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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Stabler Genius

Stabler Genius

by | 148 Comments

This post is in: 

Trump shat himself publicly in today’s lie-a-thon press briefing over a mildly provocative question from an NBC reporter:

So what do you say Americans who are scared? 200 dead and 14,000 who are sick and millions who are scared right now,” Alexander asked.

“I say that you’re a terrible reporter… I think it is a bad signal that you are putting out to the American people,” the president shot back. “The American people are looking for answers and looking for hope, and you’re doing sensationalism. And the same with NBC and Comcast for who you do work — let me say something, that’s really bad reporting. You ought to get back to reporting instead of sensationalism.”

A couple of the bloggers I read have been wondering where the Democrats are — it seems like Biden and Sanders have not been aggressively messaging against Trump. My guess is that they are figuring that Trump’s antics speak for themselves, or they may be saying things but the media is too busy with the COVID-19 story to report it. It’s by no means encouraging to see a recent poll showing a 55% approval of Trump’s handling of the crisis. I have no strong opinions on current Democratic messaging, or lack thereof, but maybe some of you do.

What’s clear to me is that Trump is creating the raw material for a highlight reel of stupidity in face of this crisis that will make for good advertising in the Fall. He is to COVID-19 as Hoover was to the Depression — he deserves a massive amount of the blame because of his inaction and bumbling. It’s our job to make sure he gets it.

Open thread.

Update: I forgot to mention that Bloomberg gave the DNC $18 mil from his campaign funds today, utilizing a loophole in the campaign finance regs. It takes a Republican to fuck the campaign finance laws the way God intended.

Reader Interactions

148Comments

  1. 1.

    Renie

    saw pictures of Ivanka standing to the side at presser.  from what we saw of trump’s behavior today guess he refused his medications and she had to monitor him

  2. 2.

    Wag

    He is to COVID-19 as Hoover was to the Depression

    with the exception that Hoover did have some underlying competence, and after WWII did excellent work with the reconstruction of Europe, and in 1947 also helped Truman reorganize the Executive Branch in a more streamlined fashion.

    Whereas we will hope that Trump will disappear into the massive sucking black hole that is his ego, and we will never hear from him again

  3. 3.

    MaryL

    I think it would be smart for Biden to hold regular press conferences talking about what he would do if he were President. Demonstrate a real contrast between the reality of our current shitshow and what his administration would look like.

  4. 4.

    VOR

    As we saw with W., Strong and Wrong plays well. Trump may be completely clueless and a giant asshole, but he’s willing to publicly tell the world.

  5. 5.

    Mary G

    Reposting from the last thread:

    INBOX: @JoeBiden will hold a press briefing call, joined by former Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy, senior policy advisor Jake Sullivan, and former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler(Call is happening this afternoon)— Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) March 20, 2020

    My guess is the press won’t be that interested because they like having the crazy for clickbait and think these guys will be sober and boring.

  6. 6.

    randy khan

    My opinion of the polling is that we won’t really know how people feel about his handling of the pandemic until real numbers – deaths, people who have it, unemployment – start hitting in the next few weeks.  Right now, a bunch of people are reacting to him actually appearing to take it seriously, which is what they want.  The real impacts haven’t hit yet.

  9. 9.

    MattF

    It was an extreme softball question. Note that Pence, an hour later, was asked the same question and answered ‘Don’t be afraid, be vigilant’.

  10. 10.

    Mary G

    So if Goldman is right, we’re going to condense the first three years of the Depression into six months. While tens of thousands of people are dying from a highly contagious virus. And a cross between Madoff, Mussolini and Krusty the Clown is president.— Richard Yeselson (@yeselson) March 20, 2020

  11. 11.

    joel hanes

    Bloomberg also fired all the campaign staffers whom he promised continued employment until November when he hired them.

  15. 15.

    Cheryl Rofer

    Saw something to the effect that Biden is considering doing something on Monday. He’s been holding phonecalls with the press every day – today he had a bunch of experts with him – but it’s hard to get through the noise that way.

    I’d like to see him form a shadow government and churn out policy papers. But that’s not a panacea either.

  19. 19.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @MaryL: I don’t know how Pelosi and Schumer would feel about that. I saw Schumer on TV the other night and was pleasantly surprised at how he handled himself, angry but understated and articulate. Pelosi does pretty well with prepared remarks, but she’s more of a back room pol

  20. 20.

    download my app in the app store mistermix

    @joel hanes:

    Bloomberg also fired all the campaign staffers whom he promised continued employment until November when he hired them.

    Yeah, this is his fig leaf – he’s right to say the DNC will spend that $18 mil better than him because they can coordinate spending with the Biden campaign.  But what he said he would be doing was going to be waaay more that $18 mil.

  21. 21.

    PeakVT

    Well, I either have a common cold or COVID-19, but there isn’t enough testing available to determine which it actually is.  So I’m stuck at home for two weeks until April 2.

    I feel bad about this because the guy who has to cover for me has a bad hip and will be working 15 straight night shifts.

  23. 23.

    mary s

    Not that it really matters, but the reporter asked that question after trying and failing to hold Trump accountable for hyping that drug (can’t remember the name) that hasn’t yet been proved effective.

  25. 25.

    Jim Parish

    @Wag: Hoover’s relief work after WWI was even more outstanding; he essentially organized a private-sector Marshall Plan. His handling of the Mississippi River flooding in 1927 was exemplary. (How else does someone move from Secretary of Commerce to the Presidency in one step?)

    I remember reading an article which claimed that Hoover was equipped, by talent, skill, and experience for any crisis – except the one he actually faced.

  26. 26.

    Brachiator

    A couple of the bloggers I read have been wondering where the Democrats are — it seems like Biden and Sanders have not been aggressively messaging against Trump.

    I ain’t no political strategist, but you don’t want to get in the way of official briefings, not even stupid ones.

    And while the Democrats could  criticize the president, they don’t want to interfere in the information given out by other agencies, especially when they don’t have any power to give directions to FEMA, the CDC, etc.

  28. 28.

    Kelly

    @MaryL:

    I think it would be smart for Biden to hold regular press conferences talking about what he would do if he were President. Demonstrate a real contrast between the reality of our current shitshow and what his administration would look like.

    Nope. Trump would do the opposite

  32. 32.

    bbleh

    @Brachiator: Yeah, there is something to be said for the maxim that, when your opponent is self-destructing, stay out of the way.

    Biden got good marks for his “shadow president” presser.  I think he should do those very occasionally — often enough to make an impression, but seldom enough to make news whenever he does.

  34. 34.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Wag: Whereas we will hope that Trump will disappear into the massive sucking black hole that is his ego, and we will never hear from him again

    I’m gonna have to disagree with you there. After the “you can’t indict a sitting President” clause no longer applies, and he no longer has the Justice Department acting as his personal defense attorney, I’d like to see the indictments and trials begin, the tax records be pried loose, all of it. ALL. OF. IT.

  37. 37.

    PenAndKey

    @Brachiator: Trump’s briefings are theater bullshit anyway. They bring absolutely no value to the discussion given that youcan’t believe a word he say since so much of it is shown to be a lie within hours of him saying it.

    As long as Biden doesn’t interfere with the conferences coming out of state governors offices he won’t be interfering with anything that matters.

  38. 38.

    Hawes

    His approval right now is irrelevant.  Check back in two months. We are at the start of this thing, not the end.

  39. 39.

    low-tech cyclist

    What’s clear to me is that Trump is creating the raw material for a highlight reel of stupidity in face of this crisis that will make for good advertising in the Fall.

    Please, please, Dems, don’t wait until fall!!

    The GOP messaging machine never stops, and that’s one reason why they almost always do better electorally than they should. They’re already forming people’s impressions, helping people see it their way, and those impressions will be all but solidified by September.

    Whatever the Dems do this fall has to be the continuation of a campaign that should already be in full swing. It’s not, and that’s going to be a problem.

  40. 40.

    JPL

    @low-tech cyclist: Someone can but it was mentioned below, that current house members are concerned he will get upset and not sign stimulus bills.    It will happen, but not now.

  41. 41.

    karen marie

    @wvblueguy: Just based on the number of people polled (8,441 in this one, versus 502 in the one that claimed 55% approval), I’d think this one would be more accurate.

  43. 43.

    Mike S

    Comparing him to Newsom last night reminds me why I’ve been leaning toward breaking away from the union since 2016. All juicers are welcome here and when we clear the dead from Nunez and McCarthy’s districts we will have some nice housing for you.

  44. 44.

    James E Powell

    @karen marie:

    We should expect the press/media to promote anything that makes Trump look better. Dana Bash is not an outlier.

    The poll you linked to appears to have asked about “the US government’s” handling, not Trump’s.

  45. 45.

    Elizabelle

    Breaking news:  We have a white duck in a red scarf cupcake; shows up when you pie people.

    So, if someone is really aggravating or tedious …. take your chance on seeing the duck.

    What a nice surprise.  Full service blog here.

  46. 46.

    Baud

    Too bad the primary is still officially being contested, or else Dems could rally around our guy.

  48. 48.

    Brachiator

    @PenAndKey:

    Trump’s briefings are theater bullshit anyway. They bring absolutely no value to the discussion given that you can’t believe a word he say since so much of it is shown to be a lie within hours of him saying it.

    I was out getting breakfast during Trump’s morning briefing. There were people hanging onto his every word, and feeling reassured by his statements.

    And the other people there under his direction are giving direction, even if some of it might be wrong.

  49. 49.

    Elizabelle

    @Jim Parish:   Yeah. History should be kinder to Hoover.  He did a lot of good.  But did not recognize what he was dealing with, when he could have mitigated …

    History is going to have to deal with Trump with a comic book.  It is just beyond belief.

  53. 53.

    download my app in the app store mistermix

    @cleek:  I have a bunch of different feeds and I judge whether Dems are getting traction by how they show up. They aren’t.

  54. 54.

    Mike in NC

    Fat Bastard’s entire life appears to be one big, ongoing pity party. Nasty women accuse him of groping them in elevators. Nasty foreign leaders won’t sell him Greenland. Nasty reporters toss him softball questions he’s too stupid to comprehend. We’ll be very lucky to survive four more months of this demented lunatic’s daily meltdowns.

  56. 56.

    Mike in Pasadena

    Trump’s worst is not heard by his supporters. If you run the video, they say, “that’s doctored.” Nothing penetrates. And yes, just as CNN in 2016 left the camera on trump’s empty podium for HOURS waiting for him to arrive and did not even cover the speech Clinton was making while his podium was empty, the media is today breathlessly covering his every word and ignoring Biden. That’s the liberal media.

  57. 57.

    Martin

    @bbleh: Biden should focus on the areas that Trump is ignoring. That’s always a solid tactic – you offer up something helpful, it’s not contradicting the guy in charge, but does illustrate that the guy in charge isn’t paying attention to important things. It shows Biden is in front of problem without creating a direct conflict.

  58. 58.

    Lapassionara

    So we are getting take out from a nice Italian restaurant where we would normally dine on a random Friday night.

    i don’t know how long they can stay in business this way, but we will at least give it a try.

    And I still don’t know if Trump has invoked the powers of the production act, or whatever it is called.

  60. 60.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    This is like the SNL skit when they plant a famous person in the audience for a Q&A, but nobody laughs or applauds.

    Aaron Rupar @atrupar
    Spicer asking this question as Trump didn’t acknowledge him and looked at him like he’d never seen him before was one of the weirdest moments I can recall in the White House briefing room. Totally bizarre.

    Also, Spicer was pretty clearly put there to give trump an excuse to mention Feinstein, whose name trump seems to mispronounce

  61. 61.

    anarchoRex

    A couple of the bloggers I read have been wondering where the Democrats are — it seems like Biden and Sanders have not been aggressively messaging against Trump.

    Lol, Bernie is hosting townhalls and round tables online almost every night. No one has heard from Biden in almost three days.

  63. 63.

    Another Scott

    @Jim Parish: Being all wrong about economics is a very dangerous trait in a President, even if s/he’s great in many, many other things.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  64. 64.

    Seanly

    Trump is a complete and utter fucking asshole. Whatever manner he passes from his mortal coil will be too good for him and far more gracious than he and his ilk deserve. Our economy is shitting the bed and more importantly, our lives and way of life are in mortal danger from a raging epidemic and that soul-less motherfucker wants to be a preening little baby prima donna. Fuck Trump.

    Anyone who wants to drape themselves on a fainting couch for my language is welcome to first jump on a pitchfork.

  65. 65.

    Mr. Mack

    Biden being overly visible can backfire.  He’s not the nominee yet.  It will be spun as measuring the drapes and such.  I’m relieved that the constant strain of campaigning is lifted for now.  He can rest, plot, and form the necessary coalitions so his admin is ready day one.

  67. 67.

    Lapassionara

    @Barbara: Yes. That is the problem. I am willing to do my part to flatten the curve, but if there are not enough medical personnel and supplies if and when I do catch the virus, I’ll be truly and royally pissed.

  68. 68.

    WaterGirl

    @Elizabelle: Yes, CatCake now has a boyfriend – PupCake – and they both have a new pal:  Penelope DuckCake.

    I asked Avalune if she would try her hand at a PupCake in the style of CatCake, and what she came up with was better than I could have ever hoped for!

    Then she suggested DuckCake, and she did the coolest Penelope, but she was a bit tall for the cupcake, so Wolvesvalley worked some magic in photoshop and plopped her further down into the cupcake.

    Full service blog is our motto.  We aim to please. :-)

  69. 69.

    Ivan X

    Certainly a softball question he could have answered better, but when you said “shat the bed” I got all excited and then was disappointed when I read it. That’s just Trump being on-brand, not some kind of grand public self-humiliation; no one’s going to notice that. I mean, he’s not wrong, people do want answers and hope. The fact that he’s incapable of providing that, and that the question was benign, is besides the point. I think it’s a win for him: he gets to both seem understanding and act belligerent at the same time, so his base will go yay, and everyone else won’t notice, or worse, write about how he’s really Being Presidential Now because he has the basic empathic understanding of the situation that a four year old might.

  70. 70.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @cleek:  Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic front-runner, slammed President Donald Trump over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic Friday, accusing him of being “behind the curve through his whole response.”Biden, speaking on a conference call with reporters, offered a series of blunt missives for Trump, and criticized him for repeatedly providing the American people with misinformation about the virus.
    “Step up and do your job, Mr. President,” Biden said.
    “In times of crisis, the American people deserve a president who tells them the truth,” Biden said. “Unfortunately, President Trump has not been that president.”
    “People are scared. They’re worried. They don’t know quite what to do,” he added. “He has been behind the curve throughout this whole response.”

    Lol, Bernie is hosting townhalls and round tables online almost every night. No one has heard from Biden in almost three days.

    LOL indeed

  72. 72.

    Jay

    @Barbara:

    Cheetolinni said he had, which is a far cry from actually “invoking” the Act. Saying some words in a presser is a lot different than issuing signed directives.

  73. 73.

    lamh36

    @anarchoRex:

    There is enough misinformation coming from the administration. Biden need to come through prepared and with CORRECT information cause guess what soon as anything is misrepresented…folks like you and the rest of your Bernie-cult along with the usual suspects on the right I’m sure, will jump on it.

    Even PBO was accused of being too slow, but when he did come through, he came correct. Biden camp is smart for doing the same

     

    @jeffzeleny

    On a call right now, @JoeBiden says he’s in the process of finding a way to directly answer questions every day on camera. “I want to be in daily or at least significant contact with the American people and communicate what I would be doing and what I think we should be doing.”

    Course that doesn’t fit your narrative does it

  74. 74.

    NotMax

    @Ivan X

    The media habitually retreats into “Daddy will make it all better” mode when there’s an R in the White House.

  75. 75.

    SPN in CO

    I think we need to just chill about whether the Democrats should respond. Trump is making an exhibition of himself every day. This is not bringing him any new voters. Let him continue to drive independents and the reality-based community away from him.

    The only other thing we should be doing is supporting the first line responders to COVID-19.  Now is not the time for dueling press conferences.

  76. 76.

    Jay

    The thing about Peter Alexander’s question to Trump about Americans being frightened? The one that prompted Trump to lash out at him as a terrible reporter?

    A colleague of Alexander’s at NBC News just died of covid-19. – Philip Bump

  78. 78.

    Patricia Kayden

    @Renie: And she did such a great job of policing Daddy.  Imagine President Obama answering a question about giving Americans hope.  He’d knock it out of the park. Miss him.

  79. 79.

    Renie

    OT : I don’t know what the final relief bills will say but here in NY when they let people put off paying their mortgage after Sandy, they didn’t extend the term of the mortgage they made people pay all of it in one lump. ie if the extension was for 3 months in the 4th month you owed all 4 months at once.  Alot of people were caught off guard.

  80. 80.

    Chyron HR

    @anarchoRex:

    Lol, Bernie is hosting townhalls and round tables online almost every night.

    Bernie goes online every night to get his dick sucked by his deranged worshipers?  What a guy!  WHAT A GUY!

  81. 81.

    Yutsano

    @anarchoRex: No one gives two flipping flamingos* about what Wilmer is doing now. So the fact I have never heard of this until just now is unsurprising.

    *h/t John Bercow. Man do I miss him as Speaker of Parliament.

  82. 82.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    I’ve been hearing that hospitals are asking those with 3-D printers to print masks for them. Does anybody know anything about that? Should people looking for a way to contribute acquire one? How much would it cost to get up and running with the printer and the raw materials?

  83. 83.

    lamh36

    @lamh36:

    Eric Bradner‏Verified account @ericbradner

    More

    Biden lays out a 6-step plan for Trump: 1) Tests to all who need them 2) Invoke the Defense Production Act 3) Direct DOD to help with hospital bed capacity 4) Mobilize Medical Reserve Corps 5) $100 billion for mayors and govs 6) Daily reports on status of treatments and vaccines
    1:33 PM – 20 Mar 2020

    Check this thread for more: https://twitter.com/ericbradner/status/1241070313187823616

  84. 84.

    WereBear

    I dread it, I’m livid over it, I’m already heartsick hearing some people I know are sick: and we don’t know with what, because there are no tests unless they get much sicker.

    But this is what will bring down Trump, unavoidably. I think this is the first time anyone has asked him to actually accomplish something this whole cursed Presidency and it will be more and more obvious how badly this has been bungled.

    Sadly, that is what it will take.

  87. 87.

    Subsole

     

    @anarchoRex:  No one gives a fuck about Bernie or what he happens to be saying.

    Or at least not enough of one to navigate their way into a voting booth.

  88. 88.

    debbie

    @lamh36:

    Would you wear a mask made on a 3D printer? I would think inhaling fumes from whatever the mask is made of would be a problem.

  89. 89.

    Kent

    @JPL:@low-tech cyclist: Someone can but it was mentioned below, that current house members are concerned he will get upset and not sign stimulus bills.    It will happen, but not now.

    He needs stimulus bills more than they do.  He will sign.

  91. 91.

    The Dangerman

    This was downstairs, but I’ll respond to it here.

    Right now, at over a dozen chain stores, you can walk in off the street and get a shit job, no questions asked.

    OK, a bit of a story before I tell my story about that quote.

    I’m a guy that hates sitting. I don’t binge watch and there isn’t anybody left in my Family that plays cribbage (and the computer fucking cheats); so, I went looking for a volunteer gig today. Just give me something productive to do, I don’t give a damn. Toilets need cleaning? Whatever. Don’t care. I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem (Trump, you motherfucker).

    So, Stop 1, homeless shelter: I have a underlying condition (AFib; I have no idea how much of a risk that places me), so hard no. Stop 2, go to one of the local Hospitals. They all but wanted to check my sanity or sobriety (maybe well deserved) but it, too, was a very hard no. Hospital says go to “really big Store”; I won’t identify it, but you could guess them. Not accepting volunteers (not that surprising) but are in a bigtime hiring mode.

    The poster above speaks the truth.

  92. 92.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @download my app in the app store mistermix:

    You’re right but he’s done such a shit job that 55% has me a little worried.

    Don’t be. Most people haven’t been paying attention until very recently, now that he’s doing his PR routine of “wartime president”. 55% is actually pretty bad when compared to GWB’s approval numbers after 9/11. And none of the really bad shit has happened yet. I hope this isn’t going to be as bad as experts think, but I have my doubts

  93. 93.

    joel hanes

    it would be smart for Biden to hold regular press conferences

    And expose himself and the reporters and the audiences to infection?

    Are you fucking insane?

    Biden is an old man.  If he gets it, his chances of dying are high.  We NEED him to be alive beyond January 2021.   Much depends on that.

    Responsibly, Biden held a conference call.   No, it wasn’t well reported.

    But it’s a lot more responsible choice than fucking Sanders, who is still holding (I’m told) in-person rallies, which pretty much makes the case that he is a toxic narcissist.

  94. 94.

    lamh36

     

    The Peace Corps isn’t just bringing home 7,300 volunteers because of the coronavirus. It’s firing them.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-peace-corps-isnt-just-bringing-home-7300-volunteers-because-of-the-coronavirus-its-firing-them/2020/03/20/69aa08f4-6ac0-11ea-b5f1-a5a804158597_story.html

    WTF!

     

    @dalgoso

    More

    Dave Algoso Retweeted Justin Hendrix | wash your hands & stay at home

    A corps of 7,300 trained in community outreach, public health, and education. What possible use could we have for them now?

  96. 96.

    dr. bloor

    @anarchoRex:

    Lol, Bernie is hosting townhalls and round tables online almost every night. No one has heard from Biden in almost three days.

    He’s putting together his strategy for the general election while Trump dominates the news cycle with his stepping-on-rakes schtick.

  97. 97.

    Kent

    @anarchoRex: Bernie is a FUCKING SENATOR.  He has a day job in this critical point in our nation.  One of most important day jobs in the country.  Town Halls?   He needs to be showing some fucking leadership in the Senate and see that stimulus and aid packages are properly designed.  He does have leadership skills….right?  He can waive his arms and shout and get M4A passed.  Or so he says.  How about giving us a sneak preview right now and show us how he is going to get shit down by taking the lead on COVID-19 legislation and seeing that it gets passed in a progressive way.  Dems will NEVER have more leverage than right now when Trump and McConnell are desperate to get stuff passed.

    Biden, on the other hand, doesn’t have a day job.  So he is free to campaign, comment, form a shadow government, and hold Trump’s feet to the fire.

  98. 98.

    Mary G

    @wvblueguy: @Martin:

     My math might be off, because my concentration is for shit today, but the total of electoral college votes for states that are (according to the Civiqs poll) completely or mostly satisfied with the government response to this crisis is a whopping 86. That’s a long way from a winning number. And they are the states with sparse populations that haven’t had that many cases yet.

  102. 102.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Kent:

    He does have leadership skills….right?  He can waive his arms and shout and get M4A passed.  Or so he says.

    When Bernie takes to the Senate floor, fixes McConnell with baleful and righteous stare and says, “Look out the window, Mitch”, then, and only then, will the Turtle know fear.

  103. 103.

    Matt Smith

    BREAKING: Donald Trump is still an asshole.

    That’s all I have to say about this story. IMHO, most Trump stories deserve that much of our attention or less. We already know who he is and how he operates.

  105. 105.

    lamh36

    @debbie: I dont work with patients.  But the if the issue was mask or no mask, then I’d err on the side of masks for healthcare workers.

    I don’t know about the 3D thing, but I’d assume there was a way to not make it toxic.

    picture this…if the healthcare workers taking care of COVID-19 run out or don’t have masks and they come down with COVID-19, who’s left to take care of the helpers?

  106. 106.

    Kent

    @lamh36: Former Peace Corps volunteer here.  A small minority of Peace Corps volunteers are actually trained nurses.  And they will be able to find jobs.  The rest are in about 60 other fields.  I was a beekeeper.  Most of the volunteers I went through training with were beekeepers, foresters, parks and wildlife managers, and nutritionists.

    Horrible news that they are getting COS orders (close of service).  I’m not sure what the other solutions were.  PCVs don’t get normal pay, they get a living allowance in host-country currency deposited into a host-country bank.  I’m guessing the government doesn’t want to be responsible for their medical coverage.  But there never was any US salary in dollars for peace corps volunteers.  They get a readjustment allowance based on months of service, and vacation pay.  I’m guessing that putting them all through COS means they can all get lump sum checks of everything the Peace Corps owes them, which is better than nothing I guess.

  109. 109.

    Another Scott

    @Baud: Maybe??  This is shaping up to be worse than the Housing Crash/Great Recession.  Unless Moscow Mitch stops playing Grim Reaper on sensible bills that Nancy sends over (and this Part 3 stimulus thing he’s trying to ram through the Senate is not a sensible bill) (and no, I do not expect him to – a leopard cannot change its spots), then this recession is going to be horrific.

    https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2020/03/weekly-initial-unemployment-claims_19.html

    In the week ending March 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 281,000, an increase of 70,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 211,000. This is the highest level for initial claims since September 2, 2017 when it was 299,000. The 4-week moving average was 232,250, an increase of 16,500 from the previous week’s revised average. This is the highest level for this average since January 27, 2018 when it was 234,500. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,750 from 214,000 to 215,750.

    […]

    Note: Companies have just started announcing layoffs related to COVID-19. So we should expect weekly claims to increase to record levels next week.

    The November election will be a blue wave of record-breaking proportions.

    If people show up and vote!!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  110. 110.

    debbie

    @lamh36:

    Oh, no question that masks are mandatory. Back when they were new, 3D printers used acrylics and polymers that were heated  and fused into solid shapes. There had to be some off-gassing going on there.

  111. 111.

    dr. bloor

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I’m guessing Sarandon has “Dead Man Walking” running on a loop like TNT does with “A Christmas Story” on 12/25.

    I’m guessing Moore has Costner painting Sarandon’s toenails in “Bull Durham” on a continuous loop.

  112. 112.

    Elizabelle

    @WaterGirl:   I love DuckCake.  And CorgiCake.  And CatCake.

    I rue having so few people pied.  (The primaries being pretty much over, that stressor  … has been replaced with an even bigger one, no?)  Anyway, the threads no longer look like a bakery.

  113. 113.

    The Thin Black Duke

    @WereBear: “Your regulations are written in blood. Someone once did that as a way to save money, valuing profit over human lives. They did it simply because no one told them that they could not. People died before that regulation was written into that manual. Your regulations are written in the blood of those lives lost.” —  Anonymous.

  115. 115.

    Jay

    @The Dangerman:

    itsgoingdown.org and other anarchist/community/socialist/antifa groups have lists of local groups/tools/tactics that are pitching in to help their local communities, like the Hong Kong protestors did.

    Check with them for local info on helping out in a time of Covid19.

  116. 116.

    Zinsky

    Reporters need to start throwing their shoes at Trump when he does shit like this, just like the Iraqis did to Bush the Dumber.

  117. 117.

    Kent

    Update on the Peace Corps situation.  Current volunteers are posting on the Peace Corps FB pages about what is going on.  Doesn’t sound quite as bad as first reported in the Washington Post.  Basically the Peace Corps is trying to get them the biggest possible lump sum amounts now and then will let them all back when countries open back up without needing to go back through the official application process.  Right now it seems they are getting the regular Federal travel per-diem (food plus lodging) based on what city they are being evacuated to.

    X_____ writes:  ya but we were told we don’t have to re apply and we can reinstate and finish our service. they also gave us a years worth of evacuation stipend at 375 per month (but we will get it in a lump sum). They are reimbursing a nightly rent rate and food allowance of $38 dollars a day with some more for incidentals as well. The housing rent allowance depend on the state but is $200 per night in Miami. we get all of our benefits too.

  118. 118.

    satby

    @lamh36: Republicans have been trying to eliminate Americorps (of which the Peace Corps is part) for years. Funding has been cut every year since Drumpf got “elected”.

  119. 119.

    Elizabelle

    @Mary G:   Maybe this will make it more real for the press corps.  We have an actual corpse, and it was beloved in life.

    Rather hope Dana Bash and the yahoo types over at CNN have an epiphany.

    Larry Edgewood sounds like a great guy.  61 years old.  Unspecified underlying conditions.

  120. 120.

    lamh36

     @steveholland1 2m2 minutes ago

    More

    Per Pence spokesperson Katie Miller: “This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus. Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual.”

  122. 122.

    Jay

    @Mary G:

    Phillip was just providing some background to why Peter Alexander, ( ABC) asked that question and some of the personal impact to Peter of Dolt 45’s response.

  124. 124.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Kent: Fulbright Fellows, depending on the term of their fellowship, are being offered evacuation but are not being compelled.

  127. 127.

    opiejeanne

    @Jay: Another recent death of COVID-19 at NBC, Larry Edgeworth, audio technician. He was 61. The announcement was earlier today.

  128. 128.

    Chyron HR

    @Kent:

    Bernie is a FUCKING SENATOR. He has a day job in this critical point in our nation. One of most important day jobs in the country.

    And how exactly is one senator out of a hundred supposed to order the National Guard to seize the hospitals and shoot any doctors who don’t Bend The Knee to his Great Leap Forward?

  129. 129.

    mrmoshpotato

    When does Hillary show up, backhand Dump and yell, ?Putin’s bitch!  Get out the way!  Fuck off to Vlad!? and then competently start running the government (while running over Betsy DeTrash and every other grifter with all 10 yachts?

  130. 130.

    opiejeanne

    @lamh36: A Seattle area hospital is asking for volunteers to pick up kits curbside, and sew face masks. The kits each make 100 masks. I signed up. The first distribution is Monday.

  131. 131.

    glory b

    @debbie: No, Phip Bump reported the death, the deceased is another person, Larry Edgeworth, who left a wife and 2 sons.

  132. 132.

    Kent

    @Chyron HR:And how exactly is one senator out of a hundred supposed to order the National Guard to seize the hospitals and shoot any doctors who don’t Bend The Knee to his Great Leap Forward?

    Bernie’s entire philosophy of political change is that he can just marshal the Senate to do shit like M4A and free college for all through sheer force of will and political courage.   I just wanna see some of that Bernie magic at this point in our nation’s history.

    Wait…you mean he’s been lying to the youth all this time?  He can’t actually make that happen because the Senate is the Senate?  I’m so disillusioned.

  133. 133.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Chyron HR:

    And how exactly is one senator out of a hundred supposed to order the National Guard to seize the hospitals and shoot any doctors who don’t Bend The Knee to his Great Leap Forward?

    I want to know too!  Since the National Guard is called up at the state level by governors.

    Or does Wilmer just wag his finger at all 50 governors so vigorously ( but not so vigorously to cause a second heart attack) that they all shit their pants and go, “Yes, Senator Heart Attack!  Whatever you want Senator Heart Attack to not wag your finger at us again!”

    (Oh, it’s Comrade Rex!  Three AM nutjobery in Stalingrad!  How’s the bathtub potato peel vodka?)

  134. 134.

    opiejeanne

    @Mary G: My niece was asking about Larry Edgeworth today, because that is my and my sister’s maiden name, he’s black and we are so white we’re nearly transparent.

    There’s another family of Edgeworth that came to the American south from Ireland, and grew tobacco (Edgeworth Tobacco Co), so you can probably work out how there’s a black man with that last name.

    Our own immigrant ancestor went to Canada about the same time, and is probably related to that family but I’e never been able to find the connection.

  135. 135.

    Amir Khalid

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    “Step up and do your job, Mr. President,” Biden said.

    Biden started saying this publicly during the transition to the Trunp “administration”. He and Obama were frustrated by Trump’s attitude — blowing off scheduled transition briefings, not paying attention when he did show up, not taking the whole process at all seriously. Nice to know that some things haven’t changed.

  136. 136.

    topclimber

    @Mr. Mack: I think he and Bernie should do a joint announcement offering their support to Trump in fighting this virus, and shadily noting how past Presidents have ALWAYS looked for bipartisan support in times of emergency.

    IOW, how come this douchebag hasn’t taken this step himself?

    Of course, as Trump continues to bumble they can either work with him in promoting the BELATED progress his Administration makes, or point out what they think would be improvements.

    After a little while on the high ground, of course, comes the low road as they continually point out how the late start has worsened the process. (Not really low, since it is the truth, but the point is to make the media play the partisan card later, when you are ready, vs. now when people need reassurance).

    Perhaps Joe is waiting on Bernie to clear out, so he can make this pitch himself?

  137. 137.

    Feathers

    @Ceci n est pas mon nym: The masks they are making with the 3D printers are the welding style masks used to protect the face, so that you don’t have to wear goggles and get more than fabric protection against spatters.

    The printer makes the part that holds the plastic shield and has places where a strap attaches. Most of the 3D printed stuff I’ve seen is fairly hard, so there must be some sort of cushioning for the forehead involved as well.

  138. 138.

    mrmoshpotato

    @topclimber:

    IOW, how come this douchebag hasn’t taken this step himself? 

    Kremlin’s douchecanoe gonna douchecanoe for the Kremlin.

  139. 139.

    topclimber

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I see my comment has been overcome by events. I guess Joe has decided to f–k reassurance after Trump called out that nasty reporter for daring him to say something to calm the commoners.

    Well, I am all about adapting. Forget reassurance America. You need to wake up!

    So, I am fine with Joe going brass knuckles.

  141. 141.

    WaterGirl

    @lamh36:

    Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual.

    Written in the true spirit of America.  Just like “entire airplane went down, only 2 americans dead.”  As if all those other people from other nations mattered not at all.

    Well, as long as the Pres. and the VP aren’t endanger, who gives a fuck about the rest of the staff????

  143. 143.

    Tom Q

    About that ABC poll:

    As many have pointed out, it’s vaguely worded — about the administration response to the virus, not Trump’s personal approval.  And it’s a very small sample.  And one poll.

    Yet the response I’ve seen from Dems online is the standard Chicken Little you always see when there’s a hint of good polling news for Trump (to be fair, many in the media seem to hype any good poll for Trump, on the “man bites dog” principle of newsworthiness).  There are way too many Dems who are addicted to doomsaying their cause.  I grant that 2016 validated those existential fears, but let’s try and remember, our side has had a lot of good elections, too (recently 2018, but memorably 2006-8-12); we don’t lose at the level too many of us always expect to.

    And, as has been noted above, if anything, 55% is pretty weak at a rally-round-the-flag moment.  W hit 90 after 9/11, and Jimmy Carter was in the high 60s/70s in early 1980 after the hostages were taken.  The Carter situation is the scariest for Trump: he, too, faced a recession flowing from the crisis — a much less serious one — and by Election Day his approvals were in the low 30s.  Trump would have to defy all political gravity to not be crushed by the kind of downturn being predicted.

  144. 144.

    Bob

    I’m just getting home from a very busy ER shift (metro Detroit area) where things have exploded the past couple days. More patients were intubated the past 24 hours than any 24 hours I can ever remember, all seemingly COVID-19 rule outs. There’s concern we won’t have enough vents to last through the week-end if things continue at this pace.

    Somebody tell the incompetent piece of shit that the people working in American hospitals are fucking scared.

  145. 145.

    Elizabelle

    @Sab:   It is PupCake (designed by Avalune), but some of us thought he looked like FoxCake.  Further explication:  dog is modeled on a corgi.  So …

    And: for any of you having bad days:  check out Facebook group “Disapproving Corgis.”  I don’t even have one and I love seeing those pups.

  146. 146.

    GaryK

    @Wag: To nitpick, Hoover’s really great service in European reconstruction came after World War I. As I was quaffing a beer last summer in a big town square in Leuven, Belgium, I began to wonder why in the world it was named Herbert Hoover Plaza. Their famous library had been demolished by the Germans in the opening days of the war, and afterwards HH led the fundraising campaign for its rebuilding. (Oops, I see someone has already picked this nit.)

  147. 147.

    J R in WV

    @anarchoRex:

    Awww!  That duck cupcake with the bright red scarf is SO CUTE~!!

    The new pie filter is GREAT!! Thanks Watergirl, thanks Major^4 Thanks cleek!!!

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