Less than 100 days and counting... (Trump thread #103)

[Roussette]

Here we go...

I am getting a bit annoyed with the media commentary on the lack of masks and social distancing at events like Melania's speech where there is a limited number of people. I say this as a person currently on day three of a 14 day quarantine. We don't flaunt the rules. I appreciate others may disagree but for me, It is hardly the point of what is wrong with the proceedings and by the way - a mask isn't a team badge?! They shouldn't be politicised in this way. They really should not.

Sorry for the over posting. Watching Eric. He's just spewing the garbage that plays to his base. He isn't stoned though.

Between his words and the backdrop:
Leni Reifenstahl would have a field day with this lot.

I'll stick to Colbert

Not wearing a mask when there is a pandemic is shameful because it is selfish. The point of a mask is to protect other people from your germs, which even the least efficient masks will do to a very large extent. Refusing to wear one on the grounds that they don't afford you full protection, or that the pandemic doesn't exist, is in effect saying "I don't care if I cause your death."

That is why people mention it in relation to these selfish idiots.

(I hope your quarantine lasts fourteen days and no longer, and you come out the other end healthy.)

Oops.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53915646
Trump supporter accidently calls him an idiot

Courting the American-Indian vote against Kamala Harris? Good luck. Even without mishaps and going birtherist on her.

I get all the reasons to wear masks @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime. I wear mine.

Regardless, my view is that given the context in which they were meeting I don't think that it was one of the main points in terms of what was wrong about the goings-on and the other things being said. One of the articles I was reading was very distracting in their focus on this and it came across as nitpicking. We are talking about an administration that has put people in cages.

(I hope your quarantine lasts fourteen days and no longer, and you come out the other end healthy.)

Thank you but I also wore my mask and applied social distancing rules as required.

I agree OViena.

Wasn't Melania outside?

I go to restaurants and we sit and eat with no masks. Tables are spread out, but still.

The context in which they are meeting is that they are meeting. That in itself is a reason to wear a mask -- I wasn't suggesting that you had not, I was suggesting that they are not. And pointing it out EVERY SINGLE TIME might be the only way to get through to the terminally (I chose that word with care) stupid that what they are doing is stupid, and destructive, and selfish, and socially unacceptable.

I have a possible 14-day quarantine coming up next month (if it's not lifted and word is... it is going to be) and I will abide by all the rules even though it's going to be tricky for us.

It just pisses me off big time that Melania can stand in the Rose Garden and spout off with an audience of 60 or more, and seeing a view of the audience... of course, they weren't chairs touching but nor were they distanced at all and no masks.
I don't care a fig about these people but it's the message it gives out and not one went against the grain and wore a mask. It's like the pandemic isn't happening.

On another note not strictly to do with Trump... this is moving. Jacob Blake's sister. This woman can speak.

twitter.com/ArlanWasHere/status/1298427121023348736

I do get it. To be fair - I hadn't realised there were 60 people there.

It is just frustrating to me to see the Hatch violations going on here- which other people see as nickpicking and the Trump administration something to be proud of - but to me it is emblematic of what is fundamentally wrong with this whole administration. Standing in the Rose Garden giving this speech is a collossal Fuck You on many levels. Disregard for the rules, corruption- yes, this trickles down to mask wearing surely, but the masks are just one example among many.

Totally agree on the Hatch act violations. KellyAnne was a master of this, was reported many times, she just ignored it. 60 violations it is said.

And what about a family member of POTUS having a funeral at the WH? Unheard of... ever. Yet Trump's brother's funeral was there.

I caught a clip of Donald Junior and Gilfoyles speeches. ...
Did Kimberley have vibrating knickers on or something? She was ridiculously excited. And what makes it worse, it was prerecorded (didn't Trump slam Michelle obama for not speaking live) so THAT was the best version... She was clearly expecting cheering to be dubbed on for broadcast and instead got crickets chirping
And DonLite's wasn't much better... all this emoting straight to camera with "YOU can have your dream home etc etc" with no actual policy explaining how this American Dream will come about - his entire pitch was reminiscent of someone selling kitchen equipment on QVC

DonJr. I thought looked completely out of it. He has such a mean face, I just imagine politics aside he isn't a very nice person. Who knows, he might be kind to kittens and babies for all I know doubtful
And as for KimberlyG... the bellowing and screeching was the stuff of nightmares, I'll give her her due... she must've been very pumped up to do that without an audience

OVienna
It is just frustrating to me to see the Hatch violations going on here- which other people see as nickpicking and the Trump administration something to be proud of

Well, it is clear that under Trump, and with his lackey at the Justice Department, they won't be prosecuted yet.

I am hoping that the mills of God, which as we know grind slowly but they grind exceeding fine, will catch up with them inexorably, and chew them up. The only federal employees exempt are the President and the VIce-President, and none of the others have made the least secret of their illegal behaviour.

I confess that I didn’t know what The Hatch Act was until reading about it just now on this thread. Which is precisely why I’m here - I’ve avoided reading much about Trump in the media and here to force myself to engage and learn from those who know more.

I’ve just looked up the Hatch Act. I know Trump & his administration have flouted it but hypothetically playing devil’s advocate - would it be ok to host the speeches at the White House if the staff who arranged & monitored it were all non-White House employees, or is that impossible?

to force myself to engage and learn from those who know more

I really cannot promise any knowledge from me! However, our American friends on here are a great source.

No idea on that Dandy... I think the administration is saying she isn't employed that's why she can speak there, but it's a very grey area... this next para puts it better than me!

'Political events are traditionally held off campus, but questions about violations of the Hatch Act — which bars federal employees from working on campaigns — were set aside. The White House legal counsel has underscored that it doesn't apply to the president and vice president, but up until now members of both parties have taken pains to avoid conducting overtly political actions on federal property.'

They'll twist and turn any way they can won't they...

(())

Dandy I worked under the Hatch Act for 35 years, and up until now it would never have happened. And that's because no previous POTUS would ever have abused the privilege of being exempt from the Hatch Act in this manner. Scrotus is trampling on 'invisible lines' that have been in place since 1939, when the HA was passed.

The exemption is based on POTUS/VP being able to do things that 'run of the mill' Govt employees can't like accept 'official' gifts, be wined and dined, or to 'publicly' endorse a partisan political candidate. Under the Hatch Act govt employees are not allowed to do any of these things (plus more). 'Regular' employees can say we like XXX candidate privately but are not allowed to speak at a rally, take part in publicity (ads), or publicly campaign in any way (ie door to door, leaflets etc). A POTUS is allowed to publicly endorse.

One of the great things about being retired is being allowed to actively campaign and work for partisan candidates.

Technically there is a law that bars federal property from being used for partisan politics. This is separate from Hatch. So the use of the WH is improper based on that alone, regardless of who is organizing or who is speaking.

The primary purpose of the Hatch Act is to 'Prevent Pernicious Political Activities' (it's actual title is 'An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities'). It was originally meant to prevent acceptance/offering of bribes and to prevent 'higher ups' from forcing/using pressure on 'lower downs' to support or vote for a particular candidate.

This is interesting....

Fact checking from WaPo of last nights speeches at RNC

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/26/fact-checking-second-night-2020-republican-national-convention/

That's a very pessimistic view, cozie.
But not as unlikely as I'd like.

I think it willl be messy. Sorry for the grunts.

www.google.com/amp/s/chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/08/26/authorities-in-kenosha-search-for-gunman-who-shot-three-people-killing-two-during-another-night-of-unrest/amp/

Suspect in the shootings that took place in Kenosha last night. Why am I not surprised. After all Scrotus has basically given them permission to act like terrorists. Which is acts what they are.

17 years old. I'm sure his parents are so proud. And I'm not being sarcastic.

Actually not acts