Donald Trump and the Coronavirus

[Starlight]

Because she doesn't give a damn about the average US citizen.

I'm not sure how much I agree with that. But I would be 1000x more certain that Trump doesn't give a damn about the average citizen. And 10x more certain that no Republican politicians do.

Nancy Pelosi is pretty useless at her job. And she's bad at PR. But most of the time she seems to be vaguely well-meaning and simply incompetent. Whereas pretty much all Republican politicians to the last appear to be in politics almost solely to line their own pockets. I don't like Pelosi because she's useless, but compared to Republican politicians who seem to manage to be the incarnation of evil and selfishness, she comes across as a saint, albeit an inept one.

[Starlight]

She's such a personification of Marie Antoinette here it's scary.

My ice-cream consumption has gone up to about 10x normal over this stay-at-home period, and my freezer is full of it. From what I've seen in articles, a lot of people are turning to food treats to tide them though the stay-at-home period. One diet column I read was basically "yeah, now's not the time for dieting, treat yourself to take away from the stress." People who can afford to do so, probably the vast majority, are likely buying themselves more food treats than usual from the supermarket, like ice cream and chocolate, particularly if their normal restaurant/takeaway foods are inaccessible.

Some people can't afford to do so, and that's sad indeed. And the Republicans who have gutted the unemployment systems around your country are the ones who deserve to burn in hell for that. I saw that they've managed to dismantle the unemployment system so much in Florida that they'd paid <100k people unemployment benefits despite >1m people applying for them. I don't know how they can live with themselves or how anyone who votes Republican can live with themselves. Disgusting.

[simplicio]

I'm not sure how much I agree with that. But I would be 1000x more certain that Trump doesn't give a damn about the average citizen. And 10x more certain that no Republican politicians do.

Nancy Pelosi is pretty useless at her job. And she's bad at PR. But most of the time she seems to be vaguely well-meaning and simply incompetent. Whereas pretty much all Republican politicians to the last appear to be in politics almost solely to line their own pockets. I don't like Pelosi because she's useless, but compared to Republican politicians who seem to manage to be the incarnation of evil and selfishness, she comes across as a saint, albeit an inept one.

Wow! Just what does competence look like in a representative government in a pluralistic society? One comment from Nazi propaganda was its disdain for democracy because it is too often cumbersome, slow, and laden with conflicting political trivialities. I do agree with this, but I am not any supporter of authoritarianism. (and not going Godwin, just noting an example of authoritarians' critique of democracies).

I see Pelosi as a capable leader. I disagree with most of her ideas. I was surprised at Pelosi's PR on some of the battles, I think she got the upperhand on the PR battles between conservatives and liberals. I do have to note that I am not endorsing Pelosi here.

I live in New York State, the senators we send to Washington are solidly liberal and Democrat. But Gillibrand and Schumer are able to draw grudging admiration (if not votes) of the conservative western and central NYS. But Gillibrand has met with conservative farmers and pushed their ideas on apple, grape and milk industries, and I note that many have commented favorably in their interactions with her. And they run competent district offices throughout the state, an important but overlooked function of our elected officials. But no, I do not vote for Gillibrand or Schumer.

The interview Pelosi gave was a misstep, but one comparable to Jared journey to the Trump's National Golf course to celebrate passover. (I will note that the refrigerators are not likely to be 16,000 dollars which some claim, but more in the range of 4,000 to 10,000. Refrigerators are expensive, even if they are not commercial ones)

Edit to Add: Do you think socialists have the general welfare in mind? Do you think conservatives have the general welfare in mind? Is there any clear and precise way to determine what is the best course of action to take politically? I think all pragmatic political solutions are attempts to do what is best, even if we disagree. So the most odious segregationist from 1950 did have the general welfare in mind, that all races would be better off in a segregated society. I use that example to illustrate my point, not to promote segregation.

[seanD]

My ice-cream consumption has gone up to about 10x normal over this stay-at-home period, and my freezer is full of it. From what I've seen in articles, a lot of people are turning to food treats to tide them though the stay-at-home period. One diet column I read was basically "yeah, now's not the time for dieting, treat yourself to take away from the stress." People who can afford to do so, probably the vast majority, are likely buying themselves more food treats than usual from the supermarket, like ice cream and chocolate, particularly if their normal restaurant/takeaway foods are inaccessible.

Some people can't afford to do so, and that's sad indeed. And the Republicans who have gutted the unemployment systems around your country are the ones who deserve to burn in hell for that. I saw that they've managed to dismantle the unemployment system so much in Florida that they'd paid <100k people unemployment benefits despite >1m people applying for them. I don't know how they can live with themselves or how anyone who votes Republican can live with themselves. Disgusting.

Both parties beefed up unemployment for the sake of the crisis, so stop trying appeal to whataboutism to justify the repulsive optics of that disconnected witch.

[Starlight]

Both parties beefed up unemployment for the sake of the crisis

Go investigate how much unemployment Florida is paying out compared to the number of claims they are receiving.

[seanD]

Go investigate how much unemployment Florida is paying out compared to the number of claims they are receiving.

I have no idea. Not only would I have to investigate if what you're saying is even true, but then I'd have investigate multiple sources and weigh through bias politics from both sides to figure out why this is happening and whose fault it is. Not interested. You don't see Reps showing off their lavish estates and giggling about how much ice cream they have stocked up, while folks are suffering. It's bad optics, but she's so removed from reality she doesn't even realize how bad it looks, or she just doesn't care.

[carpedm9587]

I have no idea. Not only would I have to investigate if what you're saying is even true, but then I'd have investigate multiple sources and weigh through bias politics from both sides to figure out why this is happening and whose fault it is. Not interested. You don't see Reps showing off their lavish estates and giggling about how much ice cream they have stocked up, while folks are suffering. It's bad optics, but she's so removed from reality she doesn't even realize how bad it looks, or she just doesn't care.

She made a stupid mistake, not thinking through the optics. While I was watching it, my thought was, "I think she thinks she's just doing a human interest "how we hunker down in a crisis" interview, but it really looks bad and she has no clue." As for Reps - I suggest you be careful before tossing too many stones. The incidence of Reps making stupid decisions around optics isn't zero. It may not be related to this crisis - but they are out there.

[Starlight]

I have no idea... Not interested.

There's no helping the wilfully blind to see I guess.

You don't see Reps showing off their lavish estates and giggling about how much ice cream they have stocked up, while folks are suffering. It's bad optics, but she's so removed from reality she doesn't even realize how bad it looks, or she just doesn't care.

She's an inept old woman thinking she'll come across as personable and likeable if she goes on a friendly TV show. Her thought process was probably "people like ice cream, I like ice cream, I will come across as relatable if people see I like what they like." And to some extent she was right - I, myself, have a freezer full of ice cream currently and can relate to that.

She just lacks the PR skills to understand that now is not the right time to be doing that type of TV show. And she didn't think through how it could be used against her by the nasty and unscrupulous. It's the same sort of poor understanding of PR that led Hillary Clinton to say "Pokemon Go to the polls!" and think she was being down and hip with the young people and that this would actually encourage them to go to the polls. Their poor talent for PR is a reason to pity them both, and a reason why they shouldn't be leading a major party. But it's foolish to misinterpret doddery old people making swings and misses at being hip and relatable, as them actually being bad or evil people.

[carpedm9587]

There's no helping the wilfully blind to see I guess.

She's an inept old woman thinking she'll come across as personable and likeable if she goes on a friendly TV show. Her thought process was probably "people like ice cream, I like ice cream, I will come across as relatable if people see I like what they like." And to some extent she was right - I, myself, have a freezer full of ice cream currently and can relate to that.

She just lacks the PR skills to understand that now is not the right time to be doing that type of TV show. And she didn't think through how it could be used against her by the nasty and unscrupulous. It's the same sort of poor understanding of PR that led Hillary Clinton to say "Pokemon Go to the polls!" and think she was being down and hip with the young people and that this would actually encourage them to go to the polls. Their poor talent for PR is a reason to pity them both, and a reason why they shouldn't be leading a major party. But it's foolish to misinterpret doddery old people making swings and misses at being hip and relatable, as them actually being bad or evil people.

Reminds me of Feinstein's meeting with the kids when she informed them they weren't voters so they basically didn't matter. Really nice optics!

[Starlight]

Reminds me of Feinstein's meeting with the kids when she informed them they weren't voters so they basically didn't matter. Really nice optics!

One of many reasons I think voting should be open to anyone old enough to fill out a ballot unassisted.

Part of the effectiveness of women getting the right to vote lay in the fact that up until then, politicians could ignore issues of concern to women, knowing those women couldn't vote them out.

Though the primary advantage I see of a lower voting age is it gets young people into the habit of voting which they will retain throughout their lives, and it gets them to start thinking about politics and political issues earlier (and this generation of young people is good at using google to learn more and social media to discuss issues with others) so hopefully the electorate as a whole would become more informed on issues.

[carpedm9587]

One of many reasons I think voting should be open to anyone old enough to fill out a ballot unassisted.

Part of the effectiveness of women getting the right to vote lay in the fact that up until then, politicians could ignore issues of concern to women, knowing those women couldn't vote them out.

Though the primary advantage I see of a lower voting age is it gets young people into the habit of voting which they will retain throughout their lives, and it gets them to start thinking about politics and political issues earlier (and this generation of young people is good at using google to learn more and social media to discuss issues with others) so hopefully the electorate as a whole would become more informed on issues.

If you're old enough to drive, you're old enough to vote. And then making a driver's license a path to automatic voter registration (assuming proof of citizenship) simplifies that whole process. I like it!

[Roy]

Donald Trump's record on the Coronavirus.

(1) Trump reduced the funding of the health agencies that would be involved with this type of disaster, and proposed 10% each of the next two years/.
(2) In 2018 he disbanded the Pandemic Department.
(3) He repeatedly minimized and ridiculed the Coronavirus and said it would go away 'quickly.' Sounds like the original Chinese response.
(4} He held a campaign rally and exposed many including himself and the Mayor of Miami to the virus. The Mayor and others have the virus and he has so far refused to be tested.
(5) He has constantly over estimated the testing available to the public.

(6) He has suggested that Coronavirus can be treated by injecting bleach.

[firstfloor]

[Starlight]

TrumpInject4.jpg

[Starlight]

(6) He has suggested that Coronavirus can be treated by injecting bleach.

And UV, don't forget the getting UV into the lungs part. I guess if we cut open the chest we can hang the lungs out in the sun to let the UV do its work.