Originally published at http://www.commondreams.org/views/2021/04/24/its-time-destroy-sick-and-twisted-plans-american-maskholes
I usually agree with Thom on things, but find that this approach smacks of an opt into soft form of totalitarianism. The creep toward a “papers please” society would not be well received by me nor most, I suspect. To now go voluntarily into fascist ploys now that former guy has been repelled seems quite inane. Nevertheless, private businesses should remain free to set the rules for themselves. How HIPPA plays into the equation might be another matter–on that I am not qualified to comment.
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I actually disagree frequently with T. Hartmann; but on this I do agree. Most of my local businesses, some of which are definitely owned by republicans, require masks on before one can enter. There would be no need for “papers” when the epidemic ended.
It is not totalitarian to protect the public and individual health if there is a real danger; if there were no danger, yes, it could be construed as a totalitarian ruse.
Bars, and restaurants that serve liquor are currently empowered to ask for proof of age, even if you obviously look to be over eighty years of age.
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Thanks as always Tom for a great article. I started a dance club in 2004 and held events at facilities that were much like a nightclub and we were a non smoking event which I believed helped us to achieve the crowds we had. Also KPOJ Oldies here in Portland advertise d our events for 45 days straight until Clear Channel cancelled it and I got to know you on the radio. Thankful for that but missed the free ads.
I am hoping that soon we can get back to our music of 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and some great new music and dancing but want to have stipulation that you must be a card carrier to enter. So you card carrying Boomers here in Portland Oregon watch for us to begin again…Well since I am promoting, it is Baby Boomers Social Club.
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Wow! 1986. Here in Pittsburgh, there was smoking in virtually all restaurants and bars and bar areas of restaurants until a state law was passed - to much cries of protest from owners and patrons - in 2008. Bars that fall below a certain food sales threshold can still allow smoking - so there are even a few large bars that allow smoking by pricing the food really cheap and/or falsifying their reports to the health dept or LCB.
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Last time I looked, dependant upon age, there’s still a 99% survival rate for the virus.
For that Hartmann is calling for proof of vaccination to go out to a restaurant?
Hey Thom, do us all a favor, stay in your bunker and don’t go out. Trust me, you won’t be missed. And please, stop writing.
For me, I went out to dinner with my wife last night. Ran into people we know. We hugged, laughed and had a wonderful time. It felt great. Funny how freedom, human interactions will do that to people. And the workers in the restaurant were so very happy we were there.
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Actually it is more like 97-98 percent. Which is enough to make COVID the leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. Nice to see that you only care about yourself and nobody else. If at least 80 percent of the global population does not get the vaccine soon, it will lead to more virulent strains that will render the vaccine useless for everybody else. And selfish, self-absorbed fucking assholes like you will be the cause.
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Your remarks are rather harsh. There are and always will be people that can and should be excluded from using the vaccine. (for medical reasons) Along with the 50k or so that died not fully understanding the risks, some of which are still yet to be identified or corrected. Do you kick your dog too?
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What a heartless, idiotic, and chilling article.
Are we all supposed to submit to big brother for official documentation on our vaccination status?
Maybe we should dig through our neighbors’ garbage to see if they are living right.
Identity theft is already a nightmare. Does this mean our movements can be restricted because somebody stole our identity?
Anything can be counterfeited. A piece of paper guarantees nothing. I see big market opportunities here.
What about people who have legitimate health reasons for not being vaccinated? Will it even be possible for them to get documentation on that? And there goes another level of complexity to break down.
Finally, Biden did NOT beat Trump like a drum. Biden barely squeaked by with a win. But since Biden is such a notorious liar, maybe it’s appropriate to lie about him. Just don’t insult us by expecting us to believe it.
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Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will work for any person other than child bearing women between 18-45 when mother inside lives it up. Line up others that can take the J&J when wherever available. In defiance of overlord landlord numskull louts looking to gentrify mother earth driving around in Tesla ‘S’ sporty seaDans - Elon’s MOST over-rated EV on the road…
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When Jim Jordan was questioning Dr. Fauci about his freedom he didn’t seem to understand that if this country (and others) had approached safety precautions and the vaccine more scientifically, rather than making it political, chances are things would already be closer to ‘normal’. They (Jordan and his ilk, Faux Noise etc.) denied Covid. was a problem and ridiculed any attempts to mitigate it and then complained about things not getting better. Obviously all the fault of Democrats in their opaque minds.
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Well I hope everyone uses this opportunity to fully understand the situation we are in here and do what they can to remain safe. I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of these Tesla sporty seaDans and I’m definitely not thinking of getting one. I can’t even imagine getting one.
Not blindly trusting the US government or big pharma when they vouch for a highly experimental and bascially untested rna treatment (it is not a vaccine) is pure politics?
The only guarantee big pharma are even willing to offer is that it wont affect the alleles, but since they were given 100% legal immunity they could be lying about that without fear of any consequences.
I rarely pay attention to this 2nd rate propagandist, but this really is a new low.
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A business exec in a suit on a Monday morning commute from a gated McMansion estate in the eco-year 2050 staggering drunk. Robolimo chauffeur offers greetings and trip route suggestions. Exec stutters “Take…me to thuh…nearest cliff and…drive off.” A moment of pause passes when robolimo answers “Excuse me, did you say drive to nearest cliff and drive off?” This sobers the drunk executive enough to reorder, “Noooo. Drive to the near cliff. Stop. I’ll get out. Then drive off and make it look like an accident so the insurance company will pay for my new car, the latest model.” Another moment of pause passes when Robolimo apologizes, “I’m sorry dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
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In the steel city and Western PA we all smoked. Just look at the sky at night. There was a red glow nightly across the horizon from Sharon Steel as the smoke or whatever it was billowed out in the evenings.
The vaccine passport is a good idea. I would like my health club, still closed, to at least have vaccine only, 3 days a week. Seems reasonable. But these conspiracy theories of Thom’s are over the top. Je has Trump Derangement Syndrome. And he still can’t stop talking about him.
That was perfect…lol
Will somebody answer the question: If I’m vaccinated how can I get (or give) Covid? I know Dr. Fauci said one could have the virus in his nose and sneeze, but if it’s already in the air, what’s the diff?
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Good to see village idiot and GQP Senator Ron Johnson named as a Maskhole.
RoJo is indeed a clown and a new low for Wisconsin.
Vaccine passports have been required before travelling to many countries for as long as I can remember.
Only when folk get ill themselves, or if someone they know comes down with Covid will they realize that passports are a common sense idea. Seeing vaccine passports as some sort of totalitarianism is to misunderstand epidemiological concerns. Anyone care to have a car load of not vaccinated newly arrived Brazilians coming into their local??
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It is not a vaccine. It only promises to keep you from having severe symptoms. Even with the vaccine, you can catch and transmit covid. So this piece of paper does not prove that you are safe to be around.
There is a very large population who have auto-immune conditions. Nothing is known about the safety of the vaccine for these people. However, these are the most health safety conscience people around. Believe me, they go to great lengths to not be exposed to covid.
I have a few autoimmune conditions. (Nobody gets just one.) I’ve decided that my health is too delicate to risk a vaccine with no known safety. I live in isolation, and rarely go out. But when I do need to go out; I NEED to go out. I have no interest in being accosted with being asked for proof of my vaccination.
I haven’t traveled in years. But my daughter is getting married out of state. I AM going to the wedding, even if the effort is the last straw that kills me. I can’t drive, so I need to take a train. I will start out uninfected, and then be very careful to avoid contact. I do not need any additional stress that would make my death more likely.
And yes, this passport nonsense is nothing but another reach from Big Brother, and another way to deny the personhood of poor people, and another way for the elite to make money.
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