crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Fox News' Tucker Carlson Calls For Senator Burr To Resign And Await Prosecution

Just hours after news broke about Senator Richard Burr selling up to $ 1.6 million of his stocks in what can only be described as super shady insider trading type sales , FOX News ' Tucker Carlson came right out and called for him to resign and await prosecution at about the same time AOC did .
Here is what he said : '' You may seen the news reports this afternoon .
The Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee sold more than a million dollars of stock in mid-February after learning how devastating the Chinese coronavirus would be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be to our country , which is now happening , but he did n't warn the public .
He did n't give a prime time address .
He did n't go on television to sound the alarm .
He did n't even disavow an op-ed written just 10 days before claiming that 'America was better prepared than ever for coronavirus . '
He did n't do any of those things .
Instead , what did he do ?
He dumped his shares in hotel stocks so he would n't lose money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now maybe there is an honest explanation for what he did .
If there is , he should share it with the rest of us immediately .
Otherwise , he must resign from the Senate and face prosecution for insider trading .
There is no greater moral crime than betraying your country in a time of crisis ... and that appears to be what happened . ''
Guys .
GUYS .
When you have lost TUCKER CARLSON , you are in deep trouble .
And even more crazy that this came from FOX @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even MORE crazier is that I agree with him .
Yes , I agree with Tucker Carlson , for probably the first time ever .
And what we are all thinking :

Just hours after news broke about Senator Richard Burr selling up to $1.6 million of his stocks in what can only be described as super shady insider trading type sales, FOX News' Tucker Carlson came right out and called for him to resign and await prosecution at about the same time AOC did.
Here is what he said:
"You may seen the news reports this afternoon. The Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee sold more than a million dollars of stock in mid-February after learning how devastating the Chinese coronavirus would be. He had inside information about how devastating it would be to our country, which is now happening, but he didn't warn the public. He didn't give a prime time address. He didn't go on television to sound the alarm. He didn't even disavow an op-ed written just 10 days before claiming that 'America was better prepared than ever for coronavirus.' He didn't do any of those things. Instead, what did he do? He dumped his shares in hotel stocks so he wouldn't lose money. And then he stayed silent. Now maybe there is an honest explanation for what he did. If there is, he should share it with the rest of us immediately. Otherwise, he must resign from the Senate and face prosecution for insider trading. There is no greater moral crime than betraying your country in a time of crisis...and that appears to be what happened."
Guys. GUYS. When you have lost TUCKER CARLSON, you are in deep trouble. And even more crazy that this came from FOX and not CNN or MSNBC. And even MORE crazier is that I agree with him. Yes, I agree with Tucker Carlson, for probably the first time ever.
Twitter had thoughts:
I agree with Tucker 🤢 — Justin Satzman (@jsatz23) March 20, 2020
I may never say this in life ever again, but so do I. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 20, 2020
I am so confused, this makes sense but it’s coming out of Tucker Carlson’s mouth — Chris B (@ChrisBEsq) March 20, 2020
A little quarantine humor:
I did not have Tucker Carlson Makes Sense on my pandemic quarantine BINGO card. — Catherine #DemCastOR Margaronis 🆘 (@CMargaronis) March 20, 2020
I think I have a fever...I agree with Tucker Carlson about something and feel like applauding him. — President Rufus T. Firefly (@Stewey444) March 20, 2020
Signs of the apocalypse:
1. plague sweeping the globe
2. agreeing with Tucker Carlson
3. ??? — Charlotte Clymer 🏳🌈 (@cmclymer) March 20, 2020
And what we are all thinking:


crooksandliars--2020-03-19--Trump Ducks Important Question, Instead Whining That NBC News Called Him A Racist

Trump took the lead in another campaign re-election speech/coronavirus press conference , making a fool of himself after he was confronted by MSNBC 's Kristen Welker for not being prepared enough to have ramped up testing kits for Americans .
United States has been woeful in churning out COVID-19 tests to give to Americans that might be infected to help curtail the spread of the virus .
The United States has virtually no test kits being distributed , kits which would go a long way in containing the spread of the deadly virus .
Since early January , Trump consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoax led by the media that was trying to impeach him yet again .
All his Fox News minions followed suit and stuck to the script .
Two months later he 's telling people that he knew the virus was a pandemic before anybody else and that he was totally prepared .
Kristen Welker started off with a simple question which Trump used to attack China and when she tried to follow up he cut her off .
`` It could have been stopped in its tracks , `` he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it public and the whole world is suffering because of it.
” And then she took out the sledgehammer .
“ You did say a few days ago though you did have a sense that this was a pandemic that was coming so why was the United States not prepared with more testing and supplies ?
” she asked .
“ We were very prepared .
The only thing we weren ’ t prepared for was the media , '' he whined .
What does the media have to do with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ?
Trump has no real response to his unconscionable response to the outbreak so he turns to the only political move he has .
Glorify himself , lie and then attack others .
`` The media has not treated it fairly , `` Trump said .
Only medical professionals can treat a virus and not the media , you ignoramus .
`` I ’ ll tell you how prepared I was , I called for a ban from people coming in from China long before anybody in fact -- , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me racist because I did that , '' he complained .
Here 's a timeline of the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump waited weeks before ordering travel restrictions for China .
And once he closed that off he did nothing else to prepare for the inevitable as other cases were being reported around the world .
“ Many of the people in the room , they called me racist and other words because I did that , '' he continued .
`` Because I went so early , so when you say we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands of people come in from China a day , we would have had something right now , that would have been — you wouldn ’ t have even recognized it compared to where we are.
” The United States has no idea where we are today because we have n't started any real form of testing at this point and the virus incubates for up to two weeks before it strikes .
His followers do love when he attacks the press and uses the reverse racism charge to defend himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the CDC and instead turned to his son-in-law Jared Kushner , who said it was no big thing .
He went as far as saying that his actions were so brilliant other countries are following his lead .
Here is a tweet from Senator Chris Murphy on February 5th :

Trump took the lead in another campaign re-election speech/coronavirus press conference, making a fool of himself after he was confronted by MSNBC's Kristen Welker for not being prepared enough to have ramped up testing kits for Americans.
United States has been woeful in churning out COVID-19 tests to give to Americans that might be infected to help curtail the spread of the virus. The United States has virtually no test kits being distributed, kits which would go a long way in containing the spread of the deadly virus.
Since early January, Trump consistently described the coronavirus threat as a Democratic hoax led by the media that was trying to impeach him yet again. All his Fox News minions followed suit and stuck to the script.
Two months later he's telling people that he knew the virus was a pandemic before anybody else and that he was totally prepared.
Kristen Welker started off with a simple question which Trump used to attack China and when she tried to follow up he cut her off. "It could have been stopped in its tracks, " he said. "Unfortunately they didn’t decide to make it public and the whole world is suffering because of it.”
And then she took out the sledgehammer.
“You did say a few days ago though you did have a sense that this was a pandemic that was coming so why was the United States not prepared with more testing and supplies?” she asked.
“We were very prepared. The only thing we weren’t prepared for was the media," he whined.
What does the media have to do with a federal government's response to a deadly virus?
Trump has no real response to his unconscionable response to the outbreak so he turns to the only political move he has. Glorify himself, lie and then attack others.
"The media has not treated it fairly, " Trump said.
Only medical professionals can treat a virus and not the media, you ignoramus.
"I’ll tell you how prepared I was, I called for a ban from people coming in from China long before anybody in fact -- , it was your network, I believe they called me racist because I did that," he complained.
Here's a timeline of the coronavirus outbreak. Trump waited weeks before ordering travel restrictions for China. And once he closed that off he did nothing else to prepare for the inevitable as other cases were being reported around the world.
“Many of the people in the room, they called me racist and other words because I did that," he continued. "Because I went so early, so when you say we weren't prepared, had I let these tens of thousands of people come in from China a day, we would have had something right now, that would have been — you wouldn’t have even recognized it compared to where we are.”
The United States has no idea where we are today because we haven't started any real form of testing at this point and the virus incubates for up to two weeks before it strikes.
His followers do love when he attacks the press and uses the reverse racism charge to defend himself.
Trump never listened to medical experts or the CDC and instead turned to his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who said it was no big thing.
He went as far as saying that his actions were so brilliant other countries are following his lead.
Pukeworthy stuff, isn't it?
Here is a tweet from Senator Chris Murphy on February 5th:


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--'Bullshit Attack': CNN's John King Rips Into Trump 'Trademark' Media Bashing

Earlier Friday , Donald Trump went off on NBC 's Peter Alexander after Alexander lobbed him an easy question to give Trump a chance to show a little empathy for the people in the country he supposedly governs .
Instead of taking the question seriously and giving an answer intended to reassure Americans , Trump lost his temper .
CNN 's John King was incensed .
`` What the president did to Peter Alexander was reprehensible .
The people are looking for answers .
They do want hope , they do want support , Mr. President .
That was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers .
Turning to Kaitlan Collins , he went on .
`` Kaitlan , this is a Trump trademark . ''
`` It was striking that this came -- forgive me -- this bullshit attack on fake news came just moments after the Secretary of State said the American people need to be careful about where they get their information , to go to sources they can trust , '' he said .
So here 's the thing , John King and Peter Alexander and network executives .
You are streaming a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a Trump re-election rally .
It is not meant to convey information ; it 's meant to get him re-elected .
And like any good Trump rally , it had all the elements : An announcement that the borders were being shut down because immigrants are to blame for the virus , a lot of lies and happy talk , some Dear Leader adoration , and of course the obligatory attack on `` fake news . ''
May I respectfully ask that these rallies not be streamed in real time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portions of them are aired ?
There is no reason to live stream every minute of a lying liar .
Each and every reporter and network executive should read Professor Jay Rosen 's column today about why they must not do what they have been doing with these pressers .
Because yes , they ARE bullshit , and they 're disinformation streams .
It 's time to cut off the stream , for the sake of the nation .

Earlier Friday, Donald Trump went off on NBC's Peter Alexander after Alexander lobbed him an easy question to give Trump a chance to show a little empathy for the people in the country he supposedly governs. Instead of taking the question seriously and giving an answer intended to reassure Americans, Trump lost his temper.
CNN's John King was incensed. "What the president did to Peter Alexander was reprehensible. The people are looking for answers. They do want hope, they do want support, Mr. President. That was a very fair question," he told viewers.
Turning to Kaitlan Collins, he went on. "Kaitlan, this is a Trump trademark."
"It was striking that this came -- forgive me -- this bullshit attack on fake news came just moments after the Secretary of State said the American people need to be careful about where they get their information, to go to sources they can trust," he said.
So here's the thing, John King and Peter Alexander and network executives. You are streaming a news conference in real time that is nothing more than a Trump re-election rally. It is not meant to convey information; it's meant to get him re-elected. And like any good Trump rally, it had all the elements: An announcement that the borders were being shut down because immigrants are to blame for the virus, a lot of lies and happy talk, some Dear Leader adoration, and of course the obligatory attack on "fake news."
May I respectfully ask that these rallies not be streamed in real time, but taped and reviewed for fact-checks before portions of them are aired? There is no reason to live stream every minute of a lying liar.
Each and every reporter and network executive should read Professor Jay Rosen's column today about why they must not do what they have been doing with these pressers. Because yes, they ARE bullshit, and they're disinformation streams.
It's time to cut off the stream, for the sake of the nation.


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Kelly Loeffler Blames 'Third-Party' Advisors For Well-Timed Stock Dump

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) defended her stock dump and new purchases after she was briefed on the seriousness of the coronavirus , blaming her third-party advisors which she claimed she had no knowledge of .
On January 24th , she tweeted this : The Georgia senator , whose husband is the CEO of the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange joined Fox News ' America 's Newsroom earlier this morning .
Co-host Ed Henry asked her about the stock transactions .
“ Senator , you thought the government was prepared , '' said Henry .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just noted , you sold over $ 1 million in stocks in your own personal portfolio before the market went down .
Were you trading on inside information about what was coming ?
” Ed needed to ask the question , but she was never going to admit to a federal crime on Fox News .
“ I 've seen some of the stories and it ’ s absolutely false , and it could not be true , ” Loeffler insisted .
“ If you actually look at the personal transaction reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom I ’ m only informed after by transactions after they occurred , several weeks .
Those transactions , on my behalf at least , were a mix of buys and sells .
Very routine for my portfolio , ” she said .
Henry then asked about a purchase of Citrix , a teleconference company .
`` They seem have a pretty good idea about where the market was headed ? ''
Henry asked .
She claims she has no control over her stock portfolio but it 's really hard to believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing and the immediate reactions by her quote - unquote `` third-party '' advisors .
She said she would welcome to be investigated .
Put her on the list .
And she should be investigated .
This is another reason why politicians and presidents release their tax returns and sell off stocks and funds that may look like a conflict of interest .
Is it any wonder Trump does n't want you to know anything about his finances ?

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) defended her stock dump and new purchases after she was briefed on the seriousness of the coronavirus, blaming her third-party advisors which she claimed she had no knowledge of.
On January 24th, she tweeted this:
Appreciate today’s briefing from the President’s top health officials on the novel coronavirus outbreak. These men and women are working around the clock to keep our country safe and healthy. #gapol https://t.co/5866TrrEFc — Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) January 25, 2020
The Georgia senator, whose husband is the CEO of the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange joined Fox News' America's Newsroom earlier this morning.
Co-host Ed Henry asked her about the stock transactions.
“Senator, you thought the government was prepared," said Henry. "Yet shortly after that tweet that I just noted, you sold over $1 million in stocks in your own personal portfolio before the market went down. Were you trading on inside information about what was coming?”
Ed needed to ask the question, but she was never going to admit to a federal crime on Fox News.
“I've seen some of the stories and it’s absolutely false, and it could not be true,” Loeffler insisted.
“If you actually look at the personal transaction reports that were filed, it notices at the bottom I’m only informed after by transactions after they occurred, several weeks. Those transactions, on my behalf at least, were a mix of buys and sells. Very routine for my portfolio,” she said.
Henry then asked about a purchase of Citrix, a teleconference company.
"They seem have a pretty good idea about where the market was headed?" Henry asked.
She claims she has no control over her stock portfolio but it's really hard to believe that there was no communication between the Senate briefing and the immediate reactions by her quote - unquote "third-party" advisors.
She said she would welcome to be investigated.
Put her on the list. And she should be investigated.
This is another reason why politicians and presidents release their tax returns and sell off stocks and funds that may look like a conflict of interest.
Is it any wonder Trump doesn't want you to know anything about his finances?


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

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

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


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Wall Street Journal Types Wonder Aloud If Nation's Health Is 'Worth' The Economic Hit

Leave it to The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board to `` just ask the question '' about putting the health , lives , and safety of Americans ahead of `` the economy . ''
As if .
Note that none of the editorial writers DARED to put their actual name to this .
Wall Street Journal types want us to reconsider COVID : what about their money ?
Stephen Moore appeared on The Laura Ingraham Show Thursday to agree ; transcript via Media Matters : STEPHEN MOORE : Okay , look , I think this is a very dangerous situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they are doing in California , basically locked down , the whole state telling people they ca n't leave their homes without government permission .
This is a very dangerous , almost Orwellian situation we are in right now , and I happen to agree with that Wall Street Journal editorial .
We have to -- If this goes on , where we have people locked down , they ca n't go to work for more than three weeks -- MOORE : You 're talking about economic damage that would be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to ask this question , is it worth trillions of dollars of losses ?
Think of the human suffering , from the -- in terms of the lost income , the lost life savings ?
MOORE : Is that worth it , to deal with this ?
It is a question worth asking , because I 'm starting to think maybe we should get people back to work as fast as we can .

Leave it to The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board to "just ask the question" about putting the health, lives, and safety of Americans ahead of "the economy." As if.
Note that none of the editorial writers DARED to put their actual name to this.
Rethinking the Coronavirus Shutdown: Money is Worth More than Your Lives pic.twitter.com/P8rlpeLl8v — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) March 20, 2020
Wall Street Journal types want us to reconsider COVID: what about their money? Stephen Moore appeared on The Laura Ingraham Show Thursday to agree; transcript via Media Matters:
STEPHEN MOORE: Okay, look, I think this is a very dangerous situation. I just heard the report about what they are doing in California, basically locked down, the whole state telling people they can't leave their homes without government permission. This is a very dangerous, almost Orwellian situation we are in right now, and I happen to agree with that Wall Street Journal editorial. We have to -- If this goes on, where we have people locked down, they can't go to work for more than three weeks -- LAURA INGRAHAM (HOST): I mean, social unrest -- MOORE: You're talking about economic damage that would be in the trillions of dollars. And we have to ask this question, is it worth trillions of dollars of losses? Think of the human suffering, from the -- in terms of the lost income, the lost life savings? INGRAHAM: No. MOORE: Is that worth it, to deal with this? It is a question worth asking, because I'm starting to think maybe we should get people back to work as fast as we can.
OMFG I had to check their website to be sure this wasn't photoshopped (not by you, you're awesome!). Saying the quiet part out loud & especially tone-deaf the day after at least 4 GOP senators were caught stock profiteering off secret pandemic info. #CoronaVirusUpdate — Vulcan🖖Writer✒Mom💁 (@EvaChanda) March 20, 2020
BREAKING: Humans to be renamed "economic activity organisms" — Ineffable Jeff (@jeffcieslak) March 20, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Hospital Chain Begging For Volunteers To Sew Surgical Masks At Home

Willie Geist was steamed .
He said he 's `` getting frantic texts from doctors saying we 're down to our last mask , or we 're already out of masks .
It is not just for the places taking coronavirus patients .
It is for other hospitals who are being asked to give some of their masks to these critical centers , places like cancer hospitals here in New York City that are out of masks or have a week 's supply left .
They have to get out and move quickly .
`` A group of hospitals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage by asking the public to sew masks for the hospital .
The Deaconess Health System released this video , showing the public how to sew a face mask , along with a .pdf of the pattern to follow .
A spokesperson for the hospital group says the instructions meet CDC protocols , and that the homemade masks will be sterilized .
REPORTER : How long does it take to do one ?
VOLUNTEER : It takes about 15 to 20 minutes .
Obviously , when you first start out , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you make several , it 'll go faster .
`` Gene Robinson , I ca n't believe what I 'm watching .
It is a hospital in Evansville , Indiana , doing what it has to do to get through this .
Pleading with the general public .
Please , at home , sew us masks .
If you read through the instructions , they say , give us a call .
We 'll meet you in the parking lot of a facility .
Deliver the masks , and we 'll sterilize them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1940 and 1941 , turned automobile factories into airplane factories almost overnight , where are the masks ?
Where are the supplies ?
Hospitals are dying out here , '' Geist said .
`` Yesterday , the CDC recommended that doctors , you know , who are working on coronavirus patients , if necessary , use a bandana or a scarf .
Which was , I thought , the most amazing thing I had heard , most shocking thing I had heard , until you played that piece about the homemade masks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For the president of the United States to stand there and say , 'we are not a shipping clerk , ' to absolve himself of responsibility , when the federal government has a unique ability to commandeer , order the production of and commandeer those masks and get them to where they need to go .
It 's just incredible .
You know , I mean , the phrase 'failure of leadership , ' I think , is one we 're -- we 've used the past few days .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
While we 're describing this situation , it has real-world effect on patients , on medical care providers .
It is shocking . ''

Willie Geist was steamed. He said he's "getting frantic texts from doctors saying we're down to our last mask, or we're already out of masks. It is not just for the places taking coronavirus patients. It is for other hospitals who are being asked to give some of their masks to these critical centers, places like cancer hospitals here in New York City that are out of masks or have a week's supply left. They have to get out and move quickly.
"A group of hospitals in Indiana is getting ahead of the mask shortage by asking the public to sew masks for the hospital. The Deaconess Health System released this video, showing the public how to sew a face mask, along with a .pdf of the pattern to follow. A spokesperson for the hospital group says the instructions meet CDC protocols, and that the homemade masks will be sterilized.
REPORTER: How long does it take to do one?
VOLUNTEER: It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Obviously, when you first start out, it is probably closer to 20 minutes, As you make several, it'll go faster.
"Gene Robinson, I can't believe what I'm watching. It is a hospital in Evansville, Indiana, doing what it has to do to get through this. Pleading with the general public. Please, at home, sew us masks. If you read through the instructions, they say, give us a call. We'll meet you in the parking lot of a facility. Deliver the masks, and we'll sterilize them. In this country, that in 1940 and 1941, turned automobile factories into airplane factories almost overnight, where are the masks? Where are the supplies? Hospitals are dying out here," Geist said.
Gene Robinson called it unbelievable.
"Yesterday, the CDC recommended that doctors, you know, who are working on coronavirus patients, if necessary, use a bandana or a scarf. Which was, I thought, the most amazing thing I had heard, most shocking thing I had heard, until you played that piece about the homemade masks. It is unbelievable," he said.
"For the president of the United States to stand there and say, 'we are not a shipping clerk,' to absolve himself of responsibility, when the federal government has a unique ability to commandeer, order the production of and commandeer those masks and get them to where they need to go. It's just incredible. You know, I mean, the phrase 'failure of leadership,' I think, is one we're -- we've used the past few days. We're going to use it a lot more. While we're describing this situation, it has real-world effect on patients, on medical care providers. It is shocking."


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Trump Isn't Going To Help States Except By Cutting Regulations. You Win, Grover.

I thought this conversation with Joe Scarborough was the single most useful discussion to make sense of the coronavirus chaos coming out of the White House .
`` There does always seem to be an overpromise , '' Scarborough said to Andrea Mitchell .
`` You have , as you 're going into the press conference , you hear today , for instance , we heard there was going to be big news from the FDA .
All we heard is something that doctors were telling me a week ago that anti-malaria medicine may be available to make the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was so striking , first of all , the president was very tired today , looked very tired in the press conference .
`` He made very clear today , again , and you talked about the , quote , 'The federal government is not a shipping clerk . '
But unlike past presidents , whether it was FDR or President Bush after 9/11 , this president is not going to use the White House as the command and control for a national emergency .
National emergencies do n't get much more extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're hearing time and again , not only on the record from the president but off the record from top White House officials , is that this is up to the 50 governors .
This is up to the free market , the free enterprise .
And what we 're going to do , there 's a quote that I keep hearing on and off the record that this is a crisis that 's going to be locally managed , state run and federally supported .
`` And this federal government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can only be federally supported by being there and possibly assisting governors .
But also by cutting regulations .
That seems right now to be the extent of it . ''
There it is .
As those of you following at home have already figured out , the small-government right wing is running the country , not Trump .
Donald Trump has never had any philosophy other than self-interest , and he 's obviously not interested in learning how to govern .
Everything that comes out of his office is written by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping of Koch sauce .
His animal instincts are sharp enough to know how unpopular this will be in a time of crisis , but the big-money right wing make up the only real political support he has left .
And if he does n't get reelected , he goes to prison .
He knows that .
So the deliberate refusal of the federal government to do something as basic as supplying surgical masks is Grover Norquist 's ultimate dream , and millions of Americans hit by this virus will pay the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puerto Rico now .

I thought this conversation with Joe Scarborough was the single most useful discussion to make sense of the coronavirus chaos coming out of the White House.
"There does always seem to be an overpromise," Scarborough said to Andrea Mitchell.
"You have, as you're going into the press conference, you hear today, for instance, we heard there was going to be big news from the FDA. All we heard is something that doctors were telling me a week ago that anti-malaria medicine may be available to make the coronavirus effects a little less severe. What was so striking, first of all, the president was very tired today, looked very tired in the press conference.
"He made very clear today, again, and you talked about the, quote, 'The federal government is not a shipping clerk.' But unlike past presidents, whether it was FDR or President Bush after 9/11, this president is not going to use the White House as the command and control for a national emergency. National emergencies don't get much more extreme than this.
"Instead, what you're hearing time and again, not only on the record from the president but off the record from top White House officials, is that this is up to the 50 governors. This is up to the free market, the free enterprise. And what we're going to do, there's a quote that I keep hearing on and off the record that this is a crisis that's going to be locally managed, state run and federally supported.
"And this federal government, led by Donald Trump, believes that it can only be federally supported by being there and possibly assisting governors. But also by cutting regulations. That seems right now to be the extent of it."
There it is. As those of you following at home have already figured out, the small-government right wing is running the country, not Trump. Donald Trump has never had any philosophy other than self-interest, and he's obviously not interested in learning how to govern. Everything that comes out of his office is written by assorted special interests, with a heavy helping of Koch sauce.
His animal instincts are sharp enough to know how unpopular this will be in a time of crisis, but the big-money right wing make up the only real political support he has left. And if he doesn't get reelected, he goes to prison. He knows that.
So the deliberate refusal of the federal government to do something as basic as supplying surgical masks is Grover Norquist's ultimate dream, and millions of Americans hit by this virus will pay the price for libertarian bullshit.
We're all Puerto Rico now.


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Trump Napping At Briefing Is Why 'Sleepy' Is Trending On Twitter

The so-called president appeared to doze off during a COVID-19 briefing .
Arms crossed , swiveling his chair as if @ @ @ @ @ not say `` Sleepy Joe '' ever again , except of course he will .
@ @ @ @ @ Times has an explanation for why he 's so tired .
Years of effort which @ @ @ @ @ prepared for this pandemic : The Grover Norquist/ Newt Gingrich / Steve Bannon `` drown @ @ @ @ @ revolution is reaching its logical conclusion .
Congratulations , Republicans !

The so-called president appeared to doze off during a COVID-19 briefing.
Arms crossed, swiveling his chair as if bored.
He'd better not say "Sleepy Joe" ever again, except of course he will.
And now The New York Times has an explanation for why he's so tired. Years of effort which ensured we would NOT be prepared for this pandemic:
Our leaders were warned & never gave pandemic preparedness “sufficient attention at the highest level of the executive branch or from Congress, leaving the nation with funding shortfalls, equipment shortages & disorganization” across govt.” #Covid_19 https://t.co/CXDcKxuzOn — Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) March 20, 2020
The Grover Norquist/ Newt Gingrich / Steve Bannon "drown government in the bathtub" revolution is reaching its logical conclusion. Congratulations, Republicans!


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Report: Senators Made Massive Stock Dumps After Coronavirus Briefing

ProPublica is reporting that some senators sold off significant amounts in stock weeks before coronavirus caused Wall Street to tank , Willie Geist said this morning .
`` According to ProPublica , senator and committee chairman Richard Burr sold off $ 628,000 and $ 1.7 million of his holdings on February 13 , '' Geist said .
`` The report points out that as the head of the intel committee , Burr , of course , has access to the government 's most highly classified information about threats to American security .
His committee received daily coronavirus briefings around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting on February 27 , Burr raised alarms about coronavirus while speaking to a group of constituents . ''
BURR : There 's one thing that I can tell you about this , it is much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history .
It 's probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic .
`` An aide to Senator Burr tells NBC News the stock sales were made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler dumped off millions following a briefing on the coronavirus .
She reported the first stock jointly owned by her and her husband on January 24 , the very same day the Senate Health Committee held a briefing for Senate officials , including Dr. Fauci .
`` She called it ' a ridiculous and baseless attack ' on Twitter overnight , writing , ' I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio .
Investment decisions are made by third-party advisers without my or my husband 's knowledge or involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler 's husband is the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange .
`` Meanwhile , the New York Times reports two other senators sold major holdings around the same time Senator Burr did .
According to the disclosure records , fellow intel committee member , Democrat Diane Feinstein of California and James Imhofe . ''
As Kasie Hunt points out , Kelly Loeffler is the richest member of Congress `` before the stock market volatility .
Her and her husband 's network was estimated at half a billion dollars .
These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , frankly , who have access to things a lot of regular Americans do n't have access to .
The reality though , Willie , and I think another thing that 's making people angry as they digest these stories , is that this is not technically illegal . ''
At which point , I stopped taking Hunt seriously .
This IS illegal , under the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge ( STOCK ) Act , signed by Obama .
It calls for a fine or imprisonment up to 15 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Feinstein and Imhofe do n't fit the profile of insider trading .

ProPublica is reporting that some senators sold off significant amounts in stock weeks before coronavirus caused Wall Street to tank, Willie Geist said this morning.
"According to ProPublica, senator and committee chairman Richard Burr sold off $628,000 and $1.7 million of his holdings on February 13," Geist said.
"The report points out that as the head of the intel committee, Burr, of course, has access to the government's most highly classified information about threats to American security. His committee received daily coronavirus briefings around the time of the sale. NPR is reporting on February 27, Burr raised alarms about coronavirus while speaking to a group of constituents."
BURR: There's one thing that I can tell you about this, it is much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history. It's probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic.
"An aide to Senator Burr tells NBC News the stock sales were made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak. The Daily Beast also reporting that Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler dumped off millions following a briefing on the coronavirus. She reported the first stock jointly owned by her and her husband on January 24, the very same day the Senate Health Committee held a briefing for Senate officials, including Dr. Fauci.
"She called it 'a ridiculous and baseless attack' on Twitter overnight, writing, 'I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio. Investment decisions are made by third-party advisers without my or my husband's knowledge or involvement.' It is worth noting Senator Loeffler's husband is the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.
"Meanwhile, the New York Times reports two other senators sold major holdings around the same time Senator Burr did. According to the disclosure records, fellow intel committee member, Democrat Diane Feinstein of California and James Imhofe."
(It's the Times, so they had to turn it into a "both sides" story.)
As Kasie Hunt points out, Kelly Loeffler is the richest member of Congress "before the stock market volatility. Her and her husband's network was estimated at half a billion dollars. These are people, a lot of the lawmakers, frankly, who have access to things a lot of regular Americans don't have access to. The reality though, Willie, and I think another thing that's making people angry as they digest these stories, is that this is not technically illegal."
At which point, I stopped taking Hunt seriously. This IS illegal, under the 2012 Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, signed by Obama. It calls for a fine or imprisonment up to 15 years.
FYI to readers: The trading patterns of Feinstein and Imhofe don't fit the profile of insider trading.
At least four Senators sold stock before the stock market crashes, including Dianne Feinstein (the Inhofe and Feinstein trades don't look quite as suspicious as Loeffler and Burr, but should still be looked into) https://t.co/uXK3wKIkAi pic.twitter.com/jzYIxmm9LO — Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) March 20, 2020
After a fitful night’s sleep I’ve deleted tweets about Inhofe, Feinstein, end Purdue’s stock sales. Neither the magnitude nor the pattern fits what Burr and Loeffler did. — Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) March 20, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Trump’s FCC Scrambles To Get ISPs To Follow Consumer Protections That Net Neutrality Stipulated

The FCC , under Trump ’ s pick Ajit Pai , has done away with net neutrality protections in part by arguing that the internet is not a utility in the same way as telephones .
While this argument has been disingenuous from the beginning , its limitations , as with anything , are now being tested by the current COVID-19 pandemic .
In fact , Ajit Pai , having de-fanged his agency ’ s ability to regulate the telecommunications industry , is now trying really hard to get that same industry to offer some basic consumer protections .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released the Keep Americans Connected Pledge .
The pledge , according to Pai , was signed by Internet Service Providers ( ISPs ) across the board and promises that all these telecoms : • not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic ; • waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic ; and • open its Wi-Fi hotspots to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all good things .
They aren ’ t exactly enough , however .
This is something Pai knows , which is why the release also mentions that chairman Pai called for ISPs to “ relax their data cap policies in appropriate circumstances , on telephone carriers to waive long-distance and overage fees in appropriate circumstances , on those that serve schools and libraries to work with them on remote learning opportunities , and on all network operators to prioritize the connectivity needs of hospitals and healthcare providers.
” It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As ArsTechnica points out , ISPs like AT & T announced plans to lift data caps for 60 days to help with the obvious needs to people working and using the internet at home during this time .
Comcast , while signing the pledge at the time , did not lift data caps ; but being under pressure from consumers and governments alike , relented , and a day later announced they too would waive data caps for internet subscribers .
The FCC ’ s now bogus logic has always been that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market for ISPs to monopolize and try to squeeze out the most profit from these essential communication platforms .
In fact , after arguing that the federal government shouldn ’ t regulate smaller markets , they ’ ve turned around and argued that states and local municipalities shouldn ’ t either , saying that only the federal government can regulate these kinds of utilities .
Since the Republican-led FCC took control they have rolled back the very basic protections offered by net neutrality under the Obama administration .
At the time , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans said that in deregulating the telecom industry , all of that profit would somehow lead to more freedom and better infrastructure .
As with every other deregulated industry in the history of history , that promise was a lie .
The current conditions of Americans across the country is stressful .
We are all trying to distance ourselves from one another while also trying to retain communications in very uncertain times .
People need to be informed as to what is happening and how things are unfolding .
Children have to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment from time to time .
Net neutrality doesn ’ t mean everything is free , it means that internet providers treat the consumers of their very well subsidized product as the essential communications services they are .

The FCC, under Trump’s pick Ajit Pai, has done away with net neutrality protections in part by arguing that the internet is not a utility in the same way as telephones. While this argument has been disingenuous from the beginning, its limitations, as with anything, are now being tested by the current COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Ajit Pai, having de-fanged his agency’s ability to regulate the telecommunications industry, is now trying really hard to get that same industry to offer some basic consumer protections.
On March 13, FCC chairman Ajit Pai released the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. The pledge, according to Pai, was signed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the board and promises that all these telecoms:
not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
These are all good things. They aren’t exactly enough, however. This is something Pai knows, which is why the release also mentions that chairman Pai called for ISPs to “relax their data cap policies in appropriate circumstances, on telephone carriers to waive long-distance and overage fees in appropriate circumstances, on those that serve schools and libraries to work with them on remote learning opportunities, and on all network operators to prioritize the connectivity needs of hospitals and healthcare providers.” It’s not in the pledge for a reason.
As ArsTechnica points out, ISPs like AT&T announced plans to lift data caps for 60 days to help with the obvious needs to people working and using the internet at home during this time. Comcast, while signing the pledge at the time, did not lift data caps; but being under pressure from consumers and governments alike, relented, and a day later announced they too would waive data caps for internet subscribers.
The FCC’s now bogus logic has always been that a free and open internet means a free market for ISPs to monopolize and try to squeeze out the most profit from these essential communication platforms. In fact, after arguing that the federal government shouldn’t regulate smaller markets, they’ve turned around and argued that states and local municipalities shouldn’t either, saying that only the federal government can regulate these kinds of utilities.
Since the Republican-led FCC took control they have rolled back the very basic protections offered by net neutrality under the Obama administration. At the time, like all good cronies, Pai and other Republicans said that in deregulating the telecom industry, all of that profit would somehow lead to more freedom and better infrastructure. As with every other deregulated industry in the history of history, that promise was a lie.
The current conditions of Americans across the country is stressful. We are all trying to distance ourselves from one another while also trying to retain communications in very uncertain times. People need to be informed as to what is happening and how things are unfolding. Children have to learn, and all of us need some entertainment from time to time. Net neutrality doesn’t mean everything is free, it means that internet providers treat the consumers of their very well subsidized product as the essential communications services they are.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--Yes, Sean Hannity, You Did Call Coronavirus A ‘Hoax’ And Here’s The Proof

Now that Sean Hannity has done an about-face on the coronavirus pandemic , he is claiming he always took the COVID-19 outbreak seriously and never called it a hoax .
Unfortunately for him , there ’ s video proof otherwise .
Vox ’ s Aaron Rupar tweeted out the video below of the two Hannitys : First , we have Hannity # 1 in a phone interview with Rep. Doug Collins on March 9 : `` I think we ’ ve got to be very real with the American people .
I don ’ t like how we are scaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unless you have an immune system that ’ s compromised and you are older and you have other underlying health issues , you are not going to die , 99 % , from this virus , correct ?
” Collins ( Trump-GA ) is not a physician but he validated Hannity ’ s cavalier attitude .
“ That ’ s correct , Sean , ” he said .
HANNITY # 1 : Alright , so that ’ s the point .
I mean , this scaring the living hell out of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as like , oh , let 's bludgeon Trump with this new hoax .
Hannity # 2 turned up around the same time as Bedtime BFF Donald Trump ’ s change of heart about the coronavirus .
The Washington Post laid out perfectly how Hannity and his Trumper colleagues swiveled from “ no biggie ” to “ serious problem ” just as Trump did .
But instead of the teensiest ounce of self-responsibility , Hannity , like Trump ( in the second video below ) , wants you to think he always took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # 2 , March 18 : By the way , this program has always taken the coronavirus seriously .
And we 've never called the virus a hoax .
Then Hannity took another dishonest stance : accusing his political foes of politicizing as a “ cover ” for doing exactly that , himself .
“ We called what they ’ re doing , trying to bludgeon the president out , their politicizing of this virus – well , predictable , despicable , repulsive , all of the above.
” You can watch Hannity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox ’ s Aaron Rupar .
Underneath , you can see how closely he mimics Trump ’ s coronavirus lies , via The Guardian .

Now that Sean Hannity has done an about-face on the coronavirus pandemic, he is claiming he always took the COVID-19 outbreak seriously and never called it a hoax. Unfortunately for him, there’s video proof otherwise.
Vox’s Aaron Rupar tweeted out the video below of the two Hannitys:
First, we have Hannity #1 in a phone interview with Rep. Doug Collins on March 9: "I think we’ve got to be very real with the American people. I don’t like how we are scaring people. Unnecessarily. And that is that unless you have an immune system that’s compromised and you are older and you have other underlying health issues, you are not going to die, 99%, from this virus, correct?”
Collins (Trump-GA) is not a physician but he validated Hannity’s cavalier attitude. “That’s correct, Sean,” he said.
HANNITY #1: Alright, so that’s the point. I mean, this scaring the living hell out of people -- I see it, again, as like, oh, let's bludgeon Trump with this new hoax.
Hannity #2 turned up around the same time as Bedtime BFF Donald Trump’s change of heart about the coronavirus. The Washington Post laid out perfectly how Hannity and his Trumper colleagues swiveled from “no biggie” to “serious problem” just as Trump did. But instead of the teensiest ounce of self-responsibility, Hannity, like Trump (in the second video below), wants you to think he always took the public health crisis seriously.
HANNITY #2, March 18: By the way, this program has always taken the coronavirus seriously. And we've never called the virus a hoax.
Then Hannity took another dishonest stance: accusing his political foes of politicizing as a “cover” for doing exactly that, himself. “We called what they’re doing, trying to bludgeon the president out, their politicizing of this virus – well, predictable, despicable, repulsive, all of the above.”
You can watch Hannity prove himself a liar below, via Vox’s Aaron Rupar. Underneath, you can see how closely he mimics Trump’s coronavirus lies, via The Guardian.
HANNITY, March 9: "This scaring the living hell out of people -- I see it, again, as like, let's bludgeon Trump with this new hoax."
HANNITY, March 18: "By the way, this program has always taken the coronavirus seriously. We've never called the virus a hoax." pic.twitter.com/yLKpojA7BI — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2020
Posted with permission from News Hounds.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--NBC Reporter Thinks Trump Has Coronavirus Credibility Left To Risk

Pettypiece appeared on MSNBC today to discuss the huge disconnect between Trump ’ s COVID-19 claims and reality .
She provided a list of Trump falsehoods that would be damning under any circumstances , but which should ignite calls for resignation during a public health and economic crisis : PETTYPIECE : This has been a recurring theme , the idea that the president overselling what he is doing .
We saw him tweeting today about a drug that he says one of the biggest game changers potentially , an experimental treatment .
He has talked about a ship that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , that is currently weeks away from being ready to be there .
He has talked about a website – we all remember this big website rollout that was going to be available soon and gave the impression to people who , across the country , could go to this website and find a testing location .
Well , that site is available now but is available for only two counties in California .
And while the president has had a history and a track record throughout his administration of over-hyping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – you know , promising everything ’ s coming in weeks and then nothing ever comes to fruition , we 're now talking about a public health crisis , where this is actually giving people false hope or a false sense of security to some extent .
If people actually think there is a treatment out there , they 're going to be going to their doctors and asking for that when in fact this is something that is still in early-stage testing and is still in the experimental phase .
So that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criticism that the president has been getting from Democrats and from public health experts as well .
Anchor Alex Witt pointed out that both Dr. Anthony Fauci and even Mike Pence have been “ softly ” countering Trump ’ s misinformation .
But Pettypiece didn ’ t want to come right out and state the obvious : Emperor Trump has no clothes .
PETTYPIECE : Well , it just creates , one , confusion among the public , which is scared , and experiencing something like none of us have experienced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion about who to believe , but it ’ s also the president risking his credibility here , when he has to be , then , countered by the top infectious disease doctor in the country , and even his own vice president , it ’ s putting his credibility at risk .
Pettypiece went on to note that while the White House is delighted a new poll shows 55 % of Americans now approve of Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic , that “ isn ’ t exactly a great number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s especially true when the poll has a 5 % margin of error , by the way ) .
She compared that to President Obama ’ s 65-70 % approval during crises .
“ So I think the president is putting some of his credibility on line here in his effort to try and stoke hope and downplay some of the seriousness of the situation , ” Pettypiece reiterated .
You have to wonder what it might take for reporters to come out with the obvious truth : Trump is unfit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Pettypiece appeared on MSNBC today to discuss the huge disconnect between Trump’s COVID-19 claims and reality. She provided a list of Trump falsehoods that would be damning under any circumstances, but which should ignite calls for resignation during a public health and economic crisis:
PETTYPIECE: This has been a recurring theme, the idea that the president overselling what he is doing. We saw him tweeting today about a drug that he says one of the biggest game changers potentially, an experimental treatment. He has talked about a ship that is going to be off the coast of New York, that is currently weeks away from being ready to be there. He has talked about a website – we all remember this big website rollout that was going to be available soon and gave the impression to people who, across the country, could go to this website and find a testing location. Well, that site is available now but is available for only two counties in California. And while the president has had a history and a track record throughout his administration of over-hyping his accomplishments, of over-accelerating timelines beyond – you know, promising everything’s coming in weeks and then nothing ever comes to fruition, we're now talking about a public health crisis, where this is actually giving people false hope or a false sense of security to some extent. If people actually think there is a treatment out there, they're going to be going to their doctors and asking for that when in fact this is something that is still in early-stage testing and is still in the experimental phase. So that's a risk here and that's a criticism that the president has been getting from Democrats and from public health experts as well.
But wait, there’s more.
Anchor Alex Witt pointed out that both Dr. Anthony Fauci and even Mike Pence have been “softly” countering Trump’s misinformation. But Pettypiece didn’t want to come right out and state the obvious: Emperor Trump has no clothes.
PETTYPIECE: Well, it just creates, one, confusion among the public, which is scared, and experiencing something like none of us have experienced in our lifetime. So it creates this confusion about who to believe, but it’s also the president risking his credibility here, when he has to be, then, countered by the top infectious disease doctor in the country, and even his own vice president, it’s putting his credibility at risk.
Pettypiece went on to note that while the White House is delighted a new poll shows 55% of Americans now approve of Trump’s handling of the pandemic, that “isn’t exactly a great number” during a crisis. (That’s especially true when the poll has a 5% margin of error, by the way). She compared that to President Obama’s 65-70% approval during crises.
“So I think the president is putting some of his credibility on line here in his effort to try and stoke hope and downplay some of the seriousness of the situation,” Pettypiece reiterated.
You have to wonder what it might take for reporters to come out with the obvious truth: Trump is unfit to steer our country through this perilous time.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Rachel Maddow Warns Networks Of The Dangers Of Airing Trump Pressers Live

It 's nice to be in good company .
Yesterday , our own Karoli Kuns called for the cables and networks to stop airing Trump 's press conferences live , because they are , as she noted , `` nothing more than a Trump re-election rally .
It is not meant to convey information ; it 's meant to get him re-elected . ''
They are `` disinformation streams . ''
She cited Jay Rosen in her piece .
Rosen is doing just that , because , he writes , Trump `` is not obliged to answer our questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in misinforming the American people about the spread of the virus , and what is actually being done by his government . ''
Elie Mystal had his own call to shut Trump down at The Nation yesterday , challenging the media to stop disseminating Trump 's hate and repeating his racism and calling it `` news . ''
Well , last night , Rachel Maddow spelled it out as plainly as possible , not that the people in charge are listening , but this is for sure a `` Great Minds Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maddow cites the myriad unconscionable lies about the COVID-19 outbreak Trump spews at these pressers — which he has daily , now , since he can no longer hold his rallies .
The list is staggering : • A drug for malaria had been approved for use against COVID-19 .
• The virus will disappear , like magic .
• There would be 1.4 million tests available this week .
( Only 1/10 of that appeared . )
• Google is developing a website to help people determine if they need testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested .
Fast !
For everyone !
Almost immediately !
( Just northern California .
Early stages .
Not working well . )
• Two Navy medical ships !
One to NYC and the other to California !
( Neither have medical personnel .
Both undergoing maintence . )
• Ordered 500 million n95 masks !
( Will take 18 months to fill order . )
Maddow notes not only the pathological nature of this behavior , but also the cruelty .
The harm .
MADDOW : And so the specific way in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear .
We have said from the very beginning , watch what they do , not what they say .
That 's very , very , very relevant here and I say this not to vent my outrage .
I 'm over that frankly at this point .
I 'm just saying it because I feel like we should inoculate ourself against the harmful impact of these on going false promises and false statements by the president recognizing when he 's talking about the coronavirus epidemic more often than not , he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what he has done or what he will do , he 's consistently lying and giving you happy talk that is stuff that the federal government is n't actually doing .
And it 's making people around the country count on the fact the federal government is doing that stuff when they 're not .
There may be people in the federal government who are saying stuff that are true , but it 's a litany of things from the president that would be awesome if they were true and if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so the sooner we come to terms with that , I think the better for all of us .
If it were up to me and it 's not , I would stop putting those briefings on live tv .
Not out of spite but because it 's misinformation .
If the president does end up saying anything true , you can run it as tape .
But if he keeps lying like he has been every day on stuff this important , we should , all of us , we should stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to cost lives .
As if it has n't already .

It's nice to be in good company. Yesterday, our own Karoli Kuns called for the cables and networks to stop airing Trump's press conferences live, because they are, as she noted, "nothing more than a Trump re-election rally. It is not meant to convey information; it's meant to get him re-elected." They are "disinformation streams." She cited Jay Rosen in her piece. Rosen is doing just that, because, he writes, Trump "is not obliged to answer our questions. But neither are we obligated to assist him in misinforming the American people about the spread of the virus, and what is actually being done by his government." Elie Mystal had his own call to shut Trump down at The Nation yesterday, challenging the media to stop disseminating Trump's hate and repeating his racism and calling it "news."
Well, last night, Rachel Maddow spelled it out as plainly as possible, not that the people in charge are listening, but this is for sure a "Great Minds Think Alike" moment. In this segment, Maddow cites the myriad unconscionable lies about the COVID-19 outbreak Trump spews at these pressers — which he has daily, now, since he can no longer hold his Nuremberg rallies. The list is staggering:
A drug for malaria had been approved for use against COVID-19.
The virus was well-contained.
The virus will disappear, like magic.
There would be 1.4 million tests available this week. (Only 1/10 of that appeared.)
Google is developing a website to help people determine if they need testing, and where to go to get tested. Fast! For everyone! Almost immediately! (Just northern California. Early stages. Not working well.)
Two Navy medical ships! One to NYC and the other to California! (Neither have medical personnel. Both undergoing maintence.)
Massive number of ventilators! (Shortage of ventilators.)
Ordered 500 million n95 masks! (Will take 18 months to fill order.)
Maddow notes not only the pathological nature of this behavior, but also the cruelty. The harm.
MADDOW: And so the specific way in which the president is failing now is clear. We have said from the very beginning, watch what they do, not what they say. That's very, very, very relevant here and I say this not to vent my outrage. I'm over that frankly at this point. I'm just saying it because I feel like we should inoculate ourself against the harmful impact of these on going false promises and false statements by the president recognizing when he's talking about the coronavirus epidemic more often than not, he is lying. Even when he's talking about what he has done or what he will do, he's consistently lying and giving you happy talk that is stuff that the federal government isn't actually doing. And it's making people around the country count on the fact the federal government is doing that stuff when they're not. There may be people in the federal government who are saying stuff that are true, but it's a litany of things from the president that would be awesome if they were true and if they were happening but they're not and so the sooner we come to terms with that, I think the better for all of us. If it were up to me and it's not, I would stop putting those briefings on live tv. Not out of spite but because it's misinformation. If the president does end up saying anything true, you can run it as tape. But if he keeps lying like he has been every day on stuff this important, we should, all of us, we should stop broadcasting it. Honestly, it's going to cost lives.
As if it hasn't already.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Joe Biden Trashes Donald Trump's Inept And Pathetic Coronavirus Response

Joe Biden , the probable Democratic nominee for President , had strong words for Donald Trump regarding his administration 's epic failure at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic .
Not only did Biden slam Trump for his lack of preparation and denial of the coming pandemic when he was initially notified about back in February , but he had harsh words regarding Trump 's complete failure to address it even now .
Biden accused Trump of being “ behind the curve through his whole response.
” This is probably largely due to Trump 's two-pronged failure : refusal to acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and his desperate attempt to keep the lies going , facts be damned , in an effort to win re-election in November .
Both have failed .
Biden made these comments on a conference call with reporters .
He explained how Trump has continued to lie to the public , has been knowingly putting out `` misinformation , '' and not shown even a modicum of empathy regarding what Americans are dealing with .
“ Step up and do your job , Mr .
President . ''
But can Trump actually do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown that he is a failure on a worldwide scale , to a level and depth that will surely lead to significantly more deaths than if he had taken decisive steps back on February 5 , when intelligence agencies rang the alarm .
`` In times of crisis , the American people deserve a president who tells them the truth .
Unfortunately , President Trump has not been that president.
” Truth ?
I do not think Donald Trump actually knows what that word means .
In fact , I do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that word means .
They peddle in half truths , `` alternative facts , '' and flat out lies .
And their followers blindly accept the lies as the doctrine of truth .
“ People are scared .
They ’ re worried .
They don ’ t know quite what to do .
He has been behind the curve throughout this whole response . ''
Donald Trump is the last person that can provide empathy .
He is incapable of feeling that emotion because it has been widely suspect that he suffers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder , or straight up sociopathy . )
Neither of these disorders would allow him to feel any feelings .
He ca n't even fake them .
In addition to these harsh words , Joe Biden rattled off what he felt where the major blunders the White House had made in its response .
Not only did Trump wait way too long to authorize the Defense Production Act , but he was fuzzy on if — or when — he would actually implement it .
Biden also had scathing words for Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their own for testing and medical supplies , while simultaneously outbidding them .
Just vile .
“ Don ’ t tell the governors to fend for themselves .
Step up and do your job .
He said the federal government is not a shipping clerk .
Where the hell did that come from ? ''
Biden also said that tests need to be available to anyone who needed them , immediately .
No delay .
He suggested that the Defense Department could step up and help with hospital capacity , using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't like hearing the hard facts , responding almost immediately with typical anger and hatred , offering no real response to the suggestions Biden made : '' The only thing Joe Biden knows about handling a public health crisis is that the Obama White House had to apologize for his remarks that set off a panic during the swine flu outbreak in 2009 . ''
Fact check : Nothing Biden or Obama said set off a `` panic . ''
But then again , nothing the White House or Trump campaign says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even half-truth .

Joe Biden, the probable Democratic nominee for President, had strong words for Donald Trump regarding his administration's epic failure at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did Biden slam Trump for his lack of preparation and denial of the coming pandemic when he was initially notified about back in February, but he had harsh words regarding Trump's complete failure to address it even now.
Biden accused Trump of being “behind the curve through his whole response.” This is probably largely due to Trump's two-pronged failure: refusal to acknowledge that this was not a "hoax," and his desperate attempt to keep the lies going, facts be damned, in an effort to win re-election in November. Both have failed.
Biden made these comments on a conference call with reporters. He explained how Trump has continued to lie to the public, has been knowingly putting out "misinformation," and not shown even a modicum of empathy regarding what Americans are dealing with.
Biden was blunt:
“Step up and do your job, Mr. President."
But can Trump actually do his job? Probably not. He has shown that he is a failure on a worldwide scale, to a level and depth that will surely lead to significantly more deaths than if he had taken decisive steps back on February 5, when intelligence agencies rang the alarm.
Biden went on:
"In times of crisis, the American people deserve a president who tells them the truth. Unfortunately, President Trump has not been that president.”
Truth? I do not think Donald Trump actually knows what that word means. In fact, I do not think anyone in his administration knows what that word means. They peddle in half truths, "alternative facts," and flat out lies. And their followers blindly accept the lies as the doctrine of truth.
Biden ended with:
“People are scared. They’re worried. They don’t know quite what to do. He has been behind the curve throughout this whole response."
Donald Trump is the last person that can provide empathy. He is incapable of feeling that emotion because it has been widely suspect that he suffers from a serious personality disorder (narcissistic personality disorder, or straight up sociopathy.) Neither of these disorders would allow him to feel any feelings. He can't even fake them.
In addition to these harsh words, Joe Biden rattled off what he felt where the major blunders the White House had made in its response. Not only did Trump wait way too long to authorize the Defense Production Act, but he was fuzzy on if — or when — he would actually implement it. Biden also had scathing words for Trump's decision to tell governors that they were on their own for testing and medical supplies, while simultaneously outbidding them. Just vile.
Biden said:
“Don’t tell the governors to fend for themselves. Step up and do your job. He said the federal government is not a shipping clerk. Where the hell did that come from?"
(Please note: The U.S. Post Office is a federal agency.)
Biden also said that tests need to be available to anyone who needed them, immediately. No delay. He suggested that the Defense Department could step up and help with hospital capacity, using the Medical Reserve Corps.
The Trump campaign didn't like hearing the hard facts, responding almost immediately with typical anger and hatred, offering no real response to the suggestions Biden made:
"The only thing Joe Biden knows about handling a public health crisis is that the Obama White House had to apologize for his remarks that set off a panic during the swine flu outbreak in 2009."
Fact check: Nothing Biden or Obama said set off a "panic." But then again, nothing the White House or Trump campaign says can be called the truth — or even half-truth.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Fox 'News' Anchors Weirdly Enamored Of Bipartisanship Since COVID-19

Like a newborn baby who has found their hands , Fox `` News '' anchors seem to have found a fascination and admiration with the concept of bipartisanship and its benefits .
Pete Hegseth , Jedediah Bila , and Todd Piro were discussing the bills in Congress meant to bring relief to the nation suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic , and they had nothing but praise for , at least , the mood they perceived on Capitol Hill .
HEGSETH : Speaking of something you ca n't really figure out later , these bills on Capitol Hill that are moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus to people who are hurting right now , well , the Senate negotiators , they are going to meet again today after working through the night , as they should , but missing the deadline they were supposed to reach for a coronavirus stimulus bill .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes the vote will be tomorrow guys .
What do you make of how Capitol Hill handling this right now ?
BILA : Yeah , I mean , they need to come together .
Actually , the president was talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time to be Republican or Democrat .
This is a time to come together and defeat a common enemy .
Let 's take a listen to what he had to say and then we can talk about it .
BILA : Yeah , I mean , that 's reassuring .
I hope that is actually what 's going on behind the scenes .
And it always leaves , when you look at times of tragedy or crisis and you see the ability of Democrats and Republicans to come together , you always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to do under ordinary circumstances .
Because , really , that 's what you need to get anything done .
So I 'm glad to see it happening right now , because obviously this is a scary time for many and we do n't need them stagnant this week .
PIRO : You heard the president 's words , and I know I 've talked to a number of staunch conservatives over the course of the last week , and they look forward to liberal Governor Andrew Cuomo 's press conferences on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sort of showing that if there 's one victim we can all hopefully agree is one of the victims of this , it 's partisanship , so far .
At least that 's the hope going forward .
You know , we 'll see how long this lasts during this crisis , and then hopefully beyond .
HEGSETH : It might be a temporary victory , but at least for now .
You 're right .
Good point .
Appreciate it .

Like a newborn baby who has found their hands, Fox "News" anchors seem to have found a fascination and admiration with the concept of bipartisanship and its benefits. Pete Hegseth, Jedediah Bila, and Todd Piro were discussing the bills in Congress meant to bring relief to the nation suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and they had nothing but praise for, at least, the mood they perceived on Capitol Hill.
HEGSETH: Speaking of something you can't really figure out later, these bills on Capitol Hill that are moving forward, that are supposed to give stimulus to people who are hurting right now, well, the Senate negotiators, they are going to meet again today after working through the night, as they should, but missing the deadline they were supposed to reach for a coronavirus stimulus bill. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell believes the vote will be tomorrow guys. What do you make of how Capitol Hill handling this right now?
BILA: Yeah, I mean, they need to come together. Actually, the president was talking about that, about how this isn't a time to be Republican or Democrat. This is a time to come together and defeat a common enemy. Let's take a listen to what he had to say and then we can talk about it.
[short Trump video montage played]
BILA: Yeah, I mean, that's reassuring. I hope that is actually what's going on behind the scenes. And it always leaves, when you look at times of tragedy or crisis and you see the ability of Democrats and Republicans to come together, you always wonder why that's so impossible for them to do under ordinary circumstances. Because, really, that's what you need to get anything done. So I'm glad to see it happening right now, because obviously this is a scary time for many and we don't need them stagnant this week.
PIRO: You heard the president's words, and I know I've talked to a number of staunch conservatives over the course of the last week, and they look forward to liberal Governor Andrew Cuomo's press conferences on a day in and day out business, sort of showing that if there's one victim we can all hopefully agree is one of the victims of this, it's partisanship, so far.
At least that's the hope going forward. You know, we'll see how long this lasts during this crisis, and then hopefully beyond.
HEGSETH: It might be a temporary victory, but at least for now. You're right. Good point. Appreciate it.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Trump Administration Wants States To Zip Their Lips About Soaring Unemployment Numbers

Unemployment is skyrocketing as entire industries shut down or scale back dramatically in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Unemployment claims rose 30 % last week , with 281,000 newly jobless people filing for unemployment insurance .
But the numbers that are still to come are going to be much worse .
How much worse ?
Well , the Labor Department is asking states not to give any numbers until the official report comes out , because the financial markets will see and it will be bad .
On Wednesday , the Labor Department ’ s administrator of the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not a political appointee ) sent state officials an email telling them to “ provide information using generalities to describe claims levels ( very high , large increase ) .
” Perhaps state officials should pay a visit to Thesaurus.com for some help , and tell the public , “ We can ’ t give you exact numbers here , but there has been an enormous/giant/gigantic/hefty/huge increase in unemployment claims this week .
For exact numbers , wait until the federal government releases them next week.
” That will surely ease anxieties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims rose by 150 % last week—and while officials there aren ’ t giving numbers , they did say there ’ s an “ even more dramatic increase this week.
” In Pennsylvania , a state labor official told lawmakers and union leaders that there had been 180,000 new unemployment claims in recent days .
That ’ s more than the state typically sees in a month .
It sounds like we might need to go back to the thesaurus to convey the magnitude of the job losses going on .
How about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe—here ’ s a thought—numbers .
Waiting until Thursday to know the scope of the economic crisis is not going to calm anyone down .
We saw that when Donald Trump attempted to downplay the coronavirus crisis because he was worried about how the markets would respond , and the markets tanked anyway .
Everyone knows things are really , really , really bad out there .
Knowing that the government is being transparent would at least be one piece of good news .

Unemployment is skyrocketing as entire industries shut down or scale back dramatically in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Unemployment claims rose 30% last week, with 281,000 newly jobless people filing for unemployment insurance. But the numbers that are still to come are going to be much worse. How much worse? Well, the Labor Department is asking states not to give any numbers until the official report comes out, because the financial markets will see and it will be bad.
On Wednesday, the Labor Department’s administrator of the Office of Employment Insurance (a career official, not a political appointee) sent state officials an email telling them to “provide information using generalities to describe claims levels (very high, large increase).” Perhaps state officials should pay a visit to Thesaurus.com for some help, and tell the public, “We can’t give you exact numbers here, but there has been an enormous/giant/gigantic/hefty/huge increase in unemployment claims this week. For exact numbers, wait until the federal government releases them next week.” That will surely ease anxieties!
Washington state’s new unemployment claims rose by 150% last week—and while officials there aren’t giving numbers, they did say there’s an “even more dramatic increase this week.” In Pennsylvania, a state labor official told lawmakers and union leaders that there had been 180,000 new unemployment claims in recent days. That’s more than the state typically sees in a month.
It sounds like we might need to go back to the thesaurus to convey the magnitude of the job losses going on. How about gargantuan? Immense? Massive?
Or maybe—here’s a thought—numbers. Waiting until Thursday to know the scope of the economic crisis is not going to calm anyone down. We saw that when Donald Trump attempted to downplay the coronavirus crisis because he was worried about how the markets would respond, and the markets tanked anyway. Everyone knows things are really, really, really bad out there. Knowing that the government is being transparent would at least be one piece of good news.
Published with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-03-21--Thanks To The 'Trump Effect,' White Nationalist Hate Just Keeps Growing And Intensifying

We ’ ve known for awhile now that there is a “ Trump Effect ” in the world of hate groups and hate crimes , one that primarily affects vulnerable minorities .
It ’ s as though his election lifted the lid that had kept in the Pandora ’ s Box of racial resentment in America , and all the contained demons came rushing out .
And it continues to intensify .
In the Southern Poverty Law Center ’ s latest assessment of the state of hate in America for 2019 , it found that even while the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-time high in 2018 , white nationalist groups overall had increased 55 percent since Donald Trump ’ s ascension to the presidency in 2017 .
Anti-LGBTQ groups are flourishing , too : there was a 43 percent increase in such groups in 2019 , the report found , bolstered by an anti-LGBTQ movement that “ continued to enjoy success in mainstreaming its agenda in 2019.
” Overall , the number of hate groups ( defined as “ an organization that—based on its official statements or principles , the statements of its leaders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack or malign an entire class of people , typically for their immutable characteristics ) declined in 2019 to 940 , from an all-time high of 1,020 in 2018 .
The report found significant declines in racist skinhead activity , as well as declines in the total numbers of neo-Confederate , neo-Nazi , and Christian Identity hate groups , as well as a slight decline in anti-Muslim groups .
Ku Klux Klan group numbers remained largely stable .
Antigovernment extremist groups—which are not considered hate groups , though their ideologies may share some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 612 in 2018 .
However , there were increases in anti-immigrant and anti-LGBT hate groups , as well as a rise in white nationalist hate groups to 155 , up from 148 .
Overall , white nationalist groups have been the fastest-growing sector of the far right during the Trump years , but more significantly , the report views the sector as the one most likely to produce acts of violence in the years ahead .
“ The white nationalist movement has embraced increasingly extreme rhetoric in 2019 .
Some in the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to precipitate a race war .
This growing wing refers to itself as ‘ accelerationist.
’ At the same time , image-conscious groups like the American Identity Movement ( AIM ) —which refer to themselves as the ‘ dissident right ’ —spent much of 2019 trying to distance themselves from the more extreme elements within the movement.
” Its future prospects are cause for concern : The movement will likely continue to splinter over the issue of violence .
While a number of arrests—like that of a member of The Base for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerationists , there is little to suggest that wing of the movement will mellow in the coming year .
Indeed , white nationalists and neo-Nazis across the movement are more openly expressing their belief that violence is , if not desirable , inevitable .
This belief will likely gain further support as political tensions increase surrounding the 2020 election .
The report also details the radical right ’ s multiple connections to domestic terrorism , including such attacks as the massacres in El Paso , Texas , and Christchurch , New Zealand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and anger behind this violence , it explains , is the “ deep fear of demographic change ” that is essential to white nationalist beliefs .
“ This fear is encapsulated in the conspiratorial notion that a purposeful ‘ white genocide ’ is under way and that it ’ s driving ‘ the great replacement ’ of white people in their ‘ home ’ countries by foreign , non-white populations , ” the report explains .
“ Antisemitism adds fuel to this fire ; some white supremacists claim that Jews—as well as progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Not all the hate groups were necessarily violent , however , and the SPLC is clear that violence or the lack thereof is not part of the criteria for defining hate groups .
Some hate groups pursued their ends by promoting hateful rhetoric that they attempted to translate , sometimes successfully , into official government policy—particularly anti-LGBTQ hate groups such as Focus on the Family and the Alliance Defending Freedom .
The report noted that these hate groups operated with the explicit support of the White House and congressional Republicans , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the federal level , while state and local lawmakers in many areas followed suit.
” It also noted that “ three cases with implications for the rights of LGBTQ people came before the Supreme Court .
One of those is being argued on the side of limiting LGBTQ rights by the Alliance Defending Freedom , an anti-LGBTQ hate group .
”

We’ve known for awhile now that there is a “Trump Effect” in the world of hate groups and hate crimes, one that primarily affects vulnerable minorities. It’s as though his election lifted the lid that had kept in the Pandora’s Box of racial resentment in America, and all the contained demons came rushing out.
And it continues to intensify. In the Southern Poverty Law Center’s latest assessment of the state of hate in America for 2019, it found that even while the total number of hate groups declined slightly from an all-time high in 2018, white nationalist groups overall had increased 55 percent since Donald Trump’s ascension to the presidency in 2017.
Anti-LGBTQ groups are flourishing, too: there was a 43 percent increase in such groups in 2019, the report found, bolstered by an anti-LGBTQ movement that “continued to enjoy success in mainstreaming its agenda in 2019.”
Overall, the number of hate groups (defined as “an organization that—based on its official statements or principles, the statements of its leaders, or its activities—has beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics) declined in 2019 to 940, from an all-time high of 1,020 in 2018.
The report found significant declines in racist skinhead activity, as well as declines in the total numbers of neo-Confederate, neo-Nazi, and Christian Identity hate groups, as well as a slight decline in anti-Muslim groups. Ku Klux Klan group numbers remained largely stable. Antigovernment extremist groups—which are not considered hate groups, though their ideologies may share some values—also declined to 576, down from 612 in 2018.
However, there were increases in anti-immigrant and anti-LGBT hate groups, as well as a rise in white nationalist hate groups to 155, up from 148. Overall, white nationalist groups have been the fastest-growing sector of the far right during the Trump years, but more significantly, the report views the sector as the one most likely to produce acts of violence in the years ahead.
“The white nationalist movement has embraced increasingly extreme rhetoric in 2019. Some in the movement openly advocate violence and terrorism as a way to precipitate a race war. This growing wing refers to itself as ‘accelerationist.’ At the same time, image-conscious groups like the American Identity Movement (AIM)—which refer to themselves as the ‘dissident right’—spent much of 2019 trying to distance themselves from the more extreme elements within the movement.”
Its future prospects are cause for concern:
The movement will likely continue to splinter over the issue of violence. While a number of arrests—like that of a member of The Base for conspiring to vandalize synagogues—have caused worry among accelerationists, there is little to suggest that wing of the movement will mellow in the coming year. Indeed, white nationalists and neo-Nazis across the movement are more openly expressing their belief that violence is, if not desirable, inevitable. This belief will likely gain further support as political tensions increase surrounding the 2020 election.
The report also details the radical right’s multiple connections to domestic terrorism, including such attacks as the massacres in El Paso, Texas, and Christchurch, New Zealand, that occurred in 2019. The fear and anger behind this violence, it explains, is the “deep fear of demographic change” that is essential to white nationalist beliefs.
“This fear is encapsulated in the conspiratorial notion that a purposeful ‘white genocide’ is under way and that it’s driving ‘the great replacement’ of white people in their ‘home’ countries by foreign, non-white populations,” the report explains. “Antisemitism adds fuel to this fire; some white supremacists claim that Jews—as well as progressive politicians—are helping to facilitate this demographic change.”
Not all the hate groups were necessarily violent, however, and the SPLC is clear that violence or the lack thereof is not part of the criteria for defining hate groups. Some hate groups pursued their ends by promoting hateful rhetoric that they attempted to translate, sometimes successfully, into official government policy—particularly anti-LGBTQ hate groups such as Focus on the Family and the Alliance Defending Freedom.
The report noted that these hate groups operated with the explicit support of the White House and congressional Republicans, “as the Trump administration pursued anti-LGBTQ policies at the federal level, while state and local lawmakers in many areas followed suit.” It also noted that “three cases with implications for the rights of LGBTQ people came before the Supreme Court. One of those is being argued on the side of limiting LGBTQ rights by the Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ hate group.”
Published with permission from Daily Kos.