Can we not lose track that 105,000 Americans are dead from COVID, many due to Trump's incompetence

Just about every thread on this page is about the protests. The cable news nets are 24/7 riots and protests, they don't even have the updated death count on the screen any more.

Trump is being given a pass on his disastrous handling of the virus, and he can't be allowed to skate.

His poll numbers were cratering, and the only way the hemorrhaging was going to stop was to change the subject. Don't let coverage of the protests - which have to be covered - be allowed to be that game changer.

I hate to say it, but Trump is probably loving the unrest

First, it has taken media attention away from his criminally incompetent handling of the pandemic. The cable news nets were 24/7 on the crisis, 100,000 deaths, Trump urging people to inject themselves with disinfectant, etc. now they are overwhelmingly about the protests and unrest. (God forbid the media walk and chew gum at the same time.)

Second, it gives him a chance to play the tough guy, law and order, I'll send in the military, looting/shooting, etc. which his base eats up. And it may attract back a few wavering suburbanites who were sickened by his pandemic response, but are scared seeing cities go up in flames on their TV screens.

He can't respond to a pandemic, but he is a genius at demonizing and playing to the worst fears of a big patch of America.

Interesting Jennifer Rubin piece about the future of Never Trumpers

The conservative WP columnist is done with the Republican party. She says it's not worth saving, even after Trump.

"There once was a friendly debate among those who used the NeverTrump moniker about whether the GOP could be “saved” or was worth “saving.” Early in the Trump presidency (if not before), I answered no; many who once spoke of reforming or reviving the party now have come around to the view it is hopeless."

(snip)

"Sadly, my feelings toward the spineless Republicans who blindly supported Trump, opposed impeachment, enabled his lies and attacks on institutions, and have not found the nerve — even in a pandemic — to take issue with his lies, impulsive reactions and dangerous preferences can be summed up in a single word: contempt."

Brian Williams show openings on MSNBC

Have you noticed how Brian Williams starts his 11 pm show now every night?

Tonight:

"Good evening, it's day 1203 of the Trump administration. 181 days to go to our next presidential election."

(Numbers are updated daily, of course.)

It's like the old "America held Hostage" open on Nightline during the Iran hostage crisis.