Ditto-heads on BOTH sides, shut up! (You have nothing to lose but your chains)

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Mark Crispin Miller

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May 26, 2020, 6:48:38 PM5/26/20

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A sharp take on the tribalist insanity that's doing more harm than

the coronavirus, because it's blinding us, and keeping us divided

(a killer combination).

MCM

Coronavirus has driven America mad

Even perfectly rational citizens have been caught up in the politicisation of the virus

BY JUSTIN WEBB

A counter-demonstrator clashes with the group Reopen Maryland. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty

Justin Webb presents Radio 4's Today programme and was previously the BBC's North America Editor

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JustinOnWeb

May 26, 2020

Donald Trump versus a virus, who wins?

Well Mr Trump of course. When it comes to a choice between political or medical approaches to the virus, Americans are overwhelmingly plumping for the politics. They afford, in that choice, the most basic of victories to their self-obsessed President. Whether they love Trump or hate him, it’s the emotional/political response that matters most to them — as it does to him.

Kool Aid has become bleach: and they are drinking it.

Even perfectly rational Americans have been caught up in a politicisation of virus facts. And so, if you know how anyone voted in 2016, you will also know whether they think opening beaches in Florida is a good thing, or whether an earlier lockdown would have saved lives. You think Chloroquine might be a good treatment? You voted to Make America Great Again. You think everyone should wear a mask? You’re a milquetoast San Francisco dreamer.