thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Newt Gingrich Commentary: Liberty and Justice for All Must Overcome Control and Vengeance for Some

As I watch the continuing efforts to defund or abolish police across the country , I have been struck by the radical Left ’ s willingness to stick with its dangerous ideology even when Americans are killed because of it .
According to Fox 32 Chicago , over Father ’ s Day weekend , there were 104 people shot and 14 killed in the Windy City .
Tragically , these statistics include a 3-year-old who was shot while in the backseat of his father ’ s car .
This follows the last week of May , in which 85 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them perishing .
Fox 9 in Minneapolis reported there were a half a dozen shootings over the weekend that left 21 injured and two dead .
These horrible casualties include a 17 year old who was shot while driving .
The people in the car with him when he was shot dropped him in the street and left him for dead .
And , early on Sunday , there were 12 people shot while standing in line at a restaurant .
One died .
The weekend before , six people were wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootings .
In New York City , there have been 51 shootings since June 15 , with at least 24 victims in 18 incidents on Sunday alone , according to ABC 7 .
The list of mayhem and death goes on .
I can ’ t help but wonder how many of these senseless murders could have been prevented if police in these cities had been supported by the politicians who command them .
Instead of ordering police off the streets and threatening to cut their funding , the Democrats who run these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule of law and protect the innocent law-abiding Americans who they are supposed to represent .
Unfortunately , the radical Democratic Left is sticking to an ideology that stubbornly favors criminals and hates the law .
As I wrote in my new book Trump and the American Future , which released on Tuesday : “ One of the most dangerous trends of the radical Democratic Left is a pervasive desire ( or ideological obligation ) to vehemently protect people who break the law , contemptuously disregard the rights of law-abiding people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement .
When members of the radical Left talk about crime and punishment , they have a clear formula .
“ Today ’ s radical Democratic Left insists that those who break laws are to be automatically regarded as victims of systemic flaws or intentional acts of oppression within our criminal justice system .
Law-abiding citizens who begrudge people who break the law are heartless , privileged people who are simply too ignorant or self-absorbed to understand the plight of criminals .
And police are all vicious , hateful agents of tyranny who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system of oppression.
” Keep in mind , I wrote this book before the horrendous killing of George Floyd and the start of the defund-abolish police movement .
I wrote it before Democratic leaders in Seattle surrendered city hall , a police precinct , and six blocks of its commercial downtown to armed , violent anarchists .
I wrote it before the Minneapolis City Council President said people who are worried about being robbed or raped are simply expressing white privilege .
If the radical Democrats continue on this path and allow this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect the American people will simply be sick of it by election day .
According to a YouGov poll conducted last week , 53 percent of Americans oppose defunding police departments .
Only 24 percent support defunding police .
A full 73 percent oppose abolishing police – a radical Democratic clarion call which only 11 percent of the country supports .
Some Democrats may begin to understand that this chaos is not sustainable , but I ’ m concerned that there will be long term consequences to treating law enforcement with such contempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the enemy , cut their budgets , and erode public trust in our institutions , I ’ m afraid there simply won ’ t be any courageous , self-sacrificing Americans left who are willing to do the job .
If police are not here to serve and protect us , criminals will rise to exploit and endanger us .
History has shown us time and time again , criminals will not stand up to the organized forces of society .
But , if society refuses to stand up for itself , chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , honest , law-abiding people will suffer .
Liberty will be replaced by control , and justice for all will be replaced by vengeance for some .
As I write in Trump and the American Future , we have the choice now to defend and improve our civilization , or concede to the radical mob and see America as we have known it destroyed .
I hope every American will decide to defend our country , accept and learn from our mistakes , and keep the promise of supporting liberty and justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich is a nationally syndicated opinion news columnist , host of the Newt ’ s World podcast , and author of the New York Times bestsellers Understanding Trump and Trump ’ s America .
More of his commentary can be found at www.Gingrich360.com .
Photo “ Police Tape ’ by Tony Webster .
CC BY-SA 4.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Filmmaker Ken Burns Takes a Knee, Declares ‘We Have to Get Rid of’ Confederate Monuments

In an interview on CNN ’ s Cuomo Prime Time Tuesday , filmmaker Ken Burns voiced his support of the mob attacks on historical works of art depicting figures and events surrounding the Confederacy and the Civil War .
“ I think we ’ re in the middle of an enormous reckoning right now in which the anxieties and the pains and the torments of centuries of injustice are bubbling up to the surface , It ’ s very important for people like me , of my complexion , to be as quiet as possible and to listen , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from my reading of history is that the confederate monuments have to go.
” They were put up in the 1880s and 90s when white supremacy was being brutally re-imposed over the old Confederacy .
Again in the late teens and 20s when the Ku Klux Klan was ascendant .
Again , after the Brown versus the Board of Education decision in 1954 .
And so , we see that these are not monuments to history and heritage but they ’ re an attempt to rewrite history and to essentially celebrate a false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War and to send the wink-winks – the dog whistles , as we ’ re fond of saying today – across the generations about what the Civil War was about .
It ’ s so interesting that we ’ re having this argument , because the people that we memorialize – the nation ’ s forts that are named after Civil War Generals – these are people who fought to perpetuate slavery , which must be an anathema to every American .
And they ’ re also people responsible for the deaths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a travesty .
Cuomo replied that the defenders of the artwork say “ they are making a play to heritage ” and acknowledged the troubling extension , now , to figures such as the Founding Fathers , Abraham Lincoln , and Ulysses S. Grant .
“ Is there a danger in going too far ?
” he asked .
Burns , becoming visibly agitated , responded , “ Of course , there ’ s a danger in going too far .
It ’ s the passions of the moment .
And let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second .
Let ’ s just hold off and reserve judgement for one second and consider that more than a quarter of the Presidents of the United States of America – founded on the idea that all men are created equal – the guy who wrote that owned more than 300 human beings in his lifetime , by the way – more than a quarter of the United States ’ Presidents owned other human beings.
” This is a huge thing that we can not just dismiss .
But I would say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an easy decision .
We have to get rid of them .
They ’ re not about heritage .
This is a specious argument .
This is about the reimposition of white supremacy in the South at various periods .
The names of the bases and forts should be changed .
We ’ ve taken down the statues .
It ’ s a good thing to do .
And we now need to continue this reckoning by looking as carefully as we can – monuments are hugely important .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mythology .
They are acts of symbols .
In less than 24 hours , the interview has been seen more than 182,000 times on YouTube , and is being lauded by the left on social media platforms like Twitter , while being largely ignored by the right .
Burns ’ productions are a staple of taxpayer-funded PBS .
His decades-long record of documentaries focus almost exclusively on films about America ’ s history and traditions .
Among his best-known works are “ The Brooklyn Bridge ” ( 1981 ) , “ The Statue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Baseball ” ( 1994 ) , and “ The National Parks : America ’ s Best Idea ” ( 2009 ) .
His most successful documentary project , a nine-episode mini-series titled “ The Civil War , ” debuted in 1991 and earned 13 major awards including two prime-time Emmys and a People ’ s Choice Award .
Ken Burns is well-known for his support of the Democrat Party – and in particular , of President Barack Obama , whom he compared to Abraham Lincoln in 2007 .
In an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to Adolf Hitler in response to a question about the “ Access Hollywood ” audio recording .
“ The fact that he could say the things he said about women , and that his adoring masses are not even flinching at that , is Hitler-esque , ” Burns said .
In the same interview , Variety reporter Brent Lang asked , “ Do you think [ Donald Trump is ] a fascist ?
” Burns replied , “ Absolutely .
When you talk about having extra-judicial , threatening rivals with jail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can call it dictatorial .
You can call it monomaniacal or imperial .
Whatever you want to say , this is not the way that our country works .
”

One of the principles asserted by Governor Haslam in support of his IMPROVE Act and its proposed increase of 7 cents per gallon in the gas tax is that “users” of roads should pay for road construction.
The gas tax is proper, he argues, because people who purchase gas to fuel their cars are the users of roads, and the gas tax is the best mechanism to charge them for that usage.
For at least a decade, however, revenue sources originally designed to fund highway construction have been intermingled, and that “user” fee principle has not strictly been applied to the funding of road construction. The IMPROVE Act does not fully address the co-mingling of funds.
The Highway Fund receives road construction “user fee” revenues from gasoline tax, motor fuel tax, gasoline inspection tax, motor vehicle registration tax and the motor vehicle title fees. At least 25 percent of those road construction “user fees” go to the General Fund, Education and Debt Service.
Though the majority of these “user fee” revenues have been allocated to the Highway Fund, between 25 percent and 29 percent of those fees -ranging from $177 million to $196 million annually– have been diverted away from the Highway Fund between FY 2011-12 and FY 2017-18, as Table 1 below illustrates.
Table 1
Highway Fund ‘User Fees’ Allocated to Funds Other than the Highway Fund
FY 2011-12 to FY 2017-18
Fiscal Year Highway Fund”User Fees ” Directed to General Fund, Education & Debt Svc. As % of Highway Fund Total Sales & Use Tax Revenues Sales Tax $ to Highway Fund % Sales Tax to Highway Fund Data Source (Link to Document) Page of Data Source 2017-18 $187,100,000 26.2% $8,861,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Estimated 99 of 558 2016-17 $195,200,000 26.5% $8,564,100,000 $22,600,000 0.26% Revised Est. 98 of 558 2015-16 $189,572,000 26.2% $8,267,224,400 $22,625,400 0.27% Actual 97 of 558 2014-15 $177,611,900 25.1% $7,706,018,700 $38,165,000 0.50% Actual 97 of 550 2013-14 $196,234,300 28.9% $7,286,164,500 $53,797,600 0.74% Actual 97 of 542 2012-13 $194,365,000 28.4% $7,012,028,700 $60,902,800 0.87% Actual 97 of 545 2011-12 $193,243,800 28.2% $6,899,944,000 $64,574,000 0.94% Actual 111 of 656
The state of Tennessee budget documents detail the revenue sources and the basis of apportionment for those revenues. For every one of the “user fee” revenues, the Tennessee Code Annotated that directs funds away from the Highway Fund is cited.
There are also allocations to the Highway Fund, such as Gross Receipts Tax-Other and Beer Tax, that would otherwise be considered General Fund revenues, as the majority of those revenues are allocated to the General Fund. However, the increase of 25 to 29 percent to the Highway Fund is net the General Fund dollars.
In the upcoming 2017-18 budget year, the redistribution of “user fees” strictly to the Highway Fund would increase the Highway Fund by $187 million, and combined with the past six years would have added a total of $1.3 billion to the Highway Fund, all without a gas tax increase.
The co-mingling of funds goes both ways.
“Sales and Use Tax” revenues have been and continue to be allocated to the Highway Fund.
During Gov. Haslam’s administration, the percentage of state sales tax revenues allocated to the Highway Fund ranged between 0.26 and 0.94 percent. Essentially, the alternate “Hawk Plan,” named for Rep. David Hawk of Greenville, which allocates 0.25 percent of the sales tax revenues to the Highway Fund has been in effect for years to an even greater extent.


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Crom Carmichael: ‘Right Now We Have a War Without Bullets in This Country’

Live from the iHeart Media studios in Washington , D.C. Wednesday 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 Crom Carmichael to the studio .
During the second hour , Carmichael likened the Black Lives Matter protesters to the militant arm of the Democratic Party .
He alluded to the fact the Left does not have a plan after statues are torn down .
Leahy : Joining me right now from our studios in Nashville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend Crom Carmichael .
Crom , good morning .
Carmichael : Michael , how are you , sir ?
Leahy : I ’ m calling into my own show Crom .
( Laughter ) Oh , Crom .
My mission here has been successful so far .
The statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park here still stands .
We are protecting Tennessee ’ s honor .
Carmichael : You know we have a Nashvillian who cares a great deal about Andrew Jackson and I wonder if he is supportive of the movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue and erase him from our history .
Carmichael : Yes .
I ’ ve not heard about that yet .
I see no reason that an Andrew Jackson statue should stand if all the others are going to be torn down .
( Leahy laughs ) And so the main point is the qualifier if all the others are going to be torn down .
I think it ’ s pretty reprehensible .
It ’ s symbolic of what the Democrats and Black Lives Matter is about .
Let ’ s make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wing of the Democratic Party .
It has become their militant wing of the Democrat Party .
Leahy : Absolutely .
By the way , since you were on the program last on Monday we saw Shaun King who purports to be African American but there is no evidence that he is and a Black Lives Matter activist .
He actually called for tearing down other statues .
He wants to take down every statue of White Jesus .
Not very well received Crom .
Carmichael : Ok .
This is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to be fascinating to see in the election if the American people want to change their heritage and the principles of the Declaration of Independence .
If we want to be something other than that and the something other has never been described .
Leahy : Usually if you are going to tear down something you ought to have a good idea of what you ’ re going to replace it with .
Carmichael : Well if you don ’ t , then you end up like the French Revolution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s what you end up with .
You end up with tyranny and abject poverty .
On a similar note but slightly different note , the Bubba Wallace story .
Carmichael : I have a very different take on it .
Leahy : I ’ ve been following that and there ’ s a new development .
Tell us about that .
Carmichael : We now know that the so-called noose was on all of the garages in the form of a rope that the crew people used to pull the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have automatic garage openers and closers .
They do it by hand .
And they do it manually .
Leahy : The story on this was Bubba Wallace , African American NASCAR driver… Carmichael : The only one .
And that matters here .
Leahy : Yes .
So he called to get rid of all the Confederate flags a couple of weeks ago .
Then the story was , two days ago ?
A noose was found in the area where he what do they call that ?
Garage ?
Carmichael : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars .
Leahy : And so now you ’ ve got that new information .
Carmichael : I don ’ t have new information I ’ m just applying logic .
So let ’ s look at what happened .
First of all , you have the accusation .
Then you have NASCAR go crazy in support of Bubba Wallace .
You have a parade down the track where Bubba Wallace is leading all the drivers .
Much publicity .
Much press coverage .
In the midst of a time when NASCAR needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the whole thing is not only a hoax but I think it was contrived .
Leahy : Yes .
I think that ’ s a kind way to put it , Crom .
Carmichael : I don ’ t mean contrived by Bubba Wallace .
First of all , Bubba Wallace is now known by a whole lot more people than he was known before .
Therefore his personal income will go up as he is able to be an advocate or a celebrity or endorser .
So Bubba Wallace will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they need to widen their audience .
So to me , the logical conclusion is that all these people were in on a racist hoax .
There is no way to prove it in the absence of civil lawsuits which won ’ t happen where you get to look at everybody ’ s emails and cell phones to see records of who they ’ ve been talking with .
My sense of it is that looking at how well orchestrated and how quickly the media coverage took place I really think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can see why a lot of people would believe that .
Crom , I ’ m going to share some data with you which is very troubling .
I ’ ll just read it to you and I ’ ll send you the link on this poll .
YouGov which is a pollster and did a poll asking one particular question .
And I ’ m going to tell you overall what it is for the United States for adults .
Then I ’ m going to break it down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get your reaction to what I ’ m about to tell you .
This is a national poll .
How proud if at all are you to be an American ?
And here ’ s the percentage of those that said they were very proud of all US adults , 48 percent .
Ok ?
Let ’ s break that down by age group .
Carmichael : Let me stop you just for a second so I understand .
What were the choices ?
Very proud was one ?
Leahy : Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , Not very proud .
Not at all .
The overall view of the US and then I ’ ll break it down by very proud .
Forty eight percent very proud of all adults .
Twenty-two percent somewhat proud , five percent don ’ t know .
Fifteen percent not very proud .
Eight percent not proud at all .
That ’ s for the country as a whole .
Let me go by age group .
And I ’ ll start with very proud and you ’ ll see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then we can go back to the elements of it .
For those that are 55 and older , 62 percent are very proud to be Americans .
Those 45-54 , 48 percent are very proud to be Americans .
35-44 , it ’ s 44 percent are very proud to be Americans .
25-34 , 36 percent are very proud to be Americans .
18-24 , 22 percent are very proud to be American .
Carmichael : If you are an anti-American communist then you can applaud our educational system for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then you can throw in the news media and Hollywood as the institutions that regularly tear down our country .
The more frightening part of that is the way that corporate America is responding to all this .
You have the head of Microsoft who ’ s now claiming that he ’ s going to embrace the Black Lives Matter movement .
And that ’ s what you see with all these social media people who are essentially saying we ’ re going to embrace the anarchists .
Carmichael : What I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more charter schools .
And we need new higher universities .
And since the social media companies are so on board with this change I just think we ought to levy a special tax .
( Leahy laughs ) I ’ m being very serious .
A special tax on those companies and the wealth of the founders to set up specifically for charter schools and universities that have a diversity of thought among their faculty .
And I also think that the sports teams , I think it would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting venues that they play in that the owner would be required to buy the venues at a very nice price .
And all of those proceeds should be used to build charter schools .
Leahy : I ’ m all for that .
I ’ m all for that .
Carmichael : We really have a war without bullets at this point going on in this country .
And you have the elitists ’ like Tim Cook who is outraged about Trump ’ s visas .
Well , that ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational system at home is not properly preparing our young people to be employees of Apple .
Listen to the second hour here : – – – Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 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 .
Photo “ Washington , D.C. George Floyd Protest ” by Ted Eytan .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil McCabe: ‘Things are Becoming Very Binary, Both on the Lef

Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil McCabe: ‘Things are Becoming Very Binary, Both on the Left and the Right’

Live from the iHeart Media studios in Washington , D.C. Wednesday 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 Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil McCabe to the newsmakers line .
During the third hour , McCabe weighed in on current events taking place in cities where protesters are bringing down historic statues .
He was concerned that both the left and the right had become binary as the Democrats move further left and Republicans edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined now by The Tennessee Star National Correspondent Neil McCabe .
Neil are you there ?
McCabe : Michael !
How are you ?
Leahy : I am busy guarding the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park .
My mission was successful Neil .
( McCabe laughs ) They didn ’ t tear it down last night .
McCabe : Well , there are a lot of statues .
This statue attacking has gone on for two or three weeks now and it ’ s absolutely crazy because the news reports that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobs tearing down statues .
Usually , that ’ s when a regime falls .
Right ?
McCabe : That ’ s a revolution or when there ’ s unrest .
I don ’ t know .
My neighborhood doesn ’ t have a lot of unrest .
There are still some downtowns that haven ’ t been torched .
It ’ s crazy to me when I think about the impression that people in other countries have about what ’ s going on in the United States .
And at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how did we let this happen ?
When two weeks ago or three weeks ago we were told don ’ t worry it was only a small fire at St. John ’ s Church that every president since Madison has attended services at .
Just a small fire in the basement .
Why are you making such a big deal about it ?
And it ’ s just a small fire .
Then you have the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs apologizing because they walked outside with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impression that there was law and order and calm .
I wonder if that statue and there was a real riot and people insisted on taking that statue would the Army show up ?
Would the Army say that ’ s not a lawful order ?
We know that the Department of Defense has pretty much said , wait , were not involved in this .
There was a helicopter pilot who sort of buzzed the crowd in Washington to try to break up some of that disorder .
Those guys are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to jail for tearing down any of these statutes .
But that helicopter crew is going to lose their stripes and get busted .
Leahy : If the president has his way if you deface up to 10 years in prison .
I think there ’ s an existing law that says that .
He ’ s apparently going to sign an executive order that says let ’ s enforce that law .
McCabe : ( Scoffs ) I have signed an executive order because if I don ’ t my federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Well , that ’ s encouraging Mike .
Leahy : ( Chuckles ) I ’ m here just to provide encouragement to you , Neil .
McCabe : I know .
There are a lot of laws that are already on the books .
I don ’ t wish lynching on anyone but it ’ s already against the law to kill someone .
Right ?
I don ’ t know .
These are crazy times .
Leahy : In the big news , you had a great exclusive story that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve King , a long time conservative congressman from Iowa told you that Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was supportive of his opponent who beat him in the primary .
McCabe : Right .
I think what people have to remember is that conservatives are in the Republican Party but they are not welcome in the Republican Party .
And Kevin McCarthy is not a conservative .
Kevin McCarthy has an entire career on Capitol Hill and even as a staffer was in the faction known as leadership .
And we have an example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it he would tell you were his own fault .
When John Boehner wanted to be a Minority Leader King opposed him and supported a kid named Mike Pence .
When Boehner wanted to be Speaker of the House , King said no .
I ’ m going to vote for someone else .
And then of course when conservatives led by Mark Meadows who is now the White House Chief of Staff in what became the House Freedom Caucus when they forced out John Boehner as Speaker , King was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama proposed Obamacare Steve King opposed it and John Boehner had a meeting of Republican Congressmen and said we are not going to oppose this we don ’ t have the votes .
We are going to let it happen and move on .
So now there are four times where King went up against leadership .
One of his acolytes Kevin McCarthy who was the Minority Whip under Boehner , now the Minority Leader , these leadership guys they ’ ve had enough .
The country guys from Northwest Iowa and basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reporter made up quotes and inflated what he wanted King to say and basically accredited it to King .
Basically they strung the guy up .
Conservatives have to wonder .
What is going on with the Republican Party ?
And the last point I want to make about King .
One of the reasons why leadership and Republican leaders don ’ t like him is because he is so influential in the Iowa caucuses .
That Iowa Caucus in 2016 , Ted Cruz won that because he was backed by Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caucus that made Donald Trump a much more conservative candidate .
He took positions in Iowa that he has held to win the presidency and be president today .
Leahy : Last question .
We ’ re talking about the Republican Party still having room for conservatives .
The Democrat Party on the other hand seems to be going full-fledged communist , socialist , you name it .
The latest Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez primary victory apparently Jaamal Bowman , he defeated Elliot Engel or is leading Engel 61-36 in a primary up there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCabe : Engel not a small guy .
He ’ s Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee .
Recently at least he was the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee .
The very famous and notorious DCCC .
He ’ s the guy who ’ s in charge of the political wing of the Democrats and he got taken down .
What we ’ re seeing is things are becoming very binary .
Both on the left and the right .
Leahy : Yes .
Right .
Far left and far right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy press secretary has been announced to be the campaign spokesperson for the campaign .
I think that ’ s a good move .
What do you think ?
McCabe : A very good move .
He ’ s very close to the Huckabee ’ s obviously .
And I will tell you he is the finest dresser in Washington , D.C .
The man is a very very smart dresser .
Leahy : He is sartorially splendid .
I did a case study at Vanderbilt when I was an adjunct professor many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know Brian Lamb the CSPAN guy .
A great guy .
The phrase that came to me talking about Brian Lamb .
Sartorially splendid .
That guy is always immaculately dressed in a sharp suit .
So Hogan Gidley is following .
McCabe : Good guy .
I like Hogan very much .
He ’ s going to do a great job .
He ’ s always been good to me .
Leahy : Has the campaign lost its mojo ?
Can it get it back ?
McCabe : Ah , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) I ’ m not really impressed .
McCabe : We need Steven K at the helm !
Leahy : Ohhh .
That ’ s a topic for another day my friend .
( McCabe laughs ) But I don ’ t think you are the only person saying that .
Listen to the full third hour here : – – – Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by DonkeyHotey .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Zach Wamp Endorses Manny Sethi for U.S. Senate

Former Congressman Zach Wamp on Wednesday endorsed Manny Sethi for the United States Senate .
Sethi announced this on his Facebook page .
Wamp served in the United States Congress , representing Tennessee ’ s Third District from 1995 through 2011 .
“ There are three reasons why I am endorsing Dr. Manny Sethi for Senate , ” Wamp said in an emailed press release .
“ He is the true conservative in this race , and he will stand for fiscal responsibility when so many others have buckled .
He is authentic and he will represent the people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every decision he makes .
Finally , he belongs to a new generation of conservatives who have the chance to lead our country to greater freedom and prosperity .
We need more political outsiders and citizen legislators like Dr. Manny Sethi in the U.S. Senate , and that is why I am proud to endorse him.
” Sethi said in the press release that he appreciated Wamp ’ s support and called him “ a true conservative leader in our state and a great representation of East Tennessee.
” “ Zach has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I ’ m humbled to have his vote and his support , ” Sethi said .
As The Tennessee Star reported earlier this month , former Congressman Ed Bryant endorsed Sethi ’ s candidacy .
Bryant represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a magistrate judge for the Western District of Tennessee .
“ It matters who leads , who represents us and our values .
We need a senator who won ’ t forget about West Tennessee , ” Bryant said .
“ We have the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , someone who will stand up for all of Tennessee , which is why I ’ m endorsing Dr. Manny for Senate.
” As The Tennessee Star also reported , U.S. Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) endorsed Sethi .
“ Tennessee deserves a true conservative who supports President Trump , is pro-liberty , and will fight out-of-control federal spending .
I believe Dr. Manny is the right choice .
Like me , he ’ s a physician , not another politician .
We need more outsiders in Washington , and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Paul said .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Manny Sethi ” by Manny Sethi .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--New York City Has 39,200 Criminal Cases Backlogged Amid COVID Outbreak

The New York City legal system has more than 39,000 pending criminal cases after trials were postponed in February , the city confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Trials by jury were postponed , prosecutions decreased as officials aimed to decrease the incarcerated population and various hearings were held virtually , The New York Times reported .
“ Because of the pandemic pending matters in New York City Criminal Court are 39,200 cases .
Of those about 12,000 are felonies awaiting transfer to Supreme Court for further action , ” New York State Courts director of public information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This compares to a normal pending caseload of about 27,000 cases awaiting disposition in the Country ’ s busiest Criminal Court , ” Chalfen added .
Protests in New York City resulted in a large number of arrests that overwhelmed the legal system , the Times reported .
The nationwide protests followed the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes , according to video of the incident .
“ It ’ s a situation we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz told the Times .
Though court is held virtually , over the last two weeks some Judges have returned to their chambers , the paper reported .
Prosecutor ’ s office staff returned as court officials increased the amount of virtual indictments , the Times reported .
It was a “ crisis within a crisis , ” Manhattan Supreme Court Justice James M. Burke said , according to the Times .
Trials in New York state were deferred after the state ’ s speedy trial law was suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo in March , the Times reported .
The New York Police Department and Cuomo did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Kaylee Greenlee is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann Endorses Bill Hagerty for U.S. Senate

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann ( R-TN-03 ) endorsed Bill Hagerty Wednesday for the United States Senate , citing the former ambassador ’ s business acumen among the reasons for his support .
“ Bill Hagerty is a trustworthy conservative businessman , just like President Trump , who has my complete support , ” Fleischmann said in the press release .
“ Bill ’ s economic background more than qualifies him for the U.S. Senate .
As businesses in Tennessee and around the country begin to open again , we need someone like Bill helping lead our state .
Tennesseans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hagerty , in the same press release , said he appreciated the congressman ’ s support .
“ He is a good friend , who is working hard alongside President Trump to get our economy back on track and protect our Tennessee conservative values , ” Hagerty said .
“ I ’ m grateful for his support , and I hope that Tennesseans give me the opportunity to work with him to strengthen our economy , bring more jobs to our communities , stop illegal immigration , defend our Second Amendment rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall and stand for our law enforcement officers , our military and our veterans.
” As The Tennessee Star reported , U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) , the United States Chamber of Commerce , the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund , and U.S. President Donald Trump have endorsed Hagerty .
As The Star reported last week , Hagerty announced he will host a telephone town hall with conservative political strategist Kellyanne Conway to talk about maintaining the Senate majority and ensuring President Donald Trump has allies in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 11 a.m. Eastern Time/10 a.m. Central Time Thursday , June 25 , the press release said .
Conway said in a press release that the country needs a Republican Senate majority “ to fight back against the increasingly radical agenda of the Democrats.
” You can RSVP for Hagerty ’ s telephone town hall with Conway by clicking here .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ]


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Bill Hagerty Releases New TV Ad: ‘Made in the USA’

U.S. Senate candidate Bill Hagerty released a new television ad this week highlighting what he said is his experience working with President Donald Trump to get the nation ’ s economy going again .
The ad also highlights what Hagerty said is his readiness to stand up to China .
This , in the wake of China unleashing the Wuhan virus upon the world , causing massive loss of life and harming America ’ s economy , Hagerty said .
“ As Tennessee ’ s next Senator , Bill will continue to work with President Trump to hold China accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing our manufacturing supply chains onshore and putting America first .
Together , they will get Americans back to work , ” said Abigail Sigler , campaign spokeswoman , in a press release .
Hagerty , in his new ad , titled “ Made in the USA , ” said “ China ’ s cover-up led to the loss of thousands of American lives and the destruction of millions of American jobs.
” “ I ’ m Bill Hagerty , and I want to hit China where it hurts , ” Hagerty said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing jobs home and get back to ‘ Made in the USA.
’ ” As The Tennessee Star reported last week , Hagerty announced he will host a telephone town hall with conservative political strategist Kellyanne Conway on to talk about maintaining the Senate majority and ensuring Trump has allies in the Senate .
“ I am honored Kellyanne Conway will be able to answer questions from Tennesseans on holding the Senate majority , ” Hagerty said .
“ We worked together during the 2016 presidential election to elect President Donald Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our family , and a leader in the Republican Party .
I ’ m grateful that she will be able to join us to give us an update on President Trump ’ s re-election campaign and the importance of sending more strong conservatives to Washington.
” The telephone town hall is scheduled for 11 a.m. Eastern Time/10 a.m. Central Time on June 25 .
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star .
Follow Chris on Facebook .
Email tips to [ email protected ] Photo “ Bill Hagerty ” @ @ @ @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Commentary: Conservatives Applaud Trump’s American Workers First Executive Order

On Monday President Trump issued an Executive Order suspending most work-related immigration to the United States , this proclamation is an extension and expansion of his Proclamation 10014 of April 22 , 2020 “ Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.
” The new Order extends limits on immigration “ of certain aliens as immigrants and nonimmigrants would be detrimental to the interests of the United States ” through December 31 , 2020 .
This much-needed executive action confirms Donald Trump as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a role he staked-out for himself in the first days of his 2016 campaign , and from which he has never wavered .
As President Trump described in Proclamation 10014 , excess labor supply is particularly harmful to workers at the margin between employment and unemployment — those who are typically “ last in ” during an economic expansion and “ first out ” during an economic contraction .
In recent years , these workers have been disproportionately represented by historically disadvantaged groups , including African Americans and other minorities , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with disabilities .
Conservatives were quick to applaud the President ’ s action , with our friends at NumbersUSA issuing a statement saying , “ NumbersUSA applauds President Trump ’ s unprecedented Executive Order temporarily halting the entry of certain immigrants and guest workers .
No previous administration in our lifetimes has recognized the imperative of slowing the importation of foreign workers during an unemployment crisis .
For the more than 45 million Americans who have lost their jobs during this pandemic , this EO represents real opportunity to regain employment at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it represents an opportunity for American employers to broaden their recruitment efforts into historically underserved communities and prove that Americans will do those jobs.
” Likewise , Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning issued a statement praising President Donald Trump ’ s executive order to cut legal immigration into the U.S. : President Trump is putting Americans first with his memorandum cutting the number of legal immigrants into the country .
At a time when more than 20 million Americans are on the unemployment rolls , it is important to insure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those who have lost their jobs due to the Chinese-originated COVID-19 virus response .
America is a very generous nation , and the President ’ s executive order will ensure that those who have high-end unique skill sets will still be able to contribute to our nation ’ s growth over the next six months .
But this executive order should put an end to the days of companies like Disney replacing their American workers in their IT shops with cheaper , temporary foreign workers .
When Donald Trump ran for President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of forcing U.S. workers to train their foreign replacements with the threat of losing their pensions and unemployment benefits hanging over their heads .
As ours and the world ’ s economy resets , this is the perfect opportunity to reconfigure visa allocations to best reflect our nation ’ s needs , and President Trump ’ s actions today are projected to open up as many as 500,000 jobs for hard working , willing Americans .
The President campaigned as an America first president , and today ’ s announcement is just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an America first President .
In the face of opposition from Big Business and the Wall Street – Washington – Silicon Valley Axis , and lobbying by some of his own White House staff who secretly and not-so-secretly share their globalist views , this latest Executive Order limiting immigration is another concrete example of Donald Trump keeping faith with America ’ s forgotten men and women .
During the 2016 campaign in a speech in Monessen , Pennsylvania Donald Trump made a point that should have been self-evident to America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-evident and they are so corrupt that they just don ’ t care – and it is something that every voter should be reminded of before the election : America became the world ’ s dominant economy by becoming the world ’ s dominant producer .
You know that from right here , right in this plant .
The wealth this created was shared broadly , creating the biggest middle-class the world has ever known .
But then , America changed its policy from promoting development in America — in , in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other nations .
That ’ s what ’ s happening and that ’ s what ’ s happened .
We allowed foreign countries to subsidize their goods , devalue their currencies , violate their agreements and cheat in every way imaginable , and our politicians did nothing about it .
Trillions of our dollars and millions of our jobs flowed overseas as a result .
I have visited cities and towns across this country where one-third or even half of manufacturing jobs have been wiped out in the last 20 years .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in goods than we export .
We can ’ t continue to do that .
This is not some natural disaster , it ’ s a political and politician-made disaster .
In his Executive Order limiting immigration during the economic turmoil caused by the Chinese virus President Trump is preventing another political and politician-made disaster from befalling America ’ s working families .
We urge CHQ readers and friends to contact the White House switchboard 202-456-1111 to thank President Trump for expanding and extending the limits on immigration , as set forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Executive Order .
You can also thank President Trump through the White House web portal .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Crom Carmichael Talks Big Tech’s Disdain for the American Worker and Failed Democratic Leadership

Live from the iHeart Media studios in Washington , D.C. Wednesday 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 Crom Carmichael to the studio .
At the end of the second hour , Carmichael weighed in on Apple CEO Tim Cook ’ s position for foreign visas which shows his disdain for American workers and favor of cheaper foreign labor .
Towards the end of the segment , he identified how the original purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants used as an extension of the Democratic Party .
Leahy : Crom , you were saying that Tim Cook has got a little bit of inconsistency going on ?
Carmichael : Well , he doesn ’ t have so much inconsistency as he cares only about Apple .
Apple is a global company .
If the plight of Americans goes down and Apple stock goes up apparently Tim Cook is very happy .
And the same thing is true with all these big tech people .
Because all they want is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries to come in and take jobs that our educational system according to them , has not prepared our young people to take those jobs .
To educate them well enough .
So rather than fight for a better educational system for Americans he fights for visas for non-Americans .
And I just find that to be sad .
And at some point it becomes reprehensible .
Bill Gates is among those .
If he does provide any money to education it ’ s to try to straight jacket education .
What was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Carmichael : Just a terrible thing to try to impose your educational philosophy .
And then it also just did a lousy job of educating .
But that ’ s what these very very bright nerdy tech people that really don ’ t have any concept of community .
They just don ’ t .
They know how to run their own businesses .
They know how to grow their profits .
And I have no problem with businesses that do well and that are profitable .
But I do have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses are frankly anti-American .
And then the Black Lives Matter , the original Black Lives Matter movement had some meaning , and then it was taken over by the Left .
And so now the Black Lives Matter movement is a political arm .
And one of the things that is interesting is that law-abiding citizens will be arrested if they do the slightest thing that Democrat officeholders don ’ t like .
But the Black Lives Matter militant wing of the Democrat Party is allowed to do whatever they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results are in Seattle .
And here ’ s what ’ s interesting .
There was a 19-year-old black man who was shot and killed in Seattle in this new autonomous zone they called CHOP .
It used to be called CHAZ .
Michael , I don ’ t know what his name is .
Do you know what his name is ?
Leahy : It ’ s not George Floyd that ’ s for sure .
Carmichael : Do you know what his name is ?
Leahy : No .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
Carmichael : The point is nobody cares and this is a Black person .
So we have one Black life that has been extinguished in the midst of all this anarchy and nobody in the media seems even to care what his name is much less what his circumstances are .
So this is additional evidence to support the notion that this is not about Black lives .
It ’ s about politics .
It ’ s about power .
And the Democrats have no agenda that ’ s uplifting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Black people because they want to keep Black children in lousy schools and they ’ ll fight like crazy to do it .
One thing I thought was interesting was did you see where people in New York finally got enough of de Blasio and so they drove around Gracie Mansion and took a page out of Nashville ’ s book ?
Carmichael : They drove around Gracie Mansion honking their horns all night because there was something going on in another part of the city and de Blasio would not quiet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived in that area got in their cars and went over to Gracie Mansion and said if we can ’ t sleep you won ’ t sleep .
The next day de Blasio changed the policy .
Leahy : De Blasio has got to be the poster child of the very worst elements of Democratic leadership .
Carmichael : I used to think he was the poster child but he ’ s now just one of many faces on the poster .
Leahy : One of many .
Carmichael : The mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor of Seattle is now saying it ’ s time to close up the CHOP zone by asking them all to leave .
Carmichael : Yes .
Now they might leave because they are part of a political movement but there is a point at which the mass of people who support this kind of anarchy are not political by nature they are anarchists by nature .
And you have mob psychology that takes over .
Leahy : Oh yes .
And boy there ’ s nothing more dangerous than a mob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely dangerous and unpredictable .
Carmichael : Well you can predict it ’ s not going to be peaceful .
What Trump said was “ when the looting starts the shooting starts.
” To any logical person what he meant was that anarchy in the streets means that thugs in the streets will have guns and start shooting .
This wasn ’ t hard to figure out .
But that isn ’ t the way that the Left which is not logical that ’ s not the way that they interpreted it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being shot in the CHOP zone they are not cooperating with the police .
Which is just fascinating .
But there is camera footage available .
So whether or not the police decide to do anything in Seattle I think will depend I guess on the mayor and the prosecutor in Seattle .
We ’ re moving toward an election and the election will give the opportunity for the people to speak .
Listen to the second hour here : – – – Tune in weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leahy on Talk Radio 98.3 FM WLAC 1510 .
Listen online at iHeart Radio .
Photo “ Tim Cook ” by Austin Community College .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Indictments Likely Coming Down in Durham Probe and Antifa Financing Probe, Former Fed Says

A former federal prosecutor said Tuesday that he believes that the reason congressional Democrats are working so hard to smear Attorney General William Barr is to “ preempt ” what will soon be coming down in two Department of Justice investigations .
Jim Trusty , formerly the Chief of the Organized Crime Section at the DOJ , now a partner at Ifrah Law , said Dems are doing “ damage control ” because U.S. Attorney John Durham ’ s investigation into the origins of the FBI ’ s Russia probe , and a DOJ investigation into antifa ’ s financing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombshell ” indictments .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler recently vowed to subpoena Attorney General Bill Barr to compel him to testify before his panel on the firing of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman .
Rep. Jim Jordan scorched Nadler in a letter Tuesday , accusing him of taking an “ odd and decidedly partisan posture ” toward the attorney general since his confirmation .
“ The Attorney General had previously agreed to appear voluntarily in March , before you cancelled the hearing due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Attorney General Barr remains willing to testify voluntarily once the pandemic concludes .
Accordingly , there is no legitimate basis for you to compel his testimony at this time.
” Trusty told Fox News ’ Jon Scott that Barr is not likely to be worried about being cross-examined by Nadler or any other Democrats on the panel on the firing of Berman .
The lawyer argued that the president has every right to fire U.S. attorneys , pointing out that former President Bill Clinton fired 93 U.S. attorneys when he came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it into this incredibly important inquisition about the misdeeds of Mr. Barr , and I got ta tell ya , I don ’ t think for a minute that Bill Barr is shaking in his boots or worrying about whether he has to appear by way of subpoena or just by volunteering , ” he said .
“ The president can move people around and the president can put new U.S. attorneys into office at his pleasure.
” Trusty explained that the reason Democrats are trying to dirty up Barr and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Durham probe “ that will be significant.
” He likened the Dems ’ posture to a “ preemptive strike ” designed to discredit Durham and Barr among Americans .
Trusty also told Scott that the DOJ will probably be indicting people as part of its probe into antifa , the violent far-left group President Trump recently designated as a terrorist organization .
Barr told Fox News ’ Bret Baier earlier this month that “ focused investigations ” were already underway that “ relate to Antifa.
” “ It ’ s a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unusual system of communication and organization , ” Barr said .
“ There are people who can be characterized as leaders in any given situation.
” The DOJ has made finding out who is behind the recent unrest a top priority .
“ There appear to be sources of funding , and we are looking into the sources of funding , ” Barr said .
“ And , you know , there is clearly some high degree of organization involved at some of these events and and coordinated tactics that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking into that as well .
And some of it relates to Antifa .
Some of it relates to groups that act very much like Antifa .
As I said , there ’ s a witches ’ brew of extremist groups that are trying to exploit this situation on all sides.
” Trusty said “ I think there ’ s a real good chance this Justice Department ends up identifying and indicting antifa financiers , or people associated with antifa , ” adding that it could be “ a bit of a bombshell.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go after Barr every day ” until the indictments come down .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--White House Wins Ruling on Health Care Price Disclosure

WASHINGTON , D.C. ( AP ) — The Trump administration won a court ruling Tuesday upholding its plan to require hospitals and insurers to disclose the actual prices for common tests and procedures in a bid to promote competition and push down costs .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar called the decision in federal court in Washington , D.C. , “ a resounding victory ” for President Donald Trump ’ s efforts to open up the convoluted world of health care pricing so patients and families can make better-informed decisions about their care .
“ This may very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump tweeted Tuesday , on the ruling .
“ Congratulations America !
” But the American Hospital Association , which sued to block the Trump administration regulation and was on the losing side , announced it would appeal .
Industry argues that forcing the disclosure of prices negotiated between hospitals and insurers amounts to coercion .
That means the decision by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols may not be the final word .
“ American patients deserve to be in control of their healthcare , ” Azar said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed care during a public health emergency , it is more important than ever that they have ready access to the actual prices of health care services.
” Melinda Hatton , general counsel for the hospital association , said the trade group is disappointed by the ruling upholding what she called a “ flawed ” policy .
Hatton , too , cited the coronavirus pandemic , saying that complying with the rule would impose new costs at the wrong time .
“ It also imposes significant burdens on hospitals at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be devoted to patient care , ” Hatton said .
“ The AHA will appeal this decision and seek expedited review.
” The administration ’ s disclosure rule is set to take effect in January , but that timetable is now unclear .
Nonetheless , patient advocate Cynthia Fisher said the judge ’ s decision will help demystify health care costs and is in line with what most people want to see .
“ Americans want hospitals and insurance companies to reveal their hidden prices and believe that it will lower prices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration rule would require that hospitals : —publish in a consumer-friendly manner negotiated rates for the 300 most common services that can be scheduled in advance , such as a knee replacement , a Cesarean-section delivery or an MRI scan .
Hospitals would have to disclose what they ’ d be willing to accept if the patient pays cash .
The information would be updated every year .
—publish all their charges in a format that can be read on the internet by other computer systems .
This would allow web @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with tools that patients and their families can use .
Insurers also oppose the plan , saying it could prompt providers that are accepting a bargain price to try to bid up what they charge if they see that others are getting more .
A separate regulation that applies to insurers has not been finalized .
“ Forced disclosure of privately and competitively negotiated rates for every single health care item and service will not be helpful to consumers or simplify their health care experience , but will instead undermine competition , push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the industry group America ’ s Health Insurance Plans said Wednesday .
“ This is not a solution that works for Americans.
” Judge Nichols was nominated to the court by Trump .
Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar is a reporter The Associated Press .
About the Headline Photo : Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar speaks during a roundtable with President Donald Trump about America ’ s seniors , in the Cabinet Room of the White House , Monday , June 15 , 2020 , in Washington .
( AP Photo/Evan Vucci @


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Commentary: All Livelihoods Matter

Commentary: All Livelihoods Matter

When examining the challenges facing the black community in America , the conservative response—if they have the courage to respond at all—is to attack the policies Democrats have implemented supposedly to help blacks .
This is a valid response , which can be summarized as follows : Increased spending in public schools is futile because Democrats have taken away the ability to discipline disruptive students , and the teachers union has monopolized public education .
For example , instead of being fired , thanks to these unions , bad teachers end up teaching in low income communities .
Public education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Welfare spending has taken away the necessity for households to have a male breadwinner , and hence , a male role model and authority figure .
This has disproportionately impacted black families because a higher percentage of them collect welfare and other entitlements .
Two-thirds of black children are growing up in single-parent households .
There are other reasons conservatives may cite , centering around the theme of personal and community accountability .
Why aren ’ t more black conservatives stepping up and demanding school choice , family values , and collective rejection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the media elevating those black conservatives who do speak out , instead of pointing the cameras at the same old Sharptonesque hacks , year after year ?
These responses explain a lot , and deserve to be heard , but there ’ s another factor at work affecting black lives in America , and it ’ s also mostly the fault of Democrats .
The Democratic Attack on Black Lives and Black Livelihoods Between 1916 and 1970 , in what is called the Great Migration , more than 6 million blacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities of the North , Midwest , and West .
This was a time of rapid industrial expansion in the United States , and high-paying factory jobs attracted workers of all races .
During the period after World War II until about 1970 , America ’ s economy dominated the world .
Millions of black workers were able to afford homes and raise families .
But three things happened to change that starting in 1970 .
First , the world caught up with the United States .
In the immediate aftermath of World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only industrialized nation that wasn ’ t devastated .
As foreign manufacturers were slowly rebuilding atop the ashes , American exports poured into recovering markets all over the world .
America ’ s labor unions enjoyed unique leverage during this time , because management could afford to negotiate excellent wage and benefit packages for the workers and yet still make a profit .
Starting around 1970 , all of that changed .
Japan , then the “ Four Tigers ” of Taiwan , South Korea , Singapore , and Hong Kong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India , Indonesia and heavyweight China are all competing with American manufacturers .
Which brings us to the first great betrayal by Democrats : They joined with their Republican counterparts to adopt the gospel of “ free trade , ” heedless of the consequences .
This began slowly , but by the Clinton years , the Democrats were indistinguishable from the Republicans .
Good jobs went away , lost to cheap labor overseas .
White and black workers alike suddenly found themselves working harder and making less , if they had jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked black livelihoods , along with the livelihoods of everyone else , was the increase in the cost-of-living .
This is probably the least discussed element in the destruction of black livelihoods , along with the livelihoods of everyone in America , but it is perhaps the most important because relative to the other factors , it has just begun .
The cost-of-living is continuing to rise , despite the fact that productivity is higher than ever .
Why is this ?
In some areas , such as imported high-tech gear and generic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is misleading .
For most households , the products that are getting cheaper are nonessential , whereas the cost for essentials like housing and healthcare are soaring .
To show why Democrats are to blame for this assault on affordability , consider this excerpt from a California Policy Center analysis evaluating home prices in different parts of the United States : The Democratic response to poor schools and unaffordable housing is to expand government .
Hire more union teachers .
Build more government housing .
For 50 years , this has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have to show for it are the highest taxes and spending deficits in history .
In recent years , building affordable housing has become more corrupt than ever , with Democrat-run cities spending over a half-million on average per unit of subsidized housing .
At those prices , only a fraction of needed housing is built , and only crony developers benefit from the arrangement .
The solutions , which even Republicans usually lack the courage to espouse , are to restore competition in public education , ideally via school vouchers—good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , charter schools , and public schools .
Break the teachers ’ union monopoly .
For affordable housing , break the grip of extreme environmentalists who successfully have lobbied for laws in blue states and cities that effectively have cordoned off all development .
Allow suburban expansion , spend public budgets on roads instead of pensions , and the market price of housing will come back down to earth .
The Economics of All Lives Matter One of the saddest betrayals of black and white workers in America is their betrayal at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these unions have been too militant about protecting wage and benefit packages and trying to increase them to keep pace with inflation , but ultimately these are tactical battles .
On the defining strategic issues , however , these unions have betrayed their members .
If that betrayal was not evident initially back in the 1970s , it should be by now .
These unions have not fought effectively to prevent jobs from migrating overseas , and they haven ’ t fought at all to prevent an ongoing flood of cheap immigrant labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost-of-living , these unions have scarcely recognized extreme environmentalism as a primary reason housing and building materials cost so much , much less tried to challenge it .
When it comes to the livelihoods of middle class and aspiring middle-class people , these overarching trends are having a decisive and decidedly colorblind impact .
And the union betrayal goes beyond their failure to address the issues of offshoring , immigration , and environmentalism in a manner consistent with the interests of their members .
Instead , they have adopted and supported the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they utterly fail to recognize that public-sector unions aren ’ t unions at all .
They are government workers using government for themselves over , and sometimes even against , the interests of the public .
As a result , private-sector unions support public-sector union monopolies in public education , along with the attendant leftist indoctrination of students on issues of race , gender , economics and American history , and they offer unqualified support for more government spending .
This doesn ’ t do anything to help the members of private-sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a legitimate and vital role to play in American society .
Why can ’ t they be focused on the economic interests of their members , properly understood , and nothing else ?
The Black Lives Matter movement , much like the labor movement in America today , is unconcerned with black livelihoods .
Or if they are , they are tragically delusional .
Black livelihoods will not be uplifted by eliminating whatever vestiges of racism may still exist in America and implementing socialism .
They will be uplifted by black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitalist framework , working together to reject the agenda of the global Left : offshoring manufacturing , importing cheap labor , and imposing extreme environmentalist laws .
Edward Ring is a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness and co-founder of the California Policy Center , which he co-founded in 2013 .
Photo “ Black-Owned Business ” by Lorie Shaull .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--US Citizens Likely to be Left Out as Europe Reopens Borders

BRUSSELS , Belgium ( AP ) — Americans are unlikely to be allowed into more than 30 European countries for business or tourism when the continent begins next week to open its borders to the world , due to the spread of the coronavirus and President Donald Trump ’ s ban on European visitors .
More than 15 million Americans are estimated to travel to Europe each year , and such a decision would underscore flaws in the Trump administration ’ s handling of the pandemic , which has seen the United States record the highest number of infections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
European nations appear on track to reopen their borders between each other by July 1 .
Their representatives in Brussels have been debating what virus-related criteria should apply when lifting border restrictions to the outside world , which were imposed in March to stop all non-essential travel to Europe .
In recommendations to EU nations on June 11 , the European Commission said “ travel restrictions should not be lifted as regards third countries where the situation is worse ” than the average in the 27 EU member countries plus Iceland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to rule out people living in the United States , where new coronavirus infections have surged to the highest level in two months , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
After trending down for well over a month , new U.S. cases have risen for more than a week .
The U.S. on Tuesday reported 34,700 new cases of the virus , bringing its total to more than 2.3 million cases and over 121,000 dead .
The virus outbreaks in Brazil , India and Russia are remarkably high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely that the EU will let their citizens in .
In contrast , aside from a notable new outbreak tied to a slaughterhouse in western Germany , the virus ’ s spread has slowed across the EU and particularly in the 26 nations that make up Europe ’ s visa-free travel zone known as the Schengen area .
For the EU ’ s executive arm , the key criteria for opening up to the outside world should include the number of new infections per 100,000 population — the exact ceiling is up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall response to the pandemic , in terms of testing , surveillance , treatment , contact tracing and reporting cases .
EU envoys are trying to agree on objective , scientific criteria so the decision to put a country on the admission list or not is based on facts and not political considerations .
Southern European countries like Spain , Italy and Greece are desperate for tourists to return and breathe new life into their virus-ravaged economies .
The bloc aims to revise the list of countries allowed to enter every two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining or possibly even denied access to Europe depending on the spread of the disease .
The commission hopes that exemptions can be given to foreign students , non-EU citizens who live in Europe and certain highly skilled workers .
But more than epidemiological criteria , any country being considered would first be expected to lift its own travel restrictions for people from all EU and Schengen nations , the commission said , adding “ it can not be applied selectively.
” Brussels fears that opening up to countries outside in ad hoc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border controls between nations inside the Schengen area , threatening once again Europe ’ s cherished principle of free movement , which allows people and goods to cross borders without checks .
This principle of reciprocity on its own should rule out U.S. citizens , at least initially .
In a March 11 decree , Trump suspended the entry of all people from the Schengen area .
More than 10 million Europeans usually visit the United States each year .
“ The potential for undetected transmission of the virus by infected individuals seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schengen area threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security , ” Trump ’ s proclamation said .
A top French diplomat , speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency ’ s customary practices , stressed that the EU decision will not be a political one .
“ It will be made on a basis as objective as possible which is the spreading of the virus , ” the diplomat said .
The official also stressed that Trump “ has taken very early measures consisting in preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , from entering the U.S. ” The EU commission also wants the bloc to be open as soon as possible after July 1 to the Balkans region , including citizens from Albania , Bosnia , Kosovo , Montenegro , North Macedonia and Serbia .
Lorne Cook is a reporter for The Associated Press .
AP Writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to the story .
About the Headline Photo : People cross the border between France and Spain at Behobie , southwestern France , Sunday , June 21 , 2020 .
Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bid to kickstart its economy while Brazil and South Africa struggled with rising coronavirus infections .
At a campaign rally , President Donald Trump said he told the U.S. government to reduce testing for the virus , apparently to avoid unflattering statistics ahead of the U.S. election in November .
( AP Photo/Bob Edme )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Tennessee Highway Patrol Removes Protesters Items at Legislative Plaza After Violating Agreement

The Tennessee Highway Patrol ( THP ) announced Tuesday night that it removed protesters ’ extra equipment from the Legislative Plaza after these individuals failed to comply with an agreement made between the two sides .
These protesters have been camping out at the plaza for the last 12 nights .
In a makeshift CHOP , these demonstrators renamed the plaza the Ida B .
Wells Plaza , who was an early civil rights leader .
When organizers started this protest on June 12 , they asked for “ government officials to defund and demilitarize the police , remove what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson.
” Eventually , Anderson decided to retire in six months after facing pressure from left-wing activists and Metro Council members .
According to the THP press release , protesters violated an agreement made Monday that said they were only allowed to have two tents at the plaza to protect themselves from the elements .
When THP returned the next day , the protesters added additional tents and items to the plaza .
After troopers said they were in violation of their agreement , the protesters removed the extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , later on Tuesday , the protesters eventually returned the additional tents and items back to the plaza .
When the THP saw the protesters had defied its orders again , it took action .
“ This [ Tuesday ] evening , troopers once again addressed the protestors and read them TCA 39-14-414 and then removed the unauthorized items .
The items consisted of wood pallet signs , tarps , tents , sleeping bags , chairs and bags of clothing , ” the THP press release says .
No citations were issued and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THP .
Left-wing activist Justin Jones , who has been apart of the protest since the beginning , said the troopers “ set ” them up .
“ Troopers stormed the plaza and took everything throwing it in a truck .
Taking clothing , medication , food , and personal items , ” he said .
“ Pushing people back and assaulting those who tried to save their belongings .
Gov .
Bill Lee this is madness .
# FreeCapitolHillTN.
” Furthermore , Jones accused THP Sergeant John Grinder on Tuesday of assaulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Today , an allegation was made that a Trooper assaulted three protestors on Legislative Plaza .
That allegation is false and is completely fabricated to fit the narrative of the protestors , ” THP said in a statement .
Our troopers have performed admirably throughout the entirety of the protest events and have conducted themselves as true professionals while subjected to verbal abuse and completely unreasonable conduct such as threats to our Troopers ’ families .
Our Troopers are paid and are expected to endure the verbal abuse perpetrated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protestors today crossed the line and is in no way peaceful .
As of Wednesday , Jones and a hand full of people are still protesting in the Legislative Plaza .
“ 286 hours of holding this space in Ida B .
Wells Plaza .
THE PLAZA BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE , AND WE NOT GON NA STOP UNTIL WE ’ RE EQUAL .
Gov .
Bill Lee stop hiding .
Come talk to your constituents and take action on systemic racism , ” Jones said .
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .
Photo “ Tennessee Highway Patrol Removing Protesters ’ Equipment ” by Justin Jones .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Bayer Paying Up to $10.9B to Settle Monsanto Weedkiller Case

BERLIN , Germany ( AP ) — Bayer will pay up to $ 10.9 billion to settle litigation over the subsidiary Monsanto ’ s weedkiller Roundup , which has faced thousands of lawsuits over claims it causes cancer , the German-based company said Wednesday .
Bayer said it was also paying up $ 1.22 billion to settle two additional areas of intense litigation , one involving PCB in water , and one involving dicamba , another weedkiller .
The company said the Roundup settlement involves about 125,000 filed and unfiled claims .
Under the agreement , Bayer will make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9.6 billion to resolve current litigation , and $ 1.25 billion to address potential future litigation .
Any future settlements are subject to approval by Judge Vince Chhabria of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California , the company said .
“ First and foremost , the Roundup settlement is the right action at the right time for Bayer to bring a long period of uncertainty to an end , ” Bayer CEO Werner Baumann said in a statement .
“ It resolves most current claims and puts in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential future litigation .
It is financially reasonable when viewed against the significant financial risks of continued , multi-year litigation and the related impacts to our reputation and to our business.
” Monsanto developed glyphosate — a key ingredient in Roundup — in the 1970s .
The weedkiller has been sold in more than 160 countries and widely used in the U.S .
The company has long maintained that it is safe .
Bayer said last year that all government regulators that have looked at the issue have rejected a link between cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under increasing scrutiny after the France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer , which is part of the World Health Organization , classified it as a “ probable human carcinogen ” in 2015 .
Lawsuits against Monsanto followed .
Monsanto has attacked the international research agency ’ s opinion as an outlier .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says glyphosate is safe for people when used in accordance with label directions .
In August , a California jury ordered Monsanto to pay a combined $ 2.055 billion to a couple claiming that Roundup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third such courtroom loss for Monsanto in California since August .
Bayer said Wednesday that the appeals process will continue for those three cases , which are not covered by the settlement .
Bayer said it would also pay up to $ 400 million to settle cases claiming that the weedkiller dicamba drifted onto plants that weren ’ t bred to resist it , killing them .
Claimants will be required to provide proof of damage to crop yields and evidence that it was due to dicamba , Bayer said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BASF toward the dicamba settlement .
A further payment of up to $ 820 million will be made to settle “ most ” claims for exposure to PCB , a highly carcinogenic chemical that Monsanto produced until 1977 and that has been found in U.S. waters .
Bayer said it would start making payments this year and these would be financed from existing liquidity , future income , proceeds from the sale of its animal health business and the issuance of additional bonds .
About the Headline Photo : In this , Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containers of Roundup are displayed at a store in San Francisco .
German pharmaceutical company Bayer announced Wednesday , June 24 , 2020 , it ’ s paying up to $ 10.9 billion to settle a lawsuit over subsidiary Monsanto ’ s weedkiller Roundup , which has faced numerous lawsuits over claims it causes cancer .
( AP Photo/Haven Daley , File )


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Planned Parenthood Fires Top Exec Over Allegations of Racism

A top executive at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has been fired over allegations of racism .
The organization ’ s board of directors announced Tuesday that they had “ parted ways ” Monday with Laura McQuade , who had served as chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York since 2017 , the New York Times reported .
The news came after allegations of both abusive and discriminatory behavior towards black Planned Parenthood employees .
Hundreds of employees formed a group called Save PPGNY and spoke out against McQuade in the form of letters — letters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We reject what we view as McQuade ’ s Trumpian leadership style , ” one of the letters said , according to the Times , “ and envision a Planned Parenthood where all our staff , in particular our black and other staff of color , are honored for their expertise and included in the decision-making process.
” The letters accuse McQuade of treating black employees with discrimination and preventing them from advancing in their careers , of humiliating and berating employees , and of supporting the laying off and furloughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s employees during the coronavirus crisis – without a decrease in her own pay .
“ Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist , white woman , ” one of the letters said , posted on the group Save PPGNY ’ s website , referring to Planned Parenthood founder and eugenicist supporter Margaret Sanger .
“ That is a part of history that can not be changed .
While efforts have been made to undo some of the harm from institutional racism , many of these issues have worsened under McQuade ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from staff about issues of systemic racism , pay inequity , and lack of upward mobility for Black staff , highly-paid consultants were brought in three separate times to assess the situation , ” the letter continued .
“ Each time , employees of color were brutally honest about their experiences , but nothing changed .
It is not possible to do justice to the scope and gravity of this issue here.
” The allegations of racism came amidst national outrage over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck for several minutes , video of the incident showed .
Derek Chauvin , the officer , has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
“ The Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Board of Directors has announced that they have parted ways with Laura McQuade , ” Save PPGNY said in a post on the group ’ s website following news that she had been fired .
“ While we know that there is still work to do , we are happy for this victory .
Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this important win .
The people united will never be defeated.
” Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Mary Margaret Olohan is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Photo “ Laura McQuade ” by Laura McQuade .
Background Photo “ Planned Parenthood Building ” by Fibonacci Blue .
CC BY 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Two Weeks Later, Investigation Into Toppling of Minnesota’s Christopher Columbus Statue Still Ongoin

Two Weeks Later, Investigation Into Toppling of Minnesota’s Christopher Columbus Statue Still Ongoing

It ’ s been two weeks since a Christopher Columbus statue was toppled outside the Minnesota Capitol , but the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said the investigation remains ongoing .
A spokesperson for the agency told KSTP chief political reporter Tom Hauser that the “ investigation continues as the [ Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ] works to identify other participants in the incident , beyond the leader.
” “ Once the BCA ’ s investigation is complete , it will be turned over to the Ramsey County Attorney for consideration of charges related to destruction of property , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place on June 10 in broad daylight and was recorded by countless news stations and reporters .
Mike Forcia , chairman of the American Indian Movement ( AIM ) , said at the time that he informed Gov .
Tim Walz ’ s office of the group ’ s plan to tear down the statue .
“ I reached out to the mayor ’ s office this morning .
I reached out to the governor ’ s office and told them exactly what we were going to do because several people wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , come over here and pull him down .
See , he was put up in broad daylight with 24,000 people here and they celebrated and it should be taken down the same way , in broad daylight and celebrated .
And that ’ s exactly what happened , ” said Forcia .
He even said he expected to be arrested imminently and was told by the State Patrol that he would face criminal charges .
Hauser reported last week that no charges had been filed in the matter .
As The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peggy Flanagan welcomed the removal of the statue in a June 10 statement .
“ I can ’ t say I ’ m sad the statue of Christopher Columbus is gone .
I ’ m not , ” she said .
“ The arrival of Christopher Columbus to what is now the Americas set in motion centuries of violence and genocide against the Indigenous people who already lived here .
As the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country , I have often reflected on the fact that I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my office window.
” The Minnesota Catholic Conference , the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in Minnesota , told LifeSite News Wednesday that the statue should be “ restored to public view.
” “ The negligent failure by public officials and safety officers to protect the Christopher Columbus statue – a statue erected to celebrate greater inclusiveness of Italians in Minnesota – should be a cause of concern for all Minnesotans , regardless of their views on Columbus himself , ” said Jason Adkins , executive director of the group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ community of the statue ’ s lawless removal also shows the prevalence of fake history .
Columbus is not a canonized saint , but he is not a villain , either .
As described by Pope Leo XIII , his motives were [ exemplary ] , and it was an extraordinary achievement to connect the peoples of two hemispheres , ” he added .
“ To say Columbus was a perpetrator of genocide makes a mockery of the term.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Christopher Columbus Statue Destroyed ” by Tony Webster .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Ohio Governor Not in Favor of Removing Columbus Statue

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said Tuesday that while he ’ s not in favor of the removal of statues of Christopher Columbus , he ’ s open to discussions that arise about people ’ s place in history .
DeWine addressed last week ’ s removal by Columbus State Community College of its statue of the namesake explorer , and the announcement by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther that he wants the large statue outside City Hall to also go .
Some Democratic lawmakers have called for a statue of Columbus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Don ’ t think I ’ m probably going to be in favor of taking Columbus ’ statue down , ” DeWine said at his biweekly news conference where he spent most of the time talking about the latest coronavirus numbers .
DeWine did pledge to read a biography about Columbus in light of the controversy , something he said he hadn ’ t done .
Once an unquestioned icon of the history of the Americas , Columbus has become for some a symbol of the subjugation and in many cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues of the explorer were renewed following global protests over racism and police brutality after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer last month .
The Republican DeWine said he ’ s not overly bothered by the removal of statues commemorating Confederate soldiers because his great-great-grandfather fought for the Union and was imprisoned in a Confederate prisoner of war camp .
But DeWine also said that removing every statute because someone wasn ’ t perfect “ is probably not a good idea.
” “ At what point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he asked .
He said he was bothered by California protesters over the weekend who targeted statues and busts of former President Ulysses Grant , an Ohio native who commanded the Union Army that defeated the Confederacy .
However , the governor also said debate over statues had a positive side .
“ If these discussions bring us to a fuller understanding of our history and of the people who have been part of our history , that ’ s a good thing , ” he said .
Also Thursday , DeWine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of officers at the Statehouse to avoid a repeat of last week ’ s defacing of the capitol by individuals who painted red hand prints and the phrase “ hands up , don ’ t shoot ” in protest of police brutality .
The governor said he ’ s instructed the patrol to investigate and bring to prosecution anyone found to have damaged the Statehouse .
He also decried what he called a minority of people turning to violence in protests .
Andrew Welsh-Huggins is a reporter for The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Dr Bob Hall .
CC BY-SA 2.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--‘Cancel the Cancel Culture’: Sauk Rapids Bar Owner Sues Liberal Group for Defamation

The owner of a Sauk Rapids bar and restaurant has sued a local activist group for defamation after it boasted about getting the business removed from a tourism website .
Rollie Hogrefe , owner of Rollie ’ s Rednecks and Longnecks , filed a defamation and tortious interference lawsuit Wednesday against the “ radical agitators ” of UniteCloud and its executive director Natalie Ringsmuth .
Filed in Benton County District Court , the lawsuit claims UniteCloud “ published false and misleading statements online and in the public , with the specific goal of harming Rollie ’ s ability to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local and national music acts that have made them famous.
” Earlier this month , UniteCloud published a series of anonymous testimonies on its Facebook page from people who allegedly visited the bar in the past .
The posts accused Hogrefe and his staff of engaging in racist and homophobic behavior .
In another post , UniteCloud boasted about successfully getting Hogrefe ’ s restaurant removed from the website of Visit Greater St .
Cloud , a tourism promotion agency .
UniteCloud and others in the community have objected to Hogrefe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you hold different political or social views than Natalie and her group , they will go after you and not stop until they shut you down , ” Hogrefe said in a press release .
“ It ’ s time someone stands up to this bullying and cancel the ‘ Cancel Culture.
’ ” Hogrefe had previously sent a cease and desist letter to UniteCloud and Ringsmuth , asking them to take down the anonymous testimonies and to refrain from “ further harassment.
” That request was ignored , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit accuses UniteCloud and Ringsmuth of taking actions intentionally aimed at defaming , harassing , and interfering with Hogrefe ’ s business .
“ Despite its stated mission , Defendant UniteCloud has engaged in acts to raise tension in central Minnesota by harassing persons and entities it perceives to hold different views on political matters , social events , and government action , ” states the lawsuit .
The complaint seeks at least $ 50,000 in damages .
“ Natalie and her group are piggybacking on the ‘ Cancel Culture ’ to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with , ” Hogrefe added .
“ That is wrong and I am willing to take the fight to them , so they can ’ t do this to other small businesses in our community.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Rollies ” by Rollies .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Ohio House Democrats Introduce Criminal Justice Reform Bill That Would Require More Training for Law

Ohio House Democrats Introduce Criminal Justice Reform Bill That Would Require More Training for Law Enforcement

Ohio House Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday that seeks to implement more training for state law enforcement officers .
In House Bill 706 , whose primary sponsors are state Reps. Erica C. Crawley ( D-Columbus ) and Thomas West ( D-Canton ) , would require police to undergo training in de-escalation techniques , mental health issues , implicit bias .
This bill is part of four criminal justice reform bill the Ohio House Democrats plan to introduce .
The other three bills , which have not been introduced yet , address arrest and citation quotas , reduce penalties for certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misdemeanor data by race , ethnicity , age and gender .
“ Failing to act with concrete , systemic changes to our law enforcement agencies and criminal justice system is simply not an option right now , ” West said .
“ As lawmakers , we have to step up and take matters into our own hands .
Black Ohioans and other Ohioans of color have waited decades for change and reform .
For them , Ohio ’ s promise has gone unfulfilled for far too long .
The time to act is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any police officer who undergoes this training will have to complete at least 40 hours of training .
“ The intent of the General Assembly in enacting this act is to make our communities safer , ” the bill says .
“ This is accomplished by requiring peace officers to obtain violence de-escalation and mental health training , so that peace officers will have greater skills to resolve conflicts without the use of physical or deadly force.
” In the bill , “ de-escalation training ” is defined as a “ method or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to resolve it with the least use of force that is safe and practicable by a peace officer.
” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost threw his support behind this bill when it was introduced .
“ I applaud the legislature ’ s efforts to provide constructive ideas for a stronger law enforcement community .
House Bill 706 would create and fund continued education requirements for peace officers to receive enhanced training on de-escalation strategies , implicit bias , procedural justice and mental health issues and resources .
Better training means better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our communities.
” Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media .
If you have any tips , email Zachery at [ email protected ] Follow Zachery on Twitter @ zacheryschmidt2 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--Ypsilanti Mayor Resigns After Controversial Comment During Council Meeting

Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert resigned on Tuesday after receiving criticism for controversial remarks about a Black city official during a virtual council meeting .
During a Zoom meeting on June 16 , Bashert said that she would be “ crucified ” for not voting to reappoint city human relations commissioner Ka ’ Ron Gaines .
“ Since I will be crucified if I vote against any Black person on any commission , I ’ m going to vote yes , ” Bashert said , according to The Detroit Free Press .
The rest of the panel voted no and councilwoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statements during the meeting , The Detroit Free Press reported .
“ I think that is disrespectful , honestly , to our constituents and our community to say that you have to vote ‘ yes ’ because then , if not , you would be attacked because you didn ’ t appoint another Black person , ” Brown said during the meeting .
Bashert apologized on Facebook the following day .
“ Last night at City Council , I made a biased statement and voted based on that statement .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and getting defensive when questioned .
All of those actions were racist .
I am deeply ashamed and saddened that I did this .
I have spent the time since that meeting feeling remorse , shame , and anger at myself , ” she wrote in a post .
“ I understand that none of the terrible feelings I am having at this time come close to the painful experiences Black and Brown people suffer due to racism.
” After receiving continued criticism , Bashert resigned on Tuesday .
Her resignation was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 .
“ I am deeply sorry to have my service end on this note and in this way .
Sadly , as a result of my actions , there is healing to do to ensure that all residents , including Black , Indigenous , and people of color , enjoy full equity in Ypsilanti , ” Bashert said in a Facebook post announcing her resignation .
“ That is what I want for our City .
I had hoped to participate in that healing process , going forward.
” City Clerk Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLive .
Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson will serve until the November general election .
Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star .
Follow her on Twitter at @ JordynPair .
Email her at [ email protected ] .
Photo “ Beth Bashert ” by Beth Bashert .
Background Photo “ Ypsilanti Downtown ” by Dwight Burdette .
CC BY 3.0 .


thetennesseestar--2020-06-25--18-Year-Old Charged with Inciting a Riot, Civil Disorder in Knoxville Unrest

An 18-year-old from Heiskell , Tennessee was charged Monday with inciting a riot and civil disorder for his involvement in a May 30 riot in downtown Knoxville .
According to WVLT , a group of 50 to 100 people gathered in Market Square around 11:30 p.m. on May 30 to commit acts of vandalism as unrest spread across the nation in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
A federal criminal complaint filed Monday against Dominic Brown states that the 18-year-old posted messages on his Snapchat account that were intended to incite and organize a riot at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are not each other ’ s enemy only enemy is 12 , ” Brown said in one post .
The number “ 12 ” is a slang term that refers to law enforcement officers .
Brown made two additional posts with maps of the interior of West Town Mall .
“ If we get 300 people we can raid the mall and everything in there , ” he said .
According to the complaint , Brown also posted instructions to others and updates of his own preparations for the riot via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow rioters to wear masks , and bring hammers and bricks .
The complaint also alleges that Brown picked up a trash can lid filled with an unknown liquid and hit a law enforcement officer in the head while the officer was seated in a police vehicle .
“ The United States Attorney ’ s Office supports the right of American citizens to gather in peaceful protest , ” U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey said in a statement .
“ However , we will uphold the rule of law in this community and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek to hijack the circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd to engage in violent criminal activity.
” FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Joseph Carrico said “ violence , the threat of violence , and destruction of property jeopardizes the rights and safety of all citizens , including peaceful demonstrators.
” “ The FBI ’ s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution .
That includes the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment freedoms , ” he added .
“ We will remain steadfast in our mission to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to sow discord in our communities.
” Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star .
Follow Anthony on Twitter .
Email tips to [ email protected ] .