Reporting from my basement: Politics and pandemic, a deadly duo

mtierney said:

This video is an excellent example of how to get your point across. No gross characatures of a grossly fat and orange man who, however ill equipped for the job going in, has stayed true to form: a businessman who works deals, has a casino style  sense of humor, and liked the ladies along the way.

What he was not prepared for was a concerted effort throughout his first term to dishonor him with a politically motivated and unsuccessful impeachment process. It was a distraction for our government and ill advised. Nobody was minding the store.

Now a global pandemic of a new coronavirus made its appearance. Did the buffoonery folks give it a rest so that, even in a matter of random deaths worldwide, a supportive, collective “army” of citizens could marshal  their science, ingenuity, materials, money and talents to support our President?

The businessman/president, under laser focus, had to coordinate a fight against a deadly unseen and unknown enemy. If anyone had the guts to admit it, they would recognize the corporate mobilization launched at the start. Was he equipped for this job? No, no one is — how someone rises to the challenge makes the difference.

All the while, the media pummeled him relentlessly.

What my point of view of this unpresidential, no Lincoln, man is that, as President of the United States, right now, today, he needs to receive all the moral support he can to do the job he must. All our lives depend on his success against the plague.

Let’s allow him to do the job; to hope he fails, is treasonous.

 This is on the first page of this thread and sure reads like "bringing politics".

This thread took another direction a couple of days ago. Taking quotes from the previous posts will deflect the new direction for conversation.

Clearly, politics permeates every part of life — never more so than during the pandemic. So, yes, politics will be discussed; the goal is to find the “good news” . As I said before, it ain’t going to be easy for folks, with a vested interest in derailing this thread, to cooperate.

I haven’t read anywhere else yet; do we count the awarding of the Pulitzers as Good News? They seem justly deserved to me.

joanne said:

I haven’t read anywhere else yet; do we count the awarding of the Pulitzers as Good News? They seem justly deserved to me.

 There's a lot of conservative unhappiness about some of the winners.  For example, Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times won for her piece as part of the 1619 Project.

mtierney said:

I did not bring politics to this thread. This question by DB  triggered the knee jerk reaction of the stalkers.

The thread was started in "Politics"

mtierney said:

 

STANV, have you been promoted? I did not get the memo.

edited to add: finding good news in the world of politics is going to be hard work, but I intend to try.

 Just voicing my opinion. Didn't know I needed a promotion and anyway I am already at the top.

By talking about "good news" in Politics Category you invite discussion of what is or isn't good.

nohero said:

joanne said:

I haven’t read anywhere else yet; do we count the awarding of the Pulitzers as Good News? They seem justly deserved to me.

 There's a lot of conservative unhappiness about some of the winners.  For example, Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times won for her piece as part of the 1619 Project.

 Oh, I hadn’t seen that - I’m aware of the debates around the Project, and its true value (I’ve read some of the history is flawed).

The Good News is the collaboration of varied talents and theIr dedication to achieve an amazingly successful initiative in the global pandemic battle.

The Bad News is acknowledging the fact that this team work was accomplished during the Trump administration.

The Good News is the American can-do spirit is still alive and well —demonstrating American strengths.

The Bad News is that many will criticism this achievement solely because of political angst.

The Good News is getting some control of where and how this virus is spreading — knowledge is power — testing is vital.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/05/coronavirus-trump-testing-partnership-236313

mtierney said:

The Good News is the collaboration of varied talents and theIr dedication to achieve an amazingly successful initiative in the global pandemic battle.

The Bad News is acknowledging the fact that this team work was accomplished during the Trump administration.

The Good News is the American can-do spirit is still alive and well —demonstrating American strengths.

The Bad News is that many will criticism this achievement solely because of political angst.

The Good News is getting some control of where and how this virus is spreading — knowledge is power — testing is vital.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/05/coronavirus-trump-testing-partnership-236313

 Trump's plan is that we can't worry about a recurrence of the virus, and so some people are just going to have to die.

Does that go in "Good News" or "Bad News"? 

Trump on why businesses should reopen: "I'm viewing our great citizens of this country to a certain extent and to a large extent as warriors. They're warriors. We can't keep our country closed. We have to open our country ... Will some people be badly affected? Yes." pic.twitter.com/hNXws4bwtd

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 5, 2020

mtierney said:

The Good News is the collaboration of varied talents and theIr dedication to achieve an amazingly successful initiative in the global pandemic battle.

can you define "amazingly successful initiative"?

Please include death totals in your answer.

drummerboy said:

can you define "amazingly successful initiative"?

Please include death totals in your answer.

 If you read the link, your answer is there.

The death tolls are published, and can be seen on television, daily.

The death tolls will fall when all the various agencies working on conquering this unforgiving virus are successful. They will succeed faster with moral support and cooperation from all of us.

mtierney said:

 If you read the link, your answer is there.

The death tolls are published, and can be seen on television, daily.

The death tolls will fall when all the various agencies working on conquering this unforgiving virus are successful. They will succeed faster with moral support and cooperation from all of us.

 Is the disbanding of the Covid Task Force which was created "to coordinate and oversee the Administration's efforts to monitor, prevent, contain, and mitigate the spread of Covid 19"  part of this effort to conquer the virus or will the Administrations efforts succeed faster if the are not coordinated or overseen?

Appropriate theme song for Trump's campaign - "Live And Let Die" 

They blasted “Live and Let Die” while Trump walked around a Honeywell plant today in Arizona without a mask. It’s hard to believe this clip is real. pic.twitter.com/M1dMe8KaMK

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 5, 2020

Still wondering which category this goes in - 

nohero said:

 Trump's plan is that we can't worry about a recurrence of the virus, and so some people are just going to have to die.

Does that go in "Good News" or "Bad News"? 

mtierney said:

The death tolls will fall when all the various agencies working on conquering this unforgiving virus are successful. They will succeed faster with moral support and cooperation from all of us.

 This sounds like you don't understand how the infection and fatality rates have gone down.

mtierney said:

drummerboy said:

can you define "amazingly successful initiative"?

Please include death totals in your answer.

 If you read the link, your answer is there.

The death tolls are published, and can be seen on television, daily.

The death tolls will fall when all the various agencies working on conquering this unforgiving virus are successful. They will succeed faster with moral support and cooperation from all of us.

 Nobody conquers this virus.  The closest anyone can come is to avoid it.  

Cue the exasperated cat picture:

mtierney said:

drummerboy said:

can you define "amazingly successful initiative"?

Please include death totals in your answer.

 If you read the link, your answer is there.

The death tolls are published, and can be seen on television, daily.

The death tolls will fall when all the various agencies working on conquering this unforgiving virus are successful. They will succeed faster with moral support and cooperation from all of us.

 Someone tell the president. Demoting and firing people in the various agencies doing this work doesn't seem like it counts as "moral support and cooperation."

Red_Barchetta said:

 Nobody conquers this virus.  The closest anyone can come is to avoid it.  

Cue the exasperated cat picture:

 Since you responded  nicely. Harry does not fear my cat police water pistol — rather enjoys being squirted in the face. My former cats all stopped being naughty at the very sight of my “weapon”. I am the one “exasperated”, however, the cat is delighted.

nohero said:

Still wondering which category this goes in - 

nohero said:

 Trump's plan is that we can't worry about a recurrence of the virus, and so some people are just going to have to die.

Does that go in "Good News" or "Bad News"? 

 

mtierney said:

The Good News is the collaboration of varied talents and theIr dedication to achieve an amazingly successful initiative in the global pandemic battle.

The Bad News is acknowledging the fact that this team work was accomplished during the Trump administration.

The Good News is the American can-do spirit is still alive and well —demonstrating American strengths.

The Bad News is that many will criticism this achievement solely because of political angst.

The Good News is getting some control of where and how this virus is spreading — knowledge is power — testing is vital.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/05/coronavirus-trump-testing-partnership-236313

 When I posted this story early this am, I had not yet opened the Times to see coverage of this initiative on the front page, with the headline referring to Trump’s “fumbling”. A reader has to read the entire article to come upon these grudging comments:

“The coronavirus crisis presented a unique test for FEMA, former and current officials said: a 50-state emergency in which acquiring emergency supplies, many of them from overseas, became the overriding concern, rather than efficiently distributing goods readily available in the United States. In interviews, current FEMA officials and former colleagues who have spoken with them in recent weeks conveyed mixed feelings about the Kushner team’s involvement.

“Some praised Mr. Kushner for ensuring that other White House officials did not meddle further in the response effort, and for quickly enlisting the Pentagon to link FEMA with the military’s suppliers. At meetings, some said, Mr. Kushner was well prepared with data and determined to act quickly. His deputies, including a Kushner friend and Trump appointee named Adam Boehler, were responsive to questions and concerns.

“In a statement, Rear Adm. John Polowczyk, the head of the supply-chain task force, said the volunteers had served an important function.”

mtierney said:

The Good News is the collaboration of varied talents and theIr dedication to achieve an amazingly successful initiative in the global pandemic battle.

The Bad News is acknowledging the fact that this team work was accomplished during the Trump administration.

The Good News is the American can-do spirit is still alive and well —demonstrating American strengths.

The Bad News is that many will criticism this achievement solely because of political angst.

The Good News is getting some control of where and how this virus is spreading — knowledge is power — testing is vital.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/05/coronavirus-trump-testing-partnership-236313

 are you kidding?

nohero said:

nohero said:

Still wondering which category this goes in - 

nohero said:

 Trump's plan is that we can't worry about a recurrence of the virus, and so some people are just going to have to die.

Does that go in "Good News" or "Bad News"? 

 

 

The question is still out there.  Does this go in "Good News" or "Bad News"?

Today, the President is asked:  "Will the nation just have to accept the idea that by reopening there will be more death?" Answer: "We have to be warriors. We can't keep our country closed down for years ... hopefully that won't be the case, John, but it could very well be the case."

JOHN ROBERTS: Will the nation just have to accept the idea that by reopening there will be more death? TRUMP: "We have to be warriors. We can't keep our country closed down for years ... hopefully that won't be the case, John, but it could very well be the case." pic.twitter.com/GgJRW3FX9b

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 6, 2020

The good news is , of course, that mobilization efforts to stop the virus are beginning to show positive results, i.e. the curve is getting more flat, the new cases lower, etc.

Bad News: What is going to be hard to factor is the meatheads who will abuse the slow, but vital reopening of our country. These people will infect themselves and spread the virus freely.

So, yes , there will be more deaths as long as the virus is active and people disregard safety measures put in place.

Harsh to hear, but it represents reality. Trump is correct.

mtierney said:

The good news is , of course, that mobilization efforts to stop the virus are beginning to show positive results, i.e. the curve is getting more flat, the new cases lower, etc.

Bad News: What is going to be hard to factor is the meatheads who will abuse the slow, but vital reopening of our country. These people will infect themselves and spread the virus freely.

So, yes , there will be more deaths as long as the virus is active and people disregard safety measures put in place.

Harsh to hear, but it represents reality. Trump is correct.

 the curve is only flattening in the few places that have been rigorous about shutting down.  The country as a whole is not reducing its infection rate.  And the "meathead" most responsible for trying to open the country now is Trump.  We are headed for the worst of all scenarios -- reopening the country without sufficient testing that leads to more sickness and death AND the economy won't come back because people are getting sick and dying.  

mtierney said:

The good news is , of course, that mobilization efforts to stop the virus are beginning to show positive results, i.e. the curve is getting more flat, the new cases lower, etc.

Bad News: What is going to be hard to factor is the meatheads who will abuse the slow, but vital reopening of our country. These people will infect themselves and spread the virus freely.

So, yes , there will be more deaths as long as the virus is active and people disregard safety measures put in place.

Harsh to hear, but it represents reality. Trump is correct.

 In your bad news section - wouldn't that include the people that Trump exhorted to liberate their states?

mtierney said:

Bad News: What is going to be hard to factor is the meatheads who will abuse the slow, but vital reopening of our country. These people will infect themselves and spread the virus freely.

So, yes , there will be more deaths as long as the virus is active and people disregard safety measures put in place.

Harsh to hear, but it represents reality. Trump is correct.

It's not just the "knuckleheads", disregarding the safety measures.  The concern is about REMOVING safety measures, and the sickness and death that results.

So unless you're going to address that, you've shown that Trump's position is indefensible.

And your saying that it's only the "meatheads" who will get sick and possibly die, is unfair and cruel to describe not only those who will suffer in the future, but also those we know of now. 

nohero said:

It's not just the "knuckleheads", disregarding the safety measures.  The concern is about REMOVING safety measures, and the sickness and death that results.

So unless you're going to address that, you've shown that Trump's position is indefensible.

And your saying that it's only the "meatheads" who will get sick and possibly die, is unfair and cruel to describe not only those who will suffer in the future, but also those we know of now. 

 I have not yet heard anyone speak of REMOVING safety measures during this slow reopening of activities. Where have you seen social distancing and masks being dropped? 
I never said only lawbreakers will get sick. The people lawbreakers aka meatheads more than likely spread the virus via community transfer. What is “unfair and cruel” here is the deaths and illnesses of people who practiced mindful behavior while others did not.

Nohero, please reread your last paragraph.

drummerboy said:

 In your bad news section - wouldn't that include the people that Trump exhorted to liberate their states?

 Think back a few awful weeks and recall the outrage expressed by a few governors who declared they were going to get folks back to work, regardless of what Washington’s experts were saying daily of the inevitable rising numbers of virus hospitalizations and deaths.

Proponents of statehood independence vs federal overreach  brouhaha ran hot and heavy.

I do not recall DJT exhorting governors to open their states BEFORE the virus was controlled. He has been  a cheerleader, expressing his wishes to see America reopened, all along. Trying to instill hope in frightened and desperate people is his duty. 

I have a question for you: do you think states and municipalities, etc should be able to use the monies being released for COVID-19 costs for other purposes i.e. Bail-outs for mismanaged pension plans?

mtierney said:

 I have not yet heard anyone speak of REMOVING safety measures during this slow reopening of activities. 

That's what slow re-opening is - removing safety measures such as not going to certain places or engaging in certain activities. 

mtierney said:

Nohero, please reread your last paragraph. 

 My last paragraph is an on-point response to what you wrote, which you should probably read again.