Friday, February 28, 2020

I have the coronavirus. So far, it isn’t that bad.


Trump says the democrats are politicizing the Coronavirus and calls it “their new hoax”


“A doctor and nurses reviewed my case with me and took a bunch of lab tests. They wore heavy-duty hazmat suits sealed with duct tape and equipped with motors that helped with air circulation.”😳 Yeah, sounds like nothing worse than a bad cold


STORY: President Trump again nominated Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe to serve as director of national intelligence Friday, a move that comes months after the Republican lawmaker’s first nomination fell apart amid closer scrutiny of his qualifications


NEW: Trump campaign's biggest legal costs are to firm that sues and threatens media


Remember when President Obama blamed the Republicans for the Ebola virus outbreak?! Nah, Pres Obama just did the work and kept us safe. There are now 5 times as many people with coronavirus in US (60) than had Ebola in US during that outbreak in 2014-15 (11)


Authorities on Friday were dealing with a new coronavirus case in Santa Clara County, heightening concerns that the disease is spreading in the United States


Pelosi: "Intelligence should never be guided by partisanship or politics. Unfortunately, Congressman Ratcliffe has shown an unacceptable embrace of conspiracy theories and a clear disrespect and distrust of our law enforcement and intelligence patriots that disqualify him."


BREAKING: The Santa Clara Public Health Department has confirmed that the third case of COVID-19 in the county


The last time Cernovich did this, it was to help Alan Dershowitz smear Jeffrey Epstein's rape victims. Just putting that context out there.


Mike Pence is leading the coronavirus response. Today, Pence was a guest on the Rush Limbaugh show. Limbaugh is one of the leading sources of DISINFORMATION about coronavirus. Limbaugh was urging people to ignore CDC experts this week.


I’m shocked Trump would nominate another unqualified, partisan hack to replace the current unqualified, partisan hack as Director of National Intelligence. We are screwed


S&P 500 drops for seventh day, posts biggest weekly fall since 2008 crisis


The federal court of appeals in D.C. holds that the courts can't enforce Congressional subpoenas against the Executive branch. The judges conclude it would be too messy for courts to get involved in a political battle, and that the House can use other power to enforce subpoenas.


South Carolina is a red state, without question — but that didn't stop one man from yelling out the rallying cry "Yes we can" at a recent gathering for Jaime Harrison, a Democrat who hopes to challenge longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in the fall


Iran has the most coronavirus deaths outside China. Although US sanctions exempt humanitarian items, I’m concerned that in practice sanctions may be limiting access to basic medical supplies to help the Iranian people. I want info from @USTreasury & @StateDept.


The updated #PUI definition for #COVID19 accounts for the new geographic spread of the virus & includes a list of affected areas w/ widespread or sustained community spread & will likely be revised.


Just by retweeting this critique, without even endorsing it, I risk massive attack from #BernieBros whom Sanders has yet to denounce. You’ve gotta ask: Why does this man attract such meanspirited promoters and followers? No, Not Sanders, Not Ever


BREAKING: The D.C. Circuit out with an order on the McGahn case, sending it back to the lower court to be dismissed. Opinion to follo


“President Trump and Leader McConnell need to explain to the American people why they are refusing to protect the integrity of our elections." via @SpeakerPelosi


Breaking Victory: We won our appeal to stop a conservative funded lawsuit from kicking over 200,000 Wisconsin voters off the rolls. When we fight, WE WIN!


Steve Jobs's widow Laurene Powell Jobs plans to give away her $28 billion in assets. "It's not right for individuals to accumulate a massive amount of wealth that's equivalent to millions and millions of other people combined," she said


Down 13% for the week. Worst drop since financial crisis. Just another way Trump is much worse than Obama at literally every aspect of the job.


What's up with #BerniesNDA? Bernie Sanders' political advocacy group forced a black employee to sign an NDA when they settled her racial discrimination lawsuit.


CA governor’s wife endorses @ewarren


Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy


Here’s an idea: State unemployment insurance subsidizes the wages of people who test positive COVID-19 under the condition they stay home while contagious and do not have paid sick time. Federal Reserve & Treasury agrees to backstop State UI programs to ensure their solvency.


The Trump @FCC wants you to think it’s protecting your privacy. Don’t be fooled. For almost two years, the FCC has known that companies were selling real-time location information that could reveal where you live and work.


The news from the hardest-hit part of Italy is very bad. "In the worst-affected area around 4% of the population had come down with the illness."


Pompeo should find a way to skip the signing of this “Peace Treaty.” It’s a thin cover to pull out of an unpopular war going badly. This is about the 2020 US election. The Afghan government took no part in negotiations with Taliban. A brutal ending likely.


Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell today opened the door to an interest rate cut next month after a week of investor panic in financial markets that has sent stocks plunging 10 percent


Republicans storm out of coronavirus briefing after Democrat rips Trump's response


“The Trump Administraion will kick hundreds of rural school districts out of a federal program that for nearly two decades has funneled funding to some of the most geographically isolated and cash-strapped schools in the United States.”


COVID and South Carolina primary are driving US cable news, so here's a brief updates on national security issues: 1) On the eve of planned signing of Afghan Peace Plan and extension of Reduction in Violence (RIV), mixed expectations on what will occur in Doha tomorrow.


Eric Trump’s 2017 trip to Uruguay: 97,830 taxpayer dollars + Eric Trump’s 2019 trip to Uruguay: 80,786 taxpayer dollars = $178,616 in taxpayer funds to work on development of the Trump Organization’s Punta Del Este property alone.


Our Revolution, founded by Bernie Sanders, entered into an NDA with an African American political consultant that bars her from discussing a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination at the organization and the Vermont senator’s 2016 presidential campaign.


NEW: I’m demanding answers about the whistleblower report claiming that the Trump administration sent unprepared staff to coronavirus quarantine sites. I won't rest until I get answers about this potentially deadly failure by Trump's HHS that has put Americans at risk


Great court artist sketch of Julian #Assange trying to address the court from inside the enclosed, glass-fronted dock ay Bellmarsh magistrates court


Opinion: Trump can’t easily deploy either of his two favorite devices — scaremongering and dividing — at a time like this. So he’s lost.


Not only did @realDonaldTrump inherit a growing economy’; he also inherited a fully staffed and competent pandemic response team... He’s destroyed both


It appears President Trump & his administration have learned nothing from the Chinese government’s failure to quickly & transparently combat the coronavirus Hiding the truth about the coronavirus and the government’s response only increases the likelihood of the virus spreading


Fox News just interviewed a Pennsylvania man who went through the coronavirus quarantine process -- but he couldn't stop coughing during the interview


The Grim Reaper has decided that more people will die because he is the Grim Reaper. But we *are not* going anywhere.


BREAKING: The House Judiciary committee has demanded that Attorney General William Barr hands over any communications Trump sent relating to the sentencing of his longtime friend Roger Stone


@SecPompeo REFUSES to answer the question, then feebly responds: It’s a ‘gotcha’ moment, it’s not useful.


This graphic appeared on Fox News 37 minutes before Trump's tweet blasting Fox for having the "Worst Polls."


Idaho judge voids nearly 1 million acres of oil and gas leases in sage-grouse habitat, overturns Trump policy limiting public input


First British coronavirus death confirmed


You do NOT want to see Mike Huckabee’s PornHub search history.


Stephen Miller’s new wife is in charge of all govt information about the epidemic. So that’s nice.


Did Mulvaney get pre-clearance from Pence’s office to say this?


Barr’s lack of self-awareness, his hypocrisy, and his extremism were all on display in the speech he gave Wednesday to the religious broadcasters convention. His erudite citations could not disguise the ugly sentiments he espouses.


Schiff is pressing acting DNI Grenell to declassify part of the report related to Jamal Khashoggi's murder. "In doing so, ODNI would fulfill Congress' requirement and intent that your office submit an unclassified report on the killing of Mr. Khashoggi."


Syrian children are dying, now freezing to death. No shelter, no safety. Bombs continue to rain down upon fleeing Syrians, a mass exodus that has displaced 13 million people. Abandoned, suffering, and dying. The horrors of war, and nobody seems to care.


CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks to help prevent novel #coronavirus. Take everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness.


An “extraordinary man w/an extraordinary career in public service.” President Obama hails Joe Biden as the finest VP America has ever known. Thrilling to know Joe now has the opportunity to continue to serve our country as President.


The California patient who has mystified health officials by testing positive for the coronavirus despite not having traveled abroad or being exposed to another known patient is reportedly in a serious condition


“It’s $2,500 to get in the door and $5,000 to take a picture with the vice president, according to an invite obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. And $25,000 buys dinner with him, too.” Our Coronavirus Czar is hard at work!


Tampa Bay Times: "The country’s new point man on coronavirus response, Vice President Mike Pence, is expected to travel to Florida on Friday — but not on a public health mission." Pence is attending $25,000-per-plate GOP fundraiser


There’s a lesson here about electing reality television host but what is it? Oh it’s don’t.


Trump admitted to reporters that his upcoming trip to South Carolina ahead of the state’s Democratic primary might be a bit of trolling: “Some people say I’m trolling Democrats, and maybe I am.”


What are these idiots spending the money on? A useless wall? A space force? Golfing expeditions? CDC to cut by 80 percent efforts to prevent global disease outbreak - The Washington Post


Really, this? A global pandemic is bearing down and the stock market is plunging — our problems are large, Donald, and you are incapable of confronting them. — Mike Bloomberg


Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, former Obama health policy adviser, offers some steps that would be worth taking "if you had a whirlwind personality who was running [the US coronavirus response]."


For some reason, it almost seems like Hannity is about to cry


"The White House is not listening to its best scientists. They're more concerned about political messaging. Fauci has served under Ronald Reagan, both Bushes and was never prevented from speaking out"


Former Apprentice Staffer Noel Casler Accuses Donald Trump of Drug Use and Inappropriate Behavior

ICYMI

GOP Intel chairman warned colleagues their hunt for Biden dirt could help Russia undermine election: report


Airlines at center of storm as coronavirus spreads


**VOTER ALERT** L.A. County has new electronic voting machines that don't show all the candidates on one screen. You have to press the MORE Button to find my name and vote for me. My wife Mary went to vote early to see how it works. Check it out


It was a tremendous honor to speak at @cooperunion last night with fellow @ProjectLincoln founders. You can check out the video here


BUCKLE UP folks— scientists have found why new #coronavirus is so much more infectious - “Compared to (old) SARS’ way of entry, [the new] binding method is “100 to 1,000 times” as efficient”. Study is pre-print but it has been confirmed by another group. - THREAD


Dear @TheJusticeDept Barr: I look forward to you suing to eliminate the massive subsidies @realDonaldTrump is providing to farmers. Hypocrite


The Scottish Government has been urged to apply for an unexplained wealth order to investigate Trump’s deals to acquire his Scottish properties - a UWO is tool to target suspected foreign officials who may have laundered stolen $ in the UK, by @MartynMcL


A day after Obama lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter to a GOP super PAC demanding they stop airing an ad using Obama's words to imply Joe Biden supports "plantation politics," the ad is still on the air. Just saw it on the 6 pm news in Charleston.


Trump attacked Obama over the Ebola outbreak *37* times on Twitter alone—and many more times in televised interviews.


Jimmy Lai's newspaper has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the Hong Kong government and its Beijing masters, making the 70-year-old a figure of loathing for pro-Beijing politicians and media


Coronavirus exposes all of Trump’s biggest weaknesses


Mr. President, you know what rattles the markets? An incoherent head of state who has the wrong number of coronavirus patients, who underplays the threat, who doesn't know how many people die from the flu, and who has "acting" cabinet officers and wants to cut CDC/NIH budget.


Parts of Iran affected by the novel coronavirus have cancelled Friday prayers, a decision made only in exceptional circumstances


New: Bloomberg gave media advice to the Sacklers and recommended his longtime mayoral spokesman to them. The relationship could shadow his presidential bid.


Mongolian president placed under quarantine after returning from China - state media


South Korea has confirmed an additional 571 cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the national total to 2,337 cases -- the largest outbreak outside of mainland China.


Trump's war on truth takes a dangerous turn as he attacks the media's coronavirus coverage


South Koreans are blaming the spread of the coronavirus on the country's refusal to halt all arrivals from China


Pope to endorse principles on AI ethics with Microsoft, IBM


South Carolina Primary Voters Will Use Brand New Machine


“Birx now becomes the third person to be designated as the administration’s primary coronavirus official. Trump said that ‘Mike is going to be in charge.’ Pence said it will be Birx. Meanwhile, Azar remains chair of the coronavirus task force.”


Some of Trump's most ardent supporters in media have downplayed concerns about the coronavirus and misled audiences by telling them that news organizations and top Democrats are weaponizing fear in a bid to hurt the President's re-election efforts.


Turkey has activated Article 4 of the #NATO Alliance. This means that NATO & Turkey will discuss if Turkeys Independence & Security has been threatened by #Russia killing Turkish Troops.


NEW: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison: "Based on the expert medical advice we've received, there is every indication that the world will soon enter a pandemic phase of coronavirus"


Pope Sick a 2nd Day With Apparent Cold, Cancels Audiences


Joe Biden on Sanders: Americans ‘Aren’t Looking for a Revolution’


Talk show anchor on Russian state TV this morning: “A war between Russia & Turkey would be a catastrophe for the whole world. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.”


Trump’s incompetence & his “best people” can get you killed. Even if you voted for him.


It is time to ignore @FoxNews and these personalities. Living in their universe of "alternative facts" is no longer cute. These dishonest people are ok with your illness and possible loss of life. It is time for facts to rule once again


Just as Joe Biden goes up in the polls in SC, Ukraine does this. Besides the fact that there was an Europe wide effort at the time to encourage the removal of the deeply corrupt Shokin, it appears the even more corrupt efforts of Trump have paid off


President Obama set up anti-pandemic programs in 47 vulnerable countries, as a way to protect against something just like Coronavirus breaking out across the world. Experts begged Trump to keep them open. He closed 37 of them.


The Dow closed down 1,191 points, or 4.4% – the worst one-day point drop in history. The index has lost 3,226 points this week. The S&P 500 finished down 4.4% - the worst one-day percentage drop since August 2011. It was the sixth straight day of losses for the Dow & S&P


Top 8 Largest Dow Jones Drops in American History. 1) Trump: -1,191 2/27/20 2) Trump: -1,175 2/5/18 3) Trump: -1,032 2/8/18 4) Trump: -1,031 2/24/20 5) Trump: -879 2/25/20 6) Trump: -831 10/10/18 7) Trump: -800 8/14/19 8) Trump: -799 12/4/18 WINNING.


I hope every Senator who voted to keep Donald Trump as President is comforted that he is leading the Coronavirus response in America. You own this.


Putin is seriously the worst president since Cheney


A whistleblower alleges that some federal employees were sent to work at coronavirus quarantine locations in California without adequate safety protocols and then flew back home on commercial airplanes.


So let me get this straight: Trump admin officials greeted the Coronavirus evacuees from China at Travis AFB without any protective gear and then just went back to their offices? Coincidence that the California woman who got the virus lived close to Travis AFB???


More than a little irony that Mr Build the Wall/Close the Border appears to have possibly imported coronavirus into the US!


Powerful letter. From: 60 former federal prosecutors, all alumni of US Attorney's Office for DC To: Acting head of the office Tim Shea RE: Political interference of Barr, Trump; need to assert independence


U.N. chief voices concern about fighting in northwest Syria, calls for ceasefire


"...training or experience in managing public health emergencies, safety protocols and the potential danger to both themselves and members of the public they come into contact with,”


Russian airstrikes targeting civilians in Idlib have driven a million refugees, most women and children, into the cold, freezing and starving and dying, fleeing toward the Turkish border while the world is silent.


Ted’s wife is a managing director at Goldman Sachs


Hey guys, a NATO country is at war with Russia, sorry to interrupt: Turkey strikes Russian, Assad regime bastion Latakia, other targets in Syria with missiles


The US has its first novel coronavirus-related drug shortage


Now riddle me this: did Trump make Pence the Face of Corona so if it's a nitemare, he can boot him off the ticket...?


Managing pandemics requires trustworthy and accurate information. That’s why this is so disturbing: The Trump Administration may have exposed health workers to Coronavirus without adequate protection, and then tried to cover it up — all while downplaying risks.


Not a good time to attend a rally of mouth breathers.


Facebook is NOT “capable” of fact-checking political ads for lies? But it IS capable of fact checking ads about the census or coronavirus? Admit it, you COULD stop spreading lies by politicians, you just prefer to profit off propaganda.


You guys know that DHHS head Alex Azar, appointed by Trump to make sure we're all safe in a pandemic, is not a doctor or a scientist or a public health expert, but... a pharmaceutical lobbyist? Right?


I just received a call from @VP Mike Pence, thanking Washington state for our efforts to combat the coronavirus. I told him our work would be more successful if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth.


THREAD: There was a doctor from Tennessee on the ship - Dr. Arnold Hopland. Hopland's had wife tested positive for the virus. Hopland felt that the ship's quarantine was not going well, and so made a phone call to his good friend, Rep. Phil Roe (R) TN-01


Senate Intelligence Chair Richard Burr told Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley that their probe targeting Biden could aid Russian efforts to sow chaos and distrust in the U.S. political system, according to two congressional sources familiar with the meeting


Barr clearly thinks of himself as Trump’s lawyer and risks permanently damaging the independence and integrity of the DOJ. Today I'm leading my colleagues in demanding that the DOJ Inspector General investigate a pattern of political interference by the DOJ on behalf of Trump.


NEW: @RepAdamSchiff says ODNI has provided a "classified annex" to Congress about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. But by law, the report must be unclassified. Schiff is asking ODNI to "immediately declassify the annex."


The Scottish Government has been told to seek an ‘unexplained wealth order’ to investigate Trump’s deals to acquire his Scottish properties. “There are reasonable grounds for suspecting that [Trump, or his associates] have been involved in serious crime.”


Federal judge blocks the Trump administration from diverting millions of dollars in funding for the border wall


This is getting dangerous. Turkey has attacked Syrian army forces in Idlib directly in order to stop their offensive. And then Turkish forces come under serious Russian air attack with heavy casualties. And next?


Poll: Biden retakes commanding lead in Florida.Sanders is a distant third with 13 percent


Fixed it @nytimes Barr’s Department of Justice Establishes Office to Denaturalized (20million) Americans. Pay attention folks.


Do you have faith that Trump is anxious to get those #CoV19 testing kits out? Or would he rather Americans never get a handle on the extent of the virus?


Turkey strikes Russian, Assad regime bastion Latakia, other targets in Syria with missiles