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'LIBERATE!': Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions

80 Comments
By ZEKE MILLER and MATT SEDENSKY

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Americans fighting each other instead of the virus. No wonder they lead the world in deaths.

What a sad sad country.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

It would be nice if Trump actually rose to a challenge for a change rather than sinking to the lowest possible depths by setting people against each other and then saying "it wasn't me people"....

18 ( +22 / -4 )

I don’t interfere with your right to sit at home in your pajamas and keep yourself socially distant from others.

What gives you the right to tell law abiding citizens that they can’t go for a walk in the park with their friends?

Our human rights are inalienable. They can’t be taken away by any person or government.

So do you feel the same way about Japan and Japanese people, that it's their 'right' to socialize and do what they want in public?

Anyhow these stay at home orders are hardly anything to cry about. Even in hard hit places like New York there is leeway and stay at home orders are nothing like the Trump supporters are making it out to be. You CAN go outside your home to do essential activities like shopping for food. You CAN go outside to do solitary exercise, maintaining social distance.

What is that so hard for inconsiderate people to understand?

18 ( +22 / -4 )

Our human rights are inalienable. They can’t be taken away by any person or government.

No right is absolute. Your rights are limited when they start to infringe in my rights.

17 ( +24 / -7 )

“You’re going to call your own shots."

And in the meantime, I'm going to publicly support protests in your state.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Funny how its only three states, three swing states with Democrat governors, where he is encouraging this. I guess his concern for liberty doesn’t extend to Republican held or politically unimportant states.

You’d almost think this was nothing more than a crass attempt to sabotage public health measures in his own country because he views it as a way of scoring cheap political points or something.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

The issue is more than 22 million have lost their jobs and are suffering. Trump needs to focus on solutions. Cheering on their protests and calling for their liberation is divisive in a time when unity is needed. It also does not address their grievances.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

How is me sitting on a park bench and chatting your my friend an infringement of your rights?

Yeah! How is me spreading a virus that could kill you an infringement on your rights?!

13 ( +17 / -4 )

People have been ordered into a temporary lockdown so that they can enjoy their freedoms once the pandemic has gone. You can't enjoy freedom when you're dead.

America is battling two virus - COVID-19, and brain-dead idiots.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

When hasn't trump opted to support the wrong side...

You can't fix stupidity, you can only try to stop it wanting to kill itself and others.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

The Donald is siding with the virus.

11 ( +18 / -7 )

It seems that this irresponsible and repulsion individual is pushing for some kind of civil war.

From the BBC:

The governor of one, Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, recently was the target of a mass protest at the state capital against her sweeping lock-down orders. A mixed crowd of conservatives, white nationalists and anti-government militias waved Confederate and pro-Trump flags, and signs accusing Whitmer of dictatorial overreach.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” “LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” he said in a tweet-storm in which he also lashed out at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for criticizing the federal response. Cuomo “should spend more time complaining,'” the president said.'

Well, Putin must have given the code word to Trump to begin the end of his attack on our democracy - start an internal revolt to turn the American people against their own government.

Can you believe that? A US President - telling his supporters to begin a violent overthrow of local governments - while spreading the virus we've been trying so hard to stop.

It's like some Twilight Zone nightmare - but its real...

11 ( +12 / -1 )

America is battling two virus - COVID-19, and brain-dead idiots.

Surprise surprise!

"Placards identified the Michigan Proud Boys as participants in the vehicle convoy. Near the state house, local radio interviewed a man who identified himself as “Phil Odinson”.

In fact the man is Phil Robinson, the prime mover in a group called the Michigan Liberty Militia, whose Facebook page features pictures of firearms, warnings of civil war, celebrations of Norse paganism and memes ultimately sourced from white nationalist groups like Patriot Front."

Norse Paganism? And there's more:

"The protest has been heavily promoted by the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), which counts among its donors “dark money” funds linked to the Koch brothers such as Donors Capital Fund, and Castle Rock, a foundation seeded with part of the fortune of Adolph Coors, the rightwing beer magnate."

These people are mental, totally unhinged. It's as though their consciousness is somehow reverting to that of the 17th. century:

"Rodriguez launched the website at an Easter service held in defiance of the governor’s orders on Easter Sunday, which was also addressed by Ammon Bundy, the leader of the militia occupation of the Malheur national wildlife refuge in 2016 that become a rallying point for the anti-government right in the US.

Bundy has been holding similar gatherings for weeks in Emmett, Idaho, where he now lives. On Sunday, he repeated his opposition to the Idaho orders, writing on Facebook: “We all have a duty to defend what is right and to make sure, that what God has given, man does not take away. Especially that great gift of agency, YES freedom!”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/far-right-coronavirus-protests-restrictions

11 ( +11 / -0 )

its too soon to start socializing and back to normal but arresting people walking or sitting alone randomly is insane.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

@rainyday -- exactly

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican ally of Trump's, . . . said more testing is needed before any restrictions can be rolled back.

Hmm. I wonder why Trump isn't tweeting LIBERATE WEST VIRGINIA!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

The US will LIBERATE ourselves of the moron now in the White House in November this year.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Fighting for the 'right' to risk infecting 'others'!

And if 'others' are infected they can echo the words of their Trump and say 'I'm not responsible for that', turn their backs and expect government to pay for and clean up after them.

Real rugged individuals. Not sorts guided by the 'wisdom' read or heard on some wack social media site, 8chan, Fox 'news', RT, Breitbart. infowars etc. etc.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Trump is miserable failure, when 10 of thousands of American are dying a day from the virus, he will not be satisfied people are not gonna shop in public stores, until they feel safe

9 ( +14 / -5 )

You can find evidence all over the internet of the media downplaying the virus.

Really?

Link to Donny’s video.

Lmao! Conservatives couldn’t argue themselves out of a wet paper bag.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

The only thing conservatives have been criticizing is the apparent manufactured overreaction the governors have been taking.

And the experts. Let’s tell the entire story, shall we?

8 ( +10 / -2 )

It's also my right to socialize with my friends and family. You have no right to take that away from anybody.

You clearly have no clue how these rights things work. But don’t let that stop you.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

This man has to be the most irresponsible president the U.S. has ever had. Let's hope he takes responsibility (fat chance) if this thing gets out of control.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Trump: The vast majority of history will write this buffoon off as a miscreant. That gives me solace. A warm feeling. A tiny % of a small mousy voice will squeak MAGA... but they’ll be drowned out by the roaring engines attached to the slogan flying through the heavens: IDIOT!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Always interesting to wake up and see America eating itself.

Trump is supporting overthrow of local Governments...incredible!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

There is a general feeling that the epidemiologists don’t have a clue of what’s going on

Perhaps because none of the experts have seen a virus like this.

Perhaps because it's 'not just another cold/flu' like posters on this site, Laura Ingraham, Limbaugh, far right social media sites (US and 'abroad'), and others pushing anti-science, pro-.01% 'elite' agendas have been saying.

If those following their political, media and corporate leaders are willing to take full responsibility for healthcare costs related to ignoring the actual scientists, then let them cluster in their herds together.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

"It's my right to infect you."

6 ( +10 / -4 )

LIBERATE! LIBERATE! cries the orange avatar of Paul Revere riding (or tweeting) to the rescue of the Republic! It's at least comforting to know that Trump's role is only that of Tweeter-in- Chief and that he's not calling the shots any more. The adults of America are taking control at last.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

So let's get to the crux of the issue- more value is placed on capital than the lives of people.

It's what drove Abe to keep the Olympics scheduled for this year, and it's what drives Donny to disregard the commonsense which tells us to first get a firm handle on the virus. It's become clear what the real priorities are.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

he architect of Obamacare

According to many Obamacare is a flawed program, still one that enabled more Americans to get healthcare than before.

Re healthcare programs, didn't Trump say (I know, I know - his word is meaningless) he had a better-than-Obamacare program? If so, is that what the country's seeing now as corpses pile up and the costs to deal with the virus continue to sabotage the solid economy Trump inherited (story of his life) from president Obama.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Remember the Hippocratic oath?

Which applies to doctors and nurses.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Newsflash - over 30K Americans have died already from Trump's debacle of a response

And Trump backers (US and 'foreign) continue to dispute those figures using instead ones found from one of their many far right media sources. They continue to say some variant of 'science bad - global ruling class elite good'. They've turned full on eugenicist saying 'it's only the old, ill and poor getting hurt' while ignoring facts saying otherwise. They're pointing fingers at 'enemies', which their leaders know their mobs need to stay riled. And they're willing to risk making this nasty virus even nastier by ignoring what medical experts, especially those who understand communicable diseases are saying.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

You know what? Abe comes off as crystal clear sane compared to Trump. What Trump is pushing is akin to urging people to smoke where there is a gas leak.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

So, we are either sociopaths or idiots. Deplorable too, right? Do tell us, which is Dr. Ben Carson, an idiot or a sociopath?

He’s a deranged religious crackpot.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

This is a very interesting article. The article stresses this hasn’t been peer-reviewed but more study into this area could be a game-changer in terms of reopening.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/antibody-study-suggests-coronavirus-is-far-more-widespread-than-previously-thought

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The current occupant of the White House, who is in full reelection campaign mode, continues to send the wrong signals to the country.

He does not believe in science, and does not understand it, either.

Damn the pandemic, full speed ahead .... at the detriment and expense of We the People of the United States of America.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

bass: Dr. Fauci is the one that thinks we can and should open the country up in small incremental steps for certain industries, so wait....now we shouldn’t listen to Fauci?

We should listen to Fauci. Everyone is working towards a plan to begin to open things up again. But even with that I can't imagine they are including mass gatherings like the Olympics. The first step will be getting people back to work and we can take it from there.

We should listen to Ezekiel Manuel, the architect of Obamacare who wants the entire country shutdown for at least 18 months?

Nope, we shouldn't. He can be ignored.

Next?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

You finally got something right, stormcrow. Most likely In a Wuhan wet market, to be specific.

Occams razor says more likely the Wuhan Institute of Virology

How does Occam’s razor get you to that?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Our human rights are inalienable. They can’t be taken away by any person or government.

Has this been discussed with Putin, by the way?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

So go ahead and socially separate yourself, I'm not going to stop you. That's your right.

A similar line of 'reasoning' said by the gun right's extremists. The 'my right to not socially myself' could well result in further costs of all sorts, including and especially those related to healthcare. The gun right's extremists also say let the government pay, e.g. for extra policing, court costs, healthcare, etc. for problems my fellow gun owners cause.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

They can only quarantine individuals that have an infectious disease.

They cannot indefinitely isolate individuals that do not have the disease.

Cite?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It's truly worrying that the PotUS is displaying reckless behaviour yet again.

He's getting the Branch Covidians all riled up.

Wasn't he only angrily saying to put partisanship aside, recently?

I wonder how this disgraceful and wicked man is impacting on the country's mental health, in addition to physical well being.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Dr. Anthony Fauci: hopes to ease stay-at-home orders by May 1, 2020, would be "a bit overly optimistic"

Dr. Anthony Fauci: the country is still “not there yet,” with the need for systems of mass testing in order to isolate new cases and avoid new clusters of infection

Dr. Anthony Fauci when asked about a possible second wave of infections as the country opens back up: “If you mean it goes way down and then come September, October, November, we have another peak, I have to say I would not be surprised. I would hope that if and when that occurs, that we jump all over it in a much, much more effective way than we have in these past few months”

4 ( +4 / -0 )

he also lashed out at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for criticizing the federal response. Cuomo “should spend more time complaining,'” the president said.

The original quote is Governor Cuomo should spend more time “doing” and less time “complaining”.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

its too soon to start socializing and back to normal

I agree. The graphic below shows this monster is 'not just another cold/flu'.

Covid vs. US Daily Average Cause of Death

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1712761/?fbclid=IwAR3y7CNzsHIrIfT7PlNaOOBFrPgksgJ9WQbBnRr6SbMiVxp8BFp-Jg7E0ZQ

3 ( +5 / -2 )

“LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” “LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” he said in a tweet-storm in which he also lashed out at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for criticizing the federal response. Cuomo “should spend more time complaining,'” the president said.

It seems Dr. Trump is making these States his laboratory to study the virus . The only problem is that he's not dealing with mice and rabbits but human beings!

Well, the people of these States can exercise their human rights to choose to be willing guinea pig heroes and make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of Donald the scientist.

Forget the WHO! Da-kine THO ( Trump Health Organization) is the real deal!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I might give Trump a little leeway if CV numbers were not so bad but the fact still exists that (1) the US leads the world (in a bad way) with CV numbers and (2) China is doing better with the CV fight than the US and it started in China. That's how sorry Trump is doing. Also TrumpCare is pretty much useless.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

 and the crowd who wants to keep the population under house arrest is not rational.

'House arrest': Another term from the alt right glossary. I think those who believe in science, especially those who will wait for more research findings rfom scientific organizations to determine when current health practices can be eased are the 'rational' ones.

Many in the far right media, including social media (US and 'abroad'), many telescamgelists, many far right politicians (US and 'abroad') are stoking fires to further splinter the US. Trump and his followers (in the US and 'abroad') know that divide and conquer has long been a tactic used successfully by despots. How are the issues being handled in your country?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Newsflash - over 30K Americans have died already from Trump's debacle of a response.

Trumps response was reasonable. As opposed to i.e. Nancy Pelosis call that people should all gather in Chinatown.

No facts and no substance, but good joke, not very funny, but passable.

And you recommend we go back to normal so thousands more Americans can die alone...

I did not say "go back to normal". There is a large area between taking no care at all and the police-state like restrictions that many places have now. Look at Taiwan and Sweden for example.

The virus doesn't recognize your "large area", it does recognize a large area where people gather unprotected and become infected then spread the virus. if that's what you want, get Trump to start his rallies back up.

That's really "doing no harm"...

Choosing the option that kills more people is doing harm. I don´t know what is so hard to understand there.

Valid death rates for "closing the economy" backed up by a reputable source please. No INFOWARS or Russia Today...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Really disappointing to see all the negative, non-productive comments here.

They are disappointing facts under Trump. The bad numbers under Trump and TrumpCare are proof. It's his show.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Trump is correct, and the crowd who wants to keep the population under house arrest is not rational. Remember the Hippocratic oath? "First, do no harm." Destroying the economy will cost many more lifes than any additional infections because of lifting the curfew rules. And of course, there is a sensible middle-ground; you can promote sensible behaviour without infringing on peoples freedom.

Newsflash - over 30K Americans have died already from Trump's debacle of a response. And you recommend we go back to normal so thousands more Americans can die alone... That's really "doing no harm"...

Well, then I have a suggestion - it's time to start back up the Trump rallies - pack everyone together in those stadiums. No need for masks - those are just for the "Libs". Get together and fill those stadiums with as much virus as you can stand - and if you do come down with Corona, it's only the flu, right? The main thing is that you show your undying (?) love for your President...

Trump can also urge all his supporters to "Liberate" their cities and states. Maybe they can pass out black facemasks and AR-15s as they file out. Release the anti-government armed hordes to "take back" America!

Violent Anarchy - it's what Trump and Putin cooked up together in 2016...now being carried out by all of Trump's zombie-like supporters...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Congress hasn't passed any major healthcare legislation to replace Obamacare.

They had HOW LONG to do it with control over all areas of government? The virus does not care and the virus does not wait (for the new and improved TrumpCare - which has no specifics anyway, and probably you are better off financially going to Trump university or buying one of Jared's properties).

It is TrumpCare. Proof is there is no public option or the expansion of Medicaid. How is Trump going to pay for the CV medical bills? They run in the 100s of thousands. And TrumpCare junk policies? That's a real laugh. ObamaCare (the real deal) had the public option which would be a reliable solution and Trumpcare killed it along with killing the expansion of Medicaid.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Disclaimer

a statement that denies something, especially responsibility.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You can chant TrumpCare all you want, nishikat, doesn't change the fact that we're still basically on Obamacare. Most of it was never repealed.

Emough if Obamacare was repealed that you have to say “still basically on Obamacare,” which means it’s Trumpcare now.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I don't understand. Trump is president. Why doesn't HE liberate everyone?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

they're willing to risk making this nasty virus even nastier by ignoring what medical experts, especially those who understand communicable diseases are saying.

In capitalism, there is only labor and capital. Their capital has stopped flowing, and therefore the labor need to give up their whining and get back to work.

If you're one of those who will be going back to work, you know which side of the capital/labor equation you are on.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Americans fighting each other instead of the virus. No wonder they lead the world in deaths.

after 9 11, bush deputized many law enforcement types and we saw a police state over night. Some governors are not balancing citizen rights with common sense. Trump is the only one this time that doesnt want a police state. Agreed, its too early to get back to normal, but abuse of power by agents must be checked.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

SuperLib:

We should listen to Fauci. Everyone is working towards a plan to begin to open things up again. But even with that I can't imagine they are including mass gatherings like the Olympics

Nobody is talking about mass gatherings and the Olympcs. Strawman. Dr. Fauci is a doctor and should give the medical point of view. But of course politicians need to look at the bigger picture. How long can people survive without a functioning economy?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Let’s never forget that all of this pain, frustration and anger which we’re experiencing because of this catastrophe was all made in China.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Let’s never forget that all of this pain, frustration and anger which we’re experiencing because of this catastrophe was all made in China.

You finally got something right, stormcrow. Most likely In a Wuhan wet market, to be specific.

Less than 1% of American's have been tested for the virus.

.00009%, 30,000 Americans have died from this virus. CDC estimates that, as of mid-March, between 29,000 and 59,000 have died due to influenza illnesses in the past year. Nearly 39,000 Americans died from car crashes last year. We don't shut down the country for the flu and car crashes, but we shut it down for the Wuhan virus. A great depression will cause way more suffering and deaths than this Wuhan virus. Trump will make sure this doesn't happen.

They are disappointing facts under Trump. The bad numbers under Trump and TrumpCare are proof.

You can chant TrumpCare all you want, nishikat, doesn't change the fact that we're still basically on Obamacare. Most of it was never repealed.

The bad numbers are proof of the threat from China.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Lincolnman:

Newsflash - over 30K Americans have died already from Trump's debacle of a response.

Trumps response was reasonable. As opposed to i.e. Nancy Pelosis call that people should all gather in Chinatown.

And you recommend we go back to normal so thousands more Americans can die alone...

I did not say "go back to normal". There is a large area between taking no care at all and the police-state like restrictions that many places have now. Look at Taiwan and Sweden for example.

That's really "doing no harm"...

Choosing the option that kills more people is doing harm. I don´t know what is so hard to understand there.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Serrano:

You finally got something right, stormcrow. Most likely In a Wuhan wet market, to be specific.

Occams razor says more likely the Wuhan Institute of Virology. But be that as it may, yes the thing started in Wuhan, and CCP first kept it secret and then promoted travel from Wuhan internationally while imposing a quarantene domestically. The CCP is responsible for the world-wide problem.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

 it’s Trumpcare now.

Congress hasn't passed any major healthcare legislation to replace Obamacare. I know, pesky fact.

Hopefully they'll get with the program during the second Trump term and pass a much improved program that doesn't have the government taking over the healthcare industry and raising everyone's taxes like Medicare For All would.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

trump is an idiot and a sociopath. It’s that simple.

That is an Orange Man bad comment, it's that simple.

Some of the people commenting in support of him are not sociopaths. They’re just idiots.

So, we are either sociopaths or idiots. Deplorable too, right? Do tell us, which is Dr. Ben Carson, an idiot or a sociopath?

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Really disappointing to see all the negative, non-productive comments here.

This makes sense -

https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Trump is correct, and the crowd who wants to keep the population under house arrest is not rational. Remember the Hippocratic oath? "First, do no harm." Destroying the economy will cost many more lifes than any additional infections because of lifting the curfew rules. And of course, there is a sensible middle-ground; you can promote sensible behaviour without infringing on peoples freedom.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

It's what drove Abe to keep the Olympics scheduled for this year, and it's what drives Donny to disregard the commonsense which tells us to first get a firm handle on the virus.

Dr. Fauci is the one that thinks we can and should open the country up in small incremental steps for certain industries, so wait....now we shouldn’t listen to Fauci? We should listen to Ezekiel Manuel, the architect of Obamacare who wants the entire country shutdown for at least 18 months? Seriously? The guy already cased enough damage, he’s the last medical so called expert anyone should listen to.

It's become clear what the real priorities are.

Saving the country from a complete financial collapse.

-19 ( +2 / -21 )

Finally! The green light has come and some people are allowed to go back to work. About time.

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

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