A daily dose of delight in the news that however bad things may be here, the mullahs are having it worse. The day may be coming when the Iranian people are free of them, and we hope it is for a better government ("better" meaning less oppressive, less inclined to sponsor terror, and focused on a better life for its own citizens rather than a worse life for those in Israel and the US.)
The Times does not mention the Saudi oil price war among the Iranian afflictions:
An extraordinary burst of contradictory messages in recent days has angered many of the country’s 80 million citizens, already stressed by severe American economic sanctions, unemployment and mistrust of their leaders.
In hindsight the oil price was going to collapse with a global COVID19 recession whatever the Saudis did. (Did I say "collapse"? West Texas Intermediate closed at $22/bbl on NYMEX today. Began the year at $60. Rear view mirror.)
Two heads have not been better than one in Iran:
Iran’s dual power structure — a religious supreme leader controlling the armed forces, and a president heading a civilian administration — has long been a recipe for factional rivalry. Interviews with officials, medical workers and political analysts suggest that it has left management of the epidemic reeling, without a clear commander.
There is also a fundamental disagreement about their strategy. Shut it down or ride it out?
In a closed meeting on Friday, the two sides clashed on strategy, according to four people with knowledge of the meeting.
Mr. Rouhani demanded that the armed forces adhere to his command. The generals refused and said Mr. Khamenei had authorized them to act independently.
The military men proposed closing off Tehran and vast swaths of the country, shutting businesses and limiting people’s movements — and using the armed forces to enforce the restrictions, as China and Italy have.
Mr. Rouhani refused, arguing that his government has no resources to support millions of people under quarantine. Basic services could collapse, he said, hurtling the nation deeper into crisis.
Worth watching and hoping.
First?
Posted by: D | March 18, 2020 at 05:34 PM
I have to admit that the ignorance shown by Rouihani will be his undoing.
Posted by: D | March 18, 2020 at 05:35 PM
Meanwhile another mullah drops each day.
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 05:35 PM
Good Lord. let it be true.
If we have to wipe out any {in}humanity let it be these Mullahs from the 2nd century.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 18, 2020 at 05:39 PM
Do you have a spare thousand dollars sitting in soon to be insolvent Bank of America?
Why not put it in a Casper Mattress?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | March 18, 2020 at 05:41 PM
Bravo, TM!
A new thread each day ... and two on, I think it was, the 16th.
Posted by: JimNorCal | March 18, 2020 at 05:42 PM
Wait, Mr Pin.
I have a small-ish account at BofA. Is the bank going under?
Posted by: JimNorCal | March 18, 2020 at 05:44 PM
The answer to the question I posed last thread is:
narciso
Congrats to anyone who lucked into the correct answer!
Posted by: JimNorCal | March 18, 2020 at 05:45 PM
I do, too (BofA). Do I need to be worried?
Posted by: James D. | March 18, 2020 at 05:45 PM
It's an ill wind....isn't it? Even N Korea's Kim seems to be trembling.
Posted by: clarice | March 18, 2020 at 05:50 PM
Video at the link. One minute.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 05:50 PM
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
14m
I only signed the Defense Production Act to combat the Chinese Virus should we need to invoke it in a worst case scenario in the future. Hopefully there will be no need, but we are all in this TOGETHER!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 05:52 PM
I feel badly for the people of Iran. I have a friend who escaped but her family is still there.
Other than that, the government should rot in hell. They took that country from the Paris of the Middle East to a hell hole. And it looks like Kim Jon Un is stuck in the same boat. China is going to pay too. 2nd term looks very interesting.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 05:55 PM
https://www.wthr.com/article/fiat-chrysler-temporarily-closes-kokomo-plant-because-covid-19
KOKOMO, Ind. (WTHR) —The Fiat Chrysler Transmission Plant in Kokomo started dismissing in shifts Wednesday to protect workers from COVID-19.
Eyewitness News learned the United Auto Workers union has also detailed plans on making sure FCA gets cleaned before resuming work.
Chris Steward has worked in several areas at the plant. He described the employees as close like family. Steward visited the headquarters for UAW Local 685 to learn more about the shutdown and what they can expect financially in the future.
(More at the link.)
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 05:56 PM
should we need to invoke it in a worst case scenario in the future
Yet I've seen at least four headlines that Trump has invoked it.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/trump-invokes-korean-war-era-defense-production-act-to-fight-ccp-virus_3276742.html
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/03/18/president-trump-invokes-defense-production-act-initiates-executive-order-for-health-and-medical-resources/
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/try-to-keep-up-joe-biden-demands-trump-invoke-the-defense-production-act-minutes-after-trump-invokes-the-defense-production-act/
https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/trump-invokes-defense-production-act-to-produce-emergency-medical-equipment/
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 05:58 PM
Progs going big brother.
@vickimckenna
Dane County/Madison create website to RAT OUT YOUR NEIGHBORS. As if the stress ratcheting wasn't high enough...now we're weaponizing neighbor against neighbor. publichealthmdc.com/coronavirus/re… @empowerwi @dukepesta
https://twitter.com/vickimckenna/status/1240396107395588098?s=21
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 06:01 PM
Maybe Mr Pin was referring to the "bank of America" (iow, the US taxpayers as a piggybank) and not the official BofA Bank of America. Because theyll start grabbing every $1000 bill in there to pay off, well, everyone.
Posted by: JimNorCal | March 18, 2020 at 06:02 PM
Mark Knoller
@markknoller
·
8m
Pres Trump signs Executive Order authorizing use of Defense Production Act to ensure that "all health and medical resources needed to respond to the spread of COVID-19 are properly distributed to the Nation's healthcare system and others that need them most at this time."
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 06:03 PM
What a fuck of brain cells. I am watching the ocean saying it is not concerned. But really, if we self isolate and take precautions, what are we to worry about? But in April or May it is gone.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | March 18, 2020 at 06:05 PM
I wonder what Trump is planning to to get back at China. I assume it will be financial not military.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 06:06 PM
yeah, let's pipe down about bank runs.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:06 PM
I bought Amazon and Zoom this week. I should have bought Walmart - since I was there twice today!
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 06:09 PM
From Twitter:
sheila
@liquidlaugh
·
19m
Alec Baldwin $65 Million
Gwen Paltrow $100 Million
Oprah $2.5 Billion
Maher $100 Million
Clooney $239 Million
Brad Pitt $300 Million
Madonna $850 Million
Not one is offering Help to buy Groceries for the
Needy or the Elderly
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 06:11 PM
Chad Pergram
@ChadPergram
·
29s
"Phase II" coronavirus bill arrived at the WH at 6 pm et for Trump's signature
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 06:12 PM
i bought Amazon at $18 during the past century. never looked back.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:18 PM
Greaf job Kev.
I have a close friend who went to HS with Bezos and bought Amazon when it opened. He refuses to say how much. But I suspect he’s a kajillionire by now.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 06:28 PM
CNSNews.com) - Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is demanding reparations from China for putting the United States through the adverse health effects and financial fallout from coronavirus.
"I've heard from colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are ready to engage in the same fight that I've been fighting now for several months, to hold China accountable for their bad behavior," Banks told Fox News's Tucker Carlson Monday night.
We need to start by forcing China to pay the burden and the cost incurred on the United States of America due to the coronavirus. I think there are many ways that we could do that.
The president could force China to relieve a great amount of American debt. He could institute tariffs on China and designate the funds from that into a coronavirus victim relief fund to pay the cost incurred on Americans and American taxpayers due to the negligence on China's behalf that's led to the crisis in America today.
," he said.
https://cnsnews.com/article/washington/susan-jones/rep-jim-banks-make-china-pay-coronavirus-costs-incurred-usa
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:28 PM
it's been a great hedge, Jane.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:29 PM
All these troubles started with Daylight Savings Time. Coincidence?
Posted by: peter | March 18, 2020 at 06:32 PM
A rare good one from Mirengoff:
ROBERT COSTA’S LATEST “DRIVE BY” ASSAULT ON CONSERVATIVES
The only thing I'd fault is that he didn't provide a link to this sentence, or explain that "some" means high-level government spokespeople:
centralcal had Costa nailed as a fraud before anyone else did.
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 06:35 PM
i was teenking da tame ting, peteycat!!!!
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:35 PM
Ben Shapiro retorts today to the indignant reporter: Xi looks like Winnie the Pooh. So let's call it Winnie the Flu.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:42 PM
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/dining/drinks/drinking-alone.html
Clearly this high-brow twit has never been—nor ever will be—drinking wine at chez lyle. Don’t bother hitting the link.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 06:44 PM
HBT...i love that, lyle. >:0
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 06:50 PM
I was being polite, KK.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 06:52 PM
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2020/03/an-optimistic-take-on-covid-19.php
I hope this guy’s take is true.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 06:54 PM
Video at link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 07:01 PM
Lyle, we’ll know in
#twoweeks15 days.Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 07:04 PM
The health hazards of fried butter
https://mobile.twitter.com/KurtSchlichter/status/1239966411071447042
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 18, 2020 at 07:05 PM
Teddy Cruz nukes the PMSNBC poster boy from orbit: SHHHHHHAZOWWWIE!
"800 billion is not equal to $93 trillion. Even on MSNBC.
Quote Tweet
Chris Hayes
@chrislhayes
· Mar 17
BREAKING: We can, of course, afford a Green New Deal. That’s been true all along.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 07:10 PM
Levitt's presentation caused heads to explode here 2 days ago on the N.Berkeley neighborhood blog.
i'll take the word of the Nobel prize winning Levit over the WHOhoo Gran Poobah Tedro who has spread the ChiComm party line fr the gitgo.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 07:15 PM
University of Washington Dept. of Pathology
Microscope
@uwpathology
·
3h
We are deeply saddened that faculty member Professor Stephen Schwartz passed away due to a COVID-19 infection.
He has left a lasting imprint on our department, our university, and the broader scientific community and will be greatly missed.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 07:22 PM
I met Frum at a NR get together in DC in ‘04. The missus and I spoke with him for quite a while. Had I known then what I know now I would kneed him in the groin. I had a pretty clear shot...😎
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:27 PM
So one of the hundreds of deaths was a professor. Sorry to hear that. Have we heard of any influenza professor deaths?
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 07:28 PM
what is a COVID-19 infection exactly?
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 07:29 PM
You'd have had to really bend your other leg, though, no?
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 07:29 PM
How does FBN find these hawt MDs? Lou is talking with a particularly lovely doc right now.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:30 PM
Am I the only one here who was due for a haircut last week but didn't get it?
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 07:32 PM
He wasn’t too much shorter than I, Ext. But, yes...
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:32 PM
'04 was a long time ago. Lots of backstabbers were still pretending to be on "our side", all the way to the top.
Did Frum seem intelligent or just a boring glad hander? You won't be judged negatively by the answer.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 18, 2020 at 07:33 PM
Just got a text from a friend in MA. Both work in hospitals, but er husband is a nurses assistant and he’s currently dealing with 50 cases.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 07:34 PM
Am I the only one here who was due for a haircut last week but didn't get it?
Nope, you are not the only one Ext. I’m twisting Mrs. Buckeye’s arm, but not making much progress.
She cuts the dog’s coat but isn’t volunteering to do anything for chopped liver.
Posted by: Buckeye | March 18, 2020 at 07:37 PM
"boring glad hander"
Without question, Captain.
Posted by: Barbara | March 18, 2020 at 07:37 PM
Aaaaand Barbara gets a very high nonjudgmental mark!
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 18, 2020 at 07:40 PM
The very worst place for the virus is Bergamo Italy. That is precisely where I was supposed to go in Italy, in June, before going to the Amalfi coast.
How rude!
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 07:44 PM
He wasn’t an unpleasant chat but he did have bad breath, CH.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:44 PM
No Ex, but I’m going to cancel my Monday medical appt. maybe I’ll go to Walmart instead.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 07:45 PM
How does FBN find these hawt MDs?
Ailes took a special interest in FBN near the end imo. Moving Tammy Bruce off of BOR's freak show and over to Charles Payne was win/win.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 18, 2020 at 07:47 PM
Lyle,
I knew CostA back in the day too. His conversion was fairly shocking.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 07:47 PM
I think Frum was the guy who claimed credit for the following 16 words in GWB's State of the Union speech:
“the greatest danger facing America and the world is outlaw regimes that seek and possess nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.”
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Posted by: Barbara | March 18, 2020 at 07:48 PM
Oops Lyle, wrong Traitor. But I also knew Frum.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 07:49 PM
I have no doc appointments until mid April in the form of my teeth cleaning appointment. Thankfully...
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:49 PM
Halitosis is the worst. And it's something you remember.
Posted by: Captain Hate | March 18, 2020 at 07:50 PM
And now Frum isn’t anything more than a shill for the ChiCommies. What a coincidence.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:51 PM
Aptly put, lyle.
Posted by: Barbara | March 18, 2020 at 07:52 PM
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/488328-19-long-term-care-facilities-in-florida-report
Florida health official fears coronavirus cases in 19 long-term care facilities: report
Sounds scary until you realize they went looking for it proactively. They must have jumped at even hints. I wonder if they have the manpower to check all of them or if they are relying on the home's medical staff to promptly report suspected cases.?
Posted by: jim nj | March 18, 2020 at 07:53 PM
Teeth cleaning... my dentist just closed down for the duration on Covid19
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 07:55 PM
Would you believe my wife just asked if we should have lemon wedges with our lobster tails? Come on!
Posted by: Extraneus | March 18, 2020 at 07:56 PM
The most pleasant chat we had at that NR soirée was Rich Lowry. Jonah G was okay but still gave off the don’t-you-know-who-I-am vibe.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 07:58 PM
@realkylemorris
BREAKING: GOP Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart Becomes First Member of Congress to Contract Coronavirus
https://twitter.com/realkylemorris/status/1240418868855820290?s=21
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 07:59 PM
Is that trick question, Ext?
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 08:00 PM
I went to doctor today...had to pass a test before I was allowed into the doctors suite....have you been out of,the country, do you know anyone....blah blah blah. Doc wants me to,have some tests....can’t schedule,them until at least mid June...cuz you know...the virus. I leave for mountain house in early May to escape the Florida heat....so I guess test can wait until November.
Sheer craziness.
My club house is closed to all but take out...food and drink...but the golf course is still open, so,there is that.
Posted by: Mystic | March 18, 2020 at 08:02 PM
The WHO situation report is useless right now.
"Data presented in the COVID-19 Situation Reports has changed to reflect data reported as of 00:00CET (Central European Time). As this is the first Situation Report with the new reporting period, there is overlap of data between Situation Report 57 and this report, thus the number of new cases may not equal the difference between total cases in the two reports."
It looks almost exactly like the prior day's report.
So 00:00 is midnight? Maybe a 5 hour time difference? No new report yet.
Posted by: jim nj | March 18, 2020 at 08:04 PM
I can’t find how the pathologist contracted the virus.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 18, 2020 at 08:04 PM
Mine may between now and then, henry.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 08:08 PM
jimnj,
Wiki shows a 2200 case increase today, which is the largest, jump percentage wise, [39%] in the US since March 10.
Looks like your 'expanded testing will increase cases' scenario might be here.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 18, 2020 at 08:10 PM
The whore at Patterico’s is hoping Balart caught the virus at Mar o Lago.
The novelty of watching Munroe carve those degenerate assholes up isn’t enough for me to ever return to that cesspool.
They are truly evil people over there.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 18, 2020 at 08:11 PM
Looks like we have to wait until July for Tuberville to kick Sessions in the nads.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 18, 2020 at 08:14 PM
Census is shutting down field offices.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 18, 2020 at 08:16 PM
I was on my way to Subway at 2 AM this morning when I got attacked!
These two White guys wearing gowns and masks started beating me up and pouring isopropyl alcohol on me!
They tied a noose around my neck and shouted, “This is Chinese Virus Country!” and ran away.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | March 18, 2020 at 08:19 PM
https://dailycaller.com/2020/03/18/washington-post-jennifer-rubin-mcconnell-coronavirus-bill/
Mr. is unable to golf because no carts on this lovely day and doesn't think a trip to the nearby natatorium is a good idea so we can either have long talks or clean up some of the mess here. We opted for some cleaning. SOME. I worried about my exercise coaches as the studio's been closed so I arranged for one to come here today to work with me on my dinky pilates and next week the other one on my rather good gyrotonics.Made Mr. a new bread which was faster than the usual and quite good. Of course, it's what so I'm not eating it but for a sample bite.
If you have a TM, here's the recipe:https://sophiaskitchen.blog/bread/artisan-bread-thermomix-recipe/
Posted by: clarice | March 18, 2020 at 08:19 PM
Mr Jim in Sunnyvale
Are you by chance familiar with the comic Bloom County?
That’s where I got my BoA bit.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | March 18, 2020 at 08:19 PM
Gee... local health network just went on lockdown - only urgent appointments / surgeries, no visitors. Didn’t say for how long.
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 08:20 PM
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/488355-kudlow-sayd-gm-ceo-offers-to-make-ventilators-in-shuttered-auto-factories
Talking stages.
Posted by: jim nj | March 18, 2020 at 08:21 PM
Is Census shutting down their "spiceth spanith" census offices. one of my conser ative neighbors called our congressional rep to report a census " worker" who inquired if there were any " home workers" who needed to register to vote.
massive.fraud. in the works.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 08:21 PM
It takes GM how long to equip and start a factory? 6-9 months?
Posted by: henry | March 18, 2020 at 08:22 PM
Hi all, the good news here is that it hasn't shown up yet at the hospital my wife and daughter work at. One maybe in the works. But my wife assures me they're prepared. She told me a woman who's worked in the pharmacy for years, walked into the room where my wife and a couple of other nurses were working, wearing a mask upside down. No one said anything not wanting to embarrass the poor girl who was trying to do the right thing. So my wife followed her out of the room and showed her how to wear it the right way.
This is kind of scary though. My daughter was swabbed for the virus this morning even though her primary said she didn't meet the criteria (no travel). But because her youngest has had flu like symptonms for four days, her pediatrician insisted she get tested.
Brady's a cheater!
Hope BoatBuilder's OK!
Posted by: Rocco | March 18, 2020 at 08:23 PM
gm should make tank carriages AND ventilators. war footing now. stimulate this ChiComms.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 08:25 PM
Lyle,
After years of traveling with Jonah, I think he is shy, and being with all those people is disconcerting. Rich has pretty much come over to the good side, but their anti-Trump stance for the last election pretty much destroyed NR. Makes me sad as I had a lot of fun with those people?
Did you get to meet Jack Fowler - the publisher? He’s been pro-Trump since the beginning.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 08:26 PM
Bigger risk for type A blood type.
Posted by: Jane | March 18, 2020 at 08:27 PM
so, PinskyDinsky...whuts yer fav Subway Sando? and do you like it toasted?
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 08:28 PM
any stats on COD among CV-19 patients such as pneumonia or kidney failure?
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 08:30 PM
Megyn Kelly is one of the "Likes"...
https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1240424344733401088
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | March 18, 2020 at 08:34 PM
I'm type AB--does that mean I'm only half vulnerable?
Posted by: clarice | March 18, 2020 at 08:35 PM
me too, clarice. did you know it is the YOUNGEST human blood type? type O is the oldest.
Posted by: KevlarKid | March 18, 2020 at 08:37 PM
Jane,
Ugh. I am Type A.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 08:40 PM
Just got off the phone with Jr.
He is at the Children’s Hospital this week and next. Every two months he does a two week teaching rotation, where the residents and med students follow him around to do rounds, etc.
During this emergency the administration is not letting the med students participate. One additional risk they want eliminated.
Outside of that, he says everything is “normal”, no -19 cases.
Posted by: Buckeye | March 18, 2020 at 08:41 PM
I didn’t meet Fowler, Jane. I met Geraghty, Nordlinger, and Lopez along with the previously named. The get together was hosted in Tyson’s Corner by Kate O’Bearne and her hubby. JG did NOT come off as shy.
Posted by: lyle | March 18, 2020 at 08:42 PM
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/03/18/state-department-suspends-refugee-resettlement-to-u-s-in-coronavirus-crisis/
Posted by: MissMarple2 | March 18, 2020 at 08:43 PM
KK, AB is cool--we can take blood from anyone.
what did I tell you Sunday--this is a disaster for China's economy and the notion of globalization..
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2020/03/18/beijing_fears_covid-19_is_turning_point_for_china_globalization__142686.html
Posted by: clarice | March 18, 2020 at 08:45 PM