Octopus Overlords

Zoom debate = muted microphone by moderator. Solves multiple problems.

Shock collars.

I mean.... could you imagine if this whole 2020 story ends with Trump catching COVID and dying before the election... I only mean to point out how surreal that would be.

Unagi wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:06 pm Shouldn't that put Trump in quarantine during the next debate ?

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/hope-hi ... virus.html

Centers for Disease Control guidelines say people should stay home and quarantine if they might have been exposed to the virus. The agency says people should quarantine for 14 days. Two weeks from Thursday is Oct. 15, the date of the second presidential debate between Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden.

I mean, the very idea that Trump is actually going to quarantine for 2 weeks is just hilarious.

Yes, but I'm calling bullshit.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/sta ... 8279239686

Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!

You mean to tell me the President of the United States doesn't have access to one of the rapid tests, and has to wait for results like the rest of us plebs? GTFO with that.

Unagi wrote:I mean.... could you imagine if this whole 2020 story ends with Trump catching COVID and dying before the election... I only mean to point out how surreal that would be.

If we’re doing requests, please write the plot line so he sees that he lost the election first.

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:56 pm

Unagi wrote:I mean.... could you imagine if this whole 2020 story ends with Trump catching COVID and dying before the election... I only mean to point out how surreal that would be.

If we’re doing requests, please write the plot line so he sees that he lost the election first.

perfect.

edit: actually, that would be totally different though, than what I was picturing...

I'm trying to imagine a 'Trump Base' - with no one to even vote for... I think that would be fascinating.

But, yes - your script request has some merits going for it.

If Trump goes down beforehand, he’s a martyr for Pence’s purposes.

malchior wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 8:44 pm Hope Hicks gets Coronavirus - she was with Trump all week.

For just a second I wondered why you were wishing such harm on Hicks.

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:56 pm

Unagi wrote:I mean.... could you imagine if this whole 2020 story ends with Trump catching COVID and dying before the election... I only mean to point out how surreal that would be.

If we’re doing requests, please write the plot line so he sees that he lost the election first.

He *has* to lose it first. The impact of him losing because he's dead will be trivial to the message America needs to hear.

In fact, i don't want him even sick. I don't want any external factor to be something that creates a distraction the GOP or anyone else can weave into a storyline.

Well, this is an October Surprise indeed...

President Donald Trump tweets he and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus, the President announced early Friday morning.

"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am Friday.

$iljanus wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:11 am Well, this is an October Surprise indeed...

President Donald Trump tweets he and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus, the President announced early Friday morning.

"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am Friday.

I saw a tweet that it's no longer an Oct surprise, it's an Advent Calendar of Oct Surprises. Today's news cycle was almost too much to believe, this really is a simulation right?

$iljanus wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:11 am Well, this is an October Surprise indeed...

President Donald Trump tweets he and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus, the President announced early Friday morning.

"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am Friday.

It is what it is.

Enough wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:19 am

$iljanus wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:11 am Well, this is an October Surprise indeed...

President Donald Trump tweets he and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus, the President announced early Friday morning.

"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am Friday.

I saw a tweet that it's no longer an Oct surprise, it's an Advent Calendar of Oct Surprises. Today's news cycle was almost too much to believe, this really is a simulation right?

I think the debates are probably not going to happen...

(I hope the distance between Trump and Biden was good enough)

CNN commentators are pretty worried that there are some important people in government who actually get things done who have had close contact with Trump. Hopefully, essential NSC and military personnel will be unscathed along with Fauci. Jared is pretty expendable though.

Because the guy lies about literally everything, I have to admit that part of me is skeptical about this. It would be a great way for him to a) take the heat off his racism/debate performance, b) be a built-in excuse for literally any issue that arises in the last month before the election (including skipping the remaining debates), and c) a perfect opportunity for him to say “I had it and it was just a mild cold” and watch the MAGAs lap it up.

I’ll go adjust my tin foil hat now...

Freyland wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:06 am

Isgrimnur wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:56 pm

Unagi wrote:I mean.... could you imagine if this whole 2020 story ends with Trump catching COVID and dying before the election... I only mean to point out how surreal that would be.

If we’re doing requests, please write the plot line so he sees that he lost the election first.

He *has* to lose it first. The impact of him losing because he's dead will be trivial to the message America needs to hear.

In fact, i don't want him even sick. I don't want any external factor to be something that creates a distraction the GOP or anyone else can weave into a storyline.

Please don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Skinypupy wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:25 am Because the guy lies about literally everything, I have to admit that part of me is skeptical about this. It would be a great way for him to a) take the heat off his racism/debate performance, b) be a built-in excuse for literally any issue that arises in the last month before the election (including skipping the remaining debates), and c) a perfect opportunity for him to say “I had it and it was just a mild cold” and watch the MAGAs lap it up.

I’ll go adjust my tin foil hat now...

I'll have to admit, that was my first thoughts as well.

He should use this as an opportunity to show strength. Go out on tour to rally his supporters and make sure to shake hands with every single one of them, he should embrace them too while he's at it.

"How are we going to prevent the President from making an ass of himself again during the next debate?"

"Tell him he's got COVID and quarantine him."

gbasden wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:29 am

Skinypupy wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:25 am Because the guy lies about literally everything, I have to admit that part of me is skeptical about this. It would be a great way for him to a) take the heat off his racism/debate performance, b) be a built-in excuse for literally any issue that arises in the last month before the election (including skipping the remaining debates), and c) a perfect opportunity for him to say “I had it and it was just a mild cold” and watch the MAGAs lap it up.

I’ll go adjust my tin foil hat now...

I'll have to admit, that was my first thoughts as well.

Aye, me as well. We have all been gas-lighted into cynical oblivion.

He wouldn’t have it if he wasn’t tested.

If Trump is incapacitated and Pence goes down next the acting president will be...Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Blackhawk wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:04 am

malchior wrote: Thu Oct 01, 2020 8:44 pm Hope Hicks gets Coronavirus - she was with Trump all week.

For just a second I wondered why you were wishing such harm on Hicks.

Hudson sir, he's Hicks.

I’m concerned about members of the maskless cabinet and other White House personnel meeting with other Senators and Representatives. I hope Trump’s criminal negligence doesn’t fuck other folks up...On the other hand, Jared is still expendable along with Kayleigh McEnany along with various politicians who have also been asshats during the pandemic and were the worst enablers of the Toddler.

Oh this was taken on the 29th. Everyone in the room also met with Trump that day.

Enough wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:33 am

gbasden wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:29 am

Skinypupy wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:25 am Because the guy lies about literally everything, I have to admit that part of me is skeptical about this. It would be a great way for him to a) take the heat off his racism/debate performance, b) be a built-in excuse for literally any issue that arises in the last month before the election (including skipping the remaining debates), and c) a perfect opportunity for him to say “I had it and it was just a mild cold” and watch the MAGAs lap it up.

I’ll go adjust my tin foil hat now...

I'll have to admit, that was my first thoughts as well.

Aye, me as well. We have all been gas-lighted into cynical oblivion.

Trump could then fake his own death and get out of all criminal proceedings and financial penalties/potential prison sentencing. how about that for tinfoil hat paranoid conspiracy??

EDIT: what if Trump actually doesn't have it, but Biden was sneakily infected with it by secret operatives hired by the Trump campaign, so Trump saying he has it and transmitted it to Biden during the debate is just a cover for the assassination attempt?

$iljanus wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:11 am Well, this is an October Surprise indeed...

President Donald Trump tweets he and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus, the President announced early Friday morning.

"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump tweeted shortly before 1 am Friday.

I'll be in my bunker.

Benghazi, Emails!

I mean, gosh, ya hate to see it, really.

Unfortunately I'm in the conspiracy camp as well and it doesn't feel good. But what better way to get him out of any future debates and turn him into a sympathetic character? In some people's minds any way

Bwahahahahahhahhahha. May he die alone like the 200,000 othet Americans he has dismissed. Will his son be looking after him as "kids dont get sick"? Where is the bleach enemas????

Maybe now Trump can prove that hydroxychloroquine cure COVID-19.

It's 2020. He and Melania will be asymptomatic. Then he'll either say how strong he is or that it proves it isn't dangerous. In seriousness, my worry is this *helps* Trump like it helped Boris Johnson who then went on a rampage with that political capital when he recovered.

Stefan Stirzaker wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:36 am Bwahahahahahhahhahha. May he die alone like the 200,000 othet Americans he has dismissed. Will his son be looking after him as "kids dont get sick"? Where is the bleach enemas????

Hey that is my President! Wait. No I'm with you and maybe he can take McConnell with him.

malchior wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:38 amIt's 2020. He and Melania will be asymptomatic.

This was exactly my reaction. 2020 hasn't been kind. It's the year that takes every cheap shot and invents new ones. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear he never so much as sniffles.

My wife, though, is of the mind that this is some sort of clever ruse, as a few of you worry. I don't think he's got the long-term vision to endure the jabs he'll get for "getting sick" so he can make a triumphant return to wellness before the election.

It means something when you come here and don't hear a single "I hope he gets well soon" from anyone in the crowd.

My hope is that he has to ride out the election from a hospital bed, where his uncertain health has him stricken from the ballot. His followers will have to vote Pence.

Paingod wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:48 amMy wife, though, is of the mind that this is some sort of clever ruse, as a few of you worry. I don't think he's got the long-term vision to endure the jabs he'll get for "getting sick" so he can make a triumphant return to wellness before the election.

I've been thinking about it and agree it's unlikely. I also agree he doesn't have the vision but others do. Still, despite my musing above about Boris Johnson, this scenario likely doesn't play out well for him and I can't see them going for it. First, he has been lying about the disease all year. He has doubled down and been downplaying it significantly the last 2 months especially at and after the RNC. More, most of his campaign has been huddling with him to do debate prep. Other people likely exposed are Christie, Bill Stepien, tons of WH staff, and various members of Congress. This could be rough.

Second, it takes him off the board when he desperately needs to be out campaigning. That seems like way, way, way more downside than upside for a guy losing. The Conspiracy Theories are flying that he is swinging big for the fences on sympathy but that seems like a stretch.

My hope is that he has to ride out the election from a hospital bed, where his uncertain health has him stricken from the ballot. His followers will have to vote Pence.

That is actually a nightmare scenario - it isn't just that the election is thrown into turmoil. We'll get into succession act stuff which isn't as settled as people think.

Skinypupy wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:25 am Because the guy lies about literally everything, I have to admit that part of me is skeptical about this. It would be a great way for him to a) take the heat off his racism/debate performance, b) be a built-in excuse for literally any issue that arises in the last month before the election (including skipping the remaining debates), and c) a perfect opportunity for him to say “I had it and it was just a mild cold” and watch the MAGAs lap it up.

I’ll go adjust my tin foil hat now...

Definitely my first thought.

Best case is that this is Trump making up (or even just exploiting) a reason why losing the election isn’t his fault.

Paingod wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:48 am
My hope is that he has to ride out the election from a hospital bed, where his uncertain health has him stricken from the ballot. His followers will have to vote Pence.

Isn’t it too late to strike him from the ballot? Voting has already begun.

I don’t care if he recovers fully or survives in weakened health, but I want him to live to be absolutely humiliated on Election Day.

It’s not fake. It makes him look weak (In his mind), it totally undermines his messages that the country is ready to reopen, that it really isn’t a danger to most people, and it makes him look stupid for not wearing a mask. It also means he can’t get out and campaign for two weeks, totally messing up his campaign. It totally undercuts his messaging on the virus. Political strategists are already calling this a disaster for the president:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/p ... 341utk0nsM

And regardless of how anyone feels about Trump, the last thing you should want is for him to die from this before the election. Pence would be his replacement and there are a lot of Republicans and swing voters who would not vote for Trump but who would vote for Pence. Pence would have a much better chance against Biden than Trump.

I can't imagine a worse scenario in current conditions than the President getting severely sick or dying just before an election. This might be seen as much poetic as it is our typical nightmare. We also have the Senate running through their grotesque spectacle sitting Barrett. What is they get sick? What if Biden gets sick? The chances that Trump and Pence die is super low but if that happens then Succession Act stuff kicks in. And some people think it is unconstitutional. Would we see the GOP seize on that? This is all truly super low percentage stuff but still this is unfortunately another scary moment since it is more risk than we've probably faced in our lifetimes politically. In a month's time I hope we'll be glad we avoided more chaos. And the downside there is it feels like we don't see anything rolled but critical fails.

Grifman wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 7:24 am It’s not fake. It makes him look weak (In his mind), it totally undermines his messages that the country is ready to reopen, that it really isn’t a danger to most people, and it makes him look stupid for not wearing a mask. It also means he can’t get out and campaign for two weeks, totally messing up his campaign. It totally undercuts his messaging on the virus. Political strategists are already calling this a disaster for the president:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/us/p ... 341utk0nsM

If anyone has made a political career out of doing the wrong thing and having it turn out beneficial, it's Trump. It's against all can conventional political wisdom but it is a massive shakeup in an election he was widely projected to lose. He thrives on chaos and uncertainty. This is a massive dose of both.

Am I a bad person for making an Arya Stark-like COVID wishlist for some truly reprehensible characters near Trump that likely were exposed? I promise I don’t go around naming them in my head, and saying it aloud before I go to sleep at night.

Also, if the senate continues to fuck around with the Supreme Court nomination and dither about the stimulus package, they are truly beyond redemption. COVID has to be the top priority.



In other news, one of the neighbors' dad is in hospice with COVID and his teenage daughter has it as well. And they've been one of the most cautious families around. Just sucks.