shareblue--2020-03-24--Trump keeps pushing miracle cures — and it's hurting Americans

Donald Trump continues to peddle false hope about a cure for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , even as health officials have warned against doing so .
And his bad information has already begun to hurt Americans and sow confusion around the world .
`` HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN , taken together , have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine , '' Trump tweeted on Saturday .
`` Hopefully they will BOTH ( H works better with A , International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents ) ... be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DYING , MOVE FAST , and GOD BLESS EVERYONE ! ''
he added .
At press conferences over the weekend , Trump reiterated that the combination of drugs could cure or prevent COVID-19 , even as Dr. Anthony Fauci , the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health , said there was no evidence the drugs could help .
`` No , '' Fauci said on Saturday when asked if hydroxychloroquine , a drug used to treat malaria and other diseases , could cure COVID-19 .
`` The answer ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man died and his wife was hospitalized after the two ingested chloroquine phosphate , an additive used in fish tank cleaner that is also found in the anti-malarial drug Trump touted .
`` We saw Trump on TV — every channel — and all of his buddies and that this was safe , '' the woman , based in Arizona , told NBC News .
`` Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure . ''
She now has advice for others .
`` Do n't believe anything that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your doctor , '' she said .
The World Health Organization also warned about the dangers of Trump 's rhetoric .
`` Using untested medicines without the right evidence could raise false hope and even do more harm than good , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the director-general of the World Health Organization , said on Monday .
Trump 's repeated insistence that the drugs could work against COVID-19 has added to a chaotic situation across the country and around the world .
In the United States , patients who need hydroxychloroquine to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arthritis are in fear of not being able to fill their prescriptions , the New York Times reported on Friday .
Lupus patients who do not take the medicine can become very ill. On Tuesday , the Times warned that doctors are prescribing the medication to themselves and their family members as a precaution , even though there is no proof that it works , adding to the anxiety over a potential shortage of the drug .
Hydroxychloroquine prices are `` skyrocketing '' across Africa and South Asia , according to the Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against taking it to treat COVID-19 .
`` There is no known dosage for COVID-19 and whether it can actually cure it , it 's safer to avoid chloroquine , '' Dr. Chris Kaganda , a Ugandan public health expert , told the Journal .
`` But you know these are desperate times . ''
On Saturday , three people in Nigeria were hospitalized for overdosing on chloroquine , the Journal reported .
Social media companies and some government agencies are cracking down on the peddling of fake cures as the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Twitter announced that it would remove tweets containing misinformation about coronavirus cures .
According to policies reported by the Guardian , Twitter will address content that `` goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information . ''
By the end of February , retail giant Amazon had already pulled down more than 1 million items that sellers claimed could cure or protect against coronavirus .
The state of Missouri sued televangelist Jim Bakker for selling something called `` Silver Solution '' and claiming it could cure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice issued a press release on March 22 warning that those selling `` bogus vaccines or cures '' pose a danger to the public by `` spreading misinformation and creating confusion . ''
The release advises the public to `` Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine , cure , or treatment , '' noting that any announcement of a treatment will not first appear in an `` unsolicited sales pitch . ''
Despite the crackdown , Trump 's tweets about unfounded cures for coronavirus have not been taken down .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Donald Trump continues to peddle false hope about a cure for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, even as health officials have warned against doing so. And his bad information has already begun to hurt Americans and sow confusion around the world.
“HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine,” Trump tweeted on Saturday.
“Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents) … be put in use IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE ARE DYING, MOVE FAST, and GOD BLESS EVERYONE!” he added.
At press conferences over the weekend, Trump reiterated that the combination of drugs could cure or prevent COVID-19, even as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health, said there was no evidence the drugs could help.
“No,” Fauci said on Saturday when asked if hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria and other diseases, could cure COVID-19. “The answer … is no.”
Days later, a man died and his wife was hospitalized after the two ingested chloroquine phosphate, an additive used in fish tank cleaner that is also found in the anti-malarial drug Trump touted.
“We saw Trump on TV — every channel — and all of his buddies and that this was safe,” the woman, based in Arizona, told NBC News. “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure.”
She now has advice for others.
“Don’t believe anything that the president says and his people … call your doctor,” she said.
The World Health Organization also warned about the dangers of Trump’s rhetoric.
“Using untested medicines without the right evidence could raise false hope and even do more harm than good,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said on Monday.
Trump’s repeated insistence that the drugs could work against COVID-19 has added to a chaotic situation across the country and around the world.
In the United States, patients who need hydroxychloroquine to treat diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are in fear of not being able to fill their prescriptions, the New York Times reported on Friday. Lupus patients who do not take the medicine can become very ill.
On Tuesday, the Times warned that doctors are prescribing the medication to themselves and their family members as a precaution, even though there is no proof that it works, adding to the anxiety over a potential shortage of the drug.
Hydroxychloroquine prices are “skyrocketing” across Africa and South Asia, according to the Wall Street Journal, even as doctors warn against taking it to treat COVID-19.
“There is no known dosage for COVID-19 and whether it can actually cure it, it’s safer to avoid chloroquine,” Dr. Chris Kaganda, a Ugandan public health expert, told the Journal. “But you know these are desperate times.”
On Saturday, three people in Nigeria were hospitalized for overdosing on chloroquine, the Journal reported.
Social media companies and some government agencies are cracking down on the peddling of fake cures as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.
On March 19, Twitter announced that it would remove tweets containing misinformation about coronavirus cures. According to policies reported by the Guardian, Twitter will address content that “goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information.”
By the end of February, retail giant Amazon had already pulled down more than 1 million items that sellers claimed could cure or protect against coronavirus.
The state of Missouri sued televangelist Jim Bakker for selling something called “Silver Solution” and claiming it could cure coronavirus within 12 hours.
Trump’s Department of Justice issued a press release on March 22 warning that those selling “bogus vaccines or cures” pose a danger to the public by “spreading misinformation and creating confusion.”
The release advises the public to “Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment,” noting that any announcement of a treatment will not first appear in an “unsolicited sales pitch.”
Despite the crackdown, Trump’s tweets about unfounded cures for coronavirus have not been taken down.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--Republicans falsely claim that voting by mail is fraud

With the 2020 elections already being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic , congressional Democrats are pushing to allow all American voters the option of casting their votes by mail .
Donald Trump and his supporters are responding by pushing a baseless conspiracy theory that this is `` voter fraud . ''
On Tuesday morning , Trump retweeted a comment by conservative actor James Woods that said , `` Voter fraud by Democrats is the second most dangerous thing to happen to America since this virus . ''
Woods was himself sharing content from right-wing activist Tom Fitton that `` leftists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 crisis to push an `` unsecure , 'vote by mail ' free for all '' to steal the 2020 elections .
Fitton 's claim had also been shared by another Republican politician , Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia , on Monday evening .
Republican Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of wanting to `` make national voting open for fraud n the midst of a national crisis , '' while several of his GOP colleagues complained that Democrats wanted to `` federalize '' elections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-author of a Senate bill to expand mail-in voting , said last week , `` No one should have to put their health at risk to vote.
” But conservatives — who have for years pushed the myth that voter fraud is a widespread problem — claim that mail-in ballots could make it easier for liberals to rig the election .
In reality , voter fraud in the United States is almost nonexistent .
While some studies have found that vote-by-mail balloting may result in a few more cases of voter fraud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CEO of the nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute , said in an email that fraud was not a major problem with mail-in balloting because `` the system with things like signature verification helps to detect and prevent fraud . ''
After the 2016 election , Oregon and Washington — states that have already adopted voting by mail — examined the number of suspected voter fraud cases in the general election .
Washington found 74 cases out of 3.36 million votes cast , a rate of about 0.002 % .
Oregon found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % rate .
In a 2016 Washington Monthly opinion piece , former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling noted why universal voting by mail should be adopted nationally .
`` Universal vote by mail has also proven to be at least as secure from fraud—and arguably more so—as traditional voting at polls , '' he wrote , noting that while some fraud has occurred , `` the odds are about the same as your dying next month in a plane crash , caused by a flaming meteorite . ''
Voting by mail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wholesale fraud because it is so decentralized .
`` Mail-based voting systems today are far less risky than most polling place elections , precisely because they distribute ballots ( and electoral risk ) in such a decentralized way , '' Keisling wrote .
`` To have any reasonable chance of success , an organized effort to defraud a mail-based system and its safeguards must involve hundreds ( if not thousands ) of separate acts , all of them individual felonies , that must both occur and go undetected to have any chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gerry Langeler , the director of communications and research for the National Vote at Home Institute , noted that there are risks inherent in any system : Those who raise the specter of mailed-out ballot fraud do not want to compare the theoretical coercion risk to well-documented traditional polling place 'issues ' of voting machines that change ballots , voting machines missing power cords in 'select ' precincts , poll workers who 'forgot ' the keys , people being told their ID did not qualify when it did , or long lines where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are far more impactful than the possible coercion risk of mailed-out ballots .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

With the 2020 elections already being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, congressional Democrats are pushing to allow all American voters the option of casting their votes by mail.
Donald Trump and his supporters are responding by pushing a baseless conspiracy theory that this is “voter fraud.”
On Tuesday morning, Trump retweeted a comment by conservative actor James Woods that said, “Voter fraud by Democrats is the second most dangerous thing to happen to America since this virus.”
Woods was himself sharing content from right-wing activist Tom Fitton that “leftists” are using the “pretext” of the COVID-19 crisis to push an “unsecure, ‘vote by mail’ free for all” to steal the 2020 elections.
Fitton’s claim had also been shared by another Republican politician, Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia, on Monday evening.
Republican Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of wanting to “make national voting open for fraud n the midst of a national crisis,” while several of his GOP colleagues complained that Democrats wanted to “federalize” elections.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), co-author of a Senate bill to expand mail-in voting, said last week, “No one should have to put their health at risk to vote.”
But conservatives — who have for years pushed the myth that voter fraud is a widespread problem — claim that mail-in ballots could make it easier for liberals to rig the election.
In reality, voter fraud in the United States is almost nonexistent. While some studies have found that vote-by-mail balloting may result in a few more cases of voter fraud, it remains very rare.
Amber McReynolds, CEO of the nonprofit National Vote at Home Institute, said in an email that fraud was not a major problem with mail-in balloting because “the system with things like signature verification helps to detect and prevent fraud.”
After the 2016 election, Oregon and Washington — states that have already adopted voting by mail — examined the number of suspected voter fraud cases in the general election. Washington found 74 cases out of 3.36 million votes cast, a rate of about 0.002%. Oregon found just 54 cases and the same 0.002% rate.
In a 2016 Washington Monthly opinion piece, former Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling noted why universal voting by mail should be adopted nationally.
“Universal vote by mail has also proven to be at least as secure from fraud—and arguably more so—as traditional voting at polls,” he wrote, noting that while some fraud has occurred, “the odds are about the same as your dying next month in a plane crash, caused by a flaming meteorite.”
Voting by mail, he added, is much less susceptible to wholesale fraud because it is so decentralized. “Mail-based voting systems today are far less risky than most polling place elections, precisely because they distribute ballots (and electoral risk) in such a decentralized way,” Keisling wrote.
“To have any reasonable chance of success, an organized effort to defraud a mail-based system and its safeguards must involve hundreds (if not thousands) of separate acts, all of them individual felonies, that must both occur and go undetected to have any chance of success,” he added.
Gerry Langeler, the director of communications and research for the National Vote at Home Institute, noted that there are risks inherent in any system:
Those who raise the specter of mailed-out ballot fraud do not want to compare the theoretical coercion risk to well-documented traditional polling place ‘issues’ of voting machines that change ballots, voting machines missing power cords in ‘select’ precincts, poll workers who ‘forgot’ the keys, people being told their ID did not qualify when it did, or long lines where voters give up and go home. These are far more impactful than the possible coercion risk of mailed-out ballots.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--Trump wants to rush to end restrictions by Easter: 'It's such an important day'

Donald Trump on Tuesday said he wants to lift the social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus by Easter , which is just over two weeks away .
Public health experts say that ending the measures too soon could cause the number of people infected with COVID-19 disease to skyrocket — a phenomenon that would overflow the nation 's health care system and possibly cause more deaths .
However , Trump — who has apparenlty grown tired of seeing the economic impacts of social distancing measures — wants to get the country back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , `` WE CAN NOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF . ''
And he set the date he wants to open everything back up as Easter Sunday , which falls on April 12 .
`` I 'd love to have it open by Easter , I would love to have it open by Easter , I will tell you that right now .
I would love to have that , '' Trump said Tuesday at a Fox News town hall on the virus response .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I 'll make an important day , but I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter . ''
As Trump says he wants to open the country back up by Easter , Pope Francis plans to hold Easter services at the Vatican without any crowds — an unprecedented move .
Italy , however , is facing a massive public health crisis due to COVID-19 disease , with more than 6,000 people dying and hospitals struggling to keep up with the ill that keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country has had strict social distancing measures in place for weeks , and plans to continue those measures to try and stop the virus ' spread .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Tuesday said he wants to lift the social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus by Easter, which is just over two weeks away.
Public health experts say that ending the measures too soon could cause the number of people infected with COVID-19 disease to skyrocket — a phenomenon that would overflow the nation’s health care system and possibly cause more deaths.
However, Trump — who has apparenlty grown tired of seeing the economic impacts of social distancing measures — wants to get the country back to work anyway, saying on Sunday that, “WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.”
And he set the date he wants to open everything back up as Easter Sunday, which falls on April 12.
“I’d love to have it open by Easter, I would love to have it open by Easter, I will tell you that right now. I would love to have that,” Trump said Tuesday at a Fox News town hall on the virus response. “It’s such an important day for other reasons, but I’ll make an important day, but I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter.”
As Trump says he wants to open the country back up by Easter, Pope Francis plans to hold Easter services at the Vatican without any crowds — an unprecedented move.
Italy, however, is facing a massive public health crisis due to COVID-19 disease, with more than 6,000 people dying and hospitals struggling to keep up with the ill that keep showing up at their door.
The country has had strict social distancing measures in place for weeks, and plans to continue those measures to try and stop the virus’ spread.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--Trump: People are safe to work if they wash hands '5 times more' than usual

Donald Trump on March 24 in a Fox News town hall , speaking about wanting to get people back to work by April 12 : DONALD TRUMP : We can socially distance ourselves and go to work .
And you 'll have to work a little bit harder ; you can clean your hands five times more than you used to .
You do n't have to shake hands anymore with people , that might be something good coming out of this , but I must tell you as a politician , it 's a lot warmer when you walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of hands — they love me and I love them — but it is a little bit colder , but you wo n't be shaking hands for at least a while and things will happen .
But we have to put the country to work .
Public health experts say that ending social distancing measures too early could be disastrous for the spread of COVID-19 disease .
`` I can not see that all of a sudden , next week or two weeks from now it 's going to be over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance of that , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force , said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday .
`` I think we should do everything we possibly can do , '' he added .
`` I mean , in all sectors , because obviously as I 've said so many times , when you think you 're maybe overreacting , you probably are not acting as forcefully as you should .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've got to try very much to stay ahead of the curve . ''
Surgeon General Jerome Adams also warned Monday that the outbreak would worsen in the coming days .
`` I want America to understand this week , it 's going to get bad , '' he said .
He added , `` Right now , there are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on March 24 in a Fox News town hall, speaking about wanting to get people back to work by April 12:
DONALD TRUMP: We can socially distance ourselves and go to work. And you’ll have to work a little bit harder; you can clean your hands five times more than you used to. You don’t have to shake hands anymore with people, that might be something good coming out of this, but I must tell you as a politician, it’s a lot warmer when you walk into a crowd and you’re shaking a lot of hands — they love me and I love them — but it is a little bit colder, but you won’t be shaking hands for at least a while and things will happen. But we have to put the country to work.
Public health experts say that ending social distancing measures too early could be disastrous for the spread of COVID-19 disease.
“I cannot see that all of a sudden, next week or two weeks from now it’s going to be over. I don’t think there’s a chance of that,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday.
“I think we should do everything we possibly can do,” he added. “I mean, in all sectors, because obviously as I’ve said so many times, when you think you’re maybe overreacting, you probably are not acting as forcefully as you should. So as we’ve always said, we’ve got to try very much to stay ahead of the curve.”
Surgeon General Jerome Adams also warned Monday that the outbreak would worsen in the coming days. “I want America to understand this week, it’s going to get bad,” he said.
He added, “Right now, there are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--Trump contradicts experts: 'The faster we go back, the better it's going to be'

DONALD TRUMP : If we lose those companies , we 're talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs .
Millions of jobs .
The faster we go back , the better it 's going to be .
We have a pent-up energy that 's going to be unbelievable .
We 're going to bring it back fast , I really believe it .
Contrary to Trump 's comments , health experts have repeatedly warned that the measures needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will need to continue for some time .
On Friday , Dr. Anthony Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Americans will likely have to stay at home for weeks during this crisis .
`` If you look at the trajectory of the curves of outbreaks and other areas , at least going to be several weeks , '' Fauci said .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned on Monday that `` it 's going to get bad , '' adding that , `` Right now , there are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously . ''
On Monday , Trump himself admitted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If it were up to the doctors , they may say let 's keep it shut down , '' he said .
`` You know , we ca n't do that and you ca n't do that with the country , especially the number one economy anywhere in the world by far .
Number one economy in the world .
You ca n't do that . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump during a Fox News Town Hall on March 24:
DONALD TRUMP: If we lose those companies, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs. Millions of jobs. The faster we go back, the better it’s going to be. We have a pent-up energy that’s going to be unbelievable. We’re going to bring it back fast, I really believe it.
Contrary to Trump’s comments, health experts have repeatedly warned that the measures needed to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will need to continue for some time.
On Friday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Americans will likely have to stay at home for weeks during this crisis.
“If you look at the trajectory of the curves of outbreaks and other areas, at least going to be several weeks,” Fauci said.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned on Monday that “it’s going to get bad,” adding that, “Right now, there are not enough people out there who are taking this seriously.”
On Monday, Trump himself admitted that health officials disagree with his stance.
“If it were up to the doctors, they may say let’s keep it shut down,” he said. “You know, we can’t do that and you can’t do that with the country, especially the number one economy anywhere in the world by far. Number one economy in the world. You can’t do that.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--Majority of voters say Burr should resign over stock-dumping scandal

A full 60 % of North Carolina voters believe Sen. Richard Burr ( R-NC ) should resign after Burr and his wife were discovered to have sold up to $ 1.7 million in stock days before the market crashed amid coronavirus fears , according to a new poll .
The poll , released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling , showed that only 22 % of voters believed Burr should remain in office following the scandal .
Even among Republicans , only 38 % said Burr should remain in office .
Records first uncovered by ProPublica and the Center for Responsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold up to $ 1.7 million in stocks from late January through the middle of February .
Burr , who is the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee , made the sales as health officials were warning about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
Shortly after Burr made the sales , the stock market crashed , losing close to 30 % of its value .
Burr `` has betrayed the trust of every North Carolinian in a time of crisis and should resign immediately , '' Wayne Goodwin , chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Friday statement shortly after the scandal broke .
On Monday , Burr was sued by shareholders who accused him of using private information to sell most of his assets , Politico reported .
`` Senator Burr owed a duty to Congress , the United States government , and citizens of the United States , including Plaintiff , not to use material nonpublic information that he learned by virtue of his duties as a United States Senator in connection with the sale or purchase of any security , '' the lawsuit stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use nonpublic information to buy and sell stocks .
Burr denied he used inside information that led to the stock sales and has called for the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate his actions .
In addition to the market scandal , Burr also faced criticism for comments he made on Feb. 13 , when told a small gathering that the new coronavirus was `` much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history '' and `` probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic . ''
A recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , showed Burr 's private comments were at odds with his public comments at the time , when Donald Trump was still downplaying the severity of the crisis .
Before the scandal broke , Burr had slightly better approval ratings among North Carolinians .
In June , 32 % of North Carolina voters approved of his job performance , while 36 % disapproved , according to Public Policy Polling .
This week 's poll showed Burr 's overall job approval had dropped to 22 % .
Approximately 54 % of voters said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Independent Foundation .

A full 60% of North Carolina voters believe Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) should resign after Burr and his wife were discovered to have sold up to $1.7 million in stock days before the market crashed amid coronavirus fears, according to a new poll.
The poll, released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling, showed that only 22% of voters believed Burr should remain in office following the scandal. Even among Republicans, only 38% said Burr should remain in office.
Records first uncovered by ProPublica and the Center for Responsive Politics showed that Burr and his wife sold up to $1.7 million in stocks from late January through the middle of February. Burr, who is the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, made the sales as health officials were warning about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Shortly after Burr made the sales, the stock market crashed, losing close to 30% of its value.
Burr “has betrayed the trust of every North Carolinian in a time of crisis and should resign immediately,” Wayne Goodwin, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said in a Friday statement shortly after the scandal broke.
On Monday, Burr was sued by shareholders who accused him of using private information to sell most of his assets, Politico reported.
“Senator Burr owed a duty to Congress, the United States government, and citizens of the United States, including Plaintiff, not to use material nonpublic information that he learned by virtue of his duties as a United States Senator in connection with the sale or purchase of any security,” the lawsuit stated.
It is illegal for senators to use nonpublic information to buy and sell stocks.
Burr denied he used inside information that led to the stock sales and has called for the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate his actions.
In addition to the market scandal, Burr also faced criticism for comments he made on Feb. 13, when told a small gathering that the new coronavirus was “much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history” and “probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic.”
A recording of the comments, obtained by NPR, showed Burr’s private comments were at odds with his public comments at the time, when Donald Trump was still downplaying the severity of the crisis.
Before the scandal broke, Burr had slightly better approval ratings among North Carolinians. In June, 32% of North Carolina voters approved of his job performance, while 36% disapproved, according to Public Policy Polling.
This week’s poll showed Burr’s overall job approval had dropped to 22%. Approximately 54% of voters said they disapproved.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-24--'Action is urgently needed': How Congress can help workers during the pandemic

As Americans grapple with the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) public health crisis and communities take significant measures to contain its spread , we are already seeing serious disruptions in everyday life and significant economic impacts .
Now is the time for Congress to take bold , bipartisan action to protect the health , safety , and well-being of the American people .
Two weeks ago , Congress passed an $ 8.3 billion emergency spending package to support the response to COVID-19 .
While that legislation focused primarily on getting public health resources out the door , it also included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans to be made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak .
Last week , more action was taken when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , legislation aimed at addressing the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans ' personal safety and financial security .
In addition to expanding unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak , the legislation provides paid leave , establishes free coronavirus testing , expands food assistance for vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic .
Both of these steps were important — but more action is urgently needed .
Donald Trump needs to recognize the severity of the outbreak and , along with Congress , must take immediate steps to end this pandemic and protect our economy .
That 's why I am proud to lead the New Democrat Coalition , a group of more than 100 forward-looking House Democrats who all share a commitment to developing durable policy solutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released policy recommendations for the next COVID-19 response package ensuring American families , students , employers , health care providers , and communities have the resources and assistance they need in these difficult times should be our number one priority .
In our priorities , the Coalition outlines the need to take immediate action to support public health efforts and prevent an economic crisis by quickly deploying resources and economic assistance to health care providers and hard-hit individuals and businesses .
We need to utilize existing mechanisms and reduce unnecessary hurdles that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions continue or worsen .
Not only should Congress act quickly , the assistance needs to get out the door quickly .
That 's why we ’ ve recommended using existing mechanisms ( including the tax code , the unemployment insurance system , and lending institutions ) to reduce unnecessary hurdles that might otherwise slow the deployment of assistance .
Additionally , we know that these challenges may be with us for a while .
American employers and American families need some sense of predictability .
Unfortunately , in the midst of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While a one-off ( or even two-off ) direct payment can help cover urgent bills , it 's a flawed strategy if folks don ’ t know what their circumstances will be 3-6 months from now .
With that in mind , we ’ ve proposed automatic stabilizers to provide certainty and trigger additional assistance and stimulus if economic conditions continue or worsen .
While hope springs eternal for an agreement in the Senate on an emergency assistance and economic stabilization bill , there are clearly some key ingredients to ending this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including : • Emergency funding to protect health care workers and ensure they have the protective gear , training , and dependent care assistance they need .
• Direct support to individuals , expanded and enhanced social safety net programs like unemployment insurance , enhanced tax credits , adjustments to retirement savings and health care benefits , housing assistance , and more .
• Help to impacted businesses focused on getting more liquidity into the market where it is needed most through expanded federal low or no interest loans and grants for small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the retention of employees and paid leave , and relief for consumers .
• Direct funding , grants , and other assistance to states , territories , local , and tribal governments .
Now is the time for all our federal leaders to come together to take immediate action .
We are hopeful that many of our recommendations will be included in the package and a deal is reached as soon as possible .
There is no time to waste .
Derek Kilmer is the representative for Washington 's 6th Congressional District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Coalition , chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress , and currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee .

As Americans grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis and communities take significant measures to contain its spread, we are already seeing serious disruptions in everyday life and significant economic impacts. Now is the time for Congress to take bold, bipartisan action to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the American people.
Two weeks ago, Congress passed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to support the response to COVID-19. While that legislation focused primarily on getting public health resources out the door, it also included a provision I led to allow low-interest disaster loans to be made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small businesses impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, more action was taken when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, legislation aimed at addressing the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security. In addition to expanding unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak, the legislation provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers, and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic.
Both of these steps were important — but more action is urgently needed. Donald Trump needs to recognize the severity of the outbreak and, along with Congress, must take immediate steps to end this pandemic and protect our economy.
That’s why I am proud to lead the New Democrat Coalition, a group of more than 100 forward-looking House Democrats who all share a commitment to developing durable policy solutions to our most pressing issues. The Coalition released policy recommendations for the next COVID-19 response package ensuring American families, students, employers, health care providers, and communities have the resources and assistance they need in these difficult times should be our number one priority.
In our priorities, the Coalition outlines the need to take immediate action to support public health efforts and prevent an economic crisis by quickly deploying resources and economic assistance to health care providers and hard-hit individuals and businesses.
We need to utilize existing mechanisms and reduce unnecessary hurdles that will slow the deployment of assistance if economic conditions continue or worsen. Not only should Congress act quickly, the assistance needs to get out the door quickly.
That’s why we’ve recommended using existing mechanisms (including the tax code, the unemployment insurance system, and lending institutions) to reduce unnecessary hurdles that might otherwise slow the deployment of assistance.
Additionally, we know that these challenges may be with us for a while. American employers and American families need some sense of predictability. Unfortunately, in the midst of this crisis, that’s largely non-existent. While a one-off (or even two-off) direct payment can help cover urgent bills, it’s a flawed strategy if folks don’t know what their circumstances will be 3-6 months from now.
With that in mind, we’ve proposed automatic stabilizers to provide certainty and trigger additional assistance and stimulus if economic conditions continue or worsen.
While hope springs eternal for an agreement in the Senate on an emergency assistance and economic stabilization bill, there are clearly some key ingredients to ending this pandemic and mitigating the painful economic impacts, including:
Emergency funding to protect health care workers and ensure they have the protective gear, training, and dependent care assistance they need.
Direct support to individuals, expanded and enhanced social safety net programs like unemployment insurance, enhanced tax credits, adjustments to retirement savings and health care benefits, housing assistance, and more.
Help to impacted businesses focused on getting more liquidity into the market where it is needed most through expanded federal low or no interest loans and grants for small and mid-sized businesses, tax relief to support the retention of employees and paid leave, and relief for consumers.
Direct funding, grants, and other assistance to states, territories, local, and tribal governments.
Now is the time for all our federal leaders to come together to take immediate action. We are hopeful that many of our recommendations will be included in the package and a deal is reached as soon as possible. There is no time to waste.
Derek Kilmer is the representative for Washington’s 6th Congressional District. He is chair of the New Democrat Coalition, chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, and currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee.


shareblue--2020-03-24--GOP senator: Just a 'small segment' of population at risk from virus

From the March 23 edition of Fox News ' `` Tucker Carlson Tonight '' : SEN. JOHN KENNEDY ( R-LA ) : For a small segment of our population , it 's true , the coronavirus can kill you .
For a small segment .
But you know what else can kill you ?
Poverty .
Hunger .
Losing the entire economy .
And we need to stop thinking about the next election and try to think a little more about the next generation and what we leave to them , which is going to be the little end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In recent days , Donald Trump and Republican officials have started to push for an end to social distancing measures meant to protect Americans from the rapidly spreading new coronavirus .
However , on Tuesday morning , the World Health Organization warned that the United States was on track to become the epicenter for the virus , noting `` a very large acceleration '' in cases in the country .
One recent report estimated that up to 2.2 million Americans could die if the virus is allowed to spread unhindered .
Published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

From the March 23 edition of Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight”:
SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): For a small segment of our population, it’s true, the coronavirus can kill you. For a small segment. But you know what else can kill you? Poverty. Hunger. Losing the entire economy. And we need to stop thinking about the next election and try to think a little more about the next generation and what we leave to them, which is going to be the little end of nothing if we let this economy collapse.
In recent days, Donald Trump and Republican officials have started to push for an end to social distancing measures meant to protect Americans from the rapidly spreading new coronavirus.
However, on Tuesday morning, the World Health Organization warned that the United States was on track to become the epicenter for the virus, noting “a very large acceleration” in cases in the country.
One recent report estimated that up to 2.2 million Americans could die if the virus is allowed to spread unhindered.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--Catholic churches cancel Easter Mass despite Trump's push for them to be 'packed'

Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he hopes to see churches `` packed '' for Easter in a few weeks , even as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country .
Despite this , several Catholic archdioceses are canceling their public Holy Week and Easter Masses , and many congregations are moving them to the internet .
As he urged the country to reopen businesses and schools by April 12 — flouting public health recommendations — Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that he chose the date based on his `` very special '' relationship with the holiday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all the churches full ?
” Trump said .
“ You ’ ll have packed churches all over our country … I think it ’ ll be a beautiful time.
” Despite Trump 's call , the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Wednesday that it would hold no public Masses for Holy Week or Easter Sunday .
“ The Coronavirus ( COVID 19 ) challenges us to celebrate the Mysteries of Christ for the glory of the Father and our sanctification with reasonable limitations and in cooperation with directives from government and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , ” it explained .
In a seven-page directive , the archdiocese 's Office for Divine Worship stated , `` All possible electronic and spiritual resources are to be made available to the faithful to enter into these days which celebrate the greatest mysteries of our redemption , '' including livestreaming .
In an email , a spokesperson for the archdiocese noted that the governor had issued Pennsylvania 's public gathering limits .
`` In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , we are under stay-at-home orders , and large public gatherings are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he wrote .
`` The Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to do everything possible to provide for the pastoral needs of the faithful in the five-county area while at the same time respecting and abiding by directives from government agencies and officials that are in place to provide for the health and welfare of the community-at-large . ''
The New York Archdiocese has already canceled public Easter masses .
So have the Archdiocese of Hartford , Connecticut ; the Diocese of Grand Rapids , Michigan ; the Diocese of Camden , New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said they `` would also love to see its Churches packed for Easter .
However , in our current situation , Wisconsin 's Governor [ Tony Evers ] has issued a 'Safer at Home ' Executive Order through April 24 .
We continue to see our archdiocese and community impacted by the CoVID-19/Coronavirus .
Our intention is to use sound judgement and common sense in making decisions for the pastoral care of our people without taking unnecessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and lay men and women who minister within the archdiocese . ''
According to the Washington Examiner , it 's not just those archdioceses closing for Easter .
`` Catholic and Episcopal dioceses in every state have canceled , '' the paper reported Wednesday .
`` Many megachurches , as well as smaller congregations , have made similar decisions , advising their members to participate in worship through live-streamed services . ''
In a March 17 letter published on the website of the Episcopal Church , presiding Bishop Michael Curry urged suspension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship , in most contexts , during the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day , '' writing , `` Because this is a global health crisis , the principles in this letter apply throughout The Episcopal Church , including beyond the United States . ''
With a recent poll showing about half of Americans unwilling to attend church due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and with state restrictions on public gatherings still in effect , Trump 's vision of packed Easter services seems increasingly unlikely to come true .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that he hopes to see churches “packed” for Easter in a few weeks, even as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country. Despite this, several Catholic archdioceses are canceling their public Holy Week and Easter Masses, and many congregations are moving them to the internet.
As he urged the country to reopen businesses and schools by April 12 — flouting public health recommendations — Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that he chose the date based on his “very special” relationship with the holiday.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?” Trump said. “You’ll have packed churches all over our country … I think it’ll be a beautiful time.”
Despite Trump’s call, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Wednesday that it would hold no public Masses for Holy Week or Easter Sunday.
“The Coronavirus (COVID 19) challenges us to celebrate the Mysteries of Christ for the glory of the Father and our sanctification with reasonable limitations and in cooperation with directives from government and health officials to stem the spread of the virus,” it explained.
In a seven-page directive, the archdiocese’s Office for Divine Worship stated, “All possible electronic and spiritual resources are to be made available to the faithful to enter into these days which celebrate the greatest mysteries of our redemption,” including livestreaming.
In an email, a spokesperson for the archdiocese noted that the governor had issued Pennsylvania’s public gathering limits.
“In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we are under stay-at-home orders, and large public gatherings are not permitted by directive of the governor,” he wrote. “The Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to do everything possible to provide for the pastoral needs of the faithful in the five-county area while at the same time respecting and abiding by directives from government agencies and officials that are in place to provide for the health and welfare of the community-at-large.”
The New York Archdiocese has already canceled public Easter masses. So have the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut; the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan; the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey; the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon; and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said they “would also love to see its Churches packed for Easter. However, in our current situation, Wisconsin’s Governor [Tony Evers] has issued a ‘Safer at Home’ Executive Order through April 24. We continue to see our archdiocese and community impacted by the CoVID-19/Coronavirus. Our intention is to use sound judgement and common sense in making decisions for the pastoral care of our people without taking unnecessary risk, including for the many priests, and lay men and women who minister within the archdiocese.”
According to the Washington Examiner, it’s not just those archdioceses closing for Easter.
“Catholic and Episcopal dioceses in every state have canceled,” the paper reported Wednesday. “Many megachurches, as well as smaller congregations, have made similar decisions, advising their members to participate in worship through live-streamed services.”
In a March 17 letter published on the website of the Episcopal Church, presiding Bishop Michael Curry urged suspension of all “in-person gatherings for public worship, in most contexts, during the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day,” writing, “Because this is a global health crisis, the principles in this letter apply throughout The Episcopal Church, including beyond the United States.”
With a recent poll showing about half of Americans unwilling to attend church due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with state restrictions on public gatherings still in effect, Trump’s vision of packed Easter services seems increasingly unlikely to come true.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--Trump has yet to deliver on his biggest promises for coronavirus relief

Donald Trump has been taking to the White House briefing room daily to talk about how his administration is addressing the novel coronavirus and about the results of measures the government is taking to try to slow the spread of the pandemic .
But in the process , he 's not only lied and distorted facts , but he 's also made promises that so far have either run into roadblocks or were n't as sweeping as he had made them seem .
Here 's a look at Trump 's promises , and where they 've so far fallen short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a website .
It ’ s going to be very quickly done , unlike websites of the past , to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location , '' Trump said at a March 13 press conference .
Nearly two weeks after this website was promised , it still only exists to help identify testing locations in four counties in California .
In order to gain access , you must create an account through Google and provide a host of personal identifying information , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the questions are outdated , asking if you 've come in contact with people who have traveled abroad — even though the virus is in the United States and spreading fast among people who have not been traveling overseas .
When the website will cover more people is unknown , as is how much it will help given the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases .
At the same March 13 press conference , Trump promised `` many , many locations '' of drive-thru testing at stores such as Walmart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks later , few testing sites exist .
Walmart , which has more than 5,000 stores across the country , only has two testing sites operating , both in the Chicago area .
Meanwhile , the CEO of CVS said Tuesday that a lack of protective gear — such as masks — has slowed the company 's ability to get testing sites up and running .
So far , CVS only has one test site open and is limiting testing to first responders and health care workers .
`` One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear for those that are manning those sites , and that ’ s something that we ’ re working through , ” Larry Merlo told CNBC .
Target has not opened any test sites and has yet to say when it plans to , CNBC reported .
`` The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April , '' Trump said at a March 18 briefing .
Not every renter or homeowner in the country will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not make rent or mortgage payments .
Only homeowners whose mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or were obtained through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be protected from eviction .
And according to NBC News , that applies to just 8 million mortgage-holders .
It notes that , as of 2017 , there were an estimated 43 million households in rental properties in the United States .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has been taking to the White House briefing room daily to talk about how his administration is addressing the novel coronavirus and about the results of measures the government is taking to try to slow the spread of the pandemic.
But in the process, he’s not only lied and distorted facts, but he’s also made promises that so far have either run into roadblocks or weren’t as sweeping as he had made them seem.
Here’s a look at Trump’s promises, and where they’ve so far fallen short:
“Google is helping to develop a website. It’s going to be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location,” Trump said at a March 13 press conference.
Nearly two weeks after this website was promised, it still only exists to help identify testing locations in four counties in California. In order to gain access, you must create an account through Google and provide a host of personal identifying information, such as your phone number and address.
And the questions are outdated, asking if you’ve come in contact with people who have traveled abroad — even though the virus is in the United States and spreading fast among people who have not been traveling overseas.
When the website will cover more people is unknown, as is how much it will help given the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
At the same March 13 press conference, Trump promised “many, many locations” of drive-thru testing at stores such as Walmart, Target, and CVS.
Nearly two weeks later, few testing sites exist.
Walmart, which has more than 5,000 stores across the country, only has two testing sites operating, both in the Chicago area.
Meanwhile, the CEO of CVS said Tuesday that a lack of protective gear — such as masks — has slowed the company’s ability to get testing sites up and running. So far, CVS only has one test site open and is limiting testing to first responders and health care workers.
“One of the rate-limiting steps is the availability of protective gear for those that are manning those sites, and that’s something that we’re working through,” Larry Merlo told CNBC.
Target has not opened any test sites and has yet to say when it plans to, CNBC reported.
“The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April,” Trump said at a March 18 briefing.
This promise is misleading.
Not every renter or homeowner in the country will be protected from eviction if they cannot make rent or mortgage payments.
Only homeowners whose mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or were obtained through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be protected from eviction.
And according to NBC News, that applies to just 8 million mortgage-holders. It notes that, as of 2017, there were an estimated 43 million households in rental properties in the United States.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--Trump falsely claims the media wants to keep US closed to hurt his reelection

Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that he believes the social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the new coronavirus are a hindrance to his reelection .
`` The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success , '' Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon .
`` The real people want to get back to work ASAP .
We will be stronger than ever before ! ''
Trump 's tweet comes one day after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people back to work by Easter .
Public health experts have advised against this , saying such a move would only worsen the outbreak , which has killed more than 1,000 people in the United States so far .
The World Health Organization on Wednesday also warned against sending people back to work and school too soon , saying it would only cause the virus to spread .
Trump made clear on Wednesday that he views the social distancing measures — which have led the stock market to plunge and put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a problem for his reelection , rather than a solution to an overrun of the health care system and countless deaths due to the COVID-19 disease .
Trump also said that `` real people '' want to get back to work , his latest apparent attempt to stoke a culture war between working-class Americans and the so-called elite .
Meanwhile , CNN reported that Trump is antsy that he can not hold campaign rallies and that he wants to get back to his pre-pandemic routine of welcoming dignitaries to the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go back to life before the coronavirus pandemic , GOP lawmakers and right-wing personalities are bolstering his argument by saying that COVID-19 really is n't that big a problem , and that older Americans should risk their lives to let the country get back to work .
However , it 's much more complicated than that .
Public health experts say that if the virus spreads , the health care system will not be able to handle the influx of critically ill patients , leading to even more loss of life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there are n't enough doctors and health care workers .
Italy , for instance , which is in the midst of a particularly bad outbreak of COVID-19 , has served as a warning of what could happen in the United States if it does n't take sufficient measures to stop the spread .
Already , state and local officials across the country are warning that their health care systems are already near capacity and that the virus is n't even close to its peak .
It 's a reality some Republicans see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay the course with social distancing measures .
`` There will be no normally functioning economy if our hospitals are overwhelmed and thousands of Americans of all ages , including our doctors and nurses , lay dying because we have failed to do what ’ s necessary to stop the virus , '' Rep. Liz Cheney ( R-WY ) tweeted on Tuesday .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that he believes the social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the new coronavirus are a hindrance to his reelection.
“The LameStream Media is the dominant force in trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success,” Trump tweeted Wednesday afternoon. “The real people want to get back to work ASAP. We will be stronger than ever before!”
Trump’s tweet comes one day after he told Fox News that he wants to get people back to work by Easter. Public health experts have advised against this, saying such a move would only worsen the outbreak, which has killed more than 1,000 people in the United States so far.
The World Health Organization on Wednesday also warned against sending people back to work and school too soon, saying it would only cause the virus to spread.
Trump made clear on Wednesday that he views the social distancing measures — which have led the stock market to plunge and put the economy on pace for a recession — as a problem for his reelection, rather than a solution to an overrun of the health care system and countless deaths due to the COVID-19 disease.
Trump also said that “real people” want to get back to work, his latest apparent attempt to stoke a culture war between working-class Americans and the so-called elite.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Trump is antsy that he cannot hold campaign rallies and that he wants to get back to his pre-pandemic routine of welcoming dignitaries to the White House.
As Trump has signaled his desire to go back to life before the coronavirus pandemic, GOP lawmakers and right-wing personalities are bolstering his argument by saying that COVID-19 really isn’t that big a problem, and that older Americans should risk their lives to let the country get back to work.
However, it’s much more complicated than that.
Public health experts say that if the virus spreads, the health care system will not be able to handle the influx of critically ill patients, leading to even more loss of life and possibly the crumbling of the system altogether if there aren’t enough doctors and health care workers. Italy, for instance, which is in the midst of a particularly bad outbreak of COVID-19, has served as a warning of what could happen in the United States if it doesn’t take sufficient measures to stop the spread.
Already, state and local officials across the country are warning that their health care systems are already near capacity and that the virus isn’t even close to its peak.
It’s a reality some Republicans see as they attempt to convince Trump to stay the course with social distancing measures.
“There will be no normally functioning economy if our hospitals are overwhelmed and thousands of Americans of all ages, including our doctors and nurses, lay dying because we have failed to do what’s necessary to stop the virus,” Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) tweeted on Tuesday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--Pompeo reportedly demanding racist term be included in international statement

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wo n't agree to a G-7 statement on the COVID-19 pandemic unless it includes a racist term for the virus , the German publication Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday .
Pompeo is allegedly refusing to sign on to the statement unless the group calls the new coronavirus the `` Wuhan virus . ''
The virus was first identified after sickening people in the city of Wuhan in China in late 2019 .
The other countries in the G-7 — Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , and the United Kingdom — rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is a Chinese problem , '' Der Spiegel reported .
When asked about the hold-up , Pompeo did not deny the report , according to The Hill , and continued to use the term `` Wuhan virus . ''
The secretary also used the term in several tweets from his official account on Wednesday .
`` Global & US health experts say labeling a disease by geography is harmful , '' Rep. Judy Chu ( D-CA ) , chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus , tweeted on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to endanger Asian Americans , hamper the global response , and hold back the economy just to direct anger and blame away from Trump . ''
The name of a virus `` may seem like a trivial issue to some , but disease names really do matter to the people who are directly affected , '' Keiji Fukuda , then the World Health Organization 's assistant director-general for health security , said in 2015 .
`` We 've seen certain disease names provoke a backlash against members of particular religious or ethnic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times reported this week that Asian Americans are being widely harassed and attacked as a result of the outbreak and the racist tropes associated with it .
`` If they keep using these terms , the kids are going to pick it up , '' Tony Du , a Maryland epidemiologist , told the Times .
`` They are going to call my 8-year-old son a Chinese virus .
It 's serious . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned about the use of such language , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur when people associate a disease , such as COVID-19 , with a population or nationality , even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease . ''
The agency added that eliminating stigma `` is important to making communities and community members resilient . ''
Yet many Republicans continue to ignore the advice of health experts and push racist terminology .
On March 10 , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy used the term `` Chinese virus '' in a tweet from his official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Duncan ( R-SC ) wrote an entire Facebook post defending his use of racist language regarding the coronavirus , claiming his critics should direct their energy elsewhere .
`` This is NOT what we should be spending our time on , '' he wrote .
And on March 19 , Trump himself went so far as to mark up a copy of his prepared remarks , changing the word `` coronavirus '' to `` Chinese virus . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo won’t agree to a G-7 statement on the COVID-19 pandemic unless it includes a racist term for the virus, the German publication Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday.
Pompeo is allegedly refusing to sign on to the statement unless the group calls the new coronavirus the “Wuhan virus.” The virus was first identified after sickening people in the city of Wuhan in China in late 2019.
The other countries in the G-7 — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom — rejected the label because it “suggests the pandemic is a Chinese problem,” Der Spiegel reported.
When asked about the hold-up, Pompeo did not deny the report, according to The Hill, and continued to use the term “Wuhan virus.”
The secretary also used the term in several tweets from his official account on Wednesday.
“Global & US health experts say labeling a disease by geography is harmful,” Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, tweeted on Wednesday. “But it’s clear this administration is willing to endanger Asian Americans, hamper the global response, and hold back the economy just to direct anger and blame away from Trump.”
The name of a virus “may seem like a trivial issue to some, but disease names really do matter to the people who are directly affected,” Keiji Fukuda, then the World Health Organization’s assistant director-general for health security, said in 2015.
“We’ve seen certain disease names provoke a backlash against members of particular religious or ethnic communities,” he added.
The New York Times reported this week that Asian Americans are being widely harassed and attacked as a result of the outbreak and the racist tropes associated with it.
“If they keep using these terms, the kids are going to pick it up,” Tony Du, a Maryland epidemiologist, told the Times. “They are going to call my 8-year-old son a Chinese virus. It’s serious.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned about the use of such language, saying that “stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease.”
The agency added that eliminating stigma “is important to making communities and community members resilient.”
Yet many Republicans continue to ignore the advice of health experts and push racist terminology.
On March 10, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy used the term “Chinese virus” in a tweet from his official account.
A day later, Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) wrote an entire Facebook post defending his use of racist language regarding the coronavirus, claiming his critics should direct their energy elsewhere. “This is NOT what we should be spending our time on,” he wrote.
And on March 19, Trump himself went so far as to mark up a copy of his prepared remarks, changing the word “coronavirus” to “Chinese virus.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--Lindsey Graham: Relief bill gives unemployed nurses too much money

Republicans are objecting to the formula for unemployment benefits in the Senate coronavirus relief bill .
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM ( @ @ @ @ @ 're a nurse — aide — making $ 15 or $ 16 an hour , @ @ @ @ @ lines here .
A lot of doctor 's offices are going to have to roll @ @ @ @ @ no longer a source of income for a bunch of doctors .
So , you @ @ @ @ @ these well-trained nurses , they 're going to make $ 24 an hour on unemployment @ @ @ @ @ taking people out of the workforce at a time when we need critical infrastructure supply @ @ @ @

From a March 25 Senate press conference:
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): If you’re a nurse — aide — making $15 or $16 an hour, you’re on the front lines here. A lot of doctor’s offices are going to have to roll back because elective surgery’s no longer a source of income for a bunch of doctors.
So, you’re going to have all these well-trained nurses, they’re going to make $24 an hour on unemployment. You’re literally incentivizing taking people out of the workforce at a time when we need critical infrastructure supply for the workers.


shareblue--2020-03-25--World Health Organization warns reopening businesses is 'last thing any country needs'

The World Health Organization on Wednesday came out against sending people back to work and school in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic , saying that ending social distancing measures too soon could worsen the ongoing outbreak .
`` These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission , so that when restrictions are lifted , the coronavirus does n't resurge , '' Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , WHO director general , said at a news conference on Wednesday .
`` The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses , only to be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgence . ''
Ghebreyesus ' comments come as Donald Trump pushes to lift social distancing measures in the United States by Easter , a little more than two weeks away .
Public health experts have warned repeatedly that it is far too early to reopen the country and that doing so would likely worsen spread of the virus .
Trump however has argued that the human toll from the outbreak wo n't be as bad as its impacts on the economy , if businesses are forced to remain closed .
Several GOP lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have adopted that language , going as far as suggesting elderly people more at risk of contracting COVID-19 disease should sacrifice their lives for the sake of the economy .
Right-wing media personality Glenn Beck said this week , `` Even if we all get sick , I would rather die than kill the country . ''
Ghebreyesus did not mention Trump or the United States specifically in his remarks on Wednesday .
The WHO director did note that countries needed to protect the elderly who were at high risk of being impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work together to protect older people from the coronavirus , and to ensure their needs are being met — for food , fuel , prescription medication , and human interaction , '' he said .
So far , it 's unclear whether Trump will officially call for an end of social distancing measures by Easter .
Ghebreyesus issued a dire warning on Wednesday , stating that if social distancing measures are lifted too soon , more lives will be lost .
`` Already we have lost more than 16,000 lives .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many more will be determined by the decisions we make and the actions we take , '' Ghebreyesus said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The World Health Organization on Wednesday came out against sending people back to work and school in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that ending social distancing measures too soon could worsen the ongoing outbreak.
“These measures are the best way to suppress and stop transmission, so that when restrictions are lifted, the coronavirus doesn’t resurge,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, said at a news conference on Wednesday.
“The last thing any country needs is to open schools and businesses, only to be forced to close them again because of a resurgence.”
Ghebreyesus’ comments come as Donald Trump pushes to lift social distancing measures in the United States by Easter, a little more than two weeks away. Public health experts have warned repeatedly that it is far too early to reopen the country and that doing so would likely worsen spread of the virus.
Trump however has argued that the human toll from the outbreak won’t be as bad as its impacts on the economy, if businesses are forced to remain closed.
Several GOP lawmakers, as well as right-wing personalities, have adopted that language, going as far as suggesting elderly people more at risk of contracting COVID-19 disease should sacrifice their lives for the sake of the economy.
Right-wing media personality Glenn Beck said this week, “Even if we all get sick, I would rather die than kill the country.”
Ghebreyesus did not mention Trump or the United States specifically in his remarks on Wednesday.
The WHO director did note that countries needed to protect the elderly who were at high risk of being impacted by the virus.
“We need to work together to protect older people from the coronavirus, and to ensure their needs are being met — for food, fuel, prescription medication, and human interaction,” he said.
So far, it’s unclear whether Trump will officially call for an end of social distancing measures by Easter.
Ghebreyesus issued a dire warning on Wednesday, stating that if social distancing measures are lifted too soon, more lives will be lost.
“Already we have lost more than 16,000 lives. We know we will lose more — how many more will be determined by the decisions we make and the actions we take,” Ghebreyesus said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--GOP lawmaker claims pandemic is 'punishment' for 'sins'

On Monday , Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz introduced a resolution in the state 's General Assembly calling for `` A State Day of Humiliation , Fasting , and Prayer '' in response to the coronavirus crisis .
The resolution stated , `` We know that , by His divine law , nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world '' and the current pandemic may be `` punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins . ''
Borowicz 's resolution goes on to claim that Pennsylvanians `` have forgotten God '' and thus need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pray for clemency and forgiveness . ''
The resolution calls for making March 30 the `` State Day of Humiliation , Fasting , and Prayer , '' asking residents of the state to `` abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits '' so that `` the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins . ''
Fellow Pennsylvania state Rep. Kevin Boyle , a Democrat , called the resolution `` the stupidest resolution I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Borowicz , using archaic language specific to her personal faith tradition , simply divides us by forcing her belief system on others , '' state Rep. Dan Frankel , Democratic chair of the state House Health Committee , told PennLive .
Identification of the new coronavirus at the center of what is now a global pandemic was first reported in China in early January .
The first confirmed case in the United States was announced on Jan. 21 .
This is not the first time Borowicz has caused controversy by forcing her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she opened a state House session with a prayer invoking the name of Jesus 13 times shortly before the state 's first Muslim lawmaker , Movita Johnson-Harrell , was sworn in to office .
`` God forgive us — Jesus — we 've lost sight of you , we 've forgotten you , God , in our country , and we 're asking you to forgive us , '' Borowicz said , according to the Washington Post .
`` It blatantly represented the Islamophobia that exists among some leaders — leaders that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Johnson-Harrell told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star after the incident .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people self-isolate to the greatest extent possible in order to slow the spread of the virus and provides recommendations for keeping people safe .
Individuals should regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water .
Further , the CDC discourages those who are feeling sick from going to work ; warns against gatherings of more than 10 people ; and urges against dining out at restaurants and bars .
As of Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , according to the New York Times , and at least 804 people have died .
Pennsylvania has at least 851 confirmed cases , and at least seven people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Monday, Republican Pennsylvania state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz introduced a resolution in the state’s General Assembly calling for “A State Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer” in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The resolution stated, “We know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world” and the current pandemic may be “punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins.”
Borowicz’s resolution goes on to claim that Pennsylvanians “have forgotten God” and thus need to “confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
The resolution calls for making March 30 the “State Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer,” asking residents of the state to “abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits” so that “the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins.”
Fellow Pennsylvania state Rep. Kevin Boyle, a Democrat, called the resolution “the stupidest resolution I’ve ever seen a politician introduce.”
“Borowicz, using archaic language specific to her personal faith tradition, simply divides us by forcing her belief system on others,” state Rep. Dan Frankel, Democratic chair of the state House Health Committee, told PennLive.
Identification of the new coronavirus at the center of what is now a global pandemic was first reported in China in early January. The first confirmed case in the United States was announced on Jan. 21.
This is not the first time Borowicz has caused controversy by forcing her faith on others. In March 2019, she opened a state House session with a prayer invoking the name of Jesus 13 times shortly before the state’s first Muslim lawmaker, Movita Johnson-Harrell, was sworn in to office.
“God forgive us — Jesus — we’ve lost sight of you, we’ve forgotten you, God, in our country, and we’re asking you to forgive us,” Borowicz said, according to the Washington Post.
“It blatantly represented the Islamophobia that exists among some leaders — leaders that are supposed to represent the people,” Johnson-Harrell told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star after the incident.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people self-isolate to the greatest extent possible in order to slow the spread of the virus and provides recommendations for keeping people safe.
Individuals should regularly wash their hands with soap and warm water. Further, the CDC discourages those who are feeling sick from going to work; warns against gatherings of more than 10 people; and urges against dining out at restaurants and bars.
As of Wednesday, there are at least 59,502 confirmed cases in the United States, according to the New York Times, and at least 804 people have died. Pennsylvania has at least 851 confirmed cases, and at least seven people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--GOP keeps blaming impeachment for Trump's refusal to take outbreak seriously

Republican leaders have concocted a new excuse to absolve Donald Trump of all responsibility for his administration 's slow and bungled response to the coronavirus outbreak : Blame impeachment .
On Tuesday , Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) became the latest GOP leader to use the impeachment excuse .
Trump `` did lose 'precious weeks ' forced to defend himself against bogus impeachment charges , '' Cornyn wrote on Twitter , responding to criticism from Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) , who accused Trump of failing to take the growing o seriously in the early months of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( R-CO ) also blamed impeachment for a lax response , saying he wanted Congress to hold hearings on the topic but they would not because of impeachment .
However , a timeline of events shows that events do n't line up like Cornyn , Gardner , and other Republicans say they do .
Trump was able to focus on policy initiatives during the impeachment process , and even took a small step to address the outbreak , restricting travel from China , in the middle of the Senate impeachment trial .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the outbreak seriously both during the impeachment process and for weeks following his acquittal .
Trump becomes the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives .
The House impeached him for both obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
Chinese scientists identify a new coronavirus .
At this time , there were no deaths linked to it .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tries to talk to Trump about the significance of the coronavirus .
Trump did not want to discuss it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked instead about when flavored vaping products would return to the market .
The first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the United States is reported in Washington state .
The Senate agrees to impeachment trial rules , which will be the first in U.S. history to call no witnesses .
White House aides meet with acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to discuss the coronavirus outbreak , according to the Washington Post .
Mulvaney convenes regular meetings on the topic , but Trump is dismissive `` because he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely throughout the United States , '' the Post reported .
Trump issues travel restrictions from China in the middle of his impeachment trial .
Trump downplays the significance of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak , saying `` we pretty much shut it down coming in from China , '' and adding , `` So we 're gon na see what happens , but we did shut it down , yes . ''
The Senate acquits Trump on both impeachment counts , even though many Republicans say they agree Trump is guilty .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , saying , `` A lot of people think that goes away in April as the heat comes in . ''
Scientists have said there is no evidence for Trump to make such a claim .
On the same day , Trump added that , `` We 're in great shape though .
We have 12 cases , 11 cases , and many of them are in good shape . ''
A recent story in the New York Times said that if the Trump administration had acted with more urgency , Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the acute shortage of ventilators in February , [ and ] the joint effort between Ford and General Electric might have produced lifesaving equipment sometime in mid- to late April . ''
Instead , ventilators will not be ready until mid-June .
The Trump administration asks Congress for $ 1.25 billion to respond to the coronavirus outbreak .
On the same day , Trump once again claimed there was nothing to worry about , tweeting , `` The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA . ''
Trump predicts that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone within days , saying , `` When you have 15 people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero .
That 's a pretty good job we 've done . ''
The first confirmed death from the coronavirus is reported in the United States .
Less than a month after Trump 's prediction of infections going down to zero , there are at least 53,934 confirmed cases in the United States , according to the New York Times , and at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump may not have been expecting this , '' one senior official told the Washington Post , `` but a lot of other people in the government were — they just could n't get him to do anything about it . ''

Republican leaders have concocted a new excuse to absolve Donald Trump of all responsibility for his administration’s slow and bungled response to the coronavirus outbreak: Blame impeachment.
On Tuesday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) became the latest GOP leader to use the impeachment excuse.
Trump “did lose ‘precious weeks’ forced to defend himself against bogus impeachment charges,” Cornyn wrote on Twitter, responding to criticism from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who accused Trump of failing to take the growing o seriously in the early months of 2020.
Last week, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) also blamed impeachment for a lax response, saying he wanted Congress to hold hearings on the topic but they would not because of impeachment.
However, a timeline of events shows that events don’t line up like Cornyn, Gardner, and other Republicans say they do.
Trump was able to focus on policy initiatives during the impeachment process, and even took a small step to address the outbreak, restricting travel from China, in the middle of the Senate impeachment trial.
However, evidence shows that Trump refused to take the outbreak seriously both during the impeachment process and for weeks following his acquittal.
Dec. 18, 2019
Trump becomes the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The House impeached him for both obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
Jan. 8, 2020
Chinese scientists identify a new coronavirus. At this time, there were no deaths linked to it.
Jan. 18, 2020
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tries to talk to Trump about the significance of the coronavirus. Trump did not want to discuss it, according to the Washington Post, and asked instead about when flavored vaping products would return to the market.
Jan. 21, 2020
The first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the United States is reported in Washington state.
Jan. 22, 2020
The Senate agrees to impeachment trial rules, which will be the first in U.S. history to call no witnesses.
Jan. 27, 2020
White House aides meet with acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to discuss the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Washington Post. Mulvaney convenes regular meetings on the topic, but Trump is dismissive “because he did not believe that the virus had spread widely throughout the United States,” the Post reported.
Jan. 30, 2020
The World Health Organization declares a global health emergency.
Jan. 31, 2020
Trump issues travel restrictions from China in the middle of his impeachment trial.
Feb. 2, 2020
Trump downplays the significance of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, saying “we pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” and adding, “So we’re gonna see what happens, but we did shut it down, yes.”
Feb. 5, 2020
The Senate acquits Trump on both impeachment counts, even though many Republicans say they agree Trump is guilty.
Feb. 10, 2020
Trump continues to downplay the severity of the situation, saying, “A lot of people think that goes away in April as the heat comes in.” Scientists have said there is no evidence for Trump to make such a claim.
On the same day, Trump added that, “We’re in great shape though. We have 12 cases, 11 cases, and many of them are in good shape.”
A recent story in the New York Times said that if the Trump administration had acted with more urgency, Ford Motor Company could have “reacted to the acute shortage of ventilators in February, [and] the joint effort between Ford and General Electric might have produced lifesaving equipment sometime in mid- to late April.”
Instead, ventilators will not be ready until mid-June.
Feb. 24, 2020
The Trump administration asks Congress for $1.25 billion to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
On the same day, Trump once again claimed there was nothing to worry about, tweeting, “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA.”
Feb. 26, 2020
Trump predicts that the outbreak in the United States will be gone within days, saying, “When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero. That’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
Feb. 29, 2020
The first confirmed death from the coronavirus is reported in the United States.
March 25, 2020
Less than a month after Trump’s prediction of infections going down to zero, there are at least 53,934 confirmed cases in the United States, according to the New York Times, and at least 728 people have died.
“Donald Trump may not have been expecting this,” one senior official told the Washington Post, “but a lot of other people in the government were — they just couldn’t get him to do anything about it.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-25--GOP senator blames autocorrect for his vulgar slur of Nancy Pelosi

Sen. Kevin Cramer ( R-ND ) tweeted and then deleted a slur against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday .
When asked about it , he claimed autocorrect caused the use of what he called the `` offensive '' word in the tweet .
According to the Grand Forks Herald , Cramer responded to a Daily Caller tweet about Pelosi with the words , `` she 's retarded . ''
About 10 minutes later , he deleted the tweet .
Cramer blamed `` fat fingers '' and claimed that his phone had autocorrected his attempted `` she 's ridiculous '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the `` offensive '' term `` because of its historical use toward people with disabilities . ''
Not everyone was buying his excuse .
North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Kylie Oversen told local news outlets there 's `` not a shot that [ Cramer ] is telling the truth '' as autocorrect would only have suggested that term if it was one he used often .
`` I have no idea why anyone would use that word , let alone a sitting U.S. senator , '' she said .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not the first time Cramer 's comments have gotten him into hot water .
• In June 2014 , he opposed President Barack Obama 's executive order protecting LGBTQ federal contractors from discrimination , arguing , `` I 'm not sure that this is a problem ...
I have to be honest , I don ’ t get many , if any .
I don ’ t know that I ’ ve ever received a phone call in my office from somebody that says they ’ ve been discriminated against based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , he argued that same-sex marriage caused an increase in crime .
• In March 2017 , he complained Democratic congresswomen wearing white outfits in honor of women 's suffrage were `` poorly dressed '' in `` bad-looking white pantsuits . ''
• That April , he received national attention for defending comments by then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer about Adolph Hitler .
Spicer had criticized Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , saying , `` You had someone who was as despicable as Hitler who did n't even sink to using chemical weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` inexcusable '' and apologized , Cramer opined that the analogy was `` not without some validity , '' as Hitler — who killed millions in gas vans and chambers — did not use chemical weapons on the battlefield .
• In September 2018 , he argued that even if Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted people , that should not disqualify him from confirmation to a lifetime Supreme Court appointment .
After calling allegations against the nominee baseless , he suggested that if they were true , `` It certainly means that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but does it disqualify him from the Supreme Court ? ''
• Last July , he argued that the late Rep. Elijah Cummings ( D-MD ) , who was black , could not have faced racism because he was a successful member of Congress .
Cramer , who is white , added that he could call himself a `` victim of racism '' because people `` snicker '' about his home state .
Asked Wednesday about the tweet and whether Cramer had apologized to Pelosi , a spokesperson forwarded a link to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` I ’ m really sorry it happened.
” Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) tweeted and then deleted a slur against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday. When asked about it, he claimed autocorrect caused the use of what he called the “offensive” word in the tweet.
According to the Grand Forks Herald, Cramer responded to a Daily Caller tweet about Pelosi with the words, “she’s retarded.” About 10 minutes later, he deleted the tweet.
Cramer blamed “fat fingers” and claimed that his phone had autocorrected his attempted “she’s ridiculous” response. He claimed he does not use the “offensive” term “because of its historical use toward people with disabilities.”
Not everyone was buying his excuse.
North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Chair Kylie Oversen told local news outlets there’s “not a shot that [Cramer] is telling the truth” as autocorrect would only have suggested that term if it was one he used often. “I have no idea why anyone would use that word, let alone a sitting U.S. senator,” she said. “It’s offensive and hurtful and unacceptable.”
This is not the first time Cramer’s comments have gotten him into hot water.
In June 2014, he opposed President Barack Obama’s executive order protecting LGBTQ federal contractors from discrimination, arguing, “I’m not sure that this is a problem… I have to be honest, I don’t get many, if any. I don’t know that I’ve ever received a phone call in my office from somebody that says they’ve been discriminated against based on their sexual orientation.” That same month, he argued that same-sex marriage caused an increase in crime.
In March 2017, he complained Democratic congresswomen wearing white outfits in honor of women’s suffrage were “poorly dressed” in “bad-looking white pantsuits.”
That April, he received national attention for defending comments by then-White House spokesman Sean Spicer about Adolf Hitler. Spicer had criticized Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying, “You had someone who was as despicable as Hitler who didn’t even sink to using chemical weapons.” Though Spicer called his gaffe “inexcusable” and apologized, Cramer opined that the analogy was “not without some validity,” as Hitler — who killed millions in gas vans and chambers — did not use chemical weapons on the battlefield.
In September 2018, he argued that even if Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted people, that should not disqualify him from confirmation to a lifetime Supreme Court appointment. After calling allegations against the nominee baseless, he suggested that if they were true, “It certainly means that he did something really bad 36 years ago, but does it disqualify him from the Supreme Court?”
Last July, he argued that the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), who was black, could not have faced racism because he was a successful member of Congress. Cramer, who is white, added that he could call himself a “victim of racism” because people “snicker” about his home state.
Asked Wednesday about the tweet and whether Cramer had apologized to Pelosi, a spokesperson forwarded a link to a wire story reporting that Cramer had said, “I’m really sorry it happened.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.