Wendy Bell Misleads The Public On COVID-19. Again.

If one were to cyber-travel over to Wendy Bell's Facebook page (if one were so inclined) one would find this image:

That's right, my friends. Wendy Bell got COVID fact-checked. Again.

If only she had a medical expert nearby to check her on her medical misinformation. A close friend or perhaps maybe even a relative (someone who actually has a medical degree) to check her homework before she went public with some medical misinformation that might harm people, she'd probably get fewer of these FB fact-checks, right?

Anyway, here's what the entire bullshit board looks like:

Let's go find where she scooped up this data. As far as I can tell, her first point ("CDC NHANES STUDIES...") was taken from this paper from the NIH website published in June, 2020. This section specifically:

Our research shows that food plus a dietary supplement had a lower prevalence of nutrient inadequacies than food alone. The percentage of the population with usual intakes below the EAR in adults (≥ 19 years) from food only vs. food + dietary supplements for vitamin A (45 to 35%), vitamin C (46 to 33%), vitamin D (95 to 65%), vitamin E (84 to 60%), and zinc (15 to 11%).

While it points out an important public health issue (nutrition) and shows data supporting the use of a dietary supplement, it has nothing to do with the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

How do I know?

Well, there's this is from the CDC (which is part of the NIH, you know):

Dietary supplements aren’t meant to treat or prevent COVID-19.

So pointing out how those supplements help in general nutrition (while a good idea) seems beside the point when talking about COVID-19, doesn't it?

But look at what's just below Wendy's list:

Ivermectin?
Hydroxychloroquinine?

Neither has any medical evidence to support its use against the coronavirus. Let's look at each.

First, Ivermectin.

From the NIH: 

There are insufficient data for the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. Results from adequately powered, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials are needed to provide more specific, evidence-based guidance on the role of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.

And:

Ivermectin has been shown to inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures. However, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies suggest that achieving the plasma concentrations necessary for the antiviral efficacy detected in vitro would require administration of doses up to 100-fold higher than those approved for use in humans.

Then there's Hydroxychloroquine.

Again, the NIH:

A clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adults hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been stopped by the National Institutes of Health. A data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) met late Friday and determined that while there was no harm, the study drug was very unlikely to be beneficial to hospitalized patients with COVID-19. After its fourth interim analysis the DSMB, which regularly monitors the trial, recommended to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH, to stop the study. NHLBI halted the trial immediately.

You're coming up empty, Wendy. You know that, right?

Where's your scientific data regarding the efficacy of vitamins for COVID-19 treatment? You cherry-pick a couple of studies and that's supposed to upend the CDC? The NIH?

This brings me to Wendy's last plea for help: The work of Dr. David Brownstein. Asking the googlies for help, we come to this paper from July, 2020.

This would be the same Dr Brownstein who wrote, on his own website:

I want to let you know that we have been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to stop making any statements about our treatment protocols of Vitamins A, C and D as well as nutritional IV’s, iodine, ozone and nebulization to support the immune system with respect to Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19).

You can read the letter here. 

The good doctor included this paragraph from that letter:

It is unlawful under the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C Sec. 41 et seq. to advertise that a product or service can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless you possess competent and reliable scientific evidence, including, when appropriate, well-controlled human clinical studies, substantiating that the claims are true at the time they are made. For COVID-19, no such study is currently known to exist for the products or services identified above. Thus, any Coronavirus-related prevention or treatment claims regarding such products or services are not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. You must immediately cease making all such claims.

Paging Dr. Brownstein, paging Dr. Brownstein: does Wendy Bell know about this? While she's not actually selling anything, she certainly seems to be pushing the use of vitamins for the treatment of COVID-19 while lacking any actual scientific evidence.

If only there were someone close who could explain medical science to Wendy Bell. It would certainly be in the public interest for any/all medically educated people in her family to let her know how dangerously wrong she is.

GOP Complicity and Cowardice

January 6 - A pro-Trump mob invades Congress in order to, as Trump instructed them, "Stop the Steal." Even though the election was free and fair.

May 28 - Another pro-Trump mob, this time members of Congress, kill the legislation investigating the events of January 6, thus giving Donald Trump political cover for his coup attempt.

COWARDS.

Hey, Look What I Found! (More On Doug Mastriano)

We'll start here:

Doug Mastriano is a seditionist and a potential GQP nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania, the home of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Ben Franklin. He is another example of a Republican who has no use for democracy. The Autocratic movement is vast and ambitious for power https://t.co/AdbuwYvGpo

— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) May 27, 2021

Schmidt, by the way, is a founder of the Lincoln Project.

While the thread starts with the unfolding story of Doug Mastriano's waltz through the rioter-shifted barricades during the January 6 insurrection, a few screens down we find this:

Doug gets around. https://t.co/8YXHyNzwlj

— MadKatzMum (@katz_mum) May 27, 2021

The piece in Vice is mostly about this religious organization:

A religious sect known for worshipping with AR-15s and its MAGA politics has purchased a sprawling, 40-acre compound in central Texas, which it hopes will offer a safe-haven for “patriots” from what they believe is an imminent war brought by the “deep state,” VICE News has learned.

The property, located in the small community of Thornton, 40 miles from Waco, was listed at just under $1 million. It’s been dubbed “Liberty Rock'' by its new owners, the Sanctuary Church aka Rod of Iron Ministries, led by Pastor Hyung Jin “Sean” Moon. Members of the congregation often refer to him as “King.”

While Moon’s congregation, estimated to number in the hundreds, is relatively fringe, it’s a direct descendant of the much larger Unification Church, founded by his father, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah and accused cult leader whose adoring followers became known to outsiders as “Moonies.”

Ok. But here's where things get interesting:

The younger Moon, who set up shop in 2017 in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, follows the doctrine of his late father—with a twist. Moon says he was inspired by a biblical passage in the Book of Revelation that talked about Jesus using a “rod of iron” to protect himself and others. He concluded this was a reference to AR-15s, and integrated high-powered firearms into regular church services, including wedding ceremonies. He founded the church with the support of his brother, Kook-jin “Justin” Moon, the CEO of Kahr Arms, a gun manufacturing company headquartered nearby. 

For those keeping score, the scriptural passage is Rev 2:27:

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

This is not a new thing, of course. Check this out from 2018: 

Hundreds of crown-wearing worshipers clutching AR-15 rifles drank holy wine and exchanged or renewed wedding vows in a commitment ceremony at a Pennsylvania church on Wednesday, prompting a nearby school to cancel classes. With state police and a smattering of protesters standing watch outside the church, brides clad in white and grooms in dark suits brought dozens of unloaded AR-15s into World Peace and Unification Sanctuary for a religious event that doubled as an advertisement for the Second Amendment.

So now we've grasped the general weltanschauung of the "Rod of Iron Ministries" take a look at what's tucked into the Vice piece:

From its beginning, the church wholeheartedly embraced former President Donald Trump and incorporated Trumpian culture war and conspiracies into its rhetoric. Moon told VICE News in late 2019 that he believed God was working through Trump to rid the world of “political satanism” (for example, the “deep state” and “the swamp”) and restore Eden. Through his gun-centric, MAGA-friendly outlook, Moon has been able to establish some fringe political alliances. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon spoke at a recent event hosted by the church. Pennsylvania state senator and “Stop the Steal” organizer Doug Mastriano was also recently billed as a special guest at another church event. [Emphasis added.]

Proverbs 13:20.

 

Wendy Bell, Angel of Death, 3 Percenter?

Overnight, Brother Jon tweeted:

OMG. New view of Wendy Bell’s basement today and you can see all of her tacky flag. Turns out dear Wendy is out as a three percenter now. Wow.https://t.co/wlohxnXhG3 pic.twitter.com/xi6t7zo7KD

— JON (@JonInPGH) May 27, 2021

And he follows it with a few other images of the flag art hanging on the wall down in Radio Karen's flagship broadcast studio basement. He beats himself up abit for not noticing the "3 Percenter" logo in the canton.

Don't sweat it, my brother. I completely missed that little detail when I took Wendy to task for misquoting George Washington on that work of art. (I even included an image of the 3 percenter flag. Ugh. My bad.)

So what's a 3 Percenter?

The Southern Poverty Law Center has this definition:

Three Percenters

Percenterism is one of three core components within the antigovernment militia movement, along with the Oath Keepers and traditional militia groups. The reference to 3 percent stems from the dubious historical claim that only 3 percent of American colonists fought against the British during the War of Independence.

And the ADL has this:

Three Percenters believe that, just as a small revolutionary vanguard overthrew the tyrannical British rule in America, a dedicated group of modern patriots could rid the United States of today’s alleged tyranny.

Though the media often refer to Three Percenters as a movement or a group, they are neither.  Rather, they constitute a major part of the broader anti-government militia movement, whose ideology they share.  Some Three Percenters form militia groups, while others form non-paramilitary groups or create online networks; even more are active as individual or unaffiliated Three Percenters. 

They even include a logo:

Look familiar?

It seems that the January 6 coup attempt was too much for even the 3 Percenter National Council and they disbanded.

But Wendy still has the faux-Washington quote on the faux-flag hanging in her very real wood-paneled basement studio.

Wendy Bell, 3 Percenter. The wall art proves it.

 

More On Mastriano's Capitol Wanderings

This is how far this story has gotten.

Philadelphia Inquirer:

Pa. GOP lawmaker Doug Mastriano says he left the Capitol area before the riot. New videos say otherwise.

Huffingtonpost: 

Videos Contradict State Lawmaker’s Claim He Left Capitol While It Was ‘Still Peaceful’

WHYY (by way of WITF): 

New videos appear to show State Senator Doug Mastriano closer to Capitol insurrection than he said.

There's a old saying in politics that goes something like this: 

It is an axiom of practical politics never to believe anything until it has been officially denied.

I'm not sure I can go with this with every official denial, but with it in mind, State Senator Doug Mastriano has kinda sorta denied the story (and quickly pivoted to the deplorable anti-Trumpers):

Contrary to the desperate claims of anonymous keyboard warriors, I followed the directions of the Capitol Police and respected all police lines as I came upon them. Even disingenuous internet sleuths know that police lines did shift throughout the course of the day. I followed those lines as they existed.

The Huffington Post and others are relying on angry partisans who are so blinded by their hatred for all things Donald Trump that they are distorting facts to manipulate public opinion. This is just further proof that their hatred of President Trump runs so deep that these unnamed people are willing to exploit the emotions and gullibility of their followers.

This obsession is part of their desperate attempt to divert attention away from what their “progressive” choices at the ballot box are doing to our country as we watch gas prices skyrocket, inflation increase, renewed fighting in the Middle East, and the continuation of the unrestrained humanitarian crisis at the southern border. They are the foot soldiers of the ruling elite and should be dismissed as such.

You'll note that only the first paragraph pertains to Mastriano's Kapitolwanderungen. The other two are ad hominem attacks on those who sifted through the endless videos to find his hat and scarf. 

His last two paragraphs are irrelevant and should be dismissed as such.

The core of Mastriano's denial is that he respected the (shifting?) police lines as he found them. You'll note that Mastriano doesn't say who "shifted" the police lines. Or what, exactly "shifted" means.

And now we know why, from WHYY:

In one [video], he is visible standing on the Capitol lawn with his wife. In another, Mastriano appears poised to stroll past police barricades as rioters push past them.

Ah, the rioters shifted the lines. And Mastriano walked right on through.

And let's remember what he initially told The PGH City Paper:

My position on lawlessness is equally as clear. When it was apparent that this was no longer a peaceful protest, my wife and I left the area and made our way out of the area.

And yet: 

About four minutes and 30 seconds into the interview, Senator Mastriano remarks after leaving the speech and heading towards the West side of the Capitol, he approached a few police officers to ask where to go. The police officers directed him to the East side of the Capitol. According to a detailed timeline and analysis of the minute-by-minute actions of the rioters composed by the New York Times, the crowd at the Trump speech departed heading towards the West side of the Capitol around 12:17 pm. The rioters were already starting to gather there.

Senator Mastriano continues at the five-minute mark in the interview explaining the first signs of seeing “agitators” that were “kind of getting in the face of the police and jiggling the bicycle rack barricades they use.” According to the same New York Times timeline, the first barricades on the West side were breached at 12:53 pm as supporters surrounded the Capitol heading to the East side of the building. Senator Mastriano witnessed the first attempt to breach the Capitol on the West side of the building and still continued to the East side. [Emphasis added.]

So he witnessed the first breach but didn't immediately leave the area?

How many lies (subtle and otherwise) did he utter.

There are many serious questions that Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano needs to answer. Officially. Under oath.

Like, how close did he get personally to the treason of January 6?

Wendy Bell Misleads The Public About The COVID/VAERS Data

Broadcasting yesterday from her formerly flooded basement (is there a better metaphor for Wendy Bell's career path?) The Angel of Death touched on a number of topics regarding something she calls "Trust."

Here's the BS board to guide us through all the bullshit:

I want to focus, however, on the data that she "sources" from the CDC VAERS Database. At about 16:30 Wendy Karen-rants this:

This is people who've reported a problem after getting the vaccines – the biggest red flag I can tell you.

Source CDC VAERS Database.

As of yesterday, 273 million doses of the variety of COVID jabs have been administered here in the United States. 273 million, OK?

Between December 14 of 2020 and just last week, May 17 of this year, there have been 4,647 deaths associated with the jab.

That is a hell of a big number. OK?

To put that into perspective – and by the way you have to ask yourself, “Why are no media outlets talking about this?”

If they're going to give you the running ticker, of dubious information about infections, when a lot of that stuff is based on supposition, and over here breathlessly the death toll in big flashing red numbers/red letters to scare the liver out of you...

If they're going to do that, ought you not be told about the people who are suffering adverse events?

Where is the news on that?

Like the out of date wood paneling currently lining the Radio Karen broadcast studio in Wendy's basement, this is old and hasn't aged well.

But some reference points. What is the CDC VAERS Database? This is how the CDC describes it:

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database contains information on unverified reports of adverse events (illnesses, health problems and/or symptoms) following immunization with US-licensed vaccines. Reports are accepted from anyone and can be submitted electronically at www.vaers.hhs.gov.

Um, Wendy? Do you see the word "unverified" in that paragraph? Do you even know what that word means?

Then there's the disclaimer that the CDC offers up an inch or two downscreen. It's in a text box marked with the word (in bold):

Disclaimer

And here's the first paragraph from that disclaimer:

VAERS accepts reports of adverse events and reactions that occur following vaccination. Healthcare providers, vaccine manufacturers, and the public can submit reports to VAERS. While very important in monitoring vaccine safety, VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness. The reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. Most reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. This creates specific limitations on how the data can be used scientifically. Data from VAERS reports should always be interpreted with these limitations in mind.

They even add a few bullet points to consider when dealing with the VAERS numbers:

• Vaccine providers are encouraged to report any clinically significant health problem following vaccination to VAERS, whether or not they believe the vaccine was the cause.
• Reports may include incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental and unverified information.
• The number of reports alone cannot be interpreted or used to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, frequency, or rates of problems associated with vaccines. 

Did you find this page, Wendy, in your deep deep research on the vaccines?

I did. I about a minute.

And a minute later I found the page that has all the information you so objectively reported to your audience, even down to the specific percentage you have on your BS board (.0017%). It's all in one convenient paragraph.

This paragraph:

Over 273 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through May 17, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 4,647 reports of death (0.0017%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine. CDC and FDA physicians review each case report of death as soon as notified and CDC requests medical records to further assess reports. A review of available clinical information, including death certificates, autopsy, and medical records has not established a causal link to COVID-19 vaccines. However, recent reports indicate a plausible causal relationship between the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and a rare and serious adverse event—blood clots with low platelets—which has caused deaths.  Get the latest safety information on the J&J/Janssen vaccine. CDC and FDA will continue to investigate reports of adverse events, including deaths, reported to VAERS.

Why didn't you tell your audience what else was in that paragraph, Wendy? 

You know, like all that stuff in bold.

You're telling your adoring throng that there's a link between the vaccines and that "hell of a big number" of deaths and using CDC data to bolster your case while the CDC itself is saying that no causal link has been established.

Is this a way to establish "trust" with your audience? To lie to them trusting they won't check your homework?

Wendy, how many people are going to suffer adverse effects of the virus simply because they believe your bullshit?

More On Doug Mastriano's March To (Around?) The Capitol

Again, hat's off to K2theSky for all the great work. Take a look:

This vid is showing the group now moving towards the East Steps. #Mastriano is visible at 0:04s You'll see the steps have not yet been breached. Parler timestamp is 1:59pm#Mastriano #SenMastriano #SeditionHunters #IamDougMastriano #IamJeremyOliver https://t.co/YeGMT9jKWe pic.twitter.com/p8bUpdaWo0

— K2theSky (@K2theSky) May 23, 2021

Note the Parler timestamp? 1:59 pm

Now let's take a look at the timeline at the NYTimes. Scroll down to where you find this text:

A YouTube live stream captures the exact moment a massive crowd also breaches a separate, larger barricade on the east side. This is the last physical barrier protecting that side of the Capitol.

The timestamp for that? 2:00 pm.

Then, K2theSky has this:

Next we see his group walking S➡️N along 1st St. This may indicate they did a #SeditionCircuit around the Capitol, ck the scaffolding, this is after the East side visit. #Mastriano #SenMastriano #SeditionHunters #IamDougMastriano #IamJeremyOliver https://t.co/G45IG75d9D pic.twitter.com/wXPm9YP1nx

— K2theSky (@K2theSky) May 23, 2021

If you can't see the image on the right, here it is:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano, taking a picture of the insurrection.

Let's all remember what he told the PGH City paper:

Later in the day on Jan. 6, Mastriano posted an official statement saying that while he and his wife were in D.C. to attend the rally, but that they both left the area when "it was apparent that this was no longer a peaceful protest." He added that "those who violated those laws must be prosecuted.”

 “As a military veteran and retired colonel, I do not – nor would I ever – condone the violence we saw today. I join with all patriotic Americans in condemning what occurred in the Capitol," said Mastriano in a statement. “My position on lawlessness is equally as clear. When it was apparent that this was no longer a peaceful protest, my wife and I left the area and made our way out of the area. At no point did we enter the Capitol building, walk on the Capitol steps or go beyond police lines."

He walked around The Capitol during the insurrection - after the event turned violent. 

State Senator Doug Mastriano has a lot of questions to answer. 

The first one I'd like to ask is:

Can we see the pictures you took with that phone?

So How Far DID State Senator Mastriano Get On January 6?

I stumbled across an interesting tweet this afternoon.

Take a look:

PA State Sen. Mastriano taking his wife on an insurrection tour of the NW Lawn. #Mastriano #SenMastriano #SeditionHasConsequences pic.twitter.com/FXkzqAzYhZ

— K2theSky (@K2theSky) May 22, 2021

Note: PA Representative Brian Simms retweeted this earlier today.

For reference, this is what Doug Mastriano looked like on January 6:

Doug is on the left ("...on the left" Ha! I made a funny!) and the shorter, older guy in the blue Trump had is Rick Saccone, the Bible-loving, Sharia hating, waterboard supporting former Pennsylvania State legislator.

Back to Doug. Look at the hat and the coat and the scarf in the pictures below and above. Is this him?

It looks an awful lot like him. I'm just saying.

Anyway, back to Doug. If that's not enough for you, K2theSky also snagged this image from an Instagram video:

The person in the yellow oval is reportedly Mastriano's wife. If you need some help, take a look at this:

You see that guy in the lower right hand corner of the image? With the chin beard and the cap with the red brim?

In the video, he's removing the barricades (marked with "Property of US Capitol Police") from the walkway. If you watch the video carefully there's a guy who looks an awful lot like State Senator Doug Mastriano (see the yellow circle on the left) among the surging throng of Trump supporters. This guy  watches the many assaults on the Capitol Police and then, after the path cleared by the guy with a "Free Kyle" hoodie, walks right on through.

Of course, the "Free Kyle" on that hoodie would refer to Kyle Rittenhouse - alleged killer of two during a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin this past summer.

Anyway, back to Doug, the guy who looks conspicuously like State Senator Doug Mastriano who's seen walking past the moved barricades.

But let's remember what he told The Pittsburgh City Paper:

Later in the day on Jan. 6, Mastriano posted an official statement saying that while he and his wife were in D.C. to attend the rally, but that they both left the area when "it was apparent that this was no longer a peaceful protest." He added that "those who violated those laws must be prosecuted.”

 “As a military veteran and retired colonel, I do not – nor would I ever – condone the violence we saw today. I join with all patriotic Americans in condemning what occurred in the Capitol," said Mastriano in a statement. “My position on lawlessness is equally as clear. When it was apparent that this was no longer a peaceful protest, my wife and I left the area and made our way out of the area. At no point did we enter the Capitol building, walk on the Capitol steps or go beyond police lines."[Emphasis added.]

Sorry, but it looks an awful lot like he did. And he did so willingly.

Those who violated the laws must be prosecuted.

Wendy's Source Of Medical Info (Note: It's NOT Her Husband)

Continuing from yesterday's basement deepdig, take a look at this side of the background:

The name on the bullshit board is Brian Shilhavy and he's the editor of something called "Health Impact News."

This would be the same "Health Impact News" that Media Bias Factcheck describes as:

Overall, we rate Health Impact News a Quackery level pseudoscience website for the promotion of anti-vaccination propaganda as well as chemtrails, geoengineering, and false information regarding GMOs.

What sort of quackery does Wendy's expert spread?

Take a look at this from The NY Post: 

A new report says three dozen Facebook pages reaching approximately 14.2 million users contained inaccurate and unsubstantiated allegations about the safety and effects of any future COVID-19 ­vaccine, and vaccines in general.

NewsGuard, which released the report Thursday, labeled the sites “misinformation super spreaders” when it comes to COVID-19.

And:

The Web site HealthImpactNews.com, founded by Brian Shilhavy, has also run numerous stories that said a COVID-19 vaccine will “genetically modify” humans who take it.

And when we go to the NewsGuard report, we find this about Health Impact News: 

For example, the page Coconut Health, which is part of the NewsGuard Red-rated pseudoscience Health Impact News network, published a post on May 17, 2020, that falsely claimed that a COVID-19 vaccine would “genetically modify” humans. The post included a fact-check from Reuters explaining that the information was false. However, three months later, the page continued to use this false talking point in its larger anti-vaccine agenda, and did not receive a fact-checking notice.

And they found more examples of anti-vaxx quackery from Coconut Health:

• An Aug. 3, 2020, post linking to an article falsely claiming that a COVID-19 vaccine would alter your DNA, that it will use tracking technology, and that the COVID-19 pandemic is fake.
• An April 15, 2020, post linking to an article falsely claiming that a COVID-19 vaccine would include a “microchip.”

NOTE: Both FB postings have been removed from FB.

NewsGuard adds:

NewsGuard emailed Brian Shilhavy, owner of the Health Impact News network that operates Coconut Health, seeking comment on the above posts, but did not receive a response.

This is the expert Wendy Bell had on her basement broadcast yesterday. 

Examples of the Health Impact News quackery: 

 - the vaccine will alter your DNA. It won't:

There are currently two types of COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized and recommended for use in the United States: messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and a viral vector vaccine. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the genetic material in the vaccines cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. All COVID-19 vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease.

  - the vaccine will include a microchip. It doesn't:

Lisa Morici, an associate professor at the Tulane University School of Medicine who studies vaccines, emphasized in an email that the “ingredients in the mRNA and adenovirus vaccines are simply RNA/DNA, lipids, proteins, salts, and sugars.” (The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use modified messenger RNA to provide instructions for cells to make spike proteins, while the J&J vaccine uses an adenovirus modified with DNA for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.)

“All of these components are found in numerous foods, vaccines, and medicines,” she said.

“The ‘microchip’ is of course a myth being spread on social media,” she said. “‘Micro’ refers to the size of the chip = microns in size, whereas the mRNA and adenovirus vaccines are nanoparticles, meaning nanometers in size. The vaccines are therefore 1000x smaller than a microchip and a microchip couldn’t fit in the vaccine.”

 - the pandemic is fake. There are now about 585,000 reasons why this is dangerously wrong.

Wendy Bell, you are now a Covid anti-vaxx misinformation superspreader. Congratulations!

How many more people will get sick because of you, Wendy?

Um, Wendy? Washington NEVER Said That

Take a look at this image:

As you can see by the inclusion of the human female in front, this is the wall of Wendy Bell's super secret wood paneled basement broadcast studio.

See the flag? You'll note that it has something written on it (a violation of the US Flag Code, btw), a quotation from George Washington. It's this:

Wanna know something?

George Washington never said this.

Who says?

The folks at Mount Vernon (dot) org, that's who. This is what they said:

George Washington did not say the quote you attributed to him. The first few words are the same as a sentence from his First Annual Message given to Congress on January 8, 1790, but the rest of the words are quite different. Compare the spurious quote to Washington's actual words, "A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."

USAToday has more: 

The context of Washington’s speech, given in January 1790 to Congress, focused on the establishment of national defense and the idea that the new nation shouldn’t have to depend on foreign entities for its defense.

Wendy's faux-quote, on the other hand, tries to show that Washington was telling people to amass lotsa guns to fight the government, if that's necessary.

Except Washington never said that.

Got that, Wendy? Read a history book sometime.

Rep Reschenthaler Votes AGAINST H.R. 3233 (A Bill To Establish A Commission To Investigate Jan 6 Attack)

From Congress.gov, here's the summary of the legislation:

National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act

This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex.

The commission must (1) conduct an investigation of the relevant facts and circumstances relating to the attack on the Capitol; (2) identify, review, and evaluate the causes of and the lessons learned from this attack; and (3) submit specified reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations to improve the detection, prevention, preparedness for, and response to targeted violence and domestic terrorism and improve the security posture of the U.S. Capitol Complex.

The bill gives the commission specified powers, including the authority to hold hearings, receive evidence, and issue subpoenas. The bill also provides for the composition of the commission and the appointment of staff, and it requires the commission to hold public hearings and meetings to the extent that it is appropriate. The commission must also release public versions of its reports.

Rep Reschenthaler, along with 174 other Trump-enablers (all Republican, BTW) voted against this. 

This is what he voted against. A commission set up:

To investigate and report upon the facts and causes relating to the January 6, 2021, domestic terrorist attack upon the United States Capitol Complex (hereafter referred to as the “domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol”) and relating to the interference with the peaceful transfer of power, including facts and causes relating to the preparedness and response of the United States Capitol Police and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement in the National Capitol Region and other instrumentality of government, as well as the influencing factors that fomented such attack on American representative democracy while engaged in a constitutional process.

The current talking point coming out of the pro-Trump camp is that this commission would be biased in favor of the Democrats. But take a look at how it is to be composed:

(a) Members.—The Commission shall be composed of ten members, of whom—

(1) one member shall be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate to serve as Chairperson of the Commission;

(2) one member shall be appointed jointly by the minority leader of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the Senate to serve as Vice Chairperson of the Commission;

(3) two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) two members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and

(6) two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

See that? Split evenly. Not biased. Balanced.

And the subpoena power? That's balanced, too. Take a look:

IN GENERAL.—The Commission may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of any evidence relating to any matter which the Commission is empowered to investigate under this Act. Such subpoenas shall be issued by agreement between the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission, or by the vote of a majority of the members of the Commission. The attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence may be required from any place within the United States at any designated place of hearing within the United States. [Emphasis added.]

 This is what Rep Guy Reschenthaler voted against.

Not Sure How I Feel About This (Judge Patricia McCullough LOSES)

ICYMI, here is the result of last night's Republican primary election for the open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court:

Judge Patricia McCullough, Judge on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (and, of course, Chuck McCullough's wife) lost last night by around 159,000 votes.

I am not sure to be happy or sad about this news.

It would have been loads of fun blogging about her campaign, reminding the public of her part in her husband's felonious actions.

Alas, this was not to be.

The winner, Judge Kevin Brobson (also of the Commonwealth Court) seems to be a (relatively) old school conservative jurist.

From his campaign website:

All Pennsylvanians deserve to have faith in a fair and impartial judiciary. I entered this race to offer a new voice and a new perspective for Pennsylvanians on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I will not legislate from the bench.

Luckily for Pennsylvania, he's doesn't seem to be Q-tinged at all.

Sean Parnell, Failed Congressional Candidate Now Running For Senate

Yesterday, Sean Parnell tweeted this:

It’s official: I’m running for Senate here in Pennsylvania to take back the majority and stand up for America. If you believe the greatness of America is worth fighting for, join the Platoon & donate today! Together we will save the American experiment 🇺🇸 https://t.co/p5HqLd8RYM pic.twitter.com/tWkEgyWxHp

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellUSA) May 12, 2021

I was not, however, able to see this announcement on my own twitter account.

Why?

Because of this:

I'm a voter in Pennsylvania and Snowflake Sean blocked me from his twitter account after I asked him how he planned on making up the thousands of votes he trailed in his loss to Representative Conor Lamb.

Hey, did he ever concede that race to Rep Lamb?

Has he accepted reality and conceded that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election? He was part of the failed attempt to over turn a free and fair election, you know:

[Rep. Mike Kelly]’s legal challenge — filed along with Sean Parnell, the Republican who lost last month to 17th District Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon — is part of the broader long-shot legal strategy by President Donald Trump’s campaign and its allies to claim that his loss last month to President-elect Joe Biden was somehow illegal, illegitimate or tainted by extraordinary election measures put into place this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Those legal efforts have been rejected by the courts. Nearly 50 lawsuits in several states have been thrown out by judges, many of them Republicans and Trump appointees. Attorney General William Barr said this month that there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election, and all 50 states have certified the election results.

Does Sean Parnell still believe the Big Lie that the election was stolen from Donald Trump?

There is no honor in pushing a lie, Sean. You should know this.

THIS Is How Judge McCullough Hopes To Win Votes?

Ok, so here's the frame from our friends at KDKA:

One seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is up for election this year.

That’s to succeed former Chief Justice Tom Saylor, a Republican, who retires at the end of this year.

There is a heated battle for the Republican nomination for this seat.

There are three Republicans vying for this nomination and one of them is Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough.

Long time readers of this blog will remember something our friends at KDKA chose not to tell you - that her husband, Charles P. McCullough, is now doing time in prison for misappropriation of funds and that she's part of the story.

But back to Pat. This is how she's promoting herself to the voters in this primary:

“I am the only candidate I know that had a tweet from President Donald Trump, and Donald Trump actually tweeted that I was a brilliant woman of courage,” says Judge Patricia McCullough.

McCullough of Allegheny County serves on the Commonwealth Court, and she says no one beats her work on the bench for upholding conservative principles.

“I was the only judge in the entire country to enter an order to halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results,” says McCullough.

Your Honor, I am not sure this is as good a point to make as you might think. Were you to win this nomination, are you really going to try gain the trust of the many many Democratic voters in this state by pushing the big lie about the 2020 election?

While that might work with Pennsylvania Republicans, it won't work with Pennsylvania Democrats or with reality in general.

Good luck with this, Your Honor.

Wendy Bell, Fired Again?

This happened today:

Wendy Bell is off the air at radio station WJAS Pittsburgh.

In January, the conservative media personality landed a role at WJAS-AM, a radio station owned by St. Barnabas Broadcasting. She was promoted to a full-time host in March, but as of Monday, she “is currently not an on-air host for WJAS,” Michele Bradac, director of marketing for St. Barnabas Health System, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday.

“It is a personnel matter,” she said. “It’s a situation that’s being currently handled by our company.”

There's also coverage at The Trib, The Beaver County Times, The Pittsburgh City Paper, and WPXI.

And while we can rejoice in the knowledge that Wendy Bell is no longer able to misinform the public regarding a multitude of topics, there's still this issue: 

When Do We Start Worrying About Wendy Bell's Mental Health?

I'm being sincere here. While I am not a mental health expert, I am worried about the state of her mental health, to be honest.

Politics aside, have you watched her rant recently?

It takes a lot of effort to remain that committed to an untenable position and getting fired from the third in a list of an increasingly less important media outlets might lead to further issues.

But, again, I'm not an expert and so I could be completely 180 degrees incorrect.

And to be honest, I kinda hope so.

Um, What's Going On With Wendy Bell And WJAS?

In case you missed it, earlier today this tweet was twitted on twitter:

BREAKING! The end is near for Wendy Bell.
WJAS @stbarnabashs pulls Radio Karen broadcasts from Facebook. Trying to convert those rapidly declining Facebook viewers (barely hitting 2,000 per day) to listeners on AM RADIO!

Starting Monday. Turn that dial and adjust the antenna. pic.twitter.com/rOoeRmerUJ

— JON (@JonInPGH) May 6, 2021

And if you're wondering if our Wendy has been FIRED, Jon answered that in yet another tweet he twitted on twitter:

Nope, seems WJAS thinks her ratings will improve if consolidated on AM RADIO (and the iHeart app). 90% of viewers couldn't figure out Rumble when she said she quite Facebook for it so the app should go over really well.

— JON (@JonInPGH) May 6, 2021

Coincidentally, this popped up in my newsfeed this afternoon as I was learning about Wendy's shrinking media empire:

Neurological and psychiatric experts are seeing more reports of COVID-19 sufferers developing psychotic symptoms, even when they have no prior history of mental illness. While rare, the condition can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

Symptoms may include hallucinations, unusual agitation, restlessness preoccupation, paranoid beliefs, decreased need for sleep and impulsive behavior, said Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a professor of psychiatry, neuroscience and pediatrics at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

For months Wendy Bell has been telling her audience that 99% of those who get Covid-19 will be just fine.

Tell that to those people (even if rare) who are now suffering from COVID psychosis, Wendy.

This has always been the danger posed by Wendy Bell. Even though her husband is an actual medical doctor, she's been routinely downplaying the severity of the virus (she even got factchecked by Politifact) or the effectiveness of the vaccines.

How many people will suffer simply because they believe what Wendy Bell is telling them?

Wendy? NEWSMAX Apologized To Dominion For Spreading The Big Lie. When Will You?

On April 30, Conservative "news" source Newsmax issued a statement that contained this:

Newsmax would like to clarify its coverage of Dr. Coomer and note that while Newsmax initially covered claims by President Trump’s lawyers, supporters and others that Dr. Coomer played a role in manipulating Dominion voting machines, Dominion voting software, and the final vote counts in the 2020 presidential election, Newsmax subsequently found no evidence that such allegations were true. Many of the states whose results were contested by the Trump campaign after the November 2020 election have conducted extensive recounts and audits, and each of these states certified the results as legal and final. [Emphasis added.]

And last December Newsmax posted this:

No evidence has been offered that Dominion or Smartmatic used software or reprogrammed software that manipulated votes in the 2020 election.

And this is Christopher Ruddy's Newsmax we're talking here. Hardly a "news" source with a liberal bias, no?

This past February this was posted on twitter:

Pure insanity today on @StBarnabasHS WJAS rising star Wendy Bell's show today. @ClareLockeLLP might be especially interested in the rave reviews she gives Mike Lindell and then her own very specific opinions about the corruption of Dominion voting machines. pic.twitter.com/kVX6hpC5LI

— JON (@JonInPGH) February 8, 2021

Given all this, Wendy, when can we expect YOUR apology?