'Planet Fox' gives viewers an Alternate Reality to Science Driven Data

 

Photo: Business Insider

Bill Gates has been a widely interviewed person over the last year regarding the COVID-19 virus.  Why? Maybe the TED talk titled "The Next Outbreak, We're Not Ready" shown 5 years ago might have something to do with this?  Or maybe the fact that the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation has spent millions of dollars funding vaccines for foreign countries?  Money that is spent by a foundation but verified by Bill and Melinda through countless hours of research.  There has to be accountability for philanthropy.  Research, research, and data, data-driven.

With that being said, the public is not always interested in the scientific data which emerges from research.  Especially, if the scientific data conflicts with political messaging.  In the video below, CNN Correspondent Brianna Keilar reviews Fox & Friends Correspondents attack Bill Gates for his precautions during the holiday season over the COVID-19 virus:

I would be willing to bet a large amount of money on Bill Gates's advice.  Whereas, I do not believe the clowns on Fox & Friends who have persistently promoted President Trump's non-science rhetoric.  The rhetoric is extremely dangerous to society.

The attack on Bill Gates is unfortunate.  Although, as a philanthropist with the amount of work that the organization does, there is bound to be much criticism.  Keep up the great work Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation staff.  Your work truly is groundbreaking and matters to the world.

Related Blog Posts:

COVID-19 Vaccine Hits the U.K., But Don't Relax Just Yet!

Bill Gates: Update on COVID-19 progress as a Nation?

Bill Nye Educates Fox News Anchor Tucker Carlson on Wearing Masks and Science in Government

Philanthropist Bill Gates Warned The U.S. About a Coronavirus Threat 5 years Ago?

Former Governor Chris Christie Jumps on the Mask Wearing Train - finally?

 

Photo: Axios

The photograph above shows former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie at a White House event back in September of this year.  Since then, Governor Chris Christie has had a visit for a couple of weeks to the intensive care unit after contracting the COVID-19 virus.  There is a stark difference between Governor Chris Christie that is shown in the picture above and that of recent news.

In the video below from MSNBC's Morning Joe, the video released on Twitter by Governor Chris Christie is shown advocating for COVID-19 (i.e. mask deniers) deniers to wear a mask:

Yes, it is not too late in the game to contract COVID-19 and suffer from the virus.

Be safe and wear a mask!

Related Blog Post: 

President Trump Attempts To Discredit Science and 'Blue States'

Residents of South Dakota are still in Denial of COVID-19 reality??

Former White House Task Force Aide: CDC Guidance Was Watered Down to Align With President Trump's Message

Representation Promotes Diversity In The World

 

Photo: the University of Texas at Austin

When you watch the news, do you see a person who looks like you?  For me, a white male of 48 years of age, the answer is yes.  But not just yes, overwhelmingly yes - in every occupation.  For other nationalities, that is not the case.  What impact does that have on a person trying to succeed in today's society?  

Representation is critical to success.  The days of the old ways are being replaced slowly with new ideas, new thoughts.  In the video below, MSNBC news anchor Stephanie Ruhle interviews an elementary school teacher who has transcended her daughters' life by such an action:

That is a perfect example of representation where it matters most.  The action of that mother has completely transformed the image of 'normal' in that child's mind.  The action's influence is completely noticeable.  Imagine if we were all that brave to take actions like this teacher has?  What would the world look like?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately.  With the onset of online learning taking a more critical role in society, what does representation mean?  That is an open-ended question to which a blog post may be composed later to continue that conversation.

Just look at the demographic makeup of today's largest corporate boards.   Do they reflect the diversity that we see at the state and local level?  Is representation changing fast enough to keep up with a changing society?  These are all questions that need to be entertained by each of us.

The Truth Does Not Matter -- Even If Caught On Tape?

 

Photo: NPR

Rebekah Jones was an employed cybersecurity expert for the state of Florida 8 months ago.  After Florida law enforcement agents raided her home with guns drawn, she is a news story.  Why?  Because she pointed out inaccuracies in the health data regarding COVID-19 deaths for the state of Florida.  Yes, that is what is printed and passed by your eyes.  

Florida death numbers were riddled with inaccuracies that aligned the data with the message of Governor Rick DeSantis.  Where have readers heard about science not aligning with political messaging?  The conflict between COVID-19 data and political messaging seems to have taken a large turn for the worse over the last year. 

In the video below, an interview with Rebekah Jones is conducted by MSNBC's Ali Velshie.  The tape is rolled off the home raided by Florida law enforcement, which has been vehemently denied by Governor Rick DeSantis:

These politicians are amazing.  How do they lie so easily as lives are taken by the terrible COVID-19 virus?  That is an open-ended question to which we may never understand any future answer.

Trump Administration Decides To Reduce Shipments Of Vaccines To States For No Reason...Why?

 

Photo: Vanity Fair

As if the COVID-19 virus pandemic could not get worse.  With the rollout of the COVID-19 virus vaccine hitting the arms of Americans, including Vice President Mike Pence last Friday morning, reporting arrived late in last week alerting Americans that shipments have been stalled -- if not stopped.  By who?  None, other than our Commander-In-Chief - President Donald J. Trump.  What?

That is correct.  States across the nation were notified that shipments of vaccines scheduled to hit the arms of Americans the week of Christmas have been stalled or reduced by 30-40%.  

Merry Christmas, America!

And for those who support this inexperienced President:

Merry Christmas, Trump supporters who have lost a loved one to the COVID-19 virus!

Merry Christmas, Trump supporters who are in denial of the COVID-19 virus!

The President has once again stalled or reduced shipments of a much-needed vaccine for a virus that has killed up to nearly 300,000 Americans.

What is President Trump thinking?  What is his administration thinking?

As reported by MSNBC correspondent Rachel Maddow in the video below, there is NO explanation being offered by the administration for the reduction or stalling of distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine:

I am sorry that I have to say -- I am extremely disappointed by the Trump administration.  Can there not exist one person to have the guts to call out an inexperienced - leader - of the United States? 

Hundreds of thousands of doses of vaccines are sitting in a warehouse waiting to be shipped to hospitals to give to Americans... 

Who is letting Americans die?  

Hospital beds are filling unnecessarily because people cannot follow the rules.  

Now, Americans will continue to die when there is a solution - a vaccine - that is being withheld?  

What is going on, folks?  

This is turning into complete mayhem.  Oh, my goodness.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention damaged by Trump Administration during COVID-19 virus pandemic costing the U.S. unnecessary lives

 

Photo: Wikipedia

The damage to the federal government by the Trump administration will continue to be unveiled long after President Trump leaves office.  Decades in the past, the federal government has secured experienced and knowledgeable government employees.  Employees range from experienced accountants to scientists who have years of knowledge of how the government works.  The Trump administration has been toxic to the point of many of these experienced employees jumping ship over the last four years.

What has this done to the government?  At the federal level, those who have thick-skinned or decided to bear the brunt of an ignorant administration for four years to have America stay relatively safe has been pared down tremendously.  The federal government, in short, has been running on 'auto-pilot' for the last four years.

Yes, I said ignorant administration.  The Trump administration has shown complete ignorance by replacing veteran employees in federal agencies with inexperienced personnel who will follow orders from the White House.  What does following orders look like?

According to reporting from The New York Times, following orders means passing on messaging (i.e. reports) without obstruction and not caring about manipulation by the White House.  For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was one such federal agency run by extremely inexperienced people.  Kyle McGowan was charged with the position of chief of staff at the CDC.  His qualifications? Served previously as a staff member for Senator Tom Price. Really?

The world has been ravaged by the COVID-19 virus pandemic over the last year.  In the reporting by the Times', Americans find out that the Trump administration has changed the messaging from the CDC to fit their idea of what the message should be.  A message that is not parallel but perpendicular (runs opposite) to science.  Wow!

That blew my mind.  The change of messaging that normally occurs is not to completely change the message but change the rhetoric slightly.  Although, in the present case, a blatant disregard for science was accomplished by White House employees conducting the dirty work of the Trump administration.

Further, the damage of suppressing reports that are critical to the scientific community along with the rest of society such as Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports - a widely read report which is apolitical in scope.  The report is dense with infectious disease information and data to disseminate to the community at large.  Why suppress science?

The concluding thoughts on this outrageous action by the Trump administration is that science does not go with the message of  "the stock market is doing great, so is the economy".  Which is sad.  Because the reality of the state of affairs is that while the numbers on the stock market fluctuate in response to stimulus checks or COVID-19 vaccine hopes, there are still 22 million people out of work.

Further, as March of 2021 approaches, mortgages or loans which have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic start to become due.  If Congress does not act, where will the money come from.  As the Christmas holiday approaches and online shopping continues to rise in response to the inability to shop in person, ask yourself "Are Americans really saving for the rough times ahead?" or are they thinking that Congress will act eventually and bail them out?

The story by the Times' clearly indicates that there is a blatant disregard for science in the Trump White House.  Further, the CDC could have reduced the overall number of deaths by disseminating the correct message at the right time.  President Trump decided that was not the path that was correct for the nation to proceed down.  Now, we have nearly 300,000 deaths of Americans and the COVID-19 virus is still ravaging our country.  

Let's let science guide us from here on out Mr. President!

Elctoral College Speaks: President-Elect Joe Biden Is Going To Be President In 2021

 

Photo: Inside Climate News

As news reports outlets spread the word of the electoral college today, President-elect Joe Biden can rest peacefully.  The battle (i.e., unprecedented election challenges) is one step closer to being over.  Officially, after the electoral college speaks, the word is cemented - President-elect Joe Biden - will be president in 2021. MSNBC anchor Ari Melber shows proof of such claims along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell welcoming the new President into office - unofficially of course.  

After the electoral college spoke, President-elect Joe Biden spoke too.  Below is the video of his speech by CNN:

The time has come to accept the results of this election and move on.  Trump and his administration can pack up and get ready to leave the office.  I say "Trump" because in the next post, the damage that this man continues to do - along with that in the past - is still being uncovered.

Stay tuned!

Meet Michael Tibbs, a 99 year old U.K. WWII Vet Who Received the COVID-19 Vaccine

 

Photo: Portsmouth

The original topic for today was regarding the decision last week of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to turn down a COVID-19 relief bill put forth by Democrats and White House officials for $916 billion.  The video below came across my eyes and brought a sense of joy.  

Last Friday, a blog post appeared regarding the COVID-19 vaccine being distributed around the U.K.  The first person to receive the vaccine was Margaret Keena, age 90, of the U.K. Further down the line was to be the WWII veteran Michael Tibbs, shown in the picture above.  The video below is an interview with Michael Tibbs, who is 99 years old.  He offers a sense of hope during a pandemic that has plagued the world for nearly a year:

Imagine the history that Michael Tibbs has seen throughout his 99 years on this Earth.  And he continues to make history as one of the first to receive the COVID-19 shot.  Notice how he says that he is not lucky but Fortunate to get the vaccine.  There is a difference in the choice of words.

Count your blessings to be able to have such a vaccine for a disease that has ravaged nearly 290,000 American lives.  The New York Times has an expose titled "Those We've Lost," which is worth viewing.  The range and caliber of people who have been taken by COVID-19 are unparalleled.  Check it out if you do not believe me.  I encourage each reader to do so.  I was astonished by the biographies.

If you are having doubts about getting the vaccine, just look at the article mentioned.  Be thankful that you still have time to live a good life.  Gratitude is far from present in some household these days.  Instead, a sense of rage exists in light of quarantine, and masking orders are given.

The news out of the U.K. this week regarding the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine should be a beacon of hope to all of the world's residents.  Be thankful.  Hope is here.  Practice gratitude.  Take a deep breath.  Smile.  You might just feel better like Michael Tibbs does these days.

Operation Warpspeed may have a Transformational Impact on the Future of Medicine

 

Photo: Defense.gov

Last week the results of COVID-19 vaccines made the news.  Predictions were made on the early distribution around the world.  Despite the ultra-cold temperatures needed to transport/store one version of the vaccine.  Pfizer will ship to the U.K. while AstraZeneca and Moderna will be releasing predictions as soon as 'Emergency Use Authorizations' are granted by the Food and Drug Administration.

In a YouTube interview, Reporter Katie Couric interviewed the President of Moderna, Dr. Stephen Hoge, about the vaccine results and the future:

The interview above is around 30 minutes in length.  Although, I would argue as a scientist that the video is well worth the time spent.  There are several key topics discussed in the interview, which are listed below:

1) What is the importance of vaccine trials?

2) How does Moderna's vaccine work?

3) What about equity/diversity of race-based trials?

4) How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost a person?

These questions will come to light in the coming days.  Especially since the Pfizer vaccine has rolled out in the U.K. earlier this week.  One of the most exciting results of the pandemic is that the way scientists work together across the world might change medicine in the future.  Instead of sticking to our previous ways, different avenues that appeared during the pandemic might play a larger role in the future.  Which would have the overall benefit to humanity in the future.

Regardless, the concerted effort of science worldwide to halt and come up with a COVID-19 vaccine is unprecedented and should shine brightly on all scientists around the world.  Simultaneously, we have a major problem in society that the current President of the United States has discouraged his followers (around 73 million) people from believing scientific evidence, which is extremely dangerous.

Be careful what Politicians say in the public eye.  The result can be hazardous.  Scientific evidence is based on repeated research to validate results.  Confirmation is a paramount obstacle that has finally been overcome with a vaccine from Pfizer.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hits the U.K., But Don't Relax Just Yet!

 

Photo: CNBC

Margaret Keenan, age 90, of the U.K., has received the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.  She is the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine.  The event occurred yesterday morning.  Reporting of the event has spread throughout the world like wildfire.  Offering glimpses of hope to those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19 along with hopes of a brighter future to the rest of us -- still living in fear of contracting the virus and spreading it.  

Anderson Cooper of CNN offered staggering statistics a couple of days ago on December 7th, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.  The attack left just over 2,400 military soldiers dead.  In the video below, the statistics of deaths per day due to COVID-19 match that of Pearl Harbor.  Which should be a wake-up call.  Watch the video:

The main take-home message of the reporting above is that the Trump administration, along with the United States President, has never taken the COVID-19 virus seriously.  And as a result, nearly 290,000 deaths have occurred.  As news hits of the U.K. patients receiving COVID-19 vaccines, one cannot help but wonder why Americans are not receiving the same vaccine.

Turns out that the Trump administration refused to purchase Pfizer vaccines earlier in the year.  What?  This type of leadership lack is the same disappointing news that has surfaced over the last few years.  Discouraging does not even begin to describe the state of the White House.

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration is now taking executive order to prevent COVID-19 vaccine distribution to other countries in hopes of getting doses to Americans.  America's first right President Trump.  Make America Great Again.  So far, President Trump has made America laughable due to the lack of leadership over the course of the last 4 years.  

At the very least, President Trump could come out and say that although the vaccine has arrived, each American should remain masked up when out in public.  But that would take leadership and accountability—two qualities which are greatly lacking in our President.

We are suffering as a world.  The economy is headed down the toilet.  What happens when the mortgages that have been suspended back in March come due next March?  Are Republicans going to step up and help those in need?  Based on their actions thus far, the future looks very bad for those who stand to lose more as the COVID-19 virus continues to ravage the world.

Conclusion...

Yes, bad times are here.  Yes, the good news is here, too, with the distribution of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.  With that being said, we should not become complacent.  Each American should continue to wear a mask while out in public view.  Yes, the mask is uncomfortable and annoying, but is it compared to the risk of dying?  Stay safe and cheerful during the holiday season.

Transition to Energy Efficiency has been stalled due to COVID-19

 

Photo: Medium

The economy is in shambles, with the COVID-19 virus touring the world, wreaking havoc on the planet's citizens.  As a result, Black Friday sales are suffering, as are Christmas sales, which are approaching us quickly.  What does this lack of sales or economic slowdown suggest for other areas of the world?

One area is construction.  Surprisingly, housing construction slowed down at the beginning of the pandemic but is now resuming slowly. Road improvements, construction on the road has increased slightly during the pandemic, with traffic decreasing as people are quarantined to their residences.  Other industries have not fared as well and continue to see a slowdown or potential shutdown.

With Congress refusing to support aid packages, business as usual has stalled tremendously.  That will have a ripple effect down the road.  As for the transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the momentum has slowed.  Recent reporting by Politico Energy has shown that the International Agency for Energy has stated that the transition toward renewable energy slowed over the course of the COVID-19 virus:

ENERGY INEFFICIENT: Countries are expected to post slow progress on energy efficiency across the globe this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the International Energy Agency's latest energy efficiency report released this morning. "As a result of the crisis and continuing low energy prices, energy intensity is expected to improve by only 0.8% in 2020, roughly half the rates, corrected for weather, for 2019 (1.6%) and 2018 (1.5%)," the report said — well below the level needed to achieve global climate and sustainability goals.

"Together with renewables, energy efficiency is one of the mainstays of global efforts to reach energy and climate goals. While our recent analysis shows encouraging momentum for renewables, I'm very concerned that improvements in global energy efficiency are now at their slowest rate in a decade," said Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA, in a statement.

Investments in new energy-efficient buildings, equipment and vehicles are also expected to decline this year, mostly because of declines in economic growth and income uncertainty among consumers and businesses. Sales of new cars are expected to drop more than 10 percent from 2019, in turn keeping the overall vehicle fleet older and less efficient, the report said, although the share of electric vehicles in new car sales is expected to grow to 3.2 percent, up from 2.5 percent last year.

This is not surprising given the slowdown of the entire economy.  Fewer people are working internationally.  Therefore, shipping supplies and incorporating them into changing the current infrastructure has slowed down too.  Add into the mix a lack of federal dollars from Congress, and the result is a transformation on hold.  Which is sad.

Although, the real devastating loss is the nearly 275,000 people in the United States and the deaths of other countries.  The lack of federal action has had a lasting effect so far this year.  In an upcoming blog post, the topic of the ripple effect of misinformation will be addressed.

The world's expectations toward combating climate change and other drastically needed measures must be managed accordingly with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In time, the world will return to a new normal.  That new normal might entail greater momentum toward combating climate change.  As the world is noticing how 'inaction' leads to a terrible result. 

Pay attention and take action at all levels as possible.  Congress take action now.  People are out of work and need financial assistance.  Local governments need financial assistance to fund unemployment benefits.  These small local governments are not allowed to run monetary deficits like the federal governments.  That means deficits equate to cuts - major cuts in other areas.  Where is the money Congress?

This is not a Red State or Blue State issue.  The COVID-19 virus does not discriminate against the partisan position.  Get your act together and act!

 

Residents in California Fight To Shutdown Gas Storage Facility while Senator Fights To Create/Open Gas Storage Facility on East Coast

 

Photo: Oklahoma Minerals

Natural gas has gained interest over the last few decades for its reduced carbon footprint.  Yes, greenhouse gases are emitted as a result of the use of natural gas.  Although, the amount of carbon footprint in total is reduced -- which is a savings no matter which way the problem is viewed.

The year was 2015 in Porter Ranch, California, North San Fernando Valley.  The location was a natural gas storage facility owned and operated by SoCal Gas (a subsidiary of Semper Energy).  Over the course of a few months, after the casing on a Well (SS-215) failed, an unprecedented blowout occurred with methane being spewed into the atmosphere along with other unknown chemicals.

Residents of Porter Ranch have been waiting for five years for a proper health study to occur.  The aerosolized chemicals spewed out which landed on their community (and mine) have an unknown composition.  That is, the public is unaware of the composition.

Note: Full Disclosure - I sit on the Community Advisory Group for the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study being conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

LA DPH website: click here

Community Advisory Group website: click here

As the health study shapes into a 'Request For Proposal' to be sent out to scientists across the United States to propose research studies, the news hits that Senator Joe Manchin is eagerly awaiting the opening of another gas storage facility?

How is this possible without the dangers studied at Aliso Canyon?

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia makes the case for the construction of a new natural gas storage facility on the East Coast in the following letter:

The Honorable Dan Brouillette

Secretary

Department of Energy

1000 Independence Ave. SW

Washington, DC 20585

Dear Secretary Brouillette:

I write to respectfully request an update on the Department of Energy’s plans to fulfill a provision of the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) Appropriations bill (P.L. 116-94) to report on the economic and security benefits of an underground storage facility for natural gas liquids (NGLs) in Appalachia.

We have spoken before about the proposed underground storage facility for NGLs, including ethane, also known as the “Appalachian Storage Hub,” and how it has the potential to be a gamechanger for not just the Appalachian region, but the nation. The DOE had previously studied the feasibility of establishing an ethane storage and distribution hub in the United States and found that it would have economic and strategic benefits, particularly given the current concentration of infrastructure in the Gulf Coast. This is in addition the potential to create 100,000 much needed jobs in Appalachia, according to the American Chemistry Council.

I believe it’s similarly important as we move forward with this critical project that the Department study the economic security and national security benefits of geographical diversification of this infrastructure by siting this Hub in Appalachia. These benefits can be maximized through partnerships with domestic businesses and international partners that have America’s best interests at heart.

This report was called for in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Report (116-102) on the FY 2020 Energy and Water bill, S.2470 (pg. 107), which encourages the Department, in consultation with the Departments of Defense and Treasury, to issue a report which would identify the potential benefits of a storage and distribution hub to national security, including the identification of potential risks to national and economic security of significant foreign ownership and control of United States domestic petrochemical resources. I respectfully ask for an update on how the report is progressing and when your team plans to complete this critical report.

I appreciate the assistance that your staff have provided to mine and thank you for your attention and distinguished leadership on this critically important process.

With warmest regards,

Without going into detail over the controversy here in California, the opening of a new facility seems premature.  I suggest those readers interested should read up on our meeting results and the progress of the study.  There is even a possibility to input information/inquiry into the direction of the health study.  What concerns do you have?  Do you live near a natural gas storage facility? 

At least wait for the results of a health study.  Especially, given that the new facility stands to put more Americans in harm's way.  Stay tuned for more results.

 

Should a COVID-19 Vaccine be Mandatory Across the U.S.?

 

Photo: WebMD

Earlier in the pandemic, the questions surrounding a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus were centered around a timeline toward production.  After which, the evolving questions centered now around distribution -- equitable distribution.  Who gets the first shots?  With Pfizer distributing the vaccine approved by the British government, the questions about the COVID-19 virus have shifted once again.

The latest set of questions are centered on ethical medicine.  Approval of the vaccination -- quick approval.  Above that, another longstanding question has been regarding making such a vaccination mandatory across the United States.  There are groups of people who hold the belief that vaccinations do more harm than good.  I do not share their belief as scientists, but I can certainly understand where they are coming from.

Furthermore, mandatory action for a vaccination brings me back to an instance while serving in the United States Air Force from 1996 - 2000.  First, though, I would like to share a video of an interview regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations and mandatory distribution by MSNBC shown below:

As I mentioned before I shared the video above, I encountered such a dilemma in the U.S. military overseas.  The conundrum surrounded the distribution of the anthrax vaccine.  The military was vaccinating all U.S. soldiers.  Although interesting enough, not all soldiers had to receive the vaccination.  Why?

The option was given to each soldier to not take the vaccination.  What?  Yes.  The alternative was to be discharged from the United States Military with a possibility of an upgrade to honorable duty in 6 months.  The last part about the upgrade has not been investigated by myself to this day.

What I do know is that a few of my fellow service personnel took the bait.  I was astonished, to say the least.  The result was their rapid shipment off of the overseas base (I mean rapid).  Within a couple of days, they were gone.  Their actual discharge process from the military took a while.  I returned a few months later and one soldier was still waiting for discharge - for refusing to take the vaccine.

Needless to say, I was super surprised to see the option of refusing to take the vaccine back then.  For a military soldier to refuse is rather unique.  Why?  Because the military owns a person once they enlist or enroll for military service.  The military prides itself on taking care of soldiers.  That includes preserving life if possible and being mission ready.

This also means taking a vaccine if necessary.  Giving a soldier a choice strayed far from my idea of military service.  Although, I would later learn that upon being told to deploy to a dangerous zone overseas, the military offers each military soldier the option to be a 'conscientious objector' and avoid deploying.  Which is another subject altogether.

I believe that each American should get a vaccination for the COVID-19 virus.  Simply because it is the right course of action for the greater good.  There is a reason why medicine has advanced over the last 100 years to reduce unnecessary deaths due to a virus.

The Spanish Flu killed around half a million U.S. citizens.  That was 100 years ago.  One would think that modern medicine could reduce that number greatly with 100 years of technological development occurring in between.  With nearly 270,000 Americans died due to a virus that could have been avoided, the mandatory vaccination of Americans seems more reasonable to me.  

Challenges remain...

Before Americans have to actually deal with the question of being forced to get vaccinated from the COVID-19 virus, the immediate problem resides with the distribution of vaccination across the world.  Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at -70 degrees C. This is extremely cold.  Dry ice can hold a tray at such a temperature.  

Additionally, ultracold freezers can hold vaccine vials at such a temperature.  But does the world have enough freezers to do so while disseminating the vaccine across the world?  That remains to be seen.

These questions, along with past questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, will survive us living in the moment.  History will write various opinions on both sides of the aisle.  The challenge still remains to execute and achieve immunity, which is a story still to be written.  Stay tuned!

Related Blog Posts:

 Infectious Disease Physicians Call Out Colleague for Misrepresentation of Science

COVID-19 Vaccine Update from Dr. Bright

Residents of South Dakota are still in Denial of COVID-19 reality??

What is the status of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment?

Former White House Task Force Aide: CDC Guidance Was Watered Down to Align With President Trump's Message

COVID-19 Vaccine by November? Yeah right!

Bill Gates: Update on COVID-19 progress as a Nation?

Bill Nye Educates Fox News Anchor Tucker Carlson on Wearing Masks and Science in Government

Ralph Nader: "Biden Needs To Report Trump’s Wreckage in Executive Branch as Markers"

 

Photo: USA Today

One of the main challenges facing the incoming Biden administration is to restore the federal government.  Over the last 4 years, the Trump administration has tried to pare down the federal government.  Mostly by hiring inexperienced business owners who would conduct Trump's dirty work inside the government.  As a result, the good/lifelong government employees have retired or quit in protest over the last 4 years.

Don't believe me?  Just read the news about federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency or the State Department.  Those two federal agencies have lost a significant amount of lifelong talent dedicated to making the world a better place.  When the Trump administration hired inexperienced directors to run these agencies, business executives ran federal agencies like businesses.  The rest is history -- failure.  The federal government is not a private business and cannot be run as a business, regardless of who is in the executive branch.

With this being said, consumer activist Ralph Nader pointed out the need for the incoming Biden administration to be as transparent as possible about the destruction over the last 4 years.  Specifically, show the American people the deterioration of the federal government.  Which, by the way, has held democracy together over the last 4 years.  The newsletter is shown below:

Biden Needs To Report Trump’s Wreckage in Executive Branch as Markers

The Biden Transition team is about to connect with the Trumpsters running federal departments and agencies into the ground. The Biden staff should prepare for serial shocks. Biden’s people will be observing the first glimpses of staggering wreckage and corruption. They need to tell the American people what they find.

The Trump regime gave itself lawless license to do whatever it wanted. Trump operatives dismantled or disabled humane program after humane program, health and safety regulations, and economic protections designed to protect working people, children, the elderly, and people living in poverty.

After all, the Trumpsters got the green light from their boss Donald, who when not playing golf, tweeting tantrums, and watching Fox News, believed that “I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.”

When the Bidenites take over on January 21, they will find hollowed-out government law enforcement and shelved research projects. They’ll see offices empty after government scientists and other civil servants were forced out. Other public servants will be sitting in what the Japanese call “window jobs,” ordered to stop working on vital matters ranging from limiting climate disruption to stopping Wall Street rip-offs. The Trump administration turned important government jobs into do-nothing positions.

Heavily censored federal CDC workers, benumbed from prohibitions on what they can say, and who were ordered not to speak the words “climate change” will receive their rescuers with deep relief. EPA workers who were ordered to repeal or weaken over 100 environmental safeguards – unleashing deadly toxins into people’s air and water – will feel the breaking of the restraints imposed on sound science.

Specialists who were told to weaken or eliminate about 50 occupational health and safety standards and literally shut down enforcement at OSHA will also start to see the early dawn.

Biden’s team will discover destruction or theft of public records, spectacles of looting and plunder of public trust and public property.

They will hear stories of corporate lobbyists coming in and out of the agencies as if they owned the government because they did. Trump turned over the federal government to Big Business, as has never before happened, brazenly, openly, and endlessly. His nominee to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into nothingness, marauding Mick Mulvaney, openly said the agency’s mission was to protect Wall Street Big Banks and unscrupulous payday lenders!! Mulvaney abandoned tens of millions of defrauded Americans. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said Mulvaney proved “he would rather cozy up with payday lenders and industry insiders than listen to consumer advocates who want to make sure hard-working Americans are not cheated by financial scams.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said Mick Mulvaney had “no intention of putting consumers above financial firms that cheat them.”

Much of the Trump Administration corruption started at the despoiled White House, which Trump turned into a family business incubator to enhance his Brand. Trump’s crime spree was aided and abetted by his “personal lawyer,” Attorney General, William Barr who twisted government lawyers into ignoring or overturning the rule of law under orders from the political bosses.

Shoveling out corrupt, crony contracts, grants, subsidies, giveaways, and bailouts in a frenzy of taxpayer torture will occupy many officials in the new Administration as they attempt to unravel, expose, and if possible, claw back ill-gotten gains.

Unlike the entering Obama Administration back in 2009, the Biden Administration must come in with a determined mindset as they begin restoring the rule of law and reversing Trump’s cruel and crazy policies. Biden’s team will also need to start restoring past services and initiating new services for the citizenry.

They must not let the Trumpster outlaws escape and become immune fugitives from justice. If Trump’s wrecking crew escapes the arm of the law, for sure they and their base will return with a vengeance in two and four years.

For Joe Biden, healing America is not incompatible with bringing these self-dealing, law-breaking, constitution-violating, anti-American crooks to justice. In truth, both tasks are complementary with the basic belief that “nobody is above the law,” which escapee Trump has long treated as a laughable cliché.

The way to start this redeeming process is to draw a clear line between what Biden’s appointees find and what they intend to change. They must give cogent reports to the people about Trump’s crumbled and wasted agencies so that Trump’s record of destruction and pillage will not be forgotten because of short public memories. Otherwise, Trump’s mass media will let him leave the public with the truth-denying Orwellian impression that he left the Democrats “a great” federal legacy.

(See our new book, Wrecking America: How Trump’s Lawbreaking and Lies Betray All)

Stay tuned to see if that happens!

 

Environmental Groups Call on Democratic Majority House to Reject Fossil Fuel Money from Lobbyists

 

Photo: Solar Surge

Climate change is one of the front issues in the spotlight of the current 2020 election.  As the election dies down and the ballots continue to be counted, environmental groups and lobbyists are hard at work getting in touch with newly elected Senators along with re-elected Senators.  Pushing their agendas. 

The Democratic majority House of Representatives is now being solidified as the blog post is being composed.  With that being said, environmental groups are reaching out to Democratic Representatives with the following letter of expectation:

November 16, 2020

Dear Congressional Democrats:

As the 2020 election results are finalized, it is clear that Democrats will remain in leadership of the US House of Representatives. We call on all members of the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives to unambiguously commit to serving in the interest of the public, rather than corporations. To clearly demonstrate this commitment, we demand that:

● Representatives be disqualified from chairing a commitee with any jurisdiction (whether full or partial) over climate and energy, food and agriculture, and the financial and insurance sectors if they have accepted donations over $200 from executives, lobbyists, and PACs representing, respectively, fossil fuel, food and agribusiness, and financial and insurance sector corporations.

● Representatives be disqualified from serving in any leadership position within the Democratic Caucus if they have accepted donations over $200 from executives, lobbyists, and PACs representing fossil fuel, food and agribusiness, and financial and insurance sector corporations. 

We must build on the principles outlined in the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, already signed by 54 members of Congress, which requires elected officials “not to take contributions over $200 from oil, gas, and coal industry executives, lobbyists, and PACs and instead prioritize the health of our families, climate, and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits.” Elected officials should similarly reject donations from food and agribusiness as well as and financial and insurance sector corporations.

Large food and agribusiness corporations, many of them virtual monopolies, have dominated food and agriculture policy to the detriment of family farmers, food chain workers, public health, and the environment. And without billions of dollars in support from Wall Street banks and insurance companies, fossil fuel companies and large agribusinesses would be unable to continue or expand activities that worsen climate change, harm communities, and result in human rights abuses.

The people of the United States are tired of their elected representatives sacrificing the health and well-being of people and the planet at the altar of corporate greed. The 2020 Democratic Party Platform rightfully asserts, “We will hold polluters and corporate executives accountable for intentionally hiding or distorting material information and for affecting the health and safety of workers and communities.” The House Democratic Caucus cannot credibly put these words into action if those in leadership and oversight positions take contributions from the polluters and profiteers they are supposed to hold to account. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

The tides are changing in support of fossil fuels.  More and more local municipalities are changing practices at the local level to plan for converting toward renewable energy resources rather than resorting to old fossil fuels.  Congress should act on the momentum and start thinking about a strategy for the individual states to transition toward renewable energy.

 

 

Ralph Nader: "Trump’s Massive, Lawless, and Immoral Legacy to Our Country Will Continue Unless …"

 

Photo: The New York Times

President Trump, then President-elect, campaigned in 2015 on the idea of 'draining the swamp.'  How has America fared over the last 3.5 years with this campaign slogan?  Americans have learned that President Donald J. Trump is possibly heading for the title of 'the most corrupt President in history.'  That is correct.  The United States Senate held hearings over the last few years regarding the corrupt behavior of the President of the United States.  How many hearings?  Too many.  

With that being said, former acting U.S. solicitor General Neal Katyal has said in a recent interview that President Trump's immunity as President expires in less than 60 days.  He will be a civilian and open to prosecution. President Trump has spent recent days trying to undo the inevitable.  The fact that he is going to be headed for the courtroom.  And rightfully so as we look back on his track record.

Not just looking back, but having to look toward the future.  Why? Because the Trump administration continues in the last few months to develop plans and protocols that will be dangerous for the United States in the future.  Ralph Nader wrote recently in his newsletter about corrupt behavior and the lasting effect looking forward to the United States:

Trump’s Massive, Lawless, and Immoral Legacy to Our Country Will Continue Unless …

 

Trump has gotten away with almost everything throughout his bankruptcy-driven business career and his corrupt, cruel, and costly political years in the White House. Things changed on November 3, when he was retired by the voters.

Refusing to concede, however, so as to prolong his crazed fantasies, Trump is distracting the mass media from his looting of the Executive Branch departments to the advantage of big business bosses and his failing family enterprises. Expect this to continue until January 20, 2021. (See my op-ed titled: “If Trump loses, expect him to exact revenge on his way out” Boston Globe, August 10, 2020).

Trump and his cronies will get away with their crime sprees unless Joe Biden has a Justice Department team that will follow the law and prosecute any government official who broke the law. In 2009, Barack Obama let law-breaking Wall Streeters and the Bush/Cheney war criminals become successful fugitives from justice.

Trump has inflicted lasting damage to our social morality and to the rule of law. Unfortunately, the destructive and uncontrollable momentum unleashed by Trump will not be easily reversed.

Trump’s unabashed verbal and physical abuses of women were widely publicized. Consider the repulsive example Trump sets for young boys and young men who see the president getting away with menacing machismo.

Trump boasts about paying very little income taxes. With declining corporate tax compliance in the country, exacerbated by his starving of the IRS enforcement budgets. Many of Trump’s supporters think his tax avoidance and evasions are cool and believe his actions are a model for emulation.

Trump’s relentless and baseless charges alleging massive election fraud are inflammatory and dangerous. Trump’s lies seriously undermine the public’s confidence in our vote-counting system, not just by his supporters, but by foes and friends abroad.

Trump’s erosion and subversion of the laws and the Constitution have lowered the bar for future presidents and their regimes. Chronic Presidential violations of the law preceded Trump (the Obama, Bush, and Clinton Administrations and other previous administrations before them), but Donald Trump took this Executive Branch’s lawlessness to new depths – both in open sight and under a cloak of government secrecy. Corruption, obstruction of justice, self-dealing, and mass giveaways to corporate crooks is a way of life at the lying Trump White House.

It is difficult to overestimate the continuing harm to our beleaguered democracy and its people, should Trump and his cohorts not be brought to justice. (See our new book, Wrecking America: How Trump’s Lawbreaking and Lies Betray All)

Trump’s assault on facts and truth is multiplied by his non-stop tweets to 70 million people and a dittohead media. Previous Presidents had a tiny bully-pulpit by comparison. Trump projects an image of getting away with stiffing everyone – his workers, consumers, and creditors, as a failed gambling czar, and the Congress, the IRS, and government investigators as President.

When the leader of the country, headlining the daily mass and social media throughout each day presents such a many-sided decadence and criminality, it can only accelerate a decaying culture and goad his supporters into believing that they too can get away with anything. Remember Trump said, “I have an Article II, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.”

A country-wide rebound, toward a wholesome, respectful, and steadfast America is more than the responsibility of just the political representatives who replace the Trumpsters. Ultimately, it must come from aroused civic communities that have historically saved and advanced our country.

Time will tell.  Historians will write correctly about the pre-Trump era along with the post-Trump era.  Students of history will study the strange four years of the Trump administration.  Additionally, the years (and events) leading up to the Trump administration.  They will ask and look for answers to the questions:

Why did President Trump win the 2016 election?

What did President Trump do to change democracy in the United States?

What did President Trump's administration change about Foreign Policy?

What did President Trump do to relationships with foreign leaders?

Time will tell.  Stay tuned.  

Infectious Disease Physicians Call Out Colleague for Misrepresentation of Science

 

Photo: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

Dr. Atlas made a grave mistake.  Why?  No one knows why any person would back up nonsensical assertions made by President Trump regarding the danger of gathering in large crowds.  Especially as the U.S.A approaches the favorite (for some Americans) holiday -- Thanksgiving Holiday.   Where families gather in large settings and have a wonderful meal.  

No one wants to ruin a holiday for any American.  Although, anyone's celebration ends where another person's safety is concerned.  Especially when a medical doctor speaks out in front of the Nation to avoid the rules (which are backed by science) that are in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. 

No one wants to be shunned for bad practices among their peer group.  Although, when the offense is spreading false news regarding science or practice, that is the appropriate consequence.  Infectious disease experts called out their colleague Dr. Atlas in an open letter shown below:

September 9, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As infectious diseases physicians and researchers, microbiologist and immunologists, epidemiologists and health policy leaders, we stand united in efforts to develop and promote science-based solutions that advance human health and prevent suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. In this pursuit, we share a commitment to a basic principle derived from the Hippocratic Oath: Primum Non Nocere (First, Do No Harm).

To prevent harm to the public’s health, we also have both a moral and an ethical responsibility to call attention to the falsehoods and misrepresentations of science recently fostered by Dr. Scott Atlas, a former Stanford Medical School colleague and current senior fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University. Many of his opinions and statements run counter to established science and, by doing so, undermine public-health authorities and the credible science that guides effective public health policy. The preponderance of data, accrued from around the world, currently supports each of the following statements:

● The use of face masks, social distancing, handwashing and hygiene have been shown to substantially reduce the spread of Covid-19. Crowded indoor spaces are settings that significantly increase the risk of community spread of SARS-CoV-2.

● Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 frequently occurs from asymptomatic people, including children and young adults, to family members and others. Therefore, testing asymptomatic individuals, especially those with probable Covid-19 exposure is important to break the chain of ongoing transmission.

● Children of all ages can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. While infection is less common in children than in adults, serious short-term and long-term consequences of Covid-19 are increasingly described in children and young people.

● The pandemic will be controlled when a large proportion of a population has developed immunity (referred to as herd immunity) and that the safest path to herd immunity is through deployment of rigorously evaluated, effective vaccines that have been approved by regulatory agencies.

● In contrast, encouraging herd immunity through unchecked community transmission is not a safe public health strategy. In fact, this approach would do the opposite, causing a significant increase in preventable cases, suffering and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, such as older individuals and essential workers.

Commitment to science-based decision-making is a fundamental obligation of public health policy. The rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the US, with consequent morbidity and mortality, are among the highest in the world. The policy response to this pandemic must reinforce the science, including that evidence-based prevention and the safe development, testing and delivery of efficacious therapies and preventive measures, including vaccines, represent the safest path forward. Failure to follow the science -- or deliberately misrepresenting the science – will lead to immense avoidable harm.

We believe that social and economic activity can reopen safely, if we follow policies that are consistent with science. In fact, the countries that have reopened businesses and schools safely are those that have implemented the science-based strategies outlined above.

As Stanford faculty with expertise in infectious diseases, epidemiology and health policy, our signatures support this statement with the hope that our voices affirm scientific, medical and public health approaches that promote the safety of our communities and nation.

As I mentioned above, no one wants to be shunned by their peer group.  Although, when the message runs counter to the accepted view (backed by data) by scientists and researchers across the world.  The damage that Dr. Atlas has done to the U.S.A. is not known at this time.  History will write about this incidence and bear out the statistics, which are a consequence of this tragic message.

Be safe.  Wear a mask.  Do not follow the terrible advice of the President of the United States.  Who is spreading misinformation not backed by science.  We are under threat by our own leader.  It is more important than ever that citizens listen to doctors on the front lines fighting COVID-19.  Further, the vaccine is under inspection now by clinical trial officials.  Hopefully, that vaccine will be produced and distributed equitably and promptly soon.  Stay tuned.

Related Blog Posts:

Residents of South Dakota are still in Denial of COVID-19 reality??

What is the status of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment?

Former White House Task Force Aide: CDC Guidance Was Watered Down to Align With President Trump's Message

COVID-19 Vaccine by November? Yeah right!

President Trump Attempts To Discredit Science and 'Blue States'

The American People Do Not Like Liars - Politicians Take Note!

COVID-19 Vaccine Update from Dr. Bright

 

Photo:  NBC News

Dr. Rich Bright, a former Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, is back in front of cameras rallying for support/preparedness of the potential roll-out of the vaccine for the COVID-19 virus.  The office is part of the Health and Human Services but charged with assessment and preparedness against chemical/biological threats to the United States.  Back in May of 2020, Dr. Bright was fired by the Trump administration for a whistleblowing offense.  What was the offense?

At the time, under Dr. Bright's observation, the Trump administration was nowhere near any point of preparedness to handle the production and distribution of a COVID-19 virus vaccine.  In fact, the Trump administration was acting like an ostrich and putting their heads in the sand.  Avoid the inevitable rather than face production and distribution.  For the warning to the public, Dr. Bright was fired.

With the election over and the lack of communication between an outgoing administration (Trump administration) and the incoming administration (Biden administration), the potential lingering problem will be kicked down the road.  Resulting in more unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths.

News this week with two promising COVID-19 vaccines emerged.  MSNBC's Willy Geist interviewed Dr. Bright about the developments (trial data/results) in the video below (6 minutes in length):

The most important takeaway news from the video above was the lack of communication between administrations regarding the production/distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.  This is frightening.  With around 25 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in existence today, the following questions remain to be answered:

1) How to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine?

2) How to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine equitably?

3) Who gets the first round of vaccine doses?

4) How to transport and store the COVID-19 vaccine safely without destruction?

The last question might seem trivial.  When in fact, the last question is the most important question of all.  The COVID-19 vaccine has to be stored at a very cold temperature.  Otherwise, the vaccine will be rendered unusable (i.e., ineffective).  How cold?

The type of freezer that is required is shown below from ThermoFisher:

Photo: ThermoFisher

The freezer shown above is just one of many many many that will be needed across the United States in the coming months to store and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.  The alternative is to pack the vaccine under dry ice.  More about that in a future post.  In the near future, I will write a dimensional analysis blog post about the required space.

For the time being, the questions above can serve as a table discussion for those having small gatherings at next week's traditional Turkey Holiday.  Have a great weekend.

Related Blog Posts:

Residents of South Dakota are still in Denial of COVID-19 reality??

What is the status of a COVID-19 vaccine or treatment?

Former White House Task Force Aide: CDC Guidance Was Watered Down to Align With President Trump's Message

COVID-19 Vaccine by November? Yeah right!

President Trump Attempts To Discredit Science and 'Blue States'

the American People Do Not Like Liars - Politicians Take Note!

Residents of South Dakota are still in Denial of COVID-19 reality??

 

Photo: CDC

After a nation experiences 246,000 deaths, how can the myth still exist that COVID-19 still is a hoax?  Residents of South Dakota are entering the emergency room on their way to another world upstairs upon death.  The emergency room, for some patients, is the last step before death.  And given that reality, patients in record numbers still want to believe that the diagnosis is not COVID-19 related.  Really?

As one nurse who works the front lines in a small town hospital in South Dakota notes that as oxygen levels (assistance) rise, patients are still inclined to believe that the diagnosis is lung cancer rather than COVID-19.  That to me is absolutely stunning.  But that is the reality.

In the CNN interview below (8 minutes in length), news anchor Alisyn Camerota interviews nurse Jodi Doering about what she is seeing on the fronts lines of the emergency room in South Dakota:

Deaths of around 683 are occurring and the town in which the nurse is living has a total population of 650 people.  That means out of town residents are seeking help and dying in her hospital.  

The reality of COVID-19 is real.  Whether people around the world wake up to that fact is the question of the day?

Here is another interview with doctors from an I.C.U. -- intensive care unit -- sharing their observations in the video below:

In the video above, the example from Utah is an astounding one.  The statistics indicate that there is a second-round where the first round was mitigated due to shutdown procedures.  Now, in a state where the average amount of COVID-19 cases per day was around 700 -- has been elevated to around 3000 cases per day.  What?

Not to mention, the reality that during the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 7 months, many Americans have stayed home during pandemic to avoid exposure. Now, the health problems which are now compounded by stress and avoidance of the hospital during the pandemic, hospitals are not able to handle the added medical needs of the residents of the state.

This is sad.  The time has come to accept the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The situation in hospitals is dire compared to what is seen in the grocery store.  To see the community members not wearing masks and avoiding exposure of COVID-19 is a kick in the face to these front line heroes.  Wake up America.  COVID-19 is a reality.

 

Anderson Cooper: "Trump's outrage doesn't matter. Here's what does"

 

Photo: USA Today

Today's Blog Post is going to be short.  I mean short.  Here is a video worth watching (7 minutes in length) about the current state of affairs with President Trump's inability to concede and the election results.  The video is from CNN Journalist Anderson Cooper:

Wow!  

Ralph Nader: "Apart From Defeating Trump, Why Did The Democrats Have A Bad Election Day?"

 

Photo: NPR

We are almost two weeks past the possibly most divisive election in the history of the United States.  Our country is still divided greatly.  History books will be written about the current time after the election.  Iconic activist Ralph Nader has written his analysis in a newsletter recently -- that is shown below:

Apart From Defeating Trump, Why Did The Democrats Have A Bad Election Day?

Apart from barely squeezing through the swing states to defeat corrupt, incompetent, lying, corporatist Donald Trump, the Democratic Party had a bad election.

Loaded with nearly twice as much money as the Republican Party, the Democratic Party showed that weak candidates with no robust agendas for people where they live, work, and raise their families, is a losing formula. And lose they did against the worst, cruelest, ignorant, lawbreaking, reality-denying GOP in its 166-year history.

The Democrats failed to win the Senate, despite nearly having twice the number of Senators up for re-election than the Republicans. In addition, the Democratic Party lost seats in the House of Representatives. The Democrats did not flip a single Republican state legislature, leaving the GOP to again gerrymander Congressional and state legislative districts for the next decade!

Will all this lead to serious introspection by the Democratic Party? Don’t bet on it. The GOP tried to learn from their losses in 2012, which led to their big rebound. Already, the Democratic Party is looking for scapegoats, like third party candidates.

Will the leaders of these inexcusable defeats – Senator Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – explain how this happened? Will they take some responsibility and tell the American people why they let their profiteering media consultants spend so much money on tepid, low-impact TV ads at the expense of a massive ground game to give voters personal reasons to get themselves out to vote, beyond Trump? A third of all eligible voters stayed home. Could part of the problem be the 15% commission the consultants receive from TV ad revenues as compared to zero commissions from ground game expenditures?

Can the corporate Democratic leaders respond to inquiries by progressives and the sidelined primary voters of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren? Can they respond to why the living wage, the corporate crime wave, and the GOP blocked stimulus/relief package passed by the Democrats in May (including a $600 a week extension for tens of millions of desperate workers and critical aid to local agencies overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic) were not prominently front and center? Also, why did the Democrats refuse to campaign for full Medicare for All, supported by 70 percent of the American people? The Democrats, as pointed out by political media specialist, Bill Hillsman, did not speak directly to white, blue-collar workers who deserted Hillary Clinton for Donald Trump in 2016.

Moreover, the Democratic Party has a long-standing problem with authenticity. Rhetoric for a large infrastructure jobs program paid for by repealing corporate tax cuts and loopholes is seen as a throwaway line by many voters. Democrats should have explained, at the local level, how determination and integrity could shape the upgrading of our schools, clinics, roads, mass transit systems, waterworks, and other public services, with good-paying jobs.

Meanwhile, the Trumpsters showed their ferocious energy for wannabe, ego-obsessed, dictatorial Donald with more rallies, signs, and door-to-door contacts. The Democrats misread the faulty polls again thinking that the projected huge turnouts were primarily their voters and not also the Trump voters who turned out in greater numbers as well.

Too many Democratic operatives treat Trump with derision and mockery, instead of stressing how his daily lawlessness and serial violations of the Constitution have dismantled the protections for the people and turned the government over to big business to do and grab whatever they want.

Trump openly commits federal crimes (e.g. The Hatch Act, the Anti-Deficiency Act) using federal property, including the White House, for his campaign, spending money illegally, while brazenly defying over a hundred investigative subpoenas from the House of Representatives.

Yet, neither Biden and Obama nor the Democratic Party made these corrupt forms of obstruction of justice, front and center issues. They even ignored Trump’s past criminal assaults of women, whom he has repeatedly degraded.

These many missed, obvious opportunities have consequences. Don’t Trump voters and their families also suffer from frozen minimum wages, from the absence of adequate or any health insurance, from those sky-high drug prices that Trump failed to reduce? He put more toxins in the air and water and allowed more dangerous workplaces. Trump calls endangering people and the planet “deregulation” but what he was really doing is rewarding his corporate paymasters.

Trump just pushes many more buttons than do the Democrats. Why don’t the Democrats promote more unions, more consumer cooperatives, more campaign finance reforms, and more known ways to empower the people directly?

Of course, the Democrats would never argue that the American people, not corporations, should CONTROL what they already OWN such as the public lands, the public airwaves, and the shareholding mutual and pension funds investing their money. The Democrats never even think to demand that U.S. taxpayers get a direct return for trillions of dollars of government research and development that have subsidized the growth of modern industries (from aerospace to computers to agribusiness, biotech, pharma, and more).

While Trump incites street violence and then cries loudly for “law and order,” the Democrats don’t throwback “law and order” for violent, polluting corporate crooks who cheat and harm children, consumers, workers, and communities, as well as rip off government programs like Medicare. Trump has gotten away with defunding the federal corporate crime police big time. Never will the Democrats go after Trump for the bloated, runaway, unaudited military budget and its Empire that are devouring necessities here at home.

The House Democrats refused to keep multiple impeachment pressure (apart from the Ukraine matter) on the Republicans. A national TV audience of the Senate dealing with a dozen of Trump’s impeachable offenses would give even the most ardent Trump supporters pause. (See December 18, 2019, Congressional Record, H-12197).

The Democrats let Trump and his lawless Attorney General William Barr get away with all his corrupt, criminal, and unconstitutional actions, which have turned the White House into an ongoing crime scene. And, despite this “rap sheet” Trump came close to winning the Electoral College for a second term!

Next time, the rulers of the Democratic Party should listen to civic groups and advocates and not be so smug and incommunicado. As an example, I’ll refer you to my Eleven Suggestions for turning out the vote, with popular mandates, available to everyone in whole and in part for weeks (See also my latest op-ed in the Louisville Courier-Journal, October 27, 2020).

Now let’s see how many rollbacks and repeals Biden will quickly institute to stop Trump’s devastations and usher in a truly progressive, majoritarian set of long-overdue policies.

Ralph Nader is a consumer advocate and author of many public policy books, including the just published, Wrecking America: How Trump’s Lawbreaking and Lies Betray All.

I am sure that there will be loads of more commentary to come in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned!