There are a number of very different stories swirling out there this Friday. I have been trying to make sense of them and will tell you what I see, with the warning that I could very easily be wrong, so ignore at will. One of today’s biggest stories is that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence today released its assessment of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian journalist whose criticism of his country’s government had driven him into exile in the U.S., where he worked for the
Heather: You bravely walk a tightrope. On one hand, you are an esteemed historian. On another hand, you are a daring, observant, and insightful commentator on the day-to-day unfolding politics of this country. On the third hand, you are wisely and generously willing to say that some of your day-to-day observations may, over time, prove less than prescient. I am glad that you are willing to walk this tightrope, and am confident that we will all become wiser if we walk it with you!
This is my first time making a comment. Hi everyone. (But I e been reading these wonderful Heather letters for a while.) I love the practical undramatic way that events are unraveled and placed in the present as well as an historical context.
Tonight I am flummoxed by all the criticism Joe Biden is receiving in the NYT for not placing sanctions on Saudi Arabia and leveling no consequences for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. If you understand all the sides of this, I’d love to know.
This Letter from an American ignores the American architect of the policies reflected in the actions discussed: Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, son of Donald, nephew of Alan, grandson of the owner of The Sherry Netherlands Hotel, a brilliantly educated diplomat and statesman known for his character and decency. The Blinken family are Jews with a deep understanding of fascism and a healthy respect and love for American Blacks. They loathe Trump Inc. They are conservative liberals with a developed understanding of America and the world. Antony is deeply loved by those that know him. He will restore State and have the backs of American diplomats that respect the rights of all people. Antony will not cave for MBS, Russia’s Putin, or oligarchs. America is back at State. The Saudi murder of a US journalist in Istanbul is duly noted. This step will jar any number of dictators starting with China, N. Korea, Manila, Hungary, Turkey, Poland, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Brazil, Venezuela, and Russia. Antony will reflect Joe Biden, and Joe Biden will reflect Antony. The UN Ambassador is part of the growing image of the Biden Blinken State department. She is Black and her heart is pure Blinken Biden. America is back and Black women will rise. Remember Joe Knows Us.
HCR dedicates today's newsletter to US relations with Saudi Arabia, and to Biden's determination to renew America's position as a country that still counts - makes a crucial difference - in a world in ferment. The President wants our friends and adversaries to know that Trump's neglectful foreign policy is now in the past and that the US Government again has its finger on the world's pulse, and is not yet in decline. In addition, Biden is warning that the US will do what it must to forestall foreign meddling in our elections This is, of course, positive and long overdue.
However.... The NYT yesterday suggested that the $15 minimum wage - after the Senate parliamentarian nixed it as part of the big spending bill subject to "reconciliation" - was as good as dead on arrival, and that this irritates - or worse - progressive Democrats.
Well, it sure as hell irritates me and makes me wonder why the Democrats cannot simply do away with the filibuster, read Manchin and Sinema the riot act (politely, behind closed doors, but in public if necessary) and then ram this bill down the GOP's throats. If Biden thinks he will get any meaningful bipartisanship from more than an insignificant number of GOP outliers (Romney? and....), he must be drinking a new kind of Kool-aid.
I mean, in theory the main thing that distinguishes the DEMs from the GOP is that we are in it for the good of the nation, while they are in it for the money. Is Joe Manchin unwilling to risk defeat next time, even if taking this risk is clearly in the Amercan people's vital interest? Or is he just in it for the money? I don't know much about Sinema, but I would ask her the same questions.
Sure, ditching the filibuster would piss-off both the Trump and anti-Trump wings of the GOP. They would vow revenge and fight back with every lie and sleazy tactic and criminal act they can muster. We would have to put any hope of bipartisanship to rest. But what do our more "moderate" Democrats really think? That the GOP would hesitate to eliminate the filibuster if they thought doing so might serve their nefarious ends? Or pack the SCOTUS with rightwing ideologues (Oh, they already did).
Don't people realize that we are way beyond "polite" bipartisan Senate politics as usual, and that there is no going back? That the future of our species hangs in the balance? I could go on, but there's no need to exaggerate....
Like HCR, I can't find a common thread to these unrelated stories, other than it is apparent we have a functioning executive branch again.
Re MBS; It is not the first time we've done business with a bunch of murderers, but we never called them allies. It is good we suspended the Saudi arms sales. I think we should look into all the deals Kushner made to get Arab states and Israel to play kissy-face. Arming every Arab state to the teeth isn't in anybody's interest.
Re Kilimnik/Manafort; The more we find out about the Russian connection to the 2016 election the better. Since Manafort was pardoned, he can't hide behind the 5th Amendment if asked/forced to testify, and I don't think his pardon would cover new acts of perjury.
Re Syrian bombing; I would like to see unilateral US military actions without congressional approval come to a halt, if we had a functioning congress. At least Biden listened to the military and conferred with allies, unlike the former president.
Spring is in the air, I got my first Covid shot, and have an appointment for my second, and soon my little red roadster comes out of the barn with the top down.
"House Democrats passed their sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package in a party-line vote early Saturday morning, advancing President Biden’s top legislative priority.
Lawmakers passed the bill 219-212, with two Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.) — joining all Republicans in voting against it. Democrats could only afford up to four defections with their narrow House majority."
Democrats to add to the We Will Remember list:
Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.)
Whether I agree with the policies of the current administration, I admire the style, tone and manner with which they are presented. It’s so wonderfully refreshing to have capable, experienced and compassionate professionals. I haven’t felt a sense of dread in the morning since the inauguration, thank goodness!
A US-Saudi alliance made sense in Feb 1945 when King Ibn Saud met FDR in Egypt on his way to the Yalta summit. It brought benefits to both countries, much wealth to certain parties, and helped keep America on the road for decades. But times change and now Saudi Arabia's entanglement with the US represents a great deal that is wrong with both countries and the world. Relentless pursuit of mega-profits; heartless military adventurism; cruel repression of domestic dissent; a Middle East that is less stable, not more; and looming over all, the consequences of fossil fuels’ economic primacy for the global environment, including worsening climate disruption. There is a crooked but clear path that leads from Saudi oil contracts to the murder of Mr Khashoggi, to next year’s raging wildfires and hurricanes, and even to the Great Texas Winter of 2021.
Is the Biden admin capable of disentangling us from the morass of Saudi influence? We can be only somewhat sanguine about the prospect, and reshaping the relationship involves far more change than merely some new treaties -- especially from us. (Can you say "energy conservation," boys and girls?) In the 21C Americans need to stay off the road more than in the 20C. The sooner these things happen, the better it is for a large swath of the earth. Few bilateral relations have such a fateful impact as those between these two countries. It's good
A Bacevich, America’s War for the Greater Middle East
PS. I knew the Blinken family to this extent. Alan and I were partners for one year. He ran for the senate in Idaho. We have not spoken in decades. We were never clise. Antony’s personal behavior is outstanding. His father is widely and deeply respected. Again, those that know Antony worship him. He is a guiding light in the Biden Harris administration. Governments the world over will take note of Antony. He speaks for the best of America. His family and that of the new AG have similar histories. This administration will reflect values well understood by FDR’s wife. Focus there.
Heather didn't mention CPAC tonight but I wanted to comment on it since it brought up two conflicting emotions in me. When reading what Heather wrote about all that went on today in the Biden Administration, CPAC felt remote and irrelevant when we have real governing going on. But, my other reaction during the day as CPAC was covered was one of worry, even fear. How can the Congress function, how can President Biden get through his agenda in a timely fashion with the Republican cult acting as the anti-democratic party and adding the dead weight of opposition to any and all legislation even when the legislation is so popular with the majority of the People. We need the $15 minimum wage, for instance, to strengthen the economy. I like Senator Sanders proposal to do what should have been done when the corporate tax cut was passed and give the corporations an incentive to make the life of their workers better with raises and a living wage. It feels like saving democracy is not getting the strategic thinking and action plan it needs for democracy to survive.
For those who, like 99% of the rest of us, don't really know that much about the internal workings of Ukraine, it might be good to understand that we aren't necessarily supporting "angels" there. I have a number of Ukrainian friends (it's a planetary center of creativity in the field of creating and producing really interesting plastic scale models - I'll bet 100:1 odds you didn't know that :-) ) and have had Ukrainian politics explained to me. Going waaaaaaayyyyy back to the days of the Russian Revolution, Ukraine has had a long history of anti-Soviet beliefs. This has manifested in some pretty rancid far right political movements. A guy who was the biggest collaborator with the Nazis in World War II is considered a Ukraine national hero. There are several far right neo-fascist/neo-Nazi paramilitary groups in the country - in fact several US white supremacist/neo-Nazi types are known to have gone over there and gotten military training in recent years fighting the Russians. The far right types in the country are the ones most willing to fight the Russians in eastern Ukraine, so they have a lot more popular credibility than they would otherwise.
At the same time there's these folks running around, there are a lot of very good, very interesting Ukrainians - who mostly abjure politics - at least publicly - because it's a bit too easy to end up face down in a dark alley from unknown assailants for your politics there. They're the ones who elected President Volodymyr Zelensky.
All that said, Ukraine is a country with a long tradition of opposing Russia. They only became part of Greater Russia in the 18th century when they were conquered by Catherine the Great and her General Peter Potemkin. They have good reason to hate the Stalinists, since they were the part of the country that suffered the most when Stalin went after the Kulaks and killed several million people through starvation when they collectivized agriculture. Krushchev is still hated there as the Ukrainian who carried out Stalin's orders - his nickname there is "The Butcher."
The whole business with Crimea is a historical gordian knot. Crimea was the first part of Ukraine Catherine's army conquered, and they made it part of Russia before going on to conquer the rest of the country. Then in 1955, Krushchev, who was balancing regional power centers while establishing himself as the second Red Czar (er, General Secretary of the Communist Party) put Crimea back in Ukraine to get rid of an opposing party boss in Sevastopol. The Ukrainians have always seen it as part of Ukraine and the Russians have always (at least since the 1770s) seen it as part of Mother Russia.
So into this ancient mess comes the US, following our national tradition since the first settlers arrived in Jamestown of declaring ignorance of the local situation as deep knowledge and then telling everyone what they should be doing.
We’ve had many a mention here of how to reach across the great progressive-conservative divide. My German-born father, who doesn’t move a millimeter from his rockhard positions, has perhaps soured me a bit on the possibility of softening a conservative. The Northern California-born truck drivers I talk to are a different story.
This long-read charming New Hampshire ballad of a left-wing journalist reaching out to his neighbors, who are nearly all Trump voters, is heartwarming. Enjoy.
This is why I say I hate politics. Having to be nice to low-life scum. (And, that includes having to be “bipartisan” with the Repugnant Party, which has never done that when they had the majority).
We wage war on the Muslim hellholes in the Middle East under the pretext of bringing equality and democracy to them, yet we ally ourselves with Saudi Arabia, which is just as barbaric. It’s nothing new. Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940s reportedly said of Nicaragua's dictator, "He may be a son of a bitch. But he's our son of a bitch." Politics it seems requires lying down with pigs and pretending we don’t stink as bad.
Speaking of Russian Oligarchy, remember when the United States Oligarchs (United Fruit) owned Central America and our CIA toppled democratically elected governments?
So, we denounce “communism” yet let our capitalist Oligarchs get rich by outsourcing our production to China. Those same Oligarchs who support the Repugnant Party, insist on a decades old $7.25 minimum wage, which no one can live on working a 40-hour week.
Sorry for the negativity, it came pouring out after a long lifetime of U.S. Lies, Wars, Racism and Oppression of the Working Class. If I weren’t so intelligent, I could easily be a conspiracy theorist by extrapolating from the facts of our nations historical misdeeds.
Accountability? Well thought out and measured responses? I almost forgot this was possible. It is such a relief to have adults in charge again. (Also, my cursing is down considerably.)
I find it interesting that Senator Cornyn chose to stay in TX to be with Biden, while "Cancun cRuz" was at CPAC making fun of his trip to Mexico and getting lots of laughs from the crowd. The maskless crowd who booed when asked by those running the show asked people to put on masks. What a bunch of true "losers" run by the biggest "loser" of all. They deserve each other and their worship of the golden cow. I hope thr press will give as little as possible to this weekends shenanigans.
Heather: You bravely walk a tightrope. On one hand, you are an esteemed historian. On another hand, you are a daring, observant, and insightful commentator on the day-to-day unfolding politics of this country. On the third hand, you are wisely and generously willing to say that some of your day-to-day observations may, over time, prove less than prescient. I am glad that you are willing to walk this tightrope, and am confident that we will all become wiser if we walk it with you!
This is my first time making a comment. Hi everyone. (But I e been reading these wonderful Heather letters for a while.) I love the practical undramatic way that events are unraveled and placed in the present as well as an historical context.
Tonight I am flummoxed by all the criticism Joe Biden is receiving in the NYT for not placing sanctions on Saudi Arabia and leveling no consequences for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. If you understand all the sides of this, I’d love to know.
This Letter from an American ignores the American architect of the policies reflected in the actions discussed: Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, son of Donald, nephew of Alan, grandson of the owner of The Sherry Netherlands Hotel, a brilliantly educated diplomat and statesman known for his character and decency. The Blinken family are Jews with a deep understanding of fascism and a healthy respect and love for American Blacks. They loathe Trump Inc. They are conservative liberals with a developed understanding of America and the world. Antony is deeply loved by those that know him. He will restore State and have the backs of American diplomats that respect the rights of all people. Antony will not cave for MBS, Russia’s Putin, or oligarchs. America is back at State. The Saudi murder of a US journalist in Istanbul is duly noted. This step will jar any number of dictators starting with China, N. Korea, Manila, Hungary, Turkey, Poland, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Brazil, Venezuela, and Russia. Antony will reflect Joe Biden, and Joe Biden will reflect Antony. The UN Ambassador is part of the growing image of the Biden Blinken State department. She is Black and her heart is pure Blinken Biden. America is back and Black women will rise. Remember Joe Knows Us.
HCR dedicates today's newsletter to US relations with Saudi Arabia, and to Biden's determination to renew America's position as a country that still counts - makes a crucial difference - in a world in ferment. The President wants our friends and adversaries to know that Trump's neglectful foreign policy is now in the past and that the US Government again has its finger on the world's pulse, and is not yet in decline. In addition, Biden is warning that the US will do what it must to forestall foreign meddling in our elections This is, of course, positive and long overdue.
However.... The NYT yesterday suggested that the $15 minimum wage - after the Senate parliamentarian nixed it as part of the big spending bill subject to "reconciliation" - was as good as dead on arrival, and that this irritates - or worse - progressive Democrats.
Well, it sure as hell irritates me and makes me wonder why the Democrats cannot simply do away with the filibuster, read Manchin and Sinema the riot act (politely, behind closed doors, but in public if necessary) and then ram this bill down the GOP's throats. If Biden thinks he will get any meaningful bipartisanship from more than an insignificant number of GOP outliers (Romney? and....), he must be drinking a new kind of Kool-aid.
I mean, in theory the main thing that distinguishes the DEMs from the GOP is that we are in it for the good of the nation, while they are in it for the money. Is Joe Manchin unwilling to risk defeat next time, even if taking this risk is clearly in the Amercan people's vital interest? Or is he just in it for the money? I don't know much about Sinema, but I would ask her the same questions.
Sure, ditching the filibuster would piss-off both the Trump and anti-Trump wings of the GOP. They would vow revenge and fight back with every lie and sleazy tactic and criminal act they can muster. We would have to put any hope of bipartisanship to rest. But what do our more "moderate" Democrats really think? That the GOP would hesitate to eliminate the filibuster if they thought doing so might serve their nefarious ends? Or pack the SCOTUS with rightwing ideologues (Oh, they already did).
Don't people realize that we are way beyond "polite" bipartisan Senate politics as usual, and that there is no going back? That the future of our species hangs in the balance? I could go on, but there's no need to exaggerate....
Like HCR, I can't find a common thread to these unrelated stories, other than it is apparent we have a functioning executive branch again.
Re MBS; It is not the first time we've done business with a bunch of murderers, but we never called them allies. It is good we suspended the Saudi arms sales. I think we should look into all the deals Kushner made to get Arab states and Israel to play kissy-face. Arming every Arab state to the teeth isn't in anybody's interest.
Re Kilimnik/Manafort; The more we find out about the Russian connection to the 2016 election the better. Since Manafort was pardoned, he can't hide behind the 5th Amendment if asked/forced to testify, and I don't think his pardon would cover new acts of perjury.
Re Syrian bombing; I would like to see unilateral US military actions without congressional approval come to a halt, if we had a functioning congress. At least Biden listened to the military and conferred with allies, unlike the former president.
Spring is in the air, I got my first Covid shot, and have an appointment for my second, and soon my little red roadster comes out of the barn with the top down.
Things are looking up.
Breaking news:
"House Democrats passed their sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package in a party-line vote early Saturday morning, advancing President Biden’s top legislative priority.
Lawmakers passed the bill 219-212, with two Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.) — joining all Republicans in voting against it. Democrats could only afford up to four defections with their narrow House majority."
Democrats to add to the We Will Remember list:
Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Kurt Schrader (Ore.)
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/540805-house-democrats-pass-sweeping-19t-covid-19-relief-bill-with-minimum-wage-hike
What a difference a leader makes! Taking hold of issues and getting a grip on things that are long overdue! A grip on reality no reality tv.
Thanks Heather!
Whether I agree with the policies of the current administration, I admire the style, tone and manner with which they are presented. It’s so wonderfully refreshing to have capable, experienced and compassionate professionals. I haven’t felt a sense of dread in the morning since the inauguration, thank goodness!
A US-Saudi alliance made sense in Feb 1945 when King Ibn Saud met FDR in Egypt on his way to the Yalta summit. It brought benefits to both countries, much wealth to certain parties, and helped keep America on the road for decades. But times change and now Saudi Arabia's entanglement with the US represents a great deal that is wrong with both countries and the world. Relentless pursuit of mega-profits; heartless military adventurism; cruel repression of domestic dissent; a Middle East that is less stable, not more; and looming over all, the consequences of fossil fuels’ economic primacy for the global environment, including worsening climate disruption. There is a crooked but clear path that leads from Saudi oil contracts to the murder of Mr Khashoggi, to next year’s raging wildfires and hurricanes, and even to the Great Texas Winter of 2021.
Is the Biden admin capable of disentangling us from the morass of Saudi influence? We can be only somewhat sanguine about the prospect, and reshaping the relationship involves far more change than merely some new treaties -- especially from us. (Can you say "energy conservation," boys and girls?) In the 21C Americans need to stay off the road more than in the 20C. The sooner these things happen, the better it is for a large swath of the earth. Few bilateral relations have such a fateful impact as those between these two countries. It's good
A Bacevich, America’s War for the Greater Middle East
N Klein, This Changes Everything
R Lacey, Inside the Kingdom
D Yergin, The Prize
PS. I knew the Blinken family to this extent. Alan and I were partners for one year. He ran for the senate in Idaho. We have not spoken in decades. We were never clise. Antony’s personal behavior is outstanding. His father is widely and deeply respected. Again, those that know Antony worship him. He is a guiding light in the Biden Harris administration. Governments the world over will take note of Antony. He speaks for the best of America. His family and that of the new AG have similar histories. This administration will reflect values well understood by FDR’s wife. Focus there.
Heather didn't mention CPAC tonight but I wanted to comment on it since it brought up two conflicting emotions in me. When reading what Heather wrote about all that went on today in the Biden Administration, CPAC felt remote and irrelevant when we have real governing going on. But, my other reaction during the day as CPAC was covered was one of worry, even fear. How can the Congress function, how can President Biden get through his agenda in a timely fashion with the Republican cult acting as the anti-democratic party and adding the dead weight of opposition to any and all legislation even when the legislation is so popular with the majority of the People. We need the $15 minimum wage, for instance, to strengthen the economy. I like Senator Sanders proposal to do what should have been done when the corporate tax cut was passed and give the corporations an incentive to make the life of their workers better with raises and a living wage. It feels like saving democracy is not getting the strategic thinking and action plan it needs for democracy to survive.
For those who, like 99% of the rest of us, don't really know that much about the internal workings of Ukraine, it might be good to understand that we aren't necessarily supporting "angels" there. I have a number of Ukrainian friends (it's a planetary center of creativity in the field of creating and producing really interesting plastic scale models - I'll bet 100:1 odds you didn't know that :-) ) and have had Ukrainian politics explained to me. Going waaaaaaayyyyy back to the days of the Russian Revolution, Ukraine has had a long history of anti-Soviet beliefs. This has manifested in some pretty rancid far right political movements. A guy who was the biggest collaborator with the Nazis in World War II is considered a Ukraine national hero. There are several far right neo-fascist/neo-Nazi paramilitary groups in the country - in fact several US white supremacist/neo-Nazi types are known to have gone over there and gotten military training in recent years fighting the Russians. The far right types in the country are the ones most willing to fight the Russians in eastern Ukraine, so they have a lot more popular credibility than they would otherwise.
At the same time there's these folks running around, there are a lot of very good, very interesting Ukrainians - who mostly abjure politics - at least publicly - because it's a bit too easy to end up face down in a dark alley from unknown assailants for your politics there. They're the ones who elected President Volodymyr Zelensky.
All that said, Ukraine is a country with a long tradition of opposing Russia. They only became part of Greater Russia in the 18th century when they were conquered by Catherine the Great and her General Peter Potemkin. They have good reason to hate the Stalinists, since they were the part of the country that suffered the most when Stalin went after the Kulaks and killed several million people through starvation when they collectivized agriculture. Krushchev is still hated there as the Ukrainian who carried out Stalin's orders - his nickname there is "The Butcher."
The whole business with Crimea is a historical gordian knot. Crimea was the first part of Ukraine Catherine's army conquered, and they made it part of Russia before going on to conquer the rest of the country. Then in 1955, Krushchev, who was balancing regional power centers while establishing himself as the second Red Czar (er, General Secretary of the Communist Party) put Crimea back in Ukraine to get rid of an opposing party boss in Sevastopol. The Ukrainians have always seen it as part of Ukraine and the Russians have always (at least since the 1770s) seen it as part of Mother Russia.
So into this ancient mess comes the US, following our national tradition since the first settlers arrived in Jamestown of declaring ignorance of the local situation as deep knowledge and then telling everyone what they should be doing.
We’ve had many a mention here of how to reach across the great progressive-conservative divide. My German-born father, who doesn’t move a millimeter from his rockhard positions, has perhaps soured me a bit on the possibility of softening a conservative. The Northern California-born truck drivers I talk to are a different story.
This long-read charming New Hampshire ballad of a left-wing journalist reaching out to his neighbors, who are nearly all Trump voters, is heartwarming. Enjoy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2021/02/25/this-rural-liberal-set-out-talk-his-pro-trump-neighbors/?no_nav=true&tid=a_classic-iphone
This is why I say I hate politics. Having to be nice to low-life scum. (And, that includes having to be “bipartisan” with the Repugnant Party, which has never done that when they had the majority).
We wage war on the Muslim hellholes in the Middle East under the pretext of bringing equality and democracy to them, yet we ally ourselves with Saudi Arabia, which is just as barbaric. It’s nothing new. Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940s reportedly said of Nicaragua's dictator, "He may be a son of a bitch. But he's our son of a bitch." Politics it seems requires lying down with pigs and pretending we don’t stink as bad.
Speaking of Russian Oligarchy, remember when the United States Oligarchs (United Fruit) owned Central America and our CIA toppled democratically elected governments?
So, we denounce “communism” yet let our capitalist Oligarchs get rich by outsourcing our production to China. Those same Oligarchs who support the Repugnant Party, insist on a decades old $7.25 minimum wage, which no one can live on working a 40-hour week.
Sorry for the negativity, it came pouring out after a long lifetime of U.S. Lies, Wars, Racism and Oppression of the Working Class. If I weren’t so intelligent, I could easily be a conspiracy theorist by extrapolating from the facts of our nations historical misdeeds.
Accountability? Well thought out and measured responses? I almost forgot this was possible. It is such a relief to have adults in charge again. (Also, my cursing is down considerably.)
I find it interesting that Senator Cornyn chose to stay in TX to be with Biden, while "Cancun cRuz" was at CPAC making fun of his trip to Mexico and getting lots of laughs from the crowd. The maskless crowd who booed when asked by those running the show asked people to put on masks. What a bunch of true "losers" run by the biggest "loser" of all. They deserve each other and their worship of the golden cow. I hope thr press will give as little as possible to this weekends shenanigans.