Merlin1963

Fifty year old progressive who is a little grumpy after more than 30 years of conservative dominance of the political system. We need to hamstring conservatives and devour their entrails.

MSNBC showed  anecdotal evidence (no link for now) of one — dare I say it? — emerging theme of denial from Trump supporters about his failure on handling the coronavirus pandemic: it’s just a “snapshot” of Trump’s performance.  He has done many great things for this nation, and like some kid with one...

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  • August 18, 2020

No, I am NOT being Chuck “Bothsiderist” Todd, but I need to tell you all about the descent into the rabbit hole that the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky has taken.  I’m pulling for Amy McGrath.  I really am.  But I’m not the only one who has noticed the blatant...

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  • August 15, 2020

Gabe Sherman of Vanity Fair has another article that points out how “cocooned” Trump is from bad news.  Sherman focuses on Trump’s inane views of the selection of Kamala Harris for VP by Joe Biden.  Digby has already covered the blatant and knuckle dragging sexism of Trump and some of...

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  • August 12, 2020

Those brave few who read my diaries know that I am usually filled with cynicism, anger, and depression when it comes to politics in my home state of Kentucky.  And I was at the lowest point I could be a couple of days ago with the release of a Morning...

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  • August 7, 2020

If you are not up on the latest with Trump’s war on science, Dr. Deborah Birx has defecated all over herself with regards to the orange baboon’s affections.  Trump didn’t appreciate what Dr. Birx was saying this weekend (someone must have shown the orange babboon some of  Birx’s TV time...

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  • August 3, 2020

Well, Indiana has decided to start sacrificing kids, their parents, and definitely their grandparents to COVID-19 starting TODAY.  In other words, kids are going back to school.    Parkview and 17 other schools in the Greater Clark County Schools district welcomed more than 10,000 students Wednesday, becoming the first school...

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  • July 30, 2020

Circuit Court Judge Richard Brueggemann showed his true pro-COVID-19 colors today with his ruling that all of Governor Andy Beshear’s actions against the coronavirus are unconstitutional.    For those not in the know, a group of businessmen and Republican State Attorney General Daniel Cameron went forum shopping for a judge who...

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  • July 21, 2020

I don’t know how else to describe someone who is pro-coronavirus as anything but evil, or as The Louisville Courier-Journal columnist Joseph Gerth calls Kentucky State Attorney General as “bidding to become Kentucky’s most prolific serial killer.”  But Daniel Cameron is evil.  During the midst of a surging viral epidemic, Cameron has taken...

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  • July 18, 2020

He isn’t the winner of the  Republican asshole of the week, but Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas will be issuing a mandate for wearing masks to combat the coronavirus on…Drum roll please…Monday. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he would issue a mask mandate in Arkansas, effective...

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  • July 16, 2020

Ghislaine Maxwell was denied bail.  Yes, this should not be news, but given what occured with the sweet heart deal that Jeffrey Epstein received, you cannot put anything past our justice system that caters to white wealthy people.  And the legal arguments put forward by Maxwell’s lawyer sound like it...

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  • July 15, 2020

Doctor Jane Appleby, Chief Medical Officer of Methodist Healthcare, announced a 30 year old Texas man died from the coronavirus that he got from attending a “COVID Party.”  This what News 4 San Antonio reported about this death: SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WOAI/KABB) – A patient in their 30s died from the...

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  • July 11, 2020

Rick Wilson is correct that “Everything Trump touches dies,” but Trump has little helpers — call them Trump Mini-Mees — who assist him in dealing out death to Americans with COVID-19.  And those Trump Mini-Mees are commonly referred to as “Republican Governors.”  They really are a rouges gallery, and it is truly...

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  • July 11, 2020

I am not sure if this is just general stupidity on his part or if Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas is just doing Trump’s bidding when it comes to reopening schools this fall, but here is what he said about COVID-19: When asked about the safety of Texas students...

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  • July 10, 2020

There are no real details on how this is executive order is to be enforced, but Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is mandating that you must wear a mask if you are out in public. Amid “an explosion of COVID,” all Kentuckians must wear masks in public starting Friday at 5...

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  • July 9, 2020

I think highly of Vanity Fair’s Gabe Sherman, but his latest piece with the information that Moscow MItch is giving Trump until Labor Day to turn things around or he is on his own is complete and utter bullshit. Nervous Republicans worried about losing the Senate are now debating when...

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  • July 3, 2020

It sure looks like Arizona is going for another shutdown to deal with the coronavirus, but I suspect that Republican Governor Ducey would prefer to call it a “de-reopening” of Arizona. Conceding he made a mistake in allowing them to reopen, Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday shuttered all bars in...

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  • June 30, 2020

It appears that Vice President “Lies His Ass Off For Trump” Pence is postponing his pro-COVID-19 “Faith in America” tour of Florida and Arizona.   Vice President Mike Pence has postponed his “Faith in America” tour events in Florida and Arizona amid rapidly rising coronavirus cases in both states. “Vice President Pence will no longer...

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  • June 27, 2020

Texas Governor Greg “We Cannot Go Backwards!” Abbott announced today that they are closing the bars and imiting restaurant capacity in Texas: One day after pausing additional efforts to reopen Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday announced another round of restrictions, including closing bars and limiting restaurant occupancy. The executive order...

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  • June 26, 2020

Nothing like another Republican “leader” abandoning his responsibilities.  The message from Texas Governor Greg Abbot to his fellow Texans is basically, “Ya’ll need to do something about the coronavirus!”  Abbott was one of those who couldn’t wait to reopen the state of Texas and get back to normal, even though...

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  • June 24, 2020

Suprisingly, the 2020 Kentucky Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate was probably the major driver for the higher than expected voter turnout (initial estimate of 32% voter participation statewide).  Yes, I know that is still a terrible number for any democracy, but the usual voter turnout in Kentucky is around 20%...

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  • June 24, 2020

Most GOP governors have decided that it is better to have an “open” economy than save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.  The worst of them never lockdown their states (see South Dakota and Iowa for examples), and even some who did order lockdowns reopened as rapidly as possible — most of...

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  • June 23, 2020

The only good thing with NYT’s access journalists like Maggie Haberman and Annie Karnie is they sometimes pan one golden nut of truth from the cesspool of disinformation that flows from Trump’s mouth and his campaign:  the facts from the Tulsa Rally disaster hit Trump square in the face.  The President’s...

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  • June 22, 2020

To be a fly on the wall on Air Force one tonight.  We already had the lies tonight about the Trump Coronavirus Fest in Tulsa from Trump and his campaign.  The turn out for the adoration for the great god was a bust because of those vile protesters and the the...

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  • June 21, 2020

Another bit of information has come out about the Louisville police killing of Breonna Taylor.  The new LMPD Chief has stated that Officer Hankinson fired ten shots through Taylor’s patio door and window. Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder's letter to Hankison on Friday notified him of the chief's intent to terminate his...

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  • June 20, 2020

The Louisville Courier-Journal is reporting today that one of the police officers involved in the Breonna Taylor killing will be terminated. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer announced Friday that Louisville Metro Police is initiating termination of Officer Brett Hankison, one of three LMPD officers to fire weapons on March...

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  • June 19, 2020

Something is definitely going on in Kentucky’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.  The latest sign is a poll that shows progressive Charles Booker surging past Amy McGrath. A new poll shows Charles Booker surging past Amy McGrath in Kentucky’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, with Election Day rapidly approaching on Tuesday....

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  • June 18, 2020

According to the Lexington-Herald Leader, requests for absentee ballots for the June 23rd Primary indicate a higher voter turnout statewide since the 2008 Primary. Nearly 27 percent of registered voters in Kentucky have requested an absentee ballot or already cast their vote a week out from the June 23 primary,...

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  • June 16, 2020

Spectrum News reported that at the end of closing tonight there were 325,596 application requests for absentee ballots in Jefferson County, Kentucky for the June 23rd Primary.  Today was the last day to apply for an absentee ballot.  The largest city in the state of Kentucky, Louisville, is in Jefferson...

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  • June 16, 2020

Harry Enten of CNN has an article on how history is against any dramatic rise in Trump’s approval ratings by election time. Presidential approval ratings, however, haven’t historically moved much from June of an election year to Election Day. It seems quite likely at this point that Trump’s approval rating...

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  • June 15, 2020

My elderly Mom and I committed election fraud Friday.  I sent in our absentee ballots by mail instead of voting in person with everyone in the city of Louisvlle at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center on June 23rd.  Well, a certain orange baboon in the White House claims that...

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  • June 13, 2020

Sigh.  More wonderful news out of my home state of Kentucky. First, one of the cops involved with shooting Breonna Taylor is now being investigated for sexually assaulting two women.  And one of the ministers who won a Kentucky court case allowing in person attendance for church services has now had to...

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  • June 9, 2020

Will possibly outting Lindsey Graham hurt his reelection chances this year?  My extremely jaded, cynical view says “No.”  It seems to be an open secret that Graham is gay, or so we are told from some who live in SC.  Therefore, if most SC voters know but keep voting for...

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  • June 7, 2020

I didn’t see this last night, but the Courier-Journal is reporting it today: Investigation launched into LMPD, National Guard fatal shooting of West End restaurant owner LOUISVILLE,  Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered Kentucky State Police to investigate the early Monday incident that featured Louisville Metro Police and National...

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  • June 1, 2020

Trump’s Inaugural Speech: REMARKS OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP – AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY INAUGURAL ADDRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. As Prepared for Delivery – Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans, and people of the world: thank you. We, the citizens...

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  • June 1, 2020

Seems the Media attention is all on Brian Kemp of Georgia and his reopening experiment with with the lives of his fellow Georgians during a viral pandemic.  And DeSantis gets the same level of scrunity because…well….It’s Florida.  Meanwhile, AL, MS, and SC have increasing numbers of coronavirus infections since their own grand...

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  • May 30, 2020

This happened yesterday in Frankfort, the state capitol in Kentucky: Beshear hanged in effigy as Second Amendment supporters rally at Capitol before Memorial Day What started out as a freedom-loving celebration of the Second Amendment ahead of Memorial Day turned into Gov. Andy Beshear being hanged in effigy and protesters...

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  • May 25, 2020

If you are a Republican governor who wants to cook the books on the number of coronavirus infections and deaths in your state, there are multiple methods for doing so. Place both the PCR based test with the antigen test together.  The PCR test determines if the viral RNA is...

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  • May 20, 2020

Where to start with when it comes to the results of Sweden’s COVID-19 response?  Sweden decided to tell their seniors to stay at home, and they essentially left most of their economy open.  The idea was that the younger Swedes would achieve herd immunity and protect the more vunerable seniors...

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  • May 19, 2020

His name is Joseph LaLima, and he is the going to be soon infamous barber of Kingston, New York who helped spread the coronavirus to his customers.  For those that hadn’t heard, COVID-19 Joe decided that rules are not for him.  COVID-19 Joe kept cutting hair during the viral pandemic...

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  • May 17, 2020

According to Texas Governor Greg Abbot’s communication John Wittman, Texas has doubled its rate of testing for the coronavirus: Gov. Greg Abbott’s communications director John Wittman told ABC News that the amount of testing has doubled since reopening, contributing to the rise in cases. “Since [COVID-19 testing] started, we did...

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  • May 16, 2020

Ed Scarce over at Crooks and Liars has a disturbing piece up about anti-lockdown protesters in Long Island, New York threatening a reporter who was wearing a mask and covering their protest.  The reporter is Ken Vesey of News 12.  Vesey has video of the incident, and the cops were...

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  • May 16, 2020

Moscow Mitch’s attack on Obama’s criticism of Trump’s criminal negligence when dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is pure Trumpism — blatant racism aimed at the former president.   The Republican base, especially in Kentucky, is filled with bigots and racists, and one of their favorite punching bags is that uppity black man...

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  • May 13, 2020

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds stated today that “some” of the Test Iowa samples for COVID-19 were “potentially damaged.”   Some coronavirus test samples processed under Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Test Iowa” program could not be processed because they were “potentially damaged,” resulting in incomplete results for an unclear number of Iowans. Pat...

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  • May 7, 2020

Seems that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police earned the ire of Jeremiah “Protect Going To Church During a Pandemic” Wooley.  Seems that Wooley made threats about killing Gov. Beshear and Kentucky State Troopers.  And it appears those threats were not idle. CNN)A 25-year-old man is facing...

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  • May 6, 2020

Moscow Mitch is willing to risk the lives of his fellow senators in order to force a vote on one of his political toadies to the Court of Appeals to D.C.   The toadie in question: Only 161 days after he took his seat on the U.S. District Court in Louisville,...

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  • May 3, 2020

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that there may be problems with a coronavirus test out of Utah run by UtahTest.com.  Basically, UtahTest is reporting less than half the positive test results as those performed with other tests in other parts of Utah.  Why this might be bad enough for...

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  • May 1, 2020

The odds are very high that Amy McGrath will win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate to take on Moscow Mitch this year in Kentucky.  In fact, you can tell that she is going to be the nominee because she outraised Moscow Mitch in fundraising.  The Democratic Establishment and some...

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  • April 29, 2020

Look who else got the axe from Fox:  Diamond and Silk. Fox News has cut ties with MAGA vlogging superstars Diamond & Silk, who had contributed original content to the network’s streaming service Fox Nation since shortly after its late 2018 launch. The sudden split comes after the Trump-boosting siblings...

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  • April 28, 2020

Politico has what I think is a good article on the overly optimistic coronavirus pandemic model proposed by the IHME and the Trump Administrations latching onto this model.  While not part of this article, Trump was once again asked by a reporter if he felt responsible for the 50,000 coronavirus...

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  • April 25, 2020