SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT ... .
In 1776, we declared our independence from Britain. Down with George III, up with our own elected leadership.
Recent events have cause me to wonder if we made a bad deal. Can we reverse the trade? After all, we have "cancelled" other treaties, what about the one in Paris in 1783?
Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II addressed her nation for only the fourth time in 68 years. (not counting annual Christmas messages), Meanwhile, here in the colonies, our Royal person spoke to the nation for the 17th (27th?) consecutive day. At least that's what I am told. I cannot watch him anymore.
The Queen, speaking to her countrymen about the covid epidemic, stressed courage and national unity in the difficult days ahead. The speech sounded much like the one her father gave on the opening days of WWII.
But to us Americans, the talk was lacking. For example, here are a few of the many things she missed:
Mention of hydrochloroquine.
Congratulating herself on her TV ratings.
Congratulating herself on what a great job she was doing.
Referring to the disease as the "Chinese Virus."
Assurance that a miracle was just around the corner and the disease will go away, and that people should ignore scientists who had contrary views.
Blaming her predecessor for lack of her government's efficiency in dealing with the problem. (Of course, her predecessor was her father!)
Urging people to "Pack the Pews" on Easter Sunday.
And oh, so many more.
Finally, the Queen left out the most important element: She did not appoint Mr. Jared Kushner, aka "Secretary of Everything" to the post of Covid-19 Squad Leader.
Upon his appointment, Kushner showed his combination of political smarts and deeply felt compassion for his fellow Americans, by making a statement about his father-in-law's failure to manage the distribution of the nation's stockpile of ventilating machines. Secretary Jared declared that the "federal government's stockpile of medical supplies is "ours" and is not supposed to be used by states" for the ultimate use of their citizens. This was entirely in synch with his father-in-law's earlier statement on the same subject: "We are not an ordering clerk."
Uh oh:
The people who manage the government's medical stockpile could not foresee the elevation of this Prince, so their website contained language directly to the contrary: It said the mission of the Federal stockpile was
to respond to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in order to "ensure that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency."
You can be sure that website was re-worded within 24 hours of the Prince's comments.
24 hours is about the same time it took Trump's Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly to fire the Captain of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt who dared to ask for help in ridding his ship of a covid outbreak that threatened the lives of his 4,000+ crew. Captain Crozier's report to his superiors that the failure to help with an outbreak of covid-19 was threatening the lives of his sailors was not happily received. Modly, who spent seven years in the Navy never commanding anything but a small desk, made a a speech to the Theodore Roosevelt crew, who apparently loved their commander. Modly told them Crozier might be too stupid for command. Oh, yeah, the Acting Secretary also found reason to attack Joe Biden!
Trump criticized Crozier, as follows: "This is terrible what he did, to write a letter. This isn't a class in literature."
You can read Crozier's letter here and make up your own mind whether i) he has bad judgment and therefore deserved be fired, ii) his letter is too literate, and therefore he should be fired, or iii) Trump's acting Secretary of the Navy is a disgrace and he and his boss should be fired.
A bientot.
................
As my regular readers know, there is no fixed schedule for these posts. If you want a notice of each new posting, send me an email and I will add you to the notice list. mlondon34@gmail.com
posted by marty at 5:49 PM
<< Home