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BINGO: “The public health expert and physician [Rick Bright] is currently represented by the law firm of Katz, Marshall & Banks–which famously represented Dr. Christine Blasey Ford...” https://lawandcrime.com/covid-19-pandemic/another-whistleblower-christine-blasey-fords-lawyers-are-representing-demoted-doctor-who-resisted-hydroxychloroquine-push/
“...before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2018 after she publicly accused then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault.”
The story is that Rick Bright is a brave whistleblower. But what is the truth?
Looking at the law firm, you have to wonder if it’s a show.
Looking at the law firm, you have to wonder if it’s a show.
“Bright’s attorneys, Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, later released a statement of their own. ‘The Administration’s removal of Dr. Bright from his position as director of BARDA is retaliation plain and simple.’” https://lawandcrime.com/covid-19-pandemic/another-whistleblower-christine-blasey-fords-lawyers-are-representing-demoted-doctor-who-resisted-hydroxychloroquine-push/
“The results from the Administration’s refusal to listen to the experts and to sideline those like Dr. Bright who point out any errors in the government’s response will continue to be a catastrophe for the American people.”
“We will request that the Office of Special Counsel seek a stay of Dr. Bright’s termination and that Dr. Bright be permitted to remain in his position pending the OSC and IG’s investigation of this unlawful forced transfer.”
Debra Katz somehow advocated for Christine Blasey Ford but also for Bill Clinton. It’s almost like she lined up with cases for convenience!
“In the 1990s, Katz was also a strong defender of Bill Clinton amid charges of sexual harassment made by Paula Jones.” https://www.dailysignal.com/2018/10/03/the-political-pasts-of-the-lawyers-representing-kavanaugh-accusers/
Katz: “Clearly a one-time incident that took place in 10 to 12 minutes, she was not forced to have sex, she left on her own volition, the courts increasingly are finding that that is not enough to create a sexually hostile work environment claim.” - April 1999, “CBS Evening News”
*Correction: April 2, 1998 https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2018/09/16/kavanaugh-accusers-lawyer-part-of-resistance-big-democrat-donor-and-has-trashed-paula-jones-n2519525
Katz’s reaction to Jones’ allegation is unreal for someone who claims to be an advocate for whistleblowers.
Jones alleged that then-Governor Clinton, a complete stranger, used his bodyguard to get her to a hotel room; made unwanted sexual advances; exposed himself; and threatened her: "You are smart. Let's keep this between ourselves." https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/04/03/jones.opinion/
It wasn’t just a one-time incident, either; Jones was variously intimidated, harassed again by Clinton; effectively demoted - she was terrified of him.
Debra Katz stated: “Paula Jones' suit is very, very, very weak. She's alleged one incident....She suffered no repercussions in the workplace." (March 30, 1998, CNN) https://townhall.com/tipsheet/timothymeads/2018/09/16/kavanaugh-accusers-lawyer-part-of-resistance-big-democrat-donor-and-has-trashed-paula-jones-n2519525
Also Katz: “If a woman came to me with a similar fact pattern, that is someone in the company above her propositioned her but only once and she suffered no tangible job detriment. I would probably tell her that I'm sorry, it's unfair, but you don't have a case.”
Yet Clinton ended up settling the case for $850K.
Debra Katz defended then-Senator Al Franken as well; didn’t advocate for the woman he “mock groped.”
Debra Katz donated (2004-2018)”at least $26,000 to D politicians including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Kerry.”
Debra Katz “also donated to groups such as http://MoveOn.org , the DNC Services Corp, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.”
Debra Katz also made a blanket statement after one of President Trump’s advisors resigned for anti-Islamic comments.
On Facebook (3/2017): "These people [Trump advisors] are all miscreants. The term ‘basket of deplorables’ is far too generous a description”
On Facebook (3/2017): "These people [Trump advisors] are all miscreants. The term ‘basket of deplorables’ is far too generous a description”
So aside from the merits of Rick Bright’s complaint, you can see where Debra Katz would be politically enthusiastic about taking him on as a client.
2019 BARDA “Director’s Report” from Rick Bright
https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/media/37071/bid2019_bright.pdf
https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/media/37071/bid2019_bright.pdf
Highlights numerous deadly biothreats
Explains that BARDA mission is to fund research (“unique public-private partnerships”) into “countermeasures”
$56.9 BILLION in “outstanding contracts.”
Their clout comes from their deep pockets and the “brag factor” of innovating pharmaceutical solutions to bioterror.
Their clout comes from their deep pockets and the “brag factor” of innovating pharmaceutical solutions to bioterror.
Hydrochloroquine et al are cheap, already innovated, and unsexy. They just...work. https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2020/04/10/coronavirus-gilead-roche-hydroxycholoroquine-production-costs/
“Another example is hydroxychloroquine, the decades-old malaria drug that was repeatedly touted by President Trump. Several tests are under way to test its effectiveness and the researchers calculated it could be made for only 8 cents a day.”
“In an exclusive interview with former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, Dr. Vladmir Zelenko shares the results of his latest study, which showed that out of his 699 patients treated, zero patients died, zero patients intubated, and four hospitalizations.” https://techstartups.com/2020/03/28/dr-vladimir-zelenko-now-treated-699-coronavirus-patients-100-success-using-hydroxychloroquine-sulfate-zinc-z-pak-update/
April 2, 2020: “Today, renowned French Dr. Didier Raoult a new map that showed that malaria drug hydroxychloroquine is now being used worldwide even as mainstream media continues to downplayed the effectiveness of the drug.” https://techstartups.com/2020/04/02/hydroxychloroquine-now-used-worldwide-according-map-french-dr-didier-raoult/
Also April 2: “Hydroxychloroquine is the ‘most effective therapy’ for coronavirus treatment: A global survey of over 6,000 doctors shows” https://techstartups.com/2020/04/02/hydroxychloroquine-is-the-most-effective-therapy-for-coronavirus-treatment-a-global-survey-of-over-6000-doctors-shows/
So does Rick Bright seem like a whistleblower to you?
The drug he complains about is already known to be effective, used worldwide, and massively cheap — everyone can get this drug.
The drug he complains about is already known to be effective, used worldwide, and massively cheap — everyone can get this drug.
Bright: “I believe this transfer was in response to my INSISTENCE that the gov invest the billions of $ allocated by Congress...into safe & scientifically vetted solutions, & not in drugs, vaccines & other tech that lack scientific merit.” https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/22/rick-bright-barda-director-claims-political-retali/
But just like with Vindman, BARDA bureaucrat Bright doesn’t seem to understand that he answers to a boss.
Furthermore, it is not “whistleblowing” if Bright simply differs from other medical professionals in his views, which are actually self serving.
Using existing drugs actually negates the need for BARDA to steer the COVID-19 ship.
Unless...
Using existing drugs actually negates the need for BARDA to steer the COVID-19 ship.
Unless...
Thank you Laura for pointing out that Bright is not an MD. I checked and found this information (bio removed from site).
https://twitter.com/nonsenseend/status/1253160542350512131?s=21
https://twitter.com/nonsenseend/status/1253160542350512131?s=21
Breathtakingly arrogant statement from Bright: “My professional background has prepared me for a moment like this — to confront and defeat a deadly virus that threatens Americans and people around the globe.”
Who are these people? https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/barda-director-depart-rick-bright-coronavirus/576471/
Who are these people? https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/barda-director-depart-rick-bright-coronavirus/576471/
“A trained immunologist and virologist, Bright previously worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as served as an advisor to the WHO and to the Department of Defense.”
“insistence that the government invest the billions of $ allocated by Congress” - the key words in the complaint, which seems to me like the absolute opposite of what government officials should say — that we spend the least $ for the most effective solution & don’t duplicate.
In fact wouldn’t you say that if a government person can spend LESS, but they purposely spend MORE, that you would have to blow the whistle on THEM?
“Bright accused the administration of putting ‘politics and cronyism’ ahead of science, saying he "resisted efforts to fund potentially dangerous drugs promoted by those with political connections."
But the drugs are developed?
Which cronies?
Seems like flimflam.
But the drugs are developed?
Which cronies?
Seems like flimflam.
Also, 
Demotion was planned well before coronavirus ever showed up here, per @politico https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/22/hhs-ousts-vaccine-expert-as-covid-19-threat-grows-201642
Demotion was planned well before coronavirus ever showed up here, per @politico https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/22/hhs-ousts-vaccine-expert-as-covid-19-threat-grows-201642
“The move was MORE THAN A YEAR IN THE MAKING — Bright had clashed with department leaders about his decisions and the scope of his authority — but came abruptly, said FIVE current and former HHS officials.”
But COVID became an emergency only 5 weeks ago. It seems like Bright is an employee with a conduct issue.
“Bright had clashed with department leaders about his decisions and the scope of his authority.”
Not whistleblower material here on Planet Earth.
Not whistleblower material here on Planet Earth.
Why did they remove him this way? “One person familiar with the situation said Bright was frozen out of his email and learned about the reassignment only when his name was removed from the BARDA website this weekend.”
Reports from other sources to Politico also contradict Bright’s assertion that he is against hydrochloroquine on principle (eg science, cronyism). https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/22/hhs-ousts-vaccine-expert-as-covid-19-threat-grows-201642
“Three people with knowledge of HHS' recent acquisition of tens of millions of doses of those [malaria] drugs said Bright had supported those acquisitions in internal communications, with one official saying that Bright PRAISED THE MOVE AS A WIN”
“...for the health department as part of an email exchange that was first reported by Reuters last week, although Bright's message was not publicly reported.”
“If Bright opposed hydroxychloroquine, he certainly didn't make that clear from his email — quite the opposite," said the official, who has seen copies of the email exchanges.”
So I don’t get it.
Looks like yet another politicized
Looks like yet another politicized
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