theguardian--2020-05-18--Now is the time to push for a second New Deal for Americans. Look at West Virginia | Stephen Smith

West Virginia is no stranger to a crisis .
In 1918 , a mineworker in West Virginia was more likely to die on the job than an American soldier fighting overseas in the first world war .
So West Virginians fought back .
Black , white and immigrant miners marched – 10,000 strong – against the coal operators ’ hired thugs and bought politicians .
The West Virginia mine wars marked the bloodiest labor conflict in American history .
A century later , West Virginia educators sparked a nationwide strike movement .
Like the miners before them , teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down schools and overwhelmed the state capitol .
Their fight for the quality healthcare they were promised continues to this day .
Living in West Virginia means getting used to crisis – mine explosions , chemical spills , floods .
Today we are faced with a new crisis , a virus killing our people and threatening their livelihoods .
But the story is the same .
We ’ re stuck with politicians who come on TV every day , telling us we have to choose between our health and our bank accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s the same lie they told coalminers and striking teachers : “ Get back to work .
Or else.
” It wasn ’ t true then .
And in the wealthiest country in the history of the world , it is not true now .
Yet establishment politicians in both parties persist with the lie .
One party ’ s leaders are crowing for us to choose our bank accounts – and get back to work .
The other party is begging us to choose our health – and stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politician has offered the simple alternative : we don ’ t have to choose .
We can guarantee economic security and keep every working family safe , paid for by an end to grotesque wealth inequality .
Those kinds of plans never come from the top .
Instead , we need a government where the people who work the hardest and sacrifice the most are also the people who write the laws .
The people with the least have always given the most .
That ’ s why we should govern .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re ready , you haven ’ t been paying attention .
Following a 2016 flood here , West Virginians witnessed two parallel recovery responses .
One response was led by the good ol ’ boy politicians in our state capitol .
They got more than $ 147m in federal cash and frittered it away on consultants and a fancy conference .
Three years later , most of the money was unspent , and most of the families unhelped .
The other response to the flood was led by local citizens , churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes with less money , and an awful lot faster .
The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn an even clearer contrast .
While wealthy companies threaten to close hospitals and lay off essential frontline workers , people with barely enough food to eat are volunteering to sew masks from home , for free .
While offshore cruise lines get bailed out , food bank volunteers are pitching in extra shifts .
While our state ’ s governor was encouraging folks to eat at Bob Evans , our campaign volunteers were reinventing our field operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three hundred and eighteen “ neighborhood captains ” have since answered the call to check in weekly on 100 of their neighbors each – making sure folks have the food , medicine , unemployment benefits and absentee ballots they need .
We can have a government led by the people who pitch in , instead of those who profiteer .
But we have to take it .
There ’ s a slate of more than 90 candidates running for office in West Virginia in 2020 trying to do just that .
We call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We don ’ t take money from the big pharma executives driving up prices during the crisis , or the big energy executives that are refusing to protect miners and gas workers .
We have pledged never to cross a picket line and never to hide from a debate .
We ’ re running on a New Deal for West Virginia , written and ratified by voters at 197 town halls and countless strategy sessions .
We wrote this New Deal before the pandemic , but the ideas remain the same : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that shift land and wealth from out-of-state corporations to small businesses and working families .
A state bank to finance a WPA-style jobs program , rebuilding our roads , schools , broadband and waterways .
An anti-corruption unit in our state police to end election-buying and catch corporate criminals .
The idea that we don ’ t have to choose between our health and our bank accounts is only radical to those served by the status quo .
In West Virginia , we have had enough of the status quo .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for governor in West Virginia

West Virginia is no stranger to a crisis.
In 1918, a mineworker in West Virginia was more likely to die on the job than an American soldier fighting overseas in the first world war. So West Virginians fought back. Black, white and immigrant miners marched – 10,000 strong – against the coal operators’ hired thugs and bought politicians. The West Virginia mine wars marked the bloodiest labor conflict in American history.
A century later, West Virginia educators sparked a nationwide strike movement. Like the miners before them, teachers and bus drivers donned red bandannas as they shut down schools and overwhelmed the state capitol. Their fight for the quality healthcare they were promised continues to this day.
Living in West Virginia means getting used to crisis – mine explosions, chemical spills, floods. Today we are faced with a new crisis, a virus killing our people and threatening their livelihoods.
But the story is the same. We’re stuck with politicians who come on TV every day, telling us we have to choose between our health and our bank accounts.
They’re lying. And it’s the same lie they told coalminers and striking teachers: “Get back to work. Or else.”
It wasn’t true then. And in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, it is not true now.
Yet establishment politicians in both parties persist with the lie. One party’s leaders are crowing for us to choose our bank accounts – and get back to work. The other party is begging us to choose our health – and stay home. But no American party or establishment politician has offered the simple alternative: we don’t have to choose. We can guarantee economic security and keep every working family safe, paid for by an end to grotesque wealth inequality.
Those kinds of plans never come from the top. Instead, we need a government where the people who work the hardest and sacrifice the most are also the people who write the laws. The people with the least have always given the most. That’s why we should govern. And if you don’t think we’re ready, you haven’t been paying attention.
Following a 2016 flood here, West Virginians witnessed two parallel recovery responses. One response was led by the good ol’ boy politicians in our state capitol. They got more than $147m in federal cash and frittered it away on consultants and a fancy conference. Three years later, most of the money was unspent, and most of the families unhelped. The other response to the flood was led by local citizens, churches and community organizations. They built more homes with less money, and an awful lot faster.
The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn an even clearer contrast. While wealthy companies threaten to close hospitals and lay off essential frontline workers, people with barely enough food to eat are volunteering to sew masks from home, for free. While offshore cruise lines get bailed out, food bank volunteers are pitching in extra shifts.
While our state’s governor was encouraging folks to eat at Bob Evans, our campaign volunteers were reinventing our field operation into a Covid crisis response team. Three hundred and eighteen “neighborhood captains” have since answered the call to check in weekly on 100 of their neighbors each – making sure folks have the food, medicine, unemployment benefits and absentee ballots they need.
We can have a government led by the people who pitch in, instead of those who profiteer. But we have to take it.
There’s a slate of more than 90 candidates running for office in West Virginia in 2020 trying to do just that. We call ourselves West Virginia Can’t Wait. We don’t take money from the big pharma executives driving up prices during the crisis, or the big energy executives that are refusing to protect miners and gas workers. We have pledged never to cross a picket line and never to hide from a debate.
We’re running on a New Deal for West Virginia, written and ratified by voters at 197 town halls and countless strategy sessions. We wrote this New Deal before the pandemic, but the ideas remain the same: a Homestead Act and Robin Hood tax plan that shift land and wealth from out-of-state corporations to small businesses and working families. A state bank to finance a WPA-style jobs program, rebuilding our roads, schools, broadband and waterways. An anti-corruption unit in our state police to end election-buying and catch corporate criminals.
The idea that we don’t have to choose between our health and our bank accounts is only radical to those served by the status quo. In West Virginia, we have had enough of the status quo.


theguardian--2020-05-17--Could 'rogue electors' tilt the balance of the US election?  | Lawrence Douglas

t ’ s 3 November 2020 , election day .
The most expensive – and nastiest – presidential race in US history is over .
Turnout is light , but only because the Covid-19 pandemic has led tens of millions to abstain or vote by absentee ballot .
By the time polls close on the west coast , the race remains too close to call .
But shortly after midnight , the major networks announce that Joe Biden has eked out the narrowest of victories , with the former vice-president winning 271 electoral college votes to Trump ’ s 267 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 December 2020 .
That is the day on which electors across the nation meet in their respective state capitals and officially cast their votes .
The balloting proceeds as anticipated – except in Pennsylvania and Illinois , two states that Biden carried .
In Pennsylvania , three of the electors pledged to Biden break ranks and vote for Bernie Sanders .
The same thing happens in Illinois , with three Democratic electors likewise casting their votes for Sanders .
Why they have done so is not entirely clear – rumors about foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ startling .
Trump now leads in the electoral college 267 to 265 .
In Illinois , where Democrats control the state legislature , lawmakers condemn the rogue electors and seek to replace their votes with votes for Biden .
In Pennsylvania , where Republicans control the statehouse , lawmakers hail the Sanders electors as patriots and insist their colleagues in Illinois are trampling on the “ faithless ” electors ’ constitutional rights .
Who is correct ?
May states penalize and replace electors who fail to vote in accord with their states ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions violate the right of electors to vote free of legal control ?
That was the question debated before the supreme court this week in an extraordinary oral argument .
At issue were a pair of cases emerging from the 2016 election , which witnessed no fewer than 10 electors either voting , or trying to vote , in defiance of their pledge .
In Colorado , a state Hillary Clinton handily won , three Democratic electors sought to vote for the Ohio governor John Kasich as part of a long-shot effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Colorado secretary of state ordered the three to cast their votes as state law required or face replacement .
Two of the electors complied ; the third , a 23-year-old graduate student named Michael Baca , refused , and found himself replaced by a Democratic elector , who then promptly cast his vote for Clinton .
Baca filed suit , and last August a divided federal appellate court ruled that “ electors , once appointed , are free to vote as they choose.
” Yet three months earlier , in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached the opposite conclusion , holding that a state may use its criminal law to enforce electoral pledges .
Which lower court got it right ?
The court ’ s spirited – and lengthy – argument made two things clear .
First , that constitutional text , history and structure manifestly support the proposition that electors were meant to vote freely .
When the framers of the constitution weighed how the nation ’ s chief executive should be chosen , they worried that ordinary voters in a national election would prove incapable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elbridge Gerry , who decades later as governor of Massachusetts would carve a congressional district into the shape of a salamander and so bequeath us the term “ gerrymander ” , warned of the “ ignorance of the people ” , fearing they would be “ too little informed of personal characteristics in larger districts and liable of deceptions ” .
So the framers settled on an electoral college , to be composed of persons of higher political standing , capable of exercising informed choice and reasoned deliberation .
In Federalist No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the task to such men “ affords a moral certainty , that the office of president will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications ” .
That , at least , was the idea .
But , as this week ’ s oral argument made clear , practice quickly eclipsed theory .
It only took a couple of decades for our modern system to emerge – in which electors ceremonially vote for their state ’ s popular vote winner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had been a delegate to the constitutional convention , ruefully observed that electors now functioned as “ mere … toys that nod when … set in motion ” .
Today , most people would agree that is how electors should act – which is why 32 states and the District of Columbia now have laws that aim to make sure that electors do not vote “ freely ” as they were originally intended .
The oral argument suggests the court is not about to upset those laws .
Even those justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alito – most faithful to hewing to the constitution ’ s original meaning appeared chary about upholding the right of electors to go rogue .
As Justice Brett Kavanaugh observed , the court likes to adhere to an “ ‘ avoid-chaos ’ principle of judging ” .
And chaos could well result in a close election in which a handful of electors choose to go their own way .
It seems safe to expect that the court – in a ruling to be issued this summer – will uphold the states ’ authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court ’ s decision save us from the scenario described above ?
Alas , no .
Pennsylvania and Illinois are two of the 18 states that place no constraints on their electors whatsoever .
In the absence of a law in place before electors cast their votes , it isn ’ t clear that a state could replace a faithless elector .
A handful of rogue electors could hypothetically trigger a crisis of succession with no clear exit .
Of course , the entire problem of the rogue elector could be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college , but that would require a constitutional amendment , and the process of amending the constitution is no less dysfunctional than the electoral college itself .
So the electoral college will probably remain our constitutional appendix , a vestigial organ that has long since lost its animating function and now can only create potentially toxic problems for the body politic .

It’s 3 November 2020, election day. The most expensive – and nastiest – presidential race in US history is over. Turnout is light, but only because the Covid-19 pandemic has led tens of millions to abstain or vote by absentee ballot. By the time polls close on the west coast, the race remains too close to call. But shortly after midnight, the major networks announce that Joe Biden has eked out the narrowest of victories, with the former vice-president winning 271 electoral college votes to Trump’s 267.
Only something goes very wrong on 14 December 2020. That is the day on which electors across the nation meet in their respective state capitals and officially cast their votes. The balloting proceeds as anticipated – except in Pennsylvania and Illinois, two states that Biden carried. In Pennsylvania, three of the electors pledged to Biden break ranks and vote for Bernie Sanders. The same thing happens in Illinois, with three Democratic electors likewise casting their votes for Sanders. Why they have done so is not entirely clear – rumors about foreign interference fly – but the result is startling. Trump now leads in the electoral college 267 to 265.
In Illinois, where Democrats control the state legislature, lawmakers condemn the rogue electors and seek to replace their votes with votes for Biden. In Pennsylvania, where Republicans control the statehouse, lawmakers hail the Sanders electors as patriots and insist their colleagues in Illinois are trampling on the “faithless” electors’ constitutional rights.
Who is correct? May states penalize and replace electors who fail to vote in accord with their states’ popular vote outcomes, or do such actions violate the right of electors to vote free of legal control?
That was the question debated before the supreme court this week in an extraordinary oral argument. At issue were a pair of cases emerging from the 2016 election, which witnessed no fewer than 10 electors either voting, or trying to vote, in defiance of their pledge. In Colorado, a state Hillary Clinton handily won, three Democratic electors sought to vote for the Ohio governor John Kasich as part of a long-shot effort to find a consensus alternative to Donald Trump. The Colorado secretary of state ordered the three to cast their votes as state law required or face replacement. Two of the electors complied; the third, a 23-year-old graduate student named Michael Baca, refused, and found himself replaced by a Democratic elector, who then promptly cast his vote for Clinton.
Baca filed suit, and last August a divided federal appellate court ruled that “electors, once appointed, are free to vote as they choose.” Yet three months earlier, in May 2019, the Washington state supreme court reached the opposite conclusion, holding that a state may use its criminal law to enforce electoral pledges.
Which lower court got it right?
People vote in the Michigan primary election at Chrysler elementary school in Detroit, Michigan, on 10 March 2020. Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
The court’s spirited – and lengthy – argument made two things clear. First, that constitutional text, history and structure manifestly support the proposition that electors were meant to vote freely. When the framers of the constitution weighed how the nation’s chief executive should be chosen, they worried that ordinary voters in a national election would prove incapable of making an informed choice about the candidates. Elbridge Gerry, who decades later as governor of Massachusetts would carve a congressional district into the shape of a salamander and so bequeath us the term “gerrymander”, warned of the “ignorance of the people”, fearing they would be “too little informed of personal characteristics in larger districts and liable of deceptions”.
So the framers settled on an electoral college, to be composed of persons of higher political standing, capable of exercising informed choice and reasoned deliberation. In Federalist No 68, Alexander Hamilton argued that entrusting the task to such men “affords a moral certainty, that the office of president will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications”.
That, at least, was the idea. But, as this week’s oral argument made clear, practice quickly eclipsed theory. It only took a couple of decades for our modern system to emerge – in which electors ceremonially vote for their state’s popular vote winner. As early as 1816, Rufus King, who had been a delegate to the constitutional convention, ruefully observed that electors now functioned as “mere … toys that nod when … set in motion”.
A handful of rogue electors could hypothetically trigger a crisis of succession with no clear exit
Today, most people would agree that is how electors should act – which is why 32 states and the District of Columbia now have laws that aim to make sure that electors do not vote “freely” as they were originally intended. The oral argument suggests the court is not about to upset those laws. Even those justices – such as Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito – most faithful to hewing to the constitution’s original meaning appeared chary about upholding the right of electors to go rogue. As Justice Brett Kavanaugh observed, the court likes to adhere to an “‘avoid-chaos’ principle of judging”. And chaos could well result in a close election in which a handful of electors choose to go their own way.
It seems safe to expect that the court – in a ruling to be issued this summer – will uphold the states’ authority to constrain presidential electors. But will the court’s decision save us from the scenario described above?
Alas, no. Pennsylvania and Illinois are two of the 18 states that place no constraints on their electors whatsoever. In the absence of a law in place before electors cast their votes, it isn’t clear that a state could replace a faithless elector. A handful of rogue electors could hypothetically trigger a crisis of succession with no clear exit.
Of course, the entire problem of the rogue elector could be more elegantly solved by simply abolishing the electoral college, but that would require a constitutional amendment, and the process of amending the constitution is no less dysfunctional than the electoral college itself. So the electoral college will probably remain our constitutional appendix, a vestigial organ that has long since lost its animating function and now can only create potentially toxic problems for the body politic.


theguardian--2020-05-17--Trump, Putin and Bolsonaro have been complacent. Now the pandemic has made them all vulnerable | Sim

Trump, Putin and Bolsonaro have been complacent. Now the pandemic has made them all vulnerable | Simon Tisdall

f Boris Johnson is mishandling the pandemic , he is not alone .
Falsely claiming everything is under control , dodging responsibility , hiding from public view , exploiting the crisis for political gain , mounting artificial distractions and blaming the media : these are common behaviour patterns exhibited by some of the world ’ s most powerful – and shifty – leaders .
Will they pay a price for their lethal incompetence and cynicism ?
It ’ s possible some will , though it may take a while .
The pandemic is changing political calculations around the globe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
That in turn could shift the strategic calculus and alter the balance of power between countries in ways both unexpected and permanent .
Donald Trump ’ s performance is a lesson in how not to handle an emergency .
It may become a compulsory case study for future students of crisis management .
Trump minimised the threat early on , offered phoney assurances , and failed to make a plan .
He has since accused China of deliberately spreading “ plague ” while weaponising the crisis to smear his Democratic rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s myriad character flaws need no rehearsal here .
But it seems a desperate Trump will stop at nothing to re-boot his re-election prospects .
If that means fomenting a cold war with China , or stoking racial divisions and anti-migrant , anti-Muslim bias , he ’ s up for it .
And if all that fails , he may try to delay November ’ s election , a scenario not ruled out by his sycophantic son-in-law .
Coronavirus has made a sort of leper of Trump .
A lack of federal leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns he never truly supported appears to be propelling a rise in Covid-19 cases in small midwest towns and rural communities from Iowa to Texas .
These are the heartlands of Trump ’ s America , where his most loyal voters live .
As a result , Republicans running for Congress are running away from Trump , fearful of infection from the miasma of lies and distrust enveloping the White House .
As jobs disappear by the tens of millions , Democrats ’ hopes of winning the Senate are rising .
Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widening , fuelled by economic meltdown and Trump ’ s gaffes .
Vladimir Putin is another leader in serious viral difficulty .
Only months ago , he looked invincible .
All the talk in Russia was of constitutional “ reforms ” that would effectively make him president for life .
Those plans are now on hold , perhaps permanently .
Putin ’ s decision to shield himself from harm , isolating away from Moscow , has badly dented his image as fearless tough-guy leader .
After weeks of complacency at the top , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of Covid-19 infections in the world .
Putin ’ s hand-picked prime minister , Mikhail Mishustin , is in hospital , as is the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov .
In video conferences held to discuss the crisis , Putin has looked more bored than concerned .
Empathy was never his strong suit .
The political implications are potentially far-ranging .
Anxious to avoid personal blame for twin health and economic disasters , Putin has shifted responsibility for managing the crisis to the regions , which have effectively been left to fend for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oligarchs – have stepped into the breach .
In such ways does a leader ’ s power erode and slip away .
Other politicians are showing a degree of reckless insouciance that makes Boris Johnson look positively switched on by comparison .
Brazil ’ s president Jair Bolsonaro hit a new low for irresponsibility by ridiculing public protection measures .
Brazil has the highest Covid death rate in Latin America .
But Bolsonaro prefers barbecue parties to hospital visits .
He may yet pay with his job in a country where presidential impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the virus has brought a great many pigeons home to roost .
A structurally fragile economy , a hollowed-out civil society and media , and a climate of fear created by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have not proved conducive to a unified national effort – leading analysts to suggest the sultan-president ’ s reign may be drawing to a close .
Majority Kurdish areas in eastern Turkey , for example , the scene of frequent conflict with the central government , have reportedly been hard hit .
Diyarbakir-based activist and author Nurcan Baysal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid to go to work due to a lack of protective equipment .
But it ’ s a political problem , too .
“ Today , there are not enough tests , not enough doctors , no civil society , no mayors , and not enough measures to tackle the coronavirus in Kurdish cities , ” Baysal said – partly because many Kurdish doctors and nurses were sacked in Erdoğan ’ s purges .
A central actor in this global drama , China ’ s modern-day emperor Xi Jinping is not about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sack .
Rather , an emboldened Xi risks over-playing his hand as he seeks to transform a calamity into a PR victory for Chinese soft power , strengthening Beijing ’ s clout at the expense of weakened western countries .
American fumbling , plus Russian and European debility , offer Xi a macabre opportunity to advance his vision of China as dominant global power .
But the aggressive , Boxer Rebellion-style provocations of his “ wolf warrior ” diplomats and party cadres are feeding an international backlash .
Pressure is growing to retaliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that , in turn , boosts Trump ’ s confrontational , self-exculpatory campaign narrative .
Trump claims China wants to deny him a second term .
Yet the opposite may be true .
Xi knows a useful idiot when he sees one – and this US president is easily outfoxed .
The thought that China ’ s oppositional tactics could help get Trump re-elected is enough to make anyone sick .

If Boris Johnson is mishandling the pandemic, he is not alone. Falsely claiming everything is under control, dodging responsibility, hiding from public view, exploiting the crisis for political gain, mounting artificial distractions and blaming the media: these are common behaviour patterns exhibited by some of the world’s most powerful – and shifty – leaders.
Will they pay a price for their lethal incompetence and cynicism? It’s possible some will, though it may take a while. The pandemic is changing political calculations around the globe. Leaders who looked invulnerable suddenly appear less so. That in turn could shift the strategic calculus and alter the balance of power between countries in ways both unexpected and permanent.
Donald Trump’s performance is a lesson in how not to handle an emergency. It may become a compulsory case study for future students of crisis management. Trump minimised the threat early on, offered phoney assurances, and failed to make a plan. He has since accused China of deliberately spreading “plague” while weaponising the crisis to smear his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.
The president’s myriad character flaws need no rehearsal here. But it seems a desperate Trump will stop at nothing to re-boot his re-election prospects. If that means fomenting a cold war with China, or stoking racial divisions and anti-migrant, anti-Muslim bias, he’s up for it. And if all that fails, he may try to delay November’s election, a scenario not ruled out by his sycophantic son-in-law.
Putin’s decision to shield himself from harm has badly dented his image as fearless tough-guy leader
Coronavirus has made a sort of leper of Trump. A lack of federal leadership and his support for prematurely ending state lockdowns he never truly supported appears to be propelling a rise in Covid-19 cases in small midwest towns and rural communities from Iowa to Texas. These are the heartlands of Trump’s America, where his most loyal voters live.
As a result, Republicans running for Congress are running away from Trump, fearful of infection from the miasma of lies and distrust enveloping the White House. As jobs disappear by the tens of millions, Democrats’ hopes of winning the Senate are rising. Biden’s lead in key battleground states is widening, fuelled by economic meltdown and Trump’s gaffes.
Vladimir Putin is another leader in serious viral difficulty. Only months ago, he looked invincible. All the talk in Russia was of constitutional “reforms” that would effectively make him president for life. Those plans are now on hold, perhaps permanently. Putin’s decision to shield himself from harm, isolating away from Moscow, has badly dented his image as fearless tough-guy leader.
After weeks of complacency at the top, Russia finds itself with the second fastest rate of Covid-19 infections in the world. Putin’s hand-picked prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, is in hospital, as is the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. In video conferences held to discuss the crisis, Putin has looked more bored than concerned. Empathy was never his strong suit.
People wear face masks and gloves on the Moscow Metro. Russia now finds itself with the second fastest rate of Covid-19 infections in the world. Photograph: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
The political implications are potentially far-ranging. Anxious to avoid personal blame for twin health and economic disasters, Putin has shifted responsibility for managing the crisis to the regions, which have effectively been left to fend for themselves. Wealthy businessmen – the so-called oligarchs – have stepped into the breach. In such ways does a leader’s power erode and slip away.
Other politicians are showing a degree of reckless insouciance that makes Boris Johnson look positively switched on by comparison. Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro hit a new low for irresponsibility by ridiculing public protection measures. Brazil has the highest Covid death rate in Latin America. But Bolsonaro prefers barbecue parties to hospital visits. He may yet pay with his job in a country where presidential impeachment actually works.
In Turkey, meanwhile, the virus has brought a great many pigeons home to roost. A structurally fragile economy, a hollowed-out civil society and media, and a climate of fear created by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have not proved conducive to a unified national effort – leading analysts to suggest the sultan-president’s reign may be drawing to a close.
Majority Kurdish areas in eastern Turkey, for example, the scene of frequent conflict with the central government, have reportedly been hard hit. Diyarbakir-based activist and author Nurcan Baysal tells a familiar tale of health workers afraid to go to work due to a lack of protective equipment. But it’s a political problem, too.
“Today, there are not enough tests, not enough doctors, no civil society, no mayors, and not enough measures to tackle the coronavirus in Kurdish cities,” Baysal said – partly because many Kurdish doctors and nurses were sacked in Erdoğan’s purges.
A central actor in this global drama, China’s modern-day emperor Xi Jinping is not about to fall – although he richly deserves the sack. Rather, an emboldened Xi risks over-playing his hand as he seeks to transform a calamity into a PR victory for Chinese soft power, strengthening Beijing’s clout at the expense of weakened western countries.
American fumbling, plus Russian and European debility, offer Xi a macabre opportunity to advance his vision of China as dominant global power. But the aggressive, Boxer Rebellion-style provocations of his “wolf warrior” diplomats and party cadres are feeding an international backlash.
Pressure is growing to retaliate by quarantining Beijing, politically and economically. And that, in turn, boosts Trump’s confrontational, self-exculpatory campaign narrative.
Trump claims China wants to deny him a second term. Yet the opposite may be true. Xi knows a useful idiot when he sees one – and this US president is easily outfoxed. The thought that China’s oppositional tactics could help get Trump re-elected is enough to make anyone sick.


theguardian--2020-05-17--Trump accuses Obama of 'gross incompetence' – video

Donald Trump has given his first public response to Barack Obama ’ s criticism of the current administration ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
'Look , he was an incompetent president , that ’ s all I can @ @ @ @ @ ' said Trump when asked about Obama 's comments on Sunday • Coronavirus US live @ @ @ @ @ 'grossly incompetent ' Obama after critical remarks

Donald Trump has given his first public response to Barack Obama’s criticism of the current administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Look, he was an incompetent president, that’s all I can say. Grossly incompetent,' said Trump when asked about Obama's comments on Sunday


theguardian--2020-05-17--Obama criticises Trump in speech to graduating students – video

The former US president attacked the Trump administration ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic during a virtual commencement ceremony @ @ @ @ @ universities on Saturday .
Barack Obama told graduates : ‘ More than anything , this @ @ @ @ @ torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge @ @ @ @ @ doing .
A lot of them aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge @ @ @ @ @ alive inside ' : Trump 's latest attack shows endless obsession with Obama

The former US president attacked the Trump administration’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic during a virtual commencement ceremony for historically black colleges and universities on Saturday. Barack Obama told graduates: ‘More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge’


theguardian--2020-05-19--Coronavirus US live: Trump claims to take hydroxychloroquine and threatens to withdraw US from WHO

…and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and the politics around it , the day after Donald Trump claimed to be taking hydroxychloroquine , an anti-malarial drug which the FDA warns should not be taken as a response to the coronavirus threat … as a response to the coronavirus threat , then threatened to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization .
Trump tweeted a letter to the WHO late on Monday night , saying it had 30 days to make “ substantive ” changes or his funding freeze would become permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Early on Tuesday , a WHO spokeswoman had no immediate comment , Reuters said .
The Trump administration says the WHO is too close to China , which it blames for the pandemic , and has also started a fight at the world body over the status of Taiwan .
Yes , all that happened .
And as it did , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland , the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the US passed 1.5m and the number of deaths passed 90,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not approved as a treatment for Covid-19 and Trump has not been diagnosed with the disease , to public knowledge .
Trump ’ s claim to be taking the drug was made as he attacked an administration whistleblower who went before Congress last week and described internal pressure to endorse the drug as an effective coronavirus treatment .
The whistleblower , Rick Bright , was the former director of a federal agency in charge of vaccines .
…Previously , Trump had endorsed the injection of disinfectants or light into the body to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a spike in calls to poison control centers .
…Trump touted hydroxychloroquine as a potential coronavirus treatment in March , a claim that was amplified for weeks on Fox News .
But alarming reports in April about the health risks tied to the drug silenced that talk until the Bright episode .
Where does one go from there ?
To widespread shocked reaction , for one thing , and to our explainer of what you need to know about the drug for another , and to Fox News hosts , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s supposed actions , for one more .
In his testimony before Congress , by the by , Bright warned of “ the darkest winter in modern history ” lying ahead if the US economy is reopened too soon , testing is not available as widely as possible and of course a vaccine is swiftly found .
The virus , he and other public health experts fear , may come back .
But Trump , who dropped his hydroxychloroquine bombshell around a teleconference with governors attempting to manage the pandemic , presses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ REOPEN OUR COUNTRY ” and thereby “ TRANSITION TO GREATNESS ” .
All this and more to come of course , including developments in Trump ’ s other current project , the “ Obamagate ” pseudoscandal which some cynical souls suggest might just be an attempt to distract from the administration ’ s handling of the pandemic and the cratering economy .
On Monday night , Senate judiciary chair Lindsey Graham said he wanted to subpoena papers from key Obama administration figures : Clapper , Comey , Brennan and so forth .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal investigations would be opened into Barack Obama or Joe Biden ’ s actions in office towards Michael Flynn , the Trump aide who ended up pleading guilty to lying to the FBI before Barr decided to try to drop the case against him and Trump came up with its “ scandal ” over routine intelligence practices .
Barr also said he wouldn ’ t use the “ criminal justice system for partisan political ends ” .
Which is , well , the kind of thing which causes comment when you have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh , and there ’ s a real scandal brewing at the Department of State , where Trump fired the official watchdog , who was investigating secretary of state Mike Pompeo , who Trump then seemed to throw somewhere near , if not yet right under , the bus .
More to come .

20 May 2020 01.04 BST Summary Donald Trump signed an executive order encouraging agencies to rollback regulations. “Agencies must continue to remove barriers to the greatest engine of economic prosperity the world has ever known: the innovation, initiative, and drive of the American people,” the order states.
“Agencies must continue to remove barriers to the greatest engine of economic prosperity the world has ever known: the innovation, initiative, and drive of the American people,” the order states. The Senate confirmed a Trump appointee to the Federal Elections Committee, giving the agency the four votes needed to regulate federal election campaign finance laws. Trey Trainor, the conservative Texas lawyer who as confirmed to the seat has pushed for less regulation of money in politics.
Trey Trainor, the conservative Texas lawyer who as confirmed to the seat has pushed for less regulation of money in politics. Member states backed the WHO after another attack from Trump, calling for a global show of support. A resolution that backed the WHO’s leadership and said there would be an investigation into the global response to the pandemic, but did not endorse a major overhaul, as Trump requested.
A resolution that backed the WHO’s leadership and said there would be an investigation into the global response to the pandemic, but did not endorse a major overhaul, as Trump requested. The president criticized a negative hydroxychloroquine study as a “Trump enemy statement”. A preliminary study of coronavirus patients at US veterans health administration medical centers found that showed those treated with the anti-malaria drug, which Trump has repeatedly promoted, had a higher risk of death.
A preliminary study of coronavirus patients at US veterans health administration medical centers found that showed those treated with the anti-malaria drug, which Trump has repeatedly promoted, had a higher risk of death. The US vice-president, Mike Pence, said he is not taking hydroxychloroquine. Pence’s admission came one day after Trump told reporters he has been taking the drug in recent days, despite the Food and Drug Administration’s guidance that it should only be used in hospital settings.
Pence’s admission came one day after Trump told reporters he has been taking the drug in recent days, despite the Food and Drug Administration’s guidance that it should only be used in hospital settings. Trump lashed out against Nancy Pelosi after the House speaker described the president as “morbidly obese”. Pelosi said she did not think Trump should be taking hydroxychloroquine, particularly considering his age and weight. “Pelosi is a sick woman,” Trump said in response. “She’s got a lot of problems, a lot of mental problems.”
Pelosi said she did not think Trump should be taking hydroxychloroquine, particularly considering his age and weight. “Pelosi is a sick woman,” Trump said in response. “She’s got a lot of problems, a lot of mental problems.” The treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, and the Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, virtually testified before the Senate banking committee. Mnuchin warned that an extended shutdown could potentially cause “permanent damage” to the US economy, while Powell suggested Congress may need to approve additional relief funding.
Mnuchin warned that an extended shutdown could potentially cause “permanent damage” to the US economy, while Powell suggested Congress may need to approve additional relief funding. New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, issued some thinly veiled criticism of Trump. “You’re not going to tweet your way through this,” Cuomo said during his daily briefing.
Updated at 01.59 BST
19 May 2020 00.45 BST Member states back WHO after renewed Donald Trump attack Patrick Wintour and Julian Borger report: Member states have backed a resolution strongly supportive of the World Health Organization, after Donald Trump issued a fresh broadside against the UN body, giving it 30 days to make unspecified reforms or lose out on US funding. A resolution that backed the WHO’s leadership and said there needed to be an investigation into the global response to the coronavirus pandemic won endorsement at the WHO’s annual ministerial meeting on Tuesday. The US president launched his attack late on Monday, sending a lengthy letter outlining America’s belief that the WHO had not been sufficiently independent of China, and had been too willing to accept its explanations for the origins of the coronavirus outbreak. As the pandemic worsens in the US, and other countries begin a tentative recovery, Trump has sought to blame China and the WHO. The letter accused the WHO of making repeated mistakes, meaning thousands of lives had been lost, and America’s interests not served. “If the WHO does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days, I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the WHO permanent and reconsider our membership,” Trump told its chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. His attack was timed to coincide with the start of the two-day World Health Assembly, which on Tuesday finally backed a draft resolution that supported a WHO-established independent and impartial inquiry into the WHO’s conduct over the coronavirus. The resolution, supported by China’s president, Xi Jinping, on Monday and largely drafted by the European Union, stops short of the kind of international inquiry focused on China’s conduct that was first canvassed by Australia and the US. The Chinese foreign ministry claimed the resolution was completely different from the politically motivated inquiry sought by Australia. Member states back WHO after renewed Donald Trump attack Read more
19 May 2020 00.30 BST Senate confirms Trump appointee to FEC The Senate has confirmed Trey Trainor, a conservative Texas attorney, to the Federal Elections Committee. Trainor, an election law attorney, has pushed for less regulation of money in politics. He advised the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump’s campaign during the 2016 election. The confirmation ends longest period in the agency’s history without a quorum. The committee will now have the four votes needed to regulate federal campaign finance laws.
Updated at 00.31 BST
19 May 2020 00.08 BST Oliver Milman Who is Sean Conley, the doctor gave Donald Trump hydoxychloroquine? Conley is US navy veteran and is qualified in osteopathic medicine. Conley, who is from Pennsylvania, graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 and went on to undertake a medical residency at a navy base in Virginia. He was then deployed to Afghanistan, where he acted as head of a trauma unit at a Nato base. The medical unit at the White House is typically staffed by doctors drawn from the US military and Conley found himself in line to become the president’s own physician after the departure of Ronny Jackson, who had previously raised eyebrows by praising Trump’s “good genes” and for saying that if the president had had “a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old”. Jackson had also sparked a short-lived “girther” conspiracy movement after reporting Trump’s weight as 239lb, just 1lb below a threshold that would class the president as obese. Trump sleeps just four or five hours a night, doesn’t exercise outside rounds of golf and is fond of McDonald’s but is fit enough for a second term, Jackson reported in 2018.
Sean Conley: the doctor who agreed to Trump taking hydroxychloroquine Read more
19 May 2020 23.56 BST Listen: The Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong explains that before reaching Trump, the hype around hydroxychloroquine, which is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, had moved from small clinical studies through to influencers in Silicon Valley and then on to prime time shows on Fox News. But rather than being 100% effective as has been claimed, there are serious doubts about the drug’s safety when taken to treat coronavirus.
The story behind Trump's 'miracle' drug hydroxychloroquine – podcast Read more
19 May 2020 23.23 BST Republicans are recruiting doctors to promote Trump’s plan to reopen the economy quickly, the AP reports:
Republican political operatives are recruiting “pro-Trump” doctors to go on television to prescribe reviving the U.S. economy as quickly as possible, without waiting to meet safety benchmarks proposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The plan was discussed in a May 11 conference call with a senior staffer for the Trump reelection campaign organized by CNP Action, an affiliate of the GOP-aligned Council for National Policy. A leaked recording of the hour-long call was provided to The Associated Press by the Center for Media and Democracy, a progressive watchdog group.CNP Action is part of the Save Our Country Coalition, an alliance of conservative think tanks and political committees formed in late April to end state lockdowns implemented in response to the pandemic. Other members of the coalition include the FreedomWorks Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council and Tea Party Patriots. Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, confirmed to AP that an effort to recruit doctors to publicly support the president is underway, but declined to say when the initiative would be rolled out. “Anybody who joins one of our coalitions is vetted,” Murtaugh said Monday. “And so quite obviously, all of our coalitions espouse policies and say things that are, of course, exactly simpatico with what the president believes. ... The president has been outspoken about the fact that he wants to get the country back open as soon as possible.”
Updated at 23.23 BST
19 May 2020 23.01 BST Environmental groups are none too pleased. “Trump’s latest order makes about as much sense as drinking bleach,” said Brett Hartl, the government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “He’s using the pandemic to slash life-saving protections for our air, water, and wildlife when these safeguards have never been more important. It’s astounding that Trump is so out of touch with the majority of people who understand that there can’t be economic recovery on a dying planet.”
Updated at 23.39 BST


theguardian--2020-05-18--Republicans devote $20m and 50,000 people to efforts to restrict voting

Donald Trump ’ s campaign and national Republicans are pumping millions of dollars into efforts to restrict voting and aggressively fight Democratic efforts to make it easier to cast a ballot during the Covid-19 pandemic .
The Republican National Committee has allocated $ 20m so far to oppose Democratic lawsuits across the country seeking to expand voting .
Republicans are also seeking to recruit up to 50,000 people in 15 key states to serve as poll watchers and challenge the registration of voters they believe are ineligible , according to the New York Times .
The 2020 election will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that national Republicans will be involved in such a program .
After the RNC was sued over intimidating minority voters in New Jersey in the early 1980s , they agreed to a federal court order not to engage in “ ballot security ” efforts .
The order expired in 2018 .
Ronna McDaniel , the chair of the RNC , accused Democrats of trying to “ destroy ” the integrity of elections on a conference call with reporters on Monday .
Several studies , however , have shown that voter fraud is exceedingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest in a high-stakes battle over voting laws that has shaped the last two decades in US politics .
Republicans have consistently supported voting restrictions citing voter fraud .
Democrats have pushed to make it easier to vote , saying the focus on voter fraud is just an excuse Republicans use to disenfranchise certain Americans , particularly students and minorities .
“ It is a sad commentary on the sorry state of the Republican party that , under Trump , its only hope for winning in November is to try to suppress the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney who is representing Democrats in many of their suits across the country .
Amid Covid-19 , the partisan fight has reached a new level .
Republicans have fought Democratic efforts in Wisconsin and other states to make it easier to vote by mail .
Democrats have sued to overturn requirements they say will make it difficult to cast a ballot during a pandemic , such as requiring people to give a state-approved excuse for why they want to vote absentee or a witness for their ballots .
“ What we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly aggressive voter suppression tactics because their agenda is unpopular and part of their strategy is to make it harder for Americans to vote , ” said David Bergstein , a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee .
“ We ’ re very aware that part of the Republican playbook is voter suppression and we ’ re fighting back .
”

Donald Trump’s campaign and national Republicans are pumping millions of dollars into efforts to restrict voting and aggressively fight Democratic efforts to make it easier to cast a ballot during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Republican National Committee has allocated $20m so far to oppose Democratic lawsuits across the country seeking to expand voting. Republicans are also seeking to recruit up to 50,000 people in 15 key states to serve as poll watchers and challenge the registration of voters they believe are ineligible, according to the New York Times.
The 2020 election will be the first time in nearly three decades that national Republicans will be involved in such a program. After the RNC was sued over intimidating minority voters in New Jersey in the early 1980s, they agreed to a federal court order not to engage in “ballot security” efforts. The order expired in 2018.
Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the RNC, accused Democrats of trying to “destroy” the integrity of elections on a conference call with reporters on Monday. Several studies, however, have shown that voter fraud is exceedingly rare.
The new effort is the latest in a high-stakes battle over voting laws that has shaped the last two decades in US politics. Republicans have consistently supported voting restrictions citing voter fraud. Democrats have pushed to make it easier to vote, saying the focus on voter fraud is just an excuse Republicans use to disenfranchise certain Americans, particularly students and minorities.
“It is a sad commentary on the sorry state of the Republican party that, under Trump, its only hope for winning in November is to try to suppress the vote,” said Marc Elias, an attorney who is representing Democrats in many of their suits across the country.
Amid Covid-19, the partisan fight has reached a new level. Republicans have fought Democratic efforts in Wisconsin and other states to make it easier to vote by mail. Democrats have sued to overturn requirements they say will make it difficult to cast a ballot during a pandemic, such as requiring people to give a state-approved excuse for why they want to vote absentee or a witness for their ballots.
“What we have seen over decades is that Republicans pursue incredibly aggressive voter suppression tactics because their agenda is unpopular and part of their strategy is to make it harder for Americans to vote,” said David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. “We’re very aware that part of the Republican playbook is voter suppression and we’re fighting back.”


theguardian--2020-05-19--Wisconsin is starting to resemble a failed state | Nathan Robinson

A failed state is one that can no longer claim legitimacy or perform a government ’ s core function of protecting the people ’ s basic security .
Lately , the Wisconsin supreme court seems to be doing its level best to make its state qualify for “ failed ” status .
Multiple decisions have both undermined the government ’ s legitimacy and endangered the people .
First , there was the primary .
Because voting in person is clearly risky during a pandemic , several states delayed their primaries to make sure everyone was able to mail in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a polling place .
Not so Wisconsin .
The state ’ s Democratic governor signed an executive order for an all mail-in election but was thwarted by the Republican legislature .
Then the governor issued an order postponing the election .
Republicans challenged it , and the Wisconsin supreme court sided with them .
The primary went forward , but was a disaster : there were “ long lines in Milwaukee , where only five polling places in the whole city were open ” and more than 50 people appear to have contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can vote without risking their lives is a basic duty of government , one at which Wisconsin failed .
But the Wisconsin supreme court ’ s latest decision is even worse .
The conservative majority overturned the state ’ s “ stay-at-home ” order , immediately leading bars to be flooded with patrons .
Even as public health officials stress the danger in suddenly lifting restrictions , justices presented it as a freedom issue , with one writing that the “ comprehensive claim to control virtually every aspect of a person ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a prison , not a free society governed by the rule of law ” .
Public opinion is generally against the anti-lockdown protests , but if a conservative minority has power , the “ letting a deadly virus spread unchecked = freedom ” perspective will triumph .
Courts are the least democratic branch of government to begin with ; judges are like robed “ philosopher kings ” with the power to overturn measures overwhelmingly favored by the people .
( Sometimes that ’ s a good thing , but decisions as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturn are almost always political . )
Once a single party dominates at court , it simply has veto power over the entire democratic process .
The court ’ s conservative majority has shown no hesitation in imposing its ideology on the state .
As Akela Lacy reported in the Intercept , they have been denying the rights of unionized workers , ruling consistently against criminal defendants , and even overturning a rule banning people from carrying weapons on public buses .
Wisconsin ’ s Republicans have succeeded in capturing power in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval .
As Michael Li of the Brennan Center documents , the state has been heavily gerrymandered , meaning Republicans can exercise power without having to win majority support : In a supposedly democratic country , this should be an outrage .
How can a government claim legitimacy if it does not require the people ’ s support ?
But this is true far beyond Wisconsin .
Republican rule is minority rule ; as we know , thanks to our archaic electoral college system Donald Trump , like George W Bush , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most votes , and the undemocratic Senate is Republican-dominated .
The Republican agenda is unpopular , meaning that in order to impose it , institutions have to be crafted that will prevent the population from exercising its will .
The easier it is for the masses to participate , the more difficult it is for Republicans to protect the 1 % , who really should be winning exactly 1 % of the vote .
( Donald Trump admitted that if voting were easy enough Republicans would never win another election . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can not protect them and can not claim democratic legitimacy ?
Very little .
The more that Wisconsin Republicans act to impose their will unilaterally without regard to the safety or will of the people , the less we should treat Wisconsin as a functional government .
• None Nathan Robinson is the editor of Current Affairs and a Guardian US columnist

A failed state is one that can no longer claim legitimacy or perform a government’s core function of protecting the people’s basic security. Lately, the Wisconsin supreme court seems to be doing its level best to make its state qualify for “failed” status. Multiple decisions have both undermined the government’s legitimacy and endangered the people.
First, there was the primary. Because voting in person is clearly risky during a pandemic, several states delayed their primaries to make sure everyone was able to mail in a ballot instead of having to go to a polling place. Not so Wisconsin. The state’s Democratic governor signed an executive order for an all mail-in election but was thwarted by the Republican legislature. Then the governor issued an order postponing the election. Republicans challenged it, and the Wisconsin supreme court sided with them. The primary went forward, but was a disaster: there were “long lines in Milwaukee, where only five polling places in the whole city were open” and more than 50 people appear to have contracted coronavirus as a result. Ensuring that people can vote without risking their lives is a basic duty of government, one at which Wisconsin failed.
But the Wisconsin supreme court’s latest decision is even worse. The conservative majority overturned the state’s “stay-at-home” order, immediately leading bars to be flooded with patrons. Even as public health officials stress the danger in suddenly lifting restrictions, justices presented it as a freedom issue, with one writing that the “comprehensive claim to control virtually every aspect of a person’s life is something we normally associate with a prison, not a free society governed by the rule of law”. Public opinion is generally against the anti-lockdown protests, but if a conservative minority has power, the “letting a deadly virus spread unchecked = freedom” perspective will triumph.
Courts are the least democratic branch of government to begin with; judges are like robed “philosopher kings” with the power to overturn measures overwhelmingly favored by the people. (Sometimes that’s a good thing, but decisions as to what to let stand and what to overturn are almost always political.) Once a single party dominates at court, it simply has veto power over the entire democratic process.
The court’s conservative majority has shown no hesitation in imposing its ideology on the state. As Akela Lacy reported in the Intercept, they have been denying the rights of unionized workers, ruling consistently against criminal defendants, and even overturning a rule banning people from carrying weapons on public buses.
Wisconsin’s Republicans have succeeded in capturing power in the state even without having to capture popular approval. As Michael Li of the Brennan Center documents, the state has been heavily gerrymandered, meaning Republicans can exercise power without having to win majority support:
“[G]errymandered maps make it virtually impossible for them to ever lose their legislative majority. Wisconsin’s maps were crafted with such micro-precision that even if Democrats managed to win a historically high 54% of the two-party vote – a level they’ve reached only once in the last 20 years — Republicans would still end up with a solid nine-seat majority in the state assembly. In fact, Wisconsin’s maps are so gerrymandered that Republicans can win close to a supermajority of house seats even with a minority of the vote. Analyses of the maps in the lawsuit challenging the maps showed that Republicans are a lock to win 60% of statehouse seats even if they win just 48% of the vote.”
In a supposedly democratic country, this should be an outrage. How can a government claim legitimacy if it does not require the people’s support? But this is true far beyond Wisconsin. Republican rule is minority rule; as we know, thanks to our archaic electoral college system Donald Trump, like George W Bush, was able to win the election without winning the most votes, and the undemocratic Senate is Republican-dominated. The Republican agenda is unpopular, meaning that in order to impose it, institutions have to be crafted that will prevent the population from exercising its will. The easier it is for the masses to participate, the more difficult it is for Republicans to protect the 1%, who really should be winning exactly 1% of the vote. (Donald Trump admitted that if voting were easy enough Republicans would never win another election.)
What respect do people owe a government that cannot protect them and cannot claim democratic legitimacy? Very little. The more that Wisconsin Republicans act to impose their will unilaterally without regard to the safety or will of the people, the less we should treat Wisconsin as a functional government.


theguardian--2020-05-20--President calls negative hydroxychloroquine study 'a Trump enemy statement' – as it happened

Member states have backed a resolution strongly supportive of the World Health Organization , after Donald Trump issued a fresh broadside against the UN body , giving it 30 days to make unspecified reforms or lose out on US funding .
A resolution that backed the WHO ’ s leadership and said there needed to be an investigation into the global response to the coronavirus pandemic won endorsement at the WHO ’ s annual ministerial meeting on Tuesday .
The US president launched his attack late on Monday , sending a lengthy letter outlining America ’ s belief that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , and had been too willing to accept its explanations for the origins of the coronavirus outbreak .
As the pandemic worsens in the US , and other countries begin a tentative recovery , Trump has sought to blame China and the WHO .
The letter accused the WHO of making repeated mistakes , meaning thousands of lives had been lost , and America ’ s interests not served .
“ If the WHO does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days , I will make my temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO permanent and reconsider our membership , ” Trump told its chief , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
His attack was timed to coincide with the start of the two-day World Health Assembly , which on Tuesday finally backed a draft resolution that supported a WHO-established independent and impartial inquiry into the WHO ’ s conduct over the coronavirus .
The resolution , supported by China ’ s president , Xi Jinping , on Monday and largely drafted by the European Union , stops short of the kind of international inquiry focused on China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Australia and the US .
The Chinese foreign ministry claimed the resolution was completely different from the politically motivated inquiry sought by Australia .

Maanvi Singh in Oakland, and Joan E Greve in Washington and Martin Pengelly in New York


theguardian--2020-05-19--Trump is taking hydroxychloroquine, White House confirms

Donald Trump on Tuesday further touted his apparent taking of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as protection against coronavirus despite federal regulators warning of the potentially serious , even fatal , dangers .
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US continued to rise and the death toll crept inexorably towards a landmark 100,000 , the highest in the world , Trump spent public appearances repeatedly talking about a dubious treatment and an economic comeback .
The president claimed a recent United States study indicating hydroxychloroquine was not an effective coronavirus treatment was a “ Trump enemy statement ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one survey , the only bad survey , they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape , ” Trump said .
“ They were very old .
Almost dead .
It was a Trump enemy statement.
” There have only been limited studies on the drug in relation to Covid-19 so far .
A spokeswoman for the president confirmed he is taking the malaria drug as a defense against Covid-19 .
The confirmation came hours after the House speaker , Nancy Pelosi , expressed alarm that Trump was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obese ” , in her words .
At the White House , the press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , told CBS News Trump was taking hydroxychloroquine .
“ I can absolutely confirm that , ” she said .
“ The president said himself he ’ s taking it .
That ’ s a given fact .
He said it .
The president should be taken at his word.
” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that for “ a couple weeks ” he had been taking hydroxychloroquine , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , before the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) warned that the drug could cause irregular heartbeats and other cardiac trouble .
The FDA has approved the drug for the treatment of malaria , lupus and rheumatoid arthritis .
“ You ’ d be surprised at how many people are taking it … The frontline workers , many , many are taking it , ” Trump said on Monday .
On Tuesday , McEnany told Fox News : “ Any use of hydroxychloroquine has to be in consultation with your doctor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s the way it must be done.
” The White House on Monday issued a statement by Sean P Conley , Trump ’ s doctor , which concluded : “ After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine , we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relevant risks.
” Trump then falsely claimed that evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine does not have negative side effects .
“ What has been determined is it doesn ’ t harm you , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Drug Administration has said hydroxychloroquine should only be used as a coronavirus treatment in hopsital settings , due to “ reports of serious heart rhythm problems ” in virus patients who had received the drug .
When a reporter mentioned the FDA guidance , Trump said , “ That ’ s not what I was told.
” “ He ’ s our president , and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists , especially in his age group and his , shall we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House speaker , 80 , told CNN of Trump , 73 , on Monday evening .
“ Morbidly obese , they say .
So , I think it ’ s not a good idea.
” Trump is obese , as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) defines the term , but he does not appear to qualify as “ extremely obese ” , the top category .
The ambiguity stems from unreliable data , as Trump tends to exaggerate his height and lowball his weight .
The FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ have not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing Covid-19 ” .
“ While clinical trials are ongoing to determine the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for Covid-19 , there are known side-effects of these medications that should be considered , ” the FDA commissioner , Stephen Hahn , said in a statement then .
The FDA has not updated that guidance .
Experts warned that Trump ’ s claim to be taking the drug could lead to a spike in demand , potentially making it harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill prescriptions .
After Trump hyped the drug in March , an Arizona man died from ingesting a form of chloroquine used to clean fish tanks .
“ We saw Trump on TV – every channel – and all of his buddies said that this was safe , ” the man ’ s wife , who also ingested the drug , told NBC .
“ Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure.
” On Monday night a Fox News host , Neil Cavuto , expressed his concern , telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to make a political point here , but a life-and-death point .
Be very , very careful.
” Fox News opinion hosts Laura Ingraham , Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity swung behind the president but Trump was angered nonetheless , retweeting one Twitter user who called Cavuto an “ asshole ” .
He also bemoaned the network ’ s output since the departure of Roger Ailes , who resigned as chairman and CEO in disgrace , after being credibly accused of sexual harassment .
Ailes died in 2017 .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask as a basic prophylactic measure against the virus ’ s spread , riffed from the White House podium that “ powerful light ” and “ disinfectant ” could be potential Covid-19 treatments , prompting warnings from manufacturers of some cleaning products .
Those comments coincided with a spike in calls to poison control centers and prompted US disinfectant manufacturers to issue warnings that their products should not be ingested .

Donald Trump has further touted his apparent taking of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as protection against coronavirus despite federal regulators warning of the potentially serious, even fatal, dangers.
As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths continued to rise, Trump spent public appearances repeatedly talking about a dubious treatment and an economic comeback.
The president claimed a recent US study indicating hydroxychloroquine was not an effective coronavirus treatment was a “Trump enemy statement”.
“If you look at the one survey, the only bad survey, they were giving it to people that were in very bad shape,” Trump said. “They were very old. Almost dead. It was a Trump enemy statement.”
There have only been limited studies on the drug in relation to Covid-19 so far.
A spokeswoman for the president confirmed he is taking the malaria drug as a defense against Covid-19.
The confirmation came hours after the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, expressed alarm that Trump was taking the drug since he is “morbidly obese”, in her words.
At the White House, the press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, told CBS News Trump was taking hydroxychloroquine.
“I can absolutely confirm that,” she said.
“The president said himself he’s taking it. That’s a given fact. He said it. The president should be taken at his word.”
Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that for “a couple weeks” he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, which he first touted as a Covid-19 treatment in March, before the FDA warned that the drug could cause irregular heartbeats and other cardiac trouble.
The FDA has approved the drug for the treatment of malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
“You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it. The frontline workers, many, many are taking it,” Trump said on Monday.
On Tuesday, McEnany told Fox News: “Any use of hydroxychloroquine has to be in consultation with your doctor. You have to have a prescription. That’s the way it must be done.”
The White House on Monday issued a statement by Sean Conley, Trump’s doctor, which read: “After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relevant risks.”
Trump then falsely claimed that evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine does not have negative side effects. “What has been determined is it doesn’t harm you.”
In reality, the FDA has said hydroxychloroquine should only be used as a coronavirus treatment in hopsital settings, due to “reports of serious heart rhythm problems” in virus patients who had received the drug.
When a reporter mentioned the FDA guidance, Trump said, “That’s not what I was told.”
But Pelosi has expressed alarm.
“He’s our president, and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and his, shall we say, weight group,” the House speaker, 80, told CNN of Trump, 73, on Monday evening.
“Morbidly obese, they say. So, I think it’s not a good idea.”
Trump is obese, as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the term, but he does not appear to qualify as “extremely obese”, the top category. The ambiguity stems from unreliable data, as Trump tends to exaggerate his height and lowball his weight.
The FDA advised in April that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine “have not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing Covid-19”.
“While clinical trials are ongoing to determine the safety and effectiveness of these drugs for Covid-19, there are known side effects of these medications that should be considered,” the FDA commissioner, Stephen Hahn, said then.
The FDA has not updated that guidance. Experts warned that Trump’s claim to be taking the drug could lead to a spike in demand, potentially making it harder for vulnerable patients who need the drug to fill prescriptions.
After Trump hyped the drug in March, an Arizona man died from ingesting a form of chloroquine used to clean fish tanks.
“We saw Trump on TV – every channel – and all of his buddies said that this was safe,” the man’s wife, who also ingested the drug, told NBC. “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure.”
On Monday night a Fox News host, Neil Cavuto, expressed his concern, telling viewers: “I only make this not to make a political point here, but a life-and-death point. Be very, very careful.”
Fox News opinion hosts Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity swung behind the president but Trump was angered nonetheless, retweeting one Twitter user who called Cavuto an “asshole”.
Trump also bemoaned the network’s output since the departure of Roger Ailes, who resigned as chairman and chief executive in disgrace, after being credibly accused of sexual harassment. Ailes died in 2017.
Last month, Trump, who has declined to wear a mask as a basic prophylactic measure against the virus’s spread, riffed from the White House podium that “powerful light” and “disinfectant” could be potential Covid-19 treatments, prompting warnings from manufacturers of some cleaning products.
Those comments coincided with a spike in calls to poison control centers and prompted US disinfectant manufacturers to issue warnings that their products should not be ingested.


theguardian--2020-05-19--Roe v Wade plaintiff admits abortion rights reversal ‘was all an act’ in new film

Norma McCorvey , most notable for being the plaintiff known as Jane Roe in the 1973 landmark supreme court case Roe v Wade that led to abortion becoming legal in the United States , made a stunning admission just before her death in 2017 , it has emerged .
“ This is my deathbed confession , ” she explained .
In a documentary that is premiering on Friday and is already making waves , McCorvey admits that her infamous reversal on abortion rights “ was all an act ” .
McCorvey , who died from heart failure at the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anti-abortion advocate was largely funded by ultra-conservative groups such as Operation Rescue .
She went on to describe herself as “ the big fish ” in a “ mutual ” propaganda campaign .
McCorvey gained notoriety with the help of evangelical Christian leaders like Operation Rescue ’ s founders the Rev Flip Benham and the Rev Rob Schenck .
The conservative film Roe v. Wade , starring Jon Voight and Stacey Dash depicted McCorvey ’ s “ conversion ” in the famous case of the same name .
“ I took their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say .
That ’ s what I ’ d say , ” she said .
“ I did it well too , I am a good actress.
” The documentary , called AKA Jane Roe , showing on FX , explores McCorvey ’ s tumultuous upbringing that entailed incidents of alleged abuse and neglect .
She experienced a short-lived marriage as a teenager before a decades-long relationship with girlfriend Connie Gonzalez .
The documentary reveals McCorvey received at least $ 450,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement .
Included in the documentary also are scenes from the presidential election night in 2016 , depicting McCorvey ’ s disappointment as Democrat Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump .
“ I wish I knew how many abortions Donald Trump was responsible for , ” she quipped in the scene .
“ I ’ m sure he ’ s lost count , if he can count that high.
” Nick Sweeney , who directed the film , told the Los Angeles Times its goal was not to add to the abortion debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of a woman who he described as an “ enigmatic person at the center of this very divisive issue ” .
“ With an issue like this there can be a temptation for different players to reduce ‘ Jane Roe ’ to an emblem or a trophy , ” he said .
“ Behind that is a real person with a real story .
Norma was incredibly complex.
” In the film , the Rev Schenck , after viewing McCorvey ’ s confession , confides he “ never heard her say anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what we were doing , adding “ there were times when [ he ] was sure she knew ” .
“ I wondered , ‘ Is she playing us ?
’ ” he said .
“ What I didn ’ t have the guts to say was , ‘ because I know damn well we ’ re playing her ’ .
” McCorvey ’ s opinion toward abortion evolved throughout much of her life , but what stayed consistent was the feeling she was used as a pawn by both sides in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts on abortion at the time of her death , McCorvey made sure to set the record straight : “ If a young woman wants to have an abortion , that ’ s no skin off my ass .
That ’ s why they call it choice , ” she said .

Norma McCorvey, most notable for being the plaintiff known as Jane Roe in the 1973 landmark supreme court case Roe v Wade that led to abortion becoming legal in the United States, made a stunning admission just before her death in 2017, it has emerged.
“This is my deathbed confession,” she explained.
In a documentary that is premiering on Friday and is already making waves, McCorvey admits that her infamous reversal on abortion rights “was all an act”.
McCorvey, who died from heart failure at the age of 69, revealed her role as an anti-abortion advocate was largely funded by ultra-conservative groups such as Operation Rescue. She went on to describe herself as “the big fish” in a “mutual” propaganda campaign.
McCorvey gained notoriety with the help of evangelical Christian leaders like Operation Rescue’s founders the Rev Flip Benham and the Rev Rob Schenck. The conservative film Roe v. Wade, starring Jon Voight and Stacey Dash depicted McCorvey’s “conversion” in the famous case of the same name.
“I took their money and they’d put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say. That’s what I’d say,” she said. “I did it well too, I am a good actress.”
The documentary, called AKA Jane Roe, showing on FX, explores McCorvey’s tumultuous upbringing that entailed incidents of alleged abuse and neglect. She experienced a short-lived marriage as a teenager before a decades-long relationship with girlfriend Connie Gonzalez.
The documentary reveals McCorvey received at least $450,000 in “benevolent gifts” from the anti-abortion movement.
Included in the documentary also are scenes from the presidential election night in 2016, depicting McCorvey’s disappointment as Democrat Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump.
“I wish I knew how many abortions Donald Trump was responsible for,” she quipped in the scene. “I’m sure he’s lost count, if he can count that high.”
Wow: Norma McCorvey (aka “Roe” of Roe v Wade) revealed on her deathbed that she was paid by right-wing operatives to flip her stance on reproductive rights.
So, like many right-wing operations, it turns out a huge part of the anti-choice movement was a scam the entire time. https://t.co/XBwvPKmSqU — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 19, 2020
Nick Sweeney, who directed the film, told the Los Angeles Times its goal was not to add to the abortion debate, but to explore more of the life of a woman who he described as an “enigmatic person at the center of this very divisive issue”.
“With an issue like this there can be a temptation for different players to reduce ‘Jane Roe’ to an emblem or a trophy,” he said. “Behind that is a real person with a real story. Norma was incredibly complex.”
In the film, the Rev Schenck, after viewing McCorvey’s confession, confides he “never heard her say anything like this” but that movement leaders knew what we were doing, adding “there were times when [he] was sure she knew”.
“I wondered, ‘Is she playing us?’” he said. “What I didn’t have the guts to say was, ‘because I know damn well we’re playing her’.”
McCorvey’s opinion toward abortion evolved throughout much of her life, but what stayed consistent was the feeling she was used as a pawn by both sides in the debate.
As far as her thoughts on abortion at the time of her death, McCorvey made sure to set the record straight: “If a young woman wants to have an abortion, that’s no skin off my ass. That’s why they call it choice,” she said.


theguardian--2020-05-19--US economy risks 'permanent damage' from long lockdowns, Mnuchin warns

The US economy risks “ permanent damage ” if coronavirus lockdowns continue for months , the treasury secretary , Steven Mnuchin , has warned Congress .
Mnuchin ’ s comments came in a joint appearance before the Senate banking committee with Jerome Powell , the chairman of the Federal Reserve .
Appearing via video link , the pair offered a stark assessment of the fragile state of the economy and warned of worse to come .
“ I think the jobs numbers will be worse before they get better , ” Mnuchin said , adding that the overall economy too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term before starting to recover towards the end of the year .
After the hearing the Congressional Budget Office ( CBO ) released its own bleak outlook for economic growth , predicting a 38 % decline in economic growth in the second quarter on an annualized basis .
Congress has already approved a near $ 3tn package of measures aimed at reducing the impact of a crisis that has led to an unprecedented surge in job losses , and which threatens to push unemployment up to heights unseen since the 1930s Depression .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero and launched nine lending programs to support businesses , cities , states and financial markets .
Mnuchin and Powell said more action would be needed .
In recent weeks , the Trump administration has tried to move the debate from containment to the need to reopen the economy .
The move has been criticized by epidemiologists and other experts who remain concerned the coronavirus is not yet under control .
The Democratic senator Sherrod Brown pressed Mnuchin on the White House ’ s push to rapidly reopen parts of the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives to increase our [ gross domestic product ] by half a percent ?
” Brown asked Mnuchin .
Mnuchin replied : “ No workers should give their lives to do that , Mr Senator , and I think your characterization is unfair.
” Mnuchin and Powell said economic data from states that are beginning to reopen will be key to determining the next steps in the federal response .
Powell said : “ We ’ re going to see here fairly quickly how the opening goes .
It ’ s very hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be getting a lot of information fairly quickly in terms of what might be needed.
” Brown countered that “ from what we know so far , it does not appear that this administration or the Federal Reserve are making workers their priority ” .
Brown said he wanted to know “ not about what you ’ re doing for big banks or big corporations , and how you expect that money to trickle down , but how you ’ re making sure the money and authority Congress gave you actually help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Mnuchin acknowledged the “ unprecedented challenges the American people are experiencing ” and defended the administration ’ s record .
He said : “ President Trump and the entire administration are committed to providing necessary relief to help people get through this time .
”

The US economy risks “permanent damage” if coronavirus lockdowns continue for months, the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, has warned Congress.
Mnuchin’s comments came in a joint appearance before the Senate banking committee with Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Appearing via video link, the pair offered a stark assessment of the fragile state of the economy and warned of worse to come.
“I think the jobs numbers will be worse before they get better,” Mnuchin said, adding that the overall economy too was likely to weaken in the near term before starting to recover towards the end of the year.
After the hearing the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its own bleak outlook for economic growth, predicting a 38% decline in economic growth in the second quarter on an annualized basis.
Congress has already approved a near $3tn package of measures aimed at reducing the impact of a crisis that has led to an unprecedented surge in job losses, and which threatens to push unemployment up to heights unseen since the 1930s Depression.
The Fed has cut interest rates to zero and launched nine lending programs to support businesses, cities, states and financial markets.
Mnuchin and Powell said more action would be needed.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has tried to move the debate from containment to the need to reopen the economy. The move has been criticized by epidemiologists and other experts who remain concerned the coronavirus is not yet under control.
The Democratic senator Sherrod Brown pressed Mnuchin on the White House’s push to rapidly reopen parts of the economy. “How many workers should give their lives to increase our [gross domestic product] by half a percent?” Brown asked Mnuchin.
Mnuchin replied: “No workers should give their lives to do that, Mr Senator, and I think your characterization is unfair.”
Mnuchin and Powell said economic data from states that are beginning to reopen will be key to determining the next steps in the federal response.
Powell said: “We’re going to see here fairly quickly how the opening goes. It’s very hard to know. We’re going to be getting a lot of information fairly quickly in terms of what might be needed.”
Brown countered that “from what we know so far, it does not appear that this administration or the Federal Reserve are making workers their priority”.
Brown said he wanted to know “not about what you’re doing for big banks or big corporations, and how you expect that money to trickle down, but how you’re making sure the money and authority Congress gave you actually help the people who make this country work?”
Mnuchin acknowledged the “unprecedented challenges the American people are experiencing” and defended the administration’s record.
He said: “President Trump and the entire administration are committed to providing necessary relief to help people get through this time.”


theguardian--2020-05-19--Sean Conley: the doctor who agreed to Trump taking hydroxychloroquine

Sean Conley , the doctor who acceded to Donald Trump ’ s request to be given a drug unproven to treat the coronavirus , is a US navy veteran and is qualified in osteopathic medicine .
Conley , who is from Pennsylvania , graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 and went on to undertake a medical residency at a navy base in Virginia .
He was then deployed to Afghanistan , where he acted as head of a trauma unit at a Nato base .
The medical unit at the White House is typically staffed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley found himself in line to become the president ’ s own physician after the departure of Ronny Jackson , who had previously raised eyebrows by praising Trump ’ s “ good genes ” and for saying that if the president had had “ a healthier diet over the last 20 years , he might live to be 200 years old ” .
Jackson had also sparked a short-lived “ girther ” conspiracy movement after reporting Trump ’ s weight as 239lb , just 1lb below a threshold that would class the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or five hours a night , doesn ’ t exercise outside rounds of golf and is fond of McDonald ’ s but is fit enough for a second term , Jackson reported in 2018 .
The position of presidential physician , formally established by Congress in 1928 , is usually a low-profile and uneventful one .
Daniel Ruge had to care for Ronald Reagan after the then president was shot in 1981 but still described the job as “ vastly overrated , boring and not medically challenging ” .
Ruge recalled having little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending state dinners in his office wearing formal dress doing crossword puzzles , in case an emergency arose .
Conley , who became the president ’ s physician in May 2018 , had also largely steered clear of public attention until Trump ’ s extraordinary claim that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine , an anti-malarial drug .
Trump has repeatedly touted the drug as a treatment for Covid-19 , despite it not having gone through any clinical trials or approvals for this use .
The Food and Drug Administration has warned against taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency hospital intervention , citing potential heart problems .
Despite these warnings , and the fact Trump has not tested positive for Covid-19 , Conley wrote a memo stating that following discussions with the president they concluded that the “ potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks ” of taking hydroxychloroquine .
Conley also confirmed in the memo that Trump is in good health .
Describing his consultation with Conley , Trump said on Monday : “ I asked him ‘ what do you think ?
’ He said ‘ Well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said ‘ Yeah , I ’ d like it .
I ’ d like to take it.
’ ” “ Here ’ s my evidence : I get a lot of positive calls about it , ” the president added .
“ So far , I seem to be OK .
”

Sean Conley, the doctor who acceded to Donald Trump’s request to be given a drug unproven to treat the coronavirus, is a US navy veteran and is qualified in osteopathic medicine.
Conley, who is from Pennsylvania, graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006 and went on to undertake a medical residency at a navy base in Virginia. He was then deployed to Afghanistan, where he acted as head of a trauma unit at a Nato base.
The medical unit at the White House is typically staffed by doctors drawn from the US military and Conley found himself in line to become the president’s own physician after the departure of Ronny Jackson, who had previously raised eyebrows by praising Trump’s “good genes” and for saying that if the president had had “a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old”.
Jackson had also sparked a short-lived “girther” conspiracy movement after reporting Trump’s weight as 239lb, just 1lb below a threshold that would class the president as obese. Trump sleeps just four or five hours a night, doesn’t exercise outside rounds of golf and is fond of McDonald’s but is fit enough for a second term, Jackson reported in 2018.
The position of presidential physician, formally established by Congress in 1928, is usually a low-profile and uneventful one. Daniel Ruge had to care for Ronald Reagan after the then president was shot in 1981 but still described the job as “vastly overrated, boring and not medically challenging”. Ruge recalled having little to do for his only patient, spending state dinners in his office wearing formal dress doing crossword puzzles, in case an emergency arose.
Conley, who became the president’s physician in May 2018, had also largely steered clear of public attention until Trump’s extraordinary claim that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug.
Trump has repeatedly touted the drug as a treatment for Covid-19, despite it not having gone through any clinical trials or approvals for this use. The Food and Drug Administration has warned against taking the drug outside a clinical trial or emergency hospital intervention, citing potential heart problems.
Despite these warnings, and the fact Trump has not tested positive for Covid-19, Conley wrote a memo stating that following discussions with the president they concluded that the “potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks” of taking hydroxychloroquine.
Conley also confirmed in the memo that Trump is in good health.
Describing his consultation with Conley, Trump said on Monday: “I asked him ‘what do you think?’ He said ‘Well, if you’d like it.’ I said ‘Yeah, I’d like it. I’d like to take it.’”
“Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it,” the president added. “So far, I seem to be OK.”