This President Trump Fires Yet Another Inspector General

Now this President Trump has created his own "Friday Night Massacre." Have you seen this?

Trump Ousts State Department Watchdog

Democrats blasted the Friday-night dismissal as an assault on the rule of law.

Tricky Dick Nixon fired many people for his "Saturday Night Massacre." Trump just destroys our law and laws and government for his "massacre."

The story (bolding added for emphasis). From Politico:

President Donald Trump has removed State Department Inspector General Steve Linick and replaced him with an ally of Vice President Mike Pence — the latest in a series of moves against independent government watchdogs in recent months.

Trump informed Congress of his intent to oust Linick, a Justice Department veteran appointed to the role in 2013 by then President Barack Obama, in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday night.

The president said he "no longer" had the "fullest confidence" in Linick and promised to send the Senate a nominee "who has my confidence and who meets the appropriate qualifications." The executive branch is required to notify Congress 30 days ahead of time if it intends to remove an inspector general.

Trump's move infuriated Democrats who say he's trying to circumvent oversight of his administration, undermining the ability of other branches to hold him accountable. The move follows Trump's anger at being impeached, but it also comes as the White House struggles to combat the coronavirus pandemic just months before the presidential election.

“The president’s late-night, weekend firing of the State Department inspector general has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people," Pelosi said in an statement. "Inspector General Linick was punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security, as required by the law and by his oath."

Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, called Linick's dismissal an "outrageous act of a president trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters, the secretary of State, from accountability."

Engel claimed: "I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo. Mr. Linick’s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation."

A Democratic congressional aide said Linick had launched an investigation into Pompeo’s alleged misuse of a political appointee to perform personal tasks for him and Mrs. Pompeo. The State Department did not respond to an inquiry about the allegation.

So check that out.  You, Mike Pompeo, are being investigated for misusing your office, having staff run private errands for you and the Mrs. so what do you do? Why, you see to it the Inspector General who was investigating you is let go and then replaced with someone who's friendly to you and the Vice President.

And then look who Trump is proposing to take over this soon to be vacant position:

A State Department spokesperson said that Amb. Stephen Akard, a former career Foreign Service officer, "will now lead the Office of the Inspector General at the State Department" in an acting capacity.

Akard had in 2017 been nominated to serve as the director general of the Foreign Service, a high-ranking human resources role.

That nomination upset veteran U.S. diplomats, who said Akard lacked the long tenure of service usually required for such a prestigious position. The American Academy of Diplomacy even wrote an unusual letter opposing his nomination.

Akard's nomination as director general was eventually withdrawn, but he was later tapped for a different role, leading the Office of Foreign Missions, for which he was confirmed in September 2019.

Keep in mind, too, folks, this is far from the first government Inspector General this President and his administration have let go. Far from it. This is at least the fourth Inspector General dismissed in this administration and all under at least suspicious circumstances. This is completely unprecedented in Presidential administrations.

How many things, how much does this President have to do, THAT;S BLATANTLY ILLEGAL, mind you, until he's finally, finally held accountable?

What's it going to take?

I don't care if the Republicans DO control the US Senate.

Do our national, American laws mean NOTHING?

How long are we going to tolerate this President and his lawlessness, America?

Additional links:

'Obvious Our President Is Beyond Incompetent': Chorus of Ridicule After Trump Brags of New 'Super-Duper Missile'

'Slow Moving Coup': Outrage After Trump Quietly Fires State Department Inspector General Friday Night

A Suggestion, Recommendation, Request for KCPT and Mike Shanin

Yes, a recommendation, suggestion, request for KCPT and Mike Shanin.

Could you please keep Mr. Shanin's very Right Wing, conservative, Republican views to himself?

It's not what we watch for.

We don't watch this newsweekly for the host's own personal political views. Not at all. That's what the guests are for. Leave it to also elderly, white and Right Wing, conservative Republican Woody Cozad or someone, anyone else.

If Mr. Shanin feels strongly enough he wants to give his opinion(s), let him, then, be a guest. It's not difficult. Otherwise, just host the show.

We, the viewers, including the sponsors, funders of the program, watch for someone to oversee the show. We don't want and God knows don't need to know what he thinks or likes or wants, especially when it comes to politics. 

His counterpart, Nick Haines, over on the also weekly news program "Week in Review" can do it. Mr. Shanin certainly should be able to, also.

Side note: a thanks and congratulations to Nick Haines, KCPT and his program for getting a token black person on this week's program. It seems KCPT may finally, finally be making that happen on both these newsweeklies. Occasionally it doesn't happen and it's all lily-white but I think that may have been because of this pandemic we're suffering through presently. Hopefully that's the case.

Of course, neither program still has a token Hispanic on either program so it's still 3 white people, 1 black and that's it but at least they've finally made this improvement.

Still waiting for the day when KCPT recognizes the Hispanic community in the area and on both these programs.

They take money from Dos Mundo but still no representation on the shows.

Pretty sad.

Donald Trump and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

At least, "Donald Trump and the Absolutely Roteen, Very Bad, No Good Day for Him."

For the rest of us, it was a good day. Some would say it was even a great day.

First there's this.

Virus Whistleblower Dr. Rick Bright’s Testimony Devastates Trump

It was excellent. It was an instance of someone speaking truth to power.

Dr. Rick Bright’s testimony about the Trump administration’s failure to act and refusal to listen to warnings about the coronavirus is devastating for Trump.

Dr. Bright said, “Congresswoman, we’ve known for quite some time that our stockpile is insufficient and having those critical personal protective equipment, so once this virus began spreading and became known to be a threat, I did feel quite concerned that we didn’t have those supplies. I began pushing urgently in January, along with some industry colleagues as well, and those urges, those alarms were not responded to with action.”

Bright added that instead of reacting to his alarms, the Trump administration cut him out of meetings, “I was told that my urgings were causing a commotion and I was removed from those meetings.”

Not done there, this was announced yesterday.

Graham to start hearings on Russia probe, Flynn in June

This, to me, is stunning and for a few reasons.

First, it's who's calling for it. 

Senator Lindsey "Clutching My Pearls and Always for Trump" Graham.

The FBI and all 16 of our other intelligence agencies all said the Russians interfered with our 2016 election, to start. Added to that, it's known, it's public knowledge that several members of this Republican President's election campaign met with Russians throughout the campaign and repeatedly.

How is that not collusion?

Added to it the Russians gave millions to the NRA during the election to help their man win.

Sure, Republicans control the Senate but when Democrats get to ask questions, as they inevitably, unavoidably will, it won't be pretty. At least, it won't be pretty for this President and his administration. It will be good for the United States and Democracy and the Constitution and America and Americans but it won't go well for this President. The Republicans want to say the FBI worked for the Obama administration in "attacking" Trump during the campaign. They may well get very much more than they bargain for with this investigation. 

Then, next up today, Senator Graham frankly stunned me with this.

Sen. Lindsey Graham rejects Trump’s call to summon Obama to testify on alleged ‘Obamagate’ conspiracy

And sure, there's no "there" there regarding Trump's imagined "Obamagate" but you have to know this President took this as a negative, if not even an out and out attack on him personally. If Senator Graham keeps this up, I might one day think he's for the rule of law and the American people.

And the Michael Flynn case is nothing if not a travesty of justice and law and laws and lots of legal authorities have come out and said just that.

‘Never Seen Anything Like This’: Experts Question Dropping of Flynn Prosecution

Abandoning the case is the latest step in a pattern of dismantling the work of the Russia investigators. A former prosecutor likened it to eating the department from the inside out.

‘Dangerous’: Legal experts blast ‘corrupt’ Bill Barr’s ‘shadow pardon’ for Flynn

Then, third, this also came out yesterday. This is huge.

Appeals Court Rules Emoluments Lawsuit Against Trump Can Proceed

The suit alleges that Trump is in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which forbids him from accepting money from foreign entities.

A sweeping setback for Trump’s foreign business dealings

President Trump’s decision not to divest himself of his businesses, in particular his foreign holdings or holdings that derive income from foreign governments, was a fateful error that flew in the face of precedent, clean government and the Constitution. Now, a federal appeals court has held he cannot derive income from foreign governments that frequent his businesses.

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, sitting en banc on Thursday, overruled a decision from a panel on the same court that prevented a case brought by Maryland and the District of Columbia from proceeding. The case alleged that Trump’s hotel business with foreign governments violates the emoluments clause, and the specific issue for the full 4th Circuit was whether to intervene to force the district court to allow an interlocutory appeal and thereby prevent the district court from proceeding with discovery (which would entail the investigation of Trump’s finances).

The 4th Circuit held that no, the case could proceed as the district court ordered. The majority held that dismissal of the entire action was not warranted because Maryland and D.C.'s argument that emoluments include “all profits and other benefits [accepted from a foreign or domestic government] that [the President] accepts through the businesses he owns” is plausible.

Again, huge, forgive the repeat. The President can, in fact, be tried in court for breaking, if not shattering, the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution which says he shouldn't be taking in money, profiting, while he is, in fact, President.   For all 44 other Presidents, this had been settled.

Not done there, not done yesterday, this hit today, this morning.

Prestigious Medical Journal Slams Trump as Coronavirus Death Toll Hits 85,000

And then the pièce de résistance, at least for now, today.

Biden says if elected he would not pardon Donald Trump

Go get 'em, Joe. Atta' boy. "Sleepy Joe Biden", my posterior.

Amazingly not done there, this came out today also.

Trump declines to say if he's 'standing by' nominee under investigation

Check out this little beauty.

President Trump on Friday declined to say if he is sticking with his nominee to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, after a top senator disclosed that the individual is under investigation.

Trump was asked about Michael Pack's nomination to be the chief executive officer for the agency, which oversees Voice of America, during a Rose Garden event on Friday.
It just keeps getting better and better.

Additionally, this President is even be evaluated by his own political party. Hmmm. Also came out yesterday. 's'wunnerful.

23% of Republicans Think GOP Should Nominate Someone Other Than Trump

Finally today, check this out. This is what he did today.

Trump unveils official Space Force flag

We're experiencing, suffering from, suffering through the worst, most killing international pandemic in the last 100+ years and he's out introducing a flag for his utterly unnecessary, spending boondoggle, his "Space Force."

Who are we supposed to be out there fighting against in space, anyway?

Thanks, Mr. President!
Thanks, Republicans!

At least Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

Someone probably enjoyed the music.

So yes, all in all a very bad day for Mr. Trump all around.

And it didn't stop yet today, either.

Think happy thoughts, campers, Americans. There may be hope for us all yet. Heaven knows there's a great deal to be concerned with, still, between this pandemic and this administration but at least we have some glimmers of hope. Strong glimmers, too, I think.

Links:

Obamagate was the worst crime ever committed and here is what it was

We need to prepare for the possibility of Trump rejecting election results

Entertainment Overnight -- Timely, Pandemic Version

None other than singer, songwriter, comedian?, performer Paul Simon sings the praises, pun intended, of this group of hospital workers in Wales with their rendition of his so-famous song. What he had to say about it on his YouTube page:

"Here is an extraordinary performance of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' by the brave men and women from NHS in honor of the Llandudno's Venu Cymru, which has been turned into a temporary coronavirus hospital. During this process, the facility has been renamed to Ysbyty Enfys, which is Welsh for Rainbow Hospital, as a symbol for hope."

Their rendition:

Be safe out there, y'all. Be well. Stay home.

Quote of the Day -- On This Pandemic, This President, Our Nation and Where We Are Today

"A country that turned out eight combat aircraft every hour at the peak of World War II could not even produce enough 75-cent masks or simple cotton nasal swabs for testing in this pandemic.

A country that showed the world how to defeat polio now promotes quack remedies involving household disinfectants from the presidential podium.

A country that rescued postwar Europe with the Marshall Plan didn’t even bother to show up this week at the teleconference of global leaders pledging contributions for a coronavirus vaccine.

A country that sent George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower to crush the Nazis now fights a war against a viral killer with Jared Kushner, a feckless failed real estate speculator who holds power by virtue of his marriage to the president’s daughter."

-Timothy Egan

This is at least in part why.

What They're Saying On the Internet About This President and Our Coming Election

Literally, I saw this on Facebook two days ago.  What they're saying about this President Trump and the coming election. They may well have a point. Points. (Edited slightly and 2 comments added in parentheses). Author unknown.

Trump is getting increasingly desperate about his ever-dwindling chance of being reelected in November.

Why? Because he knows what awaits him if he loses his so-called "presidential immunity" which, by the way, in my humble opinion, should be abolished. When he becomes a "civilian," Trump knows that he faces endless litigation to attempt to defend himself in both the Districe of New York and the State of New Jersey for many very serious offenses. Some of these are:

1. The 2016 Russian election attack
2. His own election campaign's possible--likely? apparent?--collusion with Russia to get elected
3. Wikileaks 
4. Middle Eastern influence (on the Trump administration I feel sure they mean)
5. Paul Manafort’s activities 
6. The Trump Tower Moscow project 
7. Russia-Trump Campaign contacts 
8. Presidential obstruction of justice 
9. Campaign finance violations and Trump Organization finances 
10. Inauguration funding 
11. SuperPAC funding 
12. Foreign lobbying violations 
13. Russian spy Maria Butina 
14. Russian Internet Research Agency accountant Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova 
15. Turkish influence (not certain what they mean here)
16. Trump Organization tax fraud
17. Trump Foundation fraud 
18. Violations of the emoluments clause 
19. Lawsuits from a VERY LONG list of unpaid creditors

I'm sure there will be an additional tsunami of litigation by grieving and very angry surviving family members of the tens of thousands of people who needlessly died as a result of the COVID-19 virus,  caused from Trump's endless excuses, disastrous mismanagement, his complete lack of leadership and his overwhelming criminal negligence in this disaster, which is obviously still ongoing and will be ongoing for long into the future.

Trump's insistence on "opening up the country," by HIS own twisted reasoning "to improve the economy," is an EXCUSE and a LIE. It's only for the purpose of promoting himself for one more four-year term of horror in the Oval Office, thereby allowing Trump to escape what awaits him if he loses reelection.

WE CANNOT ALLOW ONE MORE TRUMP TERM OF HORROR!

WE MUST VOTE HIM OUT IN NOVEMBER! 

VOTE BLUE!

The Very Embarrassing Comparison of Missouri vs New York City in this Pandemic

Check this out. First, New York.

New York City sets record of 58 straight days with no pedestrian fatalities

So great for them, right?  Kudos, New York City. Way to go. No one being killed on the streets. Makes sense. Little to no traffic, so great results.

But here in Missouri?

Our own Show Me State?

Check out these statistics.

'Triple digits keep rolling in' 

Missouri troopers clock drivers speeding during pandemic

We're speeding more. And not just speeding but a lot of us out there are pushing triple digits--100 miles per hour and more.

As Missouri plans to reopen some businesses this May 4, one thing you can rely on is a lot more traffic along major interstates.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said some drivers have been using the stay-at-home order to their advantage.

"We've noticed roughly a 40% decrease statewide in the amount of traffic that's out there," said Capt. John Hotz at MSHP headquarters in Jefferson City.

With less traffic, he said drivers are using this time to test their engines, turning interstates into raceways.

"As 80 miles an hour used to be considered a high speed, we've seen quite a few speeds in the 100+ mph range," said Hotz.

Troopers across Missouri tweeted some of those speeds. One showing a motorist going as fast as 145 mph.

That's bad enough right? But then, consequently, more of us are also dying on the roads.

Missouri traffic fatalities up in 2020

Pandemic's hidden impact: 

Increases in traffic deaths

So get that?

Traffic is down and down significantly across the state. Way down. But we're SPEEDING MORE and MORE OF US ARE DYING.

Isn't that wonderful?

And sure, you can say it's not fair comparing a city to an entire state but come on. Don't you think at least ONE of these statistics should be good, improved for us here is Misery?  I mean Missouri?

We are, most all of us, not on the roads and streets and highways nearly as much and it shows and we're paying less in car insurance because of it but we're getting WORSE RESULTS? IN ALL EXAMPLES?

Insane. This is insane.

Come on, folks.

We can do better than this.

A lot better.

We have to.

The Dangers Building On This November Election

Did you see this little beauty today?

Jared Kushner clarifies after saying he’s ‘not sure’ he can commit to date for presidential election

Here's what happened.

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner raised eyebrows Tuesday by suggesting that there was uncertainty about whether the presidential election would happen in November as scheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic and that he had some role in making that determination.

Whose election is this, anyway? His?  His father-in-law's? Fortunately, there was response to this insanity.

Hours after his remarks to Time magazine generated a strong reaction on social media, Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, issued a clarification, saying he was unaware of and not involved in any “discussions” about changing the date of the 2020 election.

Just how completely unfamiliar is Mr. Kushner, anyway, on our elections and laws? He apparently thought that, because he heads up this President's coronavirus task force that he's suddenly in charge of our election(s), too?

Anyway, this is to say we need to be aware, we need to be paying attention and we can't let obscenities be taking place in the nation regarding our elections, specifically this one coming up in November. So far, the following has already taken place.

'One of the Most Brazen Acts of Voter Suppression in Modern Times' as US Supreme Court Blocks Absentee Ballot Extension in Wisconsin

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg warned in a scathing dissent that the right-wing majority's ruling "will result in massive disenfranchisement."

But wait, there's more.

GOP Strategy Combines Voter Suppression 

With Hypocrisy

Here's the latest. This is going on now.

U.S. Supreme Court justices worry about 'chaos' in Electoral College dispute

Check that out.

" U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday grilled a lawyer advocating that “electors” in the complex Electoral College system that decides the winner of U.S. presidential elections are free to disregard laws directing them to back the candidate who prevails in their state’s popular vote."

This guy, no doubt a Right Winger and Republican, is asking the Supreme Court to let the electors in the Electoral College actually completely disregard laws that tell those electors to BACK THE CANDIDATE WHO PREVAILS IN THEIR STATE's POPULAR ELECTION.

Because why should our votes count, right? They've gerrymandered the nation. That wasn't enough, they added very racist voter ID laws that disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, the physically-challenged, the poor and elderly, now this.

George Carlin was right, so right. The game is rigged. And it isn't rigged for you and me, folks.

Then we're all very familiar with the Republicans' fighting to keep Americans from voting by mail, in spite of this current very deadly pandemic.

Will Americans Lose Their Right to Vote 

in the Pandemic

This in spite of what we Americans want.

Coronavirus: Americans overwhelmingly support vote-by-mail

And this is what we have to look forward to going forward unless and until we vote Republicans out of office.

Expert Warns Of 'Real Festival Of Partisan Gerrymandering' In 2021

So again, vote, folks. Vote blue.  And we have to "stay on our toes." Be aware. We have to fight this out.

Blue wave, y'all, come November.

Let's do this.

We must.

Mongo Was Right

Did you see or notice this?

The price of gasoline jumped 20 cents overnight.

Crazy.

I saw this at the QT convenience store at 72nd Wornall.

Insane.

It isn't often you see a seller jump their prices more than 14% literally overnight. And I can't imagine what world or local event made them do this. I'm sure it was just a corporate meeting and they decided "Hey, let's just jump those prices 20 cents more per gallon. Done."

Mongo was right.

And we're Mongo.

Be safe out there, y'all. Be well. And stay home.

This President Is Getting Frightening to the Point of Dangerous

This is my biggest fear and concern about this President and for our nation. This is how he is most dangerous. He's bad enough at attacking Democracy and our Constitution, no exaggeration, but this is where he gets most frightening.

There's a rebellion brewing 

and Trump is egging it on

A bit from the article:

There's a Covid-19 rebellion brewing in Pennsylvania, where counties led by Republicans and some businesses have said they'll defy Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's restrictive orders.

Wolf has said he'll withhold stimulus funding from those counties if they ignore his orders. He's taken a tiered strategy to reopening the state and moved scores of counties to a new, more open "yellow" phase. Some of those still on "red" don't want to wait for the state anymore.

President Donald Trump, naturally, cheered on the counties on Twitter on Monday, and accused Democrats of trying to slow-walk the opening to hurt him in November. (For Trump, it's always about Trump, even if it's actually about public safety.)

The President's tweet:

"The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails. The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them. Don't play politics. Be safe, move quickly!

He, this President, is stoking dangerous fires here. He is fomenting confrontation, at least, if not out and out rebellion and/or violence instead of cooperation among us. In the face of the worst not just pandemic but killing, deadly and international pandemic in the last more than 100 years, this President is urging people to rebel and revolt instead of work together. And he has a history of it, too.

Trump’s History of Encouraging Violence

This is where he is most dangerous. Most dangerous to us all, to the nation. This President and his administration are legitimately a threat to Democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law, all 3.

He foments and stokes racism.

Violence Against Asian Americans Is on the Rise

'Trump stokes racism that leads to violence:' 

Then, not done there, there is this. This took place just a few days ago.

Donald Trump just made Vladimir Putin very happy

On Thursday, President Donald Trump called the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election a "hoax" while on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I said, 'You know, it's a very appropriate time, because things are falling out now and coming in line showing what a hoax this whole investigation was, it was a total disgrace, and I wouldn't be surprised if you see a lot of things happen over the next number of weeks,"' Trump told reporters about his conversation with Putin.

I'm telling you, folks, you just can't make this stuff up.

Yet they still support this man. If it were anyone, anyone else but Donald Trump, this would be unbelievable.

This President and his administration are legitimately a threat to Democracy and our Constitution and the rule of law, all 3, no exaggeration, provably, verifiably, documentably.

Thanks, Republicans.

Would you all keep your boy in check there?

Please?

Links:

Trump Foments Protests Against Governors

Trump encourages violence against reporters

Donald Trump Encourages Violence At His Rallies

Trump is celebrating violence and nationalism at his rallies

All the Times Trump Has Called for Violence

Thousands of Ex-Prosecutors Urge Flynn Judge to Question Barr's Move to Drop Case

Trump Is Lying More Than Ever: Just Look At The Data

Here Are 16 Examples Of Donald Trump Being Racist

Happy Birthday, Yogi!

Yes sir and ma'am! Wishing a very happy birthday, however posthumously, to the one and only Yogi Berra!

New York Yankees player, manager and coach Yogi Berra was born on this day in 1925 in our own St. Louis, Mo., and died at age 90 in 2015 in New Jersey, 69 years to the day after his MLB debut. The son of Italian immigrants, Pietro and Paulina Berra, he dropped out of school after the eighth grade and began working to help his family.

Christened Lawrence Peter Berra, he received the nickname "Yogi" from a friend who thought he resembled a yogi from India when he sat, arms and legs crossed, while waiting to bat.

Berra-isms, some of which he never uttered, live on. Or as he put it, “I never said some of the things I said.”

They’re too good to check, so here are 10 reminders from Berra to start the day (USA Today).

"Baseball is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical."

"The future ain’t what it used to be."

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

"You wouldn’t have won if we’d beaten you."

"You can observe a lot by just watching."

"It ain’t over till it’s over."

""We have deep depth."

"It’s like déjà vu all over again."

"A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore."

"All pitchers are liars or crybabies."

Most all of the above from "The Hill" today.

Link to yet more of those fantastic Yogi Berra-isms:

Yogi Berra quotes: The 50 greatest sayings from Yankees legend

Look Out, Kansas City. It's On Our Way In Spite of What This President Says Or Wants You to Think

It seems the coronavirus spread is on its way to the heartland, even if this Republican Party President Trump doesn't want to admit it.

Unreleased White House report shows coronavirus rates spiking in heartland communities

And yes, Kansas City is on the list.

A bit of the article.

Coronavirus infection rates are spiking to new highs in several metropolitan areas and smaller communities across the country, according to undisclosed data the White House's pandemic task force is using to track rates of infection, which was obtained by NBC News.

The data in a May 7 coronavirus task force report are at odds with President Donald Trump's declaration Monday that "all throughout the country, the numbers are coming down rapidly."

On a separate list of "locations to watch," which didn't meet the precise criteria for the first set: Charlotte, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Minneapolis; Montgomery, Alabama; Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix. The rates of new cases in Charlotte and Kansas City represented increases of more than 200 percent over the previous week, and other tables included in the data show clusters in neighboring counties that don't form geographic areas on their own, such as Wisconsin's Kenosha and Racine counties, which neighbor each other between Chicago and Milwaukee.

So far, more than 80,000 people in the U.S. have died because of the coronavirus, and the rate of new cases overall hasn't yet subsided. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were 23,792 new cases on Sunday — lower than the number for each of the previous four days but more than on May 4 and May 5.

Thanks, Mr. President.
Thanks, Republicans.

Entertainment Overnight: Coronavirus Rhapsody

Sung to the tune of "Bohemian Rhapsody. Fantastic.  Enjoy.


Be well. Be safe.  And stay at home. At least until next Friday.

The Now Frightening United States of America

Richard Nixon made me mad.

Exposing Nixon’s Vietnam Lies

Nixon Prolonged Vietnam War for Political Gain

The Watergate Scandal

Ronald Reagan upset me, made me mad.

The Iran-Contra Affair: Ronald Reagan’s Arms Sales Scandal

The Enduring Lies of Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan's wartime lies

George W. Bush was depressing--and made me mad.

If only we Had that $6.4 Trillion we wasted on Iraq

Bush squandered surplus 

Bush: God told me to invade Iraq

Yes, Bush lied about Iraq

No, really, George W. Bush lied about WMDs

Donald J Trump is, no exaggeration, frightening.

Trump Attacks our Democracy

New study says Trump has ‘dangerously undermined truth

Trump's Attacks on the Constitution

Trump undermines democracy with media attacks

Trump Attacks Post Office While Carriers & Clerks Die

The Trump Administration Is Reversing Nearly 100 Environmental Rules. Here’s the Full List.

Trump's attacks on the First Amendment and the press

Donald Trump attacks the First Amendment . . . again

Appeals court rules Trump violated First Amendment

Trump Comes Unglued And Humiliates Himself At Press Conference

Trump Comes Unglued In Saturday Twitter Freakout

We're concerned, sure, but even those around him get and and are concerned.

Melania Trump ‘Concerned’ Donald Comes Across As ‘Unhinged

And then there was this beauty, not that long ago.

Trump says he's treated worse than Lincoln (who was assassinated)

I could go on.

Frightening.  This President is honestly frightening. And in more than one way.

God help us. Again, God help us.

Entertainment Overnight -- Timely Version

In tribute to Little Richard who just passed yesterday. His version of Kansas City.



Rest in peace, sir. And thanks for all the great, ground-breaking music.

Link:

Little Richard - Wikipedia

The New York Times Asks a Great Question Today on Democracy, This Pandemic and Even Our Nation

Yes, today's Sunday New York Times asks, I think, an excellent question.

Can Democracy Survive the Pandemic?

Online, they change it to "Will Americans Lose Their Right to Vote in the Pandemic?"

And sure that's one good and appropriate, timely question but the better question is the one in the print, paper version you see above here. With this pandemic and the need for social distancing, will we lose voting privileges? Especially since the Republicans are in charge of the US Senate and White House currently.

But I have, I think a far better question presently. I think there's a far better and more timely and important question we need to be asking just now.

That is, "Can Democracy Survive this President?"

And then, can Democracy survive the Republicans in, again, the US Senate and White House?

Can America?

Links:

Donald Trump is destroying the United States’ standing 

Can the Constitution Survive Trump?

The Rule of Law Is Being 'Suffocated' by Trump 

This Is Still Happening: William Barr’s corruption

'A threat to democracy'

The Rule of Law is Being 'Suffocated' by Trump and His 'Personal Henchman' Barr, Says Harvard Constitutional 

Will American Democracy Survive The Trump Swamp?

And note, Right Wingers, Conservatives and die-hard Republicans are asking this, too.

David Frum: Will American Democracy Survive Trump?