Hi everyone,

Welcome back!  How are you?  I know I said we might not be able to meet up this weekend, but BDH and Little Buddha didn't love that plan, so they made sure we could at least check in today, and then we'll probably see you next on Monday.  We are not digging the snow that's falling right now, but at least most of it isn't sticking, and it might switch to rain by the time we're done here.  With any luck, that will be it for the white stuff until the end of the year. 

The carpenter fixed the hole in the kitchen wall yesterday, and he'll be back to paint it on Monday.  Turns out this part of the project wasn't included in the first bill.  That's unfortunate, but it will be good to wrap up this little adventure as soon as possible.  Anyway, let's check out the headlines.  The guys made coffee, so grab yourself a nice medium DD, because it's time to clear out some Saturday Clutter.

Donald Trump is making it clear that the federal government is bailing on helping with the coronavirus.  His "plan" is to leave everything up to governors and then try to blame them for whatever goes wrong.  Your state opened too fast and people died?  Blame the governors.  Opened too late and further damaged your economy?  Blame the governors.  Couldn't implement anything resembling comprehensive testing (which is the key to addressing this crisis)?  Blame the governors.  If that's Trump's approach, there's no reason for the networks to cover his coronavirus "policy briefings" now, because it's more clear than ever they're just the campaign rallies he so desperately craves right now. 

After passing the buck, Donald Trump jumped on Twitter to call for right-wing protests against stay-at-home orders in states that have Democratic governors.  Trump tweeted calls to "LIBERATE" Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia, and invoked a defense of the 2nd Amendment when it came to Virginia.  In other words, the White House occupant called for violence against Americans to distract from his total failure to handle this crisis.  1) That should get him removed from Twitter.  2) That should get him removed from the White House, effective immediately, but the entire GOP is complicit, as they continue to cover for him at every opportunity.  He's a threat to national security and Republicans just shrug.  There's no bottom to how low all of them will sink to maintain power.

Unhinged.  (pic via news4jax.com)

We've heard several people talking about this over the last few days, so to be clear - the coronavirus stimulus check will not impact your 2020 taxes.

Florida, what are you doing?  Governor Ron DeSantis, who may be one of the dumbest executives in the country, is allowing a number of beaches to reopen, with social distancing guidelines being encouraged.  DeSantis was reckless by not doing anything to stop people on spring break from possibly getting sick and then spreading the coronavirus across the country.  He had to be pressured into doing anything to protect his constituents, and now he's begging to make the situation worse, despite the fact that there have been more than 24,000 diagnosed cases and 700 deaths in the state. 

The S&P 500 jumped more than 2.5% yesterday on news about an experimental coronavirus drug.  The index is now down about 11% for the year, which doesn't feel as cataclysmic as its earlier fall of 30%.  However, the Clutter investment team doesn't have faith that this particular spike will last long.  It will be a while before scientists can feel confident about this particular drug or any other treatment.

The economy is getting whacked, but Procter & Gamble had a great first quarter, thanks to people hoarding the company's products, like paper towels, toilet paper, and the like.  P&G reported sales were up 10%, so we assume they don't need any bailout money.

This year's San Diego Comic-Con has been cancelled because of the coronavirus.  That's not a great sign, since the event takes place in late July.  However, it's the right call.   This is the first cancellation in the event's 50-year history, and it's another hit to San Diego's economy.  We imagine this means Boston's big summer comic convention in August will also eventually get scrapped.  That will also be disappointing, although it would be hard for the Boston organizers to top what a great time we had meeting Peter Capaldi last year.  Here's to hopefully new adventures next summer.

It doesn't sound like the NBA is any closer to finding a way to return this season, and we may be looking at a delayed start to the 2020-2021 season.

MLB is still apparently focused on their Arizona plan, where all of the teams would be quarantined and limited to traveling from their hotels to the parks, and then back again.  That just sounds like something to be endured, rather than enjoyed, by players and fans alike. 

If you've never seen Phantom of the Opera, here's your chance to do it for free (in a legal fashion), but the offer expires at the end of the weekend, so don't delay!  Well, wait until we're done here first, and then check it out.  It's a fun spectacle. 

Hey Doctor Who fans - Sarah Jane Smith is coming back, via Big Finish's audio adventures.  She'll be portrayed by actress Sadie Miller, who is the daughter of the late Elisabeth Sladen, who made Sarah Jane one of the Doctor's greatest companions.  We know Big Finish has recast a number of the characters (including a few Doctors) over the years.  How do you feel about that?  Do the replacements honor their predecessors, or does the change dilute the legacies?

Taylor Swift is scrapping her entire 2020 tour because of coronavirus-related concerns.  The dates are expected to be rescheduled for 2021.  When do you think you'll feel comfortable again about the idea of watching a live concert while sitting in a crowded arena or stadium?

Okay kids, that's going to do it for now.  Let's have some fun with all of this confinement for a change.  Here are the Bangles to close things out with, "In Your Room," for today's, "Song of the Day."

BDH and Little Buddha say they'll be flattered if you decide to name any future kids after them.  Hey, why not?  There are no rules anymore.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone.  It was great to see you, as always.  It looks like the snow might already be transitioning to rain, so that should be good for the garden.  Be good, stay safe, and we'll catch up with you again soon.  Until next time, that's today's Clearing out the Clutter, and we are outta here.