Thursday, April 16, 2020

Thousands of protesters, some displaying guns alongside Confederate and Trump flags, rallied against Michigan's extended stay-at-home orders. The state's governor says the protests put more people at risk from #COVID19.


Here's the White House document for reopening the country, if you want to read:


People are going to die. Families will be bankrupted and broken. Because Alabama is stubborn.


“After taking three doses of the drug combination, Ligia suffered cardiac arrest early on the morning of April 7, and died before paramedics could reach her.” @HeidiNBC on NY woman who attempted to treat COVID-19 symptoms with doctor prescription



Pelosi and McConnell are exchanging names of candidates to lead a new commission to police about $500 billion in stimulus funds


"If Trump had just listened to the WHO's warnings, instead of trying to destroy it, thousands of American lives could have been saved."


NEWS: President Trump told governors on a conference call today that he wants to begin reopening the U.S. economy on May 1 "You states with beautifully low numbers, let's get your states open and get back to work," Trump said on the call


Trump’s new chief of staff ‘overwhelmed’ by White House culture – and has cried at least twice: report


.@realDonaldTrump is so scared of people voting by mail that he’s willing to sacrifice the livelihoods of 600,000 workers including nearly 100,000 veterans on the altar of his insecurity


Update: @CSPAN announced that it will broadcast Supreme Court arguments in May. So on May 12, Trump's attempt to block House subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and his accounting firm Mazars, as well as a Manhattan DA probe, will be televised.


DR OZ: "Schools are a very appetizing opportunity. I just saw a nice piece in The Lancet arguing the opening of schools may only cost us 2 to 3%, in terms of total mortality. Any, you know, any life is a life lost, but ... that might be a tradeoff some folks would consider.


"Hot spots erupt in farm belt states where governors insist lockdowns aren’t needed"


When the nation’s top bankers characterize Trump’s conversation with them as “a shit show...”


NEW: Florida governor @desantis considering giving nursing homes immunity provisions to protect them against civil lawsuits. That way, the families of all the people dying can't sue for negligence


What kind of “Doctor” suggests that Americans sacrifice our schoolchildren?!


I’m seeing a lot of really smart people who are almost hysterically defending the Chinese government because they somehow think *if* this virus escaped from a lab, it would minimize Trump’s inaction — thats not true at all. It doesn’t matter where it came from, he failed


Dr. Oz just made the argument that we should reopen schools because *only* 2-3% of kids will die.


Several million people who filed their taxes via H&R Block, TurboTax and other popular services were unable to get their payments. Some parents reported they didn’t get the $500 promised for their dependent children.


Certain number of dead kids and adults sounds "appetizing" to Dr. Oz.


We won't see a rep from @USPS, that's a certainty


Belmont MA nursing home had 13 resident deaths as of Saturday -- since then, the death toll has more than doubled, to **27**. 92 more cases among patients, 34 among staff -- but not all staff have been tested yet


The Southwest is locked in the grips of the first human-caused megadrought, study finds


Why doesn’t the US have a national ID card again?


1) Trump didn't close travel to China. He restricted it after virus was already spreading in US 2) The US does not in fact share a border w/China 3) This would be a better burn if Trump hadn't spent all of Feb downplaying coronavirus & telling people it would go away on its own


MORE MEMBERS OF TRUMP'S RE-OPENING TASK FORCE: Richard Fain, chair & CEO of @RoyalCaribbean. * ROYAL CARIBBEAN is incorporated in Liberia. ** It asserts on its SEC filings that it is "currently exempt from US corporate income tax on US source income."


"Perhaps we should not have been surprised that Flotus greeted the pandemic with denial not unlike that which she displayed toward her husband’s many affairs,"


Muthafucka’s demented enough to think it’s his money he’s giving us.



Trump and his White House cannot organize a meeting or a phone call - not to mention a national response to a pandemic. Does anyone seriously believe he can get this country out of the most serious $$ downturn since the Great Depression. Come on, get real!


At least 32 states will provide the extra federal benefits by the end of this week. California, the most populous state, provided its first extra payment Sunday.


The Trump admin awarded bulk contracts to third-party vendors in a scramble to obtain N95 respirator masks. The government paid more than $5 per unit—nearly 8 times what it would have spent in January and February when intel agencies warned of a pandemic


“U.S. policy should seek to strengthen and enhance the #WHOs independence and effectiveness, not degrade it amid a crisis.”


Well...@IvankaTrump gets to do whatever she wants. We all know nothing applies to her. She doesn’t follow our rules, our laws, our social construct. She‘s above us all - and she needs us to know that. She’s the daughter of King @realDonaldTrump


If you are having a hard time getting tested for COVID19 let us know. Perhaps together we can get a better answer from @realDonaldTrump or better yet from someone who can help.


GOP megadonor Robert Mercer made his first six-figure donation to Trump’s reelection, new filing shows


The President ended his press briefing today saying he was cold...


China’s top official in Hong Kong pushes for national security law


Steve Mnuchin, the Secretary of the Treasury, Says $1200 Will Last Families Up To 10 Weeks


Trump has appointed impeachment conspiracy theorist (and Roger Stone buddy) Michael Caputo as...Assistant Secretary of HHS. (Oh yeah, FWIW, Caputo once worked for Gazprom Media in Russia advising Putin on how to improve his image)


“Beginning Friday, America First Action will spend $10 million in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania — which yielded pivotal but bare victories for Trump in 2016 — to brand the presumptive Democratic nominee as “Beijing Biden” and see what sticks.”


No supporting 3rd party candidates this year. If you don’t vote for Biden, you’re voting for Trump. Period.


Sen Kennedy: "We've gotta reopen, and when we do the coronavirus is gonna spread faster"


Zombieland: Triple Tap


So there are THOUSANDS of cars blocking the streets in Lansing, right? And most of these people are in their cars with the windows rolled up? Only about 150 or so got out of their cars. But they ALL want to go back to work? Totally not buying it. What a bunch of losers.


“Ms. Trump herself has not followed the federal guidelines advising against discretionary travel, leaving Washington for another one of her family’s homes, even as she has publicly thanked people for self-quarantining.”


They’re not even hiding the treason anymore.


Very few masks, lots of Trump banners and flags. These lunatics are gravely endangering the lives of the health workers who will have to care for them when they fall ill. And they are waving Trump's stamp of approval in the air.


Am already hearing from constituents who are just furious that he delayed their checks for this. I'm pretty sure they are not the only ones.


ICYMI: Trump’s re-election campaign averted a public relations miasma today as the trial of two Rudy Giuliani associates was postponed until 2021 over Covid-19. Sharp analysis by @JenGRodgers, in an interview with me.


NEW: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says in a statement that "cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response."


SIGINT birds backing up Taiwan


Can someone explain to me how Texas has been approved for $1 billion more in SBA loans - & more than 30,000 loans!- than California despite our economy being $1 trillion larger & California being much harder hit by COVID-19?


We are the most spoiled, bratty country in the world


#BREAKING: I am issuing an Executive Order today that all people MUST wear a mask or face covering in public in situations where social distancing is not possible.


New video with from us and @protctdemocracy: The president doesn't have "absolute" or "total authority." He's not a king -- even if he thinks he is.


.@neal_katyal, the former Acting Solicitor General, tells @Lawrence that President Trump's decision to cut funding to the World Health Organization is not a coronavirus policy and "usurps the power of Congress."


This from @MaxBoot is spot on. Secret ballots are secret for a reason. When you fill out your ballot this fall, vote your conscience and your country:


“The U.S. neglects all the facts and makes wanton accusations against China” Lijian


Shot // Chaser


Don't Be Fooled. Trump’s Cuts to WHO Aren’t About the Coronavirus


Trump decries that federal judges have to wait “for days” to be approved to hold a lifetime of power over Americans. Meanwhile, you know who is still waiting for a hearing? Merrick Garland


As Trump admin discouraged use of masks, White House was secretly securing a stockpile for itself.


Scene in Lansing right now as protestors carrying Trump and Confederate flags surround the Capitol. Thousands of vehicles are backed up


I find it interesting that the protestors want you to know who they are willing to risk their lives for. #TrumpismIsADeathCult.


Dear @realDonaldTrump: It’s very embarrassing that you don’t know what is in the Constitution. Please read it or get a briefing on it. Also, why is your Administration so behind in testing? Nationwide testing declined 30% over last week. We cannot reopen America without testing.


Donald Trump Is Treating His Decision to “Reopen” the Country Like Reality TV


Mayor Hameeduddin says he turned to the private sector for help setting up a coronavirus testing site in Teaneck, New Jersey. “From a local level we're doing this basically on our own. We're not getting any help from the federal and state governments.”


On today's #frontpage: --Plan to reopen has wide gaps: The White House has been warned that a May goal is risky. --Rush for antibody tests raises red flags: Firms are lining up to fill the need, but lab experts warn unreliable results could do more harm than good.


Why on earth is this still happening in Massachusetts or anywhere else, President Trump?


A key member of Trump's new committee on reopening the economy is signaling that the administration should stay focused on fighting the #coronavirus and keeping Americans financially stable rather than immediately getting people back to business as usual.


It's now clear as day. @realDonaldTrump isn't interested in scaling-up testing, contact tracing, isolation, PPE, training thousands to do tests, help manage the next phase, nor foster social distancing in any way by offering ordinary Americans more support.


Former President Jimmy Carter "distressed" by President Trump's decision to withhold World Health Organization funding


Lindsey Graham calls to cut coronavirus unemployment benefits by $7/hour: ‘We’ve got to get that fixed’


“The Trump campaign, RNC and two joint fundraising committees, including Trump Victory, have raised more than $1 billion toward the president’s reelection...”

Mercer owes USA 7 Billion in back taxes.

Mercer gave $355,200 in February to Trump Victory, a committee that raises money for Trump’s 2020 reelection.


UPDATE: Massachusetts has now seen more than 30,000 positive #coronavirus cases and 1,100 deaths. @NickGNews has details on the new numbers broken down by cities and towns as Gov. Baker says we are in the surge


No big deal. It's only a population of 20 million.


Democrats said President Trump lacks the authority to halt funding to the WHO already approved by Congress


South Korea’s ruling party secured a resounding victory in parliamentary elections, which had the highest turnout despite coronavirus fears


Watch this video of Merkel and compare it to Trump, who recently lamented that the virus has become so “brilliant” that antibiotics don’t work—against a virus


“The United States is the biggest overall donor to the WHO and had contributed more than $800 million by the end of 2019 for the 2018-2019 biennial funding period. The Gates Foundation is the second largest donor, followed by Britain.”


Total Incompetence: Some stimulus checks are being sent to the wrong accounts: 'The bank account numbers are not even close.'


Military-grade propaganda unleashed on a civilian population - via connected MSM, social media platforms, and fringe news outlets - over a sustained period of time... works.


Joe Biden today accused President Trump of throwing “temper tantrums” rather than worrying about those affected by the coronavirus pandemic


How’d this happen? On a Florida island for the ultra wealthy, everyone gets a coronavirus antibody test. Fisher Island, Florida is the richest zip code in the country—& the only place in the nation where everyone can get a coronavirus antibody test.


There is no such authority, but about 60 million people now think there is and are rooting for him to do it.


Make no mistake. This Lansing protest has Trump's tiny fingerprints all over it, and is meant to intimidate the governor into rescinding Michigan's Stay At Home order.


President Trump says there are many unstaffed positions in his administration because the Democrats have been holding up positions. He adds he’s confirmed close to 250 judges through the Senate. But says there are 129 positions stuck in Congress that could be working on virus.


After thousands of deaths and catastrophic economic fallout, Americans deserve the facts about our COVID response. What went wrong? Why was America so unprepared? How can we better protect the country in the future? We must insist, and act, upon the facts. The truth matters


I was on CNN with Kayleigh McEnany after the 2017 Women’s March. In the elevator after our segment, she smiled as she told me how easy it is to profit from being a pretty woman willing to support Trump on TV. Now she’s his press secretary. I suppose it was only a matter of time.


Catching coronavirus to own the libs


Democracy depends on an informed citizenry and social cohesion. Here’s a look at how misinformation can spread through social media, and why it can hurt our ability to respond to crises. — Barack Obama


Mark your calendars, court-watchers: Hot off the SCOTUS docket.


He’s blamed the World Health Organization. He’s blamed governors. He’s blamed the media. The list goes on and on. Trump—take responsibility and help Americans who are suffering and dying from your failures.


Ugh, they’re going to bailout the Fucking cruise-liners.


Caputo, who moved to Moscow in 1990s, was Putin’s image maker, worked for Gasprom, & is close pals with Stone & Manafort, spent last year promoting the Kremlin’s 2016 election Ukraine conspiracy and nonsense about Bidens, in coordination w/ Russian agent Telizhenko. But now...


"SNL" star Michael Che offered to pay one month’s rent to all 160 residents of a NYCHA apartment building where his grandmother lived before she succumbed to COVID-19


Here are 15 times Trump shamelessly kowtowed to China while heaping praise on its leaders for its handling of the virus, even while they were lying to the United States and refusing to cooperate with our doctors and scientists.


Dead people can’t work


The appointment of Caputo, an actual Putin spokesman, as a senior USG official, is why every responsible American must reject the Trump WH. Period. No exceptions. Time to be counted. Well, actually on 03 NOV, to be precise.


COVID-19 is amplifying so many inequities in our society. We have to ensure support gets to those who need it immediately, and then do the necessary work to rip out the structural racism that creates these inequalities.


Name game


FACT: Credit union and community bank customers were in danger of being *delayed* permanently from participating in programs to shore up small businesses. Democrats are ensuring that disparity in accessing credit is not perpetuated in funding that is meant to benefit everyone.


Horrifying: Police found 17 bodies at a nursing home in NJ. 68 deaths in total linked to the single facility.


"Cristina now has Covid. She is now positive. It just breaks my heart. It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn't happen, and now it has."


A high school senior is calling for Barack Obama to deliver a virtual commencement address to America's Class of 2020


Study finds startling number of asymptomatic pregnant women test positive for coronavirus


Warren: Testing, equipment two biggest failures of COVID-19 response


Rate of US coronavirus testing stalls despite Trump calls to end stay-at-home


Warren would say yes if asked to be Biden's running mate


The rest of the 10 million of us in Mich are smart enough to stay home and stay safe. A temporary order to stay home meets the constitutional test - narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling interest. They have a right to disagree with the policy, but not to endanger others


BREAKING: Democrats are laying out our $30 billion plan for a comprehensive national testing strategy and major new investments that bolster the supply and manufacturing chain, and significantly expand free testing for all, reporting, and contact tracing.


Under the leadership of Scalia..”OSHA has also decided against issuing safety requirements to protect hospital and healthcare workers, including rules that would mandate nurses and other providers be given masks and protective gear recommended by the CDC when at risk of exposure”


"They're simply missing in action in handling this #epidemic.” “#OSHA has been invisible in this whole response."


"If the Department of Labor leadership thinks that asking politely will result in major changes in workplace conditions, they haven't been watching the mounting number of disease cases in workplaces from farms to meatpacking plants to grocery stores,"


As the devastating impact of the Covid-19 #pandemic on frontline workers becomes clearer by the day, critics—including some of the agency's former employees—have increasingly trained their ire on #OSHA for refusing to take action to ensure safe and sanitary job conditions.


They feel looked down upon, and are furious that electing Trump didn’t relieve them of the feeling of being looked down upon. Of course, they have given absolutely no thought to why others might look down upon them, or the hostility they project toward others.


Dear @realDonaldTrump: Can you ask Putin about this? Thanks.


When somebody is President of the United States, the responsibility is total.


HEARTBREAKING: A pregnant nurse died from the Coronavirus, but an emergency C-section saved her baby girl. She was a 28-year-old nurse in England.


Geraldo Rivera told Sean Hannity that CNN and MSNBC were doing a “disservice to their audience” by fact-checking Trump’s daily briefings


I’m old enough to remember when trump gave Pam a 25,000 dollar donation and then she lost interest in investigating trump university


"The notion that we're still talking about testing in terms of tens of thousands instead of tens of millions means we're just not on top of this." -Senator Elizabeth Warren


After Anonymous Tip, 17 Bodies Found at Nursing Home Hit by Virus


Speaker Pelosi: "Delaying direct payments to vulnerable families just to print his name on the check is another shameful example of President Trump's catastrophic failure to treat this crisis with the urgency it demands."


Trump’s decision to defund WHO isn’t just petty or reactive – it literally plays into China’s hands. If the U.S. downgrades its participation in the WHO and other U.N. organizations, it will cede even more ground to the Chinese – which is what they wanth


Wanna know WHY Trump can't push vacancy appointments thru Congress right now? Because when Obama tried to push through 3 nominees in 2012, the GOP sued. SCOTUS ruled against Obama & said he could only make such appointments during long recesses. So Trump can thank his own party.


As a Michigander, I would much rather hunker down, bored to tears, than to see me or someone I love attached to a respirator in a hospital--or to know I'd spread COVID to anyone. The people protesting are blooming idiots.


Reported US coronavirus deaths: Feb. 15: 0 deaths Mar. 15: 65 deaths Apr. 15: 30,844 deaths


Today @andersoncooper explained to his audience how Trump repeats words like "strong" and "powerful" as a behavioral engineering technique to project himself as those things. Seeing our media calling out these manipulation techniques is encouraging.