Today a most solemn day in Christianity. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Christ.
Now, another crucifixion. The crucifixion of the people of the United States because of a lack of testing.
Simple. Not difficult to understand.
We have been promised millions of test its, we have received nowhere near the number. In a very recent article, Newsweek spelled it out very clearly. Trump promised 27 million tests by the end of March. Only 1 million tests have been performed.
Trump tells us testing under control. Anyone that wants one, can get it. Good luck! Try!
Inadvertently, Trump is condemning many to death. Reminds me of Pontius Pilate. However Pilate knew what he was doing. Washed his hands of the Christ problem.
Trump does not know what he is doing. I believe he believes the testing numbers he and the Task Force spell out are real.
Sadly, the right hand does not know what the left is doing.
Much to cover this morning. The balance of the blog is a sort of Morning Stew. I am laying things out as they appear in my notes. No special order involved.
Everyone in the world seems to not working. Stay at home world wide. I am assuming such because of the number of e-mails I am getting every day and people who want to be friends on Facebook. Yesterday, somewhere around 100 on Facebook alone.
Most from lonely persons. Like me, like you.
Some weird, however.
I received this morning a scary one. With photo. Odd in nature. Contained a young man in a pit. Surrounded by snakes. At least 50. All kinds. Even cobras. He was picking them up by hand and throwing them around.
Friends like this I do not need.
Someone sent an e-mail yesterday. Publix aisles are now one way. Yes, one way up, the next one way down.
Frankly, a good idea. The K-Mart store is old and the aisles a bit tight.
I keep waiting for Trump and Dr. Fauci to split. How long can Fauci put up with the misinformation Trump spouts.
Fauci was quoted yesterday re hand washing. His message: Wash your hands frequently. There must be “absolute compulsive hand washing.”
The recent $2 billion plus stimulus. One portion deals with a $350 billion allocation. One third has been committed. Not a penny distributed yet. Reminds me of the wench during the French Revolution who non caringly said: “Let them eat cake (bread).”
Who cares!
The $350 billion had to do with small businesses retaining employees on the payroll for 8 weeks. The government would reimburse any employer who did it.
The U.S. is the smartest and most advanced nation in the world. We keep telling ourselves. Trump keeps saying it. However with this coronavirus thing, our country looks totally inept.
Too many infected and too many have died.
Greece on the other hand has numbers to be envied. Just over 1,900 infected and only 86 dead.
Why the difference?
Attorney General Barr is a disgrace. He is Trump’s pet dog. Dances to the master’s tune.
Yesterday, Barr said the U.S. must stop the “cartels” from taking advantage of the U.S during the pandemic. Are the drug dealers coming over the border again? Is this a cry for more wall funding? A guise?
A few days earlier, Barr said the measures (distance between persons, stay at home, etc.) were “draconian” measures “not fully justified.”
He looked upon these measures as people doing what they want. He commented “he” would permit such actions till the end of April and then decide what to do.
Sounds like he’s Trump’s mouthpiece in pushing people to get back to work.
Another 6.6 million applied for unemployment last week. In a 3 week period, just under 17 million have applied. There will be more this week.
Keep in mind a nation can only “print” so much money before its economy collapses. There is only so much that can be done in trying to keep the economy afloat and people surviving economically. A house built on sand must fall.
Respect is a big thing with me. There are various ways of showing disrespect. Like the President coming out for his Task Force 5 pm meetings late most days. If not all.
He disrespects the people of the U.S. His people. We all wait with baited breath for today’s news from the horse’s mouth, whether we agree with him or not.
The $2.3 trillion stimulus package was supposed to be a “go” immediately. No one has received a check yet nor monies from a small business loan application.
Mnuchin says stimulus checks will go out by 4/17. Kudlow says in 2 weeks.
Again, the right hand does not know what the left is doing.
We were told when the stimulus package was being negotiated and passed the checks would be direct deposited. Turns out not quite the case.
Direct deposit in only one instance. To those who filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns AND sent direct deposit information to the IRS at that time.
After that, only paper checks will be sent. People will have to deposit and wait for them to clear.
Paper checks will not go out immediately. They will be stretched over a period of time to 9/11 based on a person’s adjusted gross income.
No mention of checks that are supposed to go to those who are on Social Security and have not filed a tax return.
Small business loans were to have been processed within 3 days. No way, Jose! The funds are frozen waiting for the government and banks to get on the same wave length. The allocation/grant is one thing. Actual cash flow to the small business owner another.
I have been warning of a food shortage. There are signs. Especially when people are out of work and cannot pay for groceries. Eventually, the supermarkets suffer and then the farmers. In the end, no one can afford anything. It will be Greece all over.
Star of the Sea on Stock Island is a food pantry. Business booming! Food free! Most people have not received a pay check in 3 weeks.
Tom Callahan is a volunteer at the food pantry. He said, for most it’s “the first time they have ever needed a food pantry.”
The volume of food involved requires fork lifts to move around.
There are several food pantrys in Monroe County. The Key West one is expecting at least 1,000 cars on monday.
May Johnson still sick. Getting better, however. Out of bed for a bit.
She reported in her diary for this date 1896: “Got dressed this morning and sat up awhile, went back to bed and there stayed.”
A sad day in world history. On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton on its ill fated trip.
Today is my Father’s birthday. He died at the age of 98. Had he lived, he would have been 106 today.
Happy birthday Dad!
Enjoy your day!