230 Comments

HCR, you said the magic words that made my day: "forensic accountants." Although one has to admire, in a certain way, the utter chutzpah of Murdering Mitch and his Malevolent Minions in refusing to vote for additional payments but making it possible for the two lame-arses running on the "No Party of Lincoln Here" ticket in Georgia to claim they "support" it, I am desperately hoping that it doesn't work. Flipping the Senate--and then actually retaining control over it through re-education of the populace and undercutting the propaganda sewer that is Fox News--is to me the most important political happening of the next two weeks. It is interesting that Murdoch is abandoning the Cheeto as well, at least according to his headlines in the NYPost.

Something else that is of interest to me: the fact that domestic white terrorism has been popping up this year in numerous places but has been and continues to be significantly under-reported: not just the Nashville Bomber, who, according NPR this morning, had been reported numerous times to the police but was not investigated, but also shopping malls, bowling alleys, etc. have experienced upticks in white male violence resulting in death. These have been buried in the news, but there is a truly scary Wikipedia page that lists all the mass shootings in the US in 2020, many of which are connected to violence against (female) spouses and children. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2020

The fact is that if the shooter is a white male, and doesn't die in the process of his killing spree, he gets a level of consideration and "respect" that never occurs when a Black person is alleged to have been the perpetrator--or, indeed, the Black person is seen coming out of a garage, walking down a street, coming to the door of his own house, in her own back garden . . . I don't know the solution to this problem except perhaps hypnosis therapy, because anti-bias training seems to have no effect on most white men and women. But the dying screams of the patriarchy can be seen in these white male terrorists' activities and they are aided and abetted by a policing system that seems to sympathize with them.

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Thank you, Linda, for this summary of my thoughts about the reported and under-reported news. No need for my input!! Except to say, that I can only hope that the people of GA recognize good vs. evil in their candidates, and understand what it means to all of us in their country to get out once more and vote. 🙏🏻 BidenHarris need a Democratic Senate. There’s so much damage to undo. So much systemic change to implement. ❤️🤍💙🤞🏻

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Deborah, some us here in GA do recognise good vs evil, but Republicans have for so long had such an iron-clad grip on power here it is not easy to make inroads into their control. The ads by Loeffler and Perdue that we are literally saturated with day & night here are SO full of lies and false assertions, not to mention textbook fear-mongering, it is no wonder so many of their faithful are swallowing it all hook, line, and sinker. I'm still uneasy about it all and fear they will hold on to power, but just barely. In any event, it will most assuredly be a close contest, which probably means one candidate or the other contesting the results. This could go on a while. I'll most likely be sweating bullets, along with the rest of the country, while we're all being treated to a sh!tshow in Congress on Jan. 6th. 2021 could be off to a rocky start.

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May your bullets be quickly laid to rest.

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I have to say that your expression, "dying screams of the patriarchy", put a grin on my face.

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Many people believe these white terrorist actions are really a civil war happening before our eyes and like you said...under reported or no one is connecting the dots.

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Anyone able to connect the dots is either part of the solution or actively exacerbating the problem.

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Missing family and friends after nearly ten months of being very careful, we older folks need a stimulus of patience in addition to the promise of a vaccination somewhere down the line. I have days when being patient and careful come easily as I look ahead to normalcy with a new president and relief from this virus later in 2021, hoping I have several good years ahead. Then come days when I'm so very weary of this president and his failures on all levels, the relentlessness of Covid, the wide gap between American political camps, that I'm glad I'm nearer the end of my life than the beginning.

Today, I'm hopeful that a President Biden and a competent, caring Administration can help us dig out of this health care hole. Patience rules the day.

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Dave, as an older person, I too experience the same emotional rollercoaster. I am a solo elder, by choice, but having very limited human contact and no touch or hugs for 10 months, is very hard going. Everyday I pray for the transition of power on January 20th.

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HUGS!

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Hugs, Great big slobbery huge hugs.

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I relished the days when I worked remotely. I could do that again! I’m not a youngin’ anymore but not at great enough risk to teach virtual. Around approximately 500 kids a week! But no hugging, or even high fives. The one I miss? I miss my daughter! Haven’t seen her in a year. I need patience and Covid vaccine, as well!

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I agree Dave. I am also older and glad to be there. I have hope that Biden and his administration can start to turn things around, but it is going to be a monumental task. In the meantime, I intend to continue caution even after I have the vaccination. I am an introvert which helps, but I would really love to see family and friends just for a meal.

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I, too, go up-and-down more frequently than I used to. A stimulus of patience, for sure.

Hugs to you, Dave.

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Yup. Getting harder to be good.

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((Hugs)) to all!

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I think Mitch has controlled the Republican caucus in the Senate from the getgo. It's been a mutual enabling relationship until last week when Mitch realized he didn't need Trump to get what he wanted, Supreme Court justices and lower taxes for his donors, and as a result pain and death for hundreds of thousands. We can rant all we want about Trump, but as far as I am concerned, as long as Mitch rules the Senate, the pain will continue. How dare any Republican who voted tax breaks for the rich and big corps cry about the deficit! They make me sick to my stomach.

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My theory is that Mitch McConnell is actually running the country. Trump is the figurehead McConnell "allows" to entertain the media with his rant and spew which distracts the public while Mitch does the work of dismantling the government and every hard won democratic process.

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Yep! And they’ll probably drag out the House majority leader that ran as Romney’s VP to run in 2024. That’s why he “retired” right away — to avoid the stench.

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I can't believe other's don't SEE and Understand THIS Jane!!!

I mean, Most Americans! I know the Politicians Do!!!😡😠

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Murdering Mitch and his Malevolent Minions (quoted from Linda Mitchell) are directly responsible for bringing us to the brink. They got what they wanted.

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Whither Kushner and Eric and Don jr? The SDNY is likely closing in on them as well as Papa. What are they selling off/trading as their influence wanes? These people will sell off anything and sell out anybody.

What will it take to scrub the stink of these people out of the White House, the West Wing, and the rest of Washington?

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The education of 70 million americans

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Re-education - like for former cult members. Daunting, and so sad. But good jobs and housing, heallth insurance, and real tax breaks with increases to the 1% so we can fix the damn roads - all may help to take the wind out of their sails.

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There isn’t enough sage in the world to cleanse the people’s house of the stink

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The burning of the White Sage does more than deal with the odours fortunately as it also cleanses the pyschological impact of "bad vibes" in a house and assists trapped spirits inhabiting a house take off on their journey to "elsewhere".

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Is it possible to buy stock in white sage? We’re going to need a ton!

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Yes, the WH needs a thorough cleaning, both of the physical elements and also the energetic elements. I practice reiki and am thinking that I ought to send reiki there.

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Do it from a distance and keep yourself safe. The spirits are probably worse than Covid.

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I can do distance reiki and yes, very evil energy from the occupation of death star donny there.

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I'm hoping there's not been a run on Fabreeze and degreaser in early January.

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Thank you for the clarification, I was using “cleanse” in this expansive way.

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Thank you for this, as well as all other updates. I have been gut-punched at the remembrance of Wounded Knee. The pain of this and other indigenous travesties never goes away, nor is healed. I kept thinking of the veterans who showed up at Standing Rock with apologies and help a few years ago. Bless all like them who act out of understanding instead of prejudice. Peace to you.

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Thank you, Heather. His lame duckness brings me joy. Also, I'm happy that the Harrington Hotel in D.C. has announced its closure for 3 days beginning January 6th which left the "Proud Boys" without their hotel reservations. The Trump Hotel is too pricey for them.

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Wouldn't put it past 45 to host them at his hotel...perish the thought.

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Not if they can’t pay him!! It’s always about the money.

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tRump would have nothing to do with them outside of a rally. There is a caste system to uphold.

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I don't think so. They wouldn't manage the dress code.

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The manager is allowing the people who have a residence there to stay, but otherwise he isn't taking any reservations for those three days. It's located on 11th St. not far from Ford Theatre and we all know how that worked out. :-(

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I know...I'm a DC native! Have passed Hotel Harrington many a time as well as Ford's Theatre! Never went to Harry's Bar, though...

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I'm a Northern VA native and know D.C. pretty well. I'm so impressed with this hotel manager for standing up to this. I am also super worried about January 6th and hoping things go smoothly.

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His Lame Duckedness tickles me to no end. Scares me too.

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Big Sigh of Relief! Unless they instead camp on the National Mall.

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Is it horrible of me that I am excited to see the veils of shell companies being lifted? No protections for existing companies either? Time to add an attorney to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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There's always Matt Murdoch, aka DareDevil :D

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21 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes, 59 seconds

until Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 12:00:00 noon (Washington DC, District of Columbia time)

Three more weeks. aarrrggghh

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I don't know if anyone remembers the movie, Poltergeist from the 80's. There is a scene where mom is running down the corridor to save her daughter in the bedroom and the corridor keeps on getting longer and longer and the bedroom door farther away like she was running backwards. Three weeks feels like a long time away!

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If you bought an advent calendar after Christmas on sale, you can be using it for the countdown to Jan. 20th!

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I have a countdown on my laptop, ticking away every second! https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/to?p0=263&iso=20210120T12&msg=Time%20left%20until%20Trump%20leaves%20office

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I just installed this on my computer and posted it on FB. Too rich!

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That's where this came from.

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I’m doing that because it’s my birthday, too!

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Thank you, Cathy! Getting down to the wire now but still...so far away. We know anything can happen within those weeks.

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Don't be surprised if whatever happens exceeds your worst expectations

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Hope I'm not surprised because what I'm expecting is quite bad.

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As they said in JAWS 2: "Be afraid; be very afraid."

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Yep! I am.... de-da de-da de-da....

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Based on everything we've seen from this administration thus far, why would anyone think the vaccine rollout would be handled effectively?

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I have not heard anyone in main stream media calling attention to the Corporate Transparency Act's inclusion in the NDAA.

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Same here. Heather has pointed it out a couple of times and I am also very curious about it. I suspect there will be a lot of attorney's filing for articles of organization changes/ownership changes adjusting to show no one entity has more than 24.99% ownership.

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I find it curious that this message is not amplified, even by those who have loudly criticized the President. There must be reasons that it is not mentioned. Maybe those who made sure it was included do not want to call additional attention to it and risk having it removed . . . leaving Trump to object on other ridiculous grounds because he cannot point out what is really behind his veto?

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Oh, that's an interesting point. He doesn't want to alert anyone to his real objection so he makes himself appear heroic by "demanding" the $2000 supplement which Mitch assured wouldn't pass.

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Of course! It’s always a switch and bait scheme covered by a smoke screen!

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I meant “bait and switch.” Sorry early morning headache!

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Once the veto override is accomplished in the Senate, the lawyers will again step in to see that their clients can get illegal things done "legally." That whole professions has some serious introspection to experience. Although there is some disagreement as to what he really meant, I feel frustration with them led Shakespeare to say "kill all the lawyers" in Henry VI, Pt. 2, Act lV.

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Shakespeare's "kill all the lawyers" line is spoken by one of the villains of the play, planning to take over governance. In context, "the lawyers" are seen as guardians of at least the governing status quo, if not heroes.

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That's one way of looking at it. Other way is that the supposed deficiencies of that status quo can be blamed on the lawyers, at least partially. They're the ones who serve the Covid19-related eviction and forclosure notices nowadays. Where, for example, would the 17 State attorneys general who supported the President's futile efforts to throw out legitimate election results, fit in? Heros? Bad guys?

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Agreed, Katherine. Tax wizards for currently existing corporations will have two years to divide ownership among you, your spouse, children and family dog. Another aspect that a WaPo article noted appears to me to be a mile-wide loophole:

"In another transparency setback, the law also exempts some entities from the disclosure requirements, including domestic investment funds that are advised and operated by a registered investment adviser. Gascoigne said that exemption was the result of lobbying by the private-equity and hedge-fund sectors."

Still, the CTA looks like a step in the right direction. Maloney has brought versions of this bill to the House for a decade. Getting it into the everybody-always-supports NDAA is a oft-used congressional ploy. So, Trump is raging about Confederate monuments and supporters of the bill are talking about supporting the troops. I agree with Julie that they probably are quiet about the inclusion of the CTA because celebrating it would only inflame the lobbying horde further, when they have the deadline pressure to help just getting it passed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/12/11/anonymous-shell-company-us-ban/

A CRS summary of the bill can be found at:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2513

That site has a link to the text of the bill, and no, I have not had the fortitude to read through it all. I would welcome the comments of anyone willing to do so. But in general, it seems to me all the actors are keeping their hole cards carefully covered.

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Morning, all!! Morning, Dr. R!! This is the lamest duck ever to waddle from November to January. If Biden and his team could only start running the country now...if only.

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I just did a search for an orange-headed duck and came up with a female/immature male common merganser. What do you think? Or is too much of a burden for the poor beast to bear....imagine this large duck's shame at ressembling Trump!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Merganser/id#

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Ducks are great birds! Speaking from personal experience - it really shames them by putting this idjt on a par with them. He doesnt deserve it nor do they! So yes too much of a burden for these creatures to bear!

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iDjt I love it.

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LOL I was prepared to defend any insult to the female/immature male common merganser, but that crazy "hair!"

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Wild Orange hair with gray underneath. Works for me. 🦆

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Mergansers carry swimmers itch and taste terrible. But, unlike the orange lame duck, it's not their fault.

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Works for me! 😘 Love the description-fits very well!!

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Interesting history of the term...“Lame duck” described a person who defaulted on his debt. The idea was that this trader would be powerless and vulnerable to predators, like a duck unable to keep up with its flock. Unable to pay up, the defaulter has to “waddle” off.

Fun Read! (Seems as though we need some levity, judging from some of the comments on Heather’s recent posts🥴). Happy and Healthy New Year to all! 🎉

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lame-duck-word-origin_l_5fb2f1fec5b6aad41f723613

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Ahh, good to dig into the history of a term that I, for one, have mindlessly adopted. Just to close the circle, I'll quote from the last of your posted article, Kari: "For now, 'lame duck' remains the descriptor many are using for the period after the 2020 election. Still, as one Twitter user posited, perhaps 'president-eject' would be a better alternative." "Eject" works for me!

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While single-mindedly feathering his own, this lame duck has fouled the nests of an entire nation.

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And duck poop is really fowl.

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It's hard to find the good news in McConnell's victory over trump for control of the Republican caucus. At least trump is out in 3 weeks, but we're stuck with McConnell for the next 6 years.

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If Georgia goes blue, Mitch becomes irrelevant.

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Your mouth to God's ears

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Please God!

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45's $2,000 trick has the 2 Republican candidates touting their support for it. I fear that will help them in this upcoming election.

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Just to be clear, I fully endorse the $2,000, just don't want them getting credit for it!

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They had previously promised voters would have money by Christmas.

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Just like their Fuehrer, they lied. 45 Pinocchios

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Even if Georgia doesn't come through, there are a LOT of Republican Senators up in 2022.

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Marco Rubio, Marco Rubio, Marco Rubio!!!

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Your keyboard to God's eyes.

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Thank you Heather. I agree, the tide is turning. I watched the vote yesterday for the "$2,000 payment". It is blatantly obvious that Trump is insignificant in our political process. It is the McConnell Administration. Period.

I feel these roughly 20 days will be the longest in Trumps life. It certainly will seem like an eternity to me.

Be safe. Be well.

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Until he gets slapped with a ton of lawsuits....trump needs a time out in prison and he can take Eric, Don jr, ivanka, Jared, Melania (she's probably signed fraudulent tax returns) and Azar (responsible for not having documentation on children in cages) with him.

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The Corporate Transparency Act may well be the burr in Trumps ass that brings him down and helps NYS with their intentions.

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I’m sure Melania isn’t an innocent bystander! Take ‘em all!

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Alex Azar is a disaster and always has been with this administration. Fake 45 decided to take away funds for PPE. That was the first blunder when this virus hit. Then he decided to sell what we had to other countries...all about the money with him. He criticized WHO for dropping the ball. Nurses and doctors around the US are exhausted. In LA county, there are no beds available. Patients are being placed in chapels, storage rooms, etc. but yet they are dying.

Now we watch McMurderer once again, deny people a much needed monetary relief package. I personally would like to hold his feet to the fire. That’s the least I could do.

On top of that, a Republican Congressman-elect died of Covid today. He left a wife and two young children. He was 41.

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TЯ☭💀p Liked your McMurderer but couldn't decide whether the Useful Idiot is being handled by McMurderer or by Putin so decided both will do -- skull and the hammer and sickle.

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Yeah, that congressman finally got to Make America Great Again with his permanent departure. I think I'll break out a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate.

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Your comment is offensive.

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I've been in agreement with what President Truman said about Republicans back in 1948 for a looooonnnggg time. "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies.

Go back to Pollyannaville, Karen.

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All COVID and related deaths are tragic and deserve respect. As a nation we mourn and offer comfort to the bereaved families friends and communities

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You just dropped to Trump level

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Wait, don’t jump on this person for having lived thru the last four years and finally lost control. Who here hasn’t said or thought something on this level? I’m sure it wasn’t meant literally. It’s born out of fear and frustration. I wonder how many were saddened that trump made it thru his alleged virus hospital stay!

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TCinLA is continually caustic and verbally abusive. He didn't just lose control. This is who he is.

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I've been in agreement with what President Truman said about Republicans back in 1948 for a looooonnnggg time. "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies.

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I am already seeing the chaos from Trump’s lack of vaccination plan here in Florida. Governor DeSantis, the Trump mini-me, decided that he knows best and has disregarded the advice of the experts. At a meeting in The Villages last week, which everyone knows is a Republican stronghold, he announced he would give the vaccinations to folks over 65. But there is no real plan. Yesterday one of my friends on the East Coast of Florida said her local Democratic Party notified her of a phone number to call to put herself on a list. Another friend in my county, Pasco, said her community’s clubhouse is giving vaccinations there on January 4th. Meanwhile, I have no earthly idea what my next step would be although I have been talking about it with my doctor. Just a clustef**ck overall.

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I really want to see all seniors and healthcare workers including people not on the front line to get this first. People like my local dentist and my eye doctor, and all those across the state who come in regular close contact with lots of people.

Then those who aren’t seniors, but have health issues that put them at risk. Hairdressers should also be in the next group.

Rubio looked like such a hypocrite getting his vaccine this past week, while others who are more at risk have not.

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I'm sixty-five but I'm retired and have largely sequestered since last March. Weekly early-morning shopping trips are my "out" time. I'd like to see medical workers, teachers, the grocery store workers, and anyone else who has to work with the public in enclosed spaces vaccinated before I get it. I understand the need for it in nursing homes and enclosed elderly housing but it's not just "over sixty-five" that REALLY need the medication.

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How about giving it to prisoners?

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Since Texas has declared teachers essential workers, I think we should be put somewhere near the top of the vaccination list. Our numbers are soaring! Definitely seeing a spread from asymptomatic students to teachers. The PE teacher has been in and out of the hospital the whole break. But at state level we were told stay open or take a cut of half of the money. The school district can’t pay the bills if the state pulls money. So no matter the numbers, we stay open. Less than 6 ICU beds available in Tarrant County where I live. Scary!

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This is just so wrong. The State, whose primary job is to protect its citizens, could be murdering them.

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As an ER RN I received the first of the 2 pfizer shots before Christmas. Hurts a little bit in the arm afterwards, but well worth it.

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I live in Orlando. Call your county health department. I got scheduled for Jan 8 and feb 5th. Good luck! Happy New Year! I used to think, it can't get worse but I don't say that anymore. Why jinx it.

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I am replying to my own comment because I want to share some personal information with you all, in the hope of a "Public Service Announcement". Since there is no communication here in Florida and elsewhere, I want to make you aware of something you may not know. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and take medication, Methotrexate among others. Others who have other auto-immune diseases also take this medication. When talking to my Rheumatologist and my primary care physician, they both said that the vaccine is fine for us to take, but that we should stop the other medications for two weeks before getting the vaccine. Because these medications suppress the immune system, stopping them helps to ensure that our bodies have a robust reaction to the vaccine, which is needed for it to be effective. With so many people just signing up "willy nilly" to get vaccinated, they may not know about this. I advise anyone with an auto-immune disease to get the vaccine, but after talking to your doctor(s) first.

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Thanks, Annette. I have read taking Vitamin C is a good thing to do. And here's a link to foods that build the immune system. But I would advise that you consult your physician first if you have a particular condition. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system

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Yep, vaccine chaos is happening here in Manatee-Sarasota, too. According to our local newspaper, 3500 Moderna doses have been made available for people 65-plus so far. Demand is far outweighing supply as well as local government’s ability to communicate the roll-out plan. Part-time Florida residents, and we have tens of thousands here now, have the same chances at the vaccine as the rest of us full-time residents, too. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be able to, but has that been taken into account when our Federal government determined how many dosages Florida should get? Doubtful.

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