As I invested way too much time yesterday writing about Trump’s budding jihad against Twitter, I’ve decided that, tonight, I’d like to focus elsewhere. So, as much as I’d like to write about our president’s toothless retaliatory attack against the social media company that had the audacity to fact-check him, and his growing fondness for the platform of the evil bootlicking Mark Zuckerberg, I’m just going to pass along the following two Twitter posts from October 25, 2019. One was posted by Donald Trump. The other was posted by Joe Biden. And, taken side by side, I think they illustrate just how stark the contrast is between the two men, their priorities, and how the view the job of president. As much as I liked the Mourning in America campaign put out by the Lincoln Project a few weeks ago, this, in my opinion, is far more devastating.
One more thing. Today, with 103,330 Americans lying dead, Donald Trump tweeted a video that began, “The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.” That is not leadership. That is fucking insanity. We can, and must, do better, America.
72 Comments
“When someone tells you who they are, believe them”… Maya Angelou would be gunned up at this point.
His threats of violence are too extensive not to take seriously. I’m sure there are Generals lined up for an effective institutional response. I know first hand that a lot of highly skilled rank and file deep state are ready to protect The Constitution by any means necessary. In his last throws of criminal desperation, he will throw his followers into the line of fire and they will be the ones to pay the dearest price.
The problem is “… ready to protect The Constitution by any means necessary” means very different things to different people.
For everyone who believes this means standing up for civil rights, democracy, and the rule of law – there are plenty who instead believe this stands for maintaining “order,” crushing dissent, and defending plutocracy.
You ultra-hypocritical fools better not ever invoke the USA Constitution ever again after this martial law shit. That goes for the Michigan one too. Your comrades just secured Minnesota for Trump by the way.
JB’s problem is always already the solution. And he knows that is true—perfectly well. It’s why I call him FJB.
#bumperstickersalesmen
There is nothing unconstitutional about the current public health response here in Michigan. There isn’t martial law. There are just perfectly legal executive orders. This isn’t the first time quarantine measures have needed to be put in place and these issues have already been through the courts. Sorry HW, those of us who understand the US Constitution better than you will continue to invoke it as we see fit.
However, Demetrius is correct in that people all have their own interpretations of it. That is why we have courts. And it is ok, too, to have an opinion about what it means that is different than the opinion of what the court says but if you are going to proclaim something unconstitutional, it doesn’t mean anything unless the courts agree. e.g. My opinion is that the “well-regulated militia” part of the second amendment means that guns can be entirely banned for individuals. The courts however have established that it does protect an individual’s right to have a gun.
I acknowledge that it is HW’s opinion that the quarantine is unconstitutional but I also don’t care since the courts have determined that it is. That is what matters.
You can only put people under house arrest under martial law.
*The* People
HW, do you know what the word “martial” means? (a rhetorical question since it is very clear that you do not)
Call it suspending the Constitution or call it a Police State if you don’t like martial law then. It doesn’t matter.
A quarantine is when you require sick people to be isolated. Restricting the movement of well people is tyranny.
Donald Trump doesn’t care about Black people.
Not a word about a major city set on fire by protestors! Pretty wild shit. They went on late into the night before any law enforcement response. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Burned down the cop shop!
Social distancing is in the trash if you condone the riots. You can’t try to shame anyone ever again about that. Terrible thing for a cop or anyone to do and should be punished but I wonder if playing with fire is very smart.
Or Brown people.
Or immigrants who aren’t super models.
Or Democrats.
Or Republicans who don’t support him.
Or anyone who doesn’t agree with him.
Ever.
FF,HW, and EOS think they are safe, because they aren’t TARGETED by the fucking President of the United States.
But Trump doesn’t care about them either.
If they die or lose their jobs of health care in order to prop him up, that’s nothing to him.
He only cares about winning.
And he has them all looking elsewhere.
Donald Trump has done things for black Americans that no president has done. You have even acknowledged some of them. Criminal justice reform for a start. Somehow when you get schooled nothing sticks.
‘A riot is the language of the unheard.’
‘Some of the implements for building a meaningful life can be found at Autozone’
‘Get in the zone, autozone’
Do whatever it is that you find justified and necessary, JH and FJB! Do it now! Why wouldn’t you? How couldn’t you?
#blahblahblah
Aloha, out of control police violence is every where and folks are sick of putting up with it. If lawless cops protect other lawless cops, then burning the cop house down seems appropriate. It is clearly only the prospect of citizen action which caused the Georgia State Police to arrest the three murders in Georgia. It was only the action of citizens which caused Minneapolis to place the officers on “administrative leave”. The citizen actions in Minneapolis will stop once the officers are arrested for manslaughter or some such crime.
I see they have now –finally arrested one of the murderers.
https://www.startribune.com/derek-chauvin-charged-with-murder-manslaughter/570864092/
HW, I call the current restriction of movement necessary in the current conditions in order to keep the most people safe. Things are going to start easing up soon. It really always cracks me up what white men view as oppression. If you were treated even a little bit the way black men are treated in this country, you would not be able to handle it.
I don’t condone violence but at the same time, I cannot really bring myself to be overly critical when oppressed people find their frustration turning into rage like that. Especially when their peaceful actions haven’t helped them. Unfortunately, too many people in power positions as white people usually are will only pay attention when they lose something too.
Black Lives Matter has gotten quite a bit of media attention over the years so maybe being unheard isn’t the problem. Antifa: same thing. CNN is wild about both of them.
You think it is necessary to suspend the Constitution. We agree.
We agree that YOU think it is necessary to suspend the Constitution.
Aloha, the individual who began the looting has been identified as a member of the St. Paul police. Police frequently deploy agent provocateurs when attempting to malign popular movements.
https://twitter.com/dyllyp/status/1266107862918377472
That is interesting Wobblie. Thanks for sharing. If true that cop should be in very big trouble. Can we agree though that if it was photoshopped the person who photoshopped it should be in the same very big trouble?
Aloha, Denmark and Norway are opening up to tourist from each other and Germany and Iceland (with some limits). Sweden is explicitly excluded because of its non-containment of the virus. Expect more and more of the world to be excluded to US travel as they successfully crush the virus. Those economies like Sweden, the UK, Brazil and the USA will find them selves excluded from the rest of the world, at least as far as tourism.
Minnesota Attorney General pimps antifa handbook
https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1266224439362048001
Nothing adding up yet? A cop starting it off? Come on now. Let’s be real. This is about the election. It’s controlled chaos. Provocateurs do what they need to to get a mob mentality and the mob does the rest.
Why are US covid deaths trending down throughout May even as states open up, stupid name? You sound lost in your own little world there.
Deaths lag behind mass behavior by several weeks. Many people don’t show symptoms for a week after contracting the virus. Many then suffer for 4 to 6 weeks before either dying or recovering.
Oh, I thought the lag was a couple of weeks. Wasn’t that the operating assumption? This article from April gives a nine day lag. It says it slowly climbed for several days after that but presumably not much over the nine days. Daily USA covid deaths have been trending down all month though.
What day was it you asked what day next week the CDC will announce a covid resurgence because of states opening? You know what I said, right? What’s the implication for you now that that didn’t happen? If it never happens???
George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, in slow motion, in broad daylight, in front of multiple witnesses, while being recorded. Floyd’s alleged crime? Passing a counterfeit $20 bill.
Recognizing the legitimacy of peoples’ anger and pain (and fear) isn’t the same as condoning rioting or looting – but in so many of these cases, peaceful calls for reform, for justice, have been ignored again and again.
So, what ARE people supposed to do when they feel they have no peaceful recourse?
I don’t know. It makes me mad too. I don’t assume it’s not manufactured to precipitate riots though. To kill a strong man with a knee on the neck doesn’t seem that easy. I have never heard of something like that. I think you would see a lot more accidental deaths in streetfights if it was that easy. I’m not “claiming” it’s set up or fake or a hoax. It certainly is possible though.
It is happening, in 25 states. The daily new cases are on the rise in many part so of the country. It’s now more in states in the south and rural areas where the numbers are going up.
The summer weather has been slowing the spread quite a bit, but daily new infection rates are still going up in those rural areas and those places where public opinion is that the threat is overblown.
“Let’s be real. This is about the election.”
Are you suggesting that Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on behalf of the Biden campaign? That’s some next level shit.
Demetrius: “So, what ARE people supposed to do when they feel they have no peaceful recourse?”
Organize boycotts and civil disobedience which impact the finances of the wealthy and powerful. It’s the most effective means in getting actual change.
Making noise and destroying private property has a counter-productive impact. That’s why provocateurs direct the ignorant masses in that direction.
@ iRobert
I somewhat agree. In the long run, rioting and looting tends to harm the very neighborhoods, and people, where such grievances are meant to be addressed – for example, by driving away investments that provide opportunities for jobs, and the availability basic goods, like groceries.
Again, I’m not condoning these actions, merely saying I can understand how such anger can drive some people to participate in such desperate measures.
It seems to me that when the virus to area it always results in a bell curve no matter what.
I don’t have time to follow the news right now. Question for Demetrius: Is there a movement to try to protect the police officers from prosecution? If not then what are you talking about and is what you are talking about potentially problematic? Problematic how?
FF,
The curves are bell shaped on the left, but a slow decline to the right, and more of a line than a curve.
The lag in impact and seasonal decline are giving people a false sense of this thing being under control. It isn’t at all.
By the way, we are still having a few days each week with more than 1,000 deaths in the US. Usually two or three days per week.
We will soon see if reopening in the earliest and hardest hit cities is going to level off that decline in daily deaths or even begin to bring that upward curve again. I predict a slight curve upward soon. I expect a dramatic and devastating wave in autumn, depending on when the cooler weather hits us.
“Eel
Posted May 29, 2020 at 4:45 pm | Permalink
“Let’s be real. This is about the election.”
Are you suggesting that Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on behalf of the Biden campaign? That’s some next level shit.”
No, you dumb fuckin’ asshole. Your illiteracy is next level though. How do you get through life? My god. I have doubts clearly stated that it might not be that easy to kill him in that manner. I never said a damn thing about the “Biden campaign” so maybe you ought to shut the fuck up. That’s what I am suggesting.
From what I see in the video, I’d say Chaivin is guilty of murder, maybe even 2nd degree. But I find it very interesting that we never see any video showing what transpired which brought the deceased to the ground. Why are we not seeing that do you suppose?
Where do you get your information, iDerp? CDC says new cases are trending down just like deaths.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
Trending down, but still exceeding 1,000 per day on at least a couple days out of any consecutive seven.
Deaths and new cases would be considered trancing down even if it were only by a reduction of one per day.
I agreed the nationwide totals are trending down. But many states are trending up. Most or maybe all of those are states which had not been among the early or worst hit.
But Wyoming with five cases more than doubling up to 12 or whatever probably doesn’t mean much and that would be one of those states trending up. If the Big (covid-filled) Apple has fewer cases that is probably more significant than all the other states combined.
The daily US COVID-19 (recorded) death toll exceeded 1,000 a day or two ago.
Looking at the graph of the previous seven days’ totals, it looks like the daily numbers were approximately…
1,250
1,600
900
550
800
700
1,050
A spike but a lower spike; trending down. If it follows the pattern the next low will be lower than the last one and so on.
Yahoo! Finance is reporting today that cases have risen for the third day in a row.
U.S. Cases Rise 1.2% for Third Day; Moderna Trial: Virus Update
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/texas-cases-climb-3-2-225549664.html
IHME is now estimating total deaths to be at 131,967 by August 4th. That’s about 16,000 fewer than their projection was at a week or so ago.
Devil is in the details. From your article:
“That’s in line with Wednesday and Thursday’s rates, and below the average of 1.3% over the past seven days.”
Aloha, was it an increase of 1.2% or 1.3%. Technocratic death cult member quibling about the numbers. The US has 20% of world wide covid cases and nearly 30% of all deaths. MAGA.
If you think it is increasing at the moment because of the latest spike in the graph then you wouldn’t be wrong. Over the month it has gone down and the pattern is after the spike it goes down further.
We are a large country with a ton of international travel that got through before the prescient travel ban. It’s still only some 5% of the no-action-taken projection. Pretty focking good I would say.
Daily deaths down since April 16th. Not straight down; durr. That’s what ‘trending’ means.
https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus/country/united-states?country=~USA
Most states that were hit early and hardest are trending down now. But if all 50 states, most are not trending down.
We’ve had another 24 hour period of more than 1,000 deaths.
But of all 50 states, most are not trending down.
The US has had another 24 hour period of more than 1,000 deaths.
Aloha, I wonder if the Trump virus spreading among soldiers confine to base is as serious as a billion dollar aircraft carrier being taken out by those nasty germs. Gives folks in “host” countries yet another reason to demand we get the fuck out. And S. Korea has been pretty successful at crushing the virus.
https://www.stripes.com/two-soldiers-test-positive-for-coronavirus-after-arriving-in-south-korea-from-the-us-1.631781
You are right iRobert. It is wrong to say it always has the shape of a bell curve. Wishful thinking on my part. It does seem like the virus moves into area, hits peak death, then goes down.
Aloha FF, you missed some important characteristics. Trump virus is brought into an area by non-symptomatic hosts. Trump virus spreads among new population for a week to ten days before first symptomatic cases occur. Rapid onset of cases as previously infected begin having symptoms. Stay at home orders are issued. 6 weeks later cases begin subsiding. People acting on the Leaders orders begin spreading the Trump virus to new previously under control areas. Leader agitate and repeat.
I acknowledge that the nationwide daily death rate is trending down and has been since mid-April. I’m just making the point that the rural areas, and places where the virus is not being taken seriously, are slowing that downward trend of overall national numbers. I fear that the areas where cases and deaths are still rising will keep daily death tolls in the hundreds at least throughout the summer.
I don’t think there any areas that are “under control” or have been virus free for quite awhile. My understanding is that there is a tipping point where the virus can no longer be traced and isolated. I think it is referred to as at the “community level”. Correct me if I am wrong. It seems entirely possible the virus was in Wayne county early and it just manifested itself many weeks later amongst the people who are most susceptible. Everybody knows people can have it and be asymptomatic carriers…It seems like you might want to incorporate that fact into your strange idea that there are virus free spots in the US.
Are you planning to move to China soon? Sounds like you might like it there.
I’m thinking there are only two leaders compassionate and competent enough to rule over our great Wobblie: Jinping or DeSantis. China or Florida? What is your pick?
Aloha FF, they tracked the Trump virus arrival to Michigan to March 1 at 11 am at Metro airport. It then went to the Tap room a local gym and spread from there until the first hospitalizations around a week later.
No I have no interest in moving from an authoritarian war mongering country to yet another authoritarian country. I do prefer more benign and compassionate masters than the current Leader. In general though cults of personalities are exactly that, cults.
Aloha FF, they tracked the Trump virus arrival to Michigan to March 1 at 11 am at Metro airport. It then went to the Tap room a local gym and spread from there until the first hospitalizations around a week later.
No I have no interest in moving from an authoritarian war mongering country to yet another authoritarian country. I do prefer more benign and compassionate masters than the current Leader. In general though cults of personalities are exactly that, cults.
Aloha it seems that right wing agents are out in force. Attempts to provoke violence are occurring at an accelerating rate. First there were obvious provocateurs provoking the violence in Minneapolis. Many locals belief they were Proud Boys and off duty cops out to discredit the protesters. Then some body in an SUV tries to mow down a group of protesters in San Jose, two were hit. Then somebody in an SUV starts shooting into protesters in Detroit killing one. Then somebody in an SUV shoots and kills two Federal contract Agents in San Francisco.
The fascist right knows they will loose the election in November. Democratic office holders need to hold the thugs to account. This country has had right wing death squads in the past. Coddling armed extremist must be stopped, now. Arrests need to happen. If they are not stopped right now, they will escalate their race war hoping to provoke a response that Trump can use as an excuse.
I am open to being corrected but I think you are building fairy tales upon fairy tales. Those first few known and reported cases in Michigan (tap room, ymca, hair salon) are not and have never been equated with patient zero for Michigan. I believe that is pure fiction you are spinning. If I am correct, your basic misunderstanding there, would account for your wild oversimplification of the problem and solution. Your constant use of the phrase of “crushing the virus” is just silliness….(Correct me where I am wrong.)
Is there an identifiable movement or sentiment in support of letting the cop evade justice? I have not heard of one. I have not heard a single individual claim the cop was guilty of something in the ball park of murder. If there is near universal agreement that the cop is guilty what does that do the theory that there forces are conspiring to discredit protestors?
*not guilty
Aloha FF, New Zealand 0 new cases for weeks, Iceland 0 new cases for weeks. China 0 new cases for weeks. That is crushing the virus. In my adopted home of the Bahamas 3 new cases in Bimini has caused the re imposition of a 24 hr curfew for 2 weeks because they are committed to crushing the virus. Let me know when you want your errors corrected, no problem.
Don’t forget Boblo Island and my grandma’s farm where there are still zero cases.
Here are the preliminary daily death totals for the last two weeks.
May 20 : 1,403
May 21 : 1,411
May 22 : 1,298
May 23 : 1,033
May 24 : 615
May 25 : 505
May 26 : 774
May 27 : 1,535
May 28 : 1,223
May 29 : 1,212
May 30 : 1,015
May 31 : 638
June 1 : 730
June 2 : 1,134