# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 137
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2736 "2020-08-24T14:21:06Z")
Maybe this is naive of me but I assumed plasma would be screened for known diseases. I understand in the 80s and 90s AIDS was not well understood but wouldn’t it be screened for today? Unless there’s another unknown serious disease in the population - which I concede is possible the risks should be minimal - no? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2737 "2020-08-24T14:26:31Z")
You are correct - plasma, like all blood products, undergoes screening. It should be no more risky than any other blood product, yet every year people do have problems stemming from using those products, including some deaths. Even so, the vast majority of the time the patient benefits instead of being harmed. My concerns is not so much the strength of the screening process as possible pressure brought to bear to use these products in a hurry, without proper screening, or in inappropriate situations. Trump seems to have no problem putting others at risk for his own gain, and it seem too many people want to follow him blindly. That’s where I have concerns, more than the medical end of things. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2738 "2020-08-24T14:29:14Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Have they even set up the basic infrastructure, like making sure the WiFi can accommodate all the ankle bracelets? Dunno. Turns out all the techie-nerds are Deep State Libtards. The ones that aren’t Russians, that is. Can’t communicate with either group. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2739 "2020-08-24T14:31:54Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > If they had omitted the pledge entirely, no one would have even noticed; it’s not like the PoA is mandatory. I haven’t been in a room where the pledge was recited since High School (1979). What’s wrong with people who feel the need to publicly pledge allegiance to flag? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2740 "2020-08-24T14:33:59Z")
Their false patriotism gives them the illusion of moral superiority allowing them to act wholly immoral. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2741 "2020-08-24T14:33:59Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Also, the spelling is way too good. Trump misspells “Noble” Prize I said at the time someone should have given him a Noble prize medal. It would be gold flashed (\< .175 microns) pot metal with a portrait of [Emperor Norton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Norton) on the front – an emperor being far better than some egg-head scientist – and on the back, _For being the very bestest at presidentin’_ scratched in with a [scribe](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1eG3FajDuK1RjSszdq6xGLpXa7/1PC-Portable-Pocket-Diamond-Engraving-Pen-Carving-Pens-Glass-Metal-Wood-Engraver-DIY-Craft-Scribe-Tool.jpg). He’ll never know the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2742 "2020-08-24T14:37:19Z")
Sure. But why are they doing it at the DNC? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2743 "2020-08-24T14:37:24Z")
I don’t get it either, but our neighborhood civic association (mostly composed of Democrats, though an older generation–mean age is probably 55-60) starts every monthly meeting with the pledge. It’s always felt weird to me. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2744 "2020-08-24T14:39:31Z")
“Uh oh…people are watching and expect us to be patriotic or somethin’. Shall we sing God Bless America? How about we recite the Pledge?” It’s like playing the National Anthem before a ball game. And once you go there, it’s hard to get back. And the whole idea of pledging allegiance, to anything, sounds vaguely fascistic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2745 "2020-08-24T15:15:33Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > He couldn’t figure out how to shake out a pillow??? Maybe he changed the origin story after being ordered to stop using snake oil. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2746 "2020-08-24T16:04:03Z")
Plasma may be an actual treatment with some effect, but the symbolism of Trump placing his hopes on taking blood from people who’ve had coronavirus (disproportionately minorities and poorer people, and the blue-state cities who faced the worst outbreaks early on) to give it to others catching it now (more rural, white, and red state) is almost parodically on-the-nose for Trump and the reactionary GOP. Millions for treatments _from_ “them” for “us”, not a penny for treatments _for_ them from us. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2747 "2020-08-24T16:26:32Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > It’s like playing the National Anthem before a ball game. And once you go there, it’s hard to get back. And the whole idea of pledging allegiance, to anything, sounds vaguely fascistic. We should go whole hog and return to the original [Bellamy salute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute). That’ll show the libtards who think it’s fascist at all! ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2748 "2020-08-24T16:34:02Z")
Not just that, but what if the people who have recovered are either told by their doctors that it is medically dangerous for them to donate or just plain don’t feel like it? I don’t think you can force people to donate blood against their will, just as you can’t force someone to donate an organ against their will. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2749 "2020-08-24T17:09:34Z")
Yeah, there could be supply issues because some potential donors won’t be eligible to donate or may not want to. Whose plasma are they using? People who were ill enough to be hospitalized and given a test that came back positive? Or do they do a Covid antibody test on whoever shows up to volunteer? My understanding is that plasma has to be screened and matched to blood type and carries similar risks to typical blood transfusions? If so, there is a certain risk/benefit ratio. I also thought I read that plasma works best if given within 3 days of contracting it. So it’s best to give it to someone who may not even be ill yet and may recover on their own? Testing results for non-hospitalized people take quite a while to come back I think. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2750 "2020-08-24T17:34:23Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > I don’t think you can force people to donate blood against their will, just as you can’t force someone to donate an organ against their will. Maybe the Pubs will introduce legislation to make the blood and organs of Democrats fair game, like giraffes and rhinos. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2752 "2020-08-24T18:40:14Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Millions for treatments _from_ “them” for “us”, not a penny for treatments _for_ them from us. I’m not so sure many Trumpists want blood from _CENSORED_ people. You know, the one drop rule, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2753 "2020-08-24T20:32:20Z")
The New York state Attorney General has filed a new lawsuit against Individual 1, Lil Eric, and their personal lawyer demanding documentation about their finances, though she has kept the details quit. Speculation is that she’s trying to find out if they downgraded their finances when applying for loans. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-24/new-york-sues-trump-organization-erik-trump-court-filing-shows](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-24/new-york-sues-trump-organization-erik-trump-court-filing-shows) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2754 "2020-08-24T20:39:11Z")
Eric will break like the wind under questioning ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2755 "2020-08-24T21:04:50Z")
The latest from the projection booth: [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/513297-republicans-officially-renominate-trump-for-president](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/513297-republicans-officially-renominate-trump-for-president) > Trump also railed against the expansion of mail voting, calling it the “greatest scam in the history of politics.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2756 "2020-08-24T21:31:46Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > the “greatest scam in the history of politics.”- That certainly is a topic he is an expert on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=136) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=138)