Here are ten things I wish I could do right now:
1. Take a road trip with Mark.
2. Shop at a thrift store.
3. Exercise at my gym.
4. Eat indoors at Toast.
5. Watch a movie at the Carolina Theatre.
6. See fewer people on beaches.
7. Read political-free advice about church re-openings.
8. Take comfort that Americans are wearing masks.
9. Learn that Congress is supporting state and local governments.
10. Watch a responsible president take charge.
Showing posts with label Dr. Fauci. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Fauci. Show all posts
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Disaster in Chief
President Trump's son-in-law appeared on Fox News on Wednesday to declare victory over the coronavirus: "We're on the other side of the medical aspect of this," Jared Kushner said. "We've achieved all of the different milestones that are needed. The federal government rose to the challenge, and this is a great success story." Really?
Over 65,000 Americans dead and the number climbing. States, hospitals, and nursing homes desperate for equipment. Testing widely unavailable. No cure, no vaccine.
If we're truly on the other side of this, let's give the Disaster in Chief credit for his accomplishments:
1. He ignored the warnings contained in the President's Daily Brief as early as January, failing in his fundamental duty to protect the American people.
2. He downplayed the danger, saying on February 26, "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down close to zero." We currently have over one million cases.
3. He failed to manage testing for Americans. When asked about this on March 13 he said, "I don't take responsibility at all." Instead Trump blamed--you know who--Barack Obama. We still don't have enough tests today.
4. He fomented xenophobia and racism, calling the virus the "China virus" and continued to defend his use of the term.
5. He failed to coordinate the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the states, leaving them to compete with each other and with the federal government, driving up prices more than 1,000%.
6. He attacked, and continues to attack, the press, calling them "horrid," "nasty," and "third-rate." His belittling, abusive language demeans us all.
7. He promoted unproven and dangerous treatments: think bleach, UV light, and hydroxychloroquine.
8. He criticized governors as they attempted to manage the crisis on their own. "She doesn't get it done," he said of Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, and Jay Inslee of Washington "shouldn't be relying on the federal government."
9. He incited, and continues to incite, violent protests against state stay-at-home orders. Calling on protesters to liberate Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota on April 17, he also defended the mob in Lansing on Friday as "very good people."
10. He communicated clearly about the danger that lies ahead, saying on April 29, "If it does come back--it's not going to come back--and I've spoken to 10 different people, it's not going to be like it was . . . If we have embers of corona coupled with the flu, that's not going to be pleasant, but it's not going to be what we've gone through in any way, shape or form . . . You may not even have corona coming back, just so you understand." Huh?
So go ahead, Jared. Declare victory and see what happens. Wasn't it George W. Bush who famously said, "Mission Accomplished?" Now how'd that turn out . . .
Over 65,000 Americans dead and the number climbing. States, hospitals, and nursing homes desperate for equipment. Testing widely unavailable. No cure, no vaccine.
If we're truly on the other side of this, let's give the Disaster in Chief credit for his accomplishments:
1. He ignored the warnings contained in the President's Daily Brief as early as January, failing in his fundamental duty to protect the American people.
2. He downplayed the danger, saying on February 26, "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down close to zero." We currently have over one million cases.
3. He failed to manage testing for Americans. When asked about this on March 13 he said, "I don't take responsibility at all." Instead Trump blamed--you know who--Barack Obama. We still don't have enough tests today.
4. He fomented xenophobia and racism, calling the virus the "China virus" and continued to defend his use of the term.
5. He failed to coordinate the purchasing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the states, leaving them to compete with each other and with the federal government, driving up prices more than 1,000%.
6. He attacked, and continues to attack, the press, calling them "horrid," "nasty," and "third-rate." His belittling, abusive language demeans us all.
7. He promoted unproven and dangerous treatments: think bleach, UV light, and hydroxychloroquine.
8. He criticized governors as they attempted to manage the crisis on their own. "She doesn't get it done," he said of Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, and Jay Inslee of Washington "shouldn't be relying on the federal government."
9. He incited, and continues to incite, violent protests against state stay-at-home orders. Calling on protesters to liberate Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota on April 17, he also defended the mob in Lansing on Friday as "very good people."
10. He communicated clearly about the danger that lies ahead, saying on April 29, "If it does come back--it's not going to come back--and I've spoken to 10 different people, it's not going to be like it was . . . If we have embers of corona coupled with the flu, that's not going to be pleasant, but it's not going to be what we've gone through in any way, shape or form . . . You may not even have corona coming back, just so you understand." Huh?
So go ahead, Jared. Declare victory and see what happens. Wasn't it George W. Bush who famously said, "Mission Accomplished?" Now how'd that turn out . . .
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Why Aren't You Listening?
A joint post between Marjorie and her daughter, Miranda
This week's events have reminded us of an old parable, "The Man by the River." In this story, a man hears a warning over the radio about a coming flood but does nothing, insisting that God loves him and will save him. Meanwhile, most of his neighbors clear out. Then a rescuer comes along in a boat, offering to row the man to safety. He insists, once again, that God will save him. Finally, a helicopter hovering above is another avenue to safety. When the man refuses help again, he drowns. In heaven, he asks God, "Why didn't you save me? I prayed, and I thought you loved me." God responds, "I sent you a radio message, a rowboat, and a helicopter. What were you waiting for?"
(This story is told brilliantly by Karl Malden on the television show The West Wing. Link to the Youtube clip here.)
Many of our fellow citizens have spent their time this past week protesting stay-at-home orders around the country. In Michigan, they sat in their cars, blocking access to a hospital. Their reasons for protesting include a desire to visit a hair salon, purchase grass seed and lawn fertilizer (it's snowing in Michigan, folks!), and the theory that staying at home is allowing the virus to win. Our top scientists insist that stay-at-home orders and the continuing closure of non-essential businesses and schools are the best strategies to manage this pandemic.
We believe that, as in the parable, God has sent us the best scientists and researchers, government warnings and press conferences (thank you, Governor Cuomo, etc.), and plenty of news. God doesn't save us but asks us to save ourselves.
This week's events have reminded us of an old parable, "The Man by the River." In this story, a man hears a warning over the radio about a coming flood but does nothing, insisting that God loves him and will save him. Meanwhile, most of his neighbors clear out. Then a rescuer comes along in a boat, offering to row the man to safety. He insists, once again, that God will save him. Finally, a helicopter hovering above is another avenue to safety. When the man refuses help again, he drowns. In heaven, he asks God, "Why didn't you save me? I prayed, and I thought you loved me." God responds, "I sent you a radio message, a rowboat, and a helicopter. What were you waiting for?"
(This story is told brilliantly by Karl Malden on the television show The West Wing. Link to the Youtube clip here.)
Many of our fellow citizens have spent their time this past week protesting stay-at-home orders around the country. In Michigan, they sat in their cars, blocking access to a hospital. Their reasons for protesting include a desire to visit a hair salon, purchase grass seed and lawn fertilizer (it's snowing in Michigan, folks!), and the theory that staying at home is allowing the virus to win. Our top scientists insist that stay-at-home orders and the continuing closure of non-essential businesses and schools are the best strategies to manage this pandemic.
We believe that, as in the parable, God has sent us the best scientists and researchers, government warnings and press conferences (thank you, Governor Cuomo, etc.), and plenty of news. God doesn't save us but asks us to save ourselves.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Donald Cottontail
A reworking of a popular Easter song, "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," composed by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins.
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