Neavada health official urge safe Cinco de Mayo distancing. [Las Vegas Sun]
DA Steve Wolfson says that the fatal shooting of a man by the president of Baldwin Motorsports/son of CEO of the Drew was a clear case of self defense. [RJ]
Did Nevada’s unemployment office learn from the Great Recession? [RJ]
The NFL is set to announce its 2020 scheduled Thursday night, but no word yet on how whether fans will be in attendance. [Fox5Vegas]
Speaking of unemployment, we haven’t heard much from recently unemployed lawyers. How are you holding up? Any luck with unemployment? Is anyone even hiring now?
It seems like the country is reopening not because the threat has subsided, but simply because people have become impatient or can financially no longer stay in lockdown. It is unreasonable to expect most people to stay in lockdown for 12-18 months. That said, the nation does not have the testing or tracing resources/infrastructure in place to effectively mitigate the risk of accelerated spread. The statistics don't lie. The response in the United States has been awful. We have 5% of the world's population and over a quarter of the known deaths. As terrible as this is, our nation is simply incapable of having a serious conversation about the failed response so far and the inadequate plan/protections going forward. The nation is so tribalized, and so many citizens have deeply internalized their politics in a personal way that not even coronavirus will allow us to break free from our tribalism. Donald Trump has done a masterful job of getting his supporters to feel personally connected to him. An attack on DT is a personal attack on all his base. This is what DT meant when he said he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue. Of course, that's a child's game compared to negligently presiding over the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Lest we let the Democrat tribalists off, let's also remember they pooh-poohed early attempts by Trump to limit travel and tried to leverage the bail out packages to advance pet projects of the far left. Democrats, you need to accept that your leaders have not taken this threat seriously, and worse, tried to score cheap political points off it.
Anyway, Trump supporters, this is the moment many of us feared. It was never "Trump Derangment Syndrome." Trump is a showman and he just doesn't have the skill set to deal with a crisis this big. That's why he's pushing responsibility on to the states without an effective federal response. You may find his performances at rallies to be entertaining, you may agree with some of his ideas. But you have to admit that he's in way over his head right now. And that's terrible for all of us.
The virus doesn't give a fuck what political movement you identify with. It will continue to ravage us while we remain so nasty and divided against each other.
Who's getting ravaged? People in NYC? People outside NYC who live in nursing homes?
I'll tell you what's getting ravaged: our entire economy, financial markets, our way of life, and healthy productive people. When we give government (federal, state, whatever) this much power, we deserve the fucking we're going to get. Politicians have agendas, not pure hearts.
Excellent post 10:48. And is it me, or did 10:54 make 10:18's point perfectly? Tens of thousands of people dying is ravaging. More people have died (at this early stage of the virus, just wait til fall/winter) than who died during the Vietnam war dude.
"I'm not getting ravaged." Well good for F-in you. I personally know a few people who have died from this already. Maybe now you can join society and acknowledge that there is a world that extends beyond the tip of your nose, and in that world a lot of people are dying and sometimes collective decisions are made not just for you. I'm guessing you call others snowflake. Listen to what you just said.
Someone a while back said that there are good arguments for opening everything back up – that the toll on the economy isn't worth the lives saved – but that Mayor Goodman didn't make those good arguments. I'd say the same thing applies to 10:54. Just attack attack attack. You say only people in NYC or in nursing homes are getting hit, but do you really think our blackjack dealers, slot and cage people, cocktail waitresses, hotel room maids, and everybody else who regularly deals with a ton of human interaction wouldn't have been hit hard by this? I honestly believe Vegas would have been one of the hardest hit had the casinos not been shut down. Just think of how many times a chip changes hands at a blackjack/craps/poker table. Maybe those lives saved aren't worth the toll on the economy and peoples' ability to make a living. But I think you're delusional if you think we wouldn't have been hit pretty hard by this.
"Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it? No, what I mean is, you can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head up a butcher's ass… No, wait. It's gotta be your bull."
What I find laughable about 10:18 and 1:05 is their "OMFG 70,000 people have died. This is Armageddon!" These are the same people that were sitting in the stands at a VGK game while 600,000 people died in America each year from cancer and 650,000 Americans died from heart disease. They didn't stop their lives for those 1.25 million people. They didn't even give them a second thought. 70,000 people in a country of 350,000,000 is absolutely nothing. Get a grip folks.
Let's cut to the chase. Start the purge. Release all prisoners. Close down all government offices. Turn off the power. Let's just get this over with. Beats Netflix and meatloaf.
Yes, it is a virus (much more akin to the Flu then Vietnam War obviously) – and yes it is infectious and targets a particular group of elderly persons with co-morbidities such as obesity and weakened immune system. Yes, those that know that they are the "target" of this disease should absolutely take all of the precaution that the CDC offers, including staying at home, wearing gloves and masks, etc.
Having said that – at some point, all of us, including hysterics who are yelling for 12-18 months shut down to the wackos that say lets re-open everything, completely, right now, will need to come to some point in the middle and say: 1) If you are young and healthy, with no known co-morbidities – go back to work. Use social distancing guidance and common senses – don't make out in the streets, etc., but know that even if you catch it, your chances of dying form it are so infantile that you don't need to worry;
2) IF you are 65+, and vulnerable because of known co-morbidities, take precautions, stay home, we should develop some sort of a service where we provide you food, medicine and supplies, at nominal cost, so you do not have to leave. It should go without saying that people should not visist you – even if they are your family, for a while, until perhaps a vaccine is developed;
3) Beef up our supplies of ventilators and prepare our medical staff and ICU for a potential spike, which will only be temporary, if the guidelines are followed.
And live.
The mental health toll, suicides, domestic violence, financial ruin, collapse of the market, 401k, collapse of out income tax revenue base, collapse of the population in Las Vegas and devalued real estate is just as important as the lives of those that this disease is targeting, and should be considered and weighed carefully.
1:05 here. Jesus you people from the RJ comment section need to get a grip. For the record I think Gov has gone too far and we need to accept defeat. This thing will move through the population before we have a viable vaccine whether we open everything tomorrow or keep lockdown going for a year.
My point was that people are so quick to attack and that I understand why Gov did what he did. But the curve has been flattened and if we haven’t caught up by now with our preparedness then we never will be. Something like 2:13’s plan is about right.
@2:13 no attack from me. I'm a Trump supporter. I agree with your post. There has to be a middle ground. We can't stay closed for 18 more months and we can't just release everyone to return to normal. We're going on 2 months of lockdown here in Vegas. By this point, you know if you're vulnerable or not. You know what the symptoms are, what the virus targets, etc. The hospitals are no longer slammed. There's plenty of ventilators out there. Just look at NYC. Cuomo didn't even need all the ventilators he was sent. The curve has been flattened. That was the goal post. Now the governors are getting a little power hungry and moving the goal posts. I agree with the President lifting the Federal lockdown and shifting the responsibility to the states. That is how it should be. The Federal government is only there as a backup. We weren't meant to be ruled by Washington 24/7.
Unfortunately the media keeps kindling the health-panic fire and the politicians in charge have gotten drunk on their own (perceived) power. I'm watching our state and local government officials closely as they put their re-opening plans in place (or even finally come up with one). They could lose their jobs, too…at the polls.
Guest
Anonymous
May 5, 2020 5:24 pm
On a lighter note, I ran across this video (yes, I am bored) and suggest we make it the new Rick Roll. To my knowledge it could all start here and has not been used before (correct me if I'm wrong). Take a look and see if it's worthy.
Jouret is a 2nd rate Belgian Milli Vanilli. And you think this is better than Rick Astley, the finest baritone in pop music since Jack Bruce???? Music Appreciation needs to move to the top of the CLE to-do list.
Guest
Anonymous
May 5, 2020 5:34 pm
"That's why he's pushing responsibility on to the states without an effective federal response." Or… maybe… perhaps… it's a State rights issue? The government can implement protocol on federal level, and allow the states to govern themselves, like in the Constitution, remember?
It hasn't quite been a month yet since I filed for unemployment, but I have not gotten a single cent from them yet. Shortly after filing they sent me a debit card. I've filed each week. I know I'm a lawyer and could probably get something done, but it is disheartening knowing how screwed the system is right now. A recruiter told me that all the jobs they have in Vegas are "on hold." Some firms even say hiring is on pause–see Holland & Hart. I know there are a few jobs hiring, but so far nothing on par with what I lost.
You are not alone. My wife is in the same situation. I admit to being surprised the Governor did not move all spare resources and staff to the unemployment division, but I guess that is the difference between the public and private sector. Just thank the good Lord the government does not run the grocery stores.
It's still nearly impossible to buy soap or toilet paper so I wouldn't say the market is doing too well either. Huge shocks are disruptive, no matter if you're public or private.
@12:16 The last thing you want is for some displaced, angry and disgruntled state worker being forced to work on UI claims instead of their "real job." They would simply decline all the claims as not qualified just to be petty and obstructive. It does bother me that they are paid for a 2 month sit at home vacation, however. Definitely time to furlough or lay off.
Guest
Anonymous
May 5, 2020 6:25 pm
I am glad to see paid for endorsers, Debra March and John Lee are endorsing judges while we are on stay at home by Sisolak.
Guest
Anonymous
May 5, 2020 8:51 pm
I read the posts yesterday about the RJ Family Court Debates, and how seemingly lame and odd they were, so I checked it out.
It is true that in one race a chief issue seemed to be that each candidate argued that "best interests of children" should guide their decisions if elected.
In actual debates people are expected to take controversial positons, or at least positions that are not shared by a large percentage of the population.
So, I ask, is there actually a candidate who argues that "best interest of children" is not important? If not, rather than being promoted as a debate, it should have been promoted as "Family Court election where each candidate directly parrots and totally agrees with what the others are saying."
And in one of the other debates, the candidates seemed to try to top each other as to which of them most despises campaign contributions, based on the apparent tainting effect such contributions have.
I always wondered about the candidates who argue such issue. When candidates(whether in judicial or other elections)climb up on their soap box and express moral indignation concerning contributions and the implied access and/or preferential treatment they may be intended to accomplish, I wonder about the sincerity and true motivation.
Is it truly a principled moral stand, or a convenient bully pulpit by someone who lacks any real ability to attract much in the way of contributions? It seems this moral high ground(concerning avoiding contributions based on their apparent effect)is never a positon taken by a candidate who is an effective fundraiser.
That all said, I don't really intend to adopt a light tone, as I really recognize that contributions in judicial elections raise some real serious implications, starting with the fact that the lion's share of those contributions are made by attorneys who practice in such court. And when attorneys claim they are not seeking any preferential consideration, but simply wish to maintain "good judges" on the bench, that obviously induces eye-ball rolling.
So, this is a very serious issue. But not only do we never have any serious reform. We never even have a serious discussion. The discussion is usually limited to a candidate who cannot really attract contributions, sounding the clarion call that the other candidates are attempting to buy the election, or some similar thematic variation.
Guest
Anonymous
May 6, 2020 12:27 am
After seeing some screwed up shit by NSC, I am voting Pickering out.
It seems like the country is reopening not because the threat has subsided, but simply because people have become impatient or can financially no longer stay in lockdown. It is unreasonable to expect most people to stay in lockdown for 12-18 months. That said, the nation does not have the testing or tracing resources/infrastructure in place to effectively mitigate the risk of accelerated spread. The statistics don't lie. The response in the United States has been awful. We have 5% of the world's population and over a quarter of the known deaths. As terrible as this is, our nation is simply incapable of having a serious conversation about the failed response so far and the inadequate plan/protections going forward. The nation is so tribalized, and so many citizens have deeply internalized their politics in a personal way that not even coronavirus will allow us to break free from our tribalism. Donald Trump has done a masterful job of getting his supporters to feel personally connected to him. An attack on DT is a personal attack on all his base. This is what DT meant when he said he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Avenue. Of course, that's a child's game compared to negligently presiding over the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Lest we let the Democrat tribalists off, let's also remember they pooh-poohed early attempts by Trump to limit travel and tried to leverage the bail out packages to advance pet projects of the far left. Democrats, you need to accept that your leaders have not taken this threat seriously, and worse, tried to score cheap political points off it.
Anyway, Trump supporters, this is the moment many of us feared. It was never "Trump Derangment Syndrome." Trump is a showman and he just doesn't have the skill set to deal with a crisis this big. That's why he's pushing responsibility on to the states without an effective federal response. You may find his performances at rallies to be entertaining, you may agree with some of his ideas. But you have to admit that he's in way over his head right now. And that's terrible for all of us.
The virus doesn't give a fuck what political movement you identify with. It will continue to ravage us while we remain so nasty and divided against each other.
Who's getting ravaged? People in NYC? People outside NYC who live in nursing homes?
I'll tell you what's getting ravaged: our entire economy, financial markets, our way of life, and healthy productive people. When we give government (federal, state, whatever) this much power, we deserve the fucking we're going to get. Politicians have agendas, not pure hearts.
I'm not getting ravaged. Go fuck yourself.
Excellent post 10:48. And is it me, or did 10:54 make 10:18's point perfectly? Tens of thousands of people dying is ravaging. More people have died (at this early stage of the virus, just wait til fall/winter) than who died during the Vietnam war dude.
"I'm not getting ravaged." Well good for F-in you. I personally know a few people who have died from this already. Maybe now you can join society and acknowledge that there is a world that extends beyond the tip of your nose, and in that world a lot of people are dying and sometimes collective decisions are made not just for you. I'm guessing you call others snowflake. Listen to what you just said.
Someone a while back said that there are good arguments for opening everything back up – that the toll on the economy isn't worth the lives saved – but that Mayor Goodman didn't make those good arguments. I'd say the same thing applies to 10:54. Just attack attack attack. You say only people in NYC or in nursing homes are getting hit, but do you really think our blackjack dealers, slot and cage people, cocktail waitresses, hotel room maids, and everybody else who regularly deals with a ton of human interaction wouldn't have been hit hard by this? I honestly believe Vegas would have been one of the hardest hit had the casinos not been shut down. Just think of how many times a chip changes hands at a blackjack/craps/poker table. Maybe those lives saved aren't worth the toll on the economy and peoples' ability to make a living. But I think you're delusional if you think we wouldn't have been hit pretty hard by this.
Sounds like 1:05 pm is so far up Sisolak's a$$ we don't know where Sisolak ends and 1:05 begins.
"Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it? No, what I mean is, you can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head up a butcher's ass… No, wait. It's gotta be your bull."
1:22 p.m. Nice Tommy Boy reference, but I wouldn't trust a word that comes out of Sisolak's mouth.
What I find laughable about 10:18 and 1:05 is their "OMFG 70,000 people have died. This is Armageddon!" These are the same people that were sitting in the stands at a VGK game while 600,000 people died in America each year from cancer and 650,000 Americans died from heart disease. They didn't stop their lives for those 1.25 million people. They didn't even give them a second thought. 70,000 people in a country of 350,000,000 is absolutely nothing. Get a grip folks.
Dear 1:53 PM,
The meter is still running and will be for another 18 months. Cancer and heart disease are not infectious.
Other than that, rock solid analysis.
Let's cut to the chase. Start the purge. Release all prisoners. Close down all government offices. Turn off the power. Let's just get this over with. Beats Netflix and meatloaf.
Yes, it is a virus (much more akin to the Flu then Vietnam War obviously) – and yes it is infectious and targets a particular group of elderly persons with co-morbidities such as obesity and weakened immune system. Yes, those that know that they are the "target" of this disease should absolutely take all of the precaution that the CDC offers, including staying at home, wearing gloves and masks, etc.
Having said that – at some point, all of us, including hysterics who are yelling for 12-18 months shut down to the wackos that say lets re-open everything, completely, right now, will need to come to some point in the middle and say: 1) If you are young and healthy, with no known co-morbidities – go back to work. Use social distancing guidance and common senses – don't make out in the streets, etc., but know that even if you catch it, your chances of dying form it are so infantile that you don't need to worry;
2) IF you are 65+, and vulnerable because of known co-morbidities, take precautions, stay home, we should develop some sort of a service where we provide you food, medicine and supplies, at nominal cost, so you do not have to leave. It should go without saying that people should not visist you – even if they are your family, for a while, until perhaps a vaccine is developed;
3) Beef up our supplies of ventilators and prepare our medical staff and ICU for a potential spike, which will only be temporary, if the guidelines are followed.
And live.
The mental health toll, suicides, domestic violence, financial ruin, collapse of the market, 401k, collapse of out income tax revenue base, collapse of the population in Las Vegas and devalued real estate is just as important as the lives of those that this disease is targeting, and should be considered and weighed carefully.
Waiting to be attacked by both sides…
1:05 here. Jesus you people from the RJ comment section need to get a grip. For the record I think Gov has gone too far and we need to accept defeat. This thing will move through the population before we have a viable vaccine whether we open everything tomorrow or keep lockdown going for a year.
My point was that people are so quick to attack and that I understand why Gov did what he did. But the curve has been flattened and if we haven’t caught up by now with our preparedness then we never will be. Something like 2:13’s plan is about right.
@2:13 no attack from me. I'm a Trump supporter. I agree with your post. There has to be a middle ground. We can't stay closed for 18 more months and we can't just release everyone to return to normal. We're going on 2 months of lockdown here in Vegas. By this point, you know if you're vulnerable or not. You know what the symptoms are, what the virus targets, etc. The hospitals are no longer slammed. There's plenty of ventilators out there. Just look at NYC. Cuomo didn't even need all the ventilators he was sent. The curve has been flattened. That was the goal post. Now the governors are getting a little power hungry and moving the goal posts. I agree with the President lifting the Federal lockdown and shifting the responsibility to the states. That is how it should be. The Federal government is only there as a backup. We weren't meant to be ruled by Washington 24/7.
Unfortunately the media keeps kindling the health-panic fire and the politicians in charge have gotten drunk on their own (perceived) power. I'm watching our state and local government officials closely as they put their re-opening plans in place (or even finally come up with one). They could lose their jobs, too…at the polls.
On a lighter note, I ran across this video (yes, I am bored) and suggest we make it the new Rick Roll. To my knowledge it could all start here and has not been used before (correct me if I'm wrong). Take a look and see if it's worthy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ4i3lQM5lg&feature=emb_err_watch_on_yt
Change approved!
Love it. Would need to update Rick Roll gotcha term…I got Plasticized?
Jouret is a 2nd rate Belgian Milli Vanilli. And you think this is better than Rick Astley, the finest baritone in pop music since Jack Bruce???? Music Appreciation needs to move to the top of the CLE to-do list.
"That's why he's pushing responsibility on to the states without an effective federal response." Or… maybe… perhaps… it's a State rights issue? The government can implement protocol on federal level, and allow the states to govern themselves, like in the Constitution, remember?
What's the Constitution?
It hasn't quite been a month yet since I filed for unemployment, but I have not gotten a single cent from them yet. Shortly after filing they sent me a debit card. I've filed each week. I know I'm a lawyer and could probably get something done, but it is disheartening knowing how screwed the system is right now. A recruiter told me that all the jobs they have in Vegas are "on hold." Some firms even say hiring is on pause–see Holland & Hart. I know there are a few jobs hiring, but so far nothing on par with what I lost.
You are not alone. My wife is in the same situation. I admit to being surprised the Governor did not move all spare resources and staff to the unemployment division, but I guess that is the difference between the public and private sector. Just thank the good Lord the government does not run the grocery stores.
It's still nearly impossible to buy soap or toilet paper so I wouldn't say the market is doing too well either. Huge shocks are disruptive, no matter if you're public or private.
@12:16 The last thing you want is for some displaced, angry and disgruntled state worker being forced to work on UI claims instead of their "real job." They would simply decline all the claims as not qualified just to be petty and obstructive. It does bother me that they are paid for a 2 month sit at home vacation, however. Definitely time to furlough or lay off.
I am glad to see paid for endorsers, Debra March and John Lee are endorsing judges while we are on stay at home by Sisolak.
I read the posts yesterday about the RJ Family Court Debates, and how seemingly lame and odd they were, so I checked it out.
It is true that in one race a chief issue seemed to be that each candidate argued that "best interests of children" should guide their decisions if elected.
In actual debates people are expected to take controversial positons, or at least positions that are not shared by a large percentage of the population.
So, I ask, is there actually a candidate who argues that "best interest of children" is not important? If not, rather than being promoted as a debate, it should have been promoted as "Family Court election where each candidate directly parrots and totally agrees with what the others are saying."
And in one of the other debates, the candidates seemed to try to top each other as to which of them most despises campaign contributions, based on the apparent tainting effect such contributions have.
I always wondered about the candidates who argue such issue. When candidates(whether in judicial or other elections)climb up on their soap box and express moral indignation concerning contributions and the implied access and/or preferential treatment they may be intended to accomplish, I wonder about the sincerity and true motivation.
Is it truly a principled moral stand, or a convenient bully pulpit by someone who lacks any real ability to attract much in the way of contributions? It seems this moral high ground(concerning avoiding contributions based on their apparent effect)is never a positon taken by a candidate who is an effective fundraiser.
That all said, I don't really intend to adopt a light tone, as I really recognize that contributions in judicial elections raise some real serious implications, starting with the fact that the lion's share of those contributions are made by attorneys who practice in such court. And when attorneys claim they are not seeking any preferential consideration, but simply wish to maintain "good judges" on the bench, that obviously induces eye-ball rolling.
So, this is a very serious issue. But not only do we never have any serious reform. We never even have a serious discussion. The discussion is usually limited to a candidate who cannot really attract contributions, sounding the clarion call that the other candidates are attempting to buy the election, or some similar thematic variation.
After seeing some screwed up shit by NSC, I am voting Pickering out.
I know what you mean. One case we won has been transferred 4 times now. We did not think we would win either.
Email from State Bar today said 10 New Job Openings. Think these were ads posted before the quarantine or are there really job openings out there?