Birx risks reputation in bid to keep on Trump's good side

[usaf-vet]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by JudyM (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: The Guardian

The taskforce coordinator has tried to walk a diplomatic tightrope – but has failed to speak out against the president’s false claims.
Sometimes the story is not so much Donald Trump as the people around him, and not so much what they say but what they don’t.

Last Thursday Deborah Birx sat in the White House press briefing room as the US president speculated on whether injecting disinfectant might offer a “cleaning” of the lungs.

“Don’t do anything he just said!” is what Dr Birx should have exclaimed at that moment, argues Kurt Bardella, a political columnist and commentator, explaining: “A doctor right there has an obligation to correct that in real time. If the president wants to fire that person, then so be it.”

But Birx said no such thing.

The cringeworthy remarks about disinfectant and ultraviolet light compounded fears that Birx, the lead advocate of social distancing, has been somewhat less successful at critical distancing from the president. Like other White House officials before her, she is said to be sacrificing a hard-won professional reputation at the altar of Trump’s vanity.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/30/dr-deborah-birx-coronavirus-taskforce-trump

[Bengus81]

1. Scarfie has proven herself to be a phony............

Quite a career thrown in the dumpster at Trumps pressers. Trump wants people to drink Lysol and she looks like a deer in the headlights and try's to pass the question off instead of saying HELL NO don't do that!!

Afraid of him or just wanting more new scarfs??

[lagomorph777]

6. Dr. Scarf-face is just another body bag to President Turd.

Disposable.

[old guy]

2. I don't think so.

In the bubble she lives in she is a superstar. She doesn't live in the world the rest of us are living in.

[Eyeball_Kid]

3. Birx trashed her reputation already, and she confirms it every day. n/t

[cyclonefence]

4. She may be saving lives

If she were to resign in disgust, thus saving her reputation, who do you think would be her replacement? My money's on Dr. Oz.

Trump has demonstrated the narrowness of his vision. He does not take advice. He would appoint a doctor he has seen on TV, and we would be even more fucked than we are right now.

[turbinetree]

5. Well she "was" suppose to have taken an oath to protect the patient, well she has about 350 million

and she sat there like a bump on log........and endangered 350 million people.......fuck that oath shit, huh, couldn't be bothered and some of the stupid's have been doing what there leader told them to do, drink disinfectant, and then he (trump) watches on tv and gets a laugh, and he sits there and say's "you know they will do whatever I say"........ever hear that statement before?.............being a toady is more important and getting a paycheck...........

[usaf-vet]

7. She is going to yet be another example of anything tRump touched dies or turns to s**t.

When Trump is finally gone how is she going to be remembered in a history book? My guess she will be an *

Right now her silent presence in the room is really annoying to me.

[turbinetree]

8. Yepper spot on.............

It is her duty to be frank and forthright about this current issue and she is failing................

[usaf-vet]

9. Exactly!

[lark]

10. She's not acting as a doc anymore, she's nothing more than side show sycophant.

She has negative value now, a totally worthless prop on stage, and if she had a conscience, she'd be totally ashamed of herself.

[BlueIdaho]

11. Dr. Happy Talk is off my list

Of trusted healthcare experts. I ignore everything she says.

[DeminPennswoods]

12. It's the dilemna every competent person in the Trump

WH faces - try to stay on his good side so you can have a positive impact on policy/policy decisions or quit. If you quit, it might save your reputation, but by staying you might be able to make a difference, rein in Trump's worst instincts.

The question one has to ask is, can I do more good inside or outside the administration? I don't think it's as easy a decision as is being made out.

[Progressive Jones]

14. Competent people wouldn't lower themselves to working in the Slump WH. nt

[BigDemVoter]

13. "Risks"?

She has already completely lost her reputation-- it's G-O-N-E.

[LiberalLovinLug]

15. It must be difficult for any health professional that wants to help. A rock and a hard place.

Knowing they have to coddle a vindictive toddler at the same time. And make sure to let King Joffrey say whatever he wants. Knowing if you contradict him you will be turfed, and no longer be able to contribute like you know you can.

[JudyM]

16. Locking.

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