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Now that the "we must all apologize to Tom Cotton" codswallop has begun again, here's a quick thread on why Cotton has done more harm than good on the "Wuhan/China/YouKnowWho" virus, known to the rest of us as #COVID19
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First, it is *possible* that this is an escaped bug from a Chinese research lab? Well, if the scientists tell me it's possible, then it's possible. Is it *likely*? Dunno. Seems not, but I'll wait for the science-talkin' guys. Is there evidence for this - yet? No.
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Is there evidence that this was a Chinese bioweapon? Even less so. But that didn't stop Cotton from trying to spin up Rube Nation and cover Trump's flank talking about it - and then walking it back when everyone else noticed him doing it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/17/business/media/coronavirus-tom-cotton-china.html
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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/17/business/media/coronavirus-tom-cotton-china.html
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But *if* this was a leak from a Chinese lab, and the PRC covered it up and lied, then hell, yes, they should pay a price. (Let's get that 9/11 commission empaneled soon.) But Cotton, by running to the crazy edge to protect Trump with Fox Nation, gave China an easy out. /4
"Your crazy Senator and his theories can get lost; and no cooperation (that we weren't doing anyway)!" Instead of taking a statesmanlike, evidence-based approach, Cotton was like the cop who wants the suspect so bad he makes a tainted arrest and the DA has to back off. /5
A better senator would have said: "We have questions. We expect cooperation. We're all in this together but when this is over we're going to look at some things pretty carefully."
Then start behind the scenes work with the IC and State and CDC and everyone else for hearings. /6
Then start behind the scenes work with the IC and State and CDC and everyone else for hearings. /6
That's what a smart, responsible legislator who wants to get to the truth, and if need be, to nail China to the wall, would do. But Cotton is trying to defend Trump, audition for a job (I think), and throw red meat to the MAGA base. It was a *gift to China* to do that. /7
Now we know that there were concerns about the Wuhan lab. (Duh. PRC lab. Instant concern, on my part, just like the one in Moscow.) But Cotton immediately insulated the PRC from later charges because now they can say: "Oh, that crazy stuff? Old news. No thank you, piss off." /8
Apologize to Cotton? Ah, no. Cotton should apologize for having made it harder to get to the truth and (if ever needed) to punish the Chinese. His ambition and determination to protect Trump got in the way of a simple idea - one that he himself helped discredit. /9x
