Maybe he shouldn’t have been in quite such a hurry to leave.
“Gasping” is trending on Twitter.
This is why:
Trump climbs a few steps to the White House, takes off his mask and then is visibly gasping and having diffulty breathing while he tries to wave and pretend everything is fine. pic.twitter.com/VXxSh1BNuO
Yes I think so, but presidents are expected to salute. I suppose because they’re the “Commander in Chief.” Like the royals maybe.
Chris Tygesen
My experience with COVID 19 doesn’t seem to be wildly atypical in that the first 7 days did not prepare me at all for the following 13. If he’s already experiencing difficulty breathing, it does not bode well.
Trump might want to put on a brave face for all the narcissistic reasons but I’ll bet money that he has not met the real COVID 19 yet.
Is it wrong that I’m looking forward to this? It seems as if this disease is the only thing that can ever give him his comeuppance.
musubk
@#6 “It seems as if this disease is the only thing that can ever give him his comeuppance.”
If I were a more superstitious person I might see this as an act of God
Blood Knight in Sour Armor
I’ll definitely buy one if he dies of it.
Holms
Why on Earth was he saluting a departing plane? And why twice?? My best guess is this is Trump’s nascent dictator instinct showing itself – they looooove militarism in all things.
Chris Tygesen
From the commemorative coin page:
My new design is informed by superhero graphic art because surrounding President Donald J. Trump is a mythos never before seen in a United States president, a mythos not unlike the Epic of Gilgamesh.
You can’t make this shit up.
Kevin Henderson
If he dies I will buy myself and my wife and my sister and my mom each a bottle of expensive wine and drink until we forget he ever happened.
I actually read the epic of Gilgamesh many years ago when I was studying something tangentially related (clay particle flocculation believe it or not). I really fail to see the connection to Trump.
Holms
#10 Chris
I dunno, there seem to be some active (and feverish) imaginations over there in conservativeland. Behold a real tweet from Ben Shapiro:
“You think 2020 has seen its biggest twist? Wait until Trump develops the anti-covid serum using his own antibodies like Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” and then wins 50 states.”
Holms
Oh and I recommend reading the Epic of Gilgamesh. It’s an impressive glimpse into a culture of 5,000ish years ago, and is also an enjoyable read anyway.
Athel Cornish-Bowden
The British rules are (or were, at least, and probably the same for Canada) that you only salute when in uniform, regardless of your rank. I remember being shocked more than 60 years ago by pictures of Eisenhower saluting when not in uniform.
About 4 & 5 & later comments about saluting – when I said that I hadn’t seen that ridiculous for-Youtube salute on the balcony. Nobody is expected to do that!! What the hell did he even think he was doing? Stupidest thing ever.
Also I heard on the news that the White House is blocking rules about how vaccines get rolled out. Great. Do away with the protocols that keep us safe and rush an untested vaccine so that Dumbo can brag about it (except he’ll have died of covid by then).
Omar
Rob @ #13:
I actually read the epic of Gilgamesh many years ago when I was studying something tangentially related (clay particle flocculation believe it or not). I really fail to see the connection to Trump.
Oh, I dunno. Decline and fall of Babylon, the very epitome of decadence; stuff like that.
Catwhisperer
That’s more than 90 seconds that he’s not babbled inanely while he’s got people looking and pointing cameras at him. He must be pretty damn winded.
What a Maroon
Traditionally presidents didn’t salute. They’re civilians, after all. Like so many bad traditions, this started with Reagan. And the internet lost its shit when Obama didn’t salute. It’s all part of our increasing military fetishization.
On another note, I played Gilgamesh in a sixth-grade production that got rave reviews from the parents.
Acolyte of Sagan
Well, he’s got his colour back. I hope his make-up team wore haz-mat suits.
Seriously, though, what a fucking selfish little man he is. How many people work in the WH (about half of them – badoom)? He’s knowingly putting them all at risk now, and for what? Not enough televisions in his hospital room? Hospital cooks put veggies on his plate? Nobody feeding his ego? Hospital phones don’t have Fox and Friends on speed dial and he can’t remember the number?
He says he’s feeling better but there’s only the answer to one question that can put the truth to his claim. Will he be golfing this weekend? Without a second caddy lugging oxygen tanks along, that is.
AoS: Coincidentally, today’s WaPo has a story on the people who do actual work at the White House, and have the least power to request a safe workplace.
“You think 2020 has seen its biggest twist? Wait until Trump develops the anti-covid serum using his own antibodies like Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” and then wins 50 states.”
This is my blood, which is given up for you…
iknklast
As I understand it, officers do not salute subordinates. Even if the president is military background, he is Commander-in-Chief; he is the superior to all of them, and should not salute. Reagan learned everything he knew from the movies he made; Trump learned everything he knows from similar sources (and what he knows isn’t much). He has no idea of protocol, doesn’t give a damn about protocol, and just wants to show off. He thinks a snappy salute is so grandly Hollywood (never mind that his salutes are anything but snappy), and he wants to come out of central casting.
Omar
Get set for THE blockbuster: Trump as a combination chow mien of Moses, Jesus Christ, Daniel Boone and Rocky Balboa goes up Mt Rushmore, massive Bible in hand, to have a conversation at the summit (not an interview, mind) with God Almighty. He gives God certain instructions. Coming back down, he notices that God has done him the honour of carving his perfect likeness into the mountain, along with the rest. Further down, he is met by a contrite and repentant Joe Biden, who begs on his knees for forgiveness for having had the damn gall to run against him, only to be bitten on the arse by a rattlesnake for the trouble his misdeeds have caused.
Trump on return to Base Camp is received joyfully by a cheering throng, including Melania, Stormy Daniels, and a large number of other former partners if you take my meaning.
Then there is a final long shot against a perfect sunset, in which we see that God as a tribute to Trump has installed a solid gold TrumpTower at the very summit of Mt Rushmore, along with a solid gold makeover of the one in NYC, and also one at the summit of Mt McKinley in addition, as well, and for good measure..
Omar
Marina Hyde’s take on Trump’s balcony scene. IMHO Trump looked like he had been sloshed in the face with a bottle of tomato sauce.
“You think 2020 has seen its biggest twist? Wait until Trump develops the anti-covid serum using his own antibodies like Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” and then wins 50 states.”
It’s been a long time since I watched that movie so correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Smith’s character die in order to save a woman and child at the end? Somehow I don’t see Trump as being quite so self-sacrificing.
I couldn’t even see him announcing an anti-covid serum if he could get away with not doing so. I’m thinking of an episode of the Family Guy cartoon series in which a lab owned by Lois Griffin’s father and mega-wealthy business tycoon, Carter Pewterschmidt, develops a highly effective cure for cancer. Rather than market it, the old man locks it away, making it available only to other billionaire types and under strict secrecy.
When the Griffin kids accidentally stumble across the cure and question him, his reasoning is pretty much what I would expect from Trump, namely that there is more profit to be made from ongoing treatment, and from keeping patients alive even when there is no hope of survival (that one can keep the dollars rolling in for years for such a minimal outlay, according to Pewterschmidt) than there would be from a single-shot, cured-for-life treatment. So he saved it only for those he felt worthy of it – and it just happened that that group consisted solely of men just like himself.*
Now, I’m aware that the episode mentioned was a fleshing-out of the ‘big-pharma-hides-cures’ conspiracy theory but honestly, can anyone see Trump not having to be talked out of it, should the chance arise? We already know that he values ‘the market’ above lives, it would only be the problem of secrecy that might be a barrier, but even that has a ready solution or two – they’re just loony conspiracy theorists / bodies in the water.
*I’ve got a feeling that there was a twist in the tale, something about Pewterschmidt having made up the cancer-cure story to keep the real truth secret, but I really cannot remember what it was.
Comments
32 responses to “Air”
You can buy a $100 commemorative coin at the White House gift shop: “Donald Trump defeats COVID”. I wish I were making this up.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/10/05/trump-defeats-covid-commemorative-coins-on-sale-gift-shop/3628383001/
ARRGHH!
Maybe he’ll be dead by morning.
Canada has alot of rules about who can salute and when. Usually it’s serving military and veterans. We got those rules from Britain.
Are there similar rules in the USofA?
Yes I think so, but presidents are expected to salute. I suppose because they’re the “Commander in Chief.” Like the royals maybe.
My experience with COVID 19 doesn’t seem to be wildly atypical in that the first 7 days did not prepare me at all for the following 13. If he’s already experiencing difficulty breathing, it does not bode well.
Trump might want to put on a brave face for all the narcissistic reasons but I’ll bet money that he has not met the real COVID 19 yet.
Is it wrong that I’m looking forward to this? It seems as if this disease is the only thing that can ever give him his comeuppance.
@#6 “It seems as if this disease is the only thing that can ever give him his comeuppance.”
If I were a more superstitious person I might see this as an act of God
I’ll definitely buy one if he dies of it.
Why on Earth was he saluting a departing plane? And why twice?? My best guess is this is Trump’s nascent dictator instinct showing itself – they looooove militarism in all things.
From the commemorative coin page:
You can’t make this shit up.
If he dies I will buy myself and my wife and my sister and my mom each a bottle of expensive wine and drink until we forget he ever happened.
The coin reminds me of Dewey Defeats Truman
@10, well, apparently someone can!
I actually read the epic of Gilgamesh many years ago when I was studying something tangentially related (clay particle flocculation believe it or not). I really fail to see the connection to Trump.
#10 Chris
I dunno, there seem to be some active (and feverish) imaginations over there in conservativeland. Behold a real tweet from Ben Shapiro:
“You think 2020 has seen its biggest twist? Wait until Trump develops the anti-covid serum using his own antibodies like Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” and then wins 50 states.”
Oh and I recommend reading the Epic of Gilgamesh. It’s an impressive glimpse into a culture of 5,000ish years ago, and is also an enjoyable read anyway.
The British rules are (or were, at least, and probably the same for Canada) that you only salute when in uniform, regardless of your rank. I remember being shocked more than 60 years ago by pictures of Eisenhower saluting when not in uniform.
About 4 & 5 & later comments about saluting – when I said that I hadn’t seen that ridiculous for-Youtube salute on the balcony. Nobody is expected to do that!! What the hell did he even think he was doing? Stupidest thing ever.
Also I heard on the news that the White House is blocking rules about how vaccines get rolled out. Great. Do away with the protocols that keep us safe and rush an untested vaccine so that Dumbo can brag about it (except he’ll have died of covid by then).
Rob @ #13:
Oh, I dunno. Decline and fall of Babylon, the very epitome of decadence; stuff like that.
That’s more than 90 seconds that he’s not babbled inanely while he’s got people looking and pointing cameras at him. He must be pretty damn winded.
Traditionally presidents didn’t salute. They’re civilians, after all. Like so many bad traditions, this started with Reagan. And the internet lost its shit when Obama didn’t salute. It’s all part of our increasing military fetishization.
On another note, I played Gilgamesh in a sixth-grade production that got rave reviews from the parents.
Well, he’s got his colour back. I hope his make-up team wore haz-mat suits.
Seriously, though, what a fucking selfish little man he is. How many people work in the WH (about half of them – badoom)? He’s knowingly putting them all at risk now, and for what? Not enough televisions in his hospital room? Hospital cooks put veggies on his plate? Nobody feeding his ego? Hospital phones don’t have Fox and Friends on speed dial and he can’t remember the number?
He says he’s feeling better but there’s only the answer to one question that can put the truth to his claim. Will he be golfing this weekend? Without a second caddy lugging oxygen tanks along, that is.
Gilgamesh…Gilgamesh… wasn’t he in a band?
https://youtu.be/jAMRTGv82Zo
AoS: Coincidentally, today’s WaPo has a story on the people who do actual work at the White House, and have the least power to request a safe workplace.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/white-house-residence-staff-virus/2020/10/05/a8399794-0645-11eb-9be6-cf25fb429f1a_story.html
What a Maroon @ 20 – you forgot the link so I removed the code. I’ll add it if you post it.
I’d forgotten that it was Reagan! Of all people – like Trump another fake sojer.
Argh, that’s what I get for posting with my phone. Here’s the link, and thanks in advance for the fix: https://www.businessinsider.com/presidential-salute-isnt-a-real-thing-2016
Any time!
“You think 2020 has seen its biggest twist? Wait until Trump develops the anti-covid serum using his own antibodies like Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” and then wins 50 states.”
This is my blood, which is given up for you…
As I understand it, officers do not salute subordinates. Even if the president is military background, he is Commander-in-Chief; he is the superior to all of them, and should not salute. Reagan learned everything he knew from the movies he made; Trump learned everything he knows from similar sources (and what he knows isn’t much). He has no idea of protocol, doesn’t give a damn about protocol, and just wants to show off. He thinks a snappy salute is so grandly Hollywood (never mind that his salutes are anything but snappy), and he wants to come out of central casting.
Get set for THE blockbuster: Trump as a combination chow mien of Moses, Jesus Christ, Daniel Boone and Rocky Balboa goes up Mt Rushmore, massive Bible in hand, to have a conversation at the summit (not an interview, mind) with God Almighty. He gives God certain instructions. Coming back down, he notices that God has done him the honour of carving his perfect likeness into the mountain, along with the rest. Further down, he is met by a contrite and repentant Joe Biden, who begs on his knees for forgiveness for having had the damn gall to run against him, only to be bitten on the arse by a rattlesnake for the trouble his misdeeds have caused.
Trump on return to Base Camp is received joyfully by a cheering throng, including Melania, Stormy Daniels, and a large number of other former partners if you take my meaning.
Then there is a final long shot against a perfect sunset, in which we see that God as a tribute to Trump has installed a solid gold TrumpTower at the very summit of Mt Rushmore, along with a solid gold makeover of the one in NYC, and also one at the summit of Mt McKinley in addition, as well, and for good measure..
Marina Hyde’s take on Trump’s balcony scene. IMHO Trump looked like he had been sloshed in the face with a bottle of tomato sauce.
.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/06/donald-trump-coronavirus-balcony-drugs
That would have been great.
Pliny, #27:
It’s been a long time since I watched that movie so correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Smith’s character die in order to save a woman and child at the end? Somehow I don’t see Trump as being quite so self-sacrificing.
I couldn’t even see him announcing an anti-covid serum if he could get away with not doing so. I’m thinking of an episode of the Family Guy cartoon series in which a lab owned by Lois Griffin’s father and mega-wealthy business tycoon, Carter Pewterschmidt, develops a highly effective cure for cancer. Rather than market it, the old man locks it away, making it available only to other billionaire types and under strict secrecy.
When the Griffin kids accidentally stumble across the cure and question him, his reasoning is pretty much what I would expect from Trump, namely that there is more profit to be made from ongoing treatment, and from keeping patients alive even when there is no hope of survival (that one can keep the dollars rolling in for years for such a minimal outlay, according to Pewterschmidt) than there would be from a single-shot, cured-for-life treatment. So he saved it only for those he felt worthy of it – and it just happened that that group consisted solely of men just like himself.*
Now, I’m aware that the episode mentioned was a fleshing-out of the ‘big-pharma-hides-cures’ conspiracy theory but honestly, can anyone see Trump not having to be talked out of it, should the chance arise? We already know that he values ‘the market’ above lives, it would only be the problem of secrecy that might be a barrier, but even that has a ready solution or two – they’re just loony conspiracy theorists / bodies in the water.
*I’ve got a feeling that there was a twist in the tale, something about Pewterschmidt having made up the cancer-cure story to keep the real truth secret, but I really cannot remember what it was.