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.
...you are back...
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:18 PM
:-/
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:19 PM
We will soon find out that seasonal flu and common colds could have been treated with the readily available malaria drug and Big Pharma paid off the Feds to keep it hush-hush.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:22 PM
TK @ 2:14
Yes I read it. How do you think it affects my point that NPR is engaging in Fake News?
Posted by: Tom R | March 19, 2020 at 02:24 PM
--What is the difference between a company executing a stock buy back and an individual investing in the stock market?--
When the stock market crashes the individual doesn't ask for a $50 billion bailout?
Posted by: The Infamous Ignatz | March 19, 2020 at 02:26 PM
New thread.
Posted by: The Infamous Ignatz | March 19, 2020 at 02:26 PM
I have no how it will affect anything you do, Tom, but I was hoping you would at least recognize that Burr did make public statements and that you associating his statements with Presidential statements is irrelevant to the line that you quoted.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:27 PM
I don't want to malign my fellow Ahian but I'm not sure about his 12:26.
Roger that CH, you got me dead to rights. Not paying close enough attention.
In my defense, pretty easy to hate on that libtard.
Posted by: Buckeye | March 19, 2020 at 02:28 PM
Coming to the big screen this fall: Wuhan Luke.
The film, set in early 2020, Luke does not question his physical isolation and initially has no thought of escape. But his spirit is not, like that of his fellow countrymen, quarantined. This free thinking is, from the outset, noticed by the institution, its functionaries (the MFM) and especially its leaders. Their response is a mixture of both fear and loathing. So they retaliate against Luke through both physical and psychological punishment by forcing him to watch CNN 24 hours a day.
When the film ends, Luke never succumbs to the virus and looks directly into the camera stating, “What we've got here is failure to communicate.”
Fin
Posted by: lyle | March 19, 2020 at 02:29 PM
I have no idea how....
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:30 PM
new
Posted by: Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA | March 19, 2020 at 02:32 PM
Latest on tax filings (it's changed again and probably will again):
The White House announced that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, tax payments could be delayed until July 15, but you still gave to file your taxes by April 15.
The delay in payment will be penalty- and interest-free and you can defer payments up to a million dollars.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | March 19, 2020 at 02:36 PM
That is what I had heard, Steph.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 19, 2020 at 02:40 PM
I think so Lyle, unless they are made in China.
Anyone know if the Senate has voted yet on the relief bill? Anyone know what it's called?
Posted by: Jane | March 19, 2020 at 02:45 PM
Kung Flu Fighting😷
How Trump is killing it.
https://twitter.com/Solmemes1/status/1240627590064484353
Posted by: Jack Lillywhite | March 19, 2020 at 03:30 PM
Does anybody know whether quinine water (Canada Dry or generic) still has quinine in it?
(For those of you who don't know the history, the Brits invented the gin 'n' tonic as an afternoon cocktail to take their daily quinine dose.)
Posted by: cathyf | March 19, 2020 at 03:42 PM
“ Israeli man walks his dog via drone ”
I have ideas that would improve upon that.
Can’t talk about it until I get a filing going...
Posted by: Another Bob | March 19, 2020 at 06:04 PM