crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Every Female Utah Senator Walks Out In Protest Over Abortion Bill

On Tuesday , every single woman in the Utah Senate walked out in protest during a vote on a bill designed to traumatize women seeking an abortion .
Unsurprisingly , the bill was proposed and supported by men .
These forced-birthers would like to compel providers to not only perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions , but to force the women to look at the ultrasound pictures and listen to the sounds of the heartbeat , where available .
If providers refused to traumatize their patients in this way , they 'd be fined $ 100,000 the first time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected their patient from an unnecessary , invasive procedure designed to make them feel guilt and remorse for seeking legal medical care .
According to The Hill : State Sen. Diedre Henderson ( R ) said in a statement that the walkout was not a planned protest , but a decision made to highlight their concerns about the bill ’ s “ invasive nature , ” The Associated Press reported .
Henderson said she opposes abortion , according to the outlet .
State Sen. Luz Escamilla ( D ) tweeted Tuesday “ Love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A spontaneous decision not planned of sisterhood against the invasive nature of HB 364 # epic # sheroes # utleg . ''
Of course , the bill still passed , but this bi-partisan group of badass women have made a powerful statement .
Democratic Utah Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne said she was disappointed that the women lawmakers had to tell their own stories as they spoke in opposition to the bill , the AP reported .
“ Why do we have to explain to you why this is not right ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a GREAT question , Senator Mayne .
Why , indeed ?
The person lacking a uterus or a vagina who proposed the amendment answered thusly : “ If you are going to take the life of a child , if you are willing to terminate that life through an abortion , it seems appropriate that you get the best information about the development , the stage of development , heartbeat — we are talking about a human being . ''
~ Sen. Curtis Bramble , Utah Republican and Anti-Choicer Well , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a perfect parallel , because a woman 's bodily autonomy , health , decision about becoming a parent is much more sacred and personal than one 's decision to own a gun , in my opinion .
And men 's need to control the bodies of women , manifested in their obscene regulations of birth control and child-bearing is not the same as their need to own a gun .
But hear me out , since you are so concerned about the lives of children .
Perhaps whenever one of your constituents attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be forced to look at before and after photos of children who have died in mass school shootings .
How would that be ?
I mean , it just seems that if you 're going to buy a weapon that might take the life of a child , it seems appropriate that you get the best information about the development , the stage of development , heartbeat , drawings they 've made , hear their voices in school concerts , watch videos of them dancing as toddlers , you know , just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you purchase that weapon that might end up being used to end that ALREADY ALIVE child 's life .

On Tuesday, every single woman in the Utah Senate walked out in protest during a vote on a bill designed to traumatize women seeking an abortion.
Unsurprisingly, the bill was proposed and supported by men. These forced-birthers would like to compel providers to not only perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions, but to force the women to look at the ultrasound pictures and listen to the sounds of the heartbeat, where available.
If providers refused to traumatize their patients in this way, they'd be fined $100,000 the first time, and $250,000 each subsequent time they protected their patient from an unnecessary, invasive procedure designed to make them feel guilt and remorse for seeking legal medical care.
According to The Hill:
State Sen. Diedre Henderson (R) said in a statement that the walkout was not a planned protest, but a decision made to highlight their concerns about the bill’s “invasive nature,” The Associated Press reported. Henderson said she opposes abortion, according to the outlet. State Sen. Luz Escamilla (D) tweeted Tuesday “Love my sisters in the senate” and “A spontaneous decision not planned of sisterhood against the invasive nature of HB 364 #epic #sheroes #utleg."
Love my sisters in the Senate ❤❤❤❤❤❤
A spontaneous decision not planned of sisterhood against the invasive nature of HB 364 #epic #sheroes #utleg pic.twitter.com/FzmSTrzmq7 — Sen. Luz Escamilla (@SenatorLuz) March 11, 2020
Of course, the bill still passed, but this bi-partisan group of badass women have made a powerful statement.
Democratic Utah Senate Minority Leader Karen Mayne said she was disappointed that the women lawmakers had to tell their own stories as they spoke in opposition to the bill, the AP reported. “Why do we have to explain to you why this is not right? Why?” she said.
That's a GREAT question, Senator Mayne. Why, indeed?
The person lacking a uterus or a vagina who proposed the amendment answered thusly:
“If you are going to take the life of a child, if you are willing to terminate that life through an abortion, it seems appropriate that you get the best information about the development, the stage of development, heartbeat — we are talking about a human being." ~ Sen. Curtis Bramble, Utah Republican and Anti-Choicer
Well, Sen. Bramble, I realize this is not a perfect parallel, because a woman's bodily autonomy, health, decision about becoming a parent is much more sacred and personal than one's decision to own a gun, in my opinion. And men's need to control the bodies of women, manifested in their obscene regulations of birth control and child-bearing is not the same as their need to own a gun. But hear me out, since you are so concerned about the lives of children.
Perhaps whenever one of your constituents attempts to purchase a gun, they should be forced to look at before and after photos of children who have died in mass school shootings. How would that be? I mean, it just seems that if you're going to buy a weapon that might take the life of a child, it seems appropriate that you get the best information about the development, the stage of development, heartbeat, drawings they've made, hear their voices in school concerts, watch videos of them dancing as toddlers, you know, just so you have the information you need before you purchase that weapon that might end up being used to end that ALREADY ALIVE child's life.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--WATCH LIVE:  Nancy Pelosi Press Conference

Rep. Katie Porter tells Chris Hayes that people should not be deterred from getting tested for coronavirus because of the @ @ @ @ @ an existing regulation already in US law that provides during a public health emergency that @ @ @ @ @

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crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Mike Pence Says There's Been 'Irresponsible Rhetoric' From People Downplaying Coronavirus

No doubt Pence would say that it 's been the Democrats , but Savannah Guthrie prefaced her question directly quoting @ @ @ @ @ .
One wonders if Mike Pence will be around much longer if he keeps pissing @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that there has been “ irresponsible rhetoric ” from @ @ @ @ @ seriousness of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak .
In an interview on the “ TODAY ” @ @ @ @ @ what message Pence sends to people who aren ’ t afraid of the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ politics and hype , quoting from President Donald Trump who said on Monday that the @ @ @ @ @ their partner , the Democrat Party , is doing everything to inflame the coronavirus situation.
@ @ @ @ @ some irresponsible rhetoric , but the American people should know President Trump has no higher @ @ @ @ @ safety and well being of the people of this country , ” Pence said in @ @ @ @ @ clear who he was referring to .

No doubt Pence would say that it's been the Democrats, but Savannah Guthrie prefaced her question directly quoting his boss, Donald Trump. One wonders if Mike Pence will be around much longer if he keeps pissing Trump off.
Source: NBC News
WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that there has been “irresponsible rhetoric” from people who have downplayed the seriousness of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak.
In an interview on the “TODAY” show, Savannah Guthrie asked what message Pence sends to people who aren’t afraid of the coronavirus and think it’s just politics and hype, quoting from President Donald Trump who said on Monday that the “fake news media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything to inflame the coronavirus situation.”
“There's been some irresponsible rhetoric, but the American people should know President Trump has no higher priority than the health and safety and well being of the people of this country,” Pence said in response but it was not clear who he was referring to.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--'Best Economy Ever' Triggers Stock Market Circuit Breaker AGAIN

After Trump 's speech last night -- one that was immediately corrected by his own administration -- the markets were @ @ @ @ @ : U.S. stocks hit critical circuit breaker levels on Thursday minutes after the opening bell @ @ @ @ @ week as global markets plunged amid investor fears about the coronavirus global pandemic .
Just @ @ @ @ @ , the S & P 500 hit exchanges ’ 7 % threshold decline in morning @ @ @ @ @ regular market hours for 15 minutes to ensure order in the marketplace .
Trading resumed @ @ @ @ @ , with both the S & P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average extending losses @ @ @ @ @ The S & P 500 was last seen down 8 % and the Dow was @ @ @ @

After Trump's speech last night -- one that was immediately corrected by his own administration -- the markets were not reassured. Via CNBC:
U.S. stocks hit critical circuit breaker levels on Thursday minutes after the opening bell for the second time this week as global markets plunged amid investor fears about the coronavirus global pandemic.
Just as they did on Monday, the S&P 500 hit exchanges’ 7% threshold decline in morning trading, halting trade during regular market hours for 15 minutes to ensure order in the marketplace.
Trading resumed at 9:50 a.m. ET, with both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average extending losses immediately after the restart. The S&P 500 was last seen down 8% and the Dow was down 9%.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--House Democrats Unveil Bill To Protect Working Families From The Coronavirus Economy

The day after Senate Republicans blocked an emergency paid sick leave bill , House Democrats unveiled their Families First Coronavirus Response Act , and offered Donald Trump and Republicans a lesson in what a coronavirus economic response should look like , one that will actually help the people struggling to make ends meet in the midst of a crisis .
The bill includes paid sick leave , emergency unemployment benefits , food assistance , and free coronavirus testing .
Although , as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed out in a statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing that the Trump administration needs to fill in .
“ Alarmingly , ” when he spoke Wednesday night , Trump “ did not say how the administration will address the lack of coronavirus testing kits throughout the United States.
” House Republicans , meanwhile , pushed to delay consideration of the Democratic bill .
Delay being such a famously good response to an emergency .
Are they following Trump ’ s “ la la la I can ’ t hear you and if we don ’ t test anyone then we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ” logic ?
The Democratic bill includes $ 500 million in special Women Infants and Children program funding for women with babies or young children who ’ ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic , $ 400 million to help food banks meet increased demand , $ 250 million in food assistance for seniors , and $ 100 million for food assistance grants to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico , American Samoa , and the Northern Marianas Islands .
It also “ allows the Department of Agriculture to approve state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households with children who would otherwise receive free or reduced-price meals if not for their schools being closed due to the COVID-19 emergency.
” It also grants waivers to allow schools to provide meals during closures to students who get free and reduced-price lunches , so that school closures to keep the disease from spreading don ’ t become the cause of hunger .
As Democrats pushed to expand food aid to people about to be hit by a pandemic and its economic consequences , Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would go into effect on April 1—though he didn ’ t rule out emergency benefits .
Doesn ’ t it seem like postponing a tightening up of food aid would be the first thing to do while you wait for emergency benefits to go into effect if what you cared about was responding to a crisis ?
The House bill actually suspends work and training requirements for SNAP , because making people go out to work or train is a bad idea when you ’ re trying to stop the spread of disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant states other forms of flexibility to respond to their specific situations without causing additional suffering .
Food isn ’ t the only thing the Democratic bill addresses .
It includes federal emergency paid leave for workers who are themselves sick , who are caring for a sick family member , or whose children are home because of school and daycare closures .
“ Eligible workers will receive a benefit for a month ( up to three months ) in which they must take 14 or more days of leave from their work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” according to the bill summary , with benefits set at two-thirds of the worker ’ s wages up to a cap of $ 4,000 .
There are also paid sick leave provisions , requiring “ all employers to allow employees to gradually accrue seven days of paid sick leave and to provide an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of any public health emergency , including the current coronavirus crisis.
” Expect Republican whining about the burden on employers even though the bill also “ Reimburses small businesses—defined as businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of providing the 14 days of additional paid sick leave used by employees during a public health emergency.
” But what about workers who lose their jobs because of coronavirus ?
The bill creates emergency unemployment insurance , with $ 1 billion going to states to administer and expand unemployment insurance , along with the flexibility to lift waiting periods and work requirements while it ’ s a bad idea for people to be out looking for work .
Beyond all that , the bill covers free COVID-19 testing for Medicare and Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and federal workers .
It also calls for healthcare employers to come up with plans to protect their workers from transmission of the disease—a critical part of having enough healthcare workers who are themselves healthy enough to care for others .

The day after Senate Republicans blocked an emergency paid sick leave bill, House Democrats unveiled their Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and offered Donald Trump and Republicans a lesson in what a coronavirus economic response should look like, one that will actually help the people struggling to make ends meet in the midst of a crisis. The bill includes paid sick leave, emergency unemployment benefits, food assistance, and free coronavirus testing. Although, as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed out in a statement, there’s still a big piece missing that the Trump administration needs to fill in. “Alarmingly,” when he spoke Wednesday night, Trump “did not say how the administration will address the lack of coronavirus testing kits throughout the United States.”
House Republicans, meanwhile, pushed to delay consideration of the Democratic bill. Delay being such a famously good response to an emergency. Are they following Trump’s “la la la I can’t hear you and if we don’t test anyone then we don’t have any people sick with coronavirus” logic?
The Democratic bill includes $500 million in special Women Infants and Children program funding for women with babies or young children who’ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic, $400 million to help food banks meet increased demand, $250 million in food assistance for seniors, and $100 million for food assistance grants to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas Islands. It also “allows the Department of Agriculture to approve state plans to provide emergency SNAP assistance to households with children who would otherwise receive free or reduced-price meals if not for their schools being closed due to the COVID-19 emergency.” It also grants waivers to allow schools to provide meals during closures to students who get free and reduced-price lunches, so that school closures to keep the disease from spreading don’t become the cause of hunger.
As Democrats pushed to expand food aid to people about to be hit by a pandemic and its economic consequences, Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that new limits on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would go into effect on April 1—though he didn’t rule out emergency benefits. Doesn’t it seem like postponing a tightening up of food aid would be the first thing to do while you wait for emergency benefits to go into effect if what you cared about was responding to a crisis? The House bill actually suspends work and training requirements for SNAP, because making people go out to work or train is a bad idea when you’re trying to stop the spread of disease. And it allows the USDA to grant states other forms of flexibility to respond to their specific situations without causing additional suffering.
Food isn’t the only thing the Democratic bill addresses. It includes federal emergency paid leave for workers who are themselves sick, who are caring for a sick family member, or whose children are home because of school and daycare closures. “Eligible workers will receive a benefit for a month (up to three months) in which they must take 14 or more days of leave from their work due to the qualifying COVID-19-related reasons,” according to the bill summary, with benefits set at two-thirds of the worker’s wages up to a cap of $4,000.
There are also paid sick leave provisions, requiring “all employers to allow employees to gradually accrue seven days of paid sick leave and to provide an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of any public health emergency, including the current coronavirus crisis.” Expect Republican whining about the burden on employers even though the bill also “Reimburses small businesses—defined as businesses with 50 or fewer employees—for the costs of providing the 14 days of additional paid sick leave used by employees during a public health emergency.”
But what about workers who lose their jobs because of coronavirus? The bill creates emergency unemployment insurance, with $1 billion going to states to administer and expand unemployment insurance, along with the flexibility to lift waiting periods and work requirements while it’s a bad idea for people to be out looking for work.
Beyond all that, the bill covers free COVID-19 testing for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, uninsured people, veterans, and federal workers. It also calls for healthcare employers to come up with plans to protect their workers from transmission of the disease—a critical part of having enough healthcare workers who are themselves healthy enough to care for others.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Obama's Ebola Czar Spells Out Everything Trump Did Wrong About Coronavirus

Here 's a long but worthwhile interview Rachel Maddow did last night with Ron Klain , who was the Ebola czar under the Obama administration .
Maddow thanked him for helping them analyze Trump 's coronavirus speech last night .
`` I think the unevenness and applicability of the travel exemption and the U.K. , with 12 cases in Europe , with fewer cases in the U.K. and the fact that people can travel to and from Korea .
There is a warning about it .
But it is not banned .
and Korea has the second most cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The president has been bragging on the travel ban that he instituted related to china .
He has now instituted a travel ban for travel from Europe to the U.S. , excluding the U.K. Klain said he thinks the bans `` do have some effect , at slightly slowing the pace , but they are n't a virtual wall to protect our country .
We 're seeing that .
The disease is here .
It 's spreading .
And I think the problem was this .
It gave the president the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to convey a false sense of security .
And if it bought time , that time was squandered .
I look back on this , Rachel , and what we will see , we knew this was coming in December , we knew it was coming in January , the president talked tough on travel and in the meantime we were n't getting ready on testing , we were n't getting our health care facilities ready .
`` We were n't doing the things we needed to do knowing this was coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the real tragedy here .
We had a warning that this was coming and the kind of numbers that were coming and we are still sitting here having a conversation here about testing .
Tom Hanks got tested because he is in Australia .
If Tom Hanks was in New York , it would be almost impossible for him to get tested . ''
He called it a `` failure of leadership '' by Trump and his task force .
`` Look , so what the White House has done the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing .
Leaving aside the fact that leaves us without a clear and consistent database on the tests , we really need to be doing in this country is testing the people not raising their hands to be tested .
Every person in a nursing home , every person in a senior center , every person with one of these preexisting health conditions should be conducting surveillance .
Going out and looking for the disease , not just waiting for people to show up in their doctors ' office and say ' I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor can get you to a private lab , you get a test . ''
He talks at length about the obstacles we now face and how to prepare for them .
Watch the whole segment .

Here's a long but worthwhile interview Rachel Maddow did last night with Ron Klain, who was the Ebola czar under the Obama administration.
Maddow thanked him for helping them analyze Trump's coronavirus speech last night.
Klain didn't mince words.
"I think the unevenness and applicability of the travel exemption and the U.K., with 12 cases in Europe, with fewer cases in the U.K. and the fact that people can travel to and from Korea. There is a warning about it. But it is not banned. and Korea has the second most cases in the entire world," he said.
"The president has been bragging on the travel ban that he instituted related to china. He has now instituted a travel ban for travel from Europe to the U.S., excluding the U.K.
Klain said he thinks the bans "do have some effect, at slightly slowing the pace, but they aren't a virtual wall to protect our country. We're seeing that. The disease is here. It's spreading. And I think the problem was this. It gave the president the false sense of security, or maybe trying to convey a false sense of security. And if it bought time, that time was squandered. I look back on this, Rachel, and what we will see, we knew this was coming in December, we knew it was coming in January, the president talked tough on travel and in the meantime we weren't getting ready on testing, we weren't getting our health care facilities ready.
"We weren't doing the things we needed to do knowing this was coming. We had the warning. That is the real tragedy here. We had a warning that this was coming and the kind of numbers that were coming and we are still sitting here having a conversation here about testing. Tom Hanks got tested because he is in Australia. If Tom Hanks was in New York, it would be almost impossible for him to get tested."
He called it a "failure of leadership" by Trump and his task force.
"Look, so what the White House has done the past week is essentially said we'll privatize testing. Leaving aside the fact that leaves us without a clear and consistent database on the tests, we really need to be doing in this country is testing the people not raising their hands to be tested. Every person in a nursing home, every person in a senior center, every person with one of these preexisting health conditions should be conducting surveillance. Going out and looking for the disease, not just waiting for people to show up in their doctors' office and say 'I need a test' and if that doctor can get you to a private lab, you get a test."
He talks at length about the obstacles we now face and how to prepare for them. Watch the whole segment.


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Trump Caught On Hot Mic Before And After Speech On Coronavirus

Trump 's disastrous speech last night on the coronavirus virtually tanked the stock market futures trading and did nothing to alleviate feelings of growing , deeper anxiety in the American public .
President Donald Trump 's mic was on before he delivered a speech on the US response to tackling the coronavirus outbreak , which has infected over 1,300 people and killed 38 others .
In a press conference at the Oval Office on Wednesday , Trump said he would ask Congress to provide payroll tax relief and waivers for small businesses .
He also announced a 30-day ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare companies have agreed to waive all copayments for all coronavirus treatments .
( The Department of Homeland Security later clarified that the ban only applied to foreign nationals and did not apply to the UK or Ireland ) .
C-SPAN caught Trump in the moments before delivering his speech .
`` Oh f -- - '' Trump said with a sigh while his microphone was on before delivering the speech .
`` Uh oh , I 've got a pen mark . ''
He then asked his staff for `` any white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online by several Twitter users :

Trump's disastrous speech last night on the coronavirus virtually tanked the stock market futures trading and did nothing to alleviate feelings of growing, deeper anxiety in the American public.
Source: Business Insider
President Donald Trump's mic was on before he delivered a speech on the US response to tackling the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected over 1,300 people and killed 38 others.
In a press conference at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he would ask Congress to provide payroll tax relief and waivers for small businesses. He also announced a 30-day ban on travel to and from Europe and said healthcare companies have agreed to waive all copayments for all coronavirus treatments. (The Department of Homeland Security later clarified that the ban only applied to foreign nationals and did not apply to the UK or Ireland).
C-SPAN caught Trump in the moments before delivering his speech.
"Oh f---" Trump said with a sigh while his microphone was on before delivering the speech. "Uh oh, I've got a pen mark."
He then asked his staff for "any white stuff."
The moment was posted online by several Twitter users:


crooksandliars--2020-03-12--Government 101: Don't Put People Who Hate Government In Charge Of It

Someone should make a campaign commercial out of this .
We have to learn this lesson all over again when we have Republicans in charge .
From Meet The Press with Katie Tur yesterday : '' Anyway , the president 's going to address the nation tonight .
This is a crisis he has not been able to control , '' Tur said .
`` In the words of Peter Baker , he ca n't tweet his way out of this .
And it 's exposing a real lack of leadership on a federal level for a coordinated response in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Yeah , I mean , this kind of thing would be a challenge for even a president who is very invested in the federal government working and functioning as it is , '' senior political reporter Beth Fouhy said .
`` And we know from President Trump that this has n't been something he 's , A , been interested in or B , believes in .
He 's suspicious of the federal government , sort of the levers of the federal government , working in a way he ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot to sort of marginalize civil servants , question their loyalty , in some cases empty out offices across the federal government .
Now that he needs them , it 's very hard for him to reclaim his credibility with managing something like this . ''
`` He fired the pandemic response team in 2018 .
I mean , the team that was in place to prepare for an event like this , '' Tur said .
`` And he said you could n't expect something like this happening , although you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it .
We 've had threats like ebola or SARS or various other issues in the past . ''
Yep .
So much for the `` reducing government until it 's small enough to drown in a bathtub . ''
( We see you , Grover Norquist ! )
The fact is , much of the federal government prepares itself for handling the worst-case scenarios , and we pay for that because , as smart people understand , horrible things do happen .
Or , as bloggers have been saying for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put people who hate the federal government in charge of the federal government !

Someone should make a campaign commercial out of this. We have to learn this lesson all over again when we have Republicans in charge. From Meet The Press with Katie Tur yesterday:
"Anyway, the president's going to address the nation tonight. This is a crisis he has not been able to control," Tur said.
"In the words of Peter Baker, he can't tweet his way out of this. And it's exposing a real lack of leadership on a federal level for a coordinated response in the event of a real emergency."
"Yeah, I mean, this kind of thing would be a challenge for even a president who is very invested in the federal government working and functioning as it is," senior political reporter Beth Fouhy said.
"And we know from President Trump that this hasn't been something he's, A, been interested in or B, believes in. He's suspicious of the federal government, sort of the levers of the federal government, working in a way he can't completely control. So he's done a lot to sort of marginalize civil servants, question their loyalty, in some cases empty out offices across the federal government. Now that he needs them, it's very hard for him to reclaim his credibility with managing something like this."
"He fired the pandemic response team in 2018. I mean, the team that was in place to prepare for an event like this," Tur said.
"And he said you couldn't expect something like this happening, although you definitely could and experts have been warning about it. We've had threats like ebola or SARS or various other issues in the past."
Yep. So much for the "reducing government until it's small enough to drown in a bathtub." (We see you, Grover Norquist!) The fact is, much of the federal government prepares itself for handling the worst-case scenarios, and we pay for that because, as smart people understand, horrible things do happen.
Or, as bloggers have been saying for more than a decade, don't vote to put people who hate the federal government in charge of the federal government!


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden Give Speeches On COVID-19, Both More 'Presidential' Than Trump

On Thursday , Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden each delivered an address to the nation on the current COVID-19/Coronavirus crisis .
Both were more presidential than Trump could ever hope to be .
I do n't have his remarks as prepared to provide as a transcript , but he gave an overview of what he thought needed to be done and covered all of the main concerns we all have with regard to this virus as well as his own views about the state of health care in this country .
The sound is a bit problematic , so turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent out his remarks as prepared for delivery , which I have put into a document you can download here .
Both candidates ' speeches would have gone a long way toward calming the country , the markets , and the crisis , compared to Trump 's ridiculous attempt to play a president on TV while having absolutely no clue what he 's doing .
Both candidates hammered on the limp federal response to testing , highlighting to this viewer how absolutely evil it is that Trump is sitting on testing because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the case of Alex Azar , he did go to the president in January .
He did push past resistance from the president 's political aides to warn the president the new coronavirus could be a major problem .
There were aides around Trump - Kellyanne Conway had some skepticism at times that this was something that needed to be a presidential priority .
But at the same time , Secretary Azar has not always given the president the worst-case scenario of what could happen .
My understanding is he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks , and that 's partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak , and the president had made clear - the lower the numbers on coronavirus , the better for the president , the better for his potential reelection this fall .
This is the so-called `` leader '' of our country right now : A man so concerned with his own sense of self that he 's willing to let millions die , the economy to tank , and millions more fall ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers . ''
Like I said , either one of these two men would serve this country honorably and lead us through a crisis .
Just compare their plans and responses above to Trump 's and the case is made .

On Thursday, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden each delivered an address to the nation on the current COVID-19/Coronavirus crisis. Both were more presidential than Trump could ever hope to be.
Here is Bernie Sanders:
I don't have his remarks as prepared to provide as a transcript, but he gave an overview of what he thought needed to be done and covered all of the main concerns we all have with regard to this virus as well as his own views about the state of health care in this country. The sound is a bit problematic, so turn yours up a bit.
Here is Joe Biden:
His campaign sent out his remarks as prepared for delivery, which I have put into a document you can download here.
Both candidates' speeches would have gone a long way toward calming the country, the markets, and the crisis, compared to Trump's ridiculous attempt to play a president on TV while having absolutely no clue what he's doing. Both candidates hammered on the limp federal response to testing, highlighting to this viewer how absolutely evil it is that Trump is sitting on testing because he's worried he'll look bad.
NPR reported this:
In the case of Alex Azar, he did go to the president in January. He did push past resistance from the president's political aides to warn the president the new coronavirus could be a major problem. There were aides around Trump - Kellyanne Conway had some skepticism at times that this was something that needed to be a presidential priority. But at the same time, Secretary Azar has not always given the president the worst-case scenario of what could happen. My understanding is he did not push to do aggressive additional testing in recent weeks, and that's partly because more testing might have led to more cases being discovered of coronavirus outbreak, and the president had made clear - the lower the numbers on coronavirus, the better for the president, the better for his potential reelection this fall.
This is the so-called "leader" of our country right now: A man so concerned with his own sense of self that he's willing to let millions die, the economy to tank, and millions more fall ill so he can brag about his "numbers."
Like I said, either one of these two men would serve this country honorably and lead us through a crisis. Just compare their plans and responses above to Trump's and the case is made.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Speaks To Young Voters


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--'I Don't Take Responsibility At All' — Trump Presidency In Six Words

Oh , hey , nothing to see here , just Trump in the Rose Garden declaring a national emergency over COVID-19 in the United States , but refusing to take responsibility for any of the things that might have gone wrong under his watch , let alone actual failings for which people in his own administration say he 's responsible .
NBC News reporter Kristen Welker asked one of the actual tough , reporter-like questions , challenging him to take responsibility for the lack of testing that has plagued the medical community .
His response should be his political epitaph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that the lag in testing was , in fact , a failing .
Do you take responsibility for that , and when do you guarantee that every single American who needs a test will be able to have a test , what 's the date of that ?
TRUMP : Yeah , no , I do n't take responsibility for that at all because we were given a , uh , a set of circumstances , and we were given rules , regulations and specifications from a different time .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an event , with the kind of numbers that we 're talking about , and what we 've done is redesigned it very quickly with the people behind me , and we 're now in very very strong shape .
1 .
Those rules , regulations , and specifications were meant for EXACTLY THIS KIND OF EVENT YOU F*CKING SYPHILITIC BAG OF PUS .
2 .
He continued on to lie ( who 's shocked ? )
about Obama 's response to the Swine Flu in the very next breath because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intellectually stunted four-year-old .
Was that too strong ?
Here 's Twitter to help me tone it down .
If watching him lie to one female reporter who challenged him was n't enough , here 's another video of an unbelievably bad @ ss Yamiche Alcindor embarrassing him about having fired the entire CDC pandemic unit back in 2018 — a group whose expertise might have been useful in the last four or five months or so if one was n't a psycho-narcissistic despot .
Oh , and listen to what he calls @ @ @

Oh, hey, nothing to see here, just Trump in the Rose Garden declaring a national emergency over COVID-19 in the United States, but refusing to take responsibility for any of the things that might have gone wrong under his watch, let alone actual failings for which people in his own administration say he's responsible.
NBC News reporter Kristen Welker asked one of the actual tough, reporter-like questions, challenging him to take responsibility for the lack of testing that has plagued the medical community. His response should be his political epitaph.
WELKER: Dr. Fauci said earlier this week that the lag in testing was, in fact, a failing. Do you take responsibility for that, and when do you guarantee that every single American who needs a test will be able to have a test, what's the date of that? TRUMP: Yeah, no, I don't take responsibility for that at all because we were given a, uh, a set of circumstances, and we were given rules, regulations and specifications from a different time. And it wasn't meant for this kind of an event, with the kind of numbers that we're talking about, and what we've done is redesigned it very quickly with the people behind me, and we're now in very very strong shape.
Okay, couple of things.
1. Those rules, regulations, and specifications were meant for EXACTLY THIS KIND OF EVENT YOU F*CKING SYPHILITIC BAG OF PUS.
2. He continued on to lie (who's shocked?) about Obama's response to the Swine Flu in the very next breath because he is an emotionally, educationally, and intellectually stunted four-year-old.
Was that too strong? Here's Twitter to help me tone it down.
Trump in 2016: “I alone can fix it.”
Trump just now: “I don't take responsibility at all" — Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) March 13, 2020
“No, I don’t take responsibility at all” for delays in testing. Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. — Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) March 13, 2020
"No, I don't take any responsibility at all." - Donald Trump just told the truth about his personal motto, his administration's position, and the Republican party's governing philosophy.#TrumpPressConference #coronapocalypse pic.twitter.com/vUTHBk7RR4 — Grant Stern (@grantstern) March 13, 2020
Hark, @MikeBloomberg! How's about a few hundred million for "I don't take responsibility at all!" ads for the general election? — Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) March 13, 2020
If watching him lie to one female reporter who challenged him wasn't enough, here's another video of an unbelievably bad@ss Yamiche Alcindor embarrassing him about having fired the entire CDC pandemic unit back in 2018 — a group whose expertise might have been useful in the last four or five months or so if one wasn't a psycho-narcissistic despot. Oh, and listen to what he calls her question.
Oh, really?
Good question, nasty answer https://t.co/3gqmSV6ei1 — Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) March 13, 2020
Trump loves to use the word “nasty” in describing the questions of women, especially women of color. — Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) March 13, 2020
.@Yamiche asks Trump a question of accountability and he calls it a NASTY QUESTION. Then goes after her working for multiple news outlets.
My God in heaven. — brittany packnett cunningham (@MsPackyetti) March 13, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Elizabeth Warren Calls For Coronavirus Stimulus And 'She's Got A Plan For That'

As Charlie Pierce asked , `` Who are you and what have you done with Jim Cramer ? ''
`` Mad Money '' host Jim Cramer hosted and appeared to agree with Senator Elizabeth Warren on a grassroots plan to stimulate the economy in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak .
CNBC : Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday called on the U.S. government to respond to the coronavirus outbreak by passing a “ big stimulus package ” that offers health-care guarantees and injects money at the “ grassroots level.
” In efforts to increase the amount of money that consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator wants to get more money into the hands of student loan borrowers and social security recipients .
That includes canceling college debt obligations at least for the next three months , while increasing social security and disability payments by $ 200 a month “ at least for a year , ” she said .
“ If you assume we ’ re only going to spend a certain amount of money here , I ’ d much rather see us target it rather than an across the board that disproportionately advantages rich folks @ @ @ @ @

As Charlie Pierce asked, "Who are you and what have you done with Jim Cramer?"
"Mad Money" host Jim Cramer hosted and appeared to agree with Senator Elizabeth Warren on a grassroots plan to stimulate the economy in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. CNBC:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday called on the U.S. government to respond to the coronavirus outbreak by passing a “big stimulus package” that offers health-care guarantees and injects money at the “grassroots level.” In efforts to increase the amount of money that consumers are spending in the economy, the senator wants to get more money into the hands of student loan borrowers and social security recipients. That includes canceling college debt obligations at least for the next three months, while increasing social security and disability payments by $200 a month “at least for a year,” she said. “If you assume we’re only going to spend a certain amount of money here, I’d much rather see us target it rather than an across the board that disproportionately advantages rich folks,” she said.
Considering @ewarren put up a #COVID19 plan in JANUARY, a month before Trump, and had an economic plan last month also, maybe listen to her? #Coronavirus: Elizabeth Warren calls for 'grassroots' stimulus package https://t.co/wuvIQqMBVW — Victoria Brownworth ☣ (@VABVOX) March 13, 2020
Here's the full interview, via CNBC:


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Trump And White House Staff At High Risk Of Coronavirus Infection

Early on Friday , news reports came out that Brazilian President , Jair Bolsonaro , had tested positive for coronavirus .
This came shortly after Bolsonaro 's communications director was confirmed to have the virus .
Well , moments later , Bolsonaro put out an official Facebook post ( I can not believe I am typing the words `` official Facebook post '' , like this is a news outlet , but hey ... this is the world we live in ) saying that no , he tested negative .
Fake news .
“ Don ’ t believe the fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro spent the weekend at Mar-a-lago with Donald Trump , Ivanka , Jared Kushner , Mike Pence and Rudy Giuliani .
The mayor of Miami , Francis Suarez , has tested positive for coronavirus , four days after the mayor attended a Miami event with a Brazilian government official who has tested positive .
So who is telling the truth ?
The officials who are honestly reporting their results or those calling the media `` fake news '' ?
Wh The media seems to not believe Bolsonaro 's denial either : Stay tuned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .

Early on Friday, news reports came out that Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, had tested positive for coronavirus.
I deleted this tweet because Bolsonaro now claims he does not have coronavirus, despite numerous reports to the contrary earlier today. pic.twitter.com/fOXev8f2FH — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 13, 2020
This came shortly after Bolsonaro's communications director was confirmed to have the virus. Well, moments later, Bolsonaro put out an official Facebook post (I cannot believe I am typing the words "official Facebook post", like this is a news outlet, but hey...this is the world we live in) saying that no, he tested negative. Fake news.
“Don’t believe the fake news media!” he wrote.
Bolsonaro spent the weekend at Mar-a-lago with Donald Trump, Ivanka, Jared Kushner, Mike Pence and Rudy Giuliani. The mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez, has tested positive for coronavirus, four days after the mayor attended a Miami event with a Brazilian government official who has tested positive.
Miami mayor tests positive for COVID-19 after event with Bolsonarohttps://t.co/UNkDdSvfCS — Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) March 13, 2020
So who is telling the truth? The officials who are honestly reporting their results or those calling the media "fake news"? Wh
The media seems to not believe Bolsonaro's denial either:
Bolsonaro is a fascist and a known liar (like all fascists). Miami's Mayor, who was with Bolsonaro in Florida, has tested positive for COVID-19. https://t.co/DIam8FHvoS — Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa🌹 (@CDRosa) March 13, 2020
Global media: welcome to the reality of covering the Brazilian government under Jair Bolsonaro. — Euan Marshall (@euanmarshall) March 13, 2020
Sure sounds like Bolsonaro's first positive is the one we should be going on, not his do-over-down second negative https://t.co/YJlzmMcTsg — Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) March 13, 2020
Bolsonaro's son this morning: "My father has tested positive for the coronavirus."
Also Bolsonaro's son this morning: "My father has tested negative for the coronavirus." — o'neill (@johnoneillnyc) March 13, 2020
Stay tuned. Eventually, the truth will come out.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Lincoln Project's Latest Ad Takes On The Trump Kid Grifters

The Lincoln Project , if you recall , is the work of Bloody Bill Kristol , George Conway , Rick @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes it takes someone `` in the family '' to tell the truth about @ @ @ @ @ pulls no punches on Ivanka , Jared , Don Jr. , and Eric as they @ @ @ @ @ years of the Trump Administration .
`` Ivanka '' narrated the ad .
Daddy being @ @ @ @ @ ever !
Millions from his hotels and clubs from our new lobbyist pals and those @ @ @ @ @ 's business even got a billion-dollar bailout from the Persian Gulf !
Yeah , daddy @ @ @ @ @ close deals , and his campaign pays Eric 's wife and Don Jr 's girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ 's so fun getting paid by the RNC .
Daddy you 're so good to @ @

The Lincoln Project, if you recall, is the work of Bloody Bill Kristol, George Conway, Rick Wilson and other never Trumpers.
Sometimes it takes someone "in the family" to tell the truth about y'all.
Their latest ad pulls no punches on Ivanka, Jared, Don Jr., and Eric as they grift their way through four years of the Trump Administration. "Ivanka" narrated the ad.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--As Pelosi Works To Craft Emergency Deal, McConnell Recesses Senate Till Monday

This really says it all : Speaker Nancy Pelosi has reportedly been working all day to cut an emergency deal with the White House to address the coronavirus .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , after saying earlier Thursday that he had delayed a scheduled Senate recess , went ahead and left town anyway .
That means anything the House passes either Thursday night or Friday will sit for several days until McConnell cares enough to come back from his vacation to pass it .
Or not .
Maybe Senate Republicans will simply kill the deal that they made no effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans clearly aren ’ t feeling a lot of urgency .
From earlier Thursday , when it looked like maybe Senate Republicans might attempt to be useful ( things have changed since then ) .
Ed .
Note : Watch Chris Hayes have a small freakout in the video above over McConnell 's decision to take a 3-day weekend in the middle of a crisis , and Senator Jeff Merkley pronounce it `` insane '' in response .
It is , of course , insane .
And it may all be for naught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump Authorizes New Bombing Campaign in the Middle East

This really says it all: Speaker Nancy Pelosi has reportedly been working all day to cut an emergency deal with the White House to address the coronavirus. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, after saying earlier Thursday that he had delayed a scheduled Senate recess, went ahead and left town anyway.
That means anything the House passes either Thursday night or Friday will sit for several days until McConnell cares enough to come back from his vacation to pass it. Or not. Maybe Senate Republicans will simply kill the deal that they made no effort to negotiate. Who knows? Senate Republicans clearly aren’t feeling a lot of urgency.
As @SpeakerPelosi & Steve Mnuchin negotiate, @senatemajldr has left the building to head home for the weekend. Senate to address any House coronavirus legislation next week — Kasie Hunt (@kasie) March 12, 2020
Senate is leaving town till Monday, meaning whatever the House passes tonight or tomorrow on the coronavirus outbreak will have to wait till then https://t.co/DKYfwMpHCo — Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) March 12, 2020
From earlier Thursday, when it looked like maybe Senate Republicans might attempt to be useful (things have changed since then).
Senate scraps its recess amid growing pressure to pass an economic relief package - and amid a push by House Dems to pass their own bill today. GOP senators up for re-election did not want to go home without passing a bill https://t.co/bsu5McmSsb — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 12, 2020
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.
Ed. Note: Watch Chris Hayes have a small freakout in the video above over McConnell's decision to take a 3-day weekend in the middle of a crisis, and Senator Jeff Merkley pronounce it "insane" in response. It is, of course, insane.
And it may all be for naught:
As Coronavirus Pandemic Sweeps the Globe, Trump Authorizes New Bombing Campaign in the Middle East


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Trump's Health Chief Refuses To Tell Fox If US Has Adequate Equipment For COVID19

It 's just another day in the neighborhood and another feeble appearance by a top Trump administration official who refused to answer basic questions from Fox News ' Martha McCallum Thursday night .
Seema Verma is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is also a member of the Coronavirus Task Force .
If it is anyone 's JOB to know where we stand with medical equipment it should be her .
But after watching her gaslighting on Fox News , it 's apparent there is only confusion and unaccountability when it comes to the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Martha McCallum tried to get some simple answers out of Seema Verma .
McCallum asked , `` But in terms of actual medical equipment , we heard Bernie Sanders for one say there is a major shortage of ICU units We ’ ve heard there ’ s a shortage of ventilators , even swabs and equipment for the actual tests . ''
She continued , “ What ’ s being done about that and how concerned are you that when these numbers [ of patients ] do start to rise , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
that there will be enough ICU units , enough ventilators , to help the people who do get sick in this country ?
” Verma then turned into Kellyanne Conway and replied , `` Well , that ’ s why we have an emergency preparedness system , ” Verma responded .
“ We ’ re used to dealing with disasters … If you look at disasters that have emerged around hurricanes , in Puerto Rico , in Florida ... .. ” MacCallum cut her off and asked again , “ So are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Verma did not stop talking and continued with her alternative facts talking points .
A very annoyed MacCallum tried again .
“ Yeah .
I understand that .
Can I just ask you one more time , will there be enough ? ''
Verma just continued blathering on and did n't miss a syllable of her prepared remarks .
A stunned look crossed Martha 's face as she listened to unrelated responses to her simple and important questions .
After Verma took a breath , MacCallum said , `` One more time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to ask you one more time , are there going to be people in this country who don ’ t get a ventilator when they need one ?
” “ Can you reassure everyone out there tonight that there ’ s not a shortage of ventilators or ICU units ?
” she asked .
Instead of answering , Verma launched into the cabinet-level mandatory Trump-praise diatribe .
“ Okay .
That ’ s not a direct answer to the question , `` McCallum said .
Ending the segment McCallum said it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sick to overwhelm the system .
That 's the Trump administration way .
Do n't be prepared , refuse to tell the truth and avoid giving the public inconvenient facts .
And hope for the best .

It's just another day in the neighborhood and another feeble appearance by a top Trump administration official who refused to answer basic questions from Fox News' Martha McCallum Thursday night.
Seema Verma is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is also a member of the Coronavirus Task Force. If it is anyone's JOB to know where we stand with medical equipment it should be her.
Right?
But after watching her gaslighting on Fox News, it's apparent there is only confusion and unaccountability when it comes to the so-called "Trump administration" dealing with COVID-19.
Martha McCallum tried to get some simple answers out of Seema Verma.
McCallum asked, "But in terms of actual medical equipment, we heard Bernie Sanders for one say there is a major shortage of ICU units We’ve heard there’s a shortage of ventilators, even swabs and equipment for the actual tests."
She continued, “What’s being done about that and how concerned are you that when these numbers [of patients] do start to rise, as Dr. Fauci told us to expect …. that there will be enough ICU units, enough ventilators, to help the people who do get sick in this country?”
Verma then turned into Kellyanne Conway and replied, "Well, that’s why we have an emergency preparedness system,” Verma responded. “We’re used to dealing with disasters … If you look at disasters that have emerged around hurricanes, in Puerto Rico, in Florida.....”
MacCallum cut her off and asked again, “So are you saying we do have enough?”
Verma did not stop talking and continued with her alternative facts talking points.
A very annoyed MacCallum tried again. “Yeah. I understand that. Can I just ask you one more time, will there be enough?"
Verma just continued blathering on and didn't miss a syllable of her prepared remarks.
A stunned look crossed Martha's face as she listened to unrelated responses to her simple and important questions.
After Verma took a breath, MacCallum said, "One more time. Before I let you go I want to ask you one more time, are there going to be people in this country who don’t get a ventilator when they need one?”
“Can you reassure everyone out there tonight that there’s not a shortage of ventilators or ICU units?” she asked.
Instead of answering, Verma launched into the cabinet-level mandatory Trump-praise diatribe.
“Okay. That’s not a direct answer to the question, " McCallum said.
Ending the segment McCallum said it seems like they are hoping not enough people get sick to overwhelm the system.
That's the Trump administration way.
Don't be prepared, refuse to tell the truth and avoid giving the public inconvenient facts.
And hope for the best.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Morning Joe:  Even Hannity Knows White House Screwed Up On C-Virus Testing

Fox News anchor Martha McCallum simply could not get a straight answer from Seema Verma , head of Medicare and Medicaid services about whether there were enough ventilators to handle patients who needed them during the coronavirus epidemic , and here 's how it ended : McCALLUM : Okay .
That 's not a direct answer to the question , but it sounds like a hope that there wo n't be enough sick people and we wo n't run out of ventilators because we have mitigated .
We certainly hope that 's the case .
`` Three times .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of ventilators , she talked about rapid dialogue .
We 're going to have rapid dialogue , '' Mika Brzezinski said .
`` Willie , the head of HHS was asked a very direct question .
Sean Hannity asked a question that followed up on what the president said .
If you want a test , you can get a test .
Sean Hannity asked the question .
I think the most important question , actually , that Americans want to know right now .
If I want a test for my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for my grandparents , if I want a test for my child , for my boy or girl that have an underlying health condition , can I get it ?
Azar did n't answer .
What did he say ?
he said , we 're going to try to make it , quote , ' a more seamless experience . '
`` This , this is why the markets are freaking out .
This is why the markets have lost the majority of what they gained under Donald Trump as president .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hospital beds .
The CDC , Willie , reporting in the New York Times , said up to 21 million people in America could be hospitalized because of this pandemic .
21 million people .
We have 925,000 hospital beds in this country .
That means over 20 million Americans could be without hospital beds .
We need answers .
None of the president 's men or women are giving answers not to , quote , fake media , but to hosts on Fox News . ''
They talked about how people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everybody screws up .
Everybody makes mistakes .
Every president makes mistakes .
Every administration is asleep at the switch from time to time , all right ?
Okay , you screwed up .
We get it .
Even Sean Hannity said last night , the White House screwed up on testing .
Okay , great .
So what are you doing now ? ''
Joe Scarborough demanded .

Fox News anchor Martha McCallum simply could not get a straight answer from Seema Verma, head of Medicare and Medicaid services about whether there were enough ventilators to handle patients who needed them during the coronavirus epidemic, and here's how it ended:
McCALLUM: Okay. That's not a direct answer to the question, but it sounds like a hope that there won't be enough sick people and we won't run out of ventilators because we have mitigated. We certainly hope that's the case.
"Three times. She talked about -- the answer was, instead of ventilators, she talked about rapid dialogue. We're going to have rapid dialogue," Mika Brzezinski said.
"Willie, the head of HHS was asked a very direct question. Sean Hannity asked a question that followed up on what the president said. If you want a test, you can get a test. Sean Hannity asked the question. I think the most important question, actually, that Americans want to know right now. If I want a test for my parents, if I want a test for my grandparents, if I want a test for my child, for my boy or girl that have an underlying health condition, can I get it? Azar didn't answer. What did he say? he said, we're going to try to make it, quote, 'a more seamless experience.'
"This, this is why the markets are freaking out. This is why the markets have lost the majority of what they gained under Donald Trump as president. These questions have to be answered on ventilators, hospital beds. The CDC, Willie, reporting in the New York Times, said up to 21 million people in America could be hospitalized because of this pandemic. 21 million people. We have 925,000 hospital beds in this country. That means over 20 million Americans could be without hospital beds. We need answers. None of the president's men or women are giving answers not to, quote, fake media, but to hosts on Fox News."
They talked about how people can't even get tests.
"Everybody screws up. Everybody makes mistakes. Every president makes mistakes. Every administration is asleep at the switch from time to time, all right? Okay, you screwed up. We get it. Even Sean Hannity said last night, the White House screwed up on testing. Okay, great. So what are you doing now?" Joe Scarborough demanded.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Fed's $1.5T Stock Market Aid Would Cover 'Almost All US Student Debt'

Hours after Republican leaders in Congress derided a Democratic proposal to provide healthcare and economic relief to Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic as a burdensome `` ideological wish list , '' the Federal Reserve moved to inject $ 1.5 trillion into the bond market to keep the financial system stable .
The decision followed a tumultuous week on Wall Street , with the Dow Jones index plummeting 2,200 points Thursday morning after the White House announced that travel will be restricted from 26 European countries .
The federal government , however , has yet to step in to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of working Americans who have no paid sick leave , those who are uninsured and have no way of paying for testing and treatment for the coronavirus , and nearly half a million children whose schools have closed as a precautionary measure .
Earlier on Thursday , House Democrats introduced a bill to provide all working Americans with 14 days of emergency paid sick leave , increase Medicaid funding , and free coronavirus testing .
Progressives including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) called for Democrats to consider more measures including debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fed just injected almost covers all student loan debt in the U.S. , '' Ocasio-Cortez tweeted .
`` There is absolutely NO excuse for not pausing student debt collections , planning for mortgage and rent relief , etc . ''
As the virus , officially known as COVID-19 , spread to all but five states and infected more than 1,400 people in the U.S. , a White House official dismissed the possibility of the bill passing , accusing Democrats of `` letting fear surrounding coronavirus be a vehicles to push their radical left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the GOP would not allow the pandemic to be a way for Democrats to `` get some of the goodies they have been able to get for the last 25 years . ''
Republicans in the Senate announced they would not take up the House bill until after a recess , a delay which could make it impossible for many working Americans to follow infectious disease efforts to stay home and avoid crowded places in order to slow the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming the health system .
On social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the federal government 's priorities , as other industrialized countries reported testing and treating coronavirus patients at far faster rates than the United States .
`` $ 1.5 trillion is equal to the student debt Bernie Sanders wants to wipe out , '' tweeted writer Dr. Steven Thrasher .
`` While this plan was called pie in the sky by some Democrats , the same amount can be tossed to Wall Street with no campaign or public debate one afternoon ? ''

Hours after Republican leaders in Congress derided a Democratic proposal to provide healthcare and economic relief to Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic as a burdensome "ideological wish list," the Federal Reserve moved to inject $1.5 trillion into the bond market to keep the financial system stable.
The decision followed a tumultuous week on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones index plummeting 2,200 points Thursday morning after the White House announced that travel will be restricted from 26 European countries.
The federal government, however, has yet to step in to provide assistance and peace of mind to the millions of working Americans who have no paid sick leave, those who are uninsured and have no way of paying for testing and treatment for the coronavirus, and nearly half a million children whose schools have closed as a precautionary measure.
Earlier on Thursday, House Democrats introduced a bill to provide all working Americans with 14 days of emergency paid sick leave, increase Medicaid funding, and free coronavirus testing. Progressives including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called for Democrats to consider more measures including debt relief.
"The amount that the Fed just injected almost covers all student loan debt in the U.S.," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "There is absolutely NO excuse for not pausing student debt collections, planning for mortgage and rent relief, etc."
FYI, the amount that the Fed just injected almost covers all student loan debt in the US. There is absolutely NO excuse for not pausing student debt collections, planning for mortgage &rent relief, etc. We need to care for working people as much as we care for the stock market. https://t.co/IT6qZA2gtt — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 12, 2020
As the virus, officially known as COVID-19, spread to all but five states and infected more than 1,400 people in the U.S., a White House official dismissed the possibility of the bill passing, accusing Democrats of "letting fear surrounding coronavirus be a vehicles to push their radical left agenda."
President Donald Trump added that the GOP would not allow the pandemic to be a way for Democrats to "get some of the goodies they have been able to get for the last 25 years."
Republicans in the Senate announced they would not take up the House bill until after a recess, a delay which could make it impossible for many working Americans to follow infectious disease efforts to stay home and avoid crowded places in order to slow the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming the health system.
On social media, many echoed Ocasio-Cortez's condemnation of the federal government's priorities, as other industrialized countries reported testing and treating coronavirus patients at far faster rates than the United States.
We can put $1.5 TRILLION into bonds because of a pandemic...but we can't guarantee national sick leave? This is why people are disgusted by our government and financial systems. https://t.co/ywlmYcUp7n — Phillip Atiba Goff (@DrPhilGoff) March 12, 2020
Americans: We need $1.5T for:
SNAP for 700K Americans: $1.1B
End homelessness: $20B
Insulin for every diabetic: $40B
Universal Pre-K: $60B
Universal 4-yr-college: $70B
Cancel student debt: $1.4T GOP: BuT HOw WiLl wE PAy fOr It Billionaires: Market's look bad
FED: HERE'S $1.5T! — Qasim Rashid for Congress (@QasimRashid) March 12, 2020
If we have $1.5 trillion to provide emergency assistance to financial institutions over the next 48 HOURS, we damn well have enough money to guarantee health care and paid sick leave to every American. https://t.co/FFziOZQbVo — Warren Gunnels (@GunnelsWarren) March 12, 2020
"$1.5 trillion is equal to the student debt Bernie Sanders wants to wipe out," tweeted writer Dr. Steven Thrasher. "While this plan was called pie in the sky by some Democrats, the same amount can be tossed to Wall Street with no campaign or public debate one afternoon?"
Republished from Common Dreams under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--Republicans Are Very, Very Bad For The Public Health, Part II

We know Republicans do n't like policy ( except tax cuts ) or getting into the details of government ( except tax cuts ) , and we know it 's almost impossible to get them to spend money on preparing for a potential problem ( except tax cuts ) .
And here 's an example .
In the 2009 stimulus package , Maine senator Susan `` Concerned '' Collins insisted on stripping $ 870 million from pandemic flu preparation .
( That 's almost a billion dollars . )
I called Senator Pat Toomey 's office yesterday and told his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negligence , and that while I doubted that Nancy Pelosi really did load the coronavirus aid package with `` goodies , '' I DID N'T CARE .
`` When I think of some of the right-wing bullshit Republicans have larded into every single emergency spending bill , I do n't want to hear it .
Pass the bill , pass it NOW .
People need this help , and if your boss had voted to convict in the impeachment trial , we would n't be in this mess right now .
PASS THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dies is on Republican hands , and we will make sure there are no Republicans left to screw things up again . ''
And guess what ?
Because of people like me flooding them with calls , Republicans came back to the bargaining table and we WILL pass an aid bill .
I simply do n't understand this nonsense like `` I have a Republican senator and there 's no point to calling his office . ''
That 's exactly the situation where you should call !
People put more energy into making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take to simply call 202-224-3121 and ask for your senator 's office .
Even if your senator still votes the party line , calling their offices is part of a long-term strategy .
They all know they need some Democratic votes to get reelected , and they report those calls to leadership .
It increases the pressure on Mitch McConnell .
Why on earth would you want to make things easier on Mitch McConnell by sitting on your hands ?
( Do you suppose Mitch McConnell reads our comments section ? )
Everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose their jobs over incompetence ( like not clearing the roads after a snowstorm ) than anything else .
Take advantage of that .
There will be lots of things to call about in the weeks to come , like the fact that we do n't have enough COV-19 tests ( unless you 're an NBA player ) .
We want Republicans rattled enough to do the right thing , not the Trump thing .
PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL .
TURN UP THE HEAT .
Put the number on speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal and made Mnuchin pull it back .
TIME TO CALL YOUR REPUBLICAN REPS. 202-224-3121 .
White House switchboard : 202-456-1414 .
White House comment line : 202-456-6213 .
Email here .

We know Republicans don't like policy (except tax cuts) or getting into the details of government (except tax cuts), and we know it's almost impossible to get them to spend money on preparing for a potential problem (except tax cuts).
And here's an example. In the 2009 stimulus package, Maine senator Susan "Concerned" Collins insisted on stripping $870 million from pandemic flu preparation. (That's almost a billion dollars.)
I had forgotten my own reporting that @SenatorCollins stripped $870M for pandemic preparations out of the 2009 stimulus. pic.twitter.com/VTriR6ZsCS — Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) March 12, 2020
I called Senator Pat Toomey's office yesterday and told his staffer that Republicans enabled Trump's criminal negligence, and that while I doubted that Nancy Pelosi really did load the coronavirus aid package with "goodies," I DIDN'T CARE.
"When I think of some of the right-wing bullshit Republicans have larded into every single emergency spending bill, I don't want to hear it. Pass the bill, pass it NOW. People need this help, and if your boss had voted to convict in the impeachment trial, we wouldn't be in this mess right now. PASS THE BILL. The blood of anyone who dies is on Republican hands, and we will make sure there are no Republicans left to screw things up again."
And guess what? Because of people like me flooding them with calls, Republicans came back to the bargaining table and we WILL pass an aid bill. I simply don't understand this nonsense like "I have a Republican senator and there's no point to calling his office." That's exactly the situation where you should call!
People put more energy into making excuses not to call than it would take to simply call 202-224-3121 and ask for your senator's office.
Even if your senator still votes the party line, calling their offices is part of a long-term strategy. They all know they need some Democratic votes to get reelected, and they report those calls to leadership. It increases the pressure on Mitch McConnell.
Why on earth would you want to make things easier on Mitch McConnell by sitting on your hands? (Do you suppose Mitch McConnell reads our comments section?)
Everyone in politics knows they're more likely to lose their jobs over incompetence (like not clearing the roads after a snowstorm) than anything else. Take advantage of that.
There will be lots of things to call about in the weeks to come, like the fact that we don't have enough COV-19 tests (unless you're an NBA player). We want Republicans rattled enough to do the right thing, not the Trump thing. PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL. TURN UP THE HEAT. Put the number on speed dial.
202-224-3121
UPDATE: Trump overrode the deal and made Mnuchin pull it back. TIME TO CALL YOUR REPUBLICAN REPS. 202-224-3121. White House switchboard: 202-456-1414. White House comment line: 202-456-6213. Email here.


crooksandliars--2020-03-13--AOC Throws Subtle-Yet-Deadly Shade About COVID-19 Testing On Fox News

Freshman Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) braved the right-wing media channel that has demonized her , appearing on Fox News to discuss the government 's response to COVID-19 with Bret Baier .
She emphasized the Democrats ' priorities for handling the pandemic , including making sure people have paid sick leave , unemployment benefits , medicaid protections , and proper safety equipment and protocols for medical personnel on the front lines .
When the topic of partisanship came up , though , she took the opportunity to innocently throw shade at the network that denies the need to fix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth gap even exists .
Baier played the clip of Trump saying that we have the best health care system in the world , and we need to unite and put politics aside .
( That 's rich , coming from the Divider-In-Chief . )
Baier asked if Ocasio-Cortez agreed , and she responded in the affirmative ... at first .
And then came the knives when discussing our health care system .
OCASIO-CORTEZ : One thing we need to do is put politics aside and that 's exactly why Democrats have agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid sick leave , and his goals of free coronavirus testing .
All of those things have been included in our package .
When you look at the best health care system in the world , that 's something that 's up for debate .
South Korea has up to 10,000 tests per day .
They have been able to provide tests to any single person who wants it , and here , people are scrambling .
It almost seems like the more wealthy and powerful you are , the more able you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more -- the rougher road you 've got here , it 's going to be a lot more difficult to access health care .
That is exactly the recipe for disaster in a pandemic .
Gee , it almost DOES seem like the more wealthy and powerful you are , the better access you have to testing !
*insert innocent wide-eyed blinking here* Hmmm , Bret , I wonder what THAT 'S all about , do n't YOU ?
Raise your hand if you think AOC will be invited back for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Freshman Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) braved State TV the right-wing media channel that has demonized her, appearing on Fox News to discuss the government's response to COVID-19 with Bret Baier. She emphasized the Democrats' priorities for handling the pandemic, including making sure people have paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, medicaid protections, and proper safety equipment and protocols for medical personnel on the front lines.
When the topic of partisanship came up, though, she took the opportunity to innocently throw shade at the network that denies the need to fix the wealth gap, or that a wealth gap even exists. Baier played the clip of Trump saying that we have the best health care system in the world, and we need to unite and put politics aside. (That's rich, coming from the Divider-In-Chief.) Baier asked if Ocasio-Cortez agreed, and she responded in the affirmative...at first. And then came the knives when discussing our health care system.
OCASIO-CORTEZ: One thing we need to do is put politics aside and that's exactly why Democrats have agreed with president Trump on his goals of paid sick leave, and his goals of free coronavirus testing. All of those things have been included in our package. [...] When you look at the best health care system in the world, that's something that's up for debate. South Korea has up to 10,000 tests per day. They have been able to provide tests to any single person who wants it, and here, people are scrambling. It almost seems like the more wealthy and powerful you are, the more able you are to access a test, but the more -- the rougher road you've got here, it's going to be a lot more difficult to access health care. That is exactly the recipe for disaster in a pandemic.
Gee, it almost DOES seem like the more wealthy and powerful you are, the better access you have to testing! *insert innocent wide-eyed blinking here* Hmmm, Bret, I wonder what THAT'S all about, don't YOU?
Raise your hand if you think AOC will be invited back for more appearances on Fox News! Anyone?


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Coronafearnia And Other States (of Panic)

After declaring a national emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic , a reporter asked Trump if he took responsibility for the @ @ @ @ @ His answer was surprisingly honest .

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crooksandliars--2020-03-14--The 'Acting' President Lies About Google Creating Websites For COVID-19 Testing

During yesterday 's press conference , Donald Trump made many erroneous claims to pump up the crashed stock markets .
One of the most egregious was that Google had 1,700 employees working on websites to help fight against COVID-19 .
At the Rose Garden , Trump surrounded himself with CEOs to give the appearance that the private sector was heavily involved in the effort to contain the virus .
They 've done virtually nothing for the past eight weeks , but like most egomaniacs , more is better , so a crowded podium of do-nothings is what we received .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close he said , `` I would like to thank Google .
Google is helping develop a website .
It 's going to be very quickly done ” ( unlike websites in the past ) to determine whether a [ coronavirus ] test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location . ''
Trump continued , `` Google has 1,700 engineers working on this right now .
They 've made tremendous progress . ''
But , wait .
It 's Trump , so his words must be fact-checked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , `` The only problem : There is no nationwide site like the one Trump described .
And Google had no idea the president was going to mention one . ''
Are you frakking kidding me ?
A source at Google tells WIRED that company leadership was surprised that Trump announced anything about the initiative at the press conference .
What he did say was also almost entirely wrong .
There will be a coronavirus testing site , not from Google but from Alphabet sister company Verily .
“ We are developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 testing , ” Google tweeted in a statement .
“ Verily is in the early stages of development , and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area , with the hope of expanding more broadly over time.
” This narcissistic imbecile keeps blaming everybody else , and every other administration for all his problems , then lies constantly at the risk of American lives , all in an effort to pump up his own self worth .
The media should ban him from giving any more press conferences on the @ @

During yesterday's press conference, Donald Trump made many erroneous claims to pump up the crashed stock markets. One of the most egregious was that Google had 1,700 employees working on websites to help fight against COVID-19.
At the Rose Garden, Trump surrounded himself with CEOs to give the appearance that the private sector was heavily involved in the effort to contain the virus. They've done virtually nothing for the past eight weeks, but like most egomaniacs, more is better, so a crowded podium of do-nothings is what we received.
And as his remarks were coming to a close he said, "I would like to thank Google. Google is helping develop a website. It's going to be very quickly done” (unlike websites in the past) to determine whether a [coronavirus] test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location."
Wow, that's good news, right?
Trump continued, "Google has 1,700 engineers working on this right now. They've made tremendous progress."
Most excellent.
But, wait. It's Trump, so his words must be fact-checked.
And yes, right on cue Wired reported, "The only problem: There is no nationwide site like the one Trump described. And Google had no idea the president was going to mention one."
Are you frakking kidding me?
A source at Google tells WIRED that company leadership was surprised that Trump announced anything about the initiative at the press conference. What he did say was also almost entirely wrong. There will be a coronavirus testing site, not from Google but from Alphabet sister company Verily. “We are developing a tool to help triage individuals for Covid-19 testing,” Google tweeted in a statement. “Verily is in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time.”
This narcissistic imbecile keeps blaming everybody else, and every other administration for all his problems, then lies constantly at the risk of American lives, all in an effort to pump up his own self worth.
The media should ban him from giving any more press conferences on the virus.


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Another Trump Presser Filled With Lies And Gross Misogyny

Let 's parse this little section of Trump 's Saturday press conference , shall we ?
In the span of three-and-a-half minutes , the man who would be king came before the press corps wearing a navy blue campaign hat , and before talking about measures he was taking to address the growing COVID-19 pandemic , he : I was honored to see the stock market , you were mostly there with us , set a record in a short period of time , over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday in the Rose Garden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should do one of them every day , perhaps .
How about five times a day ?
We 'll do one five times a day .
Is n't it a shame that cameras were n't on the faces of the reporters in the room ?
FIVE pressers a day ?
There 're already long lines at the liquor store , is he trying to create a stampede ?
And that was something to watch , and I had no idea , we went back , I said , `` So , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` Sir , you just set a new record in the history of the stock market . ''
So that was pretty good .
Those great companies that were there , they could n't have been too unhappy , either , if you think about it , because they 're all big , publicly-listed companies , so , they did a good job ... .These are the biggest and the best , and they 're opening up their facilities and they 're opening up , they 're right now literally working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been done before to the extent that we 're doing it .
So we 're very proud of them .
It 's not a Trump presser without a `` Sir '' story , which we know automatically are lies thanks to Daniel Dale 's great analysis .
It 's also not a Trump presser if he 's not openly admitting that the only thing that matters to him is the stock market , and that the only motivation behind any of his actions is to profit financially .
Throw in a fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has *never been done before* and you have the hat trick , my friends .
LIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY , SAID GIBBERISH Our country 's in the best financial shape -- so different than in the past , over the years if you look at some of the real big crises we had , it was financial problems and different things , we now are in very , very strong financial shape with all of the trade and all of the other things that we 've been doing .
It 's been pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the meantime we 're doing things that -- that have been really well received .
I guess you say saw that yesterday at the end of the day with what we 've done .
Well , I guess if you think having lost virtually all of the past 3 years ' financial gains in the space of a week `` the best financial shape '' you could say that .
I guess if you think the market 's circuit breakers tripping three times in a week is being in `` very , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could say that .
That 's not to say we wo n't get through it — we likely will .
But the level of delusion Trump adopts , and , by extension , expects the rest of us to adopt is pretty astonishing .
Finally , it would n't be a Trump presser without a near criminal-level of misogyny , displayed yesterday towards Kristen Welker and Yamiche Alcindor .
Today , the lucky winner was Kelly O'Donnell , who asked him about the example he was setting by continuing to shake everyone 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Is n't that just the picture of what you 'd imagine him saying to a woman after he grabbed them by the p*ssy ?
`` Just take it nice and easy .
Relax . ''

Let's parse this little section of Trump's Saturday press conference, shall we? In the span of three-and-a-half minutes, the man who would be king came before the press corps wearing a navy blue campaign hat, and before talking about measures he was taking to address the growing COVID-19 pandemic, he:
BRAGGED ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET
I was honored to see the stock market, you were mostly there with us, set a record in a short period of time, over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday in the Rose Garden. That was a record. I think we should do one of them every day, perhaps. How about five times a day? We'll do one five times a day.
Isn't it a shame that cameras weren't on the faces of the reporters in the room? FIVE pressers a day? There're already long lines at the liquor store, is he trying to create a stampede?
THREW IN A "SIR" STORY
And that was something to watch, and I had no idea, we went back, I said, "So, how did that work out?" They said, "Sir, you just set a new record in the history of the stock market." So that was pretty good. Those great companies that were there, they couldn't have been too unhappy, either, if you think about it, because they're all big, publicly-listed companies, so, they did a good job....These are the biggest and the best, and they're opening up their facilities and they're opening up, they're right now literally working right now on doing something that's never been done before to the extent that we're doing it. So we're very proud of them.
It's not a Trump presser without a "Sir" story, which we know automatically are lies thanks to Daniel Dale's great analysis. It's also not a Trump presser if he's not openly admitting that the only thing that matters to him is the stock market, and that the only motivation behind any of his actions is to profit financially. Throw in a fully unsubstantiated claim that what he's doing has *never been done before* and you have the hat trick, my friends.
LIED ABOUT THE ECONOMY, SAID GIBBERISH
Our country's in the best financial shape -- so different than in the past, over the years if you look at some of the real big crises we had, it was financial problems and different things, we now are in very, very strong financial shape with all of the trade and all of the other things that we've been doing. It's been pretty amazing....It's important, but in the meantime we're doing things that -- that have been really well received. I guess you say saw that yesterday at the end of the day with what we've done.
Well, I guess if you think having lost virtually all of the past 3 years' financial gains in the space of a week "the best financial shape" you could say that. I guess if you think the market's circuit breakers tripping three times in a week is being in "very, very strong financial shape," you could say that. That's not to say we won't get through it — we likely will. But the level of delusion Trump adopts, and, by extension, expects the rest of us to adopt is pretty astonishing.
Finally, it wouldn't be a Trump presser without a near criminal-level of misogyny, displayed yesterday towards Kristen Welker and Yamiche Alcindor. Today, the lucky winner was Kelly O'Donnell, who asked him about the example he was setting by continuing to shake everyone's hand. Witness this and be floored.
This is what women have to deal with on almost a daily basis.
“Just wait a minute, wait a minute, just take it nice and easy...just relax.” - Donald Trump says to @MSNBC @NBCNews journalist Kelly O’Donnell. pic.twitter.com/T5McsoHuPS — Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) March 14, 2020
Isn't that just the picture of what you'd imagine him saying to a woman after he grabbed them by the p*ssy? "Just take it nice and easy. Relax."


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Joy Reid Addresses The Mental Health Issues Raised By COVID-19 Isolation

While discussing New York City ’ s first coronavirus-related death with Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning , Joy Reid raised the issue of elderly people and others without the kinds of conditions that put them at high risk but who are now more isolated anyway .
Reid noted that someone she knows is not allowed to visit a loved one in a care facility for a non-coronavirus illness .
What about the additional loneliness of elderly people and others who can ’ t get visitors , she asked .
De Blasio acknowledged that this is an important consideration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
Some of our top health care professionals have pointed this out .
The mental health issues here are huge .
The fact if you have a senior who is so isolated it literally has taken away some of their will to live , it 's giving them no opportunity for social interaction - that 's dangerous too .
I think it 's about some balance .
The folks compromised , very strict rules .
If you 've got a senior who 's healthy it does n't mean they ca n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being around anyone who might be sick .

While discussing New York City’s first coronavirus-related death with Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning, Joy Reid raised the issue of elderly people and others without the kinds of conditions that put them at high risk but who are now more isolated anyway.
Reid noted that someone she knows is not allowed to visit a loved one in a care facility for a non-coronavirus illness. What about the additional loneliness of elderly people and others who can’t get visitors, she asked.
De Blasio acknowledged that this is an important consideration.
De BLASIO: This is a big issue. Some of our top health care professionals have pointed this out. The mental health issues here are huge. The fact if you have a senior who is so isolated it literally has taken away some of their will to live, it's giving them no opportunity for social interaction - that's dangerous too. I think it's about some balance. The folks compromised, very strict rules. If you've got a senior who's healthy it doesn't mean they can't have social contact. It means be careful being around anyone who might be sick.
.


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Fox Puts Trish Regan And Kennedy On Hiatus

Fox News pivots from the earlier Trump line that the coronavirus is a hoax , to `` the Democrats are attacking our president ! ''
to finally , some acceptance of a shared reality that this is a real threat to be taken seriously .
And they and Fox Business News have decided , at least temporarily , that they have an excess of on-air Trump cheerleaders .
Trish Regan gained some more notoriety earlier this week when she said the amped-up coverage of COVID-19 was nothing more than `` yet another attempt to impeach the president . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-air dismissal of the coronavirus as “ another attempt to impeach the president ” left her cable network facing a firestorm of criticism this week , has been removed from her prime-time slot for the foreseeable future , the network said on Friday .
Ms. Regan ’ s 8 p.m. program , “ Trish Regan Primetime , ” is “ on hiatus until further notice , ” Fox Business said in a statement .
The network declined to say if Ms. Regan would continue to appear on its other programs , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained in flux .
Fox Business attributed the move to “ the demands of the evolving pandemic crisis coverage , ” saying it was shifting resources toward daytime coverage of the pandemic and global markets .
Both “ Trish Regan Primetime ” and its follow-up at 9 , “ Kennedy , ” will be replaced by general-interest programs .
Still , the abrupt removal of Ms. Regan — a reliably pro-Trump personality who has twice interviewed the president — came as right-wing media stars have faced growing scrutiny for commentary that played down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness had been overhyped by President Trump 's critics .

Fox News pivots from the earlier Trump line that the coronavirus is a hoax, to "the Democrats are attacking our president!" to finally, some acceptance of a shared reality that this is a real threat to be taken seriously. And they and Fox Business News have decided, at least temporarily, that they have an excess of on-air Trump cheerleaders.
Trish Regan gained some more notoriety earlier this week when she said the amped-up coverage of COVID-19 was nothing more than "yet another attempt to impeach the president."
Source: New York Times
The Fox Business anchor Trish Regan, whose on-air dismissal of the coronavirus as “another attempt to impeach the president” left her cable network facing a firestorm of criticism this week, has been removed from her prime-time slot for the foreseeable future, the network said on Friday. Ms. Regan’s 8 p.m. program, “Trish Regan Primetime,” is “on hiatus until further notice,” Fox Business said in a statement. The network declined to say if Ms. Regan would continue to appear on its other programs, saying that its coverage plans for the coronavirus crisis remained in flux. Fox Business attributed the move to “the demands of the evolving pandemic crisis coverage,” saying it was shifting resources toward daytime coverage of the pandemic and global markets. Both “Trish Regan Primetime” and its follow-up at 9, “Kennedy,” will be replaced by general-interest programs. Still, the abrupt removal of Ms. Regan — a reliably pro-Trump personality who has twice interviewed the president — came as right-wing media stars have faced growing scrutiny for commentary that played down fears about the coronavirus and suggested that the illness had been overhyped by President Trump's critics.
Trish Regan's Fox Business show is "on hiatus until further notice," network tells me, citing a shift in staff resources to "critical market hours."
Regan was widely criticized earlier this week for a monologue calling the coronavirus "another attempt to impeach the president.” — Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) March 13, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-14--Sherrod Brown Calls Out Trump's Blatant Lie

Trump 's lies are often so obvious , so easily dispelled by the evidence , whether on video or paper , that one wonders why he does it and is so blatant about it .
The answer ?
Because he can .
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio exposed Trump yesterday , both via tweet and on the Senate floor , calling Trump out for this lying about firing the entire White House Pandemic Office .
And the only reason Trump did that ?
Because Barack Obama created it .
Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) tweeted a letter to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump knew about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office .
Trump claimed that he knew nothing about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office , “ I could perhaps ask Tony about that .
I don ’ t know anything about it .
You say we did that.
” However , Sen. Brown tweeted his letter to Trump : Trump knew about , and approved of , the disbanding of the White House Pandemic Office .
Trump took no responsibility for the spread of the coronavirus in the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisionmaking and eliminating of key government positions that left the US unprepared and behind the curve when the coronavirus arrived .
Trump disbanded the White House Pandemic Office because it was created by Obama .
Trump has viewed the main goal of his presidency as the undoing of the Obama administration .

Trump's lies are often so obvious, so easily dispelled by the evidence, whether on video or paper, that one wonders why he does it and is so blatant about it. The answer? Because he can.
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio exposed Trump yesterday, both via tweet and on the Senate floor, calling Trump out for this lying about firing the entire White House Pandemic Office. And the only reason Trump did that? Because Barack Obama created it.
Source: PoliticusUSA
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) tweeted a letter to Trump from 600 days ago that shows that Trump knew about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office. Trump claimed that he knew nothing about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office, “I could perhaps ask Tony about that. I don’t know anything about it. You say we did that.” However, Sen. Brown tweeted his letter to Trump:
Not true, @realDonaldTrump. I wrote to you more than 600 days ago demanding answers after you fired the entire White House pandemic team. https://t.co/ICbHOkyeyY pic.twitter.com/71OF9gKA3N — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 13, 2020