[OutsiderFan]

The United States was probably one of the top 2-3 most prepared countries to deal with a pandemic. There was a 60+ page pandemic response manual prepared for the White House. When the transition from 44 to 45 happened, someone who was since fired or otherwise removed from a position of influence to use it, was really happy to have and appreciated the guidance because he planned to have the new administration use it if ever faced with the need, so he thought.

IOW, the White House had an instruction manual to follow - probably few countries had - but never took it out of the proverbial drawer and totally pissed away the first mover advantage the U.S. had. Who the hell knows why the manual was ignored, but anyone who thinks the White House hasn't failed spectacularly really needs to read this:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25...cil-149285 

No, the virus couldn't have been completely stopped, but had recommendations that were available and produced by people who knew WTF they were doing actually been followed, which includes responding quickly and in a coordinated fashion, we wouldn't be facing the catastraf*ck on the scale we are now.  

Highlighting failures and blaming people are two sides of the same coin. This post isn't an effort to blame anyone as much as it is to highlight the value of having the best people in charge, and the importance of holding those who screw up accountable. Because without accountability, there will be nothing but more disaster ahead.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Perhaps if our government, including the House Intelligence committee that is suppose to oversee threats to our country, hadn't been laser focused on a two bit phone call during December and January, we could have avoided this whole thing. The alleged best in our country were looking at the Ukraine when they should have been looking at China.

My grandfather once told me, if you can't improve on the silence, say nothing.  I'll amend to say if your defense is this weak, don't bother saying anything.  Blaming those who aren't responsible, in a desperate attempt to shield those who are, is just embarrassing.

I know for certain the PDB would have had lots of information about the coming pandemic, since early January at least. Someone or someones are responsible for not following the "Pandemic for Dummies" that was available to the White House. I don't know who specifically, but we best find out for certain, so we can "see the QB throwing those picks" and everyone can agree he needs to be benched, or we will be seeing similar screw-ups continue, not just with pandemic management, but other areas as well.

Don't lose track of the fact there could be a war developing between Iran and the U.S. Wouldn't it be great if during a pandemic, we end up in a kinetic war, with National Guard being called to fight in Iran, when states need them to help with pandemic. We could have the same QB/QBs managing such a war as are leading pandemic response. Maybe the Defense Production Act is being held for this eventuality? We don't know, and this isn't that far fetched. It can easily happen if we don't identify exactly the QB or QBs who must be benched.

Straw man arguments don't help at a time like this. Only facts matter.

[OutsiderFan]

The United States was probably one of the top 2-3 most prepared countries to deal with a pandemic. There was a 60+ page pandemic response manual prepared for the White House. When the transition from 44 to 45 happened, someone who was since fired or otherwise removed from a position of influence to use it, was really happy to have and appreciated the guidance because he planned to have the new administration use it if ever faced with the need, so he thought.

IOW, the White House had an instruction manual to follow - probably few countries had - but never took it out of the proverbial drawer and totally pissed away the first mover advantage the U.S. had. Who the hell knows why the manual was ignored, but anyone who thinks the White House hasn't failed spectacularly really needs to read this:

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/25...cil-149285 

No, the virus couldn't have been completely stopped, but had recommendations that were available and produced by people who knew WTF they were doing actually been followed, which includes responding quickly and in a coordinated fashion, we wouldn't be facing the catastraf*ck on the scale we are now.  

Highlighting failures and blaming people are two sides of the same coin. This post isn't an effort to blame anyone as much as it is to highlight the value of having the best people in charge, and the importance of holding those who screw up accountable. Because without accountability, there will be nothing but more disaster ahead.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Perhaps if our government, including the House Intelligence committee that is suppose to oversee threats to our country, hadn't been laser focused on a two bit phone call during December and January, we could have avoided this whole thing. The alleged best in our country were looking at the Ukraine when they should have been looking at China.

My grandfather once told me, if you can't improve on the silence, say nothing.  I'll amend to say if your defense is this weak, don't bother saying anything.  Blaming those who aren't responsible, in a desperate attempt to shield those who are, is just embarrassing.

I know for certain the PDB would have had lots of information about the coming pandemic, since early January at least. Someone or someones are responsible for not following the "Pandemic for Dummies" that was available to the White House. I don't know who specifically, but we best find out for certain, so we can "see the QB throwing those picks" and everyone can agree he needs to be benched, or we will be seeing similar screw-ups continue, not just with pandemic management, but other areas as well.

Don't lose track of the fact there could be a war developing between Iran and the U.S. Wouldn't it be great if during a pandemic, we end up in a kinetic war, with National Guard being called to fight in Iran, when states need them to help with pandemic. We could have the same QB/QBs managing such a war as are leading pandemic response. Maybe the Defense Production Act is being held for this eventuality? We don't know, and this isn't that far fetched. It can easily happen if we don't identify exactly the QB or QBs who must be benched.

Straw man arguments don't help at a time like this. Only facts matter.