When Will Democrats Cry Uncle?

[Newman]

Christopher Chantrill in American Thinker:

A couple of weeks ago I predicted correctly that President Trump would reopen the economy midway between the point where the Democrats would blame him for doing it too early and the point where the Democrats would blame him for opening the economy too late.

I now realized that the president has gone one better than that, he has actually threaded the needle on opening the economy. He has decreed a road-map and left it up to the governors how to drive the road back to town.

The genius of this move, to me, is breathtaking. It really puts the Democratic governors on the spot. The Republican governors in Texas and Florida are already restarting their economies and that makes the Democrat governors out as brutal dictators that don’t care about people like you and me. Imagine: in Massachusetts the politicians and the bureaucrats apparently have time in between interagency coordination meetings to decree one-way sidewalks.

Of course, the Republican governors are in charge of states with automatic social-distancing devices called “suburbs” and “automobiles.” It is only in yeasty urban environments where people are thrown together into disease-multiplying “apartments” and “mass transit.”

Has it ever occurred to you that “apartments” and “mass transit” are racist? . . .

The "genius" in my view should be credited to the Founders, and their idea of federalism, which Chantrill doesn't reference here, inexplicably.

But Trump does deserve credit for the insight, for using federalism to do exactly what Chantrill describes, rather than grabbing the tiger by the tail, attempting the ego trip of the century, but with a bad outcome virtually guaranteed. (He who rides the tiger is afraid to get off, for one thing.)

This:

Look, I’m no expert and I can’t tell what’s coming down the road. But I have a gut feeling that when a nation is in a crisis then the natural human instinct is that everybody pitches in and helps the president. As Lee Iacocca said: “lead, follow, or get out of the way.”

In the Trump era, Democrats can’t lead, won’t follow, and insist on getting in the way. I just don’t think that is going to end well.

Here’s another thing I think the Democrats get wrong. It issues from my fundamentally sexist view of the world. When things are going wrong the girl thing to do is to “shelter in place.” The boy thing to do is to “march towards the sound of the guns.”

In my view, President Trump offers both alternatives to the American people. But the Democrats are all “shelter in place.” Or they will arrest you.

I just think that the Democrats really don’t understand the American people. In their world you can be a liberal scold, a credentialed expert, or a helpless victim. Everyone else is a deplorable bigot, because shut up.

[scott]

Interesting partisan piece. Elements of truth, lots of hyperbole and a dash of calling Democrats statist de-nutters of the American people. Some of that is accurate.

"When Will Democrats Cry Uncle?"

Never. They never have and they never will. The GOP haven't and wouldn't do it either.

By the way, commentary such as this is neither leading nor following and it's a whole lot of not getting out of the way.

[Lady Marva]

[quoteIn the Trump era, Democrats can’t lead, won’t follow, and insist on getting in the way. I just don’t think that is going to end well.


In my view, President Trump offers both alternatives to the American people. But the Democrats are all “shelter in place.” Or they will arrest you.

I just think that the Democrats really don’t understand the American people. In their world you can be a liberal scold, a credentialed expert, or a helpless victim. Everyone else is a deplorable bigot, because shut up. [/quote]
Seeing as how Dems are roughly half of the people, one would think they'd get the picture.
But...………………………… three years later and they still can't figure out why Trump was elected. And will get elected again.

[Lanie]

The Democrat governors are not being dictators. They're simply listening to the CDC and other scientists about this. I doubt that our governor in NC is thrilled that NC dollars are going to SC and GA (GA. A state so bad off in coronavirus count that even Trump suggested waiting).

I wouldn't call it a success yet. I'm reading about how some churches have had to re-shut down because the virus spread.

I think my main concern about reopening (besides the obvious) is that too many people around me just don't want to be responsible. They talk about freedom, but they don't want to be responsible (which is weird since Republicans use personal responsibility as their soap box). These people will not wear masks to to protect others around them when they're in a store. My sister in the Walmart had somebody INTENTIONALLY trying to come up to her and invade her personal space. People are getting too close to make a point, to be jerks. Then, you have those people getting violent or activist like because they're asked to wear a mask. The impression I get from America right now is that they're full of spoiled brats who aren't worthy of being trusted. I know that's harsh, but that's how I feel right now. And no, I cannot move to another country because nobody wants potentially infected Americans. lol.

And the right wingers defense is that supposedly they're not living in fear and we just want to live in a bubble. That isn't true. I've been taking walks and I walk my dogs without a mask because I'm not close to people most of the time. I've been going out to stores with my mask on once I come in. I try to keep my distance from others. I do that not just for me, but for you. It's not my job to keep you safe, but it is my job to keep my germs from getting on you.

And as it turns out, some Democrat states are opening back up. Mine (Democrat governor, nothing else) is opening up at limited capacity, which has conservatives throwing hissy fits, but whatever. Dine in restaurants open as supposedly 50 percent capacity for Memorial Day weekend. Despite a ruling saying church could be inside, mine is still gathering outside with social distancing. I see the ultra conservative churches going inside.

I honestly think I would feel better about opening up if more people would just be responsible for themselves. Stop acting like it's their right to spread their germs. No, everybody with a medical issue cannot stay home. They can't even all stay out of work. And people who are 100% healthy might still be living with somebody who isn't. My mother hasn't been out but one time since this all started, but she still isn't in the clear because of people she lives with and the germs of those who makes deliveries (Yes, we do deliveries and curbside pickup because we refuse to do grocery shopping inside a Walmart right now as irresponsible as their customers are in my area).

It'll be interesting to see what a second wave of this looks like.

[gary m]

[Gramps]

The Democrat governors are not being dictators. They're simply listening to the CDC and other scientists about this. I doubt that our governor in NC is thrilled that NC dollars are going to SC and GA (GA. A state so bad off in coronavirus count that even Trump suggested waiting).

I wouldn't call it a success yet. I'm reading about how some churches have had to re-shut down because the virus spread.

I think my main concern about reopening (besides the obvious) is that too many people around me just don't want to be responsible. They talk about freedom, but they don't want to be responsible (which is weird since Republicans use personal responsibility as their soap box). These people will not wear masks to to protect others around them when they're in a store. My sister in the Walmart had somebody INTENTIONALLY trying to come up to her and invade her personal space. People are getting too close to make a point, to be jerks. Then, you have those people getting violent or activist like because they're asked to wear a mask. The impression I get from America right now is that they're full of spoiled brats who aren't worthy of being trusted. I know that's harsh, but that's how I feel right now. And no, I cannot move to another country because nobody wants potentially infected Americans. lol.

And the right wingers defense is that supposedly they're not living in fear and we just want to live in a bubble. That isn't true. I've been taking walks and I walk my dogs without a mask because I'm not close to people most of the time. I've been going out to stores with my mask on once I come in. I try to keep my distance from others. I do that not just for me, but for you. It's not my job to keep you safe, but it is my job to keep my germs from getting on you.

And as it turns out, some Democrat states are opening back up. Mine (Democrat governor, nothing else) is opening up at limited capacity, which has conservatives throwing hissy fits, but whatever. Dine in restaurants open as supposedly 50 percent capacity for Memorial Day weekend. Despite a ruling saying church could be inside, mine is still gathering outside with social distancing. I see the ultra conservative churches going inside.

I honestly think I would feel better about opening up if more people would just be responsible for themselves. Stop acting like it's their right to spread their germs. No, everybody with a medical issue cannot stay home. They can't even all stay out of work. And people who are 100% healthy might still be living with somebody who isn't. My mother hasn't been out but one time since this all started, but she still isn't in the clear because of people she lives with and the germs of those who makes deliveries (Yes, we do deliveries and curbside pickup because we refuse to do grocery shopping inside a Walmart right now as irresponsible as their customers are in my area).

It'll be interesting to see what a second wave of this looks like.

Have you lost your job?
Are you still getting paid?

Untold millions of citizens have lost their jobs.
Millions of small business owners have lost everything and are facing total financial ruin.
Are you good with that?

[Newman]

The Democrat governors are not being dictators.

Yes, they are.

But here's the secret, Lanie. Some of the little despot-wannabes are Republican.

They all imagine themselves benevolent. They all see themselves as heroic.

This despotism is fueled by a hubristic confidence in their own ability to successfully manage the economy. They couldn't be more mistaken.

[Gingersnap]

Well, "responsibility" in matters like these look like the same bell curve you get with most behaviors involving humans. Most are taking reasonable precautions in the areas that really matter - they aren't attending indoor parties for hours at a time, they are avoiding mass transit if they can, they are avoiding and reconsidering some white collar work traditions like face-to-face meetings or crowding into open-plan offices.

Some people have locked themselves up for months despite dwindling evidence that quick, casual contact or surface contact has much to do with infection rates. Some others, (usually teens and young adults) are ignoring everything and carrying on as usual. Those two are outliers on the edges of the curve. They don't tell us much about useful behaviors since people who can isolate for 60 days or more don't normally come in contact with much during their normal lives and teens and young adults aren't much troubled by covid-19 whether they get it or not.

Since casual contact and surface contamination both seem less and less likely to be relevant in becoming infected, it's unreasonable to maintain 'new normals' in behavior that don't really matter but do wreck people's income and mental health. It's also unreasonable to forbid prescribing the hydroxychloroquine and zinc protocol very early on and adding antibiotics if needed. All this long before a victim needs to enter a hospital.

Now, those last two are political, not scientific decisions and it's mostly Democrat governors doing it.

[Newman]

Trump was widely an wrongly accused of calling the Chinese virus a "hoax." In fact, he was calling the Democratic manipulation of the crisis a hoax, and once again, time is proving him right.

[Gingersnap]

Trump was widely an wrongly accused of calling the Chinese virus a "hoax." In fact, he was calling the Democratic manipulation of the crisis a hoax, and once again, time is proving him right.

Even the American press won't be able to cover this up in three years or so. The billions lost, the thousands of businesses gone under, the media hysteria, the Democrat authoritarianism and obstruction, the terrible decisions by politicians and policy makers - it will all come out eventually.

[Frostbit]

Even the American press won't be able to cover this up in three years or so. The billions lost, the thousands of businesses gone under, the media hysteria, the Democrat authoritarianism and obstruction, the terrible decisions by politicians and policy makers - it will all come out eventually.

Bullshit - Orange Man bad!!

[Newman]

Even the American press won't be able to cover this up in three years or so. The billions lost, the thousands of businesses gone under, the media hysteria, the Democrat authoritarianism and obstruction, the terrible decisions by politicians and policy makers - it will all come out eventually.

I hope you're right, but I think the truth will take much longer to unroll. People, journalists most of all, are too invested in their narrative.

I think JFK's standing is a likely parallel. He died a saint or better. It took a couple of generations for his ranking among presidents to settle in the middling range, and for the unsavory aspects of his character and work to come out.

Near the beginning of this, a month or so after Trump declared a national emergency, I came across a report from an Israeli statistician who noticed that lock downs were ineffective. I've dug it up here:

Israeli Professor Shows Virus Follows Fixed Pattern
April 15.

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.

“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. The reason why coronavirus follows a fixed pattern is yet unknown. "I have no explanation,” he told Mako, “There are is kinds of speculation: maybe it's climate-related, maybe the virus has its own life cycle.”

But what about Italy and their staggering 12% mortality rate? “The health system in Italy has its own problems. It has nothing to do with coronavirus. In 2017 it also collapsed because of the flu,” Professor Yitzhak Ben Israel told the news agency. . . .

Needless to say the Facebook reaction was outrage. One person "unfriended" me for posting it.

I noticed a similar study a bit later:

Full lockdown policies in Western Europe countries have no evident impacts on the COVID-19 epidemic.
May 1.

This time the post was simply shunned. Since then I've seen a few opinion pieces that echo the idea, and some isolated voices suggesting the lock down is the biggest mistake ever made.

What if that's true? How long will it take to establish that view in the mainstream media and public opinion?

The lock down policies have led to uncounted miseries, hardships and worse. Andrew Cuomo will struggle for the rest of his life to avoid having the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers laid on his doorstep.

None of these petty despots—even the "successful" ones, like FL's DeSantis—will want to play Roseanne Roseannadana.

[Gingersnap]

I hope you're right, but I think the truth will take much longer to unroll. People, journalists most of all, are too invested in their narrative.

I think JFK's standing is a likely parallel. He died a saint or better. It took a couple of generations for his ranking among presidents to settle in the middling range, and for the unsavory aspects of his character and work to come out.

I think it's like tech. Compared to how fast radically new generations of tech appear today, it took forever for steam to replace water power or for PCs to largely take over and replace what had been mainframe computing functions.

Like a snowball from Hell, each succeeding generation came faster and became more powerful.

It took a lot for the press to get over their awe of fame and power with popular politicians. They did, of course, and now routinely attack politicians even before they are elected to office. The sacred ground of the press is starting to erode and they are pulling back and defending increasingly smaller gatekeeping platforms. New platforms are beginning to emerge that leave the old demographics behind.

Public confidence in the press continues to plummet. When it finally breaks entirely (and it will), the holy "narrative" will be reversed. That's not necessarily good journalism either but it will be different.

[Lady Marva]

The lock down policies have led to uncounted miseries, hardships and worse.

Which =- grimly- will continue long after the media quits its fearmongering...………. and which will snowball for a long time to come.