“Nutsy” Isn’t Fiction Any More
Usually I choose an absurd but slightly possible theme for my April Fool’s Day newsletter, such as Google Files Chapter 11 or Walmart Buys Google. However, as I was casting about for a topic this year, I heard a completely ridiculous news story, and it made me think that we’re living in an April Fool world these days. The ongoing dumpster fire that is consuming the White House continues to produce new events each week that top last week’s unbelievable errors in judgment and abominable behavior.
So my absurd but slightly believable story this year, sadly, is actually true! Ronnie Jackson is the Navy doctor who gave the president his physical last year, and then proclaimed loudly that he was in incredible health. There was a physician in the audience, none other than Sanjay Gupta, who questioned such a rosy health prognostication for a man who was obese, taking cholesterol-lowering medication and who has evidence of heart disease.
It’s quite evident that the president was pleased, since he nominated Ronny Jackson for a promotion after his physical. Now he’s taken one step further and is nominating him to head the entire VA!
The VA is the second-largest organization in the federal government, smaller than only the Defense Department. So Dr. Jackson will one day be running the White House medical staff, and then the next day a sprawling organization with a budget of $200 billion a year. He has no relevant qualifications at all for the job. None. At. All.
Does this top the earlier selection of a new chief economic adviser and national security adviser because they look good on television news?
The Bottom Line
We live in April Fool’s every day. Today we watch a competent manager be replaced by a fawning sycophant of the ruler. What’s next? What will top this? One shudders to imagine.
