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Tag Archives: Dumbassery

The same sad and very old song…

21 Thursday Apr 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

dumbass, Dumbassery, Jason Smith, missouri, right wingnut, social media, Twitter

Jason Smith (r) [2021 file photo].

Today:

Rep. Jason Smith @RepJasonSmith
Build the Keystone XL pipeline now!
11:02 AM · Apr 21, 2022

What, from five years ago?

Some of the responses:

Why?

Because he has no idea how the oil market works. He’s way out of his swim lane.

He can swim?

It takes CANADIAN oil to the Gulf of Mexico to be sold on the open market.
ZERO BENEFITS FOR USA!

Jason knows this. He just hopes some of his constituents doesnt know he’s lying.

No? Canada can figure out how to move their own oil without screwing our land

Why?

Not the solution

Invest in 8-track cassettes now!

Why? What do you think that will accomplish?

So you’re a Canadien representative?

Jason Smith has so many tweets in the running for “dumbest tweet of the week”!

What an idiot!
All it does is transport bitumen from Canada to the Gulf for shipping to China. Jason wants China to get more fossil fuels. Jason LOVES China more than America. Traitor.

August 6, 2017 – Keystone Pipeline Protest and March – Lincoln, Nebraska.

Missouri gets what it votes for

20 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anti-science, border, Corona virus, COVID-19, dumbass, Dumbassery, governor, Mike Parson, missouri, pandemic, right wingnut, supremacy clause

Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].

On March 30th:

GOVERNOR PARSON ANNOUNCES END TO COVID-19 CRISIS IN MISSOURI
Press Release
MARCH 30, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY – Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced an end to the COVID-19 crisis in Missouri and that the state will be shifting to an endemic phase of the pandemic on Friday, April 1, 2022.

A whole-of-government COVID-19 emergency response was taken for more than two years, an effort that responded to the needs of all Missourians during the global pandemic and sustained state operations as more was learned about the novel virus. Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus. [….]

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is expected to continue to circulate in communities, meaning it will be considered endemic like many other diseases. The endemicity also means that surveillance priority will change from monitoring case numbers to monitoring disease severity and societal impact as new waves of infection come and go. This transition does not minimize the continued importance of public health surveillance, investigation, and response activities, as is necessary to mitigate any disease.

[….]

“…Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus…”

That’s not particularly reassuring.

“…it will be considered endemic…”

It will be? If it isn’t yet, then why state it? By the way, we’re pretty sure the Governor of Missouri doesn’t get to make that determination.

[CDC – national data]
Interpretive Summary for April 15, 2022
[…]
Reported Cases
As of April 13, 2022, the current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (31,391) increased 19.1% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (26,357)…
[….]
New Hospital Admissions
The current 7-day daily average for April 6–April 12, 2022, was 1,446. This is a 1.3% increase from the prior 7-day average (1,427) from March 29–April 4, 2022…
[….]
Testing
The percentage of COVID-19 NAATs (nucleic acid amplification tests)* that are positive (percent positivity) is increasing in comparison to the previous week. The 7-day average of percent positivity from NAATs is now 4.1%.
[….]

Definitely not reassuring.

And then yesterday, there’s this priority:

GOVERNOR PARSON JOINS 25 GOVERNORS IN FORMING AMERICAN GOVERNORS’ BORDER STRIKE FORCE
Press Release
APRIL 19, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY – Today, Governor Mike Parson joined 25 other Governors in signing a memorandum of understanding establishing the American Governors’ Border Strike Force. The strike force will help increase collaboration and improve intelligence sharing and analyses across participating states to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations and cartels, combat human smuggling, and stop the flow of illegal drugs to states.

“The Biden Administration has failed to secure our nation’s Southern Border, allowing millions of migrants and hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs to pour into the United States,” Governor Parson said. “Time and time again, Governors have tried to work with the White House to discuss real solutions to secure the border. Instead, our concerns have been ignored, crime is out of control, and illegal drugs continue to infect our communities and harm our kids. Today, Governors are stepping up once again to do what the federal government refuses to do: secure our communities and protect our citizens.”

The American Governors’ Border Strike Force will coordinate participating states’ efforts to partner at the state fusion center level and amongst state law enforcement around the following actions:

Share criminal justice information to improve investigations in the border region and nationwide, especially in communities adjacent to or crossing state boundaries.
Coordinate and improve interdiction on interstates to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Co-locate intelligence analysts in border states to improve collaboration, real time response, intelligence sharing, and analysis connected to border security.
Assist border states with supplemental staff and resources at state fusion centers, such as on rotation assignments and to share information obtained both on the border and/or in other states.
Send law enforcement to train in border states to detect, track, and curb border-related crime.
Target cartel finances that fund criminal activity in the border regions to seize the tools used to assist the cartels.
Monitor cybersecurity issues that may increase vulnerability along the Southern Border, such as criminal networks that operate on social media to recruit traffickers.
Review state criminal statutes regarding human trafficking, drug trafficking, and transnational criminal organizations to ensure the laws deter, disrupt, and dismantle criminal activity.
Review state criminal justice statistics and information to determine crimes that can be traced to the Southern Border.
Develop interstate procedures to fill any identified gaps or identified inconsistencies in existing plans to address border crime.
This action by Governors comes as more than 221,000 migrants were encountered at the Southern Border in March 2022 – the highest number in 22 years. Additionally, next month, the Biden Administration is preparing to revoke Title 42, which is expected to lead to 18,000 or more migrant encounters per day at the border.

Under the Biden Administration, more than 2.3 million migrants have been encountered at the Southern Border. In the past six months, reports indicate that there have been 300,000 known “gotaways” – migrants who were not apprehended by border agents and did not turn themselves in – at the Southern Border.

“The crisis at our Southern Border is out of control. In the absence of federal leadership, we will do what is required to help solve this growing problem and protect the people of Missouri,” Governor Parson said.

The Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety will be Missouri’s designee on the American Governors’ Border Strike Force. The agreement does not obligate states to expend funds.
[….]

“…allowing millions of migrants and hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs to pour into the United States…”

This just started now?

“…more than 2.3 million migrants have been encountered at the Southern Border…”

Uh, that’s a cute turn of phrase. “Encountered”? What does that mean, specifically?

“…reports indicate…”

What specific reports? Cite source(s).

“…The agreement does not obligate states to expend funds…”

So, it’s a publicity stunt.

All this for Arkansas?

What happens if guns get smuggled across the border?

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Justice Department Files Suit to Prevent Missouri from Restricting Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws

Missouri House Bill 85 Makes Enforcement of Federal Firearms Laws More Difficult, Thereby Impeding Law Enforcement Efforts to Combat Violent Crime
The Department of Justice has today filed a lawsuit to prevent the State of Missouri from enforcing House Bill 85 (H.B. 85). Signed into law in June 2021, the Missouri law declares five categories of federal firearms laws “invalid” and deters and penalizes their enforcement by federal, state and local law enforcement officers. The government’s complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting enforcement of H.B. 85 and further clarifying that state and local officials may lawfully participate in joint federal task forces, assist in the investigation and enforcement of federal firearm crimes, and fully share information with the federal government without fear of H.B. 85’s penalties. Specifically, the complaint alleges that H.B. 85 is invalid under the Supremacy Clause, is preempted by federal law, and violates the doctrine of intergovernmental immunity.

“This act impedes criminal law enforcement operations in Missouri,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The United States will work to ensure that our state and local law enforcement partners are not penalized for doing their jobs to keep our communities safe.”

“A state cannot simply declare federal laws invalid,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This act makes enforcement of federal firearms laws difficult and strains the important law enforcement partnerships that help keep violent criminals off the street.”

The complaint alleges that the restrictions imposed by H.B. 85 have hindered cooperation and other activities that assist federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts. Federal law enforcement agencies within the state report that enforcement of federal firearms laws in Missouri has grown more difficult since H.B. 85 became effective. The penalties associated with H.B. 85 have prompted state and local agencies and individuals within those entities to withdraw support for federal law enforcement efforts, including by not sharing critical data used to solve violent crimes and withdrawing from joint federal task forces. The complaint challenges the constitutionality of the law and seeks to enforce the supremacy of federal law. Dozens of state and local officers have resigned from federal joint-task forces in the state as a result of the law. According to Missouri’s own statistics, nearly 80% of violent crimes are committed with firearms.

According to the complaint, Missouri enacted H.B. 85 despite its conflict with the fundamental constitutional principles of supremacy of federal law, preemption, and intergovernmental immunity. The restrictions imposed by the statute are premised on a declaration that several categories of federal statutes are “invalid,” but a state may not lawfully declare federal law invalid under the Constitution. In addition to penalizing individuals for working on joint federal-state law enforcement task forces, the statute penalizes current federal employees by barring them from state employment if they enforced the purportedly invalid laws. The statute further directs the state judiciary to “protect” against the federal laws declared invalid.

[….]

“…the restrictions imposed by H.B. 85 have hindered cooperation and other activities that assist federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts…”

Missouri.

HB 2111: WTF?

30 Thursday Dec 2021

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Chris Sander, Darwin, Dumbassery, HB 2111, hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, over-the-counter, right wingnut

“…ivermectin tablets and hydroxychloroquine tablets shall be available to the public through over-the-counter purchase in this state without a prescription…”

Darwin.

A bill, prefiled yesterday:

HB 2111
Creates provisions relating to over-the-counter medications
Sponsor: Sander, Chris (033)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 4929H.01I
Last Action: 12/29/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 2111
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 2111 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SANDER.
4929H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 195, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the over-thecounter purchase of certain medications.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 195, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 195.1000, to read as follows:
195.1000. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, ivermectin tablets and hydroxychloroquine tablets shall be available to the public through over-the-counter purchase in this state without a prescription or consultation with a pharmacist or other health care professional.

Dumbass. Ignoranimus.

Darwin.

Why weren't they screaming for a Balanced Budget Amendment when Bush was running up the bills?

05 Friday Aug 2011

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Balanced Budget Amendment, Dumbassery, GOP hypocrisy, Kabuki theater, Socialist

Has anyone else noticed that they only trot out their ridiculous “Balanced Budget Amendment” when a Democratic President is sitting in the Oval Office? We first heard about the idea when Bill Clinton was the President, and it went nowhere. (Oddly enough, you may recall that Bill Clinton balanced the budget, closed the deficit and put the country on track to pay off the national debt, and he did it without a Balanced Budget Amendment.)

In the history of bad ideas, you will find some doozies — lawn darts, New Coke, the AMC Pacer, crystal meth — but few rival the Balanced Budget Amendment in either weight or depth of pure, unadulterated, ideology-driven dumbassery. Indeed, the BBA deserves it’s own wing in the Bad Idea Hall of Shame.

But it isn’t just a bad idea. It’s a dishonest one, too boot.

That is because the only thing it does is make it nearly impossible to raise revenue, while doing diddly-squat to rein in Bush-like profligate deficit spending. Bruce Bartlett called  it a “pathetic joke” because it not only lacks any enforcement mechanism, it lacks an enactment mechanism. There is nothing in the thing to prompt Congress to do anything about deficit spending. Not. One. Thing.

It’s simply a Grover Norquist wetdream, an addendum to our owner’s manual that would make it next to impossible to ever, in any way, increase revenues, let alone raise taxes.

It’s a ludicrous idea, and it deserves mockery, scorn and ridicule from every Democrat and less-crazy republican in the country. That is why this is so utterly infuriating.

One of the big victories by tea-party Republicans in the debt-ceiling measure signed into law Tuesday was securing a requirement that Congress vote later this year on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

The measure would need a two-thirds vote in each chamber, and then ratification by 38 states, to succeed. And most observers believe passage in the Democratic-controlled Senate is all but impossible.

Enter Sen. Mark Udall, the centrist Democrat from Colorado, who has introduced an amendment proposal and said Tuesday that Democratic leaders have chosen his legislation to be considered in the fall.

President Obama and other senior Democrats have opposed any balanced-budget amendment, but the idea is popular with many voters – particularly independents, who are growing more fiscally conservative.

Udall is up for reelection in 2014. Many of his Democratic co-sponsors – including Sens. Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Joe Manchin (W. Va.), Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.) – are running this year and need support from centrists.

Republicans in the Senate will likely rally around their own proposal, sponsored by Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, which would limit spending to 18 percent of GDP and require congressional supermajorities to raise taxes.

A bad idea is a bad idea, even when it can be described as “thoughtful.”

We don’t need a Balanced Budget Amendment to balance the budget and generate a surplus instead of spending shortfalls. All it takes is the political will to increase tax rates to what they were in the prosperous nineties and the backbone to say “no” to republican spendthrifts like Reagan and Little Boots Bush who wracked up most of the national debt all by themselves and ran deficits every year they submitted a budget.

In other words, the BBA is a cop-out. It’s a fig-leaf behind which the republicans can try to hide their shame and disguise their profligate ways.

But it is especially galling that a Democrat from Colorado is the braintrust from the Democratic side of the aisle that “went there,” because Colorado is the state that passed a “taxpayers bill of rights” back in 1994, and the BBA is to the nation what TABOR is to a state, and in Colorado it has been a formula for decline, cutting education at every level and dealing harsh blows to public health, including gutting Medicaid.

I don’t know about you, but I like the services my government provides, at every level. Everyone does, unless they’re a Randian nutjob who believes in hackneyed, magical thinking and who fervently believes (wrongly) that they would be fine without government because they are rugged individualists.

I like the fact that my city has good public transit and the purest drinking water in the country. I like that the streets are safe to drive on, I have nice, wide well-maintained sidewalks, and that a call to 911 will summon a cop, a firetruck or an ambulance should I need the services they provide.

I like the fact that my county provides healthcare to all via a voluntary tax levy we passed in 2005 with an overwhelming majority of voters supporting.

I like the services my state provides — highways, state parks, Medicaid, public health services, the highway patrol that keeps us safe on the state roadways…

I like the stuff the federal government provides. I like having a military. I like Social Security and Medicare and TriCare and the interstate highway system and scientific research and NASA and the FBI and the intelligence services.

I like having peace-of-mind when I fill a prescription that the drug I am taking is the drug that my physician prescribed, that it is safe if taken as directed and that the licensed pharmacist isn’t selling me baking soda. I like that the FAA keeps the skies safe when I fly and that the EPA keeps the businesses that operate near where I live from fouling the air and water and that OSHA makes sure that my workplace is safe.

I like that the government does these things and I don’t mind paying for them in the form of taxes, and I don’t want the beast starved. I want the beast well-fed and fit and groomed.

And if that makes me a Socialist in your eyes, then we’re on the same page.

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