# 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:** 178
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3558 "2020-09-14T17:54:06Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Whelp. The Center for Disease Control, which used to be the most respected group of apolitical scientists in their field, now includes a tinfoil-hat-wearing conspiracy theory-espousing loony. What could go wrong by putting scientific hacks into positions of power? > **[The scientific feud that ended in an execution](https://gizmodo.com/the-scientific-feud-that-ended-in-an-execution-606586522)** > > There have been a few famous feuds in science history, but there's only been one that left a scientist headless. Unfortunately for all of history, in this case, the better scientist lost. That's politics for you. > just as the revolution began to get seriously dangerous. Marat’s death, at the hands of Charlotte Corday, turned him for a time into a martyr. His friends and allies carried his grudge for him, arresting Lavoisier. > > Lavoisier wrote to his friends, including Franklin, from prison. (I like to think that one of the letters included the phrase, “remember that nitwit who swore he could see stuff leaking from your head?”) One day, political sensibilities ignited, and prisoner after prisoner was hauled from their cell, given a brief show trial, and executed. Some stories say that Lavoisier asked to be given time to finish his experiments, and was told that “The Revolution has no need for scientists.” He was executed and buried in a mass grave. > > A short time later public feeling turned again, and Marat was condemned while Lavoisier was exonerated. Lavoisier’s widow was given his remaining possessions, and a short note admitting that he was executed under false charges. Ever since then, Lavoisier has been a symbol of the damage that politics can do to science. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3559 "2020-09-14T17:54:30Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I guess the implication of Trump’s statement were so obvious that the interviewer didn’t even feel the need to ask the follow-up: “uh…what about your fans in the audience who aren’t far away from each other? Any concern for them?” > > Nah. It’s all about the donald. In addition to it being all about him, the fact trump said that is a tacit, or scratch that, overt admission that he is aware the rally will have the effect of spreading the virus. When he was asked if he was worried he’d get it at the rally, he didn’t say “cases are way down, and so I’m not at all concerned.” or “it’s a Democrat hoax, and so I’m not at all concerned.”. He said “I’m on a stage and it’s very far away. And so I’m not at all concerned.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3560 "2020-09-14T17:57:56Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > You omitted the third bullet, which says “request your mail-in ballot at least 15 days before Election Day.” … and the fourth bullet says “mail your ballot 7 days before Election Day.” With this incarnation of the USPS, requesting a ballot on October 18th just might get it to you by early December. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3561 "2020-09-14T18:19:11Z")
> [@NY Times](#): > > He also warned of a left-wing revolt after the election. He’s that like it’s a bad thing. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3562 "2020-09-14T18:21:27Z")
Actually, Marat was a pioneering optical physicist and he DID see hot air rising from Franklin’s head, and demonstrated it to other scientists gathered for the event. It was done by using collimated sun’s light passing over his head, and the change in refractive index made the plumes of hot air plainly visible in his shadow. The effect is very similar to (and related to) Schlieren Imaging: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4tgOyU34D44/maxresdefault.jpg "How To See Air Currents") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tgOyU34D44) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NmS6h_fkPgk/maxresdefault.jpg "The Schlieren Effect - Amazing Demonstration!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmS6h_fkPgk) So Marat wasn’t some proto-New Age pseudoscientist, but was on the cutting edge of optical technology. And he didn’t arrest Lavoisier. In addition, Marat himself was being persecuted (he felt) by the Academy because he criticized Newton. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3563 "2020-09-14T19:22:12Z")
AP fact checking Individual 1’s rally speech. > **[AP FACT CHECK: Trump's torrent of falsehoods, Biden missteps](https://www.yahoo.com/news/ap-fact-check-trumps-torrent-052900190.html)** > > Playing defense on his handling of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump is letting the falsehoods fly. Over the weekend, he railed against cases of voting fraud that didn’t exist, asserted that COVID-19 was “rounding a corner” despite what his... ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3564 "2020-09-14T20:30:04Z")
Mike Pompeo’s wife asked State Department employees to work over Christmas week to help her address Christmas cards. [Mike Pompeo's Wife Made State Dept. Staff Work Christmas Week: Report](https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pompeo-wife-state-department-staff-work-christmas-report-2020-9)? ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3565 "2020-09-14T21:03:17Z")
Yay! I made a few edits to my review and got it posted on Amazon - I also refined it and made it funnier and added a picture. I think the problem was I referred to Trump’s ass — I changed that to rear end. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3DCJUMUMPIE1K?ref=pf\_ov\_at\_pdctrvw\_srp](https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3DCJUMUMPIE1K?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp) ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3566 "2020-09-14T21:11:26Z")
It seems at least one of the ICE detention centers is taking a page out of the [old prison playbook](https://medium.com/gendered-violence/sterilization-behind-prison-bars-3b1b7d11c400) and is [giving unneeded and unwanted hysterectomies to the female detainees](https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/like-an-experimental-concentration-camp-whistleblower-complaint-alleges-mass-hysterectomies-at-ice-detention-center/). ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3567 "2020-09-14T21:14:45Z")
Annie, you are my hero! I already have given your review a +1 as “Helpful.” C’mon Dopers, let’s move this one to the top of Amazon’s list! ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3568 "2020-09-14T21:22:58Z")
> [@icon](#): > > I see this more of a mass mailing fail rather than purposeful attempt at causing confusion Well, there is this: > [@](#): > > “Secretaries of State asked @USPS Postmaster General DeJoy to review a draft before election information was sent to voters to ensure accuracy. But he refused. Now millions of postcards with misinformation are printed & being mailed to voters,” Griswold said. Refusing to work with the states to make sure there was no confusion sounds like it was on purpose. Especially considering this: > [@](#): > > Elections are run by state and local governments, as outlined in the Constitution, and it’s not common for the federal government to send election-related information to all Americans. [[https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/12/politics/colorado-voting-election-mailers-usps/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/12/politics/colorado-voting-election-mailers-usps/index.html)] ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3569 "2020-09-14T21:23:05Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > Annie, you are my hero! I already have given your review a +1 as “Helpful.” C’mon Dopers, let’s move this one to the top of Amazon’s list! done! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3570 "2020-09-14T21:25:49Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > [@bobsmom101](#): > > > > Annie, you are my hero! I already have given your review a +1 as “Helpful.” C’mon Dopers, let’s move this one to the top of Amazon’s list! > > done! - Same. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3571 "2020-09-14T21:26:06Z")
Thanks! I also reviewed the Trump $1000 bills. “Nothing says dictatorship like big gold-plated banknotes that are absolutely worthless” - I’ll post it if they put it up ( I’ll probably make some edits first ). Probably in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3572 "2020-09-14T21:37:08Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Mike Pompeo’s wife asked State Department employees to work over Christmas week to help her address Christmas cards. > [Mike Pompeo's Wife Made State Dept. Staff Work Christmas Week: Report](https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pompeo-wife-state-department-staff-work-christmas-report-2020-9)? “My Arabic is a little rusty, I need you to do these for me.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3573 "2020-09-14T21:45:29Z")
“Ass” is just right out for a family-friendly review. But apparently “homoerotic fever dream” is just dandy. Possibly their dictionary just doesn’t have that many pages? 🤣 I have done my part towards propelling you to brief internet fame… ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3574 "2020-09-14T21:48:45Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > > > [@bobsmom101](#): > > > > > > Annie, you are my hero! I already have given your review a +1 as “Helpful.” C’mon Dopers, let’s move this one to the top of Amazon’s list! > > > > done! - > > Same. Done as well! ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3575 "2020-09-14T22:18:37Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > Annie, you are my hero! I already have given your review a +1 as “Helpful.” C’mon Dopers, let’s move this one to the top of Amazon’s list! done and done ---
**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:** [September 14, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3576 "2020-09-14T23:04:35Z")
Michael Caputo, spokesman for the DHS Department, says that scientists in the CDC are plotting to bring down Individual 1, that leftists are plotting to murder him (Caputo), and urges Individual 1 supporters to stock up on weapons and ammunition so that they can keep Individual 1 in power after he refuses to step down at the inauguration. > **[‘They’re going to have to kill me’: Caputo claims U.S. scientists are...](https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-trump-health-aide-conspiracy-theory-20200914-flupbm4iajctxpqgu62tehx2bm-story.html)** > > “There are scientists who work for this government who do not want America to get well, not until after Joe Biden is president," the Trump administration aide said. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3577 "2020-09-14T23:07:54Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Michael Caputo, spokesman for the DHS Department, says that scientists in the CDC are plotting to bring down Individual 1, that leftists are plotting to murder him (Caputo), and urges Individual 1 supporters to stock up on weapons and ammunition so that they can keep Individual 1 in power after he refuses to step down at the inauguration. > [Trump aide claims scientists are committing ‘sedition’ in wild Facebook rant](https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-trump-health-aide-conspiracy-theory-20200914-flupbm4iajctxpqgu62tehx2bm-story.html) > **[Trump officials interfered with CDC reports on Covid-19](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/11/exclusive-trump-officials-interfered-with-cdc-reports-on-covid-19-412809)** > > The politically appointed HHS spokesperson and his team demanded and received the right to review CDC’s scientific reports to health professionals. Which is why I’m not trusting the CDC on the safety or effectiveness of any vaccine any time soon. And I’m no anti-vaxxer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=179)