wolfriverjoe

I was lumping it all together, kinda like Pompeo did.

Well, the latest one seems to be because the guy watching over the State Dept found out that Pompeo sold arms to the Saudis in violation of the law. There's also the fact that Pompeo used federal funds for a party at his house and used federal employees to do personal tasks. But both of those are far less serious than the arms sales.

^This. And if it hadn't been her, it would have been someone else. "The winds of change, they were a blowin'" I find it absolutely hilarious how many of the alt-right 'open up' protesters were using the 'my body, my choice' arguement. Even more so that the act of breaking quarantine will affect a lot more people than just them. But, of course, they don't care about anyone else (there were signs that said "My Rights Are More Important Than Your Health - really).

Kinda funny how so many of the idiots are screaming about how their 'rights' are being taken away, yet are silent on how the Repulicans are systematically dismantling accountability and the rule of law in our government. Actually, it's not funny at all. Its disgusting.

That's not entirely correct. We had the SARS outbreak in 03 and the H1N1 (Swine flu) in 09. I'm not going to include Ebola in this because the transmission of it is a LOT more difficult. Both were handled reasonably well, although neither was as intense as this. There was a 'after critique' of both, and some lessons learned from SARS were used against Swine flu. There was a plan in place, and a response team organized. The plan was tossed a while back, along with everything Trump associated with Obama, because he seems to think anything Obama did was 'tainted.' The respoinse team was disbanded a couple years ago, and a few infectious disease experts noted how bad of an idea this was. And it's hard to imagine the decisions made by those in charge being any worse than the ones that were made in January & February. Pretending it will all 'just go away'. Touting drugs that have marginal, anectodal evidence that they are effective, and firing experts who disagree. Muzzling other scientists and doctors. Allowing travel to & from infected areas. China was shut down, but not until the west coast was infected. Europe wasn't shut down even though Italy & Spain were infected quite badly. We could have had a far, far, faaaaaaaar less bad outbreak if those in charge had made decisons based on acutal science. But, alas, no. We had Mr "I'm Not Responsible".

She's a far nicer person than I am. I'm in the 'Go ahead. Why not double it? If one is good, two is better, right?' group. I also doubt he's really taking it, or if he is will continue. The side effects are pretty harsh. And that's the ones that don't kill you.

Or of someone who views the world through 'hate colored glasses'.

For purely political reasons, yes. When actual crimes are committed, no. Unortunately, the reality isn't as 'black & white'. There's a really 'funny' one going on right now. Burr was chair of the House Intel Committee. He stepped down because of the insider trading accusations against him. A powerful politician who is under investigation for committing a crime, right? Not so fast. He's never been a 'Trumpette' and has opposed the Mango Mussolini on a number of issues. The latest is/was the report on Russian interference. The committee is/was in the process of finalizing a report that essentially contradicts every claim Trump has made about the issue. So do you think that the next chair of the committee will be willing to release a report that contradicts the President? Or do you think McConnell will appoint a toady who will report whatever the Mango Mussolini wants to hear? Keep in mind that the new 'acting' DNI is doing just that. He claims it was the Ukraine, not Russia that interfered. His predecessor was more interested in the truth than 'the Emperor's New Clothes.' A lot of the people appointed by the Orange One are there to tell him how good his new suit looks.

While I agree with that in principle, the reality is that State AG is an elected position. So they are, by definition, politicians. It was kinda funny. Back in February (maybe?) Trump threatened to withhold medical supplies from New York unless Cuomo dropped a civil suit against him. The NY AG responded by pointing out that she is independent of the governor, elected by the citizens of NY to do her job. And that she fully intended to fulfill the requirements and duties of that job.

Nope. As far as I can tell, the plan for 'everything else' is "OPEN THE COUNTRY NOW!!!!". Texas opened up some stuff a couple weeks ago. The governor and AG recently made it clear that local entites cannot implement any rules more restrictive than the state ones. So they've now seen 1000+ cases per day for the last three days. We'll see what the next week brings. Wisconsin (my home) removed ALL RESTRICTIONS last week after a state Supreme Court ruling. It's kinda funny (not really). The authority for the governor to issue 'emergency orders' was passed by the legislature in 1982, in response to the AIDS crisis. So the Republican controlled legislature complained that the rules were put in place without their input, and were too haphazard and confusing. That lawsuit was ruled on by the conservative controlled Supreme Court (WI SC races are suppposed to be 'non-partisan', but that's a fucking joke), who decided they didn't like the law that was passed, and ruled that the governor shouldn't have utilized his legislature defined authority. And conservatives complain about 'liberal activist judges' who 'legislate from the bench' (the dissenting opinion addressed this rather scathingly). So now there are no rules. And the Republicans, who claimed the wanted a "seat at the table", are now refusing to act on any restriction orders, saying that they want to let each county set it's own rules. Because statewide rules were 'too confusing and haphazard'. So far, only 2 counties have put rules in place (the ones that Milwaukee & Madison, the 2 biggest cities and biggest outbreaks are). Other counties are too afraid of more lawsuits, and the reality that having restrictions in one place but not another is like having a swimming pool with a 'No Peeing" section. a Of course, a lot of places opened up for 'business as usual. Bars all over were packed. The bars along the borders with Illinois & Minnesota were packed with people from those states, that still are pretty much closed. Yay. Give it a few weeks and we're gonna be really fucked.

Oh, please. Are you suggesting that anything is more important and useful than tracking consumer's buying habits in order to more effectively target them, and get them to buy more useless shit made overseas? What are you, some kind of commie? Although, I do find it rather amusing how well cell phone tracking data has been utilized to see how well people are following the 'stay at home' orders in various places. For example, the rich folks have pretty much vacated NYC. (NYT had a story).

Well, to be fair, while the execution really sucked, a huge part of the failure was a complete absence of ANY PLAN. Trump's entire plan at the beginning of February was that 'it will just go away, like a miracle'. Oh, and keep cruise ships away, so that they wouldn't increase the number of positive cases. While bringing back exposed US citizens from China on regular airline flights. That were chock full of other people. And not quarantine any of them. Awesome plan.

How about Wisconsin's approach? The Republicans sued the governor to end the extension of the quarantine order. The very conservative state SC did just that. They ruled that the governor overstepped his authority when he delegated responsibility to the head of the health department for implementing the extension (you know, actually letting the 'experts' decide what the best course of action is). So, when the ruling went public, the Tavern League (bar owners association, very powerful politically) put out the word. Open up. And they did. Bars all over the state opened up and were totally packed. No masks, no 'distancing', no nothing. Business as usual, or maybe a bit better because everyone was desparate to get out and socialize. The state saw something like 65 cases after the election, where the state SC refused to extend absentee voting or delay the election. And about 70 cases that reported 'attending large gatherings' in the 2 weeks after the protests. While both the election and the protests were 'sorta big', they were only a few thousand. There were likely tens of thousands in the bars over the weekend. I shudder to think how many cases were passed around in the last few days. And how many will come from those. "Exponential increases" anyone?

Cool. Thanks. That's what I found. Don't you get it?!?! It's all part of the 'Deep State'. They're (always, always, always it's "THEY") going to put those chips in you when you get a vaccine. Then 'they' can track you. And 'round you up'. And 'take away your guns'. And make you marry other men (or women, if you're a woman). And make you learn 'New Math'. I no longer find it hard to believe that there are fools out there who are convinced this is true. Doesn't make them any less foolish, but there you are.

I guess I don't see it as 'political retribution'. He's committed a LOT of crimes. And gotten away with them so far. THAT is the 'cycle' I'd like to see broken. Keep in mind that there are numerous investigations of his crimes currently in progress. There's a case before the Supreme Court right now about one. Trump's lawyers are trying to convince the court that he should have 'temporary immunity' from investigation, not just prosecution. And that his family and business entities should too. One concept that differentiates the US from many, many other countries is the basic principle that 'no man is above the law'. Trump is trying to undermine that. And has succeeded so far. It disgusts me.

One thing to remember: A Presidential pardon can only be for Federal crimes. Any state's attorney or local DA can still prosecute him for anything illegal he did in that state. I have a funny feeling he's going to have a few issues in New York.

When they choose a messiah who is Putin's bitch?

Yeah, there's only 8 of them on your post (including the 'name' part).

Got any documetation on this? I can find reports of 3 people having heart attacks shortly after being vaccinated, that were later determined to not be related. There was a significant increase in G-B syndrome, which is a known side effect of any flu vaccine. But I can't find how many died. In general, the 76 Swine Flu outbreak was 'over-reacted'. It didn't take off at all. The 09 outbreak was handled relatively well. Tons and tons of testing... Unlike today.

Somewhat similar to the "Ban Di-hydrogen monoxide" schtick. It's basically going to expose peoples' ignorance, gullibility and prejudices.

Much more the 'What the Actual Fuck' moment of the week.

^I'm in agreement with this. I know that virus vaccines are well understood. I realize that there are vaccines currently available for a couple strains of coronavirus. However, the fact that they are going to rush this one makes me a bit wary. They aren't going to do a full slate of testing. I understand that most of that testing is to establish the effectiveness and duration of the vaccine. But some of it is for safety. I remember Thalidomide. I'm likely going to wait a bit for my dose. There are lots and lots of other people who need it more than I do, so I will 'graciously' allow them first shot at it (pun intended). If, after a couple months, none of them have anything odd happen, like transforming into a duck, then I'll go for it.

I hadn't heard anything about him prior to this, but a bit of research seems to show he's an 'old school' kind of judge. No nonsense, applies the law as he sees it to everyone. I have a funny feeling he's 'just a bit' pissed off at Barr, Trump & Flynn. His comments to Flynn show how seriously he took this. The other 'funny part of this is that I don't think Trump will pardon Flynn. Trump seemed surprised to find out that for a convicted person to accept a pardon means that they also admit guilt. The Arpaio pardon was his lesson on that. Pardoning Flynn means admitting that he did what he did. By Flynn (who already pled guilty), but also by Trump. I simply can't see Trump's denial (and ego) allowing that.

Amazing the difference and editorial postion can make. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/judge-flynn-case-takes-unusual-step-allowing-3rd-party-briefs-n1205811 The "Justice" Dept abdicates it's role, so the judge is going to consider outside sources. I'd bet pretty heavily that 'standing' will be important, as will qualifications as to which briefs are admitted. After all, something like 2000 former DOJ officials (from both sides) are opposed to the Justice Dept's actions. Of course, Rand Paul got on Twitter and accused them of being the 'Deep State'. You know, people who actually signed their names are part of a vast, anonymous conspiracy.

I don't recall trying to convince you that 68 was 'great'. Just that we weren't closer to the 'verge of collapse' than we are now. Besides, 68 saw man reach the moon (not land on it, but get there). It also was the year of the Shelby Mustang GT 500 KR edition.