March 22, 2020

It is very difficult to be optimistic...

....if not impossible.

But, I do believe that we will see great progress against this virus within a couple more months.

I believe they will find a vaccine that will work against this novel coronavirus.

I believe we will be returning to some "normalcy" before the summer is over.

I believe it will change our lives forever, but in some ways, it will be for the better.

I believe we will survive this crisis and be stronger as a people and a community.

March 22, 2020

A question that a reporter should ask Donald Trump:

"Mr President, in one of your last rallies, you called the coronavirus threat a "hoax" by the Democrats. Many people believed you. Can you look straight into the camera and tell America that it was never a "hoax" and that everyone should take it very seriously and follow the instructions of the healthcare experts that know what they are talking about?"

And please don't call it a "nasty" question.

March 22, 2020

How many people still believe this Coronavirus is a "hoax"?

Obviously, there are many that are not taking it very seriously.

Do they think it is "fake news"? Do they think it is a Democrat "hoax" to bring down Donald Trump? Why do they think that?

Is it because they have been lied to by the propagandists of the Republican Party? They never believed that Russia interfered in our election in any way. They never believed that the Ukraine scandal was a big deal. It was all a "hoax" created by the Democrats.

Why did they believe that? Because they were brainwashed and propagandized by FOX News and many in the Republican Party.

And now, we will all pay a price for their lies and deceptions. They never took anything seriously if it reflected poorly on Donald Trump or the Republicans. It didn't matter if it was true or not.

Many have now come around to believing that this coronavirus is real and very dangerous. But the damage has been done. There are many ill-informed people that still believe it is all a "hoax".

What will it take to change their minds?

March 22, 2020

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March 21, 2020

Trump supporters on social media are inspired and encouraged by his recent CV pressers.

They were discouraged for a couple of weeks but they are back on the bandwagon, full of piss and vinegar, and patriotism and pride for their leader. It doesn't matter if he is lying to them. They believe he is doing a great job.

The facts don't matter. It doesn't really matter how many people will die in this plague. They have an undying loyalty to their Dear Leader. If a pandemic cannot open their eyes, then what can?

Many liberals do not like to dispute their propaganda with facts, because they do not wish to lose friends or create political turmoil. So, many will simply bite their tongue and say nothing.

However, Trump supporters do not seem to give a rat's ass who they offend or what friends they might lose or what political division they might create. They support Dear Leader.

The easy way out is to simply surrender social media to them. Is that the solution?

March 21, 2020

One Toke Over the Line

March 21, 2020

Locomotive Breath

March 21, 2020

Intelligence reports warned about a pandemic in January. Trump reportedly ignored them.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/21/21189179/coronavirus-trump-intelligence-reports-warned-pandemic?fbclid=IwAR1nMLbSl07vaUnXa6EyAcB-hh04CMmltfO8VIm7UqW9kNHvFuAMwfrz6zU

<snip>

US intelligence officials reportedly warned President Donald Trump and Congress about the threats posed by the novel coronavirus beginning in early January — weeks before the White House and lawmakers began implementing stringent public health measures and as the president minimized the threat posed by the virus in his tweets and public statements.

The fact those warnings were largely disregarded — something first reported by the Washington Post’s Shane Harris, Greg Miller, Josh Dawsey, and Ellen Nakashima — suggests Trump administration officials failed to take action that could have prepared the health care system to handle an influx of patients, helped Americans avoid mass social distancing, and saved lives.

Top health officials first learned of the virus’s spread in China on January 3, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Friday. Throughout January and February, intelligence officials’ warnings became more and more urgent, according to the Post — and by early February, much of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA’s intelligence reports were dedicated to warnings about Covid-19.

<snip>
All the while, Trump downplayed the virus publicly, telling the public the coronavirus “is very well under control in our country,” and suggesting warm weather would neutralize the threat the virus poses.

The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020

March 21, 2020

The major networks and the cable news networks need to look at this crisis realistically.

They were used by Donald Trump in 2016 to promote his political propaganda and lies.

They should not do it again.

Especially during this critical time for our country. His lies and propaganda are dangerous for our country and the health of our people.

He is using them to falsely promote himself and to deceive certain parts of our population to keep up his polls and increase his odds for election in November. It is irresponsible to promote such a political agenda during this crisis we are now experiencing.

These networks need to work for the interests of the American people at this time - not for the interest of any politician or political Party.

They should guard against being drawn into this trap again.

March 21, 2020

The body language in yesterday's CV presser.

One need not be an expert to see that something was going on behind the stage.

It began when SoS Pompeo came out with the usual suspects, including Dr. Fauci, soon followed by Trump and Pence.

There was a tension in the air. The expressions on the faces told us that something must have happened before they came out?

Right off the bat, Pompeo wanted everyone to see that he agreed with Trump that it was a "Chinese Virus". All the others that spoke, including VP Pence, referred to the "Coronavirus". We could glean that it was probably one of the topics of conversations before they came out?

The Dear Leader introduced Pompeo and gave notice that he would have to leave early, to return to the "Deep State", over at the State Department. Dr Fauci rolled his eyes and wiped his forehead as he listened to the remarks.

Mr Trump was in a foul mood. He lurked over all the speakers that were called to the microphone. It was reminiscent of his stalking of Hillary Clinton during one of their debates in 2016.

When Peter Alexander of NBC News gave him a chance to comfort and re-assure the people, Mr Trump attacked him as a "terrible" reporter. The tension had finally cracked the egg.

With former WH spokesman Sean Spicer sitting with the reporters, it appeared to be some sort of set-up from the beginning?

We can only assume that backstage Mr Trump was directing the show, and that he wanted everyone to talk up the great job he is doing and to assist him with his election in November. From my perspective, that is what yesterday's presser appeared to be - a campaign event.