Statements from Whitehouse Staff are evocative of other authoritarian leaders health set backs

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Monday October 05, 2020 · 7:05 AM PDT

2020/10/05 · 07:05

BETHESDA, MD - OCTOBER 03: In this handout provided by The White House, President Donald J. Trump works in the Presidential Suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after testing positive for COVID-19 on October 3, 2020 in Bethesda, Maryland. President Trumpâ€™s medical team says the Presidentâ€™s oxygen levels dropped and he took a steroid treatment of dexamethasone. (Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House via Getty Images)

I grew up during the cold war, where American norms were constantly contrasted with authoritative regimes. One of the ‘lessons’ we were taught was how the American press would report the truth of the matter, while authoritative regimes would lie , embroider, or avoid obvious statement of facts. Also that our government and constitution made sure that our government did not rely on the president, but was a system that could govern despite whatever the fate of the president. I have read much about how Trump’s administration is leaning towards an authoritative regime. I think his COVID infection proves he is already an authoritative leader and is enabled by everyone around him. They are not candid about his health, who he has had contact with, or if he is even capable of making the decisions his office requires. We already have an authoritative regime installed in the Whitehouse and they are playing by the same book as others ( take your pick).

The president is ill, and likely not making logical decisions ( the ride around incident), why isn’t Vice-President Pence stepping in ? Because an authoritative regime never admits weakness, or compromise. And even if they are in a coma ( think North Korea) or compromised by illness , they cling to power. I hope this is resolved soon, the stunt on Sunday is proof to me that the reins of state needs to be with the Vice President until the President recovers.

And they we need to turn this administration out to the curb on election night.

What is behind push to open business and revoke shelter in place by the conservative movement

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 21, 2020 · 10:04 AM PDT

2020/04/21 · 10:04

This isn’t much of a diary, but a request for the Kos community to enlighten me on this obvious conservative attempt to reopen the economy at the expense of killing US citizens. Most of the current ‘hot spots’ are just peaking, and many of red states with shelter- in- place have not yet peak, so the pandemic is certainly not over. Also due to lack of testing, its not clear, if there is enough people who have either recovered or immune to the virus to give heard immunity to this virus. Hardly a time from a public health point of view to re-open public areas. Why would the conservative movement take the risk of lifting the shelter-in-place restrictions and cause another spike in the infection rate, deaths, and all the negative PR ? Like the voting fiasco in Wisconsin, this is a PR disaster in the making.

Voting wont occur until November, and these folks who feel their civil liberties are being pressed may not even be alive to vote. Any theories out there on what the real agenda is ?

Groundless Speculation, Did Putin select some of the Trump's Cabinet?

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday March 22, 2017 · 11:05 AM PDT

2017/03/22 · 11:05

Since election night, the Trump era feels more like a nightmare novel than real life. I have on many occasion wondered at the logic of selected cabinet members given the rumors that Russia had interfered with the election prior to the inauguration . You’d think they would pick folks the little connection to Russia just for the appearance of legitimacy. Perhap there may not have been choice, if these players were indebted to Putin or Russian mob money. For example Tillerson claims he did not want the Secretary of State of State position but that his wife insisted. Perhaps he was also in a position where when called, he could not refuse since his ultimate patron has been know to throw folks off buildings, poison, etc. I wonder how far the Russian connection extends, inquiring minds want to know.

Who I am afraid of

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 20, 2015 · 11:03 AM PST

2015/11/20 · 11:03

This isn’t a real diary. This is actually something I wanted to post on Facebook. I have read so many blurbs from supposedly god-fearing, decent Americans about the horrific past week of slaughter in Europe and the Middle East by terrorists. Of course its horrifying. Of course it touches a nerve, I still remember 9/11. But honestly I fear Donald Trump, Ben Carson , and the rest of the Republican candidates more than I fear Syrian refugees . These candidates want to be my president, and they are repeating policies that actually sound like a platform from the NAZI party in the 1930s. Registering Muslims in a database ? Seriously ? Closing mosques ? These people and their supporters terrify me. Members of my own family who support these candidates don’t see how horribly offensive this is to me as they repeat these ideas. And except for the blessing of geography, I might have had to share Thanksgiving with them. I fear we have already lost the country to a terror just as real as ISIS. Terrorist did not make me afraid, but people of my own country scare the living daylights out me. What has happened to make decent Americans cowards and bullies?

Understanding the Phenomena of the School Shooters

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday December 16, 2012 · 1:48 PM PST

2012/12/16 · 13:48

I am like most, still numb with grief and disgust at Friday's school shooting. Right now my I most often hear my teenage daughter's first comments when I voiced my confusion. She pointed out that Newtowne Conn is just like our community in Northwestern Massachusetts, exurban, privileged, and predominantly white. She pointed out that no one wants to look too closely why young men of these communities feel so much despair, rage, or alienation that they choose to murder young children and teachers. They have access to weapons and ammunition, usually purchased legally, and our schools are usually fairly open and easy to enter. This is a phenomena that must be studied and understood no matter how uncomfortable it makes white, privileged people feel. Right now I don't give a crap about how my neighbors feel, we have a problem and we need to understand it before the next crisis hits us. But likely we will discover something we would rather not accept or think about.

Twilight or Breaking Dawn- election predictions in the NR

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 05, 2012 · 5:02 PM PST

2012/11/05 · 17:02

I have a school buddy who works for the American Enterprise Institute and writes for the National Review. As you can imagine, we don't agree on Politics, but to his credit, he does statistical analysis and describes his methodology. He just published an article on the National Review Online that predicts that Obama will win tomorrow and breaks it down by State. So from his perspective its Twilight, whereas I suppose we would say it is Breaking Dawn!

What I found interesting, is that he decided to do predictive analysis based on the racial breakdown by state. Although Mr Olsen doesn't come out and say it , his inference is that Republicans can no longer win elections based on white male voters. This is hardly news to Kos readers, but apparently its the elephant in room in conservative circles. I admit I enjoyed reading the hate comments left by readers , and one suggest he published his analysis at the Daily Kos!

The article can be found here : http://www.nationalreview.com/...

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday October 17, 2012 · 7:35 AM PDT

2012/10/17 · 07:35

I watched the debates with my husband and daughter in a practical state of hysteria; I was so wound up in the drama. But one the comment that got my husband agitated was the infamous 'women in binders' exchange when our former governor talked about workplace flexibility so women could go home and cook. My calm, quiet husband burst out in anger 'Men need to go home and be with their families too! I am so tired of a work place culture that think men don’t need to be home with their families. This isn't a women's issue, its a family issue!'

I stared at him opened mouth, mostly because my husband never gets excited. In fact his calm demeanor can really tick me off sometimes. But he is absolutely correct and it got me thinking why I feel the Democratic Party has a better approach to family then the party of 'Family Values'.

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday October 12, 2012 · 6:40 AM PDT

2012/10/12 · 06:40

I admit watching these debates gives me extreme heartburn and I almost dread turning them on. My heart lives in my stomach. I thought Obama's performance on the first debate was good, that he stated his position on domestic issues clearly and conversely Romney gave me a stomach ache, because he argued his position from a different set of facts, denied positions that are still on his web site, and distorted Obama's record. I didn't think Romney won, but the polls say otherwise. So I worried about the VP debate. As I watched Joe's and Ryan's debate, I was encouraged by the debate format, and Joes debate style was comforting in how he bluntly challenge his opponent. But was still struck by how Ryan could discuss their ticket's positions with their own set of facts or ignore giving specifics ( taxes) when it was convenient. Let’s be clear, it’s nearly impossible to debate when the opposite sides refuse to acknowledge facts, be specific, or even support positions they made previously or that are on their website.

So what does this mean for the second presidential debate or after the election ? I will elaborate more after the squiggle, and why I have a constant stomach ache.

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday October 08, 2012 · 12:36 PM PDT

2012/10/08 · 12:36

This really isn’t a diary, but a question. I admit I probably read more articles or analysis that fits into my viewpoint and this is a grave sin for someone who wishes to be considered a thinking person. When the economy tanked in 2008, I was positive it was due to the disastrous application of conservative economic policies, and everything I read supported this. Now that is election time, and Romney is trying to claim his tax and economic policies are 'different' and 'never been tried', I am wondering, does the right offer an different interpretation of what happened in 2008 ? Besides the fascile explanation of he's lying or they are stupid, how does the right see the recent financial crisis and feel comfortable applying Romney's top down solution and Ryan scorched earth budget? I should probably ask a conservative this questions!

The real issue about Romney's taxes

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday August 17, 2012 · 8:51 AM PDT

2012/08/17 · 08:51

This is a short diary and has been discussed a little about the 'Buffet Rule'. I just read a blog entry by David Simon ( creater of TV show 'The Wire' etc) concerning Mit Romney's taxes that really hits what has been bothering me all along, which is whether legal or not, do you think its fair to be taxed at 13 % when you make the kind of money that Mit Romney does. To me its crazy the campaign hasn't gone after this. Read Simon's blog, because he expresses it better than I can!

Simon's blog is here :
http://davidsimon.com/...

I need to see a path to Sanity

HarpLady

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday May 16, 2012 · 5:36 AM PDT

2012/05/16 · 05:36

I have been a quiet member of this community for more than 4 years and have never posted a diary. I have enjoyed reading all the diaries on this site, and took great courage that there was a community of like minded folks in the world. Often reading a few diaries was all I needed to shrug off the pessimism that pervades our current culture. But this morning I am so weary of all the noise and hysteria outside of this community, I have an overwhelming desire to retreat. I am weary, and am losing hope. I wonder if this is what is hindering progressives causes these days. Burnout.

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Statements from Whitehouse Staff are evocative of other authoritarian leaders health set backs

What is behind push to open business and revoke shelter in place by the conservative movement

Groundless Speculation, Did Putin select some of the Trump's Cabinet?

Who I am afraid of

Understanding the Phenomena of the School Shooters

Twilight or Breaking Dawn- election predictions in the NR

Lady in Binders, and why Obama is the candidate for Family Values

Why these Debates are Difficult

What is the rights view of what happened during the last financial crisis ?

The real issue about Romney's taxes

I need to see a path to Sanity