Memo to Eric Trump: 90,000 Americans Didn't Die to Stop Your Dad From Holding Rallies

As of now COVID-19 has afflicted 1.5 million Americans. The death toll from this infectious disease in this country has now topped 90,000 in the space of 100 days.

But President Trump's younger son Eric would have us believe that stay at home mandate (to which his father agreed) is nothing more than a conspiracy to prevent tens of thousands of people from gathering to hear his Dad talk out of his ass for three hours. During an appearance on Saturday night with Jeannine Pirro on Fox News, he made the claim that once the election is over that COVID-19 will "magically disappear" and Democrats will call for a re-opening of the country.

First and foremost, COVID-19 isn't going to disappear - magically or otherwise - until there is either a vaccine or an effective therapeutic. Between now and November a lot more Americans are going to die of COVID-19. The 90,000 Americans who have died over the past 100 days and those who will die over the next 170 days didn't lose their lives because they are trying to stop President Trump from holding political rallies. It's much more serious than that.

Now I honestly don't think Eric Trump actually believes this shit. But a significant segment of Trump supporters certainly do. Eric Trump knows it and has no reservations in peddling such garbage if he thinks it will get his father re-elected. Whether he actually believes it matters far less than the fact that he said it.

His intervention reinforces the fact that his father bungled the COVID-19 response from the get go and he continues to make things worse. All Trump and his cronies (including his children) can do is pass the buck and blame either China or Barack Obama.

The Chinese government is worth of its share of criticism and have much to answer for where it concerns COVID-19, but it wasn't Beijing who suggested people self-medicate with hydroxychloroquine or inject themselves with disinfectant or claim anyone who wanted a test for COVID-19 could get one.

President Obama is also worthy of his share of criticism during his two terms in office. But Obama hasn't been in the White House for three years and four months. So at what point does Trump take responsibility for what has happened under his watch? Obama richly deserves to be criticized for the implementation of Obamacare, but his administration was far more effective where it concerned its response to both the H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010 and the Ebola Crisis of 2014. As I have argued previously, when it comes to comparing the 90,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19 to the Obama Administration's response to swine flu and Ebola, Trump is playing a very weak hand. Mind you, I made this point a week ago. A week later another 10,000 people have died. Chances are we will reach 100,000 COVID-19 deaths by Memorial Day. I shudder to think what those numbers will be on election day in November.

But by all means keep talking Eric Trump. You have clearly inherited your father's cruelty and selfishness. COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 90,000 Americans and counting. Yet to hear you talk you would think the only family to have suffered over the past three and a half months is your own.

Justin Amash Comes To His Senses; No White House Bid

A year ago, I strongly considered casting my presidential ballot for Justin Amash.

A month ago, after Amash announced he was forming a presidential exploratory committee, I was far less enthusiastic about the idea.

Yesterday, Amash came to his senses and announced he was abandoning any White House aspirations for 2020.

Among other things, Amash cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor in his decision though only in regard to his electoral viability. Whatever his reasoning, his decision to bow out is the wise one.

While Amash was a profile in courage in bucking the GOP and calling for President Trump's impeachment after reading the Mueller Report, not every profile in courage should be President of the United States. Had there been no COVID-19 pandemic, I would likely have given Amash strong consideration. But as I argued a month ago, the response to COVID-19 requires a strong federal government and Amash's political philosophy is antithetical to that approach. Nor was I impressed when he encouraged the stay at home protesters in his native Michigan against Governor Whitmer.

However, I do think Amash can still effectively serve his congressional district if his constituents see fit to reject their Trumpist GOP candidate. However, should Amash not be re-elected as an independent I am sure he will find other ways to contribute to our public discourse.

Let me now address the elephant in the room or in this case the donkey. No one is entitled to be President, but Amash's presence in the race (particularly in Michigan) could have complicated Joe Biden's path to the White House. That complication is now gone although Jesse Ventura could throw a wrench into things should the Green Party see fit to nominate him as their standard bearer.

There are only two possible outcomes in the presidential election. We either keep President Trump or we take a chance on Biden - Amash or no Amash. COVID-19 is a matter of life and death. If we re-elect Trump we choose death. If we elect Biden we choose life. Which would you choose?

Phyllis George, R.I.P.

Phyllis George, a former Ms. America pageant winner who became one of the first female TV sports broadcaster and later the First Lady of Kentucky, passed away of leukemia on Thursday. She was 70.

A native of Texas, George competed on the pageant circuit winning Miss Texas in 1970 before coming to national prominence when she won Miss America the following year. In 1975, George joined CBS Sports and became a reporter for the network's NFL pre-game show The NFL Today. She remained with the program until 1978 when her second husband John Y. Brown ran for and was elected Governor of Kentucky serving one term in office making George the First Lady of Kentucky.
In 1985, George had a brief stint as the co-anchor of the CBS Morning News. 

In recent years, George has receded from the limelight concentrating on business ventures as well as promoting folk art in Kentucky. In 2007 there had been speculation that George was considering entering the political arena and either running for Governor or challenging Mitch McConnell for his Senate seat but this did not come to pass.

George is survived by two children including her daughter Pamela Brown who is currently the senior White House correspondent for CNN.

As for me, I shall always remember Phyllis George for her 1979 appearance on The Muppet Show during which she sang a romantic song about of all things carbon paper accompanied by Rowlf the Dog. This might be a good laugh for those who are shedding tears. R.I.P.

Fred Willard, R.I.P.

Actor/comedian Fred Willard passed away of natural causes yesterday. His death was announced on Twitter by actress Jamie Lee Curtis. He was 86.

Willard's death comes shortly before the premier of the Netflix TV series Space Force starring Steve Carell. His final credit comes 53 years after making his first TV appearance.

Among his TV credits in the 1960's and 1970's include Get Smart, Love, American Style, The Bob Newhart Show and Laverne & Shirley. Willard made several appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson as a member of the comedy troupe The Ace Trucking Company before becoming part of the cast of the short-lived TV series Sirota's Court starring Michael Constantine as well as his portrayal of Jerry Hubbard in Fernwood Tonight and America 2-Night. I first remember Willard as one of the hosts on Real People in the late 1970's & early 1980's.

In 1984, Willard appeared in a small role in the Rob Reiner film This is Spinal Tap. Willard would become friends with Christopher Guest resulting in him becoming part of the stock company of actors who appeared in a series of Guest's off-beat comedy films in the 1990's and 2000's such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration.

Willard also had recurring roles on some of the most successful TV shows in history - Roseanne, Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family. He made regular appearances in skits with both Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon and also portrayed Ed Harken in the Anchorman movies starring Will Ferrell.

Willard was married for 50 years until his wife Mary Lovell passed away in 2018. He is survived by a a daughter and a grandson.

Fred Willard wasn't the star of the show, but if there was an ensemble comedy he was an essential part of making it work. When the spotlight shone on Willard he rose to the occasion. R.I.P.

Phil May, R.I.P.

Phil May, lead singer of the U.K. band Pretty Things, passed away today following complications from hip surgery following a cycling accident. He was 75.

May was the only constant member of the Pretty Things over its 45 year history during which it went from blues rock, soul, psychedelia, hard rock and new wave. The Pretty Things most significant contribution to rock was their landmark 1968 album S.F. Sorrow which is considered by many to be the first rock opera based on a short story written by May.

Unfortunately S.F. Sorrow would prove to be a sorrowful experience for the band and would cause founding member Dick Taylor (who played bass in The Rolling Stones before Bill Wyman) to leave the group for seven years. Their label EMI had bigger priorities with The Beatles' White Album and The Kinks Village Green Preservation Society being released the same week with the band left to design its own album cover. S.F. Sorrow would fare even worse in the United States when it was released by Motown's Rare Earth label the following year. S.F. Sorrow had the misfortune of being released after Tommy by The Who and being deemed a ripoff even though it had been recorded first.

However, over the past half century, S.F. Sorrow has gradually been recognized for its merits and its reputation has been enhanced with every passing year. It certainly helped that May was highly respected by other musicians like David Bowie, Arthur Brown and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. Indeed, Gilmour and Van Morrison would join May during the Pretty Things final concert in 2018.

I leave you with May singing "The Loneliest Person", the closing track from S.F. Sorrow. R.I.P.

Bob Watson, R.I.P.

Former MLB player and executive Bob Watson passed away on Thursday following a long battle with kidney disease. He was 74.

A native of Los Angeles, Watson was signed as an amateur free agent by the Houston Astros in 1965. Watson would make his big league debut with the Astros the following year at the age of 20. Originally a catcher, the Astros would move Watson to first base in 1970 when he began to play on a regular basis. Watson would be selected to the NL All-Star Team in 1973 and 1975. That year Watson earned the distinction of scoring the one millionth run in MLB history, an achievement which earned him $10,000, a platinum Seiko watch and a million Tootsie Rolls. It was later discovered that Watson did not, in fact, score the millionth run. No one knows who actually did, but Watson got to keep the money, the watch and gave away the Tootsie Rolls to the Boys & Girls Club.

Watson would enjoy his best seasons in 1976 and 1977 with 100 plus RBI seasons. During the '77 season, Watson hit for the cycle. That same year Watson along with Astros teammates Enos Cabell, Cesar Cedeno, J.R. Richard, Ken Forsch and manager Bill Virdon made a cameo in the film The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training part of which was filmed in the Astrodome. Watson uttered the memorable line, "Hey, let the kids play."

After nearly 15 seasons in the Astros organization, Watson would be traded to the Boston Red Sox during the middle of the 1979 season. Although Watson's tenure in Boston was short-lived he did make MLB history when he again hit for the cycle becoming the first player to do so in both leagues.

Prior to the 1980 season, Watson signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees. That year he reached the post-season for the first time as the Yankees won the AL East title. However, they would be swept in the ALCS by the Kansas City Royals. In 1981, Watson played in his only World Series. Watson went 7 for 22 hitting .318 with 2 HR and 7 RBI. He might have been a possible World Series MVP, but the Yankees fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.

Early in the 1982 season, the Yankees traded Watson to the Atlanta Braves for minor leaguer and future Gilmore Girls actor Scott Patterson. Watson would be part of a Braves team that would win its first NL West title in 13 seasons though he did not appear in the post-season. He remained with the Braves through the 1984 season. In 19 MLB campaigns, Watson would collect 1826 hits for a lifetime batting average of .295 with 184 HR and 989 RBI.

In 1988, Watson would return to the World Series as the hitting coach of the AL champion Oakland A's. While Watson provided tutelage to the likes of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, the A's were upset by the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

Watson would survive a bout of prostate cancer in 1994. In 1995, Watson would reunite with the Astros when he was named the team's general manager. After two seasons, Watson would serve in the same capacity with the New York Yankees finally earning a World Series ring in 1996, the first African-American GM to earn this distinction. In 1998, Watson left the Yankees for MLB serving as its vice-president for discipline as well as vice-president for rules and on field operations. Watson served in these capacities until his retirement after the 2010 season.

Back in March, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, Watson made his final public appearance when the Houston Astros dedicated an education center and youth academy in his honor. R.I.P.

Former MLB Player & Manager Art Howe in ICU With COVID-19

Former MLB player and manager Art Howe is in intensive care in a Houston area hospital with COVID-19. Howe, 73, began feeling symptoms earlier this month but was hospitalized on Tuesday.

Howe, a native of Pittsburgh, was signed by his hometown team as a free agent in 1971 following a tryout with the team and would make his big league debut with the Pirates during the 1974 season. Prior to the 1976 season, the Pirates traded Howe to the Houston Astros for Tommy Helms. Howe would spend the next seven seasons with the Astros playing all over the infield becoming a fan favorite. He was part of the Astro teams which reached the post-season in both 1980 and 1981. After missing the entire 1983 season with an injury, Howe would join the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984 and would remain with the team until he was released early in the 1985 season ending his playing career. In 891 career games over 11 seasons, Howe collected 682 hits for a lifetime batting average of .260 with 43 HR and 293 RBI.

In 1986, Howe joined the Texas Rangers coaching staff as Bobby Valentine's bench coach. He would remain in this capacity for three seasons before the Astros hired him as their new manager prior to the 1989 season succeeding Hal Lanier. However, after failing to reach the post-season after five seasons, the Astros would dismiss Howe in favor of Terry Collins. 

Howe would join the Los Angeles Dodgers as a scout in 1994 and then ventured down to the Dominican Republic and managed Azucareros del Este to their first championship in the Dominican Winter League in early 1995. Later that year, Howe joined the coaching staff of the Colorado Rockies under manager Don Baylor. That season the Rockies would earn the first ever NL Wild Card spot. 

On the strength of his success in the D.R. and with the Rockies, the Oakland A's would give Howe a second chance to manage in the big leagues. Howe had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Tony LaRussa who had departed for the Cardinals after leading the A's to three straight AL pennants and a World Series title in 1989. Over the next seven seasons, Howe would earn 600 wins as manager of the A's guiding them to three consecutive post-season appearances from 2000 through 2002 encompassing two AL West titles in 2000 and 2002 and an AL Wild Card spot in 2001. 

The New York Mets would hire Howe as their manager in 2003 succeeding his old friend Bobby Valentine. After two lackluster seasons, Howe was dismissed in favor of Willie Randolph. In 14 seasons as a MLB manager, Howe had a won loss record of 1129-1137. Howe's coaching career would end where it began spending the 2007 and 2008 seasons as a bench coach with the Texas Rangers serving under Ron Washington who had served under him with the A's.

For some people, Art Howe might be remembered from the 2011 movie adaptation of Michael Lewis' book Moneyball. This is most unfortunate. While the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman was a great actor, his portrayal of Howe was not representative of his character or his reputation. Unsurprisingly, Howe was not pleased with his portrayal either.

But anyone who knows baseball knows the high regard in which Art Howe is held. Needless to say, I hope Howe can recover and reunite with his wife Betty to whom he has been married more than 50 years.