hotair--2020-10-04--Incoming Baltimore Mayor wants President Trump to keep his city's name "out of your mouth"

I should probably clear up any potential confusion caused by the title of this article right at the top .
Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott isn ’ t technically the incoming Mayor of Charm City .
At least not yet .
That title won ’ t be bestowed upon him until November 4th .
But he won the primary in the mayoral race earlier this year , so there ’ s really no mystery left to the question .
Democrats literally outnumber Republicans by a ten to one ratio in Baltimore , so the general election there tends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
Barring a comet hitting the city in the next few months , Council President Scott will be sworn in as the next mayor .
He ’ s already making something of a name for himself in terms of taking up the # RESIST banner , however .
Moving into the final stages of the presidential election , Scott has been taking shots at President Trump , a phenomenon that ’ s unlikely to slow down much even as the POTUS fights off the effects of the novel coronavirus .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the President mentioning Baltimore during his debate with Joe Biden as being on a list of Democrat-run cities experiencing major crime and violence problems .
The big takeaway was the Donald Trump should keep the name of Baltimore “ out of his mouth ” until further notice .
( CBS Baltimore ) Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott fired back at President Donald Trump who said Tuesday during the Presidential Debate that Democratic-run cities don ’ t “ want law and order.
” When talking about violence in the U.S. , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run these cities don ’ t want law and order.
” President Trump mentioned Baltimore , Portland and Seattle , among others .
“ President Trump unless you are bringing resources and addressing economic , racial , and environmental injustices in my city , KEEP BALTIMORE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH , ” Scott said in a tweet shortly after the Presidential Debate .
Just as a side note , it ’ s rather interesting that Brandon Scott hasn ’ t even officially won the mayoral election yet and he ’ s already referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than “ our city ” or something similar .
We ’ ll see how his tenure in the top job plays out for a while before deciding whether he means that literally or figuratively .
( If you know what I mean , and I think you do . )
I actually had high – or at least relatively elevated – hopes for Council President Scott when he won the primary .
I noted at the time that Charm City had dodged a bullet by electing Scott because the voters there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor Sheila Dixon back to the office .
Dixon , as you may recall , departed her first term as Mayor in police custody after being convicted on corruption and embezzlement charges .
Now I ’ m not so sure that Scott will work out much better .
He ran on a platform promising to reform corruption in the city ’ s government , including rolling back the Mayor ’ s nearly unlimited power to control purchasing and spending .
This was to be done by restructuring the makeup of the Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of the five votes on the board .
But they had barely finished counting the votes from the primary race when Scott was already saying that maybe they shouldn ’ t rush into a process like that so quickly .
He ’ s not exactly inspiring a lot of confidence .
But at least for now , it appears that Brandon Scott is looking to build his profile in the national Democratic Party by becoming the next vocal Trump-basher in Baltimore .
It ’ s a strategy that worked out for Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her one full term in office ( after replacing the aforementioned embezzler , Mayor Dixon ) was such a mishandled disaster that she didn ’ t even bother running for a second term .
But that didn ’ t stop her from going on to be a national vice-chair for the DNC and a superdelegate .
Perhaps Brandon Scott is looking to similarly feather his own future nest in that fashion .
Sadly for Scott and everyone in Baltimore , President Trump was actually quite accurate in his description of Charm City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang violence problems .
True , he might have gone a touch too far when he described Baltimore as being “ a disgusting , rat and rodent-infested mess , ” but if the shoe fits… In any event , the battle lines seem to be drawn .
If Donald Trump manages to win a second term in the White House , Baltimore could be waiting quite a while for that federal aid that Scott is demanding .
He really isn ’ t setting a very good tone for future , positive relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case .

I should probably clear up any potential confusion caused by the title of this article right at the top. Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott isn’t technically the incoming Mayor of Charm City. At least not yet. That title won’t be bestowed upon him until November 4th. But he won the primary in the mayoral race earlier this year, so there’s really no mystery left to the question. Democrats literally outnumber Republicans by a ten to one ratio in Baltimore, so the general election there tends to be more of an afterthought than anything else. Barring a comet hitting the city in the next few months, Council President Scott will be sworn in as the next mayor.
He’s already making something of a name for himself in terms of taking up the #RESIST banner, however. Moving into the final stages of the presidential election, Scott has been taking shots at President Trump, a phenomenon that’s unlikely to slow down much even as the POTUS fights off the effects of the novel coronavirus. Last week, he reacted with some street-wise one-liners to the President mentioning Baltimore during his debate with Joe Biden as being on a list of Democrat-run cities experiencing major crime and violence problems. The big takeaway was the Donald Trump should keep the name of Baltimore “out of his mouth” until further notice. (CBS Baltimore)
Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott fired back at President Donald Trump who said Tuesday during the Presidential Debate that Democratic-run cities don’t “want law and order.” When talking about violence in the U.S., President Trump said, “The Democrats that run these cities don’t want law and order.” President Trump mentioned Baltimore, Portland and Seattle, among others. “President Trump unless you are bringing resources and addressing economic, racial, and environmental injustices in my city, KEEP BALTIMORE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH,” Scott said in a tweet shortly after the Presidential Debate.
I asked my staff and they told me not to buttttttttt@POTUS @realDonaldTrump unless you are bringing resources and addressing economic, racial, and environmental injustices in my city. 🗣KEEP BALTIMORE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH — Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) September 30, 2020
Just as a side note, it’s rather interesting that Brandon Scott hasn’t even officially won the mayoral election yet and he’s already referring to Baltimore as “my city” rather than “our city” or something similar. We’ll see how his tenure in the top job plays out for a while before deciding whether he means that literally or figuratively. (If you know what I mean, and I think you do.)
I actually had high – or at least relatively elevated – hopes for Council President Scott when he won the primary. I noted at the time that Charm City had dodged a bullet by electing Scott because the voters there had come dangerously close to sending disgraced former mayor Sheila Dixon back to the office. Dixon, as you may recall, departed her first term as Mayor in police custody after being convicted on corruption and embezzlement charges.
Now I’m not so sure that Scott will work out much better. He ran on a platform promising to reform corruption in the city’s government, including rolling back the Mayor’s nearly unlimited power to control purchasing and spending. This was to be done by restructuring the makeup of the Board of Estimates, where the Mayor effectively control three of the five votes on the board. But they had barely finished counting the votes from the primary race when Scott was already saying that maybe they shouldn’t rush into a process like that so quickly. He’s not exactly inspiring a lot of confidence.
But at least for now, it appears that Brandon Scott is looking to build his profile in the national Democratic Party by becoming the next vocal Trump-basher in Baltimore. It’s a strategy that worked out for Mayor Pugh’s predecessor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Her one full term in office (after replacing the aforementioned embezzler, Mayor Dixon) was such a mishandled disaster that she didn’t even bother running for a second term. But that didn’t stop her from going on to be a national vice-chair for the DNC and a superdelegate. Perhaps Brandon Scott is looking to similarly feather his own future nest in that fashion.
Sadly for Scott and everyone in Baltimore, President Trump was actually quite accurate in his description of Charm City and it’s legendary crime and gang violence problems. True, he might have gone a touch too far when he described Baltimore as being “a disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess,” but if the shoe fits…
In any event, the battle lines seem to be drawn. If Donald Trump manages to win a second term in the White House, Baltimore could be waiting quite a while for that federal aid that Scott is demanding. He really isn’t setting a very good tone for future, positive relations with the White House if that’s the case.


hotair--2020-10-04--AOC: No. Why would I meet with Jewish community leaders?

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is coming up on the end of her first term in office , having generated more headlines and hot takes than most back-bench , first-term members of the House than you could probably think of .
She ’ s kept herself busy on the national stage for the entire time , particularly as a surrogate for Bernie Sanders throughout most of the Democratic primary .
But her schedule in terms of interacting with her constituents back home in Queens and the Bronx has been a bit on the light side .
That ’ s been of increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant portion of the residents in her district .
The New York Post reports this week that prominent leaders in the city ’ s Jewish Community have been requesting meetings with AOC ever since she was sworn in so they could discuss issues of importance to New York ’ s Jews .
But thus far , the freshman congresswoman hasn ’ t made time to meet with any of them .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has rebuffed requests to meet with New York ’ s prominent Jewish leaders .
The heads of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Board of Rabbis said they ’ ve sought sit downs with the first-term “ democratic socialist ” congresswoman — to no avail .
“ I requested a meeting with her and it has not come to fruition , ” JCRC executive director Michael Miller told The Post .
“ A meeting has been requested on more than one occasion .
It hasn ’ t happened .
I ’ m still interested in meeting with her.
” It ’ s hard to write this off as some sort of simple oversight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Board of Rabbis are both very active in politics at every level and regularly meet with elected leaders at the municipal , state and federal levels .
Both groups report that they ’ ve had no trouble arranging meetings with the other members of Congress representing the greater New York City region .
But for some reason , AOC just can ’ t seem to find the time .
Perhaps this is more than a simple oversight .
It ’ s no secret that Ocasio0Cortez and her antisemitic friends on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been exactly benevolent toward the concerns of the Jewish community .
She regularly criticizes Israel ’ s “ inhumane policies ” toward Palestinian terrorist activity .
And she ’ s always quick to rush to the defense of Ilhan Omar , arguably one of the biggest antisemites to serve in Congress in recent memory .
There are plenty of other examples littering the news from the past two years .
It ’ s not as if the Jewish community in New York City doesn ’ t have plenty of concerns that deserve attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much about it in the midst of all the news about the riots and the pandemic , but violent antisemitism is still alive and well in the Big Apple .
Even the New York Times admitted back in February that more than half of all the hate crimes reported in Gotham in 2019 were incidents of attacks on Jews , far outnumbering all other demographic groups .
Orthodox Jews in particular are considered to be at the highest risk , primarily because their traditional garb and distinctive hairstyles make them readily identifiable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rabbis and other prominent leaders of the community this spring led to large marches showing solidarity with New York ’ s Jews .
All of this has been taking place right in AOC ’ s back yard and many Jews are counted among her constituents .
And yet she ’ s failed to make time for a single meeting with any of their leaders while in office .
Instead , she ’ s been out on the national campaign trail and trying to build her brand rather than doing the less glamorous work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she supposedly represents .
Of course , I don ’ t expect this to turn into a campaign issue in her case .
She already won her primary race handily and New York ’ s 14th District is so incredibly lopsided in favor of the Democrats that there ’ s no chance she could lose her seat anyway .
But shouldn ’ t she at least be putting on the appearance of caring ?
How much effort would it be to take a simple meeting and hear their concerns ?

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is coming up on the end of her first term in office, having generated more headlines and hot takes than most back-bench, first-term members of the House than you could probably think of. She’s kept herself busy on the national stage for the entire time, particularly as a surrogate for Bernie Sanders throughout most of the Democratic primary. But her schedule in terms of interacting with her constituents back home in Queens and the Bronx has been a bit on the light side. That’s been of increasing concern to the Jewish community who represent a significant portion of the residents in her district. The New York Post reports this week that prominent leaders in the city’s Jewish Community have been requesting meetings with AOC ever since she was sworn in so they could discuss issues of importance to New York’s Jews. But thus far, the freshman congresswoman hasn’t made time to meet with any of them.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has rebuffed requests to meet with New York’s prominent Jewish leaders. The heads of both the Jewish Community Relations Council and the New York Board of Rabbis said they’ve sought sit downs with the first-term “democratic socialist” congresswoman — to no avail. “I requested a meeting with her and it has not come to fruition,” JCRC executive director Michael Miller told The Post. “A meeting has been requested on more than one occasion. It hasn’t happened. I’m still interested in meeting with her.”
It’s hard to write this off as some sort of simple oversight. The Jewish Community Relations Council and the New York Board of Rabbis are both very active in politics at every level and regularly meet with elected leaders at the municipal, state and federal levels. Both groups report that they’ve had no trouble arranging meetings with the other members of Congress representing the greater New York City region. But for some reason, AOC just can’t seem to find the time.
Perhaps this is more than a simple oversight. It’s no secret that Ocasio0Cortez and her antisemitic friends on “The Squad” haven’t always been exactly benevolent toward the concerns of the Jewish community. She regularly criticizes Israel’s “inhumane policies” toward Palestinian terrorist activity. And she’s always quick to rush to the defense of Ilhan Omar, arguably one of the biggest antisemites to serve in Congress in recent memory. There are plenty of other examples littering the news from the past two years.
It’s not as if the Jewish community in New York City doesn’t have plenty of concerns that deserve attention. You probably haven’t heard as much about it in the midst of all the news about the riots and the pandemic, but violent antisemitism is still alive and well in the Big Apple. Even the New York Times admitted back in February that more than half of all the hate crimes reported in Gotham in 2019 were incidents of attacks on Jews, far outnumbering all other demographic groups. Orthodox Jews in particular are considered to be at the highest risk, primarily because their traditional garb and distinctive hairstyles make them readily identifiable targets. A string of stabbings of Rabbis and other prominent leaders of the community this spring led to large marches showing solidarity with New York’s Jews.
All of this has been taking place right in AOC’s back yard and many Jews are counted among her constituents. And yet she’s failed to make time for a single meeting with any of their leaders while in office. Instead, she’s been out on the national campaign trail and trying to build her brand rather than doing the less glamorous work of addressing the concerns of the people she supposedly represents.
Of course, I don’t expect this to turn into a campaign issue in her case. She already won her primary race handily and New York’s 14th District is so incredibly lopsided in favor of the Democrats that there’s no chance she could lose her seat anyway. But shouldn’t she at least be putting on the appearance of caring? How much effort would it be to take a simple meeting and hear their concerns?


hotair--2020-10-04--SNL season debut: Rapper compares KY AG Cameron to "sell-out negroes that sold our people into slave

SNL season debut: Rapper compares KY AG Cameron to "sell-out negroes that sold our people into slavery"

The reviews are somewhat mixed on the debut show of Saturday Night Live ’ s 46th season .
Conservative writers weren ’ t impressed while liberals were amused by some of the performances .
The longer this show drags on , the more it is obvious that it is well past its expiration date .
I admit I am not a regular viewer of SNL and haven ’ t been for years .
I remember how the show used to be in its first years when it was funny and entertaining before it became just another propaganda outlet for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Rock and the musical guest was rapper Megan Thee Stallion .
I didn ’ t watch the show but I read some reviews and have seen some video clips .
The real newsmaker was the rapper ’ s use of the platform to vent about Breonna Taylor ’ s death .
She incorporated a soundbite of a political rant aimed at Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron delivered by Women ’ s March co-founder Tamika Mallory into her song .
Not only was the audiotape played but words appeared on the screen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
‘ The color of your hair , the color of your skin , the shape of your nose , ’ the video began .
‘ Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of you feet , ’ the video said , quoting from a Malcolm X speech .
‘ Daniel Cameron is no different from the sell out negros that sold our people into slavery , ’ it continued .
Liberal black Americans have no patience with conservative black Americans .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , everyone is expected to fall in line with Democrats who have taken their votes for granted for decades .
So , Ms. Thee Stallion took her shot at Kentucky ’ s first black attorney general , a Republican .
This was the singer ’ s first solo appearance on the show so she certainly made the most of it .
The 25-year-old compared A.G.Cameron to “ the sell-out negroes that sold our people into slavery ” .
Her message was about the “ need to protect our black women ” .
‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and love our black women because at the end of the day , we need our black women , ’ she said .
‘ We need to protect our black men and stand up for our black men because at the end of the day , we ’ re tired of seeing hashtags of our black men.
’ The monologue was interrupted by the sound of gunshots , calling out the fatal shooting of Taylor in her own home on March 13 and possibly referencing Megan herself being shot in the foot after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer .
This ugliness toward Cameron is inline with other criticism from the black community .
He ’ s been called ‘ race traitor ’ , ‘ scum ’ besides ‘ sell-out ’ .
It ’ s just another day ending with ‘ y ’ for him .
Viewers posted their approval of the performance on social media .
The show was full of liberal bias , as is expected .
Kate McKinnon , who has played Ruth Bader Ginsburg in past episodes paid tribute to the deceased Supreme Court justice .
Host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shot at President Trump as he battles the coronavirus .
He noted that Trump has COVID-19 and said , “ I feel sorry for the COVID.
” Ugh .
He also said that Joe Biden should be the last president ever because “ we need a new system.
” So , there ’ s that .
No mention of exactly what the new system should be but we can guess .
Liberals love authoritarianism .
Everyone should just fall in line and do what they are told .
A “ recalibrated and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maya Rudolph .
“ America needs a WAP : Woman-As-President .
I ’ ll settle for HVPIC : Hot Vice President in Charge.
” Does anyone think “ hot ” when they see Harris , other than her husband ?
Yikes .
Alec Baldwin is back as President Trump and Jim Carrey is Joe Biden .
The show should have tread lightly as not to cross the line with the most powerful man on earth hospitalized with a life-threatening virus .
But , no .
It is more important at this time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team Biden .
Mention was made in this article of a show put together by a former SNL cast member for this political time – a puppet show dishing out political satire .
I covered the show for MRC/NewsBusters when it aired last week .
Hollywood loves to mock Christians , you know .
Let ’ s Be Real did a whole skit about Mike Pence and his policy of not being alone with women .
Karen Pence was brought into the mix , too , and portrayed as a shrill and vindictive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the satirical show , Kamala was portrayed much more realistically .
She wasn ’ t touted as hot but as more than eager to shove Biden out of the way to be president herself .
That bit was amusing .

The reviews are somewhat mixed on the debut show of Saturday Night Live’s 46th season. Conservative writers weren’t impressed while liberals were amused by some of the performances. The longer this show drags on, the more it is obvious that it is well past its expiration date.
I admit I am not a regular viewer of SNL and haven’t been for years. I remember how the show used to be in its first years when it was funny and entertaining before it became just another propaganda outlet for the DNC. The guest host was comedian Chris Rock and the musical guest was rapper Megan Thee Stallion. I didn’t watch the show but I read some reviews and have seen some video clips. The real newsmaker was the rapper’s use of the platform to vent about Breonna Taylor’s death. She incorporated a soundbite of a political rant aimed at Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron delivered by Women’s March co-founder Tamika Mallory into her song. Not only was the audiotape played but words appeared on the screen, too. Cheers and applause were heard.
‘The color of your hair, the color of your skin, the shape of your nose,’ the video began. ‘Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of you feet,’ the video said, quoting from a Malcolm X speech. ‘Daniel Cameron is no different from the sell out negros that sold our people into slavery,’ it continued.
During Megan Thee Stallion's performance of Stallion on SNL, a soundbite of Tamika Mallory is played of her calling Kentucky's black AG Daniel Cameron "no different than the sellout negros that sold our people into slavery." And the crowd broke into cheers and applause. pic.twitter.com/U5DLPFvOmg — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 4, 2020
Liberal black Americans have no patience with conservative black Americans. There is no room for a difference in political philosophy, everyone is expected to fall in line with Democrats who have taken their votes for granted for decades. So, Ms. Thee Stallion took her shot at Kentucky’s first black attorney general, a Republican. This was the singer’s first solo appearance on the show so she certainly made the most of it. The 25-year-old compared A.G.Cameron to “the sell-out negroes that sold our people into slavery”. Her message was about the “need to protect our black women”.
‘We need to protect our black women and love our black women because at the end of the day, we need our black women,’ she said. ‘We need to protect our black men and stand up for our black men because at the end of the day, we’re tired of seeing hashtags of our black men.’ The monologue was interrupted by the sound of gunshots, calling out the fatal shooting of Taylor in her own home on March 13 and possibly referencing Megan herself being shot in the foot after an argument with a friend during the summer.
This ugliness toward Cameron is inline with other criticism from the black community. He’s been called ‘race traitor’, ‘scum’ besides ‘sell-out’. It’s just another day ending with ‘y’ for him. Viewers posted their approval of the performance on social media.
‘I need that Protect Black Women graphic,’ one Twitter user named Tammi wrote. ‘I see @theestallion with the #ProtectBlackWomen message,’ said Atlantic writer Jemele Hill. One user said that the rapper was ‘giving me chills right now with this performance’ as another called her ‘amazing’. ‘Megan thee Stallion is hosting a protest will performing Savage on SNL,’ said Twitter account Kefus Falls III.
The show was full of liberal bias, as is expected. Kate McKinnon, who has played Ruth Bader Ginsburg in past episodes paid tribute to the deceased Supreme Court justice.
The show paid tribute to Ginsburg, who passed away Sept. 18 from pancreatic cancer, by panning over to and zooming in on McKinnon in her costume, sitting in the front row of the audience for “Weekend Update.” Surrounded by masked audience members, McKinnon put her right hand on her chest and bowed her head slightly. The show then dissolved to a “rest in power” graphic before the commercial break.
Host Chris Rock couldn’t even resist a shot at President Trump as he battles the coronavirus. He noted that Trump has COVID-19 and said, “I feel sorry for the COVID.” Ugh. He also said that Joe Biden should be the last president ever because “we need a new system.” So, there’s that. No mention of exactly what the new system should be but we can guess. Liberals love authoritarianism. Everyone should just fall in line and do what they are told.
A “recalibrated and humanized” Kamala Harris was played by Maya Rudolph. “America needs a WAP: Woman-As-President. I’ll settle for HVPIC: Hot Vice President in Charge.” Does anyone think “hot” when they see Harris, other than her husband? Yikes. Alec Baldwin is back as President Trump and Jim Carrey is Joe Biden.
The show should have tread lightly as not to cross the line with the most powerful man on earth hospitalized with a life-threatening virus. But, no. It is more important at this time for SNL to be an in-kind donation to Team Biden.
Mention was made in this article of a show put together by a former SNL cast member for this political time – a puppet show dishing out political satire. I covered the show for MRC/NewsBusters when it aired last week.
FWIW, Robert Smigel — a former SNL cast member who overlapped with Fallon Hogan and Rock — recently debuted Let’s Be Real on FOX, an election-themed political satire with puppets. It’s bipartisan in its sharp, no-holds-barred digs at the current political landscape, and lands a lot of truth-y blows about both candidates. Just saying.
Hollywood loves to mock Christians, you know. Let’s Be Real did a whole skit about Mike Pence and his policy of not being alone with women. Karen Pence was brought into the mix, too, and portrayed as a shrill and vindictive wife. I’ll note that in the satirical show, Kamala was portrayed much more realistically. She wasn’t touted as hot but as more than eager to shove Biden out of the way to be president herself. That bit was amusing.


hotair--2020-10-04--Who wants to guess what level NYC's murder rate just hit?

While many media analysts are focusing on the COVID death toll , now over 200,000 , the remaining residents of the Big Apple have a different figure to worry about .
The city has finished compiling the official law enforcement numbers for the month of September and New York City has hit a different sort of milestone .
The number of murders in Gotham has now eclipsed the number that was seen for all of 2019 and there are still a full three months to go .
As of Thursday , the city had recorded 344 killings , a figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full year since 2013 , and that record is already in danger as well .
( NY Post ) New York City surpassed another grim crime milestone last month , as the number of murders blew past all of 2019 ’ s tally — and there are still three months remaining in 2020 , according to new data .
The NYPD recorded 51 murders last month , or nearly double the 2019 figure for September — pushing the total number of homicides this year to 344 .
That is already the highest overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , when 335 slayings were logged for that year , NYPD data shows .
If the current pace holds , murders could surpass 400 for the year .
Other crime rates are on the rise as well , particularly arson , thanks to the Molotov Cocktail crews that were roaming the streets all summer .
Property theft and general robberies also spiked during the rioting .
But the murder rate is the figure that ’ s really grabbing everyone ’ s attention .
Traditionally , the rate tends to drop in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather turns worse and the gangs tend to spend less time out on the streets .
But New York still registers its fair share of killings even during those months .
If traditional standards hold , the total number of murders could easily exceed 400 , the worst we ’ ve seen since 2012 .
Shootings for the month of September also more than doubled when compared to the same month in 2019 .
This isn ’ t happening for a lack of trying on the part of the police .
Despite losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or resignations and seeing significant cuts to their overtime budget , the NYPD still managed to take 607 illegal firearms off the streets last month .
But the supply of gangbangers seems virtually endless and they run their own illegal weapons trade .
They ’ re obviously doing a brisk business this year .
We are only a few months from entering Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s final year in office at this point .
( He ’ s term-limited and can ’ t run again in 2021 . )
This grim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hizzoner will leave in his wake unless current trends somehow turn around briskly and dramatically .
Crime is creeping back up to levels not seen since “ the bad old days ” and the streets are far less safe than they ’ ve been in a long time .
De Blasio ’ s failed leadership in the face of both the pandemic and the riots has left far too many businesses either permanently closed or only a shadow of their former selves .
Those who are able to have been moving out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks can take them .
( Assuming you can find a truck to rent . )
The school system in New York City is a total disaster at this point , with the Mayor ’ s “ hybrid ” plan of having students alternate working from home with physical attendance in classrooms leaving both parents and students fuming .
Pretty much the entire police force curses the Mayor ’ s name and relations between the police and the community are as bad as they ’ ve been in recent memory .
So does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the light and stop electing liberal Democrats like de Blasio back to office again and again ?
Don ’ t bet on it .
At this point , Maya Wiley , a top aide to de Blasio and cut from the same mold , is one of the early favorites to replace him .
Meanwhile , the New York Times is focused on the question of why they shouldn ’ t have yet another White mayor .
( Wiley is Black , by the way , so she ’ s got that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorkers go to the polls next year and elect yet another de Blasio clone , should we really have any sympathy for them if that choice produces the exact same results we ’ re seeing now ?
Don ’ t expect me to shed too many tears for them .

While many media analysts are focusing on the COVID death toll, now over 200,000, the remaining residents of the Big Apple have a different figure to worry about. The city has finished compiling the official law enforcement numbers for the month of September and New York City has hit a different sort of milestone. The number of murders in Gotham has now eclipsed the number that was seen for all of 2019 and there are still a full three months to go. As of Thursday, the city had recorded 344 killings, a figure that’s already higher than any full year since 2013, and that record is already in danger as well. (NY Post)
New York City surpassed another grim crime milestone last month, as the number of murders blew past all of 2019’s tally — and there are still three months remaining in 2020, according to new data. The NYPD recorded 51 murders last month, or nearly double the 2019 figure for September — pushing the total number of homicides this year to 344. That is already the highest overall annual figure the city has seen since 2013, when 335 slayings were logged for that year, NYPD data shows. If the current pace holds, murders could surpass 400 for the year.
Other crime rates are on the rise as well, particularly arson, thanks to the Molotov Cocktail crews that were roaming the streets all summer. Property theft and general robberies also spiked during the rioting. But the murder rate is the figure that’s really grabbing everyone’s attention.
Traditionally, the rate tends to drop in the late fall and winter months as the weather turns worse and the gangs tend to spend less time out on the streets. But New York still registers its fair share of killings even during those months. If traditional standards hold, the total number of murders could easily exceed 400, the worst we’ve seen since 2012. Shootings for the month of September also more than doubled when compared to the same month in 2019.
This isn’t happening for a lack of trying on the part of the police. Despite losing almost 2,500 police officers to early retirement or resignations and seeing significant cuts to their overtime budget, the NYPD still managed to take 607 illegal firearms off the streets last month. But the supply of gangbangers seems virtually endless and they run their own illegal weapons trade. They’re obviously doing a brisk business this year.
We are only a few months from entering Mayor Bill de Blasio’s final year in office at this point. (He’s term-limited and can’t run again in 2021.) This grim headline is part of the legacy that Hizzoner will leave in his wake unless current trends somehow turn around briskly and dramatically. Crime is creeping back up to levels not seen since “the bad old days” and the streets are far less safe than they’ve been in a long time. De Blasio’s failed leadership in the face of both the pandemic and the riots has left far too many businesses either permanently closed or only a shadow of their former selves. Those who are able to have been moving out to the suburbs as fast as their U-Haul trucks can take them. (Assuming you can find a truck to rent.)
The school system in New York City is a total disaster at this point, with the Mayor’s “hybrid” plan of having students alternate working from home with physical attendance in classrooms leaving both parents and students fuming. Pretty much the entire police force curses the Mayor’s name and relations between the police and the community are as bad as they’ve been in recent memory. So does this mean that New Yorkers will finally see the light and stop electing liberal Democrats like de Blasio back to office again and again?
Don’t bet on it. At this point, Maya Wiley, a top aide to de Blasio and cut from the same mold, is one of the early favorites to replace him. Meanwhile, the New York Times is focused on the question of why they shouldn’t have yet another White mayor. (Wiley is Black, by the way, so she’s got that going for her.) And if New Yorkers go to the polls next year and elect yet another de Blasio clone, should we really have any sympathy for them if that choice produces the exact same results we’re seeing now? Don’t expect me to shed too many tears for them.


hotair--2020-10-04--Trump doctors: He could be released tomorrow -- even though we gave him a steroid yesterday

There was excellent news this morning when one doctor said at the daily press briefing that if he continued to respond well to treatment , he could be discharged as soon as Monday .
The less excellent part is that that ’ s very hard to square with the revelation that he ’ s already received the steroid dexamethasone .
Why ?
Because “ dex ” is the drug you give to patients with severe COVID , not those who are still early in the course of their illness .
The early drug is remdesivir , which Trump is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aimed at preventing the virus from spreading .
Dexamethasone is what you give when the virus has already spread .
It ’ s an immunosuppressant .
It can relieve inflammation around the lungs that may be inhibiting breathing .
It may also help calm the immune system when it ’ s running so hot in trying to fight off the virus that it ends up attacking one ’ s own organs , a potential late-stage problem .
All of that being so , it ’ s difficult to understand why any patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time .
You get remdesivir when you want your immune system to be ramping up , to beat back the virus .
( That ’ s why Trump got the Regeneron antibody treatment too . )
“ Dex ” would only retard that desired immune response , one would think .
A Times story about the steroid published this summer noted , “ It may be less likely to help — and may even harm — patients who are at an earlier stage of Covid-19 infections , however .
In its Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health recommends only using dexamethasone in patients with Covid-19 who are on a ventilator or are receiving supplemental oxygen.
” Stat is alarmed at the revelation about dexamethasone : Trump ’ s doctors confirmed Sunday that the president received oxygen for about an hour on Friday after a temporary drop in his oxygen levels .
Sean Conley , the president ’ s physician , told reporters on Sunday outside Walter Reed National Military Medical , where Trump is being treated , that the president also experienced a “ transient ” drop in oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t sure if oxygen was given .
Conley said that drop in Trump ’ s oxygen saturation to 93 % on Saturday morning prompted the decision to initiate the steroid therapy , believing “ the potential benefits early on in the course ” outweighted any downsides .
The concern with dexamethasone is that it can suppress the immune system ’ s activity broadly .
While that can be helpful in severe illness — which is typically caused by the immune system overreacting to the infection , not the virus itself — giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune system from trying to fight the virus in the first place .
That ’ s why they gave it to him — he needed oxygen .
In fact , Conley said this morning that Trump ’ s blood oxygen saturation has dropped to concerning levels twice now .
He was asked yesterday whether the president had received supplemental oxygen at any point and was evasive , but today he came clean and admitted that he had .
When reporters asked him why he ’ d been deceptive when the public is begging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob-ish answer : He was trying to be “ upbeat ” because he didn ’ t want to steer the course of the illness in a bad direction ?
Did he think the virus was listening to him yesterday like some Russian spy , ready to exploit sensitive information if Conley admitted it publicly ?
One of the reasons many of Trump ’ s critics glibly compare him to a dictator even though he rarely asserts his more autocratic impulses ( remember when he tweeted about possibly delaying the election ? )
is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resembles how a caudillo ’ s retinue behaves .
Even his doctor can ’ t get through a press conference about him without deceiving the public because the leader will be angry at him if shares any evidence of “ weakness.
” Never mind that the “ weakness ” in this case was something as simple as Trump needing oxygen because of COVID , something hundreds of thousands of Americans have coped with and can sympathize with .
Conley was also asked today what condition Trump ’ s lungs are in and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also pressed Conley whether Trump ’ s oxygen levels had ever dipped below 90 % , and he would only say that “ We don ’ t have any recordings here of that.
” Asked further if Trump had ever registered an oxygen level below 90 % at any point since his diagnosis , whether at Walter Reed or at the White House , Conley demurred .
“ No , it was below 94 % .
It wasn ’ t down into the low 80s or anything , no ” Conley said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can still be a concern .
Asked specifically if doctors had found signs of pneumonia in or damage to the president ’ s lungs , Conley would only say “ we ’ re tracking all that ” and that there have been “ some expected findings , but nothing of any major clinical concern.
” Conley also repeatedly avoided answering any questions about Trump ’ s lung scans .
Why is it important to know what Trump ’ s lungs looked like ?
Because if there ’ s evidence of pneumonia , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottom line : it seems like Trump is stable , but remains at high risk , given transient hypoxemia , some findings on chest imaging .
The happy talk and evasions are clearly at Trump ’ s direction , putting the docs in a terrible position .
No way he ’ s ready for discharge tomorrow , ” said Wachter , the chair of UCSF Medicine .
Conley ’ s credibility is shot .
Throw it on the pile with everyone else ’ s .
We ’ re left with the unanswered question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How far into this disease is he , exactly ?
It seems bizarre that within 48 hours of diagnosis on Thursday night — if in fact he was diagnosed on Thursday night — he ’ s already at the stage where he needs dexamethasone .
“ Two possibilities , ” said Dr. Jeremy Faust yesterday .
“ A ) President recently got infected and has a HUGE viral load , such that his symptoms occurred very early ( worrisome ) .
B ) President was infected many days ago , 4-7 days or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a positive test but continued usual schedule.
” Other doctors share Faust ’ s conclusion .
How long has COVID been attacking Trump ’ s system ?
I ’ d be curious to hear from doctors or nurses out there as to whether they ’ ve ever heard of a patient needing dexamethasone and then being discharged within two days .
I ’ m sure there are exceptions to every rule , but that is the exception , not the rule , right ?
Exit question : Given how concerning Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would his doctors tease the possibility of releasing him tomorrow ?
If they end up having to hold him , which seems plausible if not likely , it ’ ll only instigate another round of “ Trump is sicker than they ’ re letting on ” speculation .

There was excellent news this morning when one doctor said at the daily press briefing that if he continued to respond well to treatment, he could be discharged as soon as Monday.
The less excellent part is that that’s very hard to square with the revelation that he’s already received the steroid dexamethasone. Why? Because “dex” is the drug you give to patients with severe COVID, not those who are still early in the course of their illness. The early drug is remdesivir, which Trump is also receiving. That’s an antiviral, aimed at preventing the virus from spreading. Dexamethasone is what you give when the virus has already spread. It’s an immunosuppressant. It can relieve inflammation around the lungs that may be inhibiting breathing. It may also help calm the immune system when it’s running so hot in trying to fight off the virus that it ends up attacking one’s own organs, a potential late-stage problem.
All of that being so, it’s difficult to understand why any patient would get remdesivir and dexamethasone at the same time. You get remdesivir when you want your immune system to be ramping up, to beat back the virus. (That’s why Trump got the Regeneron antibody treatment too.) “Dex” would only retard that desired immune response, one would think. A Times story about the steroid published this summer noted, “It may be less likely to help — and may even harm — patients who are at an earlier stage of Covid-19 infections, however. In its Covid-19 treatment guidelines, the National Institutes of Health recommends only using dexamethasone in patients with Covid-19 who are on a ventilator or are receiving supplemental oxygen.”
Stat is alarmed at the revelation about dexamethasone:
Trump’s doctors confirmed Sunday that the president received oxygen for about an hour on Friday after a temporary drop in his oxygen levels. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, told reporters on Sunday outside Walter Reed National Military Medical, where Trump is being treated, that the president also experienced a “transient” drop in oxygen levels Saturday but said that he wasn’t sure if oxygen was given. Conley said that drop in Trump’s oxygen saturation to 93% on Saturday morning prompted the decision to initiate the steroid therapy, believing “the potential benefits early on in the course” outweighted any downsides. The concern with dexamethasone is that it can suppress the immune system’s activity broadly. While that can be helpful in severe illness — which is typically caused by the immune system overreacting to the infection, not the virus itself — giving the steroid too soon could hinder the immune system from trying to fight the virus in the first place.
That’s why they gave it to him — he needed oxygen. In fact, Conley said this morning that Trump’s blood oxygen saturation has dropped to concerning levels twice now. He was asked yesterday whether the president had received supplemental oxygen at any point and was evasive, but today he came clean and admitted that he had. When reporters asked him why he’d been deceptive when the public is begging for clarity, he gave this Baghdad Bob-ish answer:
Trump's doctor says he didn't admit yesterday that Trump was put on oxygen because he was trying to be publicly upbeat. "I didn't want to give any information that might steer the illness in another direction." pic.twitter.com/luMyDyacZH — David Mack (@davidmackau) October 4, 2020
He was trying to be “upbeat” because he didn’t want to steer the course of the illness in a bad direction? Did he think the virus was listening to him yesterday like some Russian spy, ready to exploit sensitive information if Conley admitted it publicly?
One of the reasons many of Trump’s critics glibly compare him to a dictator even though he rarely asserts his more autocratic impulses (remember when he tweeted about possibly delaying the election?) is because the culture of cronies around him resembles how a caudillo’s retinue behaves. Even his doctor can’t get through a press conference about him without deceiving the public because the leader will be angry at him if shares any evidence of “weakness.” Never mind that the “weakness” in this case was something as simple as Trump needing oxygen because of COVID, something hundreds of thousands of Americans have coped with and can sympathize with.
Conley was also asked today what condition Trump’s lungs are in and, surprise, he was evasive:
Reporters also pressed Conley whether Trump’s oxygen levels had ever dipped below 90%, and he would only say that “We don’t have any recordings here of that.” Asked further if Trump had ever registered an oxygen level below 90% at any point since his diagnosis, whether at Walter Reed or at the White House, Conley demurred. “No, it was below 94%. It wasn’t down into the low 80s or anything, no” Conley said. A blood oxygen saturation in the mid-80s can still be a concern. Asked specifically if doctors had found signs of pneumonia in or damage to the president’s lungs, Conley would only say “we’re tracking all that” and that there have been “some expected findings, but nothing of any major clinical concern.” Conley also repeatedly avoided answering any questions about Trump’s lung scans.
Why is it important to know what Trump’s lungs looked like? Because if there’s evidence of pneumonia, that’s a big deal:
… But it seems far likelier that they found evidence of pneumonia or other manifestations of Covid lung involvement or inflammation, which is serious and raises the level of concern and risk. (4/8) — Bob Wachter (@Bob_Wachter) October 4, 2020
“Bottom line: it seems like Trump is stable, but remains at high risk, given transient hypoxemia, some findings on chest imaging. The happy talk and evasions are clearly at Trump’s direction, putting the docs in a terrible position. No way he’s ready for discharge tomorrow,” said Wachter, the chair of UCSF Medicine. Conley’s credibility is shot. Throw it on the pile with everyone else’s.
We’re left with the unanswered question: When did Trump get infected? How far into this disease is he, exactly? It seems bizarre that within 48 hours of diagnosis on Thursday night — if in fact he was diagnosed on Thursday night — he’s already at the stage where he needs dexamethasone. “Two possibilities,” said Dr. Jeremy Faust yesterday. “A) President recently got infected and has a HUGE viral load, such that his symptoms occurred very early (worrisome). B) President was infected many days ago, 4-7 days or more, but had not been tested—or had a positive test but continued usual schedule.” Other doctors share Faust’s conclusion. How long has COVID been attacking Trump’s system?
I’d be curious to hear from doctors or nurses out there as to whether they’ve ever heard of a patient needing dexamethasone and then being discharged within two days. I’m sure there are exceptions to every rule, but that is the exception, not the rule, right? Exit question: Given how concerning Trump’s symptoms are, why the hell would his doctors tease the possibility of releasing him tomorrow? If they end up having to hold him, which seems plausible if not likely, it’ll only instigate another round of “Trump is sicker than they’re letting on” speculation.


hotair--2020-10-04--College alumni sign letter opposing Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination

1,513 alumni of Rhodes College in Nashville , Tennessee signed a letter opposing Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court .
As you probably guessed , it ’ s about abortion .
Past nominations of conservative judges also brought out the same vitriol so this is now expected behavior .
Amy Coney Barrett graduated magna cum laude in 1994 , was a member of the Honor Council , and named to the Student Hall of Fame .
Rhodes College is a small private liberal arts college historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church .
The student population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports that the college is “ academically very strong ” and “ unparalleled , especially in the sciences ” .
Before the president formally nominated ACB , Rhodes President Marjorie Hass released a glowing statement supporting her inclusion as a possible nominee on September 22 .
Former Supreme Court justice Abe Fortas was also a graduate of Rhodes College .
It is remarkable that a Rhodes graduate should appear at the top of a list of potential Supreme Court nominees , but it is in keeping with a long history of Rhodes connections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alumnus Abe Fortas ’ 30 became a Supreme Court justice .
Rhodes graduates have clerked for Justices and serve as federal judges .
Rhodes has hosted both Justice Stephen Breyer and the late Justice Antonin Scalia on our campus .
Our mock trial team is among the very best—in many years , the best—in the country .
Judge Coney Barrett participates in this tradition of academic excellence .
As a member of the Rhodes College Class of 1994 , she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she was elected to the Honor Council and to the Student Hall of Fame .
She has gone on to a career of professional distinction and achievement .
After acknowledging the politicization of the nomination process , she wrote of the “ widely divergent ” perspectives of the students and alums writing to her with opinions about ACB ’ s possible nomination .
That is what the college experience is supposed to be about , right ?
Before it became clear in recent years that there is little room for conservative thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main purposes of a college education was to teach students to hear opposing views and form their own opinions about a wide range of topics .
So , now that conservative thought and speakers are regularly shut out on college campuses , it is not surprising that when conservatives are nominated to the Supreme Court , liberal former classmates let it be known that they disapprove .
As with the last two nominees put forward by President Trump , Amy Coney Barrett finds herself in the same position of being the target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-life history .
It always boils down to abortion with the left .
Rhodes alumni Rob Marus and Katherine Morgan Breslin wrote a letter criticizing ACB ’ s pro-life beliefs .
Posted online , it states that they are “ firmly and passionately opposed to her nomination ” because she fails to represent their views and values .
“ We are likewise firmly and passionately opposed to Rhodes administrators ’ attempts to embrace Amy Coney Barrett as an alumna of our beloved alma mater , ” the letter said .
“ We oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record and the process that has produced her nomination are diametrically opposed to the values of truth , loyalty , and service that we learned at Rhodes.
” Barrett ’ s abortion views are a particular point of contention .
Barrett voted at least twice on abortion issues as an appellate judge , both times joining dissenting opinions to decisions that favored abortion rights .
The Rhodes alumni letter was signed by students who graduated as far back as 1959 , and some who knew Barrett and were in her graduating class .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn or “ seriously curtail ” Roe v. Wade , the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that declared abortion a constitutional right .
The letter accuses her of sidestepping questions about how she would rule if the abortion case were challenged before the Supreme Court .
And it claims she has deflected questions about her stance toward the LGBTQ community and her alleged association with an anti-LBGTQ group .
“ Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly shaded the truth about her own views and past associations , ” the letter said .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial philosophy and record that fails to serve and protect the vulnerable in our society , including immigrants , those in the criminal justice system , and individuals reliant on the Affordable Care Act.
” Funny that they blast ACB for allegedly not protecting immigrants , right ?
She and her husband adopted two children from Haiti .
Liberals don ’ t want another conservative on the Supreme Court because the first big case scheduled to come before the court in the next session is one on Obamacare .
With ACB , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To her credit , President Hass is standing by her praise of ACB .
After the opposition posted their letter , she offered another statement .
She encouraged “ all members of the Rhodes community to rise to this moment with courage and to speak , act , and vote in the service of justice.
” “ I hope that your letter – as well as the support , dissent , and attention it has generated – serves as a spur for robust engagement with the political process , ” Hass wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public remarks praising Barrett ’ s “ exceptional record of academic achievement ” at Rhodes .
“ The college will continue to speak of her with respect and friendship , ” Hass wrote .
Later , she added , she was “ happy to re-affirm my own commitment and the commitment of the college to stand against bigotry and for the rights of minority and marginalized students and alumni.
” That ’ s a good lesson for current students – don ’ t bend a knee to the angry mob .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal beliefs is the right of every American , conservatives included .

1,513 alumni of Rhodes College in Nashville, Tennessee signed a letter opposing Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court. As you probably guessed, it’s about abortion. Past nominations of conservative judges also brought out the same vitriol so this is now expected behavior.
Amy Coney Barrett graduated magna cum laude in 1994, was a member of the Honor Council, and named to the Student Hall of Fame. Rhodes College is a small private liberal arts college historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The student population is about 2,000. The Princeton Review reports that the college is “academically very strong” and “unparalleled, especially in the sciences”. Before the president formally nominated ACB, Rhodes President Marjorie Hass released a glowing statement supporting her inclusion as a possible nominee on September 22. Former Supreme Court justice Abe Fortas was also a graduate of Rhodes College.
It is remarkable that a Rhodes graduate should appear at the top of a list of potential Supreme Court nominees, but it is in keeping with a long history of Rhodes connections to the highest court in the land. Alumnus Abe Fortas ’30 became a Supreme Court justice. Rhodes graduates have clerked for Justices and serve as federal judges. Rhodes has hosted both Justice Stephen Breyer and the late Justice Antonin Scalia on our campus. Our mock trial team is among the very best—in many years, the best—in the country. Judge Coney Barrett participates in this tradition of academic excellence. As a member of the Rhodes College Class of 1994, she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While at Rhodes, she was elected to the Honor Council and to the Student Hall of Fame. She has gone on to a career of professional distinction and achievement.
After acknowledging the politicization of the nomination process, she wrote of the “widely divergent” perspectives of the students and alums writing to her with opinions about ACB’s possible nomination. That is what the college experience is supposed to be about, right? Before it became clear in recent years that there is little room for conservative thought on college campuses, one of the main purposes of a college education was to teach students to hear opposing views and form their own opinions about a wide range of topics. So, now that conservative thought and speakers are regularly shut out on college campuses, it is not surprising that when conservatives are nominated to the Supreme Court, liberal former classmates let it be known that they disapprove. As with the last two nominees put forward by President Trump, Amy Coney Barrett finds herself in the same position of being the target of the liberal opposition, especially for her pro-life history. It always boils down to abortion with the left.
Rhodes alumni Rob Marus and Katherine Morgan Breslin wrote a letter criticizing ACB’s pro-life beliefs. Posted online, it states that they are “firmly and passionately opposed to her nomination” because she fails to represent their views and values.
“We are likewise firmly and passionately opposed to Rhodes administrators’ attempts to embrace Amy Coney Barrett as an alumna of our beloved alma mater,” the letter said. “We oppose this embrace because we believe both her record and the process that has produced her nomination are diametrically opposed to the values of truth, loyalty, and service that we learned at Rhodes.” Barrett’s abortion views are a particular point of contention. Barrett voted at least twice on abortion issues as an appellate judge, both times joining dissenting opinions to decisions that favored abortion rights. The Rhodes alumni letter was signed by students who graduated as far back as 1959, and some who knew Barrett and were in her graduating class. It expresses concerns that she might vote to overturn or “seriously curtail” Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that declared abortion a constitutional right. The letter accuses her of sidestepping questions about how she would rule if the abortion case were challenged before the Supreme Court. And it claims she has deflected questions about her stance toward the LGBTQ community and her alleged association with an anti-LBGTQ group. “Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly shaded the truth about her own views and past associations,” the letter said. It added that Barrett “has demonstrated a judicial philosophy and record that fails to serve and protect the vulnerable in our society, including immigrants, those in the criminal justice system, and individuals reliant on the Affordable Care Act.”
Funny that they blast ACB for allegedly not protecting immigrants, right? She and her husband adopted two children from Haiti. Liberals don’t want another conservative on the Supreme Court because the first big case scheduled to come before the court in the next session is one on Obamacare. With ACB, the court will be a majority conservative court.
To her credit, President Hass is standing by her praise of ACB. After the opposition posted their letter, she offered another statement. She encouraged “all members of the Rhodes community to rise to this moment with courage and to speak, act, and vote in the service of justice.”
“I hope that your letter – as well as the support, dissent, and attention it has generated – serves as a spur for robust engagement with the political process,” Hass wrote. She stood by her previous letter and public remarks praising Barrett’s “exceptional record of academic achievement” at Rhodes. “The college will continue to speak of her with respect and friendship,” Hass wrote. Later, she added, she was “happy to re-affirm my own commitment and the commitment of the college to stand against bigotry and for the rights of minority and marginalized students and alumni.”
That’s a good lesson for current students – don’t bend a knee to the angry mob. They are never satisfied. Standing up for personal beliefs is the right of every American, conservatives included.


hotair--2020-10-04--What we own, and what we owe: Sunday reflection

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people : “ Hear another parable .
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard , put a hedge around it , dug a wine press in it , and built a tower .
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey .
When vintage time drew near , he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce .
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat , another they killed , and a third they stoned .
Again he sent other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones , but they treated them in the same way .
Finally , he sent his son to them , thinking , ‘ They will respect my son.
’ But when the tenants saw the son , they said to one another , ‘ This is the heir .
Come , let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.
’ They seized him , threw him out of the vineyard , and killed him .
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes ?
” They answered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.
” Jesus said to them , “ Did you never read in the Scriptures : The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone ; by the Lord has this been done , and it is wonderful in our eyes ?
Therefore , I say to you , the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we owe ?
Our readings today touch on the necessity of discerning between the two — what truly “ belongs ” to us , and what we truly owe to the Creator .
But in another way , they speak to a deeper question : do we acknowledge God at all , or do we think we are Him ?
Today ’ s Gospel reading seems straightforward as a parable about the prophets and the Messiah — and it is .
Jesus aimed this teaching specifically at the leadership caste of Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve the people and follow the prophets .
They were the stewards of the Lord ’ s chosen people , and yet this parable makes clear that they toiled only for themselves and ignored the Lord .
The long arc of salvation history certainly makes that much clear .
The Lord gave the land to the Israelites not just to give them their own territory , but to become a nation of priests to the entire world .
Their mission from the Lord was to teach the rest of the world His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , or at least the knowledge of salvation .
To accomplish this , the Lord worked powerful miracles on behalf of the Israelites , not just for their sake but so that they could command the credibility for this mission .
So it is fair to say , then , that the grant of the Promised Land was not a transfer of ownership but instead a matter of stewardship .
However , the Israelites almost from the beginning saw it as their land , from which to vie for worldly power and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation of priests , they traded for alliances , often allowing idol worship or even engaging in it to increase their wealth and power in the region .
The kings rejected the prophets , ignored the Law , and their corrupt regimes eventually crumbled when the Lord refused to intervene .
Even their lands were taken , first by the Assyrians and then the Babylonians , and later and more finally by the Romans .
It was only in this series of calamities that we discern the correct relationship of stewardship , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not just a matter of misunderstanding in Jesus ’ parable , but a knowing rejection of the authority of the true Owner .
The grasping and vicious tenants of Jesus ’ parable know full well what they are doing , but plot all along to take the land from the Owner .
They will even kill His Son to complete their theft , all so that they themselves can arrogate His power to themselves .
This is Original Sin .
It is the sin of Adam and Eve , who ate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Garden rather than the Lord .
In fact , this parable is just a more robust and perhaps a bit more timely version of the Genesis story .
The Lord gave the Garden to Adam and Eve , and warned them about transgressing — just as the prophets did with Israel and Judah .
Adam and Eve didn ’ t listen , but instead used their free will to pretend that they were the Lord ’ s equal or even superior , assuming they owned the place rather than acted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin , too , when we lose sight of what we own versus what we owe .
We get too caught up in our possessions and our own ambitions and hurts without recognizing that all we have is a gift in the first place .
We are not given these gifts strictly for our own purposes alone ; we are given these gifts in order to lift each other up and highlight the path to salvation .
That is the purpose of the gift by the true Owner .
In our first reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His vineyard , the House of Israel , did not produce good fruit : Why , when I looked for the crop of grapes , did it bring forth wild grapes ?
Now , I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard : take away its hedge , give it to grazing , break through its wall , let it be trampled !
Yes , I will make it a ruin : it shall not be pruned or hoed , but overgrown with thorns and briers ; I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain upon it .
The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel , and the people of Judah are his cherished plant ; he looked for judgment , but see , bloodshed !
for justice , but hark , the outcry !
Isaiah prophesied this less than a century before the fall of Israel to the Assyrians , and two centuries before the fall of Judah to the Babylonians .
The prophets had long warned of an eviction of the Israelites for failing to heed the Lord and producing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
This warning from Jesus to the elders and priests of that time was the final prophecy of destruction of Judah , which would come in less than 40 years .
However , it ’ s a warning to us as well .
It ’ s not a warning of destruction so much as it is an instruction to recognize the sin within us of idolizing ourselves .
We are not the owner , Jesus teaches ; we are the ower .
We are stewards rather than lords , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gospel above all else .
That starts by cultivating the gifts we have ourselves , living lives of charity , and reaching out to help others do the same .
When we do that , as Paul writes to the Philippians in our second reading today , “ then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
” May His peace be with all of you today !
The front-page image is “ Jesus Among the Doctors ” by Paolo Veronese , c. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museo del Prado , Madrid , Spain .
Via Wikimedia Commons .
“ Sunday Reflection ” is a regular feature , looking at the specific readings used in today ’ s Mass in Catholic parishes around the world .
The reflection represents only my own point of view , intended to help prepare myself for the Lord ’ s day and perhaps spark a meaningful discussion .
Previous Sunday Reflections from the main page can be found here .

This morning’s Gospel reading is Matthew 21:33–43:
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
What do we own, and what do we owe? Our readings today touch on the necessity of discerning between the two — what truly “belongs” to us, and what we truly owe to the Creator. But in another way, they speak to a deeper question: do we acknowledge God at all, or do we think we are Him?
Today’s Gospel reading seems straightforward as a parable about the prophets and the Messiah — and it is. Jesus aimed this teaching specifically at the leadership caste of Jerusalem, whose duty it should have been to serve the people and follow the prophets. They were the stewards of the Lord’s chosen people, and yet this parable makes clear that they toiled only for themselves and ignored the Lord.
The long arc of salvation history certainly makes that much clear. The Lord gave the land to the Israelites not just to give them their own territory, but to become a nation of priests to the entire world. Their mission from the Lord was to teach the rest of the world His laws and to bring salvation to all people, or at least the knowledge of salvation. To accomplish this, the Lord worked powerful miracles on behalf of the Israelites, not just for their sake but so that they could command the credibility for this mission.
So it is fair to say, then, that the grant of the Promised Land was not a transfer of ownership but instead a matter of stewardship. However, the Israelites almost from the beginning saw it as their land, from which to vie for worldly power and authority. Rather than act as a nation of priests, they traded for alliances, often allowing idol worship or even engaging in it to increase their wealth and power in the region. The kings rejected the prophets, ignored the Law, and their corrupt regimes eventually crumbled when the Lord refused to intervene. Even their lands were taken, first by the Assyrians and then the Babylonians, and later and more finally by the Romans.
It was only in this series of calamities that we discern the correct relationship of stewardship, not ownership. The failure to comprehend that is not just a matter of misunderstanding in Jesus’ parable, but a knowing rejection of the authority of the true Owner. The grasping and vicious tenants of Jesus’ parable know full well what they are doing, but plot all along to take the land from the Owner. They will even kill His Son to complete their theft, all so that they themselves can arrogate His power to themselves.
This is Original Sin. It is the sin of Adam and Eve, who ate the fruit so that they could become masters of the Garden rather than the Lord. In fact, this parable is just a more robust and perhaps a bit more timely version of the Genesis story. The Lord gave the Garden to Adam and Eve, and warned them about transgressing — just as the prophets did with Israel and Judah. Adam and Eve didn’t listen, but instead used their free will to pretend that they were the Lord’s equal or even superior, assuming they owned the place rather than acted as its stewards.
And this is our sin, too, when we lose sight of what we own versus what we owe. We get too caught up in our possessions and our own ambitions and hurts without recognizing that all we have is a gift in the first place. We are not given these gifts strictly for our own purposes alone; we are given these gifts in order to lift each other up and highlight the path to salvation. That is the purpose of the gift by the true Owner.
In our first reading, Isaiah warned what would happen if His vineyard, the House of Israel, did not produce good fruit:
Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!
Isaiah prophesied this less than a century before the fall of Israel to the Assyrians, and two centuries before the fall of Judah to the Babylonians. The prophets had long warned of an eviction of the Israelites for failing to heed the Lord and producing nothing for the mission of salvation to the world. This warning from Jesus to the elders and priests of that time was the final prophecy of destruction of Judah, which would come in less than 40 years.
However, it’s a warning to us as well. It’s not a warning of destruction so much as it is an instruction to recognize the sin within us of idolizing ourselves. We are not the owner, Jesus teaches; we are the ower. We are stewards rather than lords, and our charge is to advance the salvation of the Gospel above all else. That starts by cultivating the gifts we have ourselves, living lives of charity, and reaching out to help others do the same. When we do that, as Paul writes to the Philippians in our second reading today, “then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
May His peace be with all of you today!
The front-page image is “Jesus Among the Doctors”by Paolo Veronese, c. 1560. Currently on display in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain. Via Wikimedia Commons.
“Sunday Reflection” is a regular feature, looking at the specific readings used in today’s Mass in Catholic parishes around the world. The reflection represents only my own point of view, intended to help prepare myself for the Lord’s day and perhaps spark a meaningful discussion. Previous Sunday Reflections from the main page can be found here.


hotair--2020-10-04--That migrant caravan from Honduras didn't make it very far

On Friday , John reported on the return of an unwelcome fall ritual .
That would be the start of the migrant caravan season when illegal aliens gather together in huge groups to attempt the trek from Guatemala and Honduras up through Mexico to either try to cross the United States border illegally or present themselves for asylum .
( Frequently both if they get caught trying to jump the border . )
In this case , roughly 1,000 migrants , primarily from Honduras , formed up and headed through Guatemala toward Mexico ’ s southern border heading north .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have swollen to 2,000 .
But in a surprising turn of events , the governments of both Guatemala and Mexico stepped up their games and shut the caravan down almost entirely .
As of this morning , the vast majority of them were on buses heading back to Honduras .
( Associated Press ) About 1,000 Honduran migrants headed for the United States became increasingly desperate Friday in the face of a police and army roadblock in northern Guatemala that was preventing them from continuing toward the United States .
Seldom since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caravan been so discouraging .
Guatemala ’ s president sees them as a contagion risk amid the coronavirus pandemic and has vowed to deport them .
Mexico ’ s president thinks the caravan is a plot to influence the U.S. elections .
And newly formed Tropical Storm Gamma threatens to dump torrential rain on their planned route through southern Mexico .
Fears of a confrontation grew as over 100 Guatemalan soldiers and police blocked the migrants , who became increasingly frustrated with the lack of food and forward movement after walking hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fears that the Guatemalan soldiers might actually open fire on the migrants never materialized , though the rumor made for some hot headlines in the local press .
Instead , when some self-appointed leaders of the caravan demanded that the soldiers either let them pass or give them some food , they were informed that they had entered the country illegally and would be deported back to their nation of origin .
Some small groups reportedly made it past the roadblock , but their future prospects didn ’ t look much better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Guatemalan government ’ s concerns over the caravan potentially spreading the novel coronavirus , but he also speculated about political motives for the caravan ’ s formation .
He believes that it was formed with the intent to influence the American elections next month .
While not saying who he thought such a maneuver might benefit , he said that Mexico is “ not naive ” and could see the writing on the wall .
That ’ s not a particularly crazy idea .
Having a couple of thousand migrants show up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own or ones they are trafficking ) would likely give the American liberal media some great photo opportunities .
They would probably have arrived right near the end of the month and the press would obviously take the opportunity to talk about Donald Trump ’ s “ cruel anti-immigrant policies ” right before people head to the polls .
The Associated Press interviewed several of the migrants and the stories they tell are very much in line with the point that John was making on Friday .
None of the people quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppression at home or open warfare .
They all said they were looking for work , making them economic migrants .
And that ’ s not a category that typically qualifies for asylum , though most of them no doubt planned to put in a claim once they reached our borders .
While I don ’ t want to sound too harsh here , we already have more than enough people out of work in the United States thanks to the plague , so we really don ’ t need the competition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ Remain in Mexico ” policy is still in effect and being supported by the Mexican government , so most of those people would have been sent back across the border anyway .
( Assuming they didn ’ t find a coyote to smuggle them across . )
A few small groups were still on the road heading north as of last night , but nowhere near the thousands that might have been on the way had the President ’ s new policies not gone into effect .
In that regard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullet that we didn ’ t need to deal with along with all of the other garbage going on .

On Friday, John reported on the return of an unwelcome fall ritual. That would be the start of the migrant caravan season when illegal aliens gather together in huge groups to attempt the trek from Guatemala and Honduras up through Mexico to either try to cross the United States border illegally or present themselves for asylum. (Frequently both if they get caught trying to jump the border.) In this case, roughly 1,000 migrants, primarily from Honduras, formed up and headed through Guatemala toward Mexico’s southern border heading north. By yesterday, their numbers were estimated to have swollen to 2,000. But in a surprising turn of events, the governments of both Guatemala and Mexico stepped up their games and shut the caravan down almost entirely. As of this morning, the vast majority of them were on buses heading back to Honduras. (Associated Press)
About 1,000 Honduran migrants headed for the United States became increasingly desperate Friday in the face of a police and army roadblock in northern Guatemala that was preventing them from continuing toward the United States. Seldom since 2018 have the prospects for a migrant caravan been so discouraging. Guatemala’s president sees them as a contagion risk amid the coronavirus pandemic and has vowed to deport them. Mexico’s president thinks the caravan is a plot to influence the U.S. elections. And newly formed Tropical Storm Gamma threatens to dump torrential rain on their planned route through southern Mexico. Fears of a confrontation grew as over 100 Guatemalan soldiers and police blocked the migrants, who became increasingly frustrated with the lack of food and forward movement after walking hundreds of kilometers from Honduras earlier this week.
Fears that the Guatemalan soldiers might actually open fire on the migrants never materialized, though the rumor made for some hot headlines in the local press. Instead, when some self-appointed leaders of the caravan demanded that the soldiers either let them pass or give them some food, they were informed that they had entered the country illegally and would be deported back to their nation of origin. Some small groups reportedly made it past the roadblock, but their future prospects didn’t look much better.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador echoed the Guatemalan government’s concerns over the caravan potentially spreading the novel coronavirus, but he also speculated about political motives for the caravan’s formation. He believes that it was formed with the intent to influence the American elections next month. While not saying who he thought such a maneuver might benefit, he said that Mexico is “not naive” and could see the writing on the wall.
That’s not a particularly crazy idea. Having a couple of thousand migrants show up at the border carrying children (either their own or ones they are trafficking) would likely give the American liberal media some great photo opportunities. They would probably have arrived right near the end of the month and the press would obviously take the opportunity to talk about Donald Trump’s “cruel anti-immigrant policies” right before people head to the polls.
The Associated Press interviewed several of the migrants and the stories they tell are very much in line with the point that John was making on Friday. None of the people quoted in the linked article talked about political oppression at home or open warfare. They all said they were looking for work, making them economic migrants. And that’s not a category that typically qualifies for asylum, though most of them no doubt planned to put in a claim once they reached our borders.
While I don’t want to sound too harsh here, we already have more than enough people out of work in the United States thanks to the plague, so we really don’t need the competition for jobs. Also, the President’s “Remain in Mexico” policy is still in effect and being supported by the Mexican government, so most of those people would have been sent back across the border anyway. (Assuming they didn’t find a coyote to smuggle them across.) A few small groups were still on the road heading north as of last night, but nowhere near the thousands that might have been on the way had the President’s new policies not gone into effect. In that regard, we may have just dodged yet another bullet that we didn’t need to deal with along with all of the other garbage going on.


hotair--2020-10-04--Trump "not out of the woods yet" with COVID, confusion ensues

When I first wrote about the POTUS/COVID story on Friday morning , I assumed this was going to be a medical story that would inevitably have some politics dragged into it .
48 hours later , it ’ s looking more and more like a political story that ’ s getting muddled by medical details .
I want to address a few of the controversies that have cropped up in a moment , but we should first get to the latest reports on the President ’ s condition and prognosis that are as close to being “ official ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press ) President Donald Trump went through a “ very concerning ” period Friday and faces a “ critical ” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital , his chief of staff said Saturday — in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors , who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission .
Trump remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday .
He offered his own assessment of his status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital suite , saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to “ be back soon.
” Hours earlier , chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters outside the hospital , “ We ’ re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery.
” In an update Saturday night , Trump ’ s chief doctor expressed cautious optimism but added that the president was “ not yet out of the woods.
” As of this morning , we ’ re further being told that the President ’ s temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsided to normal .
But at the same time , medical authorities are reminding us that Trump is taking aspirin , which tends to lower a patient ’ s temperature and can mask that particular symptom .
COVID patients around the country have experienced ups and downs in the early days of showing symptoms and we may need to wait until the seventh to tenth days of being symptomatic ( October 9th through 12th ) before his doctors have a clear idea which direction the disease will take in his case .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put out last night .
He seems to be upbeat , sounding mostly normal , and very grateful for all of the support he ’ s received from the nation and his medical team .
This story has rapidly devolved into a food fight over the timeline of events .
When I first read Allahpundit ’ s article yesterday asking the inevitable questions about ‘ what Trump knew ( about his medical situation ) and when did he know it , ’ I found the story rather hard to digest .
Either the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed ( Conley and Garibaldi ) are totally incompetent or they ’ ve been conscripted into some political theater with no experience in that arena to guide them .
Let ’ s face it .
No matter how charitable you want to be toward the President ’ s team on this issue , the medical staff that was sent out to make an official statement have turned this situation into a tempest .
Their initial description of the timeline sounded both typical and professional .
As of Saturday morning , they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 48 hours into the Regeneron therapy .
Then , when everyone immediately freaked out , they were sent back out to say that actually , they meant “ day three and day two.
” So 72 hours became 36 hours ( shifting from potentially Wednesday afternoon to late Thursday night ) and 48 hours became… 24 hours ?
Add to that the way Conley kept trying to dodge the question of whether or not the President received supplemental oxygen .
He kept saying no , but qualifying the answer by including specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t a question that required any sort of interpretation or nuance .
It was a binary choice .
Either the patient did or didn ’ t receive oxygen at some point .
By choosing to parse his words in that way , Conley came off sounding like a politician rather than a doctor , and a pretty poor politician at that .
None of this exactly instill confidence .
Look , I get why the President and his staff would want to minimize this news as much as possible .
The country needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ready to rock .
Nobody ( aside from a bunch of unhinged liberals ) wants to be sitting around wondering if the leader of the free world might be dying , and the thought of Trump with an oxygen mask on would add to those concerns .
But having Conley and Garibald botch the presser that badly opened the door for the liberal press to have a field day with this .
Speaking of which , the Washington Post is taking every opportunity to suggest that Trump is the 2020 version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere from debate prep meetings to fundraisers .
You can expect to hear plenty more of that as the days grind on and every reporter on the DC beat turns into an amateur contact tracer , trying to see how many people Trump and his team may have “ infected ” before Trump even knew he ’ d tested positive .
In other words , what should have been a moment when the nation came together to support the President as he battles a potentially serious health issue , switched gears in less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another political crapstorm .
But given everything else that ’ s been going on in 2020 , should we really be wearing our shocked faces at this point ?

When I first wrote about the POTUS/COVID story on Friday morning, I assumed this was going to be a medical story that would inevitably have some politics dragged into it. 48 hours later, it’s looking more and more like a political story that’s getting muddled by medical details. I want to address a few of the controversies that have cropped up in a moment, but we should first get to the latest reports on the President’s condition and prognosis that are as close to being “official” as anything I could find. (Associated Press)
President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and faces a “critical” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital, his chief of staff said Saturday — in contrast to a rosier assessment moments earlier by Trump doctors, who took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House before his hospital admission. Trump remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday. He offered his own assessment of his status Saturday evening in a video from his hospital suite, saying he was beginning to feel better and hoped to “be back soon.” Hours earlier, chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters outside the hospital, “We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery.” In an update Saturday night, Trump’s chief doctor expressed cautious optimism but added that the president was “not yet out of the woods.”
As of this morning, we’re further being told that the President’s temperature had spiked on Friday but has since subsided to normal. But at the same time, medical authorities are reminding us that Trump is taking aspirin, which tends to lower a patient’s temperature and can mask that particular symptom. COVID patients around the country have experienced ups and downs in the early days of showing symptoms and we may need to wait until the seventh to tenth days of being symptomatic (October 9th through 12th) before his doctors have a clear idea which direction the disease will take in his case.
Here’s the video that the President put out last night. He seems to be upbeat, sounding mostly normal, and very grateful for all of the support he’s received from the nation and his medical team.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1312525833505058816
This story has rapidly devolved into a food fight over the timeline of events. When I first read Allahpundit’s article yesterday asking the inevitable questions about ‘what Trump knew (about his medical situation) and when did he know it,’ I found the story rather hard to digest. Either the President’s two primary doctors at Walter Reed (Conley and Garibaldi) are totally incompetent or they’ve been conscripted into some political theater with no experience in that arena to guide them.
Let’s face it. No matter how charitable you want to be toward the President’s team on this issue, the medical staff that was sent out to make an official statement have turned this situation into a tempest. Their initial description of the timeline sounded both typical and professional. As of Saturday morning, they said we were 72 hours into the diagnosis and 48 hours into the Regeneron therapy. Then, when everyone immediately freaked out, they were sent back out to say that actually, they meant “day three and day two.” So 72 hours became 36 hours (shifting from potentially Wednesday afternoon to late Thursday night) and 48 hours became… 24 hours?
Add to that the way Conley kept trying to dodge the question of whether or not the President received supplemental oxygen. He kept saying no, but qualifying the answer by including specific days and times. This wasn’t a question that required any sort of interpretation or nuance. It was a binary choice. Either the patient did or didn’t receive oxygen at some point. By choosing to parse his words in that way, Conley came off sounding like a politician rather than a doctor, and a pretty poor politician at that. None of this exactly instill confidence.
Look, I get why the President and his staff would want to minimize this news as much as possible. The country needs to see the President as being strong and ready to rock. Nobody (aside from a bunch of unhinged liberals) wants to be sitting around wondering if the leader of the free world might be dying, and the thought of Trump with an oxygen mask on would add to those concerns. But having Conley and Garibald botch the presser that badly opened the door for the liberal press to have a field day with this.
Speaking of which, the Washington Post is taking every opportunity to suggest that Trump is the 2020 version of Typhoid Mary, spreading the plague around everywhere from debate prep meetings to fundraisers. You can expect to hear plenty more of that as the days grind on and every reporter on the DC beat turns into an amateur contact tracer, trying to see how many people Trump and his team may have “infected” before Trump even knew he’d tested positive. In other words, what should have been a moment when the nation came together to support the President as he battles a potentially serious health issue, switched gears in less than 36 hours and turned into yet another political crapstorm. But given everything else that’s been going on in 2020, should we really be wearing our shocked faces at this point?