“We thought this was only a respiratory virus. Turns out, it goes after the pancreas. It goes after the heart. It goes after the liver, the brain, the kidney and other organs.”
—Dr. Eric Topoi, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California, about the coronavirus. [But Trump said as recently as yesterday that it was only “the sniffles.”]
“Let’s make this clear. I’m not buying a mask. I’ve made it this far by not buying into that damn hype.”
—Richard Rose, an Army veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, in an April Facebook post, who was dead on July 4, three days after testing positive for COVID-19. [The most dangerous enemies are those we refuse to acknowledge.]
“It is what it is.”
—Donald Trump, when told by Chris Wallace that the US death toll from coronavirus is approaching 1,000 per day. [Is it me, or does that seem just a bit cavalier? A bit reminiscent of “Let them eat cake.”]
“I will be right eventually.”
—Donald Trump, in interview with Chris Wallace. [Lordy, we can only hope so.]
“We don’t know why they’re here. We don’t know the circumstances under which they’re making arrests.”
—Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, responding to controversial arrests and abductions being carried out by unidentified, uniformed military personnel in unmarked vans. [Looks like Trump has ripped a page from Richard Daley’s 1968 playbook.]
“You’ll see something rolled out this week, as we start to go in and make sure that the communities — whether it’s Chicago or Portland or Milwaukee or someplace across the heartland — we need to make sure their communities are safe.”
—White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, in announcing that the administration will intensify its storm trooper-like activities in response to what Acting Secretary of Homeland Security described as “violent anarchists,” activities primarily limited to painting graffiti on public buildings. [God knows what’ll happen if one of those anarchists gets his hands on a bull horn.]
“Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti. These are not the actions of a democratic republic.”
—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on Trump’s storm troopers. [Regardless of your political party, your political philosophy or your personal opinion of Pelosi, what’s occurring in Portland sets a dangerous precedent and places in literal peril everyone’s constitutional rights from this moment forward. We all should be hearing the alarms and seeing red flags in these tactics. THIS IS NOT THE AMERICA WE WERE TAUGHT ABOUT IN CIVICS CLASS!]
Louisiana Voice 
Not only is this not our civics class country. It isn’t Even our 2016 country. What depths can we plumb by 2021?
Normally, I try to remain emotionally neutral when I expose myself to coverage of trump. Emotionally charged rants are exactly what it appears that he wants from the populace. It helps rally his supporters, and gives him an opportunity to paint his critics as unhinged and out of control. Then, he says something like that “eventually I’ll be right” statement in the Fox news interview. I’m sure that his paid-liar press secretary will attempt to redefine words again in a pathetic pitch to explain how we all misunderstand his innocent intent {eye-roll}.
Between his ignorant Fox News interview and the outrageous reports of covert federal officers actions in Portland… I failed… again. Is it even possible to have enough patience to endure this retched POS until he leaves office?
I am, as I’ve said before, convinced Trump is doing the most outrageous things he can to desensitize us. Don’t let it happen!!!
We’ve all heard the stories about Biden now polling 15 percentage points higher than Trump. Consider this from this morning’s Washington Post and be very, very wary:
Among those who say they are certain to vote, the presumptive Democratic nominee’s lead shrinks to 11 points.
Among those who say they voted in 2016 and are certain to do so again in 2020, Biden’s lead narrows to seven points.
You can rest assured his cult will show up at the polls since his outrageous acts inspire rather than desensitize them.
Spoke to friend in Portland Friday-said publlc would barely notice the peaceful protests that have been going on were it NOT for the Gestapo like drama brewed by Tangerine Toddler emissaries.
Stephen,
Read the same article…it is not over until is over. In 2016 I followed the polls religiously, reading Nate Silver’s 538 daily, comparing and getting reassured of a Clinton victory. As the election approached, I saw those numbers tightening, but was still hopeful, then came the October surprise (Comey’s reopening of the Clinton investigation) and felt my legs shake. However, friends and I planned a victory party Tuesday night, needles to say, we cancelled, full of anger, rage, disappointment, trying to process the outcome. I have not read/followed a single poll this year, only what I see in the headlines, without digging deeper. It will be a mistake to underestimate the commitment of Trump followers, which is is a cult. Every time RBG checks into the hospital, my heart skips a bit. Will there be any October surprises this year? Will the young people go out and vote? Trump is already laying the ground for “fraud”, focusing on mail-in balllots (how many will be rejected, particularly in Rep led states?). Yes, Biden may be leading, but let’s take a look at likely voters in the battleground states that will determine the election. Re civics class, have folks forgotten about the mechanics of the Electoral College? What does it matter if a candidate wins the popular vote? My vote for Biden in LA will not count; however, I will still vote to send a message, which will be ignored again.
All the civic disobedience that we are witnessing reminds me of the Democratic National Convention in 1968–we have a number of Chicagos throughout the country.
Know exactly how you feel OH. And with so many absentee ballots going out this time I’ve heard some of the political talking heads say there’s no way we will know the outcome on the actual election night. I believe the absentee ballots are always counted last. Needless to say it will be an anxious time. Break out the anti-anxiety meds.
…I don’t know if there’s enough Jack in the parish, lol.
@kamarcan: Shop early. LOL
And….then there is Putin, so well protected by McConnell who is sitting on the bills that would protect our elections from Putin and the like….every wonder why McConnell is doing this…right out there in plain view? I am thinking that no one man should have this much power be he a Senator or President…woe is us!
An analysis by CNN has this statement regarding tRump: “His election strategy is built around making it appear the country is unstable and that only a strongman can solve it.”
Folks, he will lose the election. What we have to fear is what he will do from now until his departure from the WH. Whether he leaves on his own volition or not.
I’ve complained about that for years because I never understood what needed to be made “great” about America again in 2016. By then, we had done a great job rebuilding from the 2008 crash. If you look at newspapers going back into history, you’ll see a cycle of politicians who’ve taken similar positions in their advertising around election time. Fake news isn’t the problem, Fake politicians are.
And, more importantly, clueless supporters who vote for them.