In the Broadway classic “Guys and Dolls,” a gangster named Big Julie From Chicago informs participants in a crap game that they will be using dice specially made for him — with “invisible” spots. “These dice ain’t got no spots on them,” protests Nathan Detroit, the game organizer. “They’re blank.” But Big Julie, a practiced cheater as well as a thug, is ready. “I had the spots removed for luck,” he replies. “But I remember where the spots formerly were. Do you doubt my memory?” “Big Julie,” says Nathan with resignation, “I have great trust in you.”
President Donald Trump channeled Big Julie From Chicago during his White House spin classes over the last few weeks, insisting — not for the first time — that he hadn’t said things the entire world heard him say and insulting reporters who had the nerve to quote him back to him. “Don’t be a cutie pie,” snarled the leader of the free world at one reporter who asked him about the thousands of Americans dying each week. But he was particularly incensed at proposals that the country actually try to learn what the federal government knew about the pandemic, when we knew it, what we did about it and what we are doing.
One proposal circulating in Congress would create a National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic, “not just to look back at prior practices and mistakes but to learn lessons as quickly as possible to better protect the United States going forward.” The bipartisan body would consist of five Republicans and five Democrats. To ensure that it would not interfere with our response or become a tool in the presidential election, its members would not even be appointed until after the inauguration, and the new president would appoint its chair. Presumably, if Trump is reelected, that would be Jared Kushner. Continue reading.