The Right-Cheek Ass Clown for August, 2021

I've often complained about how difficult it is to select a single recipient for these awards. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is the enormous number of potential awardees contending for dishonor, but fortunately I have no lack of recommendations from my treasured readers. At the urging of several of you, most notably my friend Gail who is a newly-retired nurse, I am presenting - after a long delay occasioned by other awardees marginally more qualified,  

The Right-Cheek Ass Clown for August, 2021

to

Senator Rand Paul (R, KY)

There must be something in the Kentucky water that breeds foolishness and hypocrisy, as the Commonwealth of Kentucky is already well-represented by its ten-time winner and three-time Ass Clown of the Year, Senator Mitch McConnell. Senator Paul is working hard to cement Kentucky's grip on absolute numbers of awards, though, having "distinguished" himself by his ludicrous public statements, such as an August 8th video in which he said that "no one should follow the CDC's anti-science mask mandates" and "if a school system attempts to keep children from full-time, in-person school, I will hold up every bill with two amendments: one to de-fund them, and another to allow parents the choice of where the money goes for their child's education." 

During a July 20th Congressional hearing, he insinuated that Covid-19 had been created at a Chinese virology laboratory which was partially supported by US funds. This led Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on infectious diseases, to say, “Senator Paul, you do not know what you’re talking about, quite frankly. And I want to say that officially. You do not know what you’re talking about.”

Senator Paul frequently cites his medical background to lend weight to his opinions on Covid-19 and measures to combat it; however, he is an eye surgeon (if, reportedly, a very good one) with no training or experience in virology - a branch of medicine substantially different from ophthalmology. Such is his irresponsible denigration of the protective effects of masks that Twitter suspended his account for a week; he called the suspension "a badge of honor" and blamed "the leftwing cretins at YouTube."

People are entitled to hold their own opinions. People in positions of power and leadership, however, have a special duty to ensure that those opinions - which may affect the lives of millions of people - are based in facts, science, and data, and not on political expediency or advantage. Senator Paul's reckless disregard of science to the detriment of the health and safety of his constituents and all Americans is disgraceful and deserves the condemnation of all well-informed people of good will. 

Oh, and as if all that weren't enough, this past Wednesday Senator Paul revealed that his wife bought stock in Gilead Sciences — which makes the antiviral drug Remdesivir, used to treat Covid-19 — on February 26th ... his announcement coming 16 months after the 45-day reporting deadline mandated in the Stock Act, which is meant to combat insider trading by Members of Congress and others. The senator' spokeswoman said he had completed the required form to report his wife’s investment last year but only learned that it had not actually been submitted while he was preparing his latest annual disclosure.

And if you believe all that, I have some swamp land in Florida and a bridge in New York to sell you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Readers, the Right-Cheek Ass Clown for August, 2021, is Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. One can only hope that his career as a Senator will be cut short by those voters in Kentucky who survive his poor advice and leadership on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow, when Cartoon Saturday takes on the medical profession.

Bilbo