crooksandliars--2020-05-25--James Carville Flattens Both Siderism:  'Trump Is The Clorox Kid!'

Kasie Hunt tried in vain to `` both-sides '' Donald Trump 's Access Hollywood tape with the recent Joe Biden gaffe ( for which the former vice-president apologized . )
Has anyone pointed out that Biden is capable of admitting error ?
That by itself puts him on a higher moral plane than you know who And James Carville is n't having it .
JAMES CARVILLE : The `` Access Hollywood '' tape and this little thing Biden made , they 're not even remotely comparable .
They 're not the same solar system .
And I just hope we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` but what about the emails . ''
I mean , Biden made an error .
He apologized for it .
And move on .
We can obsess on this , but this is -- in the scheme of things , this is not going to amount to diddley squat come the election in November and I really believe that .
We have to be careful not to -- -- put `` on one hand on the other hand . ''
This is on 100 hands and on one finger .
KASIE HUNT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to play for you a little bit of what Donald Trump had to say over the weekend ... ... in an interview about the former vice-president , his opponent , in the election .
And he seems to get right at the heart of the real argument they 're going to try to use to go afternoon him in November .
Let 's watch and then I 'd like to get your response to it .
REPORTER : What do you think is joe biden 's strongest feature as a competitor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would have said experience , but he does n't really have experience because I do n't think he remembers what he did yesterday .
So how is that experience ?
He 's not mentally sharp enough to be president .
Biden does n't know -- I mean , he does n't know he 's alive .
HUNT : So , James , I mean , this is something that , you know , in plenty of campaigns past this has been an unspoken attack that some -- that one candidate has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor health or was too old .
The president in this campaign is putting it out there in this incredibly direct way .
Is it going to work ?
CARVILLE : The Clorox kid ?
Anybody can make a gaffe , make a word come out the wrong way .
Nobody ever stood in front of the whole United States and told them to drink Clorox , right ?
We have to quit chasing this stupidity around .
He is getting beat and he 's getting beat bad .
He 's getting beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll , the NBC poll .
And he 's going to lose bad .
And Jonathan Swain is right .
They 're going to try anything they can to try to change the conversation .
They 're not going to be successful .
And we do n't need to be helping him be successful .
He does n't know where he is right now .
You can look , the American people are turning on him by the day .
Joe Biden is fine .
Joe Biden performed I thought superbly in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said some things sometimes that came out the wrong way .
Go look at Trump gaffes .
Look at the things that he has said and the words he 's mispronounced .
I mean they 're just silly .
We do n't need to follow this kind of silliness that he puts out .
And the idea he 's going to go play golf and that 's going to turn this election around for him , that 's his only hope ?
Play golf , man , ca n't lose doing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public !

Kasie Hunt tried in vain to "both-sides" Donald Trump's Access Hollywood tape with the recent Joe Biden gaffe (for which the former vice-president apologized.)
Has anyone pointed out that Biden is capable of admitting error? That by itself puts him on a higher moral plane than you know who
And James Carville isn't having it.
JAMES CARVILLE: The "Access Hollywood" tape and this little thing Biden made, they're not even remotely comparable. They're not the same solar system. And I just hope we don't go back to this, "but what about the emails." I mean, Biden made an error. He apologized for it. And move on. We can obsess on this, but this is -- in the scheme of things, this is not going to amount to diddley squat come the election in November and I really believe that. We have to be careful not to ---- put "on one hand on the other hand." This is on 100 hands and on one finger.
KASIE HUNT: Fair enough. So, I want to play for you a little bit of what Donald Trump had to say over the weekend...
[MAJOR James Carville eyeroll]
...in an interview about the former vice-president, his opponent, in the election. And he seems to get right at the heart of the real argument they're going to try to use to go afternoon him in November. Let's watch and then I'd like to get your response to it.
[VIDEO CLIP]
REPORTER: What do you think is joe biden's strongest feature as a competitor in politics? LIAR IN CHIEF: Well, I would have said experience, but he doesn't really have experience because I don't think he remembers what he did yesterday. So how is that experience? He's not mentally sharp enough to be president. Biden doesn't know -- I mean, he doesn't know he's alive.
[END VIDEO CLIP]
HUNT: So, James, I mean, this is something that, you know, in plenty of campaigns past this has been an unspoken attack that some -- that one candidate has leveled at another, somebody was in poor health or was too old. The president in this campaign is putting it out there in this incredibly direct way. Is it going to work?
CARVILLE: The Clorox kid? Anybody can make a gaffe, make a word come out the wrong way. Nobody ever stood in front of the whole United States and told them to drink Clorox, right? We have to quit chasing this stupidity around. He is getting beat and he's getting beat bad. He's getting beat in the Fox poll, the Quinnipiac poll, the NBC poll. And he's going to lose bad. And Jonathan Swain is right. They're going to try anything they can to try to change the conversation. They're not going to be successful. And we don't need to be helping him be successful. He doesn't know where he is right now. You can look, the American people are turning on him by the day. Joe Biden is fine. Joe Biden performed I thought superbly in a lot of the debates. Yeah, he said some things sometimes that came out the wrong way. Go look at Trump gaffes. Look at the things that he has said and the words he's mispronounced. I mean they're just silly. We don't need to follow this kind of silliness that he puts out. And the idea he's going to go play golf and that's going to turn this election around for him, that's his only hope? Play golf, man, can't lose doing that! At least you're not talking to the public!


crooksandliars--2020-05-25--New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern Keeps Her Cool As Live TV Interview Interrupted By Earthquake

It 's been said before , jokingly , that Jacinda Ardern is the coolest government leader in the world as well as one of the youngest .
New Zealand ’ s prime minister , Jacinda Ardern , has developed a reputation for keeping her cool in the face of a crisis .
But an earthquake first thing on Monday morning as she was interviewed live on television seemed like an unusually trying way to start a week .
“ We ’ re just having a bit of an earthquake here , ” Ardern told Ryan Bridge , a host for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on air .
Casting her eyes to the ceiling of the room she was standing in at New Zealand ’ s parliament in Wellington , she remained in place as the television camera jolted .
The 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km north-west of Levin , a town about an hour ’ s drive north from the capital , at a depth of 37 km , according to the country ’ s seismology agency .
No injuries or structural damage have been reported .
“ Quite a decent shake here , but if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Beehive moves more than most , ” Ardern said , referring to the name given to the main parliament building , as the room rattled around her .
The quake lasted about 15 seconds and was felt by tens of thousands of New Zealanders as far afield as Auckland in the north and Dunedin on the South Island .
“ We ’ re fine , ” Ardern told Bridge , signalling she was ready to continue the interview as the quake rolled to a close .
“ I ’ m not under @ @ @ @ @

It's been said before, jokingly, that Jacinda Ardern is the coolest government leader in the world as well as one of the youngest.
Source: The Guardian
New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has developed a reputation for keeping her cool in the face of a crisis. But an earthquake first thing on Monday morning as she was interviewed live on television seemed like an unusually trying way to start a week.
“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here,” Ardern told Ryan Bridge, a host for Newshub’s AM Show, live on air. Casting her eyes to the ceiling of the room she was standing in at New Zealand’s parliament in Wellington, she remained in place as the television camera jolted.
The 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km north-west of Levin, a town about an hour’s drive north from the capital, at a depth of 37 km, according to the country’s seismology agency. No injuries or structural damage have been reported.
“Quite a decent shake here, but if you see things moving behind me, the Beehive moves more than most,” Ardern said, referring to the name given to the main parliament building, as the room rattled around her.
The quake lasted about 15 seconds and was felt by tens of thousands of New Zealanders as far afield as Auckland in the north and Dunedin on the South Island.
“We’re fine,” Ardern told Bridge, signalling she was ready to continue the interview as the quake rolled to a close. “I’m not under any hanging lights.”


crooksandliars--2020-05-25--Trump Plans To Strip Pandemic Response From Health Officials, Move It To State Department

Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , spoke to graduates delivered a remote address this week to graduates of Johns Hopkins University , urging them to stay strong , and telling them that `` Now is the time , if ever there was one , for us to care selflessly about one another . ''
But Fauci didn ’ t deliver this message as a part of Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus task force .
That ’ s because since May 10 , Fauci has been in self quarantine after a possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield is also in isolation .
So is Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) commissioner Stephen Hahn .
That temporary exile is set to end this weekend , but while they ’ ve been offstage , Dr. Deborah Birx has proven herself a loyal Trump lieutenant ; ever willing to stand in the background as Trump urges Americans to take a dangerous off-label drug , attacks the CDC for trying to provide guidelines for safe conduct of business , or openly attacks the results of scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kellyanne of medical advice , always up to twist the facts to fit the latest Trump statement , hasn ’ t gone unnoticed .
Because there ’ s a plan on the table to hand over global pandemic response to Birx and create a whole new health organization … inside the State Department .
According to Politico this plan was put forward at a meeting of the National Security Council .
It would see the international role currently held by USAID stripped away .
Instead , power would be centralized in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the expected head of this new division .
But the authority of the new organization would go beyond USAID ’ s responsibilities .
With Trump threatening to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization “ permanently , ” this new operation would form a sort of home-grown alternative .
Only this version would be completely under the thumb of Pompeo and Trump .
It would be this new faux WHO that determined the distribution of vaccines , and managed the response to any outbreak .
And they have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Response to Outbreaks .
Otherwise known as PRO .
It ’ s painfully difficult to think about anything in Donald Trump ’ s pandemic response that might be considered pro .
Or even amateur .
In fact , Trump ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic … should start any minute now .
Between failing to coordinate a national testing plan , failing to institute a system of case tracing , and failing to provide a uniform set of standards and guidelines , the real acronym for any Trump ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures that he would cobble together the most awkward label in history , just to make sure that he was part of it .
Of course , USAID has a staff made up of experts in epidemiology , health policy , and medical logistics .
The State Department has none of those .
Which doesn ’ t meant that PRO won ’ t be the best in the world at what Trump wants—explaining how people dying in mass is a big , big win .
According to Politico , Staffers at USAID have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate time to overhaul the existing response model given the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
” But given that Trump has already seen fit to cut off aid to WHO , steal PPE and ventilators on their way to blue states , and promote policies that have people brewing COVID-19 medicine in their bathtubs , it seems surprising at this point that anyone would be surprised .
As of Saturday afternoon , the death count in the United States stands at 98,500 .
If that ’ s the kind of leadership PRO fill be offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be interested .

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, spoke to graduates delivered a remote address this week to graduates of Johns Hopkins University, urging them to stay strong, and telling them that "Now is the time, if ever there was one, for us to care selflessly about one another." But Fauci didn’t deliver this message as a part of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force. That’s because since May 10, Fauci has been in self quarantine after a possible exposure to COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield is also in isolation. So is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn.
That temporary exile is set to end this weekend, but while they’ve been offstage, Dr. Deborah Birx has proven herself a loyal Trump lieutenant; ever willing to stand in the background as Trump urges Americans to take a dangerous off-label drug, attacks the CDC for trying to provide guidelines for safe conduct of business, or openly attacks the results of scientific studies. BIrx's willingness to be the Kellyanne of medical advice, always up to twist the facts to fit the latest Trump statement, hasn’t gone unnoticed. Because there’s a plan on the table to hand over global pandemic response to Birx and create a whole new health organization … inside the State Department.
According to Politico this plan was put forward at a meeting of the National Security Council. It would see the international role currently held by USAID stripped away. Instead, power would be centralized in the safely inspector-general-free State Department, with Birx as the expected head of this new division.
But the authority of the new organization would go beyond USAID’s responsibilities. With Trump threatening to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization “permanently,” this new operation would form a sort of home-grown alternative. Only this version would be completely under the thumb of Pompeo and Trump. It would be this new faux WHO that determined the distribution of vaccines, and managed the response to any outbreak.
And they have a name for it: the President’s Response to Outbreaks. Otherwise known as PRO.
It’s painfully difficult to think about anything in Donald Trump’s pandemic response that might be considered pro. Or even amateur. In fact, Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic … should start any minute now. Between failing to coordinate a national testing plan, failing to institute a system of case tracing, and failing to provide a uniform set of standards and guidelines, the real acronym for any Trump’s health organization should be ABSENT. But it figures that he would cobble together the most awkward label in history, just to make sure that he was part of it.
Of course, USAID has a staff made up of experts in epidemiology, health policy, and medical logistics. The State Department has none of those. Which doesn’t meant that PRO won’t be the best in the world at what Trump wants—explaining how people dying in mass is a big, big win.
According to Politico, Staffers at USAID have also “questioned whether now is an appropriate time to overhaul the existing response model given the ongoing coronavirus crisis.” But given that Trump has already seen fit to cut off aid to WHO, steal PPE and ventilators on their way to blue states, and promote policies that have people brewing COVID-19 medicine in their bathtubs, it seems surprising at this point that anyone would be surprised.
As of Saturday afternoon, the death count in the United States stands at 98,500. If that’s the kind of leadership PRO fill be offering, it’s not clear who will be interested.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-25--Lessons From Marie Newman's Big Win In Illinois

Technically , you ca n't call Marie Newman `` Congresswoman Newman '' until January when the Speaker swears her in .
But in IL-03 -- a district where Trump did n't get to 40 % of the vote -- it is the Democratic primary that determines who goes to Congress .
It took her two cycles and incredible focus and effort , but Marie vanquished the DCCC-Blue Dog , Dan Lipinski , and won a truly glorious grassroots victory , running on a powerful progressive agenda built around representing the interests of working families .
`` When I ran in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement last week , '' Blue America was the first organization to endorse me and I was incredibly appreciative .
When I decided to run in 2020 to finally unseat Dan Lipinski , one of my very first calls was to Blue America .
We were aligned in 2018 on every issue and nothing had changed the second time .
Given that I do not accept corporate money , I knew it would be important to work closely with Blue America to drive support for key issues like Medicare For All , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights .
Blue America has been with me every step of the way , unconditionally .
And , guess what , we all stood together and won !
I can not express how important this unwavering support was to me and is to me now . ''
Yes , we all stood together -- behind Marie and her team -- and won .
She led the way ; we followed .
Groups like Blue America do n't create candidates .
And we ca n't go to Walmart and find them on a shelf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions do not make an electoral victory .
The kind of hard , smart campaign Marie Newman -- and Kara Eastman , to name another candidate who just won big -- was able to organize and direct ... that 's what produces the kinds of wins we need .
`` Now , more than ever in the midst of a pandemic , '' said Marie , `` we need to stand in solidarity to have an economy that works for everyone , make certain everyone has healthcare and we build a green economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue America , just as Blue America has been there for me .
Now , let 's go get this work done ! ''
Marie was also endorsed by House members AOC ( D-NY ) , Ro Khanna ( D-CA ) , Jan Schakowsky ( D-IL ) , Pramila Jayapal ( D-WA ) , Ayanna Pressley ( D-MA ) and Mark Pocan ( D-WI ) , all of whom did something out-of-the-ordinary and courageous : endorsed a reform candidate against the entrenched incumbent of their own party .
But Marie and a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to steer the campaign donor-controlled House leadership and a White House dedicated to the status quo and a conservative Senate -- whether a conservative Senate led by McConnell or , more likely , a conservative Senate led by Schumer -- in a more progressive direction .
Only numbers will do that ... more members like Marie .
And that means electing men and women like Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel in Texas , Lisa Ring , Michael Owens and Nabilah Islam in Georgia .
Audrey Denney and Liam O'Mara in California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Robin Wilt , Shan Chowdhury , Tomas Ramos and Lauren Ashcroft in New York ... and other focused progressives .
Want to play a part ?
One way is to contribute , which is why I 've included the 2020 Blue America congressional thermometer on the right .
Please click on it and contribute what you can .
When Marie lost in 2018 , I had what I think of as my Donna Edwards conversation with her -- about how it often takes 2 cycles to displace an entrenched incumbent , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ro Khanna did .
Now we 're on the verge of wins for candidates who came close in 2018 and are ready to go all the way this year -- J.D .
Scholten , Mike Siegel , Julie Oliver , Audrey Denny , Kara Eastman ...
I 'm feeling great about all of their chances to close the deal in November .
Thanks for always doing what you can to make a better world ,

Technically, you can't call Marie Newman "Congresswoman Newman" until January when the Speaker swears her in. But in IL-03-- a district where Trump didn't get to 40% of the vote-- it is the Democratic primary that determines who goes to Congress. It took her two cycles and incredible focus and effort, but Marie vanquished the DCCC-Blue Dog, Dan Lipinski, and won a truly glorious grassroots victory, running on a powerful progressive agenda built around representing the interests of working families.
"When I ran in 2018," said Marie in a statement last week,
"Blue America was the first organization to endorse me and I was incredibly appreciative. When I decided to run in 2020 to finally unseat Dan Lipinski, one of my very first calls was to Blue America. We were aligned in 2018 on every issue and nothing had changed the second time. Given that I do not accept corporate money, I knew it would be important to work closely with Blue America to drive support for key issues like Medicare For All, The Green New Deal and worker’s rights. Blue America has been with me every step of the way, unconditionally. And, guess what, we all stood together and won! I cannot express how important this unwavering support was to me and is to me now."
Yes, we all stood together-- behind Marie and her team-- and won. She led the way; we followed.
Groups like Blue America don't create candidates. And we can't go to Walmart and find them on a shelf. And a list of Bernie/Elizabeth platform positions do not make an electoral victory. The kind of hard, smart campaign Marie Newman-- and Kara Eastman, to name another candidate who just won big-- was able to organize and direct... that's what produces the kinds of wins we need.
"Now, more than ever in the midst of a pandemic," said Marie, "we need to stand in solidarity to have an economy that works for everyone, make certain everyone has healthcare and we build a green economy. I will always be there for Blue America, just as Blue America has been there for me. Now, let's go get this work done!"
Marie was also endorsed by House members AOC (D-NY), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI), all of whom did something out-of-the-ordinary and courageous: endorsed a reform candidate against the entrenched incumbent of their own party. But Marie and a handful of progressives are not going to be able to steer the campaign donor-controlled House leadership and a White House dedicated to the status quo and a conservative Senate-- whether a conservative Senate led by McConnell or, more likely, a conservative Senate led by Schumer-- in a more progressive direction. Only numbers will do that... more members like Marie. And that means electing men and women like Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel in Texas, Lisa Ring, Michael Owens and Nabilah Islam in Georgia. Audrey Denney and Liam O'Mara in California, Jim Harper and Jennifer Christie in Indiana, Robin Wilt, Shan Chowdhury, Tomas Ramos and Lauren Ashcroft in New York... and other focused progressives.
Want to play a part? One way is to contribute, which is why I've included the 2020 Blue America congressional thermometer on the right. Please click on it and contribute what you can.
When Marie lost in 2018, I had what I think of as my Donna Edwards conversation with her-- about how it often takes 2 cycles to displace an entrenched incumbent, the way Alan Grayson, Jerry McNerney and Ro Khanna did. Now we're on the verge of wins for candidates who came close in 2018 and are ready to go all the way this year-- J.D. Scholten, Mike Siegel, Julie Oliver, Audrey Denny, Kara Eastman...
I'm feeling great about all of their chances to close the deal in November.
Thanks for always doing what you can to make a better world,
Howie, for the entire Blue America team


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Klausutis Widower Asks Twitter CEO To Remove Trump Tweets About His Wife

Timothy Klausutis , husband of Lori Klausutis , the former Scarborough staffer who died of a fall , has gone public with a heartbreaking plea to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to take down Trump 's tweets alleging she was murdered by Joe Scarborough .
`` She writes this , 'Please delete those tweets , ' the widower begged to Twitter 's chief executive , Jack Dorsey .
'My wife deserves better . '
Yes , Twitter , Lori Klausutis deserves better , '' writes Kara . '
`` Two decades after she died in a tragic accident that 's morphed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Timothy , the boogeyman plunging him and his family into the worst of memory holes is a conspiracy theory loving , twitchy fingered , and shameless tweeter , who also happens to be the president of the United States , Donald J. Trump. ''
'President Trump on Tuesday tweeted to his 80 million followers , alluding to the repeatedly debunked falsehood that my wife was murdered by her boss , former U.S. Representative Joe Scarborough .
The president 's son followed and tweeted to his followers , spreading this vicious lie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written to Jack Dorsey . '
I 'm having to ask you to intervene because the president of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him , the memory of my dead wife , and perverted it for perceived political gain . '
`` Again , reading from T.J. 's letter , Kara goes on to write , 'Mr .
Klausutis deserves an answer from Mr. Dorsey , who has the unenviable task of sorting out the unsortable , the ugly heart of Twitter 's most famous customer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do over the weekend .
The company has , at this writing , been silent about this controversy involving Mr. Trump 's appalling and rule-breaking Twitter habit .
This episode is not unlike other infamous stories floating around social media , like the inhumane speculation of the death of a Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich , or the ocean of nasty misinformation about the murders of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary , that got Alex Jones deservedly thrown off several platforms . '
`` Kara goes on to write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high tide of that endless skew of toxic bile because it is being relentlessly amped up by the leader of the free world .
The Trump/Scarborough duo means less .
They are both famous and have to suffer .
The real issue is the very serious collateral damage of this fight , which is the postmortem libel of Ms .
Klausutis . ''
Swisher writes that Twitter executives are discussing whether the label the tweets as false and link to reporting that refutes Trump 's insinuations , but says this plan is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people 's experience tracks with that old axiom , a lie can travel halfway around the world while truth is getting its shoes on .
In the digital age , it 'd be to the moon and back 347 times .
I am in support of the suggestion Mr. Klausutis makes in his letter , to remove the offending tweets .
Perhaps a board to review tweets could include Mr. Klausutis , who might know more than most people about the price of this . '
`` Geist quoted Klausutis : `` ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since her passing .
I have tried to honor her memory and our marriage , with the kind of enduring dignity that would be nice to see from more of our leaders .
There has been a barrage of falsehoods , half truths , innuendos , and conspiracy theories since the day she died .
It is unfortunately the verifiable truth .
Because of this , I have struggled to move forward with my life . '
Swisher writes , `` It is long past time to let him do that .
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest in peace . ''

Timothy Klausutis, husband of Lori Klausutis, the former Scarborough staffer who died of a fall, has gone public with a heartbreaking plea to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to take down Trump's tweets alleging she was murdered by Joe Scarborough.
Kara Swisher, the prominent Silicon Valley journalist, wrote a column in support.
"She writes this, 'Please delete those tweets,' the widower begged to Twitter's chief executive, Jack Dorsey. 'My wife deserves better.' Yes, Twitter, Lori Klausutis deserves better," writes Kara.'
"Two decades after she died in a tragic accident that's morphed into a continuing nightmare for her husband, Timothy, the boogeyman plunging him and his family into the worst of memory holes is a conspiracy theory loving, twitchy fingered, and shameless tweeter, who also happens to be the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
" 'President Trump on Tuesday tweeted to his 80 million followers, alluding to the repeatedly debunked falsehood that my wife was murdered by her boss, former U.S. Representative Joe Scarborough. The president's son followed and tweeted to his followers, spreading this vicious lie,' wrote Mr. Klausutis in a letter written to Jack Dorsey. 'I'm having to ask you to intervene because the president of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him, the memory of my dead wife, and perverted it for perceived political gain.'
"Again, reading from T.J.'s letter, Kara goes on to write, 'Mr. Klausutis deserves an answer from Mr. Dorsey, who has the unenviable task of sorting out the unsortable, the ugly heart of Twitter's most famous customer. Executives have been trying to figure out what to do over the weekend. The company has, at this writing, been silent about this controversy involving Mr. Trump's appalling and rule-breaking Twitter habit. This episode is not unlike other infamous stories floating around social media, like the inhumane speculation of the death of a Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich, or the ocean of nasty misinformation about the murders of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary, that got Alex Jones deservedly thrown off several platforms.'
"Kara goes on to write, 'But this mess is perhaps the high tide of that endless skew of toxic bile because it is being relentlessly amped up by the leader of the free world. The Trump/Scarborough duo means less. They are both famous and have to suffer. The real issue is the very serious collateral damage of this fight, which is the postmortem libel of Ms. Klausutis."
Swisher writes that Twitter executives are discussing whether the label the tweets as false and link to reporting that refutes Trump's insinuations, but says this plan is "naive and ineffective."
" 'Most people's experience tracks with that old axiom, a lie can travel halfway around the world while truth is getting its shoes on. In the digital age, it'd be to the moon and back 347 times. I am in support of the suggestion Mr. Klausutis makes in his letter, to remove the offending tweets. Perhaps a board to review tweets could include Mr. Klausutis, who might know more than most people about the price of this.' "
Geist quoted Klausutis: " 'I have mourned my wife every day since her passing. I have tried to honor her memory and our marriage, with the kind of enduring dignity that would be nice to see from more of our leaders. There has been a barrage of falsehoods, half truths, innuendos, and conspiracy theories since the day she died. It is unfortunately the verifiable truth. Because of this, I have struggled to move forward with my life.'
Swisher writes, "It is long past time to let him do that. Most of all, to let Lori Klausutis rest in peace."


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Fox News Doctor Slams Trump’s Plan To Pack 50K People Into The GOP Convention

Dr. Nicole Saphier warned on Monday that President Donald Trump ’ s desire to “ fully occupy ” the Republican National Convention is “ definitely not ” a good idea during a pandemic .
Saphier told a Fox News panel that Trump ’ s threat to move the convention out of North Carolina was not the best way to deal with a public health crisis .
“ I ’ ll tell you , yesterday North Carolina reported their highest single day increase to date , ” Saphier explained .
“ If they ’ re following that White House blueprint that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re not ready to say that they ’ re going to be able to accommodate 50,000 people in indoor settings come end of August.
” “ We can ’ t just go back to the business of usual , we ’ re going to pack everyone in like a herd of cows , ” the Fox News contributor added , “ and then potentially be transmitting this because then you have schools starting.
” Saphier pointed out that an outbreak of COVID-19 could delay school openings .
“ All of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be completely disrupted , ” she observed .
“ If our goal is to try and get children back to school , that ’ s not smart.
” “ The bottom line is putting a lot of people in a small area is definitely not good for us right now , ” Saphier concluded .

Dr. Nicole Saphier warned on Monday that President Donald Trump’s desire to “fully occupy” the Republican National Convention is “definitely not” a good idea during a pandemic.
Saphier told a Fox News panel that Trump’s threat to move the convention out of North Carolina was not the best way to deal with a public health crisis.
“I’ll tell you, yesterday North Carolina reported their highest single day increase to date,” Saphier explained. “If they’re following that White House blueprint that was put forth by the experts then they’re not ready to say that they’re going to be able to accommodate 50,000 people in indoor settings come end of August.”
“We can’t just go back to the business of usual, we’re going to pack everyone in like a herd of cows,” the Fox News contributor added, “and then potentially be transmitting this because then you have schools starting.”Saphier pointed out that an outbreak of COVID-19 could delay school openings.
“All of the sudden the fall school year is going to be completely disrupted,” she observed. “If our goal is to try and get children back to school, that’s not smart.”
“The bottom line is putting a lot of people in a small area is definitely not good for us right now,” Saphier concluded.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Asian-American CNN Reporter Harassed In South Carolina While Doing Her Job

A CNN reporter faced intolerance over her face mask and ethnicity at beaches in the South over the weekend .
CNN ’ s Natasha Chen said that she was interviewing the mayor of Tybee Island on Saturday when she was jeered for wearing a face covering .
“ Somebody saw us and the mayor and I were both wearing masks and they yelled at us to take them off , ” Chen recalled on Sunday .
“ Somebody claimed that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
” In a subsequent report , Chen revealed that she had also been harassed while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Within the past hour , there was a person who was not happy with what we were covering , ” Chen said .
“ We ’ ve been talking to people — who have all been really nice , by the way — talking to us about how they ’ re social distancing , what they ’ re seeing with the crowds on the beach , but this person didn ’ t like it.
” “ In addition to shouting at us while I had a mask on , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country with an expletive and that I was responsible for this , referring to my ethnicity , ” she added .
“ So , that wasn ’ t nice .
”

A CNN reporter faced intolerance over her face mask and ethnicity at beaches in the South over the weekend.
CNN’s Natasha Chen said that she was interviewing the mayor of Tybee Island on Saturday when she was jeered for wearing a face covering.
“Somebody saw us and the mayor and I were both wearing masks and they yelled at us to take them off,” Chen recalled on Sunday. “Somebody claimed that sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
In a subsequent report, Chen revealed that she had also been harassed while working in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
“Within the past hour, there was a person who was not happy with what we were covering,” Chen said. “We’ve been talking to people — who have all been really nice, by the way — talking to us about how they’re social distancing, what they’re seeing with the crowds on the beach, but this person didn’t like it.”
“In addition to shouting at us while I had a mask on, he said to me to get out of his country with an expletive and that I was responsible for this, referring to my ethnicity,” she added. “So, that wasn’t nice.”


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Memorial Day Crowds Show Just How Toothless Missouri Social Distancing Rules Are

Crowds packed Missouri 's Lake of the Ozarks Saturday , kickstarting a dangerous Memorial Day weekend during the coronavirus pandemic , and social media users definitely took notice .
Lake of the Ozarks was trending Sunday morning with more than 15,000 tweets about Missourians and vacationers alike risking their lives to drink and party .
“ Glad not to be at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend , ” St. Louis columnist Aisha Sultan tweeted Saturday night .
“ The lake will be there in the future .
If you get Covid19 , you might not be.
” Pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redhead Lakeside Grill and Yacht Club started flooding social media pages Saturday .
Although one photo of the scene includes a sign reading `` PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING 6 FT APART , ” people weren ’ t exactly following the rules , and the restaurant didn ’ t appear to be enforcing the measures .
A representative of the Camden County Sheriff ’ s Office told the local news station 5 On Your Side that because the state has no mandated social distancing order in place , deputies could not enforce Missouri guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health is reporting 11,752 cases of COVID-19 in the state and 676 resulting deaths .
Still , Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson felt ending the state 's stay-at-home order May 4 and prioritizing a return to business as usual before the Memorial Day holiday was the best course of action for his state.
“ I want to assure Missourians that we are prepared , ” Parson said .
The end of the stay-at-home order also meant allowing restaurants to offer dining-in services , “ provided that the limitations on social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] are properly adhered to.
” But as the Camden County Sheriff ’ s Office pointed out , the guidelines lack teeth without penalties attached to breaking the rules .
Even Parson ’ s plan to ramp up testing to 7,500 tests a day isn ’ t exactly leading to faith-inspiring results .
He said in a news release Thursday : “ We can not fully recover economically without increasing our testing numbers .
We have made great progress over the past month , but we must do more .
The more testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge we have on the situation in Missouri , and the more confidence and reassurance we can give Missourians as we work through the recovery process.
” Missouri , however , has fudged testing numbers by at least 17,000 people , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Until Saturday , health officials had been combining results from tests for COVID-19 with results from antibody tests signaling past exposure to the virus , the newspaper reported .
Chris Prener , a St. Louis University sociologist , told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the effect is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to have gone up.
” “ If it ’ s true that the percentage rate is higher , it means we are less further along in not just expanding testing but addressing the outbreak , ” he said .
That doesn ’ t exactly inspire me to go out partying in Missouri , but to each her own .

Crowds packed Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks Saturday, kickstarting a dangerous Memorial Day weekend during the coronavirus pandemic, and social media users definitely took notice. Lake of the Ozarks was trending Sunday morning with more than 15,000 tweets about Missourians and vacationers alike risking their lives to drink and party.
“Glad not to be at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend,” St. Louis columnist Aisha Sultan tweeted Saturday night. “The lake will be there in the future. If you get Covid19, you might not be.”
Pictures of crowded dining and pool areas at Redhead Lakeside Grill and Yacht Club started flooding social media pages Saturday. Although one photo of the scene includes a sign reading "PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING 6 FT APART,” people weren’t exactly following the rules, and the restaurant didn’t appear to be enforcing the measures. A representative of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office told the local news station 5 On Your Side that because the state has no mandated social distancing order in place, deputies could not enforce Missouri guidelines regarding the practice.
Glad not to be at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend. The lake will be there in the future. If you get Covid19, you might not be. https://t.co/Eb9iGg9ULk — Aisha Sultan (@AishaS) May 23, 2020
The Missouri Department of Health is reporting 11,752 cases of COVID-19 in the state and 676 resulting deaths. Still, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson felt ending the state's stay-at-home order May 4 and prioritizing a return to business as usual before the Memorial Day holiday was the best course of action for his state.“I want to assure Missourians that we are prepared,” Parson said.
The end of the stay-at-home order also meant allowing restaurants to offer dining-in services, “provided that the limitations on social distancing and other precautionary public health measures [...] are properly adhered to.”
But as the Camden County Sheriff’s Office pointed out, the guidelines lack teeth without penalties attached to breaking the rules.
Even Parson’s plan to ramp up testing to 7,500 tests a day isn’t exactly leading to faith-inspiring results. He said in a news release Thursday: “We cannot fully recover economically without increasing our testing numbers. We have made great progress over the past month, but we must do more. The more testing we do, the more data and knowledge we have on the situation in Missouri, and the more confidence and reassurance we can give Missourians as we work through the recovery process.”
This is Lake of the Ozarks. I grew up in this area. @mikeparson has to do something about this. Folks are going to die. pic.twitter.com/dxiwMKA2CT — Tanner Atteberry (@TannerA24) May 23, 2020
Missouri, however, has fudged testing numbers by at least 17,000 people, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Until Saturday, health officials had been combining results from tests for COVID-19 with results from antibody tests signaling past exposure to the virus, the newspaper reported.
Chris Prener, a St. Louis University sociologist, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the effect is that the “percentage of positive cases appears to have gone up.” “If it’s true that the percentage rate is higher, it means we are less further along in not just expanding testing but addressing the outbreak,” he said.
That doesn’t exactly inspire me to go out partying in Missouri, but to each her own.
This is a video from Snapchat maps in the Lake of the Ozarks Saturday pic.twitter.com/hSczsbPjnU — Bryce Derrickson (@BruceyD17) May 24, 2020
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Comedian Cusses Out Mitch McConnell In Fabulous Rant

James Carville takes MSNBC 's Kasie Hunt to task when she tries to equate the one time Trump ever apologized @ @ @ @ @ infamous Access Hollywood tape was released , and Biden apologizing for his `` you ai @ @ @ @ @ ]

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crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Trump Weirdly Wonders If He Should Use Insulin

During an event announcing limits on Medicare copays for insulin , Donald Trump went off script and bizarrely wondered whether he should be taking insulin , presumably as a preventive measure to ward off diabetes .
Of course , it does n't actually work that way .
`` I do n't use insulin , '' Trump said .
`` Should I be ?
Huh .
I never thought about it . ''
Oh , I see .
Does he think ?
I ca n't help thinking Trump drops stupid comments into his official events so he can be guaranteed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cable outlets are n't dying to stream his stupid events live .
The actual event was to announce a proposal Democrats made to limit copays for insulin to $ 35 which Mitch McConnell said Trump would veto .
Now of course , he 'd like to make everyone think it was his idea .
Meanwhile , diabetics under age 65 continue to be out of luck .
Bizarre comments aside , this was just a cynical pander to shore up his eroding support among seniors , who are less than impressed with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't even go into effect until next year when President Biden signs it into law .

During an event announcing limits on Medicare copays for insulin, Donald Trump went off script and bizarrely wondered whether he should be taking insulin, presumably as a preventive measure to ward off diabetes. Of course, it doesn't actually work that way.
"I don't use insulin," Trump said. "Should I be? Huh. I never thought about it."
Oh, I see. Does he think?
I can't help thinking Trump drops stupid comments into his official events so he can be guaranteed to get some attention, now that the cable outlets aren't dying to stream his stupid events live.
The actual event was to announce a proposal Democrats made to limit copays for insulin to $35 which Mitch McConnell said Trump would veto. Now of course, he'd like to make everyone think it was his idea.
Meanwhile, diabetics under age 65 continue to be out of luck.
Good lord.
You know what's better than lowering insulin costs for people on Medicare?
Lowering insulin costs for EVERYONE.
In any special session in 2020, we need to pass our bill doing just that (SB1) so that everyone in CT can afford the drug they need to survive. https://t.co/Xqi55e07lh — Sean Scanlon (@SeanScanlonCT) May 26, 2020
Bizarre comments aside, this was just a cynical pander to shore up his eroding support among seniors, who are less than impressed with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. It wouldn't even go into effect until next year when President Biden signs it into law.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Trump Rages After Twitter Finally Slaps Fact-Checks On His Tweets

Twitter has finally crossed the rubicon and decided that some of Trump 's tweets are a lie too far .
After Trump tweeted about California governor Gavin Newsom 's decision to mail ballots to registered voters in order to save lives , Twitter decided after all these years that enough was enough .
Trump tweeted that `` mail boxes will be robbed , ballots will be forged and even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed . ''
There is nothing in that sentence that is true .
Mail-in ballots have bar codes and must be signed by the voter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the voter registration , something which is not done with in-person voting .
Twitter noticed , and for the very first time added a link to actual FACTS .
What a concept .
While it 's great that they flagged his tweet and linked to facts , there are many such tweets which should be flagged .
Every one of his tweets , for the most part .
And until the embedded tweets reflect that fact check , only a small fraction of people will see them .
It 's a tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tweets is linked to a fact check , it 's just a drop in the bucket .
UPDATE : It may be a drop in the bucket , but Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale is taking it like a very bitter , bitter pill : UPDATE 2 : Translation of SMOTI : Stupidest Man on the Internet is all spun up too :

Twitter has finally crossed the rubicon and decided that some of Trump's tweets are a lie too far. After Trump tweeted about California governor Gavin Newsom's decision to mail ballots to registered voters in order to save lives, Twitter decided after all these years that enough was enough.
Trump tweeted that "mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged and even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed." There is nothing in that sentence that is true. Mail-in ballots have bar codes and must be signed by the voter. In California, those signatures are compared to the voter registration, something which is not done with in-person voting.
Twitter noticed, and for the very first time added a link to actual FACTS. What a concept.
Twitter confirms to @NBCNews that this is the first time that they have appended “additional context” to Trump’s tweets. “These Tweets contain potentially misleading information about voting processes and have been labeled to provide additional context around mail-in ballots.” https://t.co/tatc9TYyFR — Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) May 26, 2020
While it's great that they flagged his tweet and linked to facts, there are many such tweets which should be flagged. Every one of his tweets, for the most part. And until the embedded tweets reflect that fact check, only a small fraction of people will see them.
It's a tiny step forward but until every one of his tweets is linked to a fact check, it's just a drop in the bucket.
UPDATE: It may be a drop in the bucket, but Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale is taking it like a very bitter, bitter pill:
Brad Parscale, Trump 2020 campaign manager on Twitter policy changes today: "We always knew that Silicon Valley would pull out all the stops to obstruct and interfere with President Trump getting his message through to voters." pic.twitter.com/CSBD3jba7D — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) May 26, 2020
UPDATE 2: Translation of SMOTI: Stupidest Man on the Internet is all spun up too:
SMOTI has used “IT BEGINS” so many times in his exploding headlines, but then nothing ever seems to actually, you know, begin?
But here we go. Ripples of fake outrage and paranoia are spreading across the wingnut universe like a bad faith tsunami… pic.twitter.com/Ej2SeUNqWZ — Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) May 26, 2020
UPDATE 3: White House Tweeter tweets:
.@Twitter is now interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election. They are saying my statement on Mail-In Ballots, which will lead to massive corruption and fraud, is incorrect, based on fact-checking by Fake News CNN and the Amazon Washington Post.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Reporter Grills Kayleigh McEnany Over Trump’s Joe Scarborough Murder Smear Tweets

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany defiantly pushed back on criticism of President Donald Trump for suggesting that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is guilty of murdering intern Lori Klausutis .
“ The opening of a Cold Case against Psycho Joe Scarborough was not a Donald Trump original thought , this has been going on for years , long before I joined the chorus , ” Trump wrote in a tweet , “ about whether or not Joe could have done such a horrible thing ?
Maybe or maybe not , but I find Joe to be a total Nut Job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far better than most .
So many unanswered & obvious questions , but I won ’ t bring them up now !
Law enforcement eventually will ?
” On Tuesday , McEnany was asked if Trump would honor a request from Klausutis ’ family to take down the tweet .
“ I do know that our hearts are with Lori ’ s family at this time , ” McEnany said without answering the question .
“ Why is the president making these unfounded allegations ?
” ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl asked .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t it ?
The president is accusing somebody of possible murder .
The family is pleading with the president to please stop unfounded conspiracy theories .
Why is he doing this ?
” After glancing at her prepared remarks , McEnany accused Scarborough of “ joking about killing an intern ” years after Klausutis died .
“ I ’ m sure that was hurtful to Lori ’ s family , ” she added .
“ He ’ s the president of the United States , ” Karl pointed out , “ and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is different .
He ’ s not a private citizen .
He ’ s the president.
” “ Yeah , ” McEnany said , returning to her notes .
“ Joe Scarborough , if we want to start talking about false accusations , we have quite a few we can go through.
” “ I ’ m asking about the president ’ s allegations , ” Karl pressed .
“ And I ’ m replying to you , ” McEnany quipped .
“ Mika [ Brzezinski ] accused the president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irresponsible .
They ’ ve dragged his family through the mud .
They ’ ve made false accusations that I won ’ t go through.
” “ They should be held to account for their falsehoods !
” she complained .
“ Joe Scarborough should be held to account for saying people will die by taking hydroxychloroquine.
” “ I will point you back to Joe Scarborough who laughed and joked about this item , ” McEnany shot back .
“ It ’ s Joe Scarborough that has to answer these questions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alcindor confronting McEnany with Timothy Klausutis ' pain , which McEnany dismissed before bailing out to OANN 's Chanel Rion for a softball question .

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany defiantly pushed back on criticism of President Donald Trump for suggesting that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough is guilty of murdering intern Lori Klausutis.
“The opening of a Cold Case against Psycho Joe Scarborough was not a Donald Trump original thought, this has been going on for years, long before I joined the chorus,” Trump wrote in a tweet, “about whether or not Joe could have done such a horrible thing? Maybe or maybe not, but I find Joe to be a total Nut Job, and I knew him well, far better than most. So many unanswered & obvious questions, but I won’t bring them up now! Law enforcement eventually will?”
On Tuesday, McEnany was asked if Trump would honor a request from Klausutis’ family to take down the tweet.
“I do know that our hearts are with Lori’s family at this time,” McEnany said without answering the question.
“Why is the president making these unfounded allegations?” ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl asked. “This is pretty nuts, isn’t it? The president is accusing somebody of possible murder. The family is pleading with the president to please stop unfounded conspiracy theories. Why is he doing this?”
After glancing at her prepared remarks, McEnany accused Scarborough of “joking about killing an intern” years after Klausutis died.
“I’m sure that was hurtful to Lori’s family,” she added.
“He’s the president of the United States,” Karl pointed out, “and he’s accusing somebody of possibly murder. This is different. He’s not a private citizen. He’s the president.”
“Yeah,” McEnany said, returning to her notes. “Joe Scarborough, if we want to start talking about false accusations, we have quite a few we can go through.”
“I’m asking about the president’s allegations,” Karl pressed.
“And I’m replying to you,” McEnany quipped. “Mika [Brzezinski] accused the president of 100,000 deaths and that’s incredibly irresponsible. They’ve dragged his family through the mud. They’ve made false accusations that I won’t go through.”
“They should be held to account for their falsehoods!” she complained. “Joe Scarborough should be held to account for saying people will die by taking hydroxychloroquine.”
“Does that justify the president spreading a false conspiracy theory?” Karl wondered.
“I will point you back to Joe Scarborough who laughed and joked about this item,” McEnany shot back. “It’s Joe Scarborough that has to answer these questions.”
Editor's note: Here's Yamiche Alcindor confronting McEnany with Timothy Klausutis' pain, which McEnany dismissed before bailing out to OANN's Chanel Rion for a softball question.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--UPDATED: Hume And Moran Try To Turn Biden's Mask Into Dukakis's Helmet

This was the tweet : After Hume was ( underastandably ) attacked for this , he followed up with an even snottier response : We do n't know the health status of every Secret Service agent who protects the Bidens at their home .
We do n't know the health status of every delivery person who might have come to the door .
And even if Biden is 100 % likely to be virus-free , he 's modeling good behavior in a pandemic .
But no , he looked wrong , according to Hume 's original tweet .
And Terry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- though he wants you to believe he 's just asking .
I told you a few weeks ago that if Joe Biden loses , it probably wo n't be because of Hunter Biden or Tara Reade .
I 'd say now that it wo n't be because of `` you ai n't black . ''
It 'll be because the media decides to spend every day portraying Biden as a hapless dork , which is what happened to quite a few Democrats before him .
Hume and Moran want to turn Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We all agree in this country that this was an unspeakably awful politcal blunder , and that Dukakis should have known he would be judged harshly for this photo op .
A 2013 Politico story begins : Matt Bennett can still hear the reporters laughing , all 90 of them .
He can still picture Sam Donaldson doubled over , guffawing , on a riser that looked out over a dusty field in suburban Detroit .
Bennett was a 23-year-old political rookie in 1988 when he was sent to a General Dynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to organize a campaign stop for Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis : a ride in a 68-ton M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank .
The visit , meant to bolster the candidate ’ s credibility as a future commander-in-chief , would go down as one of the worst campaign backfires in history .
Following the event , after the reporters ’ laughter subsided and Dukakis ’ s entourage was preparing to leave , one of the candidate ’ s traveling aides approached Bennett .
“ Nice event , Matt ” he deadpanned .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But beside that , it was great.
” I get it -- voters ca n't be expected to refrain from making superficial judgments .
But it would be nice if reporters would n't encourage voters to make those judgments -- especially when the shaming does n't go both ways .
Why are some of these not regarded as dorky , embarrassing , Dukakis-like moments ?
This is how they get every Democrat who 's at all deficient in swagger .
They could n't beat Bill Clinton or Barack Obama this way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they 've beaten every other Democratic presidential candidate since 1980 .
And they clearly relish the prospect of doing it to Biden .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

UPDATE: Biden has updated his Twitter profile:
Joe Biden has updated his Twitter profile picture. pic.twitter.com/bcv0Htj78J — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 26, 2020
Yesterday, Brit Hume gave President Trump an in-kind campaign contribution:
Hours after President Trump was spotted Monday partaking in public Memorial Day remembrances without a face mask, he hopped on Twitter to retweet a Fox News commentator criticizing former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for wearing one.
This was the tweet:
This might help explain why Trump doesn’t like to wear a mask in public. Biden today. pic.twitter.com/9l1gw1ljBE — Brit Hume (@brithume) May 25, 2020
After Hume was (underastandably) attacked for this, he followed up with an even snottier response:
Biden was visiting a cemetery with his wife. Both have been quarantined for weeks. So what others was protecting, pray tell? https://t.co/yR1xbI0V5Q — Brit Hume (@brithume) May 25, 2020
We don't know the health status of every Secret Service agent who protects the Bidens at their home. We don't know the health status of every delivery person who might have come to the door. And even if Biden is 100% likely to be virus-free, he's modeling good behavior in a pandemic.
But no, he looked wrong, according to Hume's original tweet. And Terry Moran of ABC News seems to agree -- though he wants you to believe he's just asking.
Do you think this is a good look for a President of the United States?
Or do you think this is a bad look for a President of the United States? pic.twitter.com/stun8U4QY5 — Terry Moran (@TerryMoran) May 26, 2020
I told you a few weeks ago that if Joe Biden loses, it probably won't be because of Hunter Biden or Tara Reade. I'd say now that it won't be because of "you ain't black." It'll be because the media decides to spend every day portraying Biden as a hapless dork, which is what happened to quite a few Democrats before him.
Hume and Moran want to turn Biden's mask into Mike Dukakis's helmet.
We all agree in this country that this was an unspeakably awful politcal blunder, and that Dukakis should have known he would be judged harshly for this photo op. A 2013 Politico story begins:
Matt Bennett can still hear the reporters laughing, all 90 of them. He can still picture Sam Donaldson doubled over, guffawing, on a riser that looked out over a dusty field in suburban Detroit. Bennett was a 23-year-old political rookie in 1988 when he was sent to a General Dynamics facility in Sterling Heights, Mich., to organize a campaign stop for Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis: a ride in a 68-ton M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. The visit, meant to bolster the candidate’s credibility as a future commander-in-chief, would go down as one of the worst campaign backfires in history. Following the event, after the reporters’ laughter subsided and Dukakis’s entourage was preparing to leave, one of the candidate’s traveling aides approached Bennett. “Nice event, Matt” he deadpanned. “It may have cost us the election. But beside that, it was great.”
I get it -- voters can't be expected to refrain from making superficial judgments. But it would be nice if reporters wouldn't encourage voters to make those judgments -- especially when the shaming doesn't go both ways. Why are some of these not regarded as dorky, embarrassing, Dukakis-like moments?
just a few random moments from our daily parade of national humiliation pic.twitter.com/fDCizS9SN2 — A.R. Moxon (@JuliusGoat) May 26, 2020
This is how they get every Democrat who's at all deficient in swagger. They couldn't beat Bill Clinton or Barack Obama this way. But this is a large part of how they've beaten every other Democratic presidential candidate since 1980. And they clearly relish the prospect of doing it to Biden.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Pat Robertson Is Livid We Shut The Economy Down 'For A Few People'

The right-wing push to get Trump reelected is in full force .
Task one for the propagandists is to convince the American people to rush back to work without any treatment or cure for the coronavirus and then blame Democratic governors for any consequences .
Fox News has been all over this plan for a while now and Pat Robertson of the 700 Club , a vicious Trump supporter , led the charge for the Christian community early this morning .
Robertson , a former Republican presidential candidate , opened his show with a monologue vilifying stay-at-home orders .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America , '' Robertson said .
But then he did a curious thing and started to spew out year-long statistics of auto fatalities and medical deaths due to medicine mistakes .
Robertson said , `` 200,000 people die every year for getting the wrong medicine in hospitals .
About 35 to 45,000 people die on the highways every year , but do we crash the economy because of bad medicine in the hospital ?
Do we crash the economy because of accidents on the highway ? ''
`` No we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But we crash the entire economy of the United States for potential 100,000 deaths ... '' Pat 's false equivalence is astounding .
And many right-wing provocateurs will say the same in the coming weeks .
Citing statistics based on human error is not the same as dealing with an unknown virus , that 's highly infectious with no treatment available .
Robertson must be following the Kellyanne Conway email list of state-sponsored talking points .
He was furious that The New York Times and Washington Post are covering the COVID19 pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News , and every other right-wing media outlet , this coverage is blasphemous : an attempt to destroy Trump 's chances of reelection .
It 's really about his ineptitude as so-called president .
After reiterating again that 200,000 people die in hospitals he said , `` We do n't shut the hospitals down , but we crashed the economy -- in my opinion , it was a terrible mistake . ''
He says this as if the CDC and other medical research institutions have found a viable treatment and immunization for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and the disease is still spreading but reality does not matter to Pat Robertson .
`` I think we overreacted . ''
he claimed .
Robertson continued , `` Of course , one death is a tragedy but at the same time we 've got to recognize we have over 300 million people in America and we do n't destroy our economy just because of a few people ! ''
He wrapped up his monologue by claiming all the news outlets do n't want Trump to be re-elected and he 's tired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not tired of the death totals rising .
He 's only interested in saving Donald Trump , who has failed the United States as a bumbling , know-nothing who does n't read , lies pathologically , refuses to admit error , ca n't handle important briefings , refuses to believe science , and promotes phony medical cures .

The right-wing push to get Trump reelected is in full force.
Task one for the propagandists is to convince the American people to rush back to work without any treatment or cure for the coronavirus and then blame Democratic governors for any consequences.
Fox News has been all over this plan for a while now and Pat Robertson of the 700 Club, a vicious Trump supporter, led the charge for the Christian community early this morning.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate, opened his show with a monologue vilifying stay-at-home orders.
"100,000 people have died from the coronavirus in America," Robertson said.
But then he did a curious thing and started to spew out year-long statistics of auto fatalities and medical deaths due to medicine mistakes.
Robertson said, "200,000 people die every year for getting the wrong medicine in hospitals. About 35 to 45,000 people die on the highways every year, but do we crash the economy because of bad medicine in the hospital? Do we crash the economy because of accidents on the highway?"
"No we don't," he said emphatically. "But we crash the entire economy of the United States for potential 100,000 deaths..."
Pat's false equivalence is astounding. And many right-wing provocateurs will say the same in the coming weeks. Citing statistics based on human error is not the same as dealing with an unknown virus, that's highly infectious with no treatment available.
Robertson must be following the Kellyanne Conway email list of state-sponsored talking points.
He was furious that The New York Times and Washington Post are covering the COVID19 pandemic and resulting deaths.
To Pat Robertson, Fox News, and every other right-wing media outlet, this coverage is blasphemous: an attempt to destroy Trump's chances of reelection.
It's really about his ineptitude as so-called president.
After reiterating again that 200,000 people die in hospitals he said, "We don't shut the hospitals down, but we crashed the economy -- in my opinion, it was a terrible mistake."
He says this as if the CDC and other medical research institutions have found a viable treatment and immunization for the coronavirus. People are dying every day and the disease is still spreading but reality does not matter to Pat Robertson.
"I think we overreacted." he claimed.
Robertson continued, "Of course, one death is a tragedy but at the same time we've got to recognize we have over 300 million people in America and we don't destroy our economy just because of a few people!"
He wrapped up his monologue by claiming all the news outlets don't want Trump to be re-elected and he's tired of it.
But apparently he's not tired of the death totals rising.
He's only interested in saving Donald Trump, who has failed the United States as a bumbling, know-nothing who doesn't read, lies pathologically, refuses to admit error, can't handle important briefings, refuses to believe science, and promotes phony medical cures.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Top White House Economic Adviser Calls US Workers 'Human Capital Stock'

In a remark critics characterized as further evidence that the Trump administration views workers as nothing more than disposable tools of economic growth and corporate profit , White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett on Sunday nonchalantly referred to laid-off employees as `` human capital stock '' as he pushed people to return to their jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
Voicing optimism about the potential for a speedy economic recovery even as U.S. unemployment surges to levels not seen since the Great Depression , Hassett told CNN Sunday that `` our capital stock has n't been destroyed , our human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , and so that there are lots of reasons to believe that we can get going way faster than we have in previous crises . ''
Rolling Stone 's Peter Wade wrote Monday that `` the way Hassett used the term so casually lines up with the lack of empathy shown to the victims of the coronavirus by Trump 's administration and Republicans since the crisis began months ago . ''
`` Calling human beings 'stock'— especially as essential workers are putting their lives and bodies on the line right now—is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Others weighed in on social media , condemning Hassett 's comment as indicative of the Trump administration 's casual willingness to sacrifice lives for the sake of the economy .
`` 'Human capital stock . '
Also known as people ; as mothers and fathers and spouses and siblings , '' tweeted Leah Greenberg , co-executive director of Indivisible .
`` They 've always been indifferent to human life .
And in the face of mass death , the masks are coming off . ''
`` This is how the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital stock , '' wrote John Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council .
Not asked to explain his use of the dehumanizing label , Hassett went on to say that an expansion of federal nutrition benefits and another round of direct stimulus payments may not be necessary because `` the economy 's picking up at a very rapid rate '' —a claim belied by ongoing mass layoffs and surging hunger across the United States .
Instead of relief for the tens of millions of people who are newly out of work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the White House could `` potentially move on to other things that the president has mentioned , like the payroll tax cut and potentially even a capital gains holiday . ''
Advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that a payroll tax cut represents a sneak-attack on Social Security and Medicare that would do nothing for the unemployed .
The latter idea Hassett floated would be a massive boon for rich investors , as the Washington Post 's Catherine Rampell noted in a column Monday .
`` Even before the pandemic , the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-ramps , '' Rampell wrote .
`` Now Hassett suggests this new iteration : For some temporary , to-be-determined length of time , rich people could sell their assets , realize whatever gains they 've accumulated over the decades , and never pay taxes on the income . ''
Bharat Ramamurti , a member of the congressional panel tasked with overseeing the Trump administration 's handling of bailout funds , tweeted that in the face of `` historic unemployment rates , the administration response is to prop up the stock market by promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then let investors avoid taxes on those gains . ''
`` This proposal is a pure giveaway to those who least need it right now , '' Ramamurti wrote .

In a remark critics characterized as further evidence that the Trump administration views workers as nothing more than disposable tools of economic growth and corporate profit, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett on Sunday nonchalantly referred to laid-off employees as "human capital stock" as he pushed people to return to their jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voicing optimism about the potential for a speedy economic recovery even as U.S. unemployment surges to levels not seen since the Great Depression, Hassett told CNN Sunday that "our capital stock hasn't been destroyed, our human capital stock is ready to get back to work, and so that there are lots of reasons to believe that we can get going way faster than we have in previous crises."
Rolling Stone's Peter Wade wrote Monday that "the way Hassett used the term so casually lines up with the lack of empathy shown to the victims of the coronavirus by Trump's administration and Republicans since the crisis began months ago."
"Calling human beings 'stock'— especially as essential workers are putting their lives and bodies on the line right now—is undeniably absurd and heartless," Wade added.
Others weighed in on social media, condemning Hassett's comment as indicative of the Trump administration's casual willingness to sacrifice lives for the sake of the economy.
"'Human capital stock.' Also known as people; as mothers and fathers and spouses and siblings," tweeted Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible. "They've always been indifferent to human life. And in the face of mass death, the masks are coming off."
"This is how the Trump White House sees you, American human capital stock," wrote John Walke of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Before 1865, American insurance companies sold policies to protect “human capital stock.” But the 13th amendment abolished the practice of owning human beings. Some folks need to be reminded.https://t.co/HN0unJK2DR — Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) May 25, 2020
Not asked to explain his use of the dehumanizing label, Hassett went on to say that an expansion of federal nutrition benefits and another round of direct stimulus payments may not be necessary because "the economy's picking up at a very rapid rate"—a claim belied by ongoing mass layoffs and surging hunger across the United States.
Instead of relief for the tens of millions of people who are newly out of work and struggling to afford basic necessities, Hassett said the White House could "potentially move on to other things that the president has mentioned, like the payroll tax cut and potentially even a capital gains holiday."
Advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that a payroll tax cut represents a sneak-attack on Social Security and Medicare that would do nothing for the unemployed. The latter idea Hassett floated would be a massive boon for rich investors, as the Washington Post's Catherine Rampell noted in a column Monday.
"Even before the pandemic, the White House was proposing additional capital gains tax off-ramps," Rampell wrote. "Now Hassett suggests this new iteration: For some temporary, to-be-determined length of time, rich people could sell their assets, realize whatever gains they've accumulated over the decades, and never pay taxes on the income."
Bharat Ramamurti, a member of the congressional panel tasked with overseeing the Trump administration's handling of bailout funds, tweeted that in the face of "historic unemployment rates, the administration response is to prop up the stock market by promising no-strings-attached money to big corporations, and then let investors avoid taxes on those gains."
"This proposal is a pure giveaway to those who least need it right now," Ramamurti wrote.
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--Arkansas Governor Equates CDC Protocols To Wearing Seatbelts

The Arkansas governor ( guess which party ) has eased all social distancing regulations in his state .
This has resulted in the single largest one-day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases .
It 's his fault .
He told Fox News Sunday that he still takes the virus very seriously , `` but you can ’ t cloister yourself at home , that is just contrary to the American spirit.
” The American Spirit does n't tell you to spread a pandemic to your fellow man all because you want to go to the gym .
So he tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying , “ I make the comparison with , you can be in an automobile and it 's very risky , but you can manage the risk by wearing a seat-belt.
” Duh !
It took people years to finally acquiesce on wearing seat belts .
It took laws and tickets to get some to comply .
And if you get in a car and DO NOT wear a seat belt , it does n't infect your community with a virus .
Wallace showed the Arkansas governor a host of graphs showing how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive rise in COVID-19 cases .
Host Chris Wallace then asked the governor if he has the virus under control in Arkansas .
Hutchinson went on a bloviated monologue trying to defend his decision .
`` You manage the risk by increasing the testing . ''
He said the rise in cases was because they 're testing more .
Of course , but that means the virus is still spreading even worse then he suspected .
Testing is excellent for trying to curtail the spread of the coronavirus , but that does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people free to coalesce in groups .
Chris Wallace brought up the new spread of the virus in Arkansas when kids were at a pool party , and Hutchison replied that it 's a matter of self-discipline .
Obviously teenagers , kids , and yes , many adults have no self-discipline or are just refusing to adhere to safe distance restrictions because right-wing outlets and Trump tell them to .
Republican leaders are making clueless excuses in an effort to help Trump win reelection .

Asa Hutchinson is in a bind.
The Arkansas governor (guess which party) has eased all social distancing regulations in his state. This has resulted in the single largest one-day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. It's his fault.
He told Fox News Sunday that he still takes the virus very seriously, "but you can’t cloister yourself at home, that is just contrary to the American spirit.”
The American Spirit doesn't tell you to spread a pandemic to your fellow man all because you want to go to the gym.
So he tried to outdo the myopic Rick Scott of Florida saying, “I make the comparison with, you can be in an automobile and it's very risky, but you can manage the risk by wearing a seat-belt.”
Duh! It took people years to finally acquiesce on wearing seat belts. It took laws and tickets to get some to comply. And if you get in a car and DO NOT wear a seat belt, it doesn't infect your community with a virus.
Wallace showed the Arkansas governor a host of graphs showing how the reopening of the states caused a massive rise in COVID-19 cases.
Host Chris Wallace then asked the governor if he has the virus under control in Arkansas.
Hutchinson went on a bloviated monologue trying to defend his decision. "You manage the risk by increasing the testing."
He said the rise in cases was because they're testing more. Of course, but that means the virus is still spreading even worse then he suspected.
Testing is excellent for trying to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, but that doesn't mean it's under control and leaves people free to coalesce in groups.
Chris Wallace brought up the new spread of the virus in Arkansas when kids were at a pool party, and Hutchison replied that it's a matter of self-discipline.
Obviously teenagers, kids, and yes, many adults have no self-discipline or are just refusing to adhere to safe distance restrictions because right-wing outlets and Trump tell them to.
Republican leaders are making clueless excuses in an effort to help Trump win reelection.
(h/t Nina Golgowski)


crooksandliars--2020-05-26--NYC Woman Calls In Fake Threat Claim On Black Man, Karmic Justice Is Swift - UPDATED

Amy Cooper has been fired from her job at Franklin Templeton .
This was just insane .
A white woman @ @ @ @ @ cops after a birdwatcher named Christian Cooper asked her to leash her dog in a @ @ @ @ @ requires her to do so , and told them in a hysterical voice `` an @ @ @ @ @ me . ''
Now her world is ( deservedly ) falling apart .
The episode @ @ @ @ @ 's sister posted this on Twitter : Twitter , of course , did its thing @ @ @ @ @ an employee of an investment firm -- which has now placed her on administrative leave @ @ @ @ @ she got her dog asked her to surrender him , so now she does n't @ @ @ @ @ And get this : The person she tried to smear as a threatening black man @ @ @ @ @ like a lot of white people , she makes a habit of ignoring rules -- @ @ @ @

UPDATE:
Amy Cooper has been fired from her job at Franklin Templeton.
**********
This was just insane. A white woman named Amy Cooper called NYC cops after a birdwatcher named Christian Cooper asked her to leash her dog in a section of Central Park that requires her to do so, and told them in a hysterical voice "an African American man is threatening me." Now her world is (deservedly) falling apart.
The episode went viral after the birdwatcher's sister posted this on Twitter:
Oh, when Karens take a walk with their dogs off leash in the famous Bramble in NY’s Central Park, where it is clearly posted on signs that dogs MUST be leashed at all times, and someone like my brother (an avid birder) politely asks her to put her dog on the leash. pic.twitter.com/3YnzuATsDm — Melody Cooper (@melodyMcooper) May 25, 2020
Twitter, of course, did its thing and tracked her down as an employee of an investment firm -- which has now placed her on administrative leave.
In response to an incident involving an employee on May 25th, Franklin Templeton issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/8f2lMwK0r5 — Franklin Templeton (@FTI_US) May 26, 2020
The rescue organization where she got her dog asked her to surrender him, so now she doesn't even have that comfort:
Amy Cooper, the white woman who called the cops on a black man in Central Park, after he politely asked her to leash her pet, has now lost custody of her dog, Henry. He was seen choking in the video. #KarenStrikesAgain #choked #CentralPark #AmyCooper #Henry pic.twitter.com/wBmOfj3J8V — D.W. (@_naaayaa) May 26, 2020
And get this: The person she tried to smear as a threatening black man? Harvard grad.
From Larry Hama’s Facebook page, on the woman who called the police on Christian Cooper in Central Park. pic.twitter.com/Q9EqxJRo8B — ComicsintheGoldenAge (@ComicsintheGA) May 26, 2020
Christian Cooper, the target of this false accusation, is a Harvard graduate, a former Marvel Comics editor and now the senior biomedical editor at Health Science Communications. He was BIRD WATCHING in Central Park when this occurred. It can happen to any of us. At any time. — Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) May 26, 2020
Seems like a lot of white people, she makes a habit of ignoring rules -- because she can:
The incident took place in the Ramble in Central Park, NYC. Another Twitter user confirmed she has seen Amy Cooper with her dog off the leash several times. https://t.co/G5NuoBrmbG https://t.co/mu9ZgK1RIA — Resist Programming 🛰 (@RzstProgramming) May 25, 2020
The panic she mimics when she's on the phone with 911 is horrifying. What a con she's pulling! Anyone who doubts there's privilege in this world should contemplate how sure she was that she'd get away with it. Without this video, she would have. — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 26, 2020
I’ll say it again. What are we waiting for?https://t.co/NrOXSRE9lK — ‘Bagel consultant & Bicyclist’ (@SirPennypacker) May 25, 2020
Eliza Orlins, who's running for district attorney, wrote:
This is serious. Happened today in Manhattan. As a public defender for over a decade, I have tried cases where the Manhattan DA uses a "hysterical 911 call" as categorical evidence of guilt. Usually there's no video like this to refute it. (1/4) https://t.co/rvRE8QFT5N — Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) May 25, 2020
What happens: White lady calls the cops on Black man. Cops believe her. He gets arrested and then arraigned. Outrageous bail gets set. His family cannot afford to buy his freedom. He gets sent to Rikers Island, where he sits for any number of days, months, or years. (2/4) — Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins) May 25, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-05-28--CO Restaurant Owners Who Went Viral For Crowded Mother's Day Opening Sue State

The C & C Coffee and Kitchen , a Castle Rock , Colorado diner , went viral over Mother ’ s Day weekend when it reopened for dine-in service in spite of a Colorado public health order with a video of the busy restaurant—and few mask-wearers—that was spread all over social media .
Gov .
Jared Polis responded by suspending the restaurant ’ s license indefinitely with a 30-day minimum and called the restaurant an “ immediate health hazard.
” Now , owners of the restaurant are suing Gov .
Polis , the state , and the Colorado Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arguing that their constitutional rights have been violated , as reported by The Denver Channel .
Some background on what ’ s been up in Colorado : Restaurants and bars in the state had been to-go and delivery only since March 19 .
The Mother ’ s Day video appeared on May 10 .
There was a public health order through May 26 , which included social distancing of six feet between people , wearing masks , and no gatherings of more than 10 people .
As of Wednesday , May 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dine-in service , but with some safety measures still in place—mainly that restaurants may only operate at 50 % of capacity or fewer than 50 people depending on the specific restaurant , six feet between tables , and all employees wearing masks .
The Castle Rock eatery , however , opened for Mother ’ s Day , and based on what caught attention on social media , there was a long line of customers , tons of people dining at tables , and few people actually wearing masks .
Now the owners of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are suing .
Their attorney , Randy Corporon , filed the suit on Friday , May 22 , alleging that the governor ’ s move to suspend the cafe ’ s license indefinitely is “ unlawful , unprecedented and highly suspect.
” The suit claims that the owners have “ suffered devastating and possibly insurmountable financial hardship ” and claims that they are now in debt .
The suit also claims that the governor ’ s executive and public health orders don ’ t give him the authority to “ designate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposition of emergency orders.
” The suit alleges the governor moved with “ particular hostility and desire for revenge.
” In reference to that Sunday , owner April Arellano told Colorado Community Media : `` I expected it to be busy .
I never expected this .
I 'm so happy so many people came out to support the Constitution and stand up for what is right .
We did our time .
We did our two weeks .
We did more than two weeks [ … ] and we were failing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Customers will return en masse when they feel safe .
When people see videos of people packed into a restaurant with no social distancing and no masks , people feel less safe and the widespread economic pain will only be prolonged , ” Polis said at a press conference after the video first went viral .
He added : `` I love my mom far too much to put her at risk by visiting a busy restaurant operating illegally just to take a selfie with omelets and a mimosa.
” Restaurants across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to do so , in order to stay open for dine-in service during the pandemic .
One Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant owner stayed open for dine-in service despite citations for violating the state ’ s shelter-in-place order , for example , while an elected official in North Carolina also kept his restaurant ’ s dining room open .
One restaurant group in Washington , D.C. went viral for claiming it was going to defy coronavirus restrictions only to get a very public Twitter response from Mayor Muriel Bowser , and told The Washington Post @ @ @ @

The C&C Coffee and Kitchen, a Castle Rock, Colorado diner, went viral over Mother’s Day weekend when it reopened for dine-in service in spite of a Colorado public health order with a video of the busy restaurant—and few mask-wearers—that was spread all over social media. Gov. Jared Polis responded by suspending the restaurant’s license indefinitely with a 30-day minimum and called the restaurant an “immediate health hazard.” Now, owners of the restaurant are suing Gov. Polis, the state, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), arguing that their constitutional rights have been violated, as reported by The Denver Channel.
Some background on what’s been up in Colorado: Restaurants and bars in the state had been to-go and delivery only since March 19. The Mother’s Day video appeared on May 10. There was a public health order through May 26, which included social distancing of six feet between people, wearing masks, and no gatherings of more than 10 people. As of Wednesday, May 27, restaurants will be allowed to offer dine-in service, but with some safety measures still in place—mainly that restaurants may only operate at 50% of capacity or fewer than 50 people depending on the specific restaurant, six feet between tables, and all employees wearing masks.
The Castle Rock eatery, however, opened for Mother’s Day, and based on what caught attention on social media, there was a long line of customers, tons of people dining at tables, and few people actually wearing masks. Now the owners of the diner, Jesse and April Arellano, are suing. Their attorney, Randy Corporon, filed the suit on Friday, May 22, alleging that the governor’s move to suspend the cafe’s license indefinitely is “unlawful, unprecedented and highly suspect.”
The suit claims that the owners have “suffered devastating and possibly insurmountable financial hardship” and claims that they are now in debt. The suit also claims that the governor’s executive and public health orders don’t give him the authority to “designate and discriminate” among people for “selective imposition of emergency orders.” The suit alleges the governor moved with “particular hostility and desire for revenge.”
In reference to that Sunday, owner April Arellano told Colorado Community Media: "I expected it to be busy. I never expected this. I'm so happy so many people came out to support the Constitution and stand up for what is right. We did our time. We did our two weeks. We did more than two weeks […] and we were failing. We had to do something."
"Customers will return en masse when they feel safe. When people see videos of people packed into a restaurant with no social distancing and no masks, people feel less safe and the widespread economic pain will only be prolonged,” Polis said at a press conference after the video first went viral. He added: "I love my mom far too much to put her at risk by visiting a busy restaurant operating illegally just to take a selfie with omelets and a mimosa.”
Restaurants across the nation have defied orders, or threatened to do so, in order to stay open for dine-in service during the pandemic. One Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant owner stayed open for dine-in service despite citations for violating the state’s shelter-in-place order, for example, while an elected official in North Carolina also kept his restaurant’s dining room open. One restaurant group in Washington, D.C. went viral for claiming it was going to defy coronavirus restrictions only to get a very public Twitter response from Mayor Muriel Bowser, and told The Washington Post it would comply.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-05-27--IRONY: Anti Vote-By-Mail Press Secretary Voted By Mail 11 Times In Last 10 Years

The White House 's newest Press Secretary has some explaining to do .
While she has been standing at the podium for weeks decrying vote by mail , parroting Donald Trump 's conspiracy theories about illegal voting , it turns out Kayleigh McEnany herself LOVES voting by mail .
In fact , the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Kayleigh has voted by mail 11 times in 10 years .
ELEVEN TIMES .
Well , is n't that interesting .
The White House claims voting by mail is an open invitation to election fraud , crime , ballot stuffing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loud - that if people are allowed to vote by mail , Republicans would always lose .
Fact check on that statement : FALSE .
So , why is Kayleigh voting by mail so much ?
She is from Tampa and has voted by mail in every single election since 2010 .
Most recently she voted by mail in the 2020 Presidential Primary back in March of this year .
Donald Trump also voted by mail this year .
But , you know , it is n't good enough for the little people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting by mail was fine for Donald Trump because `` the president is , after all , the president , which means he ’ s here in Washington .
He ’ s unable to cast his vote down in Florida , his state of residence.
” Ok , so if we go down the rabbit hole of her empty bobblehead , we land at `` he has an excuse , so it 's ok. '' Fine .
Let 's say that is the excuse - he is in DC and ca n't hop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can , but let 's pretend that he ca n't ) .
What is HER excuse ?
She is n't the President and until a few weeks ago , she was n't a White House employee .
She could have voted in person over the last 10 years .
And that is where her spin fell flat .
This was her statement ( aka excuse ) : “ Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason .
It means you ’ re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason , which has a high propensity for voter fraud .
This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.
” But Florida does not have `` absentee voting '' .
It is just called mail-in voting .
In fact , people in Florida can vote by mail anytime without needing to provide a reason .
Clearly the White House Press Secretary has no idea what she is talking about .
So why does Kayleigh think mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thy name is Kayleigh .
She is easily the worst Press Secretary of this administration .
A combination of ego , hubris and an inability to lie as well as her predecessors .
She wo n't last long .

The White House's newest Press Secretary has some explaining to do. While she has been standing at the podium for weeks decrying vote by mail, parroting Donald Trump's conspiracy theories about illegal voting, it turns out Kayleigh McEnany herself LOVES voting by mail. In fact, the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Kayleigh has voted by mail 11 times in 10 years. ELEVEN TIMES.
Well, isn't that interesting. The White House claims voting by mail is an open invitation to election fraud, crime, ballot stuffing and has even said the quiet part out loud - that if people are allowed to vote by mail, Republicans would always lose. Fact check on that statement: FALSE.
So, why is Kayleigh voting by mail so much? She is from Tampa and has voted by mail in every single election since 2010. Most recently she voted by mail in the 2020 Presidential Primary back in March of this year. Donald Trump also voted by mail this year. But, you know, it isn't good enough for the little people.
Just last week Kayleigh said that voting by mail was fine for Donald Trump because "the president is, after all, the president, which means he’s here in Washington. He’s unable to cast his vote down in Florida, his state of residence.”
Ok, so if we go down the rabbit hole of her empty bobblehead, we land at "he has an excuse, so it's ok." Fine. Let's say that is the excuse - he is in DC and can't hop on a plane to vote (he can, but let's pretend that he can't). What is HER excuse? She isn't the President and until a few weeks ago, she wasn't a White House employee. She could have voted in person over the last 10 years.
And that is where her spin fell flat. This was her statement (aka excuse):
“Absentee voting has the word absent in it for a reason. It means you’re absent from the jurisdiction or unable to vote in person. President Trump is against the Democrat plan to politicize the coronavirus and expand mass mail-in voting without a reason, which has a high propensity for voter fraud. This is a simple distinction that the media fails to grasp.”
But Florida does not have "absentee voting". It is just called mail-in voting. In fact, people in Florida can vote by mail anytime without needing to provide a reason. Clearly the White House Press Secretary has no idea what she is talking about. So why does Kayleigh think mail in voting should be restricted?
Hypocrisy, thy name is Kayleigh. She is easily the worst Press Secretary of this administration. A combination of ego, hubris and an inability to lie as well as her predecessors. She won't last long.