their actions.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Trump's Fifty-Four Minute Call To Fox And Friends: Attacks Pelosi As 'Sick Puppy'

Donald Trump joined his favorite morning lackeys in a bonkers interview Monday , and took time to attack Speaker Pelosi with his usual brand of vitriol for holding him accountable for his imbecilic ( and deadly ) response to the coronavirus .
On Sunday , Speaker Pelosi told the truth .
Trump 's Fox Morning Team -- his favorite three headed propaganda outlet -- did their best to help him clean up after himself .
Lead stooge Brian Kilmeade said people were heartened by how well Gov .
Cuomo and Trump were working together , but then set Trump up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He read Nancy Pelosi 's reactions , `` As the president fiddles , people are dying , what 's your reaction to that ? ''
Kilmeade asked .
This is a typical question from most Fox and Friends hosts whenever Trump shows up there .
“ Well , you know it 's a sad thing , ” Trump said He continued , “ She ’ s a sick puppy , in my opinion , she really is .
She ’ s got a lot of problems and that 's a horrible thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's gotten a lot of accolades from some fair people ( OANN ) and then he reiterated his self-proclaimed genius of closing down travel from China - even though it was weeks too late .
And it seems now there 's a talking point coming from the White House , which is there was no action was taken because the Democrats were playing the `` impeachment game '' against poor , misunderstood Donald .
Trump said , `` [ Impeachment ] Her game , where she ended up looking like a fool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first long time was impeach , impeach , '' Trump repeated like a mantra .
He continued to call Speaker Pelosi a disgrace as his three stooges sat there in silence .
Trump never wants to be held accountable for all his misinformation and lies .
That 's especially true since the outbreak of this virus was first reported .
His many false claims have resulted in the spread of COVID-19 much further and faster than it should have been if the US had a competent leader .
And that 's proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on any credible news outlet where he ca n't control the questions or how they are being asked .
It 's why he loves his reelection campaign press conferences where he can obfuscate , attack , and move on quickly to another friendly reporter .
The only `` sick puppy '' here is Donald Trump .

Donald Trump joined his favorite morning lackeys in a bonkers interview Monday, and took time to attack Speaker Pelosi with his usual brand of vitriol for holding him accountable for his imbecilic (and deadly) response to the coronavirus.
On Sunday, Speaker Pelosi told the truth. Trump's Fox Morning Team -- his favorite three headed propaganda outlet -- did their best to help him clean up after himself.
Lead stooge Brian Kilmeade said people were heartened by how well Gov. Cuomo and Trump were working together, but then set Trump up for his usual dose of softball questions.
He read Nancy Pelosi's reactions, "As the president fiddles, people are dying, what's your reaction to that?" Kilmeade asked.
This is a typical question from most Fox and Friends hosts whenever Trump shows up there.
“Well, you know it's a sad thing,” Trump said
He continued, “She’s a sick puppy, in my opinion, she really is. She’s got a lot of problems and that's a horrible thing to say....”
Trump remarked he's gotten a lot of accolades from some fair people (OANN) and then he reiterated his self-proclaimed genius of closing down travel from China - even though it was weeks too late.
And it seems now there's a talking point coming from the White House, which is there was no action was taken because the Democrats were playing the "impeachment game" against poor, misunderstood Donald.
Trump said, "[Impeachment] Her game, where she ended up looking like a fool."
"All she did for the first long time was impeach, impeach," Trump repeated like a mantra.
He continued to call Speaker Pelosi a disgrace as his three stooges sat there in silence.
Trump never wants to be held accountable for all his misinformation and lies. That's especially true since the outbreak of this virus was first reported.
His many false claims have resulted in the spread of COVID-19 much further and faster than it should have been if the US had a competent leader.
And that's proven by the fact that he refuses to go on any credible news outlet where he can't control the questions or how they are being asked. It's why he loves his reelection campaign press conferences where he can obfuscate, attack, and move on quickly to another friendly reporter.
The only "sick puppy" here is Donald Trump.


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--'Why Should People Trust You?' Martha Raddatz Slams Larry Kudlow For Claiming Virus Is 'Contained'

Larry Kudlow , director of the National Economic Council , on Sunday defended calling the novel coronavirus outbreak `` contained '' just days before large swaths of the country were forced to shelter inside their homes .
In an interview on ABC 's This Week , host Martha Raddatz asked the White House adviser why he was predicting `` weeks , not months '' of economic turmoil due to the global pandemic .
`` How can you be sure this economic tragedy wo n't be longterm if there 's not a guarantee people will have jobs to return to ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't see how it can be just weeks . ''
`` Well , listen , I say that -- weeks -- it could be four weeks , it could be eight weeks , '' Kudlow replied .
`` I say that hopefully and I say that prayerfully .
That 's what some of the science experts have been telling us .
I do n't know if they 'll be right . ''
Raddatz interrupted to point out that Kudlow had called the COVID-19 outbreak `` contained '' in an interview on CNBC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you told CNBC that you thought the virus was contained in the country even though doctors were warning otherwise , '' Raddatz observed .
`` You also downplayed the threat of a long-lasting economic tragedy . ''
`` Why should people trust you ? ''
the ABC News host wondered .
`` I 'm as good as the facts are , '' Kudlow replied .
`` And at the time I made the statement , the facts were [ that the virus was ] contained , the president had just put the travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people agreed with me .
A lot of people felt that the flu was worse than this virus . ''
`` But as soon as the facts changed , we changed our whole posture , '' he insisted

Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, on Sunday defended calling the novel coronavirus outbreak "contained" just days before large swaths of the country were forced to shelter inside their homes.
In an interview on ABC's This Week, host Martha Raddatz asked the White House adviser why he was predicting "weeks, not months" of economic turmoil due to the global pandemic.
"How can you be sure this economic tragedy won't be longterm if there's not a guarantee people will have jobs to return to?" Raddatz said. "I don't see how it can be just weeks."
"Well, listen, I say that -- weeks -- it could be four weeks, it could be eight weeks," Kudlow replied. "I say that hopefully and I say that prayerfully. That's what some of the science experts have been telling us. I don't know if they'll be right."
Raddatz interrupted to point out that Kudlow had called the COVID-19 outbreak "contained" in an interview on CNBC.
"It was just a month ago you told CNBC that you thought the virus was contained in the country even though doctors were warning otherwise," Raddatz observed. "You also downplayed the threat of a long-lasting economic tragedy."
"Why should people trust you?" the ABC News host wondered.
"I'm as good as the facts are," Kudlow replied. "And at the time I made the statement, the facts were [that the virus was] contained, the president had just put the travel restrictions on China. And a lot of people agreed with me. A lot of people felt that the flu was worse than this virus."
"But as soon as the facts changed, we changed our whole posture," he insisted


crooksandliars--2020-05-20--Trump Screws National Guard Virus Workers Out Of GI Bill Credit

About the time you think there 's no low too low , Trump finds a newer low .
It 's not enough to fire the State Department IG because Pompeo is a corrupt SOB , but he 's also fired the transportation IG for looking into Mrs. Mitch McConnell 's malfeasance and corruption .
Yes , those things happened , but it was n't enough .
You may recall that Donald Trump called out the National Guard to help with the virus response in areas that needed it .
And now , it is time for their duty to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , as Politico reports .
More than 40,000 National Guard members currently helping states test residents for the coronavirus and trace the spread of infections will face a “ hard stop ” on their deployments on June 24 — just one day shy of many members becoming eligible for key federal benefits , according to a senior FEMA official .
The official outlined the Trump administration ’ s plans on an interagency call on May 12 , an audio version of which was obtained by POLITICO .
The official also acknowledged during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that thousands of members who first deployed in late March will find themselves with only 89 days of duty credit , one short of the 90-day threshold for qualifying for early retirement and education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI bill .
You read that right .
The Trump administration has coldly calculated when those National Guard members who deployed to help our nation through a pandemic would accrue benefits , and cut them off with 24 hours to spare .
Rachel Maddow explains how they got to this place : Now after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bunch of different members of Congress and senators and governors lobbied the president to please extend that authorization so these national guard deployments could go through to the fall .
The White House would not agree to do that , would not agree to extend them to the fall .
But weirdly , they decided that they would extend it a little bit .
They decided they would extend the federal deployment to June 24th which is a random Wednesday in late June .
Nobody could really figure out why they picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ math and as Politico.com reports today we 've now realized that if this thing ends on June 24th , that means that the federal deployment for these 40,000 national guard troops will end at Day 89 of that deployment .
And ending on Day 89 is really important because if their deployment had gone to Day 90 , if it had gone one more day , those National guardsmen and women would have become eligible for benefits towards retirement and education funds under the new GIbill if that federal deployment had gone one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is cutting off their deployment .
They 're calling tit a hard stop at day 89 of the deployment , specifically so they do n't get their benefits .
The next time you hear `` thank you for your service '' coming from one of these Republican hacks , be sure to point out what hypocrites they are .
They do n't give a damn about the people who are putting their lives on the line .
Here 's what they 've been doing , as Maddow reports : And these National Guardsmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from running community testing sites , they 're doing that all over the country .
They 're providing medical staffing in hard hit prisons that have tons of cases .
They have been running food banks and food distribution sites .
They run field hospitals .
They 've been dispatched to states like Massachusetts to run the state nursing home program for residents and staff .
National guard has been doing all of this work from an order from President Trump that allowed this to be paid for by the federal government .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country thanks you for your service .
So much they ca n't be bothered to give you any benefits .
What a sick , petty , piece of shit we have for a president .

About the time you think there's no low too low, Trump finds a newer low. It's not enough to fire the State Department IG because Pompeo is a corrupt SOB, but he's also fired the transportation IG for looking into Mrs. Mitch McConnell's malfeasance and corruption. Yes, those things happened, but it wasn't enough.
You may recall that Donald Trump called out the National Guard to help with the virus response in areas that needed it. And now, it is time for their duty to end, and just in the nick of time, as Politico reports.
More than 40,000 National Guard members currently helping states test residents for the coronavirus and trace the spread of infections will face a “hard stop” on their deployments on June 24 — just one day shy of many members becoming eligible for key federal benefits, according to a senior FEMA official. The official outlined the Trump administration’s plans on an interagency call on May 12, an audio version of which was obtained by POLITICO. The official also acknowledged during the call that the June 24 deadline means that thousands of members who first deployed in late March will find themselves with only 89 days of duty credit, one short of the 90-day threshold for qualifying for early retirement and education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI bill.
You read that right. The Trump administration has coldly calculated when those National Guard members who deployed to help our nation through a pandemic would accrue benefits, and cut them off with 24 hours to spare.
Rachel Maddow explains how they got to this place:
Now after the president did that in early March a bunch of different members of Congress and senators and governors lobbied the president to please extend that authorization so these national guard deployments could go through to the fall. The White House would not agree to do that, would not agree to extend them to the fall. But weirdly, they decided that they would extend it a little bit. They decided they would extend the federal deployment to June 24th which is a random Wednesday in late June. Nobody could really figure out why they picked that day until somebody finally did the math and as Politico.com reports today we've now realized that if this thing ends on June 24th, that means that the federal deployment for these 40,000 national guard troops will end at Day 89 of that deployment. And ending on Day 89 is really important because if their deployment had gone to Day 90, if it had gone one more day, those National guardsmen and women would have become eligible for benefits towards retirement and education funds under the new GIbill if that federal deployment had gone one more day. So, President Trump is cutting off their deployment. They're calling tit a hard stop at day 89 of the deployment, specifically so they don't get their benefits.
The next time you hear "thank you for your service" coming from one of these Republican hacks, be sure to point out what hypocrites they are. They don't give a damn about the people who are putting their lives on the line. Here's what they've been doing, as Maddow reports:
And these National Guardsmen and Guardswomen, they're doing everything from running community testing sites, they're doing that all over the country. They're providing medical staffing in hard hit prisons that have tons of cases. They have been running food banks and food distribution sites. They run field hospitals. They've been dispatched to states like Massachusetts to run the state nursing home program for residents and staff. National guard has been doing all of this work from an order from President Trump that allowed this to be paid for by the federal government.
So yeah, National Guard. The country thanks you for your service. So much they can't be bothered to give you any benefits.
What a sick, petty, piece of shit we have for a president.


crooksandliars--2020-03-28--Trump Chides Reporter Pressing Him On Ventilator Shortages: 'Don't Be A Cutie Pie'

A simple question , but one with life or death consequences : Will everyone who needs a ventilator be able to get one ?
But Trump did not appreciate being interrupted in his endless bullshit about what a great and glorious leader he is , and , as always , could not provide a direct answer to the question .
President Trump shot back at a reporter pressing him about the availability of ventilators , telling him to not “ be a cutie pie.
” The exchange occurred at a White House press conference Friday regarding the administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Karl asked Trump what the president could do to assure “ these states , these hospitals , that everybody who needs a ventilator will get a ventilator.
” “ I think we ’ re in really good shape .
This is a pandemic , the likes of which nobody ’ s seen before , ” Trump said , praising the work the government has already done to provide ventilators when possible .
“ But everybody who needs one will be able to get a ventilator ?
” Karl pressed .
“ Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pie , okay ?
” Trump fired back .
“ Nobody ’ s done what we ’ ve been able to do .
”

A simple question, but one with life or death consequences: Will everyone who needs a ventilator be able to get one? But Trump did not appreciate being interrupted in his endless bullshit about what a great and glorious leader he is, and, as always, could not provide a direct answer to the question.
Source: The Hill
President Trump shot back at a reporter pressing him about the availability of ventilators, telling him to not “be a cutie pie.”
The exchange occurred at a White House press conference Friday regarding the administration’s coronavirus response.
ABC News’s Jonathan Karl asked Trump what the president could do to assure “these states, these hospitals, that everybody who needs a ventilator will get a ventilator.”
“I think we’re in really good shape. This is a pandemic, the likes of which nobody’s seen before,” Trump said, praising the work the government has already done to provide ventilators when possible.
“But everybody who needs one will be able to get a ventilator?” Karl pressed.
“Look, don’t be a cutie pie, okay?” Trump fired back. “Nobody’s done what we’ve been able to do.”


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

It 's Sunday , fellow Crooks and Liars , and in two weeks Prznint Stupid says that he is going @ @ @ @ @ so we got that working for us .
Margaret and Helen put the COVID-19 relief @ @ @ @ @ Stable Genius Liberal posits that there is only one , true scandal in the age @ @ @ @ @ : Murrmurrs gives us the old people master class on social distancing .
So that @ @ @ @ @ you for letting me be a part of your morning , and thanks to the @ @ @ @ @ enlightened and entertained us this week .
I 'm so glad we had this time @ @ @ @ @ ) Round-up by Tengrain who blogs at Mock , Paper , Scissors .
You can @ @ @ @ @ , too .
Send tips , requests , and suggestions to mbru @ crooksandliars.com ( @ @ @ @ @ subject line ) .

It's Sunday, fellow Crooks and Liars, and in two weeks Prznint Stupid says that he is going to resurrect the economy, so we got that working for us.
Margaret and Helen put the COVID-19 relief bill in sharp relief.
Eclectablog sees Prznint Stupid is weaponizing COVID-19 to win re-election.
Political Irony discovers Prznint Stupid's priorities.
Stable Genius Liberal posits that there is only one, true scandal in the age of Trump.
Bonus Track: Murrmurrs gives us the old people master class on social distancing.
So that's a wrap! Thank you for letting me be a part of your morning, and thanks to the 28 or so bloggers who enlightened and entertained us this week. I'm so glad we had this time together... (tugs ear)
Round-up by Tengrain who blogs at Mock, Paper, Scissors. You can follow Tengrain on the Twitters, too. Send tips, requests, and suggestions to mbru@crooksandliars.com (with For MBRU in the subject line).


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--'Disgusting!' Lindsey Graham Blows A Gasket After Pelosi Accuses Trump Of Fiddling While People Die

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) on Sunday lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) after she suggested that President Donald Trump 's handling of the global COVID-19 pandemic will likely mean more deaths .
`` She 's blaming the president of the United States for people dying , '' Graham complained to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo .
`` That 's the most shameful , disgusting statement by any politician in modern history . ''
Graham then ranted about how `` we 've seen the best of America '' during the pandemic .
`` She 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people dying , '' the senator complained .
`` This is the same Speaker of the House who held up the bill in the Senate for days because she wanted same day voting , she wanted carbon neutrality for the airlines , she wanted $ 75 million of the Endowment for the Humanities and she wanted $ 25 million for the Kennedy Center . ''
Bartiromo reminded Graham that he voted for the relief bill in spite of his objections .
`` Yeah , [ Pelosi ] put a gun to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And said we will not get this through the House until you put $ 25 million for the Kennedy Center ... What the hell has that got to do with saving lives that are affected by the coronavirus ? ''
`` We took most of the garbage out , '' he continued .
`` But for her to blame this president for loss of life after she held up the relief package for days to get a liberal special interest shopping list in the bill is pretty disgusting . ''

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) after she suggested that President Donald Trump's handling of the global COVID-19 pandemic will likely mean more deaths.
"She's blaming the president of the United States for people dying," Graham complained to Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. "That's the most shameful, disgusting statement by any politician in modern history."
Graham then ranted about how "we've seen the best of America" during the pandemic.
"She's the first politician to blame another politician for people dying," the senator complained. "This is the same Speaker of the House who held up the bill in the Senate for days because she wanted same day voting, she wanted carbon neutrality for the airlines, she wanted $75 million of the Endowment for the Humanities and she wanted $25 million for the Kennedy Center."
Bartiromo reminded Graham that he voted for the relief bill in spite of his objections.
"Yeah, [Pelosi] put a gun to our head!" Graham exclaimed. "And said we will not get this through the House until you put $25 million for the Kennedy Center... What the hell has that got to do with saving lives that are affected by the coronavirus?"
"We took most of the garbage out," he continued. "But for her to blame this president for loss of life after she held up the relief package for days to get a liberal special interest shopping list in the bill is pretty disgusting."
"It's extraordinary," Bartiromo agreed.


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--Dr. Birx Won't Advise Americans On Continuing Lockdown: 'I'm Going To Share It With The President'

Federal coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx on Sunday said that `` every metro area '' should expect an @ @ @ @ @ .
`` What I wanted to be very clear on is every metro area should @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak equivalent to New York , and do everything right now to prevent it @ @ @ @ @ Todd on NBC 's Meet the Press .
Todd pressed Birx on whether Americans should @ @ @ @ @ recommendations for a lockdown to continue .
But the doctor refused to answer .
`` @ @ @ @ @ '' Todd asked .
`` What recommendation are you going to be giving to them @ @ @ @ @ that with us ? ''
`` I 'm going to share it with the president @ @ @ @ @ '' Birx insisted .

Federal coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx on Sunday said that "every metro area" should expect an outbreak equivalent to New York.
"What I wanted to be very clear on is every metro area should assume that they could have an outbreak equivalent to New York, and do everything right now to prevent it," Birx told Chuck Todd on NBC's Meet the Press.
Todd pressed Birx on whether Americans should be prepared for the national recommendations for a lockdown to continue.
But the doctor refused to answer.
"What is your recommendation?" Todd asked. "What recommendation are you going to be giving to them or are you not sharing that with us?"
"I'm going to share it with the president and vice president first," Birx insisted.


crooksandliars--2020-03-29--Nancy Pelosi: While 'Deadly' Trump 'Fiddles, People Are Dying'

Nancy Pelosi , the Speaker of the House joined Jake Tapper on CNN 's State of the Union this morning and did not mince words on how Trump handled the pandemic .
The Speaker lambasted Donald Trump 's Nero-like response to the coronavirus and called his actions `` deadly '' to the American people .
`` Trump is considering relaxing federal guidelines for coronavirus for some of the less affected parts of the country .
do you think he should ? ''
Jake Tapper asked .
`` The president , his denial at the beginning , was deadly .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- his continued delay in getting equipment to where it 's needed is deadly , '' Pelosi replied .
She said we must continue to get all the medical equipment we need as fast as we can .
Pelosi remarked that she did not know what the scientists were and were n't telling Trump , what did he know or did n't know and when .
`` But as the president fiddles , people are dying , '' she said .
That captures his reactions pretty nicely .
However , I would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but one of self-preservation .
He told us that he wanted to keep the numbers of people infected down as much as possible .
This means he was thoroughly brought in on the severity of this virus and chose to downplay it , have his surrogates like Larry Kudlow tell us the virus was contained and downplay the federal government 's response to it because that would 've alerted voters and hurt his chances of reelection .
`` Speaker Pelosi , when you say the president 's denial was deadly , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several weeks and it was n't until I think about two weeks ago that he started acknowledging the gravity of the crisis , '' Tapper noted .
`` Are you saying his downplaying ultimately cost American lives ? ''
She continued , `` The other day , when he was signing the bill , he said , just think , 20 days ago everything was great .
No , everything was n't great .
We had nearly 500 cases and 17 deaths already and in that 20 days , because we were n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 100,000 cases . ''
`` So again , we really want to work in a unifying way to get the job done here .
But we can not continue to allow him to continue to make these underestimates of what is actually happening here .
This is such a tragedy and we do n't even know the magnitude of it because we do not have the adequate testing , '' Pelosi stated .
We will probably never know the extent to which Americans have been endangered , thanks to Trump 's ineffective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have thought of a better way to do harm to our country .

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House joined Jake Tapper on CNN's State of the Union this morning and did not mince words on how Trump handled the pandemic.
The Speaker lambasted Donald Trump's Nero-like response to the coronavirus and called his actions "deadly" to the American people.
"Trump is considering relaxing federal guidelines for coronavirus for some of the less affected parts of the country. do you think he should?" Jake Tapper asked.
"The president, his denial at the beginning, was deadly. His delaying of getting equipment to where it -- his continued delay in getting equipment to where it's needed is deadly," Pelosi replied.
She said we must continue to get all the medical equipment we need as fast as we can. Pelosi remarked that she did not know what the scientists were and weren't telling Trump, what did he know or didn't know and when.
"But as the president fiddles, people are dying," she said.
That captures his reactions pretty nicely. However, I would not characterize Trump's initial reaction as denial, but one of self-preservation. He told us that he wanted to keep the numbers of people infected down as much as possible.
This means he was thoroughly brought in on the severity of this virus and chose to downplay it, have his surrogates like Larry Kudlow tell us the virus was contained and downplay the federal government's response to it because that would've alerted voters and hurt his chances of reelection.
"Speaker Pelosi, when you say the president's denial was deadly, he obviously downplayed the risks of coronavirus for several weeks and it wasn't until I think about two weeks ago that he started acknowledging the gravity of the crisis," Tapper noted. "Are you saying his downplaying ultimately cost American lives?"
"Yes, I am," Pelosi replied.
She continued, "The other day, when he was signing the bill, he said, just think, 20 days ago everything was great. No, everything wasn't great. We had nearly 500 cases and 17 deaths already and in that 20 days, because we weren't prepared, we now have 2,000 deaths and 100,000 cases."
"So again, we really want to work in a unifying way to get the job done here. But we cannot continue to allow him to continue to make these underestimates of what is actually happening here. This is such a tragedy and we don't even know the magnitude of it because we do not have the adequate testing," Pelosi stated.
We will probably never know the extent to which Americans have been endangered, thanks to Trump's ineffective approach to testing. Putin couldn't have thought of a better way to do harm to our country.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Laura Ingraham Freaks Out: 'Radical Left' Taking Advantage Of COVID

Same as any other day , but Thursday she really seemed upset about the massive changes that the Coronavirus is making , not just to our daily lives , but to our politics .
This pandemic has exposed the failure of her politics .
Making it easier to vote ( to prevent the spread of COVID ) ?
That 's a tool of `` The Left '' to win elections .
Gee , Laura , that 's exactly like admitting that voter suppression is a tool of `` The Right '' to win elections .
And `` The Left '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taking away your guns , too .
How are those My Pillow ads going for you , Laura ?
Advertisers ca n't forget your racism , huh .
LAURA INGRAHAM : Phase four , COVID meets Solyndra .
maybe we can call it `` Covindra . ''
Absolutely absurd , and this should be exposed and resisted at all costs by the GOP .
Come on !
If they 're not going green though , they are going after the guns .
because the same liberal governors who classified abortion clinics as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores as nonessential .
Gun owners , they were n't happy ...
Right now , with everything we 're facing , it 's got to be Americans first .
But of all the scams perpetrated through the covid nightmare , the effort to change voting -- we told you like two weeks ago this was going to happen -- is perhaps the worst .
Anything to create more opportunities for ballot harvesting or even voter fraud .
Laura tweeted that she wants the Freedom Caucus to stand up to this !

Laura Ingraham freaked out on Thursday.
Same as any other day, but Thursday she really seemed upset about the massive changes that the Coronavirus is making, not just to our daily lives, but to our politics.
This pandemic has exposed the failure of her politics.
Making it easier to vote (to prevent the spread of COVID)? That's a tool of "The Left" to win elections.
Gee, Laura, that's exactly like admitting that voter suppression is a tool of "The Right" to win elections.
And "The Left" is forcing you to have an abortion and taking away your guns, too.
How are those My Pillow ads going for you, Laura? Advertisers can't forget your racism, huh.
LAURA INGRAHAM: Phase four, COVID meets Solyndra. maybe we can call it "Covindra." Absolutely absurd, and this should be exposed and resisted at all costs by the GOP. Come on! If they're not going green though, they are going after the guns. because the same liberal governors who classified abortion clinics as essential businesses rushed in to close gun stores as nonessential. Gun owners, they weren't happy... Right now, with everything we're facing, it's got to be Americans first. But of all the scams perpetrated through the covid nightmare, the effort to change voting -- we told you like two weeks ago this was going to happen -- is perhaps the worst. Anything to create more opportunities for ballot harvesting or even voter fraud.
Twitter, stepping up its enforcement of misleading and harmful coronavirus-related claims, required Fox News host Laura Ingraham to delete a tweet from 10 days ago that misrepresented details of an unproven treatment for coronavirus.https://t.co/tECZY7wXKk — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 31, 2020
Laura tweeted that she wants the Freedom Caucus to stand up to this!
Imagine if we had congressional group called the Freedom Caucus. Wouldn’t today be a good time to speak out? — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) April 3, 2020
One commenter replied.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Fox Host Is 'Losing Faith' In Stay At Home Order When There's Money To Be Made

When Dagen McDowell and Harris Faulkner are making sense on Fox `` News , '' you need to look for a rupture in the space-time continuum , but there it was today when they were speaking on the need to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
McDowell talked about being shocked and appalled that she saw tourists at the supermarket , because why on God 's Green Earth is anyone with sense still vacationing at this point ?
She says she wanted to stop them and ask , `` Why are you here ? ''
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home orders had better results in reducing spread , and backed it up with the New York Times ' study of cell phone use proving that those folks were staying within a mile of their homes .
McDowell wondered ( completely unironically , I might add , ) if people just needed the crap scared out of them in order to stay home .
Harris Faulkner came in behind her to ask if it was n't a matter of patriotism to keep everyone safe by adhering to those guidelines .
Melissa Francis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fox 's Earth 2 by questioning the wisdom of keeping everyone alive when there was money to be made , already !
FRANCIS : It is .
I mean , I just wonder -- and I know David is sort of in this camp with me -- I wonder , in the long run , when we look back at this , it does seem like it spread all over New York .
At this point , I do n't know about the efficacy of staying inside indefinitely .
Who does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at this point , personally ?
FRANCIS : It has run rampant , all over the city , at least .
Maybe you just do n't know , they are n't telling you about it .
FRANCIS : I 'm just saying , it 's everywhere already .
I do n't know -- at this point we are destroying our economy .
We are going to talk about this later .
But that part is so scary to me .
I do n't know about this continued stay inside .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the `` efficacy '' of it .
Like , how `` efficient '' is it to make people stay home and live if the economy is going to tank ?
Francis is incapable or unwilling to consider the flip side : how great it would be for the economy if the work force died off in wave after monstrous wave from COVID-19 ?
Who 's gon na do your nails , then , Melissa ?

When Dagen McDowell and Harris Faulkner are making sense on Fox "News," you need to look for a rupture in the space-time continuum, but there it was today when they were speaking on the need to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. McDowell talked about being shocked and appalled that she saw tourists at the supermarket, because why on God's Green Earth is anyone with sense still vacationing at this point? She says she wanted to stop them and ask, "Why are you here?"
She highlighted the fact that governors who issued stay-at-home orders had better results in reducing spread, and backed it up with the New York Times' study of cell phone use proving that those folks were staying within a mile of their homes. McDowell wondered (completely unironically, I might add,) if people just needed the crap scared out of them in order to stay home. Harris Faulkner came in behind her to ask if it wasn't a matter of patriotism to keep everyone safe by adhering to those guidelines.
Melissa Francis, though, needed to snap everyone back to Fox's Earth 2 by questioning the wisdom of keeping everyone alive when there was money to be made, already!
FRANCIS: It is. I mean, I just wonder -- and I know David is sort of in this camp with me -- I wonder, in the long run, when we look back at this, it does seem like it spread all over New York. At this point, I don't know about the efficacy of staying inside indefinitely. Who doesn't know ten or 12 people who have it at this point, personally? FAULKNER: I don't. FRANCIS: It has run rampant, all over the city, at least. Maybe you just don't know, they aren't telling you about it. FAULKNER: That's a good point. FRANCIS: I'm just saying, it's everywhere already. I don't know -- at this point we are destroying our economy. We are going to talk about this later. But that part is so scary to me. I don't know about this continued stay inside. I'm losing faith in it.
She wonders about the "efficacy" of it. Like, how "efficient" is it to make people stay home and live if the economy is going to tank? Francis is incapable or unwilling to consider the flip side: how great it would be for the economy if the work force died off in wave after monstrous wave from COVID-19? Who's gonna do your nails, then, Melissa?


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Georgia's Senate Candidate Clobbers Kemp's Libertarianism, Cowardice, And Fear

Teresa Tomlinson is running to unseat Senator David Perdue ( R-GA ) .
The former mayor of Columbus , GA joined Joy Reid to discuss the unconscionable response of Georgia 's Governor Brian Kemp to the COVID-19 pandemic , but it became a master class in why Libertarians and Libertarianism are so dangerous and should be kept out of government at all costs .
Tomlinson and Reid highlighted the disgraceful news conference of a few days ago , wherein Kemp claimed he had just learned the night before that a person could spread COVID-19 while asymptomatic .
Tomlinson mentioned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jokes because of that , based on the premise of his `` stupidity , '' or lack of intellect .
She called complete BS on that .
She claims Kemp knew weeks ago that asymptomatic folks could spread the disease , and it was `` cowardice and fear '' that kept him from looking into the camera and warning his citizens , not `` stupidity . ''
Tomlinson cited `` Republican swagger , his 'Do n't Tread On Me , ' his go-it-alone-ism that had put them at risk . ''
Then Tomlinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who decided the federal government was useless , by describing and decrying the `` 30-40-year march of anti-governmentalism seeping into the Republican party and becoming mainstream , where you end up having people who do n't believe in a centralized government '' contributing to disastrous responses to national crises , like Katrina , the 2008 market crash , and now the COVID-19 pandemic .
These Libertarians/Republicans `` simply do n't know what government can do because they do n't believe in the concept of centralized federal government . ''
When those people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Kemp 's , DeSantis ' , Ivey 's , and Reeves ' — governors who refuse to act in the best interests of their constituents .
Tomlinson put it even more bleakly : TOMLINSON : They just do n't think that the state should be involved in this pursuit of the general welfare and public health of the people ... .We can not elect people who do not believe in the functioning of a centralized federal government , and a state-coordinated government .

Teresa Tomlinson is running to unseat Senator David Perdue (R-GA). The former mayor of Columbus, GA joined Joy Reid to discuss the unconscionable response of Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it became a master class in why Libertarians and Libertarianism are so dangerous and should be kept out of government at all costs.
Tomlinson and Reid highlighted the disgraceful news conference of a few days ago, wherein Kemp claimed he had just learned the night before that a person could spread COVID-19 while asymptomatic. Tomlinson mentioned that Kemp had become the butt of many jokes because of that, based on the premise of his "stupidity," or lack of intellect. She called complete BS on that.
She claims Kemp knew weeks ago that asymptomatic folks could spread the disease, and it was "cowardice and fear" that kept him from looking into the camera and warning his citizens, not "stupidity." Tomlinson cited "Republican swagger, his 'Don't Tread On Me,' his go-it-alone-ism that had put them at risk."
Then Tomlinson tap-danced on the heads of every Libertarian who decided the federal government was useless, by describing and decrying the "30-40-year march of anti-governmentalism seeping into the Republican party and becoming mainstream, where you end up having people who don't believe in a centralized government" contributing to disastrous responses to national crises, like Katrina, the 2008 market crash, and now the COVID-19 pandemic.
These Libertarians/Republicans "simply don't know what government can do because they don't believe in the concept of centralized federal government." When those people are elected to state government you get responses like Kemp's, DeSantis', Ivey's, and Reeves' — governors who refuse to act in the best interests of their constituents. Tomlinson put it even more bleakly:
TOMLINSON: They just don't think that the state should be involved in this pursuit of the general welfare and public health of the people....We cannot elect people who do not believe in the functioning of a centralized federal government, and a state-coordinated government.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Trump Rages About Whistleblower: 'Someone Oughtta Sue His Ass Off!'

Honestly , these press briefings with Trump get more and more batsh*t every single day .
Why give them air ?
Why give HIM air ?
What do we learn ?
Close to nothing .
Today , though , his reaction the press bringing up something he did having nothing to do with COVID-19 was very instructive .
Trump fired the Intelligence Community 's Inspector General , Michael Atkinson yesterday .
Atkinson is the one who received the whistleblower 's report that Trump 's administration was withholding aid from Ukraine illegally in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atkinson reviewed the report , and finding it compelling and urgent , passed it on to Congress .
Now , while he thinks the entire country is looking the other way because of COVID-19 , Trump took the opportunity to fire Atkinson .
A reporter at today 's briefing decided to bring it up , asking why he was fired , since he was simply doing his job by taking the complaint to Congress .
As you can imagine , Trump did not take kindly to this .
Snarling like the rabid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he brought out all the usual taunts and lies .
• Not a big Trump fan , that I can tell you .
• It was a perfect transcript .
( multiple times , with this one ... ) • He never even came to see me .
How can you do that ?
Then came the Schiff-bashing .
TRUMP : Where 's the informer ?
Because there was gon na be this informer .
Maybe Schiff was the informer , you ever think of that ?
He 's a corrupt guy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen .
I say this .
Where 's the informer ?
[ ... ] I revealed the conversation .
I got approval from Ukraine because I did n't want to reveal it without their approval , and they said , `` Absolutely , you did nothing wrong . ''
[ ... ] And over that , with a 196 to nothing vote by the Republicans , not one dissenting Republican vote , dishonest Democrats impeached the president of the United States .
That man is a disgrace to IGs .
Let 's go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disgrace .
Wait , wut ?
Now , Adam Schiff is the informer ?
None of these other lies are particularly interesting or new , but he 's accusing Adam Schiff of being the informer/whistleblower 's source ?
It is absurd .
And the fact that Trump thinks he can use a pandemic to satisfy his authoritarian thirst for revenge , and wo n't get questioned about it at a presser is definitely worth noting .
This becomes jarringly clear when the next reporter tries to follow up .
REPORTER # 2 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss the Inspector General -- TRUMP : Okay , we 'll get off this because people wan na talk about what we 're talking about .
But let me just tell you something .
That 's MY decision .
I have the absolute right .
Even the fake news last night said , `` He has the absolute right to do it . ''
But ask him .
`` Why did n't you go and see the actual conversation ? ''
There was no rush .
He said , `` Oh , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even said it was politically biased .
He actually said that .
The report could have been — You know who the whistleblower is , and so do you , and so do you , and so does everybody in this room , and so do I .
But they give this whistleblower a status that he does n't deserve .
He 's a fake whistleblower .
And frankly , someone ought to sue his ass off . ''
You could see the frenzy in his eyes grow as he became more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring up a topic unflattering to the Great Ruler .
When he begins to point to individual reporters in the room , accusing them of knowing the identity of the whistleblower , and then landing on himself , saying that he does , too ?
The venom in his voice when he crescendos by inciting a threat against the whistleblower of being sued ?
If that does n't make your blood run cold , if you do n't see a tyrannical man-child with nothing but self-interest and revenge on his tiny shredded mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friend .

Honestly, these press briefings with Trump get more and more batsh*t every single day. Why give them air? Why give HIM air? What do we learn? Close to nothing. Today, though, his reaction the press bringing up something he did having nothing to do with COVID-19 was very instructive.
Trump fired the Intelligence Community's Inspector General, Michael Atkinson yesterday. Atkinson is the one who received the whistleblower's report that Trump's administration was withholding aid from Ukraine illegally in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden and his son. As was his job, Atkinson reviewed the report, and finding it compelling and urgent, passed it on to Congress. Now, while he thinks the entire country is looking the other way because of COVID-19, Trump took the opportunity to fire Atkinson.
A reporter at today's briefing decided to bring it up, asking why he was fired, since he was simply doing his job by taking the complaint to Congress.
As you can imagine, Trump did not take kindly to this. Snarling like the rabid, mangy, raccoon that he is, he brought out all the usual taunts and lies.
He did a terrible job.
Brought a fake report to Congress.
Not a big Trump fan, that I can tell you.
It was a perfect transcript. (multiple times, with this one...)
He never even came to see me. How can you do that?
Where's the whistleblower?
Where's the informer?
Then came the Schiff-bashing.
TRUMP: Where's the informer? Because there was gonna be this informer. Maybe Schiff was the informer, you ever think of that? He's a corrupt guy. He's a corrupt politician. So listen. I say this. Where's the informer?
[...]
I revealed the conversation. I got approval from Ukraine because I didn't want to reveal it without their approval, and they said, "Absolutely, you did nothing wrong."
[...]
And over that, with a 196 to nothing vote by the Republicans, not one dissenting Republican vote, dishonest Democrats impeached the president of the United States. That man is a disgrace to IGs. Let's go. Next. He's a total disgrace.
Wait, wut? Now, Adam Schiff is the informer?
None of these other lies are particularly interesting or new, but he's accusing Adam Schiff of being the informer/whistleblower's source? It is absurd.
And the fact that Trump thinks he can use a pandemic to satisfy his authoritarian thirst for revenge, and won't get questioned about it at a presser is definitely worth noting. This becomes jarringly clear when the next reporter tries to follow up.
REPORTER #2: Did you run by your decision to dismiss the Inspector General -- TRUMP: Okay, we'll get off this because people wanna talk about what we're talking about. But let me just tell you something. That's MY decision. I have the absolute right. Even the fake news last night said, "He has the absolute right to do it." But ask him. "Why didn't you go and see the actual conversation?" There was no rush. He said, "Oh, we have to rush it." He even said it was politically biased. He actually said that. The report could have been — You know who the whistleblower is, and so do you, and so do you, and so does everybody in this room, and so do I. But they give this whistleblower a status that he doesn't deserve. He's a fake whistleblower. And frankly, someone ought to sue his ass off."
You could see the frenzy in his eyes grow as he became more and more agitated that second reporter would dare bring up a topic unflattering to the Great Ruler. When he begins to point to individual reporters in the room, accusing them of knowing the identity of the whistleblower, and then landing on himself, saying that he does, too? The venom in his voice when he crescendos by inciting a threat against the whistleblower of being sued? If that doesn't make your blood run cold, if you don't see a tyrannical man-child with nothing but self-interest and revenge on his tiny shredded mind, you're a different species, my friend.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Georgia Reopens Popular Beaches, By Executive Order

A decision so bad even the mayor of Tybee Island , a popular tourist area , is calling for Kemp to reconsider .
Half their police force now has the virus .
Some of the state ’ s most popular beaches will be allowed to reopen Friday night due to Gov .
Brian Kemp ’ s statewide order superseding that of some city-level shelter-in-place mandates .
Georgia beach communities , including Tybee Island , had closed in response to local mandates imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 , Department of Natural Resources officials told news station WJCL .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the stay-at-home order ’ s execution at 6 p.m. Friday .
“ The Governor ’ s Executive Order suspends the enforcement of any local ordinance or order adopted or issued since March 1 , 2020 , that relates to COVID-19 , ” said Josh Hildebrandt , director of public and governmental affairs for DNR .
“ This Executive Order thus lifted any local ordinances or orders that had closed or restricted access to Georgia beaches.
” Because Kemp ’ s executive order allows for exercise outside , with social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches are viable options for Georgians .
Previous orders called for those beach areas to close .
Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions was alerted to this Friday morning .

A decision so bad even the mayor of Tybee Island, a popular tourist area, is calling for Kemp to reconsider. Half their police force now has the virus.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
Some of the state’s most popular beaches will be allowed to reopen Friday night due to Gov. Brian Kemp’s statewide order superseding that of some city-level shelter-in-place mandates.
Georgia beach communities, including Tybee Island, had closed in response to local mandates imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19, Department of Natural Resources officials told news station WJCL. The beaches had the option to reopen at the start of the stay-at-home order’s execution at 6 p.m. Friday.
“The Governor’s Executive Order suspends the enforcement of any local ordinance or order adopted or issued since March 1, 2020, that relates to COVID-19,” said Josh Hildebrandt, director of public and governmental affairs for DNR. “This Executive Order thus lifted any local ordinances or orders that had closed or restricted access to Georgia beaches.”
Because Kemp’s executive order allows for exercise outside, with social distancing of at least 6 feet, the beaches are viable options for Georgians. Previous orders called for those beach areas to close. Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions was alerted to this Friday morning.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Iowa's Governor: Maybe (Fauci) Doesnt Have All The Information

A curious choice of words for any Governor , that somehow Dr Fauci is just not well-informed enough on what the various states are doing to combat COVID-19 , implying I suppose that each state knows better than the good Doctor on how best to deal with this situation .
Not only do we each have to survive this virus , but also our witless politicians .
Gov .
Kim Reynolds remains strong in her decision to not order a shelter-in-place .
Dr. Anthony Fauci said he did n't understand why every state had n't issued a shelter-in-place , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the information .
Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and White House adviser , made the statement on CNN .
`` I do n't understand why ( shelter-in-place is ) not happening , '' Fauci said .
`` But if you look at what 's going on in this country , I just do n't understand why we 're not doing that . ''
When asked about Fauci 's recommendation , Reynolds said he may not have all the information .
`` Maybe ( Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Reynolds said .
`` You ca n't just look at a map and assume that no action has been taken .
That is completely false . ''
She then listed off the actions she has taken in her emergency proclamation since the first case came to Iowa , including closing schools , and non-essential businesses .

A curious choice of words for any Governor, that somehow Dr Fauci is just not well-informed enough on what the various states are doing to combat COVID-19, implying I suppose that each state knows better than the good Doctor on how best to deal with this situation.
Not only do we each have to survive this virus, but also our witless politicians.
Source: KCCI, Des Moines
Gov. Kim Reynolds remains strong in her decision to not order a shelter-in-place. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he didn't understand why every state hadn't issued a shelter-in-place, in which Reynolds said he might not have all the information. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and White House adviser, made the statement on CNN. "I don't understand why (shelter-in-place is) not happening," Fauci said. "But if you look at what's going on in this country, I just don't understand why we're not doing that." When asked about Fauci's recommendation, Reynolds said he may not have all the information. "Maybe (Fauci) doesn't have all the information," Reynolds said. "You can't just look at a map and assume that no action has been taken. That is completely false."
She then listed off the actions she has taken in her emergency proclamation since the first case came to Iowa, including closing schools, and non-essential businesses.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--Vengeful Trump Fires Inspector General Who Greenlit Ukraine Whistleblower Complaint

National Security Analyst Samantha Vinograd laid into Trump for firing Inspector General Michael Atkinson yesterday .
IG Atkinson was doing his job , and doing it well , when he received and acted on a whistleblower 's report that Trump 's administration was withholding Congressionally-approved aid in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden and his son .
This report led to Trump 's impeachment , and he is hell-bent on destroying anyone he can who played a role in it .
Vinograd was beside herself .
VINOGRAD : Trump has decimated his own intelligence to date , and now he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moment when , arguably , we need more , not fewer , competent professionals on board .
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for the entire U.S. government , including the U.S. intelligence community .
In the face of the novel coronavirus , resources are strained .
We have less intelligence professionals able to come to work and access classified servers .
And rather than trying to marshal resources at this time , President Trump has removed a competent intelligence professional from a key post .
She did not stop there .
Vinograd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the intelligence community by not allowing a proper transition .
VINOGRAD : And it ’ s also the way that he did it .
Let ’ s keep in mind , President Trump did not even allow Atkinson the mandatory 30-day transition period .
He ’ s been placed on administrative leave .
That means there has not been the ability to appropriately hand over Atkinson ’ s work to his successor , the acting inspector general .
And the president has knowingly introduced unnecessary disruption and put more pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is really trumping everything else at this juncture .
The gleeful way this administration refuses to adhere to `` norms '' results in not only chaos , but real danger that does n't reflect the independence and strength Trump deludes himself into imagining it does .
It reflects the contempt and stupidity within him that has no apparent limit .
Victor Blackwell asked Vinograd if Atkinson 's replacement would be likely to have the confidence of the intelligence community .
She smirked , as she responded : VINOGRAD : There are two questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump even names a nominee .
He 's abused the `` acting '' system throughout his tenure to really preclude his need to name a nominee , and put that nominee through Congress , so we could see that trend continue .
But even if Trump names someone who has HIS confidence , the issue , as you mention , is whether that person has the confidence of the intelligence community .
The Inspector General 's job , as described on the Director of National Intelligence website , is to investigate and report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did exactly that .
He maintained his independence , and he was removed from his position because of it .
At this point , we all know that the qualifications for having Trump 's confidence really require bending the law or not meeting statutory obligations , if it means getting crossed wires with the president .
That last sentence .
It 's open knowledge .
To have Trump 's confidence , you must be willing to break the law .
This national nightmare feels endless .

National Security Analyst Samantha Vinograd laid into Trump for firing Inspector General Michael Atkinson yesterday. IG Atkinson was doing his job, and doing it well, when he received and acted on a whistleblower's report that Trump's administration was withholding Congressionally-approved aid in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden and his son. This report led to Trump's impeachment, and he is hell-bent on destroying anyone he can who played a role in it. Vinograd was beside herself.
VINOGRAD: Trump has decimated his own intelligence to date, and now he’s continuing that pet project at a moment when, arguably, we need more, not fewer, competent professionals on board. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for the entire U.S. government, including the U.S. intelligence community. In the face of the novel coronavirus, resources are strained. We have less intelligence professionals able to come to work and access classified servers. And rather than trying to marshal resources at this time, President Trump has removed a competent intelligence professional from a key post.
She did not stop there. Vinograd highlighted the disadvantage at which he placed the rest of the intelligence community by not allowing a proper transition.
VINOGRAD: And it’s also the way that he did it. Let’s keep in mind, President Trump did not even allow Atkinson the mandatory 30-day transition period. He’s been placed on administrative leave. That means there has not been the ability to appropriately hand over Atkinson’s work to his successor, the acting inspector general. And the president has knowingly introduced unnecessary disruption and put more pressure on the intelligence community because his narcissism is really trumping everything else at this juncture.
The gleeful way this administration refuses to adhere to "norms" results in not only chaos, but real danger that doesn't reflect the independence and strength Trump deludes himself into imagining it does. It reflects the contempt and stupidity within him that has no apparent limit.
Victor Blackwell asked Vinograd if Atkinson's replacement would be likely to have the confidence of the intelligence community. She smirked, as she responded:
VINOGRAD: There are two questions here, Victor. One is whether Trump even names a nominee. He's abused the "acting" system throughout his tenure to really preclude his need to name a nominee, and put that nominee through Congress, so we could see that trend continue. But even if Trump names someone who has HIS confidence, the issue, as you mention, is whether that person has the confidence of the intelligence community. The Inspector General's job, as described on the Director of National Intelligence website, is to investigate and report on fraud and mismanagement. Michael Atkinson did exactly that. He maintained his independence, and he was removed from his position because of it. At this point, we all know that the qualifications for having Trump's confidence really require bending the law or not meeting statutory obligations, if it means getting crossed wires with the president.
That last sentence. It's open knowledge. To have Trump's confidence, you must be willing to break the law. This national nightmare feels endless.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Misogynist Trump Yells At CBS Reporter For Questioning Kushner Remarks: 'You Ought To Be Ashamed'

As usual , Donald Trump flipped out on a female reporter during his daily coronavirus press conference .
He really @ @ @ @ @ when they involve complex things , like math , science , history , law , @ @ @ @ @ medicine and honesty .
The question that made him flip out was posed by CBS @ @ @ @ @ She merely asked for clarification on comments made by Jared Kushner about why the federal @ @ @ @ @ and did not belong to the states .
Trump REALLY disliked being asked to explain @ @ @ @ @ Prince , meant .
So what is the natural response ?
Lashing out , attacking @ @ @ @ @ rage and above all , abject stupidity .
`` When he says 'our , ' @ @ @ @ @ country , '' Trump snapped .
`` It 's such a basic simple question .
@ @ @ @ @ . ''
We have truly the worst president serving in office at the absolute worst @ @

As usual, Donald Trump flipped out on a female reporter during his daily coronavirus press conference. He really hates answering questions, especially when they involve complex things, like math, science, history, law, government, the Constitution, medicine and honesty.
The question that made him flip out was posed by CBS reporter, Weijia Jiang. She merely asked for clarification on comments made by Jared Kushner about why the federal stockpile was "ours" and did not belong to the states. Trump REALLY disliked being asked to explain what Kushner, the Idiot Prince, meant. So what is the natural response? Lashing out, attacking the questioner, arrogance, rage and above all, abject stupidity.
"When he says 'our,' he's talking about our country," Trump snapped. "It's such a basic simple question. You ought to be ashamed."
We have truly the worst president serving in office at the absolute worst time.
#ButHerEmails


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--MSNBC Guests: DeSantis’ COVID-19 ‘Colossal Failure’ Directly Tied To Trumpism

MSNBC ’ s Ali Velshi and guests brutally analyzed DeSantis ’ response ( and lack thereof ) to the pandemic in a state that is now a hotspot of contagion .
Velshi pointed out that while DeSantis has finally issued a statewide stay-at-home order , his “ botched response ” has resulted in more than 10,000 cases and 169 deaths in Florida .
“ Those numbers are expected to continue climbing , ” Velshi continued .
He also noted there is now an “ immense strain ” on the state ’ s healthcare systems , too .
Former Florida Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hard to judge Ron DeSantis ' role in this as anything but a colossal failure.
” Jolly explained how Trumpism is at the root of DeSantis ’ failures : JOLLY : First , he kind of put it all on local and municipal governments .
He tried to push it off onto other players to be responsible .
Second , he adopted a bit of the xenophobic approach , right ?
Keeping out-of-staters out of the state , having border checks , not letting people off a cruise ship who are sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida residents , and then at critical times , locking out the press .
Locking out a reporter from the state 's largest newspaper .
He adopted this incremental approach , as you mentioned , being slow to deal with spring break , then locking down restaurants , later senior citizens , then south Florida , but he really got dragged into the full lockdown .
And in times of crisis , people want bold , swift , decisive leadership .
What we saw from Ron DeSantis was incrementalism .
HASAN : You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Trump Mini-Me , as David pointed out , this nobody fringe congressman , who Trump endorsed and elevated to the Florida gubernatorial nomination in 2018 , who is so slavishly devoted to Trump , Ali , that he ran a TV ad where his kid builds a wall out of toy bricks .
That 's who Ron DeSantis is .
And so you have these Mini-Mes like DeSantis in Florida .
Brian Kemp in Georgia .
The ridiculous Tate Reeves in Mississippi , who said , `` We 'll never shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And they had to play down the coronavirus , because Trump was playing down the coronavirus .
They had to follow their leader .
And therefore , they have the same blood on their hands now that Trump has .
ESPECIALLY DeSantis .
In a state with the second-highest elderly population of any U.S. state , he refused to shut the beaches , and continues , even today , to refuse to shut down mass religious gatherings .
He 's given them an exception in his kind of jumbled up , mixed executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Deeply reckless individual , who 's unfit for office in my view .
Velshi added that the governors , who should be relying on information and evidence , have been “ governing on the basis of BS on TV , as opposed to science.
” Meaning , of course , they have been governing on the basis of Trumpism .
As an example , Velshi cited Georgia ’ s Republican governor Brian Kemp who claimed two days ago he had just learned that COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have known that months ago .
Jolly was not optimistic that anyone has learned his or her lesson .
Having Trump in charge at a time like this represents “ a whole of government failure , ” he said .
JOLLY : How is it possible that we have elevated to the chief executive office a man who is dangerous in his incompetence , and in any other government position could not receive a security clearance , and yet he has to manage this crisis ?
And listen : Everything the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And how do we have a Congress so woefully unprepared that did not provide a surge in resources to exactly the same problems ?
Probably because they were n't paying attention , either .
Jolly went on to commend the special oversight committee Nancy Pelosi is creating but suggested it should be independent of Congress and examine how each branch of government has “ so failed us .
”

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi and guests brutally analyzed DeSantis’ response (and lack thereof) to the pandemic in a state that is now a hotspot of contagion.
Velshi pointed out that while DeSantis has finally issued a statewide stay-at-home order, his “botched response” has resulted in more than 10,000 cases and 169 deaths in Florida. “Those numbers are expected to continue climbing,” Velshi continued. He also noted there is now an “immense strain” on the state’s healthcare systems, too.
Former Florida Republican Congressman David Jolly said, “It's hard to judge Ron DeSantis' role in this as anything but a colossal failure.”
Jolly explained how Trumpism is at the root of DeSantis’ failures:
JOLLY: First, he kind of put it all on local and municipal governments. He tried to push it off onto other players to be responsible. Second, he adopted a bit of the xenophobic approach, right? Keeping out-of-staters out of the state, having border checks, not letting people off a cruise ship who are sick or dying, if they weren't Florida residents, and then at critical times, locking out the press. Locking out a reporter from the state's largest newspaper. He adopted this incremental approach, as you mentioned, being slow to deal with spring break, then locking down restaurants, later senior citizens, then south Florida, but he really got dragged into the full lockdown. And in times of crisis, people want bold, swift, decisive leadership. What we saw from Ron DeSantis was incrementalism.
Mehdi Hasan twisted the knife:
HASAN: You have this governor, Ron DeSantis, this Trump Mini-Me, as David pointed out, this nobody fringe congressman, who Trump endorsed and elevated to the Florida gubernatorial nomination in 2018, who is so slavishly devoted to Trump, Ali, that he ran a TV ad where his kid builds a wall out of toy bricks. That's who Ron DeSantis is. And so you have these Mini-Mes like DeSantis in Florida. Brian Kemp in Georgia. The ridiculous Tate Reeves in Mississippi, who said, "We'll never shut down Mississippi and become like China." And they had to play down the coronavirus, because Trump was playing down the coronavirus. They had to follow their leader. And therefore, they have the same blood on their hands now that Trump has. ESPECIALLY DeSantis. In a state with the second-highest elderly population of any U.S. state, he refused to shut the beaches, and continues, even today, to refuse to shut down mass religious gatherings. He's given them an exception in his kind of jumbled up, mixed executive orders that he's put out this week. Deeply reckless individual, who's unfit for office in my view.
Velshi added that the governors, who should be relying on information and evidence, have been “governing on the basis of BS on TV, as opposed to science.” Meaning, of course, they have been governing on the basis of Trumpism. As an example, Velshi cited Georgia’s Republican governor Brian Kemp who claimed two days ago he had just learned that COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic people. A governor paying attention to science would have known that months ago.
Jolly was not optimistic that anyone has learned his or her lesson. Having Trump in charge at a time like this represents “a whole of government failure,” he said.
JOLLY: How is it possible that we have elevated to the chief executive office a man who is dangerous in his incompetence, and in any other government position could not receive a security clearance, and yet he has to manage this crisis? And listen: Everything the White House knew, the Congress knew as well. And how do we have a Congress so woefully unprepared that did not provide a surge in resources to exactly the same problems? Probably because they weren't paying attention, either.
Jolly went on to commend the special oversight committee Nancy Pelosi is creating but suggested it should be independent of Congress and examine how each branch of government has “so failed us.”
He has a point.


crooksandliars--2020-04-04--The Real Housewives Of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

According to Vanity Fair 's Gabriel Sherman , Donald Trump is so serious about being a `` wartime president '' that he 's ... developed a new maturity and focus ?
Committed himself to long sessions of reading briefing books and consulting with experts ?
No .
The correct answer is : He 's replicated the backstabbing chaos of the 2017 White House .
For an ordinary West Wing dealing with a crisis of this magnitude , the chief of staff would be a central player ... .
But Trump has only very intermittently been able to tolerate another person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mick Mulvaney had essentially been a lame duck for months , and since he was pushed out in early March , there ’ s been no chief of staff at all—Mark Meadows , whom Trump appointed weeks ago , only resigned his congressional seat on Monday to fill the post .
“ How can you not have a chief of staff during one of the biggest crises in American history ?
” a former West Wing official said .
Jared Kushner , who ’ s often been in competition with Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the central West Wing player , leading a shadow coronavirus task force that is more powerful than the official group led by Vice President Mike Pence .
In conversations Kushner has blamed HHS Secretary Alex Azar for the criticism Trump has received , according to a person in frequent touch with the West Wing ... .
Meanwhile , Trump is also consulting his longtime confidante Hope Hicks , whom Trump hired back in February ... .
Officially , Hicks reports to Kushner , but according to sources , Hicks is constantly with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s calendar , which means Jared is in charge of Trump ’ s schedule , ” a Republican who deals with the White House said .
Sources said Hicks prepares Trump for his daily task force briefings and advises him to act presidential ... .
She is shaping the White House ’ s messaging , which puts the current communications director , Stephanie Grisham , out of the loop .
For weeks , according to sources , Kushner has been looking to sideline Grisham but has been unable to displace her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whom Grisham did communications for when she worked in the East Wing .
We 're in a once-in-a-century crisis and this is what 's going on in the White House : battles for power , power vacuums where power should reside , duplicate and conflicting centers of power , and the president relying primarily on people who came to the job with exactly zero expertise relevant to the current crisis .
We are so screwed .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

According to Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman, Donald Trump is so serious about being a "wartime president" that he's ... developed a new maturity and focus? Committed himself to long sessions of reading briefing books and consulting with experts?
No. The correct answer is: He's replicated the backstabbing chaos of the 2017 White House.
For an ordinary West Wing dealing with a crisis of this magnitude, the chief of staff would be a central player.... But Trump has only very intermittently been able to tolerate another person with power in his White House. Mick Mulvaney had essentially been a lame duck for months, and since he was pushed out in early March, there’s been no chief of staff at all—Mark Meadows, whom Trump appointed weeks ago, only resigned his congressional seat on Monday to fill the post. “How can you not have a chief of staff during one of the biggest crises in American history?” a former West Wing official said. Jared Kushner, who’s often been in competition with Trump’s chiefs of staff, continues to be the central West Wing player, leading a shadow coronavirus task force that is more powerful than the official group led by Vice President Mike Pence. In conversations Kushner has blamed HHS Secretary Alex Azar for the criticism Trump has received, according to a person in frequent touch with the West Wing.... Meanwhile, Trump is also consulting his longtime confidante Hope Hicks, whom Trump hired back in February.... Officially, Hicks reports to Kushner, but according to sources, Hicks is constantly with Trump. “Hope is in charge of Trump’s calendar, which means Jared is in charge of Trump’s schedule,” a Republican who deals with the White House said. Sources said Hicks prepares Trump for his daily task force briefings and advises him to act presidential.... She is shaping the White House’s messaging, which puts the current communications director, Stephanie Grisham, out of the loop. For weeks, according to sources, Kushner has been looking to sideline Grisham but has been unable to displace her because Grisham remains close to Melania Trump, whom Grisham did communications for when she worked in the East Wing.
We're in a once-in-a-century crisis and this is what's going on in the White House: battles for power, power vacuums where power should reside, duplicate and conflicting centers of power, and the president relying primarily on people who came to the job with exactly zero expertise relevant to the current crisis.
We are so screwed.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-05-22--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Ed Brayton : One of Michigan 's barbarian hordes finally pushed the law too far .
Annie Asks You : @ @ @ @ @ Reade accusation .
Mock Paper Scissors : Trump seems to hope that if Red America @ @ @ @ @ they wo n't notice how badly covid-19 is hammering them .
Shower Cap : Chronicling @ @ @ @ @ the age of Trump .
Blog round-up by Infidel753 .
To recommend a post , @ @ @ @ @ at ] crooksandliars [ dot ] com -- I do check it !

Ed Brayton: One of Michigan's barbarian hordes finally pushed the law too far.
Annie Asks You: Some observations on the Tara Reade accusation.
Mock Paper Scissors: Trump seems to hope that if Red America can't get tests, they won't notice how badly covid-19 is hammering them.
Shower Cap: Chronicling the madness and corruption of the age of Trump.
Blog round-up by Infidel753. To recommend a post, send link to mbru [at] crooksandliars [dot] com -- I do check it!