By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 16 April 2020
Edit Thread
NightlyPoe said:
SpokenTruth said:

There is a big difference between debunk and trying to rationalize away something.

And if the WHO has a lot to answer for, Trump has significantly more.

No, debunk is the right word.  When put into context those quotes that you obviously just copied and pasted almost all are invalid to the point you're trying to make.  It's a lousy, cheap way to get your point across.  I know late-night and cable news have devolved into playing that type of gotcha, but let's have higher standards.

And, no Trump doesn't have more to answer for than the WHO because of a few stupid quotes.  I'd judge Trump on if he took the matter seriously early, whether he's followed expert advise on the subject, and whether his administration has been effective at getting states what they need.  On the first, he did indeed set up the task for and made the first major call very early.  On the second, I've seen no evidence that he hasn't been following the advice of Dr. Fauci and Dr./Col. Birx practically to the letter.  On the last, there was an initial failure in regards to testing, but everything since then appears to have been handled very well and states have generally found the government very responsive.

In the end, those are the things that actually matter.  Not whether you can cut and paste Trump's sloppy and meandering style of speech into what you'd like it to be.

I watched some of the early live conferences of Trump when they happened. I saw the context, it wasn't pretty. Maybe it wasn't that way later but the ones I saw was Trump saying all is fine, under control, no worries, while the CDC guy was trying to warn people. Then the experts had to check in with the administration first for the next conference not to say conflicting things to what the president was saying, or making sure the president didn't say conflicting things. Whatever you want to make of it.

He's the president, it's his primary job to be a good speaker. He is not. I don't watch those conferences anymore, pointless. Better to get it straight from the experts.

Anyway this sounds perfectly fine

https://www.ft.com/content/d0f75be8-9849-4cd1-990d-17f7bafd58dc

The White House guidelines recommend that before moving to phase one of reopening, US states ensure there has been a downward trajectory in confirmed coronavirus cases over a 14-day period or a downward trajectory in positive tests as a percentage of total tests over the same period. The plan also suggests that there should be a “robust testing programme” in place for health workers who remain at risk, including antibody testing that helps determine if someone has previously contracted the virus.

Indeed, don't listen to what he says, look at what actually gets done.