Just Nyet
We are going to have to begin today’s Morning Briefing with a preemptive strike/disclaimer sort of thing. I have been writing a lot in the last month about being cautious and responsible while fighting the spread of the virus. I’ve been sticking to the rules and being more isolated than I usually am. Still, I’ve occasionally expressed my wish that we had a clearer endgame and I’ve also mentioned some worries about various petty tyrants using this crisis to turn the Constitution into the toilet paper so many people need right now.
My approach is prudent, my concerns valid.
Every time I attempt to explain that, however, somebody pipes up about me not understanding the gravity of the situation.
I write this from the bottom of my heart as an early response to the first person who wants to pipe up this morning: I’ve been out of my house a total of five times since March 7th, so shut it. I’m taking everything plenty seriously.
Glad we had that talk.
Now let us move on to my disdain for the overreaction of the petty tyrants, like the ones who arrested a man for playing in a park with his six-year-old daughter and wife while trying to comply with social distancing rules.
Sure, the bosses of the petty tyrants let the guy go, but he was still hauled away in handcuffs in front of his family by the local Idiot KGB.
In the more dystopian 21st century department, a New Jersey city is sending out drones to get all up in the business of the local social distance scofflaws.
Do we all feel safer with our airborne overlords watching over us?
Reiterating: I’M GLAD WE’RE FIGHTING THIS.
A little less totalitarian glee wouldn’t be a bad thing, however. That’s all I’m saying.
But hey, on the bright side, some of the more heavy-handed municipalities are finding a way to profit off of all of the anxiety and fear:
Don’t worry kids, the police are assuring us that none of this is reminiscent of a police state.
One of the worst of the petty tyrants has been Eric Garcetti, the mayor of my longtime city of residence, Los Angeles. It’s quite obvious that he’s relishing his authoritarian turn in the spotlight. He gave everything a Soviet flare last week when he encouraged the citizens of the City of Angels to snitch on neighbors who aren’t obeying lockdown rules.
Not creepy at all.
Here in Arizona, we’ve been told to both stay at home but get outside and breathe some fresh air, as long as we maintain proper social distancing. It seems to be working so far.
Granted, we are quite spread out here in the Southwest — even in the cities — so distancing is easier.
My point, however, is that we’re keeping our distance without the threat of arrest from the state. Sure, people from state-to-state are different, but I maintain that human nature tends to react badly to threats, especially when that human nature is also American nature.
We have already been told this week to expect death tolls here in the U.S. that are far lower than originally predicted because we’ve been heeding the social distancing suggestions. Most places haven’t gone full Eric Garcetti while exhorting citizens to remain at home and/or away from each other. We’re still making it work though.
There is a very real possibility that we could have pulled this off without the Eric Garcetti and Gavin Newsom types fetishizing their political authority.
Just sayin’.
From Your “Front Liner Fighter” Media
Wearisome.
PJM Linktank
Oh yeah, that’s still happening. FINALLY: Bernie Sanders Drops Out of Presidential Race
Pompeo and Bill Barr Must Hold China Accountable for Coronavirus Malfeasance, Congressman Says
Some Black People Won’t Wear Facemasks Because it Makes Them Look Like a Criminal
Official Chinese Government-Backed Paper: ‘Hey, How’d You Like a Taste of Wuhan?’
Six Reasons Why Obama Would Have Botched the Coronavirus Response
The Worst Part of Nixon’s Legacy Isn’t Watergate. It’s China.
COVID-19 Reveals the True Nature of Muslim ‘Charity’: Help Their Own, Hate Everyone Else
BDS Founder Omar Barghouti: Kill Israel—But Let It Save You from COVID-19 While It’s Alive
Joe Biden: Coronavirus Is an ‘Opportunity’ for ‘Structural’ Change on Voting, Climate Change
Daily Laugh: Justin Trudeau’s Cringeworthy Coronavirus Tip Is Exactly What We All Need Right Now
VIP
The Kruiser Kabana Episode 27: Don’t Get Quarantine Cranky, America
VIP Gold
WATCH: Matthew McConaughey Hosts Virtual Bingo for Senior Living Facility
From the Mothership and Beyond
The 100 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now
More than 300 Arizona hotels have signed up to house health care workers, emergency responders
Victims’ Advocates Oppose Inmate Release Despite COVID-19
NRA Offers Online Gun Safety Classes
Two Words Several Inspector Generals Should Expect to Hear From President Trump Fairly Soon
RNC Chairwoman: Shameful Democrats Are Pushing Election Reform During Time of Crisis
See Above. Pelosi Leads Democratic Effort to Use Health Crisis to Change Election Laws
Nearly A Third of All US Apartment Renters Missed April Rent Payment
Wait…How Many Doctors Think Hydroxychloroquine Is Effective Against the Wuhan Coronavirus?
Decline in Heart Attack and Stroke Patients Alarms Doctors
Report: Trump Is Poised to Sack 7 Inspectors General ‘in One Fell Swoop’
Wuhan Virus Numbers: Nightly Update April 8, 2020-As Of 2359GMT
Schlichter: Liberal Nonsense Is Looking Dumber Than Ever Now
CDC Relaxing Some Virus Restrictions, Letting Some Essential Workers Return to Work
Senators Oppose Appointment Of China To UN Human Rights Panel
Los Angeles Finally Found A Way To Lower Its Crime Rates
Attention, Medical Professionals: You Might Not Need All Those Ventilators For Coronavirus Patients
The Verge’s best and worst coronavirus masks
Laura Ingraham: At Some Point Trump Needs To Tell Fauci And Birx That We’re Reopening On May 1
Samsung is donating 2,000 glove-friendly phones to NHS workers
How to Wear a Face Mask Without Fogging Up Your Glasses
Oops. Officers sent by Illinois mayor to break up parties find his wife at one of the gatherings
Clinton-Lewinsky whistleblower Linda Tripp dies at 70
Team of young Chicago priests answer the call to anoint COVID-19 patients
Bee Me
The Kruiser Kabana
I was kind of amazed at how much I enjoyed this bit of weirdness.
Are rehab clinics essential businesses?
___
PJ Media Senior Columnist and Associate Editor Stephen Kruiser is the author of “Don’t Let the Hippies Shower” and “Straight Outta Feelings: Political Zen in the Age of Outrage,” both of which address serious subjects in a humorous way. Monday through Friday he edits PJ Media’s “Morning Briefing.”