occupydemocrats--2020-05-11--The DOJ lawyer who quit in protest of Stone case issues fiery condemnation of Barr’s Flynn exonerati

The DOJ lawyer who quit in protest of Stone case issues fiery condemnation of Barr’s Flynn exoneration

The devolvement under Attorney General William Barr of the government organization he leads into the Department of Injustice has become increasingly clear in his decisions to shield Donald Trump ’ s political cronies from the worst consequences of the crimes for which they have been convicted , or , in the case of the dropping of all charges against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn , to which they have pleaded guilty .
After a bipartisan group of almost 2,000 former Justice Department officials condemned Barr this morning for ceasing the prosecution against Flynn — calling the move an assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the career prosecutor who stuck to his principles and resigned rather than participate in the sudden decision to seek a lesser sentence in the case of Trump ally Roger Stone has joined the fray with a scathing op-ed in The Washington Post .
Jonathan Kravis was a federal prosecutor for 10 years before he left the DOJ , but explained why he left the prestigious position in the opening of his article .
The former prosecutor explained why he was breaking the silence he had scrupulously kept since resigning his position in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelled his conscience-based voluntary exit from the Justice Department after its politically-motivated handling of the Roger Stone case — a case in which all four career prosecutors working on it withdrew from the case rather than have their names associated with it — Kravis lays out the reasons why Barr ’ s actions in the Michael Flynn proceedings are so egregious .
“ Flynn pleaded guilty to the crime of making false statements in connection with lies he told in an FBI interview about his contacts with the Russian ambassador .
Flynn twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crime , and the trial judge issued a lengthy opinion upholding the plea , ” Kravis explains .
“ Nevertheless , after public criticism of the prosecution by the president , the department moved to dismiss Flynn ’ s case , claiming that new evidence showed that the plea had no basis .
None of the career prosecutors who handled Flynn ’ s case signed that motion , ” he pointedly notes .
The former prosecutor goes straight to the heart of the basic principles of justice in his next paragraphs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before storm troopers — or hoards of the unregulated militias formed by Trump ’ s ragtag supporters — are sent in to enforce the president ’ s desires ?
Kravis reinforces the legitimacy of his accusations by challenging Barr and the DOJ to provide evidence of any other cases not involving friends of the president where they ’ ve made similar moves .
“ If the department truly acted because of good-faith commitments to legal positions , then where is the evidence of those commitments in other cases that do not involve friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narcotics cases in which the department has filed a sentencing memorandum overruling career prosecutors ?
Where are the other false-statements cases dismissed after a guilty plea ?
” , he questions .
“ There are none .
Is that because the only cases in the United States that warranted intervention by department leadership happened to involve friends of the president ?
Of course not , ” Kravis writes , answering his own questions .
The former prosecutor of the Roger Stone case concludes his op-ed by revealing his motivations for writing it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s benefit but based on a future when both men will likely be on the other side of the power of the rule of law .
“ The task of repairing this damage will fall to the department ’ s career agents and prosecutors , and it is for them that I write this .
Your work of investigating and prosecuting criminal cases is hard , and it becomes even harder when witnesses and jurors start to believe that the Justice Department ’ s handling of these cases is infected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a credit to the department .
And you will be at your posts , serving justice , long after this attorney general is gone , ” Kravic concludes .
Once a society loses faith in its institutions , particularly when the institution is involved in enforcing that society ’ s legislated rules , it is close to the verge of collapse .
This is what Donald Trump and his minions have wrought .
If we don ’ t defeat them now , wave goodbye to America .
You ’ ll soon be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst nightmares .
We ’ re already halfway there , at least .
Original reporting by Jonathan Kravis at The Washington Post .
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The devolvement under Attorney General William Barr of the government organization he leads into the Department of Injustice has become increasingly clear in his decisions to shield Donald Trump’s political cronies from the worst consequences of the crimes for which they have been convicted, or, in the case of the dropping of all charges against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, to which they have pleaded guilty.
After a bipartisan group of almost 2,000 former Justice Department officials condemned Barr this morning for ceasing the prosecution against Flynn — calling the move an assault on “the rule of law,” the career prosecutor who stuck to his principles and resigned rather than participate in the sudden decision to seek a lesser sentence in the case of Trump ally Roger Stone has joined the fray with a scathing op-ed in The Washington Post.
Jonathan Kravis was a federal prosecutor for 10 years before he left the DOJ, but explained why he left the prestigious position in the opening of his article.
“Three months ago, I resigned from the Justice Department after 10 years as a career prosecutor. I left a job I loved because I believed the department had abandoned its responsibility to do justice in one of my cases, United States v. Roger Stone. At the time, I thought that the handling of the Stone case, with senior officials intervening to recommend a lower sentence for a longtime ally of President Trump, was a disastrous mistake that the department would not make again,” Kravis begins his critical assessment. “I was wrong,” he sadly admits.
Kravis then goes on to decry Barr and the current DOJ as putting “political patronage ahead of its commitment to the rule of law” with the decision to support Donald Trump’s accusations of a “Deep State” conspiracy against him and his administration and to file a motion to dismiss the prosecution against General Flynn despite the “sworn guilty plea” and the presiding court’s ruling that Flynn’s original plea was “sound” and made without coercion.
The former prosecutor explained why he was breaking the silence he had scrupulously kept since resigning his position in protest.
“…I believe that the department’s handling of these matters is profoundly misguided, because my colleagues who still serve the department are duty-bound to remain silent and because I am convinced that the department’s conduct in the Stone and Flynn cases will do lasting damage to the institution,” Kravis states.
After detailing the circumstances that compelled his conscience-based voluntary exit from the Justice Department after its politically-motivated handling of the Roger Stone case — a case in which all four career prosecutors working on it withdrew from the case rather than have their names associated with it — Kravis lays out the reasons why Barr’s actions in the Michael Flynn proceedings are so egregious.
“Flynn pleaded guilty to the crime of making false statements in connection with lies he told in an FBI interview about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. Flynn twice admitted under oath that he had committed this crime, and the trial judge issued a lengthy opinion upholding the plea,” Kravis explains. “Nevertheless, after public criticism of the prosecution by the president, the department moved to dismiss Flynn’s case, claiming that new evidence showed that the plea had no basis. None of the career prosecutors who handled Flynn’s case signed that motion,” he pointedly notes.
The former prosecutor goes straight to the heart of the basic principles of justice in his next paragraphs.
“In both cases, the department undercut the work of career employees to protect an ally of the president, an abdication of the commitment to equal justice under the law. Prosecutors must make decisions based on facts and law, not on the defendant’s political connections. When the department takes steps that it would never take in any other case to protect an ally of the president, it betrays this principle,” Kravis sternly accuses. “Indeed, the department chose to assign these matters to a special counsel precisely to avoid the appearance of political influence. For the attorney general now to directly intervene to benefit the president’s associates makes this betrayal of the rule of law even more egregious,”
Kravis goes on to slam Attorney General Barr for worsening the situation with his public comments on the cases that criticized the DOJ employees who worked on them.
“As the attorney general knows, those career prosecutors and agents cannot respond. The department prohibits employees from talking to the media about criminal cases without high-level approval. Department lawyers are ethically bound to protect the confidences of their client. Barr’s decision to excuse himself from these obligations and attack his own silenced employees is alarming. It sends an unmistakable message to prosecutors and agents — if the president demands, we will throw you under the bus,” he wrote.
How much longer, one wonders, before storm troopers — or hoards of the unregulated militias formed by Trump’s ragtag supporters — are sent in to enforce the president’s desires?
Kravis reinforces the legitimacy of his accusations by challenging Barr and the DOJ to provide evidence of any other cases not involving friends of the president where they’ve made similar moves.
“If the department truly acted because of good-faith commitments to legal positions, then where is the evidence of those commitments in other cases that do not involve friends of the president? Where are the narcotics cases in which the department has filed a sentencing memorandum overruling career prosecutors? Where are the other false-statements cases dismissed after a guilty plea?”, he questions. “There are none. Is that because the only cases in the United States that warranted intervention by department leadership happened to involve friends of the president? Of course not,” Kravis writes, answering his own questions.
The former prosecutor of the Roger Stone case concludes his op-ed by revealing his motivations for writing it, and they are not for Barr or Trump’s benefit but based on a future when both men will likely be on the other side of the power of the rule of law.
“The task of repairing this damage will fall to the department’s career agents and prosecutors, and it is for them that I write this. Your work of investigating and prosecuting criminal cases is hard, and it becomes even harder when witnesses and jurors start to believe that the Justice Department’s handling of these cases is infected by politics. Your service during these times is a credit to the department. And you will be at your posts, serving justice, long after this attorney general is gone,” Kravic concludes.
Once a society loses faith in its institutions, particularly when the institution is involved in enforcing that society’s legislated rules, it is close to the verge of collapse.
This is what Donald Trump and his minions have wrought. If we don’t defeat them now, wave goodbye to America. You’ll soon be living in the dystopian Trumplandia of our worst nightmares. We’re already halfway there, at least.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
Original reporting by Jonathan Kravis at The Washington Post.
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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--2020-05-11--Trump claims “big progress” made on virus while fighting outbreak in his own White House

The United States now has over 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with over 81,000 deaths .
This pandemic has proven to be a tragedy of historic proportions and far too much of this suffering can be laid directly at the feet of the president , a man who refused to take the outbreak seriously at first and who decided early on that hurling blame at his enemies was more important than focusing on the hard work needed to save lives .
Trump has proven to be an abject failure when his country needed him most and rather than own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting that he has done a spectacular job at fighting the pandemic .
Today , the president tweeted out that coronavirus numbers are “ looking MUCH better ” and “ going down almost everywhere ” which he claimed constitutes “ big progress.
” As usual , he failed to provide any evidence or specific figures and the tweet reads like yet another attempt to downplay the severity of the virus in order to blunt backlash at the ballot boxes in November .
While Trump is busy presenting a disingenuously brave face to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shimon Prokupecz reports that in private he “ expressed concern ” over the weekend that White House aides contracting the virus might “ undercut his message that the outbreak is waning and states should be reopening.
” So far , there have been two confirmed White House staffer COVID-19 cases .
Katie Miller , Press Secretary for Vice President Mike Pence has been infected as has as one of Donald Trump ’ s valets .
The exposure to Miller has prompted Pence to self-isolate .
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Clearly , the risk of infection is still incredibly high and reopening the economy right now means more people , especially the at-risk elderly , will die .
If the White House with its unparalleled resources can ’ t even manage to prevent new cases within its own walls , how can regular places of employment be expected to ?
Trump ’ s concerns here are telling .
He ’ s not worried that reopening the economy is unsafe , he ’ s worried that aggressively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad if infections at 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue spike .
His focus is on his own PR , not the lives of working-class Americans .
The people of this country deserve so much better and in November we will finally have a chance to make the change we need .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
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The United States now has over 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with over 81,000 deaths. This pandemic has proven to be a tragedy of historic proportions and far too much of this suffering can be laid directly at the feet of the president, a man who refused to take the outbreak seriously at first and who decided early on that hurling blame at his enemies was more important than focusing on the hard work needed to save lives.
Trump has proven to be an abject failure when his country needed him most and rather than own up to that difficult reality he is insisting that he has done a spectacular job at fighting the pandemic.
Today, the president tweeted out that coronavirus numbers are “looking MUCH better” and “going down almost everywhere” which he claimed constitutes “big progress.” As usual, he failed to provide any evidence or specific figures and the tweet reads like yet another attempt to downplay the severity of the virus in order to blunt backlash at the ballot boxes in November.
Coronavirus numbers are looking MUCH better, going down almost everywhere. Big progress being made! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020
Coronavirus numbers aren't even going down in the White House https://t.co/kO00YE53No — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) May 11, 2020
While Trump is busy presenting a disingenuously brave face to the public about COVID-19, CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz reports that in private he “expressed concern” over the weekend that White House aides contracting the virus might “undercut his message that the outbreak is waning and states should be reopening.”
So far, there have been two confirmed White House staffer COVID-19 cases. Katie Miller, Press Secretary for Vice President Mike Pence has been infected as has as one of Donald Trump’s valets. The exposure to Miller has prompted Pence to self-isolate.
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Clearly, the risk of infection is still incredibly high and reopening the economy right now means more people, especially the at-risk elderly, will die. If the White House with its unparalleled resources can’t even manage to prevent new cases within its own walls, how can regular places of employment be expected to?
Trump’s concerns here are telling. He’s not worried that reopening the economy is unsafe, he’s worried that aggressively pushing for it will make him look bad if infections at 1600 Pennslyvania Avenue spike. His focus is on his own PR, not the lives of working-class Americans. The people of this country deserve so much better and in November we will finally have a chance to make the change we need.
In conversations this weekend, President Trump has expressed concern that aides contracting coronavirus would undercut his message that the outbreak is waning and states should begin reopening, according to a person who spoke to him.@kevinliptakcnn — Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) May 10, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-05-11--Armed anti-quarantine “protestors” issue Facebook death threats against Michigan’s governor

Right-wing militant crazies are now advocating violence against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in advance of their next planned rally .
A small faction of protestors reportedly instigated and funded by shadowy conservative groups — groups launched by billionaire oligarchs including the Koch family and the Mercer family , the folks behind the infamous political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica that leveraged data siphoned from Facebook to help Trump win the 2016 election — are protesting against coronavirus pandemic restrictions in Michigan that are designed to protect the lives and safety of others .
The protestors see the public health initiatives as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone they please — responsibility to others in society be damned — and they have taken their grievances against their inability to work and earn a living as most businesses remain shuttered .
Michigan loonies caught national attention when they showed up at the state ’ s capitol armed to the teeth and invaded the legislature , without firing shots , but also without the police reprisals that would have surely have faced any other group that wasn ’ t comprised primarily of lily-white rednecks .
Now reports are emerging that dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook — in violation of the social media platform ’ s explicit rules prohibiting it — to promote violence and mobilize armed rallies against Governor Whitmer .
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According to the Detroit Metro Times : After being contacted by the Metro Times , Facebook deleted one group , Michigan United for Liberty , from its platform entirely and deleted selected posts advocating violence from a second group .
The social media giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any content posted on its pages that incited people to flout social distancing regulations .
It continues to review the other groups brought to its attention by the Metro Times .
Given that the major thrust of many of the posts is the advocacy for the assassination of the state ’ s Democratic governor , let ’ s hope that they are reviewing the groups as rapidly as possible .
The Detroit Metro Times provided a sampling of the types of posts found on the pages of the groups it infiltrated .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lynch mob to storm the Capitol , drag her tyrannical ass out onto the street and string her up as our forefathers would have , ’ John Campbell Sr. wrote in a group called ‘ ‘ People of Michigan vs. Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , ’ which had nearly 9,000 members as of Monday morning.
” “ Steve Doxsie had the same idea : ‘ Drag that tyrant governor out to the front lawn .
Fit her for a noose.
’ ” “ ’ Either President Trump sends in the troops or there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lansing soon , ’ Michael Smith chimed in.
” “ Others suggested she be shot , beaten , or beheaded.
” “ ’ Plain and simple she needs to eat lead and send a statement to the rest of the democrats that they are next , ’ James Greena , of Fennville , wrote.
” “ Chris Rozman said , ‘ She needs her ass beat .
Most of these politicians need a good ass whooping .
Just .
Punch there lights out.
” “ When someone suggested the guillotine , Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ fashioned bullets work better , but I like the enthusiasm.
’ ” “ Matthew Woodruff had another idea : ‘ Can we please just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down , ” he asked.
” With another armed rally planned to return to the Michigan state capitol building this coming Thursday , tensions , and fears of an outbreak of violence , are running high .
“ ” We could ’ ve taken over the capital last time if we wanted , ’ Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a display .
Next time won ’ t be !
’ ” “ ’ If she thinks the last protest was bad she hasn ’ t seen anything yet , ’ DonnaCookie Grady warned.
” “ ’ We haven ’ t had any bloodshed yet , but the populous is counting to three , and the other day was two , ’ Dave Meisenheimer wrote in Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine , which has more than 385,000 members .
‘ Next comes watering the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to the Thursday rally and hopes demonstrators are ‘ armed to the teeth.
’ ” “ ’ Voting is too late we need to act now , ’ Chapman said , ” accroding to the Metro Times .
For more examples of the violent rhetoric emanating from right-wing lunatic circles , you can read the full account in the Detroit Metro Times here .
In the meantime , government authorities need to keep a close watch on an increasingly threatening group of domestic terrorists advocating for a second civil war that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — an oddly-appropriated name derived from a style of 1960s-era Latin music of which the primarily racist members of these groups likely are unaware .
With the U.S. president egging the protesters on rather than sending in federal troops to contain the violent threat , the likelihood of a violent incident marring this Thursday ’ s protest is high .
The bipartisan Michigan State Capitol Commission met today to discuss a firearms ban in the legislature , which surprisingly doesn ’ t exist currently .
As the rule of law in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president with no regard for it , America longs for a return to normalcy , not just a return to the pre-COVID-19 routines , but to a time when insane and violent terrorists couldn ’ t storm a state capitol to try to use the threats of violence to achieve their political aims .
That Governor Whitmer hasn ’ t called in the National Guard and locked up the armed intruders in coronavirus-filled prisons demonstrates her ultimate restraint .
Perhaps she should escalate her warnings to the protestors to the same level that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Right-wing militant crazies are now advocating violence against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in advance of their next planned rally.
A small faction of protestors reportedly instigated and funded by shadowy conservative groups — groups launched by billionaire oligarchs including the Koch family and the Mercer family, the folks behind the infamous political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica that leveraged data siphoned from Facebook to help Trump win the 2016 election — are protesting against coronavirus pandemic restrictions in Michigan that are designed to protect the lives and safety of others.
The protestors see the public health initiatives as unconstitutional restrictions on their freedoms to infect anyone they please — responsibility to others in society be damned — and they have taken their grievances against their inability to work and earn a living as most businesses remain shuttered.
Michigan loonies caught national attention when they showed up at the state’s capitol armed to the teeth and invaded the legislature, without firing shots, but also without the police reprisals that would have surely have faced any other group that wasn’t comprised primarily of lily-white rednecks.
Now reports are emerging that dozens of residents of the Wolverine state are using Facebook — in violation of the social media platform’s explicit rules prohibiting it — to promote violence and mobilize armed rallies against Governor Whitmer.
Ahead of an armed rally planned for the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan, this coming Thursday, groups are promoting violence against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Facebook, in violation of the social media company’s policies. #mileg https://t.co/KxoIWS0wzT pic.twitter.com/XG20HOBiFO — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 11, 2020
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According to the Detroit Metro Times:
“Metro Times gained access to four private Facebook groups that can only be seen by approved members. The pages, which have a combined 400,000 members, are filled with paranoid, sexist, and grammar-challenged rants, with members encouraging violence and flouting the governor’s social-distancing orders,” the publication wrote.
After being contacted by the Metro Times, Facebook deleted one group, Michigan United for Liberty, from its platform entirely and deleted selected posts advocating violence from a second group.
The social media giant announced last month that it would delete any content posted on its pages that incited people to flout social distancing regulations. It continues to review the other groups brought to its attention by the Metro Times.
“We removed one group for violating our policies and will remove any other violations as we continue our review,“ a Facebook spokesperson told the news outlet.
Given that the major thrust of many of the posts is the advocacy for the assassination of the state’s Democratic governor, let’s hope that they are reviewing the groups as rapidly as possible.
The Detroit Metro Times provided a sampling of the types of posts found on the pages of the groups it infiltrated.
“’We need a good old fashioned lynch mob to storm the Capitol, drag her tyrannical ass out onto the street and string her up as our forefathers would have,’ John Campbell Sr. wrote in a group called ‘‘People of Michigan vs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,’ which had nearly 9,000 members as of Monday morning.” “Steve Doxsie had the same idea: ‘Drag that tyrant governor out to the front lawn. Fit her for a noose.’” “’Either President Trump sends in the troops or there is going to be a midnight lynching in Lansing soon,’ Michael Smith chimed in.” “Others suggested she be shot, beaten, or beheaded.” “’Plain and simple she needs to eat lead and send a statement to the rest of the democrats that they are next,’ James Greena, of Fennville, wrote.” “Chris Rozman said, ‘She needs her ass beat. Most of these politicians need a good ass whooping. Just. Punch there lights out.” “When someone suggested the guillotine, Thomas Michael Lamphere responded, ‘Good ol’ fashioned bullets work better, but I like the enthusiasm.’” “”Wonder how long till she’s hit with a shotgun blast,’ Chris Parrish wrote.” “Matthew Woodruff had another idea: ‘Can we please just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down,” he asked.”
With another armed rally planned to return to the Michigan state capitol building this coming Thursday, tensions, and fears of an outbreak of violence, are running high.
“”We could’ve taken over the capital last time if we wanted,’ Chris Coffey said. ‘This was just a display. Next time won’t be!’” “’If she thinks the last protest was bad she hasn’t seen anything yet,’ DonnaCookie Grady warned.” “’We haven’t had any bloodshed yet, but the populous is counting to three, and the other day was two,’ Dave Meisenheimer wrote in Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine, which has more than 385,000 members. ‘Next comes watering the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants.’” “Gordon Chapman says he’s going to the Thursday rally and hopes demonstrators are ‘armed to the teeth.’” “’Voting is too late we need to act now,’ Chapman said,” accroding to the Metro Times.
For more examples of the violent rhetoric emanating from right-wing lunatic circles, you can read the full account in the Detroit Metro Times here.
In the meantime, government authorities need to keep a close watch on an increasingly threatening group of domestic terrorists advocating for a second civil war that they’ve sacrilegiously named “the boogaloo” — an oddly-appropriated name derived from a style of 1960s-era Latin music of which the primarily racist members of these groups likely are unaware.
With the U.S. president egging the protesters on rather than sending in federal troops to contain the violent threat, the likelihood of a violent incident marring this Thursday’s protest is high.
The bipartisan Michigan State Capitol Commission met today to discuss a firearms ban in the legislature, which surprisingly doesn’t exist currently.
“There are legislators who are wearing bulletproof vests to go to work,” Whitmer said in an ABC News interview last week. “No one should be intimidated by someone who’s bringing in an assault rifle into their workplace.”
As the rule of law in America disintegrates in a country ruled by a president with no regard for it, America longs for a return to normalcy, not just a return to the pre-COVID-19 routines, but to a time when insane and violent terrorists couldn’t storm a state capitol to try to use the threats of violence to achieve their political aims.
That Governor Whitmer hasn’t called in the National Guard and locked up the armed intruders in coronavirus-filled prisons demonstrates her ultimate restraint. Perhaps she should escalate her warnings to the protestors to the same level that they’ve escalated their threats against her.
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Original reporting by Steve Neavling at Detroit Metro News.
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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--2020-05-11--Trump demands “Concast” fire host Chuck Todd after minor error enrages him

Heading into the 2020 election with a shattered economy and a botched pandemic response on his resume , Trump is desperate to spin up a narrative , any narrative , to distract from his countless shortcomings as president .
His newest fixation is the incredibly convoluted conspiracy theory he ’ s calling “ Obamagate ” but he ’ s also making sure to play all of his demagogue hits , including bad faith attacks on the media .
Earlier today , Trump took to Twitter to call for the firing of Chuck Todd from “ Concast , ” his preferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that if a Republican had done what Todd did , they would be “ prosecuted.
” The outrage stemmed from a clip Todd played on Meet the Press of Attorney General William Barr talking about disgraced former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn .
“ Well , history is written by the winners , so it largely depends on who ’ s writing the history , ” said Barr , referring to the Department of Justice ’ s stunning decision to dismiss its case against Flynn .
Todd remarked on the “ cynicism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to play the remainder of the clip , during which Barr said he believes the Flynn decision upheld the law and undid an “ injustice.
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Meet the Press later admitted fault on Twitter .
The official account tweeted that the show “ inadvertently and inaccurately cut short ” the Barr clip and that the segment edited out “ included important remarks from the attorney general that we missed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an honest admission that the show made a mistake , whereas Trump himself has never once during his time as president admitted to making a mistake despite the fact that he makes them constantly .
His self-righteous tweet is profoundly hypocritical even by his own incredibly low standards .
Donald Trump lies every time he opens his mouth .
He regularly sows misinformation with no consideration for the effects outside how he can benefit his own personal interests .
Chuck Todd , on the other hand , works hard to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news .
One minor mistake doesn ’ t warrant his firing and this Trump attack is just a transparent attempt to distract from this administration ’ s disastrous handling of COVID-19 .
Don ’ t fall for it .
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Heading into the 2020 election with a shattered economy and a botched pandemic response on his resume, Trump is desperate to spin up a narrative, any narrative, to distract from his countless shortcomings as president. His newest fixation is the incredibly convoluted conspiracy theory he’s calling “Obamagate” but he’s also making sure to play all of his demagogue hits, including bad faith attacks on the media.
Earlier today, Trump took to Twitter to call for the firing of Chuck Todd from “Concast,” his preferred childish nickname for Comcast. He ludicrously claimed that if a Republican had done what Todd did, they would be “prosecuted.”
He should be FIRED by Concast. If done by a Republican, would be “prosecuted”. @AjitPaiFCC https://t.co/Lqi3oWEaiP — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020
The outrage stemmed from a clip Todd played on Meet the Press of Attorney General William Barr talking about disgraced former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
“Well, history is written by the winners, so it largely depends on who’s writing the history,” said Barr, referring to the Department of Justice’s stunning decision to dismiss its case against Flynn. Todd remarked on the “cynicism” of Barr’s remarks but failed to play the remainder of the clip, during which Barr said he believes the Flynn decision upheld the law and undid an
“injustice.”
Today on Meet The Press, @chucktodd wildly took context out of an answer AG Bill Barr gave about his decision to drop the case into Gen. Michael Flynn. I cut Todd's segment along with Barr's full answer together. Look at how blatantly dishonest this is. pic.twitter.com/tODOEwL48V — Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 10, 2020
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Meet the Press later admitted fault on Twitter. The official account tweeted that the show “inadvertently and inaccurately cut short” the Barr clip and that the segment edited out “included important remarks from the attorney general that we missed, and we regret the error.”
It was an honest admission that the show made a mistake, whereas Trump himself has never once during his time as president admitted to making a mistake despite the fact that he makes them constantly. His self-righteous tweet is profoundly hypocritical even by his own incredibly low standards.
Donald Trump lies every time he opens his mouth. He regularly sows misinformation with no consideration for the effects outside how he can benefit his own personal interests. Chuck Todd, on the other hand, works hard to get the story right and offer accurate commentary on the news. One minor mistake doesn’t warrant his firing and this Trump attack is just a transparent attempt to distract from this administration’s disastrous handling of COVID-19. Don’t fall for it.
You’re correct. Earlier today, we inadvertently and inaccurately cut short a video clip of an interview with AG Barr before offering commentary and analysis. The remaining clip included important remarks from the attorney general that we missed, and we regret the error. — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) May 10, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-05-11--Trump accuses Obama of perpetrating crimes that make Watergate look like “small time”

As his mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic and a reeling economy set off alarm bells in President Trump ’ s re-election campaign headquarters , Trump himself has been desperately searching for a new narrative with which to distract the nation and paint himself as a victim of elaborate Democratic conspiracies .
He appears to have settled on what he and MAGAworld have uncreatively termed “ OBAMAGATE , ” if the twenty or so tweets and retweets about it in the past day are any indication .
The suspiciously timely release of FBI documents showing the interview strategy used by FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn has been used by the Trump administration to justify the dropping of the case against the treasonous ex-National Security Advisor despite the fact that Flynn had already pleaded guilty to his crimes and cooperated with the Mueller investigation .
Now those documents are being used to fuel a new narrative that accuses President Obama and his deep state cronies in the FBI — which was and is run by Republicans — were attempting to frame Michael Flynn and deliberately caught him in a “ perjury trap.
” Yesterday , Flynn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and baselessly argued that the “ whole thing was orchestrated and set up within the FBI , Clapper , Brennan and in the Oval Office meeting that day [ in January 2017 ] with President Obama.
” Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans ’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors ’ lives to save the stock market !
Trump spent the majority of Sunday retweeting various articles about the conspiracy and making preposterous statements about the conspiracy , like the notion it was worse than Watergate and that Pres .
Obama and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge , and Monday morning was no different .
This new “ scandal ” is nothing but a politically convenient indulgence of the president ’ s paranoia , victim complex , and the grudge that he holds for his African-American predecessor .
The entire thing hinges on the public ’ s lack of understanding of the arcane details of American law and the knowledge that the right-wing media machine will push the conspiracy so hard it works its way into the mainstream like they did so many times before .
We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change the narrative , which needs to be centered on the coronavirus pandemic and how his appalling mismanagement has led to the deaths of over 70,000 Americans .
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As his mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic and a reeling economy set off alarm bells in President Trump’s re-election campaign headquarters, Trump himself has been desperately searching for a new narrative with which to distract the nation and paint himself as a victim of elaborate Democratic conspiracies.
He appears to have settled on what he and MAGAworld have uncreatively termed “OBAMAGATE,” if the twenty or so tweets and retweets about it in the past day are any indication.
The suspiciously timely release of FBI documents showing the interview strategy used by FBI investigators in the interrogation of Gen. Michael Flynn has been used by the Trump administration to justify the dropping of the case against the treasonous ex-National Security Advisor despite the fact that Flynn had already pleaded guilty to his crimes and cooperated with the Mueller investigation.
Now those documents are being used to fuel a new narrative that accuses President Obama and his deep state cronies in the FBI — which was and is run by Republicans — were attempting to frame Michael Flynn and deliberately caught him in a “perjury trap.”
Yesterday, Flynn’s lawyer Sidney Powell went on FOX News and baselessly argued that the “whole thing was orchestrated and set up within the FBI, Clapper, Brennan and in the Oval Office meeting that day [in January 2017] with President Obama.”
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors’ lives to save the stock market!
Trump spent the majority of Sunday retweeting various articles about the conspiracy and making preposterous statements about the conspiracy, like the notion it was worse than Watergate and that Pres. Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden were somehow leading the charge, and Monday morning was no different.
Because it was OBAMAGATE, and he and Sleepy Joe led the charge. The most corrupt administration in U.S. history! https://t.co/PTzFvvITh3 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020
OBAMAGATE makes Watergate look small time! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2020
This new “scandal” is nothing but a politically convenient indulgence of the president’s paranoia, victim complex, and the grudge that he holds for his African-American predecessor. The entire thing hinges on the public’s lack of understanding of the arcane details of American law and the knowledge that the right-wing media machine will push the conspiracy so hard it works its way into the mainstream like they did so many times before.
Nor do Flynn documents show a “perjury trap,” which is where no legitimate investigative purpose exists for questioning. IG found FBI’s Russia probe was properly predicated. Flynn had told Russia to ignore US sanctions! FBI had legitimate purpose and even duty to ask him about it — Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) April 30, 2020
Flynn documents also do not amount to entrapment, which occurs when someone’s will is overborne by law enforcement, such as when an undercover officer offers you a chance to make so much money you can’t resist, even though you know it’s illegal. That’s not what happened here. — Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) April 30, 2020
We cannot allow the President and his media toadies to change the narrative, which needs to be centered on the coronavirus pandemic and how his appalling mismanagement has led to the deaths of over 70,000 Americans.
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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--2020-05-12--Trump’s press secretary asked if her refusal to wear a mask is a “television thing”

For some truly unfathomable reason , the Trump White House refuses to treat COVID-19 with the seriousness it deserves .
In addition to the administration ’ s countless shortcomings in implementing effective measures to test for and contain the virus , we have all witnessed profound personal irresponsibility on the part of the president and his closest cronies .
Trump himself has on numerous occasions refused to wear a face mask while attending public events despite the fact that medical experts agree such a simple precaution is one of the best ways to avoid transmitting or contracting the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ American WW2 veterans and he did it while touring a mask factory despite posted signs clearly requiring visitors done masks .
Vice President Mike Pence made the same dangerous decision while visiting patients at a Mayo Clinic .
White House Press Secretay Kayleigh McEnany , seemingly taking a page from her boss ’ s book , has repeatedly declined to don a face mask during her press briefings even as the journalists attending the events make sure to wear their own .
Today , she was asked about her decision .
Add your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vile idea of sacrificing seniors ’ lives to save the stock market !
“ White House staff yesterday were asked to wear masks around the West Wing except when they were seated at their desks .
I can ’ t help but notice you ’ re not wearing a mask .
What ’ s the reason for that ?
Is that a television thing ?
” a reporter asked her , reasonably implying that it ’ s a matter of vanity on McEnany ’ s part .
“ No , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ d probably have a hard time hearing from me right now should I have a mask on and that be muffled , ” she said , conveniently ignoring the fact that she had no problem hearing the reporter through his mask .
“ I ’ m delivering information to the American people , ” she went on.
” I ’ m an appropriate distance away .
I had a negative test today .
I had a negative test yesterday and I ’ m in an okay place.
” The answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary , is unconvincing .
Even if she is taking the precautions she reeled off , she should be erring on the side of abundant caution .
Wearing a mask is a simple , easy way to prevent spreading the virus , something that McEnany should be paying more attention to considering the White House is currently dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 within its own walls .
More than anything , she ’ s setting a terrible example for the rest of the country .
We want to hear what YOU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let us know in our NEW comment section !

For some truly unfathomable reason, the Trump White House refuses to treat COVID-19 with the seriousness it deserves. In addition to the administration’s countless shortcomings in implementing effective measures to test for and contain the virus, we have also witnessed profound personal irresponsibility on the parts of the president and his closest cronies.
Trump himself has on numerous occasions refused to wear a face mask while attending public events despite the fact that medical experts agree such a simple precaution is one of the best ways to avoid transmitting or contracting the disease. He did it while meeting with elderly American WW2 veterans and he did it while touring a mask factory despite posted signs clearly requiring visitors don masks. Vice President Mike Pence made the same dangerous decision while visiting patients at a Mayo Clinic.
White House Press Secretay Kayleigh McEnany, seemingly taking a page from her boss’s book, has repeatedly declined to don a face mask during her press briefings even as the journalists attending the events make sure to wear their own. Today, she was asked about her decision.
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors’ lives to save the stock market!
“White House staff yesterday were asked to wear masks around the West Wing except when they were seated at their desks. I can’t help but notice you’re not wearing a mask. What’s the reason for that? Is that a television thing?” a reporter asked her, reasonably implying that it’s a matter of vanity on McEnany’s part.
“No, it’s because I’m distanced from you. You’d probably have a hard time hearing from me right now should I have a mask on and that be muffled,” she said, conveniently ignoring the fact that she had no problem hearing the reporter through his mask.
“I’m delivering information to the American people,” she went on.”I’m an appropriate distance away. I had a negative test today. I had a negative test yesterday and I’m in an okay place.”
The answer, like so many answers from this press secretary, is unconvincing. Even if she is taking the precautions she reeled off, she should be erring on the side of abundant caution. Wearing a mask is a simple, easy way to prevent spreading the virus, something that McEnany should be paying more attention to considering the White House is currently dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 within its own walls.
More than anything, she’s setting a terrible example for the rest of the country.
Reporter: "I can't help but notice you're not wearing a mask. What's the reason for that? Is that a television thing?" Press. Sec. Kayleigh McEnany: "No, it's because I'm distanced from you." pic.twitter.com/49ORLXIGWq — The Hill (@thehill) May 12, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-05-12--Dr. Fauci shuts down Rand Paul for complaining Fauci is the “only one making decision”

Senator Rand Paul ( R-KY ) may have a medical degree , but he ’ s an ophthalmologist with little expertise in infectious diseases that don ’ t involve a cornea or retina .
Yet , there he was today at a hearing of the Senate Health Committee spouting off with his limited knowledge about why it should be safe to send Amerca ’ s children back to school before either an effective treatment or vaccine is available to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic , all while three of the nation ’ s leading health officials were all testifying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the woods yet , ” as Dr. Robert R. Redfield , the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , warned the committee .
The fact that those three senior federal medical experts — as well as the committee ’ s chairman , Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) — were all participating in the hearing remotely from quarantine due to their exposure to confirmed positive carriers of the coronavirus should have been enough proof of the obvious dangers of the “ invisible enemy , ” as Donald Trump likes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Paul was intent on dismissing medical fears about re-opening schools and businesses , despite the likelihood of that strategy leading to further spread of the virus and a higher death toll .
Senator Paul reserved his greatest contempt for Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , who had earlier in his testimony before the panel warned that “ the consequences could be really serious ” if the country opens prematurely .
While that verbiage wasn ’ t quite as strong as the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gist of what he would say to the panel — “ needless suffering and death ” were the words he used to describe the results of everyone leaving their homes and returning to work before the virus is further contained — it was enough to earn Dr.Fauci a reprimand from Senator Paul , who questioned the scientist ’ s humility and tried to put him in what the senator thought was his proper place .
The context was Senator Paul ’ s assertion that children are less likely to contract fatal cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator then went on to gaslight the committee and those watching the proceedings by making factually erroneous claims about the relative spread of the disease in different areas of the country .
Tell that to those whose family members and friends have succumbed to the virus , Senator Paul .
It was a comment that drew a quick response from Congressman Don Beyer ( D-VA ) who was seemingly shocked that someone with a medical degree could be so ignorant and misleading .
Paul wasn ’ t through with Dr. Fauci quite yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his next comment to the infectious disease expert , and — surprise , surprise , surprise — it had nothing to do with saving people ’ s lives and everything to do with money , money , money .
Go back to your little laboratory and leave this heavy economic lifting to the big boys , Senator Paul may as well have said .
What he did add was that his interpretation of “ the facts ’ was that there would be no surge in cases coming from lifting existing restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nether-quarters .
Dr. Fauci asked the committee chair to allow him the time to respond to Senator Paul ’ s character assassination and came back with a devastating reply .
“ I have never made myself out to be the ‘ end all ’ and only voice in this , ” Fauci responded .
“ I ’ m a scientist , a physician and a public health official .
I don ’ t give advice about economic things , I don ’ t give advice about anything other than public health , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used the word that we should be ‘ humble ’ about what we don ’ t know .
And I think that falls under the fact that we don ’ t know everything about this virus , and we really better be very careful , particularly when it comes to children , ” Dr. Fauci continued .
“ Because the more and more we learn , we ’ re seeing things about what this virus can do , that we didn ’ t see from the studies in China , or in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children presenting with COVID-19 symptoms , who actually have a very strange inflammatory syndrome , very similar to Kawasaki Syndrome , ” he said , referencing some highly unusual cases , including at least one fatality , among children in New York .
Dr. Fauci concluded his response to Senator Paul ’ s showboating rant with a warning that wound up doing to the senator what Paul had intended his remarks to the epidemiologist to achieve : putting him in his proper place and instilling some much-needed humility into the senator ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci at today ’ s Senate Health Committee hearing in the video clip below .
Stay safe .
Stay at home .
Don ’ t sacrifice your health and potentially your life by going back to work to make business owners rich at your expense without safety guarantees and complete medical coverage and income continuance if you do fall ill. We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) may have a medical degree, but he’s an ophthalmologist with little expertise in infectious diseases that don’t involve a cornea or retina.
Yet, there he was today at a hearing of the Senate Health Committee spouting off with his limited knowledge about why it should be safe to send Amerca’s children back to school before either an effective treatment or vaccine is available to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, all while three of the nation’s leading health officials were all testifying to the effect that “we are not out of the woods yet,” as Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned the committee.
The fact that those three senior federal medical experts — as well as the committee’s chairman, Lamar Alexander (R-TN) — were all participating in the hearing remotely from quarantine due to their exposure to confirmed positive carriers of the coronavirus should have been enough proof of the obvious dangers of the “invisible enemy,” as Donald Trump likes to call it, but the libertarian-leaning Senator Paul was intent on dismissing medical fears about re-opening schools and businesses, despite the likelihood of that strategy leading to further spread of the virus and a higher death toll.
Senator Paul reserved his greatest contempt for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who had earlier in his testimony before the panel warned that “the consequences could be really serious” if the country opens prematurely.
While that verbiage wasn’t quite as strong as the words he used the previous evening when describing the gist of what he would say to the panel — “needless suffering and death” were the words he used to describe the results of everyone leaving their homes and returning to work before the virus is further contained — it was enough to earn Dr.Fauci a reprimand from Senator Paul, who questioned the scientist’s humility and tried to put him in what the senator thought was his proper place.
The context was Senator Paul’s assertion that children are less likely to contract fatal cases of COVID-19 than adults are.
“Shouldn’t we at least be discussing what the mortality of children is?”, Senator Paul asked Dr. Fauci, claiming that the death toll among the young “approaches zero.”
The senator then went on to gaslight the committee and those watching the proceedings by making factually erroneous claims about the relative spread of the disease in different areas of the country.
“We never reached any sort of pandemic levels in Kentucky and other [rural] states,” Paul insisted. “Outside of New England, we’ve had a relatively benign course for this virus nationwide.”
Tell that to those whose family members and friends have succumbed to the virus, Senator Paul. It was a comment that drew a quick response from Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) who was seemingly shocked that someone with a medical degree could be so ignorant and misleading.
Warren County, Kentucky – where Rand Paul lives – has more COVID-19 cases per capita than 51 of the 67 counties in New England states. Senator Paul is wrong and the ignorant message he is peddling is dangerous. There is no special immunity to this virus based on where you live. https://t.co/l9u5RBYR2J — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 12, 2020
Paul wasn’t through with Dr. Fauci quite yet. He revealed his own top priority in his next comment to the infectious disease expert, and — surprise, surprise, surprise — it had nothing to do with saving people’s lives and everything to do with money, money, money.
“I think we ought to have a little humility in our belief we know what’s best for the economy,” Paul said to Fauci. “As much as I respect you Dr. Fauci, I don’t think you’re the end-all. I don’t think you get to make a decision.”
Go back to your little laboratory and leave this heavy economic lifting to the big boys, Senator Paul may as well have said. What he did add was that his interpretation of “the facts’ was that there would be no surge in cases coming from lifting existing restrictions, pulling that assertion straight from his hind nether-quarters.
“I think it’s a huge mistake if we don’t open the schools in the fall,” Paul said, despite the fact that Dr. Fauci never mentioned anything about that particular topic.
Dr. Fauci asked the committee chair to allow him the time to respond to Senator Paul’s character assassination and came back with a devastating reply.
“I have never made myself out to be the ‘end all’ and only voice in this,” Fauci responded. “I’m a scientist, a physician and a public health official. I don’t give advice about economic things, I don’t give advice about anything other than public health,” he reminded the committee.
“You used the word that we should be ‘humble’ about what we don’t know. And I think that falls under the fact that we don’t know everything about this virus, and we really better be very careful, particularly when it comes to children,” Dr. Fauci continued.
“Because the more and more we learn, we’re seeing things about what this virus can do, that we didn’t see from the studies in China, or in Europe. For example, right now, children presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, who actually have a very strange inflammatory syndrome, very similar to Kawasaki Syndrome,” he said, referencing some highly unusual cases, including at least one fatality, among children in New York.
Dr. Fauci concluded his response to Senator Paul’s showboating rant with a warning that wound up doing to the senator what Paul had intended his remarks to the epidemiologist to achieve: putting him in his proper place and instilling some much-needed humility into the senator’s psyche.
“I think we better be careful that we’re not cavalier, in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects,” Fauci admonished.
You can watch the exchange between Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci at today’s Senate Health Committee hearing in the video clip below.
Sen. Rand Paul: "I don't think you're the end all. I don't think you're the one person that gets to make a decision." Dr. Anthony Fauci: "I have never made myself out to be the end all and only voice in this. I'm a scientist, a physician and a public health official." pic.twitter.com/Nqlg3zOqn3 — CSPAN (@cspan) May 12, 2020
Stay safe. Stay at home. Don’t sacrifice your health and potentially your life by going back to work to make business owners rich at your expense without safety guarantees and complete medical coverage and income continuance if you do fall ill.
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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--2020-05-12--Congresswoman claps back after Trump claims Asian-Americans are “angry at China”

Throughout the entire coronavirus crisis , President Trump has recklessly stoked the flames of xenophobia and tried to blame China — and by extension , Chinese-Americans — for the pandemic .
Over and over again , he has not-so-subtly implied that China deliberately allowed the virus to spread and that Chinese travelers brought the virus to the United States , even going so far as to call it an “ attack ” in his desperate efforts to point the finger for the skyrocketing death toll at anyone and everyone but himself .
In doing so , he has fanned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrifying jump in anti-Asian-American racism , harassment , and attacks .
Early in the crisis , America saw 650 attacks and harassment incidents in just one week .
He has refused to acknowledge his role in provoking the outpouring of prejudice from an American populace seemingly chomping at the bit to engage in targeted racism , and now it appears he ’ s trying to pretend that Asian-Americans approve of his xenophobic narrative .
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans ’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors ’ lives to save the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Trump baselessly declared that “ Asian-Americans ” support his racist conspiracy theories about China and are “ VERY ” angry at what “ China has done to our country.
” Congresswoman Grace Meng ( D-NY ) responded to this outrageous and entirely contrived statement and made it clear that it was not China that Asian-Americans were mad at — it was Donald Trump himself , who had ended so many lives through his mismanagement and made the lives of the living so much worse with his racism .
Since the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on right-wing social media and eventually trickled into mainstream discussion .
Racist stereotypes about Chinese eating habits led to the “ bat soup ” meme , which posited that the consumption of exotic animals was responsible for the virus .
The meme was based on mislocated videos from a travel blogger of restaurant patrons eating bat soup at the Seafood House in Palau , a Pacific island archipelago near the Phillippines .
The theories that the virus originated in a bioweapons facility in Wuhan province have been similarly debunked , but that hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rush Limbaugh and even sitting United States Senators like Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) from promoting the idea .
Now the president himself is attempting to promote yet another false narrative as a way to pass off responsibility not only for the crisis but for the additional pain and suffering he ’ s inflicted on the Asian-American community .
Let us know what you have to say in our NEW comment section below !

Throughout the entire coronavirus crisis, President Trump has recklessly stoked the flames of xenophobia and tried to blame China — and by extension, Chinese-Americans — for the pandemic.
Over and over again, he has not-so-subtly implied that China deliberately allowed the virus to spread and that Chinese travelers brought the virus to the United States, even going so far as to call it an “attack” in his desperate efforts to point the finger for the skyrocketing death toll at anyone and everyone but himself.
In doing so, he has fanned the flames of anti-Asian xenophobia and provoked a horrifying jump in anti-Asian-American racism, harassment, and attacks. Early in the crisis, America saw 650 attacks and harassment incidents in just one week. He has refused to acknowledge his role in provoking the outpouring of prejudice from an American populace seemingly chomping at the bit to engage in targeted racism, and now it appears he’s trying to pretend that Asian-Americans approve of his xenophobic narrative.
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors’ lives to save the stock market!
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Trump baselessly declared that “Asian-Americans” support his racist conspiracy theories about China and are “VERY” angry at what “China has done to our country.”
Asian Americans are VERY angry at what China has done to our Country, and the World. Chinese Americans are the most angry of all. I don’t blame them! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) responded to this outrageous and entirely contrived statement and made it clear that it was not China that Asian-Americans were mad at — it was Donald Trump himself, who had ended so many lives through his mismanagement and made the lives of the living so much worse with his racism.
We are very angry at you. You use racism to disguise your lack of responsiveness and responsibility. American lives of all backgrounds have been lost. Your words have led to increased discrimination against asian Americans which will outlast the coronavirus. https://t.co/6ndF5ErBiE — Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) May 12, 2020
Since the crisis began, conspiracy theories have been rampant on right-wing social media and eventually trickled into mainstream discussion. Racist stereotypes about Chinese eating habits led to the “bat soup” meme, which posited that the consumption of exotic animals was responsible for the virus. The meme was based on mislocated videos from a travel blogger of restaurant patrons eating bat soup at the Seafood House in Palau, a Pacific island archipelago near the Phillippines.
The theories that the virus originated in a bioweapons facility in Wuhan province have been similarly debunked, but that hasn’t stopped right-wing media figures like Rush Limbaugh and even sitting United States Senators like Tom Cotton (R-AR) from promoting the idea.
Now the president himself is attempting to promote yet another false narrative as a way to pass off responsibility not only for the crisis but for the additional pain and suffering he’s inflicted on the Asian-American community.
Let us know what you have to say in our NEW comment section below!
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--2020-05-12--McConnell tries to blame Obama for not leaving Trump a “plan” for virus, which he literally did

If Donald Trump is the cancerous tumor slowly leeching the life out of American democracy , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) is the doctor who refuses to operate .
It long ago became clear that this president is painfully unfit for office and yet McConnell has chosen to support him in lockstep , stonewalling his impeachment despite the mountains of evidence against him because he sees Trump as a useful rubberstamp for the right-wing legislative agenda .
Now , Trump is in the midst of his greatest failure to date with his anemic federal response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at the expense of the American people .
Today , the senator employed a particularly pathetic excuse for Trump ’ s shortcomings : blaming Obama .
During a conversation with Lara Trump , McConnell sought to rewrite history .
“ Clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this , ” McConnell lied .
Lara Trump quickly backed him up in support of her odious father-in-law and claimed that the “ Obama-Biden administration left us high and dry in this time right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s partisan messaging here is rivaled only by its patent dishonesty .
Obama didn ’ t force Trump to dismiss the novel coronavirus as a Democratic “ hoax , ” Obama didn ’ t force Trump to fire the CDC ’ s pandemic response team , and Obama didn ’ t force Trump to suggest that injecting toxic disinfectant into the body could help fight the coronavirus .
Trump ’ s disastrous handling of the virus is entirely Trump ’ s fault .
More to the point , Obama did leave a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After weathering the Ebola and H1N1 swine flu , the Obama administration bulked up the United States ’ pandemic response infrastructure .
Obama ’ s National Security Council drafted a literal playbook composed of 69 pages worth of strategies for how to deal with future outbreaks .
The Trump White House failed to competently deploy it .
According to several former officials and pandemic experts , once Trump assumed office he set about dismissing and dismantling some of the key preparations set in place by the Obama White House .
President Trump also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 response .
While some of the apparatus for handling something like this was allowed to remain in place , he failed to wield it properly .
All of which is to say that Mitch McConnell is lying through his teeth .
It ’ s not that Obama failed to leave Trump a pandemic game plan , it ’ s not even that Obama left one that proved inadequate .
No , the reality is that Obama left a detailed game plan that Trump promptly tossed in the trash .
Americans are dying @ @ @ @ @

If Donald Trump is the cancerous tumor slowly leeching the life out of American democracy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is the doctor who refuses to operate.
It long ago became clear that this president is painfully unfit for office and yet McConnell has chosen to support him in lockstep, stonewalling his impeachment despite the mountains of evidence against him because he sees Trump as a useful rubberstamp for the right-wing legislative agenda.
Now, Trump is in the midst of his greatest failure to date with his anemic federal response to the COVID-19 outbreak and still McConnell is protecting him at the expense of the American people. Today, the senator employed a particularly pathetic excuse for Trump’s shortcomings: blaming Obama.
During a conversation with Lara Trump, McConnell sought to rewrite history.
“Clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this,” McConnell lied. Lara Trump quickly backed him up in support of her odious father-in-law and claimed that the “Obama-Biden administration left us high and dry in this time right now.”
The shamelessness of McConnell’s partisan messaging here is rivaled only by its patent dishonesty. Obama didn’t force Trump to dismiss the novel coronavirus as a Democratic “hoax,” Obama didn’t force Trump to fire the CDC’s pandemic response team, and Obama didn’t force Trump to suggest that injecting toxic disinfectant into the body could help fight the coronavirus. Trump’s disastrous handling of the virus is entirely Trump’s fault.
More to the point, Obama did leave a “game plan for something like this.” After weathering the Ebola and H1N1 swine flu, the Obama administration bulked up the United States’ pandemic response infrastructure. Obama’s National Security Council drafted a literal playbook composed of 69 pages worth of strategies for how to deal with future outbreaks. The Trump White House failed to competently deploy it.
According to several former officials and pandemic experts, once Trump assumed office he set about dismissing and dismantling some of the key preparations set in place by the Obama White House. President Trump also failed to coherently articulate goals for the COVID-19 response. While some of the apparatus for handling something like this was allowed to remain in place, he failed to wield it properly.
All of which is to say that Mitch McConnell is lying through his teeth. It’s not that Obama failed to leave Trump a pandemic game plan, it’s not even that Obama left one that proved inadequate. No, the reality is that Obama left a detailed game plan that Trump promptly tossed in the trash. Americans are dying because of that decision.
Sen. Mitch McConnell: "Clearly the Obama administration did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this." pic.twitter.com/fVqEKviOR3 — The Hill (@thehill) May 12, 2020
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occupydemocrats--2020-05-12--Trump takes credit for high approval rating of Dem governors after trashing them for needing help

All it requires is a change of perspective to transform your mindset from the absolute loathing of Donald Trump — and attitude that any sane , conscious person likely feels — to experiencing something akin to the mixed emotions of pity and disgust for the president .
Not that in his frequent expressions of victimhood does Trump fail to exhibit more than enough unearned self-pity to compensate for the lack of compassion with which many people now regard him .
However , when one realizes that the psychological disorder of malignant narcissism that the president suffers from so severely and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior , one must at least experience a twinge of sorrow for Trump and wonder what early childhood intervention and modern psychological assistance might have been able to do to have instead allowed him to grow up into a fully functioning and well-adjusted individual instead of the conceited monster wrongly convinced of his own superiority that we see today .
Trump ’ s malignant narcissism was on full display in his Twitter feed today as he decided to let the world know that — despite the obviously evident failures in his approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in over 80,000 American deaths — the high approval ratings of state governors , who have been at least marginally successful in mitigating the even worse spread of the virus by largely ignoring Trump ’ s demands to reopen their state ’ s businesses prematurely , has been entirely because of his own doings .
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While one may wonder why the president apparently thinks there are more than one “ Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plural rather than the possessive indicates — the bigger wonder is how Trump can make such a claim with a straight face .
The answer goes back to his malignant narcissism .
While theoretically , one can imagine Trump sitting on his golden toilet chuckling to himself as he tweets out his boastful chest-pounding and imagines putting over yet another con on the American people , sadly it ’ s much more likely that he actually believes that he ’ s doing a GREAT job and that all that ’ s right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fountain of intelligence and managerial acumen .
While the governors with high approval ratings — largely stemming from their ability to completely ignore the president ’ s entreaties to ignore the recommendations of scientific experts and to reopen their economies without meeting the CDC guidelines suppressed by Trump — may read Trump ’ s tweet with sardonic disdain , they will likely stay the course and maintain their commitment to using science rather than re-election polls and extreme pressure from business interests to determine their course forward in reopening their states .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s constantly changing directives , the president will nonetheless likely claim credit for any successes they may have in saving lives and avoiding the worst economic fallout from the prolonged closures of many businesses .
It ’ s just what a malignant narcissist does .
Any pity one may feel for Donald Trump , however , is best directed towards American society as a whole , which has had to bear the brunt of his avalanche of failures and is much more deserving of compassion than the president who will pity his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to hear what YOU have to say .
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All it requires is a change of perspective to transform your mindset from the absolute loathing of Donald Trump — and attitude that any sane, conscious person likely feels — to experiencing something akin to the mixed emotions of pity and disgust for the president.
Not that in his frequent expressions of victimhood does Trump fail to exhibit more than enough unearned self-pity to compensate for the lack of compassion with which many people now regard him.
However, when one realizes that the psychological disorder of malignant narcissism that the president suffers from so severely and so visibly compels so much of his behavior, one must at least experience a twinge of sorrow for Trump and wonder what early childhood intervention and modern psychological assistance might have been able to do to have instead allowed him to grow up into a fully functioning and well-adjusted individual instead of the conceited monster wrongly convinced of his own superiority that we see today.
Trump’s malignant narcissism was on full display in his Twitter feed today as he decided to let the world know that — despite the obviously evident failures in his approach to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in over 80,000 American deaths — the high approval ratings of state governors, who have been at least marginally successful in mitigating the even worse spread of the virus by largely ignoring Trump’s demands to reopen their state’s businesses prematurely, has been entirely because of his own doings.
Remember this, every Governor who has sky high approval on their handling of the Coronavirus, and I am happy for them all, could in no way have gotten those numbers, or had that success, without me and the Federal Governments help. From Ventilators to Testing, we made it happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors’ lives to save the stock market!
While one may wonder why the president apparently thinks there are more than one “Federal Governments” — as his use of the plural rather than the possessive indicates — the bigger wonder is how Trump can make such a claim with a straight face.
The answer goes back to his malignant narcissism.
While theoretically, one can imagine Trump sitting on his golden toilet chuckling to himself as he tweets out his boastful chest-pounding and imagines putting over yet another con on the American people, sadly it’s much more likely that he actually believes that he’s doing a GREAT job and that all that’s right with the world springs from his unlimited fountain of intelligence and managerial acumen.
While the governors with high approval ratings — largely stemming from their ability to completely ignore the president’s entreaties to ignore the recommendations of scientific experts and to reopen their economies without meeting the CDC guidelines suppressed by Trump — may read Trump’s tweet with sardonic disdain, they will likely stay the course and maintain their commitment to using science rather than re-election polls and extreme pressure from business interests to determine their course forward in reopening their states.
Even when these governors studiously ignore Trump’s constantly changing directives, the president will nonetheless likely claim credit for any successes they may have in saving lives and avoiding the worst economic fallout from the prolonged closures of many businesses.
It’s just what a malignant narcissist does.
Any pity one may feel for Donald Trump, however, is best directed towards American society as a whole, which has had to bear the brunt of his avalanche of failures and is much more deserving of compassion than the president who will pity his own situation more than enough for everyone.
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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--2020-05-12--Trump asks if Joe Scarborough “got away with murder,” thinks it’s “obvious” in morning tweet

President Trump kicked off yet another new day in the ongoing coronavirus crisis by throwing insulting conspiracy theories at his media enemies , again taking aim at MSNBC ’ s conservative ex-Republican host Joe Scarborough .
After Joe Scarborough and his now-wife Mika Brezinski had a public falling out with their former friend Donald Trump after criticizing him on the air , Trump began to publicly suggest that there was foul play involved in the 2001 death of one of Scarborough ’ s aides while he was a Florida Congressman .
Medical examiners have concluded that 28-year-old Lori Klausutis died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abnormal heart rhythm caused her to lose consciousness and she tragically struck her head on a desk .
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans ’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors ’ lives to save the stock market !
But Trump has clung to the story ever since and enjoys taunting Scarborough with the accusation .
He is now repeating his demand that somebody , whether it be Comcast itself or the police , open a “ cold case ” into the matter , which is odd because media conglomerates usually do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not clear what prompted his latest outburst against the MSNBC host , but we can safely infer at this point that the President saw something critical of him on television .
The president can send out all the insulting conspiracy tweets he wants , but all they accomplish is digging him into a deeper hole as the coronavirus crisis grows around him .

President Trump kicked off yet another new day in the ongoing coronavirus crisis by throwing insulting conspiracy theories at his media enemies, again taking aim at MSNBC’s conservative ex-Republican host Joe Scarborough.
When will they open a Cold Case on the Psycho Joe Scarborough matter in Florida. Did he get away with murder? Some people think so. Why did he leave Congress so quietly and quickly? Isn’t it obvious? What’s happening now? A total nut job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
After Joe Scarborough and his now-wife Mika Brezinski had a public falling out with their former friend Donald Trump after criticizing him on the air, Trump began to publicly suggest that there was foul play involved in the 2001 death of one of Scarborough’s aides while he was a Florida Congressman.
Medical examiners have concluded that 28-year-old Lori Klausutis died in Scarborough’s office after an abnormal heart rhythm caused her to lose consciousness and she tragically struck her head on a desk.
Add your name to reject Trump & Republicans’ vile idea of sacrificing seniors’ lives to save the stock market!
But Trump has clung to the story ever since and enjoys taunting Scarborough with the accusation.
He is now repeating his demand that somebody, whether it be Comcast itself or the police, open a “cold case” into the matter, which is odd because media conglomerates usually do not conduct criminal investigations.
It’s not clear what prompted his latest outburst against the MSNBC host, but we can safely infer at this point that the President saw something critical of him on television.
The president can send out all the insulting conspiracy tweets he wants, but all they accomplish is digging him into a deeper hole as the coronavirus crisis grows around him.
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occupydemocrats--2020-05-13--Trump says Dr. Fauci’s cautioning against reopening schools amidst virus isn’t “acceptable”

A day after the federal government ’ s leading infectious disease specialist warned in his Congressional testimony on the COVID-19 pandemic against reopening schools too soon in a knowledge-based tsunami of a retort to Senator Rand Paul ( R-KY ) , Donald Trump naturally ignored the science behind Dr. Anthony Fauci ’ s caution and declared the opinion of the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to be “ just not an acceptable answer.
” Fauci had responded to Senator Paul ’ s claim in the Senate Health Committee hearing yesterday that the mortality rate from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by bombarding him with painful facts .
“ You used the word that we should be ‘ humble ’ about what we don ’ t know .
And I think that falls under the fact that we don ’ t know everything about this virus , and we really better be very careful , particularly when it comes to children , ” Dr. Fauci said .
“ Because the more and more we learn , we ’ re seeing things about what this virus can do , that we didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in Europe .
For example , right now , children presenting with COVID-19 symptoms , who actually have a very strange inflammatory syndrome , very similar to Kawasaki Syndrome , ” he said , referencing some highly unusual cases , including at least one fatality , among children in New York .
“ I think we better be careful that we ’ re not cavalier , in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects , ” Fauci admonished the less than forthright senator .
Trump was asked about Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and responded with an astonishingly unsubtle rejection of expert scientific opinion in favor of his sacrificial lamb approach to reopening the nation ’ s schools .
“ I was surpised by his answer , actually , uhh , because , uh , you know , uhh , it ’ s just [ shaking his head ] …to me it ’ s not an acceptable answer , especially when it comes to school .
The only thing that would be acceptable as I said would be professors , teachers , etcetera , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they shoiuld take it easy for another few weeks , five weeks ?
four weeks ?
Who knows ?
Whatever it may be , ” Trump declared .
“ But I think they have to be careful because…this is a disease that attacks age .
It attacks health .
And if you have a heart prioblem if you have diabetes , if you ’ re a certain age , uhhhh , it ’ s certainly , uhhhh , much more dangerous .
But with the young children , I mean , uhh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s…just take a look at the statistics , it ’ s pretty amazing.
” Trump obviously never absorbed — or perhaps even heard — Dr. Fauci ’ s testimony where he presented actual facts contradicting the president ’ s criminally uninformed viewpoint on the effects of the virus on those young people whose lives he is willing to put on the line by sending them back into overcrowded classrooms that can quickly become Petri dishes for COVID-19 incubation , a disease they are likely to bring back home to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s callous indifference to the risks of reopening schools before the benchmarks established by his own Coronavirus Task Force are met — as well as his dismissal of the science that underlies the medical experts ’ recommendations — simply demonstrates the prioritization of his own re-election campaign over the lives of young Americans .
Perhaps we can expect to see a daily dose of Chlorox added to school lunch menus around the country in Trump ’ s eagerness to get those schools reopened ?
But then again , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to sacrifice for his own selfish goals of restoring some semblance of a functioning economy again .
Despite his seeming generosity in allowing older teachers an extra few weeks to stay at home , without a nationally coordinated testing strategy , Trump is merely postponing the inevitable potential risk of sickness unto death for these more senior educators rather than eliminating it .
And Trump wonders why his poll numbers are dropping like a Mafia snitch wearing cement shoes .
The only people who will be stupid enough to vote for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and extreme selfishness and those so mesmerized by right-wing tropes as to be as divorced from reality as Trump himself .
He and his distorted values-system must be defeated by those of us who still value life over servility to the business oligarchs in whose interest the premature reopening of the economy serves .
We want to hear what YOU have to say .
Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section !

A day after the federal government’s leading infectious disease specialist warned in his Congressional testimony on the COVID-19 pandemic against reopening schools too soon in a knowledge-based tsunami of a retort to Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Donald Trump naturally ignored the science behind Dr. Anthony Fauci’s caution and declared the opinion of the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to be “just not an acceptable answer.”
Fauci had responded to Senator Paul’s claim in the Senate Health Committee hearing yesterday that the mortality rate from coronavirus infections among children “approaches zero” by bombarding him with painful facts.
“You used the word that we should be ‘humble’ about what we don’t know. And I think that falls under the fact that we don’t know everything about this virus, and we really better be very careful, particularly when it comes to children,” Dr. Fauci said. “Because the more and more we learn, we’re seeing things about what this virus can do, that we didn’t see from the studies in China, or in Europe. For example, right now, children presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, who actually have a very strange inflammatory syndrome, very similar to Kawasaki Syndrome,” he said, referencing some highly unusual cases, including at least one fatality, among children in New York. “I think we better be careful that we’re not cavalier, in thinking that children are completely immune to the deleterious effects,” Fauci admonished the less than forthright senator.
Trump was asked about Fauci’s comments by a reporter this afternoon and responded with an astonishingly unsubtle rejection of expert scientific opinion in favor of his sacrificial lamb approach to reopening the nation’s schools.
“I was surpised by his answer, actually, uhh, because, uh, you know, uhh, it’s just [shaking his head]…to me it’s not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to school. The only thing that would be acceptable as I said would be professors, teachers, etcetera, over a certian age, I think that they shoiuld take it easy for another few weeks, five weeks? four weeks? Who knows?Whatever it may be,” Trump declared. “But I think they have to be careful because…this is a disease that attacks age. It attacks health. And if you have a heart prioblem if you have diabetes, if you’re a certain age, uhhhh, it’s certainly, uhhhh, much more dangerous. But with the young children, I mean, uhh, and students, it’s really, it’s…just take a look at the statistics, it’s pretty amazing.”
This isn't complicated. Dr. Fauci is a highly decorated scientist and doctor, a respected medical expert who spent his life leading American efforts to fight infectious diseases. Trump is a compulsive liar who suggested we could fight COVID-19 by injecting people with bleach. https://t.co/8KnzEWR6LN — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 13, 2020
Trump obviously never absorbed — or perhaps even heard — Dr. Fauci’s testimony where he presented actual facts contradicting the president’s criminally uninformed viewpoint on the effects of the virus on those young people whose lives he is willing to put on the line by sending them back into overcrowded classrooms that can quickly become Petri dishes for COVID-19 incubation, a disease they are likely to bring back home to their families during its asymptomatic phase.
The president’s callous indifference to the risks of reopening schools before the benchmarks established by his own Coronavirus Task Force are met — as well as his dismissal of the science that underlies the medical experts’ recommendations — simply demonstrates the prioritization of his own re-election campaign over the lives of young Americans.
Perhaps we can expect to see a daily dose of Chlorox added to school lunch menus around the country in Trump’s eagerness to get those schools reopened?
But then again, it’s not just the young he’s willing to sacrifice for his own selfish goals of restoring some semblance of a functioning economy again.
Despite his seeming generosity in allowing older teachers an extra few weeks to stay at home, without a nationally coordinated testing strategy, Trump is merely postponing the inevitable potential risk of sickness unto death for these more senior educators rather than eliminating it.
And Trump wonders why his poll numbers are dropping like a Mafia snitch wearing cement shoes.
The only people who will be stupid enough to vote for him will be those who share his narcissism and extreme selfishness and those so mesmerized by right-wing tropes as to be as divorced from reality as Trump himself.
He and his distorted values-system must be defeated by those of us who still value life over servility to the business oligarchs in whose interest the premature reopening of the economy serves.
Follow Vinnie Longobardo on Twitter.
We want to hear what YOU have to say. Scroll down and let us know in our NEW comment section!
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