crooksandliars--2020-03-05--Warren Suspends Campaign UPDATED With Video Of Her Statement

We saw this coming after Super Tuesday , but it does n't make it easy to say goodbye .
Elizabeth Warren is suspending her presidential campaign today .
Elizabeth Warren `` If you say , 'Yeah , there was sexism in this race , ' everyone says , 'whiner . '
And if you say , 'No , there was no sexism , ' about a bazillion women think , 'What planet do you live on ? '
I promise you this : I 'll have a lot more to say on that subject later on . ''
Coming in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a sure sign that she had no path to the nomination .
Warren out .
Heartbreaking to see the smartest , most talented candidate leave the field .
If you care about really moving the ball forward on progressive policy , you 'll follow her next steps closely .
Whatever role she takes , she 's the woman to get it done .
https : //t.co/XBoz8Ut3lU The most qualified human to ever run for the Presidential office dropped out today because our country does n't like women .
Warren Out but still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest campaign I have ever contributed to .
https : //t.co/sYutuPtsuU

We saw this coming after Super Tuesday, but it doesn't make it easy to say goodbye.
Elizabeth Warren is suspending her presidential campaign today.
Elizabeth Warren "If you say, 'Yeah, there was sexism in this race,' everyone says, 'whiner.' And if you say, 'No, there was no sexism,' about a bazillion women think, 'What planet do you live on?' I promise you this: I'll have a lot more to say on that subject later on." — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 5, 2020
Coming in third in her home state of Massachusetts was a sure sign that she had no path to the nomination.
Twitter reacts:
My daughter is crying. "Why do boys always get to be president and girls don't?"
America, you suck today. AGAIN. — Elizabeth C. McLaughlin 🩸🦷 (@ECMcLaughlin) March 5, 2020
Elizabeth Warren would’ve been a helluva president. — Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) March 5, 2020
Warren out. Heartbreaking to see the smartest, most talented candidate leave the field.
If you care about really moving the ball forward on progressive policy, you'll follow her next steps closely. Whatever role she takes, she's the woman to get it done. https://t.co/XBoz8Ut3lU — Derek Johnson (@derekjGZ) March 5, 2020
Warren - out. She still crushed Bloomberg and will always have a safe spot in my heart. pic.twitter.com/gwnJ5HLav4 — Phil Quinn (@philquinn1) March 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-05--Who, Me? Val Demings Refuses To Answer Whether She's Talked To Biden

It 's the silly season again , where the thoughts of talking heads turn to potential VPs .
And now that Joe Biden is leading in the delegate count , speculation will be rampant , as this CNN interview with Rep. Val Demings shows : '' All right , Congresswoman .
I know I 'm not the first person to ask you this and wo n't be the last , but I trust I 'm the one you 'll answer here .
So what happens if Vice President Biden calls you in a month or two and says , 'Congresswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate .
What 's your answer ? ''
John Berman asked .
`` John , let me say this .
I am endorsing Vice President Biden this morning .
I 'm very , very excited about that .
but he needs to be the nominee .
We need to do everything we can to make sure that Vice President Biden is the nominee .
So I would just say to you let us keep our eyes on the ball and we will cross that bridge when we get there , '' Demings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but notice there was n't an answer to that question . ''
`` So are you ruling out the possibility of being on the ticket ? ''
`` I 'm going to do everything that I possibly can to make sure that Vice President Biden is the next president of the United States .
If we had four more years of what we currently have , we would not survive .
We would not be the country we love . ''
`` Why do you think your name has come up as running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humbled by that .
I 'm the daughter of a maid and a janitor .
I think I am a product of the American dream and what can happen when people have opportunities to succeed and to live up to their full potential .
And I am just honored and you 're right , humbled by people adding my name to that list . ''

It's the silly season again, where the thoughts of talking heads turn to potential VPs. And now that Joe Biden is leading in the delegate count, speculation will be rampant, as this CNN interview with Rep. Val Demings shows:
"All right, Congresswoman. I know I'm not the first person to ask you this and won't be the last, but I trust I'm the one you'll answer here. So what happens if Vice President Biden calls you in a month or two and says, 'Congresswoman, I want you to be my running mate. What's your answer?" John Berman asked.
"John, let me say this. I am endorsing Vice President Biden this morning. I'm very, very excited about that. but he needs to be the nominee. We need to do everything we can to make sure that Vice President Biden is the nominee. So I would just say to you let us keep our eyes on the ball and we will cross that bridge when we get there," Demings said.
"I can't help but notice there wasn't an answer to that question."
"That's absolutely correct."
"So are you ruling out the possibility of being on the ticket?"
"I'm going to do everything that I possibly can to make sure that Vice President Biden is the next president of the United States. If we had four more years of what we currently have, we would not survive. We would not be the country we love."
"Why do you think your name has come up as running mate?"
"I am very humbled by that. I'm the daughter of a maid and a janitor. I think I am a product of the American dream and what can happen when people have opportunities to succeed and to live up to their full potential. And I am just honored and you're right, humbled by people adding my name to that list."


crooksandliars--2020-03-05--So Much Wrong With Morning Joe's Attack On Bernie's Proposed Spending

I 've been waiting for a good time to bring this up , and today 's the day .
Morning Joe featured Steve Rattner talking about the cost of various Bernie Sanders programs , including Medicare for All , education spending , and the Green New Deal .
( Joe Scarborough loves to present himself as a fiscal conservative , so he loves himself some pearl clutching over the budget . )
Now , Steve Rattner was an Obama adviser , and was a major Democratic fundraiser .
He started out after college writing about economics and eventually became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , he began working in investment banking and then in private equity .
Naturally , he became rich .
Unlike a lot of rich people , he seems like a decent guy .
He 's a calm , rational sort , and I rarely take exception to his views .
But here 's the part that really irks me .
Today he 's on Morning Joe , criticizing the huge amount of money that Bernie calls for spending .
Without mentioning that he 's the chairman and CEO of the private investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and philanthropic assets .
( You know , the guy who recently exited the presidential primary he specifically entered to stop the candidacy of Bernie Sanders . )
In that casual way media types have , Joe Scarborough apparently does n't think that 's worth pointing out to his viewers that his expert might have a vested financial interest in making Bernie Sanders sound unelectable .
And Rattner does it by being conventionally dishonest .
Common for morning cable , but to drop these numbers with no context -- to not point out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , of how much money the federal government already pays to cover the costs of uninsured Americans , of how college loans are a drag on the economy -- is deeply unfair and seems deliberately misleading .
I 've been saying for years that tax cuts for the wealthy are nothing more than loans against deferred maintenance , and that eventually , the loans come due .
It is far past time for the U.S. to deal with these issues , and we do n't need morning TV shows to dishonestly kick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You want to have a real discussion about Bernie 's proposals ( or Elizabeth Warren 's , for that matter ) ?
Fine , have a discussion .
But this is advocacy masquerading as facts .
Throw it up on the screen with a pie chart and people assume it 's journalism .
Will the media ever , ever , ever clean up its own act ?
Not in our lifetimes , I 'm afraid .

I've been waiting for a good time to bring this up, and today's the day. Morning Joe featured Steve Rattner talking about the cost of various Bernie Sanders programs, including Medicare for All, education spending, and the Green New Deal. (Joe Scarborough loves to present himself as a fiscal conservative, so he loves himself some pearl clutching over the budget.)
Now, Steve Rattner was an Obama adviser, and was a major Democratic fundraiser. He started out after college writing about economics and eventually became the New York Times economic reporter. From there, he began working in investment banking and then in private equity. Naturally, he became rich. Unlike a lot of rich people, he seems like a decent guy. He's a calm, rational sort, and I rarely take exception to his views.
But here's the part that really irks me.
Today he's on Morning Joe, criticizing the huge amount of money that Bernie calls for spending.
Without mentioning that he's the chairman and CEO of the private investment group that manages Mike Bloomberg's personal and philanthropic assets. (You know, the guy who recently exited the presidential primary he specifically entered to stop the candidacy of Bernie Sanders.)
In that casual way media types have, Joe Scarborough apparently doesn't think that's worth pointing out to his viewers that his expert might have a vested financial interest in making Bernie Sanders sound unelectable.
And Rattner does it by being conventionally dishonest. Common for morning cable, but to drop these numbers with no context -- to not point out the hidden costs of not addressing climate change, of how much money the federal government already pays to cover the costs of uninsured Americans, of how college loans are a drag on the economy -- is deeply unfair and seems deliberately misleading.
I've been saying for years that tax cuts for the wealthy are nothing more than loans against deferred maintenance, and that eventually, the loans come due. It is far past time for the U.S. to deal with these issues, and we don't need morning TV shows to dishonestly kick the can further down the road.
You want to have a real discussion about Bernie's proposals (or Elizabeth Warren's, for that matter)? Fine, have a discussion. But this is advocacy masquerading as facts. Throw it up on the screen with a pie chart and people assume it's journalism.
Will the media ever, ever, ever clean up its own act? Not in our lifetimes, I'm afraid.


crooksandliars--2020-03-05--Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Holds Gun Range Fundraiser The Day After Mass Shooting

Last week , there was a mass shooting at the Molson Coors brewery in Milwaukee .
An employee pulled out two handguns and proceeded to shoot and kill five coworkers before committing suicide .
On the very next day , NRA-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly , who is running for election after being politicaly appointed by former governor Scott Walker , had a fundraiser at a gun range : Kelly held a political fundraiser on Thursday — around 26 hours after the mass murder — at a shooting range in Waukesha County .
Kelly is a conservative jurist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karofsky in the April election .
`` Tonight ! ''
announced a Facebook post by the Waukesha County Republican Party .
`` Help return Justice Dan Kelly to the State Supreme Court by attending a fundraiser in his honor at the Wisconsin Firearms Training Center in Brookfield !
!
! ''
The post said money from liberal sources is `` pouring into the state to back soft on crime Judge Jill Karofsky . ''
`` Can you help save our courts ? ''
said the post , which carried the hashtag # 2A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How 's that for politically tone-deaf ?
But there 's more .
The flyer from the Kelly campaign said hosts could give at three levels , including $ 5,000 for the `` 50 Cal M2HB '' level , a reference to a Browning M2 .50-caliber machine gun .
A $ 2,500 donation put a supporter at the `` 25 ACP '' level , named for a semi-automatic .25 caliber handgun .
A $ 1,000 donation was the `` 10 mm '' level , referring to a different semi-automatic handgun .
As one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly received a lot of backlash for such a bone headed stunt .
One might have also expected that at the very least , Kelly would have offered an apology or something .
But he did n't even do as much as offer the usual `` thoughts and prayers '' to the victims .
Instead , Kelly tried to play the victim card .
In an fundraising email , Kelly wrote : Last week the good folks at the Wisconsin Firearms Training Center ( “ WFTC ” ) hosted a campaign event for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself to providing our fellow Wisconsinites with the tools and training necessary to protect themselves and their families from those who would do them harm , and Justice Kelly is grateful for their support and enthusiasm for his campaign .
It was a pleasant and productive evening for everyone who attended .
But then our opponent ’ s allies did what they always do … they made it political and exploited a tragedy for their own benefit .
Our opponent ’ s allies attacked us for appearing at this event because a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his co-workers at a major Milwaukee business .
Along with the rest of our fellow Wisconsinites , we were shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy , and we continue to pray for the victims and their families .
However , this attempt by Judge Jill Karofsky and her allies to exploit this tragedy for their own political gain is inexplicable and grotesque .
They equated an evil murderer with the good folks at WFTC who are simply trying to make sure they have the tools and training to protect themselves and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm .
This is not just an attack on Justice Kelly , this is an attack on everyone who cares about protecting themselves and the innocent people around them .
Perhaps we shouldn ’ t be surprised by this .
After all , it fits the same disgraceful pattern we have seen in the rest of Judge Karofsky ’ s campaign .
Pretty horrific , right ?
But wait !
There 's more .
There 's always more .
The Wisconsin GOP chimed in and tried to tie all gun owners in with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the murderer : Make no mistake , such a disgusting attack on Justice Daniel Kelly and his supporters is an attack on all the law-abiding gun owners of our state .
By launching such a distasteful attack , Karofsky ’ s allies apparently believe responsible gun-owners and mass murderers are one and the same .
Attempts to tie Justice Daniel Kelly and supporters of the Second Amendment to the shooting in Milwaukee demonstrate that there is no low that Jill Karofsky and her allies won ’ t stoop to for political gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who legally exercise their rights to bear arms be blamed in any way for the tragic events that occurred in Milwaukee .
There is no way in hell that someone with a complete lack of morality and common sense like Kelly has shown , should be on the bench of the highest court in the state .

Last week, there was a mass shooting at the Molson Coors brewery in Milwaukee. An employee pulled out two handguns and proceeded to shoot and kill five coworkers before committing suicide.
On the very next day, NRA-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, who is running for election after being politicaly appointed by former governor Scott Walker, had a fundraiser at a gun range:
Kelly held a political fundraiser on Thursday — around 26 hours after the mass murder — at a shooting range in Waukesha County. Kelly is a conservative jurist running against liberal Dane County Judge Jill Karofsky in the April election. "Tonight!" announced a Facebook post by the Waukesha County Republican Party. "Help return Justice Dan Kelly to the State Supreme Court by attending a fundraiser in his honor at the Wisconsin Firearms Training Center in Brookfield!!!" The post said money from liberal sources is "pouring into the state to back soft on crime Judge Jill Karofsky." "Can you help save our courts?" said the post, which carried the hashtag #2A, a reference to the Second Amendment. How's that for politically tone-deaf? But there's more. The flyer from the Kelly campaign said hosts could give at three levels, including $5,000 for the "50 Cal M2HB" level, a reference to a Browning M2 .50-caliber machine gun. A $2,500 donation put a supporter at the "25 ACP" level, named for a semi-automatic .25 caliber handgun. A $1,000 donation was the "10 mm" level, referring to a different semi-automatic handgun. The cost to attend: $100.
As one might have expected and righteously so, Kelly received a lot of backlash for such a bone headed stunt. One might have also expected that at the very least, Kelly would have offered an apology or something. But he didn't even do as much as offer the usual "thoughts and prayers" to the victims.
Instead, Kelly tried to play the victim card. In an fundraising email, Kelly wrote:
Last week the good folks at the Wisconsin Firearms Training Center (“WFTC”) hosted a campaign event for Justice Daniel Kelly. The WFTC dedicates itself to providing our fellow Wisconsinites with the tools and training necessary to protect themselves and their families from those who would do them harm, and Justice Kelly is grateful for their support and enthusiasm for his campaign. It was a pleasant and productive evening for everyone who attended. But then our opponent’s allies did what they always do … they made it political and exploited a tragedy for their own benefit. Our opponent’s allies attacked us for appearing at this event because a very sick individual had recently shot several of his co-workers at a major Milwaukee business. Along with the rest of our fellow Wisconsinites, we were shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy, and we continue to pray for the victims and their families. However, this attempt by Judge Jill Karofsky and her allies to exploit this tragedy for their own political gain is inexplicable and grotesque. They equated an evil murderer with the good folks at WFTC who are simply trying to make sure they have the tools and training to protect themselves and their families from those who would do them harm. This is not just an attack on Justice Kelly, this is an attack on everyone who cares about protecting themselves and the innocent people around them. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by this. After all, it fits the same disgraceful pattern we have seen in the rest of Judge Karofsky’s campaign.
Pretty horrific, right? But wait! There's more. There's always more.
The Wisconsin GOP chimed in and tried to tie all gun owners in with Kelly's insensitivity and tactlessness and even with the murderer:
Make no mistake, such a disgusting attack on Justice Daniel Kelly and his supporters is an attack on all the law-abiding gun owners of our state. By launching such a distasteful attack, Karofsky’s allies apparently believe responsible gun-owners and mass murderers are one and the same. Attempts to tie Justice Daniel Kelly and supporters of the Second Amendment to the shooting in Milwaukee demonstrate that there is no low that Jill Karofsky and her allies won’t stoop to for political gain. Under no circumstance should law-abiding citizens who legally exercise their rights to bear arms be blamed in any way for the tragic events that occurred in Milwaukee.
There is no way in hell that someone with a complete lack of morality and common sense like Kelly has shown, should be on the bench of the highest court in the state.
Cross-posted from Cog Dis


crooksandliars--2020-03-05--Trump Calls Up Hannity, Tells People With Covid-19 To Go To Work

Welcome to the world where the so-called president of the United States dials up his bff Sean Hannity and has a little convo for the benefit of all the Fox News viewers and stock market investors .
In just over two minutes , the so-called president denied the actual death rate of Covid-19 , told people who think they may have the virus to go ahead and go to work and compares the virus to the flu , even though he has been told over and over again that it is not at all like the flu .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a false number . ''
so-called president declares .
`` Now this is just my hunch , but based on a lot of conversations ... personally , I 'd say the number is way under 1 % . ''
Of course , this comes from an anti-vaccine , anti-science dotard , so what would any of us actually expect ?
The World Health Organization just increased the death rate .
This a fact , based on the number of people who have been tested .
He goes on to downplay the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this , and it 's very mild . ''
Yeah , dude , and a lot of people will die from it , too .
Listen to the anti-vax , anti-science , so-called president tell people it 's fine to go to work with the virus because it 's just not a big deal to most people .
Suddenly , Dubya 's handling of Hurricane Katrina is looking really good compared to this .
But you know , it 's all about the stock market , baby .

Welcome to the world where the so-called president of the United States dials up his bff Sean Hannity and has a little convo for the benefit of all the Fox News viewers and stock market investors.
In just over two minutes, the so-called president denied the actual death rate of Covid-19, told people who think they may have the virus to go ahead and go to work and compares the virus to the flu, even though he has been told over and over again that it is not at all like the flu.
"I think the 3.4% number is really a false number." so-called president declares. "Now this is just my hunch, but based on a lot of conversations ... personally, I'd say the number is way under 1%." Of course, this comes from an anti-vaccine, anti-science dotard, so what would any of us actually expect?
The World Health Organization just increased the death rate. This a fact, based on the number of people who have been tested.
He goes on to downplay the virus, saying "a lot of people will have this, and it's very mild." Yeah, dude, and a lot of people will die from it, too.
Listen to the anti-vax, anti-science, so-called president tell people it's fine to go to work with the virus because it's just not a big deal to most people.
Suddenly, Dubya's handling of Hurricane Katrina is looking really good compared to this.
Twitter had thoughts:
Here's what gets me:
They know this isn't accurate.
We know this isn't accurate.
They know that we know this isn't accurate.
And they're saying it anyway.
The men running our national response are basically gaslighting us. — Jeremy WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) March 5, 2020
Look it's no secret that I served under Obama and disagree with this administration on most policy matters.
But on this outbreak, I (and all of us) *desperately* need them to succeed. And we *desperately* need to be able to trust them. And yet they are feeding us this garbage. — Jeremy WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) March 5, 2020
Yeah, no, sorry. Not gonna do "My Corona." — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) March 3, 2020
Not a doctor or a virologist or anything but DEFINITELY DO NOT GO TO WORK IF YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS PLEASE AND THANK YOU. https://t.co/CpSxbvCHGs — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 5, 2020
Literally the highest risk population for the coronavirus are elderly people, Trump’s best demo and the most likely group to watch Fox News.
And he just told them coronavirus is no big deal.
I’m no brain genius but it really does seem like a way to kill his voters. — Henry Kraemer 🌹🌇🚎 (@HenryKraemer) March 5, 2020
But you know, it's all about the stock market, baby.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Throwback Thursday:  The Women Of 2020

Throwback Thursday:  The Women Of 2020

`` Maybe we 'd be better off if we gave it to everybody , and in a month it would @ @ @ @ @ is going to be any different than the long-term picture but the difference is we @ @ @ @ @ [ ... ]

Can you help us out?
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crooksandliars--2020-03-06--All I Got In Afghanistan Was...

All I Got In Afghanistan Was...


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Trump Will Do Happy Talk Until He Has A Domestic Enemy To Blame

Right-wingers could be demonizing globalism and a foreign country ( or several foreign countries , including Iran ) right now -- but the main target would be China , and the head of America 's right-wing personality cult has a mild mancrush on China 's totalitarian leader , as he does on most totalitarian leaders .
And , of course , Trump is a lifelong believer in Norman Vincent Peale and the Power of Positive Thinking , so he gives us preposterous happy talk like this , from the White House briefing yesterday : And appalling misinformation like this : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Sean ] Hannity on Wednesday night , Trump reacted to the World Health Organization 's data-driven assessment of the global death rate for the novel coronavirus — 3.4 % — by saying `` I think the 3.4 % is really a false number . ''
`` Now , this is just my hunch , '' Trump said , ... `` based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this , because a lot of people will have this , and it 's very mild -- they 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't even see a doctor , they do n't even call a doctor -- you never hear about those people , so you ca n't put them down in the category of the overall population , in terms of this corona flu , and/or virus .
So you just ca n't do that . ''
Trump continued by discarding his own administration 's advice to stay home if you 're feeling sick : `` If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better , just by , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , some of them go to work , but they get better , and then when you do have a death , like you 've had in the state of Washington , like you had one in California , I believe you had one in New York . ''
No deaths have been reported in New York .
`` You know , '' Trump said , `` all of a sudden it seems like 3 or 4 % , which is a very high number , as opposed to a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know about the easy cases because the easy cases do n't go to the hospital .
They do n't report to doctors or the hospital in many cases .
So I think that that number is very high .
I think the number , personally , I would say the number is way under 1 % . ''
If -- when -- this virus is at epidemic levels in America , can Trump keep this up ?
Can he remain in denial forever , even if we have thousands of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to admit that we have a problem .
I assume he 'll switch to scapegoating .
He 's already done some of that : President Donald Trump sought to lay blame on the Obama administration for slowing down new diagnostic testing , but a Republican senator 's office and a lab association said this is not correct .
`` The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we 're doing , '' Trump said Wednesday during a meeting on addressing the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place in a much more rapid and accurate fashion . ''
An aide to Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tennessee , said the Obama administration made no such rule change .
The aide , Taylor Haulsee , said the Obama administration did propose that the Food and Drug Administration have more oversight over approving diagnostic tests , but that did not go through .
Alexander served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health , Education , Labor and Pensions while those changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A policy expert at the Association of Public Health Laboratories agreed with Haulsee 's assessment .
When asked about Trump 's remarks , Peter Kyriacopolous , chief policy officer at the association , said : `` We are n't sure what rule is being referenced . ''
You 'll notice that the coronavirus is showing up in and around large , well-off cities in America -- Seattle , Los Angeles , New York .
Eventually we 'll hear about the virus spreading through an urban homeless population , or a Democratic mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump ( and Fox News ) will be able to mischaracterize as likely to accelerate the spread of the virus .
That 's when Trump will pivot .
He 'll stop trying to pretend that the virus is as harmless as the seasonal flu -- but he 'll need a way to persuade himself ( and his fans ) that it 's all some damn liberal 's fault .
It 's easy to imagine the coronavirus in one homeless encampment in L.A. or San Francisco , at which point the right , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless people should be rounded up everywhere and forced into quarantine .
When that does n't happen -- because , of course , public health officials in the various cities will be responding to reality , not ideology -- Trump will have his scapegoat .
He and the right-wing media persuade the conservative base that the outbreak is caused by homelessness and the way liberals run cities .
If it 's not that , it will be something like that .
Trump will eventually pivot from see-no-evil to scapegoating , even though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

Ross Douthat is right:
It's a testament to the power of partisan psychology that a virus seemingly tailor-mutated to confirm populist priors about the perils of globalized supply chains originating in Red China is being minimized by certain right-wingers because Trump doesn't want it to be a big deal. — Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) March 5, 2020
Right-wingers could be demonizing globalism and a foreign country (or several foreign countries, including Iran) right now -- but the main target would be China, and the head of America's right-wing personality cult has a mild mancrush on China's totalitarian leader, as he does on most totalitarian leaders.
And, of course, Trump is a lifelong believer in Norman Vincent Peale and the Power of Positive Thinking, so he gives us preposterous happy talk like this, from the White House briefing yesterday:
... it's affecting the airline business as it would and a lot of people are staying in our country and they're shopping and they're using our hotels in this country, so from that same point I think probably there's a positive impact.
And appalling misinformation like this:
In a [phone interview] with [Sean] Hannity on Wednesday night, Trump reacted to the World Health Organization's data-driven assessment of the global death rate for the novel coronavirus — 3.4% — by saying "I think the 3.4% is really a false number." "Now, this is just my hunch," Trump said, ... "based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this, because a lot of people will have this, and it's very mild -- they'll get better very rapidly, they don't even see a doctor, they don't even call a doctor -- you never hear about those people, so you can't put them down in the category of the overall population, in terms of this corona flu, and/or virus. So you just can't do that." Trump continued by discarding his own administration's advice to stay home if you're feeling sick: "If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better, just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work, some of them go to work, but they get better, and then when you do have a death, like you've had in the state of Washington, like you had one in California, I believe you had one in New York." No deaths have been reported in New York. "You know," Trump said, "all of a sudden it seems like 3 or 4%, which is a very high number, as opposed to a fraction of 1%. But again, they don't know about the easy cases because the easy cases don't go to the hospital. They don't report to doctors or the hospital in many cases. So I think that that number is very high. I think the number, personally, I would say the number is way under 1%."
If -- when -- this virus is at epidemic levels in America, can Trump keep this up? Can he remain in denial forever, even if we have thousands of deaths?
I think by then even Trump will have to admit that we have a problem. I assume he'll switch to scapegoating.
He's already done some of that:
President Donald Trump sought to lay blame on the Obama administration for slowing down new diagnostic testing, but a Republican senator's office and a lab association said this is not correct. "The Obama administration made a decision on testing that turned out to be very detrimental to what we're doing," Trump said Wednesday during a meeting on addressing the coronavirus outbreak. "And we undid that decision a few days ago so that the testing can take place in a much more rapid and accurate fashion." An aide to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee, said the Obama administration made no such rule change. The aide, Taylor Haulsee, said the Obama administration did propose that the Food and Drug Administration have more oversight over approving diagnostic tests, but that did not go through. Alexander served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions while those changes were being considered during the Obama administration. A policy expert at the Association of Public Health Laboratories agreed with Haulsee's assessment. When asked about Trump's remarks, Peter Kyriacopolous, chief policy officer at the association, said: "We aren't sure what rule is being referenced."
You'll notice that the coronavirus is showing up in and around large, well-off cities in America -- Seattle, Los Angeles, New York. Eventually we'll hear about the virus spreading through an urban homeless population, or a Democratic mayor or governor will make a policy decision that Trump (and Fox News) will be able to mischaracterize as likely to accelerate the spread of the virus.
That's when Trump will pivot. He'll stop trying to pretend that the virus is as harmless as the seasonal flu -- but he'll need a way to persuade himself (and his fans) that it's all some damn liberal's fault.
It's easy to imagine the coronavirus in one homeless encampment in L.A. or San Francisco, at which point the right, including Trump, will proclaim that all homeless people should be rounded up everywhere and forced into quarantine. When that doesn't happen -- because, of course, public health officials in the various cities will be responding to reality, not ideology -- Trump will have his scapegoat. He and the right-wing media persuade the conservative base that the outbreak is caused by homelessness and the way liberals run cities.
If it's not that, it will be something like that. Trump will eventually pivot from see-no-evil to scapegoating, even though he doesn't realize that yet.
Published with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Georgia Closes Probe Into Kemp's Bogus Claim Of Democratic Election Hacking In 2018

Remember when Brian Kemp , then the secretary of state of Georgia , was running for governor against Stacey Abrams in 2018 ?
He was using his position to suppress the vote and , as Daily Kos ’ Stephen Wolf wrote in November of that year , `` suspended and purged countless voter registrations , removed hundreds of polling places to make voting less convenient for those with limited transportation options , had his allies on local elections boards fail to provide adequate resources to handle high turnout , exposed Georgia 's election systems to massive security vulnerabilities , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover up his own security failures . ''
Surely you remember all that , because Kemp `` won '' that election , the most blatant case of electoral theft since the Supreme Court selected George W. Bush to be president in 2000 .
That was n't all Kemp did , though .
He made a big announcement the Sunday before the election , saying that `` the Democratic Party of Georgia is under investigation for possible cyber crimes '' and that he was launching an investigation into it .
That `` investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's attorney general 's office , which says that it had found no evidence at all to substantiate the claim .
State Democrats have called Kemp 's investigation what it is—a sham—and now they have the state 's findings to back them up .
`` More than a year after the sitting secretary of state leveraged baseless accusations against his political opponents , we 're finally receiving closure on an 'investigation ' that has been a sham from the start , '' said Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Nikema Williams .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these outright lies came to light in the first place , Georgia Democrats will continue to do everything in our power to fight back against voter suppression . ''
`` This is Kemp 's playbook in his desperate attempt to keep his ever-loosening grasp on power , '' said Lauren Groh-Wargo , Abrams ' campaign director and currently the CEO for Fair Fight Action , a voting rights group .
`` The motivation is clear : producing headlines while wasting the time and resources of individuals and groups who dared to challenge Kemp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eke out whatever other support he could to steal the election .
Reporting at the time of the election pointed to the efforts of a private citizen , Richard Wright , to inform the state about vulnerabilities he had found in two of the state 's election webpages .
Wright provided this information both to a Democratic Party volunteer and to lawyers who were involved in an election security-related lawsuit against Kemp .
Kemp found out about it , and , rather than addressing the vulnerabilities , started this bogus investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo on its closing of the investigation that it `` did not reveal any evidence to support the criminal prosecution of Mr .
Wright . ''
Well , duh .

Remember when Brian Kemp, then the secretary of state of Georgia, was running for governor against Stacey Abrams in 2018? He was using his position to suppress the vote and, as Daily Kos’ Stephen Wolf wrote in November of that year, "suspended and purged countless voter registrations, removed hundreds of polling places to make voting less convenient for those with limited transportation options, had his allies on local elections boards fail to provide adequate resources to handle high turnout, exposed Georgia's election systems to massive security vulnerabilities, and baselessly claimed Democrats had committed cyber crimes to cover up his own security failures." Surely you remember all that, because Kemp "won" that election, the most blatant case of electoral theft since the Supreme Court selected George W. Bush to be president in 2000.
That wasn't all Kemp did, though. He made a big announcement the Sunday before the election, saying that "the Democratic Party of Georgia is under investigation for possible cyber crimes" and that he was launching an investigation into it. That "investigation" has now been quietly closed by the state's attorney general's office, which says that it had found no evidence at all to substantiate the claim.
State Democrats have called Kemp's investigation what it is—a sham—and now they have the state's findings to back them up. "More than a year after the sitting secretary of state leveraged baseless accusations against his political opponents, we're finally receiving closure on an 'investigation' that has been a sham from the start," said Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Nikema Williams. "As we have since well before these outright lies came to light in the first place, Georgia Democrats will continue to do everything in our power to fight back against voter suppression."
"This is Kemp's playbook in his desperate attempt to keep his ever-loosening grasp on power," said Lauren Groh-Wargo, Abrams' campaign director and currently the CEO for Fair Fight Action, a voting rights group. "The motivation is clear: producing headlines while wasting the time and resources of individuals and groups who dared to challenge Kemp." And, of course, to eke out whatever other support he could to steal the election.
Reporting at the time of the election pointed to the efforts of a private citizen, Richard Wright, to inform the state about vulnerabilities he had found in two of the state's election webpages. Wright provided this information both to a Democratic Party volunteer and to lawyers who were involved in an election security-related lawsuit against Kemp. Kemp found out about it, and, rather than addressing the vulnerabilities, started this bogus investigation. The AG's office said in its memo on its closing of the investigation that it "did not reveal any evidence to support the criminal prosecution of Mr. Wright." Well, duh.
Published with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--AT&T To Lay Off More Workers And Cut Costs By Tens Of Billions—Those Tax Breaks Are Working!

Remember those luxurious tax cuts the Republican Party gifted the tippy-top Americans and corporations ?
The one that has helped to blow out our deficit while allowing top companies to basically pay nothing in taxes ?
Of course you do !
I mean , you are probably swimming in job opportunities and wage increases as we speak !
That was the promise from the GOP and their wealthy overlords , overlords such as telecommunications giant AT & T .
AT & T has reportedly been able to save $ 42 billion because of the GOP tax break , but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2018 .
It has also been slowing down spending on infrastructure during that time .
This , of course , is the opposite of what the American public was promised by big businesses and their Republican cronies .
A big part of the issue for AT & T is the debt created by its acquisitions of DirectTV and Time Warner Inc. Those acquisitions haven ’ t worked out the way AT & T had hoped , and the company has begun moving into the online-only streaming sector and away from the satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquired by AT & T , according to Ars Technica , is almost $ 200 billion , and the telecom has been cutting costs and jobs ever since to get out from under it .
On Tuesday , during an investors event at Morgan Stanley , AT & T president and COO John Stankey told the audience that part of the exciting new moves for the company will be cutting costs .
“ In the near term , things that fall in that short-term bucket , I already talked to you about some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rationalization work we 're doing on overhead , some of the benefit restructuring that we 've done that we 've already communicated out that get us a good way to some of our objectives this year.
” “ Headcount rationalization ” is a brand new way of saying “ firing people .
”

Remember those luxurious tax cuts the Republican Party gifted the tippy-top Americans and corporations? The one that has helped to blow out our deficit while allowing top companies to basically pay nothing in taxes? Of course you do! I mean, you are probably swimming in job opportunities and wage increases as we speak! That was the promise from the GOP and their wealthy overlords, overlords such as telecommunications giant AT&T. AT&T has reportedly been able to save $42 billion because of the GOP tax break, but has also been making big cuts and layoffs since 2018. It has also been slowing down spending on infrastructure during that time.
This, of course, is the opposite of what the American public was promised by big businesses and their Republican cronies. A big part of the issue for AT&T is the debt created by its acquisitions of DirectTV and Time Warner Inc. Those acquisitions haven’t worked out the way AT&T had hoped, and the company has begun moving into the online-only streaming sector and away from the satellite services that DirectTV offers. The debt acquired by AT&T, according to Ars Technica, is almost $200 billion, and the telecom has been cutting costs and jobs ever since to get out from under it.
On Tuesday, during an investors event at Morgan Stanley, AT&T president and COO John Stankey told the audience that part of the exciting new moves for the company will be cutting costs. “In the near term, things that fall in that short-term bucket, I already talked to you about some of them, some of the headcount rationalization work we're doing on overhead, some of the benefit restructuring that we've done that we've already communicated out that get us a good way to some of our objectives this year.” “Headcount rationalization” is a brand new way of saying “firing people.”
Published with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-07--Empathy-Free Trump Visits Tornado-Ravaged Tennessee In Full MAGA Gear

Donald Trump visited tornado ravaged Tennessee on Friday afternoon .
During the visit he showcased his well known lack of empathy , as sociopaths have a hard time pretending to possess real , human emotions .
This exchange , about a young child who was found roaming the streets after his entire family died , is particularly jarring in the exchange he asks : `` How did his family do ? ''
The official tells Trump `` They 're deceased . ''
Trump narrates to the journalists , like he is sharing a storyline , saying : `` So his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So we 're going to go see some of the folks . ''
Even worse , he decided to wear a campaign hat while touring the damage .
Because nothing says `` re-elect me '' like a natural disaster , right ?
No compassion for loss of life .
No emotion whatsoever .
Decked out in his campaign merchandise , Trump said to the mayors of tornado-ravaged towns in Tennessee : '' I just want to congratulate you because the job you 've done , everybody is talking about it .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to watch .
When Trump hears a little boy has just been orphaned , he callously continues his story of how the boy was carried off by the tornado without one ounce of compassion .
I want to hug that boy .
I want to smack Trump.pic.twitter.com/tqeZaDWeLr Just shameful that he could not lay off the MAGA merch for ONE day .
But hey , Trump would n't let a few deaths slow down his grift .

Donald Trump visited tornado ravaged Tennessee on Friday afternoon. During the visit he showcased his well known lack of empathy, as sociopaths have a hard time pretending to possess real, human emotions. This exchange, about a young child who was found roaming the streets after his entire family died, is particularly jarring in the exchange he asks: "How did his family do?" The official tells Trump "They're deceased." Trump narrates to the journalists, like he is sharing a storyline, saying: "So his parents were killed. And his sister. So we're going to go see some of the folks."
Even worse, he decided to wear a campaign hat while touring the damage. Because nothing says "re-elect me" like a natural disaster, right?
Twitter had thoughts:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
Trump while visiting tornado victims in TN tells a story about a boy being carried by the tornado, like it’s the greatest thing he’s ever heard! Then he asks about the parents....People tell him they’re dead along with his sister. No emotion, NOTHING! Idiot! pic.twitter.com/0ZqaQN2OzS — Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) March 6, 2020
No compassion for loss of life. No emotion whatsoever.
Decked out in his campaign merchandise, Trump said to the mayors of tornado-ravaged towns in Tennessee:
"I just want to congratulate you because the job you've done, everybody is talking about it."pic.twitter.com/qMklA1qNHA — Bill Maxwell 🌊REMOVE TRUMP 2020🌊 (@Bill_Maxwell_) March 6, 2020
A human without a heart is hard to watch.
When Trump hears a little boy has just been orphaned, he callously continues his story of how the boy was carried off by the tornado without one ounce of compassion.
I want to hug that boy. I want to smack Trump.pic.twitter.com/tqeZaDWeLr — Angelux (@Angelux1111) March 6, 2020
Omg. No. No. No. No!!!!
He is a fucking sociopath.
Seriously. I can’t even anymore. https://t.co/7vmTWvmYHs — Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) March 6, 2020
Since Trump is incapable of heartfelt empathy, he parrots stories & sentences as a device to appear engaged. — 🔥 𝕍𝕖𝕤𝕦𝕧𝕚𝕦𝕤 🔥 (@PentUpPower) March 6, 2020
Just shameful that he could not lay off the MAGA merch for ONE day. But hey, Trump wouldn't let a few deaths slow down his grift.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Republican Governor Ridiculed For His 'Nearly 17' People Tested For Coronavirus

Missouri 's Republican Governor Mike Parsons drew jeers yesterday with his 'specific ' bullet points for Missouri 's COVID-19 response , writing that 'nearly 17 ' people had already been tested .
'Nearly 17 ' quickly became an Internet meme .
On Thursday , Gov .
Mike Parson ( R-MO ) took to Twitter to assure the public of his efforts to prevent coronavirus outbreaks in his state : Missouri specific : • ZERO confirmed cases • Nearly 17 people have been tested • Testing CAN be done in Missouri • Prisons , nursing homes & mental health facilities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern , but young people to not appear to be as prone # COVID19 Commenters on social media were deeply confused by the idea of testing “ nearly ” 17 people .
And some pointed out that even “ exactly ” 17 people is nowhere near enough : What does “ nearly 17 people ” mean ?
Like , 15 people and some hobbits or what ?
https : //t.co/9te0eMHfsm '' Nearly '' 17 people , Governor ?
`` Nearly '' ?
Did you run out of fingers & toes or something ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 17 ” is both laughably small and weirdly imprecise .
https : //t.co/9Erh6h8wRM I ca n't breathe they really think it 's an achievement to say that `` nearly 17 '' people out of the 6 million citizens of Missouri got tested for the coronavirus https : //t.co/QnwceVng12 I ’ m obsessed with this .
It ’ s amazing .
What does “ nearly 17 ” mean ?
?
?
https : //t.co/s2koPxui7I My Republican governor says we have tested `` nearly 17 people . ''
I shit you not .
https @ @

Missouri's Republican Governor Mike Parsons drew jeers yesterday with his 'specific' bullet points for Missouri's COVID-19 response, writing that 'nearly 17' people had already been tested. 'Nearly 17' quickly became an Internet meme.
Source: Raw Story
On Thursday, Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO) took to Twitter to assure the public of his efforts to prevent coronavirus outbreaks in his state:
Missouri specific:
• ZERO confirmed cases
• Nearly 17 people have been tested
• Testing CAN be done in Missouri
• Prisons, nursing homes & mental health facilities are a concern
• Schools are always a concern, but young people to not appear to be as prone #COVID19 — Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) March 5, 2020
Commenters on social media were deeply confused by the idea of testing “nearly” 17 people. And some pointed out that even “exactly” 17 people is nowhere near enough:
What does “nearly 17 people” mean? Like, 15 people and some hobbits or what? https://t.co/9te0eMHfsm — Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) March 5, 2020
"Nearly" 17 people, Governor? "Nearly"?
Did you run out of fingers & toes or something? https://t.co/220rr1mnY2 — Charles Gaba (@charles_gaba) March 6, 2020
I love how “nearly 17” is both laughably small and weirdly imprecise. https://t.co/9Erh6h8wRM — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) March 6, 2020
I can't breathe they really think it's an achievement to say that "nearly 17" people out of the 6 million citizens of Missouri got tested for the coronavirus https://t.co/QnwceVng12 — na'ama⁷ (@iknownaama) March 6, 2020
I’m obsessed with this. It’s amazing. What does “nearly 17” mean??? https://t.co/s2koPxui7I — David Steen, Ph.D. (@AlongsideWild) March 6, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--GOP Rep Ken Buck Waves AR-15 Around On Twitter For Manliness

Ammosexual and NRA beneficiary Ken Buck ( guess which party ) thought it would be cute to tweet a threat @ @ @ @ @ Biden today -- with an AR-15 that appears to be handpainted by a glitter-happy Girl @ @ @ @ @ just one message for Joe Biden and Beto O ’ Rourke , if you want @ @ @ @ @ AR-15s , why don ’ t you swing by my office in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ ?
Come and take it .
# 2A pic.twitter.com/jG2SiXetov Multiple people reported the tweet as @ @ @ @ @ engaging in utterly unsafe practices when it comes to firearms .
Listen up , `` @ @ @ @ @ with your `` poor phallic substitute '' AR-15 is exactly why no civilian should have @ @ @ @ @ is bedazzled and looks like something even Liberace would say `` Honey , that 's @ @ @ @ @ me . ''
AND THEN THERE 'S THIS

Ammosexual and NRA beneficiary Ken Buck (guess which party) thought it would be cute to tweet a threat to Beto O'Rourke and Joe Biden today -- with an AR-15 that appears to be handpainted by a glitter-happy Girl Scout troop.
I have just one message for Joe Biden and Beto O’Rourke, if you want to take everyone’s AR-15s, why don’t you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one?
Come and take it. #2A pic.twitter.com/jG2SiXetov — Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 6, 2020
Multiple people reported the tweet as threatening violence, and also engaging in utterly unsafe practices when it comes to firearms.
Every time I watch this, this part freaks me out. pic.twitter.com/r2wo76IrMO — rzrwiresunrise (@rzrwiresunrise) March 6, 2020
And more...
Men are too emotional for politics. What a little ninny piss boy you are. — AlwaysAshley (@AshleyFrankly) March 6, 2020
Nice paperweight, virgin. — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) March 6, 2020
Listen up, "Buck". Threatening civilians with your "poor phallic substitute" AR-15 is exactly why no civilian should have one. Even if it is bedazzled and looks like something even Liberace would say "Honey, that's just gaudy, even for me." — Howard ✡ (@HowardA_Esq) March 6, 2020
AND THEN THERE'S THIS


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Trump: Warren Lost Because 'Lack Of Talent'

DONALD J. TRUMP , IMPEACHED-FOREVER SO-CALLED `` PRESIDENT '' NAME-CALLING NARCISSIST WHO LOST THE POPULAR VOTE BY THREE MILLION TO @ @ @ @ @ WAY WOMAN [ asked about Elizabeth Warren ] : I think lack of talent was @ @ @ @ @ a tremendous lack of talent ... she is a very mean person and people do @ @ @ @ @ do n't want that .
They like a person like me that is n't mean @ @ @ @ @ keep Elizabeth Warren 's name outta his whore mouth .
That is all .

DONALD J. TRUMP, IMPEACHED-FOREVER SO-CALLED "PRESIDENT" NAME-CALLING NARCISSIST WHO LOST THE POPULAR VOTE BY THREE MILLION TO A FAR SUPERIOR IN EVERY WAY WOMAN [asked about Elizabeth Warren]: I think lack of talent was her problem. She had a tremendous lack of talent ... she is a very mean person and people don't like her. People don't want that. They like a person like me that isn't mean.
Maybe Mushroom Penis should keep Elizabeth Warren's name outta his whore mouth.
That is all.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Federal Judge Says AG Barr Can't Be Trusted, Orders DOJ To Turn Over Unredacted Mueller Report

In what legal experts are calling an `` extraordinary '' opinion , a federal judge found Thursday that Attorney General William Barr exhibited such an egregious `` lack of candor '' that Barr 's redactions of the Mueller report must be reviewed for accuracy .
Impugning Barr 's `` credibility , '' Judge Reggie Walton wrote that circumstances surrounding his release of the Mueller report call into question the Justice Department 's representation that `` all of the information '' redacted from it `` is protected from disclosure '' by FOIA exemptions .
In other words , Walton wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walton subsequently ordered the Justice Department to submit the full unredacted Mueller report for his review by March 30 .
Experts in the legal field marveled at the opinion .
`` By 'extraordinary , ' I mean that I 've never seen a federal judge accuse the Attorney General of personally misleading the public and lacking credibility , '' tweeted Daniel Jacobson , an alum of President Obama 's White House Counsel 's Office .
`` This is a remarkable opinion and a stunning rebuke of the Attorney General of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither a firebrand nor one who ’ s prone to hyperbole , '' tweeted Steve Vladeck , Professor in Law at the University of Texas School of Law .
Only the best people .

In what legal experts are calling an "extraordinary" opinion, a federal judge found Thursday that Attorney General William Barr exhibited such an egregious "lack of candor" that Barr's redactions of the Mueller report must be reviewed for accuracy.
Impugning Barr's "credibility," Judge Reggie Walton wrote that circumstances surrounding his release of the Mueller report call into question the Justice Department's representation that "all of the information" redacted from it "is protected from disclosure" by FOIA exemptions. In other words, Walton wants to review the unredacted receipts for himself. Walton subsequently ordered the Justice Department to submit the full unredacted Mueller report for his review by March 30.
Experts in the legal field marveled at the opinion. "By 'extraordinary,' I mean that I've never seen a federal judge accuse the Attorney General of personally misleading the public and lacking credibility," tweeted Daniel Jacobson, an alum of President Obama's White House Counsel's Office.
"This is a remarkable opinion and a stunning rebuke of the Attorney General of the United States from a federal district judge who is neither a firebrand nor one who’s prone to hyperbole," tweeted Steve Vladeck, Professor in Law at the University of Texas School of Law.
Only the best people.
A judicial finding that the Attorney General of the United States lacks candor and cannot be trusted without independent verification. pic.twitter.com/KiDRkg76Hy — southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) March 5, 2020
DOJ has been ordered to submit the unredacted Mueller Report to the court for review by March 30th. https://t.co/yF3herZulP — southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) March 5, 2020
Posted with permission from Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Trump Admits He Wants To Cut Social Security And Medicare

During his Fox News Town Hall Thursday , Donald admitted that there would be cuts coming to American social safety nets under his watch .
Trump 's state-sponsored television station `` serious news '' hosts Bret Baier and Martha McCallum hosted Trump during the hour , and the question of the federal deficit finally came up .
During the questioning Donald , as usual , bragged about himself and the economy .
Trump : The economy is the best economy we ’ ve ever had ; it ’ s nothing compared to what it ’ s going to be when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` But if you don ’ t cut something in entitlements , you ’ ll never really deal with the debt . ''
Trump : `` Oh , we ’ ll be cutting , but we ’ ll also have growth like you ’ ve never had before '' Every move the Trump administration has made , whether its tax cuts for the very wealthy or force the Fed to cut rates , their sycophants ' favorite talking point is that even though they raised the federal deficit , the real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unparalleled heights .
Just like the `` confidence fairy '' myth that conservatives use , pro-growth talking points occupy the same space .
If anything , the Trump tax cuts for the rich hindered economic growth .
This morning , Trump tweeted that he was going to protect our social safety nets , reversing what he said a few hours before .
Trump has done this over and over again when he discusses Social Security and Medicare .
He claims there will be cuts to these programs and then comes back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes , `` President Donald Trump posted a tweet on Saturday vowing , “ We will not be touching your Social Security and Medicare in Fiscal 2021 Budget.
” One day later , the Wall Street Journal published a report indicating that Trump is doing exactly that with his budget proposal .
One thing we are sure , Donald Trump can not be trusted to protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits for Americans .

During his Fox News Town Hall Thursday, Donald admitted that there would be cuts coming to American social safety nets under his watch.
Trump's state-sponsored television station "serious news" hosts Bret Baier and Martha McCallum hosted Trump during the hour, and the question of the federal deficit finally came up.
During the questioning Donald, as usual, bragged about himself and the economy.
Trump: The economy is the best economy we’ve ever had; it’s nothing compared to what it’s going to be when the trade deals kick it.
MacCallum said, "But if you don’t cut something in entitlements, you’ll never really deal with the debt."
Trump: "Oh, we’ll be cutting, but we’ll also have growth like you’ve never had before"
Every move the Trump administration has made, whether its tax cuts for the very wealthy or force the Fed to cut rates, their sycophants' favorite talking point is that even though they raised the federal deficit, the real outcome will be to spur economic growth to unparalleled heights.
Just like the "confidence fairy" myth that conservatives use, pro-growth talking points occupy the same space. If anything, the Trump tax cuts for the rich hindered economic growth.
This morning, Trump tweeted that he was going to protect our social safety nets, reversing what he said a few hours before.
Trump has done this over and over again when he discusses Social Security and Medicare. He claims there will be cuts to these programs and then comes back and says he's protecting it.
Vox writes, "President Donald Trump posted a tweet on Saturday vowing, “We will not be touching your Social Security and Medicare in Fiscal 2021 Budget.” One day later, the Wall Street Journal published a report indicating that Trump is doing exactly that with his budget proposal.
CNBC: Will entitlements ever be on your plate [for cutting]?
TRUMP: "At some point they will be"
CNBC: But you said you wouldn't do that in the past
TRUMP: "We also have assets that we never had" pic.twitter.com/FgZnzYz33l — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 22, 2020
One thing we are sure, Donald Trump cannot be trusted to protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits for Americans.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Friday News Dump: Does Romney Do The Right Thing Again?

Romney indicated to me today that he is still weighing whether to vote for a subpoena in Burisma probe .
( He could kill the effort if he votes 'no ' on Wednesday . )
`` There 's no question the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political , '' he said pic.twitter.com/YfeKYGM9v6 Mitt Romney told Manu Raju yesterday that he is still weighing whether to vote for a subpoena in Burisma probe .
He could kill the effort if he votes 'no ' on Wednesday .
`` There 's no question the appearance of looking into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Really , Mitt ?
Tell us more .
Here 's hoping his recently-awakened conscience comes up with the right response .
Meanwhile , Ron Johnson continues to lie and weasel around the subject : *** Guess why Trump called off his trip to the CDC today ?
As he signed the $ 8.3 billion funding package , Trump contradicts his WH ’ s explanation about why CDC trip was scrapped .
He now says : “ We may go - they thought there was a problem with CDC with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it turned out negative , adding : “ I may be going.
” https : //t.co/EE7WPZCvn6 my favorite Bible story just might be the one where Jesus tells the lepers that he has a hunch leprosy is n't anywhere near as bad as the doctors say and everyone should just go back to work and then he jets off for a long weekend of golf at Galilee-a-Lago Oh , but he can get THIS testing organized ?
The @ MarkMazzettiNYT - who spent many years on the AfPak beat - has some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Pakistan made the long bet and won but there are risks .
https : //t.co/jZxbFL5xKe You can read all about in his book , `` The Way of The Knife . ''
DEPT .
OF 'THANK GOD IT 'S FRIDAY '

Mitt Romney told Manu Raju yesterday that he is still weighing whether to vote for a subpoena in Burisma probe. He could kill the effort if he votes 'no' on Wednesday. "There's no question the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political," he said. Really, Mitt? Tell us more. Here's hoping his recently-awakened conscience comes up with the right response.
It's March, Joe Biden is the Dem frontrunner and that can only mean one thing: the GOP is calling Burisma hearings @mattlaslo https://t.co/wFFEhT7LJo via @vice — Michael Learmonth (@learmonth) March 6, 2020
Meanwhile, Ron Johnson continues to lie and weasel around the subject:
Asked why Republicans didn’t investigate Biden/Ukraine when Biden was VP, Ron Johnson first said: “We have been but it is like pulling teeth getting information out of any administration.” But then he acknowledged they started inquiring in 2017. — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 5, 2020
“We didn't have all the information” when Obama was president and Biden was VP, Johnson told us. “I mean you start investigating things when things come to light.” He said the “timing of this coincidental,” referring to Biden’s surge in the campaign — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 5, 2020
***
Guess why Trump called off his trip to the CDC today?
As he signed the $8.3 billion funding package, Trump contradicts his WH’s explanation about why CDC trip was scrapped. He now says: “We may go - they thought there was a problem with CDC with somebody who had the virus,” but it turned out negative, adding: “I may be going.” https://t.co/EE7WPZCvn6 — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 6, 2020
***
Raise your hand if you agree that Donald Trump’s plan to cut entitlements is repugnant and unacceptable ✋
pic.twitter.com/13skmSwlab — Publius (@ThePubliusUSA) March 6, 2020
Fake news — POTUS was taking about cutting deficits, NOT entitlements. https://t.co/BNkdFoAh5O — Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) March 6, 2020
#Trump told Fox News he was going to cut entitlements last night. By entitlements, he means medicare & social security like regular people have, not entitlements like his family gets, including the right to shoot elephants & shit on gold toilets. — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 6, 2020
@realDonaldTrump still owns his DC hotel and can profit from these @GOP lawmakers charged with overseeing his lease.
via @1100penn https://t.co/SFfEdmlIBI — Zach Everson (@Z_Everson) March 6, 2020
My wife was born and raised in the Appalachian region of North Carolina.
We watched "Hillbilly" and she deeply related to the people in the documentary and specifically @abyork.
Watch it if you are interested in understanding the people of this region. pic.twitter.com/r1B1wTKipo — Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) March 6, 2020
Ex-GOP lawmaker who opposed gay marriage comes out as gay https://t.co/Ie55l9QIwF — Ming Solenya Nethery (@MingGao26) March 6, 2020
Security line at Boston Logan Airport, about 830 am on a Friday - I’ve never seen anything like it. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/5kLYAe0BUr — Clint Watts (@selectedwisdom) March 6, 2020
Yells into the void: PAID LEAVE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NECESSITY https://t.co/mKRgebExVB — Andrea Purse (@drepurse) March 6, 2020
This is the most incredible video on the internet pic.twitter.com/NSpyhIEtTR — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 6, 2020
"Then there's the third problem: an incompetent administration. An incompetent administration is like its own natural disaster." -Elizabeth Warren outlining the factors involved in the coronavirus damaging the economy pic.twitter.com/MNp2xzWW3G — Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) March 6, 2020
When booking your next trip, experts say, select the window seat because it is the best option to avoid infected travelers. https://t.co/oCdGGReiV9 — ABC News (@ABC) March 6, 2020
my favorite Bible story just might be the one where Jesus tells the lepers that he has a hunch leprosy isn't anywhere near as bad as the doctors say and everyone should just go back to work and then he jets off for a long weekend of golf at Galilee-a-Lago — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) March 6, 2020
Just a few moments ago, was announced that Bernie Sanders campaign will be partnering with Fox News for a town hall next week. So, I’m reupping this highly relevant thread on this very topic. https://t.co/btMzYZ7mbV — Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) March 6, 2020
This is just not the type of thing you read from federal judges about the attorney general. The fact he felt the need to go this far shows some real concern about the rot inside DOJ. https://t.co/8FGRnsEKW4 — Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) March 5, 2020
***
Oh, but he can get THIS testing organized?
Trump administration announces it will soon begin taking DNA samples from migrants crossing border or in detention for use in a federal criminal database https://t.co/DpklPc24PP — Xeni Jardin (@xeni) March 6, 2020
***
Secret Service agents are exempt from federal limits on hotel room spending. So Mar-a-Lago charged them twice as much as a regular gov't employee — for the same night!https://t.co/AhprMzpucb — Isaac Arnsdorf (@iarnsdorf) March 5, 2020
Stopping McConnell requires two steps in 2020: replacing his seat with Amy McGrath, and creating a Democratic majority in the Senate, writes @SmartyPants60.https://t.co/HhtGphpSCC — Washington Monthly (@monthly) March 6, 2020
These folks really get working class people, don't they? Installing a "tennis pavillion" with taxpayer dollars. https://t.co/oZM8l7TmrF — Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) March 6, 2020
I am the ultimate gamer. How did I get this way? Not by playing mere videogames, my friend. I became the ultimate gamer by using this little device to farm Amazon gift cards from my health insurance's step tracking app. pic.twitter.com/tN10CmftIy — Internet McLogon (@logoninternet) October 11, 2019
Pennsylvania governor confirms first two cases of coronavirus https://t.co/UECplvdEXM pic.twitter.com/wSQRfSCSbK — The Hill (@thehill) March 6, 2020
The @MarkMazzettiNYT - who spent many years on the AfPak beat - has some sharp analysis on peace deal with Taliban: Pakistan made the long bet and won but there are risks. https://t.co/jZxbFL5xKe You can read all about in his book, "The Way of The Knife." — Adam Goldman (@adamgoldmanNYT) March 6, 2020
“Experts on lab testing said they were unaware of any Obama-era rule that would have hindered the administration from authorizing lab-developed tests for the coronavirus in an emergency.“- https://t.co/19lmkk5qbK — George Conway (@gtconway3d) March 5, 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is banning the use of electric shock devices to discipline school students.
The ban is national, but it is targeted at a single Massachusetts school that has been using electric shocks for decades. https://t.co/1KmfhRklfG — The New York Times (@nytimes) March 6, 2020
BREAKING: The University of Washington, with more than 50,000 students, is closing classrooms and moving to remote learning amid the coronavirus outbreak. https://t.co/aKPmDgviL0 — Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) March 6, 2020
Poll: Democrat Gideon leads GOP incumbent Collins by 4 points in Maine Senate race. #SendSusanKavanaughCollinsPacking https://t.co/YgPhy3LvMn — Jeff Jachens (@JeffJWarwick) March 6, 2020
A sitting US Congressman is threatening to shoot a presidential candidate and former Vice President.
(Also, this is why Colorado now has a gun sense majority and why @SenCoryGardner will lose his seat in November.) https://t.co/SrrrpXOJi5 — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 6, 2020
DEPT. OF 'THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY'
Toddler and husky have 'howlingly' cute conversation https://t.co/pj20E4UsCa pic.twitter.com/kY6D6Wq6vK — New York Post (@nypost) March 5, 2020
Dogs are the real heroes pic.twitter.com/Cm4r4v9lSp — Cute Emergency (@CuteEmergency) March 6, 2020
Come come out kittens pic.twitter.com/swp7In006K — Cats Curious (@mypaws) March 5, 2020
Alex learned how to go up stairs!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LLDsn1U8wW — all about guinea pigs (@AllGuinea) March 3, 2020
BEST DAY EVER! Long story short: my dad coached Joe Girardi back in East Peoria, IL when Joe was a kid. This reunion has been years in the making & it finally happened! Joe remembered Charlie Gannon. My heart is so full & my dad is so happy 😭❤ @Phillies @SueMG54 #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/fxJiZgpfrU — Megan Gannon (@WFLAMegan) March 1, 2020
Have a wonderful weekend!


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Trump Supporter Tells CNN She 'Doesn't Believe C-Virus Exists'

It 's not nice to make fun of the mentally infirm , no matter what the delusion .
And this @ @ @ @ @ A Trump supporter , at a rally in North Carolina , telling CNN that she @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus exists . ''
REPORTER : So the two people who have been reported to @ @ @ @ @ Washington state , you don ’ t trust that that ’ s true ?
TRUMP @ @ @ @ @ t trust anything the Democrats do .
This is a direct result of decades of @ @ @ @ @ a so-called president who wants magical realism to protect his election prospects .
Told one @ @ @ @ @ Trump supporter ) today about Trump saying the # coronavirus would `` go away once @ @ @ @ @ , '' .
He did n't believe that he actually said it , so I @ @ @ @ @ His first words : `` Does n't he know it 's warm in south China @ @

It's not nice to make fun of the mentally infirm, no matter what the delusion.
And this delusion is a doozy. A Trump supporter, at a rally in North Carolina, telling CNN that she "doesn't believe the Coronavirus exists."
REPORTER: You don’t believe coronavirus exists? TRUMP SUPPORTER: I don’t. REPORTER: So the two people who have been reported to have died from it in Washington state, you don’t trust that that’s true? TRUMP SUPPORTER: I don’t trust anything the Democrats do.
This is a direct result of decades of brainwashing by Fox News and a so-called president who wants magical realism to protect his election prospects.
It's a tragedy.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Light At The End Of The Tunnel: Fauci Says We Should Have 1M Tests Next Week

Let 's hope it 's not an oncoming train !
CNN 's New Day featured a segment with Dr. Anthony Fauci talking about the response to the coronavirus crisis .
`` We 've heard from the vice president recently that we want to make sure people who want to get tested can get tested .
People who have concerns can get tested .
At the same time we hear that there are not enough tests to go around .
What are we supposed to take away from that ? ''
Sanjay Gupta said .
`` You know , Sanjay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it got off to a slow start .
There were some missteps with regard to the CDC 's test , '' Fauci said .
`` They had a problem .
They fixed the problem .
Now , by the end of the week they should be able to get out about 75,000 tests .
They have now partnered with the private sector so that everything does n't have to come from the CDC which generally makes tests for the public health segment .
When you get the commercial segment , they then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what you can see in the reasonable future is a dramatic escalation in the number of tests that will be available .
But you 're absolutely right .
Up to this point , there has been a lag in the ability to get tested . ''
Gupta asked how many tests will be available , and when .
`` Well , what they are telling us -- what the CDC and the FDA is saying , that by the end of the week the beginning of next week , they should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And by the following week , they can get up to a million tests out there .
That 's the plan .
That 's what we 're hearing , '' Fauci said .

Let's hope it's not an oncoming train! CNN's New Day featured a segment with Dr. Anthony Fauci talking about the response to the coronavirus crisis.
"We've heard from the vice president recently that we want to make sure people who want to get tested can get tested. People who have concerns can get tested. At the same time we hear that there are not enough tests to go around. What are we supposed to take away from that?" Sanjay Gupta said.
"You know, Sanjay, you're right. It's unfortunate that it got off to a slow start. There were some missteps with regard to the CDC's test," Fauci said.
"They had a problem. They fixed the problem. Now, by the end of the week they should be able to get out about 75,000 tests. They have now partnered with the private sector so that everything doesn't have to come from the CDC which generally makes tests for the public health segment. When you get the commercial segment, they then can make millions and millions of tests, what you can see in the reasonable future is a dramatic escalation in the number of tests that will be available. But you're absolutely right. Up to this point, there has been a lag in the ability to get tested."
Gupta asked how many tests will be available, and when.
"Well, what they are telling us -- what the CDC and the FDA is saying, that by the end of the week the beginning of next week, they should be able to get 75,000 tests out there. And by the following week, they can get up to a million tests out there. That's the plan. That's what we're hearing," Fauci said.


crooksandliars--2020-03-06--Airlines Take Staggering Economic Losses From Coronavirus

There 's a lot of economic doom and gloom as a result of the coronavirus epidemic -- and much of it is due to the erratic response of the Trump administration .
On Morning Joe , some of the fallout : '' He 's leaving people unprotected .
One more instance of his behavior , '' Joe Scarborough said .
`` We 're supposed to be leading on this , '' Mika Brzezinski said .
`` As Joe mentioned , the front page of the New York Times reports coronavirus could wipe up to 113 billion in worldwide airline revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blow to the industry .
In Seattle , with major businesses like Twitter , Google and Facebook telling employees to work from home .
Some business owners say the city feels like a ghost town .
We have this new video from the California Air National Guard hovering over a cruise ship that 's now being held off the coast of California .
These are troopers delivering test kits after several passengers showed symptoms and officials learned that a patient who died in California earlier this week had recently traveled on that same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crew are on board that ship right now .
We 're told 45 people have been tested .
Results are expected later today .
Officials with the New York City Department of Health say they are keeping an eye on more than 2700 residents who are currently under quarantine .
That comes as the number of confirmed cases doubled in New York state Thursday from 11 to 22 .
Colorado announced its first two cases , while Maryland announced its first three cases and joined Florida , Washington state and California in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning also , the U.S. also reported its 14th death from the virus .
The 13th for Washington state .
There are currently 230 cases in the U.S. so far .
But as we reported , experts say many , many people are likely to be infected but are walking around undiagnosed .
On Monday , the Trump administration said it would have to close a million -- it would have close to a million tests available by the end of the week .
Now we 're learning the administration will miss that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide only 75,000 tests . ''

There's a lot of economic doom and gloom as a result of the coronavirus epidemic -- and much of it is due to the erratic response of the Trump administration. On Morning Joe, some of the fallout:
"He's leaving people unprotected. One more instance of his behavior," Joe Scarborough said.
"We're supposed to be leading on this," Mika Brzezinski said.
"As Joe mentioned, the front page of the New York Times reports coronavirus could wipe up to 113 billion in worldwide airline revenues this year alone. A staggering new blow to the industry. In Seattle, with major businesses like Twitter, Google and Facebook telling employees to work from home. Some business owners say the city feels like a ghost town. We have this new video from the California Air National Guard hovering over a cruise ship that's now being held off the coast of California. These are troopers delivering test kits after several passengers showed symptoms and officials learned that a patient who died in California earlier this week had recently traveled on that same ship.
"More than 3,500 passengers and crew are on board that ship right now. We're told 45 people have been tested. Results are expected later today. Officials with the New York City Department of Health say they are keeping an eye on more than 2700 residents who are currently under quarantine. That comes as the number of confirmed cases doubled in New York state Thursday from 11 to 22. Colorado announced its first two cases, while Maryland announced its first three cases and joined Florida, Washington state and California in declaring states of emergency.
"This morning also, the U.S. also reported its 14th death from the virus. The 13th for Washington state. There are currently 230 cases in the U.S. so far. But as we reported, experts say many, many people are likely to be infected but are walking around undiagnosed. On Monday, the Trump administration said it would have to close a million -- it would have close to a million tests available by the end of the week. Now we're learning the administration will miss that goal by a long shot, able to provide only 75,000 tests."


crooksandliars--2020-03-07--Trump Goes Off The Rails While Visiting CDC, Lauds His 'Perfect Response'

Trump visited the CDC on Friday afternoon , in full MAGA/KAG gear , for a completely bananas press conference .
He talked about his `` perfect '' response to COVID-19 and then veered , oddly , to his Ukraine extortion call , which he called `` perfect '' as well .
And then , grotesquely , he told the press that anyone who wants to get tested , can .
Which we all know is not true because there are not nearly enough tests to test the public , let alone staffing to get it done .
But you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicker - he admitted that he was refusing to allow sick Americans off a cruise ship because he does n't want the number of confirmed cases in America to go up .
It is all about optics , for him , which is why he was also sporting the full MAGA look at an official presidential event .
And Trump admits that he gets his news on coronavirus from - wait for it - FOX NEWS Just when you think he ca n't go any lower , he finds a way to crawl @ @ @ @

Trump visited the CDC on Friday afternoon, in full MAGA/KAG gear, for a completely bananas press conference.
He talked about his "perfect" response to COVID-19 and then veered, oddly, to his Ukraine extortion call, which he called "perfect" as well. And then, grotesquely, he told the press that anyone who wants to get tested, can. Which we all know is not true because there are not nearly enough tests to test the public, let alone staffing to get it done. But you know, sure.
Oh, and the kicker - he admitted that he was refusing to allow sick Americans off a cruise ship because he doesn't want the number of confirmed cases in America to go up. It is all about optics, for him, which is why he was also sporting the full MAGA look at an official presidential event.
Twitter responded:
Ok, the CDC appearance was the most disturbing one yet from Trump. He literally said experts were telling him to take sick Americans off a cruise ship but he doesn't want to do it because it WILL MAKE THE NUMBERS GO UP and it "wasn't our fault." Holy Jesus. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 6, 2020
Trump just said “We’ve closed down the borders with China.” Whuut? — Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) March 6, 2020
Trump calls the governor of Washington State, the epicenter of #COVID19 in the USA - "not a good governor, by the way" — Jackson Proskow (@JProskowGlobal) March 6, 2020
"The [coronavirus] tests are all perfect. Like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. This was not a perfect as that, but pretty good." -- is Trump referring to the transcript of his phone call with the Ukrainian president here? pic.twitter.com/FU5XxPTu7Z — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 6, 2020
Talking about Coronavirus at CDC, Trump just referred to Wash State governor Inslee as a “snake” after Pence paid a visit there yesterday to check on the outbreak. — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 6, 2020
And Trump admits that he gets his news on coronavirus from - wait for it - FOX NEWS
President Donald Trump says he's getting his information on coronavirus from Fox News https://t.co/FocdAbHX1S pic.twitter.com/FDdr8FB4tG — Media Matters (@mmfa) March 6, 2020
Just when you think he can't go any lower, he finds a way to crawl UNDER the sewer.


crooksandliars--2020-03-07--GOP Reps. Gohmert And King Spew Right-wing 'Deep State' Conspiracy Theories On Floor Of U.S. House

On Feb. 28 , U.S. Reps. Steve King ( R-IA ) and Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) spent almost an hour speaking in tribute to right-wing pundit and former Department of Homeland Security official Philip Haney , who had been found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound the previous week .
During his odd speech , King insisted that Haney would “ never commit suicide ” and implied that “ deep state ” forces were at work in Haney ’ s death .
On Feb. 21 , Philip Haney was found dead in his car , in an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three miles from his residence in Amador County , California .
Amador County Sheriff ’ s Office Undersheriff Gary Redman told reporters that , while they were still investigating the death , “ Everything we saw on-scene is consistent with somebody putting a gun to themselves and pulling the trigger.
” Haney was considered in right-wing circles to be a whistleblower against the Obama administration .
He had published a book attacking the administration for not taking the threat of terrorism seriously and not being transparent with the public about the threat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Fox News to give him air time to voice his opinions .
After his death was announced , right-wing outlets began writing that Haney would never have committed suicide and that his death was suspicious , and implied that a deep state conspiracy was afoot .
As The Sacramento Bee reports , the conspiracy-minded among the right wing have been fed by the fact that Haney ’ s death has not been given a final ruling by police yet , noting that “ in an update Monday , the Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulating that the death had been ruled a suicide , when no such determination has been officially made .
This second news release did not include reference to the gunshot wound as being ‘ self-inflicted.
’ ” Right-wing sources have published a lot of unsubstantiated information as facts , such as the claim that Haney died of a gunshot wound to the chest .
The day after Haney ’ s death , Steve King tweeted out a link to an article on Fox News and wrote , “ Phil Haney was a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of all he knew of Islamic terrorist coverups .
He insured his life by archiving data that incriminated the highest levels of the Obama administration .
Phil Haney didn ’ t kill himself .
RIP , Phil.
” Haney in recent years had been mysterious about what he was investigating , but let on that it had to do with Minnesota politician Keith Ellison and “ progressive leftist socialists ” trying to impose Sharia law in America .
After his death , right-wing conspiracy theorists such as Glenn Beck ( yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that Haney had discovered and saved tons of incriminating evidence on deep state actors and that this information led to Haney ’ s supposed murder .
According to the Daily Beast , conspiracy theorists believe that a thumb drive that Hanley supposedly wore around his neck might be the key to unlocking the true nature of his death .
King ’ s version in his speech in the House was , “ And he had a thumb drive with a lot of data on it—I don ’ t know how many gigs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck.
” None of us knows what happened to Philip Haney .
But if your conspiracy theory is based on the idea that secret deep state officials wanted information he had hanging around his neck—well , I hate to tell you this , but that dog won ’ t hunt .
Just think about it for a few moments : If you were paranoid that the information you had uncovered could get you killed , the literal last place you would keep that singular file would be around your neck .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed by secret deep state actors , you would make sure that the information you had on them was elsewhere , and that if anything bad happened to you , it would be released—forget about the fact that you sort of should have already released said information .
The other problem with conspiracy theories like the Deep State theory is that you can not have a diabolical secret cabal , with Hollywood-like special forces-level abilities , who decide the best way to proceed—to get this secret thumb drive from around his neck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STEAL something that any bozo could have just stolen from him in the first place .
There are myriad easier ways to deal with this wacky issue if you were the magical deep state .
For his part , Gohmert professed to having had a special “ pact ” with Haney : “ We had a mutual pact , it said : either one of us ended up committing suicide , then the other is going to make sure that the truth wins out .
”

On Feb. 28, U.S. Reps. Steve King (R-IA) and Louie Gohmert (R-TX) spent almost an hour speaking in tribute to right-wing pundit and former Department of Homeland Security official Philip Haney, who had been found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound the previous week. During his odd speech, King insisted that Haney would “never commit suicide” and implied that “deep state” forces were at work in Haney’s death.
On Feb. 21, Philip Haney was found dead in his car, in an open park area near State highway 124, three miles from his residence in Amador County, California. Amador County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Gary Redman told reporters that, while they were still investigating the death, “Everything we saw on-scene is consistent with somebody putting a gun to themselves and pulling the trigger.”
Haney was considered in right-wing circles to be a whistleblower against the Obama administration. He had published a book attacking the administration for not taking the threat of terrorism seriously and not being transparent with the public about the threat. His anti-Muslim stance led right-wing media outlets such as Fox News to give him air time to voice his opinions. After his death was announced, right-wing outlets began writing that Haney would never have committed suicide and that his death was suspicious, and implied that a deep state conspiracy was afoot.
As The Sacramento Bee reports, the conspiracy-minded among the right wing have been fed by the fact that Haney’s death has not been given a final ruling by police yet, noting that “in an update Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said ‘misinformation’ was circulating that the death had been ruled a suicide, when no such determination has been officially made. This second news release did not include reference to the gunshot wound as being ‘self-inflicted.’”
Right-wing sources have published a lot of unsubstantiated information as facts, such as the claim that Haney died of a gunshot wound to the chest. The day after Haney’s death, Steve King tweeted out a link to an article on Fox News and wrote, “Phil Haney was a friend & patriot. He was a target because of all he knew of Islamic terrorist coverups. He insured his life by archiving data that incriminated the highest levels of the Obama administration. Phil Haney didn’t kill himself. RIP, Phil.”
Haney in recent years had been mysterious about what he was investigating, but let on that it had to do with Minnesota politician Keith Ellison and “progressive leftist socialists” trying to impose Sharia law in America. After his death, right-wing conspiracy theorists such as Glenn Beck (yes, that guy) have focused on the claim that Haney had discovered and saved tons of incriminating evidence on deep state actors and that this information led to Haney’s supposed murder.
According to the Daily Beast, conspiracy theorists believe that a thumb drive that Hanley supposedly wore around his neck might be the key to unlocking the true nature of his death. King’s version in his speech in the House was, “And he had a thumb drive with a lot of data on it—I don’t know how many gigs it was—hanging in a lanyard around his neck.”
None of us knows what happened to Philip Haney. But if your conspiracy theory is based on the idea that secret deep state officials wanted information he had hanging around his neck—well, I hate to tell you this, but that dog won’t hunt. Just think about it for a few moments: If you were paranoid that the information you had uncovered could get you killed, the literal last place you would keep that singular file would be around your neck. If you were trying to insure yourself from being killed by secret deep state actors, you would make sure that the information you had on them was elsewhere, and that if anything bad happened to you, it would be released—forget about the fact that you sort of should have already released said information.
The other problem with conspiracy theories like the Deep State theory is that you cannot have a diabolical secret cabal, with Hollywood-like special forces-level abilities, who decide the best way to proceed—to get this secret thumb drive from around his neck, is to kill a guy and then STEAL something that any bozo could have just stolen from him in the first place. There are myriad easier ways to deal with this wacky issue if you were the magical deep state.
For his part, Gohmert professed to having had a special “pact” with Haney: “We had a mutual pact, it said: either one of us ended up committing suicide, then the other is going to make sure that the truth wins out.”
Posted with permission from Daily Kos