It’s Wednesday, May 6th, 2020…but before we begin, as G. Trevor stated in a recent conversation, many Progressive politicians have painted themselves into a COVID-19 corner from which they haven’t the faintest clue how to escape.

Whether it’s Fredo’s older brother Sonny ordering contagious virus victims into New York nursing homes, the Illinois governor verbally assaulting a reporter for pointing out his wife violated his own stay-at-home order, or Lockdown Larry lying about the number of demonstrators opposing his unnecessary edicts, these a*sclowns have put their own cajones in a wringer. 

Frankly, we enjoy watching them squirm.

But as the inestimable Daniel Francis Feeney noted, while, contrary to our earlier assertion, the initial global lockdown may not have been directed at The Donald, the continued domestic lockdown is purely political, and purposefully intended to take down Trump.

Next, consider this: Antony Faux-chi’s protestations to the contrary notwithstanding…and in opposition to most every intelligence report…assume for the moment the ChiComs created the Wuhan virus as a potential biologic intended to level the playing field in an active conflict with their only rival.

Were said genetically-modified viral weapon to escape your sorry-ass Wuhan lab and infect the world, are you going to admit it?!?

Again, this isn’t a blanket condemnation of the Chinese people; we’re talking about the leadership of Communist Party of China authorizing the development of such a weapon.

Now, imagine, having authorized the creation of such a virus, you want to take it out for a test drive.  After all, as the successors of a regime which sacrificed some 70,000,000 lives in the name of the utterly ineffective Great Leap Forward, what’s another 100 million out of a population of 1.4 BILLION?!?

So you release it out of Wuhan…via expedited delivery courtesy of the 5,000,000 largely international travelers you infected, then authorized.  Imagine your surprise when, rather than the relatively placid response to your earlier releases of the Hong Kong flu, SARS, MERS and the Swine flu, the world reacted with a global lockdown you didn’t expect.  A reaction which hurt you as much as it hurt them.

Not saying it happened…only that it’s far more than possible.

Then again, we’re a racist, misogynistic, homophobic, transgender-phobic, piece of dog squeeze.

P.S.  While the verbiage is ours, hat tip to the great Stilton Jarlsberg for the artwork accompanying our Quote of the Day.

Now, here’s The Gouge!

First up, as Townhall.com‘s Leah Barkoukis informs us, a…

DHS Report Offers Explanation For Why China Hid Wuhan Coronavirus Information

“A Department of Homeland Security intelligence report found the Chinese government likely hid information about the severity of the coronavirus in order to have time to hoard medical supplies. The Chinese government “intentionally concealed the severity” of COVID-19 in early January, the four page report said, according to the Associated Press.

“We further assess the Chinese Government attempted to hide its actions by denying there were export restrictions and obfuscating and delaying provision of its trade data,” the report added…”

Soooo…tell us again, all you ChiCom apologists, how any criticism of Beijing’s inexcusable obfuscation and disinformation is racist and undeserved?!? 

Since we’re on the subject of hypocritical subterfuge of the rankest variety, FOX News is reporting the…

UK scientist who pushed coronavirus restrictions resigns after reportedly meeting married lover

“A British scientist who worked with the government on its coronavirus response resigned from his advisory role Tuesday after a media report said he defied lockdown measures by letting a woman visit him on two occasions.

Neil Ferguson, a professor at Imperial College in London, stepped down from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the body that advises the government in emergencies. He led an academic team at the university that produced a model forecasting the spread of COVID-19 and predicted as many as 500,000 deaths if the government failed to take action.

The projections prompted officials to impose unprecedented social distancing measures…”

He risked his life…for sex?!?.  What…his internet service was down, or both his hands were blistered?!?

Seriously, one can only conclude either (a) that was some sex; or, far more likely (b) it really wasn’t much of a risk at all.

We’re going with (b), an opinion shared by this piece from Townhall.com via The Boss, as Dennis Prager predicts…

The Worldwide Lockdown May Be the Greatest Mistake in History

“The idea that the worldwide lockdown of virtually every country other than Sweden may have been an enormous mistake strikes many — including world leaders; most scientists, especially health officials, doctors and epidemiologists; those who work in major news media; opinion writers in those media; and the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people who put their faith in these people — as so preposterous as to be immoral. Timothy Egan of The New York Times described Republicans who wish to enable their states to open up as “the party of death.”

That’s the way it is today on planet Earth, where deceit, cowardice and immaturity now dominate almost all societies because the elites are deceitful, cowardly and immature.

But for those open to reading thoughts they may differ with, here is the case for why the worldwide lockdown is not only a mistake but also, possibly, the worst mistake the world has ever made.

And for those intellectually challenged by the English language and/or logic, “mistake” and “evil” are not synonyms. The lockdown is a mistake; the Holocaust, slavery, communism, fascism, etc., were evils. Massive mistakes are made by arrogant fools; massive evils are committed by evil people.

The forcible prevention of Americans from doing anything except what politicians deem “essential” has led to the worst economy in American history since the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is panic and hysteria, not the coronavirus, that created this catastrophe. And the consequences in much of the world will be more horrible than in America.

The United Nations World Food Programme, or the WFP, states that by the end of the year, more than 260 million people will face starvation — double last year’s figures. According to WFP director David Beasley on April 21: “We could be looking at famine in about three dozen countries…There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself“…”

Coupled with the crop damage massive swarms of locusts have visited upon significant swaths of East Africa of late, starvation certainly seems the more serious threat.

Particularly when one realizes all the world’s scientific resources have yet to develop a sure-fire “cure” for the deadly Hong Kong Flu, as the virus mutates both between and during a given flu season, making any vaccine less effective.  Still, despite the pathogen claiming 100,000 lives in the U.S. and some 1,000,000 worldwide in 1968-69…and returning for an encore performance every year since…it’s yet to merit the reaction of the Wuhan virus.  Just sayin’. 

Meanwhile, back in the good ol’ US of A, writing at Best of the Web, Jim Freeman records sentient parts of the country are…

Ready for the American Rebound

Lockdowners are losing the argument.

““We’re opening up our country again,” President Donald Trump told reporters today before departing for Arizona. He also helpfully clarified that operating without shutdowns doesn’t mean citizens do nothing to prevent the spread of infection. In response to a question on the latest virus mortality guess floated in the national media, the President said, “we’re doing a lot of mitigation. And, frankly, when the people report back, they’re going to be social distancing and they’re going to be washing their hands, and they’re going to be doing the things that you’re supposed to do.” (Which doesn’t include quarantining the healthy for the first time in history.)

Governors in places like New Jersey and New York are still locking down much of society, despite a flattened virus curve. But nationwide the lockdowners are losing public support. Pollster Scott Rasmussen reports today via email:

Today’s Number of the Day presented by Ballotpedia shows that 49% of voters nationwide now fear the economic threat from the coronavirus more than the health threat. Forty-five percent (45%) take the opposite view and are more worried about the health threat. (Here’s an idea: YOU 45%ers continue to shelter in place while the REST OF US begin living and working again!) These numbers reflect a significant change over the past month. In late March, by a 55% to 38% margin, voters were more concerned about the health threat…

These results are consistent with other data showing that people are looking to loosen some of the restrictions. Voters nationwide are evenly divided as to whether the lockdowns should continue. And, they have come to recognize that it’s not simply a question of stay home to stay safe or go out and get sick. Voters recognize there are significant mental and physical health risks associated with ongoing lockdowns. Those who know the latest data are more likely to support easing lockdown restrictions…”

“Those who know the lastest data”: in other words, anyone basing their judgements and decisions on the facts, as opposed to those following their feelings.

Speaking of those whose feelings overwhelm their reason, writing at the Washington Examiner, 25-year FBI veteran and CNN law enforcement analyst Jim Gagliano belatedly concludes… 

Michael Flynn was railroaded by Comey’s FBI

“The time has come to cease affording the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane team generous benefit of the doubt. A steady stream of unflattering (Now THAT’s an understatement!!!) revelations, beginning with a report by the Justice Department’s inspector general into egregious FISA abuses last December, has relentlessly pounded the reputation of my former agency. Now, further irrefutable proof emerges that a small cabal of FBI headquarters decision-makers was hellbent on undoing a presidency.

I know it sounds strange to hear me make such an accusation. (Actually, since we never frequent CNN, we didn’t know who you were ’til we read the brief biography at the end of your commentary.) I’m the guy who long attempted to thread the needle, accounting for honest human frailties, trusting that mistakes should not always be chalked up to malice or sinister intent. (In other words, he was willfully blind.) Cautious skepticism was a default mindset that served me well across a quarter century as an FBI investigator. That condition failed me here because one thing is clear.

Michael Flynn got railroaded…”

Say it ain’t so, Jim!  What will your next revelation reveal: Hillary was guilty as sin, but your former chums let her off scott free?!?  No wonder CNN hired you…and the Bureau’s in such a disreputable state.

In a related item, writing at Townhall.com, Kurt Schlichter correctly concludes…

America Doesn’t Have A Justice System Anymore

“The good news is that you might get out of future jury duty, because when you are asked under oath about your own biases during a federal criminal case jury selection you would have to answer honestly by responding, “Your Honor, I don’t trust a damn thing anyone in the FBI says.” (Including Jim Gagliano!)

If the heirs of Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., were to go up on the stand and testify, the recent disgraceful revelations about how their bosses tried to frame LTG Mike Flynn mean you would be entirely correct to grant them the same credibility as the dude caught wearing a black cape, a Lone Ranger mask, and a nametag that says “Willie Sutton” while tip-toeing out of First National carrying a big sack with a dollar sign on it as the alarm goes off.

Oh, and if an FBI agent asks if he can ask you some questions, try not to burst into laughter before you reply, “No, I assert my right to remain silent” and call your lawyer.

And this sorry state of affairs is all the FBI’s fault.

Every bit of it…”

Okay, they had a little bit of help from their…

…friends.  Fortunately, with all the Wuhan virus-related early releases, there’s plenty of room for all!

Which brings us, appropriately enough, to The Lighter Side:

Then there’s these memes from Balls Cotton…

…more forwarded by Ed Hickey…

…along with a couple DIY tips from Larry Hoffman…

…and last, but certainly not least, the possible pretext Progressives will next use to seize power courtesy of Speed Mach:

Finally, we’ll call it a day with yet another sordid story straight from the pages of The Crime Blotter, courtesy today of a independent Lone Star small businesswoman and a narrow-minded judge, as a…

Dallas salon owner who reopened despite coronavirus restrictions gets 7 days in jail

“A Texas salon owner was given seven days in jail on Tuesday after she refused to apologize for defying coronavirus related restrictions by remaining open for business. Dallas business owner Shelley Luther was given a choice: She could offer an apology for selfishness, pay a fine and shutdown until Friday, or serve jail time.

“I have to disagree with you, sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish,” she told the judge. “I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they would rather feed their kids. So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision. But I am not going to shut the salon.”

After her refusal to show contrition, bailiffs led her away to be booked. Her sentence reportedly symbolizes the seven-days she stayed open, despite county regulations. Luther had been cited by city officials but chose to ignore the warnings. She must also now pay a $7,000 fine…”

Think about it: they’re releasing convicted felons, but incarcerating hairstylists with convictions.

We have but one observation:

We’d also appreciate being informed of any effort to help Shelley Luther financially, as her’s is a cause to which we’ll willingly contribute.

Magoo