Obama puts politician in charge of ebola problem

[Vendzilla]

Seems Obama thinks someone with no medical experience is perfect for handling a medical problem this big.

Obama to Tap Former VP Chief of Staff Ron Klain as Ebola 'Czar' - NBC News

Well at least he has someone to blame now when it fails

[dyna mo]

i can understand that a former chief of staff has organizational and logistical skills for this sort of thing but certainly there are peeps who have those skills and a medical background also.

Wouldn't that person be the more logical choice?

[Barry-xlovecam]

Good administrators hire and assemble a team of experienced technocrats.

[Tom_PM]

Is it better or worse than hiring the embattled ex International Arabian Horse Association Stewards Commissioner to head the Department of Homeland Securities FEMA division?

Heck of a job, someone.

[dyna mo]

obviously it's a political favor being paid back but what's nutty is that after years of ramming obamacare through the system Obama doesn't have anyone with a resume' in medicine to give the appointment to.

you'd think he'd have a bunch of medical peeps in his rolodex to choose from for this spot.

[Sly]

A manager is needed. Not a medical professional. In fact a medical professional most likely be a terrible idea unless they were some sort of hospital head, who would most likely have a management background, not a doctor background.

[SykkBoy]

This is as bad a decision as appointing a horse show judge as head of FEMA....
total dipshit move here...basically, he's creating this unneeded position to calm down the panic crowd (for a country who wants to present itself as so strong, we're sure a bunch of worry warts these days).

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Sly

A manager is needed. Not a medical professional. In fact a medical professional most likely be a terrible idea unless they were some sort of hospital head, who would most likely have a management background, not a doctor background.

What's needed is a combination of both, someone with a record of managing in the medical field, not a politician.

The best managers in life are the ones that know what the people they are managing are doing!

[Vendzilla]

This reminds me of Ralph Nader who bashed the Corvair in the 60's

Ralph Nader didn't have a drivers license !!!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Sly

A manager is needed. Not a medical professional. In fact a medical professional most likely be a terrible idea unless they were some sort of hospital head, who would most likely have a management background, not a doctor background.

containing a deadly viral outbreak is vastly different from administering a hospital.

[Rochard]

What kind of stupidity is this? You need a manager, not a doctor. This is so much more than a problem that a doctor can handle. This could potentially involve the FAA, the FDA, the state department, the US military, and god only knows what.

You have a panel of experts who advise the person in charge, and then the person in charge makes a decision - and then makes it happen. If the advice is to move multiple MASH units to Africa, or if the advice is to shut down all flights to and from Africa, a fucking doctor isn't going to have any clue of what to do or who to call or what the political implications are. On the other hand, a former chief of staff for two former presidents would know exactly what to do.

I don't who this guy is, or if he served Republican or Democratic presidents, but it seems to me that a former chief of staff would be qualified to tackle a task like this. We need someone who can work within the frame of our government and manage all of the government agencies and departments - not a doctor.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Rochard

What kind of stupidity is this? You need a manager, not a doctor. This is so much more than a problem that a doctor can handle. This could potentially involve the FAA, the FDA, the state department, the US military, and god only knows what.

You have a panel of experts who advise the person in charge, and then the person in charge makes a decision - and then makes it happen. If the advice is to move multiple MASH units to Africa, or if the advice is to shut down all flights to and from Africa, a fucking doctor isn't going to have any clue of what to do or who to call or what the political implications are. On the other hand, a former chief of staff for two former presidents would know exactly what to do.

I don't who this guy is, or if he served Republican or Democratic presidents, but it seems to me that a former chief of staff would be qualified to tackle a task like this. We need someone who can work within the frame of our government and manage all of the government agencies and departments - not a doctor.

So being in charge of something you have no clue about is a good thing?

Head of the CDC is a doctor! Just saying it makes sense.

[SuckOnThis]

[Vendzilla]

Well we have a president that was a community organizer before being president.
How many of his appointments have resigned over scandal so far? It's go to be a world record of some kind, someone call Guinness book of world records!

[_Richard_]

when you guys gonna install a Czar president?

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Rochard

What kind of stupidity is this? You need a manager, not a doctor. This is so much more than a problem that a doctor can handle. This could potentially involve the FAA, the FDA, the state department, the US military, and god only knows what.

You have a panel of experts who advise the person in charge, and then the person in charge makes a decision - and then makes it happen. If the advice is to move multiple MASH units to Africa, or if the advice is to shut down all flights to and from Africa, a fucking doctor isn't going to have any clue of what to do or who to call or what the political implications are. On the other hand, a former chief of staff for two former presidents would know exactly what to do.

I don't who this guy is, or if he served Republican or Democratic presidents, but it seems to me that a former chief of staff would be qualified to tackle a task like this. We need someone who can work within the frame of our government and manage all of the government agencies and departments - not a doctor.

When did anyone specify a doctor should fill the post? no one did. Think about it- there have been outbreaks that have happened all over the globe at some time or another, and those have been managed by someone, get one of those guys.

any "czar" position is political, I don't believe any of the czars we've ever had accomplished anything, this is just for public viewing pleasure and a political favor.

[MrTrollkien]

I don't understand why he did not appoint Biden's son, after all he was in the Navy and he did use cocaine. That makes him justifiably as qualified is his new "Ebola Czar". Just the term reminds me of some useless appointed floater soaking up tax payers money, uttering press releases. Just between you, me, and the fencepost I thought we had a Surgeon General, that knew about medical issues and had a staff that had its fingers on the pulse of different medical issues. Where is C. Everett Coop when you need him? We just sent military doctors and support to Africa, they need more help than just that, but there are people in charge of them that have an understanding of infectious diseases. Maybe I am thinking of this in an entirely logical fashion, thinking that someone appointed as the "Ebola Czar" should know an @!$%# from an elbow. I did not even know how to spell

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

So being in charge of something you have no clue about is a good thing?

Head of the CDC is a doctor! Just saying it makes sense.

Great, we need a doctor to be in charge of the CDC being as they handle diseases. But for this position we need someone who manage the doctors, the FDA, the government in China, the state department, the FAA, the US military, as well as the White House and the public at large.

A doctor isn't qualified to do any of that.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

When did anyone specify a doctor should fill the post? no one did.

Pretty much.... It was stated in the first line of this thread:

"Seems Obama thinks someone with no medical experience is perfect for handling a medical problem this big."

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Rochard

Great, we need a doctor to be in charge of the CDC being as they handle diseases. But for this position we need someone who manage the doctors, the FDA, the government in China, the state department, the FAA, the US military, as well as the White House and the public at large.

A doctor isn't qualified to do any of that.

Does this guy have any experience handling doctors? Or anything to do with diseases, Does he have any experience handling anything to do with a disease? NO

Originally Posted by Rochard

Pretty much.... It was stated in the first line of this thread:

"Seems Obama thinks someone with no medical experience is perfect for handling a medical problem this big."

Medical, like running a hospital? DIPSHIT!

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by MrTrollkien

I don't understand why he did not appoint Biden's son, after all he was in the Navy and he did use cocaine. That makes him justifiably as qualified is his new "Ebola Czar". Just the term reminds me of some useless appointed floater soaking up tax payers money, uttering press releases. Just between you, me, and the fencepost I thought we had a Surgeon General, that knew about medical issues and had a staff that had its fingers on the pulse of different medical issues. Where is C. Everett Coop when you need him? We just sent military doctors and support to Africa, they need more help than just that, but there are people in charge of them that have an understanding of infectious diseases. Maybe I am thinking of this in an entirely logical fashion, thinking that someone appointed as the "Ebola Czar" should know an @!$%# from an elbow. I did not even know how to spell

didn't bidens son take a job with one of the ukraines power companies?

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

any "czar" position is political, I don't believe any of the czars we've ever had accomplished anything, this is just for public viewing pleasure and a political favor.

Like I said, it will be someone to blame when it fails! Like everything Obama does!

[bronco67]

This problem needs an overseer...not a lab technician. But I would guess conservatives think they know more about this subject, since they do so well with not fucking up the economy and keeping us out of unnecessary wars. It's just like everything else with them...they think they know everything but their track record sucks donkey balls.

[Robbie]

As I understand it...this is a job of managing. But not managing anything medical. Just managing and coordinating the CDC, Homeland Security, The Military, etc.

I don't see where a person would really NEED any medical skills to do that. This is a straight forward manager job...but it's managing agencies, not resources.
Just to make sure that they are all on the same page.

Of course it's gonna be turned into a political football by the Republican Party. Same thing the Dems would do if it were a Republican president.

It's kinda shameful, but that's the way Washington D.C. operates

[dyna mo]

a czar is supposed to be a decision maker, not an coordinator. it's the czar who calls the shots, he's not on the phone coordinating tents and cots and making introductions and forwarding emails between departments.

Some of y'all may want an administrator on that gig but when it comes to closing borders, issuing vaccines, quarantining fuckers and all that bullshit, I'll take someone who is trained in infectious diseases being the shot caller.

[GAMEFINEST]

Lets see what happens with him, we have seen worse with bush.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

Does this guy have any experience handling doctors? Or anything to do with diseases, Does he have any experience handling anything to do with a disease? NO

Does he have any experience handling doctors or diseases? Most likely not.

But does a doctor have any experience managing thousands of soldiers in a foreign country thousands of miles away? Does a doctor have any experience dealing with the CDC? Does a doctor have any experience dealing with the FDA? The state department? The FAA? The White House? Does a doctor have any experience dealing with the political environment where every decision will be questioned for the next decade?

A doctor is completely unqualified for this position.

[Rochard]

Originally Posted by Robbie

As I understand it...this is a job of managing. But not managing anything medical. Just managing and coordinating the CDC, Homeland Security, The Military, etc.

I don't see where a person would really NEED any medical skills to do that. This is a straight forward manager job...but it's managing agencies, not resources.
Just to make sure that they are all on the same page.

Of course it's gonna be turned into a political football by the Republican Party. Same thing the Dems would do if it were a Republican president.

It's kinda shameful, but that's the way Washington D.C. operates

Even Robbie agrees with me. Imagine that.

[Tom_PM]

lol @ saying we have a president who used to be a community organizer, hahaha.

We've always had presidents who shit their diapers and pissed in their sandboxes. Oh..... how will we cope?????

haha, come on man. While I agree that this is going to be little more than window dressing and a person to stand behind a podium, it's exactly what Obama was expected to do.

[Vendzilla]

I believe that managing all the hospitals requires a skill set a chief of staff doesn't have, but then again, Obama has such a good run of people failing at their post lately.

[theking]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

a czar is supposed to be a decision maker, not an coordinator. it's the czar who calls the shots, he's not on the phone coordinating tents and cots and making introductions and forwarding emails between departments.

Some of y'all may want an administrator on that gig but when it comes to closing borders, issuing vaccines, quarantining fuckers and all that bullshit, I'll take someone who is trained in infectious diseases being the shot caller.

He is not a "czar". That is a media term given to him by the media...primarily by Fox "News".

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by theking

He is not a "czar". That is a media term given to him by the media...primarily by Fox "News".

I understand that, thus my previous comment and making sure to state what a czar is "supposed" to be, which is what we are debating- if there were such a thing as a czar with some sort of authority, would he/she be an admin or decision maker. I think in this case, that person should be a decision maker with an understanding of infectious diseases.

but again, like you state, it's all moot since we know it's all bulloney.

[theking]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I understand that, thus my previous comment and making sure to state what a czar is "supposed" to be, which is what we are debating- if there were such a thing as a czar with some sort of authority, would he/she be an admin or decision maker. I think in this case, that person should be a decision maker with an understanding of infectious diseases.

but again, like you state, it's all moot since we know it's all bulloney.

I think he is just supposed to be a coordinator of the various agencies involved...keeping everyone on the same page so to speak...and will not be making any decisions.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by theking

He is not a "czar". That is a media term given to him by the media...primarily by Fox "News".

btw, i really hope you don't think i'm stupid enough to think there's an official political office of czar.


we're not in russia!

[Brad Mitchell]

Create more government. Yeah. Awesome.

Brad

[theking]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

btw, i really hope you don't think i'm stupid enough to think there's an official political office of czar.


we're not in russia!

I would be disappointed if a Berkley man thought that we have Czars. I may be mistaken but I do not think that modern day Russia has Czars either.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by theking

I would be disappointed if a Berkley man thought that we have Czars. I may be mistaken but I do not think that modern day Russia has Czars either.

Their last Czar died in 1918, Nicholas II

[Trend]

A lawyer, a politician, a former Biden & Gore advisor who worked with Janet Reno at one time....

Currently a "trusted advisor to the Obama White House." Is going to report to Susan Rice & to homeland security & counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco.

You have got to be kidding me.

Please let me wake up from this nightmare.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

a czar is supposed to be a decision maker, not an coordinator. it's the czar who calls the shots, he's not on the phone coordinating tents and cots and making introductions and forwarding emails between departments.

Some of y'all may want an administrator on that gig but when it comes to closing borders, issuing vaccines, quarantining fuckers and all that bullshit, I'll take someone who is trained in infectious diseases being the shot caller.

Issuing vaccines is probably the job of the head of the CDC.
Calling for quarantines is again the CDC.

If that's what the job calls for, then they should get rid of the head of the CDC and get a more competent guy there.

Otherwise what are the head of CDC, NIH, and various homeland and military heads even there for?

I'm thinking that what they are looking for is one guy who they all report to and can sit down and have meetings to discuss and make sure that they are all on the same page.

[theking]

Originally Posted by Robbie

Issuing vaccines is probably the job of the head of the CDC.
Calling for quarantines is again the CDC.

If that's what the job calls for, then they should get rid of the head of the CDC and get a more competent guy there.

Otherwise what are the head of CDC, NIH, and various homeland and military heads even there for?

I'm thinking that what they are looking for is one guy who they all report to and can sit down and have meetings to discuss and make sure that they are all on the same page.

As I posted above...we concur in our thinking.

[crockett]

Oh look another Vendzilla whining about Obama topic. Can't you just make a blog or something so you can sob away?

[420]

I've come up with a solution.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by crockett

Oh look another Vendzilla whining about Obama topic. Can't you just make a blog or something so you can sob away?

The real problem is politicians. They now turn EVERYTHING into politics.

This time it's the Republicans up in arms over this.
I'm pretty sure that Obama wasn't going to please them no matter what he did.
He could have appointed Dr. Ben Carson and the Republicans would have called Carson a "sellout".

I do think that Obama is fucking shit up (as usual). The U.S. should have a travel ban right now on certain countries.
Other countries in Africa have already done that to the Ebola stricken countries.
So have the Europeans.

But for some reason, Obama (as usual) sets his feet in the ground and won't budge. I think it's a big mistake and of course the Republicans are going to pounce all over it.

For such a smart guy, the President sure does seem to make some foolish moves sometimes.

[kane]

Originally Posted by Robbie

As I understand it...this is a job of managing. But not managing anything medical. Just managing and coordinating the CDC, Homeland Security, The Military, etc.

I don't see where a person would really NEED any medical skills to do that. This is a straight forward manager job...but it's managing agencies, not resources.
Just to make sure that they are all on the same page.

Of course it's gonna be turned into a political football by the Republican Party. Same thing the Dems would do if it were a Republican president.

It's kinda shameful, but that's the way Washington D.C. operates

I agree fully. It didn't matter who he appointed the republicans were going to attack him for it. This close to an election everything is politics. If he would have put someone in that position with a bunch of medical experience the republicans would have said that this job calls for a manager, not a doctor.

[Robbie]

Exactly. It's beyond ridiculous.

Hey, it's election time...please NOBODY vote for any incumbents. Throw them all out and let them go home and get real jobs.

I'm tired of these lifetime/career bureaucrats and their bullshit.

[Grapesoda]

Originally Posted by Rochard

What kind of stupidity is this? You need a manager, not a doctor. This is so much more than a problem that a doctor can handle. This could potentially involve the FAA, the FDA, the state department, the US military, and god only knows what.

You have a panel of experts who advise the person in charge, and then the person in charge makes a decision - and then makes it happen. If the advice is to move multiple MASH units to Africa, or if the advice is to shut down all flights to and from Africa, a fucking doctor isn't going to have any clue of what to do or who to call or what the political implications are. On the other hand, a former chief of staff for two former presidents would know exactly what to do.

I don't who this guy is, or if he served Republican or Democratic presidents, but it seems to me that a former chief of staff would be qualified to tackle a task like this. We need someone who can work within the frame of our government and manage all of the government agencies and departments - not a doctor.

but the guy is a DR. Rochard.... the guy is a SPIN DOCTOR

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by theking

I would be disappointed if a Berkley man thought that we have Czars. I may be mistaken but I do not think that modern day Russia has Czars either.

i was attempting tongue-in-cheek humor with the russia comment. I was going to go with an "america, fuck yeah" but tried to get fancy.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Robbie

Issuing vaccines is probably the job of the head of the CDC.
Calling for quarantines is again the CDC.

If that's what the job calls for, then they should get rid of the head of the CDC and get a more competent guy there.

Otherwise what are the head of CDC, NIH, and various homeland and military heads even there for?

I'm thinking that what they are looking for is one guy who they all report to and can sit down and have meetings to discuss and make sure that they are all on the same page.

that's the nutty part about the czar bs, the government is so inept with a complete inability to work together that a special dude has to be appointed to get the government working right and together.

the cdc was on the front lines in dallas and this guy is gonna point them in the right direction? riiiiiiiiiight.

[Robbie]

The CDC is being run by a guy who is looking pretty incompetent at the moment. He doesn't seem to really know what's going on in his own house (kinda like the President sometimes).

But yeah...the different agencies all like to keep everything to themselves and not share knowledge. Human nature I suppose.
I would think it's the job of the new guy appointed to oversee them all to avoid that kind of thing.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Robbie

The CDC is being run by a guy who is looking pretty incompetent at the moment. He doesn't seem to really know what's going on in his own house (kinda like the President sometimes).

But yeah...the different agencies all like to keep everything to themselves and not share knowledge. Human nature I suppose.
I would think it's the job of the new guy appointed to oversee them all to avoid that kind of thing.

I was watching him on Cspan, the guy is not a good public speaker.