GOP Governors vie for "most incompetent" award

[NWRatCon]

"Texas leads in the most deaths by covid" category, claims Abbott. "Everything is bigger in Texas, especially disasters." And, he adds, "I won't allow contact tracing."
"Now wait a gol-darned minute", exclaims Desantis, "Florida has had over 85,000 new cases in the past week, far surpassing any other state! We set new records, and deaths are increasing!" He also points out that he is suing to keep covid factories cruise ships from requiring vaccinations or masks.
"Ah," says Noem, "But we've got a much higher rate per capita. And, we've got Sturgis!"
"Yeah, but that's cheating, because they're not gonna stay there. At least our infection cases come back." Responds Desantis.
"Child's play", asserts Parsons, "Only Alabama has a lower vaccination rate than Missouri, and we started this latest surge."
"Waitaminute, waitaminute!" exclaim the Governors, of Lousiana, Arkansas, Wyoming and Mississippi, in unison, "we all have lower vaccination rates than you!" (Louisiana (37 percent); Arkansas (36.7 percent); Wyoming (36.5 percent); and Mississippi (35 percent).)
"Yeah," Parsons retorts, "well, look at our infection rate! We've got you beat.... or... dang. Well, at least we won't let them wear masks."
"Not fair! None of us do! They're outlawed here! We won't even let the locals have them!" a cacophony ensues...
"I'm not playing this game", Ivey insists, interrupting the kvetching. "I may not require masks, but no one has a lower vaccination rate than me! My constituents are just stupid."
"We hear you", they all enthuse.
"I may have a 400 percent increase in new cases, and I may not be mandating or encouraging them to get the vaccine, 'That's not going to happen in my state, no matter how many times the media ask me!.' I tell them. But," she notes wryly, "almost 100 percent of the new hospitalizations are with unvaccinated folks. And the deaths are certainly occurring with the unvaccinated folks. These folks are choosing a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain." Ivey insists.
"Our people!" They all shout with glee.

 

[americanwoman]

Don't leave Nebraska's very own Pete “There isn’t any scientific reason to put a mask on a child because they’re not at risk,” Ricketts out!

 

[NWRatCon]

Don't leave Nebraska's very own Pete “There isn’t any scientific reason to put a mask on a child because they’re not at risk,” Ricketts out!

I've noticed that all the "Double Ts" are particularly stupid. Abbott, Ricketts, Stitt, Little. Although there is the exception - Governor Scott of Vermont. Maybe it's just the double letters... Lee, Reeves, Noem,... Does "ey" count as double letters...?

 

[NWRatCon]

Special notes: Louisiana and Arkansas the only two states or territories where every county is in the highest possible category for community transmission, the CDC reported.

And according to the national health agency's data, the list of states with the most COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents matches up somewhat to the states with the lowest vaccination rates. In descending order, those five states are Alabama, Missouri, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana. Now, what do they have in common?

 

[COTO]

I'm sure that polemics about how "stupid" your countrymen are will inspire peace, goodwill, and higher vaccination rates.

 

[DataPoint]

I vote Noem

 

[bongsaway]

Special notes: Louisiana and Arkansas the only two states or territories where every county is in the highest possible category for community transmission, the CDC reported.

And according to the national health agency's data, the list of states with the most COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents matches up somewhat to the states with the lowest vaccination rates. In descending order, those five states are Alabama, Missouri, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana. Now, what do they have in common?

They are all the poor southern states 'governed' by republicans. I guess the gop leadership wasn't happy with keeping them poor, now they are trying to kill their own base. One day the base might wake up to reality but that's in serious doubt.

 

[NWRatCon]

I'm sure that polemics about how "stupid" your countrymen are will inspire peace, goodwill, and higher vaccination rates.

Not countrymen, GOP "leaders". I'll note that the majority of eligible Americans aren't stupid, and are fully vaccinated.
"Having been vaccinated, in fact, has rapidly become among the most common shared experiences of people across the country. If adults who've gotten a Covid-19 shot were an electoral bloc, they'd be well into landslide popular vote territory."
Be careful how you mischaracterize statements.

 

[COTO]

Not countrymen, GOP "leaders". I'll note that the majority of eligible Americans aren't stupid, and are fully vaccinated.
"Having been vaccinated, in fact, has rapidly become among the most common shared experiences of people across the country. If adults who've gotten a Covid-19 shot were an electoral bloc, they'd be well into landslide popular vote territory."
Be careful how you mischaracterize statements.

Considering you just called unvaccinated Americans, i.e. your countrymen, "stupid" again in this very post, I fail to see how I'm mischaracterizing anything.

 

[reflechissez]

Considering you just called unvaccinated Americans, i.e. your countrymen, "stupid" again in this very post, I fail to see how I'm mischaracterizing anything.

Whatever you do, don't call them stupid. eventhough their cinstituents are dying, it's mean. Be nice and fewer people will die.

 

[NWRatCon]

Considering you just called unvaccinated Americans, i.e. your countrymen, "stupid" again in this very post, I fail to see how I'm mischaracterizing anything.

No, you mischaracterize everything. It's your shtick.

 

[COTO]

Whatever you do, don't call them stupid. eventhough their cinstituents are dying, it's mean. Be nice and fewer people will die.

Did it ever occur to you--to anyone in this thread--that the people in these states have eyes to see and ears to hear, including the ability to see and hear about COVID deaths? That in spite of being fully aware of the stakes, they value the myriad liberties rescinded or curtailed by their governments more than the 0.3% risk of death (assuming the number hasn't dropped again, and assuming countermeasures were 100% safe and 100% effective, which we of course know isn't true)?

RatCon calls them "stupid" for this valuation (he denies it, but his words are plain). I could just as easily call him "stupid" for valuing liberty more than security on the issue. I could demean his intellect with every insult in the book, hoping to persuade him. What would it gain me?

Yes, there are illogical reasons for wanting to get vaccinated, just as there are illogical reasons for not wanting to get vaccinated, but I'm positive many of DP's most outspoken members don't understand how arrogant, unneighbourly, and counterproductive it is to call huge groups of people "stupid", "covidiots", "abnormal", etc. simply because they hold liberty and security in a different balance. More vexing still is the nerve of these members portraying this bigotry as care for their fellow man. They're certainly not fooling anybody.

"Pres. Trump does it too," or "the right does it too" are not excuses for what is sine qua non bigotry.

 

[reflechissez]

Did it ever occur to you--to anyone in this thread--that the people in these states have eyes to see and ears to hear, including the ability to see and hear about COVID deaths? That in spite of being fully aware of the stakes, they value the myriad liberties rescinded or curtailed by their governments more than the 0.3% risk of death (assuming the number hasn't dropped again, and assuming countermeasures were 100% safe and 100% effective, which we of course know isn't true)?

RatCon calls them "stupid" for this valuation (he denies it, but his words are plain). I could just as easily call him "stupid" for valuing liberty more than security on the issue. I could demean his intellect with every insult in the book, hoping to persuade him. What would it gain me?

Yes, there are illogical reasons for wanting to get vaccinated, just as there are illogical reasons for not wanting to get vaccinated, but I'm positive many of DP's most outspoken members don't understand how arrogant, unneighbourly, and counterproductive it is to call huge groups of people "stupid", "covidiots", "abnormal", etc. simply because they hold liberty and security in a different balance. More vexing still is the nerve of these members portraying this bigotry as care for their fellow man. They're certainly not fooling anybody.

"Pres. Trump does it too," or "the right does it too" are not excuses for what is sine qua non bigotry.

The amount of misinformation about covid and the vaccine is rampant. We see it here everyday. It's hilarious that you think people are "fully aware of the stakes."

What is an "illogical reason for wanting to get vaccinated?"

 

[NWRatCon]

The amount of misinformation about covid and the vaccine is rampant. We see it here everyday. It's hilarious that you think people are "fully aware of the stakes."

What is an "illogical reason for wanting to get vaccinated?"

Don't expect his argument to make sense. He's a graduate level student of the school of sophistry.

 

[COTO]

The amount of misinformation about covid and the vaccine is rampant. We see it here everyday. It's hilarious that you think people are "fully aware of the stakes."

Some people are misinformed, but i) calling people "stupid" doesn't discriminate those who are fully informed and those who are misinformed, and ii) calling people "stupid", even if they happen to be misinformed, is more likely to entrench them in their position than convince them to change it.

In short, the only reason to call unvaccinated people "stupid", as a group, is malice, self-righteous boasting, or a fatally flawed conception of how people will react to the insult.

What is an "illogical reason for wanting to get vaccinated?"

Distorted perception of the risk involved with contracting the disease. For example, people anxiously lining up to get vaccinated on day one, fearful that they'll be dead by the end of the week otherwise.

 

[reflechissez]

Some people are misinformed, but i) calling people "stupid" doesn't discriminate those who are fully informed and those who are misinformed, and ii) calling people "stupid", even if they happen to be misinformed, is more likely to entrench them in their position than convince them to change it.

In short, the only reason to call unvaccinated people "stupid", as a group, is malice, self-righteous boasting, or a fatally flawed conception of how people will react to the insult.


Distorted perception of the risk involved with contracting the disease. For example, people anxiously lining up to get vaccinated on day one, fearful that they'll be dead by the end of the week otherwise.

Sure. Calling people "stupid" is the biggest problem we have right now.

Your last sentence is made-up nonsense.

 

[NWRatCon]

Sure. Calling people "stupid" is the biggest problem we have right now.

Your last sentence is made-up nonsense.

Of course it is.
“Across the board, we are seeing increases in cases and hospitalizations in all age groups,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing on COVID-19. “Those at highest risk remain people who have not yet been vaccinated. We know these vaccines are working, and we know they save lives.” But, you know, against that we have... what? It might hurt feelings?

 

[COTO]

Sure. Calling people "stupid" is the biggest problem we have right now.

It's indicative of a profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt, and a fundamental lack of understanding about why the public is resisting various measures.

"A profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt" is the single greatest issue fueling America's partisan divide, and I would argue that America's broadening partisan divide is indeed the "biggest problem [you] have right now".

Your last sentence is made-up nonsense.

I personally know an individual who got vaccinated for this reason. I've also seen dozens of "tweets" by panicked individuals convinced their death is nigh sans vaccination.

You know how the MSM deals in news bites about vaccine skeptics who catch COVID and die, having repented from their skepticism too late? (Of course you do, since several members delight in spamming the board with them.)

Well, the right-wing news sites deal in news bites about people panicked out of their minds, usually doing foolish things or supporting absurd policies, based on a ridiculously distorted perception of the threat posed by COVID. It's the right wing equivalent of the left wing's "repent or die" pap.

I don't expect such anecdotes will change anyone's perception of COVID risks one way or the other, but such people most certainly do exist.

 

[reflechissez]

It's indicative of a profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt, and a fundamental lack of understanding about why the public is resisting various measures.

"A profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt" is the single greatest issue fueling America's partisan divide, and I would argue that America's broadening partisan divide is indeed the "biggest problem [you] have right now".


I personally know an individual who got vaccinated for this reason. I've also seen dozens of "tweets" by panicked individuals convinced their death is nigh sans vaccination.

You know how the MSM deals in news bites about vaccine skeptics who catch COVID and die, having repented from their skepticism too late? (Of course you do, since several members delight in spamming the board with them.)

Well, the right-wing news sites deal in news bites about people panicked out of their minds, usually doing foolish things or supporting absurd policies, based on a ridiculously distorted perception of the threat posed by COVID. It's the right wing equivalent of the left wing's "repent or die" pap.

I don't expect such anecdotes will change anyone's perception of COVID risks one way or the other, but such people most certainly do exist.

Your anecdotes are not data.

 

[COTO]

Your anecdotes are not data.

They're sufficient to prove my claim that some people get vaccinated for illogical reasons.

 

[NWRatCon]

It's indicative of a profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt, and a fundamental lack of understanding about why the public is resisting various measures.

"A profound lack of respect, bordering on contempt" is the single greatest issue fueling America's partisan divide, and I would argue that America's broadening partisan divide is indeed the "biggest problem [you] have right now".


I personally know an individual who got vaccinated for this reason. I've also seen dozens of "tweets" by panicked individuals convinced their death is nigh sans vaccination.

You know how the MSM deals in news bites about vaccine skeptics who catch COVID and die, having repented from their skepticism too late? (Of course you do, since several members delight in spamming the board with them.)

Well, the right-wing news sites deal in news bites about people panicked out of their minds, usually doing foolish things or supporting absurd policies, based on a ridiculously distorted perception of the threat posed by COVID. It's the right wing equivalent of the left wing's "repent or die" pap.

I don't expect such anecdotes will change anyone's perception of COVID risks one way or the other, but such people most certainly do exist.

I do have contempt for your arguments. You are the one who, repeatedly, insists on bringing "stupidity" into the discussion. The record reflects that. I merely praised that those who got the vaccine because they informed themselves and used their native intelligence to decide on the logical course of action. You keep saying "we" said they're stupid. As a matter of reality, they are either 1) misinformed, 2) acting on emotion, 3) behaving irrationally, or some combination thereof. They are supporting foolish policies (the actual subject of the thread).

This thread is about foolish Governors acting against the interests of their constituents. There may be a word for your efforts to derail it, too. The bottom line, of course is that you are defending dangerous behavior and those that promote it. What do you call that?

 

[COTO]

I do have contempt for your arguments. You are the one who, repeatedly, insists on bringing "stupidity" into the discussion. The record reflects that.

You say, "I'll note that the majority of eligible Americans aren't stupid, and are fully vaccinated," and you're saying this isn't you calling unvaccinated Americans "stupid"?

You say, "I may not require masks, but no one has a lower vaccination rate than me! My constituents are just stupid." (emphasis yours) and you're saying this isn't you calling unvaccinated Americans "stupid"?

If it truly isn't your intention to call unvaccinated Americans "stupid", then may I suggest you are failing badly in communicating whatever it is you think statements like these are conveying to readers.

As a matter of reality, they are either 1) misinformed, 2) acting on emotion, 3) behaving irrationally, or some combination thereof. They are supporting foolish policies (the actual subject of the thread).

Ah, but you didn't start a thread opining about how residents of these states are misinformed, behaving irrationally, etc., did you? You started a satirical thread with the governors of red states celebrating "a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain" and their stupid unvaccinated constituencies who enable--even approve of--it.

"'Our people!' They all shout with glee." (emphasis again yours)

Oh, but you're not insulting people. You're not calling people stupid. You've "merely praised that [sic] those who got the vaccine because they informed themselves..." ... If this is what you "merely" meant to convey, you failed to "merely" convey it.

The bottom line, of course is that you are defending dangerous behavior and those that promote it. What do you call that?

I call it a predictable difference of opinion in a (putatively free) democratic plurality where not everyone places the same relative value on personal liberty and collective security.

In any case, something we can agree on: the (Arkansas, I believe) governor who banned masks should certainly not have done so, from the perspective of liberty and security. Also: there are indeed a lot of misinformed people. There are plenty of people refusing vaccination for illogical (and yes, often absurd) reasons. Hence I can appreciate your frustration in these regards even if your venting about it online isn't helping matters.

 

[reflechissez]

They're sufficient to prove my claim that some people get vaccinated for illogical reasons.

Made up shit does not prove anything.

 

[NWRatCon]

I'm going to walk back one statement I made earlier. Governor Little did not impose the mask ban, it was the LT. GOV. WHILE HE WAS AWAY. "Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order May 28 restoring local governments' authority to make their own mask rules, reversing a move by Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin to strip such local control in an order she issued while Little was at a conference out of state."

 

[NWRatCon]

You say, "I'll note that the majority of eligible Americans aren't stupid, and are fully vaccinated," and you're saying this isn't you calling unvaccinated Americans "stupid"?

Yes. You deliberately and dishonestly misconstrued my statements.

You say, "I may not require masks, but no one has a lower vaccination rate than me! My constituents are just stupid." (emphasis yours) and you're saying this isn't you calling unvaccinated Americans "stupid"?

No, Governor Ivey said that. Again, You deliberately and dishonestly misconstrued my statements.

If it truly isn't your intention to call unvaccinated Americans "stupid", then may I suggest you are failing badly in communicating whatever it is you think statements like these are conveying to readers.

No, You deliberately and dishonestly misconstrued my statements. I'm not miscommunicating anything.

Ah, but you didn't start a thread opining about how residents of these states are misinformed, behaving irrationally, etc., did you?

No, I didn't. Did I? I said their Governors are misleading and misgoverning them.

You started a satirical thread with the governors of red states celebrating "a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain" and their stupid unvaccinated constituencies who enable--even approve of--it.

Yes, yes I did.

You, on the other hand deliberately and dishonestly misconstrued my statements. That I find contemptible. Is that clearly enough communicated?