LOVE your insights!!!!! ( frmr journalist) i consider you the equal of the great Victor Davis Hanson or Krauthammer though you write on a different plane. ALWAYS food for thought, well analyzed!!
The real problem with the covid response was the politicization of covid-19 and the fact that it struck in an election year. It should also be pointed out that there was no public health expert on the Covid panel until Dr. Scott Atlas came on board but was stonewalled and forced to leave by Birx, Fauci, and Redfield! Almost every thing that was done by government policy was wrong.
You say almost every thing that was done by government policy was wrong -- can you name a few things they got right? It is very difficult for me to recall anything. To me, they got it ALL wrong.
Roger, I hope you're right. I do seem to remember Redfield saying rather soon after Biden was elected that Birx and Fauci were misleading Trump. I always thought he was more serious in the press conferences than they were--that he was speaking as a scientist and they were more like PR folks just trying to persuade. I have read several things by him over the past couple of years that have made him rise in my estimation, much more than say a person like Scott Gottlieb (former CDC director) or a Rochelle Walinsky (who was entirely political). I'm hoping that Trump's allying with RFK Jr and Tulsi and Nicole Shannahan (really like her) leads to a blowout election and that just maybe we'll become a more serious nation about health.
Hmmm, not sure how much endorsements mean at all but we will take it. Funny side note story: I was at the grocery store yesterday. A man with a thick mask tightly fastened to his face was trying to figure out where to put two hunks of cheese back into the cheese display. He didn't want them. I politely showed him where they went. He put them there, muffled thank you behind the mask, and then reached out and touched me on the back of my shoulder in a gracious manner.
He had no gloves on and I don't know if he carries hand sanitizer with him or not but clearly Covid pronouncements from the government have mentally damaged hundreds of thousands, if not millions of American citizens
I'm not sure about endorsements either. They can even be a turnoff. But in this case, as you point out in your anecdote, it is about more even than the election. It's about bringing our society back from collective insanity. To the degree that it works, I would agree with you, is open to question.
Fantastic column. This endorsement, if the Trump campaign is smart, can blunt the entire COVID narrative against Trump. FWIW, I heard an average voter in a "man on the street" interview discussing Trump and COVID, who recognized that Trump was both manipulated and coping in an unprecedented situation.
I encourage everyone to see out the testimony of FBI Agent Allen testifying in a "weaponization of government hearing" held yesterday. Allen was vindicated in his claims about FBI manipulation and that FBI had confidential human sources at the Capitol on Jan 6. (Wray lied about this repeatedly). Coupled with verified documents that Pelosi, DC Mayor Bowser and Milley (via his subordinate, Miller) refused to deploy the National Guard despite Trump's encouragement effectively rebuts the J6 hysteria of the Left.
While I don’t argue the fact Republican party is dumb as a door nail (& that is insulting to door nails) corruption is the real problem. I suspect that the majority of Republicans are just closet Never Trumpers. There is indeed a realignment going on & it is encouraging to see someone like Redfield come on board, But the real core problem is that “we” have met the enemy & it is “us” & your article proves my point. You (& that includes people like me) still retain the belief that we just have a resource (people) problem & if we just get the right people in power every thing will be OK. Case in point, I was watching Sen. Johnson’s panel on/about this vast medical/science industrial complex that brought us to this point. The panel had all the right people on it -RFK etc - & they all brought the receipts. But what was the bottom line? Keep doing the same thing (aka government intervention) but with different (our) people. There is not one single stud in this house that is not rotten to its core & either it will fall on its own or be demolished. There is no saving it.
The word that needs to be heard now, publicly and privately, is "gibberish". How on earth can any sane person want to elect the geyser of gibberish that is Kamala? She is a bullet that we must dodge.
thanks for this article. The issue of health is of crucial importance, yet seemingly gets little attention. I believe this is a function of the excessive collectivism at the end of this political cycle, which includes the phenomenon of "fearing to ask questions" or "debate on facts".
Regarding some public presentation by Redfield, RFK Jr. and Trump, this would be welcomed, but moreso if the "more brave" medical professionals were given the opportunity to state their beliefs with foundation. We should encourage open debate that is carefully moderated toward the exposition of facts (rather than "oohs, ahhs, and "gotchas" which focus more on "'ratings" and the addictiveness of the human emotion it arouses).
Facts are our friends. They keep us safe, if we practice finding them (not just believing). Sometimes they make us sad or feel poorly. That's the nature of reality; a nice place to live, although "ignorance is bliss". Let's bring back reality to the lives of Americans.
What great news!! I had not heard about this particular important endorsement for Trump. I am most hopeful for Trump’s chances of another term in office when I know he’s endorsed by RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and now Dr. Redfield. I pay no attention to the poll results as they seem to be as changeable as a roll of toilet paper in a home filled with 10 children. And I loved your take on the “Ragin’ Cajun.” But you forgot to mention that the vp also wants to give inmates in prison a taxpayer gift of a gender change, too. Started my day with a huge laugh!!
I am very blessed that I did not contract covid post vaccination, but why am I growing a third eye out of the back of my head??? At least I will be able to see those 'intellectually incapables' as Roger alludes to sneak up on me now!!!
You have to wonder, at this point, is Redfield employing a CYA type strategy, or truly repentant?
He's assuredly seen the Substack posts, such as from Rand Paul, and from other venues, about the shit weasel Fauci...and accomplices. He can see that when (not saying if) Trump is in office, there is going to be some serious house cleaning, some intense investigations and more than a few folks probably going to prison. He doesn't want to wear striped PJ's, or whatever prison garb is nowadays.
Call me a pessimist. Redfield is only protecting himself.
An aside, but let us not forget that while Trump was urging temporary travel restrictions and no unnecessary travel overseas, as the infection was being "unmasked," he was taunted for it, especially by the New York Times, which insisted on sending its reporters to an international Milan Fashion Week even as Milan was having a severe outbreak of Covid. Not long after that, Covid exploded -- in New York City. This story deserves close scrutiny. Then again, the Times still hasn't gotten around to returning that Pulitzer for Duranty.
An aside, but let us not forget that while Trump was urging temporary travel restrictions and no unnecessary travel overseas, as the infection was being "unmasked," he was taunted for it, especially by the New York Times, which insisted on sending its reporters to an international Milan Fashion Week even as Milan was having a severe outbreak of Covid. Not long after that, Covid exploded -- in New York City. This story deserves close scrutiny. Then again, the Times still hasn't gotten around to returning that Pulitzer for Duranty.
Dr. Redfield was often criticized (inevitably by anonymous sources) for trying to steer AIDS responses in a less politicized direction. Fauci was often behind these smears. He was also criticized for working with religious medical service groups who wanted to add endorsement of abstinence to our arsenal of other efforts to stem the AIDS crisis, yet even his critics acknowledged that he treated all patients with great compassion and was in no way averse to using every type of medical and public health effort available.
Especially in Africa, where women had little control over enforcing condom use, Redfield's abstinence allies worked with governments that succeded in achieving extremely low levels of the disease. That is what happens when you put good medicine before politics. Other countries, and the U.S., that demanded prioritizing sexual "freedom" and identity politics over common sense saw their caseloads soar.
Redfield, like all scientists, has made miscalculations. But he lacks the political ambition and drive for power that infects Fauci and so many other top scientific peers. I suspect he wanted no part of this election either but felt the need to correct some facts and make some amends for errors in which he participated. I worked in public health way back then and was dismayed to see Fauci back in power now. Redfield's presence -- and aversion to politics -- may bring some gravitas to our responses looking back and going forward from Covid.
LOVE your insights!!!!! ( frmr journalist) i consider you the equal of the great Victor Davis Hanson or Krauthammer though you write on a different plane. ALWAYS food for thought, well analyzed!!
That is quite a compliment, Dan. Thank you!
The real problem with the covid response was the politicization of covid-19 and the fact that it struck in an election year. It should also be pointed out that there was no public health expert on the Covid panel until Dr. Scott Atlas came on board but was stonewalled and forced to leave by Birx, Fauci, and Redfield! Almost every thing that was done by government policy was wrong.
Yes, and the media used any excuse to slam Trump, poisoning the minds of the electorate, media so biased that they can’t even see it objectively.
You say almost every thing that was done by government policy was wrong -- can you name a few things they got right? It is very difficult for me to recall anything. To me, they got it ALL wrong.
Roger, I hope you're right. I do seem to remember Redfield saying rather soon after Biden was elected that Birx and Fauci were misleading Trump. I always thought he was more serious in the press conferences than they were--that he was speaking as a scientist and they were more like PR folks just trying to persuade. I have read several things by him over the past couple of years that have made him rise in my estimation, much more than say a person like Scott Gottlieb (former CDC director) or a Rochelle Walinsky (who was entirely political). I'm hoping that Trump's allying with RFK Jr and Tulsi and Nicole Shannahan (really like her) leads to a blowout election and that just maybe we'll become a more serious nation about health.
I hope he is right too
Hmmm, not sure how much endorsements mean at all but we will take it. Funny side note story: I was at the grocery store yesterday. A man with a thick mask tightly fastened to his face was trying to figure out where to put two hunks of cheese back into the cheese display. He didn't want them. I politely showed him where they went. He put them there, muffled thank you behind the mask, and then reached out and touched me on the back of my shoulder in a gracious manner.
He had no gloves on and I don't know if he carries hand sanitizer with him or not but clearly Covid pronouncements from the government have mentally damaged hundreds of thousands, if not millions of American citizens
I'm not sure about endorsements either. They can even be a turnoff. But in this case, as you point out in your anecdote, it is about more even than the election. It's about bringing our society back from collective insanity. To the degree that it works, I would agree with you, is open to question.
I’m immensely enjoying this new (at least to me) Substack.
Thanks very much. It's new to us too., only a few weeks. PLEASE [assist it on. We're just finding our way here. Suggestions welcome.
Fantastic column. This endorsement, if the Trump campaign is smart, can blunt the entire COVID narrative against Trump. FWIW, I heard an average voter in a "man on the street" interview discussing Trump and COVID, who recognized that Trump was both manipulated and coping in an unprecedented situation.
I encourage everyone to see out the testimony of FBI Agent Allen testifying in a "weaponization of government hearing" held yesterday. Allen was vindicated in his claims about FBI manipulation and that FBI had confidential human sources at the Capitol on Jan 6. (Wray lied about this repeatedly). Coupled with verified documents that Pelosi, DC Mayor Bowser and Milley (via his subordinate, Miller) refused to deploy the National Guard despite Trump's encouragement effectively rebuts the J6 hysteria of the Left.
While I don’t argue the fact Republican party is dumb as a door nail (& that is insulting to door nails) corruption is the real problem. I suspect that the majority of Republicans are just closet Never Trumpers. There is indeed a realignment going on & it is encouraging to see someone like Redfield come on board, But the real core problem is that “we” have met the enemy & it is “us” & your article proves my point. You (& that includes people like me) still retain the belief that we just have a resource (people) problem & if we just get the right people in power every thing will be OK. Case in point, I was watching Sen. Johnson’s panel on/about this vast medical/science industrial complex that brought us to this point. The panel had all the right people on it -RFK etc - & they all brought the receipts. But what was the bottom line? Keep doing the same thing (aka government intervention) but with different (our) people. There is not one single stud in this house that is not rotten to its core & either it will fall on its own or be demolished. There is no saving it.
Great, Roger!
The word that needs to be heard now, publicly and privately, is "gibberish". How on earth can any sane person want to elect the geyser of gibberish that is Kamala? She is a bullet that we must dodge.
thanks for this article. The issue of health is of crucial importance, yet seemingly gets little attention. I believe this is a function of the excessive collectivism at the end of this political cycle, which includes the phenomenon of "fearing to ask questions" or "debate on facts".
Regarding some public presentation by Redfield, RFK Jr. and Trump, this would be welcomed, but moreso if the "more brave" medical professionals were given the opportunity to state their beliefs with foundation. We should encourage open debate that is carefully moderated toward the exposition of facts (rather than "oohs, ahhs, and "gotchas" which focus more on "'ratings" and the addictiveness of the human emotion it arouses).
Facts are our friends. They keep us safe, if we practice finding them (not just believing). Sometimes they make us sad or feel poorly. That's the nature of reality; a nice place to live, although "ignorance is bliss". Let's bring back reality to the lives of Americans.
Cheers.
What great news!! I had not heard about this particular important endorsement for Trump. I am most hopeful for Trump’s chances of another term in office when I know he’s endorsed by RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and now Dr. Redfield. I pay no attention to the poll results as they seem to be as changeable as a roll of toilet paper in a home filled with 10 children. And I loved your take on the “Ragin’ Cajun.” But you forgot to mention that the vp also wants to give inmates in prison a taxpayer gift of a gender change, too. Started my day with a huge laugh!!
I am very blessed that I did not contract covid post vaccination, but why am I growing a third eye out of the back of my head??? At least I will be able to see those 'intellectually incapables' as Roger alludes to sneak up on me now!!!
Good news on the face of it but...
You have to wonder, at this point, is Redfield employing a CYA type strategy, or truly repentant?
He's assuredly seen the Substack posts, such as from Rand Paul, and from other venues, about the shit weasel Fauci...and accomplices. He can see that when (not saying if) Trump is in office, there is going to be some serious house cleaning, some intense investigations and more than a few folks probably going to prison. He doesn't want to wear striped PJ's, or whatever prison garb is nowadays.
Call me a pessimist. Redfield is only protecting himself.
An aside, but let us not forget that while Trump was urging temporary travel restrictions and no unnecessary travel overseas, as the infection was being "unmasked," he was taunted for it, especially by the New York Times, which insisted on sending its reporters to an international Milan Fashion Week even as Milan was having a severe outbreak of Covid. Not long after that, Covid exploded -- in New York City. This story deserves close scrutiny. Then again, the Times still hasn't gotten around to returning that Pulitzer for Duranty.
An aside, but let us not forget that while Trump was urging temporary travel restrictions and no unnecessary travel overseas, as the infection was being "unmasked," he was taunted for it, especially by the New York Times, which insisted on sending its reporters to an international Milan Fashion Week even as Milan was having a severe outbreak of Covid. Not long after that, Covid exploded -- in New York City. This story deserves close scrutiny. Then again, the Times still hasn't gotten around to returning that Pulitzer for Duranty.
Dr. Redfield was often criticized (inevitably by anonymous sources) for trying to steer AIDS responses in a less politicized direction. Fauci was often behind these smears. He was also criticized for working with religious medical service groups who wanted to add endorsement of abstinence to our arsenal of other efforts to stem the AIDS crisis, yet even his critics acknowledged that he treated all patients with great compassion and was in no way averse to using every type of medical and public health effort available.
Especially in Africa, where women had little control over enforcing condom use, Redfield's abstinence allies worked with governments that succeded in achieving extremely low levels of the disease. That is what happens when you put good medicine before politics. Other countries, and the U.S., that demanded prioritizing sexual "freedom" and identity politics over common sense saw their caseloads soar.
Redfield, like all scientists, has made miscalculations. But he lacks the political ambition and drive for power that infects Fauci and so many other top scientific peers. I suspect he wanted no part of this election either but felt the need to correct some facts and make some amends for errors in which he participated. I worked in public health way back then and was dismayed to see Fauci back in power now. Redfield's presence -- and aversion to politics -- may bring some gravitas to our responses looking back and going forward from Covid.