April 15, 2020

Trump wanted to start a White House radio talk show.

This idea came up in March, just before the announcement of the European travel ban. The idea would be "to quell Americans’ fears," the NYT reports. He'd have an open line — no screening — and talk with ordinary people — for 2 hours, every day. But he rejected the idea because he didn't want to encroach on Rush Limbaugh.
On Monday, Mr. Limbaugh argued that the “shutdown” was “a political effort to get rid of Donald Trump in the election this November” — as well as a Democratic ploy to “keep people fed without them having to go to work” and to “fine them for going to church.”

Mr. Limbaugh, a frequent golf partner of Mr. Trump’s in Palm Beach, Fla., has been candid and proud about his direct line to the president....

Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans support a national stay-at-home order, but Mr. Limbaugh’s audience — in other words, the president’s base — shares his agitation about jump-starting the economy....
So Limbaugh is helpful to Trump saying things Trump shouldn't say (but might be tempted to say on the radio).
On Friday, a caller [to Limbaugh] from Prescott, Ariz., wondered if experts were urging the shutdown of the economy as a way to model the potential effects of legislation intended to combat climate change. “Isn’t this kind of like a dry run of the Green New Deal?” he asked.
What would Trump say to that? I don't know, but I wanted to look up and see what Rush said. Here:

RUSH: That is what fascinates me because I, as you know, read a bunch of tech blogs written by a bunch of Millennial-aged left-wing know-it-alls. And they think this is great. There are stories throughout the tech blogs about how pollution levels are down and that we’re saving the planet from climate change with this. They’re praising the virus because this is what’s been necessary to save the planet. While it’s killing people, they’re praising it, because this is the kind of thing — and the fact that it’s gone on now for however long proves we can do it and that we can do it for longer periods of time. So you are really perceptive out there, Eric, because I’m telling you, the Green New Deal crowd and the climate change crowd is gonna latch on to this, and they’re gonna say not only can this save us from runaway diseases, this is what’s necessary to stop CO2s and to save the planet from dreaded climate change. You are right on the money. And it’s gonna take a massive, concerted political effort to fight this back.

CALLER: ... I guess my question to you is... are they just trying to kind of give us a taste for it? Is this the dry run intentionally?...

RUSH: Wait. Are you asking is the virus manufactured as a dry run to shut things down to save the planet for climate change? Is that what you’re asking?

CALLER: No, no. The use of the models and (unintelligible)... whether we do something or not millions will die — actually 60,000 will die.... But is this like an opportunity to use the models and as the scientists who are infallible — and we all kind of face the threat of being called science deniers —

RUSH: Well, look. The answer to your question is that models are the sole source of evidence for climate change for 40 years. That’s all the evidence there’s — which is not evidence. Models are just projections. We don’t have any evidence the models are right. The models make their predictions 30 and 40 years out now in climate change because that’s how you avoid accountability. Thirty, 40 years out, who will remember what the models said? The model are being used like polling is used, to shape public opinion, not reflect it. So the models are already in use. There’s nothing they can learn from the model usage here in coronavirus. It’s the other way around. The way models are used in climate change is guiding the way they’re being used here.....

76 comments:

Drago said...

I just ran to the store and Limbaugh was just speaking about this.

Limbaugh interestingly asserted that, in his opinion, radio can be a much more "intimate" medium than TV and that, in his opinion, Trump would enjoy a direct 2-way interaction with people out in the nation unfiltered thru the hack media.

I have to say, given that the major US media is now simply a conduit/cheerleader for the dems and China and spends all of its time attacking Trump, this represents another inspired idea by Trump which keeps the media and America haters off balance.

Howard said...

I floated this green New deal conspiracy theory on the Greta Thurnberg thread a couple days ago.

Nonapod said...

Sort of Trump's fireside chat I guess. I have no problem with it although I doubt I would ever personally listen to such a broadcast.

I don't buy into the notion that this economic shutdown is acting as some sort of Green New Deal dry run or whatever, but it's an interesting thought.

Drago said...

Nonapod: "I don't buy into the notion that this economic shutdown is acting as some sort of Green New Deal dry run or whatever, but it's an interesting thought."

It's not a Green New Deal dry run. It's an argument that even if the economic reality of implementing a Green New Deal runs according to GND deal critics critiques, that the US can handle it.

Dave Begley said...

"In that time Mr. Limbaugh has traded in the kind of deeply divisive messaging that Mr. Trump regularly brandishes to appeal to his conservative base."

Deeply divisive? Is that because Limbaugh's listeners don't go with the standard liberal narrative? Is it okay to disagree with the NYT.

As to the Green New Deal and the CAGW scam, they're over. Every person in America should now realize that the climate change models are just trash. It is the biggest scam in history.

Sebastian said...

"Mr. Limbaugh’s audience — in other words, the president’s base — shares his agitation about jump-starting the economy"

Just wait till higher ed and MSM start crashing for real.

"deeply divisive messaging that Mr. Trump regularly brandishes"

What, exactly, is deeply divisive about anything Trump has done about Wuhan?

They're not implying that his attacks on the ignorant and malicious MSM are "divisive," are they?

TrespassersW said...

From the NewSpeak Lexicon:
"deeply divisive" (adj)
Anything that deviates from leftist doctrine.

mikeski said...

Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans support a national stay-at-home order[...]

Citation needed.

Seriously, fuck the New York Times. Right in its collective ear.

Curious George said...

"Dave Begley said...
"In that time Mr. Limbaugh has traded in the kind of deeply divisive messaging that Mr. Trump regularly brandishes to appeal to his conservative base."

Deeply divisive? Is that because Limbaugh's listeners don't go with the standard liberal narrative? Is it okay to disagree with the NYT.

As to the Green New Deal and the CAGW scam, they're over. Every person in America should now realize that the climate change models are just trash. It is the biggest scam in history."

I agree, it's certainly the biggest scam ever, but if you think it's over, you are delusional.

tcrosse said...

I wouldn't mind hearing a nice long chat between Donald Trump and Joe Rogan.

Limited blogger said...

You think this is proving the U.S. can handle a shut-down?

This proves we can't handle a shut-down.

JPS said...

"The answer to your question is that models are the sole source of evidence for climate change for 40 years."

That isn't true. There's plenty of real-world evidence these last 40 years. What is by no means settled is attribution, and where we're going to be in 50 or 100 years.

Models are, however, the sole source of evidence that we are about to reach a tipping point; that positive feedbacks will multiply CO2-related warming by 3- to 6-fold; that warming is going to take off big-time any year now; that sea-level rise is about to accelerate hugely; and that CO2 is the "main control knob" of the climate rather than a perturbation on top of a long-term warming trend that goes back to the 1700s - and we don't know why that started.

I do think the parallel with coronavirus is that people who are pushing an agenda can make the models come out any damn way that justifies the policy they already wanted to push; and that other people who are smart, sober, and in no way trying to mislead, can still produce models showing the problem, because all along they're telling themselves better to be wrong on the side of caution. Which, in a way, it is, but the consumers of the models should know that default bias.

JPS said...

[showing the problem worse than it will actually turn out to be, I meant. Sorry for the garble.]

Nonapod said...

You think this is proving the U.S. can handle a shut-down?

This proves we can't handle a shut-down.


That's my sense as well (assuming that this is what the Green Nude Eelers were hoping). I don't see this catastrophe playing out as a net positive for the heavy handed, radical big government solution folks. To me it seems more likely to demostrate how inept the government is at handling big problems rather than how capable it is.

J. Farmer said...

Limbaugh is clearly a talented broadcaster and has maintained an impressively lengthy career. Admittedly, I don't really follow him, but if I'm not mistaken, isn't he basically a Reaganite? He supports the standard GOP mix of free markets and a strong national defense? If so, it may be time for Limbaugh's informal stewardship of the GOP to come to an end.

Drago said...

Limited blogger: "You think this is proving the U.S. can handle a shut-down?

This proves we can't handle a shut-down."

Agreed.

I just find it interesting that the left/LLR-left is now openly arguing that their GND policies would idle most of the nation but that its all okey-dokey because look at what's happening now and it isn't that bad!!

Amazing.

Nonapod said...

but if I'm not mistaken, isn't he basically a Reaganite?

He started off as a Buckleyite (which is more or less the same thing as a "Reaganite" I suppose). In recent years he's adopted more of the Trumpist populism/nationalism I guess. Although he's still a foreign policy hawkish sort, he generally doesn't get all bellicose as much as he use to.

Iman said...

Again with the effing NYT!!!

narciso said...

surprise otter

Lurker21 said...

Silly Trump. Why didn't he just go on the Internet, like FDR?

Iman said...

I floated this green New deal conspiracy theory on the Greta Thurnberg thread a couple days ago.

Was it of any more interest than the rest of your "floaters"?

Nonapod said...

From Narciso's link, it's the dreaded "E" word!

“Is the coronavirus expansion exponential? The answer by the numbers is simple: no. Expansion begins exponentially but fades quickly after about eight weeks,” Professor Yitzhak Ben Israel concluded.

Drago said...

Farmer: "He supports the standard GOP mix of free markets and a strong national defense?"

That is far too formulaic and generalized.

The free markets discussion has evolved into a discussion of unfair trade relations that have been structurally locked in with the trade deals put in place since the 90's. Limbaugh is completely on board with tariff wars, trade deal renegotiations and threats if that's what it takes to get to open/free and FAIR trade arrangements. This is the optimistic view of the American worker: that within an open/free and FAIR trade arrangement, Americans can, due to their ingenuity and productivity, compete in many areas that have been purposely handed over to our competitors....with lobbyists and Wall Street reaping the benefits.

Being in support of a "strong National Defense" does not mean nation building support, endless wars, US troops essentially being directed via the consensus of global elites around the globe as global police while the EU nations and asian partners kick back and cut back on defense spending so they can redirect that cash towards their own internal needs.

NATO partners are the absolute worst here, with Germany being a particular culprit with their paltry 1.3 or 1.4% spending on "defense", most of which is actually used for infrastructure development. A few months back not a single German submarine was sea-worthy, there are massive gaps in the already limited German military personnel numbers, they even ran out of bullets!

So, in both of those areas there is just about zero daylight between Limbaugh and Trump on those issues.

"Reaganism" is simply not relevant any longer in a 2020 context and provides no effective insight into current republican/conservative/populist discussions.

Drago said...

Lurker21: "Silly Trump. Why didn't he just go on the Internet, like FDR?"

Careful.

Within about 15 minutes we'll have Slow Joe publicly describing, in vivid detail, his sending emails to FDR in 1933 in support of FDR policies while watching video of Apollo 271 landing on Jupiter.

Drago said...

Oh, I should have added above that a few months back the German "air force" had about 13 combat ready tactical aircraft.

Of course, the entire left/LLR-left was outraged when this lack of NATO "partner" preparedness was pointed out by Trump.

traditionalguy said...

Rush is a thinker whose analysis brings out the crafty propaganda of the criminals running DC with faked crises and eternal wars that are designed never to be won but only fund mass slush funds.That’s much farther than Reagan dared to go.

Rush only resembles Reagan in also being pro the American middle class.

J. Farmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nonapod said...

As Drago points out, I think it's fair to say that Rush has evolved on many issues over the years as a reflection of the changing times, with changing problems, and changing views within the conservative movement. But this is just based on my sporadic listening. I will say that he seems to have remained pretty consistent in certain areas, like his positions on abortion and other social conservative topics.

Bob Boyd said...

How would Trump have time to do a 2 hour radio show and a 3 hour daily briefing?
I question if this is even true.
Maybe Trump made an off hand comment or even a joke about doing a radio show.

CJinPA said...

Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans support a national stay-at-home order

Is such an order legal, short of martial law? Usually the NYT schools us on such things, if the schooling is aimed at deplorables.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

"Reaganism" is simply not relevant any longer in a 2020 context and provides no effective insight into current republican/conservative/populist discussions.

I referred to Limbaugh as a Reaganite because he basically began his career in the Reagan era. And I think the Reagan revolution within the Republican Party is still alive and well. It's a basket of policies that include emphasis on lower marginal tax rates, deregulation of industry, small government, cuts in non-defense spending, increases in defense spending, free trade, Cold War moral clarity, and a desire to rollback hostile regimes.

From my perspective, adherence to this general disposition is the fundamental flaw of the old GOP, and it is what I was hoping Trump would begin moving the GOP away from. Needless to say, it has not yet materialized. I think this stance is inherently internationalist, overly reliant on military power and coercive means on the global stage, and an overly reliant and trustful attitudes towards "markets" to solve problems.

I Callahan said...

Citation needed.

Yup. And as time goes on, and more people are unemployed and for a longer time, there is no way the NYT is going to continue printing this BS.

Michael K said...

As Drago points out, I think it's fair to say that Rush has evolved on many issues over the years as a reflection of the changing times, with changing problems, and changing views within the conservative movement

As I recall, Limbaugh was not a Trump supporter , less hostile than Mark Levin and way less hostile than Michael Medved who was an NT for a year or so. Limbaugh and Levin have come around. I am not a regular listener but when I do, that is my impression.

The "Free Trade: thing goes back to Pax Britannia. England had the "corn laws" of course during WWI and WWII. The theory is great but, in practice China has been mercantilist since 1972. They have stolen IP and forced manufacturers to disclose proprietary info to sell in China. I was ready to vote for Perot in 1992 over this until he had his meltdown.

narciso said...

just more malpractice

Michael K said...

Needless to say, it has not yet materialized

There is nothing like having both parties in Congress hostile to make things "not materialize." Ryan got the tax cut and went home to plan his retirement job.

The do nothing GOP lost Congress to the crazies in 2018, not to mention the effects of ballot harvesting.

Drago said...

Farmer: "And I think the Reagan revolution within the Republican Party is still alive and well."

That definition became inoperative in the 90's.

cubanbob said...

Trump's daily pressers are more than sufficient. Every day he makes the Dim house organists look like the arrogant, ignorant fools and tools that they are.

iowan2 said...

Although he's still a foreign policy hawkish sort, he generally doesn't get all bellicose as much as he use to.

Bellicose? I would never define Rush as bellicose. Aggressive and a willingness to fight.

Rush used to be way more entertaining, with his personal takes on the days driving stories bookended by parody bits, like caller abortions, and Gorbasams. To people that do listen for 3 hours, we miss the funny. Rush is big in rural America because spending 16 hours a day in the cab, with only a radio to keep you company, Rush was a fresh breeze. FM stations were scant, so AM is where the dial is set, and Rush is different than any other programming. I am a charter listener, when Rush started on WHO radio at 1pm central. Rush hedged on his requirement all stations carry his show in full, live. That would have been 11am central, booting the BIG SHOW. A 1.5 hr ag show that the entire states rural listeners tunes into.

zipity said...


This is starting to smell like a two week old tuna fish sandwich left out in the sun. http://ace.mu.nu/archives/386842.php


Israeli Professor: It Doesn't Matter If You Have Strict Social Distancing or None, Coronavirus Follows the Exact Same Pattern in All Countries
—Ace

He says that imposing strict shutdowns like the US and no shutdown at all, as Sweden does, produces the exact same "curve."

None of this bullshit matters, his models say.

Professor Yitzhak Ben Israel of Tel Aviv University, who also serves on the research and development advisory board for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, plotted the rates of new coronavirus infections of the U.S., U.K., Sweden, Italy, Israel, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Spain. The numbers told a shocking story: irrespective of whether the country quarantined like Israel, or went about business as usual like Sweden, coronavirus peaked and subsided in the exact same way. In the exact, same, way. His graphs show that all countries experienced seemingly identical coronavirus infection patterns, with the number of infected peaking in the sixth week and rapidly subsiding by the eighth week.


The Wuhan Virus follows its own pattern, he told Mako, an Israeli news agency. It is a fixed pattern that is not dependent on freedom or quarantine. "There is a decline in the number of infections even [in countries] without closures, and it is similar to the countries with closures," he wrote in his paper.

Meanwhile, a new paper shows that lockdowns do nothing to "flatten the curve" -- all they do is delay the exact same outbreak pattern until six months later.

Which makes demands that the world remain in lockdown until 2022 (!!!!) all the more insane.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

That definition became inoperative in the 90's.

How much did George W. Bush differ from my description?

zipity said...


Lest we forget all the models used to shut-down the economy were WAY off.

And the guy who made them had to retract a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association due to fatally flawed methodology and assumptions in 2004. It WILDLY overstated the morbidity incidences of obesity in the US.

I think we've been had.

Drago said...

Farmer: "How much did George W. Bush differ from my description?"

Lots.

J. Farmer said...

@Michael K:

There is nothing like having both parties in Congress hostile to make things "not materialize." Ryan got the tax cut and went home to plan his retirement job.

Well that's on Trump. Facing an unimaginable opposition, he won the Republican primary and then the presidency. He was in a position to push the GOP in a direction of his choosing, but I think this is where inexperience got the better of him. He instead abdicated to Paul Ryan, whose primary achievements were tax cuts and increases in defense spending (old GOP hobbyhorses). His efforts to cut Medicaid died in the Senate, and no significant replacement for Obamacare was forthcoming.

Drago said...

Farmer: "Well that's on Trump."

Gee, I guess that's true. It's on Trump that Ryan was never going to go along with Trump's plans in the House and the russia hoaxers had the bulk of the republican Senate convinced Trump was a russian asset well into 2019 so McConnell and crew decided to simply push judges and not allow Trump to do any large scale seeding of his own people into the departments.

A solid point Farmer.

Drago said...

It's unfortunate that Trump lacks the chops to get Farmer to praise him the way Farmer praised Bernie.

Oh well. Trump will simply have to continue to muddle through without that rhetorical wind at his sails.

Kevin said...

"deeply divisive messaging"

Shorter NYT: If Trump's people didn't have a side, there would only be one side!

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

Lots.

Ha. Hardly. In style, undoubtedly, but there was more convergence than divergence in their substance. Bush prioritized tax cuts, deregulation, free trade, increases in military spending, market solutions, conservative social issues, and an interventionist foreign policy. It is no surprise that the group of neocons who coalesced around Reagan ended up working for or advising the Bush administration.

With a few exceptions, Trump's presidency has also largely followed this mold.

Drago said...

Farmer: "Ha. Hardly. In style, undoubtedly, but there was more convergence than divergence in their substance. Bush prioritized tax cuts, deregulation, free trade, increases in military spending, market solutions, conservative social issues, and an interventionist foreign policy."

Ha indeed.

The first thing W did was hand the Education bill over to Ted Kennedy. W was just like HW and neither one of them was a Reaganite by any stretch.

Iman said...

When will NYT readers realize that it is as close to Pravda as it gets in the USA?

Drago said...

Farmer: "It is no surprise that the group of neocons who coalesced around Reagan ended up working for or advising the Bush administration."

As if they could go back to the dem side after being pushed by the lefty crazies into Reagan's arms.

Of course, you let enough time pass...such as to now, and you see where all these little neocons have ended up.

Right back on the dem side and advancing dem policies across the board.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

It's unfortunate that Trump lacks the chops to get Farmer to praise him the way Farmer praised Bernie.

Of course I never "praised" Bernie Sanders. I defended him against what I considered a caricature. I actually think you should hold the person you voted for to a higher standard than the one you didn't.

Oh well. Trump will simply have to continue to muddle through without that rhetorical wind at his sails.

At least he can count on you cheering him along as we head straight for the rocks.

Geo Alupoae said...

Trump love the trap... :)

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

A solid point Farmer.

Presidents actually have an ability to push their legislative agenda in Congress. He can take his case directly to the people to generate support for the bottom up. Or he can do deals. I think I read somewhere that Trump considers that one of his strengths. He also has a veto pen that gives some leverage. Making an effort might have been nice. Were you running around in 2016 telling us that Trump's domestic agenda was meaningless since he wouldn't be able to get any of it anyway?

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

Right back on the dem side and advancing dem policies across the board.

Some of them (e.g. Bolton, Abrams, Haley) ended up in the Trump administration. Neocons have always had a way of vacillating between D's and R's. They backed Clinton in 1992 because H.W. Bush was seen as insufficiently deferential to Israel. There's one charge the neocons can't levy against Trump.

Drago said...

Farmer: "Presidents actually have an ability to push their legislative agenda in Congress."

Presidents don't usually have the entirety of the intelligence/law enforcement/federal agencies working together to frame him as a russian spy and asset which empowered his opponents, who occupied ALL key positions within the federal government and across all branches, the ability to thwart his agenda with near 100% media assistance.

But then again, Trump isn't as capable or clever as you Farmer. Its a shame you weren't on his staff.

Drago said...

Farmer, can you point out which former President had a special counsel appointed to investigate him within months of taking office with a staff of lifelong opposition party members who were out for blood and were targeting his family members as well?

I mean, I'm guessing that kind of stuff is a "no biggee" in Farmer-World, but others of us think it might sort of, kind of, be a contributor to slowing down implementing an agenda.

I suppose you've read in a textbook somewhere that is not the case.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

Presidents don't usually have the entirety of the intelligence/law enforcement/federal agencies working together to frame him as a russian spy and asset which empowered his opponents, who occupied ALL key positions within the federal government and across all branches, the ability to thwart his agenda with near 100% media assistance.

And yet over the first two years of his presidency I read repeatedly on this very site that people weren't tired of winning and promises kept more than any other president. So which was it? Winning/promises kept or insurmountable obstruction that prevented him from getting what he wanted?

But then again, Trump isn't as capable or clever as you Farmer. Its a shame you weren't on his staff.

True, if someone isn't on a president's staff, they really have no right to criticize him. Of course, complaining about immigration, opposing Bush's wars, and complaining about managed trade 20 years ago sure was a waste of time. Thank god the GOP wasn't listening to our side of the argument. They were too busy tackling the really important issues like nation-building in the middle east, gay marriage amendments, and pushing for more black and brown people to buy homes they couldn't afford.

iowan2 said...

Uh-oh...President Trump is going to declare both houses of congress in adjournment, and make his recess appointments. I think Chuck Todd swallowed his own tounge. This is going to be good!

BillieBob Thorton said...

It would have been the most beautiful radio show you have ever seen, beautiful, really beautiful, and the people would love it, really love it, love it like never before in the history of radio, perfect perfect radio, like you've never seen before. And the callers would be beautiful, the most beautiful callers you have ever seen, like never before, calling from all over this beautiful country, just beautiful. And the people would love it, love it like never before, that I can tell you, with very strong statements from people who really love this country, love it like never before. So much love, love like never before.

Drago said...

Farmer: "And yet over the first two years of his presidency I read repeatedly on this very site that people weren't tired of winning and promises kept more than any other president."

Duh.

For those things Trump could achieve without the deep staters he succeeded.

But look, I get it. You are intent upon labeling this Presidency a failure. Bernie was okay and would not have been a problem as President and all is lost anyway.

Drago said...

Farmer: "True, if someone isn't on a president's staff, they really have no right to criticize him."

Okay tiger. Take it easy.

Drago said...

So, for the record: Farmer is claiming that having the entire federal govt coordinating to thwart an incoming presidents agenda coupled with a special prosecutor investigation without limit into that newly elected President and his family and his associates and his political supporters is simply par for the course and in no way is to be considered unusual in evaluating a Presidents performance.

Got it.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

For those things Trump could achieve without the deep staters he succeeded.

Ah, so then it doesn't explain why Trump has gotten nowhere with Iran, North Korea, or Venezuela? It doesn't explain why he signed a deal with China that increased our dependence on them? It doesn't explain why in terms of immigrants he said that we "need the people" and that he wants them to come "in the largest numbers ever?" It doesn't explain why over three years into his presidency, we've yet to see an immigration proposal?

But hey, I'll grant you he moved the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Kim and Kanye got him to champion federal prison reform. Winning!

But look, I get it. You are intent upon labeling this Presidency a failure.

I am intent on point out where Trump is failing. But look, I get it, you are intent on burying your head in the sand and imagining it will all be okay.

J. Farmer said...

@Drago:

Got it.

I actually don't care how you want to assign blame. The fact is, our side is losing. If you can reconcile that with optimism and enthusiasm for Trump, go right ahead.

Drago said...

Farmer: "Ah, so then it doesn't explain why Trump has gotten nowhere with Iran, North Korea, or Venezuela?"

Last time I checked Trump withdrew from the bogus Iran deal, whacked a couple long time trouble-makers from Iran (in Iraq) and cranked up sanctions on them and forced the Europeans to go along with it.

So I guess that counts as nothing in Farmer-World. Good to know.

NK: cranked up sanctions.

Venezuela: the US is clearly supporting Guaido.

But you are right. Trump hasn't solved those problems yet, so what the heck. Let's get Bernie in there and fail faster, as you suggested a few weeks back.

Drago said...

J. Farmer: "@Drago: I actually don't care how you want to assign blame. The fact is, our side is losing."

According to you over the previous number of years, we've already lost and there is no coming back and thats why you were basically okay with Bernie getting elected.

So what are you getting upset over?

Drago said...

Farmer: "The fact is, our side is losing. If you can reconcile that with optimism and enthusiasm for Trump, go right ahead."

Thanks.

Vance said...

Farmer, you apparently hate free markets, the US having a military, the US supporting Israel instead of Iran and North Korea, and you apparently despise all social conservatism.

Could you please explain where you differ from Bernie Sanders? Why not attack the left, for a change? You never seem to do that.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Calif. Governor Announces $125M COVID-19 Relief For Illegal Immigrants

no matter how many campaign promises Trump might break - you can count on democrats to take up the extra slack.

Bob Smith said...

The CHINESE BAT SOUP FLU has nothing to do with a Green Nude Eel. It’s a demo of winning a war using the enemy’s resources. Our money helped fund the development, our politicians ran cover for the distribution of the virus. Our press still is. WTFU.

WWIII Joe Biden, Husk-Puppet + America's Putin said...

Hunter Biden Remains on the Board of a Chinese Company That Profited From Joe Biden's Foreign Policy

Democratic-crony international deep state.

I'm Not Sure said...

Calif. Governor Announces $125M COVID-19 Relief For Illegal Immigrants

From the link:

Approximately 150,000 undocumented adult Californians will receive a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult with a cap of $1,000 per household to deal with the specific needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals can apply for support beginning next month.

How on God's green earth can they limit benefits to one per, except by use of some sort of ID? Of the sort that's apparently off the table when it comes to voting, because it's so much trouble to get?

DavidUW said...

A simple question to pose to every climate modeler:

"We've had 700 years to model pandemics, there are only 3 variables: population density, degree of contagion and death rate and yet the models have been wrong on nearly every aspect of this most recent pandemic. How are we to believe you can model something as complex as the global climate?"

OldManRick said...

that CO2 is the "main control knob" of the climate rather than a perturbation on top of a long-term warming trend that goes back to the 1700s - and we don't know why that started.

Here's a clue - The 1700's saw the lowest solar cycle activity for which we have any records, the 1950 to the 1990's saw four of the six most active solar cycles for which we have any data. Ironically, the 1970 solar cycle which lead to the predictions of a new ice age was only slightly above average.

The difference from the top to the bottom of a 1990's solar cycle is about .07% in thermal energy reaching the surface of the earth. Figuring that the earth with out the sun would run at close to 30 degrees Kelvin (Pluto runs at 50 degrees Kelvin) this difference probably accounts for a difference of .2 degrees centigrade. Combine this with the effects of the lighter solar winds during less powerful cycles, which in turn deflect fewer in bound gamma rays, which in turn create more high clouds, which in turn further reduces the solar radiance reaching the earth and guess what you have. Hotter temperatures in cycles with higher maximums and lower temperatures in cycles with lower maximums.

But then, I'm just a MIT grad with a heavy science background so I don't know more than your average journo major. /sarcasm

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Sunspot_Numbers.png/800px-Sunspot_Numbers.png

Gk1 said...

"To me it seems more likely to demonstrate how inept the government is at handling big problems rather than how capable it is"

My 18 year old Northern Californian educated daughter is now seeing this. She said it was a real "eye opener no one seems to know what they are doing" and she meant everyone from the President to our illustrious Governor Zoolander Newsom.

SO these are the brainiacs with their Climate models and spreadsheets that want to remodel the world? Like the obama administration they couldn't even create a working website much less remodel a healthcare system.

If there are any heros its going to be localized "50 individual laboratories" creating a road map out of this mess.

JPS said...

OldManRick, re solar cycles:

Makes sense to me. I’ve heard some fairly strong arguments that solar variations don’t nearly explain what we’re seeing, but these arguments come from people who are predisposed to strongly disfavor that theory. So they’re basically using their considerable ingenuity to dismiss it.

“But then, I’m just an MIT grad with a heavy science background”. Nice. “Work, friends, sleep: Choose two.”