crooksandliars--2020-02-27--Laura Ingraham: China Is Using Coronavirus To 'Hurt' Trump 2020

Laura Ingraham might want to push ELECTION SECURITY measures if she 's so worried about China hurting Trump 's re-election chances .
Laura hosted Gordon Chang and listed him only as `` China Expert . ''
Well alrighty then .
On to the conspiracy theories !
Transcript via Media Matters .
LAURA INGRAHAM ( HOST ) : And I think the most important thing is that people keep their eyes wide open about what 's going on in China .
Listening to the Democrats ' debate , they 're trying to talk tonight about we 're going to work more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ na -- and they are an important partner in this , Michael Bloomberg says .
They 're all -- tonight , it was all , like , what we are going to do with China , we know they are authoritarian , but -- but Trump , Trump today was also , you know , pretty positive on how China has been handling this .
GORDON CHANG : Yeah , what we have seen right now is yes , we would like to cooperate with other countries , including China , but you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't want to cooperate with you .
INGRAHAM : They kicked out the media .
They kicked out The Wall Street Journal .
CHANG : They kicked out The Wall Street Journal , they are imposing more severe controls on this , and they 're also restricting the CDC and the NIH for really investigating the source of the virus .
So , you -- this is a regime in China that wants to do this on its own -- and by the way , Laura , starting at the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. and laying the groundwork for saying that the U.S. caused the spread of coronavirus .
INGRAHAM : I think they want to use this -- I mean , in China , they do n't want to deal with Trump anymore , with the tariffs .
I think for them , the best thing would be if this hurt Trump in his reelection , correct ?
INGRAHAM : I mean , would n't that be good ?
That would be a -- it was terrible for China , but at least it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they can pull that off .

Laura Ingraham might want to push ELECTION SECURITY measures if she's so worried about China hurting Trump's re-election chances.
Laura hosted Gordon Chang and listed him only as "China Expert." Well alrighty then.
On to the conspiracy theories! Transcript via Media Matters.
LAURA INGRAHAM (HOST): And I think the most important thing is that people keep their eyes wide open about what's going on in China.
Listening to the Democrats' debate, they're trying to talk tonight about we're going to work more closely with China and we're gonna -- and they are an important partner in this, Michael Bloomberg says. They're all -- tonight, it was all, like, what we are going to do with China, we know they are authoritarian, but -- but Trump, Trump today was also, you know, pretty positive on how China has been handling this.
GORDON CHANG: Yeah, what we have seen right now is yes, we would like to cooperate with other countries, including China, but you can't cooperate with a country that doesn't want to cooperate with you.
INGRAHAM: They kicked out the media. They kicked out The Wall Street Journal.
CHANG: They kicked out The Wall Street Journal, they are imposing more severe controls on this, and they're also restricting the CDC and the NIH for really investigating the source of the virus. So, you -- this is a regime in China that wants to do this on its own -- and by the way, Laura, starting at the beginning of this month, they have been blaming the U.S. and laying the groundwork for saying that the U.S. caused the spread of coronavirus.
INGRAHAM: I think they want to use this -- I mean, in China, they don't want to deal with Trump anymore, with the tariffs. I think for them, the best thing would be if this hurt Trump in his reelection, correct?
CHANG: Yeah.
INGRAHAM: I mean, wouldn't that be good? That would be a -- it was terrible for China, but at least it hurt Trump, if they can -- if they can pull that off.


crooksandliars--2020-02-26--Nancy Pelosi Blisters Trump’s Latest ‘Anemic’ Response To Coronavirus

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) lashed out at President Donald Trump on Wednesday over his response to the @ @ @ @ @ reporters at the U.S. Capitol , Pelosi slammed the president after he promised the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ away.
” “ This is shameful , ” Pelosi said .
“ He puts forth @ @ @ @ @ meager , anemic in terms of addressing this .
Ebola , we did $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ ’ re trying to take the ebola money and spend it here.
” “ What @ @ @ @ @ late , too late , anemic , ” she added .
“ Hopefully we came @ @ @ @ @ of time but we have to have professionals in place , resources that are adequate @ @ @ @ @ about people coming back to our country.
” Pelosi remarks come as some health professional @ @ @ @ @ ’ s competency .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) lashed out at President Donald Trump on Wednesday over his response to the Coronavirus.
While speaking to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi slammed the president after he promised the epidemic “is going to go away.”
“This is shameful,” Pelosi said. “He puts forth a proposal now that is meager, anemic in terms of addressing this. Ebola, we did $5 billion. And now they’re trying to take the ebola money and spend it here.”
“What he’s doing is late, too late, anemic,” she added. “Hopefully we came make up for the loss of time but we have to have professionals in place, resources that are adequate and not use scare tactics about people coming back to our country.”
Pelosi remarks come as some health professional are questioning the Trump administration’s competency.


crooksandliars--2020-02-27--Azar Refuses To Assure Congress That Coronavirus Vaccine Will Be Affordable

Ai n't life grand , when there 's a potential pandemic on our doorstep , but those in power can at least find ways to get rich from it at the expense of the nation 's citizenry ?
Illinois ' Rep. Jan Schakowsky was questioning Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about our response and preparedness for the impending rise in coronavirus cases in the U.S. She asked him to affirm that a vaccine , when developed , `` for sure , would be affordable for anyone who needs it . ''
Reasonable , right ?
Well , slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when there 's a buck to be made !
Have n't you ever heard of price gouging ?
This is AMERICA , DAMMIT !
AZAR : We would want to ensure that we work to make it affordable , but we ca n't control that price , because we need the private sector to invest .
The priority is to get vaccines and therapeutics .
Price controls wo n't get us there .
Do n't forget , though , at least we have Chad Wolf as Acting Secretary of DHS working hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know Chad ?
Just picture the guy in high school who puts the textbook under his pillow the night before a test hoping it will drift upwards into his brain .
So there is NOTHING to worry about AT ALL !
Meanwhile , while Trump was blindsiding Azar by declaring Pence our cArOnAvIrUS CZaR , this happened : I think Joyce Vance speaks for all of us when she says : But at least the rich will be able to afford the vaccine , once investors are satisfied they 'll make @ @ @

Ain't life grand, when there's a potential pandemic on our doorstep, but those in power can at least find ways to get rich from it at the expense of the nation's citizenry?
Illinois' Rep. Jan Schakowsky was questioning Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about our response and preparedness for the impending rise in coronavirus cases in the U.S. She asked him to affirm that a vaccine, when developed, "for sure, would be affordable for anyone who needs it." Reasonable, right?
Well, slow down, there, tiger. Not when there's a buck to be made! Haven't you ever heard of price gouging? This is AMERICA, DAMMIT!
AZAR: We would want to ensure that we work to make it affordable, but we can't control that price, because we need the private sector to invest. The priority is to get vaccines and therapeutics. Price controls won't get us there.
In case anyone's forgotten, Azar was the president of Eli Lilly, a member of the board of directors of a pharmaceutical lobby group, and ran a strategist/consultant firm to the biotech and healthcare industries. https://t.co/jgfHeDXlWu — Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) February 27, 2020
Don't forget, though, at least we have Chad Wolf as Acting Secretary of DHS working hard to keep us safe. Oh, you don't know Chad? Just picture the guy in high school who puts the textbook under his pillow the night before a test hoping it will drift upwards into his brain. So there is NOTHING to worry about AT ALL!
Meanwhile, while Trump was blindsiding Azar by declaring Pence our cArOnAvIrUS CZaR, this happened:
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been informed of the first case of the coronavirus in a person who did not recently return from a foreign country or have contact with a confirmed case, according to a person briefed on the case."https://t.co/G7vEgEKsed — Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) February 26, 2020
YAAAAAAAAY
I think Joyce Vance speaks for all of us when she says:
Pence is the Coronoavirus Czar. We’re doomed. — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) February 26, 2020
But at least the rich will be able to afford the vaccine, once investors are satisfied they'll make enough profit!


crooksandliars--2020-02-26--Rush Limbaugh Attacks Top CDC Official Because She's Rod Rosenstein's Sister

In 2014 when the Ebola virus was active , right wing blowhards went ballistic against President Obama , claiming he was doing nothing , causing us all to face a certain death .
Donald Trump led the way by attacking the CDC and scaring the bejesus out of Americans .
Flash Forward to 2020 , and now we have right-wing provocateurs like Rush Limbaugh and many on Fox News claiming that the media and the Democratic party are hyping the dangers of the coronavirus to tank the stock markets all in an effort to hurt Donald Trump 's re-election bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits .
And by the way , they are also weaponizing the political party a federal employee supports or who they may donate to as a sign of disloyalty to Trump .
This is illegal , un-American and as despicable as it gets .
Suddenly the CDC has also turned against Donald Trump , if the blowhards are to be believed .
Apparently they are promoting fear and panic over the coronavirus to - as you guessed - hurt poor innocent and righteous Donald Trump .
These hatemongers are going to cause some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get really hurt .
Rush Limbaugh has been leading this particular charge of late .
He obviously knew that Rod Rosenstein 's sister is a leading official at the CDC and that 's why he brought this up on his show previously to try and make the impact today that much more powerful in the land of MAGA when he uncovered a tightly-held secret .
During today 's broadcast , Limbaugh turned his attention to Dr. Nancy Messonnier , who has warned that this could turn into a pandemic that may spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take precautions .
This is exactly what the CDC is supposed to do .
But not in Trump-land .
Trying to make believe he did some real investigative journalism Rush pronounced , `` So you ’ ve got here the CDC urging Americans to prepare for a coronavirus virus outbreak . ''
`` 'This might be bad , could be bad .
Keep your kids at home .
Don ’ t go anywhere .
It might be bad .
We ’ ve got 53 cases .
It might be bad .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plunging , '' he continued .
`` Okay .
This person running this agency , who does she donate to ?
Well , her brother is Rod Rosenstein . ''
Wingnuts are so desperate they do n't care whose lives they destroy .

In 2014 when the Ebola virus was active, right wing blowhards went ballistic against President Obama, claiming he was doing nothing, causing us all to face a certain death.
Ebola! Ebola!
Donald Trump led the way by attacking the CDC and scaring the bejesus out of Americans.
Flash Forward to 2020, and now we have right-wing provocateurs like Rush Limbaugh and many on Fox News claiming that the media and the Democratic party are hyping the dangers of the coronavirus to tank the stock markets all in an effort to hurt Donald Trump's re-election bid.
Their politics of victimhood knows no limits.
And by the way, they are also weaponizing the political party a federal employee supports or who they may donate to as a sign of disloyalty to Trump. This is illegal, un-American and as despicable as it gets.
Suddenly the CDC has also turned against Donald Trump, if the blowhards are to be believed.
Apparently they are promoting fear and panic over the coronavirus to - as you guessed - hurt poor innocent and righteous Donald Trump.
These hatemongers are going to cause some federal workers who are doing their jobs to get really hurt.
It's sickening.
Rush Limbaugh has been leading this particular charge of late. He obviously knew that Rod Rosenstein's sister is a leading official at the CDC and that's why he brought this up on his show previously to try and make the impact today that much more powerful in the land of MAGA when he uncovered a tightly-held secret.
During today's broadcast, Limbaugh turned his attention to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who has warned that this could turn into a pandemic that may spread to the United States and for everyone to take precautions. This is exactly what the CDC is supposed to do. But not in Trump-land.
Trying to make believe he did some real investigative journalism Rush pronounced, "So you’ve got here the CDC urging Americans to prepare for a coronavirus virus outbreak."
"'This might be bad, could be bad. Keep your kids at home. Don’t go anywhere. It might be bad. We’ve got 53 cases. It might be bad. It could be!' The stock market’s plunging," he continued. "Okay. This person running this agency, who does she donate to? Well, her brother is Rod Rosenstein."
Wingnuts are so desperate they don't care whose lives they destroy.


crooksandliars--2020-02-27--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Bashes Pence As Coronavirus Czar: 'Literally Does Not Believe In Science'

Trump has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of handling the response to the coronavirus .
Are you scared yet ?
You should be .
Because Pence has already proven he does not value the opinions of the CDC or health officials when it comes to containing the spread of a virus .
As governor of Indiana , Pence masterminded cancelling a free-needle program for addicts in the state .
AIDS cases exploded .
And now he 's going to bring his clenched butt cheeks morality scolding to the Coronavirus panic ?
The Washington Post reminds us that Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The spread of the disease was attributed to people injecting Opana , an addictive painkiller , with shared needles .
But Pence didn ’ t agree with federal health experts that distributing clean needles was a good idea .
“ I don ’ t believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia , ” he told the Indianapolis Star at the time .
Despite assurances from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it is an effective way to halt the spread of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B and C , Pence said if state lawmakers tried to send him a bill for a needle-exchange program , he would veto it.As cases spiked , Pence reportedly turned to prayer .
And this is not some partisan criticism of Mike Pence , Even if he is a right-wing religious zealot and anti-LGBTQ scold , but the findings from Yale University 's investigative report : This is the man now in charge of trying to contain the coronavirus .

Trump has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of handling the response to the coronavirus.
Are you scared yet? You should be. Because Pence has already proven he does not value the opinions of the CDC or health officials when it comes to containing the spread of a virus.
As governor of Indiana, Pence masterminded cancelling a free-needle program for addicts in the state. AIDS cases exploded. And now he's going to bring his clenched butt cheeks morality scolding to the Coronavirus panic?
AOC nailed it via Twitter.
Mike Pence literally does not believe in science.
It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic.
This decision could cost people their lives. Pence’s past decisions already have. https://t.co/NhMPOusOWm — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 27, 2020
As governor, Pence’s science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana’s history.
He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health.
https://t.co/1jVY44p2HF — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 27, 2020
The Washington Post reminds us that Pence chose prayer over the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The spread of the disease was attributed to people injecting Opana, an addictive painkiller, with shared needles. But Pence didn’t agree with federal health experts that distributing clean needles was a good idea. “I don’t believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia,” he told the Indianapolis Star at the time. Despite assurances from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it is an effective way to halt the spread of infections and diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, Pence said if state lawmakers tried to send him a bill for a needle-exchange program, he would veto it.As cases spiked, Pence reportedly turned to prayer.
And this is not some partisan criticism of Mike Pence, Even if he is a right-wing religious zealot and anti-LGBTQ scold, but the findings from Yale University's investigative report:
In 2018, researchers at Yale University found the epidemic could have been prevented if Pence and state officials had acted faster. The study received financial support from the federal government.
This is the man now in charge of trying to contain the coronavirus.


crooksandliars--2020-03-20--GameStop Forcing Stores, Employees To Stay Open As 'Essential Retail'

I would imagine the authorities are taking a dim view of this foolishness , and will visit these stores soon if they remain open .
GameStop is struggling to stay afloat , once a $ 50 stock it 's now trading around $ 3 as gamers turn to streaming and downloading .
The struggling video game retail chain GameStop told all of its stores this afternoon to stay open even in the event of state or city lockdowns to protect against the covid-19 pandemic , emphasizing that it is “ essential retail ” alongside groceries and pharmacies and should therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Due to the products we carry that enable and enhance our customers ’ experience in working from home , we believe GameStop is classified as essential retail and therefore is able to remain open during this time , ” the retailer said in a memo to staff this afternoon , obtained by Kotaku .
“ We have received reports of local authorities visiting stores in an attempt to enforce closure despite our classification .
Store Managers are approved to provide the document linked below to law enforcement as needed.
” The document in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s corporate headquarters if they have a problem with this policy .
GameStop offered this statement in response to the outpouring of negative press they 've been receiving .
While GameStop is best known as a provider of gaming and home entertainment systems , we also offer a wide array of products and devices that are important to facilitate remote work , distance learning , and virtual connectivity .
As millions of Americans face unprecedented challenges adapting to virtual learning , working , and interaction , there is significant need for technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers of these products that are remaining open at this time .
Schools , businesses and families are now suddenly dependent on being able to connect through technology . ''
`` While there are many businesses and organizations far more critical than ours , we believe we can have a positive impact during this very challenging time .
The health and safety of our employees and customers is of utmost importance and we have and will continue to take extensive precautions consistent with CDC guidelines .
We are complying with all state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we will continue to adjust to any future developments . ''
Not exactly helping their cause are they ?

I would imagine the authorities are taking a dim view of this foolishness, and will visit these stores soon if they remain open.
GameStop is struggling to stay afloat, once a $50 stock it's now trading around $3 as gamers turn to streaming and downloading.
Source: Kotaku
The struggling video game retail chain GameStop told all of its stores this afternoon to stay open even in the event of state or city lockdowns to protect against the covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing that it is “essential retail” alongside groceries and pharmacies and should therefore be exempt from enforced closures. “Due to the products we carry that enable and enhance our customers’ experience in working from home, we believe GameStop is classified as essential retail and therefore is able to remain open during this time,” the retailer said in a memo to staff this afternoon, obtained by Kotaku. “We have received reports of local authorities visiting stores in an attempt to enforce closure despite our classification. Store Managers are approved to provide the document linked below to law enforcement as needed.” The document in question encourages police officers to call GameStop’s corporate headquarters if they have a problem with this policy.
We are working diligently during this unprecedented time to provide our customers & associates with the safest environment possible. Please see below for details on new changes we are enacting & click here for our full statement: https://t.co/qP9jDQUmjs pic.twitter.com/d99kxviz7Q — GameStop (@GameStop) March 19, 2020
GameStop offered this statement in response to the outpouring of negative press they've been receiving.
While GameStop is best known as a provider of gaming and home entertainment systems, we also offer a wide array of products and devices that are important to facilitate remote work, distance learning, and virtual connectivity. As millions of Americans face unprecedented challenges adapting to virtual learning, working, and interaction, there is significant need for technology solutions and we are one of many providers of these products that are remaining open at this time. Schools, businesses and families are now suddenly dependent on being able to connect through technology." "While there are many businesses and organizations far more critical than ours, we believe we can have a positive impact during this very challenging time. The health and safety of our employees and customers is of utmost importance and we have and will continue to take extensive precautions consistent with CDC guidelines. We are complying with all state, county, city, and local ordinances and we will continue to adjust to any future developments."
Not exactly helping their cause are they?


crooksandliars--2020-02-14--UPDATE: 15th U.S. Coronavirus Case Identified In Texas

The 15th case of U.S. coronavirus was confirmed this week , according to the CDC .
Via The Hill : @ @ @ @ @ was among a group of people under a federal quarantine order at San Antonio ’ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas .
The patient was put under quarantine after arriving to the U.S. on @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 7 , the CDC said in a statement Thursday .
Health officials say the @ @ @ @ @ is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital .
This is the first person under quarantine @ @ @ @ @ group of people that arrived from China on that date who had symptoms and tested @ @ @ @ @

The 15th case of U.S. coronavirus was confirmed this week, according to the CDC. Via The Hill:
The CDC says the patient was among a group of people under a federal quarantine order at San Antonio’s Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The patient was put under quarantine after arriving to the U.S. on a State Department-chartered flight on Feb. 7, the CDC said in a statement Thursday.
Health officials say the individual has been isolated and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
This is the first person under quarantine at the airbase among a group of people that arrived from China on that date who had symptoms and tested positive for the disease.


crooksandliars--2020-06-08--Blue America Endorsement Alert: Mondaire Jones (NY-17) For Congress

New York ’ s 17th congressional district -- northern and western Westchester County plus , across the Hudson , Rockland County -- represents one of the best chance in the country to send a true progressive to Congress .
After 16 terms , Nita Lowey is retiring in this D+7 district where Trump got only 38.4 % of the vote .
A recent poll released by Data for Progress shows a statistical dead heat among four candidates .
One of those is attorney and activist Mondaire Jones .
Mondaire is a progressive champion running on a platform of Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and student loan forgiveness .
In fact , he is the only candidate in his race running on these issues .
If elected , he would be the first openly gay , black member of Congress in U.S. history .
Mondaire ’ s chief rivals in the campaign are David Carlucci , Adam Schleifer , and Evelyn Farkas .
Carlucci is infamous for being a founding member of the reactionary Independent Democratic Conference , a group of state senators in New York who were elected as Democrats but caucused with Republicans , denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carlucci was just endorsed by the very right-wing NYC police union , which also endorsed the make-believe Democrat running against AOC .
Schleifer is the son of a pharmaceutical billionaire and has spent millions of dollars of his family wealth on the campaign .
Evelyn Farkas is a former Defense Department official who has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the defense lobby and prominent Republicans , including Ronald Reagan ’ s chief of staff and George W. Bush ’ s Director of National Intelligence .
Mondaire ’ s campaign has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , he has raised well over a million dollars and has been endorsed by Elizabeth Warren , Julián Castro , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Ayanna Pressley , Pramila Jayapal , Barbara Lee , the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC , Working Families Party , United Auto Workers , and many more , including , today , Blue America .
Additionally , the poll taken by Data for Progress was conducted just as Mondaire was beginning his advertising campaign , showing that Mondaire has significantly more room to grow than his opponents .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not run a candidate in the past two cycles .
If Democrats want to form a true progressive majority , it is essential we elect progressive candidates in safely blue seats like this one .
This election could come down to only a few hundred votes and every bit of support helps immensely .
Please help Mondaire win on June 23rd by making a contribution at the Blue America thermometer on the right .
Growing up poor , black , and gay , I never imagined that someone like me could make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps , raised by a young , single mom who still had to work multiple jobs for us to get by .
Thanks to the support of a community and a quality public school education that is unavailable to students in that same school district today , I was able to make it to Stanford University , work in the Obama administration , and graduate from Harvard Law School .
But stories like mine are the exception , not the rule .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
I ’ m fighting for bold , structural solutions that will ensure we can build a future that works for everyone , not just a subset of the American population .
I know what it ’ s like to feel left behind and to not see yourself represented .
In fact , if elected , I would be the first openly gay , black member of Congress in United States history .
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , we ’ ve seen just how precarious our economy is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think any American should lose their health insurance just because they ’ ve lost their job .
I don ’ t think anyone should have to go into work sick because they can ’ t afford to stay home .
I don ’ t think we should let an entire generation be crippled by massive student loan debt , preventing young people from meaningfully participating in our economy .
This is a message that resonates not just with people here in New York ’ s 17th Congressional District , covering parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
Our campaign has been endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Julián Castro , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Rep. Ayanna Pressley , Rep. Pramila Jayapal , Barbara Lee , Working Families Party , United Auto Workers , the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC , Equality PAC , the LGBT Victory Fund , and so many more .
Our campaign is a grassroots , people-powered movement .
Unlike many of our opponents , we ’ re not taking money from corporations and we ’ re not self-funding with millions of dollars .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like delivery drivers , nurses , and teachers who chip in $ 10 or $ 25 when they can .
We ’ ve been outraising most of our competition , but we ’ ve got to pick up the pace .
Right now , our election is less than 3 weeks away .
We ’ re fighting for real change for working people , but we ’ re up against the pharmaceutical industry and the defense lobby and we need your help .
Join us .

New York’s 17th congressional district-- northern and western Westchester County plus, across the Hudson, Rockland County-- represents one of the best chance in the country to send a true progressive to Congress. After 16 terms, Nita Lowey is retiring in this D+7 district where Trump got only 38.4% of the vote. A recent poll released by Data for Progress shows a statistical dead heat among four candidates.
One of those is attorney and activist Mondaire Jones. Mondaire is a progressive champion running on a platform of Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and student loan forgiveness. In fact, he is the only candidate in his race running on these issues. If elected, he would be the first openly gay, black member of Congress in U.S. history.
Mondaire’s chief rivals in the campaign are David Carlucci, Adam Schleifer, and Evelyn Farkas. Carlucci is infamous for being a founding member of the reactionary Independent Democratic Conference, a group of state senators in New York who were elected as Democrats but caucused with Republicans, denying Democrats a majority in the State Senate. Carlucci was just endorsed by the very right-wing NYC police union, which also endorsed the make-believe Democrat running against AOC. Schleifer is the son of a pharmaceutical billionaire and has spent millions of dollars of his family wealth on the campaign. Evelyn Farkas is a former Defense Department official who has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the defense lobby and prominent Republicans, including Ronald Reagan’s chief of staff and George W. Bush’s Director of National Intelligence.
Mondaire’s campaign has enormous momentum. Without accepting corporate PAC money, he has raised well over a million dollars and has been endorsed by Elizabeth Warren, Julián Castro, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Working Families Party, United Auto Workers, and many more, including, today, Blue America. Additionally, the poll taken by Data for Progress was conducted just as Mondaire was beginning his advertising campaign, showing that Mondaire has significantly more room to grow than his opponents.
This is a safely blue district where the Republicans have not run a candidate in the past two cycles. If Democrats want to form a true progressive majority, it is essential we elect progressive candidates in safely blue seats like this one. This election could come down to only a few hundred votes and every bit of support helps immensely. Please help Mondaire win on June 23rd by making a contribution at the Blue America thermometer on the right.
A Chance To Make History
-by Mondaire Jones
Growing up poor, black, and gay, I never imagined that someone like me could make it to the halls of Congress. I grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps, raised by a young, single mom who still had to work multiple jobs for us to get by.
Thanks to the support of a community and a quality public school education that is unavailable to students in that same school district today, I was able to make it to Stanford University, work in the Obama administration, and graduate from Harvard Law School. But stories like mine are the exception, not the rule. I’m running for Congress to change that.
I’m fighting for bold, structural solutions that will ensure we can build a future that works for everyone, not just a subset of the American population. I know what it’s like to feel left behind and to not see yourself represented. In fact, if elected, I would be the first openly gay, black member of Congress in United States history.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen just how precarious our economy is for millions of people. I don’t think any American should lose their health insurance just because they’ve lost their job. I don’t think anyone should have to go into work sick because they can’t afford to stay home. I don’t think we should let an entire generation be crippled by massive student loan debt, preventing young people from meaningfully participating in our economy.
This is a message that resonates not just with people here in New York’s 17th Congressional District, covering parts of Westchester and Rockland Counties, but all across the country. Our campaign has been endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Julián Castro, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Working Families Party, United Auto Workers, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Equality PAC, the LGBT Victory Fund, and so many more.
Our campaign is a grassroots, people-powered movement. Unlike many of our opponents, we’re not taking money from corporations and we’re not self-funding with millions of dollars. We rely on contributions from everyday people, like delivery drivers, nurses, and teachers who chip in $10 or $25 when they can. We’ve been outraising most of our competition, but we’ve got to pick up the pace.
Right now, our election is less than 3 weeks away. We’re fighting for real change for working people, but we’re up against the pharmaceutical industry and the defense lobby and we need your help. Join us.


crooksandliars--2020-04-13--Don't Let Trump Set The Metric For His Pandemic Success

Trump wants to measure how he 's doing on this pandemic based on the numbers he chooses .
To counter this we must show the numbers that doctors chose to use to measure a pandemic .
Then we frame Trump 's chosen numbers with important numbers that show his failures .
Trump has always picked the numbers he wants to measure his success .
First he wanted it to be inauguration attendees .
The media pushed back Sean Spicer so hard he had to go on Dancing With The Stars for not being a good enough liar .
Next Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like the electoral college vote .
When the stock market was up it was tweet , tweet , tweet !
When unemployment was down ?
He bragged about it in every rally , especially in a category that he was weak in -- African American support .
Thursday he picked a number he believes shows he is winning the fight against the coronavirus .
TV ratings .
I 'm not going to let him , so I 've physically -- and linguistically -- started framed the metric he chose with one the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number you are a leader in is a classic technique used by marketing and PR people for decades .
• Find a category you are winning in .
• Show how your product is winning -- as compared to others that YOU select .
• Find an organization/company that shows that your product is winning in that category .
If you ca n't find a company that shows your product leading the category you picked , commission a company to prove it .
( Some market research • firms are good for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the questions & audience . )
• Get those winning numbers to the media so THEY repeat them .
`` Research Group says , Product T is the winner in X , Y & Z !
! ''
• Repeat the headline from media stories that use Research Group numbers -- because most people only read headlines .
Trump regularly uses this technique and changes his metric when it suits him .
Friday he was bragging about the market going up again .
So how do we combat this ?
• Determine what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure from people and institutions we trust .
.
• For example go to CDC to count the spread and the dead .
Back it up with supporting data as it comes in .
Use data that people need to know now and in the future .
What 's the percent tested in a community vs. total numbers ?
• Get those numbers to the media .
Use them regularly and consistantly .
Keep updating charts and graphs .
• Break out what the numbers mean and give context .
Because Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others it 's important to show who did what when , both good and bad .
• Detail what Trump 's failures and successes mean .
For example , he 's always bragging about the travel restrictions from China .
It started January 31 but It was ONLY for Chinese nationals .
He says it so often with out caveats people think it was great .
To remind everyone how weak those restrictions were we must keep inserting numbers that put his brag numbers in context .
For example , every time he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pop up should say : 40,000 Americans and other authorized travelers came IN FROM CHINA following the travel restrictions .
• Most passengers arrived in January at airports in San Francisco , New York , Los Angeles , Seattle , Newark , Chicago and Detroit .
• `` Thousands of them flew directly from Wuhan , '' the original epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak '' If passengers are screened and show no symptoms they will be re-booked to their final destination and asked to `` self-quarantine '' inside their home , DHS says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's imperative that individuals honor self-quarantine directives to help protect the American public , '' DHS acting Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement .
NY Times Why did the death rates not go up as quickly in California as other locations ?
How much of that was because of the actions of city mayors and Governor Newsom ?
What else is a factor ?
These all need to be measured to compare with other states and put into a national context .
What 's the number of dead vs alive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out those numbers .
Can we force the White House to do this ?
The media will always first deal with the White House 's chosen number ( that 's if the White House puts out numbers at all ) .But we ca n't just wait for the White House to put out the numbers the people want to know and care about .
On Friday Rachel Maddow talked about the numbers the administration was n't counting and put out some some of their own charts and graphs .
It 's a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There needs to be simple charts and ways to show the data that reaches everyone , and that 's difficult , especially people who are in the Fox News media bubble .
We need to get through to the people in the 8 states who do n't have state-wide stay at home orders ( shown in white ) .
Trump makes up some numbers and willfully misinterprets others .
We know this and have been dealing with this , but the President also has people whose JOB it is to support misleading numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will create a narrative to support his bogus numbers and downplay the important ones .
But some numbers are very powerful .
Who died and who lived ?
Who is responsible ?
These might even get through to Fox News .
But they get through to the rest of us .
We need to help get the message out .
I ca n't believe I have to say this , but the reality is we have to make it clear to the right wing media and the GOP that all human lives @ @ @ @ @

Trump wants to measure how he's doing on this pandemic based on the numbers he chooses. To counter this we must show the numbers that doctors chose to use to measure a pandemic.
Then we frame Trump's chosen numbers with important numbers that show his failures.
Trump has always picked the numbers he wants to measure his success. First he wanted it to be inauguration attendees. The media pushed back Sean Spicer so hard he had to go on Dancing With The Stars for not being a good enough liar. Next Trump used numbers the media couldn't deny, like the electoral college vote. When the stock market was up it was tweet, tweet, tweet! When unemployment was down? He bragged about it in every rally, especially in a category that he was weak in--African American support.
Thursday he picked a number he believes shows he is winning the fight against the coronavirus. TV ratings. I'm not going to let him, so I've physically--and linguistically--started framed the metric he chose with one the people care about.
Picking a number you are a leader in is a classic technique used by marketing and PR people for decades. Find a category you are winning in. Show how your product is winning--as compared to others that YOU select. Find an organization/company that shows that your product is winning in that category. If you can't find a company that shows your product leading the category you picked, commission a company to prove it.(Some market research firms are good for this, especially those that let you pick the questions & audience.) Get those winning numbers to the media so THEY repeat them. "Research Group says, Product T is the winner in X, Y & Z!!" Repeat the headline from media stories that use Research Group numbers--because most people only read headlines.
Trump regularly uses this technique and changes his metric when it suits him. Friday he was bragging about the market going up again.
So how do we combat this?
Determine what SHOULD be the measurement of success or failure from people and institutions we trust. . For example go to CDC to count the spread and the dead. Back it up with supporting data as it comes in. Use data that people need to know now and in the future. What's the percent tested in a community vs. total numbers? Get those numbers to the media. Use them regularly and consistantly. Keep updating charts and graphs. Break out what the numbers mean and give context. Because Trump will claim credit for what was done by others it's important to show who did what when, both good and bad. Detail what Trump's failures and successes mean. For example, he's always bragging about the travel restrictions from China. It started January 31 but It was ONLY for Chinese nationals. He says it so often with out caveats people think it was great.
To remind everyone how weak those restrictions were we must keep inserting numbers that put his brag numbers in context. For example, every time he brags about the China travel ban a pop up should say:
40,000 Americans and other authorized travelers came IN FROM CHINA following the travel restrictions.
Most passengers arrived in January at airports in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Newark, Chicago and Detroit.
at airports in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Newark, Chicago and Detroit. "Thousands of them flew directly from Wuhan," the original epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak"If passengers are screened and show no symptoms they will be re-booked to their final destination and asked to "self-quarantine" inside their home, DHS says. "Once back in the U.S., it's imperative that individuals honor self-quarantine directives to help protect the American public," DHS acting Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement. NY Times
Why did the death rates not go up as quickly in California as other locations? How much of that was because of the actions of city mayors and Governor Newsom? What else is a factor? These all need to be measured to compare with other states and put into a national context. What's the number of dead vs alive because of Trump? We can figure out those numbers.
Can we force the White House to do this? The media will always first deal with the White House's chosen number (that's if the White House puts out numbers at all).But we can't just wait for the White House to put out the numbers the people want to know and care about.
On Friday Rachel Maddow talked about the numbers the administration wasn't counting and put out some some of their own charts and graphs. It's a good start.
Credit: Topos
But we need more. There needs to be simple charts and ways to show the data that reaches everyone, and that's difficult, especially people who are in the Fox News media bubble. We need to get through to the people in the 8 states who don't have state-wide stay at home orders (shown in white).
Trump makes up some numbers and willfully misinterprets others. We know this and have been dealing with this, but the President also has people whose JOB it is to support misleading numbers. He has an entire media arm that will create a narrative to support his bogus numbers and downplay the important ones.
But some numbers are very powerful. Who died and who lived? Who is responsible? These might even get through to Fox News. But they get through to the rest of us. We need to help get the message out.
I can't believe I have to say this, but the reality is we have to make it clear to the right wing media and the GOP that all human lives matter. Even theirs.


crooksandliars--2020-03-31--Media's Taboo Topic: Why's Trump Doing This?

Published With Permission of Press Run , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
Everything Trump has done in response to the coronavirus national emergency has been dead wrong .
That 's confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that were established over a decade ago for when dealing with a health crisis .
The agency created a 450-page manual and Trump and his team have not only ignored the recommendations — be consistent , transparent , factual , and credible — they 've actively done the opposite .
To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis a hoax , downplayed the threat , lied about virus testing , lied about the government 's on-the-ground response , lied about the rate of infection , blamed the Obama administration , misled the country about a cure , packed his days with non-action , blamed governors , failed to order a national lockdown , refused to work with certain Democratic officials , and has provided zero national leadership .
( “ I don ’ t take responsibility at all . ''
) `` The U.S. response will be studied for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disastrous , failed effort , '' said Ron Klain , who was tapped by President Barack Obama to oversee the nation ’ s fight against Ebola in 2014 .
Trump has seemingly done everything to help spread the disease .
`` We have to understand that faced with `` the invasion '' of this virus the President has chosen to stand down , do nothing , let people die and it ravage America , '' wrote Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg , in an entirely accurate description of what has transpired — Trump stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , knowing from intelligence briefings what that would mean for the U.S. population .
No other country is facing the coronavirus disaster while its national leader appears not to care how many of his country 's citizens die , and who day after day refuses to take common sense steps to address the crisis .
( Where are the tests , masks , hospital beds , and respirators ? )
Trump 's behavior has been shocking — except it has n't been .
For five years , since entering the national political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has shown us who he is everyday , a deeply damaged narcissist who ca n't stop lying .
Yet the press treats his sociopath tendencies as taboo .
The larger , looming question is , why is Trump doing this ?
Or as Greg Sargent recently asked at the Washington Post , why must Democrats and other officials try to force Trump to do the right thing ?
Why is he refusing to protect the population from a deadly invasion ?
Maybe he 's vengeful .
A fatalist ?
Maybe he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities ?
He 's under the thumb of a foreign entity ?
He wants to cancel the November elections ?
Who knows .
And honestly , the `` why '' is n't what matters now .
It 's increasingly not credible to suggest Trump has simply been distracted or incompetent during this crisis , leading to constant `` flip-flops , '' as the New York Times politely calls his hourly contradictions , as the country faces dire circumstances .
It ’ s time for journalists to stop expressing shock regarding his erratic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just helps normalize Trump 's dangerous behavior .
It plays into the idea that Trump at times behaves rationally , and picks and chooses when he should act like a leader , and when he does not need to — that Trump can mimic the actions of a sane person when the situation calls for it .
If we take a step back , the scale of government ’ s failure is so complete and so sweeping it borders on the incomprehensible .
After a while , explaining this away as Trump being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or being shortsighted just does n't add up .
The failure to protect has been so thorough , it 's difficult to suggest it ’ s happened coincidentally .
Why is it taboo ?
The possible answers are too disturbing for the press to ponder , therefore they 're deemed off-limits .
Instead of addressing the reality , the press prefers to stick with the safe narrative that the White House is muddled and disorganized .
To address the other would raise stunning questions about the President of the United States —the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about any president in this nation 's history .
In essence , the press plays dumb , as the Wall Street Journal urges Trump to `` rethink the coronavirus strategy , '' as if there was ever a Trump `` strategy '' to begin with , while Politico suggests the life-and-death problems the U.S. faces today stem from Trump 's `` short-term thinking . ''
That 's the simple explanation .
What 's going on is far more complicated , and far more disturbing .

Published With Permission of Press Run, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
Everything Trump has done in response to the coronavirus national emergency has been dead wrong. That's confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that were established over a decade ago for when dealing with a health crisis. The agency created a 450-page manual and Trump and his team have not only ignored the recommendations — be consistent, transparent, factual, and credible — they've actively done the opposite.
To date, Trump has ignored intelligence warnings, called the crisis a hoax, downplayed the threat, lied about virus testing, lied about the government's on-the-ground response, lied about the rate of infection, blamed the Obama administration, misled the country about a cure, packed his days with non-action, blamed governors, failed to order a national lockdown, refused to work with certain Democratic officials, and has provided zero national leadership. (“I don’t take responsibility at all.")
"The U.S. response will be studied for generations as a textbook example of a disastrous, failed effort," said Ron Klain, who was tapped by President Barack Obama to oversee the nation’s fight against Ebola in 2014.
Trump has seemingly done everything to help spread the disease. "We have to understand that faced with "the invasion" of this virus the President has chosen to stand down, do nothing, let people die and it ravage America," wrote Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg, in an entirely accurate description of what has transpired — Trump stood down and let a virus invade the country, knowing from intelligence briefings what that would mean for the U.S. population.
No other country is facing the coronavirus disaster while its national leader appears not to care how many of his country's citizens die, and who day after day refuses to take common sense steps to address the crisis. (Where are the tests, masks, hospital beds, and respirators?)
Trump's behavior has been shocking — except it hasn't been. For five years, since entering the national political scene in the summer of 2015, Trump has shown us who he is everyday, a deeply damaged narcissist who can't stop lying. Yet the press treats his sociopath tendencies as taboo.
The larger, looming question is, why is Trump doing this? Or as Greg Sargent recently asked at the Washington Post, why must Democrats and other officials try to force Trump to do the right thing? Why is he refusing to protect the population from a deadly invasion?
Maybe he's vengeful. A fatalist? Maybe he wants to wreck the economy to create investment opportunities? He's under the thumb of a foreign entity? He wants to cancel the November elections? Who knows. And honestly, the "why" isn't what matters now. It's increasingly not credible to suggest Trump has simply been distracted or incompetent during this crisis, leading to constant "flip-flops," as the New York Times politely calls his hourly contradictions, as the country faces dire circumstances.
It’s time for journalists to stop expressing shock regarding his erratic and heartless behavior, because that unwarranted shock just helps normalize Trump's dangerous behavior. It plays into the idea that Trump at times behaves rationally, and picks and chooses when he should act like a leader, and when he does not need to — that Trump can mimic the actions of a sane person when the situation calls for it.
If we take a step back, the scale of government’s failure is so complete and so sweeping it borders on the incomprehensible. After a while, explaining this away as Trump being unfocused, or not having a plan, or being shortsighted just doesn't add up. The failure to protect has been so thorough, it's difficult to suggest it’s happened coincidentally.
Why is it taboo? The possible answers are too disturbing for the press to ponder, therefore they're deemed off-limits. Instead of addressing the reality, the press prefers to stick with the safe narrative that the White House is muddled and disorganized. To address the other
would raise stunning questions about the President of the United States —the types of questions that have never been asked about any president in this nation's history.
In essence, the press plays dumb, as the Wall Street Journal urges Trump to "rethink the coronavirus strategy," as if there was ever a Trump "strategy" to begin with, while Politico suggests the life-and-death problems the U.S. faces today stem from Trump's "short-term thinking."
That's the simple explanation. What's going on is far more complicated, and far more disturbing.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--A Modest Proposal: Fox Hosts Should Test Hydroxychloroquine

Since Trump made the asinine statement that he likes hydroxychloroquine more than Dr. Fauci , many Fox News hosts have done their best to promote it to support his dangerous nonsense and even attacked Dr. Fauci for not recommending it to the American public .
Tucker Carlson is furious that our medical professionals are in charge of making US policy instead of Trump .
What do they know , right ?
They can turn to quack studies and Dr. Oz for all the medical information they need .
So , I think it 's time Sean Hannity , Tucker Carlson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lou Dobbs and a whole host of others on Murdoch 's networks ( and that includes the nuts over at OANN ) should volunteer to be infected with the coronavirus and then start treatments with hydroxychloroquine .
Instead of giving uninformed Americans misinformation about untested drugs to combat Corbett 19 , these Trump propagandists could set up cameras and film themselves going through the coronavirus and taking their favorite vitalizing tonic and broadcast it to their supporters .
What a media coup .
That 's of course if it 's just like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and weeks and weeks .
I 'd include Rush Limbaugh in this group but since he 's going through cancer treatments , he would never survive the virus .
Come on Fox News hosts !
Step up to the plate and do the right thing , since you are the ones promoting untested and unproven treatments .

Since Trump made the asinine statement that he likes hydroxychloroquine more than Dr. Fauci, many Fox News hosts have done their best to promote it to support his dangerous nonsense and even attacked Dr. Fauci for not recommending it to the American public.
Tucker Carlson is furious that our medical professionals are in charge of making US policy instead of Trump. What do they know, right?
They can turn to quack studies and Dr. Oz for all the medical information they need.
So, I think it's time Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Brian Kilmeade, Lou Dobbs and a whole host of others on Murdoch's networks (and that includes the nuts over at OANN) should volunteer to be infected with the coronavirus and then start treatments with hydroxychloroquine.
Instead of giving uninformed Americans misinformation about untested drugs to combat Corbett 19, these Trump propagandists could set up cameras and film themselves going through the coronavirus and taking their favorite vitalizing tonic and broadcast it to their supporters. What a media coup.
That's of course if it's just like the flu they said it was for weeks and weeks and weeks.
I'd include Rush Limbaugh in this group but since he's going through cancer treatments, he would never survive the virus.
Come on Fox News hosts! Step up to the plate and do the right thing, since you are the ones promoting untested and unproven treatments.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Fauci Flays Fox And Friends For Foxsplaining Fake COVID Cure

On Fox and Friends the Trump Trio of idiots continued their Trump bootlicking this morning by trying to force Dr. Fauci into admitting Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for the coronavirus .
And their number one `` Doctor '' resource is reality TV star Dr. Oz , whose reputation for selling quack cures and doubtful remedies is well-known .
Trump 's idiotic promotion of that `` cure '' without the backing of medical experts is totally on brand for Dr. Oz and So-Called President Stable Genius .
Surprise , the Fox and Frienders are not doctors either .
And there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Doocy brought up a survey by Sermo hydroxychloroquine is `` the most effective therapy among COVID-19 , '' and then he played a video question from Dr. OZ about a Chinese study that showed Hydroxychloroquine was a viable treatment for the coronavirus .
After the clip played Dr. Fauci replied , `` Yeah , you want my response to that ? ''
He continued , `` So that was not a very robust study , '' he said about the Chinese study .
The scale of evidence was not overwhelmingly strong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a cure or a therapy , dummies .
Fauci continued , “ But getting back to what you said just a moment ago , that x percent , I think you said 37 % of doctors feel that it ’ s beneficial , we don ’ t operate on how you feel .
We operate on what evidence is , and data is . ''
Trump operates his entire COVID-19 response on his `` feelings , '' as he 's said many times .
“ So although there is some suggestion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Oz , granted that there is a suggestion that there is a benefit there , I think we ’ ve got to be careful that we don ’ t make that majestic leap to assume that this is a knockout drug.
” There can be all sorts of side effects later on down the road without proper testing on any medication and that 's why he 's not proclaiming it the magic elixir that these Fox imbeciles will not stop harping on .
Brian Kilmeade refused to give up and said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if anyone who was taking this for lupus or arthritis has gotten the coronavirus , that would be one way to go the other way to see about this study.
” See , Kilmeade must be a medical expert in research , did n't you know ?
Fauci said it is a very good drug for illnesses for which it has been tested .
“ But I can ’ t escape getting back to , you said 75 % of doctors think that it works , we really don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s not the issue , ” Fauci said .
“ I should clarify I said Spain , 72 % of the doctors in Spain are prescribing it , ” Kilmeade said , to which Fauci replied “ Okay good , well that ’ s fine.
” In other words Dr. Fauci is saying a lot nicer than I would , is to leave the medical testing and response to COVID-19 to the medical professionals instead of your sycophantic hopes and dreams .

On Fox and Friends the Trump Trio of idiots continued their Trump bootlicking this morning by trying to force Dr. Fauci into admitting Hydroxychloroquine is a treatment for the coronavirus.
And their number one "Doctor" resource is reality TV star Dr. Oz, whose reputation for selling quack cures and doubtful remedies is well-known.
Top Doctors Ask Columbia University to Remove Dr. Oz from Faculty for “Promoting Quack Treatments and Cures” http://t.co/i4yKdWRqNL — Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta) April 17, 2015
Trump's idiotic promotion of that "cure" without the backing of medical experts is totally on brand for Dr. Oz and So-Called President Stable Genius.
Surprise, the Fox and Frienders are not doctors either. And there were uncomfortable silences throughout his interview.
Co-host Steve Doocy brought up a survey by Sermo hydroxychloroquine is "the most effective therapy among COVID-19," and then he played a video question from Dr. OZ about a Chinese study that showed Hydroxychloroquine was a viable treatment for the coronavirus.
After the clip played Dr. Fauci replied, "Yeah, you want my response to that?"
He continued, "So that was not a very robust study," he said about the Chinese study. The scale of evidence was not overwhelmingly strong," he said.
A hint is not a cure or a therapy, dummies.
Fauci continued, “But getting back to what you said just a moment ago, that x percent, I think you said 37% of doctors feel that it’s beneficial, we don’t operate on how you feel. We operate on what evidence is, and data is."
Trump operates his entire COVID-19 response on his "feelings," as he's said many times.
“So although there is some suggestion with the study that was just mentioned by Dr. Oz, granted that there is a suggestion that there is a benefit there, I think we’ve got to be careful that we don’t make that majestic leap to assume that this is a knockout drug.”
There can be all sorts of side effects later on down the road without proper testing on any medication and that's why he's not proclaiming it the magic elixir that these Fox imbeciles will not stop harping on.
Brian Kilmeade refused to give up and said, "I would be very curious doctor to see if anyone who was taking this for lupus or arthritis has gotten the coronavirus, that would be one way to go the other way to see about this study.”
See, Kilmeade must be a medical expert in research, didn't you know?
Fauci said it is a very good drug for illnesses for which it has been tested.
“But I can’t escape getting back to, you said 75% of doctors think that it works, we really don’t care what 75% think it works. That’s not the issue,” Fauci said.
“I should clarify I said Spain, 72% of the doctors in Spain are prescribing it,” Kilmeade said, to which Fauci replied
“Okay good, well that’s fine.”
In other words Dr. Fauci is saying a lot nicer than I would, is to leave the medical testing and response to COVID-19 to the medical professionals instead of your sycophantic hopes and dreams.


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Friday News Dump: Stimulus Checks Could Take 20 Weeks, And Other News

Americans likely wo n't begin to see direct payments from the coronavirus stimulus bill until at least April 13 and it could take 20 weeks for all the checks to be mailed , Trump administration officials told lawmakers , according to a House Democratic memo .
https : //t.co/Kr6gVy1UF9 pic.twitter.com/chQZHwxaTM The darkness drops again ; but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle , And what rough beast , its hour come round at last , Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born ?
-- William Butler Yeats , The Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have direct deposit info on file with the IRS , I 'd suggest you file your taxes ASAP if you want to get that stimulus check anytime soon .
Fortunately , for those who are on Social Security , they will now use that information : He lies about EVERYTHING : “ I ’ ve never seen this system used before .
It would be okay if it was working .
It ’ s not working ... it ’ s like their making this stuff up on the way to the podium ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to get supplies to states # COVID19 pic.twitter.com/x7u3qoQ0v6 Some of us have been screaming about this for YEARS .
Dipshits refused to listen .
STOP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS .
THEY DO N'T CARE ABOUT YOU.https : //t.co/FTW9M8MJxw — IT 'S MY COUNTRY AND I 'LL CRY IF I WANT TO ( @ Litzz11 ) April 3 , 2020 Reporting tonight it ’ s clear that there are huge , huge fortunes being made now on the COVID Crisis .
We keep hearing that states and cities are having to bid against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are the counter parties ?
Those folks have a product ...
Here 's a cool tool to share around .
If you rep a hospital , put your facility on the map and list what you need .
If you have medical equipment that you can provide , click on a hospital to see if they need what you make .
Share : https : //t.co/DrARLliIMO DEPT .
OF HOORAY FOR THE GOOD GUYS

The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
-- William Butler Yeats, The Second Coming
Okay: If you don't have direct deposit info on file with the IRS, I'd suggest you file your taxes ASAP if you want to get that stimulus check anytime soon. Fortunately, for those who are on Social Security, they will now use that information:
Lawmakers & staff who helped draft the rescue package have privately expressed concerns that the Trump administration may be overwhelmed by the demand for loans & unable to get checks out the door as fast and responsibly as they're needed https://t.co/8QHjsIYPmI — Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) April 3, 2020
Yesterday we told Secretary Mnuchin that it was ridiculous to require Social Security recipients to file tax returns in order to receive a stimulus check. Good news: last night he reversed that policy. This is why we've got to stay in the fight. https://t.co/YkFhfPYJTl — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 2, 2020
COVID-19 relief package checks will start to arrive in many Americans’ bank accounts within two weeks, but paper checks may not come until later this summer. https://t.co/D6NdptEHMu — masslivenews (@masslivenews) April 3, 2020
***
He lies about EVERYTHING:
3M CEO says on @CNBC that it has a "large order coming" from govt for longer-term production but is focused on next few months
Says 3M in US makes 35 million respirators/month
+10 million it's importing from China
+5m in April
+10m in May, June https://t.co/62193ul0a3 — Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) April 3, 2020
WATCH: MSNBC Cuts Trump Briefing For Stephanie Ruhle to Issue Fact-Check on Stimulus Programs #SmartNews FINALLY! https://t.co/odxNc5ZMUU — DogLover4Dems (@Donna_West) April 3, 2020
.@JoeBiden: "The poor judgment here belongs to the Trump Administration, not a courageous officer trying to protect his sailors."https://t.co/cO3fo3XitO — Benjamin Haas (@BenjaminEHaas) April 3, 2020
“I’ve never seen this system used before. It would be okay if it was working. It’s not working...it’s like their making this stuff up on the way to the podium”: @ltgrusselhonore on the federal govt response to get supplies to states #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/x7u3qoQ0v6 — David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) April 3, 2020
"our stockpile." I mean: Our is the citizens of the United States, right? Or, like, Jared's personal stash? https://t.co/9Jvdbdehuj — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 2, 2020
They have politicized not the handling of things- but that it’s happening! The right wing are sick people https://t.co/usnUtwgblb — TrueBluePatriot (@dotcalmu) April 3, 2020
I live in Massachusetts, where we just imported a million masks from China via the Patriots' private jet in order to avoid having them seized by Trump who refuses to send us any aid because MA doesn't kiss his ass enough.https://t.co/JhW5XYFGJA
We are living in a dystopia 🙃 — The Political Patient (@public_patient) April 3, 2020
Just go ahead and make this the final flashback scene of Contagion 2 right now. pic.twitter.com/RXeU9dJB9V — Cody Keenan (@codykeenan) April 3, 2020
Some of us have been screaming about this for YEARS.
Dipshits refused to listen.
STOP VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU.https://t.co/FTW9M8MJxw — IT'S MY COUNTRY AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO (@Litzz11) April 3, 2020
Wisconsin is going forward with its April 7 elections but absentee ballots will be counted as long as received by April 13. Since the elections won’t be postponed every Wisconsin Dem voter must vote absentee. Can request online without witnesses until April 5. — Armando (@ArmandoNDK) April 3, 2020
I ordered 78 medical transport providers in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester & Syracuse to immediately stop conducting group rides for Medicaid recipients.
My office found these companies were violating state orders that explicitly ban group rides to protect NYers from #COVID19. — NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) April 3, 2020
Reporting tonight it’s clear that there are huge, huge fortunes being made now on the COVID Crisis. We keep hearing that states and cities are having to bid against each other to purchase lifesaving goods. But who are the counter parties? Those folks have a product ... — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) April 3, 2020
The federal government is failing its citizens during a massive public health crisis. https://t.co/KSp7oWXkAq — Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) April 3, 2020
The real virus that threatens our existence is Trumpism. https://t.co/G11f0A6YkH — Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) April 3, 2020
Once more: The president pushed back against the suggestion of suspending domestic plane and rail travel by saying passengers on planes and trains are getting tested twice, before departure and after arrival.
They are not being tested at all: https://t.co/p8CUsRkxs2 — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) April 3, 2020
We don’t all love Jesus. We don’t all love Bernie. We don’t all love Trump. We don’t all love Biden. But can’t we ALL unite to hate the rich brat nepotistic freeloader Jarred Kushner and drive this frat-boy unearned inherited wealth entitled grifter out of American life- forever? — Frank Schaeffer (@Frank_Schaeffer) April 3, 2020
Florida Republicans “admit” the state's $78 million computerized unemployment system was designed to make it tough to file for benefits, to manipulate their jobless numbers, keep them low, make the Governor look good, according to a “DeSantis advisor” https://t.co/olxOEtIeQs pic.twitter.com/VZWdg9FYZJ — Khanoisseur 🐶🤦🏻♂🌎 (@Khanoisseur) April 3, 2020
Photos of the Week: Lockdown in Nepal, a drive-up church service in Tennessee, a medical isolation booth in Boston, a medical detection dog in England, a sanitizing tunnel in Mexico, and much more—via @TheAtlPhoto: https://t.co/gV1FNCBEda — The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) April 3, 2020
Deported amid coronavirus: US sends Guatemalan family home to face new threat | Via: Guardian https://t.co/jogC3aXpZK — SafetyPin-Daily (@SafetyPinDaily) April 3, 2020
Any New Yorker who wants a free meal can now get meals every Monday thru Friday at any of 400+ Meal Hubs across NYC.
Anyone can pick up three free, to-go meals at one time. All sites offer vegetarian & halal options. No ID required.
Find a Meal Hub here: https://t.co/HMfvYeC4Hd — Julia Salazar (@JuliaCarmel__) April 2, 2020
nice reminder that rick scott is one of the most ghoulishly cruel figures in american politics https://t.co/4D69GeuPY7 — b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) April 3, 2020
At the request of @RedLetterXians, join me tomorrow—on the anniversary of Rev. Dr. King's "Beyond Vietnam" sermon & his assassination a yr later—for a moral message for the nation, "Knowing the Symptoms of a Nation Approaching Spiritual Death." 1pm ET https://t.co/ibHavduBVx pic.twitter.com/O8qxCqdqOX — Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) April 3, 2020
DeBlasio says NYC will likely run out of ventilators by this Monday or Tuesday. Cuomo says state will run out by next Thursday. — John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@aravosis) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers, a three-time Grammy winner whose hits include "Lean on Me," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lovely Day," has died at 81. https://t.co/89PFGpQlcI — AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) April 3, 2020
Probably just a coincidence https://t.co/3mBi7EQxNR — Ned Longshore (@Longshore_Law) April 3, 2020
Here's a cool tool to share around.
If you rep a hospital, put your facility on the map and list what you need.
If you have medical equipment that you can provide, click on a hospital to see if they need what you make.
Share: https://t.co/DrARLliIMO — Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) April 1, 2020
A Senate committee is pressing ahead with an investigation into the former vice president's son even as the coronavirus pandemic rages on https://t.co/LGWEAhebe8 — POLITICO (@politico) April 3, 2020
DEPT. OF HOORAY FOR THE GOOD GUYS
Because of the contagious nature of coronavirus, many patients are forced to suffer alone without their loved ones. Meet a group of New York nurses who are going beyond their call of duty to connect patients with their families.https://t.co/XABeRQbPEX pic.twitter.com/umrdG5tSJv — New Day (@NewDay) April 3, 2020
The send off for Captain Brett Crozier who was relieved from duty for TRYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF HIS CREW pic.twitter.com/EEDG1U3rYE — Danny Ocean (@The_UnSilent_) April 3, 2020
This is incredibly touching. @FDNY firefighters gather outside a New York hospital to applaud doctors and nurses who are fighting on the frontlines of #COVID19.pic.twitter.com/aV4ds3LSpZ — Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) April 3, 2020
This family welcomes their mom, who is a nurse, with a different surprise each day she comes home from work 💜 https://t.co/mXQrJJJVFl pic.twitter.com/VEOWrw4K6D — KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) April 3, 2020
Doctors, nurses, medtechs, radiographers, pharmacists & other health workers are sleep deprived, fainting on the job, developing painful rashes and physical exhaustion just to treat you, keep you alive and healthy.
Thank you our heroes! May God bless & protect you always 💚💚💚 pic.twitter.com/7fT3Ugmj6V — medtechspeaks 🇵🇭 (@medtechspeaks) April 3, 2020
This photo is a selfie from a photographer/graphic artist who went back to school and became a nurse -- she's now working 12-hour shifts. She is the great granddaughter of a riveter. pic.twitter.com/3xAuCHshTn — emptywheel (@emptywheel) April 3, 2020
In NYC, frontline medical staff are protesting the severe shortage of personal protective equipment as hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. "We are the ones who have our bodies on the line," says ICU nurse @Tre_Kwon from the protest. "We're demanding attention now." pic.twitter.com/bv8SXUeato — Democracy Now! (@democracynow) April 3, 2020
My husband is an ICU nurse. He left at 6 am and came home at 9:00 pm to this. He’s always been my hero. #TodaysHero pic.twitter.com/p2Ppu5050k — rachresist (@rachresist) April 3, 2020
This is something health workers are doing: Scared they won't make it through the #Covid19 crisis, they're recording messages for their kids, hoping they'll never be viewed. @EricBoodman tells a story. https://t.co/OeidB0VbOY — Helen Branswell (@HelenBranswell) April 3, 2020
And finally: STAY TF HOME!


crooksandliars--2020-04-03--Trump Praises Pence For Dodging Questions About Denying Health Insurance

After refusing to reopen the Obamacare exchanges and help uninsured Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic , Donald Trump ran away from a Fox reporter ’ s questions about getting Americans help , made Mike Pence respond instead , then praised him as a “ great professional ” for being “ able to speak for five minutes and not even touch ” the question .
Fox 's chief White House correspondent John Roberts did an excellent job trying to hold the Trump administration accountable for its decision not to reopen the Obamacare healthcare.gov exchanges .
( Note : some may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : There are a lot of people who are worried about getting sick , and do they end up in a hospital ?
People who are uninsured and will they be crushed by medical bills .
You were considering last month , it ’ s last month already , in March , reopening the healthcare.gov exchanges .
There has been a determination not to do that .
Could you tell us what the rationale was behind that decision , and what would you have as an alternative ?
Craven Trump didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , he made Pence do the dirty work for him .
Pence clearly knew the administration has no alternative so he yammered about how great Trump is and touted the irrelevant fact that two insurance companies will waive copays for testing and treatment .
maybe Mike , do you want to say a few words about it .
TRUMP : Okay .
They took that up under the task force and PENCE : Well , thank you , Mr. President .
And what I can tell you is that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our task force work , make sure every American knows that they can have a coronavirus , and they don ’ t have to worry about the cost .
We were very inspired as well .
Because of the president ’ s engagement with the leading health insurance companies in the country that now , so far , two of the top health insurance companies in America have announced that they ’ re not only willing to waive copays on testing , now testing is fully covered because of the bill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also that these two insurance companies have waived copays on all coronavirus treatment .
In other words , those not insured by either company are out of luck until the administration gets around to deciding what , if anything , it wants to do for uninsured Americans - because hey , while the first coronavirus case showed up in the U.S. on January 20 , Trump & Co. is still figuring out the testing and getting supplies for healthcare professionals !
Meanwhile , Americans may go bankrupt if they get coronavirus or worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
Our priority right now is ensuring that every American takes the 30 days to slow the spread to heart .
The best thing we can do for one another , for our family ’ s health , for the most vulnerable among us , is practice those mitigation strategies that the president outline yesterday for the next 30 days .
PENCE : And I can assure you that as Congress and the president and the administration begin to discuss the next piece of legislation , we ’ re going to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and covered .
We ’ re dealing with testing to make sure that every American can have a test that needs one .
We ’ re dealing with supplies , and we ’ re making great progress in building personal protective equipment and ensuring that ventilators are available , particularly for the communities most impacted .
But the American people can be confident that , as we move into this , we ’ re going to make sure that our health care workers are properly compensated for their extraordinary and courageous work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial burden on those who end up contracting the coronavirus and dealing with its most serious symptoms also can deal with those issues and deal with those costs .
Mr. Vice President , but there will be people who don ’ t have insurance who get sick before any of these mitigation efforts are put into place .
And without opening the healthcare exchanges , where can they find insurance ?
People who aren ’ t insured by these companies that are covering the cost of the copay , where can people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they get , before they get sick ?
Before they get sick ?
ROBERTS : Understood.People who aren ’ t insured by these companies that are covering the cost of the copay , PENCE : Well , all across America we have Medicaid for underprivileged Americans , and at the president ’ s direction , the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services has given unprecedented waivers for states to expand coverage for coronavirus testing and treatment .
We ’ ve also extended waivers for Medicare administration to make sure that people have access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to continue to bring opportunities to the traditional systems of Medicaid in particular for the uninsured in America .
ROBERTS : Can you expand that to cover middle-class ?
PENCE : Well , I think what we ’ re seeing health insurance companies do today , John , is really inspiring .
I mean , one of the things that has characterized the president ’ s approach here - ROBERTS : That ’ s for people who already have insurance .
PENCE : Well , one of the things that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach is the way he ’ s engaged American businesses to step up and do their part .
And as the president said many times , we ’ re inspired by the spirit of American businesses .
I was at a distribution center for Walmart today in Southern Virginia , and I saw the way this company that , literally , has already hired thousands of people… These workers are coming to work .
The truck drivers are coming to work , farmers are working in the field .
Grocery stores made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no grocery store in America would close down .
The food supply is strong .
We ’ re getting food on the table of every American , but it ’ s because the president went to these leaders and said , “ We need you to step up and do your part.
” We engaged health insurance executives early on in this process to waive copays on Coronavirus testing , and because of the engagement , and , frankly , because of that patriotic and compassionate spirit that ’ s being reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the largest insurance companies in the country announce that they ’ re providing full coverage , free of charge for coronavirus treatment .
I fully expect , I think as the president does too , that we ’ ll see more of that for people that have insurance .
We ’ ll continue to provide flexibility for Medicaid , for people that don ’ t have insurance .
And we ’ ll make sure that Medicare has a flexibility to meet this moment .
For seniors , when we remember that seniors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable to serious outcomes from the coronavirus , but we ’ ll get through this using the full weight of the federal government and the full strength of the American economy .
Apparently , that was too much time out of the spotlight for Trump .
You can see him impatiently waiting to get back in .
But not to provide any solutions for uninsured Americans .
No , he specifically praised Pence for not doing so .
TRUMP : John , I think it ’ s a very fair question , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re really going to look at because it doesn ’ t seem fair .
If you have it , you have a big advantage and at a certain income level you do .
I think it ’ s one of the greatest answers I ’ ve ever heard because Mike was able to speak for five minutes and not even touch your question .
I said that ’ s what you call a great professional .
Let me just tell you , it ’ s really a fair question , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at .
Kudos to Roberts for not letting him off the hook .
this is a huge worry for people in this country who were in that donut hole .
They don ’ t have commercial insurance .
They don ’ t qualify for Medicaid .
What do they do ?
ROBERTS : I mean , just in terms of a fair question or not , I always endeavor to ask fair questions , but TRUMP : It ’ s a certain group .
And it ’ s a pretty big group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ROBERTS : We spent the entire 2000 election talking about the donut hole , and it ’ s still there .
TRUMP : I haven ’ t been up there yet .
The other people have been talking about it , and they haven ’ t spoken to- ROBERTS : This was 20 years ago when we ’ re talking about … the donut hole .
TRUMP : I know , but they ’ re talking about it in the 2020 election too , and nobody ’ s gotten to it .
Nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… I think we will .
Yeah .
I think we ’ re going to get to it .
I think we ’ re going to get to it .
Notice how Trump uttered not one word of concern or urgency about suffering Americans beyond his vague “ we ’ re looking at it ? ''
Not even a “ We ’ re looking at it because this is a big problem that must be addressed . ''
In fact , you can almost hear his petulance when a female reporter followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be `` something you 're going to do for the uninsured . ''
TRUMP : No , I 'm not committing but it ’ s something we ’ re going to look at .
I can ’ t commit .
I have to get approval from it .
I have a thing called Congress .
You can see this latest example of the Trump administration ’ s pro-death agenda above , from the April 1 , 2020 Coronavirus Task Force briefing .

After refusing to reopen the Obamacare exchanges and help uninsured Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Donald Trump ran away from a Fox reporter’s questions about getting Americans help, made Mike Pence respond instead, then praised him as a “great professional” for being “able to speak for five minutes and not even touch” the question.
Fox's chief White House correspondent John Roberts did an excellent job trying to hold the Trump administration accountable for its decision not to reopen the Obamacare healthcare.gov exchanges. (Note: some may be able to get insurance anyway)
ROBERTS: There are a lot of people who are worried about getting sick, and do they end up in a hospital? People who are uninsured and will they be crushed by medical bills. You were considering last month, it’s last month already, in March, reopening the healthcare.gov exchanges. There has been a determination not to do that. Could you tell us what the rationale was behind that decision, and what would you have as an alternative?
Craven Trump didn’t have the decency to answer the question. Instead, he made Pence do the dirty work for him. Pence clearly knew the administration has no alternative so he yammered about how great Trump is and touted the irrelevant fact that two insurance companies will waive copays for testing and treatment.
maybe Mike, do you want to say a few words about it. TRUMP: Okay. They took that up under the task force and PENCE: Well, thank you, Mr. President. And what I can tell you is that the president has made a priority from the outset of our task force work, make sure every American knows that they can have a coronavirus, and they don’t have to worry about the cost. We were very inspired as well. Because of the president’s engagement with the leading health insurance companies in the country that now, so far, two of the top health insurance companies in America have announced that they’re not only willing to waive copays on testing, now testing is fully covered because of the bill the president signed for every American. But also that these two insurance companies have waived copays on all coronavirus treatment.
In other words, those not insured by either company are out of luck until the administration gets around to deciding what, if anything, it wants to do for uninsured Americans - because hey, while the first coronavirus case showed up in the U.S. on January 20, Trump & Co. is still figuring out the testing and getting supplies for healthcare professionals! Meanwhile, Americans may go bankrupt if they get coronavirus or worse, be afraid to get treatment at all.
Our priority right now is ensuring that every American takes the 30 days to slow the spread to heart. The best thing we can do for one another, for our family’s health, for the most vulnerable among us, is practice those mitigation strategies that the president outline yesterday for the next 30 days. PENCE: And I can assure you that as Congress and the president and the administration begin to discuss the next piece of legislation, we’re going to make sure that Americans have those costs compensated and covered. We’re dealing with testing to make sure that every American can have a test that needs one. We’re dealing with supplies, and we’re making great progress in building personal protective equipment and ensuring that ventilators are available, particularly for the communities most impacted. But the American people can be confident that, as we move into this, we’re going to make sure that our health care workers are properly compensated for their extraordinary and courageous work. And we’ll make sure that the financial burden on those who end up contracting the coronavirus and dealing with its most serious symptoms also can deal with those issues and deal with those costs.
Roberts nicely pressed the point:
Mr. Vice President, but there will be people who don’t have insurance who get sick before any of these mitigation efforts are put into place. And without opening the healthcare exchanges, where can they find insurance? People who aren’t insured by these companies that are covering the cost of the copay, where can people go now to get health insurance if they get, before they get sick? Before they get sick? ROBERTS: Understood.People who aren’t insured by these companies that are covering the cost of the copay, PENCE: Well, all across America we have Medicaid for underprivileged Americans, and at the president’s direction, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services has given unprecedented waivers for states to expand coverage for coronavirus testing and treatment. We’ve also extended waivers for Medicare administration to make sure that people have access to that coverage. But we’re going to continue to bring opportunities to the traditional systems of Medicaid in particular for the uninsured in America. ROBERTS: Can you expand that to cover middle-class? PENCE: Well, I think what we’re seeing health insurance companies do today, John, is really inspiring. I mean, one of the things that has characterized the president’s approach here - ROBERTS: That’s for people who already have insurance. PENCE: Well, one of the things that has animated and characterized the president’s approach is the way he’s engaged American businesses to step up and do their part. And as the president said many times, we’re inspired by the spirit of American businesses. I was at a distribution center for Walmart today in Southern Virginia, and I saw the way this company that, literally, has already hired thousands of people… These workers are coming to work. The truck drivers are coming to work, farmers are working in the field. Grocery stores made a commitment to the president a month ago that no grocery store in America would close down. The food supply is strong. We’re getting food on the table of every American, but it’s because the president went to these leaders and said, “We need you to step up and do your part.” We engaged health insurance executives early on in this process to waive copays on Coronavirus testing, and because of the engagement, and, frankly, because of that patriotic and compassionate spirit that’s being reflected, we’ve already seen two of the largest insurance companies in the country announce that they’re providing full coverage, free of charge for coronavirus treatment. I fully expect, I think as the president does too, that we’ll see more of that for people that have insurance. We’ll continue to provide flexibility for Medicaid, for people that don’t have insurance. And we’ll make sure that Medicare has a flexibility to meet this moment. For seniors, when we remember that seniors with underlying health conditions are the most vulnerable to serious outcomes from the coronavirus, but we’ll get through this using the full weight of the federal government and the full strength of the American economy.
Apparently, that was too much time out of the spotlight for Trump. You can see him impatiently waiting to get back in. But not to provide any solutions for uninsured Americans. No, he specifically praised Pence for not doing so.
TRUMP: John, I think it’s a very fair question, though, and it’s something we’re really going to look at because it doesn’t seem fair. If you have it, you have a big advantage and at a certain income level you do. I think it’s one of the greatest answers I’ve ever heard because Mike was able to speak for five minutes and not even touch your question. I said that’s what you call a great professional. Let me just tell you, it’s really a fair question, and it’s something we’re looking at.
Kudos to Roberts for not letting him off the hook.
this is a huge worry for people in this country who were in that donut hole. They don’t have commercial insurance. They don’t qualify for Medicaid. What do they do? ROBERTS: I mean, just in terms of a fair question or not, I always endeavor to ask fair questions, but TRUMP: It’s a certain group. And it’s a pretty big group. We’re looking at it. ROBERTS: We spent the entire 2000 election talking about the donut hole, and it’s still there. TRUMP: I haven’t been up there yet. The other people have been talking about it, and they haven’t spoken to- ROBERTS: This was 20 years ago when we’re talking about … the donut hole. TRUMP: I know, but they’re talking about it in the 2020 election too, and nobody’s gotten to it. Nobody’s talked about it at all. … I think we will. Yeah. I think we’re going to get to it. I think we’re going to get to it.
Notice how Trump uttered not one word of concern or urgency about suffering Americans beyond his vague “we’re looking at it?" Not even a “We’re looking at it because this is a big problem that must be addressed." In fact, you can almost hear his petulance when a female reporter followed up by asking if Trump is committing there will be "something you're going to do for the uninsured."
TRUMP: No, I'm not committing but it’s something we’re going to look at. I can’t commit. I have to get approval from it. I have a thing called Congress.
You can see this latest example of the Trump administration’s pro-death agenda above, from the April 1, 2020 Coronavirus Task Force briefing.
Posted with permission from News Hounds.