thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--GOP Lawmakers Urge Attorney General to Defend St. Louis Couple’s Gun Rights After Firearm Confiscati

GOP Lawmakers Urge Attorney General to Defend St. Louis Couple’s Gun Rights After Firearm Confiscation

GOP lawmakers wrote a letter to Attorney General William Barr Friday , urging the protection of the firearm rights of the St. Louis couple that saw their guns confiscated after they went viral for defending their home against demonstrators , according to reports .
Mark and Patricia McCloskey were seen in a video brandishing a M16A2-style rifle and small handgun outside of their home as demonstrators broke through a private gate and encroached on their property line in June .
Police executed a search warrant Friday and confiscated the couple ’ s rifle , and later their pistol , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pair , according to KSDK News .
The dozen Republican congressmen who signed the letter to Barr said the decision to commandeer the family ’ s guns could leave a “ chilling effect ” on all Americans , according to Fox News .
“ At this crucial time in history , our nation needs the Department of Justice to exert strong leadership to ensure that none of our constitutional protections are eroded by mob rule , ” the lawmakers wrote in the letter , according to Fox News .
“ Charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the entire nation , sending the message that American citizens no longer have the right to protect themselves at their own homes.
” The signers of the letter were Reps. Louis Gohmert and Brian Babin of Texas , Paul Gozar of Arizona , Andy Harris of Maryland , Mo Brooks of Alabama , Greg Steube of Florida , Alex Mooney of West Virginia , Ted Budd of North Carolina , Steve Watkins of Kansas , Steve King of Iowa , Scott Perry of Pennsylvania , and Jody Hice of Georgia , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple ’ s St. Louis mansion Friday with a search warrant and confiscated Mark McCloskey ’ s AR-15 , he told Todd Starnes , a conservative radio host .
“ We complied with the search warrant .
They took my AR ” Mark McCloskey told Starnes .
“ I ’ m absolutely surprised by this.
” Shannon Bream , a Fox News host , showed pictures of the warrant and photos of the officers holding the rifle on her show Saturday .
The pistol held by Patricia McCloskey was not initially confiscated during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hands of their former attorney , Al Watkins , according to Fox 2 .
Watkins gave the handgun to police on Saturday .
Watkins said the gun was “ inoperable ” well before Patricia McCloskey pointed it at demonstrators .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Nashville Authorities Arrest Another Convicted Felon and Charge Him with Gun Possession

Law enforcement officers in Nashville have arrested yet another felon and charged him with having a firearm .
Per the law , convicted felons may not have guns .
“ The stop of a Nissan Maxima late Thursday night for having an expired temporary license plate has led to the arrest of convicted felon Daizjohn Sawyers , 21 ( pictured above ) , and a 15-year-old for gun and felony marijuana possession , ” according to a press release Metro Nashville officials published on the city ’ s website .
“ Juvenile Crime Task Force officers stopped the car near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E. Davis Boulevard .
As officers approached , they saw the muzzle of the pistol from beneath a blanket between the two rear seat passengers , Sawyers and the teen .
The Maxima also smelled strongly of marijuana.
” None of the four persons in the vehicle claimed the gun .
Authorities recovered marijuana from Sawyers ’ person and the center console .
The teen claimed that the marijuana in the console was his .
The driver and front seat passenger are not prohibited from possessing a firearm .
They were released , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with felon in possession of a gun and felony marijuana possession .
The 15-year-old is charged with juvenile handgun possession and felony marijuana possession , ” according to the press release .
“ Sawyers , who has prior felony convictions for vehicle theft , auto burglary and evading arrest , is jailed in lieu of $ 32,000 bond.
” As The Tennessee Star reported this month , this is one of many times this year that law enforcement officers in Nashville have arrested a convicted felon for allegedly having a firearm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with possessing a firearm even though he ’ s a convicted felon .
This is a federal charge .
He was on parole at the time of this incident .
If convicted , Anderson faces up to 10 years in prison .
As The Tennessee Star reported in May , Jamontez Deshun Howse , whom Nashville Police described as “ a dangerous felon with a gun ” allegedly tried to carjack a woman in Nashville .
Police later arrested the suspect .
Authorities later jailed him on charges of attempted carjacking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft of a .45 caliber loaded semi-automatic pistol that he allegedly dropped moments before his arrest .
Also as reported in May , Denevie K. Bell , an ex-convict in Tennessee , allegedly robbed and shot a 55-year-old man before law enforcement officials arrested him .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]

by Virginia Allen
Republican governors are sending National Guard troops to the southern border.
Governors of Arkansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia announced this week they will send troops and resources to Texas to support the work of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Operation Lone Star to secure the southern border.
“President [Joe] Biden’s failure at our southern border puts the entire country at risk,” Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday. “States must now step up where the president has failed to repel illegals, fight the cartels, and stop human and drug trafficking.”
Sanders is sending 80 National Guard troops to the border in July. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will send troop but has not clarified how many, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum also announced Thursday that he will send 100 National Guardsmen to Texas to help secure the southern border. Gov. Mike DeWine says he will send 14 State Highway troopers and supervisors to Texas for two weeks. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will deploy about 50 National Guard troops to the border this summer.
Arkansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Dakota join nine other GOP governors who have already pledged to send troops and resources to Texas to help secure the state’s border with Mexico.
“The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Wednesday.
“Given the intensive resource demands on Texas, the dangers posed by the fentanyl crisis, and impact of the border crisis on criminal activity to the Commonwealth, Virginia will do its part to assist the State of Texas’ efforts with the coordinated deployment of Virginia National Guard soldiers to assist in key aspects of their mission,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin is sending 100 troops and 21 supporting personnel to Texas from the commonwealth.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is sending up to 50 National Guard troops and airmen to the border for up to 30 days. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says he will also send troops to the border but has yet to announce how may.
“The safety and security of South Carolinians require that we stop the drug cartels, criminals, and terrorists from entering our country to peddle their poison,” McMaster said in a statement Wednesday.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday that she will send 100 National Guard troops and 30 Department of Public Safety personnel to the border.
The Republican governors’ decision to send troops to the southern border comes in response to Abbott’s request for states to join Texas and help secure the border through the work of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border security plan.
Nine GOP governors met with Abbott in Austin, Texas, on May 22 to discuss the border crisis. The meeting was held about a week after Abbott sent a letter to fellow governors asking them to help Texas secure the border.
The Texas governor applauded Idaho and Florida for already having sent border security resources and personnel to the Lone Star State to help secure the border and invited more governors to join in the “mission to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity and send all available law enforcement personnel and resources to the Texas-Mexico border to serve alongside our thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers.”
Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced he will send 100 National Guard troops to the border and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen committed to send 10 state troopers to Texas to “help stop the influx of illegal immigration at our southern border.”
Florida, Idaho, and Mississippi were among the first states to answer Abbott’s call for help.
On May 17, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced he was mobilizing a National Guard unit to the border.
“To keep Mississippians safe and limit the impact of our nation’s open borders, the Mississippi National Guard’s 112th Military Police Battalion has been mobilized and is supporting Customs and Border Protection officers and agents along the Southwest border.”
The day before Reeves’ announcement, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida had “over 1,100 assets and resources available” to aid Operation Lone Star, including 800 National Guard soldiers and 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers.
“At my direction, state agencies, including law enforcement and the Florida National Guard, are being deployed to Texas, with assets including personnel, boats, and planes,” DeSantis said. “While Biden ignores the crisis he created, Florida stands ready to help Texas respond to this crisis.”
Since the start of the Biden administration, Customs and Border Protection reports encountering more than 5.5 million illegal aliens at the southern border. Since fiscal year 2023 began on Oct. 1, CBP has encountered more than 1.4 million illegal aliens, about triple the number encountered at the southern border during fiscal year 2020.
CBP has seized a record 17,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border so far in fiscal year 2023, which ends Sept. 30, more than triple the total amount seized in all of fiscal year 2020.
– – –
Virginia Allen is a senior news producer and podcast host for The Daily Signal. She is the co-host of “The Daily Signal Podcast” and “Problematic Women.”
Photo “National Guard” by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Judge Theodore Chuang Rules Women Can Get Abortion Pill Without Doctor Visit

SILVER SPRING , Maryland ( AP ) — A federal judge agreed Monday to suspend a rule that requires women during the COVID-19 pandemic to visit a hospital , clinic or medical office to obtain an abortion pill .
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang , an Obama appointee based in Maryland , concluded that the “ in-person requirements ” for patients seeking medication abortion care impose a “ substantial obstacle ” to abortion patients and are likely unconstitutional under the circumstances of the pandemic .
“ Particularly in light of the limited timeframe during which a medication abortion or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to an abortion would constitute irreparable harm , ” the judge wrote in his 80-page decision .
Judge Chuang made headlines in 2017 for being one of a trio of judges who struck down President Trump ’ s Executive Orders Executive Order 13769 and Executive Order 13780 – the so-called “ Muslim Travel Ban.
” For now , Chuang ’ s ruling will allow healthcare providers to arrange for mifepristone to be mailed or delivered to patients during the public health emergency declared by the secretary of the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone to be used in combination with a second drug , misoprostol , to end an early pregnancy or manage a miscarriage .
“ By causing certain patients to decide between forgoing or substantially delaying abortion care , or risking exposure to COVID-19 for themselves , their children , and family members , the In-Person Requirements present a serious burden to many abortion patients , ” Chuang wrote .
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other groups sued HHS and the FDA in May to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal officer for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , said the FDA ’ s restrictions on mifepristone are not medically necessary and “ do not advance the health and safety of patients.
” “ Today ’ s ruling recognizes the hardship and undue burden that many women have faced obtaining essential health care during the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Perryman said .
Plaintiffs ’ attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union argued that the FDA ’ s in-person requirements infringe on a woman ’ s constitutional rights to an abortion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifth Amendment .
Government lawyers have argued that the requirements are necessary to ensure that patients safely use mifepristone .
The FDA rule requires patients to pick up the single tablet of mifepristone at a hospital , clinic or medical office and sign a form that includes information about the medication ’ s potential risks .
The judge said suspending the requirements aligns with public health guidance to eliminate unnecessary travel and in-person contact .
Chuang granted the ACLU ’ s request for a preliminary injunction on due process grounds .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many other drugs “ for the specific purpose of protecting public health.
” The group ’ s lawsuit says mifepristone is the only one of more than 20,000 FDA-regulated drugs that patients must receive in person at a hospital , clinic , or medical office “ yet may self-administer , unsupervised , at a location of their choosing.
” The judge didn ’ t set any geographic limitations on the injunction .
Referring to the nature of the pandemic , he said that “ crafting relief that attempts to account for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across 50 different states over an extended period of time is simply infeasible.
” The states of Indiana , Louisiana , Alabama , Arkansas , Idaho , Kentucky , Mississippi , Missouri , Nebraska and Oklahoma had asked to intervene in the lawsuit .
The 10 states argued that the case could impact how they enforce their own state laws that relate to or reference the FDA ’ s regulation of mifepristone .
Chuang rejected their request last month .
The judge said the federal case would not eliminate any state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ above and beyond ” the FDA ’ s requirements .
More than 4 million people in the U.S. have used mifepristone and misoprostol to end an early pregnancy ; the two-drug combination accounted for 39 % of all U.S. abortions in 2017 , the lawsuit says .
The lawsuit says the FDA rule has “ particularly severe implications for low-income people and people of color , who comprise a disproportionate share of impacted patients and who are already suffering and dying from COVID-19 at substantially higher rates.
” In March , dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HHS Secretary Alex Azar in which they called for halting abortion procedures during the pandemic .
“ Their continued operation depletes sorely needed personal protective equipment and leads to complications that will further overwhelm already overextended emergency rooms , ” the letter said .
Azar and FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn also were named as defendants in the suit .
Michael Kunzelman is a reporter at The Associated Press .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Mass Celebrated after Fire Damages Centuries-Old Church

SAN GABRIEL , California ( AP ) — Mass was celebrated Sunday on the grounds of a historic Catholic church in Southern California that had been heavily damaged by fire a day earlier .
The blaze early Saturday destroyed the rooftop and most of the interior of San Gabriel Mission , which was undergoing renovation to mark its upcoming 250th anniversary celebration .
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez presided over Sunday ’ s service at a chapel near the burned sanctuary .
Liccia Beck said she was saddened by news of the fire at her home parish .
She was among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pray the rosary before the Mass .
“ I ’ m hoping that more people will show up throughout the day , ” Beck said .
“ We need to pray for our churches and our people that they ’ re safe.
” Parishioners wore masks and kept a distance from each other because of the coronavirus epidemic .
Nobody was hurt in the fire .
Gomez said in a statement that historic paintings and other artifacts had been removed as part of the renovations .
Firefighters entered the church around 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flames , but they had to retreat when roofing and other structural materials began to fall , San Gabriel Fire Capt .
Paul Negrete said .
The cause of the fire was under investigation , Negrete said .
He said the recent toppling of monuments to Junipero Serra , the founder of the California mission system who has long been a symbol of oppression among Indigenous activists , will be a factor in the investigation .
Marcio Sanchez and Christopher Weber are reporters at The Associated Press .
Weber reported from Los @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Chatham Announces Plan to Buy Newspaper Publisher McClatchy

NEW YORK , New York ( AP ) — Hedge fund Chatham Asset Management plans to buy newspaper publisher McClatchy out of bankruptcy , ending 163 years of family control .
The companies did not put a price on the deal in an announcement Sunday .
The agreement still needs the approval of a bankruptcy judge ; a hearing is scheduled for July 24 .
McClatchy is one of the largest newspaper companies in the U.S .
It owns 30 papers including the Miami Herald , the Charlotte Observer and the Sacramento Bee .
It filed for bankruptcy protection because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its $ 4.5 billion purchase of the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain in 2006 , just as the newspaper industry went into steep decline .
Chatham was McClatchy ’ s largest shareholder and debt holder .
It beat out a bid from Alden Global Capital , another hedge fund that has taken a leading role in the U.S. newspaper business .
Chatham ’ s other media holdings include the Canadian newspaper chain Postmedia and National Enquirer publisher American Media Inc .
But industry expert Ken Doctor has noted that it doesn ’ t make financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to cut costs , as newspaper dealmakers like to do .
And the emergence of Alden Global Capital as a bidder has given rise to speculation that Chatham will try to combine McClatchy with Alden ’ s holdings or with another big newspaper company , like Gannett .
While national newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times are adding digital subscribers that help them navigate advertising declines , many local outlets have had a difficult time .
That has contributed to a string of bankruptcies and consolidation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deepening concerns about declining quality as newsrooms shrink and papers close .
The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated ad-revenue declines and prompted furloughs , pay cuts , layoffs and more newspaper closings .
Several mayors of cities where McClatchy has a paper wrote to the bankruptcy court , asking the judge to consider the civic value of the paper .
“ We want our newspaper to emerge from this bankruptcy with owners who are willing to invest in our community , and provide us with journalism at its best , ” Lexington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lexington Herald-Leader .
McClatchy ’ s origins date to 1857 , when it began publishing a four-page paper in Sacramento , California , following the California Gold Rush .
The company remains headquartered in Sacramento .
About the Headline Photo : Copies of the McClatchy Co. owned Miami Herald newspaper are shown Oct. 14 , 2009 , in Miami .
Hedge fund Chatham Asset Management plans to buy newspaper publisher McClatchy out of bankruptcy , ending 163 years of family control .
The companies did not put a price on the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
The agreement still needs the approval of a bankruptcy judge ; a hearing is scheduled for July 24 .
( AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Soros’ Open Society Foundations Pledges $220 Million to Fund Efforts Promoting Racial Equality in th

Soros’ Open Society Foundations Pledges $220 Million to Fund Efforts Promoting Racial Equality in the United States

The Open Society Foundations , the philanthropic group founded by George Soros , announced Monday that it would pledge $ 220 million towards initiatives focusing on racial equality in the United States .
The investment will transform the efforts of political and civil rights groups across the country , and comes as protests continue nationwide over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police , The New York Times reported .
Of the $ 220 million , $ 150 million is allocated for groups “ that helped to create and now sustain the momentum towards racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release from the Open Society Foundations .
These groups include the Black Voters Matter Fund , Repairers of the Breach and political organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative .
The money will be given out in five-year grants .
The remaining $ 70 million will be given as local grants to groups supporting changes to policing and criminal justice , according to The New York Times .
The money will also be used to promote civic engagement across communities and political engagement from younger voters .
“ It is inspiring and powerful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice movement , ” said Patrick Gaspard , the president of the Open Society Foundations .
“ We are honored to be able to carry on the vital work of fighting for rights , dignity and equity for oppressed people , ” Gaspard added .
“ This is the time for urgent and bold action to address racial injustice in America , ” added Alex Soros , deputy chair of the Open Society Foundations and son of George Soros .
“ These investments will empower proven leaders in the Black community to reimagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminate the barriers to opportunity that have been the source of inequity for too long.
” The senior Soros has donated billions to liberal and progressive causes throughout his later career , often supporting the efforts of “ marginalized people ” across the world , The New York Times said .
Soros survived the Nazi ’ s occupation of Hungary before emigrating to the United Kingdom in 1947 , according to the Foundation ’ s website .
Andrew Trunsky is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation .
Image “ Black Voters Matter @ @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Crom Carmichael Describes What True Innovation Is and Why It’s Important

Live from Music Row Monday morning on The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy – broadcast on Nashville ’ s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – host Leahy welcomed the original all-star panelist Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the end of the third hour , Carmichael discusses the importance of innovation in America by giving several examples of American innovators .
He discerned between what makes the winners and losers and reasons why it is important .
Leahy : We are talking about Joe Biden ’ s desire to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Carmichael : This is how dangerous that is and what an absolutely just terrible and stupid bimbo-ish idea .
And truly it is because what Joe Biden is admitting is that he doesn ’ t have a clue about the process of innovation .
Now , one of the great investors in my lifetime is Warren Buffet .
Warren Buffet started investing in the 50s and he had a stellar track record .
I mean an incredible track record for the next 50 years .
But since 2008 Berkshire Hathaway stock has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he never splits it .
Gone from 150,00 price per share to 300,000 .
So it doubled in 12 years .
Carmichael : It ’ s not bad but that ’ s a six percent return .
Leahy : OK .
So it ’ s not spectacular .
Carmichael : It may be average .
Carmichael : It may be average .
I don ’ t know if it is or not but I ’ d have to go calculate .
But Warren Buffet has completely missed out on the tech boom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ period of time has gone up .
Carmichael : Yes .
So what I ’ m saying its gone up 13 times .
Google .
Facebook .
There are many LinkedIn .
There are many stocks that have gone up way more than Berkshire Hathaway .
But if Joe Biden would pick somebody like Warren Buffet to be his chief investment officer so to speak .
What Warren Buffet has been able to do over his years is he ’ s been able during times of economic downturns he ’ s been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enter and buy a stock .
And he ’ s done very well with that .
So I ’ m not being critical of his stock-picking abilities .
But what Warren Buffet has not done is he ’ s not identified innovations .
What happens is when somebody has an idea that nobody else has had , which by the way that ’ s the definition of innovation .
I ’ m talking about true innovation .
When the people who invented Xerox went to 3M .
And 3M said carbon paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need copiers .
There ’ s no need for copiers .
Bill Gates took Microsoft to IBM and tried to sell it to them for three million dollars .
And IBM said personal computers , that will never happen .
That ’ s what IBM said .
So this is what happens when you have a centrally planned economy , the people who supposedly are the experts are the ones who then make the decision and they are by definition they are no longer innovators .
Leahy : The interesting thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovation , it ’ s not a group of government officials who know nothing about products or services that really drive innovation .
It ’ s some average person in the middle nowhere with an idea and skills with the drive to create a product or service .
Carmichael : And I wouldn ’ t necessarily say they are average .
I would say they are unknown .
Leahy : Unknown .
That ’ s a better description Crom , I agree with that .
Carmichael : Because they are coming up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true innovation is not even heard of .
In fact , if you were to take the 10 greatest scientists in the world and put them in a room and say you can ’ t come out until you all agree on a truly innovative idea .
They would starve .
Leahy : They ’ d never come out .
Carmichael : They ’ d never be able to come out .
Because in order to come to a consensus you have to agree on what you already agree on and then by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And so an innovator is somebody who comes up with an idea that nobody ’ s ever had , a true innovation .
Leahy : Steve Jobs was one of those guys .
He would think of an idea and realize I am going to think of something that people need that they don ’ t yet even know what it is but when they know what it is they will need it .
Carmichael : Right .
And that was the personal computer .
Carmichael : He wasn ’ t actually even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal computer .
Somebody else did .
So somebody else was actually the true innovator .
When I was going off to either high school or college , my mother bought me for either Christmas or my birthday a Bomar handheld calculator .
Carmichael : And it was a small device where when I say small , it was probably about an inch and a half thick .
It could add , multiply , subtract , and divide .
It could do those four things and it cost $ 125 .
way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the great tech companies and then Texas Instruments ended up figuring out how to make a device that accomplished the same thing and it got so cheap you could literally put it in a cereal box as a freebie .
Now you hand them out as gifts .
So Bomar ended up being innovative and then going broke because it wasn ’ t able to maintain its innovation .
Leahy : That ’ s how markets work .
It ’ s the chaos of new ideas .
Winners go up and losers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were one of the first personal computing companies .
It sold out , I don ’ t remember who it sold to but it sold out .
The founder of Gateway , he was an innovator but he wasn ’ t a pure innovator because what he did was he saw something that was a growth market and he started making personal computers .
Then he had that great marketing idea of packing them in boxes that looked like cowhide .
The computers were good .
The personal computer was initially like cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John J. Hooker was the first person in Nashville I knew to have a cell phone .
He would show up on the practice with a cell phone that looked like a brick .
( Leahy laughs ) He would put it down on the grown .
He was the only person in Nashville who had one so there wasn ’ t anybody who could call him .
But he still brought it and put it down to show that he had it .
( Laughs ) Listen to the full third hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – 8:00 a.m. to the Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham Says He’ll Grant Request For Mueller Testimony

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he will approve Democrats ’ request to invite Robert Mueller to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee after the former special counsel published an op-ed in The Washington Post criticizing President Donald Trump ’ s decision to commute the prison sentence for Roger Stone .
“ Apparently Mr. Mueller is willing – and also capable – of defending the Mueller investigation through an oped in the Washington Post , ” Graham wrote on Twitter .
“ Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have previously requested Mr. Mueller appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be granted , ” he added .
Mueller had not been heard from publicly since he testified on June 24 , 2019 , about his investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government in 2016 .
In an op-ed published Saturday , Mueller defended the investigation against Trump ’ s allegations that it was a politically-motivated witch hunt .
On Friday , Trump commuted the 40-month prison sentence for Stone , who was convicted on charges that he made false statements to Congress regarding its investigation into possible Trump-Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last requested to hear from Mueller .
Republicans blasted the former FBI director after his testimony last year , saying he appeared unfamiliar with various aspects of his own investigation .
Even some of Mueller ’ s defenders said that he appeared more confused during his testimony than he had in earlier public appearances .
The White House responded Sunday to Mueller ’ s op-ed , blasting him for “ pontificating in the editorial pages with more spin.
” “ Robert Mueller and his corrupt investigation failed to hold anyone in the Obama-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference or for spying on the Trump Campaign based on a Democrat-funded dossier full of lies , and instead wasted taxpayer dollars trying to undo an election , ” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere , according to ABC News .
Deere was referring to a dossier from former British spy Christopher Steele that the FBI relied on to obtain warrants to surveil former Trump aide Carter Page .
Mueller ’ s probe largely debunked Steele ’ s core allegation of a conspiracy between Trump aides and Kremlin operatives to influence @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Analysis: President Trump Was Correct About the Rapid Economic Rebound Post-Shutdown as Another 630,

Analysis: President Trump Was Correct About the Rapid Economic Rebound Post-Shutdown as Another 630,000 Americans Come Off Unemployment Benefits

Another 630,000 Americans came off continuing unemployment claims the week ending June 27 , according to the latest unadjusted data from the U.S. Department of Labor , proving President Donald Trump is right about the economy rapidly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic state-based shutdowns .
Since the week ending May 9 , unadjusted continuing unemployment claims have dropped from 22.8 million to 16.8 million the week ending June 27 , a massive turnaround of 6 million Americans who temporarily found themselves on unemployment benefits but then rapidly came off of it on a net basis .
Really , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater than that because the overall drop of 630,000 came the same week initial claims came in at about 1.4 million , indicating more than 2 million people found jobs that week , with the 1.4 million as an offset .
That type of churn has been going on for weeks .
Meaning , there is still a lot of volatility in labor markets , with many Americans temporarily finding themselves out of work only to return to the workforce a few weeks later .
The good news is that the worst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more Americans are returning to work every week than are leaving it .
When coupled with the monthly jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , where anywhere from 7.8 million to 8.8 million Americans have found jobs the past two months , the picture becomes clearer .
While certain industries , especially hospitality and retail , will continue to be affected during this pandemic — especially in states experiencing some resurgence now — after a brief pause in the U.S. economy and people locked up in their homes for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much momentum of Americans returning to labor markets that almost nothing can slow it down , not even the temporary slight uptick in COVID-19 cases being seen right now .
Note , I wrote “ almost nothing.
” Barring a massive resurgence of COVID-19 like we were seeing in late March with almost 250,000 new cases a day — today the number ’ s more like 80,000 according to IHME — another thing that could slow labor markets down is the current mismatch in the unemployment benefits that pay out more than some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first place depending on where they live .
It is a perverse incentive that Congress should address in the upcoming phase four legislation , and then even more jobs can be created on a weekly and monthly basis going forward .
So , what should we expect going forward ?
After new cases of the virus stabilize later this month and throughout August according IHME projections , even more Americans will return to the labor force in rapid succession .
While the second quarter that just ended will undoubtedly be horrific in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the worst ever , the third quarter may very likely be the best quarter for economic growth in U.S. history , built entirely by those Americans returning to work in droves .
Then , when a vaccine comes either later this year or early next year , we could very likely see an economic boom like never before .
All along , one of the only people who had this much unyielding faith in the American people and the U.S. economy was President Donald Trump , who was predicting such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President predicted , “ I don ’ t think it ’ s going to end up being such a rough patch .
I think it ’ s going to , when we open — especially , if we can open it — the sooner , the better — it ’ s going to open up like a rocket ship .
I think it ’ s going to go very good and very quickly.
” As it turns out , Trump was right , and now top Democrats are “ dreading ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in November , fearing that it will help Trump politically .
A Politico story quoted a former Obama official saying “ This is my big worry… It ’ s high — high , high , high , high ” that the economy will begin a rapid recovery .
The Obama official was responding to an early April presentation by Jason Furman , a former Obama administration economist proclaiming that “ We are about to see the best economic data we ’ ve seen in the history of this country.
” Now it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for real .
As cases stabilize this summer and hundreds of thousands of Americans return to the labor force every week , Trump will certainly benefit as voters this fall will have to contend with an economy that is objectively on a massive rebound .
To the victor go the spoils .
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--President Thanks Ohio Man Who Turned Entire Front Lawn Into ‘Trump 2020’ Sign

J.R. Majewski , an Air Force veteran , said his 19,000-square-foot lawn is now home to one of the world ’ s largest Trump flags .
Majewski told Fox News Sunday that he hopes to keep the pro-Trump display intact through the November election .
“ I think he ’ s going through a lot of troubles and turmoils right now , and a lot of people like myself are out here supporting him .
We ’ ve been silent but I think it ’ s about time we voice our support , ” Majewski said of his decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said the display required close to 100 hours in preparations and took another 50 hours to paint .
“ The painting was pretty easy .
It was the preparations that took the time and the effort to make sure it got done right , ” he added .
Majewski said he hasn ’ t received any criticism for the display from his neighbors , many of whom were lined up behind him during his Fox News interview .
“ I support the president because of his support for the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the veterans , ” Majewski said .
“ I think that President Trump is one of the best presidents we ’ ve ever had , one of the best presidents in my lifetime .
So I ’ m willing to support him as much as he needs it , ” he continued .
The president thanked Majewski for his support on Twitter Sunday morning .
“ Thank you to J.R. Majewski , a great Air Force veteran and Trump supporter who did a beautiful job of turning his lawn into a giant Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Thanks also to your fantastic Ohio neighbors .
We are making record progress on jobs , etc .
Big silent majority.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Trump 2020 ” and “ JR Majewski ” by JR Majewski .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Commentary: In-Person Schooling Would Be One of the Safest Activities to Reopen

Most students around the country haven ’ t been to school since March , when large parts of the country began to lock down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Now , the data increasingly suggests that reopening schools entails the least risks and should be a goal of every level of government .
The early hope was that the closures would be temporary , such as Michigan ’ s school-closure order that was originally meant to end in April – but that was extended for the rest of the school year .
Now , with the 2020-2021 school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do about schools ?
School closures have been a particular burden on families during the pandemic , but new information increasingly shows that school-age children are at the lowest risk of mortality , of severe disease , and possibly of even contracting the virus .
Reopening the schools may be one of the safest activities the nation can restart with tremendous benefit for Americans , and governments should make it their goal to do so .
There are several studies that suggest children are less likely to be infected by the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forget the Bubbles , compiled some of those and found that children were consistently less likely than adults to contract the virus .
For instance , a study from Japan found that the COVID-19 attack rate among those younger than 20 – that is to say , the rate at which those exposed become infected—was 5.5 % .
Compare that to the attack rate among adults ages 50 to 59 , which was 22.1 % .
The relative risk of children contracting the disease after an exposure was about one-fourth that of adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Australia looked at the behavior of COVID-19 directly in the school environment .
The study included 15 schools , both primary schools and high schools , and found that 863 exposures to confirmed cases , including nine students and nine staffers , resulted in two possible transmissions of the virus .
Notably , those two possible additional cases were found by antibody tests , and the two students never exhibited symptoms .
The risk to school-aged children is low enough that several health and medical organizations around the world have endorsed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the American Academy of Pediatrics , the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health of the U.K. , and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands .
But what of teachers and other staff ?
Most of the mortality due to COVID-19 has been in the 65 and over age group .
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report , mortality among persons under 19 years of age was statistically zero .
Furthermore , more than half of intensive care unit admissions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those between 45 and 64 , who made up 36 % of ICU admissions .
Those under 45 years old represented only 12 % of ICU admissions .
The average age of schoolteachers in America is about 42 years old , with 81 % of them below 55 years of age .
That means that most of America ’ s teachers are outside of the high-risk group for both mortality and for ICU admission .
Those figures should be at least somewhat reassuring to teachers , but regardless , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of disease .
After all , teachers still interact with other adults , and students are resistant – but not impervious – to the virus .
Most medical organizations endorsing school reopenings also recommend masking and social distancing where possible .
Schools should also designate foot-traffic flow to minimize congestion and reduce contacts .
Outdoor activities or outdoor use should be maximized , as COVID-19 seems to be less transmissible in open air .
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more in-depth guidelines .
As state and local governments try to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s important not to let the “ perfect ” be the enemy of the “ good.
” If a school has difficulty meeting all of the guidelines , it should not be forced to reopen , but also should not be prevented from resuming classes .
Children are notoriously uncompliant with following procedural rules , and ultimately , it may be futile asking adolescents , much less kindergarteners , to walk in certain directions or to keep masks on their faces for hours a day .
Children are at low risk themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if they have trouble following all the mitigation rules .
At the same time , keeping children at home might expose them to considerable risks to their educational progress , their mental health , their nutrition , and alarmingly , even their safety and welfare .
One of the most important goals of reopening the country is resuming some degree of regular school life for the nation ’ s children .
Considering the low risks of COVID-19 for schoolchildren , in-person schooling this fall may be one of the safest activities we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolating children at home , it may be negligent of us not to .
Kevin Pham , a medical doctor , is a contributor to The Daily Signal and a former graduate fellow in health policy at The Heritage Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Mask Mandate Goes Into Effect Monday, Residents Notified Through Emergency Alert

As of Monday , Michigan residents are required to wear a face covering while they are in an indoor public space or while in a crowded outdoor space , per an executive order signed by Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer on Friday .
“ The heroes on the front lines of this crisis have gone hours without taking their masks off every day – doctors , nurses , child care workers , grocery store workers .
We owe it to them to wear our masks when we ’ re on a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy , ” Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Masks can reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 by about 70 percent .
The state notified residents of the mandate through an emergency alert on their phones on Monday afternoon .
The mandate is a response to a rising number of coronavirus cases in recent days , which have increased to 20 cases per million in Grand Rapids , Detroit and Lansing areas , according to Whitmer ’ s office .
“ Michigan ’ s fight against COVID-19 is nowhere near over , which is why it ’ s so important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks when we ’ re out in public , ” said Chief Medical Executive and DHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun in a statement .
“ Wearing a mask or face covering can significantly decrease the chance of spreading COVID-19 and save lives .
It ’ s important that all Michiganders wear masks properly — not down around the neck , not only over the mouth , but correctly over the mouth and nose.
” Under the executive order , businesses must refuse service to people who refuse to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few exceptions , including those who are younger than five years old , those who can not medically tolerate a mask , those who are eating or drinking and those who are communicating with someone who is hearing impaired .
It also provides exceptions for those who are required to remove a mask for identification or to receive a service , officiating a religious service , giving a speech or performing a public service role such as law enforcement .
Violators of the order could be fined $ 500 .
Michigan currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus and 6,075 deaths , according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Ohio Ends 2020 Fiscal Year with General Tax Revenue Down $1.1 Billion

Ohio concluded the 2020 fiscal year with General Revenue Fund tax revenues of $ 1.1 billion , or 4.6 percent , below estimates , a clear indication of the impact the COVID-19 restrictions have had on the state .
Tax revenues in June were $ 50.5 million , or 2.2 percent , below estimate .
However , state officials noted that revenues were better than a month earlier when they were 13 percent below expectations .
To balance its budget , state officials implemented several cost-cutting measures , including reducing state agency budgets .
State officials also shifted Medicaid expenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( FMAP ) , which Congress authorized with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
“ In contrast to the April and May revenue results , June demonstrated returns only moderately below the original budgeted estimates and showed a slight year-over-year increase , ” Kimberly Murnieks , director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management , said in a memo .
“ Personal income tax showed the largest decline from estimate , associated with the postponement of income tax payment deadlines , ” Murnieks added .
“ Non-auto sales tax was below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April and May .
Meanwhile , auto sales tax revenues were well above estimate , presumably partially due to a catch-up from the historically negative performance of the two prior months.
” Auto tax revenues in June were $ 34.1 million , or 24.1 percent , above estimates and ended the year $ 45.3 million , or 2.9 percent , below estimates .
GRF receipts totaled $ 3.5 billion , which were $ 126.9 million , or 3.7 percent , above estimates , which primarily stems from the receipt of federal grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Mike DeWine announced $ 775 million in budget cuts across the state to offset the impact of COVID-19 .
Moving forward , the state could tap into the rainy day fund to balance its budget .
State officials have increased Ohio ’ s rainy day fund to nearly $ 2.7 billion from its balance of 89 cents about a decade ago , and the state could use the entirety of the fund amid the pandemic .
DeWine said last week the state would be tapping into the rainy day fund .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely through this , I ’ m sure we will use all the rainy day fund , ” DeWine said , according to News 5 Cleveland .
Todd DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Former Obama Official Asks Walz to Reclose All Bars for Indoor Service in Minnesota

One of former President Barack Obama ’ s top health care officials said he asked Gov .
Tim Walz to reclose all bars in Minnesota during a Sunday phone call .
Andy Slavitt , the former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , said he urged Walz and Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to close “ all of the bars to indoor service across the state of Minnesota ” to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ I ’ d like to explain .
As challenging as this is to bar owners and patrons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difficult recommendation to make at this time , ” said Slavitt , who lives in Edina , Minnesota .
“ Bars have been the source of most of the major community hot spots .
From NY to CA to TX to AZ , they represent the clearest discernible difference in accelerating case growth .
When they are open , spread increases .
When they close , they go down .
This is not a secret , ” he said on Twitter Sunday evening .
Slavitt claimed precautionary measures like social distancing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t make much of a difference in bars .
“ For all the conversation around masks , with bars open , masks simply won ’ t matter enough .
Bars are one of the few places where strangers congregate inside , in close quarters , with music and noise , speaking loudly .
Also , drunk , ” he said .
“ There is no viable solution until community spread is gone and cases are contained.
” Walz allowed bars and restaurants to resume limited indoor dining on June 10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoor and takeaway service only .
He also called for increased federal financial support for “ neighborhood bars.
” “ For states that have bars open , they will either close when the virus is out of control or they will close before the virus is out of control , ” he concluded .
“ Lower case counts , rapid testing , vaccines , and other conditions mean this won ’ t be forever.
” As of Monday afternoon , Minnesota had 42,772 cumulative COVID-19 cases with 37,199 patients no longer requiring isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1,504 confirmed deaths , 1,172 of which occurred among residents of long-term care facilities .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Andy Slavitt ” by Andy Slavitt / unitedstatesofcare.org .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Governor Walz Extends Minnesota’s Peacetime Emergency Through August 12 as the Legislature Targets P

Governor Walz Extends Minnesota’s Peacetime Emergency Through August 12 as the Legislature Targets Police Reform, Bonding Bill

The Minnesota legislature kicked off its second special session Monday , and Gov .
Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-78 , extending the COVID-19 peacetime emergency through Aug. 12 .
“ COVID-19 continues to present an unprecedented and rapidly evolving challenge to our state , ” Walz said in a statement .
“ The peacetime emergency has provided us tools to save lives and mitigate the devastating impacts of this pandemic .
As cases skyrocket in other states , we can ’ t let our guard down now.
” The latest order extends $ 50 million of federal funding per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican-controlled Senate voted 36-31 Monday to revoke those emergency powers .
The DFL-dominated House says it will vote to keep those powers .
The Senate also adopted a resolution to adjourn until next Monday to allow the House to work through bills .
The chambers will again attempt to reach common ground on police reform and a billion-dollar bonding bill , but the chambers are still divided on certain issues .
Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka ( R-East Gull Lake ) said the state was no longer in an emergency , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit beds and deaths , although there was a higher number of COVID-19 cases .
“ There are many things that the governor has emergency powers over that we ’ re saying that must end , and we need to get back to a place where the House and Senate have equal footing with the executive branch , ” Gazelka said .
Gazelka said Senate Republicans were willing to work with Democrats to ban police chokeholds , require other officers to intervene , add use of force language , and augment mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line at defunding or dismantling police departments , allowing felons to vote , and increasing the power of Attorney General Keith Ellison in regards to police-involved deaths .
House Speaker Melissa Hortman , DFL-Brooklyn Park , noted that police reform should include banning chokeholds , “ warrior ” -style training , and approving a sanctity-of-life rule .
“ I don ’ t think that failure is an option on police reform and accountability , ” she said .
The speaker said the bonding bill and Republicans ’ tax cuts to small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t gather enough votes on their own .
Hortman said the House Ways and Means Committee plans to discuss an apparent bonding bill deal with Senate Republicans Tuesday that includes $ 1.35 billion in general obligation bonds , $ 300 million for trunk highways , $ 147 million in general appropriation bonds , and $ 38 million in cash for other projects .
Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square .
A graduate of Hillsdale College , his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Liberals Praise Trump-Appointed Judge for Blocking Tennessee’s Heartbeat Bill

Pro-abortion advocates praised a Trump-appointed judge for blocking Tennessee ’ s Heartbeat Bill from becoming law .
U.S. District Judge William “ Chip ” Campbell in Nashville blocked the pro-life measure just hours after Gov .
Bill Lee signed it into law Monday .
Campbell ’ s mother , Beth Campbell , serves as a Republican National Committee member for Tennessee , the Tennessee Republican Party confirmed .
“ An activist judge barely waited until the ink was dry to promote his own pro-choice view .
We can not allow the lives of unborn children to be jeopardized by radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only vote to confirm justices who stick to the Constitution , ” said Manny Sethi , a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate .
But Campbell was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in July 2017 and confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in January 2018 in a vote of 97-0 .
Planned Parenthood , the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) , and the Center for Reproductive Rights asked the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee to block the bill after it passed the Legislature last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill to become law to rule on whether to block it .
In granting the temporary restraining order Monday , he wrote that he ’ s “ bound by the Supreme Court holdings prohibiting undue burdens on the availability of pre-viability abortions.
” Plaintiffs seeking to block the law quickly let the court know it was signed and became effective immediately , “ meaning that nearly all abortions in Tennessee have been criminalized.
” The court ’ s ruling followed shortly after , keeping the law blocked pending a July 24 hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill prohibits doctors from performing an abortion on “ a pregnant woman whose unborn child has a fetal heartbeat.
” Other provisions in the bill prevent abortions from being performed based on the sex of the child , the race of the child , or a Down syndrome diagnosis in the unborn child .
Ashley Coffield , president of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi , called Campbell ’ s decision a “ victory for patients in Tennessee.
” “ This sweeping abortion ban is part of a multi-layered effort to target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care because of racist and discriminatory policies , ” she said in a statement .
“ As we continue to fight for all of our patients , we ’ re glad that today ’ s ruling will allow Tennesseans to continue to seek the health care they choose in their home state.
” Jessica Sklarsky , senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights , called the Heartbeat Bill “ blatantly unconstitutional.
” “ It is unconscionable that – in the middle of a public health crisis and a national reckoning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to eliminate access to abortion .
Abortion is an essential health service , and this law clearly violates the constitutional rights of patients and disproportionately harms communities of color .
Tennessee should stop attacking reproductive healthcare and instead work to implement policies that will help marginalized communities , ” she continued .
The ACLU of Tennessee praised Campbell ’ s ruling as a “ critical win.
” “ But we can not lose sight of the big picture : that it took a court order to stop these politicians from pursuing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic , passing a ban that would disproportionately harm Black and brown people .
We would urge Tennessee ’ s elected officials to abandon this destructive , shameful effort and return to the job they were hired for : serving their constituents , ” said Anjali Dalal , senior staff attorney at the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project .
Like Sethi , Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty expressed his disagreement with the ruling .
“ I ’ m grateful to Governor Bill Lee and the Republican-led General Assembly for protecting Tennessee ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star .
“ The judge ’ s ruling today is absolutely wrong .
As your next Senator , I ’ ll be a strong voice for the voiceless and confirm constitutionalist judges who will protect the unborn.
” Gov .
Lee ’ s office told The Tennessean in a brief statement that it looks forward to defending the law in the courts .
Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-14--Justice Ginsburg Treated in Hospital for Possible Infection

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was being treated for a possible infection and was expected to stay in the hospital for a few days following a medical procedure , the Supreme Court said in a statement Tuesday .
The court said that the 87-year-old Ginsburg went to a hospital in Washington on Monday evening after experiencing fever and chills .
She then underwent a procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August when she was treated for a cancerous tumor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the justice “ is resting comfortably and will stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment.
” Ginsburg spent a night in the hospital in May with an infection caused by a gallstone .
While in the hospital , she participated in arguments the court heard by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Ginsburg has been treated four times for cancer .
In addition to the tumor on her pancreas last year , she was previously treated for colorectal cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancerous growths in December 2018 .
About the Headline Photo : In this Dec. 17 , 2019 , file photo , Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg looks up as she speaks about the antics of her son as she speaks with author Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center Americas Town Hall at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington .
( AP Photo/Steve Helber , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Tennessee Titans’ Team Physician Analysis of Excess Deaths in the U.S. and Tennessee: Not Due to COV

Tennessee Titans’ Team Physician Analysis of Excess Deaths in the U.S. and Tennessee: Not Due to COVID-19

MURFREESBORO , Tennessee – Dr. Damon Petty , team physician of the Tennessee Titans , presented to the Conservative Caucus Saturday his analysis of data related to the excess in deaths and found they are not due to COVID-19 .
An economics-degreed Harvard graduate who then went on to medical school , Dr.
Petty ’ s goal was to analyze the data in order to make his presentation reflect the University ’ s veritas – or truth – shield .
The motto of the University , “ Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae , ” translated from Latin meaning “ Truth for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopted in 1692 .
Petty presented the number of worldwide deaths by COVID-19 as well as several other viruses and other causes of death in a bar graph .
The numbers were so disparate that it made it a challenge to make any comparisons , particularly against the 1918 Spanish Flu .
So , the team physician scaled the world death numbers by a factor of 10 , offering a better perspective that the number of COVID-19 deaths is less than the average flu and close to that of suicide and the 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , Dr.
Petty ’ s analysis revealed that those from COVID-19 are still far less than the 1918 Spanish flu or cancer and even less than accidents and strokes .
Comparing the average count of deaths in the U.S. by week and age group over the five-year period of 2015 to 2019 , Petty found a very repeatable pattern resembling a smile for deaths in people aged 45 and older .
In 2020 , Petty ’ s analysis shows a spike in excess deaths is visible in all but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the 10- and 20-week mark which is between March 1 and May 16 .
The spike increased more dramatically over the other five age groups , with the most severe spike being in the 85 years and older population .
When looking at the excess deaths by cause , Petty found an uptick in respiratory disease-related deaths .
But , the spike is not nearly as significant as that for deaths related to circulatory diseases or Alzheimer ’ s disease and dementia .
Drilling into more specifics related to deaths due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst week , the spike for influenza and pneumonia amounted to excess deaths of about 600 .
Meanwhile , Petty ’ s further examination of the circulatory disease-related causes of death showed that hypertensive diseases accounted for 1,100 excess deaths and ischemic heart disease accounted for 2,000 excess deaths in their respective worst week .
Other causes that contributed to excess deaths in the U.S. included diabetes with 700 and Alzheimer ’ s disease and dementia with 1,900 in the worst weeks .
Presented in another way , Petty displayed the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average since February 1 , 2020 by the cause of death .
Influenza and pneumonia , the category in which COVID-19 falls , ranks sixth .
Other diseases of the respiratory system – 1,472 Other diseases of the circulatory system – 339 In Tennessee , the number of deaths above the average since February 1 is much less dramatic with influenza and pneumonia falling to 10th .
Other diseases of the respiratory system – 60 Other diseases of the circulatory system – 30 Meanwhile , Petty reports , the census in Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another point of comparison , he reviewed motor vehicle accident deaths per one million population against COVID-19 .
For 20 states , including Tennessee , a person is less likely to die from COVID-19 than they are in a motor vehicle accident .
In fact , the doctor ’ s data indicates that Tennesseans are at least 60 percent more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than from COVID-19 , and yet there have been no restrictions on motor vehicle travel .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee @ @

A new bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour is emerging in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Representative Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg), the bill as described in a memorandum appears similar to legislation Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) is spearheading in his chamber. It contrasts with a more radical measure authored by Representative Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) that would hike the wage floor to $16.50 in July 2025 and gradually increase it to $21 by mid-2028. The Rabb bill would also apply the state minimum wage to prisoners, vastly boosting their pay.
In her memo pushing for a $15 hourly floor, Kim (pictured above) lamented that the commonwealth last hiked its minimum wage to $7.25 in 2009. She cited data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicating that 30 states, including all of those that neighbor Pennsylvania, mandate higher wage minimums. Her $15 rate would take effect in January 2024 and would tie future minimum-wage rises to inflation.
“Too many people have worked too hard for too long to not be able to pay their bills,” Kim said at a House Majority Policy Committee hearing on the issue in late March. “We want to tag a cost-of-living adjustment on this, so we never have to wait years and years – or wait for a once-in-a-century pandemic – for this issue to have a bright light shined on it.”
While free-market advocates generally oppose minimum wage increases, some in Harrisburg expect Republicans like Laughlin who now champion a hike will insist that such a policy come as part of a broader deal that will include regulatory reform. Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has urged enactment of a new $15 floor and many Republicans have sensed an opportunity for dealmaking, particularly insofar as they control the state Senate.
Advocates of an increase often cite a Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Advisory Board report indicating that 63,800 individuals — less than two percent of the state’s workforce — earned $7.25 per hour or less in 2021. Nonetheless, wages have risen markedly over the last two years and many who continue to make so little are teenagers working one of their first jobs.
After House Democrats began clamoring for new pay mandates, the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation (CF) issued a backgrounder in March opposing the idea. CF cited calculations from the nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office suggesting that even raising the floor to $12 per hour would kill 5,000 jobs.
And the think tank fears the proposal could disadvantage even workers who keep their jobs insofar as employers may compensate for the new mandate by cutting worker hours and benefits. An example of this was observed nationally in 2018 after Amazon set its own low-end hourly wage to $15 but nevertheless suspended workers’ monthly bonuses and stock options.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, CF suggested, the commonwealth should focus on lowering impediments to employment by reforming licensing and permitting processes as well as improving public-assistance programs so they reward those who secure employment.
– – –
Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Patty Kim” by Rep. Patty Kim. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Ad Meskens. CC BY-SA 3.0.


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Commentary: Thomas Sowell’s New Book Shows Why Charter Schools Focus on Students Rather Than Teacher

Commentary: Thomas Sowell’s New Book Shows Why Charter Schools Focus on Students Rather Than Teachers’ Unions

Thomas Sowell is a truth seeker who grew up in Harlem and is one of the wisest men of our times .
In his new book , Charter Schools and Their Enemies — published on June 30 , 2020 , his 90th birthday — he exposes the hypocrisy of our politicians , teachers ’ unions , and public school bureaucrats .
To do so , Sowell compares New York City ’ s charter schools to its public ones .
For example , Success Academy ( 47 New York City schools ) and KIPP Academy ( 15 NYC schools ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best K-12 schools in Harlem and have demonstrated the ability to successfully educate minority students .
These charter schools have conclusively proven that minorities and underprivileged students can be educated to the highest standards .
This extraordinary success is based on test data from the state of New York and is achieved despite large class sizes of around 30 and fewer financial resources than traditional public schools .
These charter schools require a high level of discipline from every student and a focus on primary academics , including mathematics , history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking skills .
Importantly , in these schools there is more time to teach .
This means students spend more time on task than those in traditional public schools .
In Harlem , charter schools are often located in the same building as traditional public schools .
Sowell compares test data from these schools , which jointly house traditional public school students and charter school students .
In the same building , 7 percent of the public school students pass the math test , while down the hall in the charter school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that peer pressure in Harlem charters is geared toward excellence , while peer pressure in public schools is mostly against academic growth .
In these charter schools , with students chosen by lottery , have closed the education gap between minorities and the best schools in the city , based on New York state testing data .
“ How can success be so unwelcome ?
” Recently the New York Times reported , “ The city and state ’ s political forces have turned decisively against charter schools over the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand by parents to enter these schools , politicians and public school bureaucrats undermine the ability of new charters to open in Harlem .
New York state law requires public schools to allow charters to operate in public school buildings if space is available .
Currently over 200 public schools have space available , but they will not allow new charters to open .
Mayor Bill de Blasio , who hates charter schools , leads the fight against them .
“ The only thing standing in the way of student success [ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Eva Moskowitz , founder of the Success Academy .
Sowell asks the question , “ How can success be so unwelcome ?
” The public school system has good reason to oppose new charters , since charters are establishing excellent results .
These are embarrassing to traditional public schools and their myriad excuses why minorities can not be well educated .
Sowell points out that the only purpose of schools is to educate and form students , but our society supports teachers ’ unions and politicians in lieu of student outcomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students waiting to gain entry into charter schools .
But New York City society , the mayor , and the schools ’ bureaucrats are fighting to deny any new charter schools .
The evidence is clear : protecting the public school system is more important than educating students .
Sowell also writes , “ Racially homogenous schools should not be sought as a goal .
But where charter schools are located in predominantly black and/or Hispanic neighborhoods , the reality of educational success should not be sacrificed for the rhetoric of ‘ integration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy in Harlem has a higher percentage of its students passing the math and English tests than any school in New York state , including the best schools in New York City .
Sowell says poverty is not an obstacle to learning .
Focusing on the Student ’ s Education , Not the Teachers ’ Union Teachers don ’ t create teachers ’ unions , which are established by union organizers whose main objective is growing the unions with more teachers , not educating students .
Sowell points out that for charter schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by educating students .
Charters do not offer tenure to teachers , and therefore leaders and parents can demand high levels of performance from every teacher .
Correct incentives enable charters to succeed , with teachers accountable to the parents and the school .
Public schools have perverse incentives because parents often have no choice , regardless of how badly the public schools perform .
This is especially true in minority communities in most U.S. inner cities .
Sowell is desperately working to provide fair opportunities for all students .
Public education must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it comes to education , ” Sowell suggests , “ Perhaps the most important of these general principles is that schools exist for the education of children.
” In Charter Schools and Their Enemies , Sowell exposes the fallacies of many traditional public schools and their failure to educate students , especially in the inner cities .
His book is a clarion call to give parents educational choices with a total focus on educating the student .
Bob Luddy is chairman and CEO of CaptiveAire .
Photo “ Thomas Sowell ” by @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--Exclusive: GOP Influencer Alexander Ali Warns Rookies Blowing Trump’s Relection

Ali Alexander is something of veteran in the Republican digital game and he sees warning signs for the reelection of President Donald Trump–and he can not keep quiet about .
When Alexander was growing up he learned politics when his lawyer mother took him with her to phone-bank for local judges , but he said he did not start helping Republicans with websites and digital communications after the party lost the House and Senate in 2006 , so 2008 was his first cycle .
“ I penned a piece criticizing the John McCain campaign during the primaries and they invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Back then , he said there were about 25 people working GOP digital communications and he was at the right place at the right time .
Now , he is the old-timer , looking at a Trump campaign led by a first-time campaign manager , Brad Pascale , with a first-time leader of the Republican National Committee , Ronna McDaniel , he said .
Trump ’ s campaign advantages are not leveraged In the 2016 campaign , Pascale ran the Trump campaign ’ s digital communications and outreach from his offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the campaign was run out of Trump Tower .
Before the Trump presidential campaign , Pascale built websites for Trump-related companies , but had little if any political work .
McDaniel ’ s first experience in active politics was when she worked in the 2o12 presidential campaign for her uncle W. Mitt Romney and then in 2015 became the chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party .
In 2017 , she took over from Reince Priebus as the head of the Republican National Committee .
“ We ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Ooops , why did we appoint new people to do something , where we needed an institutional advantage ?
’ ” Alexander said .
“ The presidency , Air Force One and Trump ’ s natural instincts are a blessing , but at the end of the day , who can get out the vote ?
” he said .
“ And how are we going to get out the vote during COVID ?
” Alexander said it also amazes him how many people around Trump in the White House and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having been a part of the president ’ s success .
“ There is literally one person who deserves credit for everything—for the fundraising numbers , for the record attendances , for the branding , for the rhetoric—all of it , and that ’ s Donald Trump , ” he said .
“ This guy is breaking what we know as science , ” he said .
“ He ’ s just breaking it , so what happens is you get a lot of staffers who say : ‘ Oh , we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
’ He ’ s got all these people on the advance team and it all comes down to Trump.
” Tulsa rally should set off alarms at Trump campaign With all the advantages of incumbency and all the positive attraction surrounding Trump , his June 20 campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma did not live up to the hype Pascale fueled when he announced there were one million ticket requests and there would be an overflow rally outside the hall .
Alexander said given the genuine concerns about COVID-19 , people would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectations .
What he would not accept is that had a process to screen the hundreds of thousands of bogus ticket requests .
Pascale had to know , but there were no countermeasures taken to protect from the spammers and the bots , he said .
“ The signs were there in the data—if you have people signing up evenly from all over the country and there was no concentration of event goers—it is just obvious , ” he said .
“ Brad knew he was getting spammed , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ realized that when 20 percent of your tickets were not from Dallas-Fort Worth—Tulsa was a dumb location and the first competent decision should have been : ‘ Let ’ s close the overflow.
’ ” It was like no one was paying attention as the reality of a half-full hall was becoming obvious , he said .
“ The fact that they still believed going into the day of that they were going to get an overflow—with that much spam.
” It was as if Pascale was making a bet that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 people would show up , he said .
“ How could 40,000 people not show up ?
Well , now we know.
” Trump campaign , RNC wasted last three years not registering new voters What Alexander did not say is that given the ease with which the leftists could punk the rally ticket process and the Trump campaign ’ s reliance on data from rally ticket requests , it could mean that the campaign ’ s whole data universe is worthless for turning out the Trump voters .
Alexander did say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from union households and black communities , in 2016 was the major reason why Hillary Clinton lost .
The union voters who stayed home cost Hillary Michigan and Wisconsin , at least , he said .
“ We also know that black turnout was low , ” he said .
“ Hillary did not reach the Obama 2012 levels , so there ’ s Jacksonville , there ’ s Raleigh , there ’ s Charlotte , there ’ s Richmond , there ’ s Pittsburgh , there ’ s Philly , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it becomes clear that if we don ’ t have a strategy to separate Joe Biden from Democrats , who hated Hillary , but are indifferent to Biden , we will lose.
” Alexander said turnout challenges can be overcome by registering new voters , but the RNC and the Trump campaign did not make registering new voters a priority in the last three years .
“ There aren ’ t enough new voters , ” he said .
“ I have a memo up on my website , Brad Pascale was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hey , there ’ s a bunch of non-college educated white people , who aren ’ t registered to vote , if we register these people , we never have to dilute our message , we can just go after our base , ’ ” he said .
“ Without new voters , we ’ ve got to hope to divide the Democrats , ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s possible , but you don ’ t see any , any coherent message from the campaign , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , because many professional political operatives know exactly what happened , but no one wants to be the first one shot .
If Trump loses 2021 will get ugly The hope is that the president will fix what needs to be fixed and get reelected , because what comes next is going to a tsunami of discontent , he said .
“ We ’ re about to see something that is going to dwarf the Tea Party in 2021 , if Trump loses , ” he said .
“ It will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do my best to steer it into productive energy , patriotic energy , but people are underestimating the historic nature of how many people are awake—and they are more awake than ever before.
” Neil W. McCabe is a Washington-based national political reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network .
In addition to The Star newspaper , he has covered the White House , Capitol Hill and national politics for One America News , Breitbart , Human Events and Townhall .
Before coming to Washington , he was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper , The Pilot , and the editor of two Boston-area community papers , The Somerville News and The Alewife .
McCabe is a public affairs NCO in the Army Reserve and he deployed for 15 months to Iraq as a combat historian .
Photo “ Ali Alexander ” by Ali Alexander .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--272,000 Legal Immigrants Arrived in the U.S. in 2016 with Entitlement to Welfare Programs Like U.S.

272,000 Legal Immigrants Arrived in the U.S. in 2016 with Entitlement to Welfare Programs Like U.S. Citizens

MURFREESBORO , Tennessee – 272,000 legal immigrants arrived in the United States during 2016 with an entitlement to the full menu of welfare programs , just like any U.S. citizen , attendees were told at the Conservative Caucus in Murfreesboro on Saturday .
The information was presented by one of the afternoon ’ s speakers , Don Barnett , a fellow with the Center for Immigration Studies who has followed refugee resettlement for over 20 years .
The legal immigrants consist of refugees , asylees , Cuban and Haitian entrants , special immigrant visa holders , victims of trafficking – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as unaccompanied alien children .
While well-intentioned humanitarian immigration is one story , Barnett says the policies have a huge influence on the flow of illegal immigrants into the country .
In fiscal year of 2019 , the Border Patrol encountered nearly 1 million individuals trying to cross the southwest border , the majority of whom gave themselves up to border officials and claimed asylum .
After six months , these asylum claimers can receive a Social Security number and work authorization , while they await their day in court which could take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that about 400,000 work permits were given out in 2019 to those waiting for an asylum hearing .
When it comes to the use of welfare by refugees , a review of those in the country for a period of 4.5 to 6.5 years shows that 25 to 30 percent are on some type of cash assistance and more than 50 percent receive non-cash assistance of SNAP ( Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program ) .
The fiscal 2019 Office of Refugee and Resettlement budget and refugee expenditures of the State Department was about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of the refugee resettlement program is about 10 times higher because official cost estimates never include the cost of public assistance .
This , Barnett says , is despite the fact that the biggest cost of the program , by far , is the welfare usage .
Access to welfare was one of the most important developments in the U.S. refugee policy of the Refugee Act of 1980 co-sponsored by then-Senator Joe Biden .
The humanitarian immigration policy has drifted from its original intent and expanded , Barnett says , due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government as well as the influence and lobbying of profitable federal contractors , the cheap labor lobby , the chamber of commerce and an organized and well-funded global professional left .
Barnett pointed out that the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition ( TIRRC ) located right in Nashville is part of that professional left that lobbies the legislature effectively with a paid staff of 14 and gets millions from well-known left-wing foundations .
TIRRC is in a partnership with Conexion Americas housed in Casa Azafran on Nashville ’ s Nolensville Pike , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim Advisory Council , the American Center for Outreach that aims to bring the Muslim voice to the political stage with the objective of changing the local political debate ; and the Randy Boyd-funded Mesa Komal Kitchen .
A driver of the program was the metamorphosis of charities that had been subject to limits and incentivized to seek true assimilation and economic integration without entitlement to welfare programs into money-making federal contractors , Barnett said .
Today , the refugee industry including Catholic charities can claim that most refugees are “ self-sufficient within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s because the federal government changed the meaning of “ economic self-sufficiency ” for refugees , Barnett advised , so that an individual that is on food stamps , on Medicaid , in public housing and in various other public assistance programs is officially considered “ self-sufficient.
” Another problem with the money-making federal refugee contractors is that it is difficult to get information from the very secretive program of Catholic charities who took over when the State of Tennessee got out of the program .
Barnett presented somewhat outdated but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 which shows that TennCare enrollment of refugees in those years was 834 and 682 , respectively , reflecting 48 percent and 58 percent participation .
For those not in TennCare , they received eight months of private health insurance .
Another tremendous cost , although not totally related to refugees , is the state ’ s spending on English Language Learning ( ELL ) , which Barnett reported at $ 123.2 million for the state and $ 52.8 million at the local level .
According to Barnett , a comprehensive study done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services , but not released , looked at all humanitarian arrivals from 1980 on and traced their fiscal impact over the ten-year period of 2005 to 2014 and found that refugees , special immigrant visa holders and asylees are : • More than twice as likely to be in SSI ( Supplemental Security Income ) than the average American • Twice as likely to be using EITC ( Earned Income Tax Credit ) • Twice as likely to be using WIC ( Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women , Infants and Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 21 percent versus the U.S. average of 15 percent • More than twice as likely to be using public housing credits or in public housing • 50 percent more likely to be in TANF ( Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ) • 50 percent more likely to be in Medicaid • In poverty at a rate of 19 percent versus the national average of 14 percent Barnett explained that many of the federal welfare programs require a state contribution toward the total cost of the program , with the largest state portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of Medicaid , where Tennessee pays 35 percent of the cost .
The Refugee Act of 1980 was meant to be paid for by the federal government , with reimbursement to states for the costs incurred for hosting refugees .
The promise of federal financial support was crucial to getting the Refugee Act passed .
In fact , said Barnett , some congressmen admitted that a portion of the funding formula covering the program for three years was inadequate for the actual cost and argued for a longer time period of federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as soon as the Refugee Act became law , the federal government began withdrawing its financial support , which shifted the costs to the states .
By 1991 , all federal support for state costs related to welfare programs had ended and the second stream of support was reduced from 36 to 8 months .
The ability of the state to exit the program ended , Barnett said , when a 1994 regulation allowed the private contractors to continue operations in a state , even when the state officially withdrew from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became one that a state could never leave , yet still had to pay for , said Barnett .
If a state opts out of a program and the program continues by another means using state funds , Barnett suggests that violates constitutional principles preserving state sovereignty over its own resources .
A bill introduced in the second session of the 111th Tennessee General Assembly by Rep. Ron Gant ( R-Rossville ) sought to deal , in part , with this issue .
It also would have prohibited Governor Bill Lee from making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way with regard to refugee resettlement without authorization by the General Assembly , as the governor he declared he would do in December 2019 .
Unfortunately , the bill was one of many conservative measures left unaddressed by the Senate , even though the House got the legislation through to scheduling for a floor vote .
When the Supreme Court struck down the Obamacare provision requiring states to expand Medicaid , Chief Justice Roberts said , “ The States are separate and independent sovereigns .
Sometimes they have to act like it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver ( R-Lancaster ) comes in .
Weaver championed SJR467 through the House in 2016 , which directed “ the commencement of legal action , seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from the federal government ’ s mandated appropriation of state revenue and noncompliance with the Refugee Act.
” The resolution , which passed in 2016 overwhelmingly in both chambers , called for the Tennessee Attorney General to initiate or intervene in the civil actions or seek appropriate federal relief on behalf of the state .
At the time , Weaver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she addressed to him about what he is doing to defend the Constitution , telling him that Tennesseans are looking for a leader .
“ Lead us , ” Weaver said in concluding her letter to Governor Haslam .
The resolution she championed was returned to the legislature without the signature of Haslam .
She said that the legislature went on without the blessing of Haslam and Attorney General Herbert Slatery .
In fact , she said , “ They did everything they could to stop us.
” The Thomas More Law Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor , Michigan agreed to represent Tennessee without charge .
Weaver is named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit .
TMLC filed a certiorari petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in March of this year , to overturn a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ’ decision that the Tennessee General Assembly does not have the institutional standing to challenge the constitutionality of the refugee resettlement program .
In terms of Gant ’ s bill , .
Weaver said it had 60 co-sponsors in the House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight into a Senate wall.
” She continued , “ This is where , we as members of the state legislature , really do need to rely on your engagement.
” She also invoked President John Kennedy ’ s famous quote , “ Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.
” Weaver said she loves that statement , and called on Caucus attendees to reach out to their State Senators and House legislators on the issues discussed over the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her inspiring rendition of the not well known fourth verse of The Star Spangled Banner .
Laura Baigert is a senior reporter at The Tennessee Star .
Photo “ Citizenship Paperwork ” by Grand Canyon National Park .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-07-15--UK Backtracks on Giving Huawei Role in High-Speed Network

LONDON , England ( AP ) — Britain on Tuesday backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a role in the U.K. ’ s new high-speed mobile phone network amid security concerns fueled by rising tensions between Beijing and Western powers .
Britain said it decided to prohibit Huawei from working on the so-called 5G system after U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the security of equipment made by the Chinese company .
The U.S. had also threatened to sever an intelligence-sharing arrangement with Britain because of concerns that Huawei ’ s involvement could allow the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Oliver Dowden told Parliament the decision would delay the rollout of 5G technology and increase costs by up to 2 billion pounds ( $ 2.5 billion ) , but that it had to be done .
“ This has not been an easy decision , but it is the right one , ” he said .
The decision forces British telecoms operators to stop buying 5G equipment from Huawei by the end of this year but gives them until 2027 to remove Huawei gear that has already been used in the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifth generation , or 5G , networks are expected to usher in a new wave of wireless innovation , with super-fast speeds and low signal delay that will help the development of self-driving cars , remote surgery and factory robots .
Critically for telecoms operators , the government opted not to order them to rip out equipment manufactured by Huawei and used in earlier systems , such as the existing 4G network .
Such a decision might have caused havoc in U.K. telecoms systems .
Still , the decision marks a major retreat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January sought to balance economic and security pressures by agreeing to give Huawei a limited role in the 5G network .
Under the earlier ruling , Huawei would have been limited to providing 35 % of equipment such as radios and antennas , with the company barred from supplying core components of the system .
But the move set up a diplomatic clash with the U.S. , which is involved in a wide-ranging trade dispute with China and threatened to cut off security cooperation unless Britain dumped Huawei .
Amid continued pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. in May imposed new sanctions that will bar companies around the world from using American-made machinery or software to produce chips for the Chinese company .
U.S. officials claim that under Chinese law the government could force Huawei to give it access to foreign networks it has helped build .
Huawei denies this , saying that countries such as Britain have already developed oversight procedures to ensure there are no security breaches .
“ The reported U.K. action reflects a growing international consensus that Huawei and other untrusted vendors pose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they remain beholden to the Chinese Communist Party , ” said Robert O ’ Brien , who is in Europe this week .
“ We look forward to working with the U.K. , as well as our many other partners and allies , to spur innovation , promote vendor diversity in the 5G supply chain , and ensure 5G security free from dangerous manipulations.
” Johnson also came under pressure from rebels in his own Conservative Party who criticized China ’ s new Hong Kong security law and its treatment of ethnic Uighurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , as well as Huawei ’ s links to the Chinese government .
Two weeks ago , members of Parliament debated Huawei ’ s entanglement in Xinjiang following an Associated Press report on forced birth control measures in the region , pressing the government to cut ties with the company on human rights grounds .
Ten Conservative lawmakers this week sent a letter to Johnson demanding that he remove Huawei from “ the U.K. ’ s critical national infrastructure.
” The Labour Party ’ s spokeswoman on communications issues , Chi Omwurah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach and said it would have a dire impact on the future .
“ It has been clear for some time that there are serious questions over whether Huawei should be allowed to control large sections of our country ’ s telecoms networks , yet the government refused to face reality , ” she said .
“ Their approach to our 5G capability , Huawei and our national security has been incomprehensibly negligent.
” Huawei expressed disappointment , saying that the decision threatens to move “ Britain into the digital slow lane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divide.
” “ The American motive for these activities is one of protecting American jobs , ″ Huawei UK Vice President Jeremy Thompson told The Associated Press , arguing that the United States.
, despite its global might , is behind the curve when it comes to wireless technology .
“ The U.S. have under-invested in wireless consistently since the second generation .
Here we are in the fifth , ″ he said .
“ They ’ ve under-invested .
And as a result , they ’ re behind the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the vortex of tensions between China and Britain .
Last fall , the U.K. called on China to give the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights free access to Xinjiang .
More recently , Johnson ’ s government has criticized China ’ s decision to impose a sweeping new national security law on Hong Kong .
Britain accused the Beijing government of a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration under which the U.K. returned control of Hong Kong to China in 1997 , and announced it would open a special route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible residents of the city .
China ’ s ambassador to Britain , Liu Xiaoming , last week decried what he described as “ gross interference ” in Chinese affairs .
“ Britain can only be great , ” he said , when it has an independent foreign policy , adding that it sets a bad precedent to “ make your policy in the morning and change it in evening.
” “ It also sends out a very bad message to the China business community , ” Liu said , suggesting Chinese companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They are all watching how you handle Huawei.
” Rana Mitter , an Oxford University history professor specializing in China , said that the security law — combined with broader resentment about the way China handled information about the coronavirus — created increased wariness among Britain ’ s politicians and the public .
But for China , it ’ s the way Britain has handled the Huawei issue that is the major problem .
Even if Britain decides that buying Huawei isn ’ t a good idea , this could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think the immediate reaction from China is going to be pretty incandescent , ” he said .
“ They ’ re going to be very , very angry about the reversal of the decision , not just because of the decision itself , but because in a sense , it has made them lose face .
“ Having said yes , back in January , the British government has now done a pretty exact U-turn and said absolutely no .
But I think that China will maybe made to feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially to suffer the consequences of that U-turn in public.
” Danica Kirka is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP Writers Deb Reichman in Washington , and Kelvin Chan and Pan Pylas in London , contributed to this report .
About the Headline Photo : A Huawei sign is displayed on their premises in Reading , England , Tuesday , July 14 , 2020 .
Britain ’ s government on Tuesday backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a limited role in the U.K. ’ s new high-speed mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implications for relations between London and Beijing .
( AP Photo/Matt Dunham )