Wow, Look at the Cobwebs

 I'm surprised Google hasn't deleted my blog by now. Maybe they never do that. Anyway LTTE that Post Star didn't see fit to print for whatever reason and rather than see my efforts go totally to waste. 

I want to thank James Hart for the Sunday fact-check. Officer Brian Sicknick was sprayed in the face with bear mace. It was determined, horrible as that must’ve been, not to be the cause of his death. Ashli Babbitt was killed by, to use a polite term, nonsense. She’d been fed two months of lies about the election by the world’s sorest loser. This propaganda came from Donald Trump, his lawyers, rightwing media and his minions in Congress, including ours. The families of Babbitt and Sicknick and the 140 injured officers deserve our sympathy and our support for investigation. The January 6th Committee began last Tuesday with four officers testifying. They’ve been mocked by rightwing media with garbage not worth repeating. Seeing videos of the attack, I’m astonished there weren’t more deaths. The feat they accomplished was a miracle. Rep. Stefanik provided an expected distraction. She knows Speaker Pelosi isn’t responsible for the attack. Who were the targets of the mob? Obviously Pence, since they had a gallows constructed and were chanting about using it. They were calling for Pelosi. It’s not a stretch to think any Democrat would’ve been in danger, along with Sen. Romney. How much danger were Republicans in, especially if they were the face of Trump’s first impeachment defense? Testimony, under oath, will go on the historical record unlike cheap attempts to gaslight. Sen. Sasse says people in the White House told him Trump was “delighted” on January 6th. Historians will be delighted to know what did the president do and when did he do it. Rep. Kinzinger asks, “Did the president make calls? If he didn’t, why?” Did Trump’s actions match what would be expected of a Commander in Chief when the US Capitol was under attack?

iPhone LTTE

I’m writing about Rep. Stefanik’s support of the president’s defunding of World Health Organization. This has been criticized by other world leaders who don’t feel their efforts have been harmed by the organization. The rock-ribbed conservative Chamber of Commerce released a statement, “Cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in the U.S. interests.” Why is it the U.S. has over 31% of the cases in the world and the most deaths? South Korea had their first reported case the same day we did and has 234 deaths to our nearly 41,000 as I write this. Is this the fault of the WHO or are they a convenient scapegoat?

Once the crisis subsides a bit there’s much to investigate: WHO, China, the president’s actions and lack there of. Four deaths in Benghazi drew 8 investigations and 33 hearings in Congress. I’d suggest a look at rightwing media as well. How long did Fox News proclaim the virus a hoax? Currently, they’re urging people to ignore and protest the efforts of governors to protect public health. Along those same lines, I wonder if our congresswomen finds the president’s “Liberate” tweets aimed at states with Democratic governors helpful. Inciting insurrection some have called it. At the very least, it doesn’t seem helpful. 

Impeachment Impeded Trump

Since the latest bullshit is that Trump was so busy with impeachment he couldn’t take on coronavirus:

Yes. He held rallies on:
—January 9th
—January 14th
—January 28th
—January 30th
—February 10th
—February 19th
—February 20th
—February 21st
—February 28th

He golfed on:
—January 18th
—January 19th
—February 1st
—February 15th
—March 7th
—March 8th

Thanks to Andrew Wortman on Twitter. And since I’m there. Rick Wilson:

Someone pointed out the cognitive dissonance of the current Trump message. "Trump's handling of Corona has been PERFECT from the start and he was johnny-on-the-spot!" while simultaneously saying, "Oh, the MEAN impeachment was SO distracting."

Warnings Ignored

Link

It’s Safer Than I Thought

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Wanted to put this where it’ll be handy when I’m freaking out about bring in the mail, the morning paper or a box from Amazon.

Stay Home, Submit On Your IPhone

I read that Rep. Stefanik says “ President Trump should take action under the Defense Production Act to meet our nation’s needs during this national emergency.” He’s not, though. Reps Katko, Slotkin and Ryan have sponsored the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act. This would force President Trump to use the Defense Production Act to require companies to begin emergency production of medical ventilators, respirators, face shields, exam gloves and surgical gowns. Thirty Democrats and zero Republicans have signed on the last I saw.

This seems like a better focus for her energy right now than the investigation of what China knew when. That can be done once we survive the current crisis. And Democrats can investigate why Trump has done or not done whatever.

A word of praise for all the medical professionals serving us now. Governor Cuomo said, “We are going to fight every way we can to save every life we can.” Stay strong, stay home. Don’t make their jobs harder by following bad advice.

End the Malarkey

I’d like to respond to Mr. Brooks’ attack on people who are critical of Rep. Stefanik. Fox News seems equally down on anyone criticizing the president. Mr. Brooks and Fox were quite critical of President Obama awhile back. Also, I haven’t forgotten the many letters with nearly identical laundry lists of gripes (i.e. gish gallop) about his presidency. During the Ebola crisis Trump called Obama stupid and incompetent and condemned him for golfing. Imagine that. I realize there are some who have a view of Trump similar to that of North Koreans toward Kim Jong Un. If that works for you. I like to view elected officials of whatever rank as employees. 

I also want to denounce strongly the person who left the nasty note on Rep. Stefanik’s car. Our congresswoman has been rabid about it toward Tedra Cobb which I don’t understand. Pretty sure Cobb didn’t leave the note and has no responsibility for it. Stefanik does have responsibility for the continued use of a childish nickname for Cobb. I realize Trumpism is the order of the day in the GOP, but maybe try to elevate the discourse a bit. It was pointed out two years ago how false some of her comments on Cobb’s legislative record were anyway.

Our rep ran her first two campaigns on “Repeal and Replace Obamacare.” The Trump Administration is in court now attempting that total repeal she ran on. That would end any protections for pre-existing conditions. Trump says you’d be protected after ACA is dead. I’m skeptical, but whatever works for you. When Trump and Stefanik unveil their “terrific” replacement plan I’ll stop carping about them. Make America Normal Again.