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babylonsister
babylonsister's Journal
babylonsister's Journal
December 28, 2020
How Beltway journalism is destroying our faith in government
Both Sides Olympics
Eric Boehlert
1 hr ago
By purposely misreporting on Covid-19 relief that Democrats are trying to get passed over the year-long objections of Republicans, the press is deliberately undermining Americans' faith in government and its ability to respond to a national crisis. By pretending "Congress" is not able to function, and that "leaders" and "Washington" are failing the country, the press not only gives radical Republicans political cover, the news coverage has spread a dangerous lie during a national health crisis.
The long-term consequences of this colossal media failure could be dire, as reports pour in about anxious Americans furious with "Congress" for the lack of aid, even though the fault rests entirely with Republicans.
snip//
This was how a Congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Time explained the situation on Twitter this weekend [emphasis added]:
That truly is an astonishing lens through which to view scandalous Republican behavior. It's especially bewildering to blame Democrats in the House for passing a massive, $3.4 trillion Covid relief bill in May even though "they knew [it] had no chance w/ Republicans." Democrats were supposed to not pass a relief bill because they suspected Republicans in the Senate might not support it? That's now how the legislative process works. Worse, to then suggest "Congress" waited "until the last minute" to act, after just acknowledging that Democrats voted in May, makes no sense.
That's how committed journalists are to the Both Sides narrative —they're willing to twist themselves into pretzels to make sure "Washington" and "Congress" are to blame. And in the process they destroy faith in our government.
When Democrats recently tried to pass new relief that featured $2,000 checks to eligible Americans, a New York Times accused them of trying to "jam through" the bill, and referred to the move as "political theater."
There's nothing theatrical about trying to feed and shelter desperate Americans. It's what the government is supposed to do in times of crisis.
Eric Boehlert: How Beltway journalism is destroying our faith in government
https://pressrun.media/p/how-beltway-journalism-is-destroyingHow Beltway journalism is destroying our faith in government
Both Sides Olympics
Eric Boehlert
1 hr ago
By purposely misreporting on Covid-19 relief that Democrats are trying to get passed over the year-long objections of Republicans, the press is deliberately undermining Americans' faith in government and its ability to respond to a national crisis. By pretending "Congress" is not able to function, and that "leaders" and "Washington" are failing the country, the press not only gives radical Republicans political cover, the news coverage has spread a dangerous lie during a national health crisis.
The long-term consequences of this colossal media failure could be dire, as reports pour in about anxious Americans furious with "Congress" for the lack of aid, even though the fault rests entirely with Republicans.
snip//
This was how a Congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Time explained the situation on Twitter this weekend [emphasis added]:
Dems passed a bill in May they knew had no chance w/ Republicans. The GOP didn't even consider it. Neither side spoke for months. It wasn't until millions of people were about to be harmed that they came back to the table. So yes, all of Congress waited until the last minute.
That truly is an astonishing lens through which to view scandalous Republican behavior. It's especially bewildering to blame Democrats in the House for passing a massive, $3.4 trillion Covid relief bill in May even though "they knew [it] had no chance w/ Republicans." Democrats were supposed to not pass a relief bill because they suspected Republicans in the Senate might not support it? That's now how the legislative process works. Worse, to then suggest "Congress" waited "until the last minute" to act, after just acknowledging that Democrats voted in May, makes no sense.
That's how committed journalists are to the Both Sides narrative —they're willing to twist themselves into pretzels to make sure "Washington" and "Congress" are to blame. And in the process they destroy faith in our government.
When Democrats recently tried to pass new relief that featured $2,000 checks to eligible Americans, a New York Times accused them of trying to "jam through" the bill, and referred to the move as "political theater."
There's nothing theatrical about trying to feed and shelter desperate Americans. It's what the government is supposed to do in times of crisis.
December 28, 2020
Reality-TV President’s $2,000 Stimulus Cliffhanger Ends in a Bellyflop
TV HOST PRESIDENT
The problem with being governed by a man who is completely motivated by quid pro quos is that when he doesn’t get his quo he quits.
Molly Jong-Fast, Editor-At-Large
Updated Dec. 28, 2020 7:50AM ET / Published Dec. 28, 2020 5:03AM ET
snip//
The problem with being governed by a president who is completely motivated by quid pro quos is that when he doesn’t get his quo he quits, or at least throws tantrums threatening to do so. Congratulations, Trump, for doing the bare minimum, late enough that people already on the edge lost a precious week of pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Perhaps electing a public servant who is completely uninterested in serving the public was a mistake.
When Trump’s old foe, Ed Koch, lost his bid for a fourth term as mayor of New York City, he famously cracked that “the people have spoken and now they must be punished,” meaning that New Yorkers would find out the hard way what they’d lost without him as mayor. Trump, on the other hand, isn’t talking about how citizens would be hurt without him as president but is punishing citizens himself, while he’s still in power, for having had the nerve to vote him out.
Trump has another 22 days left in office. He averted a government shutdown that he almost created. The entire government will not shutter on Tuesday and Steve Mnuchin has sort of salvaged what remained of his credibility, for what that’s worth. Insult to injury, the White House’s public schedule continues to include this strangely hostile and completely inaccurate guidance: “As the Holiday season approaches, President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People.” That’s one way to describe tweets and golf.
Does Trump deserve credit for avoiding the shutdown he almost caused? He wanted a cliffhanger, and he got one, keeping us guessing until the very end because that’s what you get when you make a reality television host president. And while Trump may have won the news cycle yet again, the Americans have lost—because we always do with Trump.
Reality-TV President's $2,000 Stimulus Cliffhanger Ends in a Bellyflop
https://www.thedailybeast.com/reality-tv-president-trumps-dollar2000-stimulus-cliffhanger-ends-in-a-bellyflop?ref=scrollReality-TV President’s $2,000 Stimulus Cliffhanger Ends in a Bellyflop
TV HOST PRESIDENT
The problem with being governed by a man who is completely motivated by quid pro quos is that when he doesn’t get his quo he quits.
Molly Jong-Fast, Editor-At-Large
Updated Dec. 28, 2020 7:50AM ET / Published Dec. 28, 2020 5:03AM ET
snip//
The problem with being governed by a president who is completely motivated by quid pro quos is that when he doesn’t get his quo he quits, or at least throws tantrums threatening to do so. Congratulations, Trump, for doing the bare minimum, late enough that people already on the edge lost a precious week of pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Perhaps electing a public servant who is completely uninterested in serving the public was a mistake.
When Trump’s old foe, Ed Koch, lost his bid for a fourth term as mayor of New York City, he famously cracked that “the people have spoken and now they must be punished,” meaning that New Yorkers would find out the hard way what they’d lost without him as mayor. Trump, on the other hand, isn’t talking about how citizens would be hurt without him as president but is punishing citizens himself, while he’s still in power, for having had the nerve to vote him out.
Trump has another 22 days left in office. He averted a government shutdown that he almost created. The entire government will not shutter on Tuesday and Steve Mnuchin has sort of salvaged what remained of his credibility, for what that’s worth. Insult to injury, the White House’s public schedule continues to include this strangely hostile and completely inaccurate guidance: “As the Holiday season approaches, President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People.” That’s one way to describe tweets and golf.
Does Trump deserve credit for avoiding the shutdown he almost caused? He wanted a cliffhanger, and he got one, keeping us guessing until the very end because that’s what you get when you make a reality television host president. And while Trump may have won the news cycle yet again, the Americans have lost—because we always do with Trump.
December 28, 2020
Trump Got Nothing
December 28, 2020 at 7:01 am EST By Taegan Goddard
Trump Got Nothing
https://politicalwire.com/2020/12/28/trump-got-nothing/Trump Got Nothing
December 28, 2020 at 7:01 am EST By Taegan Goddard
Playbook: “That’s it? President Trump made all this noise about the Covid relief and government funding bill only to sign it and get nothing in return?”
“Trump got taken to the cleaners.”
“What a bizarre, embarrassing episode for the president. He opposed a bill his administration negotiated. He had no discernible strategy and no hand to play — and it showed. He folded, and got nothing besides a few days of attention and chaos. People waiting for aid got a few days of frightening uncertainty.”
“Zip. Zero. Zilch. If he was going to give up this easy, he should’ve just kept quiet and signed the bill. It would’ve been less embarrassing.”
“Trump got taken to the cleaners.”
“What a bizarre, embarrassing episode for the president. He opposed a bill his administration negotiated. He had no discernible strategy and no hand to play — and it showed. He folded, and got nothing besides a few days of attention and chaos. People waiting for aid got a few days of frightening uncertainty.”
“Zip. Zero. Zilch. If he was going to give up this easy, he should’ve just kept quiet and signed the bill. It would’ve been less embarrassing.”
December 28, 2020
Posted on Sun, Dec 27th, 2020 by Jason Easley
Senate Democrats To Attempt To Pass $2,000 Stimulus Checks
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that Senate Democrats will attempt to pass $2,000 stimulus checks.
Schumer tweeted:
https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1343374127479083008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1343374127479083008%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicususa.com%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2Fsenate-democrats-2000-stimulus-checks.html
Schumer is going to make Republicans object and block $2,000 stimulus checks a little more than a week before critical Senate runoff elections in Georgia.
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said on Sunday that he opposes $2,000 stimulus checks, so it would not be surprising if Mitch McConnell sent Toomey out to take the bullet for his party. Sen. Toomey is retiring and not running for reelection in 2022, so he has nothing to lose by looking like a heartless jerk who is blocking help for millions of people in the middle of a pandemic.
Senate Republicans blocked $1,200 stimulus checks, so it is a certainty that they will object and block $2,000 checks. It is terrible political optics that undoes the myth that Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia delivered pandemic aid to the people of Georgia.
Schumer and the Democrats might not get the additional stimulus this week, but if they play their cards right that could win the Georgia runoffs and control of the Senate.
Senate Democrats To Attempt To Pass $2,000 Stimulus Checks
https://www.politicususa.com/2020/12/27/senate-democrats-2000-stimulus-checks.htmlPosted on Sun, Dec 27th, 2020 by Jason Easley
Senate Democrats To Attempt To Pass $2,000 Stimulus Checks
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that Senate Democrats will attempt to pass $2,000 stimulus checks.
Schumer tweeted:
https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1343374127479083008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1343374127479083008%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicususa.com%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2Fsenate-democrats-2000-stimulus-checks.html
Schumer is going to make Republicans object and block $2,000 stimulus checks a little more than a week before critical Senate runoff elections in Georgia.
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said on Sunday that he opposes $2,000 stimulus checks, so it would not be surprising if Mitch McConnell sent Toomey out to take the bullet for his party. Sen. Toomey is retiring and not running for reelection in 2022, so he has nothing to lose by looking like a heartless jerk who is blocking help for millions of people in the middle of a pandemic.
Senate Republicans blocked $1,200 stimulus checks, so it is a certainty that they will object and block $2,000 checks. It is terrible political optics that undoes the myth that Loeffler and Perdue in Georgia delivered pandemic aid to the people of Georgia.
Schumer and the Democrats might not get the additional stimulus this week, but if they play their cards right that could win the Georgia runoffs and control of the Senate.
December 28, 2020
GOP Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair says he'll vote in favor of $2,000 checks
By Justine Coleman - 12/27/20 07:38 PM EST
Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), the Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair, said Sunday that he will vote in favor of House Democrats' bill to provide the $2,000 relief checks that President Trump has demanded.
Reed, who co-chairs the bipartisan group of about 50 members, released a statement indicating his support for larger stimulus checks than the $600 ones currently allotted in the almost $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that passed both chambers of Congress.
The Republican co-chair said he will support the Democrats’ bill that the House will vote on Monday and that boosted the check amounts to $2,000.
more...
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/531774-gop-problem-solvers-caucus-co-chair-says-hell-vote-in-favor-of-2000-checks
GOP Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair says he'll vote in favor of $2,000 checks
GOP Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair says he'll vote in favor of $2,000 checks
By Justine Coleman - 12/27/20 07:38 PM EST
Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), the Problem Solvers Caucus co-chair, said Sunday that he will vote in favor of House Democrats' bill to provide the $2,000 relief checks that President Trump has demanded.
Reed, who co-chairs the bipartisan group of about 50 members, released a statement indicating his support for larger stimulus checks than the $600 ones currently allotted in the almost $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that passed both chambers of Congress.
The Republican co-chair said he will support the Democrats’ bill that the House will vote on Monday and that boosted the check amounts to $2,000.
"The American people are hurting,” he said. “Economic stagnation and lockdowns have left many in difficult financial situations.”
“I’ve communicated to the President my support for his directive to increase the total size of stimulus checks to $2,000 per individual and will be voting in favor of the CASH Act tomorrow to do so,” Reed added. “It is only fair that we act decisively now to deliver the comprehensive relief individuals desperately need.”
“I’ve communicated to the President my support for his directive to increase the total size of stimulus checks to $2,000 per individual and will be voting in favor of the CASH Act tomorrow to do so,” Reed added. “It is only fair that we act decisively now to deliver the comprehensive relief individuals desperately need.”
more...
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/531774-gop-problem-solvers-caucus-co-chair-says-hell-vote-in-favor-of-2000-checks
December 28, 2020
Trumpland
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger Calls Out His Party's ‘Grifting Scam’ Election Challenges, Warns of Violence
‘CONCERNED’
“I expect there will be a little chaos. This is a scam, though,” Kinzinger said about Republicans' planned effort to contest the Electoral College results.
Justin Baragona, Contributing Editor
Published Dec. 27, 2020 11:15AM ET
CNN
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) called out members of his own party and President Donald Trump on Sunday for refusing to acknowledge that Trump lost the election, warning of potential violence if Republicans continue their “grifting scam” to challenge the results.
With a number of the president’s allies in the House and Senate signaling that they will disrupt Congress’ Jan. 6 certification of the Electoral College vote in a last-ditch effort to steal the election, Kinzinger took to Twitter over the weekend to chastise Trump and the “congressional grifters.”
“My God. Trying to burn the place down on the way out because you can’t handle losing. No evidence, nothing but your temper tantrum and crazy conspiracies. Embarrassing,” the Illinois congressman tweeted in response to Trump cheering on the effort.
Interviewing Kinzinger on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, guest host Dana Bash brought up the planned attempt to contest President-elect Joe Biden’s decisive victory, noting that Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence recently met with some of the Republicans behind the effort.
“I expect there will be a little chaos,” Kinzinger responded. “This is a scam, though.”
more...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-calls-out-his-partys-grifting-scam-election-challenges-warns-of-violence?ref=home
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger Calls Out His Party's 'Grifting Scam' Election Challenges, Warns of Violence
Trumpland
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger Calls Out His Party's ‘Grifting Scam’ Election Challenges, Warns of Violence
‘CONCERNED’
“I expect there will be a little chaos. This is a scam, though,” Kinzinger said about Republicans' planned effort to contest the Electoral College results.
Justin Baragona, Contributing Editor
Published Dec. 27, 2020 11:15AM ET
CNN
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) called out members of his own party and President Donald Trump on Sunday for refusing to acknowledge that Trump lost the election, warning of potential violence if Republicans continue their “grifting scam” to challenge the results.
With a number of the president’s allies in the House and Senate signaling that they will disrupt Congress’ Jan. 6 certification of the Electoral College vote in a last-ditch effort to steal the election, Kinzinger took to Twitter over the weekend to chastise Trump and the “congressional grifters.”
“My God. Trying to burn the place down on the way out because you can’t handle losing. No evidence, nothing but your temper tantrum and crazy conspiracies. Embarrassing,” the Illinois congressman tweeted in response to Trump cheering on the effort.
Interviewing Kinzinger on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, guest host Dana Bash brought up the planned attempt to contest President-elect Joe Biden’s decisive victory, noting that Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence recently met with some of the Republicans behind the effort.
“I expect there will be a little chaos,” Kinzinger responded. “This is a scam, though.”
more...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-calls-out-his-partys-grifting-scam-election-challenges-warns-of-violence?ref=home
December 27, 2020
Posted on Sun, Dec 27th, 2020 by Jason Easley
Americans Are Calling Mar-a-Lago To Tell Trump To Stop Golfing And Work On Stimulus Bill
Americans are calling Trump’s private Florida club to tell him to stop golfing and get to work on the pandemic stimulus bill.
Here is the literal call to action:
https://twitter.com/MitchellColbert/status/1343246189676806146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1343246189676806146%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicususa.com%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2Ftrump-golfing-pandemic-stimulus.html
Trump needs to be flooded with messaged that disrupt his unearned holiday vacation. Trump hasn’t been working for nearly two months since the election was called for Joe Biden. Those who work in the White House have said that Trump does no governing and is spending his days with election conspiracy theorists like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.
The pandemic stimulus bill has passed, but Trump blew up the process by demanding $2,000 stimulus checks for every American. Trump made his demand then promptly went on vacation and did nothing to follow up to either sign the recently passed stimulus bill or lobbying Republicans to support stand-alone legislation for larger stimulus payments.
The White House insists that Trump is working as the media has caught him golfing.
It is time to let Trump know that he can’t hide by picking up the phone and telling him to stop holding up pandemic relief.
Americans Are Calling Mar-a-Lago To Tell Trump To Stop Golfing And Work On Stimulus Bill
https://www.politicususa.com/2020/12/27/trump-golfing-pandemic-stimulus.htmlPosted on Sun, Dec 27th, 2020 by Jason Easley
Americans Are Calling Mar-a-Lago To Tell Trump To Stop Golfing And Work On Stimulus Bill
Americans are calling Trump’s private Florida club to tell him to stop golfing and get to work on the pandemic stimulus bill.
Here is the literal call to action:
https://twitter.com/MitchellColbert/status/1343246189676806146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1343246189676806146%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicususa.com%2F2020%2F12%2F27%2Ftrump-golfing-pandemic-stimulus.html
Mitchell Colbert
@MitchellColbert
Since Trump is golfing at Mar A Lago instead of working at the White House I called them [(561) 832-2600] to request he get his lazy ass working on the stimulus bill. I recommend calling #MarALago as it was quicker and easier to get a live person than the White House.
12:23 PM · Dec 27, 2020
@MitchellColbert
Since Trump is golfing at Mar A Lago instead of working at the White House I called them [(561) 832-2600] to request he get his lazy ass working on the stimulus bill. I recommend calling #MarALago as it was quicker and easier to get a live person than the White House.
12:23 PM · Dec 27, 2020
Trump needs to be flooded with messaged that disrupt his unearned holiday vacation. Trump hasn’t been working for nearly two months since the election was called for Joe Biden. Those who work in the White House have said that Trump does no governing and is spending his days with election conspiracy theorists like Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell.
The pandemic stimulus bill has passed, but Trump blew up the process by demanding $2,000 stimulus checks for every American. Trump made his demand then promptly went on vacation and did nothing to follow up to either sign the recently passed stimulus bill or lobbying Republicans to support stand-alone legislation for larger stimulus payments.
The White House insists that Trump is working as the media has caught him golfing.
It is time to let Trump know that he can’t hide by picking up the phone and telling him to stop holding up pandemic relief.
December 27, 2020
Trump Claims Florida Is ‘Doing Well’ With No Lockdown, Ignores 17,000+ New COVID Cases
PRIORITIES
Ana Lucia Murillo, Breaking News/Cheat Sheet Intern
Published Dec. 26, 2020 9:03PM ET
Trump Claims Florida Is 'Doing Well' With No Lockdown, Ignores 17,000+ New COVID Cases
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-claims-florida-is-doing-well-with-no-lockdown-ignores-17000-new-covid-cases?ref=homeTrump Claims Florida Is ‘Doing Well’ With No Lockdown, Ignores 17,000+ New COVID Cases
PRIORITIES
Ana Lucia Murillo, Breaking News/Cheat Sheet Intern
Published Dec. 26, 2020 9:03PM ET
President Trump declared late Saturday that Florida is “doing well” with no lockdown, apparently choosing to ignore the 17,042 new COVID-19 cases and 140 new deaths that health authorities announced Saturday. “The lockdowns in Democrat run states are absolutely ruining the lives of so many people - Far more than the damage that would be caused by the China Virus,” Trump falsely tweeted. “Cases in California have risen despite the lockdown, yet Florida & others are open & doing well. Common sense please!” Florida has been reporting upwards of 10,000 new cases a day for the past two weeks. Across the country more than 330,000 lives have been lost to the virus and studies by the CDC have indicated the effectiveness of lockdowns as part of a strategy to save lives.
December 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1342981858066370560
Joel Kaplan, Facebook's global head of public policy...
Judd Legum
@JuddLegum
1. Joel Kaplan, Facebook's global head of public policy, donated $2800 to Loeffler and $2800 to Perdue on December 24
6:53 PM · Dec 26, 2020·TweetDeck
@JuddLegum
1. Joel Kaplan, Facebook's global head of public policy, donated $2800 to Loeffler and $2800 to Perdue on December 24
6:53 PM · Dec 26, 2020·TweetDeck
https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1342981858066370560
December 27, 2020
Donald Trump shouldn't be tried for tax fraud, he should be tried for mass murder
Mark Sumner for Daily Kos
Daily Kos Staff
Saturday December 26, 2020 · 4:30 PM EST
snip//
The person who determines to kill with cold knowledge of what they are doing, and with expectation of some personal gain, is regarded as the worst form of killer. And that is exactly what Donald Trump did when he knowingly made the decision to halt plans for national testing and contact tracing.
Trump understood that aggressive national guidelines on social distancing, the institution of a national testing program, and follow-up with a program of contact tracing could save a large number of lives and restrict the spread of COVID-19. He had examples before him of exactly how successful a program could be.
On March 13, the day that Trump rolled out what was supposed to be a nationwide set of drive-thru testing facilities sited at thousands of “big box” retailers and backed by a website created by “7,000 engineers from Google,” South Korea had just finished utterly crushing the initial outbreak in that country. They had done so using exactly the techniques that were being advocated on that day: widespread testing, detailed contact tracing, strict quarantine of infected individuals, and isolation of those in contact with the infected. It wasn’t just South Korea. Other nations, such as Taiwan, smashed their first surge of cases in the same way, and did so in spite of close proximity and regular contact with the area of China that had seen the original outbreak.
But Trump did not follow the announcement on March 13 with an actual system of either testing or case tracing. The website that he cited did not exist. The testing facilities themselves never went past a handful of poorly supplied locations mismanaged by Jared Kushner and his college buddies. That was not a failure born from ignorance or bumbling, though there was plenty of both to go around. It was an intentional decision made by Trump and his White House staff to allow COVID-19 to ravage the country because he believed it would be to his political advantage.
As Trump watched disaster unfold in New York City, he didn’t think, “What can I do to help?” He thought, “Excellent.” He thought that if he continued to pull his punches against the virus, the death toll would climb primarily in blue states. He thought the blame would fall on Democratic politicians. He thought he could hold on to power by walking over a sea of bodies.
Trump murdered Americans for personal gain, with calculated intent and full knowledge of what he was doing. Whether the United States honors the ICC or not, there is absolutely no doubt that Trump’s actions fit the definition of both genocide and crimes against humanity. He deserves a trial and punishment appropriate to scale of those crimes.
And don’t even get me started on the sedition …
Donald Trump shouldn't be tried for tax fraud, he should be tried for mass murder
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/12/26/2002578/-Donald-Trump-shouldn-t-be-tried-for-tax-fraud-he-should-be-tried-for-mass-murderDonald Trump shouldn't be tried for tax fraud, he should be tried for mass murder
Mark Sumner for Daily Kos
Daily Kos Staff
Saturday December 26, 2020 · 4:30 PM EST
snip//
The person who determines to kill with cold knowledge of what they are doing, and with expectation of some personal gain, is regarded as the worst form of killer. And that is exactly what Donald Trump did when he knowingly made the decision to halt plans for national testing and contact tracing.
Trump understood that aggressive national guidelines on social distancing, the institution of a national testing program, and follow-up with a program of contact tracing could save a large number of lives and restrict the spread of COVID-19. He had examples before him of exactly how successful a program could be.
On March 13, the day that Trump rolled out what was supposed to be a nationwide set of drive-thru testing facilities sited at thousands of “big box” retailers and backed by a website created by “7,000 engineers from Google,” South Korea had just finished utterly crushing the initial outbreak in that country. They had done so using exactly the techniques that were being advocated on that day: widespread testing, detailed contact tracing, strict quarantine of infected individuals, and isolation of those in contact with the infected. It wasn’t just South Korea. Other nations, such as Taiwan, smashed their first surge of cases in the same way, and did so in spite of close proximity and regular contact with the area of China that had seen the original outbreak.
But Trump did not follow the announcement on March 13 with an actual system of either testing or case tracing. The website that he cited did not exist. The testing facilities themselves never went past a handful of poorly supplied locations mismanaged by Jared Kushner and his college buddies. That was not a failure born from ignorance or bumbling, though there was plenty of both to go around. It was an intentional decision made by Trump and his White House staff to allow COVID-19 to ravage the country because he believed it would be to his political advantage.
As Trump watched disaster unfold in New York City, he didn’t think, “What can I do to help?” He thought, “Excellent.” He thought that if he continued to pull his punches against the virus, the death toll would climb primarily in blue states. He thought the blame would fall on Democratic politicians. He thought he could hold on to power by walking over a sea of bodies.
Trump murdered Americans for personal gain, with calculated intent and full knowledge of what he was doing. Whether the United States honors the ICC or not, there is absolutely no doubt that Trump’s actions fit the definition of both genocide and crimes against humanity. He deserves a trial and punishment appropriate to scale of those crimes.
And don’t even get me started on the sedition …
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