as always a pleasure
A Shockingly Long List of Corrupt Officials and Political
Allies Pardoned by Trump
25 minutes ago
“He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons…”
"As the 2020 race heats up, Donald Trump has placed his use of his pardon powers at the center of his reelection bid. One widely discussed campaign ad, aired during the Super Bowl, featured Alice Johnson—a black woman who served 21 years in prison for a nonviolent drug offense before Trump commuted her sentence in 2018. “Thanks to President Trump, people like Alice are getting a second chance,” the ad stated. In February, Trump also freed several women who served time with Johnson.
But Johnson’s case is far from typical. More often, Trump has used his clemency powers to reward friends, political allies and donors, and Fox News regulars. Former Trump aides convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation—including Roger Stone—have reportedly sought pardons, and Trump recently said he was “strongly considering” granting one for Michael Flynn. Here’s a list of right-wing icons, corrupt public officials, accused war criminals, and other controversial figures who have already received executive clemency from Trump."
moar fresh talking points:
https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2020/04/a-shockingly-long-list-of-corrupt-officials-and-political-allies-pardoned-by-trump/
Is This The [New] Greatest Generation?
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 04:30
"After years of being maligned, millennials and Gen Z members are stepping forward in a way that creates their own “greatest” generational story.
This is not an easy Passover and Easter for the people celebrating those holidays in the midst of a pandemic. My family celebrates both given our mixed Jewish Catholic marriage. At both dinners, one chair will be empty. Our eldest son Benjamin is a premedicine student at George Washington University and working at the only psychiatric hospital in the district as a psychiatric counselor. With the coronavirus raging in the area, and many patients coming from the homeless population, Benjamin does not want to risk transmission to the family, so we have not seen him for weeks.
It is a scene being played out across the country. But it also serves as a reminder of a generation shift worthy of note. Those people on the front lines of this pandemic are members of the much maligned generations of millennials and Gen Z. They have been stepping forward by the thousands to answer a call in what may be their finest moment. However, when Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser at the World Health Organization, was asked of his greatest concerns, two groups were highlighted for two very different reasons. First were older individuals who remain the primary vulnerable victims of the coronavirus. Second were “millennials” often blamed for spreading the disease or failing to take the threat more seriously."
moar:
https://www.zerohedge.com/health/new-greatest-generation
we see you putting new in the kill box
THE POLLSTERS GOT IT WRONG WHEN TRUMP TOOK
ON HILLARY IN 2016. CAN YOU TRUST THEM THIS
TIME?
4/13/20 AT 6:00 AM EDT
"It's poll season!
Over the next eight months we'll see hundreds of horse-race polls between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Here's a tip. Don't pay too much attention. The big miss we saw in 2016 can happen again—the coronavirus pandemic could make this election more unpredictable—and there's only so much pollsters can do about it.
Leading up to the last election, President Trump dismissed polls unfavorable to him as fake news. He was right. Polls missed big in 2016. Pollsters believe they know what went wrong and have fixed it. After the 2018 midterm elections, the industry declared victory when pundits using polling data called most races correctly. Harry Enten of CNN trumpeted, "2018 was a very good year for polls." Really? Many of the contests were in deep red or blue areas where the outcome was never in doubt. And there were still some big misses. Polls again underestimated Republicans in a handful of states including Florida and, as in 2016, those misses were enough to result in narrow wins in important races. In all, only 80 percent of polls showed the eventual winners leading. That sounds good, but take out the no-brainers, and the hit rate is more like 50–50—in other words, a coin flip.
So far in 2020, poll performance is mixed. Polls missed in South Carolina. They said Biden was ahead by an average of 15 percentage points and he won by 28 percentage points, although perhaps that's understandable given the rapid consolidation as other candidates dropped out and the huge endorsement from Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking Democrat in the House. Polls also missed the rise of moderates and fall of progressives, first evident in New Hampshire. Polls were close in Florida, but underestimated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary in Michigan, as they did in 2016.
Those who make forecasts have also missed. Less than a month ago FiveThirtyEight, which focuses on statistical analysis of politics and other key issues, said that Sanders was in "the driver's seat" and "easily most likely to win the Democratic nomination." So much for that.
The first signs that something was screwy in 2016 occurred during the primaries, when New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who led the polls in Michigan by an average of 21 points according to RealClearPolitics, lost to Bernie Sanders by a point and a half. It's been called one of the biggest misses in polling history."
MOAR:
https://www.newsweek.com/pollsters-got-it-wrong-when-trump-took-hillary-2016-can-you-trust-them-this-time-1497088
Democrat Charged With 6 Felonies Tied To November
Election
APRIL 13, 2020
"Opinion| The left is always so quick to tell us that there is no such thing as voter fraud, the real problem is voter suppression. However, I beg to differ, and here is a great example.
When Pelosi and her gang of Democrats try to push a scheme of vote by mail, and act as if ‘what could possibly go wrong … I would point them to stories like this one out of Detroit:
Trending: Barack Obama Launches Attack On Trump Push Change To Voting System That Would End Election Integrity Once And For All
Detroit — Southfield City Clerk Sherikia L. Hawkins was charged Monday with six felony counts over “unauthorized and inaccurate” changes to absentee ballots in the November 2018 election.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made a joint announcement of the charges in Detroit, calling it a “rare” case.
“Voting is fundamental to the very essence of our democracy,” Nessel said during a Monday news conference. “It is incumbent upon state governments to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that every voter’s right to cast a ballot is protected.”
Allegations that Hawkins altered 193 absentee voter records came to light during the 14-day canvass following the election. Benson said the Oakland County Clerk’s Office reported with the Bureau of Elections “the potential for these irregularities and from there we began our investigation.”
Hawkins’ alleged actions, did not alter the outcome of any election, Benson stressed, and “there were no voters that were disenfranchised.”"
Moar nom nom:
https://rightwingtribune.com/2020/04/13/democrat-charged-with-6-felonies/
WATCH: President Trump castigates Jim Acosta for calling
coronavirus media briefings ‘happy talk’
2 HOURS AGO
"President Donald Trump berated CNN reporter Jim Acosta again at his coronavirus task force media briefing for calling the daily updates ‘happy talk’ about the pandemic.
The president denied Acosta’s statements that there were shortages of medical equipment to address the coronavirus pandemic.
“Mr. President, we hear from a lot of people who see these briefings as sort of ‘happy talk’ briefings,” said Acosta.
“No happy talk today!” Trump replied.
“You, and some of the officials paint a rosy picture of what is happening around the country. If you look at some of these questions. Do we have enough masks, no. Do we have enough tests, no. Do we have enough PPE, no. Do we have enough medical equipment,” continued Acosta"
moar:
https://truepundit.com/watch-president-trump-castigates-jim-acosta-for-calling-coronavirus-media-briefings-happy-talk/
Moment fans started to turn on Ellen DeGeneres
For years Ellen was one of the most popular people in
Hollywood – but lately it’s been one PR disaster after another.
APRIL 13, 20206:47PM
"Ellen DeGeneres has resorted to extreme measures to keep her talk show running in self-isolation - but it's caused a fierce viewer backlash.
It all started with an awkward interview.
American actress Dakota Johnson, of Fifty Shades of Grey fame, sat down with Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show, The Ellen Show, for a chat in December last year.
Things got off to a frosty start when DeGeneres mentioned Johnson’s recent 30th birthday.
“Happy belated birthday,” DeGeneres said. “How was the party? I wasn’t invited.”
As the audience laughed, Johnson replied sternly, “Actually, no, that’s not the truth, Ellen. You were invited.”
Johnson told DeGeneres she made sure to invite her to her party this year because she gave her “a bunch of sh*t” last year when she didn’t receive an invite to her party.
“I did invite you and you didn’t come,” Johnson repeated.
DeGeneres was sceptical at first: “This time you invited me? Are you sure? I don’t think so.”
“Ask everybody,” Johnson said. “Ask Jonathan, your producer.”
DeGeneres looked off camera at her producer who confirmed that Johnson had invited her to the birthday party.
“Why didn’t I go?” she asked out loud. “It was probably in Malibu, that’s too far for me to go to.”"
moar:
https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/moment-fans-started-to-turn-on-ellen-degeneres/news-story/f152ce8e7759870b3832d4eddf9daef1
Rihanna jabs Trump, says she's too busy 'trying to save the
world' from coronavirus to release music
By Nate Day | Fox News
Published 12 hours ago
"Rihanna is speaking her mind.
During an Instagram Live session this past Friday, a fan asked the 32-year-old singer when her upcoming album will be released, when she implied that she's working harder to flatten the coronavirus curve than President Trump
"If one of y'all motherf–ers ask me about the album one more time when I'm trying to save the world, unlike y'all president," said Rihanna, per E! News. "[We will fight] on sight.""
moar idiocracy:
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rihanna-trump-coronavirus-trying-to-save-the-world-music
As Saudi Royals Fall Ill, the Crown Prince Takes on
COVID-19—and His Rivals—All at Once
LOCKED DOWN AND LOCKED UP
Updated Apr. 13, 2020 5:00AM ET / Published Apr. 12, 2020 5:32AM ET
"MBS has shown that he can adapt to the changing circumstances imposed by a global pandemic—while exploiting them for his own ends.
PARIS—What Donald Trump refused to do—rein in the ruthless crown prince of Saudi Arabia—the coronavirus pandemic seems to be accomplishing, at least in the short term. But the prince also exploits it for his own ends.
“Over the last few days MBS has moved to try resolve some of his self-inflicted messes.”
Since 34-year-old Mohammed bin Salman started appropriating power from his enfeebled father, King Salman, five years ago, he has sought fame as a visionary reformer but gained infamy as a tyrant waging a fruitless war, jailing and torturing potential rivals, and employing the sycophant who butchered (not too strong a word) Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Still, MBS, as he’s known, got a pass from Trump in exchange for promised billions in arms deals.
But the pandemic is not so kind. It has afflicted at least 20 senior members of the Saudi royal family, including the governor of Riyadh, according to a senior prince and another well-connected Saudi contacted by The Daily Beast. There are widespread concerns among health workers and epidemiologists that it will spread through the much less privileged parts of Saudi society, including a large population of laborers and servants brought in from other countries."
moar:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/as-saudi-royals-fall-ill-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-takes-on-covid-19and-his-rivalsall-at-once?ref=wrap
U.S. Postmaster General: Postal Service Could ‘Collapse’
in Wake of Coronavirus Outbreak
12 Apr 20201,685
"U.S. Postmaster General Megan Brennan told the House Committee on Oversight and Reform late last week in a video that unless the U.S. Postal Service gets a federal bailout it will run out of money by the end of September.
Mail volume has fallen steeply in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and the federal agency is expecting the same downward turn in revenues.
Huffington Post Australia reported on the dilemma and what it means for consumers:
Postal workers remain on the front lines of the crisis, handling prescription drug shipments, lab test materials and medical supplies that are crucial to efforts to contain the virus. Mail-in voting has also allowed the democratic process to survive in the era of social distancing.
The Postal Service, which employs 650,000 people, is asking for $75 billion in aid from the government, and, according to the New York Times, another $14 billion to pay off debt related to a retirement benefits program ― a whopping $89 billion total.
“At a time when America needs the Postal Service more than ever, the reason we are so needed is having a devastating effect on our business,” Brennan said in the statement. “The Postal Service relies on the sale of postal products and services to fund our operations, and these sales are plummeting as a result of the pandemic. The sudden drop in mail volumes, our most profitable revenue stream, is steep and may never fully recover.”
“The USPS said the pandemic will increase its net operating loss by more than $22 billion over the next 18 months and by over $54 billion over the coming years,” Huffington Post reported.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), who is on the oversight committee, tweeted about his talks with Brennan and criticized Trump, who Connolly claims does not want to help the Postal Service."
moar:
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/12/u-s-postmaster-general-postal-service-could-collapse-wake-coronavirus-outbreak/
Vaccines in Development Hit 70; Deaths Top 114,000
Virus Update
Bloomberg News
Updated on April 13, 2020, 5:18 AM EDT
"Seventy coronavirus vaccines are in development globally, with three already being tested in human trials, the World Health Organization said. The northeastern Chinese city of Harbin tightened rules to curb the spread of the virus.
Parts of the U.S. may be ready to ease emergency measures in May, said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised doctors for saving his life during his week-long hospitalization for Covid-19 treatment.
Futures on the three main U.S. equity indexes all dropped, while stocks fell in Asia’s main financial centers. Markets across Europe were closed for the Easter holiday."
moar:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-13/n-y-deaths-top-9-000-harbin-tightens-measures-virus-update?srnd=premium
Watch: Army Helicopter Used To Disperse Youth Soccer
Game Amid Virus Lockdown
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 05:15
"It appears the government of the tiny north African country of Tunisia thinks there is a competition on for the most absurd overreaction to citizens ignoring and defying national 'stay at home' orders.
In late March, Tunisia made headlines by deploying a "robocop" to help enforce the virus lockdown in the capital of Tunis. At that time the interior ministry confirmed it deployed a four-wheeled robot that harasses people if they're violating the strict public health orders to shelter-at-home.
Though that earlier method which resulted in bizarre dystopic scenes of a robot interrogating random citizens evoked widespread mockery and anger on the internet, it seems authorities were unfazed, as days ago the Tunisian Army actually deployed a military helicopter against a group of young people playing a pick-up game of soccer."
moar:
https://www.zerohedge.com/health/watch-army-helicopter-used-disperse-youth-soccer-game-amid-virus-lockdown
kek spray the LZ get some get some
Trump Didn’t Like Azar’s Warnings. So He Disappeared Him
Published Apr. 13, 2020 4:06AM ET
“He’s happy to suck up to the president once in a while, but he’s not going to change data or tell lies for anybody.
The more we learn about what went on behind the scenes during the critical early days of the coronavirus pandemic, the more Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar had emerged as a rare and unlikely hero pushing the White House for an early response.
Speaking truth to power has its price in the Trump administration. The former Eli Lilly executive was shouted down by White House aides as “alarmist” and sidelined by Jared Kushner, Mike Pence and others willing to give the president a more rosy view. And on Sunday night, Trump lashed out at Azar by name for the first time, following a New York Times report that Azar had “directly warned Mr. Trump of the possibility of a pandemic during a call on Jan. 30, the second warning he delivered to the president about the virus in two weeks.”"
moar kek:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-didnt-like-alex-azars-warnings-so-he-disappeared-him?ref=home
Trump eager to restart economy by May as he weighs
'toughest' decision of his presidency
We are all expecting or planning for May 1
April 13, 2020, 5:00 AM EDT
"WASHINGTON — With his hoped-for Easter timeline having come and gone, President Donald Trump now appears more determined than he has ever been to open up the economy with a "big bang" early next month, according to multiple people familiar with the decision-making process.
As the U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths, aides are cautioning the president about too quickly lifting national social distancing guidelines, now set to expire April 30. An internal debate continues about how best to reopen certain sections of the country at the end of the month, these people said.
"I think we are all expecting or planning for May 1," said a senior administration official, cautioning that major new outbreaks in cities could change the thinking and that no final determination has been made."
moar:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-eager-restart-economy-may-he-weighs-toughest-decision-his-n1182351