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Trump's Shameful Press Conference on Coronavirus

Why does the media continue to carry Trump's press statements? He is a dangerous, dishonest demogogue that should be frog-marched out of office, not given a daily platform for his reelection campaign.

He is consumed by self pity. He fingerpoints at everyone and takes no responsibility. He calls the Times story fake news. He plays a powerpoint with selected clips praising him. He denies he wanted Fauci fired. Fauci comes up to distinguish what he said earlier from being a criticism of Trump. How so? It was a "hypothetical". Trump flounders when asked about why he re-tweeted "#FireFauci" if he didn't want him fired. He says he was just retweeting someone else's opinion.

Astonishingly, Trump says the Governors elected not to get ventilators. (They should have had their own stockpiles). "We've done this right," he claims.

Trump says he, not the governors, has the ultimate authority to order the country to re-open. He says he's close to doing so, and it may happen ahead of schedule. "We're ready to rock". [More...]

No he doesn't have that power. From the Guardian's coverage of today's press conference:

University of Texas law professor Steve Vladeck has countered that: “The president has no formal legal authority to categorically override local or state shelter-in-place orders or to reopen schools and small businesses. No statute delegates to him such power; no constitutional provision invests him with such authority.”

Trump himself has said that state governors are — and should be — ultimately responsible for managing state shelter-in-place orders. When previously asked about whether he would issue a national stay at home order, the president repeatedly deferred to the governors.

At the end, he again mentions the broken system he received from the previous administration.

America is in a crisis and Donald Trump's disingenous, dishonest, misleading re-writing of recent history is a disgrace.

During the q and a, he childishly attacks a female reporter, saying if he had the information, she'd be the last person he'd tell.

"This country has been ripped off by everyone", Trump complains, in another "not my fault" rant. A few days ago an editor at the Guardian wrote a long piece arguing that because of Trump, the global standing of the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level ever, and it will take decades for the U.S. to recover its global image, if it happens at all. He gives lots of examples of how Trump has caused this fall.

To add insult to injury, look who will serve on the economic task force: the un-royal couple, Ivanka and Jared, Trump buddy and former talk show host Larry Kramer, sleepy Wilbur Ross and Steve Mneuchin. Not a single medical or disease expert.

At the Colorado Convention Center, a few short blocks from where I live, the Army Corps of Engineers is busy building a "pop-up treatment facility" with 2,000 beds to house an "expected surge" in coronavirus cases. Supposedly, the facility will be used to house patients transferred from hospitals who aren't well enough to go home. (I hope that doesn't mean still sick patients who they want to take off ventilators, to free the ventilators up for patients who are younger or without other health conditions, making them more likely to survive. That would make the new facilities more like death tents rather than a recovery facility. 2,000 seems like an awful lot of beds for Denver).

Colorado Case Summary (Updated 4/13 at 4 p.m.):
* 7,691 cases
* 1,493 hospitalized
* 56 counties
* 38,742 people tested
* 308 deaths
* 72 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities

Testing is still unavailable in Colorado except to select groups of people.

The virus is still spreading fiercely through the jails, infecting guards and inmates. (Guards, who can go home at the end of their shift, may unknowingly spread the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic).

The virus has now appeared at an ICE facility. In New York, more than 20 NYPD members have died from the virus.

My view: Trump is unfit and too emotionally unstable to occupy a desk in the oval office. The press should shut down these self-congratulatory, dishonest pressers which Trump is using as campaign commercials. (He again called Biden "Sleepy Joe".)

Trump has done an abysmal job of handling this crisis. Americans are afraid, and should be afraid because the country is like a rudderlsess ship with Donald Trump trying to find the helm, which is always beyond his reach.

Not mentioned enough: The effect of the shut-down on the Trump Organization, which is in the hospitality business. His hotels are shuttered, of course he Trump wants to restart the economy now. Trump is always motivated by self-interest. With every decision he makes, we must not forget to ask: What's in it for Trump and his family?

< Cook County Jail is Now Largest Source of Coronavirus | Elizabeth Warren Says She'd Accept Biden's VP Nomination >
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  • Display: Sort:
    If this was Ancient Rome (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by jondee on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 07:46:16 PM EST
    the Praetorian Guard would've passed out daggers by now.

    If for no other reason than that this megaloamiacal putz has access to the nuclear codes.

    Do you get feeling that the (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 08:35:41 PM EST
    orange clown thinks that the governors of the 50 states work for him? His claims that he has ultimate authority to "reopen" the country are simply ridiculous. He doesn't realize that they are not his employees that he can order about.

    First, he says the states have to manage this on their own. He is not a "shipping clerk." He seizes the states medical supply orders. The clown prince says the federal stockpile is not the states' stockpile. Now somehow after all that, he thinks he gets to take the credit for putting the economy back on track. How does any one person have that much gall?

    He has so alienated the rest of the world that they have stopped shipments of supplies to the US. He is too stupid to realize that most of the needed supplies are not manufactured here. We need the cooperation of the rest of the world to stop this pandemic.

    I say it again. This country WILL NOT survive another four years of this $hit$how. If you do not rally around the Democratic nominee and replace the Republicans in the Senate, this country is finished. Done. Finito. Kiss your country goodbye.


    He does not have a basic understanding (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by Peter G on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 10:04:53 PM EST
    of the U.S. Constitution, that is, the "federalism" balance between state and national government, with defined powers for each. Not enough to get a passing grade in what ought to be 8th grade civics class, or an 11th grade "U.S. Government" class.

    Parent
    Or a citizenship (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 09:35:34 AM EST
    Test.

    Parent
    To be fair, Peter, ... (none / 0) (#14)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 03:05:28 PM EST
    ... neither do most Republicans. The level of cognitive dissonance that's collectively required of them to maintain this pretentious façade of Trumpian intellect and competence is only further compounding the already-disastrous consequences for our country.

    They've forfeited any further right to be taken at their word.

    Parent

    My guess (none / 0) (#10)
    by smott on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 01:46:57 PM EST
    Is he will get jealous when he sees the positive ratings so many (esp blue) state Govs are getting, and try to wrest back control by demanding that we re-open the economy.

    Red State MAGA Govs like DeSantis will open the beaches again, blue states like Cuomo et al will tell him to piss off and stay locked down.

    And....big new outbreaks in red states!....

    Parent

    It may get him a right wing (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 10:00:34 PM EST
    Third party challenger.  That would NOT suck.
    Amash tweeted this after the show.


    Justin Amash
    @justinamash
    ·
    3h
    Americans who believe in limited government deserve another option.
    Quote Tweet

    Justin Amash
    @justinamash
     · 3h
    "When somebody's president of the United States, the authority is total, and that's the way it's gotta be."
    --Donald Trump

    Amash would probably not make it to double digits but he might not need to.

    Oh I dunno (none / 0) (#12)
    by smott on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 02:01:18 PM EST
    I think any 3rd Party helps Trump.
    The Bernie Left is just looking for somewhere to go.
    I mean check out Kyle Kulinski today. These Bros just are amazing.

    Parent
    SITE VIOLATOR (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by jmacWA on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 05:23:16 AM EST
    Extraordinaire


    Holy cr@p (none / 0) (#29)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 02:40:48 PM EST
    they are coming out of the woodwork lately.

    Parent
    SITE VIOLATOR (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 07:39:15 AM EST


    Political Wire (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 10:15:57 AM EST
    Elle: "Experienced politicians know there is a right way to answer questions about pursuing higher office. Be demure. Redirect. Convey vague interest while insisting never to have given it serious consideration. But Stacey Abrams does not give the expected answer when I ask if she would accept an offer from former vice president Joe Biden to serve as his 2020 running mate."

    Said Abrams: "Yes. I would be honored. I would be an excellent running mate. I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities. I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. I've spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy. I am ready to help advance an agenda of restoring America's place in the world. If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve."

    "Abrams's direct response betrays ambition, makes verifiable claims, and establishes outcomes to which she could later be held accountable. By normal political rules, it is the wrong answer. But as Abrams and I talk in March in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, it is clear that normal political rules no longer apply."

    What she said

    According to the (none / 0) (#28)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 02:25:20 PM EST
    lists I have seen she is not in the top 5.

    Parent
    I could not agree more. (none / 0) (#2)
    by desertswine on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 07:52:44 PM EST


    Both cable news networks (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 08:11:40 PM EST
    Cut away for a while for the right reasons,   I happened to be watching at the time.  But then MSNBC went back when he started ranting.  He put on quite the show today

    It's like they just can't help themselves

    I watched on You Tube (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 08:21:42 PM EST
    so I could type at the same time, and had it on til the very end.

    Parent
    In air talent (none / 0) (#11)
    by smott on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 01:47:38 PM EST
    Needs to just refuse to go on if their idiot bosses carry it live.

    Parent
    That's what I think. (none / 0) (#15)
    by ruffian on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 03:08:58 PM EST
    It will continue until the reporters just refuse to play along. If they think they must go, just listen to the prepared statements, painful as that is, and then don't ask any questions and leave.

    Parent
    here in la county (none / 0) (#8)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Apr 13, 2020 at 11:48:09 PM EST
    it seems, hopefully, that the daily new cases and deaths peaked about a week or so ago. Both now appear to be on the decline.

    Colorado appears to be plateauing.

    We in CA credit our apparent success to Sheila Jackson Lee's leadership and example in how to protect oneself by wearing a mask.

    Not sure about CO.

    Most peolpe were wearing masks in the grocery (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by ruffian on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 03:11:21 PM EST
    store here near Denver when I went last Friday. I was glad to see it. I had on my homemade mask made form a linen napkin. Very stylish!

    Every day when I get depressed about staying in I look out the window and thank god I'm in Colorado and not Florida. Great unintended timing for me.

    Parent

    Wow (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 06:33:52 PM EST
    yes, you did get out of Florida just in the nick of time. DeSantis and Kemp are in competition for the nation's worst governor. Unfortunately for everybody who lives in FL and GA the states share borders. There is no escape.

    Parent
    I often wonder (none / 0) (#31)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 04:12:49 PM EST
    how you are doing down there, Ga, with your governor and all.
    Keep on keeping on.


    Parent
    Not much (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 08:04:41 PM EST
    you can do other than listen to the advice from scientists and medical experts and keep your head down. With so many idiots around here I seriously worry about a major outbreak.

    Parent
    As bad as your Governor is, I think DeSantis (none / 0) (#38)
    by vml68 on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 11:10:05 PM EST
    is worse. AFAIK, Kemp did not declare WWE an 'essential service'?

    Parent
    We have enough issues here without one of your (none / 0) (#39)
    by vml68 on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 11:48:31 PM EST
    Yes, (none / 0) (#42)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 16, 2020 at 05:39:12 AM EST
    we have some just genius level members of the GA legislature don't we? That particular rep has a district not too far from me and I had never heard of him before. Apparently he took the state senate seat of my congressional rep Barry Loudermilk who is another embarrassment to GA.

    But yeah, the entire country is laughing at DeSantis calling WWE an essential activity.

    Parent

    Here in PA (none / 0) (#43)
    by smott on Thu Apr 16, 2020 at 07:53:11 AM EST
    Our GOP state senate passed a bill trying to force our Dem Gov to allow businesses to re-open. Unanimous Dem opposition.

    Thing is, I doubt people would even come to newly opened shops/theaters/restaurants and so on.

    Also I wonder at liability for biz owner, forcing employees to return to an unsafe work environment....

    Parent

    That's the thing (none / 0) (#44)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Apr 16, 2020 at 09:05:36 AM EST
    who is going to go to any of these public venues if they reopen? I was discussing this with a friend of mine and she said even if they open she's not going to a restaurant. Most restaurants here are doing prepared meals and selling specialty groceries.

    Parent
    Unfortunately, as soon as the stay at home (none / 0) (#48)
    by vml68 on Fri Apr 17, 2020 at 02:24:50 PM EST
    order is lifted, my husband will start travelling for work again. That means airplanes/hotels/restaurants are unavoidable.

    Parent
    Bandana (none / 0) (#18)
    by MKS on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 06:59:51 PM EST
    works for me.....

    Everybody in California is wearing masks....

    Parent

    Yeah we are flattening here (none / 0) (#13)
    by smott on Tue Apr 14, 2020 at 02:34:38 PM EST
    In Western PA.
    But there's no going back to any semblance of normal til we get comprehensive (probably testing.

    Anybody got 300 million antibody tests?

    Parent

    SITE VIOLATOR (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 07:39:25 AM EST


    Capt (none / 0) (#25)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 08:30:32 AM EST
    You are almost overrun by these @#$&*() violators.

    Parent
    Guess they are (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 08:45:00 AM EST
    Bored too.

    Parent
    I emailed (none / 0) (#30)
    by Zorba on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 04:10:54 PM EST
    Jeralyn to let her know her site is being overrun by vermin.

    Parent
    I think i got them all (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Apr 18, 2020 at 04:45:30 AM EST
    Mostly they are from russia

    Parent
    Thanks, J. (none / 0) (#51)
    by Zorba on Sat Apr 18, 2020 at 03:36:22 PM EST
    And why am I not surprised that most of them were Russian?
    Take care!

    Parent
    Yo tambien Zorba... (none / 0) (#36)
    by fishcamp on Wed Apr 15, 2020 at 09:53:11 PM EST
    Geez, they're coming in fast and furious. (none / 0) (#47)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Apr 16, 2020 at 06:09:35 PM EST


    Handy dashboard (none / 0) (#50)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Sat Apr 18, 2020 at 12:36:54 PM EST