Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[faberryman]

More new news: we are rounding the corner (again) on Covid-19. Fake news:
Vice-President Mike Pence appeared before the cameras today to get his vaccine dose. Then he announced, “As President Trump often says, we are rounding the corner.”

He also said that getting the vaccine didn't hurt a bit, and they gave him a lollipop for being so brave. I've forgotten what I had to give my son to get him to get his vaccines, but it was a lot more than a lollipop, so I think old Pencey boy deserves a round of applause. Actually, my son got two things, one for coming out from under the examining table without me having to go under there to get him, and another for the shot itself. A skilled negotiator at six. I wish I could remember what I gave him. Maybe I'll ask him. Maybe it was one of his fond memories. Could be an emotional scar too. Maybe I won't ask him.

[JoeKitchen]

Why the hack should concern you:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/massive-alleged-russian-malware-hack-hits-us-through-solarwinds-what-you-need-to-know/

This is simply terrifying. 

At this point, and I know this may be a little far fetched to think, but I hope Trump is on the phone with Biden determining exactly what immediate action needs to take place right now and how Biden will continued it into the new administration. 

[digitaldog]

He also said that getting the vaccine didn't hurt a bit, and they gave him a lollipop for being so brave.

Well he probably wanted to make sure he got it before his administration messes up the distribution, which appears to be happening:
Pfizer Says Millions Of Vaccine Doses Are Ready, But States Say Shipments Were Cut

What Pfizer says: Pfizer is pushing back on the Trump administration's suggestion that the company is having trouble producing its COVID-19 vaccine, saying it's ready to ship millions more doses – once the government asks for them. As the company spoke out, several states said their vaccine allocations for next week have been sharply reduced.
What the states say: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told his state that its vaccine allocation "will be cut by 40 percent next week — and that all states are seeing similar cuts." The federal government did not give an explanation, he said.
What the U.S. government says:"The core issue ... is Pfizer's ability to manufacture by a date certain," Azar said. "Now that they have identified some of their production challenges that they've got, we've been working with them on what assistance is appropriate for us to provide in order for us to secure additional doses."

Someone isn't being truthful. Given the history, it's not hard to figure out whom.
The head of the government, the great business man doesn't seem to be aware that:

Pfizer is not as closely associated with Operation Warp Speed as other vaccine makers such as Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. While those companies accepted government money to develop and test coronavirus vaccines, Pfizer financed its own process. All of the firms signed purchase contracts to produce and distribute vaccine – Pfizer's 100 million doses are priced at $1.95 billion.
But experts said the Trump administration's contracts with the drugmakers leave the government in a weak bargaining position. And after Pfizer's vaccine was the first to head toward emergency use, the government was also criticized when a Pfizer board member said the U.S. passed up multiple chances to secure more doses of the vaccine over the summer. Azar has said that account is inaccurate.

What Azar has been saying may need to be taken with a grain of salt.
More here: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/18/948030235/pfizer-says-millions-of-vaccine-doses-are-ready-but-states-say-shipments-were-cu

[digitaldog]

This is simply terrifying. 
At this point, and I know this may be a little far fetched to think, but I hope Trump is on the phone with Biden determining exactly what immediate action needs to take place right now and how Biden will continued it into the new administration.

No one has been tougher on Russia than Trump.
Back on this planet..... 

[faberryman]

At this point, and I know this may be a little far fetched to think, but I hope Trump is on the phone with Biden determining exactly what immediate action needs to take place right now and how Biden will continued it into the new administration.

A little far fetched? How many of those pills did you take?

[JoeKitchen]

No one has been tougher on Russia than Trump.
Back on this planet..... 

No one has; actual policy from Trump has been harsher then Obama. 

The 1980s wants their policy back, remember that.  Or how about when Obama, on a hot mic, asked for a little leeway until after the election. 

[JoeKitchen]

A little far fetched? How many of those pills did you take?

Pills?  None.  Bottle of wine?  Getting close to one. 

[faberryman]

What Azar has been saying may need to be taken with a grain of salt.

Really?

[digitaldog]

No one has; actual policy from Trump has been harsher then Obama. 

3 years ago:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/29/barack-obama-sanctions-russia-election-hack
Obama expels 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for US election hacking
Trump wants to ‘move on’ but says he will meet intelligence officials

Today:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-18/russia-hack-confronts-trump-with-decision-that-echoes-obama-s
Trump Gets Echo of Obama’s Russia Crisis With Lame-Duck Hack
Trump has shown little inclination so far to punish Putin
Biden vows ‘substantial costs’ for those behind cyber attacks

So, what policy, let alone a peep from Trump about this hack?

[TechTalk]

This is simply terrifying. 

At this point, and I know this may be a little far fetched to think, but I hope Trump is on the phone with Biden determining exactly what immediate action needs to take place right now and how Biden will continued it into the new administration.

Actually, the new Acting Secretary of Defense, who was installed last month, suddenly halted defense briefings to the Biden transition team last night.

Pentagon halts Biden transition briefings

https://www.axios.com/pentagon-biden-transition-briefings

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller ordered a Pentagon-wide halt to cooperation with the transition of President-elect Biden, shocking officials across the Defense Department, senior administration officials tell Axios.

Miller's move, which stunned officials throughout the Pentagon, was the biggest eruption yet of animus and mistrust toward the Biden team from the top level of the Trump administration.

Meetings between President Trump's team and the Biden team are going on throughout the government, after a delayed start as the administration dragged its feet on officially recognizing Biden as president-elect.

Then on Thursday night, Miller — who was appointed Nov. 9, when Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper right after the election — ordered officials throughout the building to cancel scheduled transition meetings.

A senior Defense Department official sought to downplay the move, calling it "a simple delay of the last few scheduled meetings until after the new year."

"We had fewer than two dozen remaining meetings on the schedule today and next week," the official said, adding that "the DoD staff working the meetings were overwhelmed by the number of meetings."

"These same senior leaders needed to do their day jobs and were being consumed by transition activities. ... With the holidays we are taking a knee for two weeks. We are still committed to a productive transition."

[digitaldog]

At this point, and I know this may be a little far fetched to think, but I hope Trump is on the phone with Biden determining exactly what immediate action needs to take place right now and how Biden will continued it into the new administration.

What's far fetched is Trump doing anything about this between now and January 20th. Will he even mention it?
So let's make this fun Joe. I know you're a wine drinker (I used to be too, but I can no longer but the wife does).
My dear friend, Photographer Greg Gorman is also a wine maker. A very good one. 500 cases only so, this stuff isn't something you're going to find without help.
Tell you what, if between today and January 20th, Trump calls out Putin or Russia on the new Hack, this bottle is yours (PM me an address to send it to you).
Deal?

[digitaldog]

"With the holidays we are taking a knee for two weeks. We are still committed to a productive transition."

Well sure, 'everyone' knows the Defense Department traditionally take off two weeks for the holiday. 
And again, back on Planet Earth.

[faberryman]

"With the holidays we are taking a knee for two weeks. We are still committed to a productive transition."

Taking a knee? End zone or sideline? How out of touch do you have to be to use that expression four years into the Trump administration?

[LesPalenik]

3 years ago:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/29/barack-obama-sanctions-russia-election-hack
Obama expels 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for US election hacking
Trump wants to ‘move on’ but says he will meet intelligence officials

Today:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-18/russia-hack-confronts-trump-with-decision-that-echoes-obama-s
Trump Gets Echo of Obama’s Russia Crisis With Lame-Duck Hack
Trump has shown little inclination so far to punish Putin
Biden vows ‘substantial costs’ for those behind cyber attacks

So, what policy, let alone a peep from Trump about this hack?

Imposing substantial costs for those behind the cyber hacks won't prevent new hacks in the future.
Mandating safer Windows design code and not pandering to websites manipulating visitor computers for advertising and data gathering purposes would eliminate hacks.   

[faberryman]

So now I guess we know that Pence is a DC Universe guy.

Mike Pence: U.S. Space Force Members Shall Be Known as ‘Guardians’

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-pence-says-us-space-force-members-shall-be-known-as-guardians?ref=home

[digitaldog]

So now I guess we know that Pence is a DC Universe guy.

Mike Pence: U.S. Space Force Members Shall Be Known as ‘Guardians’

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-pence-says-us-space-force-members-shall-be-known-as-guardians?ref=home

Your tax dollars at work:
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2080145/air-forces-proposed-169-billion-budget-focuses-on-great-power-competition-readi/
Research and development will grow by $1.5 billion for the Air Force to a total of $26.9 billion, which includes increased investment in the burgeoning battle network – the Advanced Battle Management System – development and capability demonstrations connecting the joint force. Funding for research and development in the Space Force will grow to $10.3 billion from $9.8 billion in fiscal year 2020.

Did their battle network get hacked? 

[JoeKitchen]

What's far fetched is Trump doing anything about this between now and January 20th. Will he even mention it?
So let's make this fun Joe. I know you're a wine drinker (I used to be too, but I can no longer but the wife does).
My dear friend, Photographer Greg Gorman is also a wine maker. A very good one. 500 cases only so, this stuff isn't something you're going to find without help.
Tell you what, if between today and January 20th, Trump calls out Putin or Russia on the new Hack, this bottle is yours (PM me an address to send it to you).
Deal?

Sure, but it is kind of a one sided bet at this point.  Is there a fee for entry for me? 

BTW, sorry to hear that you can no longer handle red wine.  I just hope I dont have this issue in my later years.  Is it the tannins?  I know many people develop issues with tannins with age.  How you can still enjoy whites. 

[digitaldog]

Sure, but it is kind of a one sided bet at this point.  Is there a fee for entry for me? 

Brisket?

[James Clark]

Brisket?

You don’t want any Philly BBQ.

[Manoli]

No one has; actual policy from Trump has been harsher then Obama.   

In your 'not-meant-to-be-serious' category ?