Bernie’s Q&A: Coronavirus, Biden, O'Reilly, D'Souza, and more! (3/20) — Premium Interactive ($4 members)
Welcome to this week’s Premium Q&A session for Premium Interactive members. I appreciate you all signing up and joining me. Thank you.
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Now, let’s get to your questions (and my answers):
[Editor's note: the first question was submitted pretty early in the week, so it's not quite reflective of the current situation]:
Hi, Bernie. While I can certainly appreciate the preventive measures being taken regarding the spread of the coronavirus and how deadly it can be to those with compromised immune systems and underlying health issues, is it really a pandemic when only a few areas have shown any proven cases throughout the country? I get the "ounce of prevention vs. a pound of cure" paradigm. But the madness of hoarding that's going on all over the country, and where I live where not a single case of the virus has been reported, is over the top. Walmart and Costco won't have more toilet paper and paper towels until the end of this week. Their warehouses have been depleted of such items because of the blind panic and/or profiteering that has resulted from this virus. If it isn't in every county in the country, should it be called a "pandemic"? -- Jake H.
It's a WORLDWIDE pandemic, Jake. So I have no problem with the terminology ... and I'm not sure it would make a difference no matter what they called it. They could call it Carona-Palooza and there'd still be hoarding. I agree it's a little nuts. But it's what some people do. It makes them feel safe. Madness or not.
What’s your opinion of Dinesh D’Souza? Do you believe he was unjustly sent to prison because President Obama got angry about the book and movie that Dinesh D’Souza wrote and produced that put the Obama presidency in a rather unflattering light? Or was Dinesh D’Souza actually deserving of his prison sentence? Your thoughts And commentary are appreciated. -- Right Wing Political Prisoner Regards From The Emperor
I've met Dinesh and he's quite affable. I don't know if his sentence was fair or not. But he did voluntarily plead guilty to a campaign violation, so there is that. I just don't know enough about the prosecutor or the judge to comment beyond that.
Bernie ... What's your take on Joe Biden's health? His memory loss problems are very noticeable. Thanks. -- Charles K.
I watched the Biden/Bernie debate and Joe looked and sounded good. That's the best I can do given that I'm not a psychiatrist. Memory issues may be serious or may be nothing more than a minor and insignificant matter. If he stumbles through an answer during a debate with the president, voters will decide how much they care about his health and mental state. But Joe's not the only one running for president with questions about his mental health, if you know what I mean.
Bernie, Thanks for your reply [to my question 2 weeks ago on my opposition to gay marriage on moral grounds]. A short follow-up. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9 there were people who used to be 'homosexual offenders.' The Apostle Paul says, 'and that is what some of you w-e-r-e. But you were washed... sanctified.... [and] justified in the name of the Lord Jesus'. God justified them in his sight, forgiving them, and changing them from the inside out. So, no, God doesn't create people as homosexuals or transgenders with no hope of eternal life. He calls it sin because it is. Yet He washes us, as His gift to us. It's not about us, it's about God's goodness. Though I may not convince you, yet I did want to share this further information. The word 'Gospel' means 'Good News'. 2000 years ago people gladly came out of homosexuality, and the good news is this offer stands today. My best to you. -- Bill N.
Got it. We just have different views on this, Bill, but thanks for the friendly discourse.
Mr. G, The younger generations, let’s say 35 & under are still out and about at bars and restaurants and other social gatherings. Why aren’t these young so called social warriors leading by example and practicing social distancing as suggested? Are these ”kids” mostly all talk and no action as they also tend to demonstrate when they don’t even show up to vote? -- ScottyG
You certainly could make that point, Scotty. I don't want to stereotype an entire generation, so let's just say a lot of the people you describe do a lot of talking about how caring they are -- they care about the planet, about racism, about all sorts of discrimination -- yet they can't stay home and help bring this menace under control? And where are their parents -- telling them to grow up and do the right thing? I suspect their parents are as arrogant as they are. Enough. Thanks for the question.
Obviously there are technological differences between today and 1918; however, do you think this is what the society was dealing with back then? -- Peter L.S.
I offer this, Peter, from the New York Times:
"In 1918, a new respiratory virus invaded the human population and killed between 50 million and 100 million people — adjusted for population, that would equal 220 million to 430 million people today. Late last year another new respiratory virus invaded the human population, and the reality of a pandemic is now upon us. Although clearly a serious threat to human health, it does not appear to be as deadly as the 1918 influenza pandemic."
With the understanding that you are not a mental health professional (nor am I), I am concerned with what I am seeing with respect to Joe Biden's mental state. We all make gaffes if we speak enough (I have made plenty in my life). However, it appears that I am seeing something different with VP Biden. The gaffes appear to be bigger and he appears to get far more agitated (with voters and in general). It seems to me that VP Biden is showing the beginning signs of a mental decline (senility, etc...). Are you seeing the same thing or do you believe that I have it wrong? Do you believe that VP Biden has the mental fitness to be President (especially in light of the fact that he is running for the most stressful four year job in the world where such a mental decline will just increase)? -- Regards, Mozik
Others have expressed the same concern, Mozik. Imagine if he wins. Voters will have said they prefer his mental issues to those of Donald Trump. Wonderful, right? Who knows how bad Biden's condition is. I sure don't. But I suspect -- not necessarily in your case -- that some politics are involved. Republicans are more likely to "see" defects in Democrats -- and the other way around too.
Bernie, Do you think Bill O’REILLY will be back on the air with a major cable network again? We did not always agree with all of his views but we enjoyed his show especially the segments with you! Thank you. --Patrick
I used to think he'd be back. But I don't any longer. If it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now.
Bernie, a few ancillary questions related Chinese Corona Virus: 1) since we now know it is possible for college courses to be taught online, do we have the solution for keeping college costs under control (imagine how few administrators would be needed not to mention the fact that courses could be taught nationwide by the best of the best instructors, and of course without having to keep building all those new fancy facilities that add so much to learning difficult college level subject matter), and 2) how much would the world demand the US pay if the virus had originated in the US ( especially in a US laboratory). Please note these are real questions not merely poor attempts at humor. -- Michael
Yes, it might be cheaper to teach courses on line. But ... there's something about being in the same room with the professor which provides the ability to ask questions in real time. However, going to class online is undeniably safer from from a virus point of view. And if a year in college cost, say, $50,000 -- and the online version were significantly less expensive, well then that's a decision families would have to make. Let me say that I don't know how much cheaper the cost of college would be. The professors aren't taking pay cuts, that's for sure. So a lot of unknowns.
Regarding to other question: If the virus originated in the U.S. not only would the world demand payments, but the left in this country would use it as their newest reason to bash America. That, I am certain of.
Thanks, everyone! You can send me questions for next week using the form below! You can also read previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.