The response to my earlier note — about Jared Kushner and the Orwellian times in which we find ourselves — has made one thing resoundingly clear:

Public Citizen supporters are NOT fans of Donald Trump’s son-in-law!

I’ve copied that note below in case you missed it.

If you read it already, thanks. Stay tuned for more updates and ways to take action even while we’re all doing our part to stay home and limit the spread of the coronavirus.

- Robert

******

This email is about Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and “adviser.”

But first, a brief literary digression:

• In 1984 — George Orwell’s disturbingly relevant dystopian novel — the all-powerful “Party” manipulates historical records to match whatever it’s telling people in the present.

• The Party reduces chocolate rations. But it says that it is increasing rations. And it “rectifies” historical records to falsely show that rations had been lower before.

• Oceania (one of three superstates, and the setting of the novel) is allied with Eastasia and at war with Eurasia. Then, just like that, they are allied with Eurasia and at war with Eastasia. And historical records are “rectified” accordingly.

Here’s the thing ...

THIS JUST HAPPENED RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA.

Not in a work of fiction.

Not in another country.

Not during some bygone historical era.

And it happened for no better reason than to make Jared Kushner look less imbecilic than he is.

One week ago today, Kushner (in front of working cameras and microphones) uttered an absolutely ridiculous claim that the Strategic National Stockpile is not meant for exactly what everyone knows it is meant for — providing essential medical supplies to states and localities in the event of public health emergencies.

By the next afternoon, someone had rectified the description of the stockpile on the federal government’s website so that it would not contradict what Kushner said.

And, to repeat, what Kushner said was indisputably incorrect — not to mention heartless and inhuman and, quite possibly, deadly.

Orwell was trying to warn us about totalitarianism, not writing a how-to guide for aspiring Big Brothers (or little sons-in-law)!

I’m not going to ask you to sign a petition today. Though I do think Jared Kushner should be made to stand in the corner wearing a dunce cap.

I just wanted to make sure you heard about this.

And I wanted to let you know that if you’re astounded, or even scared, by the sheer depravity of what the Trump camp is doing — or not doing, as the case may be — in the face of this pandemic, you’re not alone.

I’m right there with you.

So is everyone at Public Citizen.

We WILL get through this. Together.

Stay tuned for more updates and ways to take action even while we’re all doing our part to stay home and limit the spread of the disease.

In safety and hope,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. This message is part of our ongoing outreach to help you stay informed and involved as our nation and the world grapple with the coronavirus emergency. Public Citizen — like many nonprofits and other small businesses — is feeling the financial strain as this crisis intensifies. If you can, please consider donating to support the critical work we’re doing together. Thank you.
 
 
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