NEW THINGS

With the coronavirus pandemic threatening the Postal Service’s financial viability, a rescue for America’s favorite agency has become a political battle.

The Post Office is threatened by Republican accounting rules.

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – May 10, 2020

Tony Wikrent at Ian Welsh - 4 hours ago

Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – May 10, 2020 by Tony Wikrent The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them [ErinBromage, via Mike Norman Economics 5-8-20] We know most people get infected in their own home. A household member contracts the virus in the community and brings it into the house where sustained contact between […]

COVID-19 is just a side issue.

The failure to pay the "rent" will destroy the world economy.

It is bankruptcy without the discharge of debts.

Debtors prison does not need walls.

May 9th US Covid Data

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 4 hours ago

Our benefactor writes: The seven-day average for new cases is about to dip below 25,000 per day. The seven-day average for deaths has been below 2,000 per day for.one week. Both are relatively good news and a reflection that the vast majority of people in this country are still taking this quite seriously. The results […]

The U.S. mortality rate remains 6.0%.

https://www.ianwelsh.net/may-10th-us-covid-data/

No change.

Democrats’ Vote-By-Mail Effort Won in Wisconsin: Will It Work Elsewhere?

Reid J. Epstein at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

After winning by a surprising margin in a key Wisconsin judicial race, Democrats are hoping they can replicate the same game plan.

The Democratic party won in Wisconsin.

Vote by mail failed.

For Michael Flynn, Dropped Charges Latest in Life Full of Reversals

Sharon LaFraniere and Julian E. Barnes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

For most of his life, Michael Flynn has swung from being “a good soldier” to an agent of disruption.

Propaganda works on the propagandists.

Whistle-Blower Exposes Infighting and Animus in Trump’s Coronavirus Response

Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Sharon LaFraniere, Michael D. Shear and Ben Protess at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The allegations suggest personal clashes influenced how the administration responded to the pandemic.

No surprise.

U.S. Hits Back at China With New Visa Restrictions on Journalists

Vivian Wang and Edward Wong at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The Trump administration is imposing 90-day limits on work visas for Chinese journalists, raising the threat of further retaliation by the Chinese government.

Trump wants a war.

George Orwell got it right.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four

Big Brother is watching.

Obama Criticizes Trump Administration in Private Call With Allies

Glenn Thrush and Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Speaking to 3,000 supporters, the former president took a sharper line toward the Trump administration than he typically does in public.

The choir needs to know.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choir

Sister Fights to Free Uighur Businessman Held in China After U.S. Trip

Edward Wong at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Ekpar Asat came to the United States for the State Department’s most prestigious program for foreign citizens. Chinese security officers detained him weeks after he returned home.

The PRC blames its minorities.

Anxious About the Virus, Older Voters Grow More Wary of Trump

Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Surveys show the president’s standing with seniors, the group most vulnerable to the coronavirus, has fallen as he pushes to reopen the country.

Early death is not interesting.

Nightly Applause Is Nice, but Some Doctors Think Votes Would Be Nicer

Emma Goldberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

“My day job is talking people into getting colonoscopies,” one doctor said. So how much harder could the campaign trail be?

Surgeons have dealt with caualties from their beginning.

For internists this is new.

Fight Over Virus’s Death Toll Opens Grim New Front in Election Battle

Matthew Rosenberg and Jim Rutenberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Elements of the right have sought to bolster President Trump’s political standing by turning scientific questions into political issues.

Above average deaths are an insurance question.

Open Thread

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 day ago

Feel free to use the comments to this post to discuss topics unrelated to recent posts.

Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.

Two White House Coronavirus Cases Raise Question of if Anyone Is Really Safe

Peter Baker and Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

If it is so hard to maintain a healthy environment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, then how can businesses across the country establish a safe space for their workers?

No one is safe.

Dropping of Michael Flynn Case Heightens Fear of Justice Dept. Politicization

Katie Benner and Charlie Savage at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Across the country, rank-and-file prosecutors cringed at another extraordinary intervention by Attorney General William P. Barr.

The Justice Department is politicised.

In Michael Flynn Case, William Barr Again Takes Aim at Robert Mueller Inquiry

Mark Mazzetti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

The Justice Department’s move was the latest example of the attorney general’s effort to chisel away at the special counsel investigation and emphasize an alternate narrative.

Robert Mueller is competent.

In Court Document, Tara Reade’s Ex-Husband Said She Spoke of Harassment

Stephanie Saul and Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Ms. Reade’s former husband said she spoke of a sexual harassment problem she had when working in Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Senate office. Mr. Biden has denied her allegation of sexual assault.

Hearsay is not sufficient.

California to Mail All Voters Ballots for November Election

Nick Corasaniti and Jennifer Medina at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday made California the first state to alter its plans for the general election in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gavin Newsom may succeed.

It will be better if he does.

Michael Pack: Trump Pushes for Senate to Confirm Conservative to Run Voice of America

Catie Edmondson and Edward Wong at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

A key Senate committee has scheduled a vote on the long-stalled nomination of Michael Pack, an ally of Stephen K. Bannon, to run the agency in charge of the Voice of America. Employees are worried.

The VOA claims to broadcast truth.

It is not heard in the U.S.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

@15:00, , 5/8/20

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May 8th US Covid Data

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 hour ago

Our benefactor writes: We inexorably climb to 80,000 deaths. The lack of broad testing just results in the mortality rate continuing to go up. The number of cases is totally under-counted. The results of the work I do, like this article, are free, but food isn’t, so if you value my work, please DONATE or […]

The mortality rate remains 6.0%

Trump Praises Barr for Dropping Charges Against Flynn

Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 hour ago

In a Fox News Channel interview, Mr. Trump also angrily revived grievances about special counsel Robert S. Mueller III and promised a swift economic rebound.

Trump owns Barr. I will hold my nose and vote for Biden.

Trump wants "Hand Maids".

In Court Document, Tara Reade’s Ex-Husband Said She Spoke of Harassment

Stephanie Saul and Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

Ms. Reade’s former husband said she spoke of a sexual harassment problem she had when working in Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Senate office. Mr. Biden has denied her allegation of sexual assault.

Helping Trump does not help women.

Killing flies with a sledge.

Is U.S. Looking for Latest Exit from Global Alliances? Funding Freeze Stokes Concern

Lara Jakes at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

The State Department insists the Trump administration is at the fore of the global response to the coronavirus, but worries persist about an American retrenchment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism

Mercantilism is considered a failure.

The Government Is Ready to Reopen. Its Citizens Aren’t, Polls Show.

Giovanni Russonello at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Americans remain wary of the coronavirus’s threat, and are worried about going back to work too soon. But that doesn’t mean they’re not hurting.

Killing the wise is not yet worth the short term gain.

Farming and herding are not social enterprises.

Cities were and are again population sinks.

Trump Says He’s ‘Torn’ on China Deal as Advisers Signal Harmony on Trade

Ana Swanson and Keith Bradsher at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

The president’s comments, coming just hours after advisers said the agreement was on track, indicate an increasingly unstable relationship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasties_in_Chinese_history

Trump thirsts for the Qing succession.

2020 Republican National Convention in North Carolina: Full Steam Ahead for Trump?

Trip Gabriel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

The president craves a nationally televised coronation with cheering supporters, but even Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are expressing doubts it can take place as planned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Rally

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_of_the_Will

‘Never Seen Anything Like This’: Experts Question Dropping of Flynn Prosecution

Charlie Savage at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

Abandoning the case is the latest step in a pattern of dismantling the work of the Russia investigators. A former prosecutor likened it to eating the department from the inside out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_trials

Most of the convictions at the Nuremberg trials were voided by

anti-communists.

White House Rattled by a Military Aide’s Positive Coronavirus Test

Michael Crowley and Michael D. Shear at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

President Trump said he and Vice President Mike Pence, as well as the White House staff, would now be tested on a daily basis.

Trump lives in a bubble.

Postal Service Pick With Ties to Trump Raises Concerns Ahead of 2020 Election

Alan Rappeport at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

The growing appetite for mail-in voting is adding to worries about the selection of a Republican fund-raiser and Trump donor to be the postmaster general.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Postal_Service

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamps_and_postal_history_of_the_United_States

#Post_offices_and_postmarks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Postmaster_General

Screenings Were Porous as Trump Spurred Exodus From Virus Hot Spots

Zolan Kanno-Youngs at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

A House report found that Americans fleeing Asia and Europe to beat the president’s travel bans faced few temperature checks or other rigorous screenings to see if they were bringing the virus home.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_testing

The timeline is part of the facts.

Fact Checking President Trump on Coronavirus Pandemic

Linda Qiu at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

The president has served up a series of false and misleading statements as he seeks to counter uncomfortable facts about the spread of Covid-19 and questions about his push to reopen the economy.

Donald Trump does not believe in facts.

The New Culture War

Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 19 hours ago

You’re either a liberal snowflake controlled by big government or a greedy conservative willing to sacrifice Grandma for the economy. It took less than two months for Americans to get here.

A pandemic is not a panic.

Confusion will kill.

Tara Reade Says Joe Biden Should Withdraw From Presidential Race

Sydney Ember and Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Ms. Reade, who has accused Joseph R. Biden Jr. of sexual assault, said he “should not be running on character.” Mr. Biden has denied the allegation.

The Democratic party should not change candidates now.
Tara Reade is suffering from bad timing, possible overreach,
and probable wishful thinking.

The debate will continue long after this general election.

15

Does the Coronavirus Task Force Even Matter for Trump?

David E. Sanger and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 21 hours ago

After saying he would phase out the group, the president now says he will keep it. But he has regularly ignored the information and guidance it has provided.

Trump believes in revelation.

16

White House Rejects C.D.C.’s Coronavirus Reopening Plan

Abby Goodnough and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

Detailed guidelines for reopening drafted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were blocked from publication after Trump administration officials labeled them “overly prescriptive.”

Donald Trump believes in personal revelation.

17

White House Blocks C.D.C.'s Coronavirus Reopening Guidelines

Abby Goodnough and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

Trump’s Pick to Lead Navy Assails Past Leaders and Promises Change

Eric Schmitt at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

Kenneth J. Braithwaite, a retired admiral nominated to be the Navy secretary, cited poor leadership in the service’s handling of recent scandals and accidents.

The Navy must not overtrump Truth.

19

U.S. Drops Michael Flynn Case, in Move Backed by Trump

Adam Goldman and Katie Benner at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

The extraordinary move came after Mr. Flynn, the former national security adviser, fought the case in court for months, a reversal after pleading guilty twice and cooperating with investigators.

It does not stink as much as a presidential pardon.

20

Failing to Override a Veto, Senate Falls Short of Curbing Trump’s Iran War Powers

Catie Edmondson at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

Trump should not get his war of choice with Iran.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

@23:33, , 5/6/20

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1

Trump Vetoes Measure Demanding Congressional Approval for Iran Conflict

Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 minutes ago

The president said the resolution was an “insulting” move to limit his powers as commander in chief.

Read Trump the U.S. constitution.
Congress can pass such a resolution.
His veto can be overridden.

2

Trump’s New Message: Time to Move On to the Economic Recovery

Peter Baker at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

The president’s cure-can’t-be-worse-than-the-disease logic is clear: As bad as the virus may be, the cost of the virtual national lockdown has grown too high.

Trump does not have the required power.

3

‘I’m Sure for American Women, This Is Frustrating’

Lisa Lerer at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

We spoke to the chief executive of Time’s Up about Joe Biden, Tara Reade and what this moment says about how the country thinks about sexual misconduct.

Biden is the presumptive candidate we have.

4

Small Businesses Counting on Loan Forgiveness Could Be Stuck With Debt

Alan Rappeport and Emily Flitter at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Business owners who took out loans under the Paycheck Protection Program thought converting them to grants would be easy. It’s not.

The Trump administration gives money to rich Republicans.

5

Online Retailers Spend Millions on Ads Backing Postal Service Bailout

Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

The coalition, which includes Amazon, plans to pour $2 million into ads opposing President Trump’s call for higher package delivery rates and pressing for Congress to help the service.

The postal service is an agency of the federal government.

6

As Hunger Swells, Food Stamps Become a Partisan Flash Point

Jason DeParle at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

Democrats are seeking to raise benefits as research shows a rise in food insecurity without modern precedent amid the pandemic. But Republicans have balked at a long-term expansion of the program.

The supply chain is breaking down. Soon former wage earners will begin to starve.

7

Supreme Court Divided Over Obamacare’s Contraceptive Mandate

Adam Liptak at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

The justices considered whether the Trump administration may allow employers to refuse to provide free insurance coverage for birth control on religious or moral grounds.

Religion and its police function morality are individual choices.
Government is a social choice.
Each child is an individual woman's choice.

8

‘Becoming’ Review: Michelle Obama’s Lesson in Staying on Script

Lovia Gyarkye at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

This Netflix documentary shows a familiar, albeit more carefree, former first lady.

I am still learning.

9

Coronavirus Masks and Testing Kits: Firm Set Up by G.O.P. Operatives Under Scrutiny

Kenneth P. Vogel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

Blue Flame Medical boasted that it could acquire masks, testing kits and other equipment to respond to the pandemic. State and local governments paid up — and are still waiting for delivery.

Failure to deliver on contracts is bankruptcy.

10

Firm Set Up by G.O.P. Operatives Under Scrutiny Over Virus Contracts

Kenneth P. Vogel at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 9 hours ago

May 6th US Covid Data

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 10 hours ago

Our benefactor writes: We’ve crossed 70,000 deaths. The spate of re-openings will likely lead to an increase of new cases and deaths over the next month. This is forecast by U.S. leadership, even as they proceed. Those of us in sane states should proceed with extreme caution. I ran the numbers on the states to
[…]

The mortality rate was 5.9% yesterday.

https://www.ianwelsh.net/may-7th-us-covid-data/

The mortality rate is 6.0% today.

12

Biden Leads Trump in First Poll to Address Sexual Assault Allegation

Giovanni Russonello and Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

In the first national survey asking voters about the allegations, Joe Biden widened his lead over President Trump in a head-to-head matchup that has continued to grow in the last couple of months.

Doubt is not rejection for rational people.

13

Betsy DeVos Completes Sexual Assault Rules

Erica L. Green at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos released final regulations for schools dealing with sexual misconduct, giving them the force of law for the first time and bolstering due-process rights.

"Words fail me.
Stand by for gestures!"

14

Obama Says G.O.P.’s Biden Inquiry Promotes ‘Russian Disinformation’

Reid J. Epstein at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 10 hours ago

The letter came in response to a November request from two Republican senators seeking Obama administration meeting records related to Ukrainian officials.

Obama is probably correct.
The Trump administration

15

On Politics: Dissolving the Coronavirus Task Force

Giovanni Russonello at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

Questions about the role of science in the federal response: This is your morning tip sheet.

I am told that the Coronavirus task force will not disolve.

Trump does not know how to get out.

16

Trump Pushes Young Republicans Away. Abortion Pulls Them Back.

Maggie Astor at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

On everything from climate change to marijuana, the generational divide that is evident among Democrats is no less present on the other side of the aisle. It’s just less visible.

Children learn to dissemble and hide.

17

Loeffler Got Lucrative Parting Gift From Public Company en Route to the Senate

Nicholas Fandos and David Enrich at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 17 hours ago

The parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, which her husband runs, changed compensation terms to give Kelly Loeffler, a top executive, awards worth millions of dollars as she left for Congress.

"An honest politician stays bought"

18

The Dunning-Kruger Affect

Eric Anderson at Ian Welsh - 17 hours ago

Affect: noun (a-fekt): a set of observable manifestations of a subjectively experienced emotion. Benjamin Franklin popularized the phrase “time is money” circa 1748 in his essay “Advice to a Young Tradesman.” Never since have so few words of advice been accepted so wholeheartedly, while simultaneously being so pervasively destructive. You see, Ben embodied what once […]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

I can make no counter argument.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How Kushner’s Volunteer Force Led a Fumbling Hunt for Medical Supplies

Nicholas Confessore, Andrew Jacobs, Jodi Kantor, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Luis Ferré-Sadurní at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 23 hours ago

Young, inexperienced workers scrambled to sort through tips on equipment desperately needed to fight the coronavirus while warehouses ran bare and doctors made their own gear.

There were no uncommitted U.S. suppliers.
They were conned.

20

Who is Rick Bright? The Coronavirus Whistle-Blower Who Said The Trump Administration Steered Contracts to Cronies

Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago

Rick Bright, the ousted chief of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency, said he was pressured to steer millions of dollars to the clients of a well-connected consultant.

Rick Bright is shafted.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

@23:55, , 5/5/20

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How Kushner’s Volunteer Force Led a Fumbling Hunt for Medical Supplies

Nicholas Confessore, Andrew Jacobs, Jodi Kantor, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Luis Ferré-Sadurní at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 14 minutes ago

Roughly a dozen young, inexperienced workers were assembled to sort through tips on masks, gloves and other equipment. Warehouses were running bare, and doctors fighting the coronavirus were forced to make their own protective gear.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/us/coronavirus-updates.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graft_(politics)

Who is Rick Bright? The Coronavirus Whistle-Blower Who Said The Trump Administration Steered Contracts to Cronies

Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 2 hours ago

Rick Bright, the ousted chief of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency, said he was pressured to steer millions of dollars to the clients of a well-connected consultant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graft_(politics)

New York Must Hold Democratic Presidential Primary, Judge Rules

Matt Stevens and Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The primary in June, which had been canceled over concerns about the coronavirus, should still be held, with all qualifying candidates restored to the ballot, a federal judge ruled.

Others might not remember:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Yang

Andrew Yang is behaving like a Republican.

Administration to Phase Out Coronavirus Task Force

Noah Weiland, Maggie Haberman and David E. Sanger at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The group had provided President Trump a backdrop for his daily briefings while working to coordinate the government response to the pandemic.

Trump has walked this back.

Zoom (Money) Bombing

Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Confined to their basements and mansions, politicians and donors take the dollar dance online.

"Money Talks; nobody walks"

Trump Gives Phoenix Mask Factory Visit a Campaign Feel

Michael Crowley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

One of the president’s last “Keep America Great” campaign rallies before the virus largely halted his travel was on Feb. 19 in Arizona.

That is what Trump does.

Virus Whistle-Blower Says Trump Administration Steered Contracts to Cronies

Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Rick Bright, the ousted chief of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency, said he was pressured to steer millions of dollars to the clients of a well-connected consultant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graft_(politics)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/politics/rick-bright-coronavirus-whistleblower.html

Trump’s Inspector General Pick Vows Independence From the White House

Alan Rappeport at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Brian D. Miller, the White House lawyer tapped to oversee the Treasury Department’s $500 billion bailout, said he would not be influenced by political pressure.

The lie is the price of the job.

Senators Descend on Quiet Capitol, Sacrificing Pomp for Safety’s Sake

Emily Cochrane at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

With the Senate back in session, masked lawmakers, hushed corridors and socially distanced news conferences and hearings gave an eerie feel to the Capitol Hill routine.

A quorum call is always in order.

A series can keep the Republicans in the chamber all day.

Pair Is Arrested on First Fraud Charges Tied to Small-Business Loan Program

Katie Benner at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

The case against two men from New England is part of the Justice Department’s effort to fight crimes related to the coronavirus.

The program was created for thieves.

A $5 Billion Proposal to Fight Online Child Sexual Abuse

Michael H. Keller at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

New legislation would try to curb the illegal imagery with record levels of funding for law enforcement. The bill, coming in response to a Times investigation, also calls for a new oversight position in the White House.

Secret police are inexcusable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZdaQQBZ3as

Trump Eyes New Tax Cuts for Next Stimulus Package

Jim Tankersley at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

The president and his advisers are mulling a variety of deductions and rate cuts meant to help businesses, workers and investors, setting up a clash with Democrats.

Trump does not learn.

Coronavirus Concerns Flare Up Again on Stricken Carrier Roosevelt

Thomas Gibbons-Neff, John Ismay, Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

For the second time in about a month, some crew members are sounding alarms aboard the Theodore Roosevelt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_on_USS_Theodore_Roosevelt

By the incubation time the infection happened at Guam.

Judge Justin Walker Faces Scrutiny in Bid for Seat on Powerful Appeals Court

Elizabeth Williamson and Rebecca R. Ruiz at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 8 hours ago

No stranger to partisan warfare at 37, Judge Justin Walker will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is considering him for a seat on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

The Trump administration has not learned.

May 5th US Covid Data

Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 12 hours ago

So, multiple states are moving to reopen, despite not having crushed their curves. In about 2 weeks after reopening that will show up in cases, in about 4 weeks in deaths. As I suggested April 21st, this means that states which have or are dealing with Covid responsibly will have to move to border controls, […]

The mortality rate was 5.8%.

On Politics: What Reopening Really Means

Giovanni Russonello at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 15 hours ago

A grim government projection as deaths rise and economies restart: This is your morning tip sheet.

Trump does not care if he kills people in his quest for power.

Republican Senate Panel Signals Support for John Ratcliffe as Intelligence Chief

Julian E. Barnes and Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

His confirmation hearing was the first to employ social distancing rules for senators since the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

There is a need for an intelligence chief who will "speak truth to power".

Will Americans Lose Their Right to Vote in the Pandemic?

Emily Bazelon at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

The safest way to cast a ballot will very likely be by mail. But with opposition from the president, limited funding and time running out, will that option be available?

The option for an absentee ballot has always been available.

A Bitter Battle for a California House Seat Unfolds in Quarantine

Jennifer Medina at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

A special election offers a preview of November: President Trump has waded in. Uncertainty surrounds vote-by-mail. Doubts have been sown about the election’s integrity.

Voters should not be given orders.

Coronavirus Exposes a G.O.P. Divide: Is the Market Always Supreme?

Jeremy W. Peters at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 18 hours ago

A growing push by lawmakers and policy experts on the right is challenging some of the small-government, free-market tenets at the heart of the Republican Party’s agenda.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Innovator%27s_Dilemma

The GOP has not read the book.

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