Trump’s appointments: Democrat reactions … and my votes
Trump is revealing his administration appointments at a machine gun rate. He literally has hundreds of positions to fill – and dozens that will garner a lot of public scrutiny. Opposing his appointments is a political hill that Democrats are determined to die on. Their excessive desire to be the resistance moment to everything about Trump will have Senate Democrats acting like an overzealous pack of political jackals in a food frenzy.
Democrats and those on the left are crazed that they have been beaten twice by a man they deplore – who they have proclaimed to be a fascist enemy of the people … and insurrectionist … and a doomsday bomb for the American Republic. In two races, they declared – and apparently believed – that Trump was unelectable.
For those on the left, Trump’s victories are more than political losses. They are deeply bitter emotional and humiliating experiences. So much so, that Democrats and the left-leaning media have come to hate and demonize the millions of Americans who supported and voted for Trump.
All the animosity of the resistance movement will soon focus like a laser beam on the Senate confirmation hearings. You will see bed wetting lunacy coming from guys like California Senator-elect Adam Schiff – a man whose veracity is unquestionable. It totally stinks.
As I looked at the prospective Senate hearings, I wondered what the Republicans would do. Will they confirm all of Trump’s nominations out of lock-step partisan loyalty. Or will there be enough defections to defeat specific nominees? I wondered what I would do if I were a member of the GOP conference in the Senate?
Like most senators, I would be cautious at this point – waiting to see the hearings unfold. But as a practical matter, I would probably vote in favor of the vast majority of Trump’s appointments. After all, a President is entitled to put his team on the field – and should only be denied that right in exceptional cases.
It is especially true in this case, because Trump has been very clear during the campaign about his policy agenda — and those he would put in place to carry it out. Throughout the campaign, even the Democrats said that Trump would do what he said he would do. They mistakenly thought that would dissuade voters. Au contraire. Instead of being dissuaded, the people of America gave Trump the mandate to do what he said he would do.
But … if I were a senator, what would I do in some of the more controversial appointments?
Well … based on my initial commentary about the plan to name Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General – headlined “Gaetz is a joke … seriously” – it is obvious that I would have cast my vote against him. I know enough about him to determine that he is, in my judgment, unfit to hold that office.
After Gaetz dropped out, Trump turned to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Having lived in Florida throughout her years as AG, I got to see her in action from a closer vantage point. I thought that was a great selection. If I was in the Senate, I would declare mine as a “yes” vote for Bondi … period.
Then there is Matt Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. This one has been evolving for me. I was not initially thrilled with the appointment. Despite his military record and as an advocate for veterans, he still seemed bit light on the big picture – such as global military strategy. But I was willing to consider giving Trump his guy.
To say Hegseth has a messy personal life is an understatement. I wondered whether he could get the necessary respect of the real commander military types. As more things have been revealed, Hegseth started looking more like a frat boy in the John Belushi tradition. Hard to imagine him presiding over a meeting of major uniformed military leaders.
As far as the womanizing, that seems to be an evergreen problem for politicians. Sometimes a real problem and sometimes false politically based accusations. The one thing that bothered me most was the email from his mother. I mean … really? His mother? She basically called his son a sexual reprobate – specifically a predator. Ouch!
(Since the Bill Clinton scandals, we the people have been advised to separate personal conduct from official duties. Ironically, the Democrats’ ability to save Clinton with that argument lowered the bar – and is arguably one of the reasons Trump could overcome his own sex-related issues. But I digress.)
Before deciding my vote, I would want to go through the hearings – if it gets that far. But at this moment, I am leaning to a “”no” vote on Hegseth. I would not be surprised to see this nomination be shown the Gaetz.
Former Trump advisor Kash Patel is being put up as director of the FBI. He has been a strong Trump loyalist. He is very much in line with Trump as a disrupter — and disrupting (reforming) a well-entrenched political bureaucracy, such as the FBI, is not an easy task. It is chaotic by the nature of it.
By focusing on Patel’s more aggressive statements and positions, Democrats distract from his experience and competency as a lawyer. I also think that reforming – or disrupting, if you prefer – is needed in many places in the federal bureaucracy, including the FBI.
Unless there is some major negative information revealed in the future, I am a “yes” vote for Patel.
Trump has proposed wrestling impresario Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. While she has headed a major entertainment enterprise, McMahon also has a history of involvement in overseeing a federal bureaucracy. In the first Trump presidency, McMahon served as head of the Small Business Administration.
McMahon has expressed strong support for school choice programs – something I have long supported personally and professionally. Some claim that such a program would undermine the public schools. As a former consultant to both the Chicago and Detroit boards of education, I firmly believe that the lack of competition is the reason so much of the public school system sucks – and most tragically, those serving the large, segregated minority communities in our Democrat-controlled cities.
There is also the issue of the very need for a federal Department of Education. Our private school system seems to have been better before we federalized education. One of my disappointments with President Reagan was his failure to abolish the DOE.
In terms of advancing school choice and abolishing the DOE, I give McMahon a “yes” vote.
Then we have Tulsi Gabbard. Trump has proposed the former Hawaiian Democrat congresswoman and presidential candidate as Director of National Intelligence. She has spent most of her career in Congress involved in intelligence and terrorist issues. She served on the Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence.
Gabbard was an upcoming star in the Democratic Party according to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi — and was considered for an appointment to the United States Senate to replace Democrat Senator Daniel Inouye.
Gabbard has a far more impressive record in intelligence and foreign affairs than Democrats claim. The ferocity of Democrat opposition may be more a matter of Gabbard’s switch to the GOP — and especially her endorsement of Trump – than any lacking in her credentials for the office.
Initially, I was dubious about this appointment. But after more research, I lean heavily to a “yes” vote on the Gabbard nomination.
Finally, there is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. This is where politics becomes stranger than fiction. If I had penned a book about one of the members of the Kennedy Clan – in this case, the son of Attorney General … senator … and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy – becoming a supporter of a disruptive Republican presidential candidate, the book would be rejected by publishers as too absurd.
RFK,Jr. is a unique personality in the pantheon of political celebrities. It is not just the name. Contrary to the orator reputations of his political ancestors, RFK.Jr. has a speech impediment that results in a gravelly voice. It is like listening to a radio that has severe static. RFK,Jr. has also espoused controversial theories on subjects ranging from the efficacy of vaccines to the assassination of his uncle, President Jack Kennedy.
Trump has tapped him to head the Department of Health and Human Services. This is another disrupter (reformer) appointment. RFK. Jr. is a staunch critic of the government health bureaucracy. He has pledged to do a lot of house cleaning.
I have long believed that the healthcare bureaucracy has severe problems. It has one of the worst reputations – well deserved — for waste and corruption, from the rip-offs of Medicare and Medicaid to the entire grants and research operations. On that belief alone, I give RFK. Jr. a “yes” vote.
Summary
That is how I would vote. If I put on my pundit hat, I think the Senate confirmations will be in line with my personal vote. That means that those covered above will get confirmed, except Hegseth. I think it is more than likely that he will drop out.
However it all comes out, the next few months will be political mud wrestling for the committees dealing with specific nominees. Fasten your seatbelts, we are heading into political turbulence.
So, there ‘tis.
“Democrats and those on the left are crazed” oh my, better skip that next meeting. Probably planning to storm the Capitol; isn’t that tradition now? Who started that? Which team did that? We destroyed some stip malls and parked cars, you breached the Capitol with seditious conspirators in tow. Gee, Larry, you waffle from “caught up in their own jockstraps,” to “crazed demons from Hell.” Gee, Larry, we lost. We didn’t expect it or hoped it wouldn’t happen. We are fearful for our future: the man said he’s taking apart government and revenge, retribution, and dictator for a day are in order. You like those policies, and based on your own rhetoric, not helpful. But I am glad you can revel in our dismay. Putting pain in a stranger, win-lose, all good for you. And then you cleverly blame us for your hate of us as if we are the ones causing it.
“…. Democrats and the left-leaning media have come to hate and demonize the millions of Americans who supported and voted for Trump.” Gee, reading minds again? Are you really saying half the nation is like this? Are you that twisted? I am a Democrat, demonize? I deal in facts. Dangerous facts to you apparently. You can’t deny the facts so you attack the person. Like the schoolboy throwing the first punch and then blaming the other guy. Like your “good article” said so many, many, years ago.
“I looked at the prospective Senate hearings, I wondered what the Republicans would do.” Bwhaaat” The mind of Horist, that 50 years of leading Republicans mind of Horist because he knows al. l The guy that won all those elections for others where only Spanky the Clown could take down. This guy, this guy wonders what Republicans can do? Doesn’t he know? I can’t read his mind but I swear he told us he knows it all when it comes to Republicans and Trump. But I digress…
“I wondered what I would do if I were a member of the GOP conference in the Senate?” Why bother, ain’t gonna happen, and you already belched out that you wonder what Republicans will do as if you have not a clue.
“Trump has been very clear during the campaign about his policy agenda — and those he would put in place to carry it out. Throughout the campaign, even the Democrats said that Trump would do what he said he would do. They mistakenly thought that would dissuade voters. Au contraire. Instead of being dissuaded, the people of America gave Trump the mandate to do what he said he would do.” And there you have it; Horist swallows the entire platform, hook-line-and-stinker, and feels it’s a mandate given by the electorate. He’s got his brown shirt on, ready for dictator for a day, a little revenge, a little retribution and he will smile at their loss and his happiness at putting pain in a stranger. A fellow citizen.
NPR says Horist is wrong: “The margin for the popular vote in this year’s presidential election is the second-closest since 1968, and it’s still tightening. With 96% of the vote in, Trump has 49.97% and Vice President Harris has 48.36%, according to the Associated Press. These results show that Trump doesn’t exactly have the “unprecedented and powerful mandate” he claimed on election night. The margin shows how closely divided the country is politically and that any shift to the right is marginal. And so, the tale of the Horist tape on Trump appointees.
Matt Gaetz, no.
Pam Bondi, yes
Matt Hegseth, yes, no wait, no, no wait, gotta wait for hearings… yeah, right, hearings….
Kash Patel, yes, unless something makes him think no.
Linda McMahon, yes, cuz Horist wanted to end DOE since Reagan.
Tulsi Gabbard, heavy yes, cuz she’s cute.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. , yes.
Mine: DOA, OK, YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING, DITTO, INCOMPENT, DITTO BUT CUTE, AND MALARKY.
The most incompetent crew ever presented to the American public determined to ruin our institutions without a clue beyond Project 2025 on how to do it. Not one downsizer in the lot. They will gut, privatize, demoralize, and loose all of the A-players they have on the team. Chance are Trump will go with “acting” heads so he can avoid Congress. Did it before. This man cannot hire and now he has one mission: his proposed agenda. The one Horist loves: revenge and retribution. Project 2025 has the list on who to fire and who to hire. Trump just needs to get rid of pesky government job protections for non-appointees and he’s got the Supremes in his pocket, so doable. Project 2025 has trained tens of thousands online to fill the vacancies. No experience needed. Just a brown shirt loyalty.
You got two years.
Next, Horist will tell us how he never liked Ukraine….
Pushing through the market square. So many liberals sighing. News had just come over. We got two years left to cry in. MSNBC’s Odonnel wept and told us, Democracy was really dying. Cried so much his suit got wet, then I knew, he wasn’t lying. Two years stuck on my brain. Two years, and then ends the pain. Meanwhile, I can do with the money. But I digress.
More bullshit from one of the masters. Larry, each of these choices was made due to their devotion to trump, not because they have any real experience running an organization in the field of the position for which they were chosen. Each will most likely serve as a ‘yes man’ for trump, which means that the few serious cabinet choices he made in his first term (my generals they were called before trump became disillusioned) will not be present to prevent him from totally going off the rails (those people are the only thing that prevented trump from being dead last as worst President, instead of 4th from the bottom). As for the choices, each will likely undermine the good each department does. Rather than thinking “this department is no good, they are not accomplishing all they might”, perhaps it would be wise to look at why they are not successful. The reason in most instances is they have been on a starvation diet for much of the last 40 years. The period that maggots would love to emulate, the 50’s and early 60’s, was a time when the tax rate for the wealthy was up to 90%, which allowed the government to fund some truly great, ambitious programs-the interstate highway program and landing on the moon come to mind, impossible without adequate funding. It also reduced income inequality and prevented robber barons like musk from acquiring an obscene amount of money. Education (which you pointed out in your comments about charter schools) is an area that is underfunded. Charter schools are fine-but they should not receive a dime of government funding. Diverting government funds from public to private schools effectively has starved the government schools, and sets them up for failure. As for the candidates themselves, at least one you mentioned, RFK jr is a total nut case who should be nowhere near our health system-bringing home a whale head on top of the car, or bringing a road kill bear back to the city so he should eat it and then dumping it in Central Park? Too much LSD as a youth if you ask me.. And tulsi Gabbard-who parrots Russian and Syrian talking points? As spymaster? Definitely no. I realize that republicans do not care about values, and will choose any crook or idiot to be their government representative if they talk a good schtick (Matt Gaetz, Madison Cauthorn, Herschel Walker, Rick Scott, Lauren boebert, MTG all come to mind), but that is not the way to run a government, dems remove their members who prove problematic for American values (and please don’t counter with the squad-they are anti-Israel not anti their constituents who happen to be Jewish. Israel does not live up to American standards, which is why many of us do not believe the US should give them unqualified support-but you are too stupid Larry to understand that nuance). So no, despite your protests Larry-these cabinet picks are uniquely unqualified and should not be blessed by the senate (but most probably will). BTW-Matt Hegseth is not the DoD nominee, not sure what you were on when you wrote this, but sometimes it pays to read things over after your mind has cleared to catch errors…
Why do you guys stay on this PBP if you hate Larry so much? Are you all trying to take over this site? That is exactly what it looks like. Why don’t all of you get elected to Congress or run for Governor of the nation states you live in, so you eventually become POTUS? Then you can do whatever it is you can do to either help or destroy America depending on what or who you follow instead of running for office through PBP. You all can either do evil or good. It’s your choice.
AF, We certainly don’t write to influence people such as yourself, who base all your decisions on emotions rather than looking at facts and logic. If you hear something based on logic, and it doesn’t match your preconceived notions, then it must be a lie. People that just a few short years ago were people you admired and respected, who then worked with trump and realized he has a IQ less than 100, and called him out for it, said he had no business being president, are now vilified-they are Rino’s , simply because they learned first hand what some of us have known about trump for years. We do not write for you, but merely hope that some people who read the WBP have not lost the ability to think logically. Larry writes, mainly because he has to. He has been unsuccessful his entire career and rather than admit to mistakes, he doubles down on Republican talking points to feed to those like yourself. The Republican main economic policy-cut taxes, cut spending has been a complete failure for 40 years. And of course there are the emotional issues such as vilifying trans people. Nancy Mace is a completely disgusting human, changing the house rules so that a trans member of Congress cannot use the restroom of her choice. Mace is not concerned this person will attack her, only attempting to shame this poor person Johnson is not a bit better for going along with this disgusting rule. These issues are why we write, attempting to show at least a few people how wrong the policies of the current Republican Party are..
The real question is, why did you come back AF??? Did you escape the funny farm again? You apparently are clueless and without the intelligence to see that the people you are complaining about are telling the other side of the truth that Larry hides. Now take your meds and get back to the institution, and attend your CBT sessions!!!
Wow, such a load of crap comments about Trumps picks!
Have you all been asleep the last 4 years like Biden?
Trump could have went to a zoo and picked Monkeys, and they would have a better grasp
on the betterment of mankind than what has been in the White House over the last 4 years.
Animals by their nature do not lie, this is more than anyone in government at the current moment.
What bullshit comments, or I should say what bullshit thinking!
Larry is correct.
Do not try to reject his comments or at least until monkeys learn to type!
Darren, you deserve a Pulitzer for your great comment. Good one!
Yep, Darren, that is my call based on Education resume, skill set, and experience of the Trump appointees. Most of which have zero experience in downsizing or the government specialty they are going to manage. I mean, putting Tulsi Gabbard in national security. It’s just ridiculous. Kash Patel is more hitman than policeman. RFK, his own family thinks he’s crazy. I mean we’re talking bat shit crazy.
And as far as Biden appointee being monkeys, mayor, Pete has a strong military service record, fantastic educational achievement, religious, a good amount of experience in local and state government, and seems to be doing quite a bang up job.
There’s also the half dozen monkeys, as you call them, that were appointed by Trump and remained during the Biden administration. Because, that’s how we roll. The man, the skillet, the education, the experience, and approving record for serving the people and the constitution. Party is secondary to that.
As far as the four years, I realize you have said you’ve been in severe financial difficulties, and I am sorry for your troubles. But under Biden, my assets have never been larger, I don’t work, and my salary is costing me real pain in terms of taxes, I guess that’s a good thing, And the price of gas doesn’t bother me much at all, I don’t drive that much and I can get 50 miles to the gallon if I take the hybrid. Similar stories can be found throughout the blue states and that has nothing to do with who is president, but in the case of Biden, it certainly did not hurt.
If you look at what Biden is handing Trump, is the lowest border crossing since July 20 20, under Trump, it is a GDP growth that has not been seen in over a decade, a great stock market, pumping more oil than Trump ever did, Low unemployment, and yada yada yada. You just have to look.
And again, I am truly sorry that this did not trickle down to you.
And FYI, There is a reason for some of this, and it does make some sense.
The better paying jobs with people with better education generally are found in areas that have a higher density, i.e. cities.
It is human nature across the globe that is density increases, the trend towards Liberalism, or more accurately say stated, progressive ism becomes higher. It literally is just natural to be thinking more about community than personal initiative.
Likewise, in lower density areas, the need for self-reliance and personal initiative gains priority. Not to say that these folks are anti-community, just saying that it’s different. You can tend to help your neighbor, in the cities we need programs. At least that’s what you find across the globe.
As to hating each other, that too can be found across the globe. Northerner hate Southerners, one religion hates another, this party hates that party, and everyone hates the Moscovis.
Thank you, A F.
TDS is absolutely real. Just look at Frank drone on regarding every column Larry and the gang write. Without PBP, ol Frank would have no life at all.
Brian, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for your comment. I can tell you are one of the good guys.
Larry must be a lefty Democrat because he thinks Democrats thoughts and is sure he is right (correct) on his criticisms of Democrats’ mishandling their Party’s campaign strategy.
Who exactly are you addressing with this unsolicited critique with added unwanted advice. Not the left, certainly, because of your salacious anti-left writing reputation proceeds you. Credible spokes person for Democrats’ anything you are not.
So, the limited audience interested in your reasoning on Democrat failures would possibly be conservatives like you. But, post election dissection of the opposition who lost does not generate much interest among the gleefully happy Republicans. Those who voted R and those who abstained from voting yet say they are Republicans. They don’t follow PBP or care why the left didn’t win.
Question is, how many postmortems on the Democratic Party’s 2024 Presidential Election loss are sufficient for you? Looking back through at least 6 years of your commentaries, one theme is repeated time and time again. Obviously, whoever are the left or are associated with the Democratic Party seem to be in your cross-hairs for indiscriminate denouncement. Which is stereotyping and excessive prejudice unbecoming for a person identifying as a true conservative.
You have a book on sale which seems to contain some American History references. Assuming that your thinking perspective is consistent in your book writing as your perspective appears in your opinion commentaries and your pundit writing, then you have an over-riding goal driving your writing mission. That long held goal and mission for writing happens to be concentrated on damaging even destroying the left and with them the Democratic Party.
When a huge impediment to your happiness oppresses you and demands a major portion of your finite amount of attention and energy. You should be sure that whatever the subject of your writing is that you intend on convincing others is true fact. Its framework must be steeped in a context that will tie your assembled true facts together and discard else that distracts from your story.
Your personal bias against the left in general comes as a distraction from your discovering true facts and developing the story within a context broader than the immediate place and time. Bias blinds critical objective judgement. What results from unjust bias is called propaganda. I doubt you want the term “propaganda” associated with your articles. The integration of true facts into the proper relevant context makes writing instructive and edifying for a reader.
My opinion is less left than I am right when I suggest that you consider that every fact in truth is part of a larger context. Omitting the context on which facts hang straight and true results in fake stories. These appeal to persons partial to believing conspiracy theories and deny truth when seen.
Speaking about what’s next……From a 1/2022 Larry Horist article, and no, not obsessing, just popped up in corner of screen so I guess Joe was obsessing…. and Joe stops people from posting after some time. But, from the mind of Horist in 2022: “I was preparing to do another one of my periodic Covid updates.” “After getting vaccinated, I announced that the Covid Pandemic was over for me. I did not have to social distance or wear a mask because the chance of my getting Covid was miniscule – and if I did, it would be a mild case. The chance of hospitalization was less than one percent – and the chance of death was statistically near zero. That was what I was told by Dr. Anthony Fauci and all those other media-doctors.”
Weird, I must not have been listening because I never heard it that way. I heard, take the vaccine, you might get it, but diminished. And, if you get it, it might be light case, less chance of hospitalization. I never heard the pandemic was over, for anyone, that you should not mask or distance, and a one percent chance — that’s’ a weird call that early in with no real-time experience. And I have to imagine that Larry is somewhat familiar with the flu vaccine that is only 40% – 60% effective in 2024. BAU. Matter of fact, South American is returning a 35% effectiveness rating this year, uh oh. The flu vaccine also keeps you out of the hospital, avoids many deaths, but you still can catch it, end up dead in the hospital. Larry seemed to forget this and expect the covid vaccine to be a miracle 100%. Sigh.
At the time of the first vaccine, Pfizer, which was not supported by Operation Warp Speed development funding but by a partnership with Pfizer and a German Pharmaceutical, the FDA, in writing, not memory, stated: “The vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease among these clinical trial participants with eight COVID-19 cases in the vaccine group and 162 in the placebo group. Of these 170 COVID-19 cases, one in the vaccine group and three in the placebo group were classified as severe. At this time, data are not available to make a determination about how long the vaccine will provide protection, nor is there evidence that the vaccine prevents transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from person to person.” That’s right, Trump’s OWSpeed did nothing for the first vaccine beyond pre-ordering a bunch late in the game, and the messaging clearly is different from Larry’s recollection and clearing states – it ain’t a miracle, just a vaccine for upper respiratory, similar to flu and flu vaccine.
Boy, was the author wrong. And, of course, he offers no sourcing to say different except from the mind of the Horist.
“President Biden assured us that his policies would result in more than 70 percent of the people would be vaccinated by July of 2021 – that would be close to that thing called “herd immunity.” We would be past the Pandemic by the Fourth of July 2021, according to Biden.”
Yes, it turned out to be May 2023 for the WHO to declare it’s over. That was for the world and the US followed the WHO’s lead. That would be Roger for me. I am not sure where he got his 70% goal, but, according to FactCheck.Org, “President Joe Biden boasted on Twitter before election about his promise to administer 100 million vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office, “With the progress we’re making I believe we’ll not only reach that, we’ll break it.” But as some critics have noted, it was a pretty low bar to begin with. On the day Biden was inaugurated, the U.S. administered nearly 1.5 million shots, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Data Tracker. On that day, the seven-day average for the previous week was about 966,000 shots a day. In other words, the U.S. was already virtually at the pace Biden set as his goal before he took any action as president. By Biden’s second day in office, the seven-day average was at the 1 million doses per day average needed to meet his 100-day goal.”
What Biden actually said, in office, was “the President announced a goal of the next leg of the U.S. vaccination effort: to get 70 percent of adults vaccinated with at least one shot and 160 million Americans fully vaccinated by July 4th. That amounts to approximately 100 million shots over the next two months.”
I cannot find a Biden promise for herd immunity. He did promise a July 4th 2021 “degree of normalcy” that perhaps Horistian memory sees as an end to all things covid. Silly Horist in that what the President actually said was: “President Biden is aiming for the country to begin to find a degree of normalcy and begin to move on from the coronavirus pandemic by the July Fourth holiday, Biden announced in his first prime-time address Thursday night from the White House on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. Biden said meeting a goal of small family gatherings “will make this Independence Day truly special.” It would “not only mark our independence as a nation, but mark our independence from this virus,” the president said. Biden stressed he was not calling for gatherings of large groups, however, and he warned that getting to the July 4 goal would take work by all Americans to continue social distancing, wear masks and get vaccinated.” From his own mouth, Larry explained why we failed. Larry heard take off the mask, refused social distancing, decided he was invincible from disease and hospitalization. And when he discovered his mistake, he blamed scientists, medical experts, and especially Fauci and Biden.
Biden did not make his July 4th 70%, Horist was right. He hit 67% with one dose and 47% double dosed. They hit the target, one month later, one month late. And be began to exit the pandemic, but even with the vaccine, it was not over yet, still more surges. As we progressed, the death toll went from older to younger, and then, with the vaccine, back to older again. Also, as we progressed, the death toll shifted from blue state higher density arears, cities, to red state less density areas where people just did not get vaccinated. Yea team. The anti-vax, be free like me, rhetoric and messaging worked showing Americans the value of do as I do, not as I say. Many an anti-vax spokesperson is vaccinated.
The bottom line: If it’s to be, it’s up to me. Always will be and no one should look to any government to be their nurse maid. I admit the messaging was a clusterfuck: first Trump weaves God knows what, and then Biden/Fauci waffle between the truth and spin, I hope the spin was to convince a scared populace to do the right thing, but Biden/Fauci doing that the wrong way did not help. Just convinced Larry he was right.
“It turns out that much of what I wrote in the past was wrong. And there is only one reason for that. I listened to the scientists.” That is an incredible statement of stupidity. The scientists were right, you just had to listen, and, unfortunately, sometimes divine the truth from changing information that contradicted itself a number of times. Hey — we are still learning here with covid. We still don’t know.
Can you tell me the hang time for covid in lab and real life? How long until you can safely touch a surface? Masks — how effective? Or not. Distancing — any value? We are the richest and smartest country in the world and we still don’t know the answers to obvious questions. And those who continue to deny and declare “what will be, will be,” are really just the Chamberlains of Covid. I refuse not to take simple steps to better assure my health without covid in my life.
My contention is that if he actually LISTENED to the experts, he would have known the best decision for Larry and family. I am listening to the same stuff and I came to few of Larry’s facts and conclusions. I still wear the mask and distance, whenever possible, today as covid is still quite the larger risk over the flu which we already prepare for. Yes, I wear the mask, but I am not a nut about it, don’t demean others for their choices, and social distancing when I can. I will do this for life, covid dangers or not. However, covid is still not just a flu. Like 35% more deadly than flu IF hospitalized OR three times as bad. While today, risks of getting hospitalized are about the same for flu or covid, flu actually seems to result in more complications. And, of course, the risk goes up for the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated in the case of covid.