Every bit as reasonable and possible as my hypothesis.
Loving your commitment to civility and evidence even when your obvious passion and political leaning comes through!!
- Tonybere

My political leaning is about policy and action.

Would the Doctors and Nurses have a choice and the free will to decide that if they felt they needed to wear a mask and were told that they couldn't, to decline the invitation to the oval office and the photo op? We live in America right?
- MJL

The West Wing mask directive was issued on May 11th and only applies to WH staff. The video of Trump was in April. The directive from the CDC was to wear masks when you couldn't use social distancing.

It's very interesting that the majority of people who refuse to wear masks, even where they're required, are Trump supporters. See the video of the guy that was kicked out of Costco for refusing to wear a mask, and how he treated the manager and the rhetoric he used. Again, goes back to my original post that the President's actions have consequences.

It's also interesting how people react to the virus is split politically. If only there were someone who could pull us back together.

During WWII, Americans came together for a common cause. in 2020, we can't even stay home for a few months or go out with modest protection to protect the vulnerable. There's a rot in our society right now and denying facts is lending to this rot.

IF this was the case (and it could be proven) then it is a terrible idea and he should rightly be criticized for it.

My problem with your statement is the bolded. I will not deny at all that he is a pompous, self- aggrandizing blow hard (like most politicians). Is there any evidence that he has fired top ranking officials simply because they disagreed with him, or were there actual offenses committed (i.e. they were not performing the job as instructed, or undermining the things he was trying to accomplish)?
- Chunk

I really should be working and not going to take the time to investigate.
But, was this not commonly done in the early days of his presidency? Anyone who tried to tell him no was either fired or quit in a hurry. I try to take in reports from a wide variety of sources, especially when I am not emotionally involved, but that seemed pretty obvious.

The West Wing mask directive was issued on May 11th and only applies to WH staff. The video of Trump was in April. The directive from the CDC was to wear masks when you couldn't use social distancing.

It's very interesting that the majority of people who refuse to wear masks, even where they're required, are Trump supporters. See the video of the guy that was kicked out of Costco for refusing to wear a mask, and how he treated the manager and the rhetoric he used. Again, goes back to my original post that the President's actions have consequences.

It's also interesting how people react to the virus is split politically. If only there were someone who could pull us back together.

During WWII, Americans came together for a common cause. in 2020, we can't even stay home for a few months or go out with modest protection to protect the vulnerable. There's a rot in our society right now and denying facts is lending to this rot.
- FoxMulder

I don't want to sound defeatist, but I think we (the US) are past the point where this is possible. There is an inordinate amount of division in the country. This is stoked by both sides. One side calls out "snowflakes" while the other calls out "racist, bigoted, xenophobic, etc.". This is also heavily stoked on both sides by the respective media outlets, who editorialize more than they report.

Neither side can claim that they have any moral authority.

To the second bolded part, it is not as simple as "staying home for a few months". We've seen the effects on the economy that this has had. It is not like this was just some extended vacation. This literally, put tens of millions of people out of work.

You have it wrong again.
- MJL

How so?
trump clearly asks if there is a way to inject chemicals to kill covid.
Stupid!

The West Wing mask directive was issued on May 11th and only applies to WH staff. The video of Trump was in April. The directive from the CDC was to wear masks when you couldn't use social distancing.

It's very interesting that the majority of people who refuse to wear masks, even where they're required, are Trump supporters. See the video of the guy that was kicked out of Costco for refusing to wear a mask, and how he treated the manager and the rhetoric he used. Again, goes back to my original post that the President's actions have consequences.

It's also interesting how people react to the virus is split politically. If only there were someone who could pull us back together.

During WWII, Americans came together for a common cause. in 2020, we can't even stay home for a few months or go out with modest protection to protect the vulnerable. There's a rot in our society right now and denying facts is lending to this rot.
- FoxMulder

You expose yourself with the comment that the majority of people refuse to wear masks when required are Trump supporters. The arrogance of making that statement. Your comment of what one person did and trying to blame that on the President is asinine. There is no question that Americans have overwhelmingly sacrificed and heeded stay at home orders to help flatten the curve of this pandemic. Your comments are indicative of the rot in society. The reaction to the virus politically is from the left.

I really should be working and not going to take the time to investigate.
But, was this not commonly done in the early days of his presidency? Anyone who tried to tell him no was either fired or quit in a hurry. I try to take in reports from a wide variety of sources, especially when I am not emotionally involved, but that seemed pretty obvious.
- Tonybere

Well, if they quit, it is not on him. I don't remember any reports that said that people were fired simply for disagreeing with him.

I realize that he is a largely unlikable person. My cousin used to work for him as a lawyer in Chicago. She has not a single good word to say about the man, and some of the stories she has told are stomach turning. That said, if there is someone on your staff that is performing in a manner counter to the goals you set out to achieve, would you keep them on?

I really should be working and not going to take the time to investigate.
But, was this not commonly done in the early days of his presidency? Anyone who tried to tell him no was either fired or quit in a hurry. I try to take in reports from a wide variety of sources, especially when I am not emotionally involved, but that seemed pretty obvious.
- Tonybere

I think it's clear that Trump is demanding and most likely tough to work for. That's speculation on my part. Also I don't think he has time for someone who is not completely on board with his policies and agenda. He is the guy that was elected by the voters. You serve at the pleasure of the President.

Well, if they quit, it is not on him. I don't remember any reports that said that people were fired simply for disagreeing with him.

I realize that he is a largely unlikable person. My cousin used to work for him as a lawyer in Chicago. She has not a single good word to say about the man, and some of the stories she has told are stomach turning. That said, if there is someone on your staff that is performing in a manner counter to the goals you set out to achieve, would you keep them on?
- Chunk

There's a lot of people who have great things to say about him who have worked for him.

How so?
trump clearly asks if there is a way to inject chemicals to kill covid.
Stupid!
- abware

You again insinuated that he suggested that individuals inject chemicals into themselves.

There's a lot of people who have great things to say about him who have worked for him.
- MJL

I'm sure there are. I guess, I was trying to give perspective to my view of him. As with any personality, there are those that it appeals to and those who are repelled. I do not personally draw any conclusions on policy based on my personal feelings for him. I just keep hoping for transparency in the discussion (which I likely will never get).

I don't want to sound defeatist, but I think we (the US) are past the point where this is possible. There is an inordinate amount of division in the country. This is stoked by both sides. One side calls out "snowflakes" while the other calls out "racist, bigoted, xenophobic, etc.". This is also heavily stoked on both sides by the respective media outlets, who editorialize more than they report.

Neither side can claim that they have any moral authority.

To the second bolded part, it is not as simple as "staying home for a few months". We've seen the effects on the economy that this has had. It is not like this was just some extended vacation. This literally, put tens of millions of people out of work.

Finally, a helpful post in this thread. Can we use this one as the bookend please?

The only thing to add to this informed observation is that we are all being gamed by a depressingly cynical group of spokespeople in dying industries (ex. cable media) who have no personal agency but to follow directive from those who wish to stoke deeper division and create it artificially where there is none by capitalizing on ignorance, fear and uncertainty.

Anyone who has read anything meaningful in their lives should understand that people are vastly similar on any important metric. Any difference of opinion that exists can be dealt with civilly, but not in a world full of nihilists with public platforms. The only surefire way to get out of this trap is through a bit of absolutist thinking, self-reflection, focus on individual responsibility and the hardest one: shutting out the noise.

If you honestly need to argue with others to create a foundation of meaning in your life, then I beg you to please try a philosophical route that is done without judgement but with genuine intellectual curiosity and search for truth. Let's try to move away from the methods of this blogger and the "role models" of society who can do nothing but virtue signal in shallow ways that at best represent ignorant, manufactured and ego-driven dogmas and at worst represent a deep cynicism of perpetuating division for entertainment based on insecurity of character and a resentful worldview.

If any of this makes sense to you, please be one who can set a good example for others instead of contributing to the garbage heap. At the very least, don't allow even one person to wallow in a faulty air of superiority because he can push people's buttons with salacious and hyperbolic sophistry. Be better by not participating or when you must, at least have your ideas organized in such a way that leave no room for escape. Truth can only be hidden from; it cannot be denied. And when a person realizes this, it is he who must make a choice on whether to make the world better or worse.

If you willingly choose to make the world worse, the person you hurt most is you.

I'm sure there are. I guess, I was trying to give perspective to my view of him. As with any personality, there are those that it appeals to and those who are repelled. I do not personally draw any conclusions on policy based on my personal feelings for him. I just keep hoping for transparency in the discussion (which I likely will never get).
- Chunk

Listen, the honest fact in my view is that in the personality column, Trump is not a winner. There also could be some morality issues such as infidelity. In my view that is between him and his Wife. As President, he gets involved in spats and twitter feuds that should be beneath him as President. He on occasion makes stupid and poorly thought out statements getting involved in things that he shouldn't. None of that effects me personally. The reality is that he gets things done and I support his policies across the board. For the first time we have a President that doesn't care about lobbyists or the political elite and is for the people. I'm willing to put up with his imperfections that really have no bearing on my life for the issues that do matter.

Listen, the honest fact in my view is that in the personality column, Trump is not a winner. There also could be some morality issues such as infidelity. In my view that is between him and his Wife. As President, he gets involved in spats and twitter feuds that should be beneath him as President. He on occasion makes stupid and poorly thought out statements getting involved in things that he shouldn't. None of that effects me personally. The reality is that he gets things done and I support his policies across the board. For the first time we have a President that doesn't care about lobbyists or the political elite and is for the people. I'm willing to put up with his imperfections that really have no bearing on my life for the issues that do matter.
- MJL

Wow! You are just so simple! The toddler in chief is in doing a great job right? 15 percent unemployment. Failing economy. He is a failure. Keep defending him MJL. Its funny!

Wow! You are just so simple! The toddler in chief is in doing a great job right? 15 percent unemployment. Failing economy. He is a failure. Keep defending him MJL. Its funny!
- Gomey

I'm not sure why I'm wasting my time replying to you but what were the economic numbers before the pandemic? I will keep defending him which isn't difficult to do against people like you.