occupydemocrats--2020-03-09--New report reveals how Trump campaign funds are being funneled to Don Jr.’s girlfriend

After Donald Trump spent the better part of the last year attacking Hunter Biden for his supposedly illicitly-awarded board membership at a Ukrainian energy company , the stones are finally boomeranging back at his glass family tower .
When The New York Times detailed the thorough takeover of the Republican party ’ s fund-raising machine by the Trump campaign and its allies in an investigative article today , they revealed yet another instance of nepotistic profiteering by what at this point can only be considered the president ’ s corrupt family crime syndicate .
Buried in the report about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his current campaign manager Brad Parscale have “ have consolidated power — and made money — in a way not possible in an earlier , more transparent analog era ” by “ using a network of private businesses whose operations and ownership are cloaked in secrecy , largely exempt from federal disclosure , ” is the news that Parscale ’ s own money-printing , online fund-raising machine — Parscale Strategy , which has billed the Trump campaign nearly $ 35 million so far — has been making surreptitious payments to the female partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons .
According to the newspaper , both Eric Trump ’ s wife , Lara and Donald Trump Jr. ’ s paramour , former Fox News talking head Kimberly Guilfoyle have been leeching cash from the campaign coffers through some shadowy deal with the campaign manager ’ s firm .
Here ’ s how The New York Times describes the nepotistic interactions between the Trump family and the president ’ s political operations : “ The Trump family looms over the whole operation , starting with Mr. Kushner .
While his White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Middle East , his most consistent assignment has been informal campaign chairman , overseeing the most vital arm of the new family business : politics , ” the article states .
“ According to two people with knowledge of the matter , Parscale Strategy has also been used to make payments out of public view to Lara Trump , the wife of the president ’ s son Eric , and Kimberly Guilfoyle , the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. , who have been surrogates on the stump and also taken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an odd dynamic between a campaign manager and a candidate ’ s family.
” “ During a campaign appearance last summer in Orlando , Ms. Guilfoyle confronted Mr. Parscale : Why were her checks always late ?
Two people who witnessed the encounter said a contrite Mr. Parscale promised that the problem would be sorted out promptly by his wife , Candice Parscale , who handles the books on many of his ventures , ” the reporters reveal .
The disclosure of the payments at least satisfies the nagging question of why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way whatsoever with the loathsome spawn of the despicable occupant of the White House .
Large sums of money always seem to soothe whatever feelings of physical and emotional disgust that may be instinctively triggered by proximity to members of the Trump family .
With the now-sidelined former Democratic billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg ’ s campaign advisor vowing to mount a “ scorched earth ” response against the nepotistic fortune amassed by Trump ’ s children — and now apparently their significant others — during their father ’ s tenure if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly-revived plans to investigate Hunter Biden , the revelations in today ’ s Times article are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg of the as-yet-uncovered acts of greed and rapaciousness that are seemingly hard-wired into the Trump family DNA .
“ Yeah , you know , the Trump family are epic grifters , and this goes back generations .
Fred Trump made his money by intersecting with both the federal government and state government in New York .
Donald came up through New York , intersecting with local government and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone — now , they are now in the White House , and all of them are dipping their faces into the till , ” Bloomberg advisor Tim O ’ Brien said on MSNBC this weekend .
What do you think ?

After Donald Trump spent the better part of the last year attacking Hunter Biden for his supposedly illicitly-awarded board membership at a Ukrainian energy company, the stones are finally boomeranging back at his glass family tower.
When The New York Times detailed the thorough takeover of the Republican party’s fund-raising machine by the Trump campaign and its allies in an investigative article today, they revealed yet another instance of nepotistic profiteering by what at this point can only be considered the president’s corrupt family crime syndicate.
Buried in the report about how Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his current campaign manager Brad Parscale have “have consolidated power — and made money — in a way not possible in an earlier, more transparent analog era” by “using a network of private businesses whose operations and ownership are cloaked in secrecy, largely exempt from federal disclosure,” is the news that Parscale’s own money-printing, online fund-raising machine — Parscale Strategy, which has billed the Trump campaign nearly $35 million so far — has been making surreptitious payments to the female partners of the president’s two eldest sons.
According to the newspaper, both Eric Trump’s wife, Lara and Donald Trump Jr.’s paramour, former Fox News talking head Kimberly Guilfoyle have been leeching cash from the campaign coffers through some shadowy deal with the campaign manager’s firm.
Here’s how The New York Times describes the nepotistic interactions between the Trump family and the president’s political operations:
“The Trump family looms over the whole operation, starting with Mr. Kushner. While his White House portfolio has variously encompassed everything from immigration to the Middle East, his most consistent assignment has been informal campaign chairman, overseeing the most vital arm of the new family business: politics,” the article states. “According to two people with knowledge of the matter, Parscale Strategy has also been used to make payments out of public view to Lara Trump, the wife of the president’s son Eric, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., who have been surrogates on the stump and also taken on broader advisory roles. Their presence makes for an odd dynamic between a campaign manager and a candidate’s family.” “During a campaign appearance last summer in Orlando, Ms. Guilfoyle confronted Mr. Parscale: Why were her checks always late? Two people who witnessed the encounter said a contrite Mr. Parscale promised that the problem would be sorted out promptly by his wife, Candice Parscale, who handles the books on many of his ventures,” the reporters reveal.
The disclosure of the payments at least satisfies the nagging question of why anyone would want to be associated in any way whatsoever with the loathsome spawn of the despicable occupant of the White House. Large sums of money always seem to soothe whatever feelings of physical and emotional disgust that may be instinctively triggered by proximity to members of the Trump family.
With the now-sidelined former Democratic billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg’s campaign advisor vowing to mount a “scorched earth” response against the nepotistic fortune amassed by Trump’s children — and now apparently their significant others — during their father’s tenure if Republicans refuse to back off from their newly-revived plans to investigate Hunter Biden, the revelations in today’s Times article are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg of the as-yet-uncovered acts of greed and rapaciousness that are seemingly hard-wired into the Trump family DNA.
“Yeah, you know, the Trump family are epic grifters, and this goes back generations. Fred Trump made his money by intersecting with both the federal government and state government in New York. Donald came up through New York, intersecting with local government and in Atlantic City. They’ve gone — now, they are now in the White House, and all of them are dipping their faces into the till,” Bloomberg advisor Tim O’Brien said on MSNBC this weekend.
Oh, the hypocrisy!
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Danny Hakim and
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-09--Twitter explodes as virus-quarantined Republican Rep faces his mortality in cringey post

In an ironic and entirely predictable turn of events , Republicans who once mocked the alarm inspired by the rapidly progressing coronavirus epidemic are finding themselves in danger — and responding to it in a predictably weird fashion .
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar , possibly Arizona ’ s most racist dentist , has announced that he and his staff are going into self-quarantine after spending time with someone who is now hospitalized with COVID-19 at the recent CPAC conference .
“ I am not currently experiencing any symptoms , nor is any member of my staff .
However , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will remain at my home in Arizona until the conclusion of the 14 day period following my interaction with this individual , ” announced Gosar ’ s office on their website .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
It is a fitting turn of events for Gosar , who previously complained about passing an emergency response bill and spending money to combat the disease for only 80 cases .
As someone who has ostensibly been to medical school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to grow exponentially , but it appears his hatred of spending money on the public was stronger than his desire to stop a public health crisis .
Now that he is stuck at home for the immediate future , Gosar appears to be going through some kind of existential crisis after potentially having to face his own mortality for the first time in his life , and it is just as cringe-inducing as one might expect it to be from a white nationalist dentist .
It ’ s hard to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post , but the idea that this guy sees himself as someone who might ever participate in a great battle — which apparently was the search term he put into Google to find this image — is laughable .
Just as ridiculous is the egotistical delusion that he would find glory in a battlefield death .
Like a twelve-year-old who has just watched 300 for the first time , Gosar seems to have convinced himself that his agonizing death would not be immediately forgotten , his name one of many thousands on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fades into obscurity .
It speaks to the preposterous self-entitlement and arrogance that Republican politicians approach the task of governing this nation with .
Predictably , social media immediately exploded into mockery as the post became a meme unto itself .
Here ’ s a collection of the best responses .
What do you think ?

In an ironic and entirely predictable turn of events, Republicans who once mocked the alarm inspired by the rapidly progressing coronavirus epidemic are finding themselves in danger — and responding to it in a predictably weird fashion.
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, possibly Arizona’s most racist dentist, has announced that he and his staff are going into self-quarantine after spending time with someone who is now hospitalized with COVID-19 at the recent CPAC conference.
“I am not currently experiencing any symptoms, nor is any member of my staff. However, in order to prevent any potential transmission, I will remain at my home in Arizona until the conclusion of the 14 day period following my interaction with this individual,” announced Gosar’s office on their website.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
It is a fitting turn of events for Gosar, who previously complained about passing an emergency response bill and spending money to combat the disease for only 80 cases.
As someone who has ostensibly been to medical school, he should have known that number was going to grow exponentially, but it appears his hatred of spending money on the public was stronger than his desire to stop a public health crisis.
So the house just passed additional $7,700,000,000 ($7.7 billion) for 80 cases of US corona virus under review. That’s $9,625,000 per patient. We already passed $12 billion for CDC in 2018, billions more for 2019. That money was to address infectious disease rapid response. — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 4, 2020
Now that he is stuck at home for the immediate future, Gosar appears to be going through some kind of existential crisis after potentially having to face his own mortality for the first time in his life, and it is just as cringe-inducing as one might expect it to be from a white nationalist dentist.
Been thinking about life and mortality today. I’d rather die gloriously in battle than from a virus. In a way it doesn’t matter. But it kinda does. pic.twitter.com/m6vU5RTQHJ — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) March 9, 2020
It’s hard to know where to begin with this absolutely insane post, but the idea that this guy sees himself as someone who might ever participate in a great battle — which apparently was the search term he put into Google to find this image — is laughable.
Just as ridiculous is the egotistical delusion that he would find glory in a battlefield death. Like a twelve-year-old who has just watched 300 for the first time, Gosar seems to have convinced himself that his agonizing death would not be immediately forgotten, his name one of many thousands on a wall or in a cemetery as he fades into obscurity.
It speaks to the preposterous self-entitlement and arrogance that Republican politicians approach the task of governing this nation with.
Predictably, social media immediately exploded into mockery as the post became a meme unto itself.
Here’s a collection of the best responses.
Been thinking about life and mortality today. I’d rather die gloriously in battle than from a virus. In a way it doesn’t matter. But it kinda does. pic.twitter.com/zyMTeY91d3 — Colin Taylor (@ColsBols) March 9, 2020
My dude, you are the character who gets killed in the first five minutes of the movie to advance the plot. You're not the protagonist here. Battle glory was never going to be your destiny. — Brooke Binkowski (@brooklynmarie) March 9, 2020
Pfffffhahahahaha you fucking dork
“While you studied basic hygiene, I studied the blade”
Resign out of shame for this terrible tweet — Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) March 9, 2020
Seen a few people killed, none gloriously. This is a child's worldview. https://t.co/jidCMKtaZa — MAJ (Ret.) Mike Perry (@MikePerryavatar) March 9, 2020
you look like youd get taken out by some spicy thai food my man — Corona Bot (@goodatsexguy) March 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/jessphoenix2018/status/1237072834024722433?s=20
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-09--Trump brags about high flu death toll in backfired attempt to downplay coronavirus risks

An old man being taken down by the coronavirus is not much of a news story these days when elderly and infirm senior citizens are suffering disproportionately from the outbreak .
However , when the old man is the president of the United States and the taking down is not from being physically infected but from the impact that the panic over the pandemic is having on public confidence in your administration ’ s ability to handle the crisis and the economic downslide that has accompanied it , it is a news story that dominates public consciousness .
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gripped the markets and even halted trading on exchanges temporarily after a massive seven percent drop triggered an automatic pause for 15 minutes .
His reaction was not to immediately convene a rapid emergency response team at the White House to deal with the crisis but to watch TV and tweet about it .
Imagine watching what could be the beginning of the biggest financial collapse since , well , the last Republican president was in office , and tweeting this out as if this would reassure everyone and make everything better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president thought that Vice-President Mike Pence and his “ CoronaVirus Task Force ” weren ’ t as ineffective as Trump ’ s illusory Space Force , then Wall Street wouldn ’ t be metaphorically jumping out of skyscraper windows right now .
With his staunch congratulations to his team failing to halt the market slide , Trump switched to praising his own prescient handling of the crisis by his reflexive solution to any problem he encounters that can ’ t be solved with a simple lie — a more blatant lie that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s borders .
Yes , a wonderful and obviously so effective decision that has prevented the virus from reaching American shores — NOT !
As the media details the many missed opportunities that the Trump administration had to better prepare for a pandemic that he had been warned could be one of the many threats America needed to be ready to face , Trump then decided that it was time to shoot the messenger , part of his regular morning routine on social media anyway .
Unfortunately , a significant portion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disseminated is originating from the deteriorating brain of the president himself who continually spread misinformation about the coronavirus “ hoax ” , including telling people that it ’ s safe to go to work when sick .
Perhaps thinking that people simply needed to see the bright side of the results of the epidemic , Trump next touted deflation as an overlooked side benefit of the deadly outbreak .
Hmm !
?
!
Not much use for gasoline when you ’ re sequestered in your home for weeks at a time , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face of a reality that Trump ’ s gaslighting can ’ t conquer , the president moved on to blame as his next tactic to avoid accepting any responsibility for the administration ’ s market-shaking incompetence .
Nope , nothing to see here .
Move along people .
Not our fault .
With his last tweet of the morning , Trump tried to ignore scientific data about the relative virulence of the COVID-19 virus versus the strains of common influenza viruses that have been prevalent in the past year — hint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attributed to the flu is still currently higher than that of the still spreading coronavirus , the fatality rate for the new disease , pegged at 3.4 % by the World Health Organization is multiple times higher than the 0.1 % death rate from the flu .
And , if you have any sense , think about the fact that the flu has had a full year to crawl its way through the populace , while we are still at the very beginning stages of the COVID-19 outbreak , and then multiply those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get over a million people who may die from the coronavirus .
Think about that !
At least one Twitter respondent did .
And then think about the idiocy and incapability of the man leading the nation during this crisis and wonder : can we make it to November without a change of management ?
And can gross incompetence convince Republicans in the Senate to remove this worthless excuse for a president from office when abuse of power and obstruction of Congress couldn ’ t ?
Hopefully , we ’ ll find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic hits a million and before the market tanks back to the pre-Obama economic rescue numbers that the presidency of George W. Bush sank it to .
What do you think ?

An old man being taken down by the coronavirus is not much of a news story these days when elderly and infirm senior citizens are suffering disproportionately from the outbreak.
However, when the old man is the president of the United States and the taking down is not from being physically infected but from the impact that the panic over the pandemic is having on public confidence in your administration’s ability to handle the crisis and the economic downslide that has accompanied it, it is a news story that dominates public consciousness.
Donald Trump woke up today to a financial panic that gripped the markets and even halted trading on exchanges temporarily after a massive seven percent drop triggered an automatic pause for 15 minutes.
His reaction was not to immediately convene a rapid emergency response team at the White House to deal with the crisis but to watch TV and tweet about it.
Imagine watching what could be the beginning of the biggest financial collapse since, well, the last Republican president was in office, and tweeting this out as if this would reassure everyone and make everything better.
Great job being done by the @VP and the CoronaVirus Task Force. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Sorry, but if anyone besides the president thought that Vice-President Mike Pence and his “CoronaVirus Task Force” weren’t as ineffective as Trump’s illusory Space Force, then Wall Street wouldn’t be metaphorically jumping out of skyscraper windows right now.
With his staunch congratulations to his team failing to halt the market slide, Trump switched to praising his own prescient handling of the crisis by his reflexive solution to any problem he encounters that can’t be solved with a simple lie — a more blatant lie that involves self-praise and the closing of America’s borders.
The BEST decision made was the toughest of them all – which saved many lives. Our VERY early decision to stop travel to and from certain parts of the world! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Yes, a wonderful and obviously so effective decision that has prevented the virus from reaching American shores — NOT!
As the media details the many missed opportunities that the Trump administration had to better prepare for a pandemic that he had been warned could be one of the many threats America needed to be ready to face, Trump then decided that it was time to shoot the messenger, part of his regular morning routine on social media anyway.
So much FAKE NEWS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the actual “FAKE NEWS” being disseminated is originating from the deteriorating brain of the president himself who continually spread misinformation about the coronavirus “hoax”, including telling people that it’s safe to go to work when sick.
Perhaps thinking that people simply needed to see the bright side of the results of the epidemic, Trump next touted deflation as an overlooked side benefit of the deadly outbreak.
Good for the consumer, gasoline prices coming down! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Hmm!?! Not much use for gasoline when you’re sequestered in your home for weeks at a time, but OK.
With denial and distraction proving ineffective in the face of a reality that Trump’s gaslighting can’t conquer, the president moved on to blame as his next tactic to avoid accepting any responsibility for the administration’s market-shaking incompetence.
Saudi Arabia and Russia are arguing over the price and flow of oil. That, and the Fake News, is the reason for the market drop! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
Nope, nothing to see here. Move along people. Not our fault.
With his last tweet of the morning, Trump tried to ignore scientific data about the relative virulence of the COVID-19 virus versus the strains of common influenza viruses that have been prevalent in the past year — hint: while the absolute number of fatalities attributed to the flu is still currently higher than that of the still spreading coronavirus, the fatality rate for the new disease, pegged at 3.4% by the World Health Organization is multiple times higher than the 0.1% death rate from the flu.
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
And, if you have any sense, think about the fact that the flu has had a full year to crawl its way through the populace, while we are still at the very beginning stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and then multiply those 37,000 flu deaths by 34 times and you get over a million people who may die from the coronavirus.
Think about that! At least one Twitter respondent did.
This is the literal opposite of what he needs to be saying. Flu kills more (for now) because COVID isn't yet as widespread. Reason for urgent preventive action IS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. Because if we fail, COVID-19's vastly higher fatality rate will kill far, far more people. https://t.co/Lamt2gXmKM — Jeremy COVID-19 IS NOT LIKE FLU Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) March 9, 2020
And then think about the idiocy and incapability of the man leading the nation during this crisis and wonder: can we make it to November without a change of management? And can gross incompetence convince Republicans in the Senate to remove this worthless excuse for a president from office when abuse of power and obstruction of Congress couldn’t?
Hopefully, we’ll find out before the death toll from the pandemic hits a million and before the market tanks back to the pre-Obama economic rescue numbers that the presidency of George W. Bush sank it to.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--Trump team presser on coronavirus crisis fails to share substantial information or plans

This afternoon , the President and his team held a press conference at the White House to give the nation an update on the spread of coronavirus in the United States — but did little to assuage fears as it became clear that they were either withholding information or simply didn ’ t have it .
As the nation of Italy issues a country-wide lockdown , the states of Ohio and Lousiana announce their first confirmed corona cases , and the stock market tanks over coronavirus disruption fears , Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar couldn ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been administered to potential virus carriers .
Nor would the President even answer if he himself had been tested as the news circulated that he himself had possibly been exposed to the virus by Reps. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) and Doug Collins ( R-GA ) over the weekend .
Vice-President Mike Pence admitted to not being tested either .
What they could tell the nation was that the Trump team was preparing to ask Congress for a “ very substantial ” payroll tax “ cut , ” loans for small businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for hourly wage earners before promising another news conference tomorrow after his very important meetings with the Senate .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Democratic leaders were quick to disparage the president ’ s comments , which almost entirely focused on the economy , as inadequate .
It is entirely unsurprising to see the president ’ s attention fixated on the stock market , being since it affects his personal wealth and the primary qualifier he uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our economy is healthy .
Desperate to keep the true extent of the crisis from reaching the public and exposing his administration ’ s terrifying incompetence for the world to see , we can expect to continue to see inadequate answers and obfuscation from the Trump team .
But all the lies and dodged questions in the world can ’ t stop America ’ s intrepid journalists from unraveling how Trump and his cronies allowed an epidemic to spread in the nation they ’ re supposed to be governing .
What do you @ @

This afternoon, the President and his team held a press conference at the White House to give the nation an update on the spread of coronavirus in the United States — but did little to assuage fears as it became clear that they were either withholding information or simply didn’t have it.
As the nation of Italy issues a country-wide lockdown, the states of Ohio and Lousiana announce their first confirmed corona cases, and the stock market tanks over coronavirus disruption fears, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar couldn’t even tell the world how many tests have been administered to potential virus carriers.
Nor would the President even answer if he himself had been tested as the news circulated that he himself had possibly been exposed to the virus by Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Doug Collins (R-GA) over the weekend. Vice-President Mike Pence admitted to not being tested either.
Trump leaves news conference without answering whether he has been tested for coronavirus. Pence: “I have not been tested for the coronavirus" pic.twitter.com/b3WzItIfcX — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 9, 2020
What they could tell the nation was that the Trump team was preparing to ask Congress for a “very substantial” payroll tax “cut,” loans for small businesses, and some kind of nebulous “help” for hourly wage earners before promising another news conference tomorrow after his very important meetings with the Senate.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Democratic leaders were quick to disparage the president’s comments, which almost entirely focused on the economy, as inadequate.
Schumer: "What was glaringly missing from President Trump's press conference was how he is actually going to combat the spread of the coronavirus and keep the American people safe. It seems President Trump is more focused on the stock market than addressing this pandemic." — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 9, 2020
It is entirely unsurprising to see the president’s attention fixated on the stock market, being since it affects his personal wealth and the primary qualifier he uses to mislead the country into thinking that our economy is healthy.
Desperate to keep the true extent of the crisis from reaching the public and exposing his administration’s terrifying incompetence for the world to see, we can expect to continue to see inadequate answers and obfuscation from the Trump team. But all the lies and dodged questions in the world can’t stop America’s intrepid journalists from unraveling how Trump and his cronies allowed an epidemic to spread in the nation they’re supposed to be governing.
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--Hotel owner Donald Trump weighs bailout of hotel, airline, and cruise industries

You can take the proprietor out of the hotel and put them in the White House , but you can ’ t take the hotel out of Donald Trump ’ s psyche .
As the nation begins a pandemic-inspired financial panic with stock markets tumbling and businesses — dependent on the free movement of goods and services and the willingness of people to leave the safety of their homes — experiencing sudden steep declines unless they happen to be selling sanitizers , disinfectants , or other valuable , hoardable commodities , the Trump administration is naturally more concerned with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have on American businesses than on its impact — both physical and financial — on the average citizen .
With the travel and tourism industries particularly hard hit , White House officials are walking a tightrope between angering the president by acknowledging the scope of the problem at hand that Trump has done everything in his limited capabilities to downplay and actually addressing the problem quickly enough to avoid a further financial meltdown that could take a heavy toll on the president ’ s own properties .
Since those with executive power are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tax cuts — or deferrals , at the very least — are the first methods that they are considering to offer some relief to the cruise , travel , hospitality , and airline industries .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
With business travel grinding to a halt as conventions , trade shows , and even music festivals are being canceled across the country as a precautionary measure to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examining proposals that could wind up personally benefiting Donald Trump if they are indeed enacted .
On Friday , White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow told Fox Business that the Oval Office is discussing “ timely and targeted ” federal assistance to help ameliorate the economic damages that the pandemic panic has wrought .
At a last-minute press conference today , Trump himself vowed to ask Congress to pass a payroll tax cut to help bring relief to workers earning an hourly wage — workers who are increasingly feeling vulnerable to the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to be more than a GOP talking point : that when the wealthy see their portfolios shrinking , that flood of sewage will definitely be rolling downhill real soon .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , speaking after the president ’ s remarks , tried to reassure the public about the underlying fundamental strength of the American economy .
Unstated was the fact that those few months will be the time between now and the presidential election that determines whether the citizens of the United States think that Trump is the person best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of crises like this .
Given that Trump and his Republican cohorts have weakened the nation in so many ways , including Trump ’ s dismantling of federal institutions that could have been mustered in this emergency , his replacement of scientific experts at federal agencies with political appointees , his decimation of the U.S. treasury through his billionaire tax cuts , and the artificial suppression of interest rates , leaving the Federal Reserve with few tools with which to counter recessionary trends , it must be comforting to the president to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another tax break out of the chaos that his mismanagement has engendered .
Can you spell e-m-o-l-u-m-e-n-t-s ?
How about c-o-n-f-l-i-c-t o-f i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t ?
It looks like it will have to be the Democrats to the rescue once again , just like after the Bush economic catastrophe that required the federal government to bail out the automobile industry .
At this point , Congress needs to pass a law requiring that anyone who votes to trust a member of the GOP with the stewardship of the American economy be tied to a chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Have All the Flowers Gone ” played on an endless loop until they get the message — “ When will they ever learn ?
When will they ever learn.
” Original reporting by Bobby Allyn at NPR and by Jeff Stein , Rachel Siegel , Heather Long , and Erica Werner at The Washington Post .
What do you think ?

You can take the proprietor out of the hotel and put them in the White House, but you can’t take the hotel out of Donald Trump’s psyche.
As the nation begins a pandemic-inspired financial panic with stock markets tumbling and businesses — dependent on the free movement of goods and services and the willingness of people to leave the safety of their homes — experiencing sudden steep declines unless they happen to be selling sanitizers, disinfectants, or other valuable, hoardable commodities, the Trump administration is naturally more concerned with the economic effects that the coronavirus outbreak will have on American businesses than on its impact — both physical and financial — on the average citizen.
With the travel and tourism industries particularly hard hit, White House officials are walking a tightrope between angering the president by acknowledging the scope of the problem at hand that Trump has done everything in his limited capabilities to downplay and actually addressing the problem quickly enough to avoid a further financial meltdown that could take a heavy toll on the president’s own properties.
Since those with executive power are all Republican loyalists, the all-purpose solution of tax cuts — or deferrals, at the very least — are the first methods that they are considering to offer some relief to the cruise, travel, hospitality, and airline industries.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
With business travel grinding to a halt as conventions, trade shows, and even music festivals are being canceled across the country as a precautionary measure to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Trump administration officials are signaling that they are examining proposals that could wind up personally benefiting Donald Trump if they are indeed enacted.
On Friday, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow told Fox Business that the Oval Office is discussing “timely and targeted” federal assistance to help ameliorate the economic damages that the pandemic panic has wrought.
“Perhaps on a large scale, some of the sectors might need some temporary assistance,” Kudlow said, before qualifying his words by adding, “We don’t want to act prematurely.”
At a last-minute press conference today, Trump himself vowed to ask Congress to pass a payroll tax cut to help bring relief to workers earning an hourly wage — workers who are increasingly feeling vulnerable to the one form of trickle-down economic theory that actually seems to be more than a GOP talking point: that when the wealthy see their portfolios shrinking, that flood of sewage will definitely be rolling downhill real soon.
“We are going to take care of and have been taking care of the American public and the American economy,” Trump said, his credibility in tatters after the administration’s multiple missteps and his legacy of compulsive prevarication.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking after the president’s remarks, tried to reassure the public about the underlying fundamental strength of the American economy.
“The economy will be in really good shape a year from now. This is not like the financial crisis where we don’t know the end in sight. This is about providing proper tools and liquidity to get through the next few months.”
Unstated was the fact that those few months will be the time between now and the presidential election that determines whether the citizens of the United States think that Trump is the person best suited to lead the nation in times of crises like this.
Given that Trump and his Republican cohorts have weakened the nation in so many ways, including Trump’s dismantling of federal institutions that could have been mustered in this emergency, his replacement of scientific experts at federal agencies with political appointees, his decimation of the U.S. treasury through his billionaire tax cuts, and the artificial suppression of interest rates, leaving the Federal Reserve with few tools with which to counter recessionary trends, it must be comforting to the president to know that at least his hotels will get another tax break out of the chaos that his mismanagement has engendered.
Can you spell e-m-o-l-u-m-e-n-t-s? How about c-o-n-f-l-i-c-t o-f i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t?
It looks like it will have to be the Democrats to the rescue once again, just like after the Bush economic catastrophe that required the federal government to bail out the automobile industry.
At this point, Congress needs to pass a law requiring that anyone who votes to trust a member of the GOP with the stewardship of the American economy be tied to a chair and forced to listen to “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” played on an endless loop until they get the message — “When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn.”
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Bobby Allyn at NPR and by Jeff Stein, Rachel Siegel, Heather Long, and Erica Werner at The Washington Post.
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--Trump’s Press Secretary “screams” at reporters to leave after meeting with healthcare execs

The Trump administration ’ s open hostility to the media and their pesky questions is infamous at this point , @ @ @ @ @ to see the way that the free press is treated in this White House .
@ @ @ @ @ country as White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham was recorded angrily yelling at reporters to @ @ @ @ @ meeting between President Trump and health care industry executives as the president sat there looking @ @ @ @ @ portion of the meeting was concluded without the reporters getting a chance to ask the @ @ @ @ @ spread of coronavirus or the government ’ s response to the crisis .
This is @ @ @ @ @ a White House staffer has angrily ordered reporters out of the room ; the same @ @ @ @ @ ago , just minutes after the President disparaged the media for being “ dangerous ” @ @ @ @ @ do you think ?

The Trump administration’s open hostility to the media and their pesky questions is infamous at this point, but it still is astonishing to see the way that the free press is treated in this White House.
Eyebrows were raised around the country as White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham was recorded angrily yelling at reporters to leave the room following a meeting between President Trump and health care industry executives as the president sat there looking uncomfortable.
Get a load of this White House staffer *screaming* at reporters to leave the room at the end of Trump’s meeting with health care industry executives pic.twitter.com/UZy7KHQZjn — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2020
The open press portion of the meeting was concluded without the reporters getting a chance to ask the President any questions about the spread of coronavirus or the government’s response to the crisis.
This is not the first time that a White House staffer has angrily ordered reporters out of the room; the same thing happened a few months ago, just minutes after the President disparaged the media for being “dangerous” and “corrupt.”
A White House official *SCREAMS* at reporters to get out of the Oval Office as Trump makes bizarre facial expressions pic.twitter.com/Q8fJZQpuug — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 19, 2019
Staff Report This is a staff report from former Occupy Democrats Editor in Chief Colin Taylor or contributor Rob Haffney. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--A Michigan Republican Mayor disavows “deranged” Trump, endorses Democrat for first time ever

It ’ s tempting to use the analogy of rats fleeing a sinking ship when you learn about the Republican mayor of Sterling Heights , Michigan , the state ’ s fourth-largest city , ditching any further pretense of supporting Donald Trump and throwing his endorsement to Democrat former Vice-President Joe Biden to become the next occupant of the White House .
However , at the same time , one doesn ’ t want to do anything at all to discourage other fed-up members of the GOP from joining the exodus and ensuring that the nightmare of four more years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullet .
Michael Taylor is the mayor in question in a city that sits in Macomb County , Michigan , one of the counties whose switch from a place where Obama garnered the majority of votes in 2012 to a solid Trump victory in 2016 helped deliver the swing state and the electoral college to the president .
Taylor himself was among those who cast his ballot for Trump in the last election , but , in an announcement that indicates even formerly ardent advocates of the president ’ s policies — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Taylor most certainly once was — are reaching new heights of disillusionment , he shocked fellow republicans by announcing to The Chicago Tribune that he will be casting a vote for Joe Biden in today ’ s Michigan primary , his first vote ever for a Democrat in a state where one needn ’ t be a registered party member to vote in the primaries .
The mayor explained his thought process in a tweet after The Tribune publicized his Biden endorsement .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic immediately !
“ I ’ m not proud of my vote for him .
I ’ m not satisfied with his leadership .
I don ’ t think the country ’ s heading in the right direction .
I think he ’ s incompetent .
I think he ’ s divisive .
I think he lacks moral character , ” Mayor Taylor told The Washington Post .
“ I think Joe Biden is the candidate who can unify all of the Democrats , and he ’ s the candidate who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who don ’ t want to see four more years of President Trump , ” he told The Chicago Tribune .
Although Taylor knows that many residents of his city still support Trump because of the strong local economy — telling him that “ The economy is great .
It ’ s getting better .
We ’ d better not mess up a good thing.
” — the advent of the coronavirus outbreak has shaken the confidence of many of the suburban , middle-class families with children like his own who want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House , ” he says .
Asked what the most attractive qualities that Biden possesses that inspired his unprecedented decision to cross party lines to support him , Mayor Taylor replied : With Donald Trump seemingly only able to connect with people in their shallowest moments of fear , prejudice , and resentment , the deep connection that Biden is able to forge may help him not only to beat his rival for the Democratic nomination — with the help of dissatisfied Republican defectors — in a state where he beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to put the state back in the blue column in the general election in November .
Mayor Taylor ’ s move is just one more indication that the public perception of Trump ’ s mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak has driven even life-long members of the GOP to abandon ship .
But let ’ s think of them as refugees in need of resettlement rather than as rats fleeing , and offer them the kind of welcome that the Trump administration denied the real refugees who arrived at our borders .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and now ’ s the time to show it .
Original reporting by Bill Ruthhart at The Chicago Tribune and by Greg Sargent at The Washington Post .
Join millions calling for AG Barr to resign after he defied his constitutional obligations in order to protect Trump !
What do you think ?

It’s tempting to use the analogy of rats fleeing a sinking ship when you learn about the Republican mayor of Sterling Heights, Michigan, the state’s fourth-largest city, ditching any further pretense of supporting Donald Trump and throwing his endorsement to Democrat former Vice-President Joe Biden to become the next occupant of the White House.
However, at the same time, one doesn’t want to do anything at all to discourage other fed-up members of the GOP from joining the exodus and ensuring that the nightmare of four more years of a Trump presidency becomes a dodged bullet.
Michael Taylor is the mayor in question in a city that sits in Macomb County, Michigan, one of the counties whose switch from a place where Obama garnered the majority of votes in 2012 to a solid Trump victory in 2016 helped deliver the swing state and the electoral college to the president.
Taylor himself was among those who cast his ballot for Trump in the last election, but, in an announcement that indicates even formerly ardent advocates of the president’s policies — which, as a former Tea Party darling, Taylor most certainly once was — are reaching new heights of disillusionment, he shocked fellow republicans by announcing to The Chicago Tribune that he will be casting a vote for Joe Biden in today’s Michigan primary, his first vote ever for a Democrat in a state where one needn’t be a registered party member to vote in the primaries.
The mayor explained his thought process in a tweet after The Tribune publicized his Biden endorsement.
How could I look at those three kids and tell them I'm proud to support Donald Trump? I can't. I won't. I'm voting for @JoeBiden tomorrow and endorsing him for President of the United States. I hope you'll join me. #Biden2020#MichiganPrimary https://t.co/GIA3PT5DNS — Michael C. Taylor (@MayorMikeTaylor) March 9, 2020
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
“I’m not proud of my vote for him. I’m not satisfied with his leadership. I don’t think the country’s heading in the right direction. I think he’s incompetent. I think he’s divisive. I think he lacks moral character,” Mayor Taylor told The Washington Post. “I think Joe Biden is the candidate who can unify all of the Democrats, and he’s the candidate who can appeal to moderates and Republicans like me who don’t want to see four more years of President Trump,” he told The Chicago Tribune.
Although Taylor knows that many residents of his city still support Trump because of the strong local economy — telling him that “The economy is great. It’s getting better. We’d better not mess up a good thing.” — the advent of the coronavirus outbreak has shaken the confidence of many of the suburban, middle-class families with children like his own who want to see “sanity and adult leadership in the White House,” he says.
“People want to get back to some sense of normalcy. They’ll look to Biden and say, “Things are going to go back to the way they were before,” He told The Post.
Asked what the most attractive qualities that Biden possesses that inspired his unprecedented decision to cross party lines to support him, Mayor Taylor replied:
“Leadership.The man is a high-character individual. He’s dedicated his life to public service.” “Trump will try to paint him as corrupt and mentally deficient,” the mayor warned. “What attracts people to Biden is that he comes from a working-class background, too. He’s somebody who a lot of people can relate to. He’s had tragedy in his life. He’s able to connect with people very deeply,” Taylor concluded.
With Donald Trump seemingly only able to connect with people in their shallowest moments of fear, prejudice, and resentment, the deep connection that Biden is able to forge may help him not only to beat his rival for the Democratic nomination — with the help of dissatisfied Republican defectors — in a state where he beat Hillary Clinton in the last primary — but to put the state back in the blue column in the general election in November. Mayor Taylor’s move is just one more indication that the public perception of Trump’s mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak has driven even life-long members of the GOP to abandon ship. But let’s think of them as refugees in need of resettlement rather than as rats fleeing, and offer them the kind of welcome that the Trump administration denied the real refugees who arrived at our borders. We’re better than Trump’s policies and now’s the time to show it. Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter. Original reporting by Bill Ruthhart at The Chicago Tribune and by Greg Sargent at The Washington Post.
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--Trump weighing taxpayer aid for fossil fuel companies after billionaires call White House in panic

As the spread of coronavirus and the brewing economic war between Saudi Arabia and Russia sends the stock market into turmoil , America ’ s wealthiest business owners are already flocking to the White House to sound the alarm .
Oil prices saw their sharpest drop in almost 30 years yesterday , causing panic in the boardrooms of shale and other fossil fuel companies .
The Washington Post reports that the White House has been barraged with calls from “ concerned energy sector allies ” warning that the instability could put them out of business and floating the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Trump administration is “ strongly considering ” doing so , according to the Post .
But the need for assistance apparently extends only to the wealthy few at the top , as the Post also reports that the calls have been warning the Trump team against implementing any kind of “ sweeping paid sick leave policy , ” because God forbid the company have to spend any money helping the workers who actually produce the profits .
One of the men who reached out to the Trump administration is ex-CEO and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stake in the Continental Resources company lost $ 2 billion in value on Monday .
Hamm also just so happens to have endorsed Trump for the presidency and has funneled $ 50,000 to the Trump Victory Fund , along with every pro-energy Republican politician under the sun .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Hamm said he advised the White House to weigh “ any action that the administration might take to protect and preserve American interests at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government — and we ’ re talking governments here , whether it be Russia or Saudi Arabia.
” More ominously , he warned , “ how this could jeopardize those jobs and the economies in producing states and communities across America , from Pennsylvania to California and Texas to North Dakota.
” He said he did not actually speak to the President himself .
The president ’ s fervent embrace of the fossil fuel sector and constant bragging about the growth of energy sector jobs in swing states like Pennsylvania make the survival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical for him .
The fact that these industries are literally accelerating the onset of an ecological apocalypse has never once factored into any of his decisions ; nor does the fact that the industry is $ 40 billion in debt and does not have a bright future .
Trump is already considering bailouts of the airline , hotel , and cruise ship industries to keep them afloat during the coronavirus era ; his constant framing of the public healthcare crisis as primarily an economic issue makes it clear that his top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Instead , he ’ s focused solely on protecting his re-election chances and the bank accounts of his wealthy supporters .
Under a different president , the oil crisis unfolding in the Middle East could be seen as a terrific opportunity to jump-start a huge investment into green technology , kick off the transition away from toxic fossil fuels , and keep the American economy from being so vulnerable to the machinations of authoritarian petrocracies .
But under a corrupt billionaire like Donald Trump , every crisis is just another opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wealthy .
Original reporting by Jeff Stein , Will Englund , Steven Mufson and Robert Costa at the Washington Post .
What do you think ?

As the spread of coronavirus and the brewing economic war between Saudi Arabia and Russia sends the stock market into turmoil, America’s wealthiest business owners are already flocking to the White House to sound the alarm.
Oil prices saw their sharpest drop in almost 30 years yesterday, causing panic in the boardrooms of shale and other fossil fuel companies. The Washington Post reports that the White House has been barraged with calls from “concerned energy sector allies” warning that the instability could put them out of business and floating the idea of extending low-interest loans to keep them afloat.
The Trump administration is “strongly considering” doing so, according to the Post.
BREAKING: White House likely to push federal aid for shale companies hit by coronavirus/international energy shock Trump confidante & oil billionaire Harold Hamm lost $2 billion yesterday. Hamm reached out to admin but says he didnt make “direct" contacthttps://t.co/GsjHIJE6VI — Jeffrey Stein (@JStein_WaPo) March 10, 2020
But the need for assistance apparently extends only to the wealthy few at the top, as the Post also reports that the calls have been warning the Trump team against implementing any kind of “sweeping paid sick leave policy,” because God forbid the company have to spend any money helping the workers who actually produce the profits.
One of the men who reached out to the Trump administration is ex-CEO and billionaire Harold Hamm, whose 77% stake in the Continental Resources company lost $2 billion in value on Monday. Hamm also just so happens to have endorsed Trump for the presidency and has funneled $50,000 to the Trump Victory Fund, along with every pro-energy Republican politician under the sun.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Hamm said he advised the White House to weigh “any action that the administration might take to protect and preserve American interests at this time from being unfairly disadvantaged by whatever government — and we’re talking governments here, whether it be Russia or Saudi Arabia.”
More ominously, he warned, “how this could jeopardize those jobs and the economies in producing states and communities across America, from Pennsylvania to California and Texas to North Dakota.” He said he did not actually speak to the President himself.
The president’s fervent embrace of the fossil fuel sector and constant bragging about the growth of energy sector jobs in swing states like Pennsylvania make the survival of shale and other energy companies politically critical for him.
The fact that these industries are literally accelerating the onset of an ecological apocalypse has never once factored into any of his decisions; nor does the fact that the industry is $40 billion in debt and does not have a bright future.
Trump is already considering bailouts of the airline, hotel, and cruise ship industries to keep them afloat during the coronavirus era; his constant framing of the public healthcare crisis as primarily an economic issue makes it clear that his top priority is not the health of the American people. Instead, he’s focused solely on protecting his re-election chances and the bank accounts of his wealthy supporters.
Under a different president, the oil crisis unfolding in the Middle East could be seen as a terrific opportunity to jump-start a huge investment into green technology, kick off the transition away from toxic fossil fuels, and keep the American economy from being so vulnerable to the machinations of authoritarian petrocracies.
But under a corrupt billionaire like Donald Trump, every crisis is just another opportunity to funnel public funds into the pockets of the wealthy.
Original reporting by Jeff Stein, Will Englund, Steven Mufson and Robert Costa at the Washington Post.
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-10--Trump falsely accuses Democrats of going “off to vacation” after spending weekend at Mar-a-Lago

If Donald Trump wonders why even longtime Republican supporters of the president are now expressing uncertainty about his competence to lead the nation during the worst epidemiological crisis America has faced in decades , he needs to look no further than his own Twitter feed .
Just as major sports organizations have suspended competitions and promoters have canceled events that attract large crowds at a time too dangerous to risk the chance of exposure to the COVID-19 virus , the American people expect the president to suspend partisanship and political gamesmanship and name-calling at a time when they expect a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their time and efforts to devising plans to achieve the best possible outcome for the greatest number of people in fighting the burgeoning pandemic .
Instead , Trump continues to engage in the same tired routine of baiting Democrats and blaming them for inaction after his own administration ’ s molasses-slow , chaotic and incompetent response to a global crisis the possibility of which they had been warned about well in advance of the first reported case of coronavirus hitting our shores .
Rather than spend his time consulting with any government experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of Trump ’ s uncertainty about their political loyalty or because they valued facts and science over political dogma , the president instead pretended he could wing his way through the crisis in his standard B.S.-slinging improvisational mode .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
After Trump stunned White House staff yesterday by saying that he would be holding a press conference today to unveil his plans to combat the financial damage from the economic fallout of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually exists at this point .
“ That was news to everyone on the inside , ” one official said .
“ It ’ s not there right now , ” another official admitted .
“ A lot of details need to be worked out.
” “ The White House is not ready to roll out specific economic proposals in its response to the widening impact of the coronavirus outbreak , ” CNBC reported adminstrastion officials as saying .
Meanwhile House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of legislative reforms designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus and provide economic relief to those most directly affected ” according to The Hill .
“ While the Democrats ’ legislation is not yet drafted , Pelosi and Schumer huddled Monday night with the various committee leaders working on it in an effort to tie up loose ends .
And Pelosi said the legislation could be drafted — and maybe even receive a vote on the House floor — by the end of the week , ” an article at The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it together ; it ’ s not like we just woke up this morning and started thinking about this , ” Pelosi commented with a subtle reference to Trump ’ s failure to recognise the implications of the epidemic in time to make plans to combat it .
On Twitter this morning , Trump tried to spin the typical grinding gears of legislative discussion and drafting of measures into a counterbalance to the accusations of laziness and inaction that have been dogging his own reputation as he spent the weekend playing golf rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , one must for the umpteenth time remind the reader that the so-called “ Do Nothing Democrats ” in the House have 395 bills of passed legislation sitting on Senate Majority Leader “ Moscow ” Mitch McConnell ’ s desk that he has refused to act upon .
By focusing on his petty political fights instead of his primary responsibilities to lead and protect the nation , Trump is simply proving why he is so unqualified for the job he has and wants America to reelect him to .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House who is able to handle any challenges that come their way .
If by now , you don ’ t realize that Donald Trump is not that person , then no masks , disinfectants , or anti-viral agents will be able to help you .
Original reporting by Mike Calia at CNBC and by Mike Lillis at The Hill .
What do you think ?

If Donald Trump wonders why even longtime Republican supporters of the president are now expressing uncertainty about his competence to lead the nation during the worst epidemiological crisis America has faced in decades, he needs to look no further than his own Twitter feed.
Just as major sports organizations have suspended competitions and promoters have canceled events that attract large crowds at a time too dangerous to risk the chance of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the American people expect the president to suspend partisanship and political gamesmanship and name-calling at a time when they expect a leader to be dedicating 100% of their time and efforts to devising plans to achieve the best possible outcome for the greatest number of people in fighting the burgeoning pandemic.
Instead, Trump continues to engage in the same tired routine of baiting Democrats and blaming them for inaction after his own administration’s molasses-slow, chaotic and incompetent response to a global crisis the possibility of which they had been warned about well in advance of the first reported case of coronavirus hitting our shores.
Rather than spend his time consulting with any government experts who hadn’t already been fired because of Trump’s uncertainty about their political loyalty or because they valued facts and science over political dogma, the president instead pretended he could wing his way through the crisis in his standard B.S.-slinging improvisational mode.
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
After Trump stunned White House staff yesterday by saying that he would be holding a press conference today to unveil his plans to combat the financial damage from the economic fallout of the outbreak, CNBC revealed that no plan actually exists at this point.
“That was news to everyone on the inside,” one official said. “It’s not there right now,” another official admitted. “A lot of details need to be worked out.” “The White House is not ready to roll out specific economic proposals in its response to the widening impact of the coronavirus outbreak,” CNBC reported adminstrastion officials as saying.
Meanwhile House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) “are floating a series of legislative reforms designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus and provide economic relief to those most directly affected” according to The Hill.
“While the Democrats’ legislation is not yet drafted, Pelosi and Schumer huddled Monday night with the various committee leaders working on it in an effort to tie up loose ends. And Pelosi said the legislation could be drafted — and maybe even receive a vote on the House floor — by the end of the week,” an article at The Hill said. “We are putting it together; it’s not like we just woke up this morning and started thinking about this,” Pelosi commented with a subtle reference to Trump’s failure to recognise the implications of the epidemic in time to make plans to combat it.
On Twitter this morning, Trump tried to spin the typical grinding gears of legislative discussion and drafting of measures into a counterbalance to the accusations of laziness and inaction that have been dogging his own reputation as he spent the weekend playing golf rather than doing his job.
Nancy Pelosi just said, “I don’t know if we can be ready this week.” In other words, it’s off to vacation for the Do Nothing Democrats. That’s been the story with them for 1 1/2 years! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 10, 2020
At this point, one must for the umpteenth time remind the reader that the so-called “Do Nothing Democrats” in the House have 395 bills of passed legislation sitting on Senate Majority Leader “Moscow” Mitch McConnell’s desk that he has refused to act upon.
By focusing on his petty political fights instead of his primary responsibilities to lead and protect the nation, Trump is simply proving why he is so unqualified for the job he has and wants America to reelect him to.
It’s up to us to put a leader in the White House who is able to handle any challenges that come their way. If by now, you don’t realize that Donald Trump is not that person, then no masks, disinfectants, or anti-viral agents will be able to help you.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Mike Calia at CNBC and by Mike Lillis at The Hill.
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-12--Republican state rep shares list of “virus tips” that reminds you “government is not your daddy”

As a panicking nation struggles to come to grips with the disruption caused by the coronavirus , the Republican Party can ’ t resist using the opportunity to remind us all how little they think of us and our well-being .
State House Rep. Jeremy Faison ( R-TN ) took to Twitter to share this cutesy list of “ tips ” for staying healthy in the midst of a pandemic .
But hidden among the common sense advice like “ wash your hands ” and the contradictory message to both stay away from candy and also have it close by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his colleagues have no intention of doing anything to help ordinary Americans get through this crisis .
“ Remember that the government is not your daddy or your mamma ” and “ you are responsible for yourself and your family , take ownership ” advises Jeremy , who will have all of his healthcare needs paid for by the taxpayers and works roughly two days a week for nearly $ 200,000 a year .
That ’ s right folks !
Test yourself for the virus !
If you ’ re positive , go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health insurance plan will cover it !
If you get laid off or told not to come into work , you ’ d better hope you ’ re not one of the 40 % of Americans who couldn ’ t come up with 400 for an emergency , because you ’ re out of luck !
If you rely on food stamps to feed your kids , better boil up some bootstraps because new rules set to go into effect next month will kick 700,000 off SNAP benefits !
Trump fired America ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
As the government rushes to flood the short-term lending market with a staggering $ 1.5 trillion and the president floats a $ 840 trillion payroll tax cut for American corporations , Republicans in Congress blocked emergency paid sick leave for the nation on Wednesday night .
It ’ s clear that according to Republicans , the government is there to be the daddy and mamma for big business , but ordinary Americans are on their own .
In a normal country , the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Social media did not respond well to Rep. Faison ’ s helpful “ tips : ” This article has been updated to clarify that Rep. Jeremy Faison is a state house rep , not a member of the U.S. Congress What do you think ?

As a panicking nation struggles to come to grips with the disruption caused by the coronavirus, the Republican Party can’t resist using the opportunity to remind us all how little they think of us and our well-being.
State House Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-TN) took to Twitter to share this cutesy list of “tips” for staying healthy in the midst of a pandemic. But hidden among the common sense advice like “wash your hands” and the contradictory message to both stay away from candy and also have it close by is a little reminder that he and his colleagues have no intention of doing anything to help ordinary Americans get through this crisis.
“Remember that the government is not your daddy or your mamma” and “you are responsible for yourself and your family, take ownership” advises Jeremy, who will have all of his healthcare needs paid for by the taxpayers and works roughly two days a week for nearly $200,000 a year.
That’s right folks! Test yourself for the virus! If you’re positive, go to the hospital and hope your bloodsucking health insurance plan will cover it! If you get laid off or told not to come into work, you’d better hope you’re not one of the 40% of Americans who couldn’t come up with 400 for an emergency, because you’re out of luck! If you rely on food stamps to feed your kids, better boil up some bootstraps because new rules set to go into effect next month will kick 700,000 off SNAP benefits!
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
As the government rushes to flood the short-term lending market with a staggering $1.5 trillion and the president floats a $840 trillion payroll tax cut for American corporations, Republicans in Congress blocked emergency paid sick leave for the nation on Wednesday night. It’s clear that according to Republicans, the government is there to be the daddy and mamma for big business, but ordinary Americans are on their own.
In a normal country, the GOP would never win an election ever again.
Social media did not respond well to Rep. Faison’s helpful “tips:”
-You should never, ever tweet anything about juices flowing, ever.
-This reads like a Cracker Barrel waitress recovering from a 3 day bender wrote it on the back of a menu. — Michael Blake Beason (@BeasonMichael) March 12, 2020
You haven't read one thing about COVID-19 have you? — Matt Anderson (@mandersonville) March 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/SuesanwithanE/status/1238172541602185218?s=20
This article has been updated to clarify that Rep. Jeremy Faison is a state house rep, not a member of the U.S. Congress
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-12--Republican rep shares list of “virus tips” that reminds you “government is not your daddy”

As a panicking nation struggles to come to grips with the disruption caused by the coronavirus , the Republican Party can ’ t resist using the opportunity to remind us all how little they think of us and our well-being .
Rep. Jeremy Faison ( R-TN ) took to Twitter to share this cutesy list of “ tips ” for staying healthy in the midst of a pandemic .
But hidden among the common sense advice like “ wash your hands ” and the contradictory message to both stay away from candy and also have it close by is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no intention of doing anything to help ordinary Americans get through this crisis .
“ Remember that the government is not your daddy or your mamma ” and “ you are responsible for yourself and your family , take ownership ” advises Jeremy , who will have all of his healthcare needs paid for by the taxpayers and works roughly two days a week for nearly $ 200,000 a year .
That ’ s right folks !
Test yourself for the virus !
If you ’ re positive , go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan will cover it !
If you get laid off or told not to come into work , you ’ d better hope you ’ re not one of the 40 % of Americans who couldn ’ t come up with 400 for an emergency , because you ’ re out of luck !
If you rely on food stamps to feed your kids , better boil up some bootstraps because new rules set to go into effect next month will kick 700,000 off SNAP benefits !
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
As the government rushes to flood the short-term lending market with a staggering $ 1.5 trillion and the president floats a $ 840 trillion payroll tax cut for American corporations , Republicans in Congress blocked emergency paid sick leave for the nation on Wednesday night .
It ’ s clear that according to Republicans , the government is there to be the daddy and mamma for big business , but ordinary Americans are on their own .
In a normal country , the GOP would never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media did not respond well to Rep. Faison ’ s helpful “ tips : ” What do you think ?

As a panicking nation struggles to come to grips with the disruption caused by the coronavirus, the Republican Party can’t resist using the opportunity to remind us all how little they think of us and our well-being.
Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-TN) took to Twitter to share this cutesy list of “tips” for staying healthy in the midst of a pandemic. But hidden among the common sense advice like “wash your hands” and the contradictory message to both stay away from candy and also have it close by is a little reminder that he and his colleagues have no intention of doing anything to help ordinary Americans get through this crisis.
“Remember that the government is not your daddy or your mamma” and “you are responsible for yourself and your family, take ownership” advises Jeremy, who will have all of his healthcare needs paid for by the taxpayers and works roughly two days a week for nearly $200,000 a year.
That’s right folks! Test yourself for the virus! If you’re positive, go to the hospital and hope your bloodsucking health insurance plan will cover it! If you get laid off or told not to come into work, you’d better hope you’re not one of the 40% of Americans who couldn’t come up with 400 for an emergency, because you’re out of luck! If you rely on food stamps to feed your kids, better boil up some bootstraps because new rules set to go into effect next month will kick 700,000 off SNAP benefits!
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
As the government rushes to flood the short-term lending market with a staggering $1.5 trillion and the president floats a $840 trillion payroll tax cut for American corporations, Republicans in Congress blocked emergency paid sick leave for the nation on Wednesday night. It’s clear that according to Republicans, the government is there to be the daddy and mamma for big business, but ordinary Americans are on their own.
In a normal country, the GOP would never win an election ever again.
Social media did not respond well to Rep. Faison’s helpful “tips:”
-You should never, ever tweet anything about juices flowing, ever.
-This reads like a Cracker Barrel waitress recovering from a 3 day bender wrote it on the back of a menu. — Michael Blake Beason (@BeasonMichael) March 12, 2020
You haven't read one thing about COVID-19 have you? — Matt Anderson (@mandersonville) March 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/SuesanwithanE/status/1238172541602185218?s=20
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-12--Mitch McConnell trashes Democratic coronavirus relief bill for being “barely related” to crisis

One might think that a full-blown pandemic would motivate Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to put aside their cynical obstructionism and work with their Democratic counterparts to pass needed relief for the American people .
But in a characteristic show of dismissive cruelty , the Senate Majority Leader trashed the House coronavirus relief package as an “ ideological wish list , ” raising doubts that anything that might actually help people and not just businesses would be able to pass the Senate .
“ Unfortunately , it appears at this hour that the Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not tailored closely to the circumstances…One is reminded of the famous comment from President Obama ’ s first chief of staff : ‘ You never want a serious crisis to go to waste , ' ” sneered McConnell to reporters .
The “ ideological wish list ” included such unreasonable and excessive demands like ensuring paid sick leave for coronavirus victims , expanding unemployment insurance , an additional $ 500 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program to help low-income mothers who have lost their jobs due to the virus , and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to McConnell , these things are “ various areas of policy that are barely related , if at all , to the issue before us.
” Just yesterday , Secretary Sonny Purdue announced that SNAP time limits for able-bodied adults were still going into effect on April 1st , meaning that 700,00 people were going to be kicked off of their SNAP benefits and be forced to go hungry in the middle of a pandemic .
Curiously enough , McConnell did not have any similar complaints about President Trump ’ s request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries — like shale companies — that will suffer losses or a whopping $ 840 billion payroll tax cut , which in itself is a sneaky way to cut entitlements since payroll taxes are used to fund Social Security .
Senator McConnell is infamous at this point for his ghoulish lack of empathy for the needs of ordinary Americans , but it is still stunning to behold the repulsive condescension he greets any proposal that doesn ’ t benefit the wealthy and their pocketbooks .
Original reporting by Jordain Carney at the Hill @ @ @ @ @ @

One might think that a full-blown pandemic would motivate Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to put aside their cynical obstructionism and work with their Democratic counterparts to pass needed relief for the American people.
But in a characteristic show of dismissive cruelty, the Senate Majority Leader trashed the House coronavirus relief package as an “ideological wish list,” raising doubts that anything that might actually help people and not just businesses would be able to pass the Senate.
“Unfortunately, it appears at this hour that the Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to produce an ideological wish list that was not tailored closely to the circumstances…One is reminded of the famous comment from President Obama’s first chief of staff: ‘You never want a serious crisis to go to waste,'” sneered McConnell to reporters.
The “ideological wish list” included such unreasonable and excessive demands like ensuring paid sick leave for coronavirus victims, expanding unemployment insurance, an additional $500 million for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program to help low-income mothers who have lost their jobs due to the virus, and $400 million for food banks.
According to McConnell, these things are “various areas of policy that are barely related, if at all, to the issue before us.”
Just yesterday, Secretary Sonny Purdue announced that SNAP time limits for able-bodied adults were still going into effect on April 1st, meaning that 700,00 people were going to be kicked off of their SNAP benefits and be forced to go hungry in the middle of a pandemic.
Curiously enough, McConnell did not have any similar complaints about President Trump’s request for $50 billion to bail out various industries — like shale companies — that will suffer losses or a whopping $840 billion payroll tax cut, which in itself is a sneaky way to cut entitlements since payroll taxes are used to fund Social Security.
Senator McConnell is infamous at this point for his ghoulish lack of empathy for the needs of ordinary Americans, but it is still stunning to behold the repulsive condescension he greets any proposal that doesn’t benefit the wealthy and their pocketbooks.
Original reporting by Jordain Carney at the Hill.
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-11--DHS lawyer admits every migrant Trump sends to Mexico is in danger of kidnapping as SCOTUS allows po

DHS lawyer admits every migrant Trump sends to Mexico is in danger of kidnapping as SCOTUS allows policy to continue

On Wednesday , the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration ’ s “ Migrant Protection Protocols ” — also known as the “ Remain in Mexico ” immigration policy — would be allowed to continue until the legal challenges against it were resolved .
Elsewhere in the nation , a Department of Homeland Security lawyer made the stunning admission to a judge that the government was well aware that migrants sent back to Mexico are being put in great danger , contradicting their previous insistence that adequate measures are being taken to ensure that immigrants are protected from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An audio clip obtained by CNN shows a DHS lawyer arguing that the United States should deny a man asylum because he was not in court for his hearing , despite the fact that his absence was due to him being in the hands of kidnappers .
In an astonishingly callous show of cruelty , the lawyer argued that “ the circumstances that they ’ re concerned with [ kidnapping ] is potentially a reality for every correspondent , and again that opens up the floodgates because everybody doesn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have counsel.
” Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
The judge was aghast at the implications of the government ’ s argument and immediately called him out on it .
“ I ’ ll be honest , I don ’ t like it .
What I ’ m hearing is that well , everybody has to take that risk and that chance , and you get kidnapped , you get kidnapped , that ’ s the risk you take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply for asylum here in the United States.
” This stands in sharp contradiction to earlier statements by the acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner , Mark Morgan , who in December dismissed reports of violence against migrants as “ anecdotal ” and promised that “ we ’ re having dialogues with the government of Mexico on a daily basis to ensure that the travel of these individuals who are amenable to MPP are going back and forth in a safe , secure environment.
” They clearly have not done so .
Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back under MPP , there have been at least 816 confirmed murders , rapes , and kidnappings , including 201 kidnappings or attempted kidnappings of children .
1 in 4 migrants report being threatened with violence .
With no legal representation and no prospects , some abandon their claims and return to their home countries , preferring to risk their lives again and return to the chaos that drove them away in the first place than remain in hellish limbo .
The consequences of leaving , especially in El Salvador , can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported to have been killed or abused upon returning .
The MPP policy , which began in January 2019 , is the demonic successor to the Trump administration ’ s horrifying 2018 “ child separation policy , ” in which immigrant families were deliberately separated from their children before being incarcerated in border concentration camps in a monstrous effort to intimidate immigrants into not attempting to cross the border .
The lawyer ’ s admission that the government is aware that the policy of depositing innocent immigrants in Mexico is placing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display of deliberate cruelty from a White House that has gone out of its way time and time again to sadistically heap suffering and hardship on Latin and South American people seeking their chance at the American Dream .
A three-judge panel ruled that the MPP violated both U.S. and international law protecting asylum seekers in late February ; the Trump administration ’ s appeal to the Supreme Court has resulted in the program continuing until the legal battle has been settled .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only judge to dissent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What do you think ?

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s “Migrant Protection Protocols” — also known as the “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy — would be allowed to continue until the legal challenges against it were resolved.
Elsewhere in the nation, a Department of Homeland Security lawyer made the stunning admission to a judge that the government was well aware that migrants sent back to Mexico are being put in great danger, contradicting their previous insistence that adequate measures are being taken to ensure that immigrants are protected from the predations of local drug cartels and gangsters.
An audio clip obtained by CNN shows a DHS lawyer arguing that the United States should deny a man asylum because he was not in court for his hearing, despite the fact that his absence was due to him being in the hands of kidnappers.
In an astonishingly callous show of cruelty, the lawyer argued that “the circumstances that they’re concerned with [kidnapping] is potentially a reality for every correspondent, and again that opens up the floodgates because everybody doesn’t have to show up as long as they have counsel.”
In stunning audio obtained by @CNNValencia, the Trump administration admits its Remain in Mexico policy is dangerous, despite defending it as safe, with a gov lawyer saying every migrant sent to Mexico to wait is at risk of being kidnapped. https://t.co/LqFYoVayVd via @CNN — Adrian Carrasquillo (@Carrasquillo) March 11, 2020
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
The judge was aghast at the implications of the government’s argument and immediately called him out on it.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t like it. What I’m hearing is that well, everybody has to take that risk and that chance, and you get kidnapped, you get kidnapped, that’s the risk you take for being in Mexico and wanting to apply for asylum here in the United States.”
This stands in sharp contradiction to earlier statements by the acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner, Mark Morgan, who in December dismissed reports of violence against migrants as “anecdotal” and promised that “we’re having dialogues with the government of Mexico on a daily basis to ensure that the travel of these individuals who are amenable to MPP are going back and forth in a safe, secure environment.”
They clearly have not done so. Out of the nearly sixty thousand migrants sent back under MPP, there have been at least 816 confirmed murders, rapes, and kidnappings, including 201 kidnappings or attempted kidnappings of children. 1 in 4 migrants report being threatened with violence.
With no legal representation and no prospects, some abandon their claims and return to their home countries, preferring to risk their lives again and return to the chaos that drove them away in the first place than remain in hellish limbo. The consequences of leaving, especially in El Salvador, can be fatal; hundreds of deported migrants have been reported to have been killed or abused upon returning.
The MPP policy, which began in January 2019, is the demonic successor to the Trump administration’s horrifying 2018 “child separation policy,” in which immigrant families were deliberately separated from their children before being incarcerated in border concentration camps in a monstrous effort to intimidate immigrants into not attempting to cross the border.
The lawyer’s admission that the government is aware that the policy of depositing innocent immigrants in Mexico is placing their lives in danger is just the latest display of deliberate cruelty from a White House that has gone out of its way time and time again to sadistically heap suffering and hardship on Latin and South American people seeking their chance at the American Dream.
A three-judge panel ruled that the MPP violated both U.S. and international law protecting asylum seekers in late February; the Trump administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court has resulted in the program continuing until the legal battle has been settled. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only judge to dissent.
The CNN audio can be heard here:
Colin Taylor Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America. Latest Posts


occupydemocrats--2020-03-11--Trump cries “fake news” at CNN’s Jim Acosta for asking why the public should trust him on virus

With the stock market plunging 20 % from its highest point today and officially ending its 11-year bull run — begun after the Obama administration rescued it from the disastrous stewardship of the last Republican president — Donald Trump ’ s testiness is becoming as pervasive as his lies and secrecy about the coronavirus pandemic , a disease that is now firmly established on America ’ s shores , largely due to his refusal to grasp the seriousness of the situation and his rejection of the advice of scientific experts .
Trump ’ s notorious temper was on full display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a meeting at the White House with the CEOs of a number of financial institutions during which the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed into undeniable “ bear market ” territory for the first time since the Obama recovery .
It probably didn ’ t help that the person asking the president such an obvious but crucial question about the administration ’ s response to the COVID-19 outbreak was CNN ‘ s Jim Acosta who has butted heads with the president often enough that the Oval Office once temporarily suspended his access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pique .
The question that sent Trump into a fury was one that has been repeated endlessly on every TV news program except those airing on the president ’ s usual slavishly supportive Fox News : “ What do you say to Americans who are concerned that you ’ re not taking this seriously enough and that some of your statements don ’ t match what your health experts are saying ?
” Acosta confronted the president directly with what is obvious to anyone comparing his seemingly improvised reassurances to the public to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constained by his presence .
Rather than answer the question in the serious manner it deserved , Trump lapsed into campaign mode and railed against Acosta and the network that employees him as the ones providing inaccurate information .
Acosta posted this on his Twitter feed describing the exchange .
Trump fired America ’ s pandemic response team .
Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately !
Nothing fake about that news .
One piece of news that did emerge from the brief encounter with White House journalists is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation tonight to discuss the government plans to tackle the health crisis , although the language that he used was so authoritarian as to inspire more fear than confidence given his performance to date .
“ I ’ ll be making a statement later on tonight as to what I decided to do and what our country will be doing , ” Trump declared .
“ I ’ ll be making some decisions .
I ’ ve already made some decisions , actually , today , but I ’ ll be making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
You can watch a clip of Trump ’ s interaction with CNN ’ s Jim Acosta in the videos attached below .
What do you think ?

With the stock market plunging 20% from its highest point today and officially ending its 11-year bull run — begun after the Obama administration rescued it from the disastrous stewardship of the last Republican president — Donald Trump’s testiness is becoming as pervasive as his lies and secrecy about the coronavirus pandemic, a disease that is now firmly established on America’s shores, largely due to his refusal to grasp the seriousness of the situation and his rejection of the advice of scientific experts.
Trump’s notorious temper was on full display today as he took questions from reporters after a meeting at the White House with the CEOs of a number of financial institutions during which the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed into undeniable “bear market” territory for the first time since the Obama recovery.
It probably didn’t help that the person asking the president such an obvious but crucial question about the administration’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak was CNN‘s Jim Acosta who has butted heads with the president often enough that the Oval Office once temporarily suspended his access to the White House in a fit of pique.
The question that sent Trump into a fury was one that has been repeated endlessly on every TV news program except those airing on the president’s usual slavishly supportive Fox News:
“What do you say to Americans who are concerned that you’re not taking this seriously enough and that some of your statements don’t match what your health experts are saying?” Acosta confronted the president directly with what is obvious to anyone comparing his seemingly improvised reassurances to the public to what public health officals say when not constained by his presence.
Rather than answer the question in the serious manner it deserved, Trump lapsed into campaign mode and railed against Acosta and the network that employees him as the ones providing inaccurate information.
“That’s CNN. Fake news,” was all Trump said dismisively, before angrily ordering the press to leave before any one else asked a followup.
Acosta posted this on his Twitter feed describing the exchange.
Tried to ask Trump to respond to Americans who are concerned he's not taking situation seriously enough and that his statements don't match what health experts are saying. He did not answer the question. — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 11, 2020
Trump fired America’s pandemic response team. Demand he reassemble it to confront the coronavirus pandemic immediately!
Nothing fake about that news.
One piece of news that did emerge from the brief encounter with White House journalists is the fact that the president plans to address the nation tonight to discuss the government plans to tackle the health crisis, although the language that he used was so authoritarian as to inspire more fear than confidence given his performance to date.
“I’ll be making a statement later on tonight as to what I decided to do and what our country will be doing,” Trump declared. “I’ll be making some decisions. I’ve already made some decisions, actually, today, but I’ll be making some other ones that are very important,” he added.
Relieved yet?
You can watch a clip of Trump’s interaction with CNN’s Jim Acosta in the videos attached below.
Vinnie Longobardo Managing Editor Vinnie Longobardo is the Managing Editor of Occupy Democrats. He's a 35-year veteran of the TV, mobile & internet industries, specializing in start-ups and the international media business. His passions are politics, music, and art. Latest Posts