Stop the Idiocracy: December 2020

Another week of death and despair in America. Half the country, or damn close to it, is determined to see President-elect Biden fail, and the lame-duck is leading the charge. Those very same people are also determined to allow COVID to kill everybody off, but I digress. In my lifetime and yours, this country has never been more of an unholy mess -

‘Some of America’s most deeply held secrets may have been stolen in a disciplined, monthslong [sic] operation being blamed on elite Russian government hackers. The possibilities of what might have been purloined are mind-boggling'

Putin attacks while he still has license to do so. After January 20, we are not going to meekly back down any longer: Growing alarm as the U.S. government investigates extent of (likely Russian) hacking campaign

‘In his moments of deepest denial, Trump has told some advisers that he will refuse to leave the White House on Inauguration Day, only to be walked down from that ledge. The possibility has alarmed some aides, but few believe Trump will actually follow through. "He's throwing a f***ing temper tantrum," an adviser said. "He's going to leave. He's just lashing out."’

We all should be extremely grateful the courts and the military are refusing to go along with this coup attempt: Army leaders push back on disgraced traitor Michael Flynn’s calls for martial law and for the military to oversee a ‘re-do’ of the election

Everything Trump and his people are doing right now is for the purpose of handicapping Biden: Outgoing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos urges staff to ‘resist’ the edicts of the incoming administration

So long, Bill Barr: Attorney General resigns (or was fired) after refusing to play along with Trump’s post-election voter fraud scam, deputy AG Jeff Rosen to fill the position until January 20

In any other election year, this is just a formality and not worthy of notice. But with the loser of the election and his minions throwing the hissy-fit of the century, and with the rest of the nation acting like traumatized children in the face of a schoolyard bully, we’ll take note that Joe Biden has won the Electoral College vote

Nobody outside of #Cult45 cares one iota about this. Purely sour grapes on the lame-duck’s part: Trump considering appointing a special council to investigate Hunter Biden, and another special council to investigate alleged voter fraud

Jeremy Tewell: The Republican Party now has more in common with the Southern minority of 1860

‘Michigan Republican legislative leaders pulled a GOP lawmaker from his committee assignments Monday after the lawmaker hinted he was part of a group that sought to disrupt or otherwise undermine the Electoral College vote slated to happen at the Capitol this afternoon’

So this is the new line of attack, that it’s somehow shameful and wrong to have a doctorate in education? Wow, we really are dealing with a bunch of complete dips**ts. Leave the First Lady alone! Tucker Carlson says Dr. Jill Biden is ‘illiterate’ and ‘our national shame’

The process is going to take a long time, and millions will unfairly blame President Biden: Biden advisers warn mass vaccine timeline may be too optimistic, and that Trump unrealistically raised expectations to make Biden look bad if shots are delayed

The White House will have to be thoroughly disinfected before Mr. and Dr. Biden can move in, and other precautions must be taken to create a COVID-free atmosphere

‘Damage has been done to the CDC that will take years to undo.’ Ivanka Trump, famed public health expert, screened CDC guidance to make sure it was nice to her dad

Over a million would be dead right now if this individual had his way: ‘We want them infected.’ Unearthed documents reveal former HHS science adviser Paul Alexander repeatedly pushed for a ‘herd immunity’ strategy for dealing with COVID-19

Wealthy Americans, en masse, attempt to bribe doctors to bypass health care workers and the most vulnerable to be among the first to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Nearly eight million Americans have fallen into poverty since the summer: A direct result of poor leadership in D.C., yes. But it’s also all the covidiots who refuse to follow necessary protocols, therefore prolonging and increasing the spread of this virus that is disrupting all aspects of life. The economy very much included

Just in time for the Christmas season: Shoppers pull back on spending for the first time in months

‘51 cities of various sizes across the U.S. saw an average 35% jump in murder from 2019 to 2020,’ an unprecedented increase in the murder rate

Merry COVID Christmas, everyone!

Monday, December 14, 2020

U.S. COVID-19 deaths top 300,000

Photo: AP

Another tragic milestone reached: U.S. COVID-19 deaths top 300,000, though the real number is likely higher. And another 100,000 are projected dead by the end of January. From the AP -

‘The number of dead rivals the population of St. Louis or Pittsburgh. It is equivalent to repeating a tragedy on the scale of Hurricane Katrina every day for 5 1/2 months. It is more than five times the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. It is equal to a 9/11 attack every day for more than 100 days.’
“The numbers are staggering -- the most impactful respiratory pandemic that we have experienced in over 102 years, since the iconic 1918 Spanish flu,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, said days before the milestone.
…
The death toll was reported by Johns Hopkins University from data supplied by health authorities across the U.S. The real number of lives lost is believed to be much higher, in part because of deaths that were not accurately recorded as coronavirus-related during the early stages of the crisis.
Globally the virus is blamed for more than 1.6 million deaths.
Experts say it could take well into spring for the shots and other measures to bring cases and deaths under control in the U.S.
With cold weather driving people inside, where the virus spreads more easily, and many Americans disdainful of masks and other precautions, some public health authorities project 100,000 more could die before the end of January.
“We are heading into probably the worst period possible because of all the things we had in the spring, which is fatigue, political resistance, maybe the loss of all the good will we had about people doing their part,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins.
Nuzzo contrasted the government’s scattershot response with the massive mobilization undertaken after nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“To think now we can just absorb in our country 3,000 deaths a day as though it were just business as usual, it just represents a moral failing,” she said.

‘A moral failing’ is an understatement. Thousands upon thousands more will die in 2021, as the vaccine rollout is likely to be plagued with all sorts of snafus, and millions of tin-foil hat wearing fools refuse to take it while also continuing to refuse to wear masks and engage in social distancing. And with President-Elect Biden saying he will ‘request’ all Americans wear masks for 100 days upon taking office, instead of pledging to mandate it, there is no political will to actually enforce the measures needed to defeat the deadly virus. Trump may have been kicked to the curb, but the far-right is holding this cowardly nation hostage to its demands. As a result, upwards of one million Americans will be dead by the time all is said and done.

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Weekend headlines, 12/11 - 12/13

38% of Americans polled in Fidelity Investments’ study say they’ll be in ‘survival mode’ in 2021
Harbingers of civil war: Four stabbed and one shot after pro-Trump rallies
‘Thirty-seven hospitals within the Department of Veterans Affairs have been selected to receive the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine, though VA officials are not confident that every veteran will have quick, easy access to the treatment.'
‘It turns out that your brain on grievances looks a lot like your brain on drugs. And that’s a problem not just for the outgoing president, but for the rest of us.’ What the science of addiction tells us about Trump
Petulant Trump repeats his threat to veto defense spending bill - which passed with a veto-proof majority in the Senate - and makes vague assertion that the ‘bigger winner’ would be China
Chancellor Merkel announces that Germany is imposing strict lockdown to last until at least January 10
They’ll only be around for a few more weeks, but Trump White House staffers - beginning with the most senior staff - are jumping ahead in line to receive COVID vaccine
Reno, NV, hospital turns its parking garage into an additional wing for COVID-19 patients; Trump claimed it was ‘fake’

Saturday, December 12, 2020

A threat to the survival of our republic that shouldn't be taken lightly: Trump vows to 'fight on' after Supreme Court defeat

Desperation is setting in, and many of Trump's minions are discussing resorting to extreme measures such as secession or civil war. How can these people look themselves in the mirror, engaging in this madness knowing that we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic and economic turmoil? Thousands of Americans are dying on a daily basis, but all the lame-duck president can do is wallow in self-pity and exhort his base toward sedition. Joe Biden is going to take the oath of office on January 20, and chances are there is more smoke than fire to the threats being made. But, what Trump and company have done is render it impossible for Mr. Biden to unify the country and govern with majority support. The very fact that millions of people are this angry and engulfed in hatred toward the other side does not bode well for whatever slim chance America has of coming together to defeat COVID. Chaos will remain the order of the day, and Joe Biden has an extraordinary challenge on his hands. And Trump will continue to stir the pot from the sidelines, acting as a shadow president of sorts and keeping a firm grip on the Republican Party and its voters. He, and they, remain the greatest obstacle to law and order in these United States, and at some point something is going to have to give. Via the Washington Post -

As they have several times since the election, Trump supporters – including members of the Proud Boys, the far-right, male-only, extremist group that Trump struggled to denounce during a presidential debate with Biden – gathered on Saturday in Washington, with with boldface names from Trump world like Roger Stone and retired Gen. Michael Flynn rallying the crowd.
“Supreme Court’s decision, well, you know, don’t get bent out of shape because there are still avenues that are being, avenues to approach and we are attacking the wall,” Flynn said to flag-waving protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court.
But exactly what those “avenues” are was not spelled out. Electors will meet in each state on Monday to cast their votes. Biden won enough states to give him 306 electoral college votes to Trump’s 232, and he leads the national popular vote by more than 7 million.
Trump continues to refuse to concede, instead perpetuating falsehoods and baseless claims that widespread voter fraud rigged the election. But there has been no evidence presented of widespread fraud in the election, and last week Attorney General William Barr said the Justice Department has found no evidence that would overturn Biden’s victory. Courts at every level have rejected dozens of lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign and his allies, citing this lack of evidence.
The president has one last stand – the Jan. 6 vote in a joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes. Already at least one Republican lawmaker, Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, has said he’ll challenge the electoral vote that day. If just one U.S. senator joins him, the Electoral Count Act of 1877 will force every member of Congress to vote on whether to accept the results in the states where Republican baselessly decry voter fraud.
It’s unclear whether Brooks will find significant support for the move, which would primarily be theater by making every Republican take a side. Already Trump has seen astonishing support for his efforts to overturn the election – 126 House Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., signed an amicus brief backing the Texas lawsuit.
“There’s still evidence that needs to be considered. The House may be the last forum available for us to present our arguments,” tweeted Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of Trump’s most faithful acolytes.

More perspective from Paul Waldman - Hatred of liberals is all that is left of conservatism

Friday, December 11, 2020

Infamous Biogen conference could have led to up to 300,000 COVID cases worldwide

Up to 300,000 COVID cases worldwide are estimated to have been connected with the infamous Biogen conference that took place in Boston this past February. Also estimated to have led to 1.6% of COVID cases in the United States. Perhaps it's just not a good idea to ever allow too many people to gather in one place at one time. Perhaps there are just too many people, period. A lot of things that were taken for granted about our world pre-pandemic need to be reconsidered. CBS Boston - Study shows Biogen conference could be connected to as many as 300,000 COVID cases

The Supreme Court unanimously rejects Texas lawsuit to overturn election results

The effort in the courts to secure another four years for Trump is over, but now the question is what depths of desperation do he and his minions sink to? Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States, but we’re still in a very dangerous situation between now and January 20. AP: Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory.

Ruth-Ben Ghiat: Trump’s formula for building a lasting personality cult

Donald Trump has done lasting damage to the presidency and the nation, and will continue to do so even in exile. From the Los Angeles Times -

Trump has worked hard to build his cult, and it’s doubtful he will let it languish once he leaves the Oval Office. More likely, he will refresh it with a declaration of a 2024 presidential candidacy, allowing him to act as a shadow leader for his base and continuing to use the rallies, tweets (he’s always used his personal account) and other tools of his public persona. The aim would be to keep him in the spotlight, preventing younger, more competent figures in the GOP from emerging as rivals. Trump may be out of office in January, but his personality cult will live on.

106 House Republicans sign onto Texas lawsuit demanding the Supreme Court invalidate votes in the four states that put Biden over the top

Outright sedition. From the Washington Post -

A majority of House Republicans have signed onto an amicus brief in a Texas lawsuit seeking unprecedented judicial intervention in disallowing millions of votes and the election results from four key swing states that went for President-elect Joe Biden.
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), head of the conservative Republican Study Committee, spearheaded the effort to round up support on Capitol Hill. Johnson emailed all House Republicans on Wednesday to solicit signatures for the long-shot Texas case after Trump called. The congressman told his colleagues that the president “will be anxiously awaiting the final list to review.”
In all, 106 of the 196 House Republicans signed on to the amicus brief filed to the Supreme Court. They include most of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill but notably few members of House Republican leadership. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (La.) is the only GOP leader in the chamber to sign on to the brief.

The GOP has become an autocracy, where loyalty to one man ‘trumps’ all else

The GOP has become an autocracy, where loyalty to one man 'trumps' all else. The majority of its members and rank-and-file are cowards and weaklings who possess zero independence of thought. More akin to a cult than a real political party. From Jonathan Last -

What if Trump emerged after the election and said, “Tough loss. Joe Biden put up a good fight. I’ll be back in 2024 to beat him like a drum.” Well, in that situation, there would be no move to overturn the election and no one in the precincts of Conservatism Inc. would be arguing that, ackshually, Donald Trump won by a landslide.
They would not be arguing that because there is no evidence for this argument. None. Absent a command from Trump, no outside observer would have come to this verdict on their own.
But present a command from Trump, this position became mandatory.
This is the definition of autocracy. And once you understand that the GOP itself has become an autocracy, it becomes easy to understand a lot of what’s going on.

Continue reading at the Bulwark

U.S. jobless claims jump to 853,000 amid resurgence of virus

‘The number of people applying for unemployment aid jumped last week to 853,000, the most since September, evidence that companies are cutting more jobs as new virus cases spiral higher.’ Read more from the AP

Stop the Idiocracy

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Week in review, 12/21 - 12/27

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Week in review, 12/14 - 12/21